New to site-hello friends!

tatooedinpink
tatooedinpink Member Posts: 95
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone. My name is Debbie, aka TatooedinPink :-) (my best friend gave me a tattoo on my foot for my birthday and as celebration for completing treatment, a small pink breast cancer ribbon-I love it, but it hurt like HELL!)

I just wanted to introduce myself. I just found this resource last night and have already enjoyed the discussions and information. I have completed my treatment, and am now on Arimidex, and finally starting to feel somewhat normal again.

I looked for something like this so that I can ask a few questions, get a little support from my fellow breast cancer sisters, brothers, friends, and I hope to be able to help others through some of my experience and insight.

I look forward to sharing with you and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers each day.

Kindest regards to all of you,

Debbie

Comments

  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #2
    Hello and Welcome
    Hi Debbie so glad you found us. But I am sorry that you had to because this means that you have been visited by the beast.

    This is a great place to come and get answers and to hear from ones who have been there and done that. Lots of support here to.

    I finished treatment almost 5 yrs ago and took tamoxifen and now aromasin.

    We are here when you need us.
    Jadie
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #3
    Hi Debbie
    and welcome. I am glad you found us. Not only will our pink sisters have many answers and support for you. I bet you will have many for us. Congratulations on finishing your treatment! I bet that feels wonderful. I still have my last chemo on thursday and then rads etc.

    I love that your tatoo is a pink ribbon! hurt like hell but you deserve it. You are a brave survivor!! I am thinking of a tatoo when i am finished also. That is one of the first things my daughter and i are going to do together. She already has a couple..and i asked if it hurt..she said it couldn't even touch what i've already been through! i suppose this is true.

    Keep sharing here and you will find the most amazing, caring group of courageous friends. You will also be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Hugs, jackie
  • tami90650
    tami90650 Member Posts: 82
    #4
    Welcome
    Welcome Debbie. Im Tami and I think your tatoo is way cool. So is your attitude about the whole situation as a cancer survivor. We need positive feed here sometimes as many of these ladies struggle through this ordeal. Honesty and openness also helps. Welcome a board-- ha ha get it a BOARD (DISCUSSION BOARD) lol love tami
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #5
    Welcome Debbie
    Hi Debbie and welcome to the club no one want to join. I'm so glad you found us. Here you will meet an incredible bunch of survivors as well as caregivers. You will receive advise, hugs, and much encouragement from all us of traveling this unwanted journey. I had invasive ductal carcinoma which was not detected by mammogram but I felt the lump myself. I had a mastectomy with 7 lymph nodes removed which were fortunately clean. Unfortunately, they found that I had mascular invasion and therefore had to go through 8 rounds of chemo anyway. I was on tamoxifen until last week, but had to discontinue due to the severe sede effects to my joints and muscles. I read you were on Arimidex, and my oncologist just prescribed that. Can you tell me if you have had any side effects? Hugs and prayers, Lili
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #6
    Welcome, tatooedinpink!
    Hi, Debbie. I think I already "welcomed" you somewhere else... If so, let's consider this one official! Like others here - I admire your tattoo. Prior to breast cancer, needles didn't bother me at all. After BC, I am totally needle-phobic. (My nurses told me this is common for many of us; so, I don't feel so bad about it.) A simple blood draw can put me into a near panic attack, even now - 5 years out from completion of all treatment. Not sure if it'll ever change. If/when it does, I'll get a tattoo!

    Your upbeat outlook is inspiring, and your willingness to "give back" is admirable; and, tells us you are kind & good-hearted.

    Kind regards, Susan
  • tatooedinpink
    tatooedinpink Member Posts: 95
    #7
    Jadie said:

    Hello and Welcome
    Hi Debbie so glad you found us. But I am sorry that you had to because this means that you have been visited by the beast.

    This is a great place to come and get answers and to hear from ones who have been there and done that. Lots of support here to.

    I finished treatment almost 5 yrs ago and took tamoxifen and now aromasin.

    We are here when you need us.
    Jadie

    to Jadie
    Thank you so much! I look forward to sharing with all of you.

    I have already laughed a lot at some of the humor on here. Nice to see :-)

    Have a great week!!!!
  • tatooedinpink
    tatooedinpink Member Posts: 95
    #8
    rjjj said:

    Hi Debbie
    and welcome. I am glad you found us. Not only will our pink sisters have many answers and support for you. I bet you will have many for us. Congratulations on finishing your treatment! I bet that feels wonderful. I still have my last chemo on thursday and then rads etc.

    I love that your tatoo is a pink ribbon! hurt like hell but you deserve it. You are a brave survivor!! I am thinking of a tatoo when i am finished also. That is one of the first things my daughter and i are going to do together. She already has a couple..and i asked if it hurt..she said it couldn't even touch what i've already been through! i suppose this is true.

    Keep sharing here and you will find the most amazing, caring group of courageous friends. You will also be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Hugs, jackie

    to Jackie
    I'm so happy you are so close to end of the chemo portion. In my opinion, that few months was the hardest.

    Get your rest. The radiation may really zap your energy. It did mine.

    Keep the faith! Hugs to you,

    Debbie

    P.S. My best friend is named Jackie!
  • tatooedinpink
    tatooedinpink Member Posts: 95
    #9
    tami90650 said:

    Welcome
    Welcome Debbie. Im Tami and I think your tatoo is way cool. So is your attitude about the whole situation as a cancer survivor. We need positive feed here sometimes as many of these ladies struggle through this ordeal. Honesty and openness also helps. Welcome a board-- ha ha get it a BOARD (DISCUSSION BOARD) lol love tami

    to tami
    Thanks so much! Love all the humor here. And hope I can be of some help!

    Have a great week, Tami!
  • tatooedinpink
    tatooedinpink Member Posts: 95
    #10
    mmontero38 said:

    Welcome Debbie
    Hi Debbie and welcome to the club no one want to join. I'm so glad you found us. Here you will meet an incredible bunch of survivors as well as caregivers. You will receive advise, hugs, and much encouragement from all us of traveling this unwanted journey. I had invasive ductal carcinoma which was not detected by mammogram but I felt the lump myself. I had a mastectomy with 7 lymph nodes removed which were fortunately clean. Unfortunately, they found that I had mascular invasion and therefore had to go through 8 rounds of chemo anyway. I was on tamoxifen until last week, but had to discontinue due to the severe sede effects to my joints and muscles. I read you were on Arimidex, and my oncologist just prescribed that. Can you tell me if you have had any side effects? Hugs and prayers, Lili

    to Lilli
    Hi Lilli! Thanks so much for the welcome.

    I was on Tamoxifen as well, and just switched to Arimidex. Tonight is pill #4, so not sure about side effects yet. You helped explain the pain in my hands. I had some joint pain that was really bothering me. My oncologist blamed it on the Tamoxifen and you just confirmed that for me. I hope it gets better now that I've switched.

    Do you have any trouble with lymphedema? With 7 lymph nodes removed, thought you might. Mine is mild, but would like to get some improvement. We live in TX but have a cabin at 9300 ft. in New Mexico, so traveling there from this altitude to that one, usually affects my arm.
    Anyway, I HATE wrapping it, and just won't do it, so may try some appropriate type massage for it. I wear a compression sleeve sometimes, but not much help.

    Thanks again!
  • tatooedinpink
    tatooedinpink Member Posts: 95
    #11
    Christmas Girl said:

    Welcome, tatooedinpink!
    Hi, Debbie. I think I already "welcomed" you somewhere else... If so, let's consider this one official! Like others here - I admire your tattoo. Prior to breast cancer, needles didn't bother me at all. After BC, I am totally needle-phobic. (My nurses told me this is common for many of us; so, I don't feel so bad about it.) A simple blood draw can put me into a near panic attack, even now - 5 years out from completion of all treatment. Not sure if it'll ever change. If/when it does, I'll get a tattoo!

    Your upbeat outlook is inspiring, and your willingness to "give back" is admirable; and, tells us you are kind & good-hearted.

    Kind regards, Susan

    to Susan
    Thank you Susan!

    I am pretty needle phobic too. I just NEVER look when they stick me. I am such a weanie!

    Love your doggie!

    Debbie
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #12
    tatooedinpink said:

    to Lilli
    Hi Lilli! Thanks so much for the welcome.

    I was on Tamoxifen as well, and just switched to Arimidex. Tonight is pill #4, so not sure about side effects yet. You helped explain the pain in my hands. I had some joint pain that was really bothering me. My oncologist blamed it on the Tamoxifen and you just confirmed that for me. I hope it gets better now that I've switched.

    Do you have any trouble with lymphedema? With 7 lymph nodes removed, thought you might. Mine is mild, but would like to get some improvement. We live in TX but have a cabin at 9300 ft. in New Mexico, so traveling there from this altitude to that one, usually affects my arm.
    Anyway, I HATE wrapping it, and just won't do it, so may try some appropriate type massage for it. I wear a compression sleeve sometimes, but not much help.

    Thanks again!

    Hi Debbie, going through all
    Hi Debbie, going through all the trouble with the tamoxifen, I was sent for physical therapy because of the calf pain. In the course of a year of therapy, my PT has recommended that I see a lymphedema specialist, because he feels that I am retaining water everywhere. I was told that it could be a side effect of chemo and that many cancer survivors do get a very mild case of lymphedema all over and not just on the side where lymph nodes were removed. I will be calling today to try to get an appointment with the lymphedema specialist and I will let you know what she said. I haven't started the arimidex yet either, so I don't know what kind of side effects I will have. I tolerated the Tamoxifen for 15 months before I had to be switched so we'll see. Hugs, Lili
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #13
    tatooedinpink said:

    to Susan
    Thank you Susan!

    I am pretty needle phobic too. I just NEVER look when they stick me. I am such a weanie!

    Love your doggie!

    Debbie

    Welcome to the site, Debbie.
    Welcome to the site, Debbie. This is the most incredible group of survivors you will ever find, and I am sure you will be a great contributor, as well. I am through with treatment, although have had some difficulties related to treatment for nausea during chemo. This will be an ongoing problem, but the breast cancer is NED so far. Anyway, noticed you said you were from Texas, and had a place in New Mexico. We moved to Jacksonville Texas from Ruidoso, New Mexico in January 2008, and really miss the mountains. Welcome to the board, and thanks for your inspiring posts.

    Hugs,

    Judy
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #14
    tatooedinpink said:

    to Lilli
    Hi Lilli! Thanks so much for the welcome.

    I was on Tamoxifen as well, and just switched to Arimidex. Tonight is pill #4, so not sure about side effects yet. You helped explain the pain in my hands. I had some joint pain that was really bothering me. My oncologist blamed it on the Tamoxifen and you just confirmed that for me. I hope it gets better now that I've switched.

    Do you have any trouble with lymphedema? With 7 lymph nodes removed, thought you might. Mine is mild, but would like to get some improvement. We live in TX but have a cabin at 9300 ft. in New Mexico, so traveling there from this altitude to that one, usually affects my arm.
    Anyway, I HATE wrapping it, and just won't do it, so may try some appropriate type massage for it. I wear a compression sleeve sometimes, but not much help.

    Thanks again!

    Hey Debbie
    I had 23 lymphnodes taken (6 pos) and have mild lymphademia also. I haven't traveled yet but was warned it would probably be worse on a plane. I absolutely hate wearing the sleeve, but i do have a lymphatron i rent from home health. It electronically massages the fluid up your arm to where its supposed to go. I love it..although it takes about an hour..i can get on this board or watch a movie while its working its majic. I don't have to use it every day just when the edemia is acting up.
    should have known your from Texas by the hat on your sweetie. (we wear hats in Montana too, but not my hubbie..hes more of old time hippy than a cowboy!lol
    hugs
    jackie
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #15
    Hi Debbie!
    Welcome to the site! It is a great site with lots of information. You two are a really cute couple!

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