Hi:
I just signed up for this group and want to introduce myself.  My
name is Bonnie and I am 43 years old.  I have just been diagnosed
with Breast Cancer.  It is Stage 1 but the her2-neu factor is
positive and therefore it is a very agressive type of cancer.  The
mass is large - 2.5 centimeters.  The docs are recommending chemo to
shrink it before surgery and radiation.  I start chemo - Taxotere and
Herceptin this week.  Anyone been on these drugs??  The Herceptin is
an experimental drug specifically for my type of cancer.  I will be
receiving the Taxotere once every three weeks and the Herceptin every
week for 16 weeks, which seems like an eternity.

Can anyone who has been on either of these drugs tell me what to
expect as to side effects, etc??

I am still in sort of a denial stage but know I have to do the chemo
to live.

Thanks,
Bonnie

I would just like to offer my best wishes for a very happy Christmas to
everyone on the list and their families--I;m getting in early as we here
in Australia will celebrate before the northern hemisphere.!!

Cheers
Caroline

Hi Missy:

I agree your aunt needs someone to go with her to the doctor and she needs a
second opinion.  We in the on-line groups have saved another woman with the
advice we were able to give.  So keep in contact.  Maybe you can get her to
write to us.  Or if she gives a phone number, one of us will call her.

I am a 3 year survivor.

Andrea akosar@...

thank you I will contact you soon-

                                          Missy

Missy,
1) She has a right to a second opinion even on a HMO. She
absolutely should NOT go under the knife without a second
opinion.
2) If a family member can't go with her to the appointments,
call up one of the local support groups and ask if they have
someone who can go with her. They would be more than happy
to accompany her.
She's currently in shock and she will not be able to
remember everything that doctors tell her. They will say
something that is hard to assimilate and while she's trying
to get a grasp on that, the doctor will keep talking. Heck,
I missed whole sentences during appointments.
I'd be more than happy to talk to her on the phone or
through email. Email me privately for numbers. I hope this
helps.
Melody

TheissMtheiss4@... wrote:
>
> I need some help for a family member ,my aunt,has found lumps in both
> her breasts she has had 3 biopsies  done but the doctor has NOT
> told her for sure she has cancer and yet he is telling her to have
> both of her breasts removed, and telling her she HAS to go on this
> experimental drug.....
> Her doctor sounds like a lunatic!!!!!!!! NO official confirmation
> of cancer and yet he is telling her what SHE has to do- my aunts head
> is spinning...shes numb and when shes at the doctor she freezes up
> and cant assert herself.I told her she has to take someone in  with
> her for her own protection and to speak up for her-
> My aunt is also on a HMO (which I know nothing about) but she says
> she has few options for doctors. I dont know what to do to help-
> any input would be great and I'll get your messages to her-
> PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE help me to help her!!!!! God bless you all-
>
>                                          Missy

I need some help for a family member ,my aunt,has found lumps in both
her breasts she has had 3 biopsies  done but the doctor has NOT
told her for sure she has cancer and yet he is telling her to have
both of her breasts removed, and telling her she HAS to go on this
experimental drug.....
Her doctor sounds like a lunatic!!!!!!!! NO official confirmation
of cancer and yet he is telling her what SHE has to do- my aunts head
is spinning...shes numb and when shes at the doctor she freezes up
and cant assert herself.I told her she has to take someone in  with
her for her own protection and to speak up for her-
My aunt is also on a HMO (which I know nothing about) but she says
she has few options for doctors. I dont know what to do to help-
any input would be great and I'll get your messages to her-
PLEASEEEEEEEEEEE help me to help her!!!!! God bless you all-

                                          Missy

love and prayers,
mary rose

sing like you know the words, dance like nobody's watching, and love
like its never gonna hurt.--unknown

Name of virus:     W32/Navidad@M

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If you receive an e-mail called "An Internet Flower For You", do not open it.
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SEND THIS TO EVERYONE ON YOUR CONTACT  LIST!!!!


_____________________________________________________________
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this is a good one.   it's worth looking at.    i think you will enjoy
it.

love and prayers,
mary rose

sing like you know the words, dance like nobody's watching, and love
like its never gonna hurt.--unknown

http://www.gigglezonegreetings.com/beware.html

_____________________________________________________________
Herspace.com
[[feed your heart * fuel your art]]
http://www.herspace.com

Kathy, we did have someone come to our support group who was a physical
therapist specialising in lymphedema.  She came from Tampa; we are in
Orlando.  There are only two physical therapists in our area who are
certified for this specialty.  She showed us the proper technique, which was
small movements beginning at the chest to open these channels and working UP
the arm, rather than down, as I was taught in the hospital.  It makes sense
that  if you start at the wrist or hand and try to massage the fluid toward
the chest, there will be closed channels between the wrist and the chest!
So one starts at the chest and works lighly, almost in a butterfly type of
light pressure, and works to the upper arm and thus to the fingers.  There
are s few women in my group using this service and they get excellent
results.

Hope this helps,

Andrea
----- Original Message -----
From: <katfloyd@...>
To: <breastcancersupport@egroups.com>
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2000 11:45 AM
Subject: Re: BreastCancerSupport Digest Number 166


> Hi Ladies,
>
>   Quick question for you.  The subject of a massage therapist has come up
in
> the support group meetings lately.  I would think that it would be a
> wonderful tool for healing, however one lady said she heard that someone
who
> hasn't had breast cancer should have a massage.  Anyone else hear or have
an
> opinion on this?
>
> Kathy
>
>
> The Online Breast Cancer Support Group
>

Kathy,
     I have been through the massage therapy with the lymphedema clinic here.
It has been very successful.  I recommend it to those who haven't had much
success with other methods.  I also became good friends with the therapists
and worked with them to improve ideas that help in my situation.  It is
unfortunate for those of us who develop lymphedema and I pray that some day
they will find a way to cure this condition.  It makes life just a little
more challenging for me, but know I am up to it.
     Thank you for your input and I will ask my therapist her ideas and
thoughts about regular massage therapy and the pros and cons.
     God be with you.
Success comes in cans, failure in cant's.
Never give up your dream.
Love,
Phoebe

I too have lymphodoema as do some of my friends and massage is used to treat
it--but it is a special kind of massage to try and drain the lymph, so I don't
know about the regular kind--perhaps a physiotherapist who deals with
lymphodoema would know the answer..

Caroline

PJ Deibert wrote:

> Kathy,
>     I have been to a massage therapist before I had breast cancer.  It was
> wonderful.  But, now that I've had breast cancer and went through all that
> goes with this dreaded disease; and, now have lymphedema, I wonder about the
> massage doing more damage to the affected arm.  Has anyone dealt with this
> type of situation?
>
> Success comes in cans, failure in cant's.
> Never give up your dream.
> Love,
> Phoebe
>
>
> The Online Breast Cancer Support Group

Kathy,
     I have been to a massage therapist before I had breast cancer.  It was
wonderful.  But, now that I've had breast cancer and went through all that
goes with this dreaded disease; and, now have lymphedema, I wonder about the
massage doing more damage to the affected arm.  Has anyone dealt with this
type of situation?

Success comes in cans, failure in cant's.
Never give up your dream.
Love,
Phoebe

Hi Ladies,

   Quick question for you.  The subject of a massage therapist has come up in
the support group meetings lately.  I would think that it would be a
wonderful tool for healing, however one lady said she heard that someone who
hasn't had breast cancer should have a massage.  Anyone else hear or have an
opinion on this?

Kathy

this is a very good one.  read and pass on

love and prayers,
mary rose

sing like you know the words, dance like nobody's watching, and love
like its never gonna hurt.--unknown

Received this from a buddy of mine.  It's good reading. Enjoy.

Shalom and Love,

Murray

please  read this and then pass on.  No money-no gimmicks
Mitch K

>
>        > > Heavens Grocery Store
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Read this story, and follow the
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >recommendation at the end......
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >As I was walking down life's
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >highway many years ago
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >I came upon a sign that read
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Heavens Grocery Store.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >When I got a little closer
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >the doors swung open wide
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >And when I came to myself
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >I was standing inside.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >I saw a host of angels.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >They were standing everywhere
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >One handed me a basket and said
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >"My child shop with care."
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Everything a human needed
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >was in that grocery store
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >And what you could not carry
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >you could come back for more.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >First I got some Patience.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Love was in that same row.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Further down was Understanding,
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >you need that everywhere you go.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >I got a box or two of Wisdom
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >and Faith a bag or two.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >And Charity of course
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >I would need some of that too.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >It was all over the place.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >And then some Strength and Courage
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >to help me run this race.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >My basket was getting full but
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >I remembered I needed Grace,
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >And then I chose Salvation for
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Salvation was for free
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >I tried to get enough of that
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >to do for you and me.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Then I started to the counter
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >to pay my grocery bill,
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >For I thought I had everything
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >to do the Masters will.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >As I went up the aisle I saw
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Prayer and put that in,
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >For I knew when I stepped outside
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >I would run into sin.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Peace and Joy were plentiful,
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >the last things on the shelf.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Song and Praise were hanging near
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >so I just helped myself.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Then I said to the angel
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >"How much do I owe?"
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >He smiled and said
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >"Just take them everywhere you go."
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Again I asked "Really now,
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >how much do I owe?"
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >"My child " he said,
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >"God paid your bill a long,
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >long time ago."
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >This poem has been sent to you with love
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >and for good luck. It originated
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >in the Netherlands and has been around
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >the world 9 times. The luck has now
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >come to you and you will receive good
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >luck in the mail within six days of
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >receiving this letter providing you sent
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >it out to someone else. Do not
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >send money as this message has no price.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Do not keep this letter but send
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >it on to someone who needs good luck.
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >Of course, good luck is just another
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >way of saying blessings. Send five copies
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >within 90 hours of reading this
>        > > >        >
>        > > >        >and see what happens in six days.
>

love and prayers,
mary rose

sing like you know the words, dance like nobody's watching, and love
like its never gonna hurt.--unknown

Subject: NEW VIRUS FOUND!

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   Delete it immediately! This virus removes all dynamic link libraries
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    SEND THIS TO EVERYONE ON YOUR CONTACT LIST!!!


_________________________________________________________________________
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I had written earlier about the challenge I was having to get a bra
that was supportive and was long lined as not to irritate tender
ribs, etc.  One of you mentioned the "tank bra".  I went to several
places around my neck of the woods and nobody knew what I was talking
about.  If someone could send me some information  and/or pictures so
that I may show these people I would greatly appreciate it.  Thanks.

Thanks for sending that on Mary Rose--we all need a gentle reminder now
and then

Caroline

love and prayers,
mary rose

sing like you know the words, dance like nobody's watching, and love
like its never gonna hurt.--unknown

----- Original Message -----
From: Ronald Fort <ronald.fort@...>
To: Jack and Martha <texasjackleg@...>
Sent: Thursday, September 21, 2000 6:55 AM
Subject: Fw: Fw: How you live!


>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Fort Linda <lfort58@...>
> To: moconnor <moconnor@...>; David Borovicka
> <david@...>; Brad Fogo <foncc@...>; Bill Fort
> <bjfort@...>; Ronald Fort <Ronald.Fort@...>;
jacqueline
> harnett <jacjax_16@...>
> Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2000 11:10 PM
> Subject: Fwd: Fw: How you live!
>
>
> >
> >--- Elma Dysart <ebdys@...> wrote:
> >> From: "Elma Dysart" <ebdys@...>
> >> To: "Donna Lance Burroughs" <lanceb@...>,
> >> <fredot@...>,
> >> "Linda Fort" <lfort58@...>
> >> CC: "Diane/Fred Dysart" <dysart5@...>,
> >> "Susan R. Dysart" <cheeta1976@...>,
> >> "David & Tabby Dysart" <tabdysart@...>,
> >> "Marian Frazier" <mfrazier@...>
> >> Subject: Fw: How you live!
> >> Date: Sat, 16 Sep 2000 14:02:40 -0500
> >>
> >> Subject: How you live!
> >>
> >>
> >> > HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH?
> >> >
> >> > I read of a man who stood to speak
> >> > At the funeral of a friend
> >> > He referred to the dates on her tombstone
> >> > From the beginning...to the end.
> >> >
> >> > He noted that first came her date of birth
> >> > And spoke the following date with tears,
> >> > But he said what mattered most of all
> >> > Was the dash between those years. (1934 -1998)
> >> >
> >> > For that dash represents all the time
> >> > That she spent alive on earth...
> >> > And now only those who loved her
> >> > Know what that little line is worth.
> >> >
> >> > For it matters not, how much we own;
> >> > The cars...the house...the cash,
> >> > What matters is how we live and love
> >> > And how we spend our dash.
> >> >
> >> > So think about this long and hard...
> >> > Are there things you'd like to change?
> >> > For you never know how much time is left,
> >> > That can still be rearranged.
> >> >
> >> > 
> >> > If we could just slow down enough
> >> > To consider what's true and real,
> >> > And always try to understand
> >> > The way other people feel.
> >> >
> >> > And be less quick to anger,
> >> > And show appreciation more
> >> > And love the people in our lives
> >> > Like we've never loved before.
> >> >
> >> > If we treat each other with respect,
> >> > And more often wear a smile..
> >> > Remembering that this special dash
> >> > Might only last a little while.
> >> >
> >> > So, when your eulogy's being read
> >> > With your life's actions to rehash...
> >> > Would you be proud of the things they say
> >> > About how you spent your dash?
> >> >
> >> > .(\***/)*.*
> >> > (\ (_) /)*.*
> >> > (_/ || \_).*.
> >> >  /____\*..*
> >> >
> >> > > >>May your guardian angel watch over you
> >> faithfully
> >> >
> >> > 
> >> > Maxine McIntosh
> >> > fmm@...
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >
> >
> >=====
> >RESEARCHING: BOROVICKA,HOGAN,HOUGH,KNIGHT,HUFF,CONKLIN,BEARD,
> >FORT,FARNER,SMITH,WHITT,
> >
> >__________________________________________________
> >Do You Yahoo!?
> >Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger.
> >http://im.yahoo.com/
> >
>

I just had to share this with you!


   C.O.D. - Courage On Demand

       In the summer of 1991, my husband and I were vacationing
  in Ireland. Being good American tourists, we naturally visited
  the Blarney Castle. And of course when you visit the Blarney
  Castle, you kiss the Blarney Stone. Well, to get to the
  Blarney Stone, you have to walk up several flights of narrow
  stairs. I have always had a fear of heights and am very
  claustrophobic, so I told my husband to go without me and let
  me know if he thought I could do it. When my husband got back,
  I asked him, "Well, what do you think? Do you think I can do
  it?" and before he could answer, two little old ladies came
  up to me and said, "Honey, if we can do it, you can do it!"
  So, I kissed the Blarney Stone!
       About a month after I returned from Ireland, I found out
  I had breast cancer. I needed radiation and chemotherapy. The
  doctor was obligated to tell me all the things that might happen
  to me as a result of the chemotherapy. He said I might lose my
  hair, I might become violently sick to my stomach, I might have
  severe diarrhea, I might run a high fever, my jaw might lock,
  and so on. Then he asked, "Are you ready to start?" Oh yeah!
  I really felt ready to start now!
       While my husband and I were sitting in the waiting room,
  waiting for my treatment, I became very anxious and scared.
  I turned to him and said, "Do you think I can do this?" Sitting
  across from us were two little old ladies who had just completed
  their chemo treatment! My husband took my hand and said, "Doll,
  this is going to be just like the Blarney Castle! If they can
  do it, you can do it!" And I did it!
       Do you know the really neat thing about courage? It
  shows up when you need it!

   By Maureen Corral
   from A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul
   Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark
   Victor Hansen & Barry Spilchuk
   No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any
   manner whatsoever without prior written consent from
   Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc.


Success comes in cans, failure in cant's.
Never give up your dream.
Love,
Phoebe

Dear Andrea

   Yeah, I know what you mean.  I tend to be very skeptical anymore about
almost everything...and that includes medicines.  I keep thinking there has
to be a balance somewhere, kind of like both herbs and medicine have their
good points, but there are always the bad.  Seems like a lot more research
needs to be done on herbs as people are surely buying them like hot cakes and
I worry that the consumers really don't have enough information to really
know what we are doing!

Thanks,  Kathy

Caroline,

   Hey that Tibetan herb thing sounds really interesting!  I haven't heard
about it, but you can bet I'll keep my ears perked up for it.  Thanks for the
information!

Kathy

Thank you Kathy for asking all that info for me--I guess the main
message is less is best unless you really understand just what it is you
are dealing with. A doctor here has written a book called The Liver
Cleansing Diet--nothing to do with cancer, just looking after yourself
generally. When I was ill with jaundice I had a peek at it and it
basically seemed to be saying a sensible diet etc, friut and veg, that
sort of stuff. Which is what the liver surgeon told me as well as lots
of water and no dairy products

On the subject of herbs though, I unfortunately just caught the very
tail end of a science prgramme last night about a woman with breast
cancer who was experimentally being treated with Tibetan herbs with
success. I was so cross to have missed it--has anyone heard of it, it
was somewhere in America and the trial was a t a university medical
centre. A long shot I know as there is a lot of stuff going on, but it
would be interesting to know more.

Cheers
Caroline

-----Original Message-----
From: akosar <akosar@...>
To: breastcancersupport@egroups.com <breastcancersupport@egroups.com>
Date: Wednesday, September 06, 2000 1:32 PM
Subject: Re: BreastCancerSupport Digest Number 159

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Hi Kate!

My oncologist said absolutely no plant estrogens, and the AMA has come out
against this for breast cancer patients.  Of course, eating a little tofu is
OK, but taking these substances as pills or powders is not.  This makes
sense when you remember that a few years ago, they removed a breast cancer
patients ovaries as part of the cure.
There is absolutely no such thing as "cleansing the liver".  Or any other
organ for that matter.( Sorry, the nurse inme is coming out)  These concepts
are taught in herbal schools and are scientifically impossible.  These folks
like to say that "doctors only get one course in nutrition", but that is
false, they get cellular and molecular nutrition, which these laymen cannot
even understand. OK, now I'll get off my soapbox.

Love,

Andrea


The Online Breast Cancer Support Group

Hi Kate!

My oncologist said absolutely no plant estrogens, and the AMA has come out
against this for breast cancer patients.  Of course, eating a little tofu is
OK, but taking these substances as pills or powders is not.  This makes
sense when you remember that a few years ago, they removed a breast cancer
patients ovaries as part of the cure.
There is absolutely no such thing as "cleansing the liver".  Or any other
organ for that matter.( Sorry, the nurse inme is coming out)  These concepts
are taught in herbal schools and are scientifically impossible.  These folks
like to say that "doctors only get one course in nutrition", but that is
false, they get cellular and molecular nutrition, which these laymen cannot
even understand. OK, now I'll get off my soapbox.

Love,

Andrea

Hi Caroline,

    Boy there's a lot to know about herbs!  I got a few answers for you, but
not everything unfortunately.  She said that as far as herbs that breast
cancer survivors should stay away from, she said she would avoid Korean
Ginseng and American Ginseng.  She said Siberian Ginseng would be better.
She said that studies done on herbs that are estrogen promoters actually have
shown to be helpful (I found this surprising) as they tend to level the
estrogen out in the body.  She didn't know much about the Australian tea you
were drinking, but I asked about the other herbs causing liver damage and she
didn't think they would, but clarified that too much of anything can be toxic
and each person is different.  She also said that many people suffer from
what she called a "healing crisis" which is when someone starts a bunch of
different things at one time.  She said when it came to herbs, the best thing
was to start slowly.  She said she has found very few herbs that don't
actually cleanse the liver at least a little bit, but that so many people
take different amounts and that some preparations are much more potent than
others.  To most of us consumers, we just go with what the commercial or
bottle tells us.  Most of us haven't had the time to go into great study of
herbs to know which ones need to be prepared which way.  As far as your
daughter, she said she would have to know much more about her heart
condition.  She really didn't understand the lavender, unless it was in oil
form that they were talking about and she cautioned that many essential oils
can be extremely volatile if you don't know what you are doing.  She said
other than the oils we use for aroma, which we are to use only a few drops
of, that we really should know what we are doing before playing with the real
powerful stuff.  All in all it seemed that more she talked the more we all
realized that herbs should be taken seriously.  Also, what we get at some of
our discount stores, probably isn't what we think we are getting.  For
example she said we should use a natural vitamin E, but that it is expensive
so most of those cheap things we find in the stores are pretty much
worthless.  She also knocked to bits many of the vitamins that are so highly
advertised here in the states.  The big question that everyone kept asking
was "but how does the average consumer know what's good and what's bad and
how much?" and the only answer was education.  But as long as the almightily
dollar plays such an important part in our lives, many companies will be
fighting over the specifics for a long time.

   Sorry if you're more confused than before.  I feel that way too but I
became more aware of how herbs can be very dangerous if we don't know what
we're doing so it's good to find someone knowledgeable that we can trust.

Kathy

I was trying to snip the reply to you Andrea and I lost the whole
message--can't imagine where it all went?

Thanks for your reply anyway--I haven't been having chemo for the liver
lesion as they couldn't decide what it was. I didn't want a liver biosy
done as there again it didn't immediately appear to be a secondary--but
they couldn't entirely rule it out. However, since it was discovered I
have been very careful about  what pills I take and have watched my diet
as well. It's now 7 months and if it'smaller, well something is working
I guess. Will continue to keep my fingers crossed as well!!!

Cheers
Caroline

Thanks Phoebe--the cold is still hanging around, not much of a Father's Day here
for my husband--not only can son and no1 daughter not get here but no 2 daughter
has the cold as well so neither of us is feeling very cheerful.

We have been seeing all the fires over your way via the television and in fact
some Aussie firefighters went over to help. Glad that there might be some relief
with the rain at last. It is spring here now and daylight saving has started a
month early due to the Olympics which start in two weeks.

Cheers
Caroline

PJ Deibert wrote:

>
> Caroline,
>     Glad to hear the good medical news.  Hope your cold gets better and you
> get to feeling chipper soon.
>     We are getting rain today.  We are into our fall months.  Today has been
> somewhat colder that usual, anyway I feel it more.  We've had burn bans
> throughout the state of Washington.  Montana has had some pretty nasty
> fires.  They are still battling them.  Things are extremely dry around here.
> Only hope this rain helps.
>     Good luck and I'm sending prayers that your checkups bring you only good
> news from now on.
> Success comes in cans, failure in cant's.
> Never give up your dream.
> Love,
> Phoebe
>
> The Online Breast Cancer Support Group

Caroline, the news about your liver is great.  Your chemo must be working!
Are you still on chemo?

Andrea
----- Original Message -----
From: "Caroline Martin" <caroline@...>
To: <breastcancersupport@egroups.com>
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2000 6:07 PM
Subject: BreastCancerSupport medical update


>
> Hi everyone--just wanted to share my latest ultrasound results--the
> lesion in my liver has slightly decreased in size--still no definite
> diagnosis but smaller has to be better than larger!! Have to have
> another one now in 6 months.
>
> We've actually had a week of medical tests--my husband had a barium
> enema--normal--I think he went out in sympathy with me or else he was
> tired of me getting all the attention!!! I also had an ultrasound of my
> wrist to confirm a diagnosis of tenosinuvitis--that means a painful
> wrist and hand and difficulty doing certain things--writng, typing, etc
> and of course, vacumning, sweeping and all forms of housework!!! In
> fact, I'm about to turf Mike out of bed and show him where the vacumn
> cleaner lives--he did make the suggestion that I could use my left hand
> but it wasn't very well received as you can imagine.
>
> Yesterday was the first day of spring here in Australia, a beautiful
> day, as we are gearing up for the Olympics. I have a streaming head cold
> though, which being just a cold can only improve, but right now I feel a
> bit negative as I drip and snuffle
>
> Caroline
>
>
>
>
> The Online Breast Cancer Support Group
>
>

Gosh, I thought I was the ONLY person in the world who knew that many herbs
are not safe.

Andrea
----- Original Message -----
From: "Caroline Martin" <caroline@...>
To: <breastcancersupport@egroups.com>
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2000 6:24 PM
Subject: Re: BreastCancerSupport Digest Number 157


>
> >
> >
> > Hi Everyone,
> >
> >    Just wanted to ask a question.  At our next Breast Cancer Support
Group
> > meeting we are having a woman speak who owns an herbal shop.  If anyone
has
> > any questions you would like me to ask her about herbs, just let me know
and
> > I'll do so.  Our meeting is this coming Tuesday evening.
> >
> > Thanks Kathy
> >
> > The Online Breast Cancer Support Group
>
> Kathy, I would bevery  interested to know what herbs are safe for the
liver.
> When I was in hospital over Christmas with liver problems, one of the
questions
> they asked me was about herbal preparations. At the time I was taking an
> Australian bush essence, it was called dynamis something or other (can't
> remember as I came home and threw it out) but I did like it as it
certainly made
> me feel more cheerful. Have also taken occasionally gingko and
valerian--but I
> did read that gingko was not suitable for women who have had breast cancer
and
> just recently read that valerian was considered toxic to the liver, along
with
> pennyroyal oil, sassafras, skullcap,mistletoe and kombucha tea. So, I
really
> would be interested in that.
>
> Also, one of my daughters has a heart condition and I know she has to
avoid
> lavendar, so I wonder if there is anything else she should avoid. At the
moment,
> due to a heavy cold, we are both taking zinc lozenges-- we are waiting to
see if
> it really does make a difference.
>
> Have also just remembered that I read somewhere that women having
chemotherapy
> for breast cancer should mention any herbal preparations to their
> oncologist--didn't actually say which ones though--perhaps this lady
knows.
>
> Cheers
> Caroline
>
>
>
>
> The Online Breast Cancer Support Group
>
>

I would be interested in this information also.
Mary in E. Texas

> >
> > Hi Everyone,
> >
> >    Just wanted to ask a question.  At our next Breast Cancer Support
Group
> > meeting we are having a woman speak who owns an herbal shop.  If anyone
has
> > any questions you would like me to ask her about herbs, just let me know
and
> > I'll do so.  Our meeting is this coming Tuesday evening.
> >
> > Thanks Kathy
> >
> > The Online Breast Cancer Support Group
>
> Kathy, I would bevery  interested to know what herbs are safe for the
liver.
> When I was in hospital over Christmas with liver problems, one of the
questions
> they asked me was about herbal preparations. At the time I was taking an
> Australian bush essence, it was called dynamis something or other (can't
> remember as I came home and threw it out) but I did like it as it
certainly made
> me feel more cheerful. Have also taken occasionally gingko and
valerian--but I
> did read that gingko was not suitable for women who have had breast cancer
and
> just recently read that valerian was considered toxic to the liver, along
with
> pennyroyal oil, sassafras, skullcap,mistletoe and kombucha tea. So, I
really
> would be interested in that.
>
> Also, one of my daughters has a heart condition and I know she has to
avoid
> lavendar, so I wonder if there is anything else she should avoid. At the
moment,
> due to a heavy cold, we are both taking zinc lozenges-- we are waiting to
see if
> it really does make a difference.
>
> Have also just remembered that I read somewhere that women having
chemotherapy
> for breast cancer should mention any herbal preparations to their
> oncologist--didn't actually say which ones though--perhaps this lady
knows.
>
> Cheers
> Caroline
>
>
>
>
> The Online Breast Cancer Support Group
>
>