Hello Mammosite Buddies

jackieinbama · September 2007

Just saying hi to all of my old Mammosite Buddies, Alice, Hanoria, Kelly, Wendy, Vickie and would like to hear from new ones. I think having Mammosite rad tx gives unique experiences apart from other rad sisters, so maybe we can discuss these on this post.

I just had my 6 month check up with breast surgeon and all is well. He wants to see me again in 6 months. Do any of you continue to see Breast surgeon as well as rad onc and med onc? I am so tired of all of these appts. I thought I wouldn't have to see breast surgeon again.

Hope everyone is having a great day.

Jackie

achurch · September 2007

Hi Jackie,

I had the hardest time to log in for quite awhile to this site. I think I have it down now. I expect to see the breast surgeon and rad onc every six months for a couple of years. That's at least when they've told me. I'm still having problems with pain on my left side, ribs and breast area. I've had some tests done and all have been okay. Last week I saw the rad onc and he feels it's scar tissues, adhesions, from the surgery and radiation. Hopefully over time it will improve, if it dosen't the last resort is surgery to free up the adhesions. Of course then there's a chance for it to recurr.

Other than that, I'm fine. I do my Avon breast cancer walk the first week of October in NYC. I've been walking as much as I can to prepare for that. I've rasied $3,000. so far.

This past week I was on vacation, visited my grandaughter in Boston the begining of the week, then flew down and visited my son in Atlanta. Had a great visit with both.

Hope all is well with everyone. Alice

gizmodog · September 2007

Hi,

I just completed mammosite this past Friday.

My treatment took a little longer than others because I allowed my surgeon to use the new style catheter. (it looks like a squid !) They needed pictures before every treatment so the dressing had to be removed and another put on before I went home.

The purpose of the new style catheter is to allow them to target and control the amount of radiation to different areas. There are multiple receptors (?) (probably not the right word but think of a squid's tenacles). Only one recepter/tenacle was used for me since they haven't started with the multiple ones just yet. This might be available the end of Sept.

On my 4 th day my breast got very red and heavy at the end of the treatments but the rad doc said it was not the radiation but either an infection starting or it was a reaction to the balloon and catheter. He started me on antibiotics just to me sure. It was cleared up by Monday. No other problems so far.

I feel very lucky that I was able to get this type of treatment.

I am tired of all the appoinments too. I saw my surgeon and onco doc this week. Next week the rad doc. The surgeon wants to see me when I get back from vacation then 6 months for a mammogram. I see the onc doc 2 weeks after vacation. I can't keep them straight !!

I saw the onco doc this week. We are considering Arimidex but I am having second thoughts. All those side effects scare me. I am going on vacation and I am suppose to start when I come back. I am not sure what I am going to do. The onc doc showed me a chart. 19 out of 100 recurrence with no more treatments. 8 out of 100 with an inhibitors.

Tumor was < 1 cmm. Receptors both positive Her2 negative.

Anyone else getting Arimidex ?

jackieinbama · September 2007

Gizmodog, hi, glad your txs went okay. Aren't you glad to be done? But all the appts., I know, can be overwhelming. I am premenopausal, so I am taking Tamoxifen so can't comment on Armidex, but I am still seeing onc. monthly because of elevated liver enzymes from Tamox. I had about the same odds as you for recurrence and it is a difficult decision but you have to do what is best for you. At least you have a chance to take a nice vacation before you have to decide. Hope you have a good time.

Jackie

gizmodog · September 2007

Hi Jackie,

Thanks. I am sure I am going to enjoy my cruise.

I am so glad to be done. I feel so lucky I didn't have to go everyday for 6 weeks.

I am 59 and postmenopausal. I am trying to find out if anyone takes any of this stuff without all the side effects.

achurch · September 2007

Hi gizmogog,

I am not post menopausal so I didn't have a choice except Tamoxifin. I decided not to take it for now. Since I've had my surgery and radiation I've had only one period, so I'm hoping that I'm in menopause now. I think you have to be menopausal for at least a year, I'm 54 now, so I'll wait and see. It was my decision to hold off for now, along with my breast surgeon. She of course advised me to take it, but understands it's my decision in the end. I'll see her and my rad onc every six months for awhile and have mammo's every six months. I may in the future decide once I'm menopausal to start on one of the other meds, but for now I'm happy with my decision. It's not easy to have to make these decisions, but at least we have the choices to make after we given all the facts. Good luck and have a great vacation. Alice

gizmodog · September 2007

achurch,

Thanks.

I am glad you are happy with your decision. It is difficult. Everyone has to do what they think is best for themself.

My onco called me today with the result of the Her2. Negative. That was good news.

She wants to do an oncotype. I told her ok if my insurance company will pay for it. She said she would get on the phone with them if they object and not to worry. Maybe the results of this might help, then again it might make matters worse and confuse me even more !!!

I do have a question for anyone.

It has been a week since I finished mammosite. My breast is still a little warm. Did anyone else notice this ?

jackieinbama · September 2007

gizmodog,

I did have warmth in my breast for about a week after surgery, but if it continues much longer you may want to have it checked out to insure there isn't an infection.

Jackie

jackieinbama · September 2007

Alice, so glad you have raised so much money for your walk. Are you excited? I will be there with in spirit. Where did you say you will be walking? I was good to hear from you.

Jackie

achurch · September 2007

Dear Jackie,

My walk is with the Avon Breast Cancer walk and it's in NYC. We start out at pier 48 which is on 44th street, walk through times square, the theater district etc, then through

Brooklyn Heights and back into Manhanttan. It's a two day walk. One of my sisters is doing it with me along with her sister in law who was diagnosed about a month before me.

Yes, I'm getting excited! You can go onto the web site and see all about it if you'd like. Susan Korman also does walks, they're doing thier walk the same weekend but in Philadelphia. Philly closer to me, but my sister and her sister in law are closer to NYC.

I was down south last weekend visiting my son who lives in Atlanta. We had a great weekend and the weather was beautiful. I was expecting much warmer weather and humidity. I just got lucky, my son said the weather had just cooled off after a heavy rainstorm.

Dear Gizmogog,

I don't recall my breast being warm at all after mammosite. I was on an antibotic from the day before insertion to a few days after treatment. I'd keep a close eye on it, and check to make sure you don't have a fever. I'ts always wise to check with your doctor when you have any concerns, especially after having a cathether in you for a week or so!

Good luck, Alice

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