Re: Had the Surgery, Will Be Starting Chemo

[Guest guest]

thank heaven you stayed on top of this yourself. My sister had to also as her's didn't show up either. She had a burning sensation behind the nipple. She was in the medical field and had the films read by another doctor but she had seen her mammogram and felt that something didn't look right to her so she went to several surgeons before one would do a biopsy. Even that doctor was totally surprised at the path report and even more surprised 2 weeks later when they were doing the mastectomy and decided to biopsy a place in the other breast that they had been "watching" for two years. It was bc also. All this when she had a family history of bc (me). On radiologist actually had the nerve to tell her she was just being parnoid because of my history. SharonB jennifer ruffing

wrote: Hey Everyone,I wrote a while back, but now I have had the surgery and the finalpathology is all in. I had a 4.9 cm tumor in the right breast (totalmastectomy) and five lymph nodes were involved. The tumor was ER/PR +,but H?? negative. The onc is doing further testing to absolutelyconfirm the latter.I am 45, so I will be doing dose dense chemo, then on to radiation.My husband works for NY Hospital, and one of his buddies was looking atthe path report, and said, "How did miss this?". Well, as Imentioned before, I didn't. Six months ago, I felt the lump and went infor a mammogram and a sonogram, and nothing showed up. Had the tech,and the radiologist actually palpated me (which they never did), I amsure I would have been sent for a biopsy. I wasn't.

Six months later, Itook my own self back to the doc, cause I knew something was going on.I had no idea it was cancer. Thought it was fibrocystic breastcondition.And here I am.I am positive I will be cured, as I am a big healthy female, and mytumor type responds well to therapy. My six year old son is lookingforward to the baldness as I will look like Lex Luther.And when I am on the other side of the treatment mountain, I want tospend a lot of time educating women as to the different kinds of breastcancer symptoms. We all know, "look for the lump, get a mammogram,etc.", but I am a reasonably aware person, and I had no knowledge ofIBC, or Paget's. Women need to know more about the nitty-grittydetails.Thanks for being here, all you fabulous survivors. Without this group,I would have gone completely mental these last few weeks. I felt soinformed when I went to see the oncologist. Now all I have to

do isbattle with the insurance company about "reasonable costs", as my onc.does not take insurance (the big muckity-mucks at NY Hospital usuallydon't, as they don't have to, their patient base is plenty big withoutit). And hints there would be gratefully received.Take care, y'all,__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

,

I am glad you didn't give up and listened to your inner self and went back again. Its just too bad it wasn't caught earlier. 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

Had the Surgery, Will Be Starting Chemo

Hey Everyone,I wrote a while back, but now I have had the surgery and the finalpathology is all in. I had a 4.9 cm tumor in the right breast (totalmastectomy) and five lymph nodes were involved. The tumor was ER/PR +,but H?? negative. The onc is doing further testing to absolutelyconfirm the latter.I am 45, so I will be doing dose dense chemo, then on to radiation.My husband works for NY Hospital, and one of his buddies was looking atthe path report, and said, "How did miss this?". Well, as Imentioned before, I didn't. Six months ago, I felt the lump and went infor a mammogram and a sonogram, and nothing showed up. Had the tech,and the radiologist actually palpated me (which they never did), I amsure I would have been sent for a biopsy. I wasn't. Six months later, Itook my own self back to the doc, cause I knew something was going on.I had no idea it was cancer. Thought it was fibrocystic breastcondition.And here I am.I am positive I will be cured, as I am a big healthy female, and mytumor type responds well to therapy. My six year old son is lookingforward to the baldness as I will look like Lex Luther.And when I am on the other side of the treatment mountain, I want tospend a lot of time educating women as to the different kinds of breastcancer symptoms. We all know, "look for the lump, get a mammogram,etc.", but I am a reasonably aware person, and I had no knowledge ofIBC, or Paget's. Women need to know more about the nitty-grittydetails.Thanks for being here, all you fabulous survivors. Without this group,I would have gone completely mental these last few weeks. I felt soinformed when I went to see the oncologist. Now all I have to do isbattle with the insurance company about "reasonable costs", as my onc.does not take insurance (the big muckity-mucks at NY Hospital usuallydon't, as they don't have to, their patient base is plenty big withoutit). And hints there would be gratefully received.Take care, y'all,__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hang in there , we will all survive together. I will keep you in my prayers.

ren

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

That's just staggering, isn't it? How is your sister doing?

--- Sharon wrote:

> thank heaven you stayed on top of this yourself. My sister

> had to also

> as her's didn't show up either. She had a burning sensation behind

> the nipple.

> She was in the medical field and had the films read by another

> doctor but she had seen her mammogram and felt that something didn't

> look right to her so she went to several surgeons before one would do

> a biopsy.

>

> Even that doctor was totally surprised at the path report and even

> more surprised 2 weeks later when they were doing the mastectomy and

> decided to biopsy a place in the other breast that they had been

> " watching " for two years. It was bc also. All

> this when she had a family history of bc (me). On radiologist

> actually had the nerve to tell her she was just being parnoid because

> of my history.

>

> SharonB

>

>

>

> jennifer ruffing wrote:

> Hey Everyone,

>

> I wrote a while back, but now I have had the surgery and the final

> pathology is all in. I had a 4.9 cm tumor in the right breast (total

> mastectomy) and five lymph nodes were involved. The tumor was ER/PR

> +,

> but H?? negative. The onc is doing further testing to absolutely

> confirm the latter.

>

> I am 45, so I will be doing dose dense chemo, then on to radiation.

>

> My husband works for NY Hospital, and one of his buddies was looking

> at

> the path report, and said, " How did miss this? " . Well, as I

> mentioned before, I didn't. Six months ago, I felt the lump and went

> in

> for a mammogram and a sonogram, and nothing showed up. Had the tech,

> and the radiologist actually palpated me (which they never did), I am

> sure I would have been sent for a biopsy. I wasn't. Six months later,

> I

> took my own self back to the doc, cause I knew something was going

> on.

> I had no idea it was cancer. Thought it was fibrocystic breast

> condition.

>

> And here I am.

>

> I am positive I will be cured, as I am a big healthy female, and my

> tumor type responds well to therapy. My six year old son is looking

> forward to the baldness as I will look like Lex Luther.

>

> And when I am on the other side of the treatment mountain, I want to

> spend a lot of time educating women as to the different kinds of

> breast

> cancer symptoms. We all know, " look for the lump, get a mammogram,

> etc. " , but I am a reasonably aware person, and I had no knowledge of

> IBC, or Paget's. Women need to know more about the nitty-gritty

> details.

>

> Thanks for being here, all you fabulous survivors. Without this

> group,

> I would have gone completely mental these last few weeks. I felt so

> informed when I went to see the oncologist. Now all I have to do is

> battle with the insurance company about " reasonable costs " , as my

> onc.

> does not take insurance (the big muckity-mucks at NY Hospital usually

> don't, as they don't have to, their patient base is plenty big

> without

> it). And hints there would be gratefully received.

>

> Take care, y'all,

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I almost didn't post about my sister because the outcome wasn't good. She was dx in 1997. Had a reocurrance in scar tissue in 2000. In 2004 while doing a ultrasound of heart they found it in her liver. We lost her Dec 2005. But I have to tell you that she lived in a small town and I really don't believe she got the correct treatment. I believe that since she had 4 positive nodes that she should have had radiation right after chemo. They didn't do radiation until after it came back in 2000. I on the other hand was dx in 1995 and I had 2 positive nodes. I'm doing just fine. Hard to believe that I will celebrate 11 years as a survivor in July. I also have a friend that was dx with 30 positive nodes. It has been 15 years since her dx. She did have a reocurrance about 2 years

after dx in the bone but has been ok since. She was stage 3 when dx but that was changed to Stage 4 when it came into bones. I think she has been stage 4 for about 13 years. SharonB jennifer ruffing wrote: Sharon,That's just staggering, isn't it? How is your sister doing?--- Sharon wrote:> thank heaven you stayed on top of this yourself. My sister> had to also> as her's didn't show up either. She had a burning sensation behind> the nipple.> She was in the medical field and had the films read by another> doctor but she had seen her mammogram and felt that something

didn't> look right to her so she went to several surgeons before one would do> a biopsy.> > Even that doctor was totally surprised at the path report and even> more surprised 2 weeks later when they were doing the mastectomy and> decided to biopsy a place in the other breast that they had been> "watching" for two years. It was bc also. All> this when she had a family history of bc (me). On radiologist> actually had the nerve to tell her she was just being parnoid because> of my history.> > SharonB> > > > jennifer ruffing wrote:> Hey Everyone,> > I wrote a while back, but now I have had the surgery and the final> pathology is all in. I had a 4.9 cm tumor in the

right breast (total> mastectomy) and five lymph nodes were involved. The tumor was ER/PR> +,> but H?? negative. The onc is doing further testing to absolutely> confirm the latter.> > I am 45, so I will be doing dose dense chemo, then on to radiation.> > My husband works for NY Hospital, and one of his buddies was looking> at> the path report, and said, "How did miss this?". Well, as I> mentioned before, I didn't. Six months ago, I felt the lump and went> in> for a mammogram and a sonogram, and nothing showed up. Had the tech,> and the radiologist actually palpated me (which they never did), I am> sure I would have been sent for a biopsy. I wasn't. Six months later,> I> took my own self back to the doc, cause I knew something was going> on.> I had no idea it was cancer. Thought it was fibrocystic breast> condition.>

> And here I am.> > I am positive I will be cured, as I am a big healthy female, and my> tumor type responds well to therapy. My six year old son is looking> forward to the baldness as I will look like Lex Luther.> > And when I am on the other side of the treatment mountain, I want to> spend a lot of time educating women as to the different kinds of> breast> cancer symptoms. We all know, "look for the lump, get a mammogram,> etc.", but I am a reasonably aware person, and I had no knowledge of> IBC, or Paget's. Women need to know more about the nitty-gritty> details.> > Thanks for being here, all you fabulous survivors. Without this> group,> I would have gone completely mental these last few weeks. I felt so> informed when I went to see the oncologist. Now all I have to do is> battle with the insurance company about "reasonable costs", as

my> onc.> does not take insurance (the big muckity-mucks at NY Hospital usually> don't, as they don't have to, their patient base is plenty big> without> it). And hints there would be gratefully received.> > Take care, y'all,> > > __________________________________________________>

[Guest guest]

It is amazing how different we all can be in our dx and our recovery. Although at times when I read these things I get more scared than I already am, but then I have to tell myself... 'but you could be one of those who are fine 15, 16 years after dx'. Only God knows what is going to happen. I have to believe whatever happens is part of His plan. Just wish He'd clue me in. <s>

Barb

Re: Had the Surgery, Will Be Starting Chemo

I almost didn't post about my sister because the outcome wasn't good. She was dx in 1997. Had a reocurrance in scar tissue in 2000. In 2004 while doing a ultrasound of heart they found it in her liver. We lost her Dec 2005.

But I have to tell you that she lived in a small town and I really don't believe she got the correct treatment. I believe that since she had 4 positive nodes that she should have had radiation right after chemo. They didn't do radiation until after it came back in 2000.

I on the other hand was dx in 1995 and I had 2 positive nodes. I'm doing just fine.

Hard to believe that I will celebrate 11 years as a survivor in July.

I also have a friend that was dx with 30 positive nodes. It has been 15 years since her dx. She did have a reocurrance about 2 years after dx in the bone but has been ok since. She was stage 3 when dx but that was changed to Stage 4 when it came into bones. I think she has been stage 4 for about 13 years.

SharonB

jennifer ruffing wrote:

Sharon,That's just staggering, isn't it? How is your sister doing?--- Sharon wrote:> thank heaven you stayed on top of this yourself. My sister> had to also> as her's didn't show up either. She had a burning sensation behind> the nipple.> She was in the medical field and had the films read by another> doctor but she had seen her mammogram and felt that something didn't> look right to her so she went to several surgeons before one would do> a biopsy.> > Even that doctor was totally surprised at the path report and even> more surprised 2 weeks later when they were doing the mastectomy and> decided to biopsy a place in the other breast that they had been> "watching" for two years. It was bc also. All> this when she had a family history of bc (me). On radiologist> actually had the nerve to tell her she was just being parnoid because> of my history.> > SharonB> > > > jennifer ruffing wrote:> Hey Everyone,> > I wrote a while back, but now I have had the surgery and the final> pathology is all in. I had a 4.9 cm tumor in the right breast (total> mastectomy) and five lymph nodes were involved. The tumor was ER/PR> +,> but H?? negative. The onc is doing further testing to absolutely> confirm the latter.> > I am 45, so I will be doing dose dense chemo, then on to radiation.> > My husband works for NY Hospital, and one of his buddies was looking> at> the path report, and said, "How did miss this?". Well, as I> mentioned before, I didn't. Six months ago, I felt the lump and went> in> for a mammogram and a sonogram, and nothing showed up. Had the tech,> and the radiologist actually palpated me (which they never did), I am> sure I would have been sent for a biopsy. I wasn't. Six months later,> I> took my own self back to the doc, cause I knew something was going> on.> I had no idea it was cancer. Thought it was fibrocystic breast> condition.> > And here I am.> > I am positive I will be cured, as I am a big healthy female, and my> tumor type responds well to therapy. My six year old son is looking> forward to the baldness as I will look like Lex Luther.> > And when I am on the other side of the treatment mountain, I want to> spend a lot of time educating women as to the different kinds of> breast> cancer symptoms. We all know, "look for the lump, get a mammogram,> etc.", but I am a reasonably aware person, and I had no knowledge of> IBC, or Paget's. Women need to know more about the nitty-gritty> details.> > Thanks for being here, all you fabulous survivors. Without this> group,> I would have gone completely mental these last few weeks. I felt so> informed when I went to see the oncologist. Now all I have to do is> battle with the insurance company about "reasonable costs", as my> onc.> does not take insurance (the big muckity-mucks at NY Hospital usually> don't, as they don't have to, their patient base is plenty big> without> it). And hints there would be gratefully received.> > Take care, y'all,> > > __________________________________________________>

[Guest guest]

It is true. I understand Sharon's reluctance to tell her sister's

story, because we all like reading the happy endings.

My husband's Mom died from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), and I have often

told myself in these last few weeks that I am so lucky because breast

cancer is curable/treatable/sustainable. There's a lot of stuff out

there that isn't.

Take care y'all,

--- Barb Roy wrote:

> It is amazing how different we all can be in our dx and our recovery.

> Although at times when I read these things I get more scared than I

> already am, but then I have to tell myself... 'but you could be one

> of those who are fine 15, 16 years after dx'. Only God knows what is

> going to happen. I have to believe whatever happens is part of His

> plan. Just wish He'd clue me in. <s>

>

> Barb

> Re: Had the Surgery, Will Be Starting

> Chemo

>

>

> I almost didn't post about my sister because the outcome wasn't

> good. She was dx in 1997. Had a reocurrance in scar tissue in 2000.

> In 2004 while doing a ultrasound of heart they found it in her

> liver. We lost her Dec 2005.

>

> But I have to tell you that she lived in a small town and I really

> don't believe she got the correct treatment. I believe that since she

> had 4 positive nodes that she should have had radiation right after

> chemo. They didn't do radiation until after it came back in 2000.

>

> I on the other hand was dx in 1995 and I had 2 positive nodes.

> I'm doing just fine.

> Hard to believe that I will celebrate 11 years as a survivor in

> July.

>

> I also have a friend that was dx with 30 positive nodes. It has

> been 15 years since her dx. She did have a reocurrance about 2

> years after dx in the bone but has been ok since. She was stage 3

> when dx but that was changed to Stage 4 when it came into bones. I

> think she has been stage 4 for about 13 years.

>

> SharonB

>

>

>

> jennifer ruffing wrote:

> Sharon,

>

> That's just staggering, isn't it? How is your sister doing?

>

>

>

> --- Sharon wrote:

>

> > thank heaven you stayed on top of this yourself. My

> sister

> > had to also

> > as her's didn't show up either. She had a burning sensation

> behind

> > the nipple.

> > She was in the medical field and had the films read by

> another

> > doctor but she had seen her mammogram and felt that something

> didn't

> > look right to her so she went to several surgeons before one

> would do

> > a biopsy.

> >

> > Even that doctor was totally surprised at the path report and

> even

> > more surprised 2 weeks later when they were doing the

> mastectomy and

> > decided to biopsy a place in the other breast that they had

> been

> > " watching " for two years. It was bc also. All

> > this when she had a family history of bc (me). On

> radiologist

> > actually had the nerve to tell her she was just being parnoid

> because

> > of my history.

> >

> > SharonB

> >

> >

> >

> > jennifer ruffing wrote:

> > Hey Everyone,

> >

> > I wrote a while back, but now I have had the surgery and the

> final

> > pathology is all in. I had a 4.9 cm tumor in the right breast

> (total

> > mastectomy) and five lymph nodes were involved. The tumor was

> ER/PR

> > +,

> > but H?? negative. The onc is doing further testing to

> absolutely

> > confirm the latter.

> >

> > I am 45, so I will be doing dose dense chemo, then on to

> radiation.

> >

> > My husband works for NY Hospital, and one of his buddies was

> looking

> > at

> > the path report, and said, " How did miss this? " . Well,

> as I

> > mentioned before, I didn't. Six months ago, I felt the lump and

> went

> > in

> > for a mammogram and a sonogram, and nothing showed up. Had the

> tech,

> > and the radiologist actually palpated me (which they never

> did), I am

> > sure I would have been sent for a biopsy. I wasn't. Six months

> later,

> > I

> > took my own self back to the doc, cause I knew something was

> going

> > on.

> > I had no idea it was cancer. Thought it was fibrocystic breast

> > condition.

> >

> > And here I am.

> >

> > I am positive I will be cured, as I am a big healthy female,

> and my

> > tumor type responds well to therapy. My six year old son is

> looking

> > forward to the baldness as I will look like Lex Luther.

> >

> > And when I am on the other side of the treatment mountain, I

> want to

> > spend a lot of time educating women as to the different kinds

> of

> > breast

> > cancer symptoms. We all know, " look for the lump, get a

> mammogram,

> > etc. " , but I am a reasonably aware person, and I had no

> knowledge of

> > IBC, or Paget's. Women need to know more about the nitty-gritty

> > details.

> >

> > Thanks for being here, all you fabulous survivors. Without this

> > group,

> > I would have gone completely mental these last few weeks. I

> felt so

> > informed when I went to see the oncologist. Now all I have to

> do is

> > battle with the insurance company about " reasonable costs " , as

> my

> > onc.

> > does not take insurance (the big muckity-mucks at NY Hospital

> usually

> > don't, as they don't have to, their patient base is plenty big

> > without

> > it). And hints there would be gratefully received.

> >

> > Take care, y'all,

> >

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >

[Guest guest]

My mother has Alzheimer's Disease. Although her body is doing fine, her mind is going. It's an awful illness. I haven't told her I have breast cancer. She just wouldn't understand or she might understand too much. I so wish I had her to talk to. Thank God for my family, dh and kids and my brothers.

Re: Had the Surgery, Will Be Starting> Chemo> > > I almost didn't post about my sister because the outcome wasn't> good. She was dx in 1997. Had a reocurrance in scar tissue in 2000.> In 2004 while doing a ultrasound of heart they found it in her> liver. We lost her Dec 2005.> > But I have to tell you that she lived in a small town and I really> don't believe she got the correct treatment. I believe that since she> had 4 positive nodes that she should have had radiation right after> chemo. They didn't do radiation until after it came back in 2000.> > I on the other hand was dx in 1995 and I had 2 positive nodes. > I'm doing just fine.> Hard to believe that I will celebrate 11 years as a survivor in> July.> > I also have a friend that was dx with 30 positive nodes. It has> been 15 years since her dx. She did have a reocurrance about 2> years after dx in the bone but has been ok since. She was stage 3> when dx but that was changed to Stage 4 when it came into bones. I> think she has been stage 4 for about 13 years.> > SharonB> > > > jennifer ruffing wrote:> Sharon,> > That's just staggering, isn't it? How is your sister doing?> > > > --- Sharon wrote:> > > thank heaven you stayed on top of this yourself. My> sister> > had to also> > as her's didn't show up either. She had a burning sensation> behind> > the nipple.> > She was in the medical field and had the films read by> another> > doctor but she had seen her mammogram and felt that something> didn't> > look right to her so she went to several surgeons before one> would do> > a biopsy.> > > > Even that doctor was totally surprised at the path report and> even> > more surprised 2 weeks later when they were doing the> mastectomy and> > decided to biopsy a place in the other breast that they had> been> > "watching" for two years. It was bc also. All> > this when she had a family history of bc (me). On> radiologist> > actually had the nerve to tell her she was just being parnoid> because> > of my history.> > > > SharonB> > > > > > > > jennifer ruffing wrote:> > Hey Everyone,> > > > I wrote a while back, but now I have had the surgery and the> final> > pathology is all in. I had a 4.9 cm tumor in the right breast> (total> > mastectomy) and five lymph nodes were involved. The tumor was> ER/PR> > +,> > but H?? negative. The onc is doing further testing to> absolutely> > confirm the latter.> > > > I am 45, so I will be doing dose dense chemo, then on to> radiation.> > > > My husband works for NY Hospital, and one of his buddies was> looking> > at> > the path report, and said, "How did miss this?". Well,> as I> > mentioned before, I didn't. Six months ago, I felt the lump and> went> > in> > for a mammogram and a sonogram, and nothing showed up. Had the> tech,> > and the radiologist actually palpated me (which they never> did), I am> > sure I would have been sent for a biopsy. I wasn't. Six months> later,> > I> > took my own self back to the doc, cause I knew something was> going> > on.> > I had no idea it was cancer. Thought it was fibrocystic breast> > condition.> > > > And here I am.> > > > I am positive I will be cured, as I am a big healthy female,> and my> > tumor type responds well to therapy. My six year old son is> looking> > forward to the baldness as I will look like Lex Luther.> > > > And when I am on the other side of the treatment mountain, I> want to> > spend a lot of time educating women as to the different kinds> of> > breast> > cancer symptoms. We all know, "look for the lump, get a> mammogram,> > etc.", but I am a reasonably aware person, and I had no> knowledge of> > IBC, or Paget's. Women need to know more about the nitty-gritty> > details.> > > > Thanks for being here, all you fabulous survivors. Without this> > group,> > I would have gone completely mental these last few weeks. I> felt so> > informed when I went to see the oncologist. Now all I have to> do is> > battle with the insurance company about "reasonable costs", as> my> > onc.> > does not take insurance (the big muckity-mucks at NY Hospital> usually> > don't, as they don't have to, their patient base is plenty big> > without> > it). And hints there would be gratefully received.> > > > Take care, y'all,> > > > > > __________________________________________________> >

[Guest guest]

Hi !

Thanks for your post. I am the girl with the 5 cm tumor...(new to

the group).

I know what you mean, my brother asked why I didn't go earlier as

well. But I did!

My Dr. (OB-GYN) Told me that I did not have cancer. I can still

remember her words... exactly! I didn't think it was cancer, but I

did know something wasn't right. I had just had a mammogram, and it

had been negative two months earlier. There is no history of bc in

my family. So, I believed my Dr. Then 6 months later (no biopsy,

etc.) I decided I needed to recheck. The original Dr. had left town,

so I went to a new person. Thank goodness for fate! Who knows, the

original Dr. could have restated that there was nothing wrong!

Anyway, the new Dr. sent me right away for new sonogram & mammogram.

I had a biopsy and was diagnosed within a couple of weeks. I found

some great healthcare workers at a good hospital, and I feel that I

am really going to lick this!

So, the bottom line is, if you do not think that what you are hearing

is all right, PLEASE go for another opinion. And Don't wait!!!

>

> Hey Everyone,

>

> I wrote a while back, but now I have had the surgery and the final

> pathology is all in. I had a 4.9 cm tumor in the right breast (total

> mastectomy) and five lymph nodes were involved. The tumor was ER/PR

+,

> but H?? negative. The onc is doing further testing to absolutely

> confirm the latter.

>

> I am 45, so I will be doing dose dense chemo, then on to radiation.

>

> My husband works for NY Hospital, and one of his buddies was

looking at

> the path report, and said, " How did miss this? " . Well, as I

> mentioned before, I didn't. Six months ago, I felt the lump and

went in

> for a mammogram and a sonogram, and nothing showed up. Had the tech,

> and the radiologist actually palpated me (which they never did), I

am

> sure I would have been sent for a biopsy. I wasn't. Six months

later, I

> took my own self back to the doc, cause I knew something was going

on.

> I had no idea it was cancer. Thought it was fibrocystic breast

> condition.

>

> And here I am.

>

> I am positive I will be cured, as I am a big healthy female, and my

> tumor type responds well to therapy. My six year old son is looking

> forward to the baldness as I will look like Lex Luther.

>

> And when I am on the other side of the treatment mountain, I want to

> spend a lot of time educating women as to the different kinds of

breast

> cancer symptoms. We all know, " look for the lump, get a mammogram,

> etc. " , but I am a reasonably aware person, and I had no knowledge of

> IBC, or Paget's. Women need to know more about the nitty-gritty

> details.

>

> Thanks for being here, all you fabulous survivors. Without this

group,

> I would have gone completely mental these last few weeks. I felt so

> informed when I went to see the oncologist. Now all I have to do is

> battle with the insurance company about " reasonable costs " , as my

onc.

> does not take insurance (the big muckity-mucks at NY Hospital

usually

> don't, as they don't have to, their patient base is plenty big

without

> it). And hints there would be gratefully received.

>

> Take care, y'all,

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

I love it, ! <smile> Thanks for making me laugh!

>

> ,

>

> Boys do make passes

> at girls with large masses.

>

> It was the best I could do on short notice. The only other thing I

> could come up with was:

>

> Girls with huge tumors

> never spread rumors.

>

> Too much free time, right?

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Sharon. This is a very positive way to look at " the

events " . You are right, the best way to look it is FROM NOW.

>

> I actually waited awhile before I went to the dr. I was

44...thought that was to young for bc. (boy was I wrong). I didn't

have a family history (or so I thought). I was busy planning a

50th anniversary party for my in-laws who live in another state.

Then when I did make an appt with my gyn my appt was canceled

twice. The second time I insisted on at least having a mammogram.

Things moved fast after that. They did the mammogram in the office

and the tumor was so easy to see that they didn't even send it to a

radiologist before sending me to a surgeon. They actually called

the surgeon I wanted and made the appt. for me. It was the very

next day. I remember it was on a Friday. Monday was July 4th.

On the 5th they did the bio. and I knew that day that it was

cancer. In the next two weeks I saw both the oncologist and

radiation oncologist. When I called they couldn't get me in right

away so I called the surgeon's office and they called and made the

> appt. Worked out really good because I ended up getting the

Chief of Oncology at a local hospital. Later when I told people

who my oncologist was they asked how in the world I was able to get

him...

> On July 22 I had the mastectomy. Had a little trouble with

healing. The port was put in the end of August and I started

chem. (4 AC) the day after Labor Day.

>

> hummm. actually my point was going to be that we can't look

at " why did we waited " we can only look forward. Oh I found out

not only had I waited but the radiologist had missed the bc in the

previous mammogram....So I consider myself very lucky that it was

only in 2 nodes and that I am doing so well almost 11 years later.

>

> SharonB

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

They always say you not only need a mammogram each year but at a yearly physical have the dr palpate the breast. I knew I had a lump (1.2 cm) when I had my physcial but my dr couldn't find it. So they did get it early.

I can't believe they couldn't see it on your mammogram. They should have done an ultrasound at the same time. Wow!! Good thing you followed up with your instinct.

Janet

IDC

[Guest guest]

Barb. Sorry to hear about your mother. My husband had Alzheimers and died five years ago. I think his was helped along by small strokes and I thank God for that as it seemed long and was very hard. I belong to two Alzheimer Caregiver Lists altho I don't contribute to them anymore. I would be glad to send you info on them. Too bad your breast cancer came at this time....and yes it's a good idea not to tell her about it. She wouldn't understand enough about it.

My email is

momtwo3@...

Yahoo has a very good Alz Caregivers List that my friend in Michigan started when she had an Adult Family Home. It was so helpful and still available.

Janet

IDC

[Guest guest]

Of course I don't begrudge anyone the treatment they're having, but I am so

envious of the ladies who have " Had the Surgery, Will Be Starting Chemo " .

I have now had 10 months of chemo, with at least three months still to go,

and not had surgery yet. I am still carrying this nasty lump around in my

left breast, waiting for it to get small enough for surgery ... My onc says

the smaller the lump is at surgery time, the better the prognosis ...

The lump was 10 cms last May - it wasn't spotted at my mammogram a year

before, and I didn't find it before May myself. How could we miss something

that size? It's a bit smaller now, about 7 cms.

Some days I just feel sorry for myself - I'll be better tomorrow 8-)

Love to all,

Margery.

============================================

margery@... in North Herts, UK

============================================

[Guest guest]

We believe AD started for my mom about the year 2000, so she's about 6 years into it. I have a support group I did go to when I had time. Have not been there in quite a while, since grandson moved in with us. Once he's in school full time (next fall) then I might be able to go back. Also belong to the AD forum here. It's just such an awful illness.... but then what isn't? At least with BC we know it is curable and treatable. Not so with AD. We have not found any of her AD meds to do much. They talk about slowing down the progression. Might be good when you first catch it, but I wonder how much good it is in middle to late stages. What quality of life does my mother have?

Barb

Re: Had the Surgery, Will Be Starting Chemo

Barb. Sorry to hear about your mother. My husband had Alzheimers and died five years ago. I think his was helped along by small strokes and I thank God for that as it seemed long and was very hard. I belong to two Alzheimer Caregiver Lists altho I don't contribute to them anymore. I would be glad to send you info on them. Too bad your breast cancer came at this time....and yes it's a good idea not to tell her about it. She wouldn't understand enough about it.

My email is

momtwo3@...

Yahoo has a very good Alz Caregivers List that my friend in Michigan started when she had an Adult Family Home. It was so helpful and still available.

Janet

IDC