katoMato

Oh, and Nash,

I really do understand the distance/time factor in considering a new onc. But something you said has stuck with me, and that was:

"My only concern is 4 hours of driving plus the appointment makes for a big block of time, which is OK for quarterly checkups, but would present more of a problem if I had to go more frequently for some reason."

If that "some reason" was another bc diagnosis...I would WANT you to be where you trusted their expertise...suddenly time doesn't seem as important under those circumstances. Dh pointed out to me that the issue might really be your kids being away from you for a few more hours under present circumstances, as opposed to not being with them at all in the future because your onc wasn't at good as she could have been. (I will not use the word "inept". she's probably very good for more run-of-the-mill bc diagnosees...but you have a pretty potent history.) This is sounding like a hard-sell case. I'm sorry. If you were any more confident in her ability, I wouldn't even bring it up. But you don't seem to be...and even though all doctors make mistakes...I trust all the oncs at C of H. Mine may not even be the best one. 

I know you'll make the best decision for you - whatever that might be...You are a very smart bird. Know that I / we care about you!

Hi June! I was thinking about you yesterday - wondering what you were up to. Thanks for checking in!

Hope the new onc works out...sounds like a change is due. I see my onc EVERY and I do mean EVERY time. Usually her Physician's Assistant (I think that's what she is...I know she's not a nurse practitioner) is there with her TOO, so every time I usually get both of them. But I always see my onc.

Ahhhh, construction and remodeling. What fun. Do you need a painting contractor? I know one who "will work for food" at this point. I'm getting ready to make matching signs so we can stand on the freeway onramp. GACKKKK this economy is like something out of a bad movie!

No recurring eyelash exodus issues here although I've heard that it happens that way...sometimes several times...what a bummer. (I think it's a bummer, anyway. I don't have any eyelashes to speak of on a GOOD day, so I can only imagine the frustration of watching them go and come and GO again.

oops - more later - gotta fly

Hey Nash,...DH says: (and I'm mostly quoting here) The distance is the same to City of Hope for you, as it was for me (he just did the calculations from your house to C of H.) It would take you just under 2 hours. It would be good if you knew someone was taking you seriously, and you trusted their expertise. (Here is where my mostly quoting ends.)

In their recent newsletter they talked about a 28 year old who had stage 4 IBC that was undiagnosed because her local doctor told her to ignore it - for about 7 months -  because it was a "cyst because she was too young for breast cancer", so her surgeon had a big surprise when they took out a lump after she insisted on it and found 3 tumors. She went to C of H, and the rest is history. That was 3 years ago, and she's now in excellent health.

ok. Public Service Announcement over. I just worry about you Nashie, and I want to know you're getting the best treatment and resources out there. It's not like flying to New York, or Texas.

HOO-RAY for NIPPLES!! (It's the little things in life, really, that make it worth living...)

 So glad about the Micro-Lactin...I keep forgetting to take it (i'm such a ditz) and I remember when i say to myself ("man! I'm really sore today...uh...duh.") I've even got it in one of those little plastic things with a letter of the day of the week on each little compartment.. So at the end of the week  when i refill it, I realize I've forgotten about half the weeks stuff.

whatEVER.

Hey, I just have to tell you all. I was reading my MRI report that she's sent to me (with a hand written note wishing me a happy thanksgiving, she's wonderful.) and it says (and I quote:

"...Previously seen 5 mm focus of contract enhancement at the right anterior six o'clock position HAS CLEARED." (Emphasis mine.)

What?? What was it, and how does it "clear"?  Dh suggested that I "smoothie-ized" it away with all my kale, broccoli, spinach, and fruit meals. I wonder. Our bodies were designed to fight off stuff - including cancer - and maybe mine is nipping stuff in the bud (so to speak), now that i'm giving it some weapons to use... Isn't that interesting? We may never know.But it's all good news.

Have a good rest-of-the-weekend

...we'll see if this posts the jibberish when i hit submit...holding breath...crossing fingers...

Hi Nash -

I looked up the site, and then did some looking on my own. It looks interesting. Oddly, there isn't a lot of info out there - odd because it's been around for about 30 years (one site said.). Mostly stuff by people who perform the test, but I did find that it's becoming the hot (pun intended) thing now, so everyone is jumping on the bandwagon to administer the test, resulting in many people to administer the test, but few qualified and well-trained ones. So if you choose to do it, make sure they're the right ones. There was one in Los Angeles -hopefully they will be one of the few that are qualified.

Your onc STILL scares me. YES my onc does a physical exam EVERY TIME i see her (every 3 months) YES she still listens to my heart and lungs and feels around for any strange thing in my breasts.  EVERY TIME. (I can't speak to the rad onc issue, because i haven't seen mine since my last rad tx, but that's a different story.)

On that note, my MRI result came back (and i quote) "Perfectly Normal. Now go and have a Happy Thanksgiving!" I love that woman. Just for fun, here's an interview she did for the City of Hope newsletter.

http://www.cityofhope.org/about/publications/eHope/2008-vol-7-num-10-october-30/Pages/for-breast-cancer-researchers-the-fight-goes-on.aspx

Oh...and be sure to take away a hug from us tonight. The sucker punch is such a drag. I'm so sorry you have to feel it. I'm with you, Nashie.....It's normal, but it still stinks.

 Lilith, DH thought this might help you...and the quote below is from him as well. Hope it works!

<font><font>http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-MicroLactin

These guys state on their web site that they ship internationally. This page has the info, plus a phone number she can call. If she can't get 'em to ship, we could order it and ship to her, but it would prolly be kinda pricey that way...she would have to pay 2 shipping charges.</font></font>

Ok Ladies... I walked. I figure the Smoothie-Inspiration lost me 9 pounds, so maybe the exercise-inspiration will lose me another 9. (or at least the "one" to make it an even 10.)

For the record? Drinking smoothies is Way More Fun than walking.

just thought you ought to know.

"Some people's immune systems can kill the stray cells, some can't. So I think there's nothing the docs can do but treat active disease, and there's no way to accurately predict who will recur and who won't."

Antioxidant-laden Smoothie, anyone?

It's one of the few things I can actually DO aggressively in that regard, so I drink up.

My MRI went well, but she won't have the results until early next week. She's wonderful. Takes me very seriously. "Now show me again what you're feeling...." here. "Well, Kaye, that's just normal breast tissue." ok, what about this, here? "Yep, that's just normal breast tissue also." Here? "Yes, that's just normal bre....Hey. Have you ever felt a flank steak? It's like normal breast tissue. It's not like bologna...it's like flank steak with little things running through it."

But i WANT bologna-boobs.

So have a good weekend already.

WHAT THE HECK IS THAT????

Hi Nash - I was thinking about you today. It's been pretty quiet on the boards...and I was gonna ask if everybody was ok out there...

Is it normal for the producer (of a charity event, I might add) to ask a large sum of money? I am a "fundraising imbecille" so I really don't know. Isn't there a way to negotiate with him a percentage of  WHAT'S BROUGHT IN????Sheesh. It's not like this is his 9 to 5. I realize that's how they (producers) make their money, but there must be otheroptions.

Hey June, Angie, Tami ...how're you all doing? (Jackie...do you like your new chest-mates yet, or is it too early to tell?)

In other news....This being our favorite month (BC awareness month) I happened upon a real cool deal. If you buy one specially marked bag of PINK M & M's, um...probably a pound of M & M's) they donate 50 cents to Komen for the Cure. WooHoo!  I bought 2.

Dh can't figure out why I just don't send $1.00 directly to Komen.

He's SUCH a boy.