Illinois ladies facing bc
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Hi,
I met with my BS and MO this week and now have a plan of care. They both reassured me I have a local recurrence and the breast surgeon thinks the recurrence is at the scar line of where I had my original biopsy and some cancer cells were left. I have to have the tumor removed and than radiation. The good news is this doesn't count as metastasis. Also the tumor developed in subcutaneous fat and the implant will not be disturbed during surgery.Based on the final pathology the MO will decide if I need chemo. My Tamoxifen was d/c'ed and I won't start any new Medication until after surgery. It is weird not to take my medication. If anyone has experience with a local recurrence please share your story. Thank you for being a place to talk
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Doing what you have too----I am sorry for your news, but it sounds like it was good news in a way.
I have no re-occurance experience to share, bbut from my first go around, I can tell you that the radiation component is not anything to fret about from my experience. It looks like you did not do chemo the frist go around? I did not have to do chemo based on my Oncotype score. I am crossing my fingers and toes and saying a prayer that you get the best possible score and outcome. Keep us posted with your progress.
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I finished rads august 12th, the pill the 13th for ten years.
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Doinhwhat-I almost never check this thread being out of treatment now but I happened to check and see your post. I was in the same exact boat as you two summers ago. Local recurrence on tamoxifen after bilateral mastectomy. I had a small .5 cm tumor. It was excised. I did chemo then radiation and now I'm on ovarian suppression and anastrazole. Yes it was so weird to be off medication but you'll be getting treatment soon. Let me know if you need anything.
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DoingwhatIhavetoo,
If you had to have another "round" ( no one would be happy what-so-ever ) I'm feeling that since it falls well below the metastasis radar point, that it is not nearly so worrisome. I think anyone who has faced this dx likely stays on guard to whatever degree while trying to live the life we feel we were and are meant for. This sounds like something you and the Dr. can handle quite well. I'll be hoping that your next surgery goes very well and you will be on your way.
Karen, yay for you finishing your rads. How we love to graduate.....
Blessings,
Jackie
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Thank you for the encouragement!! Two hobbies I feel good hearing from you, glad you are doing well. I believe I have ovarian suppression in my future. How did your doctors decide about chemo?
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DoingwhatIhavetodo Your plan sounds typical for local recurrence. I too would think they would do ovarian suppression with one of the aromatase inhibitors. I'm sure your MO will let you know soon.
Yay for not being distant mets.
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This is the true joy in life, the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no “brief candle” to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations. -George Bernard Shaw
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Doingwhat Yes since tamoxifen doesn't work for us, the only option is to have your ovaries out or do the monthly shots until you reach menopause. Chemo was recommended based on a study. When I think of the name I'll post it or pm you. Basically people that recurred were given chemo or not and those that got chemo did better. It was especially successful for triple negative patients but less convincing for hormone positive. However the team of doctors all recommended chemo. The radiation oncologist also wasn't totally convinced i needed rads too, biut I didn't want to chance it hang in there It sucks to go through this again. But as you have already noted, you gotta do what you gotta do
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Thank You Two Hobbies for telling your story. I need to hear others stories. Thank you for the support
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The foundation of happiness is mindfulness. The basic condition for being happy is our consciousness of being happy. If we are not aware that we are happy, we are not really happy. When we have a toothache, we know that not having a toothache is a wonderful thing. But when we do not have a toothache, we are still not happy. A non-toothache is very pleasant. There are so many things that are enjoyable, but when we don’t practice mindfulness, we don’t appreciate them. When we practice mindfulness, we come to cherish these things and we learn how to protect them. By taking good care of the present moment, we take good care of the future. Working for peace in the future is to work for peace in the present moment. -Thich Nhat Hanh
A little laborious, but still a quote that spoke to me -- a little piece of Eckhart Tolle embedded in this I think.
Blessings,
Jackie
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hello!!!
I do not post much but activally read your posts!! I live in Illinois and wondering if anyone is Stage IV, such as myself?
Stage IV isn't talked about much -- we aren't survivors like the rest!! But sure would be nice to of others that are Stage IVers!
Thank you,
Bev
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Hi Bev and welcome to the Illinois Ladies. I have a friend in your area and along with this site, we kept each other going through txs. Neither of us were Stage IV though. There is a Stage IV forum/thread here, but it is pretty much closed to anyone that is not Stage IV because there are indeed major differences. Perhaps someone here will throw in a link for it --- I'm not at all good with the links. You could as well go up to ALL TOPICS an search there for it. It will be clearly identified as a thread for Stage IV women.
Bev, feel free though to post here as well as an Illinois Lady. Though the majority of us are not Stage IV we all know someone who is I think and in some cases some here have close relatives who are fighting THE battle --- two I know of who have husbands who now have serious issues but are in hopefully REALLY, really long remissions. We are here for each other -- no matter what the numbers may be. We never know for sure what each day might bring, but whatever it is we will face it with pride, dignity, and love for each other here, and all those we hold dear, as well as our communities. You are one of us and we are one of you.
Blessings
Jackie
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This is not normally what I put in as a quote, but I read it last night and it said so much to me. Hoping you might like it as well. It is from Riska Jane.
THE BLACK SPOT
One day a professor entered the
classroom and asked his students to prepare for a surprise test. They waited
anxiously at their desks for the test to begin. The professor handed out the
question paper, with the text facing down as usual. Once he handed them all
out, he asked his students to turn the page and begin. To everyone’s surprise,
there were no questions….just a black dot in the center of the page. The
professor seeing the expression on everyone’s face, told them the following:“I want you to write what you see
there.”The students confused, got started on
the inexplicable task.At the end of the class, the professor
took all the answer papers and started reading each one of them aloud in front
of all the students. All of them with no exceptions, described the black dot,
trying to explain its position in the middle of the sheet, etc. etc. etc. After
all had been read, the classroom silent, the professor began to explain:“I am not going to grade on you this,
I just wanted to give you something to think about. No one wrote about the
white part of the paper. Everyone focused on the black dot – and the same
happens in our lives. We have a white paper to observe and enjoy, but we always
focus on the dark spots. Our life is a gift given to us by God, with love and
care, and we always have reasons to celebrate – nature renewing itself
everyday, our friends around us, the job that provides our livelihood, the
miracles we see everyday…….However we insist on focusing only on
the dark spots – the health issues that bother us, the lack of money, the
complicated relationship with a family member, the disappointment with a friend
etcThe dark spots are very small compared
to everything we have in our lives, but they are the ones that pollute our
minds.Take your eyes away from the black
spots in your life. Enjoy each one of your blessings, each moment that life
gives you.Be happy and live a life positively!
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Thank you so much Jackie for responding! Also, I enjoy your quotes imenselly!! And, yes I do know the Stage IV thread. Doesn't have anyone even near my area so I thought I'd give the Illinois gals a try! Thank you, also for including me on this thread. It means a lot!
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When we do our best to live our truth and express ourselves as we are
genuinely moved to, we naturally give our gifts to others and to the
world. In return, we may receive
acknowledgement, appreciation, validation, nurturing, love, and in certain
circumstances, money or other material rewards.
Receiving in these ways allows us to replenish the life force we have
“spent,” which in turn enables us to continue giving. So receiving and giving are opposite energies
that are inextricably linked together in the natural flow of life, like
inhaling and exhaling. If one aspect of
that cycle doesn’t function, the entire cycle ceases to function and the life
force cannot move freely. -Shakti Gawain0 -
Bev, hope we are not too quiet for you here. You likely noticed our entries come in spurts. When Rita Jean started this thread ( many moons ago now ) there were of course daily entries --- sometimes several and it was very lively. Most of we old-timers come here on rare occasion -- knowing that we likely have a little less to offer since our experiences are getting to be ( we hope forever ) a thing of the past. There used to be a lot of lunch bunch goings on, but I think that is very, very slow. BJ ( if you ever go back very far ) was the party/meal director and she was a fantastic one. Some times it is the thing to do to give way to those who have come after.
Still, don't let that deter you. I come ( unless I have a schedule interruption ) everyday to leave what I hope is a quote that will connect with someone like it connects with me. BJ almost from the time I first started posting -- late '07 and early '08 asked me to find a quote and put it in --- this is why I have so many posts connected to my name above. It still gives me purpose and is my soul's delight. So, while I feel out of the mainstream to a degree on current txs., procedures, Dr.'s and other things having to do specifically with this dx. I feel very much in tune with hoping to help everyone start their day on a high note.
Blessings,
Jackie
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We spend most of our time and energy in a kind of horizontal thinking.
We move along the surface of things going from one quick base to another,
often with a frenzy that wears us out. We collect data, things, people, ideas,
"profound experiences," never penetrating any of them. . . .
But there are other times. There are times when we stop.
We lose ourselves in a pile of leaves or its memory.
We listen and breezes from a whole other world begin to whisper.James Carroll
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Self respect cannot be hunted. It cannot be purchased. It is never for sale. It cannot be fabricated out of public relations. It comes to us when we are alone, in quiet moments, in quiet places, when we suddenly realize, knowing the good we have done it, knowing the beautiful, we have served it, knowing the truth we have spoken it.
Whitney Griswold
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Good morning,
Much cooler here but it is going to rain ???sometime. Maybe this afternoon. How are you in Naperville, Bev. My friend from there is named Linda --- so if you know anyone. Wouldn't that be something!!!!
Hope everyone has a good day.
Blessings,
Jackie
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the pill I am taking tamoxifen I getting hot flashes, body aches and pains so far. but I am still weak ,tired and exhausted after I get my cleaning,canning,working
in the gardens. flowers/vegetables. plus take care of my dogs and bf.
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Welcome, Bev. You just pop on and join us whenever you can. All Illinois ladies are welcome here and hopefully you will find something of interest or of help here. We help each other through whatever life tosses our way and stick together pretty well. So come as you are. Join in on conversations, vent, or encourage others.....whatever you need to do. We're all here for each other.
Karen, everyone responds differently to these drugs. I would tell your oncologist about how the pill is affecting you. I didn't take tamoxifan. Instead, I did Arimidex and had many of the same side effects. They tapered off at times and then reappeared. I took it for 5 years. Be proactive, though, and let the doc know about any side effects. Hugs to you!
I need to get off here and get cleaned up. We are going to Peoria tonight for a friend's retirement party! It is a surprise party and it's obvious that she has no clue what is happening so it should be fun.....good companionship and good food!
Everyone have a good weekend.
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Karen -- it seems everyone gets slightly different se's from these pills. I had Arimidex for five yrs. and had virtually nothing ( that I could notice anyway ) up until my last four or so months. Then for some reason I would fare up in anger over the lest little thing. Very hard to control --- so keeping in contact ( as Rita mentioned ) with your Dr. is really a good thing. Some times different adjustments can be tried or even a different pill. Keep trying.
Jackie
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When you live in the present moment, time stands still. Accept your circumstances
and live them. If there is an experience ahead of you, have it! But if
worries stand in your way, put them off until tomorrow. Give yourself
a day off from worry. You deserve it. Some people live with a low-grade
anxiety tugging at their spirit all day long. They go to sleep with it,
wake up with it, carry it around at home, in town, to church,
and with friends. Here’s a remedy: Take the present moment
and find something to laugh at. People who laugh, last.Barbara Johnson
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People who take the risk make a tremendous discovery: The more things you care about, and the more intensely you care, the more alive you are. This capacity for caring can illuminate any relationship: marriage, family, friendships--even the ties of affection that often join humans and animals. Each of us is born with some of it, but whether we let it expand or diminish is largely up to us. To care, you have to surrender the armor of indifference. You have to be willing to act, to make the first move.
Arthur Gordon
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Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted--
a paved road or a washing machine? If you concentrate on finding
what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life
will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.
Harold Kushner0 -
Great quotes, Jackie!
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For a long time it seemed to me that real life was about to begin, but there was always some obstacle in the way. Something had to be got through first, some unfinished business; time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. -Bette Howland
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Join the great company of those who make the barren places of life fruitful with kindness. Carry a vision of heaven in your hearts, and you shall make your name, your college, the world, correspond to that vision. Your success and happiness lie within you. External conditions are the accidents of life, its outer wrappings. The great, enduring realities are love and service. Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulty.
Helen Keller
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In reality, of course, we are all cells in the body of humanity. We are not separate from our fellow humans. The whole thing is a totality. It's only from that higher viewpoint that you can know what it is to love your neighbor as yourself. From that higher viewpoint there becomes just one realistic way to work, and that is for the good of the whole. As long as you work for your selfish little self, you're just one cell against all those other cells, and you're way out of harmony. But as soon as you begin working for the good of the whole, you find yourself in harmony with all of your fellow human beings. You see, it's the easy, harmonious way to live.
Peace Pilgrim0
