Starting Chemo in December 2013

Lisaj514

Yay for a good check up kimmie. And the us just precautionary I'm sure. They are very careful with us now. Double checking everything. When will it be. Hopefully not too long if a wait.

Heading to LA early tomorrow (5:35am!) and meeting my sisters and mom at JFK then going to lax. My aunt uncle and cousins are there whom we haven't seen in 6 yrs. uncle has dementia/Alzheimer's but is still home and seems to be able to go places with family. We are actually going to the Hollywood bowl to see a classical concert with fireworks after. We are staying at the Hilton in woodland hills. My aunt and uncle live in chattsworth. Hopefully some hanging out with the cousins somewhere when the "old" folks hang at home. We aren't staying long. Leaving Monday. Mom wanted to see her sister and wouldn't travel alone (shes82 and sister is 80) and she/we figure it may be the last time we see my uncle . :-(

Who lives near LA? Prob not enough time for a visit unless your real close but I'll think if all you west coasters

keepthefaith

I hope all is going well with everyone. Just wanted to share that I applied for the "Casting For Recovery" retreat. I think there are locations all over the US. A couple of ladies from the Hill Country thread have gone and said it was great. A lot of self-help, interaction, good food, etc!....and fly fishing:)

They do a random selection. This will be my third time applying, but 3's a charm!:)

Crazywabbit

I applied this year for the Eastern PA one but did not get in. One woman in my support group got in after 3 tries. She said it was fantastic. Did you see the segment about it on the NBC Evening news a couple of days ago?

Enjoying visiting with my son and his wife in Sunnyvale, CA. My sister and brother also on the west coast drove in and we are having a mini family reunion.

Lisaj514

also applied for CFR and just got email today that I got in! It's in upstate ny near Lake Ontario. Applied last year and didn't get in. So excited. It's oct16-18. Should be just at (or a little past) peak fall colors! It's a new venue. (Last year upstate ny joined the pa one. Maybe that's where yours is barb. That would have been cool to have gone to the same one)

Keepthefaith, maybe this is a Good sign that I just heard!

Crazywabbit

Lisa our CFR is held in the Poconos and only takes about 12 people each year. Maybe I will luckier next year.

Having a great time in California. Nice to see my son and his new wife, eating way too much wonderful food. The diversity of restaurants here is wonderful. So far have eaten lots of Aisian, some Persian and tonight Greek.

We ate at Google last Friday night for dinner and will eat there for lunch on this Friday. My son's wife works there and can have guests come and eat for free. Moki, my dog is doing well so far on the trip. She usually stays in my son's apartment if we go out to eat. Sad I have to go back to reality in 4 more days.

Lisaj514

barb, yes that is the one I applied for last year! but now upstate ny has their own. I'm actually going to pocono manor aug 28-30 for camp bravehearts. A women's Cancer camp/retreat originating in albany. It's open to anyone and they do 4retreatsin spring-fall, 2in Adirondacks, 1 in LI and 1 in poconos? This one is called wellness wknd. Massages, mani/pedi's, reiki, food, fun, support. All Cancer survivors, not just BC but the founders are BC survivors so I think most of the women are BC survivors. I don't know anyone going but I'm comfortable around other women Cancer survivors, we have a lot in common! Don't know anyone going to CFR either.

Your trip sounds great!

How is everyone else? We are soooo quiet here! Hoping that's a good sign

kimie06

Hey all !!

just peeking in on everyone, thats awesome that they offer those kinds of things/programs events whatever you want to call them for survivors, I haven't heard of anything like that being offered in Canada, thats not to say its not out there.

I am still plugging away at trying to get in to this whole nursing business, hehe.

one love

Kim

keepthefaith

2 yr mammo today. Thank goodness, all clear. Follow up with BS next week, then MO in Dec. I was a bit nervous going in and when I was done, the nurse with the results, took me into a separate room and closed the door-I was kind of freaking out! I guess that will never go away...I got a little teary eyed walking to my car.

I guess the rest of you are coming up on the two yr mark soon also. I hope we all can say "All Clear"!!

Are you all going to one year follow ups after this yr or still on 6 month intervals? My BS told me on my last visit, that if this one is good, I will go to one yr mammos.

((HUGS))

RobinLK

I was just cleared for 1 year BS appointments but still alternate MRI/Mammo every 6 months. I am still every 3 months with MO. Every 6 months with RO.

Congrats on clear scans and continuing the dance with NED

Lisaj514

also had an all clear MRI last week!

Same here, alternating mammo/ultrasound and MRI every six months.

Had a great weekend with camp bravehearts, a women's cancer survivor camp in the poconos. We women Cancer survivors are a wonderful, fun, loving, supportive, compassionate, mindful..,and did I say fun group! Also some great singers in the group! Great food, dancing, pampering, discussions, sharing gratefulness, giving and receiving. The resort didn't know what hit them and the impressions we left with the other guests was priceless. Check out camp bravehearts for any ny and PA girls

Lisaj514

http://youtu.be/MnJVHohAv48

A song written and sung by a BC survivor from my bravehearts camp retreat this weekend in the poconos PA. Please listen. It's on iTunes too and all proceeds go to camp bravehearts (an oncology camp for women) and American Cancer society. It's beautiful and says it all

Mikesgirl17

Hi girls. Glad to hear everyone is dong well. I had a check up today and it was very unsettling. Everything is okay, but emotionally it was rough. Just walking through the doors and smelling the cancer center set off all the bells and whistles. I wanted to bolt! Unless you have been where we all have been, nobody can understand. I am grateful that I have a support system with all of you. Thanks for always being there :

jbokland

Hi y'all!! Checking in!

I am struggling through my shoulder surgery recovery...so much worse that the BC treatment! Getting better tho...just a looong process.

It's aggravated the minimal lymphedema in my arm, I'm going to try the pump that was just ordered To help manage it. Of course, this incredible heat and humidity we've had here in Florida does not help.

How are you ladies doing that are on Tamoxifen? I'm dealing with general stiffness but particularly in my hips and thighs. Argh! It makes me feel old!!

We are leaving Sunday for our delayed honeymoon...flying to Barcrlona and taking a Mediterranean cruise to Italy and France.

Ciao!

keepthefaith

Good to hear from ya'll! Went to follow up with BS yesterday. Don't have to see her for another year! YAY! After I got home, I got a call from a hospital that is North of here and that I have never been to, wanting to schedule an U/S bc of a "mass" on my breast! WTH??? I was kind of freaking out, since I had just left the Dr's office with a good report. Needless to say, the nurse called me back saying it was a mistake on their part and was another patient....gheez Louise.

Have a great trip JB! Post some pics~

Have a great long week-end ladies!

missy6758703

Hey ladies!!! YAY for all the good checkups!! Two years already...wow! This is going to be short as i've got to run to the store, but wondering if any of you on Tamoxifen are having any issues with easy bruising. My legs are constantly covered in bruises. I know i'm klutzy, but not that bad! sheesh! Other than this issue, things are going good here...walking 3 miles each day and getting some of the strength back. Heading to London next week for a little work trip! Excited for that!!

Hugs to you all and lots of love!

Michelle

keepthefaith

Tamoxifen has not been too bad for me, I guess, considering. I do seem to bruise easily, but I'm not sure it's any worse than it was pre-T. Leg cramps now and then, sometimes joint pain, but I have arthritis...a few hot flashes once in a while, but all in all, I'm okay with all of it. I started taking one baby aspirin a few months ago...not sure if it will help with clots or a recurrence, but I figure it can't hurt and MO said go for it. I have ready articles that it may help BC patients...who knows?

Have a great trip to London, Michele.

Pinktober will be here soon....did you all see the post (now deleted) by the Mods that was asking for BC patients that wanted to go on Steve Harveys' show? It was horrible, in my opinion, so I wrote the producer (or someone) an email how disappointed I was in them jumping on the pinktober bus...the reply was, "call me and we can talk about it! We just want to help someone with reconstruction (that had a LX and a "heart-warming story")"...I guess I am just venting. I hope we can get through it without hurting someone!

((HUGS))

Jodi040812

Hi ladies! It has been awhile since I stopped by to write. Last time I was telling y'all about pain in shoulders and neck. Well, it got worse. I tried to tough it out for weeks when I should not have. Eventually ended in a visit to a therapist. She was clueless and even said she had no idea why I could not lift my head from a laying down position. Yes, it was that bad. I had to roll face first off the bed and slowly lower myself to the floor. Finally I got in touch with MD on Monday, and they said get here. I saw my RO who ordered X-rays and blood work to rule out mets. I also went twice to their PT department. All clear, and now I have a print out of the exercises I have to do. Already feeling better. So what happened?

I pulled my front neck muscles lifting too much weight around week 5/6 post op. That weight was my 2 year old. I thought I was fine! I was putting her in and out of the car seat of my SUV. And then....the great tantrum in the Academy store. She was CRAZY! I had to hold this mad child in my arms completely flexing every muscle to keep her secure. Needless to say I left my shopping cart and took her straight home. But! As soon as I sat in the car, my front neck was really hurting. And then, the back of the neck and shoulders took over until they too had enough. So listen to your doctor when they saw no lifting over x amount of weight!!! 2 months later, I am just now turning the corner. I completely feel for anyone who has injuries their neck for sure. This was all new to me. Hope that helps someone avoid this! Other than that- all good!

Jodi040812

I was in an article about breast cancer in our local newspaper today. The Race for the Cure is coming up on Saturday, so they do a pink section of the paper. And guess who I talk about when they asked me what was some advice for women just starting their battle....you guessed it y'all!

http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/life/people/2015/...

Jodi040812

oh and that is my daughter sitting next to me with the big pink bow on the left!

Lisaj514

jodi, that was a beautiful article and you look great! Great BC.org plug! We were great during thetime of need! That was a nightmare time for all of us made easier by the support of each other! Thank you all again! Finding gratitude in everyday. Loving my december 2013 chemo crew!

keepthefaith

Jodi, that's an awesome picture and article! You are an inspiration. Thanks for sharing. I hope this up-coming 3rd year blesses us all with good health!:)

Ditto, Lisa!

((HUGS))

Terri

Carol99

Hi all, awesome article Jodi, truly inspirational. I hope everyone is doing well, I pop on here and there cruising the DIEP boards, going that route in January. . . not loving my implants.

I'm sad to see the summer end, it was a fabulous one here in New England:)

I can't believe it will be 2 years since diagnosis this month, time flies . . . all that much closer that 5 year mark!

Carol

Lisaj514

How true is this!? Perfectly said Joan!

kimie06

Hey all

Michelle OMG I am covered in bruises thought it had to do with the gym but then I'd be like I didnt run into anything.....gawd, I think its affecting me more then I think, my periods are a mess, I cant loose any weight no matter how hard I try, luckily seeing the gyno today.

2 YEARS girls......HOLY................. still terrified every day

I went back to school full time, uugghhh, 2 year program to become an LPN then on to RN is the plan.

jbokland

Hi Ladies!!! I made these shirts! Celebrating our strength. I hope you are all well!!!

n

chicopeach57

I realize it is breast cancer awareness month, but I saw a funeral home with a big pink bow on the sign. It hit me wrong. Maybe I should stop and ask if someone there has/had bc. What do y'all think? Does it somehow just seem wrong?

RobinLK

That seems pretty morbid to me, but it is possible that someone there has been affected by Breast Cancer.

keepthefaith

I guess you never know...maybe it's their way of saying people really do die from BC...? It is kind of strange though.

Jodi040812

not a fan of that! I find my self completely consumed with breast cancer lately. It is everywhere of course, but the awareness is bringing fears back. Do you feel like you have to be strong all the time? I do. I feel like I have to be that strong, amazing bad ass that beat cancer everyday. And it is exhausting. I wish I could just be a normal person again without the fears of reoccurrence or death. Sometimes I just want to scream and cry for what has happened and continues to. Many days I wear that pink superwoman cape without any second thought, but nobody can do that everyday. The pressure of being the perfect survivor who inspires others to get checked or fight can wear you down. But it is not about me, it is about my family. My girls need to see me be brave. I just don't want their main memories of me to be a cancer survivor/fighter. October brings a lot of pressure. Needed to say that somewhere. Hugs ladies

Lisaj514

nice to "see" so many of us again in this pinkwashing October. Inspiration, brave, strong. We've heard it so many times now I don't know what it really means anymore and have become kind if numb to it. But I also do the walk, do the run, do the pink (reluctantly), do the the warrior survivor thing because if I don't I'm afraid it will feel like I'm giving in. I didn't really want to do the komen run this year but I finally did, but more to prove to myself that I'm still healthy (for now..,) than for the fundraising thing, awareness thing. Gosh, it's complicated. There's just so many ways to process it and it changes from day to day

Jodi, you've said it perfectly as usual. I'm also still frightened of recurrance. What if I didn't do enough. What if the doctors didn't recommend the right thing. We/you don't have to be the perfect survivor, there is no such thing, doesn't exist. We laugh, we cry, we are hopeful, we are scared, we are strong, we are weak, we are positive and we are not. And of course come here to express any of it because we get it.

My first October 2013 is when I was diagnosed and I couldn't look or listen to all the pink, awareness, bc stuff. I cringed. The second October was my warrior year, rally around me, look at what I did, look at what can be, have hope. This year it is more complicated it seems. I'm scared and hopeful all at the same time. And I've decided I don't like October anymore. Let's just get through it.

Gosh, I've missed you girls