August 2011 chemo, anyone w/ me?!

HI ALL, for any of you facebook addicts like me LOL, just wanted to let you know I have started a private group called (fighters) and if anyone would like me to add them just let me know your FB name , The reason I started it is because I spend a lot of time on FB and find I cannot write things Im feeling on my page for fear of upsetting my kids and family and in this way by having a closed group were only members can see the posts we can vent and say whatever,we like . Im not saying I wont be on here as this group is awesome, I just sometimes need to chat to someone when Im having a rough time to help get me through and with the time difference here I find sometimes its the next day before I hear back from someone ,(plus Im impatient) LOL , 

Allformy4, the deodorant I use is made by "Tom's of Maine". I bought it in the natural products section of my supermarket. I find it works just as well as my Mitchum anti-perspirant.

I coloured my hair before starting treatment as I had a lot of white roots!  I imagine it will be gray when it grows back.

Carol, thanks for setting up that Facebook group. Great idea!

It's supposed to go below freezing tonight here in Southern Ontario and they've actually used the S word in the forecast. I am so not ready for that!

I'm going in to work today for a visit and to go for lunch with some friends. Looking forward to the social contact!

Ellen, your store sounds beautiful. If I ever get to Vermont again I'll have to drop in! What part of Vermont are you in? It's such a beautiful state. I've been there once in winter and twice in summer...although I think I prefer summer.

Hello August Angels! If I haven't told you lately, I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!! Even if I don't post often, you are always in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for the birthday wishes. Can't remember who was having eye tearing problems, but so was I. I went to the eye Dr. and she told me to get artificial tear drops.....haven't had a problem since and that was about a month ago.



Allformy4 -I use Arm & Hammer and it's great. I caught them on sale @ Kmart for $1 and DH bought about 20 of them for me....lol.



Missey - I don't feel sick because I have bc, I feel sick after chemo, when the drugs are doing their job!



I'm 8 days out from 3rd of 4 Taxol - other than the bone pain, which subsided on Tuesday, I feel great. I'm so glad that in exactly 7 days I will be done with the chemo crap!



Have an awesome S/E free day ladies....smooches!

Waving hello to everyone!

 Yvette (Ybrooker1): Happy Belated Birthday! I haven't been around here, but saw that your birthday just passed. I hope it was wonderful!

Robyn: Congrats on the Puppy!

I hope everyone is doing well!  It's been 4 weeks since my last Adriamyacin and I am STILL having the throat and stomach issues.  I have an Endoscopy procedure on Monday and then in the same building go for my 2nd mapping at 1pm. What a day Halloween will be. I start radiation next Tuesday, 11/1. 

Also, my breast is having 'pangs' and seems a tiny bit swollen -- so I'm getting that checked before my 1st radiation treatment at 1:30.  It seems to be never ending with me. Although the NP said that your breast could have pangs and twinges up to a year.

I also got bit by the neighbors dog yesterday -- on the BC side arm. I called my Onc and he prescribed Keflex antibiotics for 10 days. It seems to be ok though. Had to file a complaint with the police today as this is the 3rd or 4th time the dog gets out.

I started back to work yesterday after being out several months, but I can work part-time (per my RO) if I get fatigued due to the radiation up until January 1, 2012.  So, I'm taking it day by day. It's weird to be back after so many months.

Also, I'm selling jewelry part time with Stella & Dot to take my mind off of this BC -stuff  (lots of celebs are wearing this stuff and they have little girls and tween pieces too. They were just featured on Good Morning America yesterday) -- so if anyone needs to shop for the holidays, please PM me for my website address. 

Take care everyone -- Hugs and Kisses to all!! xoxox, Crystal

Congrats VTellen on the reopening of your store I bet thats just what you need know to take ur mind off everything, 

Chrys23, so sorry you got bit by that dog wow I bet thats all you need right now, but glad ur ok and on anticiotics,

I am attaching the link to the facebook( fighters) page I started if anyone is interested in joining it 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/173889789365670/ 

Summergirl, I have sent a request to join the FB page, my name is Margaret Robinson, thanks.

Hi ladies! I got home about 4pm. My doctor's office gives out certificates for the last treatment. I forgot to get it. Will pick it up tomorrow for my shot. I'm doing just fine. Tomorrow evening willl start the fatigue.

I had a lot of questions for the doctor. Like: Why is the radiation 3 weeks after chemo? because the chemo interferes with the radiation. Why hormone treatment? Because ER/PR + and HER-. THe adrenal glands create estrogen and the meds will counteract that. What is the hormonal therapy i will be taking? First he said Tamoxifen, but I said isn't it for women with ovaries, and he said yes. So I will be taking something starting with an "a", I think it is called arimadex. What are the side effects? hot flashes & bone loss. I will have to take a bone density test to get a baseline. What I can do to counteract these S/Es? Exercise and take 1500 mg of calcium. Eating a balanced diet will help as well. OK to eat soy sauce. Yeah, because I love all types of asian food. I showed him my nails and asked will they fall off. He said no. They will be fine. Finally asked what stage I truly was and if I had clean margins? Also, if/when I am in remission. He said I am a Stage 2 with clean margins. Also, remission started with the lump removal. Glad to get the confirmation re: the stage and the info re: margins and remission.

I will make an appointment with the radiology oncologist tomorrow for next week. Then I will find out when and how long I will have for Rads treatment.

The way I see it I am half way done. Down with the surgery and chemo and on to radiation and hormone treatments.

I really appreciate everyone on this board and I hope everyone is having minimal SE's today.

Take care

Melissa 

Missey (and others going on hormone blockers)--you should talk to your onc about the new research on the benefits of taking an osteoporosis medication like Actonel or Prolia while you're on the hormone blockers (there are a number of articles on the breastcancer.org site--just search for hormone blockers and bone loss).  Because I've had osteopenia since I was 40 (a family trait), I had been on Actonel for 3 years before my bc diagnosis.  My onc told me to definitely keep taking the Actonel during chemo/rads. In his words, "it can't hurt and we think it might help."  My bone density has improved on Actonel and, I think, from the fairly serious weight lifting I've been doing for the last couple years.

Grimbol. I was told no dental work while on chemo , but I dont know if thats correct, I also had a bit of my filing come out and its so annoying it keeps cutting my tongue, I will ask the Onc nurse on my next visit , good luck 

Debinutah, good luck on # 5 "nearly there yahoo", ny next is also #5 but wont be till nov 10th , I cant believe how quick this has gone for me,  

Thanks guys, I'll call the onco first then.

Ellen - I am SO excited about you reopening your store! I can't wait to come up and see it! Congratulations!

Oh right, thanks.  The onco said we would have to have the dentist consult with the onco before considering tx.  It doesn't hurt fortunately so maybe it will be ok for a bit.  I finish chemo in 4 weeks, yay!!!  just 2 more to go.

Hi ladies....hope everyone is doing well. Strange not to see any activity on here for an entire weekend....thought something was wrong with my computer...lol.

I was wondering what had happened too, but I think the answer is Face Book!  It seems that is getting more use at the moment.

Hi all, I am sorry, I  may be the culprit for the low activeity here, I did start a facebook group only because I am ALWAYS on facebook and a few people here have joined it,all are welcome .but I do still check in here .

VTellen : glad u are back and running the shop and it will all come back to you , Im sure it will take some time.

Edeym. sorry you are having a hard time of it, and I too dont finish chemo till Dec still have 2 more to go , I think we are all tired at this stage of the chemo and getting worn out , but we have to keep thinking it WILL be over soon. hope u had fun with all the pugs this weekend bet they were so cute.

Good luck to anyone who is going for chemo this week. xx