TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

coachvicky

SpecialK

Yep, show up. I usually get grief about my Armour Thyroid but the chemical drug never worked for me. I never had any energy.

If you start driving now you will be here in plenty of time for Easter dinner.

Vicky

Jstarling

Coach, you’ve inspired me to keep walking. Just got back from my mile. Day 3 of my first round of chemo. Woke up at 4am with a sore back. My sweet husband will give me my shot and maybe I’ll take a nap. Roast lamb sounds delightful, I think we’ll just do chicken this Easter

SpecialK

coach - I have only ever been to one appt with him - pulmonary specialist he was referred to after they accidentally found a plethora of lung nodules on CT while looking at something else. Some of these were above the 5mm threshold for concern - he was pretty scared. He welcomed “the bulldog”, as he affectionately calls me regarding medical advocacy, to that appt! They were/are benign, so yay for that! Before finding that out we had the him -“I have cancer”, me- “no, I do!” comedy routine in the kitchen. I’m glad it was just me...

I’m getting in the car now and driving toward you and the roast lamb, lol! Actually, I’m headed to the store now to get one - surprise endorsement by DH. I hope everyone else coming over (we’re doing FriendsEaster, like Friendsgiving) likes lamb!!!

coachvicky

Jstarling ... You go girl! I bet you are feeling better.

SpecialK ... I got a ham also. I was afraid the lamb wasn't big enough and, like you, unsure if some of our younger guests would eat lamb.

Vicky

Trisha-Anne

Special, if you want to come on down to Australia, I'll make you a delicious roast lamb

Any time you are this way, you are welcome

Trish

xoxo

PoseyGirl

I'm boring compared to you ladies. I'm making pulled pork for the family on Sunday. But lemon mousse for dessert which should be yummy.

Roasted lamb sounds lovely and I'd LOVE a trip to Australia! I feel like Australia is Canada's cousin - we have some definite similarities

meg2016

SpecialK and anyone with back itches-- during radiation because I was getting it through my back as well I had to moisturize. I had so much trouble reaching it, especially because it was close after DMX. My PT gave me a sponge on a stick (not a loofah, but a soft sponge)- best invention ever! You can get lotion or cream over your whole back with it! I also have these Japanese things that are like small towels but made of scrubby stuff, so so good for itchy back.

https://www.amazon.com/Salux-Nylon-Japanese-Beauty-Yellow/dp/B007IAE5WY/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1522444507&sr=8-1&keywords=japanese+scrub+towel&dpID=51O31BK3TkL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

Trisha-Anne

Posey you are welcome any time too! Canada is on my bucket list, it looks so beautiful. We are trying to work out how we might possibly get up to that part of the world.

My hubby has to have a hip repaced in about three weeks and once he's over all the rehab, we will try and work something out.

Trouble is, I want to see the Grand Canyon and New York, so it would be an expensive trip lol.

With regard to itching ... not sure if you have it there, but I use a cream called "Moo Goo" It's given to anyone doing rads, but it's also great for eczema and almost any fungal problem. It's all natural too.

Trish

xoxo

SpecialK

Trisha - thanks for the invite! How fun would that be? We almost came to Australia last year - was going to be a combo trip with a stop in NZ because my best friend was playing soccer there at the World Masters Games. Unfortunately my mother-in-law was diagnosed with leukemia so we did not go, we were needed here. My dad was born and raised in the Ringwood/Box Hill area near Melbourne and I have always wanted to see that area. Your travel goals of opposite sides of the US may mean you have to stay here for a bit to see it all! Add Florida in and I will make you a delicious Cuban sandwich - that’s a Tampa specialty! It would be a fun trip for you and a super reward afteryour DH’s surgery - I have a very good friend whose DH has a hip replaced at 39 - he is late 50’s now. He is very active, goes offshore fishing and plays a lot of golf. He is a Physical Education teacher at the elementary school level, lots of moving around and he’s doing very well - here’s hoping the same for your DH!

Posey - omg - love pulled pork! My mom was born in England but came to Canada at the age of 2. She grew up in Windsor, had family in Toronto as well. She was always conflicted when the Blue Jays played American teams - she sang both anthems, lol!

When my parents passed away I incorporated eucalyptus in my dad’s funeral flowers and maple leaves in my mom’s. They never forgot where they came from!

Meg - thanks for the link! I have found that I can’t reach the middle of my back due to the extensive surgeries I have had for recon - I need to work on my flexibility!

Trisha-Anne

Special, how lovely for you to incorporate those two into your parent's flowers. Once an Aussie, always an Aussie ❤. My dad was born in Footscray in Melbourne, I have lots of cousins down there.

Yes I know how big America is, and know it would be a long stay to see what we want to see. So adding Florida into the mix would be easy lol. That sandwich sounds like it would be worth the trip!

I guess I'd better start ssving!!

Trish

xoxo

Tresjoli2

I am totally going to a restaurant for brunch and doing nothing for Easter!

SpecialK

Trisha - I grew up in Southern California and my dad planted every Australian plant in our back yard since the climate is so similar! I still have Australia on my short list of places to visit.

Tres - you may be the smartest one! Have a great time

Cowgirl13

SpecialK and Coachvickie, I'm so glad you brought up the Armour thyroid. When I was switched from Armour to synthroid in the 80s I never felt quite as well as when I was on Armour. I just wan't feeling that well. I had a good friend at that time who also couldn't tolerate synthroid. She begged for the Armour and I don't think she was able to get back on Armour. In addition to my 100mg of synthroild, I also take 5mcg's of cytomel. The cytomel was prescribed by a doctor who was very up on things and he suggested I take it. l/2 in the am and 1/2 in the pm. I've always taken 1 and never broken it up. I absolutely can't go without the cytomel. I would imagine I could feel even better if I were on the Armour.

SpecialK

cowgirl - will your primary, or whoever is treating your thyroid, not give you Armour? I am wondering if DH will have an uphill battle trying to get it. I just did a quick Google search on synthroid and cytomel together, and it seems that the recommendation is to combine the two if you have that energy drop part way through the day and the dosing is as you were originally advised - divide the dose of cytomel in half and take together with the synthroid, then take the other half part way through the day when you feel energy recede.

Cowgirl13

SpecialK, thanks for the info. I haven't asked for Armour, I just started thinking about it after your post. I was seeing an endocronologist for a while. I sure would like to know what she would say.

Anonymous

So... Here goes my long post...for Easter, my daughter is home from LA for a long weekend. My son, DIL, 18 month old grandson, and their husky, who live on the other side of town ( 40 min), decided it would be easier if they stayed here too for the weekend, which started yesterday for them, lol. So it's a big fun party at my house! I am loving it. DIL's family are a mile away and her sister is coming in. From Ohio with infant twins and a 3.5 year old. They are coming for dinner tomorrow night.

Sunday, I'm doing brunch and my DH husband's brother, wife, two kids and their 2 kids are coming over. then daughter heads to the airport late afternoon . I'm having a croissant bar, with chicken egg salad and spiral ham. Veggie options. Lemon blueberry crescent ring. Also coming is fruit salad, green beans, quiche and a rhubarb cake of some kind. Then I will happily collapse and look at my mess.

Hapb- I agree diet can help Improve our lives for many diseases, cancer one of them. I think it's important we all educate ourselves. My bff nurse practitioner and her physician husband went to a conference on alternative medicine, diseases, etc. They were told diet and environment choices made starting at least a generation before us has affected at least four generations yet to come. My mother's family are/were all type 2 diabetics from medication to diet controlled. Not one was overweight. All hardworking farm background. They had great diets but still contracted the disease.

Specialk-The bff mentioned above is my care advocate if needed. She is a little pit bull. My husband listens to what they say and just goes ok. Doesn't ask any questions. During my recon surgeries, I finally made him tape the post conversations with the PS. I would show up,the next week and he would ask me if I had done something. I would look at him stupidly as he would laugh and say he told my husband. I worm my way into as many of his appointments as I can and am a total PITA. Maybe we can meet when we are there in June!

I have an appointment next month with my PCP and plan to ask for a full thyroid workup. since my massive scare in December that I haven't recovered from yet showed only a slightly enlarged thyroid. I'm wondering if some symptoms I have that I have attributed to arimidex may actually relate to thyroid issues. And that stupid lump,is still there which makes me insane. But, a ct scan, four ultrasounds, lots of poking and prodding, and an breast MRI that picked up,the bottom edge of it all showed nothing, I guess I have to trust.

Coach Vicky-I am a self (and by family lol) diagnosed control freak. I like to,think I take things easier, and in some areas I do, I am still ocd on certain things, which I'm sure negates any benefits from the other part that's better lol.

Have a happy Easter everyone! I tried to,post a picture of our Easter cookie decorating tonight with my daughter and DIL. the one big thing I have changed is going out of my way to take time to make memories.

SpecialK

cowgirl - seems to be like AI drugs - different people do better on different meds, even if they basically do the same job. There seems to be a number of thyroid related drugs. Might be worth asking one of your providers about Armour to see if you feel better on it. I have been on a several month vacation from Femara but my MO wants me to go back on, he feels my recurrence risk is too high without it even though I completed 7 years, ugh. I will do it though because I trust him and I know it isn't knee jerk - I have another friend, diagnosed at the same time I was, that sees him and he is ok with her not continuing.

Here is an interesting and pretty in-depth synopsis of Synthroid and Armour:

https://hypothyroidmom.com/which-is-better-synthroid-or-armour-thyroid-medication/

SpecialK

fluff - we were cross-posting! I would love to meet up in June - you won't be far and I can come to you if that is easier! Your cookies are adorable and your weekend sounds like a blast! Did I tell you that after the 5 year point in our trial I did find out for sure that I was in the vaccine arm? Can't remember if I did. I suspected that I was based on trying to read the bag labels after you told me where to look, but I was glad to get definite confirmation.

deni1661

Hello everyone - I haven't posted for a while due to my shoulder rehab. Lots of PT and exercises are wiping me out. Slowly making progress so all is good 😊

Suburbs, so happy you're on the right path to knocking out that infection. Prayers you feel much better very soon!

Fluffqueen- those cookies look amazing! I love that you are creating memories for your family.

Juli - I am sad for you about your dog. Losing a dog is a tough ordeal. Sending hugs your way.

Shela - I love the buddy program you are participating in, what a great idea! I hope to find something similar once I retire. I think we have a lot to offer to patients newly diagnosed, which is why this thread is so important to me. I remember the encouragement and inspiration from those further along in the cancer journey (specialk and coach) and how helpful their words were in easing my anxiety.

All of your Easter celebrations and meals sound wonderful. I'm afraid our Easter is going to be pretty boring. I still can't use my left arm so cooking is impossible and my hubby didn't want to take on that chore lol. Church and a quiet afternoon is on our agenda

Wishing all of you a blessed Easter celebration with your loved ones. Spring is right around the corner and we have much to be grateful for. Hugs to each of you

PoseyGirl

SpecialK, so your mum was here as a tot, eh? . She definitely lived around the world!

Hapb, I have eaten so many more vegetarian meals and really like going in that direction. I have some delicious meals I make and curry is a staple ingredient in many. I do eat meat still, but I've cut it back substantially. Now to do better on the sugar front...my next challenge.

Fluffqueen, your meal sounds incredibly delicious and I'm curious about the croissants bar. You sound like an amazing cook. And the cookies are adorable.

I mentioned bring itchy...still am. And now I'm growing paranoid as I noticed a small patch of petechiae on my upper outer thigh tonight (small purple red spots...about 8 in a cluster). Then I noticed this bump on my shin, almost like a hematoma where you have a lump under a bruise spot. I basically freaked out worrying about leukaemia...itching and bruising. My husband is trying to talk me off the ledge saying he's had petechiae from simple pinching. I don't know...I've never had it. I feel like every couple of months I’m spazzing out about something new.

coachvicky

Happy Easter All.

I am going to share this and I hope everyone can find the humor. Second son and spouse are vegetarians but will eat some chicken and fish. They have 2 healthy children. They do not mandate that their children be vegetarian but they do model healthy choices.

After a sleep over one night, I made waffles. OK ... I didn't "make" as in from scratch. They were gluten free in-the-toaster waffles. I am thinking I need a protein so I fry some bacon. I put a scoop of sugar free ice cream on top of the waffle with the crumbled bacon, fresh strawberries, and sugar-free chocolate syrup. I have become Grandmother of the year and their favorite. I ended up frying more bacon. I think DH and I got maybe a piece each. I have never seen 2 children go after bacon like they did. They did the same one Easter with ham. The children called it "pink turkey." For those of you that are not grandmothers yet, let me assure you that you will do things like this as well.

Posey ... See you PCP and don't worry.

Trisha-Ann ... I have a girlfriend in Australia that is starting radiation. I will share with her your cream. Her husband is in the US Army and took an assignment there.

Fluffqueen ... awesome cookies.

Finally, I posted these lyrics from a favorite song on another forum and it resonated with several women. On this day of Resurrection and reflection to me, I find these words powerful. These words help put this journey in perspective to me.

"Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breathe it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday's a closing door
You don't live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you've been
And tell your heart to beat again."

Vicky

Trisha-Anne

Vicky, I love those lyrics ❤ and I'm still laughing at your cooking adventure, go Grandma!!

Where abouts in Oz is your friend?

Trish

Tresjoli2

coach I'm coming over to your house for breakfast! Easter was a success this am!

KasiaK

Welcome all you Super ladies on this thread.

At the beginning I`d like to apologise for my poor English - I`m not a native speaker, I`m from Europe (Poland).

I started to look for some info regarding my treatment a few weeks ago and that`s how I found BCO - I wish I found it much earlier though.

I found a lump in my left breast a year ago, exactly on my 39th birthday. A week after it I was diagnosed with stage IA triple positive BC. I had a tumor removed with 2 nodes (clean), then I had 6 rounds of Taxotere+carboplatin+Herceptin and Herceptin alone for almost a year now (I`ll get last one in June). I survided Herceptin gets along with my heart well, no damage done so far. I also had radiation (25 doses + 5 doses boost). I`ve been on tamoxifen and Reseligo (generic zoladex) since November 2017.I have some SE like bone pain, fatigue (this one is killing me sometimes), strange headaches started 2 weeks ago (tamoxifen and herceptin and reseligo all have headaches listed as SE so I hope this is from treatment not from something else) but generally I`m doing fine.

I`d like to thank all the women posting here - it`s so supportive to read your posts. Special thanks to coachvicky for her wisdom and words of support, SpecialK for sharing her knowledge and ability to make simple expanations of difficult matters, cherry-sw - while reading your posts from the day you started posting I had a feeling these were my words, you expressed my every feeling. I just couldn`t express my thoughts and fears better. Thank you so much.

As it`s Easter Sunday - Happy Easter for everyone who celebrates it.

deni1661

Happy Easter to everyone who celebrates!

KasiaK - thanks for sharing your story and joining our group! You will find unconditional support, encouragement and inspiration here. I wish you well in your cancer journey

Tres beautiful baskets! My hubby was a little disappointed that his Easter treats were laid out on the table. I couldn't get the baskets down with my bad shoulder so had to skip it this year. I will show him your pictures and tell him I'll make it up next year 😉

Coach thanks for the grandma humor, I love it. I am a similar grandma and there is no greater joy than the love from my grandkids! My daughter and SIL have strict nutrition rules at home with treats being a rarity. Our grandkids get a few special treats at grandma and grandpa's house, my husband sneaks them one too many on occasion and boy do they get a sugar buzz lol

Thanks for sharing the lovely lyrics coach, great inspiration on this special day

KasiaK

Thank you deni1661.

ElaineTherese

Happy Easter, all! Welcome, KasiaK -- my family is Polish, and I attended a Polish Catholic church, growing up.

Just got back from a conference in San Francisco last night and slept through the Easter service I was supposed to attend. I ended up going to Spanish Mass instead. Nothing complicated for dinner -- just roasting a chicken.

Suburbs

SpecialK, Coachvicky, ElaineTherese, deni 1661, shelabelaand I hope I did not miss anyone...Thanks again for your well wishes. Day 4 on two antibiotics and week 6 on nerlynx and I think I've got the magic formula to keep the side effects at bay.

I love the Easter pics. Bacon, bacon, bacon, and the black and white stuffed animal cow is adorable. Hurrah.

KasiaK, welcome. Your English is great. It sounds like you have received the best of care and all the therapies that are well accepted. Kick that triple positive gremlin to the curb!

I have headaches and bone pain too especially when I wake up. My Oncologist always asks the same questions: Do you feel better after you get moving? Are you staying hydrated? I hope you get relief and it never hurts to mention your symptoms to your care team. Again, welcome.

LTWJ

KasiaK do you make Pysanky Easter eggs? I grew up in a polish/Ukrainian area of NY and we always made these special eggs.

My kids are all coming over for dinner and my daughter bought me tickets to see a Red Sox/ Rangers game next month. They had bought me tickets for mother’s day last year and I wasn’t able to go due the SE of chemo. I will def be there cheering on my Red Sox!

Happy Easter everyone

KasiaK

Thank you all for warm welcome

LTWJ sure we make pisanki :-) unfortunatelly nowadays we more tend to buy chocolate or ready made ones, but still we make some and take them to church to be blessed.

ElaineTherese there seem to be a lot of Polish people in the US, many of them migrated after world war II, many during dark days of communism...

Suburbs, this is just what I wanted to find out - if my treatment was correct. I knew US was a leader in treating BC that's why I was looking for the info regarding treatment you receive there. Unfortunatelly it is said 20% of cancer patients (various cancers, not only BC) in Poland die because we don't have access to all most up-to-date treatments other countries do, so I wanted to check if I was treated properly. Luckily it seems I was, which made me calmer.

My bone and muscle pain is definitely from herceptin combined with tamoxifen, I feel like I'm 70 not 40 the headache comes and goes, it's more like a feeling that something is pressing or squeezing your head - I' m seeing my doctor on tuesday, we'll see what she says.