2012 sisters

stride

Especially for anyone still in treatment. I know this song is religious, but I still believe it's inspiring!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWhDbkTmJHA

Anonymous

Juneau - yes, can't wait for squishees on Friday. So done with these rocks!

Tracy - node removal hurts like a bitch. I had mine all yanked out and swear that was the worst part. Rest up and be gentle on yourself.

I'm missing others I know. But too tired tonight. Love ya all!

Tracyc3771

Karen-love the "virtual tamtrum" as that is exactly what I was doing!  So glad I have you ladies to vent on! 

Ramols-I agree that the most painful area is the armpit and arm where the nodes were removed.

Cowpower-I am trying to be patient and kind to myself.  Everybody around me is patient and kind, especially my DH, I think I just expect too much from myself.  One of my personality flaws.

Have a great evening! And thank you again for the kind words of encouragement.  You ladies are the best!

websister

Tracy - I had 27 nodes removed one side with umx, I was very sore afterwards. Like Tazzy says, it was better after the drains were removed but I still have soreness at times, especially with the cold weather. I also find my arm that had the nodes removed gets stiff and sore as well and I have to be very diligent about stretching. I know it's hard to be patient when you can see the finish line, this BC journey is definitely a marathon, not a sprint. Take care.

2FriedEggs

Tracy like all these wise ladies said it takes time particularly because of the node removal. And like Ramols said the node removal hurts like a son of a gun! I had 6 nodes removed in a separate surgery and I swear that was a more painful recovery than my DMX surgury that was combined with TE placement, 4 drains and an oomphrectomy. Something about those dang rascals trying to reroute the lymph and the surrounding nerves that just didn't want to let up. Infact my under arm was weird, numb and tingly and didnt completely resolve until after about 6 months . And like Tazzy our guru and Websister said getting the drains pulled seemed to help the MX healing process alot. Try not to be too hard on yourself your body has alot of healing to do and readjustments to make.

Ramols- squishees on Friday- yea you've come a long way baby as the song says!

Karen love the virtual tantrum; oh how true! I wonder how many marriages have been saved on here because we were able to have our virtual tantrums and get it all out of our system  instead of subjecting our DH's to a live tantrum that they probably wouldn't have understood lol. 

Have a great New Year everyone-For most it's got to be alot better than last year, right?

Cindyl

2 Fried - a friend posted on her facebook page that she woke this morning to the sound of her dog vomiting on the bed... perfect metaphor for 2012

2FriedEggs

hahaha Luv it Cindy- so true! What's really weird is that my dog urinated this morning in front of the door where he waits to go out. (tile floor thank goodness) He is an older dog and NEVER does that. My Dh said it must have been his way of saying "piss on 2012" I just hope he doesn't start off the new year doing the same thing or that your friends dog doesn't vomit again tomorrow because then we'll have to look at it as kind of like a ground hogs day thing.

kkuziel

Just got a call from my surgeon who now wants an MRI. The tumor was difficult to biopsy, and my first surgeon couldn't do the surgery because he couldn't find the marker. Is this a bad sign. Every delay is killing me. Kris

Tazzy

virtual tantrum's... I love it.

Cindy:  great metaphor with your friend's dog.   But like 2Fried said, hope he doesn't do the same tomorrow.

No... 2013 will be better - really it couldn't be much worse could it.  

kkuziel: sorry you have experiencing this anxiety... really does suck.   I dont know, but I would think that if you have dense breasts and the tumour is hard to see they would do the MRI.   My tumour WAS 8+cm and was hardly noticable on the mammo - I do have dense breasts - or should I say a dense breast .  I had an MRI, bone scan and CT scan... deep breaths ! 

Well I am off to the shops to buy stuff for appies I need to make for tonight.  We are off to friends who have just moved into their new house.  Very low key but spent with special people.

Whatever you are all doing I wish you a safe happy start to 2013 - here's to us and many, many more New Year celebrations.

kkuziel

Tazzy, my original tumor is 9mm and was difficult to biopsy. Surgeon doesn't think there is another tumor, but wants to be sure they didn't biopsy a lymph node instead of tumor (biopsy was done through armpit due to tumor location. For me it's just another delay in this whole thing and am petrified this thing has spread.

Scottiee1

Happy New Year from Toronto. 💃💃💃

llr010200

Happy new year...blessings and love to all!!!

Jennie93

Tracy - just seconding what everyone else has said - quite normal!!   I had never had any kind of surgery before this but had been through some fairly significant injuries, always healed fast, rarely get sick, so I naturally assumed I would bounce right back from my surgery - well, boy was I wrong!  It's been nearly 4 months and I still have pain every day in that armpit.  Something as simple & common as reaching forward to wash my hands, I feel the pain & tightness.  Apparently removing lymph nodes is a really big deal to your body, who knew?  I certainly was not warned ahead of time.  Add to that the fear of exercising that arm because of the risk of lymphedema (wish I never heard of that one) and it's just really tough.  Hearing from those who have gone before us is so very helpful.  In time it will heal, it just takes a lot longer than we ever thought it would or should.  Hang in there!

cthynsh

Marian - Happy New Year! I am glad to hear you arent feeling nausea with the Taxol. I start my first of 4 on the 10th. My last A/C was the 27th and I am very glad its over. I am hoping taxol will be an easier road to travel. I am currently dealing with the loss of taste. Everything seems to taste sour. The funny thing is I am craving a tall cold glass of chocolate milk. Nurses tell me taste will start to return a few months after treatment stops. Cant wait.



Hugs to you and prayers for an easy journey to health

Cathy

EmmaL

I am glad / sad to register in this forum and have been reading the posts from many many of yours. 

I was diagnosed in 28 Nov. (the day after we had our son's 3 years birthday party).

I am just starting this journey. So far, i havent suffered a single moment of the cancer in my body but i am starting to suffer much of the treatment of the cancer.

SCARED and still cant help crying ...

allurbaddayswillend

Happy New Year, Sisters! It's so good to read of so much progress. Sorry to hear from the ladies who were just dx'd at the end of 2012 but you are in the right place for support, no doubt.

I'm almost 2/3 done with radiation treatments so I'll be joining juneaubugg's SURVIVOR thread later this month. It's going about as well as can be expected. My nipple is very sore but it has been a little since lx and just last night I was having discomfort in that breast enough to impede my sleep a little. Otherwise, it's just a bit pink and not peeling or anything like that yet. phew…

kris,  You've had a lot of good advice already but thought I'd share too: My tumor was not too hard to find, fairly defined and just under 2cm, and my BC team insisted on an MRI to make sure they weren't missing any smaller bits they didn't see on mammo or ultrasounds. I really appreciated that. So it sounds to me like your local Drs are conscientious even if it gives you more time to get upset. About 3 to 4 weeks passed between when I had my biopsy and my surgery. I was very anxious too. I got klonazepam to help me sleep. I went with completely sugar-free-healthy-food-calorie-restricted eating, walking daily - I was *not* going to let that bugger grow anymore! It's amazing how much self-control I can have when completely freaked out. I had a wire-guided lumpectomy. and it was not bad in terms of surgeries and hospital experiences for me. I had a worse time coming off the vicodin a couple days later - that sh!t makes me a crazy lady. crazier... Glad you like the referred durgeon and all.

EmmaL, so sorry you joined this group. There's a lot of good info and support and it's completely normal to cry and feel scared around here, especially at the beginning.

Anonymous

Jennie93 - what a drag you're still feeling that level of discomfort 4 months out of surgery. Have you been evaluated for cording? If not - you might want to get checked. A few physical therapy sessions to resolve cording can do wonders and make you feel like a brand new person!

EmmaL - sorry you've had to join us. The beginning is the hardest. All the unknowns swirl around in your head. Hang in there and use this site. I found it to be a tremendous help - especially during that initial period. And with little ones it is hard. I have an almost 5 year old and a 2 1/2 year old. My ear is always open for you here!

Hugs to all!!!

NYCchutzpah

Kkuziel and Emmal sorry that you have joined us, but you will be glad that you have this place to post.  I am so glad to say good bye to 2012 the worst year of my life. The first few months of undergoing test after test then surgeries. It all seems like a really bad nightmare now. I have accepted that my life is changed forever. I read the posts of others who have survived years with mets and hope that I will be one of those surviviors, if not so be it. I will enjoy what time I have left.  I hope that 2013 is better for all of us with minimal SE's and maybe we wil get good news like for me no progression or even better maybe remission.

marianelizabeth

Emma, welcome as has been already said by many. A lot has happened to you in a short period of time. I am so glad for you that you did not have to wait long for the surgery and now it sounds as though your team is getting you going on the next steps. Chemo first? There are some chemo threads too and possibly one for January. Please know that here, we all have BC of course, but we also have different dx and treatments, so much combined knowledge and support.

Marian

marianelizabeth

Off for Taxol #2 in an hour. 

cthynsh, Taxol definitely easier on the G/I. Taste still an issue but maybe marginally better. 

DH just left to take one of ours sons to UVic on Vancouver Island and is staying on the island for a few days to visit an old friend so he is getting a much needed break after months of 24/7. I was not easy to be with the past month of darkness, rain and an often not so positive head space. Am thinking the new year came just in time - already I feel lighter.

Still lots of us in treatment and then lots finished but offering their support - thanks!

Tazzy

GOODBYE 2012 AND GOOD BLOODY RIDDANCE !!

Here's to 2013 and a better healthier year for us all.

emmaL:  Welcome to the club no one wants to be in.   But I am glad you found us.   You wont find a better, more loving, supporting bunch of women.   The beginning is always the scariest.   I look back now to almost a year from my dx and will be returning to work next Monday.   I cannot believe how far I/we have come and all of us have come.   You will too - although you cant see that at the moment.   You can rant, scream, laugh, cry have virtual tantrums here with no judgement from any of us.   These wonderful ladies have been my sanity.

cthy: When I was on chemo and my taste buds deserted me, the only thing that actually tasted like it should was red apples.  Oh! my taste buds returned about a month after I finished AC. 

Minimal SE's for those suffering and hugs to us all.

kjiberty

Emma:  Sorry to hear about yoru dx, but we are here to help.

Karen:  I had my surgery almost 10 months ago, and I still have stinging and burning under my armpit.  It seems to be getting worse!  Don't know who to call. My BS? MO?  PCP?

Any thoughts, ladies?

KarenZ0305

Karen - I would start with your BS. Wow 10 months. I feel for you!

juneaubugg

Kkuziel and Emmal; welcome to the family. You've landed in the best place possible in the middle of chaos. We've all "been there", and you will always find someone here who has also "done that".



For those of you still in pain so long after surgery...Contact your BS. You shouldn't be in that much pain and just accept it as the new normal. I needed some PT for my cording and some Gabepentin/Neurontin for the shooting pains. They were my nerve endings trying to reconnect and find new pathways.



Yes I'm still a little tight, but I stretch and have zero shooting pains.



Tazzy; I agree... Good riddance 2012 and FUCK YOU!!! 😁 (I should warn our newer members that I find a certain amount, well a lot actually, of pleasure by cursing out cancer).



Tazzy: back to work Monday?! Warning....Waking up that first day is a bitch!

Joanne_53

I too had PT -- I had it after my surgery and then again during radiation ... and then again 3 or 4 months later .. my arm and underarm are good now .... and my range of motion is great.

Tazzy -- good luck with returning to work -- it is hard but it is so good.  I was off for 6 months ....

Tazzy

I am fortunate that I am starting with a gradual return... so I dont start until 10am for the first 2 weeks.  first week only 3 days - I am thinking I could get used to 3 days at 4 hours for good - ha ha !!

((hugs)))

Joanne_53

I know what you mean .... Being off gave me a new perspective to retirement. I know now I can handle it. All the best Tazzy ... And don't over do it.

2FriedEggs

wow Tazzy 3days 4 hours-does sound good!  Good luck though. Glad you get to start back gradually. It will probably be a nice change (at first! lol)

liefie

Hi everyone,

I'm back from my African travels, and I want to wish all the old timers a very good, fun-filled and disease free new year. This year can only be better than last year . . . we battled through it together, you girls lifted me up and made me laugh through the dark days - I can never thank you enough!

To the new girls here: My heart goes out to you. There is no other disease like bc, and no way around it. In this place you will find comfort and solace. These women are simply amazing!

Tazzy

Ditto to that Joanne - I know I can handle retirement.  Being off has made me wonder how we find time for work   Better keep buying those lotto tickets.