Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[NHAnn]

I haven't had that happen to that extent Linda (knock on wood). I'm sorry your night was spoiled
Happy Monday ladies!

GAGWTA!

 

[laurabelle]

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

I got home last night...what a wonderful weekend we had! Yes, reading about the SW fight in Chicago the night before was a bit unsettling. The ride down to the airport was scarier than the flight!
The roads were awful. We took the first flight out and were only an hour late. They had to double de ice us. The weather in FL was great compared to here, though it did rain a bit Friday night and Sunday, but it didn't interfer with our plans! The Christmas party Sunday night was great! I still have on my wristband, mostly because I go to the hospital for my next infusion and 2 dr. appts. tomorrow and this bracelet is much happier than theirs!
The wait times weren't bad, but the parks were super crowded! Ann, good thing you're doing the CP package, it was crazy crowded! I couldn't get near there to even listen and we happened to be passing by when the 2nd show let out and got caught in a mob! We went to the Boardwalk, Beach Club and GF to see the decorations. I took tons of pics and will post some after I finish the mountain of laundry I have to do!

Susan- Congrats on the great news!

Linda- I'm sorry you got cornered like that...I think when people see you and you are doing ok, they think they can talk about this stuff, and you're compassionate and easy to talk to. People just don't have a clue as to how this continues to affect us, long after the dx...I'm sure you handled it well.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

GAGWTA!

I still have on my wristband, mostly because I go to the hospital for my next infusion and 2 dr. appts. tomorrow and this bracelet is much happier than theirs!

Great idea, Laura - I love it!! Glad you had a good time, was thinking of you guys having fun down there. I would have been freaking out if they had to de-ice the plane once, let alone twice. Can't wait to see the pictures, have been watching the Travel Channel specials.

 

[MinnieM3]

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

I got home last night...what a wonderful weekend we had! Yes, reading about the SW fight in Chicago the night before was a bit unsettling. The ride down to the airport was scarier than the flight!
The roads were awful. We took the first flight out and were only an hour late. They had to double de ice us. The weather in FL was great compared to here, though it did rain a bit Friday night and Sunday, but it didn't interfer with our plans! The Christmas party Sunday night was great! I still have on my wristband, mostly because I go to the hospital for my next infusion and 2 dr. appts. tomorrow and this bracelet is much happier than theirs!
The wait times weren't bad, but the parks were super crowded! Ann, good thing you're doing the CP package, it was crazy crowded! I couldn't get near there to even listen and we happened to be passing by when the 2nd show let out and got caught in a mob! We went to the Boardwalk, Beach Club and GF to see the decorations. I took tons of pics and will post some after I finish the mountain of laundry I have to do!

Susan- Congrats on the great news!

Linda- I'm sorry you got cornered like that...I think when people see you and you are doing ok, they think they can talk about this stuff, and you're compassionate and easy to talk to. People just don't have a clue as to how this continues to affect us, long after the dx...I'm sure you handled it well.

Laura, glad you had a great trip!! We've never gotten to the CP. Love the decorations everywhere, though!

Linda, I get the cornering sometimes, but try to stay away from the people who dwell on the "cancer death" stuff! DUH! What are they thinking? I also am getting ready to have Stage 2 of my DIEP reconstruction (this Friday) and I'm amazed at the people who pipe up that this is "elective surgery" and no big deal. Or how HAPPY I must be to be having it. I know they mean well, but it's so many people that I get really close to losing it!

More details on Friday later this week. I'm getting fairly anxious and edgy about it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Minnie, good luck on Friday. We'll be with you in spirit.

BTW, I will be seeing the man who saw the vision of the Mary at Medugorje this weekend. I will be bringing the list of all of your names that snappy gave me if that's ok with everyone. Any special prayer requests let me know.

 

[NHAnn]

MinnieM3...sending you prayers and hugs for successful Stage 2

Linda...thanks so much for thinking of me and all of us...more than OK with me Also I have a Shelley who needs prayers, she is struggling with many serious health problems related to scleroderma. Thanks!

 

[snappy]

I join Linda and Ann, good luck Friday MinnieM3. Sorry you are anxious, please feel free to let some of it out here. We are behind you 150%.
It is not easy to face going under anesthesia again and then a period of healing, regardless what the operation entails.

Linda, thanks for bringing our list.

Laura, great to hear your trip was so fun. Can't wait to see the pictures.
You are going to make the staff and the patients at the hospital jealouse with your bracelet. I know I am.

GAGWTA!!

 

[Amy]

Only have time for a quick post - we got back from WDW Sunday afternoon, and I've been running non-stop ever since. Haven't had time to catch up with everybody's test results, etc. Hope you're all doing well!!

DS15's band was awesome! Their performance at the Galaxy Palace Theatre on Thursday coincided with a horrible downpour - the only people in the audience were us band parents. But the kids didn't care. They marched prior to the afternoon parade on Friday in a light drizzle. After they went by, they announced that "due to the rain and for the safety of the performers, the afternoon parade was postponed." We didn't stick around to see the parade - we saw our kids, and that's all that mattered! I didn't cry, and I got some great pix of the band with the castle in the background.

MVMCP was great - the rain dried up and we really enjoyed it. The fireworks were unbelievable!!

I was sick the whole trip, a sinus-congestion thing. Here's a tip: if you're all stuffed up and want to breathe for a while, ride Mission Space. I don't know if it was the g-forces at liftoff or the weightlessness, but it cleared my sinuses and I could actually BREATHE for a couple of hours afterward!

So next time I get sick, all I need is a trip to Disney!! Just need to figure out how to get the health insurance to pay for it......

Ok, I'd better get some work done so I don't get fired!

GAGWTA!!!

 

[MNSusan]

Hi,

GAGWTA!!

I saw my surgeon for my post op appointment this afternoon. She is recommending no further treatment - just the lumpectomy. She's asked me to see the radiation oncologist for a second opinion, but thinks because the tumor was soooo small (3-4 mm) and there were no additional cancer cells at surgery, that I probably won't need radiation. She did say that Tamoxifen would probably still be recommended, once we find out about the hormone receptor status.

I'm a little baffled. I thought you ALWAYS had radiation following lumpectomy with DCIS. I guess I'll see what the rad onc says.

Anyone have a similar experience? or heard of anyone having something similar?

 

[NHAnn]

Susan, I also understood that radiation following lumpectomy was standard for DCIS....but the recent trend seems to be more towards more highly individualized treatment plans....I saw a piece on TV about that the other day...although it was talking more about chemo plans being individualized--perhaps that concept is being applied to DCIS cases too?
Pehaps it is because your area was so tiny that they felt the full breast radiation might be unecessary? Here in my area they are participating in a trial comparing whole breast radiation (daily for 5-7 weeks) with a shorter stronger dose over a week, just to the tumor area. I didn't qualify because my area of DCIS was larger than the trial allowed I think it had to be under 2 cm. Maybe ask the radiation onc if you have a choice, and for an assessment of the likeliehood of recurrence with and without it?

And speaking of radiation onc...I have my follow-up check with mine today. Even though it's "routine" I have that feeling in the pit of my stomache....bleeehhh......I do love all the nurses and radiation therpists and techs there...the doc himself is my least favorite among my treatment team....I don't "dislike" him really, but his bedside manner is just not as warm/personal as my surgeon and medical onc.

GAGWTA!!!!

 

[snappy]

Susan, everyone I know who had a lumpectomy did receive radiation. I think I remember there were some studies comparing lump. with and without radiation. I did think though the standard of care currently is to do the radiation. Maybe this has changed? Maybe as Ann said as with chemo radiation treatment decisions are also being tailored specific to you rather than following the standard of care? It is so good that the lump did not uncover any further cancer.

Ann, good luck with your follow up. I don't think anything is "routine" after breast cancer. Hang in there.

How is the weather up there? Man it is cold and damp even down here this am. I just want to stay inside but I'm the room mother for DD10, and we are building gingerbread houses today. Better go eat a breakfast of champions!! This is an elaborate and messy activity. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

 

[MerryPoppins]

Ann, I'll be thinking of you today.

And Minnie, I'm thinking of you, too.

I got my results from my mammogram. All clear! That always makes me feel so good! But I have to admit as I'm ripping open the envelope my heart pounds, even though if they'd found anything I'd have had a phone call I'm sure.

Linda, I'm thrilled to be on the list. Could you add Rhonda and Evelyn? Thanks!

I rescued two puppies yesterday. (Some of you probably saw the thread I started about it.) They're keeping me hopping - trying to find homes for them. I really don't want to have to take them to the pound. I don't like kill-shelters.

 

[MNSusan]

Ann - good luck at your follow up. I'm sorry your doc isn't the best at bedside manner. So far, all my docs have been female (including the rad onc I'm going to be seeing). I think it makes a huge difference.

Snappy - its cold and snowy here. We got 9 inches yesterday and its still snowing. We will definitely have a white Christmas.

MerryPoppins - great news on the mammo. And good luck with those puppies!


As far as the no radiation goes... have you heard of the Van Nuys study? They assign you points for your age (50), type (DCIS), grade (2) and stage (0) of cancer, and a couple of other things, I think. Then they did long term followups by point total. I have a total of 6 points, and of 232 similar women, only 2 had recurrence over five years. This was without rad therapy. That's less than 1% chance.

The other thing my surgeon said is that you can only radiate once. She said if I did have a recurrence, she'd do another lumpectomy and recommend the radiation then.

To be truthful, I'd rather have the radiation and not do Tamoxifen if that was a choice. Five years of mood swings, weight gain and hot flashes doesn't sound much fun. My doc reminds me that those things were coming anyway.

It'll be interesting to see what the rad onc says.

 

[Cruise04]

Good luck Ann and Minnie!!!!! I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

Thinking of everyone else as well and keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers for good news, good checkups, and good rehab and therapy - radiation or chemo or meds!!!!!

HUGS TO YOU ALL
Chris

 

[Pea-n-Me]

GAGWTA! Pretty cold here too - the coldest weather we've had yet this year. Brrrrrr!!

I have added Shelly, Evelyn, Rhonda and my friend Didia to our list.

Merry, I must have missed the puppy thread, will go back to read it since I love the dog threads. Hope you can find homes for them. Congratulations on those normal mammograms, it is such a nice feeling.

Susan, interesting about the dilemma of radiation. I think in any of these things they try to balance the risk of the treatment with the likelihood of recurrence. Radiation itself has risks, so the feeling would be - why subject yourself to those risks if the likelihood of recurrence is so small without it? I don't know what side your cancer is on but if it's the left side, even more so. When they radiate, as much as it's improved over the years, there is still a portion of your lung which gets the radiation (with the right side) and the heart and lung (with the left side) which comes with its own risk. It's also a good point about radiating if there is a recurrence, but also more to think about if the radiation could prevent a recurrence in the first place. These decisions are never easy. Perhaps a second opinion would make you feel better?

This has come up not only with radiation and chemo, but in the type of surgery that's chosen. I recall reading somewhere a big explanation of how back in the 50's, 60's and 70's just about everyone with BC had a radical mastectomy with all lymph nodes removed. They later realized that this was overkill, and that depending on the situation, such drastic measures weren't needed, and many of these women had their quality of life affected in a major way when their arms on the affected side became HUGE and often useless. I think that's part of how they began to look at doing only what is necessary in BC therapy. Good luck with your decision making, sounds like you've got a good handle on it.

Ann, completely know what you mean. I saw my surgeon yesterday and she just leaves me - oh, I don't know - "unfilfilled", LOL, for lack of a better term. She came in, shook my hand, talked about the weather, examined me, shook my hand again and was off. Now granted, I was late for my appt (my mother took a spill on the ice just as I was leaving), but this is the way all my appts go. She ended by saying "how about I see you in a year?" and I said I'd prefer 6 months so she said fine, chuckled, and walked out. Surgeons, you gotta love em.

 

[laurabelle]

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

Just wanted to post a quick hello on this glorious day! The kids are home from school early and we're baking cookies...
Today is my 7th Cancerversary!!!
It's good to be alive!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Congratulations, Laura, that's awesome!! Looking forward to saying the same thing some day.

 

[Amy]

Laura - CONGRATS!!! What a great anniversary to celebrate!

Merry - good luck with the fur babies. We have 2 ourselves, rescued from an animal shelter (they've now 3 and 9).

Minnie - good luck with your surgery tomorrow.

GAGWTA!!!

Snow, ice, freezing rain here - YUK! Is winter over yet?

 

[Christine]

Hi ladies!! I've been lurking on your thread and just want to say hello!!

I guess my "breast" ordeal has finally come to completion. I had my last visit with the surgeon today to remove the sutures. That was a relief. I had taken the steri-strips off this past weekend because the adhesive was causing a reaction after 2.5 weeks. I don't think he was too happy but he said everything looked good. He clipped those nasty "fishing line" things off and I guess everything will heal better. Unfortunately, he gave me NEW steri-strips to keep the skin together and told me to let them come off on their own. Ya know--those things NEVER come off on their own.

I go back in 6 months for a repeat mammogram. The surgeon told me that he called the radiologist to tell her that her ALARMIST diagnosis of "high suspicion of malignancy" was incorrect. He said that she seemed stunned and said "oh, wow, I was so sure it was cancer." He told her that he was so sure that it wasn't. He said she is a very nice woman but she is causing him to have some extra business. Anyway, he told me to make sure that I find out who the radiologist will be when I make my next appointment and to go to another place if it is her. Well, I don't have to worry about that until June.

Anyway, on to the NEXT body part...the skin. During all this surgery stuff, I had a growth (flesh colored) pop up on my face. I've had these before and they are "nothing" but this one is a bit bigger. I figured that it does no good to ignore it, so it's off to the dermatologist next week. It's always something...

I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday time of year--I'm terribly busy because it's also my son's birthday this week.

Merry--I WANT one of those dogs. They are so adorable. Poor babies.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I just had a marathon call from my cousin. She and her husband are having problems. He's had a number of affairs. It's really sad. Anyway, they're trying to make a go of it again and it's not easy. Counseling doesn't help much because he quits as soon as it gets uncomfortable. He stormed out of their third session this time around.

Anyway, she's trying to hold the family together and be the strong one, and she just got a call-back from her recent mammogram. They want to do a ultrasound and a compression mammogram (not sure what that is - I thought they were all under compression?) on Monday. She's really scared. So say a prayer for Suzanne if you feel so inclined. She really doesn't need this in her life right now.