Best Of
Re: Long term "high oncotype test" survivors
Thought I'd post another update since it's been another year roughly. I'm still alive, still sucking up oxygen on planet Earth, still speaking my mind. Gave up the motorcycle for the most part and took up sky-diving. Don't think that will last much longer. About to move on to boats and give that a try. And no, it will not be a slow canoe that I buy. Took up yoga this year which is great and supposed to help bone density. Counting on my little fingers the time to (early) retirement which is when life is going to get GOOD and CRAZY FUN!!!!! In short, life is beeeeyouuuuuteeeefulllll!
It's been almost 7 years for this high Onco DX score mujer. The high score is not a death sentence, it just means that you'll very likely benefit from chemo as compared to someone with a low score.
Really, life is much better since the cancer diagnosis. I'm happier, more content with myself, more willing to speak up and be heard, and I have whittled out of my life those poisonous people that drag you down. What's left is a great deal of peace and happiness and enjoyment of life. If I'd come back as a low score, I probably would have brushed off the whole cancer thing and gone back to my old ways. The high score is a blessing for me - it keeps in mind that I have to focus on what is important in life and seek out what I really want to be doing so that I keep myself in an emotionally good place which in turns leads to a good physical state and better survival.
Life is good. See y'all in another year!!
squidess
Re: Ribociclib/Kisqali with Letrozole - Any one on this combo?
Hi, I just found this forum and have been reading the post you brave ladies have made. I was diagnosed one year ago with stage 4 breast cancer diagnosed from the fluid they removed from my chest cavity. My shortness of breath turned out to be caused by breast cancer causing fluid to build up in the chest cavity, making breathing difficult. I was placed on Kisqali/Letrozole. Like many of you after a couple of pauses in the cycle, my dose was lowered to 400mg. After lowering the dose, I have only had to pause the treatment once. I find it very encouraging that at least one of you has been on this treatment for seven years! Keep up the positive attitudes and fight on.
Evelyn
Re: DCIS Stage 0 High Grade HR+
Hi All
Well!! I finally have a start date with my continued treatment for radiation. I called the Cancer Centre yesterday for the second time. She called me back this morning, and said
We have ONE more spot open tomorrow.. Nov 21!!
So I continue my journey now to healing. I don’t feel nervous, just relieved that I am starting.
And I see my surgeon today for another follow up.
Re: Change in friendships after cancer
It's hard to know what other people may be going through in their own lives. The first time I had cancer, two of my work friends also were diagnosed (all different types of cancer). One, who unfortunately had a short time to live, devoted her entire time to her immediate family and just a few close friends. One became the Cancer Queen and wanted adulation for being a Survivor with a capital S. and expected everyone she knew to tell her how brave and wonderful she was, every day. I never talked about mine because i figured everyone was suffering from cancer exhaustion. So since people who have (or have had) cancer each reacts differently, so do their friends and family.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Wow, I slept many hours last night, was heavily asleep from 5pm yesterday til 1 am. Got myself to bed and fell heavily asleep in bed for an extra 7 hours. I must have just needed the sleep last night after the insomnia day before. My throat is pretty dry fealing and sort of sore. Herceptin giving me a stuffy nose but not too bad. If need be, will take some expectorant and then medicine overnight to supress coughing.
Not sure about anything to do today. It is is trash to take garbage over tonight, need to check if just recycle stuff or actual trash to get out. Will take case of both. Other thing I want to make sure is done is to move the big boxes in front of closet near the door, take up less space.
Decided to get an inexpensive wig from amazon, round 30 bucks since it will gove the option to play with the style of it, also got some creamy blush, BB cream, concealer and lipstick. Not too bad a cost, better than sephora.
I hope everyone has a good day and in pockets for everyone as well.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Thank you so much for the kind words and information. You are much better at explaining than my MO - who still has not responded to my messages!
I have been experiencing double vision for a year and have seen the opthamologist, an ENT, and now have had two brain MRIs and several skull CTs. No discernable cause, no recommended treatment. After reading your post, I have looked for a neuro opthamologist, and the soonest appointment I can get is May, 2026!
Hope everyone has a day of smooth sailing and good test results.
eleanora
Re: DCIS Stage 0 High Grade HR+
Hi@sunnywithshowers
Thank you for that info!!
I will talk to my MO when I meet with him on Nov 28. I will find out if I qualify for genetic testing as well. That “may” also affect my decision to start Tam.
No phone call today in regards to radiation start date. I’m just so up and down!!
One minute.. I’m saying to myself.. it’s all good and they will call you and for the most part I have a positive attitude
Yesterday, I went with a friend to a greenhouse with a huge and beautiful Christmas display full of trees and decorations. It was a nice change of scenery for me.
Next.. I’m not in a good mood and just pacing waiting for the phone to ring
Was anything discussed with you about radiation afterwards? Or just the Tamoxifen
Positive vibes coming your way as well and thinking of you and you are preparing for your upcoming surgery in Dec. We are all on this journey together.. in our own ways but also definitely together, and that brings me so much comfort!! 💗
Embracing with strength
Re: Suffocating in the waiting...
I wanted to give an update. I had my 2nd ultrasound on 11/14. I received the results yesterday. The lump in my right breast is a simple cyst. The results for the left breast were 1.3cm MIXED ECHOGENICITY LOBULATED MASS BIRADS 4. I spoke with my PCM and I am now awaiting a referral to a breast surgeon. Still not definite answer.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
SHANAGIRL,
Thank-you for thinking of me. I hope radiation treatments for you are as easy as they were for me both times. So sorry for yours and everyone here who's had progression. I only check in occasionally and then occasional trouble signing in. I find it difficult to chime in. Constant interruptions.
An update on me.
2025 A Year to remember?
It was April ? while finishing chemo I got shingles. Took a month to dx cause there was 1 blemish. Lasted at least 4 months. Chemo was almost easier. Then I strained my back a bit. Ouch. Good for a bit. Then fell and twisted knee 8 weeks ago. Not better at all. Then a long car ride triggered a major case of sciatica. Still not good. Seeing pain mgmt dr in the morning. And arthritis worse then ever. I whimper with self pity in bed at night.
Had scans yesterday. Bone scan was clean!. Don't expect anything on CT. I finished Keytruda 3 weeks ago. That was for the TNBC .MO declared me cured of that after mastectomy in June.
The metastatic cancer is being treated with anastrozole for the last 7 months when I got a new temporary MO. He's gone and I meet his replacement next Monday when we discuss my scans.
Prayers for all of you.
gailmary
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@mara51506 Well I'm glad you had a nice long chat with SIL and sorry to hear about her mom. No matter how old our mom's are as we know it's difficult to think about their mortality. I'm sure she appreciates your caring nature and hopefully she will feel better once there is a plan for her mom. Happy to hear you got in touch with neuro office and now have a reason as to what's going on with this delay. You're being so patient and we all know some days it's not that easy! I hope he is speedy with his on call patients and you hear from them quicker than you expect.
@shanagirl You're a sweetie pie and I can smell that tea from here! @mkestrel and smell those biscotti baking! Yum they're one of my favorites also!
Have a peaceful evening , hugs to all.
cookie54