Calling all TNs

Anonymous

I truly hate hearing about yet another sister losing her battle.. Breaks my heart- prayers for their families. When I hear of these losses I just want to curl up in a ball a cry.. I thank God everyday for each day I am given.. F*@# Cancer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JAN69

Oh no!  Two dear sisters are gone.  I'm just so sad for their families.  I'm hugging everyone I see today; life is so precious and sometimes so fragile.  I also feel for the newbies; these deaths must really impact them. 

My US went well today!  Radiologist couldn't find anything but cysts!!!!!

Cocker - Your 50-50% survival rattled me off my comfortable perch.  No one has ever given me any statistics, but I guess I've never asked. 

These past few days have been hard for me - too much sadness.  I'm 70, and want to live another 15 or 20 years.  I'm sure our sisters wanted to live to a ripe old age, too.  Then, on Saturday, I'm to talk at my dear friend's celebration of her life.  Next week I hope to visit my daughter and her little ones in Southern California.  That should help my heart heal.

Hug those you love, Jan

OBXK

I am sorry to hear about Jenn. I'm still in pain over the loss of Lisa.



Jan - I'm glad it was only a cyst!

NavyMom

Jenn and I were august 2009 chemo buddies.  I am so terribly sad for her loss.  Here I sit crying again for yet another sister who was lost to this dreadful disease.  I hate cancer.

Sugar77

Yes, it's been a sad week indeed...with Blondelawyer and Jenn3, as well as Dreamwriter (real name Regina), a fellow Canadian whom I met at a few get togethers around Toronto area. "Dream" wasn't TN but was well known on the Canadian thread. 

Cocker_Spaniel

So very sorry to hear about Jenn.  Her kindness to me and her inner stength and humour will never be forgotten.   I feel so sad for what her family are going through at this time.

Safe in the arms of Jesus and free'd from cancer. RIP Jenn.     

BernieEllen

Thinking of you all.

Going away for the weekend.

Lots of love.

Bernie 

DesertMama

Hi Everyone. I am a 45 year old Canadian expat living in the Middle East. I am married and have 2 young daughters, ages 6 and 9. This is my first post.

I was diagnosed 2 months ago, grade 3 TN, had a wide excision for a 2.1cm tumor in my right breast, and axillary dissection to remove 17 lymph nodes, 3 irregular and one of which had a 1.3 cm tumor.

I have completed 2 out of 4 dose dense AC treatments, and after that I will have 12 or 16 weekly chemo treatments of some other drug. Following that is something like 45 radiation treatments. It seems endless and I am only at the beginning. 

I felt really strong through the diagnosis and surgery stages. I made jokes, comforted everyone else, and tried to act like superwoman all the time. Then I started chemo 3.5 weeks ago, and have been depressed ever since. The chemo is trashing me. The first treatment triggered a latent infection and I was sick right through until the 2nd one. The thought of doing it again in a few days makes me tremble and weep. 

All my family and closest friends are on the other side of the planet. I am lonely and I am scared and I am so very embarrassed that I can't pull it together any better than this.

JazzyJ

Oh Dear Desertmama..... You came to the right place. We are all in different parts of the world, but a strong sisterhood is here. I joined this wonderful group of woman early June when I too was just starting the journey. Last week, I finished the 4 A/C and am now on my way to the next phase of 12 Taxol. It sucks..... But with the spirit and support on this board, you will get through it. We are a caring and open group of woman who will virtually hold your hand every step of the way. Hang in there, and read on. Many wonderful posts are about to come your way....... (((Hugs)))

Tookybum

I agree with JazzyJ DesertMama.  You have come to the right place.  We are a cybershould to cry on.  I 2 was just diagnosed a couple of months ago and they have been a huge place support.  I know the feeling of need to be strong for everyone.  My own son is 7 years old.  But this is your time.  If you need to cry, vent, throw things do it.  This disease SUCKS.  From one Canadian to another.  Love ya eh!

Luah

Desertmama: We're all here for you and pulling for you. Your treatment sounds like the same regime I was on; it sucks but you will get through it, promise! Often the first chemo is the worst. Talk to your onc about how you can lessen risk of infection; drink lots of water right before and after your treatment, take anti-nausea meds as directed, rest up when you need to, but get out and walk or be active if you can, it helps. Those are my best tips. It's hard when you're so far away from family, but we can provide some support here. Finally, please don't feel embarassed that you can't pull it together any better.... chemo are strong drugs, after all, they kill cancer cells... only natural that you feel effects of it all. Time to give yourself a break. 

Sugar77

Desertmama - glad you found us.  You'll get a lot of support form the wonderful ladies on this thread. You are not alone. This group is from the far-flug corners of the world. Stick with us!!

Tookybum

Question about Neulasta and Claritin.  I got my first shot this morning and have bought the Claritin.  When should I take the Claritin.   The MO said yes there was evidence it helped with the bone pain but didn't tell me how to take it.  Any suggestions?

Thanks

DorisMarie

Hi tookybum..only had the shot this go round..no bone pain at all..I took the generic claritin about an hour before the shot..and for about 3 days after..good luck..hope it works for you..

JAN69

Desertmama - So sorry you have this nasty disease and to be so far from your loved ones.  Please accept all of us as your sisters and let us hug you and hold your hand as you go on this journey.  My concern is for your  infection.  My WBC went way down to a dangerous level after my first chemo infusions.  The oncologist ordered an antibiotic each time.  I was also told to avoid crowds  and other things to keep the chance of infection down.  Perhaps you could discuss this with your oncologist.  I think we all have had chemo and we have each reacted to it differently.  You will find your strength to fight and win.  Hug your daughters and let them share in caring for you.  That way they'll feel they have value and will learn from the experiences how to be helpful.  Wishing you a good day, a good week, and I know you can do this.  Jan

CatWhispurrer

Tooky - I took the Claritin the morning I was going to get the Neulasta shot.  I hope you got the 24-hr regular Claritin, not claritin-D.   I first started taking it for 3 days after the shot but found that wasn't long enough as I started get bad bone pain if I quit taking the Claritin.   So, after that, I took the Claritin the day (morning) of the shot and for a week after.   I never got bone pain from the Neulasta after that.     Other people said they only needed to take it for 3 days so whatever works for you.   Since it wasn't a big deal taking Claritin for a week, I just took it that long to be on the safe side.   I also bought the generic form of Claritin as it was cheaper and it worked fine.

Fighter_34

Very upsetting. Cancer truly sucks.

Spica16

Hello to All,

So sorry to hear about our losses -such sad news.

Heartfelt wishes to everyone just starting, in the middle, or finally finishing tx - hang on - it does get better.

This week is 6 mos since last chemo...PFC and PFC!!! 

~ Shar

P.S. I, too, am spending time with my 2yr old grandson this week...what a wonderful incentive to keep on fighting! 

DesertMama

Thank you for all the kind words, and the voices of experience! It helps to connect with women who understand.

Shar you have a beautiful smile!

Jan, the infection was a freak thing really, and I am not worried that particular one will back any time soon. Seems I picked up an amoeba sometime in the past year or 2, and it lived happily inside me until my immune system was suppressed by chemo, and then it wreaked havoc. My oncologist got all excited when he figured it out (in that macabre sort of way doctors have when something obscure and/or gruesome happens) and said I am only the 2nd case he has seen in his 20+ years career. He said this is very strange because what you have only happens in 3rd world countries, and where have you been in the past couple of years. Ummm, India, Kenya, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, and a few other places. Apparently that will do it. Hoping to be less "special" with my infections in future...

Having said that, the 2nd round of chemo was still utterly horrible. And most of my hair fell out this week.

Spica16

Thank you so much, DesertMama...it is a "symptom" of finishing that last chemo!!!

Before you know it, you'll be smiling, too! 

Welcome and Take Care ~ Shar 

browerl

My new wig! 

bak94

Thank you all for your support.

Bernie-Thank you for the beautiful words, I am sure I will re read often!

Sylvia-Thank you so much for thinking of me, I need to get back over to your thread! I have been so overwhelmed I only stop in a few places, but I miss all the good info on your thread! I will post more to you soon.

Brower-You look gorgeous!

Spica-Adorable picture, what a beautiful and bright smile, and sparkly eyes! I hope you have a great time with your grandson!

The more I think about it the more at peace I am with blondelawyer (Lisa) moving on. Like many said she is now with her husband. I re read some of her blog and can not even imagine the emotional pain she must have endured, feeling so alone, plus her physical pain from the cancer. One of her post she commented on how she can't help but think how things could of turned out if things were different. My heart still breaks for her and all she went though, but feel she is now in a better place. I wish I had more faith, I need to believe it all ends good! As it would just be so wrong if people go hrough all this suffering and then it is just over. Oh, she also posted the song If I Die Young, beautiful song.

What would I do without you ladies?

Inmate-Where are you? I hope your skin mets are disapearing and that yo uare able to enjoy this nice weather we are having. I think it is actually summer now!

Tazzy

So sad to hear about the loss of 2 sisters to this disease - ugh !

Surgery went well, get path report in 10days to 2 weeks time - fingers crossed for clean margins.

Just wanted to say hi - haven't got the energy to read all posts yet. Wishing those of you strength that need it and positive thoughts to all.

onvacation

Tazzy - glad your surgery went well - fingers crossed for clean margins!

Paintingmywaythru

Hello to all.

So saddened by the news of losing 2 sisters. Wow, when we get hit on this thread it is so very devastating.

I am sending love to all. It has been a busy summer and I am just beginning to catch up on posts.

To any new sisters here, this was my strength and support as I wnet through chemo and rads, and it will be yours too.

mags20487

Tazzy...so glad it is behind you!  rest up and gather back your strength.

Mags

JAN69

Browerl - What a beautiful picture.  I bet you are just as beautiful without the wig.

Shar - Grandkids--best motivation to fight thru the hell of treatments

Tazzy - Glad surgery went well.  We were all with you.

Desertmama - I lived in Nigeria for 2 years when much younger.  I came home with so many tropical ailments that it took years to get everything cleared out.  I couldn't even donate blood when my husband needed it 40 years later.  Please check in often as we miss our sisters when they don't post.

Sisters, lets hold hands as we mourn our passing sisters together.  It has been a very sad week. But we are strong.  Jan

fishinurse

Love the wig Browerl,you look great! My hair is almost all gone,didn't think it would bother me as much as it does! Desertmama,i am just starting with chemo,had my first chemo and due for number 2 except now i have cellulitis in the right breast,which is where i had my lumpectomy,now chemo on hold until it clears. I feel the same,when i look down the road at how much chemo and rads i will need,it can be overwhelming. I have gotten much comfort from reading these posts,welcome

browerl

I did not really know the  2 sisters that we lost, so I tried to look them up.  Did I read it correctly they were only 33 and 44?  I was feeling pretty good about my doc visit today and my new wig, now I just feel petty even worrying about how I look when I might not even be around much longer.  It does really hit home hard when we loose anyone, this bc really sucks

Titan

I can't even find the words to express how I feel about Jenn...dang...I knew it was coming but I just had this hope..you know???  I know that many of us WILL survive this tn crap but it certainly sucks when some of us don't.  A co-worker told me just the other day about how someone she knew had the most aggressive breast cancer there is and I just kinda went off on her...I had just heard about Jenn and Lisa and I was pissed off and scared...

Brower...you look awesome girl!  and yes..they were very young.  makes you wonder why...

Hey desertmama (love your screen name)...try to not be too frustrated if you can't do everything you  always used to do....I was the exact same way....its hard to let others do things for you but I had to learn to be gracious and accept the help....at least for awhile....treatment sucks but you will get through it....hopefully without anymore infections...good luck to you and stay here with us...we can help!