Any Texas Hill Country BC Warriors?
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DH320 - We are all ages, all stages and we make up the best support group a gal can have! We are here for you!
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Hi ladies!
Just a note to let you know things are changing .... again ..... on the cancer front. We found two small lesions on my brain. I go in next week or the week after to get radiation treatment on them. It should be a one and done visit. The worst part is they put me on steroids for about 2 to 3 weeks to minimize brain swelling from the lesions and the treatment. Did I mention I HATE taking steroids! The good news is I will no longer get steroids with my chemo. I pushed back on that and they agreed since I am already doing this other steroid stuff. Ugh!
Anyway, I haven't updated my blog yet. Will be doing that after we reach my MIL to tell her the news. I will update this weekend.
I am still not giving up. But I will be honest ... it is getting harder and harder not to get real discouraged. We are frustrated right now. I am working hard to get past that and back to my cheerful self. Although this brain stuff is a blip in the grand scheme of things, I still need a day or so to come to grips and get back my fighting spirit!
Positive thoughts my way would be appreciated! Hope we can all meet up later this summer!!
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Sending a load of positive thoughts your wa y as well as virtual hugs.
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Vicki
I am so sorry to read your post and hear what you are now having to go through. I cannot imagine. But you were there for me I was first diagnosed and I think of you often and your support and your strength and your words of encouragement. I am sending you lots of prayers, hugs and positive healing thoughts. You are a fighter and strong And while I cannot imagine how you are feeling - just know that you are loved and supported. I may be far away in Florida but I am only a phone call away if you just need to vent or need a shoulder. Call me anytime. And I mean anytime!! Love and hugs - your “ce real Texas Warrior sister”Candy
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thanks! They are Working! Got my fighting spirit back and am taking control.
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thank you so much, Candy! I was in a dark place in the post. I have since updated my blog, listening to cancer fight songs the whole time. There were a couple of dark moments in the blog, but nowhere near what I thought it would be. Listening to music while I wrote totally helped. And the outpouring of support has been amazing. Exactly what I need to get back on the horse! I have also decided to control what I can. I am finally jumping on the alkaline body band wagon. I have a cookbook to achieve an alkaline body in 4 weeks, the first week being detox. Waiting to see when radiation treatment is scheduled before I start. I don't want to be in a situation where I can't move for 45 minutes ... the the impact of the detox rears its ugly head. Meanwhile, I am preparing the detox soups and freezing them until I know more.
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Vicki,
It's always good to hear from you! I can't pretend that I understand what you must be going through, but I am sending prayers and good thoughts your way. I hope your treatments are easy on you. I'm with you on the steroids. Just say NO!! lol. ugh. You are a good advocate for yourself and that is important. Keep up the good work:).
((HUGS))
Terri
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Hi Terri! Sorry for getting back to you so late. My radiation is scheduled tomorrow afternoon. So excited to get this done so we can move on to killing cancer. I will start my alkaline detox friday or Saturday. Can't wait to hmget off the steroids. The weight swing has been horrific ... 6 lbs in 2 days. I feel like a beached whale.
Other than feeling fat and bloated, I am doing well. Hope to see everyone soon. I get my second vaccine saturday!
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Vicki, I'm glad you're getting your vaccine soon! I hope it gives you few SE's. I had Moderna and my second one was 6 wks after the first. No SE's other than a sore arm. For me, it is a relief and takes a huge weight off of my mind. I was able to have Grandkids spend the night last wk for the first time in a year! That was the best:). Keep us posted on your treatments, etc. Hugs and prayers.
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Terri -
Hubby got his first vaccine yesterday, so we need to wait for him to get his second plus 2 weeks. But my grandbabies and I are already plotting and planning our first overnight. Cant wait. We continue to stay connected but it isnt the same. My heart is full right now!
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Vicki, I read the last couple of blog entries. I am so sorry you're going through all of this! I remember how scary the breast radiation was - down in the basement and feeling sort of trapped - I can't imagine how it feels with having to wear the mask and having the radiation directed at your brain! I am sending healing thoughts your way.
Your dietary changes sound AMAZING. I don't know about the alkaline aspect of your plan, but I know I always feel so much better when I am eating a ton of fruit & veg like you've described. I lost 20% of my body weight 2 years ago by following a fruit & veg plan.
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Some of you have asked about me. We just moved to NB 3 months ago from California. But for us it was really coming home - we are native Texans; both my husband and I went to UT. We headed out west 25 years ago for a job and have finally made our way back.
I have quite a few health problems that at this point aren't affecting my daily life, but require a lot of specialist monitoring. So I decided to go with UTHSA so all my specialists could be under one roof. It's not too far from NB - not any farther than I drove in SoCal to get to some of my doctors, anyway!
Last week was a little emotional for me. I saw a breast oncologist at UTHSA and it also happened to be the 10 year anniversary of when I finished my radiation. The doctor told me basically, "you're done here." At the 10 year mark she feels that routine mammography and follow up with a primary care doctor is the best plan. For some reason I thought I'd be followed up by a breast oncologist for the rest of my life. It was so surprising and relieving, I was in shock. I cried a little when I got to my car.
The one open item is the arimidex I'm taking. She thinks it's fine to stop it now, or to continue up to another 2 years (I started it 3 years ago after a total hysterectomy bc of ovarian cancer). I've been losing bone density which should slow down if I stop the arimidex. She said I should talk to my gynecologic oncologist and decide with her if it's still helpful as a preventative measure for ovarian cancer recurrence. I'll see that doctor in about 3 weeks.
I hope to meet some of you ladies soon!
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Hi Happy and Well!
Glad you stopped by to visit the blog. It is the best way for me to communicate to family, friends, co-workers, etc. It keeps me from having to repeat myself. Truth be told, it's also therapeutic for me. I hope it helps others as well.
The radiation for the brain was okay. I was worried about the 45 minutes, but I just counted the songs they were playing to gauge how much time was left. And I sang along in my head. I am claustrophobic, or at least I used to be, but this stuff didn't phase me at all.
The diet is going well so far. I don't miss meat at all. I look forward to cooking something new every other day or so, which is a huge departure for this non-cook! LOL!
Anyway, I feel good, I am at peace with whatever comes, and I am almost deliriously happy. Every day is a great day!
Hoping we can all meet up soon once we are all vaccinated!!
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Hi y'all!
Please forgive my absence. COVID just kept me in a bubble, but vaccinated and ready to get out there.
Vicki- Went to your blog to catch up. I am so sorry. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way. You are amazing 😉
Hi and welcome to the new ladies.
My dog has 4 more weeks of restricted crate and on lease only activity as he recovers from his 2nd TPLO surgery. Blew out ACL on left knee last May and the right knee this February. Takes 12 weeks for bone to grow over the new plates and screws. We have cabin fever here....
Perhaps, we can meet up in July?
I'll check back soon.
(((Hugs)))
Cindy
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Hi all!
Cindy! Glad you are well, and hoping for an easy recovery for your pupper. No need to apologize, just happy to hear that you are okay.
I have also been vaccinated, and July sounds doable for me if we can find a nice patio early in the day before it gets blistering.
H&W- I hear you- getting cut loose feels like jumping out of a plane without a parachute.
But, it's also a bit of a relief when you haven gone a few months. As long as you are listening to your body and seeing your GP regularly, hopefully you will never have to see your Onco again! Hope everyone is doing well and that we can get together soon~
jeni
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Hi ladies,
It's good to hear from you J and C!
I just got back from Tucson to see my Mom for Mothers' Day.
I have been vaxx'd also. It would be great to see everyone soon! Newbies, pls try to come.
Vicki, I think of you often and hope you are feeling well~
Stay well everyone.
((HUGS))
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Hi all!
Started my tattoo cover of my scars today. It will probably take about 2 years to finish. also YOWSA! I forgot how much tattoos hurt about 5 hours after when all those endorphins ware off!
Hope everyone is coping with the humidity. I feel like I'm a fish outside sometimes!
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Hey y’all
Thrilled to discover a Texas thread! This Dallas gal looks forward to getting to know everyone.
♥️🌈
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Welcome to the thread, ByHisGrace! I'm happy you found us. Keep checking in as we may have a get together at some point, again. Feel free to post about anything and everything. We have a diverse mix of ages, stages here! Most of us live close to the Austin area, some further South, some North, but all re welcome. I live about 40 minutes NE of Austin.
Jen, I hope the tattoos go well for you!
Stay well, y'all. Let's plan a get together soon.
Terri
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Hi All!
Welcome to our newest additions.
Jen - i would love to see the artwork that will be the final tattoo. I've debated getting one but I'm not a fan of pain and may also need to get permission from my doc. Any suggestions for something small?
Candy - Hope all is going well in FL. Have y'all started traveling again or are you still land-locked? Regardless, thinking of you. Stay safe!
Terri - Spending time with grandbabies? I am planning on a day next weekend with mine. Back to school shopping. Its a thing with us.
Cindy - TX or CO? Hope all is going well.
Me? Hanging in there. Decent PET for a change. Sticking with a treatment plan for more than 2 cycles. We are shooting for at least 4. We are cautiously optimist.
I was starting to relax a little until this Delta variant. Definite put a hitch in my giddyup, hence the day with my babies instead of the weekend. Be careful everyone. Stay Safe!
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Vicki,
It's good to hear from you. I'm glad that you are feeling optimistic. Take the victories as they come! I hope this treatment keeps you on course! Enjoy the time with the kiddos.
Yes, I've been trying to spend as much time with the grandkids as I can. Seems like summer passes too quickly and they are back to school again.
Stay well everyone~
T
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Welcome ByHisGrace!
Vicky- caught up and whew! That's a lot of results kinda all over the map, but overall, it seems to be good news. I am sending you all the love, always.
Well y'all, I guess we missed out "safe" window for a meetup for now. Here's hoping we can get this delta v under control sooner than later and finally meet our new friends and see some familiar faces again. I know I miss you all.
My medical professional friends are tired. And honestly, so am I. Get your vaccine, wear your mask, still be alive tomorrow without killing anyone else. Pretty simple.
On a lighter note, my tattoo is coming along beautifully. I can't wait to share it with y'all. Lidocaine patches are awesome. Vicki, let's have a super distanced and masked morning or evening walk soon and chat about something you might want?. I'll text you tomorrow or Friday.
Hope everyone is okay and your family's are staying healthy. Y'all be safe out there.
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Hey ladies -
Round Rock BC patient looking for referrals for a good breast surgeon. Can you send them my way please?
Thanks in advance!
Oh ... starting treatment #7 on Friday. Will update my blog again this weekend.
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vbishop - Sorry I don't know anyone close to you, but I have a wizard surgeon in Houston if you're considering traveling. She's just amazing.
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Vicki,
I had Jane Nelson do my surgery. Her bedside manner isn't the best, but her surgical skills are awesome ! She's in Austin, if she's still working. The mammo techs always comment about the "good job" she did with little scarring on my LX. I would def use her again if needed.
I hope your TX goes well~
Stay well y'all!!!!
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thanks, Terri! I passed your information along. Hope all is well with you!
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I would love to participate in the gathering. Late Jan. or early Feb. would work best for me. Just finished Stage 2 in New York
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Hi Everyone!
I have news! I was recently asked by my sister to speak at her company's breast cancer awareness group. The meeting was yesterday; it was a live Team's meeting. This is an international company so they have an entire media team behind this event. There is the production coordinator, the moderator, the marketing staff, and the breast cancer awareness committee for the company. I felt like all i needed was hair and makeup staff to cover all that is needed for a professional production. It was a lot of fun, I didn't hold back (you know me!), and I had everyone in tears at the end, including me. They recorded the whole thing so I will add it to my blog once I get the final product.
What caused the tears? Great news! Right before the meeting started, I received a call from my doctor's office. My tumor markers are all down by a minimum of 50%. My brother and his wife, plus my oldest sister all came in for this event. I could barely talk when I told them the news and then again when I interrupted my husband in his daily morning meeting. We all cried. Then I called my sister in CO to tell her before the meeting because I didn't want her to lose it during the meeting (she was also slated to speak about what it is like to be a family member of someone with MBC). I know it doesn't sound like much, but we haven't had much good news in the past several months. We have seen the rise and fall, mainly rise, of tumor markers in the past, but nothing to this degree.
For reference, here are the numbers:
- CEA; normal high is 2.4; was 8.3 on 9/10, then 4.8 on 10/1; now 3.6
- CA 15-3; normal high is 32.4; was 511.3 on 9/10; 274.50 on 10/1; now 167.8
- CA 27-29; normal high is 38.6; was 881 on 9/10; 689.4 on 10/1; now 436.8
Still high, but dropping fast in the last month. What does this mean? Finally, we may have a treatment that will last longer than three months. Many MBC women on this protocol have been on it for over 3 years. Maybe I'm jumping the gun, but I feel like, for the first time in 18 months, that I can plan more than 6 months ahead. I may even make it to my grandson's graduation next year! A month ago, I wasn't sure I would make it to Christmas.Hope y'all are doing well!!0 -
Vicki
What wonderful, amazing news!! I think of you often and keep you always in my prayers. That sounds like it was an amazing opportunity and I am sure your words touched many people and may have encouraged some women to get checked. Sending you hugs and positive thoughts. Love Candy
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Vicki, So happy for you! Good for you on your speaking engagement:). I'm sure it helped yourself as well as many others. What a blessing. Keep up the good work.
I hope everyone else is doing well. I am hoping for a family gathering for Christmas this year!
((HUGS))
Terri
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