Starting Chemo in JAN 2007

Thanks so much everybody for the support while I wait it out. I spoke to a very good friend of mine who had a breast reduction years ago - she told me they call her back every time from her mammo because of the scar tissue and something call lucent? tissue from the reduction. I also posted on the Her2 website and several women responded that since this is my first post reduction mammo, this is more than likely what it is - residual scar tissue etc. So I feel better, but of course until I get the final word (hopefully tomorrow)...
Debbie, sounds like you are holding up nicely with all your rads - the fatigue, the skin burning etc.
Joni - I got to pick my oncologist. My GP recommended my onc., sent down a referral and I saw him the next week. Maybe it's different here in Ontario - also your pix are gorgeous.
Tina and Jan - we have Costco here in Toronto too - I'll be looking for your "homemade" lasagna there. Glad school was great for your kiddies.
Rebecca - sounds like you are more relaxed with your body - you will feel like "you", slowly but surely.
Viddie - how are you doing? After this scare, I am seriously thinking about doing what you just did - the prophylactic mast. with DIEP -
Mel, Mary, Robbin, Sharon (alias Janis Joplin) and everyone else - thanks again for fretting with me - I didn't have much time to think about it today because I took DD out for her dorm room shopping at Linens 'N Things and Walmart - burned a hole for about a grand on it all - just washing all the sheets and towels now, move-in day is this Sunday, and Cassie is working tonight, tomorrow and all day Saturday.
xoxo
caya

Oh, and I also want to take a minute and thank all of you, my beautiful BC sisters for the lovely cards that you sent my way. I have them stashed on my dresser, and when I feel blue I read through them. They really helped through this tough time. I wish I could hug each one of you! {{{{{sisters}}}}}

Hi all,

Caya,
I am so glad you heard first hand from women on the her2 site who have been there and could give you some encouraging news. I really believe that doctors have to “tell all” for fear of being sued if they don’t. I had surgery last Monday and on Tuesday night around 7PM while I was still in PACU ( post anesthesia care unit), six fellows and residents were leaning over me and telling me they couldn’t hear a pulse on my new right breast flap. They told me they had to wait for Dr. Lee, my PS to get out of surgery so he can try to find my pulse on my new diep breast. When Dr. Lee finally arrived at 11PM, he couldn’t locate a pulse for 45 minutes- the longest minutes I have ever experienced, While waiting for him to find a pulse, I asked him what would be the worst case scenerio. He told me I would have to go back to have more surgery------ Then he told me my heart rate was real high----no wonder!!! I then asked for an ativan- really!!! LOL. The point being- they have to reveal everything. By the way, it was a false alarm. He finally found the pulse and all was fine after that.
I am so glad I did the Diep surgery. I now feel I have done everything possible, considering I had DCIS, IDC and LCIS- all in the same breast- LCIS carries a cumulative 1% a year rate of occurrance in either breast. It was a huge decision though- only one you can make.
Good luck this weekend dropping off Cassie. That is hard- just as hard as first day of school. I think harder because they do not come home in the afternoon.

Mizsissy,
The cottage is so cute. The scenery is I am sure, breathtaking. You’ll get your groove back.
Lynn,
How is work going? If you have any questions about BI or Dr. Lee, feel free to ask away. You too Mel and Jan. Now Ellie and I are a veterans of the Diep surgery. Whew!!
Jan,
Your dd and you made it through the first day of first grade with flying colors. Congrats. That’s a hard one.
Rebecca,
I am glad your appointment is behind you. Congrats on sleeping through the night. That is another milestone. I hope you start feeling better tomorrow. What a slap in the face- how rude and crude of the hospital!! Hopefully you are feeling better now. Hugs!!!
Sharon, I hope your dd recovers from mono soon. At least she has the rest of the summer to rest---if she will!! Teens are funny- they do not feel sick on nights they have plans.
Tina,
You go girl!! Good for you for speaking up to your BS!!
Mel,
I just got it- Ati-man!! Took me a while- all these meds-LOL.
Joni,
Waiting is the hardest part. I can’t believe it is almost September. I know this is so cliché-ish, but Sept 7 will be here before you know it. We all have those days-and we are all here for you – and of course if all else fails- A job for Ati-Man!!
Thanks for sharing all your beautiful pictures.
I think I am, I think I am ( perky that is ). A little swollen and bruised, but that is expected for now.
Ellie,
How about you? Are you perky? Are your new boobs still swollen? Are they hard or soft? Mine are still a bit hard, but the PS says that that is temporary. My visiting nurse is very impressed with them- and she thinks they look perky and lovely - and she is my first knowledgeable outside source.
Robbin,
Congrats on your great report.
Viddie

Rebecca - OY!! 22 grand? sure hope your insurance co. takes care of this. Isn't there a law in the States that women must be covered for reconstruction? I know there is in Canada. Hope you are feeling calmer today.
Nancy - that trip to Phoenix with your DDs in Sept. is something nice to look forward to.
Viddie - thanks for your encouraging words. I plan to phone the plastic surgeon I saw last fall who is the DIEP specialist here in Toronto to make an appointment to discuss this with her again.
Tina - how long have you been on Tamox? I think just a few months, highly unlikely for uterine cancer so soon. But obviously it has to be checked out. Man, it never ends does it ladies?
I am going to call my BS's secretary to remind her about having my films read today, also to pass onto the radiologist that this is my first mammo since my breast reduction surgery (Oct.16, 2006). I really feel that whatever it is he saw is related to scar tissue, lucent microcalcifications etc. from that surgery. However...
Have a good day ladies, as soon as I know anything I will let you know.
caya

Well, I am a bit calmer this morning regarding that humongous bill that I got yesterday. Yes, Caya, there is a federal mandate that guarantees all US women the right to have two reasonably symmetrical breasts (strange, you would not think that legislation would be required for that ) My insurance company is therefore legally obligated to pay for my surgery, but since my PS is not in-network I am still liable for some charges. I have no clue how much, nor do I have any idea of how I am going to pay for it. I went out of network because there was not another PS who operates at my hospital and who does breast work. When I got my Mastectomy, I showed my Breast Surgeon (who is chair of the dept of surgery at the hospital) the list of participating surgeons, and he did not know ANY of them….so I was not comfortable picking someone at random. Better to have no reconstruction at all than bad reconstruction.

It does not appear that the PS office has submitted a claim yet…it is not in the system, and other claims from the surgery date ARE in (and already paid) so I think I need to call the Drs office to take care of it. I have been trying since yesterday to get them on the phone, but there is nobody in the billing office and they do not even have an answering service. Go figure. I really like my Dr, but this billing thing is the pits. What makes the whole thing even worse is that before he operated on me the FIRST time, DH tried to talk to him about how much this might possibly cost us so we could make an informed and responsible decision (I was not going to even consider reconstruction if it would bankrupt my family!) and the Dr told him “Not to worry about it”. GRRRRRRRRRR

I will keep you all posted on how this turns out.

Viddie it is so great to hear from you! I am glad you are feeling better.

Rebecca, you look great! OMG, do you and your kids look exactly alike! Wow!

Rebecca - you look wonderful. My hair is almost exactly the same length. On the surgery bill - once you figure out what your insurance will pay let your doctor know what part of the bill you are left with. Not his nurse or billing office, but actually mention it to him during an appointment. He might be willing to reduce the bill for you. We've had some luck in the past with things like that - the billing office is heartless and I think doctor's are sometimes clueless as to what bills patients receive. When face to face with the reality they can sometimes be helpful. My husband had to have a EKG one time that was not covered by insurance at all and the cardiologist completely waived the bill for him.

Tina - too weird about the teenager stalking your neighbor. Good grief I wish kids could realize that break ups aren't the end of the world. I had a boyfriend in college that stalked me for awhile. If he hadn't eventually moved far away I'm not sure how I would have gotten rid of him. It's very creepy. At least there are stalker laws now.

First of all, Rebecca, you look beautiful!!! We all kind of have the same hairdo right now, but you wear it well - and you are gorgeous. Hope you get your PS bill straightened out - maybe they are expecting you to submit it since they're not in network? I have run into that once or twice.

Caya, I was hoping you had gotten the all-clear by now and could stop worrying. My jaw dropped when you said you spent a grand on dorm room supplies...until I thought how many different things you need when you start from scratch. I guess it's not so amazing after all, but it IS a lot of money. I hope Cassie has a wonderful year - it is such a special time of life.

Tina, I agree wtih you - all those "this is not a bill" bills they send out are a huge waste of money. My insurance company finally stopped sending out those EOB's since we can see them online - I liked them for that. I think you ought to call the cops on your little neighborhood stalker. He has no right to be carrying his stalking on in your yard, even if he does have no self respect. He's going to be in big trouble if he doesn't get a grip - maybe a big policeman talking to him would wake him up.

Viddie, great to hear from you, and glad your new boobs are "perky and lovely." What more could you ask? They'll soften up in time. Are you enjoying your time at the cottage?

Mizsissy, you little angel you, glad you're having a better time now. I can only imagine how wonderful it must be up there. Enjoyed your pictures. And speaking of pictures, Robbin, Joni and Sharon, thanks for sharing yours, too ! They are all so beautiful. Joni, sorry you're going to have to wait so long to find out you're ok - that just sucks. I'm sure that's contributing to your "down days," although I think we all have those now from time to time. Sharon, loved the Janis Joplin pic of you. I really do see it - you've got the attitude!

Joni, I'm not sure that I am changing oncologists for sure - I don't see my first onc. again until November, so no real need to decide until then. However, if I do, it would be because of the advantages of being in the M. D. Anderson system. M. D. Anderson is the top cancer hospital in the US, running neck and neck with Sloan-Kettering in New York. People come there from all over the world to be treated for cancer. It is a big, big complex hospital, which offers lots of services to patients, as well as being on top of all the latest technology and research. So why would I not want to be part of that? The only reason I didn't go there initially is because it is quite a drive through hellacious traffic to get there. Now, they have a branch 7 minutes from my home. I did like the oncologist I saw there very much, and she was easier to talk to than my first oncologist, although I managed quite well with him also, and he took good care of me. I'm conflicted, but if and when I have a recurrence I might want to be at M. D. Anderson, so...

Well, I sat home all afternoon waiting for the new sofa to be delivered. When it got here, not only was it the wrong color, it was the wrong size and model - they just totally brought the wrong thing! Now it has turned into a big upset, because what they did was leave the wrong one here until they can bring the right one out, whenever that is. I'm sure this has to do with the fact that they had lots of deliveries and didn't want to put that sofa back on the truck, but what they said was that they would leave that one with us as a loaner until the right one comes. They just had me sign for delivery and write that the sofa is the wrong one - seemed reasonable to me at the time. Well, DH just got home and is very displeased with me for accepting the sofa in case we might end up liable for damages if it gets cat hair on it or something - talked to me like I didn't have any common sense at all. Then he threw a big old brown tarp over the thing, which looks like hell. I am not happy with him right now, so am trying to get the store on the phone to come and get it. I may let them take me with it.

Well, I'll check later to see if anyone is in chat. Love you all.

Hi ladies,

Viddie, wow, that must have been scary when they couldn't find the pulse. I think Dr. Lee told me they check quite often the first night. I'm so happy for you that all was well. Why were you still in the PACU the following night? I thought he told me I'd spend the first night there but then go to the floor the following morning. How are you feeling otherwise? are you still on pain meds?

Caya, I'm glad you're feeling better and that you spoke with other women who have had similar. Please let us know when you hear something.

Rebecca, you look fabulous! thanks for posting the pic. I would have been just as upset getting the bill like you did...geesh!

Mel, sorry about your sofa woes, if I were you I'd be on the phone insisting on getting my couch tomorrow...they can 'make it work'.

Joni, have a wonderful time at the wedding! I'll be sending positive thoughts your way when you get your scans!

Debbie, hang in there with the rads, you're almost done!

Mizsissy, what a wondeful story about the card...so sweet!

Tina, OMG I'd be freaked about some 16 year old hanging in my backyard..I think you should call the police..you just never know.

I missed chat tonight too, got there too late. I can't do Tuesday's anymore because I stay overnight in Cambridge for work...I just need to remember at the right time on Thursdays.

I'll try to get DH to take a picture of my hair growth this weekend. It's so nice that we are all getting our hair back...think where we were 6 months ago.

Tomorrow's Friday...YAY!

love and hugs,
Lynn

Regarding the teen stalker, I let Maria's mom know what I caught him doing. She/her dh planned to let the local police know. I guess the police have already talked to this kid/his parents. I forgot that he had been suicidal at one point too, which is awful. But I hope not homicidal. I just worry about anyone getting in his path. We have about 15 kids under age 15 in immediate area. No sidewalks either, which stinks.

Lynn, haven't been to Cambridge in forever (was born there). Used to hang out in Harvard Square sometimes in my early 20's after work in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Lots of weird clubs and restaurants...

Guys, you'd laugh your butts off if you saw my hair. I know we are all so glad to be getting some, but boy oh boy, if you have coarse hair...just wait to see what you're in for. It literally stands up STRAIGHT! You have no choice but to wear a scarf/baseball hat. If I slick it down I now look like Eddie Munster. Will the indignities ever end....

Skye - just admit it - you faked it so the cute tour guy could rescue you. But, seriously, I am glad that you are back safely and that no one sunk. Sounds like you had a well-deserved wonderful and relaxing time. Welcome back. We missed you.

Yay Skye! Glad you are home safely. Did you try to rub the 21 year old drunk girl's head in return? I bet that would have made her stop

I called the BS's secretary this morning and she checked online - the radiologist has not yet posted the addendum to my original mammo report. So she said she would email him to ask about it, but she wasn't sure if he would respond today as she did not know which hospital he would be at.
Then I called the onc. who said she would get back to me today (had to leave a message at the oncololgy dept.), but quite frankly if the report isn't ready, what is she going to tell me? Can you believe this? So I'm going to wait another hour to see if the onc. calls me back - if not, I will call the hospital's main switchboard and have her paged. I am so pissed off, as you all can imagine. If I were the BS's wife, I would have had a detailed report 2 days ago.
Thanks so much for all your support guys.
Skye, glad you're back - you and DH look great.
xoxo caya

okay so the update so far is that I spoke the Bs's secretary and she got the addendum from the radiologist, which she will fax to me. But briefly she read it to me over the phone and the dr. thinks he sees some cysts, but wants me to have a breast ultrasound to confirm it. Man, do they not get it - I had the mammo and breast ultrasound last June showing NADA - and then less than 4 months later my Plastic S. finds the frigging tumour. So I told Betty (the sec.) all this and that okay I will come down next week for the U/S - she's trying to book it for Monday or Tuesday - but to please speak to Dr. Leong - the BS - and repeat my story that I need an MRI. She said she would.
I also called the onc. and had her paged - I mean business now - she just called me back to tell me she is in a meeting but would call me back in about an hour and a half and will look at the addendum.
So that is where I am at - I really think it is probably just a cyst or some residual something from the reduction surgery, but naturally it all has to be checked out, and I have to worry about all this.
I will keep you all posted.

Caya, I agree with Jan, push push push!