Chemo May 2013

So today I saw a friend of mine that I hadn't seen in a few weeks, he moved a couple of hours away.  He was in town working for a while and we met up and talked for a short time.  He gave me a hug which I really needed this week, I've been pissed and emotional.  He says it's good to see me then asks why I have a zit on my chin and tells me I need to trim my hair.  Seriously!  He could have said hey your hair is growing nicely and ignored the zit that of course I already knew about but it wasn't ready to be dealt with.  Instead of letting it go I told him he could be nicer.  My hair has barely grown 1/2 inch since I got it trimmed the 23rd of December.  He said he was just trying to harass me and he was sorry, definitely not what I needed.  Men can be such asses, not all men but a lot as you have dealt with them through all of this much more than I have.  Maybe it was a good thing I am still single right now.  My dogs love me all the time no matter what!  Have a great weekend!

Teresa, sounds like he read the pamphlet "how to put your foot in your mouth!"  .  My mom has a fantastic ability to point out I have a zit.  I mean really, we don't see them in the mirror ourselves?  I did discover tea tree oil, smells ..bad! But I put it undiluted,  directly on my problem spots, and it seems to help alleviate the issue within 1-2 days... It has a double onus, wards off the hubby at night too! Lol. But seriously, tea tree oil is supposed to be good for lots of things (that I can't recall) but I think it is supposed to be diluted...I'm lazy and don't dilute.

Ukkate, I have no idea what to say to help you out.  Is it something you would call your doctor for?  Would "depends" lined with super absorbent pads be good?  I'm sure depends aren't meant for that but I imagine it would beat having to wash all the undies!

Pat

oh Lorrie, that sounds wonderful!

Lorrie that's fantastic.   Gosh, even the the time leading up to your trip will be fun just thinking about it.  ))

Kate how horrible, that isn't good!  I hope you have had a response from your Dr by now.  I'm glad I don't have that issue at all anymore.

Lorrie how nice to have a trip planned like that!

Still having a hard time getting to sleep at night but am sleeping good later in the morning.  I hope I get this issue dealt with before I go back to full time in a month.  

Hey Ladies,

So, what about all this cold weather???  I was so glad my child actually had to go to school today - not sure I could take working from home anymore.  I love my child dearly, but also know I have to work so it makes it difficult to try to work and pay attention to her at the same time - not really fair to her!  Weight Watchers is going good so far - down 6 pounds   Just gotta keep the faith and make sure I continue to eat right.  Working out at the YMCA - boy is my body OUT OF SHAPE!  I had no idea - tried a couple of classes and let's just say I feel like I am a 90 year old woman, not a 40 year old one...

Sounds like all the guys need a lesson on how to be sensitive

Kate - hope things get better for you... I'm still waiting for my monthly friend to show up.

ItIsWhat... - nice you got your trip booked.  Have a most awesome time!  You deserve it

Have a good one everyone and stay warm.

Pat I started anastrozole mid October, since I had a full hysterectomy in 2010 I'm not doing tamoxifen.  I've slept better the last couple of nights.  I am also taking Vitamin B6 to help keep Lympedema at bay and Vitamin D and Calcium per my Onc for stronger bones.  Maybe I will add some B12 in the mix as well.

I got a pain in my implant breast Monday night and it continued through all of yesterday.  I couldn't lift my hand to the top of my head without it pulling and hurting.  It also wasn't very comfortable to sleep on the side.  Even just moving in my chair here at work and at home wasn't good. I called my Dr yesterday and since he was in surgery got an appointment for this afternoon.  I'm not having those pains today but I'm still going to check things out.  It was weird, the whole underside of my breast was hurting.  Maybe it is just nerves coming back to life or something.

Gosh Kate is it the meds or the lack of blood that makes you dizzy?  

Mom keep up the good work.  

Teresa didn't know that by was good for lymphedema.   Good to know.  Going to Physical therapy right now and learning a few exercises for it. It is good that you are checking out the pain in your implant breast.

Pat that sucks that you have that constant reminder.  And I am glad you are  reading the good stories.  

There's never a day that goes by that I don't think about breast cancer. Can't afford not to think about it.  The fear of it returning is my motivator.  It's my motivation to eat healthy.  It's my motivation to exercise.   It's my motivation to take care of myself physically,  emotionally and spiritually.   I never..ever..ever ever ever want this beast to reappear. And can only hope and pray that what I do and don't do keeps the beast away.

Carla

Carla, yes, each day is a blessing.  I may not be perfect, but I try like you do to do the best I can.  I'm sure we all are doing the best each of us can.  I also try and be the best I can.  If I were hit by a bus and diedI should hope there won't be too many people I've touched that say "good". Lol

Mom, sorry you are having that diagnostic mammo, but better to err on the side of caution, glad your doctor is like that!  Keeping you in my prayers.  Keep us posted.

Pat

Got my W2 yesterday, I knew it would be low with the time I had to take off with 4 surgeries plus chemo treatments and feeling better to go back to work.  It seemed worse than I was expecting just because I only made just under $5,000 more than I paid out in medical expenses. Seriously how is someone supposed to live off of that?  If I quit my job I could have got dissability social security, but I don't want to quit.  The system sucks big time.  Wish I could at least get my husbands Social Security but I have ten years and one month to be eligible for that.  Life sucks.

No I don't go a day without thinking of breast cancer either.......

I will definitely be claiming my medical expenses on my taxes this year!  Hopefully it will help me get a good return.  Good question on the cut offs for 2013.  I have bills for my December surgery that won't be paid until this year, I assume that what I pay for this year will go on my 2014 taxes.

MoS, Teresa, Annie. I'm wondering if the aches, pains, lumps (under the armpit???) And tenderness could be from lymphedema.   My radiation doctor didn't really call it.  Nor did my onc. My onc actually thought maybe I had arthritis.  It was my primary doctors partner who said I have lymphedema.  And the physical therapist confirmed.  The arm doesn't have to be all swelled up.  I read there can be 20% more liquid in the arm before the size is noticeably different.   There can be pain in different parts of the hand, arm, shoulder,  underarm, breast. Lumps under the armpit or trouble stretching. Some people don't experience pain and some do.  I'm not saying it is lymphedema but just maybe??  If it is, there's stretching and other exercises that is helpful. 

Gosh you got that right Pat.  Life sure is precious. After all that we've been through, sure would be the Pitts to be hit by a bus.

Carla

lol. That's right Pat.  We would have earned our pink ribbon and pink wings.

Thanks Pat for that link.  I should be ok on being able to deduct the medical expenses, since my medical was way more than 50% of what I made.  

Carla I haven't had any pain in my arm pit or arm.  My Dr just recommended taking B6 to help so I don't have any issues.  Here is hoping it works.

Lorrie, go on vacation without a hat, smile and be free.  I still look like a dyke, but I don't care.  Plus you won't see any of those people ever again.  Hold your head up knowing you've won a battle and have a great time.