Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[LoveWDW]

Good luck to you all. Prayers and strength. You are special people in my book. NHAnn, that is a great sense of optimism.

 

[Cruise04]

I haven't been on here for a few days as I've really been focusing on some healthy issues and getting weight off of me for good. So I've been spending some time on the WISH Board. I wanted to check in to see how everyone was doing. Laurajean - I'm so sorry to hear how your husband took the news. I really think the first time my mom was diagnosed my brother had this attitude. It was hard for me to get him to talk about mom at all and how this was going to affect us as her children. I was 27 when she was first diagnosed. She had found out the Friday before Easter and she called me the Monday after Easter and told me she had something to talk to me about. She started crying and all I could think of was something had happened to her job or something like that. I had no idea she was going to tell me she found a lump and had gone to the doctor and she was having a biopsy done but was waiting for the surgeon's office to call her back to schedule the appointment. She said her mammogram 8 months prior was clear and the spot appeared to be pretty large and that her gyn was very concerned. I asked her why she waited to tell me and she said she didn't want to ruin my Easter.

I was devastated, of course, but I think that helped spark a whole new person in me. I became a much more compassionate person and much more aware of my health and taking care of me. But it also made me worry more about my brother - he and my mom were very very close. I never got him to tell me what he thought about what was happening but he did express some disappointment in me after my mom died - he felt that I hadn't told him everything regarding the day that she had died (the doctor at the hospital she was in thought she had had a heart attack so they rushed her via helicopter to a hospital an hour away with excellent heart specialists and I had no idea what they were going to do once she got there). He didn't make it to the hospital in time before she died. After I explained to him what happened that day, it opened a whole new world for him too. He and my dad hadn't talked in almost 12 years and they talked for the first time in that timeframe in 2003 and now have regular phone conversations. My parents divorced when I was 19 and he was 16 and it was very hard on him. The last time he spoke to my dad was when he was 19 and they had gotten into a very horrible fight on New Year's Eve that year. It was dumb.

It's amazing what a disease can do to a family - it can either bring them closer or tear them apart. One of my dd's friends father was diagnosed with lukemia a few years ago and his wife left him after the first round of chemo for another man. She was ready to take care of him for the rest of his life. And truthfully - he's much better off! I'm not saying this is the best for everyone but sometimes it makes matters easier.

Hang in there Laurajean!!!! I'm praying for ya!

 

[Shugardrawers]

Had a Dr and dentist appt today. Dentist was a bit concerned about things because he thought I would need a root canal and that often involves pain killers he wasn't sure he should give me. He talked with my Gyno/Onco and she gave the go ahead. Turns out I only needed a filling so good news all around though it might end up being a root canal eventually. Later saw Dr and she said she's writing a paper about me. She says primary peritoneal cancer is rare and especially rare in someone my age. She also says I'm doing extremely well and much better than she would expect. All my bloodwork is excellent. I'm tired a lot but other than that and some naseau I'm doing ok. I'm still managing to work part time cleaning houses and may pick up my dentist's office as well. As long as I keep my life as normal as possible I feel like I'm doing alright. Now if I could just get the neuro doc to do the surgery I need. I understand why he's reticent, but man, it hurts!

 

[Micheme]

Hi ladies

I just wanted to say thank you...

I lurked here and read all 47 pages after experiencing pain in my breast. I was quite worried and made an appt to see my dr. Well i was on edge the last few days and read your inspiring stories, words of wisdom and hope. Luckily it is only a very painful cyst but I wanted to let you know you are all in my thoughts and prayers and that you helped someone without even knowing it.

Thanks again ladies and please take care.

Michelle

 

[Cruise04]

What a great report Shugardrawers!!!!!! I was so happy to log on here and read that. And I'm keeping you in my thoughts about the neuro surgeon and your pain! Hang in there.

 

[LoveWDW]

Michelle, thank you for the kind words and for posting about your excellent news! I hope you are feeling well after your scare.

Shugardrawers, this is good news!

 

[NHAnn]

Michelle.. ...glad you had good news, and thanks for sharing with us!

Tammy..glad you had a postive day at the dentist and doctor! We'll keep sending good thoughts and prayers regarding the neurosurgeon!

Hi there LoveWDW....and Cruise04

 

[ElenitaB]

Well, I'm officially having a recurrence! "I'm mad and I'm not going to take it any more!"

Surgery is on August 3 (which just happens to be my birthday... so my birthday present to myself is to start my winning round against cancer). I'll have 6 chemo treatments this time around, one every three weeks. I felt a bit silly but I asked the doc when we could get it going because I have a vacation planned for November... he was very understanding and encouraged me not to cancel my plans. Of course, it would be nice if I could celebrate the end of my treatments with my trip, but I don't think the timing will work out... whatever! I'll just take it easy and maybe rent an ECV for our week at WDW following the cruise.

Shugardrawers... congrats on your good news!

I'll check in again over the next few days.

 

[MerryPoppins]

ElenitaB, I'm sorry to hear your news. But we all know you can beat this. So we're pulling for you.

Michelle, glad we could help in some small way. Thanks for the positive thoughts for all of us. And if you ever hear of someone else needing support, send them our way.

Shugardrawers, great news!

Hi to everyone else.

 

[Amy]

Good morning all! Just gotta tell you - I had my emergency D&C last Thurs. because of horrible bleeding and a low blood count. Well, last night at 10:30 p.m., my gyne called me to see how I was doing! The last time my gyne called me himself was 3 years ago to tell me they found a lump on my mammogram; usually, I just talk to his nurse. I told DH I must have been in pretty bad shape last week for the doctor to call me himself to see how I'm doing. DH just said "he's a good doctor." Hey bud - why not acknowledge that your wife was a sick puppy?? MEN!

Had my first shot of Lupron at the oncologist's yesterday to "pop" me back into menopause (that's the way the nurse described it). Once that starts working, then I can get back on Arimidex. Of course, one of the side effects of Lupron is bone pain; I hope I don't get double bone pain from both the Arimidex and the Lupron!

ElenitaB - so sorry to hear about your recurrence; I'll be praying for you!

 

[Disney Debbie]

Elenita-So sorry about the recurrence - but you sure do have a great attitude about it. And I don't think there's anything silly about wanting to go ahead with your vacation plans. I would be the same way. I think one of the best things we can do for ourselves is to go forward as much as possible with the rest of our life!

Amy - I get Lupron every 3 months and take Arimidex and haven't had any bone pain.


I had my reg Dr. appt today and my blood pressure was 160/100!! I already take medication for it - but hadn't taken it yet today - so he's having me get it checked several times the next month by the nurse here at work before I go back to him next month. You get so busy dealing with cancer you forget about the "other" health problems!!

(Just noticed - haven't the smilie's changed??)

 

[MerryPoppins]

I think they've just rearranged the smilies to keep us confused. Although I haven't gone to look at what's in the "more" catagory today.

Debbie, I hope they can get your blood pressure under control quickly. There's always something, isn't there?

Amy, glad you are doing better.

So much for menopause. (Hope this isn't TMI!) I hadn't had a period since January and surprise! I told my OBGYN the other day at my appointment that I still get a headache with DD's period. He said feremones (is that the right spelling?) are powerful things, and I should just be glad that that was all I was dealing with. Sigh. Guess I showed him. Anyway, I think I saved up half a year's pain and had it all at once. I feel terrible today.

 

[NHAnn]

Elenita.... so sorry . Stay strong, we're with you....

Hello and good thoughts to all........

 

[Laurajean1014]

ElenitaB - Sorry about your news, but it's good that you are having the surgery soon, so you can move on. I hope all goes well for you!

Everyone - Hello. I hope you all are doing fine.

 

[LoveWDW]

Oh rats, Elenita! I am sorry about the news. You have a good attitude.

Good luck and many prayers and hugs.

 

[MinnieM3]

Elenita....sorry for your news. Hang in there!

Things good on this end. Only one incision opening left!
Have an appt. Monday with my onc. Must be my 6 month. When I got the call I had completely forgotten about it! Cool!

 

[mickeymost]

A bit of good news today

My CT scans all came back normal. I am fortunate enough to work at the facility where I get them done, so I know my results immediately.

Bone scan sched for Wed. One down, one to go.

P and PD for those in need.

Stay well

Kelly

 

[ElenitaB]

Kelly, what a blessing to be able to get results immediately. Almost all of us going through the cancer journey know that waiting for news is one of the hardest parts of the whole thing.

And I would say that your scans came back fine is not a bit of good news... that's a whole LOT of good news! Congrats!

 

[NHAnn]

Glad for your good news Kelly, and MInnieM3

Laurajean...how's it going? What does your your plan/schedule look like at this point?

Sending wishes for good health and a wonderful weekend to all.......

 

[MerryPoppins]

Kelly, you have something to celebrate! Here's hoping the next test gives you the same great news.

Hugs and good thoughts for the rest of you, as well.