Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

Corinne6

Hi everyone, Keep me in your prayers. Tomorrow is surgery at 7:30 AM. I was told 3-4 hrs. Can't understand why???? Anyhow, hopefully I will be back tomorrow evening. Thank you all for this journey we have been through in my life!!! You are GREAT!! Hugs, Corinne

g94u67

Hi Corrine!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE Your new hair do...Wow did it grow fast.  You are in my prayers love and you will do fabulous.  Give it all to our dear Lord who is right by your side.

(So sorry I haven't phoned back...my life's been nuts).  May the Lord bless you and heal you.

 Love yah,

Jeannine

dlb823

You are in my prayers for tomorrow, Corinne!  I'm sure everything will go smoothly, and you will be so happy and relieved to have this step behind you!    (((Hugs)))   Deanna

Hood1980

Just passing by to see if Corrine has checked in after her revision surgery!  Hugs & prayers Corrine!  Take care, Joyce

DesertRider

Hello dear sisters,

I have returned from Vietnam and Cambodia safe and sound, but certainly enriched from the journey. Great so see many of you doing well - and such great hair everyone has! Thanks so much for the encouragement to travel!

I wrote a couple of journal entries that may not have gotten posted and several people have asked about my trip after the early posts. I'll include them here. A also have pictures on Facebook, please PM if you are interested in joining there. Much love to all!  

May 15, 2010 - "Spent yesterday with a wonderful couple from Wales in their second week of a year-long travel, and Roge’. a young man from Barcelona, Spain I've met. We have climbed temples, taken my tuk tuk all over - a lot of laughing. They bought a hammock although they had never put one up before. I had to demonstrate how to get in! Roge' and I talked until late about leadership, his search for meaningful work now that he has his MBA, he says he's lucky to learn from me! When we all went our separate ways this morning we were all a little sad after so much nice time together.   I flew into Phnom Penh this morning and George, when you sent the email asking about the killing fields, I was walking through them.  It is a profound experience to be here where a genocide has occurred only a few short years ago. It was far more horrible than I could imagine. I could take no pictures. I could only gaze in utter sadness.   I can't imagine a bigger monster than the insane Pol Pot. After it looked like he liberated Cambodia, he emptied the entire city of Phnom Penh and began to round up every education person. Whole families were sent to the killing fields outside town. It is a very raw place - pits of clothing and bones and hundreds of skulls. Pol Pot documented every victim. No one could return to the city - his goal was to destroying everything and turn everyone into agrarian slaves to grow rice. He killed everyone with an education first, then their families, children, blew up schools, universities, theaters, all cars, abolished clocks so workers worked 20 hours in the fields. My guide at the prison escaped to her village only to find there were killing fields all over Cambodia. One third of the population of Cambodia were killed - no other country interfered -  millions of people gone. A very sobering day but I came here because you cannot know Cambodia without the reality of recent tragedy as well as the awe inspiring Angkor Wat temple." Love and gentle thoughts from Cambodia May 22, 2010 In the middle of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam is a maze of waterways, rivers and canals in this part of the country. All commerce is done from little sampan boats so to see the markets I had to get sampan woman to take me out at 5 this morning - everything happens so early here because it is impossibly hot by 8 am! After more than an hour through canals we found the river market - there was a maze of dozens & dozens of boats, each one selling a different fruit, vegetable, fish or unidentified food. My sampan lady brought her little son so I bought us all breakfast at one of the boats we passed. Don't even ask what steaming ingredients were in the bowl, I have no idea. Off went went with the bowls and chopsticks, many sampans swirling around each other like bumper cars - I guess everyone just passes the bowls around. I spent most of the day with them through tiny canals draped in jungle plants and on the bigger river. It was great! Went by villages - all life on the water - people washing, brushing teeth, cooking, bathing - all in the chocolate colored, not very clean water. Not water I'd want to be in, even though it was baking hot, hotter than anywhere I've ever been!  Headed to Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon tomorrow! 

TXBadboob

Gail, I'm so glad you had a great time.  What an adventure!  My husband and I found ourselves looking forward to your updates.  I'm glad you arrived back safely.  Very inspiring to me.

Corinne, how did your surgery go?

I went yesterday for my Zometa IV and they gave me Reclast instead and I only have to do it every 6 mos now. Yay!  It's a lot cheaper, too.  I now only have to see the onc every 3 mos.  Things are getting better now for me, physically and emotionally, thanks to the support groups.  I hope everyone has a great week.

Deen

Corinne6

Hi all, first let me say I love you all. I thank each one of you who continually prays for all of us. I am thrilled to see such progress for you, Jeannine. Gail, you are so blessed to be able to visit in another country!! Deen, what an exciting step to know you are doing so well. Deanna, you are such an inspiration. Misty, thank you for all your mentoring over the last (almost 2 years).

My surgery went well. I was sick to my stomach the whole day after surgery. The poor man next to me kept heaving and that did not help my stomach. I am now 3 day out. My girls are just about the same size. They are swollen so I am not sure what they will look like in the end. I am happy I did this and am just about ready to put most of this behind me. I got my drain out yesterday. Stitches come out next Friday. I will then get the thumbs up to light duty!!! Anyhow, I cannot tell you enough how all of you have been as an true blessing in my life. Hugs to you all and know that I continue to pray for all of us!!!!

DesertRider

Corinne, what a beautiful post! And you are right, we are blessed to have shared these 2 years of support. So glad your surgery went well - hugs (gentle) to you, too!

Deen, you sound happy - and I wanted to tell you my son is having a baby next spring so I'll be a grandmother, too!

Love to all!

Gail 

mommy3abm

Hi Ladies!  Well, Onco visit went fine.  He finally had a chance to review my records from Texas before this visit.  I asked him what he thought and he said..."I would have had you do 6 TAC instead of 4.  But, there is no reason to do them now."  All I could think was, well, pardon the language, but CRAP!  Now what does that mean!  He said no worries he just would have erred on the side of slightly "overtreating".  Now I am going to worry about it.  I did have my mammo and got the clear for another 6 mos.  I also had a DEXA scan to see if the Tamox has had and bone side effects.  I just found out that the assistant principal from my former job (35 years old with 2 very young girls) was diagnosed in April with late Stage 2 and is having a double mx on Wednesday.  Please say a prayer for Shannan.

Corinne6

Stacy, I know it feels kind of squeamish for you as far as what the dr said. He does not understand how saying this would make anyone feel. However, remember some good things... you are in stage 1. They caught it VERY early, you are not brca 1/2 pos. and you had no node involvement,. I'd say that is really good odds.  I will pray for Shannan. It must be very hard for her right now.

My stitches come out on Friday. Twins are the same now that the swelling is gone. I am very happy with my decision.

To all my sisters, I love you and continue to keep you in prayer. May you all have a good night sleep!!!

alibug05

Corinne - so glad your surgery went well.........Stacy - i think that was a Shi**y thing for that doctor to say....I would be EXACTLY like you and worry about it but GLAD you got a clear Mammo so that says A LOT!!!!! Try not to worry........We are all some tough girls!!!!!! Gonna spend the 4th of July with my family - can't wait!!!! Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday!!!! Loves to all..................

Misty1

Hi Girls,

Just doing my monthly checking in and I see lots of news!  

Corinne, glad to hear you did your revision surgery and all went well!!

Stacy, woo-hoo on the clear mammo; pay no mind to the doc's comments.  You fought hard two years ago and did everything you could.

Gail, congrats on the grandma news and glad you had a nice trip.

Hi to everyone else, too-Deanna, Hood, Deen, Jeanine.

I think about all of you and so happy that we are all at this great point two years later...

I got out of school last week and am enjoying my freedom.  I had a mammo this morning and it was all clear!!  Frozen shoulder is still healing with the physical therapy.

Happy 4th everyone-take care!!

~Misty

DesertRider

Happy 4th everyone - thinking of you all! I'm enjoying family, great, but hot, desert weather and packing for a few days camping at Lake Tahoe.

Hugs to all,

Gail 

TXBadboob

Gail, congratulations on becoming a grandma soon!:)  Have fun camping!  I've looked all over the state of Texas and it is raining everywhere!  No camping for us this weekend.

Corinne, I'm glad your surgery went well and I hope you get the results you wanted.

Just thinking about 4th of July makes me think of finding my lump on July 5th. I guess I'll always be reminded of that now.  Glad I found it when I did!

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July holiday!

Deen

alibug05

Just checking in on everybody!!!!! Off to high school reunion with girlfriends tomorrow - I can't wait!!!!! We always have so much fun together!!!!! All is well here in Ohio - VERY hot but I LOVE summer so it doesn't bother me!!!!!! Loves to all.........................

g94u67

Hi there all,

So nice to hear everyone's doing well. Well I'm set to start RADS Tuesday. (at 10:00 p.m. !) Doesn't it seem strange that I'm still on this trail after 2 years? Ugh...I told the tech "10:00 p.m.!" "Must be an influx of cancer patients"..Tech said they are swamped. Something isn't right here! My arm & shoulder were so sore I moved and they had to re-do my X-ray pix. I'm taking Vicodin next time. Also: Can anyone tell me if you had scar tissue (that is lumpy) after your DMX? Kind of worried about a few near my scar. (So tired of worrying)...

Corrine: I'm so happy you're recovering well from surgery and feeling like your old self! Amen! I've had you in my prayers each night too.

Gail: What an amazing vacation adventure you had! To be right in the Killing Fields must have been so overwhelming and emotional. An education we'd all benefit from. (Love the new pic)

Deen: Happy to year you're almost off the meds. (Hmmm wonder if that's something I should be on?) Here in CA it's been a really cool summer. You should come down!

Misty- Yea for clear mammo& healing shoulder.  (I had to lighten my purse. My right one and neck were frozen too)

Ali: Hope you had a great time at your reunion.  I bet with the weight loss, you looked the same as graduation.

My 2 yr. DX was 7/2. Thank you all for being on this journey with me. I was thinking about Bette too today. I sure miss her.

Love to all,

Jeannine

Corinne6

Jeannine: We love you and are continuing to pray for you!! I too miss our dear sister Bette. I also miss some of the ones who were here on this board that seem to have left us for who knows what reason. I still pray for everyone. Jeannine it has been a long journey for you. Congrats on 2 years. Mine is on July 21st.

It has been a really humid summer hear. My Christmas cactus have already bloomed 2 times this year???? What is up with that??? VT on vacation the end of this month.

Hugs,

Corinne

g94u67

Hi Corrine,

 Thank you. 1st day of RADS stunk...my shoulder and neck are very sore. I've been having muscle problems and with RADS now...yikes.  Yesterday wasn't so bad as I took some Vicodin. The tech tried to tape my elbow down and I practically hit him LOL!!

I'm so happy to hear you're well and going on vacation. Me..I'm not planning anything until I'm done with this. Oh and then it's on to the LEFT side...fun fun! Afterwards, oophorectomy. Dear Lord let me be DONE...

 Love yah,

Jeannine

alibug05

Jeannine - hang in there girl.....just know that we all are praying for you and we all love you!!!!!! Went for my yearly "pap" and all was good!!!! So another doctor's appt. DONE with good results!!!!  Hope everyone has a good weekend!!!!!  Loves to all............................

Corinne6

Exciting breakthrough possibility for Her2+ gals. Go to www.medicalnewstoday and go to b then breast cancer and read the new gene discovery in Scotland. Misty this one is for us possibly just in case!!

alibug05

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!! Loves to all.................

g94u67

Hey all,

I've completed my 10th day of RADS already. It's not so bad now. (The RAD tech is a cutie too ) We had our Division work retreat and I was the host for Family Feud. Everyone said I missed my calling. It was fun but last week was tough withRADS and all. Now only 3 weeks to go! I'm also back on my health kick.  Oh get this..I got my period yesterday! After almost 2 years.  I thought my plumping was kaput but I guess not. I have to admit I was happy to still have something womanly left. But my ovaries will be going once I'm done with Rads.

Corrine:  Great going on on the new breakthroughs. Everyday we're one step closer...

Ali: I'm happy the PAP was all good!

Prayers & Hugs ((((( )))))

Jeannine

DesertRider

Jeannine, You inspire me soooo much! You really do live your positive belief and that helps me so much when I worry. And you are TOTALLY  womanly - no doubts!!

Love to all,

 Gail 

g94u67

Thank you Gail. Today was rough but I'm hanging in there.  Love yah

alibug05

Jeannine I hope you keep hanging in there...........you know we ALL love you and are pulling for you!!!!!! I am off tonight to a Breast Cancer Rally dinner with my parents at their Country Club - it is always a good time and I am ALWAYS proud to stand up for cancer!!!!!!!!! Have a great weekend!!! Loves to all......................

TXBadboob

Just stopping by to say Hello everyone.  Been pretty busy with family and farming.  Hope you're having a great summer and everyone is feeling good!

Hugs,

Deen

dlb823

Just stopping in to say, "Hi," to everyone.  Sounds like you're almost 1/2 way through rads, Jeannine!  YaY, and don't forget the emu oil.  I thought it was the best thing I used during rads.

Love the new avatar, alibug!  You look beautiful!

I was at UCLA on 7/13 for a complete followup -- mammo, u/s & MRI -- and everything checked out just fine.  I didn't post earlier because I spent 10 days following that appointment with excruciating rib pain, and I kept thinking -- of, great, they missed something.  But it must have been either an an injury from the MRI machine (it had poked me really hard when I first got on it), the extremely tight mammo compressions, or something else that day, because it's finally calmed down.

Gail, I'm thinking you're in Tahoe, but if you're around in this heat, give me a call.  Would love to catch up with you and hear about your trip!

Misty, how's the shoulder problem? 

Big (((HUGS))) to everyone -- Corinne, Misty, Stacy, Deen, Joyce, and anyone who hasn't posted recently.  As Corinne has said, you are all in my prayers every day ~  Deanna

DesertRider

Hi Everyone,

I'm thinking of you all, too! Am in and out of the desert. Did a little work in Seattle - froze! Well, everyone else was in tee shirts - guess it's me. Off to Tahoe soon. Feeling good - but sure do feel the joint pain in my hands from Arimidex. Will that ever go away?

Also I do wonder occasionally if I dare talk to my Plastic surgeon about the "good" breast seeming to "droop" or be lower than the mastectomy implant side. Both have implants and I really don't want more surgery but I notice the difference everyday and wish they were more evenly balanced. Another voice inside says geez... you're feeling good - leave it alone! Any thoughts? Not really a big complaint and I'm grateful for that.

Love you all!

Gail 

TXBadboob

Gail,  I am in the same boat as you on the "more surgery issue".  I am thinking about getting mine switched for smaller.  They are so heavy still, and I am too active for them!:)  But at the same time, I don't want any more surgery.  I will see a PS soon to see my options.  Good luck with your decision.  I am also achy and stiff all of the time from the Arimidex.  I do a lot of stretching now, even before I get out of bed, and it helps a little.  Keep an eye on your bone density, too.

Deanna, I'm glad to hear you're doing alright!

Hope everyone has a great week,

Deen

g94u67

Hi everyone,

Well only 2 more weeks left for RADS but I'm suffering big time.  Absolutely no problem or burning in the area being treated BUT my Asthma is the worst it has ever been.  I know a few of you had some lung complications and I KNOW I got something.  RAD Dr. said it was near impossible to have RAD pneumonitis but I'm not so sure.  I'm seeing my other Dr. on Wed. I can't even walk up the stairs without being winded.  It's horrible. Did any of you have any lung problems? To think I've got to another 28 boosts on the left side...Ugh.

Deanna: Thanks for reminding me about the Emu oil.  They said these last 2 weeks are the burn ones. I'm soooo happy your MRI turned out clear! They must have injured you in that machine. You poor thing. Glad your better.

Gail: Girl I can't keep up with our traveling! Yes listen to that little voice & "Leave it alone" You're great.

Deen: Your surgery may be needed though if your experiencing back pain. I want to PM you about the Oophorectomy surgery. You had that right...I'm having 2nd thoughts on waiting. 

Have a good week everyone!

Love Jeannine