Crazy Sexy Cancer in Seattle

bluestone

Could anyone tell me about how long it takes to get the pathology report back after a stereotactic biopsy.  I am going to have this done at Women's Diag. Imaging Center on Madison--affiliated with Swedish.

Just wondering what kind of time frame to expect?

Also does the radiologist give you any further comments once he has done the biopsy. It seems the radiologist said that he will examine the calcification under magnification and that he will then know more. Do you think he will share his observations with me?

Thanks for all your help.   

frosty1

They will sometimes share their basic ideas ... especially if they see it is most likely a calcification.  They did that with my mom who had a biopsy a few weeks back.  The doctor said based on what he saw he was 90% sure it was just a calcification.  In my case, they didn't give me any such stats ... mine was all over the place and they just wanted to make sure they got some of the bits to check.  It took about 3 days - had mine on a Tuesday and got the call on Friday morning.  It was a lifetime.

pumela115

Hi Everyone,           I've been reading these posts now for a couple of months and just found the Seattle one. I'm so happy to have found you. A little about me: diagnosed may 17th 2010. lumpectomy and lymph nodes removel June 9th, DD AC x4 and now i'm going for my third abraxane infusion wed sept 29th. I feel so much better on the abraxane, i actully feel like i can go out of the house. I am begging my Dr to let me go back to work 2 days a week. No for now he say's . Anyway i would love to participate in any kind of bc (or not) functions, classes, whatever with people who know what i am going through, or are going through it too. I'm at Swedish Cancer Inst. every weds. for treatment, (3 weeks on and one off). Anyway if anyone can help me with where to start with this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and good luck to all of us in this fight!!!         Pam

Madge24

Pumela -- I'm being treated at Swedish too.  They offer lots of cancer classes and support groups and have all that information in your doctor's office, probably.  Your nurse can help you find out about these, and they have a woman on staff there who helps w/ that kind of thing too.  Be sure and ask, sometimes they get busy and probably don't always bring it up!  I've been very happy with the care there.  Hang in there and jump on here when you need a boost.  Everyone is so helpful!  

bluestone -- I think my time frame was similar to what frosty1 wrote.  They are pretty efficient, although to us it is hard to have to wait two or three days!  Good luck and happy thoughts to you!

Madge24

To Tracy, Carol and all those who walked The 3 Day Walk:  THANK YOU AND WE LOVE YOU!!! 

Laurie_R

Anyone here who goes to Swedish for treatment and other procedures, I have Drs. Goodman & Beatty and I'm having my port removed on the 28th of Oct. and I'm starting to get nervous as it will be a in the office procedure and I will just be getting numbing meds.  Can anyone who's been throu this give me a word of encouragement/advice?

frosty1

From all I've read from others, they say it is easier coming out than going in and that they didn't feel it at all.

Claire_in_Seattle

I did the port removal with just numbing meds back in early May.  Much easier than a trip to the dentist!!!

Really a non-event, but I did need some rest later.

BTW - saw all the three-dayers when doing my ride out to Alki on Sunday.  Major congrats.

I spent Saturday being the only one who showed up to my friends' moving party.  Week ago, I did Cycle the WAVE....60 mile course.  I walked the really steep hills, but was the first time I did 4000' of vertical gain.  Kicked my butt.

Reminder to any LIVESTRONG folks to wear yellow on Saturday.

Colette37

Laurie...I had to have my port removed by my Oncologist 4 days after they put it in..It worked when I was in the hospital and then they did the MRI biopsy (Capital Medical Center in Olympia did the port..started going to Swedish for my surgeons after I had the port done)  Well, it ended up getting split in it and was un-usable at all.

My Oncologist did not give me any numbing (although I was already on pain meds)..but he did say that I may need emergency surgery if it breaks off and a portion of it stays in my chest..although that happens more with people who have had them in a long time.

It did not hurt at all..felt like an IV being removed.

Hope all goes well!

pumela115

Hi Laurie, I can't tell you because i still have mine in, but my BS is Dr Beatty also. I really like him. I have my 1st mammo on oct 7th since i had surgery with him. But will you let me know how it goes and can i ask you how long after chemo is he taking it out? Thanks!  Good Luck!                                                  Pam

Laurie_R

pumela, my first mammo is on the 28th of Oct., I finished on the 6th of May. The 28th is going to be a crazy day for me....First is the mammo, than a blood draw while I still have my port, then I see Dr. Beatty, whom I really like too, to remove my port, alittle nervous about that, then a bone scan, then I see, Dr. goodman for a 8 wk check...yeikes what a day. But when you live in Marysville and have gone thru treatment in Seattle its best to do it that way than make several trips.  Good luck on the 7th.

pumela115

LAURIE, Yes you do have a busy day. Dr Beatty changed my appt to the 12th now, some emergecy or something. Thanks for the good luck, and back at you! Keep me posted, i'm right behind you. You will be in mt thoughts.                                                     Pam

ck55

Hi Laurie,

I had my port removed by Dr Beatty as an office procedure and it really wasn't bad at all. The worst part was the lidocane (pain killer) injection before they got started. Felt like I was being stung by a bee!

Went pretty quickly and I seem to recall a lot of joking around between Dr. Beatty, his nurse and myself. They let me take the port home with me as a souvenir of my battle which to some may seem strange, but I am kind of proud of it. It reminds me of how far I have come.

Good luck. I know you will do just fine!

Cyndi

Laurie_R

Thanks you guys for the words of encouragement.  Cyndi, thanks for the idea, I think I'll ask Dr. Beatty to let me take mine home too.

3monstmama

hey all, Hope this is not wrong to post.  if so, opps.   I don't like pink, I don't like the commercialization of BC but:  Yellowleaf Cupcakes in Belltown is selling a cupcake this month that benefits the organization Knit4 Life which is a support group for BC patients and their caregivers and that means me. It may only meet at Swedish hospitals but its open to anyone.   

Knit4Life provides all materials--yarn and needles and patterns--free of cost for whoever shows up.  They will even teach you how to knit.  This is "my" support group, the only one I have attended through this mess.  We don't spend all our time talking cancer but if there's something like my 6 month mammo or a bad test, well its great to be with people who truly get it without a lot of explaining.

This month [last month too] when you buy one of the special cupcakes, Yellowleaf will donate $1 off the price of each special cupcake to the group.  Not half bad if you ask me--probably a significantly higher percentage than what is donated off toilet paper and the like.  And in case I forgot to mention it, these are cupcakes for grown-ups--not too sweet and very flavorful.  More an Italian merangie buttercream than the classic heavy buttercream.

As an added incentive, the special cupcake is chocolate with vanilla filling and coconut....everyone I have bought one for simply inhaled it as did I and i am not a sweets person.

so if you are thinking to break your diet or health kick, consider wandering down to Yellowleaf.  They are in Belltown on 4th between Blanchard and Bell.  FYI, sales of the special cupcakes have slowed so they are only making them on the weekdays.

And if you get there and they are out, don't waste your trip:  See if they have the pancake&bacon cupcake.  OMG, yes, it sounds wierd but boy is it yummy!

have a great week!

frosty1

Love cupcakes!

Seems like it is time to plan another get together.  How are Tuesdays or Thursdays in October for everyone?  I'm open all Thursdays, but my only Tuesday is October 26.

How is everyone?

raincitygirl

Frosty1 - I thought I had posted an answer but now I don't see it - I would be very happy to have an opportunity for a get together....please keep me on the list for this.  Thanks!

tkone

Hi all,

My Tuesdays and Thursdays are absolutely crazy through the end of October.  Maybe we could do the beginning of November?   Here are a few options.  Let me know what works for everyone:

November 3

November 5

November 10

November 12

November 16

November 19

November 29

December 1

December 3

Hope everyone is doing well.

Tracy

Issymom

I would love to get together with the group.  Wednesday don't work for me and Fridays aren't a great option either but may be doable.  The only non-Wed non-Friday is November 16th (that may be a typo by Tracy).  I am free on the 16th.

 I hope everyone is doing well. I'd love to see you for dinner.

raincitygirl

If we move to November, I am open most days but would like it to be after November 12 - I will be doing round 2 for the first two weeks and have still been a bit too  nauseous for eating out.  Damn do I miss having a glass of wine or a drink sometimes....

Iamstronger

Hi All,

So far, November is pretty flexible.  Just let me know and I can probably swing it.  Would love to see everyone again.

V

Madge24

Laurie R -- I had my port removed by my surgeon who is in the same office as Dr. Beatty (mine is Hanson).  The numbing needle did sting, like any shot, but after that, it was nothing.  We joked around, too.  It was a heck of alot easier than getting it put in.  They'll give you pain meds to take home, just in case.  So, don't worry!

Madge24

Would love to see everyone.  Keep us posted on the particulars of planning a dinner.

golfer779

Hey all, recovering a bit from my "fipple" procedure I had today.  One step closer to calling it "a wrap".  A rather Catch 22, but having no feeling on my new hoot made for an easy surgery, didn't feel a thing !  This eve I have had a few twinges (almost like there are some nerves in there trying to tell me their not too happy). 

Anyhooooooo, just about any evening towards the first couple weeks of Nov look good here to get together.  Will be heading out of town on the 19th thru Thanksgiving.

Looking forward to seeing y'all and meeting some new faces. 

pumela115

Frosty1,       I would love to get together with you ladies also. I don't know if you all have met before, but it would be great to meet people who know what i am going through, I do chemo on wed., but i seem to be ok that night and fri most of the time i'm ok by then although this last time i was not. Anyway i don't want to intrude if it's a private thing, but if not would love to meet everyone. Hope everyone is doing well.                                     Pam

frosty1

Sounds like November 16 (a Tuesday) is looking promising.  Let's block that date!

Pumela115 - we always welcome newcomers -- I just met this group in March, and the more the merrier.

raincitygirl

Crazy Sexy Cancer Seattle Ladies - I will block November 16 and I look forward to my first group meeting/dinner or whatever it brings.  

Frosty - I just realized that you are in Bellevue, as am I.  I live near downtown and if you would ever like to connect, please let me know.

Issymom - does that name mean you are in Issaquah?  VMarie is too.  Something in the water over here?

pumela115

Thanks! I will block Nov. 16th also. It will be my first too and i am sooo looking forward to meeting everyone.

golfer779

Nov 16th ..... looking good here !!!

frosty1

Jodimaca -- I'm just south of downtown in Newport Hills.  We will definitely have to get together!