2017 Diagnosed-- A Place To Share "Whats Next"
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- DodgersGirl, thanks for checking;, haven’t heard yet about the scan. My oncologist told me if I didn’t have an appointment by the end of this coming week, to call her on the 14th. I am starting to run a little scared. Is she just being cautious? Some reading I have done discounts the use of tumor markers and I wonder why she doesn’t give it another three months, then see if they are down. I wonder too about the risks of the brain CT scan; at the end of February I was declared cancer free and I feel like she’s thinking metastasis. Today I have felt so down and weepy, and feeling like maybe I should have done the chemo. I still feel I made the right choice at the time. I dread the thought of chemo, which the oncologists says I will have to do if there is recurrence.
How are you doing? I hope you get all good results from your blood work and that you are not experiencing long term side effects from chemo. Keeping my fingers crossed that all will be well0 -
53nancy—. So sorry you have to wait so long for an appointment and answers. I find that part of BC so unacceptable. I had a PET scan in Sept 2017 and got my results back on my patient portal 3 days later but never heard from MO for THREE months. First blood work after finishing all treatments and nothing for 2 months. Soooo frustrating.
Again, hoping you get nothing but good news. As you said, the tumor markers aren’t always accurate and aren’t used by all MOs.
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Thanks, Dodger’sGirl. My surgeon told me that I would not been considered for a PET scan because I was only Stage 1, Grade 3. But if there IS metastasis, then I think that would be considered Stage IV. As far as the brain CT scan, I am not sure I want to know!
. Have a great sleep tonight0 -
53nancy fingers crossed for great results. Back when I was diagnosed my CT scan was 2 days before my surgery. I didn’t hear anything for at least a month. I didn’t want to know at that point either, my focus was surgery. When I had my bone scan a few months ago, the girl the answers the phone told me that if there is anything not right I would hear back right away. They would be calling me to come in. I confirmed that with the nurse this past week too. You are in my thoughts.
Dodgergirl how are you doing?0 -
Thanks Annbee. All my scans in October were clear; that is why I refused chemo. It’s hard to believe it is six months already, but I am not looking forward to having more. At the same time, I have to be thankful the oncologist is willing to check, be cause my doctor here at home would say that a PA15-3 of 30 wouldn’t be enough justification for more scans. Take care. Are you still waiting for radiation
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Annbee—. Been back to work for a month now. Getting more and more bavk to pre dx days. Hair is really curly. I am liking it short. May keep it short now. (Was nearly to my waist when dx’d). It so quick to dry and being outside in wind doesn’t mess up my curls.
Since I missed spring last year, I try to sit in the yard and just enjoy the sun, greenery, birds, and squirrels when time allows.
Minor SE from the clinical trial but very doable thus far. SE from Anastrozole are ok most of the time. But sometimes my hands hurt so much that I can’t stand the pain caused from the weight of my phone.
It was a good weekend. HopIng for a quick work week.
How are you doing??
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Dodgersgirl - I am so jealous that you like your short hair! I highly dislike my own - I feel like a Brillo pad. Have you gotten it cut? I’m thinking if I get is shaped I might be happier, but at the same time I just want to let it grow.
Nancy53 - I wish you peace and clear scans. I know this must be so hard for you, but please don’t add the burden of blaming yourself for not getting chemo. You made a very educated decision based on your cancer and it made sense. I think it is absurd that you might have to wait until the 14th! My center does not do these markers because they say they are often inaccurate and can cause undue stress.
Thinking of you and hugs.
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VL22- no haircuts yet. Letting it grow to see if the curl goes out or will my hair remain curly? As it was growing in, I discovered 2 cowlicks that long hair handled. My short hair is long enough to handle it now (thankfully). I was wondering what a stylist could do with my short curly hair, too. May treat myself over the summer.
Right now there is NO spare time in my life. My dad (late 80s) fell in the backyard last month, breaking his right hip. Had emergency surgery and is now in a rehab facility which leaves my mom home alone. She can’t walk too well so daily tasks are hard. Lots of people to take care of and grass to mow.
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Nancy53 - Sending lots of light, peace, and love on this journey. Thank you for sharing your experience with us so that we can be right here with you.
Dodgersgirl - I missed my spring and summer too last year so I am doing the same - just feeling the sun on my skin feels soooo great. Glad to be alive to feel this. I am hoping you can get some support for looking after your mom and dad. Looking after aging parents is a risk factor for breast cancer. I had been looking after my mom for three years before diagnoses and my MO said that in his practice it seems to be a risk factor. There probably are some studies out there to confirm this - but nonetheless you are still recovering so I hope there are some home support services that can be accessed for your mom.
Follow up on cholesterol: turns out I was using the wrong formula to interpret my results! So my cholesterol is just borderline high and my recent weight loss could have added extra lipids to my test. So I don't think I will have any problem staying on the letrozole! Of course this hopefully will get confirmed by my MO tomorrow. I am soooo relieved that I was reading my results wrong! Woo
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Annb I have an app on my phone. It tells me that we have 22 days or 521 hours till the end of school. And 111 days till the kiddos come back. I’m focusing on the smaller number for now lo
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My chemo port got removed last week! Finally. I wasn't expecting it because I had an office appointment with the general surgeon who put the port in last year, and then it was going to be scheduled after that... but one of the other doctors in that practice had an opening come up. He called at 7 p.m. and said there was an opening for early the next morning and I said definitely, I'll be there. It was at the hospital in the operating room but just with a local and it hurt pretty bad. And I didn't take it easy enough and opened up the incision and had to go to the ER that night. But still everything went pretty smoothly. so nice to have it out.
So I had had a neck US for some swelling of my subraclavicular area last week. Unfortunately the MO's office called the next morning, said for me to come in that day, like in an hour, the MO wanted to talk to me. Scary.
The ultrasound results on my neck were not good. MO said it was swollen lymph nodes and it is local cancer reoccurrence and I had to get a PET scan, which happened yesterday. Now I'll go to the breast surgeon's office for PET results and see if they want to remove the node. The breast surgeon's office nurse said she was very sorry and she was praying for me. Maybe I don't understand the issue but what is she so upset about? I was just happy the MO said the treatment is probably remove the node, no chemo for it and he doesn't consider me a stage 4 and he'll see me in three months.
I am nervous about the PET results. I had CT of chest and abdomen a couple weeks ago and the node showed up very very faintly on them, they were so unnoticable the report didn't even mention it.
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Dazzling..... I am so sorry to hear this. Heart sinking. I hope it is as easy as just popping that node out (winces as I type that) and onward you go. Blessings and hugz to you.
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DazzlingEagle, I too am sending best wishes and good thoughts your way. This damn breast cancer journey is one step forward, two steps back sometimes which is annoying as all get out. But I love your no-nonsense, practical attitude and that's going to see you through.
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Dazzlingeagle— so sorry to read about your swollen lymph nodes in the subraclavicular area. Hopefully the removal process will be quick and successful. And then you can return to healing and moving forward.
Hugs sent your way.
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dazzling eagle, My heart sank when I read this. Sending positive thoughts.
TaRenee I need that app. I just found out I will be resource next year and not a classroom teacher. Very happy about it.0 -
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to send you all lots of love and hugs and hope that all tests come back with good news. ThreeC I love the dark chocolate pill idea I wish they could make one for Tamoxifen.
So my first mammogram since diagnosis is next Friday the 18th, and I have been feeling a little nervous on top of have many more emotional break downs then I have in a while. Not sure if it is just me or the Tamoxifen talking or both. I was wondering how everyone else has felt or handled their first mammogram since being DX, and what you have done to not freak out so much.
Thank you all for your support I don't know how I could make it through this lifelong journey without you!
Sending Hugs and dark chocolate to all,
Sara
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- Sm627-
I just had my first post treatment mammogram. I posted this on another thread , but will share here. I have decided/convinced myself that I will not get cancer again. I was pretty calm going into the mammogram because of this, although I was concerned that there would be something there that would not be picked up. My bc was seen only on ultrasound, not mammo. I was also nervous that it would be painful. Results came back clear, and it was not too uncomfortable.
Anyway, cancer has stolen a lot from us. It took from me my father, my sister, my peace of mind with regard to my health, and tried to take away my wine (I shut that down lol). I will not let it take any more from me. So I am trying to enjoy/appreciate every day without worrying about a recurrence or scans or doctors appointments. If the day comes that I am diagnosed again I hopefully will feel that in between now and then I will have lived with a lot of fun in my life, and less worry/stress. I know this is easy to say, and I am still working on it, but in general I would say I have greater peace of mind since I started looking at it this way.
Wishing you good results with the mammo, and peace of mind.
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I'm having my first mamo since diagnoses next week too. I'm really trying to think the same way CapeCodgirl, but sadly not succeeding. My treated boob feels hot, my pectoral muscle is a mess to the point where lifting my arm pulls the entire muscle - no matter how much I try to stretch it.. Thinking this is going to be painful and I'm afraid of new findings. My regular doctor told me going though all this causes PTSD - I beleive her.
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sm627– I had my first mammo after treatments in March. Like others have posted, I try to believe I am cancer free. Several times a day I mentally think “no cancer, no cancer, no cancer” as I try to get my subconscious brain to pick up that thought and run with it.
I wasn’t worried about the mammo on non-cancer side but at the same time, I found 2 small lumps along scar from mastectomy and was concerned when headed for the biopsies but all was good, just fat necrosis.
I still fall asleep with “no cancer, no cancer, no cancer” thoughts in my head. And on days when I am thinking too much about the what if’s, I tell myself that I better enjoy today and not regret lost “good” days to worry. Today I am cancer free, to the best of my knowledge. I know I can take whatever happens in the future one day at a time.
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tlfrank- definitely make sure the mammogram tech is aware of how the treated boob feels. I told mine I was concerned about pain, and told her that I would tell her to stop if the compression became too uncomfortable. She agreed to do that. Maybe if it is too uncomfortable for you, you can request an ultrasound on that side instead.
Wishing you clear finding on the mammogram, and hopefully peace of mind as well
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I'll be thinking of everyone who will have mammograms next week. This site and all the ladies who have posted on here have been just everything to me the past year. I've read a ton and learned a lot. I couldn't have done it without this forum. We've come a long way.
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Dazzlingeagle—. I concur 100%. This forum gives me strength, knowledge, and support. And I can’t image the last year without you guys!
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Thank you all so much for your words of wisdom and encouragement. I don't no what I would do without you. Your support means the world to me. Thanks for all the good mammogram wishes. I will keep the no cancer thought in my mind.
Wishing you all a good weekend and happy mother's day for all of you moms out there.
Hugs and Love to all,
Sara
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Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there, including those who are moms to pets. Just want to wish you all the best to come. Hugs!
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Dazzlingeagle— just wanted you to know I was thinking of you. Hope you get a plan in place quickly to deal with your local recurrence.
If my words could heal you, I would write all day. But alas, they cannot. But I am keeping you in my prayers and sending you support.
Please keep us posted. Each person here is sooo important in our continuing battle against the evil C
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Dazzlingeagle, I've been thinking of you and wonder how you are doing? The waiting is the hardest, isn't it? I am keeping you in my prayers, hoping that all will turn out okay. Sending hugs.
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53nancy—how are you doing? I have been thinking about you. Hope the blood work was all ok.
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DodgersGirl, I am having by scans done on Friday and hopefully will have results by the end of next week, How are things going for you?
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53Nancy— sending positive thoughts for upcoming scans.
I am doing well. Just dealing with side effects of the clinical trial I am part of. Current side effects are nausea and constipation. Minor SE right now.
Enjoying spring and being outside!! Missed that last year
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Question for those of you who did chemo last summer: Being bald last summer and staying indoors most of the summer, seemed like I was mostly cold from air conditioning. This spring, I find that I get “hot” outside a lot more than I recall from past springs.
Anyone else notice feeling hotter when outside this spring??
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