Roll Call November 2007

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  • Deborahann
    Deborahann Member Posts: 37
    edited January 2008

    I'll submit a photo shortly!

  • mibriggs
    mibriggs Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2008

    Thanx felicia...  I really have been blessed with an awesome child.  We have each other... what more can I ask for?

    M

  • KarenX
    KarenX Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2008

    Late to this post.

    I'm Karen.

    I was I diagnosed with Stage 2 IDC 11/13/07. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biospsy 11/30/07. The tumor was 2.2cm, Her2/neu-, ER/PR+, Grade 2. Three sentinel nodes were biopsied, all negative.

    Since then...I have been waiting, mainly because of the holidays. I am waiting for the Oncotype DX results...hopefully I will know this week. I have already beeen measure for radiation, and tomorrow I have a PET scan, then more waiting for those results. The waiting is the WORST. 

    My younger sister Cynthia passed away 3/1/06. She was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer just two months before. My older sister was so freaked out when I told her about me...she keep compaing my situation to Cynthia's. But for some unknown reason, I am going to live, and Cynthia did not. Cynthia's death just about took the life out of me. I just couldn't believe what was happening to her, my best friend in this world, and there ws nothing...nothing...I could to about it. Towards the end, I was so distressed that I started having panic attacks, and couldn't get on the plane to fly home to see her.  The last time I saw Cynthia, 4 days before she died, she had seemed to rebound after a very scary night. She could only speak in a whisper, but she said she felt good. Then she asked me, "What's wrong?"...and what could I say to that? So, I just stroked her face, and kissed her lips, and told her I loved her. We stared in each other eyes for a afew minutes, then I told her I'd be back to stay in a few days. I asked her if she would be there, and she said, "I'll be here." I got the call that she had passed on the night before I was set to go back.

    I wasn't the same after she died...and I had been greiving since then. Until this diagnosis forced me into the present. Cynthia was so funny, brave, courageous, and strong...to the end. She defied all the doctor's predictions to the end too. I have a great role model in  how to deal with my diagnosis...my beautiful little sister Cynthia.

  • cneal318
    cneal318 Member Posts: 212
    edited January 2008

    Karen, Nice to meet you!

    I am so sorry for your loss. My mother has inflamatory breast cancer also with mets to liver and bone. She is 54 and one of the strongest women I know she is also my best friend. It is so hard to see her go through this. She was diagnosed in December 2005 with ibc with mets to liver and in April of 2007 mets to bone. Her name is Jacquelyn. My mother also continues to work fulltime. I am physically drained most of time taking care if my family and doing things for my mother also but how dare I complain about anything when my mother continues to fight for her life. No matter the day or hour if she needs me I am right there. I dont miss any of her appointments I make sure medications are in order in a pill box for her also. My mother is very capable of doing all this for herself, however whatever little stress I can take off of her I am willing to do. Karen where are you located if you dont mind me asking.

    Crystal

  • KarenX
    KarenX Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2008

    Hi Crystal,

    I am located in Oakland, CA. Where are you? Jacquelyn is a strong woman...I haven't even started treatment, and I find it difficult to go to work. IBC is a beast, but women do survive it. I will add your mother to my prayer list. Thanks for you condolences.

  • cneal318
    cneal318 Member Posts: 212
    edited January 2008

    Karen, Hello I am in Columbus, Ohio. I know ibc is such an aggresive cancer. I know I am lucky to still have my mom even after two years of battling this beast. Thank you so much for adding mom to your prayer list. I will definetly do the same for you.

    Can I ask how old your sister was, and was she able to get chemo or was she diagnosed to late. Would like to know since she had what my mother has now.

    Thanks for any information you can give me.

    Crystal

  • cneal318
    cneal318 Member Posts: 212
    edited January 2008

    Mibriggs,

    You are so beautiful and so is your son. I hope everything goes well for you and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Crystal

  • KarenX
    KarenX Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2008

    Crystal,

    Cynthia was 45 years old when she died. Cynthia's situation was so bad, after a few rounds of radiation to her head, the doctors declared her terminal. She still wanted treatment, but my older sister and I  disageed on that. I thought she should have what she wanted, even if it meant moving her to another hospital or trying some alternative methods, but my older sister was concerned about logistics and money, and she was there with Cynthia in Los Angeles. 

    The last month of her life was spenting in a skilled nursing facility because the cancer was in her spine and had basically paralyzed her. I wanted to at least bring her home and get in-home care, but again,  I was overrruled. Sorry...it's not a happy story.

    What specific information do you need? I know some women form an IBC support group I could ask. 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2008

    Hey Everyone,

    Welcome to Linda,Sharon,Melanie(hi again),Deborahann and Karen . I have been off line for a while but it is good to be back. How is everyone? Melanie you and your son are beautiful, I love the video, good luck to you Linda and your precious daughters , love your photo Deborahann, Nice to meet you too Sharon. My prayers are with you all. God bless.

    Benita   

  • kmh2007
    kmh2007 Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2008

    Hi Ladies,

    I'm kim from va

    I was diagnosed with breast cancer Jan 2007 when I was 28 years old. I had 6 rounds of TAC, total right mastectomy and 5 1/2 weeks of radiation. Stage IIIc with negative lymph nodes.  Er+/pr- Stilling waiting on the breast reconstruction.  My dr. wants to wait 6 months to give my skin a chance to heal.  Radiation cooked me! Put a fork in me I am done. Not a whole lot of support groups in my city so I am glad I found u guys!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2008

    Howdy, Kim! So sorry you had to find us, but glad you did. Congrats also on being done with treatment and for your 1 year cancerversary - whoo-hoo!



    It may not be a bad idea to wait a while before recon - especially if you are doing implants. Rads cooked me as well and one of my implants failed because my skin and blood supply were so wrecked...



    Hoping all is well in your neck of the woods...

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2008

    Hey Kim,

    Good luck with recon. I had my expander removed after rads. I got staff infection after rads, and my skin was badly damaged. Hope you are doing well. Are you on hormone therapy?

    Take care

    Benita

  • eag011
    eag011 Member Posts: 10
    edited January 2008

    Hello Everyone,

    First of all, I want to say that I'm glad this forum is here for us!

    My name is Elizabeth,

    I was diagnosed March 2006 Stage II, 3/14 lymph nodes positive, er/pr+.  Had a lumpectomy in March 2006 followed by AC/Taxol completed September 2006, no clear margins, mastectomy March 2007.  I'm now taking Arimidex for five years.  My joints hurt,  but otherwise I feel good. 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2008

    Welcome Elizabeth! Nice to meet you...

  • eag011
    eag011 Member Posts: 10
    edited February 2008
    Thank you so much Felicia.  Its nice to meet you to..I'm so glad this group has been added.Cool
  • kmh2007
    kmh2007 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2008

    Benita,

    I am taking tamoxifen twice a day.  I have heard mixed messages on flax see oil. Some say its alright to use other say don't. Has anyone heard anything about it?

    kim

  • Lcharmie
    Lcharmie Member Posts: 430
    edited February 2008

    HI KIM

    I TAKE A LOT OF SUPPLEMENTS--I TELL ANYONE TO READ THE INFO ON WHAT IT IS YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT TAKING AND TRUST YOUR GUT--IT EITHER SAYS OK---OR NO!!!  A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE RELUCTANT TO USE SUPPLEMENTS--THE CHEMO DEPLETES THE BODY, SO I MYSELF JUST WILL TRY THINGS, MY DR. CALLS MY CASE "UNIQUE"  IT IS CERTAINLY JESUS FIRST, AND WHAT EVER ELSE I CAN FIND FOR SUPPLEMENTS---READ, READ, READ!!!  I DID HEAR THAT FLAXSEED OIL HELPED BENEFIT THE HERCEPTIN, THIS JUST CAME OUT.  I TAKE FLAXSEED OIL FOR ALL THE BENEFITS IS HAS LISTED.  RIGHT NOW, MY CHEMO IS NAVELBINE AND TYKERB.

    TAKE CARE.

    LINDA C

  • trumpet84
    trumpet84 Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2008

    Cool Hello! 

    Count me in!  Diagnosed NOV 07, Lumpectomy JAN 08 (they took a HUGE slice of pie - 6 inch scar), start chemo (TC) 25 FEB.  Two great kids (teen & tween) and a wonderful husband.  My prayers are with you all!!

    SherrySmile

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    Welcome to the club nobody wants to join, Sherry! (and we're such a FRIENDLY bunch, too!)



    My son was 11 when I was diagnosed. He's now 14 and I struggle to understand how more teens aren't abandoned in the woods by their parents, lol. It is like living with Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde! Glad your two are ok. Can you bring them to NY and rub them against my son, please? Maybe some of what they have will transfer...



    All the best with your chemo this month. Thoughts and prayers are with you, for sure...

  • mstrishj
    mstrishj Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2008
    • Hi Ladies,

    Count me in.  I was diagnosed with DCIS in August 07.  Had 2 lumpectomy, then ended up having a bi-lateral mastectomy w/expander and lattis dorsi flam November 9, 2007.  I had my last expansion 2 1/2 weeks ago and will have gel implants at end of March.  No chemo or radiation needed.

    I thank God for this journey, because if I couldn't handle it, He wouldn't have given it to me.  All things work together for the good to those that love God.

    I am so happy I found this site and my sistas so we can love on one another, pray for one another and encourage one another.

    Remember:  This Too Shall Pass

    Much love,

    Trish

  • sparker38
    sparker38 Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2008

    Hello Trish,

    welcome, welcome, welcome, as Felicia says to the club no one wants to join.  But thank God for it.  This site has been such a blessing to me. Living in a hick town that I do I don't think these people know how to handle black women with bc.  Everything around here is gered towards whites.  I am financially challenged right now so I tried to get a free wig through the wig program they have no wigs for AA women.  They didn't realize it until I was sitting in the chair for 30 min while the girl set up her hair station.  I have been going through for almost 3 months trying to get a tawny(AA) breast prosthesis.  They say well it's going to be inside your bra know one will see it so it shouldn't make a difference what color it is.  I said I will.  They sure wouldn't want to walk around with a black girl boob and one white what if I wanted to show some clevage?  I signed up for a reach to recovery partner.  The lady called me one time and I think she realized I was black and has never called me back.  I tried to contact her for answers to some questions and she never responded to my messages.  I don't know any other person in this town that is or has gone through what I am going through.  That is why I get on this site everyday to get some encouragement, laughter, to vent, and just love all around.  My journey began in Oct 2007 and my last tx is Mar 5.  I thank God for this journey for it has made me a stronger person.  Spiritually and mentally. 

    Take care and may God bless you all

    Sabrina

  • trumpet84
    trumpet84 Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2008

    How are my Sisters this evening?  I got my hair cut way way down in preparation for chemo next week!  I had no idea there were patches of gray hair under my style!!!  Wow! 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    Howdy, Trish and Trumpet!



    How are you healing from your lat flap, Trish?



    All the best with chemo next week, Trumpet :o)

  • Yogi70
    Yogi70 Member Posts: 654
    edited February 2008

    Hey!! Yolanda Peters, 37.  Dx 1/2/2008. Found lump under arm. Had biopsy done and it was cancer.  Whoa!  I took 2 stereotactic biopsies (clear) and a surgical biopsy to locate the tumor (finally).  I had a modified radical mas. 2/12/2008.  I am doing fine.  I have my first appt. will my onc. today. I'm ready for battle I asked The Lord for strength, courage and wisdom and I let it go. I am stage III 13/15 nodes.  Hello, my sisters, glad to meet you.   Call me Yogi.

  • mstrishj
    mstrishj Member Posts: 20
    edited February 2008

    Hi Felicia,

    I am doing much better.  It was definitely more than I bargained  for, but God is good and is seeing me through. Last week was my first week back to work.  All I could do was get home and get in my recliner.  I'm so blessed to have a wonderful husband who can cook, clean and do everything else, just as good as me.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    Howdy, Yogi! We were the same age at diagnosis. Other than bc, I loved my 37th year! How'd it go with the onc?



    Trish, you hubby sounds like a true gem. Either his mom raised him right (bless her heart!) or you trained him well (bless yours, too!), lol...

  • Yogi70
    Yogi70 Member Posts: 654
    edited February 2008

    Hey Felicia!!  Yes, I am enjoying my age!!!  I am so content with the person I am right now.  Well the visit to the onc went well I have a lot of confidence in her.  I should start treatment in 2 wks. because my surgeon will be removing my staples next wed.  I plan on having a port inserted because I'm not looking forward to someone poking around in my veins all the time (although sometimes its unavoidable).  But I'm just pressing on.  How are you? 

    Yogi

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2008

    I'm ok. Recovering from a huge computer mess (two machines down at once!! - and in the middle of deadline [I'm a publisher]) but other than that, life is groovy...



    Glad your onc visit went well. I didn't have chemo, but from what I've heard from women on the boards, a port seems like the way to go. Any idea when they'll put your port in yet?

  • sharont68
    sharont68 Member Posts: 124
    edited February 2008

    Hi ladies, it's been a long time since I've been here. Well, I'm finally finished with my A/C txs. Thank goodness!!! I hated that red dye.

    I'll be started taxol and herceptin weekly for 12 weeks on 7 March. Not really excited about that, but whatever I need to do to get back to my normal self, I'm ready! I still have six weeks of rads to do, not ready to get cooked though.

    I hope everyone a blessed weekend!

  • trumpet84
    trumpet84 Member Posts: 62
    edited February 2008

    Hi

    Yogi - I just came back from getting my port put in!  It is going to make it so much easier.

    God Bless!!

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