I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Had the thyroid biopsy done - cost a lot, not much refund from our government - pigs. The doctor and assistant were really lovely so that was good and I didn't even bleed. Will get the result next Wednesday when I see the bs.

Also picked up the ultrasound of the axilla and opened it - all clear!!!!

Found a great pressie for the 90 year old lady - my smoke shop stocks gifts and he had a 90th photo frame - silver a big 9 and 0 - lovely. Also got a tiny little box for jewellery which was sweet. AND - couldn't believe it - a 90th birthday card - didn't know they made them. Saw a happy 100th there too!!!

Now I just have to pack, if Poppy would get off the top of the suitcase She seems to like it there.

Rosemary - when do you get your results? Sending cyber vibes for boring results!!!

Sue

2nd diagnosis October 2010 - IDC 5.8mm node negative - missed on mammogram in October 2009
Diagnosis: 10/13/2009, ILC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+

Forgot to mention (I am in deep DeNile) the bad boob mammo is today. I did pretty well at compartmentalizing it. But am nervous now.

Barb, joining in the hopes for a totally boring mammogram. 

E-fool, "Occupy Fusa": I love it!  This thing truly has gone global . . . I assume Fusaetc. is a pretty small town?  And thank you for helping me pinpoint where I had seen those Guy Fawkes masks before.  (Not that I actually saw "V for Vendettal" - it sounded kind of awful - but in the promotional campaign.)

Did someone mention Halloweed costumes?  I will probably wear a mask as I pass out candy (hey, maybe I should get a V for Vendetta mask!).  My daughter is dressing up as a TARDIS.

L

Hi Everybody!

Nice costume Blue!!  Jim would look good in anything or nothing at all.

Well .. the test was a bitch.  I did okay on the question and answer portion, but had some serious problems on the dictation portion.  I couldn't understand the dictators and it was on acute care, which I have no experience with.  The job is for psych work and there wasn't one psych question on the whole test.

I know I bombed it ... and I am so discouraged.  Having a crappy day.

On the plus side ... Linda you're going to hate me ... it is a gorgeous day out.  I tried some leaf blowing therapy but that was a bust as the wind was blowing the leaves in the wrong direction! arghhh!  I finally had to admit defeat on that project.

Hope everyone is having a good day.

Bren

Thanks for the encouraging words Linda ... I've been so down in the dumps all day.  I really wanted to ace that test.  Oh well.  It's over now.

We're going to have some bad weather move in tomorrow, then the temps are really going to drop.  We've been so lucky thus far in October.

hugs,

Bren

Hey Cranky Bren - I'm with you on that - I did see it but didn't go and read it.

(((HUGS)))

Cranky Susie - don't want to go away and leave my Poppy again.

That cat is smart - she didn't utter a peep until we got near the vet, then out came a little meow. It's only 3 nights and she is always fine boarding there, so I need to stop being such a sook

Well, the tech at the mammo joint said, after she sent the results to the doctor, that we needed two more views. I started freaking. But after that, all clear. Whew. Another bullet dodged.

Blue, great costume. Love the hat. It would look great on you also. Bren, bummer about the test. I hate tests. I either ace them or fail miserably. Rosemary, my cat does the exact same thing. My pal Debbie raises and breeds exotic breeds like Bengals and Safaris and Savannahs and these cats she teaches to walk on leash so hers love the car.

Here is a Safari. Only maybe 1500 in the world so far. It's a new breed and they are BIG!

Forgot to add Barb is cranky too but the crankiness will end at 4PM tomorrow.

Barb - I would love a kitty like that one Great news on the mammo!!!

All packed, 1 and a half hours until the cab I ordered comes - we know this really nice lady cab driver and call her whenever we want to go to the airport - saves us getting international students who cause havoc here with their horrific cab driving. Glad I booked for a middle of the day flight - gives me time to relax.

I swear Poppy was recognising the surrounds from the front seat - the vet is really close to home, so at least it's a really quick trip. I remember the day I got her, it was over an hour drive and she only meowed once in all that distance - little sweetie - I miss her already.

Here's a link to where we're going:

http://www.pleasetakemeto.com/australia/port-douglas/photos

Travelling Susie

Thanks Rosemary - I will if I can improve my mood - extremely reluctant to go for some reason - all too much trouble and expense even though I know the 90 year old lady will appreciate we've come. Should have just sent DH by himself. I will get rid of him next weekend - he's off on some golf trip - he's really trying my patience at the moment.

Hey, no bruising from the goitre biopsy, just a big uncomfortable in that area.

Cancer  - the gift that keeps giving you more stress

Sue

Cranky otter, too.

I'm happy for those of you who are headed out on cruises or other trips, but I'm feeling grumpy enough to want to stay home.  I'm empathizing with those of you who've had scans and squishes and biopsies (thyroid!), and glad that they've come out okay.

But, I am feeling grouchy today.

Not just today - yesterday, too.  I started to explain why I'm pretty sure I was cranky yesterday, but it involves a spat Mr. otter and I are having so it's kind of complicated.  He was so p*ssed off that he slept in the spare bedroom, even though that bed had no sheets on it and he had to locate & install them.  Tonight I piled a whole bunch of stuff on that bed from a sewing project, plus some washed-but-unfolded bedding, pictures I'm meaning to hang, etc., so he can't sleep there.  We'll see.  I guess I'm not the only person in this household who's cranky.

Anyway, I've been trying to get re-engaged on the BCO boards, offering advice here and there... but my heart and mind aren't in it.  I am getting so tired of the same old issues.  There's a new argument going on about whether mammograms "over-diagnose" breast cancer, and I am just too tired to care.  I have a whole sh*tload of journal articles (pdfs) I've saved on that subject, including the study done on women in Norway in which it was first suggested that BC might go away by itself.  That is such bullsh*t.  I read that paper, and it's not bad.  They got totally unexpected results, and they had to scramble to explain them... so they came up with the "disappearing cancer" hypothesis.  The trouble is, most people cannot tell speculation from fact, and they don't know a hypothesis from proof.  I am so tired of it.

[This space was originally taken up by a rant involving a statement made by one of the "over-diagnosis" proponents, re:  "One of the reasons screening doesn't make much difference is that advances in breast cancer treatment make it possible to save even many women with more advanced cancers."  But I'm fresh out of Emend so I couldn't risk the nausea.]

Anyway, the weather has been gorgeous.  Bren, we have your fine weather.  The acorns are huge this year, and they're raining down whenever a breeze blows.... THUNK! 

Gotta go.  The local TV channel is showing video footage of the funnel clouds and damage from the tornadoes we had 6 months ago.  Not sure I can watch.  Hugs to all...

otter

Otter, I read so many of your posts and I always appreciate your knowledgeable input. I don't even bother reading some of the nonsense BS that gets posted with unsupported, unproven crap. I know you contribute a lot of useful info that helps a lot of us and you can always back it up with fact. Some threads really are BS and not worth the time. Please continue to contribute to the ones where you know you make a difference and bypass the ones that leave you feeling like you've been banging your head against a brick wall. So many of your posts helped me when I was first dx and I'm sure they have and will continue to help others. There are lots of people on this board that appreciate your input.

And if the bar is still open I'd like a martini...shaken not stirred and... if possible...I'd love a blue cheese stuffed olive in it. I know...sounds gross but I love blue cheese and I had a martini like this at the Delmonico Steakhouse in Vegas a few years ago...Damn good martini!

Cheers

Beth

Otter - (the sea otters always guided our boat into Monterey Bay, and I have other fond Otter memories)

Burnout is real. 

Included among good otter memories is the voice of reason you often present.  It's difficult for giving, helping, intelligent people like you who actually try to spread facts and best information available.  There will always be those who disagree, who want to believe whatever makes them feel good.  You have touched many people, and can know that deep in your heart.  But you'll never reach them all.

I have a quote from an ancestress of mine, she copied it down in 1800 and it meant something to her - she had her own fight, being the only woman in America doing the high level of mathematics she was also writing down (I have one of her books & scholarly documentation for the "only one"), and she was living in a cabin in the backwoods of Kentucky, when women were chattle and kept ignorant:

"Forgive easily, Do good to all, and Dispute not with the ignorant."

Blessings to you.