MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Reesie I guess I just look at it differently.  I do look at you MBC as my heroes.  My SIL fought MBC for three years and was one of the most positive people I knew.  I think that every day you fight and are alive you are a survivor.  My Dad is fighting mets lung cancer right now and things are not good but I still see him as a fighter and a survivor until the cancer gets him. Which in his words it is going to have to fight hard to get him.

Ooops just saw the time. Hope it's online at www.nbc10. Com

I think sometimes people get too wrapped up in the use of the terms " in remission" and " survivor".  They are just terms.  Each individual will have their own definition of what they are at thiis point.  Anyone dealing with MBC is a true inspiration.  Depending on who I am talking to will depend of what "term" I will use.  I do wear a pink tee shirt that says Survivor on it - it was given to me by a dear friend on the day I finished rads.

Hope everyone is having a great day. 

Thank you Elimar for the clarification.  I really think of myself as a "survivor" but not as just a survivor of BC but of the journey that I have made from my initial diagnosis, surgeries, radiation, and especially all the worry and waiting.  I will never forget those who helped me on this journey so far, and those who pissed me off with their minimization of the treatments effects on each individual.  I still find myself crying when I think of this terrible disease but marvel at it's life changing journey and I have "survived" it all. 

I understand the MBC girls and their reluctance to be called survivors, but to me they are heroes and are the epitome of the term survivor because they do carry on even with the knowledge that they may not survive.  That's courage and I can take from them the courage to survive through any of these treatments and still live a happy life even with BC. 

Happy Kitty!

Thanks for sharing that...made me all teary-eyed. I hadn't heard of anyone 20 years out...it gives me a reality check too.

elimar ~ Actually, the drs let me go "yearly" at one year out. After I finished Rads in Feb 09, the RO ordered a mamm at three months, then another at five months, which put me at Oct 09. Nov 2010, I had a yearly screening & now another yearly screening tomorrow. I asked about it at the time of the first yearly mamm order & was told I didn't need to have it done more often unless something was amiss. It did give me pause, but I went with it. I figured it was better for the breast (s) anyway.

Oh, Janis, I am so sorry your Rads breast is still "in recovery", with the blisters & all. Sending a gentle hug for continued healing.

janinnj ~ I know about having to have more pics taken at mamm time as that has happened to me also. And, one time, way before my Dx, I was called back later that same day to come back the next morning  for more pictures on one side. Scared me to no end!! But, they just simply needed more clarification in one area. Hopefully that is all they needed as well for you.

Hi everyone! I disappeared for a few days (or more), but I've been pretty busy! 

My BRCA test came back NEGATIVE, thank goodness. I truly was more worried about the results for my daughter, since my MIL and her sister both had BC and the sister also had ovarian.

Now I am waiting on Oncotype test to make final decision on chemo and since that will take some time, MO said to go ahead with radiation while I can do the internal before I heal up too much.  

Yesterday I had the Mammosite catheter put in and will start internal rads on Monday. Fun stretchy tube top keeps everything up close to me until they need it. Then they plug me into a computer, put the bead of radiation in for a few minutes, take it out, wrap me back up and repeat six hours later. Pretty cool! Five days and done...

Re: the mammograms. I'm supposed to have only the "bad" side imaged in February, which is my first 6-month follow up since being diagnosed in August. But when do I have the other side done?? Guess I need to find out that answer. 

Have a great day! 

Madpeacock,

Great news that you tested negative for BRCA, however since your MIL and her sister had cancer, that gene (IF present) could be passed on by your husband.  Since you have breast cancer, your daughters have an increased risk to get BC.  Have them be vigilent in BSE and such.  I am in the same situation as you, my MIL had BC and her father (DH's grandfather) had prostate cancer.  I was the only on my side of the family with BC, but getting it at age 43 they tested me for BRCA and I was negative.

Hugs to you.

Trish

I'm not sure what color the port is, it's still covered. I think the blue was the aneseptic they used. I did notice I have what looks like a burn on my lip. Makes me wonder what kinda party went on in there! I did have PT today and the weird feelings I'm having is the beginning of cording. Will have to look that up for more info and keep up the therapy. I've way overdone it today, so it's a pain killer and a nap for me.

Hope all you gals have a great day and madpeacock what great news about your brca test!

Reese thanks for sharing the news segment.  I was so touched by it.

Kay yikes on the skin rash, that with LE and rads.  You mush be getting miserable.

st jude the arby's story is funny but glad you made it through OK

mjbmiller (cuz) I will be thinking of you tomorrow during the walk, oh heck I'll just ride along in your pocket.

I have to have mammo's every six months and am suppose to have yearly MRI's but they are getting to dang expensive so told the MO I would opt out for a US this time around as insurance pays 100% of it.  But the thing is I am 49 and already sick of getting scanned every six months and they tell me this is for life.  I never get to move to yearly because of my history and even though I was stage 1 grade 1 they tell me I am at a higher risk than normal for a 2nd BC. But not too worry because they will catch it early.  Easy for them to say.  Also went to my pain doctor today and my blood pressure was a little up.  Have always had really low BP.  They asked me if I was stressed about anything.  Yeah, Dad is sick DH was in Hospital earlier this week but fine now, and I have too much breast pain.  the nurse said that will do it!

Elimar, I think Binney would have to answer that question, I will ask my LE therapist next time I see him though.  I asked today what is the % that get LE and he said docs will quote any where from 6 to 60% because I guess they are calling different things LE or maybe they are talking about different populations of breast cancer patients.  He said 30% of people who've had at least a lymph node removed.  He said gaining weight (BS had told me obesity was a risk factor), having rads and obviously having lymph nodes removed were risk factors. 

Thanks for the sympathy with the rash.  It is just about completely gone now.  I am supposed to start wrapping my arm again tomorrow, but taking it off at least once per day to make sure it hasn't come back and no more LE exercises yet.  All is good with that.

And so far the lotion is definitely helping with rads.  As soon as I get out, I can see that it immediately gets red, but putting the lotion right on really lessens it.  Only done 8, so hope it will continue to hold off any bad reactions, but I have really sensitive skin so we'll see.

Sherry, I agree that would make anyone's blood pressure go up.  You have a lot on your plate.  I understand about the scans too.  I was told that by my onc as well.  She didn't recommend BMX, said they would catch it early if I get a new cancer in the other breast and the only reason to do the BMX would be to alleviate worry if I was going to be too stressed over it.  I am a worrier too, so I hope I made the right decision.  I don't think I'll worry other than when I have to get scans and see doctors.  I do think the uni MX was much easier to recover from than a BMX would have been.  I had at least one side that I could use my arm and do things, but that was only a few weeks that that would really be a concern vs. the rest of your life worrying. 

I'm sorry that your mammo results give you no peace of mind janinnj.....that stinks.