November 2009-Starting Chemo

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  • Mouse6694
    Mouse6694 Member Posts: 88
    edited October 2010

    Sue

    Being that last year this time they found something on my mammo I can relate to you. My thought process at first was freak out and scour the internet as to how could this happen to me again. But like you I had to wait through a weekend as well I told myself I am not gonna worry about it until they tell me it is cancer. The next week I had my biopsy and later found out it was back. That is when I reached out to this site and with all us sisters I pulled through. You just hang in there and stay positive no matter the outcome you too will have us here to be with you, and I am praying for you its a celebration we get to share with you. ((((BIG HUGS))))

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited October 2010

    Thanks Mouse I appreciate your prayers and hugs.

    Well girls, I picked up the big gardening mess I made yesterday and have been out to the nursery to buy more plants. Will have to wait until later in the day to plant them as it is quite hot at the moment. I have this narrow garden about a foot wide along the fence under my clothesline and there has been nothing growing there except weeds for years - now it will be just lovely.

    Sue

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited October 2010

    Sue: Nothing beats good old "hands in the dirt" therapy. I repotted something that was jumping out of the pot the other day and I realized how much I missed it. ((Sue)).

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited October 2010

    Latest update - the director of the Breast Clinic called me and they want me to have an MRI on Friday. Interesting - sounds like the mammo is inconclusive. Trouble is they cost $600 - no refunds from health fund or government - crap. Still, it's worth doing as I had wanted one anyway. At least they're not rushing in to do a biopsy - mainly because it's in a difficult location, so they want to be sure they need to do one before they go to so much trouble.

    Sue

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited October 2010

    Sue:  So you'll be paying the entire cost of the MRI?  I guess I don't understand your health care system, but I agree with you:  if you need it and it prevents an unnecessary and/or difficult biopsy, it will be worth it.  Let us know when you have it scheduled.

    I don't do the garden-dirt thing.  I leave that up to my hubby, as he has the green thumb and totally enjoys it.

    Linda:  still doing the PT?  Hope all's well.

    Good to hear from you again, Mouse6604. 

    Happy Monday!!!  Nette 

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited October 2010

    Nette: It's scheduled for Friday morning. I've been reading up on it and they say you have to let them know if you have a port - could damage it - I hope not!!!! I hope it doesn't stop me from having one. I'll call tomorrow to check.

    Sue

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited October 2010
    Sue: Well crap, another week of worry. That bites... So an MRI can rule out cancer? If the MRI is still questionable will they have to biopsy? That sucks that it is up under there and hard to biopsy. Freakin' feather looking son-of-a-bitch. If you need more dirt, I have lots of weeding to catch up on! (((Sue)))
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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited October 2010

    Hi all! Today was my last PT appt until further notice. It's getting worse. I have a hard time making my fingers work. I couldn't even pick up a sugar packet the other day! I'm still waiting to get into the neurologist. Ugh! Other that the excruciating pain that runs the length of my arm, I'm OK...LOL

    Sue, I've had several breast MRIs with my port, so it shouldn't be a problem. You lie on your stomach, so just make sure your're comfy and not pressed against it! Good luck <3

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited October 2010
    Linda: Well that just sucks, I was hoping the PT would help. You would think that if some nerves are trapped in all that radiated, crunchy tissue, they could get in there and free it up. I am sorry you are in pain (((Linda)))
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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited October 2010

    Linda: Thanks for the info re the port. Sorry the PT hasn't helped. I wonder if accupuncture would.

    Melinda: I just like planting new things not weeding :)

    DH is home - the end of my rest time.

    Sue

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited October 2010

    Linda, but hugs for you(((hugs)))

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited October 2010

    I don't know why, but cold spaghetti comes to my mind when I think of the nerves in my arm. All swollen together and sticky. The two things that can be used for RIBP are heat and neurostimulation, of which I can have neither because of lymphadema. So, go figure!

    I'll talk to my onc on Wednesday when I have my naked Herceptin. The PT mentioned that it could get worse, and I may want to consider disability. I have to admit, I'm considering it more seriously now.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited October 2010

    Cafelovr, hello,

    I hope it's okay if I drop in for just a moment to the November 2009 chemo group. I wanted to mention that since your suspected RIBP is so early-stage, there has been some modest success in slowing progression and easing pain with Trental and Vitamin E. Maybe worth a try. There's a RIBP thread here at bc.org, under the "Lymphedema After Surgery" forum, and an information page with some coping suggestions  from other women with RIBP here:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Radiation_Induced_Brachial_plexopathy.htm

    Hope your appointment happens soon, and you get some really constructive answers!

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited October 2010

    Hey,  one of my sisters entered a pic of us in a contest for a free ice cream cake (a local cake place in the Virginia Beach area) and our pic won for the week!  Check out the site!

     http://uncleharrys.wordpress.com/

    Nette  :) 

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited October 2010

    Hi Girls - just home from naked H tx. Big onc is sure it won't turn out to be anything and was pleased I was having the MRI. I expected his jaw to drop when I told him about the mammo but he just looked thoughtful. I love him - nothing phases him.

    Sue

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited October 2010

    Sue:  Big onc sounds like a great guy.  I would sure think he knows what he's talking about.  Now...get that MRI taken care of!

    Happy rainy Weds, everyone.  Nette 

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited October 2010

    Nette: That is a great pic!

    Sue: I am glad Big Onc isn't concerned. Does that make you feel more optimistic (or do you feel like he is blowing you off). With Clyde, I really felt comfortable with the surgeon and felt so much better when he thought it was nothing.

    Regarding Clyde, would you believe that it is still there. Just a red area the size of a nickle in a weird dent that just doesn't go away....just odd.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited October 2010

    Melinda: I think he was a bit concerned - I know he has to be upbeat so I won't worry too much. He did say if it was another primary it would probably be HER2 negative - he really has a lot of faith in herceptin. He only said that, because I pointed out that chemo finished 7 months ago and asked if something new could grow in that time period.

    I'm so tired this morning, I never sleep well after a treatment - yawn.

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  • doronet
    doronet Member Posts: 342
    edited October 2010

    Melinda:  I'm glad you mentioned Clyde, because I was just thinking about him the other day and was wondering what his "status" was.  Am sorry he hasn't taken a hike!!  But it does sound like he is on his slow way out.

    I've subbed the last 3 days:  autistic preschool class; a Special Ed. aide, floating between several classrooms; and a kindergarten.  Subbing with 5 year olds always reminds me of why I never taught that age full-time:  They are busy little creatures!  One day to go this week, with that day being back with the preschool autistic children...I can do this.  :)

    Sue:  good luck tomorrow with the MRI! 

    Have a good evening, friends!  Nette  :) 

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited October 2010

    Thanks Nette!!!

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited October 2010

    Nette: I hope you get your well deserved rest!

    Sue: Is your MRI today? When will you get results?

    I am getting my Herp on today than seeing a new plastic surgeon, I hope he is more opimistic than the first guy was.

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited October 2010

    (((Sue)))

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited October 2010

    Thanks girls - yes  it's today - I just got up. It's at 9am. DH is going to drop me off there and wait for me to call him to pick me up - saves the parking money. I don't want to go. My spirits went downhill last night. I managed to get my wedding rings off with a little pain. I don't know when I'll get the results - I'll ask them today. I hope they're ready before Tuesday when I see the surgeon. One thing big onc said was that they might have to do an excisional biopsy because of where it is - I'm really happy with that. Of course, that's only if it turns out to be suspicious. Trying to be positive.

    Sue

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited October 2010

    Thinking of you Sue and sending up prayers !

    HI girls......  I've been busy but reading.  Sometimes I wander onto the StageIV board and freak myself out ~ does anyone else do that?

    Hugs...

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited October 2010

    Alicia, no I don't want to freak my self out...

    Sue((((hugs)))

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited October 2010

    I'm on the Stage IV boards quite a bit. It's become like a sisterhood that only certain people understand. It does make me feel lucky that I'm doing so well, but in a blink of an eye, that could be any woman on these boards.

    Stage IV isn't that scary. I've got a great dr and I've had a great response to meds. It all depends on the type of breast cancer you have. Prior to 1998, my cancer would have been a death sentence. With the dvmt of Herceptin, women with Her2+ cancer are living longer and healthier lives. If you want to see a powerful movie, watch Living Proof with Harry Conick Jr. It's about the dr. who developed Herceptin. Gives me chills to watch it knowing that women died so I could live...

     Darn Alicia...you got me all emotional now :)

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  • Cafelovr
    Cafelovr Member Posts: 1,534
    edited October 2010

    I just realized Brenda Sharon hasn't been on lately??? Miss you!

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  • JustmeAlicia
    JustmeAlicia Member Posts: 1,529
    edited October 2010

    Linda ~ I am sorry I got you emotional.....  I immediately thought of you and all you have conquered you are my hero !!!  And you have handled your battle with such grace and dignity.  You are so brave and have kicked cancer's ass.  You should be such an inspiration to the Stage IV girls.  I didn't mean any disrespect.  It just makes the reality of the sneakiness of breast cancer real when you read the stories of the sisters truly battling for their lives. 

    HUGS !

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited October 2010

    i miss Brenda Sharon, and I wonder about her often.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited October 2010

    After 5 hours there I'm exhausted. I have never been in such an inefficient place. I sat around for over an hour after the MRI with the canula still in my hand and it was hurting. The place is like a cattle yard. 

    They found another spot on the MRI but that and the one that showed up on the mammogram did not light up. They wanted to do a biopsy because of my history and I refused. I'll talk to the surgeon and big onc first. So, if I had not been a bc patient they wouldn't have wanted to do a biopsy. So I feel none the wiser. We opened the films and read the report. The last line of the MRI report says that both lesions look benign. They did another ultrasound too and they can see the new thing on that but it says that it has benign features.  

    They tried to say that because I'd had treatment that may be why they don't light up on the MRI as if the treatment had lowered the grade - very strange statement. I've called big onc and left a message for him to ring me. I asked them to send him a copy of the reports but who knows if they will as they wrote it on a post it note.

    Anyway - if they didn't light up it's not cancer in my opinion. Now I have to wait and see what big onc and the surgeon think.

    Sue

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