Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[SillyMe]

My mom had her lumpectomy this morning. He removed a few of her lymph nodes also, but said the rest looked pretty good from what he could tell. We won't have the results back for about 7 days. After they come in, he'll know whether she needs more surgery or chemo. Then they can also decide when to start the radiation, I guess. He sounded very optimistic, so we're praying for the best.

My God, is this an emotional roller coaster. For several days, I felt positive and we all seemed fine. Last night I had a meltdown. Granted, I have other major personal issues going on right now, too. I feel like I'm on a merry-go-round and it won't stop spinning.

 

[NHAnn]

Very very normal feelings SillyMe. You're not alone, I know it doesn't make it any easier that they ARE normal, but HUGS to you.

Larajean, I also had my radiation at a "Treatment Center " located at a hospital. It's pretty high-tech equipment, I wouldn't think treatment in a doctor's office would be available, but maybe it's different there My ins co-pay is only for "office visits" and not treatments/tests/surgery authorized by my PCP. The billing records for the "rad treatment" I saw showed it I think for a month's worth then the additional week or so. No co-pay for me on that.

 

[mickeymost]

GAGWTA!!

Laura - GREAT news!! Isn't the waiting and unknowing the worst!

Laurajean - Both times I had radiation it was a facility in a Wellness Center connected to the hospital. Not actually the hospital, but that is where it was located. Politics I think. Anyway I too only had copays for the Drs visit at the beginning of treatment. Even though I saw him weekly during treatments it was all part of the treatment as far as billing went. They would submit 2 or 3 weeks at a time. I had different insurance each time and it worked the same way for both. HTH

SillyMe

Kelly

 

[Amy]

Laurabelle - great news!

Laurajean - my radiation treatments were 3 years ago, but I had them done at a local cancer center. There were co-payments to see the doctor, but no co-pays for each treatment. Geez, 5 days a week times 7 weeks - wow! Insurance covered it all, just like chemo.

Don't know what's going on lately - I'm totally exhausted all day long, but at night I can't sleep. A couple of girls at work are like that, too, and so is my dad. Wonder if there's something in the air?

GAGWTA!

 

[mickeymost]

Amy - I bet it's the weather. I know the change of seasons is happening (although I hear it's still pretty warm up there). I miss the smell of Fall down here! So many people up there are saying they're tired. Just in time for the time change!!! That's always good for screwing up your sleep patterns.

Have a good one.

Kelly

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

SillyMe, sending you a cyberhug. You sent one to me yesterday and it really helped. I'm thinking of you. I hope they don't offer fastpasses to this ride. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I just wanted to take a minute to post on our 100th page. Thank you all for 100 pages of caring. You ladies make me feel so good! I hope sometimes I brighten your day just a little.

Hugs to all. You guys remain in my thoughts and prayers.

GAGWTA!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

Back in June of this year I discovered the DIS boards because of my love of anything Disney. Little did I know then the importance of it would be. This particular group is helping me hold it together. I truly appreciate the help and advice you folks have given me.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Well you wonderful Ladies, this will be my last post before the the 3-Day Walk. It has been pouring rain all day today and is supposed to continue thru tomorrow. But that is okay, I don't care because this is a wonderful Cause. BREAST CANCER AWARENESS!!!

I am Walking for each and everyone of you.

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

[Cruise04]

I'm sorry I didn't come back after the other day. I made up a post and then the board did a strange thing and I lost it. And I wasn't ready to re-write it because my boss came in about that time. I had originally scheduled my ultrasound for this afternoon and then had to change it to tomorrow morning - first thing. They were, at first, unsure if they wanted me to have an ultrasound or a mammo and I had to explain that because I'm so large breasted that they've done an ultrasound for the last 4 years, I haven't had a mammo since then.

I think laura asked me if it felt hard. It did and now I can't really find it again. But I have found a couple more in that area that are larger feeling that weren't there last week or the other day. So I have a few areas I'm going to make sure they check just to be safe. I have a spot by my nipple that is weird too but it might be some tissue. I'm very anxious. I wasn't scared until I was on my way home the other night after making the appointment and it hit me that I'm feeling something that I'm very worried about because it's not like other lumps that I have felt. Thanks in advance for any prayers you can send my way tomorrow morning. I meet with a surgeon for a check and read of the films on Wednesday. She is suppose to be very good.

I have a small confession, I haven't told my husband. I just couldn't. I need to wait and see what the films show and then take it from there. That's just how I am unfortunately. I'll do it when I'm ready and when it's time.

That bag for the walk was awesome - thank you so much for including my mom on that even though she is no longer here. That meant more than you will ever know to see that.

Good luck on your 3 day walk. I can't wait to read about it when you get back. I want to do that next year but we'll have to see. Hopefully I'll have most of my weight off and I'll be able to manage it. If I can't do it, I'm going to register to volunteer. Hope you have fun regardless of the rain - it is for an AWESOME cause!!!!!!!

Have a good weekend everyone - I'll try to post tomorrow afternoon and then we are off camping. A bit cool here in IL but it will be a nice getaway.

Chris

 

[Lessa of Pern]

cruise.

I don't have breast cancer, I have uterine cancer, but I think I understand how you're feeling right now.

I went to my gyn for abnormal bleeding. she told me it was most likely hormonal, but that she'd do a biopsy during the D&C. after the D&C she called me with the cancer diagnosis, and it floored me. I just couldn't talk about it at all for a few days.

but once I got over my inital shock, I found that telling my family was difficult, but not nearly as difficult as hiding it from them had been.

 

[NHAnn]

Chris...(((hugs))) hang in there! I will be thinking of you tomorrow, we will be here for you, and with you in spirit. It will be OK!

Mom2~ THANK YOU

Need_a_fix~ this IS a wonderful group..I've been on the DIS 5 years this month. Laurabelle and Pea-n-Me had just started this thread shortly before my diagnosis last spring... the timing was a bit spooky, but a real blessing for me!

GAGWTA!!!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

My biopsy came back NORMAL!!!
I'll see her again later this month for a f/u and to see what she recommends next. Thank you for all the prayers!!!

God Bless and a big YAHOOOOOOOOOOO, Laura!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Thank you, Linda, Amy and Mickeymost.

GAGWTA ~

I called my Insurance and the hospital in which my treatments will be administered. I was pleased to find out that my insurance covers 100% - not even a co-pay. However, many insurances are charging co-pays says the billing rep.

Has anyone developed any rashes, sunburns or skin irritations during treatments?

 

[NHAnn]

Has anyone developed any rashes, sunburns or skin irritations during treatments?

About 2 weeks into my 5 weeks, I started getting pink over the field of radiation, this progressively deepened to a bright red. The color "peaked" near the end, plateaued for a couple of weeks and then started to fade. Occasionally I got some scattered rashy almost pimply little dots mostly around the nipple area, the rad onc nurse said it was inflamed hair follicles! The nipple itself got extremely sensitive by week 4. I had some itching and a little bit of flakiness in the upper inner quadrant, but the only spot that I would considered "burned" was a spot on the side, below the armpit area, an inch or so in diameter. It got really "scaly" looking then peeled like a sunburn would...but jsut that one little spot.

I was given a calendula-based lotion initially, then Aquaphor ointment when it got more sensitive/itchy. I found a snug cotton support bra (NO underwires) was more comfortable (even at the most sensitive times) than the recommended loose fitting cotton camisoles or bra-less with cotton shirts. I suppose if you were really burned and peeling the support may not be comfortable, but I found it more comfortable. I had cotton seamless bras (Warner's Friday bra and Jockey T-shirt bra - or maybe vice versa ) and I still wear them. Underwires are definitely not comfortable after a couple of weeks.

Overall, I did not think radiation was difficult or painful. Just time-consuming and a daily reminder of the reality of the situation!

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~

It's finally raining here in MD!!! We need it so badly, though the sad thing is my dd is going on a field trip to PA Rennassiance Festival today...oh well, they're 7th graders, rain won't bother them...

I got 6, yes count 'em, 6 hours of sleep last night!!!
Whooooo hooooo!!! :thewave:

Laurajean- I'm glad you don't have to worry about those copays...that would have been crazy!!!

SillyMe- That wait is awful, but the good thing is after your mom gets her pathology, she and her onc can work on the plan and get the treatment going. I know it's hard to "look forward" to that part, but for me, I just wanted to get on with it, bring on the weapons and let's fight! I know what a crazy rollercoaster you are on, but it kind of becomes like a job, it's just what you do. Believe it or not, you get used to it. And you'll get to know some pretty amazing people along your mom's journey. The majority of those who work in oncology are some of the most compassionate, wonderful people you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting. They make it bearable. And hey, we're always open here!

Chris- Maybe those lumps are popping up because they're cysts... I'm praying for you this morning. I hope they can tell you something while you're there.

 

[SillyMe]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~

It's finally raining here in MD!!! We need it so badly, though the sad thing is my dd is going on a field trip to PA Rennassiance Festival today...oh well, they're 7th graders, rain won't bother them...

I got 6, yes count 'em, 6 hours of sleep last night!!!
Whooooo hooooo!!! :thewave:

Laurajean- I'm glad you don't have to worry about those copays...that would have been crazy!!!

SillyMe- That wait is awful, but the good thing is after your mom gets her pathology, she and her onc can work on the plan and get the treatment going. I know it's hard to "look forward" to that part, but for me, I just wanted to get on with it, bring on the weapons and let's fight! I know what a crazy rollercoaster you are on, but it kind of becomes like a job, it's just what you do. Believe it or not, you get used to it. And you'll get to know some pretty amazing people along your mom's journey. The majority of those who work in oncology are some of the most compassionate, wonderful people you'll ever have the pleasure of meeting. They make it bearable. And hey, we're always open here!

Chris- Maybe those lumps are popping up because they're cysts... I'm praying for you this morning. I hope they can tell you something while you're there.

Thank you. Thank you all. You women are incredible.

 

[snappy]

We are all so blessed to have this forum.

Hats off to Laurabelle and Pea-n-Me for starting this thread.

Inspiration, that is what it was.

GAGWTA everyone!!!!

And, Happy FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

 

[Lessa of Pern]

ugh!

every time I go for chemo, they ask me if I'm experieincing neropathy in my hands or feet, and I tell them "no".

well, the past few days, the answer has been "yes". my toes feel numb, like my shoes are too tight, and I'm getting an on-again-off-again tingling sensation in my feet and legs. anyone have any suggestions that will give me some relief until I talk to the doctor?