Illinois ladies facing bc
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O.K. ladies, we need to pull together and send out some good vibes for this Wednesday. It seems to be an active day: Pat meets with the onc to see how to attack her new diagnosis. Laura has her blood work and 3 month onc. appt. and Kats's niece has her biopsy.
I've missed you Kats but can sure see why you need a break from bc and other medical situations. Wow! When it rains, it really pours, doesn't it? I hope your family medical problems turn out well.
Hi Catherine....always like to see a post from you!!!
OMG Laura...you are so right! I had a bone density test, not a bone scan. I really do know the difference. I don't know why I wrote that! LOL
Hope everyone is having a good day!
Rita
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Laura,
Diagnosis February 2007, IDC, 4.8cm, sn negative, triple negative, Stage II, Grade 3. Very good prognosis. Finished dose dense AC, too many side effects to finish the Taxol.... then 33 rads. Scans clear prior to treatment. Mets to the lungs, kidney, liver, spine, ribs, pelvis....brain looks all clear. Some pathological fx to the ribs and I will get the rest of the specifics Wednesday.
A very big thank-you out to Rita for the phone call and to all the rest of you who reached out so quickly. I'm not done with this yet. From the movie "Michael" ---battle--- no surrender.....Pat
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Pat
I am from the March-April post Connie let us know. All of us on the thread have you in our prayers. Let us know how you make out on Wed. You are right you are not done never surrender!
Debi
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Hi all:
I kinda knew what you meant, Rita, when you spoke of the density test. I too remember thinking, "This is just too easy!" Funny to be doing something connected to BC that doesn't put you into panic mode.
Pat, you will be on my mind on Wednesday.
Laura, I totally get the blood draw bolt! I too just want to spend some time not worrying about the damn thing. I am kinda in denial right now in that my leg still hurts and I am not doing a thing about it. I am fine at school but it hurts at night. Then again lying there at three in the morning, gives the pain a most attentive audience. It is not unusual for me to awake at three or four so I can get in my worry time.
I also see that Laura gets 3 month visits. I do not see the oncologist on a regular basis. I never get my blood drawn. I sure hope I am in good hands.
susan
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Pat -
Thanks for the stats...geesh...you're right about a good prognosis...what the heck! Good luck on Wednesday...you won't be able to see us, but we'll all be there...holding your hand.
Susan - I think you should be getting regular blood draws...regardless of your dx, jmo. We're all still considered fairly "newly diagnosed". If I were you, I would call and ask...just lookin' out for you...
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Fitzpatti,
Mazy from chat told me your story. I am not from Illinois but wanted to give you some encouragement. Hang on sweetie, there are new medications everyday, we just have to hold out until the cure, which hopefully will be in the near future! I was dx Mar 07 with mets off the bat. I know there is soooooooo much to think about, your head spins. The chat room here has saved me. It is so wonderful to talk to people who understand, we are even able to joke. I think the first time I laughed after dx was in the chat room. Please join us some time. I know Mazy and I are usually on in the late evening and into the morning most nights, as well as many other wonderful women and a few men to share you fears, hopes, dreams, and even sillyness.
Prayers and hugs for you fitspatti,
Julie (from Maryland)0 -
Recently diagnosed in Manhattan, Il area. Surgery scheduled for Nov 8th.
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Pat---sorry to hear about your mets so soon after completing chemo.
I will be praying for you..
RITA....We still need to go out for that drink. How about Friday nite?
Well, I went to my primary doctor yesterday. I have been feeling a lump on my left breast. It's the same breast as my first lump was found except for it's on the other side. My primary doctor said that
it was hard and wants to do an MRI of both breasts but isn't ordering until she talks to my oncologist. Today, I have an appt with the radiologist and have him check it out. I wouldn't worry if it was close to the inscion from my lumpectomy but it is not. I will let you
all know later tonite after my appt. Send good vibes....
Ginny
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Welcome Beatit to our Illinois ladies thread. I am so sorry that you have to deal with this terrible disease, but so happy that you found us. The ladies on this thread are wonderful and will help you every step of the way.
Please tell us a little more about yourself and your diagnosis. What type of breast cancer do you have and what type of surgery are you facing? Where will you be going for your surgery?
Feel free to ask any questions that you might have. We have all learned that the initial phase of this journey is VERY nerve-wracking and there are NO stupid questions! Usually one of us can answer your question and if not, most of us have done enough research that we can send you a good place to get it answered.
We hope to hear from you again soon.
Rita
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Oh Ginny! I sent off those good vibes right away. I hope that you're just having the same kind of scare that I had this past month. PLEASE post as soon as you can or give me a call and let me know.
Thinking of you.........
Rita
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Julie -
Thanks so much for popping in and wishing Patti well...that was so nice of you.
Ginny -
Oh No!...I hope it's nothing! Odds are on your side though...try to be positive. Keep us posted...you're in our thoughts of course! Good vibes are heading your way.
Beatit -
Welcome...unfortunately, you met the requirements to join us! But you cam to the right place! These girls are awesome...we will help you through this...try to be tough.
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Good luck tomorrow........Laura and Pat. I will be thinking about both of you and anxious to hear the results. Laura, this might just be the night for a cold beer or a nice glass of wine!!!!
Hang in there.
Rita
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I've been too busy with hubby to check in for a few days, and so much has been happening! Laura and JanClare, your photos are fabulous in all your new finery.
Laura, I really get your exit without the blood draw. My onc has changed me to every four months just to make me feel better. She knows I dread the visits, and says one more month won't make any difference. I'm sending good thoughts your way for tomorrow.
Ginny, hoping for only a scare like Rita's, and sending good vibes your way. I had a scare this summer when my primary thought she felt a lump in my other breast, so I think I understand what you're going through. Mine turned out to be nothing, and I'm hoping the same for you.
Beatit Welcome, you're in the right place. These Illinois ladies are fantastic!
Fitzpatti I'm so sorry to hear your news. I'm another Pat who is also a nurse, and I've read some of your helpful posts in the past. I stand with all the others who are sending you all their support, and hope tomorrow's visit brings a good tx plan. I'm triple neg too, and I know there are some good drugs available to us. Sending thought and prayers your way.
Wendy I thought you were very kind to offer help in finding a doctor. You couldn't know my dh is a doc, ortho no less! We went to the ortho and the neurosurgeon for his first post op visits yesterday, and he couldn't be doing better. He even went to the office today to catch up on a little mail. {Thank you, God!} He was able to drive for the first time, and I was able to catch up on a little cleaning up. He's starting physical therapy next week, and resuming light office work, so things are looking up. No big surgery until the end of November, and that's fine with him. Office is only ten minutes away, so no problem.
I get some more stitches out of my breast tomorrow, and then I hope both of us can stay away from hospitals for awhile.
Rita So glad you had a good dexa scan. All that golf must help!
Everyone else, be well.
Pat
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Laura & Pat- Sending out best wishes for you both today.
Beatit- Welcome, you'll find awesome support here.
Catherine, Laura & Rita- Thank you for kind words regarding the plethora of medical issues of late within my family.
My sister e-mailed me today with more unfortunate family medical news. Her daughter-in-law was just diagnosed this week with a tumor on her auditoy nerve. Good news she was told these are almost always benign, bad news is surgery and or radiation will most likely be needed and preserving hearing is usually not possible. She is at Loyola today seeing a specialist.
My niece who's having her biopsy today should get the results Friday. According to my sister (her mom) she's not being the best patient, guess Smerf was right when she wrote that doctors/surgeon don't make very good patients.
Take care everyone.
PS Catherine good to see you posting here.
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Welcome, Beatit. Sorry you have to join us, but you will find a wonderful group of ladies on this thread. Let us know a bit about yourself when you feel up to it. We understand that this is the most stressful time for you!
Sorry to hear of your scare,Ginny. Sending good thoughts your way!
Hope to hear some good news from you today, Pat! It seems like there are sooo many treatment options for mets. Hopefully, they will find one that works for you.
Sorry to hear of all your family medical issues, Kats. You are due for some good news!
Tomorrow I get to go for my lovely Taxol treatment - #5. Funny, but I'm not dreading the pain as much as the horrible taste in my mouth that I get for a couple of days. It was really bad last time and I still remember it.
Happy Wednesday to everyone!
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Hi Ladies,
I just found this topic and wanted to join in and say hello. I don't get on-line much (too darn busy with work) but occasionally I check in to this site. It always gives me a lift. When I get to complaining too much about my treatment issues, I find coming here gives me a reality check.
I live in Long Grove, not too far from LauraGTO (we get together occasionally for dinner). She rides "goats".....I play the cello. :-) We encourage each other.
This *##)(* cancer thing has made us all so hypervigilant about our health. I never used to give it a thought, now I have constant reminders I'm trying to forget.
Best to all,
Ann
Dx in 6/05 (3 cm, lumpectomy, ER/PR+, 2 nodes positive, liver mets).
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Hi Ann, good to hear from you again. I haven't been posting much either as I've been busy too.
Catherine
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Hi Kats, sorry to hear you have more bad news. When it rains it pours!
My husband was pickpocketed on the bus this week. A man with a cane knocked into him and helped himself to Jim's train and bus passes. And now his temp-to-perm job might be put on hold. I can't stand it!
Smerf, it's good to see someone else from Glenview.
Catherine
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Hello everyone,
Just a short note as I am tired today. I went to the onc and as I said before the mets is to my liver, lungs, kidney and bones. She seems to be the most concearned about the bone mets. I received Zometa today. I see the rad onc to start rads again. In two week I should start Abraxane. Can anyone help me with infor on se to Zometa or Abraxane. Two weeks at a time is how we will measure the response to treatment. Seems the clinic has not slowed down one bit. Thanks so much for the good wishes, Pat
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Hi Pat,
I've been logging on all afternoon looking for your post. Thanks so much for taking the time when you're tired and worn out to post for us. I have no experience with those drugs so I can't help you there. If you're up to it, visit the chat room and see if Mazy or JulieAD can help you. If not, I'm sure there's somebody there who can give you some insight and info. Also, don't forget to visit the mets discussion board thread. Somebody there could also supply the info, I'm sure. As for the rads...........you can do them! They're just a pain. Maybe you won't have to go every day this time or maybe you won't have so many consecutive days of them! Do you have your appointment set up yet to see the rad onc?
It sounds like you're getting a plan put into place and I think it's good that it's going to be monitored every two weeks so changes can be made if necessary.
Wish I was closer to give you a genuine "sister" hug but since I'm not, a cyberspace hug will have to do for today. (((HUGS)))
Hang in there, Pat and remember that we are here for you whenever you need us.
Rita
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Welcome, Ann. We're glad to have you join us. I LOVE the shops at Long Grove. I think Mary Jane and I are coming up there the last week in November to do a little Christmas shopping and we have to get to Long Grove!
So nice to meet you. Come back often.
Connie, I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. Just think, by tomorrow evening at this time #5 will be done! I know what you mean about the nasty taste in your mouth. The only thing that helped me was lemon drops. I went through quite a few of them during the last few chemo treatments.
Laura, how'd your blood test and appointment go today?
Susan.....haven't heard from you in a few days. How you doing this week?????
Anybody heard anything about Nancy?
Smerf......hope your stitches are out and everything is fine!
Kats....wow! Things have got to get better around your place! Hang in there, gal!
Gotta run. This is the night I teach the youth group at church and it wouldn't do for the teacher to be late. Catch you all later.
Hope all the rest of you are doing well!
Rita
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Rita-If you are coming all the way up to Long Grove, is it possible that we all can meet again maybe for lunch (The Village Tavern, I think that's the name, is a fun place to eat in Long Grove)
Let us know-
Michele
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Just a quick update...The radiologist said it was just a ridge of tissue.
My primary doctor wants to do a breast mri. She was supposed to talk to the oncologist on what to do but I havn't heard from her office. so I am going to call her office tomorrow..But the radiologist doesnt' think it is anything so I will go with that....
Ginny
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Pat -
Hang in there...I don't know anything about those meds, but you may want to post in a different forum for infor pertaining specifically to them. Hope you're feeling okay.
Ginny -
Great news! Whew...
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Thanks! My appt. went well. The routine blood tests (wbc, rbc,etc.)were processed while I was still there, and everything looked okay. Although a few were HIGH or LOW - but they said not to worry about it. The liver enzymes, kidney function, etc. won't be back until tomorrow. I was so nervous about the appt., that I broke out with 7 cysts on my chin! LOL I have Minocycline to take to clear it up! Geesh...I can race a car at the drag strip, but I can't handle a frickin' Onc. visit! LOL
Thanks for all your help girls! I appreciate it!
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Rita, Michele -
Long Grove is just down the rode from me (and Jan). I would love to meet you girls also!
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On Saturday, I am racing at the drag strip in Byron. If any of you want to stop by! If so, PM me...
I have to run...we have a serious situation with my niece...please pray for her! More later...
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Hello ladies,
Long, hard day. They got all my planing and markings done today and even started rads. The dr told my mom that it is impossible to radiate the whole body---so we are targeting the sacrum, right shoulder and pelvis. This should help with the pain and it is the only reason rads are being done. I will meet with the new chemo onc hopefully tomorrow. It is hard to change drs now but the drive to Joliet would not be possible. I still have not come across any stories of others who went into full blown mets during treatment. It just is what it is. I hope to make everyone proud as I approach this new journey in my life. Love to all Pat
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Oh, Pat. I really feel for you. You are a trouper and you can do it!! One day at a time.
Laura - prayers for your niece. Let us know. Glad your blood work went fine.
Ginny - so glad to hear the good news.
I had my 5th Taxol today. Discussed the recent Taxol news with my onc and he felt it was blown out of proportion by the media. He said it's old news, but that he feels that there is still a benefit for me and he wants me to finish. I was fine with that as at the end of the day I want to say I did everything possible!
Have a great day everyone!!!
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Hi gals!
Pat...Wow! They've put things into action haven't they? Rads already! That's so good if it will help with the pain. You've got a plan! As for the new onc.....you never know. You may even like this one better! It will be interesting to see if the new onc agrees with the last one. I'm so glad that things are moving ahead rapidly for you. I always felt that once I had my plan of attack, I was actually doing something to fight the beast. It was the waiting, worrying, and uncertainty that got to me. I think Connie gave you the best advice........one day at a time. Focus on getting through each day. We can do anything that we have to do for 24 hours. Then we tackle the next day. HUGS and prayers continue to flow outward to you. Please check in after you see the new onc and let us know how it went. Are the rads an everyday event?
Connie, I know that lots of women are at the same place you are with the Taxol issue. Was it really needed or not? I had the same problem with the chemo. I was told that only 1 out of 20 women with similar bc as me would benefit from the chemo. I elected to take the chemo because who knows which one of us would be the one to need it. Like you, I feel I did everything that I could have done to prevent a return. We made our decisions, set up our plans, and followed through with them. There's no need to look backwards....just forwards now!!
Michele, Laura, and anybody else who is interested: As it gets closer to our trip to Long Grove, we'll set up a lunch or supper meeting. That would be fun and I'm sure Mary Jane would enjoy it, too. I think we're going to be up there November 26th and 27th and come home mid-day on the 28th.
Laura....YEAH!! YEAH!!! YEAH!!! So glad you got good reports at the onc appointment. I had to snicker about your cysts on the chin (not that it's funny in itself) because I'm the same way. I usually get fever blisters. There's been very few times that I've gone to important events in my life or nerve-wracking appointments without fever blisters. It took me years to find Lysine which works wonders for them. Let's face it, some of us just never grow up! LOL I'm sending prayers for your niece.
Boy, I've got to watch my diet this weekend because Ginny and I have scheduled a night out for dinner and drinks next week. We've got alot to get caught up on!
Kats..how's things at your house? Any updates?
I hope all you other gals are doing well. Glad to see you checking in Catherine! Kate, Nancy, Mazy, Ann, Susan, JanClare, and any other of you Missing in Action gals........pop on when you can and let us know how it's going for you.
Rita
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Well everyone- I'm off to Charlotte. I want to thank you all for your good wishes.
*sigh* - Okay- true confessions. I'm hoping that the weekend will be better then the last week, but I have to admit that right now I just don't feel much like going. I'm having more vomiting issues, and I've gone through some more tests, for which I don't have any results. I'm also being tested for possible heart damage from the AC- it was always presented as a possible side effect, so it's not that much of a shock if it is that.- so I have been through a echocardiogram, 24 hour holter monitor, plus I will have to get a cardiolyte stress test when I get back. Again, I don't have any results, but I did get the okay to fly.
On top of which, I broke a tooth and had to seek out a cosmetic dentist, cause the guy in my network does not thrill me with some of his work. I found out that I really need all my old silver fillings replace (which, again, I knew going in)- so I'm looking at several thousands of dollars of repairs.
A major account of ours just switched over to a new "reporting" system for their claims. They admit that there are MAJOR bugs in the system, but insist we have to use it while they "fix" everything- which could take months by their own omission. Meanwhile it takes me 3 times as long to do things now because I have to use our old system of reporting (so I can have a copy) plus their new one (which won't let me make a copy- one of the "bugs"), plus do a copy and paste job and deal with their awful invoicing. I'm so freaking tired just from work!!
Finally, I just found out that the shuttle system I was depending on to get us to our hotel has gone out of business. There is not other system in Charlotte, and the hotel has no shuttle of their own. So we are going to be cabbing it- at a probable added cost of 50.00 for the weekend! yikes!
On the good news- I'll get some rest on the plane. I'm sure I'm going to love the walk, And the forecast is for SUNNY warm weather. Yay!
I'll report in when I get back on Tuesday. Let you know how I survive the "camping experience"
Sorry not to check in and see what everyone is doing. I'm literally out the door!
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Hello:
I just spent so much time writing and then I lost it!
Anyway, I have been away as I had the parent teacher conferences and that is so demanding as I teach English and I have 85 students. I am now home nursing a head cold. The immune system really does react to stress.
So much has been happening! JanClare, I hit the bed when I get a cold and you hit a walk even when you stomach is so upset. I am sad you are feeling sick. Do take care. I can really tell that you demand so much of yourself and I admire that spunk. The heart things is like my bladder thing I had. I was told it could damage the bladder (cytoxan) and it did. I am okay, just have a sensitive bladder and need to keep an eye on it, which I do. I am wondering now if cytoxan is the chemo that they now say doesn't work. GEESH!
Pat, you are so gracious. I so hope the radiation helps you with any pain you have. Tell your mother that I support her too. Any mother would trade places. Like the others have said, there are so many treatments making their breakthroughs. Thank you for keeping us posted. You already make me proud and I have never even met you.
I have been so busy with school that I haven't noticed that pain in my leg. Now that I am in bed, nursing the cold, I am of course feeling it again. My doctor apparently feels that the blood tests many of you go through are not reliable enough in my case. The inofrmation , I guess, is not reliable. If I were a braver, more assertive woman I would pursue exactly what he means. I am the sort who frets easily so maybe he just doesn't want to deal with me. I had a scan (well I have had two) and they found a cyst on my kidney. I freaked a bit. Then they told me that a cyst is not harmful and CATS and MRIs show so much. So maybe my ignorance is my bliss. I will follow through with the leg (later).
That lunch/dinner in Long Grove sounds good. I live about 15 minutes away.
Ann who plays the cello. Nice meeting you.
Laura, have fun (???????!!!!!!) in the goat.
Rita, after all these conferences, retirement is looking better and better. It never ceases to amaze me when I get that one parent who feels he/she can be abusive to a teacher. I just do not get it. All the others were delightful, but I tend to obsess on that ONE. Teachers give so much that they want everyone to apreciate them.
All others, I hope all is well and that you enjoy a delightful weekend.l
Susan
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Hi gals,
I'd love to meet some of you in Long Grove! The shops are always fun at the holidays. They really have some great and different gifts.
Everytime I read about one of you having troubles with tests, recurrence, scans it just hits me. I guess we can all empathize all too well. Pat, I wish you weren't facing this again.
I had a flu shot at the onc's office last week. They took me back to the infusion area of all places! I freaked out. It just was so hard to be in there again. It took me emotionally right back. Then they tried to draw blood and no luck after 4 tries (the last time it took 6 different nurses!). Veins shot. I guess I thought they'd improve some after chemo.
Yesterday, someone said to me "Aren't you glad it's all over?" I wonder if it will ever be. But I am fortunate in so very many ways and I try to focus on that as much as possible.
Cheers,
Ann
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