Best Of
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
I'm with you. I try to set things up for the best possible effect on my family. It will be my parting gift.
@sf-cakes Thanks for the grin - I needed it. Fourth day post snow storm and none of the walks are passable and roads have only been plowed to a one car width and are icy, so walking there is a hazard. We live in a housing community and the contractor responsible for clearing ice and snow has been awful.
Agree wholeheartedly about medical staff being oblivious to the needs and concerns of the patients. Have experienced that many times since my initial diagnosis. Had outstanding compassion and kindness from my radiologist during my cyberknife treatment. In looking for a saying to include in a thank you note to him, I found the following: "A good doctor fits the patient to the procedure. A great doctor fits the procedure to the patient."
Keep thinking I should make copies and hand one to every doctor I encounter.
eleanora
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
I did do a Walmart order for groceries. Got plenty of yogurt, sour cream, queso, both crema queso and jalepeno. Got a few beef and macaroni frozen meal, I love those. When it all arrives, I will eat some of the beef macaroni at lunch time, have. It is already on its way to me, I placed order around 1015 am.
All my stuff arrived, got 4 of the beef macaroni, will add some of the beefless ground there may be left and some leftover soup I did not like, I rinsed the liquid off the soup and only have a few veggies left. Will put those into the frozen pasta and beef, heat it up and bind with queso and sour cream cremas. I have cheddar and sour cream chips that were on sale as well. I am sure it will be quite good.
🌟Starting radiation in January 2026? You don’t have to walk this road alone.🌟
This is a space for all of us traveling the radiation road together—to connect, encourage one another, and lean on shared experience.
Whether you’re just getting your start date or already a few sessions in, we invite you to jump in and share:
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If you’ve completed radiation or are further along, your voice matters so much here. What you learned could make someone else’s path feel lighter and less scary.
To help you prepare, be sure to check out our List of What to Do/Get/Pack to Prep for Radiation Therapy. You’ll also find a wealth of helpful information in our Radiation Therapy section, including types of radiation, what to expect, questions to ask your care team, and ways to manage—or even prevent—side effects.
And if you’re looking for deeper connection, our Virtual Support Groups are here for you during treatment—and beyond.
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Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@sf-cakes I ask myself those kinds of questions all the time. What will it matter ten years from now? Will it make a difference or will I even be around to notice? My family will and those decisions are easy. I make decisions based on how they affect my family.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Had a chuckle earlier - called a roofing company to inspect my roof (no leaks, thankfully, but it's getting older), and they said it doesn't need to be replaced, no soft spots, still feels really solid. But suggested a silicone membrane type of substance that was guaranteed for ten years, or for twenty years (the heavier-duty stuff).
So, huh, the likelihood that I'll BE here in 10, let alone 20 years...I did start laughing, which I passed off as delight that the whole thing didn't need replacing.
How to even make these types of decisions, with this diagnosis hanging constantly over me? Guess I'll go for the 10 year option, costs less. If my roof starts leaking in 10 years and I'm still here to feel drops of water on my head while sitting on the couch...I promise to start laughing.
sf-cakes
Re: Any new info on ATM VUS?
Hi Marshmella. I had a VUS different from yours (MSH6) and I was also very concerned because of other cancers in my family that are associated with that gene. I had my test in the summer of 2022. Just a few weeks ago I got a letter from the testing company that my variant has now been determined to be benign. So three years. If you have very strong google-fu you might be able to find a preliminary report. I found one that said my variant was undergoing lab tests, so I knew they were working on it.
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
01-29-2026
Thank you, @chicagoan !
>I am back to pickleball<
Haha, I have no idea what that is but you all talking about it has raised my curiosity. I will be checking out the senior and community center to see if it's offered there. Also the exercises for those with cancer.
@livinglifenow I hope your sciatica can be dealt with through PT , but that is so great all your tests looked good!
>Doing my best to keep moving and not give into the fatigue which is always around the corner for me.<
That's how I find myself. I have to plan my moves due to fatigue. I have to learn how much I can do without really paying for it later.
Pls luk how your new pickball activities go.
~ Wanda
Re: recurrence patterns
I was curious if recurrences after having DCIS are similar to having recurrences after invasive. For example, TNBC has a higher occurrence rate the first several years compared to ER/PR positive BC (that is my understanding). Then from what I have read the occurrence rate actually drops lower as the years go by. This is of interest to me because I had ER/PR negative (HER not tested) grade 3. Think that puts me on the more aggressive DCIS side. It was so hard to not worry in the beginning. But I've got a few years under my belt now and I would love to be able to think that as time goes by the risk of recurrence will dwindle. Of course getting older raises the risk, I understand that, not just for BC buy for all sorts of ailments. I don't know....maybe it is all just a crap shoot.
kkubsky
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@irishlove I am sorry to hear abbout DS, I hope he was not seriously injured. I gathered that most places below Michigan got quite a bit of freezing rain and that is dangerous for trees power lines and such. If places are not used to this type of weather it is tough. We are still covered in snow, no loss of power or exploding trees happening here.Glad no cancer seen and glad you will take time off.
Nothing on the agenda beyond laundry, sweeping and a quick multifibre mop. Floor looks dusty from shoes having been outside, quick fix for that with a sweep and mop.
Need to check cancer clinic for appointments coming up. I will view treatment differently than I have. Treating neck down makes sense, no mets yet. Brain will be day by day. Necrosis can present with similar symptoms of brain mets. There is no exercise to restore the brain cells that have died but perhaps I need to start more exercise so the cells still alive back there can rewire themselves. I will repeat the positive fact the location of original mets and subsequent necrosis are not in an area that does much like mobility, speech and memory. I also realize that nothing may not be needed for a long time and when the time comes, decide for myself what I am willing to do, not willing to have longterm steroids or surgery again.
I need to get on the treadmill or march on the spot for more exercise, music will boost my overall mood which has been low for most of January. Music and movement will be helpful.
Not sure what to have. I had a bad supper last night. I am not a soup sort of person. I had roast beef and veggie soup but really disliked the liquid. I think if I am to attempt a soup again will rinse out the stuff in it and lose the juice. Mix the other stuff in with some good hash browns eggs etc. I may also thaw some cheese from the freezer. I do it in cold water for maybe a half hour, allows me to use quicker. I am also enjoying peppers and may even get a couple more bananas. I put those in a smoothie with yogurt and fruit punch mio. I have also been known to put lentils in same smoothie. Red peppers seem appealing as well.
Enough about me, need to finish up laundry chores and get started on meal prep. I will post if I have something really good. I want everyone to have a good day and in pockets for all.
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
@rlschaller Rhonda, I agree that movement is the key. Some days it’s easier than others. So glad qigong works for you. I will have to look into that.
From looking at your signature, it appears you have been through a lot since initial diagnosis. Praying everything stays stable.
I had first PT appointment yesterday. Did some dry needling in my buttocks with some electrical stimulation. I think it helped. Feeling less sciatica in my leg today. Also got a few exercises to perform daily. Looking forward to getting back to normal soon.
Hugs, Pam 💗
