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2017 Diagnosed-- A Place To Share "Whats Next"

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Comments

  • Roaming_Star
    Roaming_Star Member Posts: 66
    edited February 2018

    DodgersGirl - take it easy! It's hard when you think that it seems like such an easy task (it sucks) and your body will heal. Good for you for listening , loving and nourishing body right now. Good luck with the dermatologist - are you thinking there is skin cancer?

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited February 2018

    Roaming_Star- yes, expect her to “find” skin cancer. When I was getting Taxol for 12 weeks, I had many pink spots on both arms. MO said it was probably early skin cancer that Taxol was attacking. I went to dermatologist at that time so she could see the spots. She agreed with MO and told me to come back in 6 months to see if there were any remaining spots. I have 3 that are still pink so am figuring she will do something with them... but it’s only my second dermatologist appointment so I really don’t know what will happen.

    I grew up in Southern California and was always outside, in or near water. Figuring as I get older, my skin will reveal the fun times I had in my youth

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited February 2018

    back from dermatologist. Watching 3 spots but doctor believes they are ok. Said it looks like Taxol took care of the pre-cancer spots. So that would be a positive outcome for on 12 weeks of Taxol.

    She did freeze a spot that she said was an AK.

    Tomorrow is a visit with gynecologist oncologist to see how I am recovering from hysterectomy.

    Hope everyone is having a good day!

  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited February 2018

    Well...that is one bright spot in the Taxol journey. Guess we have to take those where we can! :)

  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2018

    Dodgergirl I'm glad the taxol worked. I am just checking in to update about my rib pain since the breast surgeon recommended I move up my regular MO appointment. I was able to get in today but not with my regular MO. I have met her before during chemo and liked her but not so much today. I went in thinking she would say it is probably inflammation or something along those lines due to radiation or even the shingles and send me for an x-ray. I really feel that it is nothing. I questioned her about what she thought it could be, if it is anything at all. I asked do you think it is anything and her reply was "we all wish it to be nothing." Really? If you think it is nothing tell me or if you think it is something be straight up or even an I am not sure. My BS doubted it was anything because of chemo and radiation to that side. So I will be off to a bone scan and x-ray.

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2018

    Annbee, in your pocket for your bone scan and X-ray. Sure hoping BS is right. How quickly will they get you in?

    Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers

  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2018

    Thank you ! I am hoping soon. It was such a weird appointment. I missed my MO and her team today. My BS makes sense to me and I am going with what he says.

    You reminded me that I need to schedule a dermatologist visit this summer. I go every year but missed this past summer due to chemo. I had a precancer spot removed a few years ago from my back. Lots of sunburns as a child.

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2018

    Annbee, when is spring break this year?

  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2018
    March 19-23 and I can’t wait. My husband and I have a camping trip for the beginning of the week. I am thinking if I can’t get my bone scheduled for the 6th, I may wait till the 23rd. I meet with my PS on the 6th to discuss my exchange surgery. The original plan was to wait till summer to do the exchange but when I went in Nov he mentioned April. I called his nurse over the holiday break and asked her what her thoughts were for summer or spring break. She didn’t see a problem with summer and my breast surgeon didn’t either last week. So technically I could end up having my exchange over break. I am low on sick days this year. I used them up last year during surgery and chemo. Plus I don’t want to do all the substitute plans and have lifting restrictions while teaching. A long reply for a simple question.
  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2018

    Annbee, is the exchange surgery a one and done step? I bet you will be so glad when finished with surgeries.

    Spring Break trip sounds grand, if you can elect to have the exchange surgery in the summer. Any chance at a trip is a plus in my book!

    Sure understand about low on sick time. I used my last days recovering this week from surgery. Still have vacation days though should something else pop up.


  • Roaming_Star
    Roaming_Star Member Posts: 66
    edited March 2018

    DodgersGirl - Glad to read that the taxol help in someway! Good news:-) Good luck today with your follow up appointment. Hope everything is healing well for you:-)

    Annbee - I hope the pain is due to recovery from everything. Nothing like an MO who puts your mind at ease!!?!?!....


  • princessbuttercup
    princessbuttercup Member Posts: 161
    edited March 2018

    On Monday I will change one of my chemo meds from Taxotere (which caused problems) to Adriamycin. I'm feeling some stress about this, even though the process will be the same. I have 4 new anti-nausea meds ready to go, and have to go in for another teach appointment.

    Just two more infusions and I'm done, though. I can do this, right??

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2018

    PrincessButtercup— yes, you can do this. Make sure to take the anti-nausea as prescribed, drink lots of water, and eat small amounts of food every 2-3 hours to help with keeping nausea at bay. When I felt queasy during AC, I drank ginger tea and wore Sea Bands (the kind you wear to fight seasickness)

  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2018

    DodgersGirl- It is a one and done, outpatient.

    RoamingStar- I know! I really think it is just inflammation/pain from everything.

    PrincessButtercup- I used the sea bands like Dodgergirl and took all the anti-nausea meds on time. My Mo gave me Ativan and that really helped the nausea.


  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2018

    visit with gynecologist oncologist yesterday went well. She said my pathology report couldn’t have come back any better... no signs of anything wrong! That’s a far cry from the complex a-typical hyperplasia found after PET last March. And after my next pelvic exam in a few weeks, I can be released from gynecologist oncologist!! No more pap tests needed either.

    Regarding my pain in surgical area, it could be a tear or rupture. If pain is not better by Monday, i will have scans to see what’s going on. Didn’t sleep well for 3 rd night in a row due to pain. Sigh

  • legomaster225
    legomaster225 Member Posts: 356
    edited March 2018

    Dodgersgirl, good news on the official path report!! I hope your pain goes away soon though.

    I'm having a hystoscopy done on Monday because my baseline TVU showed my uterine wall at 9mm. I guess 5mm is average. I have no bleeding and my gyn is not concerned but still wants to have a look. Hopefully, I'll get a good report too!

  • dodgersgirl
    dodgersgirl Member Posts: 1,902
    edited March 2018

    Legomaster225–. Hoping you get great results Monday!! Please let us know.

  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2018
    Dodgergirl- great news on your path result. I am so sorry you are pain. I hope it goes away.

    Legomaster225 - I hope everything goes well on Monday. Will be thinking of you.
  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited March 2018

    Lego: Let us know what they say. Fingers crossed. (Glad you are getting the TVUS, in any case. I worry that some on Tamox. aren't requesting these with their gyno.)

    Dodgers - good news! (But sorry about continuing pain...)

    The cancer train chugs right along.

  • TaRenee
    TaRenee Member Posts: 406
    edited March 2018

    I’m having my exchange over spring break. I hope that gives me enough recovery time. I already warned my kids that they are going to be doing the work come April! (They have been great this year when I was out for surgery and after I got back) I HATE to do sub plans, especially now as we are starting rehearsals for a show in May and I know a sub would not do well with that kind of plan.

  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2018
    TaRenee -What grade do you teach? I teach second. I meet with the PS Tuesday morning and will find out when I am having my exchange. How long is recovery? If I have to do it over spring break I am curious if I need more than one week.
  • princessbuttercup
    princessbuttercup Member Posts: 161
    edited March 2018

    Thank you, Annbee and Dodgersgirl- This time I also have Claritin to go with Neulasta. I have all of my anti-nausea meds ready for the week- in addition to zofran, I have olanzapine, aprepitant, dexamethasone, and ativan. It seems like an awful lot of medication, but will do as I am told!

    Good luck to everyone for the coming week. Tomorrow is my 3rd infusion out of 4. Halfway there!

  • TaRenee
    TaRenee Member Posts: 406
    edited March 2018

    Annbee I teach middle school. 2 classes at each grade level (6-8)

    My PS said I should be okay to return to work after spring break. I will have lifting limits but should be good to go.

  • Tpralph
    Tpralph Member Posts: 281
    edited March 2018

    Dodgersgirl congratulations on the path and hope u continue to heal well. Yes out cancerversary is in a few days. Ya wow what a year! Gone by fast and slow at same time.....


  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2018

    Hope everything went well today Princessbuttercup.

    TaRenee- Thank you. I find out tomorrow when my exchange will be.

  • TaRenee
    TaRenee Member Posts: 406
    edited March 2018

    Annbee when the PS pulls out 8 different implants and starts talking choices, remember to breathe. It was a bit overwhelming. But I have a GREAT PS and he helped me figure it out. Good luck tomorrow

  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2018
    Oh my goodness I haven’t even thought about that TaRenee. I have been more concerned with the when. I do remember we looked at them before my mastectomy. I love my PS and trust him to make them look good. I am concerned about how long is surgery and recovery.
  • legomaster225
    legomaster225 Member Posts: 356
    edited March 2018

    I meant to post this on this thread...

    I had my hystoscopy today. Pretty uneventful and I feel pretty normal. No cramping, minor bleeding, and a slight headache from the anesthesia but no major issues. Gyn said things looked good but I don't really remember the conversation or getting dressed for that matter. Lol. Results in about a week.


  • eastcoastts
    eastcoastts Member Posts: 352
    edited March 2018

    Lego:

    So glad you feel well. Hoping for good results for you!

  • Annbee
    Annbee Member Posts: 81
    edited March 2018
    Legomaster2 happy it went well and hope you are feeling better.


    I went to the PS today and he said that my exchange surgery for summer is perfect. So my date is July 11 so I can go on a two week camping/motorcycle trip in june. He explained the procedure and it seems doable. I still haven’t had any one call to schedule my bone scan. I looked on my chart and all my lab work looked really good. So I am not worried. I was hoping to have done it this afternoon but now that can wait till spring break. Hope everyone is having a good day.

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