Calling all TNs

Sugar77

Heidi - we need to get that recipe!!

Paintingmywaythru

lwarstler...how could you not be upset. This is blatant lying and he is the one who could get himself into big trouble. Your daughter will be experience a big letdown but kids are resillant and she will find herself another nice guy to date in a little bit. What can I say...men are so stupid sometimes.

Heidi Too..what  a great pic and proff that there are good guys out there. My son is such a sweetie. We visited him at parents weekend this weekend and he took an ichibana 3 week course  and he asked the teacher for the leftover flowers to give to all the girls in his dorm.

Titan...things will go beautifully. It was only July 2nd that my daughter married and well the week before was so so busy and I was a few weeks post 5 days int he hospital and newly diagnosed. We got everyhthing done and the day was perfect. So soon you will be crying with joy and having a wonderful day....it all seems to work beautifully and I do have a tough minded 28 year old and she was toough but when ot came down tothe day....it was great...you will see how lovley it all will be and what a perfect time of year.

Inmate...so glad to hear from you.   Wondered where you were and hoping all was well.

Belleast and lwarstler...my best for chemo tomorrow....I was scared the first time but it was so mcuh better in the chair than I expected. Take all the meds prescribed and stay on top of the nausea.

Sugar...impressed you will be running. My best to you. I ahve rheumatoid arthritis so hobbling is a bit more my pace.

Suze 35...here's hoping Wednesday brings an opening up to the trial.

bak 34 ...also having a bilateral breast MRI tomorrow. Does anyone know hoe long before results?

I wanted this and now am nervouse. Also feeling very tired after the parents weekend away. It was great but my legs feel like jelly...need to exercise more I guess but feeling quite weak.

bak 34 ...we had chickens for yesrs in an urban town before they were popular. One week we were away and the local news paper had an incdent report of a chicken "reported crossing Summer St. Police investigated but no chicken was found." Oh our silly birds...the girl taking care of them at the time would leave them to free range all day. Well unfortunately the hungry fox with kits ultimately got them.

LauraJAne...hope you are not in too much pain and are doing retail therapy like Suze 35.

Survivor2 be ..how frustrating...will see how my bilateral breast MRI goes tomorrow....anxious about it. Good luck with surgery.

Would   have liked to be outdoors today but had a long day working...realize I am not up to it and will have to just learn to build my stamina. Starting rads on Friday...test run....

Planning to put the house on the market on the weekend of October 15th and 16th...too much to do between now and then.... wow...living in a house means colelcting things from your parents, friends, family, children, onesself and and spouse and then some as artists we have a large collection of found objects that are feeling impossible to cull.

Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow.

Paintingmywaythru

Lwarstler...how could you not be upset. This is blatant lying and he is the one who could get himself into big trouble. Your daughter will be experience a big letdown but kids are resillant and she will find herself another nice guy to date in a little bit. What can I say...men are so stupid sometimes.

Heidi Too..what  a great pic and proff that there are good guys out there. My son is such a sweetie. We visited him at parents weekend this weekend and he took an ichibana 3 week course  and he asked the teacher for the leftover flowers to give to all the girls in his dorm.

Titan...things will go beautifully. It was only July 2nd that my daughter married and well the week before was so so busy and I was a few weeks post 5 days int he hospital and newly diagnosed. We got everyhthing done and the day was perfect. So soon you will be crying with joy and having a wonderful day....it all seems to work beautifully and I do have a tough minded 28 year old and she was toough but when ot came down tothe day....it was great...you will see how lovley it all will be and what a perfect time of year.

Inmate...so glad to hear from you.   Wondered where you were and hoping all was well.

Belleast and lwarstler...my best for chemo tomorrow....I was scared the first time but it was so mcuh better in the chair than I expected. Take all the meds prescribed and stay on top of the nausea.

Sugar...impressed you will be running. My best to you. I ahve rheumatoid arthritis so hobbling is a bit more my pace.

Suze 35...here's hoping Wednesday brings an opening up to the trial.

bak 34 ...also having a bilateral breast MRI tomorrow. Does anyone know hoe long before results?

I wanted this and now am nervouse. Also feeling very tired after the parents weekend away. It was great but my legs feel like jelly...need to exercise more I guess but feeling quite weak.

bak 34 ...we had chickens for yesrs in an urban town before they were popular. One week we were away and the local news paper had an incdent report of a chicken "reported crossing Summer St. Police investigated but no chicken was found." Oh our silly birds...the girl taking care of them at the time would leave them to free range all day. Well unfortunately the hungry fox with kits ultimately got them.

LauraJane...hope you are not in too much pain and are doing retail therapy like Suze 35.

Survivor2 be ..how frustrating...will see how my bilateral breast MRI goes tomorrow....anxious about it. Good luck with surgery.

Would   have liked to be outdoors today but had a long day working...realize I am not up to it and will have to just learn to build my stamina. Starting rads on Friday...test run....

Planning to put the house on the market on the weekend of October 15th and 16th...too much to do between now and then.... wow...living in a house means colelcting things from your parents, friends, family, children, onesself and and spouse and then some as artists we have a large collection of found objects that are feeling impossible to cull.

Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow.

Paintingmywaythru

Sorry for the delete...double posted...said it didin't but did...

Babs37

Survivor2Be- Good luck with surgery tomorrow.

Heidi- That looks sooooo yummy!!! Yes, the recipe please....

laurajane- Love your attitude, again. You are in my thoughts too. Hugs.

Sugar- Good run next Sunday. It's great that you can do it.

Titan- Hoping you are surviving the last week before the wedding.... Hang in there. It will be a beautiful day.

Suze- Wishing you good news on wednesday for a quick chemo start. Hugs.

Have a great day everyone. For those who can, go enjoy the beautiful fall colors outside. Take care.

TifJ

Good morning all! I am off to get another 6 month mammo on lefty. Thankfully, they tell you the results before you leave. I'm not anticipating anything unusual, just had a very thorough check by my BS. Let's hope I don't jinx myself by saying I'm not worried!!

Belleeast and lwarstlet- sending good vibes for your chemo!

Sugar- I'm impressed- running!! I still get winded going up the stairs. I really need to exercise!!

Heidi- how about a plain chocolate cake? Coconut-yuck!!

LJ and Suze- as always my thoughts are with you!

Wow, we have become such a big group, I can't mention everyone. However, my best to all this week!!

Anonymous

Hey guys, I need to clear up some confusion...

I haven't cooked or baked since Christ left Jerusalem. That was just a *picture* of a German Chocolate Cake after someone asked.

However, if I *were* to bake I really do have a terrific scratch recipe... you actually broil the topping on the cake (flat cake, not layered) for a few moments after putting it on. Makes a delicious crunchy topping!

ksmatthews

German Chocolate cake is my FAVORITE!!!  Yummy!!

OBXK

Heidi Too - too funny!

TifJ - hope your mammo was not too painful and that all is well.

Titan - I hope it's a beautiful day.

Painting - good luck with the house sale and move. I think I'd rather be beaten!



Healing thoughts to those facing surgery and chemo. It does get better.



........

Had first PT for broken kneecap today (insert bad words). Oct. 12, I am having my port removed, and my dog ears removed. I can not face recon - staying a flat top. I love the freedom from bras!!!!

Anyone else have have dog ears removed?

Swanny

Hi, It has been a long time since I have posted.  I had the afternoon off work and decided to visit the board.  I am fine.  Friday I have my 6 month mamo on my left breast.  So far I had my 1 year mamo and now the 6 month.  Everything has been fine.  I am healthy as a horse (and back to my overweight pre chemo weight - too bad....). 

My hair is all back and I even have my energy back (last chemo was Sept 30th 2010 - HEY HEY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY IN 3 DAYS and last radiation was Dec 16, 2010).  I had my port taken out about 2 months ago.  Left a bigger scar than I thought it would be but what the heck.  You know the only lasting side effects for me are some bouts of depression, loneliness, and oh yeah Neuropathy - but not so bad.  It was not until about 6 months after chemo finished that I finally had my stamina and strength back and I didn't realize during the those 6 months how tired and slow walking I was until it was over.  It is easy for me to forget sometimes that I had BC (especailly since my hair is back to normal) but every so often I think about it and sometimes it gets me down.  Maybe I should go back to the doc for more anti-depressants.  

I just wanted to say hello to everyone and touch base with you all.  I'll watch and post more often, I kind of miss reading about all of you and your experiences.  Maybe the 1 year anniversary is what is getting me down????

Laurajane - so happy to see your posts.  Maybe I'll try to post a more current picture.   

ksmatthews

Swanny thank you so much for posting!  You inspire me, cause a year from now, I am gonna be you!  Even though I am still doing rads, sometimes I too already forget I have cancer, and then other times, I cant get it off my mind.  I am so proud you are doing good!  You give me HOPE!

Teka

Today, I had 1st 3-month follow-up with MO, and received flu shot.   I am now off the hook until after X-mas.

mitymuffin

Swanny, Glad you are doing well! Excellent news.

Susan

laurajane

Swanny- So nice to see you I am so glad you re doing well.

I went to see my onc today. She found more tumors since last week. I new of a couple but she found a few more just from her exam. She said she didn't want me to wait 2-3 weeks to start a new trial it was to aggressive. She started me on Navalbine and combined it with the Avastin today. She said she would usually run the scans before starting a new chemo but didn't want to wait. Tomorrow's agenda:  bone scan ( Found out what the pain in my back was she felt either  a tumor or a swelling in the area between my shoulder blades), CT scan on abdomen ( I had pain during the exam I wasn't even aware of) Bonescan, MRI upper (New tumor on clavical was a pea size last Tuesday today the size of  an egg yolk like the new one on my sturnum) and lower.  I'll get the results of these and my Markers on Thursday. I knew things seemed grim with all of the progression I've felt this last week but not quite this bad. I was concerned about the increase in skin mets this week. LOL Hoping it hasn't hit any vitals. It is what it is! Our time is up when it's up but not today! I'm still breathing, kicking and screaming LOL

The best thing that happened to me today! She was able to schedule all of my scans for tomorrow between 2 different hospitals up in Indianapolis so I booked a flight to New York leave on Thursday and back an hour before more chemo next Tuesday. It will be nice to be with my BF when I get the results. I plan on having a great time! Drawing, shopping, sculpting,  shopping, eating, shopping and drinking fine wine and probably shopping some more.

I hope you all had a great day today. 

LRM216

Heidi - Laughed so hard at your comment I actuall peed in my pants - (how do you spell "peed" it doesn't look like I spelled it correctly) -

Teka:  Congrats!  Good news to hear.

Titan:  You're doing it gal - holding up really well - wish we could all be at the wedding! 

Swanny - so glad to hear from you and that all is well.

Don't want to leave anyone out, but it would take an hour to write out all the shoutouts to each of you individually, but just know that I send my love and all good thoughts to each of you - and

Suze and Laurajane - keep on keeping on, you two - you are both loved and admired so by all of us, and we want only the best for both of you.  

Linda

TifJ

OBXK- Mammo went fine- all clear! Thanks for asking!

Good to hear from you Swanny!

Teka- Glad your follow up went well.

Laurajane- I hope the Navelbine and Avastin kick some FC!!!

Anonymous

I'm headed out for a few days to my nephew's wedding in Florida. Not sure if I'll be online while gone.

LJ - you have a good time in New York. I'll be thinking of you.

Teka

laurajane,

Definitely, you'll be our NYC tour guide next spring.

Titan

Heidi..Ohio is on the way to Florida..kinda...come HERE!

LJ..you never cease to amaze me girl!  Good for you...Have fun in NYC...then get going on that chemo to reduce/kill those f'ing tumors...

Swanny!  Glad you checked in....and that things are going well...

Linda..yes..it is peed...really it is...I'm kinda into the English thing..was runner up in the spelling bee when I was in 6th grade...or first loser...however you want to call it.

As far as the wedding plans are going..one more day of work..then the frenzy begins...thanks for your advice everyone..I am listening to all of you...MBJ had the most interesting tip..the face spray to freeze your make up on..interesting... I'm not sure if I'm ready for that..but who knows.

Titan

Oh..another thing..I was in one of the grocery stores that I work for today and they had t-shirts..pink ones that said "I wear Pink for the Cure"...that was all..a little understated...I made a mental note to ask how many $$ we actually donate and where the $$ go...

I did have to laugh a little to myself wondering how well Heidi's t-shirt would sell...!

Suze35

Heidi - have fun in Florida!



LJ - you know how I feel. I hope you have a blast sculpting your favorite model .



Titan - hang in there, the finish line is in sight! I know in the end you'll look back on it all fondly.



Swanny - the year mark is a tough one. You are just starting to really get back to normal, then the PTSD hits. It is good to hear from you.



OBXK - ouch, that kneecap sounds painful! I hope the PT goes well.



I'm missing people, I'm sorry - I hope everyone is doing well.



Still hanging in, my old MO gave me some suggestions for my cough and mild pain. She said my nodes weren't that big - "less than an inch" - um, sounds big to me!! Also told me if I wasn't in treatment by 10/15, and nothing seemed imminent, to let her know and we'd start something. So I'm still in a holding pattern, ah well.



Good thing for today? Hugs and kisses from my gorgeous kids. They are just amazing. Oh, and wig shopping online! Time for some fun!

Swanny

Thank you everyone for welcoming me back.  It feels good.

LJ - Please have lots of fun and so glad the BF is so great.

lwarstler

TifJ and Swanny, good luck on your mammo, hoping for news!\

Had chemo today and it went fine after the initial glitch. Nurse Practicioner thought maybe wait another week for final Her2, which doctor said he is sure is going to come back negative anyway. Thought I should give one more week for my lumpectomy to heal...give it almost 4 weeks. She says we can wait because the cancer is gone. I told her it upset me to hear her say that because you can't possibly know that and I need to know you recognize how important it is to be aggressive and not mess around with this fast of a growing cancer. The I explained that in 3 weeks the mass grew 3mm, went from MRI shows nothing in lymph nodes to CT shows one somewhat enlarged internal lymph node to new CT recording it as 2 lymph nodes because of how large it had gotten 2.2 cm (average about .5cm normal) and with each scan just shy of a week apart. If this thing is growing that fast I am nervouse what any little cells that got in my lymph system are doing in a week's time. She said we could do it if I needed it for peace of mind and I said "good, I'll take the peace of mind." 

Anyway, I am being careful with the wound, washing it 3 times a day with anticeptic surgical wash and covering it with antibiotic cream and bandaid so hopefully that will keep it protected. My head feels a little full tonight and I get a little nauseous here and there but I take the meds and it helps...hope belleeast had a good day too.

Teka, congrats on the 3 months free...for you and others I was wondering if finishing up treatments and getting past the first checkup help you to begin to feel normal and less like cancer is a big a part of who you are? Just curious if I will ever be able to feel that I might be safe.

swiftbird

LauraJane, all I can say is wow - your attitude and that f'ing cancer. Praying cocktail works and get it under control. Have a fabulous time in NYC! Have you and Suze in our thoughts.

Swanny, hey, good to see you.  I went quiet for a few months - work, life, etc - but it's nice to check in and be there for each other, and new ladies.  Cool news on your mammo and check up.

 I have my second 6-month bloodwork/mammo/MO/surgical check ups tomorrow.  I'm nervous and been trying not to think about it and keep positive.  Sooooo tired of thinking about it.

Titan, weddings huh? I head to Vegas thursday, standing up for a girlfriend and have managed to stay out of wedding drama.  TaTa Sisterhood also in town - I may escape and go party with our survivor sisters if things get intense LOL 

All those starting chemo, hoping for minimal SE's for you... I sure remember sitting in that chair the first time, not knowing what to expect but it turned out fine. I did get pretty friendly with Emend in the last 2 treatments  

Teka

swiftbird,

I would like to respond to your September 23rd post ----------

I am constantly feeling some degree of discomfort from truncal lymphedema and scar tissue which was caused by surgery, chemo, Avastin, and radiation.   I do at home follow-up PT exercises and wear a lymphedema compression bra.   I stretch my arms over my head to ease the chest tightness.  

swiftbird

Thanks Teka! I got two compression bras (lord they're expensive! am thinking I am wrong line of business lol) and doing stretches. Helps.  I travel a lot which makes things complicated, but have a good compression sleeve etc and so far so good. I have been trying to massage scar areas - but I have noticed and suspect fibrosis slowly building around scar lines.   I flipped out at first, but realized it's along scar line >;( and not round or suspicious.  At least I think.  argh.  I go to Mayo today to get my once over, so will have opportunity to discuss with them.

Teka

swiftbird,

I keep reminding myself not to lift anything heavier then a gallon of milk with (L) arm.   Easier said than done.

BernieEllen

suze and Laurajane, thinking of you both.  Brave women

belleeast

hi all,

well, had my 1st dd a/c yesterday it was a hurry up and wait kind of day. a 3 hr wait for my meds to be sent up then 3hrs for treatment, they assured me it wouldn't be like that next time uh huh.

felt terrible a few hrs later whole slew of se, but i feel better now so i made it thru, i get my neulesta shot this afternoon, and going to a look good feel better class after.

think i'll take a claritan about an hour before i get the shot!

Teka

belleeast,