MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

cmbear

Hope everyone on the east coast is battening down the hatches!! We have had rain feeder bans most of the day.Wind pops and whips around for awhile and then it rains for a few minutes. And then its sunny.  I hope that's all anyone gets and this little storm  skirts on by the coast with out making landfall. Meanwhile, its a good excuse for another kind of hurricane. . .  

Foxlairfrm

Battening down all hatches here. We had another small quake at 1pm this afternoon apparently centered in a different place about 30 miles from the other one. I hope this doesnt set our fault line off. For now I'm freverently trying to stake up my dahlias for the impending winds. I just know they will be destroyed. It's already a bit windy here. Expecting storms tonight. Unrelated to Irene. Practice I guess. Lol. Pass that "hurricane" would ya!

Foxy

tinkertude

Just got back from the grocery store and omg!!!! it was a madhouse worse than 95 at rush hour.. ok ok im exagerrating on that one, but it was packed! hope everyone on the east coast is preparing and does well this weekend! hugs

Janis glad all went well today

Foxy..yes batten down those hatches!!!! hang on and good luck

HUgs ladies

Maria

LovesChristmas-Barb

Foxy....you poor Virginians are having a terrible week! I hope and pray that all turns out well for all of you...

jo1955

Claire - I'll take one of those "hurricanes" - Thank you very much!  I hate it when anyone has to go through hurricanes.  We had Dolly a couple of years ago and we stay and rode it out - never again.  I was so scared - told DH I am packing up and leaving next time around.

All you VA ladies - what a week you have had.  Hope you are all well.

East Coast Girls - Batten down the hatches and stay safe this weekend. 

Hauntie

I'm way behind in reading this thread. The last time I checked in was during the party weekend and I skipped ahead several pages to get to that.

Janis - glad the extra xrays were not because anything was wrong. I know - any little variation of the routine and you start to wonder if something is going on. I find it hard to believe that you won't have reg appointments, with your onc, during your radiation. Granted, I was treated more than 17 years ago and maybe thing have changed; but I had a radiation oncologist, that I saw regulary during and after radiation. I also saw a medical and surgical oncologist through out and for years after treatment. I'm still seeing my med onc yearly. Now with my PMX, I will be seeing my surg onc yearly, once again, for who knows how long.

Marlegal - congratulations. Borrowing from another list serve, I belong to - at 6 years post diagnosis, you have reached DISH status +1 - gold level. DISH = Damn (good damn, not bad damn) I'm Still Here!!!! 4 more years and you reach platinum level DISH. P.S. I know you are NED and congratulations on that, but DISH has nothing to do with NED status. It's the number of years since diagnosis.

justmejanis

Hauntie.......I apparently was wrong; I misunderstood.  I will be seeing my radiation onc once a week.  Saw him today and we had a good visit.  He said if anything comes up, anything....to call.  He is very nice and thorough and i like him a lot.  I feel I am in good hands.  Anyway it is my medical oncologist I will not see until the end of treatment.  I get it now!  (inserts lightbulb smiley)!

cmblastic...oh that picture is making me drool.  I don't think I have ever had this drink, but it sure lives up to my specs.  Tall glass,  plenty of ice and fruity stuff, and some Bacardi I would hope!  Thanks for sharing!

tinker.....I bet the stores are an absolute zoo.  I lived in Wyoming for many years.  Both cities I lived in, Casper and Cheyenne, are the largest cities in the state, each having about 50,000 people.  When the blizzard warnings showed up, the stores were always a madhouse.  I hope you survive this nasty storm.

Jo I lived in Houston for five years and we had a few close calls, but never a direct hit.  I remember when they were downgraded to tropical storms and finally understood what buckets of water meant.  It would storm for days on end and we always had a lot of local flooding.  Since then I have lived in such dry areas I miss rain terribly!

Be safe everyone! 

gardengumby

Good luck to everyone in the path of the storm.  Then once you're situated safely, have an extra one of those nummy hurricanes for me. 

Paula66

Stay safe all you gals in the path of Irene!!!

Well I think I found out what was causing me to have so much fatige.  I was taking Ambien because I wasnt sleeping due to treatment, the port and the TE.  Well I finally put 2 n 2 together yesterday after talking with the nurse.  I didnt take one last night and had no issues at all today like I have been having for months.  It was nice.  So I think that Im gonna stop the Ambien for sure and see if this is what is going on.  She did say the pain is a SE from chemo and the Tami so Im stuck with that for now.  Have a great night all.  I have to study, grrr!  Atleast its not blueprints, whew.  

Hauntie

Oooh, I'm going to ride out the storm at my 92 year old Dad's house with him and one of my DBs. DB has been to New Orleans several times and has genuine hurricane glasses. A trip to the liquor store may be in order.

KittyGirl2011

Hold on everyone in the path of Irene.  Keep safe and have those drinks ready.  Seems like everyone is doing okay this week with TX's and appointments and that's great!  Janis - the rock you tossed must have worked!  Finished day 4 of HDR today with no problems.  Last day tomorrow!  I'm looking forward to getting rid of this catheter but a little squeamish about the pain.  Jo, I know you said it didn't hurt you but I'm a whimp.  Doctor told me today that it might sting for a little bit so told me to take the Vicodin before I come.  Had my US for the thyroid today so I'll be waiting AGAIN for the results.  UGH!  I hate the waiting!  Kitty

marlegal

Eli, you're right about the uniqueness of this thread  not needing monitoring by the moderators. I think the tone was set early on - this is for friendship first and foremost, with information glad given if requested. What a concept, huh?

Hauntie - thanks!!  I like being a DISH at any time for any reason   And someone talked about hanging around after treatment - I haven't had active treatment for more than 5 yrs. I come because I consider many of you friends, because I like to think I may have something to offer as a result of my experiences, because there are times when I still need support due to post-treatment lingering issues, and because Eli paid me $500 when she first started this thread to say all those things   Ha - just want to see who is still reading this!!!!

Hugs and love girls...hugs and love

justmejanis

I worry about all of you in the path of Irene.  Just know my thoughts are going to be with all of you.  Please stay safe! 

Kitty one more day, YIPPEE!  So happy for you.  I have 30 treatments left.  Putting those X's on my calendar.

Oh Paula so glad you figured out what was the cause of much fatigue. I am real sorry you are in pain.  I hope you get to feeling better really soon.  Soft hugs......

chrisct

Lurker, here.  Glad I stopped by - you've reminded me I'm supposed to fast for bloodwork tomorrow - Almost forgot with all this hurricane concern.

One of the blood tests I'm having is HMG-PEA panel.  Don't know what that is - have any of you heard of it?  I'm hoping there are thyroid tests in there.  My Dr is doing B-12, vit-d (was 28 at the end of '09) and an iron test.  I have no energy - feel worse this year than last year or after rads, so wondering if something else is going on.  Last year I was able to run 5 miles.  This year I can barely run 2.5 and it's a struggle to do that.  Could be the tamox, I suppose.  And my hair seems to be falling out faster than I think it should be.  I have been counting the hair from the shower and after I comb it (mental, I know) and several times I've counted 175.  And my pony tail seems to be getting smaller and smaller.  It's freaking me out.  Leg hair is doing fine, however, as it did during chemo.  Figures.

Took my DD to have her senior picture taken (she's a senior?  How did this happen?) and the photographer said that he went to Walmart last night to buy a lightbulb and saw that all the batteries were gone from that store as well.  I hope they've restocked!  It's been 26 yrs since we've had a big hurricane - (Bob in '91 wasn't bad in my area) - so I have a feeling most people around here are not prepared and everyone is now scrambling.  I know I am.

Keep safe, everyone!  Hope Irene stays off shore!  (sorry about the weather references, Elimar)

janinnj

Janis-glad your visit today was routine.

Kitty-may your cath removal go smooth.

One good side effectf Irene is I get a day off Rads tomorrow.  The hospital is setting up cots in the Radiation dept for the employee to stay over so they won't have travel during the storm.  My Mon got here last night and she has never experienced a huricane.  People are already going crazy around here.  Some of the gas stations are already out of gas and traffic is crazy leaving the shore areas.  The day care center at the hospital is going to be closed tomorrow and that means my key employees won't have anyone to watch their children.  I am supposed ti be off tomorrow to spend time with my mom.  Hope they just let me close the ofice.  Financial Counseling is not considered essential. 

justmejanis

marlegal....reading!  I need to get Eli on my good side.  I could use some quick cash!  LOL...I am awfully glad you are here.  Your posts are always fun and I am thrilled you are still here to offer advice.  Also for hugs, support, a good laugh.  I know I already feel so attached to this group in such a short time.  I think I will linger for awhile!

chris, I am so sorry to hear that you feel so lousy.  I so admire you for the running.  I have a bum knee and still walk daily, but not as far as I used to.  Just short walks daily with my DH and dogs.  My hair has been thinning for the past three years, I hate blow drying, so depressing.  My entire sink and counter is filled with hair.  I have no idea what that is all about.  I so hope things start getting better for you.  Hopefully your blood work will provide some answers.  Will be thinking of you and hoping for good news soon.

tinkertude

Marlegal.. you are too funny I am glad you are here as well Friends and support are what gets us through this. The journey is never done

Chris hope you are feeling better!

Paula I am so glad that you have figured out what is going on. what a relief and how great to know an answer to one of our question happy for you! hugs

Janis.. i know when we get snow here it i sthe ame reaction I think being right in the mid alantic in Va if it makes people think we are not suposse to get anything, there seems to always be panic where i live lol!

Stay safe all eastcoast ladies!!!

jo1955

KittyGirl - So glad the HDR worked for you.  Tell you what, you let me know when the catheter is coming out and I will jump in your pocket and go with you and hold your hand.  You are doing to do great.  Ask the doctor to numb the area up first and it will be a breeze.

chrisct

Janis- sorry you are having hair and knee problems. Maybe we have something similar going on.  If my bloodwork shows anything, I will certainly share. 

Paula - so glad stopping the Ambien made the difference.

Janinnj - hope they let you close the office.

Kitty - hope your catheter removal is painless and you get your test results quickly.

Must remember to fast and go for bloodwork tomorrow...honestly, I can't remember anything anymore.

tinkertude

Question.... any east coast ladies having any arm discomfort on the side that had lymph node dissections on? my Left arm is tight amd bothering me....

KittyGirl2011

Okay Jo, jump in at 2pm tomorrow.  We can hold hands as the doc yanks the thing out.

tinkertude

oops forgot to finish question duh!!! could it be due to the storm coming and change in weather...

elimar86861

Hauntie, I had not heard about the DISH levels, so

5 years = Gold Level

10 Years = Platinum Level

What's 15 & 20?  Titanium and diamond?  Cause I'll go for 20 if it's diamond.

Go Big or Go Home.

Two questions for you...You don't have to get any nodes out on the PMX side, do you?  Do you have lymphadema on your MX side or arm?

Marlegal,  It was worth every cent of that Monopoly money!

chrisct,  Good to hear from you.  I have not heard of that blood test.  Let us know what we are missing.  I think the thyroid test is called TSH.  Since your doc is checking quite a few things that could cause a low energy level, he probably won't mind if you ask for the TSH too.

Yes, I still have my weather avoidance, but being in a kind and benevolent mood (in the afterglow of the party weekend) I haven't gone balistic yet.  The hurricane talk kind of segued in after the earthquake reports, so sneaky, sneaky.  

KG2011, Your Mammosite rads went fast...for ME, at least.  So, tomorrow and next week, tell us if fatigue hits.  I wonder if it is much less than WB rads.  Also, full description of how your skin looks and feels.  Happy to hear it's smooth sailing for ya'.

elimar86861

Tink, Do you have ANY swelling at all?  The weather should not make a difference, but if you have some lymphadema swelling, maybe it could be more sensitive to barometric pressure????  Anyway, mention it to the next doc you see or call the BS or MedOnc, because if you are starting to have signs of LE, you might want to take some action (like PT & getting the compression sleeve) before it gets worse.  LE is something you want to catch early so it does not worsen.

tinkertude

Thanks El.. no swelling. I had revisional surgery last month so the swelling i have is mainly around the breast, but my arm and hand is ok.. i will call tomorrow.. thank you

Maria

elimar86861

Your surgical swelling should resolve on it's own, so you should notice the swelling lessening over time.  Some people get "truncal LE" in the chest/breast area, so if you stay puffy with no change it could be a sign of that.  Just stay aware. 

reesie

Hey everyone been a crappy day here. One of the Stage IV girls passed away last week and my pm got to be the one her sister picked to answer, so I got to report that horrible news. Even worse, she was so young and had a two year old son.



Had zometa this a.m. then went for pre-admit testing which took more than 3 hours. Geez, could they make it any longer. Needless to say I never made it to work (and I was so looking forward to going lol).



Hey E can I get some of that money -but I want the real thing?



Jan - don't you have to close for a state of emergency? Are you in the evacuation area? I hope you have somewhere to go. Pm me if you need assistance.



Marlegal I guess you won't be going to the shore this weekend.



Well, sorry to be such a downer today everyone but I know you all understand.



Everyone be safe.

tinkertude

oh ok I have not heard of that.. wow still so much to learn thanks!

elimar86861

Tink, There is a light massage stroke that the doc or a PT could show you for helping the lymphatic fluid to move.  You could do that on yourself.  I bet you could Google for directions, or there is probably even a You Tube video that shows you how.  It's not a big deal, but I just can't really describe it.

Paula66

Im sorry to hear the news Ressie.  I will add her family as well as you to my prayers.