Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Dara - love the wig in the pic! Looks great on you!
Roche - I trusted my BS to get the cancer out. She knew I didn't want a mx, but def wanted clear margins...so I believe she too did a couple until she got them clear (as I didn't want to have to go back in later). Prior to surgery, my biopsies showed a 'normal' type of BC (if there is such a thing), ER/PR+ and Her2-. However, after surgery - the path on one of my masses showed Her2+...so my plans of just lx and radiation, changed to include 5 months of chemo and a year of a targeted med called Herceptin. While I loved my BS, and even picked the team/facility based on her...and even did three different consults to compare. However, I quickly realized I should have checked out the oncologists better...as I have not been fond of the 2 I have had so far. Even tho I am halfway thru chemo now, I just met with a different MO last week...and liked her a great deal. So as soon as Taxol ends, I will be switching facilities to go to her. I want to be assured that someone is watching over me closely and I felt that with her.
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Michelle is still around—she started a new thread in the “Hormone Treatments” category for positive & uplifting thoughts.
Dara, you rock that wig even better than the fedora!
Got good news and bad news today. First the good news: my followup mammo is benign (BIRADS 3): mostly fatty tissue, unchanged scattered fibroglandular densities of no significance, no calcifications; and that huge 14cm tumor-cavity seroma is now only a “large,” as it has shrunk to 10cm. Skin thickening also resolving nicely. In fact, instead of seeing the BS late this afternoon as originally planned, I was able to see the NP right away. I go back at the end of June for followup & BS visit. I was afraid I’d have to start padding, but the NP says that what your breast is like 1 yr post-rads is usually permanent. So I’m still pretty symmetrical and probably will be for life. The only reason it’s BIRADS 3 and not 2 is because of the seroma and the need for “short-interval” (6 mo.) surveillance to monitor any changes.
Now the bad news: just read on another thread that Beppy (aka SlowDeepBreaths, the Mayor of CrazyTown—where we go for reassurance and relaxation when our minds go to a dark place with every little twinge or pimple, as well as when awaiting results) passed away at 1 am PST of mets to the brain and elsewhere. Her memory, as was her life, will be for a blessing.
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KDTheatre, I don't think you can overestimate the value of having MOs you trust absolutely. I liked my one in Pontiac but I LOVE my one here in Spokane.
Sandy, Glad for your good news! I'm sorry to hear about Beppy. I did not know her but the loss of even one sister is huge.
Dara, love your new look!
HUGS!
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Dara, you look GREAT 😍 I am so glad to hear that you and your family will be visiting Hawaii. The big island is wonderful and please don't forget to take a look at the volcano. It's a sight to see 😎 I haven't started rads yet still waiting waiting waiting 😩 Sewing? That's wonderful, lucky grandsons. No I haven't heard from Michelle, hope she is ok
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Me-n-Tiki 2016
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Poodles, you look gorgeous! Tiki too. Great picture!!!
HUGS!!
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Great pic! Sweet poodle!
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Ugh. Been trying to get DS some insurance on the Healthcare marketplace . The determination is that because he isnt working and has no income, he doesn't qualify for discounts . He will qualify for an exemption, which, you know, is almost as good as actual insurance (not!) Thank you congress for passing the Un-Affordable Care Act. Insurance that cost $64 in 2014, now costs over $300, with a $7000 deductible . And thank you State of Georgia for not expanding Medicaid so people in poverty can have insurance .
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Hello all:I wish that I had the time to read all of your posts and to remain caught up here. I really miss checking this site every day and "being a part of the lives of all of you". I have been working 12 hour days since the start of the school year and I am committed to walking 10,000 steps every day. I just can't find the time to, basically, do anything but work. Sorry for not being able to respond to posts as I used to be able to.
I just went to a "Celebration of Life" event with the Lotus Survival Foundation. Lotus is an awesome organization for breast cancer survivors. IThe event was amazing. We went to the Morikami Japanese Gardens and Museum in Delray Beach, FL. However, the Reike master who was at the event informed me that I have, "no energy". She is right. I am always exhausted. (lol. I know that she meant - no "chi".)
I just wanted to say "hi" to everyone and "Happy Holidays". I am hoping to spend time on this site during my holiday break from school.
((HUGS)) to all.
614
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Poodles, that's crap. I don't have any suggestions but I can channel my anger with yours for what it's worth!
614, It sounds like you are burning the candle at both ends. Try to take some time for yourself and meditate, read, have fun! Glad your Lotus get together was so good. Happy Holidays to you, too.
HUGS!
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Poodles...love the picture ...yes our health care is terrible if you hit a rough patch. I'm very blessed myself.
Dara...you look darling...ok I better break out that wig ...again!
614... Take care of you!
Roche...welcome ...this is a great group.
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Poodles, love the pic (you look terrific, and what a cute pooch), hate the insurance situation. We have kind of the same problem with Gordy—he’s 32 and is a freelancer (improv actor, comedy writer, director) with little-to-no income. (We hope we can leave him enough so he can be a trust fund kid). He’s on a pre-ACA high-deductible, low-premium plan. His secondary “insurance” is…..Bob & me.
614, when my mom lived in Kings Point, we used to go to Morikami Gardens all the time. In fact, my niece developed her love of all things Japanese there. (She even taught origami at her afterschool program when she was only 12). She’s minoring in Japanese language & culture at Case Western Reserve (majoring in videogame design at its Cleveland Inst. of Art).
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Poodlesand Dara , great pictures ! ! Poodles your hair looks great . Sorry about the insurance for your son. Luckily for us California expanded Medicaid probably more than any state . My DS who was a full time student until last week got it through ACA because he had very little income the last two years of school . Prior to that he had no insurance except for the one semester he spent in the UC system . I am proud to say he starts a great job in his field of electrical engineering next month . 614 , you sound like my DH . I always say he's burning the candle on all three ends lol
Doing okay here . Just mourning the loss of my BCO friend Beppy .
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Just checking in after trying to read along....like 614, I wish I had more time to keep up with this fast moving thread.
Congrats to DS on the job, Molly!
Dara: probably a smart move on the wig. In retrospect a part of me wishes I had done that as well, rather than just sticking with hats and scarves. It was easier in some ways but harder in others. In any case, you look great!
The Big Island is my Happy Place. In fact DH and I are plotting a move there....
I am also mourning Beppy. She and Peggy are the two people whose encouragement most kept me going when I felt so lost and scared in those earlier bc days. Even now, though I've managed to make it through treatment with a minimum of PTSD (though the letrozole is still kicking my butt), I look forward to anything they write, and still can't quite grasp that Beppy is gone. (and thanks for the hundredth time Peggy!).
Hugs and Happy Holidays to all!
Octogirl
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Thank you Peggy from me too . I agree with octogirl that you are a great source of comfort .
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Sue and Molly, thank you for the kind words. I'm so glad I could help you get through the hard times and, hopefully, the better times. I can't imagine my life without my BCO friends - you all have enriched my life beyond words.
Molly, congratulations on DS getting a job in his chose field!! That's wonderful.
Sandy, DS is very lucky to have such supportive parents!
HUGS!
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Hi Everyone.. I've been lurking... it's great being done with procedures... now i'm trying to help my brother.. he's getting worse so it's day by day.. he has congestive heart failure and leukemia among other problems and slowly going downhill...
I just want to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
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Roche, welcome. I had to have 2nd surgery for clean margins & didn't have any issues. It was easier than I expected it would be.
Dara, you look great!
Tootsie, YAY fit the low onco score.
Poodles, you look great too & cute pooch!
Sandy, glad you got good test results, but sad news of Beppy's passing.
Judy, Merry Christmas to you too! Glad you're doing well after tx. Praying for you & your brother as you go through this difficult time with him.
I'm 5 months post rads & I find I still am reminded daily of going through BC. It doesn't really cause me anxiety, I know it's gone, but just looking forward to the day when it's a distant memory. And I'm looking forward to next year being a better year
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Judy, isn't it nice to be done with active treatments? I know you're using the "extra" time to be with your brother. It's a challenging time for you both and I'm sorry that he is declining. Praying for you both.
Trish, glad you're doing so well!!!
HUGS!!
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Had a blast doing the Holiday Hoot radio show on WDCB last night. Got to reconnect with musician friends I'd not seen in months (a couple of them since 2007), sit in on harmony with a duo (the alto in their trio was home nursing a bruised coccyx from slipping on ice), do a full set with my singing partner, a solo encore, and a group sing for the final 15 minutes.
Our own 15-min. set started out as a solo, though. Took over 90 minutes to get there because the RR grade crossing gates were stuck in the down position across just about every one of my alternate routes—then I remembered one where the train runs on a trestle overpass, so I set out for that one. So, apparently, did every rush hour driver on the N. Side. Still got there 45 min. before air, and I had plenty of time—we weren't on till 9:18. My partner told me earlier in the day he'd leave Madison around 6 and get there by 8:30. Started getting very nervous when he still hadn't showed up by 9, so I quickly woodshedded a solo Hanukkah song (“Ocho Kandelikas") I'd never played live on guitar—only multitracked in the recording studio on dulcimer. All our other songs on which I sing lead sound much better with harmony & a second guitar. I was about to call him when my cell rang. He was in a panic, hopelessly lost……in the building! It's one of those you-can't-get-there-from-here multilevel buildings with multiple entrances and multiple parking lots, with dead ends down every corridor and elevators that skip floors. Apparently, he entered the wrong door because he was coming from the west on I-88 and the official e-mail directions the DJ sent out didn't gibe. Sent a studio volunteer with my phone to find him and bring him to the studio.
Sure enough, 9:18 arrived and I had to start the set solo with that song. My mouth had never been drier! Just as I was about to pull another solo song out of my butt, in walked my partner. We started right in with the rest of the set—it went smoothly and I could finally salivate again. I was able to sit in on harmony with another act (a duo who would've been a trio but for their alto falling on ice and bruising her tailbone). We each got solo encores—and I could barely get through mine, a parody of “My Favorite Things,” because the DJ and my fellow musicians were laughing so hard at each line. We ended up doing a group medley. I might come back next week if my back is better (sitting behind the wheel, while painless during driving, caused agony every time I got out of the car) and my packing for our trip back east next week is going as planned.
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So sorry for all of you and your loss of Beppy ... Peggy you are so encouraging to all.
Sandy..sounds like you had a great time Holiday Hoot ... I just like that name it just makes me smile.
Judy ...sorry your brother isn't doing well so glad he is in a good place to be looked after. Merry Christmas 🎄
Can't wait to finally get my radiation scheduled tomorrow.
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Hello all
Well, rads are 11 down and four to go, so far not really showing any effects except a slight pinkness under the boob. And my energy levels are the same as ever, which is lucky when there's a lot to do at this time of year. I had a long gap between the last operation and starting rads while I had the endometrial biopsies, so physically I was really well rested before I began, which has maybe helped. And not doing chemo first, I have the impression that that makes a really big difference to the side effects of rads.
Poodles, love the photo, and glad to see the dog get star billing too. I remember you posting somewhere that it's hard to feel feminine after the surgery and the post chemo hair. But you look amazing, and hopefully the reconstruction to come soon.
ChiSandy, so sorry to hear about Beppy, I lurked on that thread for a while but didn't want to intrude.
Dara, love the wig, you must be finishing rads soon?
Lorri, good luck with the oncology appointment tomorrow.
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I haven't posted to this forum in awhile because I've been trying to gear up to start chemo. So, I joined the December chemo thread and it's a great group of ladies too, with a lot of helpful information on what to expect.....but boy can SEs vary it seems. Anyway, I pretty much had to stop reading any posts the last couple days simply because I've just been getting too nervous about my first infusion. I melted down several times yesterday.....but thankfully was actually able to sleep some last night. Well today I get to face the music so to speak. Anyway, I'm hoping the nurses don't have to stick my multiple times to find a vein that will work for the treatment. I know it's going to be a long day but am thankful to have this sounding board and a group of wonderful women who are there to support each other and share experiences.
I will try to go back and read some of the posts to this group the last couple days...but I hope everyone is hanging in there.
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Sunrise, I understand the feelings you have oh so well. I was terrified of getting my first infusion. I went in with a huge bag full of all thethings I thought I would need. I think I only drank my water and used my iPad a bit when my company went to get food from the cafeteria. They came around with a cart of ensure, soups, crackers and had a little kitchen setup as well. They provided blankets and everything I may have needed, even ice wraps for my finger she and toes they had premade for my Taxotere later on in my treatment.
Chemo day was always fine for me, nothing at all, in fact I would feel pretty good those days all things considered. I'd usually crash after I came off the steroids and that was just tired and blah for a couple of days. I did get the wide array of side effects. It seemed one would leave and another would appear. I took my anticonstipation over the counter pills for a few days, used the "magic mouthwash" each time as I always got at least one mouth sore and had liquid gaviston by my bed for sudden bout so of heartburn. They were all manageable side effects just clumped together! I also took Claritin faithfully to ward off bone pain from the shot after chemo. Only once did I have some and it was bearable.
WIll be thinking of you! I was thankful for advance notice of potential side effects and I know it is overwhelming waiting for your first treatment. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best! I did and I have to say it mentally helped me feel it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Let us know how you are doing!
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ILSunrise: I'm sure others will come along with more specific advice--I didn't have chemo--but my heartfelt sympathies about the melting down! This whole process is a nightmare, regardless of where we fall in our diagnosis, and your reaction is entirely normal. Not that that helps when you're in the middle of the bleeped firestorm of emotion!
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Had my yearly mammo yesterday and all is well! What a great Christmas present!
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Great news , Nash ! In your pocket ILsunrise for your first infusion . Lorri , in your pocket for your appointment . Dizzybee , great news to be nearly done with rads . I have an appointment with the NP in the dermatologist office . I have a mole that itches and irritates me on my back . Hopefully she'll look at a couple others spots too .
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Sandy, Glad you had a good time..
Trish, Thanks! looking forward to looking back with good memories..
Thanks Peggy.. prayers are always appreciated
Caligirl, It will go faster then you think.. and then the big Finish..
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Sandy, sounds like you had a great time and put on a fantastic performance!
ILSunrise, In your pocket today! Hope it all goes smoothly.
Nash, wow! good news!!
HUGS!!
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ILSunrise....prayers for you today. My infusion days usually went well and a few days after. I faithfully took my Claritin after the first infusion was so achy. Sorry you had to do this right before Christmas but cancer doesn't take holidays!
Nash...Yay you! Great news!
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