Starting Chemo April 2009

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited November 2009

    Hi all,

    Chelev and Titan, I hope you are both doing ok today...

    I am hanging in there...I still have heartburn, but seem to learning to live with it. I also have a strange feeling from the calcium, but I do also try to take it with food.

    Hope you all have a good evening, hugs, Judy xxx

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited November 2009

    Judy..have you ever been  checked for an ulcer?  I was just thinking the other day..with all the junk we have all been through I am surprised that alot of us don't have ulcers..  The stress of EVERYTHING cannot be good for our digestive systems at all..plus add the chemo drugs.....I'm actually surprised that my digestive system is as good as it is..sometimes it is anyway.

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited November 2009
    Titan, good news!!! Chelev, we are expecting good news from you tomorrow.
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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited November 2009

    Hi all, hope you are all doing ok today.

    Titan - I did have an endoscopy and there is no ulcer... The doc says that it is just acid reflux and millions of people live with it so I am trying to do just that in the event that it does not clear up. He did also say that stress contributes to it. So we will have to see.

    Hugs to all, Judy x

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

    Hi, everyone.  Onc seems to think it is an infection in the nipple or surrounding ducts - we were unable to get anything to express out of it (but yeow did that hurt!), but she said it is hot in that area, so I am on an antibiotic 3x a day for a week and will follow up with her next Friday to make sure it's better, or do further testing if it's not.  Hopefully all is good.  I did find out I am a good tamox metabolizer, so that's good news.

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  • inthemoment
    inthemoment Member Posts: 538
    edited November 2009

    Hi all,

     I am happy to be reading that the worrisome issues that Chelev and Titan are having are just that - worries and nothing that is terrible.  I also had good news - had an "abnormal" pap smear taken in January last year, but got bumped due to bc - didn't want to have a biopsy done during chemo (infection). and everyonesaid they thought it would be nothing (yeah, right - heard that about the breast lump too!).  Well, finally had the biopsy last week, and they called today - negative! Yeah, we all deserve some good news.  My birthday is tomorrow, and since I refused to celebrate 60 last year (must have had a premonition that it wasn't going to be a good year), I am celebrating as long as anyone wants to this year!

    Hugs to everyone - Geri

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited November 2009

    Titan, Chelev, Geri - good to hear all your news! Chelev, keep us posted with the results?

    Have a good night, hugs, Judy xxx

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited November 2009

    Mine wasn't a "worry" but a follow up..but worrisome none the less...I didn't think anything was wrong..but those darn follow ups are going to be scary FOREVER!  When I was having mine done..and feeling..'been there'..done that"...not a newbie anymore type feeling..kinda of yawning and reading the same old magazines while I was waiting..a girl came in..had her mammo done..then had MORE pictures taken..then they whisked her off to see the radiologiost..I could hear her sighing...I felt so bad for her because I was HER just 6 months ago....!  and..I wanted to hug her and say..you will be OK...I've been through it and I STILL GET TO GET MAMMOS...on the other hand I was thinking...how glad I was that I'm done with all that stuff...at least for now!

    Hi Geri!  IF you had chemo hopefully if you had any nasty cells there it would have killed them..anyway..I think treatment for cervical cancer is just burning off the nasty cells...and after all we have been through..what is one more thing!  But so happy for you!

    Chelev...sounds like good news for you..but so PAINFUL!  Yikes!  I can just imagine the pain!  My mom in law gets this black stuff from Amish country that would probably clear it up in a minute..stinks like hell...ruins your clothes but it works..draws all that crap out of there!

    Did the dr. tell you how you got that infection?  Where have your boobs BEEN?Laughing

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  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
    edited November 2009

    Titan - I have seen that black stuff for sale at the Amish stores. They call it 'black salve.' Does it work? I was always too afraid to buy/try it. What is it good for?

    Chelev - get better soon!

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  • Lena
    Lena Member Posts: 1,036
    edited November 2009

    Girls, girls, girls!   No, I'm not dead yet. I've just been...busy elsewhere. I can't keep up with everything I used to anymore without falling behind on something, somewhere. When I'm caught up here, I fall behind on my other forums. When I'm OK over there, I fall behind here. Sorry but I'm just too old and senile to keep up with things anymore -- especially since I quit smoking a month ago and all the recovery I'd made from the chemo brain is down the tubes and my mental focus is all back down the toilet again. GRRRR.    This Thursday (11/5/09) is my next oncologist appointment. I have no idea anymore what we're "supposed" to discuss other than he'll probably want to know how I'm doing on the continued Tamoxifen. To which I'd say, "OK, but do the hot flashes EVER go away?" I'm really sick of them, especially when they happen when I'm out, because it's uncomfortably hot to wear my wig if I'm having a hot flash, but I can't take it off and let anyone see me like this -- 3 and a half months or so PFC, I've reached the GI Jane stage with my hair regrowth, but that's still unsightly so I have to wear a wig unless I'm home by myself (and then when I'm home by myself, I still frequently wear the scarf)!   Hahahaha, only had one weekend with my Pack Rat, the weekend before this past one. Yes, my libido is back, and so is my full capacity to enjoy it, and I can molest him again too -- only now I'm too old to ENDURE it! My legs were so sore I could hardly walk! LOL. So why would I jump his bones like that again in a flat nanosecond if I could? Because my libido is back and my brain is gone, I suppose. I'm just a Sewer Rat in heat. ;-)   Last but not least...I'm finally getting badly needed dental work done by a sedation dentist (the only kind I can handle -- and this is a matter NOT up for debate). I really need five times as much work as I'm getting (severe dental phobia and not being able to find another sedation dentist since 1987 is why I let my teeth go like this -- I brush them every day but that's been it), but never in a lifetime will I ever be able to come up with THAT kind of money so I'm only getting the bare essentials (deep cleaning, outer cleaning, a crown and 12 or so fillings). Yeah, even just "bare essentials" are going to clean me out financially. This dentist doesn't take Medicaid (and the ones who do, won't do sedation dentistry) and that's all I've got except for my very small nest egg, which I'm now going to use for this. Sunday (11/8/09) is The Big Day.   Alaina -- yes, amazing bracelet. I can't wear jewelry anymore but I do think that's pretty. Oh and this darn forum is italicizing my post again. I hope the bold makes it more readable.    ~Lena.  
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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited November 2009

    Lena is back!  Welcome...it is good to hear from you!  And you are not OLD....My legs hurt sometimes too but it is just aging..walking around gets the kinks out!

    Amy..yes the black salve does work for certain things...like boils..if you put it on those it draws them out very quickly....also insect bites...etc..

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  • Alaina
    Alaina Member Posts: 461
    edited November 2009

    Hi Everyone,

    Here is a pic of my as a Green M&M at my friends' Hallowedding.

    We had a BLAST!

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

    Alaina - LOVE IT!!!!!

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited November 2009

    Alaina - so good to see you having fun!!!

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  • inthemoment
    inthemoment Member Posts: 538
    edited November 2009

    Alaina - best looking M&M I've seen in a long time!

    Lena - So good to hear from you...

    Chelev - how's your breast pain - did the antibiotics help?

    Titan - I fully relate to the fear when waiting for tests/results - one of the reasons I decided to do the prophylactic mastectomy on the other side sometime this spring.  I'm the one whose cancer did not sho up on mamo, ultrasound, MRI or needle biopsy, so they can do all these tests on me, and I still will not have peace of mind, so off comes the other boob!

    Geri

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited November 2009

    How are we all today?

    Chelev, how are you doing?

    Hugs, Judy x

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited November 2009

    Geri...still didn't get to see my mammo report today..I KNOW they said everything was fine..but darn it..why can't I SEE it..??  They said everything was fine...but that you could tell inside that surgery had been gone on...well yes....I don't know..kinda of frustrating..and when I get with the oncs. I turn into a marshmellow and just let them run the show...I see the BS in six months..I said I see the chemo onc every 3 months..He said that they both look for different 'things'..that has me confused somewhat....but...I will go to every freaking appt. because that is what we have to do....still better then chemo! 

    Helen..I showed the BS the lump/bump on my forearm and he felt it very carefully...said it was nothing to be concerned about...OK..I have had 2 doctors and 2 nurses look at it...I THINK that I shouldn't worry about it anymore...soo..I am not going to...never said what it was....
    t

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited November 2009

    I have my first check up since chemo this coming Tuesday with the breast surgeon. I thought that I was calm, but now I am not looking forward to going back to that office. I am sure that everthing will be fine. Just having you all for support makes such a difference to me!

    Hugs to all, have a good weekend,

    Judy xxx

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

    Hi Girls - Well, we had the "SLIME FLU" at my house last week.  Those darn teenagers spread things like hotcakes.  My son goes to Homecoming and a few days later him and all of his friends are sick. UGH!!!  So, I've been reading your posts but just haven't gotten on here myself.  Here's a pic of me now - about 3 1/2 mos PFC.  

    JUDY - Sorry to hear that your having to deal with osteoporosis now, hope the meds will help you out.  You are a youngin' at only 40yrs.  I'm having my vit. D levels checked at my next blood draw, I've never had it done so I'm curious to see what they are.  I saw my surgeon and onc a week a go for a check up - don't worry too much, I think just getting past that first revisit is the hardest - thinking of you.

    LENA - OMG you made it back you wild thing.  Cheers to a great libido - so happy for you!  How are the hot flashes?  Mine started on chemo too and are continuing, don't have the sweats, just the flashes.

    ALAINA - Love you as a green M & M.  Gosh I love those things anyhow, got some to hand out at Halloween and probably ate more than I should have myself.  Poor kids but I couldn't help myself, I looooove chocolate.

    CHELEV - Glad to hear that it is only an infection, well not only but glad it's nothing more than an antibiotic will clear up.  Loved your last picture.

    BETSY - Where are you?  Are ya back from your trip???

    TITAN - Glad to hear that everything was good on your mammo, but I know it's good to just see it in black and white.  Hope they get your report to you soon.  After all we've been through, sometimes we just need that confirmation.

    AMY, PAM, TAMMY - How are you guys doing?

    GERI - WOOHOO for B9 biopsies.  So happy to hear that news.

    HELEN - How are you doin sweetee?  

    Hope you guys all have a great weekend, I'm still waiting for some pics of some of you - get on it girls;o)!

    I

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited November 2009

    Dawn - so good to hear from you!

    Betsy - are you back yet?

    Hope everyone at home is feeling better.

    Have a good weekend, hugs to you all!

    Judy x

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  • inthemoment
    inthemoment Member Posts: 538
    edited November 2009

    Hi Titan - I totally understand wanting to see the report yourself - I have copies of everything, even before the bc - I'm a nurse...want my own medical records!

    DENRulzBC - great picture - how many weeks PFC are you?  Hope everyone is over the flu..I just got the regular flu shot. Onc wanted me to get H1N1, but I have some reservations about it, so I passed - just trying to be really careful about who I'm around (staying away from college kids!

    Hope everyone has a good weekend

    Geri

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

    GERI - Thanks, I think I'm about 15 wks PFC.  My family got the reg. flu shot but H1N1 isn't available through my doc yet - oh well now!!!  Definitely stay away from those college kids.

    HUGS, Dawn

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  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
    edited November 2009

    Dawn - you look BEAUTIFUL. I am going to a family gathering this weekend and will see lots of relatives I haven't seen since my dx. So i bought a new outfit, colored my hair and will even wear make up. I'll get some pix taken and post one. BUT - i have NEVER figured out how to get the photo to appear in the post. Can ANYONE tell me if there are any instructions? I can't find them either.

     Other than that, I'm doing great.  On my 5th week of Tamox and no real problems. Very relieved about that.

    Amy

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

    Dawn, holy crap you have a ton of hair and look at it - looks like a regular hair style with a part and everything.  I'm so jealous!!!  Man, that swine flu is everywhere!  I too had a regular flu shot but not for H1N1 - it's not available to us yet - just children and pregnant women, and medical workers. 

    The breast pain is slowly waning - not as intense and I can rub up against it without going into spasms.  Hopefully by my follow up next week it will all be gone.

    Amy, to post photos (it's a little complicated but once you figure it out it's not too terrible), you need to have your photos on something like photobucket or flickr, any online photo album.   Copy the URL for the photo you want to post, and then while typing your message, click on the little tree icon next to the smiley face.  A pop up box will show you where to paste the URL for the photo and once you click okay, it will embed itself into the message.

    Judy - know how you feel about stepping back into the doc's office.  First time I went to the building where I had gotten chemo, which is also the same place my volunteer group, Pink Tie Friends, holds their meetings in the breast cancer library, I almost vomited.  Going back to the breast surgeon had me shaking, even though it was for a follow up post rads.  Our minds protect us from the worst, but it's still traumatic to step foot into those places that either gave us bad news or where we had to deal with difficult things.  Good luck, sweetie!

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited November 2009

    Chelev - thanks for your words of support! I will let you all know how it goes.

    Hugs to all, Judy x

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  • comingtoterms
    comingtoterms Member Posts: 421
    edited November 2009
    Hi girls, just stoppin' by to say, hello.  Chelev, you have already been through the mill with chemo, what the heck is this all about??!!!  Denise, you look darling with your hair cut - like Twiggy!  Hang in there all - I think those darned mammograms and "regular" checkups will always be difficult!  Have a great weekend!  Tammy
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  • BetsyBuzz
    BetsyBuzz Member Posts: 592
    edited November 2009

    Hi all - guess I'm not meant to post on this page. I just wrote a very nice post and it vanished. Sometimes I really hate computers. The past two times I've tried to post I've ended up in a cyber black hole. So I'm keeping it short.

    I'm doing great. One month out of rads and life is beginning to return to normal. My energy is back and my tissue damage is not bad. Rads actually burnt my scar right off. So my breast looks better than I expected. I go in for back to back onc appointments on Thurs. I'm nervous about how hard they are going man handle my boob. Hopefully, they will be gentle. My deep tissue still is achy.

    Dawn - Love your hair, your pic is adorable.

    Chelev- I hope you feel better each day.

    Judy- my tummy is pretty much back to normal. TG. I hope your's continues to improve each week.

    I made lavender infused fleur de sel caramels to give my onc teams this week. When I finished I had some left over caramel strips. So I cut them, dipped them in choc. and they ended up looking like slugs. Very appropriate for the NW. Anyway, I added two lavender flowers for antenna and we brought them to some friends house last night. They loved them. So next time I make caramels, I may just make fleur de sel escargot. LOL - BTW they are very good.

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited November 2009

    Betsy, so nice to hear from you and thanks for the good wishes!

    Hugs to all, Judy x

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

    Yeah, I thought I'd be finished with the weird and painful, but not quite yet.  It's feeling a little better, but still quite painful.  Will finish up antibiotics this week and follow up with onc on Friday - keep telling myself it's just an infection.

    Betsy - love the slugs!  Too bad you didn't get a picture of them!

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited November 2009

    Hi all, just to let you know that I had my first check up with the breast surgeon today and all is well.

    YAY! I was glad to get out of there though.

    Hugs to all, have a wonderful day,

    Judy x

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