Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[Miss Mickey Mania]

I completed five months of chemo last week.

Denise

Hi Denise,
BIG congratulations on completing chemo. I wish you and your family a wonderful trip next month. I'll be there too in July , going solo as my own mum is still having her chemo.

Hope to see you post again on this thread, even just to say hi if you're finding it tough to talk about 'BC'.

Louise

 

[snappy]

Welcome to our thread, Denise. I am so glad you found us. The thread slips down past the first page or two regularly but then someone else posts. I have subscribed to it so I don't miss anything.

I recognise your adorable children from one of your previous posts. That is a great picture.

It took me a while too but I did join a monthly support group about 6 months after my mastectomy last May. It is a small group and the facilitator is both a social worker and a BC survivor as well. The size of the group varies but it is still rather small. I like it because it is held during the day. I tried to go to a different one held at night last November and I found it too tiring. I may try it again since I have more energy now.

I am so glad you are planning a WDW trip to celebrate. We are going again in July too. We actually just went the week after Memorial Day but had to cut the trip short due to DH's work.

Maybe we should have a Dis BC survivor meet!

 

[Disney Debbie]

Hi all. Had a very nice Father's Day after a very inauspicious start! Thanks so much for the understanding and encouraging words. I talked to my DH about it at length yesterday and that made me feel better too.

. I think that I held up pretty well through all the treatment - partly because I was "doing" something. Once that was all over, I couldn't help wondering at times if I was just waiting for the cancer to come back again

I think this is very true for me. I said all along it was worse for my family because they couldn't really "do" anything. Now I'm in the same boat! But I actually can do some things and I'm going to start Tuesday. We joined the Wellness Ctr. that just opened up in town and I'm going to start a true exercise program - that I'm paying for (which makes a BIG difference) rather then my "I need to start walking" vague exercise non-program I've supposedly been doing for 3 months now! I know that will help me physically, mentally and reduce the risk of recurrence.

I was trying hard to meet a self-imposed expectation of being "strong" and "positive"

This is true for me now as well. It wasn't a problem for me during my actual treatment because I needed to be that way for myself. But now that it's all supposedly "over" I'm trying to still be that way but actually need to turn that off and deal with feeling pissed off about having to deal with all this! Anyway - thanks - I really do feel better. I don't have any survivors around here that I feel I can really be honest with - it's mostly much older ladies from church - who I love dearly and have gotten a lot of inspiration from - but don't feel like I can "let down" with. I'm probably doing them a disservice - but never the less - I guess it's easier to be honest with people you aren't going to see every day!

 

[Disney Debbie]

Denise - Congrats on finishing your chemo! My mom took me to WDW for the day last March when I finished my radiation - the last of my treatments of any kind. We had a blast.

You will be suprised how quickly your hair starts coming back! I had my last chemo 10/26/04 and had a good 5 o'clock shadow by Christmas. I quit wearing the wig the middle of February and by April I just looked like someone with a short haircut. I had to keep my nails really short until about a month ago but they're finally back to normal as well.

 

[snappy]

Ok ladies, I need some pixie dust this morning. I've had two calls this morning from a nurse in radiology, they want me to come in and "retake" a chest xray that I had done several weeks ago before my every 4 month visit with my cancer doc tomorrow. She tried to reassure me but I can't help but be nervous.

I am going in at 10 am to get this over with. Send a few good thoughts my wasy around then if you can.

Thanks,
Laurie

 

[Pea-n-Me]

snappy, you've got it! Healing thoughts and prayers coming your way this morning. I'm sure if they saw anything at all remotely unusual they just want to be completely sure it's nothing. Good for them; scary for us. Check in later, will you?

Debbie, glad you feel you can open up here. I guess we all learn one way or another, unfortunately, that when treatment's over it's not really over. But that's ok, it's nice to have support through these bumps in the road.

 

[Cruise04]

I'm just getting on this thread again since the weekend and snappy - I'm sure you are done by now but I hope your image went okay and you get a good report!!!!

I hope Laura's walk went well this past weekend and yours goes well Pea-n-me. Our relay for life is this Sat night and we'll be there for a while. Hopefully going to walk next year.

Dan - good for you for keeping Marie on her toes!!!! I think that's an important way of showing how much you truly care for her health.

Still haven't heard from my friend, Eva, about how her mom came out. I did hear from another mutual friend that there were unconclusive results from the biopsy a week ago and that today they were going to a gastro doc for another biopsy.

HUGS to you all and to the new ones on the thread - I'm not a cancer patient either but my mom passed away from breast cancer and it helps me so much to be on this thread - to try to be of some support to you all and to learn from things you've been told from the doctors and from places you've learned from. Thanks for letting me be here!!!!

 

[NHAnn]

snappy, I peaked at the thread at work this morning just before 10 am. I don't post from there, but want you to know I stopped and sent a prayer and positive thoughts to you! And as Linda said, let us know when you can!

hello to all those new to this thread,
and thanks for the news/updates those of you who have been on before.

Still wondering how our friend made out who had the DIEP surgery a couple of weeks ago. ?

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Just wanted to drop by and say hi and also ask for some P & PD for myself.
I just got back from the Dr. for the second round of test results. I have a mass on my Uterus (not sure if it is Fibroids or Cancer) and now have to go for a CA 125 blood test. I am sure you all know what that means. I am praying that it does not show high levels. But even if it doesn't I will still be scheduled for a Laparoscopy and D & C to test the cells and find out what it is. So it doesn't seem like a good situation anyway I look at it. Just really down right now. And I know that each and everyone of you has gone thru allot worse and know where I am coming from.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Mom2Ashli, prayers are on the way. Hopefully it's nothing more than a fibroid. I found out I had one inadvertantly when I was trying to become pregnant. It showed up on ultrasound but apparently was on the outside of my uterus. Anyway, they left it there since it wasn't causing any problems. We'll pray that's all it is for you too.

Man, it's been a tough few days around here.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Mom2Ashli, prayers are on the way. Hopefully it's nothing more than a fibroid. I found out I had one inadvertantly when I was trying to become pregnant. It showed up on ultrasound but apparently was on the outside of my uterus. Anyway, they left it there since it wasn't causing any problems. We'll pray that's all it is for you too.

Man, it's been a tough few days around here.

Thanks. That is what I am hoping for. The Dr. was telling me that she is thinking that is what it is also but according to the Reports from the Ultrasound she has to go the Cancer route first. They always do that to cover themselves she said. Just can't stand the waiting. Plus I am not a good blood giver.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I posted this the other night:

I was saddened to hear at work last night of a 33 yo woman in another department who just found out she had breast ca with brain mets. She has 3 young children. Apparently she's had a lump for a while but was told it was a cyst.

I think that's why they have to check it out to the nth degree, even if they think it's probably fine, they have to be sure. It's just hard going through that process. Have you had symptoms that would make you think it could be anything other than a fibroid (if you don't mind me asking)? How did they come to find it?

 

[snappy]

I am back from the chest xray. The radiologist read it while I waited and the nurse came out to tell me everything looked good. I guess they know how disturbing it is to be asked for more views from any test after having that happen after a screening mammogram with the end result being breast cancer.

They are supposed to fax all the test results (chest xrays, blood work, diagnostic mammo from the other breast) to the surgeon so he'll have everything tomorrow for my followup visit.

I am feeling very relieved. I am a little frustrated with myself for getting so scared. Maybe it gets a little easier a little further out after treatment.
I guess I have read about too many women with tiny tumors like mine that were had a good prognosis who ended up with a recurrence anyway.
I am not the kind of person who puts her head in the sand, pretending everything is coming up roses. However, I would think I could reach some happy medium.

Anyway, posting here really helped me at several levels. I felt good just admitting I was scared and I felt good about having your thoughts and prayers.

Just wanted to drop by and say hi and also ask for some P & PD for myself.
I just got back from the Dr. for the second round of test results. I have a mass on my Uterus (not sure if it is Fibroids or Cancer) and now have to go for a CA 125 blood test. I am sure you all know what that means. I am praying that it does not show high levels. But even if it doesn't I will still be scheduled for a Laparoscopy and D & C to test the cells and find out what it is. So it doesn't seem like a good situation anyway I look at it. Just really down right now. And I know that each and everyone of you has gone thru allot worse and know where I am coming from.

Sorry you are going through this, Mom2Ashli. You have been a true friend to all of us here. Please keep us updated on your results and give us the dates of your procedure so we can pray again at that time.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

I posted this the other night:

I think that's why they have to check it out to the nth degree, even if they think it's probably fine, they have to be sure. It's just hard going through that process. Have you had symptoms that would make you think it could be anything other than a fibroid (if you don't mind me asking)? How did they come to find it?

Honestly I am really glad they are checking everything. But the waiting kills me. Too much time on my hands to think.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. But when I mentioned this to my other dr. I was always told that is normal for some women.

Thanks Snappy. Glad to hear everything went well for you today.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am a little frustrated with myself for getting so scared.

Don't be so hard on yourself. That worry is always going to be in the back of our minds. I haven't met any survivors yet who don't get a bit nervous at testing time when something comes up. Glad everything was ok.

Mom2Ashli, I'm not going to quote you on it, LOL, but I was glad to hear you haven't been having any bleeding, weight loss or other problems. Good news!!

 

[Cruise04]

Don't be so hard on yourself. That worry is always going to be in the back of our minds. I haven't met any survivors yet who don't get a bit nervous at testing time when something comes up. Glad everything was ok.

And I'm going to second that only from a kid of a cancer patient - I think I worry more now than I did before my mom was diagnosed. The waiting, even on my end with not being diagnosed ever, is hard.... HUGS

M2A - I will keep you in my thoughts!!!!!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Don't be so hard on yourself. That worry is always going to be in the back of our minds. I haven't met any survivors yet who don't get a bit nervous at testing time when something comes up. Glad everything was ok.

Mom2Ashli, I'm not going to quote you on it, LOL, but I was glad to hear you haven't been having any bleeding, weight loss or other problems. Good news!!

Sorry about that but you did ask...
I have been bleeding for the past 3 weeks which I thought was from the Seasonale I have been taking. I did mention that to her today. And weightloss nope. How about weight gain.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

You're right, I did... BTW: sorry, weight gain doesn't count...

Well, fibroids can cause bleeding too. Here's an article which may put your mind at ease a bit if you haven't already looked it up:

http://my.webmd.com/hw/uterine_fibroids/hw183464.asp

 

[Mom2Ashli]

You're right, I did... BTW: sorry, weight gain doesn't count...

Well, fibroids can cause bleeding too. Here's an article which may put your mind at ease a bit if you haven't already looked it up:

http://my.webmd.com/hw/uterine_fibroids/hw183464.asp

Thank you so much.

 

[NHAnn]

snappy, glad everything looked good on the X-Ray. And I'll be sending thoughts that everything goes smoothly at the surgeon's tomorow too!

Mom2Ashli...hugs to you. The waiting is terrible, I agree. I went through that with my recent breast cancer diagnosis......so anxious, sleepless, worried...2 day surgeries, follow up appts, consults, support group...it's all such a blur. Felt much better when I knew what I was dealing with and had the treatment plan established. And this thread was such a source of support and info!

Have a nice evening everyone!