Re: Take a deep breath - Re: Hi. I'm New.

[Guest guest]

Tami:

The scheduler at the desk at my oncologist today made a good comment to me.

She is a real jewel. I am signing up for a clinical trial. Lots of test like

bone scan, full body CT scan, blood work, etc. is required. There was a lot

going on. I apologized because it seemed that my mind suddenly decided that it

was going to forget things and I had to ask a couple of times for clarification

of times and places. She looked a little perturbed and I said, " I am sorry that

I am such a pain. I am still trying to get used to the idea that I was

diagnosed with breast cancer. And I have already had the mastectomy. I still

am trying to get used to this cancer thing. I apologize. I think I still have

anesthesia brain. " Without looking up, and without missing a beat in scheduling

appointments, she simply said, " Take one deep cleasing breath. " I told her I

had been doing that. She said, " Keep doing that. You will get through all

this. " I thanked her.

I think her advice was really good. Taking a deep cleasing breath gets oxygen

to your head and clears your head so you can think about your next steps. You

don't have to go through any of this alone. There are many great ladies

(sisters) on this website. I want to welcome you to the family. You are so

young and so much going on. Your life is important. The first thing I did was

call my doctor for an exam and then listened to the suggestions. That is

probably a good first step. You will never know what is in the breast without

an exam and mammogram/ultrasound.

I am praying that you will find a competent and caring doctor.

You aren't alone.

Jan K

snyder_tami snyder_tami@...> wrote:

>

> Hello,

>

> I'm knew to this group and I was wondering if I could get some

advice. I am 18 years old and a student in college. I joined this

group because about two years ago I found a small knot in my left

breast behind and a little to the left of my nipple. At first I

thought it was normal b/c my breast were developing. Now I am

beginning to think otherwise. I went from one nurse practitioner to

another and they both told me to wait a few menstrual cycles and come

back so that they could make sure that it was getting bigger. I did

but they told me nothing more than I already knew and didn't offer

much help; they weren't sure of what it may be. I'm sorry but I don't

need someone else to tell me whether it was growing or not. I'm pretty

sure that I can feel for myself. I checked it again last night (I

usually check it from month to month and sometimes in between then

too) because my left breast was outrageously sore, and still is. I

found that there is no longer a lump/ball. In its

> place is a flatish, hard piece of tissue (I don't know what else to

call it) about the size of a quarter. My nipple is extremely sensitive

on the left side and it is red in that area. And when I lean back or

lay flat on my back I can see a bit of a pudge in that area and my

breast looks lopsided.

>

> I have reason to be concerned because I have had cancer on both

sides of the family... my mother had a brain tumor and she developed

cancer from the radiation treatments. One of my grandparents had lung

cancer. I've decided to go to a REAL doctor now. I just am afraid of

the cost. And no... I don't have anyone to cover the costs. I am

paying for my college and whatever else I may need. I lived with my

aunt and uncle for the past 4 years and they refused to take me to the

doctor. They say I am a hypercondriac... If that is how you spell

that. And my father is poor and trying to raise my little sister, work

on the house that is falling apart, keep up with debt, bills, the car,

and help out my big sister the best he can. I would burn before asking

him for money that I know he doesn't have. He has Blue Cross Blue

Shield for insurance but I doubt they cover much.

>

> And I feel terrible about worrying anyone. I told my sisters,

boyfriend, and my father. I hate that I am worrying them most of all

because my boyfriend's mother died of breast cancer and he doesn't

need to go through it again. Also... my father, sisters, and I lost

our mother to cancer... not the same, but cancer none the less.

>

> Anywho... I'm sorry. I am getting off on a tangent. Well, what I

would like to know is... What do you think it is? From your

experience... do you think I should be freaking as much as I am? How

do you cover the costs for all of the procedures? For someone of 18

years... what is the best test to use... mammogram, sonogram, etc.?

WHAT DO I DO???

>

> Please help calm me.

>

> ~

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Jan,

I want to thank you for your inspiration. You are right. take a deep breath.

I'm getting there. And this Thursday's ultrasound will tell me what's up. I'm

nervous but I think I'll be fine. Thank you for your support.

a

Jan Koelsch jkoelsch1950@...> wrote:

Tami:

The scheduler at the desk at my oncologist today made a good comment to me. She

is a real jewel. I am signing up for a clinical trial. Lots of test like bone

scan, full body CT scan, blood work, etc. is required. There was a lot going on.

I apologized because it seemed that my mind suddenly decided that it was going

to forget things and I had to ask a couple of times for clarification of times

and places. She looked a little perturbed and I said, " I am sorry that I am such

a pain. I am still trying to get used to the idea that I was diagnosed with

breast cancer. And I have already had the mastectomy. I still am trying to get

used to this cancer thing. I apologize. I think I still have anesthesia brain. "

Without looking up, and without missing a beat in scheduling appointments, she

simply said, " Take one deep cleasing breath. " I told her I had been doing that.

She said, " Keep doing that. You will get through all this. " I thanked her.

I think her advice was really good. Taking a deep cleasing breath gets oxygen to

your head and clears your head so you can think about your next steps. You don't

have to go through any of this alone. There are many great ladies (sisters) on

this website. I want to welcome you to the family. You are so young and so much

going on. Your life is important. The first thing I did was call my doctor for

an exam and then listened to the suggestions. That is probably a good first

step. You will never know what is in the breast without an exam and

mammogram/ultrasound.

I am praying that you will find a competent and caring doctor.

You aren't alone.

Jan K

snyder_tami snyder_tami@...> wrote:

>

> Hello,

>

> I'm knew to this group and I was wondering if I could get some

advice. I am 18 years old and a student in college. I joined this

group because about two years ago I found a small knot in my left

breast behind and a little to the left of my nipple. At first I

thought it was normal b/c my breast were developing. Now I am

beginning to think otherwise. I went from one nurse practitioner to

another and they both told me to wait a few menstrual cycles and come

back so that they could make sure that it was getting bigger. I did

but they told me nothing more than I already knew and didn't offer

much help; they weren't sure of what it may be. I'm sorry but I don't

need someone else to tell me whether it was growing or not. I'm pretty

sure that I can feel for myself. I checked it again last night (I

usually check it from month to month and sometimes in between then

too) because my left breast was outrageously sore, and still is. I

found that there is no longer a lump/ball. In its

> place is a flatish, hard piece of tissue (I don't know what else to

call it) about the size of a quarter. My nipple is extremely sensitive

on the left side and it is red in that area. And when I lean back or

lay flat on my back I can see a bit of a pudge in that area and my

breast looks lopsided.

>

> I have reason to be concerned because I have had cancer on both

sides of the family... my mother had a brain tumor and she developed

cancer from the radiation treatments. One of my grandparents had lung

cancer. I've decided to go to a REAL doctor now. I just am afraid of

the cost. And no... I don't have anyone to cover the costs. I am

paying for my college and whatever else I may need. I lived with my

aunt and uncle for the past 4 years and they refused to take me to the

doctor. They say I am a hypercondriac... If that is how you spell

that. And my father is poor and trying to raise my little sister, work

on the house that is falling apart, keep up with debt, bills, the car,

and help out my big sister the best he can. I would burn before asking

him for money that I know he doesn't have. He has Blue Cross Blue

Shield for insurance but I doubt they cover much.

>

> And I feel terrible about worrying anyone. I told my sisters,

boyfriend, and my father. I hate that I am worrying them most of all

because my boyfriend's mother died of breast cancer and he doesn't

need to go through it again. Also... my father, sisters, and I lost

our mother to cancer... not the same, but cancer none the less.

>

> Anywho... I'm sorry. I am getting off on a tangent. Well, what I

would like to know is... What do you think it is? From your

experience... do you think I should be freaking as much as I am? How

do you cover the costs for all of the procedures? For someone of 18

years... what is the best test to use... mammogram, sonogram, etc.?

WHAT DO I DO???

>

> Please help calm me.

>

> ~

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

a:

Each day is another day closer to finding out what is going on. But it seems,

from my recent experience, that those are the times that are the nerve-wracking

and the most intense emotional times that we have in the battle.

I have put you on my prayer list and hope that things go really well. The

ultrasound is a piece of cake and doesn't have any pain with it. The only pain

that comes is if the ultrasound picks up something abnormal.

I will pray that you have nothing to worry about.

a Manrriquez love_is_passion06@...> wrote:

Jan,

I want to thank you for your inspiration. You are right. take a deep breath. I'm

getting there. And this Thursday's ultrasound will tell me what's up. I'm

nervous but I think I'll be fine. Thank you for your support.

a

Jan Koelsch jkoelsch1950@...> wrote:

Tami:

The scheduler at the desk at my oncologist today made a good comment to me. She

is a real jewel. I am signing up for a clinical trial. Lots of test like bone

scan, full body CT scan, blood work, etc. is required. There was a lot going on.

I apologized because it seemed that my mind suddenly decided that it was going

to forget things and I had to ask a couple of times for clarification of times

and places. She looked a little perturbed and I said, " I am sorry that I am such

a pain. I am still trying to get used to the idea that I was diagnosed with

breast cancer. And I have already had the mastectomy. I still am trying to get

used to this cancer thing. I apologize. I think I still have anesthesia brain. "

Without looking up, and without missing a beat in scheduling appointments, she

simply said, " Take one deep cleasing breath. " I told her I had been doing that.

She said, " Keep doing that. You will get through all this. " I thanked her.

I think her advice was really good. Taking a deep cleasing breath gets oxygen to

your head and clears your head so you can think about your next steps. You don't

have to go through any of this alone. There are many great ladies (sisters) on

this website. I want to welcome you to the family. You are so young and so much

going on. Your life is important. The first thing I did was call my doctor for

an exam and then listened to the suggestions. That is probably a good first

step. You will never know what is in the breast without an exam and

mammogram/ultrasound.

I am praying that you will find a competent and caring doctor.

You aren't alone.

Jan K

snyder_tami snyder_tami@...> wrote:

>

> Hello,

>

> I'm knew to this group and I was wondering if I could get some

advice. I am 18 years old and a student in college. I joined this

group because about two years ago I found a small knot in my left

breast behind and a little to the left of my nipple. At first I

thought it was normal b/c my breast were developing. Now I am

beginning to think otherwise. I went from one nurse practitioner to

another and they both told me to wait a few menstrual cycles and come

back so that they could make sure that it was getting bigger. I did

but they told me nothing more than I already knew and didn't offer

much help; they weren't sure of what it may be. I'm sorry but I don't

need someone else to tell me whether it was growing or not. I'm pretty

sure that I can feel for myself. I checked it again last night (I

usually check it from month to month and sometimes in between then

too) because my left breast was outrageously sore, and still is. I

found that there is no longer a lump/ball. In its

> place is a flatish, hard piece of tissue (I don't know what else to

call it) about the size of a quarter. My nipple is extremely sensitive

on the left side and it is red in that area. And when I lean back or

lay flat on my back I can see a bit of a pudge in that area and my

breast looks lopsided.

>

> I have reason to be concerned because I have had cancer on both

sides of the family... my mother had a brain tumor and she developed

cancer from the radiation treatments. One of my grandparents had lung

cancer. I've decided to go to a REAL doctor now. I just am afraid of

the cost. And no... I don't have anyone to cover the costs. I am

paying for my college and whatever else I may need. I lived with my

aunt and uncle for the past 4 years and they refused to take me to the

doctor. They say I am a hypercondriac... If that is how you spell

that. And my father is poor and trying to raise my little sister, work

on the house that is falling apart, keep up with debt, bills, the car,

and help out my big sister the best he can. I would burn before asking

him for money that I know he doesn't have. He has Blue Cross Blue

Shield for insurance but I doubt they cover much.

>

> And I feel terrible about worrying anyone. I told my sisters,

boyfriend, and my father. I hate that I am worrying them most of all

because my boyfriend's mother died of breast cancer and he doesn't

need to go through it again. Also... my father, sisters, and I lost

our mother to cancer... not the same, but cancer none the less.

>

> Anywho... I'm sorry. I am getting off on a tangent. Well, what I

would like to know is... What do you think it is? From your

experience... do you think I should be freaking as much as I am? How

do you cover the costs for all of the procedures? For someone of 18

years... what is the best test to use... mammogram, sonogram, etc.?

WHAT DO I DO???

>

> Please help calm me.

>

> ~

>

> __________________________________________________

>