Starting chemo July 2014

Hey, everyone! Just checking in to say Happy Holidays, and see how you all are faring. Sorry to see this is still dragging on for some of you guys. I haven't seen my oncologist since last March, and I don't know if I'm supposed to be checking in with her or what. I did have a mammogram yesterday, which was all clear, so I'm just assuming I'm healthy, for now. And here's an updated photo of my little chemobaby, who turned one in October!

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what a Merry Christmas for you this year with that darling little one. My onc is having me come in every 4 months. She does a physical exam, a breast exam, asks how I'm doing on my arimidex - no lab or tests.

Happy Happy everyone! boxofrockstar - he is too cute! His progress was certainly a cheery thought when I was down doing chemo. We are so lucky that our chemo start month included a lovely baby. Dag he is darling! As to when to see the oncologist... Chemo ended 10/29/14, BMx w/ all cancer gone on path report 12/2/14; Herceptin ended 7/16/15; then was on every 3 months and breast surgeon every 6. Now see MO every 4 months, for labs, bs every 6. I had my port removed at my Dec 3, 2015 recon surgery, so no more needing to get it flushed. I have already had another core biopsy, on the 'good' side's foob, all OK. Seems a lot of people w/ fat grafting get nodules from necrosis. Who knew. My MO follows me for symptoms and does blood work. Menopausal Status, CBC, and some other stuff based upon symptoms. Seems my Vit D is low, so 50,000 IU for a while till she re-tests it. I'm 50, so I've also had baseline bone density, colonoscopy, endoscopy, had headaches so brain MRI, tummy pain when pushed on, so abdominal ultra sound. All OK, except escophogus was wrecked by chemo, so on Omneprozole for next 6 months, and here I thought that was fine.

Happy new year ladies! I've been taking a break from this site and decided to check in. I'm back to work and it feels good. Box of rockstar , I can't believe ur baby is 1 yr old! Time flies. He is adorable! What a head of hair.

Went to see Onc today and just ran blood tests to see tumor markers hormone levels. I'm still post menopausal. If I continue this way , he wants me on tamoxifen for another yr and then switch to femera.

Happy to see threads still active

DD

Hi Shirley!

Congratulations on two years out! One of our July 2014 Chemo Sisters (Dancing Diva) has recently had a recurrence. Remember her in your thoughts and prayers.

Oh Puffin. I am so sorry to hear about both Lew and your sister-in-law. A hard three months, indeed! Yes, I hate driving in the city, too, but I've forced myself to do so in order to help out with my daughter, who goes to school there. In the midst of all this heartbreak and adjustment, I hope and pray that you find some time to take care of yourself, too.

I have never been a big poster, but I wouldn't have been able to have made it through this without all of you. Puffin, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers. Dancingdiva, I'm sorry to hear of your recurrence, you are in my prayers. I hope you and your medical team hit it hard and you have many many many years of NED.

Gee, I am so sorry to hear about your partner and sister-in-law.

newbcny: as for arimidex, initially I had ankle and knee stiffness when I'd first get up after sitting awhile, but once I was up and walking the stiffness would resolve. I made an effort to get to the gym regularly and walked 10,000 steps a day for several months to strengthen my legs. However, I got lax in doing the strength exercises for my arms and last week's followup dexascan showed I've lost bone mass in my left arm. My onc wanted me to start Prolia injections. Since my hips and spine were stable, I've asked if I could put off the Prolia injections and focus on doing my arm exercises again and she has agreed. I've gained about 5 pounds, but I think that's because I haven't been as active at the gym since Lew died. I need to get back to my regular exercise routines and quit eating so many cookies.

Puffin, I too am sorry about your loss of Lew. You are certainly a strong woman and will carry on. As we all know, life sometimes offers a rough road to travel. As your heart heals from this great hurt, I know you will find Lew remains there... safe and whole... perhaps out of sight, but never out of mind.