CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS

auntienance

Zumbagirl - on meeting my ro for the first time, her nurse was doing a medical history with me. One of the things she asked me was "do you know your diagnosis?" when I said yes she asked me to tell her. I thought at the time that the question was a very good way to make sure the patient has an understanding of what was going on.

zumbagirl

That is a good thing, that I wish one of the doctors would have asked me at some point. I just can't believe I had it wrong for these 4 months.

sheila888

zumbagirl......Instead of 2CM which makes you Stage I ............

You are 2.1CM that's the starting size for stage II. Please do not worry and get anxious too much.

It's just the legality of the staging.

(((HUGS))) and more hugs..............

zumbagirl

thanks seyla

red64

Hi there - new to the boards.  I had BMX in July for IDC and DCIS.  Oncotype was 13 and Her2 was equivocal.  The deep margin was < 0.1mm for DCIS and OK for IDC.  No chemo or rads.  I think I made right decision but I still worry about it all the time.  Hoping that it will get easier with time.

CorinneM1

Zumbagirl...get a copy of all of your records.  MRI, biopsy, surgery reports everything.  I asked for copies of everything and I have them in a file.  Its overwhemling and as I explained to my sister for the first few visits to various doctors, I felt as if they were talking to me and I was under water.  I could hear them, nodded along like I understood and walked out not understanding.  Having the copies send to me allowed me to go back and read more about my stage/area etc.

This will help you as well should you ever want to work with a different MO, RO etc etc.  You have everthing at the ready.  Oh, can you can also have a CD copy of your MRI.  You should have this as well.

TinaT

zumbagirl - It's pretty overwhelming, right?  I had to pull out my path report yesterday to make a copy for my GYN and when I looked it over I read things I didn't remember from back in February.  I didn't have any of it wrong in my head, but I've been wondering about a few things and, lo and behold, there were my answers right on the report.  I'm sure we discussed it back then, but you sometimes can only absorb this in bits and pieces.  Hang in there!!!

TinaT

CorinneM1 - My PS recently commented that he remembers me being very calm at my initial consult - apparently, there are often lots of tears at that first appointment.  I had to smile because I also remember that appointment very well.  I felt very detached, like I was hearing the words, but we were actually talking about someone else.  At one point I became claustophobic and wanted to get out of the room.  I almost blurted out, "Do you mind if we take a break?", but my husband was there and I knew he was getting it all so I pushed through.  Very surrealistic!

auntienance

Corinne--that's an excellent analogy, as if you were underwater. A perfect description of how I felt too!

LovesChristmas-Barb

That is a perfect description of how I felt too. I was so thankful my husband was there because he remembered lots of things I didn't and asked questions that I was too numb to think of.

I'm surprised, zumbagirl, that no one gave you a copy of your pathology report. My BS gave me that on my first visit after my surgery. I didn't even have to ask for it. 

I am always amazed at  how much I've learned from these forums. If it wasn't for these ladies, I would be lost about a lot of things...

duckyb1

Zumbagirl........I received my pathology from 3 Dr.'s............my surgeon within 1 week of surgery, my RO, when I saw her after surgery to set up  Rads, and my MO, who I also saw after surgery, and she too went over the pathology even though I would not begin Femara until I had completed my Rads..........................I was also told that they misdiagnosed the size of the tumor.........they suspected a 2.0cm tumor..............the pathology came back 1.1cm, which the surgeon had already told me right after surgery..........

I am surprised at what happened to you, however, had I not been told........I absolutely would have asked..........although my 6 children were with me when I got all my info................they were at all appts...............if not all of them there was at least 1 or 2..........depending on their schedule at work........................I was good for nothing..........I would listen, but by the time I walked out the door I would remember little.................good luck, and don't worry your tumor is still not real large, but then again a turmor is a tumor.............hugs.

auntienance

I had to ask for the path report, although my mo did seem surprised that I hadn't gotten it already, since I had already had surgery and radiation.

catbill

Hi everyone-

One year ago today I was diagnosed with breast cancer...I remember the thoughts going through my head, all jumbled, panic-stricken and convinced I was going to die tomorrow.  I couldn't even imagine this day would come.  I've learned more about breast cancer than I ever wanted to know.  I met you fabulous ladies who provided more support than you can know.   And I found out I have more strength than I  knew, a stronger faith than I knew, and more wonderful friends than I knew.  Cancer hasn't been what I thought it would be, and it made me more appreciative of the good things in my life.  Many thanks to all for their support. 

jo1955

catbill - Congrats on the one year cancerversary.  

sheila888

(((catbill)))   ♥    (((Hugs)))     

samsue

Catbill, congratulations on your one year cancerversary!

nancygv55

Catbill, thank you for the encouraging post.  As someone still in the earlier stage of the process it is good to hear that you learned and grew through the experience.  I hope you are enjoying life to the fullest!  I am with the Park Nicollet system, where did you receive your treatment?

catbill

Hi nancygv55-

I was diagnosed at the Fairview (Southdale) Breast Center, and my surgery was at Fairview Ridges Hospital.  My oncologist is with MN Oncology at their Burnsville office, and she's wonderful.  How far along in this process are you now?  Your stats look very favorable so far.  My oncotype was 8, so no chemo for me, and no rads since I chose BMX with immediate TE placement.  I am on Arimidex, and it's not a walk in the park, but for me, not as toxic as chemo might have been.  My reconstruction is done, and my tattoos are scheduled in October.

Thanks to everyone for their kind thoughts and good wishes today.  I couldn't have done it without you.

Catbill

sheila888

To All Our Sisters who are celebrating

Sheila

rachelvk

Thank you, Sheila. Shana Tova to all. (There's a post on the Spirituality thread about the High Holy Days if anyone wants to check it out).

Catbill - Thanks for the inspiration. It is terrifying, but this site has been great for me. Perhaps a little too much reality - I stumbled upon someone's post about being in hospice and it devastated me. But I think we're all stronger for learning to deal with this and for reaching out to each other for support. All the best for your next year. 

Sherryc

Tomorrow is my one year cancerversay and I don't now what I would have done without all you great ladies.  Months ago I thought I would be very emotional when this time came but now I'm happy and ready to celebrate.  In fact Jo is coming to spend the weekend with me and we are celebrating.  I feel like I'm in the middle of my journey as I still have BMX to do in March and everything that goes along with diep reconstruction.  Caused from SE from rads.  But emotionally I'm ready for it just need to gain some weight.

nancygv55

Hi Catbill, I had my lumpectomy on August 25 at Methodist Hospital and all went very well.  My Oncotype was 11 so no chemo which was good news.  Just the rads for 6-1/2 weeks then tamoxifen so I'm seeing the light at the end of this tunnel  Glad you are doing well.  Let me know if you would ever like to have coffee.  I'm about 30 minutes from you.

SAB

Congrats on the cancerversaries!

Thank you Sheila for the Shana Tovah wishes. 

Valjean

Sherry ~ Want to send you a big hug & give you my congratulations for your one year cancerversary. You have been a good sister/friend when I have been a bit low at times with your gifts of encouragement & hope. May you have many, many, many more. ♥

Catbill ~ Happy Cancerversary to you as well! We do all find out we are much stronger than we thought we were, don't we? You thank us for our support, well, we thank you for your support as well. We all need each other.... (( hugs ))

I send my best to you all...

♥

((( Sheila )))

zumbagirl

wow, thank you everyone. Part of my problem is I went to too many appointments by myself, so I wasn't focused. Yes under water is an awesome description on how it seemed. I will ask for a copy of the report.

TinaT

catbill - Beautiful!  Very nicely said

Meece

I have been away for awhile and have found it difficult to catch up.  I will just jump in and go from here.

Cakeisgreat, forgive me if i don't remember, but how did your CT for your lung go?  I just got the results from my most recent followup and it looks like like everything is okay. There is hope

jo1955

For all those celebrating cancerversaries - big congrats.  Getting ready to leave in about 30 minutes and heading to Sherry's for the weekend.  I will take lots of pictures to post later.

catbill

nancygv55-

I'd love to meet for coffee.  I think it's a great idea. I'll PM you this evening and we can work out the details.

Catbill

BarbaraA

((Catbill))

((Val))

((Sheila))