Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[lookingforward]

Oh my God! I'm fine! CT scan showed NOTHING. Doc thinks at this point it is swelling from maybe a pulled muscle in my neck/shoulder, or maybe even from the swelling in my arm. I was shocked, sooooo relieved. DH even took the day off work to go with me today, because I was so sure that I would need him there. So we had a nice lunch out, did some errands, got the best news EVER, and then go rear-ended at a stoplight! Just a scuff on my bumper, no biggie, and I was in such a good mood I just told the person who hit me not to worry about it.

Linda....I hope your news is just as good. How did your visit go?

Snappy....glad to hear your DH is keeping on top of his symtoms. What is it about men thinking they are invincible?? And good luck chasing that thrill, btw!

Ann...how's DD doing with her arm?

Dawn...cool cake. Sounds like your BIL is quite a guy! How are you feeling these days?

Sha...cute cartoon! Thanks for the link.

JSG....I never wore a wig, just hats. I had some cute fuzzy stocking caps I wore in the winter, and some lightweight cotton scarf type ones for summer. I also always wore my soft lightweight "baby" cap at night to keep my head from getting cold. Anyway, I ordered several from TLC. They had a nice selection of the pre-tied cotton scarfs.

Laura.... 10 years! Wow!


I hope everybody is having a good day! GAGWTA!!!

YEA! I am so happy to hear your great news!

I am leaving for California tomorrow. I have been thinking all day about cancelling because I am so depressed about my mom, but I need to do it for my son. I have such mixed emotions.

GAGWTA!

 

[CherylDan]

I am leaving for California tomorrow. I have been thinking all day about cancelling because I am so depressed about my mom, but I need to do it for my son. I have such mixed emotions.

GAGWTA!

I hope you and your son have a great time together! I'll bet getting together with him will lift your spirits.

 

[annrae]

I've been wondering about annrae (Barbara) lately too. Hope she's just busy with fun summer activities!

10 years Laura!!

DD fell on the dock at her camp job yesterday, and after the hours long doctor to ER routine-the verdict is a small "radial head fracture" --basically broken elbow. It sounds as though she will not have a cast, but a sling and needs to do some exercises to rehab it. She sounds OK today (ahhh, Vicodin) , sees an orthopedic doc Monday. Does not want to come home nor us to come up and see her. I guess it could be worse....I am graeful that a) treatment is at Dartmouth Hitchcock Med Center, an excellent facility (where Avery gets his treatment!) and b) it should be covered by Worker's Comp as opposed to the high-deductible health plan we just switched her to after grad, because the Cobra on my work insurance was over $550 a month.....

GAGWTA!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for wondering where I've been lately. I've been busy with summer trips - one to New Brunswick Canada to see my sister and we returned this past Saturday from a Magic Meet, Hershey and Williamsburg, VA. They were both lovely trips and we had a great time.

I hope your daughter's elbow is healing nicely and she can continue at camp.
I hope also that Avery is doing well and having a good summer.

Hugs to all of you. I hope to be writing more often now. Barbara

 

[Sha]

Thank you for wondering where I've been lately. I've been busy with summer trips - one to New Brunswick Canada to see my sister and we returned this past Saturday from a Magic Meet, Hershey and Williamsburg, VA. They were both lovely trips and we had a great time.

I hope your daughter's elbow is healing nicely and she can continue at camp.
I hope also that Avery is doing well and having a good summer.

Hugs to all of you. I hope to be writing more often now. Barbara

How was Magic Meet???

 

[snappy]

Cheryl dan you made my day. Absolute bliss to hear your news.

Maureen, I am hoping the trip will be a distraction for you.

Ann, great to see you post. I'll be sending a pm your way.

Laura, you bet I am post menopausal!! It took Tamoxifen one month to send me there, but at least it was over. I have heard tales of on again off again periods which I dreaded but my was like a light switched was turned off,
October 2004.

I have mixed feelings about taking another drug after the five years. I guess I was thinking I would not have to and liked that idea (you know, now I am cured syndrome). However, if the studies show that an Aromatase Inhibitor can increase survival rates, bring it on!!!

Funny, now that I find out Walmart/Sams has made Tamoxifen one of their 30 pills for $4, now after 4 years on it, I might start next year on to an expensive drug.

Just my luck.

Who cares, I am still celebrating Cheryldan's news! YIPPEE!!!!

I believe it was 102 degrees here today. Awful!!! DD12 was at premier soccer camp and when I went at luch to bring popsicles I was very angry to hear they had only had 3 water breaks in 3 hours. I called two moms and we are going to talk to the coach tomorrow. This is nonnegotiable, especially after the speech the overall camp director made about taking water breaks every 15 minutes.

I'll be over there tomorrow to made sure.

Laurie

 

[annrae]

The Magic Meet we attended was in Camp Hill Pa. We arrived on Friday night and on Saturday morning we all met at the Radisson Conference Center (500 people). They had speakers (Deb Wills was one of them and I hope I have her name correctly) Lou Mongello, Fred Block was MC and several other people. We broke up into groups appropriately named Huey, Louie and Dewey and heard different speakers. They had many Vendors, raffles and a great silent auction and raised a nice sum of money for the Wish Foundation.

We enjoyed it and it was fun to see all these people who love Disney so very much gathered in one room. Very emotional at the end when they announced the sum of money that was collected for the Wish kids.

 

[Sha]

The Magic Meet we attended was in Camp Hill Pa. We arrived on Friday night and on Saturday morning we all met at the Radisson Conference Center (500 people). They had speakers (Deb Wills was one of them and I hope I have her name correctly) Lou Mongello, Fred Block was MC and several other people. We broke up into groups appropriately named Huey, Louie and Dewey and heard different speakers. They had many Vendors, raffles and a great silent auction and raised a nice sum of money for the Wish Foundation.

We enjoyed it and it was fun to see all these people who love Disney so very much gathered in one room. Very emotional at the end when they announced the sum of money that was collected for the Wish kids.

I bet it was emotional! How much was raised? I met Deb Wills at Mousefest one year. Neat lady!

 

[lookingforward]

I'll miss you all for the next week. I might try and log in on my new phone (that has internet access....if I can figure the darn thing out..I got it so I could be in touch while on my trip but you need an engineering degree to use it!)

Has anyone gotten nausea from tomoxofin? I have to take it at night because it makes me quesy. Not sure why?? Also, the hot flashes are starting again...I had a brief reprieve after chemo. Now I look like a sweating middle aged skunk. (hair is black with a streak of white in the middle...I'm not kidding). HA!

I called my dad hysterical this evening which I am now feeling major guilt about. Like he does not have enough to deal with without me going crazy on him. He said to go unless I physically don't feel up to it. He even offered to come with me (Is he the sweetest guy ). I wanted to cry when he offered to book a flight and hotel rooms for himself so he could be there to support me and my son. I would have cried but I was ALREADY crying.

He is going to Germany in September to visit my mom's family in tribute of her. He amazes me, but I know he is struggling.

I am having a really, really hard time. But I am so glad for all the good news here today. I have been praying.

Linda, hoping your appointment went well and you are okay. I'll check back in the morning.

I want to thank you all for your support and kindness. California here I come....

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Cheryl - Yay!! I am so happy that everything is OK!!

Maureen - I hate that you are going through this. I hope you have a wonderful time with your DS! Maybe a little change of scenery would be good?

Did you all know Deb Wills is a 20 year survivor? She seems like an incredible lady - I would love to meet her!

Barbara - My friends Terry and Stephanie attended that meet, too! They said it was wonderful. Terry won breakfast with Deb from the silent auction.

Laurie - Good luck sorting out the post-Tamoxifen options!

 

[snappy]

I am glad you posted how you are feeling. We will certainly miss you too while you are gone. Maureen, I am so sorry you are having such a hard time facing this trip. Your dad is so compassionate, I wish he could go with you and your son. The fact that he is going to Germany to see your mom's relatives to honor her, well, that pushed me over the top into tears. That is a beautiful thing to do.

I have not had a problem with Tamixifen and nausea. At first I was taking both at night though, to avoid interfering with my thyroid med. Now I take one around 10 or eleven amone at night But I did not have chemo, not sure if that helped me avoid further nausea or not. I did have the hot flashes but I was 51 when I started Tamoxifen so I was knocking on the menopause door without knowing it I guess. At the time I thought the hot flashes were horrible especially the summer of 2005 before and after Katrina hit and we had a houseful of people. Add on my large sized prothesis, I felt pretty yucky. I deal with it on a ongoing basis by keeping the A/C at ridiculously expensive levels. Truly, even in the middle of summer, my DD12 walks around in the am with a blanket around her. My family complains some but they get I can't tolerate the heat.

Question for Laura or whoever else is on an Aromatase Inhibitor, do these also contribute to the hot flashes?

JKG, I am sure I have read that Deb was a survivor. I like her website. Are you in full trip preparal mode? I am following your thread. You are a hoot. I sure hope I get to meet you (and your mom) at a GAGWTA meet someday.

Ann, I am glad you were able to attend. Any pictures from your travels you car to post?

 

[Iluvthemouse]

Cheryl---so glad to hear your good news.

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~

CherylDan I'm glad hubby was with you to share the good news!!! Whew!

Barbara- I'm glad your trips went well! I bet it was wonderful meeting Deb and all...

Maureen- Your dad is such an inspiration...you are so blessed to have him! I hope your trip with your son is joyful and healing. Yes, I took my Tam. at night because I had some stomach upset with it.

Laurie- Believe me, I know what you mean about being "finished". I stopped Tam. a month early, like that made a difference I was ready to be done. I knew about the AI drugs, and was no where near menopause. Tam. did nothing but make me more regular than I ever was. Then about a year after I stopped I started having big time problems including a bad pap which eventually led to the surgery.

Yes, unfortunately hot flashes can be a side affect of the AI drugs. I don't have them too often. Joint pain is the major side effect. It can go away after a few-several months, or not. It was awful for me on Femara and would not stop. I quit it, quality of life and all that. Believe me, I can handle pain but this was ridiculous. I didn't take anything for several months and my onc convinced me to try Aromasin. I did have pain for a few months but toughed it out and it went away. Everyone is different with this, I know people who had no pain. Here's the convincer:

MA-17 Trial (Five Years of Femara After Five Years of Tamoxifen)

The MA-17 trial, first reported on in 2003, is an international study of 5,187 post-menopausal women who took either Femara or a placebo (a sugar pill that looked like Femara) after completing five years of tamoxifen. These women had early-stage breast cancer that was hormone-receptor-positive. After about two and a half years of follow-up, results showed that women who took Femara after taking tamoxifen for five years lowered their risk of recurrence (the cancer coming back) by 43%, compared to women who took a placebo after taking tamoxifen for five years.

Another analysis was done on the findings from the MA-17 trial to see if taking Femara for a longer time offered any additional benefits.

The researchers looked at the risk of cancer coming back (recurrence) in women who had taken Femara for one, two, three, and four years. The researchers found that the longer the women took Femara, the lower their risk of recurrence:

* Women who took Femara for one year had a 48% reduction in risk.
* Women who took Femara for four years had an 81% reduction in risk.

For women who had completed a five-year course of tamoxifen followed by just placebo (no Femara), the risk of recurrence continued to increase over time.

The researchers concluded that women continue to be at risk for recurrence after finishing five years of tamoxifen. Femara reduces this risk. The longer a woman takes Femara (up to five years), the lower the risk.

jackskellingtonsgirl- Are you all packed???

 

[snappy]

Laura, thanks for posting those stats. I am printing the numbers off to ask my doc in November.

I guess I am in denial, my invasive component was so very tiny (.1 cm) while the DCIS was spread around alot. I guess I thought I would be spared further drugs.

If my doc doesn't push the Aromatase Inhibitor after Tamoxifen, would you seek another doc's opinion?

I consider myself very early stage, like pre stage 1 even, maybe 0 1/2 if there is such a thing.

I guess I have some research to do, luckily a good year to do it.

I bought our AP's today as I am afraid they are going up next week. For waht it is worth Mousesavers says they are going up, probably over the weekend.

I opted not to renew, just get new ones. Paid a little more but it made sense to me that rather than start in July, End of September is better for Dh and my AP's to be activated. I can get them at the International Gateway entrance to Epcot, about 5 minutes from BWV, so that sure will be easy.

I am trying to psych myself up to ask DH if we can add on 25 points to our BW contract. Wish me luck. I am hoping for a bonus next month, I can justify it that way I guess.

Laurie

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Yep. All packed except for things like my hairbrush and my make-up bag. I will also have to put all of the important documents, APs, money, etc. in my backpack Thursday night. I want to do all of my important stuff at one time so there isn't any of that "Well, this needs to be in my purse until tomorrow" sort of thing.

One year I switched out my purse the day before we left. I was working the morning of departure day, and I arrived at work to find a HUGE list of errands. My "work" credit card was already out of my bag, so I had to drive back home and get it. Lesson learned!

Laurie - I really hope we can get a December 2009 meet together! Beyond that, I am hoping to take Mom in 2010.

There is all sorts of drama going on with my father's probate, which I hate because I am sure it is stressing Mom out. My middle sister tried to do some very underhanded things, so it turned into a gigantic mess. My attorney has called me 3 times in the past week, and I wasn't going to mention it to Mom. It seems my sister has been talking to Mom about it though, so I got a call from Mom today on the heels of hanging up with my attorney. Mom's solution is for me to call my sister. That won't work, because my attorney told me specifically NOT to talk to her. That's why I have legal representation - so I don't have to talk to my sister myself. I think my sister's attorney is a bonehead and that is why we are having so many miscommunications about the estate.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

First let me say, YAY CHERYL!!!!!!!

Now I have to say YAY ME!!! I DID IT! I AM DONE. FINITO! NO MORE CHEMO FOR ME!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My love goes out to all of you. There are have been so many posts and I have not had a moment to read them all, so please forgive me and know that my thoughts are with you. I hope everyone is well!!!!

I am ZONKED. Going to take a little nap and then celebrate with DH and DS!!!

WOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

 

[snappy]

Congrats, Dawn, we knew you could do it!!

I hope you enjoy your celebration with your DH and DS!!

 

[lookingforward]

Hi! Yea for the end of chemo! Congratulations!

I am sitting in the Admirals club at LAX waiting for my last flight today. Just to add drama to my already dramatic life...there was an earth quake. I was on the plane to LA when it happened and we all watched it on television. I was so afraid for my son...but all is well at UCLA. Thank God.

GAGWTA! ALL the best to everyone...more later. Gotta get a free cookie!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Dawn, CONGRATULATIONS! Yay for being finished with chemo!! I am hoping the future holds nothing but good health for you!

Maureen, stay safe!! I know you will have a wonderful time with DS!

 

[CherylDan]

Congratulations, Dawn!!! Such a great feeling to be done!!!

Maureen, glad to hear your son is safe. Hopefully now you will be in for a drama free visit, without earthquakes, wildfires, or anything else to get in the way of being able to enjoy your time together.


As for the Tamoxifen, my only problem with it has been the hot flashes. In fact, they were so bad that my onc finally prescribed a low dose anti depressent for me (Effexor). I was pretty skeptical about it, but I could notice an improvement immediately. Not to say that the hot flashes are gone, but it is much, much, much better. It might be something for you to ask your doctor about.

I just want to say thank you again to everybody for all the support during my scare. And I could feel you all celebrating with me. So cool!

Have a good night, everybody! GAGWTA!!

 

[Sha]

Congrats Dawn!!!!