April 2011 chemo

Windlass -- So sorry to hear about your terrible journey with radiation.  The positioning sounds awful.  I didn't have to do the snorkle thing -- they just say take a deep breath in, blow it out, take another breath in and hold it.  Then breathe normally.  I hope they're doing the right thing.  Thanks for your prayers.  I only have 2 more sessions and will be SO thankful when it's over.  The burn on my upper chest is really terrible -- a raw, oozing, bleeding, stinging, itching mess.  Now I'm getting the same thing under my arm.  My onco prescribed silvadene cream and Domeboro soaks -- she said to soak it twice a day to dry it out.  How does soaking something dry it out??  But I'm doing it.  I'll do anything to get ready of this awful mess.  I have to keep it covered with big huge bandages so the ooze and cream don't ruin my clothes.  How many more session do you have, Windlass?  I'm saying prayers for you, too.

Thanks for the joke Bernie Ellen -- laughter is always good medicine!

BernieEllen, My father was Irish and there was nothing he liked better than telling a good story.  Thanks for reminding me of my wonderful Dad today and giving me a good laugh.

An 85-year-old man was requested by his doctor for a sperm count as part of his physical exam.
The doctor gave the man a jar and said, "Take this jar home and bring back a semen sample tomorrow."
The next day the 85-year-old man reappeared at the doctor's office and gave him the jar, which was as clean and empty as on the previous day.
The doctor asked, what happened and the man explained.
"Well, doc, it's like this - first I tried with my right hand, but nothing. Then I tried with my left hand, but still nothing. Then I asked my wife for help. She tried with her right hand, then with her left, still nothing. She tried with her mouth, first with the teeth in, then with her teeth out, still nothing. We even called up Arleen, the lady next door and she tried too, first with both hands, then an armpit, and she even tried squeezin' it between her knees, but still nothing."
The doctor was shocked! "You asked your neighbor?"
The old man replied, "Yep, none of us could get the jar open."

Love the stories BernieEllen!  In particular the email about the Office Party from the last page. 

Suzy - I hope the rads burn is healing.  Mine started to heal after about 10 days and is good now. 

Windlass - that sounds horrible. You poor thing.  How many more do you have remaining?  I hope you are counting down to the finish.

Re: Tamoxifen.  The only SE I'm getting is the hot flashes.  I saw my BS last week.  His wife had BC a few years ago and he was at pains to make me realise that these SEs don't go away.  His wife has been taking Tamoxifen for 3.5 years and still has hot flashes as bad as at the beginning.  This disheartened me as I'd hoped they would reduce.  At least I now know what to expect!

On the positive side, he said that clinical research has found that recurrence rates are lower amongst women who get SEs.  The SEs show that the Tamox is working.

Is anybody here on Femara?  That's the one my MO is going to start me on in January. 

No, he didn't say why, Merilee.  I guess I should have asked.  I'll try to remember to ask him next time because I do wonder why they pick one over another, too.

Christmas Cake Recipe

You'll need the following:

1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
4 large brown eggs
2 cups of dried fruit
1 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
Nuts
1 bottle of whisky

Sample the whisky to check for quality. Take a large bowl. Check the whisky again. To be sure it's the
highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer, beat one cup of butter
in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar and beat again. Make sure the whisky is still OK.
Cry another tup. Tune up the mixer. Beat two leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried
fruit. Mix on the turner. If the fired druit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry it goose with a drewscriver.
Sample the whisky to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Who cares?
Check the whisky. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Spoon the sugar or something. Whatever you can find. Grease the oven. Turn the cake tin to 350 degrees. Don't forget
to beat off the turner. Throw the bowl out of the window. Check the whisky again and go to bed.

One Christmas, a long time ago, Santa Claus was getting ready for his annual trip; but there were problems ...... everywhere.
Four of his elves were away sick and the trainee elves did not produce the toys as fast as the regular ones. So, Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of being behind schedule.
Then, Mrs. Claus popped in to tell Santa that her mother was coming to stay for Christmas; which stressed him even more.
After a while, he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped the fence and run away, heaven knows where to.
Then, when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards broke and several large toy-bags fell to the ground, scattering their contents all over the place. Needless to say, Santa was not in the best of moods.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang and he went to the door expecting another problem. But when he opened it, there was a little angel with a great big Christmas tree that she had brought especially to cheer him up.
The angel greeted him very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa Claus. Isn't it just a wonderful day? I have a beautiful tree for you. See, isn't it just the loveliest Christmas tree you've ever seen? Where would you like me to put it?"

Thus began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

I ditto KiwiMum -- love the jokes/stories, Bernie!

And LOTS of hugs to you, Windlass.  Hope things get better for you.

Today is my LAST rads appt.  Can't wait to be done with it!  The burns are awful.  Now I can look forward to giving my body a break and a chance for the burns to heal.  Not looking forward to the hormone drugs but praying for no side effects.  Totally looking forward to relaxing over Christmas and New Year's. 

Happy Holidays and lots of hugs to everybody!

Thank God, Merilee!! I am so relieved for you. You deserved some good news! Merry Christmas!

Scc- glad to hear you are done!

Yay Merilee!  Yay Suzy!

I had my exchange surgery yesterday.  Have I posted that here?  I know I was awake and on the computer last night, but also in a bit of a vicodin-induced haze.   I'm feeling pretty good, but the one side looks like it kind of slopes in and then up to the incision...I'm hoping it's a swelling issue.  Anyone have anything like this?  Think I should call the PS?

Thanks, friends! 

Just for you BernieEllen

Congratulations, Suzy! You're still a few weeks ahead of me... I'm so glad for you to be done before Christmas. *hugs*

Profbee: Sorry if I am kind of clueless about this, but exchange surgery is where they put in the implants instead of the tissue expanders, right? So you're almost back to normal breasts now - wow!

Did you opt to look similar to how you did before this all began? Or did you change a size one way or the other?

I wish I had the implant option, but I can't opt for that now apparently, due to all the radiation. (Plus I'd be nervous about the other "non-cancer" side getting an implant.) I would really like to stop being lopsided, though. 

Any other lopsided ladies among our crew who plan to stay that way for at least a while?