Starting Chemo April 2009

Judy, for the abdomen, is he talking about doing a DIEP or a tram flap. The most current procedure is the DIEP because it does not remove the abdomenal muscle. You should find out which procedure it would be before you make a decision. 

My friend had the Lat Dorsi (taken from the back) and it has worked well for her. She's an avid golfer and it hasn't prevented her from playing. I don't know anyone else who has had it. But I agree with Titan to check the other threads. There is lots of information.

Helen, the abdominal option is the DIEP. I have also been in touch with my doctors in the US to ask their opinions on the two different procedures. I have a history with them and I am new to the doctors here, I find that quite hard.

Hope everyone is having a good day, hugs, Judy x

Hi all,

A quick note to say I am back in the States - wonderful vacation, loved Jamaica, had a great time with my daughter and now need to "rest" from my rest - will be back on soon!

 And thank you all for wishing me a good vacation - it worked!

Geri

Geri, welcome back! So pleased you had a good time, looking forward to hearing all about it.

Helen, wonderful news! Enjoy every minute of your growing family! I was so happy to read your post, really made my day !

I have just got back from my Onc check up; everything is ok thankfully. She wants me to do tumor marker blood tests before I see her next, which will be in 4 months.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone, sending hugs, Judy x

It is definitely still nerve wracking Titan, I had a hard day yesterday. But we had dinner in the evening with good friends that we made in the US so that was a great way to round off the day.

Can you believe it has been 3 years? I was diagnosed in Jan 2009 and had my surgery in March 2009. I am sure that on some level I am reliving it all at the moment.

Have a good day everyone, Betsy, please come by when you can to let us know how you are.

Hugs, Judy x

My annual mammo and BS appt is tomorrow morning. It is definitely on my mind and my stomach has butterflies no matter how confident I keep telling myself I am. This is a hard time of year for sure.

Hang in there everyone. 

Hi all,

I had my mammogram last week, it caused a flare up with my truncal LE and my arm. GGRRRR. Good news is NED.

My abdomen is finally looking like I'm 3 mos pregnant vs 7 mos.....so improvement on that front.

I had my 2nd appt with my gastroenterologist today. Things are improving on that front too..TG. But he said regardless of the outcome of my genetic test (still no news) he wants me on a stricter protocol for colonoscopies in the future. Like every 2 yrs. He said not all the gene mutations have been mapped in Lynch syndrome. He said with my "ugly family history" that he wants to be safe rather than sorry. I believe he meant my "ugly cancer family history" otherwise I guess I should have been offended. LOL.

Three year mark...has come and gone for me for the dx. My surgery was on Friday the 13th of March, an easy day to remember. I hate the "C" word but getting to know all of you has been one positive outcome from this awful disease. Hugs to all.

Betsy 

Just back from mammogram and appt with BS.  All is fine, mammo is normal, see you next year. Music to my ears!

It was very triggering to go back into the cancer center though. Not on a conscious level (although it's not my favorite place to be) but subconsciously. It just stirred up a discomfort deep inside me as I walked in. I almost came to tears but managed to control it, and then after I was there a little while, I was more used to it and felt ok again.

Interesting thing the BS said - she was talking about women's fear of cancer returning, and she said that almost all early stage BC patients (except those who present at stage 3b or 4 from the beginning) are going to die from something other than BC. She said that she has all these obese, sedentary women bc patients who are all worried about recurrance. She says she tells them that it is heart disease that is going to get them, not bc, and that they need to become more active, lose weight, etc. but they aren't interested in doing anything about that (even though those same activities would reduce their risk of recurrance as well).  She said it is a phenomenon that these women are fixated on the fear of recurrance but not taking care of their health in other ways, and that she sees time and again that the heart disease is what gets them.

I found that very interesting, but understandable. I remember when my GP wanted to check my cholesterol and I thought "Who cares about cholesterol? I just want to beat bc." Because we have fought against THIS disease, it is the one we are concerned about. But she is right - heart disease is a huge killer of women and I guess we need to be proactive about preventing it, too. She was very happy about my fitness regimen, btw. 

And then, I was back out in the bright sunshine of a beautiful day, sending a text to my daughters to tell them the results were good, driving to a work appointment, back to my regularly scheduled life. But I sure do hate being in the patient role, esp in that cancer center.

Love to all. Thank you as always, for being there. 

Hi all, hope everyone is ok. Wishing you all a great weekend!

Hugs, Judy x

Geri, you and I are the same age. While it would be nice to think I'd get to 93, I'm not optimistic about it. I have too many health issues at my current age already as well as the BRCA2.

Hi Betsy. It never ends, does it? But I'm glad you got it checked out and it's not a clot.



I get a lymphatic drain massage every 6 weeks or so. Also at my exercise class at the cancer centre they said jumping on a trampoline is very good to get those fluids moving. Not my idea of a good time but if it helps.......



I often think about Lena

AH...I want to send a hug to Lena..wherever she is...truly miss her.

Amy...thanks for sharing your visit with your onc...

You guys know I'm active on the TN thread..we have had 4 girls go to Stage 4 in the past few months...this is very hard for me to take...I love them all dearly (just like you guys)...being tn is tough because we have no herceptin or tamox to take to help us out..it is very scary sometimes....the good thing is..that 3 years out is very, very good for we tn's...but it still freaks me out...at first when I heard this I stayed away from the thread for a few days...but it was still there..in my mind...

I decided that I had to go back there..and just be normal (?)...

Titan, sorry to hear that you are having a hard time and that there are four women on the TN thread who have become stage 4. It must be hard. It really sucks doesn't it? Thinking about you.

Helen, sending you (((hugs))), you sound a bit down lately, are you doing ok?

I am doing ok, have another job interview tomorrow, so will keep you posted on that.

Hope everyone has a good day, hugs to you all, Judy x

Very difficult day today - my friend who had a cancer diagnosis shortly after I returned to work full time passed away.  They never found her primary site - so sad.  Then I was told that one of our little ones in my home care company, 3 years old, also passed away two days after she had her birthday party.  Just a down day all the way around - you guys understand.