November 2009-Starting Chemo

Cafelovr

Hi everyone! I'm here!! I moved last week across town and have been so busy unpacking and decorating. It takes all my energy. I am not moving again until I'm back in Florida.

I have to admit...I'm feeling a lot better. I still get tired, but I've gotten my spunk back. I'm still tight under my bad arm. Rads did a number to the muscles in my ribs and arm.

 I have a question...If you had the opportunity to go on disability, would you?

Nette: My onc suggested a B-Complex vitamin. Is your arm feeling any better?

Sue: Glad to hear about the hair! It's taking so long for me to get bangs!!!!! My hair is cockeyed. One side is starting to curl and the other side is straight as can be! Can I ever get a break??

Clyde: Go the Hell away!!

Love to all! (((HUGS)))

suzieq60

Glad you're feeling better Linda!!!

Melinda41

Linda: glad to hear that you are getting settled in, I can't imagine how tiring that must be. I have one curly side and one straight side, too.

Would collecting disability make you mentally funky? Would you feel worse, mentally speaking. If it would not make you depressed, not working, I think it is something to consider. I think there are even rules where you can try going back to work for a certain length of time without having to requalify, so it wouldn't mean once you go there, you can never go back.

Cafelovr

Collecting disabilty would not make me feel funky. I want to watch Libby grow up; I'm missing so much working 8-5 M-F. I can't even take her on vacation because I've used up all my comp time for when I had my surgery. We're taking 2 weekend trips...DC and Charleston SC. I can't make it to FL this time.

Plus, you can work PT and make so much per month to supplement your Disabiltiy. I'm thinking about it, but can't do anything until next April.

I don't know...I guess I'm having guilty mom syndrome!

micheleboots

I applied for short term disability during chemo, but was turned down since i wasn't sick enuough.  All I wanted was enough money to pay my bills while I couldn't work.. I  Hell at $1600 for neupogen shots every three weeks, every little bit helps.  So now I work my ass of to pay my visa. 

BrendaSharon

Hi Girls,

Let's all do the W~A~V~E~, Go W~A~R~R~I~O~R~S  !!!!!!

Sue, All of us girls, so lovin our hair. It does get better everyday.

Today is a week since my "Deportation", I seem to be doing MUCH better!!! Now if I could loose about 50lbs; get some energy I'd almost feel like I was 100% the norm was again.  But, I am quite happy with the way things are right now. The thing that bothers me the most now is not being able to get out in the sun like I soooo once loved to do. I just still can't handle the heat!!

Nette,

So how are the hands doing? I hope you didn't get any new surprises. I know my charlie horses and cramps have slooooowwwwwed up since I started my Potassium. It's taken about a month to work but i can tell it is now. I only get an occasional  cramp when I point my toes straight out during a morning stretch. Ao, I am VERY careful not to point them. No more in the past week in my neck or back, except during my Port removel, I think that was from me tensing up so bad.

Linda,

Are you all moved in and unpacked yet? I know that had to be a job. Moving is difficult. I hope you had a bunch of help!!! Where in Florida where you from or going back to someday?

Alicia, Melinda, Sue

Hope you all had a great weekend.

Cafelovr

I am moved and still working on the unpacking. I grew up in Kissimmee, but lived in Melbourne for 15 years before coming to NC. I want to go back to MLB...big time!!!!

BrendaSharon

WOW!! I can imagine you do miss Melbourne, a lot of difference in the weather from there to N.C.

My DH had a lot of family in that area of Melbourne. None live there now, most are in W. Palm or elsewhere. Since his mom passed last year we don't much keerp up any more.

Cafelovr

I am so homesick that it's not even funny! Being sick makes you realize what's important. Other than my mom, hubby, and Libby, everyone is still in FL. As soon as I can, I'm going back. I have a good job up here that I love...hence the Disability question. That's the only reason to stay.

JustmeAlicia

Hi girls ~

Hope everyone is doing well !!

I went today for my BRCA counsel and blood work.  I will have the answer in 2-3 weeks.  They will call me when the results are in and set up an appt to go over the results.  They say I have a less then 5 percent chance of it being positive.  So I wait and see for now.

Hugs,

Alicia 

micheleboots

Alicia, I ahve  a good vibe about yoru BRCA....

Cafelovr

The counselor and my onc said I'm 100% BRCA positive. Because of my age and family history, they know I'm positive, and just need to medically confirm it...Nope! I'm negative. Phew!

Sending good vibes your way!!

suzieq60

Linda: That's good news Linda.

 My onc doesn't believe in testing for it - he reckons it's not accurate enough yet, but if I had a female sibling who had had bc too, I would have the test.

Alicia: Hope the results are good.

Sue

BrendaSharon

I don't believe I have ever had the BRCA test done. There is little to no breast cancer in my family history and that I believe is why they didn't feel a need to do the test. At least that is what I am assuming. They only cancer i know of is my sister. But, she passed away many years ago at the age of 34 and it was from leukemia, so that isn't relative to what I have what so ever. 

Hopefully they haven't missed anything due to the lac of testing.  

Alicia your test will be fine I know just like Linda's great news!!!!

(((positive hugs))) negative results

micheleboots

I asked bout BRCA, but since I have no family history I would have to plead to a board to have it done.  I am not concerned about it. Which leads me to ask, how does a person who doesn't drink, smoke is healthy and has no history of breast cancer get cancer?  Perhaps it was gods way of introducing me to my warrior friends.  So good does come out of all this. 

BrendaSharon

Michele,

Funny you should say that, my sister never drank, smoked, and lived quite healthy too..

So true, because of breast cancer I have met some wonderful people through out this. Here on line some of the besties ever at the hospital, during rads I met some wonderful people and some of my Drs. and nurses I just love them. (except for one Onc.) I have had many new experiences and have been shown such kindness by so many different people. It has definitely made some positive changes in my life and Life is GOOD!! So glad to have met all my new friends and Warriors Rule!!!!!!!!!!!!

suzieq60

There is a history of cancer in my father's family - he died from liver cancer. His father and brother also died from cancer and one brother has prostate cancer. His sister passed away from bc at 49 and her daughter also has had it but the onc still didn't see a need for the test. I might talk to him about it again as I do have a daughter and it could be relevant. I must ask my cousin if she had the test seeing her mother had it.

I'm not going to work today - got a bloody cold from some idiot on the flight home. So far it's only a runny nose. I've got my naked herceptin tx this afternoon - hohum - only 6 more after today.

((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))) to you lovely ladies.

Sue

JustmeAlicia

Well...  I am a nervous wreck.  I have been having some lower back pain when I wake up each day.  Feeling rather stiff with a lower backache.  Figuring it could be my tamoxifen or my 9 year old mattress I ignored it.  Today ~ it hurt so bad I called my oncologist.  She wants me to stop the tamoxifen for 2 weeks to see if it subsides and she is ordering a bone scan.  I of course am now flipping out wondering if it is bone mets............  so I wait.  They are getting approval for the test from my insurance and then will make the appt.  Anyone have a bone scan.  I read it takes hours as they have to inject a tracer dye beforehand.  UGH !  Of course my hubby is going away to Atlantic City for gambling and golf with the boys this weekend.  I am going to try not to think about it and sleep in our spare bedroom on a comfy mattress to see if that helps. 

Hope everyone is doing better than ME !

MaryNY

Alicia: when I was doing rads and before I even started Tamoxifen, I started to have pains in my upper arms and shoulders. I thought it was a SE of either chemo or rads esp since it was bilateral. I figured bone mets wouldn't start on both sides equally at the same time. My oncologist insisted that I have a cervical MRI and see a neurologist. The neurologist said it was likely chemo-induced arthritis which would go away on its own. It almost completely gone at this stage with just slight soreness in my finger joints first thing in the morning. Like you, I was very nervous about this symptom in the beginning but it turned out to be nothing.

I'm hoping yours turns out to be nothing too. Is the pain relieved by Advil/Tylenol?

Melinda41

Crap Alicia  , I am sorry you have this concern. I hope that the other mattress gives you peaceful sleep and pain free days. Keep us posted when they get the test scheduled. ((Alicia))

JustmeAlicia

Advil definately gives me relief.

Thanks for your kind words....... 

MaryNY

Sorry you have to go through this crap but I'm thinking your onc is just super vigilant.

suzieq60

Alicia: Why didn't they do a bone scan when you were diagnosed? My onc did. He said my spine looks bad - arthritis. I also had a ct scan. The bone scan was ok - better than the ct scan - at least you don't have to drink anything. I don't remember it taking too long. Hang on, I think they might have injected the stuff and I had to go back later. Anyway, remember my back went out a while ago - I could hardly walk and it's fine now. Have you been very active? My physio thought my back was causing trouble because I hadn't been doing much exercise.

DON'T PANIC!!!!

Melinda: Hope the visit to Big Onc goes ok tomorrow!!!!! CLYDE is a goner.

Love and Hugs

Sue

JustmeAlicia

Thanks Sue, I am trying not to panic.......  it isn't easy ~

BrendaSharon

Alicia,

I just know everything is OK. Bone Mets are scary to think about, BUT you DON'T have any!!!

You need for sure a new mattress. I seen them on sale today at HHGregg a Queen Size Pampano Super Pillow-Top mattress set for only $699.99. they will even deliver and haul away the old one for free. Well you have to pay the fee up front and then you get sent an rebate in a form of a pre-paid Visa Card. It is a great price though!!!! Love you girl ((((((positive thoughts))))))

Sue,

Sorry you caught a bloody cold as you called it. I love your accent even in writhing. Hope you get on the mend SOON!!~!

LINDA!!!!!

Wonderful News 100% negative BRCA!! Yippie

Michelle,

They didn't test me either, no family history.

Melinda,

You know once it would have bothered me to be on any kind of disability, on unemployment, etc. I always felt self efficient, but since the big -c- a lot of my views have changed. I wish I had even taken a little more time offf and but could not afford to do so. So, of course I worked through my entire cancer treatments.  I had managed to work 36 - 40 hours every week even through chemo and through daily rads. Plus had that hour and a half long drive to Tally from home. I made it though and I'm gonna get through this crap for sure. BUT, if I have to do it again, I want to take off time if any way possible. BUT, it's not going to happen again. Right??? Right!!!!

To a lovely day

suzieq60

Brenda: I'm about to go to bed - been watching a marathon of Big Bang Theory repeats - I just love it. I actually had an afternoon nap today - boy did I need it. I think the 'bloody cold' might be on the way out but I'll stay home tomorrow. I can login to work from home so I'll do that. Do you feel like you're starting to get your energy back? I wish you could have had the time off. It's just not fair.

Alicia: Look into getting a magnetic mattress protector. My back has been much better since I got one. Buy a new bed first though. You DO NOT have anything bad wrong with your back OK?

Sue

Cafelovr

Well, it's official...I'M CANCER FREE! According to two oncologists and my latest findings. Hey, I'll take what I can get!! Life is so good. Thank you ladies for your sisterhood and cyber hugs!

Alicia, a bone scan is the easiest thing in the world. You lay on this flat table, and this maching scans on top of you from your feet to your head. It gets a little hairy when doing your head because it is soooooo close! Close your eyes and you'll be fine. You can see your image coming up on the monitor...pretty neat.

Melinda, I'm sending cyber high fives! All will be well and soon Clyde will be but a memory!

Melinda41

Linda:   WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!

Melinda41

Had my naked herp today. Saw Big Onc and research nurse. My Research nurse is moving, so this was good bye, she was very cool. Big Onc says that I am still cooking from the rads so Clyde is still cooking in there.

Echo next week, PET after the radiation dies down, continue naked herp.

Big Onc says he is still optimistic about Clyde, but even if it is cancer, we radiated it. I asked about more chemo (if it is cancer). I can't do more AC but there are plenty of other cocktails that we can use.

So, no bad news.

doronet

Oh, so much good news, and some, well, not so good, but hopefully Alicia had a good night's sleep on another mattress.  I would really and truly think the pain is from the effects of the Tamoxifin or lasting SE from the chemo.  I wake up every morning, get out of bed, and walk out of the room like an 85 yr. old woman.  Luckily, it only lasts for the walk down the hallway and it is better.  I do try to remember to move my feet around and then my legs to "oil up" the joints before I get out of bed.  That does help.

My neuropathy doesn't seem to be getting better, though I haven't had one of those "scary" episodes again.  I have an appt. with my onc on the 17th, so I'll ask her what she recommends as far as the B vitamins, the glucosime, or glutomine.  I already take 3 prescription meds and lots of vitamin supplements, so I don't want to cause any conflicts.

No doc has mentioned a BRCA anytime to me.  No history of bc in my family at all. 

Gotta go.  Storm headed this way.  More "cheers" later.  Nette