Starting Chemo March 2015

Awesome, Katy!

Ksusan: That's great! Phew.

Great news KSusan!

Katy looking forward to your op-ed.

Diane may my itchiness is menopause. I have yet to start tamoxifen so who knows what's going to happen.

Started radiation boosts today, pretty easy and I'm only on the bed for 2 minutes, technology is amazing. I didn't turn red till this week, week 5 and I have some peeling underneath. Upto now I've been pink with a bit of tightness and a sharp pain once in awhile.

Eileen, sounds good. Fingers crossed. When will the analysis be back?

thanks Theresa, I will give that a try! My GP said to drink 1 part cranberry juice to 3 parts water and that helped today. How can this not be infection? So weird.

Try coconut oil!!!! Different problem but it is so helping my "lady issues"

Yay Susan! Eileen did you get seen today too?

I was in today. Possible infection, culture was taken. I've had big inflammatory reactions to EVERYTHING done w/ recon. It seems like this is more of the same. I have antibiotics in case and news to follow. The stuff she sucked out of the lump was clear so she thinks it's just more inflammation.

Thanks for checking in. I may speak for the group but you guys are my first check in in the am - well after I start coffee. and my support always.

xo

We had our annual all staff meeting this week where the insurance rep comes and explains changes to our benefits package, 401k stuff etc. The insurance rep made a big deal out of the fact that "out of 150 employees ONLY ONE PERSON HIT THEIR MAXIMUM OUT OF POCKET THIS YEAR."

Guess who? And thank you so much for pointing that out. And then following that announcement with our rate increase. Sigh.

Too bad they don't have something equivalent to a "safe driver reward" since I've rarely cost them anything for the past twelve years. And I guess I'm fortunate to not have to go through the questionnaire bullshit Theresa.

And Eileen so glad your lump isn't concerning. Thanks for saying that about the group. I feel the same...started getting cranky when i had to work late tonight cause I wanted to get home and make sure everyone checked out okay today!

Sue, my RO said that the radiation field passes through the body instead of staying inside. You may even notice some pinkness on your back or side where the rads have been exiting.

Man, Eileen. I'm just so sorry about the recon problems. All we want is to try to return to normal. I honestly think that recon issues have been the most psychologically difficult chapter for me so far. I agree with T. Is IS horrible about the things we actually cheer for on this page.

Linda, your insurance rep is completely out of line. You are so funny and graceful. I would've been tempted to just interrupt and say loudly, "Sorry, Guys! It was me. I had breast cancer, but I'll try harder next year." Questionnaires may be legal, but I still think that the comment is a HIPPA violation. If I walked into a crowded elevator at work, saw an armbanded patient that I recognize, and said, "Not to alarm anyone, but someone in this elevator is really spending a ton of money here," I'd be fired. It's sad that insurance gets held to a different standard.

Maryellen, your rads experience is similar to mine. No major burning until week 5 with random sharp pains and lots of swelling in the ribs and sternum. Hang in there! You're getting so close to being done!!!!!

I am way behind. I hope all dealing with healing complications kick the infections and such quickly and that healing and pain relief kick in soon.

I know several have had lumps lately and I obviously know how awful that is mentally. Most are very likely scar tissue, suture granulomas, etc. Keep an eye on them even after having them evaluated though. I was told last January that my new lump was scar tissue. Since a really, really strong feeling told me otherwise, I asked them to biopsy it. Even after being removed I was told it looked like scar tissue. And you all know the results of that; it's why I'm here. I did have a different lump biopsied 5 months before that which was just inflammation. I am not trying to be alarmist and mulled over posting this much of the night because no one needs more fear. I just could not forgive myself if someone blew off a lump that seemed to be changing because a doc told them it was scar tissue.

I read up on this group every day too. I don't get to post often, short on time and energy after going back to daily commute to my work. Many thanks to all who keep this thread alive.

My eyebrows and eyelashes are thinning again. I wonder if they will fall out completely once more.

At the time of my original diagnosis the radiologist told me to repeat the MRI on my other breast in 6 months. He said we needed to keep an eye on the changes in it. I had a TE until recently so I couldn't get an MRI, but now that I had my exchange surgery I got the order from my MO. I have an appointment for tomorrow. Very nervous about it, because my other breast has been hurting from time to time, like a bee sting. I just got a call from my MO that my insurance did not approve the MRI because "it's not medically necessary ". I'm just beside myself.

Eileen - it boils down to some bonus-hungry person who practices medicine without license, who "knows better" than an oncologist and a radiologist. I'm still shaking. They waited till the last minute to let me know that they denied. My husband is on the phone with them right now. I can feel my blood pressure going through the roof.

Sorry you're having issues with the reconstruction. I know some women choose to stay flat. I never even considered not to do the reconstruction. I have talked to some women who did implants and are very happy with them. I've had some extra "adventures" with my TE, but nothing horrible. I have my implant now, but still too fresh from the surgery to decide if I'm happy with it. I hope your issues will calm down soon and you will be happy with your decision.

And a special thank you to Kbee. I know it must be with such mixed feelings every time you hear about a second suspiscous lump. Your bravery and tactfulness never goes unnoticed. Thanks for the gentle advice to stay "optimistically vigilant".