Calling all TNs

Lookingforward66

bak94

So sorry to hear about your husband losing his job & therefore your insurance. Don't know your age but insurance is difficult to wade through. My husband is still working at age 78. His medical ins at company is primary. Because he has the insurance policy through his company I postponed going on Medicare, had hospital but not the medical part. When he was thinking of retiring a little while ago he said maybe you should kick in the medicare part B I think it is. When part B is activated after 65 you have 90 days to get a GAP policy to cover the 20% without riders on previous illnesses. I am now insured out my ears as he is not going to retire until next year sometime. Is the company offering a COBRA policy? Last I knew it was cheaper & better than most other options. My sister-in-law on disability was on medicare/Medicaid & got assistance in bills with her doctors. They told her of assistance groups that help. She had lung cancer. Maybe they can help.

I wish you the best in wading through the insurance nightmare. Just don't fret too much. It will work out somehow.

Good wishes & prayers coming your way.

Marsha

simplelife4real

Jianchi, I'm sorry to hear about AC #2 being bad. I have AC #1 tomorrow.

I went today for my BRCA testing. I'm 60 yrs old, so I wasn't sure my insurance would cover the cost. I found out today that they will. I'm very happy about that. I want to know my status before I make my final surgery decisions.

Jianchi

simplelife4real - wish you all the best for your chemo tomorrow. I am getting a little better today. I will have my gene tested in early Jan. Like you, it will influence my decision on further surgery. Hugs to you!

Titan

Bak..blah on your husband losing his job..that sucks...you guys don't need this right now (or any time)...insurance (or lack of it or the expense) is why so many people can't retire...so we work forever...my son is in college and will be a financial planner and we have been his "clients" and wow it has opened my eyes...my husband works in the public sector so he is ok but I am in the private sector and it stinks....so it looks like i will work 4-ever until I die....kind stinks.

Jianchi...glad you are feeling a little better...ac is cumulative...which scared me when they told me that...be sure to tell your onc about the nausea.....call them now....you need to be able to eat and drink to keep your strength up.

Lookingforward66

Hello All,

Just heard from Stupidboob. She is just up to her eyeballs with life.

Her dog has cancer & not doing good. Her brother is having open heart surgery this week & her back is giving her pain.

So all of us need to send her loving & healing prayers.

Cancer SUCKS!!!!!

Marsha

jenjenl

hate to hear that update about stupidboob but happy to hear an update....thinking of you stupidboob!

Jianchi

jen, how are you doing? Ore diagnose is quite similar except I haven't done the genetic testing yet. Howare you feeling after chemo and stuff?

Jianchi

Titan- thank you! I am feeling better and getting back to normal now. I have 2 more AC to go, then 4 T. Can't wait for chemo to be done!

minxie

It's been a long time since I stopped back here and a lot has gone on. Tomorrow will be my 5 year cancerversary. I guess for most people making it 5 years is a good thing. But I had a local recurrence 1 1/2 years ago, so I don't know if that changes things.

Anyway, this August I had a total mental breakdown and was committed. It was due to me never dealing with my fears about the cancer returning, my addiction to pain pills from the BMX/reconstruction pain that never left me, and the dissolution of my marriage. I can say with certainty that cancer destroyed my marriage. I'm better off without such a selfish person, but cancer changed me in ways he could not deal with.

I'm doing better these days, just taking things one day at a time and trying not to get caught up in the worry and fear. It's been a very long tough 5 years, the worst of my life. Cancer has taken a terrible toll on me. Don't let anyone ever tell you it's no big deal. It is.

I'm hoping the next five make up for it. Fate owes me big time. Best to you all -

adagio

minxie - sorry to hear about the tough time you have had in the last few months - I agree that cancer is a big deal and it does change us! Glad to hear that you are doing better now - take a day at a time - that's all we can do really! You certainly do deserve a much better next 5 years. Hugs!

candi07

Minxie, you are such a brave woman to share that story! My heart goes out to you for all that you've been through. May you find love, peace and happiness in the next 5 plus years.

TifJ

Thanks for checking in Minxie. Yes, fate certainly owes you! I hope that each day brings you a little more happiness and hope for the future.

Had my 3 year check up with my BS today. All is well and she said I could move to yearly appointments if I choose, but I told her I would like to stick to 6 months. Probably not necessary as I see my MO still every 4 months, but I just feel better being watched closely!

simplelife4real

Minxie, I'm glad you checked in and let us know what's been going on with you. I think cancer's mental toll is really underrated. That's been by far the toughest part of it for me. I can handle the chemo, surgery, rads, but the uncertainty that goes with having TNBC is rough as we all know. You are among friends here and we are here to support you.

I'm at the infusion center right now and getting my first AC treatment. It was interesting to see how they have to manually push the adriamycin. That part is done, now I'm just waiting for the cytoxcin to finish infusing. I was delighted to learn today that they give Emend by IV here first so along with all my other oral antinausea meds, I should be pretty well covered. The IV Emend is supposed to last 5 days, I will also be taking Zofran for three days and phenergan for any breakthrough nausea.

Titan

Minxie...everytime I log on to this thread it puts me several pages back with a post of yours saying hey to Inmate....so I "see" you almost every day..and think about you...I remember you talking about that husband of yours......

Your post is very real and very realistic about BC....there is no shame with your issues with pain meds....or any of the crap you went through...hoping that the next 5 or 50 years are good to you...you deserve it..

We all have our ways to deal with this crap.....maybe we should all "come out" and tell everyone..oh yes..I exercise and eat right...but I also drink my wine.....no excuses..I just do it.

Lookingforward66

Just checked in with my BS today. All ok. Every 6 months is my schedule now. This month 26th is one year. He was happy that I am clear so far. He told me that in over 35 years of practice I am the only person that is allergic to all meds he has seen. He is fantastic. Very busy but still finds time to complement you. My body goes into severe reaction or in case of the chemo (AC as it is cumulative) tries to shut down. I almost died from the reaction to chemo in March. That is why I had to stop. It would have killed me if I continued. Reason being is no meds I can take to counteract the neutropenic fever. As he explained it would destroy my body. The organs would have shut down. So I take nothing. Not even the non FDA approved B17 was good for me. My body reacted badly to that too. So I pray. Have good family for backup. Do the best I can daily. I still have bad days. I do take some vitamins. B12 is one that has really helped.

My sister-in-law had 12 years of lung cancer remission before it finally took her. I'd be happy for 6 years, but of course pray for more.

It is up to our Lord when my time is up. I guess he still has plans for me. Long range I hope.

I am looking forward to Christmas this year. Spoiling my grandson, being with family.

Love to all,

I am in an up mood today. Last year around this time I was a mess. I figure this year has been a gift.

Marsha

NavyMom

Minxie, God love you, girl.  You have been through some pretty bad times....Hoping that you can feel our support and strength for you.  I so totally agree that a cancer DX does change us and also that the mental toll it takes is underrated. 

So glad you checked in, Minxie.  Hang in there.

Bak and Stupidboob:  Hugs to you both.  Hoping brighter days are just around the corner.

And to the new gals in treatment:  We remember your misery and your fears.  Holding you close to our hearts.

 

adagio

Marsha - good that you have now moved to 6 month appointments. How many chemos did you actually have - just curious? It will be very interesting to see how you do compared with those of us have had chemo - I still have misgivings about the chemo, but it is done now - no going back.

Enjoy your Christmas with your family! This time last year I was going through chemo, so this year should be a better one for me also.

jenjenl

Agree with everyone - last year sucked but this year Christmas is in full swing in our house and it is magical. I think back a year ago and on this day I was told the oncotype test revealed that my biopsy pathology was incorrect and I was TN.

My point is the ladies who are just starting their treatment journey...a year from now you will feel the same way! Push through it.

Love to all!

ALHusband

Does anyone know what happened to Inspiredbydolce? She was such a regular, and such a great source of info. Then she just disappeared!

Jianchi

alhusband - good question. Anybody knows?

simplelife4real

Hi All,

I'm about 20 hours out from my first AC treatment. So far so good. The first day after each Taxol infusion, I felt fine...so I'm not surprised I'm feeling basically okay today. Just tired. My blood pressure was really low after chemo yesterday 78/58. It was low this morning too 80/60, so I think that's why I feel tired. I felt that way immediately after the prechemo Emend IV. I suspect it's something about the Emend, but I'm really happy to be getting it to combate nausea. I'm drinking water and have had some salty foods to try to boost my BP.

I read how so many think Christmas will be great this year. I'm trying to figure out how to make it brighter. We don't have family close by so it will likely be my hubby and me. It will be my off week for AC, but I think I will have just lost what's left of my hair....I'm thinking I have about 14 days until it's gone. I like to watch Heidi with Shirley Temple on Christmas day. Other than that, I can't think of much. I guess I'll be on the phone wishing my family and a couple close friends Merry Christmas. I have some time to think about it.

Lookingforward66

adagio,

Only had two A/C treatments since they are cumulative I had severe reaction after second treatment. Was admitted in hospital via emergency -critical care -isolation. Had to have whole blood transfusions. My body was shutting down as reaction to chemo. Had hard time finding meds I could tolerate. Had reactions to two of the three meds given. This was done through a medicine specialist because of my allergies. Worst days ever. Talked with surgeon as my MO then was an ass! Surgeon holds degree in MO too but only does surgery presently. He is fantastic & always there for me. I can text him anytime & in a short time I get a reply. Can't beat that. I have changed MO's & new one is also great. Watches me like a hawk. But back to surgeon. After review of my full records after hospital stay, he agreed with me that I was in more danger taking chemo. So now nothing. I wouldn't wish anyone my body. My allergies started from age 7. I had acute nephritis. Back then penicillin was the backbone of meds. I was allergic & spent 5 months in isolation at childrens hospital. Since then my allergy list has grown. Most of my doctors don't believe me until they run head long into them. That was the case of my old MO. Along with his attitude. I dropped him like a hot potatoe!! All my doctors currently in the loop believe!! I have been blessed in the past with good health & therefore not in need if meds. So this is a double bummer.

My surgeon said that I am unique. To which I replied "but not in a good way!" So that's my story. I wish I could have finished my chemo but not in my cards. So I take each day as a gift.

Thanks for asking & sorry to be so wordy!

Marsha

TifJ

Inspired hasn't logged on since the end of Oct. I went back to her last post and it didn't give any reason, but there were tension filled posts happening at that time regarding what some think is appropriate (or not) material to post. Maybe she is just taking a break amid that and Michelle's death. We tend to lose some ladies for a while after a sister passes as it is so difficult to deal with.

Inspired (Debra)- if you see this, please let us know you are okay.

Tazzy

No words of wisdom to give. Just big huge honking hugs to each and every one of you.

GuyGirl

Mamogram last week was clean.  Whoop Whoop.  PT/CT Scan tomorrow, please pray that I get a good result.  Please and Thank you.

adagio

guy girl - congrats , that is very good news - hope next tests are ok. My oncologist doesn't do any tests for me, so I don't have that stress to deal with. In your pocket tomorrow!

TifJ

Great news Guy! Sending good thoughts that PT/CT are clean as well. Are these just check up scans?

DorMac

Tomorrow will be 2 years since my bc diagnosis. I only consider June 19th as my cancerversary as that is when I had my last chem, so from that point on the waiting game began. All my checkups so far have been fine including the MRI which I pay for on my own (I don't trust mammograms to detect the fast-growing TNBC, which took my younger sister's life 7 years ago).

I am so very, very sorry to hear about Karen's (OBXK) situation. I am keeping her and her family in my prayers and I hope she is being kept comfortable. She is such a nice and helpful contributor here - you can tell by her smiling avatar that even though she was dealing with so much, she was still upbeat. I am sending out big hugs to Karen and her loved ones.

Minxie - so sorry to hear what you had to go through along with the bc. Thank goodness you are now on the other side of it and life will improve for you. Although we hopefully all have 50 years left, life is still too short to suffer through the negativity of jerks and a**holes who are not there to help us through this tough battle.

To all those who are dealing with treatments and side effects, good luck and try to stay optimistic - there are many, many of us who have been through this and are still going strong!

Doreen

simplelife4real

Hi All,

Even though I am new here, I can tell this is a very supportive group that cares for each other and I appreciate that.

Guygirl, I'm wishing you the NED on your tests.

My blood pressure has been running on the low side ever since my AC chemo on Tuesday afternoon. I've been sleeping a lot. Don't feel sick, just very low energy. I know I can get through this. Sipping Gatorade, trying to stay hydrated.

Kay

candi07

Guygirl, congratulations