Any other young Manitobans out there??

DianeKS

Hello everyone,

   Nice to meet you in person the other night Melanie. Hope you enjoyed the evening and got your mind off your hands and feet for a few hours.

  Bev, it's too bad you could not make it as the speaker had lots of great tips for memory that seem practical and she was funny too.  Glad to hear your trip was relaxing, sometimes traveling is taxing on the system.  Be well.

  Grace, I think it was one Dr. and he is not practicing right now.  Dr. Dhaliwhal(sp) director of CCMB spoke in the afternoon about people requesting alternative treatments that have not been tested and it did not sound like it happens very often and is frowned upon by the Manitoba College of Physicians and Surgeons.  I did not get the impression it was a 'secret experiment' of many oncologists, but the action of one.   Try not to let it scare you, but if it still does phone your nurse at cancercare and talk to her.

  WooHoo!  Got my custom glove ansd sleeve today, so far so good.

Diane

Melanie36

Hi ladies,

Diane it was nice to put a face to the name...can't wait to meet the rest of you...perhaps the conference...

Finished my second cycle fo Xeloda Wed. and I can actually walk now with just a bit of discomfort. The last week was horrible, I could barely get from the bedroom to the couch...makes for difficult parenting...

I meet Dr. Nice next week...yippee... still debating about writing that letter to Dr. Meanie...any suggestions that still make it sound professional???

I started my stage IV cancer group a couple of weeks ago...great group of people...

Bev, so glad Cuba was great. Still thinking about Vegas...waiting until after appt to book anything though...maybe he'll adjust my dose

B6-does anyone know what dose to take to help with Hand/Foot syndrome and neuropathy?

I've mentioned this before...with no response...but I'd still like to get together with this little group and meet for coffee or something.

Melanie

Beverly11

Hi Everyone - Great idea to get together Melanie.  Since you are the out of towner - perhaps you would like to suggest some dates that would work for you. 

I was dissappointed that I wasn't able to attend the meeting on Chemo Brain but probably the best decision.  Still not feeling that great & thought it would be rude to go and spread my germs.  Probably not the best way to make new friends!  

I plan on attending the Breast Cancer Conference providing it does not conflict with my surgery date.  

Bev

GracePang

Hi Everyone,

I got my chemo schedule for the next 3 months and it doesn't conflict with the conference. So, I am planning to register next week and hope to meet you all there.

Diane, thank you for the "experiment" info. I heard more news about it the next day and figured out that it was only one doctor. So, mind free from that now.

Melanie and Bev, it is a great suggestion for getting together over coffee someday. I agree that Melanie can suggest a few dates/times and we can set it up.

I got my scan last week and the results are mixed. effective for lung, but not liver (enlarged tumor); two new uptakes on spine, which really worries me. My onc doesn't want to change the treatment plan and want to scan again in 3 months and then decide;sigh.....

Grace

GracePang

Hi Melanie,

Me again. Forgot to talk about B6. I am taking B complext 75 and found it is helpful for my neruopathy.

Grace

DianeKS

Sure, I would be up to getting together for a coffee.  Anytime before Feb 11 as that is my next treatment.  Week days are usually better for me.

Diane

Melanie36

Hey Ladies,

Sorry I haven't posted in a while...computer was out for servicing...

Bev, Dianne, Grace and Linda...did I forget anyone?? Coffee sounds great! Next week Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday works...mornings are better for me (10 or 11 ish???)

Vote for your fav. day and let me know.

Met Dr. Pitz today WOW what a difference, he spent close to an hour with us and answered all of my questions. He did reduce my dose a bit so hopefully this will help.

Can't wait to hear from you all,

Melanie

DianeKS

Hi everyone,

   Tuesday works best for me although Wed. is also a possibility but I have apts in the am till 1100 if all is on time.  Morning is better for me as well. Thursday is out as that is my next treatment day.

   I'm so happy for you Melanie that you liked Dr. P., it will make a huge difference and it obviously was a good decision.

  Happily addicted to curling these days.

Diane.

Beverly11

I am fortunate enough not to have any appts next week.  So, any day works for me.  No idea where anyone lives but maybe we should meet somewhere central.  Polo Park?  Just throwing it out there...

Bev

GracePang

Tuesday works for me as well. I will go to HSC for blood test at 9:00am and it won't take long. I can meet you ladies anywhere after 10:00. Look forward to seeing you all!

DianeKS

If you are coming from Oakbank would it be easier to go to The Forks Melanie?   Just a suggestion, as then we could go for a walk too if the weather co-operates. .

Tuesday seems like a day everyone can make.  Linda...are you up to a trip to the Peg? 

Looking forward to it.

Diane

Beverly11

Good suggestion Diane.  Might work for Grace to coming from the HSC.

Bev

DianeKS

Hello ladies,

    Just checking in...Shall we make it tomorrow at the Forks, 10:00 by the elevators ?  Melanie.., is that ok with you?  Haven't heard from you since last post.  Hope your computer is up and running.

    Bev, Grace how does that sound?

  Diane

Melanie36

The Forks @ 10:00 Tuesday by the elevators...

sounds good, see you there...

Melanie

Beverly11

Hi Ladies - I am not certain if I will be able to make it.  'Still' getting over my cold and not up very early in the morning.  So...  sorry but don't count on me. 

As long as my surgery doesn't conflict I plan on going to the conference at the end of the month.  

Sorry,

Bev

GracePang

Hi Diane and Malenie,

Do you mean the elevator in the Market? I will try my best to make it at 10am. In any case I am late, could you give me a location to find you?

Bev, hope you feel better soon and see you at the conference.

Grace

GracePang

Diane and Malenie,

my cell phone is 9608681. Can you phone me if I didn't show up at 10 and let me know where you are after that and I will go find you.

Grace

DianeKS

Grace,

  Yes, the elevator in the market.   See you later, Ive got your cell #.  Sorry your not feeling well Bev.  Next time maybe we will meet in the afternoon.

  Diane

Melanie36

Hey Bev,

I was looking forward to meeting you...darn cold.

Grace we'll see  you...whenever

See you at 10 Diane

Melanie

Beverly11

I am dissappointed that I never got to go this morning.  I was up for most of the night but finally fell asleep at one point.  (didn't get out of bed till 10:30)  Surgery will not be until March (ish) so I will be going to the conference at the end of Feb.  When it gets closer, maybe we can arrange a place to meet there. 

Spoke to my insurer and they are sending me back to work asap.  They will be getting me back to full time on a gradual basis.  I know I am lucky to be going back and to have a job but I am so scared that I will fall on my face.  I feel rushed, unprepared and still lacking energy.  I have heard that the return of energy can take a couple of years so I have to suck it up.

Who was able to make it this am?

Take Care Everyone,

Bev

GracePang

Hi Ladies,

I just deleted my previous message with my cell phone number on it-:). Hope you already got it.

It was nice meeting you, Diane and Melanie; felt like I have met you somewhere before and I really enjoy the chatting and the information you've shared.

Bev, we will meet next time when we get together. I am not sure about the conference now, but will let you know if I do go.

Grace

DianeKS

Hello Bev,

Hope your feeling better each day.

Getting together in March would be great, and maybe the weather will be just a bit warmer by then.  I did go for a walk on the river trail after coffee yesterday and the sunshine did wonders for my soul.

I experienced the same feelings about returning to work in 2008 as you are.  My social worker said that  what I was feeling was completely normal .  I was angry at the disability worker for bringing it up and how I was spoken to.  The words that she used many times were something to the effect of  'now that your cancer is resolved', boy did I finally give her an earful.  Probably terminology that they use all the time but it rubbed me the wrong way.

Once I met with the reps, and went over the plans it was fine.  The first few days were two hours long then more each week until I got up to 12 hours( I work as a nurse ).  Just going through the motions of getting up making meals, and the mental business of having multiple conversations going on at once was something to get used to again.  It is like a bicycle,  it comes back to you, but I can relate to being scared about making mistakes.  Memory was an issue but I kept more notes and lists.  Words that normally would come to me didn't and that was hard at first, but after all it was almost a year and a half...so give yourself some time, and don't be to hard on yourself.  I had an incredibly understanding boss, and union behind my back to work so I was lucky.

BTW I had some scar revisions , and nipple  reconstruction while working so I found  that to be doable.  They are very nice at the Maples, but it is a different experience than the hospital.

Take care,

Diane

Beverly11

Hi Ladies - I signed up for the conference today.  Please let me know if any of you are attending and hopefully we can meet.  I hope you are all doing ok with treatments & overall are doing ok.

 Take Care,

Bev

Melanie36

Hi Bev,

I'm having a really sh!tty day. I'm depressed; nobody can do anything right; I'm stressed; my feet have been really bad since Monday. They are on FIRE! and itchy beyond words.

 I feel like I'm losing my independence, because I can't do certain things like before,yet I feel like I'm not getting enough empathy: People: I can't walk without extreme discomfort, please don't make me get up unnecessarily to do things for you that you are capable of....does this make any sense??

I was at my support group yesterday and Pam (who is Diane's sister) and she said Diane was in the hospital.

Diane I meant to tell Pam to give you gentle hugs, but i forgot. ((((((((((HUGS))))))))))

Sorry, but thanks for letting me vent.

Melanie

Beverly11

Hi Melanie - I hope you are having a better day today.  Are the feet doing any better?  That so sucks! I had some short term feet issues with chemo.  Most of my shoes didn't fit and I would put ice packs on my feet.

I think people try to be supportive but it seems near impossible to get the type you need when you need it.  They just don't have a clue what you are going through.  I hope your support group helps.  

So sorry to hear Diane is in the hospitol  Thanks for letting me know.  (I am sending you a pm)

 Diane - Sending hugs your way!  Hope you are feeling better.

Bev

GracePang

Hi Melanie,

I was getting my no. 6 chemo yesterday at HSC and just read yours and Bev's messages. I also hope your feets are much better today. I also understand how people around us don't understand what we are going through. I experienced the same. Since you look so healthy, I guess people expect you to do things that beyond your comfort zone. I hope you feel better now and please phone me or pm me if you need any assistance.

Sorry to hear Diane is in hospital now. Hope she recovers well. She looked so energetic only a few days ago when we met. this really scares me and I am sending her strength and hugs.

Sending you all hugs and thoughts!

Grace

Beverly11

Hi Grace - How are you feeling after your chemo?  How often do you go for chemo? 

Thinking of you

Bev

Beverly11

Hi Everyone - I believe that I mis informed you on the conference.  I just looked at the registration info and it is called the 2010 Survivor Conference:  The Ripple Effect.  It is not soley for breast cancer.  It is for all cancers.  I kind of wish it was specifically for breast cancer but it still does sound interesting and beneficial. 

I have signed up.  Has anyone else?

Bev

GracePang

Hi Bev,

Like your new picture. I recovered well from my chemo. this is my No. 6 and I get it every 3 weeks. This time, I feel more tired than previous ones, but generally I tolerate it well. I am not sure about the conference yet, since I've been busy lately with some checkups and housework. I hope we can meet elsewhere, probabely our next geting together?

Grace

Melanie36

Hi Ladies,

Sorry...I've been avoiding the boards for a while as I have been in such a funk lately. Feet are better. I took an extra week off b/c of some trips I am trying to plan (trying being the operative word here) and the chemo schedule would have meant week 2 for both trips-NOT!!

Last I heard Dianne was back in emergency and Pam is really worried about her. Me too.

I haven't decided about the conference yet.

I had my CT scan last Friday and have my MRI on Sunday. Next Onc appt is Tuesday...could explain the funk...

Anyone want to make plans to meet up again?? Wednesday is the only day that works for me next week, but the week after is more flexible

Let me know,

hugs

Melanie