MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
Comments
-
Oops forget to ask a question. If I'm not doing chemo, rads or hormone therapy what is the purpose of seeing the oncology practice in 3 months? Is there a blood test that would tell them where I am at as far as a recurrence or do I just assume everything is okay until or if I have some new symptoms?
-
chiluvr, I've switched docs in a group practice before (not oncology practice.) It worked out good. Really can't hurt to try finding one who will better about communicating. The doc's comment was nonsense, if he used the word would rather than could. Any one of us might get recurrence. It could be local, requiring more surgery and treatment; or it could be metastatic (also called distant recurrance) which is not curable so, to that extent, fatal. We take the treatments we take to avoid either scenario, if possible.
I have to say that you are overlooking one other thing, and it is big. You say you don't want any of the treatments. You seem to think the node stopped the spread of cancer and got removed. But, you know, the lymph system is only one route of cancer spread. The other is the bloodstream. No one can guarantee you don't have single cells, or small groups, circulating in your blood, heading for the bones or organs. Taking something (chemo or hormonal, sometimes both) is what addresses that possibility. That is why I would be in favor of the Femara, to at least try it. What if you can tolerate it well? It may be no big deal. But it is your life, and of course you must decide the quality you want from it. No one made my decisions but me, and I am only a stranger with an opinion.
p.s. Your other question: Most of us get CBC (blood counts, etc.) and Chem Panel (liver function) blood draws on a regular basis. Those simple tests are not diagnostics for B/C status. They can give the doc an idea if something is out of the ordinary, and be a guide to what further testing may be needed.
-
Janis- Good luck tomorrow hoping for B9 results.
-
Thank you Elimar for caring. Maybe I should be taking the Femara but with my history of fibromyalgia, osteopenia in my spine and chronic depression I am just too afraid. If my quality of life gets much worse I may as well never get out of bed. I have a lot of SE's from many different medications: certain pain meds, steroids, antiobiotics, etc. so I'm extremely nervous about taking something that causes so many SE's for so many people.
Diagnosis: 4/29/2011, ILC, 1cm, Stage IIa, Grade 2, 1/7 nodes, ER+, HER2-
-
Janis, will be thinking of you tomorrow and wishing you the best! I am so happy that fall is here and for me that means fewer hot flashes yeah!
I certainly remember not wanting to take my first Arimidex, I worked my self up over nothing that I can't handle and I am hoping it keeps me dancing with good old NED. Some day's though I have to make myself take it and my other meds too. I am just not a pill taker and it is annoying.
I started a new part time job today for a company that takes calls from people before they break ground to ensure that the utility and cable companies mark their cables and pipes etc. I had no idea I would have to be able to map OMG I can't read a map at all!! I am so spatially challenged so keep your fingers crossed that somehow it comes to me in my sleep
I only have to do it till Dec. when I finish my nurse refresher course, but I really need this job now.Love and hugs to all,
Linda
-
Janis--I'll be thinking of you tomorrow during your biopsy. Got my fingers crossed. Missing a day of rads is not so bad--let you heal a little bit. It'll be over before you know it!!
Kay--my RO told me not to megadose on any vitamin--nothing above the 100% RDA on any vitamin during rads--just a plain boring multi-vitamin. Not one with 125%, no way. Just 100. do you know how many vitamin bottles I had to look at to find one that didn't go over 100% ?? And then as soon as I was done with rads, my MO put me on E, B complex and D mega alot. Don't know the rationale. Does anyone?
-
Janis - good luck tomorrow with the biopsy. I hope your boosts go smoothly and don't cause any more damage and healing begins quickly.
-
good luck tomorrow, janis! i'll be thinking about you.
-
Best wishes Janis for a B9 result. Good to rest today and miss rads, more time to heal.
chiluvr I totally agree with Eli on your option to take meds. I am also allergic to many meds and was surprised that when I started my Arimidex that I had none of the SE that many complained about. As the ladies on the tread told me that you may read alot about the SE's but that doesn't mean you WILL get them. Many others are out there taking these kinds of meds with very litte or no SE's but you just don't hear about them cause they have no compaints. Please don't be afraid to try something that can help you beat cancer. I have depression and fibro and take 5 meds on top of the Arimidex as well. Like the doc told me if I have a problem with it, I can stop and try something else. Please don't let fear make your decisions for you. Any reading you can do that is basic facts and clinical infomation will really help you as it did me. It takes the fear factor down and makes it more managable. Okay the teacher in me will get off my soap box.
Kitty -
don't forget your big purse janis
-
Good luck Janis, make room for me!
-
Janis, I too, would not have chemo and I get treated differently from patients who did agree to chemo. I get no blood tests, no scans, no anything unless I have a symptom of met or recurrence, then it's usually only "we'll check it again in 3 months." Those of us who opt not to have chemo need to do a lot of research to find out what routine testing we should be having and insist on it--or do like I do and get it from my PCP. As a former chemo nurse I can tell you that chemo is a BIG money maker for an oncology practice and it's affiliated hospital. Docs don't like to "waste" time on patients who aren't making them money, I've noticed. hat's one reason it took over 10 years for OncotypeDx testing to become standard.
-
Good luck Janis with the biopsy. Move over ladies, I'm jumping.
-
I'm bringing the Cheetos!
-
NM, Your comment is for chiluvr, not janis, but it makes sense that if you take no oncology meds., it probably would be the PCP following up with you.
janis, Hope the NOdule on the your thyroid turns out to be a B9 little NOthing. Good Luck! The ladies are all with you, in your pocket munching on the Cheetos. If they leave too much orange-y residue, a little Oxyclean will do the trick.
KittyGirl & chiluvr, I don't think it is directly related to breast cancer, but there seems to be quite a few women suffering from Fibromyalgia. I know Barbe also has it. I have had it since 2005. Didn't even get any treatment til about 2008, and nothing that helped that much. This year I started on Effexor which does help me (and cuts the hot flashes, a bonus!) Anyone else here with Fibromyalgia?
-
How do you post a new thread or start a new topic on here. I can't figure it out. I know when I first signed up on here, I did one, but how I did it is a mystery.
-
Janis praying for B9 and I'm jumping in.
Chilvur I am taking tamox and someone in the beginning reminded me that if I can't take the SE's I can always quit taking the med. My followup with my MO will be every 3 months for first two years, then every 6 months for the next 3 years then yearly for life. He said he will go by how I am feeling, CBE, and bloodwork which includes tumor markers. Also for now MRI and Mammo but once I have my BMX I will be able to quit having those.
-
Zumbagirl, in the forum index, click on the forum you want to create the topic in. On that page, you'll see the link to create a new topic.
-
Thanks Kay
-
Forgot to add... OG, You learned everything about your B/C, what's a little map reading now? Congrats! I'm sure you'll do great, but if you have a crazy mix-up just remember we like a good laugh.
-
Good morning ladies!
I had a rough day yesterday and bad night, the pain from this burn is awful. I see my RO today. I will ask for some good pain meds for sure.
I am so touched by all of the support from this wonderful group. It would be impossible to address you each individually. Imagine my surprise to read this thread and catch up....only to find so many cheerleaders for me. I can't thank all of you enough! You have been so wonderful, kind and supportive and I love you for it. Words cannot express my gratitude. You are the BEST!
I love to bake, so picked an apron for you all to jump in. I feel the love my friends! Thank you ALL.
What do you think? Red is my favorite color. I think the red one will be plenty roomy for everyone. Plus, the orange Cheeto stains won't show as much!
-
Love the Red one! I'm in! No cheetos for me, anyone got fish sticks? Kitty
-
Chiluvr - Thanks for explaining how you ended up with a BMX with an info line that says 1 cm tumor. Makes total sense - I'd have done the same thing if they had found something else or had gotten really bad margins.
I am now COMPLETELY convinced that you need a different oncologist! Whether this guy is actually totally a nightmare or whether he just comes across that way to YOU, this is ONE relationship that needs to have "chemistry." You need to trust that you're getting all of the information that you need, and you need to feel like the oncologist is helping guide you to what is best for your future. You totally don't feel this way about Dr. Doom. Don't just limit yourself to that one practice, either. Most oncologists are highly intelligent and caring people - you can find a good one.
Re: the aprons - is it just ME, or do the ribbon ties at the waist seem like a bad idea? They're going to dangle into my mixtures, interfere with my cutting board, catch fire by my stove... HOWEVER, they're super-cute, so if the idea is to wear the apron to look adorable while serving things prepared by someone else, I agree that the red one is fabulous.
-
Kleenex....LOL on the ribbons! You are so right. I actually do wear aprons to cook and bake as I always seem to make a mess. Personally I have to plain ones, basic. One solid red, the other red with white pin stripes. No bows in the front, they simply tie in the back! Definitely practical. Just thought the red one here will be cute for everyone to jump into!
-
Janis, I'm bringing extra cheetos and some diet coke. If I can't have it out here, I might as well have it in the apron!! Thinking good thoughts for you!!
-
How come I never look that cute in an apron?
-
Ok tomorrow is my 3 month PFC check up and Im abit nervous. Not like anything has been wrong, just kinda outa sorts is all. I am lucky though I havent had to see any doctors since Aug., so I cant complain!
-
will bring the chocolate paula, make sure the bag is roomy
-
Paula66, That first check up is terribly nerve wracking! It's when your PTSD kicks in.
-
Paula Hope all goes well with your check up
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team