Kiwi ladies who need encouragment, but all welcome.

Hi Alyson & Musical, thanks.

Musical, they told me the name of the machine & it went right out of my head! I'll look on the LE threads sometime & see if something rings a bell!

I'm planning to go to Toomac (I see you know of them too, Alyson) and get measured for a sleeve too just in case- but it would be nice if I could get some funding

I was on the Aclasta (5mg) once a year for 2 years. I had horrible SE's the first time- headache, nausea, vomitting, bone pain, abdo pain...! that lasted a couple of days. The second time I took anti-emetic/nausea meds beforehand as well as nurofen & I was much better.

Shame it hasn't worked as I had to pay for it myself & it was over $700 a pop!

This year we have medical insurance as hubby got a new job- so hopefully that will cover anything I need!

kt

Good news you are booked for your pmx KT.  That will come around fast I'm sure. 

We have a labradoodle puppy (10 months old now) and he is gorgeous.  He is so easygoing and so gentle with the children.

Yay for medical insurance KT!

ShazzaKelly - I hope all is ok with you?  I had a port for my chemo.  Putting it in was done under general, taking it out under local.  It was good to have one with 16 chemo treatments on my list.  I did see some ladies having terrible trouble with their veins and was pleased I didn't have that hassle.

I did find the surgery hurt more than I expected.  Mine was also very prominent on my chest and I couldn't wait to be rid of it.  I was left with a horrible big scar.  The PS cut it out when I had my recon recently and I'm hoping it heals much better!

kt thanks for that on the Aclasta. I could never read that (small) writing at the bottom of the TV screen when the ad came on.



There is a wealth of info about garments and commentary on exercise over on the LE boards. Summarizing from memory, yes opinions have changed regarding exercises. It has been discussed quite a bit. It has been found that doing exercises that have you lifting your arm above your head in the 1st 10 days to 2 weeks or so after surgery is a no no, whereas it used be encouraged. Research has revealed that this puts you at a greater risk for LE. It is said that excessive stretching while that initial healing takes place can cause more harm than good.

Shazza as a lot of folk say on BCO I will be in your pocket. And I do hope you can have a happy birthday. Treat yourself no matter what.

Super big hugs.

Fingers crossed here Shazza.

Happy Birthday too! I hope you've managed to have some fun as well as your appointments

kt

So it turns out I'm stage 4. I might have only had a couple of small little breast tumours but it has basically spread everywhere. Now everything changes. I still don't know how to tell my children. Not such a great birthday :-(

Hi ShazzaKelly,

I'm stage 4 too and was from initial dx in 2007. 

I was in Palm Nth and knew no-one else like me. Coming to these boards and reading and listening to the other women here made me so less alone.

I had no reason to believe I was stage 4 and everyone told me I would be fine. then boom, opps, yes indeed there are is a met. The feeling of shock and horror is over whelming but there is life after the dx. I am nearly 6 years out now and doing ok. I was 45 at the time and thought my life was over. It changes and of course is never the same again but it can still be a great and beautiful life. 

Alyson is so right, come over to the Aussie thread or the stage 4 thread. It's a scary thing to do but there is lots of hope there and wonderful women. At first you might like to just read for a while but anytime you have a question or concern just ask, someone will have a great answer.

Be very kind to yourself and know that it will take time to work through all the emotions running rampant. If you don't want to tell your children right now then leave it a little while until you know what exactly is happening. I know on the stage 4 thread some women only tell them the basic facts and not the worse case. It depends a lot I think on the age of your children. Mine were grown and we didn't tell my 18 year old cos she was doing scholarship exams at the time. She was very cross at me at the time for not saying anything but I think we were right.

Give yourself a few days or weeks to let things settle. Cry as much or as little as you like and if need be get some help for any anxiety and grief you need. You don't need to be superwoman and this is something that is a huge blow to recover from. 

I'm happy to PM if you want but you are also getting some great support from the kiwi ladies. I am kiwi too but I don't post much on this thread. But I do read it.

What a terrible way to have a birthday. I had an MRI on my birthday at dx looking for mets, that was sh*t too.

Moira

Thanks all for your support. All the mets are fairly small. I have extensive bone and lung mets and a fair bit of lymph involvement. One kidney and my thyroid gland also have some involvement. Having said that apart from a persistant cough I am symptom free and feeling well. We are going to try Xeloda first and see how long I can stay stable before trying a more heavy duty chemo.

Shazza so sorry to hear of your recent dx. I hope treatment is kind to you.

Thanks for all the advice everyone, I am hoping to get a sleeve and glove on Wednesday when I go to the hospital for my LE appt.

I had reflexology last week before my LE massage and think it opened up the lymph system and the massage was great.

Have got a chicken soup in the crockpot, perfect day to come home to the nice smell of dinner cooking.

Hope you're all doing ok.

Xx kk

How's that healing going Shazzakelly? Have you got a chemo start date yet or do you have to wait? Take heaps of Vitamin C! 

Kiwikid, I'm glad you got some LE relief from your massage.

KT - any date yet? Waiting is so tedious!

I've had a sick house in the last week.  My oldest (11) has had a week off school with flu. She's finally back today and my youngest (8) is now sick!  Roll on summer I say!

Hi girls.

Shazza, I'm glad you're feeling better. Hope your wound is looking good today

KiwiMum, no fun having sickies. I hope your daughter recovers quickly & no-one else gets it! 

Its raining now, so a good day to snuggle inside. I just finished my job before the worst of it (some of it is outside).

Still no confirmation letter re pmx- will have to let my employers know on Monday I reckon- a months notice so they can plan ahead- and if its changed so be it...

Hope you all have a good weekend

kt

My sympathy to you all. Been there, done that!!