Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
Comments
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Shelby,
I know how you feel about being scared about every lump or bump. It would be a miracle if we didn't have crazy thoughts like this. Some days I want to remove any spare parts and be done with it.
I say have a good old chat with your onc and see what they say. Make a decision together.
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Hi Shelby,
Who could ever have anticipated having to make these kind of decisions? It's just awful.
I wonder if your oncologist could offer an opinion about whether or not doing a BMX would offer some protection from metastasis? That is what I am most afraid of and if I thought that made a big difference I would seriously consider it. I had always thought to myself that if I had BC I would just go for the double mast with reconstruction. But when I was faced with the reality of it I had second thoughts. I did - do have a favorable stage-grade so that makes it easier to be conservative. And being older helps too. Every situation is different.
It;s such a personal decision and so wrapped up in our image of ourselves as women. I do think there have been advances in medical care where we are involved in the decision making but sometimes it is so hard since we don't know everything or have a crystal ball. Thank good ness for this site and these women who can offer their experience but it all comes down to you.
Please bounce ideas off of us. When you feel like your live friends and relatives cannot tolerate one more "what if", we are here for you!!!
Pam
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Shelby: Like Pam, my biggest fear is mets and no local surgery can take away that risk. I also think that for most women, the fear lightens the further we get away from diagnosis.
It would be good to have a hear-to-heart with your onc - find out if and by how much a BMx would improve your odds, then weigh that against the risks/downside of more surgery. Unfortunately nothing can give us guarantees - that's the worst part about cancer. Just be as informed as possible and listen to your heart.
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Thanks so much for your input, ladies. I knew I could count on you!
I am fearful of mets, to be sure. I know that overall survival rates are just about the same for MX and lump+rads. But, local recurrence rates are (obviously) higher for the latter, and the stress and anxiety of these unknown lumps and mammos every six months (or less than that, when I find a lump!) is almost more than I can bear. When I think of the fear and anxiety that lies ahead with each mammo, assuming I don't get mets and live another 40 years...it's overwhelming. I want to stop thinking about cancer all the time and get on with my life!
I called my BS, and I have an appointment to discuss this with him this coming Thursday afternoon. We'll see what he says.
Thanks again for your input!
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Shelby I think talking it over with your breast surgeon is a great idea. I talked to my plastic surgeon. He really wanted me to go ahead and have a mx because of all the scar tissue left from my radiation (my breast was a mess after rads), but I chose to wait it out and he did my recon surgery last Dec. I can honestly say that if I kept having reocurrences of lumps and had to go through the stress of the biopsies and repeat mammo's, etc... for "me" I could not handle it and I would have to go with a bilateral Mx. But just like in the beginning when we have to make decisions about how to proceed with treatment this to is very personal for everyone. We all must weigh our individual options and make the best choice for us and our families. "What will increase our rate for staying healthy the longest... hopefully a lifetime"
Take Care and let us know how things go.
Renee
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Saw my Rad Onc on Monday and got a good report. He drew a CA-129. I was suppose to call back this afternoon to get results but to be honest I was so busy I forgot. Oh well maybe tomorrow. Anyway, he wanted me to do another chest x-ray and then a follow up CT scan with contrast because of the nodule (which they told me turned out to be scar tissue) last Dec. I told him that I wanted to wait because of the insurance till Dec if we could. We just did the test 6 months ago. why do we need to go through that every 6 mos? I mean the radiologist done said it was scar tissue. Why do I need to keep paying for a CT scan? what's your thoughts? Right now my insurance is putting all tests and labs I have done towards my 1000.00 deductible and I just don't have the money to pay for this test out of pocket. My daughters car needs motor repairs and that is going to cost in the neighborhood of 1000.00 and money is a little squeezed right now. Otherwise everything is good and I am perfectly healthy. He did give me another lecture about having a bone density test and taking some new kind of injection to help prevent osteoporosis while I'm on Arimidex. It cost between 1200.00 - 1500.00 every 6 months. I almost fell out of my seat. You take it sub-q like insulin.
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Hi Renee,
I am in the same boat as you. I actually have a pulmonogist and he has been having me get a CT scan of my lungs every six months. They are looking at a nodule that no one thinks is cancer but not 100per cent sure. I even had a PET scan a year ago. I did not like any of it but went along as I had met my deductive so not too expensive for me and I admit they had me nervous.
Now I am supposed to go again, like right now. But this year I have not met my deductive and it would over a thousand dollars totally out of pocket! It just seems a waste of money to me. I talkd to my PCP and he said so much of this testing is defensive medicine and he thought it would be alright if I put it off for six months.
Easier for me to do as I only see the pulmonologist if I call him and I have decided to forget to do that for a while. But if I was on the spot I would not hesitate to tell him that I just cannot afford it right now.
Lucky for me I go on medicare in October so my out of pocket medical care will be a lot less expensive.
I also feel that by waiting an extra six months there will be time for the spot to change...if it is a bad thing. So far it has stayed the same every time with a new shadow or reflection that seems to justify doing it again and again. I am afraid all this radiation will give me cancer!
I hope I don't regret this decision but it is nice to take the summer off from cancer.
Good luck.
Pam0 -
By the way, how are you doing on arimidex?
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I think your doc is right - many tests are "CYA" for the docs. And money is definitely an issue -the docs have to understand that. I mean, there's something to be said for being proactive and catching issues early, but we can't live our lives in fear all the time.
I understand the desire to take some time off of cancer! I'm likely going to put off the recon decision for at least a few months, mostly because of insurance issues. I talked to my BS, who said he would be supportive of my decision, and gave me a referral to the PS. We'll see where all of this goes.
On to happier news...I just found out yesterday that I was hired for that job I really wanted! I'm so excited to start in August. And I'll have new insurance, which I hope will work out well.
How are all of you ladies? Hope you're having a good summer so far.
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Shelby, once again woohoo. I knew you would get that job...Things are starting to turn around, wait and see.
Hello to all, hope everyone is having a good day.
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Congrats Shelby on getting that new job! Keep your fingers and toes crossed and pray for me with my job. Some things going on and I need a Godly intervention. Too much stress right now. The new boss is a BIG problem for me and everyone else.
Pam I am doing amazingly well on the Arimidex. I'm hoping I am not jinxing myself by saying that lol! been on it now going into my 3rd month. appetite has decreased. No weight loss or gain. So that is good, I have also stopped having the creaking Or the crepitus(crunchy sounds) in my knees and shoulders that started when I started on the Tamoxifen now that I am off of it. It was so strange... I had been off the Tamoxifen for over a month and on the Arimidex, I went to my PCP and I suddenly realized my knees weren't creaking and cracking anymore. I was like... REALLY? it was the med making them do that!! and the docs didn't believe me.
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Hello Fabulous Women!
It's nice to catch up with you. Way to go, Shelby! Go get 'em at that new job, sister! And give yourself some time with that MX decision. It's a big one. Maybe in time the right conclusion will just settle in and you'll have peace about what to do.
Renee, thinking about you. Sounds like a pretty big change at work. You're in my prayers.
Pam, it's always good to read your posts. Steady-eddy advice with good common sense, smart insight and TLC. Next month we celebrate our 2-year anniversary on this thread, thanks to you, sister! I'm so glad you got us all together. Little did you know that you'd get so many of us chemo ladies in your conga line! You're stuck with us!
Well, I can relate to the posts about CT scans and tests and more tests. Just HAD to do a CAT scan for blood in urine and no bacteria. HAD to do it, right away. Of course, and thank heavens, there was nothing on the scan. All of that radiation! There does seem to be a certain amount of CYA going on. I've decided to take control. I now have a list of every x-ray, test, and treatment they've ordered in the past two years that involves radiation. I will not discuss this with the techs anymore. I tried to talk to the last tech, and while I was mid-sentence she said "um hmmm" and then BEEP she pressed the button. I should have come up from that table windmilling! My doc and I will discuss. Period. No time for discussion? Then cancel my test appointment. Will reschedule when we've had a talk.
The ailment du jour is shingles. Have any of you been through this? I think the stress and the radiation from the last CAT scan brought it on. I didn't know what it was, and so it took a while to get to a doctor. It was a relief to know the swollen glands were not cancer-related. I'm staying out of the pool until this goes away. So no physical therapy. Just eating chocolate and puffing up like a toad.
Let me vent just a little bit more. It's around 102 degrees during the day in Dallas, I've got a rash and a headache, and I'm having hot flashes. Aye, chihuahua! BUT - when you think about where we all were two years ago, life is a gift, we are blessed, and I love every minute of each and every day.
Smooches and hugs and all the best to each of you.
XO,
Mary
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Oh my goodness shingles - yes Mary, I went down with shingles last year, 2 weeks after i started back at work after 9 months out of the office (working remotely but avoiding infection by keeping out of the workplace) I was GUTTED! I was so cross and really upset. I think with me it was a sign of my immune system having been battered and destroyed and being weak. I hope yours shifts quickly. I also didnt get it seen right away (and therefore missed the magic antiviral meds) so had the full shebang. I also avoided swimming which was another kick as I had been looking forward to it so much after radiation.
I hope everyone else is doing well? I have my checks in 3 weeks and getting that anxiety creeping up on me.
Big hugs to you all
p
x
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Hi sisters,
I have my next check in September, so I would like fully enjoy this summer!
Still difficulties wit AI.
Best wishes and affectionate greetings from Europe!
Usha
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Well, Gecko, your post helped. Sure enough - I'm working more, and around people more, and generally getting tired like we all do when we work. That has to be what triggered it. This si a warning to keep it under control. Need to rest when I get tired or I'll pay for it.
Usha - It is nice to see your note. I hope your side effects with the AI get better. You deserve to have a very nice summer. Take good care of yourself.
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Hi Mary, hope those shingles get better! As I know from all my years of nursing they can be quite painful. Hi Geko and Usha! Usha I hope your side effects with the AI gets better. I was on Tamoxifen and having a lot of side effects from it.
I recently had a check up with my Rad Onc and both my CA 27-29 and CEA were normal yippee!!! that was the only labs he drew since I had a lot of other labs drawn at my primary doc and Med onc a few weeks earlier.
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Hi all - I never look here, having "graduated" from all my tx in Feb '09, but see talk of shingles. I to had them well after all tx were done, and interestingly, my nurse practitioner, who diagnosed me with the shingles, said her mom had them on the very spot I did, and that, after all HER Tx for bc were done. Seems to kind of go with the terrritory, and yes, immunity probably down.
Hope it clears up soon
Arlene
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Renee, good luck with the job situation. It's so difficult to deal with things at work when the boss is a problem. Keep the faith, things will work out the way they're supposed to.
Mary, shingles? Yuck! I have a good friend who got shingles; she said it was painful. I know that peoples' experiences with shingles vary widely. I hope yours is on the mild side, and that it doesn't last too long!
I had an appointment with my onc today. I've been on a 3-month checkup schedule up to now, but I've graduated to 6-month checkups!! I was more excited than I thought I would be.
As far as the MX decision goes, I've got an appointment for a consultation with a PS here in town scheduled for October. I figure that gives me plenty of time to do the research and consider my options. Thanks for all of your support.
I'm getting more excited by the day, looking forward to starting the new job in August! I get to organize my classroom, decorate, and prepare for my very first classroom of my own. My first official day is August 3, and the kids start on August 10. The school is on a year-round schedule, which I love.
Much love to all of my sisters here!
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Woo hoo txstardust! I know you will be great at your new job! On my job front I have to go in an work 3 night shifts and I am the director of nursing. I have to do some "training" and it was NOT my idea! Go figure that...
Oh well, I shall do it with a smile! Sad thing is I only wish I knew what was really up. It just makes no sense. Have me go in and "train or retrain" some on the night shift and then I get to be off thru next Tuesday??? hmmm... just sounds a bit fishy to me.
Last week I wasn't going to go to this care planning inservice and all of sudden she said, that's the day of your meeting isn't it? Well I went and the big boss over her came to the community for a visit. Now this week on Weds I will be working nights and my RN regional nurse will be down for a visit. I just am not sure what she is up to or if she's up to anything. It would be nice if we could read minds. LOL!0 -
Renee, hang in there. I'm confused - is this new schedule temporary? Let's hope good things will come of this.
Hello, ladies. Are you making the most of this summer? Get out there and enjoy yourselves! To those of you in the U.S., happy 4th of July! Don't let me hear of any of you getting into trouble with firecrackers and bottle rockets. And remember, firecrackers and margaritas don't mix.
Who has a good story to tell? Write soon and tell all.
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What, no firecrackers and margaritas, no fair..you are such a party pooper.
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Micheleboots: Are you going to the Hill tomorrow to see Will and Kate?
Happy Canada Day to fellow Canadians and Happy 4th of July to the U.S. crowd!!
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Are Will and Kate in Canada now? Aren't they just the perfect young couple? I wish I were closer so I could go see them... but how close could you get? I suppose you'd see more on TV but live is so nice.
Love her style!
We just don't have anyone in the US to compare. Maybe we need a royal family. I know the Obamas are an attractive family and trend setters too but politics gets in the way of universal admiration. Who doesn't love Will and Kate?
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Mary, yes the 3rd shift was only temporary. I had to go in an do some training with our ladies that work on 3rds. Apparently someone is telling the "boss" that these ladies weren't doing or didn't know how to do their job. After careful observation let's just say it looked like they knew how to do their job well and didn't really need any re-training at all and someone was doing some undermining of them and me.
Don't know if they thought I would get mad and quit over having to come in on nights or someone else would get upset over me being there but either way it didn't work. 0 -
Hey Mary - since firecrackers and margaritas don't mix, and fireworks have been banned here in TX because of the drought, does that mean I can have more margaritas?
Mimi, sometimes there's no figuring out the motivation behind such weird behavior on the part of your boss and coworkers. You keep up your determination and perseverence - don't let the bastards get you down!
Happy holidays to everyone - Canada Day, Independence Day - just have fun!
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Thanks for the motivation I intend on it. I definitely believe that God answers our prayers and you can only pretend to be something your not for so long until it finally catches up with you... meaning you can't treat your employees like krap and not think they are going to keep liking you and that it won't come back and bite you in the tush!
What goes around in the realm of karma will come back...
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Oh, I do believe in karma! Sometimes it takes a while but what goes around comes around. So sorry for the stress at work, Renee, but stress and work do seem to go together
Wishing everyone a Happy Independence Day! Canada Day too!
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Work , Stress yes they do go together but no one likes unneeded stress. As a manager I have learned to check out every story before acting I thnk and hope it has saved some people a lot of unneeded stress, now the ones doing the "incorrect" story telling they may be a littel more stressed at times.
Hope Everone has a great Independance Day and Canada Day!!
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Remember that song from, I think, the eighties... "Hard Work"? DH and I used to hear it on the radio in the car on the way home from a hard day. It always made us laugh.
We heard some scattered fireworks last night but tonight is the big event. The City shoots fireworks off of the end of the Pier out over the ocean. Usually we just walk up to the beach and watch from there, 2 miles south of the Pier. You can see them quite well but the sound is pretty dim. So it is not nearly as exciting - no big booms! But keeps us out of the congested traffic closer to town. Our little town is FULL of people on the 4th weekend. While you can't drive on the beach here, you can park very close and it is free. So many places now either charge to drive onto the beach or charge to park with meters or paid lots. Isn't there anything free anymore?
Hope everyone has a great and relaxing Independence Day!
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Pam there was no nice relaxing day... I had the wonderful priveledge of getting called into work because I had someone call off with a sick child. I really hope the child was sick and it wasn't just an excuse to not come to work because it was the 4th. This would have been her regular day off but since we had some people out on vacation I scheduled her an extra day of work and then she called off... isn't that "odd". I find it that way myself.
Wondering where everyone on this board is keeping themselves lately...
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