Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[ols386]

Great posts, Linda.

ols386, i hope you learn very soon that it was just an abundance of caution by the radiologists reading the first mammogram.

Please let us know.

I was one who asked for my BIRADS report after my mammogram. My sister even had a higher score than mine, and she did not have breast cancer, her calcifications were just more suspicious.

The biopsy is the definitive test, at least as of now.


As Linda said, please let us know how you are doing. I can't think of anything else right now, but I would definitely follow up with a phone call tomorrow. My experience was that when I had my first and all succeeding "diagnostic" mammogram, or as your tech described, the magnified one, the radiologists always review immediately before you get dressed and leave the facility. After my first diagnostic mammogram, I was called in and talked to one of the radiologists who explained about non-invasive biopsies as in the stereotactic core needle variety. I called my GYN when I got home and had the name of a breast surgeon the same day although I did have to wait to see him as he was out of town for a conference.

This can be a process of steps. Try to relax if you can, but I would as I said call tomorrow. I am a bit OCD so I asked for a copy of the BIRAD test. I am not sure that was necessary, looking back.

Hope to hear good news about you soon.

After the tech left the room (both times) to go and see if the images were ok, she was gone longer the second time than she was the first time. But she also said I'd get a letter in the mail with the results. So I'm not sure if they would have told me anything at that point in time or not.

Thanks for all of your feedback. It's very much appreciated.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

ols - wishing you all the best with your testing

smiley - so great that you get to add another two days. Sounds like fun for sure.

Sha - prayers for Mel today for her surgery

Laurie - did your dd get to see the fireworks in NY?

Hope everyone had a good holiday.

Ours was scary. Lets just say it had to do with one of ds22 former friends. Glad God kept my dh safe.

Did some shopping for vbs, still more to do. Ds22 did the bbq for just the 3 of us.

Anyone have fireworks so loud (not a legal display) just people in the neighborhood do it, that you car alarms go off? I guess that is the norm around here.

Made my blood test for sat.

GAGWTA

 

[Dancind]

Car alarm did not go off, but the cat was surely freaked out. We live in a cul de sac, seems to be a favorite spot for lighting fireworks every year.

ols386, do let us know. A letter sounds good. After my second mammo and ultrasound, a doctor came in to tell me I needed a biopsy.

 

[smiley_face2]

After the tech left the room (both times) to go and see if the images were ok, she was gone longer the second time than she was the first time. But she also said I'd get a letter in the mail with the results. So I'm not sure if they would have told me anything at that point in time or not.

Thanks for all of your feedback. It's very much appreciated.

I went through a similar situation on my last mammogram. She came back in and did more imaging because she wanted to have a better look. well I spent the next several days in absolute agony!! I came right unglued! It all turned out clear, but it was so hard to go through. I am slowly learning how to deal with all of this, but at times like that all the positive thinking and reassurance from family and eveything just goes out the window and you need a darn good cry and to stomp your feet and say "this is so not fair!!" just get it out of your system then put it away and do something to take your mind off of worrying.

 

[Sha]

update on Mel: they didnt do surgery... they want to shrink the area first. R. gave me that update last night.

 

[ols386]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your support. I'll let you know.

 

[CherylDan]

ols, hope you get good results soon

lmp, we have a lot of fireworks around here too. Seems like they have been going off all month!

Smiley, your trip sounds fantastic! When do you leave....or maybe you already have? Have a great time! Garlic...yummmmmmmm

Lisa, how are you doing?

Linda, hope you get your computer issues resolved soon.

I got good results back from my tumor marker test, which basically didn't change at all. So, I'll see him again in 3 months, and in the meantime - I think I will plan a trip to the F&W Festival!

We had a busy weekend, DD & DSIL are visiting from Boston - always nice to see them.

GAGWTA!!!

 

[CherylDan]

Here are some more pictures from our trip, this bunch is from the new Cars Land. I just loved it! So cute, and such detail to the movie. As you can see, it was VERY crowded, but at that point it had only been opened for three days.

This was taken while we were in line for the racers....the ride had shut down, so we were really happy to finally see some cars come up over the hill - even if they were empty!

Flo's V8 is a counter service restaurant, one side dedicated to Flo and the Glamarama Girls, and the other side is Doc Hudson's "hospital". Very cute. And the food was delicious! Like a lot of the other counter service places there, they serve the food on real plates. Such a nice difference from WDW.

 

[snappy]

Great pictures again, Cheryl. I felt like I was there.

Congrats on the good results on the tumor marker test.

A trip for F&W sounds great.

I am talking about a taking a short trip with my New Orleans friend, Cindy. We are thinking about the first weekend of the festival which is the last weekend in September.

Have fun Smilie!

 

[wdw4us2]

Just a quick note since I'm not feeling great. I was at the hospital for 7 hours yesterday to receive two units of blood. The upside - it's much more comfortable having the transfusion in a hospital room rather than the infusion suite. I'll post again when I'm feeling better.

 

[slg]

Lisa:

I hope you feel better soon. I'm sorry that you are not well

My mom's tumour markers were up two months ago and she finds out tomorrow if they have gone up again and she needs more chemo. She has ovarian cancer and it has been a really stressful year since we found out.

I head out to New York on Tuesday morning for 10 days before my NY cruise to the bahamas. Hoping that my mom will be okay the 28 days I'm gone.

I have my breast MRI on August 20. Hoping the microcalcifications and mass they found are benign.

Prayers for everyone.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Good afternoon sistas

Lisa - sorry to hear that you needed the transfusion. Hope it helps you feel more comfortable and gives you some strength. Glad to hear it was better in the hosp than the infusion center. Blessings and prayers for you sista. Hang in there!

ols - enjoy your trip to NY and your cruise. We live about 1 hr or more from the city if we drive, by train its about 2 hours if you get all the stops and not an express one. I dont go to the city, but my ds enjoy it.

Cheryl - I love your pics. Also felt like I was there. That food looks so much better than DW for sure

Laurie - hope the F and W works out for you and Cindy. I am sure you both will have a good time.

Sha - hope the treatments will help Mel

Well dh asked about the F and W again too. I am thinking sometime in Oct. but the airfare from here is insane for some reason.

Tomm. starts bible school. I am exhausted. The other lady doing the other class is clueless so I am giving my ds22 advice to help her. I am glad most of the prep part is over.

Got the blood test. My tech had to leave me with my tubes on the counter to help a guy next door with a screaming kid. She told me just sign the paperwork and leave. I did but was a little uncomfortable about it.

Tomm. dh is taking me for the sono. I am exhausted already and took a nap. It will be a fun but exhausting week.

GAGWTA

 

[Sha]

Thinking about you Lisa!!! Hugs and prayers sent your way with some Pixie Dust too!

Mel said she is already tired from the treatment, but not keeping her down. Will keep you updated.

What do you all think??? New logo for the upcoming walk

 

[snappy]

Seems like divine inspiration to me, Sha, to incorporate the Fleur De Lis in pink with your amusing slogan from last year. Hey, if the Fleur De Lis can go black and gold for the Saints, purple and gold for the LSU tigers, why can't it be pink.

Me like.

Cindy is in by the way for race day. I need to send her the link.

My DH arranged for me to meet with a personal trainer 3 times a week to develop a plan tp make my body stronger. I injured some muscles last week again and had some muscle spasms. I think my body is telling me it is time for serious strengthening. Somehow being on a schedule makes it official. I started today with some cardio, but we start for real on Wednesday. I am a little concerned about my abdomen, so I talked at length with my plastic surgeon's nurse. Basically, I have permission to do whatever, and let my body tell me when I have to stop.

Our Food and wine trip is in jeopardy. Mom needs bladder surgery. I am going with her tomorrow to see the surgeon so I should know more then.

GAGWTA everyone.

 

[Sha]

Keep us posted about your mom. I'm sure that you will do fine with the trainer. I've debated about doing one again, but I think I'm just going back to what I was doing before and then add other workouts in. May do another round of pole dancing class again. Was fun and a good work out.

Headed to bed soon, after some reading. I didn't sleep well last night and was up at 430am.

That pic is my lock screen on my iPad now Laurie.

 

[snappy]

Please email the picture to me, I would like to do the same.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Lisa - thinking of you

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Sha - love the new logo

Laurie - a trainer sounds awesome. Sorry to hear your mom needs surgery. Wishing her all the best. Which internship did your dd decide to take?

Pats Mom - how are you feeling?

Well I had the sono yest. My normal girl was surprisingly pleasant and sweet and talkative.

I almost fell over when I heard ctristian music playing when I was in the room. I was talking religious stuff to her about vbs. I wonder if they control the music to the exam rooms etc? It was a nice surprise for sure.

They didnt ask for extra pictures and she said that everything looked good after she took my pictures to the radiologist to read, so I am assuming all is well, but the blood test is a more accurate picture of things with me.

I am so exhausted from teaching vbs, but its such joy. We have 15 kids. . I am getting to know her and she does everything that I cant do physically. She is a blessing.

Ds20 has made it to the next round of the scholarship he is applying for. Now on monday he has a group interview with other candidates with the assistant dean of the community college. I need to pray for sure!

GAGWTA

 

[snappy]

Glad your sonogram was a good experience this time, with a good result, MaryAnn. When is the blood test?

I messed up this year and did not make an appointment with the endocrinologist at my last visit in December. I found our a couple weeks ago I cannot get in to see him until November.

He is not that good of a doc, trust me.

They must be low on that flavor of doc right now.

Glad your VBS week is going well. What age children are in your class? I bet you give your VBS teacher partner far more than you receive from her in physical help. Is this her first time teaching?

Good luck to your youngest with his scholarship. What is the time frame for finding out about the award?

Lisa, I hope you have turned the corner and are feeling better. I love the way you find the positive about having the transfusion in the hospital. You are an inspiration.

SLG, did your mother find out if she will have chemo?

MaryAnn, DD22 starts Monday on her big NYC paid full time internship at ADP. She is looking forward to it and hoping it really does translate into a permanent job.

She and her BF seem to be having a great time up there. They were in NYC for a number of days before and after July 4th. I think she may have spent some time with my brother Tom over the weekend. He has been wanting to take her to a play for a graduation present. He is very busy though.

I went with my mom to the GYN doc yesterday to discuss Mom's dropped bladder issue again. This female doc also sees my sister and myself. She is a wonderful lady. I discovered mom should have been continuing to use the hormone cream that she prescribed for her in January (mom decided on her own that it wasn't helping). I asked about non-surgical alternative treatments, and she helped her fit a pessary and convinced mom to start using the hormone cream again. She sees her again in two months so she has time to decide whether to go ahead with the elective surgery. It is a little worrisome to me because she has had life long constipation and this surgery means she absolutely has to keep that other issue under control for at least 6 weeks so everything can heal. I asked the doc the specifics of the surgery, and due to mom's age, the condition of the tissue in the area, and the fact that mom will only use the hormone cream sparingly, instead of the mesh to prop the bladder, she would remove some of the tissue that has stretched, and stitch things back both in the front and back. It sounds like a boatload of surgery to me (about an hours' s worth) but mom is a fairly good candidate for surgery even at almost 82 as she is thin, exercises, and has an amazing diet.

Good thing is that this is elective and she is going to give the non-surgical option a go for now.

Too much info I know, but the lead up to the visit and yesterday has consumed all my energy.

Thanks for listening.

 

[snappy]

Another question for you folks who visit NYC and maybe stay there. I am taking DD16 there (actually she is going up a few days before me to spend one on one time with my brother and his dogs, and I am going up after he has to go back to work.)

DD22 will meet us after work each day so we can spend time with her and her BF.

The BF will stay at his brother's apartment which is a couple blocks from Times Square.

I am trying to settle on a hotel. I am great doing this in ORlando, but am out of my element in Manhattan, although I did very good selecting a hotel that Mom liked when we went together to NYC in 2006.

However, DD22 likes the Times Square area, and knowing now that is where the apartment is where her BF will be sleeping, it makes sense.

I am looking at the HIlton, the Marriott, the Intercontinental (built in 2010) and the Renaissance all in Times Square. I also looked at the Setai (also new) which is a little further away from Times Square but extremely nice but I would have to upgrade to a pricey suite to have 3 people in the room.

I am looking for a clean, updated room, with a view of the NYC skyline. Accent on the view. Anyone have any input?

Tom is taking DD16 to a play or two before I arrive, I may take her to another if I find one I am interested in, and then we will spend our time enjoying Central Park, if it is not too hot, going to several museums, and eating out.

Any suggestions from the sophisticated travelers out there?

I am overwhelmed with the options, and have spent far too much time on the internet doing research. It is time for me to make a decision.

Thanks for any insight you may have.