Best Of
Re: How are people with liver mets doing?
Threetree- Someone told me once, but I don't remember the situation we were discussing at the time, "just because you can do something doesn't mean you should do it". But I think of that quote when thinking about procedures like we are talking about. They did not have histotripsy when I was thinking about liver procedures, and maybe for some it is a God-send and really helps them, but just because it is something new they are doing doesn't mean it is right for all.
Keep us informed of what your doctor says and what you decide.
Re: How are people with liver mets doing?
Well, I finally did get that appointment for late this week, and it is for this morning. The oncologist wants to discuss the scans, which showed essentially a stable situation, but most importantly he wants to talk about the liver mets treatment possibilities. The liver mets did not progress over the last 3 months, but I'm not looking forward to this discussion at all, as none of the possibilities that have been mentioned seem easy or all that actually curative. After hearing what he has to say, I will probably want to schedule the consultation appointment with the histotripsy doctor at the other hospital too. I'm not so sure the histotripsy is as great as all the hype makes it out to be, but I would like to explore that a little more before making any final decisions about treatment. I have been told that you can do a hodge-podge of a variety of these things, but none of them seem to do more than maybe buy some time; just like the drugs we take.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
Betrayal - sorry to hear you are still waiting on the CT results. I waited a week for my MRI results. I wonder if there is a shortage of radiologists? Or just lots and lots of people getting imaging and overwhelming available resources.
We have a one page document outlining the steps to removing the pool. Once it is removed the contractor will backfill and compact the material. I think they will use clay as that is what our soil is. The city will inspect to make sure it is done to code to prevent a sinkhole or drainage issues. The top 4” inches will be dirt and then they will seed. It’s likely we will need to reseed in spring as well.
Thanks for the reminder about Viator. I’m also planning to look at their options in Vietnam.
Chris - how are the hands feeling?
Carole - safe travels back home.
Wren - when does chemo start? Don’t you have a trip coming up?
Cindy - hope your mouth is healing well and with minimal to no pain.
Petite - so happy to hear you are enjoying your cabin.
Volunteered at the food pantry today. Demand is up and we are consistently running out of food each week well before closing time. Given funding cuts our leadership is having to be creative with what food they can buy. We also receive a ‘recovery’ shipment from local grocery stores of food that is close to the expiration date. This week we received less than usual from the grocery stores in our area. We are cutting back on what we give to each family in order to stretch our resources and make sure everyone gets some food.
Waving hello to all.
harley07
Re: I say YES. YOU say NO....Numero Tre! Enjoy!
Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, pain... To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices - today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it.
betrayal
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@threetree It would be nice to get the treadmill back soon. This weekend would be good, I can still do my walking on the spot in order to move arms and legs at the same time but the actual walking would be helpful too.
@intolight Happy Pancake day. I would make them myself but sadly nothing to make them with. Enjoy your pancakes. As far as cooler weather, planning to get ice melt earlier as opposed to later, need to make sure I can get up and down the steps safely. Property manager does eventually get to it but not soon enough for me. I was looking on Amazon but their pricing is ridiculous when Walmart offers 10.00 for the ice melt.
I just woke up, that is OK. I did actually do some PT exercises, ankles, rotations both ways, pointing my feet outwards and then in toward me and some powerful bridge poses, managed to really lift my body. 10 of each, I do every day or two. I know the bridge pose is the one that would let me launch my leg up if I fell, ankle strength helps keep me upright if I bump into something as well, better reaction time to avoid a fall. Did a final leg stretch over both edges of the bed, it was wonderful and an arm stretch to the sides as well. At some point, will look into lap bands to get some arm exercises. My arm strength is lacking a bid.
Got laundry to do up and planning to pull out the litter box to grab the litter mat. Will put it in a mesh bag to contain loose bits as well, I will simply shake out most of anythinghave to call cancer centre, they called and have a different appointment time for my appointment with MO than my own printed schedule does. I hope my time is correct but need the correct info. Will call at one when they are answering phones after lunch.
Edit, got the appointment confirmed and that is good. Trip booked on Paratransit as well.
Not sure what I want to have for meals. Debating an egg, ham and cheese tortilla. I can add egg and other ingredients in the microwave and simply put on an unheated tortilla. Just need to whisk eggs so no explosions happen. Nothing too out there. Later, make up some of the noodles, frozen penne mixed with the ramen, weird combo but I do not care and add some new beans to it. Option two sees me open one of my cans of diced tomato or a jar of sauce that includes garlic and other veggies. Third option is taking a tortilla, some of the tomato sauce, add shredded cheese and a bean spread by pulverizing the beans and using as a spread. I will see later.
I hope everyone has a great day, in pockets for those who need me and sending some legos for people who annoy you to step on.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
betrayal, not a knowledge of characters as such. More an admiration of how much English culture— even in Vancouver— has changed in the past hundred years.
mcbaker
Re: Prophylactic Mastectomy
Hi😃. I’m actually going tomorrow for the first phase of my prophylactic mastectomy. I decided to do the DIEP reconstruction instead of implants. My PS is starting me with a breast reduction/lift surgery. My bilateral mastectomy is scheduled early April.
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
I love all the chatter here. It warms up my day!
@chicagoan I agree with the others. Those are confusing comments from an expert. I have no knowledge or experience to add to your decision, but I would seek a second opinion if possible. I have never done this, but now sounds like a good time. It sounds like he is only concerned with the hip pain and sort of compartmentalizes the mets. But we are a whole body!
@irishlove It's hard to spend precious energy on cooking only to have to throw it out. As we retire, we have more time to experiment with cooking yet less tolerance of the outcome, at least that is the case in my life. Hope you are feeling better.
@mara51506 My DH says it is national pancake day so we are having pancakes tonight (with eggs and fruit, etc.) Not as nutritious as your meals, but as he will help with the cooking I'll take it!
We had our first low temperature in the 30s last night although it is supposed to reach mid 70s today. The Rockies are gearing up for winter! Sigh…
Re: How are people with liver mets doing?
Threetree- I hope you have a good appointment. And I understand you wanting to have a consultation with the histotripsy doctor, as more knowledge is power. But I too have hesitated in having "procedures" done- Y90, ablation, etc (there was not histotripsy back then). In my cancer journey I have had MO's that wanted me to consider such procedures. And I have read of others on here that have had procedures done (and to each her own). I have not done them, as I too thought they may buy me some more time, but they are not curative. And they sound painful, with a couple of weeks recovery, and I do not have a good support system to help me during recovery. So I have just done the meds. And, so far, I am 8 years into MBC with liver and bone involvement and stable on the meds. I may have to reconsider procedures at some point, but as long as I am stable, I will continue the treatment with meds.
Re: 2017 BC Diagnosis…how are you doing?
Insurance coverage is so variable. The insurance I had before I retired (my medigap is through them) still classifies FES as experimental. Medicare couldn’t tell me whether they would pay but they did. I was a bit concerned but my MO told me she had a solid case if it was denied. Was your cancer ILC? FDG seems to be unreliable picking that up. I’m glad you got the FES before the cancer left your lymph nodes. You’re in for some serious treatment but your MO sounds positive about the outcome. We’ll all be pulling for you.
maggie15