I might ask if anyone has a prayer to spare to keep me in mind?
I've been undergoing a bunch of tests for pain that I've had on my right side. So far they can't see anything wrong (which is great) but they want to be really sure so I have to have yet more tests. This has been going on for months, actually, and you think it'd be getting easier but it hasn't. I've had ultrasounds, CT scans of my chest, abdomen and pelvis and an upper GI series, and still have to have an endoscopy - and oh, yes, let's throw in a bone scan for good measure.
I wouldn't mind so much, but ever since I ended treatment last July it seems I haven't truly been able to move forward yet. In September on routine follow up a new spot was found (on my other breast) which required biopsy and 6 weeks of hell with worry. (My surgeon had told me it looked like a new cancer). I was scheduled for excisional biopsy to place a wire and take the whole thing out but the day of surgery the spot was nowhere to be found, thank God. The stress of those 6 weeks was very difficult since I'd just finished treatment. I wasn't truly relieved about it until March when they rechecked the area to be sure and thankfully it was still gone. In between that I started having a workup for this pain as well as had a bout of lymphedema in my arm which required - again - more doctors appts and twice a week physical therapy sessions. I'm so done with all these appointments and tests (there's really been no break since September, 2003 when I foung the original lump)!! Yet I'm doing well so I really shouldn't complain. It's just been kind of hard emotionally more than anything. I'd like to finally be able to move forward but I'm still in this limbo.
On a good note, based on the study that came out last week about statin drugs and how they are now thought to inhibit cancer growth: I spoke with my doctors about starting a statin since I have a strong family history of high cholesterol on both sides (and have been taking niacin myself for elevated triglycerides); nor am I eligible to take tamoxifin or it's counterparts since my tumor was ER/PR negative. My thought was it may be beneficial in my case. At first my doctor misunderstood but when I showed her the study she wrote to me that she "learns something new from her patients every day" and put my new prescription in the mail for me. My oncologist also agreed saying she believes the statins do inhibit cancer growth (as well as protect our coronary arteries) so thought it was fine to give it a try. I'm glad about it, I just hope it doesn't bring a whole new set of problems like some people can have with statins - my neighbor was actually hospitalized with a severe reaction to one and my mother had to change drugs when she had horrible body aches).
I sometimes wonder what my care team thinks of me?
Speaking of that, I'm sure you guys will appreciate this story. Last week I got a red spot on my breast, like a "pimple" (you know those things you get sometimes?). Anyway, it was bigger and redder than the ones I usually get. The last thing I felt like doing was driving into Boston to see my doctor on one of the rare days I have off and don't have anywhere I have to go. I got this brainstorm: I'd take a digital picture of the spot and email it in to my care team just to see if they thought I needed to be seen or if we were ok to watch it for a while.
You had to see me trying to get the shot (not "too much skin" but "just enough" to show in relation to where it is on the breast)!
They were hysterical saying they'd never received a picture from a patient in an email quite like that!! My doctor said when she'd heard I sent a picture she was expecting to see the family!!
Oh well, WTH, it saved me a trip (and it turned out to be fine), LOL.
's and prayers are with you, those waits are awful.
Hope all are doing well.
that I've decided to go for re-excision (scheduled for Friday) and if all goes as planned, start 5 weeks of radiation a couple of weeks later.
sorry you're not feeling well. 
my kids had dance recitals this weekend...I'll echo the birthday girl, I'm just glad to be here!
(Forgive me if I somehow missed this). Are you still going? If so, hopefully the planning, packing and trip itself will take your mind off the surgery for a while! 
Have a wonderful trip. 
today. Other than that good!
