Illinois ladies facing bc

Invisible - Thinking about you and the process you are going through to finally have a treatment plan - it is very complex and so many unknows.  I know you will feel much better once you have a plan laid out.

Zap I remember being so scared of LE based on what I read here on this site. The way it sounds is it's worse than cancer. Granted mine is managed and some do have more issues but not everyone is going to have issues nor is everyone who has nodes removed (or RADS) going to get it. Granted I will be pretty pissed if I get it in the other arm (knock on wood) but only because I find the sleeves hot.

In general BC.org should be used to form questions to ask your doctors. There is a lot I learned on this site and I'm glad I did. I'm one of those who wants as much info as I can understand. I also like to know what plan B is just in case plan A doesn't work out.

Invisible you are getting real close to having a plan. Just a few more weeks. I totally hear you though. I too was get this thing out of me already.

Good Morning.......guess I'm basically like Lago......I would like to have as much info about things as I can keep inside my brain.  I think some people can read too much.......hard to separate what of it all will in reality pertain completely to you and your case.  Some people just end up with way too much to worry about --- as so many tend to start seeing nothing but danger. 

Of course, it is easy for me to say things as it seems things have and are going to continue to turn out well for me ( sneakily grabbing my rabbit's foot, and metal blessed by the Pope ) but early on in life......I could read things and they would not have much effect on me.  I think it is probably why I did well while in the medical field........all the things going on around didn't affect me.  That is.....I don't take it personally.....and don't GET everything that comes along or finds its way way into my brain. 

I would not have known what to do with myself if not for BCO putting this here.  I 'used' the information, but I so needed to be with others dealing with this illness, and sharing the ups and downs and things that helped them.  There is a lot you may be trying to discover while you are at your worst at times.......so this place kept me centered and determined to get through and be successful.  That was accomplished.  This was my garden, my life boat, and it would bother me to think people would come here and read things and then not do treatment.  I sort of feel......if they really feel that way ( can't even read about it ) then they might be inclined to "SEE" reasons anyway that would make them feel they aren't willing to do something beneficial.  It is just an idea, but I do feel that forewarned is mainly forearmed. 

Having said that......I did not read a lot beforehand --- much of my care was through the V.A. and it was sort of take it or leave it so to speak, before I ever began.  Well, I had a heavy-duty interest in living then, and there was no question that no matter what I read, where, or when.....I was going to go forward.   So what reading I did actually did not upset me, at that point.  Guess I'm not the half in/ half out type.  Working in the medical field for a few years I knew that I could expect anything and everything regardless of what I read.  Guess also I'm a bit of a skeptic as well.  I don't believe a lot anymore unless I can prove it to myself......just because everything is colored by experience and everyone does have slightly different experiences. So --- my doing anything whether I just want to or need to is looked on as my own personal perspective from my specific vantage-point and may be true for me only.  Still in broad-sense terms....I am in a lot of company and it is fine company which has added so much benefit to me. 

I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday.

Hugs, Jackie

I don't know if I am being overly sensitive or if I've offended anyone but I for sure don't want anyone to think that I haven't also learned lots from bc.org  I too am one who likes to make an educated decision and consider myself to be an educated consumer as well as an informed patient.  The MDs might refer to me as a PITA but I like to call it "educated."  Just as lago was frightened about LE I am frightened about AC and also very unsure of what to do about reconstruction.  I am a former LE therapist so I didn't have alot of concerns there.., I knew they would have to force me to have an axillary node dissection.  It doesn't seem that they will be pushing me for rads since I will be having a BMX and was only 1/3 + nodes.  If they did, I would want to explore IORT (Intra-operative radiation therapy).

However, in the areas of chemo and reconstruction, I have to learn from experience.  It's not just here on bc.org..., my sister is having a hell of a time with her reconstruction- 2 yrs post.  An old LE patient of mine (we became friends) also had trouble.  As for the chemo, my girlfriend and cousin both reassure me that they made it through AC and I can too.  It took a few months before I actually sought out bc.org and I feel that those with the experience are actually the "experts."  The MDs can give you the data but those with experience can give you the reality - albiet each individual is different and will respond differently. 

I was simply tossing around the idea that those who haven't had trouble aren't necessarily the ones that are consistently posting on the forums. Believe me, I want to share (& have responded to those who ask) with all the Taxol "newbies" that I didn't have neuropathy, I didn't get sick - not once.  Yes, I was tired but I missed very few days of work.  I agree, BC.org is where we can come for support, for an education, for developing questions for our physicians.  It's all meant to be positive.  Sometimes it just ends up being scarey.  I never meant to send the message it was either/or..., It's both.  Thanks for listening (I mean reading)!

Lago- love the Pooh cartoon!

KristinFro- We are not only AC sistas.., my BMX is scheduled for July 5th.

C-Squared, This just hit a note with me because once I was finally diagnosed with bc, I feel I handled each treatment, surgery, chemo and radation, fairly well, not freaking about what was coming and making effort to go into treatment with as much balanced info as possible.  Sure my stomach fell when my MO called to tell me my Oncotype was 30 and I knew I had to have chemo, and I wanted to run away when I first sat in that chemo chair.  

 BUT AIs were different.  I read too much negative here about them.  I wanted to skip them.   I didn't want to feel 40 yrs older, didn't want my vagina to atrophy. What 5 yrs of this?  I'd already aged 10 yrs with menopause.  I'm newly divorced after a long, difficult marriage and was trying to convince myself to start dating right before the bc diagnosis.  One thing for a loving husband to be understanding with these SEs, particularly the latter, but a brand new boyfriend?  But the math is not good w/o AIs.  A new life is not much if bc comes back as a met.  I'm doing them.  So far after switching from pm to taking it in the am because of insomnia, I've only got the drying vagina.  Not sure any of us can avoid that one.  One step at a time....

Now don't let me start on my fear of LE.   

One of my huge all-time favorites:

Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."
- Mary Anne Radmacher

I like my arimidex!  I know that is weird, but I just feel so confident that it is helping me that I am asking the doctor if I can stay on them for a little bit longer.  For me, it is all mental. Also, I started at 58 and I honestly think that makes all the difference.  At 58 things begin to change anyway so hard to know what is arimidex and what is the big A (age).  If I had to take it in my forties, I am certain I would feel less happy about the whole thing. As far as I know, I am not experiencing any bad side effects.  I have gained weight but much of that is my own darn fault!

 Have fun today on the deck, Wendy.  I think it will in the 70's and of course I am working today.

Susan

Lago... Red licorice is one of my big downfalls, and my DH's also. In fact, I know where there is some and I may have to have one now that you reminded me. Thanks!



Today is one week post LD flap surgery for me. Yesterday, I was full of energy. Today, I was ready for a some "down time" right after I finished my morning shower got dressed, etc. My fingers are developing blisters from stripping these darn four drains. I have high hopes of getting rid of at least two of them at my PS appointment tomorrow. Unfortunately, my LE is worse than ever, but still manageable. I don't think there is much hope of getting it down again until I get rid of the drains, start moving my arm and do some healing.



I am making a presentation this weekend at a women's retreat sponsored by my church. The retreat is entitled, God the Potter and my presentation of course is centered around how my "life" prepared me to handle the challenges of the past two years. I was asked way back last September to do a presentation thinking that I had plenty of time to reflect and prepare. I have found that putting this presentation all together was actually good for my healing process. It gave me a chance to organize my thoughts and analyze my feelings. Anyway, sorry to get off Oma heavy subject this morning, but I have to put on the final touches and put it to bed. I will be glad when it is over!

Ladies;

I have my final chemo treatment next tuesday and what to know what questions I should ask about what happens now???

what quesations do I need to ask about taking Tamoxifen?

And any thing else I should ask?

Thanks...

Hi-hope you are all doing well. I had a looong day-8 hours at a benefits fair and the drive was over an hour-hitting the hay early tonite!

Joan-Your presentation is going to be incredible-rest up. Sorry to hear about the LE-hopefully it will subside when the drains are out.

Lisa-last one? woo hoo. Can't help with Tamox as I'm on AI, but I bet someone will chime in.

Lago-the right job's out there, it just hasn't found you yet.

C-squared.  Good luck on your first day.  I went in light.  Water, ginger tea in a thermos, a snack or lunch, a good book to read.  First time takes an extra hour or two, maybe more if you've yet to talk to the pharmacist.  I was there almost all day the first time.

Thanks everyone. I wasn't as hopeful about this one but it's really starting to get annoying. At least they did send a no thank you email.

c-squared I recommend some good video games on your phone

Good luck tomorrow Valerie -- I had my port placement surgery at Edwards.   Don't be afraid to ask for the good, relaxing meds... I was shaking (from nerves) as they prepped me for surgery.  They put something in the IV to relax me and I felt very relaxed after that!  

Good luck to those of you starting AC.  I had my first infusion on December 30th 2010.    Decided that we should have a really quiet New Years Eve, as I would probably start feeling ill by then.  Well, we did have a quiet night, and I sat around waiting to feel terrible, and it just never happened!  I was pretty lucky, drank as much water as I could tolerate, and took the meds religiously, set the alarm on my cellphone to remind myself.  Had zero nausea!  By the fourth (and final) infusion I was pretty tired, but overall it wasn't too bad.  Good luck to you guys who are starting.  

valerie0118 I'm sure you're on your way but I'm wishing you the best. It's scary but it ended up not being as bad as I thought (and I did a double). I actually felt very relieved after surgery know that the cancer was removed.

Hey Good Morning everyone!

Well I am one step closer...I found out yesterday that I am not BRCA positive.  I knew it already but it was nice to see it on a piece of paper!  My daughter and nieces were all thrilled with the news but still realize the family history is something to be careful of.  My daughter is 35.  She has yearly exams but has not had any other screening. 

I was so pleased to meet Lago yesterday.  She met me at Rush and we had some time before my appointment plus she waited with me while I got my genetics results.  I lost track of time too but the traffic wasn't too bad.

Tomorrow I should find out the results of my next biopsy.  I am hoping it's b9 so I can have a lumpectomy.  It would be a large lumpectomy but I have some to spare I am trying not to think further ahead but know it's my nature to plan for all scenarios.  

Valerie - good luck tomorrow.  I hope all goes well.  You will be in my thoughts & prayers.

Joan - surgery last week and a presentation this week?  I envy your energy but hope you take time to take care of yourself.

C-Squared - I get what you are saying.  I think this is a place to express honest feelings so I don't think this group is easily offended.  Good luck tomorrow!

Lago - thanks for posting the licorice pictures.  LOL - now they are in my head.  Sugar is my drug of choice!  I'm sorry about the job.

Zap - I saw My Week with Marilyn and enjoyed it.  I can't bring myself to watch Extremely Loud because all things related to 9/11 make me too emotional.   I did enjoy "We Bought a Zoo"  My husband was looking for anything that would cheer me up last weekend and that movie did the job.

Jackie - your quote on "Inner Peace" still hangs on my computer monitor.  I think about it (and you) every day.  

{{hugs}} to all!