Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[luvmarypoppins]

Hi sistas

I felt so bad to hear the news about Kelly too. My thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.

Yest. I went to the endo and got some good news. She said she saw the results of the nuclear scan and they were very good. I dont understand it all and we will talk to the rad. onc. on thurs. She said there is still a remnant left. I take it that means cancerous tissue or cells etc. But she said considering the sze of my tumor it was very good. I had to go to the lab for a blood test. She is checking my levels and might have to adjust the med.

Today is my wonderful torture session at the stomach surgeon. Honestly dh and I feel he should just do the surgery and get it over with. We are also thinking he should do the big surgery of replacing the graft since he told us there is a 70 % chance it will need to come out. So why not get it all done and over with since he will be cutting me anyway etc. The drainage is not getting any better so I dont know why I have to put up with this. I know he is trying to avoid surgery but it really doesnt look like that will be happening. I am just getting so tired of all this with this wound stuff and I am sure dh is too. So say a little prayer if you don't mind.

Alyssa is doing well. God is really answering prayers. She was writen about in the paper and was on ESPN, just her story. Her family wants it to be anon. No one ever told us that. O.k. My boys are screaming at the tv, she is not anon., she is Alyssa.

Alice - if you have sundys newsday, look in the sports section and you can see the little article.

Will give you an update on how things go today.

Wishing you all a great day and blessings to you all, GTAGWTA

 

[Candy30]

Just checking in. I didn't know Kelly but by the posts everyone left about her, you can tell she will be missed. This chemo session was a little bit worse than the previous. I had to take 2 days off work (that I don't have).I must admit that I am beginning to like my port more and more.

My DS went on a trip to NY this morning with his school. I am a nervous wreck. This is his first time away w/o family around. I guess I should start getting used to that . He gave me a kiss goodbye and told me not to worrry. He would be back in time for my next treatment (Friday). I love my boy!

LuvMary-Glad to hear the good news about the endo. I will keep you in my prayers about the stomach surgeon.


GTAGWTA

 

[luvmarypoppins]

O.K. Sistas, Here is the update, hmm, here is a clue

Yup, he said the word...SURGERY., hmm, didnt even torture me with his usual procedure, he did something else that dh couldnt beliewe. I will spare you the um surgical detail stuff. hmm where is our sista Linda?? I am sure she is reading!! The wound of course has headed south. So he said he will put me to sleep and clean it all out and up etc. It should take 10 minutes, yeah right.

He also said it cant be done in the Ambulatory Surgery place, it must be done in the regular hospital as no one wants to deal with my, um "history,", gheesh I guess when you almost die there you get on the list, I am getting a bad reputation there I tell ya!!

They are suppose to call back with a surgery date but it will be before Jne 12 for sure. Dh and I thought we heard 2 different things, like it will still be draining for 3 months or if we didnt have the surgery it would drain for 3 more months? We will have to ask him again, so needless to say there goes the summer I think. I joked to the np and said, oh I guess no swimming for me and she said, right!!

Well I hope the rad onc. tells me better stuff and she better or I will tell her lst, dont ruin my birthday

Candy - sorry you are having those chemo side effects. My cancer does not respond to chemo, just radiation and only the ingestable kind right now.

Thinking of you all. GTAGWTA

 

[Sha]

O.K. Sistas, Here is the update, hmm, here is a clue

Yup, he said the word...SURGERY., hmm, didnt even torture me with his usual procedure, he did something else that dh couldnt beliewe. I will spare you the um surgical detail stuff. hmm where is our sista Linda?? I am sure she is reading!! The wound of course has headed south. So he said he will put me to sleep and clean it all out and up etc. It should take 10 minutes, yeah right.

He also said it cant be done in the Ambulatory Surgery place, it must be done in the regular hospital as no one wants to deal with my, um "history,", gheesh I guess when you almost die there you get on the list, I am getting a bad reputation there I tell ya!!

They are suppose to call back with a surgery date but it will be before Jne 12 for sure. Dh and I thought we heard 2 different things, like it will still be draining for 3 months or if we didnt have the surgery it would drain for 3 more months? We will have to ask him again, so needless to say there goes the summer I think. I joked to the np and said, oh I guess no swimming for me and she said, right!!

Well I hope the rad onc. tells me better stuff and she better or I will tell her lst, dont ruin my birthday

Candy - sorry you are having those chemo side effects. My cancer does not respond to chemo, just radiation and only the ingestable kind right now.

Thinking of you all. GTAGWTA

LMP will keep you in prayers and try to keep posted while I am in England if you have it after the 3rd. of June.

 

[Aliceacc]

The endocrinologist just called. The biopsy showed no evidence of cancer.

But.. (there's ALWAYS a "but") he thinks I should have half my thyroid removed anyway. The nodule is so large that the evidence could possibly be in a part he didn't poke.

I asked whether I could somehow combine the surgeries-- the last of the plastic surgeries with this one. He didn't know, but at least he didn't shoot down the idea.

I'll call the surgeon Thursday morning after the kids go to school; I have an appointment with the plastic Thursday afternoon anyway. If it's to be 2 separate surgeries, I'll push to have the first one done ASAP-- this could turn out to be a BUSY summer. (And I'm going to Disney on August 5, come hell or high water!)

So, big picture, this is GOOD news. Anytime a biopsy result is "no evidence of cancer" it's a good thing.

Thanks for all the support and prayers.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon sistas!!

Alice - for the no cancer news!! Wow, my whole thyroid surgery was 4 hours, so is half of one 2 hours? It was no picnic for sure. I would be on the side of caution too and get rid of the thing, but does that mean you will have to do synthyroid if you still have half of it left? I am constantly cold sut I am sure you wont be like that. I am wishing you all the best sista and praying for you too!!

Well I am trying not to have a pity party again. Dh called and said the surgery is June 15th. Its the earliest the surgeon could do it. Gheesh, another 26 days of the draining wound, oh what fun!! Well if it gets worse I will call him or go to the er. They said he is fitting me in as an emergency surgery on the schedule, so that means a late start time, as Sha said. He also does breast cancer surgery, surgical gastro oncology, general surgery and not to outdo himself, he is on the trauma and critical care surgery team, So I am getting one of the best, so I will just have to wait, wait and wait some more. Meanwhile, we will be plunking down a ton of money at cvs for said dressing supplies for the next month

Tomm. is the rad. onc. visit. She said she will wish me a happy birthday, hm, we will see just how happy it is. I am hoping she doesnt give her usual its agressive so we will treat it agressively spiel.

Hope you are all well and having a great day. GTAGWTA

 

[laurabelle]

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

Maryann- Sorry there's more surgery scheduled. I do hope and pray this one does the trick. That's wonderful news about Alyssa!

Alice- I'm so happy to hear they didn't find cancer, but sorry you are still facing uncertainty and another surgery. It would be nice if they could combine them. I'm glad you have that Disney trip planned! Mickey has a way of making it all better!

Candy- Sorry this round hit so hard. What chemo are you doing?

This is such a busy season! On top of everything, my desktop keyboard is screwed up and I can't type r's or spaces. I have tried everything to fix it, I think it's a virus gift...

Thinking of you all.

 

[laurabelle]

Good afternoon sistas!!


Tomm. is the rad. onc. visit. She said she will wish me a happy birthday, hm, we will see just how happy it is. I am hoping she doesnt give her usual its agressive so we will treat it agressively spiel.

Hope you are all well and having a great day. GTAGWTA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARYANN...NO SPIELS HERE!!!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

Happy Birthday LMP!!

 

[Sha]

Alice I hope we can meet up and say hi at some point in August. I am there from the 5-10th.

Good afternoon sistas!!

Alice - for the no cancer news!! Wow, my whole thyroid surgery was 4 hours, so is half of one 2 hours? It was no picnic for sure. I would be on the side of caution too and get rid of the thing, but does that mean you will have to do synthyroid if you still have half of it left? I am constantly cold sut I am sure you wont be like that. I am wishing you all the best sista and praying for you too!!

Well I am trying not to have a pity party again. Dh called and said the surgery is June 15th. Its the earliest the surgeon could do it. Gheesh, another 26 days of the draining wound, oh what fun!! Well if it gets worse I will call him or go to the er. They said he is fitting me in as an emergency surgery on the schedule, so that means a late start time, as Sha said. He also does breast cancer surgery, surgical gastro oncology, general surgery and not to outdo himself, he is on the trauma and critical care surgery team, So I am getting one of the best, so I will just have to wait, wait and wait some more. Meanwhile, we will be plunking down a ton of money at cvs for said dressing supplies for the next month

Tomm. is the rad. onc. visit. She said she will wish me a happy birthday, hm, we will see just how happy it is. I am hoping she doesnt give her usual its agressive so we will treat it agressively spiel.

Hope you are all well and having a great day. GTAGWTA

I hope it is happy for you. That something will make the day shine a bit brighter. I would hope that they can do the 2 surgeries together. Just can make it so much easier for you as the patient. I also have to say that my love for wounds is peaked because of you talking of yours. I cant tell you anything not treat it (because you are not my patient) but I have to admit, I would love to see it. (gross huh? Just love the challenge of trying to get them to heal. And when the do... its a good feeling).

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Happy Birthday, Maryann!!

GAGWTA, Ladies!

Sha & Alice - I am at WDW Aug. 1-15. Would love to say hello to you both!

Candy30 & Jessaboo - Welcome! You will find wonderful support and comfort on this thread! My mom recently finished treatment for Stage III ILC and these ladies are the very best!

 

[honugirl]

Do you mind if a brain tumor patient with crazy endocrine problems joins?

I had what they thought was all of my tumor removed 7 weeks ago. But new biochemical evidence is showing that they didn't get it all and that the tumor has either gone into hyperplasia, which is where the tumor is spread throughout the pituitary gland, or there's another one buried deep inside the gland that we're not sure we can get to without completely destroying function.

I'm a lucky one, I can't win the lottery, but I can get the disease that only 10-15 out of every million people will get, Cushing's, which is caused by the tumor.

So that's my story, hope you'll let me stay. Not that I don't have great friends, I do, but sometimes I think it's hard for them to understand each test, and waiting for the results, then having to make a decision that will affect you for the rest of your life.

Thanks.

 

[Sha]

Happy Birthday, Maryann!!

GAGWTA, Ladies!

Sha & Alice - I am at WDW Aug. 1-15. Would love to say hello to you both!

Candy30 & Jessaboo - Welcome! You will find wonderful support and comfort on this thread! My mom recently finished treatment for Stage III ILC and these ladies are the very best!

That would be nice! When we get closer, I will send you my cell number. I know the friends I am with have a general agenda... something I normally do not go by, but since I have an AP I can park hop to where I need to be. Unless you want to venture to Jellyrolls on the Boardwalk, or try for tea (I would need to book something one afternoon). Anyone else interested??? I need to check the guys agenda, but I can leave them for a bit with no worries.

Do you mind if a brain tumor patient with crazy endocrine problems joins?

I had what they thought was all of my tumor removed 7 weeks ago. But new biochemical evidence is showing that they didn't get it all and that the tumor has either gone into hyperplasia, which is where the tumor is spread throughout the pituitary gland, or there's another one buried deep inside the gland that we're not sure we can get to without completely destroying function.

I'm a lucky one, I can't win the lottery, but I can get the disease that only 10-15 out of every million people will get, Cushing's, which is caused by the tumor.

So that's my story, hope you'll let me stay. Not that I don't have great friends, I do, but sometimes I think it's hard for them to understand each test, and waiting for the results, then having to make a decision that will affect you for the rest of your life.

Thanks.

I crashed the thread myself, but as a survivor's daughter/niece/friend, supporter and nurse. They are a great group of women, who are very understanding from what I have learned, and women I am proud to call friends.

 

[Candy30]

Alice-So happy to hear no cancer.
LMP-Sorry to hear about surgery but we are rooting for you . Too bad surgery & treatment can't be like the old Burger King Commercial "Have it your Way"!

Jackskell-Thanks so much for the welcome.

Sha- You sound a lot like my sister. She is with me through everything and wants to see EVERYTHING. She has a book on my treatment when, where, and why!!!! I love her for it though I just want the bottom line!

Honugirl- Welcome. I just joined the group and they welcomed me with open arms . You are right no one can sympathize with you unless they have been through it. The tests, surgeries, treatment etc.

Laurabelle- I have to ask my sister(see the above) the name of the drugs. I know one is retuxin and the other I have to drink lots of liquids so it doesn't settle in any of my organs. I don't know the name of the third I just know it makes me sick (and in the words of my nephew 'I'm not its friend') .

I start over again tomorrow. Here's to hoping its not a bad one! I'll check in in a few days.

GAGWTA

 

[honugirl]

I crashed the thread myself, but as a survivor's daughter/niece/friend, supporter and nurse. They are a great group of women, who are very understanding from what I have learned, and women I am proud to call friends.

Thanks Sha!

Honugirl- Welcome. I just joined the group and they welcomed me with open arms . You are right no one can sympathize with you unless they have been through it. The tests, surgeries, treatment etc.

Thanks Candy.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Sha - I am pretty rigid when it comes to my agenda. I doubt I would go to JellyRolls, and I am not sure I would have time to do tea. Maybe just an ice cream or a soda in one of the parks? We can definitely compare park days as the time gets closer and see what we can come up with!

 

[Sha]

Sha - I am pretty rigid when it comes to my agenda. I doubt I would go to JellyRolls, and I am not sure I would have time to do tea. Maybe just an ice cream or a soda in one of the parks? We can definitely compare park days as the time gets closer and see what we can come up with!

That works too!

 

[NHAnn]

GAGWTA! I have a lot of things conspriring against me posting here....a hectic busy life and a veryyyyyyyyyy slooooooowwwwwww laptop. Same one that enjoyed the glass of white wine some months back I think it's got a virus or just maybe has reached it's point of no return.

Welcome to all who have joined us recently!!
All are welcome honugirl!

jessaboo..my sister had a phyllodes tumor, it went from barely palpable to 10 centimeters in weeks. This was a couple of years after my DCIS treatment, so it was a scary time. She had a lumpectomy and is followed very closely by the surgeon as they can have a tendency to recur but are usually benign.
Snappy and Sha met her, when she and my other sister joined me for Race for the Cure in Orlando in 2008. Great memories from that trip!

Happy Birthday LMP!

And "happy anniversary" to this thread, we are over four years on here!!


Thinking of you all!

 

[Aliceacc]

This afternoon's appointment with the plastic surgeon was a non-event.

He said the regular surgeon will have to decided whether or not they can piggyback the 2 surgeries, and that obviously the thyroid takes precedance over the plastic surgery.

The regular surgeon is on vacation next week, so the 1st appointment I could get was June 4.

so basically I'm on hold.

 

[honugirl]

Welcome to all who have joined us recently!!
All are welcome honugirl!

Thanks for the warm welcome! I really appreciate it.

Gotta ask, what's GAGWTA? I'm a little slow on these things...