Update Hucklebuck
 

Whew. Busy, busy, busy. OK, so what's new in central Texas? Let's see...

A quick chronological rundown: SEPT - IMRT targeted brain rads (worked phenomenally well, no sign of pesky spots), OCT - switched to Herc/Tykerb combo (suffered gasto probs and diarrhea on 5 Tykerb, so dropped to 4 daily with tri-weekly Herceptin and all is going great), NOV - caught a bad case of something that included middle ear crud and dizzies, finally cleared that around Thksgiving and ended up with a surprise case of the blues along with hangover fatigue from the brain radiation (we assume) so my doc asked me to start on Remeron (mild anti-dep). DEC - attended SABCS with the HER2Support team and had a blast, went to NYC for 4 days which turned into 6 days after being snowed in, went to Tampa for Christmas, Remeron really started to help after about 3 weeks, but caused weight gain (bummer, about 11 lbs)... but thankfully I was good as new by Christmas and New Years. JAN - traveled to Tampa for 3 weeks of my annual work at the Super Bowl. The game was fun and this year we got to go onto the field after the game. Got my pic taken with the Thunderbird Pilots... FEB - had my capsulectomy (remove scar tissue from around my implant and replace implant) surgery last week, so here I am with drainage bulb and a computer. Hope to have bulb out by this Thursday and be allowed to plug back into being a mobile human again by the weekend... and start to work off/walk off some of the new poundage that I am toting around.

Last scans (Dec) looked great! Nothing new. I love hearing that. Tumor markers are lower than they have been since original dx. Unbelievable. Next set of scans scheduled for March, and I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed.

So, that's what I've been up to. How's everyone else?

XO, Brenda

I'm speechless !

Maria

Me too but overjoyed you are well and getting stronger.

You go warrior woman!

Sounds like you have been a busy bee. I think a few of you ladies are having a competition to see who can cram the most into each day. Myself, I like to stop and smell the roses sometimes. I will keep my fingers and toes crossed with you and even my eyes when I can if that helps. Keep on truckin'!

Happy to hear your good news.

Karen

Thrilled to hear your good news! It gives us all so much hope!

love,
shobha

Brenda,
New hope.. for a new day. Your post brings us all added joy. Good for you! Much love, Vickie

bravo brenda!!! you needed that! congrats
hugs and love sarah

Brenda,

Glad to hear your good news.

Amelia

Very happy to hear the good news!

Julie

Brenda, this is terrrific, your vigor and zest amazes and inspires me. Ceesun

Glad to hear from you
 

Fingers crossed for you here too, Brenda. I don't see ANY grass growing under your feet! Trade you some Alaska wild salmon for some of that great Texas sunshine...

A.A.

Update Hucklebuck
 

Wow !! You sure do keep putting one foot in front of the other !! You are one of the poster girls for that.

To all you Ladies, especially Joy
 

I think she forgets sometimes, just how special she is:

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.



They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.

Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,
IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Brenda,

Thanks for the update! So happy to hear that you are doing so well!!

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_5_121.gif Amazing, terrific news! Thanks a million for sharing it with us today! You've been non stop on this journey lately and the payoff is wonderful. So happy for you, Brenda. ma





http://www.smileycentral.com/sig.jsp...p=ZNxpt141YYUS

Good to hear things are looking so good. I understand the cabin fever. I just had my drains removed last week, now I'm buzzing around like a bee trying to catch up on everything I couldn't get done the last couple weeks...seems like months! Hope that new implant serves you well.
Celeste

Yippee for you! There's a lot of good news on this board today. Ya know, Tykerb sounds like it really kicks a-- on the brain mets. Spring is coming.

Good to have the old Brenda back.

Glad to hear that you're treatment worked really well.

Joan

Thanks all... whew. I am actually tired just thinking about it. Next up we have talked about 4-5 days in Santa Fe the middle of MAR , we have 6 house guests coming right after that for 5 days (for SXSW Festival in Austin, sleeping everwhere, floors, couches, bathtubs HA), then I go to Detroit Mar29 for a week for my annual work at the Final Four tournament, then to Tampa (again!) the middle of April to visit our 11 year old niece on her spring break, and then maybe 7-10 days mid May in Japan to visit other niece who is in Air Force stationed in Okinawa. Geez, I might need to slow down or learn how to say no... naw, that would be no fun. Don't even want to think about the summer... LOL.

Good Lawd, Hucklebuck! I, too, am speechless. Wow, all that's left is bee-keeping and taxidermy.

WOW Brenda!
So glad you have good news and it sure seems your living to the fullest!

I'm taking your thread to my Onc. tomorrow. I think the Drs. need to hear more positive stories. Way to go Brenda, and keep up the great work. Take up line dancing so that I can meet you on the dance floor.
Hugs,
Diana.

Brenda,

Great to hear from you! I will sure keep my fingers crossed for things to be great and the best for you every day!!! All my love,

Paty

What fabulous news! I'm so excited for you.

I need to find the info, but we learned at SABCS that there are certain particulars that indicate whether or not someone will get optimum (or any for that matter) effect from Tykerb... I guess I am one of those people.

Wow Hutchibk, you were sure busy!!! Nothing keeps you down, thats for sure!! I am cheering for the great news on your markers!!

Brenda,
Have been thinking of you and I was thrilled to read your post and update. Thank you.

I have just one word for you lady, AMAZING!

Yes, you are AMAZING.

Sending you much love,
Jean

Well hello there BDT. Good report. Yuck on the drains. Soon that will be history too right? (gosh sometimes I really do miss my comma).

I am curious - have many questions - hope you don't mind: tri-weekly herceptin. Why that way verses every three weeks? And how long is each infusion? And do you have a port? And now that your s/e's are under control have you thought of trying hercepting less often for convenience sake? I think our bodies adjust after time.

BTW - I am thinking about cutting my Tykerb back to 4 a day too. It makes such a difference in my energy level and s/e's too. Will discuss w/onc next month.
Sorry your home-bound but good to hear from you! xoxo
Flori

Oops - I thought tri-weekly meant every 3 weeks, not 3 times a week. Am I a dork? Well, I do get it every 3 weeks...

That's hilarious. Who knows? Maybe I'm the dork. I just assumed...

ask.com
 

tri·week·ly (trhttp://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/imacr.gif-whttp://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/emacr.gifkhttp://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/prime.giflhttp://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/emacr.gif)adj.1. Happening, done, or appearing three times a week.
2. Happening, done, or appearing every three weeks.

adv.1. Three times a week.
2. Every three weeks.

Oh great, it means both... now we are both dorks. Or are we? LOL

No - not dorks - you are both Smarty Pants who are doing very well holding your own against the cancer shmancer beast and the Blue Meanies.

Just another reason my Russian friend thinks ENGLISH is so hard to learn! Duh, as compared to what, Cambodian?

Well, Brenda you are quite the little overachiever! Of course I knew that already.

Glad to hear you're tearing it up all over the Southland. Just reading your post makes me tired, I have to go take a nap now.

Keep it up!
Chris

Great brenda
 

I have been thinking about you but have not been posting much these day's

so glad to hear that things are going well for you.

I wish you had told me you were in tampa. Maybe we could have met up. Maybe next time

you keep the good work up my friend

Irene - my Super Bowl work in Tampa (or any city for that matter) left me no time for any king of socializing... believe me, my in-laws tried to see me a couple of times to no avail. I was up at 6am and didn't get home to the corporate apt. until about 8pm EVERY DAY, no days off. Basically I ate dinner and fell asleep watching TV, just to wake up 8 hours later and do it all over again. We went to work when it was dark and got home after dark. Very frustrating as Tampa is a second home for me, and there is so much I would have loved to do...

We'll be there again in April. I'll let you know when, when I know when...

"middle ear crud"

damn propellor head.

Brenda...Verna and I would love to see you too (we are all in the Tampa area) give us a shout!
Marcia