Starting Chemo in December 2013

Lisaj514

this was a great magazine. It came with my cure magazine that comes 4xyr. You can get it for free. I found it had all the things we have been talking about with survivorship, being "done" etc. and put into words for those like me that sometimes have difficulty putting it into words. Articles on chemo brain, parenting, mindfulness and my fav " handling the pressure to be "over" cancer"

Here's the link

www.curetoday.com/heal-subscribe

keepthefaith

So happy to read that everyone is doing well!

Lisa, love your hair! Thanks for the link and info. I have decided to keep my hair short...as in wash and wear. I cut it the other day and it made me glad that I had excess hair to cut!

DJJ, great picture!

MO appt today went well. Sitting in the exam room, I almost had to remind myself again that I am a BC patient. UGH! It's a good place to be when it's not on your mind 24/7, isn't it?

Think of you all often,

Take care ladies~

Jodi040812

I Was suppose to be in Houston tonight. Was suppose to get the drains out tomorrow, but nope. Fluid is too high and they have to stay at least another week. The one in my back is killing me. The lat muscle being moved is the hardest thing I have been through. I am so thankful for my energy and general health. My heart goes out to the ladies getting this procedure who are not able to bounce back that much. This one is a bitch!

So! 2 drains still here. I hate them. They freak my 7 year old out. They must go. I have faith that I will feel so much better once they come out. It is gross to feel the one in my back all curved around.

Enough of the pity party. Glad to see everyone doing well. I am trying to grow my hair. I don't like it short. Looking forward to having a real ponytail with no headband! Maybe Christmas time it will be long enough.

aff

Hi everyone! It's been so long since I have come back to these boards. Reading through your most recent posts was like catching up with old friends. I had nipple reconstruction last Tuesday with some fat grafting to fill in divots. Holy cow...I never could have imagined lipo could hurt worse than DIEP surgery. Anyway, I'm powering through and I'm sure it will all be fine. I have mostly moved on and returned to my old life. I'm not the same person I was before my dx but I don't spend a lot of time looking back. I try to move forward every day. This week has caused me to reflect on the last 18 months. It brought me back to all of you. Thank you for getting me through. I'm so happy to see all the pics. You all look great! Thanks for being here, then and now!

RobinLK

Anyone else having panic attacks? That is what I think they are anyway. Come on when plans get changed, in tight traffic, quick movements or when I cannot do something I was once ably to do. My heart starts racing, chest gets tight, thoughts start racing. Pain in my ass.

chicopeach57

don't get panic attacks but find that I am more anxious in situations and less patient and tolerant. Maybe that is just getting to be old though,

DJJ

Aff, so good to hear from you. Glad all is well.

Robin, I don't get panic attacks but I have no patience anymore. I like to say I've turned into a "Bitch" I don't have time for BS or games or rude people etc. etc. So instead of getting annoyed and biting my tongue I just say whatever it is I'm thinking. Sometimes a good thing, sometimes a bad thing.

Yesterday I had fractional laser resurfacing done on my face!!! I decided, What the hell! I want to feel good. Why look 43 when I can look 33!!! Right now I look like a lobster, but in a week!!!!!!!!!

Crazywabbit

Happy Fourth of July to everyone. Congratulations to all of us for being 1.5+ years out now. Wishing everyone a great weekend.

jbokland

hello ladies!!! I so love reading up on everyone's progress!

We just bought a 1922 house in a little town called Mount Dora. We are crazy in love with this house and I am busy shabby chic-ing my thrift shop finds and decorating.

I am well and pleasantly nipple-less I have to have my shoulder repaired in a few weeks. It's a laprascopic, so hopefully I will have a quick recovery.

I have to wear a LE sleeve, especially during this brutal summer heat. I bought a bunch of 'fashion' ones. I must have funwhere I can!!

chicopeach57

I had a little issue with lymphedema last year and it seemed to resolve itself. Well this year with moving and heat it has reared it's ugly head again. Who all wear sleeves, which brands, silicone bands at top or not? I have a Juzo and a Lymphediva, like the Lymphediva best, have ordered one with the diamond diva band. This trial and error shit at $100 - $150 a pop is crazy. What kind of crazy questions and comments do you get?

jbokland

If 'niave' people ask what's wrong I tell them it's the price to pay to be a world champion arm wrestler. Most people who know its probably related to BC talk to me about it, or ask where I get the prints.

jbokland

If 'niave' people ask what's wrong I tell them it's the price to pay to be a world champion arm wrestler. Most people who know its probably related to BC talk to me about it, or ask where I get the prints.

RobinLK

I love my Lymphadiva sleeves. I do get them with the band. I shop their "seconds" as they are half price. Seconds is on their website and you call in your order.

Crazywabbit

I don't have any edema problems now but I am flying from PA to California in Aug and worry if I will have a problem. Any advice. Maybe I should pack some ace bandages just in case?

Love your Tat sleeve JB.

RHGSR

Barbara- I have a sleeve that I got fitted for because I knew I was flying to Maui. I would reccomended it for any arm you've had lymph nodes removed.

I would also reccomended TED or compression stockings for the plane ride as well. Cancer can increase the risk of DVTs. Also, Many of the girls at my "cancer" camp talked about how swollen their lower extremities were after flying. The hose would have helped with that.

Jbokland - LOVE your response to inquiring minds. LOL!! I've been telling people who ask how I am ..."I haven't gotten eaten by a dinosaur yet"! LOL

Holli

Lisaj514

Hi ladies!!!

Last year on the left with 2 more wks of rads and then this years Utica boilermaker 5k (the big race is 15 k but I don't do that!). 36 minutes last year which was amazing, and 32.50 this year! Oh yah!!! Time doesn't matter just...IM IN CONTROL YOU DAMN BC! And the hair of course! My 10th yr running it and 2nd yr as a "survivor". Top right pic is after the race in my backyard. Our victory sign for all of us! Love you girls. Hoping for a healthy summer for all of us. Last mamo and us were clear in June, MRI to be sch in aug. I'm actually relaxing a little and don't think "what if" everyday anymore. Feeling strong and healthy most days....it can't catch me! Ugh but do I have to continue running.? I only train for this yearly race. Don't love running but feels accomplished afterwards? Anyone coming to central ny or even anywhere in ny or nearby this summer let me know!

Some of our 5k runners. My husband top in red, my son next to me, my 2sisters in the blue hat and red tank. My daughter runs the 15k so is not in this picture.

Some of the people at our pre and post race party, minus about 20!!! Yes we had a lot!!

jbokland

Lisa

So nice to see the pics! I can feel your energy from here!

I am busy with my new house, suffering in this incredible heat this summer, and very happy!!!

Lisaj514

jb, mmmmm... happy...so glad to hear that last word. Your new home looks amazing. Sorry for the heat, hot flashes and high temps wouldn't be much fun! Hot here too but nothing compared. You remember central ny right? cold, hot, rainy, sunny etc, just wait and it'll change

Mikesgirl17

Glad to hear everyone is doing well. I am too. I really have changed. I don't take shit from anyone anymore. (So not like me.) Life is too short. If you don't like me, get out of the way. It's my 19 year anniversary today

jbokland

congrats!! Take no shit!!

keepthefaith

whoo-hoo! Great photos Lisa! Keep it up:)

Enjoying my summer with the 6 grandababies. My brother paid a 10 day visit from Wisc. We had a great time.

So good to see how well everyone is doing. My 2 yr is coming up also.

Mikesgirl, I'm with you! Don't have time for that )&@#^%b anymore!:)

JB, Love love your house!

Bless you all!

Jodi040812

been reading and catching up! Everyone looks and sounds great! I had my big recon and it went well but damn...it is for real!

I have had unbelievable neck and shoulder issues- muscles. Feels like whiplash! It has been a solid week now. Wednesday I called MD and they said take Motrin- thanks a lot assholes! I went to my local dr on Friday because I could not take it anymore. They gave me Roboxan. 4 am on Saturday I was in tears which is unusually for me and scared Cliff. Went to Walgreens at 5 am and probably looked like a freak! Bought heating pad, icy hot, thermacare hearing wraps, milk and a massager that looks like something else kwim. It got better, but yesterday LuLu had a tantrum in the middle of Target, and I had to pick her up and put her in the buggy- and it was not easy! Full meltdown of a two year old. She killed my neck. So, back to doctor again today!

Jodi040812

so!!! Doctors today said my shoulder and neck are taking over for the miscle that was moved. Don't know why I did not think of it!!!! They moved a damn muscle😂. They think my shoulders and neck are making up for it and will get stronger. I got two shots today don't even know what they were! I have never had shots for muscles. So!!! They also gave me a pack of pills and I am waiting until tomorrow to start them. Picked them up tonight and directions said take 6 pills on day one! Then one pill for 6 following days. I thought that can't be right so waiting until tomorrow when I can check. Again, never have been in this situation so maybe it is correct.

Going to start more stretching exercises tomorrow as well. I've been doing downward dog and cat pose to help. A week ago I had amazing ROM. I might have pushed it thinking I was past the hump. Putting my 2 year old up in the SUv and car seat is killing me. She's 36 lbs. I think that did it. She is a chunk. I have three weeks until I start coaching cheer again, so time to take action.

Reconstruction- my right breast at the top has rippling. I am definitely going to have to do the fat grafting. What does that entail and please tell me not overnight again! My dr told me he was going to do it during the procedure, but he did not. The surgery took longer than they expected. I read my report and now know why! One arm of the "robot" stopped working mid surgery. They had to manually control it for a bit. So no fat was taken. He did say I would have three tiny marks with a stitch or two. Does that sound right? Maybe doing that around Christmas break.

I was doing great for a week once the drains came out, but I think I overdid it! Lulu is 36lbs and I can bet I am not suppose to be lifting her. It was nice for a week, but Cliff and my oldest DD have to do it now. Live and learn - best part being the live

oranje_mama

It's been so long since I last checked in, but I am following on FB! To those of you still doing reconstruction, wow. We are in your pockets! Such a long process. But we're all still here and causing trouble !

This morning I had a really good moment. Like last summer, I'm swimming with my neighborhood pool masters club. "Club" is probably overstating it. It's just around 8-12 people, many of them swim team parents, who get together with a workout coached by our kids' swim coach. Today we were doing some sprints, and I realized how far I've come. There's only one guy (a triathlete) who's swimming faster than me these days! I finished ahead of some pretty strong swimmers, including men, and had to think to myself, not bad for a chick who's less than a year out from finishing cancer treatment (finished H in December). There's some power in that thought, know what I mean?!!

I added a new office selfie as my avatar. I'm keeping my hair short too. And color is natural. For now, keeping that too!

Lisaj514

making me smile oranje!. Awesome with the swimming. Just keep swimming as jodi says! And that is literally true for you! We are a strong fearsome group of women that can do anything we put our minds to. Anything is easier than what was going on a year and a half ago!

Jodi, hoping you start to feel better. Should you go back to PT or try massage therapy or a trainer, or a chiropractor or acupuncture? Is the muscle they moved under the implant and is it the latissimus muscle? I'm curious as I've had a lumpectomy but what they can do is amazing. I've worked with patients as an OT that had tendon transfers in their hands or wrists from a traumatic injury and it's definitely a relearning process as to what the new muscle does or is supposed to do, or no longer does etc. I'm sure you will start feeling better soon and hoping your cheer coaching will actually help but do take it easy, no cartwheels or anything please!

Crazywabbit

Oranje, good to hear from you, yes keep swimming.

Jodi- healing thoughts for you.

Keepthefaith. What fun with all the grandchildren.

Mikesgirl - we all don't take any s**t anymore. No time for that in our lives.

JB as I said before Love the house!

Lisa. Wow, what a runner.

Well, yesterday was officially 1 year completing cancer treatment. The day of my last radiation. I am not counting the on going AI pills but just the tough stuff. Adapting to the single life. Just worried about my little dog, I think her bladder cancer is progressing. We go on Monday for another US. She is on oral chemo, chlorambucil, now. Just hope she stays well enough for our trip to California in 3 weeks to visit my newlywed son and his wife. Anyone near Sunnyvale, CA? Kim?

Keep enjoying everyday of life

kimie06

hello gorgeous ladies !!

my goodness, been a bit since I have been on, but Not a day goes by that I am not like Ive got to get to the board, I think of "us" all the time !!

I am sorry for all who are enduring pain with these friggin surgeries....uugghhh...

I have a check up this week with oncology, that's about the only place that gives me anxiety, I want to barf everytime I walk onto that floor of the hospital, no major concerns, spotting a bit with the tamoxifen, have to wonder if its fucking with my metabolism, I work out daily and watch what I eat but nothing seems to be changing... so discouraging.

DJJ - I hear ya on the filter thing, I say whatever the hell I am feeling and don't give a crap what others may think, sometimes I seriously want to throat punch people. Like shut up....gawd.

Robin I still havent colored in my "grown up" coloring book but everytime I See one I think of you.

I still look back at the last 2 years and I am like what the hell happened... BC diagnosis, brother passing,, then my dad, I am done., spent, I need to let my soul rest... does that make sense, I just stopped working at my part time gig and am so happy to have some time for me, I am still doing hair, I am still trying to get into nursing. I feel like the universe hates me sometimes.

My god I wish I could meet everyone of you !! and give you a human hug

xo my warriors - we rock

jbokland

I have my shoulder surgery tomorrow, I think it will be a piece of cake compared to the last year!

Does anyone on Tamoxifen experience night time Charlie horses? These leg spasms about shoot me out of bed!

keepthefaith

I hope all of you ladies are doing well.

JB, I have been on Tam since May of last yr and I do get leg cramps now and then. I had one last week that just get coming back all night. It was horrible. My leg stayed sore all the next day... But, haven't had one since then...knock on wood! I'm not sure how to relieve them. If you know of anything, I would love to hear! Good luck on your surgery!:)

Kimie, I hope your ck up goes well.

Barbara, Praying that your fur baby is pain-free and happy!

Wow, Oranje! You are an inspiration!

Jodi, your resilience is shining through!

((HUGS))

kimie06

All good on the check-up, they are sending me for a pelvic ultrasound, some random spotting with tamoxifen....