Re: Kvetching
 

I hear you MJo, I often feel just the same. This is a great thread, thanks for starting it! Helps me to remember the important things, and I like your idea of taking care of our second chance .
Hugs,
Diane

Re: Kvetching
 

Laurel,
Love your humor! Had to chuckle as I read your post....
the balls in the air....ahummmm know that, the hobble,
yup, got that down - and the estrogen level of an 80 yr. old. That was hit on the nail head.....

I am still laughing and smiling...I think there is book somewhere in all of this.
Jean

Re: Kvetching
 

Glad to provide a laugh! I am somewhat heartened to know others hobble too, especially in the morning! Oh those mornings when you have slept through the whole night without getting up to pee, and now it is morning and you've got to GO, but you cannot seem to hobble fast enough to the potty! Can you imagine The Potty Hobble back in the pre-indoor plumbing days? I'd never make it down the stairs to the backyard privy!!!!!

Guess we have something additional to be thankful for!

MJo, you said you are in a trial that will allow you to continue the Femara beyond the standard 5 years, but that you do not think you will continue on. I have been dreading the inevitable (God forbid!) studies that will show we derive a benefit from extended A.I. therapy! I just do not think I can toe up to that line for another 5 year stint. I know, I feel like such a baby, but really I am not sure I can make that choice. If nothing else, I feel better knowing others struggle with the notion of extended A.I. treatment. How many years do you have under your belt thus far?

Re: Kvetching
 

Laurel,

I just started on the Femara in October, and having never been one that needed to take meds, its been quite a challenge to incorporate it into my daily routine so that I don't forget! I am hopeful that with time, it will become just part of my routine, and I won't have to think about it, I will just do it. Anyway, my onc told me when I started that I would need to take this for five years, but to be prepared to take it for 10 because of the studies that are currently being done. Uuuugghhh!!

Happy new year to my entire HER2 family!!!

Hayley

Re: Kvetching
 

Hayley,

That is exactly what I was afraid they would start saying! Ya know, I am not sure I don't wish they find it offers no significant benefit with an additional 5 years! I'm ashamed to admit that, but I won't miss that little pill either!

Happy New Year to you!

Femara
 

I started Arimidex in May 2006 and switched to Femara about 15 months ago. So I will continue Femara until May 2011. I would like to get off in 5 years. If the study shows less recurrence with 10 years, then it is what it is. I guess we will all have to decide. I worry about estrogen depletion in my eyes, heart, brain, etc.

Re: Kvetching
 

This is a great thread. I am relieved that I am not alone in my back sliding. I started the new year being less hard on myself. Thank you to everyone for posting.

Hugs, Catherine

Re: Kvetching
 

Hi all: I joined this group a week ago - I have never done this before, however, it is good timing. I'm on my way for Herceptin treatment today in Seattle (I live on an island in Puget Sound, so this involves a ferry boat ride - pretty actually!!). While it IS a piece of cake compared to Taxol, 5 surgeries, etc. I am tired of the ride. I overall feel lucky with my prognosis and then, when I look at my health history the past several years I exclaim "Is this really my life". Who ever expects this. My daughters are 10 and 14. I traveled to the midwest in November for my mom's 85th birthday and kind of a celebration/break for me and my 14 year old melted completely. She's a challenging kid, smart, (adopted), and intense. Part of her statement to me was "Well, you know, we've been dealing with your cancer for 7 years" and "Quit acting like everything is normal". Now I'm dealing with a seriously depressed teen and am dealing with crisis counseling appointments, psychiatrists, etc. I would like a break! They will come, won't they??? Just venting. Thanks.

Jude

Re: Kvetching
 

Hello Islandgirl -
Welcome and hope you can feel at home here and get some of the personal relief that comes with sharing a common plight and all that attends it.

We have had other threads on the subject of problems with children or other family members. You might search and find some of those. As long as we are in treatment, there is the constant fear that things are not all right with us.

Ferry rides ARE great for the 1/2 hour or so vacation in the bosom of a large craft they provide. Just looking at a different horizon helps me.

I went to SCCA for 8 years to get my Herceptin. Now off of it and glad to be able to have those dates off my calendar.

Re: Kvetching
 

Dear StephN:
Thanks for your post. It sounds like you know about those ferry rides..... being in Seattle. I had my surgeries done through SCCA and University of Washington (Ben Anderson, M.D. and a great nurse/friend, Kathie Errico). I am receiving oncological services now through Swedish and love my doc (Kristine Rinn). It's all so personal, isn't it? I sit here cozied with my younger daughter under a new pink blanket courtesy of the chemo unit I visited today!! I had herceptin treatment this a.m. and the nurses were handing out fleece blankets courtesy of the Herceptin drug company - my initial response was to cringe - good grief - and then I paused and said, "Hmmm, a $12,000 blanket (the cost of treatment for 30 minutes - I figured it's about $440 a minute), I'll take it". The nurses and I got a good laugh out of it. Yes, I know it's black humor and I'm not fond of free advertising for the drug companies, however, if Herceptin is what keeps us all alive and kicking, we SHALL enjoy this warm, cozy, pink fleece gift... It may not be cashmere, but it is I am going to carry the image of being enveloped in it's good graces......Take care and stay well..

Jude
Island Girl

Re: Kvetching
 

I can count on my sisters to keep on kvetching.

Black humor, green humor...any color/kind of humor is better than humorless! I feel for you with your challenging 14 year old. I don't have kids, but my nieces made their parents crazy at that age, and they are wonderful girls now. My nieces didn't have the stressor of cancer in their mom ... In their aunt, yes, but it's not the same. I'm pulling for you and your daughter.