April 2015 Chemo Crew... Starting in April? Please join us!

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  • slothabouttown
    slothabouttown Member Posts: 449
    edited April 2016

    Yup, mine are Juzo "soft." I like that I can get them in black. They seem to lose some compression after about 4 months, but I wear mine every day. So far my insurance has covered replacements even before the 6 month mark. I 've been doing lots of spring cleaning and gardening-so far so good. I can tell I have some LE up in the axilla and upper arm but it seems to be staying there which I'm grateful for.

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

    That's exactly what I got. The Medivens get itchy and leave a waffle pattern on my arms after a few hours.

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2016

    Whassup, Chemosabes? Everyone still alive? Hugs and kisses..









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

    Busy with this beautiful spring time weather. That's a good thing. See BS next week for check up, so trying to stay distracted.

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

    I am pleased to report that the bathroom renovation lacks only a few small but important electrician tweaks.

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

    Yay for an almost-finished new bathroom! 💃💃💃🎉🎉🎉🎈🎈🎈💃💃💃

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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited April 2016
    image


    Imagine 4 1/2 weeks with Tamoxifen leg cramps and NO TUB.

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

    Looks really great!

    You deserve a fizzy bomb! Bergamot!

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

    Reasonable!

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  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 316
    edited April 2016

    Awesone renovation! I love those countertops! Glad you got your tub back. Epsom Salt soaks are a must in our new lives.

    Spring? What Spring? I think we had a week of spring back in February.

    Anybody else still having bouts of hot flashes? It's been horrible the last week or so. SO. DONE. WITH. HOT. FLAHES!

    Had post bloodwork appt with rheum #1 this week. She's agreed to give me 6 months to evaluate if my hand pain is RA or temporary late effect of chemo. I meet with rheum #2 for a 2nd opinion Monday. I hope to get more evaluation done including a bone density scan for rhe osteopenia. Also plan on getting one of my many physicians to write a referal for P.T. (long overdue).

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

    A better question may be, has anyone stopped having hot flashes?

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2016

    Hot flashes? Ha! More like a roaring bonfire...

    Note to self- next time I think I have lung/sternum/esophageal mets, try a few days of Prilosec first. Yeesh. Stupid heart burn!

    Hi everyone!!!!!

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

    Hi, chica.

    My reframe of hot flashes is that they're keeping the circulation in my toes good.

    I have work to do today but it's not raining and I have nothing actually scheduled. I'm at a bit of a loss as to where to start. Okay, I started by bidding my sweetie good journeys as she left for the day, then I went back to sleep for two hours. What a luxury! I have planned to do some stretches, throw on my LE sleeves, and try to put the house back in order today. I might go sit in the sun, though (with my radiation box at SPF 50 and the rest of me at 30).

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

    thankfully, my hot flashes have decreased... They are like little summer vacations; I can usually break them with ice. Now once summer hits, that may change.

    Hope the 2nd opinion goes well.

    Nice Reno!

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  • bluedog
    bluedog Member Posts: 212
    edited April 2016
    Bathroom envy.
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  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 316
    edited April 2016

    Okay, so I'm not suffering alone is what everybody is saying. I've tried everything (seems like). Chilly pillow, ice bags...nothing seems to break or prevent them. I tried the ice water next to the bed trick. When it didn't work, I restrained myself from just dumping the ice water 'Flashdance' style. No need to torture DH. It doesn't help that it's been so hot here and the only relieve I get from the joint pain is from heating up my hands with a rice bag and wearing gloves to bed. Because the A/C is on so low, the boys are sleeping in sweatshirts...meanwhile, I'm in my lightest, most airy nightgown and practically have to wear the ceiling fan remote on a lanyard so I can turn it on and off 2 dozen times each night. I don't know how I coped with them last summer...oh right...I didn't.

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

    It is definitely worse in hot weather. That must be miserable. I hope you can find relief. I have heard effexor can help, but have not tried it.

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  • twinkly
    twinkly Member Posts: 182
    edited April 2016

    why take chemo?....because you're scared....because you've been told it helps.

    It doesn't. Not a bit. Chemotherapy kills your immune system...the only true and real protection you have against cancer. If you work to heal your immune system, you are doing more than chemo has EVER done, or ever will do.

    Chemo was created from the mustard gases they used in World War 1...and subsequent wars. They found that cancer cells would die, when soldiers were exposed to agent orange. Well, everything dies when exposed to agent orange....in your body, it's like dropping a nuclear bomb in an attempt to remove an ant hill, and all the ants.

    In order for scientists to successfully test and research cancer in living tissue, they have to compromise the immune system so completely, in order for the cancer cells to 'take'. They simply CAN NOT grow cancer cells in a body with a healthy immune system.

    Look at your lifestyle. At what you eat. At the environmental toxins in your life. Do you use personal care products with 'fragrance' as an ingredient, not to mention known carcinogens? Do you wear makeup, made with known carcinogens? Do you eat fast food, which provides the body with zero nutrition? Do you eat clean, pastured meat, raised ethically? These are more important considerations than taking chemotherapy. These considerations could actually heal your immune system, which in turn will heal your body.

    No pill or drug out there can heal your body...only your immune system has the power to do that.

    It's worth looking into...


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

    Twinkly, I think you may have posted in the wrong thread.

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited April 2016

    Hi Twinkly,

    Thanks for your thoughts. For better or worse, though-all of us in this group DID decide chemo was the best choice for us. This group is over a year old, so none of us can or will change our minds! Many of us live very healthy, careful lifestyles now, and did before cancer treatment as well.

    Cheers-

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  • Rpayton
    Rpayton Member Posts: 235
    edited April 2016

    Hi everyone! Catching up on the reading.

    Looks like I missed the interesting rant/post that was deleted. I hope that person finds comfort, peace and educated info.

    Susan love the bathroom redo. Wow nice!

    Kbeee, I'm about 2 hrs east of quad cities. Keep me posted if you are that way I'd love to come out there if it works out.

    Had a gorgeous weekend of 80 here! So grateful to get in the yard, breathe fresh cut grass, listen to birds and all the sounds of summer time coming. A far cry from last year at this time.

    Yep the hot flashes keep coming. The effexor has helped. They are shorter but so unpredictable!. Just hate the wet slick feeling from head to toe.

    6month post radiologist appt this week.

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  • AndreaC
    AndreaC Member Posts: 220
    edited April 2016

    Hi all...I missed the deleted post as well, which is probably just as well.

    Dizz, let us know what the rheumatologist has to say...my left hand thumb joint has been giving me grief for about 3 months. I have had it xrayed and there is no arthritis. My doc figures it's either tendinitis or a lingering effect of chemo.

    Love the bathroom reno, ksusan!

    Hot flashes...ugh. I am usually way warmer than anyone else. I am on Effexor too Renee, I can't imagine how much worse it would be if I weren't.

    Andre

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  • Addie29
    Addie29 Member Posts: 307
    edited April 2016

    wow I haven't been on here in so long----I hope everyone is doing well. And hot flashes are ruining my life!!!

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

    Mods moved the post to the alternative forum, and the poster deleted it as well when I asked her to. I'm sorry for her distress.

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  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 316
    edited April 2016

    Back from Rheumi 2! Another example of being your own advocate and seeking out more than one opinion when it comes to your health. So, instead of jumping to conclusions, with this Rheumi we are getting more thorough bloodwork, urine sample, DEXA scan, and ultrasound of my joints (with possible fluid biopsy). He listened sympathetically about my fear of many of the RA medications and listed off several other less scary options we could try before we jump into that pond. He agreed with the other Rheumi that there is time to wait for my post chemo body to potentially work itself out. He agrees with MO that the hormone issues could in all likelihood be attributing to the pain as well, although he thinks it unlikely to be the sole cause. He also agrees with me that all the cumulative effect of chemo, surgery (that resulted in temporary core strength atrophy - thus overuse of my upper body), chemopause, etc. are all enough to push my body and immune system over the edge. Whether or not that cliff is RA is what we have to find out. At least this Dr. is willing to do a little more leg work while we give my body time to work itself out.

    I am hoping that acupuncture is the miracle cure for Joint Pain, Hot Flashes, etc, etc, etc....she says as she checks out her sewing pin cushion from the corner of her eye.

    P.S. I too initially missed the removed posting. Thank you for getting her to move her post KSusan. I can understand her anxiety and wanting to lash out to the world, but we aren't on her journey. Each of us are on our own journey. Bless her and Bless all of us that our Journeys lead us to the right place for ourselves.

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  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 316
    edited April 2016

    Hey Renee! What happened to the weather. I'm coming in late tonight and I see 50/60's and rain this week!!! I was envisioning more Spring like weather and being able to take long walks around the pond at the hospital. Now, I'm envisioning long breaks curled up in the lobby under one of their ugly green blankets. If I'm lucky I'll get a spot in front of the fireplace or the fish tank!

    Glad you had a nice weekend though. If I could literally bottle up some of our sunshine....

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  • DizzParkMom
    DizzParkMom Member Posts: 316
    edited April 2016

    Oh...Effexor...I've read that it works well on hot flashes. I'm glad that you 2 like it and are doing well with it. I've really considered it, but am afraid of it.

    Ladies...I have become so phobic of everything. Food, meds....I give my naturopath the 3rd degree about all my supplements and research them for hours before I start them. I was joking with DH yesterday about starting chemo. It felt like we had like 5 minutes (it was more like 5 hours), to decide about the chemo treatment. I instantly trusted MO and trusted him and was like "okay! let's do this. let's save my life!" "Now I'm like...are you sure, are you positive. What if you're wrong? Is it safe? Is it okay?" research verify 2nd guess....ummmmmmm. Still not sure. I just can't make my sleep deprived, PTSD self take leaps like I used to.

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited April 2016

    Hey ladies, its been awhile since I've been here!

    Dizz, sorry you're dealing with joint issues. Mine are achy and stiff, particularly in the mornings.... In my case its due to Arimidex...which is also to blame for hot flashes. They're driving me crazy! They are not as severe now..... but I still have several a day..and all through the night. I keep an electric fan nearby at all times when at home, and I even found one of those vintage "funeral home fans"...the paper ones with a wooden handle. They circulate lots of air....but in a pinch, a paper plate works well too. lol I also got a handheld battery operated fan at Walmart to keep in my purse.

    Susan, the bathroom is so nice!!

    My latest is that my EF is below normal, so Herceptin has been on hold since March. I was referred to a cardiologist who put me on meds to hopefully raise it. I'll have another echo in May, and hopefully get his ok to continue Herceptin. I only have 4 more treatments left, the MO wants me to get every last drop, and as soon as possible.

    I've been taking a Zumba class a couple of times a week when work or medical appts don't get in the way. Its helping with my stiffness, and its fun too. Just when I was getting the hang of all the routines, the instructor went and changed them up this week. lol

    Neuropathy hasn't improved much at all, in fact I think its a little worse some days. Thats been disheartening, I still take B6 for it.

    Hope everyone is having a good week!

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

    Nice to see you! I find that Zumba is really improving my balance and ROM on the radiated side.

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  • NicNak
    NicNak Member Posts: 37
    edited April 2016

    Back at is again. I was in remission for 2.5 years and now have bone mets. Starting on taxotere today. REALLY nervous about this one. I know it is harsh. I have a 5 month old baby at home that I care for all day (stay at home mom). I am versus that I won't be able to take care of her and manage side effects. Are they any girls out there that have done taxotere ans didn't physically fall apart?????

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