Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[Pea-n-Me]

Candy, nice to see you posting. Are your tumors considered breast cancer related? Sorry they're causing you so much pain. Please keep us posted.

smiley I agree, you are one strong lady. I can't imagine how hard it was for you to start that third chemo. Are you putting your mind elsewhere during the infusions? I know it's *really* hard, but try to get your body in as much of a relaxed state as you can muster. I was reading an article recently that talked about the benefit of this, I'll see if I can find it. Practice at home during the week. I had to do it before my own chemo because I was really anxious every time (not saying you are). PM me if you need more specific info. Hang in there. It's glad to read the girls are doing better. So glad you DH is getting help.

lmp and others here, glad you're enjoying baseball season, too! I can't imagine the Yankees (who I also enjoy, btw, and DS, too - he wears a Jeter shirt and takes a lot of heat for it around here!) as underdogs! Sox lost first three to Texas, yikes. DS (who I found out last week grew 3 inches since last year!) had 3 games this w/e - they "rounded the bases" > tied one, lost one and won one! Yesterday's double header saw no errors, which was great (they're on a full size diamond this year so it's an adjustment). DS pitched for three innings today and struck out five batters, including the two best hitters on the other team, and no runs scored! (That's my boy!! ) Our fields were a bit of a mess after Friday's storm but the dads really worked hard for hours to get them usable, which was such a nice sight to see. Thankfully the sun was out but this time of year is absolutely freezing down on those huge, windy fields, so most of us, including the dads and moms on the sidelines, were wrapped in multiple blankets - and still !!! Gotta love it!

GAGWTA!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good morning ladies

smiley - sorry to hear of all your chemo problems. I am sure you will be glad to move onto the next phase of the treatments. You are doing a great job, handg in there! I would also try a nutritional supplement. Or maybe a power shake like a fruit smoothie with banana etc.I hope the new therapist is helpful for your dh. Its good your have our trip to look forward to. Sending you prayers for peace and comfort with all you are dealing with sista.

Lisa - that is so great about your dd's interview. Wishing her all the best.

Laurie - Sounds like your mom could use a vacation!

Well the van is fixed, needed a new battery and oil. Hmm, highlight of the week end. Well ds21 broke his L big toe. He feels like part of the foot is broken too, but they said the x ray was negative for anything but the toe. Hmm, He is borrowing ds23s crutches. I dont know how he will get to drive to school. I think he needs a friend to take him. He says he doesnt even know how he will get around campus. He dropped a workout weight on his foot. Ouch!

We got our taxes done and I am . Dh will come home and leave by noon for China. He promised to spend the morning with me, but went to work instead, sigh, sigh. We went out to eat fri. night. I think I had some mild food poisioning. I wont be eating at that place for a while.

GTAGWTA.

 

[Candy30]

Hello everyone!

Smiley- So sorry you are experiencing such a rough time. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Don't worry about being grumpy or complaining or whinning here! It's what this group of ladies specialize in.

Snappy!!! How are you? I can't wait until I can get into my yard! But that is going to be a while. I can't wait for warm weather.

WDW4- Hope you are feeling better. Hang in there sweetie. I hope the best for your daughter and I hope she gets the job. That would be awesome. How long of a process is it? Will she find out right away?

PNM- Hey Honey! They do not know what type it is and to do a biopsy would be high risk. There are so many scenerios! If they do a biopsy something could happen. I asked if they just removed it regardless. He said they could but the location could make it worse or create other problems. The tumor is located and the inner part of the "T" where the two bones connect. Right there is a cluster of nerves that they don't want to nick or touch for fear of causing other problems. They feel that the tumors could be part of my B cell lymphoma but not sure. It has been there for 1 year and has not changed in size or density. So I go to a Neuro doc for this and my endo watches it too. I was happy to not have thyroid. My silver lining. Give your Son a high five for me!!!

LMP-Can you give me more info on the robot? Does it specialize in spinal surgery? Let me know. I hope you are feeling better. Thanks for the summarized catch up!

I want to give you an update. My husband got a job with a University here in PA and it is wonderful not have to worry if this day is going to be his last at a temp job! It also helps for the kids if they want to go to college there. My son is in his 2nd year at Vet Tech. He was goofing his last year in high school and lost a scholarship. So I told him he will have to pay for his own schooling. I am not going to pay my hard earned money for him to goof off. I am happy to say that he is getting As and Bs and is really focused now. My daughter starts high school in Downtown PGH. I don't know if I am more freaked about her being downtown or that she is going to high school. She is going to a dance in school and we went dress shopping! Are the dresses getting shorter? Or am I becoming an old fogey!

Mom is doing great! We had a major headache with my sister deciding to sell the house my Mom lived in. That's a looooooooong headache of a story. But Nana is doing great now.

I really have missed you guys!

GTAGWTA

 

[CherylDan]

Good afternoon ladies...just wanted to stop in an say hello. Trying to stay caught up with everybody, just not feeling very much like posting right now.....between the chemo and recovering from the flu, I'm just wiped out. GAGWTA.

 

[PatsMom]

Hello ladies! I haven't read this thread for a while and it was nice to catch up with what is going on with all of you. Wishing good things for everyone! It is comforting for me to read about others dealing with work, home and kids in college while still dealing with cancer. We are having a few issues at my house right now - at first everyone figured that I would be fine because anything else was unthinkable. I am the one who takes care of everyone else! My daughter, my husband, my mother, my step daughter and grandson.

Well at my 6 month check, they determined I was no longer in remission. Not outright cancer cells but they are trying to be. So back to immunotherapy administered into the bladder. I'll be doing three rounds (two more to go), a three month break, then three more rounds. This will repeat for a few years or until my bladder can't take any more, whichever comes first. Or if I have another recurrence, the recommendation will be for an immediate radical cystectomy which is major, major surgery. They remove the bladder, the uterus and ovaries and part of the ******l wall. And a ton of lymph nodes from the pelvic area. The idea is to get rid of all the "cancer catchers".

So I have been doing some reading on the DaVinci robot and it seems to be a very valuable tool for precise surgeries in small areas.

So between dealing with the BCG side effects, my family acting like I am going to drop dead any minute, the effects of severe anemia, and the fact that my diabetes is wildly out of control for some reason, life is fairly tough these days, But I am working on one thing at a time that I can control!

Greetings to all and hope everyone only hears good things for the rest of the day!

 

[wdw4us2]

After months of nothing but bad news, finally got some good news today. DD was hired by Disney! She will be working in the Magic Kingdom in Frontierland, which is exactly what she wanted. She is thrilled beyond belief - she has talked about working at WDW since she was four years old!

 

[snappy]

Yippee!

Great news, Lisa!! When Will she start? Will she be there in May?

Hey Cheryl. Does not seem fair for you to have gotten the flu. Hope your recovery is proceeding!

Candy, glad your DH got a permanent position. I think your approach with your son is right on. Sounds like the way you handled it has really motivated him. Glad your mom is doing well, too.

Patsmom, I am glad you posted. I sure like your spirit! Sounds like you are up for the fight.

Great to hear from everyone, things were slow here for awhile.

 

[wdw4us2]

Laurie - She's doesn't have an exact start date yet, but she wants to start right after the semester ends which is the beginning of May. Are you planning another WDW trip then?

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Lisa - Congratulations to Meg. I know she will make a great cast member. Laurie and I will have to say hi to her in May. DH and I will be there starting the 20th.

Cheryl - so sorry you have to deal with the flu on top of everything else. Hope you get better soon sista.

Pats Mom - sorry that the news was not what you wanted to hear, but sounds like your team is on top of everything and they have a plan in place. I hope your diabetes can get under control too. I am sure it is stressful for you with so much on your plate. Did you enjoy your trip to Disney? Wishing you all the best. Keep fighting tough sista.

Well ds and I wsnt to the ortho. He drove with his L foot and I prayed alot. They looked at his xray and the dr. said the bone has small chip fragments which are in the cells? Really there is nothing they can do except ice, watch the weight bearing and tylenol. They said if it does not get better in a month to come back and they will re xray it. Found out ds former ortho has retired. His dil is an anesthesiology resident at the univ. hosp. and she pulled all my tubes out from the coma. Sweet girl.

Dh is in Chicago awaiting his flight to China. Its gonna be a long week. I guess I should join the Dis board thread for the insomniacs this week

GTAGWTA.

 

[snappy]

Lisa, I am arriving on May 19, for 8 nights. It would be fun to meet your daughter. I will have to wear something that makes it obvious who I am. I have some very distinctive red Rayban sunglasses. I am the epitome of cool.

Gosh I love MK, although EPCOT has been my stomping ground for recent trips. Somehow MK is just more Disney like, but the restaurants at MK don't measure up.

Oh boy, we are getting everyone's tax returns printed (or trying to, our ancient printer is seizing up tonight), ours, DD20's and DS22's, state and federal. Good thing DD15 is only babysitting so far. The 'new' vehicle-the 2001Xterra is registered in DD20's name as of today. My DH is so good about taking care of things like that. Although DD20 did take care of getting the liability insurance changed to the new car. She has also been dealing with the insurance company of the person who hit her parked car and negotiated a pretty good settlement considering her car that was totalled was a pretty beat up 1998 Camry with beaucoup miles. It has been a good learning experience for her I think, although I don't know how she managed it as she seems crazy busy between her classes and working 25 hours a week. I sure hope she finds a better place to park the Xterra. The streets are so narrow and full of potholes in New Orleans, it is pathetic. The soil subsidence is so bad you have to drive very slow in her neighborhood.

DS22 is frustrated because one of his employers duing 2010 issued him a 1099 non-employee form rather than a W-2. It really does not matter since his income is so low, all that he pays in all year for income tax gets refunded. I wish he would not worry about it.

He just sounds very good right now. Gosh I love talking to him. We need to get down there and take him out to eat soon.

Is your DD in pain with his foot, MaryAnn?

Another trip to China? Oh my. I just don't see how he ever recovers from the jetlag.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

PatsMom Thanks for the update. Stay in touch.

GAGWTA

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I am a bit upset, my yearly MRI was denied by my insurance company. My onc's office said it's happening with others as well. And so it begins. This with a huge premium increase to boot.

 

[snappy]

Oh my, did you have a change in carriers, Linda?

That is terrible. Can you protest? The delay would not be ideal but I would scream foul.

What the heck are we paying for anyway? After having the MRI and having it covered for a number of years I would think the burden of proof as to why it is not necessary this yer would be on the insurance company, but I am no lawyer.

I am sure you are on the case.

Maybe it is just me but I would not go gently into the night.

 

[wdw4us2]

Laurie & MaryAnn - I'm fairly sure Meg will be working by the time you arrive at WDW in May. She will definitely want to meet you, too. Although she doesn't post on this thread much, she is a lurker. I love the idea of the red Ray Bans Laurie. I myself have been wearing the Ray Ban Aviators since the dawn of time.

PatsMom - It sounds like your doctors have a good plan for you. I understand what you mean about the surgery. When I had my hysterectomy the doctor took out 39 lymph nodes. I hope you can tolerate the chemo.

CherylDan - Feel better soon!

Pea n Me - That's scary about your insurance. I had a bad feeling this was going to start happening this year. Our co-pays have all increased this year.

Candy - Great news about your DH and the job! I'm sure you're all relieved he has a permanent position. You are also teaching your DS a valuable lesson. My DD has several friends who blew it academically when they first entered college. Unfortunately, their parents keep footing the bills and their behavior doesn't change. We gave our DD warnings about what would happen if she did the same thing. They must have worked - she has made the Dean's List three out of four semesters!

Laurie - It's great that your DH was able to find a replacement car for DD at a reasonable price. I didn't realize the driving situation is so precarious in New Orleans. I am very obsessive about our vehicles - that would make me crazy!

MaryAnn - I hope your DS's foot heals quickly. Sounds painful.

DD called me two more times yesterday to talk about the MK job. She is so wound up! Laurie - I understand what you mean about the restaurants and MK, but it's still my favorite park. I knew that DD would want to work there over the other parks. There is just something about MK being the most "Disney". I have to get my strength back in a hurry because I can't wait to go see her while she's working!

 

[marcij]

Lisa -- congrats on your DD's job. That is terrific news!

Smiley -- do you have one more a/c? Hang in there. You are so strong -- you can do this!

And about here is where I draw a blank -- chemo brain has definitely set in.

Sometimes I just have to laugh at myself. Better than tears, which I'm prone to at night the past few nights. Last week I noticed that the only place on me growing hair is on my transplanted tissue from my DIEP flap. Where is the justice in that? It's quiet strange to see hair growing there. So I do laugh about that.

Tears come from my Arthritis flaring in a big way with taxol. I'm so thankful not to be nauseous and have tummy problems 24/7 as I did with a/c, but this is beginning to break me down too. I guess that's why my onc said she'd have to push me over the "finish line." As I know it could be so much worse I try not to complain much but it is therapeutic to talk to you gals here. (I apologize if there are guys reading along as well!)

GAGWTA to those I've forgotten again.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon ladies

Linda - I would be upset about the mri denial too. Can you appeal yourself or have your doctor appeal for you? I hope it works out for you. I have protested one of my biopsies myself and got it changed from out of network which it was to in network which they covered at 100% and then the surgeon had to explain why my day surgery wound up being 3 days in the hospital, which they had to end up paying for too. Most of that was pain control and having the graft set up and of course throw in me refusing the wound vac machine. My ins. co. loves me. Just wait till they get my new biopsy. I say we gotta stand up for ourselves sistas!!

Candy - that is so good about your dh job too. Nothing like some great perks! I know here they use the robot for lots of stuff. I know my head and neck surgeon used it for tonsils, a throat tumor and cancer reconstruction stuff with scar tissue etc. They do pancreas and prostate too. Its for getting into difficult areas. But you know what they say, sometimes the cure is worse, so maybe its good they are just waiting and watching right now.

Marci - so sorry you are having all those side effcts. I do believe that sometimes laughter is the best medicine. So even with the tears which are o.k. too , some laughing is great too. Hang in there!

Laurie - hope your dd loves her new vehicle. Wow, that is amazing about the street conditions. We have major construction around here and tons of potholes from the harsh winter.

Lisa - is your dd practing stuff like - Have a magical day!!

Cheryl - how are you feeling today? I thought of you since they just called again and asked me to schedule the reclast. I didnt call them back yet.

Well poor ds is just miserable, he says the pain is def. worse. I gave him ice and tylenol so far and he has missed 2 days of class.

I won another book, well I just entered a diseny contest too.

Southwest is killing me. The flights are $288 each. I dont think I can hold out much longer to book and they arent budging in the price. With all this bad press they just got, you think they would lower the price. Dh did tell me to book it this week.

GTAGWTA.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It is in the appeals process right now through my oncologist's office. I am letting them deal with it at this point, but I may have to join the fray if it's denied for a final time. I just don't have the energy to deal with it. That flu wiped me out for five weeks, and I'm still not completely over it. I have very little energy left and am rationing it for work and the kids, lol. After the long winter, it's finally starting to get sunny here and there and this is the last thing I feel like dealing with, kwim? I will, but I just wish I didn't have to. *******s. I did not change carriers, and I have one of the best plans through one of the best companies in the state. Pretty scary to think about if I had a lesser plan. I'm just totally not surprised. I knew this type of thing was coming. And I believe it will get worse. I should probably give my ongologist a call to see what she has to say. It must be disheartening for them if it's happening to everyone. Imagine how it feels to tell everyone they can't have the tests they're relying on as part of their disease management plan to keep them healthy? I'm angry just thinking about it.

 

[snappy]

Makes me mad too, particularly when so much $$ is wasted in other ways. Why have all research and progress that has been made in the treatment area if patients can't benefit from it. It is beyond understanding.

 

[marcij]

Good afternoon ladies

Linda - I would be upset about the mri denial too. Can you appeal yourself or have your doctor appeal for you? I hope it works out for you. I have protested one of my biopsies myself and got it changed from out of network which it was to in network which they covered at 100% and then the surgeon had to explain why my day surgery wound up being 3 days in the hospital, which they had to end up paying for too. Most of that was pain control and having the graft set up and of course throw in me refusing the wound vac machine. My ins. co. loves me. Just wait till they get my new biopsy. I say we gotta stand up for ourselves sistas!!

Candy - that is so good about your dh job too. Nothing like some great perks! I know here they use the robot for lots of stuff. I know my head and neck surgeon used it for tonsils, a throat tumor and cancer reconstruction stuff with scar tissue etc. They do pancreas and prostate too. Its for getting into difficult areas. But you know what they say, sometimes the cure is worse, so maybe its good they are just waiting and watching right now.

Marci - so sorry you are having all those side effcts. I do believe that sometimes laughter is the best medicine. So even with the tears which are o.k. too , some laughing is great too. Hang in there!

Laurie - hope your dd loves her new vehicle. Wow, that is amazing about the street conditions. We have major construction around here and tons of potholes from the harsh winter.

Lisa - is your dd practing stuff like - Have a magical day!!

Cheryl - how are you feeling today? I thought of you since they just called again and asked me to schedule the reclast. I didnt call them back yet.

Well poor ds is just miserable, he says the pain is def. worse. I gave him ice and tylenol so far and he has missed 2 days of class.

I won another book, well I just entered a diseny contest too.

Southwest is killing me. The flights are $288 each. I dont think I can hold out much longer to book and they arent budging in the price. With all this bad press they just got, you think they would lower the price. Dh did tell me to book it this week.

GTAGWTA.

I hope DS is better. Good luck on the flights. It seems there are very few deals this summer. Darn gas hikes!

It is in the appeals process right now through my oncologist's office. I am letting them deal with it at this point, but I may have to join the fray if it's denied for a final time. I just don't have the energy to deal with it. That flu wiped me out for five weeks, and I'm still not completely over it. I have very little energy left and am rationing it for work and the kids, lol. After the long winter, it's finally starting to get sunny here and there and this is the last thing I feel like dealing with, kwim? I will, but I just wish I didn't have to. *******s. I did not change carriers, and I have one of the best plans through one of the best companies in the state. Pretty scary to think about if I had a lesser plan. I'm just totally not surprised. I knew this type of thing was coming. And I believe it will get worse. I should probably give my ongologist a call to see what she has to say. It must be disheartening for them if it's happening to everyone. Imagine how it feels to tell everyone they can't have the tests they're relying on as part of their disease management plan to keep them healthy? I'm angry just thinking about it.

That is just crap. My mammo saw one spot. MRI -- multiple. Why would they want to let something go longer requiring more immediate/extensive care? It just doesn't make sense to me. Isn't there a saying, pay me now, or pay me later? Except the later would be a lot more!

Doc said yesterday I can take celebrex every day instead of only three days a cycle since I'm having problems getting around. Has anyone else had this kind of problem/this severe with Taxol or in yálls best guess, is this worse because of my psoriatic arthritis? The nurse suggested hot yoga, but I have trouble even walking (and for that matter, typing is beginning to hurt).

 

[marcij]

Makes me mad too, particularly when so much $$ is wasted in other ways. Why have all research and progress that has been made in the treatment area if patients can't benefit from it. It is beyond understanding.

You are right -- there is so much waste out there. My best friend had a baby Dec. 31st who is very sick. Has been in the hospital ICU all but two weeks of his life. They finally got to go home from the hospital last Friday so I went to visit on Saturday as I haven't been allowed at the hospital because of my immune system. She is a single parent and needs to work and she's having trouble getting approved for medicaid and nursing help so she can go to work. She was already living paycheck to paycheck and wants to work!!! One of her son's roommates had a mom that was complete opposite. She's been on welfare since having her first child, and now has a special needs child. She has tons of family that are also on welfare who could stay with the child but she doesn't want to work. She left all her medical supplies they gave her at the hospital because she said she had plenty at home. When my friend asks how she goes out with the special needs child so often she said all she has to do is call an ambulance for wherever she wants to go. Now, my friend was so frustrated by this point she didn't ask a lot of details and maybe this person is just bragging, but it was terribly upsetting to my friend (and to me). My friend on the other hand was hoarding all the supplies she was given and brought home everything they gave her that they charged her for. Just one small example of all the wastes going on in healthcare and our society. Vent over!