Anyone starting Chemo in August 07?

YIkes, I didn't think about IBC. I don't think it was, though, because 1) it didn't spread over a 7-8 month period (and didn't look like orange peel), and 2) both the surgeon and onc didn't think anything of it. Who knows, though. My tumor was deep, against the chest wall, so the skin spot wasn't near it. I think maybe my skin wasn't healing b/c my poor boob was busy working on other matters.

Hi, Jackie *waving*. Good luck with the exchange! Keep us posted! 

Hi Everyone!

Thanks so much for the kind words. I really appreciate them. Here is a link to a picture of my golden girl. She was a beautiful dog. Fortunately, we still have our other golden retriever. Otherwise I would really feel lost. He seems to be doing OK - probably because he is getting way more treats and attention than he used to get! Just copy this link in your browser and you should be able to get to the photo. I also have it on my Caring Bridge webpage for anyone who remembers how to access that.

http://www.box.net/shared/o0eg0effxi

This was a pretty awful week, all in all. My DH's dad was in a truck accident (he's a truck driver) and it was really terrible. He will be OK except for some broken ribs and painful cuts on his head, but the other car was not so lucky. They crossed into his lane and hit him head on. Horrible. We are so thankful that he survived, but he is devastated.

Just another reminder that we have to live for each moment and can't worry too much about the future. I heard a wonderful John Mayer song the other day called "the Heart of Life". If you've never heard it, I'm sure you can find a youtube video of it. The main lyrics go

Pain throws your heart to the ground
Love turns the whole thing around
No it won't all go the way it should
but I know the heart of life is good.

You know it's nothing new
bad news never had good timing
then the circle of your friends
will defend the silver lining

So you guys are all part of the crew that helps me find my silver lining in all things! After all, if it weren't for BC, I would never have encountered this wonderful group of people that I have grown to care about deeply.

OK, here's a bright spot in my week. I think I only have one more herceptin treatment left! Hard to believe I am almost done.

Here's another bright spot. I actually have my first two "gigs" with my guitar. I've been asked to do a talk and sing some of my songs at a breast cancer event in my hometown. And, a friend asked me to sing one of my songs (not about cancer! It's a wedding love song) at her wedding. So that is all pretty cool. Oh, and I bought a new amp for my electric guitar that sounds sweeeeet!

New books for Jackie! Yay! I'm very excited for you, and I'm sure they will turn out beautifully! I have to call my PS soon and get my nipple reconstruction done before the end of the year so it goes in this year's insurance stuff. The implants feel way better than the expanders, so I hope you'll be as happy with your results as I have been.

Nash, that was kind of scary, but I think you are right about the slow healing due to a very busily occupied breast. You know what is kind of funny... I had a wart on my hand that went away during chemo and then came back after it was all done. I guess it is proof that it kills fast growing cells.

Harley, good luck with your visit to the surgeon!

Hugs,

DeAnn

Hello.  I just wanted to say hi to everyone.  I haven't posted in awhile but I've been reading when I can and I think of you all often.

Nash that is such wonderful news.  You are such an inspiration.

Has everyone joined the "Army of Women"?

I had a vaginal ultrasound today.  I'll find out next Friday if I'm having a d&c or a hysterctomy.  Also, I've had to start taking insulin.  All thanks to Tamoxifen, which btw I stopped taking on Sept. 15.

Hugs to you all.  Hey I sound like Harley.

Tami,

My sugar has been a little high for the first time ever.  Is it really from tamoxifen?? I had no idea.  Also, what is "army of women"?  I'm doing a Making Strides Breast Cancer walk on Ooctober 19th.  Sorry about how sad you are with regards to your dog.

I'm home recovering from my implant exchange surgery.  All went well.

Hugs,

Jackie

Kaye--you are absolutely every bit a Warrior Woman, and I'm am really glad to hear that you've got an MRI scheduled. I know I'll feel better when your Mystery Lumps are correctly identified, and they're not even in my boob!

Tami, thanks for mentioning the Army of Women. I wasn't familiar with it, and will definately check it out. Dr. Love is partnering with Avon to build a massive database of bc women, to try and research the cause of bc. Brilliant.

And, Tami, oh my gosh, I was so surprised to hear of your Tamoxifen woes! Are they suspecting endometrial cancer? And I had no idea that Tamoxifen could cause insulin dependent diabetes. Yikes! Good luck with your bc walk next weekend--I'm sorry it's going to be without your furry baby.

Tami

I pm'd you.   My gyn onc also seemed to think that the spotting was from the tamoxifen, and he also didn't think it was cancer...  so even if you have the D & C, it is likely to be maybe 'just uterine polyps', which can be caused by tamoxifen.  Please let me know how you make out.

HUGS
Harley

I stopped the tamoxifen for 2 weeks, but I'm taking it again.  Now that I have felt another lump in the same place where the bc was, I am worried that the lump is there because I stopped taking Tamoxifen, even if only just for two weeks.  I know it's stupid, and even a short break from tamoxifen isn't enough time for a huge lump to appear.

Kaye,

I'll be thinking of you on the 22nd, and praying that it will be b-9!!!

HUGS
HARLEY

DeAnn, big giant hugs to you. it must be so hard - first your dog, and now your FIL accident - I am sure he will need lots of support, at least from your husband. (

Interesting to read about all the Tamox problems. So far, on my side, so good.... I still have hot flushes, but nothing else. I had a gyno exam 3 months ago, and nothing was reported (other than an irregular pap, that will get verified soon). Anyway, I am going in to see my gyno at the end of the month; the goal is to plan my ovariectomy - with tucked in for fun the fipples recon AND I want to ask her to do a bit liposuction from my tummy. Yes, when I put weight back on after chemo - annoyingly it has all gone to my tummy - now a round, gelly-like, trembling area. Silly, but if I have to go down for another operation, I want something to show for it.

Otherwise, I feel so tired... I was up in Germany last week - for work, then out in Paris for the week-end (my daughter met there with her dad). Yesterday I crushed in my bed, and I could have slept all day today - but I am at work. With the times going, one needs a job.... That too (the whole economy situation) is getting quite scary. I hope to find a parking spot for myself within the next six months!

Kaye: glad you asked for the MRI. Whatever the lump is, you will sleep a lot better knowing that it is nothing, rather than worrying about what it could be... I really wish it was "just under 100" here... It is foggy, drizzly and in the 45 here. Absolutely foul.

Next week I am OFF to Italy.... I plan to play happy family, with BF, DD, DSS, drink good wines, enjoy healthy foods (italy still has wonderful veggies, I plan to fully use that) and maybe take the kids to visit some castles... can't wait.

Hugs hugs.

Lilith,

Have a wonderful time in Italy!!  I'm jealous!!

Kaye,

A neighbor told me that she thinks I am very brave, because I talked to her when I returned from my many walks in the neighborhood.  Anyway, she said that you are brave IF you are scared, but you do it anyway.  Please keep us posted, ok?

Nash,

I was also very tired for years before I was dx'd.  I was freaking out, too, since I found this lump, AND I've been so very tired lately, too.  I also had the low grade fever thing going on for awhile before my bc dx.  I wonder if there is a connection.  Maybe our bodies were trying so hard to fight off this invader, and that is the reason for the fever??  I dunno.

Thanks for asking, Nash.  Yes, I saw my surgeon today.  My dh went with me, and I guess he was more scared than he let on.  But, when I went in, and the nurse didn't make me wear that little paper jacket, I kind of thought that maybe it was going to be ok.  When my surgeon came in, he said that the u/s results were in, and it was nothing.  Although I was happy, I said, 'but you felt it, too'...   He said that it is scar tissue.   I was so happy to hear that!! 

Thanks everyone for all the support!!

Hugs

Harley   

yes. I had lump rad chemo in 95 just did tram flap reconstruction. doing good.  You will be fine. Chemo, is not as bad as it sounds. Keep your self strong. I did the veg. juicer every morning with carrots celery  little fresh cabbage( it has known to help ulcers, and will aid in the acidity from the chemo) strawberries orange apple,grapes.  I glowed. my skin and immune system was great. pick up a good  power juicer in a good will store, it is worth your life. Think positive and laughter is a good healer. it works!!

grace

BTW... Kaye, would you care to share what brand of Microlactin you are taking, and what doses? I have pains (moderate but irritating) in my fingers and toes, and a history of joint arthritis - if there is something I can do about it, I would like to be proactive.

All I can find in searching the web is a mix of microlactin, Glucosamine and Condroitin; is that what you are taking? is it still working?

Hi Ladies,

Wow....this is the longest I think we've all gone without posting on this thread.  I miss you all.  I've been stuck home resting and keeping my arms at my side like a good girl (so implants stay in place!!! eeewww...) Anyway, Kaye, I got a seroma! When the doctor was telling me what it was all I could think of was you and all the way home in the care guess what song I was singing in my head? You got it.  LOL So there is a lot of fluid in left breast area and he tells me implant could shift so I have to be careful.  I keep thinking that in one swift, unplanned move I'll have a boob growing out of my neck or something.  Wouldn't that be lovely.  Anyway, thanks to Kaye all I can do is laugh about it so that's a good thing.

I keep sitting here thinking of California and the ice skating event and I have to tell you that each time I envision us meeting I start to cry.  I hope I can control myself when it really happens because I think it's going to be very emotional.  I can't wait to meet you all.

Hope you are all well and enjoying the weekend.  The weather is PERFECT here. 

Lots of hugs,

Jackie

Jackie, I cracked up at the thought of your implant migrating to your neck and the need for a triple bra--not that it's funny, but it is, you know? Plus we haven't gotten to groove to "My Seroma" in awhile, so that's cool.

That's rather fitting that Aug. 1 was your chemo start date, Kaye! Wow. I, too, will be in tears when we all get together.

I was supposed to talk to the rink GM on Friday to 100% firm up the show date and rehearsal times, but he wasn't in and hasn't called me back. So I'll accost him on Tuesday when I"m there and get that firmed up. My next step is meeting with the skating club's Board of Directors in November to enlist their help on some things, then after that I think it will be safe to start making travel plans.

The skater I'm hiring to help me produce the show is supposed to get back with me this week on his fees--keep your fingers crossed that they will not be outrageously high, b/c I really need him to help me secure the elite skaters and the silent auction merchandise. Although, the people on the skating club Board probably have enough connections to help with that if necessary. Anyhow, this will all work out somehow, and I can't wait for us all to get together!