November 2009-Starting Chemo

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited January 2011

    Philippa - Our son lives in London. He's a music teacher and once was a budding opera singer but that seems to have been put on hold. I really do want to go to Edinburgh. I've started adding up how much it will all cost and nearly fainted so we'll see. We are now talking of a trip to Paris while we're there as I am much more interested in seeing places there than in London.

    Good to hear you have the all clear.

    Sue

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited January 2011

    bump - ouch

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited February 2011

    Sue, any word on the typhoon? They are reporting here that it's a doozy. Australia and its weather!! Stay safe!!

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited February 2011

    What...Sue, what's the scoop.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    It's a tropical cyclone - like your hurricanes. Category 5 - absolutely HUGE!!! They're talking 300km ph winds. It's way up north, so we're not in the path at all but it will be total destruction - as bad as Katrina.

    Rads No12 today - only 18 to go - god, I'm not even half way yet. My skin is still looking really good, but it's probably too early for any burning to show yet.

    It's been very humid here - I just sit around in front of a fan and do my cross stitch - too hot to do any housework.

    Sue

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited February 2011

    Sue: Hope you are doing OK with rads and with the weather.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    Melinda - How are you? We haven't heard from you for ages. I hope you're better. How's the beau :)

    I'm good, but sick of the heat.

    Sue

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited February 2011

    Sue, thinking of you often, hope all is well and your pool is not to full of scattered leaves.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011
    Michele - our pool always has leaves in it - too many trees around it. The automatic cleaner picks most of them up or I scoop them out. It's so hot I've been having an odd swim or 2 for a change.
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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited February 2011

    OK Girls, I need an intervention. I have gained 18 lbs since Oct 09. HELP!!!

    I went to get a personal trainer...$500/mo. Say WHAT???

    Love to all!

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited February 2011

    I did weight watchers and it worked wonders for me.  Another thing that sometimes works is...put that cookie down..

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited February 2011
    Linda: I have gained 15 lbs since Nov 1st, so I feel your pain. Maybe it was the holidays, or maybe it was the steroids for a month, but it seems to be sticking around. I have started back on Weight Watchers. I was on it when I was Dx, I had lost 35 lbs pretty painlessly. I only do it online, no meetings, it is 17 bucks a month.
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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    Melinda - are you still seeing that guy? I hope so. Also, hope you are over your pneumonia.

    Sue

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited February 2011
    Sue:   Beau is fine, we still see each other on the weekends. Lungs are good, fatigue is better, just still very mentally blah.
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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited February 2011

    Brenda, where are ya, we miss you.

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  • Mouse6694
    Mouse6694 Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2011

    GO STEELERS !!!!!!

    Hi girls. All is good for me, had a last pet scan in Jan and no sign of cancer. Now like some of you girls I gotta drop the 20lbs I have gained since diagnosis. I keep trying to tell myself it is my implants but my pants tell a different story. LOL Feb 9th will be a year since my last chemo, finished herceptin on Dec 10th. Wishing you all a great and healthy year and keep your heads up. Wink

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    Melinda: Good to hear you're still seeing him Cool

    Mouse - did you get your port out (if you had one)? I had my last H on Dec 8th and got the port out 6 days later - couldn't wait to get rid of it.

    It sems to be a bit cooler today - cross your fingers. They predicted a wind change that might get rid of the humidity. Yesterday was horrible. We had a small thunderstorm at lunch time and when the sun came out after it, the humidity got worse.

    After today's zap, I'll be half way through!!!! Skin still looking excellent - no colour change at all.

    Sue

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited February 2011

    Sue, yahoo for being 1/2 way through....

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Michele!!!

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited February 2011

    Linda and Melinda sorry about the weight gain.  I had 20 plus pounds I gained from time of diagnosis..  I lost them in December DIET and EXERCISE.  That is what works for me.  Simply premise burn more calories then you consume in a day.  Keep a food journal.  You'll see those little bites add up all day long.  The tamoxifen causes weight gain so I am still working out trying to eat healthy but do indulge on occassion.  I try to go to the gym 5 x's a week, but at least 3.  2 days a week my trainer friend trains me for 1/2 hour with light weights and machines !

    Sue ~ your making progress !  Hang in there !

    Michele and everyone HUGS !

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited February 2011

    I got a strange pm this morning.  It sounds like one of those scams where they want your help...did anyone else get one like this?

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    Hey girls - I went and had a hair cut today - it was getting SO round. DH had to take a second look and said "I've got my Susie back"

    She straightened it out as she dried it - tomorrow will show if any of the curl has been cut off successfully. I told her I thought the roots were straighter and she agreed but she couldn't take too much off the top as it wasn't long enough.

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited February 2011

    Sue looking GOOD ! woo HOO

    Michele, NO strange PM was sent to me.  Becareful

    Hugs !

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Alicia - I got no PM either. Dinner was really yummy!!! We went out for DH 's birthday.

    Sue

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  • BrendaSharon
    BrendaSharon Member Posts: 506
    edited February 2011

    Stopped in just to say hi...all is ok here except the sucky weather.

    Melinda, The mental blahs, that is what I feel, I totally understand how you feel...but I am sloooowly getting over it all, I might as well I can't dance and I literally used to love it. I would live to dance....

    Linda, I should start doing again because it really is great exercise, without feeling as if i am working out, then maybe I'd loose some of my baby fat!! Ha-Ha. I'm 40lbs overweight

    Sue...Your hair looks great to me....I'm glad your 1/2 done with your second round

    Chella, I haven't received any weird PM's either, I know if there is someone CLAIMIG to help it usually a scam for sure. did you let the moderator know?

    Alicia, You are looking as beautiful as ever..so nice to have a personnel trainer friend. I used to be like you..I got addicted to working out..My fave was High impact dance aerobics. In my small town pf Carrabelle, Florida there isn't anywhere to workout, let alone a trainer!

    Mousse, so good to hear from you! Well our STEELERS didn't do it, dang it!

    Well lovelies..I catch y'all soon...((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))) love y'all, Brenda

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2011

    Well, I'm back on.  I was at my folks all last week.  My mom had some surgery the first Friday of Jan. then 2 weeks ago, she fell, and ended up in the hospital.  Now at home, my dad was told not to leave her by herself, so I went for a week (they live 10 mi.outside of Chapel Hill, NC) and was able to stay with my mom for my dad to go to work his 2 days (he's 81 and retired twice.), go to church to teach his Sunday school class, and go out one night to play cards with his buddies.  I also got some things done around their house for them, took my mom to her hair appt. and also took her shopping very briefly.  I was also able to see one sister and her family a coupe of times.  Was a good week and, actually, nice to get away from my own house.

    Anyway, I had my 6 month check-up with my onc today.  I had my DEXA scan 2 weeks ago and it shows my osteopenia is now osteoporsis.  I have been using a nasal spray for 2 years now to keep the osteopenis in check, but I must admit I am not exactly concientious about taking the exra calcium supps. Guess the Arimidex pushed me over the line all the way.  Med. onc said I need to continue on the nasal spray and to be better about the taking the extra calcium.  She also said to take the matter up with my PC doc to see what she says.

    I mentioned that I have the joint and muscle aches due to the Arimidex, so I'm going to try the Femara for a while to see if they lessen. From what I read, they both have the same SE's with minor differences.  I swear, reading all the SE's to all the meds is so frightening that it makes you not want to take anything!!!  I'll need to stay off the Arimidex for 2 weeks before starting the Femara.  I don't think I remember reading or being told that all the armoatase drugs can cause high cholesterol, on top of everything else they can cause.  Oh goody.  However, everything she checked looks good. And so at the end of March, I'll visit my PC for my well-woman, fasting cholesterol test, in June the ol' mammo again and after that, the  med. onc wants to see me again for another 6 mo. check.  Didn't expect she would want to see me again for a year, but maybe because I'm trying the new aromatase.

     Sue:  your hair is looking great!  You must feel more "normal" now.

    Brenda:  Good  to hear from you!

    Mouse, Melinda, Alicia, and Linda:  the weight thing must be frustrating, but you have to tell yourself it isn't all your fault if the medication is contributing to it. 

    No weird PM for me.

    Feb. 16 was my last chemo.  Am looking forward to seeing that day just go on by. 

    Happy Tuesday evening, or Weds. morning!  Nette  :) 

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    Nette - you should talk to your onc about Zometa infusions. I'm having them to prevent the osteoporosis but it also helps prevent recurrence of bc. My bc lunch friend ended up with it from the Arimidex and she is now having the infusions. We have the same onc.

    Good to hear from you!!!

    Sue

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2011

    Sue:  I remembered that someone on the site had posted something about osteoporsis and what was being done but I couldn't remember who or the specifics.  How often do you have them?  How long is an infusion?  Any SE's?  I'll have to google that one, too.  I had researched the meds that are advertized a lot and wasn't liking what I saw at all.  Would my onc have to prescribe it or do you think my PC could?  Thank you for anything you can tell me!

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited February 2011

    I'm getting it every 6 months - 4 times. The infusion doesn't take long - 20 minutes, but I had a bad reaction after the first one - chest pains - which were fixed by one dex tablet. You can get flu like symptoms. If they give it slowly you don't react so bad and should only have a reaction the first time. My onc lied to the government so I could get it - more for the prevention of recurrence than for the bones as my denisty wasn't too bad for my age. Your onc would probably have to order it done. My friend is no longer taking Arimidex because of how bad her bone density had become, but she was very lowly hormone recpetive, so he thinks they can get away with her not taking it.

    Sue

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited February 2011

    Thanks for the info, Sue.  I will check into it.  Hope you are having a great day!  Nette  :) 

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