March 2011 Rads

cmblastic~the Herceptin can weaken the muscle around the heart so they have to monitor it.

margie:  The only way insurance works is to have the pools of the insured great enough that there are more healthy people than ill people.  I figure between me and my employers I have paid at least $30k into the some insurance company over the last 10-15 years.  I think my personal medical bills, and the use of my insurance was under $5k in that same time period.That $25k easily went to pay the bills (that are negotiated at a lower rate with the health care providers) of someone who was ill. Insurance companies balance this healthy person vs sick person ratio very carefully.  One of the management techniques is to limit choice and procedure.  I'm pretty sure no matter who administers the insurance, this will be the case.  When Hilarycare was introduced in the 90's it was based on our SS act (1967 I think)  The current proposed Obamacare is even worse in terms of setting limits on patient choices.  Insurance stands between you and your doctor.  For example:  My insurance would not cover an MRI (multi thousand procedure) so I did not have one prior to my surgery.  The BS said "it's not necessary and I've been doing surgery without MRI's for years."  She was trying to save me money, but looking back now, I wonder, do I have anything growing in my left breast?  Did my the fact that my insurance refused to pay for something leave me at greater risk?  And yes margie...I did have radiation...that's how we met

Girlfriday, once again well put and I believe you to be very acurate.  I was lucky in having an MRI before surgery (dense breast), but the reason I was able to have one was I got into a study at umass breast center in Worceter to see if having MRI instead of mammo, ultrasound before surgery would help w/diagnosis/finding cancer in other breast, or in same one.  I felt lucky to be one selected to have the MRI, but the results showed no signifcant difference.  If it was their breasts, they would feel a very significant difference in piece of mind.

GirlFriday, Iwould be honored to bump into you one beach bound weekend!!

Sandymess, how was your appt yesterday?? Hope all went well!!

TheGood5 and Marjie--sorry you have to add heart worries to your list of concerns. Just not fair.

Tonia--Wonderful you are feeling great!! Glad to hear the fills are working out for you!

I went and colored/cut my hair for the first time since this mess started. I turn 50 in a month and I was tired of looking way older. Everytime I look in the mirror, I have to do a double take to make sure its really me. . . 

Marjie--its darker than I remember. . .oh thats right, no more gray!! I need to go get some wax  so I can spike it. I too had wings over my ears--looked like the flying nun!! 

I can't believe you are going to DB. that is so awesome!! Does it help with the stiffness from rads?? 

Marjie - I love the new avatar. You look gorgeous!

Claire -- Thanks for asking. My mammo went okay. It was more uncomfortable than usual but nothing I couldn't handle. They were supposed to do an additional magnified pic of the surgical site, but because of the tenderness in my breast and the fact that I just finished radiation in May, the tech talked to the RO and they decided it could wait till next time. Now I just have to wait till Thursday to see the MO for results. Unless, like last year, they see something and call me right in to have a sonogram. I'm hoping that doesn't happen!

Spent a couple of days at Popham Beach in Phippsburg. Loved just enjoying the weather, reading, sketching and taking pics. I did get a sunburn on my chest though and I thought I was being so careful! I used tons of sunscreen and wore a linen shirt for part of the day. I'll be more careful next time, for sure. Don't want to experience skin cancer next!

Hope you are all feeling good and having a wonderful summer. 

Sandymess-the beach sounds sooo nice!! Wish the beach here was as relaxing--right now just too darn hot, and the water is not cool enough to be refreshing. i'll have my fingers crossed for you on Thursday, here's to a clear mammo!

marjie--hope your doc visit is a painfree as possible. Haven't we already been thru enough??  

I have my 3 month follow up with my RO at the end of this week, as well as the results of genetic testing.  And then I see the MO in two weeks.  I don't think my first mammo will be until December, and I asked who would be scheduling it (my MO) but I have not asked when it will be.  I definitely have scanxiety over it, so I'm just going to ignore it until it's time.  I blush to disclose that although I am not quite a sloth,  I have not been back to the gym since my dx.  I haven't even been walking/running either.  I found my lump because of lifting,and trying to increase my bench press.  I just don't have the energy I used to have.  I'm gardening, and cutting the grass, and yesterday I loaded the truck three times with wood, and then re-stacked it, but going to the gym has just not been on my priority list.  At first I was scared, because I didn't want to injure something that was so sore...and now it seems like it hurts more than it used to.   It's like my right arm and pec are crunchy, and i can never seem to stretch them or work the into being smooth and lubed.  I'm not nearly as strong as I used to be either.  Even my legs don't have the endurance (use it or lose it, I guess).  I believe part of it is Tamoxifen, because even my knees and hips hurt now.  I think I'm just kind of frozen in place.  Waiting to see what's lurking around the corner.  I wish there was a Dr. Seuss book to explain this crazy better!

Sandy I too do the exercises three times a day.  I went to see a LE therapist, just for a baseline, and learned so much. I posted alot in the After rads thread.  I think we all have days of feeling like we are 100, and all our muscles/joints are awake!  (even though it can't be from rads...ohhh noooo)  Swimming felt great, therapist said its great for avoiding lymp.

Girl Friday, sound to me like you are doing lots! I got tired reading everything you have been doing!  My rads nurse was soooo honest, she said, don't even think of feeling like yourself for at least a year from the end of rads.  She said you will feel better because the physical stuff will fade, but the emotional side/aches and pains, will stay with us for many months.

I just checked out a couple of gyms, because I know reasearch has shown exercise is thought to be so important to keep reoccurances at bay.  I think working full time thorugh chemo/rads has kept me active, and kept my mind/emotions in tact.  I carry the insurance so I gotta work, thought I would take alot of the summer off, but I think in the back of my mind I'm afraid to use my sick days/ vacations days in case "something" should come up. Every now and then I worry because I don't have anything to take (triple negative). 

I do wish we all lived closer and could get together, somewhere in Hawaii, would be nice!! I think being at work with such a great group of friends, coworkers, supporters makes such a difference in my day.  They don't expect me to be 100% just because I'm walking and talking!! I feel blessed that way. 

Ugh! Remember how I said I have the appt with the MO on Thursday, unless they call me in right away for a sonogram? Well, they called today. The RO is concerned about a spot in the same breast as last time. He can't tell what it is, so I have to have another mammo tomorrow and if he still can't tell, I'll have a sonogram right away. I know I don't have to tell you ladies how terrified I am right now.

Sandy, I totally agree with Girlfriday, being overly cautious, which is a good thing, just get to the US, skip the mammo!!  I will be thinking of you and sending you lots of positive energy.  I'm hearing more and more of scar tissue issues coming up as "spots".  Hoping that is what you find out.

I'm heading to Saco tomorrow, I can accompany girlfriday for that entertainment!

(((((((((((((((((((Sandymess))))))))))))))))))))))))))) we are all here for you.

Marjie-- ---->>>>>good thoughts>>>>>>your way!! We're all in that waiting room with you!