Calling all TNs

Good morning ladies,

  Wow , i haven't been here for a few days and there is a lot postings to read. How is everyone? I am doing fine. I saw both BS and PS last Monday. I will start my first fill on Dec 6th. I am excited because the scab from my nipple just start falling and the nipple looks pink and healthy! Dec 1st I am going to have my Oophorectomy( Removal of ovaries) . I just wanted to give you an update. 

Lynn18: How are you? To answer your question ... I only took prescribed meds for pain for 2 weeks. Than a switched to 2 aleve a day. And I have not taken any pain meds since last Friday. I feel the tightness in my chest but no pain. I hope you are doing well.

 Heidi: I love your pictures/ cartoons. :0)

MBJ: Your pictures look great .

SusanGardens: When is your surgery again?

Sugar:  So sorry you had to go through all that.  I had a pre BC lump that they took out during my MX that was there for 30 years. 

Here's hoping everyone has a great rest of the week and good health!

Kelly all will be well. Sending well wishes...

Kelley41:  Good for you for insisting on getting the biopsy right away.  I'm not sure I would have been as assertive, but it just goes to show that if you speak up, you can get results.  A lesson we all have to take to heart.  Fingers crossed for you for a B9 outcome!

Hi - I started radiation on November 8th.  So far I have had 8 treatments and I am suppose to do between 25 and 28.  No SEs yet.  I am very grateful.  My RO recommended clear Aloe Vera twice a day, Dove soap, only luke warm water while showering, no bra with an underwire and to take off the bra as soon as I get home at night.  They have been great, I am the first patient in the AM (7:30) so I get in and out right away.  Then I have to drive an hour to work, work for the day and drive back home.  But I only get home about a 1/2 hour longer than normal. Luckily I was never scared of radiation treaments - I was very scared of chemo.  In comparison to chemo, this (so far) is much easier.  Take care everyone

Swanny:

Continued good outcome with the rads side effects.  I never burned until the last week - it was like a bad sunburn, but no blisters, etc.  My SNB scar hurt the most throughout that week, but it was all tolerable and it really does clear up pretty fast after the last rads treatment. 

Linda

Hi!

Kelley41 and Sugar77 get better for the weekend.   Husband and I went on a day trip to X-mas shop at  "The Vermont Country Store" before Black Friday.   I enjoyed the 1st day in over 7 months that my hair is long enough to go in public with head uncovered, but cold enough to buy a Vermont made soft warm beanie for winter.   I now have 7 days to clean and cook for Thanksgiving.

Kelly, I totally understand how you feel, as I am always feeling tinges and sharp somethings in my armpit even when I am going through Chemo.  And when I touch, it hurts at times.  At least you are calling your doctors.  I get numb with fear and hope it will go away.  I feel so lost when I feel something, I just don't know what to do.  I wish you all the best, my dear.  I hope it is just nothing, just coming from stress or something.

I just want to ask everyone whether their Medical oncologists are continouously checking their Vitamin D levels.  I have to remind mine to check.  My Vit. D level is low at 25.  When I was diagnosed, it was 22.  And it seems like they don't care.  I wish I could change my medical onc. but I am in the middle of care.  All other health people in the group talk highly of him, but I don't find that he givs me any specifics about my case.  I am frustrated with almost everything, not understanding where I stand.

I had my vitamin D checked during chemo - and I was surprised it was at 79 - well into the optimal level.  However, it is common for women to be deficient in vitamin D, and there does appear to be a linkage to BC. During winter months here, we don't have the opportunity to get it naturally from sunlight. At my 1-yr follow-up with BS last week, she recommended 2000 units of D3 a day.  And I know many women on these boards who are taking more.

About the vitamen D, mine is 23 and my dr. recommended 10,000 IU's a day.  She said hers is low too, and we live in a very sunny climate; I spend a lot of time in the sun.  I have a friend here whose level was only 16.  It seems I don't hear of very many people who have normal levels.  I haven't spent much time researching the connection between low levels and BC, but my dr. recommended testing for it.

Kelley - glad to hear you got some action right way and I'm hoping that all will be b9!

Swanny - I found rads really made me tired but I didn't have any blistering or anything.  I guess I was lucky in that regard. Glad to hear it's better for you than chemo. 

Titan - wow, earlier this week I could have used some of the black salve stuff you got in Amish County for your boil.  I've been using warm compresses with Epsom salt and it has helped and so has the antibiotics I'm taking for 10 days.

I had my dress all picked out for the gala I'm going to this Sunday out of town at a business conference. Well, best laid plans...the dress has no sleeves and the big piece of gauze taped on my armpit is a "glamor don't" in my book (lol) so I've resorted to Plan B, which is either a new dress or some kind of little jacket.  Spend time at the mall tonight and came up with nothing. 

Lovelyface:

Mine will only check the VIT D levels every 6 months, I'm due my next visit for that to be tested (Dec. 20th).  Mine was 5 (!!!!!) when it was checked the first time.  She put me on a huge amount (1 little green pill per week) for 6 weeks and it went up to 61 which is still low as far as I was concerned, but she felt it was ok.  Now I take 2500 units per day but am going to see what the next one comes in at.  Freaking 5!!!!, I didn't even know they could go that low.

Kelley - Good luck today and my thoughts are with you.

Jen

LovelyFace,

You can change oncologists as many times as you want.  I did in Jacksonville when my onc didn't come to the hospital when I was admitted with Chemo toxicity.  I had had one chemo treatment.  The next onc was good and I had another chemo, but then I had to move to be nearer to family to care for me (didn't work/don't ask), so now I have onc #3.  Transition was smooth each time.  Be ready with dates and outcome of any test results and of course have your records sent asap so they have time to review.  Insurance didn't blink, and the organization paying my copays had no issue either.  If you're in a trial, the new dr. has to be participating, but that's the only issue that I know of.  You need someone compassionate that you understand and trust.  Go for it.  There will be a bit of after-care, so might as well do it now.  You can tell them exactly what your treatment is and that you want it continued.  Plus, you'll be getting a second opinion.  Good luck.

When our anxiety gets the better of us: