February 2012 MX

Hi Bern-

When you mentioned your daughter's early experience with cancer, my heart just went out to you.  I'm soooooo glad she's doing well now. 

And, Deborah- you're the science whiz here... have you or anyone else heard about the new metabolite profiling to determine whether or not your breast ca will reoccur?  It (supposedly) has better accuracy than either the oncotype or the mammaprint.  Here's the main article, although, you can find many articles on it if you google it:  http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/70/21/8309.short 

Hey, I have to say....lately, I'm actually giving my brain rests from this BR CA crap...today, I think I went about 3-4 hours without even thinking about my breast or BR CA.  It was nice...life actually is starting to seem more normal again....but....of course, I haven't started on the HT yet....and I haven't gotten any pumps in my breast yet...so that'll be fun! 

Hi Feb. Ladies,

I am getting my port placed in my chest today. All my scans are done but I do not know the results yet. My chemo is scheduled to start next Wed., April 4. My MO did not recommend the oncotype test for me since it was in my lymph nodes and she said I would definitely need chemo. I am also waiting for the BRCA 1 & 2 test results. My RO does also want me to have rads, but I am not 100% on board with that yet. I was told before my BMX that if I did that I would not need rads, but if they found it in my nodes I would need chemo. Now they tell me that premenopausal women can benefit from rads in addition to chemo. They changed up the rules on me! With my having TE's andalso the risk of lymphedema, I am very afraid of rads. My PS wants to do the exchange before rads, but my RO says to do it with the TE's still in there! Don't you all feel like there are too many decisions on this journey?!

Hi Ladies,

I feel as though I am so far behind in this process while I am still waiting on my onco score. Your post have been very helpful of what to expect. I just wish I could add some helpful info myself. It feels like my life is on hold and I truly lack Patience in that area. I was wondering how many smokers are in this group, if any. I was told to try by the end of the summer to get counseling about quitting and not stress over it now because my body is already handling enough, I don't need to add any more stress to myself. I thought there was a smoking tread on here but I didn't find it. I am glad to hear there as been alot of good news and sorry to hear of the unexpected news.

Diximine30...I am soooo glad you got to REALLY hold your grandbaby. I was there in the room for the birth of all of mine except the last one (he came early, little stinker)..such a cherished moment.

Best to all...hoping everyone feels better today then yesterday!

wrenn44...thanks I will give it a try.  I did find an interesting quote in my search though...I am sure many have seen it already but my daughter and I decided to make it frameable an hung it on my fridge as my "refridgerator art" for the day... 

 "Depression is not a sign of weakness.  It's a sign you've been strong for too long." 

I've been feeling a little low today but maybe I just need a rest from all this for the day...not sure if anyone else has had one of them days, but this may help...darn onco score waiting...lol

Bern25, I know how you feel.  I was supposed to get my onco results tomorrow but now the lab said they won't be ready till next week.  My doctor changed my appt. till next Friday!  Hurry and wait again!  Just wondering how many of us who got mammograms every year have been told that the cancer has probably been there for 5-7 years?  That's what I was told.  I guess because I have dense breasts.  (Well, make that breast!)  In other words if you have dense breasts, mammograms are useless.  At least that's what I get from it.  Our insurance pays for useless tests every year.  It would have been nice to catch it sooner like before it went to my lymph node. 

 mcm24, how are you doing?  Did you get the port today?  Please let us know!

Galsal...thanks...I appriciate that a bunch!!!

Woo Hoo! I just went and bought a bra and prosthesis! I look totally normal in clothes again. It's pretty exciting for me. I'm back to my receptionist gig tomorrow, and I'll be happy to look like my old self in public.

They phoned me from the hospital today to talk about picc line etc.. they told me that they prefer you do not shower when you have a picc line if you do you have to be super careful not to get it wet.  UNBELIEVABLE!!!  I will definately be one of the ones struggling on a regular basis to have a shower. I refuse to go a total of 6 months spongebathing and half bath and half showering this is insane. I am sure i will be getting sick soon from improper cleaning of myself.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Sorry just needed to vent

Beth -- holy smokes!!!  Vent away...if anyone has a right, it's you.  I'd be willing to bet your cleaner than most on any given day.....but it still really sucks.  I'm so sorry....

You can do it Bern!!!  Jan 25th is also my anniversary....yet another connection for us, a happy day.  I can pm you my cell number if you want....you can text me when you need a "no smoking" boost.  I won't lie to you, it is seriously hard but I know you can do it.

mma59,

I am one of the lucky ones, who have had a mammogram every year. Last October I went in for my yrly mammo on a new digital machine and there they found microcalcification in the left breast.  I would never have felt this as a lump.  I too have very dense breasts but luckily this was picked up on the mammogram.  After a sentinel node biopsy it showed DCIS, grade 3.  Since then I had 2 lumpectomys trying to get clean margin without luck.  Feb 23 had a uniMX.  Fortunately for me no lymph node involvement.    So YES I would tell eveyone regardless of breast density to continue to have yearly mammograms, it very well may have saved my life. 

The port surgery went ok. But the pain meds made me sick, so after I finally got to eat some crackers and ginger ale, it came back up. I woke up in the night (after sleeping in the lazy boy again, back to that!) and was able to eat a banana popsicle and animal crackers. That stayed down too. I didn't go to work today because I was still kind of shaky and just needed to rest. Supposedly I can't drive for 2-3 days. It's 2:00 p.m. and I am still in my jammies!! Oh hell, who cares. Screw this cancer crap!

BERN....doing the happy dance for you over here!  You go girl!  I'm sure you said why they want the ovaries out but I just can't recall right now.   Go with your gut...quit the monkey of smoking!

Saw the Breast Clinic today.  All looks well, although the skin parts that were saved flop over enough that it's hard to keep them dry in there.  When at home, am going around au naturelle with pieces of kineso tape holding them open (tape is from OT to do this).

I will say the NP spoke glowingly about the Partner of the PS team that would work on me.  He's the one with the microvascual training and experience of the two on the team.  They've put a note in to have the Partner meet with me also at the next PS appt on 4/11.  Makes me feels a lot better!

mma, feel better!

Nel - what time of day are you Y classes btw?  The one near me has that program, as I've just looked it up to check.

Ahhh....I hear you about the ER+ being high but I'm not high on Estrogen itself although not in menopause just yet.  Will see the Gyn on the 19th to discuss her wanting the ovaries out at the very least, if not total hysterectomy.

Onc didn't realize that if she wants me to have the Brca testing, she needs to order it.  Breast Clinic isn't going to do it since by their outlook, I don't meet eligibility.   So it won't be quick before there's an answer on that one.  Needed though, as part of the decision to remove part or all.

Today BS said "you won't have to worry about cancer any more".  Wow, seriously?  Responded that it will always be in the back of my mind.