Starting Chemo in JAN 2007
Comments
-
The colonoscopy this a.m. was uneventful, perfectly normal, nothing, nada - see you in 5 years. My gyn. office finally called to say that all my ultrasounds were normal, she is sending the report to my GP. So I am happy for these good test results. I hope the rest of my sisters get good results too.
Mel - glad to hear from you. Sounds like you are doing well, great that you can have extra time off from work.
Rebecca - that set of wall units sounds amazing. I should check out garage sales more often.
My cold is much better, still not 100%, but okay. I'm feeling a bit woozy from the sedation from the colonoscopy, but this too shall pass. The best thing was that from the prep I dropped nearly 6 lbs. So I am back on South Beach with a vengeance, and as soon as I feel totally strong enough I am going to get back to walking - I feel like Skye - laying around doing nothing, I think that has contributed to my weight gain, never mind all the Jewish holidays and the eat fests. OY!!!
hugs to all,
caya
-
good to hear that your tests went well caya , feels good eh ! dropped those lbs too and now know from what you said why the scale was soo nice to me ha ha .... but the lbs came back so sad ugh ...... BUT I stay at one number never up or down .
Got my letter from Sunnybrook and now the drs will get it . I have a appointment with my onc mid Nov , when the discussion will begin . The report states that I now run a risk of ovarian cancer , along with greater risk of bc coming back in both or one breast . The risk increases 5-6% every year . My thinking is and I hope that I can get ovaries done through my b button . Bilat mastectomy would be after that . I have been told that the reconstruct can be done at the same time ..... . Right now , mamo,s and mri will keep an eye o my boobs , its the ovies first . This gene also explains why I had colon c too . Now can I say OY !
Good thing though its not back , just more surgery in my future ..... . hope all is well with all
Thx for all the comment on my fall pics !
burrr winter is not far off !
luv ya'll hugs
Joni extra for u XXXXX OOOOO
-
Hey Ladies,
Sharon, yikes, I'd yank those ovaries too. I've heard they can do those with a lap. At least you know what's what and can form a plan.
Caya you almost make me want the colonoscopy just to lose the six pounds. I'm SO glad all was normal. And about that "really cool" author, LOL, that made me laugh out loud.
Rebecca I'm jealous of the book shelves. That is exactly what I need to find. I had this dreadful little homemade assemblage in my guest room that I dragged down from my art studio last week and making do until I find something better.
Mel it was good to hear all your news. The greyhound will be exciting, what a fun time for you! I think Grendel needs a companion too, he gets alternately bored and naughty while I'm working all day. But I'm not up to training or introducing another one right now.
Mary I'm reliving the fun of the wedding shower and all that through you right now. Wonderful times to savor.
This was day 11 of the longest. Flu. Ever. I finally had to go to the grocery store and of course ran into my pastor's wife. At least she could see for herself why I missed the past two Sundays. And told me not to come to choir unless I'm done coughing.
Missing everyone else, but the generic "Effervescent Cold Remedy" I took is now putting me to sleep. Non-germy e-hugs to all. - Skye -
bumping us up to avoid page 2
-
Hi, I wanted to check in before I drift off to sleep again. I woke up this AM at 5:30 and we left the house just before 6. I got checked in to my pre-op room by 6:45 and they wheeled me into the OR about 8:00 AM. I did in deed have the MAC or Conscious Sedation, and I woke up in the post-op room with my hubby sitting right next to me about 9:30.
There was good news on the colonoscopy part of the day, no polyps, so maybe I won't have to go in again on that for 5 years. The surgeon did take 2 lumps out of the left breast for biopsy. The first one that I've been feeling this whole time right near my incision scar and the other one that the mammogram indicated. He's supposed to call tomorrow afternoon with the results. I expect that he will because in Dec 2006 that's what he did for the needle biopsy.
We were home by 11:30, and I had some soup for lunch, took a hydrocodone, and laid down for a nap. I woke up at 5 PM watched a bit of the news and had a sandwich and a banana for supper. Since I took more medicine I'm nearly ready for another nap, but all in all, I feel pretty good.
Skye, I hope that flu runs it's course and you start to feel better.
Caya and Mel, good to here that you've made it through your colonoscopies, too.
Tina, that is so funny about Pauly/ Paul/ PJ. My family went through that with my brother who is also a "Junior." In 1965 when he and my dad moved to California about 6 weeks before my mom and I did and just after Mama and I arrived, someone knocked on the door and asked for "Woody." I told him there was no Woody here and closed the door in his face. Later I found out that my brother switched his nickname from "Lyn" the first part of his middle name (Lynwood, don't ask me where my Grandmother got it when she named my dad) to "Woody" the last part of the middle name. Then in September he decided to be "Ray" at school. It was the first time we'd ever had kids calling in asking to talk to Ray. By the next year we'd moved into our house, and he switched to the other Junior High and went back to being Lyn. We still had a few calls for Ray Jr. over the years, though.
I check back after the doc calls with the biopsy results.
-
I'll be praying for you today Debbie. Joni, sending you a big hug.
-
deb yes please take it easy and keep warm
Lord knows we have to .... its SNOWED yesterday we have about 3 inches covering our lawn the leaves have not even fallen .... whiteout conditions driving home from work yesterday YUCK !
it not even Halloween yet ! Me I am up early and at work 7 am in the morn getting ready for yet another day ..... its nice and quiet at this time with me cup of java burr Canadian winters !
Oh and please update me on page 2 gals , ?
-
Deb, I am thinking of you. Please post the results as soon as you hear. This waiting that we all go through is so emotionally exhausting, but hopefully you will know today.
Everyone else, I have been reading but not posting for a few days. Am milking this time off as much as I can. I feel well, energy coming back, soreness more an annoyance than anything. I am just taking advil. The surgeon called yesterday and said that the path report was totally clear, no atypical cells at all. So I feel very much at peace. I realize that I can get mets, but I can't control that. I could control to a large degree getting a new cancer in the healthy breast. The drainage is slowing down, and I feel certain the surgeon will remove the drain on Friday.
One interesting thing that I have noticed is how much more supportive, sypmpathetic, and tuned in Steve is this time. I think it's because he had his own surgery last spring, and has a much better idea what it is like. I am letting him do a lot more than I normally would, since I feel that once I go back to work next week, I will be on the treadmill again. However, this has not been anywhere near as tough as the first surgery, largely due to the lack of fear re impending chemo, etc. I know this decision is NOT for everyone, but I am so glad I did it. I am somewhat surprised that my onc was so on board. My daughter has a friend who is a nurse in a plastic surgeon's office. She told my daughter that she feels that new cancers in the remaining breast are under reported, and that she thought this was a good decision. Of course, that is hardly a scientific evaluation, but I did find it interesting.
Skye, hope you are feeling better. Tina, where are you? Everyone else, esp Joni, tough base with us.
Your support has been so great, everyone!
-
Debbie - any results yet?
Melia - glad you are relaxing and milking the time off for all it's worth. You deserve it kiddo. Glad the path was clear, now you can really rest at ease.
Sharon - yes that was quite the unexpected snowstorm we got here yesterday. It's all melted today though. Page 2 - that is when our Jan. 2007 Chemo group topic is not on the first page when you look at all the topics on the Chemotherapy - Before During and After forum - then you get moved to page 2. Good luck with all your appointments, and I'm sure all the surgeries will go well.
I'm going to get a bone density test tomorrow morning, it will be interesting to see if my osteopania has improved at all since taking Tamoxifen, which is supposed to be good for the bones.
Please check in gals - miss you!!
xo Caya
-
I haven't had a call from the doctor, yet, so I'm hoping no news is good news. I didn't get too worried though since I napped the day away. I took 1 hydrocodone this morning and sat in my recliner and napped on and off through the day. I was intending to have lunch but when I woke up at 3:30, I thought I might as well wait for supper.
If the doc doesn't call by tomorrow afternoon, I'll call him.
Melia, I'm glad that you are able to take it easy for a few days before you get back to the grind.
Yikes, Caya and Sharon, you had snow already? Here in Texas it has started to cool off, but not that far.
Thanks for the hugs. Hugs to all of you, too.
-
Mel, sounds like a nice sendoff for Amy. How sad, at her age. Debbie, you sound like you are doing a good job of remaining calm while you await your results. Much better than I do at that stuff. Nothing too new here. The big excitement last night was that we were all sitting around at about 8:15 pm and it was pitch black out and quite cold. All of a sudden we hear our front door open and an old woman's voice saying "Hello? Hello?". Paul recognized the old woman as his friend, Kiersten's grandmother, who we know has Alzheimers. Apparently, she walked out of her house into the dark, across the "village green", which is about as big as a football field, and couldn't find her way back home. My house was pretty lit up, porch lights on, halloween lights in the windows, so she came here. She couldn't even quite recall why she had left her house. I called her house but got no answer, so I drove down there but no one was home. We came back here, I made some calls to other neighbors to see if they had cell phone numbers for the family, but no luck. I figured I'd just drive back down there and we'd sit in the car until someone came home, figuring they'd freak out if they got back and she was missing. Sure enough, they had come back and ran out to the car...they were horrified. Her poor husband had no idea who I was, how she ended up with me, etc. She was a very nice lady, kept saying she'd do something nice for me... I'm like June, no problem, I'm happy to help... the kids were with me and she asked Jaclyn her name a half dozen times. It was kind of funny, as she was so nice and pleasant. Anyway, kind of a good life lesson for the kids. Just glad our neighborhood is far back enough off the main road, because had she wandered out there....
-
I decided to call the doc's office about an hour ago. Both lumps came back as benign with no evidence of cancer. So it looks like I was right about the no news-good news route. Every question I asked the nurse she had to check somewhere else and put me on hold for a bit while she checked. She said the doctor will be back in the office tomorrow so she'll call me if I need to go in for a follow up visit.
I'm feeling pretty good today. I didn't take the hydrocodone this morning, only regular acetaminophen, and I feel more alert. The pain isn't as bad today so I must be healing.
The hubby and I went out for lunch at La Madeleine. Yummy!! I had the Mediterranean Salade and he had the Chicken Cordon Bleu. Then we topped it off with the mini parfaits for dessert since we had printed out the emails for getting them free.
-
Congrats on the good news, Debbie! That is great. Glad you went out and celebrated. Is La Madeleine a chain? I think I may have heard of it.
I just finally took a shower now at 5 pm. I cleaned alllll day. Feels great though...as good as if the cleaner had been here. Tomorrow I hit the mall to reward myself!
-
Great news Debbie - way to celebrate too.
I have a funny story for you dog lovers, sort of like Tina's adventure with the lost grandma but with a dog twist. I'm on my way home in my subdivision when I see this dog wandering around looking lost, and I didn't remember these people having a dog out. I went past but something bothered me so I returned, checked the dog's tag (it was Lphaso os something like that) and it had a different address on it. So I called the phone no on the tag, and it was disconnected. I went home and hubby said it was an address in our sub so we went looking for it. Found the house and the guy there said no that's not my dog, so we went next door because the lady was clearly a dog lover. She said no at first but then remembered it was someone who had moved who used to live next door at the address on the dog tag but moved to a house in the new part of the subdivision by the power lines. Yep, I took the dog away from his new house. So we quickly drove there and dropped the dog off. Good things dogs can't talk. So I tried to do a good deed but really stole a dog...hope no one saw me. I'll be laughing about this all night. Have a good one.
-
Debbie, Yay, congrats on the b9 (I also commented on facebook)
I also have some good news. I had my 2 hour gluecose tolerance test on Monday. Last year my number was 171 (under 140 is normal and over 200 is diabetic), so was considered to have 'impaired gluecose tolerance'. I was so worried that this year it would come back above 200. Well, it came back at 124!!! woo hoo! I somehow managed to reverse it!
I am so incredibly relieved! -
Yes, Tina, la Madeleine is a small chain. I think most of them are in Texas, but they are in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Washington, DC, too. I looked on the web site and there's one at Bailey's Crossroads. Would that be near you? It said Leeburg Pike and Crossroads Center Way. We like the omelets and crepes for breakfast. At lunch we order one of the entres off the menu instead of taking the quiche or pot pies off the line. The entres seem to have more bang for the buck. The soups are really good, too.
Yay, Lynn, on the glucouse tolerance. I swear I wouldn't have been diagnosed last year if I hadn't been drinking the regular Mint and Honey Green Tea all day, every day during chemo. Diet and exercise can do a lot when you are trying to improve you blood sugar counts.
I hope the rest of you are having good weeks.
-
Congrats, Deb, on the good news! I'm glad for you - somehow I expected good news this time, and I hate to be wrong about things like that. Glad you celebrated. And Lynn, glad you got good news also - maybe you're eating better or exercising more, and that made the difference.
Mary, what a hoot - you are indeed a good samaritan even if you did unwittingly steal someone's dog. How embarrassing, though, if you'd have been caught. Tina, your story was sweet - a good life lesson for your kids, for sure, and you were good to take care of her until her family showed up. I can imagine how scared they must have been.
I finally had my first ultrasonic scar massage treatment yesterday, with another tomorrow, then 3 times a week for 3 months. The therapist was confident that it would help to break up all that hardness in my boob - they do it all the time, she said. She also happens to be the wife of a doc I used to work with, who has gone on to work at a different surgicenter (the one I've wanted to work at for several years). She said he now has a lot of clout there as he does almost 100% of his cases there, and would be glad to give me a reference if I wanted one. My foot surgeon always said he wanted me to apply there, and he is a part owner...so it sounds as though the universe is aligning with my desire to make a change. The closer I get to going back to my hospital, the more I dread it.
After I left the physical therapy office, I went to the mall to look for something...didn't find it, but on the way out, I walked through Macy's, spotted a rack that said 50% off and thumbed through it. Turns out it was a clearance rack, even more than 50 off. I ended up getting a great black dress, a pair of grey pants, a red cami and a red and black striped short cardigan all for about $90. I can't believe it - all from one rack, and I didn't even have to try very hard!
We have our home visit from the adoption people (for the greyhound) on Saturday. Hope we pass.
Hugs to everyone.
-
Congrats Debbie and Lynn on the good test results - it sound like we are having a good week with good results for everyone. I had my bone density exam this morning, I will have the results next week when I see my GP. Everything else has been coming back clear, negative etc., the only one I haven't heard back from was that 24 hour pee test - one of the most disgusting tests on record. I'm sure I would have heard by now it there was anything serious.
I have one more day left on this round of the Cipro XL for my latest UTI. I am happy to go off it, as it makes me very tired and feel kind of run down, but of course my pain is gone in that dept., so it's good, I just hope I can last 2 weeks until I see my onc. to discuss it all without another one starting. My GP wants me to discuss with my onc. about going on a low dose prophylactic antibiotic for a period of time to see if that does anything. - OY!! ( I guess that should be my biggest problem, right?)
-
Congrats Lynn on the good results. Have you spoken with Joni?
Caya, a lady at work ( who had bc 16 years ago) is going through the same thing with the UTIs, back on antibiotics again, I told her about the prophylactic dose idea and I've heard of that before, it's worth a try.
Skye, glad your MRI turned out okay..wish I could figure out what is going on with my back. The priest who is marrying my son thought he had sciaticia but it turned out to be spinal stenosis, and he agrees that it sounds like I have sciatica. He's sending up special prayers and says I've been through enough - haven't we all? Going to try the chiropractor today at 5. Although I'm not a fan of chiropractors, this guy does sports injuries and no xrays, does it all by feel, and is big on nutrition and vitamins.
Big football game tomorrow, Michigan v MIchigan State. Go Green!
-
rescuing us from page 2
-
Yes, congrats to all on the good test results!
Just got in from Wild West Bingo at Jaclyn's school. It was actually pretty fun. I haven't played bingo in years. They had gift basket raffles, pizza for sale. The kids had fun too. Jaclyn started her gymnastics class this afternoon and her report was that her teacher, Tameka, can't do a cartwheel and she thinks she smokes because she smelled. LOL. I'll have to go next week and check out who the county has hired for their gymnastics program. My neighbor took the girls this week.
Today is the DH's and my 16th anniversary. He brought home some beautiful flowers, in fall colors, I might add....he has certainly been taught well...and a nice card. I got him a card and he bought himself a Carvel ice cream cake. LOL! I told him that our new kitchen faucet was "our" gift... I put in a rubbed oil bronze faucet this week... it definitely kicks the kitchen up a notch. I love it and it matches the cabinet knobs I did two weeks ago.
No soccer tomorrow! Yeah...freaking...hoo! I am so sick of soccer. It ends next Saturday. Basketball starts Nov. 18, but that's indoors so that'll be easy. No plans for tomorrow...I think I'll marinate a london broil steak for dinner tomorrow night and on Sunday I'm dropping by a neighbors Silpada/fake purse party. I need a nice b'day gift for my cousin who is turning 50 in Dec. Anyone started x-mas shopping yet? I have a few things...
-
Hello all,
You don't know me but I've been keeping in contact with one of your dear friends, Joni. (Jonimb from Chestermer, Alberta)
I'm really sorry to have to tell you that I just got a PM from a fellow bc survivor in Calgary that Joni passed away on October 22nd.
Her obituary can be seen at http://www.legacy.com/can-calgary/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=119266338
I am still shaking and can't stop the tears; I can't believe it. We were all so hopeful that she was regaining her strength. My sympathies go out to her husband Dan and family. She will be missed.
Bernice
-
oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Joni, it was truly an honor to get to know you just that little bit in Las Vegas.
-
Oh, Joni, you were so loved. Sleep with the angels, our friend.
I went to Calgary Herald Obituaries and was able to print her obit. Thank God we were able to meet her.
-
Bernice, thank you so much for letting us know. I just read her obituary and it was certainly a tribute. I am betting the entries on her guest book pages will be volumes. Cindy, I agree...it was an honor to spend just that weekend with her. Her total love of life, sense of adventure and fun was so apparent. It's hard to fathom her just sitting at the Cheesecake Factory w/us at Caesers Palace in July and now this... I had been googling that new chemo drug she was trying, Navelbine or something like that, hoping the s/e's weren't so bad... apparently it was more than her body could handle. I am just so sorry. She and Dan had such a great relationship and so enjoyed their lives. Joni, I am just so happy you came to Las Vegas to meet all of us. We will never forget you! XOXO
-
Bernice, I second the thanks for letting us know, even though we are all devastated at the news. What a fabulous lady Joni was and how blessed I feel to have known her! Joni, you will never, ever be forgotten.
I wanted to tell Debbie, Melia and everyone else who had good test results - I'm rejoicing with each of you. I've spent the past several days frantically working to get ready for my travel times, and am writing from a Super 8 in the middle of Nowhere, Wisconsin. I know thoughts of Joni will color my weekend, and I intend to think of her and remember her as often as I can as I travel and go about business. - Skye -
Yes Bernice, thanks for letting us know abou our dear Joni. I am so glad she came to Vegas with us - she certainly was the life of the party... I am heartbroken over this news. We will never forget you Joni.
xo Caya
-
Yes, Bernice, thank you for passing the word to us. I will cherish the time we spent with Joni in Las Vegas. I am so glad that I was able to meet her in person. She will definitely be missed by all who knew her.
We love you, Joni.
-
Bernice,
Thanks for letting us know about Joni. I can't believe this. It seemed like yesterday when we were having so much fun in LV. Joni was a doll and now she is an angel- our angel. We will miss you Joni.
I am so glad everyone had great results with your tests. I am writing this in shock- I, as we all, hoped Joni was improving. Joni, we will never forget you.
Love,
Paula
-
Thanks Bernice, wow, it seems to have happened so fast. Joni, sleep in peace. You are our guardian angel now. Watch over all of us. I will have to get a sympathy card out to her Dan. They were a special couple. I dedicate this day to you Joni. You lived life to the fullest even when you were in pain. Anyone who can access the obituary could you email or post it. I can't open it. Love to all
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team