Starting chemo November 2012

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  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited August 2013

    Well I had my first mammo since DDay (diagnosis day or dammit day) = Thank God it's ok!!  I was "scared shitless" because the tech said she was going to show the doctor and she didn't come back for 35 excruciating long minutes - I got soooooo nervous thinking the worst but finally someone came in and told me the computer was down and they couldn't compare or read/write reports.   So happy I don't have to start over on another thread here cause I love you girls to much to move on to a new chemo group.... Kiss

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    5Luvbugs~~What would it have hurt for someone to come in to tell there was a glitch so you didn't sit there for 35 minutes imagining the worst? Some people are just clueless.



    I'm glad it was a good mammo though. My D Day was July 27. I had my mammo and saw the surgeon on July 23rd. All is well.



    Blessings

    Paula

  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited August 2013

    Great News Ladies!!! So happy to hear y'all are doing good :-)

  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited August 2013

    The less we feel the need to post the better we are Laughing - So glad we are doing well...

    Now lets hear from sickofpink regarding her daughter..... How are things going?

  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited August 2013

    Luvbugs your hair looks great!

    So happy about your results, Macyhen!

    Thanks for the prayers, ladies, Better here but still pretty bad. Weaning daughter off meds, half a dozen doctors each week (in addition to mine) and looking for a expert in brain injury stuff. . Doing physical therapy for arm now, but it's been 4 weeks and she needs to move out (she wants to and husband wants the yelling to stop) but her place has those dangerous stairs and it's hard to find her an apt because of her stupid dog and money  and of course lack of doing anything but recovering now...

    So not much work or exercise for me, but I may switch to another hormone blocker..so stiff and achy still...anyone try one besides Aromosin or Arrimidex?I forgot to try claritin, but I did buy it... and the pot sounds tempting, but my daugter would be jealous....

    xo

  • Eleni
    Eleni Member Posts: 130
    edited August 2013

    Hello ladies,

    I've been away on vacation for a month and still have a lot of catching up to do.

    Everything is okay here, still tired, my hair growing. Luvbugs, I love your hair.

    I'm going to start working next week and to be honest, I can't say I'm looking forward.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2013

    Where oh where is our Michelle across the Pond?



    Michelle, if you're reading this, I hope you're doing awesome! Check in with us. We miss you.



    Paula

  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited August 2013

    Looking in the Mirror = well girls, today I was looking in the mirror and I couldn't find myself.. Who was that chunky round old lady standing there in front of me.  She is no one that I know, big belly, sagging boobs, butt sticking way out, tired face, and super curly hair that looked like she had a perm and forgot to take out the rods!!!  What the heck, where did I go? - to Pot that's where?  Anyone else feeling old, fat and ugly? Did the Anastrozole take away all my feminine features!!!!!  Yell  Oh I forgot to mention the tapioca thunder thighs and the dry snake skin feeling...What the hell happened to me!!!!!

  • Sneakychiquita
    Sneakychiquita Member Posts: 292
    edited August 2013

    Similar story over here, 5LuvBugs.  I don't think my diet/exercise are different than before but I just can't seem to shed the weight I've added since starting Tamoxifen.  The big cottage cheese thighs, short 'permed' hair, and chemopause at the age of 40 have me feeling a bit pissy these last couple of weeks.  Grateful, but pissy.

  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited August 2013

    Lol Bugs the same story over here. I look like Im 10 months pregnant with 9 lb twins, my thighs look like 10 lb bags of potatoes on each one lol. My skin is so dry that I have to use oil, lotion and vaseline just to get me through the day. By the end of the day I am ashy. Now that I am in remission my Drs are now concerned with the weight gain and told me I am too dam Fat lol. They tell me to limit my sugar, fats, carbs etc. How the hell am I supposed to do that. They also tell me I need to exercise, I try but after a minute I am out of breath and my back hurts.

  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited August 2013

    Luv, Macy & Sneaky, can you switch to Aromosin? I've lost 5 pounds, nothing fits. CLotehs already look bad with short hari and port, but... THinking of trying a differnt one though, still so achy and stiff jointed.  Anyone try Femara?

  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited August 2013

    Sickofpink, I will ask my mo when I see her on Wednesday. She told me 2 more Abraxane infusions then she will switch me to pills and a once a month Zometa infusion. Does Aromosin come in pill form?

  • Sneakychiquita
    Sneakychiquita Member Posts: 292
    edited August 2013

    I haven't looked into alternatives yet, but my MO did say that if my side effects didn't subside after a more gradual re-introduction to Tamoxifen that she would try something else.  When I first started Tami a couple of months ago the side-effects were so extreme that I felt like I was going through chemo all over again, albeit at a lower intensity.  My MO suggested that I go off it entirely for a couple of weeks and then get back on it more gradually, like every second day or something.  I ended up splitting the pills and having half a day and have only just recently been on the full dose.  I'd like to give the full dose at least 3 months before giving up... I'm hoping that I just need a bit more time for my body to adjust. Besides, I think Tamoxifen is preferred for someone who is premenopausal (or at least I was prior to chemo).  Anyone know different?  I really do hate how Tami makes me feel...

  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited September 2013

    Hmm, still dealing with it.

    Hope all is well in this quiet place.

    Anyone start bone stregtheners yet?

  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited September 2013

    Hey SickofPink I hope to be starting Zometa sometime this month. I hope I don't suffer with the bone pain and se's they say comes with it. I agree it has been real quiet here lately. Hope everyone is doing good.

  • keetmom
    keetmom Member Posts: 432
    edited September 2013

    Had my 6 month check up...all looks good...feeling better everyday!
    Emma also had an MRI and she had the best MRI ever! Everything is stable!!!

    And I got a job!! For the first time in 15 years I am going back to work..I am going to do non medical caregiving!! Excited and cant wait to start...but first a weekend trip to CO for a wedding!!! With just DH and oldest dd!

  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited September 2013

    Well today I treated myself to my first hair cut and color since I lost it all last November!! So glad it's back....

    Keetmom, how was the wedding and did you start work yet? Glad your doing well.

  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited September 2013

    Thanks Macy, keep us posted about that. Congrats Keetmom, have fun!

    5Luvbugs, when did your hair straighten enough to style? I feel like a clown, but wear wig to conferences and stuf. Brain is back for analytical work, but not creatively inspired, yesterday I ordered tea - the kind with teh guy with tow names  (Early Grey).

    Ha!

    xo

  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited September 2013

    Sick - my hair is sooooooo curly I look like I got a perm and left the rods in!!!  it's so puffed up = people don't recognize me (well between hair and puffy body)Embarassed  The day I took the pic I had hair colored and blow dried straight - it lasted a day!!!  You look cute either way...

    Macy, how's the zometa?  I have so much bone pain (from arthritis) and I still have to wait until January to take Prolia shots because of tooth extraction.  I actually moan and groan all night because my bones hurt (hips, shoulders the most)Yell

     FYI, since I switched from generic Anastrozole to the brand name Arimidex, I no longer get hot flashes!!!! it's worth the switch.Wink

  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited September 2013

    Hey Bugs and all. I haven't started the Zometa yet. My mo doesn't think she will give it to me because the spot in my hip is completely gone. I see her on the 9th of October so we shall see. I have had no se's from the Femara. Hope you all are doing good!!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    Macy~~That's awesome news!!!



    Bugs~~Are you using Claritin yet for that bone pain? I was a bit low on money last week and Claritin is about $19 at Walmart, so I bought the generic Loratidine for the first time. I only bought the 10 day supply for$2.97, because I wanted to make sure it worked as well as Claritin. IT DOES!



    I get a bit stiff after sitting or lying down, but just walking through the house once usually alleviates that.



    Paula

  • keetmom
    keetmom Member Posts: 432
    edited September 2013

    Luvbugs....Started today and love it! And the trip was amazing, but you dont know how much you appreciate oxygen until it is hard to get!!(altitude as a rough adjustment just for the weekend)

  • michellej1980
    michellej1980 Member Posts: 342
    edited September 2013

    Hi lovely ladies. Just checking in to say hi. It feels weird coming back here actually and takes me back to that horrid time but I do want to say thank you all for being here for me when I so desperately needed you. We all held each other's virtual hands and I'm sure you all found the support as invaluable as I did.



    No real issues for me. I've got creaky achy knees which I'm guessing is down to the anastrozole. Have started taking glucosamine to see if it helps but it's not a major issue anyway. I had been exercising regularly and cutting down on calories but since being back at work full-time I barely have any energy for anything else. Caught a cold of my brother this week so once I'm over that I will try and go swimming again.



    My mum has had 5/6 chemos and is due surgery on Nov 7th. She's having a lumpectomy plus rads. I still am so scared for our futures. I told my onc about my mum and she has sent me a family history questionnaire for me to fill out and will then refer me to genetics. I doubt they will test me as there is no other family history of BC and they put mine down to previous rads but guess it's worth a try.



    Sounds like everyone is gradually moving on. So glad you're doing so well macyhen. Love to you all. Xxx

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    Michelle~~It's great to hear from you! It's been a long time.



    Have you tried taking Claritin with your anastrazole? It really helps with the bone pain.



    Blessings

    Paula

  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited September 2013

    Hey Michelle I really missed you! I'm so glad your back. I'm doing great, did my first cancer walk yesterday and after opening ceremonies and picture taking I was able to walk my chunky behind 1/4 of a mile to the car. That's the furthest I've walked since dx. Lol I was disappointed in myself but my dd and dh were proud of me. :-)

  • Sickofpink
    Sickofpink Member Posts: 190
    edited October 2013


    HI ladies, glad things are going well. Prayers for your mom, Michelle.


    Macy- the brand name really made a difference? Hmm. Claritin isn't helping with the generic for me And the Femara has no SE's for some?


    Hm. Still waiting to get the bone meds, but the creaky joints and fingers and toes are crazy-making.


    Bugs, I got some cream to mold my curls straight but have no idea how to use it properly...


    Two more infusions, then port removal, whew.


    xo

  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited October 2013

    So, what do you think of my curly, bushy , colored reddish brown hair??? It's growing like a weed - sooner or later I'll get it cut...How is your hair girls?

    Pink - is your port out yet!!!!  Maybe by the end of the month?

    Macy I did my Making Strides for BC walk last Saturday - it was sooooo uplifting and my whole family, except my son who was working,  walked with me - some of them went the whole 3 miles but this big ole butt went about 1.5 - of course I was walking with my 9 year old grandson who is in a boot cast but he insisted on walking with me  - gotta love these grandkids. the rest of them made the 3 miles, it was on the boardwalk at the Atlantic Ocean in Ocean City NJ - next to Atlantic City....Great day, great feeling to be a 1 year survivor!!! Yeah to all of us... Hope everyone is doing well, haven't chatted for a while so I assume your doing good.... Love ya all....

    image


     

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2013


    5luvBugs~~I fininshed chemo in May, and I have barely more than a GI Jane. Very disappointing!


    Paula

  • 5LuvBugs
    5LuvBugs Member Posts: 506
    edited October 2013

    Paula don't feel bad at all - I finished chemo last January - your doing great!!!!!  It started coming in around July - give it time....Neat Hat though ,,,

     


     

  • macyhen111
    macyhen111 Member Posts: 754
    edited October 2013

    Bugs!!!! I have missed you so! Happy cancerversary or dx day. It's been a year for me too and I'm doing great. My hair is growing like weeds but now it's coming in black, I was so used to the white hair. I'm so happy you are doing good and you look great. Hugs to you my friend, love you. Btw beautiful picture of you and family.

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