Anyone want to sit and wait with me?

Thanks Amica! I am practicing deep breathing at my desk at work (unsuccessfully trying to distract myself). I've not heard of toning before but I can see how it would be calming. Seems well worth a try! I've also left a message with the nurse to at least see if I can find out when I might get results back... now I really feel like I've done everything I can do but wait.

Amica, I'm not sure where in Canada you are I'm in Halifax Nova Scotia and we have therapists and psychiatrists as part of the full meal deal after the diagnosis of breast cancer. There's no months of waiting.

Check out any breast cancer groups in your area to see if you can get some current information on what's available.

Unless you have health insurance in the US or Canada private therapists do charge a lot of money. I hope you can find free professional help in your area. I certainly took advantage of what was on offer and found it very helpful.

beeline-so glad your bone scan came back clear. I didn’t realize how terrified I was until I got that good phone call with 2 clean scans. I burst into tears!

This page/community is such a balm for my fears and anxieties-I’m sad we are all here but thankful for everyone sharing their journey!

Yay beeline on the clear bone scan!

Hi Yaniza, you live in a beautiful part of the country! -- the cancer center I'm at doesn't have services like that, but I'll figure something out I'd have to go to Toronto for better support services but it's a bit too far.

Colleen, thanks for sharing

I too am seeking out shows and movies that make me laugh

I have a tv movie package that includes old movies and have watched: Planes Trains & Automobiles, Vacation with Chevy Chase, Bridesmaids. I've saved My Cousin Vinny to watch.

Any suggestions for funny movies or shows?

ColleenS, thank you for your prayers. So the MRI shows multiple satellite lesions, both anterior and posterior to the known mass. They did get a more definite size of the mass. I have decided to get the additional lesions biopsied, and that will give me what I had hoped, and that is a clear decision. So if they are positive for cancer my surgeon says we would have to do the mastectomy. I will feel better just having all the answers. I appreciate everyone taking time to read this, and all of the prayers, virtual hugs and good vibes

Beeline- YAY for you for a clear bone scan!!!!!!!!!

ColleenS80

So sorry you had a rough day! I do the same thing, I ask so many questions. There's a quote somewhere from an oncologist: "The best patients make the worst patients." Maybe I already posted that quote, but you know, the patients who ask a lot of questions are actually good patients because they are looking out for themselves, but the docs sometimes do get annoyed, I know mine do. I also bring printouts, and I am sure internally my onc is rolling her eyes, but I don't care.

Good for you for getting a second opinion. Vanderbilt is top-notch. I too have sought a second opinion, at Princess Margaret Cancer Hospital in Toronto. It takes a while here, it might just be a virtual one with no live visit. And it's better to get a brain MRI to get things checked out than to worry, so my hopes for you that it is all clear. I have my brain MRI on Labor Day, dreading it because of claustrophobia.

HUGS,

Amica

Try The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on amazon Prime. It’s hilarious.

Amica, weren’t you waiting for some test results? Did you get them? Sorry, chemo brain doesn’t retain info anymore..

InnaB

I've had CT and bone scan, waiting to have the brain MRI and the whole-body PET-CT. CT showed "at least 2" masses in lymph nodes behind my pectoral muscle, bone scan was clear. So far, the plan is a Femara/Ibrance regime, have already started the Femara. I requested a second opinion, but it is what it is.

Inna, you seem pretty sharp to me thanks for the show suggestion.

Colleen,

Good for you for asking questions, expecting that the MO will answer without whining about it, and getting 2nd opinion from such an excellent place as Vanderbilt.

I share the view that the sx you are experiencing are most likely due to the accumulated stress you have been under, though of course it is necessary to check things out.

I don't know if it's really hot where you are, perhaps drinking more water might help a bit, and getting enough sleep.

Take care.

Ok, so I met with my MO. He said my surgical result wasn't that bad, that the path did show that a lot of the cancer cells had died so I did have response to the TCHP. Not only did he agree to redo receptor testing, he was wondering why it hadn't already been done. And he's not even going to bother with IHC testing for Her2, he's going to send it straight for FISH. Based on those results he may also get testing of one of my lymph node specimens. He said based on the receptor results that he may add perjeta to my herceptin, and then neratnib after that since it has been proven to benefit triple positives. I also brought up going back on Ibrance, which I was on for one round as part of a study when we thought I was Her2-, and my tumor had responded well to it before I was switched to the TCHP protocol, and he was receptive to that idea as well. So he was willing to consider all options. He is waiting for me to finish rads (assuming I have it) to start me back on AIs. So anyway, now I love my MO and I want to have his babies. Lucky for him, he just fried my ovaries.

Colleen, I'm really interested to see what the Vanderbilt people say. Maybe ask the Vanderbilt MO to send your sample for FISH regardless of the IHC result. Is it feasible for you to travel to Vanderbilt for treatment? If so you might just want to change MOs. Are you still getting herceptin?

Colleen, Perhaps there is some other good university cancer center closer by, that is covered by your insurance co.? Or it's worth asking whether insurance will cover Vandy upon appeal, based on special circumstances. Another question is how many visits to Vandy would you likely need to make.

Johns Hopkins will do a chart review for a fee of $500. However, they only accept cases from certain states. TN is one of them.

In any event, I am glad you are staying in good terms with current MO. It is one point in her favor that she is willing to team with Vandy people.

I had to see my MO many times, and occasionally mine too was crotchety, but she was highly competent so I did not fire her. A key question is how well you can trust your current MO's judgment.