CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS
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Hello everyone!
I haven't posted in a while because I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to remain a "sistah" of yours. I had a bone scan due to a spot seen on my LAST November's MRI that wasn't ordered by my Onc. I had my 6-month check-up with my surgeon & he asked if I'd had a bone scan due to what he read in my MRI report, & of course when I told him no, he ordered one. (My Onc is certainly going to hear about this Jan 4 & if I'm not satisfied with her explanation, she will not be MY Onc anymore-I will find someone else! GRRRR)
Had the bone scan last Friday & with my report in hand, I am VERY HAPPY to say, "Negative study with no evidence of bone metastasis." I was so damn scared, just out of my mind with worry. Trying to get ready to go to my DD's & Grandbabies for Thanksgiving & our Christmas celebation with them for eight days & here I am trying not to worry myself sick over this scan. Wrapping presents for the kids just about did me in; sounds wimpy, but that was really hard to do.
I just couldn't bring myself to post knowing that this scan was in hand..... I am scheduled for a surgical biopsy Dec 3 for an area of a previous surgical biopsy from 1995 that the surgeon is pretty sure is scar tissue, but he is not "certain." Even tho the area was mentioned on a 2004 mamm report (& that it had been there for the previous 2-1/2 yrs, it was not mentioned on my last three mamm reports), he wants to check it out. And, he will fix the scar area/indent from that 1995 biop.
Sorry for my long post, seems like I am rambling. I know we are all here for each other & I probably should not have "stayed away." I kept wondering how I would feel to leave this group & turn elsewhere, & along with research on what could be, I was just overwhelmed by fear.
I hope everyone is doing well, I see I have some posts to get caught up on!
{{hugs}}
Valerie
On another note, I am extremely upset with that report on mammograms. OUTRAGEOUS!!
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((hugs)) to you, Valerie. Nobody can tell you how you are supposed to deal with this waiting game we play. We who have gone through it once may have a bit more "what ifs" than others. I am so happy that you have that the results are negative. I will pray that your upcoming bx will also be a-okay. Hang in there. Meece
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Valerie, Please don't ever think remaining with us again, You are our sister.Even if something was changed this is where you belong. You have lifetime membership!!!!
Sorry you were full of anxiety and you didn't post. We are here for bad times, good times and fun times.
Hoping the biopsy you are having turns out nothing.
Post as many as times you need too.
Enjoy your grandchildren and your family. Happy early Thanksgiving to you.
We are looking forward to your next post my sister.
Hugs, Sheila
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Great news Valerie!!! COngrats!!
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Anyone else on a Vitamin D megadose? I take 50,000 IU a week, all in one pill... the reason I ask, I want to know what other vitamins you women take with it.. Multivitamins have D in it and I am afraid I am taking too much.
On Tamoxifen, too... and Ativan, only when I feel my anxiety get the best of me..
Generally when I wake up in the middle of the night with an anxiety attack:) As time passes they are far and few between.0 -
HI everybody!
I guess I am called a "stage 1c".....started with a lumpectomy, but when they found more, they suggested a left mastectomy. they found 3 invasive areas...1.3 cm, 1.1cm, and 1mm with extensive DCIS, and nothing at all showed on the mammo. I just had a biopsy on the right side, as my Left Mx is scheduled for Nov 30th. Trying to decide on left or bilateral....waiting for right biopsy results, BRCA results, and oncotype results.
Just can't wait for it all to be behind me.
It is so interesting and helpful reading everyone's posts on this site!
welcome everyone and good luck!
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Happy Saturday -
Nicole - I was taking 4,000iu of vitamin D3 for the past 4 months. A year ago when I was diagnosed my level was 23. Last week at my oncologist appt my blood was tested and is 55. My onc. wants it at 50, so now I am to take 400iu daily. What is your level? How long are you or have you been taking the 50,000 weekly? I am also taking vitamin C. Now that I know chemotherapy put me into menopause at 44 I will add curcumin - a supplement of tumeric that has some anti cancer component from what I have read. I also take a multivitamin (that included the 400iu of D3) and 2 baby aspirins along with my femara. So far so good on the femara, although it has only been a week. I have been busy writing emails to the @#$% task force - so maybe the femara is causing mood swings??? (jk)
Niclole - I read your post about the oncotype and would be irritated that my onc. didn't order it. Did you have chemo? If you did they probably figured the test wasn't necessary.
Oh - I mentioned my tumor was non palpable which just means none of the doctors could feel it by hand - and this is knowing where it was. Seriously, 10 of them tried - I had 2 opinions and both had residents along with the surgeon, onc. and radiation onc. I felt a wee bit like an animal at the zoo, but it was for a good reason. I know so many women that have found their tumors and mammograms didn't. We need better diagnostic tests!
Valerie - congrats on the good news! I don't visit this thread enough, but you are a great group of women - and this is a wonderful thread!
April
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Hi April,
My Vitamin D level during my last blood work is 39... so they will be keeping me on this megadose for some time.. I have been taking it since my last rad treatment in January 09. Yes, I had chemo, rads, surgeries, Lupron shot, everything and the kitchen sink... however they did not give me my oncotype... so they must have none from pathology I was going to have chemo so why bother with the test?!? Still not sure why not.
Ah ha, now we learned a new thing non palpable...
Kanthony,
I know you are in the throws of everything right now but know that this time too shall pass. Keep us posted on your results, as the majority of us woman on here will tell you, WAITING is the hardest part!
We will be thinking of you!
Nicole
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Hi, Nicole! I was only a little low in vitamin D (3 points below normal...I forget what that number is), so I take 1 Citrical mid day and then a regular vitamin at night. I'm going get tested at my next appt first week of Dec and see where it's at.
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Hi All: I am 1 year out from dx with stage 1, ER+/PR+ (treated with lumpectomy, radiation and femara) and facing my 1 year checkup with 1st mammo, blood work, etc. Any helpful hints for living with the fear in the next couple weeks (besides valium!)? Following the example of a 46 yr old friend who said she would not leave the building without the results of her 6 yr MRI, I called my doctor's office to see if I would be get the mammo results the same day (usually, one waits 1-2 weeks for a call). I was assured that if there was anything suspicious I would hear at my 4 hr later oncologist appt. We'll see. I am trying to think positive, but it is very hard, as I am sure you all know. Any advuice would b e much appreciated.
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My last vit D test was 25. I take 3k mg (I think)daily. I'm not up on my feet today to go and look for sure. My Onc said going outside "unprotected" for awhile each day can also help. Unprotected means no sunscreen. I can't seem to get my level up. My GP said she may start me on the megadose next month. I take Vit. C and Calcium with Vit D daily.
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Nellie - I just had my "one year after diagnosis" oncology check up. They take a LOT of films during the mammgram -and it was all clear. My blood work was reviewed during the onc. appt - except for the vitamin D and FSH which took a week to get back. The onc. nurse called me with those results. I can assure you that with a history of BC they took a lot of extra films and time with reviewing my mammogram and told me that the radiologist said that it looked good. I got a form letter a week later stating it was clear. You will do fine, and it is a relief to have it over.
Meece - I agree about going outside without sunscreen. I live in the beautiful, but perpetually gray Northwest so at this time of year it is very inconsistent to get direct sunlight! I have also read that up here in the NW the suns rays are too far in the winter so even on sunny days we don't absorb enough vita D (don't really know if it is true - can't believe everything on the internet, right?!). I would think that in California you could get enough sun to soak up the D. Keep on top of it - it seems like the oncs. think it is important.
Kanthony - welcome - sorry you are here, and Nicole is so right - the waiting is the hardest part. Once all the results come in and the "plan" is in motion, it is easier. Not the best way to spend the holidays (I had my lumpectomy last year on 12/1 and was waiting for the oncotype all December - got the results right after xmas).
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I love gardening and spend lots of time outside, but it hasn't helped me enough.
I guess I was lucky when I found my cancer. I found it, showed it to my GP, within a week I had a Mammo, Ultrasound, needle biopsy and within another two weeks, surgery and started chemo 3 weeks later. It was probably my TN status, but I was in such a whirlwind, I never felt like I was waiting for much.
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Aprilgirl-I started Femara on the 16th; so far so good. Let's keep each other posted about how we are feeling OK?
Joni
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Hello Nellie.... I understand the anxiety because of your first mammo and first check up. I had lumpectomy. chemo and radiation, also on Femara.
I don't know if it differs from State to State but in NY when the Doctor writes diagnostic mammo the first 5 years after your DX they have to give you the result before you leave the office or the center. Yes they make you wait in the waiting room maybe up to an hour but the radiologist has to read it right away and you should be leaving with your results.
Make your appointment earlier in the morning so someone is there for sure to read it.
Last June my app was at 4 in the afternoon by the time they were finished nobody was there.
They even told me that if I wanted to walk out from the Breast Center with my results they could rescheduled me. I choose not to and waited for a week for a result.
Please if you have any more questions post again or you can PM me.
Good Luck
Sheila
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Joni - that sounds like a good plan! So far so good on the femara. I love Medford! We lived in Portland for 14 years and I really miss Oregon.
Meece- you were on the fast track, but it must have worked - I see you were diagnosed in 2003 - sounds like you have really done well! Just keep up on the vitamin D level, which you are.
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My GP was aware of a lot of stress I was experiencing, so she got the ball rolling on the first appointment I had with her. She felt the lump, and before I left the office I had the Mammo appt and an appointment with a surgeon.
I had just entered into a divorce from a physically abussive man, and my brothers wife was in the hospital dying from complications of bronchitis, which is what I had originally set the appt. with my my GP for. It was holiday season, and my family was all out of town to be with my brother and his family.
I am thankful for my dr. she was great!
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Hello! I've been following a few of the topics for a number of months and decided it's finally time to join in. It's comforting to read the posts and know I'm not alone in my concerns and anxiety. You are a fine group of ladies, and I wish you all the best of luck!
Dona
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Welcome, Dona. It's amazing what you get out of these boards, and now that you are posting, you'll get even more.
This is our warm, safe place to show our fears and have them acknowledged and at times aleved.
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This sounds crazy, this is why I can post it here and find out what you ladies think rather than to share my craziness with my family... so I had a sore throat, went in day 2 for a strep culture, came back clean, just a sore throat. 2 days after which, I lose my voice for 4 continuous days, start to get better for a day... and now I have the head cold... stuffy nose, mild earache... must be a sinus infection. My hubby tried to give me NyQuil last night and I pretended to take it but didn;t as I fear drugs reducing the effects of my Tamoxifen. I will take Tylenol and Ativan... because it was the middle of the night and I couldn't check with the dr, I opted not to take the cold med. Is this craziness?!?
As well, I am debating going to an urgent care today and having them take a look at this cold again, most likely they will shoo me out telling me that it is the season and to go home and rest! I feel like a hypochondriac... with everything...don't think when I lost my voice for 5 days I wasn't starting to let my brain wander down the throat cancer route! Will this anxiety part end? When will common aches and pains be common?
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Nicole112, if you are having a never ending sore throat and your strep was clear, it sounds just like the VIRUS I had. I had a three week sore throat, with one week of laryngitis; only about two days of head cold symptoms went with that. Mine did not have that hamburger with embedded razor blade feel like strep does, it felt like someone had choked me just short of killing me, with no bruises on the outside. I could not believe how long it lasted.0
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Nicole112... Its not craziness. Our brain are always wondering. I'm also glad I can come here and vent!!!!!. I'm with Elimar with this, go see your primary because you need something to ease your discomfort. Let us know what happened.
Have a question about NyQuil or any other cold remedies is there a interaction between them or you are just worried ?
Hugs
Sheila
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I thought I had a cold a few weeks ago, but this is almond shaking season, so it could have been allergies. But I have had it off and on for so long. I was concerned they might cancel my surgery if I was sick. I told the Dr. and Anesthesiologist about it, so they were aware, and I haven't felt bad since. Maybe it was the anitbiotics? But it sure feels good to be done with it.
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Nicole! My sister in law is a teacher. She does not have BC. She sounded like kermit the frog, even worse, the last time I spoke with her, barely. She called as I could see her on caller ID but did not leave a message......now I know why. I called her back. She sounded just awful. Had this raspy, rather annoying voice (just kidding here, I love her dearly) and had been sick for about 4 days with this junk that is going around. Still has it. She continues to whisper.
It is just "our thing" to worry due to this crappy diagnosis. Rats!
I tell everyone to get a cool mist vaporizer. Run it in your face (really) during the night and see if that helps to soothe your throat. Make sure you keep it clean inside as some nasty germs can start brewing if you don't. (I run bleach thru it occasionally).
As an aside, I spoke w a friend to day and said I was worried as my hip hurt. She put me right in my place by saying FOR GOODNESS SAKES, YOU'RE OLD!
Hope you feel better.......Sue
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Hi, Nicole! I get the lost voice thing almost every year. I always end up on an antibiotic because it starts out like how you described...sore throat, then goes to my sinuses and I get an infection. Lovely. Also, my ear plugs up for two weeks or more. Exciting.
This year I got the flu, as you all know! Feeling better...have a tiny cough...taking Mucinex. I know Benedryl reacts with Tamoxifen, but I think Nyquil is okay...
My UTI/kidney infection is better but not all the way. but I see the doc next week so I'll make them give me another round of antibiotics...as long as it's not kidney cancer (worry worry...I know it's not...kinda just poking fun at myself!
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Cake, I am glad you are feeling a bit better. Your immune system has been compromised this year, don't let anything get a hold on you. I kept a spray can of Lysol on my desk that first year. If anyone came by and appeared to be under the weather, I sprayed down my office as soon as they left. Since I have been more careful about coming in contact with germs, I have been sick a lot less. Believe me, I also give great lectures to people who show up to work sick.
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Valerie.Nicole, sounds like a virus and they take forever to go away. It is easy to over react, after all we all have been through alot.
FYI, if anyone is on thyroid medicine, calcium and Vit D interfere with the potency of your med. I found that out a few months ago. So I take my calcium and Vit D at night. I hope nothing interferes with Arimidex, does anyone know anything about that?
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I know Vitamin E interferes with Cholesterol meds <Simvastatin>. Years ago my Dr told me to stop taking it.
How about Femara?
Okay I know we have one nurse here (at least.)
Maybe someone knows something. Please share it with us.
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Hi everyone,
I will ask the pharmacist about the Arimidex................ they are very good with answering these questions. ( all this is such a pita )
Pat
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I do not believe Femara or Arimidex interferes with Simvastatin. Good dostors always ask what meds you are taking so one does not take meds that interfer. But this is not that kind of drug.
Francine
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