TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Hi, all I had my yearly mammogram done this morning and I have to say I did much better then last year.  Last year I was crying and could not stop but this year I shed just a few and moved on.  Glad it's done.   

Hope all is well with everyone.

Rozem I landed a temp position that was supposed to go perm but it was awful. I stuck it out for as long as I could for the cash but I knew about 3 weeks in that it might not last when the boss just yelled at me for something small, in front of everyone! It wasn't something I really would have know either. She ended up apologizing for being so unprofessional… but then her behavior of professionalism and abuse continued. I was so stressed out every day that I couldn't even function. The stress at the end started on Sunday because I knew I would have to go back to that abuse.

BTW I did speak the person who was in the position before me the day after I was cut lose. She quit due to the same craziness. She said they go through lots of freelancers in the last 2 years. I was the 2nd person in this position. I have a feeling its going to take some time to find a clairvoyant whipping boy/girl to fill it.

I don't usually vent about work stuff online but in this case I don't care. Never, ever have I been treated in such an unproffesional manner in my life!

Wow Rozem...you are doing great to be on the boards chatting so soon after grafting!! Congrats! Its all downhill from here...easy sailing.

And Lago ...that sucks. But the good thing is that you know this persons behavior had nothing to do with you. You deserve better and you know it. When one door closes another opens somewhere, always.

omg lago worse than this ?  it is so bruised, black blue and red and swollen.  I look like I have a bigger belly than going in.  I was hoping for a flat 6 pack (well not really but at least flatter!)

geewhiz - last perc at 5 and I feel ok.  I slept for a few hours now im up again!  I am actually surprised I feel this good.  Im usually the problem patient as my PS always says.  Maybe this is the start of an easier road all around

Pstolli, my 80 year old mom who lives in a different state just went through chemo and surgery for uterine and colon cancer. Although I don't want to guess what the oncologist might say, I would suggest going to the appointment with her if you can. You might also want to go to the first chemo with her if possible. I know this can be a challenge. I live outside Philly and my mom lives outside of St Louis, so every trip requires a plane ride and hotel stay. But having someone there with her at that first appointment will be very helpful. She probably won't remember everything that the doctor says (I don't think any of us did), and if you are there to hear it too, then you won't have to rely on her relaying the info to you. You and your mom might also want to come up with a list of questions before the appointment so you make sure all of your concerns are addressed.

Pstolli When someone is HER2+ it is very common for their tumor to be grade 3 although some are grade 2. I am sure her age and health considerations will factor in regarding what treatments. There are several regiments. You can look our details below each of our posts to see the treatments we had. Typically though triple positives get some kind of chemo (can be combo) with Herceptin. Herceptin is usually given for a year as long as the  heart remains healthy. Some of us here did less than the 17 or 18 treatments due to heart issues… that's not common but there are a few who had to stop and were young, in great health with no heart issues to start. I saw my oncologist 2 weeks after surgery. Typically they want to start chemo withing 3-6 weeks after surgery so get ready for it to move fast. If the appointment is still a few more weeks out I would call. Chances are your mother will need a port if she's doing all this chemo and Herceptin… matter a fact I would demand it. Chemo and herceptin is tough on veins and when your older your veins are not as good.

rozem it will get better but sometimes it gets worse first. You're just swollen now. I would swell like a balloon after each surgery. I now retain fluid since my BMX. Filling me up with saline is not a good thing for me and that's what they do to us in surgery.

Yesterday I had some back and shoulder pain. Not bad but I took an Aleve and it was gone. I didn't want to wait too long because I don't like taking these drugs too close to bed time. I have a little touch of discomfort today but not ready to take an Aleve. So as far as I can tell I'm doing just fine.

Rozem, I'm rooting for you.  I remember how tough it was for you to recover from the mastectomy.  I think you've been through enough pain and will be just fine.  Your doctor is probably just being cautious taking you off of tamox before surgery because in rare cases it can cause blood clots.  Surgery can increase that risk (don't I sound like an FDA-sanctioned drug commercial?  Tee hee).

Lumpectomy ladies, I have a question.  My BS told me she took a lot of tissue out of my breast and that I would probably struggle with pain in that area here and there for the rest of my life.  All good, I can live with it.  But I really can't figure out how to do self-exams in that area.  It's like one big scar.  I'm 2 years out from surgery in 7 days and the area is now sore to the touch, but no redness or heat.  The scar tissue feels more like a lump than like a bunch of fibrous areas.  Think I should worry?  I don't have pain in the area like I did for months after radiation.  I see my BS in January...should I move it up?  I could also just make an appointment to see my NP at the Cancer Center.  I'm not too concerned, just wanted to know if others have dealt with this so long after surgery?

yes pbrain - call. I will tell you that many of us had scar tissue and US to check on bumps In my case I had a large egg size lump. Talk about scary. But mine was a fat infiltrated node. Translation: damaged node gave up the ghost and solidified. My P'S removed it during my last TE placement. But it led to an extra sx anyway when I kept draining over 120 ccs a day over 3 weeks later. 

Pstollii, I echo others when I say see if you can go to the oncologist appointment.  There are many treatments and there are choices that have to be made. But there are also alterations that can be made if needed to make any if the tx easier if it is too hard. I was in chemo with a beautiful lady who was 85 and came through it well. She lived on her own most if the time but had her DD with her for chemo and the next day. 

Lago I hope you feel good til your next prolia. 

Rozem heal well and fast. 

To all much love. 

PBrain

Get in and get the answer. Don't waste time with unnecessary worry because that is what we do with uncertainty .... We turn it into worry & fear.

Get thee there..

Thanks guys.  I will call, and Lago, I know you know that I know that you are right.  I just have a tendency these days to avoid exams.  I don't know...I went through so many appointments for so long.  At least one weekly it seemed and all that radiation.  But most importantly, I found the lump in 2012, went into the mammo with no fear at all.  I drink coffee and have lumpy breasts, so even though this one felt a little different, I wasn't that concerned.

And then all hell broke loose.  I guess I just don't want the shockers again, even though I know I'm being a moron about this.

I just want some peace and quiet for a bit.

RobinLK! Look at you! You are so pretty! You have good hair! You seem to have recovered nicely from the ravages of tx! Awful to find out about osteoporosis, i just had my second shot of prolia, i think that's the one lago does, too. I bet you feel more seasoned and tougher than you thought since a year ago... ramble all you want. I was just now being happy, cause i don't have any appointment's till the end of november, and that is the longest stretch i have gone, you will get there too..

Pbrain, my breast tissue that remains has NEVER stopped hurting. It doesn't hurt in the same place all the time, and it is full of lumps I don't recognize, and that weren't there before. It does feel like a rock in a sock where the main scar is. I am not gonna worry about any more lumps though, cause one of the nodes like moon has is under my skin on my side that i was freaked out about months ago, they are not worried about. i didn't know they could die inside of you. I am gonna ask them in january if they will take it out. it hurts, maybe because it is pressing on a nerve or something, i don't know...plus, i was just taking pictures of 'em, and it's worse than i thought. I know i have extra poundage on me since treatment, but... it's rediculous! the one is twice as big as the bad one.. i am pretty tired of 'em...

Thanks for the compliments! Hard to believe I was bald 6 months ago...

Is Prolia an infusion? Sounds like it is working for a few of you. Is it for osteopenia, osteoporosis or both? I am curious as to what my PCP is going to suggest. I am clueless and did not see this one coming. I guess I should have, but felt that bone loss would be in my future, not my present. 

That sounds promising. Will have to see what PCP and MO come up with. I was pre-menopausal, even during treatment. Not sure where it stands now. Had a hyst in '99, but kept ovaries, so makes it difficult to tell.

Popping in lol Been keeping myself busy or try to!!!