Starting Chemo October 2009
Comments
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Deep breath Michele... now another one. Your going to be fine & if you pee your pants they can bring you fresh ones
Thinking of you & sending a prayer along with a hug. Your gonna be ok... keep your eye on the prize (new tahtah's) love ya xx Hugs Suz
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Thanks, Suz...I knew I could count on you ladies to keep me strong.
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Hunnie you ARE strong! Dont forget that. xxx
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Michele, being nervous is totally normal and understandable. Rest assured that even if your fears about the vomiting, having a catheter, peeing, etc...all have happened to somebody else, and your docs/nurses will know how to help you get through it. We tend to build these fears up in our minds until they seem insurmountable, but once you get to the other side of surgery and recovery, you'll most likely look back and realize that you underestimated your strength and resiliency, and you'll do terrific! Don't hesitate to ask any questions of your doc's office, or of those of us here who have been through it.
Big hugs to you!!!
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Shelby, you rock...thanks
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Shelby, how are you feeling now? LOL, and what are "words" I play Lexolus on facebook everyday. Its sort of like scrabble & I love it
hugz suz
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Oh, Suz, "words" refers to "Words With Friends", another Scrabble offshoot that you can play on your phone. I think there's an app on facebook as well. I am addicted to that game! I've always loved Scrabble, but my girls refuse to play with me because I'm ultra-competitive, and I always win. It's great because you play on your own time, and if you find worthy adversaries (like Juannelle), it really challenges your brain! I remember how excited I was when I was able to make 151 points on ONE WORD. My daughter didn't believe me until I showed it to her. I'm kind of hard core - I think Juannelle is playing it close to the vest, but she thinks a lot like I do. I guess it's fun for us nerdy types
I didn't realize you were on facebook, although these days I guess it's more unusual if you aren't. I'll message you with my info, if you want to add a new friend.
Recovery is kind of like a rollercoaster - lots of ups and downs. I'm looking forward to the day my rollercoaster goes back into the station.
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That sounds a lot like Lexolus
I have about 10-14 games going all the time. We also play a really relaxed games... everyone works and is online different times so the games just kinda flow whenever we get to them. I have 10-14 games going all the time so just playing one turn gives me my "Lex fix" heh heh. Having a bit of trouble with it and chemo brain.... the two dont make for a great game :P lol -
Just checking in to see what is happening.
Shelby, how are you dong? How is work going since you went back?
Michele, I can't help you with any words of wisdom, but you are strong and you will do great.
Suz, I think word games help with chemo brain. Some days I have the hardest time thinking but somehow I make it through the day. I have to do lots of problem solving at work and it is a daily struggle for me, I am so ready for retirement.
Have a great week everyone,
Juannelle
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Michele, when is your surgery scheduled? Are you feeling more confident and less scared? It's hard to venture into the unknown - I can definitely say that! Just remember to keep your mind on the end result. It may not be an easy road, but I know you can get through it with your chin up and your eyes bright!
I ended up taking the whole day off this past week - I had planned on going back for 1/2 days, but that wasn't in the cards. I am scheduled to return to school this week from 11 AM - 3:30 PM. My students have specials 3 afternoons of the 4, meaning they won't be in the classroom as much in the afternoon as in the morning. The gradual transition should make it easier when I return to full time next week.
My boobs are doing great. Minimal pain, and I think it's mostly due to swelling - and they're getting less swollen. I'm amazed at how well the scars are healing. My PS is a real artist! They had me start "massage" to break up the scar tissue. Now, I like to get massages, they're relaxing. This massage is not relaxing at all! Some sections are pretty hard, and I'm supposed to use more pressure there, and it kinda hurts. Plus, my hands get tired after 10 minutes! But if it help me get a good result, I'll do it.
My abdominal issues, on the other hand, don't seem to be improving much. The act of sitting down or standing up is very, very uncomfortable. I had to start taking the vicodin again to manage that pain. There is a good amount of swelling, and I still have one drain in, which is not even close to the 30cc threshold for getting it removed. It was at 110cc yesterday! Tomorrow will make it 4 weeks since surgery. I really hope I don't end up with this drain for 7-8 weeks, like I've read some other people on the board have experienced. However, if it keeps me from developing a seroma, I'll just suffer through it. Every time I start to think negatively, I remind myself that it won't last forever, and the final outcome is going to be worth it.
It's so hard to believe that it's been about 2 years for many of us since we completed chemo. Jan. 27 for me, to be exact - that's one of those dates that are seared into my memory. Physically, my body seems to have recovered fully. The only reminders are hair-related - my eyebrows both have a little "bald" spot, and my hair now parts on the opposite side than it used to (weird, huh?). But considering how sick I got during chemo, I'm amazed at how resilient my body has been. And I'm grateful that it did what it was supposed to.
Hope you all are doing well - as always, you are in my thoughts.
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Michelle - I'm hoping you are recovering well from surgery. I'm thinking of you!
I feel *almost* back to normal. That last drain ended up being pulled about 1.5 weeks ago because it had stopped working. Before it quit, I was still producing about 60 cc's a day - needless to say, I'm now dealing with a seroma. I had it drained on Thursday morning, and I can already see that it's coming back. There's a little bit of pain when I've been sitting for a while and then stand up, but it's bearable. Fortunately, it's more of a nuisance than anything.
Work is great, but I don't stay as late as I used to. I get tired more easily than I'd like. I take a bunch of work home, but rarely actually work on it. I'm an early morning person anyway, so I just wake up and go to work early. I really want the fatigue to get better. I know it will!
Hugs and love to all - I hope everyone is doing well!
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Shelby, I am out of the hospital and doing well. It is only a bit sore. Mostly at night when I have been laying in one of the two spots for a long time. I have a numb foot from being strapped to the table, but I remember my arm was like that after my mastectomy. I now have cleavage.
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Good to hear from you, Michele! YAY, CLEAVAGE!! ( . )( . )
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So it has been about 6 weeks and all is looking good. I still have some scabs that won't fall off, but I guess that it all takes time.
How is everyone?
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Hi guys! (I used to be 2new4Dee but changed my screen name) I haven't checked in in a long time. It's good to hear from the 'ol chemo group. I'm doing fine, not much to report. My last reconstructive surgery was in Oct 2010. The only thing I have left to do is get the nipple tattoos for coloring. I don't know why I haven't done it yet, just not a priority I guess. Just working full time, doing DIY projects for myself and friends. My DH and I still play softball every week on the same team we've played with for the last 8 years. The further out I get from tx the stronger I seem to get mentally and physically. I hardly post anymore but still check in from time to time. There are a lot of names from Oct 09 that I don't see on the boards anymore. I hope everyone has just moved on and are doing well. Take care. Dee
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Hi ladies,
I had my seroma drained for (hopefully) the last time this past week, only 10 ml. What a pain in the butt! Never thought I'd be dealing with that for so long after surgery, but I think it's finally resolved. I talked to the PS about my next stage, which will most likely occur in July after a work conference I will be attending. He's going to lift the one breast back up again (the one that didn't get rads is drooping a bit) and probably reducing that same one just a little. They really do look pretty good. The scar on the abdomen isn't too bad, either. He'll also be smoothing out the dog-ears on my hips and doing a little lipo on the remaining pooch just below the abdominal scar. I asked him about doing some additional lipo on my outer thighs, because when all the other stuff is smoothed out, it will look really weird to have those saddlebags - he'll do it, and give me a discount (since that wouldn't be covered by insurance).
How are you feeling in general, Michele? My abs are still kind of weak, but then again, I haven't done much ab work to strengthen them.
Good to see you, Dee. It's great to hear that you're feeling stronger day by day! I love that you're still playing softball. As far as the tattoos go, you just take your time, and do it when YOU want to.
Hugs to all!!!
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Sending out good wishes to you all - how is everyone doing? It is New Year here in Myanmar so here is a Happy New Year shout.
I had my checks last week in Bangkok and am still, very releived to be with NED. I did have my port removed, unexpectedly (but also happily - I had hosted it for two and a haolf years! and it was becoming a bit problematic). So NED and de-ported!
thinking of you all and sending warm wishes
Philippa
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Shelby, how are you doing. I hope you are on the mend and not getting drained any more..
Phillippa, congratulations on being deported...and of course, for being NED.
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Ladies,
Just dropping in to check in on everyone. It about that "cancer-versary" time. Here is hoping everyone is off enjoying their lives.
Hugs to all!
Suzi -
Suzi, hello. It sure has been quiet here lately..A good thing I guess. It's hard to believe that we did chemo 3 years ago...boy how time flys..
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Hi everyone (if anyone is still around...),
We are creeping up on the chemo-versary - My first chemo, if I remember correctly, was October 14. (Haha, I just realized I could check the OP, and I was right! Funny the things you remember.) Seems like a lifetime ago, and yet I remember it like it just happened. A friend at work who has been dealing with cancer for even longer - she has metastatic colon cancer - is going through her third time around with chemo. I gave her all of my hats and scarves that I still had from my chemo experience. Hopefully, I will never need them again!
I am sitting here at home recovering from surgery that I had on Monday - hysterectomy and oophorectomy. At my most recent followup with the gyn/onc, he found a cyst on my ovary. After the uptake on that ovary on my last PET/CT, and the history of precancerous cells on my cervix, then the cyst, we decided to go ahead and take all that stuff out! So now, I have fake boobs, and no female reproductive system...if it weren't for my DNA, I'd have trouble proving I'm actually a woman... Recovery is going okay, not too much pain - I had a laparoscopic procedure, so I should only be out for 3 weeks. The doc saw something "strange" on my liver while he was in there with the camera (those were his words) - he didn't want to biopsy it right then because he was worried about excessive bleeding. So, now I get to worry about that. Does it ever end?
I hate to sound so negative, but I need to let it out somewhere. I'm not saying anything to my mom because I'll just end up having to comfort HER and tell HER not to worry. I don't have the energy for that. And I know you'll understand that it IS something I will worry about, even if the likelihood of it being anything really bad is very low. Ugh.
I hope you are all doing well, and are surviving the pink onslaught of October in the U.S.A.
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Wow, it is amazing the things that make us check in. Like Shelby I was thinking about chemo anniversaries; I just passed the anniversary of my final chemo treatment.
Shelby, it has been a few months, so I imagine you are fully recovered and back to enjoying your life. I am certainly imagining you that way!
Hopefully, everyone is doing well.
Suzi
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And I thought I was the only one to remember these anniversaries. You would think you put them out of your mind but I have all the dates edged into my brain and can't help but remember the every year. The day of the mammogram showing the tumor, the biopsy, the diagnosis etc. Piffken
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Hi there txstardust, some of us are still around. Good to see you are still here as well. I gave away half of my hats and scarves to my sister (who has since passed from oral cancer) but am not brave enough to give them all away. I have mixed emotions - I want them out of my life but feel like I am tempting fate if I'm too presumptious by assuming the cancer won't come back anyway. So I found a happy medium and kept half of them. LOL
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So, today I have a question. I was on Tamoxifen because I was pre-menopausal when I was diagnosed. The Tamoxifen made me miserable, so I was waiting for the day my Onco would tell me hormon levels indicate Iam now officially post-menopausal so I could switch to Femara. That day finally came about 4 months ago and I have been even worse ever since.
It started out with my feet botheringme a little but I am now to the point that they hurt even when I sit down with my feet up. If I'm out, Ihave to sit down evey 15-20 minutes because my feet are bright red and swollen. I have an area on my right foot that stays red all the time. Has anyone else experienced that? I have anout 2 1/2 years to go. What should I do now? Back to Tamoxifen or stick it out with Femara?
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Piffken, hello. I am no help at all. I have mets to my pelvis and have just started Letrazole myself. I saw you on the Femera thread as well.
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Pifken I have been on tamoxifen for 2 years and 3 months now. I have plantars faciitus in my feet but not sure if that is from the "T" or because I am on my feet a lot at my reatail job, or both. At times it was really bad where I was really limping but when I wear the right shoes and massage my foot with a ball it goes about 95% away. I also have bakers systs behind my knees that swell up and get really tight if I workout too hard with squats or high impact. Those are my only side affects really. My last period was a week before chemo and it never came back. I have had two blood tests indicating I am post meneopausal. My onc considered switching me to I guess femara or aridimex if my side affects were unbearable but I worry that they could be worse. I will switch though if she thinks that it would do a better job keeping the cancer away.
DId your onc say one drug would be better than the other?
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Pifken, I manage a department in a shoe store . We sell Birkenstocks, and so many people come to us to get them. Most people say that it cures the planter facitus right up..give it a try. We even sell insoles that go in your regular shoes that may help. I sent some to my sister in law and she said they helped her.
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Sorry that post was ment for Carrol...oops
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I haven't checked the thread in ages. Then today I thought it was the anniversary date of my diagnosis, then realized I was out by a few days. I thought I'd never forget the date.
Michelle: then on the November thread I read about your recurrence. Your treatment dates were similar to mine (Oct 2009 to Jan 2010). So sorry to hear about your mets. By now you know what you need to do and you sound very strong. It's good that you are in a clinical trial so you will be closely monitored. You mentioned that you had a shot to close down your ovaries. Is that an alternative to having them removed surgically or are they still talking about that?
It's got to be tough when you thought you could put all the BC stuff to the back of your mind and get on with your life and now this happens.
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