Surprise! You have cancer!

sueopp
sueopp Member Posts: 1,541
edited July 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Well for heaven's sake, I knew THAT. So in this weird cha-cha that we do (one step forward, one step back, one step forward), it's OK to report on the back steps as well as the forwards, yes?

Twelve months ago my scans showed nothing at all, perhaps a bit of scar tissue in my lungs where previously there had been literally a constellation of tumors, lesions, etc. Officially they called it "No metabolic activity" - we would probably call it as close to NED as I was ever going to get. Fast forward to one year later (last Monday) and they found two wee little boogers in my lungs.

On the forward end, here is what the oncologist said: "The changes are marginal and are not significant", "There is no reason for concern", "No need for any additions or changes to your treatment", "I don't want you to worry about this", "We will check again in six months to see what's happening, if anything". Thank you, doc.

On the back end, NED you jerk, you tried to trick me. I swear, you creep, you are worse than my ex-husband! Forget this (I am mad). Dr.Op and I are going to the beach for a week. Love to all, SUE



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  • Tina2
    Tina2 Member Posts: 2,943
    edited June 2016

    Sue,

    !#%*!

    Forget fickle NED and enjoy the beach with wonderful Dr. Opp. Wear a hat, slather on the sunscreen and apply lavish spritzes of bug spray. Eat seafood and french fries and ice cream. Let the sound of the sea soothe you. Lose yourself some great reading material. And have some wine!

    Tina

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  • Kandy
    Kandy Member Posts: 1,461
    edited June 2016

    I second Tina's suggestion. Maybe 2 glasses of wine. Enjoy the beach.

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  • Shutterbug73
    Shutterbug73 Member Posts: 791
    edited June 2016

    Well crap.

    Don't you hate that "Oh, we found this but don't worry about it...yet" thing that doctors do? My husband is great about that, me...not so much.

    Enjoy the beach and the company of your DH. Hopefully in 6 months this will turn out to be nothing. Keeping my fingers crossed for you. <3

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  • 50sgirl
    50sgirl Member Posts: 2,527
    edited June 2016

    Hi Sue,

    I am sorry to say that I have never met NED, but if he comes my way, I will give him a good scolding for you and tell him to get back to you. What a jerk, indeed! And those little boogers in your lungs? How dare they show up! Here's hoping that they disappear as quickly as they came. Enjoy the beach. It sounds wonderful.

    Lynne

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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited June 2016

    This was me a year ago. That damn NED up and left without even leaving me some flowers. All I got was some uptake and new tumors. Scum, I tell you! [Well, unless he hangs around again.]

    Have a great time at the beach! Enjoy enjoy enjoy.

    *susan*

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  • DivineMrsM
    DivineMrsM Member Posts: 9,620
    edited June 2016

    sueopp, it seems that a trip to the beach is the best medicine right now. Will you be going someplace close to home? I hope you are able to put the bc matter out of your thoughts as allow yourself to be immersed in the sand, sun and sea. It's a very healing and rejuvenating environment

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited June 2016

    image

    Sue, my thoughts exactly. Nothing better than the smells, sights & air at the beach. I have been looking for this NED fellow. So far he is avoiding me like the plague. When I get my Cancer slowed downed, and gain some energy, I am headed to the beach. It feeds my soul like no other. I would love to be there with you, observing Mother Nature at its best, & maybe a margarita.

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  • MarshaMay
    MarshaMay Member Posts: 95
    edited June 2016

    Dear Sue, Can't believe someone else is wearing my shoes. I've been essentially NED since Oct. 2013 and my latest CT shows a bunch of sneaky little nodules in my lungs. I refuse to panic but I'm p---send. My husband and I are headed to the beach also, the 20th year for two weeks with the kids and grandkids. This year we'll also celebrate his 75th birthday. I do mean celebrate. I refuse to let some junk in my lungs ruin my vacation. I've even ordered a special beach rollator (collateral damage from my brain tumor affects my gait and balance so I use a walker). Good luck and happy beach to us both.

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  • Kandy
    Kandy Member Posts: 1,461
    edited June 2016

    MarshaMay, I am so jealous. Two weeks at the beach with the kids and grandkids, awesome. That is awesome that you have done that for 20 years. I hope you totally enjoy e moment and have a great party. Definitely something to celebrate about. Wishing you the best.

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  • sueopp
    sueopp Member Posts: 1,541
    edited June 2016

    Thank you my dear sisters for helping. Taking your excellent advice, soaking up the sun and forgetting about it - love to all! SUEimage

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  • sueopp
    sueopp Member Posts: 1,541
    edited June 2016

    Many thanks, my dear sisters. Taking your excellent advice - soaking up the sun, eating jerk chicken and ice cream, had a glass of wine at lunch (!) and feeling like I can handle it again. The beach is indeed restorative, as are each of you. Love to all, SUE

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  • stagefree
    stagefree Member Posts: 2,780
    edited July 2016

    Dear Sue, just saw this thread.. The doc heard a couple of Turkish swearing.. He most orobably never will understand!

    I'm glad you and your wonderful husband had a great time. We still talk about that night we met with you.. So glad we could make it! Please say hi to him.

    This crappy business helped me find such wonderful friends like you.. Bu it's still crap. Soon it should end. And we should all enjoy the cure!

    Hugs & love

    Ebru

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  • car2tenn
    car2tenn Member Posts: 515
    edited July 2016

    I don't want you to worry about this.Oh really? The doctor sounds like mine...Sorry I worry about it all because it is my life. I was "no metabolic activity May 3rd" and I want to stay in this position so I went last week for a second opinion to an oncologist in another state. Bingo she said I should change what I am doing. I am on H-E-RCEPTIN iv ( I have to spell it in caps because of spell correct changes it to perception) and this doctor thinks I need to be on Tamoxifen. So I went to the new 2nd opinion doc and now have to find out if I am going that way or if my doctor is going to change her plan. It is always something with stage 4. CDS

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  • artistatheart
    artistatheart Member Posts: 2,176
    edited July 2016

    I have lived in the mountains for 30 years. This week my Dh and I are visiting our girls in Santa Barbara, a glorious beautiful town. We are seriously contemplating a move to the ocean now as it is so soothing and restorative. Just trying to figure out how to afford it.......

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited July 2016

    I think NED may be cheating on me but I don't know for sure. Why should I be so surprised? We know he is fickle. My last two PET-CTs are inconclusive. But I was going to be different! I would be in the 4%. Together forever with NED. Well. We'll see.

    Carolyn, do you mean possibly adding tamoxifen and continuing herceptin?

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