Crazy Sexy Cancer in Seattle

gilly... I had my port out 2 weeks after I stopped chemo... (December+insurance....) I had a local.... took a deep breath, and exhaled! Like the drains, but no tubing! Dr. Wechter even dangled it infront of me and asked if I wanted to keep it. I was still thinking about it, when my hubby said "NO!". Cathartic for me. Sore spot for a couple of days.... no biggie. But then again...everyone has a different experience.

 Here's a question to all: I cannot have ANY type of anti-hormone tx. I don't tolerate herbs well either. Hysterectomy is not rec. because of the intolerance to any hormone therapy.( I have Zometa) My period is back, after 2 "chemo-pauses" unlike anything (except childbirth) I have ever experienced.I am 46, and cannot imagine keeping this up....too much blood loss. Has anyone had a uterine ablation? Know anyone who has?

I had ablation in May and though it made things much better (I had life altering periods), I still had heavy periods.  It would have worked well but I had several fibriods and polyps that were removed during the ablation surgery.  Unfortunately, they were not able to do the NovaSure (I was too dilated from the fibroid and polyp removal) that is the most effective ablation technique.  My gyn warned my of this issue prior to surgery.  Again, it took me from horrible to basically normal.  My very good friend is a top gyn in Seattle and she highly recommends this procedure.  If you are having heavy periods, it will be life altering.  Ironically, now that I am know I am BRCA1+, I will be having a hysterectomy. Wish I knew that a year ago. 

Hi everyone  - so quiet here! Hope all is well. 

gina 

Congrats, Lorrie!  That is a milestone.  I hit the halfway mark with the chemo cocktail last week, so counting down the number of run-down weekends left.  Then I do the Herceptin straight shots.  I'll be waiting to hear about your hair.

Hi Verene -

 I'm one of the Issaquah gals and have been absent for awhile due to having my gall bladder removed.  The fun never ends.  I developed stones due to the weight loss from the infection after my bi-lat mast. and from chemo.  So glad to have it out as I was miserable.  I did not have radiation either.  I noticed that you only had 1 lymph node removed - so I would think that would reduce your chances of lymphedema.  I had 2 lymph nodes on the right and 3 on the left removed and I have lymphedema in both arms.  The only thing I've heard about radiation is if you want to do reconstruction, it can make it more difficult because it damages the skin and makes it harder to expand.  Have you done reconstruction?  I did Herceptin for a year and just finished in March.  It was totally tolerable and I learned from some of the other women on brca.org that it can slow the growth of your hair.  And it did!  Some said it took 3 months after finishing Herceptin to really start the big growth.  That's what I am finding.  In June I will have finished chemo a year ago and I still haven't had my first haircut.  Although it is coming back faster now and it is curly, which it was before, and now completely gray!  Now nobody recognizes me.  I have to say I like having short hair with I haven't had since I was six and had a pixie.  The texture is different and very soft like baby hair.  I'm sorry your 4th treatment was difficult.  I really hope the last 2 are better for you.  Hang in there!   

Hi Ladies,

I haven't posted in awhile, just wanted to say hello and hope everyone's doing well.  Seattle-sis, my hair also came in gray and is now short.   Just about no one recognizes me except April Girl!  I've only lived here 3 years, and the past year was spent w/ all this breast cancer stuff!  

I sure enjoyed meeting the group for dinner at Red Robin recently.  What a great group.  I've been trying to get back to normal schedule and energy but it has taken time.  I still claim chemo brain when forgetful.  I still nap some days, embarrassing but true!  I'm going to start playing tennis and see how that goes.  Take care, girls, and enjoy this beautiful weekend.

Peg

Gina gina -- wow!!  Gorgeous avatar!

Peg

I too had all my treatments/surgery done at Swedish, my surgen was Dr. Beatty and my onc is Dr. Goodmand and I would recommend both of them.  I just finished my chemo on the 5th of May and am start a every six week visit routeen.  I wish eveyone luck with the rest of your treatments 

I see Dr. Henry (Hank) Kaplan at Swedish. He is really really amazing. I think that everyone who has had contact with him will agree.

April... I cannot do the 5k because the high school baccalaurette (sp?!) is on that Sunday. Bummer!!! I thought about doing both.... but it might be a bit much.

Waiting for the sun to come back!

I am glad to have found this WA thread. Not sure if there is anyone from my area (I haven't read all of the posts yet), but I am here in Olympia, WA.  Originally dx at stage II in 1995 at the age of 41.  Dx with recurrence, stage IV, in 2008.  When dx with mets, I obtained a referral to Dr. Ellis at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and was quite pleased with the information and treatment options she had to offer.  Am currently doing very well, my last scans show NED status, for which I am very thankful!  

Aprilgirl1....Yes, I am also doing the 5K, however, walking instead of running.  I am really happy to say that I have received over $500 and still expecting a few more donations....   Patti

Frosty - as awful as it is for others to get diagnosed, it is wonderful that your DD is there for her friend and their family.  I found it really helpful that my kids (9 and 11 at the time) knew 2 other families that moms had bc recently and have been doing great.

I also find it a bit spooky or surreal - a few months after my diagnosis my neighbor (Madge24) was diagnosed.  Then, a YOUNG mom from my bunco group (Kyasou).  It makes me sick.

BC is just way too prevalent. 

Okay - enough of that - have a great weekend everyone! 

Hi all,

Well,  I hate to see the rain back but now I can have guiltless indoor time I have made the switch to Dr. Ellis. My old onc did not want to do a bone scan and I felt it was important. When I saw Dr. Ellis she wondered why a full restage had not been done already given that he had already chosen the new chemo for me to start. I did the bone scan Fri May 7 and the PET/CT on Mon May 10. I had an appointment with Dr. Ellis on Tuesday and she told me I have bone mets in 12 places.  I had the 1st chemo combo (Abraxane, Avastin, Zometa) yesterday. I will be on this for 6mos. The last month has been a real emotional roller coaster. Cancer has made me deal with so many things I did not expect to until I was "older". I suspect that even if I were "older", I would not have been prepared for this I'm hoping I will dodge the possible 36 hr flu type sick that can come after the 1st Zometa infusion. Made it through last night and first thing this am but she said this afternoon was the most likely time for it to hit. Crossing my fingers.

Annie  

Thanks for your kind words and support Tracy. I woke up feeling fine but by 3:00, I knew I wasn't going to skate out on the SE's from the Zometa I am sitting here feeling like crap. The pharmacy would not fill the Ativan because aparently it's too soon??? I don't remember having that in the past but I came home and checked my meds and don't have it. I have compazine and am going to take Theraflu. I will be in Seattle for treatments and appts 3 wks on and 1 off, so maybe it will work out for me to go to one of the get togethers. 

Annie