Illinois ladies facing bc
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Hi everyone,
I hope it's okay to post here. I was born in the Chicago suburbs and spent the first half of my life in Illinois. My family (Dad and brothers) still lives there.
I, too, was told no radiation as I chose a BMX. No chemo either, because my Oncotype was low (8), and my grade 1 tumor wouldn't respond well to chemo because it grew more slowly. Good news, of course, but sometimes it makes me nervous. Now, I'm on generic Arimidex for 5 years. My onc says it will be my best friend for the next five years. Right now, my best friend and I are not on speaking terms-damn side effects! But, we'll muddle through it.
Iago-is your name I-A-G-O ("I" as in Isabelle) or L-A-G-O ("L" as in Lucy)?
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Timbuktu grade 2 is moderate not slow growing. It can put you in a grey area for chemo. I got down at times on chemo too but once that ends you will feel better… more normal and less treatment.
I did not have radiation. Radiation depends on a lot of things including where the tumor is located, size of the tumor, node invasion, margins and a bunch of other stuff. I though for sure I would get rads because of the size of my tumor, close (but clear) margins and location of my tumor. My rad onc said I was in a gray area so she gave me a pass due to the other agressive treatment I was doing. Thing is Rads will only effect the local cancer. If any did get lose then chemo hopefully will take care of this. Not sure what your path was but if you don't need Rads you don't want to do it. Over treating isn't good either. All treatment can have some side effects too.
I don't think sloan would give you something that isn't effective just because they can't get what you need. There is no one treatment solution. My onc tends to recommend taxotere/carboplatin/*Herceptin for her HER2+ patients nodes or no nodes from what I can see but then I do see many here on this forum getting the *Adriamycin first followed by another chemo and Herceptin. There is no 1 solution. I also know last fall when Adriamycin was in short supply many HER2+ were switched to TCH like I had.
*both of these can cause heart issues. Giving them together increases that issue. This is why they are not given at the same time and/or TCH is given instead
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Good morning....and welcome to catbill -- yeah Illinois !!! Catbill...I think most of us stay nervous to an extent...no matter what our path report and tx plan and follow-up. In some ways it may be easier for some of us who DID for whatever reason more.....you just feel like your taking aggressive measures toward an invader.
Timbuktu -- you have a lot going. Lago has some good advice. I think you have to go with your own gut instinct. Even get one more opinion.....you can get as many as you feel you need, but listen to what YOUR heart says about what you should do. Sometimes the best answer is trusting ourselves.
For me, I knew I had to totally trust others....in short, I was ( never admitted it in this way before I don't think ) a total shipwreck and just had such trouble trying to absorb what had happened.....it was like I couldn't think too much about it because I would go into overwhelm. I will always believe I was LED to people who could DIRECT me properly.
Once I settled on the plan ( really their plan for me ) I could feel inside that it was the right thing and I knew that I would be ok. I didn't come out of my denial fog until my third or fourth chemo.
I hope you are able soon to "sense" what you need to do. It brings relief to let some sort of action begin. The pressure goes down so much when you start doing something.
Hope you are all going to have a great Sunday. See you later.
Hugs, Jackie
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Hi ladies....happy Sunday!!!
Sorry ive been MIA lately, life has been crazy with my work and my daughters ever growing, crazy schedule. I've been trying to keep up with things around here but by the time I have settled down to relax my brain is totally fried.
Tx #3 was much harder on me s/e wise than the first two....my taste issues were horrid, I had this weird "fur" on my tongue, headaches, bone pain and lots of fatigue the first few days.....ugh!!!! It's day 12 today and just now bouncing back completely. Except for my hot flashes that just started the past few days, WTH??? These stink!!!!
My stepson is home this weekend, except hesspent way more time with friends than us....like usual. LOL. He saw my "topless" head for the very first time on friday and started to cry....poor kid. He hasn't had the gradual everyday change involved with this so he was pretty floored. :-(
Hope everyone is doing well....I'll have to really scroll back to catch up!!!!
Robo....how are you fairing after #3?
Welcome catbill.....glad you found our thread....
Waving to everyone!!!!! Hope the weekend is treating you all well!!!
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MadMom be sure to mention the fur feeling to our onc. This sounds like it could be thrush (read binder to get more info on Thrush. Its on the Stomatitis page unless they changed it from last year). It might not go away by itself the next round. Not a huge deal but you want to get it treated sooner rather than later if it persists.0
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Lago....I emailed Teri and dr. C when it was really bad (it's gone now) and Teri had me take a pic and email it (talk about DISGUSTING!!) and they both said it was definitely not thrush and Teri suggested I "try brushing my tongue" .....which being the smart ass I am was like "GEE....why didn't I think of that?" I'd been brushing my tongue 3-4 times a day at that point. It went away now thank god!!!
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Will tape it, Robo, I heard of the book. I think it is out of Seattle.
Everything is ready for the brunch. I am in frozen time.....so I came here!
Bring on the mimosas, Wendy!
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Robo....I can't find it on my directv menus but I'm reading the book "crazy sexy cancer tips" same woman????
Zap enjoy your brunch, yum!!!! Definitely serve the mimosas! But than, brunch for my family always includes mimosas and bloody Mary's.... :0)0 -
I sent tongue pictures too when I had some white stuff appear. It wasn't thrush according to Teri but I decided to open up my acidophilus capsules and put some on my tongue just in case. It did seem to get rid of it.
I still have my tongue pictures if you wanna see
(not pretty) I'm going to see if I can catch the show today. I have so much to do though. 220 on comcast
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A loving heart is the truest wisdom.
- Charles Dickens0 -
Robo--
My sister, mom and cousin went to one of her talks at the Bloc center. They said she was great. I am glad to hear that this is on TV as well. I will have to see if I can DVR it.
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I have her books and dvd. She has a great attitude. I bet you could Netflix it!
Good morning all. Another banner day!
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Flights are booked for my surgery in NOLA. I'm happy to say that this year I'll be able to come to the Christmas shindig as we fly out after. Yay. (c:
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Hip Hip Hoorah, Adey!
I did not know you were having further surgery, but will be sooooo happy to see you at the holiday party.
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Yay Adey!!!
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If you realized how powerful your thoughts are, you would never think a negative thought. -Peace Pilgrim
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Morning!
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I'm still working! Yay. I also have that other interview on Monday. Just got home. Must go for power walk now. Hope everyone is well.
BTW I have an appointment with my PS tomorrow. Wonder if the stitches will come out. I still have Franken nipples.
Robo I owe you a text
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Lago - So happy that you are still working and have an interview coming up!!! I called the coat lady and she told me the coat was shipped out on Friday, unfortunetely I am out of town so will not see it until I get back later this week. What are your thoughts on Biotin? Any risk/benefits with mega doses? Any interference with Arimidex?
Hello to everyone!
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I've been on Biotin since 2004… took it all through chemo. I don't take mega doses though. My onc knows I'm on it and hasn't said to stop.
Can't wait to see your coat.
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Hi Wonderful Illinois Ladies,
I have read that you're having a Christmas get together. When and where is it? I sure would like to meet all of you. If it is invitation only....I understand that too. Please just let me know either way.
Thanks and have a great day!
Nancy
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Thanks Girls! The card shower was great resulting in lots of smiles and laugher. Sorry I haven't posted in a long while. I'm still recovering from the WBR. Finally last week I got the feeling back in my legs. It's a little hard to describe. It's almost like I had to retrain my brain and legs to communicate. The doctors aren't kidding when they say it can take 3 to 6 months to recover.
I started a new chemo, Ixempra, three weeks ago. I seemed to do good on it but the Neulasta did a job on me. I've never had so much pain before. Monday I start on a weekly schedule instead of the every three weeks. We'll see how that works using Neupogen instead. Hopefully it will be better.
The last couple of days I have felt great (with restrictions). I struggle with being frustrated at what I can't do or what I know I shouldn't do. Cancer and Independent don't get along very well.
Hugs to everyone!
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WendyTy, so great to hear from you.....best thing to happen to me all day...hearing from you.
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Crazy Sexy Cancer movie came out at the same time I was dx'd...it was quite an inspiration for me. Here is her website...tons of GREAT info: http://crazysexylife.com/
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WendyTY - Glad you liked the "shower"...hugs!
Nancy - The holiday party is Saturday, Dec. 3rd...I'll PM you the details. Glad you checked in...hope you can join us!
char - Coat? What coat? I want to see it!
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Hope you all have a nice day.
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Hi All. So annoyed. Finally decide I am going back to old Onc's office and now SHE is leaving. Still off Femera so have to see her on friday anyway to get back on something until I decide what to do. Yikes.
Hope all is well. Onward
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Someone here saw the movie 50/50 . What a tearjerker. It is a true story about a guy with cancer. Just an FYI that it brings back chemo/relationship/hospital woes. I am glad that I went tho and it was a good movie.
Hope all are well,
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There is no better path to happiness than the pursuit of helping others find joy. ~ Steven Spitz
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Onward...Good luck with a new Onc! Too bad she is leaving. Maybe someone here can refer you to someone. Geesh...
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I can't bring myself to see sad movies about illnesses and diseases. I am a WHIMP!...I blame it on watching the movie Love Story back in my Sophomore year.
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To the "older" posters!
I see that Illinois girl, Nikki (remember her?) is in the hospital and sick. Anyone know anything more?
Nikki, I remember you and I hope you are feeling peace tonight!
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