2017 Diagnosed-- A Place To Share "Whats Next"
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Hi Dodgersgirl, pink, nancy53 and all the other 2017'ers . I thought I'd check in as it has been awhile. Been staying away as have been in denial that this whole crap happened.
was dx march 2017 and doing fairly well since. Had my ALND a year ago and then dx with lymphedema in the summer after a hiking trip where my hand swelled right up. Attended a few swimming lyphadema classes which helped and now fitted for a glove and sleeve, which i am still waiting for.
Also just had stage two DIEP , breasts smaller again as they did a bit of a lift to even them out, scar revision, nipple reconstruction and dog ears. was a bit tired first couple of days but almost back to normal day 4. Get to take the bandages off on Wednesday.
ON tamoxifin, apart from the hotflashes a few times a day and the stiff joints in the am, not doing too bad on it. Oh yeah, had a bone density and it seems i have low bone mass from the chemo last year, hoping it is reversible.
Yes I too am happy about the no periods, almost forget what it was like to have them, lol.
Back to work full time as of last march, been back to most of my activities. Did a bike trip through PEI past summer- was awesome, rode the confederation trail, even got my husband involved= was his first bike trip.
keeping my hair short, for now, even had a few colours like blue and purple streaks last appt.! looks pretty cool on my natural grey
Glad to see everyone else is doing well and hanging in there. My feelings are the same as everyone, reminders whenever i look in the mirror unclothed that this thing was real.........
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tpralph- I'm with you. Most of the time I don't even think about my cancer but if I look in the mirror after a shower it's a quick reminder. Glad you are doing well. I would love to see some pictures from your biking the Confederate Trail.
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Hello, everyone; I am just dropping in to let you know that my Bone Scan was clear, so my oncologists is not like to order another one. She felt that the hospital where I had it done has been exaggerating the "possible" metastases bit. I also got the results of my Vit. D test this a.m., and they are good, so was told not to increase my intake. It has been hard to deal with not consuming anything with calcium in it, and that is a long list, but I will do anything to get the blood calcium levels down.
DodgersGirl, I am sorry to hear that you have such bone pain, and can sympathize. I think I will start trying jo6359's suggestions. One thing I realized yesterday is that I finally am back to the strength level I was at in the spring of 2017. I can go up and down stairs without having to stop and rest, and no longer ask my husband to carry stuff for me, unless it is really heavy.
In case I don't make it back on before Xmas, just want to wish everyone Happy Holidays and a Great New Year. We have a lot of coming and going here for most of this month.
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Glad to hear it 53Nanacy! I just did my mammogram on my natural breast, a bone mineral density test (in advance of a possible switch to an AI), an echocardiogram and full labs---and then met my oncologist, all within 48 hours! I'm all clear and cancer-free based on these tests. Now, I can enjoy my holiday. I was diagnosed 2 days after Christmas in 2016....this xmas will be MUCH merrier!
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scrafgal- congratulations on good scans. What a relief for you. Now you can focus on the holidays without bc anxiety.
Nancy- congrats on a clean bone scan. Have a wonderful holiday.
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Thanks, jo6359!
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Scrafgal and 53Nancy—. Woot woot on clear scans!!
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Thanks, DodgersGirl!
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It's great to drop in once in awhile and see how everyone is doing. Glad to hear all scans and tests are clear. Gives me hope that all will be well in the future for us all.
I was thinking that come March it will be two years since I got diagnosed. Hard to believe this summer will be two years since the start of chemo. When I look back I can barely remember how I functioned during that time. It's all a blur. The one thing I do remember is the friendships and support from everyone.
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Pinkismycolour- so glad to hear you're doing well. December 12th will be my one year anniversary since being diagnosed with breast cancer . Since January 29th I've had a BMX, six rounds of chemo, 25 RADS and herceptin and perjeta until the end of January . In spite of all that it's been a great year .
Jo abd her fur babies.
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Hi all,
Passed the one year in August. After a shower its the reminder when looking in the mirror and outside of some armpit pain here and there, doing pretty good. I wish everyone who celebrates,,Happy Holiday season and a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!
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I’ve been away for a couple of weeks.
Nov 30th marked my one year anniversary since I finished rads. The date came and went without me thinking about it. Does that signal life slowly returning to normal??
On a happy note, we just returned from a 2 week vacation. Had to postpone travel last year (for obvious reasons) so took 2 weeks this year. Left on Black Friday and returned this weekend. I wasn’t sure how I would handle the car travel. I learned that I was ok up to 12 hours in the car, but longer than that and my knees screamed at me A LOT.
Spent 12 days at Disney World. Family rented an EVC for me for the trip as I didn’t think I could handle 6-13 miles a day as we toured the parks. Started out at Bay Lake Towers where our room’s balcony overlooked Magic Kingdom. We watched fireworks from the balcony two nights. So nice. Disney World is all decked out for Christmas. Really pretty. Christmas music everywhere.
Resting up today after unpacking and doing laundry as the real world returns tomorrow with work at 6 am. Sigh. Wish I could retire!!
Wednesday will be next MO appointment. Followed by a dermatology appointment the next week. Back to the real world.
Hope everyone is doing well
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I am 7 years and 3 months from my latest scary triple negative, stage IV diagnosis. My FIRST breast cancer diagnosis will be 20 years ago, come 2019. Wow. That's 30% of my whole life.
In that time I've taken cruises across both oceans and the Persian Gulf. I've sat home and knitted I don't know how many sweaters. I've been in great health and I've spent 3 weeks in the hospital with a perforated colon. I've walked 5 miles a day and been bedridden for months. The one thing that's been consistent is that I've developed closer relationships with my kids, grandkids, greatgrandson! and cousins. I've made new friends here and otherwise. I've lived my life more carefully and more thoughtfully than in the 70% which was carefree and thoughtless.
That's my story and I guess I'm sticking with it.
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WinningSoFar—- thanks for sharing. Your story is one of hope that we all may have many more great days/times regardless of where we are in treatments.
We took our vacation at this point in time as a gift to my family— time together, instead of things under a tree. I am tired today but mentally, thinking about “where to go next” !! Maybe a few day trips during the cold winter?
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winningsofar- thank you so much for sharing your story. I love to hear travel stories.
Dodgersgirl- glad you had a great vacation. Unfortunately for you reality will rear its ugly head very early tomorrow morning. Going to Disney during Christmas time has always been a goal of mine. I don't particularly care for any of the parks but I heard the Christmas decorations and festivities are incredible. I have my second cataract surgery tomorrow morning. It's no big deal other than I'll be stuck at home for a few days.
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jo6359– good luck with your second cataract surgery. Hope all goes well.
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dodgersgirl- I just arrived home. Surgery went very well. The first one was easier than this one. Because this cataract was more difficult to remove I'm experiencing a little bit more eye pain. Nothing a Tylenol won't take care of. Have a great day.
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Winningsofar, your words are an inspiration. I need to take a page from your book. This July 2018 marked one year out of radiation. Some days I don't think about cancer. Then other days it's all I think about. I HATE how anything, like this annoying, tickling cough I've had for several weeks now immediately becomes something sinister, lung mets, instead of just an allergy or stubborn bug. Life is weird, that's all I know for sure.
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Runor- it is so true. Most of the time I don't even think about cancer and then there's other times I cannot get it out of my head. The uncertainty of the disease can be daunting. Winning so far shared a message of living your life with all that ii entails. The good, bad and ugly. Living one's life more carefully and with purpose is something we should all strive for.
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I was diagnosed on December 8, 2017. Tomorrow I have my 6 month mammogram. A little anxiety is beginning to settle in, but I know I will get through it.
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rgoossen— we will be in your pocket tomorrow. You aren’t alone. Hoping for nothing but good scans for you!
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rgoossen, wishing you well...I know the anxiety well!!
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rgoossen - I screamed and yelled the f bomb at the building as I drove up to it - I had so much rage! It went fine but it is so stressful.
You are in my thoughts.
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rgoosen-wishing you well. I can imagine your anxiety.
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Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Both mammogram and ultrasound were negative, come back in June.
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rgoossen—. Woot Woot!! Great news on your scans!!! Enjoy your day.
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Yaaaaaaah!!!!
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I've not checked in for a long time...good to see the many happy recoveries...so sad for those still struggling with this horrific monster.
I lost my implant due to the skin being so thin from radiation plus I'm still a smoker (I know)...I'm ok with it, it's ugly, yes, but...I'm still here! Maybe I'll think about fat grafting at a later date...probably not.
I'm doing...I'm doing...right?! My MO only requested a mammo and ultrasound on my healthy breast...no scans, nothing on the rest of me...said they don't do it unless I'm having problems. All good I guess!? I don't have any real issues with the AI although I DID go to the prolia shot. Some joint pain, nueropathy, cording, blah blah...the usual...nothing so bad that I need meds for it.
I still struggle with the loss of my wonderful husband and my mother who passed in August, but, I do have many things to be thankful for.
God Bless all & Merry Christmas!
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utjoy- nice to hear from you again. I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and mother. On top of having to deal with cancer you have the additional burden of losing loved ones. I hope you have supported family and friends to assist you through this difficult time. Everything I've heard from friends, patients and even one of my sisters smoking is so difficult to quit. No judgement here just wishing you the very best. I'm so sorry your exchange surgery was not a success.
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utjoy, I am sorry to hear of all of your losses. Yet, glad that you are finding things for which you are grateful. Merry Christmas to you, as well!
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