Is There A September 2011 Chemo Group?

belleeast · May 2012

cjrt, i'm glad it went well and the hard rocks are gone. swelling is about same not a lot but not normal for me.

planted some flowers with my almost 3 yr old grandson today in my concrete planters on my porch. painted the planters yesterday,they needed it bad. trying to catch up on maintenance jobs around the house that didn't get done last yr. a little at a time is what i am learning to do,feels good to get something done.

cupcakies · May 2012

cjrt, did you do the fat grafting? if so, where from? I think i'm going to try to do that to help with appearance. hope you're feeling better soon!

CJRT · May 2012

Cupcakies, I ended up not doing it and deciding I would just wait to do it in the PS office after depending on how it looked without. My PS said that he was able to get a nice slope without and doesn't think I will need it. He said for the type of grafting to improve the slope, he would have taken 60ccs from my abdomen and that it wouldn't affect anything in terms of recovery. He said that amount is not enough for it to be like you have had lipo so I wouldn't have any compression stuff to wear, etc., and wouldn't notice anything cosmetic related to a flatter stomach (unfortunately lol). he said he would've made two 1mm incisions on the top of each breast to insert the cannula to inject the fat and that the scars should heal very nicely. He also said that he performs this procedure in his office just like expander fills if I ever needed it in the future. From what I understand, women have this type of fat grafting in the PS office for nipple recon. I did a lot of research on risks etc, so if you have any ?s about that, I can share that with you. Good luck!!

rjbaby69 · May 2012

Hello Ladies! Hope you are all doing well. I am doing pretty good.

I do have a question though. Any of you ladies that had a lumpectomy, does your breast still feel, for lack of a better word, hard? My right breast feels nothing like my left breast. Makes it hard for me when I do my self-exams. I think it is loosening up a bit but right around the incision site is really hard and I can't tell if there are any lumps in there or not! Just wondering. I will be asking the surgeon when I go back in June.

I was invited to Relay for Life to tell my story. It was an awesome experience! One I hope to repeat next year. There are some amazing people that are involved with this organization here in my home town. I appreciate all of them and the work they do to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Things are going well with the kids. Granddaughter's father finally decided it would be in his best interest to sign those damn papers! Kinda conveyed my message to him that I wasn't going away and had no problems hauling his sorry butt into court. He didn't really want to go to court AGAIN! Hate it for him. NOT!

Grandson has been receiving counseling at school. We saw a doctor that works with the program the other day. He doesn't see his behavior as alarming right now. He doesn't believe in medicating children just because and I am totally in agreement with this. I don't want him on meds unless he has to be. He has two counselors that work with him. Both are men and I'm really happy about that. One of them has a stuttering problem and also noticed that my grandson had one too. The counselor told me he felt a strong connection with grandson because of their disabilities. We did talk about the fact that all of our hard work with grandson would be thrown aside if and when his mother comes back. I have made my mind up that I am not just "giving" grandson back to his mother. Under the circumstances, I believe he has a better chance with me. I don't know anything about this man she married and I'm not sure they will even be able to get along! I mean, seriously? She's only known him about 4 months! At any rate, we will see what happens when she gets out. Granddaughter is continuing to thrive and is adjusting well to a "routine" life with me. She is such a sweet and loving child. I am pretty sure she will stay right where she is too. It may be hard, but I know it's for the best. Daughter won't see it my way, but at this point, don't really care. All I can say to her is.....sue me!

Youngest daughter made it through her classes with A's!!!!! She passed another semester of radiology! She was so pumped! She will be doing a summer class this summer but it is a clinical class. I think she is looking forward to it. She is such a joy to be around. She has helped me so much with these babies. She kept them all day Saturday and then came back Saturday night to watch them while I went to relay for life.

I kinda got a system going on with child care. I have three people that rotate Saturdays so that no one has them every Saturday. Working out really well for us. I am still trying to figure out how I can quit the station job and still make ends meet. Haven't got that worked out yet so I guess I'll have to keep that job a little longer. But I would really prefer to be home with the kids and that's the direction I'm trying to move to.

Well, gotta go for now. Work tomorrow will be coming soon enough! May 21 is our last day of school and I can hardly wait! Then I can begin the lazy days of summer once again!

HUGS!

bluejay58 · May 2012

Rjbaby, I had a lumpectomy. My breast doesn't feel hard, really, but the area right above where the tumor was doesn't have any feeling. It's just a numb spot in the rest of my boob. I would ask the surgeon about it, just to be on the safe side.

Kimberly, I do still log in on occasion (as you can see *g*). I do still think of all you guys. How could I not?

So far I am doing okay on the anastrozole (took my first pill March 1st). No real joint pain or muscular aches, but I notice it's made my skin oilier and brought back the hot flashes. Believe it or not, I still have some twinges every now and then in my breast and under my arm. But I'm living with all of it, and just celebrated my 53rd birthday a couple of weeks ago.

belleeast · May 2012

rj,where the lumpectomy was is hard around the edges. feels like the hard edges of a crater would,i thought it was a lump,had a MRI done. my sub mo thought i was nuts i think but i didn't care i wanted to make sure. i guess we'll have to get used to the new normal!!!

rjbaby69 · May 2012

Thanks bluejay58 and belle! I do plan on asking my surgeon next month about this. But this whole time that I've been going, he's told me that I am healing just fine! And yes, Belle, it feels hard around the edges but my whole breast feels that way. And if I press just right, I, too, feel a lump which has me concerned, of course. But it could just be where the tumor was and the tissues have not grown back correctly. But it's been almost a year! So, next month, lots of questions to ask the surgeon!

Thanks ya'll! Other than that, i am doing well on the tami with minimal hot flashes now and very little weight gain.....knock on wood!

Wishing everyone well!

HUGS!

belleeast · May 2012

wishing everyone a happy and safe memorial day weekend!!

rjbaby69 · May 2012

Thanks belleeast! Hope you had a good one!

Sure am enjoying my summer so far! I love getting up at 7:00 a.m. instead of 5:00 a.m. Makes getting these little ones up and around a lot easier. Don't have to worry about being late for a bus route and I can get to work at a little past 8 and still be in good shape! Aww! Summer! Lovin' it!

Hugs!

Kimberly1961 · May 2012

Sorry I am so quiet, the computer system that I am on has made it very slow and very hard to access BCO. Love and strength and recovery to all. My hair has made the 1 inch mark, slow from those estrogen killing drugs. I swim in the backyard sans boobs in my old swimsuit, just try not to bend over and flash scars, and most of all, oh so happy to have all the ails of chemo over. Again, love to all you chemosabis.

CJRT · May 2012

Great to hear from you RJ, Kim, and Belle. I am almost there with you Kim...nearing the one inch mark. Learning to accept the short hair compliments more graciously too. Love having my permanent implants. So much more comfortable. Miss "chatting" with all you ladies but thankful that it means we are getting more caught up with our regular lives. I am forever grateful to you all helping me through some dark days. Anyone doing anything is Sunday for survivors day? My treatment center is having some festivities but I didn't sign up early enough and there is a wait list to attend. I guess I have come a long way to be ready to go to something like that. My husband will have to wear his new "Proud my wife fights like a girl" shirt on another occasion. Hugs to you all!

belleeast · June 2012

hi all, cjrt,i'm going to a relay for life survivor dinner wed,then on fri doing the survivor lap and caregiver lap around the football field during the local relay.

i've been catching up on getting some maintenance chores done around the house. i've been going to grandkids ballgames and taking time to just sit and enjoy the hummingbirds,too

rjbaby69 · June 2012

Hello all. Glad to see we are all getting back to being busy with life. My life is extremely busy between the 2 grandkids and the jobs, but I'm hanging tough.

Good to hear from everyone and I hope you are all doing well.

Hey Belleeast I gave a speech at our Relay for Life. It was really awesome! I wasn't able to be there all day because I had to work, but I was there for the closing program and it was really awesome. I can't believe it's almost been a year since my diagnosis but it has. My cancerversary date is July 21.

Kim I think my hair is about 1 1/2 inces long now. And it is curly!! Or at least wavy and that is not normal for me! I've always had straight as a board hair. Got a little body now but it's really not near long enough to do anything with.

If any of you follow facebook and want to look at some of my pictures, send me a private message and I will give you the link to my page.

Talk to you all soon!

HUGS!

shelley2011 · June 2012

Hello ladies! Thought I would hop in and update.

RJ, July 21, 2011 was the date of my lumpectomy....so maybe that's a cancerversary also. Our Relay is in July so we'll see how I feel about joining the survivor's group.

My hair is maybe just a little longer than 1.5 inches and it is so so curly! I have to use lots of gel to control the curl...or I would look like a curly Q-tip!

Feeling probably 85% at this point. Still get tired more easily than pre-chemo but maybe I am just getting old. LOL. Saw my MO two weeks ago who confirmed that there are studies that prove chemo brain, which he said can last anywhere from one to two yrs. They have done neuro-cognitive testing both pre- and post-chemo and can see the difference. I'm hoping to limp that excuse for maybe the rest of my life.....

I think the Aromasin is slowing down hair growth. The hair on my legs started to grow back, I shaved a few times, and now there is no hair growth at all. I'm certainly not complaining about that! But no other side effects that I can tie to it.

Hope you all continue doing well. We are sistas for life!

mags20487 · June 2012

Hello my September sisters!! Glad all are moving on from here! It is weird being out of active treatment. For me I have been dealing with LE in my left arm ever since returning from Mexico last month. I also got a bout of celulits in it last week--ouch!! Turning the corner now and today the therapist took off the bandages and I get to wear a sleeve and glove during the day and a nighttime compression garment and glove at night. Way better that the layers of bandage wraps! Working on getting Recon set up soon that I can then put that behind me. Leaning toward the Diep procedure with a lymph node transfer too. 85% of women with lymphedema see improvement or ever cure of their lymphedema symptoms so worth a shot. My hair is also about an inch and half by now. Bleached it super blonde and it looks pretty cool. No curls yet just a little wave going on. Personal life is a mess right now as my son is going through some serious issues with his wife. Not sure if they will be able to get past it or not. So hard to see your kids in pain even when they are grown.

Maggie

belleeast · June 2012

hi all, went to the survivor's dinner,4 of my children were able to go,had a total of 8 with me-2 gkids and 2 Sig Others. food was good,i won a thermal tote! it was a little emotional for me when a lady sang a song she wrote about survivors and then one about caregivers. made me think maybe it was too soon attending this but i survived without breaking down just a few tears shed quietly!!

i consider july 23 my cancerversary date as that was when i found my lump and i knew it wasn't good.

maggie, so sorry you are having to deal with le. i say go for the diep with lymph node transfer,it is definately worth a shot 85% sounds pretty good to me.

i am so jealous of you all 1 1/2 in, mine is maybe 1/4 on top and 1/2 on side. i realize i'm about a month behind,last chemo was jan 17,so i have hope!!!LOL

belleeast · June 2012

Shelly, i'm not taking anything and same happened to me shaved my legs once,now no hairgrowth! not that i'm complaining about not having to shave my legs but worry whatever is causing it is effecting growth on my head.

ccjj · June 2012

Hi Ladies,

Havent checked in a while, but think of you all frequently. I cant believe its almost been a year either. I just had my 2nd reconstruction surgery yesterday. They did the nips and a little revision on the other side. All went well. I am taking tamoxafin and seem to be tolerating it fine. I am on a herceptin break right now due to a heart muga scan showing heart function decline due to the herceptin. While I want to finish the treatment, I have been really enjoying the break from it. I feel so much better. I go back next friday to see if heart function back and then determine if I continue. I do get to have my port taken out in two weeks though. Cant wait. If I continue the herceptin I'll use a vein for the few I have left. I have about 2 inches of hair on the top. I just got the sides and back trimmed last week so that the top can catch up. It seemed weird getting my hair cut when all I want it to do is grow, but it was looking weird with the sides all puffy. Still cant believe we even went through all that treatment/chemo. All seems like a blur. I thought I was doing pretty good through it all, but now when I look back on it, I realize what a mess I was. Still have a bit of chemo brain, but think its gradually getting better. I am looking forward to enjoying the summer. Take care.

rjbaby69 · June 2012

Hello all! Hope you are all doing well. Haven't been around much cause I've been so busy with the grandkids. The guardianship papers have been signed so it is official, I am their legal guardian. Life has been hectic but good!

I haven't really noticed any changes on tamoxifen. Guess I ought to count myself lucky. Still managing to keep my weight down. Trying hard not to regain those 20 lbs. I lost through all the active treatment. I feel like I am back up to snuff. Of course, chasing two kids around will do that to ya! LOL!

So good to hear from you Shelley, Mags, Belleeast and CCJJ. Can't believe we've all come this far and it's been almost a year for me. Yeah, Shelley, we are sistas for life! I can't imagine having a better bunch of ladies to call my sistas!

I will be having a CT scan, bone scan and mammogram (first one since diagnosis) on June 18th. Getting a few butterflies as the time gets closer. I just don't want or need any bad news. I'm hoping and praying that I am still NED. I feel good and don't feel like there's anything wrong so I'm hoping.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week ahead!

HUGS!

belleeast · June 2012

hi all, rj ,how did your scans go? hope all went well!

for those who had lumpectomy, i just took a good look at myself today and realized my right nipple (lump side) is an inch at least higher than the left WTH!! anyone else?

i've been busy watching gkids, catching up on maintenance on house,had my dining rm ceiling drywalled then i painted DR,painted my upstairs bath. i think i hate painting and i have a lot more to do!!!

i've been having some numbness in my right hand-even before doing all the painting. while driving my fingers will go numb,like they are asleep! also just lost my big toenails about a week ago,dang taxol!!

i've been battling japanese beetles today,i think they are winning arrrrhhh!

hope everyone has a great summer,try to stay cool! love to everyone!!

rjbaby69 · June 2012

Hey Belleeast! Sounds like you have been quite a busy bee here lately! That's really good to see.

Well, my scans were great! No evidence of disease! My mammo came back as a Birads 3 but my surgeon told me that they like to keep an eye on lumpectomy patients for a couple of years so I will have a mammo every 6 months on the right breast for a while. That's okay by me. Just makes me feel better. I see my surgeon again in December after my mammogram. I will see my onc again in September. I'm on what he calls the 3 month plan right now! LOL! He also said he would do scans again in December. Makes me feel really taken care of. I hate that I have to return so much but then again, I'm glad they are keeping a close eye on me.

I've been busy too. Have lots of plans for this week of vacation. Got lots of cleaning out to do and the rest of my time will be spent just relaxing and swimming with my grandkids. Things are going well and not as hectic as it was when school was going on. For that I am grateful.

Will talk to you girls again soon.

Take care and sending each of you

BIG HUGS!!!

Kimberly1961 · June 2012

RJ - Congratulations on the good news.

belleeast · June 2012

congrats,rj on the good news! your onc is on the ball,i wish mine would do scans. i am on the 3 month plan,too for 2 yrs. i see her on july 2,supposed to have a mammogram before but they haven't scheduled it yet,guess i better call!

CJRT · June 2012

Yay, RJ! So happy for you.

Belle- Sorry to hear about your numbness but glad you are feeling well enough to tackle some big jobs around the house! My onc. seems to operate the same as yours.

Good to hear from you ccjj.

Hope your arm is doing better Mags. Great picture!

belleeast · June 2012

ccjj, how did heart function test go? hope you are feeling well!

i think i wore myself out last week,i have no energy/motivation to do anything!

cjrt, how are you doing?

kimberly, how is the summer going for you?

bluejay58 · June 2012

Had my first mammo this morning after all the fun last year -- and it was clear. The tech gave me a big hug, which felt really good. They said come back in six months.

It is just getting hot here, and I am NOT looking forward to it. I still find myself getting easily fatigued sometimes, and the heat doesn't help. But still better than the alternative. *g*

belleeast · June 2012

yeeeaaah,bluejay,good news!!! the heat and humidity has been terrible here,really zaps me! cool front is coming in thank goodness,we'll get a little break!

CJRT · June 2012

Great news, Bluejay!

Belle- Doing pretty good. Thanks so much for thinking of me. Getting back to my old hectic life, which is really nice. Enjoying having more energy to get projects done and enjoy the kids. Planning 2 road trips for the summer, which should be fun and relaxing. I have been having a little trouble getting my BP and heartrate to stablize after the chemo but everything in my cardiac workup in March looked good, so hopefully it just means that my BP if finally going down after the chemo and I don't need as much of the beta-blocker. I am still on Herceptin through the end of Aug. and Tamox for the long haul. Actually have an appointment with the GS in 2 weeks for follow-up from the mastectomy and to discuss scheduling the port removal. Can't believe it's been almost a year!

mags20487 · June 2012

Had my port out last week and am finally feeling like I told this cancer to take a hike!! It was almost a spiritual experience to have it removed like I was saying that I do not have cancer anymore...very powerful. Still looking into my recon options and really want Diep with lymph node transfer. My LE is out of control in the left side and I hate it! It is a constant reminder of what has happened and I am ready to move on with my life.

Glad you are all well...Hope our other chemosabies are also doing well...I think of you all often and miss the daily banter we shared during the crappiest part of the journey. I laughed and cried much with you all and will never forget the bond we all share. Take care all and I will check in here too from time to time.

Maggie

GirlPowerDebbie · June 2012

Mags! I have my 1 year mammogram July 2. I told my DH this weekend if it comes back clean, I am getting the port out. It is so embedded in my chest I hardly feel it any more. But you are right, it is a palpable reminder. I am celebrating for you!!!!

Debbie

Is There A September 2011 Chemo Group?

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