MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
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OK barbe1958
you gave me the first laugh of my day,
"casually walking along la de dah" at times I feel the same way. My only suffering has been the recon. no chemo, no rads for me either. I'm guessing that for most even with total MX if nodes are involved they still have to do TX.marlenet,
beautiful Cardinal ! that was short and to the point ! welcome from one of the chatty ones !
momand2kids,
I was also a good canidate for lumpectomy UNTIL the radiologist ? another spot on the mamo that she thought looked the same as the biop site. After the MRI was done that she requested that recommendation was changed to a MX to just that side as the other was clear. When the path report came back after the MX it was conclusive the other spot was indeed DCIS. Between those two areas I wouldn't have had enough breast tissue left to make any difference.
We all have such different experiences through our journey yet the goal is the same. I am glad I have found a place that I don't have to explain what this does to emotions.
To All, Must go get my daughter up time for pills and her bath. She is handicapped and 31 but like an 18 month old. She lives in my home about 5 miles away with a "Host Mom" ( that is 34 and like one of my own kids) Only for the past 4 years, before that it was all me, all the time, except when I had care provider for respite, to go to church or dinner or whatever. Heather (HM) is on a mini vacation this week-end with a friend. So Brandee is spending the week-end with us. We know do respite for Heather. Brandee loves Heather, she is like a sister to her. She has the best of both worlds. Mom and the fun of living with a best friend. She is a pistol !
Have a wonderful restful week-end Ladies !
Blessings to all,
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Indomitable, you have given a whole new meaning to "the full monty," and I love it.
Barbe1958, while I would never think of mastectomy as "easy," you certainly have a point: Once the soreness from the surgery heals, you get to go about your business. I felt my surgery pain to be settling down, then it was rads time and my whole boob is sore all over again and I'm only on #10 now. Can't wait for the Tamoxifen chapter. From what I've been reading here, that sounds like a real picnic (in the rain, plus ants!)
From the "My mind after only 5 hours of sleep dept."...
So, I'm answering a PM earlier today and closed it with "Good Luck with your treatments," but when I am tired I commit more typos so I had actually written, "Goof Luck." I fixed it then pressed send. Afterward, I realized that I am just the type of person that thinks "Goof Luck" is probably equal to, or possibly better than, Good Luck to get us through the many moods of breast cancer. Hey, I'll take 'em both!
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Well Barbe that is such a good probing ? as I sit here today recovering from bilateral incisional biopsy's. I was scheduled for BMX on August 28th with immediate recon, but I (unknowingly) gave my spot to happy29, isn't it funny that I would actually know of the person taking my spot in the Dr's surgery schedule? I decided after much searching and 4 consults not to do it just yet...it won't make me live longer (odds) but it would give me some peace of mind, but the final decision maker was when I found out I would have to take Arimidex anyway! Well I am going to take a pain pill and go back to bed. I hope all of you have a wonderful peaceful weekend.0
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HELP! I found out my employer is dropping our health insurance at the end of the month. I live in FL. Does anyone know what my rights are? Can the insurance company drop me when I just started treatment? I am freaking out.
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msc209, also open a thread of your own. That is an emergency and you will need answers quick.
Anyone here who knows, please jump in.
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How do I do that? I am a nervous wreck. I'm at work today
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msc209, My hospital offered pay assistance type programs. You may want to contact them. Did they give you a reason for this? Do they offer cobra? That just sucks!0
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No Cobra if insurance is dropped. I called the State. They confirmed this. You know bad enough I have cancer but I might have to pay for it? I'll lose my house. I am single and have been living on my retirement for 2 yrs since my old company went out of business. I have enough left in the bank to subsidize what I am not making for another year + but if I have to pay for this..I won't. I have been positive up until now. NOW I AM PISSED!!! Not even at my employer..I mean... should he pay for 20 other employees just so I can finish my Rads. But then again couldn't he wait one more month? I am MAD at God right now too. I haven't done the "woe is me" thing...but now I am.
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msc209, you have every right to be pissed. When will you be done with treatment? I would contact your hospital or the breast care center, that you are going too. Maybe they can help.
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msc209, I found this infor, maybe this will help
Paying for Treatment Without Insurance
Question: I don't have health insurance. How will I pay for breast cancer treatment?
Answer: Several government and private organizations help people without medical insurance to pay for treatment:
- Begin by contacting the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). They have information about how to get free mammograms, Pap smears, and treatment.
- Call your local Social Services Department. You may be eligible for Medicaid or other programs for low-income women.
- Call your local Public Health Department to find out about local health care programs.
- Many hospitals run free clinics where they provide medical care at no or low cost.
- Contact the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation or the American Cancer Society.
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"Out damn spot"-somuch-love it!! That's exactly how I felt.
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Sorry had a few customers walk in. Let mne read comments. brb
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I just started treatment this week. 7 weeks 5x.
"out damn spot" ?? HUH?
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That comment wasn't directed to you, Michele. Sorry.
But, try looking thru these resources to see if something is applicable for you:
In addition, I heard there is a resource in Florida for uninsured BC patients which is a tremendous help. The social services department at your treatment center should be able to tell you more about it.Good luck.
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Thank you Indomitable.
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barbe,
If I had been through what you had been through, I think I would have made the same decision you did. I sincerely hope in the future I won't have to make that decision, but it could happen. I did everything possible to lower my potential risk of recurrence--- got it to under 9% but who knows what will happen? I haven't been through anywhere near what you have experienced but I would imagine that it would just get very tiring to constantly have biopsies and waiting for results....
but it is important to point out that if people do have treatments such as chemo and radiation--it can go well and you do come out on the other side...it just delays your recovery a bit-- but as my onc said to me--- 3-4 months of your life is a small investment in the future..... everyone does not get sick during chemo or burned during radiation or have side effects from the hormonal therapies..... again, all personal decisions---- it is great to be here so we can all support each other in the decisions that we have made!!!
all the best to you
carol
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Hi Y'All,
I wanted to chime in on Barbe's post regarding BMX...my Onc suggested it rather than starting the "tardy" rads on my right post lumpectomy...I am seriously considering it. I just wanted to play out what had shown up this time. I kind of agree on the slot machine analogy. Just wanted to wait until the wheel stopped turning to make my decision...I don't know if it the easy way, but it seems a lot more "safer" than the wait-and-see approach that my BS likes. Besides since both of my parents died from some form of cancer, a first cousin, a 32 yr old niece dying from colon ca diagnosed in her 8th month of pregnancy and my a aunt dying from cervical cancer and my maternal grandmother dying from breast ca...I really don't want to try to "spin the wheel any more."
So stay tuned...
Another wino with cancer...NIKKI
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MSC209--
I don't want to sound like the bearer of bad news, but I think you need to contact a private insurance company to see if you can get immediate coverage. Without qualified coverage, you are reduced to being classified as uninsurable. Or perhaps a new job! I am not kidding around. I am a former resident of Florida [Tampa Bay]. You need to act fast. Also, you may want to check for a free consultation with an employment attorney. You may have rights. Act Fast...you are in my prayers. If I find out any info I will PM you.
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Hi Just joining this very popular thread b/c I feel in the middle of "just diagnosed" and all the others. Had Lumpectomy a week ago w/ aux. nodes dissection (I guess I was just "staged" but better than I expected, I already knew about chem, rads and tamox) and next is chemo - don't know when but w/in a few weeks. Cried today for no apparent reason- combo of phys. pain and a nostalgically beautiful fallish afternoon I guess - who knows. I feel like my feelings are hurt but by whom? Anyway, have mostly felt peaceful and this too shall pass. Good luck ladies it seems to be a crazy trip. Valerie
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I had to have a mastectomy as I had calcifications throughout the breast as well as the lump I had found. It was a big shock for me but in hindsight propably the best thing as I didn't have to make a decision.
I DID make the decision to have a prophylactic mast. on the other breast 6 months later. I had a family history so my BS suggested it. Lots of ppl thought I was over reacting...even some Drs (this was in 1992 it wasn't so common then) but once I had it done I felt very relieved even though the tissue tested came back clear.
I didn't have chemo or rads.
I had expanders and implants.
Dustymom...hope the fires have settled down and you get to go to Disneyland as well. How are the crowds there these days...do you have to line up for ages to get on the rides etc?
lol...I guess I'm a huge "winer" too! (We had a lovely bottle of red last night!)
jezza
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msc...best of luck to you with the insurance nightmare. you'll be in my prayers.
val...as far as crying, i'm 4 yrs out and there are still times i find myself tearing up for no reason and i think it's cause i never had that one all-consuming cry that i kept promising myself i'd do 'later'. as with most things when we say that, later never seems to come at the right time!
to any and all just beginning this bc journey, i wish you as easy time of it as possible. i had a lumpec, chemo, rads and now tamox. i tolerated everything pretty well, but is that like saying the fire only burnt a little? lol i got my dx a few weeks after i turned 50. i was feeling so cocky about how cool i still was, how young i still looked, how well i felt ... then wham! i've gained a bit of humility since then (at least i keep telling myself i have!)
hugs to you all
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To all my fellow wine lovers, we are just like a bottle of fine wine, we get better every year. Our lives and experiences add to its complexity!! Enjoyed a nice glass to day with dinner and it did not make me feel "yucky" so the rads effects must be getting less. We all have lots of decsions to make and we are the ones who have to live with them so no matter what others say in the end it is us who have to decide. I do not feel there are any easy ways with BC, it messes with your mind and body! Getting excited about going out to Albuquerque and Las Vegas next month to see my sons 24 and 27 and my youngest brothers family. Between the hip surgery, the biopsy, the lumpectomy, and rads I miss them and look forward to spending time with them.
Michele make sure you find out all the info you can about your options and rights, my thoughts are with you.
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Hi ladies,
I would like to join this group as I feel more comfortable. I was just dx not even three weeks ago so I'm still in a little of fog. I have DCIS in my left breast, my MRI showed a 3.5 cm area and another new spot about 6 mm - the radiologist wasn't sure if that new area was a lymph node or a new malignancy so I guess we'll find out once I do surgery. My BS said it's still "in situ" and not invasive but I'm still worried that the size means it's about to become invasive. How can in situ be that large? Are your ducts that large? I'm just wondering if she's telling me everything without having the surgery yet? I am planning on doing a bi-lateral b/c I don't want to live with a time bomb in my good breast; my aunt and grandmother (mom's sister and mom) had cancer in both breasts - early though but still in both so I took the BRCa gene test last week and am waiting for those results. As you know the waiting is the hardest part. ARRGHHH!! I do have consults with 2 plastic surgeons on Tues and Wed. so at least I have some control over this and makes me feel better.
I do not have children, my husband and I started IVF last year with 2 failed attempts and now I know why - God had a different plan for me. Sadly my giving birth to biological children is over but there's always adoption. I am ER+/PR+ and really DO NOT want to take tamoxifen - hopefully having the double mastectomy will allow me not to take it but I guess that will depend on the nodes testing and the pathology after they remove the breasts.
Thanks for listening to me ramble - I'm sorry....just get very passionate about this. I appreciate your help and thoughts. This is a great site and I'm glad to have found you. Blessings to you all.
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Evening Ladies,
Just a short note about tears........crying......... My mom was DX with BC 6 months before me at age 83. She had a unilateral Mx two days after Christmas '07. My Dad has always been pretty stoic, but was very teary and emotional when Mom had her surgery. The night after her surgery everyone had gone home except my son-in-law (who is a Dr.) and me. We were spending the night with her. My mom kept saying "I just can't get over how much your Dad cried, I wasn't crying !" I said well Mom that's because you're on anti-depressants and Dad's not !
When I was going through my biop and going to the Dr. for results my S.O. was awful !! He was in tears before we got to the access center to check in for my appt. During the visit that I got the results he wore his sun glasses, couldn't take them off. While Dr. is explaining the findings, he is sitting next to me in sunglasses. I said Rich, take your sunglasses off. Dr. looked at him and said " He can wear them if he wants too."
Everyone was waiting for me to crash but I didn't WHY ? you ask......... because I had been on a anti-depressants for Hot Flashes for a long time. I finally had to call the PCP that my fiance goes to and being a nurse in the same health system I know them all. I said Dr. is going to have to give Rich something or I'M not going to make it through this surgery. We both survived and I did finally cry one night during the time I was having my expanders filled. I came out of the shower crying and he said "What's wrong ?" (shocked I'm sure) I said "I'm sooooo sick of this !" Then I get the pep talk "But honey they got it all I could be taking you to chemo right now" OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHH yeah big reality check !! How could I argue with that ?
Which is another reason coming on here humbles me ! I am so inspired by you all. I just want to do anything I can to be supportive, pray for you and send healing thoughts your way !
Blessings to all, and welcome to anyone I haven't already welcomed
DID I SAY SHORT ?0 -
I've said it before, but I'll describe it again, my theory on how we handle it all:
As women, we learn to stay calm during the crisis. We can lift cars off our children if they are trapped! But, we tend to crumble when it is all over and let the adrenaline drain from our system and weep for what "might have been".
BUT, during this cancer trip, it is never "over" (till it's over!) so we never have a chance to crumble and let go. It is very tiring to hang on month after month, being brave for everyone else so they don't get worried. Downplaying side effects and fears. When is it okay to just cry? Anytime! Anytime you can release some of that frustration and adrenaline is sooooo good for your soul. I believe the crying washes away all the bad crap and that's why women cry so well! I just wish I could cry more to release some of my tension....or it will happen at an inappropriate time, I'm afraid!
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Hi sleeplesss in Seatle. (Oops wrong movie)
Welcome ever expanding group. We welcome you with open arms.
Michelle. So sorry to hear of insurance woes...... it seems like informed folks have given meaningful advice. Use your anger to search for a 'solution' . [Of course that is so much easier to type than to do, but we're all here cheering for your efforts on your own behalf.]
LSU Kim. Best wishes as you are so near the beginning of the whirlwind. I want to relate that I had DCIS, surgery, rads and have now been on 2 years of tamoxofin, with very few side effects. I think everyone is so very specific in their own reaction to each phase of this process. I know that I was 'frought up' over taking tamoxofin -- before I started, but with onc's guidance, research and the idea that I could ALWAYS stop it if too challenging..... I lumbered into taking it & have truly been fortunate NOT to have experienced the various s.e. that are debilitating.
I guess all I'm saying, is attempt not to look tooooooooo far down the path & get yourself worked up 'prematurely' over possibilities not at hand. [Again, eaiser to type than to manage. Feel free to remind me of my own opinions should I ever need to re-visit any of this roller coaster ride in the future.]
Sleep. A treasured and rare commodity. The good news is that I'm awake thinking of wedding planning details & professional excitement possibilities rather than BC..... just thought I'd come keep ya company while WIDE awake. LOL
xx00xx00xx00xx
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Morning Faith I have been up since 5 this morning.Too much on my mind,and too many hot flashes.I have only been on tamox for about 9 months but so far only SE's are the flashes.Hope everyone is having a great weekend.Good morning Barbe I see you are up as well.
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Since 5!
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Hows the cookie today ? Firm and crispy I hope.?
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Early birds, hot flashing unite!
We need our own logo or something. LOL
Edited to add picture. Most of you don't know me well enough, but I have this little idiosycracy that just DEMANDS that I put a picture at the top of a new page.
So here's to early birds everywhere. Remember I'm an hour behind you, so I'm seriously early out here in Central time. LOL.
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