Best Of
Re: IDC and Mental Health
Yesterday's rads session was canceled due to statewide internet outage. Ugh!!! I'm having SE already to my first rads tx. I've been feeling some numbness, heaviness, a sharp pain accompanied by a crackle sound, tender, thick, swollen nipple/areola.
I cried last night when I was feeling these and thought "Wow, I've only had one session and I'm already having these SE!" "Calgon, take me away!!"
Re: Reconstruction?
Hello @ann5631, and welcome to the community! Thank you so much for sharing your experience and tips about prostheses and bras. We're super glad to hear that your recovery after surgery was smooth and that you’re happy with your decision. Feel free to share more about your story or ask any questions you might have. We’re all here to support each other!
Best wishes,
From the Mods
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Good morning, all.
What crazy weather almost everywhere. We're fine here in San Diego, especially near the coast where we live.
I'm adjusting to the new medication (Afinitor) and am using the dexamethasone to prevent mouth sores. Got the results from the 3rd Guardant360 test yesterday. I don't see much different from the last one. I did note that the Tumor Mutational Burden went from around 63 in 2023 to about 130. I think that means there are more targets to hit, but I'm not sure. My next MO appointment is in two weeks. Biopsy of the omentum is on 8/14.
I did reach out to an oncologist friend and sent him a copy of my latest PET scan and the Guardant360 test. It will be interesting to see what he has to say. If you happened to read my most recent blog post, he's the MO we were having dinner with when he talked about the future of AI (as opposed to AIs.)
Am looking over our trust and see that I need to update it. I need to change some of the people listed as contacts, etc., and specify one person in particular that I do NOT want to have any decision-making authority for me. I did get a medic alert bracelet that says, "DNR, NO CPR" along with DH's phone number.
I'll hanging out in the corner with my Kindle and my iPhone if anyone needs me. 😍
Love to all,
Carol
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Irish - I'd forgotten all about the term "close" for humidity. I also remember older relatives using it.
A really tired and wiped out week for me, so haven't posted nearly as many responses to people as I would have liked, but I have been following along. Shots later this morning, so I imagine my week will continue to drag. We've had excess heat here the last several days, and I think that's part of what's causing my lethargy. Our heat here in the PNW doesn't compare to what many of you have experienced over the last week, but it is a lot for here, and if you're not used to it…
Well, have a good day all. You are the best! Mel, thank you so much for allowing us all to use your living room 😊.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Hope you had a wonderful birthday Goldens. I'm only 6 months behind you. My wish for you is many painfree days in the future. Oh yes, and remission that lasts and lasts. I wonder if they make a birthday card like that?
Mara, I marvel at your cooking sensibilities. Sounds so good, too. My diet consists of lots of cereal and chicken, turkey, mashed potatoes and rice. I miss eating what I want, when I want it. Since DH does the cooking now, it's a lot of frozen dinners, but I am appreciative that he takes care of me. I sat on the stuffed recliner and enjoyed the Phillies game tonight. Just enough rain came to sprinkle the grass and flowers. But it made going outside terrible humid, sticky and as my Grammy use to say, close. I totally understand labored breathing, but I believe it's extra difficult in 100 degree weather.
I hope all were safe from the storm. Hoping we all can dodge any more hurricanes this summer.
In pockets for scans and life in general.
Re: The tests seem neverending
in the breast cancer world, it is a lot of hurry up and wait. I’m not saying you have cancer. A cancer diagnosis is not a medical emergency although it sure feels like one. So anyhow there’s a lot of waiting and wondering. Keep doing the things you love and make you feel good. Whether this is cancer or not is unfortunately out of your control. The only control you have is the present moment. Try and live there. Easier said then done. I know. Before my cancer diagnosis I had “busy breasts” so I know what you are experiencing.
hang in there
Re: The tests seem neverending
I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis, kkardatzke22. Glad it was caught at stage 1! Thanks for the reminder to be grateful. I sure am. I wish they'd done biopsies by now, but they wouldn't have even known to check the new spots. Hopefully they'll do them after the ultrasounds to be sure of any pathology. Thanks so much for the supportive comment. It means a lot! I hope things go as well as possible for you.
cozyrad
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Happy Birthday Goldens! Hope you enjoyed your day🌺🎂
cookie54
The tests seem neverending
Hi all. I've been on a breast "journey" for almost 2 years. I've had more mammograms and ultrasounds than I can count and it seems like they find something(s) new every time. I just had an MRI and it found even more areas that they want looked at again. It feels like I'm swimming in a sea of tests with no answers.
Does anyone have any suggestions on ways to distract myself while I go through this chain of appointments? I'm not super health anxious overall but it's getting stressful never having answers, only more questions. I'm sure some of you understand. Thanks!
cozyrad
Re: De Novo Stage IV
I just started a new discussion because I have 14 bras to donate. I was asked to give them away after my friend's mom passed.
I posted on a few of my Facebook support groups, and received only a few replies.
However, did anyone hear of STOMP? It is a site for donating mastectomy supplies that are no longer needed!!!!!! And I was also told about a site that will take used meds. I had a bottle of Lynparza that I had let expire since I didn't know what to do with them.
Anyway, I joined STOMP "Sisters of the Traveling Mastectomy Products", and am so excited. I used to run a large BC support group locally and have gotten so many donations, but didn't know what to do with them.
Denise
denny123