CMF Question

ritajean

Gosh....I'm hoping that everyone was out enjoying the weekend instead of posting!

It's a new week and the sun is finally out in Illinois and we're supposed to have moderate temps today.  Sounds like a good day for a walk.

Rita

golfer779

Rita, sneaking a peak at work here, I'll post a pic tonight from my b-day celebration yesterday.  Hit nine holes in the morning, shopped for a new pair of silver hoops in the afternoon, life is good. 

Glad to hear you have some sunshine, how about that short game?  Got lucky yesterday and sank two long putts, unfortunately for a 7 each time.  At that point I was kinda ticked off and didn't give alot of thought to the putt, probably not a great swing thought!!!!

Enjoy your day ... hopefully the bathroom project is completed or almost done so you can spend some time outdoors.

Carol

golfer779

The dh took this pic, thought it was worthy of the cake baker (ds) and his step sis with some old gal in the middle!

I had a great b-day evening.  My son actually took the time to make me a card, (this would not be a top priority these days for this kid), but wow, did he bring tears to my eyes with such thoughtful words.  There is a heart in that hormone raged body of his!!!  Oh, and the dh said he was going to the grocery store yesterday afternoon, he actually went back to the mall to score on the good jewelry sale.  I ended up with 3 more pairs of earrings and a card that also brought more tears.  Boy, its the weepiest I've been since probably right after the mast surgery.  Must be my hormones getting me even more out of whack then usual.

Anyway, today is a new day and unfortunately I'm feeling kinda dumpy (so to speak).  The ol' pooper thing as some so affectionately call it, is a definite nuisance for me.   I left work early, did some grocery shopping, came home and took a hot bath, and put on my "Breast Cancer Sucks" sweatshirt.  Okay, this would not be sending myself any positive vibes, but it is cozy, and I think I'll be regrouped by the time the dh comes home from work.

Hope you are all having a good evening, I'll be back tomorrow,

Carol

Annabella58

Hi everybody, been kind of busy with my daughter being home for the week, but back now!  Lordy, I miss her already!

Sue, so good to hear from you!! I hope you are feeling better!

Rita what a gorgeous photo!! And those are some cute grandkids you have there, lucky you!

Carol, happy birthday!!!! Looks like a lovely celebration.  I'm sorry you felt down, I did today too, I think it's like a roller coaster sometimes.  I wish I could find my sweatshirt that has "cancer Schmancer" on it, but I put it somewhere??? I like your "cancer sucks" one.  There are some days.........but we'll get through it girls.

Yeah, rads is a pain to go every day, but try to make it a nice trip.  Get a nice coffee or a muffin or something to go along with it, and honestly, it's so fast, like a dental x ray.  No biggie, truly.  I got a "radiation burn" on the boob and no treatment for it, tho they considered antibiotics, and my hair went stark white for awhile like a smurf.  Interesting look.  Right now, I look like the Gollum from Lord of the Rings, long pieces with short underneath.  Gonna have to cut it which freaks me a little, but this piece by piece falling out is worse. 

But Rads is fine, don't even worry about it.  Just put your head down, count down the days and it'll be done before you know it.  Compared to chemo it goes so fast!

I was so scared of chemo and yet here we all are, and look at Miss Rita, all done and playing with her grandbabies to cheer us on....gives me alot of encouragement to see that.

Everybody hang in there, we will all be veterans one day.

love to all

annie

ritajean

Hi gas!

Don't have much time today but couldn't resist posting and telling Carol how great that birthday celebration picture is! Super!  Thanks for sharing!  Your son looks so much like you...a very handsome lad, he is and his step-sis is pretty cute, too.  You're lucky to have such a fine group to help you through this journey!

I envy you the weekend golfing!  Although the sun is out, we still have snow on our greens and I don't think that will help out my short game any yet.  Maybe next week if this "warm wave" continues............

Thanks to all for you nice comments about my grandchildren.  I'm going to get to go to Kentucky to see them for Easter.  I can't wait to get my hands on them again! 

For all of you going through treatments...thing spring!  Think that it will soon be over and you'll be heading on to the next phase, which for many of you will be getting on again with your life.  As Carol says, "Life is good!"

Gotta run so I apologize about not addressing everyone today.  I'm thinking about all of you and will be back!

Have a good Tuesday!

Rita

ritajean

Wow!  I just looked at my last post....That's what I get for being in such a hurry to post and start my day.  HI GAS!  What a salutation, eh?  Let's start again...HI GALS!!!  Once again, my apologies!!!!

I can't even blame that on chemo brain!

Rita

golfer779

Rita, hey sometimes you hit it on the head with the salutation.  Back after work... hope you are all having a "tolerable" day!!!

Carol

Annabella58

good afternoon girls:

Wow!!!!!!!! Alot of hair is falling today! On the shower floor, the carpets, yikes!

Granted, I have a super thick head of hair, but this one has me a bit freaked out.  I glean that it is normal from all your posts, but hope to stop short of going baldy?

Have had two treatments now and this is day 11 after second one.

Anybody have any insight into this?  It's kind of scarey!

On the plus side, I feel great!  But...........bought a bandanna in the freakout.

thanks!

love

annie

candie1971

Hi

Annie, that's how mine was falling. All over everything....it was scarey and freaky. Had to clean the drain in the shower like 3 times while I showered.!!! I had very thick hair too. Don't worry--I never did go bald. Very short and thin....but not bald. I had 12 tx and it started slowing down about the 9th one ( if I remember correctly) I thought for sure I was gonna go bald...but nope ...never happened. I cut it real short and used to use the blowdryer every day to get rid of the loose ones. And when I wore hats, it was a layer of hair in the hats....but didn't go bald.

Carol and Rita, gorgeous pics. Thanks for posting them. All the kids are adorable.

Waving hi to everyone.

Hugs and prayers,

Candie

Harley44

Ginny,

Thanks!  Ever since my bc dx, my drs. told me that ER+ was the best kind to have, if you have to have bc...  But, the hot flashes really stink!  And to think, when I was dx'd at age 35 with Premature Ovarian Failure due to auto immune causes, I had hot flashes, so at this late time, I figure I should be FINISHED with all that.  Maybe I will be one of the lucky ones who has HOT FLASHES forever!

Right now, I am feeling kind of sad, and feeling "why couldn't I choose NOT to have bc??"  Oh well. 

My back still hurts on and off, but mostly on, and not always in the same place.  It concerns me.  My left leg also has been hurting, and I can't figure out why.  I am starting to blame everything on the Tamoxifen...  I guess when I see my surgeon again in a few weeks, I guess I'll tell him about these pains, because I think he will know what test to order, and he may be the only dr. who will take me seriously. 

It seems strange to me that these pains only started when I stopped taking Effexor.   Coincidence?

Thanks! 

Harley

Annabella58

Hi Harley:

I know that when both of my sisters and my mom began to reach menopause, they had really bad back pains.....maybe that has something to do with it?  My mom also had the leg pains.  They were (all 3) told that hormone fluxuations cause muscle aches and related.  auto immune stuff can as well, I have underactive thyroid and I know it's out of whack when this kind of thing begins.

I had 5 years of tamoxifen and no side effects at all, but I'd sure bring it up to your dr.

I hope this is of some help to you, and good luck!  Changing drugs sure can't help with all this stuff.

love to you

annie

p.s. Candie, thanks!  I have long, heavy, (used to be red) hair and I don't mind losing a boob as much as losing that!  However, in perspective, hair grows back, boobs must be put back, so I am trying to keep that in mind as I go about reorganizing my brain...I hope you are doing well too.

xoxo

Annabella58

pps: to carol: what birthday is it?  You are not an "old gal" you are a beautiful young girl!!  We should all look so good going thru this!  You don't look old enough to be your son's mama, that's for sure.

golfer779

Annie, I love to hear your plus side "feeling well".  That's number one!!!

On the hair front, as you can kinda see from my pic, I don't have much hair, (but never did).  Mine started "shedding" or some may call in thinning as well about 3 weeks after my first txt.  I kinda freaked myself and went to my gf salon and asked her to cut it short.   I have always had pretty short and thin hair.  Figured if I was going to have hair all over my pillow (in my mouth) and bathroom floor I'd rather deal with short hair.

Any how, it has not kept up with the same pace it was coming out in the beginning.  Yes it still is shedding and my scalp is getting a bit more visible but absolutely no clumps coming out.  I actually have gotten kinda used to just putting a little gel in it and having the spikey look.  Talk about easy!

If your hair is thick, I bet you'll be the only one who knows your "shedding" a bit!   I love the freak out ... buying a bandana!!!  Mine was getting the major short do!

Oh and the pic, what I like to call middle age ... 45 which I figure is half way to 90.  Still have a grandma at 98, thank goodness there is a little longevity in our family!

Rita, how cool you'll be able to see your grandkids on Easter.  I figured they lived in Illinois near you.  That should be a special weekend for all.

Snow on your greens ... yuckers!  We're finally getting a little weather in the 50's, hoping to go out tomorrow after work with my dh and gf that I golf in league with.  I definitely feel a little sore in my chest after we golf the next day.  Nothing way out of whack, in fact it took me a time or two out to finally say I bet I know why I'm sore, golf!  It goes away within a day or two, so looking forward to hitting a few rounds down in AZ on the 22nd!

Jill, if you happen to be lurking from paradise (Hawaii), hope your enjoying the heck out of your trip.  I'll be looking like Casper the ghost when I see you in AZ.  Used to hit the tanning salon before we would go south for a couple of rays, this year the priorities have definitely changed!!!

Sue, I havn't found your other thread to see your updates, hope your doing much better.

Harley, was bummed to read that your kinda down in the dumps, hang in there gal, although we cannot make your night sweat disappear, or your back ache go away, we can atleast be here for you to vent as much as you need.  Hoping that clearing your mind might help in just a little way.

Candie, thanks for the nice comments on the pics, and for always popping in to support us all.  It means more than words could explain!!

Off to txt #6 today, yeah half way there with the infusions.  Hoping that my GI tract stays a little more put than last week   !!!!

Good day to all,

Carol

Harley44

Carol,

Thanks for the support! 

I feel bad, because I am not much help to the  newcomers, when I am whining all the time! 

Guess I'm feeling sad, and feeling sorry for myself.  I'm really missing the good old days, before bc, when my thyroid disorder was the worst health issue I had, except for the premature ovarian failure, which was probably partly responsible for the bc...   Sorry for whining so much!

Thanks!  You gals are ALL so great!

Harley

Annabella58

Hello ladies, just got back from physical therapy for the mastectomy bit...going well..

Hey Carol, that was very helpful thank you!  You will laugh to know I have scheduled an appt.to get shorter layers to deal with the sheds...no clumps yet either, but yeah, its a pain.  I like your spikey 'do, it looks cool, and with a face like that, any do will do, pardon the pun.  You aren't middle aged, I am 52 and don't even know yet what I will do when i "grow up" ha ha.  50 doesn't hurt at all, just tell everybody you are 60 and let them tell you how good you look.  You look about 33, no kidding.

Harley, I have thyroid stuff too, it caused fybromyalgia in me, and hormone shifts rev that up and cause major muscle aches...could be worth a mention to your dr. to check for that?  I take a mini does of klonopin and mini dose of elavil at night and stay active and that helps alot...you aren't whining, this ain't for sissies, you are in a major tough chick club here, no one will fault you, go ahead and vent, we all are.  It's not whining, it's venting, and a good way to cope.  Feel free!!

thanks everybody, I will go on my shedding, weepy way and do some laundry.

Hey Carol, good luck with treatment #6,  half way YAY for you!!!

love

annie

candie1971

Carol...half way there...wahoo!!!!!

Harley44

Annie,

Thanks! 

I feel MUCH better today!  I even went for a walk/slow run...  I just got back a little while ago from my run, so maybe it's just the endorphins kicking in!

I haven't thought about the auto immune issues being to blame for any of my aches and pains.  I guess I'm blaming Tamoxifen, because I was doing ok until I started taking it.  Also, I get scared because that was one of the only problems I had when I was dx'd with bc last year.... terrible back pains and shoulder and neck pains.

Maybe it could be auto immune related.

Is there a test for Fibromyalgia?  My cousin told me that she has celiac's disease, and I should also be tested for that.

Thanks!  I guess I'm part of a very exclusive club now... bc chicks are pretty tough cookies!

Harley 

Annabella58

Hi Harley:

You are right, we are tough cookies, but don't you find that women are that, in general?  We have to be, it's a tough world out there!

There's that old saying, "a woman is like a tea bag, you never know how strong she is til you put her in hot water".

As far as I am aware, there isn't a test for fibromyalgia, but your dr. is probably well versed in symptoms of it, alot of hormoney stuff causes aches and pains, and oh my, stress does too, and don't we just have a bunch of that going on!

It's probably worth running by your md/endocrinologyst if you have one of those guys, my md is one so that's easy for me to do.  All the auto immune type stuff causes all of thse things, worth checking out to be more comfy!

I don't know if the Tamoxifen could do it, but I think it can cause menopause type issues, or menopause itself, which causes all of this as well. 

We women are lucky........we get all these man toys, boobs, etc., and all the attendant crap of things going awry with them.  Geez.

(sardonic laughter here)...on the flip side, we get to be girls, and thus the more high tech model.  Trade off i guess.

I got on the exercise bike for all of 20 minutes and jst about fell off it so I am in awe of your walk/run!!  They say keeping active helps with chemo fatigue and feminine issues, so I'm gonna try.  Then I shovelled, literally, about a pound of my hair off the bathroom floor.  Yick!

Get those endorphins going, good for you!!!

love

annie

Annabella58

Hi Harley:

You are right, we are tough cookies, but don't you find that women are that, in general?  We have to be, it's a tough world out there!

There's that old saying, "a woman is like a tea bag, you never know how strong she is til you put her in hot water".

As far as I am aware, there isn't a test for fibromyalgia, but your dr. is probably well versed in symptoms of it, alot of hormoney stuff causes aches and pains, and oh my, stress does too, and don't we just have a bunch of that going on!

It's probably worth running by your md/endocrinologyst if you have one of those guys, my md is one so that's easy for me to do.  All the auto immune type stuff causes all of thse things, worth checking out to be more comfy!

I don't know if the Tamoxifen could do it, but I think it can cause menopause type issues, or menopause itself, which causes all of this as well. 

We women are lucky........we get all these man toys, boobs, etc., and all the attendant crap of things going awry with them.  Geez.

(sardonic laughter here)...on the flip side, we get to be girls, and thus the more high tech model.  Trade off i guess.

I got on the exercise bike for all of 20 minutes and jst about fell off it so I am in awe of your walk/run!!  They say keeping active helps with chemo fatigue and feminine issues, so I'm gonna try.  Then I shovelled, literally, about a pound of my hair off the bathroom floor.  Yick!

Get those endorphins going, good for you!!!

love

annie

Annabella58

Oh good lord, I posted this twice...losing more than hair, girls.

xoxo

Harley44

Carol,

Happy Birthday, belatedly!!  The picture is great!   I will be 45 next month, and I had the same thought about it being right in the middle... I spoke to one of my aunts on the phone yesterday, and she will be 90 in August!!!  I thought....WOW!  I am half her age!!!   I hope to live to 90!, God willing.

Harley

Harley44

Annie,

Well, I never thought I was a very strong person.  But, after last year, and the bc dx, and tx, I guess I am stronger than I thought.  It seems that whenever I need the strength, GOD gives it to me...  Throughout the whole bc journey, whenever I needed something, IT was there! 

Endocrinologists have never been much help to me.  I think I have too many complicated issues for them.  I guess I should try to check into these auto immune issues.  I'm thinking that it will only cause more problems, especially if there is no test for them.

Sorry to hear that your hair is thinning.  Mine thinned due to the thyroid disorder I have.  I was always finding TONS of hair all over the place, especially the bathroom.  Maybe since chemo, my hair is looking better, healthier.  I guess I will have to keep it short...   I just don't like it short, because it reminds me of what I went through last year.  It is hard to believe, but it has been almost ONE year since my bc dx.  The mammogram & u/s was on March 8th, and the biopsy was on March 15th, but I didn't find out til March 20th.  My surgeon said that he doesn't like to tell even good results over the phone, so he made an appt. for me to come in on March 20th...   

Sorry for rambling... I guess I have just been thinking back on the past year, wondering how I survived it all. 

I guess it is another reason to celebrate... wow, I just realized that March 20th is next week, on Thursday!   Guess what I'll be doing?  Getting tattoos for my aureolas!!!!   Geez, and to think that I never thought I would ever get tattoos, or cut my hair short, or get breast implants!!! 

Sorrry, rambling again...

Harley

Annabella58

Hey Harley:

I think getting tatoo(ed?sp) nips is one great way to celebrate.  Kind of the icing on the cake.(?)  I have to get one remade (well, inflated) and tatooed to match also, so I'll be wanting to hear how it all goes with that for you!  I told my husband he can't see anything until I have "tied all the bows" and no peeking.

Listen, don't worry, by law, the drs. now must give what is called "full disclosure".  This is a fancy way to say "come in for an appt.to discuss, where I will tell you way more than you ever ever wanted to know to guard my ass against a lawsuit".  the poor things.  And yes, even good news comes that way now.  I almost didn't want to go thru with any surgery at all after they got thru all the things that MIGHT happen, scared me half to death.  And none of them did. And my friend's hubby just got a beautiful all clear after prostate cancer and had to make an appt., go in, discuss, and then have a game plan for the next year, then the next five years.  This is probably what the appt. will be about.  Given all you went thru I should think the least they can give you is an appt. to end all this for you.  Right? 

So, you are SO gonna get good news on next thursday!  You are just feeling down lately, cuz you haven't felt well and have been frightened again by back pains (and imminent anniversary, could that be the source of the stress affecting you? Cuz that is a HUGE mental and emotional hurdle) and after my last bout after six years I still freaked out and wouldn't even answer the phone if I thought it was a dr.  Of course you are nervous, you'd have to be unfeeling not to be.   And here I am, Round #2, (first time was a lumpectomy and radiation, a walk in the park compared to this), and I'm still here.

So let's make a pact.....now we have boob implants, you at least have cool hair, and we will have tatoos, we can be O.C. hot flashing mamas.  I never thought i'd have any of this either, and I am famous (in my own mind anyway) for my 1.boobs 2.hair and 3.youthful appearance. ....the joke is now on me cuz I'm missing one, losing the other, and after all this crap is done, I certainly doubt that I'll be feeling or looking youthful!

So Happy St. Paddy's and go get those tatoos girl!  You are done!!!

God will most certainly keep you in the palm of his hand thru all this.

I will send up some prayers for you too.

xoxo

annie

golfer779

Made it through round six uneventfully until I got home, the diarrhea se decided to kick in again this week.  Thank goodness I was in the comfort of my own home.

Was introduced to a nice lady at my center who was also receiving CMF.  We chatted for a short while, exchanged phone numbers, she was receiving her cytoxan by infusion, she said the orally meds made her horribly sick.  I had noticed that she did not have anybody with her, I'll be calling her tomorrow night to make sure she has a good support system, maybe I can help her in some way. 

  

Harley, read todays posts, looks like your feeling a little better as the day went on.  My thought is that we are all here for each other, at whatever stage of txt, post txt, no txt, whatever.  We will forever be united as bc survivors, so bring it on when you need to have a supportive ear. 

Great that you we're able to get a walk/run in, my onc feels that I have been doing as well as I have with the activity level I have been able to handle.

Here's to a great appt on the 20th with all good news.

Annie, just a quick note so say I love your post, got quite a few good chuckles reading your last couple. 

Good luck with the new "do", how about a pic is your able.

ritajean

Hi gals!

You've made it to the half-way mark, Carol!  SUPER!  I'm so glad that it's been relatively easy for you.  As well as you've done so far, the last half should pass pretty uneventfully, too.  I think the fatigue was the worst for me during the last half as it was cumulative, but I still did most of the things that I wanted to do and arranged my "naps" or resting periods between my activities.

Annie...Turning 60 didn't hurt either!  In fact, I had just finished my treatments a few weeks before and I was relieved to turn 60!  I hope I feel the same when I hit 70.  In the meantime, I'm going for the gusto!

Harley, I've had some joint problems...feet and back...with the Arimidex.  I increased my magnesium and vitamin D-3 intake and the pain subsided.  It's all natural and might be worth a try.  It took about a week before I noticed a big difference.  Now I just keep taking the magnes. and D-3. 

Hi Candie and Ginny!  Hope all is going well for you gals.  What kind of weather are you having in NJ now Candie?  The days are getting longer here.  The snow is melting.  We've got lots of puddles and temps in the low 50's.  I think maybe spring is finally on its way.

I hope everyone is having a good day!

I'm off to do some research for scholastic bowl questions.  Catch you all later.

Rita

Harley44

Rita,

Thanks for the advice about magnesium and D3...  I'll try to find some next time I'm  out at the store.

My back pain eased up somewhat yesterday, when I went out for a walk, and a light jog.  After I got back in and sat down, it started up again.  Could it be that maybe when I sit still for awhile, things just tighten up?  I really don't know what is causing this, but it is starting to get on my nerves.

I am trying to start a new hobby... making beaded jewelry!  Some of the things you can make are SO pretty!  I'll see how it goes.  Right now, I am finding that it can be kind of expensive!

You seem to be keeping very busy!  Maybe I need to be as busy as you are!

Hugs

Harley

Harley44

Hey Carol,

Sorry you had to deal with that darn diarrhea!!  I had it really bad after my 1st tx of Taxotere & Cytoxan...  Figures... I had prepared for constipation, and bought stool softeners!! 

I agree... I believe that I got thru my txs fairly smoothly, because I tried to keep up with my exercise... even walking almost every day after my mast., and as much as I could while getting chemo. 

Good Luck!  Did I read that you are HALFWAY thru??   I'm doing a HALFTIME celebration dance for you!

Harley

Harley44

Annie,

You are SO right!  I guess I can't help feeling kind of scared and worried about the back pain, after what we've been through, we are kind of on HIGH ALERT, whenever we feel any kind of pain, or anything out of the norm. 

I tried to explain this to a friend today when I went shopping... She didn't get it.  She said that instead of bothering all my friends, maybe I should go to a support group or see a therapist.  I am not someone who is good with group therapy, and I just can't see myself going to a therapist, because... well, they don't REALLY care about me, and they are just listening, cuz I am paying for it...  (I have never been to a therapist, but for those who go, and it helps, well, that is WONDERFUL, more power to ya!  Everyone is different!  It just wouldn't work for me.) 

My appt. on Thursday is just for the tattoo artist, so I won't be seeing a doc...  I am not getting the same nipple treatment that you will be getting.  Thursday is just the tattooing of the aureola, the area around the nipple... the actual nipple is now on my leg, and my ps will be sewing them back on, about a month after the tattooing... I was still kind of shell-shocked by the bc dx, and didn't really think it through very well before  my surgeon made the appt. for the surgery, and he sort of pressured me into it.  I will ask my ps about all my concerns before he does the final transfer.   As of May 2nd, it will be there on my leg for ONE year, and it is so disgusting!!  I know,  TMI!! 

I will be seeing my general surgeon on April 4th, for a follow up, and he will want to schedule my colonoscopy then...   The fun never ends!  (Oh, I WILL mention the back pain when I see him again.)But, I AM very near the end, so I will definitely have to celebrate when the boobs are done!!  When I had my last chemo tx, dh and I went out to dinner with some friends, and we bought a bottle of champagne to celebrate, and shared it with everyone.  I think it is important to celebrate every phase of treatment!

Oh, Annie,  You are so sweet!  I am so sorry that you are having to go through this again!

I think the worst part for me was losing my hair.  My neighbor, a nice elderly couple, have talked to me if I see them outside, when I go out on walks.  Sam & Marie are very nice!  When I wore my sexy long RED wig for the first time, he said "You're HOT!"  So now, I am a HOTTIE! 

Yes, we are  HOT MAMAS!!

Thanks for letting me vent... 

Harley

Annabella58

hi girls: am trying to post a damn photo but am so not doing it right but i will try........  Oh my god it worked and I have absolutely no idea how........anyway this is me at the beach and obviously the girls are still there.  Take the left one down a notch and give it some crappier hair, and it's still me.  hope this works to post.

Annabella58

Oh and Harley, that's what they will be doing to me too....I believe that is where the blood supply for the new nip comes from.

Not too much info, I knew about it but wondered...

don't worry, I've seen after shots and wow do they look perfectly normal when they are done.  Hard to believe, but they do.

I live your new hobby, I wanted to try that as well.......and ask about fibromyalgia, if you sit too long, it all hurts.  I run around all the time, but sitting...........

bye ladies, hope you can see this photo with Boobus Intactus ..oh well, eye on the prize not the process, right?

love to all

Annie

p.s. Carol, feel better!!! try that BRAT diet from when our kids were little, bananas rice applesauce and toast?

xoxo