Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!

my MO wants to use Aromatase inhibitors.

Minnesota Lisa, thank you for that tip! I'm going to try it tonight!

Jabe, how surreal it has to be that your dad was a breast MO. I know how much I've cried for my husband's mom these last few months; she was an OB/GYN nurse manager and I loved her VERY dearly. I can only imagine it from your perspective.

I got home around 5am just completely exhausted after having no sleep whatsoever. But then I discovered that, while morphine makes me stoned and loopy... it has no effect on pain for me. There is apparently a percentage of people like that. So the excruciating pain continued while I lay in bed trying desperately to get some rest. Thankfully hubby went out and got the oxycodone and that's helping somewhat. Hopefully this will improve after I get the next round of antibiotics in.

Thank you for the heads-up on constipation! Between the Zofran they gave me with the abx, the morphine, and the oxycodone, I need to start taking something. At least this might fix the diarrhea I've had for the last four weeks. The indignities just pile up: horrific C. diff diarrhea that causes hemorrhoids; suppositories to treat the hemorrhoids; yeast infections from the antibiotics for the C. diff; it's just neverending. I want them to leave me the heck alone right now.

I have no idea if chemo #4 is on for Thursday at this point. They are going to have to come up with a plan for this DVT and I don't know what's coming. Hubby is trying to get me ready for the likelihood that they'll need to go in and re-do it. I'm just at the point that these every-12-hour shots are the thing that's making me break. With everything else... this is a bridge too far. Thankfully, he totally understands and said, "No, I get that completely. No need to explain it." I was so relieved--that is not usually the case!! I'm going to beg them for an alternative, as I just can't do this for six months.

how long do they wait between chemo and radiation?

Being stage 3 with positive nodes, they didn't need an onotype test to help decide about chemo for me.

It's been a rough few days for so many of us. Hugs to all.

A friend gave me one of these yesterday: https://www.naturallife.com/accessories/all-boho-b...

It's a super easy way to cover your head. There's also a company called Buff that makes something similar. It took a few seconds to put on, and stayed put all day

Carolina Amy - I have been thinking about you a lot.

Ask your doc if going on Coumadin for the duration is an option for you. You would likely need to continue Lovenox until your blood-clotting level (called INR) is sustained by the Coumadin (a week or two maybe?).

I've been on Coumadin for 17 years - zero side effects. Only downside is need for periodic finger-pricks to test your INR (frequency anywhere from weekly to monthly), but that's a walk in the park compared to the injections.

Good luck and keep us updated - you're in my thoughts.

Meg you did it gal! Beautiful. I have your brows too. Amazing what features we notice when we have no hair. I have had more people tell me about my cheekbones and eyes now that I'm bald. Tell your baby you are still his mama no matter what.

Meg you rock the buzzed look!

Years ago when my younger son was in early gradeschool, I went from natural mousy-brown but permed hair, to non-curly reddish-colored "helmet"- trpe cut (yesm it was years ago, LOL). When I came to pick him up from school he screamed and refused to get in the car, shouting "You're not my mommy! Go away!" Kids can be so silly sometimes

Aggie Megs - You look AWESOME!

mom2boo, yeah I always have to check with people around me...is it hot in here? nope just me.

Aggie, you look great! I have a one-year-old who can't really talk yet and I asked the dumb question, "Am I still your Mommy?" He shook his head 'no' and cooed/laughed at me. *heartbreak* (Didn't stop him from running up to me and hugging me as soon as he saw me, though. Not sure if he understood the question.)

Infusion #3 on Wednesday. So far, I've been having semi-queasy first weeks and medication free 2nd weeks; keeping my fingers crossed that the trend continues. I have WAY more nausea when I don't keep something in my stomach - part of me wishes I were losing 10 lbs instead of gaining 5; but the last nurse told me this was NOT the time to go on a diet if I wanted to keep my white cell count up and stay on schedule. I'm am learning to love the taste of prunes.

They're having a breast cancer awareness walk on Wednesday at work, too! I was specially invited to attend. Also, the Seahawks must not be doing so hot this season; a coworker gifted me one of their caps! Good thing, too. This morning, I was wearing one of my turbans and showed off a picture of my son when he was 9 months old; the person I shared the picture with asked if he was my grandson. *cries*

No pain for me. 3 weeks later and there's a tiny little line for the incision.

It's been 10 days. I just ache across the port and into my armpit

Aggie You rock that look!!

About my oncotype.....I waited a month to get the score back only for then to say there wasn't enough carcinoma left so it was inconclusive. I wish I had the number. In a way it was good to forcelebrate me into chemo but I might have chosen a different regiment if I had a high number. I question my decision every day. Even more so because the major cancer hospital suggested the more aggressive treatment and I am going for the shorter one. I hope I don't regret it.

I am supposed to have my second infusion on Friday and I just want to run. I don't trust my local doctors anymore. It is too short of notice to get set up with a new set out of town. I don't know what to do.