~* The Waiting Room *~
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Well I'm backkkkkkkk, just like a bad boob lol! The Dr. at Sloan talked me into having 2 excisional biopsies. I was scheduled for a PBM, but have postponed for now. I will have the biopsy's with light sedation on Sept. 4th. If there is no cancer ( I have LCIS and PLCIS) I will then decide if I want the PBM to lower my risk of a recurrence. Unfortunately I would have to remain on Arimidex because my biggest risk is distant mets, and two surgeons have told me it would not increase my survival rate, which I find confusing...Statistics was not my strong point in college.
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Fortnate1---I never would have guess you are 61 by your pic. You look wonderful!
i saw onc 4.5 months after chemo and bloodwork came back great. He talked about ses from tamoxifen--took 1 tonight and then we talked about how many times I should run in to have things check in case.....well you know....I will have a mri in October and i am going to leave it like that. I am very glad to not have to visit the doc unless my ses from tamoxifen and if other issue rise...like what? Crap!
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Linda- That IS confusing. Well, to think of it, all of this is confusing, it's definitely not you.
Jess- Now I'm 62, end of last month. There's nothing like a slightly blurry picture to hide the wrinkles.
Have a peaceful day, friends. I'm going to spend the day with people I really like, in what feels like an academic political minefield.
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How I hate the waiting. I just want this thing - little lump - on the chest wall removed.Saw my onc for my routine check and his comment was, 'that shouldn't be there' when he felt it. He is pleased I have taken quick action and that it comes out tomorrow.At least the scan results were OK, little white splat can be seen but not identified.
I have to get some work done today as things are really getting behind but my brain seems to have given up functioning at its usual level and I have little concentration.
I think it will be a long night tonight, didn't sleep much last night.
Will keep you posted.
Alyson
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Alyson, Will be praying for you tomorrow.
CT results in. Tumors have grown. Waiting for chemo to start on Friday. Leaving for VA Thursday morning.
Bette
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I am waiting the results of a bone scan (with radioactive dye) done on 8-17-09. I also had oral surgery done that day recoving from having 15 teeth pulled and dentures put into mouth. I am getting adjusted to them and have to go to the dentist again this am for more adjustments . Have not heard from them on the scan and they said it would be read that pm yet so belive that no news is good news!!!! I have been in this palce b-4 with the waiting andi do have my plate full so just keep on keeping on and being busy with things in life helps. take care and will let u all know how the scan results turn out..
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Slee56, Best wishes on your bone scan.
Alyson, How are you doing?
Fortunate1, you do NOT look 62!
Chemo moved up to Tomorrow(Thursday) at 2 PM . Guess we will be leaving early for Arlington, VA!
Bette
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Bette- Well I did choose a pretty picture. It was taken at a little gathering before my son's wedding, when friends were starting to arrive from out of town. I was very happy (and now I know I was ignoring the lump).
Glad the chemo was moved up. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Hugs to you and your sweetheart.
Wishing the best of news for all the 'waiters', and a few more magazines from my seemingly endless supply- where do those stacks come from?
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One sleepy Alyson clocking in minus a large piece from my chest. The op took about 40 minutes, just had local so chatted to BS and nurses but didn't look. Now comes quite a long wait as one of the tests will take several days to do. This is a small country and at times tests etc have to be sent to different centres and even sometimes over to Australia - about 3hrs away by plane.
Just pleased to be rid of the lump, at least that has gone.
Have some knitting and magazines waiting for me.
Hope you are all doing well. Good luck for your chemo Bette.
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Alyson, Glad you are doing well. what a relief to get rid of the lump. We will wait with you for benign results!
I am sleepy as well, but that is because it is 11 PM here in PA . Tomorrow will be an early start, so I am turning in for the night.
Bette
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I hope nobody mids me asking questions but I found this site and thought you courages women, more than anyone else would have some answers. 3 years ago I had my first biopsy, came back just fine. Nov. 10, 2008 I had an excisional biopsy, was cancerous but encapsulated and everything was a go. Told to have follow up in 6 months. (I have had mammograms and ultrasounds every 6 months for 3 years). Started the 6 month follow up in April. It took 27 days to get mammo results from Dr. office. I finally went and picked them up myself from the hospital. I was sent to a surgeon who sent me to an oncology specialist from there. I then had Ultrasound guided biopsy which came back inconclusive. I was sent for MRI. From there I had another ultrasound and MRI guided biopsy's. (5 total). I have a 4x3x8 cm mass in left breast and a 1cm mass in right breast. The surgeon called with results and said the biopsy's showed no cancer but they are extremely concered with the mass in left breast and to come back in 3 months for another MRI. I go for that in 2 weeks. I am concerned with all this and I have tried talking to Dr.s and support groups but they all tell me I am fine. (MY grandmother and father passed away from breast cancer, plus 5 other family members with breast cancer)
Am I being silly in this worry? I am 44 with 2 young daughters. Thank you in advance for any advice.
Cheryl
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I am new to this forum. I have had bc and lumpectomys in Jan and Feb. Did taxol and doing herceptin since her2+ . I started rads on July 27. To get ready for rads had a CT scan. In the background they saw a nodule on my lung. I was sent to pulmonary doc who had a contrast CT done last week. All they would say about my results were they were abnormal and I needed a pet scan which is scheduled a week from tomorrow. I went down to the records dept and paid for a copy of my CT results. I don't know how dumb the doctors think we are. Why couldn't he just tell me what the scan showed. There are 4 small nodules in right lung. The thyroid has nodules and 2 chest lymph nodes are slightly enlarged. The liver also has 2 small undetermined areas. Very small 6mm. I know all of these can be something else or if cancer can be treated, but I sure wish they could be up front and honest about results instead of beating around the bush I would rather know the possibilities than thinking the worst. I have dealt with what has happened so far and with God's help will continue to do so. The pet scan will show if any of these areas are active. More waiting! I am trying new medicine for leg aches left from the taxol. Hope it works without any reactions. I tried gabapentin a few weeks ago and feet and legs were swollen after day 2 of taking it. I react badly to some medicines and have trouble taking pills rather than capsules because I have a reaction to the binders in some pills. It seems sometimes that I have to make a choice which is worse the headaches from the reactions to the binders or doing without the medicine. Sometimes the choice is hard and sometimes the doctors don't seem to care to go to the trouble of finding out what they can prescribe that comes in capsules instead of pills. I take tylenol in the capsules or liquid gels. Several other things come in one of those forms. I take prilosec and found that I can get a generic that comes in capsule form. When I took the regular caplets I had headaches for weeks I have found an iron tablet for my anemia that does not give me headaches. I can take liquid gel stool softeners since I take lots of iron. Oxcycodone for pain come in a capsules I just had to wait a day for it to come in. The onc's nurse found that out for me. Thankfully they are more caring than the onc. It just seems to be getting someone to listen to what you need. Not every doctor is willing to do that.
Best wishes to the rest of you waiting for tests and results. Annette.
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Nana- Relax and put your feet up. You've been through a lot. I think the docs might be afraid they'll scare us, but they go on to scare us even more with lack of information. Like you say, we're not dumb!
Cheryl- Same for you. You've been through a lot too. I drove my doctors nuts looking for information. Only sometimes did I get it. I do know there are non cancerous growths that can be a big concern, can't remember the name. There might be others on different topics who can answer your questions. Take a look around. I hope you get answers soon. Worry is not silly.
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Alyson - I'm sure you're glad to have this behind you. No, I didn't really want a mastectomy, but I didn't want cancer MORE! Take it easy so you heal well. Don't ignore the fatigue if it happens, but it may not be as big of an issue with this surgery. It was so nice you could only have a local! I had a left bx several years ago and they insisted on sedation. I personally think it's for the doctors comfort! If I need an excisional bx, I'm planning on trying to talk him into a local.......
bettelou - thinking of you today - hope your day has gone well. You should be finished by now with the time difference. Do you return home today, or wait until tomorrow?
Cheryl - I'm not sure where you live, but that long of a wait is W-A-Y too long for me!!! My medical group really makes an effort to get the process moving, and I really appreciate that. It's still hard to wait even knowing it's not very long until the next appointment!
Annette - You have been dealing with alot, and I'm so glad you have the Lord to help you. I agree that they should just be honest and tell you what is going on, but I wonder if they think we can't handle it like some of their other patients, or they are afraid to face our emotions, so they skirt around the issue. Can you make sure one of your doctors is firmly in your court, and the go-between and "coach" of the team? If everything goes through one person, and he clearly knows you want answers quickly, MAYBE it wouldn't take as long!
Everyone else here waiting - let's stay positive and take one day at a time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Back from follow up ultrasound of two areas seen on MRI - still can't see anything in the area we can feel, so the radiologist that indicated it might be lobular ca now says it's nothing - just repeat mammo and US in 6 months! But one area in left lower breast shows "shadow" - no mass but they can't tell where shadow is coming from. Looks large to me and was very tender. Now scheduled for US guided bx and have appt. with onc to discuss all on Monday.
I didn't expect to be doing this again, and certainly not so soon. In some ways it's easier but I'm dreading telling anyone this time. I want the support but don't like the sympathy (pity?) and feel like I need to support them! I just want to know what's in there and get it taken care of. In February I wasn't ready to have a PMX but it's sounding better all the time! These appointments take time!
How is everyone else doing?
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Home from VA and first infusion went well. I was praying as it dripped into my body that it would kick cancer's butt. I am tired, but comfortable on Zofran.
The latest CT scan showed a second lung tumor plus substantial growth in existing tumors in lung and chest. It was time to start treatment.
I am now waiting for hair loss(sigh) and more scans after 8 weeks to check on the tumors.
Bettee
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Glad you're home and doing well. Sorry to hear growth reports but next scans should be improved with chemo! Rest, eat well, prevent those side effects as much as possible, and know we're thinking of you! God IS in control!
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Welcome home Bette. Peaceful hugs.
2Hands- Hope for a good talk with the onc on Monday. Waiting is so hard.
I'll probably be off the board for the weekend, but thinking about all of you.
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Bette---Doesn't it feel good to be home? I hope you have a nice weekend.
Fortunate- you are so right, waiting is hard.
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Hope I hear my results when I see the BS tomorrow. I think things are healing well. There have been great problems with the lab- actually general chaos as a new provider takes over and so this is worrying. Think anything would worry me at present.
Nephew has just arrived to see his mother so willgo as I have to be around to make sure he doesn't bully her into giving him money.
Will let you know how things go tomorrow.
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Waiting for this whole bad dream to be over. Will I ever wake up?
Yes i'm having an off day and am waiting for the mood to lift.
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Sherry! You must be in the middle of your radiation treatments. I'm glad to hear from you, but sorry you're having a bad day.
YES, the bad dream will be over, and YES you will wake up. Ha, magical thinking - my specialty - but I believe it's true.
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awwww shoot Bettelou it must stink to loose your hair again! You are in my daily prayers.
Treatment will kick butt and they will be the incredible shrinking tumors
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Was supposed to have PET scan tomorrow to see if 4 nodules in right lung and 1 on thyroid are cancer. Insurance company refusing to pay. Says pet scan is experimental. Dr going to call tomorrow and try to get it approved, if not then we go thru the appeals process. Who knows how long and we just wait not knowing what all these are while still undergoing rads for bc. I am tired of everything to do with docs, tests, rads, chemo or anything having to do with cancer.
Wishing you all better results than I am having right now. Annette
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So, sorry Annette that you are in the waiting room while still going through treatment. How did they spot the nodules anyway?
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I just had three days of waiting in a hospital bed for a mysterious fever to go away. Am home now and planning on chemo tomorrow if my counts are acceptable.
The hair loss started today with a tingling scalp and a clogged shower drain. It will be many months of waiting until I see a full head of hair again.
Bette
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Nodule was in background of ct done to set up rads. They decided to do a contrast CT to see if they could tell something about it and they found 4 nodules 4mm to 6 mm (smaller than a pea.). Not very big and if no cancer history would probably not be concerned about them. They say they could have been there since childhood even. The Pet scan would have shown if they were active or not. There was also one on the thyroid. I have heard in several places that these are common and not necessarily cancer also. Just have to wait right now, but that is not easy. Trying to get doc to tell me what happens is we don't get approval thru appeal. I do know they can biopsy thyroid fairly easily. He originally considered only watching the 1st lung nodule for 3 months to see if it changed. That may be what we have to do is see if they grow or change in 3 months. You would think if these had been cancer the 9 weeks of taxol would have taken care of them, and I am still doing herceptin every 3 weeks. Will try to just take it one day at a time and get done with rads and go from there unless we get Pet approved before then.
Annette
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Thats how I feel today and I know the BS did as well. She thought that she would have to give me bad news today and so was delighted when the path report came back B9. I am just so relieved and do feel for others who haven't got such great news. Was told to continue to be vigilant about things as the type of cancer I had was so agressive. Big hugs for all those going through treatment.Alyson
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This is a brilliant thread topic! Good thinking...
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congrats on your awesome news alyson!!!!!!!!
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