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Post by elaine on Mar 4, 2021 13:36:06 GMT
Good morning, everyone! Since the pod has unfortunately had a few more people join the cancer warrior club - be it their own or their family member’s diagnosis - I thought that it might be good to start another thread. We are here to provide support - emotional and informational - for everyone who participates and/or reads. A special shout-out to RedSquirrelUK, who has a journey ahead of her that we can join on. For me, it has now been almost exactly 3 years since my diagnosis. I got the official word while at a Foot Massage Salon with a good friend for my 55th birthday, but I already knew given what the radiologist who did my biopsy told me. My cancer was Estrogen +, Progesterone +, HER2 -. I originally was going to have a lumpectomy, but when the team was reviewing my slides, they found more suspicious spots that turned out to be cancer too. So, I opted for a bilateral mastectomy and don’t regret it. I did 4 rounds (every 2 weeks) of AC and 4 rounds of Taxol. No radiation was needed. I am currently on a 3-year course of Zometa infusions every 6 months to lessen chance of recurrence in the bones. I also take a anastrozole and will for a total of 10 years - I hate what an estrogen blocker does to my body, but it is worth it. I just had another major reconstruction surgery on January 25th, including swapping out my implants for a 3rd time and doing liposuction on my stomach to use the fat to fill out around the implants. 2 more weeks of sleeping on my back only and a waist binder, and then I am free again! I hope that everyone is doing well. I know that it would be helpful to RedSquirrelUK to hear more about other people’s journeys, if you are willing to share, so she knows what to expect. One of my favorite books that *really* helped me when I was first diagnosed is “Bald is Better With Earrings” - she gives great advice and treats the situation with compassion and humor, since she walked it herself.
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Post by shessoaverage on Mar 4, 2021 16:46:04 GMT
Thank you for starting this topic. I’ll go ahead and jump in. I had my yearly, 3D mammogram on 2/2. Didn’t get a call back, so, whew, was sure everything was fine, as usual. They called on the 16th to say they wanted to check something again. Still, all the info says 80% of these are nothing, and I’ve had a reduction, so things can look a little different on the X-rays
Go back, the technician sounded positive, and I went back to sit in my little dressing room cell by myself. (Thanks COVID). The technician came back. Yay, the spot was nothing, but... there’s another spot the radiologist wants to ultrasound. Then they wanted me to come back in a week for a biopsy. I was terrified, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought - ar least the procedure wasn’t. The results sucked. The radiologist called and stressed how tiny the place is, 2-3 mm. It’s positive for both hormones and HER2-. She said it might even have all been taken in the biopsy, but there’s a marker there so they can find the area for further procedures..
I’m kind of in shock. Glad it’s tiny, but scary that if the other spot hadn’t looked weird, I’d have been walking around for a year with it growing. Thank goodness for observant doctors, I guess. I’m going for my first appointment at the Women’s Cancer Center tomorrow and meeting with a surgeon. I guess we’ll go from there. DH and I are both sick and terrified, but here we are. All good thoughts and prayers welcome!
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Post by momof4grandmaof2 on Mar 4, 2021 16:57:54 GMT
I just wanted to add to Elaine's suggestion of a book to read for those going thru breast cancer. My cousin is a 2 time breast cancer survivor and wrote a very humorous book dealing with it. The book is available on amazon and is "Big C, little ta-ta" by Janet Sheppard Kelleher. She has also been featured on the today show. Just google and you can find out about her journey including her pink Mohawk. I have given this book to several friends on this journey. Praying for everyone on this journey.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,736
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
Aug 2, 2014 13:03:45 GMT
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Mar 4, 2021 18:43:34 GMT
Thank you elaine. I'm truly grateful for the welcome to the club that nobody wants to belong to. Ladies, if I Like your posts, it means I'm thankful for your input and wishing you well, not that I like that you're going or have been through this. shessoaverage (no you're not average!) Please let us know when you get a plan. I only got my plan just over a week ago, from my diagnosis on January 21st; the joys of having small, deep lymph nodes requiring 3 attempts to biopsy. I had marker clips put in as well, because this only showed up on the ultrasound and MRI. Nothing showed on the mammogram whatsoever. Goodness knows how long I've been walking around with it inside me. Scary, huh? Summary: 21st Dec saw doctor with 3 lumps over both breasts 9th Jan triple assessment (mammo, USS & biopsy) full of nasty words but nothing concrete 21st Jan diagnosed with 2 x grade 2 cancers in right breast, both ER+ & PR+, one also HER2+. Lymph node biopsy inconclusive so attempt #2 28th Jan breast MRI 11th Feb results = left breast clear, right breast an additional area which they're treating as a 3rd cancer. Total area now 4.7cm. I didn't realise I had that much breast! Lymph node biopsy #2 inconclusive 16th Feb lymph node biopsy #3 23rd Feb biopsy results = clear. Plan for simple mastectomy & sentinel node removal, chemo including Perjeta & Herceptin for 6-12 months, then radiotherapy, then hormone treatment, then breast reconstruction 10th March surgery...
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Post by liya on Mar 4, 2021 19:13:53 GMT
Feeling good now but...
Aug 2019-Routine mammogram all clear Sept 2019-Felt something in my left breast. Gyn ordered repeat mammo and u/s. Radiologist thought the lump I felt was "nothing to worry about" but found another spot on the repeat mammogram. Oct 2019-Biopsy of both areas done. Original area benign. Second area cancer. DCIS/Stage 0 Bilateral MRI ordered. They did not like the results of the right sided MRI so MRI guided biopsy on the right side. (2 MRIs done one diagnostic and one for biopsy-I hate them. The doctor had trouble getting the biopsy done and I was in there for hours.) Right sided biopsy benign. Meet with surgeon. Nov 2019-Lumpectomy (no lymph node surgery necessary)Pathology showed the area was 4.5cm!!! Estrogen-/Progesterone- Dec 2019-No chemo necessary and margins clear January 2020-Start 24 rounds of radiation. My radiation oncologist told me the cancer was aggressive. So I believe it grew to 4.5cm from the time I had my mammogram to surgery. Also I thought they missed it in the August mammogram but maybe it just was not there.
So that is my story in a long nutshell.
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Post by stampnscrap1128 on Mar 4, 2021 20:01:22 GMT
It's been a year since I was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma - a rare type of cancer. I had my lumpectomy in March 2020 and had 20 rounds of radiation, ending at the end of May. I have been taking Letrozole every day and will for 4 more years. In the past week I've had a lot of tenderness in one area of the breast that suffered some radiation burns so I'm figuring it is tissue that has been slow in healing. I see my oncologist next week and will ask him if it is still bothering me. I am also having some carpal tunnel pain in the left hand but I'm not sure if that is from the medication or from holding my phone, etc.
The other constant side effect is fatigue. I still suffer from it badly and it does not help that I get very little rest now that I have to be a caregiver 24/7 to my husband who is now on hospice. His ALS is end stage so I have to do every single thing for him.
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Post by miaow on Mar 4, 2021 20:35:28 GMT
Thank you for starting this again, Elaine!
I had a “normal” mammogram in November 2016. A few weeks later the breast health clinic called and said they thought I should have a baseline MRI to have on file. I did that and they found something that they biopsied.
It has been four years since my lumpectomy (I was told that the biopsy wasn’t cancer, just suspicious cells) sentinel lymph node removal, and 30 radiation treatments. I was stage 1a, ER+, PR +, HER2-. I have been taking Anastrozole and will take it for 15 more months according to the current guidelines. I now have an MRI every May in addition to a mammogram every November. I see my surgeon, oncologist and radiologist every six months.
I did have an interesting experience being the first person at this hospital to have the Savi inserted. My surgeon said she had practiced all weekend on chicken breasts. It is quite interesting to walk into the room with many folks in suits, as well as numerous doctors in attendance to see this.
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Post by Baseballmom23 on Mar 4, 2021 21:13:34 GMT
I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer (high grade papillary serous carcinoma) in November 2017. I had a total hysterectomy. Since that time, I have gone through three different courses of chemo and a PARP inhibitor. I am currently on my four round of chemo and it is ongoing & indefinite at this point.
Please be aware that ovarian cancer IS NOT something that is checked for during your annual pap test. I "found" mine while doing yoga; I was lying face down and felt a lump. The symptoms often mimic menopause (and I was of that age).
(((hugs))) to everyone who is either a cancer warrior or a loved one helping through the battle.
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Post by katyscrap on Mar 4, 2021 21:45:04 GMT
I just had my 3 month follow up for my bladder cancer and there are no new tumors but my bladder is full of what looks like red spider veins so I go back next month to check on them.
Going on 4 years since diagnosis and I feel great other than peeing a lot, lol. My bladder and ureter are shot.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Mar 4, 2021 22:20:23 GMT
I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer (high grade papillary serous carcinoma) in November 2017. I had a total hysterectomy. Since that time, I have gone through three different courses of chemo and a PARP inhibitor. I am currently on my four round of chemo and it is ongoing & indefinite at this point. Please be aware that ovarian cancer IS NOT something that is checked for during your annual pap test. I "found" mine while doing yoga; I was lying face down and felt a lump. The symptoms often mimic menopause (and I was of that age). (((hugs))) to everyone who is either a cancer warrior or a loved one helping through the battle. I am sorry you have it but thrilled you found it and are doing ok. I lost my mom to it and I love hearing about ovarian warriors!
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Post by Baseballmom23 on Mar 5, 2021 2:39:00 GMT
I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer (high grade papillary serous carcinoma) in November 2017. I had a total hysterectomy. Since that time, I have gone through three different courses of chemo and a PARP inhibitor. I am currently on my four round of chemo and it is ongoing & indefinite at this point. Please be aware that ovarian cancer IS NOT something that is checked for during your annual pap test. I "found" mine while doing yoga; I was lying face down and felt a lump. The symptoms often mimic menopause (and I was of that age). (((hugs))) to everyone who is either a cancer warrior or a loved one helping through the battle. I am sorry you have it but thrilled you found it and are doing ok. I lost my mom to it and I love hearing about ovarian warriors! (((hugs))) Elannah.
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Post by mom on Mar 5, 2021 3:01:47 GMT
Sending love & prayers to all of you. Please know we Peas are here for you!
I havent had cancer, but my dad is a breast cancer survivor for 2 years now. His was estrogen + (and something else, but cant recall right now). He had a mastectomy and had 3 lymph nodes removed and thankfully they got all of his with that. He's doing good overall but he's struggled with depression. He's the only male in his 'breast cancer survivor' group and its lonely for him. He's in his later 70's and having hot flashes and its just frustrating for him. But otherwise, he is good. Still taking his medicines and shots and getting his scans.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,736
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
Aug 2, 2014 13:03:45 GMT
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Mar 5, 2021 9:35:59 GMT
mom's post made think of a question. I was told that the chemo would be a medical menopause. I'm already peri-menopausal with periods all over the place, and the hot flushes are horrible at the moment - 17-odd a day and waking me up every hour-and-a-half at night. I'm tired out. Will the medical menopause make those go away? Please say yes!
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Post by elaine on Mar 5, 2021 14:53:44 GMT
Thank you for starting this topic. I’ll go ahead and jump in. I had my yearly, 3D mammogram on 2/2. Didn’t get a call back, so, whew, was sure everything was fine, as usual. They called on the 16th to say they wanted to check something again. Still, all the info says 80% of these are nothing, and I’ve had a reduction, so things can look a little different on the X-rays Go back, the technician sounded positive, and I went back to sit in my little dressing room cell by myself. (Thanks COVID). The technician came back. Yay, the spot was nothing, but... there’s another spot the radiologist wants to ultrasound. Then they wanted me to come back in a week for a biopsy. I was terrified, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought - ar least the procedure wasn’t. The results sucked. The radiologist called and stressed how tiny the place is, 2-3 mm. It’s positive for both hormones and HER2-. She said it might even have all been taken in the biopsy, but there’s a marker there so they can find the area for further procedures.. I’m kind of in shock. Glad it’s tiny, but scary that if the other spot hadn’t looked weird, I’d have been walking around for a year with it growing. Thank goodness for observant doctors, I guess. I’m going for my first appointment at the Women’s Cancer Center tomorrow and meeting with a surgeon. I guess we’ll go from there. DH and I are both sick and terrified, but here we are. All good thoughts and prayers welcome! Hugs! It *is* scary, no matter how small the tumor, when you are told that you have cancer. I am glad that you are going to the Cancer Center today, and I hope that you will let us know how it goes. (((Hugs))))
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Post by elaine on Mar 5, 2021 14:58:44 GMT
Feeling good now but... Aug 2019-Routine mammogram all clear Sept 2019-Felt something in my left breast. Gyn ordered repeat mammo and u/s. Radiologist thought the lump I felt was "nothing to worry about" but found another spot on the repeat mammogram. Oct 2019-Biopsy of both areas done. Original area benign. Second area cancer. DCIS/Stage 0 Bilateral MRI ordered. They did not like the results of the right sided MRI so MRI guided biopsy on the right side. (2 MRIs done one diagnostic and one for biopsy-I hate them. The doctor had trouble getting the biopsy done and I was in there for hours.) Right sided biopsy benign. Meet with surgeon. Nov 2019-Lumpectomy (no lymph node surgery necessary)Pathology showed the area was 4.5cm!!! Estrogen-/Progesterone- Dec 2019-No chemo necessary and margins clear January 2020-Start 24 rounds of radiation. My radiation oncologist told me the cancer was aggressive. So I believe it grew to 4.5cm from the time I had my mammogram to surgery. Also I thought they missed it in the August mammogram but maybe it just was not there. So that is my story in a long nutshell. (((Hugs))) Hormone - cancers can be quite aggressive, and are harder to treat in terms of chemical interventions. I’m glad that you were persistent and did find it. How was the radiation for you? How are you feeling now?
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Post by elaine on Mar 5, 2021 15:04:43 GMT
It's been a year since I was diagnosed with papillary carcinoma - a rare type of cancer. I had my lumpectomy in March 2020 and had 20 rounds of radiation, ending at the end of May. I have been taking Letrozole every day and will for 4 more years. In the past week I've had a lot of tenderness in one area of the breast that suffered some radiation burns so I'm figuring it is tissue that has been slow in healing. I see my oncologist next week and will ask him if it is still bothering me. I am also having some carpal tunnel pain in the left hand but I'm not sure if that is from the medication or from holding my phone, etc. The other constant side effect is fatigue. I still suffer from it badly and it does not help that I get very little rest now that I have to be a caregiver 24/7 to my husband who is now on hospice. His ALS is end stage so I have to do every single thing for him. I am so sorry. What a huge burden. ALS is one of the cruelest of all diseases. One of my dh’s best friends from college (married to another of his best friends) died from it 5 years ago. It was so much work for the wife to help provide that level of care needed near the end, even with a nurse who came in daily. I find that the anastrozole, same type of drug as letrozole, has messed with my sleep so badly. I have the hardest time getting more than 4 hours of sleep per night. Which doesn’t help with the fatigue. I hope that your oncologist is able to help with the pain and the fatigue.
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Post by elaine on Mar 5, 2021 15:10:33 GMT
Thank you for starting this again, Elaine! I had a “normal” mammogram in November 2016. A few weeks later the breast health clinic called and said they thought I should have a baseline MRI to have on file. I did that and they found something that they biopsied. It has been four years since my lumpectomy (I was told that the biopsy wasn’t cancer, just suspicious cells) sentinel lymph node removal, and 30 radiation treatments. I was stage 1a, ER+, PR +, HER2-. I have been taking Anastrozole and will take it for 15 more months according to the current guidelines. I now have an MRI every May in addition to a mammogram every November. I see my surgeon, oncologist and radiologist every six months. I did have an interesting experience being the first person at this hospital to have the Savi inserted. My surgeon said she had practiced all weekend on chicken breasts. It is quite interesting to walk into the room with many folks in suits, as well as numerous doctors in attendance to see this. Wow! I looked up Savi and how it works - how fascinating! I am amazed at what technology and medicine can do. I go to a teaching hospital and it is always interesting when there is something interesting enough about my case that multiple people crowd into the room. 😀 I’m glad that it sounds like you are doing so well 4 years out.
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Post by withapea on Mar 5, 2021 15:12:40 GMT
I was diagnosed at the beginning of January 2020 with stage 4 lung cancer. It’s a nasty version but fortunately mine is gene related and I’ve been on targeted daily chemo since February of last year. I had radiation on my shoulder, and get regular treatments to bolster my bones from damage caused by metastasis. I’ve been doing pretty well. I’ve had a several good scans, my largest tumor shrunk significantly and many smaller tumors are gone. At my last scans there hadn’t been much change and I’ve been told that the primary mass is not going to get smaller but it’s stable and so are the bone lesions. The goal is to keep it that way as long as possible. It’s always a hold your breath and hope for the best during the testing times and trying to live to the fullest between. I have some chemo side-effects and a consistently low red and white cell counts but for the most part I’m faring well. My biggest issue is with fatigue, I’m tired all the time.
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Post by liya on Mar 5, 2021 16:08:06 GMT
Feeling good now but... Aug 2019-Routine mammogram all clear Sept 2019-Felt something in my left breast. Gyn ordered repeat mammo and u/s. Radiologist thought the lump I felt was "nothing to worry about" but found another spot on the repeat mammogram. Oct 2019-Biopsy of both areas done. Original area benign. Second area cancer. DCIS/Stage 0 Bilateral MRI ordered. They did not like the results of the right sided MRI so MRI guided biopsy on the right side. (2 MRIs done one diagnostic and one for biopsy-I hate them. The doctor had trouble getting the biopsy done and I was in there for hours.) Right sided biopsy benign. Meet with surgeon. Nov 2019-Lumpectomy (no lymph node surgery necessary)Pathology showed the area was 4.5cm!!! Estrogen-/Progesterone- Dec 2019-No chemo necessary and margins clear January 2020-Start 24 rounds of radiation. My radiation oncologist told me the cancer was aggressive. So I believe it grew to 4.5cm from the time I had my mammogram to surgery. Also I thought they missed it in the August mammogram but maybe it just was not there. So that is my story in a long nutshell. (((Hugs))) Hormone - cancers can be quite aggressive, and are harder to treat in terms of chemical interventions. I’m glad that you were persistent and did find it. How was the radiation for you? How are you feeling now? elaine Thanks for asking. I am feeling pretty good other than the waiting for the other shoe to drop-meaning recurrence will happen; but my surgeon warned me I would feel this way? I wonder if that will ever go away. I think I was lucky. I handled radiation very well. Minimal fatigue; I only took one day off from work to stay home. They scheduled my treatments for after work. It was difficult to go every day. My skin held up great-looking at it now you would not know I had any treatments.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,736
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
Aug 2, 2014 13:03:45 GMT
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Mar 5, 2021 17:29:50 GMT
shessoaverage - how did your appointment go? I've been thinking of you and sending up prayers.
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Post by elaine on Mar 5, 2021 17:34:11 GMT
I just had my 3 month follow up for my bladder cancer and there are no new tumors but my bladder is full of what looks like red spider veins so I go back next month to check on them. Going on 4 years since diagnosis and I feel great other than peeing a lot, lol. My bladder and ureter are shot. I hope that the check up goes well. It is always concerning when they find something “not normal.” (((Hugs))) I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer (high grade papillary serous carcinoma) in November 2017. I had a total hysterectomy. Since that time, I have gone through three different courses of chemo and a PARP inhibitor. I am currently on my four round of chemo and it is ongoing & indefinite at this point. Please be aware that ovarian cancer IS NOT something that is checked for during your annual pap test. I "found" mine while doing yoga; I was lying face down and felt a lump. The symptoms often mimic menopause (and I was of that age). (((hugs))) to everyone who is either a cancer warrior or a loved one helping through the battle. I’m glad that you found your ovarian cancer. I’m guessing from your avatar that you carry a BRCA gene? I’m sorry that your chemotherapy continues to be ongoing - how are you feeling?
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Post by elaine on Mar 5, 2021 17:36:16 GMT
Sending love & prayers to all of you. Please know we Peas are here for you! I havent had cancer, but my dad is a breast cancer survivor for 2 years now. His was estrogen + (and something else, but cant recall right now). He had a mastectomy and had 3 lymph nodes removed and thankfully they got all of his with that. He's doing good overall but he's struggled with depression. He's the only male in his 'breast cancer survivor' group and its lonely for him. He's in his later 70's and having hot flashes and its just frustrating for him. But otherwise, he is good. Still taking his medicines and shots and getting his scans. I imagine that the psychological toll on an older man with breast cancer is serious. I’m glad that they got the cancer, but sorry that he feels so alone in it and also suffers hot flashes.
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Post by elaine on Mar 5, 2021 17:40:17 GMT
I was diagnosed at the beginning of January 2020 with stage 4 lung cancer. It’s a nasty version but fortunately mine is gene related and I’ve been on targeted daily chemo since February of last year. I had radiation on my shoulder, and get regular treatments to bolster my bones from damage caused by metastasis. I’ve been doing pretty well. I’ve had a several good scans, my largest tumor shrunk significantly and many smaller tumors are gone. At my last scans there hadn’t been much change and I’ve been told that the primary mass is not going to get smaller but it’s stable and so are the bone lesions. The goal is to keep it that way as long as possible. It’s always a hold your breath and hope for the best during the testing times and trying to live to the fullest between. I have some chemo side-effects and a consistently low red and white cell counts but for the most part I’m faring well. My biggest issue is with fatigue, I’m tired all the time. I am in awe of your strength! You have handled this with so much grace and determination. I’m happy to hear that some tumors have disappeared and that the others are stable. I’m sorry to hear about the fatigue - chemo gave me anemia too and sometimes it was hard to even walk up the stairs. (((Hugs)))
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Post by elaine on Mar 5, 2021 17:41:45 GMT
mom 's post made think of a question. I was told that the chemo would be a medical menopause. I'm already peri-menopausal with periods all over the place, and the hot flushes are horrible at the moment - 17-odd a day and waking me up every hour-and-a-half at night. I'm tired out. Will the medical menopause make those go away? Please say yes! Your periods will most likely go away altogether, but I’m sorry to say the hot flashes will likely be worse. Mine can be awful.
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Post by cme37 on Mar 5, 2021 19:51:58 GMT
August 2016-regular mammogram -- gave myself a gold star for checking that off my list for another year 1 week later-call back for a diagnostic mammogram--dh asks if I want him to go with me. I said no, I'm sure it is nothing. There was no lump and they say most call backs are nothing. Wasn't really worried. No family history.
Go for diagnostic--get pulled into another room right after and am told I need to schedule biopsy for tomorrow. I was shell-shocked. Called dh from the parking lot and all I could get out was it is bad. Go back next day for biopsy. Get results the following day and it is good news. Good news for cancer. It was Stage 0. DCIS. It was a large area and since I was small chested, they recommended a mastectomy. 4 days after my 50th birthday I had the surgery.
I had a hell week of waiting for the final pathology, where I got a call in between from a nurse telling me they wanted me back to do the other side the next week. Freaked out. Thought for sure that it was way worse than they originally thought. (Also had a scare after my MRI where they thought they saw something on my liver. I had to wait over a weekend to find out it was a cyst.) It was finally determined that was false information and my pathology confirmed the DCIS so I did not need any other course of action besides reconstruction. It took me 4 more surgeries to get that as good as it can be.
Even though it was highly stressful, I am so thankful that it was stage 0. This August will be 5 years. I don't have to do anything but get my yearly mammogram on the other side. So far so good!
Wishing all those currently going through treatment all the good thoughts, wishes and prayers you need.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,736
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
Aug 2, 2014 13:03:45 GMT
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Mar 5, 2021 20:58:39 GMT
mom 's post made think of a question. I was told that the chemo would be a medical menopause. I'm already peri-menopausal with periods all over the place, and the hot flushes are horrible at the moment - 17-odd a day and waking me up every hour-and-a-half at night. I'm tired out. Will the medical menopause make those go away? Please say yes! Your periods will most likely go away altogether, but I’m sorry to say the hot flashes will likely be worse. Mine can be awful. Oh piffle. I didn't want to hear that. Worse than 17+ a day - truly? How many do you get? Are you frozen when you're not burning up, and still soaking through night clothes even after 3 years?
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Post by elaine on Mar 5, 2021 22:12:53 GMT
Your periods will most likely go away altogether, but I’m sorry to say the hot flashes will likely be worse. Mine can be awful. Oh piffle. I didn't want to hear that. Worse than 17+ a day - truly? How many do you get? Are you frozen when you're not burning up, and still soaking through night clothes even after 3 years? I don’t have that many per day, but I didn’t before the estrogen-blocker even though menopause had started 2 years earlier. You should talk to your oncologist about it, if it is still bothering you once chemo starts. One valuable piece of advice is to tell your oncologist EVERYTHING that is bothering you. Even if you don’t think it is in her/his wheelhouse, he/she may actually be able to help you.
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,736
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
Aug 2, 2014 13:03:45 GMT
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Mar 5, 2021 23:05:11 GMT
Oh piffle. I didn't want to hear that. Worse than 17+ a day - truly? How many do you get? Are you frozen when you're not burning up, and still soaking through night clothes even after 3 years? I don’t have that many per day, but I didn’t before the estrogen-blocker even though menopause had started 2 years earlier. You should talk to your oncologist about it, if it is still bothering you once chemo starts. One valuable piece of advice is to tell your oncologist EVERYTHING that is bothering you. Even if you don’t think it is in her/his wheelhouse, he/she may actually be able to help you. Thank you. Yes, the booklets give a number to call if there are any weird symptoms. I will.
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Post by Baseballmom23 on Mar 6, 2021 4:16:28 GMT
I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC ovarian cancer (high grade papillary serous carcinoma) in November 2017. I had a total hysterectomy. Since that time, I have gone through three different courses of chemo and a PARP inhibitor. I am currently on my four round of chemo and it is ongoing & indefinite at this point. Please be aware that ovarian cancer IS NOT something that is checked for during your annual pap test. I "found" mine while doing yoga; I was lying face down and felt a lump. The symptoms often mimic menopause (and I was of that age). (((hugs))) to everyone who is either a cancer warrior or a loved one helping through the battle. I’m glad that you found your ovarian cancer. I’m guessing from your avatar that you carry a BRCA gene? I’m sorry that your chemotherapy continues to be ongoing - how are you feeling? Thank you! I actually do not have the BRCA gene. I have had genetic testing and I am BRCA negative. My cancer is based on environmental factors (think baby powder). I use that avatar to help with awareness. I am feeling okay. Had chemo today and I am battling some mild nausea.
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Post by elaine on Mar 6, 2021 4:49:36 GMT
I’m glad that you found your ovarian cancer. I’m guessing from your avatar that you carry a BRCA gene? I’m sorry that your chemotherapy continues to be ongoing - how are you feeling? Thank you! I actually do not have the BRCA gene. I have had genetic testing and I am BRCA negative. My cancer is based on environmental factors (think baby powder). I use that avatar to help with awareness. I am feeling okay. Had chemo today and I am battling some mild nausea. Thank you for thinking of others and trying to raise awareness! ❤️ I hope they have prescribed you some good anti-nausea drugs. They make you tired, but I’ll take tired over nauseated any day.
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