CRAZY TOWN WAITING ROOM - TESTS coming up? All Stages Welcome.
Comments
-
NEWS FLASH...........
There is a game we play which was started by OncoWarrior..................it is called 20 Questions.......
Its a fun game, come on over and join in.....we would love to have you......a few of the girls from Crazytown are there with us, and we could sure used some brainiacs.........
Go to Search on BCO Home Page.
Put in the "Keyword"..........20 Questions......hit enter, and it will come up.......any problems, just get back to me.........Remember I am the smartest oneon here.................LMAO............
0 -
Welcome Bonski....
0 -
shorfi! I meant to write and congratulate you on your good report. I can't send dancing ladies, but will do a little pain dance for you to celebrate. Yes, I am and have been in a lot of arthritic pain lately. I have to keep coming back to the thought that I could be worse and to having gratitude for the great things I do have. Blessings, DK
0 -
bonski, I noticed you have been on two different AI drugs. Did you have side effects from the first AI? I am curious because I could not tolerate Tamoxifen and the doctor said they will try an AI drug after my second surgery.
0 -
Shorfi, I wanted to belatedly congratulate you on, er, arthritis! Now to do something for the pain? Hope so.
Beppy, hope you and DH are on the mend.
Ducky, I know it's bittersweet, but I'm so glad the house sold.
How'd it go, Octo?
80% done with rads, only 5 more treatments. Skin looks like the worst sunburn you ever saw, peeling, too. I have ever so many ointments. Still, this time next week I'll be done!
Going to a meeting tonight at DS's high school about college financial aid. We have SATs, a nice report card...time to start thinking about where to park the kid in a couple of years.
Lovely evening to all...
0 -
Explanatory comment: I start radiation tomorrow. This is happening the day before my first real dose.
OMG I'm back in CRAZYTOWN today! Since Saturday, about half of my breast is very light pink, like I've been soaking in a hot bath or something. Today when I went in for my trial run before radiation, it was still there. The nurse said we should get it checked out so I went to my personal doc who had an opening right at that time. I was pretty mortified because his mom had breast cancer and I know I remind him of his mom. Even with the nurse in the room I couldn't look at him I just looked at the ceiling. I'm thinking once again he is checking me out for something that is nothing and he's got to be thinking what a dork I am plus I remind him of his mom and he's probably wanting to gag having to examine my breast. Well, we made it through. He said it didn't seem red enough or sore enough or warm enough (argh!) to be cellulitis but if one of the other docs on my team felt I should be treated, he would write me up for antibiotics. So tomorrow I start real radiation and I'm already pink! Oy. I did have a mishap while sleeping three nights ago, I slept on my side and woke up with the node area in terrible pain and I've been sore ever since. That's under my arm mostly. My SNB was Oct. 22. Then I really embarrassed myself and gave him one of my magnets telling him that he was my inspiration, the one that said, "Don't let my bizarre behavior stop you from taking me seriously." And he didn't laugh, I think he thought it was a threat. Oh man! So mortified now. I think I would almost rather die than go back there again. Time for a new doc that won't be so aware I live in Crazytown, but I really like and appreciate him so much, he's always been so good about really thinking and looking at my symptoms despite my anxiety all the time. Man, what could be inflaming my breast like that?! Well, I'll just wipe my feet on the welcome mat and come on in for a spell ...
0 -
eggroll, sorry about the burning, did you show it to the RO doc? I got only mildly pink but yelled to the RO folks and he made a determination if too bad to continue, it was fine but he was great at giving creams
feeling tired tonight so later
0 -
hi Crazies- back from pre op appt. this week full of various doc appts and blood draws. I think I am pretty mentally ready for Friday.
The depression seems to have lifted a bit. Don't know how much toattribute to the not taking Tamox. I am making a huge point not to sit in judgement on myself, which I was doing. I just keep telling myself it's all ok, whatever, and try to pick a new topic in my head and move on. Jack has been very helpful.
Rainny- I'm so glad you're almost done.
Eggroll- I've been hogging the best chair here in front of the fire. I'll move over so we can sit together. I think I need an extended pass for Crazytown parking. That would be ass parking. In this crazy chair.
Bonski- welcome.
(((Shorfi))) thank you
Hugs and hellos to all my crazies. Sorry for the lack of individual mojo patrol. I'll be reading, as usual, and will jump in from time to time.
0 -
Katy, think cozy chair! Where you can sit and read with your new, improved eyes.
C'mon in, Eggroll. And Bonski.
0 -
Hey girly, did you ever go to Harmony Hill? I went last weekend and it was fantastic. They had a spot open up last minute... was it yours I wonder? People just transformed including myself... but then I got back to the real world and I've lost my peaceful calm happiness. I want to go back! Beautiful facility, caring people and some very helpful activities that I need to keep doing... because obviously I'm losing it.
0 -
Egg- no it wasn't my spot. I was on a waiting list too but my real confirmed date is end of April 2016. I'm glad to hear the positive feedback. I think it's going to be hard to push myself to go, but I know I need these skills and they said Jack could come.
0 -
Octo, I fear I am already eating not just enough for everyone on BCO but also for all my online acoustic guitar and fountain pen forum buddies! Tonight just before we sailed we had our dinner in the ship's Italian restaurant, Manfredi's. It was even better than last night in Rome. Steamed mussels in saffron cream, smoked tomato veloute (velvety smooth gazpacho Italiano) osso bucco ("Auto-Incorrect," aka "Spelczekur," tried to render it as "Oslo Buckeye") with porcini risotto--could barely get through half of it; and a dessert even I had never heard of: cioccolato nero amarone cremoso (no, Auto-Fail, NOT "choking near a marine creosote")--dark chocolate crunchy truffle studded with sour cherries and chunks of meringue, with a blob of soft creamy meringue as a garnish. Thank goodness I can stick to low-carb in the Buffet. (Well, except for real pizza & gelato in Naples tomorrow and paella in Valencia next Monday). Treated myself to a shampoo & style (they threw in a bang trim) onboard tonight--couldn't wash my hair when showering at the hotel because the bathroom outlet was only for razors. Gonna get a massage and gel-mani touch up during downtime. Will distract me from my growing post-middle-aged spread. We're taking the stairs onboard as often as possible, and my swimsuit will instead become my gym suit (along with LE sleeve) when I hit the machines in the exercise room
Speaking of which, DF, no way am I giving up chocolate. Dark nearly-unsweetened chocolate is practically the only dessert other than underripe berries I can have on the low-carb diet awaiting me upon my return. Cutting back to only 3 glasses of wine a week was bad enough. If letrozole doesn't work as well on zaftig women (as I assume the other two AIs won't either), then I'm gonna have to spring for a lap-band and liposuction. As for that discount drug program, I have serious ideological objections to anything connected to the Walton family of AR, whether Wally World or Sam's Club. I'm a Costco gal--they treat their employees like human beings.....well-paid happy humans with good benefits and working conditions. They may not be unionized (I belong to two AFofM locals and am the daughter of two SEIU/CWA shop stewards), but they're the next best thing. Not so in the Wal-Mart gulags. I will have BCBS Medicare Part C come Jan. 1. Your mom's MO should've gone on sick leave or disability--practicing while physically impaired (which includes more than substance abuse) is malpractice. Fire him? More like sue him!
Unlike in L.A., NYC isn't buying the school system threats, calling them vague, genericand a hoax. Chicago learned its lesson when a similar hoax shut down the U of C campus for a day last week. Fool me once...
0 -
ChiSandy,
Researchers said one of the AIs worked fine on women who were not thin. I don't know which one. The other one might work fine, too.
I know what you mean about chocolate, but I gotta lose 42 pounds anyway. It may be somewhat more challenging without the HRT, but I am slimming down with the help of an elliptical bike, now doing interval training, and staying away from trigger foods. I won't know my bone density numbers until I get the DEXA scan.
Yes, I understand what you are saying about Sam's Club and Wal Mart employees. GoodRX has contracts and competitive prices with many pharmacies. I looked up the brand name Femara and I did see some supposed discounts but I don't know how they compare with the staggering cost quote you gave.
Wish I could sue the MO but there is only one group of oncologists in our town, and they would throw my mother to the dogs. As it is, she is getting cursory care. I don't like it, but Anne will not let me take her to a foremost MO personally recommended to me by Dr. Esserman. Anne is 85, and she doesn't want to travel 250 miles for her chemo treatment. The third phase of the KADCYLA drug announced at a medical conference last week shows improved survival for metastatic breast cancer patients, and my mother has had three chemo treatments with KADCYLA. She has a scan coming up. Her vitals are great, and she has proven herself stronger than the fu*k face oncologist thought she was. I must be a longshoreman, too. Mom said today she wants to move to the country and get a bulldog. I pointed out that we do live in the country and she does have a bulldog. C'est moi.
0 -
hey there fellow Crazies!!!
Bonski,
Welcome aboard!!
Decision, and Chi,
My MO said that Fermara works better on zaftig ladies which I am not, and that for someone small, she and the other docs prescribe Arimidex. My sis in law in NYC who is a zaftig lady had a very bad time on arimidex and so they switched her to Tamox even though she is definitely postmenopausal (12 yrs older than me) she has been doing great on Tamox and just finished her 5 yrs. she was ER+PR+.
My docs also told me that even though I am trip positive the thing that was driving my cancer was the HER2+ part since I was super HER2+ evidently. Anyway, that's what I heard we had a big long conference last week as my final herceptin is in 3 wks... So they were organizing my follow up stuff. Physicals etc.
0 -
Jackbirdie, you will love it and that's a great time, should be some Rhodie in bloom and really lovely. I think I am out of town in April, but if you end up bumping up sooner let me know. Boo! I took my husband and I think it was great for him to get the bigger picture. I had a little returning-to-reality meltdown yesterday and obviously today. But I'm confident I will get back into the swing of living more serenely! Do go I know you will at least enjoy getting away and not having to worry about anything for a whole weekend and the food is terrific.
0 -
Hi all: Finally some good news to report! RO sent my sim models and scans to the Stanford Radiology Board (he is affiliated) and they recommended that I do qualify for the 16 day version of rads (as opposed to six weeks) so WooHoo! Treatment number one of 16 is in the books! I could be all done with this crap before MLK day! So far, so good, fingers crossed!
Katy, will be in your pocket for the cataract surgery. My turn will come next year I suspect.
eggroll: I am sorry about the pinkness, but I am glad that you and I will be Crazy Town rads buddies. Let us know how it goes for you.
Rain, enjoy navigating the college picking process...I know, it isn't exactly fun, and yet, it is a nice place to be.
Ok Crazies: Given all the talk on here about swearing lately, I have to close with a story about my Granddaughter (age 7): As mentioned, she had to stay home from school today. Grandson (age 3) was also at home, and they were both bored...so DD suggested that my DGD teach DGS how to play 'Chutes and Ladders'. DGD did. When she got to the part about the chutes, this was her explanation: "and these are the Chutes. It's called "chutes" because when you land on it, you feel so angry and want to yell "Shoot!" But it's spelled c-h-u-t-e instead of s-h-o-o-t because it's a kid's game and they wouldn't want to be inappropriate."
Hope all have a good evening!
Octogirl
0 -
Eggroll, I am worried for you that it might be inflammatory breast cancer. I am not a doc you know that, but since you haven't had rads yet, don't you think your breast surgeon might want to see it? I don't know if a regular doc would be able to recognize it. and shame on the doctor, if it makes him feel weird to look at your breast, he's a doc! you think he would like the magnet. I bet he did. But please, what did your rad doc say? If it IS an infection of some kind, would he want to proceed with rads? Puzzlement.
I am going to go back and read everyone after that post of egg roll, just wanted to come here and say that first.
And Bonski! You came! I am so happy you did! You will see how great it is to get to know these women, I am sure our mayor will be along to give you the grand welcome, and her minions too! Yay!
Hey Sula, n Katy. Thinking of you
0 -
Welcome, Bonski!
Katy, we'll be in your pocket for the cataract surgery. Wait til you see the difference!
It's been a long day. I had another children's Christmas program this evening that I took pictures for, then rushed to the gym before they closed, and just now got home. I got the call today to come in for my rads sim tomorrow. If that goes well, I'll start treatment on Thursday.
I'll catch up with everyone tomorrow - been reading the posts all day, though!
0 -
Oh Tomboy you are a dear with all the reassurance about my doctor not being offended. I am always on high alert... I think I can read minds. You are right, maybe he was getting a chuckle out of it and I misinterpreted it. Thanks to your message I am going to insist someone explain what the heck is causing my pinkness before we do the first shot of radiation. Maybe they can put it off a few days and see if the situation resolves.
0 -
morning, eggroll, sounds like a good plan to talk to your doc on the redness before the start of rads. I love my PCD and comfortable asking her opinion on stuff. I have it on my list to ask her opinion about back stuff like should I do the spine shots or not. I have my reg apt with her the week after Xmas so waiting till then.
Chores today so off to do them
0 -
Katy....You must be exhausted....you have been running through my mind all night and day. Hope your surgery goes well. Love ya.
Proud...See I told you I was crazy...who would be happy to have progression of stenosis and arthritis
Only a true crazy. Let me know what your doc says about the shots. I had an appointment with the pain doc today, I rescheduled it because I am so tired of seeing doctors. I will go next week. I need a break from doctors...even though I work with them everyday.Hi Sula......Ducky.........Slow..........Cubbie..............Eggroll...........Chi.............Decision.......and all the other ladies here.
This is the first time in a long time that I feel mentally great...and I appreciate the moment...hope it lasts!!!!
0 -
shorfi, I am under the impression that shots in the spine work best for certain types of pain as in sciatica. I do not have sciatica or do not think I do so planning on exploring new info, actually, I thought before the tests that I had arthritis till they started talking the other stuff, confusing and I just do not want to enter into shots unless it is only option
0 -
eggroll, I agree that it is a good idea to ask the RO about the pinkness before you start rads. My RO is checking the breast each time I come in, and they also ask me about pain level before each blast as part of the process....Was it there during your sim?
Hugs!
Octogirl
0 -
I was offered spine shots too..........passed on it........no needles going into my spine........I know many who have done the shots, and their pain came back.............just not messing with the spine...............I know, I know, I'm an idiot, but I'm just not willing to do it.................
The Doc said to me when I told him "no shots"........of, well when the pain gets bad enough I am sure you will come back......................I told him............"wanna bet"............that ws years ago.........
If it was a permanent fix, I might do it...........but it isn't...........plus it also depends on what your problem is...............I have all kinds of shit going on with my back.
The fall down a flight of "steel plate" steps in the rain back in 1989 did not help........arthritis, stenosis..etc.............I'm falling apart...........
0 -
Ducky...so how do you live with the pain from the stenosis....if you have pain at all? I can't stand up long, can't walk far, had shots but they don't work....I'm so desperate for relief that I am willing to undergo surgery..........against the wishes of my husband and family doctor. I mean....how long can a person take pain pills??????
0 -
me too but I am not taking pain meds as I get allergic reactions to most NSAIDS so doing the PT thing with lots of pool time, manno am I lucky to have a pool to hit up and it is well set for doing laps and therapy
0 -
Proud...I tried the PT and it just did not work. The doctor said stenosis is a progressive disease and it will never go away. Let me stop complaining...I'm tired of it myself.
0 -
shorfi, the first PT place was a total waste but the second has taught me enough to manage things and they also have chiro service so doing that monthly and it helps with the pain issue. And I have improved my balance by working on their suggestions, good luck to both of us
I do not get it why something that so many suffer from, has not had a better solution developed
0 -
Awwww, Shorfi. I am so sorry. Long term pain is a pain in the butt. Like you, some of my imaging showed " Ankylosing Spondylitis, something something blah blah, basically arthritis too. Along with compressed disks. I think I know exactly when that happened. We were trying to move some huge walls that I had built for a museum, we had to build to build them in one place, take them to and up a freight elevator, and then into the gallery itself. The very last one, I felt kind of an electrical shock, and then... nothing. Long enough so, that everybody noticed I was just standing there. I was frozen, and afraid to find out if I could move again, because for a few seconds, I couldn't! Scared the bejeezus out of me! For the rest of the day, I took it kinda easy (hard for me to do!) I don't know how long we can take pain pills, I guess you and I will find out. I am supposed to have a shot of something, something he called a nerve branch block, I think. That one's for the pain in my chest rib armpit area. But I think I am going to cancel it, was supposed to be dec. 21, but i am getting freaked out again, and need to know more. ...and that doesn't do any thing for all the rest of the pain, especially my feet, from the AI's .
0 -
Tomboy.......Shorfi.
I could have written what both of you just wrote.............all ;of the above......that all of a sudden pain that says "WTF did I just to to my back"......'happened to me 2 times........broken vertebrae both times........arthritis............I put the capital A in that ailment.........stenosis, and some other shit that I can't even pronounce...........no pain med for me...I got enough crap ffrom the AI's and eventuall;y went off of them too................
Try to keep up with what is going on, but can only go so far walking standing, and keeping up........then you watch everyone walking ahead of you.....talking laughing and having a good time.........barely turning to see if your ok, or dragging along.........and thanks to the AI's I have been left with after effects even after stopping it all...............
Letrozole was kinder leaving me feeling relief ater I stopped in just a couple days...................Not Arimidex......tried that for 1 month, and when I stopped many of the SE'S remained.......should never have tried it,but wanted to give myself every chance possi ble...............my bad.
So I take aspirin, tyenol extra strength when I need to do something that requires being on my feet more.....likethe wedding I just atteneded........it gives me the opportunity to dance, join in and have fun, but even with all the aspirin, and tylenol I can barely move for the next 2 days..........but at least it was worth it..............
It is both depressing, and makes you think..........IS THAT ALL THERE IS...........
I had a heart attack in 2007, and came back 80%......can't walk as far or as fast without getting tired, but at least I had no pain..............no depression, not an ache........got my entire life back......still had back problems, but nothing like the cancer Meds have left me with............now its the hip....and I don't even want to know what is going on in that part of my body...............it all sucks...........sorry ladies.............will shut up now.0
