Starting Chemo May 2008

Options
1…105106108110111…247

Comments

  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited October 2008

    Happy Birthday Kristy!!

    Photobucket

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2008

    Happy Birthday Kristy!!!!! Have a great trip this weekend as well :O)

    I checked in with my onc about the supplements while on herceptin and tamox. He said I could have anything I want unless it was estrogen based. So the biotin and QC10 are in the clear to take. Been feeling very mood swingy this week. I'm sure it has something to do with the tamox. I'm trying to keep it under control at the moment and not get bent out of shape when something is said to me (that can be taken wrong). Hot flashes have gotten worse... not horrible just a PITA. Wasn't having them during the day until taking this pill. 1 week down 4 years and 51 weeks to go.

    Locally they are advertising for a grocery store and BC awareness month on the radio. This week's ad, they so perkily annouce has "pictures of REAL bc survivors" on the pages. What kind of messed up world are we in that we need to be paraded around like frickin circus animals, have our pics posted, just so a store can make more money off of us?!?!?!? Granted some of the items they are selling gives money to research but overall they are in to make an extra buck. Everytime I hear the perky little voice talking about the pics in the ad, I want to rip the radio from the wall and smash it to smithereens.

    Sorry, told you I was a bit moody.

    On the good side.... saw my LD therapist yesterday. I guess my arm is back to normal size this week. WOOOHOOOO! It's had several swelled spots since the week I started taxol. I am hoping this is the end of that mess. I'm sure I will have days in there, but this is a good start.

    happy thursday :oS

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kerry_lamb
    kerry_lamb Member Posts: 778
    edited October 2008

    Happy birthday Kristy! They take on a whole new meaning, don't you think? :)

    After doing the whole hormone therapy Great Debate with Drew and making a co-decision to say feck more drugs for a mere 3% on whatever longevity measure-thingo we looked at..Drew was playing cards with his mate Pete (a vet) on Wed night when Pete's brother, THE chemo-hormo onco in Australia, rang. Pete mentioned that I had decided to nay-say the Tamox et al. Well...Rick, in his sternest manner told Drew that it was NOT uncommon for girls to make that decision because they are SICK to DEATH of chemicals BUT it would be the WORST decision I could EVER make, he had TEN girls this year who had made that SAME decision in recent years and NONE of them were WITH us ANYMORE!!!   Ever heard of a definitive answer to a simple question? Well I sure got one. I swung from a Cartman "N-o-o-o" to   "Drew! I simply must have these tablets tonight!!!"  I think I will follow the advice I've read elsewhere and get the Effexor from the start. Maybe when I get a bit of fitness I'll feel better about pumping myself full of chemicals again. Feck I'm over this. Happy to be here, but!

    Jen I am HORRIFIED about the 'REAL' bc survivors. WTF! It suggests that usually they would use actors or stand-ins or something. I am heartily sickened by the opportunistic nature of modern retail. This situation is actually a bigger devil than it first appears. Who is going to criticize the pink thing? US! Who is going to look like a pack of ungrateful whingers? US! Will it put people (eg friends and family) offside if we complain about it? Of course. Grrrr. 

    Oh dear..who's a grumpy girl, then? ME!

    XXX Have a great day, girls. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited October 2008

    Some days, I just want to hug you all.

    otter 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2008

    Otter~ I grateful take your hug and give you one back that is twice its size <double squish>

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited October 2008

    15 minutes of fame.

    Yesterday was my last radiation treatment. Today when I got home from work there was a phone message from my rad nurse. She wanted me to call back because she had a question to ask me. Turns out she had recommended me to an American Cancer Society person as a good candidate for a model she was looking for for an ABC show airing this Sunday. Because of Hippa laws or whatever it is called she could not give her my name or number but could call me and ask me to call the representative, which I did. I will be on a local Philadelphia show this Sunday morning.

    Sun, Oct 12, 11:30am - 12:00pm

    ABC's channel 6 WPVI

    Take Action: Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer

    Patients, breakthrough treatments and a panel to answer questions.

    From what I understand Robin Roberts will be part of the panel. As for me at this point all I know is I will be the model for the American Cancer Society's Look Good...Feel Better program. They will start with me bald (semi bald, it is starting to grow) and with no make up then show how make up and a wig can transform you into not looking like a cancer patient.

    Don't know if I will get a chance to speak but I am taking my pole dancing picture with me and if the opportunity arises they will know about all of my friends here that have helped me through this.

    Randie - hope your recovery is going well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • otter
    otter Member Posts: 6,099
    edited October 2008

    Oh, Karin, YAY!  I wish we could see you on that show.  Maybe someone will put it on youtube.  They should at least take before and after pics of you, so you can share them with your May '08 "team".

    I'm so happy for you!

    otter 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited October 2008

    I just did a search and maybe a video will be available on-line. Here is the link I found on the show.

    http://chat.go.com/abclocal/postMessage?event_id=356

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • familyroks
    familyroks Member Posts: 575
    edited October 2008

    Karin - That is the so freaking awesome!  And so cool that you are willing to do it.  I hope you can share video or pictures with the rest of us. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited October 2008

    Karin, too cool! Definately hope to see more. Please keep us posted. They picked a perfect model, your kids must be thrilled. I'm assuming you've told your students? Also, congrats too for being done. 

    Kristy, Happy Birthday. Enjoy your weekend with your daughter. Mine's home again this week. My church has a mass for the anointing of the sick which I signed up for. It's also homecoming here so it's gonna be a blast. 

    Angels, congrats on finishing rads and going home. Boy did time fly. I'm half way there.

    Christine, I have aquaphor but haven't used it yet. I'm getting pink so I may start. They prescribed Remedy Skin repair cream which I use twice daily.

    Kerry, so glad you stayed on the bike. Sounds like a ton of fun.

    Speaking of the photo, where is it now? I tried looking on photobucket but it said it was moved. I never saved it.

    Gotta run and watch SNL's spoof on the election. Love you all, Mary  

    P.S. the market is killing my retirement fund, can't stand watching the news. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2008

    roxi~ I reposted it when I redid it and changed the name a tad

    http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y181/siggiegirl/bc/may08.png  pw:bcfoob

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited October 2008

    Kristy - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!  And I saw a whole basket of Aquaphor in the tech's room when I was getting my simulation (did I tell you this - something is nagging that I did, but now I'm on a different page and can't check.  Feck chemobrain!!).  So I guess that's what I'll try first...

    Karin - That is SOOOO very cool!!!  I would love to see you! 

    Mary - I hope it was funny, 'cause that's where I'm going now!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited October 2008

    Rads advice

    Mary I too used the Remedy Skin Repair Cream. My center used to give the Aquaphor but found better results with the Remedy so that is what they give out now. I never had to buy it they kept me supplied with it. I loved it because it is not greasy like the Aquaphor plus it smells good.

    You said you are starting to get pink. Once that pink starts to turn red I would stop wearing a bra. I didn't and because of it the bra band made my skin peel off before it was ready to. I had raw skin. Once I stopped wearing a bra the rest peels with new skin under it so no rawness. I am waiting for the under arm area to heal before I start wearing a bra again.

    To help with the healing process I have been wearing tanks or T shirts under an opened shirt or blazer.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MsKarin
    MsKarin Member Posts: 647
    edited October 2008

    PERMISSION REQUESTED

    Jen and To all in Jen's Graduating Class of May 2008 photo

    I would like to copy and print out the photo to take with me on Sunday. I respect each of you here and will not do it if there are any objections. Please reply and let me know your feelings on this.

    Karin

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KristyAnn
    KristyAnn Member Posts: 793
    edited October 2008

    Thanks Adrienne- my birthday is Monday (Columbus Day this year lol) but Im starting early and celebrating the whole weekend!

    Kristy 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2008

    I emailed you the pic daulink!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited October 2008

    Kristy -- HAPPY SOON TO BE BIRTHDAY. (I have been really annoyed with myself for two pages of posts for missing your birthday. I'm so relieved!)  Heck, celebrate the whole danged month! Year, even!

    And Karin: KARIN! KARIN!  Oh, but I am happy.  And happy for Philadelphia!  That is just as neat as hell.  (Im fine with you using the photo . . . ) And if you get a chance to say "Bald is Good" and "We're all bald under our hair!" or any other pro-bald message...Oh, Karin. I'm just happy.

    And Angels -- Congratulations.  What a long road you have had. I have thought of you when I want to complain about the 2 hours it takes for me to get back/forth from rads.  It could be worse; I could have it so much worse.

    Folks, I regret that I am so intermittent and rambly these days.  But life over here is okay. Busy, but okay. I love you guys heaps, individually and collectively. Where would I be without you, y'know?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Roxi65229
    Roxi65229 Member Posts: 462
    edited October 2008

    Thanks Sable for the pic. Love it! And Karin, as for me, go for it. You have my permission to use my mug. 

    Karin, I've heard that from a few girls but the whole bra less thang makes me a bit nervous. I'm a full B and will have one pointy nipple. Maybe I'll do layers since its a bit cool here/ Nipple-less erectous. HA! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited October 2008

    God, I love our photo. Look at those faces!  We're so beautiful. I'm so proud.

    (Though, heck, women. Maybe we've made chemo and cancer seem like too much FUN?!!)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Jeano77
    Jeano77 Member Posts: 237
    edited October 2008

    Kristy - Happy birthday to you!!  Yes, you do deserve to celebrate the entire month!  That is what I am doing, my 43rd birthday is next Friday, the 17th. 

    Karin - That is soooooo very cool that you are going to be on TV - what a great representative.  No issues at all taking the photo with you.  I am hoping that you will have a link that we are able to see it (later) as well.

    Roxi - I just finished rads tx #8.  They told me it was not necessary to do the cream until I turned pink.  Arrrrrrgggghhh.  Although I am to lay still in rads, I nearly rolled off the table laughing the other day as the tech came in to adjust the rad mat (as they call it) that was lying on my chest.  My gown was at my waist and she said, "oh boy, sure is cold in here", and at the same time pulled my robe up over my nipple.   LOL. 

    The full time work & rads combo has me dog ass tired as well.  I went to bed a couple of nights at 8pm, which does not leave much time for web surfing in the evenings.  Every time I read the posts I am reminded of how much I miss you all.  My hair is coming in black & gray, soft as can be.

    Wishing everyone well!  Jean

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2008

    Karin~ I sure hope somebody puts a link up or plops it on youtube! I'm so excited for you!!

    Today was a bit better day for me. The weather was dreamy, the kind that makes your whole body sigh in appreciation. Perfect blue skies, gentle breeze, low 70's during the day mid 40's at nite. I love fall. The leaves are starting to change as well. I make sure each year to look at the trees every single day so I don't miss them changing. I went too many years only noticing them after they have fully changed. Now I enjoy each leaf.

    Still trying to deal with the mood swings. If there is something that grates me the wrong way I try to keep telling myself..... its the drugs, its the drugs. I am a bit snippier but trying not to be.

    I'm trying my best to understand what you "rad"ical ladies are dealing with right now. But much like chemo, you don't fully understand unless it's happening to you. My love to each of you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ranD
    ranD Member Posts: 373
    edited October 2008

    HAppy Birthday, yours is the same day as my mom;s, now I will forever remember it...lol...

    Okay, here;s the update, drains were all pulled yesterday and today I get a real shower...who hoooooo.

    Path report in, tumors were decreased by 75%, so chemo was a success. no cancer in teh left breast, not a speck, nada, not ever a calcification, who hoooo...

    Bad news, 15/15 lymph nodes had cancer cells present, one had a shrunken tumor(the lowest node)_.  That means rads for me...so now I will be plucjing all of your brains again, lol.  However, they said no rads until November, so that means that my ovaries would delay the rads, so I will rpoabably be on Tamox pretty quick for at least a couple of months.

    Nurse said I am a very good patient, I have more the 90 degrees of movement and it is looking like I won't need pt to restore my range. However, she thought the surgeon left too much skin for a non-recon, so I will proabbaly have to have extra skin removed next year, but the bennie??? Hey, when I lose this chub most call an abdomen, I can get the skin tightened under the boobs for free...yippee.

    Love my onc nurse, she gave me a prescipt for 4 bras, she said since they allow 2 for each surgery, then she thinks I deserve double for a double...lol..

    anyway, back to breakfast, hugs to all and more later this afternoon...randie

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • drcrisc
    drcrisc Member Posts: 836
    edited October 2008

    Glad to see I haven't missed too much!

    Karin - Go for it!!  Love to see our picture with you and I echo the link, youtube, whatever to see it.

    Randie - Showers are great!  But even better is knowing that the chemo worked - whooo hoooo!!!!

    Mary - I'm a little nervous about the no-bra thang, too.  I'm actually a full C+ and when Aunt Flo visits, more like a D+.  The only time I go braless is in the house.  Absolutely must wear a bra to work (although I'm sure the inmates would not mind - Ick.).  So I'm rather anxious about that side effect.  And it doesn't help that I'm whiter than snow and chemo made me more sun sensitive than I was!!!  Aaaacckk.

    Taking the girls shopping today for fall/school clothes.  We had a "cold snap" yesterday (didn't get above low 60s) and 2 days ago, it was in the mid-90s.  It's like that here.  But it gets cold enough at night for the leaves to change, which I love.  Off to the shower, too!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited October 2008

    Cris -- I keep trying to think of something SPECIAL to say to you but all the brain is producing is "Enjoy the cold snap!" or "Have fun shopping!" or "Don't inmates say the gosh-darnedest things sometimes?" So in lieu of something clever, I offer to you (and everyone) the sound of whoever it is that croons that cheesy song: "People, who need people, are the  luckiest people in the world . . .  "

    And now, to Randie. Randie -- 15/15?  I must say, you are thorough.  Seriously -- I am thrilled about the good news (re: no speck o' cancer in your left breast -- yeehaw!).  But 15/15? I am not going to "harsh your buzz" and I applaud you for handling the news with your usual aplomb (assuming 'aplomb' means what I think it does).

    FIFTEEN? out of FIFTEEN?  Criminy but that just blows.  In your honor (and I am not kidding about this, actually), I intend to raise my morning glass of water -- the one that accompanies me downing Tamoxifen -- to you.  I'm going to raise the glass, look in the mirror and say "To Randie's health and recovery, dammit" unless you'd prefer that I say something else. Because I will.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sueper13
    sueper13 Member Posts: 1,224
    edited October 2008

    Randie,

    Glad about the ROM, the bras, and the free tighten-up to come....the news about the lymph nodes sucks.  Will gladly be a brain pick-ee about rads.

    Last one Monday!

    DOG.ASS.TIRED.....

    Been reading and keeping up but not posting much.  See above.

    Love you and miss you all.

    Sue 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lewing
    lewing Member Posts: 1,288
    edited October 2008

    Argh!  I can't believe I missed Kristy's birthday!  Kristy, I hope you'll accept belated birthday wishes.  Or better still: right-on-time birthWEEK wishes.

    Karin, that is unbelievably cool that you'll be glamorized on television.  As enterprising as this crew is, I'm sure someone will track down a youtube video for the rest of us.  (And no objections from this quarter if you take the group photo with you.)  Break a leg!!!

    Randie, that really sucks about the lymph nodes, but it's great to hear that you had such a good response to the chemo.  You know we'll be here through rads to share our support (and our bitches and rants, too).

    Linda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kerry_lamb
    kerry_lamb Member Posts: 778
    edited October 2008

    M-o-o-o-r-rr--n-n-i-i-i-nn-ng!

    Just enjoying my second cup of tea on my Sunday-morning-paper-reading-lie-in-bed. (Why do I say it as though lying in bed is a rare treat...I had to go to hospital this week to have the couch excised from my bum...!)  Apart from some residual swelling around the eyes (grrrr) and residual neulasta pain, I am daring to think I am almost feeling chemo-free. The beautiful spring day yesterday was big help and I had a long walk with my stepdaughter around the suburb we are moving to. (Leggo Land, I call it.) Someone remind me because I've forgotten: how do we move??? Do I come home one day and find it done? Please say 'Yes".     I did something yesterday I now regret. I've been feeling bloated and talking up the need to lose 20 lbs (being what I've put on, plus some). My clothes don't fit, I surprise myself in the mirror..ya'll know the thing. Yesterday I got on the scales. SEVEN KILOS UP!!!! I am so pissed off with cancer and chemo I am going to spit. I have enjoyed a healthy weight for five years, after losing about 14kgs AND NOW I HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN. I am one of those Rubens-Nude-body-shapes..practically have to take the weight off with a blade. Feck!!for getting on the scales to confirm what I already knew. Should have remained in denial for a few more more weeks......

    Randie, I am rapt about your mobility..it's going to really matter further down the track so that's excellent news! Keep up the recovery rate! Feck off!!! to the 15. What the hell...this is what I hate most about BC. It's not just a simple matter of dealing with the tumor. It's all the other shite..permanent shite..that accompanies it. Now (like me and a few other girls here) you'll be on LE-Watch for the rest of your life. At least you won't have to wear a bra ( for now, anyway) so that will be a big help..no restriction to your circulation. I kind of sense (!) that you're a take-no-prisoners kind of gal, so when you raise the glass shout out "Feck off, Fifteen!!"

    Karin! Way to go! How do we get autographs via the net...? 

    XXX Kerry 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sable
    Sable Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2008

    Yay randie on the good news!!!! Boo hiss on the 15!

    Ok ladies.... time to share how much hair you have.... here is mine so far. Not the best looking head in the world but hey, I'm proud of every one of my little sprouts! Wish the clear ones would show up in the pic... I might have to use mascara on them <wink>

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rock
    rock Member Posts: 1,486
    edited October 2008

    Jen -- Your hair! So dark! So much! So long-awaited!  Hurray!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ewesterman
    ewesterman Member Posts: 417
    edited October 2008

    Haven't checked in because of the Jewish High Holidays.

    I read to catch up with everyone. I send you all hugs and thoughts and prayers and will get on again soon, but a little drained of energy due to my mom's visit and my brother's visit and real life.

    I am feeling like my posts are too long as many of you have commented about that. Therefore, I will keep them shorter from now on. Kiss I wish you well this weekend and will try be be more brief each time I get on. Cheers.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories