Coping After Treatment - Summer 2013

I had a colonoscopy last Tuesday. My 4th. My mother, her mother, her brother & sister, all had colon cancer so I get them every 3 years. No polyps this time. (Huge sigh of relief.)

I get another full body bone scan on Dec. 30. to rule out mets to the left shoulder area. I've had arthritis there for years and I'm believing that's all they'll find.

Cancer sure puts a new spin on our hopes. One would never pray to have arthritis until they already been through what we've been through.

Blessings

Paula

Hi Gals,  Glad to see some new posts.  I have had scans, colonoscopy,endoscopy,blood work etc and I'm 90% convinced theres nothing going on here.  I am having a pulmonary test on the 30th and then I'm going to "leave it alone" for a while.  My next test will be a MRI in May with a follow up with MO.  Don't you feel like you got picked up by a tornado and spit out one year later? Trying to pick up the pieces and move on aint easy. Yay Nancy, Glad to hear your one year was great.  Soteria I was told by my MO that chemo unmasks joint/arthritis problems so says my shoulder too

Great topic.

I'm 156 days out from my Double MX and 4 weeks from my final exchange and am trying to get back into the swing of things.

I saw my PS the other day and he said that I don't need to come back until Feb. and honestly I wanted to cry.  I started out hating him and now we are friends and I think I will miss him.  I feel like others when I think who is going to watch out for me now.

CassDugan - glad to hear from you and that you are doing well.. its nice for all to check in once in awhile.. we all shared so much.

My one year mark for the Paget's dx is this month too.  For me, starting the tamoxifen was hard.  I haven't had any noticeable side effects, but just the fact of taking it every night made me think about having breast cancer every night, and I got into a whole depressive spiral.  Then, while volunteering at a hospital one day, I was talking with a breast cancer patient.  She mentioned that every time she took her tamo, she told herself it was her magical cancer-zapping pill.  It was corny, but I used her idea.  It helped, I think. 

I'm supposed to have my first post-surgery mammogram this month.  I'm not so sure I want to go through with it.  The mammograms I had when going through the process of getting diagnosed last year were all clean, which leaves me wondering - what's the point of doing one now?  I'm thinking I might do this one and then talk with my MO about it afterward since I'm scheduled to see her later the same day.  

Speaking of hoping for a cure, I saw recently that BCAction has planned a screening of "Seeing Red: The Truth About Pink Ribbons" along with a panel discussion at Northeastern in Boston in early April.  I've been contemplating attending.  

My ultrasound was clean too.  I had an MRI that showed a mass but the core biopsy of that area was clean.  Dana Farber wanted to do an MRI guided biopsy of the area but the mass was no longer visible in the second MRI.  So, I'm skeptical about the efficacy of these tests.

This brings me around to another topic.  Does anyone have experience with switching MO's?  I liked both my surgeon & RO.  I felt like they listened and took my concerns and questions seriously.  For instance, I'd like to call to discuss the mammogram issue before the appointment (the mammo and the follow up with the MO are on the same day, with the MO after the mammo), but I'm not comfortable doing it because I don't think she'll provide an informative answer.  I don't know what it is about the MO but I'm not exactly comfortable with her.  I don't feel like she listens, and she certainly doesn't bother to check my chart before walking into the room.  I've had several appointments with her and she still asks about my periods.  Each time, I explain that I had a hysterectomy in 2008.  It's not reassuring.  Thing is, I'm not sure how to go about finding a different one.  I'm also not sure it's worth the effort.  

I am also at DF. I LOVE my BS, but I am done with my MO. I would love a name of a good MO. I have only met with MO three times. I actually called her office for the 1st time last week. I spoke to NP and provided her a list of current issues. The NP called me back and advised me that only symptoms related to Arimidex were the joint and trigger fingers. NP advised me to get blood work, and if normal, take a break from Arimidex for a couple of weeks (and no need to send results to MO).....I am not a needy patient, but this is cancer....

I'm so tired of all these PS not finding the right one.. Fired my PS because of bad bed manners... And giving me the run around about my non TE radiated skin!!!

Cass...PS is plastic surgeon.

Ah, that makes sense.  Patricia, I'm sorry you're having trouble finding a surgeon who you feel you can trust.  I realize it's probably a big issue for you, but aside from that, how are you?

Soteria - did your skin finally heal from rads?

Lenn - my partner surprised me by buying tickets to the BCA screening & panel discussion in Boston on 4/3.  

As for me, I have a follow up scheduled next Friday, along with my first post-diagnosis mammo.  I plan to try to see another MO after that.

My hair is curly too!  It's been stick-straight all my life so this is a bit of a shock.  Ha ha!   It's been growing for a little over a year now and is almost touching my collar in back. But crazy curls sticking out all over.  Too funny.  I'm thankful to have it back, don't care what it looks like!

Anyone here EP+ but opted out of taking tamoxifen? During this past year's journey I have followed my gut on my choices and am at peace with each of them thus far. I can't help but feel taking this pill for 5 years is not worth the benefit...