Starting chemo August 2014
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Gatomal Congratulations on your beautiful babies!!! I h
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Good morning! I'm feeling pretty good today and grateful to be on this side of surgery. I feel like I've finally gotten through the hardest parts of treatment. Chemo? CHECK. Surgery? CHECK.
Wishing everyone a beautiful Sunday.
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Gatomal congrats!!
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cassie, well done darling! So glad you are checkin off that list. Heal up and take care.
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cassiecat: glad to hear you at doing well !! Do you have to do radiation too?
My husband and I we're just discussing our first vacation we will take when this is past us:) we are not ones to spend money on vacations or any thing for that matter...but cancer and baby have changed our mindset... life is too short to not enjoy every second. We both love hiking so a tour of the national parks out west is high on list... Also Atlantis in Bahamas..anybody been ? Looks like Disney in Caribbean with adult beverages lol.👏 I think I may have a touch cabin fever !! So fricken cold here haven't gotten out too much!!
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We are ready to spend a little more money on fun stuff too. My parents actually gave us some money for Christmas fora weekend away somewhere. We like going up to San Francisco at least once a year to see a ballet performance, but we're waiting to make any plans like that until I know if I have to have radiation or not. It'll depend on what the pathology shows and what the tumor board recommends when they review my case again.
I had a home health nurse come out today to change my dressing and I finally took a small look at myself. I cried. It is for the best, but it's also a loss to lose one or both breasts. Sigh. She did say the incision is very neat and clean, and that it looks really good. She was surprised that I'm only on ibuprofen today, but I think it helps that I don't have TEs in place, I only had one side done, and that I only had two lymph nodes removed. I'm taking more Ativan tonight though. I need to get back to my happy place.
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Cassiecat - Congrats on getting past surgery and chemo. Big steps! You take care of yourself.
Gatamol - Congrats on the twins!!!! You must be so happy. I think you and your hubby are going to be quite busy the next few years with 2 sets now. I'm so happy for you both.
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Cassiecat: Congrats on getting past surgery and glad to hear you at doing well. I am with you on the Ativan. I shied away from it initially but not now. Need it to relax and get a good night's sleep.
Gatomal, Congrats on the new additions! I had one set and couldn't image 2 sets :-). Again I hop you are taking full advantage of the additional help. I just SMH at your MIL .....you and your Hubby are doing the right thing. Praying for healing!
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cassie, the cry is necessary first step...after that, it gets better. I hope you do not need rads. NED for Cassie!
I want to tell you all about my DH, he being the only thing that pulled me through this nightmare. Yesterday he said lets get any residual adhesive off you, so was doing that before I showered. As he did so, he commented that the doc made nice small incisions on my sides. He unflinchingly examines my chest for signs of healing, and any problems. Now, this is a man that pre Bc could not even clean up kitty barf. That he took total care of my drains astonished me. All through, he has been amazing, loving, protective, and a rock.
He told me that this did not change the way he feels about me, while examining my scars. It made me feel so loved and happy. How did I get so lucky?
Sooo.......was thinkin of takin him to Vegas. But may go somewhere closer to home. I think we all deserve a nice, quiet trip! Planning it after rads.
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Bippy, for sure your hubby is a keeper. What a blessing. Have fun planning your trip. We discovered Bed and Breakfasts years ago when I retired. Very relaxing, especially when in a place to explore. They can be found in country or city settings.
Wishing all a blessed day. Love, Jean
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Gatomal, Congratulations on your new babies! Your household is going to be filled with so much fun, and a little chaos at times I'm sure!
Cassiecat, I'm so glad you got through your surgery so well. And NED, yahoo! I wish you a speedy and uneventful recovery. Congrats to your lovely daughter for her acceptance into the dance program. It's wonderful to have things to celebrate.
Bippy, amazing how these guys can really step up when they want to! So great that you have such loving support.
I'm trying to get caught up on work so I haven't been keeping up very well here. I'm thinking of you all though and sending love and hugs to all as we start a new year - feeling better!
I'm almost done with rads, two more to go. It will be great to check off the chemo and rad portions of the program! Next month I'll probably be starting on an AI, which one TBD, and continuing Herceptin through July. Thank God my port has not done another upside down flip and the nurse was able to access it for my infusion last week!
Hugs, Sandy
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cassiecat, cry it out !!! I am the one who change my drain dressing, empty the drains, and the pads over my flat boobs. I'm amazed to see how flat my chest is. I finally had a courage to watch Living Proof movie when I was alone at home yesterday. I cried it out loud and I feel better again..;-) it's about the making of Herceptin.
Gatomal the hiking in Colorado is breathtaking, the Meza Verde side. It's too cold for now probably. Road trip to key west will be fun. I am just afraid to get out from mainland or to fly now. Lol. I will resume my Herceptin within 3 weeks for my her 2+ status.
I'm looking forward to start the garden this year.
Stay strong ladies. Hugs to you all
Shirley
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Bippy, thanks for sharing your husband story with us. This is such an example of expressing unconditional love...
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Bippy I agree. You know what else strikes me about that? Your willingness and ability to let him do that for you. That is beautiful, too. DH and I aren't there yet. Neither of us is ready to look full on, and we both feel sad. He doesn't care what I look like, but he's sad for me because he know that I'm sad for me. Does that make sense? He just wants me to live a long, healthy life and doesn't care about my left boob. I'm just ready to cry again. This journey is so hard. But we're making it. We are survivors.
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Cassie- it took me a really long time to look at myself after surgery. And hair as long to look at my head after I lost my hair. It was (is ) just really hard for me to deal with. My husband has been great though. He doesn't care what happened to my breasts or my hair just as long as I am healthy and get to live a long life.
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Bippy a keeper for sure. I am with Cassie that you were willing and ready to let him show that type of unrestrained love! After my ALND I was initially apprehensive at first but my husband was patient and allowed me time to let my guard down and feel comfortable but it did take a few tries :-). So happy that we can brag that our hubbies and boyfriends are there with us. I often pray for women that aren't so lucky and have heard it in the support group I attended.
Cassie, glad you are feeling better and recovery is coming along.
Shirley , glad you are doing well and already thinking about starting a garden.
JeniferE, hope your recovery is still going well!
Yippy, Sandy!!!
I havr my last chemo on Wednesday, Jan 14rh. I am so ready. I had my first appointment with radiologist. Go in for CT simulation on 1/26 and start rads 2 weeks after that. So about 4 weeks between last chemo and start of rads. Would like too know what was the time frame for most of you between chemo and starting rads. DR said she wanted to give my body time to rest and recovery but wouldn't wait more than 4 weeks. I will have 6 1/2 weeks of rads instead of the original 7 weeks so 33 all together. The good thing, I see a light at the end of the tunnel for this part of the journey. After rads MO will discuss which hormonal treatment, if we will remove ovaries it suppression, etc. want the ovaries removed as I am finish having babies ;-).
I am taking a deep breath ladies. This is the hardest journey as we all know and share often. I believe I am just starting to really process it emotionally.
We all deserve a well needed relaxing get away. Would love to hear some of the plans that are being made. I just want to go to a pace I don't have to lift a finger, that I can get lost in meditation and not think about the Cancer but can cry my eyes out when I need to or just have fun when I need to. That sounds like a spa resort in Arizona or Washington so that I can also enjoy nature which I love.
Hugs Always,
Angie
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Ladyb=I waited 2 weeks after chemo to start radiation. So far, I had to stop 6 days due to arm swelling and 1 day missed due to machine being broken. I have finished a total of 12 sessions. My RO has told me no problem in my missing these days and picking them up. He said my tumor was so small he is not worried. Anyway,there is nothing I can do even if he was worried. Good luck. So far for me no problems. I love my techs. Have already bought them thank you gifts.
As for getting away.My BF had planned a trip in May when I was at my worse in chemo. I did not get very involved as I felt so bad.He told me he would take me anywhere. I picked Hong Kong. I liked to go there.No, we are not going there. However, he planned a fantastic trip. We are going to London,Paris,and Amsterdam Will be gone 2 1/2 weeks. I really think he thought I was going to die and was trying to give me something to live for. Also,he said due to the fact I barely ate and never spent money on my hair,nails, or restaurants. He saved a fortune.
Still have this dam swelling. Has come down a lot. Left foot still swollen. If I eat anything with salt I pay for it dearly. UGH!!! Will this ever end. My hair is coming in white fuzz with black specs. Not to pretty. Will have to wait and see. At least it is growing back. One person told me in a store here hair never came back. Oh My!
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Yeah, my hubster is a gem. We have been together since 1988, so maybe it will stick
. He is the best thing ever to happen to me.So rads for me, start Jan 20. Surgery was 12/17...I too needed time to heal up. Cannot believe it is almost over, although it will not ever really be over...I am doing 25 tx. Is anyone doing ovary removal vs. drug supression? I am premeno, so have to take Tamoxifen, and I have of course read all the potential horrors. Going to meet with my gyno surgeon in March to discuss.....not sure which is worse choice.
Wow, I am gettin some good ideas for that trip! I love the B and B idea, we are nature lovers, so anywhere near that is good. But Eileen, that is a trip of a lifetime! Maybe San Fran for us and wine country....that is my bucket list trip.
Ladyb, so glad your chemo is over, wooohooooo!
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Now you gals have me dreaming about a spa getaway, maybe some natural hot springs, a massage, some hiking... we definitely deserve some pampering!!!
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I posted this on the January surgery board too...
I got some really great news this afternoon. My surgeon called me with the pathology report. There were no cancer cells in my tissue or in the two lymph nodes. The chemo got rid of all of the cancer and I am now as cancer-free as anyone can be. We might always have rogue cells in or body that our immune systems can fight off, but for now I'm going to enjoy the knowledge that the chemo worked. This has been a terribly long and difficult road to walk, but it saved my life. I'm a mess, emotionally, this afternoon. Sort of PTSD feelings, where now that I know I'm OK I can break down and realize how much I've been through.
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Cassiecat, what fantastic news! I'm so relieved for you. You HAVE been through a lot so let tears come when you need to. I think we can be strong and get through so much difficulty and when done the emotions hit. Hope you will be able to celebrate and take that spa getaway soon.
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cassiecat! That's amazing news.i cry w happiness for you. It's over. O v e r. Just ins policy rads? Not sure what they decide. Talk about a good cry. You will have one (or more) soon. Awesome!
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cassiecat that's wonderful news. Congrats. Cry all you need to, it has been a long road!
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cassiecat=YEAH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!0 -
Hip hip hooray, no cancer! Yeah cassie
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Cassie, Alrighty then! Happy dance for you.
Going in for #12 of 12. Yep, that means my last tx. Taxol kicking my butt however determined to get through this. Will write more later.
-angie
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Angie, last taxol!!! Yippee!!!
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yay ladyb!!
My last taxol is Friday but I did 4 dd.. 12 doses !!! I don't know how you ladies did it !!! F ing Hate Taxol!!!
Question : I've had same infusion nurse for all 8 treatment s .and he is soo amazing. I wanna give him a Starbucks gift card ( he always offers to get me Starbucks when he goes on break so I know he likes it) anybody give gift on last day ??? I work on an inpatient cardiac floor and patients send cards and flowers after dc but on our floor I rarely take care of same patient more than 2/3 days max .. different relationships...
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NurseShark, I brought in cookies at Christmas, and my mom brought in goodies and a letter the day of my last chemo. Since I still have another 8 months or so of Herceptin, I don't feel like I'm at my last day yet, but I would definitely like to do something for my nurses. I think that's a great idea you have, and one I'm sure he'll appreciate!
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nurseshark I think it's a nice idea! I had two nurses the entire time (one was out for a few weeks having knee surgery). On my last one I brought each a Christmas tin of chocolates that my MIL brought from Ireland. I have also brought cookies in for everyone a different day that a good family friend made in the shape of a pink ribbon. I think he will love a gift card! Congrats on your last taxol! I think I have an appointment Friday with Dr Isakoff, maybe I will see you!
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