Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[snappy]

I absolutely agree, seeing your doc is an excellent idea.

I have aches and pains throughout my body all the time, definitely worse in the last 5 years (I'm 52). At first I thought it was something serious, then I talked to my endicrinologist. No pain I had lingered for a long time. I finally chalked it up to the aging process.

I do however take note when I notice a marked increase in fatigue. It is a signal to me that my thyroid med needs to be increased.

It is very difficult I think in general to distinguish between something serious and normal aches and pains. A rule of thumb the surgeon who did my BC surgery gave me was the two week rule. If something continues to hurt for two weeks, or wakes you up at night, call the doc.

Christine, have a happy birthday, you youngster.

 

[Christine]

It is very difficult I think in general to distinguish between something serious and normal aches and pains. A rule of thumb the surgeon who did my BC surgery gave me was the two week rule. If something continues to hurt for two weeks, or wakes you up at night, call the doc.

Christine, have a happy birthday, you youngster.

Snappy, my doctor told me the same thing. If some ache or pain stays with you for 2 weeks, then you make the call. This is good advice for me because I am a hypochondriac. I try to stick to the 2-week rule and, 90% of the time, the problem goes away. I also find that when you go to the doctor and you tell them "well, I have had this pain now for 3 weeks" they tend to take you more seriously. If you say "this just started a few days ago" then the doctors themselves take a wait-and-see approach.

 

[NHAnn]

uuuuughhh...just lost another long typed out post.
Basically I was agreeing with laurabelle that reality sticks sometimes...
and what an achey creaky worrywart bunch we are

...birthday greetings to Christine!

...P and PD for Beth....

hugs/hello to snappy, Linda...

..I like that "two week" rule approach!!!

GAGWTA.....

and Ilovepcot....I hope your episode is nothing serious...I had something like that about 10-15 yrs ago and had forgotten about it til now...mine was more of a "stabbing" sharp pain like someone had stuck a six inch needle into the middle of my right breast through the side of it. It was really bad for about 5-10 minutes and then faded to a tingle and eventually to nothing over a couple fo hours. It was on a weekend and it wasn't pursued when I called my OBGYN on the Monday after...because it never recurred Up until my total hyst in 2001 though, I had always been plagued by dense, fibrocystic, and generally sensitive and painful and sore breasts, especially when PMSing, and even after giving up all caffiene except the occasional chocolate necessary for my sanity Keep us posted on your situation!

 

[Laurajean1014]

Good Morning to All -

Have a wonderful and healthy new year! Let's make 2006 the healthiest year for all of us and the ones we love.

I've been reading the past five or so messages and am currently going through radiation now. I have not yet experienced tingling or pangs in my breast. I have been having quite a bit of peeling and skin tightness. I feel like a snake! I cannot wear my favorite bra (snugger than the others), so I feel like my breast are somewhere near Florida, while I'm up north!

I have about 10 treatments left and after that, I don't know. Maybe just follow up visits, which would be wonderful. If anyone wants to talk about radiation, I am hear to listen and help if I can.

Everyone - take care of yourself and your loved ones to help make 2006 the best year ever!

 

[laurabelle]

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

ilovepcot- I agreee with the other ladies here. It could be that you have fibrous cysts in your breast, a common, non-cancerous condition that does cause breast pain. Or a nerve issue. My tumor did not cause me pain, but I do know others, like Linda, who experienced pain with cancer. It's been described the same way she said, not like your pain. I hope you can get in to see your doc soon to confirm it. Yes, in the meantime, Google fibrocystic breasts and read up on diet recommendations and see if it helps. Caffiene is definitely a trigger. HTH

Christine

Laurajean - I didn't do rads, but I know there's lots of stuff you can use to help cool down the burn...maybe one of the other sistas here can make some suggestions.

Thanks for listening to my vent! Linda, my mom is a bigger worrier than me! I've done some lurking on GI boards and it sounds like everyone who has severe Crohn's or Colitis can't keep weight on. Otherwise, I'm feeling pretty good these days. I'm not looking forward to being back in the hospital again though, and everything involved in recovery from the surgery. I have a few local bc friends who had the same surgery and they said it's not bad, compared to everything else we've been through...

Anyone have big plans for tonight? I think we may take the kids out to dinner early, then probably play games, watch movies, watch the ball drop and off to bed! I'm looking forward to starting a new year, here's hoping it's a good one for all!

 

[snappy]

Linda, one of my SIL has Crohn's for a long time (she is 50). She has been and is extremely thin. She does eat but I guess the disease blocks absorption to some degree. She also smokes, which affcts her appetite I am sure.

I hear you about mothers. My mom too is a worrier, mostly about her 4 kids, even thought the youngest is now 37, and has been off on his own since high school. She also tends to say aloud whatever comes into her head. She really should edit some of her thoughts before letting them out. They are never hurtful, is more like stream of consciousness, most of which is pessimistic or negative. Luckily, she is very receptive to my suggestions of what is going right in the world. She even realizes she is too negative in her point of view but honestly can't help it.

I hope everyone can look forward to a healthy and happy New Years's.

GAGWTA never had more meaning than at this time of year!!

 

[ilovepcot]

You ladies here are the best! I carefully read all the information you so nicely provided and researched my symptoms on the net as well. Seems there are a *number* of things that could have caused my symptoms. As of this post, no further episodes have occurred. Am going to take your advice and go with the "2 week rule". Again, you really ARE the BEST!!!! Now, who can I treat to lunch?

 

[laurabelle]

Ok, I'm fighting back the tears...I started having a little bit of problems a couple of days ago and now it seems I'm full blown back to being out of remission with my colitis. I emailed my GI doc, but of course I don't expect to hear back from him until next week. I guess that's what I get for saying I've been feeling good. I am totally bummed... this is so not good.

 

[Dan Murphy]

GAGWTA

Just stopping by to wish you all a VERY healthy and good New Year, best wishes are with you. You are a remarkable group of ladies. Hoping everyone is in better health this time next year, and continuing on the road of remission.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Laura, I sent you a PM.

Laurajean, glad you're almost done with your radiation. I only used the ointments they provided me at my radiation center. One was a special concoction they made up which was white and had a few different things in it - smelled nice thankfully. They were very strict about not using other things because the "metals" in certain ointments can prevent the penetration of radiation beams. It's not a "given" that you will have pains from radiation, but it is an extremely common complaint of women who've had radiation to have "shooting pains" in the areas where they had it. I've asked all of my doctors and they always just nod and say "perfectly normal", LOL.


iloveepcot, where are we going? World Showcase? Since it's New Years, Chinese would be nice.



I wanted to share the story of a woman I took care of last night - I found her story and outlook inspiring. She is an 18 year Survivor of node positive invasive breast cancer in both breasts! When they originally found one tumor, she had her first mastectomy, then shortly afterward they found a tumor in her other breast so she had another mastectomy just a few weeks later (I doubt that would happen today with pre-op MRIs, etc). She later had bilat reconstruction and was laughing that beforehand she'd been a B cup but afterward wound up with D's. She was with us for an unrelated but very serious heart problem, and I so enjoyed talking to her. We chatted off an on for the entire 12 hours I was there (she was getting very frequent medicines so every time I'd go in to hang a new one, she'd wake up and start talking again, LOL). She said things that were very helpful to me; and when I left she told me she had a newfound peace about her own situation, so I guess we really helped eachother a lot. (It's times like this when I really love what I do).

Anyway, she told me a funny story which really hit home with me. She said she'd made some "stupid" financial decisions after her diagnosis which she now regrets. For example, because she assumed she was going to die she took a lump sum layoff package that was very small instead of the larger ongoing pension checks which would have lasted her a lifetime. I told her none of us have a crystal ball and she shouldn't be hard on herself for thinking that way, but it illustrated a good point, and she said it as well: that we all have to assume we are going to LIVE and act accordingly. I've been concerned about a home renovation we want to do (in a way that I wouldn't have been before my illness), but little by little I'm seeing that I need to stop worrying about it and just go ahead and do what I want to do. Live life. Move on. Enjoy. Good lessons. Her name is Anna and she is pretty sick, if anyone would care to keep her in their prayers. Thank you. I wish you could all meet her and hear her stories, she is incredible. I told her about you guys - she never had any support groups or anything so she was intrigued. She also mentioned how fortunate "us girls" are today to be the recipients of so much research and modern technology - have to agree with her there, but interesting to hear that perspective from someone who didn't have what we have now. I want to bring her something special on Monday.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

GAGWTA

Just stopping by to wish you all a VERY healthy and good New Year, best wishes are with you. You are a remarkable group of ladies. Hoping everyone is in better health this time next year, and continuing on the road of remission.

Dan said it all - Happy New Year everyone!

 

[snappy]

Thinking of you Laura. Wish your colitis flare up had not culminated during the weekend, a holiday weekend to boot. Hoping you hear back from your doc soon. Please try to pace yourself and not overdo things before your surgery. The temptation is there to try to organize everything beforehand.

IloveEpcot, glad you have not had additional episodes. Also, glad you thought to post here. We do have a neat group. I am so grateful Laura and Linda initiated this thread.

Linda, what a cool story about your patient Anna. I bet she loved having you for a nurse. I pray you find her feeling better when you get back to work on Monday.

Quiet, warm night here. DH took DS17 and my New Orleans's friend's son out to eat and to listen to jazz. They'll probably stay the night in New Orleans. DD15 is spending the weekend with a friend. It is just DD10 and myself listening to the fireworks. I have some food prep to do for dinner tomorrow at my sister's. Maybe I'll get up early and do it, I just feel like curling up in bed right now.

Happy New Year to you too Dan, along with all the sistas here.

Night, all.

 

[MinnieM3]

Thank you thank you! More later, but I refuse to end 2005 on a negative note, so reaching deep....I can find..... some good things:

1. I have this board
2. I have a DH who can find this board
3. The back pain is getting a quinch (very technical term here) better
4. I'm not out of pain killers yet (!!!)
5. I have a sub lined up for Tues.
6. I don't think I have a quished disc.
7. I have a few more days until they biopsy the "thing" in my lungs.

I'm feeling hafl among the living now.... love and thansk to all.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

GAGWTA and Happy New Year! Beth, nice to see you posting - I love seeing such determination. You go girl!!

iloveepcot, I found this article on breast pain when I was looking for something else. (Pretty much sums up what we've heard here )!

Mastalgia: Benign Breast Pain
by Sylvia Sensiper, PhD

June S., a Boston-area writer, takes to her bed with a heating pad on her left breast at least once a month. Judith, her sister, takes herbal supplements to ease the breast pain that accompanies her period. They are just two of the millions of women that suffer from mastalgia?breast pain that is not of cancerous origin.

Many women experience breast pain and tenderness as a routine part of their monthly menstrual cycle. But if the pain seems unbearable, or occurs during mid-cycle, it may be time to take action.

When faced with breast pain on a monthly basis, some of us suspect the worst and immediately think "cancer." Others simply accept the pain as something we have to live with. But neither scenario is necessarily correct. Any persistent, sudden or severe breast pain warrants a visit to your doctor to rule out a serious illness. But if nothing is found (which is likely to be the case), your health care practitioner can work with you to discover the real cause of your discomfort and find a suitable remedy.

Get a Proper Diagnosis
Your doctor may not seem overly concerned when you report pain in your breasts. In fact, most breast pain is caused by problems that are not life-threatening, and only 10% of diagnosed breast cancers present with pain as a symptom. Physical exam of the breast is usually the first step in a diagnosis. This will help reassure you that your concerns are being taken seriously, although your situation is likely to be normal. If the physical exam is normal, your doctor can use his or her screening expertise to make a decision about whether testing, such as mammography or sonography (ultrasound) is warranted.

You'll then be taught to determine whether your pain is cyclic or non-cyclic. Keeping a daily chart of breast changes and pain can help you understand your body's changes and what might be causing the pain. Cyclic and non-cyclic pain can be caused by a wide array of factors and sometimes can be alleviated by simply eliminating an irritating dietary component or medication.

Cyclic Pain
Cyclic pain is probably caused by the hormonal fluctuations?especially the estrogen surge?that are a part of your menstrual cycle. As the body prepares for a possible pregnancy, or a mentsrual period, the number of milk-producing cells and breast fluid increase. In fact, your breasts can retain as much as three to six teaspoons of fluid prior to your menstrual cycle.

The resulting enlargement causes a pain that has been described as dull and aching and is usually greatest in the upper and outer portion of the breast, closest to the armpit. The pain is often felt more acutely in one breast, although both are usually involved. As June describes it, "I feel as if someone has punched out the top, inner half of my left breast."


Monitoring the Pain
Keeping a record of your pain and its intensity will help you determine whether the pain corresponds with your menstrual cycle and may offer some psychological relief when you realize that the onset of menstruation relieves the pain. At this point, you can begin experimenting with a range of possible remedies.


Dietary Causes
Three dietary culprits are believed to increase breast pain, although at the present time there is little or no scientific evidence to back this up. Some women claim to get symptomatic relief with simple dietary modifications.


Caffeine and chocolate may aggravate your breast pain, and you may want to eliminate them completely.
Salt and high-sodium diets in general can increase your fluid retention and exacerbate cyclic pain.
High-fat diets may also be a factor in breast pain, as they increase the production of estrogen and stimulate hormone production.

Some women (approximately 40-60%, according to the latest research) get relief from a regular dose of evening primose oil. However, before you embark on a self-prescribed regimen of supplements, you should discuss your plans with your doctor or nurse practitioner. Mechanical interventions such as a properly-fitted support bra, hot and cold applications during intense pain, and breast massage?which helps move excess fluid through the lymphatic system?may also relieve your pain.


Medication
If you have no success with these remedies, medication may be recommended. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen are sometimes recommended for breast pain. Side effects include stomach upset or ulcer. Bromocriptine and danazol are sometimes prescribed, but have fairly significant side effects, so most health practitioners use them only as a last resort.
Thyroid Involvement
Severe cyclic breast pain may also indicate a thyroid condition, and you may want to have this checked if the above interventions don't work.

Note: All treatments mentioned under cyclic pain are used for non-cyclic pain. The treatment for both conditions is usually the same or similar.

Non-cyclic Pain
As with cyclic pain, you should keep a daily record of your discomfort and the level of intensity to help determine the cause. Non-cyclic pain is usually localized in a specific area in one breast and is not related to the hormonal fluctuations of your menstrual cycle. Benign changes in the breast include cysts, fibroadenomas, duct ectasia, mastitis, injury and breast abscesses. All require medical evaluation. In fact, if your breast pain is accompanied by redness of the skin, fever, or warmth in the breast, you should see your health practitioner immediately. This could indicate infection (mastalgia).

If these problems are not the source of your pain, you might have a musculoskeletal condition, such as a pinched nerve in the back, or costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum. Non-cyclic breast tenderness and pain can also be caused by medications prescribed for hormonal conditions, high blood pressure, and heart and gastrointestinal problems. Some women even find their pain is exacerbated by herbal products, particularly those products that are actually recommended to eliminate premenstrual symptoms.

Know Your Own Body
For many women, breast pain significantly affects the quality of everyday life. It is a condition that women find painful, and physicians often find frustrating to treat. Many women suffer in silence. And when you do finally seek treatment and are reassured that you don't have cancer, it still may take time to identify the source of your pain.

The steps to understanding and coping with breast pain are within your reach. Monthly self-breast exams, awareness of any breast changes, and keeping track of your pain will help you know your own body, and will let you know when to seek a medical opinion. It may take time to fully manage your pain, but take heart in the knowledge that many women have found relief with the help of an understanding and persistent health care practitioner.

RESOURCES:

The Comprehensive Breast Center
Baystate Medical Center
Springfield, Massachusetts
http://www.baystatehealth.com/1025/3279/2073/Articles/888328067.html
Offers a range of services to those experiencing breast pain. If you don't live in the area, you can contact them for a copy of an excellent booklet, "Solving the Mystery of Breast Pain," which covers all the possible causes of breast pain and offers a variety of solutions.

Breast Pain
The Franchay Hospital
Bristol, England
http://www.frenchaybreast.co.uk/
Offers information on benign breast disorders including instructions for a breast self-exam.

 

[snappy]

Hey there Beth, good to see you posting here. We have been thinking and praying for you a lot.

Please double thank your sweet husband for posting. He was wonderful.

Glad the pain is a quinch better.

Love your spirit. It is contagious.

Great article, Linda.

Gotta finish my food prep.

Happy New Year!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

ETA: Thanks Mom2Ashli. Wow, I see you are way ahead of me. ~Monique
Hi everyone. I posted this on the community board too, but I thought I could find some encouragement here as well. I am so glad that you all have beat this thing. Here is my story:
I found out that I have Inflammatory Breast Cancer last Thursday. It is a level IIIb cancer.
I noticed a rash on my left breast in August. I had two courses of antibiotics, then two ultrasounds, blood tests, two mammograms, a breast MRI, a skin biopsy and a needle biopsy.
I am a 34 year old mom of 4 kids ages 13, 10, 5 and 3. My greatest fear is not being around when my kids need me.
Please pray for me and my family. If anyone has experience with this and can offer some encouragement, it would mean alot to me. Thanks, Monique

Hi All,

I wanted to let you know I've heard from our friend Monique (who is also here in MA). Sadly, she had to shave her head on Christmas Eve but otherwise seems to be doing ok. Let's continue to keep her in our prayers.

 

[NHAnn]

Linda...thank you for the wonderful story about Anna, and your thoughts about approaching decision making with the assumption that we will "go on". It helped me more than I can say with my outlook on some upcoming issues/situations that have been on my mind. Aslo thanks for the update on Monique, I have been wondering about her and I'm glad she's in touch with you.

Laurabelle I'm so sorry about your colitis! Keeping you my thoughts and prayers of course!

Beth...you go girl!! Thanks for posting

To all....wishing you good health and happiness in 2006!!

GAGAWTA and Happy New Year!

 

[ilovepcot]

iloveepcot, where are we going? World Showcase? Since it's New Years, Chinese would be nice.


No Chinese Would have loved it though. DH and I cancelled our NYE plans at EPCOT because we were dragging sooooo bad after all our family left. We had 8 guests for 9 days and not all were well behaved! DH even volunteered to be "on call" for work and we watched a "flicker" from Netflix and had snacks. Not bad after all the hoopla.

I continue to read (with great interest) the posts here. I've had breast surgery in the past and problems with pain and such for over 20 years, but never experienced *anything* like the episode a few days ago. You ladies are well educated on the topic of breast health and provide great support, information and comfort to those who come here seeking help.

Many sincere thanks to you that offered info regarding my problem. Hopefully in the coming year I will have opportunity to repay your kindness. Bless you all!

 

[MerryPoppins]

GAGWTA to all! I've read the pages I missed while I was away on the retreat and I've adjusted my prayer list accordingly. Just not up to replying to everything right now.

The retreat went well. It was a great group of kids and as usual it was inspirational for me. The only downside to the whole thing was one teen who had a tummy bug. Not fun for him or me.

I came home on the evening of the 30th and rested up. Yesterday, we took the kids to the Oklahoma City/ New Orleans Hornets game in Oklahoma City. It's something we'd been wanting to do since they arrived, so we had lots of fun. Afterward we brought our kids home and went to a party that some friends from church were having.

We got home at about 12:30 and by 1:00 I was sick. Guess the bug got passed to me at the retreat, because I'd only had a rum and coke (light on the rum) and a small glass of wine at the party. I spent the whole night snuggled up with the toilet. Not the best way to start a new year, but I guess it's got to get better from here, right? Tonight I feel better, just sort of like a truck ran over my middle. So I'm curled up watching the Extreme Home Makeover marathon on tv.

You guys are all in my thoughts and prayers. Let's have a safe, healthy and happy new year.

 

[NHAnn]

Rescuing this from the bowels of the CB....(oops sorry, poor choice of words )

Today I tried to finish cleaning up from the trip and papework and such. DH and I went to the gynm this morning and did 30+ minutes ont he treadmill. Cooked a turkey dinner and won't have to cook again all week but we'll be mighty sick of turkey

And..I bought a laptop at BestBuy last night!! Me, the queen of the technologically impaired!! DH and I went in minutes before they closed and got the last of an HP that was on sale. Need a router now I guess ...thought we'd get back there today but not yet. Helps we live minutes from the local Mall/retail area

Hope you all had a good day...I dread the return to work tomorrow.........but am having dinner with my "Pink Clover" ladies (4 of us from my post-dx group) tomorrow night