November 2009-Starting Chemo

micheleboots

Linda, breathing a sigh of relief...

Melinda41

Just checking in, Love To You All.

suzieq60

Have a wonderful Christmas girls - we're off to spend  it with our daughter - we get to hug our grandson every day for 9 days!!!

Cafelovr

Hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start! Much love!!

Sue, I hope you got to spoil your grandson! Where does your daughter live?

suzieq60

Hi Linda - we saw him everyday but he doesn't like Nana at the moment. I only got a couple of cuddles - he is more interested in Grandad. He did have fun throwing sand at me on the beach though. Our daughter lives in Adelaide in the state of South Australia.

Cafelovr

Just thought I would pop in and say hi to the ladies! Some (Phillipa) I don't see on FB. Hope all is well!

The pain in my back, hips, and knees is not cancer (AMEN), but it is a bulging disc that is being recommended for surgery. If I have this, it will be my 8th surgery in 4 years. Crap...I'm starting to feel like Edward Scissorhands. I don't know why, but this is making me uneasy. The neurosurgeon said this was my only option. No shots, no change in meds...straight to the OR. I'm getting a second opinion soon.

micheleboots

LInda, ouch.  take care.

Cafelovr

My second opinion is January 24 with an orthopedist, not a surgeon. Depending on what he says, hopefully I'll have more options!

doronet

Linda, what did the orthopedist say on Friday?

Cafelovr

The orthopedist said the surgeon was jumping the gun. He wants to do the steroid shots first. Sometime this or next week, he will do one in my L2-L3 disc, which is the one that is bulging. He said it's pretty rare for that disc to bulge...Lucky me. It should take 2 days to take affect.

2 weeks later, he will do a shot in the facet joint that has a wonky type of arthritis. After that, it two weeks he will do another shot in my sacro-iliac joint.

If I'm not better in 6 months, he will release me for surgery. I really like this doctor! I saw him in 2005 for some back issues. He said he wants to run some blood work to see if the arthritis is due to the chemo. He has put the orders in with my oncologist. If so, I have to see a rheumatologist. Will it ever end??? Ah hell, I don't care. I'm alive, and I'm cancer free! I just wish some of the pain would go away. It's not fun to not be able to tie your shoes!

Hey, I've got a funny one for you...I was at work and my back was getting stiff. I stood up and did a sun salutation and immediately bent over to touch my ankles (forget touching my toes!) and got a head rush. I wound up doing a forward roll! Luckily, no one was in the office. I'm such a klutz!

Love you guys!!!!!

micheleboots

Hello ladies, just checking in with a question.  Who has had laproscopic oomphectomy.  Mine is this week and I am starting to freak a little.

Cafelovr

I'm sorry I'm just seeing this! I had a laparoscopic complete hysterectomy! You heal so much better and faster! I only missed a week of work!

Have you had it yet?

micheleboots

Thanks Linda

Cafelovr

How are you doing Michele? I think of you ladies everyday!!

suzieq60

Linda - how are you!! I hope you are still NED.

Michele - hope the surgery went OK - please let us know how you are.

micheleboots

Hello.  I am doing well.  I made out ok.  But I soaked up the attention.  Hubby pampered me for a whole week..didn't have to lift a finger...yah me.

Cafelovr

I am still rocking the NED. Still doing my Herceptin every three weeks, Zometa every 12 weeks, and my lifetime Tamoxifen. I feel great except for some aches and pains and podiatry issues. I cannot complain! Still working full time and running after my family!

BrendaSharon

Just popping in to say hi.

You girls all Rock!!!!!!

So proud of all of you, it was good catching up on everyone.

I need to go back for a checkup. Haven't seen an Onc. in I don't know how long.

Over a year at least. I'm a very bad girl. Had my normal check ups, pap and mammo.

All was clear there. Still have aches. My fingers won't bend and they're stuck shut a lot.

When they finally open they kinda pop and it hurts like the dickens. I still get horrid Charlie horses in my neck back and anywhere they decide to want to hurt me.

As Linda said, at least I'm blessed to be cancer free and alive. Hurting is just a side affect I can live with, pain is the norm in my life now, but all's good.

(((((HUGS))))) to each and every Warrior!!!!

doronet

Not to be outdone by my facebook Warrior Ladies....thought I would pop in, too!  Michele, it's good to hear that you got through the latest.  I wonder how you are when I see you post on fb.  

My daughter is getting married on Saturday, so that has pretty much had me going non-stop for the past few months.  Is hard to think that we began this whole wedding thing 14 months ago and now were down to 2 days! Had been a calm period for a while, then it cranked up again and now, we're on the downhill.  Every day, though, I think of how blessed I am to be alive to share this moment with my precious daughter and with all those who will come to celebrate this milestone with us. So, think of me on Saturday at 2:00 and know that there is no doubt in my mind that I am here through the grace of God and friends like you, guys, who helped me get through it. 

suzieq60

Linda - great news - you are awesome!!!!!

Brenda - SO good to hear from you - how are the peeps??

Michele - I'm glad your surgery went well and your DH pampered you so well.

Nette - hope the wedding goes of without a hitch

As for me - still working - had a little scare in October - had a biopsy - luckily benign. An ultrasound last week shows the same area that was biopsied but the bs is not worried seeing it hasn't changed - we'll see in another 6 months. We've got 2 grandsons now and our daughter is due with a 2nd child in November.

So good to hear from you all!!!!

doronet

Wow, Sue! 2 grands and one on the way!!  Woo Hoo!  

As of  today, I am 4 YEAR CANCER SURVIVOR!!!!! Thank you, God!!!!

The wedding for my daughter DID go without a hitch.  I kept it together, no tears, until the groom was giving his vows and he was so choked up, he could hardly get the words out.  Sooooo moving!  I believe the entire congregation was sniffling.  My daughter was radiant, the groomsmen and maids were hilarious, and it was a great day! The couple will be living only about 10 mins. from here. I am now a member of yet another club, this one a good one:  the mothers-in-law club!!  I, in all sincerity, didn't lose a daughter, but gained another son.

Cafelovr

Congrats Nette, you and your daughter looked stunning!

micheleboots

Hello ladies. It has been a long time since I visited...hope everyone is well

Cafelovr

Hi ladies! I just wanted to brag that the month of May makes 4 years I have been NED (no evidence of disease)! My tumor markers are great, I have a clean bill of health from onc, and my kidney & liver functions are within normal range. I haven't had scans in over 2 years, and when I mentioned them to the onc, he said we would reevaluate in 6 months because he doesn't see a need to expose me to excess radiation.

I feel like I've won the lottery! Nothing could be sweeter. Love to all!

suzieq60

Woohoo!!! Linda - you are a total legend

micheleboots

Linda, wish I had a like button to press.....I have a friend who was just diagnosed with mets.  I have ecouraged her to check out the site, because of people like you.

Moderators

Hi cafelovr,

Great to hear the news on your 4 year no evidence of disease anniversary! Thanks for sharing it

Sending all good thoughts and kind wish's to you and your family

hugs from the Mods

Cafelovr

Thanks Mods! That means a lot

Cafelovr

Hi everyone! I know we're on FB more than anything, but I just wanted to check in. Everything is good on my end. Started exercising last month. If you see my FB posts, you will see that it is not easy, but it is relaxing! I really like Pilates! Took a Tabata Kettlebell class (you will have to Google it...it's intense and fun), and I am STILL sore from it!

I have taken all the steroid shots I can take in a 6-month period, and I can say that only one of the three helped. My back is all screwed up still. My knee aches a little, but my hip is feeling much better. I'm hoping the exercise helps support the joints and muscles. I REALLY don't want surgery!

I miss you all! Hope Philippa is doing well!...where are you Feisty Blue Gecko?

RedheadPam

Hello all! I have been away from the board for so long, but you were all on my mind....tomorrow is a big day. I will be exactly 5 years out from DX day, and thankfully still NED. I have ten months more to go on Femara, and then my onc says that's it! I am not sure anyone but you ladies understands what mixed emotions a cancerversary brings. I want to make a huge, hot deal about it, but at the same time forget it happend. Unfortunately, cancer changes us forever in some way. 

It seems both like forever ago and yet just yesterday that we all started on this unwanted journey together. Sending hugs to all....please friend me on Facebook - Pam Rosenberg.