Good Test Results/Happy Story

Usually I wouldn't be as inclined to share routine test results, but given
how upset everyone is, I'm hoping to be a bit of a counter-balance to the
very sad (and scary) Elizabeth Edwards story.

Background: At age 44, premenopausal, stage III, 5 tumors in left breast
(largest 3.1 cm), 1 tumor in right (just over 1 cm), 1 positive node -
60-80% survival odds, depending on which doc I asked, since my circumstances
were unusual (multifocal BC). I did a pretty darn good job of getting BC!

Bilateral mastectomies (MRM on left, simple on right), 6 months chemo (3
months AC, 3 months Taxol, on 3-week cycles), extensive left-side radiation
(5 fields, 6 weeks). Tamoxifen, then Arimidex (chemo-induced menopause).

That all started 6 and a half years ago. I'm 51 now.

I had a lung x-ray over the summer. All clear.

Had a blood test two weeks ago. All cancer-related factors normal (liver
panel, alk phos, etc.).

Had a bone scan on Wednesday. Stable/no evidence of metastatic disease.

Absent a PET scan, that's about as good assurance of remission as one is
gonna get.

I'm OK. Most of us are gonna be OK.

Since it follows up on another thread: Because of my high
triglycerides/total cholesterol, borderline high blood pressure, the recent
research about left chest radiation increasing risk of coronary artery
disease, and a body mass index just over the border into the obese range,
primary care ordered a treadmill stress test. That was today -- everything
looked normal. (It was even kind of a wussy workout, if you ask me -- the
tech wanted to stop right after I topped my age-estimated max heart rate,
and I knew I had at least another 10 BPM to go before I hit max, so I fussed
& kept walking. Jeesh.)

So . . . deep, calming breath. Repeating myself: ALMOST ALL of us are gonna
BE OK. Really!

My heart goes out to the Edwards family, regardless of whether I agree or
disagree with their politics, now that Elizabeth's come out on the unhappy
side of the odds . . . .

Ann T.
Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email

Good morning, Ann. It is always great to hear good news! Hurray and
hurray! It took me a while after my stage II diagnosis (now 23 years), not
to crash emotionally at every bit of bad news I heard regarding other bc
patients. Very early on my oncologist told me that I couldn't take on
everyone else's cancer. Eventually, I was able to take heart at good
stories and not despair at the sad ones. Thanks so much for sharing your
good test results.....we need to focus on the positive.

My best to you.
Barb

"A.P. Thorsen" <annthorsendontsendspam@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eu25td$j4v$1@news.msu.edu...
> Usually I wouldn't be as inclined to share routine test results, but given
> how upset everyone is, I'm hoping to be a bit of a counter-balance to the
> very sad (and scary) Elizabeth Edwards story.
>
> Background: At age 44, premenopausal, stage III, 5 tumors in left breast
> (largest 3.1 cm), 1 tumor in right (just over 1 cm), 1 positive node -
> 60-80% survival odds, depending on which doc I asked, since my
> circumstances were unusual (multifocal BC). I did a pretty darn good
> job of getting BC!

A bit over the top, that lot!
>
>
> That all started 6 and a half years ago. I'm 51 now.

Hurrah!
>
> I had a lung x-ray over the summer. All clear.

Hurrah!
>
> Had a blood test two weeks ago. All cancer-related factors normal (liver
> panel, alk phos, etc.).

Hurrah!
>
> Had a bone scan on Wednesday. Stable/no evidence of metastatic disease.

Hurrah!
>
> Absent a PET scan, that's about as good assurance of remission as one is
> gonna get.

It would be good enough for most of us :-)
>
> I'm OK. Most of us are gonna be OK.
>
> Since it follows up on another thread: Because of my high
> triglycerides/total cholesterol, borderline high blood pressure, the
> recent research about left chest radiation increasing risk of coronary
> artery disease, and a body mass index just over the border into the obese
> range, primary care ordered a treadmill stress test. That was today --
> everything looked normal.

Hurrah!

> (It was even kind of a wussy workout, if you ask me -- the tech wanted to
> stop right after I topped my age-estimated max heart rate, and I knew I
> had at least another 10 BPM to go before I hit max, so I fussed & kept
> walking. Jeesh.)

Good for you!
>
> So . . . deep, calming breath. Repeating myself: ALMOST ALL of us are
> gonna BE OK. Really!

Yes.
>
> My heart goes out to the Edwards family, regardless of whether I agree or
> disagree with their politics, now that Elizabeth's come out on the unhappy
> side of the odds . . . .

I've no idea of the politics but I'm sure I'd agree with you.

I don't argue with people who are stronger (and younger) than me :-)

Excellent post, Ann.

Mary
>
> Ann T.
> Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email
>
>
>
>
>

"Barb" <ammerman@epix.net> wrote in message
news:x88Nh.3464$Oc.178542@news1.epix.net...
> Good morning, Ann. It is always great to hear good news! Hurray and
> hurray! It took me a while after my stage II diagnosis (now 23 years),
> not to crash emotionally at every bit of bad news I heard regarding other
> bc patients. Very early on my oncologist told me that I couldn't take on
> everyone else's cancer.

Oh - what good and succinct advice. I hope I'll remember it.

Mary

you disagree with their politics?

anyway, congratulations and thanks for the upper....here I am with BMI 19,
HDL 70, daily workouts, no sign of menopause....no history of cancer...still
worried....

take care of yourself for heaven's sake!
"A.P. Thorsen" <annthorsendontsendspam@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eu25td$j4v$1@news.msu.edu...
> Usually I wouldn't be as inclined to share routine test results, but
given
> how upset everyone is, I'm hoping to be a bit of a counter-balance to
the
> very sad (and scary) Elizabeth Edwards story.
>
> Background: At age 44, premenopausal, stage III, 5 tumors in left
breast
> (largest 3.1 cm), 1 tumor in right (just over 1 cm), 1 positive node -
> 60-80% survival odds, depending on which doc I asked, since my
circumstances
> were unusual (multifocal BC). I did a pretty darn good job of getting
BC!
>
> Bilateral mastectomies (MRM on left, simple on right), 6 months chemo
(3
> months AC, 3 months Taxol, on 3-week cycles), extensive left-side
radiation
> (5 fields, 6 weeks). Tamoxifen, then Arimidex (chemo-induced
menopause).
>
> That all started 6 and a half years ago. I'm 51 now.
>
> I had a lung x-ray over the summer. All clear.
>
> Had a blood test two weeks ago. All cancer-related factors normal
(liver
> panel, alk phos, etc.).
>
> Had a bone scan on Wednesday. Stable/no evidence of metastatic disease.
>
> Absent a PET scan, that's about as good assurance of remission as one is
> gonna get.
>
> I'm OK. Most of us are gonna be OK.
>
> Since it follows up on another thread: Because of my high
> triglycerides/total cholesterol, borderline high blood pressure, the
recent
> research about left chest radiation increasing risk of coronary artery
> disease, and a body mass index just over the border into the obese
range,
> primary care ordered a treadmill stress test. That was today --
everything
> looked normal. (It was even kind of a wussy workout, if you ask me --
the
> tech wanted to stop right after I topped my age-estimated max heart
rate,
> and I knew I had at least another 10 BPM to go before I hit max, so I
fussed
> & kept walking. Jeesh.)
>
> So . . . deep, calming breath. Repeating myself: ALMOST ALL of us are
gonna
> BE OK. Really!
>
> My heart goes out to the Edwards family, regardless of whether I agree
or
> disagree with their politics, now that Elizabeth's come out on the
unhappy
> side of the odds . . . .
>
> Ann T.
> Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email
>
>
>
>
>

OOOOPSS! now I have to recant, and retreat.....

good luck to all!


"A.P. Thorsen" <annthorsendontsendspam@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eu25td$j4v$1@news.msu.edu...
> Usually I wouldn't be as inclined to share routine test results, but given
> how upset everyone is, I'm hoping to be a bit of a counter-balance to the
> very sad (and scary) Elizabeth Edwards story.
>
> Background: At age 44, premenopausal, stage III, 5 tumors in left breast
> (largest 3.1 cm), 1 tumor in right (just over 1 cm), 1 positive node -
> 60-80% survival odds, depending on which doc I asked, since my
> circumstances were unusual (multifocal BC). I did a pretty darn good
> job of getting BC!
>
> Bilateral mastectomies (MRM on left, simple on right), 6 months chemo (3
> months AC, 3 months Taxol, on 3-week cycles), extensive left-side
> radiation (5 fields, 6 weeks). Tamoxifen, then Arimidex (chemo-induced
> menopause).
>
> That all started 6 and a half years ago. I'm 51 now.
>
> I had a lung x-ray over the summer. All clear.
>
> Had a blood test two weeks ago. All cancer-related factors normal (liver
> panel, alk phos, etc.).
>
> Had a bone scan on Wednesday. Stable/no evidence of metastatic disease.
>
> Absent a PET scan, that's about as good assurance of remission as one is
> gonna get.
>
> I'm OK. Most of us are gonna be OK.
>
> Since it follows up on another thread: Because of my high
> triglycerides/total cholesterol, borderline high blood pressure, the
> recent research about left chest radiation increasing risk of coronary
> artery disease, and a body mass index just over the border into the obese
> range, primary care ordered a treadmill stress test. That was today --
> everything looked normal. (It was even kind of a wussy workout, if you
> ask me -- the tech wanted to stop right after I topped my age-estimated
> max heart rate, and I knew I had at least another 10 BPM to go before I
> hit max, so I fussed & kept walking. Jeesh.)
>
> So . . . deep, calming breath. Repeating myself: ALMOST ALL of us are
> gonna BE OK. Really!
>
> My heart goes out to the Edwards family, regardless of whether I agree or
> disagree with their politics, now that Elizabeth's come out on the unhappy
> side of the odds . . . .
>
> Ann T.
> Remove 'dontsendspam' from address to reply by email
>
>
>
>
>