Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Firni

Hi Sonia.  I know.  Our Dec. Divas have taken off in all directions it seems.

I slept on my back with two pillows under my head and a very small pillow kind of tucked under each arm.  It's comfortable and cozy.  If you aren't a back sleeper, the side pillows keep you from turning all over the place.  I was able to kind of sleep on my side with the small pillow tucked under my ribs.  Kept the TEs from getting too much side pressure.  When is your exchange?

My exchange was April 29.  My right implant is not dropping into place like we want so PS will do some revision on July 27th.  I hope.  The schedular still has to confirm as PS will be leaving town sometime that week.  Then, if all drops well, I can do nipples around Halloween.  

My hair is growing, but slow.  Still can see shiny scalp on top of my head and there is still the old man bald spot in back.  But the hair that's there is almost 1/2 inch long.  Not much for 4 months post chemo.  No brows yet.  Microscopic lashes.  Mostly those are still falling out as they grow in.  Maybe I need my thyroid checked.

I'm going to see a physiatrist (physical/rehab medicine) next week to see if we can figure out why my foot is still swollen.  He's my last hope.  After that, I just learn to live with it I guess.

Hope the sleeping tips help, Sonia. 

swest

Texas - Maybe you are on the "UP" swing of things????  I hope so anyway.  Currently I am filled to 500cc (100cc overfill).  My PS says one more of 50cc next Tuesday.  This is the first time I had any discomfort.  I am really tight and my pecs. are aching like I had a good workout (NOT!).  I can feel the back of the TEs rub on my sternum.  Yuck!

Texas357

Ahh, that's why you're hurting. I finished my fills before I started chemo, so it's been a while. The muscle is probably what's hurting you. Try so Advil which is a mild muscle relaxant.

Firni

I would not have liked feeling the TEs rub on my sternum.  Was over filled to 460.  Maybe 500 is that magic number to bring discomfort.  Mine never were very uncomfortable.  My implants are 400 cc's and I don't even really notice they are there.  Pretty comfortable.

How are ya doin' Texas? 

Texas357

Remarkably well Firni! Eyes still bothering me, and ugly nails, but energy and stamina are great. I wish my skin were moist like it was before chemo. I never minded having oily skin because it helped to keep the wrinkles away.

The good news is that the aches from Femara are already disappearing. I think it might be the fish oil supplements that I started taking as soon as I finished rads.

Texas357

Did you ever stop to think about our fortunate timing? We lost our hair in the colder months. I never thought twice about wearing a knit cap because it kept my head warm and it didn't look that out of place. Now it's hot outside and our hair is super short -- kind of like we didn't want to bother with it in all the heat.

colleen1960

Texas- you made me laugh with the cannoli story.  Maybe I should not remember the words ice cream or candy and then I would stop eating so much of it lol.  I not sure what is going on, but I always feel like I can eat.  And I know that I have gained at least 12 lbs or so since I finished chemo.  We are getting ready for vacation.  We leave on Sat. for Delaware and I am really looking forward to it.  It has been a long 10 mths.  and I just want to relax on the beach every day.  I am glad everyone seems to be busy and I hope enjoying these summer months.  I remember a friend of mine saying to me last Dec.  by the summer you will be sitting on a beach enjoying the day.  And I can't believe it is here.  We have come a long way.

Have A Nice Weekend.

Colleen

Firni

Enjoy your trip, Colleen.  You deserve it.  The beach is great!   I grew up on Lake Michigan and I do miss having big water in CO.  I think it was hard for any of us to imagine how good we would feel this summer.  Well, except for a few little things that we're learning to live with.

Texas357

I'm taking the day off  today -- and it's NOT for medical reasons!!!! I'm heavily into Golden Retriever Rescue, and I'm volunteering at our group's booth today at the Houston Dog Show. Anyone in the area (I know there are a few ladies on these forums from Houston) stop by and say hello. I'll be the one with no fingernailis but the big grin because I"m doing something I absolutely love!

Firni

Good for you Texas!  Goldens are such great dogs.  So sad that there has to be a rescue for them.  Or any dog for that matter.  Do you also foster any of the dogs?

EleanorJ

Colleen Where in DE are you going? I'm 2 min. from the DE line, of course about 1.5 hours from the beach though.

It's actually nice that this board has been quiet, means we're all doing great, right?

I'm finally loosing weight. As of today, I have lost 7 lbs Still 28 to go... We cut ALL sugar from our diet, I think it's been good for everyone. We're allowed to 1 sugary treat per week, of course, hubby cheats.. LOL

We took the kids on a week vacation in the Catskill in NY. We had a great time and it was so nice to forget about cancer for a week. I'm not sure if the link but here's our vacation pics http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=86077&id=704369608&l=ad770d9e1f

I had my 6 weeks post rads appt on Wed. He said that "everything looks good, you're cured and I don't need to see you again" What a great doc!

swest

Wow!  Lot's to read this afternoon!  I'm on my lunch break at work just droping in. 

Caroline - Your pictures of your hubby and boys are so cute!  It looks like you all had a wonderful trip! I am starting weight watchers on Monday.  Yea!  Got to get this now 25lbs off!

Texas - What is the name of your both?  I may stop by on Saturday.

Have fun Colleen on your vacation!  We all deserve at least one this year!

Firni and Texas - My TE's are feeling much better today.  For the first time through this process my muscles were yelling at me.  MUCH better now.  Thanks!

Sonia

Bold

Hello my beautiful friends. It has been a while since I have posted. I read but do not post. I just wanted to say that I have completed radiation yesterday. I feel wonderful!!!!! I still have herceptin til Dec. but the SE are few. I decided not to do hormone treatment. I met with a new onc who believes it is not necessary as my ER was only 2%. I am however going to have to exercise and loose weight. It is part of the treatment!!!!! I need to loose about 30 pounds. I want it off by the time I finish herceptin. The onc told me that exercise is more important than the diet. I will do both. My DH is joining in as he gained a lot of weight while I was on chemo. Nerves I guess. He is wonderful xxxoooooo!!!!

I only had a lumpectomy so reading about your fills is very interesting.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful summer. We are reclaiming ourself the new and improved us.

colleen1960

Cebula:  My brothers place is in Bethany Beach, not to far from Ocean City Maryland.  I am so looking forward to this.  Are you anywhere near there?

Bold:  Great to hear from you and Congrats!!! on finishig up your radiation treatments  You must be very excited to have finished one more process in this journey.  I too have put on to much weight and I need to start taking it off.  Both me and my DH have to start after this vacation.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and I will check back in a week.

Colleen

EleanorJ

Bold Congrats on finishing radiation! One more milestone done.

Colleen We're right in the corner where MD/DE/PA meets. Ocean City is about 1.5 hours for us. Enjoy, you deserve it.

Hubby & I were talking the other night and he gave me the date of my dx. He said 10/08, I said no 10/09 (he was close though!) then I gave him my lumpectomy date, first chemo, last chemo, first rad, last rad (cancer free date!), all that within 30 seconds without even thinking about it. All he could say was WOW! I honestly didn't even think I remembered all those dates until I started naming them. Phew, what a year!

Texas357

We've fostered, I work on the adoption team interviewing potential adopters, and we help out wherever else we can. It's such a huge problem.

busqueen

Hi Everybody!!

I hope this finds you all well and relatively comfortable.  I had my tissue expanders put in last week on Wednesday and had my tubes tied at the same time.  Wow.  I knew it wasn't going to feel good, but those first couple of days had me wondering if new boobs was really worth it!:-)  But I'm doing much better now and I'm really looking forward to not looking like a manatee.  The main side effect I still have from chemo is fatigue.  I'm trying to get a different job within my company because I'm starting to think that bus driving might be a little too physically and mentally stressful for me right now.  

Wow. I could write more, but I took some percoset and its really starting to kick in, so I'm having a hard time focusing!  LOL  Y'all take care!

swest

Hang in there Carie! It will get better once the drainage tubes are removed and you start getting filled.  As far as the tubes tied I don't have any experience with that....sorry. Get some rest, take your percoset and kick back.  This will all pass before you know it.  Keep in touch!

PS. Good luck on the job change!

Texas357

Percoset -- wonderful stuff, isn't it? Hang in there Carie. The pain from those surgeries doesn't last long.

I remember thinking the same thing about the TEs. The mastectomy was a cakewalk. The TE was another story! But as I've told my friends: I want a breast where I've always had a breast. End of story.

Firni

Carie, Sonia is right about feeling better once you start having some fills in those TEs.  I laughed when you said you look like a manatee.  I'm sure you don't.  Anyway, they are rather exotic creatures.

Caroline, I can rattle off all of my dates too.  Some things will be seared in my head forever.  

Bold, congrats on finishing rads.  How often do you go in for your herceptin?

I'm seeing a physiatrist (physical/rehab medicine) on Wed to see if this doc can figure out my swollen foot.  I sure hope he has some new ideas!

I'm scheduled for some revision surgery on my right foob on Monday 7-27.  I'll be glad to get that out of the way and have a set that match a little better.  Then onward with the job search!

Sounds like every one is doing pretty good.  That is so good to hear. 

BonnieK

Hi everyone,

I haven't been here for awhile, but wanted to check in to say hello and see how everyone is doing.  It sounds like we all have some similar things going on...

I finished chemo in February and radiation in early June.  At some point during radiation my neck started to bother me and now I am looking at another possible surgery for a bone spur/pinched nerve.  Two discs were fused in my neck almost 2 years ago and I really don't want more surgery. 

Lingering symptoms for me include chemo brain and neuropathy that seem to be improving over time, fatigue (probably more from neck pain than cancer treatments) and the usual joint pain and hot flashes from Arimidex.  Have also had 3 UTIs since starting Arimidex and that hasn't been any fun at all.  Brows and lashes fell out once and grew back fairly quickly, although brows are pitifully thin.  Hair is really short, but it is hair and I love having it back.

Good to touch base with you again.

Bonnie

Texas357

I met with the BS yesterday about getting the prophylactic mastectomy on the other side. The meeting was extremely upbeat. He said I'm a good candidate for a nipple sparing mastectomy this time, but I'll talk with my PS before making that decision.

Bold

Hey all. I go for herceptin every three weeks till my year is up. I believe it to be in November. I want you guys to know that you are in my prayers everyday!!! I think that we have made it through and we can start to go on with life without cancer !!!!

Peace and health

swest

Texas - Have you had your apt. with your PS yet?  Just wondering on how it went.

Good luck Firni on you revision!  I will be thinking about you on Monday.  Let us know how it goes!

Good to hear from you Bonnie!

How are you doing Busqueen?

Has anyone heard from Lisa lately?

I had my last fill with my TEs and just now am I feeling back to normal.  This fill really did me in.  I almost...I said almost called the PS to remove 25cc.  I feel much better now.  Now for the waiting game.  I'm not very patient so this month will not go fast enough.

Texas357

My PS appointment is Monday at 8 a.m. I'll probably schedule the 2nd mastectomy for late August because I have some social things on my calendar. (It's so nice to say that after months and months of doctor's appointments!)

I'm VERY SLOWLY healing emotionally. It's a chore trying to let go of the fear of recurrence. I know my mind is an important part of the healing process but when I was first diagnosed as stage 3 and saw the low survival percentages I freaked. Intellectually I know that newer treatments will drastically improve my odds but how do I convince that inner voice that keeps me scared?

swest

Good.  Keep me updated on what you decide.  Since I'm so close please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Even though I was not diagnosed as stage 3 I totally understand that inner voice thingy.  I battle with it daily.  Is this normal?  Do I need a shrink????

Firni

Sonia and Texas.  I think that irritating little recurrence voice is there for all of us.  Probably don't need a shrink unless you are dysfunctional because of fear.  Of course we may be dysfunctional any way, but not from fear.  How to quiet it?  I don't know.  My inner voice will just start screaming at me, usually at inappropriate times.  The farther out from chemo I get and the better I feel, the less frequent the screaming is.  I guess it just takes time.  But I'll bet it never really goes away.

Texas357

Swest, thanks for the offer. That's very generous of you and of course it comes right back from me to you.

Firni, I hope it goes away or at least gets a little quieter. I hate that my peace of mind has been shattered like this.

busqueen

Hi Everybody.  I'm hanging in there after my TE placement surgery last week.  {thanks for checking on me SWEST}  I knew this was not going to be comfortable, but wow, I didn't expect it to be quite this uncomfortable!  I feel like such a wimp, which is funny since everybody has been telling me how strong I am for the last 8 months!;-)  I haven't had a fill yet and I still have my drains in 10 days out from surgery.  Sigh.  I know we're all amazing women who have proven we are survivors, but I'm so tired of my life revolving around my breasts! {or lack thereof....}  I get those recurrance twinges as well, my oncotype score was very high and I'm really struggling with taking tamoxifen.  At least we can take comfort in the fact that we have a group of friends here who actually do know how we're feeling. TEXAS357, I will be sending you fuzzy, happy thoughts to drown out the scary ones. Hang in there. 

Happy weekend to everybody!

busqueen

Its me again.  I had such a hard night last night. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was overcome by stress and worry.  I'm feeling very selfish and vain for having my surgery now, even though everybody told me it was time to do this so that I'll feel better about myself, yada, yada, yada.  Now that my recovery is quite a bit harder than I expected I can see that I won't be able to go back to work when I thought I would and I have absolutely no idea how we're going to pay all our bills.  I know we've all dealt with the financial hardships through this, but I'm wondering why I thought this was a good idea when we were just starting to get back on our feet.  Ugh.  And I finally broke down and unloaded and loaded the dishwasher last night, because no matter how many "hints" I was dropping, nobody else was jumping up to do it.  Wow.  What a mistake.  So now I'm feeling selfish and vain and incredibly stressed and I hurt A LOT. 

Thank you for reading my whiney, unappreciative ramblings.  I hope you all have a much better day than I am!