SpunkyGirl

Frenchie,

It sounds like she might have a Grade 3 tumor, and not a Stage 3 tumor.  There's a big difference in that one denotes the aggressiveness of the cancer and the other is the stage in which it's found.  Is that possible?

Bobbie

Casseddy,

These girls are right!  Hormone therapy is the best thing you can do for yourself to prevent this cancer from coming back, and you don't even know if you'll have problems with Tamoxifen.  Give it about a month on the drug before you decide if you can tolerate it too, because sometimes if you do get SEs, they will go away with time.  I was 40 at diagnosis, and I've been on Tamoxifen since June of 07.  I take my magic pill at night, with no problems whatsoever-no hot flashes, no joint pain, no weight gain.  Give it a chance.

Bobbie

Seabee,

I just wanted to stand up and cheer for you when I read your post, and I'll tell you why.  I didn't read about Adriamycin being not helpful for HER2-tumors until after I went through treatment back in 2006.  When I read the same studies you did, I WAS FURIOUS.  I am HER2+, but alll I could think about was the women who were HER2 negative that took this drug.  Adriamycin has been used for breast cancer treatment for years, and, granted, we've only known about HER2 since1999, but it irks me that many women are getting toxic, needless therapy that's not helping them.  It's so nice to see someone doing her homework and making a smart, evidence-based decision on treatment.   I'm guessing that there are still many HER2- women getting a protocol that includes Adriamycin and that needs to change.  Your story is a glowing example that we all need to do our homework and be our own best advocates.  You go, girl!
Bobbie

Carol,

Yes, I know what you are going through.  Today was a nasty, rainy day here and I moved about like a snail.  I kept thinking, "I'm too tired; there must be something wrong."  Well, I think the only thing wrong was that it was a nasty day and I should have been napping.  This is a tough time of the year on top of what we've all been through, and I'm sure that and what happened to your friend are really weighing on you.  Here's hoping you have an awesome checkup tomorrow! 

Hugs

Bobbie

Darya,

One of the LE measures, if you don't mind my saying, is that you shouldn't wear purses or anything with straps on your affected side, because the shoulder nodes help move fluid out of that arm. 

Bobbie

Kira,

Thanks for the post!  Yes, that part of my arm is where the top of the sleeve rubs, so I'm pretty sure that's what it is.  But, gosh, everything can be unnerving! 

Thanks

Bobbie

Otter,

I would like to comment on your remarks from two hours ago.  I am so with you.  I absolutely can feel changes in my arm for many of the reasons you stated (lifting weights, overdoing it, etc.).  I've never had visible swelling (knock on wood), but I wear my sleeve when my arm doesn't feel right, and I do MLD at least once per day (usually while I'm reading at night).  One interesting thing I notice that I don't read much here about is when the barometric pressure outside changes.  I swear that oftentimes makes my arm feel heavy and I'll just throw on the sleeve for a day or two until it feels more comfortable. 

I went to a PT right after surgery and was measured for a sleeve and glove.  I also did about 10 sessions of PT, during which she took care of some cording and showed me how to do MLD.  Even then, I was describing to her that I could feel changes in my arm, and to this day, I know she thinks I was nuts.  No one can help us like we can help ourselves.  I think part of the standard treatment for any woman getting an ALND is PT that includes fitting of a sleeve and glove.  Unfortunately, many women are so understandably overwhelmed just getting through treatments that they can't deal with this additional burden.  That's the aspect of LE prevention that's tough-getting a woman (or man) going through all this to add LE prevention to their list of priorities.   Maybe we're doing more than we can know for others just being here and talking about these issues.

Bobbie

Binney,

I'm so glad you posted.  It's really small, about the size of a pea, and I did notice earlier that day that I was tugging to keep my sleeve up (I'm sure it needs replaced).  I do think that's what it is, but I'll keep an eye on it.  I hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving.

Bobbie

Girls,

I wear my sleeve about 6 out of the 7 days a week for at least an hour while I work out.  Otherwise, maybe once a month for a few days my arm will feel weird and I'll pop it on.  Well, two nights ago, after wearing it all day, I was doing MLD and found a little solid, hard bump on the upper outer part of my bicep.  I was really concerned at first (you know, the bic C word came to mind), but noticed that the bump is right where the indention of the tag for the sleeve lands.  I also wear the sleeves with the silicone top.  Has anyone who wears sleeves a lot gotten that type of bump under your skin?  I'm still a little concerned about it, but I guess I'll keep watching it for a few days and try not to poke at it.  I did have some upper arm pain in that arm earlier in the day, but it's been fine since.

Thanks!
Bobbie

Mia,

How are you doing?  I hope things are looking up for you.

Bobbie