Starting Chemo February 2009?

I am still waiting to talk to my med onc. Michele, I have heard that Avastin is supposed to be very good.  For some reason the cancer hospital where I had the surgery is pittlying their feet about getting the written report over to my med onc. 

Shit Sue I think I would make myself the biggest PITA that the surgeon has ever seen. ((Hugs))



I hope they get a plan in place ASAP.

gosh susan.. i hoped i had been dreaming.. commisserate with me.

it sucks

Thanks everyone.

Talked to my men onc tonite. Says he needs me to go for scans , again , to make sure it's just in the uterus.  I just had scans in April, just 2 months ago which were all clear besides ovares... can it go somewhere that quickly!??! So it's it's just in the uterus I can have the darn thing taken out, and then he'll see the path from that and make a plan.  More chemo, maybe a bio, or hormonal, but he needs to see what's going on first.  What gets me po'd is that the hospital, a supposed good cancer hospital didn't even do an estrogen makeup on the path yet.... so onc. asked for that to be done also.  It's 4:00am....and here I am thinking of this. Not good. 

Nancy, funny you mentioned port, and congrats on getting it out... but when I just woke up my first thought was "out shiit I have to get a port again"...........

hugs Susan.. my surgeon told me at the beginning that I'd have my port forever.   I'm actually glad it is still in.

more hugs and prayers.

As an aside Michele, FWIW, my Onc seemed to think either bisphosphonate was equally effective. She just thought Zometa was easier to tolerate (tummy issues) and you don't have to remember to take the pill.

Michele~ I am hanging on the trial but I think this month is it.  I took the 2 horse pills and it took everything in my power not to throw up this morning.  The acid that I have on the clodronate is horrible.  I was cleaning this morning with a throat that was on fire. 

she can't on the trial.      I'm guessing that her insurance wouldn't pay for zometa because she's stage 1...

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/search

Hi Susan - This is the place to be for support as you know.  This disease is just crap.  Keep us informed when you can and feel like it.  Welcome to our growing exercise group too!

Hugs and prayers,

Bev

Good news on the nipple front, Jaimie.

The whole insurance thing in the US confounds me. Here, usually as long as a Dr will write you a Rx, you are covered.  I only pay 10% of the cost Zometa. And, incidentally (not wanting to get political!) it only costs about $700 here, including infusion, but I hear people charged thousands in the States.

That being said, we pay about double for everything else!! LOL! 

Hope all is well with everyone else. Thinking of you Sue and Apple. 

Kerry~ A lot of it depends on how aggressive your MD is willing to be with insurance.  For instance, being Stage 1, insurance normally wouldn't pay for the scans I get (especially the frequency).  My MD had to fight for it and add a diagnosis code (because of my 2nd DCIS tumor) to be able to get it covered.  The same was true of my Avastin... It isn't labeled for use in stage 1 but he got it covered by indicating that I am higher risk than a *regular* stage 1 (my path report really sucked regarding the way the tumor was growing... doubling time and all that...).  Anywhoo, I guess what I'm saying is that insurance in the US *does* suck if you don't have an MD willing to fight for what you want.  However, if your MD will fight, US insurance is quite good (speaking for myself, of course).  I think that the Canadian system has its good points too (particularly the cost of prescription drugs) but I worry about the amount of time people have to wait for tests, etc.  Plus, on the TN forum, some have mentioned that their MD's won't go "off protocol" with regard to what the government considered the standard.  For a TN, that can be a death sentence... JMHO.

Sue~ Still thinking of you!  How are you today??

Jaimie~ Great nipple news! LOL! Did it hurt when you saw your PS?

Bethie~ I used to love the Osmond show.  However, Marie's diet ads are driving me nuts.  She need to get a new stylist... remove some makeup or something!

Beverly~ Nice to see you! Where is this exercise group?? SOunds fun!

Nancy~ Congrats on being "de-ported".  Feels good, doesn't it?

Apple~ So, what are they planning for you?  Do you have a plan yet?

In foobie news: I'm not *as* uncomfortable as before.  However, I do hurt where he attached the Alloderm to my muscle (underneath).  I wasn't expecting pain there.  Also, I can't completely raise my arms over my head or out in front of me.  I'm hoping that gets better soon.  I see the PS next Tues for my 1st fill.  I'm pretty nervous about it (especially since I have a big mtg at work on Wed).  Lots of people on the recon forum say that it isn't a big deal... I'm hoping that I'm one of those people.  On the exercise front, I'm walking 2 miles a day.  I wish I could walk the dogs... they are getting really wild with no one walking them...  I was going to ask the PS about that next week...

Emotionally, I'm really turning in to a wack-job.  I can't stop crying for some reason.  It is silly... I mean: clean scans, new boobs, weight loss... I *should* be HAPPY.  I don't get it.  I'm seeing my therapist today.  I was going to cancel because of work but didn't... I'm glad I'm having the appt even though it makes today hectic as hell.

hope everyone has a great day!! xxoo

Michele, join our exercise group!!! There are nearly 30 of us at the moment, it is great motivation. Send your email address to everyminute, she will add you in. Anyone else too!

I have been lucky in that my Onc has allowed me to go off the standard protocol (Zometa, ooph, etc). I have also been lucky with waiting times, etc. for scans. BUT, I do think that does have a lot to do with the fact that I live in Toronto - I believe that people in smaller centres do not have the same access. 

Bethie~ I think it is GREAT that she's the spokesperson and has lost weight... That's not what gets me.  What I hate is seeing someone who is really very attractive with too much makeup on (and big hair to boot!).  All of that "glam" (for lack of a better word) detracts from her pretty face...  So, what are they doing about the cellulitis??

 Has anyone heard from Cheryl??

Here I am, Michele! I'm never too far away from all my sistahs!

Susan, bless you! You know you are in all of our hearts and the Furies will be by your side NO MATTER WHAT! Right girls?


Nancy, I am in a trial. In fact the trial is why I did chemotherapy. I was randomly assigned a group that was to get chemo and hormone therapy. I told my doctor to keep an eye out gor a trial I would be eligible for and she found one for me.

Jaimieh, the only place I am going this summer is Michigan to visit family. We will be in july 16-19 or so.judy, any chance the Drunken Monkey will be playing that weekend? We've got to try to hook up! Kerry, come to Detroit durinfg that time and we can have a party!

I have been continuing to exercise, but it is slow going. The health club I'm in has a zumba class. It's a blast, but I get so frustrated when I fatigue so fast I cannot really boogie like I want to. I still am jealous of you girls getting your stamina back faster than me. Even so, I shouldn't complain. I am still doing tai chi and kickboxing like I always have.That accounts for something.