MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
Comments
-
I am so glad I found this forum too Wyo! Fortunately my doctors in FL have been very good about getting everything to the surgeon here. Even my slides were overnighted to them so I think she should have everything she needs for my appt. tomorrow. I hand carried all of my paperwork to them and they made copies but I am taking mine just in case. I am hoping that she is part of a "team" that I can follow through with. My daughter went to the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in CO and was given the best tam of doctors I have ever seen which included a "navigator" who was with her every step of the way. It was the most coordinated effort I have ever seen and I hope I find the same thing here. If not, I may just head to CO and see her doctors. They are already aware of what is going on and are wanting to follow me. My daughter was Triple Neg. and very young. Hers was a very aggressive cancer that required immediate trmt. She could not have waited like I have. She is also part of several study groups since her case is so rare. She was also tested for the BRCA Gene and was negative.
My results did come from an MRI guided core biopsy. Long story but to shorten it...I had my annual mammo and they reported something suspicious in my rt. breast and recommended follow-up in 6 mos. I was uncomfortable with that so I demanded an MRI. That showed 2 spots on the rt. and something on the left very far back near the chest wall. They did the core biopsy and found the cancer. Had 2 aspirations on the rt side which came back benign. So, if I would have never found the cancer on the left side!
0 -
KLJ
Welcome to CA- I don't know exactly where in the state you are and where you are going for surgical consult. PM me if you want to discuss further.
I am familiar with the Rocky Mtn cancer center. Great work and some really top-notch breast surgeons in Denver. They could certainly do the surgery and then when looking at your permanent pathology and if you are having radiation you can go from there on location etc. Many comprehensive cancer programs do have a navigator and its helpful with all the decisions and coordination.
You sound like you like to have things organized. One thing a lot of us did early on is have a binder- mine came from my ....you guessed it Navigator! Its divided into sections for test results, surgeon, radiation oncology etc so I can keep everything together.
0 -
Welcome, KLH. It sounds like you have a good handle on what is to come, and everything you learned from your daughter's ordeal will come in handy. You are correct that you will have different options because of your age and tumor pathology, and more time to deliberate about them. I don't know if you have decided on a surgery yet, but if you have considered lumpectomy, radiation comes along with that. Having a tumor deep on the left side, I think I would want to talk with a radiation oncologist to see what the approach would be (especially if the tumor is relatively close to the heart.) I would want to know that before choosing my surgery even. Do take a list of questions with you to all the consults, and don't feel rushed as you go through them. Do you have family support with you there in CA?
0 -
SchoolCounselor, where are you and how did your PET scan go?
0 -
Hi Elimar!
I do have to take the location of the tumor into consideration because in 2003 I had surgery on my heart for tachycardia. It was an "electrical" problem so they went in and did an ablation. It worked but my heart sometimes still goes into rhythms that it shouldn't. My EKG's are never "normal" but they are normal for me. So I am not sure anyone would want to do radiation on me.
I do have my husband here although he travels a lot for his job. They will be understanding of him taking time off for me but he will still need to be gone sometimes. My youngest daughter is here as well. 4 months pregnant with our 6 grandchild.
If it doesn't seem to work with these doctors I always have the option of going to CO where my oldest daughter is and going to her team of doctors. She was treated at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center and I loved her entire team. So, I have options but would prefer to be in my own home and be treated close to home.
Thank you for the support. I wish 1:00 would get here so I can get started with a plan. I have a feeling it will start with more tests because of my heart but I will find out won't I?
Have a great day!
0 -
I used to spin plates like that, now it's more like this; see the broken plates at the bottom? And of course, the different gender, but that red worried face is me - to a T!
0 -
Just a drive-by Hi! Hope everyone is doing well and staying warm.
Welcome to the new ladies but sorry you had to join us. Let it all out with your questions and feelings - we understand what you're going through and probably someone here has "been there and done that".
This is what I have on my mind tonight:
0 -
HnS, love that scene. That room looks like what I always thought I'd have, yet somehow never quite managed!
Nice low key weekend coming up. Need that now and then and I'm looking forward to it. Will have to work a little bit...haven't had a weekend in a very long time where I didn't, but at least I can do it from home, a major plus.
Happy almost Friday!
0 -
Welcome to the new gals - KLJ and bluewillowskys. Glad that you have found this place full of wonderful women who are all here for you. We are quite a diverse group and everyone seems to fit in just great. Hope you stick around so that we can get to know you as well as be here when you need to vent, celebrate, and ask any questions that may pop up.
Marlegal - it's Friday now! Hooray for the impending weekend.
I am now in the "forever wondering what day it is" group. My insurance co. has changed my status from unable to perform duties of "my own" job to that of the duties of "any job". Therefore I am now on LTD (long term disability). Is kind of a strange feeling knowing that I will not be going back to work, but I have decided that looking out for #1 is most important right now - I am sure I will get used to not working (lol). I will be doing some volunteer work with a local skating club working with the can-skate program. The little ones are sure to provide me with a great deal of happiness.
Hoping everyone a terrific weekend! Stay warm, stay safe, stay well.
0 -
barsco, how the HECK did you get permanent LTD??? I was using a cane when the physio place tested me and cried the entire time I was performing the testing!!! "They" said I could do some kind of work. Any work. It could even be minimum wage and I'd have to take it!! I was just let go from my Presidents' Choice Financial position because I couldn't walk the store to "intercept" customers and drag them into the pavilion to open chequing accounts. I did VERY well in the mortgages, GICs, RRSPs, loans and stuff like that, but just couldn't walk the store!! Now I have to find another job and at 55, almost 56 it's getting really, really tough! I HATE it when my pain isn't validated. I was on Fentanyl patches when I did my testing and then spent 4 days bed-ridden to recuperate...sigh.
0 -
barbe - So sorry to hear that you have been let go. It is unimaginable that you would not be able to get permanent LTD. I am not sure why I would be granted LTD and you are not. Our situations have so many variables but from what you have written, I would think that you should without a doubt, qualify. It was the insurance company that made the decision - I am thinking that the stage iv dx played a part in it.
0 -
barsco, there are a lot of stage IV women who are still working, though, so that didn't even cross my mind. Maybe we're more compassionate in Canada? I know our insurances will pay out early so you can spend it now. I really do like to work; I was off for 2 1/2 YEARS before they sent me back to work. My previous work wasn't available any longer, they never expected to see me again! I just liked the security of the non-taxable income....sigh. But I do like people more than I realized, I got gifted with wine and flowers by some of the customers and got back to hugs again! I missed those.
0 -
heartnsoul: ill join you by that fire and bring my book and blankie
0 -
Barbe - I was hoping to be able to continue working and did give it a go for about 9 months, but found it to be too much. Volunteering will give me some sense of being able to contribute something of myself. People are great creatures for the most part aren't they? And hugs? Well .... hugs are wonderful. I do hope that you can find something soon that will be more adaptable to your situation and that you are happy to do. It's not always easy to find that happy medium at the best of times. Best of luck to you.
((hugs))
0 -
I'd like to connect with others that are perimenopausal and taking Tamoxifen. I've been taking it for 2 1/2 years. My periods stopped briefly right after starting Tamo. Then I've had one approx every 4 - 6 months since. Do we need to see our Ob-gyn every time we have bleeding or can we assume this is normal perimenopause?
0 -
barsco1963, I hope it is a fairly smooth transition for you to join the ranks of the "forever wondering what day it is" group. (That is funny and true!) I think you will figure out what to do with all of your "me time" before too long and the volunteering sounds like a nice idea that will still get you out of the house and into society.
barbe, What a stupid reason to be let go from a job (the walking) if you were performing competently otherwise. Is that even legal? The employer sure is not showing compassion. I'm not advising it but it seems that, in U.S., people have filed lawsuits for less. I don't know the prevailing economy of Canada right now, but have had quite a few friends having to search for employment in their 50's in the U.S.. Not impossible, but it took time. Good Luck to you.
I'm enjoying the break from doctor's appts. I think I am having a very slight improvement in my foot neuropathy, but it is hard to tell because the cold tends to make my feet feel worse. Back when I was having acute neuropathy from chemo, I noticed it backed off in a certain way. Now it is doing similar. The numbness does not recede in terms of area affected, but the whole area gets less numb feeling, but only like 2-3% at a time. That is why it is not easy to tell. I feel like I might be 5% less numb than I was a couple mos. ago. I think I should know more in another month or two.
0 -
NRiggs, welcome! I began Tamox. during perimenopause and was menopausal when I went off of it three years later. Yes, I too skipped my period for intervals of a couple mos., then had regular monthly ones for a few months before stopping entirely. (Last gasp of the hormones, I suppose.) I don't think you need to be concerned about the bleeding (probably normal) if, and I mean IF, your Gyn. is already monitoring you in some way. After my first year of Tamox., my Gyn. did an endometrial biopsy on me. The second year, he would have done the same, but I opted for transvaginal US, which is not as conclusive but can monitor the thickening of the uterine lining and indicate if something is amiss. Both tests are quick, not too costly and have only minor discomfort. I did not go again until I had been off for a year, then had TVUS just to see if I was normal upon completion.
It is a good point that you bring up that, when on Tamox., we are cautioned about uterine bleeding, but that is difficult to monitor when perimenopausal or when the Tamox. itself interferes with you having a regular cycle. If your doctor has not been monitoring you in any way for the past 2 1/2 years, I would definitely bring up one of both of the tests I mentioned. While the U-biopsy is definitive for the uterus, the TVUS does have the ability to image the ovaries if you have any concerns in that area.
0 -
Hi all, welcome to the new gals!
barbe, I am so sorry your lost your job! I don't like who ever was in charge, you would be a wonderful addition for any company. We are worth more than any job. hang in there.
barsco, I am sorry you are joining the unsure of the day of the week club. I find that I am so busy now with dr appts, exercise classes, etc that I barely have time to "work". I might be an overachiever just like Eli.
The volunteering sounds great. Teaching little bitties to skate, right? It's all about enjoying what we have and can do.
There was an article in our local paper today about reopening my shop. It was really nice and will certainly get the word out and the work in. The guy I have hired to do the work is happy. There was one sentence in there about my joints being so painful that I can't do the work I love anymore, because of the medication. No where did it say how I feel about that. Probably for the best.
One of my duties is to call customers and tell them their shoes are ready I am always stumbling over my words saying I'm not sure what day it is or what time it is. lol
Another thing that is going on today for me is on FB. How come 2 articles have been posted in the last 2 days about cures for cancer? How women are poisoning themselves with chemotherapy like tamoxifen and not taking advantage of these natural cures. Makes me mad.
I might be just a tad resentful.
0 -
NRiggs:On tamox i skipped a couple months then the period came back but usually a longer cycle(29-32 days) and heavier to the point of having accidents when i never had them before
I took tamox. for a year but my joint pain and wt gain was too much to bear so I stopped. My periods have remained on the heavy side still....ughive never heard of tamoxifen being called chemo....was the article worth reading? if so where can i see it?
0 -
no, I don't think the article was worth reading. I actually googled it and people were saying it was a scam. An advertisement for some supplement. I am just irked that it would be on FB, and in my face. Is it just targeting me with these posts or does everyone get them?
0 -
I was perimenopausal for my diagnoses in 2011 but since chemo, I haven't had a period, my PCP said if I haven't had one in a year they (drs) generally say that it would now be menopause and I should have them again. So far I haven't either.
0 -
Could someone tell me how long is a hospital stay normally for a BMX/TE surgery?
0 -
can only speak to my experience, I was there 2 nights, I think that's about average (have rarely heard 1 night stay and have heard of longer for probs). Trick to get out: show you can handle being home: get help walking, even if only to the bathroom, drink fluids, eat if only small bites, often. What do your BS/PS say?
0 -
i havent met with the BS/PS yet...i see them on tuesday....getting more anxious by the minute
0 -
bluewillowskys, ask for Rx for pain meds and muscle relaxers during appt so you can have them filled even before the hospital stay. Does your facility have a nurse navigator? The only time I asked for assistance was to get a local "breast buddy", someone who could be there for me. And that she was! I lucked out, I got the most wonderful lady (who's younger than me, btw) who's a life coach. Helped having someone close to talk to. I got friendly with PS's nurses too, they can be a wealth of info and support. As crazy as it sounds, write down questions and concerns, but try to keep it out of your mind and keep busy.
0 -
sorry didnt mean to confuse...im not scheduled for the BMX yet...still deciding if i will do it or not
0 -
macatacmv - I got quite upset with an article that was circulating FB a while ago. It made the reader believe that it was associated with Johns Hopkins hospital. It also made it seem that one could "avoid" a cancer dx by living a clean life and eating certain foods. I "shared" the article on my page with a wee bit of a rant - I don't often do that but felt that I had to on that one. A good site to double check if an article is true or not is "snopes.com"
0 -
For anyone concerned about breast density, there's an interesting thread about different ways we may actually be able to reduce it. Who knew?
http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/79/topic/816965?page=1#idx_2
0 -
Very confusing, HnS. The first article mentions higher calorie intake associated with an increase in mammographic density. That seems counter intuitive to me because if you have a high calorie intake you put on body fat. Body fat (boob fat) appears less dense on mammo than the glandular tissue does. It is the dense glandular tissue which appears white on the mammo, therefore harder to distinguish B/C which also appears white. Another article is saying the more saturated fats you ingest the less dense the breast tissue, which does not make sense to me for the same reason. [Edit: Maybe this one does make sense if you gain weight and put on more boob fat but...] In fact, we are also told that carrying extra weight puts us at increased risk for B/C. Well, I don't see saturated fats and high cal. consumption as a way to keep off unwanted pounds.
I didn't see any clear conclusions being drawn (except maybe the alcohol correlation) and the upshot of the studies done was basically that diet needs to be studied further. Meanwhile, I do like and use olive oil in plentiful amounts and do like the broccoli family of veggies, so that would be great if I get some anti-cancer benefit from it all.
Dense-breasted women are four times more likely to get B/C than a women with less density plus the density often masks small tumors. Breast centers are now supposed to identify and notify women of their increased risk because of breast density. I don't remember getting any notification, but it would be after the fact in my case anyway. I know I do have them and they were good at hiding my small tumor.
0 -
thanks, barsco, for replying about articles on fb setting us off. I have a hard time with people trying to mislead people, especially about health issues. I don't like feeling like I have to be always on the watch. I would like to be able to trust. I have an open mind about different ways to get or stay healthy, but bc does not seem to follow any rules. Anyway, it can all be so confusing. Like the density stuff. weight on or weight off?
my DS said to me this weekend, since I have been on a diet and lost some weight, Mom you can get thinner but you will never regain your youth. This was after a friend of his didn't recognize me at church today. lol I said I didn't care about my youth, I was more concerned about my health.
bluewillow, try to relax. (easier said than done) Go to your appt on Tues and get the info you need to make a decision. You can take the time you need. Write down all your questions and don't be afraid to record the docs. Take a friend or loved one with you. I found that there was more information than I could take in at once. I'm going to go back and read your posts to see what you've said about having to make this decision now. Ignore me if I am making no sense.
0
