December 2009 Rads Group

Ouch!!! 1000.00 that is rich for my pocket book...LOL!  My DH won't be doing that anytime soon if that is what it cost.  He would be the one who wrecked hahahaha!!!   But yes he so does want to drive one of those darn things.  I personally think he is crazy.  I won't even get on a motorcycle.  He is doing great!  They told us he had to much blockage and couldn't have the stent. Not too sure about that but we may or may not see someone else. 

Have a great week.

 Renee

I have one week until I see the chemo doc for a check up. I'm starting to write down some questions. I'm trying not to get myself upset over this appointment. I dread walking through that part of the hospital. I have to pass by the chemo area. For some reason that  smell turns my stomach. I'm starting to tear up just thinking about it.

Hugs to all!

Valerie I think you look terrific!  I wish I looked that good, my weight keeps going up and down.  This darn Tamoxifen I'm on keeps me on a yoyo effect.  I will lose then gain.  It's terrible and I hate the way I look and feel and nothing fits.  Yuck!!  you get the point. 

Renee

That's too funny we have had a lot of snow and ice here in the Deep South also!

Hugs!

Renee

Today in a couple of hours I have an appointment with my chemo doctor. The thought of going is making me sick. I have to get a blood test in the same area as the chemo. I try to think of the positive... I'll see my ole nurse friends. I have my questions ready. Please send hugs.

Valerie

I came home with a more positive attitude. The doctor explained to me more about being triple negative and how my rate for survival increases in 5 years. The other doctor gave me 10-20 years to live. This one got upset over those numbers. She said that everything seems okay so far and my blood test results came back great. Now if I can just move on.

HI Veggy! And everyone!

You're right, it's been very quiet in our group. I hope that means that everyone is doing (and feeling) great.

Veggy, you had blood work in Feb; Glad you felt better after that visit. How do you feel now?

My big thing lately was spine surgery on Jan 14, about 8 weeks ago. The pain is around 90% gone! Started physical therapy yesterday ( they wait a LONG time after surgery before PT). Good PT; he gave me targeted exercises that are already helping with the last 10% of the pain. I'm thrilled.

I am very slowly getting fit and strong again. I'm eating super healthy. Very motivated. Not even the BC got me as motivated as this. I know why - with BC I felt fine, but I was in agony with the back injury. Horrible! So I'm eating anti-inflammatory foods, getting rest, meditating, taking it easy and doing the exercises that I can do. I will probably regain full strength and health. HOORAY!  I have lost 10 lbs and want to lose another 15. 

Last November after suffering for about two months with the back pain, I saw a photo of Macho Piccu in Peru and it hit me - I may never be able to travel and hike again for the REST OF MY LIFE. It was sobering, terrible realization. I'm SO GRATEFUL that my condition was treatable. That's not always the case. So anyway, now i want to go to Machu Piccu. It's a big, expensive trip, but I'm determined! It gives me a goal to shoot for! Macu Piccu!!!!

Regarding BC: i have been having no problems. The radiated breast has settled down and I don't hate it anymore. For a long time I was resentful that I had breast conserving surgery, but that radiated thing did not feel like a real breast. But it feels better, although it doens't look that great. But I'm way of sick of surgery, so have no plans to do any lifts or what ever. Maybe someday.  

All is well. Yippee!!

Bonnie 

Its going to be a year since I finished radiation on Wednesday. I'm feeling pretty good. I'm on cymbalta and feeling so much better. I'm getting some energy back.

Macu Piccu sounds awesome. You deserve it!

Sorry I don't know what CEA or CA15-3 is, so I guess I'm not getting it. I'll have to do some research.

I'm here. I'm on a few times a day. Some of the depression is starting to lift. I wish I could lose some of the weight I gained. After chemo my brain did not want me to eat. It kept thinking that food was bad because I would get so sick. Now it seems like all I want to do is eat. I can't fit into my clothes. I have a mammo coming up the first of June. They tell me the results before I leave. They don't torture me with having to wait. Then a week later I see the breast surgeon.

Valerie

Nice to hear from you Heidi.  I took a look at that roadscholar trip... WOW!! that should be amazing.  Have fun and when you go post some pics. 

Renee, So sorry you're feeling bloated and horrible. Why did your dr increase your tamox dosage? Try not to dislike yourself! How about; one year down, only four to go? 

Heidi! You're going on my trip!!! That looks great. I'm toying with the idea of joining a tour this June, but I'm not ready for any long trips yet after the spine surgery in January. Oh, but I want to go!! 

Veggy; So glad that your depression lifting and congrats on your one-year radiation completion anniversary!

Jewly: You asked about blood tests - I do not get any. Never did through this entire process. How's your healthy eating going? I have recently starting learning about lacto-fermented foods. Book called Nourishing Traditions is getting everyone going on this ancient method of food preserving, which also bumps up the enzymes and all kinds of good stuff.

Me: Today is 13 weeks since spine surgery. I'm continuing to get stronger and to do more. Rode my horse last Sunday! I have learned to take things very slow and easy at first. I'm likely to have a full recovery. Yay!  PS. Nothing like spine surgery to make you forget all about breast cancer! I have my 6-month oncology followup next month. That's just a breast exam and that's pretty much it. Annual mammograms.

Great to keep hearing from people on here! Thinking healthy and happy thoughts for all of you!

Bonnie 

HI TO ALL.....Inlaws just left this morning after a 10 day stay with us, not bad, but about 4 days would have been enough....So glad we are keeping this site going, I really wonder and hope all of you are doing great..Nice to know we are not so allconsumed with this BC as when we were first blindsided....

Bonnie, My Onco is doing blood work every 3 months!!..This last time it included an Estradiol chemistry which was 14, but he didn't discuss if that was a good number or not!..But since I have it all done again in June, I will ask then....The tumor markers (CEA and CA 15-3) numbers are still the same as last year, but it is crazy that I am having these checked every 3 months and your Doc isn't doing any...Last week was my one-boob mammo/ultrasound, that is always very stressful, esp., as long as they kept me and the ultrasound tech did about 30 minutes just on the one boob, she was pushing down so hard, my poor boob still hurts, I thought something was wrong, but I always ask to talk with the Radiologist while I'm there and he shows me on his screens my results..The tech was very surprised that I asked to speak to him and even more surprised that he lets me come back to view my results...Tomorrow, I see my surgeon to go over the results....Wow, you rode your horse, you must be getting your mojo "back" back..good for you...

Renee, it is hard getting into better eating habits, since my inlaws were here, I have not been sticking with my better-for-me diet, I have been eating out too much and too many not-so-good for me foods...Today, my plan is to get back to my better ways...I feel much better when I eat better...I also have put off my beach walks and again need to get my butt out there and just do it!!..I can see where it would be very easy just to fall back into my old ways and that scares me so hopefully I will stay determined and realize that the benefits eating and walking outway the urges eat all those comfy fat foods......I wish some of you lived closer, I am sure we could help motivate each other....

I'm doing okay. Just busy getting my son done with his home schooling so he can graduate. I have been gaining weight and I can't figure out why. I had my doctor check my TSH levels and it came back within the normal range. I guess I'l have to watch what I am eating and start exercising. I have started my garden. MIss everyone too. Hope everyone is keeping busy and healthy.

WOW, we just don't come on here as we use to...Hopefully, we are all getting back to some new normal life and not letting this bc depress us and keep us down...I sometimes have days that I do not think of it at all, my son has finished his first two years of college and now I just wait to see what will be our fate after the last Space Shuttle flies (possibly July)..Don't know if we will have to move for a while or what!!!..Lots of people's lives here will be disrupted, can't believe the U.S.A will not have a Space Program....Just don't know.....Anyway, a big hello to everyone, hopefully we all stop in from time to time to say hello and keep this Topic going....You all have helped me so much by just being here to listen and have hope.....Best to All, Jewly