Anyone starting chemo August 2016?
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Anyone still checking in here, start the good thoughts coming my way. I found a small lump near the incision point in the same cancer breast. I'm still hoping it's just scar tissue, but will have an ultrasound and new 3D mammogram this Friday. I really hate this! Thanks, Dara
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Dara! Yes, I'm still here, but only really look when I get email notifications of posts. Lots of prayers your way- definitely just need this to be scar tissue!!
Lyn- Sorry I didn't respond to your post either- I just don't know what causes what anymore lol. Chemo, tamoxifen, old age, menopause...
Cali, Kechla, Annie- Anyone else out there?
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Hello Dara and good morning. Still checking in every so often but haven't posted. So very difficult to tell scar tissue from other changes in the "girls". I get nervous every time I do a self breast exam. I will be sending lots of prayers for this to be a benign finding. Thank goodness for imaging technology to help straighten things out. At least you don't have to wait too long till your exams. Take good care and we will all hope for the best.
Wendy
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No, Dara! I know you must be worried. I hope your upcoming tests can reassure you that the lump is just scar tissue. Please keep us posted. 💜💛💚
Hugs, Lyn
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Annie- Please check in when you can....
Sensitive- are you still around?
Cali? Kechla?
Roofcat- thanks for checking in along with Lyn. Dara- we are with you!!
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Wooo-hooo! Benign cyst! My surgeon will follow it, but right now, unless it grows or is more painful, just monitor.
Thanks so much for all the good thoughts. I only told you all and my husband. It's so comforting to know that several of us are still popping in to support each other. 0 -
Dara I meant to post last night and check in and I obviously got side tracked! And this is great news on top of yesterday was national cancer survivor's day
I'm so happy! Wow, Good Morning America is about to show something about how some women w/BC won't need chemo? I'll check it out and see what they're talking about.Ladies if you pop in here occasionally, just know if you don't already you can have the site send you email notifications of specific boards. So when someone posts on here I get an email. Otherwise I don't really go on the website anymore. Just a tip!
Dara have a great week...hope everyone else is doing well. Annie check in when you can too.
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Dara - Terrific news; so happy for you!
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Hi ladies! I have been so exhausted the past few month that with work and life I haven't checked in but I think of y'all often. Tomorrow is our last official school day with students so life will slow down a bit for me.
Dara... I am so glad that it turned out so well. I have that fluid pocket they are watching by my lymphnode inclusion. I will have my ultra sound & 3 D mammogram next week.
My sons young friend who just turned 30 and had the double mastectomy earlier this year found a lump that wound up being cancer. She will start radiation soon. This is when I have the guilt.
I didn't know we could get email notifications... How do you do that? This is the only group I still follow
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Fabulous news, Dara!
Lyn
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Cali, On the page that shows your favorites, there is a text that you click to receive email notifications. Very simple! Glad school will be over and you can catch your breath during summer. I see my oncologist for labs etc on Tuesday, but since my mammas and ultrasound have been done, there's no stress! I'll see my surgeon again in July, but again no stress! Hope all are having a nice Sunday. I'm off to throw some pots on my patio! My happy place :-)
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Just a quick check in to say Hi! Can you all believe we're coming up on 2 years??
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Next week marks the 2 year mark for my surgery! Crazy isn't it? At the time it seemed like we'd never get to this point; the waiting for results, pathology, etc. was just the worst. I see my oncologist tomorrow, but since I had my mammogram early, not at all stressed over the labs etc.
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Morning! That's right almost 2 years since my dreaded chemo days. I have my mammo & ultra sound today so that makes the beginning of my 2 year breast cancer quest.
Dara ... I forgot to mention how beautiful your work is. Wish we were closer so I could come see it person.
I still hope one day for that California meet up. If anyone makes it near the Central Valley let me know I'd love to see you. Next weekend we fly to Portland for a couple days for my nephews wedding. Never been there so I am looking up ideas for things to see.
Y'all have a great weekend.... Hugs
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hello everyone. It’s been a while since I checked in. I’ll have to check out the notification option.
Dara, I’m sorry you had that scare. But very glad it is benign! I went 8 years before I found a lump and had really put it all behind me. But the minute I felt it, I was filled with dread. Not fair that we immediately have to go to the worst case scenario... I’m so glad you were able to get it checked out quickly.
Things are going pretty well. Just got back from a nice family vacation to Wash DC and Virginia Beach. Soooo much walking in DC. VB was a welcome rest and got to spend a couple days on the beach!
My son just graduated high school and last week went for orientation at ISU. So many different emotions, but mostly I am excited for him and the years of experiences he has ahead. He’s such a great kid. My daughter started driver’s ed today. Yikes. Time, slow down!!!!
I am growing my hair out, but apparently it did not get the message because it is taking so long! It does seem to be a bit thicker than it used to be.
My lymphedema still comes about from time to time. Recently causing some shoulder and elbow pain. I’m know that a lower carb diet helps with that and with reducing inflammation, but I am having trouble with willpower to eat the right things...
Annie, how are you doing? How has it been in the immunotherapy? I think of you often. I hope things are going well.
Back to work for me now. How many more years till I can retire???
Love to all of you
Kelly
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The vacation sounds nice, Kechla. What's the "I" in your son's university? Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, and Illinois all pop into my mind. 🙂
I agree on the conflict between wanting to eat a lower carb diet while craving the wrong foods. I know my financial worries are a big contributor to the anxiety. I'm also dealing with extreme fatigue to the point that I woke up at 5 AM still in my lymphedema pump garments. I usually wake up within minutes of the 66-minute cycle & pull off the garments without fully awakening so have no idea how I tolerated the "Michelin Man" suit for 4 1/2 hours.
Annie, yes, please check in when you get a minute. We're pulling for you and hope that wee Josie is thriving.
Lyn
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Hi Everyone!
So safe to assume the recent Dr's visits went well for Dara and Cali?!
Kelly/Kechla- glad you got a vacation! I think I've spent hours and hours searching and not pulling the trigger on anything. Part of it is timing, part of it is dealing with pet sitter lol. I'm tired from research. My daughter should be starting the process of getting her permit but she seems to be in no rush. I'm still trying to get used to staying up and picking her up at night. I see now why parents want their kids driving lol.
I would welcome the idea of a gathering/lunch/something for any of us. I know at least 3 are in calif?
Mixed feelings as August starts coming around.....I'm still saddened that Kathie isn't here to celebrate this milestone with us.
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ajbclan, Kathie's death has haunted me. Our diagnoses & chemo treatment were nearly identical so why isn't she here to celebrate this anniversary with us? Cancer is so cruel.
Yes, the petsitter stuff is always a challenge. Regarding teen driving, I initially enjoyed using my newly acquired driving skills to run to the grocery store for my mom, but it did get old after a while. ;-)
Kechla, how is your father doing? My hair is still horrible. It's growing so slowly that I've only had two trims since October of 2016. I've lost about 25% of my volume & have weird curly waves in all the wrong places. I'm lazy when it comes to makeup, but should be filling in my brows.
roofcat59, how are you doing?
Lyn
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ISU = Iowa State University. His plan is to study engineering and music.
My dad is doing pretty well now. He skipped his last chemo treatment. He and his doctor agreed that it was not worth the risk. He has mild type 2 diabetes, but with the chemo it was uncontrollable. His last scan looked good, so we'll keep our fingers crossed that the next one stays clean.
I feel pretty good most of the time, but my endurance still stinks. I was working out and feeling better, but then life got in the way and I fell off that wagon. I need to start going again over lunch.
I did not know Kathie, but I understand. I feel guilty that I did not attend a funeral of a former co-worker who lost his battle with cancer. It was during my chemo, and I could just not bring myself to face it.
My husband is now the one with medical bills this year. He went to a sleep study a couple months ago and they determined that he has central apnea (not obstructive apnea). He stopped breathing about 140 times in one night! The CPAP and BiPAP they tried on him did not work. He had to go for further testing to see if it is damaging his heart and then onto a neurologist next. I really hope they find a solution for him. From what I have researched, this type of apnea is harder to treat, because it is caused by the brain, not the airway.
My daughter and I planted 2 full beds of perennials this weekend. Wow, digging is hard work!!! Looks so pretty now though! Now if I can just manage to not kill them all... A friend of mine helped me design the gardens to be dog friendly (non-toxic) because my dogs have a problem with chewing on plants. Amazing how many plants are not safe for dogs. I think maybe my dogs are not very smart also. You'd think they'd figure it out after a while that when they go eat plants, they barf them up... Bleh!
Hope you are all getting outside and enjoying the summer!
Kelly
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Kechla, YIKES on your husband's sleep apnea! I hope the doctors can find an effective treatment. I'm glad your father's scan was favorable. I usually have flowers in containers or planted each spring, but haven't had the oomph the last couple of years. I do need to beat back the shrub trying to grab me each time I go out the front door. Perhaps it serves as a deterrent to unwanted sales calls? 😀
Dogs definitely lack judgement when it comes to their food choices. Katie got sick night before last, probably from dining on the June bugs that gather on our back patio. I saturated my nasty 20+ year old carpet with Nature's Miracle first thing in the morning, but need to treat it again. I don't care about designer clothes, but would love to get rid of all this disgusting carpet, buy a freezer and have a sprinkler system installed so I don't have to haul a hose and sprinkler around in the heat. It was 99 degrees today without the humidity adjustment and I'm worried that my a/c won't survive another brutal summer.
Lyn
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VLH, Haha! Same!!! I would love to get hardwood floors and in ground sprinklers too!! I'd also like a drop room (mud room).
We use Nature's miracle too. It's amazing! Also, love our spot shampooer.
That seems like a great topic of conversation! What's at the top of everyone's wish list and what are a few of your favorite things? A few of my favorite things are my Yeti coffee cups, my mini hair straightener (since my hair is short now), and my craft closet (decked out with a desk and shelves from IKEA. Here's a pic from before I filled it up. It's a little bit messier now, but I still love it!!) I also love anything that can keep me organized...
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Kechla, that craft closet is beautiful and far too organized! lol! Yes, Kelly, my dr went great last week. All my labs looked great. He wasn't really concerned about the cyst I found, but he's really young, and I never get warm fuzzies from him. I'll see my surgeon next week for my yearly check and she's the hugger really sweet. I usually get my mammogram and US then see heron the afternoon for results. Since I already got my results, there's no anxiety for this visit.
I've been down for the last 6 days with a nasty stomach virus. I even had such pain in my bones, I thought I was back on chemo with the neulasta packs. I don't feel bad now, but still can't keep much down.
A friend and I are planning a trip mid month to Silver City, New Mexico for their Clay Festival. They have all sorts of workshops, art shows, and lectures on pottery so I think it will be really fun.
My hair is now past my shoulders in the back. It once again has really thinned after coming in really thick to begin with. My biggest problem is that my sides are just below and ears and grow at a snails pace. I did start using a new shampoo and conditional called Cerafil by Redkin. It's for intense treatment of thinning hair. I don't think it really makes a big difference, but I love the scent and my hair seems easier to fix. They make a lotion you spray on before drying and it says it's like getting 6,000 hairs instantly! How did they come up with that number??? Too funny! I really do like the products though.
Kelly I'd love to plan a CA get together sometime. I'm pretty open since I'm retired (yay!!) Kechla, I relate to the low carb diet. My sugars have been high since chemo. After 4 days with no eating and little drinking with the flu, my fasting sugars were still 163! It just seems like we should get a pass on everything else for the rest of our lives!
What's my dream list? A little shed on my back patio for a studio with a small ac in a window. The big studio I go to has no AC and it really gets bad. I seem to be super sensitive to the heat this year. Maybe the hormone blockers??
Hang in all. Love to all and it's so good to know we're here for each other. Dara
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Great news on the recent lab results, Dara! I'm sorry to hear about the tummy virus though. The New Mexico trip sounds like tons of fun. Bring on the extra 6,000 hairs! 😉
Your craft closet is bee-you-tee-ful, Kechla! I'm still living in squalor. I can't seem to get enough zip to tackle the chaos so focus on keeping up with dishes, making sure I have clean work clothes, undies and bath towels, that sort of thing. The fatigue, my joint pain seemingly becoming unaffected by pain (that autocorrected to passion...uh, I wish!) pills, blurred vision...of course, I'm convinced I have chemo-related leukemia. Geesh, drama queen much? I'm sure I'm just eating crappy, pushing my blood sugar high, which makes me so tired that I don't want to shop and prepare healthy meals. Yup, it's a vicious cycle. I need a wife/ handyperson / personal shopper / professional organizer / gardener for a month or two to get me in shipshape. Add that to my wish list! 😀
Lyn
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Lyn ...you are funny! Sometimes just getting through the daily stuff is hard enough!
Dara ... That sound like a fun trip to New Mexico.
We went to Portland for our nephews wedding and enjoyed some time with DH family. This week I flew to Vegas area with my daughter & granddaughters. My son lives in Henderson so got to spend the last few days with all 3 of my grand kids. It's been fun.
Kechla ... That closet is amazing. Great job.
My mammogram appointment went great. Met with breast surgeon too last week and she was very encouraging. Made me feel better about my lack of energy & motivation. When will I feel & look the same. My hair is still as if it belongs to someone else. Everyone is posting their lovely eyelashes and I'm still hoping to get some on my left eyelid.
ajbclan .... It is mixed emotions when we lose one of our own. I sometimes get that survivor guilt.
Hugs
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I'm glad the visit with your breast cancer surgeon was encouraging. 👍
Lyn
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Happy 4th everyone! Saw my surgeon also yesterday and got a good report. I still have the cyst near the incision site, then also have an enlarged duct with debris on the right. Neither is worrisome to her and she said just watch and they'll recheck in a year.
Pretty quiet 4th for us. My stomach is still so queasy and it's pretty warm, so think it will be a Netflix day! Hope you all enjoy a barbecue, fireworks, or just relaxing. I agree with everyone that energy levels leave a bit to be desired. I just cut myself some slack and think we all still need to be gentle with ourselves. At the very least, being retired is a big help for me. Happy holiday!
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Happy 4th as well!
Kechla-Kelly- awesome closet! I love the wish lists....hmm. I need to think lol.
Great news on all the Dr's appts, Dara that stinks about the virus though, but hopefully you're getting back on track.
Lyn you ARE a crack up. Thanks for making me always smile.
What state(s) are we representing here besides Calif?
We just got back from a mini vacation to Mammoth Lakes here in Calif. Always pretty up there- we hiked to Devils Postpile and Rainbow Falls. Boy doing that in elevation really made me once again realize how out of shape I am!! We also checked out Mono Lake. Was so peaceful. If the husbands and teen daughters weren't so antsy I could have sat there listening to the birds for hours. None of my pics are on my laptop or I'd post something lol. We stayed with my girlfriend, her husband, and her daughter who is the same age as mine. Rented a condo, everyone had their own space, trolley that takes you around town right outside the complex and a starbucks my daughter walked to daily lol. Made it great for all.
No other summer plans besides working, daughter will start volleyball and is doing a online spanish class right now.
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Hope everyone's 4th was great or at least restful. 🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸
My local 2 kids stopped by with 2 granddaughters for food, fun, fireworks.
Ajbclan .... Your trip sounds like a perfect time. With Starbucks nearby all youth are happy.
I leave for Montana Sunday for a week at my parents place in West Yellowstone. My siblings & lots of family will be there & hopefully lots of relaxing.
I'm off to get lab work for the cardiologist .... The fun continues
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Call, if I'm not too snoopy, what's going on with having to see the cardiologist?
I almost passed out in the Target parking lot. I stabilized enough to drive home and discovered my blood pressure was 90/50 something. You may recall me having to lie down in the aisle while grocery shopping at Target during the early stages of chemo and having a similar incident in the Costco parking lot. I think I recall that agoraphobia is fear of the marketplace. I'm developing fear of grocery shopping. 😵 Dr. Google suggests it may be neurally (sp?) mediated hypotension, which, interestingly, is more common in people with fibromyalgia & lupus. Always something! 😲
I live in Texas aka "The Lone Star State."
Lyn
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Lyn you're reminding me to message my primary care Dr. I keep running into people that are commenting on my low blood pressure. My mom and my teen daughter both had low blood pressure too, but not sure if I should be doing anything regarding. My NP at the oncology office suggested making sure I have electrolytes daily.
Cali have a great trip! Hope everyone is well. Annie we are thinking of you.
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