Illinois ladies facing bc

Carolyn, I'll say it: This sucks. I can't image how this challenges your spirit. Hang in there. Remember there is plan B, plan C etc. Yes there are a variety of treatments that can fight this. They just haven't served your flavor yet.

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onward I have joined you in the LE sisterhood. So much for that "thin" women are unlikely to get it. So far it's mild and my onc just wants me to start doing light strength training. She does not want me to wear my sleeve/gauntlet. My BS gave me the script for the sleeves for flying as prevention. Wish these two docs were on the same page. :b 

Oh, Carolyn...thanks for sharing your update. I can only imagine how frightening this must be for you.  Yes, we are all here for you.  You are certainly in good hands there at Rush and they will get you through this.  I will be praying for you.

Geesh!  I was just going to head off to bed when the phone rang and noticed on the caller ID that it was my ONC's office. I had been waiting for a callback, but it scared me silly wondering what could be so urgent to get a call this late in the evening.  My ONC apologized for the late call, but knew that I was still waiting for my bone density results. He said that my hip site was fine, but my vertebrae was showing ostopenia.  We'll discuss it when I go back in a couple weeks.  Anybody dealing with ostopenia drugs?  My ONC does want to start me on 50,000 units/week Vit D right away since I sort of flunked that test with a whopping 14.  Oh joy, more drugs in my aresenal.  Can hardly believe that less than a year ago, I was taking NONE.

Elf, our night owl.... don't stay up too late.  ((((Hugs)))) to Carolyn!

joan/mak - From what I've read, I agree with taking the 6000 D3 daily instead of the 50,000 D2.

Joan - a very good brand of D3 is USANA (one of the best rated and best absorbed) - you can order it at www.preventcanswers.org 

OMG look at all that hair. That was fast! You look still fabulous even with hair. ;-)

John Vance Cheney

Lago--  Dr C, although a great onc, doesn't really think outside the box.  I've had Lymphatic massage and it is real nice.  (c:  It's not like a normal massage, think kneading bread.  It is very soft and the fingers brush along where the lymph nodes are located and down the path to where they drain.  That's my version anyhoo.  I also have very slight swelling, not continuous and never enough to get me worried.  The massage is offered at the Block Center where I get chemo and if you want I can PM the masseuses info.  There's also a school of thought that rebounding (little trampoline) gets the lymph system pumping.  That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!  Take care.

Adey....I have a rebounder --- not used it as much lately as I should.....but to me it is good for nearly everything. 

Jackie

I have been going for LE message and wrapping for two weeks. I get measured every few days. I have had a total of 6% reduction in my upper arm and it's feeling so much better. I am going in again in a few minutes. I will ask about strength training. Onward

My dear Carolyn, My prayers have been surrounding you since you first posted. I will call you after my appointment. You are not alone. Love Caryn

Carolyn -- been thinking of you often.  Hang in there, girl!  I'm so glad you have such a close relationship with your sister.....   Let me know if there is anything I can do, I'm not all that far away in Downers Grove. 

Just got back from the hospital.... had my port inserted.  I'm such an IT nerd (been doing it for what, twenty some odd years now?) I kept saying that I was having it "installed" which really does make my body sound more like a machine, doesn't it?  LOL.  Thankfully it was a very smooth process to get it inserted, if it saves some misery down the road, on my veins, then it was worth it. 

Countdown to chemo, starting on the 30th.   Like everything else, the fear and anticipation are the worst, aren't they?  I'm working all through next week, and online shopping like a fiend this weekend.  I am taking the week off between Christmas and New Year, at least until the 30th, my kids and I will attempt to have a lot of fun playing with all of those new Wii games Santa brought this year.

Yes Laura I started looking at stepup-speak out as soon as I heard I was getting level I nodes removed. I never trusted the "1-3% chance" of me getting it since there was also a less than 2% chance of me getting breast cancer at my age. Stats have not been kind to me lately.

Arm is still looking better. I went shopping for a camisole to wear under my silk shirts. Just can't go bra-less/camisoles because the scars show a little through the shirt. The need a lot more time to lighten up.

So I tried on this seamless shapeless bra. My current official size is almost B ;-). Guess my PS was right. A few more fills.

Lisa I had my port installed too. Is there another term? ;-)

Goodness, there is so much going on here I cannot keep up.  I did not even know that Lago had LE.

Elf, you husband's job will happen.  I wish for your sake (and his) it would happen sooner rather than later, but at least he has a job now.

I will not be able to cover everything.  Lisa, yes the waiting is the hardest.  You should feel a little less anxious in that so many are doing fine with chemo.

Carolyn, praying everyday for you.

Marina, it sounds ALL good.  I am wondering if you can use the Kayak or another travel discount if you know your dates in advance. I took a peak and yes, Seattle is very expensive.  Funny how some town are.  I wanted to go to Montgomery AL and it is very costly.  I guess it is all the mileage.

The train room at the Morton Arboretum is wonderful. Elf, I know your boys love trains.  Are you near Lisle?   If you live close and have a little one who loves Thomas the Engline, go.  We then had lunch.  They serve very healthy and fresh lunches there.

Stay warm. 

Susan

Thanks everyone for the travel ideas.. I did get my next 3 trips booked using miles. I have enough for the rest, just can't book so far in advance.. since there is always a chance of getting kicked out.. NOT going to happen...:) 

Talked to a girl from ACS who I was matched up with per my request earlier in my diagnosis.  She is a 13 year metster.... She has had most of her good run with Her2+ drugs and only done 2 very gentle chemos.  She is one of the people that helps me keep on going!!  She also made me feel even better since she did NOT have a mx or nodes removed.. the thing I'm stuggling to decide..  The things that make one happy!!

I'm a bit flu like today.. normal from the vaccine.. and I was prepared.. no plans until next Tues to go out anywhere.. now.. tonight no DH til later due to their Holiday party where spouses are NOT invited... so I get TV remote to myself.. YAY!! No History Channel.. Millionaire Matchmaker or one of those girly shows for me tonight..  

Hi all,

I'm back from NYC visiting the newlyweds, and my dh's sister and brother. Not to mention dh's old roommate from Cornell. Lots of fun, and it was 53 degrees!

I was a klutz before we left, and managed to get something sharp stuck in my thumb while I was dusting the coffee table. Had to actually go to surgery yesterday to have it removed. Orthopedic surgery, no less! My hubby took me to a good guy, and now I have a huge bandage on my very expensive thumb. I felt pretty ridiculous, but thumbs are important for almost everything we do with our hands, so it had to be done. Now I can't write, so no cards going out here.

Computer having a problem with some McAfee security, so having trouble posting, and sometimes even logging onto AOL. DH is working, and wants to wait to after Christmas to work on the problem. I would just take it out, but he is always worried about security. Grrrrr...making me a little crazy!

Stay warm, and have a lovely weekend.

Char....your osteopenia information is very interesting.  I do think we might get a little rushed into taking drugs for something that could be a somewhat expected -- age progressive thing -- may even be something that is inherited when it comes early.....but I think I'd do a D3 and calcium  thing first and see if that would hopefully work to stop any sort of progression.  No need to say there could be some who might still need the boost....but I felt like I was being really pushed a bit to use the bone strengthening heavy drugs.....that do come with some serious side effects. You have given us something else to think/cogitate on. 

Ok.....I need  to run but there is a thank you letter that I need to do  I got a wonderful box from the hostess with the mostess yesterday --- just when I was feeling a bit down and it made me so happy and felt so cared about that I don't even remember why yesterday was not a good day.  More on this soon.  It's 10:15 and I just got home a bit ago.......volunteered at House of Hope today.....and sometimes the days get long.  Talk to ya'll soon.

Much love your way Carolyn......I took in three gorgeous kitties this evening and thought of you.  Hug your kitty tonight and tell em' how lucky to have you. 

Hugs to all

Jackie

Hi everyone.  Gosh, so much to catch up on here.  Welcome to Webru, and anyone else I might have missed.

Carolyn - Let me add my good thoughts and offer of support to you during this tough time.  I'm glad you have the support of your sister, but please don't hesitate to reach out to all the wonderful ladies here if there is something you need.  

Lago - Sorry to hear about the LE.  It's funny, but as I was reading that, I was desperately trying to get my ring off my ring finger because it's driving me crazy.  The finger is swollen, and I am so clueless that it didn't even occur to me that it might be LE - until just now. I finally got it off, but with a lot of oil and PAIN.  Hopefully this is just some simple swelling from too many salty snacks at my work party tonight and not early LE.  I'll see how it is in the morning.  

Marina - Glad to hear your daughter was okay.  I don't mind winter driving, but it still worries me whenever my kids are behind the wheel during this season.

Elf - Good luck to your husband on the job.  I know you have some mixed feelings about it, but I'm hopeful that it'll all work out in the end as something that will make all of you very happy.

I don't remember who originally asked about osteopenia, but that's where I'm at right now.  I've had one Zometa infusion and am scheduled for my second one in a few weeks (it's been delayed several times for various reasons).  My dexa scans prior to all this, were normal, and the first one I had after being on aromatase inhibs a year or so was slightly osteopenic.  The second one I had a year later had dropped to almost osteoporotic level - so yes, something definitely needed to be done if I was going to stay on the AI's - which so far I am.   I did have a day of fever and flu-like aches the day after the infusion.   I've read that the side-effects are often lessened or non-existent for subsequent treatments, but I guess we'll see on that one.  

I've made it through 3 years of AI's now (was on Tamoxifen for the first1.5 yrs.) and I have, on occasion, considered stopping.  Not because of the bone loss, but the joint pains. They aren't bad all the time, and they are absolutely better when I'm more active, but there are times when I feel like I just can't deal with them anymore.  The good outweighs the bad though, which is why I'm still hanging in there.  I still live my life and do pretty much whatever I want to physically, and I feel like I am doing all I can do for my cancer situation.  I only resort to anti-inflammatories on occasion, although I do get steroid shots in my frozen shoulder - but that's also work-related.  All of these medications are a personal choice, and what works for me is not necessarily what someone else would be comfortable with.  

As for my update:  I did have my excision/biopsy done on Wednesday after work.  Thank goodness he was able to do it in his office!  Although the lidocaine injections hurt like hell (!!), it was worth it not to have to do this outpatient and have anesthesia again.  We were hoping to have results back today, but they weren't done.  So, I will continue to be on pins and needles until Monday.  I've been so busy working lately that you'd think I could get my mind off this, but it's always there, worrying me until I get the results - one way or another.  He fells optimistic that it's just keloid tissue, but admits that the enhancement on the MRI is concerning.  I guess I'll know soon enough. 

It did help entertain me in the waiting room waiting for the surgeon to play Words with Friends.. with my friends.