Starting chemo January 2009?

I am so sorry it's not going well, KmMD.  I am thinking of you.  I want you to know I have a few students working on the song and youtube idea we started last spring.  We will start the final stage, hopefully during the beginning of school.

Kate--so sorry to  hear about the kidneys. I hope it's not permanent and that you have improvement really soon. BC has really taken so much from so many of us.

Jess--Keep us posted on the YouTube!

I met with my onc after my bone scan (scary that I got a call almost 2 weeks after the scan from scheduling saying they wanted me to get a tumor marker test and diagnostic xrays but not why--all before i even heard the results). Anyhow, they think the rib hotspot (apart from the spine and knee hotspots they think are probable arthritis) is a healing fracture. But they will scan in a few more months to check. Bleech. The onc said she's really not worried so that relieved some stress.

School starts Monday! Hey Jewels--we're coming up on 4 years!!!

Hi Jewels! I'm so sorry i haven't been in touch. it has been a very busy spring and summer. We moved into our new home in April and a day later I was in the hospital. It has been a rough ride. I had really bad side effects from the chemo so I was taken off of them in May. I was in the hospital twice in 3 wks for my heart rate, pulse rate  and I can't remember what else. I was also dehydrated. i was in the hosp. for 3 days the first time and 2 the second time. After the second time, i could barely walk. Was told it was side effects from the chemo.I had a physical therapist come to my home, i had a walker and a transport to get around. I still use the transport if I have to do a lot of walking. My left leg still has not healed. in May when i was starting back up on the chemo, my blood count was off so my Dr. took me off everything and told me to go home and heal for a few weeks.  i was not feeling well the first few weeks, but I started gaining strength and began to walk better and was able to drive. Then came news last week that i did not want to hear. i had a petscan and they found fluid in my lung once again which means either the cancer didn't clear up from the chemo or it came back and they also found a spot on my liver. So I see the dr. next week and I'm only going on the xeloda for the time being and hope it works. I'm starting to  cough and run out of energy again. But i have had good things happen this summer. My baby graduated from high school. We gave her a graduation party. Last Thurs. she left for Kent State. She is studying child psychology. I'm so proud of her. What a zoo moving her in. She had a fun filled weekend with lots of activities and she likes her roommate. Thats a good thing. She'll be coming home this weekend. My older daughter is doing well. She's working 2 jobs but she likes both of them. Well i will stay in touch. I didn't get a chance to read whats going on, but hope all of you are doing well. God Bless.

Thank you Phyllis for checking in.  I hope you feel better soon.  I think of you often. 

Keeping my fingers crossed for you Phyllis

Phyllis-- Ditto BK and the xeloda.

BK- yay!  the baby is out to college!!  How is the empty nest now???

Just had another black belt test and two of my students passed with flying colors.  We had a nice day.  

Dealing with horrible joint pain with the femara- plus more weight gain!    Next up:  the digital mammogram and blood tests  next month.  

October marks 4 years since --well you all know!  

Hugs!

Hi Jilly!

I am so glad you posted.  I was wondering how all was going for you.  I hope you have great fun in Disneyland. 

Latest Mamo came back clear.  This year, I burst into tears when I got the results.  I felt so relieved. 

Blood tests next week and a conversation about scans. 

My daughter  is still in the thick her studies at  U of M and has been asked to apply for a project run in Washington DC....this is after she completes several weeks in Morocco.  A bit worried about a young American in Morocco.  I have been there, but gosh, that is many years ago.......  Things have certainly changed since then.....(I was there during the 80s)

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I'm forever Thankful for the support of everyone here!

Jilly--good to hear from you, and you put it well about the group keeping us sane in insane times.

Jess-how exciting for your daughter. I may have had similar Morocco travel experiences as you. I was there in 78. Ha--wouldn't want my daughters doing the same route. Let us know about the scan conversation. I'm supposed to have a repeat bone scan now but didn't want to worry over thanksgiving. How crazy is that. Now I'm thinking maybe I'll wait til after winter break.

How's everyone else? 

Just wanted to stop by and say Happy New Year to my favorite Jewels!  Another cancer free year under our belts!  Looking forward to getting off Tamoxifen.  Side effects are not horrible but still don't feel healthy most of the time.  Hoping it is "side effects" and not just old age lol.  Won't I be disappointed if I get off and still have all the aches and pains.  Heard a report that they are now recommending 10 years of tamoxifen??? Gonna discuss with Onco dr. at next visit.  Anyone else discussed this with their doctors yet?

Well sure glad I survived cancer as I had one newly born granddaughter when I started this journey (who is now 3) and by the  end of February I'll have 6!!  That's right 6! Both my daughter and my son's wife have been very busy.  I now have two granddaughters and two grandsons and both are due with girls in February.

My husband and I have been doing some travelling this past year.  Went to Ireland for the Navy game and just spent the week after Christmas in Cancun. Have returned to teaching fulltime and life is good.

May you all have a happy and healthy 2013!  I think of you all often.  Thanks for the support when it was needed most.

Patti

Dear all

just back from my 6 month visit with onc and mammogram--all clear.... I am always surprised at how relieved I am when I ususally think I am not worried.  We talked about an MRI in the fall and 2 more visits and getting off femara!!!!! Hard to believe--I started active treatment 4 years ago this month-and boy, was I terrified.

There are no guarantees as we all know, but I do so love it when she calls me "very low risk".... makes my day.  My only big problems are the vaginal dryness and episodic hip pain, which does seem to be directly related to exercise... but, because she is so great, she said I could have a pet scan if I wanted to... I am thinking about it.

But, for now, all clear.... so I had 2 slices of pizza to celebrate!!!

best

KMMD-- so glad to see you post.  I am heading down your way very soon.  I would love to meet with you, if you get a chance. 

Hugs and kisses to all.

I am having fibroid issues , and so am waiting to hear if I should have the works taken out.  The fear never really leaves, but am plugging along.  I still don't quite forget the other shoe could drop and so i am enjoying life as much as I can.  I am certainly more feeble than ever before and I hate wobbling as the femara and some neuropathy issues have slowed me down. Nonetheless, I plan on a trip overseas this summer and am busy visiting our state capitol and ranting a bit, when they'll listen. 

Jess

Kmmd- I think I will be your way  for a  girl day's out trip with my students in late March , early April.  We will probably watch some of the performances and I have just begun working on a writing project for my students and the high school and a coed "frat" group in U of M.  It will be interesting to see how this all plays out. 

I am trying to figure out how to pay for gas- Snyder's cuts and our admin's decision to charge the teachers 1.75 per mile for field trips  has created complications. 

Kim-- I know, isn't it disgusting?  Let's just say the austerity measures put down by our legislature is maddening. 

Hi everyone.  Haven't been here or posted for quite a while now.  I am well except for the effects of the arimidex.  Coming up on my 4.5 yr date also.  Just saw onc today and he switched me over to femara hoping it helps.  Just wondering if any of you have any experience with genetic counseling.  Unfortunately, my only sibling, (brother) was diagnosed with inoperable, metastatic pancreatic cancer in January.  He is at home under hospice care and holding his own but it has been a roller coaster.  My onc is recommending genetic testing because on one side of my family in 2 generations we have 2 stomach, one colon, one breast,one cervical, one prostate and now pancreatic.  Not a very good history.  I am freaking out.  I am worried for my sons and my brothers children.  Does it ever stop?  I was beginning to relax knowing my 5 year mark is approaching.  UGH!!!

Tomorrow is the day I go to a new doctor to see the cause of my hoarseness.  I will fill you in.

Hugs, all