Jan 2008--Ain't it Great?

Re: genetic testing - my doctor's office called me also to make an appointment to "discuss" whether or not I would want genetic testing. They suggested it, supposedly since this is my second time with bc, and my mother's sister had it also.  I have put it off because I can't handle anything else until all the other stuff (radiation, getting the port out) is over.  Even then, I'm not sure I want to know.

But can I ask a really dumb question?  I've heard that lots of women get their ovaries removed, presumably (I assumed) because of the estrogen production.  So, if I went through menopause 4 years ago, is there any point in having my ovaries out?

D1, what were your "flags" that made them want to do the test?

Have a good day, all!

CHJ

D1, On the BRCA topic, putting insurance issues aside, testing positive on the BRCA puts you at a very high risk of developing ovarian cancer.  I can't quite remember the percentages I was given, but it was definitely eye opening, so I too had the test (negative) due to a family history of breast cancer on my mom's side.  I was upfront with my Aunt's (mom's side) letting them know what I was doing as a positive outcome would have affected my cousins, I also let my brother know as he has a daughter, and for my son he would have been screened for the prostate at an earlier age.  I personally was relieved to get my test done and thankfully with "negative" results! 

Getting less screening ... gal you've had bc, I think you'll be geared up for all the screenings you should need!

 I think that Kathy gave you some good food for thought to digest as well. 

Vettegal, so great to see you popped in.  I'd be ticked as well if I were not able to sneak a peak during my work day.  Seems like things are getting busier than ever after work these days, and by the time I have time to "puter" at homeI have one eye open!

Speaking of puters ... time to catch the driver's here at work back up in the system!!!

Carol

CHJ, good questions on the ovary removal ... having thought of myself as pre-meno when I first started discussing with my docs about having them yanked, I understood it to be a pro-active thing to do.  Now that I have been getting some of my blood work back, its showing that I'm a bit more than "pre" meno, more questions for the doc for me as well. 

Hi Jewels,

Here is my attempt at uploading pics of my new puppy, Lucy. Enjoy!

                                                           

Joan, OMG ... can we say CUTE!!!  Now if that little one piddled on the floor, it would be pretty darn hard to be upset.   I love her name too, she looks like a little Lucy. 

Hey, thanks for sharing a pic of yourself as well, your looking good there gal.  I'll be adding it to my file to put in the collage if you don't mind.  I believe we're down to just a couple mystery Jewels at this point.  Must be the diamonds in the rough!!!

Kathy, so we enjoyed the massage did we?  Hopefully you had your massage after your session with your therapist to really unwind.  Remember to drink lots of water tonight and tomorrow as well, atleast thats what they tell me to do. 

Funny, on the intolerance, I have to say that right now I'm probably a bit of the opposite, my knickers havn't been quite in the knots that I've been known to have.  Not wishing ill health upon anybody, I do still have a little twinge of the why me syndrome when I see some people really abusing their bodies with cigs and a extremely unhealthy diet.  Yep that would be the ladies at work I'm refering to.  YIKES, thinking of getting ready to put a couple of steaks on the bar b', probably should be fish since I'm speaking of health!

Off to the galley, and my vice, a "bit" of vino .. oh, Carla we'll be pulling for you tomorrow to breeze through your surgery and for a quick recovery.  Be strong my friend ...

Carol

Hi Jewels,

Just a quick check in.  It's Tour de France season...so, I'm afraid I may be a little absent for the next couple of weeks.

Dh is off to Denver this week for work, also doing a little house hunting.  Our move plan has resurfaced now that chemo is over and our lives are becoming more and more normal.  I am excited to try something new, but, absolutely despise moving.  Luckily our company will be paying for our move, so we'll be able to engage a moving company to help with packing and all the heavy lifting. 

Ds #1 actually has a plan for himself, following his month-long hiatus with the NOLS program in northwestern WA state.  He's decided to move to Colorado to be closer to his best friend and girlfriend.  He's going to community college in the fall to take the Wilderness First Responder course, which will allow him to get a job as a ski patrol in the winter, and a whitewater river rafting guide in the summer. Totally right up his alley.

Ds #2 is formulating some plans of his own.  He's looking for a small apartment very near where he'll be attending technical college this fall.  I'm going to go with him tomorrow afternoon to have a looksee.  His independence is surprising and comforting.  I was worried about him staying back here to finish his two-year program, while we may be out in Colo.  The good news is he has my folks here, his father is here and plenty of friends.  

One last note, the little wiener dog we were looking at ended up getting sold!  So, I'm casually shopping again...found another breeder in northern Iowa.

Gotta go and catch the end of the longest stage of the tour (232 km), Stage 5, Cholet to Chateauroux.  Dopers be damned!!

Thinking of you all, have a great evening.

Tina 

Joan:  What a cutie pie your little Lucy is!

Carol:  Yeah, they told me to drink water after the massage, too.  What's up with that?

And I feel the same way about people who have a health issue (like smoking) that they could do something about, but don't.  It's really irritating these days.  My other pet peeve is tanners (like the tanning beds).  Egads, they are just asking for trouble!  Otherwise, I'm still sympathetic.

Julie:  I've dx Lyme's many times.  If it's a ring around the previous tick site, anywhere from 1-30 days after tick removal-it's Lyme's.  The good news is that if you catch it early and treat, you're almost always fine.  He's looking at 3 weeks of abx.

Tina:  Happy house hunting!  God, I hate moving, but I do like looking at houses.

D1:  Bravo for you for standing up for yourself to Dr. Loser.  You are right, it only takes one node to potentially cause LE; certainly taking "half" is a greater risk (as you already have seen).  Can't you just transfer to the other hospital's services and be done with this jackass?

Dh is bowling tonight so I gotta run.  The kids are too quiet...

Hey Ladies,

Been a puttering in the yard since arrival from work this afternoon. The dh is working late, the ds is out in our boat (YIKES) with friends, so its me and the dogs.

Was crusin' along with rads until yesterday, started with the itch ... went to the restroom at work to check things out, and ya, ya, ya, the ol' "chest-ta-roo" was a bit on the pink side. So zapping number #13 kept its reputation and was not so good to me. Today, I have lubed with Aquaphor and added aloe vera gel to my arsenal. It seems to be keeping things in check. YIKES on 21 more txts... and yep the only good news, there is no nip to char!!!!

So Julie, I'd be barking too after 10 hours in the car! Good to hear they don't get car sick ... my boss who last year got two black lab pups had a heck of a time with them both having the hurls when traveling.

Hoping your dh is doing okay, I don't think we deal with Lyme disease much up here in the PNW. Is it something that is treated with an antibiotic?

Tina, sounds like your boys have decided on their future plans, atleast for the next year. Having a game plan is great, even if it changes with time. I did get a chuckle about your ds #1 moving to Colorado where his girl friend is ... our dd #2 has chosen to do next years college in the eastern most portion of the state ... wow, what a coincidence, her boyfriend also goes to school there!!! Boy we've raised some "smart" kids!!!

With all the sports we watch in this house, the Tour de France has never been one of them. With my dh commuting to work via bicycle atleast three days a week, I'm thinking the interest will be hitting our home as well in the near future.

Bummer on wiener dog #1, good luck with your next prospect ... they are a laugh a minute ... and hope you like a dog sleeping in bed with you!!!!

D1, just read LJ's comment ... come to think of it, I have not seen my surgeon since a week after my second surgery, and unless I use him to remove my port, I'm hoping that I will not have to see him again, (atleast on a professional basis). So far I've been pretty darn lucky that if I ask my onc about anything he has been ordering up the appropriate tests with no questions. I'm with you on the MRI vs. Mamo, although there may be false positives, I'm not sure I like the idea of getting a clean bill of health with my mamo and then being told 7 months later I have a 4 cm tumor growing inside of me. Oh, the joy of dense breasts (or in my case "breast" at this point!)

Kathy, I think the heavy water drinking after a massage is to help wash out the lactic acid that hopefully was dislodged with the muscle stimulation. Sounds good anyway!!!

I must say I also liked your words of advice for D1 ... just cut to the chase gal!!!

Kimberly, a little reprieve from the bc world ?... hope all is well.

Paula, been thinking of you today, hoping for some good news with Ed's scan.

A good eve to all, Carol

D1, I'd like to comment also (love Kathy's name, "Dr. Loser"!)  This is my second trip through bc, and I've seen it handled different ways.  My first time, I saw the surgeon once or twice after the surgery and never again.  He was a good surgeon, but no bedside manner, and I really didn't like him much.  I was followed by my onc, who I LOVED, for about 8 years. She ordered everything and made sure I was OK (mammograms, bloodwork, all of it). This time, my surgeon seems to want to be the "director", and it's OK with me, because I trust him a lot.  This is the guy who returned an email on Christmas Day because I sent him one when I was starting to get anxious after my surgery. The surgeon is ordering the followup mammograms and MRI's.  (D1, they found my tumor on a mammogram, and even when they showed it to me, I couldn't feel it, so I'll never poo-poo the mammogram!)  My oncologist is also following me, and will do bloodwork, etc.  The onc & surgeon work closely together, and share all the info, which helps.   So D1, if your onc. will do the followup, I don't see why you'd even have to bother with the surgeon now.

Something new and exciting happened to me today - I woke up with "bed hair".  I slept a long time last night, and when I looked in the mirror this morning, I realized I now have enough hair for it to stick up funny on the top/side.  A little water and that's fixed, but at least I have enough hair to do it.

Only 4 more rads to go...

CHJ 

Hey Jewels,
Man…I’ve been a busy girl. I hate not being able to check in daily these past few days. By the time I’m home, Greg is home as well, and I don’t want to be online when he’s home unless he’s working. Don’t want him feeling neglected.

Next week will be better as there isn’t so much going on.

Went to PT then spent Wednesay with my twinsis. PT is going well. Can’t use ace bandages, Kathy, I asked. He says there is a certain way he does it. I’m thinking it’s like D1’s le taping. Anyway, I’m doing band exercises and the bar and light weights for shoulder strengthening. As far as the twinsis, she’s been having the same iron issues I had last July. She’s going in for a gastrointestinal scope- both ways- on the 30th. She’s had issues with heartburn and indigestion for years, so I’m hoping the iron thing is related to that and not cancer related like mine.  Kinda scary to think about.

Yesty, went to my women’s gym and did ½ a class as I had to be weighed and measured, then a full class. Lower body stuff. Met my teacher friend, who just had her expanders placed three weeks ago, for lunch and a movie.
Did a yoga class as best I could, then got home and made dinner.

Today, I’m going to PT then driving to Vacaville to meet a college dance buddy for lunch.

I’m doing all this meeting friends thing now as school will be is session before I know it, and I won’t be able to just go have lunch with a friend and dilly dally.

So Carol, glad the buffalo was a hit, and you got to clean out the fridge and hang with a bunch of college kids.  Nice. I’ll be making dinner for Jon and Kayla on Friday as the dh has to work late, so I’ll get my college kid fix this week as well. I don’t think a boat in Lincoln would be bringing out the crowds. HeeHee

D1- My dad and both sisters took the test as my insurance wouldn’t cover it for me, and all were negative.  It’s a tough call.  Being positive for you would mean closer screenings as it would for your girls. That isn’t a bad thing, and I don’t believe that insurance companies can legally use genetic testing results to deny or cancel coverage, but as Kathy pointed out, it could be more expensive. Will knowing cause you or the girls paranoia if it’s positive? That is another consideration. I’m thinking that you’ve already had cancer, so you’ll already be getting the screenings you need, and the girls will too since you had bc. Tough one D1. Good luck to you making that call.

Bummer about your surgeon and having to see him for five years. At least you’ve got back up.

You sound like I did with my Onc.  You go girl!  Sometimes we just have to stick up for ourselves and what we think is best for us.

Kathy- Great input for D1.  Bullshit detector, eh? Nope, haven’t experienced the intolerance for people’s crap…I can see how that might be common though since survivors have a totally different perspective about what constitutes something worth getting upset about now. The small things some get all twisted about is entertaining these days.  I just choose to not waste energy dealing with things out of my control. Their ‘crap’ is theirs to deal with leaving me to my thing.

Another massage groupie in our midst. It is heaven isn’t it?

CHJ – If you’re in menopause, then the ovaries being taken out doesn’t seem logical to me, but as Kathy stated, they may produce small amounts still.  Have you had your FSH and Estrodial tested?  Knowing how much estrogen is floating in the blood would be good to know.

Me too.  Crazy to be excited about bed head. HeeHee

Vettegal – Glad you’re back, and yeah for the wifi!!!!  My girlfriend has had dizziness on Tamox too, and she got the ovarian cysts within weeks. She also had her period this month. She’s my age.  She stopped Tamox for a month to see if the symptoms went away, they did.  She stared again, and the symptoms are back.  She’s got lots of questions for her oncologist.

Joan – That puppy is sooooo cute!!!! Thanks for sharing.

Julie – Welcome home from the CHEESE state. So you’ll be doing the exchange soon,eh? Wow, that was fast. Seems like you just got your expanders in yesterday…of course, it doesn’t feel like that to you does it?   

Hope the dh doesn’t have Lyme’s Disease, but if it is, you got on it fast.

Glad the puppies did so well on the trip.

Tina- Moving? Was this discussed earlier and I just missed it?  I’m glad you’re finding the move an exciting prospect and that you’ll be able to get the company to help with the packing and stuff.  How about the selling of your home?  Will the company help with that as well?

Sounds like the boys have made good choices for themselves. Kudos to the parenting unit!!!! HeeHee

Colorado is beautiful. What part of Colorado will you be living?

LJ13- I don’t know.  I really like my surgeon more than my onc. Not that he’s not a nice guy, just not jellin’, so I’m happy to see my surgeon for the next five years.

Cathy – Welcome home. Glad the college orientation went well and that the college impressed you. Hope it had the same effect on your son.

Whoo Hoo for being done with rads today!!!!

OK, heading out for the day. We’ll be in San Francisco this weekend to escape the smoke and heat, so I’ll catch up on Monday.

SIS Kimberly

TGIF ... Jewels,

Lucky me, got off work an hour early, every once in a while the "Command" of the base gives us a perk. Whipped by the grocery store as rumor had it King Crab we're on sale!!! Hadn't planned on eating in tonight, but scored on the sale and put them in the freezer (they we're frozen).

The dh called me early in the afternoon, said he'd be home early from work, we had planned on a (cruise) in the boat and out to dinner via the water as well. Got a call at 4:00, that he wasn't going to be on the ferry headed home until 5:30, on a Friday night, that means home at about 7:30. Shucks ... but just got a call and he made the 4:40 boat, should be home by a little after 6:00, more my speed for going out to dinner! Cocktail hour for me started at 4:00 so hitting dinner at 8:00 is a tad bit late!!! Anyway, all is good, once again my "knickers we‘re in a knot" when it all worked out!!!

So what's been happening today .... I'll start where I left off ,

Cathy, a "nag" calendar, that is exactly what I would like ... my dh seems to keep a bit of a calendar for his girls, but often things get left off of the "home" calendar. Being a planner myself, things just popping up that we both should be aware of rubs me wrong.

I'm also doing the "Julie" happy dance for you ... done with rads, you go girl!!! Its easy for me to say today, but right as of today, in a weird way I will miss not popping into my rad office. Out of all the appts I've had, which is no different than what so many of us have had, my rad center is AWESOME!

Carol, read your take to D1, when I do "poo-poo" the mamo, I should know better, as it has been very good in early detection/findings for so many people. For those of us that it wasn't such a good diagnostic tests it tends to leave a bit of a sour taste! Trust me ... I will be pushing for every "Jane, Sue and "Carol", (my version of Tom, Dick and Harry), to get their mamo's yearly!!! And also trying to bring the "Check Your Boobies" routine into anyone's life that will listen. I have gotten chills listening to some of my co-workers (who are not young buckaroo's) who tell me that their wife has never gone in for a mamo.

D1, so how did our "bra" shopping go? Trust me I've been keeping an eye on my "bad" side, as its become pretty dog-gone sensitive in the last few days, I was told that the chances of developing le with my 3^rd set of lymph's being zapped has increased a bit. So far, it looks okay, just feels crappy (kinda like it did shortly after the node surgery).

Hate to say it, but I must admit to being another "sun worshipper", hey the Vit D is good in moderation, right? I don't ever care to burn (needless to say this burnt look on my chest is not my cup of tea), I do like to get out in the rays, and have golfed and water sported for years (its kinda hard activities to do being all covered up). This is the first time I can remember that I'm starting to sport a "farmer's tan", how the heck do I keep one side covered and the other exposed, other rolling up my shirt!!! I've been saying for the last 8 years, "I hope I have my Dad's skin", he gets dark as can be, where my Mom with her Irish skin would burn.

Kimberly, hey hanging with friends when time permits, sounds like a plan to me. I swear I don't think I know anybody that has the social calendar you fill. Thinking back upon the last 6 months, you really did not stop when it came time to be with friends and family. Yeah, you had a day or two after txts that you mellowed a bit, but after that it was "full tilt boogie" time for you.

What a whirlwind of a day yesterday, my two cents on the rubber band exercises, I did basically everything that my PT gave me, including the rubber band pulls, and a pulley system above my head, some light weights, yada, yada, and I had great results. Trust me, I will be doing them again soon as my "not so good side", is tightening up with each zap.

Thinking positive thoughts for your sis, although scoping from both ends does not sound like a lot of fun, having the test done should hopefully give her some peace of mind and a game plan to address the issue. Its got to be a bit of a relief to know that she as well as your Dad have been tested for the BRCA gene and the results were negative.

I know your enjoying the eve with your son and his girlfriend ... so you did not share what you we're cooking ... I know it will sound great!

I have not chatted with Paula as of this eve, I hope we're still all on the same page for Aug, if not, I could visit with my dd#2, and also a family friend in San Francisco (the one recently diagnosed with tongue cancer), I have no scheduled itinerary, so whatever works is good for me (us)! I'm a happy camper just being on "cation", and whatever it brings is a bonus!!!

Wvgirl ... Carla, thinking of you today, know in your heart that your tough times are going to be a thing of the past here real soon. Here's to a speedy recovery, we're here for ya gal!!!

Okay, so much for a quick little post, the dh should be home soon, time to gear up for a boat ride and dinner!!! LIFE IS GOOD, in lil' ol Poulsbo tonight, and I can only hope that life is moving along in the right direction for my fellow Jewel friends.

Carol

Happy Friday, Jewels! I've been swamped since returning from Wisconsin. Dealing with the puppies on my own is quite a chore - I'll be glad when ds gets home! I've been getting ready for the in-law's visit - they arrive on Monday afternoon and I still have tons to do.

The dh saw his doc today - he does have Lyme disease. We caught it early, though, and he has to take antibiotics for 14 days.

Cathy - this is for you!!

WVgirl - thinking of you!

Kimberly - hope you have a nice dinner tonight with the ds and his girlfriend. I'll be keeping your sis in my prayers. Yep - my exchange is coming up - the 29^th. I'm definitely ready - I had an appt Thursday to complete all of my pre-op paperwork. I'm actually participating in a clinical study and getting an implant that is in its sixth year of trial (410 silicone - commonly referred to as a "gummy" implant), so I had to answer all kinds of very silly questions.

Carol - I'm envious of your cruise and dinner tonight. Any time we've had time to get the boat out, our weather hasn't cooperated. We have plans next week to take the whole family (in-laws) out on it so I hope the weather is nice. Sorry to hear you're getting burned with your rads!

D1 - sorry to hear about your testing concerns. My sis had to get tested before her insurance would approve her bilateral mast and she was negative. I haven't had it myself though.

Tina - wow! A possible move - I was in Colorado a couple years ago for a conference with my students - loved it! I've lived in Illinois my entire life, but have moved throughout the state - I do not enjoy the process!!

Well, that's all I have time for tonight -- thinking of you all!! Hope everyone has a good weekend - they're calling for more RAIN in our neck of the woods!

{{{{{HUGS}}}}} to all!

 Julie

Sorry it is so big

Thought I'd poke my head in to see whats happening ... she's a full weekend here.  Hit the golf course this morning, then off to the grocery store, home to mow lawn/putter, and company coming over in an hour.  We're planning on going for a little cruise in the boat, and back for "ribbies" on the deck.  Tomorrow morning its off to the big city for a butt kicker of a walk, I think another 16 miler, and for us its warmed up a bit, so needless to say I'm pounding down the H20 today.

Diana, so glad you popped in to share your pic of your precious granddaughter.  We have had our share of puppies here lately, but no babies.  CONGRATULATIONS and let the spoiling begin!!!

Kris, I'm still sporting my port ... and I'm a non-knitter myself.   I've been fortunate and I really don't even know its there unless I look in the mirror and see it.  Personally, I can't stand getting my blood drawn in my arm, so I'm in no big hurry to have it taken out.  I do have to go in for a flushing every 4 weeks.

D1, hoping you get in a good chat with dh on the genetics testing.  Its definitely a personal choice that can end up impacting so many. 

Lovely thought of having swollen scar tissue.  I will have to say that adding aloe vera has helped alot with the itch.  I did try wearing a bra when I went golfing this morning, made it to the 4th hole and lost that baby, I started to itch once I started to glow (sweat).  Thank god I'm small enough to get away with going ala natural, I don't think I'll be wearing alot of white shirts in the near future!

Julie, heres to getting done your chores prior to your arrival of the in-laws.  So will the dogs be occupanying you on the boat????  Hopefully you get some decent weather as well.

Okay, I have 30 minutes now before our friends arrive, need to hit the shower ... hope you all are having a weekend with some relaxation and fun.

Carol