Calling all TNs

LoveMyVizsla

Cathytoo, I would never have pegged you at 70!!! Definitely more like 50

Cathytoo

greenae...I loved 39. Would do it again in a heartbeat

Cathytoo

Thanks, everyone for the age complements. You're making me think I never should have told the truth about being 70.

Cocker_Spaniel

Cathy I have had the gaviscon tablets and yes it is like eating chalk so I went on to what Ally takes, the liquid kind. The only trouble was you had to wait a while for it to work if you woke in the night because it said on the bottle not to lie down for a while. Now there is a gaviscon out that you can lie down straight away. Having said that I take Losec now for heart burn and my hubby takes Omeprazole which is the generic of Losec. It works well for me. Regarding age, I am 69, just. That "just" means a lot, it means I am not 70 until October this year lol.

Ally so very glad your pain has now gone and is under control. I was getting really scared about that. So glad you are not "stressing" about the nodule.

CarolineAmy in your pocket today and sending big hugs for pCR.

Greenae hope the bruising is not so bad today. If I had looked like you do at 58 I would have stayed at that age. Just beautiful.

4everStrong I think you will find that everyone on here is afraid of recurrence. I know I am and it always seems to be at the back of my mind. I just push it away when it comes and concentrate on something else. The more I do that the better it gets. It also helps to stay off Google as that is a stress builder. Sending big hugs.

LUV haven't heard how your new home is going lately. Is it built yet?

Have a great day lady. It's Friday here in NZ and its a drizzly day so not much is going to get done by me cause I have a good book.

anotherNYCGirl

CaolinaAmy, - Good luck tomorrow! May all go smoothly and easily! Take good care, - and update when you can!

Arlene, - so glad you are doing ok! Today's weather is beautiful, - were you able to get a breath of fresh air? Can you believe that SNOW is predicted for Sunday?! Keep healing and feeling better and better! (ps What is ssri?)

Ally, - wonderful that you have relief from your pain! So happy that you are feeling well!!

Cathytoo, - yes, - 70 is the new 50!! (and I am not too far away from that! Applying for Medicare soon! Hard to believe that we are this age! 60s are what i always thought my parents were, - not me!!

So lets be 39 together, as Arlene said!

Cocker, Meadow, Luv, Shop, SA8, Stef, and all here, - Hope you are feeling GOOD! (and having a Happy St Patrick's Day!

Luvmydobies

CarolinaAmy, so glad you have your parents there to help. I'm praying and I'll say another prayer at 4:30 AM when my goofy male dobie wakes me up to go outside to pee. Check in when you can, even if you are loopy! We will all be with you in spirit tomorrow. HUGS!!

Arlene glad you're feeling good! Thinking of you.

Cocker, they started building our house last week so we still have a ways to go. It's ok with me though because right now I'm real close to the Doberman rescue! Enjoy your book.

AnotherNYCGirl good to hear from you. Trying to hang in there!Hope you're well also.

4everStrong

COKER

Thanks for your answer.. agree google is killing me with statistics and I dont know what to do? any adice diet? exervice? alternative cure you found helpful in your case?

Cocker_Spaniel

4everStrong Google kills everyone and the trouble is when you are newly diagnosed you go on it all the time because you are looking for some hope or if you get a strange pain back you go to Google. I hate the darn thing because it plays with your mind and half of the things on it are untrue and out of date. I don't want to read the statistics on recurrence. I'm fighting each day to live and certainly don't want to go the looking up the recurrence route. Not only that and I have said it before, when you are newly diagnosed, in active treatment or just at the end of treatment you are so vulnerable and scared so these statistics only increase your anxiety ten fold. The thing is if you have had the standard treatment, feel well, eating well you are unlikely to get a recurrence BUT if we do we will deal with it with our doctors and oncologists and without the help of Google. Regards to diet I think you should eat exactly what you feel like but not to overdo it. The old, old saying works - a little bit of everything does you good. I have cut out a lot of sugar but other than that I eat exactly as before. It's ok in the summer because you eat lots of salads but I do eat meat and I eat lots of veges. Exercise is the key, if you have a dog great, if not set a little time aside each day just for you. It's true when they say stop and smell the roses because it does help. Laugh as much as you can. Read books. Even take up colouring books I did this and its great. Start a hobby. Think of all the things you have always wanted to do and pick one. I make and decorate cakes, birthdays, weddings, for friends etc and its very therapeutic. You don't have time to worry about recurrence when a cake has to be made and delivered by a certain day. Enjoy each day, look at sunsets, and even enjoy the rain (although I find that one hard to do as I am a sun bunny, not lying in it, just the lovely summer days when you feel so much better and can do so much more). I'm sure all of the wonderful ladies on here will come on with some more suggestions but every time an unwanted thought comes into your mind shove it to the back and pick up a book, spade for the garden, your running shoes, anything to take your mind off it. We are all here for your good and bad days. You will know if there is anything to worry about, believe me you will know, and we will always be in your pocket to help you through any tough times. . Love you girl. xxxx

Cathytoo

Cocker...how well expressed. I only have one infusion left and I've been thinking constantly of a possible recurrence. I read that this would happen because you're like a ship set out to sea alone. Having infusions made me feel that I was doing SOMETHING‼️ Of course, I still have rads to do, so that should help put me back in the frame of mind that I'm fighting to be well again. It's constant "self-talk" to keep from being frightened. i have to say that I am so happy I found this wonderful group.

Meadow

Thank you Cocker, for being you.

Cathy, we are so glad you found us.

Arlene, can I have some of that happy stuff you are on today? lol

Happy St.Patty's Day everyone!

Cocker_Spaniel

Cathy you are so right. Going through chemo we felt we were doing something to fight the cancer and help ourselves to get well again, hoping for a cure, and as much as we were terrified of the chemo and the length of it, it flew by in a flash. Rads will be much easier for you, just remember to cream after each treatment liberally but don't put it on before a treatment or you will burn. You have had as much stress as you can take with losing your husband and as sad as that was and still is for you, you still have a life to live and a beautiful little dog to live for. You are still young at 70 and have a lot to fight for. Fill up your days and it won't be long before you find that you are one year out, two years out........ and the recurrence fear and anxiety will get less and less. You do feel alone at first and you do self-talk a lot but come on here to rant and cry if you are having a bad day, we all get it and will help you through. Love and big hugs to you my friend. You can do this. xx

Lookingforward66

Cathytoo & Cocker,

I am 69. Also Cocker, I turn 70 in October (20th). I am glad that we are in different stages of the "C" crap! I am just over 3 years out. Love my yoga, but arthritis sometimes reminds me to be careful.

My best to all.

Marsha

Cathytoo

Cocker and Meadow and the rest of you wonderful women.. It's remarkable to me that in a space of loss, sadness and fear I have found such wonderful "friends" in this cyber space world. When my husband died some friends became invisible...just dropped away. And then when I was diagnosed with BC, some others disappeared also. Guess it was bad luck to hang around with me. LOL I don't want to seem as though I'm moping around. Actually, I have a large support group. Five children and 13 grandchildren, all living close by. And, I do have incredible friends who are a daily source of support. My life is filled with lots of interests and activities. But, the last year has been harder than any year in my life. Even though we have family and friends beside us..,the loss of a husband at a time like this is very hard. So, I thank all of you who took the time to send a word of comfort over the past few daysto boost me up from the "recurrence doldrums". I am blessed to have found you. Now...on to a fun filled weekend for all of us

Cocker_Spaniel

Way to go Cathy. You've got this. lol

Looking my birthday is the 22nd October so you are younger than me lol.

BanR

So the 69s and the 70s have got together! Do you know that according to recent health terminologies 70 is not old ..it is termed as " Young Old"

It is wonderful to see us all, chat together... I am 37 and I got diagnosed when I was 34..a month before my 35th birthday and my daughter was in kindergarten. She is now in 2nd grade.. Its strange, how the way we look into things changes with changing circumstances... Wen I crossed 30, I wanted time to move really slow. The first grey hair that I spotted, when i turned 33, sent a warning signal But now after all this... I want time to move really really fast... Cant wait to turn 40, 45, 50...n so on!!

cocker..my birthday is 3 days after yours!!

Cocker_Spaniel

BAN don't hurry life too quick, you have a long way to go yet with that beautiful girl of yours. My surgeon said when you hit three years with TN you start going down the other side. I hope he is right because the receptor positive ladies do have the options that help them make it to five years if they are put on the hormone tabs (give or take one or two). I envied those ladies when I was first diagnosed because we didn't have those options and I wanted all of us TN's to have them so that we had the same chances. But there is hope for us. We need to hang on tightly together, recognise bad days and what they may mean and enjoy every other day that we are here as friends even though we may never meet. Look at all of our friends on here that have made it well past five years, its very encouraging. I don't mind getting to 70 at the end of this year but I do hate the flaming wrinkles that go with it. It seems like a new one pops up each week, still I am still here to see them lol.

So I am older than Looking but younger than you. It's hard being the middle child lol.

Cocker_Spaniel

Oh and Meadow, The Voice is on the TV at the moment but I have an excellent book that I am coming to the end of so I have one eye on each.

HausFrauMi

carolinaAmy- best of luck hugs from Michigan!

Heading in for 3rd AC in an hour... My son is skipping school and coming so maybe he can see it's ok and talk to my chemo nurse. He thinks because I am not that sick from the chemo that it isn't working

Meadow

Cocker

Haus, I'm glad your son is with you for chemo. I think it takes the fear away. He may want a career in the medical field, inspired by your fight.

I feel achy today.... My Taxol toes are hurting, we have a weather change and they think they need to shout about it I guess. Plus just dragging this week. I blame it on the time change. Hoping every one feels good this weekend.

Lookingforward66

Wow Cocker, I am 2 days older than you! We need an online party on October 21st! October seems to be a good month!! In Florida it is slightly cooling down from our hot summers. Maybe low 90's to high 80's. Not as humid normally. I do miss Autumn leaves. Originally from Ohio. Take care all. I am going for Pet Scan on 30th as MO says maybe concerns. Blood marker tests up also. Trying to keep from over thinking. Just hate waiting for tests & then results. Oh well, one day at a time.

Marsha

BanR

well said cocker!

yep.. an october online party for the october borns...Lookingfwd on 21st Cocker on 22nd and me on 25th!! Anyone else?!!!

Marsha..all the best for your PET. Pls let us know how it went. You and me are in 2 extremes...warm in florida and back to winter after a short 2 day spring in wisconsin!

Luvmydobies

Marsha I'll be praying for you for your upcoming PET. I'm sorry you even have to have one. Like you say, one day at a time. (((((HUGS)))))

CarolinaAmy, hoping your surgery went well today. Hope you can check in soon!

Cocker_Spaniel

Tell you what our Mike has been a long time in Florida. I bet he doesn't want to leave the sunshine.

Shopgal2

cocker you are so well spoken. Your words warm and comfort me.

Haus hang in there with your infusions. Take them one at a time.

Meadow I agree with you about dragging this week esp with the time change.

Cathytoo you rock! I would have put you as in your 40's. Age is just a number. We are as young as our spirit is.

CarolinaAmy my fellow sept chemo gal my prayers are with you for an easy recovery.

Cathytoo

Shopgal2...I do agree with you..,age is definitely a number. I am thrilled to be 70 and hope to be 80‼️ I don't have one gray hair. I was wondering if it now would grow in gray, but I see brown hairs popping up.

Cocker...I agree with Shopgal. Your words are so wise and comforting. Love to read your posts.

Carolina...we're all thinking of you and hoping for the very best.

It's weekend party time. Hope it's great for everyone. Kick those negative thoughts to the curb and have fun‼️

Praline

I had my 6th Taxol treatment today. I AM HALF WAY TRHOUGH CHEMOTHERAPY!!!! I feel pretty good tonight. Last week I was very tired just about all week. Tonight I do not feel quite as lightheaded as I usually do but my hands are pretty shaky. I have lost more than half my hair. I have a wig but I have not worn it yet. I just wear a hat.

I want to run something by you ladies and ask for your opinion. About 3 weeks after my surgery I had an appointment with a RO. At that point no mention had been made of chemo. My surgeon had said prior to surgery that if margins and nodes were clean I would probably not need chemo. A couple of days before this appointment, I was given an appointment to see a MO. I was told to go talk to him and see what he had to say. My RO was the first appointment. She was very nice, answered all my questions , explained every thing, etc. I mentioned that I had an appointment with a MO. She said that if I had to do chemo, it would come before radiation. She then said that looking at my lab reports with a 7mm tumor , clean margins, and clean Sentinel nodes, she was pretty positive chemo would not be recommended. She went ahead and scheduled appointment for simulation for radiation. Then I went to talk to the MO. He recommended chemo because my mass was TN with aggressive score 3. We discussed, he answered all my questions, gave me info to read about Taxol and its SE , and sent me home make up my mind : chemo/no chemo. I decided to do chemo. At this point I had not seen my BS since surgery(just his PA) because he had been out of the country since right after my surgery. I had no complications following the surgery, no pain at all, healed fine .Well when I see to him for post op he tells me how surprised he is that they want to do chemo. He gives me the same reason as the RO. Of course now I am second guessing my decision to do chemo. I had to wait a whole week for my appointment with the MO. So when I walk in to see him, I dumped it all on his lap ,,,you said....., he said..., she said... He listened, restated the facts that my cancer was TN and on aggr know why ssive scale a 3. He also said that when my case came up in front of the board( oncology) everyone there agreed that this cancer warranted chemo. He said the only disagreement whether to do chemo or not was because of my age. I will be 75 in about 3 months. He said he then decided to meet me before making up his mind. My really feel that I made the right decision.

I was mad! I can deal with friends and other people who ask, " If you had ... ... ..., why do you have to do chemo?" But shouldn't both BS and RO know why chemo was recommended. I like my BS, he is very nice, he does great surgery . I would pick him again to do my surgery. Now the RO ... my first reaction was to drop her and go with someone else. Now that I have cooled off, I am not sure. I talked with a lady who had brain cancer and she was her RO. She did really well and she loved her. Do I ask to switch over to someone else or do I stay with her? Any thoughts ... reactions... from all you wise ladies out there. I probably need to make up my mind soon

Meadow

Praline, congrats on being half done with chemo! Thanks for the background on your situation. These are my thoughts ....I think your MO is wise, and from what you said, has the backing of the chemo board in his treatment of you. This makes me happy for you. As to the RO, Do you feel confident in her specialty, I mean do you feel confident in her ability to treat you with radiation? If so, based on the above post alone, I would not switch. It is always best if our team is on the same page, and it appears they aren't totally, but you are being treated aggressively, and with TNBC I would want that for you. To err on the aggressive side doesn't bother me as if they were not being aggressive enough. ...does that make sense? If she doesn't have chemo expertise, but it a good RO, I would be ok. I hope to hear others' views soon. And again, so glad you are doing we in treatment. Hugs !

Meadow

but that is just my own opinion, and I am not medical by profession.

Peabrain

I'll hold down the front of the month - Oct 6th.

@Praline - I agree with Meadow. The MO is the one who knows the most about chemo, the RO about radiation and the BS about the surgery. While it would be nice if they all said the same thing, if you trust them in their specialties, I would stay with them and take their advice on other specialties with a big dose of skepticism. FWIW, I think that it's a good idea to treat TN very aggressively right off the bat. Only you can decide if you feel your age is a factor in how much treatment you are ready for

Zenful

Wow, this is an active board! I haven't checked in for a few months, but was happy to see some familiar names, even some from the old Moving On board. Cocker, I am sorry for the loss of your dear Tessa. I am sure you are somewhat comforted that she didn't have to suffer long. I don't remember which member asked which questions, so I am going to summarize my answers here and hope those interested will catch the part that relates to them. I had the typical AC/T neoadjuvant chemo for my 2.3 cm tumor. After the A/C regimen, I had an ultrasound that showed it hadn't shrunk at all (devastating). I then requested just a sentinel node biopsy to see if it was in my nodes, but it was negative, so I chose not to do radiation. I never even consulted with a RO. I had BMX with immediate DIEP/SGAP reconstruction five weeks following chemo. I did not have pCR, and my tumor was .5cm at surgery. Recovery was not bad, not really painful at all, just uncomfortable. Revision surgery four months later. Love my soft, warm, newly-lifted breasts! Just passed the three year mark from diagnosis in February - yay! I had acupuncture the day before each chemo treatment, which I believe helped my symptoms somewhat. I also would fast for 24 hours prior to, and 48 hours after my chemo treatments, although I didn't begin doing this until sometime during the Taxol regimen because I read that fasting causes your normal cells to shut down, but not the cancer cells, so the theory is the chemo attacks just the cancer cells. By the end of Taxol treatments, I just had the slightest numbness in my toes on one foot. Wish I had read that sooner, but my tumor did shrink from 3.2cm to .5cm somewhere along the Taxol route, so I like to believe it worked. My focus now is to stay as stress-free as possible. I quit my SUPER stressful job and took a different job within the company, began meditating each morning, exercise daily (yoga when I can) and eat as healthy as I can (but still love ice cream once a week. LOL). But most importantly, having a good support system is essential, and that's what this group of ladies (and men) provide each other here. The positive vibe is contagious!

Hugs and love to all the ladies just going through treatment and all those offering support. You ladies are the best!