Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

seacretgardn

Mardi, I'm sorry you had to postpone! I meet with the second surgeon in two weeks. I too can't wait to get these things out! Thanks for your reply.-Laura

rachelvk

I might be forgetting your plans - do you both still have TEs, or are you switching from implants? I have to admit, I really have not gotten used to my implants. I don't know if I'd want to go through another surgery, but I wonder if I'll ever have days when I'm not constantly reminded by tightness or shifting, and if I'll ever be able to sleep on my stomach, or even my side comfortably.

seacretgardn

Hi Rachel, I haven't been here in a bit. My younger daughter moved back home and suddenly my quiet house is busy and crowded,



I'm so sorry to hear you're still uncomfortable with the implants. What does your surgeon say about that?



I still have TEs and they are really wearing on me. The radiated side is like cement and the other side is shifting and flattening. I barely have them filled -I think 150 - because of the spasms I was having and they still feel so uncomfortable.



My diep surgery is scheduled for March 6th. Big surgery and I'm nervous and anxious to put it behind me. I had the MRI of my blood vessels and it ok, I had been concerned because of prior surgeries.



I've also put on some weight since the summer but was told not to diet until after the surgery. First time Ive ever been told not to lose weight!



Hoping all else is good with you Rachel, and all of you are so often in my thoughts and prayers!



Hugs-laura

markat

Just popping in to say hi to everyone! Hope all are feeling good and life is treating you well!

Mardi any surgery news?

Mardibra

I postponed the surgery. I'm having second thoughts about the DIEP. It's a lot of surgery with a long recovery time. Not sure if I'm up for that.



I hope everyone is doing well!

markat

I don't blame you at all. At this point it would be really hard to go back into patient mode. Heck, I still haven't gotten nipples for that reason lol.



I'm doing okay. Had some scans last week and should find out the results on Monday. I'm sure it's just the lovely tamoxifen messing with my bones and my job. Hoping that's it.

Kelloggs

markat - sending some good vibes for your test results.  Tamoxifen can do a number on the old joints! 

I feel pretty good except I am now fat!  Chemopause has stayed and I am now having the wonderful battle of gaining weight across my middle!  Some days I just feel horrible!  I have mentioned it to my MO and she just kind of grins and tells me I am still beautiful.  I know it doesn't seem like alot but I have gained about 15 pounds since I began this journey and I am the heaviest I have ever been!  UGH...does this stupid cancer ever stop for a minute??

Sorry for the rant, I'm having a fat day and just needed to get it off my chest.

Mardibra- I think postponing your surgery if you are not 100% sure is a good idea.  You need to feel comfortable with your decision.  That is alot of surgery and recovery when you've already been through so much.  You will make the right choice.

rachelvk

Secretgarden - I hadn't realized you were going for a DIEP. I hope everything went well and you're on your way to recovery.

Mardibra - Any new thoughts on surgery?

Kelloggs - I've stayed in chemopause, too, and I'm getting flabbier. The weight hasn't shifted much on the scale, but I know I'm definitely gaining fat - it's probably just offsetting the muscle tone that I've been losing. I'm trying to make it to the gym twice a week and yoga once, but usually the gym only happens once. WIth the good weather, I can walk once or twice a week to my synagogue and back rather than driving (it's about a mile away), so hopefully that will help.

Other than that, things are okay. Got a good report from my endoscopy - even the Barrett's esophagus (a potential pre-cancerous situation) has reversed thanks to the Prilosec. Once thing I can worry less about!

Hope everyone is looking forward to a great summer.

Kelloggs

Rachelvk- I'm struggling in many ways with my weight.  I have tried the gym (can't commit to the time) and even joined Weight Watchers.  I need to stop beating myself up over it and just do my best to trim down but most importantly, stay healthy.  I agree the nice weather is helping me mood-wise also.  Glad to hear things are going well for you.  I still go every three weeks for Herceptin but so far the old ticker is holding out and I have remained NED.  Thank God!  Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

naan1004

Hello everyone, long time no post! 5/22/13 was my 1 yr since my last chemo. Just cking in to say all is good. Finished radiation last year Oct and am under observation every 3-6 months by onc/surgeon. Hope everyone is doing well. Needed to take some time off from here and just enjoy life with friends and family. I never forgot u all though, always in my thoughts and prayers! Bless u all, and hope u all who r mothers had an awesome Mother's Day! I did, my youngest had her First Communion on the day, was so precious and I was so thankful to be here to be part of this special time in her young life!

rachelvk

Hi Naan - Good to hear from you, and glad to hear everything is going well. 

I'm heading for a string of tests and appointments - my annual ultrasound to check in on the ovaries, my four-month MO appointment at the end of the month, and nipple reconstruction on June 20, plus a regular exam and gyn exam. Then I can breathe easy for the summer!

naan1004

Rachel, yes long time. I'm sure all will b well for u too, I'll b praying for good results!

Kelloggs

Hi ladies!  I've been off the boards for a while too, trying to enjoy life.  I still go every 3 weeks for Herceptin and will continue cuz it seems to be working.  I feel good and there are actually moments in my day now that I don't think about it!

Rachel - hope all is well with your testing and surgery.

Naan - glad to hear you are doing well.  Enjoy your summer!

Mardibra

Glad you are all doing well.  Im enjoying my summer and my hair! Wooooohoooooo!

rachelvk

Kelly, Naan and Mardibra - Good to hear from you. My 4-month check-up went well. Alkaline phosphatase levels were back within normal limits. At my request, I did have a separate test for rheumatoid arthritis, and the initial levels suggest that may be an issue. While that stinks because RA increases the risk for recurrence or mets, I've long suspected that I'm a hotbed of inflammation, so the more I know, the more I can do pro-actively.

Surgery went well - I was so psyched to peek under the gown after surgery and see - nipples! (My PS doesn't use bandages or any coverings, and so far they're doing fine). I was amazed at how much of a difference that made psychologically. Going braless is risky, but I'd rather have it this way. Haven't decided about tats. I might pass that up, but I can always change my mind.

And I am loving my hair, too. It is so tremendously curly! I've got ringlets!

If any of you want to stay in touch through Facebook or email, PM me. I know we don't check in here all that often too much, but since we all went through so much together, I'd love to stay in touch with you as we try to get our lives back to normal. My other December chemo group created a FB group, and it's been a super support group.

Happy summer!

markat

Hi everyone! Rachel glad the nips are good Sorry to hear about the RA testing. My MO wants me to see a rheumatoligist because I seem to have some fibro symptoms. I haven't made the appointment yet. I still haven't gotten the nipples or had my port taken out- I'm just taking the year off of stuff.



Glad everyone's hair is doing well Mine is still a thick fluff ball. I'm trying to grow it back to bob length so my stylist won't cut it too short. The top layers are finally starting to grow a little.



My mom passed away at the end of May from a short stint with aggressive lung cancer. That's made our summer a little difficult again.



Hugs to all!!

rachelvk

Oh, Markat, I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. Big hugs.

Mardibra

Happy that everyone is doing well.  I decided against the DIEP reconstruction.  I just dont want to do such a big surgery...im done being a patient!  So, looks like TE and implant for me.  My plan is to get that moving at the end of the summer.  Dont feel like dealing with it til then.  

Rachel - sorry about the RA but delighted to hear about nipples!  Im with you, im not sure if i care enough to do the tats but we shall see.

Markat - so sorry to hear about your mom.  Very tough thing to get through.  My Dad passed in 2010 but yet it feels like 6 months ago.  I see little reminders of him all the time and I find that comforting.  I hope the same for you.

One big change for me....got a dog!  Her name is Trixie, cute as a button, and a bundle of joy.  I will post a picture.

Would love to join facebook group...Rachel I will pm you my details.

Happy (super hot here) Sunday!

Mardibra

Mardibra

Chilling out on the deck after her spay...

naan1004

Hello all, haven't been on for a while, but I need my sisters right now. I just had a PET/CT scan done yesterday and a few hours later I got a call from my breast surgeon who gave me some devastating news. I might have lung cancer with possible cancer elsewhere including my bones or I could have pneumonia, if I could choose, I'd like the 2nd choice please.

I had a very stressful situation during radiation and most recently in July, yes last month. Been taking better care of myself I thought, but I think the stress didn't help. Will tell u about that later too long. I lost a lot of weight, been exercising and eating better, I thought, but I really think stress is a big factor for me for both breast cancer and this one. Still crossing my fingers. Have to get a chest x-ray, possible biopsy to know for sure, so please pray for me my sisters! I don't need this right now and I don't want my young daughters 10&7yrs old to go through this again! So angry, can't believe this is happening to me again. Needed to rant and rave, thanks for listening!

naan1004

Rachel I would like in on the FB group too please.

Markat, sorry about your loss, I wouldn't know what I'd do if my parents pass.

Mardibra, love the dog pics, so cute I want one too, but not the responsibility

Mardibra

Julie - prayers for pneumonia!  Your right, you dont need this and will will be here to support you no matter the results.

naan1004

Bad news just became worse, I'm hospitalized right now. It is lung cancer with mets to my brain and other places. I just had blood test done in June 2013 at MO, guess they weren't right. My new MO sent me to ER to get a head MRI, which confirmed mets. Guess it really sucks to be me right now. Ladies u must demand PET/CT scans fight for your right to never go through this again! If u have any changes that don't add up, mine were a cough for over a month, which antibiotics didn't cure, new lumps not in breasts, 1. Left neck, 2. Left shoulder, 3. On back of head, mind u I had right breast cancer, not even same side!

Mardibra

Oh Julie....im so so so sorry to hear that.  F'ing cancer...sucks!

naan1004

I'm in the hospital cause I have a neck tumor biopsy tomorrow afternoon after which I'm finally going home. My new Onc wants me to start radiation first thing Mon, so here I go again. Finally going to find out where this damn thing started from, what cancer I have and stage, but onc says definitely mets.

Baileybump

Thinking of you constantly, Julie.  I hope today's biopsy wasn't too uncomfortable, and wish you the very best with your new treatment.  You can do this, girl!  Time to put up your dukes and fight for your life!

Rachel, I would like to be added to this FB group as well, if you don't mind! 

naan1004

I found out today from my surgeon, I'm stage 4, don't know what type of cancer yet but due to mets I know the stage. Had biopsy, went well took whole thing out, was a size of a pea from my neck, felt like chicken bone cartilage, hard, white. Tomorrow, Monday morning starting radiation in brain first, then after that is under control, will hit other areas. Wish me luck and please pray for me.

mamabee

Julie, I'm so sorry. I hope everything goes well and they zap away that stupid cancer. (((hugs)))

naan1004

My awesome friend from middle school and high school set up a blog for me to post updates cause it's getting hard posting texts, emails, Facebook, ...so wanted one central place to leave my updates, please visit and leave me an encouraging or funny message, I need all the laughter I can get right now. www.caringbridge.org/visit/juliekim