Calling all TNs
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Hi and welcome GT and Candy Ryan. You will do well here I'm sure. Don't worry, just take one day at a time and drink lots of water! DiV you're already doing really well. Luv, please try not to worry. Sure it will be OK. It's been over a year since my diagnosis, and I feel pretty much back to normal again. Yay! Love to all.
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Welcome GT and Candyryan!
You will learn a lot and get much support from this TN group.
In times both good and bad, remember there is always somebody up there who knows what's best for us. Put faith above all fears.
When there's good news, always do the Happy Dance! Lol!
You may feel a little bit absurd about it but happiness will soon creep its way to your hearts. Have a nice day!
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A little kiss for you Cocker Annie!
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GT, you can always get a second opinion if you don't feel comfortable with what your doctor is telling you. Are you in the greater Seattle area? If so, I can give you the names of my team of doctors.
Had my 3 month rads follow up today. RO says I still have swelling, which is causing me some pains. She showed me how to help move it out of the breast and said she would be happy to send me to a massage therapist for it. Um, no. I don't want to pay someone to massage my breast. 😮
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LoveMyVizsla, so happy that you are 3 months post radiation, yea!! Agreed, massaging in the area might not feel too great. I had lot's of zinging pains going off and on for a bit on my right breast, after all of the first time around treatment. It became less and less over time and pretty much at the 3 month mark. However, I am still able to predict, in advance, when the barometer is rising or falling more than 10 points.
It likes to talk to me on those days still which is somewhat helpful!I hope everyone has at least one fun thing to do this weekend to take your mind off things for a while. One of my yoga teachers is going to do a one hour Reiki session for me to today at her studio. Some people think it works, some don't, but she is also a massage therapist so I will get some massage on my feet, legs, arms and shoulders. Looking forward to an hour of relaxation after a long week at work.
Anne
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Good Day All,
Just wanted to check in & say hi. I lurk & read but don't post often. So glad we have this site.
I am now 4+ years out. I have been doing yoga twice a week for almost 3 years since diagnosis. Was also doing yoga before diagnosis. My yoga is for Seniors with disabilities (even glasses is considered a disability) as turned 70 in October last year. I feel it has greatly helped me recover & relax. I get a massage every two weeks from a lady close by that is retired from massage therapy office. She has training in adhesions & surgery recovery. I am soooo much better & can feel the difference in my body after going to her. Being in Miami, FL area, I also go to year round pool in my area & do water aerobics (though not as often) evenings for 1 hour. I still see my psychologist for mental health. (Those creepy metastasis thoughts). All in all trying my best to take care of me.
Now for the stress. My daughter & her husband & son (two dogs & a cat) have moved in with my hubby & me for about 9+ months. Their landlord sold the house they were renting. They are trying to find a house in Naples FL area but want son to finish school this year here. So we are a little cramped & all finding a new routine that we can all handle. Stress is included, but I still have let all know that I am going to continue to take care of me. We all need to come first in our own lives.
Just wanted to check in & say Hi.
Much love to all, newbies this is a great place to help you navigate your new normal & rediscover life after Surgery/Chemo &/or Rads.
This site has brought me out of depressing thoughts ( thank you all) & shown me there is life after the Big C!
Love the mail drop to Cocker & have mailed a card to her. She is such an inspiration to us all on how to keep going forward.
To all much love & in your pocket to those going through tests or waiting on results or decision making. We can do this. One day at a time.
Much love & healing prayers to Cocker.
Best to us all. Happy weekend.
Marsha
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LookingForward66....Thanks so much for posting. We have some things in common besides TN breast cancer. I am also in my 70's, live in Florida and have almost the same stats as you. So happy to read that you are 4 years past diagnosis. I keep thinking that it will recur soon. Hard to keep those thoughts away. But, I feel great and sometimes can't even believe I ever had breast cancer. Keep going strong and take good care of yourself.
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sent my card out to cocker today too. The lady at the post office thought it would take 7-10 days. I think of her often and the smiles on my face after reading her posts. Enjoying the yoga talk as well...yoga has helped me a lot as well. Recovering ROM and learning to let go what does not serve me and learning to accept things as they are, to try to live in the present and practice mindfulness. Also a big part has been controlling my breath...I use the breath focus to get through my mri's and mammo's and to sleepand it helps. MRI on Tuesday next week and will have to use meditation and breath focus big time!!!
I'm 3 yrs 3 mo since date of dx. Feeling well and trying to manage the same anxiety as everyone here mentions. Wishing peacefulness, serenity, acceptance, strength, purpose and healing prayers for all.
My yoga teacher gives us mantras, messages, thoughts printed on a card each class. This was today's:
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good to see you Lisa!
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So great to see you Lisa!! You are just a bit ahead of me since diagnosis. I won't repeat my post of a few weeks ago, but it is similar in tone to yours. I take yoga classes twice a week & have been into it for about 35 years now. I love, love, love it and highly recommend to anyone here who feels under stress of any kind. It's worth it just to learn and practice the breathing techniques. I also used the deep breathing techniques throughout treatment and post treatment whenever I have any kind of a procedure. It sounds wacky to say that I'm actually calm while getting an MRI, but it's the truth. I also am getting back into meditation and just "being in the moment." I'm grateful for each new day and try not to borrow trouble. Makes life a whole lot more enjoyable for sure! Stress definitely negatively affects your health.
Lisa, I remember you always being so positive in your posts. I loved your "hair" posts & see you are rocking the short hair. Me too sister! I get my hair cut every 4 weeks as it grows like crazy & I love it! It's so easy, looks great & takes no time.
I will be mailing my card with a letter to our dear Annie on Monday.
What a great group of supportive ladies. My heart goes out to the newbies. Take it one day at a time. Believe it or not, there are true blessings on the other side of treatment.
Love to all,
Paula
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Thank you meadow and mommom. It's good to be back here. My yoga teacher is a bc survivor of 1 year and she continued to teach during her radiation. She helped and inspired me before and still does. I started yoga before diagnosis but afterwards I really started to get it and appreciate the goal and message and have learned to understand and listen to my body.
Mommom- my hair is still a process,lol...it was very curly before bc, came in curly still, for about a year, then gradually started to straighten out as the chemo curls (which I thought were my normal curls) grew out. Now I have straight hair! never had straight hair in my life! Im leaving it gray (colored it before and didn't know how gray I was). I kind of like the white/silver color, most days. I'm hoping for a Helen mirren look eventually as I try to grow it out a little.
Wishing everyone a restful Sunday and healing strength for those in treatment. We are here to support and carry those through tough times and celebrate those good times. I thank everyone on this TN forum and my dec 2013 chemo buddies for carrying me through. Annie, you have been a tremendous support for all of us and have touched our souls, now this group of amazing people will help to carry you throug
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The Miss Universe pageant is on!
Top 13 includes Colombia, France, Canada, USA, Brazil, Peru, Thailand, Indonesia, Kenya, Haiti, Panama, Mexico, and Philippines!
It's so exciting! France , Colombia and Thailand are my bets but Kenya and USA are intelligent candidates
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Miss France is the 2017 Miss Universe! She's one of my favorites
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Lisa, I love the Helen Mirren look for you
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I love that look too Lisa
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Lisa, you look gorgeous with your hair like that!!!
I saw my PCP today about a thing I felt under my armpit last Monday. She did a very thorough exam and didn't feel any nodes, lumps or any other abnormalities. Thank God!! Thanks to y'all also for praying for me! I thought that I couldn't feel it the other day but I'm glad my doctor confirmed. Please keep the prayers coming for my upcoming checkup with my Oncologist on Monday!! My stomach and IBS are still a wreck but I'm hoping it will all calm down after Monday. I am grateful for the good news today though!
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Luvmydobies, I hope your appointment brought good news today.
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LMD, I'm right there with you. I swear I can feel a lymph node, among other pains. See the MO on the 16th.
Hope everyone is doing well. Hugs for those who aren't
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Hello again, all.
I've been off the boards since I got to the end of my treatments. No offense, but I guess I just didn't want to be thinking about it anymore. I just missed Annie/Cocker's news, and I want to say I am so sorry to have heard it (I can't catch up and have not seen updates) - but I am praying for you!!!
I'm back because of my own issues. I posted on the surgery area. I'm just trying to figure out what to do - followup mammo, on the "good" breast, they did a stereotactic biopsy - nothing found but I guess they think it looks so bad, they want a full surgical biopsy, and to keep scheduling surgical biopsies every few months until/unless they find something. I'm not really willing to live a life of surgery. I'm debating just getting a full mastectomy on that side, but I can't decide how to decide ... And thinking how/if that will be with a reconstruction, and all various life issues that go with the decision in any case.
So my head is swimming, but I'm back looking for input.
But I am so sad to read of Cocker's cancer.
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luvmydobies hoping that your mo also feels no nodes on Monday.
Lisa I remember reading your hair posts and feeling so inspired that my hair would come back. Yours is just gorgeous. Love the Helen mirren look. And I too rock the crop do. Short hair makes me feel strong.
mommom id love to do yoga. 35 years is very impressive.
Luvmyvizsla sorry that you are still having swelling. I think mine lasted for about 6mo. Give yourself time to heal.
As for me I am doing ok. I will be 1 year post rads at the end of this month. Still debating whether to have a breast reduction. I still have to call the plastic surgeon to schedule a consult. I guess I'm dragging my heels cause it's just nice to be out of treatment and done for a while. At my mo checkup last month my discharge note said no evidence of disease (NED). I've been waiting to hear Ned for so long I guess I want to take a short break from doctors and possible further surgery for a bit. Plus this week my costocondroitis flared up. Arg! Too much weight lifting at the gym. Maybe after it eases up I'll call the plastic surgeon. I really do need my good boob fixed to match my other boob. I am growing tired of being lopsided which happened from a combination of treatment and my big weight loss
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Hi all,
I have a friend (40 years of friendship since high school) who was diagnosed TNBC stage III at 55, about 9 mos ago. At first, neoadjuvant treatment plan was laid out pretty clearly for her: 12 rounds of Taxol, then maybe 4 rounds of AC or carboplatin, then surgery (she wanted full mastectomy on both breasts) and then 6 weeks of radiation. But after 12 rounds of Taxol they extended it to 18... and now they're doing some other chemo (nothing from the common list, and I'm sorry I don't remember the name of the drug), and no surgery in sight for now. She says doctors don't say much except that they need more time to get medicine working. She thinks it's bad news that they're just not telling her. Another thing: they don't do any imaging. Tumor is checked manually every 3 weeks.
What can it all mean? Anyone had experience with such extended use of chemo before surgery?
with all best wishes and prayers for everybody out there fighting TNBC!
--sfgirl
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MRI yesterday, done. So uncomfortable lying on my stomach with arms overhead for 25 minutes and not moving. I used my "gentle" breathing meditation techniques (can't breath too deep or else I'll move too much) and mental distraction. Don't have results yet, it was done late in day so hopefully radiologist will read it today (wed) and mo will call me tomorrow.
seraphina, I understand your concerns, In my R good breast I get twinges, feel lots of densities etc so always nervous about scans but mammos, US, and mri's have not shown anything of concern, but then why am I always concerned? I do feel great otherwise though.
Keeping Annie in my thoughts.
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sfgirl, can you encourage your friend to be more proactive in terms of asking questions? Is she being treated at a major cancer center? Did she get a second opinion before starting? Would she be comfortable having you accompany her to the next visit for moral support while she asks questions? I'm surprised that she is only getting manual checks every 3 weeks--my MO does a manual every week and I had an ultrasound after 4 AC cycles.
Shopgal, I sympathize with your decision making process. It can be confusing and dispiriting. Take your time--a break seems well earned. I haven't had surgery, yet, but I know I'll face that decision in meetings with my MO and surgeon. I hope you get lots of feedback from those who've been through surgery.
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Lisa,
Thanks for sharing your yoga teachers hand outs, that is creative and what a wonderful message! Hope your MRI results are in soon so you can take that deep cleansing breath . . . and sigh it out with peace.
Anne
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sfgirl, if I were your friend, I would be asking questions, not waiting for my team to tell me things. I made lists of questions before each appointment. It's never too late for a second opinion either. If she's not comfortable with her doctors or their decisions, go ask another doctor, preferably at a larger cancer center. All my best to her.
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Hi Guys! So much going on!
Cocker, you, your family and friends are in my prayers. May you all be surrounded with love and peace.
Meadow - ugh! One step forward, two steps back.
DiV - It sounds like you are on your way with treatment. Remember lots and lots and lots of fluid. Water, water and water. If you can't get the water down, ask for IV fluids. I went in and had to have IV fluids just to stay hydrated. I drink lots of water, but with the treatment, I was sleeping so much that I wasn't taking in enough fluids. And I always felt so much better after an IV.
And in my world... more lumps. GRRRRRRR.... Ultrasound today confirmed two lumps. Good news, I'm not crazy, there clearly are two lumps. Good news, the two new lumps look like the last lump that was removed (b9 breast tissue). The bad news - the location of new lumps are such that doing needle biopsy is very, very, risky to my implant... grrrrr... So after many questions, much discussion we have determined the best course of action is to wait and see what the lumps do. We have very good baseline measurements and in 3 months we will measure them again. They could be B9 or they could be something else. The good news is cancer is not an instant death. (I know bizarre way to look at this...) And so, I am comfortable with the plan. My family, not so much. That is what is so difficult about this stupid disease. It impacts more than the patient. I'm feeling fine - great actually. Nothing showing in my nodes, no pains, no clinical indications except the lumps. My family wants them out... I just went under the knife in October. And as I told them... I'm tired of the knife. My body seems to like to produce lumps. If we cut out every lump I get we could be doing this every 3 months for the rest of my life... and then there is the risk of infection, the recovery, the 6 weeks post op of doing no exercise, no lifting, no nothing. I cannot live this way! It isn't the life I want!! So in 3 months, if they grow or change I'll make decisions based on that. If they stay the same... they can stay FOREVER.... BLAH! And as I type this I am second guessing my decision. BLAH!! I do trust my doctors. They haven't misled me yet! Stupid CANCER!!!
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Thank you for replies and advice, and support
Just today, my friend told me she was "upgraded" to stage IV and being treated with IXEMPRA (ixabepilone). They did not find mets but her cancer spread from the breast to nearby tissue. Taxol has failed, as they told her.
She's really depressed about all this.
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Blah sfgirl! That stinks! You might want to reach out to the stage IV groups. There are ladies that have fought this for 10+ years and have a wealth of knowledge. You are a very good friend to be reaching out to these groups on her behalf. The best friend I had thru treatment didn't always have the words to say to me, but she was always there. Just there... She listened, she hugged me, she just was there. Prayers for you and your friend.
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Back to check on dear Annie. Sending you lots of love Annie. The card shower is a lovely idea.
Thank you all for the kind messages of support about losing Mom.
Luv - glad to hear the lump is disappearing
Gr1965 and CandyRyan- this group is a wealth of information and support. Sorry you have to join but welcome.
Loves green things - your mention of zings and pangs reminded me of something funny I had forgotten.
The day after my lumpectomy, I was brushing my teeth in the bathroom and I could hear this odd sound of water running or sloshing? My first thought was... Oh shit, the toilet is broken again! Nope toilet is fine. Went back to brushing my teeth, and again I hear it, so now I check the washing machine. Nope all fine. So I turned the faucets off in the sink and started brushing my teeth again.....to discover the sloshing sound was coming from my breast!!!! Apparently there was so much fluid in my surgical site that I sounded like the ocean. (Would have been nice if they had warned me of this possibility). For those that don't know me.....I have a very bizarre sense of humor. Since it was Christmas time, I took my phone and took a voice recording of me playing jingle bells with the sloshing of my breast. I sent it to some equally crazy friends and asked them to "name that tune" and the instrument it was played on. A few got the tune but nobody got the "instrument". Laughter is the best medicine!
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Oooops, forgot add
DIV I hope you are doing the best possible
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