Calling all TNs

I just want to join in for a moment and say Hi to all you wonderful ladies.  I have lots to say to each of you as I quickly glanced through the posts, but I do have to go back and really read all of them in order to catch up and yes, everyone has been chatting lots, which is great.  But I did see one special post that I had been waiting for - from our babyheart Inmate.  What wonderful posts - so goooood to hear from you, girl.  Being crazy is being normal, and we all know that we are all crazy, after being on this journey, why would we want to be anything else?

Today, I went to see an endocronologist, have been feeling extremely lethargic, as well as for the neck pain which remains undiagnosed. All my blood tests were almost perfect though.  Anyway, I want to tell you about this doctor, I think he is the best doctor in the world, what a wonderful wonderful doctor. I have never in my life had a doctor sit with me, and look through 5 to 6 years of bloodwork.  He asked me a ton of questions and really tried to pinpoint where my problem was coming from.  He couldn't figure out.  He gave me an ultrasound of my thyroid, although he said physical exam and bloodwork does not show that I have any problems with my thyroid. he also gave me a few blood tests.  If anyone ever wants a great endocronologist, Dr. Zlock is the best doctor in the world, I swear.  May God bless him a millionfold.  If only all doctors were like thim.  Actually, I have met quite a few doctors lately who are just so wonderful.  Dr. Tangco, neurologist, Dr. Friedman, gastrointernist. 

I personally think that I have really low estrogen levels....... that's it.  When I eat flaxseeds, I sure get a boost of energy, as I can tell from the pimples, but I also get painful lumps on my breasts, very very scary.  So I stopped eating flaxseeds.  As for soy, I will never touch that.  Not sure how else I can up my estrogen levels in order to keep up with a somewhat functioning body.  I am so tired and lethargic. Oh by the way, my tumor markers were great, all 3 of them, remember last time, one of them was higher within the normal range.  Something that I have learned through my Onc. - if you have a breast biopsy, your tumor markers will be high - how interesting, isn't it?  So remember this, there is no need to panic.

There is so much good information shared here!!!  And so nice to see so many familiar names and faces!

Will you share your thoughts/experience with me on this?  3 years to the day of my original dx,(3/24)  my onc calls to say the mri I had Friday showed a sclerotic lesion on my pelvis and to have a new nuclear whole body bone scan asap.  I'm on standby after my ins approves. 

I have been in constant whole body pain since the chemo as well as a 6 yr history of left flank/back pain and tried every treatment available including back surgery to no avail.  My left pelvic area has been on fire/cramping with hi thigh bone and leg pain for 2 months.  I was ignoring it because I'm achy all the time.  But now I can't sleep or lie on that side and pain increased, thus the x-ray and ensuing mri.  Interestingly enough, my blood work was good and tumor marker at 5.

Here's my concern.  If its bone cancer, I'm looking at a lot of pain!  ugh.  I won't have any more treatment as chemo was pure poison to me.  If its NOT C, then I"m looking at endless years of pain as the doctors shake their heads and say, we don't know the cause.  I am not sure insurance will pay for anything at this point cuz its pre-existing and I had a lapse in ins.  

What if they say, lets biopsy it?  ouch!!!  Its in the ilium, the lower pelvic bone.  And then what if the pain persists?  I am seeing this as a lose/lose proposition.  How can I hope to have this new pain resolved when a solid year of trying to tend to it with physical therapy/chiro/injections/meds/walking/ice, you name it, I've tried it. Hundreds of $$$$$. Where my legs hook into my torso is bad. 

I feel like I'm in a house with a person with a gun and they can come out any time and shoot me.  That would be a new C diagnosis.  We know it can happen and it makes it that much scarier.  Or will I continue to live like an invalid?  If you have ideas or experience, pleasel let me know...I've probably already tried it, but am open.  This week has been excruciatingly anxious.  Where is the bright side?  Do I miss work on 'report' day so I"m not blindsided like I was 3 yrs ago and freak out?  I don't want to be alone when this unfolds but no family nearby.  I think I need another xanax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Ruth,

I am very sorry you are going through this horrible time - it seems like with your six year history of pain there this may be related to something that was there before the BC.  I just hope whatever it is can be resolved and your insurance will pay.

CharB - big congrats on finishing chemo!  It's a great feeling, isn't it?

Inmate - I'm glad to hear your're doiing OK.  May the Halaven continue to treat you gently.....while it kicks the crap out of the cancer!

Lovelyface - It's wonderful to find a doc who truly listens. I hope he will figure out the cause of your lethargy and help you get back to feeling like yourself again.

Ruth - Sorry you're going through such a horrible time.  Hoping you get benign results and relief from your pain.

Ruth, Sending my prayers that everything is B9.

YAY to Char for finishing chemo!!!!

Ruth, so sorry that you are havving such a bad time.  Hoping that pain is NOT cancer and that there is a miracle just waiting to be uncovered to get your pain under control.  I have always believed that people in chronic pain are only treated half way.  What I mean to say is this, Doctors try to treat/medicate the physical aspect of pain and forget about the mental/emotional parts of pain and how it devastates lives Have you considerd trying antidepressants and seeking out a good therapist for support?  Also, is there a medical facility like Mayos near you?   Just a few thoughts.....

Ruth praying for b9 results!

Bernie,

I understand, too.  Give those big beautiful pups a hug for me! 

Love,

Christina

This is a direct quote from American Cancer Society:

"Recently, attention has focused on the flaxseed itself, which is a rich source of lignans, compounds that can act as anti-estrogens or as weak estrogens. It is thought that lignans may play a role in preventing estrogen-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer and other types of cancer. Lignans may also function as antioxidants and, though mechanisms that are not yet fully understood, may slow cell growth. When flaxseed is eaten, the lignans are activated by bacteria in the intestine. Lignans are not present in the flaxseed oil."

Uncle Sam cereal is delicious, has flaxseed, and no sugar!  Very crunchy and really hits the spot with fresh fruit on top.

Thank you for your kind thoughts over my anxiety and concerns.  

I have had many many epidurals. After the laminectomy didn't work, I went to a hospital pain clinic and I've been on Lortab for over 3 years...was taking 10/325 4x a day and now only take 1/2 tab two times a day, maybe 3, for a total of 1 1/2.  It helps some but not something I look forward to doing for the rest of my life.  I can't walk around the block without paying dearly for it later.  I am doing an antidepressant. I have seen 3 chiropractors, 2 (expensive) manual therapists, acupuncture, 4 rounds of physical therapy and recently tried Lyrica...no help.  Added Cymbalta, but has not helped with the pain.  Now that I think of it, it better damn well be cancer because nothing has helped !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I have the test Wednesday, I won't have the results until a week from today.  I just don't think I can stand the waiting.  I told my best friend and she's like casually, oh, just wait and see what the results are before you panic.  Doesn't she realize that its all I can think about?  And it scares the very crap out of me every time it pops back into my mind. When it turns out not to be bone cancer, I'm going to be very annoyed I spent so much time and energy fretting about it!!  But the lesion wasn't there 16 months ago on the last bone scan and the new pain is really bad.  

Thank you for listening my friends~ 

i think whole foods carries uncle sam's cereal.