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  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited December 2015

    LovesToFly, of course, it's okay. Sometimes the post isn't relevant to you or there are too many to keep up with. Happy New Year!

    HUGS!

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited December 2015

    I can barely keep up as well...but just jumping in to say Happy New Year to all of you! Can't wait to kick 2015 to the curb and start a new year....

    Hugs to all;

    Octogirl

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  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited December 2015

    Got that right, Octogirl! Never ever want to have a year like 2015.

    Happy New Year!

    HUGS!

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited December 2015

    Hey Peggy...2016 is an even year... and that means: maybe the Giants will win the World Series again! Woohoo!

    yes, definitely will be happy to see this one gone.

    Big Hugs to you, my friend.

    Octogirl

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  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited December 2015

    Octogirl, Sorry. Ain't happening. It's the Tigers' year! And with more luck than exists in the universe, the Detroit Lions year :)

    HUGS!!

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  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited December 2015

    Happy New Year's Eve, Ladies!

    I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to seeing 2015 in the rear view mirror!

    Just wanted to share a terrific Facebook page. It's set up by two women who were former pageant contestants and competed against each other, and one was Miss New Hampshire. They were both diagnosed with breast cancer at a relatively young age with young children, and reconnected to form this source of support and encouragement. For all of us who are Fighting Fabulously:

    https://www.facebook.com/Fightingfabulously/


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  • Brutersmom
    Brutersmom Member Posts: 563
    edited December 2015

    As we end 2015, I need to share that despite the disease, treatment, and the stress of CA is was able to achieve the work goal that I set out to achieve at the beginning of the year and hit an award level for the first time. I always managed to miss it by either a unit or by a few 100 dollars. Despite to bad there is always the positive. Is BC a one time bump in the road or a life altering disease. That is to be determined but I have decided to enter the New Year as if it is a bump in the road that has change my direction somewhat until life decides otherwise. Happy 2016.

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  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited December 2015

    brutersmom, that is awesome!


    I hope it's OK if I share my blog post, it's about the good in spite of it being one of my hardest years ever. Besides my breast cancer diagnosis, my brother was in the hospital twice this year once because of bipolar disorder (3 months in psych ward!) and once for horrible rash. My father was in the hospital with a minor stroke one year after completing treatment for stage 4 colon cancer. My beloved client ( I am a social worker with kids in foster care, "client" is more intimate than it would seem) passed from Ewing's sarcoma at only 18 years old in early July.

    ^^^ I know, it sounds like I am lying. Nobody should have this much drama in one year! Even though 2016 will be starting with chemotherapy, I am still hoping to have a better year

    https://fancypansy.wordpress.com/2015/12/31/out-wi...


    A wonderful New Year's!

    image

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  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited December 2015

    BrutersMom, way to go! That's fantastic. You have to be proud of your accomplishments - rightfully so. Definitely want cancer behind us.

    LovesToFly, what an awful year - so filled with stress and sadness. In spite of your upcoming chemo, I hope 2016 brings you health, happiness and joy.

    HUGS!

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  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited December 2015

    ChiSandy- that soup sounds like it may even be better than what the doctor ordered! Winking At least having it in conjunction with the meds should help!

    Brutersmom- CONGRATULATIONS! That's awesome...and, done in spite of BC! You rock!

    LovestoFly- What a year! Sorry it was so hard. Wishing you and us all Health and Happiness in the New Year!

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  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 224
    edited December 2015

    Today the SE's began to hit from the chemo on Monday. Joint pains (joints are full of arthritis - except the right knee which was replaced.) Fuzzy brain, dry nose, teeth hurt, got really dizzy - fun times.

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  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited December 2015

    Peachy2- Thank you for sharing the Fighting Fabulously FB page. Just looked it over and already read some great quotes that were so positive and strong. Will go back later and read more.

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  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited December 2015

    Brithael- dang SE's...when I did chemo they suggested taking a Claritin and Alleve first 4 days each cycle. Didn't realize how much it helped til I forgot to do it. Even asked and they approved doing it for the first week. Are you able to do that?

    Initially found that a heating pad was great for the joint pain, too. (And, I was constantly COLD!) Friend found a heated "throw" and that was truly a blessing! Kept that thing going and it wasn't very expensive. Less bulky than a blanket and covered more area than the heating pad. You are prob doing lots of things but wanted to throw these suggestions out to you just in case they might help.

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  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 896
    edited December 2015

    Britheal - Hang in there. I chose to sleep through my SEs. I'd walk in the morning, lay on the couch with my tablet or phone until I felt like crap, and that was my sign for naptime! It only lasts a day or so. You can do it!

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  • 614
    614 Member Posts: 851
    edited December 2015

    Dear Loves to Fly:

    It is so hard to keep up.  I forget to address most people on this thread.

    I used to be a foster care social worker in NYC before I became a high school counselor.  Both are rewarding jobs.  Sorry about your awful year.  That is totally lousy.

    Dear Brithael:

    I am sending healing prayers to you.  Feel better.

    Dear Pontiac Peggy:

    Yes, it is extremely troubling but I still have my main doctors.  My MO remains the same and she is the most important doctor.  My RO in Texas is the same.  God forbid, if I ever have a recurrence, I would use my bs in Texas.  I think that the new imaging center that I plan to use is a better center anyway.  I just wish that it was close to my house. 

    Happy New Year everyone.

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  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 896
    edited December 2015

    Brutersmom - your word for 2015 is perseverance! You got through bc and made your quota! Congratulations!

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited December 2015

    Brit, sorry to hear that you’re ringing in the New Year with SEs. Claritin is supposed to help the bone pain, NSAIDs the arthritis--during both chemo and AI therapy. (I start letrozole tomorrow, and will be switching my prophylactic antihistamine over from Zyrtec to Claritin should I experience that SE). You might want to ask for an Rx for Voltaren gel &/or Flector patches (both diclofenac). The latter are expensive, but you can cut the patches in half and put them directly over the affected joint. Between those two, I was able to eke out an extra year before needing my TKRs. The advantage of topical NSAIDs is that you’re less likely to get GI side effects than you are from the pill form.

    There is a wonderful salon up in Roscoe Village called Chrysalis--it is exclusively for cancer patients dealing with hair loss. They have all manner of wigs, and if you get an Rx for a “cranial prosthesis” will work with your insurance. (Not sure if Medicare covers them). www.chrysalishair.com

    Finally turning the corner on this lousy chest cold. DH has agreed to play host at dinner tonight if I’m too wiped out to walk the 1/4 mi. to and from the restaurant in the bitter cold (I got a new down-filled leather parka and some new knit berets as a gift; but I may use my humongous shearling coat as a fallback--just call me "Nanook of the North Side”). That way I can kick back, sup on matzo ball soup, and have the place shipshape and the champagne ready on ice when my guests walk back here to ring in the New Year.

    Hard to believe it was 61 a week ago...tonight they’re talking 16! (Wind chills may be close to 0)! At least no new precip for the foreseeable future.

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  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited December 2015

    614 I think you've got things under control. Sometimes it is worth the long distance to get exactly what you want in care.

    ChiSandy, good news that you're improving! I think you should take a pass on walking anywhere in this cold weather Drive, take an Uber or stay cozy at home. You can try out your new wonderfully warm coat next week when you feel much better!

    HUGS!!

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  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 813
    edited December 2015

    I've been reading about insurance covering the cranial prosthesis, so I looked it up. Nope, no such coverage for me. Then I decided to look up wig, and yes, they cover one wig! LOL.

    While I am facing chemo, re-excision surgery and radiation in 2016, it is also the year that I will kick cancer to the curb

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  • MJS1266
    MJS1266 Member Posts: 222
    edited December 2015

    As 2016 approaches and I look back, there is a lot I have to be grateful for: my family and friends who supported me in so many ways, my health care team, doctors, nurses, technicians, and even the phlebotomists (my veins are so hard to find) who took such great care of me and I'm sure saved my life, and of course all of the wonderful supportive ladies on BCO who provided such great practical advice and a sounding board. I just hope I don't need these resources as much in 2016. I almost forgot, I am grateful to have hair again even if it is uncontrollably curly.

    Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthier New Year! May 2016 be your best year ever! After two very crappy years, I have decided to think positively that 2016 is going to be an amazing year for all of us. My wish is to not reach my maximum out of pocket for my health insurance and I bet BCBS wishes that as well. For those still under treatment, I hope that 2016 is the year that you beat cancer.

    Cheers,

    Mary-Jo

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited December 2015

    Brith, I'm right there with you. I had chemo on Monday and I'm really struggling with fatigue today. Not so much bone pain, though that will probably start up tomorrow. I'm just hoping not to run fever again, like I have after two of my other chemos. Don't want to go to the ER on New Years Eve~! I think I'm just going to close down my work computer and call it a day now.

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited December 2015

    Don’t know if I’ve posted this here before, or just on my Caring Bridge site, but the day after my diagnosis I was walking home from the train after a business meeting in the Loop. All of a sudden, I saw this chalked on the corner:

    image

    Nobody there could have known what I was going through, nor that I would be walking that route on that evening. The next day it (and the slab it was on) was gone, as a result of sewer work.

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  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited December 2015

    ChiSandy, Wow!

    HUGS!

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  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 224
    edited December 2015

    Thanks all for the good wishes. My MO emailed me and my nurse called me after I sent them all an email detailing how bad I felt. I'm now making it on Tylenol arthritis, plus I dug out my old "Iceman" from my TKR days for my knee. I have the go ahead to take NSAID's if needed, and even the Tylenol 3, so I should be able to push through this. It just caught me by surprise even though joint pain is listed on the SE's, I never thought it would be like that.

    ChiSandy - I've already looked up Chrysalis, and meant to make an appointment there before now, but maybe next week. I do have a script for a "cranial prothesis," and although Medicare does not cover, my supplemental does. Love the sidewalk art - what a message!

    Happy New Year to All! We will persevere!


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  • bluedog
    bluedog Member Posts: 212
    edited December 2015

    Happy New Year to all!!! I appreciate each one of you so much.

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  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited December 2015

    Happy New Year, Dear Friends! Thank you for being here for me.

    HUGS!

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  • MaggieCat
    MaggieCat Member Posts: 346
    edited January 2016

    To all of you... thanks for being here this year!!!! and I second the resolution... My wish is to not reach my maximum out of pocket for my health insurance...

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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited January 2016

    (snorts of laughter) That's totally what I'll vow too. Hit the out-of-pocket maximum in May of 2014 and June of 2015.

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  • Annie88
    Annie88 Member Posts: 196
    edited January 2016

    ChiSandy-I would definitely take that as a sign of hope!

    Britheal-Hoping your SEs get better! BC is such a pain!

    Happy New Years everyone! Wishing we all have a happy, healthy year!!


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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited January 2016

    image

    Well my second reincision cleared the last margin but...three cuts in the same place doesn't look so good now. Getting shooting pains as well. And BS still couldn't find my IDC MIA. Things could be way worse though. Happy New Year everyone, may this be the year they find the cure!

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