Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[laurabelle]

A quick update:
Hubby's tests came back normal. He did have a spike in his heart rate during the Tilt Table Test, but they didn't know what to make of it. They implanted the heart monitor. It was a 12 hr day, so we were beat when we got home.
He is still restricted to no driving for 6 months since he doesn't have a dx yet. If he has any more episodes he can record it with this monitor. It can stay in as long as needed up to 3 yrs.
I leave for my annual breast MRI and Dexascan in about 15 min. and have my onc visit next week before we leave. UC is still acting up a bit, but not too bad.
Hubby's cardiologist okayed the WDW trip! We are ready for it!

 

[snappy]

Good news about your DH, Laura!!

Gald the UC has tapered down.

Good luck with your MRI and Dexascan.

Hooray for the WDW trip!! I am thrilled for you, absolutely thrilled, totally thrilled, what can I say.

Your post made my frame of mind soar. Thanks for that!!

again I say, Yippee!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

A quick update:
Hubby's tests came back normal. He did have a spike in his heart rate during the Tilt Table Test, but they didn't know what to make of it. They implanted the heart monitor. It was a 12 hr day, so we were beat when we got home.
He is still restricted to no driving for 6 months since he doesn't have a dx yet. If he has any more episodes he can record it with this monitor. It can stay in as long as needed up to 3 yrs.
I leave for my annual breast MRI and Dexascan in about 15 min. and have my onc visit next week before we leave. UC is still acting up a bit, but not too bad.
Hubby's cardiologist okayed the WDW trip! We are ready for it!

Laura - Good luck with your tests! I hope everything comes back normal, and that your UC symptoms abate. YAY for a WDW trip!

Linda - Mom's oncology clinic is pretty close to her home, and the lab is right there, too. I am hoping the 12 week course of Taxol will be less horrible than doses spaced out over 2 or 3 weeks, because the dosage HAS to be lower for each infusion. Of course if she can't tolerate the drug even at a low dose I am not sure what they will do. Her onc is out of town, so the younger guy is covering today. I am wondering what difference it will make in her recurrence risk if they have to skip the Taxol. Would they just move straight to radiation or try some other chemo drug?

Laurie - Glad to hear things are working their way back to normal in your town!

 

[Sha]

Good luck-- you'll do great!!!

Now re-read that line about letting people down by failing, and realize how silly it is. If, somehow, this test is harder than you expected, it's simply a hard test. You won't have let anyone down, you'll simply need to study more before you re-take the boards.

To re-use a line some of my students have heard before: it's just a (math) test. It's not a pregnancy test or an AIDS test or a biopsy-- it's a pen and paper test. If you don't do well, you re-take it-- no harm, no foul.

That said, you're going to do great!!! Have a good breakfast, check your ID/supplies, and go knock em dead!!!!

Sending Pixie Dust, Sha!

In MA the computer shuts off when there are enough answers correct so you know right away. That must be nice. I took mine long before the computer age - sat for boards in July, worked as a Camp Nurse all summer and towards fall was hired into a hospital position as a New Graduate Nurse - which there were provisions for, but I would lose if I didn't pass. Finally found out I passed in Sept, the week before I was to start new job. I distinctly remember DH handing me the letter, my opening it, and promptly bawling my eyes out when I saw that I had passed! Good luck, Sha!

You are in my thoughts today, Sha. Good luck on your boards!!


Laurie

I am back... I actually started the test a little early as space was available. The computer cut off at 75 questions. I had heard a long time ago (12 years) that the computer would cut off at 75 could be a great sign. Think I have forgotten that. And Aliceacc, that all is very true! I can retake it, and it isn't any of those tests you mentioned. I am trying to keep very positive on it, even though I came out feeling really dumb! I didnt get anxious for my other tests (except finals). I will know unofficially in a couple days. They said I could start looking tomorrow night. I may go back to MK tomorrow and visit the wishing well again!

Thanks again ladies! I need to go wash the lovebugs off my car!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am back... I actually started the test a little early as space was available. The computer cut off at 75 questions. I had heard a long time ago (12 years) that the computer would cut off at 75 could be a great sign. Think I have forgotten that. And Aliceacc, that all is very true! I can retake it, and it isn't any of those tests you mentioned. I am trying to keep very positive on it, even though I came out feeling really dumb! I didnt get anxious for my other tests (except finals). I will know unofficially in a couple days. They said I could start looking tomorrow night. I may go back to MK tomorrow and visit the wishing well again!

Thanks again ladies! I need to go wash the lovebugs off my car!

Sha, I completely forgot to wish you luck when I popped in earlier! I am sure you passed with flying colors! I hope the wait is not too agonizing!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Mom made it through her first Taxol, but I am not quite sure what to make of her mindset.

I called her about 3:40 PM. She had just left the oncology clinic. Her CBC was OK, they told her the white cell count from 2 weeks ago was .6, so it really had nowhere to go but UP!
First they couldn't get her port to work, so they had to mess with that. She isn't sure what they used to try to clear the line. Then they gave her Benedryl and Zantac, and she got nauseous, her throat closed up and she couldn't breathe. She said it only lasted a couple of seconds and nobody could figure out why it happened. That was BEFORE they started the Taxol. The onc thought it was an anxiety attack, but she says it wasn't.

She said they aren't giving her Neulasta anymore. Then she went off about how she just won't have any immunity at all, and she will have to re-think trying to work during her treatment. I told her she might need to re-think lots of things (meaning her half-baked idea of driving down here). Then she said she shouldn't have ever had the surgery to start with, she should have left the cancer alone because it wasn't hurting anything, treatment has been nothing but one complication after another.

My youngest sister FINALLY has a little job, but Mom doesn't want her to work. The reality of it is that their finances are DIRE. My sister needs to work, and if her grades slip a little then that's life in the big city. If she has to do 2 years of community college and then transfer then that's what she will do. She isn't in a position to waltz off to a 4 year college and not work - that's not the life she gets to have. Our father left her virtually NO life insurance money for college, so she needs to be prepared to juggle work and school. Yes, it is an unfortunate situation, but she can still be successful as long as she realizes it is NOT going to be easy and it is NOT going to be handed to her on a silver platter. And yes, other people WILL have it handed to them. That's how things go.

I know Mom is frustrated, but nobody said cancer treatment was going to be fun. She isn't getting any counseling, not going to any groups, just stewing in her own juices about how she never should have started treatment.

Sorry to vent all of this to you guys, but maybe you can tell me what to say or if her feelings are common.

 

[Sha]

Mom made it through her first Taxol, but I am not quite sure what to make of her mindset.

I called her about 3:40 PM. She had just left the oncology clinic. Her CBC was OK, they told her the white cell count from 2 weeks ago was .6, so it really had nowhere to go but UP!
First they couldn't get her port to work, so they had to mess with that. She isn't sure what they used to try to clear the line. Then they gave her Benedryl and Zantac, and she got nauseous, her throat closed up and she couldn't breathe. She said it only lasted a couple of seconds and nobody could figure out why it happened. That was BEFORE they started the Taxol. The onc thought it was an anxiety attack, but she says it wasn't.

She said they aren't giving her Neulasta anymore. Then she went off about how she just won't have any immunity at all, and she will have to re-think trying to work during her treatment. I told her she might need to re-think lots of things (meaning her half-baked idea of driving down here). Then she said she shouldn't have ever had the surgery to start with, she should have left the cancer alone because it wasn't hurting anything, treatment has been nothing but one complication after another.

My youngest sister FINALLY has a little job, but Mom doesn't want her to work. The reality of it is that their finances are DIRE. My sister needs to work, and if her grades slip a little then that's life in the big city. If she has to do 2 years of community college and then transfer then that's what she will do. She isn't in a position to waltz off to a 4 year college and not work - that's not the life she gets to have. Our father left her virtually NO life insurance money for college, so she needs to be prepared to juggle work and school. Yes, it is an unfortunate situation, but she can still be successful as long as she realizes it is NOT going to be easy and it is NOT going to be handed to her on a silver platter. And yes, other people WILL have it handed to them. That's how things go.

I know Mom is frustrated, but nobody said cancer treatment was going to be fun. She isn't getting any counseling, not going to any groups, just stewing in her own juices about how she never should have started treatment.

Sorry to vent all of this to you guys, but maybe you can tell me what to say or if her feelings are common.

am sure you are really frustrated too. I hope that your mom could get in touch wih someone who she can talk to... whether it is a friend who went through this, or a counselor... someone!

Your sister will probably make out okay. I was used to having some things handed to me (or at least my sister thought so). I paid for school this past year. All of it, except for the last semester, but that is because I had to pay before my scholarship came through. She hopefully will apply for any and all she can get her hands on. I got mine through the church I attend. Going to school and working isnt easy, and I was lucky that I had enough money put away just for that reason. Well, almost enough. The stock market started going down last year when I needed that money. I wouldve had enough to maintain everything easily if I hadnt lost so much money then.

Some places will reimburse their employees with school costs. What is she wanting to do or does she know yet? Community Colleges are not bad. I went to 2 and have gone through 3 graduations (so far).

You can vent away if you need to do more!!!

(and thank you for the words of encouragement)

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Sha - Thanks!
As soon as I was old enough to move out, I moved out. I worked a full time job and a part time job to cover my living expenses. I didn't start to college until after I was married. And I paid every penny of it myself. I did get a scholarship through DH's company for one semester. I didn't finish my degree but that was my choice - I am 5 classes short of my Associate's. I love being a nanny and a degree wouldn't matter at this point. I can always go back in the future if I want to.
My sister needs to understand that her path is going to look more like mine than it will look like those of her friends. But Mom keeps stuffing her back into the land of Total Oblivion where nothing remotely resembles reality. And since the picture Mom paints is better than mine, my sister prefers to ignore me when I tell her things.

 

[Sha]

Sha - Thanks!
As soon as I was old enough to move out, I moved out. I worked a full time job and a part time job to cover my living expenses. I didn't start to college until after I was married. And I paid every penny of it myself. I did get a scholarship through DH's company for one semester. I didn't finish my degree but that was my choice - I am 5 classes short of my Associate's. I love being a nanny and a degree wouldn't matter at this point. I can always go back in the future if I want to.
My sister needs to understand that her path is going to look more like mine than it will look like those of her friends. But Mom keeps stuffing her back into the land of Total Oblivion where nothing remotely resembles reality. And since the picture Mom paints is better than mine, my sister prefers to ignore me when I tell her things.

I have a sister and 2 nieces like that!

 

[NHAnn]

jsg...your poor mom! I did not have chemo but it's been my observation that all women rect/handle it differently, both physically and emotionally. Hoping for her to get past this bump in the road quickly. She sure has a lot on her plate.

Sha....I thought the lovebugs were May/June??? Anyhooo...here's wishing you great test results!!

Aliceacc...wishing you continued healing and good health!!

Laura....hope your tests are good, the UC stays at bay, and that your trip is wonderful!! ...and that upon return you'll move toward more answers on DH's issues. I'm so glad you can go.
snappy, have you decided yet or still up in the air? 2 weeks from tomorrow is when I leave!!


Sme great news from here: DD has a real J-O-B!! It's been a roller coaster couple of weeks or so, with 3 interviews and then 3 offers, the last of which came in this afternoon which was the one she really wanted!! She'll be a Speech-Language Assistant at a public elementary school about 20 miles south of here. The pay is decent for what it is, (entry level w/ BS in a public school)...but it IS full time with good health insurance benefits too. She's very excited about it, planning on soaking up the experience for at least a year while she decides what kind of Master's to pursue and how to finance it.

GAGWTA!!!

 

[Sha]

Sha....I thought the lovebugs were May/June??? Anyhooo...here's wishing you great test results!!

congrats for daughter!

and lovebugs are May and September

 

[snappy]

Sha, I bet you aced that test!!

JSK, I sure wish things were easier for you mom. One thing I know, she is lucky to have you in her life. You sound like the one sane being other than at work.

Ann, no news yet on mom's biopsy. I am on pins and needles with her. I have this feeling that if she has cancer we should cancel. Not sure what we will do. We are supposed to leave in 12 days.

Congrats to your DD for getting the job she wanted.

Lots of lovebugs between here and New Orleans, many of which are now plastered on my car. I need to wash mine too.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

NHAnn - Congrats to your DD! I hope she enjoys her new job!
I hope Mom was just feeling sorry for herself today. It's sad, but she doesn't really have a support system. I think counseling would be tremendously helpful for her but she refuses to consider it.

Laurie - Thanks!
I hope your mom gets good results and that you are able to go on your trip! 12 days to go? I would already be packed! But I do understand your hesitation.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I didn't quote and now I'm going to forget what I had to say.

JSG, your sister needs to start looking for scholarships. I'd think she'd qualify for a lot of them. Are her grades good? I think part of the problem is that she's a youngest. Parents tend to be more protective of their "baby". Nothing you can really do about the way your mom sees that situation. And I think chemo is a very personal situation. It probably hits each person differently. Hopefully, it's just a phase she's going through.

Crossing my fingers for good results so you can go on your trip, Laurie.

Good thoughts for Laura's tests and her trip as well.

Hope the exam went well. I suspect it did.

Yay for the new job that your DD wanted! Sounds like she's probably happy tonight.

Good thoughts for everyone. Hope I didn't forget anyone. GAGWTA!

 

[annrae]

So glad to hear about your DD and her new job, Ann. Sounds like a wonderful opportunity for her while she pursues her Masters. You must be excited about your upcoming trip!

Laura, I'm very happy you and your DH being able to go on your trip and I hope he feels well and that you are feeling better also.

Laurie, I hope your Mom is feeling better and that you also will be tripping off to WDW. Why is it that so many obstacles seem to come up right before a trip! I remember when the children were little, one would have a cold, one came down with Chicken Pox, etc.

Sha, sounds like you did extremely well on your boards. Good Luck!

JSK, hoping your Mom will feel better about everything soon. She might be in a "slump" so to speak right now. That does happen. It would be nice if she would reconsider driving down for Thanksgiving.

I know I've forgotten many of you but I hope everyone is doing well. Hugs, Barbara

 

[Sha]

I PASSED MY BOARDS!!!!!!! I AM A RN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOO HOOOOO!!!! THANKS FOR ALL THE CHEERS AND SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!

 

[lookingforward]

YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

That's awesome, Sha! We knew you would!!

 

[snappy]

Awesome, Sha, absolutely awesome!!!

So proud of you!!!

Your patients will be blessed to have you care for them!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Congratulations, Sha! That's wonderful!!