murphmort

Stronger27 - I am so happy to hear the good news from the pathology.  It sounds like your attitude is upbeat and you are on the road to recovery. 

I have asked all my doctors about my when my 20 year old daughter should start mammograms.  They all have said ten years prior to my diagnosis, making her 36 years old when she should start. I'm not real comfortable with that age, I'd much prefer around 30.  In the meantime, she is doing monthly breast exams, having a breast exam at the ob/gyn annually, and when she's home for Xmas break from college, she'll have a PCP exam. The genetic counselor suggested the two breast exams annually, six months apart.  I did test negative for BRCA but my mom was diagnosed at 58 with Stage IV ovarian.  I continue to see the ob/gyn every six months for an internal, and I will continue to have the CA-125 test.  Even though I don't carry the mutation, the risk of ovarian is increased because of the BC diagnosis.  I'm also having a colonoscopy next week, as the doctors said BC patients are at a higher risk for that also.  I figure I might has well max out my deductible this year!!!  LOL!!

That's awesome, Deb!!!  I am amazed at the long lines folks are willing to wait in!  We have a specific school we have to go and vote, same as you Virigina.  In fact, there is no school tomorrow in my town.  There was an incident last year on election day in a town close by, where an elderly gentlemen hit the gas peddle, drove onto the sidewalk and hit a 3rd grader.  I'm planning on voting in the morning, and then heading up for a business luncheon at one of my favorite places, The Cheesecake Factory!  Yummy. 

I dropped my daughter's absentee ballot off last week ... she was so excited about having the opportunity to vote in her first presidential election, she even took a picture of the ballot .... can you tell she's a political science major!  LOL!!!

Did any of you girls hear about the study that came out last week regarding Tamaxofin?  A friend of mine told me about it, I guess if you have side effects, like those darn hot flashes, that is a good sign.

Harley, good luck with the job hunt, it's a job just looking for a job.  Keep your positive attitude!!!

Have a wonderful day, everyone. 

Virginia & Basha - So happy to hear the "all clear".  The anxiety these tests create are enough to make you eat ice cream or buy shoes!!! LOL!!!   Or, what I'd prefer, have a few Mich Ultras!!!  My next mammo is on 12/4, and I know the anxiety will come. 

I love DWTS - that is what my husband and I want to do when the kids are gone ... ballroom dancing.  Hubby is not a dancer, so this really surprised me when he told me he'd like us to take lessons someday. 

Deb - glad the job is going well.  And what a bonus that you work out where you work!!! How cool is that?

Munchy - no need to apologize.  We all need to vent and this is the place for it.  You have been through alot and continue to struggle, so feel free to vent all you want.  Just make sure you do take care of yourself, eat good stuff so you make sure you give your body the nutrients you need.  Of course, I should take my own advice .... I got my period this weekend, and mowed down on coconut chocolate almond ice cream from our local ice cream store, and I purchased up a half gallon so there would be plenty in the house.  And I even put Hershey's chocolate sundae sauce on it.  So, today, I walked an extra lap at the track. 

Sorry to hear about the tears with your daughter, but it's so typical of the freshmen year.  The first semester is most challenging.  Give her some time to meet some kids and get into the college life.  It's so overwhelming that first semester - trying to get used to the workload, roommates, etc.  The second semester will be a little better and by sophomore year, she'll like it.  During the first semester, I'd send cards and packages to my daughter on a fairly regular basis.  That always seemed to help her (and her roommate).  I only live an hour away from Providence College where my daughter attends so I am able to make trips to see her (I'll even take vacation days during the week).  Or, like this weekend, she surprised us on Saturday morning by taking the train home so she could watch her brother's football game.  It's not easy when your kid is struggling through this adjustment period ... I guess that's a compliment to the home we have given our girls?  Good luck with this. 

I must get back to work.  Enjoy the day, ladies.

My radiation oncologist and surgeon wanted me to have a mammogram after my surgery and prior to my radiation.  They would not start the radiation unless my mammo was clear.  That was on April 2nd.  I started rads on 4/22. 

My follow-up with my surgeon, rad onc and medical oncologist all concur on the annual timing going forward.  So, my regular timing is December, it's scheduled for 12/4.

I had DCIS and it was picked up on regular mammo (not digital).   The facility went digital in February 2008.

I also asked about MRI because of the density of my breasts.  Same answer from all doctors, continue with the digitial mammos.

I am considered early onset since I was 46 when diaganosed.  My mom was 58 when diagnosed with ovarian cancer, so I'm continuing with the screenings for ovarian with my ob/gyn.  Having had breast cancer, you are at a higher risk for ovarian.   I did have the BRCA testing, and was extremely grateful it came back negative.

I am also going to have a colonocopy in mid-November.  My sister is a physicians assistant and has been on me to get this done.  All of my doctors agree this was good to schedule.  Again, we are at a higher risk for colon cancer also! 

Hope this helps.

It's been 4 months since my last radiation treatment.  I felt alot better starting in September and continue to feel stronger each week.  Having said that, I still get tired by the end of the day, and at times have even napped during the afternoons on the weekends.  Our bodies have been through alot and it's not unusual to feel fatigue for months after treatment stops.  Alot depends on your activity level and the stress in your life.  Minimize the stress and anxiety, if possible, I find walking every day is very helpful to my overall attitude and fatigue level.

I also have found that eating healthy makes a difference in how I feel.  Thoughout radiation, I made sure I ate my 5 servings of fruit and veggies.  My appetite has diminished since  I started taking Tamaxofin, so I really have to force myself to eat 5 servings a day. 

All in all, I'm feeling so much stronger and I guess I now realize how crappy I did feel during radiation.  Glad i didn't realize it when I was going thru it!!!!

LAphoenix - thanks for the pat on the back, but I truly put it all on my daughter.  This is her third year of college and she did work on Hillary's campaign last winter.  She is very excited about the election, and is taking a class this semester entitled "Elections & Electoral Behavior".  Not my cup of tea, but she loves it.   She received her absentee ballot and took a picture of it.  LOL!!!  

I am a redhead so pink is not a color that I wear!!!  However, being a breast cancer survivor and experiencing my first Awareness Month as a survivor, it has been a pretty emotional month.

The most positive experience this month was when I walked with my son's high school at the Making Strides Walk in Boston - which is the oldest BC walk in the country!!  Over 100 high school kids participated and raised $3000.   It was truly inspirational.

One thing we can all do is to sign up at amyofwomen.org.

This is Dr. Love's website where she expects to find a cure.  I encourage everyone to visit this website and forward the info to others.

Eve - Its been months since my diagnosis and I had the same reaction when I shop and see all that PINK.  

You are perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed, emotional and anxious.  It will take alot of time before you get to a place where you don't feel that on a consistent basis.  I'm just starting to get there.  You have to make sure that you have something positive everyday to think of ... I walk every day to some really great tunes on my iPod. 

It is certainly different experiencing Breast Cancer Awareness Month as a Survivor - and you are a SURVIVOR!   You will be okay, just take each task individually, and try not to think of everything at once.  I waited a bit before I had the genetic testing as I don't think I could have handled hearing if I was positive (I was negative).  The hardest part for me is how my kids are doing.  Even though I am okay, at my medical oncologist's appointment last week, the doctor asked me how my kids are doing and I burst into tears!  Why, I have no idea!   She was very supportive, but the emotions just come up and out!!!   

As folks ask me how I'm doing, I say "great", and that I'm looking forward, not backward, and I have to continue to remind myself to do that. 

Hang in there, use this website, it's great.  My medical oncologist has suggested attending a support group, but I have found exceptional support with this website. 

Good luck with everything. 

Stronger27 - Good luck with your journey.  I am sending you hugs.  You aren't too much older than my daughter.  I will be sending positive thoughts on Friday morning ... please continue to let us know how you are doing. 

Gerberer - It is very unfortunate that negative comments were made.  Unfortunately, some people do not have the ability to find compassion and empathy for others.  If you find yourself in a conversation with that person again and a negative comment is made, let them know it is very insensitive to what you went through.

Good luck redheadace1 on your upcoming radiation.  Take good care of yourself!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month -  please make sure you go to the website that Dr Love has set up:   armyofwomen.org     

I am confident they will find the cure.