The Hermit Club

Lookingforward- the cold is better today.Just a bit of lingering fatigue from the whole ride.

That cartoon is hilarious!

Lily,

I've taken some comfort in my NED cancerversaries. I dread 6th yearly mammogram in May.

*Good Morning Hermits*

The following photo from Facebook was recently taken in the North Country.

BBL

how beautiful! I love spring! Been planting more tomatoes and did some potatoes yesterday. HUGS to you all!! I read everyone's posts everyday and even though I haven't been on here long, I feel as though I'm getting to know yal and I will keep yal in my prayers. My stress has been better since clear margins last week, but I know I have radiation and hopefully no t chemo coming up, still waiting on oncotype. I keep reminding myself that I am blessed and they found it early, but I have the constant anxiety in back of my mind, that I have seen LOTS of people on these discussion boards that they caught early like mine, and then they came back and had stage 3 or 4 later on. Will I always have this worry for the rest of my life? I'm trying to stay busy and do normal things, but I'm not the same anymore and don't know if I ever will be and don't think any of my friends could ever understand. I now think that their petty gripes are stupid and don't say much in conversations anymore. Maybe I'm more depressed than I thought. Maybe I need to get oncologist to put me on something. I've never taken antidepressants in my life, but I will try if it helps. Have a blessed Sunday everyone!!! My husband tells me I don't have enough faith, I have all the faith in the world r 's, but I also know that plenty of people with faith ALSO get terminal cancer. I tell him I'm only human!!

Loving- getting your head around a cancer diagnosis is pretty hard in and of itself, but having to think that it could come back (even if you do all the treatment recommended) can feel overwhelming. I can remember very well being in the throes of rads treatments and people telling me "well you will be done with all this very soon and not have to think about it again." We know that is not true, unfortunately, most people don't understand there is always the possibility of it coming back. We are never really done with cancer, but the further out you go from initial dx, it is far less daunting. You learn to live with the possibility, in the same way we live with the possibility of being in an auto accident every time you get behind the wheel of a car. It takes a bit of time to just get used to the new paradigm we find ourselves in after cancer.

The oncotype test will give you some good info on re-occurrence stats, that is one of the real pluses of doing this test. It will calculate your risk based the results. One of the important things to note is that there is a range where there is no chemo recommended, above a certain amount it is, and then there is an intermediate range where there was no good data to suggest either way based on clinical trials. There was a trial going on at the time I was in treatment (2012-2013) called the TailorX trial, and think there may be results available for that now to help you know what to do if you fall in that middle zone. My docs felt with my pathology and onco results, chemo would be over treating my case. Your MO will help you to know what to do, and do get a second opinion if you are on the fence about anything (I talked to two MO's and they were both in agreement no chemo for me).

Some women do have long term stress from the anxiety of re-occurrence though, so definitely pay attention to the emotions as you go forward.

Keeping good thoughts for good outcomes on the oncotype and chemo decisions.

Jazzy, Hi, hope you're feeling better. )

So true!! )

Hi Tek, dropping by to say hello.................

Loving great news.

thanks jazzy and look forward!! Beautiful picture!!

Loving, yes, more great news!!

Ducky, frisky!

Jazzy, like Loving and Lookforward, enjoying the pics.

*Good Morning Hermits*

______________________________________________________________________

Apr 3, 2016 10:58AM Teka wrote:

The following photo from Facebook was recently taken in the North Country.

April 4th, follow up photo from Facebook.

Snowy week in the North Country!

Teka- I can almost visualize the little frogs soaking up the sun. Things coming out of hibernation here too, like rattlesnakes (yikes!)

Ducky, no doubt, Family are going to keep you busy until Winter! ;o)

Jazzy, so far no hornets! (

Lily, doing OK?

Today, in the 70's and the 1st dandelion bloom in the front yard.

;o)

No need to feel guilty. I'm so happy to have found other introverts. I got a lot of pressure from doctor and NP who think I should rally a support group for myself. I think most people don't understand that being an introvert is not a negative. I personally don't want to have to deal with people offering their well meaning advice and condolences. Bless their hearts but I'm afraid I might snap at them - I am such a hopelessly private person and I don't want to put others in the awkward position of feeling like they have to "say something". Luckily, I'm retired so no need to tell anyone. I certainly don't have the energy to keep people up to date while I make decisions. I spend enjoyable time with my best friend but haven't told her about this. She thrives on anxiety - I don't. I may have to change my tune but so far I think I will be able to get through radiation with anonymous support.