MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Marple

Has anyone heard from Barbe lately?  I haven't noticed her posting for a few days.  Barbe, I hope you are ok.

cmbear

Eli-My what big boulders she has!!

justmejanis

Claire....love it!!!!  She does indeed! 

marlegal

Diana, there are many women who have mets but who had 0 positive nodes. The cancer cells don't have to show up in nodes before showing up in other organs or bones. Not sure if anyone ever explained that in a way you were able to understand. It's soooo confusing, I know. You can have malignant cells show up in nodes, as I did, but never ever show up anywhere else. That's my plan! Because I had one sentinel node test positive, I did have chemo which wasn't the original plan. But I believe 100% that my treatment rid my body of breast cancer. I trusted my docs, like I said before, and I don't look back, I only look forward. Hard as it may be to believe, I've done more and had more enriching experiences in the last 6+ yrs than I did in the prior 20. Please don't get bogged down with statistics and "what ifs". Keep a positive attitude, that's been proven to be a huge boost to the outcome of treatment for any illness, including cancer.

Meese, my course was similar to yours - I was diagnosed one week, then had a multitude of tests before surgery, then tons more between surgery and beginning of chemo. I had no time to do anything but follow the list of where I was supposed to go when! I was told by my doctor that they were standard/necessary and as I've said hundreds of times, I chose her because I trusted her, so I never minded. And like you, I had one appt after all of them to go over results, not afer each one. To each her own, but for me that worked well.

Have a good week all. I'll catch you next weekend, many pages from now

Paula66

I have a question for any of you gals who have had a BMX went thru chemo, the on Tammoxifen.  I started my Tammo last June.  I haven't had a single blood test from my ONC since then.  I'm not looking for anything to be wrong, but am concerened about it.  I saw her Friday and asked her why, and she told me her reasons why she doesn't do it.  Any input from you gals will be a be help to ease my mind a bit. 

elimar86861

Paula66,  I would be interested to hear why she does not do it.  Does your PCP do annual bloodwork at least?  My MO doesn't do the tumor markers on me, but he does look at the CBC (blood count) and the Chem Panel (liver function) which are just very standard tests that can indicate that something might be awry.  It's what you normally have at annual physicals anyway, only now I get them twice a year from the MO.

p.s.  As I posted a few weeks ago, I was interested to have my cholesterol & triglycerides checked.  No, they are not the same things, and the tri's should be checked after a 12 hr. fast.  It's one more little tube of blood.  Some women have noticed a tendency to have their triglycerides number go up, if they are on Tamox.  

elimar86861

Yes, where has Barbe been?  We haven't heard from her for some days now?  Hope you're just taking a break, or having a computer issue (and I know how those pop up unexpectedly) and that there are no troubles health-wise.

Sherryc

Woohoo I got one of my two drains removed today.  The one I got removed was the one that was bothering me so much.  Nurse said I should start feeling better tomorrow.

Yes been missing Barb, hope nothing is wrong.

Paula I would be interested in hearing why your MO does not do bloodwork.  My MO does CBC, viat D, chem panel and tumor markers everytime I see him.

Anonymous

Janis, I am with you in the neck area. I rarely drive as I cannot turn my head to the right to much. Backing out of a parking spot is crazy scary. I am affraid I will run over someone. With rads starting, I will be doing the 93 mile round trip by myself.. DH is a nervous wreck. It is what it is. I have the blue plackard, and my primary doc has stated he does NOT like me driving. Cervical degenertive disease is the worst. I would rather have it in my back.. but wait I do.. LOL

Paula66

Girls from what my Onc told me there is no real hard data linked to regular blood testing for recurrence with early stage cancer, especially if you have a BMX.  She too had BC the same time I did and she takes Tammoxifen and she also doesn't do blood draws every 3 months.  She says she could make lots of money by doing it, but with the data out there she feels that its just taking someones money by doing them.  As for the liver fuction testing and other non BC related stuff I just go have that done with my PC.

elimar86861

Paula,  That is how my doc felt about checking tumor markers on me.  There was no real advantage to do it, and sometimes the numbers change for non-cancer reasons and then you get an extra bonus freak-out.  However, you did have more going on than I did, Dx-wise.  Does your doc like to monitor with scans?

Lory48,  Cervical degeneration sounds about right for me. I take glucosamine (without HLA) but no help yet.  What do ya' do?  They don't have NECK replacement!

justmejanis

Eli I have said for years that I need a neck transplant.  Nobody listens! 

elimar86861

Latest report that SOY IS A NO-NO for our EP+/PR+ breast cancer.

I hadn't been avoiding it, but I guess I should start reading more labels now and minimize it.

Paula66

She doesn't do scans either.  I just don't know.  I am abit confused.  I am comfortable with her, but am so confused when I see someone here who  has this that and the other done while I don't.  Like I said before I'm not out to look for doom and gloom.  I just am abit leary of the medical community because of all this, since I was told  I had cancer the 2nd time in less then 2 years and how can I have a clean mammo then 1 yr later I have a 2.5 cm tumer growing in me.  I want to just have some piece of mind I guess.  

justmejanis

Paula I think so many different doctors just have different protocals.  I wonder too why I do not have blood work done more often.  I notice that many women have their first mammogram six months after diagnosis.  My doctor does it at a year.  There are a lot of differences but I assume each course of treatment is planned for each individual case.  Maybe there is no definite standard.  So I understand how you feel, it is often confusing.  It is so important the we are all comfortable with our course of treatment. 

Anonymous

Neck Replacement..lol I have said that many times..

I just learned I have been selected for Casting for Recovery Idaho.. I am so excited to partake!! I feel so blessed to be chosen..

justmejanis

Lory I have no idea what that is.  Can you PM me and fill me in? 

I am sorry you have to make that long drive alone.  I worry about driving too.  I am going to see my PCP on Friday and see if he can order tests to diagnose (if possible) my neck problem.  I want it fixed so badly!  What do you do or take for your neck issues?  I know how severe the pain can be.

Sherryc

Lory congrats on Casting For Recovery I went this last fall and had a great time.  It came at a time that I really needed it. When is your's scheduled?

Anonymous

June 8-10.. I am so excited to have this time with fellow BC sisters I will just be finishing rads.. and ready for a new look into this world...

Sherryc

Lory have a great time.

Nightnurse

I have been eavesdropping here for the last few days.  I am 51 yo and have just Friday been diagnosed with IDC.  I haven't been staged yet but I see the surgeon this Friday.  I almost had a stroke the first time I saw a response with MY NAME on it!  It took my breath away. It suddenly became real. Anyway, I enjoy the camaderie you all have.  And I hope you hear from Barbe soon.

elimar86861

Greetings, Nightnurse!   Everyone of us either had a stroke, palpitations, a seizure, or went deaf or mute from the shock of the B/C reality.  Sounds pretty normal, if you ask me.  We definitely "get it" around here, and understand.

Lory48,  You are luckier than I.  Casting for Recovery turned me down last year.  Boo Hoo.  It sounds like a nice retreat so feel free to brag about the great time you had after you return.

**Barbe1958** got a month of suspension because she stuck someone's pigtails in the inkwell on one of the alternative threads, or something.  It happens sometimes.  She'll be back on in a couple more weeks.  Yeah, I know!  She will miss coloring Easter Eggs with us now.  Awwww!

YaYa5

welcome, kitten.  we've all been where you are right now.  they told me when i first found this site that waiting is always the hardest part.  i found that to be true.  this is a fun, informed, kind group of women so drop in whenever you want.  the ladies here will be able to answer almost any question you have and are always happy to do so.  please check back and let us know about your surgery. good luck!

Valjean

My 6-month check-up is this Thursday & my Onc does the CA 27.29. I had to lol when I read your comment, E, that that is an "extra bonus freak-out."

I agree! Because that is what I have been doing. For some reason, I seem more anxious this 6-month time around.....

Sherry ~ That is good news that one of your drains is gone. Yay! Slowly but surely, right?

Welcome nightnurse ~ Please let us know how your appt goes Friday with the surgeon.

Chantal10

Helena, you are not alone. I am 40 with 2 children under 5 years old and I have stupid breast cancer. It is exhausting to care for young ones when feeling totally crappy. We just have to do our best and carry on. Good luck!

Flautalee

Hello everyone--I am new to this thread--you seem like a nice group of ladies. A couple of thoughts: It is absolutely possible to have a normal mammo and the next year a 2.5 cm BC. It just depends on how quickly the tumor is growing. I discovered my first BC in 6/2000 when I was picking up Legos from our family room floor and I accidentally brushed against my breast. I had a clean mammo the previous September!!!! Things happened very quickly after that--I had BMX over 2 years, 4 rounds of A/C, reconstructive surgery, and went into remission. This past June I was diagnosed with a different strain of Triple Neg BC, between my chest wall and my wrinkly saline implant. The new tumor (or an area of fat necrosis) was noted in a Breast MRI in early April exactly where I had a cyst aspirated 2 years before. My MO really didn't think that what the breast MRI showed was significant, so I didn't have the recommended US and then a guided needle biopsy completed until June 2011. My MO said that I am the only patient he has ever had to develop a new primary tumor in a reconstructed breast. It seems that the small amount of residual breast cells left from my mastectomy grew over the years, and in the center was a new < 1cm BC. This time I had 4 rounds of Taxotere/Cytoxen and 28 rads. So I remain in remission from 2000 and will be coming up on my first anniversary date this June. This time I had to have a PET scan, which fortunately showed no metastasis (I am very glad that my dear MO orders scans, but I think the tumor markers are not very useful, and surgery on July 22, 2011. My BC tumor market had actually decreased between the test in March (before the MRI) and the next test last June. I left my previous General Surgeon around 2004, and started being seen by a Breast Surgeon just in case...I feel much more confident that she removed all possible breast tissue--she has been doing breast surgery exclusively since 1975, I think. One of the very hard things I am dealing with is that like me, my 29 year old daughter is certain that she will develop BC. My Mom died from this in 1982 and my dear, kind, optimistic middle sister died from this in 2009 (her tumor was a different type than mine and supposedly easier to treat). Go figure. I miss her every day. I am so grateful that my mother had 3 of us (all girls). In 1989-90 all 3 of had babies--that was a really good time. My youngest sister had bilateral prophylactic mastectomies around 2003 and she is cancer free. My other sister and I do no have the BRAC genes. But this time I am going to bank my blood. For $100 they will keep it for 20 years as new genes are identified. Thanks everyone--I apologize for going on so long. Best to all of you.

Nightnurse

Elimar:  I'm in good company then!!  I'll be back!

Yaya5:  Thank you!  I'll be back!

Valjean:  Thanks!!  I'll let you know how my appt goes.  I can't wait.

NativeMainer

Responding to a question a page or two ago:  my MO doesn't do any blood testing, or any scans except bone density tests on women with early (stage 1 or 2) bc.  Pretty much all she does is prescribe the arimidex and gabapentin.  She's already told me that when the arimidex is done she doesn't plan to see me any more.  OK with me, I get more from my PCP anyway. 

elimar86861

Chantal10, welcome!  There is just no "good" age or time in one's life to get B/C.  Besides the overall scariness, I think fatigue from treatments would be tougher with small kids.  I hope you get enough time to take care of yourself in an average day.

Hello, also, to flautalee!   Your story has so many good points, and thanks for sharing it.  That is extremely proactive to preserve some blood for future scrutiny, but when it runs in families and is not BRCA, you do wonder if that is something not yet discovered rather than mere coincidence. They say with Mx, the risk for recurrence is about 2%.  I don't know what it would be for a new primary, but it couldn't be that much different.  Sorry you joined the small group of the unlucky, and who needs two canserversaries, right?.  I have a friend have something similar.  She was ER+/PR+, but had to go off the Tamox. because of clots, so she got Lx and rads on her reconstruction, like you.   

Thanks also for bringing up what I have wanted to mention, but kept forgetting.  (Paula66, this applies to you.)   Both of you had GRADE 3, and have told us just how fast it can grow.  I know I tend to go on about cancelling too many doc's appts., and minimizing my mammo squishings, BUT I know my B/C was slow growing.  One, they told me it was probably there for years (and it was 7mm.)  Two, I could feel it (near the surface) and it didn't seem to change in 8 months,  SO WOMEN WHO ARE GRADE 3, I do think you need all those interval checks because things can happen faster for you.  When you get past the 5 years, you can probably relax a little more than I can, but keep doing your SBE's every month just in case.

Valjean,  See.  That is so weird.  Our Dx's are almost alike.  Your doc does the CA 27-29, and mine doesn't.  Is it just "physician's choice" on this test?  Is it another few bucks in the pocket?  I know they follow everything on the mets gals, but does it actually indicate anything for us Early Birds?   Now try to set an example by showing anticipatory calmness, and we'll tag along as back-up, so wear some big pockets for us that day.  

Paula66

Thanks girls for the input.  Like i said even before the cancer I have always been a bit taken back with the medical community and just am a bit more gun shy now.  Thanks for clearing up alot of things for me. 

Welcome to all you new gals.  You have come across a great group of gals.  Post away whatever is going on.  We are here for you.  There is a vast group of knowledge around here, so someone will be able to help.