In shock

Moderators

Dear joanev, welcome to BCO but sorry you are here.

This is an old thread. Why don't you start your own Topic as you are more likely to get better feedback that way. There is a wealth of experience on these forums and tapping into that can be of great value. Many people here are wanting to help the newly diagnosed through the process.

We all know what a shock a Dx is, no matter how well prepared you are, the reality is a totally different reality.

Explain what your problem is in your Topic post as your Dx does not show in the first post of a Topic.

The Mods

websister

joanev

As an update, Benny is doing well, a group of us had lunch with her last week. 

It is hard when you are first diagnosed. Once a plan is in place regarding treatment it helps. Breastcancer.org is a great place to find support and others who are or have gone through the same things you are going through. Take one step at a time, don't look too far into the future and get lots of support. Wishing you all the best and please feel free to come back to this thread and read posts from our breast cancer journies, there are also pictures, including one from our lunch last week. Benny is on the far left in that picture, I am far right. I hope you are inspired. Take good care

AndreaJ50

Morwena, I just saw your photos of the Dragonboat Races this year. I was in Lethbridge then (and most of the summer).

I didn't make it down to see the races, but sure wish I had! I would have come over and chatted with you all. Maybe next year.

I did spend Canada Day in the same park though. It is really pretty there.

Morwenna

Hi Andrea,

This is my first season dragon boating. I joined a bc survivorship team,  and I'm really enjoying it!

I thought Lethbridge was a lovely venue. Very pretty and just the right size. I've been to Kelowna, which got very windy and rough on the lake, and last week was at Edmonton on the river, which was ........... different!!! Very buggy, so got badly bitten which flared up my LE a bit.

This weekend we have the Calgary Festival. I believe the breast cancer challenge race and ceremony is on the Sunday. I expect it says on the website. Be pleased to see anyone if you want to come and watch!

nihahi

Hope the weather improves for you on Sunday, Mo! I'll be en route to BC (British Columbia, not the "other" BC) that day, but will send you "energy vibes"!!!!

AndreaJ50

Hi Morwenna, I love Calgary, and really like the Stoney Creek Trail for getting around the outside of the city. 

We drove back to Maryland last week...long drive!!! 

Have fun on Sunday!!

liefie

Nihahi, are you coming my way?

websister

An update to those that have been following and asking about my left ankle injury - last week after trying again not to wear the splint and to progress in my physio exercises I started having quite severe pain in the forefoot/first toe area. I decided to go in to the PT on Friday instead of waiting for my appointment on Monday. She wanted me to go and have it seen that day and my GP couldn't accommodate so I went to a walk in clinic. The doctor was good - he asked me if I had told my oncologist about the ankle. I said no and he said that I should - that kind of surprised me but I guess it makes sense. Anyway, he ordered an ultrasound and re X-ray of the ankle and foot and some labwork. I had that all done yesterday. Meanwhile I had seen my doctor at BCSCF on Tuesday and she wanted me to have a bone scan so that was booked for today. It has been an interesting couple of days. 

At the ultrasound the tech asked me about my cancer. He took quite a bit of time and then also looked at the x-rays. He went and got the radiologist and they looked again at the lateral foot/ankle and first metatarsal area. As they were looking at something they turned to each other and said 'maybe that is why she is having pain'. When I was done the tech asked me if I had children and then said they were lucky. Then he asked me if I had a husband and when I said yes again, he said my husband was lucky. Then he told me to 'keep my spirits up'. All kind of weird.

Today, for the bone scan they injected the tracer and took a scan of the feet right away, then sent me away for two hours. When I got back they did the full bone scan, then she came back and did more images of both hips. Following that she had a discussion with the radiologist and they did SPECT imaging of the ankles and feet. She consulted again with the radiologist who wanted more images and then she sent me out to the waiting room while she talked to him. After that she came and got me again and said the radiologist needed one more set of pictures and said it was a good thing that I took the afternoon off. Once those images were done they let me go. 

I have no idea what they were seeing or what it means but it certainly wasn't the norm. Nice to be home but I am having trouble not consulting Dr. Google. I hope I find out something soon. Not going to worst case scenario but best case scenario in my mind was that I was just a wimp and that doesn't seem to be the case - I could still be proven wrong though.

adagio

websister - you sound so calm - I would be freaking out a bit not knowing what they see on those scans! Keep us posted - hopefully they will get to the root cause of your pain and that you find  relief soon. Thinking of you and sending you warm calming vibes.

websister

Thank you, Adagio - feeling those vibes

momof2doxies

Websister…sounds like you had an entire week crammed into one day. At this point, Dr. Google would only confuse things more. Let us hope that it is a slow healing bone. The blood supply to that area might be compromised and thus taking a long time to heal.  I am only saying that because that is what the dr told me when I fractured my ankle and metatarsal. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and hoping good news to follow.

I went to my MO Tuesday and got 2 more referrals. One to the ortho doc for my shoulder, and another one to the gastro doc for my 10 year overdue colonoscopy. So yuck, there is a reason I am 10 years overdue for the colonoscopy. My DD who is the PT helped interpret my shoulder MRI. I have a tear in one of the 4 tendons that support the rotator cuff. So perhaps PT will work or maybe another surgery. I will see that doc on 9/4. Meanwhile, I was given a prescription for tramadol for pain. LOL…that does nothing for the pain but makes me sick to my stomach like chemo did.

So the next 2 weeks revolve around doctor appoints, surgery, and court testimony. I will be ready to go back to Oregon by the end of September. I need a safe place away from doctors to have my 61th birthday. These last 2 years were real bummers for birthdays. 

Weekend is coming, hope all enjoy themselves.

nihahi

websister....oh boy, you DO sound calm, but I can't imagine your state of mind with all that "unusual activity" and comments. I don't have any words other than I'm sending every positive vibe/thought/energy I can muster in your direction. Hopefully, you'll get some answers quickly as to what caused all the commotion. I do know one thing for certain, we are in your pockets, big time and.....YOU are NOT a WIMP!!!!!! Hugs, girl!!!

mom....not a pleasant time for you either! Hang in there and just keep taking it one thing at a time. Pocket time for you too.

adagio....are both those weddings done now???

liefie

Websister, you are right to stay off dr. Google. As is so often said here, worrying won't change anything, and only makes you anxious. You seem so calm - just keep it that way. Who knows what they saw on those scans? It can be anything, really. Big hugs to you!

Momof2, so many appointments to get through, eh? Hopefully they will all be good. I remember how Tramadol put me on a trip every time I took them after my hysterectomy. Would sleep for hours - bliss.

adagio

momof2 - that's not good news about your shoulder!  Hopefully you will not need to have surgery! Shoulder pain is just awful and I do have a very good idea of what you are going through.  Your time on the Oregon coast must appear to have been a blissful time compared to what your life is like currently!  Wishing you relief from the pain and courage to face the anxiety of the unknown. One wedding is over and it was beautiful in spite of the bride just having had surgery 12 days prior - she was in considerable pain, but she managed to enjoy the day as best she could - everything went off without a hitch and she did look beautiful and I did survive!!!  Now the focus is on DD#2 . Keep us posted and will definitely be in your pocket!!!

scouser47

hi 😎

Web sister, love, hugs and Reiki flying over to you. You are amazing !! Dr google a definite no no 😞 I agree with the girls. Everything crossed for you that it will be something you don't have to worry about. X

Nihahi, safe journey. 😁 X

Momof, Adagio hope all gets better for you both very soon. XX

End of summer here 😢 back in fluffy PJs and fire on every day.Shouldn't grumble as for once we DID have some sun.

Busy ,busy with volunteering. Stops me thinking. Walking through Onco department to give out leaflets on hair loss was really quite moving. Flash backs time 😱.

Had annual mamo almost two weeks ago and every time a letter comes my stomach turns over.Friends say if there was anything to be concerned about they would have been in touch by now..Out with my BC buddy yesterday for coffee, she is four years out tomorrow and said she still stresses about every ache and pain, guess it never ends.

Heading towards the weekend here 😀 bank holiday so extra day off for the workers. Last week of kids school holidays so Mum's are celebrating 😁. 

Love and healing to all of you. X

Morwenna

hi Websister,

I'm sorry you are going through this with your ankle but odds are that it has nothing to do with the cancer .... or maybe only to do with how the treatment affected your bone quality? Was it mom who remarked on blood supply issues? The 5th Metatarsal for instance is notorious for delayed healing of fractures because of this!

Hopefully you'll hear soon news that it is "nothing to worry about", although it is certainly very unpleasant and disabling for you .... just "more sh*t!!!"

Mom, also sorry to hear about your shoulder ..... they are such painful joints!

AndreaJ50

Websister: hoping for  the best  possible results!!  And that you won't have long to wait for  the results!

I am going to the doctor today because  I have been having spine pain all summer. But I was out of the country until now so I couldn't see a doctor before now.

I am hoping it is herniated disks (had them in the past) and not cancer related.

nihahi

websister and andrea and mom.......in your pockets, and I'm staying there!

liefie

I'm in those pockets with Nihahi. Big hugs to all of you girls going through worrying times at the moment.

Moviemaniac

I will be climbing in there with Nihahi and Liefie ( and everybody else).  Will keep you all in my prayers, that these incidentalomas are from SE's, and nothing more......Movie ((((hugs)))) going out to all.......

XO

nihahi

seemed appropriate.......((((((X))))))

AndreaJ50

That photo cracked me up!!!

Good news for me! X-rays didn't show anything abnormal on vertebrae. Doctor gave me prednisone for inflammation to ease the pain.

However two things did stand out:

I have a kidneystone I didn't know about. (Could that be the source of the abdominal pain I have had for last 12 months??)

And I only have three clips on my Fallopian tubes from my tubaligation. (Wonder where number 4 drifted off to?!)

Relieved, to say the least...but thinking I will drag my hubby to doctor next for a vasectomy...just in case the other clips migrate. Lol! 

scouser47

hi 😎,

nihahi, love the picture too. Very apt 😀

Andrea, wow what a relief for you, so pleased that you can stop worrying. Vascetomy a definite ,failing which two bricks should do the job ( only joking ).Kidney stones are really painful I believe, no wonder you have suffered.

Almost bed time, yay. DH been out with Shedman for a pint tonight for the first time in months.Must find those ear plugs as snoring will be off the scale. 😠.

Hugs to everyone xx

websister

mom - in your pockets also - it will be good to have that all out of the way so you can really celebrate your birthday this year

Andrea - glad x-ray was good - will they do anything with kidney stone? Yes, sounds like DH is next for an appointment

Nihahi - loved the picture my hair did kind of resemble that today

Morwenna - enjoy your dragon boating this weekend, I will see if I can get there but we have to work around Babysitting P overnight Saturday, not sure when her parents will pick her up

No messages on my machine today, not sure what protocol for the walk-in clinic is but I will call them tomorrow if I don't hear anything this evening. Should have asked but assumed they would call re: results. My BCSCF doctor is away for three weeks so they set up bone scan results appt for Sept 4, I do have my annual medical booked for this coming Friday so if I haven't heard anything by then I can ask her to pull results so I don't have to wait for BCSCF appt

Agree with all that it is probably not my worst case scenario, I do want to get ankle/foot working for me sooner than later though, it has been a long summer.

Thanks for all the support, I will let you know when I know anything

Take care

liefie

(((((((((((((((Websister))))))))))))))))

Andrea, happy for you! YAYYYY!

AndreaJ50

Thank you everyone. I will sleep better tonight...well not really because the pain hasn't subsided. But at least when it keeps me awake in the wee hours I won't be thinking the worst.

Doc wants me to see a spine specialist. It's not that bad yet! If it is the Tamoxifen causing it I will just have to get used to it. Might find out more when I see my Oncologist in Sept.

Kidneystone hasn't been too bad really... It was much worse when I thought it was Liver Mets....I am seeing a pattern here!!! I miss the days when every ache and pain wasn't suspect.

Doubt I will get my DH anywhere near a scalpel. Might try the bricks after all, lol.

Take care everyone and have a peaceful night! Still smiling from that photo of the chick!!

Hugs all around!

Andrea

AndreaJ50

my daughter spoke with the doc who put my clips in (they work at same hospital).

He said as long as each tube has a clip I won't get pregnant...phew! Also they only put two in, he out an extra one in. 

So mystery is solved... I am not down one clip.. I have an extra one for good measure!! lol 

nihahi

Quick note....going off the grid for a couple days....everyone BEHAVE while I'm gone!!!!

Hugs to all....websister.....I'm sending special hugs and hopes to you.

momof2doxies

Hi Ladies,

So my reconstruction revision went fine this AM. I got there at 7:30 and was home by 9:30. Getting really use to this surgery thing 

Went to the pre colon thingy yesterday. The good thing is that, now they completely sedate you for colonoscopies. The bad thing is I have to get up at 3 am to drink the prep and get to the hospital at 6:30 AM…but that is not until October. So I have time to change my mind…LOL, not.

My friend's divorce goes to court next week and the attorney decided to have 2 experts testify, so I am off the hook for that. Now I just have the ortho doc to see about this shoulder. Maybe I will get to my 61th birthday without another diagnosis this year!

Websister…You have been in my thoughts all weekend and week. I hope no news is good news. It sure is crowded in your pockets!

Andrea…so relieved that all is good with the X-rays. However, I do not know how you have managed to entertain a kidney stone this long. I hear they are very painful.

Adagio…number 2 is getting closer. I think if I had another wedding at this point, I could get through it without a lot of the excess worry I imposed on myself with the first. It is a learning curve…seriously, we should write a book for mother of the brides on what not to do 

Edi… hope all is going well for you. I am getting ready to redo the guest bath…time to try to use some of this left over purple. I will sent photos when I finish. I told DH I was going to try to stay away from the thrift stores (for me that will be a 12 step program). All it takes is for me to find one "treasure" and I am hooked, again. Life was more relaxing in Oregon because the cottage is smaller and there is not a lot of clutter.

Movie…it is getting time for the Ducks again! I listened to a hilarious broadcast of PBS "Prairie Home Companion"  that was recorded in Eugene. DH was born in Eugene and I think some of the traits of Oregonians are truly in his personality. Hope you are doing we'll and the DD is doing well in the film industry.

We got a picture from our contractor who is continuing the work on Keiko. The guest bath has been gutted. So now I have to select tile, vanity, sink, etc. I really have no clue about those things. Hoever, anything that flushes and runs clear water will be an improvement over what was in there.

So hear is the challenge for all "In Shock"….mark your calendars for around the middle of May 2015 through the first week of August 2015. That is when we will be back in Oregon. I truly hope someone will come see me…I really want to share the cool breeze and scenery with all y'all (excuse my Southern slang).

Liefie…hope your time on the Sunshine Coast was relaxing. As a Canadian, I suppose you need to soak up the sun's energy in an effort to make it through the cold but beautiful winter.

I am so pleased that we have managed to keep this thread going. I enjoy reading each post. It is good "food for the soul" because we have such wise and inspiring members.

Love to all…have a great week,

Jenifer

websister

Hi everyone

Good news - there was a message on my machine when I got home from the receptionist at BCSCF - no bone mets!!!! I am smiling

I still don't know what is going on as I was on hold when I called the walk-in clinic yesterday re: results and finally gave up. I am still having problems with the foot/ankle but I do have my appointment with my GP on Friday and I will ask her then, also for copies of the reports. My physio was also in contact yesterday and she will ask for the reports also and I guess we will go from there re: next steps 

Thank you all for being in my pockets - it sure felt good to know you were there. 

Mom - you sound great, glad today's reconstruction went well. Colonoscopies have been a routine part of my life since I was 32 - glad to hear they are improving the process but that is awfully early to have to get up the day of!

Hope the ortho visit goes as well.

I hear you re: thrift stores - even great bargains can really add up, I also have to stay away from eBay!

Take care everyone