Mom with recurrance

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blulrich
blulrich Member Posts: 66
edited June 2014 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
Friday my mom told me she is having a lumpectomy on her left breast -- she just finished chemo for several spots of cancer in her right breast (dx 11/05 - see thread "mom with 3 types"). She went last week for a follow-up mamogram and they found "something" in her "good" breast A biopsy determined cancer. Mom says it's in situ as far as they can tell, but that's what they said last time and it wasn't. She's doing alright, but we had figured she was going to be OK for a while. She was supposed to start radiation next week, I think, and I'm not sure if she will or not. Seems sort of an afterthough right now.
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  • Hattie
    Hattie Member Posts: 414
    edited April 2006
    Shoot! Just to let you know, my doc actually had new tumors grow while on chemo--ten years after finishing treatment she's still here. Her doctors just had to work harder than expected (and so did she, but she made it).
    Take care,
    --Hattie
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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    Blu,
    I am so upset by this news honey!!
    I am praying so hard for her that it is indeed insitu.

    okay fist up again sweet heart were going to beat this crapy beast!!

    I will write again soon!
    Love,
    Carrie
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006
    Blu Carrie alerted me to this thread, I am so sorry to hear your news about Mom. This just stinks big time! I am so ready for her to hear some good news! I am praying for her as usual, hot sauce and chips would taste so good right now!

    Hugs and Kisses to you both, maybe you can come home pretty quick.
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  • blulrich
    blulrich Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2006
    Sorry I haven't been posting. Things have been crazy around here. I won't go into details, but DH is out of town and we've had pretty bad storms.

    Mom is doing well. She is ready to get started on rads, but has to wait until pathology is back -- that's Fri (14th). It will determine where on her "new bad side" she needs it as well as her "old bad side."

    Thanks for the prayers -- she really appreciates them. And thanks for the support. It's good to know y'all are here.

    Moms -- Sorry for alerting you to the new thread. I felt someone may look at this one who wouldn't necessarily look at the old one and might have some words of wisdom.
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006
    True Blu this thread may help some new people coming in!

    Life can get like that, and pretty soon it does get better. Never feels like it when you are in the middle of multi-tasking though! Take care of the kiddies! Sending hugs to you and Mom!
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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    NO, you were right to start a new thread, they do stand out better to people that are checking.
    We had bad storms in Ohio today too.
    Uh-oh I see cowgirl is wanting hot sauce and chips thats her stress food. lol

    Things for Mom to get for Rads ~

    Tom's of Maine deodorant but nothing on radiated sight or under arm during treatment
    Soap~ Dove non-scented
    Fruit of the Earth brand Aloe Vera %100 pure
    put on a couple times a day after treatments
    tell her to be sure to do the back of her arm pits too and
    up on her collar bones and not to rub keep areas as dry as possible Denise's rad Doc said no corn starch as it may cause a yeast infection.

    The mapping appt. last awhile but after they get her all mapped out and where they want to radiate the rest of the appt.s go fast. I hardley would get going on an article in a magazine and Densie would be done.
    tell Mom {{{hugs}}}and waiting and holding both of your hands while you wait for the results.

    Now you, what is going on with the leaking and the everything else? Have you had any more test?
    and if so what ?
    {{{{{{Blu}}}}}}}

    Hugs and love,
    Carrie
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  • blulrich
    blulrich Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2006
    Mom - The leaking is still happening, but not as often. I haven't out-right leaked since March 27th -- that night I had to deal with a bloody nose on the youngest after he got kicked by his older brother. I think the rise in stress got it going. I tend to have times throughout each day that they feel enlarged and full, but it usually passes without soaking my shirt. I am also getting sections of hard swelling in my right breast like my milk is coming in or something. I'm still not pregnant. The only thing that helps is a hot shower and massaging the area.

    Geez! I sound like a wreck!

    The good news is I got a copy of all my labs from the last 3 years. Very interesting reading. I am calling an Endocrinologist Monday to see if they can help interpret some of what's going on --calcium high and potassium real low. Still have the Onc Surg appt on the 20th. A friend is going with me (since DH has to work) and I want to make sure I get everything written down or remember it.

    So. Thanks for the suggestions for mom. I am going to Target in a minute to get "Narnia" and other stuff. I'll try to find some of those things as well. She sent me a pink ribbon cap -- she knows I like caps a lot. Maybe I'll wear it to school tomorrow.
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006
    I will be praying you get into an endocrinologist soon Blu!

    Blu you sound like a mom with an active family handling a lot on your plate! We love you and support you, I wish I could help you with the kids. They will be boys you know, mine are all testerone most of the time!
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  • blulrich
    blulrich Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2006
    Here's the latest straight from dad:

    Today, we saw the surgeon to find out what the pathology report said. The cancer has been removed and no further surgery will be needed at this point.

    Tomorrow, we go see the medical oncologist to see if any further chemotherapy is recommended or needed. We pray not. If not, then she will have surgery to have the port removed next Monday.

    The next step will be her appointment with radiology on the 25th. Then we will know what the schedule will be for radiation treatments.

    HURRAY!!
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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    Blu ,

    Does that mean the the biopsy results came back the reacurrance was insitu and they got clean margins ?

    Please say yes !

    I sent you a PM

    Hugs~

    {{{{{Mom}}}}}

    {{{{{DAD}}}}}

    {{{{{Blu}}}}}
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006
    Hmmm Good news finally! Carrie it means clean margins, but I am unsure about the DCIS vs IDC, she may have had some IDC just smaller.

    This sounds like great news, let's hope the oncologist gives a good report and off to rads she goes!
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  • blulrich
    blulrich Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2006
    YES! CLEAN MARGINS!! Mom and dad went to the medical onc this afternoon -- still waiting to hear from them. They were very excited. Mom said she was going to give the onc a "peck on the cheek and tell him she never wants to see him again."
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2006

    blu, glad to hear the good news.

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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006

    Yipppeee I am so happy for you and your Mom!!!!!!

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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    Blu for you and Mom .......

    image

    Carrie
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  • blulrich
    blulrich Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2006
    Mom gets her port out Monday (18th)! The 25th will be the inital rad appt. She'lll have 5-7 weeks of that and hopefully that will be it! WooHoo!
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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    Blu ,
    Thinking of Mom today as she has reached this milestone of getting her port out.
    Sending prayers that the Rads go quickly and easy for her in the weeks to come!

    Happy Dance~
    image
    Carrie
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006

    So glad she has this done today!!!!

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  • blulrich
    blulrich Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2006
    Mom and dad are doing well. They scared me to death though! Dad forgot the cell phone at home and I couldn't reach them until they got home a full 12 hours after they were supposed to be at the hospital! I was going crazy!

    Mom sounds good. She is happy to have everything surgical out of the way. She can't wait to start rads so she can be done with them as well. She so wants to see the boys! Maybe I'll get the video camera out and record the boys for her. I've got CD all ready to go that has voice recordings we did of them 4 years ago singing and laughing. I just complied it last Saturday and haven't had the time to get it ready to mail. Maybe I'll send them all together.

    Anyway, I'm getting nervous about my appt on Thursday with the onc for my breasts. I'm sure there's nothing wrong, but . . .
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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    Blu,
    since we have first degree family members with BC the breast appt. is never the same! We are so much more aware
    but that in ways is a good thing. I will ever skip my annual again!
    Blu have they checked your Pitutary Gland yet? I can't remember. Ask them if they will check it .
    I wish I could be there with you so I could hold your hand.
    I am sure your Mom is going crazy with worry .

    I can't wait until all this is over and you are on your way with the boys to have a happy visit with Mom. When my granddaughter Kelsey lived in Minnasota , I missed her like crazy.

    Keep us posted and come worry here, I would tell you not to but I know it is hard.
    Carrie
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006
    One hurdle at a time Blu! You can make a dvd for your mom with Movie maker, that is fun or power point. You can have them call her and sing a song, we have done that before!

    I will be praying for you!
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  • blulrich
    blulrich Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2006
    Momma Carrie -- I can't get in to see an Endocrinologist unless I have a diagnosis. My question is why aren't they the ones diagnosing? Shouldn't that be their job? I will ask the onc surg tomorrow if she can do anything towards that end. I've got a good friend from work (whose mom also had BC) going with since DH can't go. I think I'll treat her to lunch after.

    Momma Cowgirl -- I know, I know. I tend to get ahead of myself in the worry department. I've always been like that. I've got my education mapped out until I graduate in 2008 . . . mainly 'cause I need to know what's going on. I think maybe I'm a little Type A. What do you think?

    Anyway, I'll post tomorrow after the appt. If it's significant, I'll start a new thread and PM you. If not, I'll post here.

    I'm not sure if I want them to find something or not. Finding something (or at least labeling it) gives us a chance to fix it. Not finding something means it's not a lot of bad stuff. Which is better?

    All appendages crossed,
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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    Blu,
    Everything crossed ~
    image

    image
    Momma Carrie
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006
    hmm well some specialist want a dx before you see them, apparently that endrocologist is one. Sometimes if you tests done that he can read that can get you. Blu yes you are a type A, I know that type well used to be one myself. But age and BC can gave that a real kick in the pants!

    I will be watching for an update, hopefully we can get you to somebody soon! I am praying and crossing anymore would be too funny!
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  • blulrich
    blulrich Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2006
    GOOD NEWS! I apprently have a very small cyst and a sore (but not swollen) lymph node (left side), but that's it. The Onc Surg was appauled I had not seen an Endcrinologist yet. When I told her my sob story of not being able to see one, she said she would do what she could to get me in to one -- in other words, she's writing a recommendation to my GYN and my IM docs. *sigh* I asked her to mail me one as well.

    So 4 hours of mammo, ultrasound, and talking with the doctor resulted in no BC and a boost to my confidence in the whole pituitary gland theory.

    Now, if we can just get in to see one . . .

    I also walked over to my Neuro's office and made them copy the hormone level blood work for him to look at. Apparently, he hadn't gotten them yet and they were done March 6th! AARRGGHH!

    Anyway, good news!
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited April 2006
    Doing a happy dance for you and the kids, and DH!!!

    I am so glad for you! Again on the laptop, it is so hard to type on1!!
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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    Blu,
    A big *SIGH* of relief so happy that it is not BC but I really think this is some thing to do with your Pituatary,
    I don't know beans, but I was watching a show and this woman had leaking from her breast and some other symptoms like yours and that was her Dx and I thought oh my gosh that sounds like Blu ! I think she was very tired too but I really can't remember but she had a list of symptoms.

    Okay so we got mom going for rads and done with chemo
    woo-hoo!

    You ruled out BC another woo-hoo.
    Now lets pray about getting your hinney to the Endcrinologist !
    And if not someone better be doing a scan or something to that area Dang it !!

    Hugs~
    Momma Carrie
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  • blulrich
    blulrich Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2006
    WOW. *flabbergasted* DH just told me I had a message I just heard. I'm a little miffed he didn't tell me earlier, but what can you do? It was the Neuro's office telling me to call them half an hour after I dropped off the labs. *sitting with jaw on floor* I will call tomorrow morning while I wait in the allergist's office for my weekly shot.
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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited April 2006
    Blu,
    Did you hear anything?

    Carrie
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  • blulrich
    blulrich Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2006
    Sorry it's been a couple of days, but I've been sick with a cold and DH has had the laptop with him at the Navy.

    Nothing special with the call back from Neuro. The assistant told was just calling to tell me the blood work was normal. I told her I knew that because I had given the blood work to the office and that the doctor was waiting to see the results before proceeding with further testing. *rolling eyes*

    Anyway, I am anxiously awaiting a call from someone . . . anyone with letters after their name . . . even if it's to ask why they were getting the report/recommendation.

    *cough, cough*

    Well, I've got a paper to write tonight for Ethics. WooHoo!
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