2012 sisters

Marian, hope you get good results back from all your scans and consults today. You are busy, hey?

Tazzy, that get-together sounds like a very good idea! By the way, my son is in Kelowna for work this week, and he just loves the warm weather there. Hope you can get back to the yoga soon.

MrsCich, sorry to hear that the fills were so uncomfortable for you. Maybe take a pain killer half an hour before, that's what my PS suggested. I never felt any of the fills, and my boob is still numb 8 months after surgery. The first few days after every fill I had to take painkillers. I'm also due for more fills, because the rads have visibly shrunk my foob, TE and all. It was overfilled before rads to account for that, but oh well, on this rollercoaster you never know what is waiting around the next bend in the road.

Shock2behere, chances are you will not have such a bad time with #3. Everybody reacts differently. The tight chest and breathing difficulty that I had during #3 is a rare side-effect. If it wasn't for that, it would have been okay, really.  

Sorry if I scared any of you still awaiting #3. I think it is very true that everyone reacts differently. My story was worse this time I think since I caught a cold from my kids during round 2 and that has caused some lingering effects exacerbating the issue. So go into it thinking positively and see what happens. Like the experienced chemo warriors have told us - this will all pass and become a distant(ish) memory down the road. Together we can all do this! Websister - will be thinking of you tomorrow - and all others headed to the BGC soon, and wishing you all minimal side effects. As for me - the cough is still causing me some problems, but for sure more manageable. And I managed to get somewhat of a healthy dinner into me (been craving spinach so sauteed some of that up along with my meal), and finally motivated myself to take a walk - and managed to get two loops in tonight after dinner. So might be feeling a bit more human. Fingers crossed the chemo fog will be lifted when I wake up tomorrow morning. Sending you all big giant hugs and a restful night sleep!

Juneau, you need to win the lottery after this thing!

Off tomorrow for a CT-guided lung biopsy.  All weekend thought it was the back, but just found out today it was the lung.  (yay.)  Slight risk for pneumothorax.  If so I have to stay overnight. (whoopie.)

Well, it's a good time to get some knitting done.  I have to stay there for four hours after.

Any knitters out there in 2012 Land?

Hi Scorchy, I haven't knit in many years, but decided just a few days ago to buy some chunky knitting yarn, and knit myself a scarf. My last effort was a green sweater (his favorite color) for DH 33 years ago when I was a newly-wed, and wanted to impress him with my diligence and competence - LOL! He has the longest arms ever, really, and by the time I had those sleeves done, my enthusiasm had completely evaporated. I gave the project over to his mother, who finished it. What are you knitting? Hope you avoid the hospital stay tomorrow!

Hi everyone!



Mrschich - sorry I missed sending you hugs on your first day of chemo but I am glad that part is over and sounded like it went as good as it could.



So much that I caught up today so I am just going to say hello to everyone.



My birthday was on Friday so I headed up to Minneapolis to go out with some friends. It was nice but I can't hang like I used too:( I had a awesome vodka martini to write home about but I stopped at one:) Saturday my bf and I had brunch at a really fun rest.. Called hells kitchen down town and it was a lot of fun. Then took a walk and of course a nap:)



I am still pretty stiff and have joint pain and that really bothers me and I hope it gets better. I guess it could be worse but dam! I am glad people shared about their depression on here because it is nothing to be ashamed of! It is something my mom and aunts have dealt with their whole life but too scared to ask or search for help. It is something I have struggled with as well but I have learned how to manage myself and bf BC be able to pull myself out of it and have takin Meds in my younger years but i don't now.



Love that a lot of you are doing the race for the cure or other events! I want to do another race this year as last June I had to walk a half marathon during chemo. Yep it sucked and it was hard as hell so this year I can't help to beat that race time:) I used to run a lot but even bf BC I had stop running as much but I want to challenege myself to do one more marathon or half. Just one more:)



I decided not to do rads and I was torn about this decision for last month but I finally made the decision and I won't look back and second guess it. I am ok with my decision and know it not what every would decide.



Sending big hugs!

Scorchy- I dont knit but the last thing I want in my hands are needles. Haha I feel like everytime I turn around someone is poking me or wanting to poke. But I know knitting is very calming or so my great aunt tells me.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.

juneaubugg, I'm glad to hear you had a better day today.  Sweet dreams!

Regarding depression, the BC diagnosis and chemo accelerated my mood swings so badly I went on a new med for bipolar.  It finally kicked in (been on it over a month now) and I swear I feel better mentally than I did the past several years before BC.  Wishing I'd done it earlier but I was determined to cope med free.   Oh well, live and learn.  I never realize how badly I'm doing until I can see the contrast after going on meds that work.

mccook... happy belated birthday for last Friday.

Not a knitter nor a crocheter.... Mum always did both, not so much now.

As for depression, I remember when I was a kid, about 10-12 or so.  My aunt had severe depression and was in a 'mental' hospital (really dont know the term used for them now.. .sorry).  Anyway when we went in my Mum said to me "If these people had broken their leg, you'd see their cast and know what they had done... well these people in here are no different, except you cannot put a cast on their minds - that is what is broken and they are here to try and mend it".    I have never forgotten those words and never forgotten that she is open minded enough to have taken me.   Sure there were people out there who disapproved at the time.

Wishing minimal SE Tuesday for those that need it.   And wishing everyone else a wonderful Tuesday.

Juneau... yep, chemo is definitely cumulative.   Hope you managed a good nights sleep.

_Ann_: Glad you found medication that is working for you. 

Good morning

Won't address all the posts as I'm sitting in the waiting room waiting to be called in for my chemo.

Knitting - as a child, maybe I should take it up again, definitely lots of waiting room times

Depression - agree with what others have said, I have seen medication make a tremendous difference in people's lives and I am so thankful we have this avenue



Juneau - glad the massage helped, hope you had a good sleep



Ramols - wishing you continued healing from the cold and side effects



MrsCich - hope you had a comfortable night post fills



Mccook - belated Happy Birthday



Take care everyone

Hey ladies,

Hope the chemo effects calm down fast.  I agree that stuff is definitely cumulative.  But somehow that last dose isnt as bad, its just knowing its the last dose that helps. 

Juneau good luck on the 5k, i will bet you can do it and will be surprised. 

I did my 16 of 33 rads treatments.  its going fine, just tired.  The skin is a little pink.  So far so good.

Best wishes to all!

Hi ladies,

When I read all of your posts, I feel like a hypocrite. Why? Because I have not had to undergo any of the treatments you all have. I haven't lost my hair, haven't had to sit in the BGC, (well I take that one back I had 3 rounds of iron infusion treatments), the only thing I've had to do was remove my breasts. I don't feel like I have the right to say I'm a survivor. I feel guilty that my degree of cancer isn't the same.

For all of you going in for your next treatments, surgeries my thoughts and prayers are with you. For the ones with SE's I hope they pass quickly.

Chrisrenee,

Tazzy is right.  You had cancer, baby, and that sucks all the way 'round.  Don't feel guilty--although I believe that is a wholly normal feeling.  I really do.

I have to say that when I was first diagnosed Stage II, Grade 3, etc., etc. I felt guilty too.  I wasn't going through chemo (yet), and I didn't have that lumpectomy (yet), I didn't go through hell (yet).  And I thought that in 12-18 months it would all be behind me.  And I felt guilty because I felt like I was being let off easy.

A month later I was diagnosed Stage IV.  But, I kind of felt the same way.  Wow, I have Estrogen+ IDC and not triple negative or inflammatory.  I feel guilty complaining.

Embrace that you are a woman with real empathy. We're all part of this lousy club, regardless of our stage and circumstances. And for that you have all the support in the world from us here. From me.  

And greater NY area knitters: I say we join for a day for some intense knit and bitch!  I have a lot to knit and we all have a lot of cause to bitch!  Or I could statrt a 2012 Sisters knitting group on Ravelry.

Love to all,
Scorch

Chrisrenee7-I agree with Tazzy and Scorch, its CANCER no matter how you spin it! And it sucks!

Chrisrenee, you "only" had to remove your breasts.  Only?  No way is that getting off lucky!  You have every right to be here and post as much as you want.

Thank you all so much for all the weer and caring words. It's funny because I've told my mom that I feel like I should classify myself in a group of yeah you had bc but you are in the weenie club because you didn't have any form of treatment. Haha. I truly admire all of you on here for your strength and courage.