Anyone starting Chemo in August 07?

Hi Everyone,

Some of you have already seen this news from my Facebook page (and thank you so much for your messages of love and support), but I'm so sorry to say that I lost my mother in law on Saturday. She was in the hospital last week due to pain and difficulty breathing. She was actually starting to feel better and was going to go home last Wednesday, but that morning she had a massive seizure and went into a coma from which she would not recover.

 Today feels especially weird as it's my two year cancerversary.  As I was reflecting on my own survival and thinking about the things that happened to me on my own journey, I immediately thought of all of you, and how lucky I was to find you all to help me overcome my own obstacles. Just needed to send you all a very big hug. 

DeAnn

Kaye and lilith,

I'm not on either.  However, 5 months ago diagnosed with osteopenia also.  Oncologist said that so many medical studies have been done regarding bone loss and vitamin D shortage.  I had a baseline bone density done 8 years ago and it was great......my reading radiologists said no evidence at all of bone loss

at that time.   Then just recently, the new dx.  When my new oncologist tested my vitamin D level, it was horrid!  Point of all of this is to ask if you both have had your vitamin D levels checked.  She put me on a very high strength of vitamin D for 6 weeks to really boost my level (prescription)  and then OTC 1000 IU a day plus 1200 mg. of calcium.  I told her I was really suprised at the dx due to the fact that I am a big milk drinker and have lived in the sunbelt almost 40 years.  She explained that it didn't matter because my body wasn't able to metabolize the calcium without sufficient vitamin D and that the dairy and sun wasn't enough to offset the deficiency. 

hugs to all....

June

Hi All! I actually have lots of good news to report this time!

First, I had my wedding performance yesterday and WHEW! it all went well! It was a beautiful sunny day (a little windy which made the sound a little tricky, but other than that gorgeous!). The wedding was an outdoor ceremony on an island on the Mississippi River in St. Paul, so we had the river in the background, the sun shining, and a dancing butterfly in the garden behind us. I didn't hit one wrong note. You would have been so proud of me, Kaye! I had practiced standing up and playing for many hours, and I think I just went on autopilot because I wasn't even nervous. It was actually kind of fun, and I think I might need to do more of this Performing thing!

Second, I had my two year oncology appt. and got the results of my echocardiogram. Heart function is still totally normal and it doesn't appear that the Herceptin and chemo had an adverse affect on my heart. This was one of my biggest concerns about the chemo I had, so that was a big relief. 

Third...after two years I actually got my period back this week! Not that I especially enjoy having it again, but I think it is a sign that my body has finally returned to normal from everything that it has been through.  I guess that means I will have to go through hot flashes again when I actually do go through menopause for real. Bummer. But still, I just feel like... I am back to myself a little bit more. 

Lilith and June, I've been reading a little bit about bone strength, etc, and one thing that I've read is that silica is really important. It actually helps your body to assimilate calcium and vitamin D. You can get silica from apples, oranges, cherries, raisins, almonds, raw cabbage, onions, carrots, pumpkin, cucumber, fish, honey, oats, unrefined grains/cereals with high fibre content, and nuts and seeds. 

Hope you are all having a lovely day! I'm about to head over to the outdoor pool at our health club today and enjoy a bit of the sunshine!

DeAnn

Bonjour,

I know that I only post every now and then here since I accidentally posted the first time a year ago thinking it was Aug 08 instead of 07. But I still read your posts here.  I had my very first mammo since my lumpectomy last June and it was normal.  I just wanted to share that with you.

Wishing you all continued happiness and good health.

xxxx 

Thanks for sharing your great news, Roya! So glad to hear that you are doing well!!

Nash,

Good news!  So glad you got all your Zometa tx covered under your insurance!  Now let's hope that the current adminstration (O.B.A.M.A.) doesn't mess everything up, by instituting the National Healthcare plan...

Oh, and thanks for askoing how my follow ups went.  I didn't finish til a couple of weeks ago. 

My onc. never fails to infuriate me.  When I saw him a couple of weeks ago, he said to me:

You seem to have alot of anxiety...  (about recurrence)... DUH!   Then he said:

You will eventually come to accept that you ARE GOING TO DIE!!!

??   I was hoping for :

You found the bc early, and you had very aggressive treatment...  there's no reason that you won't live to a very ripe old age, and die from old age... 

Anyway.... sorry I've been away. 

I did get a p/t job, working as cashier at a produce market.  It's ok, and the people are very nice.  The owner is a nice family, and they are all very nice....

Hugs to all,

Harley

Nash,

Thanks! 

Yes, this job is so much better than that dress shoppe where I worked LAST summer!   They understand when I need time off for dr. appts.,  and I've even taken time off to go on a little mini vacation. 

My dh and I are going to Key West!  We are leaving Friday, and we'll be gone for a week.  I'm really looking forward to it!!

Take care, everyone.

Hugs

Harley

Oh my gosh, DeAnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yipee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I live about 20 minutes from Oceanside. Let's definately plan to see each other! Kaye, can you come on down?

hi... thanks!

Oh, I'm so jealous!  I probably won't be able to come to CA in October...   bummer!! 

I seem to be here on the East coast, and I feel like I'm the only one who lives on the East coast... from my bc.org friends, that is....

Kaye,

Congratulation, Grandma!! 

Hugs to all

Harley