TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Lago..I am sorry to hear about the job.  Not that the boss was crazy and the place odd but that you were hopeful and enjoying yourself in a work environment again.  I am sure that better things are on the horizon.

I started Arimidex yesterday.  My bone scan was strong.  So for now, here I am.  5 more months of Herceptin.  I fell good.  Joints ache, shrug, what can I do..

Glad you are all well.

Fluff really happy for your news.

Linda..you sound good also. 

My now former boss's image was a mess. She did not look like a manager and she certainly was paid well enough to  have her clothes tailored so the fit properly. She looked like she slept in her clothes.

I do believe some women are cured.  I love hearing stories of those that are 20+ yrs out without a recurrence.  I usually think of those that are diagnosed as stage 1a have the greatest chance of being cured.  Although there are plenty of stage 3c that are 10+ yrs and are doing fine.  It was just weird to hear my MO talk about going for a cure for me.  It's not a conversation I've ever had with her or my other MO.  It makes me feel good to hear it.

Lago, bummer that you have to find a new job.  I had a job years ago where my new boss was CRAZY!  They brought in someone new and had the other one step down.  Not sure why.  There were several of us that quit about the same time.  You don't need the stress from that job. 

Special, Congrats on the 4 yrs!!  I'm certainly glad you triple +++ ladies are still here to help us newbies out!!

Fluff, I have to stop wearing my white hose?  Seriously??   

Linda, I am more than willing to treat this as a chronic condition.  I'll take my pills, exercise, and manage my diet and weight. These are things that I need to be doing anyways.

VioletKali!

Lago is soo right! We let it all hang out here. Speak up. Chances are very, very high that some of us have lived it and that it's already been hashed out in this forum.

Lago 

Bummer about the job. Not that it helps you but everyone I know seems to be having job issues. 

Had my first phone Interview for the Whip survey on BC survivors' issues with hormone therapy . 45 minutes . 

Much, much more than  just hormone therapy. Very personal stuff . My point is that multiple times during the 45 minute interview she asked " do you have someone to talk to.. To support you.. To help you...? " and each time This forum and BC.org came to mind!

I cried....

Violet like cassiecat said keep a diary with dates on when the SE started. I still have mine. I brought it with me each time. It was great because I didn't have to worry I forgot something… and you will if you don't write it down when it happens and bring it with you.

Specialk and Lago...CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so happy about your 4year milestone....I'm doing a happy dance and can't wAit to be there myself. I'm almost at 15 months....every day is a gift for me. 

thanks Girlstrong. There are many others that were here (including the one that started this thread) that don't post anymore that are doing great, and living life. Just remember that just because you don't see them posting doesn't mean they aren't celebrating and living life.

Hi all,

Oh Fluff, I'm doing a happy dance for you... wearing white hose, of course. And if I had hair, I would rat it out, spray it with some AquaNet, and crank the Bon Jovi    

Lago and SpecialK, you're an inspiration for us newbies here! CONGRATS!  I just finished my 12th Taxol on Friday. Leg hair fully intact. Dammit. But so happy it's just Herceptin every three wks now. One more box I can check. Next up is surgery to get these TEs out. 

I did have an echo and my heart is still within normal limits but it did drop a bit in function. Did anyone here have cardiac issues with Herceptin but now resolved? I'm really active-- running, hiking, backpacking-- and I'm feeling a little scared. And I am not thrilled to start Tamoxifen. MY MO wants me to take it for 10 years!

Welcome Geishagal! I did the 12 wks T/H with a 1.3 cm tumor, Stage1, and a BMX. My breast tissue was dense and super lumpy (doesn't that sound so pretty?) and the tumor was missed on my mammos, even though it was so close to the skin's surface I easily (and thankfully) found it. So that's how I ended up with the BMX. Good luck; this forum is an amazing source of support. And Pbrain has it right-- don't neglect your mental health. At times, the physical SE can seem easier compared to the emotional roller coaster that this diagnosis can feel like on some days. 

Hope all had a great weekend. 

Thanks all for the congrats!  I stay here on BCO because it was a lifeline for me too and I want to be that for those coming behind me - and the friends I made here will always "get it" - I was very blessed to have great supportive friends, but those who have shared this experience will always understand at a level others can't.

marineswife - I had quarterly echocardiograms and lost a bit of function, but never fell below 50, or lost more than 10%, so never had any delays or breaks in Herceptin.  I had an echo after I was completely done with Herceptin and the EF number had come back up.  I think it is pretty normal to have a small decrease, and the number is also subjective - the person doing the exam has an effect on the EF number, so don't worry too much as long as you are still in a normal range.

Violet try adding some citrus to your food/drink. It might mast the metallic taste. Also get plastic utensils. Special K answered your other question about platelets on the other thread 

Violet, I experienced the same horrible taste in my mouth.  I used orange Gatorade, Campbell's chicken noodle soup & Banquet chicken pot pie. I'm 6 weeks PFC and still anemic.  I am also still dealing with swelling too.

Hey all  - you know that the news is big when it shows up on FB feeds LOL.  The trial data released on perjeta in combo with taxotere and herceptin is really all over the news.  This is big stuff!!  Had a friend even post the info to my page and our local news even covered it.  Are we getting close to a "cure"?   I sure hope so!!!

Mommato yes the news is focused on Metastatic but this is a good sign for early stage. Seems more of us are cured with Herceptin but they didn't know that for sure back in 2006 when it was FDA approved. I mean it's still hasn't been 10 years since approval. They have been testing Metastatic longer than early stage. So wish they let me on the trial but hey I'm still NED so maybe I didn't need it.

geewhiz - Perjeta is approved for early stage, but just since last September and only in certain circumstances, although I have heard of some MO who have gotten insurance approval for patients who do not fit the profile.  Early stage approval for Perjeta is supposed to be neoadjuvent, for tumors 2cm or larger, and/or node positive.  Her2+ IBC can also use it, but as I said, I have seen some people who have smaller tumors get it, and I have seen it used adjuvently.