Hello everyone, I've been down and out for a bit.  So much going on!  The sun is out which always makes me feel better.   Just finished my last round of Chemo on Thursday but have been out of it.  4 rounds enough for me, it got harder to bounce back each time. 

Welcome to all the new gals, this is a good place to be.  So much news I can't keep up with it all.  My poor brain is still fuzzy, hoping tomorrow is a bit better.  I'm not doing the race but am still planning on the 17th.  I might need details again as I keep writing stuff down then putting it who knows where??? 

Susan thanx for the congrats.   I meet my RT Onc on the 8th so I'll find out then what goes on.  I'm routing that your next 3 go by quickly.

Madge thanks for the tip on hypochondria, at least I know I'm not going nuts.  This time it seems like the se's just hit me right away, next day.  It was like ok, I know it's your last chemo so out you go with a bang!

Tracy good luck with the surgery!  Almost done you must be feeling so relieved that the end is closer and closer.

Jean, I am sending all my positive vibes to you and your mother and by this afternoon you both have peace of mind.

Well, brain shut down coming on again, time to go drool in front of terrible daytime tv or maybe sit out side in the shade for a bit.  

Big hugs to all..............

T 

Holy smokes ... Been out of the loop for a couple of days and its gotten crazy with chat. I am definitely "walking" Sunday. I am bringing my son as well. For those on the Kitsap Pen. Any idea what ferry your catching? On my BB right now will do some PM-ing tonight with my cel number.



Hugs around sister friends !!!

Hmmm, looks like a 7:05 boat to me!

Hey, can I get the details for the outing on June 17?  I'd like to post it on the Community Get-together's thread here.  I only found you because someone pointed me in this direction.  Any reason not to do that?

 I'll probably decide on Sunday's race at the last minute.  Can I PM someone to get a phone number to see where you all are meeting.  I've started running again, but not very far, so I would likely just show up to watch the festivities.  

Thanks for the positive thoughts everyone! My mom's biopsy was quick and uneventful--we'll get the results friday.

Carol, yes, we'll be on the 7:05 boat. I PM'ed you with my cell phone number and where my team from work will be meeting.

Libby and Gina--I'll PM you with my cell number also and hope to meet both of you.

Tracy--best of luck with your LAST surgery. sorry we won't see you at the Race but hopefully on the 17th.

Jean

Ginagina I'm glad to hear you've had good experiences at Swedish.  I started out at Virginia Mason but am happier at Swedish.  Someone I work with goes to Dr Kaplan and was just telling me how much they love him.  The regimen I'm on is po Cytoxan daily and once a week infusion of Methotrexate and 5FU.  So far so good but I've only had one infusion so far.  I don't have a port and am wondering how my veins will hold up with weekly infusions for 6 months.  My oncologist seems to feel it won't be a problem.

Thanks to those who have welcomed me to the Seattle threads.

Tracy, I believe you said Dr Rinn is your Dr. too.  I'm so glad I found her.  What drugs were you on?  Are you having your surgery at Swedish?  I'm an anesthesiologist and do a lot of anesthesia for  breast reductions.  It's one of the surgeries I enjoy because the patients are usually looking forward to the results as opposed to some surgeries, like removing gall bladders! 

That sounds like a very tough operation your friend is going through.  I think I might be older than most on this thread (56) but I am shocked by how many people I know in my age group with cancer. 

HeidiSue and tkone and ginagina -- the Dr. Rinn Club I think!

Dr. Rinn is my doc too and I also really like her.  My surgeon is Dr. Hanson; I had a port put in a week ago, my veins are small, they tell me, and it is easier for infusions and blood withdrawals, tho I didn't want to have it done.  But these lovely ladies on this thread helped make the anticipation easier w/ their/your comments.  Actually the surgery itself was not as scary as I thought.  HeidiSue, I just turned 52 so we are very close to the same age.  I, too, am shocked b/c 50 seems so young, I always associated this disease w/ women in their 60's and 70's.

Are you still working through all this?  I am on T/C x 6 and have completed 2 thus far.  I get chemo every 3 weeks.  I'm glad to hear you like Swedish b/c it was a real quandry deciding where to go for treatment.

Tkone:  how fast did your hair grow back after T/C?  You finished in Sept. so when did you have a "do" you could work with?  I saw your pic on your blog, cute!

So many questions, sorry!  Aprilgirl11 is used to them by now!  It's so helpful having a group that so knowledgeable.

Peggy 

Tracy, I don't work at Swedish, I work at Valley. I live in Seattle so it was easier for me to go to Swedish for my tx.   Swedish has a HUGE group of anesthesiologists.  I haven't run across your cousin. 

Madge, yes I think I'm still working through this.  I was diagnosed last November so you would think I had come to terms with it by now but I still get anxious now and then.  I did it an unusual way, radiation tx, then chemo.  I wasn't expecting to do chemo so it took me a while to accept the chemo recommendation. I'm feeling pretty positive now though. 

I just went on the John Bastyr website and am thinking of adding some complementary/alternative med to my tx.  Also want to sign up for Qi Gong classes.  Has anyone done that?

Tracy, you've been in my thoughts ... hoping that your friend's surgery was successful and that his recovery (although sounds like it will be tough) goes smoothly.   I as well have a very close family friend that was diagnosed with tongue cancer about 6 months after me.  Although no cancer is a walk in the park ... seems like the oral/tongue cancers are particularly tricky.  I feel for your concern. 

Here's to getting your "finishing touches" done, and soon it will be time to put that big exclamation point at the end of an incredible journey !!!  Look forward to seeing you again on the 17th. 

Tracy--you are right, cancer sucks the big one!! I'm sorry to hear about your friend. Although I miss my breast I'm glad that I had cancer in a relatively disposable part of my body. I hope he comes through it OK.

HeidiSue--I have never done Qi Gong but my brother has done some. I believe it is based on re-balancing your body's energy (your Qi). It may be good supportive care during chemo. Please don't apologize about still coming to terms with this all--I think it is a lifelong process and very up and down.

Susan--thank you so much for the beautiful basil plant!! My mother had already put some in a stir-fry by the time I got home from work. I guess that's one (small) benefit of having to go to Seattle every week--you get to go to Trader Joe's!

Tina--that's right, we WILL grow old with this. One of my patients yesterday was a 90 year old survivor; that made me very hopeful. 

I see Dr. Paige (Plastic Surgeon) at VM next week--has anyone heard anything about him or seen him? 

 Hope to see some of you at the Race. my co-worker team got beanie hats with propellers on top (because our team is "Jean's Beans") --what a hoot!

hugs all around,

Jean

I am so sorry - the only small comfort is that you for sure know what she is going thru, and what to expect.  I am hoping her oncotype score will be low like yours was.  Damn - that is all I can say.

She is right - WHAT A BOTHER.  That is a great attitude.  PM Carol - I think her surgeon was Dr. Byrd or Bird at UW, but I don't know for sure.

Tracy - I think the weather heard you.  All of the sudden it got darker and windy - reminds me of my younger days in chicago.....

I will be thinking of you tomorrow.  I know the surgery will be fine, and you will be so happy!

 S

Hi Everyone!  So much happening amongst all of you!

Tracy I'll be sending positive thoughts your way today.  Looks like the weather is giving you at least a crummier day.  Good Luck.  After surgery, better living through chemistry!

Regarding the discussion about going out bald, one of the nurses I work with has come to work bald since the beginning and we have all loved it, including the patients.  She holds her head up high and it seems to make her eyes look more intense and beautiful (even without eyelashes) now that you can see them better.

Jean and Susan thanks for the comments about Qi Gong.  I think I'll look into that.  I'm feeling like a need to add some alternative therapies that doen't involve toxic chemicals to my treatment!  Maybe I will look into seeing Heidi Lucas, did you like her Susan?

Jean - I grew up in Seattle, but my mother's parents were from Minneapolis (Norwegians) and my husband's family is from Evelyth.  There sure are a lot of transplanted midwesterners here.  What kind of doctor are you?  It sounds like you live on Bainbridge Island, do you practice there?  I'm sorry to hear about your mom.  How old is she?  My friend goes to SCCA and loves it.

Well I had my 2nd chemo (CMF) yesterday, and again, things went really well with no symptoms to speak of.  Is anyone trying ginger for nausea?  I've been chopping up fresh ginger, putting it in a capsule and taking it every morning.  Seems to help.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Heidi