Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Melclarity

Jclc - Like I posted the other day to Ayr, Ive been on Arimidex for a month and I too am suffering joint pain, My MO told me it is a major side effect worst luck. I walk funny too!!! not like I used to its weird!!! My worst affected is my lower back, but he said if you were predisposed to a bad joint before taking it, it will target that joint for some reason.

Molly50

Melclarity, that bad joint statement is so true. My right knee has been a problem for a couple years and with anastrozole both knees are so stiff.

MLP3

moondust- there's nothing like a great hike in nature to ground you on things. With an oncotype of 26, I'm glad to hear that you are choosing chemo.

Jill- cheer up buddy!! Maybe bundle up and sit outside and get some fresh air...? I can totally relate to not being able to turn to your go-to's when you get sick. It's killing me not to get a fresh pressed juice at my favorite vegan spot. I did buy some organic, pasteurized pure juices and mixed up and immunity boosting cocktail of orange, Apple, lemon and carrot. KW Knudsen juices. Wasn't the same as fresh juiced, but it did the trick;

Melclarity

MLP - I agree with your friend!!!! when I saw your 2 pics, I think I commented..your eyes said it all....was an incredibly powerful photo!!! I think I said of the intense vulnerability, it moved me too...because I could see myself when I did it.

LTF - It is a gorgeous photo, you both look gorgeous!!! Ummm, I actually dont think that waiter even actually looked at you, almost like he was half focused, busy sort of thing did a quick assumption. Because...clearly...if he had of stopped and looked at you, there is no way in HELL you remotely look old enough to be his mother WTF??!!! Yes he's youthful BUT ummm so are you!! Some people are just idiots!

Also, remember you are immune compromised, not the first week of infusion but the following 2 weeks. As long as you dont have fever its ok. Its actually Taxol my MO said you have a permanent stuffy nose with, he was right I did. So sounds like a cold yes as everyone in your house has it, just keep being careful, and unfortunately the chemo runs you down, again and compromises your immune system, all goes together. Keep taking care.

Melclarity

Molly - YES so glad it makes sense, I walk like an old lady!! LOL sometimes, feel like im 80, so exercising is really hard. Absolutely is Arimidex, I see my MO in a month and will talk about it then. I get you too, youre wondering why no chemo? I think as it was Grade 2? if was Grade 3 you would have. Obviously a combination of things too, though you had some nodes positive? They take into account alot of things. x

LovesToFly

thanks all! Yes I know my immunity is probably a little bit down. I have had a bit of a stuffy and runny nose throughout chemo, but it is definitely worse now and I also have a stuffy head. Before the runny nose was an annoyance, but it didn't really make me feel sick! I've been taking my temperature like crazy, no fever!

It's really beautiful out today, so I'm going for a walk right now but keeping it gentle. I really want to start feeling better, I got nine days until my next infusion and I want to spend themfeeling good!

LovesToFly

oh, and I don't usually wear big earrings because I am a big necklace girl! I prefer to wear simple earrings because I don't like wearing big necklace and earrings at the same time. But maybe I need to switch it around. I've certainly got a lot of very nice bigger earrings

Molly50

It's not necessarily the chemo but just this constant thought in the back of my mind that something was overlooked. It's probably just because of the way everything went. I love my BS but my case wasn't handled very well due to everyone assuming my mammogram and ultrasound shows the whole picture. I worry too because of the LVI. But what is good is the low oncotype.

ChiSandy

So sorry about your friend, 614. I constantly worry about if or when I go Stage IV and would need Ibrance--It costs $9K/mo. but for those not yet on Medicare, the mfr. has wonderful payment assistance for it. Unfortunately, that co-pay assistance (for all drugs) is unavailable to those on Medicare Part D (except for those whose incomes are so low as to qualify for special Federal premium/co-pay assistance in general). My Part D plan (Humana Enhanced) lists Ibrance as a “specialty drug,” subject to a 33% co-pay until the annual “donut hole” is reached, 100% out-of-pocket until the donut hole is “filled,” and then back to 33% again. In other words, I’d be out >$36,000/yr for that drug alone. Most Part D plans price it the same way.

There is a special place in Hell for stingy insurance companies.

PontiacPeggy

HH, I think I will take a small urn with some of DH's ashes. The rest will be spread (surreptitiously) at a state park he liked to fish in May at his memorial service. Thank heavens I didn't have time to get the house messy because my realtor came over this afternoon and took a zillion photos and my listing will be up tomorrow! Now to get it sold.

I have been looking at houses. Have one that I am so in lust for because the kitchen is nearly orgasmic it is soo damn beautiful. Who cares about the rest of the house? Have to see if anything comes of it. It is in my price range, smaller than what I have now but larger than I thought I wanted. I love house hunting online so have been doing it for years (when I win the lottery...what will I buy? - that kind of shopping).

I am taking things with me that spark joy and I have many memories to cherish so it will be a mixed bag of emotions. I also will be leaving my brother and my best friend. Two very hard things to do. But I can't wait to be near #2 son!

Thank you all for your support. I've really needed it.

614, that's awful about your friend. I'm sending positive, healing thoughts her way.

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

Moondust, I am also luminal B. ER 60%, PR <1%. Oncotype 23. I researched the heck out of my stats and came to the conclusion that chemo would be my treatment even before I saw my MO.

Peggy, I think it would be a great idea to take at least some of your DHs ashes when you move. Moving is a very stresfull life-change. I think you might get great comfort from knowing he's "there" with you.

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, I will definitely take some of Chuck's ashes with me. I've found some nice looking, small urns on Amazon and will get one. It will be comforting to know he is moving with me.

HUGS!

614

Dear Moondust:  I am very happy about your decision with the stats that you have.  Good luck.

Dear ChiSandy:  I did not realize how expensive Ibrance is.  So many people will forego tx due to the hefty price tag.  That is criminal on the part of the insurance companies. 

Dear Molly:  I hope that nothing was overlooked with you.  I can understand the worry.  The fear of a recurrence is always lurking.  It is terrifying.  You have genetic mutations and the LVI which is so scary and daunting.  I wish you the best.

Dear Melclarity, JCLC, and Ayr:  I hope that your ached and pains go away.  There are options other than arimidex/anastrazole.  I know what you mean when you say that you "walk funny".  There are times when I walk like I am 80 years old.  I cannot walk correctly and I limp.  Then, it goes away and I am fine.  Most of the time, I am fine.  It is weird.

Dear LTF:  I hope that you feel better.  It is hard to be well when your immune system is compromised and everyone in your household is sick.  Enjoy your walk.  You look beautiful and very young.  That waiter was a complete idiot.

Thanks to everyone for the positive wishes for my son and for my friend.

spideroo

Hello all.  I've been reading several threads and like how active and positive you all are, so hope I can park myself here.

I had a lumpectomy last month and it all went well, but don't have a treatment plan yet, although I am getting a lot of attention with bone scan, blood tests and heart tests.

I met with my M.O. fully expecting radiation and hormone therapy, but since, in Canada, we have universal health, and since I have one positive node, and since I am 76 years old, I really didn't expect to have an Oncotype DX.  BUT evidently the good Genomic people in California are doing a trial and have offered a few  spots FREE.   So I took advantage, but will wait three weeks for results.

If the numbers are high, I will be faced with the decision about whether to do chemo. A dilemma!!   I just feel so darned good. Full of energy, still working from home.   Would I want to make myself sick?  Praline, I have been stalking you a little bit, and am so encouraged that you are doing well.

I can't really contribute much yet, so I'll just sit here and be quiet until I know more.

Wishing everyone the best.  Miki.

PontiacPeggy

Spideroo, Welcome! Nice to have another 70+ yr old here! You are definitely in the right place to park yourself. Where in Canada are you? It is hard to figure out if chemo might be beneficial if your Oncotype comes back high. Nothing is easy about BC. And one size sure doesn't fit all or even very many at times. I suggest that you do a lot of reading (especially Dr Susan Love's Breast Book 2015 edition), list all your questions, have your MO give you the pros and cons of each treatment path. But do write down your questions as you think of them - it's hard to remember them even the next day (I know this for certain!). So glad you are doing well from your surgery. That's a big plus. That you are active and still working is also good. Some people are old at 50 and others still young at 90. Looks like you fall into the latter category of still being young. Ask your questions and we'll try to answer them.

HUGS!

Molly50

Welcome spideroo!

LovesToFly

welcome spideroo!!

Phew! I spoke to the union president tonight, it was much better than I expected. She thinks I should take the time off, I think she's just one of those people who seems to think that if someone is going to some kind of illness they are better off not working and taking care of themselves. However when I made it clear to her that that was not what I wanted, but I didn't feel it was in my best interest, and that I really wanted to work she did not argue with me.

She explained to me that the reason she said what she did is the kind of accommodations because not having a caseload isn't really an accommodations to my current position, it is a different position which is an entirely different kind of accommodation. So if I want to return to my position, I cannot be asking for no caseload. That said, if human resources and my branch manager want me to do that, they can certainly suggest it and it may well end up being what I'm doing. She just didn't want to me to get in a position where I specifically said no caseload, and then somehow it backfired on me and I was not able to return to my position at all, with any accommodations. In that situation they would have to look for a different position for me elsewhere if I did not want to go on a leave, which could take a long time and then I would be forced to be off work until it sorted out. When I told her about the conversations I have had with Ruth and Joanne she was pretty confident that I will get what I am hoping for. We did also talk about what would be appropriate for me if I was forced to take a caseload (it's not that I'm entirely against a caseload, if it is a reduced caseload with the understanding that if things that would require overtime, excessive driving, etc. came up then someone else would have to take over then I would be fine with that. I just don't particularly think it's what's best for me, or the kids that would be on my caseload). She was able to give me some insight into how I should try to direct my doctor to fill out the forms, so that I am encouraging the kind of position I want which is without a caseload, but also not shutting down any doors.

I'm so relieved! It just goes to show you that texting is not always the same as talking, because even though I was correct that she's not particularly supportive of me continuing to work, she wasn't argumentative or pushy about it at all and my thinking about her opinion of the accommodations I was looking at was pretty much wrong. She totally thought what I wanted to do was appropriate, she just wanted to make sure that I was going about getting it in the right way.

PontiacPeggy

LTF, sounds like you feel a lot better on the job-front. That's wonderful! Now take a deep breath and relax!

HUGS!

HappyHammer

Welcome Spideroo!

HappyHammer

Yay- LTFly- so happy you talked with her and you have a plan in place....must be such a load off of you....hmmm. now you may want to put that great outfit and wig back on (or, no wig) and go to dinner with that cute DH of yours again....just sayin'.

Moondust

Hi Spideroo! Good luck with your Oncotype score! I know it's hard to wait, and to make a decision. I made one decision (no chemo) and now have changed my mind. I felt the same way as you - I'm very healthy now, why would I want to get sick? But as I read more and thought about it, my outlook changed. Hopefully it will be a clear-cut decision for you.

LTF, it's good to be able to feel better about the job situation. I like HH's idea to celebrate with your young-looking hubbie!

Melclarity

LTF - Oh thats great news about sorting things out, sounds exactly as I said about the Union Rep...just putting you first.

Melclarity

Moondust - I hear you!!!! Both times I was diagnosed with BC I WAS NOT sick at all, so the journey has been difficult with all the treatments when I wasnt sick. Am sure so many of you can relate to this...

MLP3

welcome spideroo! Good luck with the oncotype. You may get lucky and dodge the chemo bullet. But stage 2, grade 2 and positive node may lean towards it. People see me and don't believe I have cancer because I don't look sick. Even during my treatment. Nobody wants to make themselves sick with chemo, but sometimes it's the only choice, or the better choice. I look at it as a cancer killer and I'll come out strong and healthy on the other side;)

LTF- That's such great news about the union rep!! That stress has probably been contributing to your cold and feeling down. I echo HH... Go out and celebrate girl!

Peggy- "Peggy and Chuck"... So adorable. And how sweet to spread his ashes on his favorite fishing spot. You're leaving a part of both of you behind where you had a life together and bringing a part of Chuck with you to always cherish. The house with the great kitchen sounds wonderful! Don't we all spend most of our time in our kitchens?

PontiacPeggy

MLP3, I just have to convince my kids etc that the house with the great kitchen isn't too big. 1844 sq ft. Smaller than I have now. We'll see what happens. My house is now officially for sale. And horror of horrors! I have to keep it CLEAN! That will be a challenge since I really find there are so many other things to do than clean Thanks for the very sweet words. Have a feel good week!

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

Hurray! I realized today that my pants look like clown pants. I've lost 22-lbs since Nov. Off to buy some new clothes!

MLP3

Nice job poodles! What diet are you following

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, THAT IS FANTASTIC!!!! Way to go. Nice when your hard work pays off!!

HUGS!

Peachy2

Peggy, how great that you are now in FOR SALE mode with your house!

Poodles, nothing better than a pair of pants telling you that you've lost weight.

I was away for a week, and goodness all the posts I have missed! We were in Florida for school vacation week and made a side trip to Universal Studios. For my son, this was the official "Mom doesn't have cancer anymore" trip. In the past eight months so many plans were scrubbed because of me and my treatment. The U2 concert that was two days after my second surgery, and our annual holiday trip to Louisiana. This was our time to put it all behind us, although I had to skip the roller coasters because I didn't want my wig to fly off. I thought of the FitBit girls - my husband's phone showed 17,000 steps a day.

PontiacPeggy

Peachy2, what a wonderful trip you had! So glad it went without a hitch. Bet it was fun!

Everything became very final when I discovered my realtor had put that FOR SALE sign in the yard this morning. I am really going to sell my house!

HUGS!