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• Pussecat

  

  • 6 posts
  June 20, 2013 9:18:40 PM WATime

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  Hi, I would just like to introduce myself.  I was originally dxd with BC in Dec. 2003.......had a radical mastectomy, tried chemo but had a very bad reaction to it so was refused anymore afer just one round, tried Tamoxifen and three weeks later was put into hospital with a suspected heart attack......no more T.  Tried another in the same family (sorry can't remember the name) but a week later I was feeling like I did on the T so no more of that and no more treatment.  Cancer was/is ER/PR+ Her2- stage II grade II.  I was a little late (like five months) in going for my five year check and it was at that visit that we discovered that it was back and in my bones, mainly my left humerus (2009).  Within the week, I had seen the RO, an .orthopaedist and was in hospital having a nail inserted into my humerus to prevent breakage as it was in a very fragile state.  Five rounds of radiation and the pain was coming under controll but pain meds were issued along with Arimidex.  That little pill made be feel and react worse than my 80yr old mother but I had to put up with it until a small progression convince my doc to change me to Femara.  I've been on this now for two and a half years and have dealt with all SE's really well and truth be told there haven't been too many of those so Yahoo!  I really hope it keeps working for a long time.

  Well, now you know me.......well sort of....lol.  It will be nice to get to know you.

  Hugs.   Pussecat

  2003, ER/PR+ Her2- stage II grade II. 2009 Mets to bone.
• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  June 20, 2013 10:02:57 PM WATime

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  Hi Pussecat.
  Wow - you certainly have an incredible story to tell! You've had such a difficult time with everything - it's very inspiring to see your positiveness and humour! Must have been so hard along the way ... would love to learn what has helped you get through it all.
  Wonderful to hear the Femara has been kinder to you than everything else you've been on. Really hope it keeps working for a very very long time too.
  Look forward to chatting and hearing more from you. Love Glenys (Click Breast Care Nurse) xx

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• Pussecat

  

  • 6 posts
  June 20, 2013 10:29:50 PM WATime

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  Hi Glenys nice to meet you. It was rather tough at the time in the beginning and all I wanted to do was talk to someone who had been there and done that. Alas, I couldn't find anything like this Forum or the other one I belong to......in fact I didn't find that until a year after I was dxd stage IV so I just had to muddle through and do a whole lot of research on my own. One good thing came out of that and that is my knowledge re BC, treatments, SE's of and natural medicine that can and does help with those SE's as well as keeping your body in the best condition it can be to help deal with this disease at stage IV. Some of them would also help lower stages as well.
  I learned early on that each day was a gift and like all gift we need to appreciate them......take the time to smell the roses so to speak, something that most people don't do. I find pleasure is just sitting, listening and enjoying my world. I love photography so my camera is always close at hand to record the beauty that I see around me. I learned to be adventurous.....yes I said adventurous.....lol. In September 2011 I decided for the first time in my life to go overseas. It took some organizing as I didn't even have a passport. I went to Singapore, London, Philladelphia, New York, Raleigh NC and the Outer Banks, Miami FL, Branson MS, San Antonio TX, Denver CL, Los Angelas Ca, Auckland NZ then home.......I did it alone and had a ball! The following March I had a total Knee Replacement and this year I am madly crafting for my daughter's wedding at the end of September. I stay as busy as possible and never miss a chance to meet new people and experience new things.......I intend to keep doing this for many years yet.
  Oh my, sorry, you may have guessed, I like to talk as well and it doesn't matter if it's voice or word.
  Hugs. Pussecat

  2003, ER/PR+ Her2- stage II grade II. 2009 Mets to bone.
• Glenys

  

  • 162 posts
  June 21, 2013 8:51:36 AM WATime

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  Haha - yes indeed Pussecat, it's terrific to see you like talking - it's the best way to communicate with others and (as you've said) share your thoughts and ideas, and not feel so isolated and alone! We have a few other ladies here with stage IV and also have wanted to chat to others in the same circumstance - there is a group for secondary breast cancer in our 'Groups' section (icons top of page) - however I know of others on the site who haven't added themselves to this group - hopefully they'll read your comments and add their own.
  What amazing adventures you've had - WOW! As much as we wouldn't wish for it, sometimes adversity in life can motivate us to get out there and really LIVE - and find great joy in things so often taken for granted.
  You know - everything you've said is so inspirational! The three 'L's do seem to help along the way - Laughing, Loving, Living!
  Thanks Pussecat and please keep on talking .. we can all learn so much from you. xxx

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  June 21, 2013 11:45:55 AM WATime

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  Hi Pussecat,

  Researching the disease and finding out what treatment suits you is so important and i am glad you found one that suits you.  It's wonderful you went on such a long trip on your own and I love the photograph you used. Where is it taken? I also love to travel and take photos (of anything that catches my eye) so I hope you post some more. You have really taken life by the horns and are living it to the max. Good on you

  Warm hugs from Cynxx

  This post was edited by Cynthia at June 21, 2013 11:45:55 AM WATime"

  the Click Researcher
  

• Pussecat

  

  • 6 posts
  June 21, 2013 12:29:04 PM WATime

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  Hi Cyn, thanks for the compliment Re my pic......I took that in Colorado USA........so many beautiful things to snap over there. Where was your pic taken......by the colour of the sky I would say somewhere central Aus.
  
  Hugs. Pussecat

  2003, ER/PR+ Her2- stage II grade II. 2009 Mets to bone.
• aussie12

  

  • 15 posts
  June 24, 2013 8:06:35 PM WATime

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  Hi Pussecat, great to see you on this site, hope to talk to you live Wed night 7pm to 9pm WA time. You'll get to know my real name if you do !!!

  45 YO, DCIS, 4.5 cms, Nodes clear, LB mastectomy, expander surgery Feb 13.

• Pussecat

  

  • 6 posts
  June 24, 2013 8:21:59 PM WATime

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  Hi ya Aussie! I would love to do the chat but I will be in the city again on Wed night but I will try to get on. If I don't make it this week, I will certainly try for next.

  2003, ER/PR+ Her2- stage II grade II. 2009 Mets to bone.
• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  June 25, 2013 11:16:58 AM WATime

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  Hi Pussecat,

  I would love to go to the USA (taking my camera of course) My pic was taken near the Redcliffe bridge right here in Perth - then I messed with the processing (:.  Do you live in WA?

  This post was edited by Cynthia at June 25, 2013 11:16:58 AM WATime"

  the Click Researcher
  

• Pussecat

  

  • 6 posts
  June 25, 2013 12:28:07 PM WATime

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  Hi Cyn, no I live in a little country town called Burra, SA. The trip to the USA was an absolute blast and I was lucky to be able to see so much of it. I think I took about 5000 photos at the time, just so i would remember it all.....lol.

  2003, ER/PR+ Her2- stage II grade II. 2009 Mets to bone.
• Cynthia

  

  • 124 posts
  June 26, 2013 9:44:02 AM WATime

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  Hi Pussecat,
  I have been through Burra as I lived in Warracknabeal in Vic most of my married life and travelled to and from Perth visiting all my family who had migrated west. My sister wants me to go to the USA in particular NYCity and I would like to see the country side for photo ops. Some of it looks just like the Wimmera wheat and sheep country and mountains that's if we claim the Grampians he he!

  the Click Researcher
  

• Pussecat

  

  • 6 posts
  June 28, 2013 8:33:47 PM WATime

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  Cyn the thing that got me about the USA was that from the air, everywhere I looked there were forests and rivers or lakes! I know it's a big country and it has a lot of desert/dry areas but where I was I just remember thinking 'so much water!' as we have so little here. The Mountains we have here just look like little hills in comparison.....lol.....and that's not just in Texas.....lol. You know the saying it's always bigger and better in Texas? The Rockies are just amazing! Oh I could wax lyrical about all the scenery but I'd probably put you to sleep.....lol. All I will say, is if you grt the opportunity to go, do so but try not to stick around the cities, get right out into the real countryside....you'll never regret it. Love n hugs. Pussecat

  2003, ER/PR+ Her2- stage II grade II. 2009 Mets to bone.