2012 sisters

marianelizabeth

My older sister gave me a pink pashmina yesterday that a school friend from eons ago gave her to give to me. Her friend had BC 5 years ago and she wanted me to have it. I will pay it forward some day. Funny too because I had just got my FedEx from headcoverings.com an hour before and I have to admit I did order a pink sleep cap that matches perfectly and also that I plan to wear to yoga. Pink has never been my fave but sometimes things come our way that have real meaning. 

FYI, day 6 of AC and it is sure a roller coaster. I am still walking 5 k a day but unlike many of you who seem to have constipation, it is the opposite for me. However I just called my nurse help line and the nurse was great and very reassuring. Also had Neupogen # 3 tonight and no S/E. So on it goes...

Marian

Cottontail

I think I'm in the minority, as I do NOT (and probably never will) consider myself as a bc "survivor."  Maybe it will come back and kill me then.  Maybe it will never come back, but I'll die of a heart attack, be killed in a car accident, or shot in a robbery attempt gone wrong.  Or I'll live into old age and my body will give out.  Someday I will die, but for now I am just living.

mcook301

Hello Ladies



Seems like forever since I have posted but I do read everyone's post. So much going on here so I won't address all of you but I have been thinking about you all. I have been working a lot and nesting mostly at home. Like people mention it seems to be my comfort zone and I was usually a person who never watched tv or stayed put bf Bc. I need to start getting back to my walks and get my muscles moving but I can't find my motivation. Mmm? Maybe tomorrow! I had a work trip to Dallas last week. When I got to the airport security line I don't know if it was the fact I had not traveled or hormones but I started sobbing right there. I was so over whelmed that I finally could take a trip and some sort of normalcy but everything was different. I was happy and sad at same time. I could not control it so I guess part of healing.



Then I was sitting in my budget meeting ...listening to people complain about trivial stuff and all I wanted to do is scream at them, my last year I have been through hell! So please complain to me:) of course I didn't but it is hard to stop thinking about BC and all of us and what we have and are going through. Every day I meet another women who has BC and it makes me so mad! Why can't they figure this dam disease out so none of us or anyone has to worry about it? Ok that is my vent



I had surgery in August and still can't raise my arm that had lymph nodes removed very much:( I have cording pretty bad so that kind of sucks! It seems to get better some days then seems to go back to same state other days. I try and stretch it a lot so hopefully it will just take time. I need to shave my arm pit but I can't:) I joke w my bf I am going to have longer hair than him. I have to figure this out soon.



My exchange surgery is scheduled for Jan. and I hope that recovery is less than my first one. I almost think hell leave the bricks in I don't want anyone else cutting me open again. But another thing I have to get through to get through this dam journey.



Other then those things life is ...well I guess getting back to some normalcy. I will be done with herceptin in June and I will be taking a trip to Italy to celebrate! Even if I go solo:)



Lots of hugs sent to all!

Michelle

Cottontail

Mcook, have you seen a physical therapist about your cording? Mine helped me a lot with cording. She stretched and massaged my arm, and gave me targeted exercises and stretching to do at home. She is a lymphedema specialist, so I trusted that she wouldn't have me do anything to put me at risk of lymphedema.

Joanne_53

Mcook, yes you need to have some Physio. I am still having it (again) .. Went after my surgery, during rads and now back again. My PT uses acupuncture and that seems to help, along with the deep messaging and exercises.

As for your rant ... You deserve it. There are times that I want to say to people "suck it up" ...

Cindyl

Let me add my vote for pt.  I'm doing exercises and stretching to loosen up my back, shoulder, & arm... and it really helps a lot. A good therapist can help you target the areas that need work, and can help you avoid injuring already damaged muscles & nerves.  I did LE PT then shifted over to someone who is working on the tightness and muscle spasm. She's going to release me next week, but then will want me to come back in 6 months or so for an eval and new exercises. 

mcook301

Thanks ladies I was sent to LE clinic but they just gave me at home exercises and I think I need more help. So I will find another place

Cottontail

The LE clinic you were sent to might have someone on staff who can help with your cording, or be able to suggest a PT who can.  Are you still doing rads?  Your RO might also be able to refer you to someone.

I was sent to a PT clinic as a matter of routine after my surgery.  She just did baseline measurements of my arm and range of movement, and sent me home with a list of exercises to do.  The stretches were painful and I wasn't getting much additional movement.  But then when I went in for my rads planning, my RO noticed the cords and sent me right back in.  I was hesitant to go, as I thought the first appointment had been kind of useless, but that's when my PT stretched and massaged my arm for me.  I had an immediate increase in range of movement and a decrease in pain.  The second time I went back, she focused on scar massage.  She had told me to do this at home, the very first time I saw her, but she was able to massage in different directions that I am, and she massaged it deeper than I had been doing.  By my third visit back, I had regained an almost normal range of movement.

I've still got some weakness in that arm, and the cording is tightening up a bit now from rads, but if it gets too bad I'll have my RO write me a new script as I know my PT can work it right out for me.

Tazzy

To pink, or not to pink... that is the question? 

Here is a link for everything that is LE.  Cant remember if I posted this before or if we spoke about it... darn chemo brain.  

http://stepup-speakout.org/

juneau...hope your walk went well - thank you.

for all those I am not addressing (and those I am) ((((hugs)))).   I will go back later today and read all the posts.... my brain at the moment is just not absorbing a thing.

Tazzy

chrissera

Well I completed the walk, all 3 miles Iof it, although slowly. I haven't done much exercise at all since dx so I am proud that I could walk the whole thing. My daughter's were there ans they would get ahead of me walking faster ans then wait around a corner and cheer me on... Made for an emotional day. You were all there with me.... Now definitely need a nap before dinner.. HUGS to all and may we all grow stronger with each passing day.

Scottiee1

Chrissera, congrats .....and thank you.

halfcan

Way to go Chrissera! That's fantastic...we are all proud of you!

juneaubugg

I too survived the walk. I'm so TIRED! Friends daughters birthday party right after. Just got home, feet up. Will post photos of Our team soon. Was so amazing to see all those "2012 Sisters" shirts walking down the road with me! You were all in my pocket!!

juneaubugg

Ps. Just in Parsippany. nj today; where i walked; was 11,000 people and $790,000 raised.

Scottiee1

Juneaubugg.....congrats to you also and thank you.

Tazzy

Chrissera & juneaubug - thank you, thank you, thank you.  congrats girls for all you have done.  Now rest up, you deserve it.

Mia1984

I have just been diagnosed with IDC was give very basic information and too shocked to ask anything.  17mm in size Stage 2 medium activitie.    Consultant said possible radiothrapy lumpectomy 27 November after guide wire placed. and then will know more.   I am 47 pre menopausal no BC in family history but I do have ME RSD/CRPS IBS and the worst shoulders in the world!.   My cancer was picked up on mamogram as calcifications I have had calcifications in my shoulders for years and years but in the shoulder joint its totally harmless just very uncomfortable.   This is such a great site I am thinking maybe just opt to have a mastectomy and reconstruction,   I cant take a chance as my immune system is already compromized with everything else.

marianelizabeth

Chrissra and juneaubugg congrats from me too!

Mia1984, more information will come your way soon so you can make informed decisions. As you say you were shcoked, and it takes time for all to start to absorb all that is thrown at us in a hurry. This is a good site to be on and with an incredibly sharing group of women.

Marian

Hollycat

Hi friend!!! join us in the November surgery group.. we are all newly diagnosed!!!! This is a great site!

Chrisrenee77

Chrissera and Juneau- Congrats on finishing your walks. I am going to try and make that my goal for next year. I have not had the most energy since all this has started. We are so proud of ya'll

mia- so sorry you are here with us. We understand the shocked and disbelief in this diagnosis. You will receive more information as it goes on. Don't jump to quickly to what you want to do. I had 9 days from the time I went in for all my tests to think it over and speak with my husband and mom. The hardest part is when you are in the surgeons office and they have pen in hand wanting to know what you are wanting to do.  I could tell my family all day long what I was going to do, but as soon as my surgeon asked I broke down and lost it right then and there. Weigh all your options first and make the best decision for YOU. If you chose to do the full mastectomy, you get to look forward to having perky boobs that are built for you, the size and shape you want . I had the BMX and I am so glad that is the way I went and I don't regret it. Hopefully I am just 2 months away from having my permanant emplants put in. Good luck and we are here for you when you need us.

websister

Chrissera and Juneaubug - add my thanks and have a well deserved rest



Mia1984 - welcome, as said before this is a great group



Last evening we went to a neighborhood party for a couple that are moving away. I kind of got cornered by a gentleman who has had Taxotere as chemotherapy in the past and he was telling me all his horror stories. Finally got away and came home, not what ai needed to hear so trying to forget it.

Tomorrow is lab work and oncologist visit, if all is well I start the Taxotere/Herceptin part of chemo on Tuesday.

websister

For anyone who has a Kindle there is a free book today called 'Strength Renewed: Meditations for your Journey Through Breast Cancer' - don't know it it's good but it is free to download and it has five starts from those who have reviewed.



Here's the link -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008PRGSJ2/?tag=booksontheknob-20

MrsCich

2 days past my 2nd TC infusion and I have a case of the crummies. I don't want to move and fatigue is taking over but of course not well enough for me to nap or anything. 7 Colace in 2 days to get things flowing and I'm crampy. Hot flashes are awful. 😩 By far the worst I've felt since this began.



I just don't want to do anything.



Thank you all for the support you provide. Knowing I can come here and explain my issues and know you get it, helps tons.



Love to all.

juneaubugg

Mia1984; welcome, you're in the right place. You've already got some great advice. Take your time and decide what is right for you once the surgeon provides you all the options. Just remember you will live with the outcome (what your breasts look like) forever. Any road you chose, I now know, is no easier then any other. Each surgical option/treatment option comes with its own pros and cons. Hang in there and feel free to vent here when you need to...we get it! I also have Crohn's disease. It's certainly made my journey more challenging, however the only way through this has been to keep moving forward. I'm sick of additional frustrations but I really have no choice.



Websister; that SUCKS. You had an opportunity to forget about BC for a little while and it got spoiled.



Mrscich; can I tell you... Hot flashes were absolutely the worst part. Be grateful it's not summer anymore; if that helps at all. (((Hugs)))



Mcook; nice to knowing you're getting on with living, but we've missed you.



Has anyone heard from Scorchy?! Scorchy...where are you?

Scottiee1

Websister.....remember your body will react differently from everyone else's. I never had chemo but take Letrozole and have lost a lot of my hair, but many other women I know taking L have no hair issues. We are all different ....take it one day at a time.

MrsCich

Web sister, I'm on Taxotere and Cyoxan...2nd dose was Friday. Even though I feel crummy now my SE's have been nothing to the borrow stories. I've had no nausea, nail issues, etc. I know it all may still come but I will count my blessings for now. Please don't let the horror stories frighten you. As you know, everyone is different. I hate when people push unwanted advice on me. I've had so many people tell me what I "should be or need to be doing" because they know someone that's had bc. Really? You know someone? I AM SOMEONE WITH IT!!!!! I appreciate the advice but I don't want to to talk with women about their stories unless I damn well want to. I like it here. BCO is the group of women I want to be with. I I don't want to talk, I don't. Same with reading. Thing is, I care tremendously about all of you even though we've never met. You all are my rock and I love you all.



Juneau, thank for saying your hot flashes were as bad. I feel like a freak. By the way, I was wondering where Scorchy has been as well. Anyone hear from her??

Chrisrenee77

Wouldn't it be nice if for 1 day we could all FORGET we had/have breast cancer? I have the shooting nerve pains in my left breast where BC was. I get so sick and tired of people wanting to tell me what I should be doing. I'm doing what I should be doing, I'm taking care of business ie: going to dr's appt, surgery, follow ups, labs and any other damn thing I'm supposed to.

Mrscich- I had severe hot flashes after I was taken off my estrogen pills. My Onc finally put me on Effexor every day and it seems to help. It also helps with my mood swings too. Effexor is an Anti-psychotic medication but some of the side effects is that it helps with hot flashes.

So my left boob is getting somewhat better I think. It's still red and has some achey tender areas. I go back wednesday to the PS to see what we need to do next. I'm still not fond of a needle drainage but will do what I need to do.

Dropped my hubby off at the airport this morning he is headed to Louisiana for a week long class in New Orleans kinda depressing but he will get more sleep there. i have kept him up too many nights this week due to nerves and being uncomfortable. I hope all you lovely ladies have a wonderful night!

luvmygoats

Hi all - Look up Scorchy's profile.  She has been posting today on bone mets thread.

Chrisrenee77

hi ladies. I don't know how many of you listen to country music but this is my absolute favorite song by martina mcbride and it fits me and some of you too maybe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYNOXRifXKQ