MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

1…426427429431432…1064

Comments

  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited July 2011

    Foxy, I don't go onto the Stage IV forum too often, but you are the second Stage IV sister I have heard that actually said to LIE to get scanned periodically.  I thought it was so strange the first time I read that, but when you think of how many Early Stagers are considered "cured" at the five year point only to have their slow growing cancers appear much later (and sometimes with mets) it does make some sense, because at that point we aren't followed as closely.  I think we need to stay alert to any symptoms too, even if testing comes back "normal," because B/C is sneaky with it's ability to evade many of the diagnostics.  We have to insist on getting to the bottom of it, if something is not right with us.

    janinnj,  Excellent news on the WBC.  Hope you sail thru' rads.  Keep us posted.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Foxlairfrm
    Foxlairfrm Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2011

    The problem is - what is normal for us anymore? Recognizing something isn't quite right is extremely difficult when your body has been through what ours has. It took years after the stem cell transplant to regain memory, multi tasking skills and physical strength. I was changing all along, how would I know if something wasn't "quite right". They told me it would age me beyond my years and I am simultaneously aging... How do I know the difference between aging and breast cancer sneaking up on me. We don't. So we rely on tests and Dr's to catch things early should they recur. So we put our faith in this and we are glad as the years pass and there is no sign of recurrence. But they are not totally reliable and we are caught, like me, thinking "hey, I'm 50, things are going to ache and I'm going to be a bit more tired". I even reported them to PC (because at 14 yrs you don't need an onc) and the tests and X-rays were good (they did miss a lesion). If I had followed my gut and said at 10 yrs, I want a scan! Maybe, just maybe I wouldn't be where I am today. My own dr told me the only way with insurance these days to get one that far out with no symptoms was to " tell me you hurt somewhere". What's unreasonable about having a yearly scan? Even every two? Let's save some lives here insurance companies. We should not have to be dishonest but I'm not beyond it when it comes to my life.

    Foxy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • walker2222
    walker2222 Member Posts: 558
    edited July 2011

    Foxy I hate having to learn at the experience of others but that is why we are all here. Thank you. I pray that all you are doing right now keeps you here for a long time. God Bless

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited July 2011

    Foxy - This is a continuous learning experience.  And I have said this many times that we have to be our own advocates and if it means lying to get a test done so be it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Teka
    Teka Member Posts: 10,052
    edited February 2012

    Everyone,

    Although never gave false information to a doctor, for weeks out of fear put off telling MO about sore right butt cheek.   He told me to stop sleeping in recliner and stretch out in bed.   Problem solved with no testing.   I feel you're a lovely bunch of ladies, but good-bye.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited July 2011

    Deborah, thanks so much for sharing your story. So sad that in order to get the care we deserve, we have to skirt the truth. Scans should be a part of a survivor's continuous care. Rrrgggghh!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited July 2011

    Thanks Deborah for sharing your story.  I often wonder about my sister who is a 10 year survivor.  I often worry that she needs to have testing other then blood work.  Shes ok with not have anything other then that and puts her faith in her doctor.  Well I dont.  I will tell her to come read your story and maybe this will open her eyes.  She thinks I just being over protective right now.  OMG like I want something to happen to her again. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Foxlairfrm
    Foxlairfrm Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2011

    Now that we have all had our scans...lol. Has anyone other than me heard that a tablespoon of local honey daily is supposed to boost the immune system and even fight cancer? I just bought a jar and thought...why not. I've eaten enough asparagus to sink a ship already. Good thing we like it.

    Foxy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited July 2011

    Foxy, I will stick with the broccoli, lol!  I havent heard about the honey yet.  This is a new one.  Atleast that tastes good, unlike the asparagus, lol

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Foxlairfrm
    Foxlairfrm Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2011

    I like broccoli too! My veterinarian who is into all kinds of holistic healing gave me some info on honey. It has to be local honey. Apparently it's great for people with allergies, almost like getting allergy shots. That part was actually confirmed by an allergy dr my daughter works for. It can't hurt in that small a dose!

    Foxy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NJvictoria
    NJvictoria Member Posts: 119
    edited July 2011

    Hi Foxy!

    I'm right above you on Kent Island in Maryland :)

    I'm not a fan of honey, but I do eat asparagus and broccoli. I've also been drinking unsweetened green tea with a sprig of fresh mint, out the ying yang!! LOL!

    Vikki

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited July 2011

    {{TEKA}}

    Welcome foxy!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lynniea
    lynniea Member Posts: 611
    edited July 2011

    Hi ladies I have God My MRI came back the cancer is gone.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited July 2011

    Teka, don't say good-bye!! Your story was just as important as Foxy's. You had the guts to air your concern and it got resolved. That is the whole point, isn't it? It won't always be mets.....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Foxlairfrm
    Foxlairfrm Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2011

    Lynnlea!!!! That is such fantastic news! I swear I'm crying! Thank God. How wonderful! I hope you do something very special to celebrate then tell all about it!

    I'm so happy for you and your family.

    The biggest hug

    Foxy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nundi
    nundi Member Posts: 1
    edited July 2011

    Hi, I live near Alliston too.  I am newly diagnosed, middle aged but have a young child.  I meet with the surgeon in Toronto on Thursday.  How are the supports up hear as I am wondering about having to travel to TO all the time?  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Foxlairfrm
    Foxlairfrm Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2011

    Vikki- you really aren't that far. I'll look it up. We go to Leesburg about twice a year to shop at the great outlet mall. Not far from MD.

    Paula- please tell your sister. I truly was feeling better than I had in years up until about a year before re-dx. Even then I thought it was just aging. I mean we were foxhunting twice a week on horseback, camping, dancing, parties, entertaining, football games up at VT keeping up with my college age son there! Life was good! It was so sneaky! Just keep the eyeball on it. I know it's hard, I didn't want to think about it anymore either. It was behind me as far as I was concerned, done, in the past. I wish I had known to push for a scan.

    Foxy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited July 2011

    Welcome, NJvictoria and nundi!

    Lynniea, The MRI is a pretty close look, so it is great that it was all clear.  Happy dance for you.

                                            

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited July 2011

    Teka hate to see you go.

    MJBmiller glad you are going to get to spend the weekend with your Dad. 

    I eat local honey every morning in my oatmeal and hot tea.  It really has helped my allergies so if I might help with cancer that would be good too.

    Lynniea so glad your MRI confirmed your cancer is gone.  Hallalujah, God is Good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Foxy have a question.  When you are talking about a bone scan what exactly are you getting.  I know a DEXXA scan is for bone density, but not sure what a bone scan is?  I have had a painful left hip for several months now.  Pain Dr put me on Celebrex and says it is arthritis from radiation.  MO says could be that or arthritis from tamoxifen.  I have had a x-ray done and it shows clean nothing there, but yet I cannot go without the Celebrex unless I take narcotics which I don't want to do.  Can't figure out how I can have so much pain yet x-ray shows clear.  Although the Dr's did so that early arthritis does not always show on x-ray.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited July 2011

    Welcome to all the new gals - this is a good place for information and support.

    Lynniea - Great news!!!!

    Teka - Please don't go! Frown

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited July 2011
    Sherryc, the bone scan uses an injection of radioactive meterial, given about three hours before the scan.  It will head to the bones and it shows "bone metabolism" or activity.  Too much activity can indicate a fracture, arthritis or bone mets depending how it looks.  The scan takes about 40-45 minutes, on average.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nanorama
    Nanorama Member Posts: 50
    edited July 2011
    Sherry - I know the answer to your question, so I'll jump in and answer and also say "hi" to all my age-mates on this thread, which I just found today.
     
    A bone scan is a nuclear imaging test, different from an x-ray.
     
    First they inject nuclear tracers into a vein. (Images of the injection may be taken right away, or not.) Then they make you wait around 2-4 hours, so the tracers can get absorbed by your bones. Sometimes you're allowed to leave radiology during the wait, sometimes not. You're asked to drink extra water to remove any radioactive stuff that wasn't absorbed by your bones.
     
    The scan itself is a lot like a DEXA scan. You lie still on a table while the gamma camera passes over you and records the pattern of tracer absorption.  It's totally painless. But it takes longer than a DEXA - if they're scanning your whole body it may take an hour. 
     
    Sometimes they do what is called a 3-phase scan, which is images taken at different times: first at the time of injection, then a little while later, then 3-4 hours later. 
     
    Hope this helps!
     
    Best of luck,
    Nan 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lynniea
    lynniea Member Posts: 611
    edited July 2011

    Thanks all for the support It is great to have it

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited July 2011

    Elimar and Nan thanks for the info.  Had no idea what a bone scan was.  If this hip conitnues to hurt I may have to ask for one to try to figure out what is really going on in there.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Foxlairfrm
    Foxlairfrm Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2011

    Sherry, everyone pretty much answered the question about the bone scan. Really painless and kind of fun to watch all your bones "fill in" on the screen. I had a lot of hip pain right aftter chemo that was totally unexplained except for a bit of arthritis. They did all sorts of scans and X-rays. Onc said it could be se of meds.

    Foxy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited July 2011

    Lynniea--Happy, happy for you!! I know the relief you feel, its a GREAT  feeling. I had an appt with my Gyn Onc this am for a F/U on a growth on my ovary. He said no new growth (in last 6 months) so he didn't want to see me back for 6 months, unless I have symptoms. Pheww, what a relief.

    I haven't heard about the honey, but if it gives me an excuse to eat biscuits and honey, count me in!! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited July 2011

    nundi, I am actually in Green Briar at the Nottawasga Inn. I would PM you but don`t know if you know what that is yet. I`ll let you get comfortable with the site first. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited July 2011

    Welcome NJvictoria and nundi 

    Vikki - are you originally a Jersey girl?

    I have mucho allergies, maybe I should start adding honey to my diet on a regular basis.  It isn't going to hurt and I like it. Actually, funny thing is there's a jar in my bedroom right now.

    Get your heads out of the gutters ladies - it's still on my nightstand from when I was bedridden.  I wasn't eating much, but chicken tenders worked and I love them with honey.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited July 2011

    Don`t you have to refrigerate honey....

    Welcome Victoria too!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Foxlairfrm
    Foxlairfrm Member Posts: 214
    edited July 2011

    Reesie, you made me laugh till it hurt! It has to be local honey for allergies. Something the bees do (I don't want to know..hehe) with the local pollens and I suppose airborne allergens. The honey can't come from "strange" stores ;) Sorry, I'm still giggling about that!

    Foxy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories