Starting Chemo April 2009

Just heard that term Polar Vortex for,the first time yesterday. If this isn't climate change then I don't know what is.  It has warmed up a few degrees so not as brutal but snow, more snow and more snow.  Did anyone else experience frost quakes? Sounds like big explosions. All night keep hearing these loud booms because of the extreme cold.

Saw my MO this week. She said that since we are coming up to the 5 year mark for the AI, that at next visit we will talk about next steps. Research is not yet conclusive regarding 10 year benefit. She might switch me to Tamoxifen for the next 5 years.

Amy, thanks for the tip about the park. While we won't have a car, we can always rent one if we want to drive around one day.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Hi Ladies,

I'm sorry that I have been away from the forum for November and December.  After my SIL had a slightly preemie baby girl, my maternal grand mother died.  Things got really busy and stressful trying to support everyone and I just never made it here in the evenings.  I'm sorry that I haven't been here to support the surgeries, appointments, FIL with lymphoma, and others.  Ya'll have been in my thoughts.

We went to Denver after Christmas to help out our friend's daughter who had surgery and will be in a wheelchair for a few more weeks.  The daughter is 9 and the friend also has a 2 year old.  Then after helping them, we decided to take the kid skiing since they haven't been in awhile.  The boys had a great time and we had great snow.  I enjoyed the mountain top views and skiing so much.  It's such a "freeing" feeling  I also was way too daring and fell after a jump.  I have a bruised rib and a pulled muscle.  Then the minute we got home I ran a fever for 5 days.  I'm finally on antibiotics and feel like I'm back to the land of the living.  

I wish everyone health and happiness this new year!

Oh Geri - you are right - ANY test or sense of concern from our onc definitely brings anxiety. I can tell you this - my 85 year old dad had an endoscopy a few months ago for an ulcer (it showed he had one) and then a followup endoscopy last week to see if it had completely healed (it hasn't yet). And both of them were SUPER quick and easy procedures. In and out by lunchtime, no problems.  Now, of course you are primarily concerned with the RESULTS of the test, not the test itself. But at least you can definitely not worry about the test procedure - he swore it was absolutely nothing. 

(Geri - I think I remember that you had the heart test for the stent right after my dad had his, as well. He lives in Yonkers, NY, and I remember talking to you about going down to Columbia Pres. Funny....)

In all my time on this board, I have never once seen someone that developed mets to their stomach. So I think you can (try to) rest in the fact that it probably is gastritis or an ulcer (sad that we consider those results GOOD news, right?) and not something terrible.

I hope they schedule it quickly so you get to the other side and the anxiety can be behind you.

Please keep us posted.

Doing fine here. Having fun with baby Ruby (who is sitting up and just generally getting a lot bigger - it goes SO FAST!) and everything else is fine.  Tired of the cold but trying to be patient for spring. I don't have many hot flashes these days, but i do get cold SO easily and it seems to stay deep in my bones and makes it hard to get warm again. Anyone else feel like that?

Florbo, good to hear from you. I am sorry to read about your grandmother and that you have been feeling unwell. I hope you are feeling better now. 

Geri; I completely understand the anxiety over any test. I hope that it is nothing to worry about. Sending hugs and please let us know how it goes. 

I have my annual endoscopic ultrasound in a couple of weeks.

Amy, so lovely that you are enjoying Ruby. Friends of ours just adopted a baby girl and named her Ruby! 

Helen; so happy that you enjoyed Las Vegas! How are you feeling?

I am 2.5 months post surgery and overall I feel ok but still stiff sometimes. I would really like to get back into a proper exercise routine soon. I must admit, I am beginning to enjoy my "new additions" though.....

Hope everyone is doing well, sending you all hugs, Judy xxx

All going fine here. 

Something very exciting to report.  I was looking for a way to honor Lena over the holidays but nothing seemed right to me this year. But then, last month, a woman on the TCH board was writing to ask if the group thought she should go on a family skiing vacation in Quebec mid-chemo. Well, after much discussion, she decided to cancel it. The family was very disappointed. She mentioned that they would try to go instead to somewhere closer to home to ski. And they live in the Wash DC area.
I remembered that the timeshare we have is fairly close to DC and has skiing in the winter (not that I EVER would want to go there then - as much as I hate the cold). But we get 'bonus weeks' that we never are able to take advantage of. 
So I offered her a free week at the timeshare and she accepted! I paid the transfer fees (which is the gift in honor of Lena) and the family arrived there last night and are skiing RIGHT NOW! She sent me an email saying that everything went fine with check in (I had asked her to confirm that to me).

I am SO excited that this all came together and that i was able to do something special, both to honor Lena and for a breast cancer family in need.  I have wanted to share that with you but wasn't sure it would really truly happen. AND IT DID!

It's snowing (again) here today and I am safe and warm inside. But it warms my heart SO MUCH to know that this young family is out on the slopes and having a great time together and that I had a part in it.

Judy - the little 'wink' you put on your post about your 'new additions' made me smile so much. I am so glad the worst is behind you!

Geri - did you have the test?

Love to all - Amy

Amy, that was just a wonderful act of kindness. It is something that Lena would have appreciated. 

Geri, hope all goes well. I usually think as long as it's not cancer, it will be ok. So while here are many possibilities on that list, cancer is not likely. Please let us know how you are doing

Judy, glad you are feeling better. It took me quite a while to feel that these rearranged body parts were part of me. It's not 100% yet but definitely getting closer. I still need one more revision surgery. I see PS in a few weeks so will know more then.

Here it continues to be a deep freeze!

Well more snow again but at least a little warmer. Hovering around the freezing mark or a little lower. Considering how cold it was, this feels balmy! 

Anyway, heading to Florida for 5 days next Sunday. A friend invited me to visit at her condo.....but only days. But better than not at all. I am looking forward to a few days away.

Quiet on our board lately. I hope that means all of us are out living life and not thinking about bc.

Geri has not been back since her endoscopy on 1/29, which will be 2 weeks tomorrow. I hope she comes by soon and tells us what happened. Geri where are you???

All is fine here. I went to a memorial service for a relatives mom (no relation to me at all).  The woman was my age and basically drugged and drank herself to death. The (adult) children were all so sad.  It struck me how hard we fight to live, and others treat the gift of life carelessly.  Strange.....

We are due for yet ANOTHER 8-12" of snow tomorrow. This is getting OLD already. What a long winter.

Little Ruby is really growing up - over 7 mo, and such a happy baby these days. Sitting up, rolling around, playing with toys, eating all kinds of food. LOTS of fun for me to spend time with. I could not be happier.

Love to everyone - Geri, please drop us a line...

Amy

I was away in Florida for a few days. The warmth and the sunshine gave me a lift. I don't know how long it will last now that I'm home. Still lots of snow on the ground but today was a lot warmer......only -5 C according to the thermometer on my car. Felt positively balmy.

I go back to see PS early March to talk about next revision. 

Geri, where are you?

Amy, so,glad you are enjoying little Ruby. They grow up so fast. Tomorrow my kids are coming for dinner. There are 11 of us now and with 4 little ones, it does get chaotic. Especially the 17 month old and the 21 month old.  Both toddlers and grabbing anything and everything. 

Hope everyone stays warm.

Geri, thanks for the update.  At least there are some answers now.  What are you to do in the meantime?  Your fall sounds nasty!  I bet this has been a rough winter so far for you all up north

Helen, it's good to hear that you got away to Florida for a few days to chill out.  Enjoy all the little ones.  I have to admit I miss the toddler ages sometimes.  

Amy, little Ruby sounds so much fun.  I can hardly wait until my niece is a bit older.  She is 4 months old now and much more interactive.

Judy, are your "additions" behaving? I hope that your middle daughter issues calm down for a bit to give you a break.  

Last weekend my hubby surprised me with a short trip to Florida to swim with the manatees.  When I was in the midst of chemo last year, I dreamt about swimming with the manatees.  It became a joke then it became a bucket list item.  Last year I couldn't make it in the winter time when the manatees were in Florida because I was finishing chemo.   So we flew out to Jacksonville to see dear friends whom we haven't seen in 13 years.  Then went on an eco tour on a kayak by St. Augustine.  Afterwards, drove 3 hours to Crystal River to the spend the night.  Early the next morning, got on a private boat tour to swim with the manatees.  I freaked out initially when I got in the water because there was a huge one resting right next to me.  I couldn't believe how big they were.  The baby ones were adorable and a few came up to us to interact.  It was amazing and surpassed what  imagined it would be.  Then we also snorkeled at Three Sisters Spring.  The water was so clear and at one point it was just my husband and me.  As we were heading back to Jacksonville to catch the plane, we got a call that our flight cancelled because of the ice in Dallas.  So, we ended staying an extra night and going out to eat at a steak restaurant.  It was a whirlwind weekend, but oh so memorable.

Have a good night!

Oh Geri - that sounds awful. On one hand, I am GLAD they found all that stuff that was wrong. No wonder you didn't feel well. Hopefully the meds will clear it up. But the atypia - UGH - that must have thrown you. I really do think it was a result of the other problems but you will not be completely calm about it until the next test shows clear. When is that?

Florbo - your FL trip sounds amazing. I know the great feeling it is to experience something you have wanted to do for so long. The manatee experience sounds amazing (not for me, but for you, lol). The whole trip sounds so special - and your husband sounds very special to have planned it all. 

Judy - hang in there. You are such a loving 'mom' to us, I know your love for your daughter will help her through her challenges.

And to the rest of us all - stay safe, stay warm. Spring WILL come, although winter seems to be fighting every step of the way.

I go to see Ruby today. Apparently this week she learned MANY new things all at once -  sitting up from lying down, rolling all around, pulling up to stand, babbling ETC. They say she is too excited about all this to be bothered with sleeping and keeps crawling all around her crib! It sounds very exciting and a  little crazy. I can't wait to get there!

Love to all - Amy

Haven't been online for a few days but just checking in to see how everyone is doing. I was my PS the other day and I need 1 more revision to finish things up but the healing is good and I feel confident about this 2nd revision. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Still cold here but a little feeling of spring in the air. Still need to bundle up when going outside but maybe for not much longer.

Judy, I know how you feel. For me, the last 9 years have been difficult since my 1st dx. I try to take it a day at a time. Some days are better than others but maybe one day I'll be able to look back at this time of my life and not feel so negative. Your feelings are very normal. 

Helen, thank you for your kind words; it is definitely a case of taking it one day at a time and taking the bad days with the good days. Glad that your appointment went well.

I am not sure I could have travelled this journey without all of you for the past five years and I thank you all for being here.

Things are still not so good at home, but my sister is coming out for a couple of days next week to be with me and I am really looking forward to seeing her. I wish she lived closer.

I saw my PS this week and he was really pleased with the results. I don't mind my appointments with him as I feel that the surgery was a positive step. Don't know if that makes any sense. I know it is BC related, but it has made such a difference to me.

Betsy, so happy to hear from you! Great news about retiring, do you have any special plans in mind?

Geri, hope you are feeling well. Hope everyone is doing ok. Wishing you all a good weekend.

Hugs as always, Judy xxx

Judy - I hope the weekend away was a nice respite. Sometimes we really need that.

Yes, spring is finally starting to show itself. To our great relief!

All is fine here.  Sadly, a long time friend/colleague of my husband's was just diagnosed with the exact same bc that I had. I spent a few hours on the phone with her last week going over everything that I went through and answering her questions.  It was the first time in a long time that I thought about all the little details. I know she appreciated it and I was glad to help, but it was very draining to think it through in that much detail. Of course I talked about all of you  and what a lifeline this board has been, and encouraged her to join and find a chemo thread that will start when she starts. We will see how she does.  Another very close colleague of mine's wife has lung cancer - needs 1/3 of her lung removed.

Sometimes I feel there is a lot of sadness in this world. We all need to love & support one another to come through it.

But Ruby is always my bright spot.  She had a tiny runny nose this week - her first little illness- you would have thought it was the end of the world to my daughter. It was funny, a little bit (but I didn't let it show).

Oh also - Alaina, who is a part of this group (but doesn't post much) -her mother passed away this morning. I saw it on facebook. She was a very close and devoted daughter to her, I know the loss will be painful and difficult.

Hi everyone. I haven't checked in for a few days. It still feels like winter here. Temp still below freezing and cold winds. The winter just doesn't want to go away.

Judy, sorry you are feeling challenged by things in your life. 

Geri, hope you are on the mend.

Alaina, if you check in here, please know that I am thinking of you. Losing a mother is difficult no matter what age.

Amy, is Ruby teething. Often that can be the cause of a runny nose in a little one.

My family is coming for brunch tomorrow morning. Since we are such a large group, it ends up being a lot of work but it's good to have everyone here at one time even though it's chaotic and it will take me 3 days to clean up. That's just because I'm slow. I'm trying to get as much done as I can this evening and first thing in the morning I'll go out to get fresh hot bagels.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.