Class of 2010

KatieMom

Silly Linda, peeps are people.  MzJ has found US, her people (peeps) here.  Although I really like peeps the candy marshmallow stuff.  We can all eat that stuff now that we have breast cancer, right?  LOL.  I told my hubby the other night that I couldn't do the dishes because I have breast cancer... he laughed until he was blue!      and I did the dishes

Katie 

Ezscriiibe

Peeps = shorthand for People. It's homegirl talk. "My peeps are in da house."

jakhope

PEEPS!!!!! that is so funny. I just asked my husband last night, what exactly does that mean. He explained...."people" our people. we are peeps together! 

Welome MzJ- It is great to have a group of peeps, and we all understand and are going through the same crap. That is what it is!

I always have said I was five feet tall. Really I was 4ft' 11 1/2". Is that right? When I was pregnant with my twins, they measured me and I WAS 5 ft'. I have forgotten the correct markings. Anyway, I attribute that extra half inch to my spine being stretched carrying two babies.Imagine my horror last week when they told me I shrunk and inch. My husband, Terry, said, don't believe that thing in the Dr's office, it is off. I am going with his thought. He is a very smart guy!

Michele- when my husband is home I will show him your post. I will let you know what his response is. he has every year a reunion with his peeps he worked with in England and they have a Superbowl party. i have gone in the pst but this year I told him I just wanted to stay home and chill. It is about a five hour drvie from us. He will be home Monday night. My son is staying with us right now so he and I will watch the game and I think we are ordering Chinese food. That will be a new tradition.I am not a big pizza or wing fan. I am definitely not cooking!

Anyone else watching the game tomorrow? I am hoping the Saints win. New Orleans deserves a celebration time. I was so thrilled to see the will in their dome, where just a few years back there was such horror and sadness. Also if it is not my team, I root for the underdog, but I think they are saying it should be a close good game.

Linda- please let me know when your team is playing the Panthers.  

jakhope

Gosh Michele and Katie, you bothl beat me too it as I was rambling on......

jakhope

Katie- I like your thinking. I am going to use this for all I can get. No more housework for me for a very long time.

LINDAGARSIDE

Yes....I can't wash the dishes...I have cancer.  Or, I don't feel like cooking....the cancer is making some foods smell funny and I get nauseous.  Or, "not tonight honey...honestly this cancer has got me feeling blue".  LOL.

Peeps...I am SO OUT OF THE LOOP with things.  I just asked my husband what peeps means...and of course he knew right away and told me.  Who makes this stuff up?  Is there a dictionary somewhere I should be reading?  Does "poops" still mean what I think it does?  OMG...I am getting SO OLD.  How old am I?  I still remember Maggie Muggins and Mr Green Jeans...that's how old!

We are going to my daughter's house tomorrow (she lives in Duncan, about an hour north of Victoria) for Super Bowl.  She just moved to a new house.  There are boxes everywhere and things are upside down...but what the heck...she my peeps.  LOL.

I hope my fellow soldiers all have a good night and relax...and think ahead to when we are on a cruise...laughing and having a glass of wine

jakhope

Poops are poops, and that will never change!

etk02038

I finally figured out what peeps were months ago when my friend was using it on FB. I am always a little behind the times. I didn't know "cool" was out and now "sick" means the old cool, according to my 9 year old.

I haven't got out of dishes or most housework yet. I am still in the figuring out how bad I am stage!  Only after the 2 surgeries did I get a break. Once treatments start believe you me I will play it up for all it's worth.

My dog thinks poops are poopsicles and is having lots of treats lately (sorry to gross anyone out)

Ellen 

LINDAGARSIDE

Hi Ellen...thanks for admitting that you are as behind the times as I am.  LOL. 

Something continues to surprise me somewhat.  How come everyone seems to know their Her status before me?  I was diagnosed mid December and had my lumpectomy on January 8th...yet my test results are still not back for the Her test. 

Does anyone out there know the answer to this mini puzzle?  Where in the heck do they send the test to for examination?  Cuba?

Ezscriiibe

I dunno, Linda, but I would lean on the doctor until they give them to you. I know that was the last piece to my puzzle, but when they didn't show up in what my doctor considered "plenty of time," he went calling around to the lab and had them faxed over. Sadly our priorities are not their priorities (the lab).

LINDAGARSIDE

Thanks, Michele....I'm going to call first thing in the morning.  I don't like to be pushy but I think the results are sitting on someone's desk...somewhere.

The problem for me is this:  I cannot be part of the Taylor X study without knowing the Her test results.  If they are negaive...I can be accepted but then they have to draw more blood, I have to sign an Agreement and the documents then have to be send to the USA where the study is being done.  I have to wait for acceptance to the study BEFORE they can start radiation.  They should really start radiation withing 12 weeks of the surgery...and this will cut it real close.  I'm starting to wonder if it's worth being part of the study.  The study will give me my ONC score.  If I don't join the study...I pay $3,000 for the ONC test. 

I have a meeting with the radiologist on the 11th of Feb.  If he or she advises that I should just move forward with the rads and not wait...then that is what I'll do.  I don't want to start taking risks at this point...I've been very lucky so far and don't want to push it if you know what I mean.

Ezscriiibe

Go get'em, Linda! Be prepared to tell them you are willing to meet, face-to-face, with whomever has the report, or whomever is preparing it.

I told one nurse who said matter of factly that my ER/PR addendum had not come back yet that I needed her to contact the lab and find out why. She just kind of blinked at me. I asked her if she had their number, she did, so I said, "Okay, then perhaps you can call them and let them know that I'll be stopping by to pick it up. It was supposed to be here last week, and everyone, including you, agrees that it should be completed by now. I have no problem going over to pick it up myself. What is the name of the person I need to ask for? Please let them know I am on my way."

Then she picked up the phone and talked to the lab and lo-and-behold, they faxed the report right over to her! I hugged her for taking care of it for me!

Edited to add this PS: But I would not work that way if I just had the nurse on the phone. It's much easier for them to dismiss you when they are not looking into your eyes. So as much as possible, for things like that, I go into the office and meet with them face-to-face.

irish47

Howdy folks,

gosh this has become a busy forum, and new members too; sorry you had to join but great to have more people to share the journey with.

I am seeing my doc again on 24th, will get all results then including the lung biopsy.  I too don't know my HER status yet nor other things like the date my radiotherapy begins so have  to wait till my appointment and ask lots of questions - my doc away untill 22nd.  Went to my local library on Friday and got three books on breast cancer and have been stuck in reading for the weekend.. fascinating when you have the diagnosis.  Am waiting on the other book from Amazon and intend going to a good bookstore in Dublin next week to get another one or two; the library ones were not the most recent. I really think the more we know, the more in control we can be and more informed to make decisions on our treatment. Linda, one of the books mentioned that chlorine in a swimming pool can irritate skin while you are undergoing radiation therapy.  I love swimming and i agree, great exercise for the arm.  When i get to that stage will ask the docs about it.

Speaking of pain, I find the wound from the SNB most uncomfortable and my whole underarm tender, maybe a nerve thing?

And talking about  height BTW, i am 5'8'' but my middle child, a girl aged 17 , is 6' 1''!  And she loves it, walks tall and proud.

KatieMom

Yes, this pain from the SNB is lousy.  I saw my doctor on Thursday, stitches out and all good.  He said that I was cleared to exercise and resume all normal activity.  He said to use my pain as  the controller.  If it hurts, cut back and rest.  Friday night I was REALLY sore, but Sat. morn things were under control.  I went for a 3 hr. easy bike ride this morning and I feel fine, although the incision is swollen just above, but very minor pain.  My hubby (who has been mr. wonderful through all this) had a COW when I got home saying that I shouldn't have gone out that long, the doc had not cleared me, etc.  He didn't speak to me for 2 hrs. and now is only being nice because there is company over.  Sheesh.  I love to ride my bike and it exercise means that I don't have cancer.. if you know what I mean.  I want to be normal.  I want my mind to go somewhere (anywhere) else than to my boob(s).  So, should I have ridden or not???  I know you will all agree with me, cuz you are my sisters, but I guess I will entertain a disagreement...

Katie 

LINDAGARSIDE

Hi KatieMom....personally, if it doesn't hurt, I tend to do it.  But then again, I'm not a bike rider.  I carry up wood from the basement and this morning had a real load...and it was fine.  I don't think I would do it for three hours though.

I think our husbands are afraid...afraid of losing us...afraid of us not healing...afraid of the unknown etc.  They are also angry...angry at the cancer angry that we happened to get cancer, etc.  I know we are afraid (and maybe angry) as well, but we somehow move past the fear and anger and start to deal with the surving aspect.  I think our partners can be left behind a bit.  I know mine felt that way.  We dont' usually argue but found ourselves arguing...  We actually went to counselling (at the cancer centre) about this and it turns out that most husbands or partners feel these things at the beginning.  (I think afterwards they go into denial and don't want to talk about it mode...not sure exactly as we've yet to come to that point...LOL).  The single session helped a lot and we're communicating much better about it now.  Can you believe he was even jealous of you all?  He felt I was turning to my new cancer friends instead of him for support.  The trouble was, if I voiced a fear to him...he got upset.  (Does any of this sound familiar?...apparently it is the norm).

The counsellor told us it was good to talk about our fears together and as well, our anger.  She encouraged my husband to let me process and encourage me not to dwell in the negative...which is great because I tend NOT to do that.  He had to agree.  I think he was so used to me always being so positive about absolutely anything, it was unbearable for him to hear me talk about the possibility of not making it through this particular journey.

I've now asked him to read the posts here...and he now realizes that this is a very supportive process and is much needed.  He now is very interested in how we are all doing and if he were here right now...I'd ask his opinion about the bike ride thing.  He is out on a long walk right now...around a small lake not too far from here.  Something he likes to do on Sunday's with his good friend, John. 

I encourage you to talk to your husband...and let him know you are afraid too...and you need him by your side so you can fight together. 

P.S.  Probably 3 hours was too long if you are wanting my honest opinion.  1 1/2 hours is probably a better plan for someone who has just had SNB surgery...LOL  

KatieMom

Linda - you are right, on all those fronts.  I know he is scared and much more so than I am.  I am seriously not worried about dying or even shortening my life.  This cancer isn't going to get me.  We were trying to watch Extreme Home Makeover the other night and the story was about a teacher with cancer who was terminal.  He fell apart and went in the other room in tears.  My hubby DOESN't cry.  I was really surprised and should have seen it then.  I guess I just want to be so normal that I am trying to deny the whole damn C thing.  Thanks for your help.  Nice to hear from someone who is here, in my world, in my head.

Katie 

LINDAGARSIDE

Hi Katie...I was just talking to my husband (he's back now) and he agrees that your husband is afraid...and also thought you were trying too hard to show everything is normal and you're "OK". 

Cancer is a loaded word, isn't it?  I am thankful for all the research that has been done on breast cancer because without it, we would not be looking at the excellent survival rates connected with our type of breast cancer.  I think we try hard to fight and not let the cancer "get us"...and in doing so we can wear ourselves out a bit.  Perhaps some of the fighting is done by not doing too much and letting our bodies heal and rest a bit. 

I know personally that I refuse to go to the office more than two days a week until all my radiation (and any other treatments I may have to take) are well over.  I am still working, but working from home.  It's one of the ways I'm trying to fight cancer...by doing less. 

We all are different and we all have to fight our best fight with the weapons at hand.  I admire the love between you and your husband.  This is something worth fighting for as well...you are doing great....keep fighting...on BOTH fronts!  Take care and God bless.

jakhope

Hi my fellow sisters in battle, 

Boy I sure have missed a lot today. Many posts since I last was on.

Linda- I do not know why it is taking so long to get your HER results. It seems I got that right in the Beginning after surgery from the pathology report from my hospital, or within that first week. Maybe every hospital, lab etc is different. Having to wait for the onco test is why my Dr wanted me to start right away on radiation, then when the results were back, we would go with chemo if my score was mid to high. You go this week to the Radiologist and I am sure you will have more of a plan.

I agree about our spouses, they are the ones who are victims also to this ugly beast. We are going through it but so are they and they have their own issues and emotions that come out and they do not know how to express their fears and anxieties.

Katie- I know your husband is just worried about you. I hope he gets over being upset.

I also read about chlorine being bad when having radiation. We also have to be careful for any sun exposure, even after treatment. that will be tough for me in Fl.

Fight on my sisters. We will get through this together,

Jeannie 

JAKHOPE
Diagnosis: 12/18/2010, IDC, 1cm, Stage Ib, Grade 1, 0/7 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

me2u

hi hi, enrolling with a heavy heart for class 2010 however will graduate with a much stronger and healthier self (mentally n physically).

diagnosed 20th jan, lumpectomy 25th jan, discovered microinvasion on 29th jan and will be starting chemo on 17th feb. things are moving so fast that sometimes i seems to be running out of breath (know what i mean). from now till next wed, am resting alot, praying alot and reading lots in this forum (super helpful!).

Linda and Katie, on the husbands part, i could tell that my husband is very afraid however putting a brave front for me (not very successful though ). he has this frowning and worried look after our discussion with my ONC.

and yes, lets fight, fight very hard to get these nasty suckers out of our body!!!

irish47

Hi me2u, another student to join the battle and maybe go on the Cruise when we win! Yes your fight has started with breakneck speed, am sure you are a little shellshocked with the speed of it all. 

My husband too was worried, I think more than even I was.  But he has relaxed since I had the surgery ''Good to get that off your chest'' as he says to me, pun intended :-)  But one lesson I really have learned in all this is to take time out for ME. Prior to this my priorities in life were my children, my husband, my job, my cat and then me...  Am now taking the time to smell those roses and am relaxing a little more every day.

LINDAGARSIDE

Hi Me2u and welcome to our army.  You have lots of support in the ranks and will get through this, we promise!  Things are moving quickly for you, and this is a GOOD THING.  Yahoo...if they were moving slowly you could complain, right?  Actually, we like to complain if things are moving fast or if they are moving slow...LOL.  I think we are all really pissed off that this ugly thing has even happened to any of us!  We have to complain, right? 

Remember, everyone's situation is a little unique.  May I suggest something I think might help you put it all into perspective?  Think about all of this like a buffet:

There is an interesting smorgasboard display and up you go to get your food.  You didn't realize that one of the interesting food choices was actually breast cancer.  Regardless, you (or the chef when you were not looking) put it on your plate.  Now, depending on your age and your digestive system; how much you put on your plate; if you added extra sauce or salt and pepper etc etc will influence how you get rid of it once you realize you actually hate it.  We all discovered we didn't like the taste of this weird thing at different points during the meal.  So, depending on how soon we noticed we hate this item...and how we get rid of it once we realized we don't want it depends on so many different little things.  That is why one person will have a certain plan of action or treatment and someone else will have a completely different course of action but it looks like they had the same dish.  All of the unique things that make your case unique to you will dictate your course of action.  Try to focus on your situation and on the steps you need to take to get this darn thing off of your plate.  It sounds to me like you've got some good people helping you.  And now we are all here with you too.

Keep your spirits up girlfriend.  You are fighting a good fight.  Welcome aboard.

jakhope

Hi me2u-

So sorry you are here with us, but the good news is, we are here for you and each other. In a way, I would say, be glad that things are moving quickly for you, as I think most of us would agree, the waiting game and the not knowing, is the very worst!

We will all fight hard and take it a day at a time. Enjoy if it is a good moment and we will get through the rough ones.

Fight , fight, fight!!!!

God Bless you all.

Jeannie

Cinnamon69

Good Evening Peeps!  LOL I have a teenager so I knew this one.

The waiting for test results finally got to me today and I blew up at the second opinion peeps!  My poor husband had to talk me down.  I should probably appoligize tomorrow.

But then I met with my Medical Oncoligst today and he had my Oncotype results!  "6" yeah so low he changed his tune on chemo.  So NO chemo for me!  He was so sure I would need chemo I even bought head gear and other stuff to get ready!  And now I need to re-schedule my hair appt because the gray is taking over!  I might take part in a clinical trail called SOFT for Tamoxifen after six weeks of rads. 

I also went to physical therapy today and now my arm is really hurting. After surgery my breast hurt the worst and now four weeks later it is the damn arm!  grrr

Welcome all the new soldiers.  I hope everyone has a good week with all good test results.  And if not there is always wine.  Cheers.

etk02038

Moving too fast or waiting too long for results it is all very hard. I had to wait 3 weeks after 1st lumpectomy and now after re-exicision I am on week 2. Because I have "unusual cell patterns" everything is being double and triple checked. I know I just have to wait but at this point I don't know if I need more surgery, chemo, radiation or what!

I wish I did have some wine in the house!  I'll have to be happy with my Lexapro and Ativan. Cinnamon69 congrats on your Oncotype results...that is super!  

Ezscriiibe

Linda, you have such a wonderful and colorful imagination! Buffet!

me2u, hugs and welcome aboard. Would have preferred you not to have to be here, too, but now that you are, we're all in this together! Link arms!

Cinnamon, you go girl! Would love to hear about the blow up! Love stories like that!

I made my way into the city where I had my first cancer surgery (about 2 hours away) today to begin the search for my surgical records from 1983 (my first brush with cancer; uterine and a malignant ovarian tumor). It seems they DO still have me in the records! Yipee! But they are on microfiche. UGH! MICROFICHE, does anybody remember microfiche! They said it may take them up to a month to dig through them. I let them know that I am needing them so my medical oncologist has an idea of what he may or may not be working with. Oh, and the doctor that I had at the time? He died a few years ago, apparently. The woman in the medical records department actually knew him (she worked there since 1978), and said that she would try to find out where his last practice was, in case there are any records there, too.

Oh well, it's like a scavenger hunt, now, huh?

I'm supposed to get all my scans tomorrow, bone, head, chest, abdomen, pelvis. But. . . we're supposed to get dumped on with snow again tonight. Another UGH.

KatieMom

Woke up this am to a really sick 6 year old.  Just a nasty cold but her eyes were swollen shut.  Agghh.  Took her to the ER just to hear she had a really good strong case of pink eye - conjunctivitis.  No big deal and I was back at work by 11:30.  It wouldn't have been so bad except that it was supposed to be my first day back after a week and a day off for the SNB.  Kids and parents were miffed as to where I was.  I got everything settled, child is happy, hubby is fine, I am exhausted.  All is good.  Got the authorization for rads today so I guess that will be happening soon.

Hugs to all.

Katie 

jakhope

cinnamon69- wow! great news for you with a 6! I would love to hear about your blow-up too.

etk02038- So sorry you are going through so much waiting. You need to stock up in wine in your house.

Michele- What a drag you had to go so far and work so hard to get your old medical records. I had pre-cervical cancer back in 1989 and a hysterectomy five years later. never thought a thing about it again until now. It is a lesson to all of us to get and keep all medical records for our whole life. Terry is home now and had this to say about your common career paths. He was in the USAFFS (1960- 1963) as a morse intercept operator.He went to a career in similar disciplines,with a couple of language schools thrown in along the way.He retired in 1997 at a young 55 years of age.

Linda- Very creative mind with the buffet. I am still working on that concept...

Heads up to all my soldiers out there and Cheers!

Jeannie 

Ezscriiibe

Jeannie: How neat about your hubby! We very well may have run into each other somewhere along the line. There were a lot of morse intercept operators in various duty stations. I'm trying to remember if there were any at San Angelo, TX, where I had my cryptology training, but I can't really seem to recall. I was in Monterey, CA, at the Defense Language Institute (Korean) in 1974/75 (it was a 12-month course); then a brief stint at San Angelo, TX and some training at Ft. Huachuca, then in 1976 went to Korea through 1978. Back to the US to Ft Meade after that until about 1980-81. I was the NSA liaison during that time for our company. Seems like an entire lifetime ago! Oh, wait a minute. . . it WAS!!

My grandsons would absolutely bust a gut if they knew how atheletic and strong I was back then! Like Bob Seger's Song "Like a Rock!"

jakhope

Katie- What a crppy first day back at work! hope your daughter's eye clears up soon and tomorrow is an easier day.

Michele- You and Terry very well could have met in yur past lives. I will send you a private note with his email and you can see if you did...

MzJ

Congrats Cinnamon!  Awesome Onc score     My test is "in process";  looking forward to getting the results any day now.   

Unfortunately my swelling didn't go down over the weekend.  Fortunately I was able to get in to see my surgeon today (she and her staff are great!!). She removed some fluid.  This time the needle didn't hurt at all.  ( The first time, about 2 weeks ago, it hurt real bad. At that time, the swelling was from blood and it was real thick.) Today it was very very liquidy and the doc called it "clear" but it looked like coffee to me.   Anywho, she said it's all very normal.   She said the liquid fills in the cavity left from the surgeries.  The liquid is suppose to dissipate into my body and be replaced by scar tissue. But sometimes the liquid builds up. (hence the sloshing sounds, good to know I wasn't imagining it!)   I'm glad she was able to remove some liquid with the needle. I didn't want to go through another surgery (I've had 3 different surgeries in the same spot in the past 60 days). I've got an appt to see the doc again on Friday.   If the swelling goes down, the Radiologist says we can start the first test scans within a week or two. 

My Medical Oncologist talked to me a little bit about participating in a clinical trial; he's going to get me some more information.  I definately want to share data  to help others. But I'm hoping there is a trial that doesn't need me to have to a full body scan first.  Right now I don't think I could handle tracking down every lump or shadow. One crisis at a time.