Chemo starting April 2018
Comments
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Engine, yay for cruises - you both need it. Hoping Janice's shoulder improves.
Life, loved your update!
Batata, so relieved for your good news. Will you be seeing a PT for cording? So sorry about the allergic reaction. I never thought about allergies happening after chemo (Urdrago, maybe that's part of your Xeloda problem?), but the PS gave me Keflex as a precaution after my recent surgery. Less than 48 hours later, I had a rash and was advised to stop it. Never had a problem with it before, hmmm...
Urdrago, so sorry you are off Xeloda again. I hope they find something you can tolerate. Also, hoping you had an awesome birthday yesterday. And hoping no snow for you or Life.
So, here's my fun news... My daughter and I and a good friend took part in the Making Strides breast cancer walk last October...8 DAYS after my surgery (remember, I posted pics of us?). Anyhow, there was a photographer on the course and he took our picture. Today, I get a text from my daughter to check out the new Making Strides registration email for this year's walk. Look closely...
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GAWarrior, you look great! Very inspiring!
I’ll send you something soon as well. I don’t remember if I talked about it already, but I love to write. One of my stories was selected to be published and performed as the MSK benefit next Monday. I can’t imagine how they will stage it, but there will be a video, which I will post here to brag:).
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InnaB, that's awesome! Can't wait to read it (or view it if it's a video)!
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InnaB! That is way cool news! Cant wait to see the video! Glad to hear your swelling is going down as well.
You go GaWarrier! You celebrity you!!
Engine how exciting! That will be a great time.
Batata That is great news! Cording is very painful and takes awhile to get rid of. Yes I was talk to about allergies after chemo. My OC said I could either develop allergies that I never had before or if I have allergies they could go away. Something about chemo changes up your system.
Urdrago That really sucks that your having such a hard time with this trail med. Ugg. You are such a patient person. I would have done turned into a sailor chick over the whole thing. How frustrating!! Really hope they figure something out for you very soon.
Well it looks like we're up for a blizzard. They are so convinced that this blizzard is going to hit that they have already closed the schools for tomorrow, some businesses are already closed, the city and county are closed. State is still open though. It's crazy cuz it was like 55 degrees here today. And now that I'm at my cleaning job it's only 45. It's beautiful out. But according to the weather we are to get hit with a major blizzard starting to tonight all the way through Thursday with high winds of 60 mile an hour gust and 28 inches of snow. I don't mind snow. I have a four-wheel drive I can blast through it with. However, I freaking hate shoveling! Especially in March because the snow is so heavy. Grrr
Signing off for now!
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Wow GA Warrior, what a fantastic surprise, you are an inspiration
Can't wait to see the video InnaB, any hints on what it's about?
Engine, I hope Janice's shoulder/arm heals quickly, and that you both enjoy yourselves on the cruise, you both deserve a break from it all.
Urdrago, I'm so sorry the Xeloda isn't working out. I had to stop the Tamoxifen, the French specialist I follow up with remotely thinks that it probably exacerbated whatever I have. He's investigating what I can take instead. Do you have an alternative that you can take?
Life1963 let us know if the blizzard hits or not. Stay warm!! I've got a 4X4 too, blasts through sand not snow lol. Haven't been able to use it for the past 2 weeks - it's a manual gear and it was wearing out my already sore arm
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GAW--what an awesome pic!!! Inna--good on ya. Life I saw something on Accuweather about a bombogenesis out your way--yikes!! (All of this activity reminded me what an awesome group this is. I just went and looked and the May 2018 Chemo group hasn't had a post since August 30th. :-( So glad I found you guys!!)
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Ingerp, we're glad you found us Chatty Cathy's, too
Batata, I giggled to think of your 4x4 racing over the sand. I hope you feel good enough soon to be able to drive it.
Hoping everyone in the West and Midwest stays warm and has power. My son texted me a screenshot of the weather in Colorado Springs, it looks like a hurricane (the storm has rotation to it like a hurricane). Life, Linda2119, DebAL, Urdrago, InnaB don't blow away (sorry if I missed anyone). We're heading to sunny S Florida tomorrow, for the weekend (yes, I'm bragging). Sending you warm and sunny vibes!
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Batata, that is out of this world! Driving a 4x4 in the sand is, like, the epitome of coolness in my book!
Engine, we are going to Alaska in August. Can’t wait to hear your impressions. We got a Land and Sea package, so we will be on the ship for a couple of days only. The rest of the time we’ll be driving (and sometimes flying) through Yukon and Denali. I am sure Janice will be in her top shape by that time.
Life, stay warm.
GAWarrior, don’t get too warm
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Hi, everyone -
Greetings from blizzard country! It's crazy. Like Life, announcements came in yesterday that everything is closed today. With 60 degree weather yesterday, I thought we'd end up with rain and wind, but no, it's crazy. The highway is closed - they're saying until at least midday tomorrow (which means I probably won't get to Denver for my appointment with the trial MO). It looks like we only have about 6 inches, but it is hard to tell with all the blowing.
Robin - I love that your picture made the website! Love the cape! How do you guys feel about looking back on pictures of our bald heads? Hard to believe it sometimes, even still. My hair is pretty much all back - I always kept it short anyways, so it's just that my bangs are a bit short. Sadly, I never got the chemo curls. After a lifetime of perms (although I finally gave up about 20 years ago) - it would have been nice to have some curls. Oh, well.
Batata - great news on your results! Hope you get some relief from the cording.
Urdrago - happy late birthday! I hear people asking about your trial - I think I missed something. Are you in a clinical trial? Good for you!
Engine - the cruise sounds fab!
Duffy - so happy you were able to enjoy your vacation and that your news was good! I was worried about us both.... Sorry about the surgery tho.
Ingerp - I also loved the "little something from Colorado" story! I'm in Colorado and I don't take advantage of our little somethings - what is wrong with me?
Frog - the house will happen. Be patient.
Deb - sorry about your joint pain. I'm feeling it in my knee and hip flexor. I'm trying to stretch my hip out every day. Not seeing that it is helping tho.
Innab - congrats on your story being used! We all need our outlets.
Life - Hope you're enjoying your snowbound day today. I have been using the lymphadema pump for about 6 weeks. I'm not finding a noticeable difference. And I developed cording again - second time round. I knew to go straight to PT, but wanted to wait for my favorite therapist. And guess when my appointment was - tomorrow! Already canceled - I'm so disappointed. I hope it doesn't take another three weeks to get in, but I'm not optimistic.
I am doing ok on my trial drug Verzenio. I was trying to be really proactive about the diarrhea, so I was taking imodium most evenings, and that led to the opposite problem. So now I'm just taking it as needed and trying to relax about it all. That seems to be working.
I've been seeing a therapist since about October, and boy is she a godsend right now. Emotionally, I'm realizing that I am struggling more now than I did when going through active treatment. During treatment, I was so focused on getting through this infusion or lathering up that skin after radiation, and there was always an end date. Now, there's no end date. These residual side effects and aches and pains, the tightness/lymphedema/cording in my left arm, the night sweats - these are all going to be with me for life, hopefully twenty or more years. We've been talking a lot about what that word survivor means, what it means to live with the possibility of recurrence, how I've changed as a result of this, how to be patient with my recovery (recognizing that the affects of radiation and chemo are still with me), how to find hope when my MO is always reminding me that I'm stage 3 (i.e. in stage 1 or 2, he doesn't prescribe Zometa, but for stage 3, yes. For stage 1 or 2, no yearly scans, but for stage 3, yes. etc.), how to put all this in perspective without being overwhelmed. I'm very grateful to her.
Does this all sound familiar? Sorry if I'm a downer...
Hope everyone enjoys the rest of the week! Take care.
Linda
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Hello. Checking in. Still here. I haven't been blown away. LOL. This is pretty crazy. Our little town has literally been shut down for one day and now everything's shut down again tomorrow as well. The entire time I've lived here I have never in my life been told that I don't have to go to work two days in a row. However looking at the drift in front of my car, it's probably a good thing because it is going to take a while to dig out. Did I mention how much I hate shoveling!!
Linda I wish there was a way I could show you a stretch that the gal brought my machine to my house showed me. I can try and explain it. I stand sideways by a wall and put my hand on it open Palm with fingers facing up. I stand there and hold that stretch and count to 20. Then I will turn my hand to either the right or the left palm spread out still on the wall and stretch it that way and then I will do it the opposite way with my hands the opposite direction palm stretched out. I did this every single day and within 2 weeks my cording went away. I've also Incorporated stretching my arm all the way up on the wall and just kind of leaning and and that stretches underneath my armpit into my core body. These stretches I did not learn from physical therapy. So I thought I would share them with you just in case they haven't showed you them either. Stay warm!
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Glad you all have survived the blizzard! Life, sorry you'll have to dig out but you now have another free day to do it, lol. Not how yo wanted to spend it, I'm sure.
InnaB, congrats on your upcoming cruise. It's so nice to have that trip to look forward to. Alaska is on my list of places to visit. Even though I lived in the Rockies for almost 20 years, I hear that it doesn't compare to Alaska. Can't wait to see a few pics!
Linda, I'm sorry about your trial and PT visits being delayed. I thought I would tell you that, while I'm not seeing anyone (I probably should), I find that I am very weepy lately. Everything brings me to tears (heck, writing this has me teary). I also seem to be preoccupied with "what ifs". Example: hubby and I talk about something we'll do in a couple of years and my mind automatically jumps to "if I'm still here." It's so stupid, but we have been through so much, I am quite sure there is some PTSD involved, not to mention depression and anxiety. And, you're right - while going through treatment, I was in survival mode - get through the biospy, get through AC, get through losing hair, get through surgery, etc. Now that I am done, it's like I can let go, and those feelings I held back can swamp me sometimes. I'm glad you're getting help. (PS, look up cording stretches on YouTube. They might help until you can get another appt). Oh, and I have my chemo curls, plus yours, lol. I look like a poodle! I sort of liked my hair better when it was super-short, but I'm trying to get through that weird stage so I can do something with it (see? Getting through again, lol).
Also, - side note about Arimidex - I have a patient who is a 9-year survivor. She was in recently and mentioned that she will be done with 10 years of Arimidex in August. Her fervent hope is that the joint aches go away. She says she feels like she's had arthritis pain all this time. I say this because maybe a lot of the pain you feel is drug-related and will come to an end eventually. I'll try to remember to update this in a year or so (!) to let you know if I found out how she's doing.
Sending warm vibes to you all!
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Good morning ladies! Re: cording, I had it show up twice after my 2016 rads, more than a year later. In my head it seemed to hit after I'd started/increased weightlifting. My BS said that was possible. In both cases I didn't do anything about it and it resolved on its own (although I've always done a little yoga and I can't imagine anything better for stretching that area than a down dog). Re: the dang chemo curl, I'm going to visit my CA kids at the end of the month, had scheduled a haircut out there (cuz sometimes I think it's fun to get a haircut when I'm traveling), but just decided yesterday I can't stand this any more. I made an appt locally for tomorrow afternoon. I think I'm gonna go really short (in fact I was just looking at pictures on Pinterest!). I was looking at a woman at the gym yesterday--older, short, gray hair, but the cut looked exactly like a man's haircut. Not sure how to go short without looking like a guy. I guess we'll see. . .
Linda--you do not sound like a downer at all. If you can't be honest here, where can you? Best wishes for a lovely Thursday. It's supposed to hit 70 here with a cooler weekend but nothing frigid in sight--I think Spring has finally arrived. (And special shoutout to our gals with the awful snowstorm--fingers crossed this is the end of it for you!)
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Linda I also get very emotional on things right now. I started seeing a counselor back in October as well. It is helping. I too just went through the stage of I have to do this, I have to do that during treatment. My only problem was I kept thinking oh my gosh I'm going to all these side effects for the rest of my life, it's never going to go away. Not really ever thinking about why I was doing this until after it was all done then it hit me. Just the other day my BF was talking about getting rid of the little tiny bike they brought in for me to ride during chemo. Now let me tell you, this thing is older than the hills and on its last leg. But when he started to pick it up to carry it out I started crying. My exact words to him were what if it comes back and I don't have my bike to ride. I'm with GaWarrier, with all the anniversary year dates coming up of the different things that we went through last year, you can't help but think what if. I talked to a lady who is out 11 years. She told me the first three year were the hardest emotionally to get through.
As far as joint pain, I never really had that before and I do now. I do believe it is the anastrozole. Ingerp it's probably correct on saying that yoga is probably the best thing we can do for our bodies. It relives stress and at the same time releases the tension in our muscles. Even if it's not yoga some kind of body stretch. I'm sure it doesn't help at all that your doctor keeps throwing out the words that you said he is using. That would practically piss me off more than anything! GRRR
Well I better get out and start snow shoveling I'm going to try and make it over to help my girl friend, whose husband is fighting throat cancer right now, get out as well. They need to get to his appointment.
Never would you ever be considered a downer with us. This is what we're here for. To vent, share, cry and laugh with.
Huggs out there to you all!
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Ok, here are my Breast Cancer surviving strategies:
I exercise every single day. Usually I do a mix of cardio and Pilates. Twice a week I do yoga. Probably have to increase it to 3 times a week.
I take regular Claritin every day to help with joint pain.
I take Effexor to help with hot flashes. Since it’s an anti-depressant, it also takes care of my weepiness.
I try to meditate and started doing Kundolini yoga, which is weird, but somehow keeps me in a good mood for the rest of the day.
I’d recommend Effexor as a mood stabilizer. It works great for me.
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And I just can’t wait for this cold to end, so I can walk in the park again!
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Innab - Do you do Pilates at home or as part of a class? Any home videos you would recommend?
Now that I think about it, I believe my cording started after a particularly strenuous chest/bicep workout with my trainer....
Thanks for all the support, everyone. I truly cherish and value your input.
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Linda, I do all my exercises following Amazon Prime videos. They have beginner and intermediate Pilates, Yoga, Yogamerge, HIIT and great combination classes: Cardio Pilates Yoga Fusion. Just type these key words in the search and enjoy the abundance of choices!
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I love checking in and finding that I'm not alone in what I'm feeling, not just the physical but also the emotional. I love that we are all connected in such a positive way out of such a negative experience.
GA Warrior I have to find and post a pic of my beat-up desert monster car. Hope you have a great trip
InnaB unfortunately I actually spend more time jumping sidewalks with it than driving in sand, lol. Amazon Prime videos is a great idea! I don't feel up to going to actual classes yet.
Life1963 good luck with the (horrible) shoveling! Hope everyone is safe and warm in this harsh weather.
Ingerp it's so interesting to hear about your cording; my symptoms started after I'd been really pushing myself working out at home.
Linda the way you feel resonates so much with me too. During treatment I was in zombie shock mode, now it's hitting home in so many ways, the fact that I'm stage 3, that it's almost the same time last year that I found out, not knowing how much time I have till it hits again, dealing with the chemo/rads leftovers. GA Warrior is right, it's a kind of PTSD.
In the middle of trying to find some kind of center, our 6 year old Great Dane was diagnosed with bone cancer, and after lots of back and forth and arguments he had surgery and his leg was amputated last week, it's been so rough seeing him go through this, and at the same time feeling this kind of anger that cancer has hit our family twice in the same year. The cancer cloud is all around. A good friend of mine just got diagnosed with ovarian cancer (I love her and it's so hard seeing her go through the same emotional trauma I did last year). My 17 year old daughter's close friend lost her mom to stomach cancer yesterday, and seeing her friend go through that has freaked her out about me, which is freaking me out about me too and what her and her sister would go through. It's a slippery slope and we all need to fight to climb to the top of it instead of being swallowed by it. But we also need to feel these feelings, let them out when they want to come out. I think seeing a therapist is a great idea (it's on my list: new MO; find a PT; find a therapist). In the meantime, I'm so grateful you are all there for me to vent to.
Much love ladies and Engine
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Yeah just re: the cording, I remember when I called my BS the first time they said it could be exercise-related and asked if I wanted a referral to PT. I asked them what would happen if I didn't do that (just did not want more medical appts on my calendar) and she said it'd eventually go away. Other than freaking me out a little in the shower, I didn't notice any impact from it. I think each time it only hung around a couple of weeks.
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for the good wishes about the cruise. We're looking forward to it. It's been 10 years since we went away purely for fun and relaxation. Most of the time, we travel to see our son in Chicago. While that time is always wonderful, it still isn't a vacation.
Innab: It's great to hear that you are cruising to Alaska this August. I hear the land/sea tour is really great. One of our relatives did that a few years ago. Janice and our son went on a family reunion cruise to Alaska about 20 years ago. They did all kinds of excursions, including taking a helicopter to land on a glacier and a float plane to a remote lake. Unfortunately, I had started a new job a few weeks before the cruise and my employers would not let me go. Then, they had a lay-off two months later to downsize and I was out
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Hi all! Love seeing so many posts.
Life - I sure hope you get a break in the winter weather. We had a warm day this week and what a difference it made in my spirits.
GAWarrior - so cool that your image is on the website. I remember when you posted about doing the walk....Seems like forever ago now doesn't it.
Linda - Hugs. I'm so glad you have a therapist that you love. Because of my previous issues with depression I went through therapy for years and during my previous cancer went back into counseling. It really is something I think most people can benefit from.
Udrago - sorry to hear you had to stop the drug again.
Ingerp - my hairdresser said for short hair on women it's all about keeping hair longer above the occipital lobe. I've gotten so many compliments on my haircut and with it this short I'm not minding the grey.
There must be cruises in the air. We just booked a cruise to Cuba to celebrate my mother-in-laws 75th birthday this summer. Engine so glad you two have something fun to look forward to it has been such a trying year for you both.
I saw the PS this week and my exchange surgery is a go for March 29th. They were so nice after the long year of appointments etc they are totally working around my schedule for all follow-ups etc.
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Frog, sending my sympathy and regret to you and your NZ countrymen after the terror attacks in Christchurch. It's appalling to think there's so much hate in the world. I'm sorry anyone or any country has to go through something like this.
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Well put, GAW.
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Second that, Ingerp. Hate is hate, no matter who it’s directed to. It’s very sad that Twenty one centuries didn’t teach people anything.
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Right there with you ladies! Is our Frog involved? Please surface soon so we all know you are safe!
Very sad. So many lives are effected by senseless crimes.
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I start four rounds of A/C on April 2nd followed by four of Taxol. Will have radiation after that. Looking forward to getting this show on the road! Positive thoughts going out to all!
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Its awful..praying for peace!
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It's such a tragedy. This kind of hatred and violence is like a disease. I can't understand it. I will never be able to understand it. How are these people wired that they can't see that we're all really the same. We're all humans together
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Bam320–welcome to our group. Lots of great people, advice, and experience here but I wanted to point out this is the April 2018 chemo group. I’m sure there’s an April 2019 group, or go ahead and start one!!
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Saw this post yesterday and I though it spoke volumes. Frog you are in my heart.
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