TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP
Comments
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Thinking of you both specialk and pbrain!!!
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Ah, thanks everyone! I'm home, feel fine but still very numb from the lidocaine. As usual, everyone was wonderful and kind during the whole procedure/process, but I think they make it a lot bigger than it needs to be. I'm not sure I needed the happy juice, but was glad to have it. The entire port removal took less time than filling a cavity, way less. But it was definitely a long day with the IV placement, labs, getting set up in the OR, waiting to be sprung.
Now I have to wrap my head around being done. I'm actually done. It boggles my mind. Every nurse, doctor, receptionist asked me the same question "are you getting your port removed because you don't need it anymore?" And when I said yes, I got high fives and congratulations. It's bittersweet though...weird...
Special, are you out there? Hope all went well for you!
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hi all
I was going to start a new post but quite frankly im too scared and feel safer here
Ive been having a lot of rib pain on my lower right side. Very tender esp one spot. Its not getting worse but its there. This is really the first time im terrified. I finally called my MO and she called me back but i didnt get the call in time (ugh)
I am just beside myself. Talk me down please
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Rozem, there are so many women on these boards who seem to have rib pain a bit after their surgery and treatment. It sounds pretty common. A few of those gals post here (Fluff and Cypher come to mind), so I'll let them weigh in, but it has turned out to be nothing. I'm wondering if it has to do with rads (my RO told me they can't help but hit one part of the rib cage when doing breast radiation) or maybe reconstruction?
Try to think if there was a time recently where you might of bumped your ribs recently. I remember as a kid bruising a rib falling off the monkey bars. It took awhile to hurt (days) and when it did, it hurt for a long time (month-ish). And it too was tender to the touch. Bones don't get much of a blood supply, so when you hurt them, they heal very slowly, like tendons and ligaments.
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rozem, you should have it looked at but I have been having rib pain and just had a clear bone scan. I had rib pain/tenderness after I finished rads, and had a bone scan and CT scan at that time, and those came out clear. Fluff has complained of rib pain a number of times and had it checked out and also nothing.
So, you should have it looked at of course but it is very easy for us to go into panic mode whenever we have random wonky symptoms, and most of the time it turns out to be nothing. I certainly hope that's the case for you!
There is also a stage IV thread where you can ask questions -- someone named Chrissy from Australia started it and is enormously helpful. So you can post over there without annoying the stage IV people and you might get some useful answers.
Moon, I just got a prescription for Flonase and yes I use my nettipot a lot lately! I had an echo fairly recently and it didn't show any problems. That was maybe 4 months ago. Can it pop up that quickly? Ugh. That being said, while worrisome, I find that as long as I'm sure it's not mets I can remain fairly calm...
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Thx cypher and pbrain i PMd fluff and she did tell me about her rib pain
Im 2yrs out from rads. Why pain now? Shouldnt i have had pain when it ended?
I was in such a good place mentally then my dad passed 2wks ago and now this. Do u guys ever feel likevit raining over your head?
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sorry about your dad! I'm a year out from rads so I doubt it relates to that. I remember you had a lot of trouble with your MX and reconstruction ... maybe it relates to that somehow? I have all kinds of wonky symptoms. In fact, I had wonky stuff before I was ever diagnosed (like for years ... oddball things that would come and go). I just didn't pay them all that much mind before. My bet is on random wonkiness. Though you def should get it checked out -- I do think we all need to be vigilant.
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rozem - I have occasional rib pain on the cancer side right below my implant. Not constant, usually worse if I wear a bra with a thick band or underwire. I am short waisted so that makes it happen. Hoping it is something easily explained for you. So sorry about your dad - losing parents is so hard.
I am home from the hospital. DH is out of town but my good friend is here with me. The PS took the left implant out, cultured but didn't really see rampant infection, so yay! Have me IV antibiotic and 10 days of an oral one. He sewed the tears from the inside out and replaced the implant with one that is 100ccs smaller to reduce the skin tension. Cautiously optimistic. Am resting comfortably and watching TV. Had some delicious soup and have a scopolamine patch, no nausea.
Pbrain - glad you are doing well in your de-ported state! Yay!
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SpecialK and Pbrain - glad you are both home and doing well. Glad that you still have an implant albeit a new one SpecialK - keeping good thoughts that things go your way this time.
I have my chemo regime now - as seen in my profile - start with the Adriamycin and Cytoxan on the 18th - if my healing is ok and cleared by my PS - do that for 2 months every 2 weeks - followed by Taxol and Herceptin for 12 weeks every week - then on to the Herceptin alone to finish out the year of Herceptin. Was hoping for a kinder/gentler chemo regime but it is what it is.
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Yay Pbrain and SpecialK! Sounds like you are all doing well.
rozem we all get some scars. I mean my back has been hurting me but mets... I'm just not buying it. I think it has a lot to do with the weather being wet cold and somewhat wintery the last few days. I find things that don't ache tend to surface during certain types of weather. In your case you are doing the right thing having checked out. You know what I say... until someone says there is a problem don't assume there is.
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linda - glad you have the info. I'm thinking maybe because you were bi-lat they thought the AC-TH was best.
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Linda, never underestimate how easily you might handle the AC. One of my coworkers was diagnosed with BC late last year and she is doing that, about to finish her 4th treatment next week. She looks good, and besides some back spasms, that she handles with muscle relaxants, she seems to be doing fine. We are all different. I know I was sensitive to the TCH, so after one treatment, my MO put me on weekly taxol. It wasn't a picnic for me, but I'm a "special" case... tee hee... I just respond to everything put in or on me.
Rozem, who knows why things show up 2 years later, but I bet you a million bux you are just fine! And so sorry about your Dad. I lost mine almost 3 years ago and I still mourn.
Special, glad to hear you are home and healing.
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Pbrain. I really understand. Mine was out Tuesday. I talked about it in an earlier post. Since-I have been crazy depressed. I mean crazy. I keep waiting for the bad to happen-almost like at the beginning. The phone call. The mega-mass to reappear. I should be in super joy land. My first grandchild was born last night. Cora! I will see her within 2 weeks. But I am mopey and dopey and sad. Actually chewed a lorazapam on the way to work today.
Need to kick my ass to the moon and back and grow up.
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Pbrain and SpecialK - so glad you're both home and recovering!
I know what you mean about "being done anxiety". Especially with the port. Once we finish treatment it's our last thing that makes us feel like cancer patients. On the other hand, it does feel like a security blanket at times. It's a good thing and a bad thing. But I keep telling myself that I'll feel better once it's gone, and heaven forbid if something happens and I need one again, I'll just get another one! I've written several blog posts about my port
but can't bring myself to post the last ones . . . 0 -
Pbrain and Specialk still keeping fingers For fast healing for both of you. Specialk I am glad you have an implant still! Awskme !
Rose so sorry to hear about your Dad. And I'm pretty sure you'll find out that the rib pain is from you bending or twisting that you did and forgot you did. Hugs.
Susan I'll take your statement and change it a bit and say this Moon will kick you back! LOL. You can vent. Why not!
Linda I know when I found out my tx I looked up every reference I could. Pretty much all said the same so save yourself a lot of time only check 3! LOL. Also, remember that if it is giving you too much trouble the tx CAN be changed. Either to a different tx like pbrain, or dose lowered like my tx. There are options so take it as it comes. Remember to talk to your MO and nurses and let them know everything. They will be there for you as we will too. Oh. And drink lots of water! LOL
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Linda, the tx plan is good to have in place, but the ladies are correct. Sometimes it can become a work in progress based on our bodies reaction/tolerance to the meds. I sailed through my A/C, but the neulasta was painful for me. The Claritin did not work on the SE's. I made it through though. The taxol has not been kind, the neuropathy has become a serious issue. Had doses 1-6, skipped 7 & 8, had dose 9 last week, skipped 10 this week, and will finish out the 12 week protocol on a weekly discussion basis. May get another dose, may not. MO feels risk vs. benefit is leaning too far into the risk category at the moment. We will see how many of the 12 I end up with. Does not want to switch to Taxotere as he feels I would have just given up one set of SE's for another set... I guess the taxane family and I are not on friendly terms. So a curve ball was thrown and tx plan was altered accordingly. Herceptin is going well. Will figure out tamoxifen when it starts in a few weeks, along with my 30 rads...
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Thanks to you all for the encouragement and advice on the chemo regime - it was a tough day yesterday after getting his recommendation on top of having the healing issue with my left foob. But - I am in a better mental place now - refocus and put one foot in front of another. Since I really don't like my hair I didn't even ask about a cold cap but did get a prescription for a cranial prosthesis and am hopefully going to look at wigs today. I really liked my MO PA - she is a smart ass like me and we immediately got each others humor - I use jokes to get by hard things and she went with the flow so I know she is someone who will be there for me to talk to. I like my doctor also but i really think she will be my main contact through this process. The cancer center was packed yesterday - I found that very sad - to see so many people in a small town like Venice struggling - although most all of them looked happy - which was odd to me but encouraging at the same time.
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SpecialK, glad you are home and resting ~ with a new implant. I hope the healing goes better this time around.
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Hi everyone just checking in and making sure SpecialK and Pbrain are doing OK.
All I can say is there are so many aches and pains that come and go and some stay, but now it's treated and thought of with fear. Of course always have it checked, but it doesn't at any time mean the worse, Altho pain is never OK and it could be from some outlandish thing too. So before worrying, just take a deep breath and tell u'r Doc about it, let them do the worrying, and take it from you mind.
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Pbrain....glad to hear you are home and all went well.
What type of garden are you planning??
Vivian
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Ah thanks Viv, I'm just doing the usual flowers, flowers and flowers. I have a small yard in a subdivision on the northern side of Indy and I have 4 large beds to work in, plus 2 smaller ones. I plant and plant and then dig up and change things, then plant some more. Plus lots of yard junk I love and adore... I am going to plant tomatoes, jalepenos and basil, like I do every year. The side yard is reserved for food and daylilies.
Linda, I agree about the cancer center. I was shocked to see how busy mine was almost all the time. But I think that's a good sign. When my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, his MO said he couldn't treat him. He was too sick. So my Mom and I organized hospice at home for him. It broke my heart. I'm glad you hit it off with the PA because they will be the one you see at your treatments. Go on in there and be a wise a$$!
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Thanks!!!! I can't wait for my Herceptin Treatment to be done now lol (Which ain't until the end of the year sometime-I guess) but every 3 weeks ain't bad! I am a little scared about the surgery but I felt more comfortable that all3 doctors said they would do the same because I am young! The only part I am scared of is 1. NOT WAKING UP AFTER THEY PUT ME TO SLEEP-GUESS I WOULDN'T KNOW ANYHOW LOL
2. DAMGING OTHER ORGANS REALLY I DON'T NEED NO OTHER ISSUES!
I tried that hystesisters site but have no clue how to talk in there or read posts? They seem all over the place?
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Linda, I also know someone who was on Adriamycin and worked the whole time. She said the only real problem she had (other than losing her hair) was that food was tasteless for awhile. Which isn't great but if that's the worst thing that happens.... Yes, LOTS of water. And lots of protein.
Susan, I think you are just having kind of a delayed reaction. You had such a hard time with treatment so you had to marshall your strength just to deal with that and now that you're done some of that stuff is hitting you. You are certainly entitled to your pity party if you want one! Stop chastising yourself for it! Dammit!
Does this neuropathy stuff go away, or is that permanent nerve damage?
Pbrain, too bad we're not neighbors! We could totally garden together. I have a whole lot of lettuces going right now (I am just an ok cook overall but I make a mean salad). I need to eat my yard before it gets too hot and they all bolt!
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goutlaw I'm the opposite of you. I want to be knocked out. If something happens I don't want to know about it or feel it!
cypher most of the time, depending on how bad your neuropathy is it does resolve unless you are doing chemo for life. It can take up to two years but the group I went through chemo with on this site mostly found it starting to resolve at week 5. Not sure how long it took to totally go away…
OK but then there is me. I do have neuropathy that didn't go away. It's in my left heel mostly. It's a bit numb. Most of the time not an issue but if it's damp out or there is some kind of weather/pressure change it can annoy me a bit. As you can see it doesn't bother me that much because very rarely do you see me mention it. Granted there are others that have it worse then me but we are more the minority for those just treated the 1 time.
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RE: nueropathy - week 5 after last chemo? my last was Jan 8 and it has actually gotten worse - mine is mostly in my toes - at it's best it feels like i am wearing those socks with the toes - yuck!
if i am on my feet (like at work) the soles of my feet are on fire! just asked my Onc how long you have to have it before you can say it will not resolve - he said a year so I am still hopeful - trying Acupuncture on Wed
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I was told 2 years but I pretty much knew after a year it wasn't going away. Granted I will admit if I am on my feet all day they get sore but I know a lot of women on Anastrozole say that too so I'm hoping that will go away once I'm of that F'n ESD
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thanks so much for everyones replys. My MO called and Im going to request a bone scan. Its still so tender and Im sh**ting bricks over here!!!! Lago I wish i had more of your attitude, I always go to the worst case scenario.
Thank you about the condolences for my dad. I wrote a tribute to him here:
All Topics → Forum: Biographies and Inspiring Stories → Topic: dad thank you
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Rozem, I'll have to wait a bit to read your post about your Dad. I know I'll sob. It is so difficult losing your father. I know you'll be ok with the bone pain, but I'm glad you are getting the scintigraphy just for peace of mind.
Cypher, we could be the neuropathic gardeners, stumbling and limping all over the place!! I have no idea when this will go away, if ever, but I have found the real answer for me is my shoes. I need to get them really wide and kind of stretchy. I'm doing a lot of Sketchers now and they're cute. I'm glad it is about to be sandal season because then I do so much better. And NBI, mine got way worse before it got better, so hang in there. I know what you are going through.
And Cypher, you crack me up that you need to eat your yard!!!
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cypher, it's a good thing we aren't neighbors. We are a lot alike,lol in the medical symptom area. I'm hoping everything is just find. I still have the rib pain and tenderness, but since a chest X-ray and pet scan showed nothing, I am feeling better. Maybe it is scar tissue or arthritis from all the surgeries.
Pbrain-other than one day last week when it was gorgeous, I just haven't felt quite the war ness for yardwork.
After I do the Komen walk on Saturday, I head for Wake Forest for the vaccine study I'm in. I am hoping for really warm weather for a few days. My daughter is coming along. You would think that might give me another driver, but doubtful. She can sack out from the minute we take off and wake up when we get there. Of course, I am the same way if my husband is driving, lol.
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PBrain, your hair is adorable ! I'm an avid gardener too. Big veggie garden every year and I can and freeze them too. I already have lots planted. Beets, broccoli, tomatoes, beans, peas. Can't wait to eat them.
Linda, I had Adriamycin. I did not miss any work. I had my treatment every Thur afternoon. I worked 5am-1230 on Fridays. When I did feel crappy it was always on Saturday. I did not feel wonderful, but I did not let it change my lifestyle. Good luck with your treatment.
I plan to ask my onc this Wed about port removal. I will be done with Herceptin in June. I want to be knocked out, just like getting my wisdom teeth removed. Don't want to hear or feel a thing !
Happy Spring to all.
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