Tampa area BCO sisters get togethers

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited September 2013

    Thank you to nbnotes and mondayschild for recommending the Oncology practice that handles their treament.  My next appointment with them blood tests will include several marker tests that not once has the VA ever run over the past time since 12/2012 this whole BC thing began.

    I'm thankful at receiving much better treatment now.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    galsal - not doing tumor markers is really not that unusual - many oncologists don't use them because they are notoriously unreliable.  They can be skewed by inflammation and other factors.  My tumor markers were higher after chemo than they were before it, because of the soft tissue damage from chemo, and the swelling and inflammation.  Most oncologists, including the one you will see (this is my doc also) use them for trending information in concert with scans, or if you are symptomatic.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited September 2013

    Thanks for the input, SpecialK.  Good to know.  Sounds like it will be skewed then. 

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    galsal - it is hard to say, your particular test may show markers in the normal range, but it provides the doc with a baseline.  If yours are elevated on your first test, they may go looking for the reason regardless, i.e. scans, so be prepared for that.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited September 2013

    umm...dumb question.  suggestions on what to use to remove melted adhesive that was used on top an incision?  no, not the recent surgery.  this is on the other side.  since it's melting, I'm taking that as a sign to use some kind of oil to help remove it?

    this is crazy.  four surgeries now and this hasn't ever happened.  all the more indication of who likely did the majority of the surgery in July.

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  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited September 2013

    Galsal, this may be a dumb answer...but how about some aloe vera? It's good for the skin and probably wouldn't irritate anything.  

    ---My ginandgnome is still doing whatever its doing in the refrigerator for another week atleast.  I can see the raisins are getting plumper!  

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited September 2013

    thanks Lee!  i used a q-tip and alcohol very carefully and most of it is gone now.  i'll use some aloe on it to help the skin

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    galsal - that stuff is so sticky!  My friend that had a lumpectomy at Moffitt the first week of July still had hers on when she had re-excision in August!

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited September 2013

    oh PHEW...glad I'm in good company then!  odd though this never happened before.  it isn't like I'd never had surgery in July with internal stitches and/or adhesive before. 

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    galsal - I was glued for my axillary surgery, it took a long time to come off as well, plus I couldn't really raise that arm well enough so the glue was protected from the shower, etc. for quite a while.  It was probably on for about a month. I believe that there are a number of different brands of glue - maybe some come off more easily?

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited September 2013

    got most of it off last night.  now cleared to return to work tomorrow, staples and stitches are out

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    galsal - excellent!

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  • DLL66
    DLL66 Member Posts: 700
    edited September 2013

    GalSal, sounds like we will also be sharing on Onc! You'll be in great hands. Glad you are cleared to work. Hope all is going well.

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  • firework1068
    firework1068 Member Posts: 160
    edited September 2013

    Happy Belated Birthday Wishes, Monday's Child!



    Firework



    As far as Gin goes.......it makes me grin and then my face hurts for days......does that ever happen to anybody else?!!

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  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited September 2013

    My gin & raisins are going to be ready in 3 more days.  fireworks, I'll let you know what happens!

    That is if I can pry the bottle away from my gnome.Wink

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    firework - just keep drinking the gin daily and you won't notice.....

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  • firework1068
    firework1068 Member Posts: 160
    edited September 2013

    SpecialK,

    Hee hee hee!

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited September 2013

    Hic!  Let's all get happy

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  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,777
    edited September 2013

    Hey there you all:

    Sorry I have not been on the board, but I've been in testing and they have a... nodule they've found in the right one.  I fear asking here since I don't want to hijack or bum out the thread.  But... anyone have any experience with Moffitt?  Isn't that the name of the Tampa hospital?  Anyone have a team they love?  A BS they love?  I'm thinking of ditching mine.  I have never liked my BS. 

    Sorry again since this thread is so fun and really about good eating and fellowship.  Really could use some help.  Special K?  Is that where you go?

    {{{{HUGS}}}}

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    bobo - I do have some experience with Moffitt - have received some services there, and participated in a research study there.  It is the only NCI designated cancer center in the state of FL.  I have just walked through treatment (BS, MO and RO) with a friend there - I will PM you.  My BS used to be at Moffitt for a long time and when I started with him he had just gone out on his own in practice with his brother.

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited September 2013

    Don't hesitate to ask anything on these boards bobogirl

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  • FLwarrior
    FLwarrior Member Posts: 977
    edited September 2013

    Lee7, are the gnomes sharing the raisins with you?  How are the raisins working?

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  • bobogirl
    bobogirl Member Posts: 2,777
    edited September 2013

    Thank you so much galsal!

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  • Lee7
    Lee7 Member Posts: 657
    edited September 2013

    Update on the gin & raisins! 

    All I can say is they are interesting. The raisins really plumped up from absorbing the gin. I tried 2 at a time so far.... The sweetness of the raisin helps hide some of the gin flavor but I'm just not a fan.  I don't think I can stomach eating the 8 every night to give it an honest try. 

    They still look pretty in the blue bottle, but they are probably going to stay there. :(

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  • firework1068
    firework1068 Member Posts: 160
    edited September 2013

    Hello All!

    Just checking in......blood work was all good!



    bobogirl,

    My favorite oncologist at Moffitt is Dr Roohi Ishmail Khan. She has a very warm personality. Her staff is super too!

    I also liked my plastic surgeon, Dr daycioglu. She did great work but sometimes the residences got to do parts and I felt they weren't the talent I wanted working on me. Other than that, dr Denise is a talented surgeon.



    Pls pm me if you'd like more information





    I'm going to North Carolina for my moms bday and my retirement party.

    Party is still on the books for the first week of November. Let's hear some noise about which date works out best for everybody!!



    Health and Happiness,

    Firework

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  • MaryLW
    MaryLW Member Posts: 2,172
    edited September 2013

    My oncology group is going to stop accepting my insurance, Humana Gold. I live in Seminole/Madeira Beach. Can any if you recommend an oncologist? I'm Stage 4 and in continuing treatment, so this is quite a blow.

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  • MondaysChild
    MondaysChild Member Posts: 591
    edited September 2013

    Try Florida Cancer Specialists at the large regional center in Tampa. It is right by Raymond James Stadium, so not too far off the interstate or causeway.

    My oncoogist there is David Wright and I have been very pleased with him. He works at the cancer center mostly, but also has a day at their office in New Tampa and another day in Brandon. Dr. Wright is triple board certified in internal med, hematology and oncology.  Very qualified.

    Tampa Cancer Center 

                                                                       
    3402 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd                                                                                                      

    Tampa, FL 33607                                  

    Phone: (813) 875-3950    Fax: (813) 872-2741                                       
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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited September 2013

    MaryLW - several of us on this thread also see Dr. Wright - I would endorse his care also!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2013

    MaryLW -- If you can't get in with Dr. Wright at Florida Cancer Specialists, I would also recommend Dr. Julia Cogburn there.  She is my oncologist, and I think she is amazing!

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  • MaryLW
    MaryLW Member Posts: 2,172
    edited September 2013

    Hi MondaysChild and SpecialK, Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, it's Florida Cancer Specialists who are dropping Humana Gold. It's such a huge group and all the oncs I know of belong to it.

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