Starting chemo Sept 05

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited February 2009

    I have been long absent from the list but you all have never been far from my heart.

    Life just got in the way!!!

    It was good to catch up on you all. I did go to a three day Inflamatory Breast cancer conference in Dec. It had doctors, research scientist, activists and survivors and brought us all together to hear about the latest "stuff".

    It was WONDERFUL!! the next one is in 2 years in Paris!!!! I am saving my pennies!

    tina

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited February 2009

    bump... we are on the third page!

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  • sholroyd
    sholroyd Member Posts: 288
    edited February 2009

    You are a busy lady Tina.

     Sorry to have missed you Liezel - glad you got back home safely before all our snow though.

     Hi all.

    Sandra from the UK

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  • leannem
    leannem Member Posts: 137
    edited February 2009

    Hi again!

    Sandra I get a CT and bone scan and occassionally brain as well. I am VERY pleased to say that I had my scans last week and NO CHANGE on the liver!! Laughing We are now at 3yrs since we first discovered the liver lesions and there has been no change. I am ecstatic. I started on the femara after posting the other night too and have been feeling okay.

    It is late here and I am off to bed but wanted to get on and say hi and reply to Sandra regarding types of scans.

    Love

    Leanne

    xoxo 

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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited February 2009

    Hi all. Just a quick hello from Boston. Had my first MRI, breasts only, and the verdict is benign. Another 6 months before anyone feels me up again. Somehow, the appointments drifted farther apart. For now, that is okay with me!

    Best to all!!!!!

    *susan* 

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited February 2009

    Good Morning all!!

    As you can see from my picture I am not little and cancer really did not help. The latest adventure is working out with the Team Survivor group here in Austin. We are training for a small triathlon (it may take me all day to finish but I am determined to make it!) It is the end of May. So far I have lost 7 pounds and my goal is to lose 50 in the next three months.

    My training schedule is pretty busy.....

    swimming - 3 times a week (wednesday I actually swam 1200 meters!!)

    indoor cycling - 3 times a week

    outdoor cycling - 2 times a week - I went for a 5.5 mile bike ride last sunday and went for 2.5 last ngiht due to it getting dark!

    I have totally turned my diet upside-down as well.I am not on a diet but I am watching what I eat at any one time. No more sweets and lots of fruit & veggies these days.

    This is going to consume most of my time for the next 11 weeks.

    I hope all is going well with you all as we approach year 4!!!!!

     tina

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited March 2009

    Well today is a day of reflection.....

     I was having a hard time with the news one of our Sisters has passed. She is on my IBC list and the two of us were diagnosed within months of each other. She was just 47.

    Also this week my sister went through a BC scare and I do not feel she is out of the woods yet. They did a third mammo on her because of two spots (one by her right nipple and the other near her chest wall). They told her to come back in 6 months for a repeat mammo to see if there are any changes. My sister, Julie is kind of a basket case and does not really like the answers or lack of answers she was given. My sister has many risk factors. She is over 40, never had kids, been on birth control for years and has a sister with bc.

    On a much lighter note..... I have lost 17 pounds and the workouts are rough but I am MAKING IT! I am not doing much else these days but I am working hard to make this all happen.

    Tina

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  • sholroyd
    sholroyd Member Posts: 288
    edited March 2009

    Wow Tina, I am so impressed, go girl go; I am being naughty with my food consumption (she says as she munches on a kit kat). Sorry you are having bad news - I still struggle, like when I heard Wendy Richards lost her battle.  I feel so for Jade Goody - I don't like how she made her money but I do not wish any of this on her and feel so for her and her boys.

    Susan - brilliant news.  I don't go until June - I just get seen every 12 months now - I am getting itchy as time passes (but getting very much on with life)  I am going to be asking for a PET or CT scan - I am due for a mammogram this time round (every 2 years here). 

    Thanks for replying to me Liezel. 

     Hey, my lad is home on 27 March :-)

     I do wish our early day ladies would post.

     Hugs to all.

    Sandra from the UK

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited March 2009

    Sandra I am glad to hear you lad is coming home!!!

     I wish I was seeing the doctor less.... I still see my oncologist every 2 months!!!

     I am also getting on with my life but I have rough days sometimes still.

     Tina

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  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited March 2009

    Hi girls,

    so good to see you all, sorry for not posting here, I seem to fly by, dreading bad news etc.

    Leanne,

    great news about your scans!!!!

    Susan,

    same for you, yayyy!!!! I don't have a scan sheduled and I am sort of happy and sort of anxious. Seeing the onc in 2 months again.

    Sandra,

    he's coming!!!!! Good news!!!! I am happy for you.

    You only get mammos every two years after having had bc??? That sucks. Is it expensive? (I would pay out of pocket I think).

    Tina,

    you rock!!! 17 pounds is awesome!!!!! Holy moly.....

    I think my advise to your sister if she were mine is to insist on a biopsy! A lot can happen in 6 months, that would be totally unacceptable for me personally. Hope it will turn out okay despite the risk factors!!!

    Not much new here, trying to stay active to deal with depression and anxiety, meds don't coopearate with my stomach as it seems. I am happy to have lost teeeny 4 lbs and I am determined to keep my estrogen off that way.

    I totally look forward to warm weather, it helps getting my rear in gear even more Tongue out

    Hello to everybody else.

    sorry for not checking in earlier, I try to better myself!

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited March 2009

    bump

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  • Pegk
    Pegk Member Posts: 389
    edited March 2009

    Hey Ladies!

    It seems like mostly good news here...medical and otherwise.

    My health is fine, but it seems like every week I'm hearing from someone whose sister, wife, mother, is dealing with some form of BC. I'm the go-to person in my corner of the world because (knock on wood) I've had a good outcome and have successfully dealt with all BC threw at me.

    Why are so many having to deal with this? And why are so many still losing the battle?

     Meanwhile, this week my younger daughter and I are taking part in som "travel" therapy...sunshine, warm breezes, fun activities on a cruise to the Western Caribbean.

    Less than a week of winter left for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere.

    Be well everyone! 

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited March 2009

    Peg,

    Have a great time on your cruise! I could use some of that travel therapy myself but saving all my pennies for Paris in 2010.

     Tina

    PS training is coming along! Working out 6 days a week (weight loss has leveled out for a bit but loosing inches)

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  • Pegk
    Pegk Member Posts: 389
    edited March 2009

    We're back, rested and relaxed. I'm afraid I'm a bit poorer (it's amazing how fast those extra charges add up-and I only had 1 glass of wine a day with dinner) and a bit chubbier (even with non stop activities, there's also no stop eating)

    I'm looking forward to Spring and starting to train again for next October's Avon Walk in NY.

    A trip to Paris is a great thing to look forward to, Tina, and just think how great you'll look. Losing inches is definitely preferable.  Muscles weigh more. You must be getting so strong! Brava!

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited March 2009

    Glad to see you had a good time Peg. I am finding walking is the hardest thing for me to do because of the neurapathy, but I am making it!

    So far I have lost two sizes and 18 pounds. I found out I was not eating enough so the weight stopped coming off!

    My training is coming along and I found out a few things this weekend about myself:

    I don't care what others think.... I was having an issue with my swimsuit because everytime I did freestlye it was like having a drag suit on. my fake breasts would pull my suit down enough the water would go in and have to go out somewhere! I decided I was just going to not wear them and my swim on saturday was the best one thus far. I did spin class before swim class and I burned off around 2300 calories saturday alone. No wonder I was starved after!

    The second thing is .... when I put my mind to it... I can do anything. I made it on a 12 mile bike ride sunday! Thats as long as the triathlon bike portion! Little by little I am making progress...and if i can do it....any of you can!

    Tina

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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited March 2009

    Wow, Tina. That is wildly impressive. You go girl!

    Peg, great to hear that you had a wonderful break from 'real life.' Is a great thing to do isn't it? And someday you need to post a picture of your kitchen. Can I assume that it is done by now?

    We are doing alright here in Boston. Cherishing the occasional warm days and starting to imagine a garden. The Kid will graduate on May 24th, and we have plans to go do the full celebration.

    Glad to hear everyone's news.

    *susan* 

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  • sholroyd
    sholroyd Member Posts: 288
    edited April 2009

    I am so impressed with you Tina, you are some woman; you must post before and after pictures.

    Well this time last year I was planning daughter's hen party in London, planning meeting with Susan and daughter's wedding in Cyprus - nothing too much on the horizon here, credit crunch is hitting us unfortunately.

     You cruise sounds good Peg - quality time with your daughter sounds good too - doesn't matter about spending a bob or two.  Sorry Peg, I don't do Facebook too often - I get so many friend requests, which is lovely but I just can't keep up with it all.  I find ex-students look me up too.

    My lad is back and very bronzed looking, he is OK though.  We are having a welcome home party on Saturday.

    Love to you all.

    Sandra from the UK 

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited April 2009

    Well the workouts continue and I have now lost 22 pounds!

    I had a "minor" bike wreck but got right on bleeding and all.....LOL I am doing ok now.

     My daughter is flying in for the weekend of the race from Oregon. SHe is taking off from everything to come see her mom! SHe is a great kiddo.....

     Well I am POOPED out! take care all

    tina

    PS I rode 16 miles on Monday, 10 on thurs and another 10 today. Sunday I am going with a group and we will do 15-10 miles.

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited April 2009

    This is the bump up.....

    I have now lost 25 pounds!!!!

    Tina

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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited April 2009

    Tina, I have a few pounds to share if you feel too thin!

    Hope that everyone had a lovely Easter/Passover. The Kid came home from school for the weekend. I think she just needed a home-cooked meal, well, and the free laundry. Such a hard time to be graduating. There just aren't many jobs out there, and the poor girl is very stressed.

    Hope you are all well.

    *susan* 

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited April 2009

    No thanks Susan I don't want about another 100 pounds or so!

    I hope everything goes good for your daughter and she finds a job. I hate to hear of young graduates being stressed.

    Tina

    PS I have now lost 27 pounds! Yesterday I rode to town.....16 miles! Today I road 20 miles!

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  • Calico
    Calico Member Posts: 1,108
    edited April 2009

    Hi ladies,

    checking in....

    Tina,

    what an awesome job you are doing with your workouts, WOW!!!

    Susan,

    congrats to your daughter!!! ;)

    Sandra,

    good to hear from you, money is tight all around.

    Peggy,

    nice to hear that your cruise was fun.

    I am working out every day, see my body change, weight loss not that fast, but tightening all around and fit, I'll take that :)

    I am waiting on a CT result, got TM's done and see the onc in two weeks.....feeling scared to death as usual.....it is suppose to get better.

    DD is doing well, almost done with being a high school junior and looking forward to summer break.

    Our weather has been awfull and I am soooo looking forward to warmth and sun.

    Glad to see everybody is well, would love to hear from our other MIA sisters ;)

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited April 2009

    calico,

     I am glad you are having some results to. Its strange one week I won't lost much and the next 2-3 lbs. My clothes are much looser as well. It took time to pack on lbs its taking time to take off! 

    I have lost another pound! I am now down 10% of my starting boday weight or 28 lbs!

     I am looking forward to my oldest daughters short visit, she will be here may 14.She will be here for my triathlon.

     Training is a little halted the last couple of days due to the rain, but I am not complaining because we need the rain so bad!

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  • sholroyd
    sholroyd Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2009

    1 week to your triathlon Tina - you are a credit  yourself, you have done so brilliantly well - can't believe all the miles you are biking.

     I believe it has been Liezel's and Nicole's birthday - hope you both had a good one?

     I have made a start - I have lost 10lb now - another 1 stone to go.  Not doing as much as I should on the exercise side but I am working on walking more - my work continues to keep me busy.

     Got quite a full house with son home and one of my daughters staying with us.  My old dog is really poorly and I have to make a decision in the very (very) near future I fear.

    Keep us updated on your weight loss Tina and I will look forward to reading about your triathlon.

    A 38-year old lady appeared in our local paper last week - she had grade 3 BC and had had her first chemo - then having a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction - she was having her head shaved publicly at a party at the local pub - I went down, introduced myself as a fellow grade 3, 4 years on, I also showed her my reconstruction.  She was very pleased I had come to see her (didn't stop to see her have her head shaved), her Gran was also very pleased and said I had made her feel much better about her grandaughter's situation.  I am really pleased I made the effort to do this.

     Love to you all.

    Sandra from the UK xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  • Liezel
    Liezel Member Posts: 192
    edited May 2009

    Hi Everybody!

     Wow Tina, well done!  Good luck with the Triathlon.  I am in awe....

    Thanks Sandra.  Even though I had a very bad cold, I was spoiled rotten!  Also congrats on your weight loss.  Enjoy having everybody at home and good luck with your dog....

     I had my annual scans this week!  All clear, and the nodule on my lungs are improving!  Yeah! 

    I have been very busy at work, but even with all this, my biological clock has suddenly started ticking very loudly.  I insisted onc test for fertility, and got the good news that I am still very much pre-menauposal.  She does not like the idea of having all this estrogen coursing through my body, but I was so happy I cried.  I think I have even convinced dh that we should try.  I have been on cloud nine for the last few days, daydreaming about a little girl.  I know it will be tough, and being "older" than most and not knowing just what the chemo and Herceptin did to my body might make it difficult to fall pregnant and throughout the pregnancy, but I am hopefull and so ready for it.  So, if any of you have any ideas on how to make a girl - I am so open to it.  Another man in the house will drive me crazy!

    Keep well and enjoy the weekend.  I am leaving for work until Tuesday again - missing mother's day.......

    Liezel

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  • Pegk
    Pegk Member Posts: 389
    edited May 2009

    Happy Mother's Day!

    Do you international gals celebrate this day? You seem to be celebrating every day anyway.

    Sanrs it must be nice to have a house full of family, especially your son, home safe and sound.Sad to hear about your dog. Pets are such important parts of our families.

    Congratulations on your weight loss. Keep walking!

    It was nice of you to stop in to give encouragement to that lady at the pub. Did you tell her about our internet support?

    Good news Liezel! I wish I could tell you how to guarantee a girl (I have 2), but I haven't a clue.

    Good luck!

    Tina,  Good luck with your triathlon. enjoy your visit with your daughter.

    Calico, I hope the warmth of spring has finally come to Colorado. I hope you've gotten good news from your tests.

    Susan, Can you believe our daughters are graduating? I rember taking my daughter to school just as my hair was falling out from chemo. It feels like a lifetime ago and only yesterday.

    Best wishes to your daughter as she's launced into this difficult economy. My daughter has only a vague plan of what she's going to do with her BFA in Dramatic Writing. I expect she'll be home for awhile.

     Be well everyone!

    peggy 

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  • sholroyd
    sholroyd Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2009

    Good to read up on news - all good - except the economy of course, but we can live with that can't we :-)

    Yes Peg, I sent Sharon the BC link and told her of the support there.  I haven't heard from her since but she is doing a weekly diary in the local newspaper - I won't keep contacting her, she knows my email address and I am here to support her if she wants me to.

    Not long until Tina's triathlon now - sure we will all be sitting on her shoulder - not weighing her down of course.

    I have lost another 2 lb - 12 lb now in 4 weeks - I am pleased with myself.

    Liezel - I have 2 girls and a boy - not sure what I did different :-) - good luck.

    Sandra from the UK xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  • txred9876
    txred9876 Member Posts: 392
    edited May 2009

    I DID IT! That was my main goal in the entire day was to do many firsts.....
    My first tri
    My first open water swim
    My first bike race

    Saturday morning we had a survivor breakfast which was attended by Sally Edwards. She is a big supporter of team survivor. She was high fiving us all as we entered the water and she grabbed my hand and said "you can do this". She is such a neat lady. At the end of the race she gave me the biggest hug and told me she knew I could do it.

    I was not in this to be the fastest but to prove.... to myself... there is life after cancer!!!!

    My daughter (poor kiddo is in a walking type cast until surgery in two weeks - she came from Oregon for race weekend) hobbled all over the place to cheer me on. It meant so much to have my daughter and husband out there. My husband is so funny....I was really tired the last uphill mile! He came and met up with me and two other ladies the last 1/2 mile or so. He was jogging in his steel toed boots!! lol

    Someone asked me if I had the tri bug yet.....well as funny as it sounds I might have the tri bug now..... On the way home I was telling my husband I needed to get a real road bike (I have a cannondale hybrid - but during race day I road a trek demo bike and fell in LOVE with it). I told him there were some more tri's coming up this year (the Sweet and Twisted tri is going to have a huge Team Survivor showing) and I might like to do them. I also told him I was going to do the bike leg of the Danskin coming up on June 7th.


    I met up with one of my fellow Team Survivor woman who had ovarian cancer 15 years ago and Breast 5 years ago.....who is working on 50 tri's in 5 years..... She only has 3-4 more to go to reach that goal... she is one of the fittest 40ish woman I know!!! The things you learn about others and yourself during this challenge is enormous!

    I could not swim 25 meters without thinking I was going to drown when I got started the end of Feb. I made it all 800m pretty much without stopping. There was a couple of times I got a wave full of water and now I need to learn to breathe on BOTH sides! Even experienced swimmers said the water was pretty rough.... good choice for a first open water swim, then I will love it when its much easier...LOL

    My ride was great and I was told this was one of the hardest courses around this area. Since I was not in this for "time" but to finish I actually stopped for about 10 min on my bike course to help a fellow rider with a chain issue. She was grateful and a little surprised. I know there are people along the way to assist but in the 10 min we were there no one came along and she kind of had the deer in the headlights look when I stopped and was quite upset.

    During the walk/jog I ended up walking with two very nice ladies (pic 26) and now they might come and do the Mamma Jamma breast cancer bike ride in Oct. I signed up for 65 miles!!!!! Its all about the experience!

    Life is such a challenge..... but I am up for it!! Thank you all for all the encouragement!

    One bonus to all of this is.... I have now lost 32 pounds!

    Tina Q!!!

    ps I have some other pictures but not sure how to publish them.

    It is now three days post triathlon and things are going great!!
    http://www.kvue.com/perl/common/slideshow/sspop.pl?recid=16429&nextimage=0

    Images 7, 10 and 12 are of our survivor wave.

    #14 is out special designation transition area

    #17 is my friend, coworker and survivor Hannah

    #24 Some of our group at the finish

    # 26 is Me finishing! Iam the one with team survivor on my shirt. I was getting tired the last couple miles of the walk/run and the other two ladies I finished with walked with me. At about 1 mile left it was a very steep hill and I told the other two ladies I needed to slow and thanks for walking with me. They both slowed to my pace and made sure I came in with them. I really touched me that they would do that for me.

    # 34 - my daughter Naomi (the one with the crutch) marking another fellow survivor.

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  • sholroyd
    sholroyd Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2009

    Hey Tina, you are truly inspirational and a shining star.  Thank you for sharing your success and your photographs with us.

    http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1872280627586&source=jl999

     You are keeping me on the straight and narrow - I have lost 13.5 lb now.

    Have mammo appointment on 4 June and Onc appointment on 2 July - I feel great though.

    Spkeak soon when you have had a well deserved rest :-)

    Sandra fromt he UK

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  • sholroyd
    sholroyd Member Posts: 288
    edited May 2009

    Hey Tina, you are truly inspirational and a shining star.  Thank you for sharing your success and your photographs with us.

    http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1872280627586&source=jl999

     You are keeping me on the straight and narrow - I have lost 13.5 lb now.

    Have mammo appointment on 4 June and Onc appointment on 2 July - I feel great though.

    Spkeak soon when you have had a well deserved rest :-)

    Sandra fromt he UK

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