Guest guest Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Loni, welcome, this is a great list for asking questions and gathering info. I have two children: my son Ben is 7, severe to profound, identified at birth, wears two hearing aids and is oral. He learned sign at the beginning, but has dropped it on his own; I imagine he'll ask to pick it up again someday. We have also tried Cued Speech with him, but he still prefers getting his info auditorally. My daughter is 10, has a mild loss, and has a soundfield FM in her class. She is extremely verbal. Again, welcome! Stefanie on 9/23/05 11:19 AM, ntxdonalayo at ntxdonalayo@... wrote: > Hi everyone.. > > > > I just found out that my soon to be 8 yr old daughter has mild to > > moderate hearing loss. I will start calling tomorrow about hearing > > aids. I'm trying to learn what I can ASAP.. > > > > Now.. a bit about me.. I've trained hearing dogs for other people.. > > and also now some sign language. So.. of course.. I'm wondering.. > > should I think about teaching her sign language? Should I think > > about training her new puppy to work here at home??? We live on a few > > acres.. and I'm afraid that if she is to far away.. she won't hear > > me.. I have some physical problems and sometimes I'm not as mobile as > > possible. > > > > I don't know if her condition will stay.. or become worse.. we are > > expected to go back to the Dr. in 6 mos for a re-check. > > > > Anyway.. I'm still in shock over all of this.. I don't want to over > > react.. but I do have stuff available here that may help in the > > future.. > > > > Hope to hear from ya'll soon.. > > > > Loni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Loni, welcome, this is a great list for asking questions and gathering info. I have two children: my son Ben is 7, severe to profound, identified at birth, wears two hearing aids and is oral. He learned sign at the beginning, but has dropped it on his own; I imagine he'll ask to pick it up again someday. We have also tried Cued Speech with him, but he still prefers getting his info auditorally. My daughter is 10, has a mild loss, and has a soundfield FM in her class. She is extremely verbal. Again, welcome! Stefanie on 9/23/05 11:19 AM, ntxdonalayo at ntxdonalayo@... wrote: > Hi everyone.. > > > > I just found out that my soon to be 8 yr old daughter has mild to > > moderate hearing loss. I will start calling tomorrow about hearing > > aids. I'm trying to learn what I can ASAP.. > > > > Now.. a bit about me.. I've trained hearing dogs for other people.. > > and also now some sign language. So.. of course.. I'm wondering.. > > should I think about teaching her sign language? Should I think > > about training her new puppy to work here at home??? We live on a few > > acres.. and I'm afraid that if she is to far away.. she won't hear > > me.. I have some physical problems and sometimes I'm not as mobile as > > possible. > > > > I don't know if her condition will stay.. or become worse.. we are > > expected to go back to the Dr. in 6 mos for a re-check. > > > > Anyway.. I'm still in shock over all of this.. I don't want to over > > react.. but I do have stuff available here that may help in the > > future.. > > > > Hope to hear from ya'll soon.. > > > > Loni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Loni, welcome, this is a great list for asking questions and gathering info. I have two children: my son Ben is 7, severe to profound, identified at birth, wears two hearing aids and is oral. He learned sign at the beginning, but has dropped it on his own; I imagine he'll ask to pick it up again someday. We have also tried Cued Speech with him, but he still prefers getting his info auditorally. My daughter is 10, has a mild loss, and has a soundfield FM in her class. She is extremely verbal. Again, welcome! Stefanie on 9/23/05 11:19 AM, ntxdonalayo at ntxdonalayo@... wrote: > Hi everyone.. > > > > I just found out that my soon to be 8 yr old daughter has mild to > > moderate hearing loss. I will start calling tomorrow about hearing > > aids. I'm trying to learn what I can ASAP.. > > > > Now.. a bit about me.. I've trained hearing dogs for other people.. > > and also now some sign language. So.. of course.. I'm wondering.. > > should I think about teaching her sign language? Should I think > > about training her new puppy to work here at home??? We live on a few > > acres.. and I'm afraid that if she is to far away.. she won't hear > > me.. I have some physical problems and sometimes I'm not as mobile as > > possible. > > > > I don't know if her condition will stay.. or become worse.. we are > > expected to go back to the Dr. in 6 mos for a re-check. > > > > Anyway.. I'm still in shock over all of this.. I don't want to over > > react.. but I do have stuff available here that may help in the > > future.. > > > > Hope to hear from ya'll soon.. > > > > Loni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Hi Loni - welcome to the list! I have two boys, both with hearing loss. Tom is 13 with a severe/profound loss; Sam is 10 with a profound loss. Both boys wear hearing aids and communicate orally. I always think that any way you can communicate with your child - orally, sign, or a combo - is what works best for you and your family. Since you already know sign language, it seems natural that she'd learn also. This is a wonderful place to be - I'm glad you've found us! Barbara ntxdonalayo wrote: >Hi everyone.. > > > >I just found out that my soon to be 8 yr old daughter has mild to > >moderate hearing loss. I will start calling tomorrow about hearing > >aids. I'm trying to learn what I can ASAP.. > > > >Now.. a bit about me.. I've trained hearing dogs for other people.. > >and also now some sign language. So.. of course.. I'm wondering.. > >should I think about teaching her sign language? Should I think > >about training her new puppy to work here at home??? We live on a few > >acres.. and I'm afraid that if she is to far away.. she won't hear > >me.. I have some physical problems and sometimes I'm not as mobile as > >possible. > > > >I don't know if her condition will stay.. or become worse.. we are > >expected to go back to the Dr. in 6 mos for a re-check. > > > >Anyway.. I'm still in shock over all of this.. I don't want to over > >react.. but I do have stuff available here that may help in the > >future.. > > > >Hope to hear from ya'll soon.. > > > >Loni > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Hi Loni - welcome to the list! I have two boys, both with hearing loss. Tom is 13 with a severe/profound loss; Sam is 10 with a profound loss. Both boys wear hearing aids and communicate orally. I always think that any way you can communicate with your child - orally, sign, or a combo - is what works best for you and your family. Since you already know sign language, it seems natural that she'd learn also. This is a wonderful place to be - I'm glad you've found us! Barbara ntxdonalayo wrote: >Hi everyone.. > > > >I just found out that my soon to be 8 yr old daughter has mild to > >moderate hearing loss. I will start calling tomorrow about hearing > >aids. I'm trying to learn what I can ASAP.. > > > >Now.. a bit about me.. I've trained hearing dogs for other people.. > >and also now some sign language. So.. of course.. I'm wondering.. > >should I think about teaching her sign language? Should I think > >about training her new puppy to work here at home??? We live on a few > >acres.. and I'm afraid that if she is to far away.. she won't hear > >me.. I have some physical problems and sometimes I'm not as mobile as > >possible. > > > >I don't know if her condition will stay.. or become worse.. we are > >expected to go back to the Dr. in 6 mos for a re-check. > > > >Anyway.. I'm still in shock over all of this.. I don't want to over > >react.. but I do have stuff available here that may help in the > >future.. > > > >Hope to hear from ya'll soon.. > > > >Loni > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2005 Report Share Posted September 23, 2005 Hi Loni - welcome to the list! I have two boys, both with hearing loss. Tom is 13 with a severe/profound loss; Sam is 10 with a profound loss. Both boys wear hearing aids and communicate orally. I always think that any way you can communicate with your child - orally, sign, or a combo - is what works best for you and your family. Since you already know sign language, it seems natural that she'd learn also. This is a wonderful place to be - I'm glad you've found us! Barbara ntxdonalayo wrote: >Hi everyone.. > > > >I just found out that my soon to be 8 yr old daughter has mild to > >moderate hearing loss. I will start calling tomorrow about hearing > >aids. I'm trying to learn what I can ASAP.. > > > >Now.. a bit about me.. I've trained hearing dogs for other people.. > >and also now some sign language. So.. of course.. I'm wondering.. > >should I think about teaching her sign language? Should I think > >about training her new puppy to work here at home??? We live on a few > >acres.. and I'm afraid that if she is to far away.. she won't hear > >me.. I have some physical problems and sometimes I'm not as mobile as > >possible. > > > >I don't know if her condition will stay.. or become worse.. we are > >expected to go back to the Dr. in 6 mos for a re-check. > > > >Anyway.. I'm still in shock over all of this.. I don't want to over > >react.. but I do have stuff available here that may help in the > >future.. > > > >Hope to hear from ya'll soon.. > > > >Loni > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 In a message dated 9/23/2005 11:54:59 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, ntxdonalayo@... writes: Anyway.. I'm still in shock over all of this.. I don't want to over react.. but I do have stuff available here that may help in the future.. Loni, Pardon the incredible delay in my responding and welcoming you. I just found your email among my stack of " to respond " emails. This is a great group of people who share their highs, lows and great wealth of experiences. Pretty much all of us have been in that state of shock. So, relax, it's actually quite normal. As is the panic to try and learn everything all at once. I spent endless hours on the internet researching and trying to learn everything. It can become overwhelming. Take a break, ask us questions .. we'll try and steer you in the right direction. Don't be afraid to ask us questions. We've all asked what we think are silly questions, but honestly, any question is valid. The acronyms get confusing, the process of classifying our kids and keeping an eye on their IEPs can be frustrating ... there's a lot to this so don't feel you have to master it overnight. Every kid is different, so every parent's solution and choices are different. What's right is what works for YOUR kid. So, we'll share advice and stories but don't feel you have to follow Like you, my son's diagnosis came quite late when compared to kids now. There was no new-born screening when he was born,. besides, he probably would have passed it. Ian was about 7½ and due to an idiot ENT/audi, it took about another year to correctly diagnosis the extent of his hearing loss. In retrospect, I wonder how I could have missed it. Our son Ian is now 15, a sophomore in high school. He has a progressive bilateral conductive moderate loss. He is aided in both ears and has a personal FM system that he uses in school. He is classified under 504 (not IDEA, but he use to be) and receives the service of a TOD (teacher of the deaf) who is also called an HI (hearing itinerent) or HIRS (hearing impaired related service) depending on your state and district. We're in NY. We also have a hearing daughter who prefers to ignores me. (wink) She is now 11 and thinks she's 21. Ah, to be so brilliant and know everything -- becoming a grownup is so limiting. I should have stayed 11. (grin) Ian is very verbal. Since he was born hearing, he was raised as a hearing child -- completely oral. But we are now learning and he is completely open to it. In fact, he enjoys it because we can " talk " in places where it is rude to do so -- museums, church, across crowded rooms. So, for the question about learning to sign, my response is " why not? " Language in any form is wonderful. ASL is a pretty language and well worth learning. Being able to clarify what is misheard is great -- I'm really enjoying being able to sign. And if your daughter likes dogs and would work with a helper dog, why not? Even if the dog is home-trained and not an official working dog, it certainly couldn't hurt. A lot of these decision will depend on what she responds to, what she likes. When we started our journey, Ian hated the idea of signing. Resented what it represented for his future. He wanted his hearing back. As time went by, he has become more successful in school, more comfortable with his aids, his technology and his life, he became open to learning to sign. So, now we're learning as a family. As he has changed, so have we. It's a process. And it sounds like you are on the right track. This is a great place to find out loads of information Everything from how people like different brands of hearing aids, to how to potty train a D/HOH kid. Ask questions, share stories ... it's why we come here. Best -- Jill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 , I don't recall you sharing how old is? My daughter is 3. The first surgery in July she knew something was up as we toured the hospital the afternoon before. She had limited sign lang. vocab. and no oral language we could only get across to her that we were to visit the Dr. and he was to give her a new " hearing aid " like the ones in the picuture from the freedom brochure. This second surgery was in October. She now has a much more fluent language base both in sign and oral receptive and she Loves her freedom processor. I did not tell her anything about the surgery ahead of time. I reasoned why have her worry and experience fear ahead of time. When we woke up early to leave for the hospital I shared with her we were to leave to get another " ear " like her first one. She didnt react until we were changing her into the pj's at the hospital. I explained the best I could that she was to get another ear, it would hurt but she would have TWO now ONE TWO. She understood this and signed two ears. She became scared at this point and signed no but within minutes she was off to surgery. In recovery she signed " I want home " , and pointed to her head signing owie. It is a couple months post op now. She has viewed the pictures of the two experiences, she signs that she was sad and it hurt, than changing to a happy expression she signs two, two ears. She has not bonded yet with her newest freedom, and prefers to wear just the old one. Just one families experience Blessings Re: New to the list > > > > > > > > Hagelstein wrote: > > <<Please keep in your prayers as we approach our big day. >> > > > > > > > > Hi, . > > > > > > > > When is the big day? Is looking forward to it? > > > > > > > > I have two children, Emma (hearing) and Emmett, who is hard of > hearing. > Emmett has a profound (unaided) loss in his right ear and a mild (aided) > loss in his left ear. He'll be 4 in January. The loss was discovered > when he > was 2.5 years. > > > > > > > > We don't have any experience with a CI, but lots of families on this > list do and I'm sure can help you with any questions you might have. > > > > > > > > Best of luck to you and . > > > > Johanna > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 , I don't recall you sharing how old is? My daughter is 3. The first surgery in July she knew something was up as we toured the hospital the afternoon before. She had limited sign lang. vocab. and no oral language we could only get across to her that we were to visit the Dr. and he was to give her a new " hearing aid " like the ones in the picuture from the freedom brochure. This second surgery was in October. She now has a much more fluent language base both in sign and oral receptive and she Loves her freedom processor. I did not tell her anything about the surgery ahead of time. I reasoned why have her worry and experience fear ahead of time. When we woke up early to leave for the hospital I shared with her we were to leave to get another " ear " like her first one. She didnt react until we were changing her into the pj's at the hospital. I explained the best I could that she was to get another ear, it would hurt but she would have TWO now ONE TWO. She understood this and signed two ears. She became scared at this point and signed no but within minutes she was off to surgery. In recovery she signed " I want home " , and pointed to her head signing owie. It is a couple months post op now. She has viewed the pictures of the two experiences, she signs that she was sad and it hurt, than changing to a happy expression she signs two, two ears. She has not bonded yet with her newest freedom, and prefers to wear just the old one. Just one families experience Blessings Re: New to the list > > > > > > > > Hagelstein wrote: > > <<Please keep in your prayers as we approach our big day. >> > > > > > > > > Hi, . > > > > > > > > When is the big day? Is looking forward to it? > > > > > > > > I have two children, Emma (hearing) and Emmett, who is hard of > hearing. > Emmett has a profound (unaided) loss in his right ear and a mild (aided) > loss in his left ear. He'll be 4 in January. The loss was discovered > when he > was 2.5 years. > > > > > > > > We don't have any experience with a CI, but lots of families on this > list do and I'm sure can help you with any questions you might have. > > > > > > > > Best of luck to you and . > > > > Johanna > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 , I don't recall you sharing how old is? My daughter is 3. The first surgery in July she knew something was up as we toured the hospital the afternoon before. She had limited sign lang. vocab. and no oral language we could only get across to her that we were to visit the Dr. and he was to give her a new " hearing aid " like the ones in the picuture from the freedom brochure. This second surgery was in October. She now has a much more fluent language base both in sign and oral receptive and she Loves her freedom processor. I did not tell her anything about the surgery ahead of time. I reasoned why have her worry and experience fear ahead of time. When we woke up early to leave for the hospital I shared with her we were to leave to get another " ear " like her first one. She didnt react until we were changing her into the pj's at the hospital. I explained the best I could that she was to get another ear, it would hurt but she would have TWO now ONE TWO. She understood this and signed two ears. She became scared at this point and signed no but within minutes she was off to surgery. In recovery she signed " I want home " , and pointed to her head signing owie. It is a couple months post op now. She has viewed the pictures of the two experiences, she signs that she was sad and it hurt, than changing to a happy expression she signs two, two ears. She has not bonded yet with her newest freedom, and prefers to wear just the old one. Just one families experience Blessings Re: New to the list > > > > > > > > Hagelstein wrote: > > <<Please keep in your prayers as we approach our big day. >> > > > > > > > > Hi, . > > > > > > > > When is the big day? Is looking forward to it? > > > > > > > > I have two children, Emma (hearing) and Emmett, who is hard of > hearing. > Emmett has a profound (unaided) loss in his right ear and a mild (aided) > loss in his left ear. He'll be 4 in January. The loss was discovered > when he > was 2.5 years. > > > > > > > > We don't have any experience with a CI, but lots of families on this > list do and I'm sure can help you with any questions you might have. > > > > > > > > Best of luck to you and . > > > > Johanna > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 GOOD LUCK, TOM!!!! And to the whole Mellert family I'll be thinking of you... Stefanie on 11/15/05 8:49 AM, Barbara Mellert at Barbara.T.Mellert@... wrote: > Hi - welcome! My older son's surgery is TOMORROW! I'm so nervous > about it but excited also. I've been going through periods today > thinking " am I crazy - subjecting my healthy 13 year old to this? " but > realize it's the best thing for him. > > How old is ? You might talk with your ENT's office about ideas of > things to say to him - or perhaps your pediatrician? > > Take care > Barbara > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 15, 2005 Report Share Posted November 15, 2005 GOOD LUCK, TOM!!!! And to the whole Mellert family I'll be thinking of you... Stefanie on 11/15/05 8:49 AM, Barbara Mellert at Barbara.T.Mellert@... wrote: > Hi - welcome! My older son's surgery is TOMORROW! I'm so nervous > about it but excited also. I've been going through periods today > thinking " am I crazy - subjecting my healthy 13 year old to this? " but > realize it's the best thing for him. > > How old is ? You might talk with your ENT's office about ideas of > things to say to him - or perhaps your pediatrician? > > Take care > Barbara > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Hello everyone - my name is Kelley and I just joined the list several days ago. Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of the discovery of my breast lump - I was two weeks into a four week trial at a health club, as I had decided to 'turn my life around' and start exercising and eating healthy. I even quit smoking in an effort to get healthier. Well, I had gotten home from working out and was getting ready to take a shower when I noticed a hard lump on my right breast, it was very tender and hurt quite a bit. It wasn't there in the morning, I know, because I am in the habit of doing a breast exam every time I shower, and I did not notice a lump that morning. I thought it must have been an injury from working out, so I called my GYN and scheduled an appointment for the next day to be examined. The GYN told me the lump had nothing to do with working out, and that I needed to have a mammogram and to find a cancer surgeon. He assured me that it might very well be nothing, but we needed to rule out the worst possibilities first. A week later I had a mammogram which confirmed a mass was there in my breast. The technician assured me that finding a mass was not uncommon, and that the worst possiblity needed to be ruled out. She gave me a list of cancer surgeons to call. The first surgeon I called and visited was probably the worst doctor I have ever been to - I'd love to tell you his name, but I'd rather not go through a libel suit, so I'll just say that this disgusting person was more focused on the sexual activities of my past than the breast lump and biopsy I needed. I had had several miscarriages over the years, and this so-called doctor wanted to know more about them, in detail, and never even discussed the breast lump with me until I demanded it. Needless to say, I left his office and found another doctor, a WONDERFUL doctor by the name of Campion in Hackettstown, NJ. He did an open biopsy for me... During the open biopsy, Dr. Campion discovered a large blood clot where my lump was - he said that most likely that was the cause of my lump, not to worry, it would all be over once he removed it. Suddenly the room got very silent, and remained that way for about 20 minutes while the surgeon removed what I thought was merely a blood clot. After the surgery, he told my husband and me that beneath the blood clot he discovered what was most likely to be a cancerous tumor. Tests confirmed later on that it was indeed a cancerous tumor, and that the tumor itself was almost 2cm in size. I had some options: masectomy and removal of 22+ lymph nodes and 2- 3 chemotherapy treatments, OR lumpectomy, removal of the sentinal node, 5-6 chemotherapy treatments and radiation. I chose the latter; I wanted to keep my breast, even if it meant more chemo plus radiation. I decided that radiating my lymph nodes was risky, but at least I'd still have them and not have to risk lymphadema. I had 6 chemotherapy treatments, 3 weeks apart each, and all the while I maintained a fulltime job. My boss allowed me to work from home the week of each chemo treatment. Working kept me sane; I was a team leader and was involved in several projects, so I was always busy. I opted not to wear a wig... I did buy two, because our insurance covered the costs and I decided that there might be days when I'd want hair, but I never wore them to work. I became an expert at tying bandanas... and color-coordinated them with my outfits. I work for the military, so being without hair wasn't something that made me stand out. And many of the military personnel I worked with were highly supportive - they are wonderful people. I had 6 weeks of radiation, which began shortly after my last chemotherapy treatment. A word of caution: be aware that you risk thyroid cancer when you have radiation treatments! I just recently had a BIG scare with my thyroid, my doctor found a nodule and after some tests determined it was only a benign cyst. Whew! But the possibility of it being thyroid cancer was very real. There were many things which kept me going and held me together during my 'ordeal' - I kept a positive attitude, no matter how bad the news got, I always remained positive. I had a photograph of Bora Bora on my computer desktop - during low periods I would spend a few moments just looking at the beauty of that photograph, sinking myself into it, reminding myself that there is so much beauty in this world I have left to see and that everything I was going through was going to help me to survive. I plan on going to Bora Bora in the near future... And cooking helped me, too. Though the chemo destroyed my taste buds, I learned how to cook using my sense of smell which, it turns out, improved my cooking skills greatly. I spent many hours on my couch, unable to move, watching the Food Network and Ray, and learned a lot about cooking. I created my own 'positive' out of the negative of having cancer. My advise to anyone who has just begun this process: keep positive, find your strength, meet every challenge head-on and reward yourself for your bravery. You deserve it! Take any help offered to you, no matter how proud you may be. And keep in mind that those who love you don't know what to do for you, and even though they may burden you with worry, they care and need to do something, ANYTHING to help you. One of my sisters would take my teenage daughter shopping after my chemo treatments so that she wouldn't have to be home to see me in the condition I was in... One of my friends would visit me on the 'worst' day of the treatments to bring me milkshakes (the only thing I could bring myself to ingest)... My mother would call the night before my treatments to tell me she loved me... All of these things helped me, and helped them, to get through this. Every day counts - every single day counts - so take every single day on its own, focus on that one day only. Tomorrow comes soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 yes hats off to your upbeat attitude!~ thats half the battle. i am remembering being able to talk about my condition to friends, family or whoever asked was a great source of comfort to me. getting what was i was scared about off my chest, no pun intended:) this site was the best thing since chicken soup for me. i am the type of person that thinks negetive until i get the facts which is not good. -- Re: New to the List Welcome Kelley, You have a great attitude and thats half the battle. I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html BreastCancerStories.com http://www.breastcancerstories.com/content/view/433/161/ Angel Feather Loomer www.angelfeatherloomer.blogspot.com Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com New to the List Hello everyone - my name is Kelley and I just joined the list several days ago. Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of the discovery of my breast lump - I was two weeks into a four week trial at a health club, as I had decided to 'turn my life around' and start exercising and eating healthy. I even quit smoking in an effort to get healthier. Well, I had gotten home from working out and was getting ready to take a shower when I noticed a hard lump on my right breast, it was very tender and hurt quite a bit. It wasn't there in the morning, I know, because I am in the habit of doing a breast exam every time I shower, and I did not notice a lump that morning. I thought it must have been an injury from working out, so I called my GYN and scheduled an appointment for the next day to be examined. The GYN told me the lump had nothing to do with working out, and that I needed to have a mammogram and to find a cancer surgeon. He assured me that it might very well be nothing, but we needed to rule out the worst possibilities first. A week later I had a mammogram which confirmed a mass was there in my breast. The technician assured me that finding a mass was not uncommon, and that the worst possiblity needed to be ruled out. She gave me a list of cancer surgeons to call. The first surgeon I called and visited was probably the worst doctor I have ever been to - I'd love to tell you his name, but I'd rather not go through a libel suit, so I'll just say that this disgusting person was more focused on the sexual activities of my past than the breast lump and biopsy I needed. I had had several miscarriages over the years, and this so-called doctor wanted to know more about them, in detail, and never even discussed the breast lump with me until I demanded it. Needless to say, I left his office and found another doctor, a WONDERFUL doctor by the name of Campion in Hackettstown, NJ. He did an open biopsy for me... During the open biopsy, Dr. Campion discovered a large blood clot where my lump was - he said that most likely that was the cause of my lump, not to worry, it would all be over once he removed it. Suddenly the room got very silent, and remained that way for about 20 minutes while the surgeon removed what I thought was merely a blood clot. After the surgery, he told my husband and me that beneath the blood clot he discovered what was most likely to be a cancerous tumor. Tests confirmed later on that it was indeed a cancerous tumor, and that the tumor itself was almost 2cm in size. I had some options: masectomy and removal of 22+ lymph nodes and 2- 3 chemotherapy treatments, OR lumpectomy, removal of the sentinal node, 5-6 chemotherapy treatments and radiation. I chose the latter; I wanted to keep my breast, even if it meant more chemo plus radiation. I decided that radiating my lymph nodes was risky, but at least I'd still have them and not have to risk lymphadema. I had 6 chemotherapy treatments, 3 weeks apart each, and all the while I maintained a fulltime job. My boss allowed me to work from home the week of each chemo treatment. Working kept me sane; I was a team leader and was involved in several projects, so I was always busy. I opted not to wear a wig... I did buy two, because our insurance covered the costs and I decided that there might be days when I'd want hair, but I never wore them to work. I became an expert at tying bandanas... and color-coordinated them with my outfits. I work for the military, so being without hair wasn't something that made me stand out. And many of the military personnel I worked with were highly supportive - they are wonderful people. I had 6 weeks of radiation, which began shortly after my last chemotherapy treatment. A word of caution: be aware that you risk thyroid cancer when you have radiation treatments! I just recently had a BIG scare with my thyroid, my doctor found a nodule and after some tests determined it was only a benign cyst. Whew! But the possibility of it being thyroid cancer was very real. There were many things which kept me going and held me together during my 'ordeal' - I kept a positive attitude, no matter how bad the news got, I always remained positive. I had a photograph of Bora Bora on my computer desktop - during low periods I would spend a few moments just looking at the beauty of that photograph, sinking myself into it, reminding myself that there is so much beauty in this world I have left to see and that everything I was going through was going to help me to survive. I plan on going to Bora Bora in the near future... And cooking helped me, too. Though the chemo destroyed my taste buds, I learned how to cook using my sense of smell which, it turns out, improved my cooking skills greatly. I spent many hours on my couch, unable to move, watching the Food Network and Ray, and learned a lot about cooking. I created my own 'positive' out of the negative of having cancer. My advise to anyone who has just begun this process: keep positive, find your strength, meet every challenge head-on and reward yourself for your bravery. You deserve it! Take any help offered to you, no matter how proud you may be. And keep in mind that those who love you don't know what to do for you, and even though they may burden you with worry, they care and need to do something, ANYTHING to help you. One of my sisters would take my teenage daughter shopping after my chemo treatments so that she wouldn't have to be home to see me in the condition I was in... One of my friends would visit me on the 'worst' day of the treatments to bring me milkshakes (the only thing I could bring myself to ingest)... My mother would call the night before my treatments to tell me she loved me... All of these things helped me, and helped them, to get through this. Every day counts - every single day counts - so take every single day on its own, focus on that one day only. Tomorrow comes soon enough. ---------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.407 / Virus Database: 268.12.12/462 - Release Date: 10/3/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Dear Kelley, Welcome to a wonderful group of some of the greatest (and most beautiful) women in the world. (heehee) I enjoyed reading your story, although not about your experience(s). I can empathize with you and admire you for standing up for yourself and getting the best care you deserve. I wish you all the best in your continued good health and look forward to reading your posts In the future. Best, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Hi Kelley, My ordeal started much the same as yours. I joined Curves last May in an attempt to lose weight and tone up. Every time after I worked out though, I would really hurt and could hardly move. I went to the doctor regarding a lump that I found. Had a mammo and ultra sound. I saw a surgeon and had another ulltra sound and biopsy. All was fine but now I'm waiting until December for another ultra sound. Missy kelleyglass wrote: Hello everyone - my name is Kelley and I just joined the list several days ago. Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of the discovery of my breast lump - I was two weeks into a four week trial at a health club, as I had decided to 'turn my life around' and start exercising and eating healthy. I even quit smoking in an effort to get healthier. Well, I had gotten home from working out and was getting ready to take a shower when I noticed a hard lump on my right breast, it was very tender and hurt quite a bit. It wasn't there in the morning, I know, because I am in the habit of doing a breast exam every time I shower, and I did not notice a lump that morning. I thought it must have been an injury from working out, so I called my GYN and scheduled an appointment for the next day to be examined. The GYN told me the lump had nothing to do with working out, and that I needed to have a mammogram and to find a cancer surgeon. He assured me that it might very well be nothing, but we needed to rule out the worst possibilities first. A week later I had a mammogram which confirmed a mass was there in my breast. The technician assured me that finding a mass was not uncommon, and that the worst possiblity needed to be ruled out. She gave me a list of cancer surgeons to call. The first surgeon I called and visited was probably the worst doctor I have ever been to - I'd love to tell you his name, but I'd rather not go through a libel suit, so I'll just say that this disgusting person was more focused on the sexual activities of my past than the breast lump and biopsy I needed. I had had several miscarriages over the years, and this so-called doctor wanted to know more about them, in detail, and never even discussed the breast lump with me until I demanded it. Needless to say, I left his office and found another doctor, a WONDERFUL doctor by the name of Campion in Hackettstown, NJ. He did an open biopsy for me... During the open biopsy, Dr. Campion discovered a large blood clot where my lump was - he said that most likely that was the cause of my lump, not to worry, it would all be over once he removed it. Suddenly the room got very silent, and remained that way for about 20 minutes while the surgeon removed what I thought was merely a blood clot. After the surgery, he told my husband and me that beneath the blood clot he discovered what was most likely to be a cancerous tumor. Tests confirmed later on that it was indeed a cancerous tumor, and that the tumor itself was almost 2cm in size. I had some options: masectomy and removal of 22+ lymph nodes and 2- 3 chemotherapy treatments, OR lumpectomy, removal of the sentinal node, 5-6 chemotherapy treatments and radiation. I chose the latter; I wanted to keep my breast, even if it meant more chemo plus radiation. I decided that radiating my lymph nodes was risky, but at least I'd still have them and not have to risk lymphadema. I had 6 chemotherapy treatments, 3 weeks apart each, and all the while I maintained a fulltime job. My boss allowed me to work from home the week of each chemo treatment. Working kept me sane; I was a team leader and was involved in several projects, so I was always busy. I opted not to wear a wig... I did buy two, because our insurance covered the costs and I decided that there might be days when I'd want hair, but I never wore them to work. I became an expert at tying bandanas... and color-coordinated them with my outfits. I work for the military, so being without hair wasn't something that made me stand out. And many of the military personnel I worked with were highly supportive - they are wonderful people. I had 6 weeks of radiation, which began shortly after my last chemotherapy treatment. A word of caution: be aware that you risk thyroid cancer when you have radiation treatments! I just recently had a BIG scare with my thyroid, my doctor found a nodule and after some tests determined it was only a benign cyst. Whew! But the possibility of it being thyroid cancer was very real. There were many things which kept me going and held me together during my 'ordeal' - I kept a positive attitude, no matter how bad the news got, I always remained positive. I had a photograph of Bora Bora on my computer desktop - during low periods I would spend a few moments just looking at the beauty of that photograph, sinking myself into it, reminding myself that there is so much beauty in this world I have left to see and that everything I was going through was going to help me to survive. I plan on going to Bora Bora in the near future... And cooking helped me, too. Though the chemo destroyed my taste buds, I learned how to cook using my sense of smell which, it turns out, improved my cooking skills greatly. I spent many hours on my couch, unable to move, watching the Food Network and Ray, and learned a lot about cooking. I created my own 'positive' out of the negative of having cancer. My advise to anyone who has just begun this process: keep positive, find your strength, meet every challenge head-on and reward yourself for your bravery. You deserve it! Take any help offered to you, no matter how proud you may be. And keep in mind that those who love you don't know what to do for you, and even though they may burden you with worry, they care and need to do something, ANYTHING to help you. One of my sisters would take my teenage daughter shopping after my chemo treatments so that she wouldn't have to be home to see me in the condition I was in... One of my friends would visit me on the 'worst' day of the treatments to bring me milkshakes (the only thing I could bring myself to ingest)... My mother would call the night before my treatments to tell me she loved me... All of these things helped me, and helped them, to get through this. Every day counts - every single day counts - so take every single day on its own, focus on that one day only. Tomorrow comes soon enough. --------------------------------- Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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