Starting Chemo in December 2013

1yr pfc today! We are all reaching that milestone or have already. Congrats to all you beautiful, strong women. Love you

DJJ, thinking of you. Praying that results are B9! Nice that your Mom could come.

Yes, Lisa, we have come a long way! congrats!

I finished the book, "Emperor of the Maladies...History of cancer." Worth reading. I found out that Tamoxifen was first made in 1962!!! Over 50 yrs old. Who knew?

Have been waiting to hear from you all day DJJ. Yipee! But I know what you mean. I have MO appt on fri because of also feeling some lumps/bumps and other weird sensations on both L (bad girl!) and R. Moved appt up 2 wks. Due for mamo and U.S. in June and MRI aug or sept (? I think) but the anxiety is setting in for fri appt of what she will recommend or thinks. Just 1 yr plus 1 day pfc today. Every day counts in getting to that 2 yr mark, 3 yr mark and the all too important 5 yr mark. if you find a way to get a handle on this, please let us know. I dont think there is a way though, because the anxiety is normal and we just have to struggle, kick, cry and whatever, our way through

hopefully Hollie is having as good a time in Hawaii as Michelle is in Mexico ( per Facebook she looks like she is having a blast)

Hoping to go to China in Oct. Not sure if I said here or not that my youngerson is getting married and her parents are throwing a big party and ceremony in China.

almost forgot!!! Keepthefaith congrats on grand baby!!! My oldest daughter's name is Emery spelled the same way😉😍. She is my sweetest one too, so maybe it is in the name!

MO appt went fine. The lumps, thick areas that I feel she said are just dense breast tissue. Does not at all feel like an area for concern. I'm sch for us and mammo in June and she feels that is appropriate. I just can't convince myself that it's all ok for some reason. I feel fine otherwise. I'm just so afraid of missing something, and perhaps them missing something. She is willing to see me whenever I feel(or think I feel) something new or unusual. I think I have rational reasons to be anxious about this. I'm trying so hard to convince myself that alls ok, but even after she tells me it is I still doubt, I don't know why.

Jodi, great to hear from you. You should write that book, you write so well!

Barb, glad you are planning this exciting trip to China

Keepthefaith! A grandbaby-terrific!

Oh and hot flashes have returned with a vengeance. They stopped, or diminished a few months ago and I thought good! But now back. She prescribed Effexor. Tried 37.5mg prior but couldnt sleep so I stopped and continued with my 1/2 tab of ambien (only gives me 4 hrs maybe). She upped Effexor to 75mg,mashing that may help the sleep and hot flashes and if still have diff sleeping I could take my 1/2 tab of ambien. Afraid of getting too dependent and taking too much stuff. The Effexor last night helped the hourly hot flashes. But I didnt take the ambien and without it I it doesn't seem like I can get to sleep, you get it DJJ right. I don'take tamoxifen or any AI so I can cant blame it on that that. its just me

Holli is in Hawaii! Michelle is in Mexico! Djj, when is your trip to Venezuela (I think?). Barb China. Nice trips! Who else has exciting travel plans for the next year.

Michelle, I whole heartedly agree with your beach message. This is the year to celebrate us.

Moki, my dog, and I are off to the Bark for Life dog walk for the ACS. Moki walks as a cancer survivor also this year. Last year I walked with a scarf on my bald head, this year I have HAIR.

Hope everyone's weather is a beautiful as it is here, a bit cool but gloriously sunny.

hello lovelies!!!

It been a while and I love reading everyone's posts!

I went to gyno to ultrasound my ovaries ( my idea). They are fine but uterine lining was thickened. MO said 'dong worry, Tamoxifrn does that' but gyno wanted to biopsy the uterine wall. After having to insert 2 pills (aka abortion pills)into my vajayjay the night before, she still had to dilate me. YOWCH I told my gyn that no one had been there since my 27 year old daughter...the only thing they may find on the wall is a Backstreet Boys poster.

Waiting for the results but more excited for the birth of my grandson on May 5

I'm HOME!! Maui was incredible. I will share more later, but for now... This is something a camp participant (and new friend) just posted. I couldnt have said it better myself.

-Things I learned at camp from some of these crazy cool cats!

Anything is possible

Facing fear is a whole lot easier with friends by your side

You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf and surfing is so much fun!

Hugs are necessary

I could officially become a camper/beach bum

It's never to late in life to make new friendships that will last forever!

Teaching by example and through love touches ones soul.

Don't be afraid to have a naked dance party every morning with yourself!

Sleeping 10 feet away from the ocean, on a cot under the stars painted sky is much better than any 5star hotel

Listening and learning is better than speaking and teaching

The greatest power is the power of now. Be present, enjoy this moment.

Be happy! The way my camp mate says it was like "just be happy" I can hear her saying it like why would you be any other way?!

Be nice

Laughing is one of gods best medicines he gave us to heel.

Being brave does not always come with a warrior suit.

Be patient and thoughtful to those around you. You never know what battle they may be facing.

All fear is is False Evidence Appearing Real

We are all going to die someday, so instead of worrying about it live! Live and laugh everyday

Doing your best is a teacher to others and an example. Always do your best in everything you do.

Believe in yourself, your amazing!

Yoga and I need to become acquainted

Take "me" time and take it often

There are such good people in this world!

Find time and serve others

In helping others you will find your greatest success

Listen to your internal compass, it will never steer you wrong

Cancer does not discriminate anyone can have it at anytime. I had cancer, cancer doesn't have me!

Body images issues each and every one of us have dealt with. Remember you are beautiful, just the way you are right now.

Pranks are still just as funny now as they were when we were kids!

God hears and answers our prayers.

With a supportive group anything is possible!

‪#‎Athletes4Cancer‬

Apply Jodi. The ages are listed as 18-39. However, we had a lady at our camp who was 40 and another was 42.

The Maui trip was through Athletes 4 Cancer

There is also another organization called First Descents that I'm applying to now.

Also there is Littke Pink Houses of Hope for breast cancer survivors and their families.

Barb- think positive and have faith! I hope we all die as old ladies and not hit by a bus first!

mikesgirl - I'm so glad everything turned out good. But I had to laugh at your post when you used the word nightmare then immediately after said. " Happy Spring". Doesn't that mimick the life if cancer survivors?

I may have posted this already so forgive if it's redundant. I blame chemo brain.

I felt similar lumps. Had mammogram before my Maui trip. The lumps I felt showed as scar tissue. But there was a "Blip" on the mammogram. Have to have follow up mammo in October. But I see my breast surgeon in June. Hopefully I can talk to her about it.

Hysterectomy scheduled for next week. Having my pre-op appt today. Hoping they will clear me for surgey. I want to get this done so I can finish reconstruction and try to move on form all this mess...

I've applied for another "cancer camp" ever heard of first descents? (I may have ask this already too... UGH my brain!).

Kim, so sorry about your Dad. Tough coming so close after your brother.

Life is a bitch sometimes. Hope you can get some help through your psychology sessions.

Holly, best of luck with the hyster. Hope you finally get a breaks and heal with no complications.

Mikesgirl, where in Maine are you? I am visiting my son in NH and staying in Portsmouth Mon and Tue.

Talk about hot flashes and sweats, aromasin is terrible. I took a walk with the dogs and a friend today and was soaking wet when I came back, yes it was 75 and humid but soaking wet when she was dry completely. Going back on the 1/4 lexapro pill helped a lot but I guess I will try 1/2 pill to see if it gets better.

Hi ladies - Catching up on your posts. Sending hugs and lots of love your way.

It's been a crazy past couple of months and not that I don't love you ALL, but I have been dealing with a lot of family issues...therapy has been really helping us. I have another 4 month checkup on Thurs. I am officially a grandmother too..... My grandbaby came a month early, his name is Hunter. He is ADORABLE!!!!

I had reconstruction surgery at the beginning of April and have had no issues, thank God.

Jodi - My surgery was a tissue replacement. The expander switch to the implant was easy recovery for me. My friend, Sylvia, just had the surgery where they use the muscle from your back, I cannot remember what it is called. She said that she didn't have pain after the surgery. She was sore where her tubes were. Her doctor told her she would be out for 3 weeks too. I will be praying for you.

Kim

Does everyone get a second PET scan after they are done with treatment? They didnt order me one and now I constantly worry if there is cancer omewhere else that they missed.