Starting Chemo October 2009

Good news on the mammo, CAtharsis!  I know the fear well, and it is such a relief to get the "all-clear".  

I had my LEEP/biopsy yesterday for the abnormal cells on my cervix yesterday.  I should hear the results on Friday - I expect nothing but good results.  But I still worry!

I started a part-time job last week.  All the medical bills haven't helped my economic standing, so a little extra coming in is needed.  I was able to find something that wasn't too physically demanding, and a place that was closed on weekends.  It's working out well so far.  Hopefully, I'll get the full-time teaching position that I interviewed for, but I won't know about that for about a month.

I hope you all are doing well!  

hi girls,  I have my check up with onc tomorrow...sure wish it wouldn't stir up nerves like it does.

I am sure things are ok....but!  

-good luck Michelle with upcoming mammo.

-Shelby I have been teaching preschool for many years.  It is a great profession.  Good luck with the job hunt

   Jean

Shelby, I know you are excited about being finished with school.  I will keep my fingers crossed for your job.

Good luck  to everyone that is having test done.  Hope you only hear good news.

Have a great Easter everyone.

Juannelle 

Hi everyone - i had my 3 month check yesterday, and port flush today.  Had CT scan re-run today and very happy to say that the lesions on my liver have not changed, there fore not deemed to be sinister. 

 Big hugs to all xxx

Hope that all of you who are moms had a great mother's day yesterday.  My girls were so sweet - one of them made me a big poster with a touching message saying that she loves me unconditionally, even if she and I do yell at each other occasionally, and that she appreciates all that I do for her.  This from a 14-year-old!  And my 16-year-old drew me as a superhero, entitled "Super Mom".  Those gifts mean more to me than any bunch of flowers ever could!

Hopbird, I think your hair looks great!  I was pleasantly surprised when my hair grew back that I wasn't yet turning grey at age 37, but my hair came in so much darker than it had been previously.  I decided to shake things up a bit and give it a kind of reddish-dark blond hue, and I love it!  I'd never really colored my hair pre-BC (unless you count that awful orange hair from the use of Sun-In back in the 80's...), so it's kind of fun! 

Philippa, so glad that your scans went well.  How long do you plan on keeping your port?  Whenever I need bloodwork, I really miss my port - it usually takes at least two tries before the phlebotomist can successfully access my veins.

Jean, I hope they can help you get your lymphadema under control.  

Juanelle, are you still working those crazy hours?  You deserve a break!  Be sure to take care of yourself.

Michelle, I'm hoping you got good news on your recent mammo.  

Mary, you're not alone in your weight woes.  My weight is creeping back up, but I'm attributing it to increased stress and no time to exercise.  I plan on getting back on the exercise wagon this summer.

I'm so very excited, ladies - my last class is this Thursday, and I will officially graduate with my Master's degree on May 22!!!  It's almost too hard to believe that I actually made it.  The director of the program nominated me for membership in Alpha Eta, a national honor society in Allied Health professions, so I get to wear some honor cords.  Now, if I could just get some good news about that teaching job... I spoke with the principal of the school last week, and she said they're still in the decision process (whatever that means) but they'll be letting me know in the next couple of weeks.  I'm really counting on getting that job, it would be such a great fit for me!

Well, here's to a great week ahead for all of us.  Now, I have to go work on finishing my research paper that's due tonight.

Peace! 

Lovely to hear the updates, especially the ones about clear scans and mammos!

All is good here in sunny, hot Yangon.  I have just returned from a field trip, which really helps me to feel that I am getting truly back on track and my strength back.  

I have no idea how long I will have the port.  My onc keeps saying he will decide "next time" he sees me, and to be honest I have become a bit superstitous about it.  If I get it taken out, it might be needed again..................... Bloomng cancer and the way it makes us feel so vulnerable!

Big hugs to you al

p

x

Huge congrats on your graduation, txstardust - I hope you had a really special day, and could enjoy the benefits of your hard work.  Take that, cancer!  Great about your clear checks too - my daughter had LEEP at the end of last year so I know how anxious it makes us.

 And marvellous that you feel that fear and worry subsiding.  

Big hugs to everyone

P

Thanks, ladies!  It really was a great day.

Of course, right after I talk about my worry subsiding and feeling that I might actually make it through...I got some bloodwork done by another doc (not my onc) and results today showed an elevated blood calcium level of 10.7, and a low Vit D level of 23.  Since I do not take calcium supplements, it seems strange to have a high calcium level, especially considering that the most recent bloodwork that I could find in my records from December showed a level of 9.8, and 9.9 in September.  And having low Vit D in a place like San Antonio where it's sunny most of the time is strange too.

My worry is mostly about the high calcium levels.  My mind immediately jumped to the fear of bone mets.  Why, oh why, does the worry have to come back so soon?  I wish I could just continue feeling excited about graduating, and not go immediately into worry mode.  I put a call in to my onc to ask about it - left a message and praying for a return call later.  

It seems like one scare after another.  Thankfully, everything has turned out well so far, so hopefully, this will be the same. 

Shelby ~ so hoping your Vit D level is nothing.  It is not that far out of range at all.  Try not to worry.  I am so with you on the one scare after another.  I am now waiting for my pap results and a uterine biopsy.  LOVELY !   Congrats on the graduation and I have a feeling you are just perfect !

Dee ~ nice to hear from you and glad you are doing well !  How did you make out at the Onc?

Hi Michele   Hope you are doing and feeling good !

Dee, glad that the onc visit went well, it's always a relief to get through those doctor appointments.  Now, you have the summer to relax and have fun!  Good luck on the nipple decision (never thought I'd be saying that to anyone) - it's emotionally important for you.  And I agree - us Texas girls are special (right, Juanelle?).  

Alicia, let us know how it goes with the biopsy.  I know how stressful it is waiting for results!  I'll be thinking of you.

Michele - no news yet on the job, but I have a good feeling about it.  I spoke with one of the other adminstrators that I know at the school, and she had heard that my interview went very well.  I'm trying not to read too much into that observation, but I'm very hopeful!  They're still making the determination of which grade levels will be open next year.  I've put in several other applications, but that's the job I really want.  Don't worry - I'll be sure to shout from the rooftops when I get that job!

I don't know what I would do without the support of you all.  I truly appreciate everyone here!

Love to all!!  

Brilliant about the job txstardust - it sounds like it really is looking good, well done as you have clearly made a great impression.

I totally get what you are saying about the constant worry about lumps in the remaining breast. I had single mastectomy and am completely lopsided (think one side boy, one side grandmother...) and for that reason, as well as that total suspicion that remaining breast is going to do the dirty on me, I would be quite happy to wake one morning and find it gone.

I guess there would be no harm done if you just were to find out about the options?

Good luck and hugs to everyone.

P

xx

Just to make you all jealous (kidding!) - I'm sitting here in the sun, looking out at the beach in Port Aransas.  I absolutely LOVE the beach - my favorite place in the world!  I usually go for a whole week and stay with my best friend and her husband - they own a condo down here.  But, I had work to consider (my temporary summer job) and I just couldn't afford to take off more than a day.  So, we (my friend's hubby and I) drove down after work last night - he had to work too, he's a dentist and only has Fridays off.  We'll be down here until Sunday night.  Fortunately, my friend was able to come down on Monday with my girls, so they have been here enjoying the sun and the sand this whole week.  Sometimes I wish I lived much closer to the beach, but it's only about a 3 hour drive, which isn't too bad, and I'm lucky enough to have a friend with a condo so I don't have to pay an arm and a leg for a place to stay.

No news yet on the job, but I wasn't really expecting news just yet.  Hopefully, I'll get the great news sometime next week.  Fingers, toes and everything else are crossed!  Don't worry - if I get the job, you will probably all hear the screams of joy, even you Philippa over there in South Asia!! 

Onty, I hate my port scar too.  The scars from my lumpectomy healed very nicely - fairly even with the surrounding tissue and just slightly darker than the skin around it.  My port scar, on the other hand, is terrible.  It is still very red a year later, and is raised like a keloid scar.  I wish I had been able to go to my BS to get the port removed, I think the scar would have healed much better.  I don't know if it has anything to do with the fact that he used that glue stuff to hold it together rather than dissolving stitches like the BS used on the lumpectomy scar.  Of course, it is visible if I wear anything other than a crew-neck shirt...Ugh.

I spoke with my BS yesterday about the MX idea.  He was very kind (always has been) and was completely understanding about my thoughts on the subject.  He said he would definitely support me if I decide to go that route, especially due to the continued thickening of the breast tissue as well as my younger age at diagnosis, and my family history (my mom had DCIS at age 55).  He scheduled me for a PET/CT next Tuesday (which is great, since I won't have a long time to build up anxiety about the test!), and his assistant is going to check into insurance coverage for the mx.  He's sending a referral to the PS, and hopefully I'll get in for a consult with him before too long.

Big hugs to all!!! 

Onty, what is Scaraway?  I'd love to find something, anything, that would approve the appearance of this awful scar.  

I GOT THE JOB!!!  I'm so excited!  I'll be teaching either 3rd or 4th grade, which is exactly what I wanted.  They're still shuffling things around to make a final grade assignment.  My first official day is August 3, and the kids start on August 10.  The school has a year-round schedule, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE.  Thanks for the support y'all!

Results of the PET were normal, thank goodness.  I got an appointment with the PS for August 5 - but that was before I knew I had the job.  Due to my work schedule, I wasn't able to keep that appointment, and rescheduled.  Because of work hours, the soonest I could get scheduled was in October.  That's good, because it gives me time to think things over and research more.  I'm still looking at all the angles, because I want to be absolutely sure of my decision.

Good news at my onc appointment on Wednesday - I have officially graduated from 3-month checkups to 6-month checkups!!!  So my next appointment with him isn't until December - woohoo!

How is everyone else doing? 

TX,

Congrats on your job!!!

Scaraway is a silicon gel "bandaid" that is widely used to reduce scarring and old scars. It is 2 weeks since I started using it. There is definitely some improvement already. I am supposed to see real difference in 10-12 weeks. I shall keep you all posted.