Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[laurabelle]

Snappy it scares me, but not as much as not getting the tests the doctor needs. Hopefully someday they'll have better screening methods. Sometimes to fix one thing they mess up something else. But I don't dwell on it. After all, if I've kicked cancer once I could do it again, right? I prefer to remain positive, wearing my rose-colored glasses.

My friend in Mexico has a son that broke a bone. He went in for an x-ray and eventually ended up at MD Anderson in Houston with leukemia. It was a rare form and the doctor suspected x-ray. They went back and checked and the machine was faulty. No telling how many people were x-rayed there and got sick. I don't know if they took the hospital to court or not. I'm sure they are more careful in the US because no doubt there would be a court case. The good news is that the son is now an intern. He's all grown up and wants to help make other people well. He is doing great and at the time of his diagnosis no one had had that kind of leukemia and survived. They get better at treatment every day.

What an amazing story! My onc doesn't use scans or x-rays for follow up. I've only ever gotten them when I'm presenting symptoms. She does examinations and bloodwork, and above all else relies on me being in tune with my body and recognizing if something's not right. I have other friends whose docs do alot more for follow ups...I'm going to share Laurie's news story with them.

 

[laurabelle]

Ann,
Unfortunately it comes with the territory. You have to remember, the majority of people are helped by these treatments, or they wouldn't be doing them. And you're right, you're in the best place possible putting your trust in God first.

 

[laurabelle]

Laurajean1014- I'm sorry it's been moved, but you're right to focus on the fact that you're getting the state of the art testing done. I hope you find some happy distractions to keep your mind off it (as much as that's possible!)

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I also had a mastectomy, thinking that would be the end of it. Otherwise, I might have chosen lumpectomy and radiation. My reasoning at the time was that I would think I was still sick during the months of radiation, and with the mastectomy I would feel that I was "well" as soon as the surgery healed. Well, out of 21 lymph nodes that they took, one had a tiny bit of cancer, so they told me I should do chemo. I spent about 24 hours "kicking" myself, thinking that I had made the "wrong" choice.

My first thought after my diagnosis was go "get it off". But I was advised by my oncologist and surgeons that my long term survival odds were the same (based on my tumor characteristics) regardless of the surgery I chose. (That information probably wasn't available to you 11 years ago). My oncologist put her thumb over the (2.1cm) tumor on the mammogram slide and said "that's your tumor, the rest of this is healthy breast tissue". So I chose lumpectomy (with chemo and radiation). I had a sentinel node dissection and remember waking up to my surgeon telling me the first node was positive (ugh, that's not a good memory) so they took out seven more, all of which were negative.

During radiation they really zapped my axillary and clavicular areas as well as my breast. I had no problem with that after much discussion with my radiation oncologist - reasoning I have to be alive in order to have health problems down the road which I can deal with then. So I don't really worry about the radiation (I have other demons). They are extremely concerned with safety and give the absolute minimal amount with which to have good results. My team is like Laura's - they do not do routine scans unless there's a problem. I've had a fair amount of scans now because of the pain I've had in my belly, but I don't worry about that either. I take my cues from the staff who work around all this radiation every day. I figure, if they're not worried than neither am I!

Can't do the tamoxifen thing cause I'm not the right type (neg. or pos.... whatever you're supposed to be, I'm not).

I thought I was the only one around here...

Good luck Laurajean. Sounds like you're in good hands.

 

[NHAnn]

It's really OK snappy, and everyone...
just like with my decision to go with lump/rad instead of mastectomy....I've just got to go forward, one step at a time, one day at a time, and deal with whatever comes down the road....and make decisions as needed based on whatever info is available then.

laurajean....enjoy the holiday weekend...we will be sending you good thoughts and prayers on the 6th!!

Today, after my rad treatment, I had my first Reiki session (courtesy of the hospital's complementary care center). Interesting, relaxing....I think I'm starting to focus as much on the mental/spiritual challenge of this situation as the physical!

Tomorrow I meet with the Clinical Trials head onc nurse to further explore the Arimidex vs. Tamoxifen trial.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I had my surgery right before Memorial Day. It took a long time to get the pathology report and I have had thoughts about whether all the "good pathologists" were on vacation that week. What I try to tell myself is that is has to be put in God's hands, that God guides the hands of the doctors.

I agree. My surgery was the day before Thanksgiving, 2003. Let's just say I would never make that mistake again.

My surgery was scheduled for 2:30pm but my surgeon is known to be very "thorough" so it was closer to 4:30pm by the time we went in to the OR (at my hospital ). In the meantime I was the last one in pre-op holding and my caregivers had changed over several times as they sent people home for the holiday. I was worried about getting anasthesia but relieved when I had a seemingly competent anasthesiologist - only to be replaced later on by someone who looked like she just graduated high school!

Later, in post op, I was the last one there - still puking in a kidney basin but trying to hold down some saltines and ginger ale which they told me I had to do before I went home. They told me I could stay the night since even though it was day surgery it was getting pretty late, but I really wanted to go home (darn those nurses as patients ).

One nurse was taking care of me but the rest of the group had their coats on and were talking turkey talk... When they wheeled me out of the PACU they shut the lights off behind us. It's still a blur but I remember the elevator door opening and who was standing there but a very good friend of mine, also a nurse in the hospital, and one of the awesome doctors I work with. My friend helped me to the bathroom and with my DH got me in the car (the others offered but I told them I was fine; I wanted my friend to help me, thank you very much). I think we left around 9pm. I went to my in-laws house for thanksgiving dinner the next day and actually felt pretty good, but I would never have surgery around a major holiday again.

P.S. My hospital is one of the best in the country.

One thing about my experience, though, is that it did give me a really good perspective on what patients and families have to go through in the hospital all the time, and I carry that over into my practice every day. (I've thought about writing an article or book at some point - right now just want to move beyond it).

BTW, has anybody seen the movie, The Doctor? I loved it and think it should be required viewing for all health professionals. If you guys haven't seen it, go rent it, it's amazing (and one of the truest to life shows from a medical perspective that I've seen).

 

[Shugardrawers]

I was just talking with DSis neighbor. She had breast cancer 7 years ago. She was pregnant with twins at the time and going through chemo She was stage 4 and figured she could live with twins with birth defects or die and her 2 older children wouldn't have a mother. Hard choice I'm sure. The twins are fine, rambunctious 6 year old girls.

On another note, a friend gave me a wig yesterday that just doesn't suit me (no, not yours Linda, I love that one) and with her permission I am offering it to anyone who'd like it. It's not in the package but never been worn. It's a blonde chin length bob with bangs. Think Julia Roberts, Pretty Woman at the beginning of the movie. It's kind of a darker blonde with very light blonde chunks. Very up to the minute coloring. It's actually quite cute but the style doesn't suit my face shape at all. PM me if you'd like it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Ann, I also had my first Reiki sessions while I was in treatment. I think it's nice to use the complementary therapies when they're available. Did you say you did the Look Good, Feel Better program? That was great, you get a lot of nice makeup.

 

[NHAnn]

Ann, I also had my first Reiki sessions while I was in treatment. I think it's nice to use the complementary therapies when they're available. Did you say you did the Look Good, Feel Better program? That was great, you get a lot of nice makeup.

Yes, the Look Good Feel Better was actually the other night , Tuesday...the final night of my support/ed group. The four of us were gorgeous and I'm hiding the box of stuff from DD (18) It's full of Estee Lauder, Clinique, Merle Norman, etc. VERY nice stuff. Only one in our 4 is in chemo, she had her first treatment the week before. Some time was spent on headscarf tying....and I wish I could describe the turban-thingie made out of....a pair of pantyhose (colored) or tights! Amazing...very cute convenient alternative to scarf or hat or wig if you don''t want the bald look...or as a bottom layer under a hat or scarf.

Hi there Shugardrawers!

 

[snappy]

I was just talking with DSis neighbor. She had breast cancer 7 years ago. She was pregnant with twins at the time and going through chemo She was stage 4 and figured she could live with twins with birth defects or die and her 2 older children wouldn't have a mother. Hard choice I'm sure. The twins are fine, rambunctious 6 year old girls.

On another note, a friend gave me a wig yesterday that just doesn't suit me (no, not yours Linda, I love that one) and with her permission I am offering it to anyone who'd like it. It's not in the package but never been worn. It's a blonde chin length bob with bangs. Think Julia Roberts, Pretty Woman at the beginning of the movie. It's kind of a darker blonde with very light blonde chunks. Very up to the minute coloring. It's actually quite cute but the style doesn't suit my face shape at all. PM me if you'd like it.

Glad to see you shugardrawers, how are you doing?

 

[laurabelle]

Ann- I totally missed the Look Good Feel Better date at my cancer center, but I've heard time and again they give out fabulous stuff! Yes hide it from your dd!!! lol! I know alot of my friends have done Reiki too, I have no experience with it, but hey, if it helps, why not?!?!

Tammy- I'm glad to hear your neighbor followed her instincts! I'm sure you'll find a good home for the wig...I ended up donating mine to my cancer center.

 

[mickeymost]

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to let you all know that I didn't have the biopsy today. The infection is back and they don't want to cut into me with an infection flaring. I did go this morning for a PET scan, now I'm a wreck waiting for those results. Off to the oncologist tomorrow for my routine follow which won't be so routine now. Biopsy and implant exchange are rescheduled for next Thurs.

Thanks so much for your well wished and prayers. I'll be needing them next week

Kelly

 

[laurabelle]

Kelly- I hope they don't keep you waiting long... It's weird, I know someone else who was recently dxed with a recurrance who was having trouble with an infection in their reconstruction. Now I know plenty of people who struggled with infections after cancer who didn't have a new dx, I just wonder if there is a connection somehow...
I'm still praying for you sweetie. And like I told LauraJean, hopefully this holiday weekend will be filled with happy distractions for you!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Ann- I totally missed the Look Good Feel Better date at my cancer center, but I've heard time and again they give out fabulous stuff!

Laura, you can still go! When I went, after treatment, my friend who is 4 years out came with me. She was psyched to get all the nice makeup but also she was an inspiration to the group, many of whom were still in treatment.

 

[snappy]

Kelly, I am sorry to hear you are still in the waiting mode. I will pray that the infection clears up ASAP. Waiting like this really puts you in limbo and it stinks!

I hope you are able to distract yourself somewhat until you can be scheduled for the biopsy and implant exchange. Sooner rather than later.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Kelly, hope the days fly by for you. I know the waiting can be so hard. You remain in my prayers.

 

[laurabelle]

Hello ladies- I leave in the morning for the beach and I won't be back online until Wed. so I wanted to wish everyone a fun, relaxing holiday!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Safe travels, Laura. And also to anyone else who is going away for the holiday weekend.

Hope we all have a relaxing and fun-filled fourth.

 

[NHAnn]

((hugs)) Kelly


Best wishes to all for a safe and happy weekend

 

[Disney Debbie]

Have fun! I'm going to be painting, sorting and reorganizing my den! I'm going to have to find some time for some fireworks somewhere in there though!