2012 sisters

cthynsh,  a cancer diagnosis is an introduction to mortality.  When you first have an appointment with a new doctor or have a procedure at the hospital, they ask if you have a living will.  I googled my first biopsy report soon after the mamogram and diagnosis, and got an old report that seemed to indicate that I had around two years to live.  But after going through the lumpectomy, second lab report, and second appointment  with the oncologist, I realized that I have a very good chance of living 5-15 years, and I'm 75.  We all go through this. 

As to the pneumonia,  after the first chemo and white blood cell wipeout, I got a strong lecture from the chemo nurse.

"You have no immune system.  Get a cold or fever and go to the hospital.  DON'T GARDEN, MOW THE LAWN, get your hands in dirt.  Stay away from crowds, no kissing or touching, no raw foods.  Try to eat things cooked and hot.  Wash hands constantly and use sanitizer."

I know people now think I am stand offish--no touching.  We have taught all the grandchildren--virtual hugs.  We throw our hands out wide and hug ourselves and laugh.  We promise to hug a lot next summer.

So far it has worked,  no cold, infection, flu, etc. 

This will pass.  Hang in there.   The Oncologist and chemo nurse have insisted that I will get back my old self when treatment is over.   You will too.    Hugs.

Karen, glad you got a diagnosis and an answer!

Halfcan, are you still at the hospital? Hope you get better soon.

Jenjen, please keep posting here. I have a rough idea what you're going through. A lot of anti-depressants take two or three weeks to kick in, but you WILL get through this. Regarding triple-neg, one thing that I find comforting is some of the amazing research going on now with PARP inhibitors. There really are going to be more treatment options for triple-negs in the future.

Scorchy, I'm very glad you're here. We need you.

Had it drained and the fluid looked good! What a difference! All the swelling and pain is gone! Oh to feel "normal"! Totally through them off their game since all blood counts were good



Thank you all for your well wishes. Means so much!

Halfcan and Karen

Karen, don't feel bad about the berry smoothies, things happen you can't control. When I was on taxotere in July, my white counts were super low also. I washed my hands constantly, had hand sanitizers all over, didn't eat any raw foods(during fresh tomato season), didn't hug anybody etc. Then found out that the "allergy" that my husband was suffering with was actually whooping cough. A nice hospital stay with tons of iv antibiotics and four months of coughing later, I have come to many conclusions, including sh&# happens. I also supect my husband of germ warfare....:) I hope you and Halfcan both get home and feel better soon.



I have been reading the posts about how people feel about this thread. I would like to add that this thread has been like a haven to me also. I lurked here through my darkest chemo hours and took strength from the experiences of all you wonderful women. Now that I am nearing the end of treatment, I am watching many of you make the transition to dealing with "regular" life again, which in many was seems the hardest part to me. My sincere graditude to you all.

I am with you cowpower!  I had my last TC treatment this month (will continue with Herceptin till September), and I am having a hard time transitioning back to life before breast cancer.  I can't seem to stop thinking about the cancer returning.  Is anyone else having the same problem.

Thanks for such lovely sentiments, Cindy74.  Warmly welcomed.

Hey, what am I gonna do when all of you folks migrate over to the 2013 Survivors Board?  I'll post links to my blog, pictures of my cats, and smiley animations.  I'll stay here to be like a janitor and keep the place clean.

Coasters, people!  Use coasters!

I feel kind of abandoned . . . *sniff*

scorchy I am going to be here for quite some time. I got your blog post today and so much appreciated it and wanted to comment right there but somehow the day has got away. Funny how BC does that.

But good news of my day is that I got my blood work done so early this AM it was still dark out but results so good I get to start my Taxol journey tomorrow so am officially half way through chemo. Back from the dark side of sickness too...

Sun is out, a rarity for Vancouver in winter so am off for a walk before dark.

Thanks Chrisrenee, marianelizabeth,  and Scottiee.

I'll serve a janitor in both spots and make sure we're all tended to. 

Scorch

Halfcan.....so so sorry you are going through this....hope you get to go home soon....thoughts and prayers for you❤❤❤

Halfcan - hope you get out of ER soon

scorchy - you come on over to the new thread with us; we need you there!

halfcan - so sorry you're still dealing with all this crap. Feel better soon!

marianne - glad you're back on track with treatments!

mcook - sorry you're having a shitty time. I can't imagine how frustrating a frozen shoulder after all this must be. Hang in there!

chriserenee - good luck with that lymphedema!

aruba - hope those aches and pains pass!

I'm sure I'm missing others - so hope you all feel good! Changed the quote in my signature. Going to try to make this my new motto. Grab life by the horns and make the most of it! Hugs all!

Half can I am so sorry you're back in. I just had a total hysterical meltdown to my nurse. I'm going to write I WANT TO GO HOME on a piece of paper and hang it on my door!

Thanks! My friends are about to hold a free Karen rally and my sister is ready to drag me to my surgeon at MSK in NY.

Wishing each of you well...I have finally caught up with all of the posts after being in a dark hole for over a month now (actually I still am) and hope that I can help others as we all progress through our treatments. 

Mcook,  I've been reading about your frozen shoulder and would like to share my experience.  I had Adhesive Capsulitis (frozen shoulder) ten years ago and what you are going through brings back so many painful memories from that time.  I too went for PT and after a few sessions, the therapist sent me back to my doc because she said it wasn't working.  PCP then sent me to an orthopedic doc -- he suggested a cortisone shot, big mistake for me, it did absolutely no good and actually brought me to my knees in pain the next day.  This was my right arm -- I could not lift my arm to put my hand on my desk at work, could not shower using my right arm, brush my teeth, use the gear shifter in the car, put my bra on (went to front end loaders), couldn't even wipe my ass.  I was taking 20 - 24 pain killers a day, don't remember anymore if it was Advil, Alive or Tylenol as I am not a pill popper -- normally.  I hit my arm on the kitchen counter as I walked past -- again, brought me to my knees in pain.  I knew that I had to do something more than the cortisone shot so back to the surgeon I went.  I ended up having manipulation and curitage (sp?) surgery, intensive CPM machine therapy in my home, 6 hours per day and then about three months of PT after that.  Was it all worth it?  You bet.  I did a repeat performance on the left shoulder the next year.

All that to say that I do know the pain you are going through but also, this is affecting you in many other ways.  My suggestion would be to get this taken care or asap because you are losing muscle in your arm while you are not using it.  I couldn't even lift a soup can when I started therapy after surgery.  This is also affecting you mentally -- any intense pain like this would.  Also, I now test positive for Hepatitis B due to the pain killers I took so can not donate blood anymore.  Wishing you the best!