Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[Pea-n-Me]

And Amy.

Funny, Amy won the PB Weekly Contest last week and I tied for 1st place this week. The same thing happened last summer too - we both won within a week of eachother or so. Sha has won as well. It's a GAGWTA thing, I guess.

 

[MerryPoppins]

How was the fur situation? How thick was Buddy's fur? Did you brush him a lot?

Poor dear Buddy. I am sorry if I made you sad, Merry, with the news of this dog.

You didn't make me sad at all. Well, no more than I was already.

Buddy had long hair and it was very thick. Yes, he needed frequent brushing. But he'd lose all that thick undercoat in the spring. Maybe in a warmer climate it won't get as thick? In the house, he lost a lot of that black hair. It was a mess, but he was worth it. Start brushing while she's small and she'll probably learn to like it. I think it feels good to get all that dead undercoat out when they're shedding.

My mom has a yorkie/pom. Her name is Sassy Frass. We call her Sassy, of course. The middle name was a joke. Her hair is thick and long, so Mom takes her to the groomers and has it cropped shorter. That's always an option too, although it can get expensive.

I also love the expression "holding your heart". When I was diagnosed my DIS friends told me to remember that they were with me. I guess they were holding my heart. I wore my Mickey watch every day, so it would remind me that they were with me in spirit. I always had something Disney nearby to remind me that so many people were praying for me. It gave me strength to smile.

 

[laurabelle]

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

A few days away from this thread and I don't think I can catch up!

Dawn- I completely understand your frustration. Not long after I was dxed, I was in Nuclear Medicine getting ready for my sentinel node biopsy and the tech there was telling me how long it would take, then he added, "Nothing happens fast in medicine."
(I'll add: Unless you're Oprah!)
We chuckled about it then, but I have never forgotten his words. I have had various things happen with every one of my health care givers, but the only ones I have actually fired were ones who have either not been willing to figure out my complicated case, or I just got the vibe that they weren't the one for me. Unfortunately long waits are a huge part of this...maybe that's why we're called patients. I always bring my own reading material, there's never anything good at these places...except when I take my kids to their ortho, and I basically have paid for those magazines OOP! I load up my ipod with music that makes me happy. When I go for infusions I bring my portable DVD player and rent chick flicks, pack snacks (there's always a little chocolate ) and bottled water, treat myself to a cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee. I always wear sweats/yoga pants, and I never wear them anyplace else. I mentally put myself in my happy place and get comfortable.

The first time I had a breast MRI they did one side at a time and I had to come back the next day. I can't recall the reason. Now they do both at once.

Laurie- You must post a pic of your puppy!

I got my results and my WBC is up from 2.9 to 3.2. He is giving me a reprieve and said one more month, if it's not up he's sending me to the hematologist. So the only thing I have left is a remicade infusion on the 18th then it's off to Disney on the 20th!

 

[Sha]

I'll do my best to capture a few of the dog at the BD party tomorrow. Don't expect wonders though, I am not the photographer you are, Linda.

I gotta try and remember how to post them here. What software was it that I used? I simply cannot remember.

It sounds like SHA has some expertise in that department too.

Will be glad to assist

And Amy.

Funny, Amy won the PB Weekly Contest last week and I tied for 1st place this week. The same thing happened last summer too - we both won within a week of eachother or so. Sha has won as well. It's a GAGWTA thing, I guess.

Congrats to Amy and Pea-n-Me for the contests!!!! That is cool! I havent had time to even really try to participate so far this year... miss having time for that. Soon enough though!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

GAGWTA

How is your new little friend doing this morning, Laurie?

We've been busy once again planning and resuming home renovations. We have so many it's kind of overwhelming. Watching HGTV is inspirational, though. DH has been watching it a lot which surprises me, but hey, won't complain. Still working on cleaning out the cellar and attics (we have two). It'll be easier now that the weather's about to turn and we can have a big yard sale. I'm convinced this is a huge part of it. Getting rid of the crap you accumulate over the years. I'm excited about it. We've been really happy with the living room renovations we did last year.

Current plans are to blitz through the bedrooms with fresh paint, doors and lighting. (Have cleaned them all out this winter.) Then we're going to do the kitchen. Basically new paint, lighting and some rearranging - we're removing one set of cabinets which jut out and replacing them with an island near the same spot but which will improve the flow. Our ceramic tile floor is still in great shape so we're keeping it. Cabinets will be white IKEA and will go where the old ones were. Any thoughts on countertops are welcome - that's the only part we're undecided about. The new island comes with an oak countertop and we're considering oak all around. We're also considering granite/granite tile/ceramic tile/corian and silestone (which I don't know much about). Did I miss anything? We are here to stay so we're not doing it for "resale value"; OTOH we want something we really like. The house is a multilevel ranch and our renovations are not high end. Rather, DIY but nice, fresh and new.

After the kitchen we're going to re-do our deck and build a screen porch. (We have a screen porch there now but it's seasonal and the roof needs to be replaced anyway.) We considered a sunroom but like the screen porch; we're going to make it so that we can put panels where the screens are during the winter so we can keep the rug and furniture out there and store boots hats, mittens and such.

Then we're heading to the family room, our largest room. I wanted a "barn like" feel with brick and wood and I think we finally figured out how to accomplish that. It'll be a lot of work but really nice when it's done. Then the bathroom off the family room and a storage room and we're ready to move outside, where the fence needs replacing and we have to update our landscaping. We also need new windows and interior doors all around which DH will do.

Whoa, I'm tired already.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

GAGWTA!

Yesterday was a GREAT day. Went to see "Spring Awakening." What a wonderful show. Had dinner at Bar Americain, a Bobby Flay restaurant. The food was perfection. BGF spoils me rotten and I love it.

Thanks for all of your responses. The plastic surgeon I met with on Friday IS definitely out. I have another appt. set for Thursday with the head of plastic surgery at the hospital where I am receiving treatment. Hopefully, he will be "the one," but, if not, I will continue to look until I am completely comfortable and satisfied. I'm going to go with my gut.

Got my HER2 results. I found them on my own, actually, when I went to pick up my films and reports to take to the MRI Center on Tues. Doc has not called me about them yet. I figure he is waiting until the MRI results come in. The report says IHC negative but FISH 2.0. Can anyone clue me in on what this means? Then again, if it's bad, maybe you shouldn't.

Was hoping this was early BC, but I keep thinking it is intermediate based on the description of the cells from the biopsy report ("intermediate grade"). Fears are creeping up on me again.....

I'm slightly hungover from yesterday's celebration (did I mention there were mojitos and wine involved?), so I will take it easy today.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend.

Dawn

 

[snappy]

Dawn, I still think the SIZE of the invasive component trumps the grade.

Linda, the puppy slept at DD17's boyfriend's house (actually in his room in a crate) but she is here now. We tried to introduce her to Snappy outside (it is an absolutely gorgeous day) and have been on 2 walks already with the 2 of them already. Snappy is tolerating her so far, a little growling when the puppy gets too playful, and she certainly is curious and a bit nervous.

We are working on the name. I suggested Penelope, the movie we are taking DD12 and her friends to today, the one with the teenage girl with the pig snout. That went over like a lead balloon with the family. DH likes bear, I also suggested Happy, Honey bear and Winnie. DD12 came up with Penny. DD17 has been calling her Boots so I am sure she is quite confused.

I am leaning towards Penny. She is a kind of coppery brown color with a dark snout and dark ear tips.

Snappy and the new kid on the block are snoozing right now. Wait until the 15 12 years olds arrive at 3 pm.

Can anyone advise me on crate training or potty training? Should I use the training pads in the crate? The crate instructions said no, but now I am confused.


When we adopted Snappy, she was about a year old and trained. She was one easy dog. I think this will be more challenging, especially with me working. I think I will start working shorter days. I wanted to anyway, now I have a good excuse.
I can come home for lunch to let her out, it is only a 10-15 minute drive during the middle of the day.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Can anyone advise me on crate training or potty training? Should I use the training pads in the crate?

No. You want her to learn NOT to go at all in the crate. That is her bed and she shouldn't learn to soil it. I've seen a chart before that shows how long a pup should be able to "hold it" according to age. Maybe someone here will know?

 

[lookingforward]

GAGWTA!

Yesterday was a GREAT day. Went to see "Spring Awakening." What a wonderful show. Had dinner at Bar Americain, a Bobby Flay restaurant. The food was perfection. BGF spoils me rotten and I love it.

Thanks for all of your responses. The plastic surgeon I met with on Friday IS definitely out. I have another appt. set for Thursday with the head of plastic surgery at the hospital where I am receiving treatment. Hopefully, he will be "the one," but, if not, I will continue to look until I am completely comfortable and satisfied. I'm going to go with my gut.

Got my HER2 results. I found them on my own, actually, when I went to pick up my films and reports to take to the MRI Center on Tues. Doc has not called me about them yet. I figure he is waiting until the MRI results come in. The report says IHC negative but FISH 2.0. Can anyone clue me in on what this means? Then again, if it's bad, maybe you shouldn't.

Was hoping this was early BC, but I keep thinking it is intermediate based on the description of the cells from the biopsy report ("intermediate grade"). Fears are creeping up on me again.....

I'm slightly hungover from yesterday's celebration (did I mention there were mojitos and wine involved?), so I will take it easy today.

Hope everyone enjoys the rest of their weekend.

Dawn

Dawn, its so hard waiting to hear results, isn't it? I HATE THAT. But intermediate grade means that your tumors are not slow growing but not super aggressive either. So thats not so bad! HER2 testing, although I'm not sure about everything, is a test they do to see if you need a very specific and very effective drug during the chemo phase. Not sure what your results mean, but they have medicine for HER2 so don't worry too much about that either. Your stage will be determined by tumor size, grade, and lymph node involvement, etc. You could very well be early stage! Think good thoughts and hang in there!

 

[#1Disfann]

GAGWTA! Long time, no see! I hope all of you have been well and surviving the cold. I don't know about you all but I am ready for spring.

I just had #7 (Taxol) on Friday and now I have only ONE more to go on March 14th! I am so excited! Then on to surgery (lumpectomy) and lymph node disection. My tumor has responded excellent to the chemo...to the point that the tumor in the breast (that started at 2.7cm) is no longer even visable on the ultrasound and the lymph node that we know is involved has gone from 3cm to under 1cm. The lumpectomy should be a breeze at this point. I will be having surgery the first week of April then moving on to radiation.

I've been hot and heavy planning our September trip especially since park hours came out yesterday (all up but DHS & MK). I can make my ADR's on March 21st so I'm hoping TGM has his planning info out by then. I do have a tenative itinerary based on last years info so that shoud be pretty close.....and of course the Vegas trip is still on for June 23rd!

Just wanted to say "Hi" and let you all know I've (almost) made it to the end of chemo with flying colors! Now just bring on the sunshine, warm breezes and some "new" hair!!

Have a good evening! Lori

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Dawn, I still think the SIZE of the invasive component trumps the grade.

Thanks for reminding me about this. I recall Doc saying this too as did many of you wonderful ladies. Again, please forgive me, it is all still a blur to me. I still feel like this is not my life and I am floating somewhere above watching--does this make sense? Can't believe it's only been a little over 2 weeks since being diagnosed. It honestly feels like 2 years.

I know you've all been where I am right now (mentally and physically) and managed to make it through. I am usually not this pessimistic. Good days and bad.

Again, I'm grateful that you are all here and that I can vent, ask questions, and feel supported.

THANKS!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Lori, things are sounding good. Glad you updated. Enjoy your trip planning! Let us know when your surgery is.

Laurie, I agree with Merry. In fact, lose the pee pads altogether. Teach her to go right outside from the crate. She'll be like a baby for a little while. I forget exactly but I think it's they can hold it one hour per month old. Her bladder's probably the size of a small grape right now so not too long. But this will increase as she gets older and learns. I always woke up and took the dogs out a couple of times a night at the beginning, around same age as yours. But that increases as time goes on. She will learn from Snappy, too. I'll see if I can find you some info online. Hope the party went well today.

ETA I think this one looks good. http://www.siriusweb.com/AAD/crate.html

Yup, one hour per month of age: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-house-train-your-puppy-2/page1.aspx

DeeCeeSW, I think you still don't have all your information yet and you may very well end up being early stage. I'm glad you had fun last night.

 

[TulsaDisneyFamily]

Dawn,

Usually the FISH test is run because the Her2Nu is equivicable (not positive or negative). I am not familiar with IHC. I can do some investigation and post tomorrow. If the cancer is Her2nu positive, there is a newer chemo drug called herceptin that treats it. This drug was not out at the time of my cancer. I am also Her2nu positive. I think the herceptin side effects are less intense and your hair does not fall out. Was you cancer estrogen receptor or progesterone receptor positive?

Please try and keep a positive attitude. I know it is difficult right now, but people who stay positive heal faster and generally do better iwht their overall health. You are doing the right things. You will find the right team to care for you. You have the time to make the right choices. Stick with your intuition. You will know the right doctors when you find them. When you are finished with your treatments you will be able to help others along this journey. My breast surgeon told me at the beginning that this would be a speed bump in my life. She was right. I now see what she ment. You are young, healthy and you will do great!

Melanie

 

[TulsaDisneyFamily]

Merry,
Randy also lived in Moore but moved to Purcell where he graduated from High School. Randy and I lived in Norman for about 2 years after we were first married.

It would be great to meet a sister in cancer who also has a love for Disney. Let me know when you might be in Tulsa and I can let you know when I will be in Moore.

Melanie

 

[MerryPoppins]

Let me know when you might be in Tulsa and I can let you know when I will be in Moore.

Will do. We don't get up there as often as we'd like, but we do visit. We'll have to keep in touch.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Dawn,

Usually the FISH test is run because the Her2Nu is equivicable (not positive or negative). I am not familiar with IHC. I can do some investigation and post tomorrow. If the cancer is Her2nu positive, there is a newer chemo drug called herceptin that treats it. This drug was not out at the time of my cancer. I am also Her2nu positive. I think the herceptin side effects are less intense and your hair does not fall out. Was you cancer estrogen receptor or progesterone receptor positive?

Please try and keep a positive attitude. I know it is difficult right now, but people who stay positive heal faster and generally do better iwht their overall health. You are doing the right things. You will find the right team to care for you. You have the time to make the right choices. Stick with your intuition. You will know the right doctors when you find them. When you are finished with your treatments you will be able to help others along this journey. My breast surgeon told me at the beginning that this would be a speed bump in my life. She was right. I now see what she ment. You are young, healthy and you will do great!

Melanie

GAGWTA!

Thanks, Melanie. The HER2neu test results actually say that the IHC is negative and that the FISH is 2.0 or unequivocal. I neglected to mention that part earlier. I am estrogen receptor positive. I wouldn't mind keeping my hair but I'm prepared to lose it, if need be.

I REALLY am trying to stay positive. Truly, I mean it. Sounds convincing, doesn't it?

I was just looking over my original mammogram results from December. It says, "There are benign calcifications within the left breast. There are BENIGN BILATERAL axillary lymph nodes." I didn't know what this meant at the time, but now I think I might. So now I have even MORE questions about the need for the sentinel node biopsy, as in what is the need for having it at all? Perhaps the MRI will make things clearer, but if the mammo showed that the nodes were benign....

I have to say that the one positive thing that plastic surgeon did do for me was to get me thinking about not removing the left breast (if it's not necessary). I haven't had any genetic testing so I'm not sure if my BC is hereditary (and my mom was adopted, so I am uncertain about my medical history to begin with). To read that there are benign calcifications in my left, and not MICRO calcifications, gives me some hope that the left might still be deemed a "healthy breast." We shall see.

See, I AM trying to find something positive here!

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~luto:

Dawn- I honestly don't think you sound negative at all. You are educating yourself and being your own advocate. That's a really healthy attitude. Of course you have to consider that things may not be as good as they could be. I was so young and had such a tiny tumor everyone said it couldn't be cancer, it was, it couldn't be invasive, it was, it couldn't be in my lymph nodes, it was...ect. And all along I KNEW it was not going to be that simple. I just knew I needed chemo, knew I would need bilateral masts. I didn't feel pessimistic, but was starting to feel almost like I was asking for it to be awful...KWIM? I put that thought right outta my head. I didn't ask for or want cancer, but there it was, I had to figure out what to do next. Info gathering and decision making is not easy, no one bears the burden of that like the patient. hug:

Laurie- Penny sounds sweet!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Dawn, nobody can tell if something's benign without actually testing the tissue. It would only be an educated guess otherwise, and a bad one at that. Not testing it would resuit in incomplete information on which to base your treatment plan, and that wouldn't be good for you in the long run. Remember, negative results are an important part of the puzzle, too. As for the second breast, if it's optional, then it's your personal decision to make.

GAGWTA

 

[laurabelle]

Dawn, nobody can tell if something's benign without actually testing the tissue. It would only be an educated guess otherwise, and a bad one at that. Not testing it would resuit in incomplete information on which to base your treatment plan, and that wouldn't be good for you in the long run. Remember, negative results are an important part of the puzzle, too. As for the second breast, if it's optional, then it's your personal decision to make.

GAGWTA

Excellent point Linda! As I posted previously, there were plenty of unexpected findings from my test results and they really need every piece to put it all together and make treatment recommendations. My bilateral was my own gut decision...I had a strong sense that was what I needed to do. I also had that same feeling about Not doing rads...l am trusting that those decisions were the right ones for me.

 

[laurabelle]

I'm shopping in my p.j.s...bought this today. I love pink stuff!