Okay pink sisters, here's my update

MyTurnNow

I have hesitated to post because we have some sisters that, in my opinion, are currently struggling more than me. I am speaking of Laurissa, Kari, Nancy and Claudia. These are just the few that come to mind and I know there are others that I am missing, I apologize.

I started this journey in July 2009 with a lumpectomy, chemo and rads. Then, again in August of 2010 it reared its ugly head again. That resulted in a bilateral mastectomy. Now, June 2011 it began again with a multitude of tests and 2 liver biopies. The second biopsy confirmed a small tumor on my liver. I spent many hours deciding, with the help of my oncologist, on the "new" treatment plan. The decision was to do chemo again. I had a port put in this past Tuesday. I will admit that was a very emotional experience because I kept thinking that I would have this port forever. Just another visual reminder of the situation. But, with that said, I had my first chemo, Abraxane, yesterday and it was definately much easier through the port versus a vein in my arm. So, I am happy that I have the port. I am actually feeling fine today and hope the side effects continue to be minimal. I will go this afternoon for the wonderful Neulasta shot. My prior experience with it was some minimal bone pain within 2 days. I have my Tylenol Extra Strength on hand for that. I am on a 21 day cycle for treatment and will have a CT scan in the 8th week to check the progress. I am sitting here imagining that the cancer cells are being eaten away, kind of like the Pacman game.

Traci, this comment is for you, I felt good enough this morning that I went to my Jazzercise class. I didn't see you there! LOL.

Take care and I continue to send healing vibes and strength to my sisters that are struggling.

Love and (((hugs))),
Debbie

missrenee

So glad you posted, Debbie
Sounds like you have a good game plan with your doctors. I like your visualization of those nasty cells being devoured by Pacman!

Stay on course and continue this fight just a little more--you're gonna get there.

Hugs, Renee

fauxma

Debbie,
This is a lot on
Debbie,
This is a lot on your plate. I am glad you are sharing this with us. There is no rating system on here for the degree of problems that we are facing because each one is different but they are dreadful when they affect us. I used to worry about posting because my cancers have been so easy to treat and responded so well and I never had to have chemo. But them I realized that didn't diminish the importance of their impact on me and my life or how I reacted to them. You have had a big journey and just when you thought you were out of the woods, bam, new battles to fight. My prayers, and I am sure others feel the same way, are for all and any with cancer at any stage, grade, etc. There is a gut wrenching fear when we hear the word cancer. Just a word but capable of going to our very souls and changing our lives in that instant of diagnosis. So please know that you are in my heart, my prayers and a big hug is coming to you. You always have a good spirit and are so encouraging. Now I will encourage you to fight, to share, to not diminish what you are going through. It is tough on you physically, emotionally, and in many ways.
And to everyone, whatever your stage, grade etc. we are sisters always and I will be in your corner and praying for you during every moment of your journey.
Stef

rainbow4

Thanks for reporting in,
Debbie, and lots of good vibes as you attack the monster again!
I also used the Pacman visual - when I had radiation. It worked for me, so I'm hoping
you'll have the same success.
((Hugs))
-rainbow4

Sunrae

missrenee said:

So glad you posted, Debbie
Sounds like you have a good game plan with your doctors. I like your visualization of those nasty cells being devoured by Pacman!

Stay on course and continue this fight just a little more--you're gonna get there.

Hugs, Renee

Debbie, You are one mighty
Debbie, You are one mighty warrior. Sorry to hear that the battle is still raging with you but you are such a fighter and a winner. Pacman just loves eating up all those cells and he's alway hungry. Shouldn't be any bad cells left when he gets through. Sending hugs to you and keeping you in my prayers. Soon it will be your turn to again enjoy good health and a good life.

dyaneb123

rainbow4 said:

Thanks for reporting in,
Debbie, and lots of good vibes as you attack the monster again!
I also used the Pacman visual - when I had radiation. It worked for me, so I'm hoping
you'll have the same success.
((Hugs))
-rainbow4

So sorry to hear this Debbie
No matter the degree of the DX it is an emotional thing to hear for anyone, and I can imagine how hard it emotionally was to get that port put in, but you will be glad to have it.I'm so glad that the treatment hasn't been too rough on you so far.
Hugs
Dee

jamiegww

Thanks for the update.
No matter what everyone else is going through, we still want to know about you too! I'm so sorry you are going through this yet again but it sounds like you are handling it very well. Keep us informed and we will be here for you!

HUGS!!!
Jamie

MAJW

jamiegww said:

Thanks for the update.
No matter what everyone else is going through, we still want to know about you too! I'm so sorry you are going through this yet again but it sounds like you are handling it very well. Keep us informed and we will be here for you!

HUGS!!!
Jamie

Ditto what Fauxma said!
Sweet One.... Don't EVER be afraid to post! We all have a plate full, no matter what our situation....Fauxma said it perfectly! When I was going through this two years ago, my best friend was fighting the most lethal form of brain cancer....she passed in March....anyway I would always say to my son who is a shrink, " Oh, it could be worse, look what Ingrid is going through....." Finally, one day my son said "Mom, yes, what Ingrid has is horrible but it doesn't diminish what you have.". It finally sunk in, that yes, I, too, was fighting for my life...one person's situation doesn't diminish what is going on with each of us..we're all in a battle of some sort...

Now I am in the fight again.....but fight, I will.....as we all do...so please, don't EVER be afraid to post and keep us updated...we care..
My very best to you,
Hugs, Nan y

carkris

MAJW said:

Ditto what Fauxma said!
Sweet One.... Don't EVER be afraid to post! We all have a plate full, no matter what our situation....Fauxma said it perfectly! When I was going through this two years ago, my best friend was fighting the most lethal form of brain cancer....she passed in March....anyway I would always say to my son who is a shrink, " Oh, it could be worse, look what Ingrid is going through....." Finally, one day my son said "Mom, yes, what Ingrid has is horrible but it doesn't diminish what you have.". It finally sunk in, that yes, I, too, was fighting for my life...one person's situation doesn't diminish what is going on with each of us..we're all in a battle of some sort...

Now I am in the fight again.....but fight, I will.....as we all do...so please, don't EVER be afraid to post and keep us updated...we care..
My very best to you,
Hugs, Nan y

gobble Gobble Gobble. I am
gobble Gobble Gobble. I am visualizing for you also. Glad you are feeling ok on the Abrqxane, hope it goes well! I heard that claritin helps withthe body pain as well. hugs and Gobble Gobble Gobble!

grams2jc

Wow I am in awe of your strength and attitude
I know what you mean about the port, I would really like mine gone but my MO is worried about needing it again so has asked me to leave it in for at least a year, SCARY. It is a true reminder of what we are going through and have been through and heaven knows we have enough reminders already.

Glad you are feeling so well after your treatment, hope the bone and joint pains don't get to be too much.

Healing vibes and strength back to you,

Jennifer

TraciInLA

carkris said:

gobble Gobble Gobble. I am
gobble Gobble Gobble. I am visualizing for you also. Glad you are feeling ok on the Abrqxane, hope it goes well! I heard that claritin helps withthe body pain as well. hugs and Gobble Gobble Gobble!

Gee, Debbie -- thank you so much! :-)
Okay, so you who are [mumble mumble] years older than me, AND who just had chemo YESTERDAY, took a JAZZERCISE class this morning?!?

Even on my best day, I don't think I'd be able to get through a Jazzercise class without my asthma inhaler and a couple of cute paramedics to escort me to the ER....thank you SO much for that blow to my self-esteem! :-)

And one more thing, listen up: If you DON'T continue to keep us updated on how you're doing, NO MATTER WHAT others here may be going through, and STOP APOLOGIZING for it...I'm going to fly to Florida, show up at your Jazzercise class, and sit in the back eating M&Ms making a big pest of myself!

So keep kicking some cancer butt, and let us be here for you every step (or step-ball change) of the way.

Big hug to you,

Traci

camul

Debbie
For me the se of the Abraxane were minimal. I had it 3 weeks on and 1 week off for 12 treatments. Only had mild nausea, and then by about the 3rd day, I slept most of the day. But that was the worst of it. (Now on Erubulin, and the se are horrible for me).

Please continue to post regardless of what everyone else is going through! We are all here because we need to be. I have gone on to ask questions from others who may have gone thru something that I have, and my questions were answered without even posting. I keep learning from others on this board regardless of where they are in their journey.

Prayers and hugs that the Abraxane will do away with these nasty tumors.

Carol

chenheart

Your post was upbuilding,
Your post was upbuilding, encouraging and empowering! I am so pleased that you sound so very proactive ( not without hesitation and normal human feelings of course) but that you are making decisions which are the best for you~ and that is so important! Neulasta....even the typing of the word makes my bones ache! LOL But even on that front you are taking charge and getting ready for the "whatevers." AWESOME!

And hooray big time for going to Jazzercise! I am still so saddened that the Jazzercise classes in my little town dissolved~ the instructor moved and there was no one to take her place...I miss it and her terribly! So happy you felt up to going! YAY YAY YAY!

THanks for thinking of all of us in the fray~ no one's battle is more or less than; we are all in this together.

HUgs,
Claudia

CAchick

Appreciate your update
Debbie, you are in prayers, along with many of the sisters you named. I admire your attitude and your consideration of other pink sisters. Your struggle is important and I have wondered how you were doing. Thank you for sharing your situation. I hope that if I am visited by this unwanted visitor again, I can think of you and many of the sisters here...so that I can try to follow your example.
Blessings to you,
Sybil

New Flower

camul said:

Debbie
For me the se of the Abraxane were minimal. I had it 3 weeks on and 1 week off for 12 treatments. Only had mild nausea, and then by about the 3rd day, I slept most of the day. But that was the worst of it. (Now on Erubulin, and the se are horrible for me).

Please continue to post regardless of what everyone else is going through! We are all here because we need to be. I have gone on to ask questions from others who may have gone thru something that I have, and my questions were answered without even posting. I keep learning from others on this board regardless of where they are in their journey.

Prayers and hugs that the Abraxane will do away with these nasty tumors.

Carol

Debbie thankS
Debbie,
Thank you letting us know , iwas wondering. Thank you also for sounding so easy and casual. I hope this Chemo has been working and finish the job.
What is about anti estrogen therapy? Are you taking Tamoxifen or Faslodex shot?
Wishing you minimal side effects and please keep us posted we do care.
Hugs
New Flower

lynn1950

Just want to say hi, Debbie.
Just want to say hi, Debbie. Your spirit is awesome. xoxoxo Lynn