Stage 2 Sisters Club

Hello everyone! Wow, so much activitiy happening on this thread (and the other 6 or 7 that I am trying to follow) I spend most of my time reading and not writing much.  I was asked to speak to a university class on worldviews and was asked to speak about how my worldview changed since my cancer diagnosis. Anyone that knows me knows that I am an introvert so public speaking is a bit difficult for me. The class was made up of adult learners, nursing students, etc. It really gave me the opportunity to reflect on how I have changed this past year. I was given a beautiful gift of a bracelet and bhutan prayer flags and one of the students is donating her hair to an organization that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer or other illnesses. I am going to be the one cutting her hair (I was a hairdresser years ago). 

It was a wonderful ending to a Monday at work. Blessings to all and hoping that everyone going through treatment have minimal SE's.

Mjsgumbas

YOU are allowed to have days like that. Im sure we have all had those days and still do. Regardless of what treatment you have or haven't had we are all on this board because we have one thing in common...!



Hope you got back to sleep and enjoy your new day x

Mf, 5 months, OMG, you are so new to all this! Personally I felt that the emotional adjustment was the most difficult. Just hearing that word "cancer," and all it brings to mind is overwhelming. It took me at least a year before I truly, not just intellectually, recognized that, 1.) it wasn't an automatic death sentence, and, 2.) life does go on pretty much the same, minus a few chunks of flesh here and there. ((((HUGS)))) Like Traii said, hope you can get some more sleep.

Getting nails done and some retail therapy will do you good mjsgumbas  just what a girl needs !!

It does get better. I'm with Yorkiemom, the first year is the one that you think ' ah cancer, ah this, ah that, every little thing I felt I just about had a melt down, but I'm learning, and just over a year out that life does go on and every thing I 'feel' is sometimes 'in my head' lol. Life surely goes on when I have a cheeky 3 year old boy!!  well, it really never stopped and I'm so greatful for that.

Enjoy your day of pampering. Now you've made me feel like getting my acrylics back on ! LOL

It took me a whole year after active treatment was done before I could even BEGIN to process everything I had been through! Know that your feelings are normal. Make sure that you are doing & planning plenty of fun, interesting activities to enjoy the days and move forward....and definitely take full advantage of retail therapy, also facial/massage therapy, expensive haircut therapy etc....be good to yourself, you have earned it!

Mjs, you did good girl! Now you're learning how to deal with this sh*t! 

Compared to chemo, I found rads to be a breeze. Remember that you want to do everything you can NOW to minimize the chances, as much as possible, of ever having to play this game again!

When I was about to start rads, a nurse friend (and 30 plus year BC survivor) reminded me that it was only 6 weeks out of the whole rest of my life.

What GG said! 

Thanks GGG-

Fatigue cant be worse than the Dose Dense AC she had! She was wiped out for 4 days with that stuff. Much better now that shes on Taxol.

I'm sure she isnt frightened by the Rads, but rather the scenarios the RO presented to her as to why it was best to do the Rads.  He was being honest.

We were never given an Oncotype score. I wonder why?  Is it too late to find out? 

gardengumby - I'm taking DIM. I just switched primary care physicians. He is a DO (not MD), so he understands the alternative stuff. DIM was also part of his treatment recommendation.

I wasn't given an Oncotype score either, JDB53.

JDB53 - it is most likely because of the positive nodes - Oncotype Dx was originally designed for ER+, node negative women.  The assumption, particularly with three positive nodes, it that chemo would be recommended.  Oncotype Dx predicts recurrence risk with chemo added to hormonal therapy.  That ship has sailed, lol!

My insurance covered it with 2 positive nodes. GG, the criteria must have changed. My MO said cutoff was 3 nodes. Anyway, even with my 2 positive nodes I did not need chemo, as my score was low.

I had 1 node and onco wanted me to do 6 chemo treatments until we got the oncotype score of 12.  I was told initially because I had 1 node + the surgeon wouldn't recommend the oncotype - the oncologist took it upon himself to have it done - thank goodness he did.  I think it really depends on your insurance too. 

GlobalGirly - I plan to repeat atleast every 2 weeks for my fill ins