**NEW** Starting Chemo March 2009

Hi,

Nice to see you here Chris..We just love hearing about Sophia. My BFF just had her first grandchild born the other day and I told her what great fun times are ahead for her..

Beth.I will check out that site or board.

Have a great weekend ladies.

Hugs,

Francine

Good Morning Ladies

I have posted here for quite some time - I'm more of a lurker than a poster.

Here is what's new with me.  I'm scheduled for an ooph on the 17th of November and reconstruction on the 29th!  I so can't wait for the reconstruction.   I sat on the fence about it for a long time and finally made the decision to go for it.  I just want to feel whole again, I feel that there is something missing, and I think reconstrution will put me back on track.

Beth - just read your post about your neice going to San Francisco.  I volunteer with the same society (my brother is a lymphoma survivor) and they just had their first "Light the Night" walk in Halifax.  They were only expecting about 250 people and there was 750!  Not bad for their first year and they also raised $259,000 which was totally unexpected.  It was a beautiful event and we are already planning for next year. 

Hope everyone is doing fine and hope this message find you in good health.

Kim

Kim. Glad you have made a decision that you are happy with. You'll do great

Francine is right...after cancer the rest is fluff. The recon may give a sense of normalcy. Recaptures what was taken in the physical sense. I had recon and It helped me so much. Then I was supposed to get my new nipple in August. I cancelled it. I am okay now with the way I am. For me, the new breast was enough. For others it wouldn't be. There are no right or wrong decisions in this journey.



The Lymphoma & Leukemia Society are starting to make strides in recognition and research. My niece is from Sackville so the trip to San Fransisco was a huge deal for her. She was dx with leukemia at 3 and is now 34. I lost a brother to leukemia( he was only 10) and my Aunt is a 3 time non-hodgkins lymphoma survivor. She lives in Beaverbank. This great cause is so dear to me and I am so proud of my niece.



Hope everyone is well and I miss everyone.

Hugs

Beth

Kim,

I too had my second breast removed prophylactically. Unfortunately I made the decision after a radiologist scared the hell out of me.I am so  happy with my decision despite the fact that I did have some complications. I still have a TE in and go for fills once a month as my PS is taking it slowly.

Remember as I said all this is fluff. We have all been through the worst..

Good luck..

Hugs,

Francine

Hello all,

Well...its been a bloody long time since I posted and I apologise.  I've been catching up on some of the news and it's quite amazing to see how lives are moving on and changing.

Rachel/Sakura...I'm so very happy for you and Arthur as I know how much having a baby was so very important to you.

GinaGina...you kicked this one off (or took it over...same diff!) and I'm so happy to see you so healthy and athletic!

Time is moving on isn't it girls?  Who can believe that we are all 2.5 years since we began the chemo journey together?  

Well, what about me?  No big changes I can report. I'm back at work full time and spend my spare time (because I have so much of it...ha!) as an advocate for pet issues i.e. rallying to close puppy farms, stopping the sale of animals in pet stores....that sort of thing.  I was very lucky to find a sweet little Cavalier King Charles called Missy, who'd been a puppy mill mother...and anyway it's safe to say I changed her life and she changed mine.  I still have a lovely little furry soulmate in the form of Bunny who is a Manx.  It took her a few days to warm up to Missy but now they are firm friends.

You may remember my sister was very ill.  2 years ago she was given 3 months to live....and I'm happy to say she is still with us even if she is fighting to stay alive every day.  She's very thin..skeletal...because of the very drug that keeps her alive.  Next week, she's having a major surgery to remove a tumour in her abdomen.  This is a good thing, because 2 years ago the surgeons had determined there was no longer any point in operating.  She may not live to be an old lady, and her original goal was to see both her kids start high school....and now there's a small chance she'll live to see them graduate (4 years away).  That would be nice.  She's going on 18 years in her cancer journey.  I know...unbelievable!  Her husband is the unsung hero of that story...he took their vows literally, especially as she was originally diagnosed 12 months into their marriage.

I started dating again.  Met a great guy...for a while.  Too complicated to explain but we're not together.  Sometimes it just doesn't work out despite all best intentions.  It was a big first step as a single girl with scars and some mis-shapenness (The right side is about a B cup while the left side is close to a D) to 'go there' .  I've contemplated having some work done to even them up but I just can't decide if its worth it.  Any thoughts? I still have significant neuropathy pain...anyone else?  So not sure I want MORE surgery in that area.  

But I WILL be having surgery in December....some  postponed surgery for endometriosis that was originally scheduled for January 2009..then I was diagnosed wiht BC of course in December 2008.  I still give my medical oncologist a hard time because she ASSURED me I would go into early menopause (I'm now 42) and while my periods stopped for a while, they are back with a vengeance and the pain/nausea is worse than ever. Such a cruel irony!

Sometimes I find it hard to believe I'm nearly 3 years post diagnosis and clear...stage 2B, 9/9 in grading, triple negative, basal-like, infiltration and one bad lymph node.  Its like a bad dream!

Anyway, I'm currently working on a business idea that first came to me during the time I was having chemo....and I hope to share it with you soon as I'm in development.  Quite excited.

 Mammo/US due December for appointment with my surgeon and oncologist early January...at which point I will move to 6 monthly appointments.  Ugh...mammograms are tough what with the neuropathy, although over time, my breast is softening (radio made it tough like overcooked steak!) so its not quite as bad as trying to smoosh together a rock!  I plan to have a full 5mg valium beforehand! 

Like I said, I don't get to this site often....but I do think about you all often and what an important part you played when the chips were down.  

Much love, Ricki / Rachael xo 

Rikki, I'm so glad your sister is still with you.  I remember you telling us about her struggle.

I'm doing okay.  I made one big life decision:  I'm not going to pursue a teaching career anymore.  Hunting for a teaching job is stressful and doing the job is even more stressful.  I can't handle that at this point, along with my health and my kids.  I'll sub for now, and figure out what to do next when I see which way I'm going medically.

I have Jonah in a support group for children of cancer patients.  He loves it, because it's all boys around his age (he turns 9 next month).  He asks me a million questions on the way home, to the point that a couple times I didn't want to take him back.  He wants to know, for example, when I'll find out if I'm dying or not.  I'm with the parents of the kids concurrently, and there are sad, sad stories in that room. 

My 16-year-old has lots of trouble when I'm feeling horrible, but since I've been feeling well lately she's been quite companionable.  She even asked me to take her shopping, and then asked for my advice a few times!  When I'm sick she gets angry and completely avoids me.

Do you think there's any chance I will live a long life?  I've never heard of anyone living beyond 10 years with this, and believe me, I would take 10 years!  But my husband still seems to think I'm going to grow old with him, and sometimes it pisses me off for some reason.  Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but I'm not a pessimist, I'm a realist. 

Michelle. It's so nice to see you back here. And I agree with the "other" Beth that you never cease to amaze us. As to the question of how long a person has...none of us know but you are in somewhat of a different  circumstance than I am at this point, but none of us know where this damn BC will take us. I will not use the analogy that anyone  could be hit by a bus tomorrow because nothing infuriated me more than hearing that when I was first diagnosed. I think  that you need to cling to the fact that everyday there is new research, new treatments and who knows what will be available for you in the coming months/years. Statistics are so skewed and they are averages not absolutes.You are an individual and how you respond to treatment is different than someone else.  There are women on the stage IV forum that are doing well...thriving and living full lives. One person in particicular that comes to mind is Fitztwins. Her twins were 4 when she was advanced to stage IV and they are 11 now and she is doing remarkably well. A gal just announced a couple of weeks ago that she is 17 years at stage IV. Liver, lung and bone mets. She is living a good life and enjoying her family and friends and all the little things that have meaning. I would encourage you to check in and introduce yourself to the stage IV forum. You will be amazed and most importantly..you will be encouraged. I know you aren't a pessimist..you are a realist so keep in mind that you are not a statistic..you are Michelle and there is a lot of hope for in a very realistice sense. I am so proud of you for getting your son involved in a group. It takes an amazing mother to recognize that the Cancer journey affects our spouses, our kids, our families and friends. Your 16 year old is acting like a normal 16 year old so try not to stress and read too much into her moods. I remember being that age and I remember my kids at that age...the world revolves around them and they don't deal well with interruption to their own self centerdeness. She sounds perfectly normal. Seize the good times with her and don't take the bad times personal...easier said than done I'm sure, but that's the way teenagers are. I remember when my kids were little...before they started school..they thought I knew everything. Then they started school and the the teacher knew everything. Then they became teenagers and their friends knew everything. Then they turned 16 and they knew everything...and then they turned 22 and figured out that Mom and Dad weren't so dumb afterall. You will be around to get that satisfaction.  Michelle...keep on top of your health, new treatments, keep well informed., educate yourself and connect with others that are going through the same doubts, fears, ups and downs that you are. Remember back to our diagnosis and  how much we all learned together and supported each other  through chemo etc . You, my sweet lady, are a true Warrior Princess, and we will be with you every step of the way. Join with other stage IV's and get encouragement, knowledge, hope and support. You can get through this Michelle. I wish you all the best and I love hearing from you. Continue your blog...you are a gifted writer and I'm sure it must be cathartic to write it and put it out there. 

Sending you big hugs full of love, encouragement and support

Hugs

BethP 

Thank you all.  I love this board, even though I don't visit often.  I still see you on facebook!  I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Today is 3 years since my original diagnosis.  I feel good today!  Will eat a big meal, and my mom made my favorite mashed potatoes, just because she knows I'll eat them

Yep, mine is creeping up there too.  Three years in January. 

I am going for reconstruction on Tuesday and I'm starting to feel a little nervous.   I'm having TE's put in first and having my right breast removed.  I've wanted it removed from day one so I will be happy when that one is gone, it will give me a piece of mind.  Not looking forward in having surgery, but I am looking forward to finally having some closure.

Has anyone had any problems with their TEs or implants? 

Hugs,

Kim 

Ricki it is so lovely to hear from you and to know your sister is still with us. I have seriously lopsided breasts these days too: in my case because one side is breastfeeding and is huge and droopy and the other (the radiated and surgery side) is small and perky! I look completely ridiculous. Tell us more about your business plan!

Michelle it is good to follow your news here and on FB.

Everyone it is incredible to think that the heyday of this group was nearly 3 years ago. I will never forget the night in February 2009 when I first posted here. 

Arthur is now nearly 14 weeks old and starting to have more of a personality. He has such a sweet little smile and a lovely musical voice which he is beginning to use in burbles and gurgles. He came to church with me on Sunday and sang along so cutely. I can't believe my good fortune.

Hello everyone. Hope you are all doing well.



I think we are all approaching or have just passed our 3 years diagnosis ( mine is Jan 23)

Although we don't post often anymore, I just want to say that I think of all of you often and I want to say, once again, that I am forever grateful that, as a group, we helped get each other through the ups and downs of dx and treatment.





Wishing everyone a Happy holiday season and all the best in 2012.



Hugs

Beth

Hi ladies,

Yes we do not post as much as before. Yet it is always good to hear that someone is doing well

.Kim,,glad all went well with your surgeries. 

I have met many wonderful ladies thru this board and always tell people that my support team during chemo was a group of terrific women on the internet. 

I have begun my volunteer job as  patient navigator for the American cancer society .My job is to meet people newly diagnosed with cancer and tell them the resources the ACS has for them..

I wish all a very happy holiday season and a healthy 2012. 

 Hugs,

Francine 

A Happy and Healthy 2012 to all my BC sisters..

Hugs,

Francine 

MichelleinSJ:

I just caught up to your posts. I have a friend in the very same situation and I will tell you what I have told her...my breast surgeon said to me a long time ago, when I was fretting about my first diagnosis, which was considered a very aggressive tumor in a locally advanced stage. She said, "you need to know that we can treat any stage of breast cancer now, even Stage IV. People are living decades after this diagnosis. It might be a more involved fight, but it's do-able."

You need to know that you CAN do this, friend. Ignore the numbers and know that you are stronger and more powerful than any cancer cell.

Having said that, I wish you weren't in this fight right now, and I pray for your comfort and joy while you BEAT this.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Rachel - Arthur's pictures on facebook are adorable.  He is a very handsome baby.  Keep the pictures and video clips coming.  I enjoy them.