Starting Chemo March 2015

Carrie37

And my pathology report reads: "no residual evidence of carcinoma or carcinoma in-situ."

Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!

Italychick

Carrie woohoo! Awesome news

Jackbirdie

Carrie YES!!!!! So very happy to hear this news!

Jackbirdie

my LE and PT (2 separate appts) went fine today. No tears, and got some very positive feedback from my PT who I hadn't seen for over two months. She thinks I'm much improved and gave me much new to think about. Without making me cry.

Everybody have a good weekend.

Allison- safe flight. I won't let go of your virtual hand.

Eileen- hope the pain is receding a bit.

SpecialK

jackbirdie - so sorry someone who should be caring for you was unthinking and unkind - that is so not right. I think she needs to know that she hurt you, does she? And FWIW, one of my legs is shorter than the other too, just found that out at PT for my hip. We can be ogres together.

I think you can start melatonin at 3mg but drop it back if you get any dreams that are too vivid. If you do OK there, but it doesn't help you sleep, then up it. In the interests of full disclosure I have not taken melatonin, but my husband has and he likes it. I just go without sleep, and it doesn't seem to make any difference - I feel the same when I sleep and when I don't. I have always been a bad sleeper though. I have no words of advice regarding Ativan or Xanax, I have not taken them so don't know how to come off of them.

Jackbirdie

Thanks Special. I think she knows but I decided anyway to take the information without the emotional baggage I was trying to lug along with it.

I made an appt with PS today to discuss scar revision or possibly a very VERY small recon. My PT ( the good witch) things reorganizing in "there" could help with the pain. She posits pec rubbing/bothering nerves with nothing (like fat or an implant between) between them.it's an interesting theory. Will be thinking on this (which I thought would NEVER happen) but maybe the PS can add or subtract to the discussion.

Italychick

SpecialK and Katy, we can be the three amigos and walk with a swagger with our short leg!

Katy, what about the fat suck thing where they take your own fat, spin it, and stick it in there? I mean, chemo made us all fat, may as well put it to use! What she says makes some sense, get some lubricating material in there. I know it isn't that easy, but I totally get you thinking about it

Jackbirdie

I said "but everyone says it hurts!"

She said, " it hurts now doesn't it?"

Point taken.

slothabouttown

Zing!

Jackbirdie

oh that shot of limoncello went down smooth!

littleblueflowers

you guys are drinking limoncello? Without me? Dang over in the April thread all we have is emu semen...

Jackbirdie

I make my own, Jen. Two ingredients. Organic lemons and Everclear. I presume you've been introduced?

Always a little bottle in the freezer for when friends come. Or in the rare case I've been zinged.

Italychick

took a couple sips of my husbands beer tonight, had it chilling all day in a cooler on ice for him to drink when we got back from our hike. My oh my, that was a couple of sweet sips! And a great belch - nothing like beer to do that and I don't even really like beer! It was organic though, so I don't think anybody will hold it against me!

neverthought

I am up a lot during the night ever since I turned 50. One thing that helped me get back to sleep is to make sure the room is dark. No night lights or electronics, blackout curtains, even alarm clock backlight is turned off. Any reading is from a paper book, not a kindle. It seems to really have helped me sleep better and get back to sleep quicker. Only light now is a motion detector/nightlight in the bathroom.

Still working to get off klonopin and zantac to avoid withdrawal/heartburn. Did manage to stop the omeprazole with the help of my friends tums & rolaids. but am on smallest possible dose of klonopin and just afraid to stop.

Trvler

I use a black sleep mask. It helps, I think. And the no electronics and lights.

I have one hip higher (and one shoulder) than the other because of my scoliosis. We're all freaks.

My sister, apparently, was hugely addicted to Xanax for like 10 years. She sent my other sister and me this huge thing about how bad it was for you and how to taper off. The funny thing was, her taper off dosages were like 10 times what I ever even took in a week. It was kind of shocking. I guess she assumed we were as addicted as she was or something. I don't know.

My hot flashes are not so bad they keep me awake. I do seem to have them when I get up to go to the bathroom and go back to bed. NOt sure how that works. But they pass pretty fast as long as I throw off the covers quickly. I have no idea how bad they will get when I start hormone blockers.

ksusan

Allison, I assume the beginning of the hot flash is what wakes me enough that I need the bathroom. I start with more of an "aura" of discomfort/uneasiness, followed by heat if I don't intervene in time (and sometimes even then).

Carrie37

one set of drains...OUT!!! 😀😀

Trvler

Yeah, Carrie. How many days was that? I will be you in a few days, wanting drains out.

shaz101

Carrie that is the best news that I have heard for such a long time!

🙈🙉🙊

shaz101

I'm very happy to hear that your appointments went better katy. As they should! How are you feeling?

Jackbirdie

Carrie- great news!!!!

Sharon- feeling better!!

jumbledbamboo

Katy I have been there with doctors. Its a horrible feeling. I had one bend down, look me in the eye and say, we all know the real reason you're here, don't we? She proceeded to tell me to lose weight and basically quit whining. I never saw her again. It hurt me badly, and made me fear I wouldn't be believed. I'm sorry you had to go through that.

On a good note, my son went to a party today and it was fantastic. I felt so overflowing with joy that he got to be a kid for a minute. Geez, he deserves that. It was a blessing

Jackbirdie

Jumbled- I'm so happy both you and your son had the day that you had.

Italychick

jumbledbamboo I have a few choice words for that doctor but none fit for print. Yeah like skinny women don't get breast cancer too! What a bitch! Sorry couldn't restrain myself. We all know the real reason why you're here? What? Uh yeah bitch I have cancer and you are supposed to be helping me! I wouldda smacked her in the face and thoroughly enjoyed it. What's with cruel people?

So glad you got to enjoy the party with your son and have that normal part of life. Those moments are the best part of life!

Jackbirdie

Allison- so today is your travel day to NOLA. I am thinking of you and wishing you peace as you approach this milestone. I know you will get excellent care there, and I hope you get at least one excellent meal before you have to prepare for surgery.

BTW, thanks very much for the link to that PMPS thread. I read through it from the beginning. Very interesting, and though sad, always comforting to find one is not so alone as one thought.

The thread led me to a closed FB group (who let me in) of even more women, and many interesting and provocative links, ideas, and treatments. It's a much under-recognized syndrome, but the world of women united in fighting it is much larger than I imagined. So thanks for being on the lookout for me. I appreciate it and think much good will come of it.

Hugs, Katy

Keep us posted when you can. You know we will all be thinking of you.

Trvler

I am glad you liked it. That sounds weird. I mean, I hope it helps you both with the physical symptoms and support (as you have helped and supported all of us).

eheinrich

Yay Carrie! Allison I'll be sending any extra good mojo I've got lying around.

This whole TE bs hurts. I'm not a fan. only bright spot was the fat grafting. My tummy has not looked this good in decades (except for all the bruising).

Trvler

SO HAPPY to see you, Eileen! So I am confused. You have TE's and fat grafting? Different sides?

KBeee

I know there was some discussion about a week ago on cording. I took a picture of mine so you know what to look for once you are a few weeks out from surgery. It looks bruised, but is not; it's a shadow.The "cord" is the thing that runs up the middle of the picture. It gets smaller as it goes down my arm, but goes all the way to my hand. If you develop this, get in to see an LE specialist quickly to work on range of motion.

Carrie37

Allison, drains were in for nine days. I'll be thinking of you as you head to surgery. Use those pain meds!

Eileen, I hear ya! The drains are a pain.

Hope all are doing well