2012 sisters

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  • Ellendou
    Ellendou Member Posts: 139
    edited June 2012

    Sending Love and Good Wishes to you all that will be getting your treatments today...will be thinking of you as I start off on this journey, first treatment for me and am really not feeling to good about it....my need something to calm me down.  Have to drive an hour to the clinic,hope I don't get car sick, happens sometimes when I am stressed.

    Hugs and good wishes to you all. 

  • jpmomof3
    jpmomof3 Member Posts: 643
    edited June 2012

    Yay Tazzy, you will be PFC day 0 today!  Congratulations! I will be there with you in three days.  Glad that the chemo is working so well that your MO can even feel the difference. 

    Thinking of you MaddyMac, hope your surgery is going/went well.  Hope you feel up to giving us an update soon.

    best wishes lostinmo in the BGC.

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited June 2012

    Morning Ladies... well the dexamethasone is working - makes me so wired.  Managed about 4 hours on/off sleep last night.  For those of you still only half way through treatment... there is an end - really!  And I dont want to brag that today is my last, but its a great bloody feeling.   Its good to see all the pill bottles disappear from my window sill... its good to see that I only have 3 Neupogen shots left... and only an hour and half left in the BGC.

    Juneau.. there is nothing worse than inaction eh?   After today I will have an approx 6 week wait until surgery.. so will just be hanging in there with ya... least we can keep each other company and have a few pity parties if we want... margaritas will be served Wink

    Lostinmo and MaddyMac - thinking of you fighting sisters.

    Enjoy your days ladies and hope any SE's are very minimal and bearable.   Chat later.

    Peace, love and hugs xxxx

  • 2FriedEggs
    2FriedEggs Member Posts: 640
    edited June 2012

    Websister so sorry you have to be here under these circumstances but you have found the greatest group of ladies to go thru it with. We each rightfully B---- & moan and the others listen, but we also make the best out of our crummy situations. So much happens so fast when first diagnosed, yet in a way it seems to really drag out. But once you know what your situation is and have a game plan it gets alot easier.

    DianaNM  OMG I cracked up when you said "nothing bonds a couple like emptying drain bulbs together" SO TRUE! After surgery my husband made these  nice little charts on the computer with the 4 drains all numbered so we could log the times and amounts in each drain. Then he would come in and help me with the drains. The one night he thought I was doing it with out him and I said "oh no I'm just in here stripping" He's like "ohhh wow,ok then, I'll be right in" I laughed knowing what he was thinking and reminded him that post surgery, "stripping" had taken on a whole new connotation  as in stripping the tubes on the drains. But in hindsite, it  really was bonding time and we would share in my accomplishments of decreased drainage, getting one pulled out, etc etc. Aint Love Grand! as the saying goes. LOL

    Soyaandpepper You are amazing; such ambition-you put me to shame...lol Glad you are doing so well. 

    For anyone having surgery today or in that stinky BGC today, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I was thinking today how PRE-diagnosis such petty things would annoy me. Then once diagnosed I had such bigger fish to fry and everything went on the back burner. But the last few days, I've found myself being annoyed by some dumb things in my house and yard and I got kind of excited about it, because I realized that I must be getting somewhat back to normal (or atleast not thinking cancer 24/7). Hard to imagine now while you're going thru all this crap, but once it's done, there is some relief in sight- a different but new normal. 

    Super Tazzy TODAY IS YOUR LAST TREATMENT, RIGHT? What great news too about the tumor shrinking. That's wonderful news. Wow I am just going to have to do a happy dance for you and have a celebratory toast for you tonight!!!! (My husband would tell you that I will use anything as an excuse to have a drink, but if he does, it's not true...you're special! lol)

    Hope you all have a nice weekend that's minus worry , SEs and pain.

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited June 2012

    Thanks 2Fried and everyone else for the congrats on my last day in the BGC!  Hey once I am up to it I will be celebrating with a very large drink.... and I said to my DH once chemo started, that finally after 20 years he gets a cheap dateWink

    And that is a wonderful story of you, your drains and DH... yes bc somehow makes us bond closer eh?  Glad to hear the bitchyness returns eventually I was getting worried I was turning into someone 'nice'... have a reputation to keep up you knowSmile

    Well I am off to get ready go leave for 8 of 8.  Love ya sisters !

  • websister
    websister Member Posts: 1,092
    edited June 2012

    Thank you everyone for the warm welcome, the names are all swimming in my head a little at the moment but I know I will get them all straightened out and get to know each of you well over the next while.

    I also want to wish everyone well, whether receiving treatment today or waiting.

    I'm off to my bone scan so should be glowing in the dark soon :)





  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited June 2012

    Good luck to all in the chairs today.

  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited June 2012

    Oops, I think there were surgeries around here today too. So good luck to those of you undergoing surgeries too. much love.

  • vickilind61
    vickilind61 Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2012

    ooh moonflwr, yes, anyone under the knife today; best wishes, blessings and a steady hand for the surgeon.  Surprised

    tazzy, I always suspected you were an evil person...

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited June 2012

    To all with surgeries...missed that - chemo brain still reigns - all the best and good luck.

    Vicki... you could tell from that wicked smile eh?   Maxine is my role model - hee hee !

    Websister... good luck with the bone scan and yes you do kinda feel that with all the radioactive crap they put in us we could light up North America if we all stood together.

    Well I am back from treatment 8 of 8 and it feels great... sure once the SE's kick in I wont be saying that.  But a great milestone to reach - all you starting out..its doable, you will see the end and chemo sucks  but it works... cant say that enough.

    While I still feel good I am going out for some gardening therapy and the sun is shining a little bit.

    I hope you are all doing OK whatever you are doing or having done to you and look forward to all the progress reports.

    Peace and hugs xxxxxxxxxxxx

  • 2FriedEggs
    2FriedEggs Member Posts: 640
    edited June 2012

    Super Tazzy Devil - Wow youre done with 8 of 8 and you are going out to do gardening now?!!!! I would have thought the DH would be there hounding for a celebration with his cheap date since chemo is done, and b4 any SE's, but maybe he is just thinking positive and hoping for an entire weekend of fun.Wink  Oh well, I was waiting for you to get back so I could have that toast to you but I guess it's just a wee too early in the day then huh?  So glad that you're done with the BGC! Movin on! 

  • jpmomof3
    jpmomof3 Member Posts: 643
    edited June 2012

    Yay Tazzy! congrats on being done.  Glad you are feeling so good. 

  • Westwoodmom
    Westwoodmom Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2012

    Had my mediport removed today after 4 months of chemo (4x ac, 4x tax)!!!!! It feels so amazing to not have it in anymore and it was much easier than putting it in. Now onto 33 rounds of rads! Hope everyone has a great weekend and congrats to those who finished up treatments today!!

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited June 2012

    It is still mid-afternoon here... so I sent hubby back to work and we will celebrate for real when I am over the SE's and can have a drink for proper... and 2Fried...never forget that somewhere in this world it is 4pm and margarita time Wink

    Congrats to you Westwoodmom on being done too... great feeling eh?   I chose not to have a port, just didn't like that idea and I have good veins anyway... and have only come away with 2 track marks and they are slight.

    For Ellendou and maddymac... let us know how you got on if you are up to it.... thinking of you lots and sending positive vibes your way. 

    Today is a good day.  Going back to the garden.   Chat later on I am sure.  

    Luv ya sistas Kiss

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited June 2012

    Tazzy:  yeah!!!!  Congrats!  6 more days and I am DONE too!  JPmom:  You are right ahead of me!  Next week is going to be a good week.

    Ellendou:wishing you minimal S/E's this weekend.

    Westwoodmom:  Congrats, too!  

  • Ellendou
    Ellendou Member Posts: 139
    edited June 2012

    Good afternoon ladies, I am home and so far just feeling kind of strange and tired.....kind of fuzzy in the head.

    Hope everybody else is doing well.

    Hugs 

  • DianaNM
    DianaNM Member Posts: 281
    edited June 2012

    Tazzy, congrats on that milestone! Hope your SEs do not linger.

    2Friedeggs, too funny about the stripping, and sounds just like my DH. He has been my rock through all this, has even made most of the appointments. Was glad he missed the one last week though, where I waited 2 1/2 hours for a two minute follow up with my surgeon. My Oncotest score had come in, and I was determined to find out what it was. It was 25, right in the middle. So waiting did me no good really.

    I am currently looking at a prescription for Femara and reading up on the SEs. Not liking any of it, but I must give it a try. 

  • vickilind61
    vickilind61 Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2012

    BGC ladies, congrats on being done for the day....or just DONE!!!!  It's five o'clock somewhere (gotta love a parrothead).

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited June 2012

    Sounds like a normal SE Ellendou that fuzzy weird sort of not sure what's happening feeling.   Take care, listen to your body and drink plenty - water I mean Wink

    Here's to a great weekend to us all...minimal SE's for all (PLEASE).

  • Soyaandpepper
    Soyaandpepper Member Posts: 368
    edited June 2012

    Yayyyyyyyyyyyy Tazzy!!! Way to go! Last one today! Hope you have a great weekend and say NO to SEs. So happy for you and the end of your chemo!

  • Tazzy
    Tazzy Member Posts: 2,546
    edited June 2012

    Thanks soyaandpepper - its a good feeling.  Half way through this crappy journey.  Ready for the next steps...bring it on - oh! she says with such cockiness... wont be so brave in about 4 days I bet.. ha ha !

    I agree... just say NO !

  • Ellendou
    Ellendou Member Posts: 139
    edited June 2012

    Thanks Tazzy will do.

    So happy for you. 

  • Soyaandpepper
    Soyaandpepper Member Posts: 368
    edited June 2012

    So I went to the doctor today and my pathology results are back, they confirmed that the cancer on the right side was 15mm just as the MRI showed and found nothing else in that breast. On my left breast where I had a lump for 5 years (went to a ob/gyn at the time I found it and he felt the lump but told me it was nothing and I left it at that), when I did the biopsy, the result came back that it was an non cancerous condition called sclerosing adenosis. Anyways, the doctor told me to remove that non cancerous lump as well. So I did a NSBMX, and the result for the left breast is ADH. This confirms that I made the right choice of BMX instead of just UBX. 

    Since I live in a small island in the Caribbean, the test for the hormone receptors are done either through the government lab or send it to the UK (since that's where my oncoplastic surgeon practiced for 15 years before coming back to this island- he studied here and then finished in the UK), I choose to send it tot the UK, so I have to wait on that for about 10 days give or take.

    Now comes the hard part, my surgeon is sending me to an MO to discuss my chemo treatment. I have not done an Oncotype test and will ask about that when I see the MO, but my surgeon told me the only reason for me to see the MO at this point is my age (35), from all the results he says my cancer was not very aggressive and it was 15mm with no nodes involved.  I don't know if I should base my decision to do chemo or not on the oncotype test and my hormone receptors. I've started to include raw food in my diet (like juicing left greens twice a day and eating organic all the way). 

    What are your experiences with deciding chemo? I'm not sure that the benefits outweight the side effects (long term and short term) for me. 

  • kjiberty
    kjiberty Member Posts: 1,385
    edited June 2012

    soyaandpepper:  I thought for sure I was a radiation only gal.  Dx was Stage 1, grade 3, no lymph node involvement.  My oncotype dx test was a score of 28, which, unfortunately was a no-brainer for me.  Did I want an 18% recurrence rate (I rounded up to 20%) vs. chemo and a 10-12% recurrence rate.  I was dreading, absolutely dreading chemo.  I cried my eyes out.  I will be done with chemo next Thursday (YEAH!!!!!), and don't have ay regrets about doing it.  If I didn't do the chemo, I would have a lifetime of what if's.  Can you get the test done???  Your age may factor too.  I am 56.  I don't have the answer for you, just what I decided to do based on my situation.   

  • lostinmo
    lostinmo Member Posts: 922
    edited June 2012

    Finally got back home at 4. I would really love to coment on everyone but just to out of it right now. Please know that I thinking for all of you. Hopefully I will be able to catch up tomorrow.

  • Soyaandpepper
    Soyaandpepper Member Posts: 368
    edited June 2012

    kjiberty-Thanks for sharing, I will ask the MO about the test and if it can be done, even if it has to be sent away to do it, I'll want to pay to have it done. 

  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited June 2012

    Ellendou, so glad it went well for you today. Just hang in there. It will get worse before it gets better, but it will pass. The first three weeks after chemo #1 felt neverending to me, but after that the time went quickly. Drink a lot of water/iced tea etc., and sleep whenever you feel like it.

     Tazzy, 

  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited June 2012

    So glad it went well today, Ellendou. Just hang in there. I thought it would never end, but it will pass much sooner than you think. It gets better with every chemo, because you know better what to expect, and how to counteract SE's.

    Tazzy, I celebrated with you on another forum - can't remember which one. Chemo brain.

  • 2FriedEggs
    2FriedEggs Member Posts: 640
    edited June 2012

    DianaNM My Dh has been doing the Drs visits with me too so far, except for the fills, but now that its just follow up on follow ups Tongue out I think I'lll let him off the hook.You had a really long wait for that follow up. We waited a good hour at one of my last visits but I don't mind when I know that I sometimes take up his time with my barrage of questions and some other poor person has to wait.  As far as the prescription goes, i was given arimidex and felt the same way.The list of se's is scary but then my husband reminded me that even aspirin has some really scary ones including death.lol  But I have been taking the Arimidex over a month now and knock on wood, so far, no problems. I don't ofcourse know how much it helped, but my mo told me when I start to take it , take one then wait 3 days to take another for the first 9 days then go to every other day for a week, then start on it every day. He said it kind of introduces it to your body slowly  so that your body accepts it. My d-in-law has her dr in pharmacy and totally agreed with his theory as does my bs. Ofcourse, they could all be bluffing me but  even if the were it gave me more confidence doing it that way, rather than just starting to take it every day right off the bat. Plus I take it at night so that I will hopefully sleep through any headaches etc. it might cause.   If you are apprehensive to get started, you could probably start the Femara off slowly the same way.

    Lostinmo Glad youre home. Hope you're feeling better tomorrow. Let us know.

    Soyaandpepper  more drs visits and decisions-we know it's hard but as you well know from this whole bc crap, once you have a game plan, it's easier to handle whatever the situation.   

  • Soyaandpepper
    Soyaandpepper Member Posts: 368
    edited June 2012

    Oh I forgot to say that my doctor said I could wear whatever bras i want except NO underwire and i don't have to wear it to bed or 24/7 anymore since I've passed my 6 weeks mark!!! Yayyyyyy!!!!!!!

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