Can't I just get a break?

Zoritsa

In June, I was diagnosed with IDC and had a lumpectomy and radiation. I started Tamoxifen in October, and figured I should get in to the gyn for a pap. I ended up having to go for an ultrasound for an enlarged uterus and fibroids. The ultrasound showed 2 fibroids, 2 ovarian cysts (one that has "something" in it), and the endometrial lining is thicker then it should be.Since there is a family history of breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer,I now have to go in to get approved for surgery, where, if all goes well (as long as it's not cancer), they will remove my ovaries and uterus. I'll be turning 44 next week, and was just hoping for a little, well, a long break from a bunch of tests and Dr. visits. Anyone else somewhat relate, or have other problems after a bc diagnosis?

voraciousreader

zor...I had issues BEFORE my BC diagnosis and it continued right into this year! No sooner had I got the all clear following numerous d & c's and shoulder surgery thrown in for extra measure, I am now dealing with a 2.1 cm thyroid nodule that needs biopsying! Whew!

I wish you well and gentle hugs!

Zoritsa

voraciousre, thank you...sorry to read that you're going through many health issues. I like your sig though...about not being on the titanic While I'm not worrying (that doesn't help any), I was just hit with all that at once and wasn't quiet expecting to hear the word cancer again so soon. I'm hoping for the best, but will deal with whatever is thrown my way. ~hugs~ to you too, and I hope everything goes well for you.

proudtospin

yeah, this aging thing sure is a pain, I got through all my BC junk, all clear after 5 + years on the AL and then WAM, messed up my back working out at the gym, FINALLY after a year of dif PT sessions and meds the back is finally almost, almost normal

but after the BC thing, we are tough! best of luck to you and stay strong

voraciousreader

zor....what I've learned from this journey is....once we are a cancer patient, we will never be treated "normally" by the medical establishment! Not sure if that is good or bad....I've just resigned myself to being followed by a parade of doctors for what I hope will be a very long time!

😇😇😇💞💞💞

Zoritsa

proudtospin, Yep, getting older is a pain,lol. Thanks!

voraciousreader, You're right, I think just because I've already been through a cancer diagnosis, my gyn is being careful, yet aggressive. Maybe a barrage of doctors isn't such a bad thing right now.

Lvbugs

zoritsa - I was diagnosed with large uterine fibroids and ovarian cyst about 7 weeks after starting Tamoxifen. I did have painful menstrual cycles prior to BC DX. Chemo put me in chemopause, but 2 months after completing chemo I had a cycle that lasted 3 weeks long and pelvic pressure ever since. Needles to say I am having a hysterectomy tomorrow. I'm hoping this is the last of the surgeries and I can finally move on

Zoritsa

Lvbugs Good luck tomorrow and I also hope you don't have to go through any more surgeries! Wishing you a quick recovery and a healthy outcome

Moderators

Lvbug, welcome! And good luck with surgery. Please do come back and let us know how it went and how are you!

Hugs,

The Mods

Dee2010

As Voraciousreader and Zoritsa said, once you're a cancer patient, they pay much more attention to everything that comes up. My onco told me that something that would be ignored on another patient would mean lots of testing for me.

Indeed, I sometimes feel like I've seen them all! I've had thyroid cancer (2006), IBC (2010), hysteretomy (uterus and ovaries removed) because of pre-cancerous cells - no mets, all primary cancers. I've had "strongly suspected" bone cancer (MRI showed degeneration but not cancer), lymphoma (not, but biopsy showed markers for pernicious anemia so I have to keep an eye out for that). So I can absolutely relate to your question "Can't I get a break?"

But we'll get through it, and be stronger for it!

catlady44

OMG I feel the same way!!  I finished radiation in Sept after having chemo and double mastectomy. I thought I'd be able to slowly rehab my brutalized body, but then I got hit with "possible colon cancer". I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy which were negative thank God. I then had 4 iron infusions and broke a rib somehow (from radiation they said) and my veins are a jacked up mess from chemo which has resulted in painful insertions and infiltrations.....I could go on and on. I cried to my therapist last Monday that I just want them (docs) to leave me alone!!  With all the appoints and needles and still physically feeling crap, it feels like I'm still in treatment! Well, without the burns, mouth sores, baldness, etc.  

Now correct me if I'm wrong ladies, but when they said there was something in one of your cysts, I think it's unlikely to be cancer. The doc who did my breast biopsy said one thing that made him think it was cancer from the start was that the tumor was solid and not filled with fluid. If it had fluid inside, it would more likely be a cyst which I believe aren't cancerous. I'm not a med professional, so I could be way off there. It's been over a year since my biopsy.

Sending much love and hugs to you! 

Dee2010

Catlady, I believe you are correct in that fluid-filled cysts are generally not cancerous (and if they cause problems, can be drained via bore needle), and cancer is found in the solid ones. That being said, my thyroid had numerous cysts and nodules, with only two being cancerous; I had inflammatory breast cancer, so no cyst, more like a "sheet of paper" the onco told me; I have large cysts on the side and back of my neck and behind my left ear, and biopsy showed they were semi-solid (whatever that means) and had indicators for pernicious anemia; and I have two nodules in my lungs and two in my thyroid bed that we're "keeping a watchful eye on" (translation - yearly CT scans, and sometimes MRI). They don't seem to be changing sizes so I am not to worry!

KJSUN

Zoritsa,

After 2 BCs in 3 years, autoimmune and other health conditions, now I am dealing with side effects from chemo! I have cardiomyopathy and am on oxygen 24/7. I am having lymphedema therapy for my right arm (17 lymph nodes removed) and now I am told by the therapist that I have truncal lymphedema, I am also having physical therapy at the same time. I see some type of medical professional at least twice a week, most weeks 3 or more. I am so tired. I sooo need a break!

PiNKiDC51

Hello all -

I am looking for anyone diagnosed with chemo-induced cardiomyopathy and came across this page (though it appears to have been inactive since May). Anyway, I have been diagnosed with this after completing 4 rounds of Adriamycin/Cytoxan (which hospitalized me twice - neutropenia) and 7 rounds of Taxol. My MO has stopped my chemo and I've been referred to a cardiologist and they've started me on a Beta Blocker. I'm told that there's no evidence of muscle damage so recovery of heart muscle is possible. It's just all a bit overwhelming and scary to have this diagnosis. So, hoping to connect with survivors that have had a positive experience getting through this situation to hear your stories -

• What was your lowest ejection fraction when diagnosed? (Mine is 20-25%)
• What types of medicines you were provided to overcome cardiomyopathy and how each helped?
• Did you have a high heart rate and what besides the beta blocker were you given to reduce the heart rate?
• How long it took before for your heart rate lowered?
• How long it took for you to notice a difference with regards to shortness of breathe and were able to begin exercising again/doing more than walk?
• How long it took you to make a recovery? Was/is your recovery a complete reversal?
• How long you have been recovered?
• And other helpful information

Please no negative stories as I'm already overwhelmed enough.

jdfly

Zoritsa, Im so right there with you.

After all that I've been through since 10/2015 6 chemo, 33 radiation, 2 surgeries, 6 months of visiting the wound

clinic, January 2017 I was finally declared done with all the above and was time to get back to living my life.

October 10,2017 I had appt with a new OB. Had pap and all. Sunday, 15th, while i was getting ready for my shower I saw

something on my breast. I had dried blood in the divet area from my incision. Back story, I had a large wound after

radiation, that took 6 months to heal. Visiting a wound clinic 3 times a week,for 6 months. Sad to say, the next morning called

my surgeon and she got me right in. YEP, it had opened up after all this time, almost 9 months. The hole is now the size of a pea.

Now back to my OB visit. The doctor called to inform me my test results showed abnormal cells and now Im going in 10/24/2017

for a cervical biopsy. I dont know what to think its all so like WHAAAAAT?!?! When do we get to have some relief

Beatmon

oh my gosh! Certainly not a wanted outcomes events! I think that you have more than your share of medical shenanigans. I hope things start to get smoother for you.

Marchz

wishing you the best with the wound reopening and hoping it’s not the ordeal that you had before. Mine is getting close to healing since June and I can’t imagine what your going through