Illinois ladies facing bc
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Laura, she be part of our gang too. She won't even have to be beat in.
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Hey Susan, have a ball! Me? I would love that 90 degree weather!!!! I know, I'm strange! Enjoy your trip. My son was in L.A. for awhile. He lived in Burbank and drove into the city to work. I went out and visited him for a week and had a great time.
Laura, love that pic of your friend! I hope I'm doing something similar at that age!
Buddy, glad that you caught those blood clots in plenty of time and glad that there's a plan of action in effect now. Hugs to you. You've been through alot. Yep, you're one tough Illinois gal.
Jackie, what have you been doing with your free time?
Joan, the fatigue hit me pretty heavy about my 20th radiation treatment and I was quite the "go-getter" before that. I know how you hate this but you are on the down-hill slide now. How is your skin holding out?
Well, I'm off to write some questions and earn a little spending mnoney. Grandma has already done quite a bit of Christmas shopping and could use some more Mad Money!
I hoipe everyone is having a good day.
Rita
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Buddy, so very glad they found the blood clots. Are you now going to be on coumadid?
LauraGTO: OMG, I want to meet her and give her a hug.
All you others, God bless and have an easy day. Onward
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Hi All,
I am back home from 3 days in the hospital at Rush!
When the doctor saw the mastectomy site he didn't know what to make of it. He kept asking if I had been in an accident or if someone had hurt me. Whereas the site was red and purple over the weekend, on Monday it was yellow and grey. In any event the doctor said he could not let me leave like this - I needed to be admitted immediately to the hospital for testing and most likely surgery. Of course, wouldn't you know the one appointment that I don't bring my sister to is the one that I really need her at.
They got me in in about an hour to a room. I had an ultrasound and bloodwook. Ultrasound showed fluid buildup.
Three very nice residents & fellows came in the next day at 6:15 a.m. to lay out the game plan. Take the TE out and debridement. However, this wasn't scheduled until 1:00pm. Of course I had had nothing to eat or drink since midnight! It was a very long day.
The surgery went very well. They cultured the fluid and found strep in it. The tissue underneath they said was remarkably good. They've given me a strong antibiotic.
I won't be getting a new breast, but I'm fine with that. I don't want to go through this all over again. Besides I like my foobie just fine.
P.S. My first day of work went great. They had balloons and a card for me. I was so upset that I'm now off work again.
Take Care.
Carolyn
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Oh Carolyn, I am SO SORRY! How frightening to be doing it alone. Your not saying anything about pain. Hopefully you are well suppllied. I am thankful that you went in. Who gets streph in their breast, WTH??? I am thankful it was not worse. Another reminder to check all suspicious issues. Are you back at home or with your sister? HUGE HUGS! Caryn
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Wow Carolyn what an ordeal. So glad they took care of you.
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I keep on forgetting to ask you guys. My DH brought home an article that was on AOL that stated that there are some kind of COLD CAPS that are now being used while being infused with chemo that have shown good results with patients keeping their hair. Anyone here of this. Of course way too late for most of us. lol. Just wondering if anyone had heard of this. Onward
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Yes here's the thread: http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topic/735873?page=44
They use them a lot in Europe.
They are expensive and personally I feel I've been forced to spend way too much on cancer crap that I will never use again, I didn't want to add another thing.
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OMG Carolyn! Really sorry about the setback. Gosh this disease just gets more interesting all the time. Thank God for antibiotics! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
A friend asked me last week if I had heard of those cold caps, but I have not seen the article. I think there was some news segment about them that she had seen. Yes.... too late anyway.
Radiation fatigue is certainly easier so far than what I experienced with chemo. Had to cut out my afternooon walk today, but it was raining anyway. Actually, I am thankful that my skin is holding up quite well. Saw the doc and the nurse today for my weekly visit and they were both really happy with what they say is very normal. I am finally turning pink and have alot of new freckles that they say will go down. I am going through alot of Aquaphor and lotions! Think I can make it five more treatments without much change.
Hope that Tom Skilling is only kidding about those snow showers tonight. Brrrr...
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Back from the surgeon, and she strongly recommends I do a mx to catch any residual disease.. and she feels anythign that is left (though not seen on scan) is the stubborn stuff that can spread.. BUT, she said to wait 3 mos and do an MRI first.. BUT.. reading Carolyn's story.. I'm so scared!!! so more waiting and seeing.. for now..
Carolyn glad they found the issue and resolved it for you!! Hope you heal from this one quickly!!
Really don't want to see snow yet.. happens when I have to travel I'll tell you.. we fly tomorrow night so hopefully won't be an issue..
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Oh my --- Carolyn, I am so glad that you saw your Dr. and got help with this My imagination sees some very vivid things had you not gotten some help with this. I think we get use to strep as a part of upper respiratory problems, but it is an infection and could show up anywhere. Hope you get better and better now. I think you have the right idea about not starting over with this. I'm all for listening to what your insides are saying to you.
Joan -- I had a little fatigue with my rads, but it sort of came and went rather quickly. Had a time or two when I felt like almost any movement might be an impossibility but giving into a nap and a little rest seemed to help me shake it off.
Marina, I think any time you have to wait it tends to give rise to somewhat dire thoughts and lots of what if's. Hope you can just go on that vacation and put all of this stuff out of your head and have a perfect time for a while. Be like Scarlett and just worry about it all after vacation.
See you all tomorrow. Hope it is a little dryer everywhere then.
Hugs, Jackie
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Sorry that you had to have problems, Carolyn. I hope you are feeling better soon.
As far as the cold cap. I did hear about them but never bothered to do any research.
Makmak, have a great vacation.
Buddy, hope you are feeling better as each day goes by.
Hello to everyone else.......I think we should ban the s-n-o-w word.
Navy
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Carolyn....I am sorry to hear that you got a strep infection. I am glad that you are home and resting. take your antibiotics and eat healthy, rest and in no time you will back at work. Sending you a big healing hug.
Buddy.. You too have been thorough so much pain with your arm and now blood clots. Please take care and get well soon.
Makmak...have a wonderful vacation. Have a great time with family and enjoy.
Zap...can you bring some California sun back for us girls. Have a a great time with your friends.
Navymom...how are you doing.
Joan.. soon you too will be a rad grad whooo.
Jackie...are your resting near the lake or are you doing lots of chores. Take your fav book and tea and enjoy the day!!!
Laura....are you and motorcycle Grannie joining a club. lol I can see you driving that bike.lol
Lago...how are you doing. Did you get rid of nurse ratchet yet. I do hope that you talk with someone about her, but it is nurses like her that give us goods one a bad name. FYI we have been doing the apt hunting but have not found one that we both can agree on. lol still searching.
Just wanted to check in to see how everyone was doing. Well I am off to bed now as I have our wellness fair tommorw starting at 6am. So need to rise and shine very early.
Off topic has anyone had experience with acupuncture for pain management. I am doing research on this topic and would love to hear about your experience.
Remember to be healthy...be happy... enjoy oh and keep that snow away.
BJ
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BJ, I did accupuncture during the last few of my chemo's to help manage neuropathy... not sure if it helped or not, but my neuropathy didn't get worse...
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Carolyn, that is a scary story, I am glad things are under control and Buddy, how are you doing?
So, I hear you might be getting snow. Horrors. It is so hot here. It is 90 again but I love California. Went to the Getty Art Museum today.....loved it.....the ocean and let the waves lap over me....and to The Museum of Tolerance. Just wonderful. Tomorrow we go to The Disney Orchestra Hall and Hollywood! On Saturday Paul and I are going to a winery about two hours away. My friend (who was treated for lymphoma and doing so well) took the week off so we are making wonderful memories.
Marina, have fun on the trip.
BJ, I have never had acupuncture but if I were in pain, I would try it in an instant. Pain is a very bad thing. I have known people who swear by acupuncture for what ails them.
Wendy, I am thrilled my medical issues are under control so that I can enjoy this trip. I was worried! Thanks again for all the help you gave me then. It seems like a million years ago.
Take care,all.
Susan
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Hugs to Buddy and Carolyn!!!!Just keep the faith and keep being an advocate for YOU as this is a long journey but it is ours and we have to keep goin and know that these peaks and valleys are not forever!!! Sending hugs from NY!
blackjack... have some pain issues and inflammation goin on in my gut (leaky gut), I have heard GREAT things on acupuncture. In fact, i have had this doen on upper back and neck issues after chemo. and it releived the stress and some major inflamation in that area.
Laura.. WOW a bad ass 74 year old.. she rocks!!!I I want to be a Bad ASS BOOB chic.. I have enough bafckground to be one.. WE ALL DO!!!Lets do it...lol..!!!!
Hanging loose in NY with DAD. So good to have time here with him. Hate the thought when we leave. 91 , eats whatever, smokes cigars and keeps goin. What a blessing!
HUGS to ALL i am not up to date on and wish I could keep up here but not easy these days.! Good wishes to all!
Donna
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BJ my mom did some acupuncture for some pain issues she had (not cancer/chemo related) and she said it really helped.0
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Whenever you are sincerely pleased, you are nourished.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson0 -
Scheduled to have a massage at 11 today. My first since long before surgery (which was in June) I am really looking forward to it!
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All-- curious, about how long after each tx do you continue to take the anti nausea meds?
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Adey, I started my anti-nausea meds as soon as the treatment was over and continued them for 4 days, regardless of how good I felt. I learned quickly that the anti-nausea drugs do well at warding off the nausea but don't do very well at stopping it once it gets going. Of course everyone is different but that sure worked for me.
Hi to Zap in sunny CA. I bet the Getty Art Museum was fantastic! Enjoy your stay. It's getting cold and blustery here!
Oh Stephanie.......yea, a massage! You'll come home feeling like a new person.
Donna, I'm glad that you're enjoying your time with your Dad. That's so special!
Carolyn, I'm so glad you've found the cause of your pain and misery and hope that the antibiotics and rest do the trick! Hugs to you as you heal!
Blackjack, I hope your wellness fair goes well today. As for the acupunture, it does work! Go for it if you're having pain. Life is too short to "hurt." Hugs!
Where's Connie? I'm sure she's busy with her job and kids but I sure do miss her. We're going to have to get Laura to send out the searchlight for her if she doesn't show up soon! Has anyone heard from her?
To all of you in treatment or suffering side effect.....hang tough and take it one day at a time. We're here for you. That's what this thread is all about.......giving love and support to our sisters.
I'm off to pick up the little cat after her surgery. It will be good to get her home. It's been quiet around here without her this week. I even think that our older cat has missed her. He's done a lot of prowling around the house as if he's searching for her.
Everyone have a good day and a great weekend.
Rita
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Adey You're going to hate me but I take Emend the day of and 2 days after treatment. I don't take any other nausea meds because I haven't needed them so far although I do have prescriptions filled for them.0
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G'morning everyone! Waiting for my mother to arrive then we're going for lunch before my Onc visit. I'm scheduled to get my second Zometa infusion today, but have been fighting a UTI all week and had to change antibiotics. I'm going to talk to him about the Zometa - I'm definitely post-poning it today, but I'm actually feeling a little skittish about doing this 2nd dose at all. I trust him to give me all the pros and cons, then I'll mull it over a while before I decide.
Susan - Have fun in LA! The last time I was there, we did the tourist thing and hit the usual sites, including the Warner Bros. tour. It was actually a lot of fun. Enjoy that sunny weather!
Buddy - I'm so glad you got the arm looked at and dopplered. Hopefully, you'll get some relief soon.
Makmak - We're regular cruisers, but I do know from planning family trips throughout the years that Spring Break does NOT come down - esp. when it comes to airfares. We've opted to drive to our cruises many times because I waited too long to actually book the trip and airfares were out of control. I think that if you don't get in there by Sept. or Oct. at the latest, you are going to pay big for spring break airfares, and the closer you get, the less there is even available. Good luck, and glad you're getting away. Many of my most cherished lifetime memories are from our family trips. I planned another big cruise for this May, because I'm starting to worry that now that my kids are pretty much grown, they won't necessarily want to spend their vacations with us! So, I'm squeezing at least one more in there.
Jackie - That link you posted to the 3 minute video didn't work. Maybe some outside links are blocked on this site?
Joan - I didn't do rads (had Mx), but just thinking about how time consuming it must be to do 28 treatments blows my mind. Glad to hear you have the bulk of them behind you! Hopefully, these last few will fly by.
Carolyn - Sorry about your infection. I'm glad they found out what it was (strep) and you're now on the right meds to get you cleared up. Thank goodness for good foobies.
Onward - A friend of mine who was diagnosed years ago - late 70's - actually was in a trial at that time using cold caps. She said it worked, and she didn't lose her hair. Someone did already post a link to the thread here about cold caps. I'm sure they've changed since back then. She's actually passed on now, having gotten a recurrence almost 30 years later, but she had a great run.
BJ - I've considered acupuncture for my shoulder problems for a long time. I guess I'm just skeptical about finding someone who really knows what they are doing, and didn't just take a brief training course. One of the docs I work for tried it for quite a while to treat back pains he was having. He said it may have helped a little bit, but ultimately, he actually needed surgery.
Rita - Yay for getting little kitty back. I'm sure big kitty will be happy to have her back. My 2 cats seem to fight a lot (not seriously) but they also enjoy their snuggle times together. It's ridiculously cute.
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Adey - I never took nausea pills.. one tip I was given was to make myself a Whey Protein shake each morning.. and it took care of my nausea.. the pills made me sick!!
WELL.. I couldn't possibly leave today without booking Spring Break.. SO.. Puerta Vallarta it will be.. was the only non-stop still available.. believe it or not, booking that and hotel separately saved me over 3 THOUSAND!! Now I booked an all inclusive and a Sheraton with my points.. debating what I'll do as it gets closer as both are refundable.. so fun..
OK.. off to finish last minute packing.. Have a great week everyone.. no Internet access for me for a week.. (no idea how that will go...)
Marina
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I Did find the cold cap link on BCO and it seems to work for many having Cytoxin and taxorere? But not for those Adriamycin girls. Of course, we all are pretty much done with this phase. might be nice to pass on to newbies. I guess you can rent the caps for 29 bucks per treatment. I dont really care about baldness.
I have had to resort to writting down the meds I take. Yeah I know, should have done it from the beginning. Yesterday I couldnt remember if I actually took my Dex or just wrote it down. So I decided to take another one. Whoo Hoo, went shopping at 8pm, stayed up till 2am reading and still feeling fine. I guess it was the second one. Have to ask Onc if I can do this every week. lol.
Love to all.. Onward
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Onward, I asked about the cold caps at the very beginning of my tx.. here is what I was told - the reason they work is they prevent chemo from getting there.. I know I'm in a different situation, but not sure knowing that it's the best idea to use them.. if you are going to go through the treatment, I'd think you'd want to make sure you get the full benefit of it.. That was my thought of not doing it.. my nurse has seen it done..
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Thanks for the input! I'm not very nauseous but was curious. Wish there was a chemo metal mouth pill. (c:
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Hi Adey, I'm a little late with the info but I took Compazine and Zofran every 6 hours for 3 days regardless of how I felt. I never did have any problems with nausea. Maybe a little quesy at times but really nothing to speak of.
Navy
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Adey.... the nausea. I didn't have any nausea until the third treatment. Doc had given me a prescription for something, think generic of Tigan. I found that it didn't really help and maybe made things worse. Since I really just had a queasy stomach, I decided to just deal with it and tossed the meds. I learned to deal with the bad mouth taste by sticking to really cold foods... especially became fond of Edey's frozen fruit bars. Also used cold puddings, ice cream, and even resorted to J-E-L-L-O. Hadn't had that in forever, but it went down real easy. Fortunately the queasy stomach only lasted about 3-4 days and the bad taste lasted about 5-7 days. By then I was starving and ate everything in site. Hang in there!
Yes, rads have been quite time consuming. Especially since my appt is at 115pm and reallyh breaks up my day. Only 4 left! The RO and techs have been great but I will be happy to see this end.
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I was a bit surprised that the nausea was so lite. I do emmend the two days after and then for a few days a zofran in the morning just in case. Cold and juicy help me too, I'm living on grapes and watermelon. I think it might be nap time again! Have a great weekend all.
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