November 2009-Starting Chemo

micheleboots

Don't worry, be Happy....remember that song...What a great deal you got on your MRI.  Did you shop around...Lol.  My sick humour

suzieq60

Michele - over here we have a couple of safety net thingys with the government refunds for out of hospital procedures. The actual cost was $488 but because I've reached both safety nets, I got almost all of it back. Any radiology is not covered by private insurance but is covered by the government. Because of the high cost of rads, I reached the safety net really quickly this year, so we've been doing lots of doctors visits eg dermatologist, ENT guy, geneticist.

I'm hoping they didn't find anything except a brain. The ENT guy was humouring me because I wanted to make sure my tinnitus wasn't caused by anything sinister, he doesn't expect there is any problem.

BrendaSharon

Mouse, I guess your right...the Dr. didn't even want to see me at the office. The ARNP said she believes it is a sight case of mild lymphedema, because of the location and she seriously doubts it is a metastasis of any sort. She said just to keep an eye on it and if it grows or worsens to call back. I've never received my compression sleeve for the lymphedema and I have been doing a lot of strenuous work outside with the garden and chick-a-dees. I think when I was picking corn and cukes around the 6th of the month I over loaded the bags of veggies I was carrying. I had the bag on my (Bad) arm as I was picking with my right hand. Sooooooo, I guess I have to learn to take it easy. I am so used to being a toughy that it is difficult for me to just wuss out.

Love to all, thanks for keeping me calm.....(((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))

JustmeAlicia

I am sure that is it Brenda !  Try to be kind to that arm....

I have a bone scan being scheduled for some tailbone pain I've had for a few weeks.  And next Thursday I see my Breast Surgeon.  I am on week 3 of the anti-depressant Effexor and in therapy.  So far a bit better...

Think of you all and pray for you all to be well !!!

Hugs

Alicia

Binney4

Brenda, there is no such thing as a "slight case" of lymphedema. It's staged, just like breast cancer is, and left untreated it will progress. Progression doesn't necessarily mean more swelling, but it does mean damage to the tissues inside: fibrosis, abnormal fat deposition, and stagnant fluid that is a breeding ground for bacteria and can lead to serious systemic infection.

Because lymphedema is not treated with drugs or surgery, our doctors and nurses are often not real familiar with it, and sometimes they're slow to act. You can get a referral to see a well-qualified lymphedema therapist for evaluation from any doctor on your team, even your PCP. Here's how to find one near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

Research shows that early treatment of lymphedema makes a huge difference in how quickly it can be controlled, how easy it is to keep in control on-going, and how much it interferes with your quality of life. Please consider getting help promptly.

The Lymphedema forum here at breastcancer.org is a great place to get answers and shared experience. 

Be well!
Binney

micheleboots

Brenda, sending you big old feel better hugs.  Take it easy and take some time for yourself if you can.

Alicia, so glad you are starting to feel a little like your old self.  Take care of yourself as well.

suzieq60

Brenda -  Binney gives good advice - please do at least go and see if you can get some help for it.

((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))))

Sue

BrendaSharon

THANKS, BINNEY ....... I have been doing some lymphatic drainage exercises for the arm to help move the lymph fluids.  

Alicia, Effexor is the med I was switched to during all my -C- Treatments. I used to be on Zoloft, which I can't take now. this is one of the few meds that doesn't interfere with my other medications. It seems to be doing fairly well, otherwise I'm sure I'd be really depressed. I'm glad your getting on and that the med is helping.

Mechele, It is hard taking time for SELF, I have so much to do when I get off work. Don't get me wrong I really enjoy my garden, putting up all the wonderful veggies I've grown from wonderful corn, squash, cukes which I've made several gallons, quarts and pints both Kosher dill, regular dill, then a home dill as I call it as well as sweet.The tomatoes are awesome also. I've had Fried green tomatoes and BLT's, m'mmmm delicious. As well, I love my little chick-a-dees. the oldest will start laying eggs around August. The second set September and third set October. I have 38 altogether. 30 are hens and when they all begin to lay eggs....whooot whooot will I have some nice large brown eggs. their work but i really enjoy them as well..do they ever love wandering thru the garden...it is just so cute to watch them.

Sue, good advice I'll always take. I already have a lymphedema specialist which I went to for 3 months following my axillary dissection. She was fantastic!!! This is the first time I've had a problem with my arm since the surgery. Well, of course right after surgery my arm was useless, but but with her guidance I regained full range of motion with my arm and it never became swollen until this happened. In order to see her again, I think I need to go thru my General Physician to get approval. I do know that I should have a compression sleeve that i should wear during some of the strenuous work I do outdoors. My day job is quite simple, office assistant and scale tech.

Hey Nette and Linda and Melinda, how are y'all. I hope all my Warrior Friends have a wonderful weekend. Love and (((((HUGS))))) to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

suzieq60

Brenda - can't wait for the peeps to start laying. I'm glad you take good advice



I've decided to start full time at work week after next. This week was stuffed up because we had a holiday on Monday, so I only did 3 full days. So, I really need to do 4 days next week before I take the big plunge. Still can't wait to go back on full pay. I'm all organised and made an appt with the GP for next Wednesday to get a letter for work.



My new project at work kicks off on Tuesday, so here's hoping I will have lots to do. I have found if I have something interesting to do I don't get tired and the days just fly by.



Hey, my Mother is over there visiting my brother near Seattle. I think they are flying to Chicago and then driving back to Seattle and prospecting on the way - wish him luck as Mum is very difficult.



Have a great weekend girls



Sue

Cafelovr

You all are very quiet this week

Surgery is in 2 weeks!!!!!

suzieq60

Hurray!!!! Are you excited?

Sue

suzieq60

Good news - I still hadn't had a call about the Brain MRI, so I rang them. His girl said the pictures were on his desk and he had seen them and he would have called me immediately if there had been anything wrong. I asked her if she was sure and she was. So, that's one more thing I can put behind me.

Full time @work next week!!!

Brenda - how is your arm???????

Happy Weekend girls!!!

micheleboots

Sue, that is amazing news....now it is time to relax....

Linda, we will have to do a big world wide group hug when you have your surgery...

suzieq60

It's good to have a base line reading. Even if they had found something, I would have been happy to find it sooner rather than too late. Doesn't solve my tinnitus problem though.

JustmeAlicia

Sue ~ THAT is wonderful news !  So glad to hear it !

BrendaSharon

Hope all goes well with your surgery Linda, (((((((((((Healing Hugs))))))))))))

GREAT NEWS for you Sue!!!! :-) 

Nothing new on my home-front, same ole, same ole. sick & tired of being tired & sick

No rain, fires all over Florida. Hubby working 2/4/7 and on call. Will be heading back over to help with "The Blue Ribbon Fire/Lake City" this Sunday most likely.

My arm is the same no changes, and still bothers me.

A great weekend to all!

suzieq60

Thanks girls!!!

Brenda - go and see your local gp and get it checked out if you can. You work too hard and need to rest!!! Seeing it's warm over there, try icing it. I have one of those big blue liquid filled things that you freeze - wrap it in a towel first though.

I can hear kookaburras cackling out the back - they like a palm tree in our back yard - they fly at it trying to get water caught up the top and cackle while they do it.

((((((((HUGS))))))))

Sue

suzieq60

Hi Girls - work is good so far this week - lots of meetings about my new project, and things to investigate, so I haven't got sleepy at my desk yet.

Have to tell you, I got off the bus near home this afternoon and to my surprise I saw 2 chickens wandering around. It made me think of Brenda and her peeps. I hope the owners find them. I couldn't see where they had escaped from - they were lovely looking birds!!!.

Melinda - how are you???? We haven't seen you for ages.

Sue

micheleboots

Sue, glad to hear you work is going so well.  That must have been a funny sight to see those Chickens running around.  Also great news about your MRI...it's all good news from here.

BrendaSharon

Hi girls, Just thought I'd share a couple chick pics!!!!!                                       

Rhode Island Reds:  As babies

 My (R.I.R,) Rooster just chilling at their  picnic table 3 months old

    

   Ny chicks just chilling around the yard! 3months od

 

Have a great week ladies!!!!

BrendaSharon

<Photo 3>

Caption:Growing so fast, sweet Reds!! Layout:

<Photo 4>

Caption:My RIR's 3 months old wandering around the yard, my babies Layout:

<Photo 5>

Caption:3 month RIR Rooster just chilling with us at their picnic table.

doronet

Chickens wandering around yards in Florida.  Chickens wandering around bus stops in Aussie Land.  I smell a conspiracy by chickens!!

Everything well with me and mine.  Summer job at a day care for DD.  Forty hours/week.  DS continues the lawn care business he started with DH last year.  Everyone's working outside the home but me.    I attended a family reunion for a nephews graduation last weekend and saw many relatives on DH side that I haven't seen since BC.  Was weird to still  be answering questions as to how am I really.  Never have liked being the topic of discussion, so to speak.

I had my last 6 month mammo yesterday.  The one last "smash" brought tears to my eyes.  All "Stable"  thank you, Lord.  Referring to the calcifications that showed up post-rad.  I still have a dry cough that devloped 2 months ago and is annoying, but minor . Am figuring it's from the Femara (5 yr. maintainance med.)  Am on a waiting list for an appt. with the onc for a 6 mo. check, so will be a while until I can ask her about the cough.  

Waiting to hear word of successful surgery for Linda and Melinda (I think).  Not many days left for you, guys! 

Sue:  hope work continues to go well.  Have you gotten your groove back there yet? 

Celebrating DD's 21st b-day tonight. When did she become an adult??!!

Happy Thursday and the beginning of July 4th weekend!!!  Nette    

micheleboots

Hello to all.  Nette, I love your long posts.  Mine are so short.  I think Lindas surgery is coming up in a few days...Good luck, Linda..Now my chemo brain must have kicked in, because I don't remember Melinda having one...Some days I do wonder if I am going insane, or chemo brain has taken over.

Today is my last day before Canada Day tomorrow, then three days off....woohoo.  My daughter and I have tickets to see Katy Perry on Sunday, that should be fun for sure.  Actually I am dreading it a little.  I don't like crowds and we will have to take the bus to get there.  Both those things kinda freak me out.. 

Melinda41

Hope everyone is doing well. Nothing much going on with me, just trying to normalize for a while.

Alicia: keep us posted when your scan results come in.

Linda: is surgery still the 7th? Good Luck!

My surgery has been moved to the 22nd of July. I am working extra in June to make some extra $$$ to make up for the shortage I will have from surgery recovery time. Kids and beau are fine.

Nothing new and that is good. Love to you all.

JustmeAlicia

Hi all just checking in.  Had my bone scan on Wednesday all is clear.  My onc's office actually called me that night.  NOW if I just knew why I have this tailbone pain.  I fell down the stairs in February didn't hurt too much then.  Now if I sit for a long time on my butt without padding ouch it hurts ~ I am thinking maybe it is arthritis.  My bone density test I also had done showed some bone loss.  I have to take calcium, I've only been taking vitamin D.

Linda ~ Good luck with your surgery.  I hope all goes smoothly.

Melinda~ yours will be here before you know it !

Michele ~ Katy Perry with your daughter sounds FUN!!!  Try to relax and enjoy.  When does hubby come back home?  Stinks you celebrated your ANNIVERSARY apart. 

Brenda ~ love the chick pics they are sooo cute.

Nettie ~ glad you are doing well.  So glad your mammo was good !  Happy 21st birthday to your daughter wow.  I don't know where the time goes???  Mine will be 17 next month.  They grow up way too fast for my liking.

Sue ~ how are you doing?

Hope everyone has a Happy 4th of July !!!

Hugs !!

Alicia

suzieq60

Hi Girls,

Good to hear from you all.

I found a message on my cell phone from the ENT doc's girl today and she confirmed that my brain MRI was normal!!!! Woohoo - I really wasn't sure after I called them last week, so now I'm happy.

I have now done my first full week of work and survived!!!! What a milestone!!!

As to the chickens - you'll love this. They had escaped again and were across the road from the bus stop outside a bakery. They actually went into the shop!!! The girl came out and gave them some crumbs on the footpath They must be regular customers.

Only 6 weeks until we go to the UK - eeek!!! Trying to cover off everything I need to - lots of lists. I bought a 7 inch netbook so we can go wireless and get our mail, transfer money etc.

Hope you have a lovely weekend - the monthly markets are on Sunday, so I'll be up early to go and get my fish and bananas. At the moment bananas are really expensive in the supermarket but at the markets, nearly 1/3 of the price.

(((((((((HUGS))))))))

Sue

Melinda41

Congrats to Alicia and Sue and Nette on the good test, being able to breathe for awhile is nice. Alicia, those tailbone injuries are a booger to get over, you cant really rest it, can't put a splint on it, just have to give it time. ((((Alicia)))) and her broken butt.

micheleboots

Alicia, didn't you say you havn't been eating much lately.  Perhaps you lost a little "padding "in the tush area and that is what is causing you troubles.  Maybe to much chocolate is a good thing.

doronet

Really really really good to hear from everyone!  Seems like old times...kinda, only better, since we aren't writing about treatments!!

Michele, my DD notice your phrase in your "signature" for the first time today and said that it was great:  "cancer is a word, not a sentence."  She and I, both, enjoy plays-on-words.  I taught her idioms and metaphors at an early age.

Sue:  I bought a netbook several weeks ago for the same reason as you:  to be able to access the internet on trips.  Hope you like it.  Are you going to see your new grandson?  (I am like Michele in that I don't retain info from earlier posts, so I don't remember if you had mentioned why you were going.)

Happy Canada Day and 4th of July  weekend!!!  Nette

BrendaSharon

((((ALICIA)))) Yippie - So glad you had good news.

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend with your family and friends.

Sue, enjoy the baby.

HAPPY 4TH and more