MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
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Heartnsoul, you can't really go wrong in Greece. Most of it is beautiful. As for ports, the one on Hydra is a classic, complete with picturesque donkeys (no cars allowed) and white-washed houses. On the mainland Nafplion is gorgeous as is Galaxidi and Monemvasia. Back in the islands, Simi has a famous harbor front and Chios is supposed to be impressive also. Syros is a fairly big island and has much to see in the main town. Then there is Mykonos, Siphnos, Paros and the list goes on.
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Congrats, Marlegal, to you and your family! KLJ, maybe Easton will get lucky and get born this Friday the 13th.
HnS76, Not sure you could get US in place of a mammogram. I've always had it in addition to one. I'm not even sure if an MRI could be substituted for one. Since you don't live in a cheap, backwater town like I do, maybe your Breast Center has, or will soon be getting, the US screening machine. That is suposed to be the wave of the future for dense breasted gals, and it is done in conjunction with an annual mammo. My Center didn't get the budgetary o.k. to get that, so I have to ask for the regular diagnostic US. I don't know if that creates a problem with insurance, but they always seem reluctant to add it on. Good Luck on the genetic testing! With that worry removed, you will be able to enjoy the travels with your super-cruising mom all the more.
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Marl, why did I think he was named LOGAN?????
My doc ordered an US on my chest as I had some suspicious lumps a couple of years ago. When I went in to the breast clinic they said THEY decide if I get an US!!! They wanted a mammo first and I said I had nothing to mammo!!! They insisted, but then I wouldn`t let them pull the tiny inch of skin on my LE side into the mammo!! They finally conceded and `let` me get an US. Idiots!!!
(The tech said òh we do mammos on ladies will LE all the time!` I said, well, you shouldn`t!!!!!) I don`t think she even KNEW what LE was even when I used the big word lymphadema!
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Barbe, is that true? even with lumpectomy? i wish, cause my first B-Sh*T B.S. had me doing them. and i did develop breast LE. my new B.S. is having me do breast mri's,last time, AND the next time. and the last mammo i had, they were trying to squeeze in skin that was properly on my side, under my arm to take a look at swollen nodes. in no way could it be considered my breast. Pi$$*D me off, and hurt.
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kathe, I had LE before the mammo! But, having said that, anything can set off LE.
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If cabin pressure in a airplane or pressure of a blood pressure cuff can set off lymphedema, why is it such a stretch to believe that mammogram compression of damaged chest and nodes could not do it?
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Heartnsoul--does your Mom want to adopt me? I'd love to cruise to Greece. That 3 month around the world cruise sounds divine too.
Has anyone heard from the newlywed, Dianarose?
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elimar, that is true, huh!? then how come they still do them on us? seems like by now they would have a better way. i am so done with all of this. i am very depressed today. am just done with it all. not to mention that i was on the everywoman counts program, when i got diagnosed. and now california is getting rid of that program, and now i have to choose a state medical plan that doesnt make any sense to me. and i am not working yet, so i must. and so far, it sounds like they will only pay for clinical trials! i don't want to be forced to have to do clinical trials. and i dont think that i can stay with my drs that i am already used to, and like to complain about! and i see nothing for LE therapy. ok i am officially a third world woman. if i don't make enough money to qualify for regular health care, and if i do get medi-cal, and then abuse my card, i could end up in prison, where i would then get healthcare. i think. so, maybe i should just go try to rob a bank. if it works, i have money. if it doesnt, i get healthcare in prison. Gaaaah...
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I agree about the Mammo. When I found the lump that turned out to be recurrence or mets, the doc approved a ULS instead of an MRI. The center insisted on doing a Mammo before the ULS. I argued with everyone except the CEO, but finally gave up because I was too scared about the lump. Turns out they couldn't see anything on the Mammo since I've had a double mastectomy w/implants (no duh), so they went to ULS and immediately to ULS biopsy. We're just not as dumb as they must think. I hadn't thought about the LE. I'll argue harder next time.
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Momine - thanks for your input on the beautiful places to go! I'll see which ones are on which itinerary to try to get the best ports in. Then I'll turn it over to a travel agent so they can find the good deals. I used to be a travel agent for American Express - that's the only job I regret quitting, haha.
Eph - I'm sure my mother would adopt you! I'm the one that's been delaying this trip - y'all would have been back by now. I've had some health problems over the spring (back, bronchitis, teeth, UGH!) but I finally decided I'm never going to feel good again so I may as well go for it and hope we can successfully hobble around.
My BS advised me not to let the mammo technicians pinch me when they're trying so hard to get a shot because it might cause lymphedema. Needless to say, he's my favorite doctor - he pays attention!
Elimar - I'm only supposed to have annual mammos but they said I could alternate MRIs every 6 months if I wanted to. Maybe I can alternate U/S every 6 months. But I'll have to check to see if they're using an U/S screening machine. Is that the difference from regular ultrasounds?
Kathec - I'm sorry you're having such a bad day. "Gaaah" seems like an appropriate response. I hope everything gets worked out very quickly to your satisfaction.
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HnS76, Yes, it is different, and the acronym is ABUS, check it out. It's not even that new, and it doesn't look as expensive as your basic MRI or CT machine, so I don't know why my cheapskate Breast Center doesn't have one yet. I was excited that one was rumored to be coming, then they did not get funding.
kathec, As with almost everything associated with BC, it comes down to risks vs. benefits. Most of us take the risk of getting LE because we don't want BC to go undetected. YES, we need much better detection methods. The day could come that imaging is so good that biopsies are not needed, or maybe screening will be a simple blood test. No one hold their breathes on this, because resuscitation is not well advanced either.
Not everyone gets LE as a matter of course, and only a subset of all LE would be a result of mammo squishing. Heck, they squish me hard enough to break the capillaries on my treatment side, but I still don't have LE; but because the risk of LE developing YEARS later is a possibility I have begun to "request" that they do not crank it down so tightly. BTW, my other pet peeve (and forgive the repetition those who have heard this before) is that when they are "arranging" you, if they get a fold in your skin, they want to re-do the image. Well, one, I hate even that little bit of extra radiation; and two, since most women getting mammos are 50+ years old, they are working with saggy boobs and armpits all day long so they should be experts at getting the folds out by now!!!!!!!!!
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Mine is very good about getting the folds out and making sure nothing extraneous get in the pic. like my Buddha belly top. Last time tech did retake underarm saying I know you have more surgical clips than this film showed. I also appreciate that the techs don't seem to change regularly. I go every 6 months for troublesome lefty's good - well have been. Go week after next to MO so no telling what he's got up his sleeve. First time to tell him BS has moved me to yearly but I expect not a surprise to him. They squish relatively hard but I've had much, much harder pre-BC. Seems I made the rounds in Ft. Worth for years to diff. centers b4 I somehow settled on this one that I'm not leaving. I've told you I adore my radiologist. I would follow her out to her 2nd place of business if I had to which would be a pain driving. I also appreciate that the employees of my BS have not changed in 2 years. Now it is only about a 4-5 person office but it does say something about the way she runs it.
What is that new (well last few years anyway) mammo for dense breasts? Not digital - I have that. I asked and she said no need for me so I can't remember the name. 3-D?
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Well, I guess it is 3D but seems not so popular. Increased radiation exposure per sev. articles I just pulled up on Mr. Google but did not read. Hmmm. I would bet my center has the ABUS but since I don't need it I wouldn't know. The 3D is "upgrade" and I think may not be reimbursed fully. I've read the lit. they have avail. there
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luv, You might mean the ABUS (somo-v Automated Breast Ultrasound.) There, I linked it again under its full name.
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Hi all!
So today was round 3 of FEC and my last one. Next 3 will be taxotere and herceptin
Today was a bit difficult. Felt nausous for most of the infusion and still feel off now. I've taken my anti nausea pills so no vomiting. Dry mouth is starting already. Ugh! I've noticed that I've had some tingling and numbing in my right foot and hand. Weird! Comes and goes
Hoping that it doesn't get worse then this!!
Let's go rangers!
2-1now for the good guys. Life is good!! Lo
Me and my loving hubby!!
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http://www.texashealth.org/3d-mammograms
No it's 3-D mammos. I went off to read about it. This is from where I go. I don't find any mention of the ABUS there or over at the other big hospital in Ft. Worth that also has a breast center. Verry interesting.
Lookin' good Footballnut. Cheering for the Rangers if you are. Don't have a dog in that hunt but am cheering for the Spurs (basketball).
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Marlegal - Been remiss in not congratulating you on Lance's birth. Bet you are on not cloud 9 but cloud 99.
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marlegal. ditto what luvmygoats said. i am ashamed of myself.
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I had a cyst burst once in a mammo so got to have ultrasounds for the next 2 years. Once during an US I mentioned to the tech that I had a bit of pain and indicated 6 o'clock on my left breast. She said they don't US for pain. Too bad they didn't, as that was where my cancer developed!!! I wish I knew her name........I'd go back and tell her to LISTEN to the patient!!!!! Why, oh why, do they think they know our bodies better than we do!!!
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Hi gang - it's been ages since I posted here but I just need to say something that I know you will understand because no-one else in my life can understand why I need to say it -
Five years ago today I had my eighth and last chemo
- then a three week break before starting radiotherapy.
I just need to say it - thank you :-D
I wish you all well.♡♥
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Ainm--Congrats on being 5 years out from end of chemo! I hope you were able to enjoy the break before rads. Glad to hear you are doing well!
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Ainm, It has been ages since we've seen you on this thread, but I see you have been using the time well to put BC into the past. Looking back, after 5 years (and I am almost there myself,) doesn't it seem surreal in many ways? All those remembrances, but it can almost feel like another life too. Hope you will have a splendid day today (but you already know that a day without chemo or rads is already off to a good start.) I only wish the others there could tap into what you are feeling. Transatlantic hugs to you. Stop back anytime!
luv, Will have to look up 3-D mammos (to see the more cutting edge imaging I won't be getting.)
Barbe, Yeah, the saying is that cancer lumps don't cause pain. The trouble is that sometimes they can. A swollen node can hurt too. If they get too locked into the "painless cancer lump" mentality, they just pooh-pooh what you tell them about feeling something.
I have a sore lymph node near to my sternum. Sore before menopause, sore after. It been in the boatload of imaging I have all all through my cancer tribulations, and it is noted as being enlarged but no one seems suspicious of it. They tell me it is sore because it is right on my rib. I just hope everyone is right about that because, even now, it does not feel right.
Speaking of not feeling right...My radiated breast has stayed sore and twingey all these years. Assuming nothing cancer-y is going on, those nerves must have grown back in a very disorganized way.
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hi all!
Waiting for my home are nurse to call for my neulasta shot. What a waste of a day!! Hopefully she calls soon!! Other then that sitting back downloading tunes as I deal with fatigue, nausea, queeziness and dry mouth
Still not as bad as my worst hangover!! Lol
Thankfully my ny rangers won and live to see another day!
Wishing all a great day!!
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good goin' football! Almost there. it is a little rough, eh? But you are still smiling, and still going!
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kathec I still can't complain but must admit that I am scared about the last 3 - taxotere and herceptin. I've heard do many horror stories about the taxotere but have also heard that other women have breezed through it
Hope that I'm one of those!!!!
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it wasnt so bad for me. took away alot of my energy for awhile, but it didnt hurt or anything. i did do the claritin for bone pain after neulasta shot tho. made me hungry for salty stuff for some reason, and things i wouldnt normally eat! herceptin, i did have a break from for a while, but they will monitor you closely. And dont be afraid to tell them about any problems you might experience, they relly dont want to kill you! altho it seems like it at times. they can adjust dosages, we are all different. i think you will do fine.
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F-nut, glad you are doing o.k. at the half way point, and with a little luck you will finish strong too. Just remember, it is cumulative. It may not be that Taxotere is any worse, but coming on top of the first rounds it won't be exactly the same as starting fresh so it may seem that it takes more of a toll on you. You've been so active for the first part, keep going; but it's o.k. to rest more too.
While you are cheering on The Rangers, I'll be busy watching World Cup for the next month, starting today. Of course I root for U.S., but they are going to be knocked out early, maybe not even getting beyond group stage. After that, I'll be cheering on the team with the most mega-hotties.
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Elimar - I have a rudimentary knowledge of most sports but just cannot get into soccer. Know that sounds dumb coming from football nutty Texas and I see the similarity for durn sure. Don't understand most hockey rules but gotta love guys that skate 90 miles an hour backward. I can't even stand up on skates not that I would try with these bones. What prompts your soccer interest - your sons? What team does have the most mega hotties? Italians? Can you tell I have no idea who is even playing?
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hi everbody, Sure glad I found this site. I am 52 and was diagnosed in March. I am now on Taxatere and I have to say it is kicking my rear. I only have one more treatment so that is a good thing.
Love being here where other women are right around my age and understand a lot of what is going on in my head and my personal life such as we are empty nesters and were just beginning to take trips and do all those things we have wanted to do and then screeching halt BC comes into the picture. We are still planning on our trips but gosh darn it sure wanted to do it when we wanted!
Just wanted to say hi and wish you all hugs and love
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Greetings, Debster! I wrote that top intro specifically because of how BC cuts into our middle-aged me-time. Yes, BC can definitely derail some of your plans. Around here (this thread) we have gotten pretty good at compensating for that, squeezing in normal life and fun whenever we can. What was your Dx and what chemo did you do before Taxotere?
luv, Yes, it was watching my boys in the youth games. Then, we all watched World Cup 2002 and really got into that. Then, every male in my family took referee training (which I absorbed thru' osmosis) which adds a new dimension to viewing. Now, the son that played it most doesn't like watching it televised. Husband working; but other son its right here with me, rooting for the underdog team as always. Team of the hottest hotties? I don't know yet. Will scrutinize closely on my big screen in the vivid mode. Every four years new hotties are added to the crop. Some of my past fancies are too old for it now. In their 30s! (Sad, right?)
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