January 2013 chemo group

On top of having all the wonderful SE's, I started my period this morning! Yuck!

So sorry skimommi. Hugs! Maybe something will change and he will be able to get the time off. I hope so. Take care.

Skimommi, I'm so sorry!  I would be crying too and I like you am not a cryer.  My birthday is the 18th and my youngest son's 16th birthday is the 11th, I feel a little lucky because I should be feeling better by his birthday and good for mine..  Next year will be much better.. 

Loading up today on my steroid's for the 2nd treatment tomorrow.  They are actually having me take my Claritin one day early and 5 days after  to try and prevent the headache that they believe was caused by the injection..  Infusions aren't so bad it's just waiting for the other shoe to drop as far as SE's. 

Sheryl, hope yours go well tomorrow and anyone else who will be joining us!

We have this girls!!     

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=483452608358129&set=a.455803391123051.91588.451108421592548&type=1&theater

Good morning, ladies!  This thread has provided me with my first laugh out louds of the day, so for that, I am grateful!  Cancer will not steal my joy, nor will that lady who cut right in front of us in the dark on the outdoor track last night and almost knocked us over as she walked to her car.  There will be no joy stealing.  Thank you very much, Joel Osteen.  

Never, EVER did I think the day would come when I would watch a television evangelist - much in the way my old grandma would do back in the day.  This new normal has taken on such a surreal twist that I can't even begin to wrap my brain around it.  My oncologist is saying words like "head of the penis" and sending me home with a tube of medical lubricant and I'm watching a television evangelist.  

I'm suddenly reminded of the lyrics from the Talking Heads song: 

And you may ask yourself - Well...How did I get here...And you may ask yourself - How do I work this?

---

Sheryl, yes, yes, yes.  Re: matching up righty with lefty (or lefty up with righty) - it was discussed at first but then the thought was that my tumor was too large but in reality, it was about a centimeter smaller at pathology and much closer to the original biopsy report size.  I just didn't see how they could ever get the two looking right since they looked so saggy (sorry, but they were) to begin with!  On the other hand, who knows how these smooshed hamburger buns will turn out.  Right now, my port sticks out about as far as my pseudo-breasts do so there's that.  

bcfree2013 - I am so, so glad you're feeling less scared this week.  Years ago I read one of those self-help books called Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.  It was all easier to put into practice back then when I was younger and not looking down the barrel of the cancer gun.  I tend to get frozen by fear quite often so all this mastectomy/chemo/possible rads stuff has really left me in deer in the headlights mode but reading the posts here since early fall have left me feeling less alone and frightened.  There truly is strength in numbers!

hope49, happy to hear you can forego the $9,000 shot from hell!  That's a nice vacation - not a shot!  I had no idea what the going rate for these things really was when the nurse left the little package on the chair arm next to me to "warm up."  

skimommi, Yes, wizened old crack monkey does not look amused.  And yes, I envy him his hair length.  On a more serious note, I'm sorry you had a rough morning.  Good old cancer is full of all kinds of crappy surprises that mess with our heads and our calendars.  I'm hoping as well that your husband can get someone to switch days off with him.  

3littleangels, okay, this was my big guffaw moment: "his only thrill is going to be going to the plastic surgeon's apointment and getting to feel the implant options!" LOLOL!  I would call it a cheap thrill but hey, we all know there's nothing cheap about anything that happens at the plastic surgeon's office (or anywhere else along this roller coaster ride).  

skimommi (again), reading your paragraph about the greatest sex ever I feel compelled to do one of those stereotypical psychologist's poses (chin in hand, pipe, etc.) and say "please, go on."  But, I won't!  But I get the picture.  When and if your oncologist gives you the sex talk just wave your hand in the air and say "hey, we got this, 'k?"  And you will once again.  If for no other reason than what my onc says "if you don't use it, you lose it" (great, where was all the concern over my atrophying vagina when my husband was in the hospital for over a month in 2007 and ill for several more months well into 2008??).  I'm kidding, of course.  All of our parts made it through just fine and he was pretty darn sick (had to relearn to walk again) so I'm thinking that all will be normal once again.  

Jubby, Jubby Jubby... poopy in the tubby?  Well, I'm going to have to bring this to an end on that one.  I think your oncologist makes a fascinating point: younger women/stronger immune systems.  You go, you warrior of all things that freak me out!  I've said it countless times before but those of you who are either working throughout this and/or have children still at home have my utmost respect.  Everyone here has my utmost respect and knowing that you all can do it helps assure me that I can do it, too.  

Have a great day, everyone.  Let the side effects be minimal or non-existent.  I'm off to see the wizard of oncology.   

Hi Everybody,

Question for all of you:

I have scar tissue at base of right implant (not visible).  All doctors on my medical team said it was "probably scar tissue".  But not happy with the "probably" part, I had an us and mammo in October.  The Radiologist said, it was definitely not cancer, but looked like fat to him.  He said to return in 6 months.  However, I decided to go back to my PS and ask him again.  He felt it again, and said it was scar tissue, but knowing I wouldn't rest, he said the only way to know 100% was to have an MRI. (Background is when I had the tissue exchanger trade out surgery, he had to scoop a little more at the base of the right breast, to make sure my right implant lined up perfectly, and that is when the scar tissue was created. But I like things nice and tidy, so I needed a more formal answer.

So I had the MRI last week, and when I called in today for the results, they said "the doctor said it was fine".  I said:  "is fine, normal?" .. and then she said "yes, normal".  But then she told me the doc said for me to come in for my appointment in 4 months.  

My question is this:  Would you be concerned over the words "fine" or am I just overanalyzing a subtlety in the way each of us speaks.  Just like my PS said my treatment was adequate, and I sure hope that is his way of saying appropriate.  Of course, my Oncologist who carries the most weight in regards to treatment decisions, said I was treated aggressively).  

Back to the question .... they did an enhanced MRI.  They did the standard one, and at the same time they did a 2nd type, which is more definitive, and was developed to properly discern questionable things, to lessen people having unnecessary biopsies.  It's called Diffusion MRI, and Diffusion MRIs have a track record of more accurately discerning tumors as being cancerous, than in standard MRIs which did not reveal concern, in 25% more patients, which has led to earlier detection.  So I do feel like the got a real clear picture of everything.

Thanks for all the opinions - I appreciate it - have a great day!

- post-mastectomy scar

Hi - I requested today, that the report be sent to both my Onc and PS - and the PS' office has been waiting with me all this week, so they know how particular I am.  They said if they are allowed, they will have the nurse call me today, and if not, they will also see if the PS can call me tomorrow. Also, in the meantime, the breast center is mailing me a copy today, so I should get that in the next day or two.

Have been feeling awful since Sunday and finally started feeling better yesterday.  Still not going to work because my WBC is very low.  I am hopeful that the Neulasta shot will kick in and my WBC will be up by next week.

Skimommi -- like you, I have chemo on Valentine's Day -- that really does suck!

LeaA & Bryona -- let the pun wars begin -- I love silly puns.

SherylB -- your story about the MRI and your port had me laughing so far -- I know that it wasn't funny at the time but you told it so well.

Gr8flmama21 -- the image of your cat dragging your wig around the house also tickled my funny bone -- I needed some laughter after a few rough days.

Smethot & LeaA -- I have had skin problems since I was a teenager.  I remember being told that acne will go away when you get older -- of course, it never did.  Now I have rosacea.  I can deal with losing my breast and my hair, but I'm going to have trouble dealing with a major skin outbreak if it occurs.  I know "vanity of vanities" -- just can't help myself.

Hope everyone is having a great day.

Hey Ladies,

As I type this I'm sitting at the bar getting my 2nd TC cocktail with my cold caps on my head. My husband and best friend (who flew in from Cap Cod to keep me company for several days are here with me). Youngest teenage son just texted me from school to tell me that he loves me and to ask how it was going. Bummed I'm going to Miss his cross country meet this afternoon, but he knows in there in spirit.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful and sunshiny day! Hugs to y'all, Deb

Hi all, New to board, not breast cancer!  Had 1st AC on 1/17/2013, go for 2nd tomorrow.  Hair just starting to "thin", getting buzzed Sat when I get my wig (ready, it just needs proper fitting wiyhout my long hair-yup, little freaked out, haven't had short hair since 8th grade-LONG AGO!).  Have chronic lyme with severe vertigo (2 brain surgeries didn't help, that's why worried over hair-nasty scars on head and behind ear down neck). 

SKIMOMMI- I have my 3rd "dose" also scheduled for Valentine's Day and hopefully hubby's schedule will allow him to come. Went to first, mom & dad tomorrow, but hubby has been at every appointment, can't complain.

Didn't even want to go through mastectomy since already disabled w/vertigo (use cain & hanging on to someone or rollator-but always vear left, amuses me, scares whoever I'm with!).  All nurses, doc's tell you it's your decision, but they don't know the "browbeating" by family and friends!

Glad I decided to join this site. Best of luck to all-speedy, strong recovery.

Skimommi, I'm so sorry you've been so strong throughout all this and have to face that on Valentine's and your birthday.  It does suck.  Love you, Sister!

Tomorrow is TC #2.  I started my premeds and am starting to feel the anxiety building up.  Yuckity yuck.  

The orthopedic surgeon was satisfied with the results of the closed reduction, so need to put pins and screws and wires in.  Pey will go in for his permanent cast on Monday after all the swelling has gone down and he'll get some films taken three weeks later to see how the fractures are healing and we'll take it from there.

Shannon, I can't stand Dr. Oz either, and would never trust his advice regarding BC.  He lost me when he came out in favor of HGH (human growth hormone) injections for weight loss.  Even worse are the "doctors" on the daily TV show of the same name, who tout the benefits of testosterone replacement for both men and women as if they were advertising it.  (Which I suppose they are!)

Bahaha i had NO idea i was calling y'all truck stop prostitutes! Lmao. My apologies. But a good day since i learned something new today😁

Oliverhog-glad orthoped happy-your poor lil guy. You look fab too-rock it sister! Good luck tomorrow.

Ziffy-my mind was right in the gutter when i read about your offer. Had to read that twice. Must've been one hell of a cocktail today cause i am loopy!

Skimommi hugs. Your day sounds like my weekend was. Hope it passes soon.

Watta-glad you are home and feeling ok. Fingers crossed minimal side effects.

Hi ladies, just a couple of questions:

(1) how much water do we need to drink everyday?

(2) can we floss our teeth during chemo?

(3) are you able to cook simple meals during chemo?

Thank you!