Best Of
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
One of the things that really helped me cut down on sodium was switching away from table salt to "kosher" salt (Diamond Crystal) like chefs use—flaky, larger surface area so you use less. No iodine, but we eat a lot of fish anyway (and snack on nori). I salt from way up high so it falls evenly; and if I salt anything after cooking I use Maldon flake salt or French "fleur de sel." Again, just a little goes a long way. I use kosher salt for pasta water (in a "Fasta Pasta" microwave cooker that uses much less water and is really fast) even though it's more expensive than table salt. But what really changed the game for me was when a client paid me for defending her traffic ticket with a huge gift box assortment from Penzey's. I love using herbs (fresh when in season), spices, extracts, oils and vinegars (especially the little bottle of 25-yr-old Aceto Balsamico "Tradizionale" I dole out in drops over strawberries and insalata Caprese).
Hit the farmer's market today—jackpot! Tart cherries, raspberries & blueberries from MI; strawberries, heirloom tomato, bell pepper from IL; and a sourdough from a local bakery. The empanada lady was sold out; I still have lots of coffee beans and haven't scooped any of the rhubarb sorbet so I skipped those stands as well as the Greek olive oil guys (I have a full set of Graza olive oils from Spain: Drizzle as a condiment, Sizzle for light sauteeing, Frizzle for higher heat—I use that instead of butter for fried eggs). And noticed that back at the house, some of our black raspberries are ripening!
Messaged the derm last night about the cyst, and her nurse called this morning to get me in today. Turns out she's not going to excise the cyst just yet—the plan is to calm it down and shrink it. So she switched me to a different antibiotic that has a little anti-inflammatory action, and injected a little steroid into the reddest part. Wouldn't you know it that tonight I happened to tune into "Dr. Pimple Popper" and the blobs-du-jour were epidermoid cysts! I now know more than I ever wanted to know about them (including what they look like beneath the skin, eeeuuwww).
We went to the wake for Bob's nurse's 22-yr-old son who was shot point-blank in the head. Turns out it was retaliation for dropping out of his gang. The funeral home was packed, and there were guards and police galore. Will be missing the funeral tomorrow (in our old neighborhood, Andersonville, where we lived before buying our house) because Bob has to work and I never met anyone there. Afterward, we went out for tapas. For dessert, I'd been jonesing for Oberweis' black forest chip ice cream, but when we got there it was out of season. Normally, I'd have chosen another flavor, but thanks to Zepbound I was able to turn around and go home. (I did indulge in some "Rebel" keto triple chocolate from the freezer—which we've started to clear out).
We were able to get a 1-month lease extension on the rental house—but from the landlord's housing agency, not State Farm which refuses to cover any more rent. I'm seething: swung by the house to get mail today and found nothing's been done in over a week. No way in hell could we have moved back in today—we'll be lucky to do so by 7/15, when our new bed will be delivered. I don't know who to be angrier at: the State Farm adjuster who suddenly decided to cheap out on us, or the contractor—who is directly responsible for costing us an extra $8500 (July's "rack rate" rent). I got the reconstruction check today, but am not endorsing any of it over till we are satisfied. Tomorrow they'll be doing the exterior painting on the rear wall (window frames & shingles), which is an "extra." (I paid, but according to the specs it was supposedly included, and the summary list said it was supposedly completed and billed to State Farm). Meanwhile, can't have the fridge moved back till we get the water line…which they can't do because they're busy painting (and having to remove much of the ivy to do it). Tomorrow I finish measuring the windows, take delivery of Bob's new radio/CD changer, and weed out the pile of junk on the master BR floor. Will postpone the window-treatments appointment till next week. Still have to order twin mattresses and at least 2 sets of linens for each bed—will see how much was salvaged by the textile-cleaners. Somewhere in that pile are a bunch of curtain rods and shades (though the latter are 40 years old and in rough shape). Will also call RCN to resume internet & cable (but not landlines)—can't make an appointment till we get the hardware & its furniture back from storage. On the fence about resuming satellite DirecTV, because we've gotten used to streaming it here, which avoids "storm fade" because the dish is not part of the system. Of course, we need to shop for a new TV and two large enough stands to accommodate it and the other one we're moving up front.
Probably have BFFs over to grill on the 4th—one last hurrah with the Weber kettle (unless there's a "no open flames" advisory, in which case we'll use the panini press instead). Not going to Skokie see the fireworks—we'll just watch them (DC, NYC) on TV. Will be too hot to spend much time outdoors.
chisandy
Re: Signatera test -pros cons
@kotchaj I agree with you regarding that the Signatera test is only looking for the characteristics of the tumor that was biopsied. For example, when I was diagnosed with Stage 1 BC 16 years ago, the Signatera test did not exist. However, even if I were to have used it in recent years, with my 16 year-old tumor characteristics (prior to my MBC diagnosis in 2024), would the test have found anything, since my new MBC tumor has different characteristics? Hard to know.
I now have had the Signatera test done several times, following my initial MBC treatment. As you can see by my signature, the first time it was negative. I went on a short treatment holiday and 6 weeks later the test showed extremely low positive. A month later I had a PET which showed slight uptake in an area that had previously had some uptake that had gone away. So, we started treatment again. If the PET had shown nothing (with a negative Signatera), I imagine the next step would have been a brain scan. If that had shown nothing, I'm not sure what my MO would've suggested.
I am having a Brain MRI, PET/CT and Signatera test—all in July. Just standard of care tests at this point. Hoping for good results given my current course of treatment. Wish there was a simple finger-prick blood test for all of this instead!
Hugs to all, Pam 💗
Re: Triple Negative Stage IV
This thread has been busy! We just emerged from the heat wave here too. What a relief, until the next one comes along. ☀️
@cookie54 I like my workouts in the somewhat chillier basement too. It beats going out to a class. I like to mix them up each time.
Hope that your labs went well! Was it suggested that you double up on calcium?
@rlschaller The clinical trial is most interesting. It sounds as though you wouldn't have to stop your Doxil treatment while on it either, which is a good thing. Hope that you are accepted into the trial. 🤞🏻
After two weeks in a row of Trodelvy being delayed due to my low neutrophils, I had treatment Tuesday. That was a relief. However, my MO kept the dose at 75%. We'll see what she has to say about the situation when I see her in July.
Have a good weekend all!
scgal08
Re: Birads 5 with calcification
@scaredme Thank you so much for giving me a sense of hope. Right now, I’m just praying that it’s somewhere between stages 1 and 3. I honestly don’t know how I’d handle a stage 4 diagnosis. I’ve been experiencing so many different symptoms, and it’s hard not to fear the worst. It feels like every other day brings something new that sends me into a full-blown panic. Lately, I’ve had leg cramps that started with my period, and I can’t help but worry about the possibility of bone metastases. I’m really hoping for answers soon (and good ones) before the stress completely overwhelms me.
Re: Starting Chemo June 2025? Let's support each other here!
@iambecoming Yes, I start the day before you do on 6/30! I feel the same way. I am nervous and excited at the same time. My last first chemo session, ya know? Sleeping has become a little bit more difficult with the anxiety ramping up for sure. But trying to just work out as much as I can to deal with it and get strong for Monday. We got this!
Re: Not Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results? Start Here
Hi all, I am a 42 year old woman waiting for my biopsy results for architecture distortion of 7mm and another region close to this is an asymmetry. Given the two findings, I’m hoping to see some good results. The technician told me that worst case, the size of suspicious regions are small, and not spread to lymph nodes. So I could just remove them. I liked how she was trying to sound assuring, however I don’t know how much of a process it is to remove it. I guess there’s a lot of protocol to follow after that too.
I don’t see a lot of posts on architecture distortion. Makes me scared even more
Oh well, as someone said on this thread, I feel like breaking the clock since it has stopped working!
Re: Breast Implant issues
Good afternoon and thank you very much for checking in. I had an infection around the extender and had surgery on Thursday to remove it. I’ll have to wait 6 - 8 weeks to heal before they try and put a new one in and start all over again. I’m not clear yet as to what the infection was or how it got there but still waiting on the lab results for that. It’s just frustrating having to go back to dealing with another drain and binder! But I’m glad I’m okay and hope I’ll do better with the new one. Thank you again for checking in with me. It means a lot to have this support!
Re: How long have you been Stage IV?
@ssales13 Thanks for sharing your information about heartburn as well. I do believe it is a factor. We’ll see if the eight weeks of meds helps tamp it down. My doctor thinks it might even be connected to my continuing sinus issues. Overall, I’m feeling slightly better in the last 24 hours.
Hope your heartburn is minimal and resolves soon. Have a great Sunday.
Hugs, Pam 💗
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
I bought three pairs of pants, one fitted, the other two loose yesterday at the church rummage sale. The fitted ones were already capri. Cut 7 inches off the loose ones for capri length and re-hemmed them. We have our annual rummage sale during tractor-pull weekend.
I am going to use one of my saris to make kaftan plus bloomers. It is dancers in green and ruby red, not one of my favorites.
I took Tippy over to the fairgrounds to show him that it was no good for off-leash. Had to take him over there another time, as he thought it was interesting. Both times he stayed in the basket of my bike (recumbent electric trike, for newcomers).
Taco, the pictures of the pups are beautiful. Nice that they have both chosen places of honor. And a more peaceful introduction to each other, since they are similar sizes.
I had significant problems with my stomach last night— bought some iron pills after Mass. I am confident that the problems will be taken care of.
No, Jackie. I think the shortage of doctors is a long-term consequence of COVID. So many died, and others just couldn't take it anymore. So they are going to teaching hospitals to "grow" new doctors. I don't think that the political climate will end up with a catastrophic loss of basic medical care for those who don't have the $$$$$$$$$$$. There will eventually be a massive pushback, and their goal of a two-class society will be repudiated. Yes, there might eventually be a two-level medical system like Canada and England have. I have not been as demanding as I might ought to have been, because I don't want to be what others might call me… a parasite. Should I have died from an easily-treated BC? I think not.
Teaching hospitals can more easily treat patients who have minimal resources.
mcbaker