Starting Chemo in December 2013

not al all. I have this site book marked and check it every few days. No one understands the feelings and fears like you gals who have been through it.

Barbara

HOLLI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

congratulations !!

we really all are in the same boat, I think we are all trying to move on, but its for sure been a struggle. so happy you popped back in.

I've got year one of my nursing under my belt I start my next clinical rotation on tuesday for 4 weeks then I am off for the summer I can hardly wait. I have forgotten what it is like to just sit and do nothing, seems like all I do is study. Couple months off then back at it in September.

Love to all

excited to be leaving In 2 weeks for China. My son married a woman from China a year ago and her parents are throwing a formal Chinese wedding ceremony on June 26 th. So he will be married a second time. I am flying out and then spending 2.5 weeks travelng with them ater the wedding. A week in Beijjing and a week in Xi'an. Just got a 10 year Chinese Visa so I can make return visits. My son and his wife live in the San Francisco area and no plans to move to China. I just figured a 10 yr visa was the same price as a 1 time one and I can go on other trips in the future if I want.

Hard to leave my little dog for 3 weeks but she is doing good, 22 months post Dx of her bladder cancer. She usually travels with me but they eat dogs in China so she is not going there.

Oncology visit and blood work next week so I hope I can leave with a good report.

Wishing everyone a great summer. Praying for Jodi for a good summer with her girls.

Barbara

Hi Ladies!

Holli tracked me down tonight lol. She messaged me literally the same time I was on my Cheer for Jodi FB page! So, an update is needed!

I finished rads on May 5th and then had a horrible sinus infection for 2 weeks. I understand several people had this at the same time. Everyone I knew had it bad. Last week I returned to Md for my monthly injections and oncologist appt. I get a monthly hormone blocker shot called x something lol! And I get a monthly bone strengthener than frankly hurts like the dickens!!!

I am taking femurs daily and will start a daily chemo pill as soon as it is mailed to me. Was suppose to start yesterday, but insurance and Escripts have to get it all organized. The neck surgery went so well. I am waiting for clearance to start Pt. I go see the neuro surgeon in July. He will do all the scans and X-rays and on and on. The plan is to take my medicine. I have two small spots on my back that they all believe the medicine will get. The tumor in my neck was removed and cleared 95%. The rads was to get the remaining 5%. Praying it did. I've had my lows and trying to steer clear of too much blues as possible. The girls keep me busy. I'm going to the beach with Cliff's family and then again with mine. Trying to plan a trip to WDW and Universal with in the next school year. Of course, that all depends of treatment and how much I can saved for those trips!

I hope everyone has some fun summer plans! I'll check back in more often! I'll leave you with some pics of my last few days. Oldest at cheer camp, me at Md and now Ellison at horse camp. Staying busy!!!

Second one from the right; hugging her friend

Jodi, you are looking great. So good to hear from you. Keep swimming!!! 🏊🏊

Holli, looks like a great time at the beach. Hope you had a great 40th BD. I have only meet my son's in laws via Skype. They speak no English and I speak no Chinese. Should be fun. I have never been to mainland China. I was in Hong Kong and Japan about 8 years ago. I hope to retire in another year or two and then travel a lot. Lots of countries on my bucket list.

Nice to hear from you ladies!

Congrats Kimie! One step closer...

Great pics everyone:)

Jodi, sending extra prayers and hugs to you and your family. Thanks for the updates.

Have a wonderful trip to China, Barbara. Post some photos, pls:)

I am enjoying my new little house and am so happy to have moved. Working on getting improvements done, etc. My 6 month MO follow up is next wk. Not really worried about it at this point, but I am sure as the day draws nearer, I will get a little anxious. Family is all doing well. I am feeling blessed.

((HUGS))

Holli, we have medical marijuana here. I have found relief, but it is trial and error to find the strain that works for what you need it for.

I had a bit of a nervous breakdown, in a hotel room, across the country, from home. I threw away ALL my meds at 2:30 am. I want and need quality over quantity of life. The tamoxifen, Effexor, lovastatin, calcium/vitamin D, Vimovo, Ativan...all of them. I was in so much pain both mentally and physically....I hit a wall...hard. Trying to titrate off Effexor was horrific while still taking my other meds. Once they all started clearing out of my system, the withdrawal side effects subsided and disappeared. Go figure. My husband isn't exactly thrilled with my choice, but my sucidal rantings were even less thrilling.

I feel so much better and finally feel like I might have a chance to recover my brain function.

I am not setting a great example and have yet to inform my plethora of doctors, but I am at peace with my decision. They all will just have to live with it.

Love you all!

Jodi, that rescheduling crap sucks....plain and simple.

Jodi! Great news about the markers coming down! I agree with, "not so fast!" Thank you for the validation. The MD schedule sucks as I am pretty sure you would prefer to spend summer vacation in a multitude of other ways. You and your family are in my prayers. Stable is awesome, but I am praying for NED.

Love you all

Robin, I hope things get better for you soon! You gotta do what you gotta do!

Jodi, praying that your up-coming appts go well. I know every bit of good news is something to celebrate!:)

Barbara, Have fun in China! Can't wait to see pics.

I hope all is well with everyone else and you are enjoying your summer:).

jodi, you are in our prayers continually!!! Glad your got the card, it was just our little way of being able to help you.

I never did get any mouth sores....i can only imagine how painful they are! Hang in there kiddo!! wish we could all take away some of the pain.

We are about to get hit with another big storm here.....typical summer weather! I was in texas last week....i swear i added to the level of the riverwalk in San Antonio from all my sweat!!! Add my hot flashes with that heat and you could definitely say i was a hot mess!!!

Love you all.....Michelle

highlights of China. The Great Wall and the Terra Cotta Soldiers.

Hi Everyone,

Jodi---> keep kicking ass.... you have so got this.

I have the summer off of school right now and am just doing a little bit of hair here and there. enjoying the lazy days and embracing the busy ones

I have an appt coming up this week with oncology for my regular check up. Nothing to report that I can think of.

Robin, your life to live my friend, do what is best for you. If you feel better that is all that matters.

Barbara - the trip looked wonderful, I can only imagine how that great wall of china looks in real life.

xo

copied and pasted from the crazy town thread.

Well fuckity fuck fuck fuck…sincerest apologies ladies but I need to vent.

Started Letrozole about 5 weeks ago. Feeling more fatigued, out of breath and weaker as the days roll by. Hot flashes about 2 an hour and strong enough to make it rain inside my glasses. I also flashed off the leads of my holter monitor within 24 hours. Luckily that was all they needed. I am most likely going off letrozole and I am also needing a beta blocker. My heart's electrical system is wonky. No need for stronger intervention at this time. I also has a chest ct to rule out clots in my lungs. No clots but there is a small noncalcified left upper lobe 5 mm nodule (S3, I 30). The margin is slightly irregular. No other nodule or mass demonstrated. They want to wait to recheck in 3 months, and my oncologist was off today. I did bring up the fact that I had a 2.5 cm breast tumor and 9 positive nodes with extranodal extension, 3 of which were over 2 cm, and all developed within a 10 month period. Did I mention I hate cancer? So...I am in wait and see mode here in AZ while hubby is in Utah with his uncle. Feeling all over the place at the moment.

Robyn, I feel for you with the hot flushes. Mine have been terrible and now I know why. My thyroid is definitely getting overactive. 3 months ago The TSH was very low and now the TSH is less the detectable and the free T4 approaching the top of normal. A big jump from 3 months ago. I break out in drenching sweats several times a day and night. Terri, hate all the insurance issues. You will get your mammo soon. Can you PC Doc order one while you get set up with a new BS?

I have an oncology appt on Wed. and I am also going to ask to change my generic aromasin to one of the others. I went to fill a 3 month rx and instead of the usual $20 now under my high deductible plan it is $675. I told the pharmacy to keep it. The other two generics will be about $15-18 for a 3 month supply. Also waiting to do anything about the hyperthyroid until another 30 lbs come off. LOL. I lost 10 over the past 2 months. I am also interested to see if the thyroid changes with a different AI Med. I did find some reports of high and low thyroid associated with aromasn.

ANY ONE ON prolia? I hope to start Prolia shots next week. The high thyroid does a number on your bone density and it, in addition to the AIs will really accelerate osteoporosis. I did the 2 years of zometa but need to continue on something more.

Next weekend is Casting for Recovery retreat where I will learn fly fishing with other BC survivors and then the day after that is done I leave for 6 days in Cape May with my friends and dogs. There will be 8 of of this year and 12 dogs.

Hope everyone had a great summer and good luck to all as we approach the 3 year mark in a few months.YEAH.

Kimie, that is exciting! I hope I get one.

Just got back from my trip to Wisconsin. Had a good time, for the most part...other than the usual family drama.

Had my mammo done today. I guess it's clear-didn't need any further imaging. Keeping my fingers crossed. Dr ordered a diagnostic 3D, so I feel comfortable with thinking it's clear, based on what they told me when I was done. 3 yrs-wow.

Robin, I hope things have calmed down for you.

Barbara, how was CFR?

Looking forward to some cooler weather here, soon!

Take care ladies~