For Older People with Sense

Oh, Isabella, That sucks. Having all that crap rain down really stinks. WOW, 2,600 for a dog!!! Sorry maybe it is me but I get my pets from the pound. The weather here is the norm for summer...hot. Fortunately, on the beach we have 10+ MPH wind and it never goes above 94. Still...hot.

Love you gals!

Well, Tuesday's appointment was actually pretty amazing.  May I say that I feel lucky in a way?  My breast Dr. is the director of the Beaumont Troy (MI) Comprehensiive Breast Care Center.  All of the people on my "team" are amazing.  I spend 2 hours with the Dr. and the oncology nurse going over my diagnosis, what it meant, what all of my options were, what would happen next and so on.  They answered all of my questions.  They have a cancer center across the street that I have access too also which includes a library, a nutrutionist and a complete support center.  They take care of scheduling everything, all I have to is show up for my appts.  They are very thorough.  My options are:  1) additional surgery to remove additional breast tissue around where the tumor was to get a clear margin and to also have a sentinal node biopsy.  This would be followed with 5 to 7 weeks of radiation and then a regime of cancer preventing drugs for 5 years.  2) Right breast mastectomy, sentinal node biopsy, (with or without reconstructive surgery) 5 years or more of cancer preventing drugs.  3) Bilateral breast mastectomy, sentinal node biopsy, (with or without reconstruction), and possibly a regime of cancer preventing drugs. Chemo will depend on results of the sentinal node biopsy.

Before I make a final decision, I will have an underarm ultrasound, bilateral MRI, blood tests and chest x-rays and meet with the plastic surgeon and the radiation oncologist. These appointments have already been set for June 6 and 7.  I have met with my primary care Dr., and the nurse practitioner at my place of work.  They both think that with my family history, and my personal history, that option 3 is what they would go with.  That is also the direction I am leaning in right now too. 

The only thing I am upset about right now (other than having cancer in the first place) is that my boss -- well meaning as it was, announced to our entire staff that I had breast cancer and her boss -- our director -- decided to announce it at the extended staff meeting so everyone in the place knows what is going on.  Everyone has an opinion.  I was not ready for this at all.  I figure it is water under the bridge, so there is nothing I can do about it and I believe her intentions were good, but I think it should have been up to me as to when or if to say anything.  I had only told her and the 2 people who overheard me talking on the phone when I got the diagnosis.  I talked to our onsite nurse practitioner and she agreed that this was inappropriate.  She said that once I come back after what ever surgery I have, she will talk to them about my need for as much privacy as possible and with ask them to not ask a lot of questions and so on.  Believe me, every one has an opinion and they don't seem to mind sharing it, and there are even some who kind of brush it off like it is no big deal.

I want to say that I am happy to have found this group. I have read many of the posts and I think you are an amazing bunch of women. I know you all understand what I am going through and it is an amazing feeling to be able to discuss things with others who have or are going through the same thing I am. This is a life changing event and I know you all get that.

 Thanks! And while my screen name is momoftwo526, I do have a real first name which is Phyllis.  I don't mind being on a first name basis with you all.

Phyllis

Phyllis,  So glad you have gotten the wheels turning and have some options and are working with a good team.  I hate making decisions, but at the same time like being given a choice and having some say in the process rather than just being told we HAVE to do this.  I think your boss was way out of line, but as you said it is water under the bridge now.   I have never kept my BC a secret, but still like to pick and choose whom I tell.  There is unfortunately still a huge stigma that goes with the word cancer and I don't like the way I see people's eyes change in the way they look at me after I use the big C word. 

You will find a lot of support and information from the threads and make a lot of new friends, all of whom know exactly where you are coming from. 

Mariane,   Where are the proud grandma baby pics? 

AmyJo, Barbe and 3jays....hope you are all pain free soon.

Teklya and everyone with good news, congratulations if I have not said it before.

And Chrissy, did you ever get the passport going?  I am glad you are getting your sleeve.....mine is 21 yrs old and has served me well. 

Hope you all have a nice holiday weekend for those of you who celebrate it....it's only in the US right?  I get confused on what we celebrate where.  My Dad's 89th birthday is on Monday so we will be celebrating that.  He said when he was a little boy, he always thought the hooplah and parade were for his birthday....that was before they started messing with holidays and making things fall on a Monday so as to get an extra day off...but this year Memorial Day is back to actually being on his birthday and believe me he is getting like a little kid again when it comes to his birthday. 

I am going to take a pic of the pile of hair that is in my sink this morning....find it amazing how so much can come out and I still look like I have a full head of hair....the dark stuff that was  underneath seems to be coming out more than the gray for some reason.  It is about time to go looking for headgear since I gave all mine away from last time....really don't want to go the wig route again.  

Aw Marybe, we cross posted. Sending hugs for your hair. Maybe it will just get thin. You never know! Can't wait until September.

Chrissy, if you're coming that far, why don't you do the hop-skip-and-a-jump to Canada???? Puleeeze come and visit me????

We had our long weekend last Monday - Victoria Day (Queen's birthday) My DHs birthday is May 24th, so I'm sure he used to think the fireworks were for his day, too!

Marybe, less heat on your head for summer? Less product required? I'm trying to put a good spin on this, but it does suck for you. I'm so sorry you are going throuh this yet again!

Probably about $100!!! We're not that far!! My kids drove to Ground Zero one Sunday just to see it.

Your best pricing would be WestJet into the Island airport!!

Barbe - why don't you join some of us at Shell Knob, MO the last week of September?  Some of us will be meeting at Marybe's Uncle Bill's cabin on Table Rock Lake for a few days of fun and just getting to know each other better.  I am sure there is enough room for you to come too.  I am not sure who all is coming, but I do know BarbaraA, Marybe, Chrissy and I will all be there.  Who else is joining us Marybe?

Phyllis - you are welcome to come too if you are able, just get infromation from Marybe by clicking on her name on one of her posts and then send her a Private Message using the link that will be on the upper right side of her profile page that pops up.  Looks like you have gotten a lot of information and options to choose from.  Know that we are all here for you no matter what you decide to do. We do have fun and give each other a lot of love, encouragement and support here. So if you have anything to share or want to say this is a safe place to say it.  Good, Bad or Ugly we all understand whatever emotions you are having and will love you through the Bad and Ugly and laugh with you through the Good. 

Phyllis - I agree with Lynda, I have learned to filter people and some people that I used to think of a friends are just too draining on my energy with all their suggestions and how different people they know have done with cancer treatments and things that I should or should not do.  Now I am polite to them, but do not engage them if conversation and if they start on the cancer subject I either change subjects or just tell them I am tired and need a nap and walk away.  For the time being just concentrate on yourself and your health and learn to be a little selfish with your time and energy.  As time goes along you will quickly know which relationships are toxic to your health and which ones truly care and are there to help.  I did find I had more of the ones that were there to help than I ever imagined.  I just had to learn that it was okay to ask or help.  {{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}} and love to you.

Lynda - there is a lot of good that seems to come from BC and a new awareness of what and who is important.  It is really a shame that you have to get BC or some other tramatic event to make you realize that.  I don't know that I feel any wiser, but I do have a better since of who I am and what things are of true value.  It was really hard for me to learn to be selfish sometimes, but I have realized that is something that I needed to learn so that I can focus on the people and things that are important.  It really has allowed me to be more generous with those I care about.  No has turned out to be a wonderful word.  

hey ladies, im reading, not much to say tonight, except Chrissy; adding to the trip again hahaha    3jays

Mazie - Take care of yourself first so that you will have the energy and stamina to just love on Olivia Anne. Then you can take care of the other family members if they really need your help.  I found that my kids are all old enought to pretty much take care of themselves.  Occassionally the do just need Mom to be there, but that is not really very often.  But then my youngest is 37!

Barbe - so hoping you can goin us in MO (Missouri) at Uncle Bill's place.  We will have a lot of fun just getting to know each other.  If at all possible please come.  I like your comparision to the commercial jet trip.