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CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

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Comments

  • Hannahbearsmom
    Hannahbearsmom Member Posts: 266
    edited January 2010
    Harley:  Did you change your pic? I like it--hope you're still feeling well. TCK
  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    Hannahbearsmom,

    Yes, I got sick of my old profile photo, and changed it!   Thanks!   I'm still doing ok.  It's been one week on Femara. I just updated the Tamoxi-thread...   :D

    Hope you are doing great, too!!

    Harley 

  • carolinachick
    carolinachick Member Posts: 135
    edited January 2010

    Thanks for the congrats!  I've been trying to upload a photo of DH and myself on our "end of treatment" cruise in August, but can't figure out how to do it.  Anyway, I have that photo on my desk and it reminds me of the warmth of the Caribbean...sigh.

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    Caribbean here we go.!!!

    I have been in Aruba, friendly people and a safe modern island, even the public buses stop at the hotel location. Turks and Caicos the best beaches a quiet place. Didn't find the staff very friendly.

    And Punta Cana (DR). loved it all inclusive and you get more for what you paid for, just the the food and the drinks will cost the all trip.

    Now I got all excited.

  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 9,611
    edited January 2010

    Yes Harley I noticed your new picture, I like it.

  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 2,126
    edited January 2010

    Sheila,

    Thanks!

  • C130sunshine
    C130sunshine Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2010

    Someplace warms sounds REALLY good right now.  I am in Northern CA and it has been cold and foggy the last couple of days.

    Carolinachick....CONGRATS!!!!!!  I tell people I now have two birthdays a year.

     Cake....I am so SORRY...you are in my prayers!

    Mimi1964 - I did not have any side effects with the Arimidex until after I have been on it for a couple of months.  I am really struggling with Lt Breast tenderness and bone/muscle pain in the legs.  My NP is sending me to Physical Therapy to see if they can help (I have my appointment on Jan 14th).  If they can not help I will try acupuncture.

    kim

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010

    Kim, what is your relationship to C130s?  My son works on their engines in Japan right now.

  • C130sunshine
    C130sunshine Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2010

    I flew as a Military Flight Nurse (patient transports) for fours years and the main frame I flew on was the C130. I was working on getting back into it before I got BC......I hope to fly again but I have to wait for 5 years after treatment.

    I don't tell people I am a nurse......they assume I know about cancer.  When I got diagnosed I knew nothing about BC and the different treatments.  I am still learning.  I have never worked Oncology.....I think the only advance I got by being a nurse I knew what web sites to start looking at.

    Where in Japan is your son.  I was stationed in Misawa in the late 90's. 

  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 2,441
    edited January 2010

    Hugs and prayers to you cake and hugs to your friends friend.

  • deborye
    deborye Member Posts: 2,441
    edited January 2010
    Welcome Kim♥
  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010

    Kim, he is at Kadena.  He's been there since late June.  He has a medical issue right now and is fighting to stay in.  He will fly to Hawaii for medical treatment/evaluation in a few weeks. 

  • C130sunshine
    C130sunshine Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2010

    I was in Korea when I got diagnosed.  I had my second surgery at Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii, but had problems with their Oncology Department....so I got my self to CA.  Ask him if he knows about the Fisher House system.

    The short version is: The Fisher House is a place where people either getting treatment or supporting someone getting treatment at DoD/VA facilities can stay for free.....it is FREE.  Tripler has two of them....if they have room he might be able to stay.  Oh, family members can also stay free (even if you have nothing to do with the military except the person who is getting the treatment).  My parents met me in Hawaii......if you are able and want to see if you can be with him most airlines have a medical emergency tickets....you would have to call around.  You have to prove that it is a medical emergency...usually all you need is the name and number of his doctor.  My parents got really cheap tickets. 

    If he really wants to stay in he better be prepared to fight.  See if his supervisor and Commander will write a letter...I went through medical evaluation board here at Travis AFB.  I had anyone I could think of (including myself) write a letter to the board on why I should stay in and how I could still be a productive member of the military.  It worked and I was returnd to duty.  Hope this helps.....tell him good luck.

  • valjean
    valjean Member Posts: 1,110
    edited January 2010

    Meece ~ Kadena Air Force Base on Okinawa? I've been there, I'm a Navybrat. My dad was stationed on Okinawa in the 60's (wow, I'm dating myself) & we were there for 3 long years.

    carolinachick ~ Wonderful news on your all clear!  :D

    got to get to bed,

    hugs

  • Meece
    Meece Member Posts: 10,618
    edited January 2010

    DS says he doesn't understand why this is happening to him.  He says he is in the most beautiful place on earth and wants to stay there.

  • Debbie68
    Debbie68 Member Posts: 19
    edited January 2010

    Sullykm (Kelly),

    Thanks for the reassurance about the TE fills.  I don't know why I have been so worried about it... I wasn't even like this before the bi-lat mx. LOL.  I know it's going to be fine.  Thanks for sharing, and have a great day.

  • carolinachick
    carolinachick Member Posts: 135
    edited January 2010

    Thanks for the congrats.  Feels good to have that "milestone?" behind me.

    Meece - I hope your son can stay in.  My son is at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and really enjoys being in the military.  My hat is off to anyone who has served.  It's such an honorable thing.

    Still cold here...hoping it will warm up next week!

  • mimi1964
    mimi1964 Member Posts: 851
    edited January 2010

    Valjean and carolinachick - Congrats on your great doc appts.  So glad you both remain NED!!! 

    Here's to hoping everyone is staying warm in this deep freeze we've been having.  We had snow for 3 days here in Alabama.  Hope we get above freezing tomorrow we have frozen pipes.  Yuck... 

    By the way for those of you that are football fans... ROLL TIDE!!!! #13  NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!

    (Sorry I couldn't resist)... Wink

  • sullykm
    sullykm Member Posts: 13
    edited January 2010

    Debbie68-

    The whole concept of what goes on with TE's is just bizarre and unnerving. I understand your anxiety about the fillups, believe me. I was actually surprised at what a little deal it was when my PS did it. I figured that it would be painful, but you can't really feel the injection because the skin is still pretty numb at this point. I felt maybe a smidge more during time #2, but it was over with quickly and in the end it wasn't a problem.

    I've tried to describe to my friends what this whole thing is like. They were afraid to ask at first figuring that I'd be sensitive to it all. I decided that I was just going to see the humor in the absurdity of creating new breasts that actually had no real breast tissue. I wrote them all an email yesterday entitled "The Creation of Barbie Boobs: Journal Entry", where I then described the fact that I now have mini-cleavage (emphasis on the "mini" :-)).

    Best of luck! When do you do this? Keep us posted.

  • AL1841
    AL1841 Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2010

    C130Sunshine:  Just curious, was there a particular reason that your oncologist "threw the book at you" so to speak, in terms of treatment?  I feel like I'm the only Stage I who is getting CMF chemo (starting on Monday) and it makes me kind of concerned.  Other oncologists recommended ovarian suppression but we chose chemo.  It's been an agonizing decision.

  • ronqt1
    ronqt1 Member Posts: 565
    edited January 2010

    deborye  I  loved that picture. (little girl and cat)

    Unfortunately, I am going back to shrink this week due to "very feel sorry for myself" mode.

    Stay Warm.

  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 41
    edited January 2010

    Ronqt1 -  I saw that you are from East Hanover NJ... I am also from Northern NJ.  I use to work in Roseland, but now work in Newark.    I was diagnosed in Nov right after you.  I am in the process of deciding whether to have a 2nd lumpectomy or go for the double mx...  I hope you can keep your spirits up!  I think that these first few months are the worst expecially mentally.  Let me know if you would like to chat!

  • C130sunshine
    C130sunshine Member Posts: 47
    edited January 2010

    Good morning,

    AL1841....The reason I got Chemo (TAC) and radiation is my Oncotype DX  was 42, which put me at high risk for recurrence.   I was also considered young (I was 39 when diagnosed)!  The research I found only went 10 years post treatment.   Chemo put into menopause....so now I am taking Arimidex.  

    Make different decisions in regards to your treatment is never easy, that is why being comfortable with your Oncologist is very important.  Good luck with what ever you choose. 

  • Debbie68
    Debbie68 Member Posts: 19
    edited January 2010

    Sullykm,

    I was suppose to get my first fill last week, but PS thought I was a little swollen and wants to wait 2 weeks.  My next appt. is next Tues (1/19).  I already have 600cc in each breast that was put in at time of surgery, so I am not wanting to go much bigger.  I will post next week after appt.  Thanks for your encouragement.

    Debbie

  • musiclovermom
    musiclovermom Member Posts: 245
    edited January 2010

    LauraM

    Just something to consider...

    I have a family history of breast cancer so I chose the BMX vs the 2nd lumpectomy and it was a good decision...

    I ended up with a second primary cancer in my right breast - AND  pathology found DCIS in the left also.

    At 43, I was not will to go through all this again down the road.

    I am so happy with my results and decisions I made.

    YOU will make the right choices for YOU.

    Kimberly

  • LauraM
    LauraM Member Posts: 41
    edited January 2010

    Musiclovermom

    Thanks for the encouragement!  If you don't mind me asking.. what type of reconstruction did you get?  I think that is the last part of my decision I am trying understand more about now.

    Thanks again!

     Laura

  • musiclovermom
    musiclovermom Member Posts: 245
    edited January 2010

    Laura -

    I went with skin sparing surgery and chose tissue expanders - filled to 300 during the placement and have had 7 fills. I am up to the limit as I will be having 800cc silicone implants on 2/18/10.

    I just signed my purchase order on the new girls this morning!

    Anytime!

    Kimberly

  • mississippiqueen
    mississippiqueen Member Posts: 9
    edited January 2010

    I tried to catch up with this thread from beginning to end but got too excited about joining so I jumped from some time in early Dec to now....forgive me if I ask something that was covered....and my best to all of you...you are making my battle calmer.

    I have always been healthy and never seen a hospital from a patient standpoint. I don't know half my medical history but suddenly out of the blue after religiously following OB/GYN and mamograms since age 40, at the age of late 53, I suddenly have breast cancer.  After two clean bills via core biopsy and initial op room excisional biopsy, path report said otherwise.  Anyway, a MX later with immediate TE for implant (not much real choice because of size), I am now facing the onc for the first time tomorrow.  I am hoping for the Oncotype DX test since I'm a good fit, post-menopausal and ER+/PR+ in the 90's and HER2-.  Path report from MX came back clear margins and no nodes but surgeon has scared me with "see oncologist soon...within 2 weeks." 

    I'm scared of chemo....and don't like the hormonal potential long term side effects, primarily bone loss since I was already told I've got some osteo in my hip......how can this stuff happen to a "healthy horse.?"  I run, eat right....keep weight down....damnit, I don't want drugs or chemo....but I want to live as long as my grandparents, late 90's.  I was never pregnant and was on the pill for 30 years....always wonder if that's it or is it my unknown medical history.....I'm anal-retentive, can you tell :) ? 

    So, I am curious, who all with this diagnosis is on chemo, who is on HRT and who is doing nothing else?

  • musiclovermom
    musiclovermom Member Posts: 245
    edited January 2010

    I am on Tamoxifen only after a BMX. No rads or chemo.

    My Oncyotype DX came back at 13 then the second primary cancer came back at 9.

    Had I taken the path of just another lumpectomy I would have had radiation, but I got to skip that with the BMX. I think I made out LUCKY!

    Kimberly

  • ronqt1
    ronqt1 Member Posts: 565
    edited January 2010

    Hi, Laura; Would love to chat What you are planning is a very personal one. My decision to have rt mast with TE was due to the fact that if I had chose Lumpectmy and the cancer came back, I would need the mx anyway. So that is how I made up my mind. Get it over with. However, they got it all and I did not need chemo or rads. (I am on Arimidex) so sometimes I think what did I do. However, I guess I am halfway through this scenerio, 2nd fill is Thur (I had scab problems on incision so my 2nd and hopefully last fill could not be done. PS said March would be exchange. Yes, this has been a very emotional journey for me and I give all the credit in the world to all the gals on this site or anyone with bc.

    I no longer work having lost my job. You said you worked in Roseland, now in Newark, I worked in Roseland, Livingston and Florham Park for attorneys.

    My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Please keep in touch. Have a great day!!

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