Starting Chemo in June 2005

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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited May 2007
    Hey Scout - my dermatologist ran a huge panel of blood work to check for rheumatological conditions, but it all came back negative. I'm really hoping that he can pull some strings next week and get me in with the specialist I'm supposed to see much sooner.

    Jen
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited May 2007
    Oh, Jen So sorry about your Hawaiin trip. You'll have plenty of time to heal and whittle yourself down to grass skirt size!

    I have some sorrow to report. My mother passed away last week from melanoma. She fought it hard for almost 4 years. She went peacefully and we're all doing well.

    I will check out the YAHOO in a bit.

    Watson
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited May 2007
    Watson
    I am sorry to hear about your mom. This must very hard all of you. You and your family are in my prayers.
    Bev
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  • Fi_in_oz
    Fi_in_oz Member Posts: 49
    edited May 2007

    sending you extra special thoughts Watson


    ladies, just a passing thought.. whatever did happen to that box?

    Fi,

    back later... time is illusive (and so is my spelling i think)
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited May 2007
    Hi Ladies -

    I just to post this again in case you missed it before. We've started a private Yahoo group and here's the link:

    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2005junesters/

    Please come by and sign up so we can continue our friendship without us having to focus on BC. Also, if you have any contact with some of the ladies we don't hear from any more, please let them know about it.

    THANKS!
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited June 2007
    Hi Junesterettes!

    Well, Happy Anniversary to us...we made it 2 years!!

    It seems obvious that we have moved on for the most part. It's been 2 1/2 weeks since anyone posted here, and we had drifted to page 3 on the chemo threads. Have we ever made it to page 3 before?? I remember the days when we were always in the top 20 for new posts. I think it's cool that Jen has made the new Yahoo group - I have been really busy with the end of the school year and haven't signed up yet, but I'll look into that soon.

    Watson, I'm so sorry about your mom. You are in my prayers and thoughts! It's good that she went peacefully. I'm sorry that she had been ill.

    Fi, the last news on the box was in October - Kim said she had found the box on her doorstep and she was going to mail it to you after she had a chance to look through it. I don't know what ever happened from that point! I hope it is still with her and not lost.

    Ok, I'm probably talking to myself here, but I just wanted to acknowledge the Junies at least one last time?? And a shout out to NoSurrender who was our mentor - if you read this, I hope you are doing well and that your chemo isn't too hard!! Thanks for all your words of encouragement when we were going through it.

    Nancy
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited June 2007
    Nancy
    Woo Hoo to the Junesters!

    It is amazing how time flies. I was telling someone how I was bald last summer. It took my 8 year old son to remind me that it was actually the summer before!

    They have the Yahoo group going. I think I actually prefer this site though? Maybe I'm just not a yahoo group person. But for some, it's easier to not visit this site as much when you're trying to move on.

    It would have been nice if hte box had not been lost or abandoned. I really enjoyed my turn with it. I put some pretty cool stuff in there too! lol When I got it, it had broken glass and melted chocolates. lol I really enjoyed looking at the pictures people put in there.

    I will comee back to check this thread every so often. It's too sad for me to see it wander to the back pages.

    Woo Hoo JuneBugs!

    Watson
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  • RebeccaH
    RebeccaH Member Posts: 72
    edited July 2007
    It's always such a blessing to come back and visit here. I think it's been 3 months since I last checked in.

    Like NancyM said, we had the chance to visit during the Salt Lake City Surivior Luncheon. Then, we were able to see each other other again at the Race for the Cure. There were over 16,000 walkers/runners, being able to spot my friend in that many people was a miracle in and of itself!

    As far as my health, I am still doing good. I am waiting for the day to come where I can go once a year to the doctor. I'm almost there! My sister decided to join the cancer family by having endometrial cancer. This forced me to take a good, long look at genetic testing. I have been sitting on the fence for the past two years. I am now waiting to here from insurance if they will cover the testing. Then, I can decide if I'm ready for the "no, you don't have the gene." or the "yes, you have the gene," or the "we can't tell if you have the gene." Based on the last expert transcript on the website, they are making more advances in genetic testing. The test is easy....just drawing blood. It's the results that are the scary part.

    Thanks for setting up the yahoo group. I'll check it out soon. I'm so glad to see us all past the 2 year point. On one had, it seems like it just happened. On the other, it seems that it happened SO long ago.

    Happy 4th of July!!!
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited July 2007
    Rebecca I did look into being tested but based on my family history they said I probably had the same chance as the rest of the "normal" population and it wasn't going to change anything. -That Megan and my neice need to have their baseline done at age 30 and every year there after...I even told them about my mother's siblings all dying within the last (now 4) three years of cancer. She has lost four now to it. Claimed it was a roll of the dice and I should not play in Vegas....This from a place that stood to make lots of money off me.
    so I didn't have the test done. And I tell Megan and Brit to be tested young.
    It was nice to find you all here. I haven't posted anything but I do check in once in a while. We have been busy around my house.
    Does anyone else have a post tramatic(SP) stress problem?
    I have been having terrible nightmares. The kind you wake up screaming from. I dream something is out to get me. It was so bad last night it felt like I didn't have a heartbeat until after I got up and walk to the bathroom and back-with all the lights of course. Since I've always tried to figure out what my subconscious is trying to tell me I wondered if it is all left over after everything that happened and is happening. Don't know.
    But I have always thought of this group as being very smart.
    Bev
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  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited July 2007
    Hey Junesterettes!

    LizFl from this group is having emergency gall bladder surgery today. She was in terrible pain with a high fever and had to go to the ER and was admitted.
    Please keep her in your prayers that all goes well.

    Junesterettes stick together!!

    Love you all,
    g
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited July 2007

    Thanks for letting us know!

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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2007
    Gina...thanks for thinking about me. I am home recuperating and was reading through some threads on this board and surprised and glad to see a number of the "Junies" still posting.

    Watson, I am very sorry to hear about your Mom. We were just in Texas last month and it made me think of you going for chemo and getting through traffic with everyone evacuating due to Hurricane Rita.

    It is hard to believe 2 years have passed. Other than this glitch with my gallbladder I've been doing pretty well. Went through some depression and have been taking antidepressants which really help. I did get stuck with some mild lymphedema, but I'm finally getting used to it. My blood counts have been good and I recently had a PET scan that was normal.

    Hope you are all doing well. I had signed up for the box...wonder if it is still going around?

    Take care all:)

    Liz
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited August 2007
    Liz just read about your surgery, how are you feeling?
    Do you need anything?
    I've wondered about the box as well. Since I was one of the first to have it I wonder where it is now and what was added to it.

    I just had another six month check up with Dr. She FINALLY said I looked good and was doing well.
    Gina I haven't been checking back much but I really want to know how you are doing? I think of you often.
    Take care
    Bev
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  • LizFL
    LizFL Member Posts: 377
    edited August 2007
    Bev...great news on the checkup!! Don't you always feel like you need to study or something for the checkups and breathe a huge sign of relief when you find all is well...then it kind of makes me giddy! I am on a 4 month schedule with my onc and think I'll be going to 6 months soon. He wanted me to keep my port in for a full two years after the end of chemo, but I finally got it out in June instead of waiting until November.

    I guess I feel I am as close to normal as I was pre BC as I'm going to get. I hate having lymphedema but am grateful to be a survivor.

    I will be due for a mammo/ultrasound in October and my doctor will probably want to do a bone density since I am on Arimidex.

    Recovery from the gallbladder surgery is going slow, but at least it is getting better each day.

    I have been in touch with Gina and although it is a rough road for her going through all this again, she is hanging in there with the grace and dignity that made us all appreciate her support.

    Hope everyone is doing well.

    Liz
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  • NancyM
    NancyM Member Posts: 289
    edited August 2007
    Hi...Bev and Liz, I'm glad to hear your checkups have gone well! Liz, I'm sorry to hear that you had to have the gallbladder surgery. I hope they didn't do anything to your LE arm. Bev, how are your kids?

    The last that was ever heard about the box is when Kim posted that she was sending it to Fi, but then Fi had asked about the box as well, which makes me think it may have been lost on the way to Australia. I think if we do a second box, we should keep it in the U.S. for the go-around, and then make a little "keepsake" box for Fi. And we should send it certified mail! I'm disappointed that it seems to be lost.

    I hope everyone else is well!
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited August 2007
    nancy-count me in on a second box. I read somewhere here that the candy had melted so I'll keep that in mind when adding to the box again. Maybe the first box will turn up in the news as one of those "ten years later US box turns up in Australia" and we'll all meet up with Fi to have our picture taken with her. Wouldn't that be cool:)
    I had to send Ryan his SS card overnight ( he forgot) and it was $20.00!! He better get that job he needed it for!!
    Take care
    Bev
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited August 2007
    hey guys!
    I would love to do another box. It was fun seeing all the pictures and items from where everyone lived. It is such a shame that it is now lost. When I received it, it was full of melted chocolate and broken coffee mugs. lol

    I just had another check up. I still get the heebie jeebies about a week before that appointment. My onc still doesn't do scans on me. She will do another chest xray and tumor marker bloodwork in January. It would be nice to have a scan to prove there is nothing going on anywhere but I'd probably melt into a pile of goo anticipating the results anyhow.

    Life is good here. I'm going to pick up my VW bug convertible today. It's my post cancer gift to myself. Now that i have long hair that can flow in the wind. lol

    Hope you all are living the life!

    Watson
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  • RebeccaH
    RebeccaH Member Posts: 72
    edited August 2007
    I have just returned from taking my daughter to college in Mississippi. I enjoyed spending some quality time with my daughter. She was glad when it was time to for me to fly home. She was 16 when I was diagnosed, and I am so fortunate that she wasn't affected by my diagnosis (so she told me later). She is taking public speaking, and her first speech is an informative speech. She really warms my heart when she says that she's going to speak on breast cancer. She has to quote three sources, and rest assured, bc.org will be the major one!!!!

    I have received notification from my insurance that they will cover the genetic testing. I just have to follow-up on how much the co-pay is, then make a decision. I am really torn, and honestly, I think this is the hardest decision I have had to deal with concerning bc. I have an appointment with my onc on Tuesday, and I am hoping he'll be able to push my decision--one way or the other. I'm hoping he'll recognize the fact that I've lost 23 pounds, too. Thank goodness for Weight Watchers.

    I, too, like the idea of a second box. Nancy, I'd love to help out anyway possible!!!

    Rebecca
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  • danahollis
    danahollis Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2007
    Hi Junies...

    Well... I'm once again in nervous waiting mode. I found a lump in my "good" breast about a week ago. My lump feels very similar to the one that was malignant... SHOOT! When I felt it my stomach just dropped and I had myself a good cry... and then PM'd NOSURRENDER for a few hugs...

    I'm scheduled for a Mammo and US tomorrow and then 9/5 I'll be going to my previously scheduled Breast MRI. It was supposed to be just for a baseline... but now I guess it may be of the diagnostic flavor.

    I think I'll take the opportunity to ask for a consult with a surgeon to talk about removing my naughty girls altogether. I had just had a lumpectomy before... but I think I really hate them now enough to whip out a paring knife from the kitchen an go to town myself! OK... only mostly kidding!

    I guess I'm holding myself together pretty well... and trying to take my own oft given advice about it being unproductive to worry about the "what if's".

    So... wish me luck!

    I hope you all are doing well and hanging in there as best you can!

    Many hugs,
    Dana
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited August 2007
    You will be in my constant prayers, Dana. Please let us know as soon as you know anything.

    You're a brave lass!!
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2007
    Dana
    You're in my prayers. Did you hear about that woman who was spending a year or 2 in a reasearch lab located at the South Pole. She was an MD and discovered she had BC. I think it was a couple years ago. There was no way they could get her out until Spring, so she had to perform the surgery herself!
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  • danahollis
    danahollis Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2007
    Jenster! I saw your post (small world, huh?) on that very funny chick's blog... the one with the Ebay auction for the cards. That was so funny! She'sa such a great story teller. Anyway, I was meaning to send you a hello.

    Jean... thanks for the prayers... a girl can never have too many of those! And yes, I did hear of her. That was an amazing story. It truly speaks to the power to survive that we all have within us.

    I'll keep you posted.

    Hugs,
    Dana
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited August 2007
    Dana,
    Doesn't this just all suck? Why can't it be that we did our 'time' and get on with our lives?
    Of course you know the drill: 80% of lumps are nothing blah blah blah. It's just that we've gotten bad news before so our minds go there every time we get a lump, bump, pain, etc.
    I had a lumpectomy, too and have been thinking about having ta ta's removed and getting new belly fat boobs. I tell people it's for cosmetic reasons but I just really want all offending parts removed and dealt with harshly. I was told I have a cyst on my ovary. Gyno says no problem, but I want them yanked. Plus gyno says I need to have colon checked (can't really get rid of that, huh?). Oh, and I also have to see orthopedic to see if I have sciatic issues. If not, I have to get tested for MS! I am so tired of being told I'm sick or falling apart. I'm 44!

    And forget about the process of even finding out what's wrong. Why can't it be like on TV? Go to hospital, get diagnosed by handsome smart doctor and then be well on the way to being cured all within an hour?

    Oh wow, I am ranting. Sorry! AND the dealership sold my VW bug before I got there! Probably to some cancer free hussy! lol

    Dana, please post when you know anything. You know we feel for you!

    Watson
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  • danahollis
    danahollis Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2007
    Watson... I know... it just plain SUCKS.

    Well, I went in for my Mammo & US. Not sure what the Mammo showed... forgot to ask. But the US showed the abnormailty. It was black on US with some white flecks. The Dr. told me it looks like fibrocystic changes... mostly liquid but some soft tissue mixed in. He said he doesn't think it's cancer but due to the soft tissue component... that throws a bit of a wrench into the scenario.

    He did a needle biopsy which was amazingly "easy" and took about 6 samples. I will know tomorrow what the pathology is.

    Next Weds morning I have my Breast MRI which I hope will give more answers if there's anything else going on. I also got an appt. next Weds afternoon with a surgeon to talk about options... i.e. removing my naughty boobs!

    So, I'll keep ya'll posted.

    I truly don't feel quite as stressed about this as I did the first time around. Not sure if it's just denial or stupidity!I'll let ya know if that situation changes.

    Hugs,
    Dana
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  • danahollis
    danahollis Member Posts: 161
    edited August 2007
    The results for my biopsy are in... BENIGN, fibrocystic changes = NO CANCER!

    I'm thankful that I do self exams and try to notice changes. I'm even more thankful for the MRI I have scheduled next week so I can get a good idea as to whether or not there's anything else going on... and then, I'll plot their demise!

    Hugs!
    Dana
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  • Jenster
    Jenster Member Posts: 267
    edited August 2007
    WOO HOO!!!! That's cause for celebration!!!!

    So glad to hear the good news, Dana!!

    It's a small cyber-world, isn't it? I see the same people on totally different blogs sometimes, too.
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited August 2007
    Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

    My MRI is Tuesday.

    Keep on keepin' on!


    Watson
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  • rmmom
    rmmom Member Posts: 168
    edited September 2007
    Dana I am so sorry you had to go through all that. You were so brave!
    Watson I'll think of you Tuesday.
    Bev
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  • danahollis
    danahollis Member Posts: 161
    edited September 2007
    I think we are all brave for dealing with this rotten situation and not hiding with our heads in the sand. And Bev... you have had so much to deal with.

    Jen... yes, it is a small world.

    Watson, good luck! I'll be thinking of you, too. Lots of healthy vibes coming your way!

    I'll post again Weds evening and let ya know how my appt goes for my MRI and chat with the surgeon.

    So many hugs to my sisters!

    ~Dana
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  • Watson
    Watson Member Posts: 1,490
    edited September 2007

    Testing the new system here!  If I mess it up, oh well.Tongue out

     I had a breast MRI Tuesday.  No word so I'm going with all is fine.  That wasn't exactly a fun thing to do. 

    But my good news is that I went to orthopaedic today and they say I have bursitis in my hip. lol  Usually not so good news, but I had myself convinced it was the dang C word creeping into my bones.  So got a honking huge cortisone shot and hopefully will be good soon.

     Hope you guys are doing fine!  Dana, let us know how your MRI went. 

    Watson

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