Starting chemo January 2009?

kmmd - I have always been blessed with good skin but you may be right, it may be even a little better lately.  And life is starting to feel fairly normal again.  I am more focused on trying to keep my posture and breathing in line with what I learn in yoga moment by moment than I am on anything to do directly with Canser.  I am continuing to try to fill my diet with canser fighting foods, particular green tea and tumerric and fresh fruit.  Weight loss is not going anywhere.  I think I am still eatting too much, even if it is mosly good.  I have never really needed to watch my weight and am having trouble getting into the mindset that I really can't just cheat a bit every day and still loose weight. 

I need to run.  I am not dressed yet and DH and DC will be home soon with bagel and lox.  I need to finish packing for Florida and order a new set of glasses and contacts, and take DS to a b-day party.

 luv ya all, 

Renrel

I'll have to catch up reading your posts later.. just wanted to let you know I am down in Nola.. my bilateral SGAP recon stage 1 was Tuesday... Had a rough night or two but feel 100% better now... they helped me with a shower and I've been walking around the halls.... So far so good, flaps are thriving... I haven't look at them too closely yet or my butt.... just taking tiny steps.... I should be discharged Sat and then stay in hotel through Tues.. fly home Wednesdy... hope you all are doing well... I now have Bayou Boobs.. lol

Bayou Boobs---That's good. I like that. 

Yeah, Kmmd I am a little jealous too.  hm......how about great lakes ta tas!!?? or.........sleeping bear mounds???  or.......boobies from the winter wonder waterland......hm........Just doesn't have the same effect does it?   

Jess, DH suggested we add Mackinaw Mammaries into the line up for a vote

Plutz, I haven't had a colonoscopy yet by my DH did for the first time this year.  He was due last  year but the doc gave him a pass saying he had enough stress for one year.  It was not bad.  The prep is a pain but he said the test was not bad and he asked for minimal drugs.  My PS told me that she enjoyed hers.  She said her doc gives really good drugs and it is one of the few times she, my doc, just relaxes and lets some one else do the work.  

 Just got back from a week in FL.  Not long enough and the weather was lousy, for FL, but it was still vacation.  Spent alot of time with DS.  We swam in the heated pool even though it never hit 80 while were were there and playing a card game I bought him called ratatatcat, that teachs card playing skills like remembering cards you can't see, probabilty and reading peoples faces.  Chemo brain was showing, I could not remember my two hidden cards a minute after I got them.  Kept giving away my best cards, but since DS is still learning the art of being a good looser, this was not such a bad thing.  

I am thinking too much these days about recourances.  Already worrying about my next check up in May.  Luckily I found a podcast provider (is that what they are called?) with some pretty good guided meditations. Helps me sleep when my mind won't turn off.  

 Anyone read about that study that asprine can cut the chance of metastism by over 50%?  I have to ask my doc about that one. 

Hi Jewels... you guys are funny.....

Just wanted to check in and tell you I am back home from NOLA with my bayou boobs and resting comfortably.  The whole experience seems like a dream ... like it happened to someone else... parts of it were rough ..... but I see hope and normalcy and yeah everything is bruised and scarred and bloody and I have a dented ass , etc. etc.. but I have new girls and the sun is shining in Indiana... one day at a time.... hope you all are doing well....

So glad you are on the road to recovery from a surgery that was really a choice and not a requirment.  All good, all around. 

Yesterday I could swear I heard the bulbs I managed to plant last fall, even though I probably should not have been out digging earth so soon after my surgury.  Today it is a warm 50 degree and sunny.  I went outside, with no jacket and checked.  Sure enough my bulbs, the iris I believe are popping out of the ground.  Just a few inches of green of course, but the flowers will be here soon.  

Sure should be Jess.  Are you getting excited?  I'm getting excited for you.

Holtbolt, so glad you are doing well, I hope you have a speedy recovery

Jewels, I requested a copy of my health record from the hospital and got the photocopies in the mail the other day.  It said that I had several areas of DCIS, as well as the IDC and something was written on the pathology I didn't hear about before.  It said "extensive cancerization of the lobules, involving 9/27 blocks, with a largest size of 1.8 cm".  First off, didn't know cancerization was a word, but really not sure what that means.  Do I have LCIS or ILC as well?  I see my surgeon on Friday for a routine follow-up, so I am going to ask about this.  Any thoughts ladies?

Holtbolt--Glad you're recovering well with your new Bayou Boobs!

Jess--Glad you love teaching your teens! Some people thiink I'm nuts loving my Ks, with all the runny noses and shoes that need tying, but I do. Good luck on your recon. But what are sleeping bear bounds? (oh--just looked back through older posts "mounds!")

Renrel--I'm up for some long-distance Reiki when you finish that course! And I'm taking 1000 mg of Tumeric (although my platelets decreased last week--which I think could be from that and the aspirin I'm taking) and green tea. My cancer support group leader shared an article about concentrated bitter root being very effective (I believe it's being researched by maybe md anderson) and also homeo pathic remedies that md anderson is researching.

Jilly--don't know what that means about the "cancerization." New word to me too. I'm sure your surgeon will set your mind at ease.

KT-9 pounds!! wow I'm jealous. That eating like a bunny is so hard.

Plutz--good to hear things are going well. My husband is scheduled for a colonoscopy, and my onc keeps reminding me to do it, plus see by ob gyn. (I haven't been in since my nurse prac found the lump).

I saw my onc last week and he basically just feels my good boob and around my mast site and armpits. My blood pressure was so high--anxiety I guess. But they called today and said my Vit D is better (up from 21 to 36--I'm taking 3000 mg/day) and my tumor marker was normal (CA15-3) at 7. But I forgot to ask why I have a number at all. Now I can bury my head for another 3 months! 

Oh--and he said to take a baby aspirin a day.

Renrel, hugs

BerkleyKim, interesting your doc told you to do the asprin a day.  I've thought about it, just feel like I'm popping so many pills already.  So many supplements recommended for the neuropathy.  Calcium etc now that have to worry about the bones on the hormonal therapy.  Its a wonder I have room for food, but, sure don't seem to have a problem fititng that in.  I find I do better most days but have had a couple of melt downs.  DH says it catches him by surprise, I'll be doing fine and BAM.  Both times it has been dropping stuff I know I normally wouldn't have dropped.  I hate this residual neuropathy.  My feet hurt all the time.  It takes three times as long to type, and the typing is full of mistakes, and I have to type a lot for work.  Every once in awhile I'll drop something and the frustration just boils over.  For the most part I'm doing better, however.  

Jess, I'm so excited for you.  congratulations and keep us informed about how things go

momand2kids, those all sound good to me,  kudos to you for being on the LISA study.  Any SE's you need to ask about besides the right side tenderness and tightness? 

Sorry Taxol was so tough, but congratulations on finishing.  Frankie, my neuropathy never went away.  However, for the majority of us, not all of us, but the majority of us it does get better.  Things I've been told may help and won't hurt: Co-enzyme Q-10, Vitamin C and B, L-carnitine (the most important one).  Are you having pain, or "just" numbness?  For the pain I tried neurontin/gabepentin, which did nothing for the neuropathy but did help my hotflashes a lot.  Acupuncture helps a little.  I've had a couple of docs tell me to try lyrica which I haven't tried but am thinking of asking about.  As you get out moving around be careful of your balance, it can be effected also.  Be careful walking because you may not feel blisters developing, so watch walking in new shoes or sandals as the weather improves.

 Hope it helps, and hope you are in the majority and by next year this is all a distant memory and the neuropathy is gone.  So happy for you that you are done.