New Jersey/NYC/CT/Eastern Pennsylvania ladies
Comments
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DaniellaD: Thanks a lot for answering all my questions. Dr. Sim truly sounds like a gem! I loved how he stepped in and served as your advocate. I feel like sometimes doctors will not listen to us -- and it takes another doctor to get the message through. It's a shame, but that's how it is sometimes. Sorry about your headaches - I can relate. I suffered from severe migraines over a period of several years and I am a bit worried that Tamoxifen is going to reignite it. Dr. Cohen is one of the medical oncologists I am considering - good to know that your friend likes him. . . I set up a simulation at Monmouth Medical for Thursday, July 2nd. I am so glad Dr. Sim is a big believer in prone radiation. I am in my 40s and hope to have a healthy heart and strong lungs for a long time. . . Does a nurse meet with you to tell you how to prepare (ie: putting lotion on, etc.)?
proudtospin: I have had a bad back since my upper 20s. You know what really helps? Aqua aerobics classes. I took something called Aqua Run and it was like running 5 miles in the pool. You are weightless and it's a lot of fun. Walking also helps my back a lot. I herniated 6 disks when I was in my early 30s so exercise has been a big part of my life the past decade or so. Since my bc diagnose, I have had 3 surgeries this year so I have not been to the gym on a regular basis. I miss it. Can't wait to go back. Luckily, depression (so far) hasn't been a problem - but my anxiety can go off the charts. (I will be filling a xanax prescription for radiation - just in case.) Exercise helps with that a lot as well. "Stupid junk" is a great way to describe this time period! I am so thankful for you ladies on here. My family can only take so much of me lol!
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Fast, gee you have had a long history of crankie backs. I hurt mine originally when I was in early 30s but have been able to deal with it with yoga, swimming and stretching among other things. But this past fall I set up with a new trainer and well, she had me using kettleballs.....not a good idea! so been doing first stuff on my own and then finally saw a doc who set me up for physical therapy. Better now but sure do need to be careful. Back is not back to normal but at least I am not having muscle spasms as I was for a time
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proudtospin: Ugh - the dreaded muscle spasms! One of the disks herniated in my mid-back and my muscles would tighten so terribly around my rib cage, I actually had trouble breathing. (Had to go on muscle relaxers.) I wonder if my lousy back has anything to do with the breast cancer. Herniated disks causes a TON of inflammation -- and sleepless nights -- both are possibly implicated in cancer. Be very careful with weights and built up slowly. (I was started too early on weights and the disks originally were only bulged -- and went into full herniations as a result of doing too much too soon in physical therapy.) Swimming is g-r-e-a-t for anything that ails you . . . Also, I hate to tell you, but once you've had a bad back attack, you are much more prone to back problems in the future. (They are very unforgiving -- those jerks lol!)
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fast, yeah I know that, I am going to start a second round of 4 weeks of PT (my doc only gives scripts for 4 weeks at a time).
Actually today I went to the gym for the first time in almost a week. I did easy stretch, 10 min on the treadmill walking and about 15 on the slowest bike thing. Then some pool time just walking in the therapy pool. Now on the sofa with heat.
Hoping no spasms or shit tonight. I start PT on Wed for second round
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I know people who are very happy with their treatment at Hackensack. I use Englewood and have been happy with the way I'm treated there, That Dr Sim sounds good to me.
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Englewood has a great rep too, I knew a woman who went to Englwood first, then she went for a second opinion at MSK, when it turned out the same, she went to Englwood as closer
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It...is always better to be Closer....takes the stress away.....at first I was going from the Shore to Livingston....Changed Doctors....got much better Treatment and Love Ocean Medical Center....Liz0 -
I agree, having treatment closer is much less stressful. I am used to driving all around but not something that I wanted during all this dang stuff. Of course, in the area we are very fortunate to have so many good places to chose from.
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Hi all...Hope everyone is doing okay... anyone out there that is from NJ and had their treatments at St. Barnabas Cancer Center? Just wondering what your thoughts were.. I was treated there (chemo, hormonal drugs). I often wondered what others thought about the doctors...I go back and forth as in did I make the right choice. I did not have much time to do second opinions and always thought that St. Barnabas was one of the better facilities around.0 -
For those of you in NJ and needing help with transportation, try checking out Access a Link from NJ Transit PA has a similar program as does NYC. I placed a link below with all the info you need to decide if you can use it.I am applying for Mother-in-law and her aide. The service is not free but I think they charge the same rate as the public bus. The worse part is that I had to make an appointment to bring her and the aide to an eligibility review at one of their offices. Got an appointment for July and will let you know how it goes,
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I am under the impression that Barnabas is a really good place, I used to do mamos there and changed only because I found a closer place
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Proudtospin...thanks.. I am happy there but its always in the back of my mind that I should have gotten a second opinion.
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I'm not sure about the treatment center specifically, but St Barnabas, overall is highly regarded. I had both my kids there (obviously that has nothing to do with their cancer treatment) and have always trusted the doctors there. I decided to go with a local cancer treatment center in Sparta because it was so convenient for getting back and forth. If I didn't have a treatment center minutes from my house I would probably have ended up at St Barnabas due to the trust that was built there my entire life.
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proudtospin Sounds like a good mix of exercise! How did the muscle spasms go last night? Hope OK! Good luck with the 2nd round of PT.
NYCchutzpah Heard great things about Hackensack also. Too bad it's so far, but I am thinking I will be happy with Dr. Sim.
sandcastle: I went to St. Barnabas in Livingston too. Very far. And I had a bad experience with my breast surgeon there.
ThinkingPositive: St. Barnabas is supposed to be a great hospital for cancer. It also really depends on the particular doctor you get. (I didn't like my breast surgeon, but I liked the other docs there - just too far to keep traveling for chemo/radiation from the shore area.)
NYCchutzpah: I heard of that NJ Transit service. Thanks for mentioning it. The only bad thing about it is that they will only take you to places that NJ Transit services - if it's on their bus routes. Also, you may have to take connecting buses. It's a good thing to keep in mind though.
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Fast, muscle cramps were not bad last night, thanks for asking. I went to the gym and did aqua stuff this morning (I was thinking of your comment about how helpful they are to you) and happy to report the back is currently happy!
no cramps and no pain as of now although still using my old heating pad~~
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FastWalker........I also had a Very bad experience with my Breast Surgeon there.....Liz
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Proudtospin......As far as the Mamo the Radilogy Dept is good....I just picked the WRONG Doctor...Liz0 -
proudtospin: Happy to hear you hit the pool! Aqua aerobics really saved me. When I herniated the 6 disks, I could barely do anything. Even PT made me a lot worse, so I had to stop. Aquatics was like a miracle. Glad to also hear that you have no cramps and no pain - hope it keeps up!sandcastle: You and I weren't the only ones. I am getting PMs . . . I should've trusted my gut from the very first visit. Lesson learned.
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sandcastle, fastwalker.... thanks for the info.... wonder if we have seen each other at the cancer center or surgeon's office through our journey ??0 -
Fastwalker.....It al happens so fast....and Yes.....I should of just investigated other avenues....Liz
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sandcastle, I should have too...I am dreading my 1 year followup... too late to change BS for followup I guess.
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thinkingpositive, keep on doing as your name here says
me, got my yearly (it is 7 years now) mamo on Tues. I know some of my pals think I am past it but you guys know it is always in the mind, cross fingers for an uneventful mamo. Least it is early in the morning so can get it past me but I know my center does not consider me special so will send me the results and I will likely not know results till Thursdayish
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proudtospin... fingers crossed for you!! Good luck.0 -
It...is always scary when it is time for a Mamo.......Liz0 -
thanks for the thoughts, got to keep busy so not to dwell on the thought of the test
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fast walker - yes, I met with the nurses and Dr. Sim before treatment. I was told to use calendula cream during the day and aquafor at night. I had radiation in the morning. So I would apply the cream right after treatment while I was there. Then aquafor at night. The techs and nurse are great. I hope going there is as positive an experience as its was for me. (Well as positive as radiation can be). Dr. Cohen treated my cousin and I've heard great things. Good luck
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ThinkingPositive: We could've been sitting right across from each other.
You're not obligated to stick with the same breast surgeon. (I am still surprised she told us not to come back for a year for our first follow-up.)sandcastle: You are so right - everything happens SO fast - and there are so many decisions. And in my case, my doctors didn't agree on anything.
proudtospin: Hope everything goes well with the mammo! Congrats on the nearly 7 years! I think it will always be nerve-racking. Breast cancer is not like other cancers, where you are safe after 5 years. I don't think other people "get it" at all. *Positive Vibes*
DaniellaD: Thanks for the info! Glad you had such a positive experience! It seems that the women who are really good about applying cream do better and don't have burns. I had one consult back in May with Dr. Sim - that's when he told me to get the positive margin removed. I go for the simulation Thursday, July 2nd.
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I am having nerve pain and electric shocks down my right arm. I "only" had a sentinel node biopsy so I am kind of surprised about all the arm pain and dysfunction. Did anyone else have this? I am concerned about radiation/holding my arm over my head. . . I did have nerve pain down my arm years ago due to disk herniations in my neck - maybe all of this woke that back up. Who knows.Did anyone take Tamoxifen during radiation? One doctor told me to start Tamoxifen right away because it's already been seven months since time of diagnosis and I've had no systemic treatment yet. Another doctor says to wait until after rads to start it because skin reactions might be worse if combined with rads. . . I don't think my doctors have agreed on anything since being diagnosed. It is kind of unnerving.
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I went for my radiation simulation yesterday in the prone position. It was really hard to hold my arms above my head - even with pain medication. I am going to a neurologist on Tuesday. My next radiation appointment is the practice run - that's on July 9th. Then I start radiation on July 13. . . I hope the neurologist can suggest something before then! When I was trying to park my car the other day and was turning the steering wheel, I got an electric jolt down my arm, immediately followed by arm weakness, and I lost my grip on the steering wheel. Good thing I was going very slow. I am going to start parking VERY far away from other cars . .. Yikes! . . . Happy July 4th everyone!0 -
A friend of mine who Lives in Georgia opted to go to Cancer Treatment Center of America??!! Has anyone had any experience with this place...Liz
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