November 2009-Starting Chemo

Alicia, indeed we all have a lot to be grateful for this year.  I cherish my Warrior Sisters.

(((((Linda))))) I wonder when Hallmark will come out with a new line of cards.

Tomorrow is the anniversary of happy cancer removal day!!!! Mammo and ultrasound today - wish me luck!!!

Sue

Rock it, Sue! Good luck!

Well after nearly 4 f-ing hours at the screening place I was totally pissed off. What an ordeal. They did the mammo and found something in the right breast (the left was the one with the cancer last year) - very small feather like thing at the back. Then they did 2 more mammos of that one only magnified. Then after waiting ages, they did the ultrasound. They can't see anything on it. Then she got another bird in to double check. She couldn't see anything either. Then they put me in a different US room with a different US machine - they couldn't see anything on that either. WTF?????

I didn't take my mammo from last year so they couldn't compare it. I didn't think I actually had it at home. They called the old surgeon's office - they say they don't have it. I said "isn't everything computerised - can't you get it that way" - apparently not.

Anyway, we agreed I would call and let them know if I had it at home - then if I didn't they would request a copy from the screening place where I went last year. Finally got home after 6pm not in a very good mood. Checked the place where all of my scans are and I don't have it. I'm sure the surgeon kept it when I went to visit him the first time and the prick has probably got rid of it since I dumped him.

So, I guess it will be ages before I find out anything as they'll have to send me a release form to get the copy. I can't believe there would be anything there after all of the poison I've had and you would expect it would show on the ultrasound if it was anything of significance. So I'm not panicking (but DH is) and will just wait and see.

I feel like my day off has been stolen from me, so I might just play hooky tomorrow.

Sue

Sue, I'm so sorry you got the run-around yesterday.  I had the same problem earlier this year with tracking down rad results.  I actually had them with me and didn't know it.  (blush)  And that was after calling my breast surgeon, my med. onc, and 2 hospitals.  I agree with Melinda that I don't see how it can be anything significant with all you've had in the last year.  Seems to me it would be easy for them to get a copy since it is a request from one medical office to another.  But what do I know.  Stay positive.  

A huge sigh of relief, no doubt.  (Like I said, I know the feeling!)  Hopefully, they will let you know something when you take the films.  If not, it will be obvious that no one there has ever been in the same situation.  :P

DD was home from college for the weekend and two extra days, her fall break.  Had a blast with her, as always.  She talks non-stop, which is good.  We enjoy each other's company so much.  Now, I'll have to wait until Thanksgiving to see her again.

11th grade son is not doing his school work, not doing well on tests and quizzes and just doesn't seem to get the gravity of the importance of this school year's grade and college acceptances.  Am at my wits end, but he'll have to deal with the consequences if he doesn't start trying harder.  sigh.

My head hurts. 

Oy,I was away from here for two days and all is crazy.

Sue, don't ya just hate all the cancer crap...Hell, after last year nothing could be growing inside ya unless it is an alian.  I hope you took your much needed mental health day.

 Nette. I have a son who works his ass off and gets great grades.  Then I have a daughter who could give a fat rats ass how she does.  Never wants to do more than she needs.  oy.  Kids.

Melinda, how is it going with the new boy toy?  Seems like you have not been on here so much...must be having fun.

Sue ~ sending up positive vibes that all is fine.  Glad you are trying to rest today.  Hang tough sista we are here for you.

Nette ~ I have an 11th grader too.  (My daughter)  Tough year.  Progress reports came yesterday so far so good.  My son is in 6th grade, one teacher wrote he is too talkative and missing assignments.  I find that impossible. SO not my son.  (He is super smart and quiet)  Almost a nerd I tell you.  I will be emailing that teacher today. 

To everyone a big group hug.

I am doing a Biggest loser contest at my gym, exercise everyday and follow a menu ~ I have lost 13 lbs in 5 weeks.  I am tired though ~ 5 more weeks to go!   

So, on top of all the other crap we have to put up with due to the chemo/radiation, we have to worry about cilia that is no longer perky.  Go figure.  At least the new lung hardware is working.

Glat to hear Boy-toy is still around.  If the only negative thing you can say is that he is cutting into your crochet time...

Go Alicia!!!  13 lbs in 5 weeks =  2 1/2 lbs a week.  That's great!

Sue:  def. keep us posted on the latest results.

Thanks, all, for the encouragement re: my son.  Report cards come out in 2 weeks.  He'll either be okay or there will be major consequences for his lack of effort, mostly having to do with him having much more "free time" to get school work done. 

Happy Thursday.  Nette

I won't find out more until Monday - they have to wait for the radiographer who was handling it. I did actually speak to the director of the breast clinic which is something. They have breast physicians on staff - I was very surprised.

There's definitely a change from last year's mammo - SHIT. But no need to freak out until we know what it is. I found out that if they can't see something on an ultrasound, they can use mammo somehow to do a biopsy. I called the surgeon's office to see if I could move my appt up to next week and they said to call after I speak to the breast clinic and they will squeeze me in - nice people.

So, I now have the whole weekend to try and not worry too much - wish me luck.

Sue

Melinda: Yes, ILC has the tendency to turn up in the other breast. It could be a benign thing too. As you said it ain't cancer until they say it is. Maybe I should give it a name - maybe Clyde II and we can all hate him too. It did look very tiny compared to the one I had cut out which was very small.

Meanwhile, I'm going to try and enjoy my few days of freedom while DH is away. Luckily he's going out of mobile phone range and I won't have to endure the constant phone calls - he figured out how to recharge his prepaid balance unfortunately. He already called this morning even though I explained everything last night. Got to love the guy.

Sue

Alicia and Melinda: Thankyou for your support - I love you guys!!!!!

Sue

(((((((MELINDA))))))))))))) (((((((((((((ALL OF YOU))))))))))))).

I just upset this stupid chick on another thread. I must be feeling a bit bitchy. She said "This difference might be why your tumor didn't respond to the treatment" - she was talking about hormone receptors. WTF!!!! I don't have a tumour - YET!!! I was wondering why I felt so down this morning and realised what she wrote had really upset me so I posted and told her it did. Now she's upset because I was bagging her in public. I just asked nicely for her to think first before she writes anything.

Thank God all of my sisters on this thread are at least sensitive

Sue

Wow.  We are lucky to have such supportive women on our thread!

Sue, take comfort in the fact that what was seen on the mammo was not seen on anything else.  It's my understanding that the ultrasound is more sensitive and will pick up things not seen on the mammo.  :I

Will be substitute teaching next week for 4 days in a row.  I didn't work that many days in a week even before the bc.  Will be tiring, but then, some of you have been doing that all along.  I have always had a ton of respect for those moms who work outside the home and  are still good mothers.  I'm not sure I would be very good at either one if I had to do a 40 hr. work week.

Happy Saturday!!!  Nette