May 2010 Chemo
Comments
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Thank you, Kim!
I was to the ER Sunday. Remember i was supposed to have a Baker's cyst behind my left knee. Sunday at about 4 am I woke up because of an atrocious pain in the left calf. I thought that the Baker's cyst ruptured so got my boyfriend (he was home for the week-end,yay) to get me to the ER. I couldn't even walk and my calf towards the ankle as well as the ankle were swollen. They did xrays, ultrasound, bottom line, there was no cyst, my knee doesn't show any sign of arthritis, and there's no blood clot. The ER doctor was very frustrated. He gave me a note for my oncologist for further workup - he said he thinks it might be the lymph nodes but I need extended workup ; I told him I'm due for a follow-up CT scan and he said that should show whatever is going on in my leg. I can't wait to give the reumathologist a piece of my mind, for diagnosing a Baker's cyst and giving me a steroid shot for it without doing even an xray of the knee. Anyway, tomorrow I go see the oncologist so we'll see what he says.
P.S. Don't ever get a Dilaudid shot. The nice dr - I think he was desperate to give me comfort, he has seen me in the ER before during chemo and when I thought I broke a rib from coughing from the flu - ordered me one and it feels horrendous, reminded me of the adverse reaction I had from Taxotere. He wanted to give me a second one and I thanked him profusely but asked him to "no more dilaudid please" lol
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Oh my , Day, that sounds AWFUL! Hoping you get better news soon! Made my body shutter to hear about the pain -- trying to stop one pain and causing another --
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Hi Guys. Wanted to do a quick post about my sister. She got a rating of her cancer to determine treatment. She scored a 19 out of one hundred and the surgeon referred her to oncologist to determ treatment, so will not know what he says until Tuesday. I think she will not be havin chemo or rads, not sure but just hoping I guess. I did not have this rating system as far as I know. Did you guys? Hope you are all okay. Day, please keep us updated. I know I see you on facebook, but want to hear about your health for sure. Kim, thanks for all your concern for my sister. I will let you all know after her dr. appt. My health is great except for the aches and pain from the Tamox, or which of the three I am on now. I have tried all three, with equal achy pain after about two months, so I have been told I can switch from time to time, as they are all equally effective. That is how I am managing at this point.
I have a new dog, rescued Frenchie, named Evie, short for Evaline. She is deaf, and Lilly and I are enjoying her so much. My grandkids are great and I am involved in community theater, art and cooking and gardening. I love my life and I am so greatful we all are here, alive, creative, and blossomming....
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Patricia: I had the testing that gave me a rating too on reoccurrence depending on treatment. I reduced mine from 34% chance down to 3% by doing the chemo /radiation and Tamoxifen for 5 years. I would guess your sister's situation is different as well due to her having both breasts removed. In my case, I wouldn't have had to do radiation if I had the breast removed but still would have had chemo because of the size of my tumor (3 cm) and the grade (II). We each are so unique in this walk. Glad to hear of you rescuing a pup -- I have a deaf pup -- she is very sweet -- tends to be a little on the "hyper" side at times. They use their sense of smell -- which can get them in trouble.
Grateful you are doing well and that your sister won't have to face the other "half of harshness --- chemo/radiation" -- the surgery to remove the breasts is harsh enough. Give her hugs and send love to her! I am having issues with my daughter-in-law apparently feeling threatened by me. Geez! Life is always something. Anyway, I'm trying not to feed into it -- she is soon to be 31 but apparently has the maturity of a 20 year when it comes to some things. She prefers her mom and not so much me to be in the picture. Oh well, I understand this is somewhat normal for paternal grandmothers to be pushed aside. So glad I have my dachshunds to love on and of course 3 step grandchildren to enjoy. Life goes on. Hoping to plan a major fun activity next year. this year had too many ups and downs in it for us to do anything fun! Sending positive hugs and uplifting days to everyone! -
Home from surgery. Was pretty good, I'll write more tomorrow, I'm still a little woozy.
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Day: Hope you are feeling okay. Give us the scoop on the surgery. Hugs to everyone! Cold weather creeping into the south. Loving this autumn time! Worked out the misunderstandings with my daughter-in-law -- so grateful!
I am enjoying my grandson -- he is cute! no responsibilities -- just loving on him is all that's required! That's the way to go! -
Day: Hope you are feeling okay. Give us the scoop on the surgery. Hugs to everyone! Cold weather creeping into the south. Loving this autumn time! Worked out the misunderstandings with my daughter-in-law -- so grateful!
I am enjoying my grandson -- he is cute! no responsibilities -- just loving on him is all that's required! That's the way to go! -
Oh, my,I forgot to update!
I'm doing good, very nice recovery. I still am in some pain, as for one, my skin has regained all sensitivity so you can imagine the "fipple" area is all sore still; and for two, he went ahead and lipo-ed those bulges under my arms and did some fat grafting contouring of the outer side of the breast mound. He also lipo-ed some on my tummy, which I think he just did complimentary lol.
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OUCH -- sounds painful -- sore -- feel better soon on that! Glad he "threw in some complimentary stuff"
Hope everyone else is going well! HUGS! 
I get to keep my grandson (Dylan) some on Saturday -- get some free loving in! It does lift the spirit! -
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Hey, that is cool! Post the information for us to know and order from you! Hope everyone else is well! My hubby and I are going on vacation for the weekend up to the North Georgia mountains -- hoping the see the leaves changing -- beautiful time of year. We are actually going to the Moonshine Festival -- not that we drink -- to see the car show. The kinds of cars they drove back in the day when it liquor was illegal.
Hiccup! So we'll see! LOL Hugs to you all! -
You know, I even forgot.
I think most of us on this board already had or will soon have their three years cancerversary! Go us! and a very warm thought and tears for Jen, of course. But, all things considered, I think we are a very lucky bunch, with a very high survival percentage, don't you think?
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Hi guys. I will not have my third until March. I just had my check up with my Oncologist. All clear. I did also meet with the geneticist and I will be having the BRCA testing when I go back in April. It will inform my daughter and granddaughters and I am right on the line, with enough relatives for my Medicare to pay when I turn 65. Sure hoping it is negative. My sister is also having it, as she would still have a 50 percent chance of not having it, if I have the gene. She did not have to have chemo or radiation, but did have a double mastectomy. She is doing great. Anyway, life is good. I am getting my first foster dog tomorrow. That will give me a total of three. LOL. I love working with the deaf dogs and it helps me to feel purposeful. I had a big Halloween Party for my grandchildren, dogs, friends and neighbors. A good time was had by all. I also recently got my eyebrows and eyeliner permanently applied as well as lip stick. I really like it a lot, as I lost almost all my brows, and they never returned. Hope all is well and we will her from more of our group!
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Help With Eyebrows:
Patricia and everyone,
Patricia's post made me think of this. Am I not going to get my eyebrows back? Right before chemo, I had plucked my own eyebrows and I got them very skinny (by accident) and also they weren't exactly straight. I was too busy to have them waxed, so one morning I plucked them really fast. So note to everyone: if you are about to start chemo, make sure your eyebrows are how you normally like to have them.
My chemo ended in April and they have not come in. I have a very full, thick head of hair already (still wearing wig though as it closely matches my previous long hair). And I shave my legs now, but no eyebrows!!
Do some people never get their eyebrows back? Am I not going to have them ever again? LOL
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I never got my eyebrows back. Had strange growth, half of one eyebrow was missing and only a few hairs in places. I love my tattoo brows, lips and eyeliner and I feel I look the best I have since chemo. The nurse who did them told me some women do them before chemo, which could be nice I think. I will try to post a pic when they are completely healed.
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Hugs to everyone! My eyebrows came back -- sorta wish they didn't because they grow in fast and I have to stay on top of them.
I have a bone scan/ diagnostic the end of December -- hoping all is good. Think of you all often -- have sent some care packages to a friend of a friend who is undergoing treatment -- she has triple negative -- hmmmm -- I just suggested she get on a board through this community. May you each have a wonderful Thanksgiving -- we all have so much to be thankful for! God bless Jen's family and her little boy -- I think of him often too. Hugs! -
Off I go to the CT scan. Scanxiety anyone?
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On the natural creams I'm making - I will be waiting for another week before posting. I want to update the scar one with photos of "before and after", I have been using them on my bf's scar from his biopsy, and also on my scars - as his are new and mine are old. I want to be able to show what 6 weeks of using does to scars.
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Got the CT scan results.
No evidence of metastatic disease.
YES!!!
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Whew Day! So happy to hear! I go for my diagnostic on December 28 and a bone scan. I learned from my Oncologist that if I have signs of my bone deteriorating due to the Arimidex, I can get a shot every six months -- Prolia (generic Denosumab). The side effects of it sound like chemo -- UGH! I am praying my bone scan shows no issues. But it is just another "level" of what we BC folks have to look at. Prolia is supposed to "increase bone mass in women at high risk for fracture receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibirot therapsy for breast cancer." Such as me -- the Estrogen/Progesterone Positive cancer. Seems we fix one thing and have other "issues" crop up. Sending hugs to everyone. I've gotten to keep my grandson from time to time and that is so much fun -- he is cooing and laughing now -- soon to be 5 months old. Time flies! God bless you all!
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Hi there Ladies! See some of you on facebook, so I rarely come on here anymore.. I too just had my lastest round of test. And everything is clear! But one thing I noticed is that in the weeks before, when I get that call to confirm the appointments,my mind was really going nuts. I was starting to imagine all kinds of things wrong with me. Then amazing! They cleared up after my tests came back clear! Funny what tricks the mind will play.
Eyebrows. When I was in high school I messed up my brows, (they used to close in the middle) not thick but enough, so I plucked them. They have never come back. strange., But since chemo my eyebrows came back (not in the middle) but they are farther apart. I have bald spots, I just color in with a powered liner. but they really came back with lots of white sometimes I color them with the same bruse I use after mascara. For my daughters wedding the makeup person took some of my brows off the top and now they have not come back too. I was fighting her on it because of my history and she finally convinced me. LOL I wish I could say the same for my legs.
I think of you all all the time. I have sent more people to this web site so they can read about our journeys and see we all have recovered very well. a
Have been thinking of everyone on the east coast too, hopeing you all made it through the recent storms ok.
God bless
Denise
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Ok, ladies, I am quite worried. I had a bone scan today - ordered by my onc as a result of me complaining of some pain between the shoulder blades. After I had finished the scan, the tech asked me when I had pain. I explained and he asked me to wait for the radiology dr to see the scan. Then they came back and got me in another bone scan machine (quite scary) to scan in 3D that area. Until Wednesday when I'll go to get the report I will be a basketcase.
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Hi DAY -- hoping your report came back with nothing to worry about! Gosh, life seems to give us all curve balls! Hugs!
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I guess the report is still not entered in the database. I'll see Monday when I go see my PcP.
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Day~ gorgeous picture! I am thinking of you and sending positive thoughts your way.
I'm curious if anyone has had dental issues since chemo? My tooth and jaw pain might be a side effect of Femara - will ask my onc when I see him on Wed. My body is SO itchy too!
Warrior sisters, I think of each of you often. Off to basketball with Luke...
Hugs to each of you!
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Doing the happy dachshund dance around -- FINALLY got the call back from my oncologist office -- the bone density test came back -- just fine -- so no need for me to have to have that Prolia shot every six months to prevent osteoporosis. YEAH!!! For those of you who are young and not using the estrogen-preventing medication -- Arimidex -- you don't have to worry. But Arimidex can cause bone loss -- so they have to monitor it. I won't have another recheck until 2 years though (insurance requirements). But I just have to stay on top of taking my vitamins (calcium/magnesium) -- which I do.
I AM SO HAPPY AND RELIEVED. That one shot has its own side effects (UGH!) My diagnotic mammogram showed "some area of concern"and needs a 6 month recheck -- which is always the case for me due to serious scar tissue in that breast. HAPPY DAY! Praying positive news for DAY. Hoping 2013 will be all of our BEST year possible! -
Happy New Year Ladies! Been a long time Holidays were great! Day love your new pic you look marvelous!
One of these days I will change mine!
Daiva I have problem because my mouth is so dry!
Everything just sticks to my teeth, but my teeth them self are fine! I am on Arimidex!
So glad to hear of all of your good check ups! I get so anx-ed ridden during the wait for all the test to come back my imagination goes wild.
Keep on feelling better, better and more better as the time goes on.. I stop and think of a couple years ago and cant believe what we all went through, seem like a bad dream. Then even though I have the scars that make it real, it still seems not real to me! And each day that passes makes it easier to not think about it so much. Even though my knees ache I take it as a reminder to keep moving, not as a reminder of the past!
Love you all Have a Happy New Year!
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Sorry, Day! Sorry, too, I have been so absent from here. I see some of you on FB also, and it always makes me a little sad to come here, but I do check in! I am due for my Mammo and MRI (must get them scheduled!!). Just have lots of appts between the kids... Ryan's orthodontist... dog... and my dermatologist. I have to figure out who to call because I'm not sure who holds the "prescription" for my mammo and MRI!! I'm also having some low back pain radiating to my right leg... I'm pretty sure a duty-hazard, herniated disc... but then I am also having some upper back pain on both sides.. hoping overdid it shooting baskets last weekend in Myrtle Beach. I'm giving them both some time, but not liking having any type of pain, you know?!! I also started a new job... nursing at the VA Medical Center now. The Vets are super nice... but my new Nurse Mgr is kind of a bear on the scheduling. Instead of my work 3 nights in a row, off for 4... she does a mostly 2 days on 2 days off schedule. Makes it hard to get stuff done!
Love to everyone &
PS - my eyebrows never grew back right... I still pencil them in and am seriously considering the tats as well!!
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