Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[CherylDan]

GAGWTA!

All this trip planning sounds like fun.....we are headed there this Christmas, so there's no way I could convince DH of another trip (he thinks once every 5 years is plenty! ) But depending on what happens with me, I'll give it some thought.

I had a not so good check up with my onc. today. Started off fine, he even took note of the fact that I was approaching my two year mark, and said how good that was. Then as he started the normal exam of checking liver, neck, etc, all the light chit chat stopped and he spent a long time examining the lymph nodes above my coller bone/neck area on my mastectomy side. They are quite swollen. He was surprised I hadn't noticed, but I guess I just wasn't paying attention. He showed me in the mirror and it is very obvious. He ordered a CT scan and another chest x-ray (even though I just had a chest x-ray 6 months ago). He told me to try and not worry too much, and he was probably just being overly cautious. Yeah.....ok. We all know the drill - worry wont change anything, but I just can't help but have the feeling of being kicked in the stomach. I was expecting to leave the office with a "no problems, come back in three months". Not "the hospital will call you to set this up, and come back and see me in two weeks".

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA!

All this trip planning sounds like fun.....we are headed there this Christmas, so there's no way I could convince DH of another trip (he thinks once every 5 years is plenty! ) But depending on what happens with me, I'll give it some thought.

I had a not so good check up with my onc. today. Started off fine, he even took note of the fact that I was approaching my two year mark, and said how good that was. Then as he started the normal exam of checking liver, neck, etc, all the light chit chat stopped and he spent a long time examining the lymph nodes above my coller bone/neck area on my mastectomy side. They are quite swollen. He was surprised I hadn't noticed, but I guess I just wasn't paying attention. He showed me in the mirror and it is very obvious. He ordered a CT scan and another chest x-ray (even though I just had a chest x-ray 6 months ago). He told me to try and not worry too much, and he was probably just being overly cautious. Yeah.....ok. We all know the drill - worry wont change anything, but I just can't help but have the feeling of being kicked in the stomach. I was expecting to leave the office with a "no problems, come back in three months". Not "the hospital will call you to set this up, and come back and see me in two weeks".

Oh, no! I am sorry to hear that! Hopefully it is nothing to be concerned about!

 

[conniehar90]

CherylDan - so sorry to hear that you are worried. You will be in my thoughts.

jackskellingtonsgirl - glad your mom is doing ok. Start counting off those chemos.

Iluvthemouse - congrats! That is great news.

Connie

 

[Sha]

CherylDan... sending you some prayers and pixie dust!! please keep us posted. Hope you feel all the hugs that are being sent to you

Jackskellingtonsgirl... we will count down with you and your mom

sending hugs and prayers to all you other ladies!!!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

GAGWTA Ladies!

{{{Maureen}}}--BIG HUGS to you!

iluvthemouse--What GREAT NEWS!!! I'm so happy that things turned out well 4u!

CherylDan--sorry that the doctor's visit didn't go as you'd hoped/expected. Try to think positively. It may be unrelated to CA--our lymph nodes serve a purpose and they do occasionally swell.

jackskellingtongirl--glad your mom's port insertion was successful.

WDW planners--we are going down in December of this year (pulling DS out of school for 7 days), so I would have a hard time convincing DH to go down again. However, I might be able to come down alone for a few days depending on the time of year.

Chemo #3 was yesterday--ONE MORE TO GO!!! Woo Hoo!!

Feeling better than I did last time. Knock on wood, I won't experience the horrible constipation again. I started taking the Miralax and so far, so good. I didn't take any extra steroids today as the nausea was minimal. In fact, all I took today was my second Emend pill (2 of 3).

 

[lookingforward]

GAGWTA Ladies!

{{{Maureen}}}--BIG HUGS to you!

iluvthemouse--What GREAT NEWS!!! I'm so happy that things turned out well 4u!

CherylDan--sorry that the doctor's visit didn't go as you'd hoped/expected. Try to think positively. It may be unrelated to CA--our lymph nodes serve a purpose and they do occasionally swell.

jackskellingtongirl--glad your mom's port insertion was successful.

WDW planners--we are going down in December of this year (pulling DS out of school for 7 days), so I would have a hard time convincing DH to go down again. However, I might be able to come down alone for a few days depending on the time of year.

Chemo #3 was yesterday--ONE MORE TO GO!!! Woo Hoo!!

Feeling better than I did last time. Knock on wood, I won't experience the horrible constipation again. I started taking the Miralax and so far, so good. I didn't take any extra steroids today as the nausea was minimal. In fact, all I took today was my second Emend pill (2 of 3).

Hugs to all!
CherylDan...you are in my thoughts!

One more chemo to go! Wow! Its like pregnancy....everyone else's goes faster than your own. It seems to ME that you just started! I know...not to you, right? Well..I am so glad you are almost there.

 

[laurabelle]

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

GAGWTA!

I had a not so good check up with my onc. today. Started off fine, he even took note of the fact that I was approaching my two year mark, and said how good that was. Then as he started the normal exam of checking liver, neck, etc, all the light chit chat stopped and he spent a long time examining the lymph nodes above my coller bone/neck area on my mastectomy side. They are quite swollen. He was surprised I hadn't noticed, but I guess I just wasn't paying attention. He showed me in the mirror and it is very obvious. He ordered a CT scan and another chest x-ray (even though I just had a chest x-ray 6 months ago). He told me to try and not worry too much, and he was probably just being overly cautious. Yeah.....ok. We all know the drill - worry wont change anything, but I just can't help but have the feeling of being kicked in the stomach. I was expecting to leave the office with a "no problems, come back in three months". Not "the hospital will call you to set this up, and come back and see me in two weeks".

I'm so sorry you were blindsided. I'm praying this is nothing, and for peace for you as you wait.

GAGWTA Ladies!

Chemo #3 was yesterday--ONE MORE TO GO!!! Woo Hoo!!

Feeling better than I did last time. Knock on wood, I won't experience the horrible constipation again. I started taking the Miralax and so far, so good. I didn't take any extra steroids today as the nausea was minimal. In fact, all I took today was my second Emend pill (2 of 3).

That's great to hear! It seems like once they figure out what works best for you, chemo's over!

 

[Iluvthemouse]

CherylDan--my thoughts and prayers are with you. Hopefully this is nothing.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Dawn - YAY for just one more chemo to go! I hope you continue to feel OK!

Mom has her first A/C infusion today. It sounds like she is well-stocked with anti-emetics, and I warned her about the constipation. Hopefully it will go well!

 

[snappy]

GAGWTA!

All this trip planning sounds like fun.....we are headed there this Christmas, so there's no way I could convince DH of another trip (he thinks once every 5 years is plenty! ) But depending on what happens with me, I'll give it some thought.

I had a not so good check up with my onc. today. Started off fine, he even took note of the fact that I was approaching my two year mark, and said how good that was. Then as he started the normal exam of checking liver, neck, etc, all the light chit chat stopped and he spent a long time examining the lymph nodes above my coller bone/neck area on my mastectomy side. They are quite swollen. He was surprised I hadn't noticed, but I guess I just wasn't paying attention. He showed me in the mirror and it is very obvious. He ordered a CT scan and another chest x-ray (even though I just had a chest x-ray 6 months ago). He told me to try and not worry too much, and he was probably just being overly cautious. Yeah.....ok. We all know the drill - worry wont change anything, but I just can't help but have the feeling of being kicked in the stomach. I was expecting to leave the office with a "no problems, come back in three months". Not "the hospital will call you to set this up, and come back and see me in two weeks".

What you are going through with the worry is one of the worst aspects of this BC beast. As nervewracking as it is it is still best that the docs are so vigilant. As previously posted, there are a number of reasons that nodes can be swollen. Mine were enlarged but clear when I was diagnosed.

When are your tests scheduled? Let us know so we can send some live prayer your way.

 

[snappy]

GAGWTA Ladies!

{{{Maureen}}}--BIG HUGS to you!

iluvthemouse--What GREAT NEWS!!! I'm so happy that things turned out well 4u!

CherylDan--sorry that the doctor's visit didn't go as you'd hoped/expected. Try to think positively. It may be unrelated to CA--our lymph nodes serve a purpose and they do occasionally swell.

jackskellingtongirl--glad your mom's port insertion was successful.

WDW planners--we are going down in December of this year (pulling DS out of school for 7 days), so I would have a hard time convincing DH to go down again. However, I might be able to come down alone for a few days depending on the time of year.

Chemo #3 was yesterday--ONE MORE TO GO!!! Woo Hoo!!

Feeling better than I did last time. Knock on wood, I won't experience the horrible constipation again. I started taking the Miralax and so far, so good. I didn't take any extra steroids today as the nausea was minimal. In fact, all I took today was my second Emend pill (2 of 3).

I imagine I will be solo for the proposed 2009 Dec meet as well, maybe bring DD12 (gosh she will be 14 by then).

Glad you are holding up under the chemo these days. It sounds like you are dealing with it all extremely well.

Keep up the good work!!!

 

[snappy]

Not sure if I posted this, but I joined the great new Bally's in the development here that DH's employer is involved with. I really like going at lunch, it is a short drive from where I work and I can park in the garage directly under Bally's. It is very sparsely occupied during lunch so ai am not as self-conscious about being so out of shape.

Nice and clean and new, the locker room is wonderful.

Got a great break on the monthly fees, due to his employment with the owner.

I have been twice, just doing cardio machines, of which they have the latest state of the art stuff. I am starting off at the lowest possbile level to avoid hurting myself.

I am supposed to meet with a trainer today and attempt some exercises on the weight machines. I met this trainerl several weeks ago and she told me she had another survivor patient and did a lot of research on what exercises are safe.

Anyone here with node surgery do any light weight training?

I am determined to try and improve my 54 year old body. I'd like to lose the blood pressure meds and generally have more energy. At work with a have a lady who has worked in occupational and physical therapy (with disabled kids and adults) for many years. Yesterday a few of us got together with her and are doing stretching exercises on an exercise ball.

We all are encouraging each other so I am hoping this time will do the trick.

 

[CherylDan]

GAGWTA

Thank you to everyone for the good thoughts and well wishes. I just heard from the hospital, apparently he changed his mind about doing the chest x-ray, and instead ordered the CT scan and right side mammogram. I just had a mammogram 3 months ago, and was told then to have it redone in 6 months due to some spots they suspected were calcium deposits. I need to call the office and ask about this. And it seems strange to me that the nodes above my collar bone would be swollen on my left side, if there would maybe be a problem with the right side. Anyway, test are scheduled for July 24. I'm trying not to think about it....but couldn't help but jump up this moring and check in the mirror, hoping the swelling might have disappeard overnight, but no such luck.

Anyway, on to better thoughts....

DeeCee... congrats on being down to your last treatment!

JSG...hope everything goes ok for your mom today

Snappy....sounds great! And it's nice that you have a trainer who can help with a safe plan. Your post makes me want to get up out of this chair and go find my treadmill! It's been way too long.

 

[CherylDan]

OK, just talked to the docs office....mammogram was not supposed to be scheduled until Oct. I have CT scans of my chest and neck scheduled for July 24. I didn't think to ask why he changed chest x-ray to chest CT scan. Maybe that's what he said in the first place, I was caught off guard and it's quite possible I got it confused. Ugh. I'm not liking the sound of this at all.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

OK, just talked to the docs office....mammogram was not supposed to be scheduled until Oct. I have CT scans of my chest and neck scheduled for July 24. I didn't think to ask why he changed chest x-ray to chest CT scan. Maybe that's what he said in the first place, I was caught off guard and it's quite possible I got it confused. Ugh. I'm not liking the sound of this at all.

More good thoughts for you! Ugh. Waiting is the worst. Hopefully all of the tests will come back normal!

Mom made it through her first chemo! She said her port is VERY sore, and when they tried to start the drip they discovered it is in very deep and at an angle, which doesn't sound good. Hopefully her next treatment in 2 weeks will be less painful!

She asked her oncologist about Claritin for bone pain. He told her what would help her bone pain is for her daughter to stay off of the internet. Arrogant doctor! But he did tell her the Claritin is fine if she experiences bone pain. She had her first Neulasta shot today, so we'll see how she feels over the next few days.

Her MUGA result was 70, so that's good.

 

[CherylDan]

More good thoughts for you! Ugh. Waiting is the worst. Hopefully all of the tests will come back normal!

Mom made it through her first chemo! She said her port is VERY sore, and when they tried to start the drip they discovered it is in very deep and at an angle, which doesn't sound good. Hopefully her next treatment in 2 weeks will be less painful!

She asked her oncologist about Claritin for bone pain. He told her what would help her bone pain is for her daughter to stay off of the internet. Arrogant doctor! But he did tell her the Claritin is fine if she experiences bone pain. She had her first Neulasta shot today, so we'll see how she feels over the next few days.

Her MUGA result was 70, so that's good.

I just talked to DH...we decided to have the attitude that the doc only ordered these test because he needs to cover his butt. That works for me!

What your mom's doc said is outrageous!!! Bone pain was probably my worst problem with the chemo, besides having no energy. I never tried claritin. Hopefully that will help her. Sometimes I just resorted to some pain pills I had left over from my surgery. I didn't like to do that though, because they made me drowsy.

 

[Momvic5]

Hello Ladies~

I do not have Breast Cancer, but I have someone near and dear to me who does ~ my mother. She is 61yrs old, and we have battling it now for 3 years. She had a mastectomy on her right side about 2 years ago, but now the breast cancer has reoccurred on her skin in the site of the mastectomy area and is spreading over to the left breast. It is in the form of a rash on the skin, but it is not inflammatory breast cancer. I have never posted on this thread but have read it several times and have gained encouragement from it. If you do not mind, I would like to ask if any of you have ever experienced reoccurring breast cancer on the skin surface. I would appreciate any of your thoughts. The Dr says it is common, but I can not find any information on it or know of anyone who has experienced it. She has endured months of harsh chemo treatments and as of now, it does not seem to be affecting the rash. She recently was released by her Dr to a research team, and they are very encouraging and feel they can help her. My mom is a strong woman as many of you are, and I know she will recover, but we are so overwhelmed by it all. What are your thoughts? Have any of you experienced breast cancer on the skin?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Hello Ladies~

I do not have Breast Cancer, but I have someone near and dear to me who does ~ my mother. She is 61yrs old, and we have battling it now for 3 years. She had a mastectomy on her right side about 2 years ago, but now the breast cancer has reoccurred on her skin in the site of the mastectomy area and is spreading over to the left breast. It is in the form of a rash on the skin, but it is not inflammatory breast cancer. I have never posted on this thread but have read it several times and have gained encouragement from it. If you do not mind, I would like to ask if any of you have ever experienced reoccurring breast cancer on the skin surface. I would appreciate any of your thoughts. The Dr says it is common, but I can not find any information on it or know of anyone who has experienced it. She has endured months of harsh chemo treatments and as of now, it does not seem to be affecting the rash. She recently was released by her Dr to a research team, and they are very encouraging and feel they can help her. My mom is a strong woman as many of you are, and I know she will recover, but we are so overwhelmed by it all. What are your thoughts? Have any of you experienced breast cancer on the skin?

Welcome! Hugs to you and your mom!
My grandmother had Paget's disease, but that was the reason she had her mastectomy. As far as I know it did not recur after her surgery.
My mom just started chemo today for stage III ILC. There are many amazing women on this thread, and a wealth of knowledge. Hopefully someone will be able to answer your questions!

CherylDan - I *think* he was joking. He knows I am on this like white on rice, and if Mom needs me I am on the next plane. I think he prefers to deal with me at a distance, so it is in his best interest to take good care of her so I don't have to book a flight!

 

[lookingforward]

I am having a truly difficult day. I can't stop crying about my mom. Its the worst.

I hope we can all meet in Dec. 09....it would be fantastic!

CherylDan...I will be thinking about you on the 24th. My oncologist is hyper vigilant about testing and will test for anything slightly off. It is, sometimes, about covering their tookhous (yiddish for tush)! I hope all is well!


As far as bone pain....well...tell that doctor to try some chemo on for size and then tell you to stay off the internet. The bone pain was the WORST for me...it was really difficult. I still have it, although much less. I had to take some pain meds to get through. I found that taking one in the morning and one at night the week after chemo really helped keep it in check. The nuelasta was the cause, so I am told. My oncologist did not have a lot of sympathy...but did acknowledge that 15% of her chemo patients have medium to severe pain in the bones. My advice...is to tell your mom not to suffer. There is help and relief.

I bought tickets to see Lisa Williams when she comes to south Florida. She has a show on Lifetime and is a medium. I adore her show and my mom and I used to talk about her. It will be great to see her in action.

GAGWTA!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Maureen, I am sorry this is a tough day! I think it would be very cool to see a medium!

The Neulasta site said something like 31% of patients will experience bone pain, so I wanted Mom to be ready. I have told her to try to head off the problems before they get so severe that she can't function. Hopefully she will listen. Although she prefers NOT to listen, then she likes to come back and tell me I was right. Unfortunately "I told you so!" isn't very satisfying in those situations.