Starting chemo August 2014
Comments
-
Prom was fun for DD.
I danced a little bit toward the end, with other teachers, and felt incredibly awkward. And ugly, truth be told. So much youth and beauty in that room, and I was acutely aware of my uber-short hair and disfigured body. Ugh. But she had fun, as did most (all, hopefully!) of the students. No crying, no injuries, no drama that I could see. 
Three more weeks of school, one week of in-services and meetings, and then I'm done for the summer. 0 -
Awesome Cassie! Also thanks about your message on mani pedi, my nails are still lifted (partially) too so I decided to stay away from salons and continue painting it myself to avoid any infection
0 -
LadyB and others who've experience fatigue, I know just what you mean. At night, my sleep is sometimes good, sometimes not, but boy, during the day, I can nap almost anywhere, anytime. Just fall into a deep, deep sleep at the drop of hat. Of course, they frown on this at work, but I often take a nap as soon as I get home and nap once or twice over the weekends. I need to move to a country where the siesta is still sanctioned.
I am taking my daughter on a 2-week trip to Hawaii soon, with 4 days in the SF Bay Area, where I lived for a number of years while attending graduate school. I really miss it and will be glad to be back, if only briefly. I see there are Bay Area residents on this thread: I'm envious.
Best wishes to all for a good week (with lots of naps!)
0 -
hey ladies! Been keeping up reading, but haven't been writing much. I've been fighting a cold, maybe stress and anxiety related, have my reexcision tomorrow and my bone marrow bx ( and carpal tunnel surgery). In the afternoon, which is awful since no food all day! Got some night help for three days to help grandma out who is really worn out. I'm more scared this time than for the first time. Praying for clean margins, little pain, and an easier recovery. Seven weeks from first procedure, and still have stitches working their way up through the skin.
Thinking about you who are vacationing, going to proms, nursemaid-ing husbands, getting back to work, and dealing with fatigue. I'm getting overwhelmed thinking about being well enough to care for all these kiddos. Let's just get through tomorrow, right?
0 -
hi ladies!
Welcome not today. Glad to have you here!
Wind girl already knows, as does no matter what, that I have now developed lymphedema in my right arm. It freaking sucks. I guess the good news is I was able to get an appointment first thing tomorrow morning so off we go into that world now. Bippy is very pissy about it all. Swell, wrap, repeat. F$/$/K!
However she is very happy also to read about the trips to Paris, Eileen and windgirl! The prom, Caties husband's recovery etc.
I too looking forward to vacation is the only thing keeping me going right now. Just talked to my girlfriend in Maine where our log cabin awaits us. It was built in 1927 by Swedes. The Swedes were at that time relegated to only a certain portion of the town which is very rocky and usually not good for building. So it's small maybe 700 ft.² but gorgeous and has a loft. Ha, they built wonderful chalets all over the mountains there and a lot of them are still standing today. In fact they call the town lucerne in Maine for that reason. There's miles and miles of wood trails, lakes, beautiful nature and ocean everywhere. The stars in the sky at night or unlike anything I've ever seen. No city lights anywhere to interfere.
Anyway I think of you all, all the time. I have about three or four more herceptin infusions and then I'm done with the port. What the hell I'm going to do with my time, after all this chit is over, is a guess
0 -
Bippy,
I'm sorry to hear about the lymphedema. That does stink.
But, Maine. That's fabulous. So nice to go to a cool place in the middle of summer for those of us who live in the South. And lobsters, for lunch, dinner, breakfast. Have you been the Blue Hill Peninsula? That's our favorite place. The town of Blue Hill is nice - where EB White had his farm when he wrote Charlotte's Web. Also, Castine, Brooklin, and Stonington at the end, where the artists and fisherpeople live.
I hope you have a good time!
0 -
Gatomal, thinking of you and sending as much calm and strength as I can!!!
Bippy, so sorry to hear about the lymphedema. Ugh, that just sucks. I'm envious of your cabin - it sounds absolutely heavenly and just what you could use!
Here's a photo of me and my girl before prom - she looks pretty, and I just wish my hair would grow!
0 -
Gatomal - good luck tomorrow!!! I hope everything comes clear, and will be praying for you.
Bippy, the cabin sounds so dreamy, I would love to do that sometime, it will be quite a change from muggy FL weather
I am so upset about LE as you know, I'm going to have to wear the compression stuff during my flights and lift my arm high and do fist squeezes while on the plane. Can't even imagine how crazy that's gonna look. so much has changed from the days I used to drink glasses of wine on the airline and stay tipsy through turbulence, sigh...Cassie you look wonderful and your daughter is so beautiful. You hair has grown a lot and it looks very thick. Really love this picture.
veryone else, take care and hope you are doing well!
0 -
Cassiecat: both you and your daughter are beautiful.
Gatomal: hope all goes well tomorrow.
0 -
Gatomol - Will be thinking of you tmrw. Hoping for clear margins and quick recovery.
Bipsy - Sorry to hear about Lymphedema. Hope u r feeling better soon.
Cassiecat - You are so lucky, ur hair is nice and thick. How long do you plan to grow it? I'm actually thinking of keeping mine kind of short. Longer then now, but find it so easy. My hair is pretty curly, so it probably looks shorter then it actually is. Just grateful not to wear wigs and hats everyday. Beautiful pic!
DH had a little set back with fluid around heart. Cardiologist said normal for recovery and gave him a new med. otherwise we are doing good here.
Wishing you all good days ahead
0 -
cassiecat! It looks like you and your sister went to prom. Seriously! You look amazing! Your hair is super thick. Beautiful!
Bippy. You poor swollen thing. I'm afraid of that happening, and have noticed some fluid weirdness if I carry my heavy purse for a long time. I looked at compression sleeves. You can get one that looks all tattooed up!
Catie. Hope your hubby's fluid goes away and he (and you) have an easy couple of weeks.
Thanks for all the well wishes! I'll post when I'm done.
0 -
gatomal, thinking of you today and sending hugs along with moscow mules your way!
Nottoday, yes, been to blue hill for the fair, but never to the farm. Must add that to my list. We went to schoodic and that is incredible. I love it all up there. Our place is near to Bangor so it is very convenient.
Cassie, seriously, I too had trouble telling you and DD apart. Your hair is gorgeous. You lookin good gurrrl!
Well, discovered that my back is a bit swelled, not so much my arm. It is just under the armpit, and down the side. So bring on the corset too, I guess. We will see what the LE lady does. My guess is, compression city! Maybe I am done being depressed about it because it does not help. Depends on how tx goes, right? I know I must lose weight, exercise more, and other supportive things. Maybe it will aid with all my troubles.
Thanks everyone for the support. Off I go, have the LE thing first then a much needed dental cleaning. Fun times
0 -
Winggirl=Have a super trip. I am on the last leg of my trip. I am now in Amsterdam. I have found really no decrease in my energy level.Except when I got my sinus infection.I injured my knee the first day and still have pain and walk with a limp. Off to orthopeadic MD The place we stayed the last night in Paris got infested with mesquietos(spelled wrong).I got bitten all over including my face. Still having a great time and happy to feel well enough to do this. Will be home Friday night and back to work for the next 3 days. I work every Holiday. At my job if you work weekends only you must work every holiday. Sounds crazy to me but, I do it.Also,both the MO told me I can drink in moderation.So,enjoy wine in Paris
Bippy+ Sorry about your arm. I wrapped for months. Wrap your finger as well. That was what I was told. Such a drag and so HOT in FL.Hope it goes down soon. I have the fun gifts of cancer treatments.
As for mani/pedi. I have be getting them done for years. Have now stop totally and do not think I will have one again. Due to having such problems with my counts I am afraid of getting a cut and then getting it infected. However, I miss the pampering greatly!!!
Catie57. Glad your hubby is doing well.
Cassie=I thought you were your daughter.
Hope everyone is doing well.
0 -
Gatomal, sending thoughts and prayers your way. Big hugs.
Cassie, love the photo. You look terrific. You and DD look alike. Can I say jealous of the hair -- nice and thick.
Bippy, sorry about the LE. I have it and can feel your pain. I have it my back, breast, arm & hand. I have had my compression self for over two months and wear it religiously. I don't wear a compression bra -- to restrictive but use a sports bra. I will send you the link via PM for a few bras that are good -- but exspensive. I am very causios especially since I had a flare up during radiation. I go for PT appts and now ithe LE is "managed" but as you say a lifelong gift. Hoping minimal pain and swelling for you. There is a good LE thread on this site that i go to ask questions. Also I have a certified LE PT which is the best to get.
0 -
Bippy so sorry about the LE. That stinks!
Cassie - great photo. You look wonderful!
Gatomal- thinking about you!!!
We are getting ready for vacation too! Ireland here we come in about two weeks. First flight for my 2.5 yr old, it is stressing me out but we will get through it! My husband is Irish so we are visiting family!
As far as SE's go. I'm having trouble sleeping. And when I sit for long periods of time (hello desk job) I feel mkile I am 100 when I get up. My legs ankles and feet are so sore. I limp around for awhile and then feel better. Don't know if it's the aromasin, Lupron or what...
0 -
update: Bippy only has the most minor LE. That is good, no wrapping needed! Had a good appointment, and husband and I learned all about precautions, manual drainage techniques and stretching that is safe for me to do. Also I got a prescription for a glove And sleeve for flying or future flares. The therapist is certified and quite excellent. I love her!
0 -
Cassie, what a lovely picture with your daughter! I love, love prom photos! You look great. Gatomal, let us know how you are when you are able. Best wishes to all and keep on posting. I so enjoy keeping up with your lives
0 -
Kellogg= I have same issue when I sit and they get up. Takes a few minutes to stand up tall and begin to walk. Have fun on your trip.
Gatomal= Best of luck. Love you
Bippy= Yeah you!! I love the word MINOR!!
0 -
kellogg, me too with the sleep issues, however, they just now are better. Started the tamoxifen and it had me wakey wake all night long at first. Hope you can get that working soon! We need our sleeps. Melatonin is working well for me, but they gave me trazodone for rough patches.
Oh, the leftovers from our tx. The new body i have also is achey and pained at times. I feel 100 on some days. I hope once herceptin is over, that in time it may improve. My ankles and oddly, bones in bottom of my right foot, are stiff and painful right after tx, for days. Hips are the worst.
Eileen, always wanted to do Aamsterdam. So glad you are doing this trip, and are enjoying it too.
Ladyb, ugh, LE. You have such an amazing, positive outlook on all this. I wish yours to resolve. I'm shopping soon for my sleeve, and am gettimg the most in your face, outlandish, colorful one I can find.
Gatomal!!! Thinking of you sister and hoping you are feeling ok. Sending psychic moscow mules and Philip Marlow your way.
The Bipster starts work on Friday, part time, easy cleaning job for high end condos on the beach. Will be sure not to overuse my arm. Gonna get outta the house, make decent money, and get much needed exercise.
0 -
gatomal here. Went in at 4pm, in recovery by six pm! Lots of dilaudid had me home by 7:00! Docs were great, I had a little dog ear ( like extra tissue) on the right side of my Breast reduction scar, asked the doc to redo it ( since it wasn't talked about before hand!) he agreed! Also re excision only went through my existing areola, so no big re-open on the left side, and wrist is a bit painful ( the palm suture pull when I move my fingers) but numbness is totally gone! I can't believe it! I told the research assistant who I don't like ( unprofessional) to back up and not contaminate anything in the OR! When I was getting on the bed! I think he saw my butt crack so we're even. Bone marrow bx done, not too sore yet. So happy to finally be done with this step. Rads next!
Eileen Mosquitos love me too. I hate them. Can you say calamine in French?
Bibby so glad your LE is not severe, and you have a good therapist. My acupuncturist who only had a few nodes removed( and is skinny and eats well,and excercises and all that stuff) it it in her arm, and had to do wraps and fly w a compression sleeve. She got it under control and doesn't have to do all that now, seven years out. So it's nice to know that flares may only happen at the beginning, and then maybe you stay ahead of it and it's better. I agree that all these gifts of tx suck. I can't wait to get rid of my medicine ZIPLOC next to my bed.
Thanks catie, Cassie, lady b, Jennifer, windgirl, strong enough, Bippy, Eileen, Kellogg, not today, beatmon, nurseshark,(darn iPad, I cants scroll up to look for more) for your good thoughts...they worked and I'm so relieved. I think I will have some champagne later today!
0 -
I need to catch up! Gatomal, so glad to hear from you and that things went well. Bippy, I'm glad the LE is not so bad and that you've got something part-time lined up! It's good to get out of the house. Thanks for all the nice comments on the photo. I'm glad you girls enjoyed it.
Yep, my hair is super thick, which it was before BC, too. I just want it to lie down on top - it keeps growing up, up, up10 -
Gatomal, how are you doing today?
Catie, glad your hubby is doing better.
Windgirl, party time! Have a blast and relax and enjoy.
Eileen, pictures, pictures, pictures. Can't wait to hear more about your trip.
Kellogg, I traveled with my twins when they were 3 yr olds. It was "fun" -- just kept the entertained, fed and a good place to rest. Enjoy your trip!
Not sure I shared with you guys but I have been searching for an integrative oncologist for a while -- since after Taxol and finally had the appt with a great one. These are hard to find but I got lucky. The appt was great and I will share some of the tips she gave me. I decided to go to an integrative oncologist as I am having so many residual side effects and I don't want to take a lot of prescription meds. They work in collaboration with your conventional doctors and are not "replacements". In fact she clearly states she will not work with those that try to use the treatment as alternative. The nutritional information she provided was so much more in depth than what I received during the "class" at my center. The center's class was great, she just took it to the next step. I just wish I had found her during treatment. I know of a few individuals that used an integrative oncologist during treatments and still using after treatment and speak wonders of how it has helped them. . This is one of the reasons I started Yoga. The down side it is expensive. But right now this fatigue is kicking my butt and any addtional assistance I can get to improve is what I am looking for.
Well off to the races for today (work!). My hubby's 50th birthday was yesterday and we had a wonderful dinner party. He was really surprised.
Hugs Always,
-Angie
0 -
Angie! Congrats on the dinner party! What a milestone. Glad you could put it together for him. I didn't know you had twins too? I may have forgotten. Chemo brain. Doing much better than expected today. Intrigued about the integrative onco. I think that would be interesting for me, as I'm concerned with supression and AI SEs. Did you find someone in the east bay? Or did you look into the Osher center for integrative medicine? It's right across from UCSF mt Zion. Maybe affiliated. Hmmm, I'll look into it
0 -
finished radiation today...so completely overjoyed! 2 glasses of wine at dinner first since before pregnancy!!!! Here's to baby sleeping through night lol.
0 -
Gatamol - Glad to hear surgeries are all done and went well. Sounds like they got you out of there pretty quickly. Hope you are resting comfy in your own bed.
NurseShark - CONGRATS on finishing rads! Love the pic and your smile.
LadyB - Happy 50th to Hubby. A dinner party sounds very nice and normal. I like the direction you are heading in. Hope you are felling stronger each day.
Bipsy - Good to hear about part time new job. Good luck!
Ellen - How was Amsterdam? I would love to go there someday. HGTV (one of favorite shows) makes it look so appealing. Committed to China for next big trip. My son is living and working in China. It's our turn to visit, but not looking forward to such a long plane ride. Planning on going for our 30th anniversary in Sept.
This weekend promises to be very exciting. I may have mentioned it before. A proposal is coming. My daughters boyfriend is planning a romantic, rose petal proposal. I really don't think she knows it's coming. I'll let you know how it goes. Wish my DH was feeling more up to a house full of company. I already warned everyone not to be insulted if he disappears to go lay down.
Take care everyone and have a nice memorial wknd
0 -
Gatomal=So glad this part is behind you. Nice that your hand feels betterNurseshark=You and your family are TOO CUTE!!!
Bippy=A job with no one standing over us. I am in. I am an excellent cleaner. I could be your partner if we lived closer. Good luck!
Angie=Great party. Great surprise. Can't send pictures yet. This is not my computer and totally clueless on how to do rom phone. Will send next week when home.
Catie= China sounds Great. Just sleep on the plane. Worth the travel time. Congrats to daughter
0 -
Yeah Gatomal! Nurseshark, kick ass. once again Baby Levi nails the moment with his expression.
ladies, bear with me. I'm a frustrated writer, which I may have mentioned once or a million times. Finally, I got off my dead ass and have actually begun a blog! which I hope to turn into a book in the future. Is it okay to post my link here, and ask you to check me out? If not, tellme to STFU already.
I'm having a blast doing it. And it needs to get out of me.
I would love it you feel like it's worthy to be shared, to do so. All those little buttons are there, don't ask me how they work though, I'm only good for spewing a phrase.
http://www.theperjetadiaries-mybreastcancersblog.c...
Hugs & love,
Candy
0 -
yes we will check it out bippy candy! Good for you
0 -
Good morning, everyone! Catie, thinking of your DD this weekend - can't wait to hear more about that!
I did some gardening yesterday and planted blueberries and strawberries. Fingers crossed that they'll eventually produce some fruit! We have our own compost pile, but it doesn't kill all the seeds in it, so any time I use compost I get mystery plants sprouting up! I have lots of tomato plants popping up now in my three raised beds.
We'll see how those turn out. I threw a bunch of seeds out a few weeks ago, so now I'm waiting for enough time to pass so that I can figure out which are plants I intended on growing, which are compost volunteers that are worth keeping and which are just weeds.0 -
Bippy, you are a born writer. In fact, your posts - and those of the other ladies on this and the October chemo thread - have kept me going through this whole bc journey. I can't wait to read your blog.
0
