TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP
Comments
-
cami you crack me up. Enjoy your winnings and don't spend it all in one place
Linda, welcome to the sisterhood that no one wanted to join. You will find a lot of good info and encouragement here.
0 -
My mom told me about Paxil about an hour ago when I was on the phone. I'm not on any drugs like this but now anything she hears that has to do with breast cancer or estrogen...
0 -
here you go for the explanation ashla: i figured out to go there and bring it to you. and about every month, i go to med records and ask for all clinic notes, path reports, any thing i dont have, to keep up my own copies of my medical records. the clinic notes from our meetings are the really interesting ones to me.so, here is what i wrote on hermit threads about a month ago: ....hi everybody. i just wanted to let you guys know a little about what is going on with me. after treatment, at my 6 month follow up mammo, they only did my affected boob. at the year follow up, that is when they did both for the first time. and then they wanted more pictures of the left unadulterated one. oh boy here goes, i told myself, but was resigned to hear what i would hear. so when i went into the room to wait for my surgeon to tell me the news, my bs came in, sat down, and told me, kath, you have microcalcifications. and i said "but doctor, they were there a year ago" she jumped up off that couch, literally stomped her foot at me, and said that if i was going to fight her every step of the way, that she could no longer be my doctor. and she told me when she first walked in that i looked good. and after she said that about not willing to "fight" with me, then she told me that i looked like shit, and she used that word. well, do you think that might have had something to do with her atitude toward me, and how frightened i was? is that a comforting way to tell someone that it might be back? and they had thrown me so off balance by this, and why did they not go into the waiting room to tell my love of my life to come and wait with me while they gave me the news? and so i think what happened is, that they went to compare them with priors, and found they never did them. only an mri. and mri's dont show micro- calcifications. and so all of this was six months ago. so when i got back from that appt, i looked thru my papers, and saw that she had written down at the very beggining that if they couldnt find the original mammos, that they would just redo them. and they never did. and the main reason drs get sued is because they fail to perform basic diagnostic tests. so i think she knew that she could be in deep sh*T. and so joy, i get to go see her on monday. and i am really not looking foward to it. i felt bullied by her, and could barely eat or sleep for 3 weeks. and was a mess, just about the way she treated me. and at that point, i was so fatigued and unwell still, that the amount of energy it would take to find another place was daunting. and plus some of my other drs there i like very much. and i do feel a lump of some kind on my rib cage, and it does feel like it has gotten bigger in the last few weeks. i have been "complaining " of pain there for a year and a half, and was summarily dismissed. and i am so angry and just freaked out about how i feel as if it is anything, she will try to blame me. cause i feel like that is what she does, and has a way of skewing what i tell her. this is so not good. and i try not to make him go with me, because it is just really hard for him, but i dont have anyone else to ask. my friend i have is moving to pennslyvania, and i cannot bear to tear her away from all that she must have done by tuesday. i do have an antianxiety pill to take that day, though. it is not that though. i am just really disturbed at the thought of seeing her, but part of me wants to, just to hear what she has to say. thanks. for reading this, for understanding, and does anyone have any good ideas? i started writing this 5 hours ago, and then went and played with my friend lucie's three boys, i cant ask her, her hands are full! i have had a hard time even deciding to tell you all, please forgive me for taking up so much space......(so that was six months ago. and, from seeing her a week ago, unbelievable. i havent written anywhere about it yet, but i dont know whether to laugh, or cry.
0 -
kathec. Wow. And hugs. Lots of hugs. Much love
0 -
kathec There are many good BS out there. Tell me again why you are dealing with this BS that has no empathy?
0 -
hmmm. i am willing to give almost any body the benefit of the doubt, like, maybe she was having a bad day? but, since our last unbelievable visit, i have started a grievance procedure against her, and if i dont get satisfaction from that, then i am seeing a lawyer. and, my patient advocate, who talked me outta the tree 6 months ago, has already filed a paper for me today, for a new surgeon to be assigned to me. that is how it is done there. i live in los angeles, and am not willing to drive for three hours each way, anywhere, and love my le therapist and med onc there. and, it IS a non profit, and i liked that.
pbrain, if you are reading, i do take a clonazepan for anti anxiety, specially when i went to see her! have you tried them?
0 -
Glad to hear it. I'm sure they have more than one breast surgeon there.
0 -
thanks,lago! it is such a huge relief to me. i wanted to wish her some sleepless nights, when she finds out about this, but i can't. after all, she IS a breast surgeon! The sad part is, her technical skills are amazing... and she can actually walk in 7 inch heels... any one who can do that gets a little respect from me. i cant.
Also, lago! wanted to let you know, i did move about 30 sheets of 0ne inch plywood yesterday, with my man. i was wearing my sleeve, and mostly it was sliding and gliding them to sort through, and pick the five best, for his little cabinet job he has. So you were right! i can! its walnut, and so beautiful. i get scraps, to make little boxes.
0 -
kathec little boxes? Pics please! Sound neat.
0 -
here you go
0 -
and another:
0 -
and just one more!
0 -
I love them. You are extremely talented. I love the one with the Blue Morpheus! Those are awesome.
0 -
whoa! thanks, Moon! That one i did about 14 yrs ago, its less a box, than just a kind of shallow shadow-box. i found the wings in the basement of a house i was cleaning out, and the person said i could have them. i didn't even know what kind of butterfly it was! all i know, is that in his youth, he traveled everywhere, and collected all kindsa things. he passed just a couple of years ago, and i still think of him. Glad you like it!
0 -
Kath u are amazing not just with talent but putting this all together for u'r surgeon--to make u feel that bad is despicable (as Sylvester would say) But I had to refresh my memory and go bacl on the thread and reread about what u posted on hermits and I did it page at a time (cuz I don't know any other way) so I want to thank u for pringting it here AFTER it took me ten minutes to find it. I have a job u know hahaha=everytime I say it I LOL cuz I do now change my PJ's everyday for my job--so it's an effort. Anyway I still can't understand how any Dr. could be that horrible to their patient, I know some have bad bedside manners, but that a whole different loaf of bread. I do feel bad that it upsets u so much.
0 -
kathec
So sorry your cancer treatment was made even more difficult by your doctor! Unconscionable really. I think I've known someone like her. Thankfully not my md.
Good luck finding a new bs .
Your artwork is lovely. I have started art lessons recently . It has added a wonderful new dimension to my life.
0 -
Good Morning---
Ashla how wonderful to start up something u must enjoy, I'm happy u'r doing that for u'rself.
0 -
0
-
PBrain
Congrats on your milestone! I too have one today.
It is two years today that I had my final TCH chemo!
I must say , however, that most everything about me is changed. I am not the same person I was before cancer . A great deal ...not all...of this change is for the better. Some even extraordinarily better!
Gonna do my yoga, grab my sketch pad and head to the beach( I am in Florida) for a long walk !
Hang in there newbies.....
0 -
Hello Ladies,
I went to the LE PT Then yesterday at 8:30. I had an eval and measuring. only a 3% difference and she felt good that with massage I would self resolve. That makes me pleased. She did recommend a sleeve for exercise and travel. I have another appointment. MOnday for actual therapy. After that on to chemo.
I had my first chemo yesterday. TCH. I did okay. It was a long day. I was by far the youngster there for the day. Port was just a pinch but emotionally upsetting to me. But mostly I was upset to find that I have to go weekly for the Herceptin for the first 18 weeks. They told every three. I planned for every three. I was so upset. And the doctor and NP aren't there late of course. So I get to leave work every week early. My husband is not here so it is a bit harder to coordinate.
I got Benedryl, Decadron and Zantac as premeds. I had taken a Norco for the PT appointment and then after they drew my labs and I wanted to jump out of my chair, I took a Xanax. My sister was with me, she's a real peach. Then they gave the Herceptin, loading dose so double. I did ok. Then the Taxotere and Carboplatin. I drank well and had a cherry and lemon ice. But I peed like a crazy person! I mean I was tired from the up and downs in the chair and vowed next time to get a seat closer to the potties!! LOL
I did nap some but the room is large and loud. We were in the corner area but still loud. I was the last to leave. Came home with my sister. I had notable belly gurgling but I took a Zofran when I got home.
Then I had to pop off with my middle son to an English tutor. His first appointment. It went well, he liked the guy and seemed be pleased with the guidance. We drove home and then I had some toast with peanut butter. And climbed in bed.
Today I feel ok. Up did morning kid things, lunches and started laundry and such. Littlest indian still to get up and on the bus. Belly feels a little off..crampy. I took a Zofran again just to cover myself. I am supposed to go back to the office today for the Neulasta shot. I will take the Claritin. I have a big day planned for Saturday if I am able as my husband comes in from Boston tonight. We have Joffrey Ballet tickets so I really would like to go. I want to do something nice and normal and not related to sickness.
Thanks for all the support.
0 -
princessrn
Great description of your past few days. Suggest you save it and keep a diary. Regret that I didn't.
No perjeta?
We all go differently but I felt the side effects at the 3 day point thru day 7 or 8. Manageable . Best wishes
0 -
Getting ready for TCH number 2 today. Blood at 7, MO at 8:30, chemo at 9, then finally BS at 4:30. Long day for sure. Planning dinner already, before the taste buds are gone again and the slightly icky tummy. Hope everyone has a great day.
0 -
ooops sorry, cami, i tried to be quick about it, i never did that before! sleep well! i am glad you get to work in PJs!
0 -
princessrn, what ashla said! sounds like you are doing great! and i am glad you heard about claritin, for after neulasta. it really helped me.
dggm, you sound like you are taking it well, too! hope treatments are easy on you.
i wonder if you guys are getting the kadcyla/perjeta, instead of the regular old herceptin, that all of us her2+ gals got?
goutlaw, i don't know why we only get antihormonals for only 10 years. maybe someone will tell us. although, i have heard of a few ladies, here on BCO, that have been on one for far longer than that, i dont remember how it happened.
0 -
OMG kathec these are amazing. I love the nail/heart. BTW you are getting this from a professional. First BFA is in sculpture. Do you ever go on the road and do art fairs. I go to quite a few in Chicago. Also work up slowly with your arm. If you feel any discomfort, strain or heaviness in your arm, stop and give it a rest. I wear my sleeve on my at risk arm as well when flying or strength training.
Congrats to both Pbrain and Ashla. Life is good
goutlaw and kathec Anytime you take any drug, even aspirin there are SE. More of an issue if long term. Same goes with all the anti-hormonals. More or longer doesn't always mean better. It could end up causing you more problems in the end.
good luck Ddgm1003
princessrn you sound like you are doing great.
0 -
lago, thank you so much. it means a great deal to me that you approve of my art! i was just getting ready to have my very 1st solo art exhibit, one that had to do about mortality, right, i mean right before i was diagnosed. so i had to give up my time slot at the gallery, and you know, ever since, it has been one thing after the other. But, i am going to re-contact the gallery to see if i can have the october-november slot(thinking it is a good one, because of day of the dead, but very life- affirming pieces, very conceptual), because i have been slooowly working up to, in a way sneaking up from behind, on doing my art again. i have only really been making simple beaded pairs of earrings, and have been getting ready to have an etsy store. art is the one thing that lets me forget all about bc! the one piece with the nail is a funny story. i was fretting about what to give my man for his 50th birthday, and, i had all these dental gold scraps people had given me, and my boymanfriend really likes toothpicks. so i drilled a hole in apiece of charcoal, and melted the metal in a crucible, and poured it in the hole. three times i tried this, and it kept looking more like a nail. so i said ok, it wants to be a nail. And the more i thought about it, it was more perfect as a nail for him, because of the old nail- in- a- coffin type thing, and, he IS a carpenter, and a vastly superior sculptor, himself. And he loved it! and it used to be rare that he would like my work, but lately he really does, and it means a lot to me. i am telling you, he is good. he went to school and has a masters and everything, i was only able to do a couple years at a junior college.
other than that, though, the only people that see our art, are the ones that come to our house and studio downstairs! we are both kind of private people, who found each other 15 years ago, and he was amazingly supportive through all my bc.
So, bc has been good, in that it has made me slow down a little, and put my art more up front in my life,and my writing, and my friends.
and YAY! For Pbrain, and Ashla, and everyone here!
0 -
unless I missed the change, think today was Nicky's surgery.
Hoping for relief for her as you all are I know.
0 -
i believe you are correct, Ashla, so i am going to be well- wishing her, all day, and keeping her close in my thoughts...
0 -
Well I'll be thinking about Nicky today too
0 -
...ok, just one more thing about ...me... i am so selfish lately, and must needs to figure ..me.. out. but i am wondering, lago, if you are still taking arimidex? i know that it caused you to become osteoporotic. i took it for 6 mos, it was awful, and i became osteoporotic, too. so then i did tamox for 5 months, and experienced the same toxicities. i have been on holiday for two months. all of my joint pain has not gone away, and i did a nuclear bone scan about a week ago. Path report said -no definate sign of osseous metastases. i just don't like that word "definate". on another thread, i think, someone told me that that kind of scan could rule in bone mets, but could not rule them out.... so my question is... has any one done a pet/ct scan after treatment? the scan i did, said there were degenerative changes, but did not tell where. and so... today, i start letrazole. but i really want a follow up pet/ct scan, just to know for sure. it is not a problem, my insurance pays for everything. is it just the treatment center's call? Are they being diligent? i have heard that whether you get mets or not, when they get discovered is not a problem,as you would just be treated for them in any case. i guess i just would like to know.
0
