Illinois ladies facing bc

Lisa..  here for you and know you will find all the support you need here. Have a history of BC ib my family an d BRCA 1 that is a question mark but considered a mutation. You sound like you have a wonderful family and support system!!!!  always here for you.

rene.....awwwwwww for your4 huby giving you a surprise 5oth!!!!Just wonderful!!

Driving downtown for a Dr's appt. am I nuts or what? Sleep is still an issue.. chemo took it away, i am still struggling. Went to Ambien last night as I am done trying to do it naturally. I wake up every 3 hrs and accumaltively My legs abd body is weak.This morning was the first morning i could do excercise as i slept. AM I the only one who cannot regain sleep after chemo??? I am also goin to try Remiferen for the hot flashes, I am a very frustrated lady who wants a full night sleep.. and now it has progressed to not falling asleep.. two hours of that,.If I become addicted to sleeping pills I do not care anymore!!!! Sorry for my rant but I am sooooo frustrated and am done!!!

Lago... good luck on tx today?

Be safe ALL!!!

fever for me again today  

I managed to do ok yesterday.   Rested aka:   did nothing all day, then scrapped with friends last night.     Was chilly this morning and temp says 100.5

Waiting for a call back from my nurse/friend at the cancer center. 

Question:  Is there anyone else here dealing with a reaccurance of cancer?  If so please let me know, because I have a ton of questions from a survivor's point of view.

ok,  nurse/friend paged my onc.   He said bring her in for labs, oxygen level and chest x-ray.    Blood work was good.   Oxygen was fine.     My heart rate was 120 - that's high!     Then she called later to tell me chest x-ray showed MILD viral pneumonia.    She is calling me in a Z-pack and I will go pick that up here in a bit.

Makes me glad that I spoke up and followed through.    That's a reminder ladies, anything abnormal needs reported!    I had been breezing through this thing on cruise control then felt like crap the last  4-5 days.    She said  "there's your first sign that there's a problem!"   LOL 

When I hear "wicked" I think of Boston which makes me think about my SIL which makes me think a dyed  in the wool Red Sox Fan.  My 3-year old grand daughter has a Red Sox cheerleading outfit.

Stephanie, good you called!

The wnds are so scary!  My cat is acting really odd with this weather.

When I have trouble sleeping, Donna, I take one of those PM blue things (like Tylenol PM).  Once Wendy suggested a benadryl.  I am really sorry that is happening to you/.  I need so much sleep!

Marilyn, I have not (knock on wood) experienced a recurrence.  I hope you get the information you need.

Navy, tender story about the obituary and crying.  I think there is something within many of us that needs to connect with those who did not make it.  I actually went over to the cemetery where Irina is buried (in my town) and sought out her  plot.  When I saw a picture of her cat on the flowers I wept. I really did not know this woman in life.  We just need to connect.

Take care!

Susan

Stephanie.. so glad that you got things checked out.  Get better quick.

Laura... what is with the cherry juice?  I don't have any problems getting to sleep... but then I usually throw down one Tylenol PM every night.... works like a charm.  When I was going through chemo, my onc nurse said it was o.k.

MakMak... I will be thinking of you tomorrow.  Stay positive.

This wind is crazy.  Hang on to your hats, your wigs, your scarves, etc.!  Stay safe everyone.

Hmmm, I was surprised by the cherry juice as well.  I have to remember though to one who can nearly fall asleep at the drop of a pin --  whatever you have to do -- is whatever works.  Is there going to be more 'wind' today.  Weather for about half the country sounded horrible.  Hope everyone does ok.

I think our wind has lessened.....it did get down a lot of leaves......maybe we will have a few less days/weeks of having to blow them all into the ravines by us.  Dh will be happy.  He is having to do most of it.  Had to take the backpack blower in for repairs....so it is a difficult job right now with my smaller electric blower. 

Hope you all have a fantastic day.  Good luck today Marina.  See you all later.

Hugs, Jackie 

fever up to 101-102 this morning.   Feel much worse.   Cough is more raspy (where it had been dry).   I have a heck of a headache and ringing in my ears.

My longtime friend (my oncologists nurse) got me in to see him at 11:40.    I'm due for chemo at 1:00.     We'll see if I still get it.   She said my counts were good ..... so maybe (?) 

Yes I'm thinking that the wind will remove some of those hairs that have fallen out but are still sticking in my head. Rather it falls outside then in my home.

Steph I hope that temperature goes down soon.

Oh Marina, I jumped on the computer as soon  as I walked in and was scared to open your post and then I nearly hit the roof with joy!  Yes everything you are doing is WORKING! 

Okay now for my huge confession.  I am very surprised our onc really remembers me and he  may be faking a "hey" for me as I have not (okay this is honest) seen him in three plus years and my cancer was four years ago.  He once told me to get on with my life and leave cancer behind me (which you all know I have never been able to do fully) and to come to see him only if I have a worrisome symptom.  I went once three years ago because my shin hurt  and he sent me on my way and asked me again to get on with life.  So, I never have those routine visits you ladies all experience and dread.  I never get my blood checked and I won't until I start to get off arimidex (January 2012) unless i have a worrisome symptom. It feels good to lay this on the line.  I do  not suggest that others follow in my path (I do see the Breast surgeon annually) but this has worked for me as a Stage II cancer survivor.  When I did see him (active chemo treatment  we talked about his daughter, his father who is a Holocaust survivor and other deep topics,  I was teaching an English Lit.  Unit on the Holocaust at the time and so it was on my mind and obviously on  his as well, so that (not cancer) was the topic. We had both read Night by Eli Weisel and  When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Rabbi Kushner and so we talked about those books.

I have so much respect for the man as I feel he has one of the hardest professions in all of life. So I am happy not to bring in things like "shin Pain" when he faces so much.  Oh Marina, I just know he was  happy to share that news!

And Marina,  I would never contradict anything that goes against his wishes, but my friend with colon cancer that went to the liver considered a surgeon in Indianapolis who was willing to cut out the liver cancer.  I guess it is tricky but this doc does it on hard cases.  I know they generally do not do surgery on liver mets with BC, but I could get the man's name if you are interested.  I have no idea how he would handle your case, but I do know there is a doctor in Indianapolis who does tricky liver surgery.

Susan

Oh, WONDERFUL, Marina.  I love it!

Joan

NavyMom, Good luck to tomorrow!  Been thinking about you.

Passing on the good news baton to you Navy!!  Let us know tomorrow!!

Marina

Good Evening Girls...I just want to say I am so happy for all of you who have been doing so well.

I have not posted for a while as I too had a scare this past two week. MRI was read as possible malignancy in the good breast, off I ran to the bs and he did a FNB in his office. Waited 4 days for results inconclusive then off to have a MRI core biopsy big ouch!! and today it can back neg!!! My life was turned upside down for the past 2 weeks with md appts, tests, scans and those many phone calls. Now I am celebrating NED !! I didn't want to get anyone scared or upset so that is why I have been off for a while. But I am back and in happy mode.

So doing all the right things to stay healthy is a work in progress. So keep up the good work girls!!! Just an FYI I would ask for copies of all your test results and get cd copies of all scans done. It makes it so much easier when you have to express over night scans to another hospital and you have them at home.

Marina...keep up the great diet, be healthy and enjoy that well deserved vacation

Navymom... I hope you get your vacation in soon too.

Lago...hope you are doing well with chemo and nurse ratchet. Remember to rest. Thank you for the apt info. We are going hunting next week.

Ginnger..feel better. Hope your temp is better. remember to push lots of fluids. my fav popsicles and Italian ice.

Jackie... thanks for thinking of me. hugs.

Zap.. are you enjoying the wonderful fall colors and yes Halloween this weekend!! I am going to a Halloween party. going as a flapper girl!

Well off to bed for some needed sleep. Sweet dreams everyone....

Remember to be healthy...be happy ..and enjoy life. Halloween is coming booooooooo to you!!!

BJ