Illinois ladies facing bc
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Susan....just popping in re: MRI's. I asked about doing those because my lump was almost under my arm so never would have showed up in a mamm but would have in an MRI. He said he would be glad to order one, as any of my other docs would have if I wanted one and the ins., of course, would have paid. BUT....they were reluctant due to the high false positives which means investigation of all of them. So....I decided to stick with Mamm's (my breasts aren't terribly dense). After this Sept. I will be moved to yearly mamm's and then I continue to see the onc, rad onc, surgeon and PCP yearly but I will schedule them appprox. every 3 months so that way I get a breast exam every 3 months! I am quite comfortable with that.
Jennifer.....call your doc back if they don't call you this am. Better safe than sorry.
Rita....Welcome Back! Sorry...but the deadline for you to turn in your laundry was midnight and I see my washer is empty. Ya snooze, Ya lose!
Will chat more later.......
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LAURA You read my mind. Thats my next Q for you gals. The Onc said to ask my primary for a 2nd opinion referral to any of the Big U's Downtown including Rush. So depending where my insurance lets me go. where should I ask to be sent. Any reccomendations?????
p.S. still waiting for the wether report.
Donna where are you. You are usually the first one here in the a.m.
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Hi:
Thanks for the thoughts on annual mri. The doctor on maternity ordered one for me. I had a choice of seeing another doctor or get the mri and wait to see her in August. I opted for the latter with the idea that if there is a problem with the mri, I move to another plan. I can live with this one. Laura, since I am such a baby about the mri, I will ask about the thermal procedure. We are losing so many doctors up here. My original moved her practice East and this Dr. Senner, who is considered to be stellar, is moving to California . He was taking on so many of the cases from the East coast bound doctor and now he is leaving. The waiting time is pretty bad. I am on an HMO so I have to stay within the system.
Buddy, I just feel for you and all the confusion you are facing. Just facing the doctor on maternity leave threw me off, and I am not facing treatments. It would be good to start afresh and just sit down with a new person and get things all straight. Could you set up an appointment with your primary just to consult with him/her and set up a plan. I am so lucky in that I have a wonderful primary and he would do that with me if I needed it. He recognizes openly that sometimes things go awry. I think these doctors are overworked with too many people on their rosters. Stay with it, Buddy,
Susan
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Buddy- When I was torn between chemo and no chemo. I was given a name for one at northwestern and one for rush. If you want me to call the dr. back and get those again, I'd be happy to do for you. I think you have gotten the run around long enough and deserve some answers. Thank heavens for you dr. sticking up for you. I definately think that the pathologist has screwed up and is trying to cover up for himself. It should be looked at by someone else. You deserve it.
Jennifer- Haven't gotten to the point that my expanders are hurting yet. I wish I could help.
Donna- Thank goodness that everyone is alright. Dogs are part of the family and is completely devastating if lost. We have (and had) a german shorthair pointer that had to be put down. Not a big fan of this, but he would have had a painful death had we not. And it was the one and only time I have ever seen my DH cry. So I am so happy you guys are okay.
Also, thanks everyone for the help and encouragement. I am doing okay. Yesterday, not so bad, back pain easing up. I am only getting nauseas when I don't eat for awhile. So, trying to stay on top of that. I'm already heavy so I hope it doesn't get out of control. Let's crosss our fingers.
Jo
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Within each of us lies the power of our consent to health and sickness, to riches and poverty, to freedom and to slavery. It is we who control these, and not another. Richard Bach
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Thanks Mama. I hope you continue to improve. Did you say you are on taxetere.
I have my first today. I am so scared. I have heard of so many reactions. I am the queen of them. I will check in when i get home.
Its really dark and gloomy today. I call these good chemo days. I dont feel like I am missing anything, while sitting in the poison chair.
Which Fairy is on call for laundry duty?????
Question for the day.....Why is it the facial hair (chin, lip) is the first to come back. I am tempted to let it grow out and try to pull off a comb over. NAAAH. maybe not.
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Good morning girls....oh were is the sun. I hope everyone is staying dry today.
Rita....welcome home from your vac. Sounds like you had a fab time driving around the states. Post pics when you can. Did you leave me any good slots in LV??? lol
Buddy...sent you a pm. email me if you have questions
Jackie..hope you are not having to bad of weather by you.
Jo...hope your back is better . Rest is the best thing for backs plus heat.
Donna..are you back from Michigan. Did you bring back lots of found treasures.
Laura...how is your friend Paula doing? and you too.
Wendy...we need beach pics to remind us that summer and sun are here. lol
Susan... glad to see that you have a plan regarding your MRI. It is stressful to us when we loose good md's who care for us. Hope you are enjoying your retirement.
Smerf..are your windows in yet. I hope it doesn't rain for you while they are being put in.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day. I am off to see the endo md for my thyroid problem today. I really hope to get some answers regarding this problem. The Lunch Bunch is meeting Fri. June 19 so if you are planning on joining us, please let me know. All are welcome.
Remember to be healthy...be happy. Think sun and warm weather.
BJ
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Good morning to all...........Grrrr -- the weather. Lots of damages from the storm yesterday in Fairview Hts area.....Shiloh and Mascoutah etc. More rain today though we are dry at the moment. A couple of day days after this I think....then back to storms/rain again. This is very tiresome.
Dh has the day off but any work today will be inside work.
Jo: glad to hear the backache is feeling better. We can never be sure which se's we will get and exactly how long they will last. As Donna said....she kept a journal and that way was able to chart and find the pattern for hers. I had a couple times on Taxotere where not only was I stiff, and hurting....but every bone felt hard as a rock and I seemed to be able to **feel**every bone in my body. Not at all pleasant, but knowing it would not last helped me tolerate it. I always enjoyed the feeling when I sensed the destruction had stopped and my cells were no longer rebelling but co-operating with each other again. My appetite would come back with a bang....but all I ever wanted at that time was tuna fish on toast.....of all things. If I had not lost all the equipment years before I would have sworn I was pregnant.
Bj....sure hope you do get some answers today. It's long past time I think.
I'll be checking in later.
See ya'll then
Hugs,
Jackie
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Jackie - Everything's crossed for Heidi...will be thinking of her and you on Thursday. The Don't Quit poem is amazing...
Susan - Since you can't make it on the 19th... how about if we plan on meeting for lunch on another day... maybe do a mini lunch bunch...bj, smerf, the regulars or who ever else wants to join us. Maybe we could meet in Long Grove at the Pond Rest.
Jennifer - Sorry about the pain... like I said... I am way too chicken to have reconstruction. Best wishes to your friend... hope it goes well.
Rita - You need the laundry fairy! Welcome back!
Jo - Eat lots of fruit and veggies. Try to stay away from sugary things like pop or desserts. Try baked chicken in salads. I love black beans with rice and salsa. And smoked salmon with capers. Hang in there!
Budder - Hope all is going well today!
blackjack - Thanks for asking...In about six hours - it's the middle of the night there, Paula will be having her second chemo... we're all hoping it goes better than the first. She's still not walking very well. I'm with you... wish the sun would come out! Let's talk sometime soon... now that you're a free bird!
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Girls - Thanks for the compliments on my new avatar... the blouse I'm wearing is actually a blouse and skirt. Very ruffly. It's one of my FAVORITES - but it's so old! About 10 years or more. I was all dressed up on Sunday... it was my niece's baby shower. Everyone was very generous and we had lots of fun. I'm still quite disappointed with the whole thing, but am trying to view it as a blessing (she's only 17!).
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I'm home from my first taxetere. No problems....I am so thankful. 3 more to go. I went to see the Rad Doc. she is definitrly reccomending rads, due to the fact one node was 75% full. So I am leaning that way. I want to know I have done everything posible to get all of this cancer. I still think its funny that normally its standard pratice 4 or more nodes is radiation. I am having my path send out for the second opinion. I am trying to get the referral now. Thanks to all of you again for putting me on the right track.
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WHEW! Good job Budder!
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Just checking back...
Budders.....whew! Glad it went well! Good job!
Laura...that outfit I would have kept as well! It is really cute. Your niece is having a girl, right? Next month? I think I have that right....
Rita...laundry done?????
Blackjack....how did the appt go? Any answers? Sorry the weather is soooo not cooperating for your first days of summer vacay.
Jackie...hope you are surviving the weather! Good luck and good wishes to Heidi!
Off to get ready to watch House Hunters International....love that show! Have a good evening, and I hope a good sleep (you too Paula!!!)
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Buddy A-Plus.
Hugs,
Jackie
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Hi gals!
Buddy, it sounds like you are making some progress now. I'm glad that you're checking into another opinion. Like Susan, I think you'd be wise to start from square one and get all the answers. I'm glad that you did O.K. today and had NO STRANGE THINGS going on! YEA!
As for the laundry, no, it's not all done. I have made big dents in the pile but there is still more to do. I spent the afternoon in the yard. The grass was about tall enough to bale so I needed to mow, which I don't mind doing when I have the time. You would have been proud of me. I didn't even go to golf today. I did go to Yoga though and then had a meeting at the club for the golf Rally for the Cure so I was pretty busy all day.
Jackie, we came through your area on Sunday on our way home. In fact, we stopped at Rend Lake and played a round of golf. Hey, did you ever make it to the Tuscola outlet stores? I thought about that when we went by them, too.
Laura, I like your new avatar, too. Very classy!!!
Wendy, I've never heard of the House Hunters International show. It sounds intriguing!
Annette, I can't wait to meet you! I hope you're doing O.K. now.
Hey, blackjack, those slots are going to be loose for you! We were amazed how often they hit....just enough to keep you playing and to make it fun! They are so much better than the slots on the riverboats. We also saw Rita Rudner's show while we were there. She was chosen as the comedianne of the year last year and she was pretty good. I must admit that I just LOVE Vegas!
Jo, I'm so sorry that you've had such a rough time with everything! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the tough times are all behind you now!
Jennifer, did you get your call answered and has the expander pain improved at all?
Hi to all of you! Kater, where are you? How are things going for you and how is your Mom?
Well, I need to get out of here! Hugs to all of you!
Rita
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Good morning everyone....seems quiet here, but maybe everyone is catching up after some of the recent round of storms. I'm looking at sunshine right now, but no real reason to think it might turn inro liquid later on. SIGH
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Good morning everyone. Glad to hear from you Rita. Quiet here this morning...is everyone mopping up a little after some of our recent storm activity. Maybe just out with the mowers. Dh got out early yesterday or we would have been very shaggy --- more storms/rain to come.
I will be waiting to hear some of the answers to your questions Rita. Can't remember most of the time to ask myself. We did not manage to get to Tuscola yet, but cousin Mary still wants to go. I'm sure I'll enjoy as it has been several years since I was there.
Donna: This is it isn't it ????? Your very last chemo, right!!!! Yay and double yay. You and Buddy have both been so supportive of each other and I think you ( bearing in mind Buddy is not completely done ) and she have to date done a masterful job of bearing up and getting through some difficult times. I am so very happy for you.....even though you have to go through this last set of se's your hair is starting to come back and though really tiresome and dreary to have to wait out the moment you start your final up-swing it should be a joyful time full of a sense of freedom when it does begin. I was SO IMPATIENTbut I look back now and don't feel it was the long haul it seemed while it was going on. That anticipation of NOT having to anticipate and prepare for another round should carry you through on a slightly higher note. Your in my heart, thought and prayers and I can't wait to hear you say your're feeling good again.
Hope you all have a good day and hi to everyone too....Jan,JanClare,Karin, Carol/Berrypatch, Julie and Juliet, Jennifer,Anette -- just everyone.
Hugs,
Jackie
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Mile by mile, life's a trial. Yard by yard, it's not so hard. Inch by inch, it's a cinch. Proverb 0 -
Mile by mile, life's a trial. Yard by yard, it's not so hard. Inch by inch, it's a cinch. Proverb
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Good morning:
Laura, what a nice gesture. I am almost embarrassed to say that I think I over scheduled myself what with the idea that I wanted to try everything (an anything) as I tinker with the concept of free time. So I am scheduled for yoga (for people with bad backs
), a film study class (imagine watching films inside on lovely days!), and two book clubs! I am going to pm you with dates when these things are not happening and if we can get some people together, great! If not, I will understand. If people are busy, I would love to meet with you.I am going to a Cancer Wellness thing tomorrow night. I have never been and I do not know what to expect. It is for all people with cancer and not just BC. There are four sessions and you sign up for two. I am doing one on nutrition and the other titled HOPE! Doesn't the last one sound good. How can I go wrong if they talk about having hope.
I met a BC survivor (youngish and the mother of a student) and she said that she never thinks about it. How I wish I could be that way. I wonder why some people just move on and others move on; although tentatively. I keep thinking that if I didn't have the mri I would be okay, but that is simplifying it.
Have a great day. I heard from Kater and her mom is doing better (gaining weight). I wonder where Elfsong is.
Susan
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Morning! Jeepers...still chilly in the am! What is up with this weather??? At least the sun is peeking out up here....
Rita....House Hunters International is on HGTV at 9pm. Monday night they were in the Bahamas, last night in Bali. These lucky people who live in those warm, beachy places!
Donna.....last one!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!! See....it went fast and was "doable"! And yep...you now HATE that word!
Susan.....hey, this is supposed to be your retirement! You scheduled yourself all summer! Glad you heard from Kater tho and am happy that her Mom is gaining some weight.
Laura...how did Paula's chemo go? Have you heard?
Jackie...I keep seeing all the storms your way! We've had really cool temps and rain off and on...hey it's June, Mother Nature!!! Where is our sun and warm temps??? I need some 80's!!!
Just got home from the gym (well...actually I was at coffee with the girls from the gym, after we exercised) and I need to get going on some errands before the rain comes back. Have a great day, everyone!
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Howdy partners.
It sounds like my second opinion may be coming from Mayo clinic if my insurance approves it.
Wendy I love House Hunters too.
Donna I had no idea it was your last treatment. Yahooooy.
I just got back from Nulasta shot. Fun Fun
Wendy its so impressive to me that you go to the gym. The closest I get to one is when I drive by it.
Zap. You really did put a big load on yourself. But its all fun stuff.
Yes, thats right. We havent heard from Elfsong. I remember she was talking about moving.
Illinois lady thanks for the cheer. Donna friendship does mean a very lot to me. We dont live to far we just have to find te right time to meet up. It helps just knowing she is close by.
One more thing than I will try to be quiet about all of my personnel problems. When I was at the Onc today I asked for the paper with the #'s on it 75% and 10-15%. He said that was not on any paper. It was given verbally from the pathologist over the phone. I dont like that. How can it not be written somewhere.. He told my rad Doc 75% and 20%. How do I know if these are even good #'s I still wont know this even if they send out to mayo. Because the disection is done.
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Hi Girls - A quick check in... My Mom's here for an overnighter. We shopped all day, had lunch. It's so nice having company during the day.
Hope you're all doing well. We're sitting on my deck... it's a bit chilly out there! Dang... I hate this weather.
Paula's second chemo went well! She is very thin though... everyone's trying to fatten her up.
Fumi - She posts here at bco...she lives in Japan. She built a website for Paula! For donations, updates on her status, photos, etc. There's quite a few photos of our trip last May to Vegas and when all of us met here in Chicago the year before. It was so nice of Fumi (timtam) to do this... she is so sweet! Just fyi if any of you want to check it out (the first photo - of a bunch of us girls in pink shirts, was taken at my house 2 years ago-these are the girls that were in my chemo 2005 thread here at bco. They're from Canada, UK, Australia, Israel and the U.S - we had so much fun)
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Hi All!! OVER!!!!Treatment #4 is done!!! All went well in my goodbyes!!! Also have been cleaning and cleaning as I am on the Decadron Roll!!!! YEP.. even able to do YOUR laundry!!!! Tomm it will be over as we know!!!Thanking all of you for all your words of encouragment and rooting me on!!!! IT helps!!
Buddy..I almost wish i was in good form, as i am close enough to be a medical advocate of sorts and do this with you. Just not right in all of the lost info and not knowing. You truly need a second patholgoy opinion ..maybe Mayo, if insurance will cover this?? I was told today,IF i had any nodes involved,then I would of had radiation. BY the way, you are not giving us personal problems .. this has to come out as there are too many here who know this and you cannot do this alone. Just think the slides need to have the second opionion. The fact that info is not written down. this is a AGAINST the law or medical malpractrice at minimum. You need someone to do this with you and wish i could!!!
Laura,... good that Paula is goin in the right direction,,,, just glad she has such great support as it is everything!!Love your pic aned see how nice you look and great hair!!!!
Jackie...Let;s hope my impatience does not do too much to my chemo ridden state!!We are planning to go to NY June20thish to go see my DAD as he turns 90. This is the time my DH has off as i said weeks back. oh 10 days will be enough for me for the trip.. not too sure now!!!!Will rest and the crash starts tomm and especially after the neulasta shot. YOU are the best in words and wisdom and just love that poem!!!!!
Ladies.. not sure what the week ahead will be so do not worry if i am not writing alot. How aboutJo.. is she doin ok?! Budders.... you will need rest and try to stay away from the stress of everything for the next few days as it is your body that needs some TLC now. Maybe after i get better and such, i will be able to help somehow .
Love and Hugs,
Donna
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Greetings. My name is Patti and I am in Kewanee IL. As the crow flies, that's directly between Peoria and the Quad Cities. I just had my biopsy last Thursday with a frozen section and sentinal node dissection. It didn't go well. They ended up going all the way to my chest wall to find something close to a clear margin. The tumor grew 1/2cm in a week, from a 3.3cm to a 4.0. I could feel it well before they told me it was growing. The sentinal node was cancerous so they took 12 lymph nodes out, four of which were cancerous. There was both invasive cancer and DCIS. it was the invasive cancer that they found in my lymph nodes. I haven't gotten the written version of the pathology report yet. It is due any day now. Instead, the surgeon gave me the verbal paraphrased version last night.
As they explained it to us, they aren't sure if the cancer in the lymph nodes had landed anywhere else or not, but because it was so aggressive, they are assuming that this may be so. Their plan is to attack it with chemotherapy. They are confident that the chemo will kill off the DCIS as well so they are treating that as a non-issue currently.
My ppo only offers 4 hospitals in my immediate area: Trinity (Moline IL), Genesis East (Davenport), Iowa City (2 hours away, and Waukegon IL (3+ hours away) I don't know much about any of them, so I let the surgeon lead. He also hooked me up with an oncologist named Constantinou. I have lots of other health issues, so I don't know how to tell which facility may be better than another. My surgeon says that all facilities approach chemotherapy with the same formula. How do you choose within your insurance network? I'm afraid of the cost if I step out of it.
Another question.,..I requested a PET scan which I can get at Genesis, but the surgeon believes that chem should be initiated vigorously and the pet scan done after based on the fact that the chemo will work like a radiator flush and cleanse all the nooks and crannies. I can see the logic in that. Would you agree?
I meet with the oncologist on Friday, so everyone is doing a good job at responding quickly. Any suggestions about what I need to ask when I meet with the oncologist?
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Hello Ladies!
I just had my biopsy yesterday and I am anxiously awaiting results. I spoke with my mom (CarolBerrypatch) and she discussed what was going on with me to her oncologist/surgeon. They both think I should get a mastectomy. However, my oncologist/surgeon is what I would call "conservative" on the whole breast issue. He wants me to get a partial implant. So, as I was weighing my options on the biopsy table. What's to say that I get the partial implant and maybe have to get another biopsy on my breast, could they possibly pop that implant and away we go again? I am going to put my foot down. I want the mastectomy. I hope the 2nd opinion Doctor feels the same way. I will see him on the 17th. I know that it is terrible to think this way but I am looking on the bright side of things - I don't have to worry anymore. No more what-ifs....
I just want to thank you ladies for being so gracious and warm towards me. My mom is very glad that I am on this board and I am extremely grateful for all the advice.
-Allison
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mrsmas welcome. you are at the right place. My Docs didnt give me any scans before chemo eithher. only te heart one. they wanted to hit it fast. My cancer was close to yours. up against the chest wall and 2 of 22 positive nodes. It was also invasive. anything you need answered these ladies can do it. I am glad you found us
Donna. you are the best i cant wait to meet you. I had te nulasta today so i know what tomorow might be. I will also be crashing now for a few days. Love ya
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Hi Patti,
I am so sorry to hear about your biopsy and results but am glad that you found our thread. We will help you through this. The ladies on this thread are awesome and there's always somebody who "has been there and done that" so you get another opinion and extra help.
I was raised in the Sterling-Rock Falls area so I know where you're located. Way back in the dark ages there used to be a fantastic smorgasbord that we went to in your town. (maybe it was called Davidsons or something like that???) Anyway, we asked about it the last time we passed through and were told that it had closed several years ago.
This is such a tough time in your journey as everything seems to happen so fast and you don't know anything about your diagnosis. I always thought there was only one kind of breast cancer. Wow! I've sure learned alot in the past couple of years. Be sure to find out the grade, which gives an idea of how aggressive it actually is. Also find out if you are Er and Pr positive or negative and what your Her2 status is. Be sure to get your copy of the path report. It will tell you alot of these things.
Are they currently going to treat it only with chemo and no further surgeries?
I really don't know much about your area hospitals but do know that my aunt went to Genesis for a very extensive heart surgery and was well pleased with the results.
As for the scans, all the oncs seem to have differing opinions on these. Some give them before and then after chemo for comparison. Some give them only after chemo and others never give them unless there are symptoms that need to be checked. Just remember that if you ever have any qualms or uneasiness about your oncs suggestions, it is perfectly fine to get another opinion. The decision making is one of the hardest parts. Things just seem to go along once you've got your plan in affect.
Hang in there and post often.
Rita
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I saw the rad onc today. He says 37 radiation tx. First I need to have an mri and a ct scan to set up the plan and angle etc for the radiation. They scheduled them for the 24th and 30th of June, so nothing will happen until July. I told onc we had family vacation from 17th to 24of July he said no problem, so I am thinking we will probably not start until we get back. He said maybe before, but he thought mri and ct would be sooner then they were. They say fatigue and like a sunburn should be my worst SE's. I guess we will just have to wait and see. I also am having my next echocardiogram on the 19th and a colonoscopy on the 23. My next herceptin is on the 17th and I see my regular onc who is gone on a months vacation on the 29th when he gets back. I think I should just live at the clinic with as much time as I am spending there. At least there were no big surprises today. The 37 is a few more than I expected but not many. The fatigue from chemo seems to be getting a little better each day. The neuropathy is still there but I see a little improvement in it too.
Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow. Annette
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Annette, I did the 33 rads + boosts, too and I did just fine. My rad onc gave me some really good cream to use and I didn't burn....just turned brown. I had some fatigue toward the last week but the worst of it was just getting there everyday. Once you get there, it takes longer to get into the gown and dressed again than it does for the actual rads. I think you'll do just fine. Hugs!
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Good morning Girls. We had very heavy rain storms all night. Its still coming down. I hope you all made it through them just fine.
Nana You are a very busy girl. Its great they are moving along with you. Nothing is worse than when they drag their feet.
I have a Q for you gals. Yesterday I was talking to another BC girl. She just finished chemo and is starting rads. I asked if she was starting tamoxifin or aromatse or somthing like that. She said no because hers was not hormonel. I thought we all took a pill for 5 years or so. I also thought all BC was hormonel isnt that teh ER PR HER #'s.????
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