March 2010 Chemo Start

Lisa, I think they got their teeth fixed!  At least one did.  I was looking for the video to post a link and was stymied in that the old version can't be viewed in the US anymore for copyright reasons so looked at a newer version.  The brother who sings lead clearly has had some work done and I looked at his twin but couldn't really tell.  And wasn't curious enough to re-run it to watch again.

I have family in Melbourne but Florida not Australia LOL!  Sending good vibes from WI.  According to travel math dot com, in Chicago your mum was 148 mi (238 km) from where I work.  Could she feel the love?

My onc palpates the nodes in my neck and armpits, listens to my heart & lungs, checks my belly - ovaries and uterus - and along the mast scars for lumps.  I didn't get blood work last time but will next time, in Nov.  I get no scans which is actually OK with me. 

I feel way less stupidbreastcanceranxiety these days.  How about you?  {{hugs}} to all

Lisa, I'm so glad your mum is having a great vacation.  Kind of puts me to shame, I live here and haven't done half the things she's doing.  However, DH and I are planning a vacation to Chicago - just a couple of days - the first week of July.  He is self-employed and works a lot of hours, but closes down for a week at Christmastime (when we go see my mom in Florida) and a week around Independence Day / 4th of July.  I would like to visit the Adler Planetarium and several museums.  DH wants to eat somewhere fancy, but that will entail shopping for nice clothes for him; he has "outgrown" his one suit LOL.

Today is the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere, meaning it's the longest day of the year and the official start to summer.  Hope it's a harbinger of good things to come for us!

{{hugs}} to all

So glad the longest night of the year has been and gone - it already feels slightly warmer

All tests came back good, including cholesterol profile which amazed me because I'm still eating ridiculous amounts of butter and yummy treats. I am also eating organic veges,fruit and meats so the balance thing is working biochemically -just not on the energy equation - still 10 kg up -oops. Onc did thyroid fn and Ca 15.3 - both normal. Vitamin D a little low - I'll have to spend some more time in sun.

Frosty, I was put onto 37.5mg effexor months ago, and gradually, it's made a big difference. I will still get a warm flash most evenings, but it goes away, and doesn't wake me up, so that's a blessing. The first few days I felt a bit woozy, but now don't notice anything except the flashes have settled. I'll go off it in a few more months and see if they come back.

Mum's now headed to Bryce Canyon, Utah and having a great time.

I think my new tissue expander is deflating -it feels less "fullsome" -see PS on Tuesday, and see what he suggests -poo.

Hugs to all xxx

Hi ladies, I haven't taken anything for hot flashes so no help from me on that front.

I share an office with a woman around my age and she is going through natural menopause so we have hot flashes together.  People have just gotten used to us turning pink and shiny.  It helps to be able to laugh about it.  Our DH's are both good-natured guys who have learned to leave the thermostat the hell alone LOL!

The things that trigger my hot flashes trigger hers too: stress, sugar, caffeine, and alcohol.

Not gonna give up my occasional glass of wine though. Just discovered Vouvray - yummy!!

Good luck with your TE, Lisa.

{{hugs}} to all

Good news, the TE seems to have spread out a little and softened but we think it's maintained volume - so, another 75ml - now at 475ml. One more fill, then wait 2 months and exchange - can't wait.

Stupid flashes are annoying, they go, then they come back. I think that they are affected by caffeine and wine too, but also a bit unpredictable. When I told onc the other day that they seem to be settling, she suggested that for some people, their periods come back when the flashes settle down. One part of me would wecome that, but another would not, as perhaps keeping the hormones quashed is a good thing.

I'm off for a walk now, we are having a lovely sunny afternoon.

hugs to all xxx

Badger, that is a beautiful poem. Thankyou for sharing it with us.

Mum got home yesterday -she covered 6000km in 3 weeks on a bus OMG. She tells me she has been a little sleepy today, really?? It's given me some great ideas on where to go when I come over for a trip.

hugs xxx

hey Badger, Mum said they stayed in really comfortable accommodation all over your beautiful country and was reminded again of the "essential goodness" of the American people. She even stayed in a log cabin on the Grand Canyon, and took a helicopter down to the bottom. So many highlights, but she highly recommends Zion Canyon(?) in Utah. I think she needs a holiday after her holiday

Hello out to Heather who must be getting ready for her DIEP.

Hugs to all.

Oh no!  So sorry to hear that Kayne! Is it a permanent solution or are they thinking maybe given some time they can do some reconstruction? 

Glad that you were able to enjoy yourself in Italy! Wow!  I am going to Hawaii next week.  One off my bucket list!

Dear Michelle, I'm glad you were able to do all those wonderful things with your daughter and family, and have that holiday in Italy. So sorry you've had to have the implant removed. Hopefully once you've healed, you can discuss other options with your plastic surgeon, and even maybe explore second and third opinions. I went quite down after my tissue expander deflated, and I had to have a new one put in, I think it probably took me back to last year again.  The road back on this stupid journey isn't always smooth, but made alot lighter by sharing it with each other.

Hugs, Lisa

Michelle;  Sorry to hear about your implant failure.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Heather

Michell;  What size  prosthetic?  I have one that after August 1st, I'm not going to need anymore!!  Don't know if your insurance covers it but if by chance it doesn't, my 'foob' is yours to have. 

So I'm undergoing a mastectomy of my right breast (no lymph node removal needed), and DIEP on August 1st.  I'm feeling somewhat apprehensive  but also excited to get it over with.  I am having one small complication right now however which I hope doesn't prevent me from going through with the surgery.  I had femoral hernia surgery 5 years ago and it appears that it is failing.  I'm seeing my surgeon tomorrow so please keep your fingers crossed that they can either do the repair with my other surgery or postpone it. 

Thx so much, Heather

ps: and had my 6 monthly Zometa infusion on Friday - much nicer experience, not scary, very mild aches for a day, chatted with the lovely nurses in Day Onc, in and out in less than an hour.

Hi All,

Thanks Heather for offering your "foob".  My insurance does pay for it, I just don't like them.  But I will learn to "love it".  No other choice.   Glad you are all set for your surgery.  Do you know how long you will be in the hospital? 

Lisa:  Glad to hear you are finished with the fills.  I know I got tired of going all the time.  Did you get that "pit of the stomach" feeling when you walked into the infusion room?  Sorry you had aches, there is always something going on to remind us of BC, isn't there? 

Having a heat wave in NJ this week.  Temps about 100 degrees.  Last night I was working my son's swim meet and the effects of Tomaxifen were evident.  My edges of my hair were soaked. 

hello all, I've been away for a week,travelling our wide brown land for the funeral of my darling grandma (94 y/o pioneer woman, 6 children, many grand and great grand children.). 4500km in 6 days. great celebration of a life well lived, and all the family together. Everyone was relieved I think to see me looking healthy after last year, with a big cleavage with my tissue expander LOL, athough few of them brought that up unless I did, country manners

Heather, you must be getting excited, so soon now. 6 weeks to go for me.

Hope you're all coping through your heat wave,  

(((hugs))) xxxxx

hi ladies ~

Lisa, sorry about your grandma but it sounds like a life well lived, glad the family could gather to celebrate her life and reminisce.  RE: cleavage, what sprang to mind was a line from the Little Red Riding Hood fairy tale -- my what big __________ you have!

Michelle, enjoy the beach, my family went to Beach Haven for a week every summer.

Charley, hope you're enjoying Hawaii.

Heather, sending good vibes for Monday!

Hope everyone is well.  {{hugs}} to all