Starting Chemo in June 2005

Brenda, thank you so much for your words of wisdom, encouragement and advice,

This wonderful man is even bc broken in... his mum had a very similar experience to me 12 months earlier... so its not scary to him, AND he know's how important silent hugs are, perhaps I should bottle him?

And thanks for the reassurance re the checkups.. mind you i still haven't gotten my diary out to check the date of the next one that's looming.. i know its soon.. but humm if i don't know exactly when.. then it won't be so scary? hehe..........oh it works for me.

Good news on the son front, he went away with his dad to the new town for the weekend last weekend, and hummmm lets just say its no longer as attractive, the town, OR living full time with dad, YES !!!!!! and i didn't have to say a word!!!!! now lets just see how long these memories will last for him, years and years I unfortunately hope.

The box, hasn't arrived yet, but I remember reading that it was going to take a while to get here? if it was sent sea mail, that usually takes up to 3 months.. either way it should be soon, I will let you all know when it does.

SUMMER is australia, has finally turned hot ! I seem to burn so much easier these days, wonder if that's co-incidence.

Bev...... I hope the road doesn't get any rougher there .. , you made me laugh with the "13-17 years" comments... i remember my brother going through that, (he's 10 years younger than me), and hummm I think you have a point there, thank heaven's I don't have a girl too.

Oh and a story for you all, a few weeks back, a friend came and stayed in my holiday flat and took me for rides on their harley all weekend to put a smile back on my face. We nearly got cleaned up by a car that didn't see us... and as my life flashed before my eyes in that horrid slow motion thing that it does in these moments, the two things I thought of first were " I didn't spend 12 months fighting cancer to get wiped out by a car so quickly after, AND.... damn I don't have any identification on me, how will they know who they are scraping up". followed by.... wait for it,...... "I really must remember to tell my family that if I do get cleaned up whilst out riding... they must remember and celebrate the fact that i died having POTS of fun................. hummmmmmmmmmmm how one's priorities change.

best wishes to you all


Fi

Hey, strangers! I haven't been around lately, but do visit the reconstruction board every once in awhile.
Jen, I'm glad that your reconstruction went well! Sorry about having to have a hist.
Fi, glad to hear about your new relationship...you go girl! Sorry to hear that your ex is being such a pill!
Bev, how is chemo going with Owen? I just hate this terrible disease, and to watch a little one go through chemo must be tough. How has Owen been feeling? It sounds like he still has spunk...good for him in standing up to his sister!
I want to have revisions done because I have some rippling, but my PS does not want to due to my past with staph infections. She said that I would be able to have nipples, which I am looking forward too.
I've had a set back health wise because of my ankle. I injured it a few months before I was diagnosed with BC, by kicking a frozen soccer ball (not a good thing). I put off having it taken care of until I could use crutches (after my reconstruction). The surgery did not work, so this coming Monday I find out what the next step is. I'm afraid it's more surgery...ugh! I am STILL on disablilty from when I first was diagnosed.
I'm glad to see everyone is doing well. It's freezing here...about 19 degrees right now!
Stay warm, everyone!

Hi, just popping in (I am at work and have NEVER gone online from work before..tee hee it's so naughty)

My husband's urologist is setting him up for further testing for suspected bladder cancer. I looked it up today, and was surprised over 60,000 are diagnosed every year. He has all the symptoms, all the risk factors... I'm hoping he'll be alright. My gosh. I don't dare let my mind "go there."

I saw on the triple negative board that NoSurrender went in for biopsies today. AAAAAHHHHHHH! I hope everything turns out benign!!!!

Scout, it's good to see you post here...the frozen soccer ball sounds like it has a good story to go with it? Fi, Brenda, Bev, Jen, everyone... stay safe and warm!

Better get back to work - I'm in the process of cleaning out this classroom, and I don't dare lose momentum as things I took from the cabinets are now spread EVERYWHERE and I only have so long before they close up the school.

Love, Nancy

owen post:
Doing good/ counts dropping just like they always do. He is shedding. Hope he gets to keep some hair. but right now it sticks out all over LOL. I forgot the cream yesterday. BAD mommy. But they gave him some before treatment. Going out to look for some caps for Owen. Wonder if he can wear them at school? Goes to very strict school with MEAN principal. Could see her saying no cap-just bald head. Oh well cross that bridge when we come to it.
Everyone staying warm?
Jo send many warm hugs your way.
Love Bev

Hi Ladies!

I'm so sorry to hear about NS. She's such an encouragement to so many of us and I hate that she's going through this again. (NS - if you're reading this **hugs**)

Nancy - How is your husband? Do you have any news yet?

Bev - Glad to hear Owen is doing well. I think I'd take it to the school board if the Hat Nazi doesn't let him wear one. How are YOU doing??

Watson - I'm glad you're stopping by every now and again. I wish there was some kind of "forum" where we could get together separate from something dealing with BC. Know what I mean?? Maybe we can think of something.

Brenda - I can't believe it's been nearly two years. But it has. I was diagnosed in April, surgery in May and, as you know, chemo in June. So it's coming up.

Your comment about Jo makes me really think we need a way to keep in touch without having to come here. What if I started a Yahoo group for us or something? I dunno. Just a thought.

Scout - what's going on with your ankle? Have you found out what the next step is, yet?

Fi - I'm so happy about your son. Smart kid! And it's nice to hear about your man. He sounds like a keeper. It's freezing here (literally - single digits in the morning) and I'm looking forward to a little warmth. I burned last summer and my oncologist told me that the photosensitivity caused by chemo can last up to 5 years. Blech!

As for me, I still don't know what's going on with my hysterectomy. I was supposed to see the gynecologist yesterday, but the receptionist sent me to the wrong office. Hopefully I'll know more next Tuesday.

To add insult to injury, I have the strangest rash on my abdomen, groin and pubic area. I saw my GP Monday and he, of course, had no idea. He called it contact dermatitis, but I know that's not it. I'm on steroids and they don't seem to be doing anything. So I've got to call the GP back and get a referral to a dermatologist. GOODY!!! ANOTHER DOCTOR!!! The funny thing about it is that the section of my abdomen that they used to create my breast started breaking out with this same crazy rash last week. Which means the process must have started more than six weeks ago - before I had my surgery. And it also means it's not bacterial because I've had a ton of antibiotics since then. It's not such a big deal, but it itches like crazy and it's driving me nuts!

Other than that, I'm doing well. LOL

Let me know what you guys think about maybe a non-BC Yahoo group so we can keep in touch without the emphasis being on BC.

Jen

Hi, everyone!

I'm going to Florida with Greg next week, for the last two weeks of February. It's a great time to leave Cleveland!!! He's going down to do the experiment installation into the Space Shuttle for transport to the Space Station, and it's just $30 per day over his per diem to get an oceanfront condo. Plus, he had enough frequent flyer miles for my ticket. I'm so excited! I've never been to Florida in the winter, and Cleveland is just so dreary.

If anyone wants Jo's snail mail or email address, please email me at funkfamily@cox.net. I don't want to publish it without her permission, but I'm sure she would like to get some mail.

Things are great. I've (finally)and again joined Weight Watchers and have lost 12 pounds since the first of the year. Another 50 or so and I'll be practically perfect - just like Mary Poppins.

We've got a lot going for us, ladies. Every day I can't believe how wonderful it is to be alive. I spend all the time I can with my grandkids, in hopes that they will remember these times when they are grown up, and I'm really old - like I plan to be one day!

Brenda

Hi...just taking a sec to say Mike's CT scan looked good (for bladder cancer) but it showed some kidney stones. Hopefully that's what's causing the problems, but they will confirm with the scope into the bladder on March 1. The urologist sure put a good scare into us!

Brenda - take us all with you!
Jen - did the gyn have an opinion about the blisters? It seems a culture should be done on them asap! Good luck on your biopsy!! b9 b9 b9!
Bev - tell Owen we're rooting for him!
See ya'll later!

heeeelllllooooo!

Oh my! I did NOT mean to shake you all up...!

now listen- I am still wearing a coach hat even if you are all veterans!

remember I told you we are all snowflakes? Well, I am too! Just because I am having this little wingding with the beast again does NOT mean you will too- OK??

AND-
for the record I BEAT MY CANCER.
yep- sounds crazy but this is a whole new one- brand new- has nothing to do with the first one at all...

I still need to get scanned, which is normal operating procedure, but from what the docs have said, this is like getting a first cancer- called a new primary. If the scans are clear then it is still early stage and NOT METS.

Just remember, we have to be followed REALLY CLOSELY forever. And if you had a lumpectomy, then you are at risk for getting a new primary - it is just a fact of life.
But my risk factors had help-
I tested positive for the BRCA gene- so that increased my chances...

Don't let what is happening to me scare you. Please girls, USE IT to kick your doctor's butt if they don't give you mammos/breast MRIs/ and regular scans. Use me as an example... give em my phone number!!!

I am going to be ok! YOU ALL WILL BE TOO!!!!

I love you Junesterettes!!!

g

Hello, Ladies -

I've got some lousy stuff going on at the moment - most pressing is the thought that the doctor may have nicked a vessel last Tuesday when she did my uterine biopsy. So I'm off to see the doctor again to find out why I'm having this bleeding and hopefully she can stop it. Blech! Also, the dermatologist thinks my blisters are a staph infection I got in the hospital. Oh yeah. And the tape they used to cover the gauze on the biopsies he took burned and blistered my skin and I tore a chunk off when I removed the bandage. I don't blame them for that, though, because the nurse asked if I was allergic to tape. I usually have a very, very slight reaction, but nothing like this. I think my body is just rebelling against everything right now!

Anyhoo - when things calm down around here I'll open up a Yahoo Group for us to hang out at that will just be plain old fun and help us keep up with each other in a non-BC environment. I'll let you know when I've done that. As to when that will be will depend on what happens today.

Hugs to you all!!

Jen

Oh Jen-I feel so bad for everything you are going through right now. Sending a big hug to you-gentle hug.
Another good week for Owen. His doctor enjoyed Owen's non-stop talking today. Next week he is back on two treatment routine-BOO but at least he had a nice break from the nastier stuff.
Bev

The doctor doesn't think it's a vessel. She thinks it just because everything is so "open" since the biopsy. (how yucky is that??) Anyway, she gave me a script to stop the bleeding, but she doesn't want me to fill it until she's talked to my onc to make sure it's okay for me to take. Also, I have a pelvic ultrasound tomorrow morning and she said that would catch a hemorrhage. But I'm feeling much better because things seem to be slowing down considerably. As for the possible staph infection, I called my derm today and told the nurse I need to get started on antibiotics NOW and not in two weeks when the path results get back. She was going to call the lab and put a rush on the pathology and talk to the doctor first thing in the morning and then, hopefully, call in the script for that. I THINK things are starting to fall into place.

Bev - I'm so glad Owen is doing so well. I'm sorry he has the double whammy next week, but I'm glad he had a little bit of a break.

Scout - I'm so sorry about your ankle and I really hope they get you all fixed! As for the nipples, my husband has suggested gum drops, possibly affixed with a thick frosting. LOL

Here's a quick update. I DON'T have a staph infection. The dermatologist just thinks my chemistry is so messed up from the chemo that I had a funky reaction to the anesthesia and medication when I had surgery in December.

I never did have to get that script filled. I've pretty much stopped bleeding so that's good. No hemorrhage here.

Now I'm just waiting for my gynecologist to call me back and give me the results of my uterine biopsy and give me an idea for when I can have the ovaries yanked. She was supposed to call YESTERDAY! I called this morning and left a message. It's now nearly 4:00. I'm getting ready to call again. I'm a very patient person, but this is a little ridiculous.

Oy. Anyway, things do seem to be looking up!! AND I get a weekend alone with hubby. The kids are going to a youth conference with church so we get to play and do whatever we want to on Saturday. Just wish I felt like having sex. LOL Hope the weather will be as pretty as they say it will be. Cold, but sunny.

Jen

How is Owen, Bev? Have his counts come up and has he managed to stay healthy? He's in my prayers.

As for me, I have no idea what's going on. I feel like I'm getting the run around. I finally talked to my gynecologist yesterday, who had finally talked to my oncologist yesterday morning. He told her I didn't need to have my ovaries removed unless I was positive for the BRCA gene. HUH??? We never discussed that! And if I don't have to have my ovaries removed then why do I have to have those blasted Zoladex injections? Then my gynecologist told me my bleeding episodes weren't periods, they were just due to the changes in my endometrius consistent with Tamoxifen. No, No, No! I know my body pretty well and I know they were periods! I have no doubt I was producing estrogen, but nobody took any blood tests at the time to make sure.

I see my oncologist this afternoon and boy do I have a ton of questions for him. The gynecologist sounded almost as exasperated as me and she was happy I would be seeing him today. He's supposed to call her after my appointment so maybe I'll have some sort of plan by tomorrow. Then again, I'm not going to hold my breath.

I still have those yucky blisters and I keep finding another one here and another one there, here and there being on or near my nether-regions. Annoying doesn't come close to how I feel about them. I see the dermatologist next Tuesday and I really hope he can tell me what's going on. I think I may have some sort of virus.

All I know is that I have 3 months, 3 weeks and 2 days to get this mess cleared up before I go to Hawaii!!

Speaking of which, I joined Weight Watchers on Tuesday and so far I've managed to stick to it. One and one third days down, about a bajillion left to go. I've done WW online with a little bit of success, but I'm going to meetings now. Hopefully that will help me be more faithful.

Hope the rest of you are doing well. I did get a new car and that's making me extremely happy. Shallow of me, I know. But that's how I roll. LOL

Jen

I'm back from the onc's and I'm feeling better about everything than I have for a while now. Here's the latest.

No more Zoladex injections. No oopherectomy. No more anything other than just regular follow ups. YAY! My estrogen levels have not gone up according to my labs. However, I just had a Zoladex injection a month ago so it wouldn't show anything. And my doctor doesn't think estrogen would pose much of a threat to me as I'm taking Tamoxifen and I don't have any breast tissue. But if my estrogen levels do go up, then I'll have a medical reason for the surgery. But it's not a big huge rush thing so I'm just going to put all that mess aside and deal with healing from the reconstruction.

And yes, Watson. I showed the onc my rash and he said, "Oh. That looks like shingles to me." I HAVE HERPES! LOL So he gave me a prescription for Valtrex (just like on the commercials). If it truly is some variation of shingles or herpes or whatever, then I should show significant improvement by next Monday. If that's the case, I'm cancelling my appointment with the quack, I mean dermatologist. He's a really nice guy, but I don't think he's a very good doctor. We weren't all that impressed with his "care" of our son so I think it's time to move on.

He said my blisters should be all cleared up before we go to Hawaii so I don't have to worry about them clashing with my coconut shells! )

Jen

I'm back! I looked out the window Friday morning and thought, "Who's messing with the view, where's the ocean and blue sky?" And then it started to snow. I really, really, didn't want to get on the plane to come home. The weather was absolutely perfect ! 80 degrees, sunshine every day but one. I even got a bit of a tan.

I've been on WeightWatchers since Jan 2, and I went to two meetings while I was in Florida. I lost over 2 pounds while I was there.

In general, things are good, except that I'm sick of winter. I'm so ready to get out in my gardens. We're going to plant fruit trees this year, and I plan to be around to see them in fruit.

My husband and one of my sons (both engineers) are thinking of starting a new business. I would be the official owner as well as the business manager. The focus will be in developing alternative and renewable energy sources, but also will develop innovative management systems for conventional energy. It's great to be looking forward. I admit that a lot of times I say (to myself- not out loud) that I hope I will be around long enough to see this all work. But I just act as though I don't have this cancer worry hovering. I don't think any of my children think about it at all.