March 2010 Chemo Start

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  • staceyt
    staceyt Member Posts: 106
    edited February 2011

    Quick check in to say hope everyone stays safe thru this big storm.  Remember if you don't have to go don't.  Thumbs up to you Heather and Michelle.

    Hugs to all - Stacey 

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  • Kayne
    Kayne Member Posts: 103
    edited February 2011

    Also checking in with a word of advise:  Do Not Clean your oven right before dinner!!!  I was soooo hot I wanted to rip my clothes off.  So I opened the window which apparently  froze everyone else in the family and was asked to close it.  So I went and stood outside!!!

    Went to the PS today and she took my drain out!  Yahooo!!!  So far all is good. 

    Great news Heather!! Sorry you are hurting though.  Funny, but when we know the reason itsn't cancer we can handle it.  We really are Warriors!!! and no one understands that but us!

    We are ready for the storm, but looks like we won't get hit too hard. 

    Stay safe and warm.  Michelle

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2011

    We got at least 16 inches of snow!  Been shoveling but the plow hasn't come through yet, so no one's going anywhere.  Now the sun is out and it's beautiful.  But windy and very cold.

    Lisa, hope you and yours are safe from cyclone Yasi that just hit NE Australia.

    A year ago today, I was at the hospital having SNB and BMX.  {{hugs}} to all

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  • Taty98328
    Taty98328 Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2011

    HI ladies! Glad everyone doing well. My clinical trial ending very soon and I have to choose plastic surgeon to do bilateral  mastectomy and reconstruction. How did you choose one? My surgeon who did lumpectomy gave me a list, i think they work together, but my oncologist was sceptical about this list and gave me another list :)  Most of them do not do DIEP and those who does, they not in network. 

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2011

    hi taty, I didn't have reconstruction so can't answer your question about PS but wanted to say good luck!  {{hugs}}

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2011

    Both hemispheres being hammered by mother nature. Cyclone (hurricane for my US friends) Yasi was a monster, and seems to have cut a swath through some smaller towns in far north QLD - massive evacuation before hand and looks like no one has been killed. But early days yet.

    Badger, I actually have been having alot of kind of time disorientation lately. I truly can't believe it's been a year since our  own personal Tsunamis hit. I really feel like that's a year of my life that's just disappeared. I know a part of it is chemo, and I suspect chemopause, but I also think our minds protect us a bit from very scary experiences, and quite frankly I don't want to remember 2010. 

    Taty, I haven't had recon yet, but I do think you should feel comfortable that the person doing your recon is experienced in the procedure you want, and also that you have a good raport with them. It is perfectly acceptable to seek a second or third opinion, until you are personally comfortable with your choice.

    Good luck, Lisa xx

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited February 2011

    Taty - I got a referral from my surgeon who was recommended to me by many people and has been around a long time. Fortunately my surgeon, PS and onc are all involved in a group that meets weekly to discuss bc cases.  I'm not sure what they call the group.  So I felt confident that the PS would be good. If you are involved in a bc support group or know other bc survivors, that would be a good place to start.  Seems like since I was diagnosed the circle of people that I know that have had bc has grown significantly.  Is there any reason why you have already chosen DIEP? You might want to talk to a couple of pss and see what they recommend and why ...

    We got 14 inches of snow! A record for Tulsa. 3rd day that the office is closed.  I'm starting to get cabin fever!!

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  • Taty98328
    Taty98328 Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2011

    Charley, My surgeon who did lumpectomy is not breast surgeon. We came here from Russia 12 years ago and thought every doctor in US good. But now, for mastectomy and recon i would like to have breast surgeon. My oncologist recommended couple PS from Georgetown Univ. I made an appointment and feb11 a will meet one. Will see. I didn`t choose DIEP yet, but think about it. But a`m afraid of longest recovery compare to implant. I have very energetic toddler at home :) I`m so thankful we live here, in US.  

    Tatyana

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2011

    hello March friends, just sharing my follow up USS and mammogram. All clear -nothing suspicious. When I walked into the mammogram room, I felt an overwhelming sense of fear and deja vu from last year, and broke into big sobs (I've only cried about 4 times the past year). The radiologist went through all my films with me and reassured me they're clear.

    So, I'm not waiting for the other shoe to drop anymore. There are things that still need doing, recon, tamox, etc. But the sun came back out today, and I'm going out playing. Hugs to any going through any scans or treatment,

    love

    Lisa xxx

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2011

    Lisa, sorry you had to go through that emotional storm but hopefully it was cleansing?  So happy to hear the all-clear news!  I am with you on living without fear of dropping shoes.  Not much you can really do about it anyway, other than things we already do: eat right, exercise, get enough rest, and don't smoke.  So play on!

    {{hugs}} to all

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2011

    it was cleansing badger :) thank you

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited February 2011

    Hello fellow March survivors;  Well today marks my 1st Cancerversary!!!!  I had a great appointment with my onc yesterday and all of the blood work was excellent and he is extremely pleased wit how well I've healed since radiation and to top it all off, he said I can drink.  So many people with ILC are told by their doctors or have read that they shouldn't drink.  Well, I'm here to tell you it's ok!!!!  My onc is the chief medical officer of a very large cancer care center with 88 doctors under him and if says yes, them I'm sure its fine.   SO, tonight I will celebrate with a few glasses of wine.

    Wishing all of you a wonderful day and a happy and healthy spring!  Fondly, Heather

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited February 2011

    Cheers Heather! Looking forward to spring here too!

    Lisa, I have not gone back to the imaging center where my scans were done over a year ago.  I think I would feel the same way. Glad to hear you are clear!  Great the radiologist could go over everything with you right then and there.  What a relief!

    I'm feeling good.  Only a few hot flashes a day which is tolerable, bald spot on my head finally starting to fill in, done with all the reconstruction and scars are fading.  I have a follow up on my tattoos tomorrow and then I will be all done with the PS. Time is just ticking away ...

    Hugs, Charley

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  • Yeshua4Me
    Yeshua4Me Member Posts: 77
    edited February 2011

    Charley: I'm going to have my expanders replaced with my implants in a few weeks. I have to admit that I'm a bit gun shy about another surgery but it will be nice to have "softer & bouncier" breasts than these hard "rocks" that I've had since my mastectomy. Anyway, I was wondering about the tattoos you're getting. I've discussed the tattoos with my PS and he tells me that he will add the tattoos a little bit later after the exchange surgery. He told me the tattoos are 3D or something like that. Can you explain a bit about the tattoos? All the women I've talked to so far chose not to get them so I'm kinda in the dark about them. You can send me a message if you'd rather not post here. Thanks.

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2011

    Heather, yahoo, and cheers - enjoy, as I have been saying to friends, " there's not much that worries me much these days"...so, on a Friday evening, 2 glasses of pinot - quality of life.

    Charley, pls cc me in to any discussion about the pffffttt- tissue expanders, and their replacements - if you don't mind.

    Heather, Yesh, Badger, Charley - big smooch at you girls

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2011

    smooches to all :)

    Diagnosis: 2/19/2010, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIa, Grade 2, 0/10 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2011

    lovely friends,

    I am afraid that I am going to have to say goodbye. This is a very public forum.  And I just cannot help but put in my 2 cents worth (I have a big mouth ). I am a surgical trainee, doing some ongoing research (PhD). As time goes bye, and my synapses start working again, it's time to move on..

    On personal levels I will always respond. I am just aware that this is a public forum, and I just really have to let go of the wonderful support I've had here.

    Please PM me if you'd like to chat (and especially if you'd like to come for a visit :)

    Love

    Lise xxx

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited February 2011

    I don't know if my PS is any expert on the tats.  He basically drew the nipple and used different colors to fill in so that it would look like a nipple.  He did the first tattoos about 6 or 8 weeks ago.  Then follow up yesterday was just more of the same.  It seems like once the swelling, etc. go away sometimes the colors fade too much.  They actually looked pretty good after the first time but he apparently felt like they needed more. Drawback would be that you can't wear a white t-shirt or anything halfway see thru with no bra.  Strange thing is --I am getting feeling back in my breasts.  PS had to numb the area he was working on.  It will never feel the same but it is nice that the numbness is finally going away.

    Lisa - what is your timeline on your TEs?

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2011

    Hi sisters, it's very exciting in Madison lately!  13,000 protestors at the Capitol on Tuesday; 20,000 yesterday; very likely more people today.  It's the largest rally in decades.  I work right across the street.  I'd say it's like being back in the 1960's - but back then of course I was still a child.  :-)

    At issue is a bill that would overturn labor laws from 1959 that gave public workers in WI the right to bargain collectively.  IDK your politics so won't make any comments other than it's historic and a great lesson in civics.  {{hugs}} to all

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2011

    Hi Charley - no timeline on my exchange yet because I have to make appointment with PS, and am a little busy with my study, (and being a bit chicken).

    Badger, just reading about 70,000 people at rally in Wisconsin. Without getting too political, it warms the cockles of my heart. The power of democracy lies in a free (and fearless) press, the right to vote, and the right to have a really good protest. the #wisconsin twitter feed is going off!

    {Hugs}

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited February 2011

    Lisa - I understand ... Just so you will know, I am very happy with my result.  But surgeries, etc are tiring.  I just wanted to get it overwith and I am so glad I did.

    Hope everyone is doing ok!

    (((hugs)))

    Charley

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2011

    hello lovely friends, I had a little unanticipated melt down a couple of week-ends ago - I'm not even going to start offering excuses- I hope I didn't offend anyone with the verbal rubbish I came out with. I am extremely sheepish.

    I hope those who read my crappola will forgive that (very out of character), I don't want to lose the very important friendships we've made over the last year. Please PM me if you want to hash it out, or post here, I am very interested in keeping in touch with you, even if it's only from time to time.

    Hugs to all,

    Lise xx

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2011

    hey Lisa, IDK what was said, but it went right past me!  :-)

    The excitement has not abated in Madison.  What a difference a week makes.  I joined the protests after I heard that conversation between our Gov and a blogger posing as a wealthy political donor.  http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/blog/article_7f7b33ce-3f6e-11e0-b629-001cc4c002e0.html

    I know it may be futile, but I had to do something or I might've exploded!  I won't go on about it here, so PM me if you'd like to discuss.  {{hugs}} to all

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  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited February 2011

    Hereandnow:  we've all had our meltdowns.  You've come to the right place to be supported.  Let us know if you need anything ...

    I am happy to report that I have just finished my last Herceptin drip!  And I was deported yesterday -- exactly one year to the day of having it implanted.  I am no longer part of the Borg Conspiracy!  No more lump!  Feels a bit strange, but I am so glad to have that behind me.  Now I can look forward to possible rebuild --

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2011

    Hi all,

    After a few weeks away from this site/these boards, I now know I'm a March 2011 Chemo Sister. 

    I will start TC 4x on March 3 at the Univ. of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. I'm scared of chemo but eager to have this started - and over with. I haven't even begun but keep thinking about that last treatment and how great it will be when this part is done. Laughing

    I probably would have started chemo sooner but during baseline scans (bone scan, etc.) after surgery in December 2010, my onc discovered I also have a brain tumor.

    It turned out to be "incidental," and after several other tests and consults with the chairmen of the Penn's neurology and otolaryngology depts., it turns out to be a benign meningioma that is completely unrelated to the breast cancer. The docs think I've had it for a long time and just found it because of the bc. Lucky me. *sigh*

    So my journey thus far has been a wild and horrific ride to say the least.

    After being terrified of chemo since dx, being told I had a brain tumor put that in perspective. That said, however, as March 3 gets closer I am shakin' in my shoes.

    I have a feeling we March '11 girls are gonna be invaluable to each other (as all the other chemo sisters have been before us) - let's raise a glass - of water - to strength and determination, and one hell of a nice feeling/celebration when we complete this phase!

    Best to all - I hope everyone feels good today.

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited February 2011

    thanks you guys, This time last year I was in hospital after my Mastectomy, feeling shocked, and I didn't even know about BCO, so grateful to have found this space. Frosty, congratulations on finishing herceptin, and being de-ported. We're all hitting big milestones at the moment.

    Badger, I hope you were wearing your woollen longjohns for the march in Madison - looks very very chilly on the youtube videos.

    xxx

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  • Mauimama
    Mauimama Member Posts: 25
    edited February 2011

    Taxotere & Cytoxan - 4 cycles - start 3/7

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  • Mauimama
    Mauimama Member Posts: 25
    edited February 2011

    Taxotere & Cytoxan - 4 cycles - start 3/7

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited February 2011

    Wow Frosty - Congrats on getting that port out ... I'm sure you feel like a free woman. 

    Lisa - I don't know what you think you said but no worries. We are all entitled to a meltdown every now in and then.

    One year ago today I was recuping from bilateral mastecomies ... now I have new foobs and tats. Like one of those restoration companies --- like it never even happened.  But it did.

    Still wearing that dang wig!! AArgh! I almost lost it today when I went to the wig shop and spoke to the mgr about a "wiglet". She looked at my head and said "I wonder if your hair will ever grow back?" Wahh!  But I'm being patient ...

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited February 2011

    G'day sisters!

    Lisa, sorry my comment above looks sort of callous... what I meant to convey was that whatever you said did not register as odd or out of bounds, so it went right past my WTF detector. :-)  I'm partial to silk long johns for feel-good warmth without weight.  I have a pair in Badger Red that I wore yesterday. 

    Frosty, congrats on being deported.  You'll always be my borg queen though.  The Star Trek references brought some of us comfort and inspired lovemygarden to gift me that Klingon motto that got me through chemo.

    Charley, hope it's just being slow to grow.  Glad you're done with recon and happy with the results.

    Yeshua4Me, sending out good vibes for your exchange, is it next week or was it last week?

    Hello to Heather, Michelle, Stacey, anyone else I missed - {{hugs}} to all.

    p.s. Mauimama, I hope you'll join the March 2011 'chemo lounge' thread, we're March 2010.  It will really help you to have a support group of women going through chemo at the same time as you.

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