Connecticut Girls

1WonderWoman

Karebear: ok...now it makes sense!  I was like 'wow, that is an awful lot of chemo!'  

Singlemom: thinking of you and hope you are feeling better.  

Best wishes to you both-

lynniea

Home from the beach.  I had a great time and my cousin bought all the girls breast cancer flip flops It was great.  I have my last taxol treatment on Thursday.  My hands and feet are numb from the Taxol is there anything to do for that.

karebear76

lynniea: unfortunately the only thing you can do is wait it through. It will eventually go away.

We got a call today from my dh's dad and his cousin is offering us their cabin on a lake in the Poconos Mtns in PA for a week!!!! It is the week before I start chemo again!!! I am so so excited!!! 

lynniea

Good for you enjoy yourself.  Last chemo tomorrow. 

karebear76

Yaa on last chemo!!!!

lynniea

Thanks

Emme

Hi Ladies..Sorry I have been away for so long...Everything is good..I has the hysterectomy on April 1st...I am on arimidex now..I am finally able to start working again...slowly..I had a vertical abdominal incision...a little longer to heal

I am trying to catch up to see where everyone is in there plans of treatments.  I hope everything is going well. I am findin it difficult to find that new sense of normal. In the meantime I am marching forward, as always, and hope everything fits together!

Sending love and Prayers~~Em

lynniea

Keep me in prayer many test this week . 
Finished my chemo and now have to see the surgeon on the 14th 

sweetie2040

Hi Ladies,

Been a busy summer so far. Hugs and prayers to everyone. Is anyone doing the Dr. Petit race/walk  on July 17 in Plainville?

Hi Emme! Glad your doing well and surgery is behind you. Yes, the new normal. We will all get there,won't we. How have your implants settled in? Do you have any issues with rippling? I have a lot of issues with it with mine. When do you see Dr. D again. I see him Sept.

Hope everyone has some fun in the sun, but remember the sunscreen!

karebear76

Hey ladies! I signed up for the Relay for Life July 30th in East Hartford. I am only doing the survivor lap but I didn't know if any of you would be going.

sweetie2040

Karebear-is that a run or walk or both? Can men do the race too. My husband is a runner so if he wants to go I could go.

Emme

Hi Sweetie,

One of my implants has migrated a bit towareds the underarm..the other needs a fat graft.  Dr D. said I could have that done anytime...but...I am so tired of the anethesia that I would like to wait towards the end of the year.  I have noticed some rippling. Did you have nipple reconstruction?  Overall I am very unhappy with my reconstruction...I feel they are unevenly placed and shaped for that matter.  I hope he can do something to make them more symetrical.  I see him next month.

I am glad to hear that you are doing well.  I am having my first  three month check up in a couple of weeks.. it is like letting out i big sigh...:)

Em

lynniea

Hi ladies Finished Chemo Had ecco and MRI done tomorrow PET scan and than to surgeon to see what is next. 

sweetie2040

Emme-Mine tend to roll to the sides too when laying down. You need really good lateral support. I have so much rippling and he told me he didn't do fat grafting for that. What type of fat grafting would you be doing? I think he said he does it mostly to fill in indentations. I am searching for a way to help with the ripples. If you are not happy with the symmetry you could have a revision, but yes that would be more surgery. I'd wait it out and see how things settle. I'm sorry that you feel unhappy. I felt  like that too and a lot of it was just getting used to my new body and realizing that it was never going to be the same. I don't hate the implants, but don't love em either. It's a kind of feeling,well I'm just greatful I have something there. One side is completely numb which is odd. I have been reading a lot about micro fat grafting where they reconstruct with mostly your fat and sometimes a small implant. A lot of women have that as a choice for their revision. The only problem is there are not many Dr's who do this as it is fairly new (5 years or so). I think there is one Dr. in CT and the founder is in Florida. I really don't want to have a surgery out of state. I hear a lot of good things about this type of reconstruction though, feels more natural and some are getting feeling back. Good luck on your follow up- ask a lot of questions.

Lynniea-glad to hear your done with chemo. How are you feeling lately?

lynniea

I am feeling pretty good despite no feeling in hands and feet from the taxol.  I had ecco and mri and today my pet scan and than back to the surgeon to see what's next.  I pray all is well with the test I believe God has it all in control.

karebear76

Sweetie: It may be a run I am actually not sure. I will only be walking the survivor lap. You can check under Relay for Life East Hartford.

sweetie2040

Karebear-ok I'll check it out.

Lynniea- glad your feeling pretty good.I'm sorry about the no feeling issue. Does it come back in time? I know it's a hard road but you have such a great attitude and keeping that is part of our battle. Yes God is in control. We ask, pray, trust, believe and leave it in his hands. We have no choice really and isn't that the safest place to be anyway.

Enjoy the beautiful weekend all!

singlemom1

lynniea - keep us posted on the results of your tests. We are thinking of you.

I have completed two AC dd chemo and have not done well. I was in the hospital this past weekend and the doctor wants to meet with me on Monday to discuss options.  She said my body is not handling the chemo well and sometimes this happens. I have gotten very sick both times - the 2nd time lasting around 10 days. She said she doesn't want the chemo to kill me - good thing! I feel good today- stronger but need to figure out what to do. Very hard decisions ahead.

1WonderWoman

Singlemom: I am so sorry you are having trouble with chemo.  Please try to stick it out.   It makes all of us dreadfully sick and forgetful but the benefits far outweigh those temporary setbacks.  I hope you stick with it.   I really hope you can.  You only have 2 left, correct?  Try your hardest to stick with it.

Lynniea: congratulations on finishing chemo!  Good for you.  Feels good, doesn't it?! 

Emme: as Sweetie is aware, I have a PS at Yale and they are doing a new form of recon on me where they use the body's fat stores to holistically rebuild the breasts.  You can look into it at www.mybrava.com.   Most insurance companies don't pay for the machine but aside from that little snag, I am so enthralled.  I am going to be the first one my PS does this on.  I will keep you posted and before you look to the traditional recon paths for answers I would encourage to follow my progress and perhaps consider coming to Yale at some point to look into having those implants removed and go with Brava.  In fact, as I get into the process I think I am going to start a thread so everyone can follow along with my progress.   I know the road might be bumpy and I could end up with clots or necrosis but I don't care about any of that because I would rather go down this road and let them perfect the process on me so other women will have an easier time of it.

In any case, I will keep you posted on everything.

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend-

lynniea

Thanks ladies for the kind words.  God has been so good to me.  I was able to see my sister cousin and niece this weekend.  We had many good laughs.  Just very restful.  I thank God for the time with them. I see my Surgeon on the 14th to schedule surgery.  The next part of my jounery and have no doubt God will see me through this also.  I will keep you posted on what the plans are.

chrisct

Hi ladies - I check in here from time to time to see how my fellow CT sisters are doing - I have no personality, so I mostly keep to myself and lurk.  Thought I'd say hello because DD and I and a few of her friends just signed up to do the Relay for Life in East Hartford so we're planning on being there.  We did it in Rocky Hill last year, but I didn't see one scheduled online so we decided to take our team on the road and go to East Hartford.

It isn't a running race - it's a relay in that teams are supposed to have walkers (taking turns) on the "track" (not sure what will be used in EH) for the duration of the event.  It starts on Saturday and ends Sunday.   The event starts at 3pm, but that might be for camp set up with the relay starting at 5 or 6.  Teams camp out and are really supposed to have people walking even at night.  Last year, I did the 2am to 5:30am slot -  I figured the kids might be able to stay up 'til 2, but going to sleep at midnight or something and then getting up at 2 or 3 or 4 to walk for an hour wasn't something I saw being accomplished easily - so I did that nasty time slot.  I ended up doing a total of 9.5 miles (DD did 18!)  and my foot still hurts from time to time from it.  But I'm doing it again anyway. 

Our event didn't have a good turnout last year at all so we didn't have much luck selling stuff to raise money, but it is my understanding that teams sell stuff at their campsites - like food or tshirts, etc. to raise money.  We had baked a lot of cookies and brownies, but hardly sold any. 

We are the Rocky Hill Superheroes if you want to find our campsite.  We've never done EH before, so I'm not sure how it will be set up.  I think I will email the event coordinator and try to get some more details.    Hope I can meet up with any of you who decide to go. 

Claire82

Hi all

I haven't been on in ages. Breast cancer has taken a back seat in my life - finally

We just got back from a cruise to Bermuda and I wore clothes that I wouldn't have dared to wear after my exchange last summer. I'm so happy I decided to take the time and pain to re-do. So 2 more surgeries later, I'm finally back. Here are 2 pictures from the cruise. Also for those who had chemo - my hair is 14 months out - i wash and let it air dry - the curls are amazing lol

I hope you are all doing well!

sweetie2040

Singlemom-I'm sorry your having a hard time. Hang in there, it could be this is the worst of it and it's only going to get better from here. We are here for you, thoughts and prayers sent your way.

Lizzy-it would be great if you can document your story. Do you have access to the pic forum? There are two girls on there who had a revision with Dr. Khouri, Kate33 and LeeinFL.  By the way I think you are very strong and brave and   give you credit for being the first patient for your Dr. I know it's going to turn out great for you!

Emme: I also know there is an excellent Dr in New haven, Dr. Restifico. He doesn't do FG or brava but he comes highly recommended. Good to know if you need a second opinion.

Chris-Thanks for the info on the relay. My husband does a lot of marathons and races. I never did a relay yet. I would like to go schedule permitting.

Claire-OMG!!!! You look sooooo AMAZING GIRL!!! I was just thinking of you the other day when I was on the pic forum and thought, "I wonder how Claire is doing"  You look sooo beautiful!!! Your hair is gorgeous, and the boobs! My gosh, so beautiful. I am so thrilled for you. I know your story and I am so glad you finally got a happy ending. You look so young and happy with your hubby. I'm glad you had a nice trip. I went there on my honeymoon and have always want to go back. Thanks for sharing your pics with us. It so great to see that beautiful smile on your face!

karebear76

Chris: My hubby and I will be there!!! I am all signed up and signed up for the survivor dinner!! Can't wait! We will have to meet up!!

Emme

Claire!!! you look fabulous...you look so full of life!  Your hair is lovely! Beautiful Lady!

Sweetie...I am not rushing into anything...Delucia said there is a new fat grafting procedure being used and I can have it done...I have a pretty big indentation on my cancer side...one of my implants looks round and high the other looks lower and not round on top...i wish they were more even. I dont have feeling in them so they really dont feel part of me. I am hoping with time i feel more whole. I will be seeing dr ringer and this week and i am going to ask her what she thinks too.  In the end everything will be good i hope. I'm rambling on...lol like usual.

Lynniea - Congratulations on finishing your chemo...good luck with your scans.  It is quite an accomplishment finishing those treatments...What is next for you?  Are you having radiation?

Singlemom-  Im sorry your having problems with the AC. I had DD tx X4 last summer.  That was a tough chemo to go thru...just when I I was flat out...it was over. I hope you can endure...or your oncologist comes up with another plan for you. My first chemo in jan of 2010 was cut short because it was killing me...i ended after 6 weeks and had been scheduled to have 16 weeks of treatment.  It was scarey when they stopped the treatment...and didn't have a new plan in place...I was so relived when they figured out what would work for me...I always needed a plan.

Good luck ladies

Em

lynniea

Hi Em I see my surgeon on the 14th of July to discuss surgery.  And than we go from there They discussed my case at the tumor board at the hospital where all the Dr's and radiologist get together  I  will hear what they recommend and go from there.  I know God will lead me in the right direction since he has been with me the whole way.

singlemom1

Claire - you look beautiful! thank you for the pictures!!

Emme - would you mind me asking what you ended up doing after you stopped the chemo? I met with onco on Monday. We decided to wait a third week for the chemo instead of going again after two weeks. The Doc said lets just take it one day at a time and we will go from there. She did tell me to be prepared that it might be worse. She has prescribed some Potassium pills to take throughout so I am hoping that this may help.

Sweetie - thank you for the encouraging words!

lynniea

Hi ladies my cancer is gone but will be having a lumpectomy on the 27th of July.  I ask you all to keep me in prayer for the next part of the journey

lynniea

 I am home from surgery a little sore 

chrisct

Was wondering how you were doing, Lynniea.  Hope your soreness isn't too bad and doesn't last too long.  (((((((((HUGS)))))))))

Singlemom - how are you doing?

Hope everyone is doing well.

Relay tomorrow!   Maybe I'll see you Karebear!  Sweetie, will you be doing the Relay tomorrow?  Anyone else decide to make the trip?  I didn't sign up for the dinner - wasn't sure I should leave my team of teenagers for it since I am their chaperone and this is a pretty big event.  Team campsites line the "track" so I think it will be easy to find our campsite - we're the Rocky Hill Superheroes. (Although I'm not feeling too Superhero-ish.  We didn't have that much luck with our fundraising.)   Hopefully it won't be too hot for our capes!