Starting Chemo March 2015

ninjamary

When I was diagnosed with BC I was in my top prime shape. I was a crossfitter who could do two (2) pull-ups (trust me that was a HUGE accomplishment) I was lifting an amazing amount of weight, could jump rope like no ones business (at times) was eating well (no sugar) was at the gym 6 days a week for at least an hour...I wasn't eating organic, but I wasn't eating crap either. I'm triple negative so who knows what went wrong in my body. Since diagnosis I haven't really exercised and I'm eating more crap food than ever. That will stop once chemo is over. I'll get back in shape, lose 15# by the winter. Right now I'm too tired and feel blah. I weeded my garden today and it wiped me out... probably more the sun than anything.

I do know that I live in one of the states with the highest rates of cancer and cancer deaths (in the 90s). Thanks DuPont company. Where I live it's a very high ovarian cancer risk. Our mortaility rate has improved greatly in the past 20 years. Moving is not an option..lol.

molly1976

I really think it's just luck. I've always exercised and been at a healthy weight. For most of my adult life I was vegetarian or vegan. It's no fair.

Trvler

Sharon: I am thinking of you. I know it is stressful worrying about your heart. Please keep us posted.

I think we all can share a story (or know someone who can) about either eating well or using all the correct stuff and still getting it. I still think it is way more complex than the products/diet/genetics…..

Also, cancer mutates so IT evolves. I think if it helps you to pick clean products or eat clean, by all means do it. I think it helps with a sense of having control. My neighbor who was diagnosed a 1.5 years before me takes 23 supplements a day. If I had to do that, I would rather be dead. She, on the other hand, won't take Tamoxifen. She doesn't even know her ER & PR percentages (which where WERE +). So everyone just has to deal in whatever way they can. I, frankly, don't have the energy to scrutinize very product, every food, every drug, every study. I have two difficult kids to raise. lol

shaz101

thank you all for your kind words and positive thoughts. I'm waiting for the ct scan. The Dr is about to ring the radiologist to ask them to come in. The second blood test has come back. It's still elevated but it's dropped from 36 to 35. The Dr said that people that had heart attacks are at around 200 and the normal range is in the high 20's. Apart from the fact that I'm not having a heart attack I'm not sure what it means for my heart health. I guess all will be revealed.

BBwithBC45

Thank you for the update, Sharon. Good news it's not a heart attack. Hopefully they'll figure out soon what is going on.

BBwithBC45

A few days before I was diagnosed, I heard on the radio that according to the newest research it's just bad luck who gets cancer.

I think that's how I will look at my cancer. I'm going through enough crap, I don't want to blame myself in any way for getting this disease

rleepac

Essesntial oils I use for fragrance:

Vanilla

Cinnamon

Grapefruit

Lavender

Ginger

The. There are some combos that are nice but I like mixing grapefruit and ginger. It gives a nice spicy/fruity scent and I get lots of compliments on it.

wpmoon

PB - still waiting to hear back from my PCP about the results of the ultrasound. The tech wouldn't tell me anything about what she saw.

Jackbirdie

Thanks Bekah! Sounds like fun to experiment with these!

Whitney- I'm in your pocket, waiting with you. You'll know tomorrow?

wpmoon

Hopefully I'll hear something tomorrow.

Today, I realized that even 6 weeks PFC, you still can't trust a fart. Ugh.

ksusan

I say this to myself, and maybe it's helpful to share: Ruminating over causes and getting caught in self-blame needs to be noticed and then limited to thoughts that help answer the question, "How does this help me decide what I want to do right now?" Sometimes my answer is, "I want to exercise even though I don't feel like it," an sometimes it's "I want to eat this cupcake and not pretend that the cupcake happened to be eaten with me--I intend to eat and enjoy this cupcake." Same for questions about the future: "I'm afraid of developing LE" -> "I want to do some MLD right now, and I want to book a vacation, because I'm not going to let fear of flying keep me from international bird watching."

DavisD

I just wanted to say hi to you all and say how much I appreciate the support you've offered me since my BC diagnosis. I haven't been good at staying in touch. It's really easy for me to withdraw into myself and only focus on my work. I know it isn't good so I'm consciously seeking to make contact with friends every weekend, have non work related conversations each day with someone and getting reconnected with this thread. I have to admit I feel a bit out of the loop but no one to blame but myself. I've read the last few weeks of postings and you are all so open and loving, I miss you!

Jackbirdie

Diane- you are surely missed here, but I'm guessing we all understand the need to crawl into the shell sometimes. Thinking of you. Glad you popped in

shaz101

Hello Diane! We missed you. I totally understand as we all would to some degree. I've been doing a bit of it myself. Luckily there is always someone here to keep us going.

I'm home again the Dr's aren't really sure what's happened but they don't think it's anything serious and the radiotherapy had probably caused the muscle damage. So just another ingredient for the sandwich.

Whitney I'm thinking of you... and you're very funny x.

Jackbirdie

Glad you are home Sharon. Just in time to go back to mom's tomorrow? You are almost halfway done, yeah

slothabouttown

Diane welcome back! Things are still lively here with the March team even though it's almost August!

Sharon what a relief! And what a freaking roller coaster.

IndyGal35

Day #19 with drains and no shower. Today, I noticed that the imprint on the side of the tubing says:

Manufactured in Hell

When this is over, I'm using these as shot glasses for people I dont like:

IndyGal35

Italychick

Whitney, I'm never gonna trust a fart again, and you made me laugh today, thank you for that!

Sharon, glad to hear it isn't heart damage.

Ksusan, so true! I try to focus on the glass half full, but I won't be drinking out of Lee's new shot glasses, haha!

Diane, glad you posted, I have been wondering about you. Hope all is well!

Just got back from a Big Bear hiking trip, so beautiful up there this weekend. Now back to work tomorrow, ugh.

SueH58

Eileen - excellent point. Especially, from you--a cancer specialist. Thanks so much for your viewpoint.

BTW, when is your next interview???

SueH58

Bekah, how are you doing being off work for a while. Hope it's serving you well.

eheinrich

Sue, I'm still waiting for scheduling. They told me it would be a week or 2 before they got back to me. The lab is moving to a new building so there's a bit of chaos.

Lee - why can't you shower w your drains? I was able to.

Sharon - thinking about you and sending virtual hugs.

I'm waiting for my sister to get here. Decided I'd way rather pay for a cab then spend 2 hours in my car. Super excited. We are very different but always have fun.

IndyGal35

I'm not sure, but they were very specific about it. I thought it was due to compromised immunity after chemo, but I also had an allergic reaction to the Clindamycin after 3 days, so that could've been a factor too. Either way, I'm tired of sponge baths and making DH rinse me off. He may enjoy it, but I sure don't!

pboi

I got my first Lupron shot this morning. I feel like I'm sitting here waiting for a hot flash to come over me. Hoping that since I'm still in chemopause, I won't feel any additional side effects. I hope...I hope...

Will any of you be on Arimidex? Or an AI? Or on it already? Like I don't have enough side effects already...worried about adding more?! Trying to think positive and hoping I'll have little SE to deal with.

PB

Jackbirdie

just left Dracula's dungeon. Getting the port out week Wednesday. No twilight sleep. Just lidocaine. Ugh. I'm so sick of bring poked and prodded.

But I want it out. I'll deal.

Trvler

I am with you, Katy. I want my OUT. I am so f-ing sick of those blood thinner hots. I hate it every time.

PB: My second opinion MO mentioned me taking that instead of tamoxifen since I had a blood clot in my heart. I want to discuss it with my current MO and I am meeting with another one on Wed so I will bring it up.

Lovemylab

Since we are sharing the good w the bad, went for three mile walk yesterday w DD and had sudden onset ofvomiting and D about 1/4 mile from home. Miserable. I never want to walk again. Feeling better today but #8 taxol is tomorrow. Thinking I will ask if eight is enough. This is worse than AC for me. Hardly able to eat except Popsicles. Just took DD to the airport. I'm Sure she thinks this stuff is killing me. Anyone else stop early? So scared of mets but not sure I can take more! Thanks

Maureen

Posted in the exercise thread also!

wpmoon

Results are in: abdominal ultrasound was normal. But I'm still having pain. Ugh.

And in other fun news, my cholesterol is high. So time to change the diet and actually start exercising again. I guess maybe this is the kick in the pants I needed to get back into the gym.

Jackbirdie

Whitney! So relieved!

Maureen oh no! I am so sorry about what happened. This is the shit sandwich of the century. I have no words of advice on TX. But a big hug and plenty of mojo going out to you tonight. Whatever you decide, I support you.

Trvler

Oh, Whitney. That's great about the u/s! I was really worried when they wouldn't tell you anything.