Calling all TNs

Hopex3 - My tumor hurt also, even tho my BS said cancer doesn't hurt. HA! 

5thsib - I also found my own lump, as well did my sister.   TN tumors come up fast, a lot of times between mammos.   My sister's lump was actually on her mammo but was given an all clear.   I guess mammos are only as good as the ones reading them.   She went back months later because the lump was getting bigger.  By that time, it was 5 cm!

Jenndurk - I am unusual in that I had a hard time with taxol, not AC.   Taxol kicked my butt.  It gave me flu-like symptoms, pain and high fevers.  Horrible pain and vomitting the first week so was more proactive after that in taking my pain med's (oxycodone) and anti-nausea meds.  It also gave me neuropathy in my feet and hands that has not gone away (6 months later).   If you are getting Neulasta shot to bring blood counts up, you should take Claritin (the regular 24 hr type) for the day of the shot and I took it a week after the shot.   That helps with bone pain but I also took my narcotic pain meds for the rest of the aches and pain.

Hello everyone,

I was trying to think of some comforting words to say to some of the newcomers on this site who have expressed their feelings of sadness and anxiety recently.  I have an arsenal of tricks that I've developed which help me personally in terms of keeping these feelings in check.  I really try to think about the statistics in a glass half full type of way.  If you say that 55% of people with your stage survive for instance (and it's probably higher than that since all statistics are out-of-date), then focus on being in that 55%.  Focus on all the things that you can do to give you some feeling of control in a situation that is so scary and out of control.  Focus on a better diet and lifestyle.  I tell myself that I want to make sure that if it does come back, I will have done everything within my power to give me the best chances.  Ultimately of course it's down to our own unique biology and a whole lot of luck.  If you are someone who needs to look at the Internet (I know it's a bad idea, but I can't stop myself from doing it), bookmark all the sites that give you hope and comfort and refer back to them if you need to.  When I feel myself getting unhelpfully nervous, I literally go and shut myself in a quiet place in the house and talk myself out of it. There are loads of people, of all stages, with all tumour sizes and levels of lymph node involvement who survive this and live for many, many years.  Lots of them frequent this board, and there are also threads on this site devoted just to this (I have those bookmarked!)

This all being said, I'm finding it difficult at the moment to practice what I preach.  I'm feeling less than enthused about my next round of Taxotere tomorrow and less than enthused with cancer full stop at the moment to be honest.  Three and a half months in to chemotherapy now, I'm just tired of arranging my whole life around the days when I may or may not feel good.  I'm tired of worrying, or of working hard not to worry. Even my retail therapy strategy and the purchase of two new particularly nice pairs of shoes this week hasn't done much to lift my spirits.  My closet is beginning to resemble that of Imelda Marcos.  And then I feel guilty about whining, because I know that there are many people in much more worrying situations than me, some on this thread even, and I tell myself to just get my act together and deal with it.

Whine over.  I feel a bit better now.

Welcome to all the new ladies, sorry you have to be here, but this is a wonderful supportive group!

Dear OBXK - started Carbo/Gem two weeks ago. I was so pleased that the side effects were nothing close to those of AC/Tax - Sadly, though, I could not have my infusion last Fri. as my blood counts "took a dive" as my Onc put it. I am supposed to have it two Fridays in a row, skip a Fri. and then start over again - prob. for six months. This is my "off" Fri., so I'm using it to have another port put it (had first one removed at lumpx time). So not looking forward to another port....Onc assures me that he has another "cocktail" in mind if my blood levels keep dropping so drastically - I advised him that at this point, I will try one more combo - If that does not work, then I plan to stop chemo. He just looked at me and patted me on the shoulder...

I did the same thing you did - tossed out a lot, gave away a lot and started labeling things for children and grandchildren for departure time - sounds morbid - yes, but it was almost a freeing kind of exercise. I am giving my children and grandchildren individual photo books for Christmas. I plan to give away almost all the photos I have. I even tossed out my high school year book and many photos that will mean nothing to my children and grandchildren. I even registered my body for donation to Albany Med Center so my children will not have to be burdened with funeral and burial - also to try to help with research. My children are fine with my plan. They will receive my ashes a year after I pass-on. 

Its difficult to see how my disease affects my children - My oldest son is always here when I need a ride or something done around the house, but he tries his best to ignore cancer and acts like I will be here forever - He wants to buy me a kyak - oh boy, that should be fun with a frozen shoulder (lol). My middle son, who lives in CO, cries and gets angry at siblings for what he feels is not enough to help me. My daughter - 32-gets very short and impatient with me - she treats me like a child and acts as though she is angry at me for having cancer. It was so different with my initial dx and treatment - so hopeful, noone was angry, now it's almost too much for my family to do again....

Sherry

My Onc did not plan to give me next day Neulasta - but with counts so low last Fri., he gave me an injection of Neulasta instead of doing chemo. 

Titan-I have always been very close with my son (21 yrs old) and not as close to my daughter (19 yrs old) however, since my dx the roles have switched my daughter is very much involved and my son is almost in denial.  Everyone dose handle it differently, not wrong, just different.

agree KS - I don't look at stats!

I am friends with Inmate on facebook and she had just posted on Oct. 25th.  Not sure about the others that we haven't heard from though.  Thinking of all of our sisters xo

Karen, I strongly endorse the purchase of the red mary janes--clearly an essential component of any woman's wardrobe.  And some purples ones too!  One of my new pairs is purple, and coincidentally matches the dark purple nail polish that I've been advised to wear to protext my nails during the Taxotere.  I enjoy pointing out this exceptional display of colour coordination to anyone who will listen when I'm wearing them!  I'll be thinking of you today as I get my chemo.

I've gone a bit mad recently and given myself a complete wardrobe/image overhaul.  I've thrown out nearly all of my old clothes and decided to become a bit more trendy.  If I feel like crap, it helps me to know that I don't look like a sack of potatoes.  I go in to every chemo session, wig on, fully made up, wearing my best outfit. I find it easier to cope when I don't look ill. I must stop soon though because the bank balance is suffering and I'm trying to save for a decent family hoiday next summer.  By that time, we'll all need some proper time off, together, preferably on a Greek Island, the waves lapping on the beach and someone called Costas bringing me cocktails at the click of my fingers. That's a thought to hold on to.

Dear Bernie - yes - our lifeline - I totally agree. Whenever things go great, I can't wait to share with all of you. When things do not go well, I run to the shelter all of you provide. I love you guys, I truly do. 

Sherry

English Rose - I just painted my toes "Plumberry".

Good Morning Girl Friends - Love all the posts today. 

Wondering if I can ask DH to get me some wild color nail polish.  Plumberry sounds perfect.  

Thinking of the millions of people in the eastern third of US.  Wishing all the very best.  Jan 

Happy Halloween to everyone.  I got the "all-clear" on my PET/CT scan.   I am so happy.  I feel I can move on now that I know the treatments worked.

Hi everyone. Wonderful posts today. Great news from CatWhispurrer and inspiring ideas for enjoying life from the other sisters. Clearing out our possessions MAY seem a bit negative and/or morbid but perhaps it's us just realizing that there are much more meaningful things to concentrate on, whether we have a year or 20 left - having fun with colour (plumberry nails), decorating (HUGE Christmas tree in the Adirondacks), spending time with family and friends (trick or treating with the grandchildren) and planning for the future (trips we plan to take, things we want to do). The main theme is ENJOY LIFE!!

Doreen

Two nuns, Sister Mary Agnes and Sister Mary Vincent, are traveling through Europe in their car, sightseeing in Transylvania. As they are stopped at a traffic light, out of nowhere, a small vampire jumps onto the hood of the car and hisses at them through the windshield.

"Quick, quick!" shouts Sister Mary Agnes, "What should we do?"

"Turn the windshield wipers on. That will get rid of the abomination," says Sister Mary Vincent.

Sister Mary Agnes switches on the wipers, which knock the mini-Dracula around. But, he hangs on and continues hissing at the nuns. "What shall I do now?" she shouts.

"Try the windshield washer. I filled it with holy water before we left the Vatican," replies Sister Mary Vincent.

Sister Mary Agnes turns on the windshield washer. The vampire screams as the water burns his skin, but he hangs on and continues hissing at the nuns.

"Now what?" shouts Sister Mary Agnes.

"Show him your cross," says Sister Mary Vincent.

"Now you're talking," says Sister Mary Agnes. She then opens the window and shouts, "Get the f**cking hell off our car!"