Calling all TNs

simplelife4real

Hi All,

Wow, it takes a long time to catch up on posts when I haven't been here a while. I just got back from a "bucklist" vacation to Fiji, Australia and NZ. It was a wonderful trip (about a month long) and I absolutely loved it.

Cocker, I don't know where you live in NZ, but I have officially fallen in love with your country. It's one of the most beautiful places on earth. I'm glad you are out of the hospital and your treatment is showing shrinkage.

Meadow, I'm so sorry you have had to deal with so much after your revision surgery. Ugh.

Welcome to all the new people. For everyone going through treatment, my heart goes out to you. It's not easy.

I just passed the 3.5 year mark. I find my worry level has gone down significantly since I passed the 3 year mark. I can honestly say that cancer isn't my top worry these days. It's dropped to the number 4 or 5 spot!!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful day.

ScotBird

That sounds like a wonderful trip! It's so great that cancer has dropped down your worry list. I'm really looking forward to hopefully getting to that point. I'm just recovering from a cold, and even though I knew I wasn't being rational, couldn't help thinking that my cough might be the first sign of something more sinister. I ended up going to the doctor, who said I should have a chest X-ray if it carried on for another week. 3 days later and I'm fine but that slight anxiety is alwaysjust below the surface, waiting for an excuse to jump out! Lots of love to everyone, especially Meadow, Annie, DiV and anyone else who is struggling with treatment at the moment. XX

Cathytoo

ScotBird....Unfortunately, I know all about your mind jumping to the worse possible scenario‼️ I guess this is normal, but I hope it lessens as time goes by. Hope lots of time goes by and all of us never hear from BC again.❤️❤️

bak94

Hi! Just stopping by to say hi! This thread was my life boat for years!!!

Cathytoo

bak94..."Hi" back at you. Sooo happy to read your stats and know that all is well with you now. Stay well‼️

anotherNYCGirl

Simple, - what an amazing trip!!

Scot and Cathy and others, - I think we are all in the same boat trying to keep our fears under control whenever a pain or new concern arises. As time passes I think that decreases, - right??

Meadow, - how did your dr visit go today? Is wound closed now??

My onc appt today was ok, - but will know more when blood work results come in next week. I asked her about metformin but she is not a believer in it, nor was she familiar with copper depletion. She is part of a large group of oncologists associated with Northwell health, so I am trusting her/their judgement for now.

Have a good weekend my friends!

Batesburg

Looks like good old fashioned exercise is beneficial to reducing recurrence. See article from Johns Hopkins:

http://www.hopkinsbreastcenter.org/artemis/201703/4.html

Stupidboob

Just read about this today and thought I would pass along the info.

Hidden Scar Surgery

https://breastcancersurgery.com/

VLH

The exercise stuff might be helpful if not for the fact that since my third AC infusion, I can't even walk through the house briskly without my heart rate amping up over 100 bpm. And then there's the labored breathing.

Lyn

SuprSurvivr

Lyn, my heart did the same thing! But it got better after the AC was done. Consider it that your heart is getting exercise anyway

SA8PG

Annie. I popped on here and saw your post. I'm so so happy. We've been praying for you. Sending continual hugs and love across the miles. Honestly made my day to see your post. Xoxoxo

Arlene your looking amazing!!!! Love your hair regrowth.

Meadow I'm so sorry your still dealing with the infection issue. You know I am all too familiar with that. If you need anything please reach out. Continued prayers and love.

So great to see the long term ladies and gents post and say hello and so glad the newbies have found this place. Hang in there!!!!

Much Love to all. ~ G

VLH

That's what I expected, SuprSurvivr, but the problem has persisted throughout my weekly Taxol treatment. Now I have severe muscle fatigue and neuropathy from the Taxol and lymphedema from the ER nurse ignoring my warning and inserting an IV in my surgical arm. I expected to be so excited about finishing chemo last week. Instead, I feel like I've destroyed my quality of life and finances in exchange for a rather modest increase in survival odds.

I'm very glad that your symptoms improved and hope that will be true for me as well.

Lyn

6feetover

VLH: The side effects from my AC & Taxol/Carbo chemo were so severe that I couldn't work for 1.5 years. Still, I'm just glad to be alive, so I'll take the hell I went through (and that I'm still going through; my neuropathy and "chemo brain" persist, and the chemo exacerbated the symptoms of my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome to the point that I feel like I'm about 95)...

VLH

I'm very sorry, adarkadaptedi. :-(

Lyn

6feetover

Lyn - Please don't be sorry! That's not what I meant. You wrote, "I feel like I've destroyed my quality of life and finances in exchange for a rather modest increase in survival odds." I'm suggesting that you try to not look at it like that (like *I* did at first, and probably others did, as well!); time (and patience) really DO help. I'm actually working full-time, now! I'll take any day on this side of the grass over the alternative... Hang in there!!!

SuprSurvivr

Lyn - sorry to hear the side effects are persisting and affecting your quality of life. I've been struggling with Taxol neuropathy too in my finger tips and feet. But, like adarkadaptedi says, every day you see the sun rise, see a beautiful flower, or spend time with your loved ones, makes it worth the pain and discomfort. Prayers to you for healing. 🙏🏻

aterry

I'm sending positive thoughts to everyone having struggles with side effects.

I just wanted to mention that everyday I go to the ScienceDaily site. There are almost always articles about cancer research and most days there are articles about research into breast cancer. Today there is an article on a Mayo study about tumor sequencing. I don't post links, not even in the "Clinical Trials, Research Studies...." thread because I can't evaluate what is important. Many of these studies are still in pre-clinical status. It IS INTERESTING, however, how much work is being done in the TNBC area. There are many different targets and approaches being studied. So many that I wonder how the MO's keep up with all of it. I find all this activity reassuring even though I know that the pre-clinical stuff is, at best, 5 to 10 years away.

DiV

Hi everyone! Tomorrow I get my petscan. Keep me in your prayers that my scan is clean. If scan os clean I have my surgery (arm amputation) March 20th.

Cathytoo

DIV...you have my prayers.

SuprSurvivr

Lots of prayers coming at you, DiV. ✨🙏🏻✨. May God's strength and peace be with you.

LoveMyVizsla

((DiV)) I wish that your scan being clean would mean you didn't need amputation. Keep us posted.

Cocker_Spaniel

Hi ladies and Mike (who never fails to make me chuckle). It has certainly not been a walk in the park this time around but I do feel better now the septicaemia has gone. If I was truthful I prayed for death a couple of times while that was going on but as Mike would say, they wouldn't take me (assuming that I go UP lol). The chemo is also a killer but I am learning to deal with it. Got another session this Thursday ugh. I dread each and every one. Hopefully it will shrink the cancer more by the time I have my next scan. Your beautiful cards and words brought myself and Mandy to tears each time we received one. She couldn't believe all the love and support you sent to me.

I am so out of touch with what you are all going through I'm ashamed of myself because a lot of you are all ill as well and I have to remember I'm not the only one.

Meadow I hope your infection has cleared now and you are ok again.

BAK great to hear from you. You have been gone a long time.

Simple. I live in Lake Taupo which is in the centre of the North Island. I'm so glad you loved my little country. We are lucky that our air is so pure and our sky's such a beautiful blue at least I hope it was whilst you were here. Lake Taupo is the largest freshwater lake in Australasia and is roughly the size of Singapore. We can see all the bays around the size and all the mountains way down in the middle. It is truly beautiful when the snows come and make them sparkle. we have lots of space for children to grow and to learn so much sport to try and keep them on the straight and narrow.

Linda you always make me cry! love you so much.

So many lovely posts that I will lose mine if I go back to read them all but I hope you know that I am thinking of each and every one of you and wishing you are all well and living life to the full. All who are not doing so well I pray that all will be ok for you. As have you all, my family have been awesome and I have not been left alone for five minutes. Every meal has been cooked for me whether I felt like eating or not, and most of the time not, but the delight on their faces when I managed some told me there was so much love for me from them. All of my housework has been kept up to date and clean nighties were brought every day when I was in hospital and even now. They slept in chairs to be by my side at night. I could see the concern when they came and I looked at their faces and I was so sorry I put that there but now I am a bit better I am getting smiles.

Thank you for al of your support ladies and Mike. I will try to post more frequently now. In the meantime keep well, keep smiling and if going through treatment or are unwell think of me there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Love you all. Annie xxxxx

6feetover

Annie, words fail me. You are such a lovely, incredible person! I wish I could meet you!

DiV

Hi! Thank you all so much for the prayers and well wishes! I really appreciate it. Everyone is so kind and thoughtful!

Annie so glad to hear you are doing much better! Praying for you. Praying chemo shrinks the cancer! You are an inspiration to me! Keep fighting!

anotherNYCGirl

Annie! How wonderful to hear from you and know that you are getting through those miserable treatments and getting stronger! Keep that up!! Your words are always such a welcome sight for us!! Hugs to you and your family!!

Div, - add me to the list wishing you good news!!

Hoping all here are feeling ok and staying safe and warm!

aterry

DiV, I hope you've gotten a good report from the scan. I think of you everyday even if I don't post.

Annie, you and your family are an inspiration.

VLH

Thanks for the encouraging comments, ladies. I hate the idea of not having a yard for the dogs and a garage to keep my certified pre-dented & pre-dinged minivan safe. I've already lost my career, life savings and comfortable retirement to Fibromyalgia so the idea of losing my home, shabby and outdated as it is, is daunting. Hopefully, my fears are overblown and I'll regain my endurance.

DIV, my heart goes out to you facing this difficult surgery. I hope all goes as smoothly as possible.

Lyn

Cathytoo

Annie...it was such a surprise and pleasure to read your post. You have an incredible family because YOU ARE one incredible woman. Wish I had met you at a lovely pub in the country instead of this site. You are in my thoughts and prayers every day. I'm waiting for the day, five years from now when we are ALL here posting about this difficult time. Please stay strong and get better and better. ❤️❤️ Sending a big hug to Mandy

Cathytoo

DIV...you will be in my prayers until you let us know that everything is behind you and you're on your way to recovery. ❤️

Valstim52

So good to hear from you Annie. Div and VLH know i'm in your pocket and sending prayers your way.