MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited September 2011

    Janis I can't believe the horrible experience you had.  Hope the wine helped and you are better today.

    MJBmiller glad the neaurotin is helping.  DH has neuropathy and it helps him.

    Today is my one year cancervesary and Jo is coming for the weekend and we are celebrating tonight.  Tomorrow we will meet up with the Texas gang in San Antonio and visit with Chrissy and show her around.

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited September 2011

    YEAH for Sherryc! 

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  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited September 2011
    Here's to many more healthy years Sherryc!
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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited September 2011

    reesie, slow & steady will get you there.  Don't rush it, it's not worth the setback.  I will really be wishing that you get the o.k. for BiMx on Monday.  I think you need to find a garment with giant pockets, and take the gang with you because we will all be so eager to know.

    Sherryc, two words for your One Year Cancerversary...

                                           

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  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited September 2011

    Yahoo Sherry!!!!  Have fun with Jo and dont party to hard!

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  • janinnj
    janinnj Member Posts: 89
    edited September 2011

    Janis-COMPLAIN real loud.  You might want to call the state if the place wasn't clean.

    Reesie good to hear from you.  Hope you get your 2 for 1 in. I hate going under anesthesia any more than nessecary.

    My DH and I are going to Lancaster this week-end for the Barbershop Harmony District competition.  Hope everyone has a great week-end

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited September 2011
    Have a great time jan!
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  • Carebear50
    Carebear50 Member Posts: 7
    edited September 2011

    Life was just starting to get easier, children moved out looking after themselves, grandchild to share time with, turned 50 and bam! Breast Cancer hit, so much to take in. Chemo 8 rounds, Radiation 6 weeks, 5 days a week, blood counts aren't good so give myself shots of a drug that should  help, I REALLY dislike needles and I have small veins so they usually take 2 - 4 tries for the IV.

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

    Welcome, Carebear50!  You've gone through most of the hard stuff already.  did you have mastectomy, or were they able to shrink your tumor first and just take a lump?  Are you on Tamox. now or what?

    I know some of the stories we have could frighten Newbies, but it is somewhat true that if everything goes perfect, rarely do you hear about that, so Newbies please don't have nightmares on our account.  Around here, we make the best out of our procedures, but nobody says we have to like them; so sometimes we have to vent and share the horror.  

    I think we can all agree that it sure ain't no day at the spa!

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  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited September 2011

    Welcome Carebear50! I'm sorry you have to be here...

    You and I were diagnosed the same week. I've had my surgery, radiation, and just started tamoxifen this week....Hoping and praying that the side effects aren't too bad.

    The ladies on here have helped to keep me sane these last five months for sure!

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited September 2011

    welcome carebear!

    I had my follow up surgery on Wed. Feeling so much better now. Last drain finally out, skin sparing skin removed, and feel like I'm finally healing. Next week is not too bad w/appts. Will get the heart echo, chest films, and labwork on Tues. Meet post op w/ps on Wed. and hopefully get some pt going. Would love to have some range of motion in my left arm. I may even go for it next week, and chop the hair. We'll see.

    Hope all is well w/my sisters. Congrats Sherry, what a time to celebrate!Smile

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  • Kleenex
    Kleenex Member Posts: 764
    edited September 2011

    Jessie/mjbmiller - I am going to be at Bands of America in Arlington tomorrow as well, with the Mansfield High School Tiger Band! We play at 11:45, right before the lunch break. Are you guys listed as "Frisco"? Playing at 9 am? What does your student play? I have a freshman color guard girl and a junior playing mellophone. This year's show is SO fun for me: my color guard girl made the "rifle line," so she's frequently in the middle of the front doing dangerous things with faux weaponry or flaggage. My junior gets to go up on a giant teeter-totter and play her horn in the second movement, and then she's right up front in the corner at the beginning of the third movement, so I can actually tell it's her for those two brief moments. I am not chaperoning, either - just going to prelims in the morning and HOPING we get a chance to play finals. We wear obnoxiously noticeable polos that are black with yellow trim (I'm wearing mine in my avatar above). I have a purse that is in a bright yellow tiger-print - super tacky and obviously made with materials never found in nature. How much of the morning are you going to attend?

    We're playing in South Grand Prairie tonight in the totally-not-formidable-sounding "Gopher Bowl." I often chaperone, but tonight I'm just going to be happy fun mom, hanging out with my husband and friends, all decked out in the aforementioned band booster finery. 

    Last year, our band didn't make finals at BOA Arlington, which was sad and surprising, as although we rarely win anything, we "usually" make finals. Two weeks later, we won at the Carrollton Tournament of Champions. So subjective - unless you're a big power school like Marcus or LD Bell and you can spend big bucks on props like gigantic flowers that light up...

    Coleen 

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  • Kleenex
    Kleenex Member Posts: 764
    edited September 2011

    P.S. - It's not just "Pinktober," but also here in Texas, it's "Bandtober!" All high school marching band, all the time, if you've got a kid or two involved in that. Such a fabulous distraction from "Pinktober" for me - maybe one day I'll embrace the pinkness, but so far, at 3 1/4 years out, not feeling it just yet. I am still unfortunately a smart-aleck if a grocery clerk asks if I'd like to donate to Breast Cancer - can't help but say I'm still paying for treatment for it, but thanks for asking... But I love me some band band band! :)

    So Happy Bandtober Eve to everyone!

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited September 2011

    Happy Bandtober to you as well, from a mother of 2 in the Band of Vikings. Yes, it is a wonderful distraction!

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  • KittyGirl2011
    KittyGirl2011 Member Posts: 537
    edited September 2011

    Janis,  HOW AWFUL!!!!!  I'd be at the center's office in person with these complaints regarding such unprofessional care!  The health department should be in there too.  SPIDERS!!!  Totally unacceptable!  Get your BITCH on and go in there and give them a piece of your mind.  Be sure you document all of this, date, time, doctors, place, etc.  If you have any adverse compications this is grounds for a law suit!  I wouldn't even pay the bill with such terrible care.  No need to be nice to these people, they certainly were not caring to you!  HUGS and Healing thoughts for you.  Kitty

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  • Eph3_12
    Eph3_12 Member Posts: 4,781
    edited September 2011

    Wow Janis, you really got Kitty's fur ruffled!!!  But you know what?  I kinda think you oughta get your BITCH on also!!!!!

    Kleenex-I so love you've posted so much lately!  Happy Bandtober to you too.  It's Happy Soccertober at my house, 24/7 it seems! I LOVE FALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 475
    edited September 2011

    We have to stand up for ourselves!  Things like this will happen over and over again, so the ladies are right.  Let them know what happened. 

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  • Hauntie
    Hauntie Member Posts: 483
    edited October 2011
    reesie - glad to see you here (or should I say read you?) I really hope you get to do your twofer. I'm right with you in that pocket on Monday. Then take care of yourself. From the brief time we spent together, you seem like the type that would try do too much to soon. I still have my white carnation. It's displayed next to my Stage IV Traveling Pants pin. Next time I visit DB for a week in NY, I'll try to make a detour to NJ so I can hook up with you, Kay and Dotty.
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  • justmejanis
    justmejanis Member Posts: 1,847
    edited October 2011

    Greetings everyone.....the last thing I wanted to do when sharing my experience is scare anyone off.  For the record, this was a thyroid nodule biopsy.  Much different experience from my core needle breast biopsy.  That was done at a different location and not at all painful.  Barbe 1958, I think you understand the difficulty of this biopsy having experienced it yourself.  I was gone all day, but my navigator, Nanette called while I was gone and left a message asking me how it went.  I called her when i got home and told her everything.  She works for the same hospital and was stunned.  She plans on investigating and said she appreciated me sharing as clearly they need improvement.  I am busy right now and also dealing with the burns on my breast and underarm.  I am not sleeping well and have so much to do.  Right now I am not even going to bother pursuing the whole thing.  It is over and done, and I do believe Nanette will be very thorough in her follow up.  I just don't have the energy to invest in it right now.  Other than some residual soreness in my neck/throat, I am okay.  This too shall pass.

    Sherry, I am so thrilled for your one year anniversary and can't imagine a better way to celebrate than with good friends.  I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

    Reesie, glad to hear you are improving and still able to keep us posted.

    St. Jude.....I am so happy the surgery is behinbd you and the last drain has been removed!  What a relief.  I hope you get stronger each day.

    Elimar...thanks for always keeping us on our toes, thinking, and laughing.

    I want to thank everyone who was in my pocket yesterday, and ALL of you for your comments and happy thoughts.  I appreciate all of you so much!

    Big hugs my friends!!!!

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited October 2011
    reesie, so relieved to see you back on here!  i've missed you.  Smile
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  • annettek
    annettek Member Posts: 1,640
    edited October 2011

    how could i miss so much about so many?????????? so sorry for anyone ailin and so happy for anyone celebratin (excuse the Texas twang- getting geared up for the ride to San Antone and meeting up with all the bc kinfolk tomorrow:)))) I wish ALL OF YOU could be there and you will...in our hearts

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  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited October 2011

    I hope everyone meeting in San Antonio tomorrow have a wonderful time!!

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  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited October 2011

    Janis-you passed the problem on to your NN, let her deal with it! Now lets just focus on getting you that B9 result on that biopsy!!  Barbe, it scares me to think that anyone would have a needle around my throat and I would be AWAKE!! I think after the first missed jab, I would be passed out on the table!!!

    Reesie, glad to hear you are healing. Gentle ((hugs)). Make room for me in your bag for Monday!! I'm bringing the chocolate.

    Sherryc, CONGRATs on celebrating your anniversary. Have fun with all the gals tomorrow. I'm so jealous, it sounds like quite the party. Wish I could be there for a margarita or two. . .

    And welcome Carebear, welcome to our little group that no one REALLY wants to be a part of. But we always love to throw a party and welcome our newbies!! Baked you a cake just to say welcome

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  • treeskier
    treeskier Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2011

    Hi all,

    I would like to join your conversation. I'm 58, a schoolteacher, got the diagnosis on the first day back at work this August and met my surgeon on the morning of the first day of school. Diagnosis to end of local treatment took exactly one month, since I had brachytherapy instead of external rads. I guess it's good to be done with, but it kind of left my head spinning. I am just ending my second week of trying to do my whole job, get extra sleep, and still spend an hour or two (or more) reading up on bc every night. Good info was hard to find until I got turned onto breastcancer.org!

    I am another one who changed MOs. The first guy had a hot rep but to me he was fast-talking, not really listening, and left me confused and feeling like I'd heard a rap he'd done a thousand times. Went to a different one, a university research type, and felt listened to. Their risk numbers for me were similar (my oncotype was 18) but with the first I got the message that I'd be irresponsible not to do chemo, while the second said he was "not enthusiastic" about giving me chemo because of the low probability that it would change my risk appreciably, and chemo SEs can be so serious. 

    Things I'm worried about: preventing lymphedema, whether I'll have SEs from Femara (waiting for the 90 day Rx to come in the mail), and why my breast has gotten more pink and hard and lumpy rather than less so. Don't think I have an infection -- not hot, no red streaks, pus, etc. Advice welcome!

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  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited October 2011

    Welcome Ellen!! I wish I had some answers for you, but there are so many fabulous women on here, I'm sure that someone can help you out. Glad you found a MO that you like, trusting your doc makes the whole BC journey easier. Have you called your MO about the changes in your breast? Don't wait for your next appointment, let them look at it and make sure its ok. 

    and just in case Carebear doesn't want to share her cake, I made one just for you!

     

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  • treeskier
    treeskier Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2011

    "All she could say was WOW." (I think that's from a book called Lily's Purple Plastic Purse.) I'm salivating!

    Thanks for the advice... I thought of calling but didn't want to be a wimp. The post-surgical papers do say to expect it to be hard for a long while... just expected it to be gradually diminishing. As bc SEs go, I guess a hard, bumpy breast is pretty minor stuff! I had the illusion I would get treated and go back to being the same woman I was before. 

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  • juliet62
    juliet62 Member Posts: 3,412
    edited October 2011

    can i have some cake. back in work boo hiss!, if your bringing the chocolate claire i will bring the chips

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  • marlegal
    marlegal Member Posts: 2,264
    edited October 2011

    Eli, as far as "old timers" chiming in to let us know how they're doing ... there is just not enough time or space for some people and I get that. I pretty much only come on weekends and I can see how some of us might think ... Oh Geez...15 pages have gone by since I last posted so I can't keep up, I might as well not say anything. I just hope in my heart that our "old" friends are okay and just busy with their lives and might not post. For me, just know that I welcome all newcomers the best possible outcome on your tests, surgeries, treatment, etc. I'm 6 yrs out and living life to the fullest every day I can. Many cyber hugs to you all

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  • justmejanis
    justmejanis Member Posts: 1,847
    edited October 2011

    Welcome treeskier!  AnotherColorado member.  I lived in the Denver area in the 70's and 80's and I still miss it.  My sister lives in Castle Rock, my son and DIL in Conifer.  I moved to Idaho just last year from Cheyenne.  I so miss that part of the country.

    Your breast may continue ro redden for a bit.  This is common with radiation.  There are others here who have had mammosite rads who can advise you better, but of course talk to your doctor if you are even a little concerned.  The changing of the incision site is usually normal.  The radiation does irritate it and it will take awhile to calm down.

    Claire...your cake choices are AMAZING!!!!!  Good job!  Laughing

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

    Welcome, treeskier!  If it makes you feel any better, our Dx are very similar and my Onco score was also 18.  My MO said I would have a 2-3% further benefit from chemo and for that reason did not recommend doing it   Also, although I had whole breast radiation (WBR) it stayed firmer for at least 6 mos..  Besides it taking time for the fluid in the tissues to resolve (I had PT to massage scar tissue and do some lymph drainage too) I think you get kind of a microscarring from rads and the whole area seems to become less elastic.  After those months, I finally got back to my age appropriate sag.  Takes longer than you would think.

    annettek,  Wish I could come to the S.A. get together.  I know so many of you going.  Have fun!

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