2010 Sisters
Comments
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I found my bc myself. Three different mammos on two days never picked up the lump. Even when I pointed it out to the tech, it still did not show up on mammo. It was on the chest wall in the 11:00 position. After biopsy they put a marker into the lump and did another mammo. Still didn't show up! Now I am all about self exams!
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slinky - you are so very fortunate that you found yours since it was on the chest wall. I completely understand your being all about self exams, but the other diagnositc exams are still so very important. Deep tumors on the chest wall rarely can be felt even by experienced medical professionals. All aspects of detecting breast cancer should be followed. They are all important.
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AmyJo49, Oh yes, I agree...use everything that is available! I certainly would not discourage anyone from getting a mammo. I know in my case and two other people that I know, that their bc was not found on a mammo - all of us found it with self-exam. I must add that I am totally impressed with the ultrasound!
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yrs.ago i had some kinda mamo and the tech actually saw over 20 cysts.i told the dr.and she said dont worry they are nothing.yea right.i was sooo young then.WHO KNEW.Well now my kids and grandkids do.Better late then ever.0
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Hi Ladies,
Well Monday is the anniversary of my dx. I'm not sure how I feel about it, except that I'm glad this year is over. I haven't told anyone else. I guess each year it will be easier.
Wishing us all a better 2011.
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shelleyj43 (((HUGS)))0
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Shelly (((HUGS))))
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Shelly - {{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}
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Designer Mom - I am now on the dense breast warpath - it's even worse than what you said. Not only is it harder to detect the cancer if you have dense breasts, but YOU ARE AT A HIGHER RISK OF BC. No one ever told me that! I have posted about this on the dense breast thread. One solution is state or national laws that will inform women about this and require more testing for women with dense breasts.
Shelly - Hugs!
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Shelley, {{{HUGS}}}
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Me too! Mammos for 30 years and yet they missed both my cancers. How is that possible?
If cancers take 8 years or so to grow wouldn't the last couple of annual mammos pick them up?
I check once a month --but I have friends who never check and think their mammo will pick up anythng wrong!!!!
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Aw, thanks everyone, I'm feeling ok today. It was a Monday last year, 3/8, that's what I was thinking, I guess (today is actually 3/7, duh me). I remember the BS came in and said "Unfortunately this thing (biopsy) came back as invasive carcinoma. I have you scheduled for a mastectomy on Thursday." That was it. I don't remember much after that except driving home crying and talking to my DH and Mom on the phone. I don't know how I made it home! Autopilot I guess. I didn't know enough then to ask any questions, I just did what he said. In hindsight, I feel ok about how my treatment evolved. I do wonder at times though why I wasn't offered neoadjuvant chemo, with a big tumor. Maybe it was too big and he just wanted to get it out ASAP. I have never asked this question to the BS. It really doesn't matter now, but I still wonder. I do know I felt better just knowing the cancer had been removed and my nodes were clear. It's a miracle really.
I'm sure everyone has their own experience like that, the day we will never forget.
Thank you for listening and letting me reflect a little.
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Wow - what a story. It's such a crazy process. I know I was in shock for months - not sure how I stumbled my way through. I guess you do what you have to do, huh?
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Familiar stories....I found my lump the end of June...had the mammo in Dec. NOTHING !! Even when BS looked back he couldn't find it. My mammo wasn't due until Dec...and yet I found it...lump, nodes, etc...what if I hadn't found it...how much worse would it have been? Such a scary thought....
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I was dx on March 30th got a call from the radiation tech that did my biopsy. He couldn't get in contact with my OB so decided to call me because knew it was important. He apologized for having to call me. He refered me to my BS who I have been well pleased with.
Saw my Lymphadema PT yesterday and I am not stage 1 but I am in the pre stages so we are going to work on that. I will see her for three weeks 1 x week which I can handle. I do have cording issues that has been causing my aches in my arm and she is working out those. Gave me exercises and massages to do and something the DH can help me with. I am pretty pleased with the out come. She works real close with my BS who referred me so I am confident I am getting the treatment I need. See my RO on the 16th and OBGYN on the 24th. The PT did say my skin looked real good for being three weeks out from rads.
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mjb - I have a kindof painful band that runs down from my armpit to my wrist near the base of my thumb. I can't see anything but it is tight and painful when I extend my arm in certain positions and flex my wrist outward. Is that what you are experiencing?0
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Yes that is what I am dealing with but mine is only to the elbow. Is there someone you can see? Just one session and my arm feels better. Have you talked to your BS? They are the ones who refered me.
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Omaz one exercise she gave me was hold your arm like you would if you are holding a tray. Flex your wrist back and forth 15 x. As each time gets eaiser move your arm back further. She told me to do this several times a day.
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I am seeing an LE specialist for mild LE. This wasn't bothering me the last time I saw her which was about a week ago so when I see her tomorrow I will talk to her about it. Thanks
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Great good luck.
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Holding the tray in front or to the side?
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To the side, hold arm out, bend elbow, lay hand back then start flexing. BTW, I cann't flex hand to a lying position, it looks like my hand is cupped.
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Thanks. I'll post what my LE therapist says too.
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Omaz - What did your LE therapist say?
I go see the PT for neuropathy in my hands and arms. I am having a lot of pain in my shoulders and the tingling goes from my elbows to my fingertips. It is worse after my rad treatments after I have had to hold my arms above my head. Even a few minutes seems like forever! Tomorrow I see the MO for my Aredia treatment. My MO is out on a family emergency so I will be seeing one of his partners. DH is going with me as I have a ton of questions and am apt to forget some of them if I go by myself. I have them all written down, but that doesn't mean I will remember to look at my list.
Hope everyone has a restful evening. Amy Jo
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Hi Amyjo - Thanks for asking! The LE therapist thought that I have some kind of inflammation in my arm. She said it follows the path of cording but she couldn't feel any cording at this point. She said it should go away with time and wants me to come back in a week. The sleeve really helped with the LE, my arm was down from the original visit and she said the sleeve is working. Hopefully after I heal from rads I can wean off the sleeve. the kindof bummer part is that she said I cannot do any weights and any exercises I have to take easy and not do many repetitions until I get healed. I don't know how long that will be! I have also developed some new neuropathy in my thumb, pointer finger and middle finger. Not sure why. Good luck with the neuropathy PT, I'll be interested in what they say.0
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Omaz - take it easy and take the time to heal. Glad there is no cording at this time and the LE is getting better. I will have to wait until the 15th to find out what my PT says about the neuropathy in both my arms and hands and the pain in my shoulders. I will let you know what the PT says next week.
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Hi Shelley, I had neoadjvant chemo, I asked for it hoping that it would get me a lumpectomy Dr agreed and invited me to the Avastin trial...Well I had not been able to tolerate Avastin developed clots and a subsequent PE, and had to leave the trial. I did complete Adriamicin and Cytoxin and then Taxol. I had a reduction in size of two tumors but had no response from multiple small ones. I had my MX on 1/26, but I am not sorry I tried it. I do think from experience they know its a long shot but are willing to try it if you request. Kaz
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Thanks, Kaz. I'm sorry that I wasn't more informed at the beginning, so that I could request it, but it doesn't matter now. I'm happy that you had the opportunity to try the neoadjuvant chemo, and that your AC worked so well. I'm not sorry I had the MX. How are you doing now? I hope you are recovering well.
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Hi Shelley, I am doing well, I have some "leftovers" swelling arm, numb hands and feet, short hair Ha Ha..Anxious to start rads, I'm headed to the finish line and feeling spring fever. My daughter and two friends have formed a team called Team Kare Bears, and will walk the Avon Walk this May they are also having a fundraiser in Lowell MA on 4/22 at the Old Court, 10.00 door donation and raffles, silent auction, bar, snacks, entertainment etc.., it is called save the boobies which as we know grates on some people inc me, but its catchy and getting response. If any of you are in the area come, celebrate with us, and help to raise the awareness of this battle., I am so touched by this commitment from these three very busy women that I am more determined to feel better!! My best to you and everyone and my prayers that everyone has improvement these coming days...Kaz
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KAZ what is the difference between the Avon walk and the Kolman? I've done the 5K for ACS and raised money for them but not sure what Avon does.
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