TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

i also cry often! When I first started Chemo I would tell myself that i was not going to cry. Little did I know that crying made me feel better so yeah I cried often. When other people would get real personal I would breakdown. I have never been one that cries in front of others easily. I always found myself apologizing for crying. It finally took a nurse to tell me that I have every right to cry. Not only is your body going through hell but your mind is also going through the same. That is when I decided that if I wanted to cry because I did not feel good I was going to cry.

i cry often ,too.. when the pain caused by reflux and delayed gastric emptying became unbearable, i cry. i cry when i think of my autistic son and how much he needs me still. i cry when i think about recurrence. and i feel good afterwards.its very cathartic for me.

Kae.  Yes the tears helped so much, I feel so much better today!

Posey.  Great minds think alike, I though about bringing something for my nurse who cares for me while I am having chemo.  I am not sure what I could bring to the ladies/men going through chemo with me on the same day, suggestions are welcome!

Melanie

well, now you ladies are making me want to cry again...thank you for the support. Still having a hard time of it, but hopefully I will feel better soon.

Moody blues... the bags vary, but this set contained items both made and store bought: a heart shaped healing stone, a fleecy pillow, heating/cooling bag (handmade), some biscuits and candy, a little case with some things like antibacterial wash, lip balm, Kleenex... and each one got a card that a local fibre artist made - she has felted an art piece called "Tree of Hope" at our hospital and she took a picture of a bunch of these circles and made cards. Then inside the card, she inserts one felted circle. Other goodies I've done before include bookmarks I made (beaded), head bandanas, notebooks, a pack of greeting cards, agate keychains, etc.

Deni, I will try to live looking at the light. When I get feeling dark like this, I start thinking every person stage 3 recurs (I do realize this isn't so, but...). Thank you for your words.

In a total side note...do any of you feel that it's puffy/squishy under your arm on the rib cage where you've had surgery? And do we stay numb like this? I just feel that it's puffed up on that side. I also have a good sized scar tissue bump by my incision line. It was imaged about 2 months ago

Posey girl.  Great ideas for sure in your care bags!  I would love to see the felt circle, it sounds cool!

I do have the puffy/squishy feeling under my arm and edge of my rib cage too, it's gotten  aIot better but, I have days when it's worse than others.  I have read that it may be permanent and I know mine much better than in the beginning.

I think everyone has a fear of reoccurrence whether we are stage 1 or stage three, I know that I do, the thought comes and goes.  It's craziness I tell you, craziness!

All,

I use a coffee scrub (coffee grounds and a good oil) to help with the numbness. A lot has lessen over the last 11 months.

I am thinking about trying acupuncture. Asked my PS and he said he was unsure about a needle near "his implants." LOL. He said I could get a consult and be marked. He would then check to see if the implants were too close. I am thinkin' ...

Vicky

I want to second the crying. I didn't cry. At all. I was a rock for my parents who flipped out (my only brother died at 28), a rock for my husband, and a rock for my kids who were 8 and 2. ( mom, I was ok during your treatment because you seemed ok). Worked full time, drove to treatment blah blah blah...Except, I wasn't ok, I should have cried...and now a year after my last treatment...BAM! Now the floodgates have opened. My gp told me," you were going to have to deal with it sooner or later...you just chose later". Seriously, lately it's been like someone came up to me with a needle and popped my ballon! Cry now ladies so you don't end up like me lol!,,

Posey your felting is adorable!

Love to all....

Hapb, if you don't mind me asking, was it breast cancer before?

Yes, I've heard some people lose it after. I was both...during and now after with fear. I think it's very helpful to talk to others who have trod this path

Hapb, my understanding is that at stage 1a as you are, the percentage of those that recur is low. At stage 3 (which has a,b,c all together), about 30 percent recur. If pathological complete response occurs for neoadjuvant treatment, that figure is modestly better, as in perhaps 20 percent recur. I think it's still early days for long term data with Herceptin (and definitely early for Perjeta; we don't even get access in Canada at this stage), but I'm just sharing what I've heard from different people via their own doctors. I too looking for this info because I am so damn scared. But my guess is that it's like 10 percent for stage 1

Thank you so much...xoxo.

Yes, the piece is in Rome, in many places in the US, in Ireland, UK, Hungary, Moscow, Singapore, India, South Africa, Canada of course, Australia, etc....I think the message transcends faith lines, meaning that even if people do not identify with being Christian, they still identify with the meaning.

Sweet dreams and talk soon

Completed taxol#4 today, no ill effects, same as the previous ones. The nurse today got blood return right away, I didnt need to do any gymnastics. Husband and I met some friends for supper tonight. The hair is dropping pretty quickly, thinking we might have to cut it this weekend.

As I read the posts, the people having SE, I feel a little guilty. So far this trip has been quite easy, I undrstand things could change. Always feel unsure if I should share how good I feel, how few SE I have had, and the ones I have are easy to manage. I pray everyday that the journey continues to be manageable.

BJI,

My chemo journey was pretty boring. I had a little diarrhea and fatigue, but otherwise, chemo was OK. Heck, I worked full-time through chemo. I did feel awful when those on my chemo board were hospitalized and all, but I figured the least I could do was to offer them prayers and moral support. It is what it is. I have other crosses to bear (the autistic twins!); there's no need to look for more crosses if you can help it. They will find you! ((Hugs))

Hi everyone. BMX and DIEP flap recon is done. Hurrah. It's scary. More later

Suburbs- glad to hear that it went well. I am scheduled for July 18 for BMX with tissue expanders. Do you mind if I ask where you are in PA? I'm from the Lehigh Valley and am being treated at St. Luke's.

I have only had one brief meeting with the medical oncologist and I'm not sure what I think of him. I've been very impressed with the surgical oncologist, but the MO is not giving me the best feeling. I do think it is due to the fact that I am less worried about surgery than I am about the chemo. I have mentioned before that I am absolutely terrified to lose my hair and I'm so afraid of vomiting (and I do easily- motion sickness, morning sickness, vomiting from anesthesia.) Do you all think it is reasonable to ask the MO for a list of all things he's willing to do to prevent terrible side effects? I want and need to be able to work full time through this treatment and I have 2 young children at home who I don't want to traumatize with my being sick. Any advice is appreciated.

toughcookie_21,

Cold capping is an option, but if that won't work for you, go wig shopping or shopping for headwear. I felt much better about chemo when I knew I had an attractive wig waiting for me when I lost my hair. Soxfan75 is right; your oncology nurse should spend at least 45 minutes -- 1 hour, explaining potential side effects and ways to mitigate them. Also, be sure that your doctor gives you some prescriptions for anti-nausea meds before you start chemo. You can pre-medicate; I took an anti-nausea pill the day I started chemo. It turns out I didn't need it (you should receive anti-nausea meds in your pre-meds), but it gave me peace of mind. ((Hugs))