Starting chemo Sept 05
Options
Comments
-
Hello my September sisters,
I want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Look where we are now versus last year. We all have come along so far, some of us still doing treatment BUT milestones ladies...milestones.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
With much love
Calico -
I just got called about the state job I interviewed for on 10-23! I start Monday! This is an answer to my prayers as we will get medical in 90 days (which will take mine and my other halfs pre-existing conditions). This will sure help pay for the shots he needs (358 A WEEK IS KILLING US!).
Tina -
Tina, that is great news, I am so happy for you.
Calico, thank you for the lovely thanksgiving wishes. I started chemo Aug. 29, 2005 - our thread has not kept up lately, so I post on Sept. and October. I think very often about where I was last year - my last 2 chemo treatments in Nov. and Dec. of 2005 were just awful. After the Dec. 5th chemo, I could not get out of bed for 10 days, I felt so awful. I am so glad to feel well again, I just wish I could be a little less nervous - BC is still the first thing I think of in the morning and the last thing at night (including pretty often in between!!!)
How is your daughter Gina? My grandson (not the one in the picture) - one of the twins - might have his cochlear implant as soon as the end of December.
Linda -
Congratulations Tina,
that's awesome, right on time!
Linda,
a friend of mine's son had them put in and he was soooo happy afterwards. Little ones seem to recover quickly but it is also so scary for parents.
Gina is doing great, still on crutches. Thank you for asking.
I am off to exchange surgery tomorrow.
God Bless -
Congratulations on your new job, Tina! That's great news and especially on getting medical insurance.
Nice to see you, Linda, and your grandson. Good luck to the twin having the implant.
Glad to see you're having fun, Leanne. I, too, have followed Kylie's story with interest.
So much has happened this past year. A year ago this week, I had just had my third tx of Taxol. By Thanksgiving Day the shooting pains in my bones was so bad that I couldn't sit down for dinner. Bald, rapidly disappearing eyebrows and lashes, no appetite...what a difference a year makes.
We all have a lot to be thankful for. -
I was just thinking the same Peg. I can barely remember last year. I was so sick, and still insisted on cooking. This year Thanksgiving is a happy holiday once again.
Tina, congratulations on the job.... and to all my other september sisters, Happy Thanksgiving!
*susan* -
Got my self all Geared up this morning, bracing myself for bad news at the Doctor. Got the kids out of bed early droped them at Nanna's house so I would not be late. Got to the Dr's with 2 mins to spare. GOT THE WRONG BLOODY WEEK!...LOL
The appointment is next week!!!!!!
Oh well!!!
Got some chrismas shopping done too...lol..
Congrats on the job Tina
Good luck with the surgery Calico.
Leanne, that concert would have been excellent..Sooo Jelous!
Peg, we don't do thanksgiving here in Australia but we sure to have a lot to be thankful for...So here's thanks to my September sisters...Couldn't have done it with out you...love and hugs
????? (whoops almost forgot my own name then..lol) Nicole -
Hi ladies
Like Nicole said, I am definately giving my thanks to my wonderful september sisters. I don't know where I would be without the support of you all. You have helped me so much!!
Congratulations on the surgery Tina! What a relief to have some of the medical bills covered at last.
Nicole- I am glad you got some shopping done! I am so unorganised this year! Well at least now you know how long it will take for you to get to your appointment NEXT week!
Well I had my boobs done on Tuesday and just got out of hospital on Thursday afternoon (yesterday). I had a mighty reaction to the morphine so had to stay an extra day. It was awful. But my boobs aren't too sore- I am coping pretty well with the pain. It is mainly just really tight and a bit uncomfortable. Once the swelling goes down they will be great! I have been taking my arnica spray religiously all day and am hoping that is helping in my recovery. I have a lovely lady who works at my childrens day care centre staying with me at the moment who is a god send. I can't lift or drive for a week or 2 which is a bit annoying.
Love
Leanne
xoxoox -
Hi everyone!
sorry i havent posted for a while...ive been on holiday, cruising around the canary islands.....it was terrific.
Leanne
wonderful news!.....im so pleased for you!....go out and enjoy life matey!
Tina
I just saw your video about IBC...........well done you!
I hope everyone else is well, and i will post again soon
Hugs
Maxine -
Maxine, sounds like a great holiday. I keep thinking I want to go somewhere with my husband, but then I always end up going back to New York to help my daughter with the twins.
I have a follow up with the onco. Dec. 4 - I have been feeling fine, no problems, but I am so nervous, its crazy, I don't know why, I have not felt this way before when I go to see the doctors. I have been offered medication for anti anxiety which so far I have not taken - anyone else using meds for this problem.
Linda -
Calico I am sending positive vibes for good results from the PET scan I will be waiting to hear if I match the redundancy criteria on the same date no comparison ;-). Calico, continued best wishes being sent your way to Gina for continued good progress tell her to take it easy with catch-up small, manageable chunks.
No peg, no photos of Cinderella. I felt good and think I looked OK, but the photos are awful my dress looks see-through (it wasnt). Good time had by all though it was good to see so many people who had been so poorly having a ball.
Susan, well done for putting words together so well to support our dear Leanne. Leanne you will look and feel wonderful (when recovery is over) having done something for YOU you are worth it.
Liezel, I am so sorry to read of your trouble, so unfair. I can relate so much what you are saying in your post I too feel dreadful and I seem to be forever picking on my DH he suggested camping with the grandchildren next year does he not consider that I ache all over from Arimidex, Herceptin or whatever it is and am sooooo tired grhhhhhh we seem worlds apart at the moment me with my thoughts and him seeming to think everything is well with me. Liezel I am so pleased you have been able to get your feelings out in the open and hopefully now started to deal with your fears. It could be that I should do what Nicole suggests and talk to someone, or it could be that besides the condition my middle child (daughter) was taken into hospital with suspected diabetes, had high temperature and was in pain diagnosed with kidney infection and thankfully she is now home and the antibiotics have done the trick not diabetic; more than usual stress at work at the moment; build-up and the extras we have to do for Christmas; My GP has decided to get a small mole removed from my foot (no appointment yet) because of my family history; havent had my genetics results yet test done 5 weeks ago!!
Nicole please, please keep us up-to-date (when you get the right appointment date) we care.
Tina I have been able to share in your interview, so very well done, you WILL save a lot of lives with your courage. Tina I had a reaction the first time of Herceptin, I am now given steroid and piriton infusion prior to Herceptin and everything has been fine since I think the reaction for me was when I asked the cost of the bag of Herceptin ;-).
Leanne I watched Kylies interview some months ago fantastic she is just great like us ;-). I would love to see her in concert maybe one day.
Maxine, glad you enjoyed your well deserved holiday.
Hugs, good vibes and everything to all of you.
It is 1.10 am here I have been to bed once oh I wish I could get my sleep pattern back moan, moan, moan, but very thankful.
Sandra from the UK -
Well it is days three on the job and I am very grateful to have it, but I have been having a rough time getting up and making it to work! I have ran myself down and gotten what I think is a sinus infection.
I am not able to take many pain meds because sitting I almost fall asleep! I am sure things will iron out in a week or two!
Tina -
Thinking of you Tina - don't run yourself down too much though.
Sandra from the UK -
Hi all,
Sandra it's good to see you again, my Grandmother was English and she used to say "moan,moan" all the time. You brought back some fond memories with your Moaning so it can't be all bad.
Tina - I know it's hard with a new job but try and nap every miniute you can. Even in your lunch break, set your alarm on your mobile phone and have a doze in your car. It works.
Well I finally made it to the Dr's (Gyno) for the test results and there is nothing there. No cancer or anything else, and so no explanation for the bleeding. Three out of four hormone level test show that I am definatley menopausal and one other is borderline. So basicly it's wait and see or I am just one in a million!!!lol
More blood test and back in 2 weeks.
hope all are well
Nicole -
Nicole,
that's great news!!! there is always such great relief hearing good news....better than....eating chocolate lol
what are your plans now, wait for the next blood tests??
Good Luck!!
my PET was okay but my onc doesn't read reports thoroughly, he said the lung nodule was gone in May and is back on the scan but stable...I was so freaked thinking it could be mets (disappearing with Femara and now back perhaps??)
I got my printouts afterwards and read through them, the nodule WAS there in May and now as well, unchanged....grrrrr...he also did not tell me about fluid in the right lower abdomen (which could represent an ovarian cyst - I don't!! have ovaries anymore) suggestion was to follow up with ultrasound....
blood tests were good, so we scan in 3 months again.
I tell you, you have to be your own advocate and research, question and investigate everything....
My exchange surgery went well to, I'm not symmetric yet but definately better looking than with the expanders and softer too lol.
Tinker,
good to see you had a great vacation.
Hope all is well with everybody going into the holiday season. I look forward to 1 Advent and plan to bake cookies with Gina. She is doing great and hopes to ditch the crutches next week (her doc appointment has been moved out 3 times).
God Bless -
Hope you guys are decorating, I started already, so much better than last year!!!!
God Bless -
Hi friends
Here is a recent pic of me and my dear sweer husband going up on a cable car in madeira taken a couple of weeks ago.
It would be lovely to see a recent pic of all you lovely ladies too.
hugs
Maxine -
Maxine,
thanks for sharing this loveley picture, you are a very beautiful couple. Glad you enjoyed your vacation.
If I can figure out in the next day or two what to do with my hair, I'll post one
God Bless -
Greetings all. I haven't been on in a couple of weeks and am trying to catch up.
Tina...congrats on the new job. Sinus infections can completely wear you out, so try to be patient with yourself.
It's hard on all of us...it was a year ago November 22 that I had my last chemo...right before thanksgiving. This year I wanted so much to drive up to NY to see all my family and surprise my mom, who had just turned 80. At the last minute I knew I couldn't do it. I know you will all understand...I was just too tired to make a 600 mile trip and then turn around 2 days later and come back again. Plus, with this new house (old house actually), i have so much work to do...I guess it was a blessing as the installers called Wednesday to say they were coming Friday to put in new replacement windows...what a difference they make. Most think NC is warm...but not in the winter...tonight it is supposed to be in the mid 20's and windy...burr....
So we stayed home, had a quiet dinner with my two children and loved on all of our horses (8 in total). I have so much to give thanks for...hey, I'm still here, I have a new life...and a new home...
Went for my bone density today...the tech showed me the results...not much change from last year...and it's been a year since I started Femara (and went into menopause)...my actual check up is Wednesday...I feel I need to ask for more screening tests...I feel down and scared...but I shouldn't. I guess I keep thinking back to the article I read that said 'it isn't a matter of if, it's a matter of when we have a recurrence'...
Take a deep breath...breathe...and keep going...like the movie...little Nemo...just keep swimming, swimming.... -
Hi all!
Isn't it interesting that we are all looking back a year right now? A year ago today, I was in the ER, sicker than I have ever been in my life. What a wretched time that was! And how far we have all come since then.
Yesterday, I spent four hours making meatballs. A redux of my decadron loopiness. One of my favorite clients, who made sure I wasn't replaced while I was sick, had her first chemo for a B-cell lymphoma last Thursday. And yup, she needs her protein snacks just like we did. I think 3.7 pounds of meatballs should keep her busy for some time to come. I took them over to her house, (with some pasta and freshly grated romano] and her husband started to cry! He was so overwhelmed to have dinner delivered.
I also gave her my Bruennig Chemo book. When she told me that she would give it back, I responded "I never want to see that book again!"
Today is my husband's birthday. Guess what he is getting for dinner? Yup... meatballs!
Take care,
*susan* -
Susan, it really is the little things that make a difference.
Jpd, I really enjoy my time at home just with my little family it makes it special.
One year ago on Saturday was my last chemo, it seems so long ago but also just like yesterday....
best wishes to you all
Nicole -
Today is the 1 year anniversary of my last chemo.
I celebrated by getting my hair cut! I debated letting grow through the winter, but I discovered I have no patience fussing with it any more, so it is now rather short again.
Maxine, you look like you're keeping yours trimmed. You're cute as a button. Thanks for the picture. I'm sure I'll get one during the holidays that I'll be able to share.
Isn't it interesting how priorities have changed over the last year and a half?
I'm especially making an effort to simplify the holidays and avoid stress. Like last year, not all the decorations came out. And I'm donating more to charity (including bc.org)
I hope you all will be enjoying the coming holidays with good health.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you're all up to.
Love,
Peggy -
Hi friends
Are you all still really tired? Im on Arimidex and Efexor (for hot flashes). I still need to sleep every afternoon after I finish work, or if its the weekend I lie-in until midday.
Peggy, how on earth did you manage to do your walk?...I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
Cutting down my hours at work would be the ideal thing...but I cant, I have a huge mortgage.
Im also getting tingly feelings in my fingers when I straighten my arms, and my arms feel really weak from the elbows down to my hands, and I get muscle ache in my upper arms, its normally worst when I wake in the mornings.
Any advice would be welcomed ladies.
hugs
Maxine -
Hi Nicole well I will take it as a complement as being liked to a moany grandmother ;-) Brilliant that you have had good results we are always going to think any problem is related to the thing arent we?
Yes I am decorating and am making more of an effort in this direction for the grandsons I say ;-) Even dressed up as Father Christmas on Saturday (I do daft things like this) think I have put my youngest grandson off for life, the eldest just said Dont worry Jack its only nanny
I am holding a candle party next Thursday proceeds are being split between the young man I told you about who has spinal injuries, we are trying to raise money for an all singing, all dancing chair for him he is currently still in hospital having not yet been able to sit up (accident 14/8). The other half of the money is going to the Cancer support centre who gave me a lot of support last year; they are being threatened with closure. I have invited a lot of people and will treat them to mince pies (not home made) and wine. Organising this has taken my mind off my own troubles.
Maxine my hubby and I went to Madeira for our 25th WA lovely you didnt go on those basket things that slide down the hills then?
I agree it is the little things that matter. A friend of mind guessed I was feeling down and bossed me about telling me she was picking me up at 12 noon on Tuesday (mystery tour) she did and we ended up in Kingsbury Water Park (not far from us) went bird watching and then ate a picnic that she had prepared in December in the park! It was great I now know the name of a few water birds now ;-).
Maxine yes the tiredness is very frustrated as I am finding I am going to bed so much earlier and then sometimes (like now) I wake and cant sleep again. I have a pain that is more troublesome in my left hand and a dull pain in my side think I may need to ask advice on this just dont want to be labelled a paranoid women if still there on Wednesday when I go for Herceptin, I may mention. I am at hospital on Tuesday for Echo and Wednesday for treatment great.
Well ladies nothing important in the scheme of things 3rd restructuring (or redundancy) meeting on 15 December they certainly like to keep us guessing dont they one member of my team of 7 is off work with stress since all this started.
Thinking of all you all ladies Gina you could decorate your sticks when you finally ditch them, although I expect you will be glad to see the back of them keep up the good recovery.
Sandra from the UK xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx -
I am feeling a wee bit better now that the antibiotics are kicking in. I am finding I am very tired these days and have to watch myself so I dont run myself down again.
My new job is just great! I had my second dose of herceptin yesterday and THIS TIME NO REACTION!
I think of all of you often!
Tina -
Maxine...I've had the tingling for quite some time...enough that it wakes me up a night. I've found that putting an extra cushioning foam pad on my bed helps a lot. Makes me wonder why I ever wanted a 'firm mattress'. I still have issues with stiffness in my fingers in the mornings, but once i work it out it goes away.
Well, I had my one year checkup. Was very dissappointed that I saw the PA and not the doctor. I told her some of my fears of recurrence...she says not to live my life worrying about it (easy for her to say!). I also asked her about more screening tests, told her about the pains I had in my remaining breast. SHe said it was very unlikely that since I had an MRI in APril that anything would have developed that fast. She keeps saying have a mamo in the summer...well, that's two years out from my diagnosis and over a year since the MRI...I want it sooner. Actually I think an ultrasound would be more fitting as I have a large, dense breast. Sometimes I feel like I should talk to someone else...but who? I just wish the doctor had been there.
SO...I am going to get my act together and start living a healthier life...lose this weight (which is going to be so hard!) and get into a regular routine of walking on my treadmill. I'm also going to focus on all the 'healthy' foods...and try to eliminate the bad ones (which should help with my losing weight). It's so hard.
The PA seemed to say that once you hit the 5 year mark, you're cured...from the cancer you had. But it doesn't mean you won't get another cancer. I really felt she wasn't making a lot of sense. Cancer is cancer...it's not like breaking one arm, then breaking the other. I just found it very frustrating.
Well, it's getting close to my bedtime. The dog had me up at 2 a.m. this morning, so I'm tired this evening.
I hope you all are finding a little time to get ready for the holidays. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! -
Hello my September sisters, It seems that we are all nearing our anniversaries of completing chemo and here we are a year later. I am back to work teaching, & trying not to get stressed over the "little" things. I'm fighting to lose some weight which is very very slow to come off. It's not only the weight, but the distribution of it. I seem to have developed a very thick middle, which I suspect Tamoxifen has something to do with.
I fight with my crazy hair, & then remember where I was last year at this time, with no hair & that kinda keeps it in perspective.
I, like Peg, seem to want to simplify the holidays & am not running around crazy trying to "buy" gifts. I am hosting a holiday dinner for some very dear friends & we are having a grab bag. Anyone have any good ideas for a universal gift in the 20-25 dollar range? The ages are 22-62 including the adult children & the parents. There are male & female participants & I just haven't found the proper gift...maybe I'm not looking hard enough, but the idea of overcrowded malls intimidates me
Know that I think of my sisters often & even though I don't post as often as some, you are all in my thoughts & prayers. I wish everyone a wonderful, stress-free week! Hugs,Lynell -
Hi Ladies
Im not sure how many of you would have seen this link posted by Shirlann under the "moving beyond cancer " link, but I think its terrific!
http://badaboo.free.fr/merryxmas.swf
Hugs
maxine -
Hi all
Well here's my Christmas card to you all - a little tame next to Shirlann's though ;-)
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1060295777586
We all seem to be going through the same fears right now - we must shake these off in the New Year ladies and get on with our life. I will know if I have a job or not by the middle of January I understand - is it important - well the lack of money will be a problem, but hey there are worse things aren't there ladies!
Well I suppose I could post a photo of me dressed up as Santa for my grandsons - but I'm not going to ;-)
The best wishes always.
Sandra from the UK -
Lovely card Sandra!!
I do love birds!!
maxine
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team