For Older People with Sense

Hey,  where is everybody?  Almost one week without a post................everyone must be busy.  Well at least I know Chrissy has been busy.  What's with everyone else?

Marianne

Jo,

You might want to ask your Dr about a PEM scan. My BS swears by it. Just got my results back from Fridays' PEM scan and YAY! -no surprises in either breast...just the aggressive booger in my rt one. I have had 2 mammos, U/S and PEM. BS prefers PEM over MRI. Going to oncs tomorrow to see what else they want to do for testing, etc. My BS is in France on vacation, so, lucky me, she'll be back refreshed and ready when I have to do surgery soon!

I hope all you ladies can get outside and enjoy the wonderful weather and are feeling well.

Terri

Kathy,

The PEM scan is an alternative to a Breast MRI, I believe. Another diagnostic tool. It is similar to a mammo, but they inject you with some type of sugar...? You have to restrict your diet the day before from carbs. They inject, then you wait for 45 mins to get it through your system. You are scanned twice on each breast, for 10 mins each scan. You do get to sit down! Not a hard test, just time consuming. My BS says it will detect anything. BS did have a hard time getting my insurance (Aetna) to approve it, but they finally did. I am not sure if it is something they do after treatment as a follow up or not. This was part of my diagnostic testing. I am sure it's not "safe", but what can you do? I think I still have a few scans/tests to go before I get my treatment plan in place....waiting, waiting!

I hope your yearly check up goes well!

Terri

my project at the moment is learning windows 8 and my new convertible laptop/tablet...yikes

terri, yes, that is good news!!!! When your plan is in place you will have a goal. the PEM is interesting, I had never heard of it either. They are coming out with new tx and choices all the time.

chrissy, when is the big day? I can't remember. I am cheering you on!!!! I am that little, tiny voice that you hear saying go, go, go, you can do it!!!!!

I got a call from the cobbler that wants to move here and work in my shop today. They are coming!!!! He and his wife found a year round rental and will be here in January. My spirits are lifted. It is such a weight off my shoulders. His wife is so happy, he said she is almost giddy. He is very grateful to have a job doing what he loves and my customers will be so happy, too. 

Hope all are well. 

I traded cell phones with my DD. She had a windows phone and I had an android. It is windows 8, I think, anyway a much smaller scale. She couldn't get instagram (?) on the windows. I have enough to handle with email, facebook, texting, and calling.............. so I don't miss the insta whatever. Took some getting use to, but I can catch up with you all, too, just not see the pictures. 

All this learning must keep our brains stimulated, Lord knows I need it!!!

Chrissy, Have fun and enjoy the day L&H's sassy

Keepthefaith:

How lucky you are to have a nurse navigator!  I spend so much time on the telephone because no such person seems to be in my onc's office.  By the way, just wanted you gals to know that even though my original cancer was 12 years ago - followed by a lumpectomy, radiation and almost six years on AI's, my mets have not responded to the Exemestane I have been taking.  I had a port inserted yesterday and chemo beginning probably on Monday. 

I can't wait for some diversion such as reading about Chrissy's daughter's wedding.  I have lovede her enthusiastic posts about the preparations and now look forward to pictures and her great descriptions.

Please send warm thoughts my way next week.  Will keep you posted

Marianne

I had a nurse navigator before my surgery.  The radiologist botched the wire locator for the sentinal node biopsy because it was supposed to be done by my surgeon after I was under anesthesia.  He wouldn't listen to me at all when I told him this wasn't supposed to be happening.  The bs was livid about this, since she'd taken special training to do this herself because patients had told her how painful it was.  The nurse navigator showed up in the recovery room with a potted philodendron with a pink ribbon on it, and that's the last time I saw her.

A small satisfaction is that my case changed the protocol of the hospital, plus there was no charge for the later radiation. 

Marianne, thinking of you for next week too.  Hope it goes well and you have no problems.

Chrissy, thinking of you today.  Rest tomorrow, and then post pictures.  We all want to see them!

Kathy

Mariannex5, Go to "stitching the pieces together" where Chrissy has posted photos. They will definitely lift your spirits.

is it Stitchingthepiecestogether.com?  I tried putting that in the browser but comes up "cant be found"  HELP!  I can't wait to see the pictures.

Marianne

Chrissy:

 I hope I don't have chemo brain after only one treatment (LOL) but just went through the active topics and cannot find it.

Marianne

Marianne, here's one way to find the pictures--Go to "Search" and search under member name Chrissyb.  Scroll down until you see a thread called "The Journey has begun!!! aka ChrissyB's USA adventure.  The pictures are posted toward the end of that thread.

Hope this helps.

Kathy