Calling all ladies in their 20's

NannaBaby

Welcome monovsstereo! The lovely ladies on this thread are a great support!

Lately I've been having problems with picc line and no blood return! the last 3 times! That means another appointment at the hospital! It feels like I'm alsways there! And hte past few days I've been getting chest pains on and off.  A throbbing kind of pain just below my mx towards the middle.  I think I should get it cheked out since I think it's getting worse not better   I wonder what the heck it could be! It' feels different than the PE I had 6 weeks ago... I'll keep you updated!

texasrose361

Nanna- def get that checked out and keep us updated i know this may sound dumb but whats the diff between pic line and port?

irish22

Hi, I somehow have never noticed there is a thread here for ladies in their 20's! I recognize a few of you from the stage IV forum. For the rest of you I will introduce myself, I'm Samantha, 26 dx stage IV mets to spine in January 2011, first dx. I live in Indiana with my dog and I'm a hemodialysis tech. This blows as you all know.

Mono I can honestly say I hadn't had an issue with my hair loss because I know it will grow back at some point then the other day I was cleaning out my bathroom and cam across my shampoo and started crying because I miss shampooing my hair. How dumb, the little things we miss huh?

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

texasrose361

Welcome irish! its funny cuz i have dome the same thing with coming across shampoo bottles...lol

NannaBaby

Picc line is in the arm, a tube that tangles from the arm... bandage needs to be changed weekly. 

Port is in the chest, under the skin, and can't be seen (excpet for a bump).  A tiny needle is inserted into the port during infusion. 

The shampoo thing... I still used shampoo and conditioner when I was bald.  I liked the smell And kept my shower routine somewhat normal! LOL I don't miss having to blow dry my hair for 20 minutes! I think I'll keep my hair short for a while although it's growing in really fluffy! It sticks up straight sometimes! Lotta bad hair days ... still have use for hats!

I'm procrastinating calling my PDN! I didn't have chest pain today until later in the evening! Weird that it's worse later in the day... I will call tomoro! promise!  geesh! I just feel like a hypercrondriack sometimes!

justme1979

Hi there Mel. I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis, and for everyone. I'm not diagnosed. But I am 32 and they just found 2 lumps on my right breast. (thats not even what I had the appt for)

I just wanted to say that I DO agree with you. Most people think that or say the breast cancer only happens in older women. But I'll tell anyone that I know more women my age and younger now, diagnosed than older women. These are all girl in my home town.There are 9 of them between 28 and 37. and 2 girls are close personal friends of mine.I honestly think that being told "too young" would get to me too. any cancer doens;t know, young or old. Just like it doens't know percentages. (for example when people state or its stated that 80% of tumors are benign) cancer doens't know that.

I agree with you.

You have great support here:-)

texasrose361

Thanks for the kind words justme- you're right cancer doesnt know age or stats!

Melanie_Ann

Welcome to the new ones! I'm so sorry you're here but it's a friendly place to be! I go in for hopefully my last chemo tomorrow. I'm already nauseous thinking about it, but ready to feel better again! Then it's on to RADs but I'll try and enjoy my 4 week break. I hope everyone has a good week!

justme1979

Hi Melanie Anne, love your name...

Yous have such a great support system here.That is wonderful to see. I'll keep yous posted on my mammo, and u/s next week.

I guess what caught me off guard was that the drs found lump in breast, and that was not even the reason why I went to see them! Good thing she found it though-

hdangelbaby

i went into the cancer center today, it's been 8 weeks since i have been in the chemo suite. i needed my port flushed.

i actually got nauseous when i sat in that chair..

shiramg

hi ladies,

anyone having tamoxifen issues?  specifically with skin and of course sexual issues?

texasrose361

shiramg*- not sure if my skin issues are tamox realted because since starting chemo in August i have had real bad flare ups like i was going through puberty too- it comes and goes so i cant positivly link it to tamox.

SKD

Shiramg: the only issues I am having on tamoxifen are hot flashes here and there. Some times they are bad, mostly when I am in bed and then they will go away for a couple days. I also have bad joint pain, Mostly in my right wrist. But no Sexual issues. If anything, I feel like I have more of a sex drive? My period is irregular too, I finished Chemo in September 2010 and have only had 3 periods since. What kind of issues are ou having?

shiramg

i'm having a hard time staying naturally lubricated after like 10 min goes by.  i'm also taking effexor and having trouble being able to have orgasms now, but i'm on 150 mg so maybe thats why.

hdangelbaby

has anyone's hair come in quicker than say... older ladies?

my hair at 8 weeks pfc looks like womens' hair after 12 to 16 weeks after pfc!

NannaBaby

shira- I to have moisture issues... having a hard time finding a good lube.  I don't like using condoms with my hubby I miss the convenience of birth control! I am not on tamox, but do take effexor.  I think chemo really messes up hormones! I wonder how long it takes for things to go back to normal?

I have my 4th chemo tomoro not looking forward to it! The anxiety gets worse after each round. 

NannaBaby

also I'm selfconsious about my mastectomy... which makes orgasm hard to reach sometimes.

shiramg

nanna, i understand the self consious issue getting in the way of having a normal sex life.  how many more rounds of chemo do you need?  i think it gets better after chemo.

so after a long talk with my oncologist and psychiatrist, i have decided to lower my dose of effexor.  it is 100% the reason i'm having problems.

WarriorPrincess24

Shiramg and any other ladies who are taking Effexor: I'm currently on a 25mg dose/3 times daily for hot flashes. I'm considering asking my oncologist if I can increase it or try another drug b/c the hot flashes don't seem to be improving...or at least not as many daily. It's getting to the point where I have to change clothes at home after a flash and am constantly running to the bathroom at work to fan myself down before it gets too bad. As much as I don't want to be stuck with taking all these meds (I'm also on Gabapentin aka neurontin for neuropathy and have just filled my first prescription for Tamoxifen) I'm getting pretty desperate.

 Any advice/input would be much appreciated. With the highs here in Florida reaching 100 daily, I'm already suffering over here.

shiramg

wow, i can't imagine living with hot flashes in florida.  always have water and deoderant on you.  when i'm at work and feel a hot flash coming on, i run to the freezer and stand in front of it and take deep slow breathes.  i think this helps a little.

 

NannaBaby

Good news and bad news today ladies!

Good first!  My onc decided that I will only need 4 cycles of chemo instead of 6! YAY! So my last cisplatin was yesterday! And my last vinorelbine is on June1!!! And I get my picc removed the the 1st too! I can't wait! Plus the docs are giving me until September to recover before going back to work   I will still have physio treatments to do and a couple f/up visits with the ons and screening tests.  I will get mammo first and I will ask for abdomninal MRI because I had a last ovarian cyst on my last mri and I wanna know if it's gone. I still get mild cramps and pain in that area.

The bad news is that I put my 2 year old dog down last night she was a weiner french bull dog mix. So cute and so good! She had a spinal injury that caused paralisis from the waist down! She was in sooo much pain! and the surgery was $6,000 with no gurantees! It broke my heart to euthanise her she died peacefully in my arms. It is so hard! I am still crying! Rest in peace Lace, I love you and miss you dearly!

texasrose361

Wow Nana i am so sorry for your loss, i will pray for peace for you. It is hard when we lose a pet

NannaBaby

I can't believe it's my last chemo tomoro! I'm kinda freaking out about it! It's been one week short of a whole year that I'm in treatment... It's going to be an adjustment! I feel scared that I won't be in treatment anymore.  I get to see my onc. July 27 then every 3 months for a while.  I get a mammo soon.  I wanna ask for an abdominal MRI...  I'm paranoid about the cysts I had on my ovaries last year.  What do I do tho keep an eye on things? lumps and bumps here and there? where? How will I know if cancer is back?

LibraryJenn

Nanna - so sorry to hear about your dog.  That just plain sucks. As far as the end of treatment, first things first, celebrate!  I know your fears well though, I went though that too.  Just be really in tune to your body so that you can note changes, that's what I did.  It still took them a while though to figure it out though  I'd ask about the abdominal MRI though, that would be good to have.

texasrose361

Nana- WHOO HOO for being done!!!!! Good question! its hard to tell which of our lumps and bumps are cancerous or not. I understand you feeling scared when you aren't in treatment anymore- its sorta like you feel if you're being treated then cancer cant come back. To me i feel opposite! I wish i didnt have to continue with this junk! I actually postponed a dr visit just because i needed a break, so i see my oncologist monday and have my herceptine on thursday... Personally it is wearing me down!

I also have some cysts and i am truly afraid to go get them checked out... Its the whole what if syndrome! i am coming up my my 1 yr since dx date so i know its important to get a womans exam done. I have had an abdominal ct scan done but it didnt show anything... Get it done, better safe than sorry

NannaBaby

I got a new puppy!   His name is Bruno.  He's 8 week old dachsund.  i wish I could attach a bigger picture... he's my new profile pic... I think this was a good idea! I'm getting back into a routine.  Waking up same time everyday etc. for the puppy's potty schedule!

 Anyone else have a tight chest on ur surgery side? What helps ease the pain? I've been to physio and massage, but the results don't last long or it doesn't seem to help   I have tried tylenol and dilaudid and it doesn't help!  i am thinking about asking my doc for medical weed... apparently it helps "confuse" the pain nerves and how they work... any thoughts? I've tried a puff or 2 for the past few days and it seems to help.  The downer is that it makes me really drowsy! ... But at least it's better than constipation from narcotics! :S

texasrose361

bruno is too cute!

LibraryJenn

Love the puppy Nanababy!

NannaBaby

Hey ladies!

 So my hubby and my sister were trying to plan a surprise party to celebrate my 1 year cancer treatment finale, and none of my friends wanted to commit to attending   What's up with that?!?  Actually only 1 was willing to come, but my hubby had to go pick him up! 45 minute drive!  How lame r my friends?! R they my friends at all???  It seems like I'm always the back up plan in case nothing better happens.  Do any of you girls find that ur friends have disappeared since ur diagnosis? 

 I'm pissed off and want to tell them all to go to hell! But I won't obviously! But, u get what I'm saying?  It's a crappy feeling that no one wants to celebrate this milestone with me

Ugh!

texasrose361

WTH?!?!?!? that is lame! Yes i have lost many friends over this. Its like they act like i am already dead so why bother!!!! I have shed many tears over them and recently through some words of wisdom from some fellow stage 4 sisters realised that they have their reasons and its really their loss!

If i was in Canada i would celebrate it with you girl!!!! This IS a milestone! BTW this post is almost a year old! I'll eat cake for that!