March 2010 Chemo Start

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited July 2011

    I am back from Maui.  What a beautiful place! I had so much fun taking pictures of all the beautiful sunsets and scenery, laying on the beach, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming. I totally enjoyed myself.  It was a long plane ride but very much worth it!  And now back to the hottest summer I can remember.  Apparently it is the 2nd hottest summer in our city's history.  So far 24 days over 100 this month!! Ugh!

    Michelle - have fun at the beach!  Wish I was still there!

    Lisa- sounds like your grandma was quite the woman!

    Heather - good luck on your surgery on Monday!

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited July 2011

    Lisa;  Sorry for your loss. 

    Hereandnow;  I'll keep you posted on how it all goes since you're following so closely behind me.

    Michelle;  Have fun on the beach....please have a magarita for me since I won't be able to drink for a long time.

    Badger, Thx for your ongoing positivity.

    Charley; No complaining about the heat after a Hawaii vacation is allowed!! 

    to everyone for their good wishes and prayers.  It's the beginning of the end of this journey that you have all made so much easier. 

    My surgery is at 7:30am and need to be at hospital at 5:30am.  YIKES!  I plan on 'dreaming of wellness' for 12 hours during my sugery. 

    When I am able, I'll post on my surgery.  Thx again  Love Heather

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2011

    Heather, sending big (but gentle) hugs for today. Thinking of you, hope you had some beautiful dreams of wellness,

    Lisa x

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

    hello sisters, thinking of you, hope everyone is doing well.  {{hugs}} to all

    The 100-degree heat has finally broken here.  Still in the upper 80's but that's tolerable.

    Ladies, I've reached another milestone - my bangs finally reach all the way to my eyebrows!

    woo-hoo!!!  You are some of the few people who understand why that's such a big deal.

    Also, I turned 180% of 29 this week. Sorry Lisa, you'll have to do math to figure my age. ;-)

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2011

    Well Badger, with my dodgy lateral thinking maths, that puts you at about 78. Am I right? No, it's actually 58, just joking. Happy birthday dear Badger, hope you had a great day, and got spoilt.

    Fantastic news about your bangs! jealous I am. but while I procrastinate on twitter, I have found a blog on cool things in Paris, including a hair salon, and guess where I'll be in 2 weeks? Flying to London, then train to Paris for 4 or 5 days, then Berlin, then Hamburg for my conference. Then back for new boob on 9th September.

    Trying to ignore all the horrible economic news, was going to buy some euros a week ago, then boom our dollar lost about 5 cents in 2 days. stupid financial markets.

    Hope you're all keeping cool, I've been reading about your awfully hot Summer. Can't wait for Spring, my bulbs are all popping up, and itching to plant out my patch.

    Heather, I hope your quietness is you gently healing and relaxing.

    Sending hugs to you all

    Lisa xx

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

    Heather, sending continued positive energy your way.

    Lisa, jealous I am too.  Paris, Berlin, Hamburg - nice! 

    But I have a lovely view of downtown Madison from the bike/ped path around Lake Monona. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/6iZTW_mN51ZG3ZfZTLBKUA?select=QW2n2hG9bc2NN0X0tqsOFQ  I work in one of those buildings.  

    Take care everyone and {{hugs}} to all

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2011

    Badger, mum brought me home a "Madison official visitors guide" it looks beautiful, and I want to come for a walking food tour. One day. My fringe does reach down to my brow too; when my hair is wet LOL

    Hope you're all ok and the GFC 2.0 doesn't eventuate. Time for our political parties to stop all the bickering and do the right thing for our countries (we too suffer from the wasteful partisan politics).

    What a year 2011 is turning out to be.

    I hope you're home in your own bed Heather and recovering well.

    xx

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited August 2011

    Thx for all of your good wishes.  My surgery was 13 hours but the result was well worth it.  When my home nurse first looked at them she asked me who did them because she was so impressed. 

    Tomorrow I visit my PS and hopefully get my 4 drains out.  Given the drainage it should not be a problem.  I've had trouble sleeping because of the drains and for some reason it doesn't matter what I take, sleep does not come easily.  SO, don't laugh your heads off now but I started to creat a blog at 3am on Sunday.  I have spend far too much time online since my diagnosis and I found a number of sites that are basically do it yourself creative people which is pretty much what I consider myself.  Anyhow, I completed my first post today...click on this link and come visit.  Hope you'll like it.  http://larissahill.blogspot.com/2011/08/french-blue-chest.html  

    There's an updated photo of my chemo hair too!! Have a great day.  Fondly, Heather 

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2011

    Heather I love your new blog, and that hair! You look great. Vive les curls.

    xx

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

    Heather, love the French blue, what a nice job you did, and you look GREAT!!!  Hope you were able to ditch the drains, geez I hated those things.

    Lisa, perhaps we should throw the idiot politicians into the Bonfire of the Goddesses?

    On second thought, maybe not all of them... there'd be no one left to run the world.  Wink

    {{hugs}} to all

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited August 2011

    Thx for the compliments on my blog...some fun stuff.  Did you subscribe to my posts?  Please do, I have some neat stuff planned.

    SO, the drains did come out at Day 10!!!!  I slept like a baby on Thursday night.  Don't have to see PS for another 2 months.  Boobs and tummy look good, no great!!

    Fondly, Heather

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2011

    good news Heather, drains out, good healing vibes your way. Take it slowly.

    Badger, just the knuckleheads who'll say anything to be elected need to be tossed. Intelligent leadership seems to be absent unfortunately.

    My news, after 15 months hadn't had my period, then no flashes for last 3 weeks, feeling brighter and clearer, so periods started again yesterday. Goodbye menopause, oh well, but fond farewell to the flashes, excellent.

    hugs Lisa xx

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

    Lisa, that's good news, right?  Hope so!  At 52 I am glad to be done with it all.

    Flashes aren't too bad these days but I keep a fan going most all the time. :-)

    Just ordered a folding bamboo fan to keep in my purse for when I go out and have a drink. Innocent

    Glad it went well Heather and you're happy with results.  More positive energy your way!

    hi Charley and {{hugs}} to all

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2011

    less than 48 hours to go till Paris. So excited.

    Badger, no more flashes, sleeping better, feeling brighter, I'll take that even if it means a slightly increased risk. Might reconsider after I talk to my onc in a couple of months, but plan to enjoy the oestrogen for a while. Still take my tamoxifen religiously, haven't missed a dose -too much evidence of benefit. Glad to hear your flashes sound very much under control. The worst for me was when I'd be in theatre all gowned and masked, and get a flash, I'd always vote for the temperature to be kept arctic :)

    Heather, hope your swelling and pain is less every day. 23 days to go for me.

    Charley, Toni, Michelle, Lilly, anyone who checks in, hope you're all feeling good and as we would say "hitting sixes" (cricket talk).

    Love, et au revoir, a bientot, Lisa xx 

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

    Lisa, have tons of fun!  And you are right to say hi to all who may still check in.

    The last time I had a wicked hot flash was at the hairdresser's a few weeks ago.  I was under a plastic cape, tied snugly around the neck, and sweating like a pig.  She brought me a hand towel to mop off with, quickly finished trimming and whipped off the cape so I could get some air.  phew!  But otherwise not too bad, I'm sleeping through the night and shrugging off daytime flashes as normal mid-life events.  I too haven't missed a dose of tamox so it's been a little over a year now.

    Hope this finds everyone well - {{hugs}}

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited August 2011

    Bonjour mes amis, I've left Paris after a wonderful week, lots and lots of walking, and drinking Pastis in the afternoons. Now am in Berlin, and ready for some heavy duty touring tomorrow.

    Hope you're all safe from the hurricane.

    Bon nuit,

    Lisa

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited August 2011

    The dr. switched me to exemestane (Aromasin) a few weeks ago. A blood test indicated that I am post menopausal.  I'm only 47. I can't tell any difference with the new medication.  Side effects are basically nonexistent as far as I can tell.  I still have hot flashes but I can't tell any difference with the frequency or intensity.

    Lisa - Glad you are having a good time! I would love to visit France someday. 

    ((Hugs))

    Charley

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

    Bonjour Lisa, glad you're having fun!

    Charley, I'm pretty sure I'm post-menopausal too, but plan to do the full five years of tamox before switching to an AI.  So happy to hear no SE's! 

    Am reading The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee.  Fascinating!   http://sidmukherjee.com/   I hated chemo but boy oh boy, better now than then!

    Take care everyone, stay safe, {{hugs}} to all

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  • teemee
    teemee Member Posts: 122
    edited August 2011

    Hello beautiful women!

    What a treat to read 3 months of your lives. A lot has happened! I am well, in fact I just started jogging again 3 weeks ago. I don't think I'll make it to 1100 miles though ;) Probably I wouldn't know since I'm doing time-based training not distance-based.

    I got very busy in May and it's just settling down. I had to wrap up a large job at the same time I was losing my house (too many medical bills and not enough work). Moved to a city that's much cheaper and that I really don't like, but I'm just trying to hang in there. Things will change. They always do. It is 111 degrees today (almost 44 celsius). Hope that changes!

    Wow Lisa, your period back after 15 months? My onc keeps saying that could happen (I recently turned 44) but I thought she was just kidding. I'm at 16 months now. I miss my period, as weird as that sounds!

    The chemo fog has cleared so much in the past few months for me, I feel very lucky. And me of the many infections finally has a boob that's mellow, causing no trouble, it's great. The only problem I have is bone & joint pain that reduces me to tears about once a week.

    Well my hair is still crazy, I've had 3 haircuts now because I look like a sheepdog but it is straightening out quite a lot. It was curly before, but it came it so curly it was kinky.

    I guess that's it for now. Good healthy wishes to all, and I hope no one is in the path of hurricane Irene.

    Toni

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited September 2011

    Toni, it's so good to hear from you. lots to say, but you sound like you're doing ok - new mellow boob, crazy hair, de-fogged. Great. Sorry to hear though that th ebone and joint pain is causing you so much trouble, is the exercise helping it?

    Big changes too with moving both home and city. I hope the US economy sorts itself out soon, lots of people under pressure for sure. We're living in a bit of a fools paradise in Australia at the moment, thinking we'll be ok, but it's scary listening to the news out of europe and the US. I hope you're settled somewhere you like for now, even if it is temporary.

    Last night in Hamburg, leave tomorrow for Frankfurt and then big trip home to Melbourne. It's been fun, but ready for home and my own bed now.

    Hugs to you all, and two little european kisses on the cheek :)

    Lisa xx

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

    hey ladies, just a quick post to say hi. 

    Toni, good to hear from you, best wishes for your new job & house.

    Lisa, good luck with your exchange surgery, which should be soon.

    {{hugs}} to all

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited September 2011

    Hello ladies;

    Haven't posted in awhile.  It seems I've been busy doing a lot of nothing.  I think I mentioned a few weeks ago that I started a blog and I guess that's what has been keeping me occupied. 

    Lisa, I'm dreaming of a European vacation like yours.  Enjoy yourself.  When is your sugery?

    Toni; Sorry for your loss of your home...this economy is so tough on so many.  Has your onc mentioned glucosamine and chondrotin daily to help with the joint pain.  It has helped me tremendously.

    Charley;  I was post menopausal at 47 as well....rather that than years of hot flashes!!!

    Hope everyone is well.  Take good care.  Heather

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  • hereandnow
    hereandnow Member Posts: 322
    edited September 2011

    yo wonderful women, I had my surgery yesterday, and now I have a soft bump where before I had a hard rock which sat up my chest.

    Hardly any pain, and I was out of hospital last night. Went out for brunch today. Normal. It is nice to be home too, in my own bed. Although I am going to make sure I get back to Paris much sooner, it is food for the soul.

    Heather, how are you feeling post-op? Interesting about the chondroitin and glucosamine, lots of people get relief with those.

    I now haven't had a flash for about 6 weeks, and I'm putting it down to effexor 75mg, because they stopped about 2 weeks after my GP upped it. I'll come off it in 6 or 12 months and hopefully never have another flash.

    Hugs to you all, Lisa x

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited September 2011

    Lisa;  Glad you're feeling so good. 

    I had a bit of a scare this past week.  I discovered a lump above my left breast.  Fortunately, the ultrasound today found it to be scar tissue.  Such a relief!!!!  I can't believe how anxious I was about it.  Just hated feeling that way again.

    Hope all is well with everyone.  Heather xxoo

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

    Heather, what a scare!  Glad it was just scar tissue.

    Lisa, welcome home and congrats on successful exchange.

    I'm off to Branson MO next week to meet a group of BCO sisters IRL  Cool 

    hi Charley, Toni, Michelle, Frosty, Yeshua4Me, anyone else  {{hugs}} to all

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited September 2011

    Hey girls, Some of you know that I started a blog while recovering from my DIEP.  Actually, I started it in the  middle of the night when I had an adverse reaction to some meds....had too far much energy.

    Well, I have found much respite in painting, crafting, sewing etc and I was wondering if there are any crafters etc who are interested in participating in a weekly posting about what they do.  If they have items to sell on Etsy or anywhere else they can post it or they can just come over to show off their work, tutorials or whatever.  If you have a crafting business, you can post it as well. I've had over 10,000 hits in less than a month.

    I'm thinking of calling it "Breast Cancer Crafters"....anyone have any thoughts.  I don't make any  money off of my blog, I just do it for fun.  So, if you are interested, come see me at http://larissahill.blogspot.com/  and/or email me at hmh308@gmail.com  For those of you who blog, it would be a blog party of sorts. 

    I'm not promoting a business I have because I don't have one, I just thought it would be a great place for women with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors to show off what they are doing. 

    Please pass this along to all of your friends here as well as survivors who do not belong to this board.  I can't wait to see what we're all doing and I encourage you to visit the site which I intend to have up in a week or so.

    Thx so much and enjoy this wonderfully sunny fall day.

    Fondly, Heather

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

    hey Heather, I do not have a crafty bone in my body or I'd join you.  There's a BCO thread called "Let's Inspire Each Other to be Creative" in the Growing Our Friendships After Treatment forum.  Just thought I'd mention it as they seem to be like-minded.

    It was a beautiful fall day here too, got out for a nice long walk.  Love it when the wind is cool but the sun is warm.  During my walks, I meditate, and today LillyC came to mind.  I sent up a quick prayer for ya sis.  Hope everything's OK.

    {{hugs}} to all

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited September 2011

    Hello all, Heather - so glad you started a blog.  One day I would like to be crafty ... when I have time.  When my kids get a little older ...I love taking pics.And who knows what I would do when I have time!

    Lisa - glad the exchange went well!

    A friend recently contacted me and informed me that she has bc. She is scared and wants info, support ... I gave her this website and the best info/advice I have to give ... I hate that she is going thru this. Brings back so many memories.  I don't want to tell her how bad it will be - chemo and surgery.  So glad that at this point, it is just a memory for me but hate that so many are still going thru this. She is the 2nd friend that has been diagnosed since I was. Too many.

    Hugs to all of you!

    Charley

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  • teemee
    teemee Member Posts: 122
    edited September 2011

    Hello amazing women!!

    I ran the Komen 5k today and 10 hours later the endorphins are still going ;). I have never been to a Komen event before. They made me feel like royalty. I really got it, that I (we) survivors are the lucky recipients of and the inspiration for the hard work all these volunteers do. My partner and I raised over $1000! So that is almost 10 free mammograms.

    Anyway running around but wanted to post about today. Heather I think your craft center sounds awesome. If I have time to be crafty again soon I will. Lisa, so happy to hear the surgery went well. And Charley, I have also referred 2 friends -- both in their 30s -- to this website. Yes, too many people, but they have both found great comfort here. 

    Hugs to badger and everyone else I mentioned!

    Toni

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

    Hey ladies!  Spent this past weekend with some BCO sisters, including Chrissyb from Australia, and had a blast.  Our ‘base camp' was a family vacation home in Shell Knob MO on Table Rock Lake - beautiful!  Saturday, we went to the "Shakin' in the Shell" festival where we watched an ugly dog contest and looked at gorgeous antique cars.  Then we headed for Eureka Springs AR and spent the day shopping and sightseeing.  On Sunday we went to Branson MO for brunch at the Keeter Center at the College of the Ozarks and had the most amazing food - all prepared and served by the students.  Then I had to head home (bummer) but my hubby was sure glad to see me.  Headed to Minneapolis end of Oct to meet some more BCO sisters.  Sorry to hear of friends with BC, I have several newly diagnosed in my life too and it stinks.  But I am so glad to hear about your successes!  {{hugs}} to all

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