Illinois ladies facing bc

MakMak: Just dropping in to post a bit of info about liver lesions. I had a PET last May after I finished all tx that showed a liver lesion. My onc ordered a liver bx. The radiologist could not locate a lesion. The final conclusion was I had "artifacts" (sounds like I'm the Titanic) left over from gallbladder surgery I'd had 3 mos. prior for a pre-cancerous "porcelain" gallbladder. All docs wanted to wait two months & repeat the PET & CT. I had those in July and everything back totally clean, nada, nothing to be seen. All tests/scans since have remained clean.

I tell you this not to give you false hope but rather to illustrate that sometimes the tests are wrong. Pursue this with all you've got and stay your organized self on a mission to health. I'm so glad you're being hooked up with the U of C doc. Everyone deserves the very best care they can find.

One of my favorite quotes is "The secret of life isn't what happens to you, but what you do to what happens to you." It was shared with me when my husband died ten years ago. It has gotten me thru many things including this bc crap since. I hope it will do the same for you. 

My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

Good Morning Girls! Hope you're all well rested and ready to tackle this week. There's many different scenarios playing out for some of us this week - some medical - some not. Let's try to remain focused and prod through each hurdle with strength and determination.

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Budders - Everything's crossed for you with this latest "scare". I think the clean results of your last PET is a good sign. Hang in there, Budder!

Carolyn - Best wishes with your upcoming tests. Good luck with the insurance drama.

Marina - Another true story about "lesions". A couple of years before my bc dx, 22 small lesions showed up on my Lung CT. My PCP was very concerned and I thought for sure I was a "goner". Went to a Pulmonologist. He was not 100% convinced that it was cancer. He wanted me to wait 3 months and have the CT done again. After 3 months, all but 5 were gone. His opinion was that I had inhaled something environmental/toxic, such as dirt while gardening or others. My point --- there's always hope, there's always the possibility that it could be something other than cancer. And...based on the fact that the spots on your Liver are SO small, if it is cancer, perhaps the chemo will zap the heck out of them! ALSO - have any of your Dr's mentioned "Tumor Markers"?

Mich - Glad you popped in! Think about you often!

Just an update.. went for a second opinion in Niles.  Turned out he is a friend of my oncologist and holds my onc in very high regard.  Told me they have already talked and he agrees with my treatment 100% and at this point wouldn't do anything different.  They are both hopeful that in 3 months I should see quite a lot of shrinkage and sometimes the liver can be treated completely... Laura, most of my spots are small, but there is one 3cm by 2 cm..   but they still think it can shrink completely.  Also got some advice about future treatments if needed, but at this point, I'll be starting my first treatment Wed.. and am just spending time with kids and family side-effect free until then!!  Was told that the SE's could be much milder with this combo.. so hoping for the best!! At least I'm still home this week to see how it goes before I start work next Monday..

Thanks to all of you who have been writing to me.. it really does help!!

Marina

Wanted to drop in as have so much goin on and wanted to see if everyone was ok. Sorry i am not able to keep up and sending all those here good wishes and healthy ones for any tx;s or tests goin on as it  is here where you will get all the support you need.

Have alot of imblance goin on and slowly getting better. Sleep is better and now seeing a Chiro female DR and really knows her stuff as it comes to the endocrine system and all that is goin on with me. My joint pain is there still and no way can i even explain the xray and all that is goin on!!!So I won;'t!!!  IMy digestive system is not wokring well and alot of toxins cannot get out as well as a lesion on my neck causing the pain everywhere else.

Just want to day, that the aftermath for me from chemo has really been a opening to see where my immune system weakness is and am told, that i will be back to a whole person anhd to continue all that i am doing. Anyone knows who has issues in sleeping and disturbances there can easily be associated with your central nervous system. IF that is the case, the amino acid Taurine has been working and the rest is being done by detoxing and getting my system whole and balanced.WE are never without answers!!!You need to keep pushing forward IF you do not have the right Dr. My primary DR. offered me sleeping pills or meds for depression!!!Meanwhile i am barely functioning with fatique, no sleep and no peace within at all. I have great support now and it took 8 mos to get this!!!!

Will try to stay connected. Would like to put together a south side lunch. Have to figure out how and get that goin?!!

Be well all and know i may not be here alot but am in spirit!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN.. DEAR AND AWESOME SUSAN!!!! You have been such a blessing to know and have as a friend here.

Hugs,

Donna

Budder - Any news?

Marina - Yes, I did know about the 2.5 x 3.5 one. Should have been more specific by saying that hopefully the bigger one will shrink and that all the small ones are completely zapped "away"...one step closer to a clean CT. Fingers crossed that they're all "gone" before your next CT. You've gotten lots done with your treatment plan, etc., in a short amount of time. Hang in there.

Donna - Wow... you too have had lots going on in. Best wishes...the next couple of weeks will reveal much. The imbalance didn't happen overnight...nor will the re-balance (I don't think that's a word). lol Any news about AZ?   

HI Girls...Just stopping by to say hi. Today was my day to play and shop. Oh, I love my days off and I sure wish there was more lol but spring break is right around the corner, then boating season starts hey!!! So I will be a happy little camper until them. My son the chef made a surprise visit home and cooked a fabulous dinner for us all. He will be here for a couple of weeks as his restaurant went on hiatus for 6 weeks. So for me I am lovin it.

Marina...glad to see that you got a tx plan in place for you and a wonderful md to help support you along. I know I found my bs and onc very supportive when I had a complete meltdown. They helped me find the right people to see and were there when I needed them. Hopefully they will be there and help support you along too. Praying that all goes well with your txs. Hugs to you.

Mich..glad to see that all md appts went well. I know I usually cram in a few md appts when I have a day off. It is easier that way. How are the boys doing...coming home with laundry. lol

Donna... sorry to hear about your issues. I hope you get some restful sleep soon. hang in there.

Jackie...where did you find that piano music. I love Jim Brickman and his piano music. His music is so calming. When I was in tx that was all that I would listen too and it really helped me cope with tx. His cd HOPE is very inspirational and you may like his music. Ck it out. I have all of his cds. Yes,we did get snow flurries here, but not too much. Pretty to look at. lol

Rita... are you home safe and sound yet. WE miss you.

Laura.. checked out that website....awesome stuff. thanks!!

Jan.. happy house hunting for you. Thinking about retirement is not in my near future but would like a few more days off to play. lol I had a great day today how about you.

Smerf.. are you home yet or are you still shopping and lunching without me. lol Miss you.

Zap...how was the bday. did you have a fun day.

Well I hope everyone is having a wonderful evening. It is jammie and tea time for me. Hugs to those I miss and who are in tx.

Remember to be healthy... be happy.. enjoy life.

BJ

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.
            -- Charles Dickens

Illinois lady  I love your new Icon.  There is nothing more beautiful than seeing the first cardinal of the year.

I am in the Hospitol  just had my radioactive shot.   Since I have lymphedema in on arm and they are focusing on the other  they couldnt inject my arms.  They had to use the top of my foot.   OUCH!!!  It did sting for a while.  I have 4 hours to burn........ Glad I brought the laptop

Budderr - OUCHY! Hope the rest of your day goes well. Here's a Soothing, Relaxing Music, Birds Nature Sounds of the Rainforest (turn up the volume):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWjgKS3b7zM&feature=related

Jackie - I love your new avatar. Cardinals are amazingly vibrant. There's several here in my neck of the woods - I love seeing them. Bird seed keeps them coming back.

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It's dh's birthday. Tradition is that I make him his favorite cookies - MONSTER Cookies. lol Each one is about 6" diam. lol Made with m&m's (although during the night he ate half of the bag), peanut butter, oatmeal, brown sugar, etc. Gotta run out and get him some milk though. lol

Hope you all have a good day!

I may be ordering this kit very soon.. multiple versions in fact!!!   On a good note, my blood work came back all good last week except for the liver enzyme.. so that at least was good.. No more bad news!!! That's my motto!!!

Hi Ruth,

I am so glad you posted what you have. There have been a number of people who I think have not been satisfied with the oncology care they have received -- and there are varying reasons.  You have been through the mill it seems and should not have had too.  So odd that so many were missing the boat with you.

I am glad to hear that your latest Oncologist seems to have discovered exactly what you need.  I know there are a lot of good professionals out there, and you do make a very salient point -- to keep going until we are comfortable with the level of care we are getting.  We really do need to be on top of things. 

This thread is basically all Illinois women so hope you will keep coming back and sharing with us.  You are always welcome here. 

Hugs, Jackie

p.s.  Marina Yeah on the good blood test results ( except for liver ).  At least you know where to concentrate your healing energies now.  And A for attitude -- no more bad news is right....your in charge now.

Jackie

Lisa..Budders.. What has lil ole Donna miss.. what test is bein done for you? Hate when i cannot keep up with it all. Coming back though and so much of imbalance makes so much sense to me now!!

GLad to hear all else is goin well for today anyway. Tests and results included!!!

Rita.. Are you back to a routine yet?

Laura...YES.. takes a balance to get balanced again it is NOT ovenight. Thanks for always being suppportive!!!

BlackJack...oops.. forogot what you asked me...lolo..oh Jim Brickman..love him too and saw you mentioned that.. have most of his tapes and the piano one!!!

have a OBGYN appt tonight.. to go over the fact that my BRCA gene1 is now considered a mutation.. and my breast surgeon appt on Friday! Tom i work and has been a week or so and gald my chiro appts are vbeing done and feeling stronger. Have to drink some wheatgrass also..lolol.. for whatever reason...suppose to put oxygen inblood.!

Jackie.. banging m head!!!!  Loved it!!!

Be well and Buddy update me or else.

Hugs and Healthy Wishes,

Donna

Action and reaction, ebb and flow, trial and error, change - this is the rhythm of living. Out of our over-confidence, fear; out of our fear, clearer vision, fresh hope. And out of hope, progress.
Bruce Barton

Ruth - Wow...you had quite a rough time finding a Dr. I hope you continue to feel better with your new treatment. Best wishes to you.  

Jackie - Too FUNNY! I hope your head feels better today! lol  

Rita - Welcome back.  

Budder - Pain patches work well. I've used the one with Acetaminifen (sp?) in it. Hope you're feeling better today.

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Hope you all have a nice day!

Thinking about you today Marina.  I think to a person we all experienced the first time fright of chemo.  For most, it ended up rather anti-climatic and we came away wondering I think why we let ourselves run wild with what if fears that just did not materialize.  Still, it is good to be cautious as there can be se's.  You ( usually ) are watched fairly close for this and hopefully you will come away from this first endeavor not having so much trepidation but a healthy respect for the process.

I second your decision to just get it over with as far as the hair.  It tends to have some trauma since we are defined to a degree by our "crowning glory", but I haven't heard anyone say they regretted taking charge and just getting it gone.  Saves a mess and as well, every hair in my head and all over my scalp hurt and itched -- so it gets messy coming out and doesn't feel too good either. 

You do get to go have b-room breaks as you will find out -- cumbersome to a degree, but it will work.    Here's hoping for an un-eventful first chemo.

Hugs, Jackie