The Hermit Club

Teka

May Our continuing BC journeys be gentle in 2013.

Skittle

amen. safe flights, gentle landings

Teka

FLwarrior

Hi all!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  Wishing you health and happiness in 2013!!

Lauren, welcome.  Like the others have said sorry you have joined the bc world.  Not a club any of us want to be a part of.  This is a great group of ladies...hmmm do I hear an echo?

Markat sorry about your bummer news. Any reason that your relationship with her has to change?

Skittle, I love lady bugs!  They are supposed to be good luck!

*waves* and ((hugs)) to all!

curveball

Happy New Year, Hermits!

camillegal

Oh Boy is this where I belong now but---HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL and MUCH LOVE AND MUCH HEALTH THIS YEAR.

I can't get rid of this cold it really has me down--everybody in the family has it now. YUK--this is really a bad one. Oh well I'll just stay in my room AGAIN. LOL

Teka

I was overcome with melancholy on New Year's Eve.   DAMN!!!!   New Year's Day, and time to pack away all the thing-a-ma-jigs.

Lauren15

After all my appointments yesterday, I finally picked "my team".  I will hopefully get my remaining tests this week, and start chemo as soon as they can get the port in.  Surgery will come after.  So far I've rec'd no guidance on nutrition, but I did receive some info from a trainer friend of mine on a healthy detox and ways of eating more natural/organic/holistic, which I will look into.  My whole family needs to detox.  I truly believe that's where the cancer came from -- the environment, since there is absolutely no history in my family, and I've always been healthy.  Hope everyone has a wonderful 2013.  I'm still a bit hung over.  I think I liked the champagne I was drinking last night a little too much :-)

curveball

@Lauren15
My family moved from the East Bay to a brand new house in San Jose in the late 1960's. The house was built in what had previously been an orchard. I'm now the third out of my four siblings who has gotten some kind of cancer under age 60 (and my brother and sister were under age 50 at DX), and I have to wonder, what was Farmer Brown spraying on those trees all that time? Was there a pesticide spill or the pesticide storage shed in what was later to become our back yard? Of course we will never know now, but I have to wonder, especially since the one sibling who hasn't gotten cancer is the oldest of us four. He was in his mid-teens by the time we moved--had he already outgrown the vulnerable growth stage for whatever environmental factor got the rest of us? Again, there's no way to know. I listened to the book Anti-Cancer on CD last year and the doctor who wrote that hypothesizes that the huge increase in cancers is due, at least in part, to the enormous number of new, inadequately tested chemicals we're exposed to in our food, homes and just every-day life in general. I can't help but think he may be on to something there.

But Happy New Year anyway. At least nowadays there are treatments we can use to increase our chances of recovering from cancer and living out a long life despite it. I've done quite a lot of genealogical research on my family, and if I'd been born in an earlier generation, I quite likely wouldn't even have lived long enough to get cancer, and a good chance my sister wouldn't have either. Before antibiotics, I probably would have died of the abcess/lymphatic infection I had when I was 37, and she might well have been killed by peritonitis from her appendix when she was still in grade school. So here's to 2013, and may a cure be found soon!

Teka

Lauren15,

I was nauseated with loss of appetite and taste while on chemo.   I used "Fla - Vor - Ice" freeze'em and eat'em fruit pops for liquid intake.   Sometimes with chemo it comes down to what one can tolerate for a diet.  

curveball,

That is why the blemish-free fruits.   Just ask the honey bees!!

Lauren15

Where did you get the Fla-Vor-Ice?  I never heard of it.

Teka

Otter Pops, look up a picture on-line.   Husband gets a box of 200 giant 10 inch long otter pops in "Sam's Club".  The product consists of a plastic tube filled with fruit juice liquid, with some varieties containing 100% fruit juice.

Lauren15

Great - I have a costco card - maybe they have it there too.

Teka

Yes, Costco should have otter pops!

camillegal

Hi everyone--Lauren I' glad u;r thinking ahead,--hope it all helps.

And curveball this all makes u wonder cuz I'm the youngestof 4 and we were brought up on ostly garden veggies and fruits and homemade breads--we hardy at mests of any kind. Wedid drink milk when they used to deliver it. So we actually were brought up pretty healthy and 3 out of 4 of us have cancer. I honestly think everything they use is doing awfult things to our bodies--but cancer is a beast that stands alone, jusr like all the chemo, rads, operations and then to get mets, I think no one should get mets with all these meds but again the beast stands alone and does whatever the hell it wants,

Now that started the New Year Happy hahahaha-Teka I'm sorry u felt sad, but NY's to me is kind of sad rime goes by and this year has not been one of u'r best. And I love the warm feeling I et from decorations and lhts outside--and when they leave the whole neighborhood looks dismal in winter. Boy I'm really glood and doom gals--I don't feel that way, except I still have this awful cold, now my kids have strep throat and I did all I could to keep aways from them with my Lysol. LOL

My sister left today for a 3 day vacation with all of her kids and grandchildren- 20 in all--going to Galena, IL so she was really looking for forward ro that and most of her grandchiledren are teenagers so they are alot of fun. I'm so happy for her. They've never done that before, It's not super far from here but when u'r there u feel like u've left ILL. it so very pretty and homey-like old fashiony.

Luaren I'm glad u'r geting started oh--use plasric utensils when u start chemo, somerimes that helps. And tell us every single thing--the irls will no doubt have tips to help u along.

I should make a resolution to learn how to type. Altho I had it in school for 2 yrs. and used it most of my life so I really figure this is the best it wil get. Sorry. LOL

Teka

I give you a member pass on typing.

Lauren15

What did you mean by using plastic utensils when doing chemo?  I'm learning so many new things (icing finger and toenails, I need to take my gel nails off) - Any other tips from past experience?  I'm also on the January chemo group, but we're all so new and don't know what we are in for - Ugh!

Skittle

Teka--hope you're ok.  Camille--your typing is fine.  You get across what you want to say and that's all that matters.  FL--I love ladybugs, too.  Lived in Germany years ago, and they really push the good luck connection.  Kind of like four-leaf clovers here.  and Lauren--once chemo gets going, let everyone be good to you.  If someone offers, "can I do anything?"  think NOW of a list of how friends can help.  Have your list ready.  It could be anything from walk the dog to drop off the mail...  pick up a gallon of milk to a quick dusting of your house.  Let people help you so you can focus on feeling better.    Hugs to all. 

Lauren15

Thanks Skittle - great tips.  I'll work on that list.  I really hope I can continue working . . .

Teka

Plastic utensils!!   You may experience a metallic taste during chemo, especially while eating.

Also, I took prescription anti-nausea medication before and after each chemo treatment.   Ask MO for prescription before 1st chemo treatment.   Cover your own butt.

Teka

New Year's Resolutions:

Try My damndest to live in the moment.

Be a good listener for Husband, Son, and Daughter.

Husband and I go out and socialize at least once a week.

Continue with diet.

Wean off the "Active Topics" threads.

Midnight off the "My Favorite Topics" threads and beddy-bye.

Sweet Dreams!!

markat

Hi all, happy New Year! I need to go back and catch up. Welcome new posters!



FL, our friendship won't change, but she is moving 2.5 hours away. Plus she won't be at family things and awkward if I did invite her with the in laws family. We will remain close, just more of an effort.



Hope all are well! My resolution is to get organized and eat better. Hugs!

camillegal

Hi Markat--I' glad u'r going to keep a close relationship no matter what.

I'm not making any resolutions, well maybe one I might start drinking.

Lauren Teka explained the plastic utensils I'm sorry I didn't. I had 4 months of chemo before my operation and worked--I'd have it on a Monday (we were closed) and had a 12 hr. day on Tues. and worked that and Wed. By Thurs. not so good so I'd use m sick time for Friday too, we had 1/2 day on Sat. and I'd try to make that and just lay on the desk in my bosses office. And I got the anti nausea with my mix in an IV and that worked OK for me and after my operation and more chemo I used all my sick time then I went on disability. I had a lot of energy those first 2 days I worked cuz of the steroids in the IV so I felt good---but everyone is so different we're mostly on the same chemo drugs some are on more some are on less--it just depends on what's going on with u. Oh and I did have a port which for me was wonderful cuz my veins jump around and I still have my port--it's still used alot cuz neither one of my arms can be used for anything. But the port is optional I think, but it was so easy for the nurses to use and for me too. if that helps any.

Lauren15

Thanks for all the good tips.  I'm off to my PET scan in about an hour.  I haven't eaten anything since I got up, and I WANT MY COFFEE!!!  I'm so nervous for this test and pray this obnoxious disease has not spread.  Of course I feel like it has - every little ache and pain make me think the worst.  I have a feeling I'm going to get TAC every three weeks for 6 weeks, then wait a month and get the surgery.  Chemo better work!!!!  I'm trying not to read about triple negative - the more I do, the more I start panicking.  Doctors don't seem worried, but I guess it's all in a day's work for them.

Teka

Lauren15,

January 2010, I was diagnosed with TNBC.   I'm still here!   Remember, there're more BC patients off-line than on-line.   Please don't dwell on being TN.  

Lauren15

Got the PET scan, but of course no results.  I tried to look at the cd they copied for me, but I don't really know what I'm looking at and was scared at every bright light, so I stopped looking.  I have my MRI on Friday then the MO appt after that to discuss all the results and how to go forward.  I can't wait to get this tumor out.  It's starting to hurt.  How was everyone's day?

FLwarrior

Hi hermits!

Lauren, where is Weston?  West coast side I am assuming.  Me to, Im in the Tampa Bay area. Best wishes on Friday!

Teka

Good Night!!

camillegal

Lauren just think n a few short days u'rll knowthe results and plan of action hich most will relate to and explan whatever u need to know. Everyone will help ease u'r mnd and help u along the way. Really so as soon as u know u'll know so much from here u'll be a sem Dr. And we're not scary--we'll help.

Another day n--I have my first Jan. Dr. app't ment Friday, hen the next 2 weeks 2 more Drs. and hopefully done for a while anyway.So  have to unhermit myself a little and acrually talk to people.

Goodnite Teka-- think me too--Lauren u'll be all right.

LizLemon

Whew! Hi ladies! Welcome Lauren!!

I'm so glad the holidays are over. I'm thoroughly exhausted, and now I have a cold/sinus infection that hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday. Energy is totally gone. Haven't called the doc yet, but it hurts when I take a deep breath where my tumor in my lung is. It's not awful pain - but it freaks me out psychologically. All I want to do is crawl in bed and sleep, but I've already had 2 conference calls this morning. I am already fantisizing about applying for SS just so I can stop working somehow. I hate calling the doc, I always feel like when I ask for antibiotics, that I might as well be asking for heroin or something. Good lord. Just give me the antibiotic already! Sheesh!

We wound up having 2 couples over for New Year's, and though I thought it wouldn't be too much, sure enough, I wished I hadn't done it afterwards. I need to slow the hell down and rest. People are starting to tell me I look tired. I know, people. I know.

Markat - so sorry about the news of the divorce. That's hard...hopefully she will find a way to stay close to you.

Lauren - I am so sorry for the loss of your son. You have already been through so much. I hope that your PET scan comes out fine. Waiting is the hardest part.

Jazzy - very interesting on your new treatment. Hope it goes smoothly!

Waving at everyone else. 

Happy New Year - let's hope that 2013 is kind to us.

LL