Any May 2009 Chemo Starters?

AbuelaBoricua

Happy Holidays to you and Diane!

I had my last chemo in late August and I still experience chemo brain. Remembering words is difficult at times and as well as processing information. I believe that it will improve with time. My Oncologist seems to agree that it will get better. 

 I have also experienced anxiety about the simplest things but have manage to control it just by trying to put things in perspective. I found myself worrying about things that were not an issue before and I could feel the level of stress going up. I believe that when you get diagnosed with BC or any other C you lose control of your life decisions. Therefore once the treatments ends you to try to regain control back and it might spill to the lives of others. We want to make sure they are not going to experience  anything like we have, so we tend to worry about everything relating to family. Try to work on relaxation techniques, controlling breathing, pulse etc. Perhaps by controlling the physiological responses of the body due to stress, she will be able to relax and see things in a different way. Thank you for writing about Diane's experiences because it made me realize that it is truly a side effect. Good luck and best wishes!

 Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year full of Health to everyone else!

Diana

gmp300

Hello May Marvels!

     I just wanted to wish everyone a

********************Merry Christmas******************

I pray everyone is moving on and getting on with life.  What an adventure we all had and still are going thru.  Good Health to all--Merry Christmas---Geri

TexasRose

Merry Christmas everybody!! I hope you all have wonderful holidays!!

I also have anxiety. I think it's mostly just trying to get my life back to normal, but normal has changed. I'm learning to live with that, but some days are hard. Chemo brain is definitely still an issue with me and I had my last chemo on 10/6. I have such a hard time focusing. It's rough, but I think it gets better all the time and hopefully someday my usually sharp mind will be back. Hugs to you and Diane.

And you Diana. And Geri.

My best, best wishes for all the May Marvels!! Can you believe how far we have come?!

Merry Christmas!!!!! 

lassie11

well - actually no, I can hardly believe how far we've come. Who would have thought a year ago that we'd learn so much about something we didn't really want to know! Some of those times during chemo seem like a blurry memory - I'm still waiting for last summer to arrive. Nevertheless, it is great to be done that chapter of all of this. I haven't had any epiphanies or great thoughts as a result of it all, but have noticed that things that used to bother me just don't so much any more. Any one else find that?

The table is set, food is prepared and I am awaiting the arrival of my two sons and my daughter with her husband and two children. That's as good as it can be. 

Best wishes to all!

jabl1252

Merry Christmas everyone!!!  Anyone that has had cancer and have gone through what we all have,will never be the same. I don't want to depress anyone ,but how could we go back to before we were diagnosed with this terrible disease.It scares the crap out of you and you worry about everything that goes on in your life and everyone elses life.You want  no worries ,but that's what we do.Can not stop the worrying. Hopefully someday we will relax and enjoy our lives without the worry.Wish it would hurry up.This Christmas was probably one of the worst I have ever had.My youngest son is in Iraq and my other son quit college and has told be that he is an alcholic. What a year.I sure hope next year is a lot better then this one.So Tom ,yes we all have some problems,and Di ,I relate to you very well. It will get better with time,I know that I have gone through some depression but I'm working on getting over it.So will you.Take care, Julie

debbie6122

Tom and Di-  Im happy that your wife has finnaly finished her chemo, it sure has been a long road for all of us hasnt it. i too have a problem getting my brain to shut off i have trouble sleeping and am still awake when DH wakes up at 6am i finally have to resort to taking a sleeping pill and somtimes that dosnt work either, i guess things take time to get back to "normal" what ever that may be, im not sure anymore, ive discussed this with my dr. and she says the stress of everything and most woman get ptsd (post trumatic stress disorder) after all this so that could be what she and most of us are going thru, it has been 3 months since last tx im hoping it gets better.hugs to you and dI

Hope every one had a nice christmas, i check in every once in awhile to see how you all have been doing and im happy most are done with tx and doing good i think about you all often we have been thru so much together and i wouldnt of been able to do it with out all of your support- love to you all

debbie

       

LoriR

Hey to all May Marvels - I haven't posted in awhile but still check in regularly.  Getting back to a new kind of normal like most of you.  I too have the problem of not being able to shut the brain off.  I am always thinking, worrying, wondering, what will be next.  I just try to stay busy; it seems to help some but not always.  I just wanted to say Happy New Year to all of you.  Like most of you (I think) I am ready to say good riddeons to 2009 and hope 2010 will be a BOOOOORRING year.  I could use a little non-evenfulness.  haha!  take care (((HUGS)))

lassie11

Great idea Lori! I think boring would be just fine for once.

jabl1252

Happy New Year May Marvels !!!! We got through  last year and now on to bigger and better times. Hope you all are getting through some tough times that some of us are experiencing, it can only get better with time.Thank God we all had each other to get through this. Thank you for the support and advice and temper tantrums and you all know what I mean. Thank You May Marvels. Your the Best. Julie

Titch

Happy New year to all you marvels.......

It is good to see how everyone is doing....

I have just finished my final treatment (radiation) yesterday... and I am so relieved it is over...2009 was a challenging year, but one I feel I overcame.......  I am still working full time, busier that usual, as I got promoted in october, so more responsibilities. hence why I am quieter... I do think of you all often.

If any of you are on facebook, search me Tania Hallinan in New Zealand....... and add me as a friend, as I do pop on there most days....

debbie6122

Hi titch glad to see that you are finally finished with your radiation tx, it has been a long hard road for you and you and a few others were still going thur it when i finshed,- glad your job is going good for you,  Hope suzy is doing good as well

I do a lot of pming more than posting but check to see how all of you are doing, your always in my thoughts and prayers

jaelsne

Hi all,

  I see that a few of us are still checking in, so I thought I'd also say hi.  Things are fine right now after a stressful week waiting for brain MRI results (CLEAN!).  I wonder how many of us are feeling like I am--more stressed and worried than when I was going though chemo and rads.  I had thought that now I was finished with everything (as of November 15), I'd feel a whole lot better than I do.  But I feel exhausted and depleted.  I'm wondering how long it will take to get myself back to (a new) normal.

  I celebrated Christmas in Las Vegas, and New Year's eve watching "It's Complicated."  I'm going back to work after being off for almost a year (substitute teaching).   Looking forward to working again.

  Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL 2010!

Jo Anne 

luvtheocean

Hi All!

Just popping by myself.  I haven't posted in a really long time!  I am exhausted and stressed as well.  I saw my ONC on Wed, and she said that it could be up to a yr from my last treatment before I feel 'back to normal' plus I am taking Tamoxifen and it has sent me into menopause which also causes memory issues and fatigue.  I say I have CRT as a result of Chemo (Cant remember sh*&)  Just the other day my 17 yr old son told me to start wearing my "I have Chemo Brain, what's your excuse" button so everyone would know why I am so stressed, weird, and ask the same questions over and over.  So funny!  My onc said I needed to be more active to Wii Fitness it is for me, we will see.  I have to wait until after Tues when I see the podiatrist, having terrible problems with my feet.  Anyone else?  I can't hardly stand to put weight on them at all it hurts so much.  Someone at work told me their brother had the same problem after chemo.

Ok, that's all from me for now.  I hope everyone is doing well.  Pop by and let us know!!

zuzeee

Hi May Marvels

Wishing all of you a wonderful 2010. I have to admit I am still exhausted!! but the great news is I am finally sleeping well again as I hope you are. Thinking of all of you.

Pink hugs Susie

luvtheocean

Well, found out why my feet were hurting so much, at least the left one.  I have a stress fracture in my heel bone.  I am in a 'boot' for at least 4 weeks and could be up to 12!  I have no idea how this happened.  So, I am back on stupid steroids until Monday.  Already have the hateful bitch attitude and jitters.  Pretty much sucks!  Hope everyone else is doing well.

jabl1252

Hi All,Just checking in ,I was wondering if anyone else is having this problem. I do not pay attention to what I am doing sometimes I just let things fall out of my hands ,I have broken so many things lately.Oh and on New Years day,I was on a platform about 2 feet high,and when I went to get off, my feet stayed put but my body decided to take a plunge to the hard ground, fell on my bad boob,and cracked a rib.Seems like I don't think straight sometimes.My husband just gives me these looks like I'm crazy or something.I told him I thought it might be chemo brain . I'm not sure if he really understands what that means.But anyways I was just wondering if anyone is experiencing anything like this.I'm really beginning to wonder!!  Thanks  for listening, like you had a choice lol. You all take care,it's good to see some of you returning to say hi. Julie

lassie11

Hi Julie - I haven't fallen (thank goodness) but I have lost things a lot. I started to wear earrings to go with my very short chemo curls - already two pairs have lost their mates. For a while I lost the baby brag photo book when my new granddaughter arrived.Most things have turned up.  Lately, I have been doing very badly at bridge - although I won an award for my results during chemo. Do you suppose it has something to do with not trying to concentrate as much as we had to on chemo? or residual effects? Who knows? I assume this too shall pass and we will get our bearings back in time.

Becky - sorry to hear about your heel - how annoying to have something like that after getting through the hard stuff! Hope you heal quickly.

TexasRose

Hi ladies!

Just checking in. I have bad concentration also and lose things a lot more than I did before. I used to love to read and it's still hard for me to do it now after chemo. My mind just wanders. I can't concentrate on anything it seems! I hate it because I used to be so organized and anal. Now I'm all over the place.

Anyway, physically I am doing really well. But the mind stuff is really annoying.

Becky- hope your foot is healing!

Hugs everybody! How's the hair coming? I'm still wearing ballcaps when I go out, but it's coming along.

echosalvaje

Hey Marvel Muses, I haven't looked at this thread in a long time....and happy that the "moving on" thing is working. I got wrapped up in the Rads thread while that was going on and now I'm hanging out in the Tamoxefin land. It's nice to know there is a place for us at what ever stage we find ourselves in.

Titch I'm going to FB you. ( Mary Fassel from Hood River, OR.) The next time my Kiwi husband and I come down for a visit to see the family, I'm hunting you down girl!

Hope everyone is feeling better, growing hair ( my eyelashes and brows just fell out again   ), and finding the new normal. I'm feeling pretty good and looking forward to how good that will be when the one year mark is up! Peace to you my Sistah's

AbuelaBoricua

I am glad everyone is doing well! We just had 30 inches of snow in MD in 24 hrs. We are trying to dig out!  I never get tired of the snow. It is so peaceful and beautiful!

My hair has grown a lot and my eyelashes are back also. I feel OK, but I wish I had more energy.  I think in due time that also will return.  Well, be well everyone! Diana

debbie6122

Glad we all are moving on, but miss ya all anyway- we went thru a lot together and I will never forget you-

Have any of you been depressed? I have been having problems with depression and I have always been upbeat and never sad or depressed, but It seems like things are hard now and not the same, but hey having a breast or 2 removed and chemo heck why wouldnt we be> but some handle it better than others, I was better going thru it rather than now when Im done, and Im always checking my foobie to make sure there are no lumps, geesh does it get any better- sorry to be a debbie downer but thats how i feel

debbie

debbie6122

Glad we all are moving on, but miss ya all anyway- we went thru a lot together and I will never forget you-

Have any of you been depressed? I have been having problems with depression and I have always been upbeat and never sad or depressed, but It seems like things are hard now and not the same, but hey having a breast or 2 removed and chemo heck why wouldnt we be> but some handle it better than others, I was better going thru it rather than now when Im done, and Im always checking my foobie to make sure there are no lumps, geesh does it get any better- sorry to be a debbie downer but thats how i feel

debbie

debbie6122

second one was deleted because of double post (sorry)

Janet22664

Hi all,

I haven't posted here for a very long time, but I check in.  Debbie, I understand the feeling of depression. Although I haven't suffered a full-blown depression, in my non-working hours I am consumed with the thoughts of recurrence.  I had a lower back ache for a couple of months, even had an MRI (which, was negative), but I can't sleep worrying about a recurrence. 

 We have to come to terms with our new "normal", which really isn't normal at all.  We went through something that was really tough, but, what we must focus on is that we did, in fact, come "THROUGH" it.  It is in our past and not matter what lies in our future....we must enjoy today.

 Janet   

lassie11

My grandma used to say "Don't worry, It might not happen". I'm choosing her way - makes for much better sleeping.

jabl1252

Hi May Marvel's,  It has been awhile since I needed to come here and talk to you all.I am doing pretty good,still get herceptin until May.Then what ? Just wondering if anyone else feels this way.Kind of scared to not doing anything to prevent reaccurance after May,but we will see what happens.Guess we can not dwell on what if's. I just wanted you all to know that I will be walking in the Susan G. Komen 60 mile 3-day for the cure walk in July in Cleveland Ohio. This is a way for me to keep the research going to end breast cancer so that no other women or man has to go through what we did this past year.I am raising $2,300.00 to do the walk,which is required for all participants,and I had so many people donate to this cause that I have reached the goal,and I think I will raise more then I need.I will be thinking of you all when I do the walk. Take care, Julie

LoriR

Hello all May Marvels = haven't written in a long time but still check in from time to time - Julie I am like you in that I am getting herceptin til May - and am also thinking then what!  I have my first follow up mamo in April so I am already getting nervous for that - they say that us her2+ gals have the most chance of reoccurance with in the first two years -grrr- it is a constant struggle to not think about (worry) ALL the time.  I try not to but it is sooo hard - Good luck on your walk - and congrats on raising money.  I did the Donna Deegan Marathon to finish breast cancer in February.  I raised $1000 for the her foundation and for the Mayo clinic.  It was very emotional as I am sure yours will be too

Debbie and Janet - I totally get were you are coming from with the depression - some times I think I might have PTSD - I will look back on the chemo and think - wow I had cancer and it freaks me out now probably more than when I was going thru it.

Happy hair growing to you all!

Lori

jaelsne

Hi everyone,

   I've been doing pretty well physically, except for my forgetfulness and sometimes extreme fatigue.  My one-year mammo on my remaining breast was clear.  

   However, as someone else said, I'm sometimes in worse shape mentally than I was during the treatment process.  I have become very fearful of recurrence and subsequent death.  I think my recent bout of fear is due to the fact that a close friend of mine, a long-time survivor of both breast and brain cancer, has been put on hospice.   Brings things much closer to home.

  Otherwise, everything is fine.  My daughter's on spring break and we're trying to think of someplace to go for a couple of days.  We don't go away very often these days.

  Hope everyone had a nice Easter or Passover or whatever you celebrate!

Jo Anne 

debbie6122

Havnt seen a post from any may marvels for some time now, which is a good thing, hopefully means every one has moved on or on other threads

Jo Anne, Sorry about your dear friend, i will light a candle in her honor and pray she is in peace

Lori- I know what you mean, I have trouble coping with the depression and I look in the mirror and say, who the heck are you??? My hair is finally starting to grow but so curly and dark, my family was shocked to see me after all the tx and hair change, but they told me, at least you havnt changed you still have your same wonderful sense of humor and personality, I should be an actress LOL! Honestly, i think im finally starting to feel more lke myself

Lassie- Your grandma sounds like a smart lady, mine used to say somthing along the same lines she said, nothing is ever as it seems

Hope you all are doing better and enjoying life

TexasRose

Ladies,

I am so very sad to say that I just found out that one of our May Marvels has passed away from liver and spine mets. Shelley Algren (TN36 here on our thread) died apparently last Saturday, June 5th. I met her here on this thread and we became Facebook friends. I hadn't talked with her in awhile, so I went to her wall to see how she was doing and learned of her passing. She leaves behind a husband and three children. My heart just breaks for all of them. Shelley and I chatted a lot on Facebook during some of the darker chemo hours. I'll forever be grateful to her for sharing those times with me. Please say a prayer for her and for her family.

 (((hugs)))