Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Thansk Binney for popping in and giving us all the "swell" info. on lymphedema.

Mel - I'm so glad to hear that after only 2 days your PS saw improvement.  That is very "uplifting" news.  And don't worry what you look like sweetie, most of us are not exactly in prime physical shape right now (maybe Jan, our rockclimber, is).  And don't worry - we'll go on a shopping spree at the Fashion Mall, which is a not far from our hotel, and shop 'til we drop.

Happy Fourth of July my American sisters.

Hi all,

Just a quick hi.

Mel,

Having an improvement so soon is great. I am so glad you got your ticket to LV. I agree with Caya, please don't worry about how you look. I wanted to loose 10 pounds before I got there, but that is just not going to happen. This is not a beauty contest, just good friends wanting to spend time together for fun and laughs and hugs. Humor is the best medicine. 

I think you will have to e-mail Rebecca to send you a new invitation to the charts. My invite has my name on it. 

Happy Fourth everyone,

Love,

Viddie 

Hi Ta Ta's,

Binney, thanks for the info on lymphedema.  I only had 1 node removed, so I think my chances are pretty slim, however I travel on planes a lot..hmmmmm.

Mel, YAY on getting your ticket to LV.  Great news about the improvement so quickly, each day will be better!

Viddie, how did your appt. w/ Dr. Lee go?

Joni, hope you are having fun with the stampede!

I had a lousy day at work on Thursday and was driving home. George and I were supposed to go out and he called me while driving to let me know he was running behind.  So my car just drove itself off the highway and exit early and parked at the mall.  I bought 2 cute sundresses for LV.  I must have tried on 15 dresses..the styles these days aren't so flattering for my body type, but I like the 2 I bought.

We are in a really lousy weather pattern here in New England. Real muggy, cloudy skies and thunderstorms every day...yuck!  Where are the nice, dry, sunny 80 degree days that we love?  George and I have Red Sox tickets for Wednesdays day game.  Not sure if any of you know much about  Fenway Park, but if you do, you'll understand how excited we are because our tickets are in the monster seats.  Woo Hoo!  

Hope everyone is having a nice Fourth weekend.

love and hugs,

Lynn

Hi Ladies,

I second Viddie's opinion...I don't care what any of us look like, I will bask in the presence of my Bodacious Ta Ta Sisters and glory in the wonderfulness of us.



If it makes anyone feel better I 've gained 7 pounds on Aromasin -- seems to be the average from what I've read -- and it just won't come off.



We had another neighborhood picnic last night, lots of fun times. Grendel was played with by the 3 darling neighbor girls til the point of exhaustion so they were all happy. I made deviled eggs and have been deluged with requests for the recipe. My secret is using brown mustard rather than yellow and adding a tablespoon or two of basil. We ended up at another neighbor's beautiful screen porch for dessert.



DS2 went to Chicago for the weekend and DS1 is busy in Milwaukee with friends. We may go to a little nephew's birthday party tomorrow. Otherwise it's been a quiet weekend. I finally got this outdoor dining set I've had my eye on and I spent the afternoon outside under the umbrella, reading frivolous publications. It felt like vacation.



Melia, I'm glad the sleeve is working out. You'll feel more confident on the plane, I'm sure. I didn't have any problems when I flew to Baltimore last March but then I only lost one node. And I have had some occasional light swelling. I still keep my left arm out of the whirlpool.



Mel it's great the wound vac is working so well on you. Shows you are a good healer.



As for telling the husbands things, I think I've mentioned this before but the book "Breast Cancer Husband" has been a godsend for us. My DH is not a reader but he has made good use of this one and it has been so helpful in helping him to "get" it. He is still reading and referring to it now and then. I've learned things from it, myself. I don't think it's ever too late for it, either.



Happy 4th to all - Skye

Viddie -  I also have vaginal atrophy due to the Tamox., chemopause, chemo in general,etc.  I always had UTIs, but many more since this whole lovely merry-go-round began.  I tried Replens, I tried Vitamin E capsules, nothing worked. I finally broke down and asked my onc. and although I am also triple positive, he said I could use Vagifem.  So I just finished my 2 weeks of the initial insertions, and I can't believe the difference.  It becomes a quality of life issue.  I really wanted to avoid using it, but Vagifem apparently is very low dose, and I was having UTIs every 4 -6 weeks.  (Not to mention the sex issues). So now I will go down to 2x/week, and then once a week.  why don't you ask your GP if you want to try Vagifem. It's so true, it never seems to end.

Tina - that story about your "miscarriage" with little Paul is unbelievable, yet so believable.  You really have to be on top of everything.  When I had my hysterectomy in 2004, I came home from the hospital, and just did not seem to be bouncing back.  I was really tired, beyond what should have been normal after that surgery.  After about 3 weeks, I was short of breath one day, nearly fainted, so my mother took me to the ER - turns out I was anaemic - like I practically needed a blood transfusion.  It seems the hospital where I had my hyst. discharged me that way - my gyn. did not review my final bloodwork - her "residents" were supposed to do it, but I guess they didn't.  My GP was furious when she found out, and she said if I had wanted to, I could have "made trouble" for my gyn.  I did tell me gyn. when I went for my post-op checkup, and she did apologize. It's always something...

Oh yes, Melia, if my claim to fame is being the resident UTI expert - OY!!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.  We had gorgeous weather here - 27 C (mid 80s), sunny, not a cloud in the sky. We went to one of our neighbours for a pool party/barbq yesterday - he made whole chickens on the barbq with different seasonings, and stuffed the cavity of each chicken with citrus fruit - I cannot begin to tell you how moist and delicious it was.

Today I've been doing some paperwork, expecting everyone home for dinner in about an hour, so I made some hamburger patties - here's a little trick for you low-carbers, and to sneak some veggies in for your kids and they won't know it - peel about 1/2 of a green zucchini, then grate it.  Squeeze out any water, and then mix it into 2 lbs of ground beef (or chicken, turkey etc.).  I add grated garlic, a small grated onion, some spices. and voila - you don't need to use breadcrumbs, the zucchini binds it.  Tastes yummy, no carbs, more veggies.

Congrats on being one year out from chemo Melia - and don't be so hard on yourself. 

I am going to ask my gyn in Sept about Vagifem if I can wait until then!  Bike riding outside has been painful even when I manage to not fall off the bike.  I bought a gel seat and that helped a little but I definitely think the Tamox has played havoc with that area.  It's funny because I don't have a problem inside biking on a stationary bike, but then again there are no bumps and I'm on it for an hour instead of two.  The over the counter stuff helps only for a short while.  Hugs

Skye - I recommend chocolate to combat the effects of scanxiety. I think JK Rowling is right about it's medicinal effects. I have a regular appt with my surgeon this week that I've been dreading for the last month. I don't think I'll ever get over that anxiety.

I've had an exhausting weekend, but it was fun. Unfortunately DH had to work most of the weekend b/c of some "crisis" going on in the office that had to be resolved by Monday. So I took the kids to the pool on Friday. There were very few people there so I decided to swim laps. Ouch. I thought I was in better shape, apparently not. After the pool we left our baithing suits on and gave the dogs a bath in the backyard. That was fun (more fun for us than the dogs). Then we headed out to what was supposed to be an afternoon of rock climbing for the kids then watching fireworks, but it started pouring rain right after we got there. Eventually the fireworks were cancelled, the rain never did let up. So we just went out to dinner.

Saturday morning we went to DH's parent's campground where they put  on a spectacular fireworks show. The girls had a blast running around with their cousins, fishing in the pond, and looking for crawfish in the creek. There was a big cookout too with all of the extended family and assorted regular campers - for the most part I hadn't seen these folks since last 4th of July when I was bald. So "fun" to see all the turtle faces out again. The worst part is I hadn't given it any thought until I heard the first "you look sooo great" (translation: last year you looked half dead). I wasn't mentally prepared for the onslaught - I should have seen it coming. Oh, well. Sr@#w them. I try to keep thinking that they mean well - but honestly I think some of them don't.

Viddie - shudder about the surgery in the paper. When I went in for the mastectomy they had everything written down in my file for the wrong side. The mistake was easily caught when they asked me to verify and write on the correct side with a sharpie - but chilling anyway. I took my file and read every page of it to make sure they hadn't made any other errors.

Good night all. 

Jan, it sounds like you had a very full weekend. Too bad your fireworks were rained out, and really too bad about the turtle faces - you would think after all this time we wouldn't have to deal with that, but I guess that's the only way some people can think of to relate to us. Good luck on your appointment with the surgeon - I'm sure all will be fine.

Caya, good luck on your appointment too. And it is probably wise to get that sleeve, just in case.

I'm having a CT of the chest in the morning to recheck the spots in my lungs - if they are still unchanged, they will quit checking them so often and just assume they're benign. I see my oncologist tomorrow afternoon, then the PS on Tuesday. How am I supposed to rest with all these appointments! The home health nurse came again this afternoon and it went b etter than the first visit did. Harrison lay right beside me during my dressing change, again - it is *his* bed after all, and I am *his* mom, so he wasn't about to budge. Fortunately the nurse is an animal lover.

Skye, I'll be thinking of you and all your tests and appointments - we all seem to be having those right now. Sorry you didn't feel up to the party today, but you may as well stay home if you're not up to a crowd. We walked down the block to visit with some neighbors last night (they were sitting out in lawn chairs in a circle on their driveway, having some wine) and Larry had to drag me down there. I was glad I went, as I usually am, but it is hard sometimes to make myself do things. Especially with this box attached to me - I really just want to stay home where nobody will stare at me.

Sounds like we all need Vagifem or the like. My doc gave me Premarin cream last year, but I like the Vagifem better - same result, less mess. So, I may ask the onc. for some of that again tomorrow.

Larry cooked salmon and asparagus out on the grill tonight, so we had a very good dinner - found out our sweet dog LOVES salmon, so he got lots of nibbles. I am amazed at how much Larry has been doing - he's really doing such a good job of doing my work. I hope he isn't getting tired of this - it can't be much fun for him. However, we are both learning some things, I think.

Time for bed - everybody have a good week, and minimal scanxiety!

Caya I hope you took the ativan, though good for you for being able to wean yourself off them. I'm usually getting by on one Advil PM per night. Thinking of you today as you get your mammo.



Someone sent me an email with home remedies, and one claims if you take two alka-selters at the first sign of UTI, that stops it. I guess it couldn't hurt to try.



Mel, I'm glad your dh dragged you to the neighbors for some wine. How long will you have the wound vac attached?



Jan, isn't that true about the turtle faces. Those two at church yesterday depressed me for the rest of the day, on top of the one or two I'd already experienced at the neighborhood party Friday night. And I get that "you look sooo good," too. I think they expect us to look like prisoners of war or something. For pete's sake, we just want to party like everyone else! Thank goodness we will soon have a chance to do that with no turtle faces in sight.



Melia, does the massage feel really nice on your arm? Would be great if you could always have the therapist do it, wouldn't it? I'm thinking I need to schedule a full massage this next week or so just to cope with the scanxiety.



Waiting for t-storms and the window guy, wonder which will show up first? - skye

Rebecca, the sleeves look like a one piece ace bandage and are elasticized. A bit of a challenge to get on, but I am getting better at it. My insurance only covers two sleeves and two gauntlets a year, so I went online and bought two more of each. I want to keep one is pristine condition, and then rotate the others. I can't plan on them drying overnight, so felt I needed three to use regularly. The were about $75 a set of sleeves and gauntlets, so not cheap, but oh well. I need them. And because I have Kaiser, there is no way they will authorize more, or maybe I just don't have the energy to fight with them. Like Jan says, they do come in colors, but I stuck with beige. I am already self conscious enough wearing them. The massage is evidently a very light touch, not like a regular massage. I start learning that technique next week.

And my heart is broken for Janie and her family. I cannot imagine that level of anguish.

I should've stayed in bed today. Had to get up early for my CT scan, which I did - got through that ok, and back home. Couldn't seem to get anything done at all today, and I had a big list. This afternoon I went for my oncologist appointment, and she already had the results of my CAT scan. The lung spots are unchanged, but now I have something suspicious on my sternum. Monday I have a full body bone scan. I'm trying not to be worried until I have to be, but can't help but wonder if this is the beginning of mets. I always did have a feeling it would come back. However, I'm also convinced I'll outlive this, so there you go...... Guess I'll just wait until next week to see.

When I came out of my appointment, someone had backed into the left front corner of my car. No number or name left, they just drove off. Just one more thing.

I think I'll go have a little nap. Later, girls.

Mel - I agree with Jan - you are more than due for some good news.  Try not to get too anxious ( I know it's easier said than done). 

I had a good nap today Mel, I hope yours was good too.

good night ladies.

Mel,

I agree with Jan-you are ready for some good news. I also agree that ct scans can show every little thing, so I am predicting your sternum will be okay. It has to be. In the meantime, we are here for you. I would be a wreck, so we totally understand if you have scanxiety.

Caya,

I am so happy you had good results.

Rebecca,

That is so heartbreakingabout Janie. I can't even imagine.

I am at Arlene's house. She is resting right now. I will be home tomorrow night.

Love,

Viddie