November 2009-Starting Chemo

Hi everyone! I'm here!! I moved last week across town and have been so busy unpacking and decorating. It takes all my energy. I am not moving again until I'm back in Florida.

I have to admit...I'm feeling a lot better. I still get tired, but I've gotten my spunk back. I'm still tight under my bad arm. Rads did a number to the muscles in my ribs and arm.

 I have a question...If you had the opportunity to go on disability, would you?

Nette: My onc suggested a B-Complex vitamin. Is your arm feeling any better?

Sue: Glad to hear about the hair! It's taking so long for me to get bangs!!!!! My hair is cockeyed. One side is starting to curl and the other side is straight as can be! Can I ever get a break??

Clyde: Go the Hell away!!

Love to all! (((HUGS)))

Linda: glad to hear that you are getting settled in, I can't imagine how tiring that must be. I have one curly side and one straight side, too.

Would collecting disability make you mentally funky? Would you feel worse, mentally speaking. If it would not make you depressed, not working, I think it is something to consider. I think there are even rules where you can try going back to work for a certain length of time without having to requalify, so it wouldn't mean once you go there, you can never go back.

I applied for short term disability during chemo, but was turned down since i wasn't sick enuough.  All I wanted was enough money to pay my bills while I couldn't work.. I  Hell at $1600 for neupogen shots every three weeks, every little bit helps.  So now I work my ass of to pay my visa. 

I am moved and still working on the unpacking. I grew up in Kissimmee, but lived in Melbourne for 15 years before coming to NC. I want to go back to MLB...big time!!!!

I am so homesick that it's not even funny! Being sick makes you realize what's important. Other than my mom, hubby, and Libby, everyone is still in FL. As soon as I can, I'm going back. I have a good job up here that I love...hence the Disability question. That's the only reason to stay.

Linda: That's good news Linda.

 My onc doesn't believe in testing for it - he reckons it's not accurate enough yet, but if I had a female sibling who had had bc too, I would have the test.

Alicia: Hope the results are good.

Sue

I asked bout BRCA, but since I have no family history I would have to plead to a board to have it done.  I am not concerned about it. Which leads me to ask, how does a person who doesn't drink, smoke is healthy and has no history of breast cancer get cancer?  Perhaps it was gods way of introducing me to my warrior friends.  So good does come out of all this. 

There is a history of cancer in my father's family - he died from liver cancer. His father and brother also died from cancer and one brother has prostate cancer. His sister passed away from bc at 49 and her daughter also has had it but the onc still didn't see a need for the test. I might talk to him about it again as I do have a daughter and it could be relevant. I must ask my cousin if she had the test seeing her mother had it.

I'm not going to work today - got a bloody cold from some idiot on the flight home. So far it's only a runny nose. I've got my naked herceptin tx this afternoon - hohum - only 6 more after today.

((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))) to you lovely ladies.

Sue

Alicia: when I was doing rads and before I even started Tamoxifen, I started to have pains in my upper arms and shoulders. I thought it was a SE of either chemo or rads esp since it was bilateral. I figured bone mets wouldn't start on both sides equally at the same time. My oncologist insisted that I have a cervical MRI and see a neurologist. The neurologist said it was likely chemo-induced arthritis which would go away on its own. It almost completely gone at this stage with just slight soreness in my finger joints first thing in the morning. Like you, I was very nervous about this symptom in the beginning but it turned out to be nothing.

I'm hoping yours turns out to be nothing too. Is the pain relieved by Advil/Tylenol?

Advil definately gives me relief.

Thanks for your kind words....... 

Alicia: Why didn't they do a bone scan when you were diagnosed? My onc did. He said my spine looks bad - arthritis. I also had a ct scan. The bone scan was ok - better than the ct scan - at least you don't have to drink anything. I don't remember it taking too long. Hang on, I think they might have injected the stuff and I had to go back later. Anyway, remember my back went out a while ago - I could hardly walk and it's fine now. Have you been very active? My physio thought my back was causing trouble because I hadn't been doing much exercise.

DON'T PANIC!!!!

Melinda: Hope the visit to Big Onc goes ok tomorrow!!!!! CLYDE is a goner.

Love and Hugs

Sue

Well, it's official...I'M CANCER FREE! According to two oncologists and my latest findings. Hey, I'll take what I can get!! Life is so good. Thank you ladies for your sisterhood and cyber hugs!

Alicia, a bone scan is the easiest thing in the world. You lay on this flat table, and this maching scans on top of you from your feet to your head. It gets a little hairy when doing your head because it is soooooo close! Close your eyes and you'll be fine. You can see your image coming up on the monitor...pretty neat.

Melinda, I'm sending cyber high fives! All will be well and soon Clyde will be but a memory!

Had my naked herp today. Saw Big Onc and research nurse. My Research nurse is moving, so this was good bye, she was very cool. Big Onc says that I am still cooking from the rads so Clyde is still cooking in there.

Echo next week, PET after the radiation dies down, continue naked herp.

Big Onc says he is still optimistic about Clyde, but even if it is cancer, we radiated it. I asked about more chemo (if it is cancer). I can't do more AC but there are plenty of other cocktails that we can use.

So, no bad news.