Anyone starting chemo in Aug. 08?

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited February 2009

    For anyone who missed the TV movie Living Proof when it first aired, I just read this elsewhere here this morning...

         My apologies if this is posted somewhere else...I just got an email from Lifetime.com.

         Re-airing is Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 9 pm. 

    As you probably know, it's about Dr. Dennis Slamon's fight to get Herceptin developed and approved for Her+ bc.  Well worth watching! 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Hi everyone.. i know it has been a while since my last post but i have been just enjoying life for the moment.. I got to come home the second day after having a double mastectomy. then i got to get my drains out a week later.. that was the worst pain.. omg.. but i have never felt better.. I am having an problem because my cancer went from being er+ to er-.. i didnt know that could happen.. so it puts me in that triple neg catogory that i was afraid i was in to start. My doctor said i had some other pre-cancer cells in the breast that had the cancer in it..but the left breast was clean. but i am living my life.. happy.. thats all i can ask for.. I pray everyone is doing well..getting ready for may 9th when i do the walk for the cure in richmond.. stay blessed ladies

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  • lisahugs1
    lisahugs1 Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2009

    Lashon- Keep going girl :)  Good for you taking life by the reigns :) Glad to see you back :)

    Bette-thankyou for your prayers. I am believing in a miracle. And think God MUST be planning something HUGE :)  I am keeping the faith.

    I got the culture back and I had one of the worst kind. And got to have the boil on my leg cut and drained.   CRAZY.  I guess theres only a few anti-biotic's that will kill it.  I was a little freaked out.   But will be ALOT more careful with ANY open areas on my skin.

    And the dermatologist at first was like "oh it doesnt need to be covered".   My mom says they querantine you in the hospital when you have that.    Sooooo I have learned ALLL cuts or scraps must be covered.   I am sooooo happy my baby didn't get anything.  YIKES.

    Thanks for all your support ladies.  I think this is where I must Let Go and Let God.  Because my life is not going the way I want right now :) 

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  • DFOnt
    DFOnt Member Posts: 145
    edited February 2009

    Lisa, I was just coming on here to check on your radiation burn situation and I see your post about the infection - yikes!  Was the infection related to the burn?  Is your skin better now?  How long did it take to heal up?  I am burned pretty bad, although I don't think it's as bad as yours was, but maybe it is.  It is red, open and painful.  I'm using flamazine (silvadine cream) and doing saline soaks but am wondering if I should be doing more (or less!).

    I hope you are getting back on track, you've certainly had a rough time of it!! You seem to have a pretty good attitude.

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  • Corinne6
    Corinne6 Member Posts: 311
    edited February 2009

    Hi everyone, I am back. I have been keeping up with everyone and have attempted several times to write. I have deleted my own messages by accident a total of 3 times since I last wrote by accident. Perhaps I am accident prone!!! So much has happened since I last wrote. In just two short weeks since my masactomy I have celebrated 3 birthdays of my immediate family and our 31st Anniversary. Wow, life goes by so fast. I want to tell all of you that I am praying for you. I am going to be watching on the 18th. Because I am Her2+ I hope it will encourage me some. I get a little down about it from time to time. Lisa, you have gone through so much this year. My heart is right there with you. Lashon, How are you feeling today? Bette- How are your wedding plans coming and how are you healing. You look so good. My hair is about 1/2 inches - not taking off my wig yet!!  DesertRider-  How are you doing and how are your horses? I go to check out out radiation center tomorrow and find out when I start. I am jotting down everyone's advice here and hopefully I will wing through it. Love to you all - Corinne

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  • Misty1
    Misty1 Member Posts: 272
    edited February 2009

    Hey Corinne, good to hear from you.  I am so happy your mast. went well.  I hope you are feeling well.  YOu'll get better and better eacy day.  Congrats on your anniversary!!  Are you doing the Herceptin?  I think you'll be ready for the wig to come off soon.  I am so happy to be done with mine.  I washed both of them and packed them away in their boxes this weekend.  I am going to see if I can donate one to the ACS, so someone who can't afford one can have mine.

    Girls with hot flashes-holy moly!!  They went away for a while, but they are back again.  I get 2-3 overnight and wake up soaked!!  I hope they go away soon.

    ~Misty

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  • alibug05
    alibug05 Member Posts: 182
    edited February 2009

    Bumping us up!!!!!

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  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited February 2009

    Lashon, I too was triple neg.  Not to worry! Triple negs respond very well to chemo.  I am so glad that you are healing and feeling much better. 

    Corrine, glad you are better!

    Lisa, hope your burn is healing well.

    How amazing our bodies are!!!!   Not only is my hair growing back but the darkness in my fingernails is growing out, people are saying my skin looks much better, and I am starting to get some of the feeling back from the taxol neuropathy.  I am so blessed!

    Wishing everyone a good day.Cool

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  • Corinne6
    Corinne6 Member Posts: 311
    edited February 2009

    Misty, I counted 13 hot flashes in 1 day!!!! Ugh!!!! I was told that accupuncture or accupressure was better than any meds we could be on. I have not looked into that yet. However, 8 degrees below zero just feels so good at times!! I know that you also a Her 2+ and yes I am taking herceptin until the end of Aug. The Her 2+  is the thing that really scares me.

    Roya, my fingernails look alot better too. I received a certificate for a complete pedicure that I will definitely take in a couple of weeks.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    I am at DD´s in Baltimore tonight, facing an ultrasound and fluid drainage procedure early tomorrow AM.

    Fluid has accumulated in my chest, swelling my mastectomy side to a B cup! Radiation oncologist can not treat me until the problem is solved. I may need a new drainFrown

    Do not understand, but know it is part of God´s plan.

    I am now wearing a diamond ring from Tom, and plan to dress shop this weekend!

    Bette

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  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited February 2009

    Corinne, enjoy the pedicure!!!Wink One thing that I have learned from all this is to take better care of me.  I am going to spoil myself as much as if not more than I spoil my kids....from now on!  I too will be getting more manicures, pedicures, and massage.  

    Bette, please let us know how you are doing!!!!!!  Is the fluid in your chest in the lungs?  Is it in the site of your surgery?  (((((((HUGS)))))))) 

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited February 2009

    Bette ~ You have had more than your share of challenges and setbacks!   Hopefully, they were able to drain that fluid today, and you'll soon be on the fast track to recovery.  How wonderful that you have Tom's ring to brighten each day and turn your thoughts to your upcoming wedding!

    Happy Anniversary, Corinne!  And don't worry about rads.  With few exceptions, they're a piece of cake compared to chemo!  I finished mine last week, and inspite of some very slight skin damage that's already healing, I feel like I agonized and fretted about it beforehand for no reason. 

    Roya ~  Great advice!  I agree we all need to make more time for the little pampering things that make us feel less stressed and more cared for, but I'm finding it hard to put into practice.  In fact, for some strange reason I'm finding time management a problem now that my active treatment is over.  It just seems like I can't figure out where to put my energy these days, and, as a consequence, I feel like I'm wasting a lot of time and not accomplishing much, which is kind of frustrating.   

    Hugs to all!    Deanna

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    With a Hopkins Breast Center volunteer holding my hand, I had 200 cc´s of fluid drained from the site of my mastectomy. What was stretched tight looks sort of wrinkled, and I am under orders to wear a supertight sports bra to compress things and keep it from coming back.

    I drove back to DD´s in a snowstorm and took a 4 hour nap.

    I am back to PA tomorrow AM, and then back here next Tuesday for a recheck. 

    When this is all over I can have my rads simulation and get started with the next phase of my treaatment.

    I am in some discomfort right now, but will not take anything due to the need to be alert for tomorrow´s drive

    Bette

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  • g94u67
    g94u67 Member Posts: 436
    edited February 2009

    Hi there everybody!

     Well 2 more days until final chemo... I've decided to make a carrot cake from the Barefoot Contessa (sugar free) to chemo.  It sure is going feel weird when this ends. (You girls feel the same?) Lab techs had such a hard time finding my veins.  It's like they knew. Lab techs commented on what a nice patient I was.  I told them "It's because I WAS a regular but not for long!  Work has been nice.  Still wierd getting back on schedule. I'm pooped by 8:00 p.m.!  DD says I snore too loud LOL :) Everyone has been so supportive (guess they feel for me).

    So nice to hear from you LaShon & that you've recovered well from surgery. Sorry you had to join us TN gals but  Roya's right about how well we respond to TX. Keep up the spirit! The Lord is so much bigger than our disease.

    Sorry to hear about your burns Lisa & Deidre.  There was one lady who had a bad burn like you Deidre.  Very raw.. I hope you both are better.

    That's great Roya that you're getting feeling back in your arm & normal finger nails! I thought I was a lost cause.

    I'll write back on Friday & try to upload my pix from chemo.

    Thinking and praying for all my sisters,

    Jeannine

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  • Misty1
    Misty1 Member Posts: 272
    edited February 2009

    Jeanine, good luck tomorrow!!  We'll be pulling for you.  Can't believe it's your last one.  Just get over this last hurdle and ride out the SEs and you'll be on your way back to a "normal" life!!

    Lashon-glad you bounced back after surgery.

    Everyone else, have a great day!!

    ~Misty

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Back safely in PA! Took a long nap after my long drive, and then felt motivated to clear out my overstuffed clothing closet to make room for Tom. Eight bags of clothing later, I have about 3 feet of closet rod available for him. Hope that's enough.

    One benefit of this is that everything in my closet now fits and it is all neatly organized.

    I'm tired now. Time to rest.

    Saturday is dress shopping day.  I am supposed to be wearing a tight sports bra at all times to compress my chest so the fluid won't accumulate again. That should make for an interesting time trying on dresses!.

    Only 5 weeks until the wedding! I have no idea at this point when rads will start, but the doc said to be safe, buy a dress with a neckline at least up to my collarbone so any rads burns won't show! I hope I can find one that high!

    Bette 

      

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  • DesertRider
    DesertRider Member Posts: 178
    edited February 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    I was working in Brazil for awhile (no wig for the jungle!) with no internet - am back and enjoying the desert flowers starting to bloom. After both my surgeon and onc said I didn't need rads, I've had 3 consultations with rad oncs and feel that in my case it's the best thing to do. I'm in the "gray" area - but the multifocal aspect of my tumors seems a good reason to do it. Now I have to wait until the breast recon heals, about another month. When do you start Bettelou?

    I feel like I may be starting late (last chemo was Oct. 31) but the rad doc seems OK with the schedule. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

    Love to everyone,

    Gail 

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  • TXBadboob
    TXBadboob Member Posts: 597
    edited February 2009

    Hi, everyone,

    Got back from my cruise last Mon, had a great time.  Met 2 BC survivors on the ship!  Funny how they seek you out when you're bald!  Very inspiring. I'm going to pay that forward.

    Gail, good luck on the rads!  I kinda know how you feel about waiting.  My last chemo was Jan 20, and my surgery is not until Feb 27.  I hope it wasn't too long to wait.

    Bette, hope you get to feeling better.  You sure have been busy!  Good luck on the dress search.

    Jeannine, my prayers are with you on your last chemo.  That one was the hardest for me emotionally.  I'm still scared they're gonna tell me I have to do another.  Hope your cake turns out yummy!

    Deanna, take time to pamper yourself, you sure deserve it!

    Roya, the darkness in my fingernails is growing out, too.  I'm not sure about the feeling coming back, maybe I'm just not noticing it because it's gradual.

    Corrine, I'm also still getting hotflashes a lot.  I guess that won't go away if I get my ovaries out.  Hope you're staying warm at least!

    Lashon, sorry about your bad news, but my prayers are with you.

    Lisa, hope you're healing now.  Prayers are with you.

    Hope everyone has a great day!  Deen

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  • mamakaren
    mamakaren Member Posts: 225
    edited February 2009

    Hello everyone,

    Yesterday i had some bad news about my mom. They say she has stomach cancer and i feel my world falling into pieces. I don't know what to do. I thought i was strong and now i feel like i'm not strong enough to be there for my mom. I just can't stop the crying i just wish this would all just go away! I feel like i'm really gonna go crazy. I just keep praying and i ask all of you to please pray for my mom please. I believe that there ain't nothing that God can't heal. So please help me and pray for my mom "Martha Dennis" Thank you.

    Karen

    Karen

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  • TXBadboob
    TXBadboob Member Posts: 597
    edited February 2009

    mamakaren, my prayers are with you and your Mom.

    My mom had another stroke about 2 mos ago, and it seems that we can't handle it all at once, but I found that I had to ask for help from anyone I could, and we're handling it all together with the grace of God.  I hope you have family and friends to help you through this.

    Big Hugs to you, Deen

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited February 2009

    Oh, Karen, I'm so shocked and sorry to hear about your Mom's dx.  I will absolutely be praying for her, and for you.  Do you know yet what treatment she will need?   I know it's a lot to bear, but having just been through the shock of a bc dx yourself, I now you will be an incredible support to her now.  Praying for you both ~   Deanna

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  • Corinne6
    Corinne6 Member Posts: 311
    edited February 2009

    Karen, I am praying for your mom. My dad was diagnosed when he was in his 40's with colon cancer. They told him he needed surgery and chemo. He said I will take the surgery but I am too busy for the chemo. He is now 86 and is doing well cancer free.. My aunt too had colon cancer and she is fine today. My mom had breast cancer but died of lung cancer. With all this cancer you would have thought I would be BRCA +. I tested negative for both genes. Psalm: 46:1+2 says " God is our refuge and strength: a VERY PRESENT help in trouble.  Therefore will we not fear though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. " That chapter goes on but the peace you need will be only found in God's Word  We will be praying for your mom. Please let us know how she is. Love Corinne

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  • lisahugs1
    lisahugs1 Member Posts: 126
    edited February 2009

    I have lost 2 e-mails from not being signed in AHHHHHH :) Its hard to redo this :(

    Karen-I too am sorry about your pain.  God must think of you as a warrior, and want to bless you more than you can ever  imagine. He will turn this into something good for you and your family.  Can you say Cherries in that lemonade. Maybe a bunch ?  There is a light in the end of this seemingly Lonnnnng tunnel. And I still believe this has been a blessing in diguise.  A whole new perspective on life, and love, and our future and how we want it to look.  I prayb for many revelations for you, peace, and lots of support..  You are strong, powerful, and can DO THIS :)

    Bette- thankyou for your support. I am happy to hear you in a different mind set.  You have had a rough road, and I know its hard to stay positive on it. Isn't it 90% attitude. Kick that enemy out of your life, and embrace your blessings. You have had such an impact on here for soo many ladies. Use that personal  power to kick that enemies butt :)

    I too was triple neg. And am doing great health wise. :)

    Also found out I am approved for SSI -disabilty. AM SOOOO grateful and know God is providing and answering prayers:)  Started marriage counseling, and know I am doing my part.  I found out the day we started counseling that I was approved for 3 yrs :)  And though hubby is still taking painm medication,,,know that I must do what I am supposed to do,,,and GOD will do the rest. 

    Thank you Jesus for walking with me, talking with me, and guiding me in the right direction.  This is ALL new to me, and I nam scared. But you have never left me, and though I may stray off the choosen path,,,I can always count on you to show me the way back.

    Lots of love, Lisa

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Karen, I will be praying for your Mom

    Lisa, that's great about the SSI-Disability and the marriage counseling. God does provide!

    Ladies, I not only found a dress, I outfitted the matron of honor and flower girl as well all within 90 minutes. I have to go tomorrow for a fitting for alterations as it is a bit too long. Otherwise, the neckline is perfect and covers all my scars. I decided to get white, and my daughter looks stunning in the lavender gown that I initially wanted to buy, but which WAS too low in the front. My flower girl looks like the little princess that she is.

    We had a great time shopping, then went out for ice cream. I guess I can't do that very often if I want my dress to fit LOL 

    Tuesday is another appointment at the Hopkins Breast Center. I can feel that more fluid has accumulated, so I don't know whether to expect another drain procedure OR a new surgical drain. It is all in God's hands

    Bette 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Things are going so fast. I had a fitting for my dress alterations yesterday, and was very tired afterward.

    Now I am up in the middle of the night because my chest is swelling with fluid, and it hurts. I guess I call the doc tomorrow.

    Bette 

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  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited February 2009

    Karen I am sorry to hear about your mom.  (((((((((HUGS)))))))))

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Just called the doc and it has been decided that a new drain will be inserted TOMORROW at Hopkins. Tom and I will be leaving early for Baltimore. The agenda includes two doc appointments and a CAT scan as well as the drain procedure. Should be quite a day!

    Bette 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Hi ladies.. Well I got my pet scan back and my neck lit up.. i found 3 knots on the left side of my neck.. I am so scared but i am praying that its nothing.. they asked me did i have a cold or anything.. i kind of felt like i was coming down with one.. ladies i dont know what to do.. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2009

    Lashon, Tom and  I are stopping to pray for you right now. Remember to take refuge and trust in God like it says in your signature.

    I am anxious about my CAT scan tomorrow. I am leaving in it the hands of my God, who has planned every day of my life. With Him I can face anything, and so can you.

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  • alibug05
    alibug05 Member Posts: 182
    edited February 2009

    Good morning ladies!!!! Lashon I am praying for you - I hope those knots are NOTHING.  BetteLou hope your new drain works better than the old one.  With Tom and God by your side I KNOW you will be ok. Glad you found a dress and got the wedding party outfitted too.  You did a good job in such a short time!!!  Karen - so sorry to hear about your Mom I will keep you and her in my prayers.  Well ladies I am off on my cruise Saturday morning - it's just my sister, my mom and I and I can't wait.  My Dad thought this would be a perfect way for me to celebrate and I couldn't be more appreciative!!!!! I am very excited to just get away - I will miss my hubby and kids but am ready to go!!!!! Loves to all..........

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