Is there a July 2011 group?

rabbit, oh he looks just thrilled to pieces. lol.

thanks everyone. just want to get this over with and think about a new me. i'm so tired of all of this and how it's affected my life. i feel like i've missed out on so much this year. ugh. but i'm still my happy self as i have been the whole time. thank you prozac. lol. 

Rabbit, you rock!

Philly, I am thinking of you and hope your MIL is not in too much pain.

Hope everyone eles is having a great weekend. I am planning on resting (I exercised 40 mins a day all 5 days of the last two weeks) and watching my hair grow!! I now look like I have a 5 o'clock shadow on my bald head and my hair has the growth pattern of a chia pet. Good news? My eyebrows are coming back in and my lashes too!

For those of you who had bmx, how long does the chest tightness last?

I am loosening up very small amounts each day, but it is driving me crazy! If I spend any time on the computer it gets so much worse. As a graphic designer, that is not a good thing. I am doing very gentle stretches that seem to help. I just saw some posts that sound like some women have been dealing with this for years if I am understanding correctly.

Fortunately, I do have good insurance through my husband. That is one thing that has been HUGE through this year. We have been making sure we are getting all of our health issues in order this year. I will keep the PT in mind next time I talk to the doctor. I just don't know yet what a normal time range is for that to go away without PT. I was exercising today by shrugging my shoulders and believe it or not, that was a lot of work! : )

J-Bug--I was given an excercise routine to do once the drains came out.  Would you like me to try and put it into a message for you? I credit the stretches to preventing my existing shoulder issues from worsening.

 I hope you are all doing well. I'm counting the days--2 more Taxols and then I'll join the Tamox. crowd! 

Happy Thanksgiving, ladies!

PS: I too look like a fuzzy chickadee.

Hi Warriors,

I really just wanted to check in.  It has been impossible for me to get on my computer as before.  I will try to catch up with the post if I can.

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!  I have about 2 weeks more to go for rads.  So far, my main complaint is the itching and a little skin peeling- just a little though.

Be Blessed Everyone!! 

Hugs,

Ann

Just a quick check-in - have been thinking about you all and so happy to read about progress.

J-bug - when I went in for one of my post-op appointments, they had a physical therapist give me a printout with exercises. There were some I could start immediately and some I had to wait until 4 weeks after surgery. They were pretty simple - things like raising my arm in front of me as far as I could, then holding for several seconds. Raising it to the side. Walking my hand up the wall in front of me and to the side. Pressing my shoulder blades together. It took a little while, but slowly things loosened up and I have great range of motion now. Remember, I only had one side removed, so be gentle with yourself. I also only had one drain for one week, so those should be out before you do too much. These exercises were partly MX recovery and partly node removal recovery. See if your doctor can get you just one consultation with a PT.

kk11 - You asked a while ago about having a lift and nipple sensation. Mine seems to be slowly coming back, so I'm hopeful. My doctor said about 10% lose sensation. Most keep all or at least some. But I have to tell you I was really upset when I found mine was totally numb after surgery. We all like to think we won't be in the minority that have problems!

All in all, I'm doing really well. The two weeks I took off to recover after the last surgery made a huge difference. I slept so much and finally feel my energy returning to pretty normal levels. No more doctor appts until late December, so I'm just focused on enjoying life and preparing for the holidays. Really looking forward to decorating the house for Christmas.

Love and hugs to all!

Yooper---Oh yeah, I'm with you. This has been a bumpy ride emotionally and I went through menopause 20 years ago so I don't think it's hormones or lack of. I've had several crying jags, yelled at my husband frequently and just stayed in bed because I didn't want to talk to anybody. I thought that once I'd finshed radiation I'd feel relieved, which I did for a couple of days and then I crashed. Been struggling to return to a positive state before the holidays. I'm going to start going to a meditation and a yoga class that another patient recommended that's offered by the Wellness Center (kind of like Gilda's Club), be around other survivors and maybe that will help. You're not alone.

luvmy2kids - congratulations on finishing!!!  So exciting about your hair too.  Good things to come!

Hi Everyone havnt written in a while 2 weeks post chemo start radation dec 5th still having S/E from chemo severe leg pain and hot flushes but glad to be finished Chemo.Glad everyone else seems to be doing great Good news J Bug.

Thanks for the birthday wishes! Sorry I've been MIA! I had multiple doctor's appointments last week and have continued to work part time, which eats away at both my time and my energy. I'm still feeling very tired all the time and it's been 7 weeks since my last chemo. Is anyone else feeling the same way? Is it the Tamoxifen? Or is it just everything from the last 15 months (chemo for my molar pregnancy and then the cancer) catching up with me?

J-Bug - So happy to read that your'e doing well post surgery and that your lymph nodes were negative! It sucks that you have to keep your drains in for so long! I had mine out after 6 days and it could have been sooner but I got stuck with a holiday weekend. Drains are a pain! You will feel much better once they're both gone. As for chest tightness, I think I remember it taking at least 2-3 weeks, if not a month, but I only had a single mastectomy, so it may be longer for you. The exhange was much better. I couldn't sleep on my side for probably 6 weeks after my mastectomy, but was sleeping on my side within a week after the exchange. With regards to typing, I had some carpal tunnel flare-ups after both my surgeries, which made typing really painful. Make sure to rest and stretch your arms often and don't overdo it. If you rest now, it will pay off in the long run. When are you hoping to work again? 

Shinypop - I'm sorry about your pets though! I'm totally with you on the fatigue.

Dexxy - Congrats on being done with rads! I can relate to your friend, though I'm a bit younger than her. I also harvested embryos to preserve fertility. Breast Cancer hits those in the younger group differently because it really alters family planning for those who don't have children yet. Tell your hygienist she can PM me if she is on here and looking for support from someone in a similar situation.

Izzy - Hoping the rads go by quickly for you.

Rabbit - You never cease to amaze me. You do walks for breast cancer and then retreats! I don't have the energy and I've been done with chemo for 7 weeks! As for the hair, I have definitely heard of people getting it back during Taxol. I thought I was getting hair growth during Taxol, but it was only limited strands lol. I am just now seeing it break the surface everywhere. I would love to see an inch, but I think it will take a while. Maybe you're just lucky!

Misswim - I admire your courage. I have had several people who were hit with cancer after me lean on me during their time of need. It's nice to know I inspire people to believe that cancer will not take everything away from them. I know you will do the same. Praying for your BIL.

Khs113 - Congrats on being done with treatment!

Cathy - Congrats on finishing chemo!

Yooper - I hope the rads are over before you know it. I hear it's really different for everyone (some have it easier than others), so hopefully it continues to go smoothly for you. 

Phillybird - Praying for your MIL. I didn't need radiation, but I have been told it can be exhausting. Make sure to get plenty of rest!

Mavinbrook - You will be done with chemo before you know it!

Allenan - Hope the side effects from rads stay manageable. You're almost there!

Ana - Thanks for the info on the lift. I'm sorry you experienced numbness. Really if I knew I was going to lose sensation in my nipple on my good side, might as well take that breast too! I'm just keeping it so I can breast feed in the future, but part of me does wish I just let them take that one too so I don't need to worry about a new primary cancer on that side. Anyways, I think it's a good sign if you're starting to get sensation back already. Hope you get it back entirely.

Luvmy2kids - Congrats for finishing chemo! I'm 7 weeks out and don't have much hair yet, but it's definitely filling in!

Sandy - I'm also dealing with hot flashes and they haven't gotten much better for me, especially with being on Tamoxifen. Hope the rads aren't too hard on you. 

Happy thanksgiving to all of you! So thankful to have this wonderful group! I hope you all have an amazing day!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. This has been such a trying year for all of us and I'm grateful to have this group in my life. My friends and family have also been great and I love every single one of them. Get lots of sleep and don't worry about those Black Friday deals. They aren't the last deals out there. 

Has anyone heard from Ellenquilt? She hasn't been on here in a very long time. I hope everything is okay.  

Shinypop - I took a look and she last posted on October 22nd, so it has been a while! I can see that she was last online on November 9th, but no posts for that day. Hope she's just busy getting things straightened out with her house.

I had a wonderful thanksgiving with my husband, parents, brother, and sister law. I know I over indulged, but it was all good stuff!  

Finally getting my energy back. Also my foot neuropathy is going away. YAY!