IBC lounge: roll call, support and just a good place to hang out

Thanks so much for the input from everyone! much appreciated!

Hi Lori- it was truly a crazy late afternoon on Friday but it's Monday morning & I'm feeling a whole lot better! Since I had such apparent swelling in my right arm, the onco decided to run "a quick ultrasound to rule out a blood clot" (she actually said to me later that she even she was surprised that the radiologist found one). This is my 3rd round of Herceptin during the past 8 yrs. First, after my initial diagnosis (post treatment) for a yr (which is protocol for Her2) and then again in 2015 with Herceptin/Perjeta. I did well after both and was NED for at least a year following each time so I'm hopeful that this new combo (Herceptin/Navelbine) will do the same since it just seems to keep "popping back up" in my lymph nodes. Saturday I was down for the count but yesterday I was able to go to Church and a bit of shopping so I'm anticipating being able to continue to work on this combo-fingers crossed! Have a great week!

Fran, good thing she decided to do that ultrasound,and even better that the radiologist found it! Glad to hear that your first round of Herceptin and Navelbine wasn't too bad.

I'm not NED and probably never will be according to my MO, but so far Herceptin & Perjeta is keeping me stable enough with a good quality of life that I hope to stay on it until it stops working...and I hope that turns out to be many years. I know that you have to be off a chemo drug for a certain number of years before you can try it again, didn't know if that applies to Herceptin too, but sounds like it's been 3 years for you?

That's why I say, no news is good news around here! Is your breast in good shape for the mastectomy Amarantha?

It wasn't really rescheduled, just that the surgeon gave me a date over the phone, and either he messed up or I heard wrong, or ... who knows. It was a nonsensical date because it was a Saturday and nothing happens on a Saturday apparently. Yes TT, my breast is in fine shape - I'll almost miss it, but I'm looking forward to being flat on both sides. Now what shall I wear ? I guess nothing for a while !

I've been to two concerts and written two new reviews since we last talked, I had such a great time, it helps keep my mind off of yucky things. Now hubby is suffering an attack of gout and feeling so miserable I gave him some of my codeine. I hope he feels better in time to be my slave after the operation !

Amarantha, I bet it feels solid to get a plan moving forward, even if the date might be scrambled. My mom's been flat on both sides for a long, long time and she really likes it. She wears comfortable, soft undershirts and then dresses in loose-fitting, drapey tops, frequently with a jacket, sweater, or blazer. She looks fabulous.

Gout! Poor guy! I have heard that gout and kidney stones rival childbirth when it comes to ouchiness. Hope he's better very soon.

Wow, big cyber hugs for you Amarantha. I'd suggest a crater might have been expected! Take it easy in recovery and keep us posted.

Glad to hear that you came through a difficult surgery feeling great Amarantha. Rest up and take good care of yourself.

Amarantha, about that crater. We can all come and bring some spackling paste. We'll have that crater filled in and smoothed over in no time. You'll love it.

So wonderful to hear from you Amarantha! Take it easy and give your body time to heal. Wishing you all the best:)

It's getting down to the wire for me--I have thirteen more days at work before RETIREMENT and about sixty projects to finish up. The house is up for sale, which means every...tiny...thing...is spotless, de-cluttered, fresh flowers, no-one-really-lives-here "staged." I told my hubs he must pee in the backyard and never think about touching the bathroom towels. All of our real STUFF is in boxes, stacked up in the garage, trying to look unobtrusive but failing miserably. Movers come on October 29th, ready or not!

Amarantha, lovely to see your message. Glad you're doing well--we'll take "bumbling along" anytime. Rest, recover, heal. SB

Hi TT, I'm looking forward to the pathology report, but it will take at least three weeks I am told. It is a long process. Meanwhile I will soon be back on Halaven.

sbelizabeth - emptying your house for staging - that's what my parents are in the midst of as well. I empathise !

Oh TT, great video! Real people telling how it is. The motto "breast cancer is more than a tumor" made me cry.

Welcome Lissa, that’s quite a dreadful run of bad luck. You’ve had all that medical toxicity and financial toxicity to boot. The fact that you are a long-term survivor is the best news of all.

TT I thought of you while watching the premiere of a new TV drama series on ABC called "A Million Little Things" because one of the lead characters is a MAN with breast cancer! Apparently the message is getting out.

Status quo here, hope everyone is doing well.