Anyone starting Chemo in August 07?

Hey, DeAnn. Here's a link that explains the thermogram well:

http://www.breastthermography.com/breast_thermography_proc.htm

The theory behind thermograms is that cellular changes produce heat, and thus cancer cells will be hotter than normal cells. But thermograms are non-specific as to finding the location of a lump, and the tissue can be hotter from an infection or something like that. So you've got to use them in conjunction with other sorts of imaging.

So I've got a section on the bad boob that is 1.1 degrees hotter than the other areas, and it directly correlates with a section where I have had a lot of pain for months. My guess would be that it has something to do with a post-radiation change in the tissue that are causing inflammation. I think it would be really unlikely that after chemo, rads and current tamoxifen that I've got more cancer brewing in there. And if I do have more cancer brewing in there, it would have to be some really bad ass cells to get through all that. So I think it's post-radiation issues. 

And Angie, I looked in the mirror this morning, and a Jonas Brother was looking back at me. Did you send him over to my house? He's sweet and all, but he can go home now.  

Indeed my DH is a beer importer. It would be pretty unusual for anybody who isn't heavily steeped in the world of Belgian beer to have ever heard of his company. Most folks can't even pronounce the names of the beers he brings in.  But, if you have any place around you that sells Belgian beers, look for Kwak, Tripel Karmeliet, Koenigshoeven, Urthel... I know there are others but I can't remember them all at the moment.  Warning. They are kind of strong! I can only drink one, and I try not to have more than two or three in a month because of the whole alcohol/cancer connection worries.

I'll have to check out those thermograms pictures!

And I'll have to figure out some way to scan in the thermogram picture and post it, b/c the red spot is really strange. It's shaped like an arrow with a curly tail. I'm not making this up--it almost looks like the tail of a cartoon devil. It's really weird.

OK, I just uploaded a copy of the thermogram pictures onto our Yahoo group. If you guys have a chance, check it out. It's freaky--sort of like I have Spawn of Satan living in my boob, which I very well may, actually.

I feel like one of those cheese sandwiches on E-bay that looks like the Virgin Mother or something. 

See, told you my boob is possessed. Which would actually explain quite a bit.

Drats. I am a bit bummed - I just figured out that it appears I had (note please the past tense) grade 3 (youch) cancer.... I don't like the sound of this. Aggressive devil (to go with Nash's definîtion).

Anyway, I am going in on Friday for - ovariectomy, nipple recon, removal of the port AND a bit of liposuction on my tummy. I'll be in touch... After that, I'll probably switch from Tamox to Arimidex or Femara... no reason not to.

Harley - happy happy happy cruising! what a perfect season to celebrate a birthday on a cruise, the Caribbeans are such a lovely area this time of the year!!! enjoy!

Thanks...

and HAPPY THANKSGIVING, girls!!!

Harley

Happy Thanksgiving my dear friends! I am thankful for all of you!

DeAnn 

Can't wait to hear about the job offer, Lilith! And how exciting about the rearrangement of body parts! Glad you're feeling pretty good.

Thanksgiving was really nice and quiet. We were supposed to travel to my SIL's, but both DH and DS were sick with viruses, so we stayed home. I had to cook on the fly, as we weren't planning on being here, but it turned out great, we have lots of nice leftovers, and I ended up getting more sleep over the weekend than I have gotten in a really long time.

Hope everyone had a good holiday.

I am sitting here waiting for Animal Control to come retrieve the wild turkey that is in my yard. No joke. I thought the kids were confused when they opened the shutters this morning and said, "Mommy, there's a turkey outside". I though perhaps it was an oversized road runner, but sure enough, there was a turkey peering in my window. Obviously seeking revenge for its relatives. Anyhow, it's now just wandering around, gobbling. Should be interesting when the Animal Control people get here. I'd keep it as a pet, but it keeps pooping everywhere.

Animal Control has arrived and has had to call for backup, as my rogue turkey is a bit feisty, it seems. I watched all this unfold while having a leftover turkey sandwich for lunch--terribly ironic. The funny thing is, there are no wild turkeys in this area. It's a mystery.

Lilith,

Congrats on the job offer and congrats on finishing up all the surgeries. I hope you are feeling OK!

DeAnn

Animal Control backup arrived on Tuesday, chased the turkey around the yard, and it ended up flying off, after having spent seven hours putzing around my back yard. Animal Control thinks that someone brought it down from the mountains with the intent of eating it for Thanksgiving, and that it made a break for it.

I said to my husband, "That turkey looked much too content in our yard--he'll be back". 

And lo, there he was today. And he brought a friend. A bigger, fatter friend. So now I have two wild turkeys in my yard. I called Animal Control back, and they started laughing so hard they could hardly speak. They said, "Maybe the other one is a hen, and you'll have lots of baby turkeys soon." Excellent, I could start a breeding farm. Go into business. 

This is all especially amusing as there are simply no turkeys in the entire county. Yet two end up in my yard.  I'm telling you, they're seeking revenge, and now the first one has brought along reinforcements.