Washington Ladies/Men???

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2007
    CY,
    Thanks for letting us know....I saw the posts about the issue and the screen names...
    I emailed the Tami/Melissa and asked them if there is something that can be done to upgrade security. They emailed me back saying that they would check with their computer guru to see about changing things.
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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited February 2007

    I felt I need to make my screen name different than my actual name so I changed it

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2007
    I received and email back from Tami/Melissa saying they checked into this and their computer people told them that there isnt much they can do because it is a public forum...but they highly recommend not using anything similar to your real name so changing it was a good idea...
    How are you doing? It is raining like crazy here this morning but warmer finally.
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  • PNWKaren
    PNWKaren Member Posts: 88
    edited February 2007
    Hi ladies--I just found this thread. Can I join you?

    I'm Karen, 44 yo, married to Mike 20 years this April, mom of four, ages 14 down to five months, stepmom of two more and step grandmom to four--our family is rarely quiet but never boring :-) We live on the Kitsap Peninsula, halfway between Bremerton and Tacoma. We're on small acreage--I do a lot of organic gardening--it's just us, the kids, five dogs, four cats, and assorted other small wildlife. I receive most of my care through Group Health in Tacoma and have been pleasantly surprised at how on top of things they are, every step of the way.

    I was diagnosed with left sided multicentric ILC last July. Had a double mastectomy (right side phophylactic) with SNB/total axillary dissection last August. Three tumors ranging from 1.0 cm to 3.5 cm, total tumor load 6 cm, 3/5 nodes postive. ER+, PR+, Her2Neu +++. Completed 4 DD A/C, 11 weekly T/Herceptin--was supposed to do 12 but my heart couldn't quite handle it. I'm on a four week break right now to recover--which I'm doing nicely, my MUGA came back good today--and then will begin rads, 28 tx with 5 boosts. Continue Herceptin for a year and begin Tamoxifen until a probable ooph this next summer and then on to AIs. I opted to delay all reconstruction until completely done with treatment but hope to do something about that next year. Ihad a consult with a PS in Tacoma but he didn't really impress me. If anyone has had any DIEP/free flap surgery through the UW I'd love to hear about it. I'm not a candidate for a TRAM due to a prior history of abdominal hernias and I do not want implants--my body has a nasty intolerance for any form of synthetic materials.
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  • EllenS
    EllenS Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2007

    I am also looking for recommendations for PS in Tacoma or Seattle. I am having bi-lateral mast. 3/6 in OLympia and plan to do reconstruction after I finish the rest of my tx. I have done FEC chemo already and after my mast. I have to do 12 weeks of taxol and then a hysterectomy/ovary removal since I am positive for BRCA 1. It seems like such a long haul right now. I am looking at a DIEP for reconstruction, but I haven't taken to any PS yet.

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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited February 2007
    Welcome, Karen & Ellen.
    I don't know about the PS as I only had a lumpectomy. My BS & Rad Onc areat the UW and my Onc is at SCCA.

    I am done with treatment as I am a triple negative. Although I am still doing three month follow ups. I finished active treatment in Aug '06.
    I'm in the Seattel area.
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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited February 2007
    How are all you Wahingotn ladies doing? Hope you are staying warm as our temps drop again.
    Karen & Ellen did you find a PS that will work for you?
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  • EllenS
    EllenS Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2007

    I have not really started the look for PS yet. I would appreciate recommendations. I just came back from spending the weekend in Coeuer D'Alene ID at a gymnastics meet with my 16 year old daughter. I have my mastectomy a week from tuesday.

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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited February 2007
    Ellen, let me know if there is anything I can help with. You are only about an hour away. I didn't have a mast, so can't help with the PS. I will keep you in my prayers that it all goes extremely well. NS from the Wagon Circle is also having a mast on March 6th.

    How did your daughter do at the meet?
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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited March 2007

    Hope those of you that got hit with the snow today are home safe. We've had snow mixed with rain everynight this week but so far none that has stayed on the ground!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Am wondering where and what step each of our Washington friends are at....Havent seen posts from some of them in a long time....

    How are we all doing???

    Jule
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  • EllenS
    EllenS Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2007
    Hi CY and all,
    I am getting ready for surgery on the 6th. I got good news today that my surgery is now scheduled for 7:30 am instead of 3pm. I was not looking forward to not drinking from midnight to 3 pm. According to my surgeon if there are no complications I can go home on the 7th. I hate hospitals and I am a nurse. (I am a hospice nurse so I don't have to work in a hospital).
    My daughter did really well on bars and beam at the gymnastics meet, won both. Her teammates won floor and vault. She has a meet in Portland this sat, so we are all going down and going to go to the Egyptian exhibit at the Portland art museum as well.
    Thanks for the support.
    Ellen
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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited March 2007
    Great news Ellen, I like morning surgeries too! get it over with and less likely to have a headache from not eating!

    Jule how are you doing today? We've had snow everynight this week as I've come home but none sticking.

    Where is everyone hope you are all doing well.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Im doing good, got thing straightened out and had my first boost yesterday...(8 more to go after today)....

    I has snowed off an on here in the mornings but like you said nothing that doesnt melt off within a couple of hours after it stops....Mountains are very pretty this morning, bright and sunny.

    Have a great day everyone!!!
    Jule
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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited March 2007

    be sure to keep usinging the aloe or whatever moisturizing you're doing now for several months after you finish with rads. it helps the skin heal when it's hydrated

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  • EllenS
    EllenS Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2007

    I had my bi-lateral mast. yesterday and came home today. Right now I feel achy and sore but generally not too bad. I am glad to be out of the hospital. I did chemo first and the surgeon didn't see or feel any issues but I won't get the pathology report until the end of the week.

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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited March 2007

    Ellen, Glad you are home safe. Be sure not todo too much too fast!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Ellen,
    Happy to hear you are home and things went well...it is such a relief to get home where you can be comfy and cozy without people poking a prodding you....

    Be nice to yourself, rest lots, drink lots and YES as CY said DONT OVER DO.....

    Keep us posted on how your doing and if you need anything..
    Hugs
    Jule
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  • EllenS
    EllenS Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2007
    I got the pathology report. No node involvement, clean margins and only 8mm of cancer found. No vascular involvement. I still have 12 weeks of taxol and a hysterectomy to do but it looks like no radiation. Whoppee.
    Ellen
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Ya, Ya, Ya!!!!!!!!
    What great news Ellen.....
    I will be having a hysterectomy later in the year too.......
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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited March 2007
    Ellen, Awesome, so glad they got it all!
    Let us know if you need anything. Or if you want some company. I can usually get a way for a while on the weekends.

    Jule how's the potassuim going?
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Potassium was back up to 3.4, but 03/09 when they checked it again it had dropped back to 2.9...they arent sure what the heck is going on....he says it could be reaction to the rads (which my last one is WENSDAY!!!!) or could be reaction to the tamoxiphen, so he put me on some other meds and says that we will wait about 3 wks after rads and see what happens...if thats not it then he wants me to have the hystorectomy ASAP and go to one of the AI's.
    It sure seems never ending some days
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  • EllenS
    EllenS Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2007
    Sorry to hear that Jule, hope it goes back to normal. I am going a little nuts trying not to do much until the drains stop draining as much and I can get them out. I was hoping for today but it is not to be. Oh well, I can hope for tomorrow.
    Ellen
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Im sorry the drains arent coming out today, but they will soon...and yes try not to over do for awhile....I didnt have drains but I can only imagine how nutty I would be with them too...
    Jule
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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited March 2007
    Jule, keep us informed on how the levels are. I know mine were low for a while. and I was on CHemo at the time.
    Let's hope it doesn't call for the hysto.

    Eleen give it time you donn't want to hurry it. I didn't have the drains either and can only imagine how I'd want them out too but they do serve a purpose. I think if I would have had one I might not have had some of the problems I had. I will pray they have done their jobs and can come out soon.

    Looks like most of the pinappler express has gone through now. It was a might nippy this evening. Oh for the warm sunny days. Wish they'd hurry up and get here!
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    Ellen,
    Hope your feeling better today and that maybe the drains will come out, but if not as CY said, they are there for a reason and they do help stop some of the problems that can occur without them....

    Cy,
    Im taking tons of pills and eating everything in site that is high in potassium so hopefully it will resolve itself after radiation...
    There is another issue going on that might make the hysto needed more immediately than fall...when I met with my OB/GYN to consult about the hysto about a month ago he found a swollen node....I brought it to my onco's attention Friday when I saw him....he said it could be my body reacting to the rads or the tamox....since tomarrow is my last rad he wants to wait 2 wks and check to see if it is holding its own then...if not then he wants me to go ahead with the hysto asap so that I can go off the tamox to see if its that, and if not, well, Im too nervous to even think about that just yet....but I did have a snb with my lumpectomy and they were all negative so I just keep trying to convince myself that it is just my body being weird....
    Hope you all have a good day.....think I'd better do some work since thats where Im at this morning...
    And yes, does appear that spring is just around the corner, a little cooler here this morning but is suppose to be in the mid-60's so I can handle that....

    Have a great day
    Jule
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  • b445
    b445 Member Posts: 1,325
    edited March 2007
    Jule, I'll be praying that the node wa sjust fighting off something that's what their jobs are so let's pray it's nothing to worry about. Although I know you will.

    Eleen, hope you're feeling better today

    gentle hugs & prayers
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    CY,
    I had my last boost treatment yesterday...they people there are so sweet....I got there and they had balloons and a cake for my last day with them...

    I have been keeping an eye on that node and I really think it might be the rads....I checked it on Friday morining and it felt one size....then I checked it again on Monday morning after not having rads for two days and it was smaller...Im sure hoping it is nothing, but ya, its hard not to worry....

    Ellen,
    How are things going for you? Drains out now?????

    Hugs
    Jule
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  • EllenS
    EllenS Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2007
    Whoopee I got the drains out yesterday. I took my dogs for a walk and ran some errands, then I was completely worn out. I came home and took a nap. I have almost full mobility in both arms but I am sore and the whole area pulls in weird places when I stretch. My surgeon was pleased with my healing. Today I ran some errands in the morning, home to nap. Other short errands in the afternoon and then home to nap.

    Jule congrats on being done with rads.
    Ellen
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2007
    What a wonderful week for you Ellen....Im so glad those nasty drains are gone...now just remember to not over do and you will mend quickly...

    Hugs
    Jule
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