CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS
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Hello all! I found out about my ILC mid February so am new to all of this and thankful to find a forum of women who "get it". Actually feel lucky that it is stage 1 grade 1; lymph nodes clear. Had my lumpectomy over a week ago and it went fine....tomorrow I meet with onco to see what next step is.
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Hello Sisters. . . .
I just had to chime in on your stories - DYING laughing over here. . . you guys always keep me smiling.
I also wanted to say that I LOVE the idea of connecting . .. I don't post often as I'm in the middle of the waiting game for that darn Oncotype score . . . .so where do I post? hahaha - chemo? Radiation? Who knows?! But I'd love to know that someone was aware of my presence, checking up on me . . . this is an ugly beast we are all dealing with . . . connect with one person and you can change the world for them. . . and maybe more. Sign me up - assign me a buddy - I am in (to help and be helped). . . .
And don't think y'all are off the hook from chiming in when I get my score and say, "Holy crud. . . what path should I take?"
Appreciate all of your positive energy!
Kelleyod
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Lucky - good luck with your oncologist tomorrow!
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granny....There is one issue that I'm concerned...those who live alone including myself.
Some sisters have my phone #....Home address..... Email address...FB......but if i'm in the hospital or for any other reason that I'm not home to answer the phone or check my emails.......how are you gonna know what's happening to me?.
Like I said before 1 of our sisters is friended to my daughter on FB......
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Hello Kelleyod.....You can post any subject right here...one of us either went or going through that treatment
We listen. ♥
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Thank you! This whole thing sucks but I'm determined to get through this with flying colors!
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Welcome lucky.....
Keep us updated
Good Luck tomorrow.
♥
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Sheila-sista/friend....I will get to GCS and find you!!!!!!!make sure your daughter has my phone number....
thats what im talkin about....i live alone too but im putting a list right near my puter for my family to see.They all know to make sure to call someone.
Kelly----pick someone!!!!!this is your choice.and make it quick.if everything else fails you always have ME!!!!
I think this is soooo important.
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Kelley, I too am waiting on that score. Won't learn it until the appt on 3/21. So for now, I just bounce around here.
Lucky, you ARE lucky with that being ILC. Hooray for you!
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Lucky, are you taking someone with you to your appointment tomorrow? I took a girl friend and i was so glad I did! She took notes asked questions and was just there for support.
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Yes, Yes...did the same thing, took my Son to the dx and options appt and a girlfriend to the second opinion and preop appts. Both of them had questions I'd not asked and remembered things said that I didn't recall.
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I'm going to the onco appt. by myself....think I'll be fine but if I feel the need in the future will definitely have family or friends go with! I'm a pretty tough cookie but I will admit I have been accepting and am grateful for all the love and help that family and friends have been sending my way!
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onvacation: Welcome...you've come to the right place. We do have a lot of fun here, and receive support and comfort as well. Sorry you have to join us, but we welcome you with open arms.
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What fabulous responses! You guys rock!
Lucky - have to echo Kim's question: are you taking someone with you? You may be thrown a LOT of information to digest . . . . Have someone who you know will listen at least. I've learned how much that extra pair of ears helps!
Galsal - oh I hate the waiting game! Mine was due Friday (last) - no news. Learning that I need to be my own advocate / proactive - I pinged my BS today on email. I figured - why not? She had the wonderful courtesy to get back to me today and say, "No new news. . . " soooooo - hoping for tomorrow. You're in Tampa? Are you at Moffitt by any chance?
I am sure I will be posting looking for thoughts on what to do from you sisters 10 steps ahead of me. Right now - anyone give me a quick lesson on difference between Tamoxifen and AIs. I just had AIs brought up to me recently as a ". . .and when you're done with Tamoxifen, you'll likely start an AI. . . " and I thought, "Huh? am I that out of it?"
talk at me sisters!
kelleyod
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Welcome to the new girls. This is a great group for support.
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kelleyod: The difference between tamoxifen and an Al is usually tamoxifen is given to premenopausal women as well as post meno, and Al's are only for post menopausal women. My MO told me that Al's were more powerful, but also had some SE's that weren't desirable like causing bone loss, so you usually have to have frequent checks. I am 71 and post meno, but starting on tamoxifen. I will switch to an Al in three years or so. There is a study that says women who follow this course usually have the same outcomes as if they had taken the Al for the five years, and better overall survival. Someone else who is more experienced might be able to give a better explanation of the difference between the two drugs and how they act to prevent bc.
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kelley - ER+/PR+ means that the cancer needs those hormones to survive in your body. Tamoxifen binds - I'm not sure if it is the hormone or the cancer cell - in such a way the cancer can't use the hormone. The Al's strip the hormone from your body so the cancer has nothing to feed on. I'm well past menopause and started on the Al's but couldn't tolerate the side effects so my onc switched me to tammi. Tammi has it's own set of SE's and every woman seems to get her own mix of them but after 17 months I still find them doable.
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chabba: Thanks for that explanation...I wasn't quite sure about the difference, but I know I would rather be "blocked" than "stripped":)!
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Since I am a triple neg, all I know is that I don't get Tamoxifen, so it must bind the hormone, Chabba. Do you think?
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onvacation I am not far from you. I live about 2 1/2 hours west of Houston. We have a Texas thread here. It is great to hook up with others you live close to.
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Hey Sherry! I will look for the Texas thread!
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I am almost 77, 21 years past menapause..................I was told since I had previous (6) blood clots........(one with each baby)........I could not take Tammi.......it was too dangerous for me.......cause it can cause blood clots even in people who have never had them, so I'm on Femara..............tough, but I'm doing ok............not as bad as I thought it was going to be, but then again...........I'm 76 for heaven sake...........I'm sure all this bullshit isn't just from Femara............had arthritis long before Femara...........so who knows???????????????
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Here's a question for you ladies. This morning I got a call from a collection agency. I don't remember getting any bills that I haven't at least paid something on, so I'm pretty sure I never got a bill from this one, although I couldn't understand the person on the phone. She had an Indian accent and I couldn't even tell what the doctor's name was. I believe she said it was a pathologist, but am not even sure on that. Anyway when I told her I needed to speak to someone else that I could understand she hung up on me. What do you think? Was this for real or was it just someone fishing for my information? I don't know what to do. When I get home tonight I will go back over all my insurance EOBs and see if there's one that I never got a bill for, but I am certain I didn't get a bill that I haven't paid.
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If she hung up on you, I think she was fishing for information. Never give any information out over the phone when called!
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Deb - I would look back over my insurance EOBs and see if I was ever billed to begin with,. Then I would go to the office in person and have them produce a bill. I would also call the Collection Agency and get copies of whaever they have. If the lady hung up on you, then it most like is a scam and someone is trying to get your information. We have to be so very careful these days, don't we?
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It could very well be a scam. I had someone with an accent call and say that we had overpaid and they wanted to issue a refund. When I asked more questions they said the company name very fast, and wanted me to log on my computer and follow their instructions, yeah like that was going to happen . I told them if I overpaid they could keep the money and hung up. Never heard a word. Just to be sure though check your EOB's I just got a statement from the pathologist and its six months after the surgery.
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Sounds like a scam to me. Had something similar happen to me a few years back and when I started asking questions they also hung up on me. But I would check the EOB's just to be sure.
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Thank you! It's so reassuring to be able to talk to those who are going through the same thing. I try so hard to keep all this insurance and bill paperwork straight, but I'm now on my second 3-ring binder! That call this morning is really stressing me out.
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First off it could be a scam............if the doctors you chose for you treatment were all "in network", and took your insurance, then anyone they sent your speciman's out to should have been the same...................If they were not, you are not responsible for who they chose............it is up to their office to make sure that all "pathologists" are "under contract" with your insurance company before they give them any of your tissue.........
If it is a scam, they won't call back, so don't fret.................I wouldnt' even bother checking any further........if this "outfit" wants to be paid bad enough they will contact you again..........many times these people are paid, but still submit a bill to you, (if that were the case).......I have had it happen to me.................when I would call and challange them about the bill, and tell them "your Dr. is in network, my insurance company paid him, and I owe you nothing...............then I tell them "don't call again, its harassment"..........that usually works.................
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I believe in the scam theory. I'm sure no medical person/group would send you to collection without sending you multiple bills, ending with pink showing thru the window. And no reputable collection agency would just hang up.
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