Starting chemo January 2009?

Renrel

We just got back from that family bike ride.  It was lots of fun.  last year DS stopped every 10 feet to complain he was tired or something (he was on training wheels) this year he just went.  We did at least 6 miles and rewarded ourselves with a yummy banana split.  DS took a spill going down a rocky path that shook him up but he recovered and is back on his bike.  Finally the fun is greater than the fear. 

ktym

Now that last line is really a great synopsis about how I hope we're all feeling right now

jrgolomb

I am so relieved.  The adenoma is a result of Hashimoto's and really isn't an adenoma, but a bumpy , lumpy thyroid.  The specialist said I needed to relax and drink some Italian wine!! ( he's Italian who just got back from a month visit to his homeland. )  I respectfully declined and suggested he try a Leelanau red or a Mondavi Merlot; he just stared at me like I was an alien in a foreign land!  Ha!  Actually Italian wine is too effervescent for me and I prefer, well, the Merlot style.  Plus, Mondavi is organic and Leelanau is from Northport- all organic. 

In essence, this brief prattle simply explains I am now "NED" and onto the next phase of enjoying the fun and releasing the fear!  Thanks, Renrel for such a wonderful way to "put it". 

ktym

Yeah Jess!  Thanks for letting us know.

Renrel, I think we have finally hit on the best theme ever for the January Jewels thanks to you,   "Finally the fun is greater than the fear."

ktym

Hi guys, I'm home, sore and tired, but everything went well.  Thanks my fellow Jan Jewels for your support and well wishes. 

BerkeleyKim

kmmd--glad that's over for you! Will you be taking an AI now?

jess--great news!

renrel--it's so great to be active as a family. I'm still walking, riding, skiing, swimming with my older kids, and it's some of the best memories for sure. You're right about the fun and fear. There are hours when I don't worry, and it's great.

ktym

We're debating now, or finishing 5 yrs of Tamox and switching over to the AI.  I was PR negative which makes the decision a little harder, or easier I guess depending on your veiwpoint

Renrel

We went with another family to see the Chihully glass exhibit yesterday.  Breathtaking art work and breathtaking supervising to 7 year old boys who were a bit more active than we were comfortable with walking through the very breakable scupltures.

ktym

I can just imagine

BerkeleyKim

Renrel--A different kind of worry!. Watching "bulls in a china shop" puts an edge on the "fun" for us supervisors.

kmmd--One of my tumors was PR negative (the big one, yuck). Does that make a difference? They never mentioned it to me.

ktym

There is a question of whether PR negative tumors are tamoxifen resistant. I had read it before, but, then  I made the mistake of reading an article a couple of weeks ago saying that ER+,PR-,H2N- in premenopausal women was the same as telling them they are triple negative because they don't respond to Tamoxifen.  Really wish I hadn't read that

Renrel

I have a friend a work who is so jealous of my hair she actually reached out to touch it today and said she was going to go try and get her hair to curl like mine tonight.  Kinda of take my hair for granted these days but thought it would be good to step back and appreciate that this is a compliment I certainly would not have gotten 2 years ago, at least not on my own real hair. 

ktym

Love it Renrel.

Jess, thinking of you and hoping your visits are going well and your thyroid behaving itself

jrgolomb

KMMD-  oooh, icky.  Yeah , I know what you mean about not reading that.  I seem to fall into that category often.

Well, the tests came back from the bloodwork and US, and now I have to see the thyroid doc every six months instead of once a year.  Sigh.  I hope if they change the meds, I will finally be able to lose weight!

They did say, however, I may switch to arimedex?   Anyone?????

Hugs and kisses to all of you.  I wish we could all figure out how to gather together and just hug and cry, cry and hug!  It would be wonderful- you are my lifeblood.

ktym

Jess, I agree.  Not sure which AI we'll try and exactly when, but know we'll be talking about it.  Sounds like a few of us in that 2-3 year talking about switching over point. 

kt57

Hi Jewels -- well tonight is our Relay fo Life --  I will carry the January Jewels  with me.   I have the list tucked into my back pocket --  you know that place you put something that is important, that you want to get at quickly if you need it -- seems appropriate given the number of times I turned to you in 2009.

We have "lovely" Lake Superior weather for the event -- 45 degrees, 15 mile an hour winds off the lake ( and we are at the lake's edge tonight) and the promise of rain --   I have the duffle bag packed with warm and dry clothes..... all in all , it nothing compared to chemo!

I have been asked to speak tonight -- the Relay theme is Celebrate - Remember - Fight Back.  I will be talking on Remember.   So let's remember all the Jewels.

Here we are:    

  lisalisa             brendafromflorida                holtbolt           renrel                         ddlatt

GriffinSong                jrgolomb         sjr585             BevR              Sunflower45             

Babyc             Jas­_man         bookgirl         Misty                         auriga             jillyG

mamasarah               mimi07           AZStacey08              eadsla             Hawaii808

Webwriter                 BerkleyKim               sweeeetpam              Butterfly2008

amyjane         Snowbird       ChrisBern      Carol0371      Brenny           lester63

rsben70          PinkLady       Shavoners      yrawleigh       dpstarr           REKoz

principessa                kmmd             bfb0123         susan13          mabels            Kim25

newalex          Yearof theHat           marlenet        carlajane        ladyjane54    

Alo123            marymoir      Dpstarr          aprilgirl1        living4today      stitches

luvmyself        silverlining    KM47                         susan13          carpediem      bobcat 

SallyJane       blackmailtx                Triciaski         ChrysalisPa               kimberlyjo

rmsilver         shockedat39              Sister3            Horselover44            csbsk123 

07rescue        Lisa810          Misty123       PLUTZ           Shannon7       knots    Ninja

tyra                 PrincessKauai59       spooky            EvaPerone     JanetC826     cil326  

LucyMichaels            SusieQue          momand2kids

Take care everyone, stay strong...

(((((HUGS)))))))

Kathy 

jrgolomb

wow-  look at us!  Thank you Kathy!  I am proud of you for this and I'd love to be able to hear you speak!  Anyway to video tape your speech???  

I have to say I met Year of the Hat and talked to KMMD; two awesome ladies. 

Very cool.

ktym

kt57 that is so wonderful of you to keep the list and think of all the jewels.  Good luck, wish I could hear you speak too

Jess, ditto, hopefully we can actually get together one of these days

jrgolomb

Kmmd-- yeah, I think we should; I may be your way to ask you to sign a petition! 

ktym

I'll have my pen ready

jrgolomb

cool, when is a good time?

Renrel

Last week my Onc had someone call me to let me know he was sending me a letter.  I had no idea what it was about and tried not to think too much about it.  Got the letter today.  Says he was reviewing my scans and noticed a very small 6mm nodual on my thyroid and that anything that small is usually nothing and that they would not pay any attention to it except that it was not on my last scan.  Still they would not take any further action unless it looked unsual on a ultrasound.  So he suggests I may want to get a ultrasound. 

Got the letter when I came home early today because I have pink eye and it was really bothering me all day as I worked at the computer and was making me feel fatiqued and headachie until I finally took an advil.  So I was kind of worn out already when I read the letter.

It is likely nothing, and I did a search and it does not seem like BC usually spreads to the thyroid, though there may be some connection between idodine and BC and of course there is a connection between iodine and Thyroid.  Anyway, it is just kind of getting to me, how little things like this can bring all the fear and worry back.  I have decided to take a mental health day tomorrow to let myself sort through my feelings.  I will do things around the house, garden and think, as well as make an appointment for the ultrasound.  Was glad in away it was a letter, so I could just give it to DH to read instead of have to tell him.  

Anyway, I wanted to share with you gals since it is not real enough to worry anyone else about yet but I wanted to tell someone besides DH.  Anyone know any more about the thyroid, idodine, BC links?  

jrgolomb

I have had issues with my thyroid lately as well.  The GP found an adenoma on my thyroid and some strange lymph node swelling.  I did look up and found similar information like you- BC does not spread to the thyroid.    I went to a specialist and he did an ultrasound and said I have Hashimotos, and it will get lots of lumps and bumps, but I will have him check it every six months.  While I waited to see him, I went to another thread on BC . org and discussed this issue with others in the same situation.  I think there is a link and the thread listed a couple of articles.  It is under the IDC section.

jrgolomb

http://jeffreydach.com/2009/11/13/iodine-against-breast-cancer-the-overwhelming-evidence-by-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx?ref=rss.

This is an article I found on the IDC thread.

PLUTZ

   Hi Jewels. Haven't been on here in awhile. Had my 6month checkup last week. I have a new Nurse P. Shes ok. She found a bump under my breast and wanted it checked out. I told her I think its just scar tissue from my reduction but had to go ahead and get a mammogram and imaging. They agreed thats all it seemed to be. whew! Theres also thickness on my neck that was checked a month ago wit a CT scan but was told it was from the radiation. So all good news. My blood work has been good. I'm working on getting some of winter weight off. I joined a gym. Its so hard at my age but I need to do this. I still blame all the meds I'm on. I might get my Tamoxifen changed. Theres a new drug that just came out. can't remember the name  but its getting looked into. It's supposed to be very effective, so hope to hear from the dr. soon. My daughter got her drives license a few weeks ago. Thats a big load off. She just finished up her junior year and working at McDs. My older daughter turned 21 last week. She did some celebrating and shes moving in with her boyfriend the end of the month. I'm not too thrilled about it but she's an adult. Thats about all thats happening. My DH and I are going to NC in July. I'm looking forward to a vacation. Hope you all have a great week andI'll stay in touch.

ktym

Phyllis, so happy to hear so much good news. Congratulations. Hard letting kids be adults isn't it.  One of the smartest things we did was not say anything when DS moved in with a girlfriend a few years back.  Quickly on his own realized they'd rushed into things.  Amicably ended.  Lesson learned and we got points for not interfering.  Come join us on the motivation thread.  We have a lot of fun gently encouraging each other to keep moving. Very positive thread

BerkeleyKim

Kt--How'd the run go. Thanks for caring us with you!

Renrel--Hoping for nothing but good news.

phyllis-great news that all's well with your health! My youngest got her license in Jan--she got it lots earlier than my other 2 and it's so nice not to have to drive her around. And strangely I don't worry TOO much!

Cleaned out my class through the weekend, which was very emotional, as was our Kinder "graduation" when my co-teachers nieces, who flew out to ca from arizona, danced the hula in her honor. My key is turned in and I'm off to Maui tomorrow for 17 days! I need it. I'm so exhausted. Hope my tummy calms down--lots of stomach issues in Kinder last week. Coming home to an MRI, follow up onc, and colonoscopy. The real world just keeps intruding. Aloha for now.

Renrel

DS had his last day of school today. half day actually. He is now a 2nd grader.  I will be home with him for the next 2 days and next week starts camp.  He got a great report card with improvement in nearly all the areas he was struggling in mid year. 

Got a call from my onc office today about the thyroid thing.  Appearantly he was going back and forth about letting me just get the ultra sound or seeing a endocronolist and decided I should see and endo.  She the secretary made me an appointment for August 4th, which happens to be the week we are on vacation (not that we have made any plans yet, but that is when we are all off).  So the next earliest appt is Sept 15th!  She said she will work on getting me something earlier because that is just too far out.  Sure hope this is nothing since it seems it going to take sometime to get anyone to look at it. 

jrgolomb

Hi everyone!  Wow- Is it July  already?  I have been immersed in politics this summer, and some unfortunate issues caused by the death of my mother.  Plus, I miss the heck out of her.  She was a good woman with such a wonderful life. 

 I hope all is well with everyone.  DD is busy with her life as a young adult and I am thrilled.  Dh is busy adding on to our house.  I am taking care of yet another stray dog- who got sprayed by a skunk two days ago.  I have kept on a leash since then and our fox family - the parents at this point- have made their rounds , marking the perimeter of our property.  Our dogs only perk their ears at the fox, but they run when the porcupines make their eerie cry if they feel threatened.  Most often the dogs and cats make a beeline for our front door if a porcupine is close by.  I have to say I wish our dog- I call "Stray Dog" when I am frustrated with her- had met up with a porcupine because.  Well, at least in this most recent debacle of skunk spray. 

You know she came running up toward me to rub the frothy skunk smell on my legs.  It was a viscious stink.  I am curious, any tips on true skunk smell cleansing???

ktym

Jess, I was in stitches one day over hearing someone at work talk to her husband on the phone regarding how to take care of their dog after a skunk sprayed the dog.  Her husband was not excited about the advice to go to the drug store and buy multiple bottles of Massengail (sp?) douche to wash the dog in.