MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Eph3_12

Thought I'd get them all up there so we can see how they look!

heartnsoul76

Well, I rescheduled the MRI. DON'T HATE ME!!! lol, I am the Queen of Procrastination.

I don't know why I didn't want to do it. I was all psyched up for it - now I'm going to have to do it again in two weeks. Plus, they have me scheduled for three things in one day - the MRI, a chest x-ray and a mammogram. I think I'm going to break it down into three different days. I think three tests all at once is overwhelming me.

luv - how funny! You put the smiley in your signature? I don't suppose I can still have some of that chocolate?

luvmygoats

HNS - I think because I went rogue and pasted it in and it just fell in that place. I've done that b4 somehow. I love all the cute smileys out there. I like the "winky" ones.

I was dreading that ortho was going to ask for MRI of shoulder. I think there is an open MRI in the vicinity so was going to ask for that. Again it was not like I was expecting very bad things from it. Pretty sure they were already ruled out. Need to call insurance and see what coverage for PT is. On 80% insurance at present. Interesting thing with DH's insurance that I don't think has been true. His insurance booklet says copays will county towards deduc. next year. Also I think RX copays but I don't see how that's gonna work with a Flex account.

elimar86861

HnS, we are on to you now, your ploy to get extra pocket treats that is. I'd say get all the scans done in one day, but is there any way you could lure a friend into going with you for all the boring wait time while not actually getting the scans?

Luv, Not sure, because so many different plans. This year, I was a little excited because I maxed out on my out-of-pocket expenses in January, and figured everything would be covered at 100% after that. Oh, no! I still had co-pays for OVs and for PT. I think my co-pay did go toward my deductible, and pretty sure it went into the out-of-pocket total also, but at $40 per OV with a specialist, I probably racked up a $K just on co-pays. Sheesh! Also, thank goodness no mets were found in you!

The two smileys that are funny to me are: & , because they have tiny things coming out of their heads. I had to put on some reading glasses to see what they really are, but I like my first impressions better, that one had a double-helix strand of DNA coming out (and I don't know what that would mean) and the other had a fork stuck in his head, which I took to mean comatose or brain dead. Smile, smiley, smile.

luvmygoats

Stick a fork in me I'm done??? Notice the eyes are closed. Maybe going to bed?

marlegal

HnS hope things went ok today, sorry about the crumbs and the wine stain. Everyone else, don't worry, I'll be more careful next time

Chacha, so what is the plan and when?

And yes, I too am enjoying the return of our smiley friends

cateyz2

Maybe I did , My brain dosent always work properly after being hit with bC!!!!

marlegal

Elimar, I just noticed the pumpkins up top ... They're awesome!

macatacmv

Love the topper and the little explanation.

No worries about the reschedule, hns, the virtual snacks were just as tasty. We'll have to make lots for the 3 scan day.

luv, Glad the ortho has suggested PT. I like PT. I was just at my hand person today, she said It is so easy to make me happy. First it feels good to put my hands in the paraffin and then it is great when we ice them at the end. I almost start purring.

So I saw my PCP today, too. She wants me to do a sleep study. I am really looking forward to that. Like I don't have enough trouble sleeping. And I get to spend the night in a hospital, whoo. I was telling the doc, I already look wonderful when I am going to sleep, mouth guard, compression gloves and wrist splints. Sure let's add some wires and one of those cpac machines.

Loral

barsco1963

luv - so glad no mets was confirmed. Best of luck with physio

HNS - do what you have to do within your comfort level. More PPs = more treats indeed. Plus it's always fun to get together with you ladies

Happy Hump Day!

myers421

Seriously??? I say that all the time that the cancer took some of my brain cells ALL THE TIME!

geewhiz

Hi ladies! I'm new to this thread : )

valjean...I found it looking for info about tumor markers and came across your post. I just got a ca 27/29 and it was 9. I'd like to keep thing of myself as cancer free. Does that number mean there are still cells floating around producing that antigen? I am several years out from treatment! I didn't even know my onc checked it and the nurse called me today with labs. It was 10 last time. It completely freaks me out! Any insight?

Momine

Geewhiz, no, I don't think it means that. Truth be told, I don't actually know exactly what those stupid TMs measure, but my doc said that the results fall on a bell curve and the normal range is set at where most people fall, i.e. 5th to 95th percentile. The main thing they look for is a staple number. There will be minor variation, but as long as there are no major swings, they consider it good.

elimar86861

Welcome geewhiz, I believe getting a "9" on your CA27-29 could be cause for celebration add to the fact that it was stable from last year's "10"...virtually no change. Back when I read about all things B/C, I believe the normal range is a number under 40, so your number would not be considered elevated at all. (This would be particularly good news if you DID have elevation at time of Dx. This would be because then it would be known that your tumor did cause the antigen to be made in the first place. On the other hand, lacking an initial elevation, it may not be possible to tell if the antigen was ever produced by your tumor. I think this is why some doctors feel the tumor marker tests are not "reliable." Reliable is not really the right word, let's say effective. It can be very effective for some, and not effective for others.)

Welcome myers421! Are you finished with reconstruction already?

luvmygoats

I have always pondered TMs. I had a biopsy on the day lesion was found so there was no opportunity to measure anything b4 there was some "cell damage" albeit only with the biopsy. I would have to find my files but I think mine are 19 or so. Wonder if they would have been higher if they measured them when 1st diagnosed. The 1st time they were measured was a year ago December. I know they measure "inflammation" so recovery from surg/rads can elevate them. Just one of the great mysteries of life that Frankenstein's bride sang about. Though must admit does not even register on the scale at present compared to devising a good gravy for my turkey salisbury steaks.

Welcome Geewhiz and Myers. Oodles of support on here with frequent good times also.

geewhiz

Wow, thanks ladies that helps. Elimar, that makes sense to me about there even being an antigen at all.

That part was bothering me the most...I want NO antigens. I guess I missed that boat with a bc diagnosis however.

Luvmygoats I should put that Frankenstein bride as my avatar...I have never posted one of myself in 4 years, lol!

Loral

NativeMainer

geewhiz--keep in mind that the antigens the tumor markers measure are also caused by non-cancer things. For instance, the PSA done on men to screen for prostate cancer is also elevated after a prostate exam and sexual activity. Any kind of inflammation, even a common cold, can make some of the other markers elevate temporarily. If your number hasn't changed (and 9 and 10 are so close as to say it hasn't changed) then you may well be cancer free and the antigen is being triggered by some normal physiological functioning.

geewhiz

Thanks NativeMainer...I had minor knee surgery 3 weeks ago, so maybe if its picking up inflammation of some sort...that might be a bit of it.

Happy Halloween everyone! I had my MX just before Halloween 4 years ago and spent it cooped up in my bedroom listening to the doorbell ring with the trick or treaters. I dont even know what my kids dressed as that year. Miserable. The next year, I invited all my friends and family over. broke sticks off dead trees..spraypainted black and stuck in flower pots draped with spider webby stuff and placed all over the house. Cooked vats of chili and made apple cider. Then we all go out trick or treating. My 90 year old mom in law parks herself on the porch to pass out candy...she talks about it all year. It's become a wonderful tradition. Turned that bad Halloween association right on its ear.

I am staring down piles of onions and tomatoes and my house is a bit of a mess so time to get busy!

Enjoy ladies! And thank you sincerely for the advice. : )

luvmygoats

Statistically 9 or 10 is the same result well within the error limits allowed for the test. I don't know if CA 27-29 is one of those that is tested when labs get a Medicare review unlike something like a CBC that is almost universally common on doc visits. Things like that and common chem tests are on there.

NM would be better to answer this but I'm not sure CA 27-29 rarely measures zero.

Messy houses - oh my. Not even going there. We live in the country so no trick or treating. The local churches including mine do Fall Festival or "trunk or treat". The fire station even gets in on it.

heartnsoul76

Anonymous

well, the plan is in place. I saw the first surgeon and feel he made a lot of sense in why he is recommending the open surgery. So I will have surgery on Dec 5th, removing the cyst with a margin of pancreas, the gallbladder and spleen. I received three vaccines today because of the splenectomy. I love your cover comment Eli One day you are in a field, just minding your own business...then, one scary day, you get carved up. At least you are not alone.

Happy Holloween! My DH and I dressed up like zombies to pass out Candy.....and after two hours with only 4-6 kids, hopped in the car and made mobile trick or treat stops looking for kids out. It was fun...but also kind of sad with how few kids go out anymore.....and only 20-30% of the houses looked lit up to give out treats. I remember when almost everyone on the block welcomed the trick or treaters.....

NativeMainer

Info on the CA 27-29 tumor marker test:

Reference range (normal results) = less than 38 U/mL, with some slight variation depending on the lab.

Interpretation:CA 27-29 is elevated by a number of benign conditions, so an elevated results needs to be correlated to the patient's medical history and physical examination.Non-cancer things that elevate this test result include

Chronic hepatitis

Liver cirrhosis

Tuberculosis

Sarcoidosis

Benign breast disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease[2]

Endometriosis

Ovarian cysts

Systemic lupus erythematosus[3]

Lactation and pregnancy

Pasted from <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2087535-overview#aw2aab6b3>

The Ca 27-29 will also increase briefly a few weeks after staring cancer therapy.Not all breast cancers produce CA 27-29.

A 9 result is definitely a "negative" result!

elimar86861

Thanks for that info. NM.

chachamom, The point is that you had a good communication with that surgeon, so now you know why he is preferring one procedure over another. I am a fan of laparoscopic, but we have to be flexible if there is a convincing argument to go for the open surgery Sorry you do have to lose the gallbladder. However, if it was a case of losing it eventually then this saves you a future surgery by doing all of the naughty organs at the same time. My mom did just fine without a gallbladder for over 10 years. I never heard even a peep from her that she missed it, or that something did not feel the same.

And, chach, if you think I am sympathetic to the plight of the pumpkin, wait til you hear me rhapsodize about the poor Thanksgiving turkey! Talk about getting your breast meat carved up!!!

My best friend with Stage IV B/C shared some good news with me yesterday. That her CA27/29 continues to fall. Last mo, after some bone radiation, her number dropped by half, down to 137. Now she has been on Tamox. for a month and she got down to 51. We don't know how much is the Tamox. and how much is the leftover rads, but we'll take it! In light of our recent comments, she is getting very close to what is "normal" range. Those of you that remember Marybe's story, may remember that she was able to remain stable for years just only on Tamoxifen. This is what I am hoping for my friend (who's mets are confined to just bone.)

Halloween commentary: I only get about half the Trick or Treaters that I used to get. My neighborhood is getting older, plus it was wet out and people here go to a mall (sissys) or do "trunk or treat" at their churches (aberrant practice) or lately, go into one hyper-decorated neighborhood that is really festive (can't blame them, when some other blocks have only 4-5 houses participating.) It funny, how a holiday that used to be so kid-centric is turning into one of our more adult driven holidays complete with scads of store bought decorations. ("Why, when I was a kid..." all we had was a jack-o-lantern, a pillowcase, and maybe a few wet Fall leaves on the ground, and an abundance of parent-free joy running thru' the neighborhood.) Last night, almost every group had 2-4 parents out with them. Probably a good change, tho', with so many perved-up news reports in recent years.

elimar86861

Dia de Los Muertos is not a "happy" kind of holiday, but who can't appreciate a cool sugar skull?

And I want this pillow...

barsco1963

Welcome geewhiz and myers. Glad to have you both aboard the middies train.

I too am in the country and no trick or treaters. However DS decided to give the dog a treat and bring her into the house (she is an outside dog). He then tied a towel around her neck and she became "Super Pup!" Gotta work with what ya got right? BTW - what is "trunk or treat?"

Chacha - so glad that you were able to further discuss your options and are comfortable with your decision. Will be nestled in your pocket on the 5th of Dec.

Meece

Chacha, You should have kept driving North. I had to shut the lights out by 7:50 because I'd run out of candy due to the 225 trick or treaters who had come to our door. That didn't count the repeaters which I recognized and sent back on their way.

They do trunk or treat in an older commercial neighborhood here. People decorate their cars up and then park up and down the street. Children trick or treat at the cars. (All supervised well by law inforcement.)

luvmygoats

I think one of the other churches does trunk or treat because their rec. hall is not big enough for large crowds.

PT visit was interesting. Says clavicle/shoulder very tight - is that a technical term? Has me icing 2x/day and doing shoulder pendulums. Also rowing with an elastic band wrapped around door handle (or in my case through a door hinge). Says it should not take long to get it better. Have 2 visits sched. for next week.

Yay - DH's truck is finally ready at dealer. Will pick up tomorrow.

Chacha - glad you've made a decision you're happy with. GB's are expendable and certainly better to get it out now if it needs to come out sooner or later anyway. Remind me as time gets closer for big time pocket partay.

Anonymous

thanks, ladies! I love being able to process some of this stuff with you....I can be wimpy, bitchy, etc and Eli your posts always crack me up! I look forward to the Thanksgivinf banter.