Starting Chemo March 2015

eheinrich

I was just talking to my BIL and once again was telling him about you guys. He asked me to let you all know how grateful he is that I have you and that he is keeping everyone in his thoughts and prayers.

pboi

Linda...I have a hard time with the internal dialogue too...ugh!

Been having a lot of headaches and sinus pressure for over a week. Got antibiotics yesterday to see if they would help...but my mind wanders...though unlikely, it's in the back of my mind I must have brain mets now. I hate the worry with every little pain!!! Trying so hard to think positive and not get ahead of myself. I hate cancer! Obviously we all do, but it feels good to "say" it!!!

Katy...thinking of you today. I have every confidence that you will get through surgery just fine. Hoping your surgery goes well tomorrow and that you have an easy recovery. Hugs!

PB

Jackbirdie

E- it's so nice you have him there. He is a real keeper, and so is your sister for lending him out. I'm very grateful to both of them. Hoping you are feeling no pain and get that drain out.

Lee- hoping the same for you. It must be a bit early to tell, but I sense you may be getting some of the relief from that pain you had going on so long. I sure hope so.

I think I have managed to put the negativity of yesterday aside. It's pouring rain AGAIN- what is this: Oregon? I've lived here over 5 years and it's never rained this long, this much, without a break. I might make a fire and do some peaceful reading, if I can concentrate. In general plan to take it easy as tomorrow starts early at O-dark-30. I know it will be ok, and I'm sure having even one eye with clear definition and color back will help my mood a lot.

Jack and Toots right by my side. So helpful

KBeee

Katy, Thinking good thoughts for a successful surgery and quick recovery. I hope you have some good books on tape or other nice things to listen to and distract you while you heal.

My mom has her mastectomy today for her breast cancer. I talked to her last night and she was in great spirits. She's really independent and pretty laid back about things...was last time too. I am across the country from her, but she did not want me to fly out there. I expected people to respect my wishes, so I will obviously respect hers. My brother is close by. My parents are big Star Wars fans, so I texted her this morning that I hoped the force was with her on this day of the new film debut. I have not heard from my dad yet. I hoped to hear from him by now, but he's not the most on top of things as far as updating. Hopefully everythign goes routine, as planned.

Jackbirdie

Karen- thank you. And wishing your mom all the best. Indeed, may the force be with her.

eheinrich

Karen & Katy - sending love & thoughts your way.

KBeee

My dad called and said all went well with surgery and she hopes to go home later today. Now to hope my dad does not burn the house down trying to heat up all of the meals she's frozen. I have 2 memories of him in the kitchen and both of them involve large volumes of smoke billowing from the stove. Hopefully his reheating skills have improved since then!

Trvler

That's great, Karen. Not about the smoke. About your mom.

slothabouttown

Katy,

My dad was the kind of guy who came home to dinner on the table every night and expected my mom to attend to his every need , and she did so happily for their 50 plus years of marriage, often to my frustration and protest.

I remember one winter my dad had cataract surgery. For the next few weeks he kept asking my mom, "did you have the curtains cleaned?" And "did you pressure wash the deck?" "Did you shampoo the carpet?"

My mom was a woman of few words, so she would simply acknowledge that yes, she had done all that deep cleaning. The truth was my dad was simply enjoying the benefit of improved vision after his cataract surgery- suddenly everything looked so clean!!

Eileen, I'm glad your BIL is such a great guy, might help to offset the one that came with your family.

Karen, best wishes to your mom that the force be with her.

And lastly, may all drains be banished by Christmas eve. Now those would make some awesome ornaments on the tree, just add a little glitter and a hook, it's already the perfect shape and size.

shaz101

hi all. Hear wave here is south australia. I think it was 43 yesterday and will be similar today. I don't have air con. I've never really needed but this year my lymph system has decided not to work. Luckily my new sleeve has just arrived. Might need to get some stockings too. I've just ordered a portable air con. Hopefully it'll arrive before Xmas.

Karen. I'm pleased that your mom will be home soon. I hope there is no smoke involved.

Katy I hope you have got through to day with as little stress as possible and that you could feel us with you.

Sloth...YAY for drain removal before Xmas. Not sure I'd hang them off the tree though lol.

Bowie and I are sitting under a fan ☺ best I take a pic for you all.

rleepac

My MIL just called to tell me she had a 'bad' mammogram and a 'bad' ultrasound and they are doing a needle biopsy on Tue. My heart just sank but I tried to reassure her that there are a lot of false positives and not to worry too much. I wish I knew more than 'bad' but that's all the info she got from the dr.

Fortunately, her dr is also my dr and she's listed me as someone that can know her medical info so I might call and try to get a little more info.

I really hope her biopsy is benign! Please pray or send positive thoughts her way.

I hate this disease...

Bekah

eheinrich

WTF????? I am so sorry for all of you who are now having to deal with this stupid f*cking disease again through friends & relatives.

Linda - now you have me thinking of how to bedazzle the drain to go along with the expander.....

Leighrh

Just had my appointment with MO.... last one for 3 months.... he gave me the script for Tamox... but said i did not need to fill till Jan. and I am not! I don't need that worry until after the holidays! So I guess I am sorta free now.... I really like my MO and he tried to give me the speech about how i was young and active and Tamox shouldn't give me problems..... I am going with it! I buried my head in the sand about radiation and it was a breeze! I am doing the same with Tamox! He said after 2 years if i didn't get my period back we would visit about switching to one of the other drugs. Going to my GYN on Monday and will visit with him about having ovaries out.... i mean why not... I don't need them and i need some sort of birth control... so we will see.

I feel pretty great, still have some numb pinkie toes and i get really stiff after sitting too long but oh well...if that's the worst that happens I am ok with it Radiation went fine and dare i say.... made my scar from lumpectomy and port look better... don't know why but i will take it! Hair is coming in pretty good too! i am at the point where when I was bald i thought i would ditch the wig.... but now I can't do it! I just don't recognize that man in the mirror... LOL so i am wiging it untill it looks mostly girly!! LOL.

I love all you ladies and I am so very greatfull that I had you on this shitty rollercoaster!!! Those of you on the Christmas card list... mine went out yesterday and those cute boys on it are mine..... in case you wonder who the heck that card is from!! LOL

eheinrich

Leigh I'm so glad to hear you doing so well! You made my heart happy

I am feeling much better today. Slept for 11.5h last night - ooopsie! But I guess that's what was needed. Off to get my drain out in a bit. Hoooray!

KBeee

Eileen, So glad you're getting the drain out!!!!!!

Bekeh, Sorry your MIL is dealing with a biopsy now. Hoping for something benign.

Katy, Thinking of you! Update when you can, but I know it may be a while!

Trvler

God, I would give my right foob to sleep 11.5 hours one night. lol

I am weaning off the Xanax (now down to 12.5 mg night) and between that and my daughter coughing and my husband coming to bed late and getting up early, sleep is just a dream. Excuse the pun.

Leigh: I am still waiting for your hair picture. I am so happy you are doing well. Seems like all of us are waiting til Jan to start the Tamoxifen. I was surprised when my MO said she though my period would come back. (I kind of miss the little shi$).

Bekah: I hope your MIL's biopsy comes out ok. Is she freaking out?

Jackbirdie

hello my lovelies- just a quickie to say I'm home after a VERY long day. I did fine and the doctor is pleased. I have every reason to believe I'll get 20/20 in the right eye so far. Resting now. Thanks for all of the good thoughts and hugs. I was nervous, but it really was ok.

Now celebrating 3 upcoming weeks minus the poking, prodding and sticking, so grateful for that.

I'll check in again soon.

K

BBwithBC45

Good the hear everything went well, Katy. Rest up.

Hugs,

BB

KBeee

Glad all went well Katy!!!

shaz101

great to hear from you and that it went well katy. It's 44 degrees today. I've ordered an air conditioner it should be here next week. I have my new sleeve on and I'm keeping my fingers crossed the LE doesn't get any worse.

I put the sprinkler on and one of the alpacas has decided to camp under it. I hope she is finding some relief.

shaz101

on the local news website 😨

IndyGal35

Sharon, that pic is hilarious! Hope the A/C arrives soon!

Glad all went well, Katy! I hope you're doing ok tonight!

Bekah, I have your MIL's appt on my calendar. I'll be thinking of her and really sending good vibes her way for benign results.

Eileen, are you still wearing a compression bra and/or a compression lap band? My belly is so swollen, but I can't tell if the compression is helping or hurting. Wonder how long that'll last...? I'm draining <20 on each side per day. It's looking like I'll get these drains out for sureon Monday!

Italychick

Sharon, hilarious picture from the Adelaide site! Stay cool, lukewarm showers. I was in Europe doing an incredibly intense heat wave and people literally got dressed then stepped in the shower to wet their clothes to cool down since Europe isn't known for air conditioning either. I saw more guys in apartments wearing little tiny underwear there than I ever had in my life lol. When it gets so hot, people just don't care anymore.

Katy, fingers crossed for 20/20 vision! I've hear the cataract surgery is amazing.

Had our work holiday party tonight, they had a caricature artist there and he did a pic of me and Cheryl. We told him if he made us look fat or old, he was dead haha. He told me that as an artist, he thought my hair works great on me, I canreally pull off the short hair look. And he didn't know about cancer, he was just making an observation. I will take that compliment!

eheinrich

Lee - I have the compression girdle and starting Monday I have to start wearing a compression band thingy on my boobs. I'm still swollen as well. My PS insists that eventually I will have a real foob on the left but I just can't picture it.

Katy - rest up, glad all went well.

pboi

Katy...so glad to hear you're home and that all went well. Get some rest.

Eileen...wow 11.5 hours sleep...I have sleep envy!

Allison...good for you for weaning off the Xanax. After going through that with the Ativan I know how hard it is to get as much sleep as you can. Hope the rest of the taper goes well. Are you using something else to get you through the taper?

Sharon...love the pic...that's hot! Hope you're able to keep yourself cool somewhere.

Keeping myself busy gearing up for the festivities of this holiday week, and trying to keep the kids busy, so they don't drive me crazy while they're out of school. Happy holidays everyone!

PB

ksusan

I'm glad for everyone getting hood news, and hoping for good outcomes for everything pending.

Italychick

hood news, is that like news from sisters in the hood? Cracking myself up

Italychick

Did anybody see Bestbird's post in the stage IV forum about the use of tetracycline and doxycycline in breast cancer patients? I guess the Italians are doing a study or trial on its use. I took tetracycline when I was young for acne, thinking about doing a course of it for about a month. Figure it can't hurt to try. After all the crap I've put in my body, it would probably be the least offensive.

http://breastcancernow.org/news-and-blogs/blogs/an...

eheinrich

I never ever go on the stage iv forums.

Italychick

Sorry, I wasn't encouraging anybody to go there. She attended a San Antonio breast cancer forum and posted about latest research, not particularly for stage IV people, but new thoughts, etc. on treatment options