Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Dawn - You sound like you are in pretty good spirits! I am glad you are doing OK! I hope your chemo isn't too brutal!

My mom saw the oncologist today, and we basically don't know much more than we knew before!
Her tumor was 3 cm to start, but it was never really a defined, palpable mass. She has been on the Arimidex for about 6 weeks, and now the oncologist can't feel the tumor at all. So he is completely baffled as to what to do next. He needs to ask the surgeon, but she won't be back in the office until Wednesday. He didn't order another mammogram, or bloodwork, or anything.

He was unaware of the uterine biopsies, which I find frightening. Maybe since they were benign the OB/GYN didn't feel liek she needed to mention it to the oncologist? Whatever. Mom's care doesn't seem to be getting coordinated very effectively, and she isn't sure whose responsibility that is.

So now we are waiting for the surgeon to make some sort of decision about what comes next. I swear, the waiting is going to drive me to drink.

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~
Happy Mother's Day!​

Dawn- I'm so glad to hear you've been up and around, that does a lot of good toward healing. I'm sorry about your positive nodes. Do your best to try to go into chemo remembering that CANCER is the enemy, not chemo. I was one who had difficulty with chemo, but was able to get through it and I'm so glad I did it!!! I know enough sistas who did chemo and were able to function, work, heck even work out during chemo. Everyone reacts a little bit differently, so try to go in hoping for the best and knowing there are lots of meds and comfort measures to help you if you hit a snag. As always, we'll be here to cheer you on sista!

jackskellingtonsgirl-How frustrating. It's good that you are helping your mom keep track. I'm sure she's grateful for you! I am hoping that not finding the tumor is a direct result of the Arimidex!!! I'm guessing they will order some sort of scan to see?

Laurie- I hope you are feeling better sista.

Linda- I think working on those house projects is going to be great therapy for you and your hubby.

I talked to my GI nurse on Thur. She called to check up on me, and to tell me my GI doc called the ins. co. personally and no news yet. But I should know next week. I asked if they had any other patients go through being denied and then approved and she said no. But she did speak to a drug rep who had seen other patients go through the appeal and get approval, so that's encouraging. I do have an appt. with him on Wed. so I'm hoping (praying!) I'll know by then that I am approved and can start the injections that day!
Anyway, I'm continuing to improve! Feeling good! One day at a time...

My trip planning continues...I have one night booked at Pop for me and the girls. Since Disney is now allowing AP holders to add the dining plan I started looking into it. I actually added the deluxe dining plan. We always share food, family style! I did a little number crunching (I only do Math for Disney!!!) and since we can spread the meal credits out over two days it really will work out great for us. So both days we will have a table service lunch and signature table service dinner, and collect up our snacks. The biggest plus for me is I put it on my Disney Visa so I'll have 0% and 6 months to pay it off!

I'm spending tomorrow with my mom, and my youngest spilled the beans that we are going somewhere today to celebrate my mother's day...

 

[NHAnn]

DeeCee- you sound great....and made me laugh "I think the left one was pissed at me for letting it go)."

Lookingfwd....congrats!!

CherylDan--good to "see" you!!

JSGirl-waiting stinks. And some of us have found that if one of the medical team doesn't assume the "coordinator" role, it falls to the patient or a family member unfortunately. I remember being very overwhelmed that such major medical choices/decisions were ultimately in my hands.

dbprimeaux-- You've found a great support group here, do lean on us. The other ladies have offered some wise thoughts about the DVC decision. My thought would be as Linda said, to maybe hold off a bit before a final dicision to sell.

Laurabelle---SO glad you went to Vegas and had a good time. Praying for the ins thing to be setled in your favor. Avery's trip is June 7-14. DH and I will be going ont he front end though 6/6-10 and will miss you, darn it...
But I will send you some pics of the family so you can keep your eye out for them LOL---it IS a small World after all!!!

Linda-- My heart aches for your family. Glad you are keeping busy with postive things. We too are chugging oalong with house-finishing stuff. DH has done a lot on our mudroom (breezeway) the last couple of weeks and also started our deck

snappy---feel better soon!!!

Who'd I miss??? GAGWTA!!!!!!!!!!!

This morning I went back to the old thread and read the posts from this time period in 2005, when I was diagnosed shortly after the thread was started. What a strange feeling. Today is my 3 yr "cancerversary!"

I have had 2 sessions in the last few weeks with a counselor recommended to me by several sources, and feel good about getting on track to working my way out of the blue funk I have been in ...

DD is home for the weekend and we're going to breakfast and plant/flower shopping tomorrow, then to AVery's house for dinner

another GAGWTA!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Laura - Let me know if your Disney Visa gives you 0% on the package with the room and AP dining. The "small print" says the 0% is only good on ticket inclusive packages, but I would LOVE to get 0% on the 6 nights plus AP dining we are doing! We are doing the deluxe plan, too! Buffet breakfasts and signature dinners. Last year when we stayed at AKL it was a room only ressie and Visa counted it as 0%, but the deposits I put on our rooms for August have gone through as plain purchases.
I hope the Dr. has some good news for you this week!

NHAnn - Thanks! I think my mom is going to call her primary care Dr. and see why the oncologist doesn't have copies of all of the things being done by other doctors.
I am glad you are doing well 3 years out from diagnosis!

All of you ladies have been so helpful to me! Thank you! I get so frustrated as we plug along, but you all are so sweet to put up with me griping!

 

[snappy]

Ann, I missed Dawn's comment about why the left side bruised. Too funny. Thanks for drawing my attention to it. I guess I got caught up in how really GREAT!!!! her post was. It was so good to have you post, Dawn. You have the right fighting attitude. I am sorry the chemo is necessary and that you had two positive nodes. but you will get through this, and we will be here for you.

Ann, sorry about your blue funk. Cancerversaries just plain suck. Hopefully, the prospect of seeing Avery and his family in WDW will make a difference, along with your DD being home this weekend. What kind of flowers are you going to plant?

I am doing better, my reaction to the antibiotic shot (VERY red face. . think Bozo the clown red). I even made a run to the mall last night with DD12 as she needed a new dress for a party (why of why do we have to have dance parties in 6th grade anyway??) and shorts and tops for WDW as she has outgrown the majority of her clothes.

But I am in full planning mode for WDW. I am sorry we will miss both Ann and Laura and their families. We need to coordinate better next year. My problem (what a problem) is that to get the Boardwalk villa I want I need to book 11 months ahead. There are distinct disadvantages to the DVC thing. I would not want to own too many points (yeah right) as it is nice to add a trip on the fly in non DVC. I have booked a courtyard view WL room for 3 nights when I pick up DD12 from camp in late July, even thought the camp in Alabama is 500 miles away. Call me crazy, I could not resist the AP rate.

I added a new thing to my vacation arsenal when I signed up for owner's locker a while back. So I have another thing to play with, deciding what to bring and leave there for my next trip (s). The OL website has a cool feature where you can list onlne in a private area all the stuff in your locker. It is making the time pass.

DH just left to go get DS19 from the dorm in New Orleans. I can't wait to see his mound of dirty clothes. He has been so busy with a paper and exams, all we have been doing is bringing him clean clothes to last him through today. I hope he brought his grades up. He did NOT have a good semester, long story short, we had to take his car away. He won't be driving for pleasure for a long while. He really screwed up royally and will really have to redeem himself this summer. He has talked about taking a course or two here at the community college to bring up his grades as well as work. He indicated he plans to change his major too so hopefully he is rethinking a lot of stuff.

Ah, teens!! Thankfully he isn't hurt and did not hurt himself or anyone else but he could have. He seems to be one of those who has to learn things the hard way.

Wish us luck!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Wow, lots of stuff going on. Hugs to everyone.

How are you doing dbprimeaux?

Dawn, glad the surgery went well - sending you healing thoughts. That's the chemo regimen many of us here had if you have any ?s.

DH and I pulled an "all nighter" last night. We went to a show far away which didn't get out until about 12:30am, then we hit Denny's for a late breakfast and coffee before our >2 hr drive home. We both hit a wall about a half hour into it so caught a few zzzs in a (busy/lighted) rest area, then headed home around 4:30, arriving at 6:30. He let me sleep for a while and took DS to early baseball (since I'd driven home). It was fun, lots of laughs. Haven't done that in a while - probably since our last Relay for Life. It reminded me of the fun we always managed to have over the years even when doing the most mundane things. He's a peach.

Enjoying hearing your trip planning. We're all missing WDW but want to get the house done more right now.

 

[Sha]

********PIXIE DUST******** sending some fresh from WDW!!! am here right now and mom needed to nap... it was TOO HOT! Felt like I melted!

 

[snappy]

I am jealous, not about the heat, but about you being there.

I hope your mom and you enjoy!!!

It is hot here too, one of our a/c units is not cooling very well. Not a great way to start the summer.

Of course my washing machine and drier have been going non stop since DS19 got home. I never in my life saw so many clothes, all dirty.

Happy mother's day to all of you!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Happy Mother's Day, everyone!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Mikeee, aka JRooo4, who's posted here in the past and whose mother is among our ranks, was nice enough to fashion me a new, more subtle, Survivor ribbon for my signature. He said if anyone else wants to use it, they're welcome to (right click on it, and copy and past properties into signature with image brackets, in mountain icon, above).

Thank you, Mikeee!!

 

[Sha]

Thanks! we went back out, and mom had her nice walker, but again had trouble with her "feeling like she is running" side effect from the Deep Brain Stims.... but the walker helped. Need to use a wheel chair though, just afraid she may fall. Was better this evening but still a bit humid! this is where I dont like living in FL and why I keep saying to others to not complain about the cold

Happy Mother's Day

 

[Sha]

Mikeee, aka JRooo4, who's posted here in the past and whose mother is among our ranks, was nice enough to fashion me a new, more subtle, Survivor ribbon for my signature. He said if anyone else wants to use it, they're welcome to (right click on it, and copy and past properties into signature with image brackets, in mountain icon, above.)

Thank you, Mikeee!!

Very nice!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Glad you're having a good time, Sha! Stay cool! I would give almost anything to be there right now!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Happy Mother's Day, Ladies!

And to those who are missing their moms today, .

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have a special Thank You today, and that one's to God ...

... for allowing me to be here for my children on this beautiful Mother's Day.


to whoever needs one.

I am enjoying the morning at home, then will spend the day at MILs (and my mother's coming along). This is going to be a tough day for MIL, but at least we'll all be together.

Wishing you all a beautiful day, my friends!

 

[snappy]

What a lovely post, Linda. From that picture taken on your first cruise through today, your beautiful children and your sweet doggie. All I can say is wow and thanks ever so much for sharing. Your pictures as always are so great. What a gift you have.

You really brought the tears for me today.

Thanks for sharing the joy. I hope you and the inlaws are able to enjoy some joy today despite the sorrow. I imagine the first holiday of any type after such as sudden loss will be poignant. As you say, at least you will be together.

We are staying home. Too many germs, I am coughing alot still and DH is now coming down with it as well. I don't want to expose my sister, her husband and my mom.

I hope everyone else enjoys the day.

 

[Sha]

Glad you're having a good time, Sha! Stay cool! I would give almost anything to be there right now!!

LOL... I dont know with as hot as it was yesterday... we did have a good time. Mom definitely has to be in a wheelchair though vs a walker. Not a problem. But she does get knocked in the back of her head with my camera sometimes! We tried to do the AP preview of Toy Mania today, but it was down for several hours and we finally got the ok, and were in line for a good 1/2 hour when it went down again. So we headed home. The staging for the queue is good though... lots of memories of childhood!

 

[judithen]

Happy Mother's Day, ladies.

But I have a question that none of the doctors or therapists have been able to satisfactorily answer.

I haven't had any reconstruction after my mastectomy 4 years ago. Quite a bit of skin was removed and what was left was stretched over the incision. So much was stretched that the skin died and had to be debreded. A little bit of muscle was removed. The incision seems stuck to my rib (?), chest wall (?) something (?). I don't know if this is unusual. The doctor isn't concerned about it. Anyway I've had physical therapy, too.

But does anyone else get muscle spasms / cramps in their chest on the mastectomy side? I mean these are strong enough to shut me up (not an easy thing to do ) I've had cardiac stress tests etc and my heart is okay. So these cramps aren't heart related. But they are VERY uncomfortable...like the a bad charlie horse. Has anyone else had this problem?

Of course I ask this now because the cramps kept recurring today. At least I got dinner finished

BTW Pea-n-Me, your kids are beautiful as is your shepherd. Lovely pictures.

 

[snappy]

Judithen, I did not experience your symptoms but I was left some skin and had no post mastectomy complications, other than pain from the node removal site.

However, I think we have one poster here, beadylady, who might have dealt with something similar.

I hope you get some answers and relief soon.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you.

The incision seems stuck to my rib (?), chest wall (?) something (?)

Look into the possiblity of adhesions. The best person to talk to about it would be your, or a, surgeon. Tell him or her just what you said here. The downsides are that a) it could require another surgery to fix any adhesions and b) further surgery can lead to more adhesions. But hopefully it would offer some relief. Best of luck, and thanks for joining us. Don't be a stranger.