2012 sisters

Websister, you are an angel on earth for joining a scared sister while you are in midst of chemo treatment this week too.  I do lurk the boards and heartfelt hugs to you.  Have her hug her lil Diamond tight....and give her a hug from me too.

liefie, good for you and it will be good for her too.

Leonard energy continued even today I think. I took 1 mg of Ativan with my bedtime dexemethosone last night and though I did wake up several times sweating I managed 7 hours of sleep. My DH departed for a spare room half way through the night because I was snoring but I heard him. He could not believe I heard him while on Ativan and with earplugs in. Can't get away with anything in our house! But I did my 5 k walk today in sunshine and feeling OK now. Dex and Ativan time soon.

Ramois good your you and your family to plan a trip away and you can always hang out in your comfy hotel room and do room service. Your boys will love it!

Tazzy forgot to say happy for you too! Nov. 21 not long off!

I've spent the past month reading many of the posts, and I guess it's time to start posting myself instead of lurking. 

Last month I had my first mammogram because I turned 40 earlier in the year. I got called back due to some abnormalities. After another mammogram and ultra sound I had the two biopies on the left side. Three days later (on my mother's Birthday) I recieved the call that it was DCIS. I had my lumpectomy on Nov 1. I thought it was going to be one surgery and nothing more. I met with my Oncologist on the 9th and was told they actually found two small spots and now my diagnosis had changed to IDC, stage 1a, Grade 2, ER+/PR-, HER2+. 

Now I'm looking at a second surgery, I start 12 wks of chemo in December (Taxol and Herceptin), followed by radiation. My surgery is tommorow. The margins were not clear, so they are going to go back in and take care of that and the lymph nodes need to be checked/evaluated. My doctor is also going to save me some time and put in my port while he has me on the table. 

My head is still spinning from all of this. I am trying to grasp it and learn the correct terminology and what to expect. I'm basically numb right now and just going with the program. 

I'm glad I found this site. It's been a huge help so far. 

Hi Cassandra, I am so sorry you have to face this. It is normal to be numb. You are no different then any of us and we knew very little about breast cancer and terminology and now we know more then we want to. Once you have this next surgery you will know more about what you are facing. Your plan is in place and you will then be able to grasp it. Surround yourself with family and friends and remember they are scared with you. This site is a wonderful place. Like Scottie said there are strong, amazing women here. They will give you an ear, a hug and support when you need it. Take care.

Joanne

Yay! One more Taxol. Struggling with a bad cold right now after our little one got sick. Luckily no fever but I am watching the temp very closely. The Benadryl yesterday at least cleared my sinuses for a little while so I could breathe. Hopefully I will be back on these boards soon. I jump on to read but feel that yucky cold feeling so I am not posting much



Also at our boys school the parents have to volunteer a lot so I volunteered to be their Parent Club treasurer. Well,I think it has been so good for me by keeping my mind off BC but it feels like a job. It's the only volunteering I have to do but what is that old saying? No good deed goes unpunished? It is taking up more time than it was supposed to. LOL. I shouldn't complain because I am grateful they created this specific position for me. I probably would not complain too much if I just felt better.



Hopefully this weekend I can get back on these boards and wish everyone encouragement during their journey.



Oh yeah. I set up my plastic surgeon appt so my ONC won't yell at me for at least not speaking with him before radiation begins.



Take care everyone.

Welcome to all the newbies here!  You have found the best place to be able to state it all and have a group here that gets it and truly is there for you.  Cassandra, good luck with your surgery..we will be here for you!

Gotta a good story about my DH.  I had my first MO appt after rads.  DH was leaving for work early in morn and asked my agenda(since I no longer have job).  Reminded him about Dr. appt.  He then asked if he should go with me etc...told him no it was just gonna be check and getting srcipt for Arimidex I was sure.  Told me to call him immediately when done and I did but he did not answer cell and usually he calls back when he gets notice I called.  Well all afternoon went by..no call and then did not get his routine call as he was leaving work, so called him again to no avail.  15 mins later he calls and checks in. He did not get my missed call messages and I told him I called after DR.  He felt SOOO bad that he did not think about that Dr appt and check in with me regardless of him not seeing missed calls.  He kept apologizing (he is normally so on top of appt stuff).  Told him all was well and just drive home safely.  He came home with 3 scratch off lottery tickets and said he bought these for some fun as he felt so bad (as in he put himself in doghouse..lol).  He told me to pick 2 and he would scratch off 1.  My first attempt and his try were losers..but my second ticket had one number match for prize of $50 and then had a multiplier box to multiply winnings..it was 5X!  He was so happy for me..I told him we will split the winnings.  He refused and told me to use it this weekend when DD (age 25)  comes home for a week and we start with a mother-daughter local overnight to craft show, a free night at the Ritz and dinner!  Been married to this guy 28 years..gotta love him

My first free day of no appts.  I do not intend going outside the door J 

Scottie:  I had a funny visual of our pub crawl.   To old – but young at heart broads sitting with their pints and knitting needles… ha ha ha!!

Karen:  you’re almost there.

MrsCich:  after all the appts. We have to go to, and with everything else it is horrible when we are waiting for something to happen.   When I finished chemo and was waiting for my surgery I felt as though I was in limbo and nothing was happening.   Of course its hard to plan anything…. But now I am planning… lots – not sure when I return to work in January (least that is my plan) that I will have the time for all the vacations I want to go on.

Liefie:  I never really had much of a sweet tooth until I was on chemo and craved sweet stuff.  Still do a bit, but am trying to cut back.   Your biscotti sounds divine… care to post the recipe?

2Fried:  I agree – quiet on the western front is good.

Websister:  what a wonderful gesture for you to sit with that lady on her first chemo.   It is a frightening experience for sure.  Sending all the positive thoughts an mojo her way.  I cannot imagine having to do that on your own.   Hugs to you and her.

Cassandra: welcome and want to reiterate what everyone else has said.  We’re here for you.  Whatever your emotion – get it out.   The numbness will pass – it is information overload at the beginning.  And our tx’s do become part of our ‘normal’ when going through this.   Ask lots of questions.

Teeball:  yay for one for taxol. 

Ramols:   I often have moments like you did… the what if’s.  But then feel grateful that we are here now and can enjoy every moment of our time with loved ones.    It’s a scary thought of what might have been.    I would definitely call it your happy for the day.

Aruba:  What a wonderful DH – yep they sure can come up trumps and earn lots of brownie points sometimes eh?   What a wonderful weekend to look forward to.

Hugs to you all xxx

chrisrenee: It sure does feel good.  Looking forward to many more.

Next appt is December 27.  I am in a clinical trial (did I mention this already?). Anyway that is my next meeting with my MO.  But in the meantime I am going to enjoy not having to go to the Cancer Agency.

Tazzy, I'm celebrating with you, and Ramols, you never fail to touch me with your quest for the 'happy' in each day. Yes, I also keep telling myself it could have been so much worse, and that I have so much to be grateful for.

Will post the link to the lemon-white chocolate biscotti recipe.

A good friend of mine here in our town is getting a mastectomy with immediate DIEP flap done this morning as we speak. I find myself to be teary, because no matter how you spin it, it is a lifechanging, traumatic experience that I don't wish on anybody. I just feel so sad and sorry that she has to go through this, and so powerless in a way. There is nothing you can do about it, and no way to avoid it.

Good morning all.  Just catching up.  It warms my heart to read this thread and see all the support here.  Sorry I don't have the presence of mind to respond individually.   Hugs to the newcomers.  Those first weeks are so hard.  I love the idea of finding the happy in every day.  It's there in the midst of all this.

Ladies... Have any of you that have completed Rads had to go for a Mammo yet?  I am scheduled to see my BS in December for my 6 month follow up and I have a mammo scheduled the week before that.  Am I going to be healed in time?

Thanks liefie I will definitely give that a try and I think 55 calories is good.   I love white chocolate so hope I manage to save some for the biscotti

Scottie:  maybe we can get DH to hold the wool for us as we down pints and knit one pearl one.

Like how you think Tazzy.......lol

MrsCich - I agree with everyone else. Plan a little getaway. Back in June in the midst of taxol/herceptin and neulasta my DH said how about a weekend trip to Hershey with his childhood friend and his family. I was worried because at this point I didn't even have the energy to go food shopping let alone a weekend at an amusement park! Well who am I to deny myself a weekend of chocolate! I went to the local medical supply store and rented myself a scooter! Best thing ever! Not only did we get to jump the line (nice perk) but at the end of the day I still had energy! Plus my 6 year old rode with me which saved me from tired meltdowns! And it was nice to have a "normal" weekend for a change. Take any trip you can it helps not only you but I think it helps the DH and kids feel good too. It's like you are all saying "hey cancer - F you! Haven't gotten the best of me yet and looks like you won't either!"



Welcome Cassandra. Like everyone said come here to rant, cry, bitch, scream, share and whatever else you need to do.



Websister - you are an angel among angels.



Have a wonderful day dear ones!



Karen