Sisterhood of the Secret Handshake

Rachel, I don't think tumor markers are given at diagnosis of early BC b/c the enzymes that are measured usually only elevate when the cancer is advanced or metastasized. My onc said if my enzymes came back slightly elevated, then we would retest in 3 months and if they were still elevated (after three months), then we would do scans. On the other hand, if my enzymes showed a significant increase, then we would do scans immediately.  He said it was my choice to take the tumor markers now or wait three months and I opted to just take them - if anything is going on, I would rather know than not know.

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/ca15_3/test.html
http://www.dslrf.org/mwh/content.asp?L2=2&L3=8&SID=132&CID=591&PID=0
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/blood_marker.jsp

CA-125 test, on the the other hand, is considered to be a lot more sensitive and accurate in detecting OC and other malignant and benign conditions (e.g. endometritis, a possible precursor to OC). I have a family history of OC (aunt stage 1 at 26 (one ovary removed) then stage iv at 39 (from the remaining ovary) and all the aunts had endometritis, so I am taking the CA-125 every 6 months.  

I took the CYP2D6 test last week, should be getting the results in a couple of days. I'm not having hot flashes, but I am having very mild SEs - so hopfully I'm metabolizing well. But if I'm not, then we will increase the dose, switch to something else - I'm not really worried b/c I know it can be managed. I just really want confirmation that my my cyp gene is working as it should be and  if confirmation will also give you peace of mind, then you should take the test too.

Good luck with your LL, they all suck. Play hardball, you're a reliable tenant and that gives you the upperhand.  And excellent letter to the stepsister - hopefully it will muzzle her!

Chelev, good luck with the MRI - sending prayers your way.

Yes, I did get antibiotics - generic Cipro, and started them right away.  All started Wednesday afternoon, and I felt pretty much myself again by Friday, as far as flu-like symptoms go.   But, the dang breast is still red (maybe not QUITE as much as it was) and swollen.  Post rads, it became a little shadow of its former self, so when it gets big, it's noticible.  The Onc also told me to take advil.  I was soldiering on without it at first, then - duh - realized it's for the swelling.  So, I'm taking 'em again.  I think it's getting better.  I WANT it to get better.  Nervous about where the ** it came from - no idea.  Seems like I read once it happens, it's more likely to happen again.  SFBC.

Rachel_BC:  Good guess!  In my former 'hair life' I was strawberry blond - LittleRed came from that and the little red hen story...but I do think of the song, too.

So Ladies, it seems strawberry blond is the winner - so far.  I remember you all discussing that coloring chemo hair can be difficult, so I may reach out to ask Joseph about it.  So many are so happy with his work :-)

So pbk143 and everyone can see the 'face between the ears', I will try to add a pic, but I have to figure out how - all my pics are on my computer, not a URL...it's easy to load an avatar, but into a post...? 

     On a dog training side note - did you ever see ‘The Accidental Tourist'?

I like your letter, Rachel!  Too often people take advantage of the ‘family dinner'.  Hopefully, she will ease off and that will reduce the stress for you (and probably everyone else).  (‘The Accidental Tourist' had some really good family dinner scenes, too!)

I understand how tired you can get.  I don't take Xanax, I'm a Lexapro girl myself.  But, yesterday I was still getting over my cold, so I was lying down, and talking to a friend on the phone - next thing I knew I had nodded right off. Gonzo...Bye-bye...nighty-night!  My girlfriend laughed, but I felt REALLY bad.  No, it's not the conversation - it's me.  Zzzzzzzzzz...

Oh, and by the way ...(what happens when you play country music backwards?  You get your house back, you get your wife back, you get your dawg back...)...  LOL!!  My girlfriend keeps telling me to stop listening to country music because it's too depressing - she says if I get teary I am NOT allowed to tune in.  HA!  I'll just tell her I'm playing it backwards!

Everyone helping Rachel with the notes for the cookies - you deserve a big pat on the back!  Brava!!

chelev:  Oh...you must be so upset about the no follow up.  It's got to be very stressful.  And on top of the T&A issues:  NOT FAIR!!

NOT FAIR for any of you Ladies:  Like you haven't been through enough - you have added T&A issues!  Wish I could send all of you a big vat of my mom's chicken soup!!  Instead, I will have to settle for sending you positive thoughts and prayers for relief, peace, and comfort!

J414:  Thanks for including those test links!

Be good to you -

LittleRed, wish I could give you some helpful advice on posting that pic but I'm still figuring out how to copy and paste here on this site using Firefox. Seems like you have to go and modify some files bigtime in order to do that and it appears to be unique to this site. Talk about a PITA!!

Yes, I've seen Accidental Tourist ..... a long, long time ago......!!  Wasn't Andie McDowell in that??

oh yeah -- Gina Davis!!  Andie McDowell was in "Michael."

thanks and you too!

**you may have to upload your pics to a photo hosting site, like Photobucket, and then copy/paste the html code or actual URL.

Hey Rachel,

Thanks for the Led Zep you tube.  Loved it man!  They were my favorite band, back in the day.  I went to their last concert together, at "A Day on The Green"  in the city.  Robert Plant learned that day that his son died, needless to say it wasn't their best concert.  But I can say I saw Led Zeppelin in concert...Still have the ticket. 

Crystal, it's OK to talk about poop, just ask Rachel about farting.  That was so funny!  I grew up with brother's and my brother came to my room one time, like he wanted to talk.  He let out this huge fart, really smelly one, ran out the door and held it closed, so I couldn't get out. Boy's.

OMG, you're gorgeous!! I don't think it matters what color that hair is! 

**but how could your hair possibly be coming in gray?? You look like you're about 30 MAX.

Patty......this year has been all about me me, me, me, me, me, me, me and oh yes, Moa.  I don't know about the rest of you but after the DR told me I had cancer, my mind was incapable of functioning.  A feeling I don't ever want to revisit again.  I still use his salad dressing so I figured he was still alive.  How's that for a theory? 

Rachel....family and the holidays.  Let the games begin or should I say fireworks?  FIL died two years ago leaving 4 girls and my DH.  He once played for Ohio State in the mid 50's wining the national championship at the Rose Bowl.  After the funeral one of his sisters walked away with a framed jersey.   Yes, that would be the sister that caused drama at every family function we've ever had.  The first thing I told my daughter after telling her I had cancer was to make sure dad got the jersey back if I died.  I think I may have scared the sh!t out of her. 

She has promised to return it but had "complications" after her mastectomy.  She has the BRCA 1 mutation.  She's had "complications" for the past two years now.  CAAAARMAAAAAA!!!!!  Needless to say, she is no longer welcome to family functions.  No one speaks to her at all.  We have had some of the best holidays since. 

This is still my number one, and only, item on my bucket list. 

LittlerRed......You are beautiful!!!  I like that hair color.

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20091116/US.MED.Mammogram.Advice/

Please, please read this article.  Then go to the Sign up to protest thread started by Moderator Melissa.  This is un - fricking - be lievable....     

Good morning! What the heck is going on? I have alot to catch up on....what's this about mammogram changes?? (I'll read the links, you don't have to repost). I haven't been online, the weather here has been wonderful, cool sunny days, that I'm outside all day. My husband is on the computer in the evenings...working.....he claims.

Rachel--OMG, you have got a lot on your plate. Hang in there and give 'em hell. You're a strong, independent woman. btw, since you asked, yesterday I got the oncotype: 17. Seems you and I have same dx (my tumor was 1.2cm). I don't have the paper report, was just told on the phone, so I don't know exactly what that means, except that no chemo for me---YIPPEE.

I am way behind you on treatment, so can't comment on much of what you talk about, but I'm learning alot from you (about treatment...and other more important things!).

LeggyJ--We have the same brother! My brother is still tormenting me with farts. He's 58! Johnny Depp once said something along the lines of "farts will always be funny, no matter what age you are". lol. Calistoga is a very cool town. Hey so what do the locals think about Joe Montana listing his 500 acre VACATION HOME, for $49 million? Sellsellsell!

Chelev--how ya doing? How's the rear end issue?

Hi ReneeS!

j414--to answer your question several pages back, yes Chip lives with me, and three other horses, on my small ranch. Thank you for the compliment; he is beautiful!

LittleRed--nice to meet you. You are a stunning woman, no matter with or without hair, or what hair color.

Thankfully for Thanksgiving, I will be recuperating on the couch from a second lumpectomy (surgery is two days before), so won't be subjected to any family drama. And on my husband's side, there is always drama. Don't bring up politics or religion, 'cause an arguement will always break out and someone will always walk away pissed off. Actually that happens with just about any subject, doesn't have to be a hot bed topic. All type A personalities, and no one gives an inch. This year husband and I are staying home, no visitors, he cooks. Thank gawd.

Led Zep's Black Dog is still playing in my head....

Well, LittleRed, come to think of it, a cancer diagnosis is enough to turn ANYONE's hair gray...not to mention all the treatment regimes doing a number on it. And I still think you're a knock-out!

Rach, hang in there now, things are bound to get better! You're methodically crossing things off your list, so maybe that will help.....e.g., got the cookies on their way.

Great news on the "no chemo" test result, Debbie! that must be a huge relief.

Renee, I hear ya! The diagnosis does give one tunnel vision for quite a while, but that's probably a necessity for survival.

I signed the BC screening petition yesterday and posted a comment on my Facebook page saying that women should ignore the new mammography guidelines because they are ridiculous! and yep, my cancer would have been over 2 years old before discovery if the new guidelines had been in place. And most women are not going to get the screening any more often than what insurance will pay for.....Is this the new face of healthcare in America: Sure, 3% more women will die, but the money we save will outweigh that.  Well, here's my two-cents: If too many women are undergoing needless procedures that cost money and cause anxiety, then maybe we need new screening methods! 

Little Red You are a very beautiful woman, any hair color would be fine. Blonde may be easier to maintain. Good Luck. I was lucky, I escaped chemo.

Rachel Keep up the hard work. You should have let me know about cards for our troops. I could have had my Sunday school class make some and coordinated something w/ my dd class at school. Even our Autistic kids could have made some really cool cards. PM me if you still need more.

HELLO To All!!!!!! What a fun crazy bunch of ladies we are!!!!!!!

It was probably one of those weeks when I barely posted and read everything quickly, then suffered from CRS!!!!!!!

I will have to to try to get on BCO more often!!!! I have not even been on FB! And my family thinks that I have forgotten all about them, b/c I barely go on email either!!!!