Calling all TNs

OBXK - I just went through similar experiences the past month - first lung bx was a really botched job - the ego manic RO would not give up - he went in for four more bx tries AFTER my lung partially collapse - still did not get enough tissue.  I was in severe pain, even with light sedation -I went to a larger hosp in VT - 2 and half hours away -gas expense and expensive ferry ride over Lake Champlain -  for the 2nd bx. They had a tough time getting tissue as my rib was in the way, but at least they got tissue and my lung did not collapse. Yep - I know what you mean - all for nothing - damn TN again, but needed confirmation for chemo. I agree - at least I'm not suffering the leg pains and my finger and toenails are not falling off because of Taxol. I am doing Carboplastin and Gemzar - two Fri. in a row and then one off - prob. for 6 months. I shaved my own hair off last week as I could not bear to have a friend do it again - they cry too much!  I will be thinking of you .

Sherry

Karen - I'd be a ranting crazy person if I still had to wait some more.  How awful for you.  How insensitive for them to not call you ahead and save you the trip.  Grrrrrrr.  Keeping you close in my heart. 

Teaching DH how to make chicken soup.  Will double his kitchen skills. 

Sherry - Keeping you close in my heart, too

I'm loving my easy recovery.  Not having lymph nodes removed make for an easy mastectomy.  (so far at least)  And thanks to all for your continued good wishes.  I feel the love.  Jan

Reality - rant away. We get it!



Jan - hope the soup is good! Glad you are having an uneventful recovery!!!

Just had toput up this with all the 'doggy talk' today 

Reality - I wish you weren't in the position that makes you rant...don't apologize for anything you post. That's why we're all here - to share the experiences of this ugly disease and to support each other. Rant all you want to!! We will always listen.

QueenKong - you posted a while back about spelling. When I first started reading this thread (soon after my diagnosis), I thought what is wrong with these women? Are they new to a computer and don't know how to type? I was so innocent back then. Now, I get it. And although it bothers me at work because I create many documents, I've almost adjusted to it being my new normal in my non-work environments. 

funnygirl - congrats on your good news! And best wishes for your surgery. Take good care of yourself and let others pamper you and give you lots of TLC. When you're up to it, be sure to let us know how you are.

born - I can totally relate to your post about fear. Maybe we're at a "stage" now - I see that your diagnosis date is the same as mine. 

obxk - been thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way

dawn - how are you? ((((hugs))))

to everyone I forgot to mention - let's keep fighting and most of all, keep supporting each other.

love to all

Melissa -  My schedule was dx,scans, mx, chemo, scans, rads, scans, scans, scans.  I've been NED since chemo, but my oncology center seems to be scan happy.  I understand your anxiety about your treatments coming to an end.  I think that's why I didn't questions so many scans post treatment.  I'm told the concern of recurrence goes down with time, and I think this is true, but......  I hope this helps you a little bit.  Others will be along to add their experiences.  Holding your hand as you hang on.  Jan

Ha ha Jan,  and to think I was jealous of you having lovely chicken soup.  Jealousy might go now but the thought of  chocolate cake is making me envious. 

Melissa - DX Nov 11.  MX Nov 11. Scan. MRI both clear.  Chemo Feb because my oncologist that I particularly wanted  was on holiday.  Then Rads.  Nothing since.,  In NZ they don't seem to be scan happy (more's the pity as I would feel better if they did one) I will get one if any further issues arise for more than two weeks.  It takes a while to overcome your fears and I am not there yet but the ladies on here say it will come. I guess all the time I feel well I will not worry but its always lurking there so know how you feel.  Yep as Jan said the ladies on here  are a wealth of knowledge and info and will give you better answers than mine.   

Jan - third rule in cooking, never leave the pot unattended. Or at least teach him to use the timer.



Journey - thanks for the good vibes!



Jag - Oh sweetie - check in with us, we'll be here for you. The fear sucks! The blood test, can help tell if it has gone to your bones -high calcium or liver - elevated liver enzymes. They also look at your blood counts.

Report any pain that lasts for two weeks. We don't get a lot of scans, without symptoms, because of the radiation exposure.

It's hard to move forward after treatment, you feel like your safety net has been removed and your about to try a triple summersault without a net! The fear will lesson with time. Hugs to you!



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My new adjustable bed arrived - I freaking love it! DH wishes I'd stop calling it my new death bed



Wishing you all a good tomorrow!

Karen and others who live along the East Coast:  Holding my breath that the monster storm somehow misses you.  It looks so seriously dangerous.  Good luck.  Jan

Melissa - I am a few months post treatments and I was having a lot of anxiety not knowing anything, so my MO used a few symptoms I've been having (coughing and weight loss) to order a CT/PET scan.  Otherwise, they don't do scans here either.    I had it Tuesday and haven't gotten results yet even though he said it would be 48 hrs for results.  I don't know if I should call.   I am guessing no word is good.   I just want to know it is all gone so I can hopefully move on.

I also still have neuropathy in my feet and hands from Taxol.  Taxol was the WORST!   AC was much easier for me.   I am started to get used to the tingling feet.  I may have to live with it since it has been 6 months since taxol.

Hope everyone who is in the path of Sandy, stays safe!

Oh born.. you really cant fix stupid eh?  Cant you respond to her and politely point out how offensive and sad her suggestion is?  I am sure as a social worker you can do it in a very 'gentle' fashion.  Otherwise a slap upside the head can work too   Grrr!

I was at a workshop for my job yesterday and a manager who I haven't seen since being dx'd actually, after a little chat and bear hug from her asked me if I was dying !!!   Just said not today I aint.

Yep... you cant fix stupid and they walk among us and sometimes breed ?!

Thanks so much, QueenKong - will write more tomorrow - long Onc office day today. Was quite disappointed as my blood counts "took at dive", as my PNP stated, after only one infusion of Carbo-Gemzar. Darn - was hoping my body could handle it as other side effects are not bad at all, so far. She assured me that there are other opitons for triple neg. - I was hoping we found the magic bullet - oh well - will keep trying. The good news is that I was able to spend time at the beach today - yep, the beach, in Upstate NY, at the end of October - 68 degrees!

Will be on thread tomorrow

Sherry

Here's a hair comment I just could not believe - especially considering the source of the comment. My rad/onc PNP occasionally sends me emails to say hello and to let me know about seminars and other up-coming events. She is very supportive and I know that it is very kind of her to take the time to correspond with me. I rarely initiate an email conversation with her as I know she is very busy. I did, however, email her concerning my mets dx. Her reply was, of course, very supportive and upbeat until the part where she stated that it was "too bad" I shaved my head as my current chemo meds usually do not lead to hair loss!!!! Even if she thought this, how in the world could she say it to me? To the contrary, my MOPNP advised me to shave my head as she knows I do not want to deal with the sporadic shedding and thinning spots that the meds often do incur. I'm glad I shaved it - one less thing to deal with and I like winter hats.

adagio..I had Taxol x4 treatments every 2 weeks...it was my first chemo drug.  For me my toe and fingernails changed a bit in color and thickness but none came off or hurt.  I also had no nausea from it just some pain in the joints and bones as well as alternating constipation/diarehhea...never knew what i should be taking haha.  Just wanted to reassure you that your doc will tell you all the possible side effects but it does not mean that you will experience them all.

Leaving tomorrow for NOLA for my recon.  Driving 4 hours tomorrow to stay with friends in N FL and then onward to New Orleans on Monday.  1 Full day to play then a day of pre op appt on Wed then Thursday is the big day!  Will be off the boards for a little bit.  Will miss you all--my lifeline during this aweful storm.  A storm by the way that feels like it is finally passing on..so for all the newbies....it really does get better!!  Life if waiting for you too

Maggie