New York, New York

Beginning- I have tiersten at NYU.  Don't know too much about Myers but I like NYU in general.  Things really will get better.  Don't worry about chemo or no.  Whatever happens, it's all doable.  You do one day at a time and eventually, eureka! it's finished.  When you're at NYU, don't be surprised it it is a wait sometimes.  The oncs try to be really accurate and on time, but they will take the extra time if you need more time and really need to talk.  so don't feel badly if you need extra time. Take it. We've all been there and totally get it and don't mind waiting for that reason.  It usually helps if you write any questions down and give it to the receptionist/scheduler to pass to Myers assistant.  A lot will get covered with you by the nurse before you even see myer during your appointment.  I have found every person I've dealt with at NYU to be very knowledgeable or willing to get the answer for me.  Anything I've said to the nurse has been passed on to my onc and it saved a lot of time being thorough in answering or asking questions to the onc nurses.

In case no one mentions it, there's a coffe/tea/hot chocolate maker on the far side of the waiting lounge.  It is available to all including patients.  sometimes I found hot tea helped me relax while I was anxious about waiting.  Also realize there's a computer in the corner and you can do research while you're waiting or get on line and peruse the boards while you wait.

AJ: I think we are all afraid of the unknown. But what can we do? You try not to let it scare you too much. You stay strong. When you find yourself being overwhelmed by the scarry thoughts you tell yourself that 2.5 million women had survived breast cancer and you will want to do the same. Try to do some yoga or meditation. I just came back from Gilda's Club, they have free yoga classes. And there are other places I go to that also offer discounted classes to breast cancer survivors. You keep yourself busy and your mind occupied.

Hi Cookiegal. How about meeting in May? I am so busy with appointments at the hospital right now throughout April that sometimes have to work on the weekends to make up for the lost days. And I can't take off from work to rest b/c we can't afford me not working.I am worn out. May???

Flash

NYU was all you said it to be.  I really liked Dr Meyers as she gave me all the time I needed and explained everything in simple terms, wrote notes for me and even drew pictures.  I felt very comfortable with her and the best news was that I don't need chemo. She understood how scared I still am and told me if I wanted I could get a second opinion on my biopsy report which I shall do.  BTW I didnt even get a chance to fill out all the papers before I was called in.  It was great.

Hugs to ya!

AJ

NewBeginning

It is really great to hear that you don't need chemo. I am 8 weeks out of chemo and doing somewhat better than before, but still, I am not handling stress too well. Things that were so easy to manage in the past sometimes overwhelm me and my brain can't take it. Then I have meltdowns here and there. I had three appointments at the hospital today and because I go to Bellevue I had to wait for 4 fours !!! for my last appointment. By the end I was a total mess. I think it was Flash who told me that the after effects of chemo may even take a year or two to flush out of my body before I am back to "normal". So yeah, it is great news you that you don't have to deal with it.

About the other stuff: try not to focus too much on what may or may not have happened -cancer cells escaping, etc. -but focus on the now! Enjoy the now! Don't think of the past and try not to anticipate what might happen in the future. Stay in the present. Hugs!

Hi TwinMom-- I hope you are doing well, too.

Just wanted to tell you all that over the last year I have had so much fun with you in our outings! I am moving back to Omaha and just wanted to say that I will keep in touch through BCO and I wish you all the best!

Hugs,

Linda

WHAT?????  Moving back to Omaha is so WRONG!!!!!

Survivorwoman

 Sorry to hear you are in so much pain but the 28th is just around the corner.  Thanks for your words on encouragement and I have been doing pretty well with that but only wish my lumpectomy scar would heal.  I have been having a VN every few days and on the other days I am cleaning out and packing the wound.  Its been 8 weeks since my surgery and I cannot understand why Im not healing.  Doc doesnt know why either, just says Im a slow healer. 

I am sending my slides and OR reports to Dr Meyers at NYU and I will have a 2nd opinion on my biopsy........I think I told you I did like her very much.

At any rate Im so glad Spring is here..........just need the rain to stop!!!  Hope you are doing better and good vibes coming your way.

hugs to ya!

AJ

Wow, I've been gone for awhile, and there's alot of news going on around here!

Omaha, you'll have to let us know when you are back in town, and we can get together.

Just got done with my last round of tests, all in all they went OK. Mamo was kind of funky, they think there's some scar tissue building up where I had my lumectomy, but it looks the same as the calcification that I had going on with the DCIS. I'll find out in a couple of weeks when I see my BS if she wants another mamo in August or just my usual MRI/ultrasound. If it was that much of a concern they would have had me in there right away for a biopsy. At least the bloodwork that I had was normal. I just love my "new normal" life.

Looking forward to the weather getting warmer, and hopefully we can get together then!

Tweety

Survivorwoman- I don't think you should assume that you are not eligible for unemployment insurance. It is my understanding that you can get partial unemployment benefits in NY if your hours are cut under certain circumstances. You should call the unemployment office on Monday to find out if you can qualify. Also is there a reason you have not told your employer about your bc? Employers cannot discriminate and have to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities (such as allowing time for medical appointments) under the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, if the employer does not know you have a disability, you are not protected. You might want to consult a lawyer or call one of the bc or cancer advocacy organizations to find out more about your rights. I know it is may be hard to investigate these issues on top of everything else but your situation could be better than you think. Good luck. Val

Val- Thank you for your reply. I DID tell my current boss and he is very much knows what I am going through in terms of bc. He has been somewhat accomodating to my needs, but it appears that he just simply cannot afford to pay me or others either. I will call the unemployment office about partial unemployment benefits. I did not know that exists. Thank you for your help. Katia

Hi all --

Sweaty, I am so sorry about your friend.  We just lost a relative to colon cancer.  It just never ends... 

Survivorwoman, best wishes to you on your exchange surgery.  I just had mine 48 hours ago.  I feel OK, am a little disappointed in the result so far, but trying not to dwell on it too much because I know things will change over the coming weeks and months.  It's the unknown that is the worst, isn't it - and how we will end up looking and feeling is another big unknown!

As far as your employment situation -- are there other kinds of work you can do to fill the hours that were cut?  Freelance, maybe?  I'm sorry you're in such a difficult situation!

I might be able to get together in May....