Calling all TNs

On a very sad and somber note, I must add that Diane Counts - "Angelsabove" lost her heroic battle.  Her husband Craig updated her carepage tonight with this very sad news.  She was also posting on TNBCfoundation.org as "Diane1234."  It's so hard to believe that in mid December, she was told she was NED after agressive treatment at CTCA and was overjoyed, as we can all well imagine - and then days after that began fighting it all over again.  I am really having a very hard time with this one, as my last correspondence to her on the other board was December 12th.  I find this so totally unbelievable that this could happen so fast.  My sincerest sympathies are with her husband Craig and her three children.  To paraphrase Heidi's signature - I too hate this f*cking disease.  This is just too sad and hard to comprehend.

edited to add:  http://www.carepages.com/carepages/diva21/updates/2890677

I'm so sorry to hear of Diane's passing.  I didn't know her, but read up a little on past posts.  I was devastated to read how things had been looking really good and then this.  Will keep family in my prayers....

Kelben:

I know, news of Diane's death was really scarey - it shook my boots deeply as I had been one of many posting to her and getting great responses just two freaking weeks ago.  She was elated when CTCA deemed her to be NED.  Then within days of my last posting which was the 13th of Dec - her husband started posting on her carepages that things were not going well - and it just snowballed so fast!!!  I cannot comprehend it either, but we just have to remind ourselves that this was a really freaky thing and not the usual.  On her carepages she wrote that her floating tumor count was 48!!!  How the hell can you be shown by all scans to have no residual disease left after your agressive second set of treatments and then have a floating CTC (this is not tumor marker testing, but another specific test for metatastic cancer) of 48 - from a supposedly 0!!!  Something is not right with all of this.  Nonetheless, she is gone and 3 children and a devoted husband are left to soldier on alone.  So freaking sad.

I mentally need to look at this one as just some accident somewhere along the line as I have not read of any other loss as fast and unexpected as this one was in the two years I have been on this board and the TNBC board. 

Heidi - I so agree with you.  This one just makes no effing sense at all.

Hi Ladies,

Hopefully someone has some input for this one.  I am on my 9/12 Taxol after having 4 cycles of A/C... I did well thru the A/C but have been progressively weaker during the Taxol.  Now, shortness of breath is getting very serious.  I have no fluid in the lungs and had a CT scan a few days ago and having no problems.  My RBC is ok, just slightly low but has always been.  Is anyone having this problem and is there a solution?

Moe0279:  You don't need a script for L-Glutamine.  See how many milligrams it is and go on line or go to a health food store or even Whole Foods to purchase it.  I take Jarrow brand 1000 mg/100 tablets $11.29 from V.P. Discount.

hi everyone~ Just wanted to let ya'll know that I am going to take a break from the boards for a bit.  I'm having a rough go of it emotionally and don't want to be a downer here... Plus, the recent deaths have really gotten to me.  I will still be on FB.  Feel free to "friend" me! My email is momee2314(at)yahoo(dot)com.  You can find me on FB that way easily.  Just say that you are from the "TN thread" and I will accept!

xxoo

Hi! Everyone,

I've been busy packing X-mas away, and getting on with 2011.   I'll only post on this BC board if there is a problem or change with my BC treatment.  

Michelle, Teka & HeidiToo:  I think that we have all been hit quite hard here as of late.  I do hate to see that a board that is usually so lighthearted and helpful be brought back to the realities of this disease in such a distressful way.  Since I have been battling depression for the last 2 or 3 months, I can so relate to your posts.  I think the most important thing for all of us is to remain hopeful, healthy and positive on our journey here and to support others in the same place.  I hope that you will change your minds and come back here to post as you all will be missed!  Hugs!!!

Hello everyone.
I'm also feeling a bit low, with the recent parting of yet another sister. I'm new to the boards, and didn't have as much of a connection, but it still sucks. 

I did want to post on the boards and say that I finally called the doc about my "fire nipple" and they said it was either infection (I don't think so, no fever, nothing swollen other than my 'too-big' boob, and nothing red/inflammed), or it could be lymphangitis. I think this is more likely. The lump was pretty close to my nipple, and there are many nerve endings there...so it makes sense.

Happy New Year to everyone, and to those taking a break--you need to do what is right for you. I think it's hard (for me anyway) to be able to filter in positive/uplifting bits of info and try to put blinders on the sad stuff...sometimes I'm not able to do it at all...and that's when it really gets me down.

Hugs to all!

Also--wanted to note to Melissa (moe0279) --we got our dx the same day--are you doing taxol neoadjuvant? I feel like it's taken me forever to get going on this stuff...had to wait a whole month for surgery (Dec 20th)...then a whole 2 weeks to get my follow up (Jan 4th) and I'm anxiously awaiting the whole chemo thing...

Hi ladies, just stopping in after two weeks holiday to say hi and wish everyone the very best for the New Year.  I feel like I know you all - and couldn't have gotten through the past year without your insight, ideas and support!

Best thing that has happened to me... We (husband, son age 21, and I) spent a week at Whistler visiting our 18 yo son, who is out there for a year to ski and work. So wonderful to see him and celebrate Xmas there. Even better, I realized one day that I had gone almost 48 hours without a single cancer thought entering my mind - I was just too busy with other activities and thoughts!  That is indeed progress. Then we returned and headed north for more skiing and visits from family and friends.  Last year at this time, I was on Chemo #2 and 3 - it all seems such a blur to me now.

I am so very sorry to hear about the recent deaths - such distressing news really does bring home to us how scary and unpredictable this disease is. While none of us can take any day for granted, I do try to remind myself (constantly, when dark thoughts enter) that the vast majority of us will be okay.  

To the ladies on chemo now, I wish you minimal side effects... and some comfort in knowing that you will eventually be on the other side of it!    

Teka:  No need for mean spiritedness.  I am sure Swanny was just trying to be helpful and acknowledging all of our sadness at the last few days events.

I'll join!

Do we have a diet menu?

I bought lots of yogurt, veggies, fruit, chicken and salmon! Oh some turkey, too.

Do we need to tell our weight? How often will we report?

Go buy a scale!