Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Today was chemo 2. Two more with this medication before I change to Taxol. So far, the SEs seem better (maybe just because I knew what to expect). Either way, I'm grateful. I brought my coloring book with me today, I didn't finish until after I got home, but it was a good thing to do today.

Randi- happy for you that you aren't needing chemo! It is hard- but as our friend, Pontiac Peggy says, "Doable." Nicer if you do not have to "do" it, though! This is a great group- I am really involved with 3 threads and check others of interest often as well. Just have this one and 2 others as "favorites" so responses show up for them anytime I log in. You may want to do the same- we talk about it "ALL"! We don't let lumps and the side effects of such get in our way about discussing Anything!

1step, love your artwork! Congrats on getting another AC out of the way. Hope you find, as I did, that the days after Taxol are much easier than those after AC.

Sandy, I am aghast at the cost and lack of coverage! Wow. Yes, we can only hope that politics involved might work in the favor of patients rather than drug companies. (Just re-read your first post, and realized that I didn't answer your question. Yes, the stairs are in the main lobby at Dana Farber.)

Heathet, welcome. Here's hoping you can keep your spirits and energy up as you begin your journey. We're here to help in any way.

Peggy, Jill and MLP- Hope you gals are ok and that you will let us know how you are doing!

Mel, I'm so glad you had a fine day with your daughter after such a bad day at work. I hope you get to do some all-out relaxing before tackling the next workweek.

Peachy, how exciting to be in a clinical trial. In any case you'll be closely monitored. Best case you will receive a new drug which will help. I like the steps! I think Phase 3 trials are the last step before getting the treatment approved as a standard treatment. At the Phase 3 stage, they have already determined the treatment is safe, or "safe enough".

Molly, even though it sounds weird, I'll say congrats on finishing a book. I can only stay awake for a few pages when I start reading. I listen to books with an Audible subscription instead.

Randi, I was on HRT when I was diagnosed, too, but had only been on it for 2 years. Letrozole sounds good to me, too So great that your Onco score was low!!!

1step, I hope the SE's are better this time! Did you get a port or are they using your arm veins?

HH, what a shock about the deaths of people you had a connection with. I'm sorry to hear about it.

I have two days off from rads, hooray! Everything is okay so far, but DH is leaving Sunday for a week long trip. I'll have a lot more to take care of while he's gone. But it should be fine.

Mel, your Girls Day Out sounds like a lot of fun. You know, my DD & I try to do something at least 1-2 times a month. It's so refreshing and there's something about getting her in the car--she just talks and talks! I'm glad y'all for to go to the movies.

Randi, so happy to hear about your low Oncotype. How lucky is that! Not that rads are much fun, but at least it's not chemo.

DH & I are cabin-camping in the woods this weekend. We are right on the lake and spring peepers are so loud! It is lovely and warm here, and several of our RVing friends came up with their campers, as well. We had a little potluck dinner. I had signed up to bring sub sandwiches, homemade choc chip cookies, and warm applesauce cake. However, after a long, hard work week I just said screw it. KFC and Oreos, it is. And for breakfast I'm bringing out Lucky Charms cereal & milk. But for now I am content to sit in my cabin quietly, drinking a mojito and surfing the net. I wish I could turn off the peepers, but I guess they're looking for love tonight.

HH, so sorry to hear about the deaths of those so close to you. More than losing a relative, losing a friend shakes us to the core, especially when they're our age or younger. I've lost two sorority sisters (of which I'm aware) in the 45 yrs. since graduation--one to bc at 42 (she had it for 13 yrs, and given her ethnicity and family hx was almost certainly BRCA+, but they didn't know about genetic mutations back then) and one to a sudden ruptured berry aneurysm of the brain (she was only 31, with two toddlers and had never been sick a day in her life). I was in a very small sorority, Omicron Sigma Phi at Brooklyn College--we had only two chapters, ours (Alpha) and eventually a Beta at Kingsborough Community College. I've been out of touch with most of my sorority sisters since our 20-yr. college reunion; of the only two with whom I have regular contact, one was widowed and has remarried and the other got divorced and became a born-again Evangelical (she sings in the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, which has won several Grammys and Doves).

And yes, I got Meg’s message. So excited to be doing the benefit concert! It’s early enough in the day that I may be able to convince those of my fellow SERFA attendees headed home eastward to come by!

Sorry you're feeling bad, MLP. i also found that chemo was harder the second time. The fatigue and taste changes were worse with every one, but little nausea after the second. Hope you can get some rest this weekend and get it behind you.

Peachy - The clinical trial sounds great!

HH - Oh no!!! so sorry to hear of those losses, really awful!

LTF - Keep going!!! how may taxol? I had 8 in total...whoa!!! I found that too, the pain was just unrelenting...Im still waiting to hear from my MO about the severe leg/feet and lower back pain. I cannot explain it, maybe a combo of Arimidex and chemo they're saying. Walking is an issue talk about crippled.

Ive never tried Yoga, does anyone know if this would help???

MLP - Feeling for you!!! just keep putting you first, that is so key as you go...

Poodles!!! I want to be where you are!!!! sounds wonderful!!!! I agree with you, the time is so precious! Now I just want to find some 1 on1 with my gorgeous 16yo son LOL

Its a long weekend here, and wasnt meant to see my man...but he rocked up and surprised me yesterday afternoon, stayed for the night and caught up with my kids...feeling super loved...this is what lifes about!

3 taxotore for me. Ugh. Only 2 more and I think I'm starting to recover. Still in pain but my energy is returning (still awake at 10:30pm!)

Sorry you have so much pain Mel. I do a lot of yoga, more the fitness type but I've done it all. Restorative yoga might help you...I did it during training for my half marathons and it did help. Have you looked in massage therapy or acupuncture???

Saw Peggy a week ago in Jackson and she was in high gear dealing with prospective buyers wanting to visit the house on very short notice. Glad she was able to come out and party with us---Pontiac (Detroit area) was over an hour and a half's drive in the snow. Between getting the house sold and hunting for one to buy in Spokane she's got her hands full (with enough left over for several other people's hands). I'm sure she'll check in when she can come up for air!

edited to substitute Pontiac for Ann Arbor

Good Day, Ladies! I finally had a minute to catch up on everyone's doings.

Mel, I'm so glad your man showed up - you certainly needed the loving after the awful time at school. It IS hard when no one understands why you have a meltdown. But, of course, we certainly do. More HUGS!

Peachy, I'm glad you are able to participate in the trial. Maybe what is learned will help those who follow us.

Sandy, Molly and 614, what a whirlwind my trip to Spokane has been. One horrendously long, virtually foodless day flying from Detroit to Spokane. BTW, as an educational announcement, I had a non-stop flight from Detroit to Denver (where I changed planes) on Southwest. There was a stop in Dallas where I just sat on the plane. Now, back in the dark ages, non-stop meant the plane didn't touch ground. Apparently that is not the case with Southwest.

Saw about a dozen homes on Friday. I thought I wanted a home with a basement. But it turns out I've fallen for a rather new home with no basement (think - what the hell am I going to do with the stuff I want to keep??). After looking at several homes with basements, I realized that at 70 basements are not necessarily going to be my friend. So I made that concession. It's less than 10 minutes from my son and city life (i.e. lots of shopping) but is located in an area where the developments are in farm country (though the farms are going). Very strange. Not a business, gas station, convenience store, NOTHING is right around the subdivision.

I've been trying to decide between 2 homes. One smaller than the other. I think I'm going for the larger one with the spacious dining area (i.e. my big dining room table will fit with the leaves in), large bedrooms. I'm currently in a 90 year old home. New homes are so different. Open concept which pleases me no end. Sunny backyard. SMALL backyard. NO pine trees - which are very prevalent, especially in the older subdivisions I was looking in and like my son has.

Both my son and DIL have looked at the homes with me (but not together since their schedules didn't allow it). DIL and I are going back today and look. I think I may put an offer in on the larger home. It really spoke to me.

Now to sell my current home - my realtor is holding an open house today.

I probably won't be back online for awhile. BTW, those of you who know Puffin (from the Arimidex lounge), her husband fell off a ladder, falling face first on the concrete, had a horrible brain injury and died yesterday after 3 days in the hospital. Please keep her in your thoughts.

HUGS to all my dear friends and I'm sorry if I've missed responding.

Krissebree, can you stick a period pad or something under there to absorb fluid, like to wick moisture away from the area? Seem like some kind of absorbent pad under there might help. Totally sucks.

Thanks I will try that. Surgeon said to stay on antibiotics and if they dont help may have to open me up again??? Anyone heard of that happening.?

Molly, thank you! The movers are scheduled for June 17th so that should be my magical date. Hopefully no need to worry!

HUGS!