Just had followup after tests...

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camul
camul Member Posts: 2,537
in Breast Cancer #1
Dr. Says overall my mets are about as stable as they will get with the severity of the involvement. Unfortunately the pain continues. He said we will not worry about the liver until I start turning yellow or my liver functions are bad, and we will keep a watch on it, as it may be cancer.

I will only have 3 more chemos, then I am done for a while. At that point it will have been 9 months of chemo 3x a month. I will continue with Xgeva shots once a month for the bones, and will start in 1 month on Arimedex (an estogen inhibitor), as Tamoxifen was toxic in my system, and will continue with monthly bloodwork and scans at 3 months.

His main concern at this point is with the bones, as the tumors have left holes in my spine and I am not always very steady on my feet. I have to be extremely careful that I do not break a hip or any other bone on my falls as he said that can cause a downward spiral with the cancer.

Like others, the thought of no chemo scares the hell out of me! He assures me that the break will do my body good and when the numbers change again, as they will, then we can start again. He told me to enjoy the times now that I am feeling good. So after the next month (this chemo is tuff), that is what I will try to do!!

Thanks for listening,
Carol
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Comments

  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #2
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    Oh Carol,
    My thoughts and
    Oh Carol,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you. I'm so sorry that you're in pain and going through this.
    Stay strong and fight.
    HUGS,
    Wanda
  • Clementine_P
    Clementine_P Member Posts: 518 Member
    #3
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    You are so strong
    Carol, your strength and courage are so inspiring. You are really going through a tough time but you still have so much tenacity. I know that someone with your fortitude will be okay. I hope this chemo continues to keep you stable for a long long time after it is over and that the side effects tail off very soon.

    Best wishes,
    Clementine
  • debi.18
    debi.18 Member Posts: 850 Member
    #4
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    Extra hugs
    I'm sorry you are still in pain. Just wanted to let you know you're in my thoughts.

    Extra Hugs,
    Debi
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #5
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    debi.18 said:

    Extra hugs
    I'm sorry you are still in pain. Just wanted to let you know you're in my thoughts.

    Extra Hugs,
    Debi

    I know it can be so scary.
    I know it can be so scary. If you trust the doc, then go with what he says, and try to think of recovering, rebuilding, as a way fighting too. I hope those bones can get stronger off the chemo too. Hugs hugs hugs.
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #6
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    carkris said:

    I know it can be so scary.
    I know it can be so scary. If you trust the doc, then go with what he says, and try to think of recovering, rebuilding, as a way fighting too. I hope those bones can get stronger off the chemo too. Hugs hugs hugs.

    Carol--my thoughts and prayers are with you
    Let's hope that the bones are strong and sturdy and that the rest of treatment goes smoothly. Hang in there, sweetie. You are a very courageous woman who inspires us all.

    Hugs, Renee
  • sbmly53
    sbmly53 Member Posts: 1,522
    #7
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    Carol,
    I'm so sorry that you have pain. It sounds like your dr is on top of everything. Keep posting, we're here.

    Sue
  • epark
    epark Member Posts: 339
    #8
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    missrenee said:

    Carol--my thoughts and prayers are with you
    Let's hope that the bones are strong and sturdy and that the rest of treatment goes smoothly. Hang in there, sweetie. You are a very courageous woman who inspires us all.

    Hugs, Renee

    Carol...
    everytime i read one of your posting whether is your own or your posting on someone elses you are always so strong and inspiring the way you handle life...that strength will keep you going many, many years from now...like Renee said you are very courageous and inspiring...

    you are in my prayers...

    HUGE HUGS
    Eva
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #9
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    Carol
    I have mets in the lungs. My oncologist told me that breaks from drugs with mets are being looked into with trials and it seems to help. Are you using a cane for support? I even use a cane even in the house after a bad fall last December. I was so careful outside, never dreaming that a fall would take place inside.

    I fell years ago while on Arimidex. A fall so insignificant that I remembered it only because I had to crawl to a snowbank in order to have traction to stand up. I fractured 3 vertebras. I live in the NE and carry a container of salt even in my car.

    Best to you,

    Doris
  • aysemari
    aysemari Member Posts: 1,596 Member
    #10
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    Keep it up Carol!
    I can imagine how scary the thought of no chemo must be to you....

    But it is not in your power and your doctor is most likely right
    and your body could really take a break. So nurse and nourish your
    body and take good care of yourself.

    Thinking of you.

    Hugs,
    Ayse
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #11
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    Carol
    My heart goes out to you. I hope getting off chemo helps in how you're feeling. I started falling 5 years ago resulting in both shoulders being broken. I've had 11 surgeries prior to mastectomies. Arimidex can mess with bone density. I already have osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease and lumbar spinal stenosis. I certainly hope you do whatever you need to ensure you don't fall. I have a cane and use when my knees are really aching. I'm sending you cyber wishes for strength, faith and courage.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #12
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    Just take it slow
    Carol. Are you walking with a cane or something to help steady you? I think we all get used to taking something to ward off this thing and it's scary NOT being on meds. I hope the break does you good and you can have some relief from the pain.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Hugs,

    Sylvia
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #13
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    Carol, I hope you take full
    Carol, I hope you take full advantage of your break from the chemo and get more time with your family. You are so inspiring to me.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #14
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    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    Carol, I hope you take full
    Carol, I hope you take full advantage of your break from the chemo and get more time with your family. You are so inspiring to me.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    Carol,
    You are the definition of a true warrior and my everyday trials pale in comparison to yours. If you can have that much strength and love going through everything you have, so too can I. You and a few other women here on this board are such great role models. Keep fighting dear sister... we love you dearly.

    Hugs,
    Lorrie
  • Barb A
    Barb A Member Posts: 123
    #15
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    You're in my prayers
    Carol, I'm sorry you are going through this. Please be careful and know that you are thought of.

    Hugs and prayers
    Barb
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #16
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    Barb A said:

    You're in my prayers
    Carol, I'm sorry you are going through this. Please be careful and know that you are thought of.

    Hugs and prayers
    Barb

    Carol ...
    I so admire you, and your take on life with this beast. I am so inspired by you, your attitude and FIGHT.

    Keeping you close to my heart, and in prayers.

    Vicki Sam
  • Different Ballgame
    Different Ballgame Member Posts: 868
    #17
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    You Have Great Spirit
    Dear Carol,

    I don't know how you do it. All I could think of while reading this post is that you are a woman who has great spirit. One word that I never use regarding cancer is the word...soldier. However, that is exactly who you are...you are a soldier marching forward...a soldier who has great spirit.

    You are in my prayers.

    Lots of Love and Lots of Hugs,
    Janelle
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    #18
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    Different Ballgame said:

    You Have Great Spirit
    Dear Carol,

    I don't know how you do it. All I could think of while reading this post is that you are a woman who has great spirit. One word that I never use regarding cancer is the word...soldier. However, that is exactly who you are...you are a soldier marching forward...a soldier who has great spirit.

    You are in my prayers.

    Lots of Love and Lots of Hugs,
    Janelle

    Carol,
    I will just send a
    Carol,
    I will just send a big hugs and prayers to you. You have great spirit.

    Stef
  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl Member Posts: 1,077
    #19
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    fauxma said:

    Carol,
    I will just send a
    Carol,
    I will just send a big hugs and prayers to you. You have great spirit.

    Stef

    we are here for you~
    Carol, we are always here to listen, and some of us are in the background, reading & praying about each persons journey. I hope your body will rebound from the rest, and break from the treatment~ It is hard to rest when you are in pain. So I will pray for rest, restoration, and relief from the pain.
    Take care~
    Melanie
  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #20
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    I cant tell you all what each of you and this site means to me.
    Your support, prayers, and yes Traci your humor:) means everything to me. I read your posts and most of the time they lift me. Yesterday was hard. Hardest was trying to explain to my boys why not having chemo is scarry. As much as I hate it, it has been one thing that psychologically meant that I was part of the active fight to get this bas*ard. Now without it it will almost be like riding solo.

    Didn't get much sleep, but kept going back to what it will be like not be sick for so many days out of each month, until we resume the chemo, and that made me smile. Then one of my 4 sisters suggested when my numbers come back up after I finish, we should get all 4 sisters together and take a trip to Minnesota to see my sister and her family, and see all our relatives in Wisconsin. That would be nice, but I think going home to so. California and the beach, San Diego and Orange County would be better. So we will see. They all think I need something fun.

    Still hard to believe that I started chemo in January, and it will be 9 months 3x a month! Amazing! And so thankful, that I am still here to enjoy my life.


    Thanks to all of you for your prayers, support, words of wisdom, and well wishes, we need them all sometimes from people who really understand!

    Luv you all,
    Carol
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808
    #21
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    camul said:

    I cant tell you all what each of you and this site means to me.
    Your support, prayers, and yes Traci your humor:) means everything to me. I read your posts and most of the time they lift me. Yesterday was hard. Hardest was trying to explain to my boys why not having chemo is scarry. As much as I hate it, it has been one thing that psychologically meant that I was part of the active fight to get this bas*ard. Now without it it will almost be like riding solo.

    Didn't get much sleep, but kept going back to what it will be like not be sick for so many days out of each month, until we resume the chemo, and that made me smile. Then one of my 4 sisters suggested when my numbers come back up after I finish, we should get all 4 sisters together and take a trip to Minnesota to see my sister and her family, and see all our relatives in Wisconsin. That would be nice, but I think going home to so. California and the beach, San Diego and Orange County would be better. So we will see. They all think I need something fun.

    Still hard to believe that I started chemo in January, and it will be 9 months 3x a month! Amazing! And so thankful, that I am still here to enjoy my life.


    Thanks to all of you for your prayers, support, words of wisdom, and well wishes, we need them all sometimes from people who really understand!

    Luv you all,
    Carol

    Carol, That trip seems like
    Carol, That trip seems like just what the dr. ordered. You will feel better once off chemo, build up your strength and enjoy life for awhile before you have to go back to chemo. After 9 months of chemo, you deserve a break. Hope you get to go to the beach. You inspire us and we hope the best for you in the coming days. Keeping you right up there in our thoughts and prayers.

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