Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part III - GAGWTA!

[CherylDan]

LMP, how are you doing today?

Lisa, sounds like you are making great progress - a 6 hour day is wonderful! Gosh, it took me forever before I was up for something like that...heck, it's been 5 months now since my last chemo, and I still get tired. I know it's a few days late, but Happy Veteran's Day - and thank you!

Candy, hope you are not working too hard, and are getting rested up! It's crazy how much damage a deer can do to a car....DD got off lucky. They are a huge problem around here.

Maybe you guys have heard this song or seen the video already, but if not, it is such an amazing song I hope you all will see the video....I promise it's worth the 3 minutes! Martina McBride, "I'm Gonna Love You Through It".
http://http://youtu.be/ZYNOXRifXKQ

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Thank you all for caring so much. I am definetly feeling better.

I didnt go to church today but had ds19 take me to the grocery store. I figured if I could not make it through that then we were def. going to the hosp.

But I did fine and my sneakers fit so much better like normal,. I could hold the soap in the shower so I know my hands are less swollen.

I am just so tired as I was stressing about this so much and didnt sleep well last night, really not at all. I also think I was up way too much in the bathroom, maybe the fluid was saying good bye

Linda, I wouldnt call my pcp. Honestly this guy is a jerk. He still has my labs and hasnt called me with the results.

The same labs the endo got faxed over to her in about 2 minutes and reviewed and said I was fine etc.

But I am def. gong to leave a voice mail for the endo.

I think I have learned that I am going to tell her to please leave well enough alone, and if she wants to change something again, there better be a really, really good reason to do it.

Well we shall see what happens tomm. I think that dr. will just about fall over when I tell her my last check up was 10 years ago.

My endo said I will love her and she better be right. Will be glad when that is over too, but somehow think she will want to do more testing etc.

I so need a vacation.

Hmm, we have one more page left here. Its sure fun around here and so supportive too.

GTAGWTA, Blessings to you all.

 

[NHAnn]

Hello all!!
So annpyed with the trouble I have posting here, writing stuff out and losing it. I should know by now to copy to a word processing doc before hitting post. grrr

Anyway...time is flying by.....

I have loved reading of the meeting up between some of you on your trips! It's truly special to meet the friends we have become so close to on here!

Laurie and Sha, the pics from RFTC made me tear up and smile at the same time. Thank you for honoring us all. The Race a few years ago when we met is a special memory for me!

October was busy for me, with the ACS Making Strides event. I have always participated, and this year I was very involved as a volunteer on the Survivorship committee. It was a wonderful day and I lit a candle for my DIS friends past and present in our Remembrance Tent!

Linda I hope your DS is doing OK, and that your sails find the breeze again soon sista! Thinking of you and yours!

Avery has finished the induction phase of his chemo. Tomorrow he has a surgical procedure before he moves on to a another lengthy chemo phase after recovery from that. He has amazing strength, grace and humor for a 10 year old. Thanks to all who keep him n their prayers.

LMP, glad to read you are feeling better today, I hope you continue on the mend. Listen to nurse Linda, those things can get out of hand very quickly!

To all in treatment....know you are in my thoughts and prayers daily!!

GAGWTA!!

 

[snappy]

MaryAnn, good luck at your GYN visit today. I hope the swelling is continuing to go down. Please let us know how it goes.

Isn't this thread great?

Ann, I have some great memories of being with you and your sisters at that 2008 race. So glad we were able to do that.

Thanks for including us in your recent ACS event. Good for you for getting involved with the survivor committee.

How are you feeling these days?

Glad Avery's treatment is moving forward. He is a brave little guy, and his parents, sisters and extended family are wonderful. I am sure that endless support is making the difference.

I just love reading the caringbridge entries.

GAGWTA!

 

[Candy30]

NHAnn- Great to hear from you. It's good to hear that Avery is trudging through. What an amazing kid!

LMP- Let us know how you are. I hope you got in touch with your endo today. I agree to listen to the nurs-sistas! keep us updated.

Lisa- Glad you are feeling better and can have a little fun with family and friends.

Snappy- How did your weekend go with family? I know you had a good time.

Cheryl Dan- This weekend flew. I didn't even get to rest on Friday because my DS has to go and stay on a farm to learn hands on w large animals for 2 weeks. So we went shopping for clothes (thrift store) and boots and stuff. No rest for me! I am barely keeping my eyes open today.

PNM-Thanks for being so caring. Awesome.

Ollala, Smilie -Missing you guys.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

lmp, glad you're feeling better. I would like to see you have a great PCP, that you like, that coordinates all your care. That would be my wish for you! I don't like the idea of a specialist changing things around without seeing the bigger picture. That's your PCP's job. Can you work on finding a new PCP if you don't like your current PCP? We have a great one that myself, my DH and my mother all use. She has really done a wonderful job overseeing all our care for many years and we are very fortunate to have her.

I just had this conversation with my mother. She's "mad" at our PCP team because serial lab results showed she was pre-diabetic and they were on her case about follow up and such. She was p'd (!!) and determined not to go on medication or anything. So she lost 10lbs, is watching everything she eats, and her numbers are back to normal. Now she's got the attitude that they were "wrong". I tried to explain that they weren't wrong, they were right, and if they hadn't stayed on her she'd be well on her way to diabetes right now, yada, yada, yada. She still doesn't see it. I wish someone had been so caring and conservative with my father's diabetes diagnosis - maybe he'd still be with us today if someone had been. But my mother's 86 and she has a different mindset about things sometimes! At any rate, a good PCP is worth their weight in gold!!

I meant to mention last week I saw my oncologist and apparently a new test is out as an update for BRAC testing, I think it was called BART (IIR). Anyway, it can catch part of a gene that could have been overlooked with BRAC. The chances aren't big they'll find something, only about 1%, but they said they've had a few surprises. So I had it done, results are pending. If it's positive they want me to have my ovaries out and it will make a difference for my daughters.

The other thing I didn't mention, seeing Ann's comment about the wind taken out of my sails, was that my insurance co's refusal to cover my MRI this year really made me very angry. I was promised at the outset that if anything new came up they would find it early. I don't think I mentioned it here but another of my cousins was diagnosed with BC this summer, and if anyone remembers the other cousin that had BC the same time as me, they found a new cancer in her unaffected breast this summer - via MRI. So this changed my family history a bit and they will be re-submitting the appeal. But after much thought, DH and I made the decision to switch insurances. It wasn't all about the MRI cause there were other factors. But it was a big step for us because we've had the same insurance forever. (I will not have to change docs.) It's a relief to have made a decision, but the whole thing has caused me a lot of angst.

BTW, very soon I will be starting a new thread for us. I will link it here and I will put the link to this one in the new thread. FYI

 

[PatsMom]

MaryAnn, glad that you are feeling better. You've been through so much!

I have been busy getting ready for a team fundraiser for the Relay for Life. The walk isn't until June but our biggest fundraiser is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We host a craft fair and usually do quite well. We do this so that those on the team who have limited fundraising resources will get at least enough allocated to get a T shirt! Someone from my bladder cancer board sent me a bright orange T shirt that says "Blood in the urine is never normal. See a doctor." That is what I plan to wear. Like on this board, mostly the team is breast cancer survivors or relatives of BC survivors. So there is usually a lot of pink! I met these ladies the year I did the 60 mile BC walk.

Friday is the appointment with the new medical oncologist. I am kind of dreading it. Not sure what tests they can put me through but I am sure that they need to figure out why I am anemic and tired. I am so fed up with it!

Hope everyone is doing well. Hang in there!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good evening sistas

Anne - good to see you post. Continued prayers for Avery and how wonderful you got to volunteer on the survivorship committee. Thanks for remembering us with a candle.

Candy - hope you can catch up on your rest soon and hope your ds enjoys being on the farm. Sounds exciting.

Linda - I know what you mean about ins. We had an HMO and we got rid of that one. We are happy with what we have now -cigna. Its terrible that you have to fight for what is medically necessary for you. You are blessed to have your mom with you too. I always wish mine was here with all I have been going through, but I have her best friend whom I call aunt that I talk to.

Laurie - hope your visit went well

Cheryl - saw the video. Loved it.

PatsMom - I am sure you are frustrated with not feeling well and no one giving you any answers at the present. I guess if the tests, even if they are unpleasant, will hopefully give you the answers you are looking for. Hope you are comfortable with the new dr. too.

Lisa - you will have a busy time in the world for sure

Olalla - hoping things are going well

smilie - thinking of you sista

Well the endos nurse called me back. Said the endi was happy I went off the bp med. Wants the bp number from the gyn visit today and then the endo will consider changing it to another med

The gyn went well. My lst bp was 180/110, Later is was 140/100. That was still not good. Oh well. Talked to her about my symptoms. She feels it is not cancer but has said she has been wrong in the past so of course she will do a biopsy. It will not be until January. That is the earliest. I actually dont know if she was doing it. I asked her if she was doing it and she said, well I could. Umm, just what I want, another dr. doing invasive procedures on me. Then she referred me to another dr. for the other issues I am having. That will be right before christmas. At least its a female dr. so that should be tolerable for me.

But overall I liked her alot, so I am happy. She accidently almost fell off her chair. I tried not to start laughing and just asked her if she was ok Busy medical week for me. My head spins.

GTAGWTA.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

lmp, did you you restart your lisinopril?

 

[DisneySarah80]

Hello all - I hope everyone is doing well.
I have a quick question - My mother has breast cancer in both breasts, that has metastasized to her bones. From what I understand, she got the breast cancer primarily because of the hormones she took during menopause. Not knowing much about birth control, or what is in it, should I talk to my OBGYN about stopping mine (I'm on the 3 month one where I only get my period 4x a year)? Are there hormones in them that are like what cause my mothers breast cancer?

TIA

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hello all - I hope everyone is doing well.
I have a quick question - My mother has breast cancer in both breasts, that has metastasized to her bones. From what I understand, she got the breast cancer primarily because of the hormones she took during menopause. Not knowing much about birth control, or what is in it, should I talk to my OBGYN about stopping mine (I'm on the 3 month one where I only get my period 4x a year)? Are there hormones in them that are like what cause my mothers breast cancer?

Hi Sarah. I'm sorry to her about your mother. The person I would talk to would be your mother's oncologist to see what his or her opinion on it is as it relates to cancer. I mean, I'd also talk to my GYN and PCP, but the oncologist will have a different perspective and know the details of your Mom's cancer. I'd also talk to the oncologist about gene testing (BRAC). It doesn't mean you have to do it, necessarily, but you should arm yourself with as much information as you can.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

OK, guys - new thread is started! See you over there!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2833381&referrerid=70088

I guess we should primarily post there now.

 

[DisneySarah80]

Hi Sarah. I'm sorry to her about your mother. The person I would talk to would be your mother's oncologist to see what his or her opinion on it is as it relates to cancer. I mean, I'd also talk to my GYN and PCP, but the oncologist will have a different perspective and know the details of your Mom's cancer. I'd also talk to the oncologist about gene testing (BRAC). It doesn't mean you have to do it, necessarily, but you should arm yourself with as much information as you can.

Thats a great idea - To bad I didn't ask this question a week ago, right before I was at her oncologists office with her.... Of course, theres always another appointment on the horizon for her. Thank you, I'll make sure to ask next time, which is actually again this week.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thats a great idea - To bad I didn't ask this question a week ago, right before I was at her oncologists office with her.... Of course, theres always another appointment on the horizon for her. Thank you, I'll make sure to ask next time, which is actually again this week.

Of course, even if everyone says "it should be fine", you'll still have your own decisions to make about it. The one thing you don't want to do later is to look back with regret. Once you have information about something, you'll want to make the best decisions you can every step of the way.

One other thing I forgot to mention about my recent oncology appt (it was quite eventful!) is... my doctor warned me specifically about the overuse of alcohol. Not that I drink much aside from an occasional glass of wine, but she wanted to make sure I knew that alcohol use is something to be minimized.

 

[smiley_face2]

Only on page 242 catching up with posts, but wanted to stop and say Laurie your pictures from the race were great!! you guys looked awesome, and my daughter cracked right up at your team name.... I didn't even catch the ta ta's pun....she did!! lol.... You ladies are awesome for doing that and you looked great! Laurie what a beautiful place you had! One day maybe we will make it over there to the east coast. Haven't been there in a loooooong time! travelled through Miami on our way to St. Thomas twice, one time was long enough to get out and see a bit of the city, but not much. WDW scares me!! it's so HUGE!!
I'm well on my way to being healed from the radiation. Just all peeling skin now. Had to have antibiotices because I got infection in the seroma and the scar because of doing the radiation so soon after surgery.
Still waiting on an MRI to try and find out what the spot on my liver is. I have no symptoms of it being cancer, and am in fact feeling pretty darn good and energetic right now, so I'm being very positive.

 

[smiley_face2]

stopping on page 244 this time to give a big hug to Lisa!!
CherylDan...so happy for you that things are looking good! I know what you mean by being nervous when they say it's looking good! I'm keeping my porta cath in for a while, just in case. At least until after I get confirmation about my liver spot!
Hi Candy!! thanks for all the encouragement! Love reading about your kids, especially dear young daughter growing up. Makes me very nostalgic for those days with my dear daughters.
Speaking of daughters.... our daughter in treatment is doing so so good!! It's a very intense place, she has private councilling and group therapy sessions every day in addition to all the addiction education. Hubby and I went yesterday for a family day. Hubby still has severe PTSD so going anywhere and meeting new people is not his strong point, but he wanted to show his support for her so we went. Learned so very much, changed a lot about the way I thought about addiction. We also had a group therapy session with 8 of the women and there families there. It was a chance for the families to tell their addicted member how they have been affected and what our hopes for the future are. We shared our story of the past year, and at the end everyone in the room was crying, but it was such a healing time. Today she called us to tell us that in their session today when they discussed everything that was said, several of the other women said they were profoundly affected by our story, and very inspired by our courage. I pray for each of them, and if our being there in any way helps any of them to go on to have a better life then it was more than worth the anxiety of going.
Merry, I'm so sorry for your loss

 

[smiley_face2]

LMP so sorry your treatment was so hard on you I know how that feels
Patsmom and ollala, hang in there!