Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
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Bonnets! I had Plantar's Fascitis also.... I think I said this..... but I TRIED the custom inserts... nothing.... also a Night Splint! Didn't help.... So after I tried ALL that, the foot gal gave me a shot.... nothing. But the Second one helped, and I have never had it again....
Didn't even know about acupuncture for that.... I would have tried ANYthing at that time.
I'm so glad the "no caffiene " worked! Are you used to the caffiene free yet, or the 1/2 caf? I did start to use a little.... and it's all okay now.... but I wouldn't start going full-out regular coffee for awhile.... and not much chocolate.... or the drinks like Coke or Pepsi.... It all comes on so FAST, but takes forever to help it go away.....
I made the BEST something ..... I like it, but DH can't eat Cabbage.... oh well! I cut up 1/2 a cabbage, core and all.... And added 3 cut up peeled potatoes, and cooked the dickens out of it all, with water, and chicken broth.... Then I threw in some left over pork-tenderloin strips and scallions and left-over rice. And when it was thickened, it was done. Probably about 3 hours on simmer.
I seasoned "it" and it tastes Soooooooo good! Whatever it is....
I also made that Broccoli "salad"..... Cut up florettes, dried cranberries .... 1/2 green pepper, scallions, cut up Walnuts and 1/2 HUGE Apple sprayed with lemon juice & sugar.... ANOTHER thing DH won't eat! Ha! I'll put about a teaspoon of ranch on it.... But only when I serve it.
I eat better now than I did EVER.... Ha!
Except I had an ice-cream cone for lunch....
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Chevy,
I'm not a coffee drinker, strictly tea, and not herbal or fruit, "real" tea! Far as I'm conerned decaf tea is pretty tasteless, I let it steep for about 10 minutes to get some taste! Wish they wud make a decaf chocolate, miss that the most.
Can't eat much broccoli even when I'm eating normal, that and blueberries keep me in the bathroom! I do like the broccoli salad at Ruby Tuesdays. Yours sounds very different.
I also tried night splints and shoe inserts , to no avail.I was really amazed that the acupuncture worked . I went from a skeptic to a believer.
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Oh golly -- yes Chevy.....that was what I meant. Got to thinking about another thread I was on that got so loaded up with pics, along with a major amt. of regular entries and it started taking so long to load up when you switched into it........so that was what I was thinking about when I mentioned the pics. Just hoping no one got mad at me
Worked all afternoon cleaning my couch -- what a chore. Then used the Murphy's wood soap on my little china/nick-knack cabinet. Then washed the glass panes in it -- whew....I'm sort of tired. More to do tomorrow, but I'll be ok with that. I'm cleaning a lot of stuff and taking it over to the next door neighbors. They are really nice people and they don't have much -- so in thinning things out -- I'll get them first choice about a lot of this stuff. I've thinned so many times and can't believe the amt. of "stuff" that is still here in my way most of the time. It is for the most part -- decent. I just have had this idea that I've worked on for so long it seems that I'd so like to graduate DOWN to a more minimal life style. I warehouse much too much.
Well, onto the living room where I'm going to dump myself into a recliner and just veg out for a while. It's been a really long afternoon and evening. See you all in the morning.
Jackie
ETA: Finally the person who started the thread, re-started with a part 2, so that we actually started over again.
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Chevy, the broccoli salad sounds good. I like to blanch my broccoli for a salad rather than have it raw. I make salad with broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot, all cut into very small dice. And avocado. Whatever seasoning you like. S & P or Cajun seasoning if you like a little spicy. I use a vinaigrette dressing. The salad is dense but really good. The first time I tasted it was after my breast surgery when one of my golf friends and her dh brought us a couple of meals.
Tonight we had fish tacos with some delicious fresh red snapper. I made the tortillas. They're easy to make with a simple iron tortilla press and the home-made taste so much better than the bought. The other ingredients were a cabbage slaw with red cabbage and Savoy cabbage with a dressing of fresh lime juice and mayo. Black beans. Sliced avocado. And a Frontera brand tomatillo salsa.
I had never eaten fish tacos until we were in CA one year in the San Antonio area. There are fast food fish taco restaurants there and we went to one. Since then the tacos are showing up on menus everywhere.
My foot problem is called Morton's neuroma and it's very common. A nerve between the 3rd and 4th toes, counting from the big toe, gets inflamed and causes the pain. There's a simple surgery to remove the nerve and I will probably resort to that eventually. The recovery is 3 or 4 weeks. The 1st week, no weight on the foot. Then another 2 or 3 weeks of taking it easy. It might be something to have done next winter if I can hold out that long. I got a second cortisone shot yesterday. The first one helped so the dr. and I opted for a 2nd one. He said he's ok with up to 3 shots if a 3rd one is needed. My plantar fasciitis hasn't been bothering me.
I'll keep the acupuncture in mind. Insurance doesn't cover it so it's out of pocket and usually cash, I believe.
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Hi, checking in - I just read back the pages I missed since I was last on here. The first thing I saw was Chevy's "mouse to mouse" cartoon and I found it hilarious.
Sandy, how is the ankle? Did everything go OK? I cannot imagine how scary that is to have to put weight on it when it still feels painful.
Di, hope you are recovering well.
Sandra, I love that photo and if anyone deserves a break and a margarita, it is you. What a balancing act for Mike's recovery. A BCO sister on another thread had her father-in-law go through the transplant. He had a recovery period when he just wasn't feeling well but suddenly he was up and about and is doing really well. I hope and pray that all your needs are being met - and that you will all be in God's hands. What a blessing that Mike's sister is so brave and willing. And we cannot forget that Mike has few options but to proceed when the doctors feel it is the right time.
Sandra, how are you feeling? Have you healed from your last surgery?Carole, I'm glad you are getting out to play golf - your game will improve, I'm sure! Your hair sounds perfect...can't wait to see your photo. This winter, I added highlights to my medium brown hair. I loved how it came out. The next trip to the salon I had a touch up and he put a glaze on my hair. It dulled and just about covered all the highlights. I was upset because the highlights were costly, and the glaze too. And it took away the result I wanted. Last week I had to do a touch up because it snowed and I couldn't get to the salon. I wonder if Patrick will notice...The salon color seems to last a bit longer than the home kitand doesn't bleach out quite as much.
Jackie, I'm with you about cooking. I have never loved eating dinners - I am much more a breakfast lover and prefer light snacks. But when I decide to cook, it comes out well. DH cooks as he is hungry and I don't make enough of what he likes.
I finally saw grass in my yard for the first time since January.
Friday at 6:45 pm spring arrived on Long Island. Here is what it looked like....
Happy Spring 2015!
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"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in
the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all
directions."
-- Chanakya0 -
OMG -- spring in Long Island. We are having it much better here. We will have much warmer temps the next few days on our way to buds popping out on the trees, and the little green weedy bushes at the property perimeters that always show up first. Makes me anxious but I actually don't want to rush it as it is over with much too soon for me with the return of Fall and all the heavy duty work that has to take place then. I'm going to try and just enjoy the beauty of and the diversity of Spring here at the lake.
Carole, that Morton's Neuroma sounds almost like something Dh had. I can't recall if here or California, but I recall that one of his toes or the underside ???? was cut open and something done. I don't remember much else -- like how long to stay off of it etc. Sigh !!!! Even saying that not sure now if it was the underside but he complained a lot so I'm thinking that is what he had.
I'll be checking in later on. I'm getting a bunch of things together for my neighbors next door. They moved in towards the end of last summer -- just before Fall. They had to leave ( didn't want too, as they wanted to buy their rental house ) a huge amt. of their stuff ( sell it off etc. ) behind when they moved from Texas as their monetary resources were quite limited and they could only move with their small truck -- 3 loads.
By chance, the house next to me on one side which had been a rental for several years was given up for sale since the owners live in Branson, Mo. where her husband had gotten a job with their city council -- much like the one he had here. Anyway, they still don't have much -- and I have so much more than I need. I have been wanting to do something decent with my overload -- and so once our truck is loaded.....we will stop next door and let them take whatever they want off of it. Not sure how they found out Jeannie was selling her house, but things happen for a reason -- they will have a "stable" owned home at some point. Turns out --- this lady's mom has a serious case of cancer and so by 'fortune' she has her daughter who can now help her out. Things do work out --- but I sure do hate that the Mom has that cancer.
See you all later.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Sandra I love Mi Tierra, been a long time since we have been there. My prayers are with you, Mike and
his sister.
We have two very busy weeks of spring break, going in to the broom shop shortly to help DH.
I have my MRI on my shoulder tomorrow. Should know something this week.
Well have got to run, Hugs to all
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Jackie, that is sooooo sweet of you.... We went shopping, and finally bought another sewing machine.... a Brother.... My old one was like 40 years old, and DH had bought it from a pawn shop! It needed a new cord, and the bobbin winder quit working..... Sooooooo!
We put the other one out back in the alley by the Dumpster.... and I swear, it wasn't 10 minutes some truck came down, and took it away! I was just glad someone else could maybe use it, or fix it up.... It still sews, but that was about it....The light would work when I plugged it in, but when I pushed on the presser-foot, it would go off! Ha!
Now I'm going to go out and fool around cleaning up the gardens a little more.... It is SUNNY out, and beautiful!
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Hi to everyone. DH is at the golf course. I went to the gym this morning and have done some things around the house today, like organizing and cleaning the refrigerator. Thrilling, huh? I have yard work that needs doing but not today. This minute I'm sitting in my chair and resting my foot.
Tonight we're going to the Abita Opry, which is usually fun. It starts at 7 pm and is over at 9 pm. There are 4 bands or musical groups, each performing for 30 min. Some are country. Some blue-grass. Some jazz. Most have one or more vocalists as part of the entertainment.
Spring is definitely here. The trees are sprouting leaves and azaleas are starting to bloom. It always happens fast as soon as the temperatures get warm.
Hope you're all having a good Saturday.
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Carole, So glad that the cortisone shots are helping you. I hope this one does the trick also and you can continue your golf games without pain.
Joan, That's still alot of snow for the first day of spring! How/s the weather in Illinois, Jackie? We leave here on the 31st and Dave was looking at the extended forecast and started laughing. It is predicting sleet in Illinois on the day we leave. That's usually how it works for us. Last year we came home in mid-March to that last large snow storm and could barely get down the lane when we got there. :-) Of course it melted right away! I am hoping that they change the forecast before then or that the sleet is gone by the time we reach that area.
Hey bonnets, I'm with you on the decaf tea. It tastes so weak compared to the "real" stuff. I finally gave it up and went back to what I like.
I also had success with acupuncture on my knee. I was very nervous about having needles put into me but I didn't even know when he put them in. He combined my acupuncture treatment with white laser and I haven't had any more problems with my knee. (knocking on wood as I say that!)
I have never eaten a fish taco. It just doesn't sound good to me but maybe I should just give it a try. Almost everyone who has had them likes them.
We are golfing today in a couple's golf outing. They are always fun. Several couples then go out for dinner or a snack when the golfing is done.
Sandra...so glad that hubby's sister is there and willing to go through the procedure. I think she is very brave as that must be scary no matter how much she loves her brother. You are lucky to have her as a match. My thoughts and prayers continue to go out to you.
Well, I need to get us some breakfast ready before we go so I'd better get moving and get out of here. Hello to all of you! I hate to admit it but I never seem to be caught up with everything on this thread. I guess I'm in "slow mode."
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Treasure the love you receive above all. It will survive long after your gold and good health have vanished."
Og Mandino0 -
Good Morning,
Hmm, Rita, I think your in sunny Fla. mode mainly. Our weather can be so iffy here during the just pre and Springtime weeks. I'm still waiting with baited breath to catch the opening salvo's of the leaves, buds, blooms and anything else that delights this time of yr. Yesterday was so wonderful, but today -- we could get an errant shower or so. I hope not too much though. It sounds like this coming Tues. will be the REAL rain day of the week. Temps. will fall of course.
I felt so good taking all those things over to my neighbor yesterday. Also, I'm looking at wide open spaces again. Something this house hasn't seem in a long, long time. Well, it surely gives me inspiration -- to make the changes here I have been longing for and to do someone else some good. Not sure actually which part I like best. I do have more things -- just haven't had time to dig more out. I'm still not as "light" of goods as I wish to be but nothing helps more than 'seeing' what results REALLY look like. I hate to admit I have been foot dragging since right before my dx. in 2007.
You know, I thought about that -- long after the fact. I don't know ( some of us maybe need long memories for this ) but I recall what I felt like right before time to go to the hospital and give birth. I had this almost irrestible urge to clean everything in sight. Someone said that was Mother Nature at work --- knowing it would be some time before you felt like that again. The reason I mention it is that when looking back on it -- oddly, right before my dx. is when I started boxing up things and otherwise trying to organize our life here that had gotten out of hand.
I never quite made it -- if that was Mother Nature she was a bit late letting me know that I'd be laid up and not feeling like the torturous labor of trying to set my house in order. I did ( just to not let that thought hang too long ) later on make headway here. Just not in the way that I really meant too. I stored a bit too much again rather than the re-homing that should have taken place. So -- that is the source of all my inspiration now. I love seeing those empty places in my house. My WHOLE idea this time was to get rather minimal and though things were ok here --- I just kept failing at that. I guess someone up there knew a neighbor would come along and REALLY need things and I have things aplenty. It is a truly happy time for me. Eight yrs. is a long time to wait, but better late than never, eh !!!!
My little dogs are out and roaming the yard. I love giving them that freedom. When they are a bit older ( I hope anyway ) maybe they will be more in tune with hanging out in the yard and I won't have to put them back in their pen. I'm very fortunate that the people on each side of me are heavy-duty animal lovers and don't mind my dogs "visiting" a little. There are leash laws here, but most people out here in the country just don't bother much with that.
I hope you all have a wonderful, wonderful Sunday. I will spend a little time back on the 'treasure hunt' and then probably un-wind in the recliner and recover from the two and a half day marathon of searching up the good stuff, cleaning it and loading our truck -- twice yesterday.
Blessings
Jackie
P.S. One of the things that proves to you just what age you are is doing that loading a truck thing when you have to carry heavy goods off the deck and load. Whew !!!! Have to have some space on that one.
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Had eye surgery Thursday to correct what didn't happen in cataract surgery last September, can't see much out of left eye and pain is horrid. At this point, I don't know if it was worth it. Hopefully, it will get better. Need to get past this pity party
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No Teacher.... it's alright.... We all get to whine and moan when we don't feel good or something hurts! It will bet better....
I just can't believe how much I tire OUT so easy! I work outdoors for about an hour, then have to come in, either to cool off or just SIT! Then I go back out, and SAME THING! Just do a little at a time I guess..... but my "breaks" are more frequent now....
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Beautiful day here, but COLD! Wind at church about blew you away.Most of the snow we got the other day has melted, hope that's the last of it.
We are both collectors. I have about 85 ladies antiques bonnets, antique china head dolls and hatpins and hatpin holders, and Depression Glass. DH has John Deere toys, various other John Deere stuff and buck saws! My daughter once said "Mom,this place looks like a museum. !" I replied "that's what us old folks do when our kids move out, collect stuff!" Add to that Photo albums and family pictures, just the thought of moving is enough to send me into a panic. If we ever actually move south guess I'll have to pay someone to pack us up, even though we live in a very small log home.
I guess we all slow down , in what we can do with out getting tired or out of breath!
Sunday night is our weekly night to eat out.Nothing fancy, but when we got married I said I wasn't cooking 7 days a week. Either we go out or DH cooks. Well I think he forgot how to cook when we got married. Lucky he's not a gourmet. I'm more of a baker than a cook, and he can't have the sugar and I don't need it!
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Hi ladies,
I have been reading this thread since I am just starting this journey. I am 66 and will be having a BMX on April 10, and I am told chemo about 6 weeks after that. I have been reading this entire site like a novel trying to get a handle on all this. I hardly ever got sick, ate well, exercised and still have breast cancer. I live alone so it is nice to have a place to communicate with others. My sister will be coming to stay with me after surgery. I would like to have some comments about chemo. Do I need someone with me. Can I drive myself to and from. Are there SE where I need someone around? This is all so new and scary.
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Teacher, oh no! So sorry you are in a lot of pain. Surely the doctor can give you numbing drops if you call him/her tomorrow. Thinking of you.
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Teacher, I'm with Chevy -- at some point by golly you've earned the right to whine and groan. After all, so much of what we do is meant to get us better and along the way, before we get there, if need be, we got to get rid of that built up electrical charge called pain and upset and disappointment about having to feel so bad before we feel better. Everything is crossed for you that this phase does not go on for long.
I don't know why I "collected" though at the time it seemed such a great idea. At first it never feels overwhelming either. In fact, I've often been on pins and needles waiting to "add" more because I had so little to show. Probably that would have been the perfect time for me to stop....sigh !!!! Anyway, I'm making plans for re-arranging the living room now that there is a whole lot of room there. I have a long living room -- which is open to the foyer area. The other end is pretty open to the kitchen. Foyer to living rm. is sort of a half L shape and the foyer is decorated in the same overall color scheme of the lv.rm. Lv.rm is open to the kitchen on a full L shape. So, the lv.rm. is big but looks even larger for the openness aspect. Still, I had way too much stuff in there. The neighbor lady has it now. Just a relief.
I had a really good day and Dh even treated me to lunch out at Steak & Shake. I just had to have a Garlic burger. Remember the first one I ate --- I was so brave ordering it, but I was also majorly curious. Couldn't conceive of how they could make a garlic hamburger. Well -- it was and has remained love at first bite. I never order anything else. Dh has ordered one from time to time but has them put pickles on his. To me ( some men can be so hard to please and harder to understand ) the sandwich does not come with pickles for a reason. The delicious flavors do not need the dill flavor added in. To me it does nothing but dilute the great flavor of the garlic.....sigh !!!! I just would have to say I guess.....what do I know. I would only be likely to order "extras" if I thought a sandwich was bland. I know that is not what Dh thinks. I don't know what he is thinking but I know it is not that. He told me today he was sorry he didn't get the Garlic Burger. Most of the time he ends up wishing he had taken what I get -- you know what I could say next, but I'm not going too.
Just had a great day not doing much of nothing. I'll have to do more tomorrow to catch up again. See you all tomorrow.
Jackie
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WELCOME my sunshine48. So glad you found us though we always wish it were for another reason. You have discovered what so many of us have also found out --- it doesn't seem to matter what you do --- like everything right as to your diet, wt. management, exercise etc. or everything wrong. We all seem to have a fairly equal chance of being diagnosed with this awful disease. For many, it comes at a time when your thinking of planning for an empty nest, and just a few short yrs. away from retirement. This is the no rhyme or reason disease.
So, having said that -- I would have to say lots of people can manage chemo txs. on their own ok, but until you are for sure, if you could have someone go with you the first time or two -- that could be better. Some people are barely aware they have done much of anything, then others do struggle a bit with some side effects. I will tell you, though it has been some time since I had chemo ( early 2008 ) it was the part had me the most worried. It is not something you have ever done and those things are the ones that can open up a whole Pandora's box worth of what if's and other scary events.
I couldn't believe how anti-climatic it turned out to be. I kept sitting and waiting ( for what ???? ) and basically nothing happened. Just saying that often your mind goes every place without you. Still, it is easier for someone to be there if possible. Some people continue to work, take long walks, pretty much keep up with their housework etc. Truth is, we all react to the same thing ( whatever chemo regimen we have ) in many different ways.
This is new and scary, but we have this great place called BC. Org where we can come and share with each other and not be alone much at all. We are just a keyboard away from each other. Most of us as well had little ,if any at all, in the fine art of getting a diagnosis, lumpectomy and onto chemo and or radiation or both. We were all novices and though it usually is far from pleasant, in this day and age there are drugs for most of the side effects along with this great place to share while your getting through your trial by fire --- the same one we have all been through, and we are good at hand holding and caring about your getting along as well as you can.
I hope you will feel VERY free to come often. Others will chime in and have lots of good advice as to how all of this goes. We all likely wondered at some point if we could get this done --- but we all did it, and did it fairly well. Welcome to our part of BC. Org.
Blessings,
Jackie
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Thank you, Jackie. At this point, I start crying anytime, anywhere. I have to make myself get strong and get through this. I have 5 beautiful grandchildren and I want to dance at their weddings. I read that you don't know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. So, I WILL be strong just like all of you who have traveled this path before me. I will be here often.
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MySunshine - take a look at the latest chemo threads. It really helped me to have a thread where we were all going through treatment at the same time and could relate to what was happening every day. And I read back like maybe the Winter Chemo to see those who had newly finished. Also there are threads by the type of chemo - taxotere or AC, etc. And since you are ER/PR+, there are several threads for those pills. Oh, and there's an active 'hair' thread too.
Here's a link for February if you want to review what's been happening to ladies who are just a little ahead of you. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/827966?page=2#idx_31
Here's one for ladies just starting in April https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/829470
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Mysunshine,
Good for you. Having a can do attitude does help. I also think if you are alone it is more difficult. No one but yourself to be brave for and well, sometimes you don't really feel like being brave. Sometimes I think we all would have liked to curl up in a little ball and cry our hearts out. I think the majority of us never had this vision for ourselves at the age we are. As for myself --- I think I just assumed if I got up to the age I was -- just barely 62 --- that I had more or less escaped and would not be one of the "chosen" ones. After all, I already had a huge thyroid blowout. I was sick for a long time with that and rehabbed for three or so years.
Several yrs. later, I had a brain stem stroke -- another long stretch to re-find myself and a long period of re-hab. In both cases I had to learn how to walk decently, talk, and re-learn a lot of basic functions. I'm not complaining -- I did ok, and never even think of those things much anymore. Just thought I would not 'ever' have to have something like the thing that likely scared me twice as much as either of the other things.
My first reaction on hearing that I actually had -- for real -- cancer was that I was going to die. I could have easily done so with either of the other maladies, but neither one caused me the almost paralyzing fear and mental distress that cancer did. I think because many, many yrs. ago there wasn't much you could do about cancer and a lot of people did pass away. It is not that way now.
Most people feel a lot better when they know exactly what chemo tx. regimen they are going to be on, and also when they get to work on it. When you are in between, waiting for operations, txs. and or some sort of tests, you feel at the mercy of the disease. When you begin physically doing things -- you feel more in charge. You are now actively fighting to get well and knock out any cells that are bad. Once you figure out what your reactions/side effects may be and your Dr. prescribes the right medications to minimize or clear them up totally -- you will likely do just fine. We really did all start out nervous, upset, distraught, and really out of sorts.
Well, when you need some good sorts -- we will be here for you and help you get thru. We are good listeners and many have great suggestions. Most much, much better than mine as I'm about 8 yrs. out now.
People may be slow getting on and talking to you as this is Sunday night. I can sometimes be an Internet junkie and since I picked today to be a bit lazy.....I'm on here more than I usually am. So, you will meet a lot of the other ladies who will say hi and will reassure you that we are all pretty much alike -- needing some help and guidance and glad that someone who KNOWS exactly what we are feeling is and was here to lend us a willing ear and strong shoulder.
So we stay to give the same to others just beginning the journey.
Jackie
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Morning gals! And we have SUNSHINE!!!!!! That is a great name.... Ha!
I think these gals have given you a lot to think about! I didn't go through 1/2 of what some of them did, but they are all here to help you get through this.
It's so frightening at first! Just remember to write down all your questions, AND the answers... My DX was similar to yours, but I just had a Lumpectomy, on my left side, and then radiation with a MammoSite device. You probably won't get radiation, since you are having a "BMX"? That is having both breasts removed right? Or is that a Bi-Lateral? You see how much EYE know..
I didn't do chemo, maybe because of my age, and maybe because I raised such a fit, they thought better of that notion. I was 72 when they said I had breast cancer, and I thought, "Are you guys NUTS"? I thought I was too old to be having ANYthing like that... My Onco score was 19... which is a low-intermediate, and I COULD have had chemo, but that just didn't fit into my plans....
And I'm going on over 5 years now... Jackie is 2 more years out than I am!
So don't worry... is all I can say.... After your surgery, and after the final pathology report, THEN you will know what is best for you... Don't be afraid to ask questions! And then you can say, "What do you mean, why do I need that", and ..... or you could always say "Are you guys NUTS"?
It is your body.... you are in charge... You probably feel like you are the SHIP, and you are sinking, and "they" are all your little deck-hands, but YOU are the Captain! The Grande Master! ..... No, I didn't think this way either at the beginning, but I do now!
And I stopped Tamoxifen after 1 1/2 years, because of the SE's. But there are so many alternative ways now, and meds, you can always try one, and then switch to another.... drives them crazy.... but remember who the boss is here!
At one time I even loaded up on every Vitamin MADE! I tried them for awhile, but didn't feel any different... so.........I still have them! Might try soaking them all up, and watering my plants with them.
So you just take care of yourself.... I know you are worried... we ALL were.... but you'll get through this.... and we are all here for you.
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Welcome, Sunshine. I didn't have chemo because my oncotype number was low. Minus gave you the advice that I would offer. Find a discussion forum here at bc.org with women who are going through chemo at the same time you are. Back in 2009, when I was dx'ed, I found a forum with several women who were having the same surgery I chose, BMX with immediate reconstruction. We "talked" every day and it was a great comfort for me during a most difficult time. We even talked at length about finding a bra that worked with our new shape. Best of luck to you and feel free to join in here on our oldies thread.
It's interesting that I'm the only one of this One Step group who still comes to bc.org regularly. The others decided that they needed to move on with their lives and stopped coming to bc.org.
Hi to everyone. Wishing you a good Monday.
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Faith is not something that is passive. Our faith requires a commitment from us. If thoughts of lack come to mind, we counteract such negativity by counting our blessings and giving thanks for the abundance of good things we have. The ability of our bodies to heal is enhanced by our affirmations of life, which stimulate a positive response from the life within our very cells.
unattributed
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Good morning everyone,
We have sun, and had some yesterday as well. Rain will come by tomorrow --- but for now the sun. I have lots of stuff to do today but that will keep me out of trouble. I really lolly-gagged a lot of yesterday away after the mini-marathon I did with all the furniture cleaning I wanted to do before I carted things over to the neighbor. Dh sort of thought I was just a little "touched", but as I told him --- women do not take something to give ( especially to another woman/family ) to someone that is dusty, in need of cleaning, or polishing. We may be able to sit in our own house and not have things totally spic and span ( who ever does or is able to keep it all up at one time now ) but we don't give things away that are not in the best condition we can make them.
I still think if I left it up to him --- a lot of the cleaning would not have taken place. He does GET it, he really does. But if he had to be the one to DO it, he probably wouldn't. Sometimes, I just have to see the amusement that exists in the differences between men and women. I do understand that men are brawny and muscular --- for a lot of men that means they only cook if much at all on an outdoor barbecue. They don't dust -- they try to blow it off the furniture of take a couple of perfunctory swipes -- if they sweep ( the way my Dh does it, sigh ) they do so in the middle of the floor and move nothing.
We are just different. Lots of men can do it just fine -- even Dh. He just isn't if he feels he will get nearly the same results without all the "extra" energy to move things. It is ok --- we are not big time about entertaining people here so it is not a major thing, just something that most of the time amuses me.
Sure glad we will be keeping up with our better weather. Really have to make a list of all the things we will need to get done with Spring approaching fairly quickly now. We need to re-stain our deck, power wash the house, keep up in the yard ( lots of things will come out of the trees on our way to Spring ) and try not to let much build up on the roofs. Lots of chores, but my enthusiasm is always much stronger with the woods coming back to life in Spring. It fills me with so much more energy with the sun, warmth and fresh air brings out the leaves and bright green of Spring.
See you all later --- thinking of one and all and hoping you will all have a really marvelous Monday.
Blessings,
Jackie
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welcome Sunshine, sorry you find yourself here.
Those first weeks after being diagnosed are such a whirlwind of emotions, appointments, tests it feels like you just can't get your breath. Don't jump too far ahead of yourself or let your mind go to all the scary dark "what if" scenerios. You'll drive yourself nuts. Instead focus on what you have control over now - preparing for your upcoming surgery. There are some excellent posts on the BMX discussion forum of what to expect post op, and what you can do to make things easier. You'll be very limited as to what you can do with your arms for awhile. Do whatever cleaning and shopping and meal prep done ahead of time that you can. People will offer to help, accept all offers to help run errands, bring over a meal, etc. Give them specific suggestions of what you need.
When it does come time for chemo, ask if your center offers a chemo class and be sure and go to it. Knowledge is power, And yes, the best thing I did was join the July Chemo thread here last summer. Those ladies were my lifeline. As others have said, everyone reacts so differently and you really won't know ahead of time what you'll need. I had no problems with nausea or vomiting, just didn't have much of an appetite and most food tasted like wet cardboard. My problem was fatigue and extreme muscle weakness, and shortness of breath - couldn't bend over and tie my shoes without getting short of breath. Had to walk with a cane, didn't have the reflexes I needed to drive safely so someone had to drive me to my appointments. Lost my hair of course, American Cancer Society provides 1 free brand new wig and 3 scarves/caps so be sure and check with them. Chemo is not a picnic but it's do-able.
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Sunshine, we're glad you are here!
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Welcome Sunshine
I am sorry you are here, but glad to add a new friend. I would agree to all that has already been said. One of the major considerations about driving yourself to and from chemo would be the length of the drive. My hospital was a little more than an hour from home, but between going to the lab and the Onc each time before going for the actual chemo, which itself took 3 1/2 hrs, it was an all day affair that usually either started or ended ( or both) during rush hour. I just didn't have the energy to do it on my own. My children were a real blessing at that time. I was living with my oldest daughter in Atlanta during treatment. My son came over from S.C. to be with me for my first chemo in early Oct., the daughter I was living with took me for my second, my middle daughter came up from Fl for Thanksgiving and took me for my third, and again, my live-in daughter took me for my last one. The treatment itself is not bad at all- I read thru it all and there was also a personal TV available. Volunteers came around with snacks and crafts if you wanted something to do. I had my chemo before I had surgery.
Take it one day at a time and take control of one issue at a time. Try not to worry about your reaction to chemo, because as you have already heard here, each persons reaction varies, even when the tx is the same. Read the threads suggested here to give you a general idea, but keep in mind, we have all made it through, and you will too. And you have joined an army of personal warriors here that will support you thru every step. This is the place to give yourself a voice. You are free here to say what you might not be comfortable saying to family or friends, or that you may feel you can't articulate clearly with others. Someone here will identify with exactly what you mean, and the rest of us will be ready to listen, with compassion and no judgement, ever.
Anne
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