Say Hi for Support

Hi, I am suffering a little tonight. A bit of stomach ache and depression. Too much of the holidays I guess.

I hope tomorrow will be better for all of us.

look for something positive to focus on. So sorry about the lymphedema, I know you have been struggling like crazy. When I get down, I find something to do to get my mind engaged somewhere else, a walk, playing with grandkids, watching a movie where somebody has it worse than I do makes me feel more fortunate. One image that I hold in my mind is about this kid who had no arms or legs and went on to become a state wrestling champion. I can't imagine what he had to do to accomplish that. It doesn't make what we are going through any less painful, but I know there are people out there less fortunate than I am, if that makes sense.

Hi Mariasnow:

Just saying "Hi". Sorry you are not feeling well and feeling down.

The New Year can be challenging because the surrounding emphasis on resolutions and self improvement or whatever can make a person think about where they are, where they are not, or where they wish they were. Even before diagnosis, I didn't like this holiday and I try treat it like just another day (same strategy for big number birthdays or "cancerversaries"). One good thing is I like even numbers, so I am pleased to be in 2016.

If it is nice out, take a walk or do another an activity you enjoy or gift yourself with a little relaxation time with a favorite book or simple cup of tea.

BarredOwl

21 minutes ago tlavalle wrote:

i have a dent in the outter right side of my breast. But I don't feel a lump. I did have alot of breast pain, but nope its tender where the dent is. It looks like someone is pushing it inlike you said. I have applied for insurance. I doof go to er they did a,breast exam but felt no lumps. They didn't do any blood work or cat scans. She never even looked at the indentation. Any advice???

Hi tlaville:

I agree with Mariasnow that an indentation is definitely something to follow up on. Do not wait around, in case this is something that will need to be worked up and treated.

Areas of suspicion for breast cancer are initially identified by one or more imaging techniques: mammogram, ultrasound, and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). When imaging identifies an area of concern, the radiologist may recommend periodic monitoring by imaging (e.g., every six months), a different kind of imaging, or a biopsy. In a biopsy, a small sample of tissue from the area of suspicion seen by imaging is removed (for example, by stereotactic core needle biopsy), and then examined by a pathologist for evidence of benign or malignant disease.

Please continue to pursue obtaining insurance.

At the same time, please look into obtaining an exam at a breast center. They will do a physical exam, and perhaps recommend that you get a mammogram. Even if you had a mammogram this past year, since you now have a breast change, a mammogram seems like a probable first step.

Blood tests and CT scans are not usually done at this point, in the absence of clinical symptoms (e.g., breast lump, lump or swelling in arm pit) or other basis for suspicion of distant spread (away from the breast).

On this site, there is a page with some information about financial assistance:

http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/paying/no_insuran...

This is a pamphlet from another site with general information about financial matters:

http://www.lbbc.org/sites/default/files/LBBCguideF...

I think some members here have recommended breast cancer screening for low-income, uninsured women through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Women must meet age and income eligibility requirements to participate in the program.

If that doesn't work, try contacting the social worker at the hospital where you went, and ask them for assistance in finding routine breast care and financial resources (e.g., nonprofit, government or other organizations that may be able to help.

BarredOwl