Starting Chemo April 2009

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited December 2012

    Amy, that is so nice for you to do for your kids. I'm sure they appreciate it.

    I'm just watching Private Practice ... one of the main characters has prostate cancer and he sits in the radiation waiting room with a woman who has breast cancer....brings back lots of memories - not so good.

    Spotting has continued for a week - I think it's from the biopsy but troubles me that it has taken so long. Oh well .... I'm still optimistic that biopsy will be B9. My back is terrible - lots of pain in my hip and down my leg. I've upped my sessions with the physio and I think it will help. Mornings a tough. I wonder if the Arimidex is contributing to this. 

    Tomorrow I go to my granddaughter's Chanukah "concert" at school .. not really a concert, just the class of SK kids who will do something for parents and grandparents. Should be fun. 

    Hope everyone is doing well.

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited December 2012

    It has been quiet here, hasn't it? I hope that everyone is busy living their lives Laughing.

    Amy, that is such a nice gesture and I think your way of thinking is definitely the way to go. What is so nice about it, is how it makes you feel good. How is your daughter feeling? Hope all is well with her.

    Helen, good to hear from you, sorry that you are still in pain. Please let us know if you hear any news. Enjoy the concert!

    Crazy busy at work today, so must get on. Sending you all hugs, Judy x

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited December 2012

    Have a good weekend everyone! Hugs to you all, Judy x

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  • Lesleyanne67
    Lesleyanne67 Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2012

    Whew sorry it has been quiet! Tried to squeeze in a vacation before I am recovering yet AGAIN but hopefully this is it. Waiting to go to the OR for a 6-7 HR procedure, but after last time 12 hrs, I got this!



    Reflecting on the 3 year journey we have shared. Thinking briefly and bittersweetly that Lena is gone a year now. I like to go back and read her posts when I feelxsorry for myself or need a laugh!



    Wondering what she would say that I have put myself through all this!



    Chat you gals when I am on the other side to let you know how it went probablynpost tomorrow! One hour til the big nap



    Big hugs

    Lesley!



    I love all you gals, we share a bond and even when I don't post I always read and none of you are ever far from my thoughts!

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  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
    edited December 2012

    Lesley - be safe, be well, be healthy, be beautiful. In that order.  Waiting to hear from you.....

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited December 2012

    Lesley, thinking of you and hope all went well. I echo your thoughts about this special group of women.

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  • Lesleyanne67
    Lesleyanne67 Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2012

    I made it thru so far so good! More later!!!!

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited December 2012

    Lesley, good to hear you made it through! Hope you are feeling ok and that your recovery is easy for you. Now, you can enjoy your vacation and just relax and have fun Cool.

    We spent the weekend away with friends and had a good time! Plenty of good food, good wine and good company. I am feeling good, still tired, but mostly ok. I am still waiting for a final date for my surgery, which is frustrating to say the least.

    Helen, how are you doing?

    Holding you all especially close today after the horrific news this weekend in the US. Where is the light we were talking about just last week? The world feels very dark to me at the moment.

    Hugs to you all and stay safe, Judy x

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited December 2012

    Lesley, how are you feeling? Helen, how are you doing?

    Very quiet here, hope you are all busy getting ready for the Holidays.

    Sending you all hugs, Judy x

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  • inthemoment
    inthemoment Member Posts: 538
    edited December 2012

    Good here Judy.  Yes, the holidays are keeping me busy, but in a good way.

    Thinking of you all.

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  • Lesleyanne67
    Lesleyanne67 Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2012

    On the mend I just travel far. I chose to ho to NOLA sonic my insurance covered it. Lake Tahoe to NOLA is a long haul. The NOLA gals assured me that I could fly home Mon after a 6 HR stage 2 Fri bit I think I should have had 2 nights in the hospital not 1 and 2 more days before flying cross country. Yesterday was ROUGH. They had to delay the nipples because he revised the breasts significantly he likes it to all heal and settle before nipples so they are not off kilter...sad but after all I

    Have been through I want to do it right....so there will be a stage 2b in my future but they like to wait 6-9 monthsso next fall before nipples I won't do that in summer....

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited December 2012

    Lesley, take care and rest up if you can. Geri, good to hear from you, enjoy your lead up to the Holidays!

    Hugs to you all, Judy x

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  • AmyIsStrong
    AmyIsStrong Member Posts: 1,755
    edited December 2012

    So you all may remember how EVERY year I totally stress out about doing the holiday gifts for my clients. Well, this year I just decided i have HAD IT with all that stress. I picked one gift, bought 40 of them, wrote a little poem to go with it, wrapped them ahead of time, shipped 20 and am delivering the other 20 tomorrow. I made a few kinds of candy/cookies and made some little gift bags and trays and am taking them around with me. I have a haircut tomorrow at 2, so it will all be done before then. And after that I will be DONE with the whole thing and can enjoy my family holiday.  
    It might not sound like much, but for me, this is a HUGE achievement. Over the years, this has been a source of stress like you cannot imagine (which is probably ridiculous, but true nonetheless). But I decided to make a change, keep it simple, and I DID!  And I don't feel stressed at all.   Go me!

    Just wanted to share my little achievement with you.

    Hope everyone is doing well. Lesley - how are you feeling? Sending love and support...

    Love to all

    Amy

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  • Lesleyanne67
    Lesleyanne67 Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2012

    Good job Amy they will probably be just as happy and youmsave yourself stress!!!



    I am pretty darn sore. Still glad I went ahead with it all, but oh my the tummy pain is VERY rough. I never had a C Section so I cannot compare. I did have my appendix out but this is quite a bit worse. Then of course I hate pain pills because they constipated me horrid which adds to discomfort and brings back unpleasant chemo memories....



    This too shall pass. In a month I am sure I will be beaming and dreaming of a bikini for spring break in April with the kiddos...



    Take care all of you



    Hugs

    Lesley

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited December 2012

    Go Amy! Sounds like you really got it sorted this year and with minimum stress! Although, what you did still sounds like a bit of a project to me! Especially the candy/cookie part LOL! Glad you are feeling less stressed.

    Lesley, sorry that you are feeling sore, I hope that passes soon and you start to feel better. (((hugs))).

    Sending you all hugs, hope you are all doing ok, Judy x

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited December 2012

    Have a good weekend everyone!

    Hugs, Judy x

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited December 2012

    Hi everyone. Lesley, glad you are making progress. Well I am suffering with a bad back. Seems like sciatica. X-ray showed degenerative issues in hip but that shouldn't be causing this much pain. Just had a CT but with holidays coming, my doc and many others have closed up until Jan 2. The pain, especially in the mornings is excruciating and I don't have proper meds. My doc gave me a Rx for an anti-inflammatory but it is useless. I've been going for Physio but not helpful. Yesterday I had acupuncture and that did provide several hours of relief but this morning back to the same old thing. I might try a walk in clinic over the weekend to see if someone will give me some Tylenol 3. Right now, things are just not good. I feel like I've been a real kvetch lately.

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited December 2012

    hey ladies..got a heavy heart right now...my cousin died last night..only 50 ..she had an ear infection..and then was diagnosed with a rare disease called vasculitis..was in  the hospital for over a month...she loved Christmas!  She was released last week..was doing well...then seizured and was not able to be revived....we just don't know what happened...things were going well and she was on the road to recovery...I loved her and I just don't understand this...our entire family is in shock....I will miss her so much...she was so sweet and just loved everyone..no matter what...it is just unbelievable...I had just told her that hopefully this was just a bump in the road of her life...like we have been told about our breast cancers....this is going to be very hard to go through....for our family...

    just had to vent here....

    freaking diseases and freaking cancers...that take good people from the ones they love...

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited December 2012

    Titan, so sorry for your loss. Not much to say to make you feel better but please know I am thinking about you. (((Titan)))

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited December 2012

    Helen, you can always come here to vent/kvetch - whatever you need. Living with pain is hard and wears you down, I am sure you are finding it difficult. I hope that it does get better and that the doc can find a way to help you. We are always here for you.

    Titan, I don't know what to say - such sad and terrible news. It must be devastating for you all and such a shock. Wishing you and your family comfort and peace to get through this difficult time.

    Hope you are all ok, sending you all hugs, Judy x

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  • Lesleyanne67
    Lesleyanne67 Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2012

    Titan so sorry for your loss....ugggh so hard to lose loved ones near holidays, ther should be a rule against it....



    Helen, goodness I am sorry to hear of your challenge. While I am in pain right nowmit shall pass pretty soon, so I feel for you.



    Hope everyone is well and enjoying the holidays.



    As you gals know I decided to come to Mexico with the family to recover - BOY was THAT a bad idea. I am miserable - live and learn. I would much prefer this misery in the comfort of my own home I guess I underestimated that aspect!!! : )

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited December 2012

    Lesley, sorry that Mexico is not working out as you had hoped. When do you head home?

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  • Lesleyanne67
    Lesleyanne67 Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2012

    Not until next Sat but we were able to pull two of three drains I still had in so I am feeling better



    Lesley

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited December 2012

    Lesley, sorry that you are not managing to enjoy your time in Mexico as you had hoped. Hopefully, with each day you will feel a little better.

    Helen, how are you feeling? Titan, thinking about you. I imagine the Holiday will be difficult for you and your family this year.

    Well, I hope that you are all busy with the lead up to the Holiday now. Enjoy your time whether it be with family or friends. Wishing us all only good things, good news, good health and much happiness always.

    Hugs to you all, Judy x

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited December 2012

    Merry Christmas and best of the season to everyone. Wishing good health and happiness to all.

    Turns out there is something pressing on the nerve root in my spine which is causing my back pain. Have to have an MRI to figure out what it is. Might be a synovial cyst. 

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  • inthemoment
    inthemoment Member Posts: 538
    edited December 2012

    Oh my, I really don't like to sign on and see my sisters in pain, physical and emotional. Leslie and Helen, I hope you will both feel better soon.. Leslie - your pain should be limited to surgical recovery, and so hopefully each day will get better and you might be able to enjoy a bit of your Mexico vacation.

    Helen, I have had back issues since my 20's and I know how painful and debilitating it can be. As Judy said, come here and kvetch all you want - we have all done it. Hopefully they are on the right track to resolve your pain. Did you ever get pain meds that worked? Sometimes steroids can reduce swelling and inflammation and give you immediate relief.

    Titan, such a shock for you and your family. Vasculitis is usually treatable...did they find out what caused the seizure? Sudden death in someone so young is always a tragedy, but when it occurs around a holiday it just compounds the sadness. I wish you strength to shoulder the grief you must feel.

    Michele, (Chelev) I wished you a Happy Birthday on your Facebook page, but now I will let all our sisters know you are celebrating a " big one".

    Amy, how are you doing...stress reduction working? I have enjoyed this holiday season, even though it is the first in 11 years that I have been without Kevin, but while I am a little sad, I also know that alone is better than lonely, and I am ok.

    I wish all of us a wonderful, peaceful, healthy holiday season, no matter what the holiday is that you celebrate...it is all about peace and good will.

    I love you all and a

    I am o grateful for your presence in my life.

    Geri

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited December 2012

    Helen, I hope that now you are on the way to finding some relief from your back pain, please keep us posted.

    Geri, so good to hear from you. I am happy to read that you are enjoying the Holiday Season, even though things are a little different for you this year.

    Happy Birthday Chelev!

    I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday and ditto everything that Geri wrote; it is all about peace and good will.

    Hugs to you all, Judy x

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  • hrf
    hrf Member Posts: 3,225
    edited December 2012

    I am also grateful for having all of you in my life. You have become very important to me. Geri, I understand what you mean - it is better to be alone than to be lonely in a relationship. Been there  - and it is not good. So glad you are moving forward and are ok.  Happy Birthday, Chelev!!! May you enjoy many years of good health and happiness. Hope you come back and visit us here soon. Lesley, how are you feeling? I do hope each day is getting better. Titan, how are you doing? 

    Today has been a bad day - wasn't able to move for most of the day. I've got some strong pain meds now but they have limited impact. However, I think I'm going to have to take more frequently now as I can't manage with only 1 in the morning. Going for acupuncture again on Thursday. Have to go for blood work as MRI people want more info. Just hoping that I don't have to wait too long for MRI. If there is anything wrong with our Canadian health care (it's excellent but not perfect), it is the wait times for MRI. Doctor has put in urgent request but not life threatening. I need MRI before any treatment can be recommended. If it is a cyst, then I need to see neurosurgeon. It's all much too slow and I'm not sure if I have truly explained to my doctor how bad it is although I tried. I just hate to complain. Thanks for giving me permission to kvetch here. Love to all of you.

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  • JudyNaomi
    JudyNaomi Member Posts: 1,413
    edited December 2012

    Helen, we have a government medical system here and while it is also good, the waiting can be very frustrating. You should not feel badly about complaining. If you are in alot of pain and it is affecting your ability to live your life, then the doctor should know that and help you get an appointment sooner. I hope you don't mind me saying so Smile. I really hope that you find some relief soon. We are always here for you.

    Hoping that you are all having a good Holiday! Titan, how are you doing? Lesley, how are you feeling? Geri, hope the Holiday was fun for you! Amy, hope you had a stress free day yesterday!

    Sending you all hugs as always, Judy x

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  • Lesleyanne67
    Lesleyanne67 Member Posts: 225
    edited December 2012

    I am hanging in there. These are just really big surgeries so the first month is rough going. Compression garments and drains are a nuisance and in the Mexico heat being covered from my knees to my neck isn't so terrific when it is 82 degrees Fahrenheit and humid. On antibiotics so can't be in the sun and well sand is sand, it gets everywhere so when you have huge fresh incisions going where there is sand is not so great. I am 11 days post-op so not super mobile either, but, I know in a few months I will be super happy. If you had all seen the massive hole in my chest after the second failure and infection, I lost so much tissue it was not a standard mastectomy scar, so for me this was necessary. If I had to see that every day getting out of the shower, I just could not take it. Nice flat scars I could have managed but what I had was pretty garish and just would not have been ok for me psychologically. Thanks for asking!!



    I hope you all feel better whether your challenges are physical or emotional. Happy birthday Chevlev!!!



    If any of you want to connect with me on Facebook, because I am on there a lot : ). I am Lesley Tobin Nygaard!



    2013 will be our year ladies!! For those of you considering reconstruction I hope my griping about post op pain does not discourage you. It is still TOTALLY worth it. It is typical post op pain from what I have had done. I have been lucky and not had any complications, failures, etc. The hardest part is the psychological part I just want to not feel like a "patient". Be normal even if it is definitely not the old normal. I kissed that goodbye long ago. I am super grateful to be alive EVERY day, but I admit with all the surgeries and the Femara when I sometimes see people at an event or wedding just dancing and having fun I have a brief moment where I feel sad and angry and even a bit of envy for what I lost. It has been so long now I don't even remember what just waking up and not feeling like I am 80 when I JUST turned 45 30 days ago today feels like : (. This too shall pass!



    Have a great week ladies!



    Lesley

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