Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[smiley_face2]

Hey JillyB hope you are feeling ok after your treatment yesterday.
Peg, glad the eye issue is under control, and soooo happy your are the happiest place on earth with your dear daughter I am really looking forward to our trip next month with our dear daughter. I just hope I can get in a test or two before I leave, so I can go knowing one way or the other. I hate not knowing.

 

[smiley_face2]

Just a quick update, had a very good visit with oncologist today, numbers are normal for me and he showed me my previous results and its been going up and down between 21 & 25 all along. He said this is just my normal and everything else looks really good and I should stop looking to Dr Google for answers! Lol what a huge relief!! I should be getting my MRI call shortly, but based on my last mammo and xrays & bloodwork he would be really suprised to see anything going to sleep well tonight!!

 

[Feralpeg]

Smiley, I'm so happy to hear your good news!

 

[smiley_face2]

It was a beautiful day in the city as well! here's a pic of me after my dr visit, do I look happy? lol... and the next one is my daughter. Such a beautiful fall day!

 

[CherylDan]

Smiley, so glad to hear your good news! And gorgeous pictures, BTW!!! You look VERY happy

Jillyb, hope you are feeling better. I also had a uti last week, oddly enough it was symptom free and was detected with routine testing. So I really lucked out with that.

Peg, sounds like a scary episode with your eye......glad it cleared up.

Kofslinky, sorry to hear you are still dealing with the wound vac. Speedy healing wishes are being sent your way!

I actually got snowed on today. Normal high temp should be around 60 this time of the year......gosh, I HATE HATE HATE winter, especially in October!

DH and I spent a nice weekend in a little resort town in Michigan a couple weeks ago for our anniversary. It was a nice, relaxing trip. A little bit too early for a lot of fall color, but still fairly scenic.

Went and saw Gravity.....good movie! Anybody else see it?

We are still waiting for approval on the short sale condo......apparently the bank has approved our offer, but now it has been sent to their investor for approval. Seems like a never ending process, but, if it does all work out, it will be a good deal. We plan to do some updating/improvements and then DD will rent from us, and then in a few years we should be able to sell for a decent profit. At least that is the plan.

Hope everyone is doing OK......GAGWTA!!

 

[LisaLuka]

Hello, everyone! I was doing some searches and I found this thread--nice idea. I'm a 12-year breast cancer survivor who sees Disney magic everywhere. Nice to meet all of you.

 

[smiley_face2]

Hi Cheryl! glad you got away for your anniversary! I hope your sale goes through quick so you can get everything settled. I think this is a perfect time to do any buying, and I bet you will do really well with the investment in a few years!
Pea and me..... we were talking about recurrence rates and survival etc with triple negative cancer... Anyway my oncologist said yesterday that the newest is that, if it does not come back in the first 3 years you do indeed have a much greater likelihood of it not coming back at all, better than with any other type, and when you hit 5 years, they consider you cured, and really nearly all recurrence is in the first year. He said this 2 year mark since the end of my radiation and 3 year mark from diagnosis is a time to celebrate. Still cautious for the next year, but I should really stop worrying so much. And when I consider that my recurrence from first surgery to having a tumor bigger than the original came about in 6 months while I was actually on chemo...that shows just how aggressive this type of cancer is. I keep telling myself if it was going to come back it would have by now. I think you are 8 years out right? Did you have a big celebration at year 5? I am going to start planning mine now...October 2015....Disneyland, at the Disneyland Hotel, in a suite with the whole family.... have to start saving now!! Lol....

 

[Dancind]

Lisa, welcome! Yes, we all love Disney here. Planning my 2017 trip to see Avatar land!

Smiley, happy to hear the good news.

We saw Gravity. Thought it was really good!

 

[smiley_face2]

Hello, everyone! I was doing some searches and I found this thread--nice idea. I'm a 12-year breast cancer survivor who sees Disney magic everywhere. Nice to meet all of you.

Hi Lisa! I see in your signature you did Disney at the end of your chemo, so did I! We left home 3 days after my final treatment, I knew I would feel not great for a few days but knew I'd feel better at Disneyland than anywhere else! I was so weak on that trip, but loved every minute! Welcome here

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Lisa Luka - welcome

Jillyb - how are you feeling? I hope your symptoms are improving . Its enough you have to deal with the chemo and to get the other stuff on top of it, ugh! Thoughts and prayers for you.

Peg - glad your eye issues got taken care of. Scary. Sounds like something my dh was going through. He refused to go to the eye dr. Sorry the f and w was crowded. Maybe you could go and enjoy it again sometime. My fav. was Brazil. That was also terrible to read about your friend. I guess we see how important ins. is when we really need it.

Cheryl - hope the short sale goes through. I am sure its frustrating having to wait so long. So nice you got to get away for your anniv. and whats the old poem about frost on the pumpkin?, hmm, its not suppose to be snow!!

Dianna -sounds like you had a nice time in Calif. Hope your rheum visit goes well and you can get some of your issues resolved. Its not fun not feeling well for sure

smiley - for a great check up! Loved your fall pictures. Your future celebration sounds great!

kofslinky - I hope you are improving each day. I am sure you are doing the wound vac countdown! Hang in there. Prayers for you.

Lisbette - thinking of you are your surgery and hoping you are healing and improving

robinb - how is the radiation going?

Laurie - did you get my text if you are following along? Thinking of you!

Linda - how about those Red Sox?!

Well this past week end we went to our annual farm trip. This year I had a new strategy. We just bought some small pumpkins and 1 big pumpkin and then some mums. I figure it was cheaper and if they got stolen I wouldnt mind so much. Of course we ate all of the good things like roasted corn, apple cider donuts, candy and caramel apples etc. Got 3 pies to take home too. Dh flew back last night and flew out this morning. Sigh. He asked when we are going to Disney again. So far we have a room booked at the Beach Club for Dec. 3rd and 4th. Of course ds3 heard this and said, I want to come too1 Hmm, what about the adult time??? So I have to see what is available.

I also called the dreaded cardiology dept. today. I booked the echo for the lst date they had and its the same date I have to go back to the internist. So it will be a busy medial day. Then they told me the stress test I need is 4 hours long?? I told them I will book/discuss this when I am there. At least I dont have to go to the reg. hosp. They do it at the bldg, where I go to the endo. Next scheduling the mammo. I have to make sure its exactly no sooner than a year or my ins. wont pay for it. so that is soon too.

Sounds like Gravity is a good movie. I will try to convince dh to see it. Unfortunately when you are married to Sheldon Cooper, he thinks this is boring and kiddie stuff so to speak. sigh.

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[smiley_face2]

Well this past week end we went to our annual farm trip. This year I had a new strategy. We just bought some small pumpkins and 1 big pumpkin and then some mums. I figure it was cheaper and if they got stolen I wouldnt mind so much. Of course we ate all of the good things like roasted corn, apple cider donuts, candy and caramel apples etc. Got 3 pies to take home too.

That sounds amazing!! What part of the country are you in? is it maybe New Jersey? I am sorry my memory is so bad Did you take any pictures? Apple cider donuts!!! Oh my would those be good!!

 

[Feralpeg]

Lisa, Welcome!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Good evening ladies,

I was here about 6 months ago due to the need for a biopsy which came back as fibroadenoma.

Went for my 6 month follow-up mammo/ultrasound. They found two more areas. Had two more biopsies. When I didn't hear from the doctor, I called and the nurse seemed very hesitant. She said the results were benign but that the doctor wanted to see me to discuss how we would proceed in the future. I assured her I would be coming in. And I was on cloud 9. Thought it was over. Got the letters from the hospital today. Two letters. One says benign. The other says "The pathology from your recent breast interventional procedure revealed an abnormality that requires further follow up." So I Googled. I have an appointment with the breast doctor on Monday.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm so confused by what I'm reading. Much of it says it could be pre-cancerous, could increase my risk of developing cancer, must be followed closely, one site recommends a further, more invasive breast biopsy because it's possible the needle biopsy missed the cancer that might actually be there and there is an indication that maybe I should be taking medication, depending on what it is. One site mentioned tamoxifen.

I understand I'm putting the cart before the horse but any experience anyone has that they might want to share would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Feralpeg]

PrincessKsMom, I know it's hard, but try not to worry too much. It is very possible that they just need additional testing. Sometimes, things are hard to interpret. My sister had to go back in for additional testing. With my history, she was just sure they would tell her it was cancer. It wasn't.

Hang in there. I'll be praying that you get only good news!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

PrincessKsMom, I know it's hard, but try not to worry too much. It is very possible that they just need additional testing. Sometimes, things are hard to interpret. My sister had to go back in for additional testing. With my history, she was just sure they would tell her it was cancer. It wasn't.

Hang in there. I'll be praying that you get only good news!

Thank you Peg.

 

[smiley_face2]

Good evening ladies,

I was here about 6 months ago due to the need for a biopsy which came back as fibroadenoma.

Went for my 6 month follow-up mammo/ultrasound. They found two more areas. Had two more biopsies. When I didn't hear from the doctor, I called and the nurse seemed very hesitant. She said the results were benign but that the doctor wanted to see me to discuss how we would proceed in the future. I assured her I would be coming in. And I was on cloud 9. Thought it was over. Got the letters from the hospital today. Two letters. One says benign. The other says "The pathology from your recent breast interventional procedure revealed an abnormality that requires further follow up." So I Googled. I have an appointment with the breast doctor on Monday.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I'm so confused by what I'm reading. Much of it says it could be pre-cancerous, could increase my risk of developing cancer, must be followed closely, one site recommends a further, more invasive breast biopsy because it's possible the needle biopsy missed the cancer that might actually be there and there is an indication that maybe I should be taking medication, depending on what it is. One site mentioned tamoxifen.

I understand I'm putting the cart before the horse but any experience anyone has that they might want to share would be greatly appreciated.

one of the ladies here....her husband I think it was used to say "don't bleed before you're shot" I know that is hard to keep in mind. I just went through a very bad time myself even though I should know better by now. I was due for my semi annual cancer check up this week, and in preparation I have blood work done. I was to see the oncologist on Tuesday but the Friday before hubby went to our family doc and she mentioned my results were in and looked quite concerned that one of my tumor markers was up and maybe I should have a bone scan.... Well I spent a horrible weekend unable to sleep, googling the net reading about cancer recurrence or metastasis. Couldn't sleep or eat, was literally thinking this was it. When I went to my oncologist on Tuesday he said yes it is up, but only to high normal, and in fact it was this same number a year ago and had come down in between. He showed my the graph and said this range is your normal, checked me over and said everything else is great, now go home and celebrate and tell Dr Google to keep his opinions to himself!!
When I first had my call confirming my diagnosis 3 years ago, I was ready to lay down and die. I have come through so much more than I ever thought I could.
Try to not worry. Keep telling yourself how grateful you are they are investigating further and being so very careful with your life treat yourself especially nice right now, try to talk to someone about how you are feeling too, when I finally "spilled my guts" to my hubby, even though it made him worry a bit more, it helped me enormously. A burden shared is a burden halved.

 

[smiley_face2]

No worries. You are actually not late!

Did I miss something? are you away right now? Seems like a long time since we have seen you

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Thank you Smiley_Face 2. I'm trying. Was so uptight and tense waiting for the biopsies, then the results. Was thrilled when she said benign, but couldn't understand the hesitation in her voice. I even said "but what?" The letter from the hospital really shook me up. I don't want to have to go through the stress and biopsies every 6 months. But I guess I'll do whatever I have to because there is no other option. Just feel like the letters make it clear that it's a matter of when, not if.

 

[LisaLuka]

Thank you Smiley_Face 2. I'm trying. Was so uptight and tense waiting for the biopsies, then the results. Was thrilled when she said benign, but couldn't understand the hesitation in her voice. I even said "but what?" The letter from the hospital really shook me up. I don't want to have to go through the stress and biopsies every 6 months. But I guess I'll do whatever I have to because there is no other option. Just feel like the letters make it clear that it's a matter of when, not if.

Hi, PrincessK. I'm a 12-year survivor, and I know what you mean about those letters and "sort of" results that come back. I don't know if this helps, but I've had a number of scares over the years--I like to say that I fail the first scans and tests in every way possible, but when they do the closer look (follow up) I pass with flying colors.

I think they're probably saying that, since they had to do a biopsy, they want to keep a close eye on you. That's no fun, I know. But one of my mantras is "If it's not happening now, it's not happening." You are cancer free right now, as far as they have said. Hold on to that.

We'll be thinking of you.

 

[snappy]

Did I miss something? are you away right now? Seems like a long time since we have seen you

Hi Smiley, not away, just life intervening. DD23 and her apartment hunting saga, DS looking for a new job, DD18 and the college search which is culminating with applications, visits and essays!

All is well. It all just "hit the fan" at once. Too hectic. I am realizing though that a year from now, I will be sitting on an empty nest and wondering why no one needs me. I even have been dreaming about this subject, mostly about DD17. She turns 18 Friday and I guess I have more of a problem with this milestone than I realized. I dreamed she was grown up like she is now, taking childish things out of her room, and putting them down the hall, in my dream, I said oh no, she's grown, and I turned around and there she was my little red- headed 3 year old blessing looking as she did when we moved in to our house here. Then I woke up! Funny she told me early this morning as she left for her zoo volunteer job that she dreamed last night that I was mad at her. I guess we are both having "growing pains."

No time for posting but have been following along. Good to see new posters and all our faithful long time posters many still dealing with treatment and the aftermath themselves, stepping up to welcome and encourage the newcomers with such generosity and caring.

Sorry I have lost track of everyone, especially the very welcome newcomers, but let me just say, GAGWTA?

Good to see the Red Sox doing well. Interesting series although I can't say I have actually watched much of the games.

I am thinking of planning either a trip to NYC or Orlando soon. I think I need a mental health break from work. DD23 started a new job a few weeks ago and has since moved into an apartment on the 36th floor in NJ with her BF, beautiful place, just west of the Hudson River, with amazing views of the city and the Harbor.

I am trying to give them some time to settle in. Not sure if I can deal with really cold weather so might wait until the spring. Hopefully they will have furniture then. As we are helping them with their rent, I told asked sweetly if I can crash on the couch (which I am also buying) when I hit town.

Anyone been to WDW in early December? We did Thanksgiving in 2002 and it was lovely but too crowded. I am wondering if the first week of December is more laid back?

I am just not sure what I want to do, just need an escape/mental health break of some kind, once the first round of early application to DD17's schools are a done deal. Trips energize me.

Take care my friends.