Starting Chemo April 2009

Judy...thinking of you girl...hope everything went freaking perfect for you!

Geri...loved the pics of the wedding..beautiful daughter and son in law...

Helen..glad things are going well for you!

Betsy...still my favorite duck..wish OSU was higher in the polls with you guys though...tired of hearing how good the sec is..blah

Amy...how is it going lady..that diverictulitous (can't spell) is nasty painful stuff...I had a friend who had her first attack driving home from work at had to stop at a K-mart...she thought it was a heart attack...but she is doing ok now..just managing her diet...no surgery or drugs at all

Hi all

I am ok, made it through. Am on day 4 and the docs say I am where I should be today.

Has not been an easy few days, I get teary in the evenings but my husband and the hospital staff have been very supportive.

I will post again from home. Thank u all for the love and support.

Hugs, Judy x

So good to hear from you Judy...of course it's tough after major surgery, but don't be too hard on yourself or expect too much too soon.  One day at a time.  The worst is behind you.

Geri

I came home from hospital today. Feeling sore and very emotional, I have waited so long for this, I couldn't believe it when they said I was done and could leave.

The staff were wonderful too.

I know I still have a long way to go, but having this behind me is huge.

I will come by again soon, thank u all for everything. Big hugs, Judy xxx

Just got back from my trip last night, and Judy - it means the world to me to see your posts. I am SO glad the worst is behind you and this is a new beginning. You will heal over time, and I hope the reconstruction will help you in many ways. You were brave and strong and you did it!

Our trip was stressful and not all that we hoped. It snowed unexpectedly in Yosemite, and we were snowed in with no way to communicate. It was not romantic and relaxing, it was stressful. And the pass was closed so we had to take a 10 hour detour to get over the mountains. I fell out of the car when exiting (GPS cord wrapped around my foot) and fell onto the pavement, bashed my knee. I chipped a tooth and had to go to a dentist on an indian reservation to get it repaired. We drove on a bumpy dirt road for a long time, and it upset my stomach and I had to get out of the car and poop on the (deserted) road. I know, TMI - but who else can I tell? I know it must sort of sound funny, but ... rather than coming home refreshed, I am exhausted. My husband told me that he feels I am more irritable and shorter with him than previously - I am concerned that the hysterectomy and loss of whatever hormones the ovaries were producing may be causing this. I am not sure that is the case. But whatever - it is devastating to me. I have gained some weight since my surgery and was not in the shape for hiking I wanted to be in. Got tired very quickly, heart pounding on inclines. I know some of it was the altitude, but not all. Just very discouraging.

Glad to be home. But right now I feel like rather than having 'beaten' the cancer, it is behind me chasing me all the time. I feel like I was foolish and arrogant to think I could put it into the past.

Very sad and down. Sorry to vent, but I know you understand.

Coincidentally, i am seeing the onc tomorrow for six mo checkup. Will discuss with her.

Love to all and Judy, your post was my bright spot for the day!

Amy

Some interesting stuff to report.

First - Helen - I had a hair cut/color today. I told the hairdresser (who is very experienced) about your hair problems. She said there is something called a 'template' which is like a wig but for only part of your head (the top). She said that IF your hair loss is on the top, and you still have most of the hair on the sides, then this could be a solution for you to consider. They are specially made b/c they have to match your color and texture, but are not as hot or difficult as ful wigs. She also said you should be using Biotin shampoo, but I'm sure you know about that already. I have no idea if this is even a possibility for you but thought I'd pass it along.

Second - after the haircut, I saw the oncologist for my six mo visit. Actually I saw a nurse practitioner there, one I had never seen before. The exam and basic stuff went fine. Then I told her my concerns about the mood swings, irritability, etc post-hysterectomy and asked if it could be related. She said definitely yes, and that I should allow A FULL YEAR for recovery from the surgery and losing the organs. (Of course they NEVER tell you that ahead of time!!!!) She said I will improve, and gave me some practical suggestions and ideas for managing things. I left feeling reassured and a lot better.

Settling in from vacation and sleeping better. That is a relief too.

I go see baby Ruby tomorrow. I CANNOT WAIT. She always makes my heart lighter!

Love to all- and Judy - keep getting better - each day, tiny steps!

Amy

Had a wonderful time with baby Ruby. She changed A LOT since I saw her last!

Talked to my daughters about the troubles I am having, with impatience, irritability, mood swings. It was hard to do, but they said they were proud of me for being honest and confronting difficult things, as I always do.

Am feeling a little bit better. I guess it's better to face something, even if it's hard, than to skirt around it and pretend. Sigh.

Judy - how are you coming along?



We are going to a VERY fancy wedding tonight. The child of someone I don't know too well - I'm actually surprised we are invited. I hope it is fun.

Love to everyone. Thank you for always being there.

Amy

hi all,

Amy, I'm sorry you are going through a tough time. I don't think any of us realize that the surgery/radiation tx is just the beginning. The AI's, for some the abrupt surgical menopause and not least, the PTSD we may suffer, has an effect on us long after the scars have healed. We are changed people because of cancer, and I'm not sure if those around us, even those who love us, can truly understand what that means...but I believe we in this chat room can. The start of fighting the change is acknowledging it has happened and you're not happy about it. With the conversation with your daughters you have done that - maybe now with their help you can start to change some of the things you don' like.

Judy - it sounds as though you are making steady progress. All those chores you are worried about will be there in another few weeks, just don't push too hard. When you are feeling much better, you'll be able to catch up on all of that.

My daughter took me to see Annie on B'way this past Saturday, and it was a very special day! I had taken her to see it 30 years ago, so it was nostalgic to go with her again as an adult. Wonderful weekend!

Hope everyone is well - think of you all often.

Geri

just wanted to let all you gals know I caught up on your posts. I have been away too long. Helen and Judy have both had their DIEPs- Congrats!!! It is a rough road but worth it. Amy has a new family member, Geri had a wedding (not your own ; ). The pics were beautiful!). Hope the rest of you Titan, Florbo, Chevlev Betsy etc are all well

Doing great here just busy with kids work and life..... Trying to get up the courage for the final nipple surgery but after 9 surgeries in 3 years I wanted a year off and Dec was my stage 2 for my hip flaps.

Recently my oncologist said he now feels Femara for 10 years instead of 5 and I cried. I was so looking coward to being OFF : (

I will try to check in soon. Hang in there Helen and Judy! My stage one was Aug 2012 and by Aug 2013 I can hardly believe where I had been the year before!

Hoping you all have a wonderful holiday season and New Year just in case I do not pop in before then!!

Amy, glad you are feeling better.

I am doing ok; saw the surgeon yesterday, mine was out if town so I saw another who was also nice; he said that everything looks good and I should go back next Tuesday to have the final few stitches out.

It was nice to be out for a couple of hours actually. After I arrived home some friends came to visit which was nice but quite tiring.

Geri, so happy you enjoyed the weekend with your daughter. Lesley, thanks for coming by and letting us know how you are.

I know the chores are not going anywhere and everyone is making a big effort to keep the house straight.

Helen, how are you feeling? I wanted to ask you if your doctor recommended anything to help the scars fade from your surgery? Mine suggested baby oil?

Will come by again soon, big hugs, Judy x

Helen, I do think that the worst is over but I can see that this is going to take a while.

I will let you know about the baby oil.

Hugs to all, Judy x

happy Friday night to everyone.

Judy, glad that you are healing well. Although I'm sure not quickly enough for you. As Helen asked, are you happy with the results? Hopefully so!

Helen, how are you doing? Is that one problem area resolving?

Amy, always good to read your posts - they are thoughtful and caring. Glad you enjoyed your " over the top wedding". I know exactly what you mean by the late party nights being over. I was out to dinner with a group tonight, and by 8:00 I was holding back a yawn. My life is SO exciting...NOT!

Good to hear from you Leslie...it's so nice that we are all still so connected after almost 5 years have passed since we had the need to join this group. Thank you to tulipbebe for starting it...been a lifeline for me many times!

Well, I am up past my bedtime, so I will stop back in a few days - everyone have a good weekend and stay well!

Geri

Judy, glad you are improving. No surprise about not looking. I also didn't look for a while and even now, I still don't spend time looking in a mirror but I am adjusting to the new feelings of my body. I think it will take a long time.

Helen, I was so relieved to read your post; this will take time I think. Thank you so much for your constant support, it means so much to me.

Betsy, so nice to hear from you. Your vacation sounds wonderful. So sorry to read about your FIL. I hope he is doing ok with the rads.

Hope everyone else is doing well, hugs to you all, Judy x

Judy, any time you have surgery your body goes through tremendous stress, so being emotional and teary at times is pretty normal. Don't worry about looking at your new boobs, just enjoy them! Think how nice it will be to wear a swimsuit!

Betsy, sorry about your FIL...it is hard when cancer just seems yo be all around us.

Hope everyone is ok...many of us getting ready for Thanksgiving

Geri