**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

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  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited February 2010

    No Snow in NH, but 16 degrees!!!

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited February 2010

    No snow in NYC.

    But also cold. High 20's and windy.

    No complaints as we were lucky this time.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited February 2010

    Maybe 4 inches her in NE PA.  Philly got over 20"...on the day my son flew in from Wisconsin!  That flight had me a bit nervous!  We had to pick him up in Philly and bring him back here because his last flight was cancelled.  Now he is back in NY safe and sound.

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  • squidwitch42
    squidwitch42 Member Posts: 2,228
    edited February 2010

    We are having great fun in DC...lots of smiles and people getting to be kids again (including me)

    Traci  (2 + feet?)

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  • bethr
    bethr Member Posts: 259
    edited February 2010

    Hi All...

    A little more than 2 ft here outside of DC.   Beautiful!!!  But I'm about to go out to shovel...Yell

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited February 2010

    Well...viewing and funeral are over with.  What a tough thing for these kids to have to endure.  Will, the older brother, is still in a coma.  He is responding, however it is very slow.  He is being transferred to a rehab center a few hours from here on Wednesday.  The wrestling team had their first match since the accident and stood up real well.

    Thanks for the prayers for the family...I know they are doing good things!

    I have been bothered with minor swelling in my arm.  Wearing a sleeve during the day (sometimes) and when exercising.  Doesn't feel bad...just gets me nervous.

    Dayla...how are you making out with your arm?

    Take care everyone....Monday is peeking around the corner!

    Chris

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited February 2010

    Chris...I am so sorry, but I missed what happened??  

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited February 2010

    When I went in for LE treatment, I did about 10 days of wrapping. I'm not sure what the protocol on whether to wrap or not is- ccbaby has mild LE too and went in to the same place and got the manal lymph drainage therapy but not the wrapping? 

    So the therapist ordered me a sleeve to use once the swelling was reduced to a certain point-  someone on the LE threads here told me I might need a gauntlet as well - that a sleeve alone forces fluid into the hand - when I was wrapping, the fingers and wrist was wrapped as well.

    using the sleeve, that's exactly what happened- my hand swelled up and I could only stand to wear it for a few hours at most.  it cuts into my wrist and makes my hand swell.

    I kinda wish they consulted you on ordering your first sleeve- the one I got is scratchy- I have very sensitive skin and that also affects my ability to wear it for long periods. for me personally I'd rather have a soft colored one (purple) than the "nude" color most are. they aren't cheap- I'm of course still paying for the one they ordered for me- kinda wish I'd been consulted. so I ordered a soft purple one with a gauntlet online and hopefully I can stand to wear it. the therapist said she ordered that brand cause they last longer than the others- yeah maybe you cause you can't stand to wear it!

    I've been doing the manual lymph drainage everyday and it helps.

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  • sakura73
    sakura73 Member Posts: 467
    edited February 2010

    Hello all. Commiserations to those with LE issues. I had an ultrasound today which confirmed mild swelling in my surgery breast secondary to radiation. I was told it will go away in time. The physio did some lymphatic massage last week and I have a further appointment next week.

     Well, the mammogram, ultrasound and MRI were clear and I don't have to see the surgeon again for a year! I was nervous because the breast is swollen and sore, but the surgeon said a recurrence so soon after clear margins and radiotherapy would be very very unlikely and that it is just post radiation swelling. I also have a small seroma along the internal scar line which said will drain itself in time. So, big relief.

     As for the weather, it is sunny and 35 degrees C (95 F) here today. I enjoyed my walk away from the hospital.

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited February 2010

    Sakura....Congrats on the clear tests....time to celebrate!

    Dayla, My PT ordered me a soft sleeve, no gauntlet.  She said she has those in stock if I need one.  So far, my hand doesnt get bad.

    Have a great Monday!

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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited February 2010

    Hello Ladies, Lots to catch up on. So sorry to hear about those boys....so sad and tragic.

    Rachel: Glad to hear all scans are clear. What a relief for you.

    Sorry to hear that some of you are still having LE issues.

    I had an Breast MRI and Ct scan before I went on holidays. The MRI said everything is fine so I will proceed with TE on the 19th. The Ct scan shows severe degenerative disc disease in my lower spine so I am being referred to a specialist in March.

    I just returned from Punta Cana on Friday. Wow...the beaches are incredibly beautiful and the people of the Dominican are really lovely. We had a fantastic time. Back to reality and work now!

    Best wishes to all for a wonderful day!

    Hugs

    Beth P

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited February 2010

    Beth...so glad that your vacation was great!  I need a little R and R away from this weather!

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited February 2010

    Rachel..Great news..with your scans etc

    Beth..so glad you had a fun time away in Punta Cana. Glad you got the okay to get the TE.

    Chris..Still so sad about that family. What a tragedy..WHat is the prognosis for the brother going to rehab?

    Dayla. When does the journey begin?

    Hope all are managing with all that snow. They predict a big storm here on Wednesday. I guess we here in NYC have been quite lucky.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited February 2010

    The journey begins soon... 8 days. We won't actually start hiking for 24 days tho- we are spending a couple nights in St. Louis with my mom and our friends who will be taking 1 and 2 of our cats respectively. the 3.5 hour drive up should be fun with three cats. One of them is a good traveller and has made that trip a few times- the other two have only had a 30 minute drive when we moved two years ago and they screamed the whole way. Should be fun!

     So we then travel to eastern TN to drop off some of our food boxes at our friend's house. We will be taking a couple days off at their house at mile 165 of the trail- about 3 weeks into the hike. Then we head south for fun in the sun in FL visiting my best friend in Orlando and my dad in Tampa. Then, finally, March 3, we hike, leaving our vehicle at a trailfriend's vacation home about an hour from Springer Mountain GA, being picked up by another trail friend who is currently under going radiation treatments on both breasts (had it in both), once she is done with treatment April 1, she is moving back to Asheville NC- also near the trail further north- so we'll get to see them twice!

     Its snowing here in MO right now- not very hard tho. We've gotten maybe 2-3 inches? The roads are still clear.

    I am in the process of compiling a list of links to hand out to friends and family- I will post them here soon. 

    we got one more of our loose ends tied up today- arranged for the neighbors to mow our 3/4 acre yard- no small feat, at least they have a riding mower which we don't. Turns out they used to mow it for a previous owner who was a friend of theirs. Its hard to think about needing to mow when the grass is covered with snow!

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited February 2010

    Dayla...I bet making all those plans keeps you busy.  I love making vacation plans...hotels, flights, cars, cruises, excursions.....I need a vacation!

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited February 2010

    Hi Ladies,

    I hear the NE is once again getting a big storm. Keep those shovels ready.

    Chris..I too enjoy making trip plans..Do you use biddingfor travel when bidding in Priceline.

    Dayla. Please tell us what food drops mean. Does someone mail your food to you? Explain some of this stuff to us ..

    I had thought I would take a tour with my husband before my next surgery but when I called they were all booked up. I was disappointed but I really could not have planned it earlier as I just did not know. Maybe a cruise instead.

    Ladies- I looked yesterday about Priceline prices in NYC. I believe it is still early but I will continue to check.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited February 2010

    I check with bidding for travel, but usually just take my chances with priceline.  I bid low 4*  near world trade center or grand central.  I like it in either area...depends on what you want to do??

    Chris

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  • PattiB
    PattiB Member Posts: 421
    edited February 2010

    Sakuru - Congratulations.  I have tenderness and my radiated boob hurts in certain areas when it is pressed on too.  My onc said it had to do with post radiation changes too.  It started 3 months after radiation and now it has been 7 months and it still hurts.  Next onc appt. is in mid March, and I will definitely point it out to her again.  Again, Congratulations on your all clear new.

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited February 2010

    There are two ways to get food along the Appalachian Trail- buy it at local stores or have it mailed to you at Post Offices General Delivery, or at hiker friendly businesses that accept packages. Both methods have their advantages and drawbacks. I did the buy as you go the first time- you have more flexibility but you are stuck with what the store has. I ate a lot of sugary crap.

     So this time I will buy some food like semi-perishable stuff (cheese, bagels, tortillas) at local stores and mail the rest. We have about 35 lbs of gorp we made, 25 lbs of dried fruit (half we dried ourselves), cooked and dried quinoa for breakfast, cream of wheat, oatmeal, dried veggies, rice, pasta, ramen, cheese powder, milk powder, lots of misc snacks, toilet paper, wet wipes, tuna and chicken pouches, packets of mayo, relish, honey, chai, parmesan cheese, red pepper, instant coffee , hot chocolate, powerade... 37 boxes in all. Each contains an average of 4 days of food.

     Hiking all 2179 miles of the trail is somewhat like making through cancer treatment- taken all at once- it seems so very daunting- chemo seemed pretty endless to me, but you had to just focus on the day at hand- hiking is the same- you don't have to hike to Maine in a day- really you are just stringing together a series of short  hikes- going from town to town- taking days off when you need them.

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  • Alyad
    Alyad Member Posts: 817
    edited February 2010

    so who's mailing this stuff?- I just realized I did not answer the question in all my rambling.

    our first 2 stops we are staying with our friends in GA who we'll stay with before we start as well. the next few we'll mail ourselves,

    then I'll be at another friend's in TN where I am stopping on the way down to FL- we'll mail more of our boxes while we are there and he will mail some for us too after that.

    then we go home for a wedding to MO in June- we will bring the next few back on the plane with us (southwest - free baggage!) and mail them ourselves from Baltimore before getting back on the trail,

     then the rest will be mailed from MO by a friend.

    it took me weeks to figure all this out and now I know why I didn't do this method the first time!

    most who do maildrops do not make their lives this complicated! I am just trying to save some $ on postage!

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  • bethr
    bethr Member Posts: 259
    edited February 2010

    Alyad...   the details of your trip are quite an eye opener in regards to all that involved to plan a successful long-term hike such as yours.  All I can say is WOW!  Your description of the trip sounds like it will be fantastic and I'm jealous.  

    All - still snowing here outside of DC.  I'm at home again since the govt's closed...  again....  Cabin fever is setting in...   (sigh)  I am happy for a 'real Winter' though.  But my back is killing me and I need to shovel at least one more time....

     Looking forward to NYC... 

    Have a great day,

    Beth

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited February 2010

    Beth..DC is  getting hit so hard once again. No work .great ..relax.. enjoy.

    Here in NYC it has not been as bad as expected. I even went out and found it not that hard to shovel. Since my diagnosis last year I have not been that big of a help to my husband. I guess all my surgeries have contributed. But today I was out there with him.

    Yes NYC will be here before we all know.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited February 2010

    Dayla....Ditto to what Beth said...you are so organized with all of this! 

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  • nasharayne
    nasharayne Member Posts: 139
    edited February 2010

    Hello Ladies,

     Looks like everyone is doing pretty good.  I leave for Puerto Rico tomorrow and can't wait.

     PattiB - I started getting that tenderness in my breast about a month ago as well, I talked to my surgeon(because I was there for follow-up) and my onc and they both thought that was pretty normal after they did an exam of course.  Mine doesn't hurt as much anymore but moving around a lot can get pretty uncomfortable.

    Have a great weekend!!!

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  • PattiB
    PattiB Member Posts: 421
    edited February 2010

    Thanks Nasharayne,  I'm finding it is not just me with the pain.  It still makes me a bit paranoid though. 

    Outside of Phila., my DH and I shoveled about 3 times together yesterday and once today.  DH went out twice as much as me.  My joints and back are really sore, too.  I've done a lot of work in the house cleaning closets and now I'm trying to organize the spare bedroom.  Not as bad as horders but probably about 1/4 of the way there.  All this and I've really been good about decluttering and not buying "stuff" too much any more.  Well gotta get back to it!!!

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited February 2010

    Nasharayne..Hope you have or had a great time in PR.

    Patti. I too spent time yesterday as well as today doing a little shoveling and also closet and drawer cleaning.

    The sun is out today here in NYC and much snow has melted. After being cooped up yesterday my DH took me out to lunch.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • sakura73
    sakura73 Member Posts: 467
    edited February 2010

     Patti  and Nasharayne - I too am relieved to hear I am not the only one with delayed onset pain! It seems weird that it would start months after radiation ended, but there you are.

    Dayla it  sounds like a massive feat of organisation! And a LOT more fun than chemo.

    Okay, there are some very small preliminary indications that Aunt Flo might be about to pay me a  visit! Still too soon to be sure, but I am pretty excited.

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited February 2010

    Rachel...I am sure you will be so happy when Aunt Flo arrives.

    BTW how is Damien?

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • 7timewinner
    7timewinner Member Posts: 183
    edited February 2010

    Hello, everyone!

    Just checking in... I've been dealing with some severe mood swings from the Arimidex, and finally stopped taking it (for a month, with my onc's blessing) to see if that is indeed the reason. One week off, and I already feel like my old self again. Wow...it really did a number on me :(

    So we are exploring other AI's, since women respond to the different meds in different ways. I told my onc that I could live with 5 years of joint pain, but the mood swings are truly difficult, for me and for my family. No joke. I was doing so well the Arimidex and then bam! Hit me hard. Guess the estrogen tank finally hit empty :)

    Much love to everyone here...looks like many are doing fun, exciting things, living life after cancer the way it should be...to the fullest :)

    Hugs,

    Nadine

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  • crusader1
    crusader1 Member Posts: 1,222
    edited February 2010

    Nadine..

    Sounds like good advice. Go off Arimidex and see if you get better then you can try other AI's.

    Stay strong.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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