Best Of
Re: How long have you been Stage IV?
I recently had both the liquid biopsy (blood draw) and tissue from tumor 2 years ago tested by Caris. Nothing new as 2 years ago tumor tissue was tested by Natera/Altera and no mutations pointing to other treatments. Signatera kept monitoring the ctDNA. Caris billed Medicare a whopping $27,000 but was only paid $9600 (boo-hoo). I was not happy that dr pushed for these tests.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@irishlove So glad you got a grant to cover deductible! Every little bit helps and god knows how much money you have put out already.
@mara51506 Glad your Echo looked fine and I hope you get info soon on the next step. It always feels a bit better when there’s a plan in place. I’m sure your feeling concerned about Sil I guess all you can do right now is check in to let her know you care.
cookie54
Re: Birads 5 with calcification
@lisa8228
I am so sorry that your last AC was so bad, but at least you could be comforted in that it was your last of that type.
I had neuropathy with Taxol, though it went away after I finished. I don't specifically remember bone pain, but I did have chronic dry eyes that I have held onto, unfortunately. I had to go on steriod drops for them during treatment and have transitioned to Restasis for long term use. Overall, Taxol was much easier for me. I had good blood counts and was able to stop steriods and the Neulasta shots. I also didn't have any nausea or food aversions.
That stinks that you have to have another PET scan. I 100% understand how scary that is. They are probably trying to see how the chemo worked so that that they know what to expect in surgery. Try not to think about it. It is so unlikely that your Cancer became metastatic during such an aggressive course of chemo.
Once you feel better, I 100% recommend starting a walking regimen. I've been doing it for years and it has definitely helped me to control my weight. There are also studies that it helps keep Cancer from coming back.
Hope you are feeling well today.. You are technically more than half way done!!
scaredme
Re: Suffocating in the waiting...
I did push for this, the Radiologist who read my mammogram would not send for the MRI without his own ultrasound and with my not having insurance my PCM didn't want to send for me to do one outside of our county hospital because the cost would be so great. I honestly feel lost, I don't know what to do. My gut is telling me one thing, and doctors are telling me another. We are hoping to hear this week from my husbands work about the insurance issues. Either way we will do enrollment before the 15th and itll be in place Jan.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
We’re in Lumberton, NC. Drive was nice, good weather but crowded now and then. We drove off I-95 to 64, because SO has a Sam’s Club credit card and membership and wanted to get gas there. We filled the gas tank, but truthfully could have gotten better prices elsewhere. I’m glad it wasn’t far.
I’ve got my grandnieces cold. Her mom kept telling her it was allergies. It’s not, it’s a full fledged cold. I always put a fresh box of Kleenex in the car for travel and I’m grad I did! I brought it in the room with me.
Funny, not funny story - last night about midnight I went looking for a NyQuil gel cap. We take this giant heavy duty sail canvas tote from Cape Cod, filled with just about everything from our hall medicine cabinet.
When we got off the elevator to our room, it fell off the luggage cart. We both were on our hands and knees picking up stuff and tossing it back in.
WELL apparently a bottle of Robatussin cough medicine leaked - the cap must have undone it self and it had poured all over everything. By midnight it was like gel on some stuff. We had to clean off cough syrup from almost everything. We had to throw out boxes that held eyedrops, Tylenol, prescriptions - all were red/pink and sticky. WHAT a mess.
The canvas tote is now stained pink in spots; mostly the bottom.
This morning I took an extra garbage bag to put our stuff in - cleaned & dried, then placed it into the still wet canvas tote.
I never did find a NyQuil, but we did spend at least an hour cleaning up the mess.
Tonight after check in we ran to Walmart, where I bought their brand of gel caps and I can’t wait to take one tonight.
Headed to Kingsland, GA tomorrow. Weather looks ok as we go. Hope you all have a great day!
cindyny
Re: I say YES. YOU say NO....Numero Tre! Enjoy!
What 9 months as Second Lady does to you when your shape-shifting, slimeball husband has sold his soul to the devil.
ruthbru
Re: TNBC MBC Stage 4
@scgal08 Rita so glad you can stay on Trodelvy for now . Seems like you are tolerating it well, which is so good. It’s not fun going off and waiting while everything grows. Are your Mets relatively stable for now? I hope so. Mine are so uncomfortable though getting better. The radiation should help, but it’s a harder patch to go through than I’ve done before.The cmf is going fine, I had one dose and then they added Keytruda for radiation, so once radiation is done next week, the next Infusion will be cmf and Keytruda. I can go back on Keytruda since it was 2 years ago that I had it, and now I have the gene it should effect. You can’t go back on something that you progressed on is my understanding. Insurance approved it, so onwards. ❤️
All is well but I am tired lol. I actually took these 2 weeks off from work .. so I can rest off of zoom for a bit. I was supposed to present at a conference next week, and have asked my co researcher handle it instead. I’m slowing down lol..probably a good thing while I stabilize this phase of my treatment. My body has been through so much, I am super grateful I feel good most of the time. But now I’m tired. My wbc is low though, had a Zarxio shot yesterday and will do blood work next week to see if it helped. Always something on this journey!
@cookie54 Andrea let me add my yeah for Dexa results to Rita’s! So glad for you. Fingers crossed your MIL house sells at a good price.
Turning cold here, have pulled out a blanket for the couch while I read. Enjoying it for now, though I know it will get old soon enough.
have a lovely evening all. Rhonda
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Hi everyone. Hope it's a lovely, pain free evening for all. Sitting on my favorite chair listening to Linda Ronstadt. Another voice silenced too soon by Parkinsons. Sister got to see Dolly Parton recently, before she retires. She said Dolly is just as sweet as she seems and has the voice of an angel. DH and I saw Tom Jones in Vegas in 2005. He still had it!!! Sis and I both got to see Elvis at Spectrum Stadium in Philadelphia about 3 months before he passed. I thought he still had an incredible voice and show with back up singers. Sis didn't feel the same way. Regrets having not seen Neil Diamond and Frank Sinatra.
I'm retyping this as it disappeared into thin air. SO I'll cut it short. Florida Cancer Specialists pharmacy called me to say they have a grant for me. It will cover the Ibrance deductible and Xgeva deductible ($600). I only take the Xgeva once every 3 months due to the unaffordable deductible. The lord must have heard our prayers as the cancer has been progressing in the bones. I am so blessed.
Thinking of each and everyone of you and in your pocket. I don't know that I could do chemo again, either. I took Novantrone for MS back n 2002. It was rough and damaged the ejection rate of my heart, so I couldn't finish the course. So, no Candy, nothing wrong with making or contemplating future treatments.
Irishlove
Re: Signatera test -pros cons
I just wanted to let everyone know that I just got the results of my July Signatera test—negative! I am hoping this means that the 2.8 SUV on my PET scan, done the day before the Signatera test, is post-radiation inflammation and/or bone remodeling. Seems logical to me.
Now just hoping the switch from Anastrozole to Exemestane makes me feel a bit less "blucky." 😜 Just started it a week ago, so it may take a while for the Anastrozole to clear my system.
Hope everyone had a great weekend and is enjoying this lovely day!
Hugs, Pam 💗
Re: Just diagnosed, feeling shocked, anxious, lost
@baffled26 glad to hear your update! Managing the appointments can feel like a part-time job in itself, but it definitely sounds like you're doing all the right things.
Just wanted to put a plug in for the online support groups, and the cohort groups here (October 2025 Surgery, etc). Both have been very helpful to me. ❤️ Good luck!
kks_11