Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[snappy]

Computer problems here.

Just posting to say hello and that I am happy you made it through the tests, Cheryl, also that Sha's mom had such positive results.

Linda, thinking of you and your onc visit.

Ann, glad to hear about Avery and that you escaped the wrath of the bad weather.

Dawn, thanks for posting about your fills. Glad that is going well. Interesting that with silicone you have to have MRI's..

For a double where you don't have to worry about matching the natural breast, it is good to have both options, the saline and the sillicone. That is a tough decision.

DH had chest pain yesterday am several hours after working out at Bally's. Off we went to the cardiologist who had him take a nitro pill (DH had not thought to do this although he carries it around on his keychain

Doc said he did not think it was related as the pain should present while the exercise is being done, but had him take another Toprol yesterday and start on OTC Prilosec. No exercise today until he calls and talks to the Doc.

He still felt it last night but took Advil last night and woke up painfree.

I guess we did the wild goose chase yesterday???

Annual GYN visit for me today. I love this doc and am looking forward to talking to her.

GAGWTA!! I know I have left someone out.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Ann - Glad you are safe!

Mom's blood count was a little low so they started her on antibiotics. Other than that she sounds good, and she said she feels good. She was experimenting with making a turban yesterday - she didn't care for the wigs at the American Cancer Society, so she got a turban pattern instead.

I asked her if they have popsicles or ice chips at the chemo center, and she said she usually has a soda over ice. They are happy to provide whatever she asks for. When the soda is gone she eats the ice, so maybe that will help with the mouth sores. She was going to take my sister shopping for school clothes today.

 

[snappy]

Mom sounds like she is doing well. So far so good.

 

[laurabelle]

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

jackskellingtonsgirl- My onc automatically had me on Cipro during chemo...it worked great and I didn't have any side effects from it. Not sure if everyone feels like this, but my head felt so weird bald. It was sensitive, tingled, hurt at times...like there was always something going on with it. Your mom may only want a wig for times she feels like she needs it...or not at all. Wigs are hot, itchy, uncomfortable on a bald, sensitive head. I mostly wore soft scarves or hats out to the hospital, nothing at home. I often wore knit sleep caps at night...sometimes even the pillow bothered me.

CherylDan- Glad you didn't need to clean up after yourself! I have gotten the warm sensation, but not the wet! Thinking of you...

Sha- That's awesome news for your mom! I had bilateral expanders. I felt like I had a steel band around my chest for the longest time. Now I just feel like I'm always wearing a bra...weird.

Ann- Wow! I can't believe Avery is starting 1st grade in the fall! I know he hasn't had the same childhood he would have otherwise, same for my kiddos even though they weren't the ones who were sick. It will all work out and he will adjust... Those storms sound awful! Glad you are safe.

Laurie- How scary! I am glad your DH's pain wasn't heart related. It's good to know about the pain being present while exercising. I hope he's feeling better.

It's interesting to see what others got out of the article...the first thing that jumped out at me was:

George Sledge, M.D.: A good place to start is what's a common misconception in that triple-negative breast cancer has a truly awful prognosis. But in fact, that's not really the truth. Factors such as size of tumor and lymph node status are still very important. For a Stage I breast cancer patient, even with a triple-negative breast cancer, most patients live to a ripe old age. In addition, if the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy, there are significant reductions in the risk of recurrence and death due to breast cancer. So I would not consider this a matter of gloom and doom.

Then on a personal note because I was dxed before they did the Her2Neu testing so I don't know my stats:
George Sledge, M.D.: When we say triple-negative, we mean estrogen-receptor negative, progesterone-receptor negative, and HER2 negative. Routine HER2 testing did not become possible until a decade ago. I'm coming up on my decade from dx!!!

 

[snappy]

Almost ten years and still going strong!!!

You go girl!!!

DH is back to being just as much of a goof as always. Advil seemed to take care of it. The doc said he could start exercising again.

Chalk it up to a lesson learned.

I am going to start on some lawn work before it gets too hot or starts raining.
I'll check in later.
We haven't had a post from Barbara in a while. I hope you are doing well, Barbara.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA, Ladies! Hope all are well!

Laurie - Glad your DH is doing OK now!

Laura - Mom's hair is pretty short, and she said most of the wigs she saw were longer than she really wants. I think the turbans will be more comfortable and suitable for her, especially working in a school cafeteria.
YAY for 10 years!! I am glad you are doing well!!

 

[NHAnn]

I've been wondering about annrae (Barbara) lately too. Hope she's just busy with fun summer activities!

10 years Laura!!

DD fell on the dock at her camp job yesterday, and after the hours long doctor to ER routine-the verdict is a small "radial head fracture" --basically broken elbow. It sounds as though she will not have a cast, but a sling and needs to do some exercises to rehab it. She sounds OK today (ahhh, Vicodin) , sees an orthopedic doc Monday. Does not want to come home nor us to come up and see her. I guess it could be worse....I am graeful that a) treatment is at Dartmouth Hitchcock Med Center, an excellent facility (where Avery gets his treatment!) and b) it should be covered by Worker's Comp as opposed to the high-deductible health plan we just switched her to after grad, because the Cobra on my work insurance was over $550 a month.....

GAGWTA!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Not sure if everyone feels like this, but my head felt so weird bald. It was sensitive, tingled, hurt at times...like there was always something going on with it. Your mom may only want a wig for times she feels like she needs it...or not at all. Wigs are hot, itchy, uncomfortable on a bald, sensitive head. I mostly wore soft scarves or hats out to the hospital, nothing at home. I often wore knit sleep caps at night...sometimes even the pillow bothered me.

ITA. My head was very sensitive and uncomfortable. Fortunately, the wig I bought was soft and comfortable so I didn't mind it more than anything else I'd have on my head, until it was on for a while and then I just had to get it off. I had several Lovies for home wear and even slept in them because like you say, even the pillow hurt. For me, it was also winter and my head got LOL.

Doc said he did not think it was related as the pain should present while the exercise is being done, but had him take another Toprol yesterday and start on OTC Prilosec. No exercise today until he calls and talks to the Doc.

Stable angina occurs during exercise and is the more common type; unstable angina occurs at rest and therefore is more worrisome, just to clarify that you can indeed have non-exercise related heart pain which can lead to a heart attack if not treated promptly - why all types of pain should be evaluated. (But in the case of your husband I'm sure the doc was able to determine it was not unstable angina, which he would know from evaluating him). http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/000201.htm Glad he's feeling better.

Hope everyone's doing well.

We got called up to my aunt's (the one with end stage Alzheimer's) nursing home yesterday, she was having shortness of breath and they began giving her morphine. They're basically telling us it's the beginning of the end. My cousin, my mother (her sister) and I all day debated all of our options (such as taking her to the hospital, or placing a feeding tube, as the cause of her problems is that she's aspirating her secretions and food). Never easy decisions. It's been such a long road with this disease, but it's still so hard to stand by and let nature take it's course with those you love. We tried to keep foremost in our minds what she would want. And we believe she'd want us to let her go. Her quality of life is poor right now - basically bed to chair (via lift), sleeps most of the day, aspirating on food, incontinent, unaware, etc. She was better last night but we'll see what the next days bring.

Cheryl, my oncology appt is tomorrow. Hip waxes and wanes. Some days, no pain at all. Others, it's killing me. It really bothers me a lot after working a 12 hr shift. I'll let you know how I make out. Thinking of you while you await your test results.

GAGWTA

 

[DeeCeeSW]

GAGWTA Ladies!

Want to share a picture of the beautiful cake my BIL surprised me with at my SIL's birthday party yesterday. The cake was also for their friend Donna, who is currently undergoing a battery of tests for tumors found in her thyroid, breast, and lungs.

Needless to say, we were both pretty emotional when we saw it. Isn't it pretty? BIL had it made at the local A&P!

 

[snappy]

Stunning cake, Dawn!! Your inlaws sound like they are very caring.

Congrats to you and Donna.!!

 

[Sha]

Laura congrats on the upcoming milestone!!! That is awesome!!!

Pea-n-Me prayers for your Aunt and family. That is a tough decision

The cake is wonderful!!! May have to copy that pic to have a mini cake done. Wouldnt that be neat to have a Dismeet for you all???

 

[snappy]

ITA. My head was very sensitive and uncomfortable. Fortunately, the wig I bought was soft and comfortable so I didn't mind it more than anything else I'd have on my head, until it was on for a while and then I just had to get it off. I had several Lovies for home wear and even slept in them because like you say, even the pillow hurt. For me, it was also winter and my head got LOL.


Stable angina occurs during exercise and is the more common type; unstable angina occurs at rest and therefore is more worrisome, just to clarify that you can indeed have non-exercise related heart pain which can lead to a heart attack if not treated promptly - why all types of pain should be evaluated. (But in the case of your husband I'm sure the doc was able to determine it was not unstable angina, which he would know from evaluating him). http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/000201.htm Glad he's feeling better.

Hope everyone's doing well.

We got called up to my aunt's (the one with end stage Alzheimer's) nursing home yesterday, she was having shortness of breath and they began giving her morphine. They're basically telling us it's the beginning of the end. My cousin, my mother (her sister) and I all day debated all of our options (such as taking her to the hospital, or placing a feeding tube, as the cause of her problems is that she's aspirating her secretions and food). Never easy decisions. It's been such a long road with this disease, but it's still so hard to stand by and let nature take it's course with those you love. We tried to keep foremost in our minds what she would want. And we believe she'd want us to let her go. Her quality of life is poor right now - basically bed to chair (via lift), sleeps most of the day, aspirating on food, incontinent, unaware, etc. She was better last night but we'll see what the next days bring.

Cheryl, my oncology appt is tomorrow. Hip waxes and wanes. Some days, no pain at all. Others, it's killing me. It really bothers me a lot after working a 12 hr shift. I'll let you know how I make out. Thinking of you while you await your test results.

GAGWTA

Thanks for the link, Linda. I was actually hoping you would post a reply on this because of your expertise. I read most of the info about the non-stable angina to DH. He still thinks he is invincible. I drew the line at him doing the push mower yesterday for the areas of the lawn the friding mower can't reach. He did work out in the am and has decreased the weight level.

I am keeping an eye on him. He did take the aspirin at the office before seeing the doc Thursday. Then between the extra Toprol and the nitro pill, I guess something worked.

He felt some tightness yesterday again a while after exercising, and truly believes it is exercise related as is muscle strain. It is so hard to differentiate, but I am glad he called the doc Thursday and didn't pussyfoot around.

Tough decisions about your aunt. The one bright side is that it sounds like all of you are involved, your cousin, your mom and you. It helps to have support when faced with this.

Is your onc visit next week?

Ann, sorry about your DD's injury. So scary whenever you get a call out of the blue that something happened. I liked your comment, it could have been worse. I am always saying that, no matter what the issue. Helps me keep things in perspective.

My Gyn doc asked me if they are talking about putting me on anything else after the 5 years on Tamoxifen. Has anyone else here be told anything about treatment after Tamoxifen? I thought there wasn't anything, but she took be aback when she asked that question.

 

[snappy]

Laura congrats on the upcoming milestone!!! That is awesome!!!

Pea-n-Me prayers for your Aunt and family. That is a tough decision

The cake is wonderful!!! May have to copy that pic to have a mini cake done. Wouldnt that be neat to have a Dismeet for you all???

You are a genius. It would be super to have a decorated cake like that one when we have our meet in Dec 09 or whenever.

 

[Sha]

You are a genius. It would be super to have a decorated cake like that one when we have our meet in Dec 09 or whenever.

You can take a pic of it and take it down there before you need it and they will make it... or go to a Publix (am sure there is one nearby and they are the best IMHO)

did you all figure out a date for that Dec 09 trip??

 

[snappy]

I think we are looking either at December 4-6th weekend or 11-13th weekend for 2009. I think Merry was looking more at the second weekend. I would be ok with either.

So far from now.

YIPPEE!!! I just got a ding for the New Orleans to Orlando leg of DH's flight in October for our anniversary trip. I bagged one for mine way back in April. Now just waiting for the return to show up on ding. I am holding a ticket for him at $91 plus tax but am hoping for the Ding to show up for $67 too. It is peanuts in the big scheme of things, but I love the bargain hunt thrill.

When you pushing 55, you take your thrills where you can get them.

 

[Sha]

I think we are looking either at December 4-6th weekend or 11-13th weekend for 2009. I think Merry was looking more at the second weekend. I would be ok with either.

I know I would love to come down and meet you all, and if so, then the second weekend would work. It appears that I am doing DL and more want to do the first weekend. we have to see what happens though

When you pushing 55, you take your thrills where you can get them.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Ann - I hope your DD's elbow heals without complications!

Linda - I am so sorry about your aunt. Your family will be in my thoughts.
Good luck with the onc appointment! I hope all is well!
Totally unrelated topic, did you decide on a new photo hosting site? I have decided I might not be all that into Photobucket anymore. They have made some changes and now I am confused. Seems LESS user friendly than before! I quickly browsed SmugMug yesterday but never came to any conclusions.

Dawn - What a cool cake! I love cake. Are you feeling less "vomitous"?

Laurie - Not sure about Tamoxifen, but a family friend just passed her 5 year mark (same onc as Mom) and he is keeping her on the Arimidex.
I'm glad you are keping an eye on DH! Hopefully he will take it easier for awhile!
Congrats on your DING! fare!

I don't think I have a preference of weekends for next December. I know the parade is typically taped that first Saturday at MK which can make the crowds wonky. I read that Pop Warner usually starts the second Sunday after Thanksgiving, but I am not sure when Thanksgiving falls next year! The year we went during Pop Warner we overlapped the very beginning of their competition so we didn't see many groups in the parks. Towards the end things got interesting, but we had already gone home by then!

 

[Sha]

Good Morning everyone!!



Wanted to share my favorite comic strip with you all... changes daily (normally) so tomorrow would be a different strip (normally)

http://www.comics.com/comics/roseisrose/index.html

 

[laurabelle]

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

My Gyn doc asked me if they are talking about putting me on anything else after the 5 years on Tamoxifen. Has anyone else here be told anything about treatment after Tamoxifen? I thought there wasn't anything, but she took be aback when she asked that question.

Laurie- I'm assuming since it was your gyn asking, that you are post menopausal. Yes, after you finish 5 yrs of Tam. you should start 5yrs of an Aromatase Inhibitor http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/aromatase_inhibitors/

These unfortunately do not work on pre menopausal women so I took a year off after I finished my 5yrs of Tam. started having gyn issues, then had ooph/hyst surgery, in part so I could start the drug. After I had my surgery I started Femara, but the side effects were too much for me. My onc strongly suggested that I try another as the studies show the increase survival rate is very high for these drugs. I am on Aromasin now.

 

[CherylDan]

Oh my God! I'm fine! CT scan showed NOTHING. Doc thinks at this point it is swelling from maybe a pulled muscle in my neck/shoulder, or maybe even from the swelling in my arm. I was shocked, sooooo relieved. DH even took the day off work to go with me today, because I was so sure that I would need him there. So we had a nice lunch out, did some errands, got the best news EVER, and then go rear-ended at a stoplight! Just a scuff on my bumper, no biggie, and I was in such a good mood I just told the person who hit me not to worry about it.

Linda....I hope your news is just as good. How did your visit go?

Snappy....glad to hear your DH is keeping on top of his symtoms. What is it about men thinking they are invincible?? And good luck chasing that thrill, btw!

Ann...how's DD doing with her arm?

Dawn...cool cake. Sounds like your BIL is quite a guy! How are you feeling these days?

Sha...cute cartoon! Thanks for the link.

JSG....I never wore a wig, just hats. I had some cute fuzzy stocking caps I wore in the winter, and some lightweight cotton scarf type ones for summer. I also always wore my soft lightweight "baby" cap at night to keep my head from getting cold. Anyway, I ordered several from TLC. They had a nice selection of the pre-tied cotton scarfs.

Laura.... 10 years! Wow!


I hope everybody is having a good day! GAGWTA!!!