Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

Roya

Gail, I admire the way that you are standing up for yourself over the PET scan.  I agree.....bring it on!

Jeannine, I remember seeing a movie that featured the Revlon Walk.  I just can't imagine how great an experience that must have been.

Corinne6

Whoa!! Roya, I did not know you lived in Paris, France. My mom was born there!!! She died in 1976 but she use to live in Livre Gargon (Don't know if I spelled that right!!) She had not been back since she had married my dad in world war II. Her maiden name was Lomprez. I have an aunt who lives in FL on my mom's side who visits there every now in then. She speaks still with that French accent. She's a peach and also a BC sister!!!

DesertRider

Hi everyone,

Today is first day of my booster rads and frankly I'm cooked - I feel saturated with rads and wondering if I need "boosters" - think I've been boosted enough!!! Really wondering if I need more.

It's really gotten hot here is the desert - gonna be 105 this week. hope you all are keeping cool!

Hugs,

Gail 

alibug05

Hey girlies!!!!   I passed ALL my tests with flying colors!!!! I was soooooo excited!!!!!  Very nervous to go but I am glad it is over!!! I don't go back till November!!!  I hope everyone is doing good!!!!  I just wanted to share my great news!!! Loves to all....................................

Misty1

Okay, Gail, how many are left?  I feel the end of rads coming for you.  Way to go!!!  Stay cool.

Alibug-I was hoping you would be posting good news about this.  YEAH!!!  Isn't it nice to pass this test for a change?!

Everyone, hope you are feeling good.

~Misty

mamakaren

Alibug~ Soooooo happy 4 u!!!!! It feels as if 1000 pounds have been lifted ha.

I'm hoping everyone is doing GREAT!

Roya

Congrats to you Alibug........I'm soooooooo happy for you!!!!

Corinne,  Yes, we are living here in Paris.  I am a US citizen &  DH is Swiss.  We are only here temporarily for his business.  I wish it could be forever........this is such a beautiful and interesting city.  I received excellent care for the BC.  I must admit it was kind of lonely since my French is at Sesame Street level and I was new with no one to talk to at first.  This forum absolutely was a lifesaver for me!  I am soooo grateful for my BC sisters here.

Anonymous

Twenty one rads down and seven to go. My skin is starting to look sunburned and is very sensitive where it rubs under the arm. I am following my doctor's orders and going topless at home to get air to the skin.

I just came back from a checkup at the Avon Foundation Breast Center at Johns Hopkins. All was well. What a relief! I got to spend last night with DD and husband in Baltimore, which was nice.

I am due for a mammogram in June. Also will see my PS then, to plan the first phase of reconstruction.

The dizziness did not bother me yesterday while I was traveling, but has returned today. My oncologist said that if I continue to be dizzy after rads, she sill send me to a neurologist to be checked out.

On my return from Baltimore, Tom presented me with a new teddy bear. He has given me seven bears since we began dating. This one wears a red shirt that asks,"Could you use a hug today?"

Hugs to all

Bette 

g94u67

Hi there,

Hooray to you Allibug! What a relief for you. So happy to hear that.

Hey Gail you're almost there!  Was that the final RAD? That surgery you asked Deen about is the oophorectomy which consists of removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes only. (The uterus and cervix are left).  I am still considering this one but I really should do it. Just scared of the SE's. Were you able to have your MRI? Fight for it girlie.  I hate the politics that be but we have to do what we must!

I'm meeting the the surgeon about my upcoming DMX. I hope he's receptive. If I have to argue my case I will! Wish me luck.

I've been continuing my power walks and trying to eat better. I'm determined to lose this extra weight!

Have a great week all,

Jeannine

TXBadboob

Hi ladies,

Gail, I have an appt next Wed with the gyn surgeon to talk about the oophorectomy.  I really don't know that much about it yet, but I'll keep you updated.  Glad you're almost done with the rads, sounds like you're cooked!  It's really hot here, too.

Jeannine, Good luck with your fight, I'm not a very good fighter when it comes to Drs., but lately I've become pretty bullheaded with them.  After my next surgeries, I'm planning to ask my onc for another PET scan, because I never got one after my chemo ended, and I'd like to be assured that all is clear.  After all, I did have IDC in the other breast that they didn't even know about the whole time.  I'm sure you won't have a problem getting DMX.  I'm really glad I did now.

Prayers and hugs to all,

Deen

Corinne6

Hi everyonw, I wrote yesterday but it did not post. Must be that I did not hit the submit button???? Anyhow, Gail,  you must be so relieved that you are almost done!!! Alibug we couldn't be happier for you!!! I am going for a pet scan sometime in June or July. Hoping for much better results this year than last!! Bette,  you too are almost done. I am hoping that this is a good week for all. I just finished my 40 min on the treadmil. Still have not skipped one day!! I am so energetic. The GREAT news however is that if the cancer does not come back I am doing reconstruction in Oct. I met with the plastic surgeon yesterday and am soooooo excited. She is so nice and I feel so confident in her abilities!! Is anyone considering the tummy tuck make your breast method? If so what have you heard for pro's and con's. Would you believe I finally had my first hair trim and dye job!!  I did that yesterday. I am still going to wear my wig until my bangs get longer. You can see all my forhead wrrinkles without them!!! Anyhow, life goes on and I am so happy to be alive and well. THANK YOU LORD>  Lashon has not been on here since Feb. Has anyone heard from her??? I keep on praying for her and Kimberlynn. Has anyone heard from her either? Love you all, Hugs,

dlb823

Hi, all ~  Jeannine, that Revlon Walk looks fun & HUGE!  Glad to see you ditched the wig for it!  I wish we lived a bit closer to LA.  It looks like such a great event!

Corinne ~  I had a Diep flap reconstruction right along with my mast.  I highly recommend it.  It's a long surgery and a bit more recovery than implants, but I am so glad now that I did it. PM me if you have specific questions.  I've encouraged several women on these boards to do it and a couple have even used my PS @ UCLA, and they've all been thrilled with their results.  Just be sure that your PS is very experienced at Diep.  It's NOT the type of surgery to trust to someone who has only done a handful of them.  I'm also going to PM you about Lashon.

Gail ~  So glad you're almost done with rads!   Any more news on getting a PETscan?

Bette ~  Glad you're also in the home stretch for rads!  I'm sure Tom will find a romantic way to celebrate finishing them.

Karen ~ Has your Mom started chemo?  If you want to PM me her address or yours, I'd like to send her a card.

Hi to Roya, Deen, Alibug, Misty, and anyone else my still somewhat chemo'd brain might not be calling to mind as I wrap this up.  Have a great weekend, everyone!!!   Deanna

Roya

Corinne, I read a post from Lashon under the African Americans with BC forums.  The topic under which she wrote is 'African American women & triple negative status.'  She wrote that her cancer has spread to the brain and neck. She talks about how frightened she is.  I felt really bad for her.  She is stage IV. I did send her a pm. 

Hood1980

Roya,  Thanks so much for the update on Lashon.  I will keep her in my prayers.  She is such a sweetie!  I'm sorry I haven't been around much.  I hang out more on FaceBook nowadays.  I can keep an "eye" on my kids there!  If anyone would like to friend me on there just PM me your name and I will send you a friend request.  I talked to Corrine on there and she asked me to come back and see you all!  Isn't she so nice?!!!

I'm getting ready for my next surgery June 11th.  I'm having a lift and a small implant on my good side to match my mx side.  I'm trying to get it all over with by my daughter's wedding on 9/19/09.

 Take care everyone!

Hugs,

Joyce

Anonymous

Joyce, best wishes for your surgery in June. That is coming up fast!

Roya, thanks for the news about Lashon. I will keep her in my prayers.

Six more rads to go. I have a large, angry, red rectangle on my chest.

On JUly 2, I travel back to Hopkins for a mammogram and appointment with my PS to discuss recon timing. Tom will go with me.

Right now, I am really tired but can't seem to sleep. This week coming up is supposed to be the toughest. My rad onc will see me twice, before treatments, to decide if my skin will tolerate more. At this point it is difficult to tolerate clothing next to my skin.

This afternoon I was the photographer at my nephew's birthday party. It was fun, but tiring. My niece and nephew connect me to the future. They are so precious.

May 28 will be the anniversary of finding the lump in my breast. For some reason I have been thinking about it alot. This has been a difficult, but wonderful year with bc and getting to know and love Tom.

Hugs to all

Bette 

DesertRider

Hi Everyone,

Now I see what people are talking about with all the creams & lotions for rads - it's finally caught up with me - angry red blisters and sores are along my collarbone and under my arm. I really am thankful I only have 2 more! Am using a vitamin E cream - 28,000 units. It's GREAT stuff!

Joyce - let us know about the surgery - thinking good easy thoughts for you. 

Bette - I found my lump on June 1 - cannot believe this year and am thankful for so much behind us now.

Deanna - thanks for asking about the PET scan - they turned me down for it at this time - want me to see a specialist GYN-ONC in Riverside. It's a constant pain now - not terrible but it's got me baffled (and the doctors,too). I worry about what it could be and have had many meltdowns worrying that they won't find something important. It keeps me up at night more than the BC.

Lashon - you are loved and held with caring arms here.

 Am celebrating for all of us completing rads, surgeries and other stuff to get done! We are awesome. Thanks so much for being still together here.

Gail 

mamakaren

Gail, Sorry that you are having a hard time just know that I am praying for you and also more people than you know. Everything is gonna be just fine. Just pray at night and before you even know it you will be waking up to a beautiful day. Thats what i do. I have such a hard time falling asleep due to anxiety and panic but God always seems to get me through another night. Hope you feel better.

Lashon~ Many Many Prayers are going out to you and just know we are always here for you.

Corinne6

Gail, my love an prayers are with you. I understand about the anxiety. l wish I were there to just give you hugs. When do you find out?  I have been taking Ambien since my mastectomy in Feb. I have not woken up once at night since then. As a matter of fact, I use to get up about 4 times a night for bathroom duty and don't even to that. I wake up so refreshed. Ask your dr if that is okay for you. Works so good for me that I can almost time when I am going to sleep.

Karen, you reposted your fear/fearless slogan!! Are you doing a little better? How's your mom doing? How's your friend doing?

Deanna, How are you feeling?

Well I have to run, Going on my treadmill. Will check in on you all later

Lashon, I am praying for you and so are many people that I have talked to about you. When someone told me to live one day at a time I looked at them and asked, "Have you ever done that?" There response was NO. So I will only tell you that I am in the process of learning how and each day I am alive and well I thank God for everything in it. Cancer is such a mind game. It is not that cancer seems to hurt as much as our mind playing the ...."What will happen in the future?" We all fear the unknown but I feel in my life so much better when I am glad about the happy things in my life.  Even thank God for the green grass and blue sky...It is raining today BUT at least I don't have to water the plants!! We all love you and are pulling for you.

mommy3abm

Hi girls!!  I have missed you all so much and think of you daily!  Life here is good, BUSY, but good none the less.  We have 2 weeks of school left and then I will be ready to enjoy my summer with my kids - unlike the mess that was last year.  On May 11 I hit the 1 year since I found IT mark...I can't believe it!  I see my onco on June 4 and then have my next mammo in July.  I keep getting more anxious the closer I get!

Hugs to you all!

Stacy 

g94u67

Hello everyone,

Well my surgeon appt. went okay.  He confirmed that "they don't do reconstruction" at my facility. So they're giving me a referral. Don't know where yet but hopefully to an experienced BS and none too soon.

Roya: I'm so sad to hear the news of Lashon.  I'll PM her too. 

Gail: Only 2 more RADS to go!  Yes!  Perhaps once you're done your pain will go too?  That is just not right.  I can't believe (well yes I can) they'd deny the PET Scan.  Have you spoken to your provider?

Deanna: I did my Cardioke Saturday and it really lifted my spirits.  I've been wearing my "Survivor Cap" more around the house and out!  I'm getting empowered. 

Please keep me in your thoughts too girls. Tomorrow is my mammo. Seems all of our anniversaries and the dreaded "discovery day" are soon upon us. I'm worried because I have a small rash under my right breast (lumpectomy side). What ticks me off is both Dr's said "Oh it's nothing" and we know how that goes. 

Thinking of you all,

Jeannine

Anonymous

Saw the rad onc today, and she says my skin is "good" for where I am right now: FIVE treatments to go.

Today was exciting. Tom found out that he got a transfer much closer to home, with a nice raise. We also were evacuated from our apartment because someone in our building had an actual bomb, or "homemade incendiary device" as the police called it. It took three hours before they safely removed the bomb and we were allowed back in. They arrested the tenant who had the bomb and also terminated his lease. Thank goodness nobody was hurt!

I had dinner with friends tonight. One of them has stage IV bc, and it was good to see her, because even with metastatic disease, she is living life to the fullest, enjoying each day. This encourages me, that even if the cancer comes back, I can make it. Me and my Lord.

Hugs to all,

Bette 

Roya

Jeannine, What is a Cardioke?

TXBadboob

Checking in on everyone.  I have an appt today with Gyn surgeon to discuss oopherectomy.  My onc says ASAP!  My PS will also do my exchange at that surgery.  My "found a lump"anniversary will be July 4, after a family reunion where I found out my cousin's husband had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.   Strange how God works in our lives.  Hope everyone  has a great week.

Prayers and hugs,

Deen

Anonymous

THREE rads to go! They checked my skin today and it is getting bad, especially under my arm. They will check it again tomorrow and may skip the bolus if it has worsened.

I have "hit the wall" with fatigue the past few days. Going to rest this PM so I can go to a cancer survivors reception tonight.

We are still recovering from the scare we had when a teen in our building was caught with two bombs and two grenades in an apartment down the hall from us. I am having nightmares about explosives!

Bette 

Corinne6

Bette, you are amazing!! I am so happy that you are almost done!! Prayer is a great medicine in all this!!!

Deen, when is your surgery scheduled?

I am leaving for my son's tomorrow. We are staying until Sunday. My horse is getting cart trained on Mon-Mon. I will REALLY miss him for that week!!!  I was able to ride yesterday and jump and jump!!! We had so much fun

Next week I am going to the Ladies Seminar where I will be speaking. Scared stiff but I am sure the Lord will give me the strength!!

Is there anyone else here that is on a special diet and loosing weight. I feel good but am loosing because of the no wheat, white, sugar, mammal thing. Down to 98 lbs. I need to put some weight on but I don't know exactly how to yet. I need carbs. but the place where I can get bread is 45 minutes from my house.  Ugh!!!  Anyone with any glutten free, sugar free recipies? Can't have Agave as my naturopathic said it is still sugar!!

Anyhow, will try to check in while I am away.

Love and hugs to you all

Anonymous

TWO more rads to go. No more bolus, as the doc said my skin looked "well done". It feels fully cooked to me as well.

I went to an event for cancer survivors last night. It was nice to get out and be all dressed up. It is amazing what some of those people had accomplished.

I am feeling good today. Will try to get something done around the house before I nap.

Bette 

TXBadboob

Hi ladies,

Corinne, my surgery will be on June 2, wow, that seems so soon!  I hope you have a great time at your son's.  Good luck at the seminar, too.  About the sugar, I have tried the stevia, and it's alright, but it still kinda tastes like sacharrin to me.  I have been strictly using the whole wheat pastas and I think they're delicious.  How are you getting your grain fiber?  Is this a diet or a way of life?  I have been eating a lot more fruit and veggies than I did before, and I feel good about that.  Hope you get back to your horse soon!

Bette, good luck with the end of rads!

Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!

Deen

mamakaren

Hello everyone.

Corrine yesterday I took a ride on her horse and it was so wonderful! I felt so free and good although i was scared at first only because the last time i got on a horse was when i was like 7 yrs old and the horse got scared and went crazy  so me and my dad fell off. Now in this case i feel good posting my fear/fearless slogan. It really felt good maybe someday i can say that about cancer.

Hope you all have a great day!

Hood1980

Congratulations mamkaren!  You made me smile thinking of you enjoying your freedom upon Corrine's horse!  how lucky for both of you to be able to spend time together!  May God continue to Bless you!  Hugs, Joyce

DesertRider

Hi & Happy Memorial Day - wishing good weekend memories for everyone!

I've finished rads! And skin recovery is really going well - I'm amazed. That Vit. E cream is awesome (28,000 units). I was really burned for awhile.  Of course, stopping the rads probably does the trick, ya think?. There is a small triangle of skin where the lymph node was that ISN'T red & sore and my crazy mind says maybe they missed zapping that spot! 

As many of you know, I've been on this exploratory journey trying to discover why I have strong cramping and pain in the lower LEFT abdomen for the last 4 months! CT scans, x-rays & ultra sounds and seeing 5 different doctors revealed: a cyst in the RIGHT ovary, endometrial abnormality, thyroid nodes, lung scarring and an immediate trip to a pulmonary specialist.

Now, listen to this! Wednesday I walk into a new GYN-ONC, talk for 3 minutes and he says the pain is from old fibroid scarring or adhesions and I have nothing related to the BC going on. The thyroid nodes are TOTALLY normal, & the pulmonary specialist says the lung CT was misdiagnosed and my lungs are very healthy and they ALL said "you are fine - GO PLAY!" (And 2 of them apologized for the health system putting me through major stress for 4 months!  

I feel great and am amazed at where my mind has taken me and realize - again & again - it's the strength of the spirit and mind that needs my attention and nurturing now that all the treatments are done.  Thanks for your wonderful support and so many of you said it would all be fine. 

My horse just got new shoes - I'm off to try them out!

Love to all,

Gail