Calling all TNs

Options
1…312313315317318…1198

Comments

  • OBXK
    OBXK Member Posts: 791
    edited October 2011

    Bak - I can only imagine how difficult it is for you to work through chemo. Standing, talking to the client - remembering how to mix chemicals with chemo brain. Were it me, there would be a lot of unhappy green haired people running around ;) I am so stunned by your co-worker's attitude. Most people have had some brush with cancer, and know how difficult treatment is. She must be young. If that's the case, life will teach her the error of her ways. In the mean time, stitch yourself up a little voodoo doll - it's amazing how satisfying a little pin jab can be :O



    Wishing everyone a good week ahead. I'm recovering from our big, festival weekend. Ice on my knee, heating pad on my back, while using a massager on my thighs. The only thing missing, is the BenGay and Geritol.



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited October 2011

    I have been walking lately and I have noticed that when I sit for awhile when I go to stand up I am so stiff!  By the time I get to the other end of the house I am fine.  Yesterday we went hiking and my leg started hurting at the joint, it hurt all night and is still hurting.  Is this normal?  I dont see my onc until November.  Could I be overdoing it?  Thanks for your input ladies.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 4,352
    edited October 2011

    ksmathews: yeah, everthing hurts after chemo. Be sure to get lots of protein and do lots of stretching and ease back into a full workout. We become much more fragile after chemo.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited February 2012

    ksmatthews,

    I am over 6 months out from BC treatments and still stiff with aches and pains from physical activity.   A new somewhat normal.Wink

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2011
    ks- you sound exactly like me! I'm just over two years out and *finally* some of that pain & stiffness is subsiding. But it took over twice as long as I'd expected. Go figure.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jazz3000
    jazz3000 Member Posts: 188
    edited October 2011

    I sure hope you able to work out all the kinks and pains that come along with all of this- KS. Just really proud of you for starting. A walking routine is a great way to work all the little attacks we have on our bones, muscles, and more especially joints. I feel for you. They tell we're allowed to have a massage and I sure hope you have the opportunity to have a few. Sometimes our medical plans actually provide for a few of these comfort treatments. Really proud of you for moving forward step by step.

    bak- Making choices at the various crossroads we have can just be the pits sometimes. I do know the SSDI can compensate about 3/4ths of our income, depending on how long we've worked. I hope your not having to sweat your finances and more especially your medical coverage through all of this. I go through all these fears too.  The one thing I have discovered in life is that things all have a way of working their way out and our fears and needs all seem to wind up being met even when we don't see how. Your in my thoughts and prayers. Have a good day.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited October 2011

    Just checked online for my ssdi and it said a decision has been made, but didn't tell me what the decision was! I called, but today is a federal holiday, of course! Fingers crossed! Thank you for all your support, sometimes I feel like I should just be more appreciative that I have a job to go to and it is flexible enough that I can work only a couple of days a week.

    Feeling lazy today after feeling like crap yesterday. Work tomorrow.

    Good thing going on-Making a halloween costume for our chihuahua, we bought a football, cut it open and fitted it to him. I think he actually smiled when we put it on him! I am going to buy football jerseys, or t-shirts as the real jerseys are too expensive, for my border collie and for me. We will go to a doggie halloween parade on the 30th. See what happens when you don't have children! Your dogs become your children! I will try to post pictures after the parade!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 4,352
    edited October 2011

    bak:  crossing my fingers for you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 1,076
    edited October 2011

    Bak - The waiting would drive me crazy!! Keeping my fingers crossed for you. 

    We don't have kids either and are poor dogs are always getting stuck in costumes or having to persevere thru the Happy Birthday song with hats on in order to get their cake.  It never gets old.  Can't wait to see the pics. 

    Good thing this weekend, we finally bought a new livingroom sofa & chair, ours was 10 years old!

    Hope everyone has a great week.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mitymuffin
    mitymuffin Member Posts: 337
    edited October 2011
    KSMathews,  Your stiffness and pains sound familiar to me too. For easily 6 months after I finished treatement I couldn't build any muscle, but just kept hurting myself when I tried.   I had all kind of bizarre stiffness in my body and even doing streatches that I used to do easily, I would pull muscles. It all got better, gradually.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 1,045
    edited October 2011

    Just a drive-by to say HI!!!

    Had a great time in NYC - the shoes were a hit, and I was pleased to introduce my wonderful single sister to a great guy, and they really hit it off.  Happy happy!

    I start my chemo on Wednesday, everthing appears to be a go.  I had a rough Thursday trying to get all of my pre-tests done - long story, everything was scheduled wrong - but the research nurse got it sorted, and I'm signed, sealed and delivered!  I probably won't know which arm I'm in until Wednesday, but I'm okay either way since I'll just switch sides if progression happens.

    My back pain is under control with meds - I just have to stay on top of them.  I'm getting used to being a little loopy with the morphine.  The bathroom issues suck though!!

    My best to all - I'll keep you guys posted after Wednesday Laughing.

    LJ - thinking of you!  Hoping your return trip to Indiana was good, and that you are focusing on your drawing and those amazing kids.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited October 2011

    Thank you all!  I did talk to the RO today and he said it was muscles not bone pain and to just keep at it.  So maybe I can quit worrying.  It sux cause every pain you have you get so afraid it is cancer!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 1,045
    edited October 2011
    ksmatthews - joint/muscle pain is definitely a chemo thing, but I'm glad your doctor gave you reassurance.  I swear I feel like an 80 year old, my ankles take forever to warm up, and my knees are bad too.  I always figured if it was bilateral - felt in both sides - it wasn't anything to really worry about.  Now that I have actually bone pain, it is totally different.  So my vote - dang chemo.  Keep up the great exercise!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mitymuffin
    mitymuffin Member Posts: 337
    edited October 2011
    Suze,  I'm glad you are starting the chemo! I hope it goes smoothly, with few SE's,  and Kicks A***.  I'm also glad you have those great shoes.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited October 2011

    Hey Kris..keep up with that walking..oh yeah..achy/stiffness is definitely an se from chemo..my onc told me to keep using the muscles..it will get better and it does...you are doing a great job walking...!

    Suze..thinking of you on Wednesday!  

    Helped my DD move into her and her husband's (that is weird to say). appt. the past 2 days...it is sooo very hard to let go...I don't want to be an interfering MIL..but I guess I will be until they tell me to chill...they just seem so damn young..

    Have a good week everyone...I would post some pics. from the wedding if I knew how to do it..the professional ones should be out in a week or so..I will try to post some then.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited October 2011

    Thank you so much ladies!  I feel so much better hearing this from all of you!

    Suze kick cancers butt!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • christina1961
    christina1961 Member Posts: 736
    edited October 2011

    I feel better hearing all these reports that the stiffness gets better after some time. I just figured it was permanent.  Ks, I am VERY stiff - if I have to tie my shoelace while walking, I feel like I am 90 years old the way I have to bend over and bend my knees at the same time.  And it hurts to do it! The bottoms of my feet hurt, too. When I get up from the sofa I hobble back and forth until I get my momentum going!  I was on Arimidex briefly and blamed the Arimidex for all this, but have been off for almost a month during radiation and it hasn't gotten any better - so I think it is all post chemo stuff.  One of the oncologists I saw recommended a minimum of 3 hrs exercises weekly with about 30% of it weight training.  I haven't really started the weight training yet, but I'm walking 2-4 miles at least 3 days a week. My niece gave me a pass for 12 visits at the Y where there is an indoor pool so I'm thinking of getting a mastectomy swimsuit and going swimming. 

    Titan, I'm in the same spot with my daughter - it's hard to let go - I've "half-dialed" her number many times!  (And we work together so I get to see her quite a bit!) 

    Bak, wishing the best outcome for you!  And I would love to see the costumes - sounds really cute! 

    Suze, I'm rooting for you all the way! I never could figure out how to view the shoes - but glad they were a hit and you enjoyed NYC!  It's one of my favorite places, particularly this time of year.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 834
    edited October 2011

    Christina1961- what you are going through is so normal. We all feel 90 years old. I have some comfort over here my hotflashes have stopped, but going back to normal is REALLY taking its time.

    Suze35- I hope you enjoyed yourself. I am wishing you much success and on this new trial.

    Are you guys tried of the pink campaign??? I have just avoided people for this month and I wasn't so public w/ my battle so I am kind of fading into the background so to speak.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2011
    Titan- I can upload some photos for you if you put them on facebook or email them to me.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lwarstler
    lwarstler Member Posts: 341
    edited October 2011

    Fighter: I was doing ok with the pink and started to be glad that people were helping to get rid of this nasty disease....then people starting bringing me pink. My mother brought a pink flag with the BC ribbon and two pink flower pots with the BC ribbon on them for my front yard...so everyone can know, then a teacher from the school came and brought two pink balloons for inside....just in case I foget for a minute. That aside...the thought both put into it was so nice and appreciated that I didn't have the heart to tell them that I really didn't need a reminder or big signs announcing "Cancer Here" outside my house. I am going to look for a new flag today that I can hang on the sign and I will just tell my mom when she comes back that I needed a break from the reminder. The flag stand is still a really nice gift and the teacher brought KFC and has been being very supportive even if she doesn't know me...so how could I be ungrateful? I am a little tired of being BC so "in my face" but I figure it is less about the pink than the fact that I am having to fight the BC itself.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited October 2011

    I was just approved for ssdi! Takes a weight off me and now I feel like I can concentrate on me getting better and less stress. The scary thing is to me that this reminds me how serious my situation is, I got approved on the first try.

    I went grocery shopping last night and they were playing a recording on breast cancer, talking about 1 in 8 women bla bla bla. It made me want to cry right there in the store, I was not in the mood to be listening to that, I just wanted to get my few things and get out. I know people mean well when they bring us pink stuff, one friend made a blanket with pink ribbons all over it, it is very cuddly. This time around for me I haven't received as much pink stuff as the first time 8 years ago. My sister in law would bring these beautiful angel figurines, no pink anywhere on them, it was a nice change! Some people just don't get it, but I can't blame them, they haven't experienced this, and I hope that they do not. All I can do is be polite and try to see it from their point of view, they are trying to help and be considerate after all. I think most would feel really bad if they really knew how we felt about pink, we are going to have to let them down easy! Maybe by making suggestions of what will really help us! Like a funny book or movie not related to cancer, a good meal out, decor that actually matched our furnishings!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 1,045
    edited October 2011

    bak - yay!!!  What a relief!  It does bring the reality home, which can be sobering, but it will reduce your stress and help you heal and recover faster.  I am only eligible for SSD, I've been approved but am waiting to hear as to which date they considered me "disabled" - I'm hoping for when this first started last year, as then I won't have to wait 5 months for benefits, and will get back-pay.  My children will also get a small amount each month until they are 18.  It is just a small thing, but one that will help DH down the road. 

    All I gotta say about pink is keep it out of my football!!!  Ugh!!!  My one simple pleasure every Sunday...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mitymuffin
    mitymuffin Member Posts: 337
    edited October 2011

    RE: Pink. LWarstler and bak, you both are so right. We don't need reminders, and we would rather not advertise our conditions, but people mean well.  If I wear all the pink ribbon stuff (hat, shirt etc) I feel like I'm going around saying "Hi, my name is Breast Cancer". I'd rather be just me. (Now, if people gave money to research every time they saw pink, that would be different.)

    Bak, thats good news on the SSDI.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • michelleo13
    michelleo13 Member Posts: 342
    edited October 2011

    I'm getting a little tired of all the pink too, although my sense is it isn't anywhere near as bad here in Canada. There's another thread I've been following and I can't believe some of the things I've seen on it.



    My sister bought me a pink "courage" mug on the weekend. It was very sweet of her but, like all of you, I don't need any more reminders! I saw my other sister on the weekend for the first time in several months and all she wanted to talk about was breast cancer, my treatments, etc. Seriously, can't we talk about something else?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited October 2011

    Ok. Heidi...they will be sending us the cd's soon...my daughter will put them on FB and I will let you know when that happens.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited October 2011

    OR..if you guys are bored or something you can click on this link www.snapped4u.com/galleries.           Then click on Williams/Welsh wedding, (3 different..2 wedding and 1 reception)...the password is wedding.   There is "PROOF" on each pic but you can kinda see things...I looked at them this morning and have been crying my eyes out since.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jazz3000
    jazz3000 Member Posts: 188
    edited October 2011

    Bak ! Hurray! So happy and cheered to hear you got it and things are looking up. Girl you deserve some time off and time for yourself - Take a deep breath now and say, " I do believe, I do believe!". LOL. You just let that stress go with healthy walking and good food. Enjoyable entertainment and family and friends. ( that means us too.) Hugz and Hugz!

    Pink doesn't bother me. It is a rather Sissy Idealisation of what's really happening. Makes BC look cute and cuddly, and/or somewhat nauseating with Pepto Bismo being the only answer to our condition, but hey....the Jayne Mansfield, paint the world Pink, Hollywood thing, is just about as realistic as the Medical Professions, "And it's just that easy", look at it all. My question is, now that they've started acknowledging men with BC, will the Pink survive, or will the equal rights movement turn on the Icon of Color demanding a change?  hmmmm ......Oh the suspense! 

    Titan- Your baby girl is married. Congradulations on getting through it without loosing your mind. My sister just went through the same thing and I thought she would lose hers. Her daughter being somewhat over the top with perfection.You still have NY and shoes, girl.    

    Suze- Imagine all Pink uniforms and shoes on your favorite team.Now that would be a conversation piece and almost make Pink worthwhile. I can hear the couch discussions now. LOL

    LeeAnn - I feel the same way. With or without Pink I'm afraid people would behave the same, the fight would be the same, and ignorance stay the same. Don't hate the Pink - Hate the BC. People  just do things to show support. They don't know what else to do. Their intentions are pure and that's really all that matters. 

    Hugs and Hopes. Good days for all.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • konandkaismom
    konandkaismom Member Posts: 11
    edited October 2011

    I lucked out because my favorite color is pink!

    Third chemo - four days ago. Tired and easily out of breath... but good... 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ksmatthews
    ksmatthews Member Posts: 812
    edited October 2011

    My favorite color is pink so I am loving it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited October 2011

    Yeah to you BAK!!  now take a breathe and take care of YOU! 

    Pink is one of my favorites too.  I just hope that it at least reminds other women who do not have BC to get their checkups and do self exams.  I would still be waiting for my yearly checkup next week if I did not do my self exam. Who knows how far this beast would have traveled then. The pink at least makes it top of mind for others...as for us I think we are pretty aware of the agony of this disease and no reminders are needed!

    Maggie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories