March 2010 Chemo Start

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  • Yeshua4Me
    Yeshua4Me Member Posts: 77
    edited September 2012

    Hello everyone, it's been awhile for me...Life has totally returned to "normal." All my tests have come back normal as of today and I'm at my 2 1/2 year mark of being cancer free! Doctors believe they've "got it all" but since I have that BRACA gene, they won't pronounce me "cured" until 5 years have passed. Who cares!? I feel great! Hair is back (although VERY curly), weight gain is gone (thank you God!), and no more aches and pains (except the stuff that comes with getting older).

    I'm still writing. My last book was just released August 14! I'm about halfway through with writing another. I've been out and about promoting the new book (book signings, speaking events, ect.) and totally enjoying myself. No one knows I had cancer (not even my publisher), so I never have to talk about it to the public. Haven't written about it either and don't intend to. It doesn't get a voice! Will be flying to another State in a few weeks to attend another book event and preparing for a couple events coming up in the Fall. Like I said, I've been busy!

    Everyone who checks in sounds like they're doing well. Good! Hope it continues for all of us. Well, just wanted to check in and give an update. Take care my friends.

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited October 2012

    hi sisters, good to hear from you Sandie, Heather and Yeshua4Me.  Congrats on your book!

    I'm doing well, been walking every day and yoga 2-3 times a week.  Signed up for a 5K in Oct.

    Had my appendix out last month (lap appy), healed up fast with 3-week exercise restriction.

    Hope this finds everyone happy and healthy!  ((hugs)) to all

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited October 2012

    So, my sister who is a Stage 0 DCIS survivor and I had the opportunity to speak at The Luncheon Of Hope in Sudbury, Ontario, our hometown.  The event raised $48,000!!! It was an honor to be a part of this wonderful luncheon.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz5FeodSDVg

    My sister Lori-Anne speaks first and I speak last.  I have never been so NERVOUS in my entire life!!!!

    PS.  I need to change my profile photo but too busy living life....

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited October 2012

    Heather, NICE!  The nerves don't show, you gave important info and you look great!

    Thanks for sharing!

    5K walk/run this weekend.  Cool

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited October 2012

    Hello all, So good to see that there are still a few out there ocassionally checking in.  I am doing well ... getting ready to run a 15k next weekend.  I don't think I will do a PR like i did the year before i was diagnosed but i think I will do okay.  At least as well as previous years.

    Badger--- how many miles have you walked now? 

    Yeshua4me - Glad life has returned to normal.  Normal for me is a little different than before ... and I am glad about that.

    And Heather - I'm glad you have NO time to change your profile pic although I think I am. I don't get on here much anymore but i do ocassionally! Wink

    (((Hugs))) to you all!

    Charley

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited October 2012

    OMG....I can't believe you girls, running like you do. You're amazing!!!

    Charley, Your photo is beautiful and when I saw it I decided to make some time to change mine as well.

    I have to admit, that sometimes I really don't like this new normal and I don't know if I am going through a slight depression right now but I feel like I held myself together for sooooo long during treatment that sometimes, it's really difficult to do that right now.  Anyone else in our March 2010 group feeling the same????

    Does this make sense to any of you?

    Heather

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited October 2012

    hi sisters, first I'd like to say anyone on the East Coast please be safe!

    Compliments to you Charley & Heather on your beautiful new avatar pix!

    Never did like the 'the new normal' because there's nothing normal about any of this.

    Heather, I hear what you're saying.  I think it's PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder. 

    What helps me is yoga & meditation, and walking of course.  I'm nearing 3,000 miles!

    ((hugs)) to all

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited October 2012

    Badger and Charley;  Do you walk on treadmills daily?  Your mileage is unbelievable.  

    Heather

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited October 2012

    Heather - Great pic! You look great!! I only do the treadmill when its too hot, too cold or rainy. I like being outside ...

    With re: to depression - I'm on effexor so I haven't had much trouble.  I think the running helps too. And badger -- I so need to add some yoga to my routine.

    And btw, I ran the 15k -- 11 seconds slower than my pr.  I'm back! This is a real milestone for me. 

    ((hugs))

    Charley

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited October 2012

    Congrats, Charley!!!

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited November 2012

    Congrats, Charley!

    Heather, I wear a pedometer all day.  I log mileage from exercise, and just walking around.

    I try to get in at least a 30-minute walk everyday as exercise is one thing I do just for me.

    I also prefer to walk outside but have a place I can go during the day at work (the WI state Capitol building) and an oval track at the health club if it's bad weather nights/weekends.

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited November 2012

    Badger;  I'm buying a pedometer tomorrow.  THx so much, Heather

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  • LillyC
    LillyC Member Posts: 64
    edited November 2012

    Thinking of you all on Thanksgiving Eve and of how much we all have to be thankful for.  Although we've never actually met, I think of you often and truly am thankful for all of your posts and support that were comforting and encouraging when so needed.  Happy Thanksgiving!

    Am doing fine.  Have a grandson now who is my new little love.  I take care of him daily for my daughter and son-in-law.  He's now 17 months old and is the joy of my life.

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited November 2012

    hi ladies, Happy Thanksgiving!  Nice to hear from you LillyC, you are looking good!

    Got in enough miles walked today to put me over my goal of 3,000.  Woo Hoo!

    I'm dipping my virtual toes in the virtual Pacific Ocean, sipping some virtual champagne.

    So I mentioned I had an appendectomy in Sept but what I didn't say was the CT scan picked up a 6 cm cyst on my L ovary.  That's big - nearly 2.5 inches.  Surgeon said not to worry, these things usually resolve themselves but I asked for follow-up so he ordered an ultrasound in 30 days.  This was done in Oct and it got bigger so I was referred to an ob/gyn specialist.  Saw him in early Nov.

    He knows my onc and I think they're in cahoots because one of the first things he asked is what are you still doing with your ovaries.  I explained about the BRCA gene test and the compromise to keep that little bit of girl juice.  He understood but said the negatives outweigh the positives, and that I should have been referred immediately for follow-up because the cyst was over 5 cm and I'm considered post-menopausal.

    I check in tomorrow at 9 a.m. for surgery with post-surgical follow-up appt on Dec 7 at which time I should get path report and also the results of the CA-125 test.  95% chance it's B-9 so please keep me in your thoughts & prayers!

    Hope this finds everyone happy, healthy, and enjoying life!  ((hugs)) to all

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited November 2012

    quick update: went home same day as ooph, doing well.  Doc had CA-125 results already and it was negative.  He also said the cyst didn't look like cancer so I'm hoping for the best.  Will let you know what the path report says, next week.

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited December 2012

    Badger;  Sending good thoughts and positive energy your way.  Heather

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited December 2012

    Thanks Heather!  Appt isn't until Fri, but doc's office called with path results.  Not cancer - yay! 

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited December 2012

    Hey badger - Just now reading about your scare  Yikes!  So glad it all turned out ok.  Don't make it out here much anymore.  My 3rd year cancerversary when by without even a thought ... athough I learned so many important lessons from it. Cheers to you all. 

    Keep up the walking badger!  Very impressive!

    Hope you are using your pedometer Heather!

    Great to see you on here LilyC and hear you are doing well!

    Hugs, Charley

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited February 2013

    So, today is my 3 year Cancerversary!!! Woohoo!!!!  I have to say that the cyber friendships I have found on Breastcancer.org have made this journey an easier one.  

    This March 2010 group of gals has been there for me through my rants, through my struggles, through my treatments and I have gained so much support and understanding through your musings and your responses.  

    Thank you.....

    With much love and appreciation, Heather

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited March 2013

    hi ladies, wanted to say happy anniversary and thx for getting me through 3 yrs ago!

    I'm doing well, all things considered.  Still walking & doing yoga, adding in meditation.

    Went wheat-free and dropped 10 lbs since Dec.  I'd like to lose 10 more but no hurry.

    Hope this finds everyone healthy & happy!  ((hugs)) to all

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  • Charley
    Charley Member Posts: 255
    edited March 2013

    Glad to hear your are doing well badger ... and Heather!  I've taken up yoga too.  Doing a half marathon in a few weeks.  Decided to do a full marathon by year's end.  Goal to do by age 50! I guess if we haven't heard from the Marchers they must all be doing well!

    ((Hugs))

    Charley

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited April 2013

    OMG....Charley, you are amazing!!! Heather  

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  • teemee
    teemee Member Posts: 122
    edited April 2013

    Just checking in -- I had no idea so much time had gone by! It's amazing how time flies when you're worrying less.

    I'm so happy those of you who have written in are doing so well! I am also very good. I have a lot of bone and joint pain from the tamoxifen, but that's only for 2.5 more years, I can do that. It has interfered with my running, though. Did a couple of 5k s but just very hard. I am bicycling now that the snow has melted, which is a lot easier for me.

    My hair came in much straighter! I seem to be opposite everyone else. So I'm learning how not to have curly hair pretty late in life :)

    Love, appreciation and shouts out to everyone,

    Toni

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited November 2013


    Just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.


    I am thankful for this 4th Thanksgiving I get to celebrate with my family since my diagnosis.


    I am thankful for my doctors, PAs, and nurses who got me through my treatment.


    I am thankful for my family and friends who held my hand and held me up when I needed it most.


    I am thankful for this board that gave me strength when I needed it most.


    What are you most thankful for?


    Fondly, Heather

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited April 2014

    We are now entering our 5th year of survival and I just wanted to wish each and everyone of you a New Year filled with much happiness, love, laughter and most of all, good health.

    Fondly, Heather

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  • carolsue63
    carolsue63 Member Posts: 126
    edited April 2014

    I haven't posted here in a very long time.  Sadly, I've recently become a somewhat active poster on a few of the Stage IV threads. I was diagnosed in January when it turned out that the chronic cough I'd had for 4 months was because my cancer had spread to my lungs.  A PET scan showed I had a pleural effusion, and when they drained it, they found cancer cells in the fluid. The scan also showed a few small spots on my pelvic bone and vertebrae. I started chemo on January 15th -- TCH again plus a 4th new drug, Perjeta, added in. I've completed 4 rounds, and it's SOOO much harder than it was 4 years ago. Of course 4 years ago, I went into this feeling perfectly healthy! When you're symptomatic, it's a different ball game. When I started chemo this time, I'd been coughing non-stop for 4 months, extremely short of breath, and ended up having to have an oxygen unit brought to my home. You know it's bad when chemo makes you feel BETTER! LOL 

    The good news is the chemo is working well. I'm feeling SOOO much better than I was in January. The cough is gone, breathing is MUCH better. After the 2nd round of chemo, I didn't need the extra oxygen anymore. And tomorrow I go for another PET scan to see if the chemo is working. My improved symptoms tell me it is, so I'm praying that the PET scan will show that there's no sign of cancer anywhere. :)  Good PET scan results will mean I do two more rounds of chemo, then go on maintenance, which I believe will be Herceptin and Perjeta.

    Wish me luck! 

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited April 2014

    Carolsue;  Please know you are in my heart and in my prayers.  So happy to hear that you are responding well to your treatment.  Dream of wellness and it will happen!!!

    Fondly, Heather

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  • carolsue63
    carolsue63 Member Posts: 126
    edited April 2014

    Thank you, Heather!  Still waiting (im)patiently for the PET scan results to come back.

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  • hmh23
    hmh23 Member Posts: 306
    edited May 2014

    carolsue63. Just wanted to let you know I've thought of you often and hope your scan results were all positive.  Heather 

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  • carolsue63
    carolsue63 Member Posts: 126
    edited May 2014

    thank you Heather. I'm sorry I forgot to come back with an update. The PET scan results showed "dramatic improvement"!!  The lung mets were nearly completely resolved, and the bone spots were stable. The pleural effusion on the left was half the size it was in January, and the one on the right was completely gone. I had my last chemo on Friday and will go on maintenance in June -- Herceptin and Perjeta. And Arimidex I think. Hope and pray that my next scan will show NED or at least heading in that direction.  Thank you for thinking of me. :)

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