MI Survivors

Hi Sphynx--I had originally put my website in my signature, but I guess the moderators opted for no siggies lol

My website is Mikki630's Breast Cancer Chronicles...demystifying breast cancer one step at a time http://pages.ivillage.com/mikki630

I created it in 2000 after I started working for my breast surgeon. I found that many ladies were asking the same questions, so I decided to put most of what I know on a website. I am always learning lol

Hugs, Michele

Oh Lorie, I really hope this turns out to be nothing for you. It sounds like you and Michele are going through similar situations right now (I saw her post on another board). Please keep us updated, and try to stay positive. Great big HUUGGSSSS from me to you.

Michele, I haven't even had the chance to welcome you yet to our MI board, and I look forward to meeting you in Sept. I read your post on Recurrences..and wanted to say the same to you as I did to Lorie.. hang in there, keep a positive outlook. I know how hard it is to wait

I hope that all tests will come back negative...I will be thinking of you both, and hoping for good news all around.

Hugs
Judy

Lori and Michelle,
I am sending all the best vibes for both of you that it is just nothing! My husband had prostate cancer surgery in January and his lymph nodes are swollen. He had a cat scan that was abnormal. We were told he probably had non-hodgkins lymphoma. Subsequent tests do not confirm it and he is calling it lymphadenitis! We both had our follow-up appointments recently and I am breathing again after 3 months of holding my breath!

Lori, I remember you sent me a private message that you had lymphoma many years ago and I appreciated your help. I also go to Dr. Arneson since Dr. Marcus retired.

Michelle, you have a very informative web site. I have not read it all yet but definitely plan to. The reconstruction pics were very good since it showed the progress and although hard to look at in the beginning, the results were very great.

I see a second PS today for questions about reconstruction of a partial mastectomy (plus re-excision...new lump etc), 5 surgeries in all. The first was not a good experience and I'm not expecting much from this one either. I'll just give up the idea if he is negative about getting good results.

Both of you please let us know as soon as you hear anything. You can always send me a private message and I will give you my phone number if you want someone to talk to.

For our gathering, I think it would be nice to sign the banner since you will see so many names on it you will recognize. I wore the t-shirt only for the pictures we took, not because I don't like t-shirts but I'm always cold (except for the hot flashes of course). Look at the Cybersister photo album for pictures of past gatherings around the states. We also played a gift exchange game that was fun and a bit of an ice-breaker. We don't have to do that if you don't want since we found the conversation very easy. We have so much in common, we all felt like old friends.

I'm looking forward to meeting all of you in person in September! Sending all the best for benign news!

Nancy

Hi everyone!

Lorie, I was thinking about you today, hope everything goes well. Keeping all fingers crossed!

Michele, I hope everything went good for you yesterday, as well. Please keep us updated.

Sept. 25th is getting closer! I passed Compari's twice this week, I think we can park behind the building (limited parking on street). I can't wait to meet you all!

Hugs to all, see you soon
Judy B.

Hi My Friends...

Well....looks as though the node is a concern in my collarbone..going for more tests...CT...Ultrasound, etc. I saw my oncologist too; she was not "surprised" and they ran some blood work.

Yet again, I wait. And girlies, this chickie is pretty well spent.

But, I will keep you posted. Thanks for all the good wishes..

Lorie

Lorie--hang in there, hon. As you know, the waiting through all the testing is CRAP.

I still don't know much yet. The onc didn't think she was feeling a node (then just what the heck IS that rubbery twangy thing over my collarbone?). She ordered a CA27-29 (my first ever) and xrays of that collarbone. She said it would take a few days to get the results, as they didn't have a radiologist on staff in that building at the time of my xrays.

Hugs to all, Michele

Hi guys,

I sent a message to Melissa to send the banner to my house (if none of you have already done so). So that should be all set!

Still sending lots of good wishes to Lori and Michele I'm so sorry you're both going throught this crapola again.

Hugs
Judy B.

Just found out my CA 27-29 is within normal limits. The collarbone xray is also negative for mets. I haven't seen the report, but I am wondering if I am getting visited by that old Ritis brother, Arthur! I'd rather date NED than Arthur, but I'll gladly take Arthur over METS!

Lorie--how are YOU doing???

Thanks all for the support!!

Hugs, Michele

Michele:
I join with Nancy in saying what wonderful news that is!!! I have arthritis too - so know what you mean, I will take it anyday over the old b/c beast!!!

Lori:
Please let us know how you're doing as well!!
Blessings,
Pat

I messaged Melissa about a tshirt but haven't gotten a reply to either message. Any other ideas?

Thanks & hugs,
Michele

Hi Ladies..

Sorry I have not been commmunicating of late; to be honest I have been trying to synthesize the events of the past week...I thought it would be okay just to kind of chill.

But, I am on a mailing list for BC; so thought I would post it here for all my new friends I have made.

I think of you often..I'm doing all sorts of tests this Friday at St. Joe's..I hope all of you enjoyed the holiday (looks as though Summer finally arrived)Posting below:

Hello Ladies...


I have been lurking of late (and thank you Jeff and Musa for the
information pertaining to the question posed about angiolymphatic
invasion and node status...by the way Musa, my tumor was a grade "3";
scored a 8/9 on the SBR scale)


I have been reading about your prognosis reports and other postings and
some of you have hit the proverbial "nail" on the head concerning mental
status when possible facing yet another reoccurance with cancer or
simply facing cancer for the "first" time.


I was actually going back to the first time I was ever diagnosed with
cancer in my teens and for the life of me the only "emotion" that I had
was the fear I would lose my long hair with radiation. I have noticed
however with each new diagnosis of cancer; my emotions are all over the
gamut of happiness and sadness. Funny thing is I don't beleive that I
really had any other alternative, but I have noticed with certainity
"others" expect me to always have that "sunny" disposition. It's an
unfair request of people to assume that, but it has been my experience
in life most people certainly have not led the path of struggle and
uncertanity as I have with my medical journey.


In retrospect, I cannot say whether having a "positive" outlook has
contributed one way or another towards bieng a survivor ( and I use that
word very casually here). I do know, that this next set of tests have
made me more aware then ever before, that life is unpredictable at best,
sadness is a tear drop away and heartache is waiting for you (even when
you least expect it).


Thanks for letting me post.


Lorie


April 27, 2004 (My birthday DAMMIT!) IDC Left Breast: 2.5 cm (no clear
margins) DCIS Right Breast (no clear margins) Angiolymphatic Invasion
present HER+ FISH - /5 Nodes negative (the surgeon would only take out
"5" due to my prior radiation-see below)


May 20, 2004 Bilateral Mastectomy/with expanders (another whole story
with this..hehe)


Stage IIB-No therapy (My decison)


August 21, 2004 Enlarged left superclavicular node; Under Testing
right now.


Gets better though!


Hodgkin's Disease 1975-1976; Radiation 5x weekly till the end of my
birthday (I think there is something cosmically happening here)


Thyroid Cancer 1999; Partial Thyroidectomy, then determined no clear
margins so preceded with complete Thyroidectomy!

Hi Lorie. Just wanted to let you know that I am keeping my fingers crossed for you today.

I can only imagine how upset you must be by all of this. Actually, I had found a lump in my breast a few weeks back, (turned out to be a cyst) so I know that the fear is tremendous and consuming...fear of 'it' coming back, fear of treatments all over again, especially so soon after finishing tx's.

I will be thinking about you all day, and pray that this is nothing.

((HUGS)) to you, girl, you hang in there, come talk if you need to, we are here for you.

Judy

Nancy, thanks for doing that. Time sure has flown by, it is getting close to the 25th now. Can't wait!

Hugs,
Judy

Ok. I just got this big box delivered here, it is the banner!!! Only one question...who pays to ship this back???

I haven't opened it, we can open it when we get there. Also, since LorieAnne is taking a break from the boards right now, I think I will call Compari's to find out if we need reservations... I am not sure that Lorianne already did so...I will call them today to find out. I think we have 12 people or so going???

If you're out there LoriAnne, I hope we see you next Saturday.

See you all in one week!

Hugs
Judy