Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Hi Firni.  Its funny that you mentioned big wheels, I was just telling my kids the other day that I have a very vivid memory of riding my big wheel {it was pink and purple, of course} into the swimming pool when I was about 2 years old. I think my mom had a minor heart attack each time I did it.:-)  I'll bet you are thrilled to have your grandbabies so close.

I'm doing ok.  I am all done with rads now, and my throat is finally starting to feel better.  I'm still exhausted, but from what I've heard and read that's probably the norm for awhile.  I won't have a full PET scan again until mid-August, 3 months from the first one.  I did see my neurosurgeon last week and got the news that I will most likely not have surgery.  The vertebrae below the fractured/compressed one have too much damage from the cancer.  The surgeon feels that the best thing for me to do is continue to wear this neck brace for about 6 more weeks, allowing my neck to heal the best it can.  And then just be careful ~~ no skydiving for me!:-)  I'm actually quite relieved that I'm not facing that surgery, I was a lot more anxious about recovering from that than I am about getting rid of these nasty little cancer cells.

Tomorrow my family is getting up ridiculously early to go get on an Amtrack train and head over to the Wisconsin Dells for a little getaway.  We are all so excited to do something so "normal!"  I even managed to find a masectomy swimsuit that I feel half-way decent in, and I'm looking forward to some calm, aquatic refreshment.  No waterslides for me, I'll be hanging out in the kiddie pool.:-)

I hope that all our sisters here are busy with their own happy summer plans!

We just got back from our vacation, camping in 100 degree weather in Ocean City, MD, what fun! LOL! I was telling my husband when we looked at our pictures that I was so thankful I took them. We were miserable all week in the heat and seeing those pictures is telling me that we really did have a good time!

Carrie, glad to hear rads are over. I hope thetrain ride isn't too rough on your neck. So, out of curiosity... how many times did you ride your big wheel in the pool???

Firni, I can't wait until I have grand-kids, sugar them up and send them home I have a ways to go though, my kiddos are only 6 & 7! Enjoy them, they grow up fast.

Hello all!!

The weather in California has been ideal. My heaart goes out to all those suffering in the heat. I am sure our turn is coming.

I love summer. Even though I swore I would be thin and I am far from it. I love being in the water and listening to the waves. It seems to put cancer far behind me and calm my nervous soul

Love to all, I mean it!!

Firni--

Feel better sister, keep us informed xo

Sweet cebula:

I sooo understand. It just terrible to have to worry this way. WTF! abnormality? Thats what they said? Did you ask if they were thinking cancer? Oh for goodness sake you poor thing. I bet the farm its not cancer. But the stress is just awful. I am going to pray my hardest for you. Please let us know asap. We are here!!!!!

Thank you both for your prayers. When they called me back with the exact time for my appt, I asked what an "abnormality" was. I didn't I would get much out of her since she wasn't the doctor, but she did check the report and it said "tickening of the bones". I'm still not sure what it means and my appt is not until the 27th, but I did calm down and feel much better now. I do doubt there is any cancer, but I'll be much happier when I get more details. She did put me in tears though.. geezzz, will we ever stop stressing??? 3 years ago, I wouldn't have thought anything of it and patiently waited for the appt! Cancer sucks!

Praying!! xo

Is this the foot that you've had LE in forever?

There is always hope!!

Hey Caroline. How you doin?????? Thinkin of you.

Carrie:  So glad that you were able to get away. You look good in the new picture (you looked good in the old one too)...is that your husband with you?  I have been seeing family too---nothing like it!

Caroline: I hope that you are doing well!!

Hugs to all my December 08 sisters.

Mandy

So, I had my DEXA scan last week.  I got my results today.  I have osteopenia.  T-scores of spine totaled -1.9 and hip T score is -1.3.  Not too bad, but still some bone loss.  What is scary to me is that the individual vertebrae read -2.3 on my lower two vertebra.  That is only 2/10 of a point from being osteoporosis.  I had an ankle scan about 5 years ago and my bones were normal.  How fast does one normally lose bone mass?  It's got to be another gift from chemo.

Hope your foot is doing ok Caroline.  Any news on that thickening?  

Carie, The Dells is always fun!!  Sound nice to meditate in a garden. 

I am convinced that the chemo contributed wildly to the osteopenia. I have the same thing and had none befor. grrrr.

I have a toothache from hell now for 2 days dds is on vacation. I trust him and am waiting on advil till his return. I think I have to have an implant. UGGGG so expensive. But this pain has got to stop!! It is a barring pain from a bridge and the root is going nuts. I can take my pulse in the pain. Sorry not cancer related but ohy!!!!

My sistahs your in my prayers.

Saw my PCP today and she said that osteopenia isn't so bad.  She told me to start stretching and doing some weight bearing exercises.  But to start slow coz I'm all atrophied and stiff from inactivity after my MX until now.  Oh ya, she also told me to eat a TUMs everyday in addition to my calcium supplements.  She said they'll do another DEXA in 2 years and if I'm still losing bone, she'll put me on Boniva or something like that.  She didn't want to do it yet.

I also found out today that my Onc who "never does tumor marker tests" did one when I was in for my check up in June.  He didn't tell me about it.  I got a bill from the lab.  That's how I knew.  I had to get the results from my PCP today at my physical.  He ran a CA 27.29  blood test.  Luckily my score came back 30 and anything under 38 is good.  I know they aren't totally reliable but it makes me feel better to know he checks something besides my boobies.

I soliceted some free advice from a personal trainer and she said most of my problems stem from being dehydrated.  I should be drinking 1/2 my body weight in oz.  That would be 75 oz a day!!  Holy cow!  I'm getting about 35 oz so far.  I'll be living in the bathroom if I ever get up to that 75 oz mark. 

Hi firni>

Hate to whine about a stupid abscess. But they just put my on antibiotics and vicadin. I took it only once and I get loopy so I am taking Advil. Its a boat load of pain and I can not wait till it gets some relief it has been4 days. UGGGGG! Oh well its not terminal. I am blessed.

Yeah Caroline whaaaaas up!!!

U know that Carie has been on vacation so that means no web for the most part I would think. I hope she is havin a grrrreat time.

Thank you always. You are my secret strength. Saaaamouch!