Starting chemo November 2012
Comments
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Hello Ladies, I'm trying to catch up with everyone as I haven't been on the computer for days. I was just trying to take it slow post surgery. Glad to finally have the drains out last Wednesday but I still feel like a"'burrito" with the ace bandage on.
5LuvBugs, I didn't mean to make you cry with that letter. I thought it'll help in my healing not only physically but psychologically as well. It'll help me face with the reality that nothing is ever the same again, yet life is still beautiful and we have so much to look forward to... and so much to be thankful for...
I'm glad that you're challenging us to walk. I've been walking (slowly) every other day since Friday last week. Nothing crazy yet but I'm hoping to walk a little more than half a mile as soon as I can and maybe after I start physical therapy. I'm still really sore on the chest and right arm.
Radiation is still a possibility for me. Great to read all your posts even if I don't mention all of you... good news and what nots... take care guys
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Junebug I am thinking of you and saying a little prayer because I believe today was your surgery - can't wait to have you back online chatting here with your BC sisters....Love ya girl
Mafe I hope your feeling better now that those drains are out, even if you look like a buritto!
Sick of pink is still busy with her book events but will be checking in with us soon. Her book arrived and I'm reading as fast as I can but my grandkids are keeping me so busy that when I sit down to read I fall asleep
= it's a really good book sister Leslie -
5LuvBugs, thanks I'm feeling a lot better. I took a half mile walk today and I didn't feel any tightening of my pectoral muscles (right side).
I got my copy of Leslie's book and was excited to read it, but I ended up giving it to my mother-in-law as a Mother's Day gift. I'll have to get another copy.
Junebug, I'm praying your surgery and recovery will go well.
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I'm home from the hospital. Everything went as planned. Can move around better since plastic surgeon put my drains lower than the armpit. Besides looking funny I'm doing quite well.
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Junebug glad your home and all went well - now don't overdo it but don't get lay around so much you get stiff either - Take care, chat soon. Tricia
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Over did it yesterday. Swelling and sore. Dang these drains are a pain in the butt. My boss came to visit me and brought some get well gifts. I now hae coworkers calling me Angelina since her story broke the day I had my surgery and I have the same mutation. If only I looked that good..........
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Junebug - Excuse Me but is that "The Boss" who has no heart? BTW, you look just as good as Angelina Jolie - better even...
Oh and didn't I tell you not to overdo it....So today I hauled my Total Gym from the garage to my 2nd floor bedroom thinking maybe I'll use it (you know, the one I bought in the year 2000). I need to strengthen these bones so that they don't break now that I'm on Anastrazole - anyway I set it up, got on, did some exercise and got stuck!!! I couldn't get my fat ass up!!! I had to roll over and banged my shoulder so now I'm sore but in the meantime, I took apart the crib I had set up for my 2 yr old grandson who never used it. then I proceeded to haul that downstairs to the garage and the freakin sideboard fell on my leg and now I'm bruised up - why oh why didn't I just relax today - at least I didn't break any bones.....Now I'm off to get some Aleve!!!! Hope you girls had a good weekend. Tomorrow I'm off to the breast surgeon and hopefully she will discharge me - Yippee....Sweet dreams everyone
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Port finally coming out tomorrow. One more step forward...
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Yahoo Mary - you will be sooooo happy...Now you can close the book on that chapter!!
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Hi Ladies, I'm back and have been thinking of you - especially in the middle of the night!
Congratulations, Maryah, on the port removal. Wonderful news. And good luck with the walking Mafe. Anybody else stiff and achy these days? Whenever I feel good enough for regular exercise -Bam - exhaustion is a reminder.
Hope you are hanging in there Junebug - and phooey on Angelina. Of course she's pretty, that's her job. Yours is to get better. As much as I think it's great she did that, so have many other women who did not need to publicize it (she's not doing anyone any favors), and doing it after you have been diagnosed, especially when you ALSO have chemo, rads, etc is much more challenging. I recall asking my doc if I could do that instead of chemo, but he said no.
I was told she is I'm up now with my usual acid indigestion, thinking I need to change my diet completly since chemo sensitivity seems to be baack. Books events tied in with end of rads and now things are settling down in time to start the generic arramidex (sp) hormone blocker tomorrow - just before I go to SF to DD's graduation. Hoping no side effects ruin the trip.
Have to stop in bookstores to make nice and sign stock as well - if anyone wants a signed bookplate to put inside cover, let me know.
How is everyone's hair coming along? I finally mastered fake eyelashes, but real ones are starting to grow back. Am using Latisse, too.
My doc said more than 2-3 drinks PER WEEK raises EVERY woman's chance of breast cancer 8% above baseline. Just when I was wanting to drink MORE! Oh well, time for bone density tests, and MRI and back to dentist and all that.
Okay, take care everyone! G'night. xo
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I have been reading your posts and thinking about you.
I don't know what to feel about Angelina's publicizing her story. Christina Applegate went through the same thing and it wasn't a global sensation.
Anyhow, I'm starting a program they have over here with gym, swimming and group therapy. The funny thing is that in the beginning they said I was too emotional to participate. Hellooo, if I were okay, I wouldn't need that program.
My hair is long enough but very grey and I don't dare to go out without the wig yet. Besides, it's still cold. I'll give it 2 more weeks, then dye it and call it a day.
Eyelashes and eyebrows are back so I don't need to put extra make up. The oedema in my breast (infection after I got rid of the port a cath) is going down slowly but surely.
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Eleni I set a date for my first hair coloring - June 15, that will be 6 months since my last chemo!!! Can't believe how time drags on during treatment but flies once it is over..... No more silver gray "foxy" look for me.
I'm going lighter, like my wig. Most of the time I wear a hat when I go out, it's getting too hot for the wig. Sick of Pink FYI regarding the 2-3 drinks of wine per week - My mother is 91 and has a glass everyday- her bones are shot but she never got breast cancer
Oh, enjoy your daughters graduation. I actually got to read 6 chapters of "What a Mother Knows" - can't wait to see what happens next....Mary - How good does it feel to have that nasty port out? Yay
Everyone Glad to see there haven't been too many posts - we are all keeping busy and that's a good thing
. Hope everyone is doing well.. -
had my 3 month check today...all is good...starting on Arimidex tongiht!
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So Happy for you Keetmom!!!! I went Monday, all good here also...
Been taking Arimidex 6 weeks, so far so good but I do get some hotflashes and my joints hurt when I sleep (but thats probably my arthritis) -
Having the port out hurts like hell! More painful than my BMX (or it could be that I had more drugs with my BMX.
).Bloody and sore today so just watching it carefully.
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maryah930, sorry to hear about the pain you're experiencing on your former chemo port site. Pain meds is our best friend in times like this. I'm sure you're happy it's out. I was very relieved when mine was removed. I can drive now without that thing bothering/hurting me anymore.
Sickofpink, congrats on the release of your book and your daughter's graduation, for finishing your rads too. I'll start RT as soon as I'm able to raise my arm up. PT should accelerate the process. I started my first session last Wednesday and I'm feeling better already. My hair is starting to grow, some patches of gray. Guess I'll color my hair at some point.
Eleni, what kind of group therapy are you in? Just curious. I think it's great that you're swimming.
5LuvBugs, hope you're ok now after that crib sideboard falling on your leg. You took it so lightly I think, and yeah it's good you didn't break a bone.
txjunebug, hang in there... once the drains are out you'll feel a lot better. As for A. Jolie, nothing really against her but I guess good for her for doing it and she gets the publicity, resulting in Myriad Genetics' stocks to soar after her news broke out. While we endure several treaments her action is dubbed as "heroic". I don't understand it but that's media for you. In a way you can laugh about being associated with her.
Some of you may have read this already, but here's an interesting article in reaction to Jolie's news:
keetmom, your 3 month check-up is a milestone worth noting. How long will you be taking Arimidex for? I'll start Tamoxifen soon (for the next 10 years).
If I missed to mention everyone, please know I'm thinking about you too.
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Thanks Mafe. Maryah sorry about port removal pain! I stil have imfusions every 3 weeks and can't wait to have it out in november , had not thought it might hurt more than getting it, hmm.
Keet, i started arimidex 5 days ago, not sure how long it takes for SE's but do have stiffness fatigue amd insomnia - nothing compated to chemo or rads, and still have acid heartburn when not careful about eating - was hoping that SE would be gone, oh well.,, so not sure if SEs or just part of recovery. No weight gain lets hope that sticks! Anybody have knowledge of when I 'd know if it's ok?
Have my first cold in forever, funny to feel something not related.
Eleni - yay swimming!
Finally painted toenails to cover black then one came off! The fun never ends... -
Hey everyone! Sounds like we're all moving forward gradually and that is good. It seems weird that a few months ago we were all on here nearly every day talking about yucky mouths and dodgy bowels!
Ive been trying to keep up with some exercise. Have been swimming a couple of times and taking walks. I'm signed up for Cancer Research UK's Race for Life in July. :-) I won't be racing though, just walking at my own pace. It's 5km so not far, but considering 2 months ago I could barely walk to the bathroom, I feel a sense of achievement just at the thought of it.
I had my bone density results and I'm slightly osteopenic already, probably because my ovaries gave up years ago! Now I'm on anastrozole the onc says I should take calcium and vit D supplements so need to see my GP about that.
About to start planning my return to work soon but I am dreading it. I love being a lady of leisure! I just don't want to face people, especially as most don't know why I've been off. Ugh. Ah well, going away for a few days next week with a couple of friends so going to enjoy chilling out for a bit.
keep plodding on ladies!
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Michelle ~ Don't forget to take Vit K with your calcium and Vit D supplements.
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Hi Girls, it's 3am and I'm sitting here reading all your posts, so glad to see we are all moving forward. Mary how are you feeling now that the port has been out a few days? I was sooooo happy to get mine out I took no meds just squeezed the nurses hand until it was over (about 15 minutes) - felt some tugging but it wasn't bad, nothing like putting it in, then I smiled all the way home
I did have some sharp shooting pains in my chest come and go for a day or two.So, I went through chemo and radiation and NOW my nails are breaking off
- I can't understand it but I lost 4 nails this week = not from the cuticlebase but they all cracked below the nail tip and I had to cut/pull them off, then I cut all the rest short. Can't figure it out.Yesterday I colored my hair for the first time since October
It's app 1" and I looked like a silver fox (salt & Pepper) well I didn't want to go really dark so I used Loreal Medium Ash Blonde - it's ok but not the color I thought it would be but it's better than the salt and pepper and it's stayed nice and soft. I've been taking Anastrozole Hormone Blockersince April 5 and it's not so bad yet. I do get some hot flashes an hour or two after I take it and my joints get stiff but that's pretty normal for me, so I'm not giving them up yet.
I've been getting upset the last few days because some people don't recognize me or don't acknowledge me - I've always had long dark hair but now I wear a hat or short lighter colored wig. Ok so I've gained some weight in the last 5 years since I quit smoking but I've know these people for years. Are they avoiding me? I feel bad...Most people I see tell me how good I look (for a cancer victim I guess) and I just say I feel good but are they lying to me, do I really look good or like shit!!!! I am feeling old, fat and ugly right now....
so I'm going to try to go back to sleep... -
They took mine out under conscious sedation, so that was nice. It's feeling better, but the bruising looks pretty bad (worse than it feels).
Bugs ~ Funny you feel old, fat, and ugly, because every time I see your avatar or read your posts, I think "youthful, cute,and spunky."
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Mary you made my day = Thanks
As far as the port, Mine was removed May 6 and is still bruised, the scab just fell off yesterday so I doesn't look so awful.
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I agree Maryah, Bugs is cute and so bubbly. I love looking at her avatar she makes me feel happy seeing her bright beautiful smile.
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Well you girls perked me right up? Now I'm singing and want you to all join in because we are all Pretty!!!
I Feel Pretty (From "West Side Story") Lyrics
by Julie Andrews on album Miscellaneous
I feel pretty, oh so pretty I feel pretty and witty and bright And I pity any girl who isn't me tonight I feel charming, oh so charming It's alarming how charming I feel
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: - )
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Oh Bugs, you've me singing this song now :-)
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I can hear you singing it, too, bugs (as in 5Luvbugs, of course I just read that Bugs Bunny was originally named Happy Bunny, nt sure it relates, hmm). And Michelle, how wonderful to hear you in such good spirits! You will be fine back at work, may help your spirits continue in this bright path. Could be all that exercise. Mine has lessened as I've been busy, need to get back to that. Just back from SF - daughter's graduation and 10 bookstores. Tired, but now rest time, thinking of you and how this journey would have been impossible without all of you. I fessed up at the first big dinner event I went to recently (after missing so many) and right away a woman called me after for advice for her friend who was newly disagnosed. I sent her righ to bc.org!
Maryah, whats' up with the Vit K?What is that anyway? I'm taking D & Calcium with my Anastrozole (and Biotin). Bugs, I'm so creaky - those stiff joints make me feel so old! And yes, the hot flashes have increased. Are you taking Aleve? I'm only on day 8 of 1825......
And what's with the port removal bruising or doing it conscious? Mine was put in semi conscious and I've been so excited , thinking that when my infusions are over in November, it will just be another scar. Sounds a bit worse. Oh well.
My nails are breaking off halfway, so now I'm wearing my fave rings anyway, maybe as a distraction, Not one person has commented when I sign books. What a waste of money acrylic nails were if no one notices!
My hair is starting to come back, like a black and white seal pelt. urgh, urgh urgh.
Sleep well!
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My Onc called my Vitamin D level is good "31" now that I'm on 5000 units a day... My bones ache terribly in the night, wakes me up moaning and groaning but once I'm up I feel better (of course I was up from 1 am - 4:30) cleaned the kitchen counter, unloaded the dishes, watched a show, ate a snack and another snack, then I had a cup of sweet dreams tea and went back to sleep until 7:30...Yeah...
My nails are a mess, lost the 5th one yesterday and tell me why our hair all seems to come in black and gray!!
I didn't take sedation for port removal, I was fine - but then again I can have a root canal with no needles..I guess I like to test my pain level..
Oh, I am signed up for the local Cancer Foundation walk this Saturday, I also plan to donate one of the wigs I bought that I never wore because it was too big for my little head - now if I had to get one to fit my butt - well that would be a whole other story
I am happy today (like Bugs Bunny) we are opening the Pool for the summer season, that always makes me happy and tonite when my 5 luvbugs get here they will all want to jump in, the water is 65 but they won't care!!! It's an above the ground Johnny Weissmuller pool and we've had it since 1984 - 29 Years!!!! and it still looks great....Ok girls, and just keep singing" I feel pretty, I feel pretty" because you are....
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Thanks Bugs, I saw my mo today and had my abraxane infusion. My mo noticed that my arm hair has grown in white, she has never seen that before. My hair is also more white then gray. I know when this is over I can dye my hair on my head but what about my arms lol.
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Well I noticed black straight hairs growing on my big TOE and white peach fuzz growing on my FACE - What the heck???? Keep singing girls, keep singing
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