Starting chemo August 2014
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Ok, peeps I am back. Sorry had a down week and posted as much as I could. The RAD skin break down was painful for me. Now on the men as no additional skin breakdown since Sunday. Areas are beginning to heal now. I just want to know why the "tuff stuff" was easy for me and the "easy stuff" was hard. Go figure. RO was still surprised I burned so much but she noticed the signs and tried to stay ahead of the game. I was able to delay starting Tamixofen until Monday. I don't want to deal with the lingering SEs, fatigue, healing from RADs and whatever SEs Tamixfen might bring. So got a reprieve from my MO to start next week but I have to start next week :-(. Not quite ready.
I also sent her an email on OS and she wasn't dismissive in the email. She has scheduled another ovary functioning test. We will go from there to determine if I will get monthly shots or remove ovaries surgically. Amy, how are the monthly shots?
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Darn lost a whole looong post to everyone and didn't copy it. Well here's a shorten'd verision -- big smile.
Justamy, praying that the antibiotics work and for your quick recovery.
Beatmon, awesome and so glad about the good news with no progression. I want you to know that I think and pray for you often. I pray that H&P will keep the beast away!
Cassie, awesome what your DD did. Love the idea about the note. I met quite a few new people my last week in RADs and encouragement is what is needed. I am thinking about volunteering at my center, but not sure how it is going to pan out with my work schedule. I really want to stay involved with those that are coming behind us. I found
Catie, love the pic. Speaks beauty, release and freedom. It is a picture for a book cover or blog.
NurseShark and Kellogg, I agree it is so surreal being done. I spoke with my MO about PTSD and she suggested a survivorship group. Not sure I am ready for that. My employer has an employee assistance program (EAP) that offers 4 free sessions and more if I need it. I think I am going to take advantage of those.
I agree that we can open another thread for this group but not sure where to open it at. Opening another thread will allow others to join us along the way as Daisy and Jean did. Not sure the most appropriate area to open it. If we move from here we can place a link in the top post for those that may only visit or read the post to find us. I suggest that we stay here until those that are on H&P finish. Thoughts.
Love all my peeps.
Have a great weekend,
Angie
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Ladyb: I take shots once every three months for ovary suppression. I've only had 1 so far but I've been taking Aromasin for 2 months and haven't noticed any side effects from either. I haven't even had a hot flash yet. So for me the hormone therapy is easy for now. I hope it is for you too! Glad to see you back and through the radiation. I was a lot the way you are...the "easy" stuff caused me the most trouble. None of it's easy though. I thank God for this group for helping me through it!
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Thanks Amy! I am hoping for NO SEs. Not sure why my MO indicated she would go for a monthly shot if my ovaries are still very active.
I agree that none of this stuff is easy. So edited my post to put easy in quotes. Like I tell my family this is the hardest thing I have endured in my life and I have had to endure a few difficult things physically, emotionally and mentally. I too thank God for this group -- my peeps / my girls -- for helping me through this.
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Gatomal I joined the spring rads board. Seems like some of those ladies are almost done.makes me hopeful that it will go quickly.
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I started on the winter rads board but post on the spring one too, since my rads overlap the two seasons.
Beatmon, great to hear that you're continuing to do well on the HP regimen.
My MO called in my Rx for Tamoxifen, and wants me to start it after rads finish. I'm nervous about it. I finish rads on Wednesday and think I'll start the Tamox the following Monday, to give myself a few days to heal up and a mental fresh start.
I vote for keeping this thread active. It's one place we all know to look for each other.
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I also vote to keepthis thread active. It is something I can actually remember! I am a herceptin person too, until August. Had the survivorship appointment. It was interesting and helpful, but of course I forgot several questions, even though I had written them down! With herceptin I see my MO and/or nurse every three weeks so I can ask then. Whew!
I am the one who needs new tear ducts because taxotere destroyed mine. First surgery is Tuesday the 31st. I am hopeful!
Best wishes and prayers for Amy and Gatomal.
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Beatmon - Great news about the progression you've made. Always a good thing to get positive news.
Amy - Are the antibiotics helping?
LadyB - Glad to hear skin is on the mend, the worst is over. Recovery does take time, but you are heading in right direction now.
Thinking of all the ladies and wishing good days ahead for all. I agree on keeping this thread going for a while.
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This was the first thread I went to after having surgery and starting chemo in August. Although I don't post much anymore I still come back here to see how some of the ladies are doing that started with me. I would like to come back in August of 2015 and see who is left, so I guess I vote to keep it open.
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keep thread alive!!0 -
My lab results came in today and there is no infection! So my new boobies are going to stay right where they are! I'm feeling really good today. Exchange pain is nothing compared to any of the rest of it (chemo, BMX,SNB etc). I even made homemade muffins just now. Trying to take it easy though because I know my body has to heal. Oh BTW I vote to KEEP THE THREAD ALIVE! I love you guys. Hugs Amy
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Yay Amy!! So glad you're feeling good and infection free. You deserve a break!
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yes I vote to keep the thread alive too! Esp since I'll be here through July with rads.
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God news, Amy!
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congrats Amy! No infection and muffins? Perfect day!
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oncologist called in my tamoxifen prescription, not looking forward to it
he said 10 years. He also said if I got my period he would like to stop it with injections due to my age he said that will have better results. Asked if this was related to the soft trial and he said no. I was hoping to not be in menopause this early in life, in fact that's why I shut down my ovaries during chemo. I guess this is the cards I'm dealt with and have to deal with it. I know it makes no sense but reading that Angelina Jolie removed her ovaries helped me feel less different.0 -
amy, prayers for thise drugs to kick butt for you!
Gatomal, prayers for a quick recovery!
I Am amazed by us all. Today i start tamoxifen. Onco says if I had no chemopause or hot flashes during chemo, then i should do fine on tamox. Hope so!
Rads is a breeze compared to surgery and chemo. And i say that being one of the unlucky that burnt alot. Better still than the nausea, etc. of chemo!
So Bippy is on a whole food diet, day 4. No sugar, processed food, booze, or pasta. Minimal poultry and egs, all organic and no hormones. Doing pilates for core and strengthening. Wow, already the difference. Somehow the purity shook me loose emotionally. Cleaning house and playing music, then heard Home by Leann Womack. Every single word......cried detox tears, feel cleansed to the soul. Happy tears!
Reading Anticancer book, fascinating. Trying to change negative thinking patterns and behaviours that are not in line with healing.
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Yay Amy !!!
I say keep this thread too! You are a special group of ladies;)
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windgirl, I was hoping to not be in menopause already too. I'm not, technically, but I haven't had a period since September, due to chemo. My MO called in my Rx for Tamoxifen and I'll start it after I finish rads this week. Once again, I find myself upset by the "not knowing" - how will it affect me? What will the side effects be?
Bippy, sounds like you're doing better. I have that book too and I think it's really interesting, and inspiring. Another good one was Life Over Cancer (written by the medical director of the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment).
I'm glad others want to keep checking in here. Even if I never meet any of you in real life, you're real people out there, and we all went through tough times together. I've had a good week for walking and am starting to feel better.
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Like coming here, we can always post. Not a facebooker, so hope we will stay here! I see threads much older get resurrected, so why not ours? It feels odd not to post everynday, but I read posts all the time. Always want to know how everyone is doing.
In the future we will all return to our new normal and it would be nice to see you all here from time to time!
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Here at home we will stay! Thanks to those that weighed in.
Amy, awesome news!
Gatomal, thinking if you.
Bippy and Cassie, will need to pick up those two books to read while I am off work.
I came off work full time due to the extent of my RADs burns. Had a appt with RO nurse this morning and seems the worst is over and on the mend. Fatigue hit me hard yesterday. I start Tamoxifen today. Told MO I am worried about side affects. I go for the ovary functioning test this week to determine if I will do OS.
Windgirl. I like that your MO discussed OS with you. Mine was very dismissive until I forced the discussion and put it in writing. This is the first "negative" experience with her so not ready to write her off yet as she did "open-up". After I let her know I wanted to discuss all options and how she came to Tamoxifen for 10 years without OS. That after 9 months she should know I want the details and / or more info on what lead her to the decision - big smile.
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Gatomal, thinking of you today. Praying that you will have a quick recovery.
-Angie
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Gatomal, hoping all went well today! Check in when you can.
I have my very last rads boost tomorrow. I was teary yesterday, but today I feel happy and strong. We'll see what tomorrow brings, lol. I'm making homemade nutter butter cookies and have a small gift card for my tech. She has been such a calm, kind and steady presence for me, and I want her to know that I appreciate her.
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gatomal made it through anesthesia! Gatomal Breasts' are on fire., especially underneath the Breast. It's hard to tell how much she took, what size they are etc, but there is a lot gone. Recovery room Rn said four nodes taken, by surgeon told hubby 7/8 with no Cancer in sentinel node? I am waiting to talk to both surgeons myself tonight. I hope its good news. Oh and the ALND was done from inside the Breast, not with a separate incision, so no underarms incisions, which I am bery happy about since it seems like those hurt the worst. Thank you for all your prayers. I am seriously so happy to be awake again after anesthesia. It was my greatest fear, never waking up to see my babies again. I love you guys! I felt all the good vibes today. Hugs!
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oh, and my surgeon is dr Esserman at Ucsf. She sang me to sleep holding my hand. I requested Etta James at last. she printed up the words, taped them to the IV pole, and sang
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Yay Gatmol! My biggest fear was not waking up too or waking up with a tube down my throat. Neither happened thank goodness. I hope you recover quickly
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Gatomal, hope you get some sleep tonight and can pain relief. You are a strong lady! So glad to see your post
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Glad to hear things went well, Gatomal! Rest up and enjoy the pain meds.
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Gatomal= LOVE you. So happy this part is over. All good news from here on out.
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Gatomal, so happy to hear your surgery is done. I am praying that everything from here on will go well for you. May God show up in a mighty way and bless you with a smooth, easy recovery with no complications. Love, Jean
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