Guest guest Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 Thank you for the welcome and invite. My name is Andree from Athens, GA and I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.I have just had a lumpectomy with no lymphatic spread (three nodes removed for biopsy) and am in the process of the four IV chemos the Dr advised. I have been tolerating the C/A pretty well and am trying to work every day outside of the chemo days. My diagnosis came on the heels of burying my mom from her cancer- she had had uterine, thyroid, and then colon cancer spread over several years as well as advanced Parkinson's and I had been her caretaker for the past eleven years. Getting the disease myself was a shock particularly when the pathologist told me the tumor was hormone induced from the birth control pills the Docs had put me on for menopause. Gratefully I had stopped taking them on my own in December...because I did not like the way I felt on the med. There was no lump to find or feel- it was a small flat (1cm) growth that was on my routine mammogram I had updated after having a colonoscopy find two polyps. The polyps turned out to be benign but knowing what I have learned about cancers that are like kissing cousins I went in to update the mammogram and there it was- I have never had such anxiety waiting to have something CUT OUT!!! I have a husband of 30 years and three grown children, all still single...and my business that I started for my mom because of her cancers. I am a chemist and formulate bath products and moisturizer products for hospitals and cancer care centers especially for chemo and radiation patients, but most of the people that use my products just want things for sensitive skin or for dry skin that are petroleum free. I speak at lymphedema support groups on the topic of effective non-toxic skin care and consumer awareness of cosmetic ingredients and labeling. I love researching new products and studied in Egypt, Africa, and Europe to find the best things for my mom's skin and for my children to use that would be safe for them. I have slowed down a bit to smell the roses since my mom's death and hope to have grandchildren someday to spoil. I enjoy herb gardening, collecting daylilly awardwinners and hiking out West,in Canada, or the AT here on the East coast. I appreciate finding this group and look forward to reading posts or posting when I have a question or can share a concern during my own treatment and recovery. Andree Terry Athens, GA www.essentialsoapsinc.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 Welcome Andree, I am sorry to hear about your mom. Thankfully tho you have done the right thing and got your mammo updated. You do stop to smell the roses after you have been diagnosed with a life threatening disease. We have a member here that is a 5 yr survivor, and just today is seeing a neurogist about what life hold for her and her diagnosis of Parkinsons. Maybe you could answer some of her questions since you have seen it first hand. Keep your chin up and we will be here to support you all the way. Hugs Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 Welcome Andree, I am sorry to hear about your mom. Thankfully tho you have done the right thing and got your mammo updated. You do stop to smell the roses after you have been diagnosed with a life threatening disease. We have a member here that is a 5 yr survivor, and just today is seeing a neurogist about what life hold for her and her diagnosis of Parkinsons. Maybe you could answer some of her questions since you have seen it first hand. Keep your chin up and we will be here to support you all the way. Hugs Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 We have a member here that is a 5 yr survivor, and just today is seeing a neurogist about what life hold for her and her diagnosis of Parkinsons. Maybe you could answer some of her questions since you have seen it first hand. I am happy to provide any support I can from my experience with my mom's disease that was diagnosed when she was 63 years old. I will watch for the posts with the doctor's report. Andree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 Thanks Andree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 and pray that the drs will get this problemn on her and fix it she means so much to us alll cheryl Re: Re:new survivor We have a member here that is a 5 yr survivor, and just today is seeing a neurogist about what life hold for her and her diagnosis of Parkinsons. Maybe you could answer some of her questions since you have seen it first hand. I am happy to provide any support I can from my experience with my mom's disease that was diagnosed when she was 63 years old. I will watch for the posts with the doctor's report. Andree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 and pray that the drs will get this problemn on her and fix it she means so much to us alll cheryl Re: Re:new survivor We have a member here that is a 5 yr survivor, and just today is seeing a neurogist about what life hold for her and her diagnosis of Parkinsons. Maybe you could answer some of her questions since you have seen it first hand. I am happy to provide any support I can from my experience with my mom's disease that was diagnosed when she was 63 years old. I will watch for the posts with the doctor's report. Andree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 HI , I also took birth control pills in my 40's. They didnt help the problem so the obgyn put me on estrogen. Imagine my surprise when a few months later I developed stage III breast cancer. I was very estrogen positive. They never said but I believe that is what caused my cancer. I had been having mammograms for yrs, and was just due for my yrly when I found the lump. It was 5.5 centimeters, and growing fast. It was already grossly matted in 2 lymph nodes. I agree women shoud have to sign a release paper to take any birth control. Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 HI , I also took birth control pills in my 40's. They didnt help the problem so the obgyn put me on estrogen. Imagine my surprise when a few months later I developed stage III breast cancer. I was very estrogen positive. They never said but I believe that is what caused my cancer. I had been having mammograms for yrs, and was just due for my yrly when I found the lump. It was 5.5 centimeters, and growing fast. It was already grossly matted in 2 lymph nodes. I agree women shoud have to sign a release paper to take any birth control. Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 Welcome Andree, I am glad they caught your breast cancer early. I am sorry to hear about your Mom. I will keep you in my prayers. hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com Re: Re:new survivor Thank you for the welcome and invite. My name is Andree from Athens, GA and I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.I have just had a lumpectomy with no lymphatic spread (three nodes removed for biopsy) and am in the process of the four IV chemos the Dr advised. I have been tolerating the C/A pretty well and am trying to work every day outside of the chemo days. My diagnosis came on the heels of burying my mom from her cancer- she had had uterine, thyroid, and then colon cancer spread over several years as well as advanced Parkinson's and I had been her caretaker for the past eleven years. Getting the disease myself was a shock particularly when the pathologist told me the tumor was hormone induced from the birth control pills the Docs had put me on for menopause. Gratefully I had stopped taking them on my own in December...because I did not like the way I felt on the med. There was no lump to find or feel- it was a small flat (1cm) growth that was on my routine mammogram I had updated after having a colonoscopy find two polyps. The polyps turned out to be benign but knowing what I have learned about cancers that are like kissing cousins I went in to update the mammogram and there it was- I have never had such anxiety waiting to have something CUT OUT!!! I have a husband of 30 years and three grown children, all still single...and my business that I started for my mom because of her cancers. I am a chemist and formulate bath products and moisturizer products for hospitals and cancer care centers especially for chemo and radiation patients, but most of the people that use my products just want things for sensitive skin or for dry skin that are petroleum free. I speak at lymphedema support groups on the topic of effective non-toxic skin care and consumer awareness of cosmetic ingredients and labeling. I love researching new products and studied in Egypt, Africa, and Europe to find the best things for my mom's skin and for my children to use that would be safe for them. I have slowed down a bit to smell the roses since my mom's death and hope to have grandchildren someday to spoil. I enjoy herb gardening, collecting daylilly awardwinners and hiking out West,in Canada, or the AT here on the East coast. I appreciate finding this group and look forward to reading posts or posting when I have a question or can share a concern during my own treatment and recovery. Andree Terry Athens, GA www.essentialsoapsinc.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2004 Report Share Posted April 20, 2004 Welcome Andree, I am glad they caught your breast cancer early. I am sorry to hear about your Mom. I will keep you in my prayers. hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Lifehttp://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.htmlalso check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at:http://www.cancerclub.com Re: Re:new survivor Thank you for the welcome and invite. My name is Andree from Athens, GA and I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.I have just had a lumpectomy with no lymphatic spread (three nodes removed for biopsy) and am in the process of the four IV chemos the Dr advised. I have been tolerating the C/A pretty well and am trying to work every day outside of the chemo days. My diagnosis came on the heels of burying my mom from her cancer- she had had uterine, thyroid, and then colon cancer spread over several years as well as advanced Parkinson's and I had been her caretaker for the past eleven years. Getting the disease myself was a shock particularly when the pathologist told me the tumor was hormone induced from the birth control pills the Docs had put me on for menopause. Gratefully I had stopped taking them on my own in December...because I did not like the way I felt on the med. There was no lump to find or feel- it was a small flat (1cm) growth that was on my routine mammogram I had updated after having a colonoscopy find two polyps. The polyps turned out to be benign but knowing what I have learned about cancers that are like kissing cousins I went in to update the mammogram and there it was- I have never had such anxiety waiting to have something CUT OUT!!! I have a husband of 30 years and three grown children, all still single...and my business that I started for my mom because of her cancers. I am a chemist and formulate bath products and moisturizer products for hospitals and cancer care centers especially for chemo and radiation patients, but most of the people that use my products just want things for sensitive skin or for dry skin that are petroleum free. I speak at lymphedema support groups on the topic of effective non-toxic skin care and consumer awareness of cosmetic ingredients and labeling. I love researching new products and studied in Egypt, Africa, and Europe to find the best things for my mom's skin and for my children to use that would be safe for them. I have slowed down a bit to smell the roses since my mom's death and hope to have grandchildren someday to spoil. I enjoy herb gardening, collecting daylilly awardwinners and hiking out West,in Canada, or the AT here on the East coast. I appreciate finding this group and look forward to reading posts or posting when I have a question or can share a concern during my own treatment and recovery. Andree Terry Athens, GA www.essentialsoapsinc.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 Lucilla, I am so sorry you had such a bad day. Broken tooth would drive anyone crazy. I have take vicodin on an empty stomach, never again, make me really sick. Hubby had to try it to he took a darvocet on empty stomach. When he got up to eat and take another pain med, he was so dizzy and sick, he went right back to bed. Learned his lesson. Yes I wish I was close to you, I would come over and give you all the hugs you needed. Wish you could come to Oklahoma this October then you could meet some of us. Well hope your day is better. Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 Lucilla, I am so sorry you had such a bad day. Broken tooth would drive anyone crazy. I have take vicodin on an empty stomach, never again, make me really sick. Hubby had to try it to he took a darvocet on empty stomach. When he got up to eat and take another pain med, he was so dizzy and sick, he went right back to bed. Learned his lesson. Yes I wish I was close to you, I would come over and give you all the hugs you needed. Wish you could come to Oklahoma this October then you could meet some of us. Well hope your day is better. Jeana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 how can your insurance just do that? I have a friend that has met the lifetime deductible on her policy through her lymphatic cancer...they make no more payments.... she can get no more treatment unless it is out her own pocket... We are self employed and I hate to see what our premium goes to next year since my breast cancer.. my husband will be 55 next year and so that is our year to have the every 5 year increase- we already pay $800 a month for a 10,000 deductible. I told my husband it would be worth getting another job from another source just to be able to get the insurance! Andree www.essentialsoapsinc.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 Had hysterectomy 6 weeks ago to shut down extrogen (cancer was extrogen positive)--I cannot take tamoxifen. There are some new drugs just approved on the market- can you take some of those? Andree www.essentialsoapsinc.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2004 Report Share Posted April 21, 2004 Had hysterectomy 6 weeks ago to shut down extrogen (cancer was extrogen positive)--I cannot take tamoxifen. There are some new drugs just approved on the market- can you take some of those? Andree www.essentialsoapsinc.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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