2017 Diagnosed-- A Place To Share "What's Next"

Georgia1

Welcome JoySeeker! Love that name. After a lovely weekend I am back to radiation tomorrow; it will be number 6 of 15 so I am feeling optimistic today. Good luck to you this week and thanks to all for the reminder to "not sweat the small stuff." I will see if that helps me once I hit the office tomorrow morning. Ha!

EastcoastTS

Tara:

I'm a Jan 2017 diagnosis girl, too. Happy belated birthday!

I consider 2017 my lost year -- but hoping 2018 is better. Hope this for you as well.

JenRuns

Popping in to say hi and share my love for the idea of this thread!

I’m almost 1 week PFC, waiting for reconstructive surgery (12/19) then on to radiation in January. Chugging right along.

Now that chemo is done, I feel like I can get my life back in order ... knowing that really means a new order. I need to lose the 20 pounds I gained since diagnosis in May (+ the 20 I was carrying around then!). I want to be more present with the kids (16 & 14). And I to make stress reduction a regular part of my life. I’m a big fan of New Year resolutions, so this year’s shaping up to be a doozy!!

TaRenee

I think I’ve decided on Spring Break for my exchange surgery if my PS can do it then. I really don’t want to give up another summer to BC. I’m ready for the surgeries to be over.

My funny for the year is that whenever anyone asks me what I want for Christmas I say “New Boobs”. I’ll get them soon enough. Then I’m going to find that shirt that says “Hell Yeah, they’re fake, the real ones tried to kill me!” And I’m gonna wear it so proudly!

Lewhy

Thank you everyone! I do have a book that I have brought to my appointments. I feel really well informed after lurking on this site since October and I am so glad I found all of you!

53nancy

Tara, nice to meet you, and Happy Birthday. Wishing you all the best for the future

DodgersGirl

joyseeker-- nice to see you here. How is your ankle doing??

illimae

lojo, I just bought the cookbook, waiting for it to ship.

Mimi, hi there!

Technically, I was diagnosed in 2016 but had port placed and began chemo in January 2017, lumpectomy in June and rads in August. Brain mets found in October (we think they got up there pre-chemo) and gamma knife rads on 10/20. Currently, on tamoxifen daily and herceptin and perjeta every 3 weeks forever.

Despite all that I feel great, I’ll medically retire next year and DH and I will live in our mountain cabin where I can relax and get a greenhouse up and running.

Tpralph

Hi all. Thanks Dodgers girl for this thread. Nice to have an ongoing place to keep tabs on everyone we have met this year. Currently waiting for path on my alnd I had last week. Rads in Jan after a 8 day cruise to southern Carribean. Really looking forward to it after all the surgery and treatment.

I like everyone else now do not take one day for granted. I've started some mindfulness and I think it really helps.

Also need to lose weight like others here and plan to get back on track soon.

runor

Hi to all, new and familiar.

Dec 5, 2016, went for mammogram.

Dec 28, 2016 get the call things look wonky, come in for more tests.

March 2017 excisional biopsy. Surprise, cancer!

April 2017, lumpectomy and sent. node.

June 2017, no chemo, will take tamoxifen

July 2017, radiation

Nov 2017 find large and sudden lump in good boob.

Dec 1, 2017 diagnostic mammograms and ultrasound.

Tomorrow, Dec 4, I should get results and hear what steps are next. I so wanted this past year to fade into the distance. Instead it's like I'm hurled into some freakish repeat almost exactly a year later. 2017 is like the Year That Cancer Ate. I need 2018 to NOT be the same! I should go to bed now so I am awake and alert when I hear the news. I don't want to hear the news. It might be nothing. It might be nothing. It might be nothing. Or it might be something. Better times ahead for all of you!

Linwentz

Tara 17 & Joy seeker--Welcome! This is a great thread...a place for support, encouragement and sisterhood. Happy Monday, everyone

DodgersGirl

illimae- glad you joined this topic.

What part of the country is your cabin? Not a lot of mountains in Houston LOL. Sounds really nice.

You posted a while ago about a couple of uncomfortable days while your skin healed after rads and this is what keeps me going as my skin tries to heal after rads..... knowing "this too shall pass". Thanks!

DodgersGirl

Tpralph-- hoping for great results for you regarding your pathology results.

How many rads will you have in January?

Oh, a southern Caribbean cruise sounds wonderful about now. What islands will you stop at? DH and I took a southern Caribbean cruise many years ago. LOVED it. Think you will, too!

rljes

Castigame - Too funny about your Pup.  My cat used to pee in my ex-hubby's shoe when he came back from a business trip or we moved! They are just showing us the LOVE< 

Ive just started my journey, so i'm going 1 day at a time right now. Well, my long term goal is to finish my house - It was my father's house he built 500 sq garage and I had a utility room and Den with French doors added - but needs furnished.  Its nice to see life goes on! 

Castigame

Illimae,   mountain cabin means truly organic life.  I tell me DH we need a small hut somewhere away from all traffic and pesticide.  Our patience running out so we may say bleep it to daily grind in a few yrs. 

rljes,  I used to feel  fresh pee pee drops   where my  two big toes touch  in front of my dresser after we fool around. She was about 9 mo but she used to know exactly how far my feet are apart  every single time.  We both love her to pieces regardless. 

Happy Holidays my sisters.   And I  proclaim no more unwanted surgeries for all my sisters for the next 50 yrs. 

tlfrank

What's next beyond diagnosis - hmmmmm not sure yet but I sure it'll be great!

Will finish rads on Dec 13 then start hormonal therapy in January. Going back to the breast specialist Jan 8.

LoJo100 - My aunt recently sent me that cookbook. I have not tried any of the recipes yet but am looking forward to it.

Joyseeker

DodgersGirl - 100% healed. My orthopaedic surgeon and I broke up last week. Haha!

Spent the weekend enjoying Spruce Meadows Christmas market. It was like being in a real life live Hallmark Christmas movie.

Chemo thurs. I hate being forced out of my life for 5 days

Annbee

Wow this has grown long since I last checked and that is awesome.
I won’t be able to reply to everyone...but yes teaching is my main and probably only stress. Being out for surgery and chemo was the best thing I ever did. Now I just fed behind. I will get there.
My plastic surgeon wants to do exchange surgery during April. I wanted to wait until summer. It is too much work to be out.
Now I feel like I am complaining. Need to change that.
It is weird not having active treatment. I like having the time back but miss the support.
I will do better to check in everyday. You all make this better. ❤️

Tpralph

Thanks Dodgers girl. 25 rad tx in Jan/ Feb. Cruise will be stopping at Aruba. A small area beach that is owned by Royal Caribbean off of Haiti. And a couple of other Old Dutch islands that I can't remember the names of at the moment. I would imagine not too much has changed since you've been there last maybe a few new hotels or whatever. But yes I am so looking forward to it after this year of hell. I hope others to from this group were planning a winter getaway if they can.

Sending Good Vibes for everyone else getting treatment this week and lots of good vibes for those of us who aren't getting treatment this week too!

Linwentz

Tpralph-- your upcoming cruise sound fabulous! After a nightmare of a year , you deserve a wonderful winter get away!

I also send out good wishes to all--those receiving treatment this week, those that are waiting to get started and those that are done

Gigilala

this is my Last week of radiation thanks god

I want to stay active and I need to lose some weight

What do you do ladies ? You go to the gym?

AngelaJL

Gigilala, I don’t go to the gym right now. But I’ve lost nearly 10 pounds pretty effortlessly just by cutting out added sugars, wheat, and dairy (all foods that have given me issues).

Legomaster225

Nice to see everyone in one place :-). I just finished all active treatment and now tamoxifen/AI for the next 5-10 years -- and I pray for longer. Just got my port out on Monday. It was a little more difficult than anticipated and my chest is a lovely shade of greenish/yellow from the bruise. I thought it was supposed to be a quick and easy procedure but it took about a half an hour. Not sure why it was so difficult to remove. It never gave me any trouble when it was in. Oh well, it's out and we've been through much, much worse.

Hope everyone is doing well with their treatments.

DodgersGirl

Legomaster225-- congrats on finishing all active treatments AND having port removed! Woot Woot!!

Gigilala

legomaster: congratulations I'm happy for you

I still have herceptin every 3 weeks so I need to keep my port

I had hard time when they put my port on and my surgeon told me than the removal will be very easy and quick!!!!

Linwentz

Legomaster--Yea! For completing all active treatments. Sorry the port removal was tricky...but at least it is out!

Gigilala--ironically I joined the gym right before diagnosis and have gone a grand total of 5 times! With all the tests, Dr. visits, surgeries, treatments yada yada yada-- I just bagged the whole gym thing for now. Again, ironically I have lost 20 pounds! I have overhauled my diet by eliminating a lot of processed foods and sugar and (try to) eat a lot of veggies and whole food. I (try to)walk at least 3 miles a day. When I am done with treatments, I will go back to the gym for classes like yoga and Pilates.

Tpralph

Linwentz thank you. Got good news today alnd path was clear!

DodgersGirl

Tpralph-- congrats on your path results!!!!

Legomaster225

Good news Tpralph!!

PauletteK

legomaster - congrats!! 🙌🙌🙌 you got to the end of the tunnel!!!

Tpralph- congratulations!

Gigilala - I lost at least 10lbs just cut back carbs and I lost 9 lbs from chemo. I didn’t join gym because I still have radiation to finish. With worry about lymphedema I need to watch what program I should join.