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  • claoh
    claoh Member Posts: 180 Member

    wow Love, a year since surgery. Glad cancer free, but am surprised it is taking so long to heal. I may be naive thinking I can have mastectomy in August and be well for son's wedding in October. Also naive in thinking can have surgery so soon after chemo. Need to contact surgeon to see when we can schedule and how long recuperate. If I do my last three chemo's on schedule, I should be done first part of July. Haven't really thought about how to celebrate - except to ring that bell!!!!

    Had my first super dose last Wednesday and it has taken a bit longer to bounce back. Pretty much slept all of Friday and Saturday. Today was the worse light headedness I've experienced through chemo. Finally took a nausea pill, ate some veggies, and drank a ginger ale. That seemed to help and am feeling better. Glad I have another 10 days before the next dose.

    Sad to see we aren't hearing from the other's very often. Really concerned about Sadie as it's been so long since she's been on. Hope Marla's radiation is going well, and Roc is thoroughly relaxed from vacation.

  • marlakeeth
    marlakeeth Member Posts: 113 Member

    Good afternoon Ladies!

    I am in the final few days of radiation, 4 more days to have something called boost. They told me it is to treat the incision site for any leftover cancer cells that might be growing back at the incision site. I will be done on May 16th, two days after my 71st birthday. There is a light at the end of this tunnel for now. I have a mammogram of the unaffected breast in June. Another one of the affected breast in November. All has gone well, chemo was horrible and that was the worst.

    With the radiation of my right breast, since it is done, sharp stinging pains occasionally. The skin might turn red a bit later, we shall see. Does anyone know what happened to Sadiej?

    Thanks all and Happy Mother's Day

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic Member Posts: 128 Member

    So glad to hear from you and what you're going through in radiation treatments. Happy to know you're almost done. Are you using any creams for burns? Fatigue or other things to know about?

    I've finally been cleared by my surgeon to start radiation therapy. I meet my Radiation Oncologist this Tuesday where she'll discuss her proposed treatment plan and procedures. I'm hoping for reduced treatments and possibly no radiation to my armpit area since the 3 lymph nodes were cleared with no cancer post surgery. I'm in PT for my arm because of limited range of motion too. It may pose a challenge for radiation in this area.

    I've restarted on the Herceptin and Perjeta targeted drugs which are given via IV every 3 weeks. I'll be on these through at least October or early November.

    My hair has started to regrow but not too good in areas it fell out before I used the ice gel cap. Hopefully it's not permanent hair loss since docetaxel causes this.

    Haven't seen/heard from anyone lately. Hope everyone is well. Take care.

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic Member Posts: 128 Member

    Happy Birthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 and Happy Mother's Day 💖 What an anniversary for you. Finishing up this phase of treatment. Congratulations 👏 👏

  • Sadiej
    Sadiej Member Posts: 147 Member

    Hello ladies,

    Happy birthday, happy mother's Day, and congratulations to all those who have crossed the finish line or have gone through to the final phases of their treatment!

    Since last I touched base with everyone here, we have sold our house with a closing date at the end of June. I continue to take my specialty chemo and actually today have set up appointments with my primary care doctor to see me on my recovery weeks just to make sure I don't slide like I did last November and December. Last week my oncologist gave me a little clarity on my treatment plan. She told me to consider it as if I had high blood pressure or diabetes. You take the medicine for the rest of your life. I thought that was a pretty simple explanation is to where I was headed with mine. Of course as always I find myself napping quite a bit.

    Sending y'all lots of love and hugs

  • claoh
    claoh Member Posts: 180 Member

    So glad to hear from you Sadie!!!! Congratulations on the sale of your home, and moving closer to your daughter I presume. I've always looked at this diagnosis as a permanent situation. Even when clean, we will be checking for the rest of our lives.

    Have loads of questions, but also know you need to conserve your energy. Just to see you on line lifts my heart!

    Thank you for the update!!

    Love and prayers.

  • LovesPrimes
    LovesPrimes Member Posts: 109 Member

    Hello, friends!! Thank you so much, @Sadiej , for checking in. I'm glad as well to hear that your relocation is officially in progress. And @marlakeeth , so glad to hear from you too. Happy (belated) birthday!

    I am back to an abdominal binder 24/7. They took out the drain last week and it was likely that the drain site was infected so I'm on a strong antibiotic. My next post-op is next week. The hope is that the abscess doesn't try to refill. If so, they will likely have to do surgery.

    I see my oncologist tomorrow. She will do a bunch of lab work. I don't want anything to be wrong but I'm hoping for an explanation for severe fatigue/lack of energy that continues to plague me, preferably an easy fix like low iron or something. I struggle to get functional in the mornings. I haven't managed a full 40 hour work week since returning to work this time (been almost three months). 😐️

    I'm thinking of each of you and praying for peace, love, and joy to fill your minds and hearts. Please check in whenever you can, even if there's no "news" to share.

  • LovesPrimes
    LovesPrimes Member Posts: 109 Member

    Just realized it's been awhile since I shared a picture of Zoey. I love her so much!

  • claoh
    claoh Member Posts: 180 Member

    What an adorable greeting!! Can see why you love her, as her eyes are expressing loads of love to you!!! Thank you for sharing. Sorry to hear of your continued problems. Hope they can be resolved soon.

  • Sadiej
    Sadiej Member Posts: 147 Member

    Hi y'all

    Okay so how about deja vu? Last Tuesday, May 28th I went to the emergency room and found out that I have pneumonia. They put me on antibiotics and sent me home. Still sleeping 24/7 but the doctors explained to me that that is to be expected considering everything I am dealing with AKA cancer, pneumonia etc. I really don't need this right now because we are trying to get out of here by the 21st of June. I got my pet scan done yesterday and will be getting those results at the beginning of next week. I really hope you guys are all doing a lot better than I am haha. It's great to hear from y'all and I miss not seeing your posts on this board even though I am as guilty as the rest. We are currently looking at fifth wheel trailers for our next move. I have to be careful because it has to be able to fit me and my walker into places like the bathroom, the hallway etc. some of those showers are so tiny! I also want one with cloth seats or suede seats because of my cats. That kind of makes it very hard to find the right one. We are buying used because we want to keep the debt as low as possible as we come through all of my illnesses. I am also looking for a new neurologist because I really don't think the one I have is really paying attention to my needs. I will continue to use the Cleveland Clinic for my cancer needs. Like I said they already have me set up and they're giving me the oral chemo so that I can cruise the country without having to be tied to Cleveland. My oncologist currently has me off the chemo because she does not want me taking it if I have any infection or I'm taking antibiotics. I sure have a lot of stop/starts on my treatment plan LOL. Last time it was me who stopped it when I was having all the problems with pneumonia and the hospitalizations.

    That's all my news for right now. Here's a hug for everybody and a prayer that all of you will be healed and whole.

    Pat

  • claoh
    claoh Member Posts: 180 Member

    Sorry to hear about your pneumonia Pat. Hope you recover soon and continue on your new adventure plans!!!!

    We were in the emergency room the same day (Tuesday). Mine was due to low blood pressure, dizziness, and not feeling I was getting sufficient guidance. Turned out to be I got saline for possible dehydration, even though I am diligent to get at least 64 oz a day; some antibiotic because white blood cells only 1.2. Your comment has me a bit concerned because I specifically asked how that would affect my chemo regimen and the doctor said it wasn't an issue and he was concerned of me getting an infection. I get rolvedon the day after chemo to build the white cell count and the first week it did fantastic, putting me in the 10 point range. I asked the ER doc it it could get me that high again in the next two weeks and his answer was "possible". I will be very disappointed if the chemo has to be postponed because of the antibotics. Not that I love chemo, but with only two more sessions, I don't want any delays. In the ER they also did EKG and I was pleased to hear my heart is well. That was a bonus I was not expecting to get.

    I am doing much better eating smaller meals every two or three hours each day, and keeping a journal to make sure I reach the carb/pro/calories needed to stay well. The first day was stellar, meeting all goals. I've decreased the last two days and I wonder if because the saline helped and is wearing off. For the last two sessions I'm thinking of getting saline drip along with getting the shot for the white blood count the day after chemo. Won't hurt and may help.

    Take care all, hope progressing well and love to hear from you!

    Cindy

  • LovesPrimes
    LovesPrimes Member Posts: 109 Member

    Hello, lovely ladies! @marlakeeth @RocDocVic @claoh @Sadiej (please forgive if I missed anyone!)

    Since I asked for check-ins even when there isn't news, I decided it was time for me to check-in! I don't really have news but I do have a few comments on how things are going. Oncologist doesn't seem concerned about multiple flags on my blood work. For my fatigue, she has me stopping anastrozole for two weeks and then I will try letrozole and see if I do better on that. I don't feel like the two weeks of binding abdomen really made any difference but surgeon wants to let OT work on my abdomen for a couple months before he might order more imaging or consider surgery. So, I keep on keeping on. I've been moved to a new team at work and I am going in-person two days a week (working from home otherwise). I'm not doing well in this new position but trying to be patient with myself.

    I'm sad to hear that you were both in the ER recently, Pat and Cindy. I hope things are much, much better now! I'm anxious with you, Cindy, for chemo to be over and behind you. ❤️

  • Sadiej
    Sadiej Member Posts: 147 Member

    Well…

    There you have it .

    Just got the results from my PET scan today. The cancer has exploded throughout my body. Claoh not sure now if I will ever get a chance to hang out with you in Florida.

    My brain MRI is next week. I will let you know what the results of that is also.

    Love y'all.

  • LovesPrimes
    LovesPrimes Member Posts: 109 Member

    Oh no, Pat!! I'm so sorry to hear this. That is a lot for you and your husband to process. I continue to pray for you.

  • RocDocVic
    RocDocVic Member Posts: 128 Member

    Good Evening Everyone. So sorry to hear this Pat. I wonder if you would benefit from some of the newer ADC type treatments. Just read about one that had great trial results even for HER2 ultra low and low type cancers. It was originally approved for HER2 positive cancers. They're applying for FDA fast track approval. Used mostly for metastatic cancer.

    Just started my radiation treatments today. Met with my Radiologist Oncologist and she showed me the CT simulation images used to plan my treatment. I will get 16 sessions of radiation in total, no direct beam into the armpit. Just whole breast treatment. She said I may get skin burns because I have small breasts. Ugh. Hope I don't end up with char burns where the skin turns black as I've seen in photos on Facebook. I have my next Herceptin and Perjeta targeted chemo drug infusion next week. Will be on these every 3 weeks into November. So far I haven't had to have the weekly IV fluids like I did during my regular chemo drug sessions. Still not putting weight back on and my summer clothes don't fit. I've had to buy new clothes. An added expense I hadn't counted on.

    Take care everyone. Be well.

  • claoh
    claoh Member Posts: 180 Member

    Sadie, I am numb! There have been several times I was afraid of this when you were absent for a while, but to actually get the news is overwhelming. I've taken the last few days to reread our posts starting from day one, absorbing our journey. Hard questions: did they give you any time line? What are your plans for residence with the sale of your home? How is Don? How are you~!?

  • Sadiej
    Sadiej Member Posts: 147 Member
    edited June 8 #458

    Thank you all for your love and prayers!

    Claoh I knew this was going to be hard news especially for you. To answer your questions, we are looking at travel trailers that we can pay for up front. We don't want any debts as we go through this. Funny how the things you think about change when you're faced with a fatal result. Hubby keeps searching for possible answers while I sit here pretty much numb. It's bad enough to have multiple metastasis throughout my body, but to find out it has spread into the bones is like a period at the end of the sentence. Isn't it funny how all our stories began with one view of what we believed we were going to go through and then changed to what they are now? I know I had mentioned that I didn't ever want to get bone cancer because of the pain but it looks like that's where I'm at. I am working with my doctors now discussing extremely caustic chemotherapies, radiation therapies etc. I will be meeting with my oncologist next week to let her know if I am willing to do these treatments or if I just want to live the rest of my life as is. Next week I also have my brain scan to do so I am waiting to hear what the results of that will be.

    Take care y'all. Marla hope you're doing well too. Thanks again for all of your love and prayers.

    P S. RocDoc I'm not ignoring you. I just don't have the energy to research these days. That's why Hubby took over. If you could let me know what ADC means, I will have him look into it. Thanks for looking out for me.

  • claoh
    claoh Member Posts: 180 Member
    edited June 8 #459

    Sadie, if you ever want to talk, I'd love to.

  • Sadiej
    Sadiej Member Posts: 147 Member

    Got it. Please remove your phone number from this blog. Thanks

  • marlakeeth
    marlakeeth Member Posts: 113 Member

    Good afternoon ladies,

    I am frightened for Sadie, but it is what it is. Stay in touch with any updates in the future. Sadiej I agree that a travel trailer will be your best bet. A mini Winnie is a great idea. I am so sorry to hear of this news. I feel like I am cheating everyone since everyone I speak with has more issues than I do. Have TNBC after chemo, surgery, and radiation and done. I had a mammo of the unaffected side, it is all clear now. I will see the surgeon this Tuesday for a check-in, and the oncologist on June 20th. It appears that I am safe for now. I visited my girlfriend and her sisters in Phoenix this last weekend for some girl fun. Very relaxing chatting poolside in the shade.

    Thank you all for checking in!