Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?
Share with us: What are your proudest moments of 2024 and personal goals for 2025?
Take our poll: How are you feeling as we near the New Year?

~* The Waiting Room *~

1…2021232526…45

Comments

  • mmm5
    mmm5 Member Posts: 797
    edited December 2009

    MRI was negative...! Thanks ladies for your prayers!

    It just go's to show that you can have pain and it not be mets. In my case it was protruded disc and most likely no estrogen effects.

    I just want to remind all of you that are worried that you can have weird, new, bad, pain and it not be mets. Its hard to think that way when you have been conditioned to cancer news and the boards etc, but I have had 2 real scares with real symptoms that concerned docs and both times they were b9!

    Prayers for all of you ladies!

  • Gayleebug
    Gayleebug Member Posts: 12
    edited December 2009

    Kalyla, I am so sorry to hear your bad news.  And over Christmas too!.  I am sending good thoughts your way.  This bites!

    (((((big hugs))))) Gayle

  • kalyla
    kalyla Member Posts: 14
    edited December 2009

    Thanks ladies. The doctors office called and said they'd have to reschedule my appointment till tomorrrow evening beause they had not received the lab results yet. Thats what I get for having biopsies on Christmas Eve. I'll keep you posted. Even though I'm NOT looking forward to chemo, I'm hoping it will help relieve some of the coughing and shortness of breath. ( I hope again).

  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 124
    edited December 2009

    Mmm5, I sent you a pm but congrats once again, I know how relieved you must feel and am so happy for you:)

    Kalyla, thoughts are with you and please keepnus posted:)

    Tricia xx

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 344
    edited December 2009

    We just returned back into town from our Christmas trip to my dd's house.

    Kalyla, I'm so sorry that you got the news that you did not want.  Many of us wonder when will the news that we do not want stop coming.  I pray that chemo kicks some butt big time.  Your onc seems very much on top of this. 

    Big, BIG hugs,

    Shirley

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 344
    edited December 2009

    mmm5, now THAT'S the kind of news we LOVE!  I'm so happy for you.  But it sure ain't no fun worrying while waiting for the news.  Enjoy the rest of the holidays.  This was probably the best gift you could hope for at this time of the year. 

    Shirley

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 344
    edited December 2009

    Tricia, it's hell waiting in the waiting room.  My husband's a big griper when it comes to WAITING!  LOL  I still think you will have a good report.  (Crossing my fingers when I say this)..I'm still not having any pain (and saying that very quietly...LOL).  But boy did have some pain today.  I sat down on the floor by my suitcase..did something wrong and boy oh boy did my leg hurt!  I think it is my knee.  I forget that I'm not as young as I used to be.  I took three advil before getting into the car for our trip home.  It's really eased up..don't know if it's the pain reliever or just that it's working it's way out. 

    It is so sweet of you to wait with the ladies here.  It gets very lonely in that cold waiting room.

  • kathimdgd
    kathimdgd Member Posts: 84
    edited December 2009

    I havn't been over here for awhile now.Glad to see that so many are doing well.

    Kayla,I'm sorry for the news you got,but i'll continue to lift you up in prayer,and hope all works out well for you.

    As for myself i'm having problems with my right arm/hand,started about a week b4 t'giving and has continued all this time.Went to my PCP ,because i thought it may be the start of lymphadema,he says it's not.We're thinking it may be because of the nodes removed and the muscles and tendons involved.I have an appt this wednesday with a physiotherapist,so hope she can figure it out,and that it's nothing.Underneath my arm is swollen as is my wrist and forearm,not really bad,but noticable.I can't close my hand,write or even lift a jug of milk,or hold the dryer long enough to dry and style my hair.

    My forearm feels like it's sleeping,as does my hand,and it gets very cold.Underneath my arm feels swollen,as does that part of the arm itself.I also get some pain,more like a burning in my right shoulderblade.Then to add insult to injury,i started having diahrreah again on saturday and it continues,also have a tickle in my throat that makes me keep coughing.

    For those that have been going thru this for awhile,does it ever end and give you back your good quality of life??

    My diagnosis was last july,bilateral mastectomy in Oct last year,17 nodes removed,3 were positive.Had chemo,taxotere & cytoxan 6 sessions,went on aromasin,after 4 months had to go off of it because of SE'S,and am now on Femara.

    Tell me it gets better!!!!

    Kathi

  • mmm5
    mmm5 Member Posts: 797
    edited December 2009

    Well Kathi that just SUX! Are they sure it is not lymphadema? Did your Doctor do any more tests, blood tests etc?

    I have suffered a lot mentally and physically with all of this and spoken to many and it seems like it does get better but it takes time, how much I don't know but my stepmom and stepaunt are 14 and 25 years out of stage III and they said it took a few years to start feeling good and really admitted to more like 5. I think we are just to close to the dx to have let go of the "bad news" memories. For me it gets better in spurts and they last longer.

  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 124
    edited December 2009

    Kathi, I hope the therapist can help you and find whats causing this.  It's best to see one trained in lymphedema if thats what it is.  Things do and will get better I'm sure, before this latest scare I really felt great and cancer was way in the past which is why I felt I had become complacent with this recent scare.  I think really , I was just getting on with life which can only be good:)

    Shirley, ouch sorry to hear about your knee. I do that myself at times and think we all tend to forget there are other things beside cancer affllicting us...like old age lol.......I'm glad to pop in here each day if I can as my mri won't be until the 27th of Jan so the waiting room would be a lonely place for me without you all:)

    Here's hoping for a wonderful healthy new year for all of us ladies, and with only good news and benign results:)

    As Mmm5 says, it IS possible to have pain and not have cancer!!!

    Tricia xx

  • kalyla
    kalyla Member Posts: 14
    edited December 2009

    I had the first of many, many, many chemo's today. The doc started with Taxotere 1x per week for 3 weeks, then 1 week off, then 3 weeks on, etc. He'll add Avastin in a month or so after the port insision sight heals up. So far, no side effects, they say the nausea rating on Taxotere is way down on the bottom of the scale, thank goodness.

    I want to thank all you ladies here in the Waiting Room for being supportive and comforting in my real time of need. bc.org is a lifesaver for me, thanks again... movin' on over to the Stage IV forums I guess, I hope I Never See Any of You There!!!! (haha) seriously, I hope you never Have go go there.

  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2010

    Hi Kalyla. thanks for the update!  I'm glad to hear the taxotere is going okay for you, I had taxol which as you know is similar but had no nausea and no need for anti nausea meds or neulasta shots etc....

    I'll be sure to check how you're doing on the stage iv forum and with any luck this chemo will kick some cancer butt big time for you:)

    Tricia xx

  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 142
    edited January 2010

    Hi Kalyla - I'm glad you're not nauseous - I'll be checking on you no matter where you post - and I'll be praying you'll be breathing better and stable very very soon!

  • elimar
    elimar Member Posts: 5,887
    edited January 2010

    I know it's no big deal, but I am getting my first follow-up screening next Thursday.  I found out that the way they will do it is get a mammo image from me, then make me wait there to see if I need more imaging or not.  In other words, I don't get to leave unless I am all clear (or they find something and re-start the B/C cycle.)  Talk about suspense!

    Since all my waiting will be done right there in the waiting room, I thought I'd stop in here leading up to the appt. and try and psych up for it.

  • blondiex46
    blondiex46 Member Posts: 2,726
    edited January 2010

    it is always a big deal IMO no matter what it is!!!

  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 377
    edited January 2010

    Well Elimar I am not stalking you LOL but I am having my follow-up MRI after my third lumpectomy next Thursday also!

    I am nervous because it is to ensure that they did the lumpectomy in the right area, because of some screw ups with pre-MRI.

    I was in this waiting room from June to September of 2009 and hope not to be in here more than a week this time but as we all know things can certainly snowball with this disease. I have a stash of valium and of course all of you just in case the major anxiety kicks in. I know if anything else shows up I will have to move on to a BMX and that too starts my mind a spinning.

    Hugs to all of us waiting, isn't it wonderful to have this board (:

  • elimar
    elimar Member Posts: 5,887
    edited January 2010
    OmahaGirl, seems more like we are walking side by side!  Your LCIS is probably better at hiding than my IDC.  I have apprehension because of dense breast tissue, so even if I have nothing going on, the lack of easy visibility may create some false worry and require additional "looks."  I've had to have additional imaging a few times before, that turned out to be nothing, but it gave me some worry anyway.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Member Posts: 344
    edited January 2010

    elimar, you sound like me.  I've always gone to Duke for my routine mammos and gyn appointments.  They have you wait until the all clear is given.  I've had to have extra films done too (they hurt).  I've also had to have ultrasounds a couple of times.  I have A dense breast (that's what's left now...LOL).  My tumor was not found by mammo.  Those dense breasts are problematic.  But, I'd rather wait at the facility than being called back cuz it would take me over two hours to get there..LOL

    Good luck and hoping for everyone to have good results.  Hang in there.

    Shirley

  • elimar
    elimar Member Posts: 5,887
    edited January 2010

    My place will notify by letter is it is just routine screening, but for B/C follow-up they do the wait it out right there thing.  Yeah, my lump did not show up on the mammo either (and it was the "better" digital one too) but since the lump could be felt, that led to ultrasound and then MRI.  I'd like to think that getting a "clear" mammo is good, but in my case will that even mean anything?  That's a whole 'nother topic.  I do want a "clear" result, of course, and I guess I will find out if my screenings will need to be more than just a digital mammo.

  • kirstensmum
    kirstensmum Member Posts: 76
    edited January 2010

    Hello everyone. 

    I won't be long in the waiting room as I will be receiving my results today from a biopsy I had on the 30th.  I just thought I would pop in and say hello to anyone else waiting.

    Jennie

  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2010

    Good luck Jennie and Elimar, hoping for good results for you both:)

    Tricia x

  • lorieg
    lorieg Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2010

    Best of luck to Jennie and Elimar!!  Hoping to hear good news soon!

     Tricia- when is your biopsy scheduled?? 

  • OG56
    OG56 Member Posts: 377
    edited January 2010

    Good luck Elimar I will be thinking of you while I lay in the MRI, here's to crossing all our fingers and all of our toes that the universe will allow us to move forward into 2010 with nothing but good health!

    Linda

  • elimar
    elimar Member Posts: 5,887
    edited January 2010

    Thanks All!   My mammo check came back clear, for whatever that is worth.  Yay!   (Meaning, yay, if something is not hiding out in my dense breast tissue like last time.)  Well, it's certainly better than a big ol' tumor showing up, so I'll take it!

    OmahaGirl, will you get MRI results today, or when?

  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2010

    Thats great news Elimar, congrats and I'm so happy for you:)

    Tricia x

  • GoldenEyes
    GoldenEyes Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2010

    I posted on another thread. I hope you dont mind that I post here..I had a PET Scan done on Monday...Dr called me today.. said two HOT SPOTS lit up  on my Cervical Spine.. I am a stage IV.. my last bout with cancer was two years ago when it spread to my left lung...He is sending me for an MRI and other tests...if this does turn out to be Cancer again. how woudl they treat it..He said.most likely.. NOT from the original breast cancer. it would nbe a NEW Cancer? Do they biopsy the Spine? or Just start chemo? SO sorry for all the questions

  • ango74
    ango74 Member Posts: 31
    edited January 2010

    Hey ladies,  I'm going to join in on the (not so) fun.  Lets see, I finished my tx end of Sept.  Pet Scan in Oct was clear. So, I had signed up for this trial for the vaccine and they checked my tumor markers (CA 27-29) this week and they were 53. I have to go into the dr. tomorrow and they will order up another PET scan probably next wk. I know tumor markers aren't the most reliable so I am trying to get upset but, that's not working too well. I'm pretty scared. My regular onco doesn't usually test tumor markers.  They did one time right after surgery and before chemo and then it was 46 but it hasn't been tested since. Waiting is the worst, it really is.

  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2010

    Lori, I just saw your question to me ont he biopsy.  Thanks for thinking of me, it seems this spot is too small to be biopsied so they want me to have another mri on the 27th of this month to check if there has been any growth and go from there.   Please keep your fingers crossed for no change!!!

    Thanks again.....

    Goldeneyes, I think whether it's a new primary or mets, if it is cancer they usually like to get a biopsy of at all possible to determine hormone/her2 status so they know how to treat it best.  Hopefully this is not cancer for you, but a few of my friends have bone mets and are not treated with chemo at all.  If hormone pos they may just change your A1 and give you zometa which is a bone strengthener and possibly rads for pain relief.  Sometimes surgery is possible but it all depends on many factors.   I'll keep you in my thoughts and hope it's nothing!  I recently had a clear pet but an mri which showed a spot so these scans are not always reliable:)

    Ango, Ango74, I'm no expert but it does'nt seem like your tumour markers are all that high anyway and as you know other things can have them rise.  I think it's good your pet in Oct was clear so try to remain positive. (I know, not easy)...please keep us posted and fingers crossed for you too:)

    Tricia xx

  • elimar
    elimar Member Posts: 5,887
    edited January 2010
    TriciaK, I saw you have a long wait in here.  I'll try to remember to check back and see how you are, but hopefully I can stay out of the Waiting Room for another six month period myself.
  • TriciaK
    TriciaK Member Posts: 124
    edited January 2010

    Lol I hope so too Elimar and thank you:)

     My wait seems to be going on forever but I know my onc is doing all she can for me.

    I may as well spread some support and good wishes while I'm here:)

    So glad you got good news:)

    Tricia x

Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.