MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Hi JustmeJanis - Welcome to the group but sorry you have to be here with us.  Like Sherry said, the waiting is the hardest part and we all know what you are going through.  I did not have the Oncotype test done nor did I have chemo so I can't imagine what you are feeling when it comes to that.  We are all here to lean support whenever you need it.

Hi justmejanis.  The gals around here are a good bunch.  I enjoy them so.  They will do what they can to help you along the way.  The waiting is always the worst part.  Hang in there.  I got my ambien from my Onc.  I dont know when your next appt is.  Maybe your primary could help you. 

Hi Paula!  Right now I am officially "on hold" until the Oncotype test is back.  To the best of my knowledge, they have not approved it yet.  So I wait.  I talked to my Breast Cancer Navigator Tuesday and she assured me she will follow up on it.  She said as soon as the score comes back, she will schedule my appointment with my MO.  So for now, just a long wait.

Jo I am thrilled to hear treatment is behind you and now you just have to take the Tamoxifen.  How are you doing on that?  I believe I will be taking Arimidex.  I have been reading about potential side effects but so far nothing terribly scary.  I did have a bone density scan Tuesday.  They also drew blood for Vitamin D level.  Guess I will get all the answers when my Oncotype test results are finally in. 

I can tell this is a great, loving group and I will enjoy my stay here!  I do not feel alone at all!

Jo have a fun filled trip.  Take lots of pics for us!!!!

Jo, enjoy your time away. We'll miss ya!

Janis ~ My OncoType DX took 3 weeks but it was sent the Monday of Thanksgiving week, so I lost a week really. In looking at my records, the test was sent Nov 24, rec'd Nov 25, Date Reported: Dec 3, but I didn't see my onc to get the results until Dec 17.  Waiting sucks - I hope you receive yours soon so you can proceed with your course of tx.

I am so thankful for all of you.....you keep me grounded & away from the edge.......

♥

Valjean,  if you're not on the edge, you're taking up too much space!!!

Hey, I'm just sayin'....you know?

justmejanis my PCP gave me the ambien. 

Jo have a great time

Boy I have been off the boards for over a week now, so have a lot of catching up to do.

Welcome to the newbies, looks like we have several.  This is a great bunch of gals that I look to for support when the outside world doesn't understand.  Hated my port but dealt with it as best I could.  Felt myself unconsciously touching for some reason.  After a while the sensation faded to where I could bearly tell it was there.  Had mine taken out last December and I still unconsciously touch my scar.

Lynniea - good luck with the rads.  Keep lthe lotion on as best as you can.  My skin changed drastically from the 4th to the 5th week.  So heads up on that.

My dad's memorial was great, the funeral home put together a video tribute from the pictures we had.  The grave site was family only as he was cremated, mom was cremated to and dad could not part with the ashes, so we laid them to rest together.  Had a great time with the sibs. Here is the link.

http://www.hassfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1220143&fh_id=13089

My DH told me after that he was sorry he did not get to know him really well and that he was a great guy.  Dad had a stroke 30 years ago that left him unable to talk well, but could do work.

Finally got my CT scan results, all clear. So all clear for both bone and internal.  Was bit by a bug though, a genealogy bug.  Found some historical documentation in dad's things and that got me going.  Have a cuz who has worked a lot on my dad's (Newton) side. So made contact with him again.  Have been on the ancestry.com 14 day trial and have found loads of info.  I have spent the past few days working on the tree and think I have both mom and dad's traced at least 7 generations.  Once you know where to start it helps.

Sorry for the long post.

Paula that is great news about the offer for a promotion.  It is certainly a testament to your hard work and knowlege.  That is wonderful.

I finally have a date for receiving my Oncotype test.  My navigator called today and scheduled an appointment with my MO.  Next Friday at 1:00.  So I will finally get my score then and hopefully get a treatment plan outlined.  I will get the results of my bone density scan at the same time.  One week....at least now I have a date.  I hope this next week goes quickly.

Hello to everyone, and have a wonderful evening one and all.  As always, sending cyber hugs.

Janis

Paula 66- congrat on the offer. 

MBJMiller- Geneology can be alot of fun.  My grandmother was really into it and has traced her brank of the familt back to SAcotland and England in the 1500's.  One of my grats was with Washington at Valley Forge.

I have finished 19 /33 rad treatments and thank goodness I'm still feeling pretty good because I have major housework this week-end.  I have just done the minimum for so long, since working full time through chemo.  My mother is coming to visit and I haven't seen her in over a year.  I usually try to get back home to Arizona at least once a year but didn't do it this year and this will be the first time she has come to visit since we moved to our "empty nest" house.  My DH doesn't take the iniative but he'll do what I ask him and we'll have the place back in shape in no time.

Justmejanis- My name is also Janice but spelled different.  I am also 57 years old.  Where in Wy did you live?  I lived in Rock Springs for a breif time back in the 70's and the Tetons and Jackson Hole are about one of my favorite places in the country.

Hey everyone glad we're having a good week. Just thought I'd let everyone local to me know that Chrissyb from Australia is going to be in NJ in early Sept. She asked me to put together a BCO lunch or dinner on Tues 9/6 or Wed 9/7 so if you're up to it check out my thread on the Stage IV board.



I'm leaning toward dinner becausu I have to work but majority will rule.

Welcome Ginny, didn't see you there. We all have those days -whine away.



Barbe, you're right. A lot of women on these boards are BRCA - and they have breast cancer. Basically it means she didn't inherit that gene abnormality but it doesn't mean she can't get breast cancer.

Welcome ginnybee.  Grip away, we all understand.  Trust me when I say that we all can relate in one way or another.  The gals here are a good bunch.

Reesie is right Barbe.  It just makes me sick to think people who are in the medical profession say things like that.  A young gal friend, her mom passed away from breast cancer and someone told her that BC skips a generation so she is ok. Why in the heck would they tell her that.  Well if that the case, then why have 4 women in my family all have had breast cancer.  I am the first to be tested and I am positive,  My other sister has been tested and she is negative.  Im glad she understands that this just means she doesnt have the gene and yes she still can get BC.  We all have a chance to get this cancer just by having breasts.  

Ginny - feel free to whine, bitch and moan. This is a long journey. You're almost through the first part, try and celebrate that. Plan something special for yourself for finishing that phase of chemo. I had a MX, chemo, radiation, chemo.. When I would get discouraged one of my brother's  would say to me "keep your eye on the prize." When I got to the second chemo protocol, I had had enough. My hair was coming back. I was starting to feel better and I just wanted to be done. That's when he told me to "go to the whip." It's a horse racing term. You dig down deep and give it all you've got to cross that finish line.  For some reason those 2 phrases really helped me get through. I've been NED for 17 years.