Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[Dancind]

PrincessK's: some PPD coming your way, hoping for the best result. Sorry for the scary time.

Anyone else a bit of a freak these days? I bug my daughter about taking Vitamin D all the time, along with friends. I was at the pharmacy today to get a Shingles vaccine. A 40 something woman at the counter was getting a scrip filled for a estradiole/progesterone patch for her hot flashes. It was all I could do not to follow her and say "please google, it will increase your risk of BC!" Yep, freak.

I so want to go to San Fran now. There's a wine thing there in January that has a great rate at the Four Seasons. We like wine, but would probably only go to one session, but stay four nights! Trying to convince DH this is a great idea. He wants to get the kitchen done in January. Boo. I would like a new kitchen, but for some reason my priorities are skewed these days.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I just want to thank those of you that prayed for me over my recent biopsy and also rejoiced with me that I got good news!! It felt good that I could post here for support. Since my diagnosis with ovarian and uterine cancer two years ago, I feel like I have tapped my family and friends out with worry and support for me. I am glad that I could come here. Thanks again

We hope you'll stick around! Your expriences may prove really helpful to someone else some day, too! (But we also understand if you have to ""get away from it", too.)

 

[Feralpeg]

PrincessKsMom, Sorry to hear that you have to wait on your surgery. Waiting is the hardest!

I'm so close to being done, but the skin thing is beginning to be a real pain! The skin in my armpit has started to peel off in sheets. The whole area is a dark purple color and so sore! The other areas are just extremely itchy. I'm seeing both the oncologist and the radiologist tomorrow. I'm sure they'll tell me if I need to do something else for my skin. So looking forward to the end of the week and the end of this journey!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree the posts about San Francisco brought back a lot of great memories. My sister was married there, and we had a nice 10 day trip for the ceremonies and to get to know the area. Saw most of the ins and outs of SF and some surrounding places, including Wine Country. I'd like to get back there some day myself with the kids and DH. (Trip was literally two months before we started dating.) I like the sound of Smiley's motel, lol. They say that SF and Boston are somewhat similar cities, and I agree.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

PrincessKsMom, Sorry to hear that you have to wait on your surgery. Waiting is the hardest!

I'm so close to being done, but the skin thing is beginning to be a real pain! The skin in my armpit has started to peel off in sheets. The whole area is a dark purple color and so sore! The other areas are just extremely itchy. I'm seeing both the oncologist and the radiologist tomorrow. I'm sure they'll tell me if I need to do something else for my skin. So looking forward to the end of the week and the end of this journey!

I remember how sore that was! I'm glad it's almost over for you!

 

[robinb]

PrincessKsMom, Sorry to hear that you have to wait on your surgery. Waiting is the hardest!

I'm so close to being done, but the skin thing is beginning to be a real pain! The skin in my armpit has started to peel off in sheets. The whole area is a dark purple color and so sore! The other areas are just extremely itchy. I'm seeing both the oncologist and the radiologist tomorrow. I'm sure they'll tell me if I need to do something else for my skin. So looking forward to the end of the week and the end of this journey!

Ugh. I'm sorry to hear that. I am about a week behind you and getting red and a tiny bit itchy. My nurse gave me a gel dressing to put on my sore bits.

 

[CherylDan]

Still trying to remain positive. Surgery scheduled for tomorrow and doctor calls me at 4:50 pm to tell me they found a lesion in the right breast from the MRI so now I have to get an MRI guided biopsy on that before the surgery. He said he really doesn't feel it's anything but if it is it would mean a second surgery if we went ahead tomorrow so better to do it all at once. I was mentally ready for tomorrow and now I'm in a state of chaos again. I asked about future treatment and he said he's hoping after surgery I'll be done but he won't know for sure until after surgery. So damn frustrating. Now this will all coincide with the holidays.

Sorry to hear about the last minute change of plans. Hang in there. I know it's hard to suddenly have to change gears, but it does sound like it will be better to find out before surgery.

Quick post before bedtime!! ..... you do not need a car in San Fran!! we park ours in the parking lot under the hotel and don't get in it until we leave again! That's one reason we like this hotel, it is so central to everything you want to see, or the fun ways to get there like cable car, muni, or even taxi... we find it to be about the size of downtown Vancouver, everything is so close. A cab from the waterfront station where the ferry goes across to Sausalito, back to our hotel cost us I think $6
When we drive into San Fran, we drive around a bit, you can drive right down twisty Lombard street on the way to the hotel! Four nights in Carmel and Monterey is more than enough!! 3 would probably even be enough. One place we always want to stay and have not yet in Carmel, is Mission Ranch. It is the old ranch owned by Clint Eastwood and has what is supposed to be an amazing dining room, and he often eats there! but they have a 2 night minimum stay, so we haven't done it yet. You can drive 17 mile drive around through Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach.... stunnnnnning scenery!! you can stop at the lone cypress along the way...I don't know if you watch any old Hitchcock movies, but so many of the scenes are around this whole area and San Fran...it's fun to see them in person! We light candles in Grace Cathedral in San Fran for our son... the doors are exact replicas of the Gates of Paradise on the church in Florence Italy, cast from the original doors in real bronze, they shine like gold! anyway there are a couple of hotels we have stayed at in Carmel as well, I will post more about them tomorrow so excited you will be seeing this beautiful part of the world! If I were a lot younger and wealthy, I would move there!

Smiley, I wish I could hire you to be our tour guide! Keep on posting, I'm taking notes! I checked out your hotel.....and apparently the secret is out, because unfortunately it is completely booked for our days! So, I'm back to square one. I'm glad to hear that we can get by without a car. And I really like the idea of a hop on hop off tour!

We did a HUGE trip west in August 2012 and went to a ton of National Parks from Montana to California. We stopped in San Francisco for two days/one night. We stayed at a Holiday Inn that was one block up from Fisherman's Wharf. It was around 300.00 night and parking was another 50.00 or so. It was the most expensive place we stayed on our three week trip. It was nothing special, but it was clean, safe and easy to walk to everything.

Our favorite thing we did was visit Alcatraz. I reserved our tickets over a month in advance. In the summer it was crazy and totally sold out. I felt bad for all of the people that wanted to go over, but couldn't. The National Park service is in charge of Alcatraz and we really enjoyed it.

The other thing we did was rent bikes on Fisherman's Wharf and biked over the Golden Gate. We all LOVED it and I hope to do it again someday. However, I was just 5 months out from finishing my chemo (for ovarian cancer) and I was still FAR from myself and I was exhausted biking to the bridge. The way back was lots of fun, because it was mostly downhill. My teenage boys and my husband all took it slow with me, but boy, that was a workout!!

We really loved SF and even though we weren't there for long, we made the most of the time we had!

I will have to check on getting Alcatraz reservations made really soon since it will no doubt be a busy week over Christmas break. And kudos to you on that bike ride so soon after chemo! Very impressive!

PrincessK's: some PPD coming your way, hoping for the best result. Sorry for the scary time.

Anyone else a bit of a freak these days? I bug my daughter about taking Vitamin D all the time, along with friends. I was at the pharmacy today to get a Shingles vaccine. A 40 something woman at the counter was getting a scrip filled for a estradiole/progesterone patch for her hot flashes. It was all I could do not to follow her and say "please google, it will increase your risk of BC!" Yep, freak.

I so want to go to San Fran now. There's a wine thing there in January that has a great rate at the Four Seasons. We like wine, but would probably only go to one session, but stay four nights! Trying to convince DH this is a great idea. He wants to get the kitchen done in January. Boo. I would like a new kitchen, but for some reason my priorities are skewed these days.

I think your priorities sound just fine!

PrincessKsMom, Sorry to hear that you have to wait on your surgery. Waiting is the hardest!

I'm so close to being done, but the skin thing is beginning to be a real pain! The skin in my armpit has started to peel off in sheets. The whole area is a dark purple color and so sore! The other areas are just extremely itchy. I'm seeing both the oncologist and the radiologist tomorrow. I'm sure they'll tell me if I need to do something else for my skin. So looking forward to the end of the week and the end of this journey!

sending you a flower, at this stage the last thing you probably want is a hug! I hope the end of the week gets here soon.

I agree the posts about San Francisco brought back a lot of great memories. My sister was married there, and we had a nice 10 day trip for the ceremonies and to get to know the area. Saw most of the ins and outs of SF and some surrounding places, including Wine Country. I'd like to get back there some day myself with the kids and DH. (Trip was literally two months before we started dating.) I like the sound of Smiley's motel, lol. They say that SF and Boston are somewhat similar cities, and I agree.

Sounds like a wonderful trip!

Ugh. I'm sorry to hear that. I am about a week behind you and getting red and a tiny bit itchy. My nurse gave me a gel dressing to put on my sore bits.

I think what I used was called aqua something? It was great stuff, and available OTC. Sounds like you are getting near the end of radiation.


GAGWTA!!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Thank you everyone for your continued support and good wishes. I'm a complete control freak and this is just pushing me over the edge. I'm better today. I know, mentally, this is the best course of action. And I'll just have to put my big girl panties on a deal with things as they happen.

Feralpeg, sorry to hear of your discomfort. Hoping those treatments are over quickly with no further pain. Keep your eye on the prize, you're almost there!

Robin, sounds like you're almost at the end too. Just keep an eye on Feralpeg's back and follow her across that finish line.

CherylDan, a vacation seems like the perfect way to spend some time and recharge your batteries. Never been to California so I have nothing to add othe than enjoy!

FortW, so happy you got good news. Sounds like you've had much more than your fair share already. Very brave to keep on top of you health instead of trying to live in a bubble and ignore your health.

Again, than you ladies for allowing me to come here and vent and ask questions. I don't know anyone IRL who I would be comfortable asking questions of or fully sharing my frustrations and concerns with. My mom is my rock, but this really seems to be knocking her for a loop. So for her, and my daughter, I remain upbeat and optimistic, putting my usual sarcasm and witty banter to good use to keep the mood light.

 

[Feralpeg]

I saw the oncologist and radiologist today. Everything went well. He does want me to have another Pet scan in December. Last time, they saw a shadow of some type on my liver. He is pretty sure it is a granuloma, but wants to do another scan just to make sure there has been no change. I was hoping I was done with things after this week, but I guess not. Not a big deal, just something I didn't want to deal with.

He has me starting Arimidex in two weeks. He said to expect hot flashes. Darn! I was just to the point where my hot flashes had pretty much died down. Oh well!

The radiologist gave me a prescription for an antibiotic cream for the peeling skin under my arm. She wants to see me next week to make sure it is healing okay.

Not quite what I'd hoped for today, but really no big deal. Almost there!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Peg, hope you find some relief from the prescription and get some good news on your PET scan. It's amazing to see such positive people. It does me good and keeps me in line.

Quick question if anyone is willing to share. For my MRI guided biopsy, any idea how long I'm in the machine? They told me it's about 45 minutes but it won't be constant. Will it be broken up into say 5 minute increments while they do the biopsy? Will it be 15-20 minutes at the beginning and then pulled out and then put back in? Just trying to gauge whether I'm going to need a sedative or something.

Thank you and continued prayers and good wishes for everyone!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Quick question if anyone is willing to share. For my MRI guided biopsy, any idea how long I'm in the machine? They told me it's about 45 minutes but it won't be constant. Will it be broken up into say 5 minute increments while they do the biopsy? Will it be 15-20 minutes at the beginning and then pulled out and then put back in? Just trying to gauge whether I'm going to need a sedative or something.

I've had a lot of MRIs but never had an MRI-guided biopsy before. But I am a hospital nurse and send people for all kinds of tests. It could be really quick, or it could be fairly long, you just never know. Sometimes they hit a snag and it takes a little longer than expected. How did you do with the first MRI? (I thought I recalled you saying you didn't think it was too bad, at least you were on your stomach, etc.) There is the extra element of the biopsy, and that in and of itself can be nerve-wracking. If there's any question you might need something, ask for it, and maybe they can give you something light to just take the edge off. They might not want you passed out though since they may need your cooperation. See if they can order it for you beforehand so you can have it in hand when you need it. Good luck.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Thanks. I've had 3 other sonogram guided biopsies so I'm kind of used to that part, it's just the thought of being in that tube. I really did not like it, was getting a little freaked out at the end and very edgy. Was hoping to never have to do it again. Let's face it, I'll do whatever I have to do. Just hoping someone would have some firsthand experience and be able to tell me that it's in small spurts. I spoke to my doctor's office and they said to call back on Monday and they'll prescribe something for me, as long as I'm not driving, which I won't be. I just don't want to take anything if it's only going to be 5 minutes at a time or so. I don't like taking things unnecessarily.

 

[kofslinky]

PrincessKsMom- good luck with the MRI biopsy! I only had one MRI for my breast cancer, and that was one too many. I had no problem with them when they were on my knee, but the combination of discomfort and double-digit attempts to get the IV in for the contrast made me hysterical. I'm sure yours will go much better!

Feralpig- I'm glad things went pretty well for you! Sorry you don't get to be done as quickly as you hoped, but I never minded PET scans personally. I used it as nap time quite a lot!

I saw my surgeon for post op this week, and he's still very happy with the way my wound is healing. (I won't be happy until it's healed, but at least I can see that it's getting much better.) He used some silver nitrate on the area he debrided the last time I saw him, which is supposed to help speed along the healing process in that area. <sarcasm font> Boy was that enjoyable! It felt great! All I wanted to do was sing and dance about it! </sarcasm font> It's been uncomfortable ever since, and yesterday it just hurt. Here's hoping for a better day today.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and does something awesome! For me, awesome is going to consist of lounging around and watching movies (or something to that effect). Maybe I'll even figure out how to use iMovie on the iPad so I can teach my colleagues about it next week.

GAGWTA!

 

[fortwildernessishome]

We hope you'll stick around! Your expriences may prove really helpful to someone else some day, too! (But we also understand if you have to ""get away from it", too.)

Thanks, I will!

 

[fortwildernessishome]

I will have to check on getting Alcatraz reservations made really soon since it will no doubt be a busy week over Christmas break. And kudos to you on that bike ride so soon after chemo! Very impressive!

Thanks for the compliment about doing that bike ride!! It was quite a work out for sure. On that same trip we did some major hiking at Glacier, Crater Lake and Yosemite National parks. I was so run down from the chemo and out of shape it was tiring, but my kids and husband were great about taking things slow and taking breaks, so it all worked out. I look forward to going back to some of those places again, totally healthy.

Yes, do get those Alcatraz reservations SOON for Christmas week. I just pulled out my journal from our western trip to remind myself of some of the details. We went to Alcatraz on August 13th and there was a sign up that they were completely booked until Sept. 17th. In my notes I see we got in line at 9:30 (it was a HUGE line and the place was teeming with people!) boarded the ship at 9:50 and left for Alcatraz at 10:00.

We did the audio tour and it was FANTASIC! You truly felt immersed in the experience. They actually had past guards and prisoners providing narration and the sound effects were top notch. The tickets were 32.00 each and apparently I paid a 4.00 reservation fee. It was well worth every cent. If I could figure out how to post photos, I'd put a few up.

The bike ride I mentioned was 15 miles round trip from where we rented. I didn't make a note of how much that cost, but I am thinking it was somewhere around 20.00 per person.

We did ride the cable cars and my husband and boys were able to stand on the side and hold on and loved that. I sat inside, because we had a couple of backpacks and they didn't allow you to stand on the side if you had any bags. Since we were only there for two days/one night. We didn't use the cable cars for transportation per say, just for a "ride". I am pretty sure if you are there for awhile you can get a type of ticket that is good for a few days where you can use the cable cars for transportation to get around and it probably averages out to a good deal. However, we just wanted to ride from one end of the line and back again and I thought that was insanely expensive!! It was 6.00 per person one way. Since there were four of us and we needed to get back to where we started it cost 48.00. I thought it was WAY too much. (132.00 for four tickets to Alcatraz=good price, between 80.00-90.00 for four people to bike over the Golden Gate=good price, but I felt 48.00 for the ride we had on the cable cars was way too much!!) Also the lines for the cable cars at the main stops were crazy. We checked it out on the first day and there was an 1 1/2 hour wait! That was for one way. When you returned from the other end, it was another 1 1/2 hours!! Ugh!! We did it the second day and didn't have to wait at all to get on, but we did wait about an hour to get on another one to ride back. They would not just let you stay on to have a round trip ride.

Hope some of this helps. I remember someone on the disboards gave me some tips for Glacier National Park, because she lives nearby and it was so helpful to me.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Hi Ladies

Princess K - How did the mri go? Thinking of you.

Peg - how are the skin issues?

robinb - hooray for almost being done!

kofslinky - sorry you had to do the silver nitrate. I had to have that done too. I think I remember it stinging and burning?

cheryl - your trip sounds fun

smiley - your trip will be here before you know it. I always love hearing about your trips and seeing your pictures.

And talking of San Francisco my dh has left again today for there and Seattle. At least he will be here for Thanksgiving and then he is going up to Boston for the day Dec. 2nd, we leave for our trip on the 3rd. I told him the suitcase will have to be packed before he leaves. Then as soon as we get back a few days later he leaves again for the west coast, sigh. This is getting old so fast.

Finalized the disney plans. Dh got his wish to see Sigourney Weaver. Actually it was all I could find at a rest. we both could agree on and its the earliest show for the Candlelight Processional . I have never been to the early show. I hope its dark enough to get the full effect. And miracle of pixie dust magic miracles. Of course I am looking for adrs around 1 am while dh is up doing his work. What pops up again but Be Our Guest, so we are going there 1 night again to eat dinner. And I had to switch the Polynesian to the Boardwalk because I wanted to save some of dh ff miles. So we have to switch 3 times. Gosh. lst Beach Club water view, then beach club garden view then the boardwalk standard room view. I am reading not good reviews about the Boardwalk. I hope its ok. I have seen the christmas decorations on line and they look amazing.

Tomm. I will be good and try to schedule my mammo. Just have to work something out with all going on.

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[Feralpeg]

luvmarypoppins, Don't worry about it being dark enough for the early CP. It's dark by 5:30 here now. Very soon, it will be dark by 5pm.

Well, I'M DONE!!!! Skin is getting better. It's peeling and itchy, but not as raw as it was. I'm seeing the radiologist tomorrow for a follow up, but I think she'll say it's doing fine.

I went to the dermatologist for a skin cancer check. I had some basil cell taken off my back about four years ago and figured I'd have things checked out while the insurance was still paying for everything. Wouldn't you know it? She said there were two suspicious looking little moles directly below the scar from the prior skin cancer removal. It didn't bother me much until she asked if there was a history of melanoma in my family. Good grief! I should get the results of the biopsy by the end of the week. Fingers crossed that it is nothing! I've had enough for this year!

Hope everyone is doing well. Thinking of you all!

 

[Dancind]

Peg, oh no! That just would not be fair. Congrats on finishing the rads.

LMP, the Boardwalk is getting bad reviews? The Inn or the Villas? We always enjoy our stays there. Location makes up for a lot.

We are going to a new Imax theater to see Catching Fire tonight. The show is sold out, hope this wasn't a mistake.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Hi everyone. I called my doctor on Monday and asked him to prescribe me something, so he gave me Ativan. What a life saver! I took one yesterday morning about 1 hour before I arrived at the hospital and it helped immensely.

Once I got there they informed me they were looking at two sites, not one (news to me ). The indicated that one was very, very small and it might have just been due to monthly changes in the breast and it might not even still be visible. They also walked me through the entire procedure (10 minutes in the machine scanning, 10 minutes out while they reviewed everything, 7 minutes back in.....) All total it was about 1 hr of not being able to move and having my **** in a vice. But really it wasn't bad. This time I did feel the Lydocane needles and it was uncomfortable but by no means unbearable. They did not see the second site so it was only one biopsy. They did say the bigger one was not in the same place as the original scan but that could be because this time the breast was in compression. Then it was off to the Breast Center for the obligatory mammogram to confirm placement of the clip. We got there at 7:10 a.m. and left about 10:30. All the way around they were so nice and good to me. The nurse even came in during breaks when I couldn't move and wasn't in the machine and massaged my neck and shoulders and back because I was starting to cramp up. And she talked me through the whole time, just chatting away. Unfortunately, I will have to go for a follow-up MRI (of the 1/2 hr variety) in six months to look for that spot they didn't see this time. Wondering if I can just skip the mammo altogether in six months if they're going to do an MRI anyway.

And now we wait for the results. The usual 3-5 business days.

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. It really wasn't as bad as I had thought or at least the Ativan made it seem that way. So glad I listened to my mom and got the prescription. If there's no need to be worked, why wouldn't I?

 

[robinb]

I have some good news! My last radiation treatment was yesterday . I never did peel (*knock wood*) and my soreness was fairly mild. I was pretty surprised since I'm a redhead and I thought I would be a crispy critter.

I will miss the techs though. They were so nice to me throughout my treatments after that little initial "no I wasn't nervous, I was *pissed*" conversation. I bought a nice greeting card for them and included a gift card to the cafeteria/coffee shop so they could get some treats on me.

Now I'm to see my oncologist 4 times a year and get 1-2 mammos per year. We're still waiting to see if I'm eligible for the Arimidex.