Starting chemo August 2014
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None close to my house, but loads of tornadoes today and right now
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Thanks LadyB for the mention. I am on vacation this week in Galveston Texas and loving it!!!! Today (5/6/14) was my mammogram date that started all this nightmare, so I thought I would come back and see what was going on with you wonderful ladies. I have certainly met a bunch of great ladies here on the different sites and still can't believe it has been a year now that I have been dealing with BC. My husband took me out for a Strawberry Daiquiri tonight and it was delicious!!!!!!
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Well, my biopsy was uneventful and relatively easy yesterday & I feel pretty good today, only a little sore when I move the wrong way. Still have ice on it, but doesn't seem to be swelling or bruising at all, so far. It was a stereotactic biopsy, which is mammography guided. Had to drive an hour & a half to Tucson when I had a MRI guided biopsy last year, but now they offer them here, which is nice. So now we wait... I have an appointment with my BS on Monday for the results.
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Trying to get caught up! Feels like I haven't posted in forever. It sounds like many of us are feeling ups and downs in our recovery.
windgirl, big hugs for you. You make me want to give my DD an extra hug tonight.
Beatmon, I think we truly know when it's the right time to change course, but my hunch is that now is not your time!
StrongEnough, I'm so sorry you lost your kitty.
I'm hoping for benign biopsy results for you. Yay for the new job for DH!Angie, glad the headaches are subsiding. So far I haven't have that SE from the Tamox.
Nomatterwhat, congrats on reaching this milestone!
Catie, Kellogg, eileen, bippy, and everyone else...always nice to see your names pop up here and read what you have to say. I haven't felt much like writing lately, but I'm still here. Tomorrow morning is Herceptin #12 for me. Tomorrow night my DD and her theater classmates put on their spring production, which I'm looking forward to. Yesterday I had a really hard day at work and started second-guessing my decision to take back on my admin duties. But today was better. I'm so flippin' tired that it makes it hard to deal well sometimes. Two cups of "tension tamer" tea and one ativan helped last night. I don't seem to sleep well, though *knock on wood* the hot flashes haven't been waking me up as often lately. So either they're subsiding (good? bad?) or I'm sleeping through them. Still no sign of my period returning. I can't figure out if that's good or not. Who knows. I had some dental work finished two days ago - decay that happened during chemo. I guess a drier mouth can lead to decay more easily, and my dentist said it isn't unusual to see decay after chemo. I haven't exercised once this week and that has me concerned. I have to make time for it, no question about it. But I'm actually more tired now than I was, say, a month ago. Recovery plus work is taking its toll on me. I have faith that this will improve, though!
Night night, everyone. xo
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Cassiecat - Tired is my middle name. I take vitamins and have been drinking coffee just to keep up. I still crash pretty early at night. Weekend I find myself napping mid day. A girls got to do, what a girls got to do. Lol
Stronenough - have my fingers crossed for you. Try to keep yourself busy this wknd. Monday will come soon enough.
LadyB - Sounds like each day is an improvement. That's definitely the direction we want to go. You have been thru so much and I am wishing you even more better days ahead.
To all the wonderful ladies, keeping you all in my thoughts. Loving that it's still light out side later in day and that it's finally gardening weather. Planted my garden this past wknd. Already had asparagus a couple of nights. My DH is still recovering from is heart surgery, and insisting on heart friendly food. Now I just have to get back to my regular exercise routine. Have a great wknd!
Cathie
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BENIGN!
The BS called yesterday, said she thought she would just give me a call & make my weekend instead of making me wait & wonder until Monday. LOVE HER! And not just for the good news, she really is great! We went out & had a small celebration dinner with another couple. Hubby said, can we afford dinner out? I said, I don't care if we can or not, and since we don't have to pay for again cancer this year, we probably can!
Cassie, so glad your DD had a good time backpacking. Being in the backcountry brings peace and perspective like nothing else. I have signed up to go on a Philmont scout trek with our troop in 2016. Our 1st training trip is next weekend. I have a long way to go to get ready for a 50+ mile trek, but that is why we are starting so early. I'm so happy that I can still go! Hubby likes to say, it takes all your mundane , day-to-day problems & replaces them with a whole other set of problems. It really is a great sense of accomplishment to complete a successful trip.
Cathie, glad your DH is recovering well. Heart healthy food is not a bad thing for anyone. We love asperagus, would like to grow some, but haven't gotten past they buying of the seeds part of our gardening plan this year. My mom grew asperagus for several years when I was a teenager. If I remember correctly, it's a bit of a challenge, but worth it!
Happy Mother's Day tomorrow to all you moms! I'm going to call mine today & give her my good news
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yes strongenough!!!!
Happy mothers day all
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StrongEnough, YAY!!! So glad to hear your good news.
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yay strongenough!
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strong enough...what a huge relief! Celebrate! Happy moms day to all. I'm waiting for my two littlest ones to wake up right now...best Mother's Day gift of all. Thank you all for being there as a great support. I couldn't have made it this far without you all.
Nine days until surgery number two, then I'll breathe a big sigh of relief!
Went to the pediatrician for the boys four month shots. The med assistant asked these questions of me, I didn't think to take offense until after. It was absurd! Really makes for a great story.
What stage are you?
What's your prognosis?
Why didn't you cut them both off?
Did you have chemo? Why do you have your hair? What's a cold cap?
Next time someone asks me what my prognosis is...I'm going to say "HOURS, so let's move this along, shall we?" Lol.
Love you guys
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Yay, Strongenough. Great news.
Cathie, glad your DH is recovering well. i hope you are able to relax!
Gatomal, I had one person during this journey ask what my prognosis was! My response was not nice -- stupid people
Happy Mother's Day to all you moms/mommys/mommas/mothers and those that are a mother figure to others!
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Happy Mother's Day to the moms out there.
Srtongenough - Great news...
Gatomol - PEOPLE !
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Happy Mother's Day. This year's a tougher one for us. My mom's mom passed away last weekend, so we're missing her this weekend. And, my DH's mom passed away just two years ago, and we still miss her very much. My daughter made me a card that says "Thanks for always being there for me!" and all I could think was, I hope that's always true.
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Gatamol: all those questions and you didn't choke anyone? So proud
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nurseshark, are you still around? Was George your chemo nurse?
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gatomal WTF with the beotch and her questions. In my book, there is going to be a list of things NOT to say to us BC gals. And hers top the freakin list.
This will be a long rambling post.
Sleepin a bit better now, been on the Tamoxifen about 45 days. Took melatonin vs. trazodone and it works ok for sleep. Eileen, how are your flashes and insomnia?
Cassie, isn't it true that holidays become bittersweet, as we lose our people along the way. My mother disappeared early from my life, had rx addictions and mental issues. So i had to remove her from my life 25 years ago. Now, I have adopted so many faux moms that it is not so painful.
The herceptin though is still kickin my ass 4 days later. Achy hip joints, like I am 100. Tired too, depressed. Whatevah! No one wants me for any work, nothing. I am over feeling bad about it though, and will cruise thru vacation sans any job with no worries. I figure it is for the best anyway, so I can more fully heal.
Been doing pilates and stretches for lymphedema and to break up scar tissues. Ouchie. Feels better and sore, weird combo. More mobility, less tightness, but it is rough.
Making soups today, Taco and Split Pea. Been cookin alot and am on a new kick, Indian food. My foodgawker is loaded with Dal and curries. Also thinking greek. Anyone use foodgawker? i am on pinterest too, lets meet up there anyone who is interested. I am lucybenis on pinterest and lucybeniskennedyjr on foodgawker. I finally gave in and joined facebook too, so I am bippysbits there.
It is hotter than blazes here, so I may have to join a gym to do treadmill inside walking. I have ZERO heat tolerance now, just cannot take it. Last night we went a 7 and I was a sweaty, overheated mess. It took me hours to be comfortable again, even in the ac!
Anyone done any rebounding on trampoline for lymphedema?
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Gatomal, WOW... I always tell people I don't mind talking about it, but they are usually at least polite... and that level of ignorance and insensitivity -- from a medical professional, no less -- is astounding. I admire your restraint. I'm going to try to do better keeping up with you ladies, but just in case I don't check in again soon enough, best of luck w/your 2nd surgery. I had to have a re-excision after my lumpectomy, too. It was much easier than the lumpectomy, b/c no lymph node biopsy & no drain. You'll do great, I'm sure.
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Kellogg .:I am around;) yes George was my infusion nurse!Amazing person!!!
I have 7more radiation treatment s left!!!! Itchy a little burnt and exhausted!
Baby Levi will be 6months old in a few days!!!started rolling like a champ....and is huge!!!!
I'm 3months out from mastectomy/implants...finally getting used to them.
Xoxox. Hope everyone is well
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hi all! I posted yesterday, but this site freezes so much on my iPad that it erased it! Went for my mammo today, better than expected pain wise, actually met Suladog, a poster on the cold cap board. So neat to see someone you share a board with in the flesh. We have such a bond going through this...
Beatmon...I know! Bippy, strong enough..thanks for the encouragement! People are so strange. We've had a few concerns w the boys. One, last week we had to get an EKG for baby, the pedi that I don't care for thought she heard an irregular heartbeat when he was sleeping. So to the ekg we went, and the tech was getting rattled as the baby was screaming, and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working. I said..."is this a wireless device?" Twice, as my husband was holding the unplugged cable in his hand. Since the baby was so agitated, everything looked fine, so I don't know what to think.then we had to take the other baby to the plastic surgeon as his head s very flat. So tons of active repositioning, and if that doesn't work a helmet. I feel so guilty, and worried that I will be too out of it after surgery to make sure everyone is doing what they should and not laying the baby down on his flat side.
Cassie, sorry for your loses, and on Mother's Day that's hard. I feel the same way you do...how many will I be around? Just ant to get this surgery behind me already and finish active treatment. Nurse shark...are you done w rads? Hug your lil one.
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Strongenough= YEAH YOU!!!!!
I am on my post cancer trip. So, I do not get near a computer too often. Started out in London and we were crazy with walking tours. Got to Paris 2 nights ago and I got REALLY sick with a sinus infection. Thought I would die(I have trouble with my WBC counts and was afraid of getting a fever). Luckily my BF brought antibiotics. So, I am on the mend. Kept thinking I am an idiot to think I could do this trip 5 months after chemo. I did not want to tell my BF I needed to go home. He worked so hard on this trip for me. So,now I am back to myself.
Some one in Paris told me I had a really chic haircut. Chemocut and it is really cheap.
I think of everyone often. Hope the best for everyone!!!!
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Hi all,
I think I will join your group now and then. My October '14 chemo group has about disbanded - and that's OK. Everyone is moving on, but I still feel the need to connect with others on this journey.
I finished chemo just before Christmas. Radiation was not recommended. And I started Aromasin in mid-March. So far, so good with the Aromasin. I work out a lot, hoping to stay ahead of the SEs. I'm 57. I have a 12-year-old daughter. I'm married and I work full-time. I'm kind of tired after that chemo and bmx in late August, but I think my fatigue is very gradually getting better. (Course, some of it's linked to being 57!)
I also wanted to pass along the name of a very nice program called Casting for Recovery that one of the wonderful women in the October group told me about. This year's program took place 2 weekends ago in my state, Georgia. There is a chapter in almost every state now. They select a small group of women every year to go someplace beautiful in that state and learn to fly fish. The participants have all had breast cancer. They can be in any stage, and in or past treatment. Our group ranged in age from early 40s to late 60s, but all ages can apply. The staff members are all women, a number of whom also have had breast cancer. Many of the fly fishing instructors are women, and those women are so inspiring. It was a very good experience, and nice to meet in person a lot of other women who've had bc. You find you can talk about anything with them: one minute the details of your mastectomy, and the next, the Braves. So comfortable. They all get it. Any way, there is a very easy online application. I was lucky and got in on the first try. Some of the women in our group had been trying for a number of years. But I think eventually everyone gets in. And you don't need any skill. As one of the instructors told me: "It's about the fishing, not the catching." I think I probably managed to catch the smallest fish ever retrieved from the Chattahoochee.
I hope some of you might also love this program as much as I did.
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Welcome Nottoday. I am at the point you are that I have a need to still connect to those on the journey.
Eileen, I hope you are having a ball! Live it up for all of us and post pictures. Most of all I am glad you are feeling better so you can enjoy your vacation! Your BF is a true keeper -- which you already know
! He has been by your side the entire journey and from the "reading" of things spoiled you rotten which you deserve every minute of it!!!!Catie, how is DH doing? Also how are you doing adjusting to work?
Windgirl, your turn next week. We want to live vicariously through your post and pictures too! Are you ready -- all packed and excited?
Gatomal, this site freezes with my iPad too. I get so annoyed when a post is lost. So neat that you actually met one of the posters in person! You have a lot on your plate! Will you have help after your surgery? I am praying for a smooth and quick recovery. I am scheduled for my mammo on 6/1 -- hoping it is not too painful.
NurseShark, Woot! Woot! almost done. Wow, 6 months already! He will be crawling before you know it.
Bippy, I have only done exercises given to my by my Lymphedema PT and massages. I have a compression sleeve to wear during exercises or during the day. I have had to wear it everyday since mid-RADS treatment. I had an appoint on Monday and was released to wear it only when needed (i.e. exercising, strenuous work, etc.)
Hugs as Always and hoping all are doing well. (forgive all grammar and spelling errors to tired to correct -- big smile).
Angie
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Ladies, I treated myself to a mani/pedi this past weekend. I haven't had one of those since I was diagnosis a year ago. Felt good to do something normal! I did not get my cuticles cut on the lymphedema arm.
My struggle, is exhaustion. It will be two full weeks of being back to work tomorrow and I am utterly exhausted. Friday I came home and passed out on the couch before 8:00 and didn't move until Saturday morning. Same thing happened on Tuesday. This is a late night for me as I have been in bed before 9 almost everyday and worked with my job to not get in until 9:00am. Sleep is much better -- probably because I am so exhausted. Tamoxifen SEs are starting to diminish -- except for the these darn Hot Flashes are getting worse -- so full menopause here I come. My MO will do ovary functioning test I believe it is every 3 months to determine if I am actually going into menopause.
XoXoXo -- Angie
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LadyB - Funny, I actually had my first man/pedicure this past wknd also. It's been a year since I had it done at a salon. I just asked them not to buff because my nails are finally good again. My daughter had bought me polish during chemo that is suppose to be better for nails. She yelled at me that I didn't bring my own polish to salon. Whatever! I even had a 10 minute extra calf and foot massage. Nice treat to myself....
I get so tired at night after work still. I have been keeping my DH company these last few weeks while he recovers from surgery. He seems to be feeling better each day. So I decided next week I'm going to return to my gym a couple of days after work and one morning on wknds. I need to focus on me more now. Hair is starting to look like I actually have short hair on purpose.
Memorial wknd my daughter is visiting with her boyfriend. BF called us, planning to try to romantically propose to her while here. Asked if his family can come up so we can all be there afterwards. very excited for them and looking forward to focusing on good things to come. DD already told me she would want to have wedding here at house. Oh boy! Lots of planning ahead. She is going to be really surprised. Glad he's making this memorable for her.
Gatamol - Good luck w next step. Thinking about you.
Hope everyone is doing better and moving forward.
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nurseshark- George seems awesome!
Gatomal sorry to hear about the babies. I hope all goes well after surgery!
Catie- glad to hear your husband is doing well. What exciting news about your daughter! Happy things to come!
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hi ladies, I haven't been able to connect due to my crazy work schedule this week and really missed hearing from you all. So glad to have this place. Glad to hear you are all doing well. Eileen, looks like we almost were in Paris at the same time! Hope you are feeeling better and continuing to enjoy the trip. Ladyb, haven't packed yet
last minute packer here... But this time I will try to do it over the weekend so I won't stress about it. They were inspecting my projects at work this week and I passed with the best grade, so I'm really excited and weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I called my hair dresser and apparently he is out of town. I'm hoping to get a trim to shape this mess and go wigless on my vacation. Glad to hear the compliments you got on the chemo cut Eileen! Funny thing, I also am planning to get my first mani pedi in a long while. I typically didn't go before BC either but I have a gift card for a spa and think I will use it for that if I can get an appointment over the weekend.I also started a new workout routine with online coaching, it has a funny name, in case anyone is interested it's called get glutes
). Focuses on strengthening the lower body so it is a perfect fit for us, and almost all exercises can be done at home. The coach is also a well known and educated trainer, I've read his articles and decided to give it s try as it sounded logical and doable. You start with 2 days a week. I've done it for about 10 days now. They have a discussion board like this where people support each other and are welcoming. Reason I chose this is I was having a hard time with cardio and this program has none of that in it. Also started tracking my food on my fitness pal app, while I was not too keen on the idea at first I realized it really helps me keep down fattening food.I have so much to do tomorrow, need to clean the apartment and organize things, yuck! Think I am ready to go to bed and it's only 9 pm
Take care ladies, happy Friday 0 -
I was planning on getting my first EVER Mani/Pedi tomorrow, but my daughter got sick and we were going together so we rescheduled for the 30th. Too funny that many of us have the same idea!
I went to two Dr appts today. My surgeon said everything looked great and no lymphodema so that was good. Then I went to my MO and all my levels were great-even my hemoglobin that tends to be low all the time. I got my shot to put me into menopause and it was terrible! They put lydocane on it first but it still hurt something awful. It was a good visit though...no problems and no more appts for 3 months.
I also went out without a hat today and I really liked it. My hair is still really short but I'm ready to not need to cover up.
Glad to hear most of you are doing good. I'm still tired a lot and have aches and pains that are new after chemo.My depression is hit and miss depending on the day. I have to find a way to get out of the house and the desirebti do it.
Well I will talk to you all later. Hugs
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I'm glad to hear from so many. Eileen, your trip is sounding awesome. I hope you can enjoy it!! nottoday, welcome to the group. All of you getting mani/pedis - have fun! My nails are still lifted, so I'm not ready to do that yet. Catie, so awesome about your DD and her boyfriend's plans!! Gatomal, thinking of you and your babies. DD goes to her first prom tomorrow night, so that's pretty exciting.
Small school, so all grade levels can go and they can bring friends (don't necessarily need dates). I'll be chaperoning, so I'll get to peek in. Still wishing I was sleeping better! My MX side, after all the rads, is still sensitive, and I feel like I have bruised ribs almost when I push on them, right under my former breast.0 -
Justamy - Glad to hear your Dr visits all went well. I hope you daughter feels better soon. A mother/daughter man/pedi sounds awesome. Yeah for hair!
Cassiecat - So lucky you can be there to see DD prom. I always wished I was a fly on the wall when my kids went to theirs. Sorry you are still sore and hope you start feeling better soon. Have you tried the tree tea oil soap on your nails at all. I really think it helped mine. Also keeping a coat of clear polish. It seemed like my nails would never be right again and then one day they just were.
Hope everyone enjoys the summer. I love that it stays lighter out longer. I found winter so depressing. (For more reasons then one). Each day is getting better. I'm ready to not be tired or feel sick anymore. We went thru so much and now I just want to move forward. We are only here for a brief time and I don't want to waste anymore of mine with this BC crap. Its taken up too much of it. I wish you all better days ahead. I know some are still fighting the fight and I'm still here for you. Hang In there and know it will get better. We are kicking cancer's butt!
Be strong!
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