The Living Life Hang Out

I choose to believe they are trying to distract me instead of draw me into needless drama!   Now what test do I need next?  I'm not sure transvaginal sounds like much fun!

Stacie - I finally got my sister to get a mammogram 5 months after my diagnosis - it took daily nudging!  She finally did and luckily it was fine!

A transvaginal ultrasound is a very quick painless easy procedure.  I had one done after my lumpectomy & re-excision but before chemo.  Found what looked to be a polyp.  I was in such surgery mode that I had them schedule the D&C and got it done before starting chemo.  Thankfully the polyp was benign.  Now I'm all cleaned out.  That was my third time under the knife in a 6 week period and I felt like telling them to go ahead and whatever else you find needs fixing, just do it while I'm still under (LOL).  I learned a couple of things early on with those surgeries:  1) there is no way to maintain modesty in this bc process, and 2) men just have no idea how easy they have it compared to us  : )

Lisa- I hope it is nothing. My sister who is 33 was asked to get a mammo as soon as I was diagnosed. She had a couple of spots too, but biopsy showed it was benign. They tend to be more cautious given our diagnosis. I hope it is the same with your sis.

Speaking of sisters, as soon as mine heard my diagnosis she immediately got an appt with an oncologist.  The oncologist recommended screening with mammos and MRIs (she's on the west coast) Now, here on the east coast in the very prominent cancer center I'm at, MRIs are not necessarily used for screening even if you've had cancer before.  So I was in the position of having my sister being more intensely monitored than me.  I thought that seemed weird, but it goes to show you how different areas have different standards they follow.  I decided to ask for, and did get, screening by MRI as well as mammos (alternating every 6 months).  If I hadn't asked for it, I wasn't going to get it.  I understand the issues with it (false-positive rate), but they missed my dx for a long time using mammos so I don't have confidence in it alone.  At this point given all I've been through, I'm willing to deal with the potential of extra biopsies to avoid something missed again.  How are you all being monitored in the future?

I'm headed to the MO today. I will ask what all tests I need to be thinking about. Thank you for pointing this out!

We've been having a discussion about Tamoxifen. So I know she's ordered a blood test to see where I'm at hormone wise. This seems like the start of another adventure into the unknown.

I am premenopausal, but can't take tamoxifen (I have a genetic mutation that puts me at higher risk for clotting), so my only choice is an AI. I have an oophrectomy scheduled for mid-September, but we may wait to see if chemopause "sticks" so I can avoid the surgery. Although I am 51, my pre-chemo hormone levels indicated that I wasn't even in perimenopause yet, so they were concerned I'd get my period again after chemo. (My sister went through menopause at age 58!) We'll see--I hope to avoid another surgery, even though it's outpatient.

Thanks Dancetrance--I don't think the surgery would be a big deal, but would rather skip it! So, I guess I'll keep hoping for those hot flashes to continue...

Hikergal, Dancetrancer and Stacie- As I recall, Stacie once said that bc makes you have sick thoughts (I think it was when Stacie had figured out drug combos to the timing of the "C" & "D" trains).  I agree, it is crazy what we think about and wish for these days......

Stacie!!!  I am cracking up!!!!  

kjiberty - you made me remember...my surgeon told me not to start Tamoxifen while on radiation unless my RO said it was ok (this was before we even knew I needed chemo).  The RO said that most of the studies didn't show significant increased risk with Tamox during rads; I'm like - of what?  And I think I remember her saying for radiation pneumonitis...but I can't remember for sure!  I did a bit of reading, and I remember deciding I just wasn't going take the risk of any interaction, even if it was small.  So I didn't start the Tamoxifen while on rads.   Soooo, that's something else to discuss with the RO and decide about.  

Slak and Dance:  I will keep you posted.  I have a sneaking suspiscion I am going on Arimidex.  All that stuff scares the living daylights out of me.  Not looking forward to major hot flashes, joint pain, bone loss, etc. Hopefully, I won't have to go on anything until after rads.

dance:  All those suggestions are great ides. I guess I will start the Tamox on Mon since I will be five days post exchange. I am not on rads. I did get a transvaginal done and all was clear. I wanted a baseline too.  All those other ideas are great for women who have not had bc pills.  I guess I have to deal with hot flashes again.

Good luck with rads to the ladies from TC Thread.  And all of you other ladies as well.  Will let you know how Tamox differs in SE's than BC pills. I had no issue with them. Best of luck

thanks for this thread.  I am doing my at least 4th round of infused chemo.  I liked the first double one, where i could take a 6 hour nap.

melrosemeltrose:  Hi there!  How are you doing?  What round are you on? How are the trials going.   See, nice to find you here.  Had my exchange last Wed which went better than expected. Am 6 days post op and wearing a bra that feels like expanders but should come out in three weeks.  Thinking about you.

 All of you ladies going on Armidiex- there are lots of threads out there for that drug too. I found one for Tamox as well.  I started Tamox today. Onc is not sure if I am post menopausal or what.  Have not had a period since Dec but not offiical before that date because of low dose bc pills I took for hot flashes. Now with Tamox I get them anyway! Oh, well......life goes on.