kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,513
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Oct 10, 2016 18:23:09 GMT
I'm so sorry. Praying that you get through it all safely and as easily as possible.
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Judy26
Pearl Clutcher
MOTFY Bitchy Nursemaid
Posts: 2,834
Location: NW PA
Jun 25, 2014 23:50:38 GMT
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Post by Judy26 on Oct 10, 2016 18:35:30 GMT
Prayers for a speedy cure and complete recovery!
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Post by ametallichick on Oct 10, 2016 18:42:13 GMT
I have no words of advice to give to you. Just wishing you a painless recovery and (((HUGS)))!
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Post by uksue on Oct 10, 2016 18:55:53 GMT
I'm sorry for your situation . I was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year following routine smear and Colon cancer 6 years before that from a yearly colonoscopy . Thank heavens for these early warning systems eh?
I will be thinking of you and sending you my prayers . We have specialist nurses called Macmillan nurses here who helped me navigate the maze of treatment etc- I hope you have something similar .
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Post by kernriver on Oct 10, 2016 18:56:02 GMT
Happened to me on my FIRST mammogram!
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Post by leannec on Oct 10, 2016 19:02:52 GMT
No advice, but I'm sending lots of hugs your way. From me too!!!
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Oct 10, 2016 19:04:19 GMT
wow, I'm sorry you were blindsided by this news like that, too! But good for you for going to get the mammogram, so that you get early treatment!!
I haven't read the entire thread yet, so this might be a repeat, but- Take someone with you to your doctor appointments, so you have another set of ears for listening / asking questions / taking notes.
And write your questions down as you think of them, then take that list with you to the appointment. When I went to the oncologist, there were things I knew I wanted to make sure I asked about, but I couldn't remember them during the appointment- I'd remember them afterward.
And don't think that ANY question you have is too small to ask about- that's what the oncologist and your entire treatment team is there for, to make sure you know everything you need to, and to treat you as a whole person, not just your individual body part(s).
(((BIG HUGS))) to you as you navigate through the process of handling your diagnosis and treatment plan. (depending on how you handle stress, I would also recommend making sure you do things to try and relax & take care of yourself, too- bubble bath, massage, etc. I did a lot of written and art journaling. Honestly, I have quite a few pages in my journal from that time that are full of scribbled black crayon and scribbled doodling- it helped me to feel better while I was doing it.)
ETA: the idea of having everything collected in a folder is a good one. That way if you have to call the insurance company, any doctors, etc. you'll have all the information and explanation of benefits in one place. A purse-sized notebook or journal is a good idea, that way you can carry it with you to appointments easily, but also have it with you most of the time. Sometimes those questions pop into our heads at the oddest moments. Write it down as soon as you think of it.
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Post by femalebusiness on Oct 10, 2016 19:12:04 GMT
Early detection is everything. I hope time flies for you until you get to the other side of this.
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,726
Jun 27, 2014 20:37:34 GMT
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Post by purplebee on Oct 10, 2016 19:17:01 GMT
So sorry...sending hugs and prayers.
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nylene
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,454
Jun 28, 2014 14:59:59 GMT
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Post by nylene on Oct 10, 2016 19:49:43 GMT
I am so sorry. What a shocker when it was just routine. Sending hugs and prayers and good thoughts for a quick recovery and a calm heart.
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River
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,507
Location: Alabama
Jun 26, 2014 15:26:04 GMT
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Post by River on Oct 10, 2016 20:21:49 GMT
I'm so sorry you got this news. Thank you so much for posting to us about it though! We all need an eye opening post like this to drill home how important these routine test are!
I pray it's early stages for you, you will be in my thoughts and prayers as you go through the next steps of kicking cancers butt!
From my experience, you've already gotten most of the advice I wanted to share. My demon was ovarian cancer (3 year survivor), so a bit different. I was referred straight to a GYN oncologist the same day I got the results, then surgery 3 days later. I had no time to process it. I'm not sure if I consider that a blessing or not. The same oncologist did my surgery, so I didn't deal with a lot of different doctors for my cancer. However, I had unexpected health issues arise directly after surgery that did require many different doctors. I ended up at Mayo Clinic with a team from head to foot.
My phone was my best tool! What I haven't seen any one mention is, ask your doctor for permission to voice record your appointments. Most of my doctors including my oncologist allowed me to voice record (not video record). It was GREAT to be able to listen to all the information and answers to my questions over and over again. I just couldn't keep up with trying to listen, absorb and ask questions. I always had my DH with me to take notes, but he'd miss some things.
I either typed or recorded questions on my phone as I had them. I did carry a small notebook in my purse also, but my phone was my biggest asset!
As soon as they gave me an appointment, I put it in my phones calendar. Writing it down was my back up.
Google was my best friend, but not in the research aspect! I got copies of test, doctors notes, anything they'd give me and put it on google docs. I used google drive, google email, google calendar, you get the idea. Lol. I was able to share that with DH so he had all the information at hand also.
Take comfort in all the survivors stories! They've beat it and you can too!
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Post by craftsbycarolyn on Oct 10, 2016 20:39:53 GMT
All the best wishes for a full recovery.
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Post by terri on Oct 10, 2016 21:11:15 GMT
Oh my gosh - I can't imagine how shocking this must have been. I know many peas know way more than me on this subject so I am going to focus on keeping you in my prayers and thoughts. Please post here whenever you need to talk. I'll be rooting for you as I know the Pea community will be.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Oct 10, 2016 21:29:50 GMT
Oh Man.
That sucks.
Sending you healthy wishes.
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Post by gailoh on Oct 10, 2016 22:06:10 GMT
Had mine last Thursday, waiting for the test results to get back...hope all will be ok for you...hugs
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
Jun 26, 2014 0:30:34 GMT
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Post by finaledition on Oct 11, 2016 2:31:57 GMT
I'm so sorry you are having to go through this. As a poster stated above, I hope that you get a plan in place and get to the other side quickly. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
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Post by jmd74 on Oct 11, 2016 3:14:50 GMT
I'm so sorry! Thank goodness for mammograms though.i am sending healing and comforting thoughts your way. Big hugs!
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Post by mellyw on Oct 11, 2016 5:25:13 GMT
I'm sorry, sending huge hugs your way.
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Oct 11, 2016 8:59:06 GMT
Hugs to you.
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nopeaq
Junior Member
Posts: 89
Jun 27, 2014 12:15:06 GMT
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Post by nopeaq on Oct 11, 2016 9:22:48 GMT
Oh my gosh. Peas! Thank you so much for all the support, kind words, advice, and shared experience.
My appointment yesterday went really well. I feel a deep sense of relief. Stage 1A. At this point, the plan is a lumpectomy followed by radiation with the understanding that this may change if anything new is learned. I have an MRI scheduled. My current hope is that no unknown bad stuff shows up on there!
My dh is my loving and scared other "set of ears" and I have told him that this level of nice he has ramped up to is going to wear him out and make him resent me. (Not that he isn't usually nice but seriously -- I keep teasing him that he can't maintain.) He is taking the news hard.
Our kids did well yesterday. DD said, "Mom, I didn't want to say anything but I already figured you had breast cancer because of that biopsy." DS was shaken but reassured when I told him that it was the best news I could be telling him given the situation.
I told all of my immediate family yesterday and will let my workmates know today. For me, it's just easier to have it out there. Plus, who knows? Maybe someone else will do something to take care of themselves as a result. I am a doctor-reticent person who is healthy overall and am really glad that I had a mammogram like I was "supposed to .
Thank you so much for all of these posts. I can't explain how touching it is that so many of you reached out to a stranger with reassurance and support.
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nopeaq
Junior Member
Posts: 89
Jun 27, 2014 12:15:06 GMT
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Post by nopeaq on Oct 11, 2016 9:33:46 GMT
And also:
Thank you especially to those of you who offered pm communication! So many new diagnosis...diagnosises...diagnosii? (I joke because that's what I do but it really sucks.)
I did meet my nurse navigator and can already tell she is wonderful and knowledgeable.
I have a notebook/folder started.
What are your thoughts on second opinions? I went into yesterday's appointment thinking, "Now, I'll need to ask for a second opinion," but was so comfortable with and comforted by the team of people I met that I second-guess my thought and want to move forward with them.
Genetic counseling/testing is another thing on the docket.
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Post by jenjie on Oct 11, 2016 9:44:31 GMT
"My appointment yesterday went really well. I feel a deep sense of relief. Stage 1A. At this point, the plan is a lumpectomy followed by radiation with the understanding that this may change if anything new is learned."
My friend had this done, she is doing great and is considered cancer-free. She didn't have any issues with the radiation. I pray you have an equally good outcome.
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Post by christine58 on Oct 11, 2016 10:14:41 GMT
Great news!!!
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Post by monklady123 on Oct 11, 2016 12:14:51 GMT
Woo-hoo! 1A is about as good as it gets. Well, "good"... but you know what I mean. And the good thing about breast cancer, vs. cancer somewhere else in your body, is that in the end the breast is basically fat tissue. So it can be taken out totally and easily. And I always reassured myself by the fact that it is SO common that the doctors have had a lot of experience dealing with it. Now the next hard part will be just waiting until the surgery. Like I said up-thread somewhere....hurry up and wait. ugh. Good luck!
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Post by tiffanyr on Oct 11, 2016 12:19:59 GMT
What are your thoughts on second opinions? I went into yesterday's appointment thinking, "Now, I'll need to ask for a second opinion," but was so comfortable with and comforted by the team of people I met that I second-guess my thought and want to move forward with them. There is never anything wrong with getting a second opinion but I was so comfortable with my doctors (all of them) that I didn't seek a second opinion. I chose to do the genetic testing even though we determined my odds were pretty low as we mapped out my family history (and insurance would cover it). I was surprised to learn that it doesn't just effect the women...my brother would be susceptible to prostrate cancer. I have a daughter and my brother has 2 daughters so I felt it was worth it. As we suspected, my results came back negative for the gene.
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Post by mikklynn on Oct 11, 2016 12:29:49 GMT
I don't think there is always a need for a second opinion. It sounds like you are in good hands, which is awesome.
May I suggest you start a CaringBridge site? It's an easy way to keep people updated with one post, rather than one hundred phone calls. I can tell you, your DH is going to learn to HATE the phone. Tell him to feel free to shut it off at times.
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Post by anonrefugee on Oct 11, 2016 12:41:34 GMT
What mikklynn said, ask a friend to start a. Care site for you. Do not feel like it's only for hospice or a negative thing. There are many choices out there, we let the friend managing it choose which site worked best for her. You are meeting this head on, keep going!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 3:46:40 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2016 12:47:51 GMT
I'm glad your appointment went well and has given you a clearer picture of what needs to be done. You've gotten lots of awesome pea advice, too. Praying for your treatment to work and for you to come back with an all-clear report in the future!
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
RefuPea #2956
Posts: 7,759
Location: Milwaukee, WI area
Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Oct 11, 2016 12:50:19 GMT
That is a positive update! Good that you are feeling comfortable with your doctors.
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blue tulip
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,984
Jun 25, 2014 20:53:57 GMT
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Post by blue tulip on Oct 11, 2016 12:52:46 GMT
great update! you seem to be in a good frame of mind now. wishing you good luck with everything to come!
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