Starting Chemo July 2013

Hi Ladies!!!

Oh, I've missed you all so much! For some reason I can no longer get email alerts for updates on this board  I've been very busy with work and family, have thought about each of you, but am just now - in the middle of yet another sleepless night, logging on to catch up.

I've missed so much info, and as of yet have only read posts back a couple of weeks.

Glad to see some of you are making dietary changes, as I'm trying to do the same. Recent bloodwork indicated high cholesterol (never had issues before), remaining/worsening iron deficiency, and thyroid problems -- POOP!!! (Would rather use a harsher term).  

I'm going in this Tuesday for an all-day iron infusion, have been put on Synthroid, had an ultrasound done on my thyroid Friday (results by Tuesday?), am going in tomorrow for a bone density test so I can start Prolia, and have a colonoscopy later this month - whew!!! Seems I'll never get a break from seeing doctors

Hair is finally coming back:

And I actually have thicker brows and eyelashes than ever!  Marsha, I the mistake of attempting to remove the icky dark facial hairs with a topical hair remover and ended up with crazy lines all over my face - ROFLOL!!!

I'm going to read and try to catch up with each of you - SO sorry for the horrible heat-related disaster you're experiencing, Sue!!! Glad your safe, but hate the loss

BIG Hugs to all you Firecrackers

~Lynn

P.S. I'm going to a support group meeting for survivors in a couple of weeks. Need some BC camaraderie!  Oh, Two Hobbies, I'm also on anastrozole and gabapentin (neuropathy pain is a bit better, but sleep not so much!)

hi Rambo 

Nice pics . My hair is nearly 16weejs down the track and I nearly need a trim !! - every time I see people they say gosh your hair has grown - it's probably inch and a half and I nearly have a fringe ( albeit a VERY short one 

T going well and BS pleased I see onc in April and due a mammo May then I cannot believe it will have been a year since Dx !!! 

Hugs to you and bluestars - hope all keeps going well xxx

Hello to all my firecrackers,  It just so hard to move on.  Since Thanksgiving I have this issue with weird symptoms on my left upper stomach.  So I asked my MO for scan.  I had CT scan on Jan 09.  CT scan results show spot on my liver 1.8cm.  My MO and radiologist told me not to worry about it.  My radiologist reviewed all the films, slice by slice and says nothing look like met. Radiologist said sometime CT scan over reaction pick up everything.   But cuz I am a BC patient of course need to do MRI to rule out met.  Since I still have my TE can't do MRI and my MO wants me to wait till I have my TE out. I don't want to wait that long till May or June.  I asked for PET Scan.  I had PET scan on Jan 31 last Friday.  I am so nervous and tried my best not think about the results.  MO called today at 3pm, nothing show up on my liver and all my organs are clean, no spot. 

I am so sick of this stupid cancer.  Every month seems like always something pop up.  So hard for me to move on . 

Lyn, your hair a little thicker than mine....lucky you.  I never lost all my eyebrows.  I used Brian Joseph for my eyebrows (maybe that helps).    I still have my eyebrows but lost a lot of my eyes lashes, especially the bottom part. 

Hi all!  So glad to see a little action on this thread. Glad that it's quiet because most of the firecrackers are getting on with their lives. NC, hope you have a quick recovery from your disaster. It's so crazy to think about heat-related events. We were sent home early today because of yet another snowstorm. Tough winter. 

Lynn, you look so pretty, even with all your complications! My hair looked like yours at Christmas. Now it is growing longer but is out-of-control curly! When I get up in the morning it is sticking up all over. Don't know what to expect next. Sure sick of my wig though.  

2bluestars, so happy that you're almost done with rads. My last week and then 2 weeks after I was done were the worst. But my skin bounced back really fast and now it just looks like I have a nice tan on that breast. Not sure how I'm going to even that up. : )  Let us know when you're done so we can celebrate with you. 

Soriya, great news about your PET scan. I have a spot on my liver that I'm worried about too but like with you, no one else seems to be concerned. I have a CT next week. I guess we'll always be extra cautious - it is hard to relax. 

I started on anastrozole in January but stopped it last week after less than 3 weeks. I just couldn't handle the joint pain and my knees were getting so bad I was having trouble walking. Remember how we talked about chemo affecting us where we were the most susceptible? I think the drugs may be like that too since I already have a lot of arthritis in my joints. After just 2 days off of it I felt almost normal again. I see my MO in 2 weeks and expect that he will switch me to Femara. I will give it a fair try but I have decided I am not willing to give up my quality of life for 5 years for what may be a small percentage chance of not having a recurrence. Does anyone know a good website that can give me a reliable figure on that percentage? The research that I have done online about the long-term drugs just scares me so much and I really don't want to take them. I have gone along with everything else so far, but I'm feeling a little feisty about this! Would appreciate any thoughts on the subject. 

TwoHobbies, I would love to keep in touch.  Maybe a separate thread or a Facebook group? There are times I don't want to think about cancer any more, but that doesn't include all you lovely ladies who helped me get through the worst year of my life! Love to all. 

two hobbies, I don't read the old posts anyway so it doesn't bother me to be here.   I participate in several other threads related other topics.  i'd recommend connecting with specific threads depending on your reconstruction plans just so you can get more specific advice from the ones who have gone before.

Lynn I have messaged you on fb let's get this private fb Firecracker group started ....  Any one else want to join us pm me your fb details  and I can friend and invite you  unless anyone knows a better way ? 

that's weird cos there were definately pictures of you on the profile -  and a big tiger - it is a message not a friend request - will send another - your account doesn't seem to be set up for a friend request ?

I need to friend someone to make the group after that others can see the group ( but not the comments ) and request to join - best to make it closed rather than secret I think - 

Well, Sue, think my FB account's ok now!  Odd that I didn't realize it was set to limit friend requests!!!

Try again and I'll likely see it

ok the group is set up 

You can search for it on fb ( Firecrackers) and ask to be a member 

It is a closed group anyone can see the group and who is in it but only 'we ' can see the posts 

2bluestars you are in

Rambo have sent that friend req so I can then invite you 

I am going to get confused at who is who with monikers and real names )))

Hi LanaB 

Anyone who is keen to join our fb group Pls Pm me your  email address  and fb details - I couldn't find the group either when I searched using my Hs  fb - I'm still learning about fb groups ) - but I can def add you in  

hi soriya. Have pM'd you  

Hanna glad you got good news on the check up! I think it's hard to tell what is causing the tiredness but yes I am exhausted mid week. It can be surgery. Maybe it's the chemo of the hormone therapy. I know I'd feel a lot better if I worked part time instead of more than full.  In my dreams. I had a lot of achiness but recently I think it is better.  Could be time or could be gabapentin. . Maybe it's my yoga loosening everything up, improving my lymph flow and my chakras or chi or something!  But I'm still so darn tired!

Yes!  Hanna and anyone else please join us.  We miss you all!