Starting chemo August 2014
Comments
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Beatmon, YaY!! on the stable scans. I am continuing to pray for NED!
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Amy, so sorry to hear you're struggling. It just isn't fair to have to battle depression and cancer. {{hugs}} for you.
beatmon, stable sure beats the alternative. Hoping for continued stable reports, but NED would be even better! Thanks for sharing the update with us.
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Also wanted to congratulate Beatmon on "stable." I hope you are feeling well. You sure are a positive source for all of us on this thread.
And, Amy, I agree that depression is awful, and I'm glad we can support each other. Although I imagine it's not your chief concern, my new breasts are lopsided, too. Over the next few months, I'll have them revised. There seems to be some law that revisions are covered by insurance, so at least that's not a barrier.
Sending hugs and love to both of you.
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A friend of mine, about my age, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer about 4 months before I was diagnosed with BC. We went through chemo at nearly exactly the same time. She finished about 3 week before I did. There was some spread to at least her liver, but scans following surgery and chemo looked clear. Turns out the now, the cancer is back. I just hate this disease so much. I hate it. She's gearing up to fight again, and she is one tough cookie with tons of support. I know she can do it. But it's so unfair to even have to. Just needed a place to vent a bit. I think about recurrences and new cancers every day still.
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hi all my ladies,
After catching up on posts, I realize a few things-mainly though, how lucky I was to find you. You are amazing, all, in your own way. It makes me sad to know of Beatmon and Purplegrl's struggles especially, and Cassie with your friend's recurrence, but Amy, you are also on my mind. I am with you in the weight gain thing, which triggers yet more depression, and on it goes.
is it hard for you guys to tolerate drama queens nowadays? now my part time job-it is easy, No stress. But wow, wow, wow, the drama all around. No one is happy there-ha! except for me, the breastless, traumatized, overweight, economically shattered, depressed cancer girl. It is sooo hard for me not to scream out that they all seem to be in excellent, cancer free health and quit bitching about things that are meaningless! And, please move on if you hate your job. Really, it is not a bad place...ahhhh, reminds me of myself pre Bc. Ignorance is bliss. So, learning tolerance.
Also I am working out at home, slowly but surely moving my body. Doing dvds and youtube programs. Eating much better and seeing some results. Workin that right side slllowwwww amd LE is stable. Need to drop some pounds and get moving...hubby and I are doing geocaching, fun and physical. Life is good today
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Bippy and all: look up on FB and see if you can find the Dramamine with the blonde....speaking of drama. It is so funny. She pronounces it Drama mine. You must see it!
Brenda E
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CassieCat,
Sorry about your friend. I bet many of us think about recurrences. I think I divide my time between trying to live each day to the fullest, and keeping an eye on the latest breast cancer science. I'm closely watching the Neuvax vaccine, for HER2 +1, +2 tumors (although other combinations of the vaccine are being developed for +3). The interim results are due out by June 30 and the final results in 2018. There is some hope that if the interim results are strong enough, there will be a push for earlier release. See My-Gale.com for a look at this vaccine from an investment angle, with lots of comments from knowlegable people who are concerned that an efficacious vaccine be made available as soon as is reasonable.
Bippy, hilarious comment on your co-workers! I used to worry all the time about wrinkles and gray hair - now, glad to have them!
Best wishes, all.
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Had a good check-up with my surgeon today - no lumps or bumps found. I go meet with my MO next week to go over blood work. Here's hoping for platelets coming up and tumor markers staying stable!
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Hi ladies, it's been awhile since I last posted. Had a PET, my first since stage 4 diagnosis and starting xeloda in January. Xeloda unfortunately did not work for me. Most of my lesions have grown/ increased in activity and I now have new spots to bone, new lymph nodes, and a haziness showing in one lung. Trying to figure out next steps now. I am not on BCO asoften these days, but I did not want to just disappear from the thread without wishing you all the best for your good health and happiness! If anyone would like to connect on Facebook, please private message me.
Hugs,
Robyn
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Oh Robyn, I'm sorry to hear the Xeloda didn't work for you. I would love to connect on Facebook. I will send you a message.
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Oh, Robyn, I don't even know what to say except that I am so sorry to hear that the cancer has progressed. Do you have any idea what your MO will try next? I know very little about triple neg., have no clue what steps are next. I hope you have someone close to help support you. Big hugs.
Brenda e
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Hi Ladies, Just peaking in to see how everyone is doing and if anyone is still posting.
Robyn, You are strong and amazing! Keeping you in my thoughts thru your journey.
Love to all!
Cathie
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Hi Robyn,
Just wanted to send you my best wishes, too. I'm rooting for you!
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Hi Purplegirl/Robyn, you have been on my mind and in my prayers since your original post and our PMs. I am praying that the next phase of treatment works and regression occurs in the lymph nodes, bones and any other area that may show activity.
I will send a PM as I would love to contact via FB.
Beatmon, how are you doing?
JustAmy and Gatomal, how are you doing?
My update:
My MO added Zometa to my routine. I am now fully menopausal! No more injections to reduce ovary function. She is leaving me on Tamoxifen for another year to ensure the ovaries don't kick into gear and to be safe. Tamoxifen SE's still kicking my butt -- they wax and wane but glad they are not consistent and asbad as they were.
Hugs to all and love across the miles!
Angie
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hey all, if anyone wants to connect via FB PM me and we can connect.
Love across the miles,
Angie
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sorry to hear, robyn. Heartbreaking. I hate breast ca.
Im back in SF for my clinical trial appt and my second zometa infusion. Then will be flying back home late tomorrow, hopefully with no fever, the first zometa infusion was bad.
Kids doing great, and husband allowed to work remotely, so we are all together again. Still unpacking apt. stuff. Almost done. Hope everyone ishanging in there.
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Hi All, I have my first Xometa infusion tomorrow. Has anyone had this and what are the SEs. I have been feeling ok lately and just want to know if it is anything similar to chemo or first starting the hormonal therapy?
Hope all are doing ok
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Dear Angie, I have no experience with the xometa, I just wanted to wish you hugs and good luck with the infusion.
Brenda E
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I had a fever w zometa and felt like I had abad flu. Take Claritin before, or at least after for a few days, hydrate, take Advil Tylenol or pain killers as needed. Sleep. I just took z four hour nap, and I'm going back to sleep now. The second infusion was much better than the first.
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Thanks Brenda and Gatomal for the well wishes and support.
Gatomal thanks for the info. I was worried as with all these meds I tend to have the worst SEs. I have slept on and off all day muscles are just aching sore I can't hardly move and if I do a lot of pain and a fever. Deep muscle pain and joint pain. I had to have the doc order me a stronger pain killer as oTCs werent working. I vacodine and Motrin to alternate with. Along with the Claritin. Hind sight I should have waited until after Mother's Day big smile. I hear the SEs should run their course with 3 to 4 days.
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Gatamol, LadyB and Robyn,
Hope treatments are going well and you are feeling good.
Wishing everyone a Happy Mother's Day!
Cathie
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Hi all,
Happy Mother's Day!
Re Zometa, I began Prolia injections in January after my bone mineral density dropped quite a bit following 9 months on Aromasin. Prolia also reduces the risk of bone mets. The injections occur every 6 months. I've only had one, and I didn't experience any side effects. Perhaps worth inquiring about.
See: http://www.ascopost.com/News/34129.
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Hoping everyone had a nice day today. Pain free and with love.
Brenda
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I hope all had a wonderful holiday weekend. Thinking of you.
Purplegurl, thinking of you! Praying that your current treatment is working well!
Beatmon/Brenda, Any travels lately? I looked up the Dramamine with the blonde and it was hilarious. Hope all is going well with you.
BTW. Zometa knocked me on my butt! I was down for the count for about 5 days. Day one, I was sore and achy but by day 2 I was out of it. I worried my husband as I just couldn't do anything and slept for hours! By the next Tuesday I was coming around. Boii it was a rough one for me.
Nottoday, I am going to ask my doctor about Prolia. Thanks for the information.
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Hello Everyone,
Good to hear about Zometa and Prolia. Going for a bone density test next week. Being on Arimidex has made me quite achy and I have a feeling Dr will suggest Zometa injections. He told me about them early on. I will definitely ask about Prolia.
Sending you all best wishes.
Cathie
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Just wondering how all of our ladies are doing?
Brenda E
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I'm on summer break now and next week, we fly our daughter to Portland for 6 weeks of ballet. It's nice to have another school year behind me. I'm feeling pretty good but really need to work on my physical fitness this summer. 2 more months until I go through another round of doctor visits and scans, and my 2-year anniversary since diagnosis. My hair is crazy - sort of curly and wavy, but getting longer.
Hope all are doing well. I miss chatting with you ladies.
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Me, too. I have hair now, also. Letting it grow out and eventually even it up! But it is not my hair....don't know whose it is but I wish I had the same hair consistency it was before. Lol
Still on every 3 week Herceptin and Perjeta. Had to have " all of a sudden" ingrown big toenails removed and lasered. That was not fun! And now have to have retina surgery...both eyes, not at the same time!
Hate getting older! Told chemo could have some causation of the retinal problem but probably just " as we get older" . Tired of hearing that! Lol. But at least I can hear pretty well.
Waiting to hear from more of our girls. Will you stay in Portland with daughter? Or are they there in a group?
Brenda E
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Hey Brenda and CassieCat!
Brenda, Good to hear from you. All is going well. Like Cassie, my goal is to work on my physical fitness this summer. Any travels lately? We went to Vegas with the grandkids and had a ball! Stayed at a resort and mostly went swimming and relaxed. I forgot how easy it was to entertain 5 year olds. 😜😜😜. Went to one of my favorite buffets The Wicked Spoon!
Cassie, hoping the weather is good while you visit Portland. Are you staying the full 6 weeks! Have a relaxing summer
All, hoping that those that come on and read the posts drop a quick note and let us know how you are doing. It was about two years ago most of us met! Would love to hear how some of you are doing that haven't posted in a while.
Have a fabulous rest of the weekend!
Love Across the miles,
Angie
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HI all! Just checking in & catching up. Life is slowly getting back to normal, I no longer think about BC every day, or maybe I just don't realize it if I do because it's finally integrating into my "self". Had my 2nd annual mammogram in May, all clear, and follow up with RO, everything is good, tumor markers still low. And I've finally started losing some of my chemo weight! 7 lbs down from my all time high so far.
My hair is getting longer and settling down to its original texture, but still a little curlier at the ends. Still taking tamoxifen, still having hot flashes & night sweats, but could be worse. I'm one of those people who would rather be hot than cold. I've started keeping a small towel by the bed so I can mop off the sweat w/o getting out of bed. I just scooch over to a dry spot and flip the pillow & back to sleep. 
I've been very busy getting the house ready to sell, lots of work, some packing & de-cluttering, lots of cleaning, painting, etc. it's been on the market since Feb & we were really hoping it would sell quicker. It has a pool and it's been very hot here in southern AZ the last few days, so hopefully there will be more interest. Had 2 showings over the weekend, and there's a realtor tour next week. Hubby has been working his new job as a deputy sheriff in Idaho since January. Nice for him to have steady income, but really sucks being "geographical bachelors". We visit whenever we can.
Also, we are gearing up for the big backpacking trip next month. We are going w/ a group of scouts to Philmont Scout Ranch in NM for a 12-day, 84-mile trek (gulp). Been doing day hikes & overnight camps with fully loaded, huge 70 liter pack, about 35 lbs. I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be... Will be nice to spend the 2 weeks w/my husband, too. Bonus! (Although, no hanky-panky while camping w/other people's kids, of course!) I'll post a pic or 2 when we get back. Completely off-grid for 12 days will be nice, too.
I've been checking in here periodically, but usually not sure what to say, so I just catch up on the reading. I think of you ladies often, though, and hope everyone is doing well. Robyn, I have no words, heartbreaking to read of your recurrence. Stay strong.
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