**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

bethr

Hi All,

Pickle and Sakura - Thanks for the kind words in regards to my RADS.  The machine is back up and we're on a roll again.  13 left to go.  The RAD team gave me a lotion sample called 'udderly smooth'.  I've been using it and it's been working pretty well.  I also agree with Mom_of_boys' aloe suggestion.  That's great as well.  And my really red spots that were reallyi itchy are getting better now.  I do have one tiny blister so far so am hoping the remaining RADS go smoothly.

BTW - just a vent here - I'M SICK AND TIRED OF SO MANY APPOINTMENTS!!!!!!  UGH!!!!!

 My best to you all and hope you're all having a good day.

Beth

ccbaby

SAKURA....CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING PFC!!!!!!!

7timewinner

Mom of boys:

if you feel comfortable doing so, can you send me a message about the SEs from Femara? I would like to know everything I can (including personal experiences) before starting in with the AIs. Of course, post it here if you'd like, but I didn't want to stray too far off topic.

Thanks!

Nadine

7timewinner

gymmom8:

I am still having VERY painful neuropathy in hands and feet, 10 weeks PFC. Exercise will actually help with the pain, but getting the exercise *started* through the pain is difficult. My hands feel swollen all the time, but they aren't. Some days, I feel considerably older than my 40 years

ChrisC433

Nadine,

I am on Arimidex and I feel much older too!  I still have some neuropathy in my fingers and toes.  I have carpal tunnel that is causing some pain and more numbness.  I look like an old lady when I get up in the morning...hunched over, hip, back, knees aching.  Once I get moving I am fine.  I don't like to complain too much because the alternative is always on my mind.

Take care,

Chris

pickle

Nadine: Sorry to hear of lingering neuropathy and pain. I also feel much older...I told my hubby that I'm too young to feel this old. I hope the SE's get better with time and exercise. I am still trying to get out walking everyday....10,000 steps...most days but not everyday.

On a lighter note......love your new picture. Absolutely Beautiful.

Hugs to all
Beth P

NanaA

I have a bit of good news today.  The ultrasound of my thyroid was good news mostly.  Most of the nodules were part of a goiter which does not need anything done to it.  There is one questionable nodule on the left side which was darker than the others.  Radiologist says if it was cancer it would be B9.  He recommended just watching and doing a yearly ultrasound.  My PCP wants confirmation of the year wait from the surgeon who does all the thyroid work.  He is to look at the ultrasound and me.  If he agrees with radiologist my PCP is ok with it too.  Appointment is a week from Monday.  The fact that this is not a met means the lung bronchoscopy for next Monday is much more likely not to be a met either since nodes were clear  and no lymphovascular invasion was noted on original pathology report.  Rads will be done next week.  The bronchoscopy is next Monday and I should get results on Tuesday the 22nd when I have appointment with Pulmonary doc.  I will see surgeon the day before, so on the 22nd I may be done with everything but herceptin every 3 weeks.  It sure will be cause for celebration if we are done with everything but the herceptin and that is only till next March.  The onc gave me a prescription for Femara but I have not started it yet.  I wanted to wait until rads and bronchoscopy were done. I did not want any new side effects messing anything else up, so will start after rads are done next Friday.  I have had reactions to the last 2 meds the pain management docs tried, so I am not confident the the femara will go smoothly, but I can hope.    I hope the rest of you that are going thru tests and rads  continue to do well.  Hugs  Annette

Dawnmrn1

Annette!  sounds like good news to me congrats!  Hope the bronch comes out good too!  Good Luck!  Dawn

ChrisC433

Good news...Annette...congrats, what peace of miind you get from these tests!

Chris

WLL

Hello all hope everyone is doing GREAT!!

My last Taxol treatment is next Friday YEAH!!!! Its hard to believe after 7 months of chemo I am almost finished. I am going to have radiation, but I dont even have an appointment yet to see the dr. How long after last chemo are you supposed to start?

MichelleinSJ

Ahh, good news, Annette!

I did not get the job, so now I have to day sub, which would normally be fine except that I have to pay for my son's bar mitzvah in nine months.  So I'm going to try to get a night job at a bookstore.

I got to meet Patti yesterday at Penn's Life After Breast Cancer Conference.  She's very sweet, but we didn't have much time to talk.  And my mom had come along with me, so I had to deal with her not being able to hear a word I said.  The conference was interesting, and all of my Penn docs were speakers.  I've still got quite a crush on my BS, who is completely not my type and scares the hell out of me, and yet I can never take my eyes off him.  It's just inexplicable.

Beth Pickle, you look beautiful.  Christy, a whole inch of hair after 9 weeks!  Wow, I thought I was doing well.  Actually, Patti finished chemo two days after I did and I'd say our hair is about the same length.

Well, busy day, and time to get the brownies out of the oven.  Enjoy the weekend!

Michelle

PattiB

MichelleinSJ - So sorry about the teaching assignment.  What level or subject do you teach? It was great seeing you Friday.  So sorry we didn't get to talk much.  What fate that we both where interested in the dragon boat display and you happened to hear my name mentioned.  You look great and sorry the speaker started immediately after meeting you so I didn't get to meet your mom.  I wish I would have heard those speakers prior to my dx, I might have looked into some of those trials they spoke about.  Have a great weekend,  just maybe another job posting will come up for you.  You never know!

crusader1

Hi Ladies,

Just got back from my cruise today. We had a real nice time. I participated in a mile walk sponsored by  Carnival with proceeds(100 %) going to the Susan B.Komen Cancer foundation. The name of the Walk is ON DECK FOR the CURE. Unfortunately it rained and we had to do it inside. I believe over one hundred participated. They say that Carnival raises over 1 million dollars each year from these walks.  As we walked along the deck many cheered us on. Great feeling. My husband also walked with me. To participate one had to make at least a ten dollar donation.

A funny cruise story about my hair. I wore my wig to dinner each evening and for the rest of the evening activities. During the day on the ship I wore a little red cap. Off the ship I wore NOTHING. What a great feeling of being free. The funny part was if I met a person from my dinner table during the day they did not recognize me and if I met at night a person from the day they just looked blankly.

I am now trying to decide when to ditch the wig. My husband and I have a trip planned at the beginning of Oct and I definitely will go with NO WIG. What do they say...FREE AT LAST.

Question for all. The cruise guy asked for those who have finished treatment, are in treatment or are survivors. I knew I have finished cancer treatment but when do we become a survivor?

Well ladies today is my one year anniversary of the day the radiologist told me on the phone that the biopsy was positive and I had a little cancer. It has been quite a long year...

Annette-- Glad to hear that things are sounding better.

Sakura- Happy to hear that u 2 are PFC.

Pickle- Just loved your photos. You are such a pretty lady. Your husband looks cute in the wig too.

Ladies sorry that I can't comment on many more posts but I am glad to hear much good news.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend ...

Hugs,

Francine

Luv2sing

Hello Everyone!

Hubby went back to work this week, not 100%, but he's up and around.  My rad tx are coming along.  The area being treated has gotten darker and it hurts to wear a seat belt, but no peeling so far.  Still retaining fluid and the lymphedema arm has gotten a little bigger, but in the grand scheme of things ... it's all good. 

Congrats to those who are finishing up and those who are seeing progress in hair growth!  I'm posting a new profile pic taken this weekend showing how much my hair has grown.  I have to get up a little earlier in the mornings now cause I have no eyebrows or eye lashes and it takes awhile to draw them without looking made up.  I'm really enjoying having shorter hair and it's filled in to the point where people who don't know about my diagnosis think I got my hair cut (hee hee). 

I'm sending pleasant thoughts and good vibes to all and may you find a moment to reflect on how really fortunate we are in spite of our circumstance.  Always know there is someone going through more, who would gladly trade places with you.

Kisses to all and have a great rest of the weekend.

PattiB

Crusader - Went to the Penn Medicine Life after Breast Cancer conference on Friday.  One of the speakers gave the definition of survivor to be anyone diagnosed with cancer, and any caregiver, family, of someone with cancer.  So, with the definition, you and your husband would be survivors starting when you were diagnosed.  Hope that helps.

ChrisC433

Crusader, I was also told that you are a survivor when you are diagnosed.  Anyone with the diagnosis, whether going through treatment or 20 years NED...is a survivor. Doesn't that term alone make you feel like you have climbed to the top of a mountain and conquered all!!  I have a whole new toughness about me because I AM A SURVIVOR!!!

On 21/35 rads tomorrow.  Skin that was red, turned brownish and has now peeled.  Left some bright new skin underneath.  Hoping things can continue.  Putting everything but the kitchen sink on to help out.

Spent the last 2 days putting wedding favors together.  Even through this diagnosis I feel that I have truly been blessed!

Take care all

Chris

moborn63

skin is starting to peel in the radiated area. itchy but i don;t dare scratch, lubercating myself 6-4 daily with the lotion and gels I was given by my radiolgy nurses. But does anyone else have any suggestions.

kim40

Good Morning!  I hope you all had a nice weekend.  Congrats to all who are coming to the end of your rads and to those who are PFC!! 

I have a question.  I went to see my BS earlier this month about having my right breast removed.  She said that she would do it, just not yet as my body can only handle one healing process at a time, and with all the chemicals my body has right now, that she would rather wait  until next year when I 'm done with Herceptin.  At the time, it made a lot of sense to me.  Then, she says, "oh, I have a copy of your CT scan and you chest X-ray" and she shakes her head.  A couple of days ago, I get a notice in the mail saying that I have an appointment on the 1st of October for  CT scan of my chest!  Now I'm nervous!!  Has anyone else had to go for more scans since finishing rads? 

nasharayne

moborn63 - my rad nurse suggested I use hydrocortisone for the itching.  It helped but, I think you can only use it twice a day.

kim40 - I finished rads a little over a week ago and haven't been asked to do other scans...yet.

arnie2two

Don't post very often but read when I can.  Because I'm on the above list of March Warriors...just thought I'd post that I finished my last chemo on 9/8/09.  I still have rads to go but am so glad chemo is finally behind me.  Now looking forward to getting "deported".  My onc. wanted me to keep the port in for awhile but I insisted soooo he'll schedule me for the deportation on 9/23.  We'll decide on beginning of rads then too.  Anyway, (((((((((((hugs))))))))))) to all you March Warriors.  arnie2two aka arnie

pickle

Good Morning Ladies,

Lots of posts to catch up on. I was away for the wwekend. Hubby and I decided last minute to get away for our annual Life Check weekend. No phone calls or TV allowed. It was really interesting. We talked alot about this cancer journey we've been on and he really opened up about how he was feeling through all of this. I knew he was worried etc but at times he checked himself out of it all. I now realize that it was because he was feeling so helpless. A screwdriver...hammer...wrench wasn't going to fix it. It was great to get it all out in the open and we are moving forward in the same direction together. Wow it is so easy to get disconnected along this road. We have done these life check weekends for the last number of years as an opportunity to review the previous year and discuss plans for the next year. Everything from finaces, realtionship, health, spirituality. I feel like we are back on the same page again.....and I like it.

Annette: That's great news about your thyroid. Good Luck with the bronchoscopy.

WLL: 5 days and you will be joing the PFC Club....yahoo!

Michelin: Sorry about the job but the part time bookstore sounds nice. Probably a quiet calm place to work. I realte to saving for Bar Mitzvah. I am saving for my daughter's wedding 9 months from now (June 12) .

Patti: So nice that you and Michelin got to meet in person. Are you considering the Dragon Boat Team? I think it started in British Columbia, Canada years ago and has really taken off around the world.

Francine: Good for you doing the "On Deck for the Cure" and that's so great for the cruislines to do that. Loved your story of your "Wig on...Wig off" I got a good laugh out of it and isn't it nice to be FREE! One Year Anniversary...must seem surreal when you look back and realize all that you've endured over the past 12 months. Cheers to a wonderful, joyful and healthy year ahead.

Raymon: Wow....Look at all that hair! You look beautiful and radiant. I always love your thoughtful, gentle posts....very calming and sweet.

Chris: Glad to hear that your skin is doing better. Keeping my fingers crossed that the healing continues. I bet it was fun doing wedding favors. I ma really looking forward to helping with my daughter's wedding plans.

Kim: I had another chest xray a couple of weeks ago. I had Ct of chest and abdomen halfway through chemo. My PCP wanted to do another chest xray. Everything was fine. Can you go see your regular doctor and get a review of the previous CT. It seems like a long time to wait until Oct 1 and then it will take some time to get the results. Maybe checking now will give you some peace of mind.

Arnie: Nice to hear from you and Yeah to being PFC too! Hope you had a nice summer. When will your rad be done?

Hugs to all

Beth P

bethr

Hi All,

 Arnie - Congrats on finishing your chemo!!!  So far, compared to chemo, RAD's have been a piece of cake for me.  Hope it's the same for you.

All having itchy skin - I've been having the same problem on and off and it seems that as long as I keep lotioning, it helps the itching immensely.  My RAD Dr. mentioned hydrocortozone too, but I haven't needed it yet.  So far, the 'udderly smooth' lotion seems to be doing a nice job for me.

 In regards to when I became a survivor, I echo everyone else.  I was also told you become a survivor as soon as you're diagnosed.

Luv2sing - Great to hear that your husband's starting to feel well enough to go back to work.  This is a good sign.  Your hair looks GREAT!!!

 Well, I'm currently struggling with lymphodema issues.  This is honestly becoming more frustrating than the entire ordeal so far, at least that's how I feel today.  My arm simply will not cooperate and stays pretty swollen.  Unfortunately, with the RADS (12 left) going on right now, it's hard to tell whether or not that's aggravating it...  ugh...   

Oh, and on the bittersweet side...  I'm seeing hair on my legs now...  I was so looking forward to shaving again... NOT!!!

Have a great day all!

Beth

NanaA

Home from bronchoscopy.  Results to be back by a week from tomorrow.  If they are OK I will be done except for hercepin every 3 weeks   until  March.  It sure doesn't seem like I can really be almost done.  I have my Femara prescription but have not taken any yet.  I did not want any SE's to effect todays test or Thursday's appt with ortho.  Will start after rads done on Friday.  Hugs to all Annette

didle20Diane

Off the boards for 10 days for vacation....LOTS of reading to catch up.  Missed you all!

Our vacation was wonderful even with the rain.  I got my B9 results of the uterine biopsy half way through the trip so I was thrilled!

Annette, prayers for NEG results for you....seems to be the theme here.

Hugs

Diane

ChrisC433

Diane...Congrats on the negative results...may they be spread around to everyone!

Chris

pickle

Diane: Congrats....sooooo happy for you Hope you had a wonderful vacation....well desrved break!

Annette: Glad the bronchoscopy went well. Praying for the All Clear for you too!

Hugs to all

Beth P

chick717

Diane - that's great news!!!

Annette: I just know you are next to get the all clear.   

With October right around the corner, I'm bracing myself for all the bc awareness.  Every time I hear something about bc, I am going to stop contracting in fear and start with gratitude for living in a time when we can catch and take care of these things.  I am grateful for my medical team, my family, and my friends, the ones who brought food, took my fearful late-night phone calls, prayed, and all of my support village here.

Thanks y'all for being an incredible, diverse, strong group of loving women.  I got lucky when I followed that link and joined.   

pickle

Chick: What a lovely, inspiring post. Thank you for reminding me to live each day with gratitude and be thankful for all of those people that so graciously took care of me. And I am so grateful for this wonderful group of incredibly strong, gifted women.

Hugs

Beth P

PattiB

Beth - Sounds like you had a great weekend.  The dragon boat team is having an open house in October and I definitely want to check it out.  It will depend on time commitment, etc.   But I think it sounds great.  It also is in the City and I'm not as adventuresome with going to new places in the city with the traffic, etc.  Will try to have my DH take me until I get comfortable with that part.  I will keep you posted.

crusader1

Tracy( Chick), What nice thoughts you have about our group. So well said. Great blond hair. I think you do have more hair than me. Nice photo.. I am waiting for an email from you..

Annette- good news for you.

Saw my PS and set up a date for my next surgery.I will either get my third TE or an implant. He was so pleased with my breast mound. So soft and supple. Some things just turn some doctors on. LOL

More good news for all.

Hugs to all,

Francine