Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2009

    Jeannine, So happy that your doctor did not find anything and that you had a good visit.

    I have a checkup with my breast surgeon on May 13 at the Breast Center. I am looking forward to seeing the staff again, but also hoping that my breast exam is absolutely clear.

    My exercise times are getting better and better. I am beginning to feel strong, like a SURVIVOR.

    Bette 

  • DesertRider
    DesertRider Member Posts: 178
    edited May 2009

    Good for you, Misty, you conquered the computer with the pics! 

    Deanna, I think knit over white might be a new fashion statement!

    Bette, I'll hold off on the rattlesnake drink, too, but if you're interested, there are a lot out in the desert now1

    Roya, you have to join us in the desert next time.

    I'm on rad #20 tomorrow. Am quite red with broken skin over my collar bone. Think I'll try the emu oil. Still got the pain in my left side and ANOTHER GYN is mystified by it as well. Will keep testing, sure doesn't make sense that the ovarian cyst is on the right & pain on the left!

    Off to Prescott for the weekend - one of my 4 sons is graduating from a flight school there.

    Have a great weekend everyone

    Hugs,

    Gail 

  • Misty1
    Misty1 Member Posts: 272
    edited May 2009

    hey everybody i am using all lowercase because of a finger proble,\m.

    first, i passed my mammo yesterday-everything looked normal on the right side-victory lap for me!!!  i have been having some nail issues from the taxotere drug-unfortunately i developed a fingernail infection over the week-doc saw it yesterday at the herceptin dose and said go to the er afterwards to have it drained-waited five hours but finally got relief-procedure was painful but glad it is over-now on an antibiotic. always something!!!

    gail, congrats on your son's graduation

    bette and gail-your rads will be over soon!!!

    my husband and i are off to birmingham, AL to visit some friends this weekend.

    ~misty

  • Corinne6
    Corinne6 Member Posts: 311
    edited May 2009

    Hi all, I am so happy Gail that you are almost done with RAD's I went to my Dr's yesterday and she agreed that EXERCISE 3-6 HOURS REDUCES CANCER REOCCURENCE BY 50 PERCENT> I have not missed a day but it is good to know that my medical doctor agrees on this with my naturopathic dr. I am going on WED. May 6th for another echo. I am hoping to see an improved injection fraction so I can start back on Herceptin. Thank you all for your prayers. Bette, you keep on treading That is great time!! Jeannine, I am so happy for the good reports. Remember my telling you about my look good feel good that I had gone to back in Oct well one person out of 6 has passed away. She did not die from cancer but from a bad heart. She was 72 and married for 52 years. There are now 5 of us left and 3 of those are really struggling. I pray for you and them all the time.  Lashon, We have not heard from you since February 27th. I believe, There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of you or pray for you. If you are reading this please write and let us know how you are. Kimberlyn, How are you doing. You are another one who has just had a very hard time. Lisa, where have you been. We are all still here for you and pray for you all. I love each one of you like a sister and even though I do not get to write everyday I have been able to read. MamaKaren, My dr told me yesterday that there was a trial that showed somewhere in the Netherlands.  that if you are on Herceptin for only 3 months you have GREAT benifits from it. I understand exactly how you feel. I started on CoQ10 a couple of weeks back and I wll see if this has helped me. Love and hugs to you all

    - Corinne

  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited May 2009

    Gail ~  Have a wonderful time in Prescott.  Congratulations to your son! 

    Corinne ~  You should check out a couple of threads here where some of us are really into exercising and a natural approach to life after bc treatment.  They're called "motivation" and "natural girls."  I think you'd like them.  Lots of great info being shared. 

    I've had a similar situation to what you experienced with the group from your Look Good Feel Better class.  While I was doing chemo, I'd tried an art therapy class for cancer patients at our local hospital.  For whatever reason, I only went about 5 times, but I've since seen obituaries for 3 of the women in that class of 12 or so.  I had known that one gal had Stage 4 lung cancer, but I had no idea the other two were even that sick.  Quite a shock!  

    Misty ~  Congrats on the clear mammo!  What a relief!  Sorry about your nail.  That sounds painful.  I hope it heals quickly, now that you're on an antibiotic.

    Have a great weekend, everyone!     (((Hugs)))   Deanna 

  • mamakaren
    mamakaren Member Posts: 225
    edited May 2009

    You girls look great and very happy!

    Gail sooooooooooo glad! Things like this shows us that there is proof that " With God all things are possible"

    I haven't got my results from my rib x-ray but please pray that everything turns out good. Have a great weekend gals! My mom starts chemo May 11th and got her port in today. She did really well except for the anxiety.

    Karen

  • Corinne6
    Corinne6 Member Posts: 311
    edited May 2009

    Karen, I am praying for the rib thing. I had a rib thing about a month ago that radiated to the front. The Chiropractor worked on it and so far so good!!  Nothing showed up on xray. Have a good weekend girls. Love you all, Going to plant my 12 raspbberry plants so I can eat organic in a couple of years!! Will check the other websites later.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    After 10 hours in the ER yesterday with chest pain and light-headedness, a CT scan and two EKGs did not turn up anything, although my blood enzyme for clots is elevated. I will see my rad onc tomorrow for followup.

    I have been seeing my chiropractor for a rib/shoulder blade issue that has been shooting significant pain down my right arm, especially when I use the computer. It is much better now.

    Right now I am really tired, having gotten to bed at 2:30 this morning. I stayed home from church due to continued light-headedness and have orders from Tom to rest all day. I got bored in bed!

    Rads 13 out of 28 is tomorrow. On Tuesday I will be halfway done!

    Have a great Sunday afternoon!

    Bette 

  • DesertRider
    DesertRider Member Posts: 178
    edited May 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    Prescott & the graduation was good, the best was celebrating good stuff with all our 5 kids - a real "blended" family that gets along great. Tomorrow is # 22 and I'll REALLY be glad when this is over - my radiated area is blistered and raw both in front and back!

    Still searching for answers to the abdominal pain - the GYN I saw says get a "robotic" hysterectomy to eliminate ovarian problems. (Robotic is least invasive). Is this operation a good idea, girls?

    Karen, I'm hoping the rib is better and you get good news.

    Glad you are moving along with rads Bette. Guess there is an end in sight!

    Corinne, what is CoQ10 and what does it do?   Sure wish raspberries grew here!

    Misty, I have 1 toenail that hurts and has thickened skin - it that what you have?

    Great week to everyone!

    Gail 

  • TXBadboob
    TXBadboob Member Posts: 597
    edited May 2009

    MamaKaren, Bette, Gail,  my prayers are with you for good news and great healing!

    Deen

  • Corinne6
    Corinne6 Member Posts: 311
    edited May 2009

    Bette: Tamoxifen causes blood enzyme clotting factor. got you covered in prayer for Friday!!Gail, CoQ10 is for your heart. VERY GOOD!!! It helps support the blood vessels and I also take Hawthorn Berry. CoQ10 is a heart-protective antioxidant nutrient found in high concentrations in the heart and liver.  It gives oxygen to the heart and tissue and cell repair. As we age it gets less so by taking extra I am improving my chances of not having heart problems. Going tomorrow to see if I have a better injection fraction - Hope so!! Want to get back on Herceptin.

    My strawberry plants have flowers. Thank you Guerney's!!! Cherry trees are seeing buds now. Yipppeeee!!! 3 more years or so and yessssss I'll have my own organic fruit!!!!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    A brain MRI this morning showed no evidence of disease. Praise the Lord!

    My dizziness and blurred vision remain a mystery to me. I see my med onc soon to follow up. Blood pressure this AM was a little lower than usual.

    I was informed by the rad onc yesterday that my CT scan showed a small nodule on my left lung. Please pray that this is nothing to be concerned about.

    It is a huge relief that the MRI came back normal. What nobody said, was that they were concerned about mets to my brain. I do have IBC, and it has a high incidence of recurrence and mets. I intend to live life well each day, whether it be two years or forty.

    On returning from the hospital today, I was greeted by 6 red roses from Tom, to commemorate the one year anniversary of when we met. What a sweetheart! Love is what really matters. Cancer can not kill our love.

    Bette 

  • Corinne6
    Corinne6 Member Posts: 311
    edited May 2009

    Bette: Could not be more pleased for you about your MRI. Don't worry yet about the CAT scan. It may be nothing.  Alot of times things show up on these tests that turn out to be nothing of great importance. You are doing well. I had a bone scan in the very begining and they told me they suspected bone cancer. When I did the PET scan nothing showed up so they felt it was arthritis. I have had pain on that on rib for years and years. If it were anything I would be dead today. Bette keep on treading!! Your blood pressure is low which is really good for you heart. You are doing the right things. I have also been staying away from all sugar except on Fridays when I have a small cheat. I could not feel any better than at the present. Also, don't listen to statistics. I know of someone who had a 15 percent chance of living that is doing GREAT 3 years out!!  Life is hard to live one day at a time but I am so greatful for each day I wake up. I could kiss the ground I am so happy!!

  • mamakaren
    mamakaren Member Posts: 225
    edited May 2009

    Corrine~ I haven't even got the results of my detailed X-ray I am to chicken to call but i'm assuming that if there were something wrong they would have told me right? I'm just praying that no news is good news.

    Bette~ Lets just send positive vibes that everything turns out good.

    TXBadboob~ Thank you for the prayers, Lord knows we need them. So grateful!

    Today I saw a friend of mine and he was a basket case. I asked him if he was ok and he said " I don't know" in a shaky voice. He had just found out that he has a aneurysm in his brain. I just felt this awful feeling and just hugged him out of nowhere all these encouraging words came out of me and then he asked me what my email was so he could email me for encouragement in case he falls apart he said. I just couldn't even work after that just knowing how awful he felt just receiving that news. It gave me a flashback of how i felt went i was dx for the first time. Please pray that the Lord gives him strength and peace to fight this.

  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited May 2009

    Mamakaren, I will be praying for your friend.  I am so glad that he found out early about his aneurysm while it can still be treated.  From what I understand, most of these rupture undiagnosed until after the fact.  You have really been so strong for so many people.  I think of you and all that you have gone through yourself, yet you give yourself selflessly for the needs of others.  That takes soooooo much strength and love!!!!!

    Whatever you do, keep taking good care of you. Cool

  • Corinne6
    Corinne6 Member Posts: 311
    edited May 2009

    Karen, I will be praying for your friend. Roya, You are such a sweetheart!1

    TO ALL OF YOU THAT HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR ME. MY EJECTION FRACTION IS UP!!! I START BACK ON MY HERCEPTIN TOMORROW!!! I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS. ' THE PRAYER OF FAITH SHALL SAVE THE SICK, AND THE LORD SHALL RAISE HIM UP...JAMES 5:15A BECAUSE OF YOU ALL I AM DOING WELL. WAS TOLD TODAY TO KEEP ON TREADING ON MY LITTLE TREADMILL!! BETTE DON'T YOU GIVE UP ON THAT THING.  love and hugs to you all. Yesss herceptin here I come!!!

  • DesertRider
    DesertRider Member Posts: 178
    edited May 2009

    I'm so THRILLED Corinne! Way to go!

  • Misty1
    Misty1 Member Posts: 272
    edited May 2009

    Hey Girls,

    Wow-sounds like a lot has been going on here lately...

    Corinne-soooooo happy you are getting back to the herceptin.  Way to go!

    Bette-sounds like you have had a lot of scares.  Here's hoping for some uneventful days for you soon.

    Gail, how are you doing?  What is the latest on the cysts?  About the fingernaiil-it is so much better.  I am finishing up 10 days of antibiotics.  I am really trying to keep the three scary nails clean and covered.  I hope they grow out soon.

    Mamakaren-sorry to hear about your friend.

    Roya-no news is good news!!

    As for me, I am counting down the days until school is over.  I am sooooo looking forward to this summer.  I keep thinking about a year ago and how my mammo was at the beginning of May and this whole thing started then.  I just had a friend at work (my age) celebrate her 1 year anniversary after her DX last year.  She is about 7 weeks ahead of me with everything.  I think we are all probably going to be thinking about one year ago as summer approaches.  But look how far we have come.  I am planning to go to an ACS Survivor Walk at the beginning of June with my friend from work.

    ~Misty

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2009

    Misty, We have come a long way!

    On May 28, it will be one year since I discovered the lump which would lead to Dx and all the terrible and wonderful things that have happened this year.

    On May 5, Tom presented me with six red roses to commemorate one year since we met online.

    I am still dizzy, but have a prescription for Antivert to help with that.

    Next Wednesday I have an appointment for a checkup with my BS at Johns Hopkins. It will be nice to see my friends at the Breast Center there.

    Only 12 rads to go. I am past the halfway point with skin still intact.

    Mamakaren, it is so good that you can be a support to your friend.

    Corinne, It is good to here that you can take the Herceptin again.

    Roya, I am glad things are quiet on your end. Too much excitement here for me!

    Hugs to all and have a great afternoon. In the Philly area it is muggy and warm. It makes my head swim, so I am staying in with the AC.

    Bette 

  • mamakaren
    mamakaren Member Posts: 225
    edited May 2009

    Bette~ 12 rads to go that's great it will be over in no time.

    Corrine~ I hope that i can be able to take the Herceptin soon also.

    Roya~ Glad that you are doing good. I wish I could be be in Paris (one lucky gal)

    Hope everyone is doing good As for me i'm nervous as heck counting the days that my mom starts her chemo. I am being so strong for her but it makes me so upset to know how she must be feeling scared just as i was. I keep telling her Mom it's gonna be fine but she just looks at me with that unsure look. just pray that everything is gonna be ok for her.

    Have a great week Hot Baldies!

  • Corinne6
    Corinne6 Member Posts: 311
    edited May 2009

    Karen, Try to see if your Dr recommends CoQ10, Hawthorn berry, l-carnintine, and melatonin. All of these things support the heart. How many months have you been on it? Did you get your x-ray results?

    Misty, you are always ahead of me on everything. Did you get a muga test? I too am walking in June for the ACS in CT  Somone is walking in my honor in Boston.

    Can you all believe that we made it this far? It is 8:17 Am and I just finished my 40 min treadmill walk to today. Free at last. Going to feed the horse and get my day started. Praying and thinking of you all. Behave your selves (even if it only lasts a little while!!) hugs, Corinne

  • g94u67
    g94u67 Member Posts: 436
    edited May 2009

    Hello Hello!

    Gee I fee like I've been absent a month w/all the good news I read! 

    Well I did end up going to the desert after all and I must say (Deanna!) that it was so nice and relaxing.  We just layed by the pool.  It was windy but the weather was wonderful.  (No one was ill).  I did disinfect our room and stay cautious.  Hopefully next time I can meet up w/you Gail & Deanna.

    Gail:  Congrats on your son finishing Flight School! How awesome. & You're almost finished w/Rads too.  Great.  Maybe after competion that dreaded pain will be gone.

    Corrine: Keep moving on that treadmill girfriend. I've been doing my walks this week just trying to get back in shape!  I totally believe in those stats how excercising can reduce recurrence and I need all the help I can get. Thank you for the lovely passage.

    Bette: I so hope you're feeling better. So happy to hear your MRI is clean.  I'm also at a big risk for brain mets. We've got to stay strong and positive!!  It's all in God's hands.

    Misty:  I totally hear you about the narly nails!  Me too : o...& When will my eyelashes grow back?? My mustache has LOL...Happy to hear your mamo is clear too!  I feel you too about this time of year.  What a journey it has been for us but we've made it..

    and HOORAY for you MamaK! Only 12 more Rad sessions to go. 

    & My great news...Tomorrow is the Revlon/Run Walk in Los Angeles.  A HUGE benefit for women's cancers.  I've got 18 people on my team.  I'm so excited.  I'M WALKING FOR EACH ONE OF YOU!! Hopefully there will be a cure to this dreadful disease one day.

    Happy Mother's Day everyone!

    Jeannine

  • alibug05
    alibug05 Member Posts: 182
    edited May 2009

    Hello ladies - I love reading all the good news on our board, it is about time we all get some!!!!  I go Tuesday for my mammo and my check-up with my breast dr.  I am just ready to get it over with....A little nervous but I am sure it will all be fine.  I just want to wish ALL of you A VERY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!!  Loves to all...................

  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited May 2009

    Good to catch up on everyone's news.

    Jeannine ~ I'm glad you didn't change your plans. The swine flu scare seems to have faded away as quickly as it appeared.  I did hear from a friend this a.m. whose DD's BF caught it on a flight out of Palm Springs and had to be quarentined, but that's the only case I've personally heard about.  And, yes, we'll definitely get together next time, when Gail will hopefully be in town, too.

    Karen ~ I'm so sorry about your friend.  Is he having surgery?  Boy, having been through what we have certainly deepens our compassion, doesn't it?  I mean, I'm sure we were all very caring and concerned for others pre-bc, but until you've had the shock that goes along with a serious health dx, you don't really know how it feels.  And when does your Mom start her chemo?

    Bette, Gail ~ Any news on your additional tests?  I just hate the fear that comes over us when we have an unexplained pain or dizziness or other symptom, and suddenly the worst seems possible, when just the day before, we were fine.  It just seems like one bit of concern from a doc, and the horrible feelings we experienced when we were first dx'd come flooding back.  I'm so sorry for anyone who is dealing with that fear now, and pray that each of us will remain NED for many, many years -- until they find a cure!

    HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, everyone!  One thing about bc is how extra special these celebrations become.  And, Jeannine, have fun tomorrow!    (((Hugs))) to all ~  Deanna

  • mamakaren
    mamakaren Member Posts: 225
    edited May 2009

    Corrine~ I know it's crazy but i haven't heard any results  from my onc so i'm just assuming that its ok. I'm to afraid to even call. There is this saying that i used to post " When we face what we fear  We become Fearless! Well I wish that i could be that person but i'm not so i stopped posting that. I have been on Herceptin going on 8 months but minus 2 months  due to the EF drop. I am gonna mention this to him next visit.

    Deanna~ My Mom starts chemo this Tuesday May 11th and as for my friend he says doc told him they're not sure about surgery due to the risk of not ever being normal again. Haven't got the current info yet about Robert I'm just praying that he overcomes this.

    Happy Hot Mama's Day!!!!    Love, KarenKiss

  • TXBadboob
    TXBadboob Member Posts: 597
    edited May 2009

    Mamakaren and Bette, my prayers are with you in healing yourselves.  Mamak, you sound really stressed out right now (understandably), Please lean on us here and let us take some of your burden.  God will take care of you.

    Jeannine, glad you had a nice trip.  I'm thinking about going to the Reunion in Las Vegas in Sept., too.

    Misty, glad your nails are getting better.  4 mos after my last chemo and my toenails have decided to start lifting.  I thought it was an ingrown toenail, as it hurt so bad, then I saw it was doing the same thing as my fingernails have done.  Weird.

    Gail, I haven't heard of robotic hysterectomy.  I have to get my ovaries out next month, and they're going to do it laproscopically(sp) at the time of my exchange.  I'll know more after my next appt with gyno.  Hope you're skin is healing.

    Corrine and Deanna, you really inspire me with your strength and compassion.  I'll try to pay it forward.

    Happy Mother's Day,

    Deen

  • Corinne6
    Corinne6 Member Posts: 311
    edited May 2009

    Karen, the best things you can do for yourself are #1 exercise then take the above mentioned things.

    Jeannine, How was the walk? I bet you were a GREAT inspritation to many.

    Are any of you that are estrogen positive out there taking anything for HOT HOT flashes?

    Hope everyone is having a GREAT Mother's Day. I sure did. Loved all the festivities. Asked my husband to PLEASE NOT take me out this year. I just do not enjoy the growth hormones in my food so you can just have salad thing. Soooo I made alot of picnic item foods. Today was my cheat day and I actually cheated on potato salad and rhubarb cobbler. Yum now those things are both sugars and I have not cheated at all on sugar since nine days ago when I had a half a candy bar. Did I feel a little like I shouldn't have this......Yes so I had half a piece of rhubarb cobbler and a small serving of potato salad. They were worth waiting for!!! Won't be able to cheat again for another week but... I will look forward to eating half of the payday candy bar someone gave me for mothers day next week.

    Have to run to church right now but know that I love you all and expecting to hear good reports from you all this week!! Hugs and Happy Mother's Day

  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited May 2009

    Hope everyone had a wonderful Mothers' Day.  I get to celebrate it twice.  My kids celebrated with me for the American moms' day but will also celebrate on May 31 which is the French one.  They call it Fete de Meres. Since we will eventually be returning to the US, we try to keep up with all the traditional American holidays while learning all about the  ones here as well.  All the celebrations keeps life fun and interesting.Wink

    I am due for my first mammo since diagnosis last year.  I have been putting it off  (fear?)  but it absolutley must be done this month. 

    Corinne, I just luv 'cheat days'  and I have defineitly cheated on sugar......especially yesterday with my 'mom's day' box of chocolates.  The pastries and candies here in Paris.........OMG!  I honestly need more than one cheat day per week!

  • g94u67
    g94u67 Member Posts: 436
    edited May 2009

    Hi there everybody!

    I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.  Especially you MamaK!  I know this one was probably very special & yes we are Fearless!

    Well the Revlon Walk was simply incredible!!  Chaotic too.  We tried to leave at 6:00 a.m .but didn't arrive until after 8:30 a.m.  I had a team of 20 -( Capricorn 67) which was composed of my cousins, co-workers, bestfriends and loved ones.  What a day.  I saw so many survivors! It was very inspiring.Team KariAnn Inaba (DWTS) was right by us at the finish line.  (Her mom is a survivor).We went for pizza and beer afterwards. My old knee went out and I had to soak in the tub for an hour.  All in all, It was a fabulous day.

    I'm going to try and post the pix. (Misty if you can PM me to show me how,it would be great!)

    My Mother's Day was nice too. We all went to lunch and then to sleep right after!

    Roya:  Your Mother's Day was a double whammy! Giving up the sugar is my total weakness.  I'm joining Weight Watchers really soon to get back on track. I'm up for my mammo soon too.  Don't procastinate!

    Wishing everyone a wonderful and blessed week.

    Jeannine Laughing

  • DesertRider
    DesertRider Member Posts: 178
    edited May 2009

    Hi Hot Baldies,

    Hope everyone had a great Mother's day weekend. DH & I went to the Colorado river near Havasu . We took our wave runners up river and found great sandy beaches for camping. You're right Deanna, these are days of extra special celebrations.  

    Last week of rads! - OK except for about 3 inches of a badly burned area over the collarbone.

    Abdominal pain still there - they did turned me down for a PET scan until I go meet with the head Onc Chief who makes these decisions. Boy, he doesn't know who is walking in to meet with him! I've got copies of 3 different oncs. requesting the scan. (my regular onc., Rad onc, and my GYN).  If he has a better idea to explore this pain - bring it on!

    Deen, I want to hear more about your hysterectomy. I will be getting it too, and I really want the robotic style. Lapro is good too. Did your onc. recommend this - will it be a total hyster? 

    Roya, my first mammo was clear and it sure is a relief. You will be fine and my advise, get it done soon so you can put it behind you. The worrying is the worst part. I'll be thinking of you!

     Hugs to all on this beautiful day,

    Gail 

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