MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

1…581582584586587…1064

Comments

  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2011

    I've kind of reached the point where I don't care!! The fear at the beginning when I thought it was just my nodes and then they found the tumour on my thyroid was the worst. But now I don't know if I want to hear the news just yet....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited December 2011

    (((((((hugs)))))))

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2011

    Pathology testing takes varying amounts of time depending on exaxtly what is being done.  The preliminary report, where the pathologist looks at the cells and says cancer/not cancer and describes the abnormal cells takes just a few minutes to do and dictate.  10 years ago we'd be going into the OR for a biopsy, the pathologist would look at the biopsy immediately, if it was bc the surgeon did a mastectomy, if B9, you went to recovery.  So that part is immediately available.  Some of the other tests, like ER/PR status, HER2 status, Oncotype take longer as they are sent out to speciality labs in most cases. BUT:  The surgeon can find out what date the results will be available to him the day he/she does the surgery.  The biggest time factor is transcribing the dictation and faxing/e-mailing/snail mailing the printed report to the surgeon.  I had a needle biopsy done on Monday, got the results on Wednesday.  The reports done on the mastectomy pathology exam came in 3 business days. 

    One thing that really winds me up is that patients are not told exactly when a report will be availavble to them and how to get it the fastest.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2011

    The radiologist said ONE WEEK!!! That is what is frustrating me!! I am thinking it's B9 and just not urgent to submit to my doc. Then I think it's cancerous and they're sending it out for receptors status!!! Yikes! It's a large hospital north of Toronto. My DH and I are trying to remember how long my original cancer diagnosis took...I don't blame anyone for the delay, it's just life. My life.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited December 2011

    I think back to one year when I had to have an excisional biopsy on a breast lump.  That was before the CNB "leather punch" got so popular.  I had the surgery on Dec. 17th.  I stayed awake for the surgery and they sent my lump to the lab. for an interoperative pathology, so I knew right there in the OR that it was B9.

    But the reason I bring this up is because I scheduled that surgery so close before Xmas because I wanted to KNOW.  I knew if I did have cancer, my holidays would be wrecked, but I also knew that if I had to have anxiety and apprehension about WHAT the lump was thru' the holidays, they would be ruined anyway.  

    I really feel for anyone (Barbe, others) who have to wait a long time to get results now.  It puts a damper on the festive mood we all like to have at this time of year.   To anyone who is having tests before Xmas and not getting the results until after, that is the worst wait of all, the crappiest deal of all.   Anyone who gets their initial Dx right before Xmas, is bound to have a head filled with neverending questions and worry.   I have pity for a person having to go thru' that.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2011

    I had my double mast on December 16th, Was alone on Christmas Day!! Feel sorry for myself NOW, but then it didn't matter. One day was pretty much the same as the other........

    Now I'm worried that they are sending the sample out for receptor status!!! Yikes!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited December 2011

    Barbe I really think they would have at least told your doc it was cancer if they were sure of that, and then reported what the receptor status was later when they knew. That is what they did with me at least. I think you are right about them not being in a rush when it. Is not cancer. I know you were commenting on that young woman's thread whose doc went on vacation and couldn't get the results of the biopsy until he got back. I was thinking when I was reading it that it must be benign or someone would surely get in touch with her. I know her results were benign, and I really think yours will be too. Sending good thoughts your way.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2011

    barbe - You shouldn't be in this situation.  The least your doctor could do is to let you know what is going on.  If they did send it out for more testing - tell you - not keep you guessing or on pins and needles.  Sending out a big hug to you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • informated1
    informated1 Member Posts: 15
    edited December 2011

    Hi I am 54 and i consider this middle age when i was 40 that was not to me i was dx at age 47

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • informated1
    informated1 Member Posts: 15
    edited December 2011

    Hi I am 54 and i consider this middle age when i was 40 that was not to me i was dx at age 47

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited December 2011
    Welcome, informated1!  So, you are seven years out.  What is your B/C background and how are you doing now?  I hope you are not joining us here with a recurrence.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • noodle6
    noodle6 Member Posts: 51
    edited December 2011

    MP Winner

    Barbe1958 you win if you really did mean big horn sheep. If not:  the The winner is Elimar

    By the way, Elimar, I love this weeks' pic above. Thank you for the beautiful mules!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited December 2011

    Noodle so glad you got clean margins and nodes.

    LeAnn praying your blood gets back to normal.

    Barb can't believe no results.?????

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited December 2011

    woohoo Barbe!  You are a winner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KittyGirl2011
    KittyGirl2011 Member Posts: 537
    edited December 2011

    Hi to everyone!  I'm just 2 pages behind so not as bad as last time.  Retail work this time of year is so much fun (Yeah right!)  Tomorrow is my day off (yahoo!) but will see my PCP for my 3 month blood work check up.  So hope you can all make the PP at 10:40am.  I'm a little nervous cause it's the first one since BC treatments.  I might need my coffee spiked with some of that home made vanilla extract.  Kitty

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited December 2011

    Yup, the MP honors go to Barbe this week.  She sure knows her "Ovis Canadensis."  Their Latin name has Canada right in the name, so she kind of had an inside track on that one.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mumito
    mumito Member Posts: 4,562
    edited December 2011

    LOL way to go Barbe.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2011

    I'm having trouble posting in Firefox right now, folks, so let's let elimar, who knew what I meant, do the MP. Way to go e!! You got it right twice! Once with the pic and once with my wording!!

    Joni, now I'm swinging around to you being right about that. But, they still need to let us know if it's NOT cancer!! I mean REALLY?!?!?!?!? Are you kidding me???

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited December 2011

    Barbe--call the radiologist who did the biopsy, and keep calling.  Once an hour seems to work well. 

    In the states pathology testing is done in order of the specimen arrival, no prioritizing based on results.  Probably the same in Canada.  It may be that pathologists are on vacation so there are fewer working and there's a back log, but the doc who sent the biopsy can call and find out for you.  Again, polite persistance is often helpful and getting info.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • prayrv
    prayrv Member Posts: 941
    edited December 2011

    Good Morning ladies!

    I need to book a PP for tomorrow morning at 10:15.  I've been referred to a hemotologist in my onc's office to see why my WBC is so low.  Not sure what they might be looking for.

    Thanks.

    Trish

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited December 2011

    Kitty, jumping in your pocket with some cappucinos for everyone. Will be holding your hand and sending good thoughts the whole time.

    Trisha, will be there for you tomorrow doing the same. Hugs to you both.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited December 2011

    Jumping in your pockets tomorrow Kitty and Trisha! Hope and pray it all goes well!

    I am so ready to stop living in pj's or my one pair of "fat" pants that I have. I can wear my regular pants but they are not very comfortable. I have my two week post-op for my hyst/ooph on Thursday and can't wait to ask how long this bloated feeling will last. My husband has been great about taking care of me but I am getting tired of being a couch potato. And the kitchen renovation goes on....it will be four weeks on Wednesday since they started and they say we should have a working kitchen by Friday. The only good point of my surgery during this time is that friends and family brought us meals last week so we weren't eating carry-out!

    I hope everyone has a blessed Monday....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • justmejanis
    justmejanis Member Posts: 1,847
    edited December 2011

    Barbe.....I had to wait TWO weeks to get the results of my thyroid biopsy after my surgery!  My results were benign and for some reason i felt they would be.  Still the waiting is miserable and I think that a long wait is ridiculous.  I feel for you hon and know how difficult this is.  I am waiting for GOOD news and will hold cyber hands with you until it comes.

    Kitty I will be with you today and know your numbers will be good!

    I go to a Community Health Clinic for my primary care.  They have changed their policies regarding medications and today I have to go in for a psych evaluation.  I am NOT pleased.  My RO and MO forward all my records to my primary per MY request.  I had to go for my routine blood work and med check two weeks ago.  My primary doc looked at my records and saw that my RO had prescribed both Ativan and Ambien.  He was NOT pleased and last Monday I had to go see the intake gal for a referral to psych.  She does not take appointments and I had to wait almost four hours to see her!  She said that my primary will no longer oversee some of my meds...he has been prescribing a mild anti depressant for months and no longer will.  I HAVE to go through the psych department now.  Today I go for a one hour evaluation.  The gal who took the info last week was also not happy about the Ativan and flat out told me I would have to "go off of it".  I told her I am not "on it" other than taking it very rarely.  She asked me if I need it.  I told her it helps with the stress, reminded her of my CANCER diagnosis.  She asked me if I did not need it, then why did I get it refilled last month?  OMG!!! 

    Anyway I am upset about having to jump through all of these hoops.  I have no refills on the Ativan so I won't get any more anyway.  My RO is the one who prescribed it and I am done seeing him.  I know it is addicting but I use it sparingly.  I just feel weird about having to go through all this.

    So everyone can jump in my pocket at 11:00 this morning while i find out if I am totally mental!  Grrrrr................

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited December 2011

    Kitty - Will be jumping in the pocket and holding your hand

    Trish - 10:15 tomorrow morning - got it.  Will bake some goodies.  

    Janis - Will be with you also - and you are not mental....  This disease would make anyone crazy or make us seem that way. 

    Sending hugs to all those going through testing and/or appts today. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited December 2011

    That would be upsetting, Janis! Jumping in your pocket for your appointment today and praying that all goes well...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited December 2011

    Janis--OMG, I am so sorry that you have to jump so high to get the treatments you need. What a PITA. Who was the girl who did your eval? She needs to keep her opinions to herself. Has she had cancer? REALLY!!! I'll be in your pocket today, so just point out that gal. I'll just reach out and *itch-slap her!!  Speak your mind today, hopefully this will all be a formality. 

    My husband got up before the crack of dawn to make mashed potatoes for his office luncheon. Didn't ask me to help peel or anything. He did, however, leave me the entire mess of dishes to clean. Surprised-not!! Guess my cookie making will be a little delayed!! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited December 2011

    BENIGN!!! Now I can jump into everyone else's pockets!!! The nurse at my docs has been good about touching base with me and I told her how to call the "biopsy lab" and get the report. She did and then called me back to read it to me!!

    "Suggestive of a benign thyroid nodule. No malignancy found."

    Now I can get it out without worrying about chemo to follow. Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers - they worked!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited December 2011
    BARBE--I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! wiping the tears away right now. What a great Christmas present for you and your family!!! Woo-hoo, what a great way to start the day!!SmileSmileSmileSmileSmileSmile
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited December 2011

    Barbe that is wonderful knews.

    Janis so sorry you are having to jump through hoops.  What a pain

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited December 2011
    Wonderful, awesome news Barbe!!! I'm so happy for you!!Smile
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories