CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

3jaysmom

chemo brain so welcome to all the newbies!!!    3jays

bombaygal

Thank you all...its is such a good feeling to know I am not alone...

SherryC, I had an Oncotype DX test too, my score was 16. My Onc, mentioned the cap on the test was 18 last year,it changed to 11 this year, and since I fall in the grey area, she feels I should do the chemo. But, she also agrees that they might change the stats next year and I might fall in the safe zone so much for test results...I do realize they have to cover themselves, so they go for overkill....but my body is the warzone...I feel so overwhelmed, as I dont want to take any chances.. I do plan on getting a second opinion.

K167 - that is a new one, I should ask her about it.

bombaygal

Did anyone have the option of taking Arimidex VS Tamoxifen?

As I just turned 50, my Onc, told me I have the option...more choices..more decisons...

annettek

Jo- i used the book called easyway...kind of blew me away and made sense, even when i got angry while reading it for being too simplistic

Sherryc

Bombargirl the KI67 should be on your surgical path report. Mine was the last item on the report

Meece

Going back a couple of pages about Komen.  I heard last week that Susan G. Komen Foundation gives money to Planned Parenthood.  Call me naive, but I thought the donations for Komen were going toward research for the cure, not towards screening (Which is what Komen is claiming the money to PP is for).  How much of this donation money is actually going toward finding the cure?  Not legal fees or funding other types of organizations.  I realize screening is an important thing for all of us.  I just envisioned all this money funding some huge laboratory working 24/7 with scientists scurrying like busy ants trying to find a cure or prevention for BC.

chabba

I'ld like to see their income statement.  What percent of total income goes to cancer research. How much goes to administration? to executive salaries?

raincitygirl

That should be public information, right? I will look around later today.

mom2westies

I feel the need to connect with others who have,or are, experiencing this BC ordeal. My first mammogram(9 months after surgery) is scheduled for tomorrow and I am extremely concerned about it. My primary concern is what it might reveal and second is the pain which I have never feared before in yearly mammograms. Any words of comfort or wisdom?

BarbaraA

{{{HUGS}}} xgolfer! I was afraid, too, at my six month mammo in October. They are very gentle with you and mine didn't hurt at all. Can't help but worrying, though!

sheila888

xgolfer.....Welcome.

Its been quite a while ago I don't remember much.

Like Barbara said they are more gentle.

Good Luck and let us know how you are.

Hugs

mom2westies

Thanks Barbara and Sheila for your responses. As you can tell I'm a "newbie" but I do want to make friends on this forum.

sheila888

xgolfer...We all started as a newbie. Please read about your posting limits on the top of the page.

See you later.♥

raincitygirl

Golfer. Mine is tomorrow as well. Let's check in with each other later Tuesday. Sheila makes everyone here feel welcome. Don't let that go to your head Sheila.

jo1955

xgolfer - Welcome and sending hugs to you.  I have not had my first mammo since diagnosis and I have the same concerns.  Mine is not scheduled until June so I am going to worry about it until then.  Hang out with us - this is a great bunch of ladies.

chabba

I am dreading my mammo. Only one place within 90 miles to get them.  They not only squeeze enough to be very painful. Last time when they were confirming the lump I'd found they squeezed enough to leave a bruise.

jo1955

chabba - I hear you.  I made sure my MO sent me back to the place I have been using for the past 5 years for my mammo.  They are really nice people and very gentle all the time.  Even when I had to have the US last year, they were gentle and played relaxing music - heck, I almost fell asleep.  Then the tech found the lump and I was wide awake.

chabba

I wish I had a choice of where to go.  But I can understand the Docs need to deal with a local facility where they have better and more timely access.  And I don't want to have to go to the big city either, so.....

doingbetter

For those questioning Komen spending - non-profits are required to file 990's every year and that is public information.  Depending on the organization, it can be a lot of information to wade through, but we like to research any organization that we are thinking of donating to and find studying these forms for useful.  We use www.guidestar.org to get this information.  The 990 shows all kinds of info, including salaries, board members, where contributions are made, etc.

jo1955

chabba - I insisted on this particular facility because the I hate the hospital the doctor uses.  I let him schedule my bone density scan at the hospital and I ended up fighting with them over a $37.00 bill that they said I owed but would never send me a bill.

painterly

A question was raised a couple of posts ago re the breakdown of where the donor's money goes for Komen and in particular how much goes to research.

We recently had a "think pink" campaign at my golf club here in Florida. I was asked by the ladies president if I was planning to attend. I answered "I don't do Komen" and she replied that the club doesn't do the rally but gives to a local affiliate thereby assuring that all money goes to that affiliate except 4% of the money raised which goes to Komen. She gave me a letter from Komen outlining where the money goes. Here is the breakdown:

10% administration

6% fundraising

8% treatment

14% screening

37% education

25% research

Meece

I am sorry, but the education part bugs me.  How many of you had never heard of breast cancer or a SBE by the time you were say...20?  I knew what it was, and the symptoms and the importance of self exam from the time I developed breasts.  It is everywhere on TV and in print.  I just wish a lot more funds were going to research to find a cure, and the causes so it could be prevented.  You don't prevent BC with mammos or SBEs you will hopefully jsut find it early enough to treat.

Off Soap Box...for now.

jo1955

Meece - I agree with you.  Too much money going to education and not enough to research.  Komen needs to stop being so concerned about others using "for the cure" in their advertising.  If the event is for breast cancer, what difference does it make who uses it?

Eph3_12

American Cancer Society was was 1st-I do Relay for Life, no Komen in this household-never has been.

jo1955

Eph - I have done the Cancer Society walks - never have done Komen and never will.

Anonymous

One has to wonder...if they are really investing in education then why aren't they a major contributor to breastcancer.org?  I've contributed to AVON walkers but haven't been approached by anyone for a Komen walk.

I do know their damn walk commercial has been playing incessantly this whole time between my core needle biopsy and the final pathology on my lumpectomy while I'm trying to NOT think so much about it...so I've been kinda mad at them just for that these last several weeks. lol

jo1955

ajtina - What is the burning question.  I am so sick of that commerical I want to throw something at the TV every time it comes on.  

Where in Calif are you?  I am from originally from Riverside. 

Anonymous

Jo...I've been muting the TV or changing the channel on that commercial when it doesn't do a sneak attack while I'm in the kitchen or something lol. 

I'm in NorCal; the East Bay of SF to be more specific!

jo1955

ajtima - I know what you mean.

I went to 2 years of high school in Novato.  There was an Air Force Base there at one time and my dad was stationed there.

Meece

Someday maybe we should plan a little get together in Napa!