TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Mommato3

Rozem, hang in there!  I think the job market (here anyways) is still a little tough.  I've seen many employers go for the younger college grads so they can pay them much less!  I quit my full time job when my twins were born in 2006.  I have worked part time the last three years at my kiddos school.  Not this year of course due to the move and treatment.  I'm worried I won't be able to find something next year.  I'll keep my fingers crossed for the stars to align for you and Lago!!  

ang7894

Hi, all I had my yearly mammogram done this morning and I have to say I did much better then last year.  Last year I was crying and could not stop but this year I shed just a few and moved on.  Glad it's done.   

Hope all is well with everyone.

rozem

thanks so much ladies!  Lago i believe you landed a full time gig right?   Well at least im getting closer and made it to the last 2. Its soul sucking this job search! Talk about a hit to your ego.  I was on this panel interview and they were grilling me and i just wanted to give them the bird LOL. I will keep chugging along!!!!!

lago

Rozem I landed a temp position that was supposed to go perm but it was awful. I stuck it out for as long as I could for the cash but I knew about 3 weeks in that it might not last when the boss just yelled at me for something small, in front of everyone! It wasn't something I really would have know either. She ended up apologizing for being so unprofessional… but then her behavior of professionalism and abuse continued. I was so stressed out every day that I couldn't even function. The stress at the end started on Sunday because I knew I would have to go back to that abuse.

BTW I did speak the person who was in the position before me the day after I was cut lose. She quit due to the same craziness. She said they go through lots of freelancers in the last 2 years. I was the 2nd person in this position. I have a feeling its going to take some time to find a clairvoyant whipping boy/girl to fill it.

I don't usually vent about work stuff online but in this case I don't care. Never, ever have I been treated in such an unproffesional manner in my life!

rozem

lago i know this is cliche but things happen for a reason and stress isnt our friend for a lot of reasons, so in the scheme of things you are way better off. I know how disheartening a work search is but we've been through the ringer and we are strong women and we will get through this hurdle too. Hang in sister! 

Had my FG today and exchanged my implant on the lat side w a smaller implant bc i always felt a pinching sensation there. Feeling ok other than my tummy looks like i went 6 rounds with Tyson! 

geewhiz

Wow Rozem...you are doing great to be on the boards chatting so soon after grafting!! Congrats! Its all downhill from here...easy sailing.

And Lago ...that sucks. But the good thing is that you know this persons behavior had nothing to do with you. You deserve better and you know it. When one door closes another opens somewhere, always.

lago

I'm not upset…  I'm relieved. I had already called my other recruiter to look for something. I know I was getting close to calling it quits myself.

Rozem, just wait. FG makes you look like you got beat in and out of a gang all in the same day. You will continue to get a bit more colorful. You sound good though.

rozem

omg lago worse than this ?  it is so bruised, black blue and red and swollen.  I look like I have a bigger belly than going in.  I was hoping for a flat 6 pack (well not really but at least flatter!)

geewhiz - last perc at 5 and I feel ok.  I slept for a few hours now im up again!  I am actually surprised I feel this good.  Im usually the problem patient as my PS always says.  Maybe this is the start of an easier road all around

Pstolli

Hello.  Forgive me if I have misposted this message, I am new here!  I hope I chose the right place to ask this.

My  mother is triple positive and had a mastectomy 1 1/2 weeks ago.  We just found out that she is also grade 3.  I am guessing she will be given Herceptin, but we don't see the Oncologist for a few weeks.  Anyone want to guess or comment about the types of treatment she might have and how difficult this will be for her?  She is 80 years old, but she is tough!  She broke her hip before the mastectomy and healed well from that.  She has done well since the mastectomy, too.  I live out of town and have to make arrangements in order to be with her, but I want to help her when she needs me.  So I am trying to guess ahead what might be in store.  Also, I am wondering how soon after surgery is Herpetic usually started?  What about other treatments?  I am concerned because she does not even see the Oncologist for  a few weeks.  Thank you!

Bren58

Pstolli, my 80 year old mom who lives in a different state just went through chemo and surgery for uterine and colon cancer. Although I don't want to guess what the oncologist might say, I would suggest going to the appointment with her if you can. You might also want to go to the first chemo with her if possible. I know this can be a challenge. I live outside Philly and my mom lives outside of St Louis, so every trip requires a plane ride and hotel stay. But having someone there with her at that first appointment will be very helpful. She probably won't remember everything that the doctor says (I don't think any of us did), and if you are there to hear it too, then you won't have to rely on her relaying the info to you. You and your mom might also want to come up with a list of questions before the appointment so you make sure all of your concerns are addressed.

linda505

Hi Pstolli - welcome to the forum.   It will be up to your mom with advice from the oncologist what treatment she will undergo.  I went through treatment with a 76 year old women and she got chemo and herceptin - same regime as me and did fine with it - I should say as good as expected doing chemo.  She started off in very good health - but had her husband take her to every treatment and take care of her.   Does your mom live alone?  I think it would be hard to go through chemo alone cause there may be days that she will be incapacitated.    Herceptin is initially given with chemo normally, then usually continues after chemo to make a year of treatment - if her tumor was small then she may be offered taxol and herceptin as her regime initially.  My chemo started a little over a month after surgery and it was delayed a bit due to a healing issue.  Can you try to get an earlier appt with the oncologist just to relieve your and her concerns and stress?  It may be worth the call to ask - although I don't think it will have any bearing on the treatment or the success of the treatment - but knowing what the plan is sure helps on the emotional and mental end of this. 

lago

Pstolli When someone is HER2+ it is very common for their tumor to be grade 3 although some are grade 2. I am sure her age and health considerations will factor in regarding what treatments. There are several regiments. You can look our details below each of our posts to see the treatments we had. Typically though triple positives get some kind of chemo (can be combo) with Herceptin. Herceptin is usually given for a year as long as the  heart remains healthy. Some of us here did less than the 17 or 18 treatments due to heart issues… that's not common but there are a few who had to stop and were young, in great health with no heart issues to start. I saw my oncologist 2 weeks after surgery. Typically they want to start chemo withing 3-6 weeks after surgery so get ready for it to move fast. If the appointment is still a few more weeks out I would call. Chances are your mother will need a port if she's doing all this chemo and Herceptin… matter a fact I would demand it. Chemo and herceptin is tough on veins and when your older your veins are not as good.

rozem it will get better but sometimes it gets worse first. You're just swollen now. I would swell like a balloon after each surgery. I now retain fluid since my BMX. Filling me up with saline is not a good thing for me and that's what they do to us in surgery.

SpecialK

lago - how are you feeling post-Prolia?

lago

Yesterday I had some back and shoulder pain. Not bad but I took an Aleve and it was gone. I didn't want to wait too long because I don't like taking these drugs too close to bed time. I have a little touch of discomfort today but not ready to take an Aleve. So as far as I can tell I'm doing just fine.

SpecialK

Very good!  Hope you continue to have minimal problems and that it does its thing and your density comes up.  I believe I had four injections before they checked with a scan, but I was so surprised by how good things were.

Pbrain

Rozem, I'm rooting for you.  I remember how tough it was for you to recover from the mastectomy.  I think you've been through enough pain and will be just fine.  Your doctor is probably just being cautious taking you off of tamox before surgery because in rare cases it can cause blood clots.  Surgery can increase that risk (don't I sound like an FDA-sanctioned drug commercial?  Tee hee).

Lumpectomy ladies, I have a question.  My BS told me she took a lot of tissue out of my breast and that I would probably struggle with pain in that area here and there for the rest of my life.  All good, I can live with it.  But I really can't figure out how to do self-exams in that area.  It's like one big scar.  I'm 2 years out from surgery in 7 days and the area is now sore to the touch, but no redness or heat.  The scar tissue feels more like a lump than like a bunch of fibrous areas.  Think I should worry?  I don't have pain in the area like I did for months after radiation.  I see my BS in January...should I move it up?  I could also just make an appointment to see my NP at the Cancer Center.  I'm not too concerned, just wanted to know if others have dealt with this so long after surgery?

lago

Pbrain you know the answer to that.

Pain and or blood is not normal. Call your BS. It may be the nerves being assholes but this is why you pay the experts.

Moonflwr912

yes pbrain - call. I will tell you that many of us had scar tissue and US to check on bumps In my case I had a large egg size lump. Talk about scary. But mine was a fat infiltrated node. Translation: damaged node gave up the ghost and solidified. My P'S removed it during my last TE placement. But it led to an extra sx anyway when I kept draining over 120 ccs a day over 3 weeks later. 

Pstollii, I echo others when I say see if you can go to the oncologist appointment.  There are many treatments and there are choices that have to be made. But there are also alterations that can be made if needed to make any if the tx easier if it is too hard. I was in chemo with a beautiful lady who was 85 and came through it well. She lived on her own most if the time but had her DD with her for chemo and the next day. 

Lago I hope you feel good til your next prolia. 

Rozem heal well and fast. 

To all much love. 

princessrn

pbrain... Whether nervous or not it still hangs in the back of your mind. Call the NP. Get in. Examined and ultrasound. Then it can be put to rest. 

Best thoughts

ashla

PBrain

Get in and get the answer. Don't waste time with unnecessary worry because that is what we do with uncertainty .... We turn it into worry & fear.

Get thee there..

GG2

thank you, ashla! This is just what I needed. I have tried going to some classes but they are either to advance, too hard, too military or too easy (chair yoga). I'm trying (gently) at least for of these today!

Pbrain

Thanks guys.  I will call, and Lago, I know you know that I know that you are right.  I just have a tendency these days to avoid exams.  I don't know...I went through so many appointments for so long.  At least one weekly it seemed and all that radiation.  But most importantly, I found the lump in 2012, went into the mammo with no fear at all.  I drink coffee and have lumpy breasts, so even though this one felt a little different, I wasn't that concerned.

And then all hell broke loose.  I guess I just don't want the shockers again, even though I know I'm being a moron about this.

I just want some peace and quiet for a bit.

RobinLK

Pbrain, I know where you are coming from. I am still getting my herceptin, so I go weekly, and will until I am finished at the end of January. Tomorrow will be one year to the day of hearing "you have cancer." I have had 3 surgeries, 3 port clogs/studies, and today found my third lump along my surgery scar. I just found out last week that I have osteoporosis, and meet with my PCP to discuss options, which he will have to get treatment approved by my MO. I haven't had a week with less than two appointments in a year. I am tired and stressed out. My colonoscopy, mammo, bone density scan and Herceptin treatment were all last week. This week is PCP, US at Women's center, herceptin treatment and most likely an appointment with my BS. While all of these are necessary, and I do appreciate the care I receive from my team....I would like to be a little less present in Dr's offices. It has me on edge, and that is an incredible understatement. I am closer to a panic attack. I made the calls and set up the appointments, even though I am dreading it. The alternative is so kuch worse, and I don't want to be kicking myself in the ass over being dismissive and missing something. Sorry for the ramble.

Tomboy

RobinLK! Look at you! You are so pretty! You have good hair! You seem to have recovered nicely from the ravages of tx! Awful to find out about osteoporosis, i just had my second shot of prolia, i think that's the one lago does, too. I bet you feel more seasoned and tougher than you thought since a year ago... ramble all you want. I was just now being happy, cause i don't have any appointment's till the end of november, and that is the longest stretch i have gone, you will get there too..

Pbrain, my breast tissue that remains has NEVER stopped hurting. It doesn't hurt in the same place all the time, and it is full of lumps I don't recognize, and that weren't there before. It does feel like a rock in a sock where the main scar is. I am not gonna worry about any more lumps though, cause one of the nodes like moon has is under my skin on my side that i was freaked out about months ago, they are not worried about. i didn't know they could die inside of you. I am gonna ask them in january if they will take it out. it hurts, maybe because it is pressing on a nerve or something, i don't know...plus, i was just taking pictures of 'em, and it's worse than i thought. I know i have extra poundage on me since treatment, but... it's rediculous! the one is twice as big as the bad one.. i am pretty tired of 'em...

SpecialK

I am another one who gets Prolia - I have had no SE from it and it completely reversed my bone loss.  Robin you look adorable in your pic!

RobinLK

Thanks for the compliments! Hard to believe I was bald 6 months ago...

Is Prolia an infusion? Sounds like it is working for a few of you. Is it for osteopenia, osteoporosis or both? I am curious as to what my PCP is going to suggest. I am clueless and did not see this one coming. I guess I should have, but felt that bone loss would be in my future, not my present. 

SpecialK

robin - it is a sub-q injection every six months - I think mostly used for osteoporosis, but I was teetering on the brink between osteopenia and osteoporosis.  I had a hyst/ooph 13 years ago and became osteopenic, but stable, until chemo and hormonal therapy.  Six months into Femara I had lost quite a bit and was right on the edge of osteoporosis.  After the fourth injection, so about 18 months, I was normal at each measurement.  I get the injection at my MO and he is the one who ordered it.

RobinLK

That sounds promising. Will have to see what PCP and MO come up with. I was pre-menopausal, even during treatment. Not sure where it stands now. Had a hyst in '99, but kept ovaries, so makes it difficult to tell.

lago

Robin Prolia is for osteoporosis usually prescribed when the other meds [pills like Fosamax or Reclast (infusion)] don't work or can't be taken. I got refluz from Fosamax. Since I have LE in one arm and the other is at risk I won't let them do an infusion in my arm… and they won't do it in the leg. My doctor had to really fight the insurance to get me on Prolia. They had the nerve to suggest I should try going on Tamoxifen first. I know my MO would have a fit since she really doesn't like Tamoxifen (She feels the AIs are much better for me in preventing recurrence.  Also feels that osteoporosis is much easier to treat then cancer!) BTW you do look adorable.

I am 4 years and I'm still doing too many appointments and IMO too many meds. Most of this is to deal with SE of breast cancer treatment. The rest is just normal stuff (ophthalmologist, PCP). What gets me is the cost. I will meet my out of pocket cost again this year and I didn't even have a surgery. This is nuts. Will do it next year too. Just the cost of Prolia alone will more than cover that!

goutlaw

Popping in lol Been keeping myself busy or try to!!!