Chemo May 2013

Lorrie,

Hope you got that thing out if your eye!  I think it's contagious sometimes!

A bunch if us Girl Scout leaders went out for dinner tonight.  As we were waiting for the table one of the leaders says to me. "You look really good,it's all done, you are past it, life goes on". And in the next breath she says "my MIL had uterine cancer and had a hysterectomy and did the chemo thing.  They discovered a nodule in her lung and now she is back in chemo doing that whole thing". Ugh.  I sat in stunned silence the whole meal.  

Sigh.

Good grief. Ignorant.  Just what you don't want to hear. Forgive them for they no not what they say.  

Hang in there.  ♡♡

Oh Pat so sorry! People think telling us about other cancer victims that they think are in a worse situation then we are in their mind somehow will make us feel better! How stupid! I recently went to a christmas party, with my short hair, and a lady came up to me and introduced herself and said that we had not met...well we did, several times, before BC when I had long hair. I reminded her we had paddled together on several occasions, and then she quickly backtracked and raved about how much she liked my new haircut! I just stood there frozen, and did not know what to say. 

Kate you are soooo right about feeling proud of all we have went through so far. We had no choice but, it really was an ordeal. We do have to remember to be good to ourselves still. 

Lori: love you new motto! I will have to borrow that one! I am also go grateful for you ladies as this year closes. And you also have a very good point about our DH's divorcing us if they had to hear all of the stuff we have confessed to eachother! I am trying not to talk about it so much with my family, but am so thankful I can do it here! 

May I make an early toast. To a better 2014 for all of us!!! May we keep in touch as we go though this next emotional year.

My MO says it will be a psychological rollercoaster as we find our way back to live as "normal"

klink.  Happy New Year.  Here's to feeling better physically and emotionally.  Spiritually is important too.  yes....Let's all stay in touch.  It means so much to me.

Love - Carla

P.s.  Not feeling very strong right now. .Maybe tomorrow.   

Happy New Year!!!  

My Onc says I was cancer free once I had my mastectomy. The chemo and anastrozole is the insurance just in case of any cells that slipped by. Something like that. My blood levels were good. However he wants to see me every three months for two years on anastrozole. He will do blood tests each time. I am to let him know if my side effects get to be too much for me to handle because there are several options on meds. My body aches have been gone for a few weeks and hot flashes aren't too bad. So we continue with no changes at this time. The results from my bone density scan were good too. 

I had a great New Years with my date and his youngest (15) daughter. We went to a friend if his' and played games. I got home at 3 am. It was fun and I even only drank water all night. Nice start to a New Year. 

I have had some heartburn and a little acid reflux too. It seems to be a little worse when I drink soda but not too bad so far. 

2nd opinion update.

Today I went for a second opinion.  I can't say this doctor is "known in the field".  She was recommended by one of my Girl Scout leaders (I later found out she is a stage4 survivor)

Anyhow, the doctor  met with hubby and I and said she reviewed my file (I had dropped off a complete copy last week) and she felt confident that my oncologist did a good job.  (Would they really say otherwise?-seriously!)

She feels that the CT scan in 3 months from first scan is the protocol required for my lungs.  She reiterated that it is likely nothing, but must be followed.  If it becomes larger we will discuss other methods..

She commented about following with tumor markers and circulating tumor cells (? I think that's what she said) tests ...both are blood tests.  I was NEVER offered these before, often wondered why and I understand they are not "foolproof" but it's "something".    I mentioned the "tender" area in my ribs (lower back) and she asked if I felt a PET scan would alleviate my concerns....YOU BET!

So, she also did a physical exam (and loved the DIEP boobs..they do look really good!).

I commented that I guess I need to "pick an oncologist" to stay with and she said I should.  So I told her I picked her.  I was never 100% in love with my oncologist.  Hubby described her as flippant, I describe her as dismissive...I guess they are similar?  I NEED someone who will make me feel my fears are discussed thoroughly without being rejected.    I did LOVE my chemo nurses (one lives in my neighborhood and I see her at school things) and God forbid I need to do chemo again I will really miss them!

So they took a few vials of blood ...tumor markers and circulating tumor cells as well as CBC...which is the blood counts...I was disappointed my last one was done PRIOR to last chemo, why not check my counts after?  and they are calling to get an approval for a PET scan.

The doctor did say that this period of time after treatment is completed can be most stressful for us.  (As many of your docotrs have said).  I told her it probably wouldn't bother me so much if they hadn't found the crap in my lungs!  With that said she asked if I have gone to any support groups.  I'm thinking maybe I should give it a shot.  I am feeling better now that I spoke to this doctor , and I told her I LOVE this site, but maybe I need a little "therapy" to help me deal.  

I am looking forward to getting the blood results and PET results.  Hopeful that there is nothing and I won't regret asking for these tests!   The chest CT will be in February (3 months from first one).  Tamoxifen for 5 years and then a switch over to a aromatase inhibitor (I think that's what it is) for another 5 years.

That's all I've got for now.

Pat

Pat, 

What is the name of the test for circulating tumor cells? Don't think I've heard of that one before and want to see if I've had it. My cancer center has now puts all the lab and test results online for each patient so I can cruise my records 24/7........a little scary but easier than waiting to get them from the doc.

Ann

Carla yes my New Years date was with the same guy I told you about before.  I really like him, the weird thing is that he talks a LOT when we are together but when we aren't together he doesn't keep in contact.....I asked him about that when I saw him on Monday and he said he gets that from his Dad.  So we texted for a while last night but I'm not going to text again.....going to wait for him to make the first move, but it's frustrating.  

Ann all of my results are also online for me to look at whenever I want from the Oncologists office.  I can check blood counts and all kinds of stuff on there, of course most of it doesn't mean anything to me.  I am now back to my pre cancer weight, however I have quite a ways to go to get where I really want to be.  

My hair seems to be getting thicker but not longer to me.  Others say it looks great.  My concern is that there are a lot of days when my scalp is kind of tingly like when I lost my hair from chemo.  It's kind of scary to know that I am just getting my hair back and the Anastrozole might make it get thinner or I could even lose it.  So far I have noticed any hair loss just that weird kind of tingly sensation.  Anyone else having this?

My headis extremely it hy too... I thought cuz im constantly wearing a hat...

No hair falling out, really thich. But seems to get thicker instead of longer... haha

Im having somewhat of a meltdown (again) last couple days. ihate my moodswings, if the hotflashes dont do men, my moods will. Ill be surprised if my hubby comes home tonight after work.

Fingers crossed for you Pat!!!!!!

Haha yes my eyelashes and eyebrows are falling out again too - booo!

I watched a  really good Christmas movie I recorded that was on the Hallmark channel. It was called November Christmas. It had Sam Elliott and John Corbett in it. It was about a family with a 9 year old daughter that has cancer. Excellent movie and fortunately had a good ending. I've been meaning to mention this for a few weeks but keep forgetting. I hate the chemo brain!  Has anyone else seen this movie?