2012 sisters

juneaubugg

Ops... Should have caught up on posts FIRST and then asked the above.... :-|



Thanks all. Starting to feel a little human. Slept for 7 hours... Wanted more but my body won't cooperate, bed is small my back hurts, my port removal incision is sore and foob is... Well a foob. Ahh... The things we do for love, eh?



DH is out playing golf with his brother, rest of his family at a 5 yr olds soccer match. I can't handle humidity and feel crap so I'm watching the Ryder Cup in the small squishy bed. :-) (just FYI- I did shower and get dressed that helped).



Just wondering- does everyone else have internal thermostat problem too? I got hot easily with little movement and csnt cool off. I prefer to stay cooled and wrapped up then got hot and clammy. Ugh. Makes going out SO UNCOMFORTABLE.

_Ann_

I'm having temperature problems too-- MO told me this is hot flashes due to chemo shutting off the ovaries.  At first it was just a clammy feeling, then it was full on sweating almost all day long.  It's finally eased up a bit and doesn't happen as frequently  Still a lot of sweating at night.  My poor bed!

lisa2012

Hi all, been super busy being back at work this month as school started ( after being out last year from late feb through June for surgery and chemo- only there for three weeks in April. )



doing ok, well I guess. 7 weeks post exchange and adjusting to that. On Arimedex almost 3 months, morning stiffness and some digestion issues. Struggling to find a calcium I can stand. Hair almost an inch long, will be wearing my wig a while! Not ready for the severe look at school yet.
Re the mutiple surgeries/diagnoses/chemo/pills: "what happened? This is not me!!"



I know we do all these drugs to get ride of our cancers largeandsmall- yet I keep hearing that these med can cause health issues too. Yuck to all of it. But it is a sunny day- I will I find that happy be-in-the-moment moment.

MrsCich

Well it's been a day since my chemo-TC (got it yesterday 1030-200). No side effects thus far. Surprisingly. I did not get a port. My Dr said all of her patients that don't want one get ther chemo through an IV and none have ill effects from it. So that's how I get mine. One down, three treatments to go.



Much love to all.

Chrisrenee77

Mrscich- so glad you are doing well post treatment. We hate that you have to go through chemo but so glad you are with us.

Chrisrenee77

Question:

Does anyone else have issues with their hormone treatment and alcohol? Since I've been taking Femara I can not drink, it makes me sick to my stomach. I haven't had a drink since June, and some days it calls for a really big one. Just curious.



Christy

Anonymous

Finally starting to feel a bit more human since AC #3. Although been spending a good portion of my day resting in a fog from the codeine laced cough suppresant they gave me to see if we can stop the cough that is wreaking havoc on my abdomen. Can't wait to be done with all this nonsense. But at least enjoyed a good home cooked meal tonight. My Mom came to visit this weekend and made lasagna at my request. Biggest meal I've eaten since Wednesday's treatment! Been trying to keep up with all the posts, but can't respond to all. Just wanted to pop in and say hi. Doing ok. Sending you all big hugs and a restful evening! I'll be out cold in a bit thanks to some more codeine. Seems if I keep taking it and lie down, I don't cough. Maybe that is their way of forcing me to really rest during chemo...

Chrisrenee77

ramols- Sorry you are going through chemo. I hope your cough gets better and you don't feel crummy. Lasagna is always a good meal especially when moms cook them. Moms make EVERYTHING better. I know mine did when I needed her to take care of me last weekend. Nothing was really wrong, just wanted adult conversations instead of "No you can't have a snack i'm cooking dinner" or "I told you both to clean your rooms, why aren't you listening to me?" anyways, hope you feel better.

christy

Scottiee1

Chrisrenee7.......alcohol is a touchy subject here since there is evidence stating that drinking alcohol may increase your risk of recurrence. I'm not sure how many responses you will get. That being said, I am also on Femara/Letrozole and although I am pretty anal about alcohol now, I have had a couple of glasses of wine since my dx in February.

I had no issues with it.....my only issue is I want more and miss my red wine. Have not heard anyone complain other than they, like me, miss their alcohol.

marianelizabeth

Scottiee, there has been lots of commentary on different threads but mostly last week it seemed that moderation was the way it was going for the majority. But I do miss mine so you are not alone. I have had more than you but trying hard not to. Not to wish feeling sick from drinking alcohol on anyone, but maybe that would make it easier to not drink! I suspect that when chemo starts that will happen anyway. Still, with an abdominal CT Monday and the afternoon at the cancer agency I am abstaining until that is over. I suspect the overload from Monday may lead to a glass of decent red wine before the onslaught begins!

Scottiee1

Marian.....good luck with the CT scan, and yes, have a glass of wine after if you feel like.

I understand what you mean.....it would be easier if we were like chrisrenee7 ....I sure do miss my red wine😪

Scorchy

Tazzy: I LOVE that little gif.  Just love it.  (I love those smilies anyway.)

Chemochar: Sorry to hear about your doc problems.  Fortunately, mine was a problem of the wrong fit and not incompetence.  It is awful to have to go through so much on account of someone's incompetence.  I hope the path forward is better.

Chrisrenee77

scottie1 and marianelizabeth- I sure do miss my margaritas. I would have one at least once a week. The first time I actually wanting a drink was in July. I had a couple of sips and that was all she wrote. I sure do miss my weekly "rita times" with my gf's. So now I have gotten a new addiction....Route 44 cokes from Sonic, the more the better. Thank you both for responding.

Outdamnedspot

Hey Marian,  Good luck and have fun tomorrow as you 'Run for the Cure'.  My youngest sister Melanie is running in Vancouver as well...might it be the same one?  She has always been a runner (marathon) and hasn't done this one in awhile.  She called yesterday to check up on me and mentioned she had raised 1300.00...so proud of her and everyone who contributes one way or another.  My other sister is doing it tomorrow in York region, Toronto.  My turn next year!

Cottontail

Thanks, everyone.  I've never been officially diagnosed with depression, so I am not taking any meds for it.  I would actually feel really weird going to a doctor about it.  I felt odd when I asked my nurse navigator for Xanax for anxiety.  She asked, "oh, are you having some anxiety problems?"  To which I replied, "well, I just found out I have cancer.  Yes, I'm having some anxiety."  I mostly love her, but come on.  My depression was the worst when I was in high school (I actually attempted suicide) but I'm struggling with things in a completely new way now.  Thanks, cancer.

I asked for my Vitamin D levels to be checked when I saw my MO for my 6-weeks post-chemo checkup.  Her nurse called me with the results that I'm "a bit low" at 23, and said I should start taking 800 units of D per day.  I said it should be in my chart that I already take 2,000 units daily, and have been since the beginning of the year.  The nurse ended the call, then called me back a few minutes later and said I should be taking 3,000 units.  

Well, my tablets are 2,000 each, and I take D2 instead of D3, so I just upped myself to 6,000 per day.   I'll get my level checked again when I go back in December and hopefully I'll see an increase.

Anyway, all that rambling is just to say that maybe more D will help my mood out, as well. 

juneaubugg

Cortontail; don't suffer in silence. I threw in the white flag six years ago and admitted that MAYBE like my grandmother, mother and aunt ..I too had some clinical depression. Best thing I ever did. Amazing I didn't even know that I WAS in need of antidepressants, but they changed my world forever. Point is, take a breath and call a psychiatrist in spite of your anxiety. Hell, take a Xanax before you do.

;-). Just do it.

Scottiee1

Cottontail.....I just posted something about anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds on

" Great saying about depression".... if you have time, take a look.

MrsCich

Day two after first chemo infusion and I woke up feeling fine. I do find I'm rather tired come 8pm and the Zofran and chemo combo has stopped me up and I can't get "it" going after 4 days of stool softeners and a Dulcolax before bed. Any ideas? I suffer from IBS so not going has always been a problem but I know how painful it is the longer it waits. Help!

PaEaglesFan

I always found that to be my biggest problem too MrsC. I used colace w/stimulant and would take 2 tablets in the evening and 2 in the morning and that usually got me going. I have the same IBS issue so I really know how you feel. Once you get going, you might have to deal with gas issues. I'd usually have to take 2 anti-gas pills and 2 Imodium pills to get me back to normal. It's such a fine line.

Hope you find some relief soon.

MrsCich

PAEagles, I will be buying some then. I had Dulcolax and generic stool softener gel caps from when I had my BMX so I didn't want to buy more, ya know? But I am. After my surgery I think I went a week without and I was in such pain. Thanks for the help.

2FriedEggs

mrscich so glad no SE''s yet except to "get going". Ater surgery I was having the same issue and taking over the counter stuff, even tried dried prunes since many have luck with them. Anyway I happened to be taking some new meds and saw that it said take with food. So I just grabbed a couple slices of papaya that I had sliced up. Lo and behold that did the trick. I thought maybe it was a coincidence but then I looked up papaya and it was described as a natural laxative. So if all else fails give it a try. lol

Tazzy hope you're behaving yourself while hubby is away  .

 Juneau hope the trip is going ok.   

Thinking about you all and hoping you're having a nice weekend!

MrsCich

Ok, so I didn't eat anything this AM but it feels like a potato chip or something cut a ridge on the roof of my mouth. Could this be the onset of a mouth sore? I'm sucking on ice and hoping it goes away. Seems the saliva has slowed down in my mouth, oh joy. I've been using Biotene gum and mouthwash. Ugh.

jpmomof3

Mrscich, that could be a sore, little soon for it but who knows with chemo. The baking soda gargles can help with that. Have you tried miralax? Gentle but effective. No stimulants in it. Lots of fluid and fiber and try a glass of warm water and a short walk in the morning, that's when the bowels are naturally most active. You can use all that in addition to the dulcolax suppositories and if need be a fleets enema. Glad the rest is going ok for you.



Ramols, glad you are getting through number three ok, hope that cold goes away fast.



Alcohol. I have cut back to just drinking on Friday and Saturday nights. That is just part of my relaxation ritual and I can't give it up. We have to live after all. I honestly thinks the estrogen effects from alcohol are so minor that I have a hard time believing it is really all that significant. The studies show that drinking 2 or fewer drinks a week shows no effect. They found an effect with three or more but that includes a whopping range of amounts. Some people who drink three drinks one night are lumped with those that drink a bottle of wine a night. There is a big difference there. Moderation is the key with everything. Have some wine and don't feel guilty. I do hope that your stomach settles and you can enjoy it some christy. But there are advantages to not drinking too of course. The one study that looked at recurrence rates was small and not that well designed in my opinion. It is easy to jump on the bandwagon and say its bad though so the medical community embraced the findings in that study quickly. There is more information about increased risks of BC in drinkers so there is no doubt an effect but It is always interseting how things change as time goes on.

Scorchy

Cottontail:  What Juneau said.  Depression is nothing--nothing for which you need to feel shame or embarassment.  We can control our brain chemistry by ourselves about as effectively as we can contol our breast cance by ourselves.  Seek out help.

Scorch

MrsCich

First TE fill tomorrow morning. I don't know if I'm excited or nervous. In ready to get this show on the road.

Chrisrenee77

Mrscich- It's not so bad I've had three so far. I've done two at 100ccs each and my third one Friday at 50ccs each. The actual fill isn't so bad, if the upper part if your breast is still numb then you won't feel anything. I have feeling in mine so I have lidocaine jelly that I put in about 5 mins before. Do you know yet how much you are going to start off with?

lukefrancis1

I agree it sucks!

MrsCich

I have feeling pretty much above my nipples so I'm taking it will be painful, huh? Crap. I don't have lidocaine stuff. Where did you get it? From the PS?



Not sure what my first fill will be. I started out with 400 cc each. He said I'd get a small fill first go round then a bigger one the next time.

lukefrancis1

I am also getting so down...its finally hitting me ILcarcinoma..opt for bi-lateral mast.  I am 68 yrs old dont need beautiful breasts just want to look decent in clothing....1.9 cm however lummphovascular invasion...stero tactic biopsy failed went for excisional biopsy with margins not clear!  going out of my mine. scared...spoke with bs said curable but I have to let that sink in.  any encouragement will be appreciated hugs to you all Barbara

Chrisrenee77

No its not too bad its just a quick pinch. Even though I'm numb I still close my eyes just so I don't see them inject. All it is, is a butterfly needle. Quick stick. Your PS might be able to write a script for it. My husband is a medic and he got it from work. It's the most amazing thing to have. I will tell you seeing your boobs grow instantly is awesome. Not to sound weird or anything I've been taking pics of mine just so I can see the end results.

Lol