Class of 2009 - Sisters in the same time frame
Comments
-
Mary - AWESOME! AWESOME! I know it's such a relief for you. That's one more bump you have overcome. Way to go!
Chriis
0 -
Hello All!
Mary! That is fantastic news!! I am so happy for you that the bone scan was clear!!! YAY!!!
Juannelle-Good luck to you as you start rads this week. Closing the chemo chapter and starting the rads chapter in your treatment journey! You will do great, you are a strong beautiful woman!
Renee- Hope all is going well with you in your treatment. How is your skin holding up lately? And glad to hear you have your water back! That must have made for a tough week!
Ezscriibe- Good luck to you as you face surgery this week. Know we are all praying for you.
Michele- I have to agree with you, with all that is going on in Haiti, even though we are dealing with crappy cancer, we are still very blessed. We have doctors at our disposal and treatments available to us, and they are struggling for everyday things like shelter and food. Really puts things into perspective.
I had my mammo yesterday and everything turned out fine! So, that is good news. They didn't do the whole diagnostic like I thought they were going to do, they said I would have the ultra sound when I have my follow up MRI, which will be scheduled shortly. I go see my rad onc today for a follow up. I am kind of freaking out a little, so girls, please help me out here. I have been having pain in my right hip for the past 2 days. I hate that this wouldn't normally mean anything to me, and now it is freaking me out. My first thought--Mets. But I know I was stage 1 and had no node involvement, but the dark thought still looms in the back of my mind. I am not going to run to the doctor about this unless it keeps up. I am sure it is nothing....right?
Wishing you all a wonderful day!
Hugs
Jen
0 -
RIGHT, JEN!!!! We are having no bad news here.
We all understand the anxiety. You are being sensible to worry a little and mention it BUT it is going to be nothing!
pam
0 -
Jen I am sure it is nothing..I say tell your doc when you see her next, unless it effects your being able to walk or is bad pain..Remember our hips and knees take a beating. All that said, if you are losing sleep, call and get in sooner.
0 -
Jen, I too have a pain that has started in my hip and sometimes radiates down to my knee. I do sleep on that side. I spoke to my Med Onc about this and she said not to worry about pain until you have it constantly for at least 2 weeks. She said that if it was mets, the pain would not subside, only get worse. Mine does go away and comes back usually around the time of my endless periods! lol Do mention it to your Onc, but try not to worry too much about it. I know, easier said than done!0
-
Thanks Pam and Michele! I know it is most likely nothing.
I just came from seeing my rad onc, and he was really angry with something the tech said to me yesterday at my mammo. I was clarifying with her that I was supposed to have an ultra sound yesterday, and she said, "no, you don't need an ultrasound because you will have one when you have your MRI, and you are due for that 6 months from your last one" Which would put me due for an MRI in March. He was LIVID! He couldn't believe she gave me that mis-information. First of all, I am not due for an MRI 6 months from my last one, because I went thru Radiation, which would light up an MRI like a Christmas tree right now, and secondly, she instilled the idea that I needed an ultra-sound, when I don't need one. They only do an ultra-sound if they see something suspicious. So, he wanted her name, and I couldn't remember it, don't know if that is good or bad, but he said he was going to talk to someone over there.
I feel better though, because at least now I know I don't have to have an MRI in a few weeks, like she had told me.
OH Geeez!!!
Jen
0 -
Edited to redact a post with personal information.
0 -
I saw my medical oncologist today. Just my routine every 3 month visit. I really had no complaints, can you believe it? Yes, I am achey from the Arimidex and I don't feel strong but I think that is residual effect of surgery (lumpectomy and two knee operations) and radiation. I already walk 2-3 miles a day for exercise and she said I need to add weights to build strength so will try that. Also I bought a Pilates DVD so need to use it!
We agreed this is going to be a healthy year for me. I hope we are right. I do feel like less of a cancer patient and more like a normal person. That is certainly a step in the right direction. She did blood work (will include a tumor marker) but no impending scans! Hooray. Maybe life can get back to normal after breast cancer.
Wish it for all of us.
pam
0 -
Wonderful Pam!
What is a tumor marker?
Lilah
0 -
The tumor marker my onc does is the CA 15-3. It is a blood test that looks for protein shed by cancer cells circulating in the blood. It is NOT useful in diagnosing breast cancer and only is somewhat useful for looking for metastasis. Lots of doctors do not do it as it is only an indicator and not definitive. A range below "35" is considered normal but one can have a high reading while in active treatment, like chemo, and not have mets. Or one can have a high reading because of infection or other illness. Or have a low reading while something bad is happening. So some drs think it causes more anxiety than it is worth.
But I am really glad my dr does it. So far my #s have been quite low and consistent. So I like the test :-) Sure I would feel differently if my #s went up, not to mention, scared.
The other thing she does is general blood work - liver function and stuff like that - just looking for changes or trends. So far so good.
There are other tumor marker tests for cancer. I think the PSA (for prostate cancer) is a tumor marker, for instance. It is considered more reliable and widely used. I think there is one for ovarian cancer pts that is quite reliable too.
I have this blood work every 3 months. But you should not be surprised if your doctor does not order it. There was a thread on here about who does and does not and it seemed like it was about 50-50.
Pam
0 -
Ah interesting Pam and thanks for sharing. Well I will see my Onc in three months and am still receiving Herceptin until next summer... so even if she DOES do that sort of test she may wait until my treatment is done. But I will ask her about that then... was on my list anyway to ask her what sort of follow ups I should do. When I saw her last week she only said she wants me to do a bone scan in the next few months (since the chemo has put me into menopause and she thinks that since I'm in my late 40s I will not be bouncing back from that). She also said I don't need a Pet Scan because the one she gave me prior to starting chemo showed no cancer anywhere... actually I wonder if that includes the breast (at that time I had already had two lumpectomies). I had my right MX December 9 and the pathology showed no cancer anywhere in the tissue removed. If the Pet Scan did show cancer still in my breast, then I imagine that means the chemo did knock out what was left... interesting....
Lilah
0 -
Hi Ladies!
Pam and Jen it sounds like you both had a great Onc visits. I'm so glad everything is going great with you both. Nothing eases the mind more than to be told that there is still not evidence of disease.
I have #28 today and this will be my last regular txt. I start my compression boosts tomorrow. That will leave me with 10 to go!!!!
On a sadder note...
My grandma is in the hospital and she is on a Ventilator. She has Pneumonia, Congestive Heart Failure and is in Renal Failure. She is 83 yrs old. I had just talked with her Sunday and she really didn't sound all that sick, but my grandpa said she wasn't feeling well. Anyway, they took her in on Monday night and she almost didn't make it. We went down yesterday to see her, and she was responsive at times. They are doing a CT scan with a contrast today of her kidneys to try and find out why they aren't functioning. The doctor said there is a risk of further damage to the kidneys with the dye. She is very sick. Prayers are appreciated.
Hugs to you all.
Renee
0 -
How is your skin, Renee?
pam
0 -
Renee - I'm saying my prayers for you. I recently went through a similar experience with my 76-year-old mother in October and she is now out of hospital and doing okay. She had pulmonary flash edema and congestive heart failure and was on a ventilator for over a week. She was also suffering from a chest infection at the time. She even flatlined twice and they saved her. There is so much they can do medically so please hang in there and know my thoughts are with you.
Sherri
0 -
Renee, She will be in my prayers...Sugar is right, she is in good hands I'm sure.
0 -
Renee-Prayers for your Grandmother and for you! Stay strong sister! We love you and are here for you.
Hope everyone else is having a blessed day!
Hugs
Jen
0 -
Hugs Renee -- and prayers for your Grandma...
Lilah
0 -
Edited to redact a post with personal information.
0 -
Groundhog,
It's some kind of Murphy's law... you do one thing and then something else needs it. Men, however, never notice this phenomenon. If you replace the couch then you'll have to paint so better wait.
I think the power feature is smart. If it's your right side involved you might not be able to work a lever.Please let us know about your Grandma, Renee. Things can happen so quickly at that age. Good that she has you to watch over her.
To everyone in active treatment, my heart is with you. Hang in there... there is light at the end of the tunnel and it is NOT an oncoming train. I am now 7 months post radiation and really beginning to feel normal again. I am even getting in to cleaning out and up! I have been such a slacker since diagnosis, just doing enough to get by. I am even thinking about moving furniture around!!!
pam
0 -
Pam - next you'll start thinking of painting! :-)
0 -
funny you should mention painting...I got new bedding for christmas and we installed new floors as well. Now today I started painting...the bedding didn't match the walls...it is only just the beginning...don't tell my DH..
0 -
hehe. Painting. We were right in the middle of painting the various rooms in our house. We haven't repainted since we moved in about 12 years ago. Last month we repainted the kitchen, the breakfast nook, and our bedroom.
We have "started" the study (where my computer is), but postponed it until after the holidays, and then this stepped in.
Oh well. I can live with some walls partially green right now!
0 -
Hi Ezscriiiible.
It is amazing what gets put on hold when a BC DX comes along. I counted it up and in the first 180 days of my journey I had 90 different medical appointments! How I had time for anything else is a wonder. It feels so good for things to have slowed down. I feel like an almost normal person. I don't know how you women who are working do it... and children? Wow, hats off to you. I guess in life we just do what we have to.
pam
0 -
Pam ~ thanks for the encouragement ! Glad to hear you are doing well.
Renee ~ prayers for your Grandma, I hope you are doing well with the rads ~
Juanelle ~ hope today went off without a hitch ~
Michele ~ painting during chemo eh?! your AMAZING!!!!
Hugs girls..
Alicia
0 -
Renee - prayers for your grandma and family ..................
0 -
jen, I am glad you got everything straight with the Rad Onc. It is too bad the tech gave you bad information, but they are the ones that we see each visit, so it is logical that they give you information.
pam, I know it is a relief to get a good doctor's report. I can't wait for those days. I also hope you have a very healthy year.
Renee, sorry to hear about your grandmother. Sherri is right about what they will be able to do for her. I will add her to my prayer list. Only 10 more to go, man I am jealous. I have 32 to go.
Everything went OK with my first radiation today. It only took about 45 minutes and I have marks all over my breast. They took xrays and it was much different from the simulation. Tomorrow will be so much different, because I will at least know what to expect.
Juannelle
0 -
Pam, funny you ask how my skin is, it stinks! I am really burnt underneath my breast in the fold closest to my sternum. It is red and black and has at least 2 areas of dry peeling. It practically happened overnight (the last 2 days). It was absolutely so painful last night I slathered it in Silvadene cream (I am almost out because it was some that I just had), but it gave me NO relief. This morning I used the Regenecare with the Lidocaine in it and then put on the cornstarch and used a soft old hanky under the edge of the bra so I could tolerate clothing and go to work. It eventually became unbearable and I took a Lortab 5, which helped decrease the pain and made it bearable so I could stay at work. The Rad Onc looked at it today and of course he said it didn't look that bad. I guess compared to some he's seen it probably doesn't. However, I have never lain in a tanning bed or the sun till I have burnt myself red and black and could not alleviate the burn pain. It's like a 2nd degree burn (if you are a nurse) for those of you who haven't experienced it, it's like you burned your hand on a cast iron skillet and seared the skin black and blistered it off. Anyway the Rad Onc said since I start the boosts tomorrow that skin won't be getting anymore radiation and it should start to heal in the next 3-4 days. We shall see. I pray he is right and that it heals that quickly. I just hope the rest of the breast doesn't burn up from the boosts. My scar is right next to my nipple and my tumor bed was behind my nipple, so basically all my boosts will end up in the same area.
Sorry this was so long but I needed to vent, it really hurts. As for my grandma... I have good news, she is off the vent and is on Oxygen and breathing on her on. Her kidney failure is improved but still not where they want it to be. But if she continues to improve they will move her out to a step down unit in 3-4 days. Yeah!!!
I am happy that the end is in sight for completing rads.
Renee
0 -
Alicia, I hope you are still feeling well. Thanks for the encouragement for the radiation. Maybe it wont be so bad.
groundhog, congrats on the new recliner. Did you just get one? You know you will need two.
We did some remodeling several months ago and while the painters were here I just kept thinking of things for them to do, the back porch, the bathroom, and on and on. But it really looks nice now that it is all done. I certainly would like to get a new sofa, but that will have to wait.
Hugs to all.
Juannelle
0 -
Edited to redact a post with personal information.
0 -
HI Renee,
I am sorry you are in pain but seems like it is part of the process for most of us. I just hope all this stuff we suffer through actually works! Every time I swipe my debit card for $345.00 worth of Arimidex I wonder if it really works or should I spend the money on something else. Something that makes me feel good, not bad, for instance.
Everyone says boosts are not as bad but that was not exactly my experience. As soon as I started the boosts the original raw areas began to heal... that was good. But new stuff happened to offset the pluses. But when it was all finished I healed really quickly, amazingly fast. My armpit is still dark and no hair and they say I did not have radiation to the armpit. ??? My skin still gets dry and I have to use lotion on that side. Otherwise things are good and I am not much worse for having been through it all.
Just have to keep the faith.
pam
0
