Post Chemo Spa & Shape Up

A word about tattoos.  OMG, they hurt!  I know people covered from head to toe with ink, so when my PS asked me if I wanted him to numb the area, I said no.  Five minutes under the tattoo needle, and I was begging his nurse to go find him to shoot me up.  (And I'm not exactly a wimp- I had two home births- no drugs involved!)  Three days later, they are still sore and itchy.  They don't look very fetching just yet, but my husband is happy that the barbie doll look is gone!  When I go to New Orleans for the artistic touch-up I will have to self-medicate!

MizS- I live in Baton Rouge, about an hour from New Orleans.  I think New Orleans is the most romantic city in the US, excluding the week of Mardi Gras.  (Of course, once I get used to the new tatts, I may just be one of those flashers on the balcony!) Next time you and Eric go, I will meet you for dinner!

Raye- are you not a candidate for reconstruction with alloderm and an implant?  My PS says he has used that technic successfully with women who have very little skin after mastectomy.

I LOVE WEIGHTLIFTING!  I find the repetitiveness very relaxing and not at all boring!  But talk about boring- yesterday I ran two miles!  (Only stopped to walk twice!)

Atonement is a great movie!

I had my second opinion today about the ooph.  Apparently no one cares about my uterus but me.  Is it really a throw-away organ just because I'm not going to have any more kids?  Have any of you had hysterectomies?  Am I still going to want to have sex afterwards?  Please advise!

I'm late for a meeting.  I hope you all have a great week. 

Mary

Mary - I wouldn't think that the uterus is a throw away organ -not at all, but then I haven't been faced with a decision such as yours and hope you find some answers and peace!!!

No, no implants whatsoever for me because of the radiation. The radiation limits my options for recon significantly. No implants and they say no free flaps either.  I am going to wait to make my decision later; I don't want to make the wrong choice. It drives me nuts. Easier just to wait.

Exercise: I guess it's all in what you like. Myself, I like to be moving, so running is great - although here I sit in my gym clothes on the computer instead of getting my lazy a$$ to the gym!

Talk to you guys later.

Mizsissy - The cookies sound great - I say go for it.  I love chocolate chip cookies and love to eat the dough also.  I'm being so bad these days and am afraid I've put on a few pounds (don't have scales at home - thank God).  I've been eating Dove dark chocolates in excess.  I used to have 2 every night for dessert.  Now, I'm up to about 4-6.  I need to stop it!!!!

Mary - Glad to hear about your tattoos but sorry to hear it's painful.  One of these days I'll get tattoos but I need to have my prophylactic on the right side.  I'm trying to get geared up for it in mid-March.  I have an appt the latter part of Feb to have a mammogram and MRI to rule out 'c' before the surgery.  I'm told the prophylactic is different if you don't have 'c'.  Sorry to hear you're struggling with your uterus issue.  When I had my consult about an "ooph" the dr recommended removal of it also due to me taking Tamoxifen and the slight possibility of uterine cancer.  Go with your gut instinct....I know it's hard making these decisions.  Are we ever done with decisions???!!!!????

Hope everyone else is still keeping up with your workouts.  Keep in touch.

Cathy

Wow- cookie cravings, tattoos, prophylactic mast, uterus keep/lose, family, New Orleans, annoying doctor visits, running, weight lifting- all this since my last real visit here. I've been feeling like something was missing from my life not posting these last couple of days but I have been quietly enjoying hearing what you all are doing and have to say. I have been buried in this work of preparing my first real lecture. The first time teaching a class is always labor intensive. I am enjoying it but it is taking up most of what used to be my free time. Class is tonight and I still have some prep to do AND my daughter is coming over. I think next week I will be able to do a little each day and it will be more managable. Even with the busy schedule I have been following up better on my exercise goals- started doing this Denise Austin workout I discovered is on tv every morning at 7am for 1/2 an hour. It is just what I need- some strength and stretching for my upper body weakness and arthritis/Femara stiffness. I've also been consistent with following the Beck Diet Solution that I use with weight watchers. A big piece of this is planning all meals and snacks the night before- really cuts down on the risk of "unplanned eating" (as Beck calls it). Mizzy - you almost did me in with that cookie talk- I didn't know cravings could be transmitted like that right over the internet- I stayed strong though and it went away.

On the prophylactic mast - no one has suggested it to me despite the fact that I probably had this sneaky ILC for about 7 years. Had an MRI of the right breast in November which was clear. Hate the idea of unneeded surgery- on the other hand it would be nice to be even and to not worry about a new bc on that side. Still, no one seems to be thinking I should do this. Wonder why... Allyson

Good morning...it's a gray day, but warmer for a change.  We supposed to get rain!!  I'd probably be depressed if it weren't for your posts!!! 

I am SO ASHAMED OF MYSELF...I feel off the wagon last night and drank on a Monday!!!  And it was a great Monday to boot!!!  Didn't overdo or anything, but this is a hard resolution to keep.  We're going to try to keep it to one(1) night a week, Erik's last working day.

Casey..that encounter, or should I say, non-encounter with your PS is outrageous!!  I haven't had to deal with plastic surgeons (except for one introductory visit which was enough for me), but I completely understand how you feel and I am glad you are filing a grevience.  I hope you don't get the same treatment when you go for a mammo or see your onc?  Actually, I feel we have an excellent quality of care here in Michigan...I have occasional problems with a nurse or doctor, but generally you can find really good people and steer clear of the bad ones.   What does UVA stand for (not U of Va?) I worry about you and Puppy...!!!

Very, very sorry for the cookie comments.  I should not be talking about cookies on a Spa thread.  But I have decided to make them anyway.  I do have desserts now and then without disastrous results, and I think I am grown up enough to make a batch of cookies for friends...after 40 odd years!! 

Mary, hmm, Baton Rouge, are you an authentic, lazy-talking  southern lady?  Is your family from the south?  I used to live in southern Virginia...I know, I know it wasn't that far south but it certainly was culturally the old south.   Back then we were about the only family in town that didn't go back five generations.  I do miss southern culture!!!

Cathy, I am so sorry you have another surgery to deal with...you have made a brave decision!

Allyson..this isn't your FIRST class ever is it?  Just your first time teaching this particular class, right?  I've taught a little and it is a lot of work.  So you are taking Femara too, nice to have a partner here.  I don't know anything about the Beck diet, maybe I should...promise, no more cookie talk!!!!

XXXOOO Miz 

Mary, I have had a nightmare with the hysterectomy as you know. But that being said, I know many women who have had them done without complication. The pathology on my uterus did show atypical hyperplasia so it was the right decision for me. If I had not had complications the laproscopic procedure would have been a breeze because i believe I would have been healed in two weeks. Unfortunately, I had to deal with the other nonsense. I have been reading that the Docs can use an infrared stent to protect your ureters, maybe this is something you can check out when you go talk to the docs. Mine didn't use one.

As far as sex goes, I am sorry to say that we haven't had any yet - the foley bag and the nephrostomy tube aren't too appealing. But certainly the desire is still there. I can't wait to be whole again - then I'll let you know how it goes. Carol

Oh, golly, ladies, I have been MIA except for one post yesterday because I had a girlfriend stay here for the weekend, from Friday through Sunday.  All we did was run around and buy stuff.  Well, SHE bought stuff as I was being pretty good.  LOL  I took her to my favorite haunts, though, to enable her to spend.  Bad me.

It's so nice to be missed.  Thank you all!

Of course, after having had company all weekend, you can imagine that I am quite stuffed right now.  Lots of wine, never mind the food and chips.  Oooooh.  I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy........to be a SPA member.  Well, back on the wagon again.

My latest puzzlement is whether or not I should have my recon re-done.  Due to prior radiation 16 years ago, my implant is not softening as much as it should.    Not horrible, but I'm not impressed, if you know what I mean.  Look great in clothes but have one boob sticking up in the air and one flopping to the side when I am lying down.  That outa look great on the beach! HeHe.  Would surely draw some looks.  Well, I am going back in a couple of weeks to talk to the ps and the other ps in her practice, the one that does the free flaps.  We'll see..........Just another something to deal with. Blah.

PS I like having small boobs, too.  My recon makes me a 34B and I hate it.  Feel like Busty Russell and that's not good for ME.  My old 34A's were just right.

I'm glad to see you other ladies are being good and moving right along.  Shrinks in the group?  Good, because I sure am crazy.

In the meantime, life is good and I'm busy.  Will check in again soon.

Addendum:  (had not read all posts before mine so want to comment) Marygla, I had a hyst at 35, kept the ovaries, so I had absolutely NO s/e's.   I was thrilled at having that damn thing yanked as it kept me housebound for a full day what with the severe bleeding from fibroids.  No more tampons, either!  Yeah!  It was one of the best days of my life.  And sex was just the same AFTER as BEFORE.   Of course, that was MY take on it and I know that some women feel very differently.

Another addendum:  I just saw this really, really interesting thing in the Hammacher Schlemmer catalog:  a rope-less jumprope.  So you can use it indoors, like in the garage.  It should be perfect for me!  What do you think?  Not too expensive as a good rope, alone, is about $20-$30.

http://www.hammacher.com/publish/74619.asp?promo=pe_exercise

Tina

Miz- not to worry re: the "cookie talk" I kind of enjoyed having that craving and imagining eating those cookies. Is this my first time teaching? Not exactly, but it is my first time teaching this class or even one like it (college level lecture class, 3 hours long once a week). Previously I've taught adult ed GED and credit high school, also lab sections of psychology classes. This class has been a huge amount of work but I think will get easier after the first couple of chapters. What has your teaching experience been like? I am interested in fine tuning things a bit- last night I've decided was too much lecture- it went okay but I have a plan to fix that for next time.

I do want to post pics on the Google spot you've created (that I haven't even looked at yet because I've been so insanely busy).

Tina- I still have my uterus not that it does very much anymore since the chemopause and the Lupron injections every 3 months. I do not mind this one bit- like it in fact. Wonder how much $ I've saved on tampons- a fair bit. I don't miss the periods at all and find among other things that my moods are more on an even keel now that the hormone levels are stable. I was already in perimenopause which was making me somewhat crazy and I was sick of that. I do find that my sex drive is different. Mainly it seems like I could go without sex and not really be bothered by that but that once we get involved I get interested and still enjoy it but maybe not quite with the extreme enthusiasm that once was there.

Mizzy- I am delighted with Caroline and Ted Kennedys' endorsements of Obama. Here's hoping that "Super Tuesday" goes well for him.

Carol- Wishing you speedy recovery from the post surgical nightmare problems. Geez- it makes me having that post-mast revolting drain in for 2 weeks last year seem like a minor irritation, which I suppose really that's all it was. 

Raye- your fake hair still looks gorgeous.

Casey- How's it going with the Spanish? I never asked, but do you have a particular reason for learning- like for a trip? work? I am trying to motivate myself to travel somewhere by plane- not too long a flight- I haven't flown for a long time because it totally freaks me out. I think if I can come up with a destination and plan that I can get psyched up about it will seem worth it.

Puppy- Feeling better, yes? Quit still going well? If it's not too intrusive to ask, how many days now?

 Jasmine, Cathy, others hi out there.

I am going to take it easy this morning- I'm wiped out from the class and getting home past my bedtime (actually was still teaching past my bedtime- the class went till 9:15). Wish I had the whole day off but I have clients this afternoon- luckily I enjoy and really like all of them so that makes it easier than if I had someone or worse a whole line up of people who are hard to work with.

I may pop back in later with an update on my Beck DS and decluttering activities. Rainy here today which is so nice- I could go back to bed which is not at all like me. Allyson

Hola chicas ...vanquished, exhausted today...had to go running around to find a pair of frames after a few unsuccessful attempts to get our v-nailer to work for a last minute submission to a show.  I am ready to cave in with a glass of red by the fire with my DH...ready to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of our first date!!  With a bottle of Brunello from our favorite winery in Tuscany. 

I cannot imagine teaching until bedtime, in fact, I cannot imagine doing anything but lolling around for the rest of the day and it's only 5 pm.  

Raye, that's quite a lot of miles; I'm happy if I can do one and a half!!  Does anyone know of any studies that relate aerobic exercise to recurrence?  I betcha it boosts the immune system quite a bit. 

Just popping in to say TGITh (DH has Friday off this week) & happy weekend!!! 

Miz 

Hi All!

Here's my workout update.  Monday and Wednesday: Sports Circuit.  Thursday:  Yoga and Margaritas!  I did not run all week, so I will have to try to this afternoon.

Raye- congrats on your running.  How are you adding miles so quickly?  You are awesome!  Tina- I love jumping rope.  It is great exercise! At sports circuit my husband and I face each other and jump rope, and I can always make him trip up by smiling at him. Casey- I am so sorry you spent that frustrating afternoon waiting for doctors.  Good luck with your scar revision.  I had mine touched up while I was getting tattooed.  My husband took the stitches out this morning.  I have a rounder look now. 

My tattoos still look scabby and gross.

There is very good evidence that exercise reduces risk of recurrence.  Check out this link to read the whole article.

http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/environmental/new_research/20050727a.jsp

Hope you all  have a great weekend. 

Mary

WOW!!!

Busy,Busy,Busy

Hi Everyone, You all have been really working out!!

Allyson, Hi Sweety! It has been a month today(my not smoking)

and I feel wonderful, just want to eat all the time! So I do!!HEHE

Raye, Your hair is in the closet, Should we Talk??

Mizsisy, have fun with Erick, and try and not work so much!

Go Skiing xoxo

{{Carol}} Praying for You Sweety, hope You feel better soon!

do we have a snail mail give away?? if so please send me one for Your self!

Jazzz, No worry about Drinking the Pop!! I don't think it will Kill You!

So You can have another tryxoxo

well gonna go for now, thinking of All of You, and Hope You have a great weekend!

Puppy

Good evening ladies!

It has been a busy week!

Puppy!

Congrats on the smoking cessation.  I knew you could do it!

Carol,

Welcome back!

I admire your positive outlook and I am so very optimistic for you.

Allyson,

I am learning Spanish because I would like to do something positive in developing nations, I love Pedro Almodavar's movies and I would like to understand them without the need to read subtitles and because I wanted to engage my mind with something I didn't think I could be successful at.  Having said that, I realize that my comprehension is similar to that of a two year old.  While waiting for the PS I was eavedropping on a conversation between a two year old and her mom.  Mom was teaching counting and colors and I was spot on! 

Raye,

I am impressed with your running. I ran 1.5 miles today on the treadmill. I know I could have gone further but I was so bored.  I can't wait for warmer weather and trail running.

I had my first and hopefully last (but not because it was a negative experience)visit with a chiropractor today.  PTs and chiropractors have been in a long and bloodless battle with one another since time immemorial.  My staff are not as good at manipulation as I would like so when my neck and pelvis continued to bother me after two weeks I decided to try a DC who has been referring some patients to me.  Well, the doorway now opens both ways.  He did a GREAT job and manipulated only those areas that really needed it.  I think that was why I felt like running today.

My hubbie headed back out for a fishing trip this morning. We are starting to find a rhythm to this part-time living together. I have to say that although I miss him, I really like the reunions! 

Have a super weekend!       

Good evening ladies...just a quick hello before I collapse for the evening.  Have had a crazy two days getting ready for an art show, oh the usual stuff, having to drive through a snow storm to get mats, almost ruining my best submission with an unexpected drip from my chemo nose, cutting ourselves on glass, bleeding onto artwork...just the usual stuff.....but everything is in & now I can relax & fall apart..

Puppy...so very nice to see you again!!!  I thought you had abandoned us!!! And so nice to see & hear from all of you, Casey, Carol, Allyson, Mary, Cathy, Abbadoodles, Raye...too tired to post much, but I've enjoyed reading!!!

XXXOOO Miz 

I'm tired but wanted to say a quick goodnight to you all. We watched (?) part of the superbowl but my attention span is short tonight.

I did work out this weekend, a real workout for a change- 30 minutes on the elliptical keeping my hr at 140 for most of it. Felt good to do it and good to see how far I've come in recovering from all chemo and radiation poisoning last year. Mizzy- hope the art show was a success. Casey- Hay un PM para ti en espanol. Goodnight to all. Allyson

{{{RAYE}}} Hi Sweety!

Yep I guess I am a little proud!!

what a battle ,I pop a piece of candy in my mouth, and seems to make it better!

But, I really have very little want for one anymore!!!!!

sounds like You have been busy!

I too watched the game!! never was so happy to see MOSS get his butt beat, Casey, has said it  all to how we feel about Him!!

{{{MIZSIS}}} My goodness seems like forever that we have talked!

I think it has been 2 days now, and I miss Ya like Crazy!!

Carol,Mary, how are the 2 of You, sending my prayers !

Allyson, You So Funny love ya, kiddo!

Jazzzz, Whats Up???

missing many, sorry one day I will remember

xoxoxoxoxoxox Puppy