**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

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  • sakura73
    sakura73 Member Posts: 467
    edited May 2010

    Bwbly I too am so sorry to hear of your husband's death. I know the first shock must have passed but I still really admire your spirit in posting as you do. Congratulations on finishing treatment, and on maintaining such a punishing work schedule, when you have had so much else to think about.

    Tanasha what a relief to have some concrete news of your mum's state of health. She and and you are in my thoughts.

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

    Hi ladies,

    Nice to hear from Bwbly . Congrats on finishing your treatment. Sorry about your husband and the dog. You seem to be dealing well. Wow what a work schedule.

    Read about Dayla yesterday on FB. Anyone interested can check out her journey.

    Today is a day to remember..

    Hugs,

    Francine

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  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited May 2010

    Happy Memorial Day!! Enjoying the beautiful NH weather cookouts and soccer all weekend!! My hip is better thanks to my PT neighbor who taught me some stretches!

    Bawbly!  My condolences on your loss!  You are one tough cookie!!!

    Sakura!  Keep up the great outlook!

    To all enjoy and relax!!

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

    Bwbly: So sorry to hear about your husband and your dog. Wow you have certainly had an enormous amount of stuff to deal with. Hope you are doing ok. Congrats on finishing treatment and I'm sure you'll be thrilled to get your port out. It was wonderful hearing from you. I have thought of you so often. Wishing you the best and I hope the road ahead is paved with everything good. You deseve it.

    Dawn: Glad to hear that your hip is feeling better.

     Happy Memorial Day to all my American sisters!

    Hugs

    Beth P

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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2010

    Hi all - just catching up on all your news. I've been reading, but my new Apple gadget doesn't like BC.org as much as I do, so I have to resort to fighting family members for computer time in order to post.

    Rachel - words can't describe the stupid smile on my face when I read your news.

    Janine - keep posting on what you do about the Tamoxifen. I am currently on a "one month holiday" from the stuff and go next week to talk about next steps. Like you, I didn't have outrageous SEs to point a finger at...but had several meltdowns in my onco's office. "GINA, you aren't crazy. It's the Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen Toxicity actually". How do you like that? After 30 days...I am ready to start taking something again because I am fearful that I've traded survival in for sanity.

    Everyone - your words and posts are really inspiring! Relay for Life and torch carrying! Exotic vacations! Gardening! (you don't realize how exotic that sounds to someone who has no green thumbs)! Bwbly on your loss and Tanasha on your mom's dx. You are all such strong women. Thanks for keeping this thread alive. g

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited June 2010

    Francine and Beth...sorry it took me awhile to answer you both, I have been busy. My nephew is doing really well. He hasn't lost his hair yet. I am going to shave his head for him right after his second chemo in a couple of weeks.

    Beth...Happy belated Anniversary!

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited June 2010

    Bwbly:  I am so sorry for your loss.  You have endured so much this past year....I think of the saying "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger"...you must be Wonder Woman by now!  My thoughts are with you...

    Gina:  Nice to hear from you.  The AI are tough.  I feel the same way...I don't complain if I don't have to because I know the alternative.  I just try to muddle through...

    Take care all,

    Chris

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

    Gina: Nice to hear from you. You look amazing! What kind of SE's were you getting on tamoxifen? I am struggling with mood swings, joint pain and really bad leg cramps at night. I am going to talk to my doc about it. I've been on it for 11 months now and I think it's gotten worse over time. What is Tamoxifen Toxicity?

    Christy: Glad to hear that your nephew is mangaing ok. I imagine that shaving his head will bring up a lot of emotions for you and I think it is so brave and wonderful for you to do that for him. Such a trooper!

    Thanks everyone for all the anniversary greetings. Today, June 1st is another anniversary for me. One year ago today I had my last chemo...hard to believe that it's been a year.

    Have a Terrific Tuesday everyone!

    Hugs

    BethP

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

    Hi All,

    Great to hear from Gina.."our leader"..Great avatar..

    Christy..good to hear your nephew is moving along . I am sure you will be a big help to him along his journey.

    BethP..another anniversary we all want to forget. yet the year has flown by.

    BethR..I believe tomorrow is your surgery..,Best of luck to you.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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

    Francine: Another great post...always so cheery and sweet!Smile

    BethR: Good luck tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you and sending good vibes your way!

    Hugs

    Beth P

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited June 2010

    I went in for my first 3 month follow-up (since my last herceptin treatment) from my onco today and he gave me a great report! He did a physical exam and could not find anything abnormal. I will have a CT scan in 3 more months. I am so happy! I am now officially NED!!!! WOO HOOO

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  • bethr
    bethr Member Posts: 259
    edited June 2010

    Hi All,

     Beth and Francine..  thanks for the well wishes.  For some reason, I'm not looking forward to surgery today.  I guess I just want it to be over with more than anything.  I finally started to get back into the normal swing of things and now surgery again...  ugh!  Thankfully, I know it will be over soon and I'll be back on the road to normalcy.  One day at a time...

    Christy - GREAT NEWS!  I'm so happy for you!  Celebrate!

    All - have a great day!!!!

    Beth

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

    Christy: That's great news. Congratulations! Keep doing the Happy danceSmile

    BethR: I can understnad not looking forward to it but it will soon to be over and done with. Keep your chin up and let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it.

    Hugs

    Beth P

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  • Dawnmrn1
    Dawnmrn1 Member Posts: 446
    edited June 2010

    Christy!  How wonderful, bask in the glory!

    Beth R!  Good luck it is almost behind you!!

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

    BethR.. hope you are doing as well as expected . It's all uphill from here. Each day you will feel a little better.

    Ladies ..I forgot ..what does NED mean. BTW Christy congrats on a clean report..

    All alone today ..MY DH went to Florida to celebrate his aunts 104th birthday. Yes 104..I went a lovely lunch at a beachside place here in Westchester with two longtime friends. Great time. My girlfriend just loves my hair..it's color , style etc. I just color it from a box and wash it daily. Never been so easy nor looked that great. I guess this was one benefit ...Am I saying that right..I just hated being bald...

    BethP..thks again for all the nice comments..

    Hugs to all..

    Francine

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

    Francine: NED means No Evidence of Disease. How long will your DH be gone? Wow...104 years old...amazing! Of course your girlriend loves your hair....what's not to love...it looks great. And yes, if you like your hair more now than before then it is a benefit...we have to find something good to all of this.

    DH and I went to the dinner theater last night.  Food was wonderful as usual. The play was the Buddy Holly story and we really enjoyed it. A lovely evening. In August the play is "Tuesdays with Morrie" starring Jamie Farr.

    Hugs

    Beth P

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited June 2010

    Thanks so much girls!  When I announced on my Facebook page that I am NED now, I had a couple of ladies (from bc.org) ask me what tests I have done to determine that. I told them that the once did a physical examination on me and I had blood work done.  I had a CTA scan in December in NOLA right before my HIP flap surgery, then a CAT scan in March right before my last Herceptin treatment. I did have a couple of things show up that were non-cancer related. I have a nodule on my lung and a hemangioma on my backbone. I would have never known about those if I hadn't had the scans. The onco wants to keep his eye on it. I will have another scan in 3 months.   I was wondering what you girls have had done regarding tests or examinations since treatment ended??

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited June 2010

    CCBaby:

    I have an MRI, mammogram, and ultrasound every 6 months.  I get bloodwork and exam every 3 months.  If all is clear...I'm done.  If not...then on to a PET scan.

     Sorry I haven't posted much.  With summer looming...it gets rather busy at my house.

    I do think of you all often and wish you the best.  I read the posts when I can.  I don't keep up very well on facebook either!!

    Take care,

    Chris

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  • jdeking
    jdeking Member Posts: 408
    edited June 2010

    Bwbly  - so sorry about your husband and doggie. My mom is going through something similar, as Dad died March 26th, and her precious fur baby passed away on Tuesday. It is so hard, and my thoughts will be with you! Glad you checked in, it is good to hear from you.

    Gina - ditto on it being good to hear from you! I am still off Tamox, but have been too chicken to tell my onco. I go tomorrow to an OB/GYN and plan to discuss options with her. I hope she supports my decision and has a viable solution. One plan is to do an ooph with AI's, but I still want to have the chance to have children someday. The Tamox was just making me feel awful, and taking a vacation from it made me feel so much better.

     Tanasha - thinking of your mom.

    Christy - Like the others, I have a mammo with ultrasound every 6 months, physical exam every 3 months, and yearly CT scans. I just had my 6 month mammo/US yesterday, and was hoping to graduate to yearly exams, but nope, was told to come back in 6 months. I think they like it to be every 6 months for 2 years.

    Bethr- hope you went thru surgery well and are enjoying your new boob and tummy tuck!

    Everyone else, hope that all is well, and you are enjoying your continued good health and NED status! :)

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  • ChrisC433
    ChrisC433 Member Posts: 553
    edited June 2010

    Bethr....thinking about you and hope that everything turns out the way you expect it.  It sounds like a good move...even if just for the tummy tuck...gotta love that idea!!  Hope your feeling better soon!

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

    Hi.Ladies.

    BethR ..We are all thinking about you and wishing you a  quick recovery..

    BethP..The Buddy Holly story is great. I saw it  on Bdwy..I have read Tuesdays with Morrie. I assume that is a drama..My husband only went to Florida for the day.

    Janine..Nice to hear from you ..Hope your mom is managing with all.

    Chris..you are entitled to be busy with your big family and working. Summer is coming soon.

    My regimen is blood work every three months with the onco. Then visits with the breast surgeon twice a year. Mamography only once a year with ultrasound. No scans at all. Onco says that they are not necessary. I had no node involvement ..that's why. She felt they would give false positives.

    Too bad so many of you are having problems with the tamoxifin.

    Yet it does seem we are doing quite well.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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

    Janine: Good luck with your OBGYN appointment. I hope she gives you another option. Tamoxifen is not my prefernce but for now I will try to keep going...sigh!

    Christy: I have an exam every 6 months. Yearly mammo. No scans unless there is a concern. I saw a doctor in my doctor's clinic today as I am still have a lot of back and hip issues as well as discomfort on my right side just below my rib cage. I saw my regular doctor about my side issue a few weeks ago and he gave me something for digestion....didn't help. The doctor I saw today was more thorough and examined me so now he wants to do bloodwork, ultrasound of my whole abdomen and a bone scan. I am just wating for the appointment date. I am actually  quite relieved that they are going to further investigate it so I can get some friggin peace of mind. I am sick of worrying about it everyday and the discomfort is definitely getting worse.

    Chris: Have fun with your family and enjoy the summer activities.

    BethR: Thinking of you

    Hugs

    Beth P

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  • ginagina
    ginagina Member Posts: 327
    edited June 2010

    Janine - ya know, I think I'd be too chicken to go off Tamoxifen without an ok from onco! Honestly, I am not sure how much good it has done. It's been a month and I sort of feel the same...but without the meltdowns.

    The SEs are minimal...and frankly, I am not sure they are really SEs. Tingly skin, burnt tounge feeling, feet/leg cramping, hard time sleeping, nightmares about my kids, headaches and the blaaaahs/blues. Those are the ones I notice. The ones I am not noticing are the increased lining of my uterus and cycst on my ovaries. Those two are keeping me in my gyn's office every 6 weeks for "surveilance" which means pelvic ultrasounds and biopsies. yay. They've also added Vit D, thyroid and CA125 to my blood work (CA125 is for ovarian cancer given my family history).  Its a real joy.

    This reads like a real vent, doesn't it? Sorry about that gals. Gennerally I feel great, have lots of energy and am upbeat. This is the stuff that's still at the back of my mind....and I guess if I can't let it all hang out here, then where, right?

    Pickle - oh, I so hear you about the worry/peace of mind.

    BethR - healing vibes for a good recovery!

    Chris - hope all went well with your mammo/scans

    Christy - congrats on a great scan news!

    Francine -  glad to see you doing so well!

    Is anyone doing Race for the Cure or the Komen 3 Day? I've started training for the 3 Day in San Francisco in October. Race for the Cure is this weekend (just 5k). Getting out and walking on a regular basis (doing a 10 mile on Saturday) has been really good. Maybe I am just out of shape and need to get some clean oxygen into my brain?

    Anyway gals, thanks for letting me vent. May summer be coming your way! Ours (Seattle) seems to stuck in traffic somewhere and has yet to arrive! 

    g 

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited June 2010

    Beth...I hope they can find out what is causing your pain and discomfort. It is not fair to us to go through what we have, and then to be left with pain.

    I told my onco that my period hadn't returned yet and I have had major hot flashes since chemo. (they are getting better, though) I just found out today that he tested the FHS level in my blood work and I am now postmenopausal. I am glad because I would have hated for my period to have returned and then have to go through all of the hot flashes again someday when menopause hit.

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

    Gina: Sweetie this is the place where we can definitely let it all hang out....vent...whatever!  Our sanctuary...for better ...for worse...that's what we are all here for. The se's you described but were unsure if they were tamoxifen related are exactly what I have so ( Tingly skin, burnt tounge feeling, feet/leg cramping, hard time sleeping... but I don't have nightmares...I've subbed those for mood swings...lol!)... maybe they are SE's but at least they are somewhat tolerable. That's amazing (yet understandably extremely stressful) to be monitored so closely by your gyn. It is a blessing that they are watching so closely so you don't have to worry about falling through the cracks. That is my biggest fear...falling through the cracks...no one paying attention. I've always known that you seem so positive, energetic etc but I also know that this damn BC leaves us somewhat vulnerable with the nasty thoughts lingering in the back of our minds. Take comfort that you are being monitored closely even though it means that BC is never totally vacant from your thoughts. I am looking forward to July 1st...it's my one year tamoxifenversary...only 4 more to go...and I am determined to get through it. When did you start on it?

    Christy: Thank you. I know they'll get to the bottom of it. No more hot flashes for you....I look forward to that day! Maybe not living in a humid climate is good for me right now...lol!

    Hugs

    Beth P

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

    Hi,

    Yes Gina.. we are always here for you to vent. We care about each other and help in any way we can. I also agree that the monitoring you are getting is comforting. As Beth said we do not want to fall through the cracks. No race for the cure here..at least now.

    Christy..glad that you have found our that you are postmenopausel. No more hot flashes.

    BethP..I do hope you that you find out the cause of your problems. As you said to Gina after what we have been through we will always worry .

    BethR..How are you doing?

    Ladies ..a friend invited me today to go to see the movie ..Please Give..Anyone see it ..strange movie. Begins with womens' breast being given mamographies. Not fun for me to watch. Main character in the movie was a mamo technician. Don't waste your time.

    Busy day on this board. Sorry I am on Arimidex and don't seem to have any side effects. I guess I am lucky. I believe my year anniversary on Arimidex is this week.This summer will be difficult for me as the hot weather brings back the memories of all the bad times I had last summer. Sometimes I just cannot forget..latflap surgery..MRSA virus ..pneumonia all with no hair to boot. Not a fun summer. This summer has to be better. Curly hair which I Iove ..fewer doctors visits ..and many great friends as well as a great DH ..

    Have a fun weekend.

    BTW my flowers on my deck are blooming so well. I have numerous pots and made many pretty arrangements.

    Hugs,

    Francine

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

    Francine: Enjoy your beautiful flowers, your friends, your DH and all things that bring you a smile. All the sadness of last year is behind you...I know...easier said than done but I really hope that this summer brings a whole new set of memories for you so that you will look forward to...and enjoy every summer going forward. You deserve better memories than what 2009 brought.Thinking of you and sending you big hugs and a pocket full of smilesSmile

    Hugs

    Beth P

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

    Beth.. You are so sweet. Today was a good day. My DH and I didn't do much but enjoyed just being out there. Oh yes just remembered we went to a local art show and bought a framed photo of Ravello, a beautiful town in Italy  which we visited exactly one year ago for a destination wedding. ( wig and all) A gorgeous place. Tomorrow is a bridal shower for a friend's daughter. Think I will get dressed up as I rarely do that anymore.

    Beth you are such a blessing to this board. May you too have a terrific summer all filled with nice things like fresh vegetables from your garden plot, fun times  with your family and whatever makes you happy. 

    Forgot to mention..yesterday I had a pedicure and manicure and had my toe nails done blue. Getting wild in my old age..LOL

    Hugs,

    Francine

    PS Been meaning to tell you for some time that in my dining room I have a watercolor of the Halifax Dartmouth ferry which we bought a few years ago.

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  • bethr
    bethr Member Posts: 259
    edited June 2010

    Hi All,

    I hope you're all well.  Thanks very much for the kind wishes and thoughts. 

    I got out of the hospital yesterday and my PS says everything looks really good.  I'm feeling O.K. and only have pain when sitting down or standing up.  Other than that, it's more that cumbersome drain baggage that I'm trying to get used to again.  This time times 3.  Hopefully, they'll take them out when I visit the PS for my appt. later this week. 

    I'm staying with one of my sisters who lives outside of Balitmore and is taking good care of me.  My family has been so wonderfuly and supportive through all this.  I'm so thankful.

    Francine...  I love that you had your nails done in blue!  It's my favorite color! 

    BethP - I read Tuesdays with Morrie and it was fantastic.  If you go to that play, I hope it's as good as the book. 

    Chris - my tummy tuck is partial right now.  My PS told me it will be 'fine tuned' in a couple of months when I go back for the 2nd procedure.  This surgery was the 1rst of three procedures.  The first step in this work of art..   lol

    All I hope you have a great day!!!

    Beth

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  • sakura73
    sakura73 Member Posts: 467
    edited June 2010

    Bethr good to see you here and to know you are feeling okay.

    I am so sorry to read of all the Tamoxifen woes. If the benefits it is giving are worth the woes then I am sure you will all find the strength to keep at it, though for me the benefits did not sound like sufficent and so, as you know, I elected not to take it and to try and achieve the same percentage of risk reduction through other means.  For those thinking about (or already) taking a break from the T-train may I recommend some research into indole-3-carbinol (I3C) which is a supplement I was taking before jelly bean made an appearence. It is a natural estrogen regulator, drawn from cruciferous vegetables. I noted some joint achiness from taking it but otherwise no side effects that I could identify.

    I saw the fertility doctor again this morning and have 3 little snapshots of an 8-week jellybean measuring 13mm (which I think is just over one inch?). Sac still a bit smaller than ideal, but cautious optimism is the order of the day. I have my first obstetrican appointment on Thursday. Meanwhile, my surgeon and oncologists now know of the pregnancy. Deafening silence from the oncologist but the surgeon wants me to come in every couple of months to be photographed. Not sure if that is for my benefit or hers, but of course i don't mind! Absent pregnancy I would be seeing each of the 3 (surgeon, medical onco,radiation onco) once a year, with appointments spread at 4 monthly intervals. 

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