Calling all TNs

Sugar77

Lovelyface - hi, it's nice to hear from you again.  I still pop in, too, from time to time.  

My eyesight isn't the same since chemo either.  In fact, I've not got astigmatism in both eyes that I never had pre-chemo.  My eye doctor thinks it could be related.  

Cocker - that potato picture was hilarious.  Thanks for always giving us a good chuckle!

He everyone, I hope everyone is doing well.  I just celebrated my 50th birthday and couldn't be happier to join the 50's club.  I was diagnosed and treated at 45 so turning 50 is a big milestone for me.

Take care!

NavyMom

Add me to the list with eye issues.  I have been wearing glasses since age 40.  During and after chemo my vision seemed to be getting worse.   I had developed cataracts in both eyes. MO said that Chemo did not cause the cataracts but possibly caused them to advance faster than they would have without it.  So at the age of 53 I had eye surgery.  I still wear bifocals for astigmatism  and to read fine print.  But I can drive again at night and not be afraid.

FierceBluebird

Happy Birthday Sugar!

TifJ

Happy 50th Sugar!!! Wishing you many, many more happy years!!!!

GuyGirl

Happy Birthday Sugar.  50 is only a number when it comes to age, but with cancer 5 is a big number.  Doing the happy dance for you.

Meadow

Yes Sugar Happy Happy Birthday and I agree with GUYGIRL. Congrats on the 5 0 and the big 5

slv58

Happy Fabulous Birthday Sugar! 50 is awesome, welcome to the club!

Kruise

happy birthday Sugar ! Always happy for birthdays now and 50 that's a special one!

I'm joining the 'bung eyes club' too...and the 'arthritis brigade' also. 

LPBoston

Congratulations Sugar77 - Welcome to the 50's

Cocker_Spaniel

Seems chemo has caused nothing but problems for our eyes.  Apparently my tear duct is now inverted and pressed up against the eye ball. This makes the natural tears that lubricate the eyes run down my left cheek which looks like I am crying only on one side. It's either than or I have to keep wiping it with a tissue and then it gets sore.  The water also runs down my nose and causes it to block, which then goes down my throat and makes me cough.   The only thing they can do is to put a probe down it to unblock it but there is no guarantee it will last for long so there is no  point really even if I wanted it done.  (It's just the thought of the probe in my eye) yuk.  I don't think my eyesight has deteriorated but I wear bifocals anyway but you can hardly see they are bifocals, the line is so very faint.

Just something else we have to put up with ladies but I guess it's a small price to pay.   

Cocker_Spaniel

Thanks to all of you ladies for being there for me, xx

jos

Hi....39, years old at dx.

TN, IBC, BRCA pos. 12 rounds taxol, 4 rounds AC- just did number 2 yesterday. How I hate AC. Surgery this summer, rads then recon later.

Cancer sucks. Life is great.

placid44

Hang in there, Jos! AC is nasty. Cancer does suck.

Meadow

Jos, Hi, so sorry you are going through this. I too am IBC, TN, we get the "booby" prize I guess! Just know you are not alone. And you can  win this fight, you can do it. stay positive. Meadow

Cocker_Spaniel

Jos Hi.  Welcome to our world.  Yep cancer sux but just keep remembering life is great.  You'll make it.  

FierceBluebird

Jos, hang in there. AC is rough, but you'll get through it. Taxol was not as bad for me. Rest and drink plenty of fluids. You can do this!

Meadow

Bluebird, I love reading the inspirational statement in your info line. My favorite place is on my father's farm is a tucked away little "meadow" where the wildlife,heron, ducks, rabbits, deer,raccoon, all come to drink at the lake. It was the first place I made myself walk to during chemo, as soon as I felt like I could get there. It is my sanctuary and your statement takes me there without walking.

Lisaj514

meadow, your "meadow" sounds beautiful and peaceful. Glad you have that place.

LPBoston

Meadow - it sounds so serene and peaceful

Meadow

thank you Lisa, Boston.

mags20487

Hi my lovelies...miss you all so much.  So busy living life that I just do not come on anymore.  To all the newbies I am so sorry that you had to join us.  Ask anything--nothing is off limits here.  Wealth of knowledge and support!

I have my check up coming up on the 19th with the ONC.  6 months is so long in between!!  Nervous about this one as in the last couple of week I have had radiating pain coming out of my chest area.  Yesterday I discovered a lump in between my 2 reconstructed breasts on the sternum.  It could be necrosis, oily cyst, or even a tumor....the last one is just not an option!!  Going to keep busy and try not to go crazy until I see the doc in a week an a half...almost called her today to get me in now but controlled myself!

Maggie

FierceBluebird

Maggie, just had some testing today so I know the feeling!

Meadow, sounds lovely just like your name.  Nature is my sanctuary also.

I paraphrased for my signature. Here is the poem in its entirety:

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS

When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things 
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

— Wendell Berry

CatWhispurrer

Hi Everyone - ((waving))

Bluebird and Meadow - I'm with you in the nature department.  I live in a log home on 30 acres of woods, moutain-like terrain with a big, fast-flowing creek.  We have wild azaleas and mountain laurel (which is now blooming.)  I have lots of bird feeders to watch too.   I love being out in nature and a lot of my watercolors reflect that.

Breaking news today!  I am now BRCA2 positive!!  My original tumor was tested by Myriad from DNA in my mouth (buccal wash) and the results said BRCA1/2 negative. I also had King Labs (trial) do a BROCA expanded test using blood.  It also said BRCA1/2 neg.   I had a new gene testing done by Foundation One.  It tests tumor tissue so
maybe it is more accurate? Or maybe the tumor mutated?   I will probably now have to have a hysterectomy down the road.

The Foundation test also found amplification in
EGFR which there are FDA approved drugs that I could try. The third
mutation was in TP53 gene and there are some trials that are testing
drugs for it, so it has really increased my options.

My CT Scan from Tuesday showed I was "stable." It showed some regression in most of my nodes. I'll take that! My MO was pleased.  So, I will continue with Paclitaxel for now.

MomMom

Hello Ladies,

I have recently posted elsewhere on this website which is new to me - still trying to find my way around:-).  I was diagnosed with TN in January 2014 at the atypical age of 66, and have just had my second of 13 weekly Taxol treatments (details in signature).  Didn't really get sick with AC - just slowed me down a bit, but about a week after finishing the AC got some pesky SE - mouth too sore to eat (Miracle Mouth Wash and time eventually fixed that), some troublesome skin issues (steroid mousse cream from my derm helped a lot with that), and most pesky of all - lost one big toe nail and other one not lookin' so good, but hanging in there.  I am determined to do any and everything I can to prevent more nail loss or prevent or lessen neuropathy from the Taxol.  On the advice of my onc's office, I am using ElastoGel cyrotherapy (frozen slippers and gloves) while the Taxol is being administered.  Also using tea tree oil on nails.  Are there any other tips out there??  Did anyone else use cyrotherapy in any form (eg, frozen peas, or ice chips), and if so was it successful in preventing nail loss and neuropathy? 

Thanks so much!

adagio

mom mom - I used ice on my hands and feet during taxol because I was paranoid about getting neuropathy. I did not get neuropathy.! I am glad  I did the icing.  I did not lose any nails either. Good luck. Everything is worth a try in my opinion. I also had acupuncture every week to prevent neuropathy.

MomMom

Adagio - Thank you for this feedback!!  I think I will give acupuncture a try - you are not the first person I've heard say this.  I've never tried it before and the idea of more needles is not too appealing but I'm also paranoid about the neuropathy.  Thank you again!!

Meadow

Bluebird thank you so much for posting the poem. I have read it thru like 5 times now. I have never heard it before and I love it. Thank you.

Cat your home sounds so lovely I am imagining the running water and fresh air. So wonderful

mommom I wish I had taken more care to avoid neuropathy, I finished chemo Dec 10, and I still have issues with it. It is better, but still there

Lisaj514

mom mom, I also did icing during taxol(dose dense) and have no neuropathy in my hands and minimal neuropathy in 1 toe on L foot (weird I know, just one toe, maybe didn't keep that toe cold enough when icing). Nails stayed great and are even real hard now. Also took L glutamine during taxol and vit B6 and biotin. Don't know if it helped but it couldn't hurt.

Titan

Hey to all the old timers and the new ladies! As far as the eye thing goes...I have always been very very near sighted so I don't think I can get much worse but really no issues as far as that....did have some neuropathy in my feet but didn't last long..

Been really super busy but always checking in with you all....my youngest child graduated from college last weekend..so now looking for a job as a financial planner....he will relocate...even go to NZ and live with you Annie....that way I can come too!  

Have a mammo coming up this month...ugh....not sure what day it is...will wait until it pops up on my calendar....

We are finally getting some spring in Ohio....has been a cold snowy winter.....  still running the 5k's...and at age 54....just started running at 50 after treatments...I can kinda feel the age creeping up on me...ah well....it is what it is...

Glad to see this thread is thriving....really helped me when I needed the most support....and am so happy to come back now and then and support all of you....it really does help

Cocker_Spaniel