Calling all TNs

ALHusband

Thanks Inspired! There is the factor of radiation as well. But I'm hoping maybe that won't be quite as bad.

sweetpickle

I noticed a huge difference two or three weeks after my last treatment. I still feel like Im recoverying honestly, have a lot of weakness now.

Stupidboob

Cocker_Spaniel: thanks for the info.    Agoraphobia is fear of leaving your home so it is going to be a struggle............:(   but I do appreciate all the information that you shared with me.    I go Wednesday for my simulation. 

Mags:  Thanks for the group hug.......:)   Congrats on the two years.

Debra: I had a talk with her today and she did not mean it the way it sounded.   She just meant that if that should happen, then I would not be suffering with all the stuff I am dealing with.   She was trying to comfort me.........people just don't realize the way they word things may make it worse.

Stupidboob

Graceforme:  thank you for the prayers

GROUP:  I have had issues with my eyes ever since doing chemo two years ago and then when I did it again recently it just made it all get stirred up again and this time (Taxotere) I get the teary eyes (mainly my left) from time to time where the tears just poor.   I was very upset when it started messing with my eyes because I thought that I could get caught up on my reading and still to this day I don't want to read because of the way my eyes are.   Having what they call "40" eyes is not helping either.   They say that is where when you look down you can no longer see the stuff without getting reading glasses.

InspiredbyDolce

Oh Stupid Boob, that's awesome that you got a chance to talk with her and find out where she was coming from. I agree, that almost all people are operating from a place of wanting to help. 

I just recently learned that Paula Dean used to have agoraphobia, and now she is the owner of a tremendous brand, image and empire (sans scandal).  I've wanted to learn more about how she overcame this, because she didn't just overcome it, she mastered a new lifestyle in a very big way.  My cousin also used to be married to someone who had agoraphobia.

InspiredbyDolce

StupidBoob, I used warm washclothes on my eyes to keep the swelling and reaction down, which reduced the tearing.  I also used a very nonperfume, hypoallergenic glycerin soap for washing my face.   

OBXK

I was 43 when I finished surgery/chemo/rads after round one of BC. It took a couple of years to get my strength back or adjust to my new normal. Be patient with yourself. When your body says rest, do so! Your body is recovering from a great assault.



Still awaiting my tumor testing results. May take 2 more weeks.

Stupidboob

Debra she talks about it pretty good in her book.    She even took her kids out of after school programs because she could not take them.   I knew she was one who would understand when I read the part where she said she would look out the window and just wish she could go out and she could not understand why she could not.   I have done that so many times and unless you live it you can't understand because even in our own minds we say...........WHY CAN'T YOU.........very aggravating and I am so hoping and praying that this does not throw her back in it.   She worked hard to get out of it.

Thanks for the heads up on the warm cloths

sweetpickle

Hi ladies,



I am almost three months post chemo and I have lost my thumnail and now a big toe nail. I didnt even feel the toenail fall off. I really hope I dont lose anymore! This recovery stuff is crazy!

graceforme

Sweet pickle, that's horrible. I have my last taxol this Thursday & have been concerned about the way my nail beds feel.

slv58

Sweet pickle-same here! I'm 9 weeks pfc, big toe nail fell off, didn't feel it at all. Sat. I stubbed my foot and lost another toenail-that one hurt like he%#! My thumb nails are feeling like there is pressure under the nail, hope I don't loose them as well. No one seems to understand why this bothers me so much. Hubby just sloughs it off, like no big deal. Same as my kids, but they don't understand that I have bravely taken everything my treatments have caused, and I am just tired of the "extras" that pop up! Still don't have any eyelashes. But I want to make sure that I say that I am grateful for chemo getting rid of my C, I just want to start feeling like "me"

InspiredbyDolce

I'm 15 months post chemo and still have only baby eyelashes.  My husband said they are not long enough yet for me to try mascara.

Like Syl58 mentioned, very grateful to have had treatment and insurance.

Cocker_Spaniel

Gotta feeling I might look like this one day if I continue to work and smoke (even got the dictaphones on lol).

  

Titan

I lost one toenail...very weird..and it was a few months after chemo..I just kinda sighed and said whatever....and my eyelashes are still weird...pretty thick for awhile then very thin for a longer while...ah well..whatever....what can you do.

Sugar77

Morwenna - my return to work was similar timing to what's been recommended for you. During 2010, I finished chemo in February and then rads at the start of May.  I returned to work at the start of September on a six-week gradual return.  By Oct. 18th, I resumed my full-time schedule.

JAN69

Annie - I want to say something clever, but can't think what that might be.  You know we all might end up like that, smokers or not.  I think we'd be pretty cold, too.  Talk later, Jan

JAN69

Has anyone heard from LuvRv Michelle? 

Kayak2

Her daughter - Lovinmymom - posted an update an hour ago on the "So...what's for dinner" thread.  She's had a rough few days, possibly a reaction to her chemo, they think.

JAN69

Thanks Kayak. J

adagio

No scans, blood tests, MRI or anything for me either. Saw breast surgeon once only after surgery (lumpectomy) and she said she didn't need to see me any more. I see my MO every 3 months - she checks my lymph nodes and breasts. THe only thing she said is to be aware of new aches, pains or little pimples along the incision line - then to call her immediately. Keeping my fingers crossed, and doing the diet and exercise regime. It is a lonesome path now. I feel so vulnerable and yet there is nothing more I or the medical system can do. 

I am 4 months pfc and I have good energy and feel almost back to normal - thank God. I have one year's leave from work which is up on August 15th - then I have to make the decision whether to go back at all. 

kathyrnn

Thank you Kayak, I had been concerned about the fact we hadn't heard from Luv. *blows kisses and blessings to Luv*



Jan - here's the message her daughter left on the board:



Hi Ladies,



"This is a quick update for you on my mom LuvRVing (Michelle). Mom went to the hospital early Thursday morning. She was very weak and disoriented, and unable to get up. She was given fluids and Magnesium which seemed to perk her up and she went home that afternoon. She was back in the hospital all weekend and though they've continued to push Magnesium and give her transfusions she's shown little improvement. They did release her to go home, but walking is extremely difficult and she has some moments of confusion. As of right now, it seems like this is a reaction to the Gemzar. She had an MRI last Monday that looked good, with everything continuing to shrink and no inflamation. She was supposed to have a PET scan on Tuesday but there was an insurance snafu. Her last tumor markers test had her at 250, which is slightly higher than her low of 165, but the doctors seem to think her current condition is her intolerance to the chemo. Unfortunately we had to deal with on call doctors all weekend, so we're hoping for more insight from her oncologist whom she's meeting with on Wed.



Fingers crossed that this is just a bump in the rode, and that with rest and a chemo-break she can regain enough strength to continue her fight. I know she has so very many of you here routing for her. Please feel free to repost this in the triple-neg and Stage IV threads. It's possible mom will be able to read through these in the next day or so, but unlikely she will be up to posting a personal response.



All my best to all of you strong, amazing women."

JAN69

Thanks Kathy 

OBXK

Michelle - sending you love and wishing you better days ahead.

PeggySull

ALHusband,



I started feeling 75 percent my old self about 3 months after treatment ended. The other 25 percent is lingering chemo brain and some late afternoon fatigue I didn't use to have.



Everyone is different however, depending on types of treatment, surgery radiation as well as the person's constitution and the disease process itself. I hope my and others' answers help.



Peggy

christina1961

Michelle,

Sending you lots of love and hoping you will be feeling better very soon!

Fiercer

I am now 2 months out from chemo and 1 month and 9 days from surgery. Started radiation yesterday. My surgery indicated no evidence of cancer. When they did a mammogram and MRI, there was nothing to see. Feels very promising! My surgeon did a beautiful job on my lumpectomy and sentinal node removal. When I went to a new cancer center for the rads (closer to home) they couldn't believe how good the surgeons work was.



I have some neuropathy in my left toes, about an 1/8 of an inch of hair on my head. My eyebrows are beginning to grow as well as my lashes. My left big toe nail is disconnected (I've superglued it to my skin). My right 2nd toenail is bruised and loose. All of my fingernails are separating from the bed from the ends down, not the quick. I've gained 4 lbs from the whole ordeal.



I managed to work, move from one apartment to another and leaned hard on my significant other when my strength diminished.I have only happiness and joy everyday!! Though I have been angry at my initial doctors, I never let this disease take my happiness. Even if the prognosis was to be bad I had accepted it early on. This disease has been hell, but there has been some good from it. My daughter and I reconnected after a long struggle.



I found and felt love at the age of 46! I am 49 now. I still feel lucky everyday of my life and will battle this disease until my last breath!



I wish everyone who has this nasty disease to always focus on the good things and the things that make you happy, it helped me so much!

ALHusband

Thank you PeggySull and to everyone in this group. What a great place this is for TNBC "warriors", but it's also a great place for us spouses. I am inspired every day by you ladies and your courage and your willingness to support each other. Hat's off to all of you, and please accept the sincere gratitude of a husband who wants nothing more in this world than to help my wife get well again. I know that, as a husband, and not someone with TNBC, I could never really claim to know fully what you are all going through, but I have committed to my wife that I will do everything I can to gain as much knowledge to at least try and understand it and be helpful. Much love to all of you from the land of "Husbandville"!

LovinMyMom

Hi ladies,

My mom (Michelle/LuvRVing) is happy to be home.  She's eating much better then she was during her hospital stay.  They've decided to up her Decadron to 12mg which, if you know my mother, is not making her happy.  She is walking a little better and has a little more energy at times, but her blood pressure has remained oddly elevated and she seems to spike a small fever at least once throughout the day or night.  She also has moments of confusion.  

She is in really good hands.  My step-father is taking excellent care of her, and her sister has been visiting and helping out as well.  Unfortunately I'm home with the kids, as my husband is in California this week and I have a cold.  Please keep her in your thoughts and send her strength.  It's been a tough week and we could all use a turn for the better.

mags20487

thank you so much for the update on your mom...I have followed her journey and think often of her.  I hope they get this straightened out for her soon

Maggie

JAN69

LovinMyMom  -- Good to hear from you.  Yes, she is fortunate to have such loving care-givers.  Sending my best and strongest thoughts for quick return to her normal self.  Jan