Best Of
Re: Poll: How does Breast Cancer Awareness Month make you feel?
@forza , you're allowed to vent. Your hospital sounds dismal and exploitative - charging for water?! I hate what private equity has done to our healthcare system.
Re: How long have you been Stage IV?
@eddiej, @ssales13, @tougholdcrow, @eleanora, @chicagoan, @emiliamarty and anyone else on this thread!
Well, I have returned from my PET scan, had Olive Garden take-out (I was famished), and have the results of the test. No evidence of metastatic disease!! Yay! The only thing of note was "Multifocal ground-glass pulmonary opacities with mild hypermetabolic activity, most consistent with an acute infectious or inflammatory process." Just FYI: I did have "something" several weeks ago where I felt absolutely horrible. Lots of sinus issues and coughing. According to some online searching I've done, this is the most likely culprit and can take some time to disappear from scans. Not too concerned as I am feeling better now, but as I mentioned earlier, I take a long time to fully recover even from mild sleep loss or eating at the wrong time. I must get back to a normal routine.
Wishing and praying for fantastic results for the rest of the October Scan and Imaging Girls!
Hugs, Pam 💗
Re: Why was I stronger DURING treatment than I am now?
Metoo14 - I feel the same way. There have been many times when asked myself, why did I fight so hard to live if this is the way it will be? I've really struggled with it. I've resisted the new normal concept because there is nothing normal about this. Maybe I need to revisit that thought. I honestly don't know how to do it. It's like I make 2 steps forward, and 3 back. This is not the life I fought for. I keep marching on because the only other option is going to bed and staying there. I've been through that before, and landed in the psych hospital. I refuse to go through that again if I can avoid it.
My therapist said that we go through the 5 stages of grief once treatment ends. I always thought the progression would be linear, but it's all all over the place.
LIttlebee - A few months after finishing chemo, my MO said the drugs were out of my system. BS! I'm about 3 years post chemo and my rehab specialist said that stuff is still in me. How could it not be considering how toxic it is?! One of the drugs is a derivative of mustard gas! It's a miracle that most people live through it at all, but here we are. Still, I feel pretty destroyed.
Re: Why was I stronger DURING treatment than I am now?
Timbuktu.....that's my job!!!!!! I have been an ESL teacher now for about 20 yrs.....love it. I used to be a registered dietitian until I was pregnant with my first son. Then I stayed home for six years to raise two boys. I joined a mother's group and one of the mothers
came with a leaflet looking for volunteers to teach English at a local church. The rest is history.....never went back to dietetics.....took all the courses to become certified and love every part of my job. Well, I'm 65 now and can't bring myself to quit...lol
Re: TNBC MBC Stage 4
Hi all!
@rlschaller Thank goodness that you are on a chemo regimen now, as your skin mets take advantage of any break in the action. Looking after all the moving parts is like a full-time job, and you also have a job! How are you managing your much-loved teaching these days?
Like with your situation my skin mets are the focus of the moment, even though I have bone mets too, which are somewhat in the background at the moment. Of course they are being monitored, but the skin mets are so striking that they get much of the attention.
Oh for a clinical trial! We wait in hope.
@cookie54 Hope that you can take a deep breath and feel rested these days.
Hugs to all!
scgal08
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@mara51506 - Mara, just getting back to reading here after days of being too tired. So very sorry to see what' been going on with you. I am thinking of and caring about you for sure. In your pocket for everything. As @goldensrbest noted, we are all here for you in every way possible. I too think that getting the social worker involved is a real good thing. I will try to check in here a bit more often and stay informed about what is going on with you and everyone else. It's all just so overwhelming.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Mara- So sorry to read about your news. It is good you are getting the Social Worker involved. And I am glad you and family are speaking now and pray things with them going forward will be a help to you.
Re: Just diagnosed, feeling shocked, anxious, lost
thanks @maggie15 that makes sense. I think my doctor mentioned there will also be more additional testing to be done before a treatment plan is finalized. What are some common ones I can expect? I read there's genetic testing, CT/MRI? And then there are other doctor apts with surgeon, oncologist, plastic surgeon - any other's?
Also other than nymph node biopsy, how will they test to see if there's cancer in other areas? I have an apt with my GP tomorrow as I've been finding it hard to breath (working harder to take full breath, chest tightness and feels like airway is contricted). I know it can be a variety of reason for this and unrelated to BC but nervous it could be a sign the cancer has spread
Re: Just diagnosed, feeling shocked, anxious, lost
just spoke to my hospital and it looks like based on size of lump, they need additional testing on my biopsy sample until the doctor will be ready to speak to me. It's looking like Oct 22 to review the pathology report…gosh, ita a long time to wait…the nurses are wonderful though. I appreciate the info they provide.
Re: Treatment plan
I truly appreciate the input everyone has given. I am just still in the shock and denial phase, but Im sure once I have my surgery Wednesday, I will be given more insight. I thought I could just take the easiest route, but you have all enlightened me on how important treating that Her2 is to give me my best chance. My husband said he will always be here for me through this, and I always want to be here for him too. Thank you everyone.