:)Marilyn: Did he stop taking Atenolol because  the manufacturer stopped making it
as was my case?? I also was put on (now)toprolol. Was he also changed to that?
And is it about 3 times as expensive as the Atenolol ?
Joy

alpiner, I had the 6 1/2 weeks of radiation, and had no ill effects.  I have COPD now, but at least hadn't been diagnosed at that time.  My tumor was not estrogen sensitive, so I opted not to take the medication, and then didn't see the medical oncologist after that.  I just followed up with the surgeon and the radiologist.  I may have said all this before, so if I'm repeating, I apologize. 

That's the pits about your medication, Joy.  Last January, my provider decided (in their infinite wisdom) to make two of my long-term/maintenance meds available only in 30-day refills (not the previous 90-day refill).  At least the price only went up the extra co-pay.  But it annoying to have to order it every month instead of every three months.

For those who have had radiation did you have after affects ?  Did you have radiation 6 days in a week for 6-1/2 weeks ?
Still no phone call .

Sharon...we both take 100 mg of COQ 10 daily.  He may want to up his to 200 mg when he goes on whatever this new cholesterol med is.  He couldn't remember the name.

Alpiner...several of the Buddies have had radiation so can comment.  I didn't. I had chemo since I had a mastectomy.

Cold...(30s-low 40s) and damp here and very windy here...miserable to be out and about.

jane

The dr. said I can drive again & I'm so happy !!  I was getting cabin fever . DH was thrilled that I can resume my regular activities.....like cooking !  I enjoy cooking , he was a good pinch hitter though .

Alpiner, great that you can resume driving and cooking.  I had radiation and the only side effect I had was fatigue, but I had chemo first which added to the fatigue.  I took Femara for 5 yrs after all the other tx. No problems.  My chemo was not one of the extremely toxic ones. There is one that has a drug that can harm the heart. Since I already had cardiomyopathy, they didn't use that one. Consequently, I didn't lose my hair and didn't have some of the awful side effects.  I did have a couple of cancer cells in my sentinel lymph nodes so they classified me as stage 2B.  If you didn't have lymph involvement, they may decide to skip th.e chemo.  I had a couple calcifications or something on my lungs from radiation, but no Copd and no problems otherwise.  Good luck with your consultations.

Hi Joy, Mary, Jane and all.  I have to get on my machine.  I have a dr's appt this aft.

Good morning, Buddies.  I've been out early and delivered a campaign poster to a neighbor who supports the Democratic candidate for Senate as I am doing.  It is still a bit chilly here but is supposed to warm up this afternoon.  I am playing bridge at 12:30 and then attending the first AU Women's home basketball game.  My ride will pick me up about 5:15, so busy day here.

Alpiner, I found a large lump just above my right nipple in 1996.  I was teaching school and that morning I had bus duty so my husband called my doctor in Montgomery and then called my prinicipal and told her I had an emergency appointment and he would pick me up at 10:00 to take me to the doctor which was 65 miles away from our farm and my school.  We were sent to the imaging clinic after I saw my nurse practitioner, had many pictures taken of the lump and about 4:00 was told to return to the doctor's office and then referred to a doctor who would do a needle biopsy.

However, when we got the appointment for the biopsy, I was notified by our military insurance that I must go to Ft. Benning to be examined by a military doctor.  This was very upsetting, but turned out to be a blessing.  This doctor was wonderful, did a great job of removing the lump and also the lymph nodes under my right arm.  I opted to have radiation treatments, although the doctor was pretty sure he'd removed all that was necessary.  So every day after school, my husband picked me up and drove me 65 miles to Montgomery to the big cancer clinic there for radiation. The treatment stopped before the 6 weeks were up because the Clinic was closed for 2 weeks during Christmas vacation, so once the vacation was over, we went back to the clinic and had 3 more weeks of radiation just to be on the safe side. 

I hope your lymph nodes were cancer free and you won't need further treatment, but if you do, these cancer doctors are very well prepared to treat you and help you with recovery.  Thoughts and prayers are coming your way from all of us.

I hope all are well and having a good day.  I'll be back again tomorrow.

Sue

alpiner, I had 6 1/2 weeks of daily radiation, and had no side effects.  Some folks, like Sharon, experience fatigue, and some have some skin issues towards the end, but I don't remember any of those.  Mostly it was just the constancy - having to be somewhere at the same time every day.  Travel time usually takes longer than the time at the treatment center - at least it did in my case.  I was 12 miles from the center, and arrival/sign in/get into gown/get zapped/get dressed rarely took longer than 15 minutes.

Sue, I wish I could cast my vote for your candidate, but I fear it wouldn't help.  What a disaster!

I've been to Silver Sneakers, and will go up to lunch, but then I'm back home for the day.  The Terrace is having it's Family Thanksgiving Dinner today, so there will be tables set up all over the main floor, and lots and lots of extra people.  I could go up and get the fancy dinner, too, but I'm going to skip the crowd and eat some soup here at home.

Alpiner....hurrah for you.  You're just about back to your normal life....but without that awful cancer.  Good for you!

Finally a little bit of sunshine outside...but it's not to last long...back to low 30s, gloomy, and drizzle.

I got my pneumonia shot this morning, and took some good jewelry to the bank deposit box for while we're in Tx. 

We're rounding up "stuff" we want to take to TX....meds refilled, etc.

jane

Thanks Sharon for your input ...I should consider it if  my vision will improve...Darlene

The lymp nodes were cancer free . The dr. said the  spot had well defined margins , found the measurement wasn't .2 centimeters . It was 1.2 centimeters .
I was given the numbers of two dr.s she wanted me to call for appts.  I called one yesterday & was told they need a referral from my dr. first . So I called my dr. this morning & they will send the drs. referrals . So it will probably be next week before I get a call .
I drove into town today & forgot to bring a pad to place under the seat belt . I moved it under my arm & hoped I wouldn't need it .  That little trip sure tired me out !

alpiner, it takes such a long time to get strength and stamina back after even simple procedures.  Sorry.  One thing about cancer treatment in general.  Just some more advice in the sea of advice you've been given.  We've found out that cancer treatment is probably the most individualized treatment in medicine today.  There is NEVER any one-size-fits-all approach.  So please take all we've said as our individual stories, and your story may or may not be the same as any of it. In any case, we're with you all the way!

Mary, you are so right about the individualization of tx for cancer. That's a good thing, but I'm sure it's difficult for those undergoing it at first.  Since you will have a family TG, I don't blame you for skipping the group dinner.

Sue, you have indeed been busy today. Hope your girls win tonight.

I went to the Dr's this afternoon. The first time I've been out of a gown and robe in 2 weeks, first time for makeup too.  They thought that everything was progressing well. Said the flex was 90+ and that's what they shoot for for 4 weeks and I'm only at 2.  However, the straightening out of the leg down to 0 was way off, so I'm going to have to work on that. He said the extra PT I got yesterday working on my hamstrings and calf tendons is probably what kept me hurting last night. He's happy with my med use and I don't see him again until Jan 4!!

I've got to go get on the machine again.  Sharon

Sharon, it's always comforting to get a good report from the doc - even through the pain and your lack of seeing much progress.  Keep up the good work! 

Good morning, Buddies.  It's chilly here, but sunny and will warm up soon, although only in high 60's.  Although the weatherman is predicting low 80's by tomorrow!  All these changes are not a lot of fun, IMO!

Last night AU women's basketball game was a win for us, so was happy about that.  I have another game on Sunday and neither of my friends who like to go with me are available.  I hate to waste 2 excellent seats, so will ask around today and tomorrow.  Coach Flo played a lot of her new gals and some were pretty good.  Hopefully all will improve as the season moves on. 

Mary, "Judge" Moore is denying all the allegations and may get away with it, but the Repubs in Congress are coming out against him.  However, that doesn't cut much ice with his followers.  So he may still win out.  It's too bad as Doug Jones, the Democrat, has been a fantastic prosecuter (sp?) for Alabama.  He was on the team which managed to get a conviction for the Ku Klux Clanners who bombed the church in Birmingham which killed 4 little girls attending Sunday School. 

Mitch McConnell has come out against Moore as have several other leading Congressional Congressmen/women.  This surprised me but I'm glad they did.  I don't think most Alabamians realize that he has been sanctioned twice by the Alabama Supreme Court for malfeasance in office.

Sharon, I'm glad you had a good report at your check up.  Keep up the good work!  You've made great progress and I know you and your doctors are happy about that.  Can you describe what the machine does and how you use it? 

Alpiner, hurray for the good report from the surgeon.  Good luck on getting the appointments  and soon with the other doctors.  It's great that you are feeling up to driving alone.

Darlene, I hope today is a happy one for you.  Keep us posted.

Jane, it sounds as if you're almost ready to leave town and get on the road to South Padre Island.  I envy you spending the winter down there!  Enjoy your trip and the sunshine on Padre Island.

Tim is coming about 11:00 for our weekly lunch date and Kroger trip.  I'm caught up on laundry, so have time to read before he gets here.

Have a good day, Buddies.
Sue

Sue, hope springs eternal.

I woke up at 1:30 this morning, and then slept 5-7:30, so I'm pretty much wiped out today.  I'd like to take a small nap this afternoon, but hope to stay awake most of the day.

It's another lovely cool fall day today, but rain predicted for tomorrow and then getting really cold (down to freezing) by Sunday night - and most of Thanksgiving week.

Happy Thanksgiving week to all.

Sue, the machine is a passive bending machine. My leg is strapped into a trough like area (fleece lined). It starts with the leg flat and then very gradually starts moving it into a bent position to whatever degree you have it set at.  Right now, that is 115. Once it reaches that degree, it slow flattens back down to 0 and then repeats.  It is very gentle and I often fall asleep with it going or I read.  Bunny sleeps up on the bed beside me.  They are picking up the machine on Tues, so will get my time back.

The deal with Roy Moore is awful if true. I, however, am wondering how many of the women coming out against famous men are being truthful.  They may be, but if so, this is a worse world than I thought. I never had any kind of experience like those touted, nor do I know of anyone who has.  Maybe that's just because we haven't been in a situation with a powerul man.  I don't know.  I just hate to read the news or watch it anymore.  Sharon

I have stayed away from commenting on the problems of sexual harassment that is so prevalent,  I am glad that it is coming to the forefront. It has remained hidden for so long that it's about time something is done about it starting with Trump, Bill Clinton was certainly no angel either. Roy Moore is so blatant right now and he needs to drop out and let someone with a clean reputation take his place. That being said all of those who are guilty should step down. "He who is without sin cast the first stone". Therefore I will get off my soapbox before I really start to vent. I am one of those who posted my #metoo in that movement on Facebook.

The breast cancer dr.'s office called  &  spoke of an appt. in December & that the dr. wouldn't been in .   I had no knowledge of it !   She said she would call me back  .  I find this office is very unorganized .

Finally got a call back . The dr. cancelled the appt . , it was for a mammogram ( too soon ) .

I agree, alpiner - they don't sound very organized.

Marilyn, I know that you have been a victim of domestic abuse. That is awful and unforgiveable, but different from the sexual gropings, assaults, etc in the news now.  That is what I was referring to. I'm sure it happens. Clinton is an obvious example of it and I know there must be a lot of it. However, the hordes of women coming out against famous men make me wonder if all of them are truthful.  I guess I have lived a blessed and protected life.

They are picking up my CPM machine and ice machine Tues AM. So I will have more time, I think. However, I start outside PT Monday AM. Also have an appt on Wed. TG is more or less a non-event for us this year.

I hope all of you will be with family and friends and enjoying good food. It is probably just as well that we won't have a full TG dinner.  I have lost about 20 lbs now and want to keep going. I started losing before my surgery and am not quite sure why, but I definitely haven't had much appetite since.  TTYL Sharon

A sunny but chilly Sunday here.  I didn't go to SS and Church because Olyne called to tell me she has a bad cold.  I was somewhat glad as I have sniffles, but I think it's my allergies.  Her grandson, his wife, and 2 little girls are coming down for the Alabama game and she will be keeping the girls, so wants to be much better before Friday. 

It's about 45* here at 11:30 and I bundled up for a walk.  I thought I had a second women's basket ball game this evening, but I looked at my tickets and had to call Sandra next door to tell her I had the wrong date.  So I'll have to ask her again for another time.  I'll try to find women's basketball on TV, but it looks like it'll be all men's tournament games from Puerto Rico.

I've cleaned up the kitchen and put out most of my trash (cardboard and plastic) but will wait until after I eat supper to put the large can out on the street.   I have some new books from my trip to the library yesterday, so will read until I find a basketball game to watch.

I hope you're all having a good Sunday.  Enjoy the rest of the weekend. 
Sue

Good Sunday to you all, hope you are having a good day.  John went to church but I'm still not up to it. I read the paper and dozed a while, then Melanie called and talked for an hour, so I was just getting cleaned up when John got home. I got my bed exercises done and will check out the computer while I eat and then go get on the machine.  Lori texted me from Shanghai yesterday. She arrived safely, found her hotel, and did a little shopping and eating.  She didn't get the LD add-on to her new I-phone, so all she can do is text.  Her cruise of Japan begins in another 2 or 3 days.  Her friends are coming in just in time for the cruise. I'll be relieved when she is on board and with friends.

Sue, I am still reading The Nightingale. It is about 600+ pp, but it is interesting, about 2 sisters in the resistance.

Hi to all.  Sharon

Alpiner...it sounds as if you’re coming along nicely...and good news on the smaller tumor, clean margins and no lymph node involvement, 

Sharon...good news you can have Dec. without doc appts.

Hi to Marilyn, Sue, Maryz, Darlene

I believe the women who’ve come forward and I think there are probably a lot of our Congress people who are worried their  activities are soon to be made public. I think 9 unrelated women and a 30+ yr old lawyer banned from the mall has merit.   I find it outrageous that $17million has been spent of taxpayer money to settle sexual harrassment cases against elected congressmen.  Why are taxpayers paying these settlements and force the women to sign non disclosure clauses?    Hollywood has been famous for the “casting couch” to fame.  I think it's also been prevalent in large companies for years.  The women I know who’ve worked in large companies/hospitals all have had “me too” stories.  As Marilyn said, “getting off my soapbox” now.

We’re continuing to gather things up, get our medicines together, etc.

Jane

sherry I was a victim of both domestic violence and sexual assault. I was raped when I was 13 yrs old up to  18 yr old boys when I was walking home from the fair. They grabbed me and took me to the park and raped me.

Marilyn, what a terrible thing!  I'm so sorry to hear.  You are so strong!

Marilyn, how absolutely awful. No 13 yo girl or any girl ought to have to go through that! It's amazing you've come through all that and made something of yourself. Mary is right. You are one strong lady.


Jane, I agree with most of what you're saying. Especially the casting couch to fame. I knew that when I was a teen. I also agree on the public's money being spent to settle these scandals.  What has happened to our world?

I've spent the afternoon on the machine and reading my book.  I WILL get it finished, if not tonight tomorrow.  Sharon

Checking back in after supper.  Today was a lovely chilly day.  The storm line that roared through here yesterday afternoon only dropped about 0.25" of rain, and was really fast.  No damage in this area though.  I just heard there was an F1 tornado between Nashville and Murfreesboro.  We're supposed to get down to freezing in the morning, so I guess I'll have to scrape the windshield when I head to swimming.  I don't mind the cold, but I do hate having to scrape.   

Been mostly 'same old, same old' around here. I saw some white flakes, but no accumulation. Ray wants me to move more. I guess I've become too sedentary.