Starting Chemo April 2009

Titan

Sorry to hear this Betsy!

Hey... I like our conversations lately...

Amy..didn't google uterine polyps...but thinking that is probably a common thing????

inthemoment

Hoping you're feeling better Amy, and that the news will be all good!

inthemoment

Betsy, I'm so sorry about your neighbor. That was so fast...

JudyNaomi

Amy, good to hear that you are home and resting. It sounds like you got through it ok, I hope that you don't get too stressed over the waiting period.

Betsy, I am so sorry to hear about your neighbour, it is very upsetting. Sending you hugs and support. I hope that your appointment goes ok today.

Hugs to you all, Judy x

AmyIsStrong

Judy - I have a good friend who has a lot of trouble sleeping. She hates taking meds, but it has gotten very bad and she has trouble functioning the next day. She has tried various drugs without success for one reason or another.  BUT a new doc suggested this drug: Trazodone - and she is doing SUPER WELL on it. She lives far from me and often calls me on her (early) drive to work. She sounds totaly different - awake, alert, happy, refreshed. She said she had NO IDEA that being sleep deprived/tired had affected her so much.

I have been wanting to ask her the name of the med for you, but I kept forgetting. So today I remembered. It might be worth asking your doctor about. I can HEAR you saying you hate drugs, don't want to take them, etc etc - I am the same way. But IF this is really impacting your QOL, it might be worth trying.

Just a thought.

I'm doing ok. A little crampy and not feeling like jumping around (or going to the gym) yet but ok.  I left 2 msgs for the doc yesterday, want to learn more about this polyp thing. No call back yet. NOT happy about that but hopefully she will call today.

Betsy - the only thing I can say is - I am so glad your neighbor didn't suffer. I know that when I think about the possibility of something like that happening to me, I KNOW I would want it to be fast. So while it is a huge shock to friends/family, maybe there is some aspect of comfort there.

Love to all - Amy

inthemoment

Amy - hoping you got to speak to your doctor...so tough when you have to just wait! Thinking of you



Geri

AmyIsStrong

Doctor called tonight. Explained how they found the polyp 'leaning' against my cervix. Good to know it was nice and relaxed in there, right?  She said it was causing irritation and therefore the bleeding. She said as a rule, polyps come back benign. But of course there COULD be 'atypical' cells which are considered pre-cancerous and, if found, would make them want to do the complete hysterectomy. But she said she has no reason to expect that and that in all probability no further surgery will be needed. (yay)

I still feel uncharacteristically worn out. Really run down, not sure if from the anesthesia and drugs, or from the blood loss and surgery. Or both? Who knows. But I AM taking it easy. No gym for me, not even a walk. Nothing! I guess I just need a few more days to bounce back.

Glad the doctor called. I see her a week from tomorrow for follow up. She said she will have the biopsy results by then, or if before, she will call me.

I am feeling pretty calm about all this. Not worried.

inthemoment

Hi Amy,

Glad to hear the doctor called and was reassuring. I think you can add stress over the procedure to the list of reasons why you are feeling worn down - even when we think we're calm, these issues take their toll on our bodies and minds. Just take a well deserved break from everything and rest up!

Geri

JudyNaomi

Amy, thanks so much for the suggestion of meds to help me sleep. I have no doubt it affects my ability to function, especially with my long working hours. I will talk to my doc about it.

I agree with Geri; I am sure that stress is contributing to your fatigue, allow yourself time to get past this, both physically and emotionally. It has been a difficult couple of weeks. I am pleased the doctor called you and that you are feeling calmer about this.

Betsy, how are you doing? I am thinking about you.

My very good friend from London is visiting this weekend and I am so looking forward to spending some time with her!

Hope you are all doing ok, hugs to you all. Judy x

Lesleyanne67

Amy that is terrific news!!! So glad for you!



Judy have fun with your friend and lack of sleep can cause health problems and overall brain function disruption so I would definitely look into it. I am pretty anti popping pills for every little thing, but....I am not a full on alternative person either. I took chemo when I needed it, I have no thyroid after my radiation, so I take it, then there is that darned Femara....so if something can help I would go for it, might only need to be temporary!! I started reading before bed again and that has helped me too.



Hope everyone else is well!!! Titan, Geri, Helen....



Les

inthemoment

I will be doing my third Making Strides Breast Cancer walk on Sunday. The first time I walked, it was freezing cold and pouring rain, and I was in the midst of chemo. The real reason I walked that year was because my daughter wanted to be active in finding more effective treatments for breast cancer and she raised over $2,000 that first year. It is now the way we bond over this nasty disease and I believe that she needs to do this. So, hopefully I can finish the walk, since I haven't tried to do much exercise since the whole heart issue. If I get chest pain, I'll just hang out and wait for them to finish. I'm a little sad because Kevin walked with me the first two years - this will be the first since our " non- breakup, breakup". Oh well, moving on.

Judy - have a fantastic time with your friend. Amy, rest up this weekend - nurse's orders!

Everyone...you will all be in my heart as I walk, and, of course, our dear Lena.

Titan

I agree with the rest of us...Amy..you are whipped due to the mental aspect of this...once that polyp is determined benign I betcha you will be back soon..I know it

My son and I are running a 5k on Sunday the 28th..it is for Stephanie Speilman...she was the wife of Chris Speilman who played for OSU and then for Detroit in the NFL.  

we will be running all over the OSU campus...I'm sooo excited to do this with my son...

JudyNaomi

Hi all, just passing through quickly today.

Geri, wishing you best of luck for Sunday, hope you feel well enough to do the whole walk.

Good luck to you too, Titan!

My friend has just arrived, so we are off out for the rest of the day. Hope you are all ok, Amy, how are you feeling today?

Hugs to you all for a great weekend!

Judy x

inthemoment

Thank you Judy! Have a great weekend with your friend.



Everyone - have a wonderful weekend



Geri

JudyNaomi

Hi all,

I had a great weekend with my friend, we spent all day Friday together, just chatting, having lunch, was so nice. On Sat night we went out for dinner with her family, such a lovely evening.

This morning I received a call from the hospital that my surgery has been postponed to 11th June! I was so upset, I just burst into tears. We do not have private medicine here, so I don't have alot of choice in the date. The surgeon could do it privately, but it would cost a lot of money and we just cannot do it that way. I had kind of sorted out the logistics in my mind because the recovery is quite long and now it will be in the summer and I need to rethink again. I am not very good when it comes to being flexible.

I am a little calmer now, but had a difficult morning. I just wish things could be straighforward and normal. I am sorry to vent like this, I know that there are people with much more serious issues in their lives, but thank you for listening.

Geri, best of luck for today!

I hope you are all doing ok, hugs to you all, Judy x

hrf

I hope everyone is enjoying the weekend. Judy so sorry to hear of your delay. Like you I have no choices in timing either. At this point I am hoping for December but that is not confirmed. I think because we have been waiting such a very long time for this reconstruction, we are quite stressed and that means when there is a change in date, it just throws us right off. So believe me, it's not you. It's the situation. They won't give me a date. I just have to wait for a phone call which will tell me ... it will be in 5 days ... or something like that. Judy, is there any possibility they could move you up from June? I figure I should just start getting ready as it is a long recovery and I am alone so want to be as self-sufficient as possible. Cool but a sunny day here. I'm off to the theatre to see "Sister Act" today.

JudyNaomi

Thanks Helen, I am going to contact the hospital and try and talk to someone. It is important that I find the right person. I just think that a 3 month delay so far ahead is too much and I want to try and have them bring it forward. There are many considerations; the kids, my job, the length of recovery, I need to make plans. My sister has said she will come to be with my kids whilst I am hospital. Hope the theater was fun!

Geri, how was the walk on Sunday? Hope you are feeling ok? Amy, how are you doing? Betsy, am thinking about you.

Hope everyone else is doing well, sending you all hugs, Judy x

AmyIsStrong

Judy - I hope they can move things up. That feels like a LONG time away.

Helen, yours is coming up sooner. I don't know if I'd like the 5-day-phone-call or not. Could make you jumpy every time the phone rang. On the other hand, there's no long build up of nerves to the date.  All our medical systems seem to have their pros/cons. I guess we just get used to them (or do the best we can).

BIG EXCITING NEWS - my oldest daughter (the one that is married 2 1/2 years now) told me yesterday that she is PREGNANT!   And due in June. Can't believe I am going to be a grandma. She wants to tell people herself (and didn't seem in a hurry to do so), so I can't say anything yet (to my mom, other close family members) but am glad I can come here and share the news.

I am finally feeling a lot better. On Friday afternoon I just started to perk up. Had a busy day on Saturday and took a good brisk walk on Sunday. Will go to the gym (for a light workout, don't worry) today.

We go away to VA for a week on Friday. And it doesn't feel overwhelming the way it did a few days ago, just happy and exciting. if I get tired, I will rest. The extended weather looks cold and rainy, and the idea of cuddling up by the fireplace with a book doesn't sound bad either!

Lesleyanne67

Congrats Amy!!!!



For those of you doing the reconstruction, or rather waiting for it, it really was not as bad a recovery as you might fear. True you will not be running marathons. : ). I am about 9 weeks now and I would say for a good five weeks I have been back to almost normal life although I cannot quite get to 5 miles walking yet and I could do 2x that prior. Since they did not move muscle if you do a DEIP versus older style flaps involving muscle, you bounce back and are not in a ton of pain. The first week or two is not a picnic but I still even went to a restaurant I could get out of bed to eat with the family. You are just a bit more fatigued.



I have 2 boys 12 & 9 and I still did laundry just only carried small handfuls at a time. The BIG key is just cook a bunch beforehand and freeze so you have meals that do not require a great deal of prep!



I know it is SO frustrating when dates get changed. You get your ducks in a row in terms of help but mostly you get your mind prepped for medical "stuff". I love my DRs and I have a "tentative" date for my stage 2 of Dec 14 trying to get this all in before the end of the year, BUT insurance will not approve more than 30 days in advance, WHICH makes booking flights and hotel around the holidays SUPER tough....I am reluctant to book flights in case they change my date which they have done.....hang in their ladies it will work out in the end and this is the icing on the cake of this whole process.



Kids have a snow day in Tahoe today. Crazy 5 days ago it was 80. Welcome to the Sierra mountains!!



Have a great week ladies.

hrf

Amy glad you are feeling well and such great news for the baby. A new baby brings such joy into the family. Wishing your daughter all the best for an easy pregnancy. 

Lesley sounds like you had a great recovery. I'm nervous about that. Did you do a double? I know I'll be hospital for 5 days. This week I will start preparing and freezing meals that work for me. And I'll make sure I have things I need in the house so I won't need much shopping. I'm sure if I need a little, friends will help. My biggest worry is will I be able to get out of bed myself and shower? If I can do that and make it downstairs, I'll be fine. My sister said she would stay with me for a few days to help when I come home. Lesley, any tips on what to take to the hospital?

JudyNaomi

Amy, Congratulations on such lovely news!!! You have made me smile this morning, thank you! I hope that your daughter has an enjoyable and easy pregnancy. Also, have a great trip to VA. Huddled around a fireplace with a book sounds perfect to me. I am glad you are feeling better.

We still have warm temperatures here, I am ready for a bit of Fall or Winter now.

Lesley, thank you for always making me feel better about the surgery. I hope my recovery is similar to yours. I will be in hospital for 7 days, then they have told me a month at home to rest. I have started contacting the hospital to see if we can move the date sooner. Helen, keep us posted on your date.

Hope everyone is doing ok, sending you all hugs, Judy x

Lesleyanne67

My only suggestion is take half of what you think you need : ). I am an anal over planner. Listen I kid you not they had me in the shower with a nurse in 48 hours and showering alone in less than a wrk. You guys will be shocked if you did expanders and exchanges....no muscle means it hurts far less



Ok I have a question I only feel comfortable asking here....



Do you guys feel that women who never had to have chemo are really in the same "club" as us? I do not minimize what anyone diagnosed with cancer goes thru, but I just think if you do not go through the whole months of treatment and hair loss etc it it just not the same. If you just have a lumpectomy, I am not saying it is not bad for them, but I just feel it is a whole different deal. You can bounce back in months from that...am I mean? Crazy?.....thoughts?



Lesley

hrf

Lesley, my PS said there would be more pain from the donor (abdomen) site than the chest area. I'm quite nervous.



From the perspective of those of us who have been through "the works" it appears as the others are not in the same club. But cancer is cancer and some of those women become stage IV too. Each person's experience is their own and I'm sure we all have the same feelings and fears despite what our individual tax plans are.

JudyNaomi

Helen, Lesley, I am also quite nervous, I am still trying to get a nearer date from the hospital.

As far as going through cancer; I think the diagnosis alone is a huge thing to process and come to terms with. The physical and emotional effects of surgery and chemo are a different issue altogether. It think that as Helen says, cancer is cancer and anyone who has been through it has a lot to deal with whether, emotionally or physically or both. It brings to the surface the fear that something is threatening our very being and everything around us that we love and cherish.

Extra hugs today, Judy x

AmyIsStrong

Saw the doctor. She walked into my exam room saying "Benign" before she even said hello, which I GREATLY appreciated.

I didn't worry much this past 2 weeks about the results, but being IN that medical environment, waiting, was....stressful and intense.

She said the polyp was 'quite possibly' caused by the tamoxifen and now that I will be on an AI, is quite unlikely to repeat. No hysterectomy needed. See you in six months for follow up and u/s to check the lining again. But very confident it will be fine.

So...........that's what I wanted right? Then why don't I feel better?  I guess it just takes some time to get past the heightened stress level of this and all the 'what if's'.

We pack for vacation tonight and go tomorrow. Lots of work to do, some of which will be during the vacation. But I don't care. We are bringing one of the'big' computers so my husband can work as needed. So i will be able to, also. And it is supposed to rain a few of the days (due to that hurricane hovering around off the coast). So it is going to be a low key relaxing time.

One funny thing - my husband was in the room with me, and at the end of the visit, I asked if I was cleared for sex again (they had told me to wait until I saw her to resume). She quickly said "Yes, absolututely" and then paused and put her hand up (pretending to shield her mouth from him) and whispered "Unless you want me to say you need more time off, like a year - I will do that for my best patients."  She said it so he could hear her also, and we all laughed. I said no, it was fine. But it was pretty funny.

The waiting room was FULL of pregnant women. Very odd to be in that environment. But cool too, now that I am going to be a GRANDMA!

Thanks to all who held my hand through this. I will close the chapter on it, but I know it is goign to take me a few days to let my emotions settle down.

hrf

Amy, such good news!!! Here's a big (((hug))). Enjoy your holiday.

Lesleyanne67

Great news Amy. Thanks for the perspectives : )



My donor site does hurt more than my chest but I still feel it was worth it. I like having my shape somewhat back and the inserts would end up only abdomen SO embarrassing



Les

JudyNaomi

Amy, so happy to read your post! I am sure it will take a few days for your emotions to settle, but being away with your husband taking it easy sounds like a good way to help that along. I hope you have a great vacation.

Wishing everyone a good weekend! Hugs to you all, Judy x

inthemoment

Wonderful news Amy, both on your biopsy results and your soon-to-be Grandma status. I'm sure a few days of R&R will greatly help you settle down with your emotional roller coaster.

Good thoughts to all

Geri

AmyIsStrong

Not going on vacation b/c of the impending hurricane. Pretty disappointed but we will try to reschedule.

Since i knew it was going to be rainy, I was going to relax, read, cross stitch, sleep, watch tv etc.  I can actually do all those things at home just as well, right? The hiking and stuff that we enjoy wouldn't have happened, so it isn't SUCh a big loss. But still.................

To Geri and all the rest on the east coast - stay safe.