Chemo Starting Sep 09

Neece

YAY Pamela Jo! Soooo glad you are back - we missed you enormously. But what a hurdle to encounter yet again. I know you are a tough cookie but surely you have done your fair share? Please let us know how treatment goes. I winced at the thought of TE being taken out in your Dr's rooms!! Hopefully, though, you can now focus on rads and beating the bugger. I am glad to read your DH is pulling together with you on this one too.

Barb lovely news about the book. I have not read it so can't comment but I will look for the original soon. Is the sequel published yet?

Jane good luck with bone scan. that can be scary but it is a relief to get that 'all clear'. I was sent for one ealier this year as I have continued back pain, and the Dr was worried, but I really think it is to do with the car accident injuries I sustained last year.

Do you know I was looking through my 2008 Diary (I am an inveterate journaller) and nearly fell off my chair when I read that my mammogram and ultrasound results in 2008 showed 3 new lumps that 'might warrant biopsying'. I wrote that was really disappointed since I had had regular yearly checks since my first bc in 2001, and had to have a lumpectomy in 2003. As I didn't write more about it, the Dr's must have decided not to go further in 2008. I had completely forgotten about this report!! And it left me wondering, were those 3 new spots the same as the tumours they removed last year when I had my breast removed, or just harmless cysts or other lumps that I was prone to anyway? I guess I will never know...

positiveme

Hello Sisters

It seems like forever since I last was on this site. Just got back from Las Vegas with my mom and dad. We had a fantastic time. I have been sooo busy with college applications and stuff with my son I don't know where the days are going. Doing a local BC walk Sunday with my mom, sister and daughter.

Jane- Congrats on the move. I will keep you in my prayers for a good scan.

Pameljo- I have every faith that you will make it through this.  THINK POSITIVE

Catherine

vickilynn

Catherine - Glad you had a great trip to Las Vegas!  Did you win lots of money????

Neece - I would really be curious about those mammo results.  Guess you'll never know if it would have made a difference to find them a year earlier.

Jane - hope you're settling in.

Hope the rest of you are enjoying these autumn days...

msmpatty

Happy Friday ladies.  I'm just checking in before a busy weekend and to rant a bit about health insurance.   My insurance year just ticked over so my deductible started over this month.  And, as luck would have it, I needed a refill of Femara.  Imagine my surprise when I picked up my prescription this morning and was told I had to pay over $500!   For 100 teeny yellow pills.  Sure, it may be saving my life.   But it seems like I'm paying $5 bucks a day for hotflashes.  I am not amused.

Neece - I don't think you'll ever know whether those were good lumps or bad lumps.  I noticed some changes in my breast in 2002 that I had checked out via mammo, ultrasound and numerous prodings by various specialists and was told to "quit worrying".   Six years of good mammos, then guess where the cancer was found....right under where I noticed the skin and nipple changes!  Makes 'ya wonder.   I was also reviewing my journal this week and noticed that today is the one year anniversary of my final AC infusion.  Femara sticker shock aside, I'm certainly feeling better today than I did one year ago!  

Catherine - Good luck on your walk!

PamelaJo - I'm sending up a prayer for you every night.  Go rads!

Happy weekend everyone.

Patty

vickilynn

Patty - Outrageous prices!!!  This cure could be what does us in!

To ALL my September Outstanding Sisters:  I've just been on a nostalgic journey with you all.  I had started a year ago taking portions of our posts and compiling them into a record of our journey (don't worry, I left off our names).

So today I had nothing planned and I've spent this great rainy day re-reading posts from a year ago and reliving some of the pain and joys of our lives. 

I sure do miss some of you Sisters who have not posted in awhile - and I sure do love you Sisters who have continued to be part of my life.

My plan is the same as it was a year ago (when chemo brain robbed me of my writing)... to weave our stories into one that tells our journey through this past year. 

I was moved to laughter and tears as I read our posts - our encouragement, our struggles, our aches and pains, and our funny stories (remember RonnieKay going to a wedding this time last year?  She ended up helping the groom's family get ready - then found out it was the wrong wedding and she didn't even know the bride or groom!).

Remember using lint rollers on our balding heads?

And don't forget the persimmon cookies!  We all got virtual cookies from Pamela after we posted our Bald and Beautiful photos.  (What do the persimmon seeds tell you about this upcoming winter, Pamela? -- see the post Oct. 11, 2009)

Remember our plans for a reunion this month, this year?  Don't give up... it's just been postponed.

Just wanted to say Thank You for helping me through this last year...  

I love you all.

Vicki

Neece

Oh Vickilynn your post was beautiful and made me feel like a good long cry - for all the right reasons. You expressed my feelings exactly. And I so much enjoyed laughing all over again at those funny / sad stories. I remember choking with laughter about Ronnie Kay's wedding story. And how brave we all felt when we posted pics of our baldness. Thank you indeed for beginning this thread and thanks to all who have contributed. I feel like you, that the women who have shared via this thread are somehow a very special part of the bitter sweet journey that is breast cancer.

BarbAnne41

Vicki- Thanks, and I am glad you and the hubby enjoyed Montana, and that he is feeling better. Your snip pits about our year together mad me cry. I tend not to scroll back, but maybe I should. Thanks for the stroll down memory lane. Hope you are Well.

Neece- You are so good to journal everything. I can never seem to get myself disciplined enough to do so. Yes the book, the sequel is out, last week it was number 19 on the New York Times Non-fiction hardcover bestseller list. I feel honored to be a part of it. How are you doing? Is it almost spring there?

 Patty- I am mad at your insurance company too! Wholly Cow! What do they expect someone to do who doesn't have an extra 500 dollars. Oh Patty I am so sorry. Health Care in the US is such a mess, it really is. I hope you and your wallet are feeling better.

Jane- I know the move is exhausting, but I hope you are settling in ok. Did you have a scan? How are the results.

 Catherine, hope vegas was a blast, see any good shows? Wind any money?

 Well I saw my radiation oncologist Monday for a follow up. He said everything looked good. He said to take a two week break from Tamoxofin to see if it was the source of all my itching. He also said if my DH would be upset by my break not to tell him, so I am officially on a break, but no one knows, except my sisters. He also said the cream my oncologist px fro the ongoing rash along my bra line was perfect, but the reason it is still there is I needed to have boiled, yes you read that right, boiled my bras. He said I keep reinfecting myself, that dryer heat isn't enough.

So I went home and boiled everything I wear there, white t-shirts, bras, tanks. I have been slathering on the cream my onc px, and vagisil to keep it from itching and hurting, and low and behold I am getting better. It is definitely not and overnight thing, but I have been battling this for months. I am feeling very optimistic. Now if I could get my DH to relax and my teen daughter to not be a drama queen my life would be perfect.

Oh and win the lottery, can't forget that...

So I don't see him again for a year. Frankly I don't think the Tamoxifen has anything to do with any of it, but I will try a two week break. Can't hurt.

Love to all my sisters, and special thoughts and prayers out to you Pamela

Barbara

vickilynn

Barbara - what an interesting treatment - to boil your clothes!!!  I hope it works for you!  And I love how the dr's just guess (like telling you to try not taking Tamoxifen for 2 weeks)!  Actually, I don't love it, it kind of scares me that they don't know more than I think they should know!!!

I feel like I can find out more info online than I can from the oncologist's office.

DiDiT

Hi girls!  long time no post:)  Home convalescing - had exchange Monday...I've been told by the infamous whippetmom that I'll be happier with these things in a few weeks - that it takes time for them to 'fluff' - they seem so flat - she used the Hamburger bun analogy - and hit it on the head, they do, indeed, resemble hamburger buns...

Anyway, Patty, on the femara- there is assistance available for RX co payment...it's usually funded by the pharmaceutical companies - so, if you qualify, don't feel bad about taking their money - seems they're charging more than enough to 'get by'  - I had applied for the assistance, but then met our catastrophic limit, so haven't had to use their assistance yet...I can't recall at this moment who I applied with - did a search online for copayment assistance ...genentech helps with herceptin, and this may have been through Cancer Care...I'm rather useless on Percocet and Benedryl..sorry:(  hope that's enough info to get you started...feel free to PM or email me, I should be thinking more clearly ina couple days:)

Vicki - I too loved your post of reminiscing!!!  

I'm going to try to reconnect more consistently:)

Love you all!!

Di Di

vickilynn

Oh so good to hear from you DiDi!  And your hamburger buns --- hope they get fluffy!

msmpatty

Gosh, I've been away this week and what do I come back to?  Bra soup and hamburger bun boobs!  You guys crack me up.

Thanks for the tips DiDi, but not to worry on the cost of Femara front.  I was just whining.  We have a Health Savings Program at our company where we can put away pre-tax money each year.  I have a lot in the account and it can only be used for health expenses, so the outrageously priced Femara came out of that savings.   But still.  Maybe I'll head across the border to Tijuana and see if the cheapo pharmacias there stock Femara.  May have to dodge bullets and the drug lords, but it might be worth it.  If so, I'll start a Femara/Tamox smuggling cartel and supply everyone on BCO.

Barbara -  How wonderful that the book is doing so well!   There'll be thousands of people reading your story.  You, your mom and Pumpkin Pants are going to be famous!   I'm pretty sure that a 2-week break from Tamox will do you no harm.   Let's see if it does any good.

Vicki - What a wonderful project you're doing.   I got a kick out of your mentioning the bald pictures.  I was a bit of late comer to this board because I started chemo in late August  and went through the early part of chemo on the August 09 board.  Then realized I was going to finish up so much later than the ladies on there that I checked out this board.    I liked the baldy pix so much I decided to stay.   Plus, Pamelajo just made me laugh.

I hope you're still finding stuff to laugh about Pamelajo!

I put my mother on a plane this morning to spend her 88th birthday with my brother in Oregon.  She's a 23 year BC survivor and still going strong!   

Happy Halloween everyone!

Patty

Neece

Barb so glad you seem to have found a remedy for your itch.

Jane let us know how you are settling into new home 

DiDi hamburger buns!! What a hoot. Hope your surgery recovery going well.

Patty you are another hoot - I can just imagine you, balaclava and all, sneaking across the border wiht your contraband.

How is our lovely Pamela doing???

BarbAnne41

Hamburger buns and bra soup, gosh you are funny Patty. And God Bless your mom I hope she has a wonderful time.I am happy the book is doing well, and if you start smuggling cancer drugs, you may need a body guard..shall I come?

Didi-so glad to hear from you. I hope you are feeling fluffy and ship shape.

I have only been off the Tamox about four days, but it seems to have no effect on the itching. That seems to be a beast of its own. But the area that was causing me the most problems is really on the mend, who'd a known, boil one's bras and it helps.

Take Care all my lovely sisters, and Happy Halloween

Barbara

unklezwifeonty

Hamburger buns!!!!!

barbt0323

Good Morning!

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted.  My dad went into hospice last week and have had a lot to deal with.  He has had Parkinsons for 20 plus years.  He is 88.  Has been very hard on my mom.  They have been married 66 years.  Very difficult because I am in Florida and they are up in Chicago.  Going up to Chicago. 

I have been working a lot of hours and kind of exhausted with everything else going on.  I have not really had much time to keep up on everyones posts.  Hope everyone is doing well and am thinkig of all of you.

Barb T 

vickilynn

Barb T - So sorry to hear about your dad, but I'm glad you got to go spend time with him earlier.  Take care of yourself while you take care of others. 

LLL-6500

Those of you who finished chemo a while back already, any advice on hair growth?  Does anything work to speed this up?  Have not researched this and am thinking it is all a waste of money but am really tired of wearing scarves... and it is getting colder here in WI.  --Last treatment was July 28 and have thin layer of very soft hair.  I know it will come and I need to be patient, but it is taking much longer than other women and what I expected ...  any advice would be appreciated !!  tks

jadams1264

Good morning SOSisters.....yes, I know I have been bad about posting.  We are in the middle of our seasonal hiring and by time I get home I have just been ploppping on the couch - and I no that is no good excuse.  Think working retail - the large store with the Thanksgiving Day Parade.  My schedule goes to 6 days a week in mid-Nov.  Okay enough excuses!  DH is doing very well - thanks for all you warm thoughts and prayers.  I go for my CAT scan and bone scan this Friday.  Have to drink 3 bottles of contrast - won't that be fun?

BarbAnne41 - I have written down the title of your book and intend to download it onto my Nook today.  How so exciting for you!   How is the itching?  How are you feeling being off the Tamoxofin?  I have been off the Famera alittle over 2 months - that and the Celebrex and I'm feeling like a new person.

Ronnie Kay - you were right.  We absolutely love the condo.  I should have given/sold/trashed more stuff than I did but we are making it all fit.  Am thinking of having a few rooms painted but other than that, it's perfect.  NC has turned beautiful, low to mid-70's and Carolina Blue sky.  Some days you are just so more thankful for than others   Weather wise that is!

Neece - your birthday sounded absolutely lovely!  Good for you for deciding to do it.  I'm thinking I might like to do that next year.  Hubby and I are talking a trip to the islands, doesn't that sound exotic?  I've been asking people which vacation and island they enjoyed the most, so far, everyone likes something different!  I wish I had the discipline to keep a journal, what a wonderful habit to be able to go back, read and reflect.

Kim - so good to hear from you!  I'm sorry about your kitty kat, we had to have our sweet puppy put down a few months ago, he was 16.  About killed both of us and I miss him every single day.  Hair woes - my gray is covered thanks to my hairdresser but I'm still wearing that darn wig.  Mine is straight,wavy, curly and I swear I have a bald spot in front.  Your getting your new girls on my daughter's birthday - best of luck with your procedure!

Wanda - how are you doing?  Did you have the hardware removed?  Hope you found the best solution for you and that you are doing well.  Post when you have time and let us know how you are doing!

Patty - you have some of the best stories.  I work with several people who are gay.  Got a new manager recently - she is gay.  I would have never guessed.  You just don't know anymore and I try to be very PC around people I don't know well.  I am not shocked to her about your co-pay, if you go on the Famera posts you will read about all sorts of ladies having the same problem.  So many of them do not have insurance of any kind.  I'm still on catastropic so haven't seem my co-pay yet, we have really good insurance.  Hope it's really good, I'll be back on Famera after my tests are done.

PamelaJo - we are missing you again.  Glad Dennis is in therapy.  You two have had such a time, maybe things will smooth out.  We do worry about you, so you have to keep in touch warrior princess!

VickiLynn - your trip to Montana sounds wonderful.  I want to go somewhere so bad, away from work and moving boxes.  I bet the colors along the coast were beautiful. We are settling in to condo living quite well.  Have met several of our neighbors, all seem quite friendly.  You are so right, shouldn't give up on the reunion.  I will try sending out all those letters again the first of the year - I saved them all, complete with addresses!

DiDi - so glad you posted.  We've missed you.  I have heard many descriptions - hamburger buns seems like a good fit.  Glad you are doing well.  I know it is so easy to get busy and not post, I have been remiss myself but am going to do better starting today.

Barbt0323 - sorry about your dad.  It is so difficult as our parents get older.  I can so relate to what you are now going through.  Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  Let us know how you are doing when you have time.

Catherine - Isn't Vegas fun?  We've been a couple of times.  I'm not much of a gambler but we love the shows, watching all the people and just strolling though the different hotels.  Haven't been since they built Center City.  Yes, the days just fly, seems like the older we get, the quicker they go.

For those wanting a copy of regular emails, addresses and phone numbers, please PM me with your information.  I will be sending out within the next week or so!

Thoughts and prayers are with you!

Jane

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

BarbAnne41

LLL-6500- I used a baby brush and hair growth spray, blue bottle from the beauty supply store, every morning after my shower, it seemed to help me. Can hurt!

Barb-T so sorry to hear about your dad, I will keep you all in my prayers.

Jane- Thanks, and I would love to hear what you think. I am so glad you and the hubby are feeling good, and enjoying the condo. I seem to be doing really well with the itch, I only have a couple of spots still bugging me, but even they are getting better. I stayed off the tamoxifen for a week and a half, and the itch wasn't any better, and the pain in my ankles was the same, so I went back on, I think the pain in my ankles is the gift-that-keeps-on-giving from chemo. but my rad-onc said you feel chemo effects for 12 months afterwards, that by next spring I will feel like a different person, and start dropping some weight too. we'll see, I am optimistic though.

Hope you all had a nice Halloween. We almost ran out of candy, a first for me since I always over buy.

Love and hugs

Barbara

BarbAnne41

btw- Jane, since I already PM-ed you with my info, do I also need to let you know I would like a copy too?

 thanks

msmpatty

Barb T - I am so sorry to hear about your father.   The death of a parent is such a difficult time.  Based on my experience when my Dad died, I'd advise you to be sure to spend some time alone with your Dad and tell him how much he means to you before he goes.  The hospice people who worked with my Dad kept advising me to do this and I am so glad they did.  Prayers for your Dad and you.

LLL-650 - There's really nothing for the hair but patience.  After the first glorious moment you see the first new growth, there are (I hate to say) months of frustratingly slow progress.  Mine started growing in December 2009 and I didn't fully abandon my wig until August 2010.  I tried Ovation (a topical hair growth lotion) and lots of B vitamins, but I can't say whether either sped things up. 

Barbara - I keep hearing that 12-month thing too.  Overall I don't have much to complain about, but some days I just feel tired, old and feeble.   Maybe it's the Femara?  Maybe it's lingering effects of chemo?  Maybe I am tired, old and feeble!  Guess we'll see how we feel next spring.  (Good news on the itch.  Hope the ankles follow suit.)

Jane - Good to hear from you!  I'm so happy you are happy with your move.  I'm jealous!  I have a large house with huge yard and it is just one darn thing after another just to keep the place from falling apart...let alone improve it.   Thanks for the condolences on my Femara sticker shock.  I think the major problem was my first two presecriptions were free because I'd way surpassed my deductible months before.  So I'm thinking FREE and what do I get...a $500 bill.  Oh well. If it means I get to continue "dancing with NED" it is well worth it.

Gotta go vote!

Patty

 

vickilynn

Dancing with NED - no more "dime a dance"?

Neece

Barb I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I do hope you are able to have some special time with him and glad you can get to Chicago to be with him.It must be awful for your mum. My DH and I have been married only 10 years and I just can't imagine being without him.

 LLL 650 can I suggest you have a look at some'hair regrowth' pictorial displays on you tube etc. I did that and found it very reassuring. It does take ages and some times oyu think nothing is happening. If you type in "hair regrowth after chemo" or similar it will take you to some photo shows that people have posted and oyu can see their progress over time.

 Jane so glad you are happy with your move. Good for you.

Am off to see spinal specialist tomorrow in hope of getting some answers as to why my back is so painful so long after the car accident. I know it is not the bc. Here's hoping there is something that can be done to help....

BarbAnne41

Neece I love the new photo, you look marvelous, I hope you get some answers about your spine.

Jane I am keeping you in my prayer forefront about your scans.

Vicki-Dime dance?

Patty- Feeble? haha me too! Yes spring will tell the tale. you and I can compare notes next spring. Hey your pot bill was a close to passing...funny! Almost but no cigar,hahahaha

Love and hugs

Barbara

vickilynn

Neece - love the new photo!  I need to update mine!

Barbara - Interesting election here in California.  Pot bill didn't pass - I live in one of those counties that allows double the amount for medical marijuana and there are armed Mexican cartels in the area growing plants in the forest.  Pretty scary.

 I could have had a prescription for it a year ago --- 

Jane - glad to hear your hubby is doing better and you're settling in!

Patty - "tired, old and feeble" --- me too.

Pamela and Barb T - Praying for you.

BarbAnne41

OMG Vicki, armed cartels, wow that is scary. Even in northern California? Do you see these people? Wow that is just shocking to me, I guess "outsiders", being I am not from California don't realize all the ramifications of certain  things. The same thing goes for me being from Michigan, people have a perspective of it, normally it is Detroit, Eminem, or the auto industry. All of which have nothing to do with the area I live in.

msmpatty

Barbara - Eminem.   My 13-year-old has discovered rap!  I get "invited" to listen to his new selections on his iPod every evening before bed.  I find the music quite creative and interesting, but the language is appalling.  I thought about restricting it, but given that my son is African American and lives in a very white world, I figure I at least owe him some music from (what he calls) "the homies".  We have an agreement about when swearing is not so bad (after hammering your thumb, for example) and when it is absolutely inappropriate and as long as he abides by the agreement he gets the music.  He recently asked me who my favorite rap artist is and I said "Emimen".  He replied "OF COURSE you would pick the only white guy!"   HA! (I had no idea Emimen was a white guy.)

Vicki - No dime a dance.  More like $5.00 a day!   Our CA elections certainly were interesting. And I'm so glad they are over!

Neece - Excellent new picture!  There is a distinct similarity between all of our "hair cuts".  HA!  I hope they can fix your back.   Few things are quite as miserable as a constantly hurting back.

Patty 

vickilynn

Oh Patty - Eminem's white?  I didn't know that either!   Don't like rap myself - not just the language, but the ANGER!   I love that invites you to listen to the music.  Keep those communications going!

I got a new haircut. : )   It still is growing in a bit strangely --- but it's a cute pixie cut... I like it and I don't feel masculine any more!!  At least not today...

Barbara - Our county is over 2 million acres and only 13,000 people!  We're a couple hours south of Oregon.   It's quite rugged and heavily forested mountains so the growers are generally well-concealed.  4 years ago, they started training the Forest Service personnel - warning them about armed guards in the woods - some are on BLM land or Natl Forest land.  The further away from towns, the scarier it is.  We have friends who live "off the grid" and have for 20 years.  Now they are afraid to go out at night and turn on their generator as there are dogs roaming the mountains.  One man lost his leg when attacked by 2 pit bulls who were guarding property just last year.  It's not just in the cities.   A U-Haul truck was pulled over last week --- and was full of pot for sale.

A lot of the towns in No. Calif now have marijuana cooperatives for distributing "medical marijuana" and it's legal, though some cities have restrictions on location of these.    These other growers though are not the happy hippies.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

jadams1264

Good morning SOSisters.... hope this finds all of you well.  The weather has finally turned cold here and I don't like it.  Don't look forward to winter.  Had CAT scan and Bone scan on Friday, will get results next Monday.  I don't want to jinx myself but am feeling positive that all will be good.  The Celebrex has worked wonders on my aching bones.  Get my wrists better and I'll be good to go.

BarbAnne - I read your story.  I was never allowed pets when I was a child and you had a house full.  I so think that our childhoods influence the rest of our lives and it's easy to see why you are such a strong woman.  Have you thought about writing and getting published on your own?  

Patty - I'm feeling so much better but I'm wanting to get back on the Famera.  The chance of recurrence is so greatly reduced that it seems to be I would be really stupid not to take that little yellow pill.  I don't want to feel bad again but know just how important it is to stay on it.  Onc says we have to get me back to a good quality of life, then an AI of some sort, not necessarily Famera.  However from what I read, the se's are about the same for all of them.  I think it is great that you have a such a great relationship with your son.  How lucky you are that he will discuss rap music with you.  I did know that Eminen was white - only because I saw him on tv!

Neece - love your new photo and hairdo!  You are gorgeous.  Hope you received good news from the doctor on what they can do for your back.  It is miserable to be in pain all the time.  Let us know how you are doing.

VickiLynn - I guess everywhere in the country there are good and bad parts.  Sounds rather scary with the Mexican cartel around.  We have a lot of drug activity here - we are right in the middle of the I-95 corrider between NY and Florida.  They are always pulling over people with drugs in their cars.  Congratulations on getting a haircut you like - I am so jealous.  Tried to fix mine this am to wear to work minus the wig.  It just isn't happening and I grow more discouraged everytime I try.

Pamelajo - where are you?  Please check in.

To all our other sisters - we are missing you too!  Please post a hello so we will know you are doing okay, we miss you.  As you can see we discuss a lot of other topics other than BC these days!

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Jane

Neece

Hi everyone thank you all for your lovely comments on my new photo. it is funny isn't it how all our hair is roughly the same length??

Patty I loved your eminem story and read with great interest that you have an African American son. Do you mind me asking: is he adopted or is his dad African American? I am interested because my so's father is a Torres Strait Islander (one of the two indigenous Australian races, closely related to Papua New Ginean/ Fijian) and I find it interesting when I meet others in similar circumstances, or who have a 'blended' family of different racial or ethnic origins. So much the richer I think.And how wonderful that you are invited to share his music! That is a lovely story.

Well my consultation with spinal specialist was 'good news / bad news'. Good news that he was able to point to two things on the MRI scans and say 'here's your trouble' - a degenerative disc condition and mild disc bulge, and a small tear. Bad news because of course there is no magic cure. Just exercises, pain killers, and maybe continued physio. Oh well.