TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP
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Oh Karen I'm sorry to hear this, I don't know anything about this at all, but u know I wish u the best.
FBN u are a FBN and good thing u like sports so much--have a good time.
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Oh my goodness, Karen. Saying a prayer for you! Congrats on finishing herceptin though!
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aw. Karen. A friend of mine had a new cancer in the tonsils. Had to undergo rads. She's doing ok now. Guess you gave to consider BC the silver ling? And I hate the thought that BC was good for anything..... Much love and many hugs.
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lago... Ant trouble tolerating every 3 week herceptin?
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I'm not lago, but I didn't have any problem tolerating Herceptin every three weeks, they gave it over a 90 minute time span, not 30 like they did when I got it weekly! I think that helps, it always gave me a little headache for a day or so, but that was it. Very tolerable!
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Karen. Sending prayers, hugs, and much love. Please keep us updated.
FBN-the threads were and still are much of my survival. I have met life long friends that I love beyond any expression. And despite the hell of BC and chemo and RADS and whatever-I have had blessings I would never have expected. Real and true blessings. During my weird long complicated path with many side roads-I have leaned on my friends on the threads and the blessings I have received. And-due to chemo brain-some of the chaos I do not remember
. You will find much love, support, and friendship here. susan
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Moon. I have finally read posts I missed the past few days. You are NOT too old to go to college/university. I love taking classes. My children (bless their hearts) used to tell me that most people older than God quit going to school @ some point. As an educator who has been around since the dead sea was still sick I always love having "seasoned" students. If you find something you love when auditing-go for it! Passion is passion regardless of age. As my kids went through college I was the proof reader and loved getting to read in their chosen majors-ranging from education to social work to anthropology. Now my youngest is starting law school in the fall. Am so excited to learn law! I also proof for my faculty as they earn graduate degrees in varying areas. Grab on and enjoy!
~susan
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thanks Karen!
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wow lots of chat for a Friday. I was out all day so no posting
Footballnut Joan Jet... we must be about the same age. I myself wanted the Sinead O'connor look but I had a horrible shaped head. I had to wear the scarves. Damn I so wanted to do Sinead.
karenrm It's always something. 60-70% still makes those odds in your favor... and you really need to understand your specific odds. They might be better for you. BTW my survival 10 year rate for breast cancer is 84% if I did all the recommended treatment (so far I am). It does seem like we should get much better but I am not worried. Keep us posted. Your specific case might be better than you think.
princessrn I had no issues with Herceptin only. Hair grew a little slower but I only noticed that when I got off it because my hair started growing faster. I had a 30 minute infusion. I always got it every 3 weeks.
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Well, it's been a week of good and bad news. First the good. I had my 6 month post final Herceptin appt with the MO. All is well except my vitamin D is down to 39 again, despite taking the supplements. I guess I have to be more diligent about taking them, also summer is coming so hopefully getting outside more will help.
The bad news is my mom was just diagnosed with stage IV endometrial cancer. Uterus, cervix, several lymph nodes and we don't don't know what else. She is scheduled for a PET and MRI in the next week or so. I am so veryglad I was able to fly out to go with her to the MO & RO appts so I could help help her understand what they were taking about. It must be pretty aggressive because they want to do Chemo, internal and external rads at the same time. She reacts badly to so many drugs I really don't think she will do the chemo. If she does do choemo, it would be Taxol and Carboplatin. When I listened to the nurse tell her about the SE's with a very positive spin, I had to smile thinking she really did not understand what it is really like. But I guess they were trying to scare mom too badly.
When we were sitting in the waiting room and the nurse called my first name, I was startled for a moment and then thankful that it was NOT me that they were calling, but someone else with my name! Funny how being the patient for so long affects us.
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To every cancer patient: You give us courage
JAMES C. SALWITZ, MD | CONDITIONS |FEBRUARY 27, 2014
Hot oil splatters as thick fatty fish slips into the smoking pan, next to boiling rice and simmering garlic greens. Quickly golden, she flips the fillet and turns down the heat. Small feet pound down the stairs, drawn by the crackling aroma, but it’s a mother’s trap; she motions the child to set the table. One by one, the family gathers, as plates and utensils clatter onto the wood and steaming bowls descend. Heads bow, her husband silences all to grace, but soon chatter fills the room as food passes round, plates made full. She smiles at a brief scuffle over the biggest piece. It is the best moment of her life, together, at peace. And they all eat. Except for her. She watches silently, because cancer has taken her throat.
I am never without amazement at the incredible strength it takes for cancer patients to not just be cancer patients. If you told me that I had a life threatening disease and that I needed awful therapy, I am sure I would become the classic “cancer patient,” and crawl into a corner, bath in self-pity, waste away.
So, how do people like my patient, the mother in the kitchen, do it everyday? Think of the bravery and focus it takes her, who has not tasted food or been able to swallow for over two years, to plan, prepare and serve three meals a day for her family. To smell intense odors, see and hear food cooking, and watch as her family consumes each minor feast, all the while only able to satisfy her own hunger by pouring paint colored liquid through a tube which pieces the skin over her stomach.
Moms drop their kids off at school, race to radiation therapy, throw up and than arrive just a few minutes late for PTA. Dads work more than full time, while taking drugs that yield painful gums, 10 bowel movements a day, and make them wilt. Octo-granddads use a walker to attend the infant’s christening, refusing the day’s medicine so they can be alert, and manage a bright smile despite the brilliant pain of a spinal compression fracture. Doctors mend the sick, even as malignant cells eat away their own bodies. Grandmas babysit 20 hours a week, while hands and feet burn with the flame of unrelenting neuropathy. Men and women who give everything for their families, even though their blood work declares they should be in a hospital.
Perhaps, that is what it sometimes means to be a patient, an extension of the sick role. To fight the disease and strive for health, not only in oneself, but in those who depend on you. To use the lessons of one’s own battle, to give comfort. To help others cope with the dread disease, by balancing fear with nurturing routine. In return such giving allows each patient to feel and be of value. Perhaps, but in the end, it is simple. Such men and women are remarkable and are some of the unsung heroes who surround us everyday.
Therefore, here is to every cancer patient, and especially you cancer moms, who sacrifice yourselves to keep your families moving forward. You teach us how to live. You give us courage. You light a path through physical and emotional pain. You show us the complexity, power, focus, and healing of love.
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Oh Bren58 - I am so sorry to hear about your mom - that just sucks - I will have you and your mom in my thoughts and prayers and I am so glad that you were able to be there with her for those appointments.
Very happy that your check up went well!
Ashla - thanks for sharing that article - what a caring MO - I went and read more of his articles - wish he was my oncologist lol. Such compasssion and understanding
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Bren so sorry to hear about your mom but you will be a good knowledgeable partner for her... and we know how that helps. I usually don't do so well with meds either. I assumed I would get all the SE but I did better than most. Yeah I got the nail thing really bad and some other SE that are common to Taxotere but not too bad and no nausea, no extreme fatigue and minimal taste change. You never know with this stuff.
My D is back down to 36. My onc and PCP say it's fine. I too am taking the supplements and eating the right stuff. I find that the sun doesn't make a difference. It was that level in August too.
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Bren 58....
So so sorry about your Mom......
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So sorry about your mom BREN, what a challenge for you both, praying.
My D levels fall to the 20-30-ish range ever time I cut back on my supplements, and like lago said, the sun doesn't seem to help with my levels. I have to take 5000 mg daily to get it to, and keep it at, high normal!
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Ashla..... Excellent article. Thank you!
Bren...sorry about your mom but, you will be an amazing source of information and support for her. She is so lucky to have you!!
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lago.. Getting herceptin weekly now then will go to every 3 when TC done. I have been working full time and going there weekly is tough time wise. I have lots of SE. hoping some resolve when go to just herceptin alone.
Then on to rads.
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Princessrn trust me it gets better once chemo stops. You'll start to really notice it at week 5 PFC. Herceptin was nothing but a time suck for me
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princessrn
Concur with Lago... Got much better post chemo.... Herceptin only not a problem for me except one time when they infused me too quickly .
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Bren I'm so sorry to hear about u'r Mom, but I so agree with princess about u with u'r mom and wonderful that u went with her to the Dr.'s.
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Thanks, everyone, for the good thoughts and prayers. I'll let you know what I find out Monday. And to all you also getting good/bad news, my prayers for you as well.
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footballnut
Been missing a lot of posts. Don't believe we've met... Huge Ranger fan s in my clan too!
Welcome!
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Thanks everyone for your support and prayers. I have feeling that it is going to be a rough road.
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Sorry to hear that Bren. I have no words, as it is incomprehensible to me. It is difficult enough being the patient and watching our parents cope with our DX. To then be hit with a parent's DX is somewhat overwhelming. I am happy you have been able to be with your mom. I am sure she is happy you are able to be there with her too. In my thoughts and prayers.
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Karen - so sorry to hear about your new diagnosis - sending you strength and positivity.
bren - so sorry to hear about your mom - I went through this with my dad, it is so hard because you want to help them. A hug for you - make sure you take care of yourself too.
princess - sometimes when you move to Herceptin alone they want to infuse you faster since there are no accompanying chemotherapeutic agents to infuse. I had H with the TC over 90 minutes but when I had the first H only they did it in less than an hour. For the first time I had severe hip and leg pain. I had the remaining subsequent infusions back to the 90 minutes and never had the problem again. This is not true for everyone, but for some reason I was sensitive to the faster infusion.
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Princess, I had Herceptin over 30 minutes alone. I had to quit because of heart issues. Tell them you want a slow infusion time. It CAN'T hurt and will probably help!
Karen Hugs
Bren. I am so sorry about your Mom. That sucks. Maybe I shouldn't poke my nose in but are you sure she wants to fight it that hard? As hard as it is to think about it make sure you listen to her wants and needs. I know you will be her support. Hugs
Much love to all.
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I had my port placed along with my second lumpectomy on Wednesday.
Pain wasn't really too bad the day i came home or the following day. Felt like I got hit by a truck yesterday, better today.
I finally took a shower today and took off the outer dressings. I also shaved and used deoderant on my surgery side for the first time since my initial surgery March 24 ... boy did that feel good!!
Question ... even though the port isn't painful, I feel pressure in that area. Plus, I reached sideways earlier on my port side and yowza, did it feel bad to do that!
Will that go away? Do you really feel that the port is there once all healed up?
Just wondering ... if I have to live with this pressure and not having full range of motion for a year, so be it. Better than accessing veins that I don't have in my one good arm! However, am hoping that it just all settles down and I don't even know it is there other than the lump under my collarbone!
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Bren, my heart goes out to you as you face your mother's illness. I am so sorry.
Ashla, I was so touched by your post. Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
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ML, for me I don't even know I have it til they poke it. I've had it over 2 years.
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