Is there a July 2011 group?

Just wanted to say congrats to all of you who are finishing up!!! SUCH GREAT news...  I have 5 more to go---yippeeeeeeeeee!!!! I check on here all of the time--just do not post too much!! Thank you all for the posts, I really look forward to each and every one!!!!  Here is to litttle to no SEs..  The count down continues

Paulamati and hopper: whoopee!!!! It feels great, doesn't it. Just work on getting through the SE the next few days and then just relax and let your body recover. Have a great weekend.

Congrats to those of you who finished chemo this week!

To those still on chemo, I will be here cheering you on until you finish!

Misswim - I can understand that if you're one and done, you would want to take all the measures you can. When do you start Tamoxifen again? I haven't noticed much difference yet, which is good, but I've only taken 3 days worth of pills so far!

Congratulations to everyone who is finishing up with chemo! It is an exciting moment. 

I did do an MRI this week and visited my surgeon. They measured the tumor in all dimensions as I requested this time to clarify what is really going on with size. Now the tumor is 2.1 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm. The surgeon is saying that he feels more confident in being able to get clean margins, but he would never guarantee that because you just don't know what you are going to find when you go into surgery. I asked about the tumor being in or near the chest wall or in the skin. He said that it has never looked like it is in the chest wall and they don't know if it is in the skin until surgery. He did a nomogram on me which shows the likelihood that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. My score came back at 97%, so I am all for the axillary node dissection instead of the sentinal node biopsy. My next steps are still to see the oncologist and do labs next week, as well as see the plastic surgeon for evaluation.

The surgeon did explain that he reacted at the last appointment the way that he did because he was seeing the tumor size listed at 5 cm and didn't feel confident that he could get clean margins with the location and size of the tumor. We will look at scheduling the surgery at the end of next week for November.

I will have to check into when I start Tamoxifen. I wonder if I would start it just being done with chemo - if they would start me on it when I am going into surgery? Does it just put you into chemopause? Are there any other SE's with it? 

J-Bug, that is great!!! What a reduction. Can they tell if there is any nodal involvement from your MRI?  I am working with a physical therapist as I only had 6 nodes taken, but have some mild truncal lymphedema. Definatley start working with a physical therapist as soon as you can after your surgery. I started then stopped during chemo and I regret it.

I am starting tamox in two weeks. Will keep you updated with any SE's. In my opinion, they are worth it if they help me stay cancer free.

hi everyone!! 

It seems we are all MIA a bit lately. For a while there, about 3-4 weeks ago, I was feeling pretty bad as most of you know, taxol is much kinder to me and I'm doing pretty darn good now!  I've been trying to catchup with work, so most of my online time is taken up by that. I am also preparing for my talk at my BIL's school for breast cancer awareness month...I am doing a power point, never spoken in front of an audience like this before, it's a bit scary but I think I'll do ok.

Here's another article that was posted using my interview:

 http://www.divinecaroline.com/24133/118881-cancer-treatments-staying-positive

I've also been asked to accept the first ever Survivor Honoree at the first Inaugural cleaningforcancer.org Gala event. It's the weekend before my last taxol tx ij Dec. so I can't make it, I can't risk flying...they were going to fly me to Miami to accept the award.

I think I've found my calling, I feel like I need to help with awareness of bc and I am hoping to start volunteer work for children with cancer in hospice. My sister is a clinical nurse manager for the local hospice group here and it's a good place for me to start. I am going to speak to the person in charge, she wants to make sure I am mentally ok, well, I've never been mentally ok, LOL but I should pass!

bcisnofun, happy belated bday! hope it was a great one!!!

J-Bug, so glad you got some answers, and so glad you see shrinkage! That's what I'm hoping for in Dec. when we do the final MRI before surgery. 

I have read everyone's posts, I love you all and am always thinking of my breastcancer.org July chemo buddies!!!  

I am getting ready to take a short walk, been trying to get in close to 30 min. walks several days a week, with the taxol it's been easier to accomplish. I am doing the Making Strides walk tomorrow, 3 miles, may be a bit tough but I should be ok. I'm feeling pretty good.  Despite the walks and loss of taste with the taxol...not eating as much as I did with the FEC and docetaxel, I've still gained 12 pounds and feel like a moose  

Ok...love to you all!!!! updates soon  

misswim: At this point they don't see any nodal involvement in PET or MRI's, etc. However, with the nomogram showing the likelihood of it at 97%, I am not going to be surprised if they do find it. You mentioned that that is a lot of shrinkage. The original tumor was over 8.6 cm, so yeah, I lost 6.5 cm!

rabbit: I love that you are trying to work with children. I looked into that after my daughter's heart surgery, but I couldn't get it into the schedule at the time. Now I could get it into the schedule since my contract job ended, but our wonderful Children's Hospital of Milwaukee is a 45 minute drive. With the price of gas and my lack of income, I can't do it right now. I would love to hear how it goes!

ellenquilt: Do you ever feel like just having a bonfire and moving into an efficiency apartment? : ) I am feeling enslaved by my junk lately. I have so much cleaning and throwing out to do.

Izzy325: Thank you for your prayers and concern. I know you have your hands full too being a single parent through this.

shinypop: Good luck with the fungus! : ) In one week I had a UTI, yeast infection and thrush. It always seems to pile up when you're down. 

khs113: I have found myself staring at hair when I am out and about too. I don't even realize for a few seconds! There were a few times that I was thinking in the back of my mind how odd that person looked with all that hair on their head (like I'm the normal one!). : )

I have been working to find my ground again after chemo. It is funny to put that much energy into chemo and then suddenly my contract job ends and chemo ends and I am just in limbo waiting for my next steps. I had a few down days (not really depressed, but very unmotivated and sleeping all day) and now I am pushing out of it. I have some paint to finish painting a few rooms in our house. I have a ton of cleaning to catch up on. I have piles of mail that mostly need to be thrown out, but sorted first. So I am trying to tell myself that the more of this that I get done now, the easier it will be to get back to work when I am able. I am just so used to being in crisis mode and never enough time for the last three years, it is hard to just relax and accept this open time slot that I have right now. 

Hi everyone.  My experience was 3-4 weeks after chemo before I really felt good again.  Hope you are all the same or sooner.  I've been on tamoxifen about 6 weeks.  I had weird little side effects, but all so far have gone away on thier own or with a little home remedy or over the counter treatment.  I went into chemopause and so far haven't started back (yippee).  Not sure if I would have without tamoxifen.  I've got little warm flashes, but nothing too severe so far. 

phillybird - yay for head fuzz.  Also congrats on your new job.  I love to hear about someone who loves their job.  I love mine too. 

jbug - wow, that is some serious shrinkage!  wonderful.  I'm anxious to hear about your surgery and hope it gets over with soon for you.  I understand the difficulty relaxing.  Sounds like you are putting this time to good use. 

ellenquilt - congrats on finishing!  I didn't do herceptin but I've heard that it's nothing compared to chemo.  I'm so sorry for all of the work still in house recovery.  When do you think the work will be done?

rabbit - I think your plans to turn this experience into an opportunity to teach/help others is wonderful.  I bet you are really good at it.  You sure have not had an easy time with chemo and yet you stay positive and have a great sense of humor.  I know you will be a blessing to others. 

shiny - yuck on the rash and the cold.  I hope it all gets better very soon! 

izzy, sandy and luv2mykids - I can't wait for you to join us on the other side of the finish line! 

misswim - what does truncal lymphedema feel like?  Will you start PT again now that you're done with chemo?  How was the enchanted forest walk?

BCisnofun, just wanted to try and answer your question about truncal lymphedema. It affects different women differently, and it can be hard to identify, especially since our "geography" has been surgically altered so we're not sure what it should look like. It can happen with lumpectomy or mastectomy, with reconstruction of all kinds, and with no reconstruction. It can even happen with a prophylactic mastectomy. Radiation is an additional risk factor. Doctors are usually not familiar with it, tend to have difficulty diagnosing it, and rarely check for it.

Swelling can occur anywhere in the breast, in a small spot or in the whole breast or chest, along the side, around the back, and even over the shoulder, and it can happen even without arm lymphedema. Symptoms include a feeling of fullness, long-lasting indentations in the skin from bra seams and straps when you remove your bra, or cellulitis. For many women (but not all) it is painful and pain meds do little to help. The pain can also be hard to locate, as it can tend to move around and be impossible to pinpoint.

It can be treated, as misswim explains above, and without treatment can lead to chronic cellulitis, fibrosis and hardening of the tissues, skin changes (peau d'orange), leakage of lymph fluid through the skin, and/or limitations of range of motion in the shoulder. So, not a minor issue, but definitely a treatable one. Treatment should be by referral to a well-trained lymphedema therapist.

Here's more information on truncal lymphedema:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_chest_trunckal_lymphedema.htm

And here's how to find a qualified lymphedema therapist near you:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

Everyone is welcome to join us on the "Lymphedema" board here to read or ask questions. Lots of smart and kind gals there who are happy to help.

Hoping you never have a single "swell" day!
Binney

Hi Warriors!!!

Congrats to everyone who just finished chemo.  I finished last month and I know the feeling of relief.  I am wishing everyone else a good SE free week.  I know I will not be able to catch up to all the postings, but you are all in my thoughts. 

Yesterday I did the breast cancer walk and I wrote to names of Everyone on this 2011 group on my hat.  It was such a great feeling.  I walked the entire 4+ miles.  My hubby and kids were all in pink.  I took pictures with my cellphone and will attempt to get them on the board soon.

Just wanted to say hello to everyone.  Rabbit, I love your walk pictures so so much.

Ann

Wow----jbug so glad to hear the tumor has shrunk that much---that is such great news!!!!!

misswim--I hope that your lymphedema gets better..

rabbitt--sounds like you have found your calling------I hope you are able to help many people out there;-)))) 

PhillyBird-glad to hear things taste better.  I know I do not like the taste of anything right now!--and congrats on the job!!

ellenquilt---congrats----can't wait to be on the other side-like you---after today I will have 4 left.......

Allenan-Thank you for walking;-)))

Better get off here---Need to wake my sleepy head daughter for school--I hope everyone has a great day!

Heading down to Dana Farber to get my second opinion regarding my follow up plan...... met with my onocologist regarding the Metformin trial today. Glad to get started!

Xoxo to all!

yooper--I was told by my breast surgeon this is a VERY common side effect..... She actually asked me if when I sneeze or cough -laugh etc if it happens...... I guess it happens to most of us with Taxol....Weird huh!  I can't help with the tiny bumps though????

Well, shiny, I guess you're not alone!  Thanks for the info luvmy2kids.  I certainly hope this isn't a long-term thing.

Hmm, bc, interesting guess. It sure doesn't look like it, but then I've never gone through this before so I guess I really don't know. So many lovely things we all get to experience, huh?