Best Of
Re: Second DCIS, same breast, strong family history -- remove one breast or both?
Hi Melissa, I'm not sure I have a good answer but wanted to offer a couple things to consider…
They test for considerably more genes now than they did when you were first diagnosed. You might consider another round of genetic testing.
Perhaps a breast MRI could help identify if there's any areas of concern in the other breast. Maybe you had one recently, it's not clear if your second DCIS was picked up on mammogram or what.
Do you have the Er/Pr/Her2 status of this second cancer? Sounds like you must, given the comment about tolerating tamoxifen. If you think meeting with medical oncology before making a surgical decision would help, you should feel empowered to ask for it.
Like you, I've dealt with this twice. It's not fun, and definitely not fair! However, I did find that my prior experience was very helpful when having those initial appointments to come up with the plan. Good luck and keep us posted!
kks_11
Re: Having surgery in October 2025? Let's support one another here!
cbs, glad you’re doing well and happy to say I am also. Really surprised how well I feel. Grateful girl.
rising, you need to take a breath and see what feels right to you. I hope you can get a second opinion sooner than later. Please keep us posted.
Mods, thanks for the good wishes.
marlegal
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
I'm on the left. I haven't seen an estimate but there were multiple demonstrations in our legislative district. It felt very peaceful. A few hecklers drove by but none on the sidewalks. Loved all the folks in those inflatables we've been seeing at the ICE rallies. All ages and a few dogs. I sure wouldn't even think of taking Mutz to an event like that!
1946taco
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
Love the photo. I think it lowered my blood pressure and anxiety levels.
In your pocket for Monday.
My scans are on Thursday. Always waiting for that other shoe to drop!
eleanora
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
In everyone's pockets… Mel, I'm so deeply sorry you are going thru this crap with of all medical personnel, a pallative care team member. Withdrawal is a very real and unhealthy and totally unnecessary hurt to put on you.
I hope the time passes quickly for Gabby and she has much success with reconstruction. Send our love and support to her and save some for you, too.
Mkestrel, best of luck tomorrow and thank you for kitty picture. It soothes one's nerves and reminds me of a Hemingway kitty we rescued from under a trailer years ago. She was so sweet…
That was ridiculous three trips to the hospital and those folks could not give you proper standard of care. I sure like the idea of an ID bracelet for MBC patients. Thank you all for your caring notes. I just got home from the hospital, again. This time, oh boy, it was tested properly and is bacterial pneumonia. I was quarantined till they could identify any and all issues. Now I'm settled in my own room and will be on two different types of antibiotics after nonstop IV's. New hospitalist and he was brilliant. Went over images, talked shop visited twice with me and I was quite impressed as was the head charge RN. He wanted another day but I begged to come home to my own bed and be a good girl. It worked…
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
@petite1 @betrayal your holiday adventure photos are great! I've been viewing them numerous times. I work all this weekend and it's super slow. So I was able to catch up on all 49 new posts!!! Tomorrow I have my annual eyeball tests and Tuesday an endometrial biopsy. Exercise this week will be tricky as I miss all three of my scheduled classes for appointments. ugh. I'm watching baseball Go Jays Go as well as hockey and saw the last period of the Nuckleheads vs Washington today. Canucks are lucky it stayed 4-3. They went into the third at 4-1. ugh.
Kitties are not amused that the weather is tipping but still try to go out if I open the door to the catio, Hope everyone is doing well.
Re: Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?
I'm glad so many people turned out for the NoKings protests and all seems to have been peaceful. I was afraid the ProKing crowd would provoke violence.
I accomplished a major yard task yesterday, pruning the two out-of-control wisteria bushes located on either side of our driveway near the street. Pruning includes using the loppers to attack invasive trees and vigorous yanking of vines. It's quite an undertaking . I should take before and after pictures. Wisterias are a lot of trouble for the brief blooming in the spring. But it is a lovely display of lavender in contrast to the silver-gray bare vines. At the longest, the bloom lasts two weeks, and the jungle tendencies of the plant take over.
We had a chance of rain last night and I was so hopeful we would get some natural watering. The shrubs all look desperate for a drink of water. I don't have a watering system and have no intention of hauling a hose around our huge yard. Nature will have to provide.
Not sure if I will continue yard work today. I may do laundry.
Taco, I was up shortly before 5 am this morning getting tee times online for the Tues/Fri golf group. Then I went back to bed. If you don't get online early, the desired tee times for the season are quickly gone. I'm responsible for October tee times and will send out a group email.
Hi to all.
Re: recurrence with pleural effusion
@birdsndognow I haven't had cancer in my lungs but I'm also a stage iv patient and can feel the devastation this can cause. I hope they soon find a treatment that will work for your case. You may want to seek an opinion at a major cancer center if you are not already at one.
Re: Stage IV MBC Fitness
Sounds like you are doing all you can. I'm sure the rewards will come. It was a year or so before the quadriceps on my surgical side felt normal. Once I was past the initial pain, I requested a muscle relaxer and found that very helpful for the quads. Is it your insurer who decides if you get out-patient PT? Have you let them know that you live alone and the PT is a critical part of you remaining independent? It must be cheaper for them to pay for that than for a rehab facility.
eleanora
Re: My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
@micmel I just don't understand this new docs thinking! Isn't about giving you the best quality of life? Ugh I'm so sorry to hear how rough it's been for both you and Gabby.Continued prayers for healing and love to you both.❌⭕️
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