Illinois ladies facing bc

Happy Friday everyone!

Wendy & Jackie - thanks for the well wishes, as always!!!

Just about 1 more hour of work to go (shame on me, I snuck on here just for a moment, heehee!) 

Have a fabulous weekend ladies.

Julie   

YAY, congrats to you on no more RADS!!! :0)



Reading about tamoxifen makes me shudder too....BUT, ive been shuddering at this whole ride. I thought the drains after my surgery were the worst thing ever and now I'm sitting here with another one now and actually draining it myself!!! I wonder if that's worthy of a "specialty" on a resume? LOL



Thanks Wendy for passing the torch to mw while you're away....I promise to take care of your deck very well.....it won't be TOO big of a party!?!? :0) hope you are enjoying your vaca....relax a little for me too!!



My drain is driving me bananas.....I really wish I could shower.....and my port itches.... Happy Friday to me huh? My whole family is gone this weekend....my husband tried to cancel his trip but I made him stick to it, he needed a break and deserves it....and my daughter went on an RV trip with her grandparents.....and my step son is off being young with all his buddies..... I'm going to remain in my jammies ALL weekend! :0)

Illinois Native  on being a rad grad.

Wendy TY hugs and prayers coming your way. 

Mary I did weekly Taxol and did not lose my hair but it did thin some.  I wore caps some, but never wore a wig. 

I was very gad to have a port since I did herceptin for a year after the 12 taxol.  Getting a port out did not involve anything but a 10 min. visit in the BS office.  They numb the spot with marcane and open the incision, losen it from where it has attached itself and pull it out, and the plastic tubing that has been in the veins or artery (whichever) come right out along with it.  BS asked if I wanted to keep it.  No way!! 

Next Tuesday is my 3 mo checkup with Onc.  He says I can go to 6 mo.  when we get to Jan which will be the 3 yr mark .  I had the blood tests for this check up and they all look good, so hopefully everything else will be OK.  I don't have next mamogram until Dec. right before the 3 year visit in January.  I have been having some headaches but think they are sinus related.  This weather has been so unpredictable.  

A question for you all.  I have been having some pain in my right arm when I reach and stretch for something.  I don't see any swelling but this is the arm where the 2 lymph nodes were removed.  Could this be LE or have I just pulled a muscle? 

My 14 year old granddaughter has been detasseling corn this week in this weather.  I am sure glad it is not me.  For those of you who are city girls.  Corn stalks that are being raised for seed corn have to have the tassels cut off so the corn is not pollenated.    They start work at 5 or 6 in the morning so that they can be done before it gets too hot.  A paycheck can be a big motivator for someone that age.

Hugs to all of you still in treatment or going for checkups.  Annette 

Illinois Native and MadisMommy - When I was on tamoxifen, I had ZERO side-effects.  Nada.  It was a walk in the park compared to the aromatse inhibitors - for me.  So don't waste too much time worrying about it until you've actually been on it for a while.  Everyone is so different when it comes to side-effects. 

Lago, good luck with the job search.  There is a hiring open house for the new TopShop that's opening soon in Chicago - at least according to my daughter who is dying to get a job there.  I think she said it was Monday and Tuesday. 

Thanks, Rene!

Do you mind if I ask you how old you were when you started Tamoxifin?  My doctor said premenopausal women have less SE on tamox.  I'm not very familiar with aromatse inhibitors.  Did you switch to those once you were in menopause?  I'm 36 and got my period back almost two months to the day after I stopped chemo so it didn't put me into menopause.

Your experience gives me hope.  I started taking glucosamine/chondroitin as a precaution against hip/bone pain, arthritis, etc that I've heard other people have experienced while taking this...along with my Vit D, Vit C, fish oil, milk thistle, tumeric, calcium d glucarate, biotin, multi-vit...the list is endless.  Ha!

IllinoisNative I too know of someone I went to high school with that was put on Tamoxifen a few years ago and had no SE. Chemo put me in menopause and because of my age my onc felt I would stay there. She put me on an AI (aromatase inhibitor) and was monitoring me for a while to be sure I stayed in chemopause. The AIs don't work if you're not menopausal so if they put you on this they would have to chemically suppress your ovaries (more drugs) or removed them (more surgery). Tamoxifen has been around much longer. Remember you will read more about people posting bad SEs. Most women doing well don't post unless asked.

So far I decided to keep my port. I don't want to jinx anything. My onc said she likes to keep it in for 2 years but it is my choice. I was in shock about the time when she told me.  I don't know if she means 2 years total or 2 additional years after I finish Herceptin.  For some reason I thought she meant 2 additional years. (Like I said it keeps me in contact with the mothership )

OK I'm off for a power walk before it rains!

Illinois Native: that's great that radiation is OVER! We have similair thoughts: apprehension about Tamoxifin and the current whirlwind that I am calling 'my life'. In fact, I had to stop reading the Tamox forum because it was really scaring me.

Madismommy: your statement about being able to put your 'drain care' on a resume made me ponder.  Has anyone used the BC fight/newperson/able to tackle anything etc. on a resume?

I am 54 and premeno.  My Onc told me that I would start Tamoxifien because the other stuff is for post meno.  I will be switching over half way, he thinks.

I went with one of my daughters to get a wig yesterday, and both DD and hairdresser made it a pleasant experience.  My daughter reminded me that the wig looks like the hairstyle I PAY to get, sleek with some bounce at the ends.  I have curly hair and I am always trying to straighten it.

Getting last minute things ready for another daughter's shower. (I have 3)  It will be in Lombard.  There are 61 people coming.  Both bride and groom are from big families!  I remind myself that it's all good!

Lago, hope your job search goes well!

My port goes in 7/29.  It's not even in yet and I can't wait to get it out.

I hope everyone has a great Saturday, be it relaxing or as busy as you want it to be!

Happy Saturday to all. Looks like everyone here has been very busy. I too have been busy with my mom who is now home from the rehab place. Looking for home health care for mom is exhausting . But I will get it done. I hope everyone is enjoying this warm weather. I know I am....and lovin it.

Wendy....how is my beach chair? Thinking of you sitting there and watching the ocean waves roll in....aahhhh need to post a pic for us girls here. maybe include our cabana boys too. lol Hope you are having lots of fun. I know how you love sparkles...just had pink sparkle polish put on my piggies and boy do they look sooo cute. gotta try it.

Laura....how are you doing. Is your eye and arm getting better. I do hope so.

Rita.. glad you had fun with your grandson. Are you spending lots of time on the water? Boating is the new life...sooo relaxing.

Connie....how is your busy summer going? kids having fun. are they wave running yet.

lago .. good luck on your job hunting. Hope you get the Apple job as you are so computer savvy.

Rene....how are things going with the apt hunting for ds? any luck?

Zap....sorry to hear about dd house. Mother nature has not be kind this year. She must be in a real bad mood. Must be PMS lol I have been reading books by Christine Lemmon. Waiting to get Portions of the Sea. Ck it out you may like them.

Illinios Native / Madisonmommy....hope you both are doing well with your txs. remember to rest and take one day at a time. sneaking naps in are good too.

Juliet...good news for mom. hope she is healing well. crossing fingers for your sister. hope all is b9 for her. good to see you posting again.

To everyone else I missed I hope you all are doing well. Well I gotta run as I have a super busy weekend. My aunt turned 90 today and we are having a big family party. I hope I can live to be that age. lol Just found a new martini called antioxidant martini. It is made with berries so it must be good for us.lol  It is my new summer drink.

Have a wonderful weekend.....remember to be healthy...be happy and enjoy life.

BJ

Good Saturday morning to everyone.  Glad everyone at this point seems to be doing fine.  There are lots of questions and worries about ports, AI's or Tamoxifen etc.   Just glad that there are good options now  and different drugs to make the path a little easier to traverse.

Bj, if I were there, I'd do some home care for your Mom and enjoy every minute.  I used to stay with Alzheimers' patients while their family took a break and went out to eat and relax somewhere.....or a nice shopping trip with family or friends, and though tedious at times repeating things it was great for me.  I felt wanted and needed.....that goes so far in making what you do a pleasure most of the time.

I hope you are all going to have a great day.  Hope it lasts ( so far it all has ) but I'm down to 167 so have most of my wt. off now.  Some people would tell me to stop but I heed another 12 to 15 #'s gone because I'm still overwt.  Just have long bones and ht. that helps it not to show much, but it is there.  Can't food Mother Nature or the person stepping on the scale. 

Hope you all have a good Saturday.....hydrate-hydrate-hydrate.  Even if it is not so bad.....dire heat predictions are turning up so get a head start. 

I'll be checking in later.

Hugs, Jackie

Lago - thanks!  My issue is I went through fertility treatments (I have two embryos).  My doctor told me I had to be on tamox for min. of 2 years before I could be implanted.  Now, I'm BRCA 2 positive so my ovaries have to go anyway (found out I had the gene after fertility treatments and I happen to be the forth in history who is first generation meaning both my mom and dad tested negative).  My BS told me I wouldn't need my ovaries out until I was done having kids.  Then he would immediately go in and get them.  That means I would be on tamox for those two years since I wouldn't be in menopause before that, right?  I didn't ask him if I had to go on AI's after that or not.  Another question.  LOL!

Blackjack, thanks for your kind words.  I'm still sneaking in naps since radiation.  I can't seem to get enough sleep.

MaryjRN, I also had to stop reading the tamox threads.  I was feeling good about the drug until those forums.  Heh.  Good news about the wig.  I loved mine.  My hair resembles an afro in humidity.  I was constantly blow drying it with round brush, flat ironing it, spraying it...now with the wig, I cut down on most of my time getting ready.  I'm out the door in 20 minutes.  Love it.

Madismommy, I hope chemo goes well for you.  I pretty much breezed through it.  The fear of the unknown was so much worse than anything I experienced.  I wish the same for you.

IllinoisLady, I was told the heat helps hair grow.  I'm tempted to turn of the air and stick my head out a window.

Thanks for sharing your history with me, Rene.  I'm sorry about problems and pain you've endured!   If you don't mind, what symptoms did you have that made you think it was endometriosis?  Heavy periods, intense cramps?   I've never had any issues so it's a struggle for me knowing they have to come out.  They did tell me I could have my ovaries removed and still carry the babies as long as I had my uterus.   Going through fertility treatments, which provided me with daily internal ultrasounds for two days and extensive pregnancy bloodwork, assured me that everything was working correctly and better than expected.  Only one small fibroid.  I think they said my ovarian age was great.  Which was a relief.  They retrieved ten eggs and two were successful when fertilized.  They told me more would have been successful had I been younger.  I only had once cycle to get the eggs I needed before I had to have chemo. 

My BS said women who get pregnant after bc do rather well...no increased risk which runs counter to the fact that my estrogen would be higher and I'm er+.  While undergoing fertility treatments, I had to take Femara to keep my estrogen lowered due to bc.  It was a much HIGHER dose than what is given to women to prevent a reoccurance.  I did very well on that with minimal to no side effects despite the strengh so that gives me hope.

Surrogacy is probably an option aside from expense...and the fact that I would like to carry them myself - no guarantee they will take.  I was hoping my period would come back (which it did) in case the embryos didn't take.  That's why I was worried about Tamoxifin putting me in premature menopause.  I'm only 36.  Had I known I would get this dreaded disease, I would have had children long before now.  I guess I always thought I'd have time.  Hindsight is always 20/20.

Thanks again for your imput.

This is a "glorious post" as I spent a glorious weekend in Wisconsin with old friends on Pike Lake. It was boating and hiking and eating and a campfire and all the joys of being with old  friends.  I do want you to know that several  times during this weekend,  I referred to what I call my "blog friends" and that would be you ladies.  You have become a part of my life.  YOU are a real presence in my life as I travel to such adventures and meet up with people grappling with their own concerns. Rita, we were on a pontoon boat as this is small lake.  I loved it and thought of you and your grandson.....no wonder you were in your own glory.

Love and prayers to all.

Susan

Hey Girls! Hope the weekend wasn't to hot for you. I didn't venture out much in the day. I love my air conditioning too much. I'm still sleeping a lot during the day. Things seem to be calming down. I'm waiting for 10pm to take my last dose of meds for the night. Off tomorrow morning early for radiation, doctor's appointment, and Herceptin.



I've become quite the night owl. Hoping they will reduce the steroids tomorrow so I can get back to a more realistic schedule. Although I did have fun shopping at Kohl's still 11pm last night. Had a 30% coupon with Kohl's cash burning a hole in my pocket. Never thought I'd be a late shopper. Oh the fun unexpected experiences bc can bring to our lives.



Just wanted to say hi and thank everyone for your kindness. As long as we ban together, we will remain strong. Keep your chins up and be thankful for what we have!

Happy Monday lovely IL ladies..... My BS just called with my path report from my AND....



NEGATIVE!!!! All of them were clean......I'm SO relieved!!!! Now I just want to lose the drain and it's a glorious day!!!!!! :0)



Stay cool everyone, it's gonna be a scorcher!!!