Starting chemo August 2014
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I love seeing everyone else's photos.
Life after breast cancer exists!!!0 -
Cassiecat, love the pic. You and your daughter are gorgeous. Your hair is awesome and thick!
I am a little anxious tonight so asking for your thoughts and prayers. I have my yearly mammo tomorrow and my 1 yr dx is coming up so both hitting so close to each other I seem to get these panic attacks over the last week out of no where. My breast is still really sore so hopefully the mammo won't hurt much. My last appt with my MO went well but I am not happy with the follow-up program at my center but I hear it is the usual/standard. I will see my MO every 6 months for the next 3 years and then 1 a year after that. With that said my MO indicated I can always call and schedule appts to get in and be seen that is how some ensure follow-up is more often. She said I may want to do this anyway since I still have a few residual SEs.
Gatomal, it seems the UCSF follow-up program is pretty good? How often do/will you see your MO after treatment. Do they have follow-up blood work done.
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angie
Prayers for you today. Hope it is pain free and goes well
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Angie, you are in my thoughts today. Hoping for a pain-free exam and good results!
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Angie= Good luck. I already had my 6 months mammo and all went well. I see my MO every 6 months for the next few years. I think that is standard. However, I am still constantly going to my MO in Fl where I got chemo. I went yesterday and he released me for 3 months. They always draw my blood and so far my WBC are slowly rising and NO NEUPOGEN shot.!!
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Angie. Prayers for you. Hope you did okay today. My mammo after lump was not so bad, but I did take some pain med before. I'm two weeks post op today, and feeling pretty good breast wise. My surgeon called last week after checking the path slides and said no more surgery. So I'm very happy to definitely have that stage behind me. Sims appt next tues, not sure when I start rads. planning in getting my rads tattoos removed after that is over too, heard some places do it for free. I'm not into the survivorship program yet, so I have no idea how long I'll be released from my mo. I'm still trying to get into some trials so that may affect things. Still no results from bone marrow bx, trying to put it out of my mind. Want to get my hand stitches out soon, maybe tomorrow.
Cassie...great pic of you and your daughter!
Catie. How is your husband?
Bippy, Eileen, windgirl Jean Kellogghow are you all. I'll be starting to read through the rads boards. It's fun to see you all on other boards too!
Going to a big fancy restaurant sat. with some friends for my 44th bday. Moroccan food in San francisco. Im definitely having a cocktail and eating a lot. Can't wait.
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Angie, hope it went well today,
Gatomal, the place I got radiation used sharpie, if you don't want the dots maybe you can ask them if they could do that. They put clear round tape over them so it does not go away and they can reapply if necessary over the existing marks that may be fading. In my case the clear tape stayed on so no touch up was needed
Also just realized and edited to say happy birthday!!!!!
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gatomal= If I was in San Fran I would join you for dinner. The tattoos are so small I never even see them. Agian,rads was super easy. Happy Birthday my BC BFF!!!!
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LadyB, I hope everything went well w/your mammo... I know you won't know for a few days. I got the dreaded "additional imaging needed" letter while I was out of town, but after the additional imaging and a biopsy, turned out to be nothing. So try to be too anxious. I know it's useless to say that, but you know it's in God's hands, anyway.
Gatomal, I have 3 tiny black dot tattoos that I don't notice at all in the midst of all my random freckles and moles. In fact, I gained a few pounds between the time the original sim was done & tattoos applied and the time I did the rad treatments, so they ended up using a mole about an inch to the left of the front tattoo anyway. The tech made a note on my bag tag and didn't do a new tattoo. They are very tiny, and are in spots that would always be covered unless I were wearing a tiny string bikini, which I most likely will never do again at this age (& weight)! Even if I did, no one would know unless I pointed them out. The SNB scar in my armpit is way more obvious. And happy birthday!
Great pics of everyone! I'm on my work computer at the moment, so no pics, but will post 1 or 2 soon. I got my 1st haircut a couple weeks ago or so, just needed a shape-up. I was surprised at all the little ringlets on the floor when she was done. Haven't colored yet, but bought a box of semi-permanent that fades away after 28 washes or something like that. Thinking about doing that this week. Maybe...
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great pictures ladies! My stylist thinks my hair is ready for some color. ....so next week a red tint to see how it look.
Praying for good results for Angie's mammo. Next week is my scan week, including brain. Scanxiety is starting to creep in
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Thanks all, mammo hurt like heck as my breast is still tender. It will take a few days to hear anything, but the tech did say it doesn't seem like there is anything but he can't "official" say all is good until the board reviews. They but me in a weird position to ensure they were able to image all of my underarm -- since my initial DX did not find any evidence of breast cancer in the breast itself but just in the auxiliary nodes.
Strongenough, glad all turned out to be nothing. You are right it is all in God's hands and I asked him again this morning to reduce the anxiety. Yesterday I had what I call a "severe" panic attack. I had to leave work, and drive around. I hyperventiallted and had a sudden on set of a headache. I had to call my sister. We talked for a while, I hung up and just prayed. Suddenly it lifted and I was at peace and headed back to work. I know all may not agree, but I just feel that God had those thinking and praying for me. Scan anxiety is real!
Beatmon, praying for good results next week! That the nodules are all but gone not just reduced in number.
Went to the stylist this weekend to get my hair shaped-up. She ended up putting extensions on the top and some on the sides and I love it. She basically did the labor free of charge and I just had to pay for the hair. She has been doing my hair for years! I did not go in wanting extensions -- just to shape up my natural hair. But I love what she did with it -- no need to wear my helmet (wig) any more. My hairstylist even commented on how straight my hair is coming in but believes it will go back to the "natural" texture in about a year based on her experience. We had a good discussion as she was DX'd not long after me and wondered where I had been for the last year. I found out about her BC when I made the appt. She is finished with all her treatments except herceptin which she completes in I believe August. I told her about this site so hope she joins.
hugs all and always praying and thinking about my girls!
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angie= You look fantastic!!! Love your hair style. Hoping for good reports for you. Where I get my mammo they read it right there and then you see the Radiologist who goes over it with you. They do that for all BC patients. They know how much anxiety is in the waiting. I hope you got a 3D mammo. That is the only way my tumor was picked up. Keep us posted and sorry your friend has to join this great club.
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strong enough...you must have been scared to death. I'm so glad the results were okay. The waiting must've been awful.
Beatmon...prayers that your scans are clear. I hope you get results quickly.
Angie. You look amazing! What a strange coincidence that your hairdresser was going through treatment at roughly the same time. I'm sure you had lots of stories to share.
Hand stitches out yesterday, tender, but very happy that the surgical phase is over. The hand surgeon said " you didn't even flinch" when taking the stitches out. I said " do you have any idea how many interventions I've been through in the past year. This is nothing". Ha!
Took the kids to the playground for the first time in a year! Went to Grace Cathedral (just up the block) wandered around the Fairmont hotel garden and had a lot of fun. Trying to get the kids to the carousel this afternoon, before rads tires me out. Hope it doesn't. I'm putting off my supression shot until next week. Maybe after my fancy birthday dinner. I don't want to go into some lack of hormone rage and not enjoy myself. !it will be my last estrogen filled birthday. Weird.
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Gatamol - Happy 44th Bday! Moroccan food sounds like fun.Glad to hear ur all finished with surgery.
LadyB - Love the hair pics! A little jealous because I know I need extensions to help my hair look fuller. Have to find a place that does them around here. I always had pretty thick hair, but even before chemo started to notice the top getting thinner. Hoping for all good results from ur mamo. My place also has us meet w radiologist immediately after. Not sure why they make u wait.
Beatamon - Wishing you clear scans. Don't forget to post a pic after u get ur hair colored.
Attending my survivorship on Sunday. I'm not sure what exactly to expect but will let u know how it goes. My DH will be coming with me. He is doing so much better and is walking an hour a day and now biking a little on stationary bike indoors. He unfortunately lost weight and is so slim right now. That's the first thing everyone notices.
Ordered my first book from Amazon "the mother of the bride book". How to give ur daughter a wonderful wedding. I am clueless, so needed some help.
I have pain lately in my hands and tingling thru both my arms. I am going to make an appt to find out if SE of Arimidex or maybe vitamin D deficiency. May was a year since my diagnosis and I've had a mamo several months ago. I will be seeing my MO and surgeon in July again.
Wishing everyone a nice weekend and no SEs
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Gatomal, happy birthday.
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Catie, glad your DH is doing much better and able to get the physical exercise in! Enjoy your book but most of all enjoy planning the wedding. So exciting!
Am I the only one that has to wait for my results?
. If So I will be calling tomorrow. But I am saying no news is good news -- but will follow-up.0 -
Yo Gatomal,
Happy Birthday girl!!! Sounds like you're getting out and about . When are you going for the big B'Day dinner???
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Gatomal, happy birthday! Enjoy that fancy dinner!!
Angie, where I go the radiologist comes in to talk right after the mammogram. Your hair looks fabulous! Really, really nice.
Beatmon, thinking of you and hoping for clear scans.
StrongEnough, so glad to hear the biopsy was benign. What a relief.
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hi chickies,
Angie, you look great! I think it is always good when the tech is positive. Hope to see yor hairdresser here in our club soon.
Strongenough, well done! Good to see you.
Gatomal, happiest of birthdays my dear. Hope you are feelin ok. Rads usually is not bad for the majority. We are here for you.
Catie, so exciting! I joined the Kindle unlimited, and have been reading loads. I still though have my hardback Martha Stewart Wedding Planner book from 1988! It is full of beautiful pics and ideas. Have fun with it.
Bipster got a real job. No more cleaning, no more temping. The most buckaroos I have ever been offered. I start Monday, it will be lots less stress and lots less direct client contact. Mostly running things behind the scenes, managing one attorney. Boring, uneventful condo law. Exactly what I want. Nice office and hours and it will be good to begin moving on.
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gatomal here! Got my bone marrow results back finally. NO disseminated tumor cells in the bone marrow. NORMAL. I wept with relief. It feels like it's been a while since I got a big piece of good news. So thankful for all of your good thoughts and prayers. We were planning to go to the carousel with the kids today, and did right after receiving such great news. 40 and 35 pounds of kid to lift up to your head to get on a carousel horse is not for sissies. I got a great workout. Also pulling the arm of a tantrum-ing three year old is not easy either. Then we went to the brand new high concept McDonald's on Sutter St by union square. The kids think that's what the song "old MacDonald" was written for. Tomorrow we are going to Mourad in the financial district...Suladog. Moroccan chef...on best Bay Area restaurants list this year. Pretty new.
Bippy. Congrats on new job and more $. Amazing. Let us know how it goes.
Catie57...good to hear your husband is walking a bit. Hope he feels like eating and can put some weight back on. Maybe some ensure drinks as snacks can help too?
Love you guys!
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Glad to hear you all doing so well! We'rere Going out to eat sushi tonight for my son's 13th birthday. Tomorrow we are headed to Branson(just an hour from my house) for our 23 anniversary. Its great to get to living again!
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yay Gatmol. Good news is awesome. The girls are super cute!
We made it to ireland. Overnight night flight Thursday night, no one slept. But my 2.5 yr old was awesome. He slept the last hour of the flight, 1.5 hrs after we landing in the car and another hour or so that afternoon and THATS ALL! Went To bed at 9 and slept til 10:30 this morning!
View from the plane as we landed!
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congrats on your anniversary Amy! And fun way to celebrate your new teenager.
Kellog, so beautiful and lush. Brave of you with the 2.5 yo. Too much excitement with the plane ride etc. I hope he has a great time too, and I do the no tantrum dance here for you all!
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Amy, happy birthday to your son and happy anniversary to you!
Kellogg, gorgeous picture.
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can you all believe we made it?! Instead of discussing our latest awful SE, here we are-traveling, celebrating milestones, living like normal women.
DH and I were just talking about all our plans for the future. Which I could not have envisioned even 3 months ago, in any real way. Only 2 Herceptins left, then deportation. Yet it almost seems done because I feel near normal--like before BC.
As much as possible, my plan is to not let the natural fear of recurrence ruin the in between. I have no control anyway. Enjoy every day. I remember before BC, so many little things would bother me. Things that were silly and unimportant. How much I took for granted.
Off today to shop a bit and then home to chill and prep for first day in job. Thanks all for well wishes! Hope you all have a beautiful day
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Kellog=Just beautiful. Great news about son. Whew! I bet that was a relief
Gatomal=Your girls are so cute. I thought the picture of your hand was nice too.
Bibby= Good luck.
My job made me resign as I live up north for 3 months. Every year I fill my job and then when I come back I take it back. I filled it again and those people want out Sept 11th. Nobody wants my job. Every weekend and holidays sitting in a cubicle answering phones. However, I got a new boss and she said 'NO WAY" you must resign and reapply in September. I'm hoping she is gone by the time I get back. She has one year Hospice experience and talks to us like some sort of authority. I have done this job 9 years and I can tell you. She is an IDIOT!!! Thanks for letting me vent.
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LadyB,
Hello! I rarely get in this site. I looked today, and saw you had mentioned me. Thanks for thinking about me! I think about all of you ladies too. I'm doing great. I have 5 more Hetceptin treatments, and I did not do radiation. (I choose not to.) I've had a brain scan recently, due to headaches, that was clear. And my PET scan a couple months ago was also clear. I hope you are doing well.
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Bippy, I agree! It's nice to be feeling more normal and more healthy! Good luck with your new job.
Eileen, your new boss sounds terrible. Hope things change for the better for you.
Terri, great photo!
How many Herceptin infusions are all of you HER2+ ladies getting in total? I've had 13 so far. I know the standard protocol is "one year" but I don't know if that means 17 or 18 infusions. I'd like to have an end goal in sight, and the last two times I've asked my MO he hasn't given me a specific number. (Yes, I still intensely dislike this guy.)
Also, for those who went through MX and radiation - how are you feeling? My ribs and generally that whole area feels sensitive, and almost bruised. I'm guessing it's normal.
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Thank you all for ur warm wishes for my son's birthday and my anniversary! We had a blast in branson. We went to the giant movie and watched San Andres. Then we went to our super nice hotel/lodge. It's at the college where we met almost 25 years ago. We ate prime rib at the nice restaurant there and stayed in and enjoyed each other. They had a hot tub in our room and we got in and were just really silly. I haven't laughed like that in over a year. It was amazing.
The only bad thing is that I have dots. I would say a rash but they are big dots like chicken pox. I got them the first time two weeks ago. They pop up all over my arms and I get 101 fever, then they are gone within 24 hours. This is the third time I've had them. I'm not sure what to do since they will be gone by the time I would see the doctor...and which doctor do I go to anyway? I am wondering if its a side effect of the hormone suppression stuff since it started a few days after my last injection... Any ideas or suggestions?
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Justamy= Your vacation in Branson sounded great. Laughing is the best part of life now.
I have no idea what your rash is from . I would call my MO first. I would say google it since I google everything and then freak out with the info I read. So,don't google.
Terri= You look fantastic!!
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