In shock

Morwenna

Well thanks for the pocket party. They let me leave without calling the doctor in to have a prod, which is different from my last few visits, so probably a good sign!!

adagio

Great news Morwenna - at least it is over and now you can breathe a little easier again. Have a great day.

momof2doxies

Oh, that is GREAT news…most definitely a positive sign. So go have a wonderful day, Mo, you deserve the best.

nihahi

Mo.....isn't it wonderful to have a "non-eventful" routine appointment!!! Congrats....!!!!!

momoftwo....thanks for taking me along on your beachwalk. I always loved that....felt like I could just get lost in the mist and the sound of the ocean, the call of the gulls...etc. Oregon has such lovely beaches. 

Last day of RC work for awhile....and I'm pooped....happy to see the end of it for now. I told them I need my summer this year. 

Morwenna

I'm certainly feeling better today! Bloody tests!

Yesterday I got home to a letter telling me my hematologist appt on July 2nd has been brought forward, and is now TOMORROW at 3.40. (Way to give plenty of notice!!)

Hoping that brings good news too. I REALLY want to quit the Warfarin! 

Moviemaniac

HI Ladies...popping in, after a rough weekend.....I KNOW I haven't a clue to how it feels to go through a series of Chemo treatments, but I got a glimpse with my Reclast infusion on Friday......apparently it is used in treatment of some Cancers.....but I was given it for my Osteoporosis.......and after 24 hours I had a raging headache, heartburn, nausea, and achy bones and joints.....Luckily, I only need it once a year......I was told 4 days of discomfort....and almost to the minute.....it WAS 4 days!

Mo-glad your appts. were all good....sorry about the rushed hematologist meeting.  Hoping all goes as you want it to, for that one, too!

Edi-I am doing better-thank you for asking!

Mom.....maybe I will get down to Yachats.......I will def. let you know if we wander down that way!

Mom (and I) is  adjusting to Hospice (I am not sure that she even understands what it means) but I really appreciate the help getting her showered 3X weekly.....it frees up my time for other things.    

I am including a picture of my PS and myself.....sort of my "Graduation" photo......my last DIEP appointment.....I will miss him.....he's a very funny guy, and really does his best to make Cancer survivors go on to a new "Normal".....Dr. Sheldon Cober, Portland, Oregon.

Love to all!  XO

Morwenna

Another hurdle passed. 

As others (eg Websister) have remarked, I was astonished at how bad I felt today, sitting in the daycare unit at the cancer centre, where I used to go for chemo...... so anxious I felt quite nauseous.

My hematologist is so nice. I like him better each time we meet. Anyway, upshot is he agreed for me to stop anticoagulants, although pointing out that I would have a higher than average risk of developing blood clots, having had a previous episode, and he warned me that if it happens again it will mean "blood thinners" for the rest of my life. Anyway, I promised not to do that, and I see him again in 5 months, before my recon surgery in December (fingers crossed).

Don't tell anybody, but I stopped at the liquor store on my way home, and when I got back I ceremoniously threw out my remaining warfarin, declared my body a drug-free zone, and opened a bottle of nice wine! ;p

adagio

Morwenna - opening and enjoying a nice bottle of wine is a fine way to celebrate being drug-free. Wishing you all the best. Do you take a baby aspirin every day -  I have heard that helps thin the blood and apparently helps in the prevention of recurrence of cancer - cannot remember the source of this wisdom - however, perhaps you should just enjoy not taking anything for a while! Enjoy the rest of your week!

ladyb1234

Hi All, I was newly diagnosed with BC on 6/9. The biggest shock of my life as it is with all of us here. With this said, I am so happy to have find BCO -- such a wealth of information,support, experiences and just hope to find many virtual friends. I am just starting my journey, surgery scheduled now for July 11; chemo, then radiation.I believe I picked up from the threads that some of you worked during your chemo treatments. Can you provide your experiences - ups, downs, challenges?Not working will be a hard option for me financially and needing to support the kids. At this time I plan on working but not sure what to expect from the minor to the major. I had two co-workers that had BC; when took the enter time offbut indicated she could have worked but choose not to. The other worked the whole time and if you didn't know her you would never know she was going through chemo and radiation. I would like to get other's experiences specifically those that worked during chemo and radiation. Also input from anyone that has children and energy level, etc.I know the reaction is individual but would be great to hear your experiences.

momof2doxies

welcome ladyb….I am having some insomnia tonight, so I thought I would say hi and give you my prospective. I finished 4 rounds of C/T at the end of January 2014. My previous careers were teaching high school science and being a medical technologist for the organ transplant division of a large urban hospital. I left both of those careers long before BC, however, there is absolutely no way at my age,60, I could have taught HS science, grade all the labs and assignments. It was overwhelming when I was not ill. So it really depends on your age and type of work. Some people are able to take their chemo on a Thursday, and still work on Friday because you are hyped up on steroids. Then you will have the weekend to crash. My side effects were all over the place and never the same pattern. Eat healthy during chemo, do not try to eat fast food and do not go long periods without eating. I made the mistake of not eating until my DH came home and asked him to bring some outside food…which I consumed too fast and of course lost it later in the evening. I experienced bone pain, and it was alleviated with hydrocodone or motrin. My taste buds were altered, so some things did not taste right. You will lose all your hair…so keep kleenexs handy for a constant runny nose. My internal body thermostat went wacko…hot to freezing cold. And there were some very non sensical disturbing dreams that would cause me just to get up and go to another part of the house to roam the internet. Nausea may come, but stay on top of the anti nausea meds. Be proactive with the nausea…get it before it gets you! As you get further along, your hemoglobin will drop, so you will be tired.

Now for the good news. As soon as it is over, your hair starts to grow back. Taste buds return and as the hemoglobin rises, so will your stamina. I still poop out, but I am battling a issue with a torn muscle in my shoulder. I love to sew and I made 5 rooms of drapes, bedspeads, etc. and all the decor for my daughter's wedding. I was very proud of myself. Yesterday I refurbished an 5 piece bedroom set. I continued to keep up the house, and iron my DH shirts and pants. Just be aware of what your body is asking and do not over do things. Many people work to maintain a sense of normalcy. I continued my household routines and DH was never deprived of his cup of coffee brought to him each morning or his lunches for work. Like every "event" in life, there are some things I never want to see again and for me it is Smart Water and the 2 restaurant meals that made me nauseated . And if I should have to repeat chemo, fingers crossed that I will not, I will not be afraid, but I also probably will never wear that expensive wig/s I bought  You will make it through; you know where to come if you have questions.

I am still not sleepy, but I think I will go cyber shopping. Take care fellow warriors. I will write again, later.

Jenifer

Moderators

Hi ladyb1234, welcome to the boards! Glad to hear your finding them helpful. Momof2doxies, you give great advice!! We hope you manage to get some sleep soon

The mods

scouser47

Hi 😎,

Off for my ct scan 😟 very apprehensive. Pockets please girls.

Will check in later.

Moderators

Best of luck with you scan scouser.

The Mods

caitlin61

In your pockets, Edi!  Hope you won't have too long a wait for results.

Got my MRI results back and all was well. Meeting with PS on July 22nd to talk about DIEP.

Morwenna, congrats on getting off the anticoagulants - hope you enjoyed that bottle of wine!! I am stuck on a full aspirin a day plus Anagrelide so long as I'm on Tamoxifen because of concerns re: clotting (I also have ET, i.e. high platelet count), but so far no obvious side effects.

Have a wonderful weekend, ladies!!

adagio

Edi - in your pocket, for sure. Let us know how it goes! Is this a routine check up for you? I have never had a ct scan - so, feeling envious. LOL

Dakota212

with you edi my friend!!! Was at Dana Faber today all clear for another 6 months !!! Yahoo so weird tho no bloodwork no tests. Oh well enjoy the weekend all !!!

momof2doxies

Edi…in your pockets, too…hope you do not have to wait long to get the "all clear" results

Happy for you Dakota. Yippee good news! You are fortunate to be near such a renown cancer institute. 

Catlin…congrats on a normal MRI…those tests are NOISY. 

Off to look at second hand bargains…LOL It is chilly and rainy today on the coast. Glad I have indoor projects to work on. Have a great weekend ladies.

scouser47

Hi 😎,

Scan wasn't half as scarey as I expected 😀 over in twenty minutes  thanks for support. Results 21st July at next appointment with Onco.

Mods, thank you xx

Adagio, I was so upset at last checkup that Doc said ct needed to put my mind at rest. They aren't routine here, mores the pity.😕

Dakota, hope all went well with you ?😟

Morwenna great result for you, what a relief. 😀

Caitlin, great result for you too,😀 .

After appointment went to Mimosa tea garden for a bacon butty and a pot of tea. Thought of you all as I looked around at all the beautiful flowers and a sweet little robin came and ate our crumbs. Life is good 🙌

GD'ssummer fair this afternoon was then a complete wash out 😞 it lashed down. All moved indoors and it was like a mad house !! ED just come home after clean up 400 adults plus kids in tiny school.

scouser47

Momof, need to see PIC of bedroom furniture please  it sounds gorgeous. Advice you gave ladyb was super and such a good description.

Dakota, thrilled for you.

Soooo tired that I feel sick 😔 choir concert tomorrow night so bed for me soon, love to all. Have a lovely weekend.xxxxxxxxxx

adagio

Edi - so glad the scan is over! Now you can completely relax and have  a nice long sleep in preparation for your choir concert tomorrow. Have a great weekend. Mimosa Tea Garden sounds delightful!!

ladyb1234

Thanks Momof for such wonderful advice!  I would also like to see your bedroom makeover.  I like to sew also :-).

I know I will be back to ask questions, post updates and a lot of times reading the updates.

scouser47

hi 😎

Adagio, had a lovely sleep Concert went really well. Then Mimosa again today with my friend, a lovely weekend. Hope yours was as lovely ?

adagio

Edi - my weekend is a busy one with helping a daughter move out of her studio and creating space in my house for a lot of her stuff! It is a great opportunity to go through stuff and chuck a bit! Glad your concert went well - is choir all finished for the summer now? Prior to breast cancer, I sang in two choirs, the church choir and a community choir. I have taken a leave from the community one and currently just sing in the church choir - will decide what to do next year. After the weddings here, I would like to travel, so may not be able to commit to twice a week rehearsals. My eye is healing very well - now just dealing with the imbalance of vision  - seeing my optometrist next week to get fitted for a temporary contact on the unoperated eye - although I do miss my glasses a lot!

Morwenna

Fun Weekend at Lethbridge! There was even a race solely for breast cancer survivors ..... 5 boatloads! After the race, each of us was given a rose, and we threw the petals into the water, each petal representing a sister who was living with, or who had passed from, this disease, while Bette Milder's "The Rose" was being sung. Powerful.

We managed not to come completely last .... beating a team from Alberta Health Services, as well as some young whippersnappers from Lethbridge College!  

adagio

Morwenna - congratulations on competing in the dragonboat festival - the roses on the water must have been a very moving experience! Lovely photo - are you on that boat?

scouser47

Morwenna, what a beautiful picture and the rose story is lovely.Congratulations on your place too.

Sitting out in the early eveningsun after hours of gardening 😨 all the rain has made everything grow so fast.Small filling in a front tooth needed and I have promised not to cry this time.All through BC tear free but dentists 😰 Too quiet on here ,come on girls 😉

Morwenna

I wasn't in that race, the first one yesterday morning, as we had 4 "subs", so took turns to skip. I wasn't sorry though .... I did 3 races Saturday, and was rather stiff Sunday morning! Also it gave me the chance to snap a few photos.

We came last in our heats in our first four races, but we won "the losers' final". Don't care, it was our best time, and it still felt good to finish in front!

Dawnlilligrace

hi Hun I am just 50 yesterday was diagnosed last year with stage 3 hormonal based cancer I had an indentation in right breast I had biopsy and this came back as invasive. In June of last year I have had a lumpectomy and 3 nodes removed there was one infected then they did not have clearance so re opened same scars and removed more a week later they took 9 more nodes which were not infected . I had 6 months of intravenous chemo and radiotherapy lost hair eyelashes . But I kept strong it's scary but hey I'm here one year on and waiting on follow up mamagram results keep strong I have a mass of curly hair now I have 4 daughter oldest 27 youngest 6 so lots to live for keep in touch x

Morwenna

Just thought this might make you smile. I'm on the leftish side of the photo, about 2/3 way up, wearing a green/grey ballcap

scouser47

Super PIC Morwenna 😀😀😀