August 2015 Chemo Group

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  • VickiRides
    VickiRides Member Posts: 211
    edited July 2016

    That's good news, Kate. But the big needle sounds scary.

    Good luck next week, Musosgirl.

    Dee, my MO suggested that I take ibuprofen 3 times a day regularly to stay ahead of the joint pain. It really is helping.

    My port comes out on Monday. Yay!

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  • DeeRatz
    DeeRatz Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2016

    Vickirides-Yay on being de-ported.

    Question-Do you ladies find that you are way more sweaty than you used to be? I am not tolerating heat like I used to. I literally will have sweat running down my forehead into my eyes, sweat running like a river between my Foobs.I have been showering twice a day and have to use way more anti-persperant than I ever had to before. I just can't seem to cool my body down once it heats up. I don't know if it is due to chemopause/menopause or the Tamoxifen. It is kind of gross.

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  • molliefish
    molliefish Member Posts: 723
    edited July 2016

    well then now your Sweaty Foobs can be called Swoobies. I havent notice any increase in sweating outside of hot flashes.
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  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 747
    edited July 2016

    SWOOBIES FTW.

    I'm just checking in to recommend that everyone see *Ghostbusters*. Summer fun--it's funny, smart, and (at least partially) about women's friendships. Well worth watching.

    And yes, Dee, I sweat like a farm animal these days. I was always sweaty (save for the chemo months, when I was always freezing), but now it's a daily battle against rivulets dripping down my face. . . .

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  • exercise_guru
    exercise_guru Member Posts: 716
    edited July 2016

    Dee the sweat hasn't been as much as the flying through the sun hotflashes but there are like wierd moments where I just start dripping sweat and then an hour later I am fine. I also get cold easier. My internal thermometer is messed up.

    I have a friend who had a hysterctomy but kept her ovaries and she tells me that the sweating is the symptom she hates the most. She is a nurse and she will be in the middle of meeting with a patient and all the sudden hotflash and sweat like she is running a marathon.

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  • DeeRatz
    DeeRatz Member Posts: 350
    edited July 2016

    Thanks ladies, I agree with sweating like a farm animal. I definitely have Swoobies! I don't need to wear a bra, I just need one to soak up the sweat....I know, that is gross! My internal thermometer is definitely messed up!


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  • SoCalGrl
    SoCalGrl Member Posts: 105
    edited July 2016

    Swoobies! Love it. I sweat at odd times for no reason and the feeling of it dropping down my chest is gross to me. I totally get wearing a sports bra to soak the sweat up!

    I just came back from a wonderful vacation at Lake Tahoe. I absolutely loved it. My husband wants to retire there and it was so rejuvenating to be surrounded by nature. This time last year I was going through so much stress and I'm happy to say this year was the complete opposite. #LifeorBust

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  • VickiRides
    VickiRides Member Posts: 211
    edited July 2016

    OMG, I have swoobies too! We bought a new camper this week and I have been working on getting it ready for camping all week. It's a bazillion degrees out and the ac is having a hard time cooling down that monster. I have rivers of sweat pouring off of me. Definitely more than usual, normally I just glisten in the heat.

    I have been de-ported! It feels about the same as going in, just a bit sore around the incision.

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  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 747
    edited July 2016

    I'm getting de-ported soon! I've requested to have it done with no anesthesia; we'll see what they say. Folks can't seem to get their heads around that request.

    CBC update: my oncologist isn't worried, especially because my ANC went up in the span of two weeks. She's testing it again in a month. She thinks it might be connected to my thyroid (my TSH is running low, which is a good thing clinically but maybe less good for my WBCs).

    SoCalGirl, Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite places in the world. I used to have family in California; sadly, they've all moved, but I'd LOVE to get back out that way. . . .

    Vicki, where are you camping?

    We're planning a trip--not sure when, but it's gonna happen--to camp up on the northern edge of Lake Michigan. Nothing fancy, but a much-needed respite.

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  • VickiRides
    VickiRides Member Posts: 211
    edited July 2016

    Kate, they gave me the option of no anesthesia but I asked to be asleep. The de-porting only took about 30 minutes but it took me a while to recover from the anesthesia. Good news on your CBC. I hope things continue to improve.

    We are just camping in the mountains about 60 miles north of town (I am in Boise, Idaho). We'll be along a creek and in the trees, and that's all that matters. It's been a hectic week getting the new trailer prepped and I am looking forward to a few days of relaxing. We have another trip planned the following weekend. Enjoy your trip.

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  • MsBrompton
    MsBrompton Member Posts: 357
    edited July 2016

    Maya Angelou: Phenomenal Woman (hope the clip works on the other side of the pond)


    Because you're all phenomenal!


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  • Musosgirl
    Musosgirl Member Posts: 387
    edited August 2016

    It's here ladies! One year this month. For me it's August 6th. Whew! So glad I am not back there. My last Herceptin is the 11th, and I will end treatment! (Except for Tamoxifen--or AI).

    Congrats to us allon our first anniversaries!!

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  • Bluefrog76
    Bluefrog76 Member Posts: 260
    edited August 2016

    Yup, one year stage IV de novo on 7/30. But I'm doing great! Love to all of you. I couldn't have done it without each of you.

    image

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  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 747
    edited August 2016

    MsBrompton, thanks for that! You're phenomenal, too!

    Musosgirl, I finished Herceptin last week. It was really, really anti-climactic.

    Rachel, you look fantastic in that picture. Thanks for checking in!

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  • superius
    superius Member Posts: 340
    edited August 2016

    Looking good, Bluefrog!!!

    Wondering -- how many of you have a Medical alert ID?

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  • Musosgirl
    Musosgirl Member Posts: 387
    edited August 2016

    Rachel, you look amazing!

    Superius, the lady I bought a lymphedema sleeve from really pushed buying a medical bracelet. I haven't--not sure I will. But her recommendation was not something too pretty that would be ignored as jewelry and go ahead a get pink as a quick message to paramedics.

    Well, final surgery is done. I am doing pretty well all things considered. Today DH and I celebrate 16 years. Well, not so much "celebrate" as acknowledge. He is picking upCheesecake Factory for dinner. What I really want is to go see the new Star Trek--maybe for my birthday next month...


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  • JenPam
    JenPam Member Posts: 176
    edited August 2016

    Rachel, you look amazing! Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!

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  • Bluefrog76
    Bluefrog76 Member Posts: 260
    edited August 2016

    I don't have a medical alert ID, but I did fill out the medical emergency details in my phone under the health app.

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  • MsBrompton
    MsBrompton Member Posts: 357
    edited August 2016

    Happy anniversary to all of us. We're all still alive, mentally stronger and looking positive.

    I'm done with Herceptin and even booked to have my new nipple made on 19th September. According to the guy's secretary I can come at 8 am, it will be done by 9 and I will be fine going to work after... We'll see!

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  • molliefish
    molliefish Member Posts: 723
    edited August 2016

    Mrs. B are you getting a tattooed nipple?

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  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 747
    edited August 2016

    One year out, ladies!

    I remember starting this page a year ago and longing for right now. . . . It's amazing what a year can do. I'm in constant awe of the human body's ability to repair itself.

    Big hugs to every single one of you.

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  • MsBrompton
    MsBrompton Member Posts: 357
    edited August 2016

    Hugs to all, and a big one to Kate for setting up this forum and gently facilitating it.

    Yes molliefish I am getting a tattooed nipple but I'm pretty much in the dark about it. The guy is a plastic surgeon who makes a couple of small cuts to a bit of loose skin and then does some kind of magic origami to make it stand up a bit, then you go away and let it all heal over, then you come back and the nurses 'paint' it with their tattoo needles. The surgeon says the nurses really like doing the tattooing (they find it artistic!). I'm relaxed about it - it looks odd now with nothing in the middle so I reckon anything will be an improvement (but nobody sees except me and him indoors).

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  • VickiRides
    VickiRides Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2016

    What a year it's been! I'm so grateful for the support and encouragement I've found here.

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  • RavenSally
    RavenSally Member Posts: 44
    edited August 2016

    I'll have my last herceptin on August 16. What a long strange trip it's been. So much love to all of you.

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  • DeeRatz
    DeeRatz Member Posts: 350
    edited August 2016

    You ladies have been my rock many times. It has been quite the ride. Still trying to get off this ride.

    I did make progress today..the old gal wake surfed today. I wasn't able to last year due to my surgery. I did it and I did yell FUCK CANCER! Well I'm pretty sure I will be hurting. My chest and ribs hurt but I did it.


    Much love to all of you, my friends

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  • Musosgirl
    Musosgirl Member Posts: 387
    edited August 2016

    So the last two weeks have been a practice in surviving surgeries. I have either been at home, in surgery or in recovery. Went out for the first time today, don't get excited--it was just for a post-op appointment, and the hysterectomy I had all but forgotten since my PS butchered my left breast last week (obviously with my permission and I don't mean it in a bad way--it just really REALLY hurts) made itself known. I was exhausted and hurting the rest of the afternoon and evening. How am I going to do an appointment and Herceptin on Thursday? Plus another post-op Friday?

    Well, it's 2 Percocet tonight...

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  • KateB79
    KateB79 Member Posts: 747
    edited August 2016

    Dee, hell yes!

    RavenSally, last Herceptin! Woo hoo!

    Musosgirl, maybe you're almost done? I certainly hope so!

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  • VickiRides
    VickiRides Member Posts: 211
    edited August 2016

    Right on, Dee!

    Musosgirl, sending you wishes for comfort and healing. It sounds like a rough two weeks.

    Congrats on your last Herceptin, RavenSally!

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  • MsBrompton
    MsBrompton Member Posts: 357
    edited August 2016

    HUGS Musogirl - you'll rise up again soon.

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  • Musosgirl
    Musosgirl Member Posts: 387
    edited August 2016

    371 days! But I am DONE! Last Herceptin today. My chemo buddy came and sat with me for more than an hour then my sister joined us at the end. We gave 15 comfort care bags to the nurses to give to new chemo patients--a Thirty-One fundraiser my mom did in my honor. I took in 42 cupcakes to my admissions folks and nurses. And I gave that bell 3 good rings.

    On a side note we are going to try an AI so I can go back on Paxil. I am nervous about that but I think it is for the best. So I have about two more weeks of Tamoxifen before we make the switch

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