Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
Comments
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I did not get tested for the BRCA 1 or 2 gene either as the closest family history I have is 2 or 3 of my great Aunts have had it, one of my grandmothers sisters and 2 of my grandfathers sisters all on my mom's side of the family. I guess that wasn't enough of justification? I also was not Oncotyped, which I really don't understand why. I was just told NO chemo. Now that's not something I was sad about given I have had chemo before and it definitely was not one of my favorite past times and I did not relish the idea of repeating it. Anyway, I wish they had of done it just for my piece of mind so I could have been sure that it wasn't necessary, but I guess there is a point that we all have to just trust our doctors opinions (especially when it is more than one doc).
Juanelle, Michele, Alicia and Pam - How are you all doing tonight?
Renee
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mimi1964: You could always ask your BS or oncologist to get your oncotype score now just for your peace of mind. It is usually done on ER+, node negative cancer so it seems like a reasonable request.
TCK
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I agree with Hannahbear, Renee. You can always get it now for peace of mind.
Lilah
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Edited to redact a post with personal information.
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Groundhog -- grats on the new Lazy Boy (and how nice that your hubby gets to DO something)! I had a topical but it did not help much... I will say, however, that I think a lot of my pain was due to the fact that my lumpectomy had been close to the nippe (behind it/beside it) and so the needles were contacting already distressed flesh. Here's hoping it's easy for you! What is the date of your upcoming surgery?
Cheers,
Lilah
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Hello everyone
Juannell - thanks for sharing... It's good to hear that I am not the only one that had a hard time sleeping in bed weeks out from surgery.
Groundhog - Congrats on getting your recliner! I think you will be very thankful for it in the long run.
Renee - I agree with the others about getting the Oncotype/dx test done. I meet with my oncologist tomorrow (Thurs) to get my results. On one hand I want a very low score so I don't have to have chemo, but another part of me wants it so that if there is anything still there it would be killed. My appt is in the late afternoon, I will post afterwards.
Lots of talk on SNB. My SNB was done immediately prior to bi-lat mx. I was injected with the blue die 2 hours before surgery and had to massage it every half hour for about 5 minutes to work the die around. I didn't think the shot was too painful. But, what was painful to me was when I went to surgery and the BS started pressing in with what looked like a sonogram wand under my right underarm to find the "hot spots". I remember her saying, "Here is hot spot #1", then she moved to a little lower location, pressing in very hard and said, "Here is hot spot #2." Boy, oh boy, did that hurt. I was put out right after that so I don't remember too much else, but when I awoke I was still really sore where the lymph nodes were removed.
For those of you that pray, I have a prayer request. My brother who was in remission from Stage IV stomach cancer has just been told that it has returned to his stomach and is now in his bone also (backbone I believe). He cannot have chemo because his WBC would get too low even on a low dose. He will do 25 tx of radiation, but doctors are not hopeful that it will do anything, except help to relieve some pain and discomfort. He has been given 6 mos again. He has been on an emotional rollercoaster this past year. He was given 3-6 months this past spring, that's when he tried the chemo and couldn't do it. He then did radiation and when finished had scans done that did not show any cancer. His doctors pronounced him cancer free in November and now he just found out it is back and has been given a 6 month prognosis again. I just can't imagine. He is at peace, but going through quite a bit of pain and discomfort. Please pray that the pain will subside and if it's meant to be that his passing will be bearable. Thanks.
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Renee, will keep him in my prayers. It was once said to me that we can only go by God's prognosis - not the Dr.s. Praying that the radiation does it's thing again this time. Groundhog, I too had a topical cream prior to the SNB shots, but it really didn't do anything. It was explained to me that if the shot is placed properly (it is put between the skin and tissue beneath), it will hurt pretty bad (mainly stinging). All in all, we get through it! I remember saying that I never wanted to go through the pain of labour with my first child and had 2 more! We are very strong when we have to be!! Doesn't mean we have to like it though!
Debbie I am so happy that I was already out when they started looking for the SNB - what an awful thing to remember just before surgery!! 0 -
Groundhog: I didn't mean to alarm anyone about the pain with the SNB injection. Some people have reported very little pain so hopefully you will be in that group. I too had already had an excisional biopsy so the breast had already been traumatized about 2 months earlier. I'm glad you are getting the recliner--I think you will be glad too. My husband used to always sit in our recliner but since my surgeries, it's been "my" chair.
Debbie: You and your family will be in my prayers for peace and comfort.
TCK
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It just seems we all have so many crosses to bear. I am sorry about your brother, Debbie. Praying that his pain will be relieved and he will have quality time with his loved ones. This has got to be very hard on you and your family.
Groundhog, it is so good that your husband has a mission - a new recliner. Men so need to feel like they are contributing to the solution, doing something. And it will really help!
Best wishes to everyone here. Stay warm. Hard as all of this is, we can do it!!!
pam
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Just wondering, is it silly to ask about a Class of 2010 thread? Or is that being to segregational?
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Debbie, so sorry about your brother, you know he will be in our prayers..and some extra prayers for you and your family.
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Ezscriiibe,
I had not read any of the posts that criticize this site for having too many divided groups when I started it. I just thought I would like to be with a group of women who were in the same "place" that I was. I think, now, I would hesitate to do it only because I have read some of those critiques. But honestly, how can we have too many women to share and empathize with? I get so much comfort from everyone here. It's silly to complain about anything that reaches out and helps us survive, psychologically.
I would do it again. No one has complained about our thread. We are so supportive of each other. And we take everyone.... so if you want to hang out here, join us. But if you want to create a 2010 group, go for it!
pam
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Oh I most definitely understand and share in your threads (in terms of reading them).
I just wasn't sure of the protocol and haven't really been here long enough to know what is acceptable and what might be frowned upon.
Each forum has its own set of "manners"!
But I think I'm at my posting limit for today, so will have to look into starting it maybe tomorrow, unless some else does it beforehand!
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BTW, love your troll. They were the rage when I was in high school. Have they come back again?
pam
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Did anyone watch the Drew Carey show?
Mimi had TROLLS everywhere! LOL
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Oh No! I am in a class with Mimi?
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Yes, I used to love that show!! Mimi almost looked like a cross between a clown and a troll herself. LOL
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HI girls ~ I am a bit behind on my reading. Just wanted to pop in and say hi, Monday's chemo has me slowed down a bit ! Good news on DH's test. NO tumors seen. Just some bowel inflammation. More testing needs to be done but so far so good. Thank you for the prayers. Hope everyone is good. Hope to catch up soon.
Hugs ~
Alicia
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Alicia,
Good news on DH! Maybe this is like husbands experiencing labor pains... his body just needed a little attention? Sure hope so! You all have enough to deal with in your treatment. So glad - So far.
pam
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Haven't posted on this thread for a long time - but I am a 2009'er. In fact what prompted me to post is it all began a year ago for me!!! Last Saturday was 1 year since first visit to BS, yesterday was 1 year after my biopsies, Saturday will be one year since dx and Tuesday marks 1 year since I had my uni mastectomy and ironically my first post dx mammogram is due on Tuesday morning and then I vist with my oncologist tuesday afternoon - I am so apprehensive!!!! I just can't relax - can't sleeep etc. I had chemo, rads (no recon - yet) and now I'm on Tamox. Still have a lot of aches and pains and I am just sooooooo nervous that the aches and pains are something!!! I know that it is unlikely and I know that I am being a hypochondriac but I just can't seem to control this fear.
I know I should be dancing for joy at having finished all the major treatment and being so well now, and taking Tamox and painkillers daily should almost be a joy considering I have 'got through' so much and as everyone keeps telling me I look great and I'm 'on the other side of it' now. It's funny how many people have commented to me at how good it was that 'they caught it early' considering not one of them has ever asked me was it caught early - I think they assume that if you are alive it was caught early. I know stage llb isn't the worst place to be but that plus the fact that I had node involvement, multi-focal cancer, largest tumor over 4 cm (40mm), and LVI isn't exactly early stage either or am I being an alarmist???
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Alicia - so good to hear things may be looking up for your DH. Hope you are doing well after chemo.
Ladies, I am so scared. The MRI was last Thursday night. Met with the back doctor on Monday. He just cannot tell if the lesion on my hip bone is cancer. On top of that, there is more that one lesion. The pathology report is not clear about how many lesions there are. They are on the hip and the femur. The hip and leg have been hurting for a while now, and this has me out of my mind with fear. Cancer does cause bone pain, but other kinds of lesions can do this, too.
Next stop was the med onc. She punted my films and reports to the rad onc. I met with the rad onc this morning. She just cannot say whether I have cancer or something else. Why did the med onc kick this to the rad onc if she can't make a diagnosis by looking at the films? The process has beaten me down. This is day 10 since the whole bone lesion scare started. So now I am scheduled for a bone scan on Monday. They may possibly do a bone biopsy, based on the results of the bone scan. So another weekend of waiting, followed by more tests and waiting.
The onc ways that bone metastasis is not likely with a stage 1, grade 1 tumor - with limited involvement in the first lymph node. Could it be cancer? Yes. I think they would all be blown away if it is. But so far, three docs have not been able to rule it out.
Finally have something for anxiety - will take that tonight, and hope it will help. I am exhausted, scared, and so sad. My friends have jumped in to help, and are going to work with the docs to move this thing along. My job will be to get to treatment and do the tests. They are going to wrestle with the docs and administrative issues.
Say a good one for me, girls. XO, Mary
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Mary -- sending you hugs and strength to hang in there and keep hoping it is NOT cancer. My prayers with you as well.
Debbie -- I am so sorry to hear about your brother's struggle. Just awful. Definitely saying prayers for him too.
Lilah
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Alicia~ So glad to hear the good report on DH! That must be a load off your mind, as if you didn't have enough to deal with already! Prayers of celebration to you!
Mary~ Prayers to you as you go thru your testing to figure out if you have bone mets. It is good that you have wonderful friends to support you and see you thru this. What a blessing that is! Sending good vibes, lots of hugs and prayers your way. Please keep us posted, we are thinking of you!
Hope everyone else is doing well today. I am looking forward to my first post DX mammo on Monday morning, and I have to say I am kind of nervous. I will have the whole diagnostic done, so it will be a 3 hour marathon of mammos and ultrasounds. I will bring a good book for the waiting area and keep my finger crossed that everything comes out ok.
I am also having some good luck with my Avon Walk so far. I have one other teammate and I already have 2 donations in! I am really excited to do this. I have heard some amazing stories from women who have done it. I need to start training, but the weather here is just not conducive to walking outside right now. But I will do my best!
Take care!
Hugs to all
Jen
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Dear Mary,
The waiting is just torture added to the unbearable anxiety. Thank goodness you have something to help. Don't expect anything from yourself this weekend and coming week. So good that you have friends who are stepping up to help you... says a lot about the kind of person you are. This just can't be something bad... that flies in the face of reason. I am praying for good news. And surely your docs are just being extra careful and not wanting to miss something unheard of. Good news... SOON.
So good to hear from you Ainm,
Once you have a DX of breast cancer there is no such thing as hypochondria! We are all scared of mets, so are our doctors. That's why they put us through the wringer, like Mary! I never used to think anything bad could happen to me...now I expect the worst! Actually, thinking the worst possible scenario is going to develop is not so bad... things can only be better.
I am coming up on a year and can't believe how much has happened. I am certainly older, wiser I hope, less confident in the future, but so glad to have found you all for support.
pam
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Mary: I will definitely keep you in my prayers. I know this has got to be very difficult and scary so lean on those around you. We are always here to offer support too.
TCK
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Mary, I feel for you...Cancer sucks...the waiting is unbearable at times...thankfully you have a great support system to count on..big, yet gentle hugs for you..
Jen, great thing you are doing with the Avon walk...I hope to one day do something like that..
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Mary ~ Big prayers for you. I cannot even imagine the anxiety you are feeling right now. So glad your friends are jumping in to help. Take those pills for anxiety and just try to take things hour by hour right now. HUGS !!!!!0
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Thanks, Ladies - you provide good strong shoulders to lean on. So glad we all have each other. XO, Mary
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Edited to redact a post with personal information.
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Today I feel like a normal person...or at least a normal person who can't wait to taste again...got out today and did some shopping at Walmart..had to get food..I went topless, and without makeup..had some looks, but I didn't care. I felt on the verge of tears at times..I felt so pathetic..but I needed food and I havn't left my house in a week. one step at a time.
Good luck tomorrow for anyone have a tx..
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