Starting Chemo March 2015

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited January 2016

    I don't think I even get the whole recurrence thing. I noticed a lot of women post stats that their doctors give them for this and that therapy and risk of recurrence but I don't seem to get those stats from my doctors for some reason. No one every mentioned an oncotype test for me at all, EVER. I know if you have chemo first, they don't do it. I guess it was because my nodes were involved and chemo was a given at that point?

    Eileen: I am keeping my fingers crossed that the job is something that works for you.

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited January 2016

    Great news Sue! Thanks for sharing. I'm starting to have some good days, but do have my bad days too. Hoping in time the good days outnumber the bad.

    Eileen...the job opportunity sounds promising, hope it works out.

    Do any of you feel like your energy level is back or close to normal? I'm finally sleeping a little better, and am exercising more, but still tire quickly. I don't know if it's the rainy weather, depression, post chemo/rads/sx or all of the above.

    PB

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited January 2016

    Sharon, I didn't have an oncotype test either because I was node positive and HER2 positive they knew chemo was needed. I don't think the oncotype has anything to do with recurrence risk...I think it's only to determine if chemo will be effective

    I've heard some say that your risk of recurrence is really 50%. Either you will get a recurrence or you won't LoL. But that's definitely an oversimplified way of looking at it. Have you asked your Dr directly what your risk of recurrence is?

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited January 2016

    PB, are you taking an Vitamin D? I think Vit D deficiancy can bring you down especially this time of year.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited January 2016

    bekah I was told the same. I have a 59% chance. He said statistics are only good when talking about groups of people. Individuals will either get it again or not.

    Katy I added the 3 wise monkeys. There are many wise people on here and our unconditional love for each other has meant we are all free to express our feelings without any negativity (evil) from others. We are all so supportive and understanding of each other.

    I have my nephew coming today to help make my front fence puppy proof. Bowie has got very brave and is visiting the other animals. I'm worried a horse many accidently step on him.

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited January 2016

    Allison...yep already on calcium/vit D. Had a bone scan prior to Arimidex and have osteoporosis even before the AI!

    Was happy to take Vit D after hearing adequate levels of Vit D could be important in keeping healthy. Now seeing reports that Vit D supplements might be more harmful than helpful. Sigh...what to do. Gonna stay on them as I'm not on large doses but not happy to see those reports. Endocrinologist recommended 2000u/day and says he takes the same because he's inside all day and doesn't get any sunlight

    PB

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  • avmom
    avmom Member Posts: 324
    edited January 2016

    I'm taking vitamin D also - my MO suggested 3,000 IU per day. Maybe that's because of our northern climate and weak sun. I'm not a sun worshipper anyway - it's probably been 30 years since I had a deep suntan, and I never go out without at least spf30 on my face (even in winter).

    Great charm, Sharon. This is truly a safe place. I can just imagine Bowie trying to get to know the bigger animals, oblivious to the danger. He's adorable

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited January 2016

    I'm tired of doctors. I took my own stitches out today, why did I need to go sit and wait for an hour to remove five stitches? Plucking my eyebrows hurts worse. My oncologist, after saying she won't be the one monitoring me, the breast doctor will, had her nurse call and say she wants a tumor marker test, and I need to come in before I see her next week. I said screw that. I left them a message on their lunch hour answering machine saying I will get the blood work done next week at my Herceptin infusion and see the oncologist at the followinginfusion, and I want to know why she is doing them. I see the breast Doctor at the end of this month, I would rather space my visits out. I'm tired of doctors working me up.

    I think people either recur or they don't, and all the fancy tests are still just guessing games. My breast Doctor is calm, says if anything comes back she will just take it out, and I trust her.

    I feel normal unless I let my head go to crazy thoughts. 70-80% of people go on to live their lives with nothing coming back, and either it will or it won't. All the crazy making won't change what will happen.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited January 2016

    True, Theresa.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2016

    Eileen, Great news on the job prospect!

    Oncotype is just for ER+, HER2- to determine if chemo should be used. If they decided on chemo based on other factors, they would not do it.

    I take vitamin D too, but I do not know what my levels are

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited January 2016

    4 of us Spent 2 1/2 hours trying to get 2 alpacas into a float so I can take them across the road for shearing. This one decided to sit and she would not get up. We picked her up and put her in the wheelbarrow, but when it started to move she jumped out and lay down again. We ended up dragging her all the way. And yes she was screaming. Lol. This is my nephew. We had the best time. Such a laugh.

    image

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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited January 2016

    That is an amazing pic, thanks for sharing! Alpaca can be so stubborn but have those angel faces! This one fits in the wheelbarrow so nicely. Too bad she wouldn't stay on for the ride!

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  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited January 2016

    I can haz job? I can! I can haz job!!! I start Monday! Apparently they didn't ask me to come in today for an interview they asked me in to flat out offer me a job - 2016 is looking good so far :)

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    All right, Eileen!

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  • Italychick
    Italychick Member Posts: 2,343
    edited January 2016

    Woohoo Eileen! Congratulations!

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  • Jackbirdie
    Jackbirdie Member Posts: 4,693
    edited January 2016

    Eileen- that is just the BEST NEWS!!!!

    Let the bells ring !!!! Setting off a few firecrackers in your honor and doing a happy dance.

    Yay!!!!

    🎉🎉🎉🎉🎈🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎈🙋💃🏿💃🏿💃🏿💃🏿💃🏿💃🏿💃🏿🍾🍾🍾🍾

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited January 2016

    Congrats Eileen! And bonus...on the job exercise!

    PB

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  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited January 2016

    4.5 miles today. Most done in a medium sized room :)

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited January 2016

    eileen that's fantastic news. They will be lucky to have you. Congratulations.

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  • KBeee
    KBeee Member Posts: 5,109
    edited January 2016

    Great news Eileen!!!!

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  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited January 2016

    Congrats, Eileen. Happy for you

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  • SueH58
    SueH58 Member Posts: 632
    edited January 2016

    Congratulations, Eileen!!!

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited January 2016

    Congrats Eileen!

    Today, one year ago, I got the call from the surgeon. I can't believe everything I've been through in a year. I have so many feelings that I'm experiencing right now that I can't even put it into words.

    But, I'm moving on and going to an open house at a dance studio tomorrow. I want to take up ballet again. I danced as a child and I loved it. I want to do something I love.

    I bought a new iPhone tonight. Felt like I was buying g a new car these things are so damn expensive!


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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    A year ago tomorrow, I had the biopsy that confirmed DCIS.

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  • shaz101
    shaz101 Member Posts: 718
    edited January 2016

    on my anniversary I bought a puppy. Lol cost a bomb, but worth every cent. I feel so lost and lonely. I miss my old life and I haven't worked out my new one. I feel like I'm in limbo.

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited January 2016

    I think we are all probably going through something similar now which makes it so great that we have each other!

    Sharon: I have to tell you how much I love that you shear alpacas since that is something so outside of any box of my life. It is great knowing you!

    Bekah: My dx date is the 20th. I was so thankful it was the day after the kids were home for MLK day and they weren't around when I found out. Hugs. I am glad you are going to do something you love. That's what it's all about, right?

    Eileen: Congrats on the job! That's great news.

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  • eheinrich
    eheinrich Member Posts: 792
    edited January 2016

    Limbo is the worst. Sending you hugs and love.

    The 13th is my cancerversary. I feel like I'm ok with that, as though there's a tangible distance between me & this terrible thing that happened to me.

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  • pboi
    pboi Member Posts: 663
    edited January 2016

    Thinking of all of you going through anniversaries now or soon. It was a hard day emotionally for me, a lot of reflecting on the past year.

    Sharon...limbo describes exactly where I'm at too. Physically I am slowly still recovering. Mentally I feel sort of stuck like I don't know how to move forward. I went to see a psychologist for the first time yesterday hoping to gain some coping skills or tips on how to move forward from this place. I told her my story and didn't find the session very helpful. I guess I'm impatient thinking she would magically say something to help me...this is going to take time...

    PB

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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited January 2016

    I think my anniversary was Thursday. I made the choice to not rifle through my file of documents and results to confirm that date. Instead I got on Amazon and bought an exercise bike. What a year. I feel like our anniversaries may always be magnified or less forgettable since so many happened right at the new year. Ill probably always remember last new year's eve at a friend's cabin, everyone enjoying the festivities while I stressed out over the lump I'd found and the looming appointment. I think there's probably a benefit to remembering though, it might help me take annual stock of how I'm doing in terms of self-care and well-being. While I was in radiation this summer I went camping with a friend who had gone through BC treatment 15 years ago. I was encouraged to learn that she had forgotten most of the unpleasant side effects of chemo and radiation- at the time I felt like I would never forget.

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited January 2016

    I think there's probably a benefit to remembering though, it might help me take annual stock of how I'm doing in terms of self-care and well-being.

    QFT!

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