Has anyone started a forum for Chemo in Dec 2008?

Bobbi - Have fun in NYC!  I have always wanted to go there!  Did you get to see a show? 

Firni & Bold - I hope you both find some relief from the swelling.  I don't know how ya'll are doing it now that it is starting to warm up!

OK Texas, I think I can say you have had enough with SE's and Doctors!  You will have to tell me who your doctor are so I'll stay away! Hee Hee!  You have earned the right to VENT!

Texas, having another doc order the pre-op tests doesn't even make sense.  Good for you for holding your ground.  Waiting two weeks to tell you what you need done pre-op doesn't make sense either.  I sure hope this guy's surgical skills are better than the way his office is run. 

Firni - what excuse did they give, if any?  that does sound insane, so terrible you're having to deal with this as well as everything else...

Texas - wow, more insanity, guess I expect it more from ins companies than dr's offices tho

Caroline - don't mean to offend, but yes, it does seem funny about your hair after all you've been thru, but maybe it's just a reaction to something you can change...I did need the laugh, thanks!  have you talked to the salon yet and if so what did they say?  like you said, the hair is so short it doesn't matter that much if you "hurt" it       hope you get something you like

Lisa - you look so good!  enjoy the short summer, wish we here in the South could split some of ours with you!

blessings and prayers for all...

I did not see my onc about my swollen foot.   Onc is gone now for a week for something personal.  His PA called me and said to elevate, ice, keep blood circulating and wear compression hose until I see Onc on 6-25.  I'm not thrilled with that answer but maybe I'm looking for answers that aren't there.  Bold, I did not injure my foot at all so I don't think there is a soft tissue damage.

Texas, the surgical center bill is $21,000.00.  Definitely not my co-pay or deductible.  The PS fee was $1900.00.  I've met my deductible for the year with just one chemo in Jan.  My highest co-pay doesn't come close to that.  So, ya, they're just being difficult.  I'm sure you're keeping that radiated TE breast conditioned.  Hopefully that skin will soften up again.  Are you done with rads?  So hard to keep track of everyone's tx schedules.

Firni that is just insane!!!!!!!!!!!  Keep fighting!

 I just got back from my first follow-up since ending chemo!  They did the tumor marker test...they look for a score over 38 and I was a 21!!!!!!!!!

 Done for another three months!

Make it a great day!

I am so sorry you guys are having such problems with your insurance companies.  That turely sucks!  I think if it were happening to me it would send me over the edge.  My insurance  company has been so good to me.

Fantastic Lisa! 

Elaine, my onc doesn't do any blood work, tumor marker tests, exams or scans.  He said my appts. would be like social calls I pay for.  I have my first appt. after chemo on 6/25.  Quite frankly, if he isn't going to do anything, I don't see any reason to go see him every three months.  I'll have to see what really does happen during these appts.  I have a bunch of questions for him this time too.

Lisa, I'm glad your marker test went well.  I think it would be reassuring to have numbers. 

Bold, I agree.  He told me he feels all those cancer tests give too many false positives or don't pick up a cancer.  We had a local meteorologist who had BC.  She had all the tests and scans done and her recurrence was missed and she died anyway.  He loves to tell that story.  As far as cbc's, vitamin and mineral levels, I guess that's general medicine and that isn't what he does.  Like I said, if nothing really happens at this first appt, I won't go back to him every three months.  I've never been in the habit of paying for social calls.   I'll see my PCP, who by the way is running a bunch of blood work including D, B12 and folate.  I didn't have to ask him.  He asked me if my onc had ordered those.  He's been my doc for 15 years and it just broke his heart to have to tell me I had cancer.  He's a wonderful doctor.  I'll see my gyn regularly too to make sure every thing in that department is ok and have her order an MRI every year to make sure there is no cancer on my chest wall or in my nodes.  Then if either of those drs. find a problem, I'll see an onc.  Maybe not the one I've had.  I've had other issues with onc too, but really not bad enough to change in the middle of tx.   Hopefully, I'll get a job soon and my insurance may change and he might not even be in that network.  

Lisa, please be aware the tumor markers are not always reliable and it is not so much the value ( that counts,too ) but the variation of the value. It should stay at the same level and not fluctuate even if they are "normal" levels. Here are mine :

In March 08 when I found the lump CEA was 1.2 and CA 27.29 was 5.53.Back then my doctor told me not to worry is a cyst. It was bc.

In Sept CEA was 1.59 and CA was 27.29 was 14.03 - before surgery.

After surgery, before chemo Nov 08 CEA was 1.3 CA 27.29 was 11.47 .

March 20, 09 mid chemo (just started 12 Taxol) CEA was 0.7 and CA 27.29 was 10.

May 15, CEA 0.9 and CA 27.29 was 10.

I will have the next one done in July.

Texas -- I am truly happy to be getting to the end of treatment and I don't spend much time worrying about a possible recurrence.  Recurrence is always a possibility, but so are many other things so why let this one get the best of us!  My problem is that I'm a "stuffer" and now all the emotions that have been hidden (even from me!) since last September are trying to get out and I'm fighting to keep them down.  Hopefully I can find a positive way to decompress.  --bonnie

I do not have any appointments next week!  No doctors, no therapy, nothing.  I haven't had a week like that since the last week in March.  

Yes simvog I'm aware of that.  I know they are not very accurate or reliable.  But the main thing is I believe I'm cancer free and that is the most important thing!

My reg. doctor told me that most women feel a sense of loss and fear when their treatments end.  It takes awhile to get used to being "normal" and healthy after such intense long term treatment for such a scary disease.  Most of us spent a good 6 months down with BC and that's long enough to become totally immersed in our BC and our fight.  "Recurrence" still is running around in my head but not as much as it was even a month ago. I feel better every day and can do most of the things I used to do and I really believe that I'll be able to move beyond this and not worry about it... too much.  I imagine it will cross my mind from time to time.

Bold, I like what you said about a complete cure, "live it, breath it, believe it".  

Thanks for the push back up Bold. You're right of course: I can't focus on the negative possibilities. I think as I start to feel like my old self again, that hopefully I'll be able to push the bad thoughts out of my head.

I met with my medical oncologist yesterday. He'd been pushing AIs so hard that I was ready for a fight. But it turns out he's more than willing to work with me on the next step. I'm getting a bone density test before we decide whether I should start with Tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor.

Hair update: I have a few very faint eyebrow hairs! Hooray! My head hair still looks like fuzz but I'm already looking around for the best stylist I can find. I want my first hair cut to be REALLY good.