November 2009-Starting Chemo

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited March 2012

    It is SO great - I've been in a terrific mood ever since. Now I really look like my old self and I don't look like my mother anymore.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited April 2012

    Mammo and ultrasound today - after many hours and a couple of rescans - ALL CLEAR!!!

    Hope you all are doing well - I miss you

    Sue

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2012

    Great news Sue, I have my mammo in a few weeks.  Since I have had recon, I wonder how painful it will be.

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited April 2012

    Hey hey,  I was waiting until next Monday to log in and say "Hello" but since Sue was a missin' everyone, I thought I would message early:  next Monday is my 2 year anniversary of ending treatment, so I am now a 2 YEAR CANCER SURVIVOR!!!  Woo Hoo!!!  Hubby already bought me my 2nd pink/pinkish bead for my Pandora bracelet to signify the milestone.  I'm doing well, except for the fact that I now have to go to see an endocrinologist for a whacked thyroid.  Was very unhappy about finding that out, but am actually very fortunate:  my onc ordered the ultrasound of my thyroid/lymph glands due to not being able to feel them in my neck at my last 6 mo. checkup.  Ultrasound indicated an "inflamed" thyroid with nodules, so...The fortunate part was that I wouldn't have know about it until I started having symptoms had she not randomly ordered the ul'sound.  I figure it means I'll be on some form of medication, adding to the other 3 prescriptions I'm on already.

    Glad to "read" you like your newly straightened hairs, Sue!  

    I check facebook occasionally and will get updates on Linda, Alicia, Brenda, and Michele, so feel like I'm "in touch" with them then, but I still check this site about once a month to see if anyone has posted. I figure no news is great news!!!  Other anniversaries should be coming up, if not already passed since all the cancerversary would have been in Oct/Nov!  Happy Thursday! Nette  :)

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited April 2012

    I check these boards almost every day. What can I say? I'm addicted :)

    Sue, you do look absolutely beautiful! I am happy for your good news.

    Michele, they are doing a mammo with your recon? I was told I couldn't do a mammo, but an ultrasound.

    Nette, Happy Cancerversary!

    I will have a little milestone next month. I will have been NED (no evidence of disease) for 2 years!! All scans are clear, echos are normal, tumor markers are within normal range! I am in my third year of Herceptin and will be on it for life. It gets a little tedious thinking about it. Every 3 weeks for the rest of my life or until I fail it. But I look at it this way. A little inconvenience once a month versus watching my daughter grow up! I will also take the Zometa, but will go off Zolades & Tamoxifen when I have my oopherectomy.

    I have a love/hate relationship with my boobs. The flap side looks great, the non-flap (only implant) looks a little flat. It's not as round as the flap. Dr. said that was normal, and it was because of the muscle used from my back. Oh well. I think I need a little "tweaking".

    I also did my hair. I am now a blond. I will have to figure out how to put three pictures together! Before, during, and after!

    I love you all!

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited April 2012
    (Linda, you need a support group. wait. that's what we are. :smile::)
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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited April 2012

    Hey Nette - congratulations!!!!! I was 2 years PFC on March 10th but not the end of the herceptin tx.

    Linda - it is SO great you are doing SO well - love you girl. I'm addicted as well, the other day when they were doing maintenance, I started to go through withdrawal.

    Michele - good luck for the mammo - mine hurt a lot just after having rads etc. It's only 6 mths since my last one, but I had to separate out the MRI from the mammo/US. Seeing I had all 3 in October, mammo was brought forward so I am screened every 6 months alternately.

    Sue

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  • BrendaSharon
    BrendaSharon Member Posts: 506
    edited April 2012

    Well, H~E~L~L~O

    Figured I'd better pop in and speak for myself. I don't need to have Nette doing all the work. I have been really well, other than my bones (hi & knees) seem to always hurt a lot. I'm sure it's from the tamoxifen.

    Other than that I'm enjoying life in the garden and I've had my chickies for a year now and I still LOVE them to death. They have really helped me in all my healing process. The hens (my 26 girls) now give me at least a dozen and a half a day if not two dozen. I keep a daily & monthly running total on my egg collections. As of yesterday the 11th, for the month of April I got 251 eggs already. My garden is growing just beautiful and I'm already enjoying the reaps of the fresh veggies. I added something new this year in that we built one large raised bed for me to do some flowers for the beauty and to grow all my own spices. So far, I have sweet basil, oregano, fresh dill, rosemary, scallions, green onions, Italian flat parsley, cilantro, chive, regular parsley, also I have coming along some gourmet radish and carrots that come in al kinds of vibrant colours. I realized how much I spend on spices at the store and said to hubby I needed to start my own fresh spices otherwise the homemade pickles, etc I make end up costing me more than if I was to just go buy the product!! I'm investing in a dehydrator so I can put up the spices. Anyhow between my chickies and my garden I never spend a moment worrying with the Big -C- anymore.

    HOWEVER, I did get involved (as a committee member) on the board of Tonya's Hope.Tonya's Hope is an organization in Franklin County where I live that helps cancer patients in time of need. As we all know our insurances cover a lot, but not everything and not right away.  We had a benefit this weekend and raised several thousand to help our County. When you get involved it feels so good to be able to reach out & help others. I truly enjoyed working with all the wonderful women that fight for our cause. It felt so good to give back

    Nette I understand the pill thing. I'm on 3 prescription meds also. I really need to have my infusion for ostiopena, but still no appt. has been made. Oh well, I guess they'll get to it soon, I hope.

    Sue, I'm really Happy for you,  You are looking well!.

    Sorry I get lazy with writing, doesn't mean I forgot any of you. Most of y'all I see on FB, and I can follow how you are doing. I don't always "butt" in though because I feel FB is somewhat personal and I know we all have our own lives and friends. I do feel bad we don't get to see Sue on FB.

    Well girls got to run, love all y'all to an awesome summer (((((HUGS))))) 

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited April 2012

    Brenda - I hate FB - only signed up so we could see pics of the baby. Great to hear your girls are producing tons of eggs - do you sell them?

    Great to hear you are moving on from bc, wish I could, but with 6 monthly monitoring it's very hard too.

    Work is going well and I'm finally enjoying it again.

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2012

    I too am hooked.  I only check about three times a day...I just want to stay current with you all.  I find if I stop for  a couple of days, I get lost and feel left out.

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited April 2012

    okay.  So I admit, I check this site almost daily.  Old habits are def. hard to break.  Now, a question:  has anyone used, or know anyone who is using "Prolia" as a calcuim med?  Went to the endocrinologist yesterday and she was shocked that I am using the nasal spray for a calcium supplement and went on to say the nasal spray is not effective AT ALL.   She suggested Reclast: no way I'm doing the infusions again (no offense to those of you who are getting them, but if I can do something else, I will.)  The Prolia is 2 injections a year, helps to  not only save bone loss but can increase density as well.  I also will start taking a med. for my thyroid.  She was shocked that I'm not on something already for hypothyroidism.  Have to take the med. on an empty stomach, which means I have to change my "routine" for the mornings, and just being on yet another med. IS VERY UPSETTING. So, after I got over it, and I know that it is a very small issue in a world with people who are dealing with MUCH bigger, worse, challenging issues, I am fine.  As a matter of fact, the way she talked about the Levothyroxine med. I will be a new woman.  (I told my son this morning that she said I would be a new woman and he responded, "In a good way or in a bad way?"  Gotta love him.)  It should take care of the joint/muscle pain (which I attributed to the lack of estrogen and the Femara and the Lipitor), my tiredness (which I attributed to the way I've always been), a horseness in my voice at times, a minor cough (which I thought was due to the Femara), and several other issues I can't remember.  We'll see what happens.

    Hope everyone is doing well.  I think of you guys so much.  Hope you still liking the hair, Sue!

    Melinda?  How the heck are you?!  Nette  :)

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited April 2012

    *hoarseness.  duh.

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  • BrendaSharon
    BrendaSharon Member Posts: 506
    edited April 2012

    Well Nette,

    I understand not wanting any infusion. Although I'm supposed to be set up for one, but because of insurance changes, etc. I'm now over 1/2 year late with the infusion and my bones, joints and muscles ache terribly. I went infusion just so I wouldn't have to take this other med daily that would upset my daily morning routine, I'd have to take the med on an empty stomach with just water and then have to wait at least an hour before I can even have my cup of java. That is NOT godd for me at all.  But, now I'm dealing with pain because of unorganization of changes in insurances, etc. always some dang thing. If it takes much longer for them, to set it up, I'll be a whole year with NO meds for my achy breaky bones. My other only issue is still getting HOT flashes from my tamoifen, but I'll live with it. Dreading the hot summer I know we will have here in Florida. Oh, is the Levothyroxine a daily pill?

    Sue, Glad your enjoying work and I'm happy your loving the new dew!! ;*) That is one thing I've loved since my hair returned, it's prettier than it ever was before. Same color as before, but much thicker and way more body! I can blow dry it and it will kinda stay just how I do it. I used to want to curl my short hair up in a flip at the ends when I was a kid, but could never get it to stay that way ~~~ since chemo and my new hair  came in, it works just with the blow dryer & it is just so lovely! (Well, to me & DH anyways) 

    Oh, and my chickies are wonderful ~~~ now I've started a new thing ~~ raising meal-worms ~~ HA_HA, but for real. It's a reasonable way to feed my chickies the best snack they can have. Their very high in protein, so it's better than some of the other treats I can give them. And as far as eggs, OMG, do I get them. I do sell about 8 dozen a week and the rest is for me and ALL my family members. I done a count and I get approx. 600 eggs a month.(50 dozen)

    Michele, Your never left out ;*) We all love ya!!! Golly we have all come so far together that it really is hard to ever totally give up our check ups and check ins with each other. Sometimes I try to stay away just so I don't think of myself as a cancer victim ~~~ We are ALL Cancer Survivors that can say "Happy Birthday" as Dear Sweet Linda said to me one day.

    Alicia, and to all of you I may have missed   (((((HUGS)))))

    Hoping you all have a joyous spring, Brenda

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited April 2012

    Nette - I take caltrate plus - don't know if you call it that over there. I have finished my 4 Zometa infusions. The onc wants me to do a bone denisty scan in July and then go and see him. It will be interesting to see if it has changed. It wasn't too bad to start with anyway.

    Brenda - WOW - that's a lot of eggs - good on you for selling them. I do love my hair now, I really really hated the impossible curls. It is wonderful to look like my old self finally,

    I'm seeing the bs today - I bet she'll go on about my thyroid again - I don't want it out and that's that. The goitre is quite large but doesn't stop me swallowing which is evident by the fact I've put on all the weight I lost.

    Hi to Michele and Melinda.

    Sue

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited April 2012

    I take Citrical. I was told since I take Tamoxifen Citrate, I had to take calcium citrate. Hmmmm??? Not sure about that one.

    I need to tell you all something, but PLEASE DO NOT SAY ANYTHING ON FACEBOOK...My sister had a bilateral mastectomy last week. They found "something"...aka Dysplasia. They told her to start on a 5 yr Tamoxifen plan, but she chose to be extremely radical and have the BMX. She didn't want to run the risk of something worse. I don't blame her!! So both me and my mom are Stage IV and my sis is stage 0. And we are all BRCA -. The reason I ask not to post anything is that my mom doesn't know, and neither of us have any plans to tell her. She would go over the edge since we live in NC and my sis lives in FL. My mom is struggling to go through this. She is suffering from severe depression because of the issues with her heart and lungs. She blames herself for my cancer and learning that sis has "something" would be too much for her.

    My sister will have expanders put in 6 wks from now. Her skin is very thin, and the PS is actually using pig skin as the flap. I have never heard of such a thing. I told her that I hoped my Bro in Law likes bacon (I love my BIL) They've been married for 24 years...since I was 17.

    The one thing that kind of hurt was that my sis didn't tell me until after her surgery. She's went through this for about a year before telling me. She said she didn't want me to stress, that I was too busy taking care of our mom. She told me that I had to be strong for us all. I guess she's had a lot of complications from the surgery. She needs to get her butt up here to my onc! She sounds so weak...Cry

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited April 2012

    Oh, Linda.  I am so sorry that your sister has to go through this.  You two sound like wonderful daughters, thinking of your mom like that.  It is so hard to tell some people your sick when you know they will worry so much about you.  My mom just kind of shut down, and turned away from everyone.  I live so far away from her and could do nothing.  I was dealing with my own stuff. Just know that we are all here for you and in our prayers, for those of us who pray.

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited April 2012

    Linda ~ so sorry to hear about your sister.  But am glad she is OK.  I am sorry she didn't tell you, but maybe it was best.

    And I pray ~ for all of you all the time !

    <3

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited April 2012

    Linda, I'm so sorry to hear about your sister.  I spent a lot of my adult life away from parents and family and told them all repeatedly not to leave me out of "bad news/things," but once those bad "things" started happening to me, I understood keeping them from family. Doesn't make it "right" but at least I understood.  I know your sister kept it quiet out of love, and I know you know that, too. And it sounds like she has taken the best course of action.  She and her family are in my prayers.  Nette

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  • BrendaSharon
    BrendaSharon Member Posts: 506
    edited April 2012

    Linda, Sorry you are having to deal with another illness of a family member, I shall pray all will be fine for all 3 of you. Both of you sissies are strong and I'm proud for how your both handling things. I know it's hard keeping secrets, but sometimes it is for the best. Your mom I'm sure would not have wanted, nor needs to have any more sad news.

    I know if not for my DH, I would have gone thru hell and then some, because my family too shut down on me. Even though they wanted to help and I believe that with all my heart, they where actually scared and really didn't know how to handle it.

    We are all here for you, remember WHENEVER any of us needs one another, this site was our "Savior" many times, if nothing else but to be able to vent and know we all understand!!

    (((((BIG HUGS)))))

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited April 2012

    (((Linda))), I am sorry to hear about your sister , I will keep you and your mom and your sis in my prayers.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited May 2012

    Linda - sorry about your sister. Not good she didn't share it with you but she obviously had her reasons.

    ((((((HUGS))))))

    Sue

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2012

    HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE!!!!  So glad and blessed to be healthy for another one!   Nette  :) 

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited June 2012

    Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying your summer! It's hot and stormy in NC. Brenda...watch out for TS Debbie!

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited June 2012

    Hello ladies.  I see we are a quiet bunch now.  I guess it is a good thing.  Something other than cancer on our minds.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited June 2012

    Wow - looking good Linda.

    We are away from home visiting our new grandchild - will post a pic if I can rid of the redeye. We go home tomorrow - can't wait - been away for 9 nights. 

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited July 2012

    hello ladies.  I have been a but busy lately so I hav't been on the boards...Hope everyone is well.

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited July 2012

    I hope you had a good time, Sue. I bet the baby is getting big!!!

    I'm getting ready to take my first plane trip to Portland, OR for a conference. Wish me luck!!

    Yes, this is what I look like now. I'm excited...I'm a blond. Now I can honestly say that I've been every color under the rainbow. Even purple. The box called it Pleasantly Plum, but no...I looked like a Crayola crayon! There was the one time where I looked like a calico cat. Boy...I miss the 80s :)

    Love to you all!

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  • BrendaSharon
    BrendaSharon Member Posts: 506
    edited July 2012

    Sue,

    Got a question for you. I know that your an IT person. I just found out I have a Great Uncle, by the name of Walter Stock and he lives in Australia and is an IT man at at a accounting firm. Just wondered if you might know of him somehow? Just thought that would be pretty KOOL! I'm trying to find a little more out about him as he was one of my dad's favorite cousins.All I know is he is married to a lady with a daughter whom he adopted and she adopted his son and then they had two children of their own sounds like a sweet story for success in life!!!!       And just how was that grand baby of yours???? My granddaughter (15) is coming to see me this weekend for a whole week. she is a sweet and beautiful girl Smart to boot!!!! Golly time flys (tooooooo quick)

    Oh Linda, WOW, that brings back some old memories, I was only bout 35 then, first big conference and plane ride, I was a freaking wreck!!!! Good Luck and enjoy. I was alone and didn't know anyone, so I was bored even though it was a good conference and I learned a lot. Hope you have nice time.

    Don't know bout anyone else, but I sure can't wait till I'm off Tamoxifen, I'm so tired off sweating like a flowing river tired of the aches and leg and back cramps, and tired of being tired and (somewhat) depressed. I know it's all due to that crap!! BUT, oh well, the alternative~~~~~~~

    Michele, I think I'd like to live with you in Canada, then I might cool off!!! And it is really beautiful there, haven't been in a very long time, but the fishing is great and the scenery is beautiful!!! Love the horticulture, some of the best I'd seen.

    Hope all had a Safe & Happy 4th. ((((((HUGS)))))) Love y'all, Brenda

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited July 2012

    Brenda - Oz is a really big place, sorry I haven't heard of your uncle. Try googling his name you never know what might pop up.

    Here's the best picture I took. Annie said he's over 9lbs already - 9 weeks old today. We did have a nice time. Bought 7 dozen bottles of wine :)

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited July 2012

    Awwwwweeeeeee. So very sweet!

    ~~Enjoy the wine!Innocent

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