Single life after a mastectomy
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Oh BB, so so sorry to hear. The way Mooshy died was tragic but I can't imagine putting down a beloved pet. I'd probably do the same thing if my pet was old, has medical issues and I couldn't take him with me and he's unadoptable. I've seen on animal planet that there are some people that take in to their homes the aging nobody will adopt pets to give them a great end of life. Have you checked into this? Maybe that could be an option. My heart breaks for you. Those of us who live alone really feel the impact. I'm still reeling with Mooshy even though I have Bella coming on 3 weeks now. Sending you love and strength. xo
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I can't imagine, BB. So good of you to find someone to come to the home to gently put him down. For him it'll be like going to sleep in his own home and not somewhere foreign esp the vets office where animals know what that mean and don't like going there. Mooshy always knew the carrier meant not fun since it always meant going to the cold vet office to be messed with which she hated. Just like some of us who absolutely dread going to the doc's office even though at least we know it's for our own good. Animals don't know why am I not in my own home right now and who is this? So take comfort that you have found the best way for him to go home.
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Artista- happy birthday. I have gotten very used to either just doing my own thing on my b-day or sometimes just not celebrating it if it does not feel right. Given your situation with recon surgery recently and healing from that, and all the rest that has gone on, just a bittersweet time for you. Wishing you a better year ahead friend.
BB- so sorry about the decisions facing you with the dog. I think helping anyone (including a pet) with end of life situations, however that needs to happen, is the kindest thing we can do. Accept you are not in a perfect world nor is this situation what you really want to do. Having a vet come in the house to do it would be compassionate so he is not scared and you are in your home during this too.
E-thinking of you as well. Hope you hear something soon.
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Thanks Jazzy. Can't imagine worse but you never know what life has in store at the next turn. I haven't celebrated a birthday since I turned 40. After 40 it became ok, I make it another year with my knees or whatever issue cropped up and will always be a whew, go through this year! Yeah I'm a party pooper but I do love seeing others enjoy their birthdays and actually celebrate it.
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Artista- I just try to do something nice for myself on my birthday. Make a meal I enjoy, go for a hike, get a massage, etc. I keep it simple and rarely involve others anymore.
My birthday next year will also be around the same time I complete my 5 years being cancer free and will celebrate that somehow!
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Yeah, we actually have 2 birthdays don't we. One when we came into this world and one the date of dx. Mine was officially dx'd on my mom's birthday, 6/2/15. Her DCIS dx is in Oct where next month will be a year for her.
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Artista- well, I consider my dates around cancer more anniversaries than birthday related. I was diagnosed on 9/14/12 and the technical end of my five years post BC will be 3/22/18 (birthday around the same time too). I have not decided how to recognize that milestone, but will do something!
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BB- I agree about Xmas being good to not be alone. That being said, I am not a fan of the holiday and like to go off and retreat to reflect on the year and think about the year ahead. I have plans to go to the hot springs this Xmas.
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I'm not into any one holiday personally. I'm not religious, just spiritual with a belief in God. Birthdays nowadays make me sad when it's my parents. They are both in their 70s and doing well overall but still. Every time I see someone famous has passed and it's around their age or less, my heart breaks even more as I wonder how long I really have with both of them here.
Anniversary is a good way to think of the cancer date too. I like re-birth date because that's when our bodies were diagnosed to be different and will never be like pre-cancer before. Terminology is all it is but yeah, 6/2 is wild for me. Happy birthday mom, "happy" x year(s) out from dx to me.
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Artista- I am with you, spiritual but not religious. Gave up organized religion years ago. I enjoy meditation and nature for my spiritual needs.
I don't focus too much on those medical anniversaries anymore. I was going to take a trip this fall to Ireland to celebrate the five years, because I thought my five years was at the surgery date, but the MO told me in July that it is when I come off the AIs in March. The group trip to Ireland this fall anyways, so just as well. I will do something next March, a trip somewhere, maybe not even far but somewhere I have been wanting to go. Got my bucket list items! Getting through the five years on the AIs alone feels huge to me? I feel grateful to even celebrate a birthday anymore, but learning not to let others muck things up (as they tend to do....)
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Yes, we need to treat ourselves. I'm on fixed income so I'm going to treat myself to a nice kabob dinner at my fav restaurant for my belated bday sometime next week.
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BB- The hole in the walls/ lesser known places are usually better.
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BB- my MO said for my IDC (early, small, slow growing, called luminal 1A), that there is no long term benefit beyond the 5 years. More risk than benefit to me. Many other women here take them for 10 years or longer.
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Oh BB. I remember when I lived in Mountain View there was an Iranian market (I'm Iranian) like 2 minutes away literally. They did kabobs. The smellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll. I probably ate there 5 days of the week. They had other persian food ready made to so mix it up. Loved being so close to that market. Shop and eat. No delivery though but did catering for biz. The restaurant near me is about 3, 4, miles down the road so not bad either. Just no smell.
And that what I love about authentic small places, many do tailor to your needs. So cool you have something that close.
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I believe it's the luminal B people like me who should be on the 10 year plan.
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BB- maybe next visit, ask your new MO. From what my MO told me about the two, it is the Ki67 value that is the difference. Low Ki67 means slower growing and is associated with A, and vice versa for B. Dig out your path report and bring it with you next time.
Were you recommended for 10 years?
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There's a great post on luminals somewhere around here where it's easy to see which you are with your profile. Maybe do a search.
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BB- wow, that is strange BB. I remember you said you did the chemo with the intermediate oncotype (I did not), and when I went on the AIs, there was a change in thinking to go to 10 years. But since then, they have more data and think they know more about the luminal cancers and how they help or don't through time for specific pathology. I know they keep your tumors for something like 10 years in a tumor bank and sometimes go back to run genetics tests, but not sure about other things? Worth asking?
My MO kept telling me through the whole duration we would start with 5 and would make a decision closer to the last year if there was any value to continuing for another 5. Like you I told him I would only remain on them if there was a benefit (given they have created other problems for me with blood sugar and bone health). I am looking forward to getting off the drugs and at least a few of the other drugs that are result of the AIs.
Sounds like you are close to making the vet apt. Very hard friend.
I wonder how Lilly is doing? Lilly, are you out there?
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BB- yes, he talked to me about the bci test a year or so ago, but there was not enough material left in the IDC tumore to do the test to answer the question. Because of what it has done to my bone health (prolia shots to counteract) and the blood sugar spike (that has me on several things), there is a concern about longer term impacts from these drugs. I have a strong history of stroke and heart disease in my family, as well as a mother who had osteoporosis and a broken hip and leg through time. So I believe the balance here is between the risk of reoccurrence vs. creating other problems from long term AIs.
No easy answer?
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BB- yes, I am grateful for the good care I have received and continue to receive. I do keep on top of things too and ask my MO each visit about new research as I hear about it, etc. He has told me twice now that we will stop the AIs in March. Will be a couple days before my 58th birthday.
It's a beautiful fall day here. The rains have finally stopped after an pretty intense week here. We always need the rain but when it comes all at once, it can be a problem. My yard looks happy though.
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hi ladies .
So much happening. So now we face another diagnosis
This is so crazy now the second ser of MRI diagnosis another sickness no what the doctor said before . So now he won't do surgery instead he is transfering her case to another doctor . So yesterday my poor sister had a nerve break down crying saying she will dye cuz her doctor is no longer been there for her that she trusted him etc etc so here is what they now say she has.
Myelitis involves the infection or the inflammation of the white matter or gray matter of the spinal cord which is a part of the central nervous system that acts as a bridge between the brain and the rest of the body.
Transverse implies that the inflammation extends across the entire width of the spinal cord.
Partial transverse myelitis and partial myelitis are terms used to define inflammation of the spinal cord that affects part of the width of the spinal cord.
Typical signs and symptoms include:
Pain. Transverse myelitis pain may begin suddenly in your lower back. ...
Abnormal sensations. Some people with transverse myelitis report sensations of numbness, tingling, coldness or burning. ...
Weakness in your arms or legs. ...
Bladder and bowel problems.
An infection precedes the onset of transverse myelitis about 50% of the time. Transverse myelitis often develops following viral infections such as varicella zoster (the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles),
herpes simplex, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr,
influenza, echovirus, HIV, hepatitis A, and rubella.
Recovery from transverse myelitis usually begins within a few weeks
of the onset of symptoms and can continue for up to two years,
or sometimes longer. Early treatment may facilitate recovery.
People usually make the best recovery between three and six months after the onset of symptoms.
The standard of care for transverse myelitis includes:
Intravenous (IV — into the vein) corticosteroids such as methylprednisone or dexamethasone may be given to help decrease the swelling in the spinal cord.
In some cases, prednisone, taken by mouth, is used for a period of time after the IV therapy is completed.
Transverse myelitis is a neurological disorder caused by inflammation across both sides of one level,
or segment, of the spinal cord. ... Attacks of inflammation can damage or destroy myelin , the fatty insulating substance that covers nerve cell fibers.
Now the question is when will they give her a treatment? Well today her doctor was supposed to provide the name and number for the so call specialist and he didn't. My family try to reach him with no response and even I sent him a msg no response. So tomorrow again weuat chase him. I research this in the internet and most people end up in a wheel chair ? This is such night mare.
Bb my heart breaks I know what you are going through I had to take that desision 3 times before and it still hurts . Just know we are here fr you cry and let it out the pain u will have is very extream
Arista happy birthday. I wish this is a fresh new year for you full of beautiful and good surprises
Jazz June I am hanging there as life is passing me some lemons . This Friday at 5pm I ll go to my own MRI .
Hoping they can see what is going on in my pelvis area.
At least my period just finished today.
I love you all I ll keep you all posted as per what is happening.
My brother told me my sister breathing is very short and that she is always very cold and sleeping a lot. That he does no see this storm passing
G night all
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E- I am sorry your sister is getting passed from one doctor to the next. Did that happen because the current one needed to send her to someone who understands here dx better? I so feel for her and for you friend. I hope with knowing what is going on that they can get her going on treatment. Please keep us posted.
Also, please focus on yourself this week which I know is hard. You have been waiting on your MRI for some time. I hope you get good results and this is nothing more than a pesky fibroid. There is something they can do to remove those if they become a problem called a myomectomy. It is a way to get rid of the growth without going through a larger hysterectomy.
We are in your pocket sister
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This is usually what I think of when life gives me lemons
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E, is it because it's weekend thats why you couldn't get a hold of the doctor?? i am so sorry.....my heart goes out to you and your family.
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Thanks for the well wishes, E. My heart goes out to you. Thinking of you and your sister with love. xxx
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I hope none of you knew anyone who was in Las Vegas yesterday. One of our BCO sisters from that area has a neice to got hit with the gunfire. The more this happens, the more I know someone who knows someone who has been a victim of a mass shooting.
Sending you all a big hug today because I think the world just needs a bit more kindness right now
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ok so two specialist will see my sister one to check if the infection is caused by her own inmune system and another to find out if it was an infection she picked up at a surgery? Wth?
Anyway no till wed and Thursday. So we keep on waiting with no treatment
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E- infection from surgery? I hope she can get treatment going soon.
BB- I heard about Tom Petty too. It is a blue monday for sure.....
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well I have been going nuts. Thinking of the what next. This morning I was able to get a hold of the dr. And he told me for sure today he could have some kind of appoitment for her .so by noon he did called my bro in law and gave the details as per where to take her . So yes jazz he says he fears this is one of those deseseas we can catch at a surgery. My sister had 2 previous surgeries including bmx. So who knows what or where thus happened they ll try to figure it out. That I actually don't care much in the sence I just want it cure now. How to know where she got it ll change the fact that she may never walk again?
But it is what it is now we wait and wait. Yes this Friday will be my turn for the MRI . 5pm. I ll post before and after I am done. Supposed to see the dr. On Oct 13th to know the results. At least it is fast ? 1 week
Ok going g to school now
Will keep u all posted
So far I a. Told she has trouble breathing and she is always cold .
Sorry if too much. It breaks my heart when I talk to her and she asks me what do I think will happen?
I try my best to tell her this ll be over soon. Somehow she must pull out of this.
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E - how was your own MRI? was it today??
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