Starting chemo August 2014
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jeni, mine is a surgery, like when it was placed initially. Scheduling it soon!
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I don't remember who asked about soreness....but I am almost 3 years out and still painful under my arms (no lymph nodes removed) and right under my implants. I think it is part of our new normal.
Loved the pictures. Wish I had that long beautiful hair. Mine is coming back in much thicker in the back ....very thin in front still. Doesn't drive you crazy when friends say Wish I could just put on a wig! I always offer to trade.
I read every night or two to keep up. Things are still the same for me. Are there any other 4's in our group?
I see where people count their chemos...I just keep going, wondering how many forever will be?
Love to all, Brenda
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Brenda, I'm sorry for your sake that you're still sore after all this time. I hope that you can count as many chemos as your heart desires!
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Bippy...that post brought tears to my eyes. Yes this board and everyone on it has gotten me through some very dark days, and it is so freeing to just be totally honest. Anonymity helps with that, but I feel that Cancer can help you get just unapologetically honest. There is a greater urgency to not waste time with BS anymore. Being honest with yourself and others is a huge timesaver.
Brenda, I want to send you some hugs. What a rotten deal. I'm sorry. Like Cassiecat, I want you to go to as many chemo treatments as you can.
I only have five rads left, and was such great fun to be able to walk home today on a glorious day in SF. I enjoyed it as much as if I were on vacation. I still feel blessed even with Cancer, because I could enjoy today. Grateful.
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hi ladies! Took a small break from boards after finishing rads. Realized today that it was exactly a year ago that I got the call that I had TNBC. Spent today reflecting on all that's transpired since last July.
Thank you all for the support!
Xoxox Katie and Levi
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look at all you've been through and made this past year! He's beautiful! Just adorable. Those cheeks!
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Bippy and Gatomal, awesome pictures and so bummed I missed it. I know you two had a wonderful time.
Bippy, was this your first trip to SF? If so, I hope you had a wonderful time. If not, I hope you got to explore and visit areas you haven't seen. Your post made me cry and not just a little. So caring and loving!
Eileen, YaY! on the results. Well better hemorrhoids than .....
Windgirl, Yay, on getting the port removed! I still have quite a bit of a tan -- my Radiated side is so much darker than the non-radiated side.
JeniferE, love the "deportation"! I had mine removed in the hospital via surgery under twlight sedation.
Nurseshark, love the pic so cute! That tongue..lol and those eyes just gorgeous
Brenda, I am with the other ladies. I want you to have treatments for many years to come! I always think about you and how you are doing. You are an inspiration and example to me. Reading your posts has gotten me off my "butt" quite a few time.
Gatomal, yes it was a wonderful day out this way today!
Hugs Always and love across the miles (picked this up form another sister on the forum),
Angie
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NurseShark, what a great photo! Thank you for posting. What a year!
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Aw, Levi - so adorable!
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brenda, keep going! Like Angie, you are a source of strength and inspiration to me.
Angie, oh, we missed ya. It was incredible meeting Gatomal.
Nurseshark, Baby Levi!!! He nails my feelings. Caught a cold in SF, and feel crappy but happy. I love that kid!
Tomorrow IS MY LAST HERCEPTIN. Party time! Well, maybe only with some nyquil till the cold passes. Where has the year gone
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Hey Ladies,
Just saying hello. Boy that Levi is adorable! And I enjoyed seeing the Bippy/Gatomal photos from SF.
You are all amazing. Reading your posts keeps me going.
Question: are any of you on an AI taking anything to prevent bone loss?
Happy weekend, everyone.
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Bippy, party on! You go girl! This has been one heck of a year! But one I have grown from and at my age learned a lot more about myself.
Gatomal, almost done, YaY!
I have to say Tamo is kicking m behind. One I get over one SE another crops up. The worst SE and most consistent is GERD which causes a whole host of issues and insomina. Yes, I get HF but if I had to take my pick I would rather have the HF than the GERD.
My daughter is getting settled in and is having a culture shock. But she is going to have to get used to it as she has 2 yrs that she has to finish. She had the choice to go to Southern or Northern Florida and choose Northern Florida because the school has extremely high marks in her Major. Mommy is sad as my baby is out there all by herself! I will be going to visit at the end of August.
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angie, my friend's son is at florida State in math program, and she is workin on moving him there now. Bittersweet! At least he is close enough to come home in 3 hours, vs. MIT, where he really wanted to go. It is hard on her to send him off!
Well, I am sick now with a mutant strain of a cold, despite all my travel precautions! It is super nasty, lots of sneezing, swollen eyes, wet discharge from eyes and nose. Pretty. Looks like I was in a fight, or spent the weekend at the kennedy compound (when Teddy was still kickin).
I just discovered the joys of sinus clearing/flushing with saline. Wow, where has that been all my life? There was alot of nasty stuff in my sinuses, cannot believe how much came out and how much better it feels. Gross, but sharing is what we do! Goin back to bed....happy Tcm has a noir thing happenin
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Hi all! I've been reading all your posts. It sounds like most of us are doing great a year later. Levi is adorable. I get all your posts in my email but can't see pics till I actually come here. I'm a bit jealous of you ladies who are meeting but wow what fun!
I'm struggling a bit from chemo/cancer related junk. I have chronic Sweet's syndrome so I just get 103 degree fever and break out in huge blisters randomly and they can treat it but not cure it...going to see an actual dermatologist soon. He may have more options. Only 1 in a million people get the disease then only a quarter of those have chronic Sweet's. Lucky me....lol
Today I am also starting neurotin because I have developed nueropathy in my hands and arms as a result of taxotere. Again, they can treat but not cure. It is very painful at times and very annoying.
I have another reconstruction on August 6 because my implants are way too small and I have rippling and the foobs just look bad.
I am so glad the past year is over! I had my one year anniversary of diagnosis on July 12. I have some lingering issues but God has got me through the Chemo and surgeries and hospitalizations and he won't leave me now. Even if you don't see me I'm here, praying for you and celebrating with you. Love to all of you. I'd have never made it a year without you. Hugs Amy
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Hello Friends! What a crazy year, right. I couldn't believe it when my surgeon told me it was a year to date at fU with her. Love all the recent pics, meetings and stories.
Justamy, I amvery sad that u r still having such crazy SEs. Justamy you are one of the strongest. Wishing you better days ahead.
Brenda, 😘 you are the best! My hair is thinner in front also. Just had the back cleaned up. Had really tight curls in back. Now it looks even. It looks like the front will fill in eventually.
Glad everyone is still posting and sharing, although not quite as often. That is also a good thing. We are all moving forward and still checking in.
Have a great summer and minimum SEs.
Love ya,
Cathie
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amy,
Hope all the issues get fixed--i am researching flap surgeries and it is very intimidating stuff.
Well, my LAST Herceptin is today, as I had to delay it due to the plague-like cold I had. Have an appt with BS Friday to set surgery for deportation. Woohoo, like you Catie, it has been nearly a freakin year since dis chit started and I'm ready for my new normal to start.
Planning the September trip to Maine, can you believe it's nearly August?!
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Bippy, congrats on making it to the final Herceptin! That's awesome. I've got two to go still.
Amy, glad to hear from you and I wish things were a little easier for you!
Angie, I understand missing your girl. Mine's only been gone for four weeks, and I get to see her and bring her home this week! It's hard to have them away, even when it's a great reason.
Glad to hear from everyone as they check in here. Next week I go in for another echo and hopefully Herceptin #16, and then after that I think I have jut one more to go, assuming my heart is still A-OK. No word yet on the bazillion tests my MO ordered regarding my platelets dropping, and I'm trying to not worry about it. I've been walking just about every day and am trying to stay healthy, physically and mentally.
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Thanks all for the support and honesty about your lives. It has been a lifeline.
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hello dahlings,
Just checkin in. Going for pre-op port removal consult today.
The last herceptin was nothing special....does not feel real yet. Already though it does feel like a distant thing. Hope they can take it out next week
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way to go bipster! Yes it's surreal. It's like...I'm done? Just shy of a year. It feels like I did a lot of hard living in the past 12 months
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congrats Bippy! It is so surreal!
I've been struggling with exemestane side effects. My MO took me off it for a few weeks and I'm feeling better so he suggests trying Femara. So I finally agreed so I feel like I'm starting over again! I just wish I could take my little pill for the next five years without incident! So annoying!
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We are in DC, picking up DD. She had such a great summer here. I'm sorry it can't go on longer for her. But it is nice to have her back with us, too. We will hang out here for a few days and then head back home. Aside fromten billion mosquito bites things are great!
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Cassie that's great.have fun!
We are hanging out at home this weekend. A year ago around this time I was getting prepped for my surgery! Hard to believe. Went by so fast but still seems like just yesterday.
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Cassie, that is awesome. Hope you had a blast! It is so nice to travel a bit, yes? I want to do lots more of that.
Kellogg, my how times goes by.
My handsome, badass, cancer killing surgeon Dr. Nora shall be removing my beloved/hated port on Friday. Holy shit, what am I going to do with my time now? No more infusions. No more labs (maybe every 6 mos). No more chemo, no more rads, no more surgery (except if I choose recon later).
I feel kind of lost, though I am happy too.
Now I am having nightmares about of course, recurring. How to stop? Ugh. I try not to think about it and sometimes that works.
Anyways, it's super rainy here in the swamplands and gloomy.
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Bipsy - Congrats! After Friday you are free to do whatever. Enjoy the rest of the summer.
Kellogg - I was switched over to Femara. Some slight SEs but better then Arimidex. Hoping Femara works out good for you.
Cassiecat - You are in DC close to where my daughter lives and on her Bday (7/25). Pretty cool! Glad your daughter is coming home.
Just enjoying the summer. It seems to go by quickly, mostly because we try to get as much in while weather is nice. DH having another procedure on Friday. Mainly to rule out any problems. Otherwise Cardiologist says heart is pumping strong and healing nicely from surgery.
Does anyone else feel nauseous in the evening when they get over tired?
Wishing everyone minimal lingering SEs
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Thanks for posting, everyone. Good to catch up. My one year from diagnosis is tomorrow. Still two herceptins to go, then the great Deportation, which I love saying/typing!
Amy, hang in there, love your positive attitude. God has indeed been in our midst!
Glad to hear about your daughters adventure, Cassie. My baby girl got married! Such a glorious day. She is blessed with an incredible husband. So thankful!
Arimidex causes aches and pains. Participating in a study involving taking a low dose anti-depressant to see if it eases pain. I may get the placebo, though. Nice to participate. Would love a good night's sleep.
Planning for my return to teaching little second graders. Glad to be back,but always wondering what the future holds. After the mammogram in September, I'll feel better, I think. Hard not to wonder about potential new shadows on the film, potential recurrence. Need to pray, and trust and live in the moment.
My dear mom, a BC survivor, has two new Cancer diagnoses, alas. She is 80 and waiting for more tests. I wish I could be there for her, doing what I can long distance.
Such is life. I am thankful to have shared, and continue to share, this journey with you all. Keep on typing!
Jeni
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Thinking of each one of you today and feeling grateful I had you all with me as I went through chemo and everything else. A young woman my husband works with is stage IV now, two years after her initial diagnosis. Sucks really bad and hit me hard when I found out. He knew but didn't want to tell me, because he knew it would upset me. But we have friends in common and good ol' Facebook led me to her news. We need to stick together and stay strong together. xoxo
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one year one day since Dx. Rads done. Skin holding up okay. Got my hair bleached. Slowly feeling human again.
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Way to go Bippy! You are right so surreal when you finish the rush, go, push, pull, inject Then whoa where did everyone and all the appts go. Even more surreal when the 1 year anniversary of DX and ALND surgery came. So happy that the year is over, but I learned so much about myself and meet some wonderful friends.
Cassie, I hope you had a ball!
Catie, yes when I am overtired a few things kick in nausea, backpain and most of all just oh what was I doing.
Jenifer what medical center are you being treated at? It is open enrollment time and I am seriously considering switching from Kaiser, not that thier program is not good, but I want get with a center that participates in more trails, follow-up, etc.
Gatomal, glad your skin is holding up. Just keep it moistened with coconut oil and aloe vera if they allow you to use it. Drink lots of water.
Agree Cassie so glad we have a tight knit group here that stays in touch. There are just times I need to reach out to each of you as I don't have anyone close who has been through BC but several who have been in the cancer fight. The always tell me the important thing is to live life and not wonder into those dark places too many times and to have a very very good support group that you can lean when you need it.
Ok, Tamoxifen Oh, Tamoxifen. Only 3 months in but have had a variety of SEs. Is anyone on Effexor for HFs, my MO recommended it but I am not keen on starting a new drug. Are there supplemental options?
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cassie, so sorry about your friend. Ugh. i hate this disease. I echo your gratefulness about our group--I have no clue what would have happened to me without you guys.
Gatomal!!! Woooohoooo to finishing rads babygirl. So happy for you! Moscow Mule time!
Angie, hmmmn, I do not know about supplements...but maybe some gals on the natural board do. I am nearly sure I am also having flashes, but they never progress from the flushing stage, it is just that rapid feeling of heat rushing up. I never actually sweat, no night sweats either. And I think the Lexapro I take for depression is why they cannot get full blown. I hear you about effexor--have heard it works, but yikes it is so strong. I took it years ago before BC and did not like the SEs. Maybe a lesser antidepressant, lesser mg may work? lexapro did work for my Sil's hot flashes. Freakin Tamoxifen.
my port is GAWN. Surgery went fine, minimal pain, no worries. I need to get a hobby, for all my new time!
Xxxooooo
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