Starting chemo August 2014
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I have a Thrift shop in town here. They take in $ for our local hospital. As much stuff as I bring over, my house never seems to uncluter. Lol I have moved several times now and each time I say never again.
I have a right Breast mammogram scheduled in two weeks. I sometimes rub the area of surgery. I can feel scar tissue build up. By rubbing it actually decreases build up in area. Also very nervous about mamo's now. Always in back of my mind the possibility of return. Trying to focus on all the good things happening now.
My husband and I puppy sat this wknd. My daughters new pup "Sailor". What a cutie! What a hand full! He gets into everything and everything goes in his mouth. Felt like I was practicing for becoming a Grandparent. A little taste of what could be. I enjoyed every minute, but glad when they all went home too.😉
DH heart is healing beautifully. We walk together on wknds and I'm always lagging behind. I just wish his back would ease up too. He's had cronic back ache ever since surgery. I'm really hoping it is just a matter of time before that gets better also. Can't travel on a plane to visit my son until then.
Femara has made me into an old person. I have aches and find it hard to put pressure on my hands and wrists to get up. MO says it gets better over time.
Wishing everyone better days ahead! On day at a time....
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wind girl--zometa is an infusion given every six months x 4 for prophylaxis. Stage 4 pts may get it more frequently. I love machu pichu. We stayed at the hotel on the ground during our honeymoon. We also love the Turkish coast, marmara. I wish I could travel right now! I did get some botox today so I look a bit more rested. Have a good trip!
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Finished Herceptin today and feeling emotional about it. Great to be through a year of treatment, but scared to let that security blanket go...
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amazing Cassie. Tough long road. It's weird to be finished, but never really finished. I wonder what another year more will feel like?
I got into my drug trial at Ucsf today. Very excited. Also decided to use zometa to guard against bone loss and bone mets in the future(3% reduction). Six infusions over three years. Just want to throw everything available at this. Fingers crossed.
Hugs all. Thinking about those who came before us and after us in Breast cancer land. We are links in a chain
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Gatomal, which trial are you in? I chuckled about your rested and Botox comment.
Yes, we are indeed chains in a huge link. I try to pop into other threads and help those newer to this, as those with more experience helped me.
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hi my chickies!
Cassie, yaaaah! So glad you are done! When are ya gettin the port out? You get over the weirdness soon after it is gone.... Hard to explain. I feel NORMAL again. Aren't weddings wonderful? Love a beach, not trussed up affair. A baby kitteh too? They are so sweet!
Eileen, a milestone. Excellent work! Glad you are done.
Windgirl, wow, you are amazing. I have machu pichu on my list!
Catie, more good news with DH! The aches and pains.....we got 'em too. We just go day by day now. Puppies, ahhhhhhhh
Gatomal, LOL, was shoppin in homegoods and saw a "moscow mule" copper mug. Thought of you and SF of course! It must be an in thing now, have seen them elsewhere too. Mikey says hi. Xxxooo to you, Oliver, DH and all the little ones.
Angie, how are things? Am having more hot flashes too, but it is like a freakin oven here so hard to tell if it is aggravating it. Still on Tamoxifen of course. Hope you are feeling better.
So anyone comin to sarasota? I will be tour guide!
My birthday is next Tuesday. What a difference a year makes....we all remember what we were doing last August. I already got my hair done, will be doing a day spa soon! Yes, massage, pedi mani, LE be damned. Also goin to dinner and a show. Then wooooohoooo, we go to Maine!
Xxxxooooooo
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Cassiecat - Congrats on finishing up w Herceptin. I put high sign but not showing up. You go girl
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Candy, I never had a port, if you can believe it, so I'm just done now!
Catie, thank you.
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Hey my peeps. How are you guys.
I have been following the last week but not posting.
So glad to here the good reports.
Eileen, congrats on selling the house and being able to buy your son a condo. Can't wait until I can do that for my kids. Housing prices are ridiculous out here. 3 homes sold in our neighborhood in less than 2 weeks. Now for the drumroll....All 3three sold for over $250K over asking price, most are paying a lot of cash down. Go figure. We seriously thought about selling but we couldn't afford a new home right now based on the asking price. We lovely laugh that we couldn't even afford our home right now if we tried to buy it in this market. We have been approached a few times to sell, but we have gracefully said No thanks!
Windgirl, have fun and enjoy! Sounds great. I have those freak-out moments too. These SEs with Tamo seems to have my mind go to dark places with then SEs don't go away quick enough...
Cassie, Catie and Bippy, I have been doing some spring cleaning too. Felt good to get rid of some old stuff and just have the energy to get some of it done -- although I still can't do the level I did pre-BC treatment.
Catie, so glad husband isi doing better. Praying for the relief of the backpain.
Cassie, congrats on finishing up your herceptin treatment.
Gatomal, I need to get some Botox too to at least look like am rested -- big smile. What trail are you at USF? I am thinking of switching insurances during open enrollment so that I can switch to USF, they have better trails and aftercare than Kaiser.
Bippy, love your posts! So full of energy. I can't believe how far we have come in a year and grown due to our journey and those on this board
Beatmon, How are you and how are your treatments going? Congrats on the MUGA! Yes, before BC I rarly took any medication except for my migraine medication. Now, boii the pain pills for SE, smh. And the Ativan I need to take to get some rest when I have gone too many days with no sleep. Always thinking of you! Hope you are ramping up for your next vacation!
Hugs across the miles,
Angie
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hi ladies! Just arrived back yesterday from Peru, and logged in to see how u all are doing and also share a photo
Cassie congrats on finishing!! Gatomal love that you did the Botox, it's almost like normal life with no other worries than wrinkles. I myself need fillers, never done them but maybe this year I have accepted a work assignment for one week in Israel so I will be traveling this Friday again. I'll stay there one week and head to Istanbul for 2 weeks of vacation. I have a lot of relatives to visit, especially those who were face timing me weekly and keeping track of all my treatment. feeling excited but also want to just veg out at home.
Take care all, will write back in more detail as soon as I get over this next work travel.
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windgirl, you are fabulous! I live vicariously through your travels. You look gorgeous.
Gatomal, good news on the trial. I am looking into trying one for a vaccine.
Angie, wow on the housing! We learned that in San Fran. It is similar here too, on a smaller scale of course. We are holding onto our old home, which is really a teardown but on 2 lots in a nice neighborhood, close to everything. Zillow's value on it is stooooopid.
Well, Bipster is gettin ready for vaca too, and it is a thrill to be doing so. I got my first massage in over a year yesterday. Did some research on LE, and so long as we are careful with affected arm area, it is beneficial for stress and body aches. I feel like a new person.
Made my first ever pot of tiki masala and it is heaven. I have a knack for Indian cuisine! The hotter the better.
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Hello, Ladies! Just checking in, catching up, etc. Looks like everyone is doing great!
Windgirl, you look fabulous! I'm so jealous of your travels!
Gatomal & Bippy, you look wonderful too! So fun that you got to meet in person & spend a little time.
And happy belated birthday, Bippy! (You share a birthday with my brother!) Hope you had a great day!
I've had a whirlwind few weeks, and switched meds (yet again) during that time as well. Let's see, went home to MO mid-July for a week for work and to visit the folks & friends, then back for a week and a half, during which I did a partial bathroom remodel (sink/vanity area only), which made me feel great! I love DIY home improvement, it gives me such a feeling of accomplishment when it's done and I enjoy the results so much more than if I had hired out the work. Then I went to TN for 2 weeks w/ my BFF to help her clear out her mom's house (who passed away from stage IV lung cancer in April). Ended up bringing back a new kitten from TN (like there are not enough orphan kittens here in AZ!). Her mom was such a cat lover, and the kitten called out to us while we were walking one evening and literally followed us back to the house. We both felt her mom had a hand in it, so couldn't bring ourselves to take her to the humane society. Since my friend had already taken in her mom's 3 kitties (and already had 2 of her own), I was elected. And since I just lost my beloved Mooch a few months ago, we had a vacancy.
The next weekend (which was this past weekend) we did a climbing camp out weekend with our scout troop. I went, and repelled both days, but didn't climb, as I feel my balance & upper body strength is still lacking, but will definitely do it next time! I feel like I have something to prove, if that makes any sense. It was great fun seeing the boys progress from fear of going over the edge to thirst for conquering the rock and racing to the bottom!So, I have now switched from exemestane to anastrozole to tamoxifen. The joint pain was bad on exemestane, nearly unbearable on anastrozole, but greatly improved on tamoxifen, so far. I also feel like I'm sleeping a bit better, finally. Unfortunately, there are a couple of other side effects I'm not enjoying so much, mainly crabbiness. Most afternoons I turn into a raging lunatic & start snapping at my DH. Also, the ever-present hot flashes. I'm hoping my crazies moderate as time goes on; they say some of these SE may lessen over time. Fingers crossed. I think I am out of options if tamoxifen doesn't work for me.
My hair is growing back thick and curly also (but mostly grey). I had it trimmed up once several weeks ago, but felt like it was too short, so now it's back at that awkward stage of growing out where I can't do anything with it. I like the curls and am about to decide to dye it back to reddish-brown like it was before. Now that I'm finally starting to feel more normal, I want to look more like my old self, I think.
I'm on my work computer, so no pics, but will post one of the new kitty later.
Hugs to everyone!
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Windgirl - Love the pic in Peru. Just beautiful! Enjoy your travels and family.
Strongenough - Femara is another option. I'm on my second after Arimidex. Still having joint aches in my hands w Femara, but much worse with the other. So dealing right now. DIY projects are great. I spray painted all my rusty stuff around the yard last week. Lol I know doesn't sound that appealing, but actually made everything look nice.
Hope everyone is doing well.
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windgirl, you look gorgeous and what a photo! So awesome.
StrongEnough, it's great to hear from you!
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Our new addition. Her name is Kodak, because she came from Kodak, TN. Also, she is very photogenic. We are calling her Kody for short. She is a handful, very energetic and playful. The other 2 cats are not thrilled, but slowly beginning to tolerate her.
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Awww, she's so cute!
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Windgirl= You look great!!!
Strongenough=Love the kitty.
I have not been on the boards lately. Still in the process of moving my son. We close next week. I feel so lucky to have a condo I could afford in a safe neighborhood. Baltimore is getting tougher to find safe areas in my price range.
Gatomal= I missed the post about botox. That was one of the questions I asked my MO before chemo. He said I could botox during. However,my wrinkles were the last thing on my mind. As soon as I was done with rads I was off to get my injections. Who knows if I look better yet, I feel like I look better.
My hair has come in a super funky grey,blond,and white. I am keeping it boy short for now. I really like it. More people asked me who colors my hair Chemo color.
Glad to read everyone is doing well and going on with life. Being a TNBC I had no meds to follow up with. I only sorta like that. I wish I was on something to stop this crap from coming back. All my love!!!
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Elieen, glad the sell and move are going good. Also, so glad you were able to find a condo in safe neighborhood. Although Tamo is kicking my butt I am in going to try and hang in there for the long run. Especially being stage 3, a lot of positive nodes and such a rare presentation of BC.
Strongenough, love the story and the kitty. So glad to hear from you. I am trying to build up to a DIY remodel of my guest bathroom, vanity and tile
Windgirl, love the book. Looking good! I too lave vicariously through your's and Beatmon's travels. I feel like a homebody now
.Enjoy your travels and your family. I would be so excited!DiasyQ and Mom2Aboy, welcome
Catie, keep us updated on the wedding.
A good weekend to all as summer is the end of summer is approaching.
Angie
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Good news! I went for mamo today and all looks good. Phew..... I had to take a Xanax at 2:00 am just to get to sleep the night before. Looking forward to a nice relaxing wknd ahead. wishing everyone SE free and enjoyable wknd
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great news catie! Fantastic. So glad.
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Great news Catie
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Catie, great to hear!
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H All, stopping in to wish you a great holiday weekend. Enjoy the last big weekend of the summer. My husband and I moved our ministry location the past week and the first service in the new location went well.
I am taking today off to just veg and relax. Haven't done that in a long time. This time last year I was recovering from my first AC treatment. What a difference a year makes.
Beatmon, how are you doing? Any travels planned.
Windgirl, hope you are having fun!
Everyone, always thinking of you and hugs.
-Angie
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Wishing everyone a happy Labor day. I went for my 6 month follow up. Mammogram,dexa scan,BS follow up. ALL GOOD!!! Next check up in 6 months. I feel like I can breath again. Thought I felt a lump. They did an ultrasound and it was my breast bone. I told them I was sorry. Any thing that feels not right makes me nervous. They were totally OK.
Lets keep on the road to GOOD Health!!!!
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Yes, happy labor day weekend, everyone! This time last year I was a week or so into my first round of chemo. Now, I'm back at school and feeling so good.
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Ellenpg - Great news on ultrasound.
LadyB - Congrats on your new Ministry location. Glad to hear it started off well.
Cassiecat - A new year, a new day! Enjoy being back to school.
So happy to hear all the good news. Happy Labor Day wknd to everyone.
Daughter in visiting and meeting with rental place for wedding. I think I have a headache after all the details discussed today. Lol it's all good.....
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LadyB, catching up with posts. I am at Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center in Berkeley. Busy place, pleased with care. I love Brkeley, too! In a study where I think I'm getting antidepressants to control joint pain from Arimidex. If it is the placebo, it is still making me feel better!
Clear mammo last week, finished Herceptin too. Planning a de-portation party, as Bippy would say.
Back to work teaching 25 energetic 2nd graders. Whew! I am really tired. Thankful, but TIRED!
Great to catch up with you all. Rejoicing in the feeling of fall coming. Remembering a year ago...so glad to have had this support group!
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JeniferE, Congrats on finishing herceptin and getting back to work. Would love to plan to meet up with you if you are for it. I do understand if you are not.
I stepped out on faith this last Sunday and had my first speaking engagement since this journey began. I was terrified yet ready. My biggest fear was stumbling over words since Tamoxifen has me forgetting words often.
Cathie, how is the wedding planning going.
Cassiecat, how are you adjusting to the new school year?
Took the time to go through our August 2014 list and reviewed old post. Said a prayer for everyone and knowing we are all trying to move forward. So glad that this journey is over for many of us. But I do know there are a few that will continue to have treatment.
Said a special prayer for Starlover's family. Starlover was a part of our chemo thread group early on and became an angel a few months later.
Love across the miles to a group that is very dear to my heart!
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I'm having a hard time today. I learned yesterday evening that a friend from junior high passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged battle with colon cancer. I knew she was sick, she knew she couldn't be cured, but she was still fighting, just finished radiation treatments a month ago. I was not that close to her, we were pompom girls together for 2 years in junior high, and we had caught up at our high school reunions and on FB, but I missed the reunion last summer b/c of chemo. I was really looking forward to seeing her again. She was the only person I knew personally who had cancer when I got my dx, so I reached out to her and she helped me in the beginning. Even though we were not that close, this has hit me pretty hard. A little too close to home, I guess.
This comes on the heels of learning 2 others in my life are also dealing this bitch cancer. My cousin's granddaughter (3 years old) started chemo a couple weeks ago for Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Her prognosis is very good, but it will be a long treatment (2 years of chemo) and of course she will lose her beautiful curly hair. Also, the wife of my hubby's dear friend is being treated for stage 1 BC. So far, she has had a lumpectomy, SNB, and re-excision. They say she will only have radiation, no chemo, but that's what they told me, too.
So I'm sitting here at my desk, supposed to be working, tears streaming down my face. Sorry to bring everybody down, but thanks for letting me vent. I know I am blessed and lucky to be done and feeling better, but the cycle just continues. It's heartbreaking.
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Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to pop in and say hello. Feels like we are all moving forward - just like before only different. That's the way I feel - I'll never look at my life or the world in quite the same way. It's a good thing, a little bittersweet.
Strongenough, I'm so sorry about the people who have or are struggling with cancer. It is hard to witness so much suffering. I imagine you are a good source of friendship and support, as you've been there. Even with all the treatment inroads, there is so much to be done.
Yesterday, I also found a link at the Susan Love site about an army of women (they're trying to recruit 1 million), who've had and haven't had bc and who are willing to participate in a variety of clinical trials, with a goal of finding and cure and improving treatment along the way. Have any of you heard of it? If you are interested, here's the link: https://www.armyofwomen.org/.
In a couple of weeks, my husband and I are going with a group to Nepal to provide some medical supplies and services to villages destroyed by the earthquakes and that never received much aid. I'm looking forward to the adventure and being able to help some others out. I am so grateful that I am strong enough to do this. Not sure I imagined that nine months ago when I finished my last infusion I would be feeling this good.
Love and hugs to all of you.
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