Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[OS Butch]

Good morning. I just had the scare of my life and thought I would share it here. Sorry for the long ramble.


Since the age of 40, I have gone every year for a mammogram. It had become routine, something I just did.


10 years ago, my oldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer; she did the chemo and mastectomy and is a 10 year survivor and going strong.


Last year my youngest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and is doing well.



Having done this 13 times and having some not so very sensitive technicians, last year I said to the tech “Good morning, are you having a good day?” She looked at me a bit puzzled and said yes. I said “Great, because the last thing I want is someone squishing my boob that is having a bad day!” She laughed and although uncomfortable, it went well.


Last week I went for my routine mammogram. I had the same conversion with the tech and again, it went well. My daughter had come by Monday to pick up her mail and it was a good day. Later that evening, I got a call from her telling me she got my letter from the radiologist. As she read it I stopped hearing a word she was saying after I heard “requiring more testing.” I cried myself to sleep that night.


Tuesday, yes, Valentine’s day, I called my doctor and instructed to call the radiologist for another appointment, I shouldn’t need another prescription. I called the center and was told the next date would be Feb 29…..That was 15 days away! I said to the lady, I have had 2 sisters with breast cancer and that seems too long can they call me if there is a cancellation and get in sooner? She said she is unable to do that, but she could transfer me to the local office and I could check with them.


She transferred me to the actual place I had my testing. I gave my name and other information. She said “Can you come in at 1pm today?” My heart just about stopped as I said yes. Even though I got an early time, the immediate response was of urgency it seemed and I was terrified.


I arrived early to the center, and waited to be called. I heard my name and through those doors I went. I had my little conversation with the tech and she laughed. She took 1 x-ray of my right breast and 3 of the left. She took me to a waiting room, still in the gown in case there needed to be more x-rays after the doctor read them. As I sat in the waiting room, there was a tv playing an infomercial on Tomosynthesis 3D imaging. After what seemed forever, the tech came and got me for another x-ray….omgoodness. I asked about the Tomo and she said that is what we are doing. She further explained that it is a new technology and insurance companies are not paying for it yet, but the Doctor here said to go ahead and do it.



Back to the room I went and waited. The tech finally came back and said I could get dressed and the doctor would be in to talk to me……..more waiting.


Finally he arrived and said that everything was fine and negative. Shadows of the 2d were not there on the 3d. A huge sigh of relief!


I suggest that if the new Tomosynthesis 3D imaging is available in your area, it is well worth the out of pocket expensive to alleviate false positive reading and going through what I experienced! Hopefully, the insurance companies will start covering this new machine…. it still squishes the boob, but it takes 52 shots in a pass so the doctor is able to see more!


OSB

[Countyfem]

Sending everyone well wishes

JustJo so sorry for this news my prayers are with you and your family

OS glad to hear your news was good, adding you and your family to my prayers

Clay I have a feeling everything will be good for you, you beat it once and if need be you can do it again!

Take care everyone keep your spirits high and know there are folks that keep you in their thoughts and prayers and support you.

[pynkkameleon]

OSB,

That WAS quite the scare for you. I'm so happy to hear that it turned out to be negative. Obviously, because of your family history, you have to stay diligent about being checked, which it seems you are. So many people aren't and I know of many (Butches in particular) who don't even do self checks; let alone routine mammograms. Has your family had any of the genetic testing done? If you haven't, once again because of your sisters, you shouldn't have to jump through the typical bunch of hoops to have the testing done. It would at least give you some sort of idea of what your own risk is and that of your daughter as well.

I'm so happy to hear that your sisters are both doing well. I am sad though that your family has been so deeply impacted by this disease. If you haven't already, I think you should all go out and celebrate your negative tests!

Wishing you all well and thank you for sharing. Hearing the positive stories are nothing short of a gift for many of us.

Big hugs!

[pynkkameleon]

I'm just a posting fool this morning. This time I am asking for prayers, good vibes and positive thoughts for myself and my mother.

I'll start with Mom. She was dx last week with a very large abdominal aortic aneurysm. It's over 7 cm as of yesterday. Last week it was 6.3. She is scheduled for open repair surgery on the 29th.. Personally, I wish it were sooner but because she's a heavy smoker, they want her to have at least a week or two without a cigarette before they cut her open. At first she refused the surgery but once they told her it would be fatal if she doesn't have it, she changed her tune. She's only 61. Way too young to give up and wait for the inevitable to happen.

As for me. I had my gallbladder removed yesterday. No stones located but the lil bugger was adhered to my ovary and appendix. That explains much of my pain right there. I'm up and walking around today but it sure does feel like someone kicked me in the belly with a pair of steel toe boots. Ouch! On Tuesday, I go in for two spinal MRI's. My physician is concerned that I may have mets in my spine. I'm not overly stressed but of course I still have that little bit of nagging fear that goes along with every one of these tests we all get thrown at us. I was officially diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in both of my feet this past Tuesday. Can't feel hot or cold in either one of them. It's in my hands too but not as bad as the feet; although there may be an indication that one hand may need surgery to repair the trigger finger that I have more recently developed. I also have achilles tendonitis that they believe is also related to the chemo. Next week I will be undergoing testing for Lupus, B12 deficiency, MS, diabetes and whatever else she comes up with.

I am happily soliciting and accepting any and all positive thoughts and healing energy that can be thrown our way with a great big thank in advance.

I sure do miss those days when life was boring and any chaos that occurred, I generally had control over. I don't care so much for this "new normal".

Many hugs to all!

[clay]

((((((((((((((((((((((((Vonni & Mom)))))))))))))))))) consider it done..you both are in my thoughts and prayers...sending white light and warm energies your way!! Keep those positive thoughts...know you are among lovng and kind people. Big hugs...Clay

[JustJo]

Sending you big hugs Vonni...for you and your Mom.

[pynkkameleon]

Thank you for the good thoughts! Mom's surgery is on Wednesday. She's scared but playing the "it's no big deal" card. I can relate. I've played that card too when I was half scared out of my wits. The aneurysm was even larger on last weeks scan (7cm) but the Doc feels confident that they can repair it and Mom really likes this doctor, which is always an added bonus.

I got the GB out and am healing just fine. Doctor couldn't couldn't find a thing wrong with it other than the fact it "stopped" working. Well that and that it was adhered to my appendix which was in turn adhered to an ovary. Go figure? Nothing surprises me anymore as far as this body is concerned. I had a couple of spinal MRI's earlier this week. I have to go back again for another next week to look at a 14mm lesion located on my T-Spine. Keeping all the parts crossed that it isn't "that" and is just a benign nuisance. In the meantime, I've decided not to think too much about it and spend the weekend watching movies, eating naughty food, laughing all I can and pretty much doing whatever I feel like rather than what I should be doing. We all need a break from time to time I think.

The board has been quiet. Hopefully that means everyone is doing well and getting ready to enjoy their own relaxed and stress free weekend. Thinking of you all and sending out big hugs!

[mustangjeano]

Originally Posted by Vonni

I'm just a posting fool this morning. This time I am asking for prayers, good vibes and positive thoughts for myself and my mother.

I'll start with Mom. She was dx last week with a very large abdominal aortic aneurysm. It's over 7 cm as of yesterday. Last week it was 6.3. She is scheduled for open repair surgery on the 29th.. Personally, I wish it were sooner but because she's a heavy smoker, they want her to have at least a week or two without a cigarette before they cut her open. At first she refused the surgery but once they told her it would be fatal if she doesn't have it, she changed her tune. She's only 61. Way too young to give up and wait for the inevitable to happen.

As for me. I had my gallbladder removed yesterday. No stones located but the lil bugger was adhered to my ovary and appendix. That explains much of my pain right there. I'm up and walking around today but it sure does feel like someone kicked me in the belly with a pair of steel toe boots. Ouch! On Tuesday, I go in for two spinal MRI's. My physician is concerned that I may have mets in my spine. I'm not overly stressed but of course I still have that little bit of nagging fear that goes along with every one of these tests we all get thrown at us. I was officially diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in both of my feet this past Tuesday. Can't feel hot or cold in either one of them. It's in my hands too but not as bad as the feet; although there may be an indication that one hand may need surgery to repair the trigger finger that I have more recently developed. I also have achilles tendonitis that they believe is also related to the chemo. Next week I will be undergoing testing for Lupus, B12 deficiency, MS, diabetes and whatever else she comes up with.

I am happily soliciting and accepting any and all positive thoughts and healing energy that can be thrown our way with a great big thank in advance.

I sure do miss those days when life was boring and any chaos that occurred, I generally had control over. I don't care so much for this "new normal".

Many hugs to all!

Vonni, Sending healing energy and prayers to you and your Mom.

[JustJo]

Hello everyone,

Talked to mom yesterday. She's glad to be home, but finding herself exhausted and unable to do much of anything. She's still having trouble eating, as well as much nausea. They're increasing her TPN again....from 12 hours on/ 12 off to 16 on / 8 off. She says her weight is stable....but I have my doubts.

The lesions on her liver are progressing rapidly and the oncologist wants her to begin an entirely new kind of chemo with drugs she has never been on before. His summary was that her body might be able to tolerate it and, if it can, the chemo might put the liver lesions into remission.

That feels like a lot of "mights" to me, but there are no other alternatives. If this chemo doesn't work, or if she refuses it, then she has 4 to 8 months left. This is the first time they've given her a specific number. She has decided to try it in hopes that different drugs will be more tolerable, but isn't counting on it given her experience with chemo so far.

She talking to realtors about listing her house for sale, meeting with her executor, donating odds and ends, cleaning out drawers and closets, and basically getting things squared away.

I've reiterated my offer for her to come back here, whenever she wants and for as long as she wants, including to the end. I know it means a lot to her to have the offer, but I have the feeling she won't be taking me up on it. She doesn't want Rooster to see her at the end.

I keep reminding myself that she's lived longer than anyone expected several times....after all, the first time they told her she didn't have long was 42 years ago. She defied everyone's expectations then, and again 8 years ago, and again when she survived this latest surgery. Unfortunately 50+ years of Crohn's disease takes an incredible toll on the body.

[clay]

hugs Jo & Mom!!!

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by OS Butch

Good morning. I just had the scare of my life and thought I would share it here. Sorry for the long ramble.


Since the age of 40, I have gone every year for a mammogram. It had become routine, something I just did.


10 years ago, my oldest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer; she did the chemo and mastectomy and is a 10 year survivor and going strong.


Last year my youngest sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and is doing well.



Having done this 13 times and having some not so very sensitive technicians, last year I said to the tech “Good morning, are you having a good day?” She looked at me a bit puzzled and said yes. I said “Great, because the last thing I want is someone squishing my boob that is having a bad day!” She laughed and although uncomfortable, it went well.


Last week I went for my routine mammogram. I had the same conversion with the tech and again, it went well. My daughter had come by Monday to pick up her mail and it was a good day. Later that evening, I got a call from her telling me she got my letter from the radiologist. As she read it I stopped hearing a word she was saying after I heard “requiring more testing.” I cried myself to sleep that night.


Tuesday, yes, Valentine’s day, I called my doctor and instructed to call the radiologist for another appointment, I shouldn’t need another prescription. I called the center and was told the next date would be Feb 29…..That was 15 days away! I said to the lady, I have had 2 sisters with breast cancer and that seems too long can they call me if there is a cancellation and get in sooner? She said she is unable to do that, but she could transfer me to the local office and I could check with them.


She transferred me to the actual place I had my testing. I gave my name and other information. She said “Can you come in at 1pm today?” My heart just about stopped as I said yes. Even though I got an early time, the immediate response was of urgency it seemed and I was terrified.


I arrived early to the center, and waited to be called. I heard my name and through those doors I went. I had my little conversation with the tech and she laughed. She took 1 x-ray of my right breast and 3 of the left. She took me to a waiting room, still in the gown in case there needed to be more x-rays after the doctor read them. As I sat in the waiting room, there was a tv playing an infomercial on Tomosynthesis 3D imaging. After what seemed forever, the tech came and got me for another x-ray….omgoodness. I asked about the Tomo and she said that is what we are doing. She further explained that it is a new technology and insurance companies are not paying for it yet, but the Doctor here said to go ahead and do it.



Back to the room I went and waited. The tech finally came back and said I could get dressed and the doctor would be in to talk to me……..more waiting.


Finally he arrived and said that everything was fine and negative. Shadows of the 2d were not there on the 3d. A huge sigh of relief!


I suggest that if the new Tomosynthesis 3D imaging is available in your area, it is well worth the out of pocket expensive to alleviate false positive reading and going through what I experienced! Hopefully, the insurance companies will start covering this new machine…. it still squishes the boob, but it takes 52 shots in a pass so the doctor is able to see more!


OSB

OS,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am glad that it had a happy ending! I can see why you would have been so nervous wiht two sisters with breast cancer.

[OS Butch]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

OS,

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am glad that it had a happy ending! I can see why you would have been so nervous wiht two sisters with breast cancer.

It definitely was a tough day. I immediately sent a text to sister number 3 to get hers scheduled along with our mom.....and pay the $50 to have the Tomo!

[pynkkameleon]

There really are no words to easy the pain, frustration and heartbreak you are going through right now. So from me you get a big (((((((((((JustJo and family))))))))) and a reminder to just keep reaching out for support to get you through this terrible time period. Despite what you say, in my own opinion, you ARE strong and amazing. If ever you need someone to talk to... vent, cry, laugh. you name it, I am here for you as well. A stranger I may be to you, but I think that's a formality that we all get to bypass when our lives are all mutually touched by Cancer.

Thinking of you