Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[PrincessKsMom]

Congrats Robin! Great news.

Hoping you get some good news too Peg!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

 

[CherylDan]

Robin and Peg......congrats!!!!!

Peg, keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get good results. Good grief, there should be some kind of rule about just how much cancer any one person has to deal with.

PrincessK, hoping for good results for you too. I'm glad the test wasn't too bad.

LMP, I don't know how you can even keep track of your DH! Your trip sounds great, glad you were able to get the ADRs you wanted.

Fortwildnerness, thanks for all the awesome info about Alcatraz and the heads up about the cable cars. Now that I know for sure that we will not get a car while in the city, I will have to start figuring out transportation. We ended up booking a hotel in the Union Square area.

Smiley, have you already left for your trip? If so, I hope you are having a great time! take lots of pictures!

Kofslinky, how are you doing?

I think our third try at buying a condo is actually going to work out! It is a foreclosure, and a much better experience than the short sales so far. Hopefully we will be able to get it closed in the next few weeks. I know our DD is ready to get moved in!

Had a rather eventful day today......my mom (75) was taken by ambulance to the hospital. She was out shopping with a friend when she got very dizzy and weak and felt like she would pass out. She had a very bad headache the day before, so they suspected stroke. After eight hours in the ER, a CT scan, EKG, chest X-rays, lab work, etc, they determined that she did not have a stroke today, but there was evidence of a prior stroke that she was completely unaware of. . For today, they were suspecting an infection, but no real determination. She will see her doc tomorrow for further testing I suppose. I have no idea what they do about previous undetected strokes. She is very healthy otherwise, eats well, exercises, is quite active.

I hope everyone is doing well......GAGWTA!!

 

[Feralpeg]

Cheryl, So sorry to hear your mom is having this issue. Very scary!

I had an incident about six years ago. I had a really bad headache on a Saturday night, but it went away during the night. The next day, my sister was picking me up to go to lunch. Just as I stepped outside, it felt like a switch was flipped in my head and I started seeing double. It was very disconcerting. We went to lunch, but it didn't get any better. I took a couple of Advil, but my sister decided I should go to the ER. By the time we got to the ER, it had cleared up. But, since I had reported the headache followed by the double vision, they decided they needed to admit me and do tests. I had an MRI, MRI with contrast, EEG, cat scan and cat scan with contrast. They released me the next morning and told me there was no sign of a stroke. Oddly, since that day, I have trouble saying words that start with th. I know something happened, whether it showed up or not. The neurologist said it was a silent migraine, but the speech issue makes me think something else happened. No problems since, but I take an aspirin each day. The neurologist said it couldn't hurt and might help.

Things happening in the head scare me more than anything else!

 

[kofslinky]

I'm so glad to hear people are doing well. CherylDan- I hope your mom is doing well. robinb- so happy for you to be done! PrincessKsMom- I'm glad the MRI went well for you!

I spent the past week without the wound vac on- I finally had a reaction to the tape holding it down, so off it came. I saw the surgeon today, and he felt that the wound was small enough now that I don't need the vac anymore! I'm going to meet with the home health nurse on Monday, and then I'm a free woman again! (Until the next post-op appointment next month…) I can live with changing the dressing once a day as long as I don't have to wear that vac anymore! Now to get the wound fully healed up so I don't need a dressing anymore- then I can be a really happy camper!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

CherylDan, hope your mom is doing well.

Kofslinky, glad you are healing well and making progress.

Hope everyone else is doing well and remaining positive and strong.

My doctor's office called and my latest biopsy is benign!

Now we need to reschedule my original surgery to remove further tissue from my benign but abnormal biopsy of my left side. With each test that comes back benign I'm becoming cautiously optimistic. But there's still one more hurdle and then to find out what's next. The doctor indicated if after the surgery it's nothing more than he knows now, I'll be done. But if something changed or he finds something he wasn't aware of, that's the game changer. Hoping they can get me in for surgery in the next week or two before the holidays and before my insurance changes to co-insurance/co-pays/deductibles that I don't have right now.

 

[Feralpeg]

Well, my biopsy came back slightly atypical. I'm scheduled for surgery on Dec 12. It is basically in the same spot where I had basil cell removed before. Not a big deal and it has to be done. Still looking forward to not having a doctor appointment of some kind every week! lol!

Thinking of you all!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Well, my biopsy came back slightly atypical. I'm scheduled for surgery on Dec 12. It is basically in the same spot where I had basil cell removed before. Not a big deal and it has to be done. Still looking forward to not having a doctor appointment of some kind every week! lol!

Thinking of you all!

I'm sorry.

 

[Dancind]

Nothing like a bout with BC to make a doctor free week seem like a holiday. I got where my rule was "no more than two appointments per week". On one follow up I waited in my surgeon's exam room for 2 1/2 hours! I really wanted to know the results of a test, so I waited.

Glad to hear your good news, PKM. Sorry to hear your news, Peg. Hope it's quick, pain free, and over.

I am following along with everyone's progress, and thinking of you all. Even though I don't post much.

 

[kofslinky]

Nothing like a bout with BC to make a doctor free week seem like a holiday.

Ain't it the truth!

I just got off the phone with the research nurse I deal with- I was trying to reschedule a CAT scan for Christmas week instead of middle of the month so I can miss less time at work. She talked with my oncologist, and they decided that I needed a new port before the scan, which means preparing myself for another surgery in about a month. [sarcasm font] Yeah! So excited I can't contain myself! [/sarcasm font] I'm not going to stress out about it yet, but I was just adjusting to being relatively normal. Silly me. Oh well. Keep calm and carry on!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Ain't it the truth!

I just got off the phone with the research nurse I deal with- I was trying to reschedule a CAT scan for Christmas week instead of middle of the month so I can miss less time at work. She talked with my oncologist, and they decided that I needed a new port before the scan, which means preparing myself for another surgery in about a month. [sarcasm font] Yeah! So excited I can't contain myself! [/sarcasm font] I'm not going to stress out about it yet, but I was just adjusting to being relatively normal. Silly me. Oh well. Keep calm and carry on!

I'm sorry. That really stinks.

Doctor's office just called. Trying to get surgery in before the end of the year when insurance changes to 10% co-insurance, higher co-pays.... my choices were Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas. I chose the day after. Not the way I had envisioned spending my holidays. Was hoping to have it done the week of the 9th or the 16th. At this point I'm just along for the ride.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

My doctor's office called and my latest biopsy is benign!

.

That is AWESOME news!!!

Sorry that you need the surgery the day after Christmas though. I am sure that will be hanging over your head throughout the holiday season. I know two years ago, I had a chemo treatment two days after Christmas. I am not a crier and didn't cry during any other time during the six months of treatment. But I cried for almost the entire drive to the chemo center. Mu oldest son was home from college and my youngest was of course on school vacation. I just wanted to be with them and enjoy the week between Christmas/New Years. I knew that the day after chemo, I would be sick for a week and wouldn't enjoy anything. Its hard to be dealing with sickness, surgeries and treatment ANY time of the year, but I think it is a little bit harder during the Christmas season.

Kofslinky, sorry you need a new port.....

Dancind, I hear you about the Dr. free week. So hard to always be checked out for something.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!!

 

[Feralpeg]

PrincessKsMom, That's wonderful news!

kofslinky, Sorry to hear you need a new port. Hang in there!

Since this is the time of year to consider what I'm thankful for, I want to say that I am so thankful that I found this thread and the great ladies who participate here. It's been a tough year, but I made it! I'm thankful that my life is getting closer to normal again. All of you have made this journey much easier for me. Just having people who are going through the same issues for support means the world!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

 

[robinb]

Well, my biopsy came back slightly atypical. I'm scheduled for surgery on Dec 12. It is basically in the same spot where I had basil cell removed before. Not a big deal and it has to be done. Still looking forward to not having a doctor appointment of some kind every week! lol!

That really sucks, Peg . It's on your back, right? I hope that your BAD luck will run out and some GOOD luck will be on tap for 2014 .

 

[fortwildernessishome]

That really sucks, Peg . It's on your back, right? I hope that your BAD luck will run out and some GOOD luck will be on tap for 2014 .

I agree with this

Hopefully the spot is nothing, but a pain to deal with in addition to your other treatment.

 

[snappy]

Since this is the time of year to consider what I'm thankful for, I want to say that I am so thankful that I found this thread and the great ladies who participate here. It's been a tough year, but I made it! I'm thankful that my life is getting closer to normal again. All of you have made this journey much easier for me. Just having people who are going through the same issues for support means the world!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

You said it in a way I wish I had… Lovely, Peg. I second the emotion.

Happy thanksgiving to all.

Kofslinky, sorry you need the new port.

Peg, I had that the skin cancer raised its ugly head again. Did you say it is squamous cell?

PrincessKsmom, congrats on the b9 results. Nice to hear good news.

Sorry I have been absent. I do try to keep up reading, I feel out of the loop with posting for some reason. Certainly not that I don't care.

Have a wonder Disney trip, MaryAnn. I had to cancel my trip. Turns out just as well as DH was invited to a duck hunting trip at the same time, and someone needs to be here to hold down the fort.

My aging dog was not well last week, Thursday the vet did some testing and it appears she is starting renal failure. We are treating with diet, meds, and they did a 15 minute subcutaneous fluid injection. She has bounced back and seems as happy as ever. I am trying to prepare myself though.

Cooking my usual oyster dressing, shrimp with merliton (Italian squash) dish, and oyster patties Thursday, and My best friend Cindy and her S.O. are driving up from New Orleans. I am glad DD23 and her BF in NJ are coming for Christmas, not Thanksgiving. DD23 started a wonderful new job about 2 weeks ago. Wonderful opportunity with a startup company as a director of marketing. Excellent opportunity for a 23 year old!

Ladies, make those wonderful memories with your family and friends.

And stay safe and warm.

GAGWTA!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Princess K - glad for the good report but sorry you need the add. surgery

Peg - sorry you have to have the surgery too but glad they are on top of things

kofslinky - sorry you have to have another port but glad you can kiss that wound vac good bye!

robinb - so happy you are done!

jilly b - hope things are going well

Cheryl - hope your mom is doineg well

Laurie - I will miss you! but have a wonderful time with your family. I am glad your dd likes her new job. Sorry about your precious dog. Is it Naj or Snappy?

My dh just got home so I am. One of the oldest sweetest ladies from our church passed away. She was on the school council with me in the past and I would pick her up for the meetings. So we will go to the service on sunday.

So thankful for all of you ladies. You all inspire me so much!

I am having my mammo on Dec. 13th the day after we get back from Disney.

GAGWTA. Have blessed thanksgiving ladies.

 

[pitterpint23]

Hey y'all! New to the thread. I'm Jess, now 24, diagnosed with a phyllodes tumor several days before my 16th birthday.

I had a lumpectomy for removal.

A couple years later, after I graduated high school, I had a reduction and have had several scar revisions.

Looking to meet some people to chat with, as I've got current health issues and lack support.

Thank y'all so much.

 

[pitterpint23]

Hey y'all! New to the thread. I'm Jess, now 24, diagnosed with a phyllodes tumor several days before my 16th birthday.

I had a lumpectomy for removal.

A couple years later, after I graduated high school, I had a reduction and have had several scar revisions.

Looking to meet some people to chat with, as I've got current health issues and lack support.

Thank y'all so much.

Also, my grandmother's, on each side, have had malignant tumors as well on the left side, almost at the exact same time. I'm getting my money together to have my BRCA testing, as my father and grandfather have the genes. Hopefully, I can find out the situation with my gene diagnosis and get a double mastectomy.

I will, indefinitely, have my son tested as soon as he hits 23. He's got about 21 years until then, but by God I'm doing it!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Welcome to the thread, Jess. We had another poster who had a phyllodes tumor. I don't think she posts here regularly anymore, but I will let her know you're here and maybe she can check in. (She is the Alice in my Tag. The quote was the result of some difficulties she went through post op - we were trying to make light of it since it had gotten to the point of ridiculousness for her, but I'll let her tell the story...) You are wise to think about your gene testing with yourself and your children given your family history. I'm sorry you have to deal with this at such a young age.

Sounds like there were some positives here over the past week, but Peg, sorry you have to deal with another problem so soon after finishing your BC treatment! Thank you for your beautiful words, I've always felt the same way. Having support and friendships here has been a blessing.

I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving. I am working, but those of us there will bring in food to share with each other and some of the residents who may not get to spend much time with their families, etc. It should be fun. I cooked a brown sugar spiral ham yesterday and got some nice rolls and honey mustard for sandwiches "on the run" if it gets busy. DD and I will also make two pumpkin cakes this morning - one for work and one for DH and the kids to take to his family's house; DH is also doing a root vegetable dish that he likes to do. We'll do a turkey dinner here this weekend.

Laurie, I'm sorry to hear about Snappy. We are having health issues with my dog, too.