My breast cancer diagnosis

On May 22, 8:59*pm, Susan <neverm...@nomail.com> wrote:
> x-no-archive: yes
>
> sage hen wrote:
> > I told him that next Wednesday I have an appointment with the
> > (inexperienced) woman cancer specialist in the bigger nearby town ,
> > and would decide who I want that day. *Unless she's really repulsive,
> > I'll probably go with her. *What do you guys think? *Experienced
> > general surgeon, or inexperienced breast cancer specialist? *Mr.
> > Thoracic's only plus is that he's done breast reductions. *In case I
> > need a mastectomy, he can reduce my other boob to a delightful B cup.
>
> See how you feel after you meet her.
>
> For my money, smart, considerate and concerned about you and your
> experience rule over experience. Idiots don't learn much of use no
> matter how much experience they have. *Smart doctors learn more in much
> less time.
>
> Just go with your gut, ask her lots of questions to assess her info and
> her abilities.
>
> I hope you get news as good as Judy's.
>
> Susan
Les,
A couple of points: 1) my MRI didn't change anything--and it
overestimated the size of my tumor, my surgeon wanted it because she
was still pushing mastectomy for cosmetic reasons, and multi-focal
disease would make that an inevitable choice. Again, if it's not
approved--decide if the test will change the treatment, and get it at
a free standing center that won't be forced to charge you retail
(hospitals are the worst in terms of cost and discounting--unless they
have some grant money--and their social worker should be able to help
you with that.)

2) Inexperience is relative. I look for people who are open to
uncertainty, listen to you (not what surgeons like to do in general or
they wouldn't be surgeons). There's always a learning curve in
medicine--especially surgery, but if she did a fellowship after a
general surgery residency, she should be okay. You can always ask
specifically how many procedures she's done. I've been in practice for
21 years, there's kind of a bell curve of performance, the first few
years you're still on the learning curve, but there's a point at which
you become kind of ossified. I was sharing an article with my
colleague who's 10 years older than me, and he admitted he no longer
reads the NE Journal--kind of shocking. I read at least 3-4 journals a
week. And I teach at the medical school, and I go to every CME
conference I can. And I listen to other people's experience. And I
don't consider it demeaning to admit I'm stumped and we need to call
in some help here.

Go with you gut, as Susan said. I saw my surgeon yesterday, which
meant I waited 2 hours in a stifling room, to spend 5 minutes with
her, as she had already called me with the path and was clearly
frazzled. She set up all my follow up appointments, and there was a
weird moment where she showed my husband what she had done ("See we
lifted this, and...) I felt like I was just an over-heated breast on
display. Yet she hugs me, and cares to the extent she can.
As we left, I asked the woman ( a clerk) who was making follow up
appointments--I've learned to schedule them as the first one's in the
day from now on--if there was a sheet describing activities allowed.
No such thing. The surgeon just told me to start to move my arm more.
Who ever does your surgery will be in your life for a while: I have
to see her again in a month, and she'll be the one monitoring my
breasts and mammograms--if you can't work with that person over the
long run, then it will be really hard.
Judy

"judy.n" <judy.nudelman@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:837aa835-3cae-4590-a2de-d449b232e9f5@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
...... As we left, I asked the woman ( a clerk) who was making follow up
appointments--I've learned to schedule them as the first one's in the
day from now on--if there was a sheet describing activities allowed.
No such thing. The surgeon just told me to start to move my arm more.
--------------
In the UK, I've been told, women who have breast cancer surgery are
routinely referred to physical therapy (it's called "physiotherapy" over
there). I think that should be the rule over here too. Rehabilitation can
prevent adhesions, contractures, and possibly even lymphedema.

Eva

Eva wrote:
> "judy.n" <judy.nudelman@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:837aa835-3cae-4590-a2de-d449b232e9f5@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> ..... As we left, I asked the woman ( a clerk) who was making follow up
> appointments--I've learned to schedule them as the first one's in the
> day from now on--if there was a sheet describing activities allowed.
> No such thing. The surgeon just told me to start to move my arm more.
> --------------
> In the UK, I've been told, women who have breast cancer surgery are
> routinely referred to physical therapy (it's called "physiotherapy" over
> there). I think that should be the rule over here too. Rehabilitation can
> prevent adhesions, contractures, and possibly even lymphedema.
>

If you've had any kind of surgery, or any kind of injury that has
meant a lack of movement of any limb for any length of time (broken
bone, for example) you'll routinely be referred for physiotherapy -
usually just called "physio".


--
Jette Goldie
jette@blueyonder.co.uk
http://www.jette.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
http://wolfette.livejournal.com/
("reply to" is spamblocked - use the email addy in sig)

Eva wrote:
> "judy.n" <judy.nudelman@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:837aa835-3cae-4590-a2de-d449b232e9f5@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> ..... As we left, I asked the woman ( a clerk) who was making follow up
> appointments--I've learned to schedule them as the first one's in the
> day from now on--if there was a sheet describing activities allowed.
> No such thing. The surgeon just told me to start to move my arm more.
> --------------
> In the UK, I've been told, women who have breast cancer surgery are
> routinely referred to physical therapy (it's called "physiotherapy" over
> there). I think that should be the rule over here too. Rehabilitation can
> prevent adhesions, contractures, and possibly even lymphedema.

I thought physical therapy was routine here in the US, too, at
least according to one friend who had a mastectomy three years
ago. Maybe only for people with the 'right' insurance? (Her
husband is retired military and retired military contractor.)
She still sees a lymphedema therapist periodically.

FurPaw


--
The plural of anecdote is not proof.

To reply, unleash the dog.

On May 23, 9:50*pm, FurPaw <furrealpaw...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Eva wrote:
> > "judy.n" <judy.nudel...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> >news:837aa835-3cae-4590-a2de-d449b232e9f5@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> > ..... As we left, I asked the woman ( a clerk) who was making follow up
> > appointments--I've learned to schedule them as the first one's in the
> > day from now on--if there was a sheet describing activities allowed.
> > No such thing. The surgeon just told me to start to move my arm more.
> > --------------
> > In the UK, I've been told, women who have breast cancer surgery are
> > routinely referred to physical therapy (it's called "physiotherapy" over
> > there). *I think that should be the rule over here too. *Rehabilitation can
> > prevent adhesions, contractures, and possibly even lymphedema.
>
> I thought physical therapy was routine here in the US, too, at
> least according to one friend who had a mastectomy three years
> ago. * Maybe only for people with the 'right' insurance? *(Her
> husband is retired military and retired military contractor.)
> She still sees a lymphedema therapist periodically.
>
> FurPaw
>
> --
> The plural of anecdote is not proof.
>
> To reply, unleash the dog.
I have good insurance (I'm dreading the rates for next year as we buy
it personally through my husband's office.) I did have one of the
physician's assistants I work with get me the exercises from physical
therapy, and I asked the surgeon if I should do them, but she wanted
me to go gentle for 6 weeks post-op-- just make sure I could move my
shoulder.
So, I make sure I can raise my left arm and "walk the wall"--and
until this all hit, I played tennis several times a week, I'm left
handed, and it's the motion I used for serving--so I can get the arm
up there. That shoulder has been a bit limited ever since a bout of
bursitis that came on years ago--and I had struggled to get good
lateral movement on it, and my horse (who died in January) was being
rude one day, and jerked my arm with a head butt, and he broke up the
adhesions. Horse PT.
It was more: what can I lift? How long do I baby it? What exactly
are my limitations?
My husband asked if I could do laundry--I've been avoiding lifting
the clothes baskets--and she said "Not for a year." It was a joke, but
I'd like some facts.
I tried to look on breastcancer.org, but the surgery threads were
full of post-op horror stories that literally made me sick.
Better to just call back the surgeon. The only thing she told me was
not to walk my dog, who is a 48 pound shepherd/aussie mix, and does
pull a bit, but is essentially calm.
I do have a massage therapist, and she'll start to work on me soon,
but she has a deep seated fear of radiation, and won't touch me while
I get it.
Judy

On May 24, 5:31*am, "judy.n" <judy.nudel...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 23, 9:50*pm, FurPaw <furrealpaw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > Eva wrote:
> > > "judy.n" <judy.nudel...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > >news:837aa835-3cae-4590-a2de-d449b232e9f5@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com....
> > > ..... As we left, I asked the woman ( a clerk) who was making follow up
> > > appointments--I've learned to schedule them as the first one's in the
> > > day from now on--if there was a sheet describing activities allowed.
> > > No such thing. The surgeon just told me to start to move my arm more.
> > > --------------
> > > In the UK, I've been told, women who have breast cancer surgery are
> > > routinely referred to physical therapy (it's called "physiotherapy" over
> > > there). *I think that should be the rule over here too. *Rehabilitation can
> > > prevent adhesions, contractures, and possibly even lymphedema.
>
> > I thought physical therapy was routine here in the US, too, at
> > least according to one friend who had a mastectomy three years
> > ago. * Maybe only for people with the 'right' insurance? *(Her
> > husband is retired military and retired military contractor.)
> > She still sees a lymphedema therapist periodically.
>
> > FurPaw
>
> > --
> > The plural of anecdote is not proof.
>
> > To reply, unleash the dog.
>
> I have good insurance (I'm dreading the rates for next year as we buy
> it personally through my husband's office.) I did have one of the
> physician's assistants I work with get me the exercises from physical
> therapy, and I asked the surgeon if I should do them, but she wanted
> me to go gentle for 6 weeks post-op-- just make sure I could move my
> shoulder.
> * So, I make sure I can raise my left arm and "walk the wall"--and
> until this all hit, I played tennis several times a week, I'm left
> handed, and it's the motion I used for serving--so I can get the arm
> up there. That shoulder has been a bit limited ever since a bout of
> bursitis that came on years ago--and I had struggled to get good
> lateral movement on it, and my horse (who died in January) was being
> rude one day, and jerked my arm with a head butt, and he broke up the
> adhesions. Horse PT.
> * It was more: what can I lift? How long do I baby it? What exactly
> are my limitations?
> * My husband asked if I could do laundry--I've been avoiding lifting
> the clothes baskets--and she said "Not for a year." It was a joke, but
> I'd like some facts.
> * I tried to look on breastcancer.org, but the surgery threads were
> full of post-op horror stories that literally made me sick.
> * Better to just call back the surgeon. The only thing she told me was
> not to walk my dog, who is a 48 pound shepherd/aussie mix, and does
> pull a bit, but is essentially calm.
> * I do have a massage therapist, and she'll start to work on me soon,
> but she has a deep seated fear of radiation, and won't touch me while
> I get it.
> * Judy- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Judy,

I'm unclear about what happened with your lymph nodes. You had a
negative sentinel node biopsy, right? So no big danger of
lymphedema. What about radiation? My lymphedema-afflicted neighbor
said she got counseling about her arm after having all but two lymph
nodes removed, but she thinks she slipped up. What about
chemotherapy, or hormone drugs like tamoxifen for you?

Yesterday I was frightened to feel and see a swelling under my
collarbone, but today it's gone. It makes no sense that if any cancer
cells have traveled, they'd bypass the armpit nodes to get up there.

My neighbor also said in rare cases, you can get lymphedema in your
LEG after breast cancer! That scared the bejesus out of me, because
my daily hikes are the light of my life. Has anyone heard of that?

Still no word on my breast MRI. I'm actually hoping it isn't
approved, as it could cause more meat-tenderizer biopsies. Susan Love
warns of MRI's many false positives. The literature says if there are
more little cancers, radiation should zap them. I managed to order my
mammograms and ultrasounds in time to get them before next Wednesday's
appointment with the cancer specialist. I didn't realize that was the
patient's responsibility, as they weren't at Dr. Thoracic's last
Wednesday.

I wonder how hard it would be to persuade one of these doctors to go
ahead without an MRI? It sounded like Dr. Thoracic might be flexible,
but the specialist's nurse sounds insistent.

There's only one place in this part of the state that does breast
MRIs. I think it's free-standing, but they have a monopoly so can
charge anything they want. I'm in no mood to pay for that myself
since I'm worried about the extra weeks of delay and possible needless
biopsies. Don't a lot of doctors order too many tests?

Judy, I've had agonizing problems in the past with my seriously
overworked shoulders. I learned part of the problem was being a
vegetarian all my adult life. I started taking MSM for my sulfur
deficiency, and was miraculously cured. Yes, your future insurance
premiums should be breathtaking. I'll definitely be blackballed from
insurance until I can get on Medicare in 10 years.

Keep up the good work with your arm,

Les

On May 24, 4:40*pm, sage hen <desertny...@cwo.com> wrote:
> On May 24, 5:31*am, "judy.n" <judy.nudel...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On May 23, 9:50*pm, FurPaw <furrealpaw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > Eva wrote:
> > > > "judy.n" <judy.nudel...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > > >news:837aa835-3cae-4590-a2de-d449b232e9f5@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> > > > ..... As we left, I asked the woman ( a clerk) who was making followup
> > > > appointments--I've learned to schedule them as the first one's in the
> > > > day from now on--if there was a sheet describing activities allowed.
> > > > No such thing. The surgeon just told me to start to move my arm more..
> > > > --------------
> > > > In the UK, I've been told, women who have breast cancer surgery are
> > > > routinely referred to physical therapy (it's called "physiotherapy" over
> > > > there). *I think that should be the rule over here too. *Rehabilitation can
> > > > prevent adhesions, contractures, and possibly even lymphedema.
>
> > > I thought physical therapy was routine here in the US, too, at
> > > least according to one friend who had a mastectomy three years
> > > ago. * Maybe only for people with the 'right' insurance? *(Her
> > > husband is retired military and retired military contractor.)
> > > She still sees a lymphedema therapist periodically.
>
> > > FurPaw
>
> > > --
> > > The plural of anecdote is not proof.
>
> > > To reply, unleash the dog.
>
> > I have good insurance (I'm dreading the rates for next year as we buy
> > it personally through my husband's office.) I did have one of the
> > physician's assistants I work with get me the exercises from physical
> > therapy, and I asked the surgeon if I should do them, but she wanted
> > me to go gentle for 6 weeks post-op-- just make sure I could move my
> > shoulder.
> > * So, I make sure I can raise my left arm and "walk the wall"--and
> > until this all hit, I played tennis several times a week, I'm left
> > handed, and it's the motion I used for serving--so I can get the arm
> > up there. That shoulder has been a bit limited ever since a bout of
> > bursitis that came on years ago--and I had struggled to get good
> > lateral movement on it, and my horse (who died in January) was being
> > rude one day, and jerked my arm with a head butt, and he broke up the
> > adhesions. Horse PT.
> > * It was more: what can I lift? How long do I baby it? What exactly
> > are my limitations?
> > * My husband asked if I could do laundry--I've been avoiding lifting
> > the clothes baskets--and she said "Not for a year." It was a joke, but
> > I'd like some facts.
> > * I tried to look on breastcancer.org, but the surgery threads were
> > full of post-op horror stories that literally made me sick.
> > * Better to just call back the surgeon. The only thing she told me was
> > not to walk my dog, who is a 48 pound shepherd/aussie mix, and does
> > pull a bit, but is essentially calm.
> > * I do have a massage therapist, and she'll start to work on me soon,
> > but she has a deep seated fear of radiation, and won't touch me while
> > I get it.
> > * Judy- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Judy,
>
> I'm unclear about what happened with your lymph nodes. *You had a
> negative sentinel node biopsy, right? *So no big danger of
> lymphedema. *What about radiation? *My lymphedema-afflicted neighbor
> said she got counseling about her arm after having all but two lymph
> nodes removed, but she thinks she slipped up. *What about
> chemotherapy, or hormone drugs like tamoxifen for you?
>
> Yesterday I was frightened to feel and see a swelling under my
> collarbone, but today it's gone. *It makes no sense that if any cancer
> cells have traveled, they'd bypass the armpit nodes to get up there.
>
> My neighbor also said in rare cases, you can get lymphedema in your
> LEG after breast cancer! *That scared the bejesus out of me, because
> my daily hikes are the light of my life. *Has anyone heard of that?
>
> Still no word on my breast MRI. *I'm actually hoping it isn't
> approved, as it could cause more meat-tenderizer biopsies. *Susan Love
> warns of MRI's many false positives. *The literature says if there are
> more little cancers, radiation should zap them. *I managed to order my
> mammograms and ultrasounds in time to get them before next Wednesday's
> appointment with the cancer specialist. *I didn't realize that was the
> patient's responsibility, as they weren't at Dr. Thoracic's last
> Wednesday.
>
> I wonder how hard it would be to persuade one of these doctors to go
> ahead without an MRI? *It sounded like Dr. Thoracic might be flexible,
> but the specialist's nurse sounds insistent.
>
> There's only one place in this part of the state that does breast
> MRIs. *I think it's free-standing, but they have a monopoly so can
> charge anything they want. *I'm in no mood to pay for that myself
> since I'm worried about the extra weeks of delay and possible needless
> biopsies. *Don't a lot of doctors order too many tests?
>
> Judy, I've had agonizing problems in the past with my seriously
> overworked shoulders. *I learned part of the problem was being a
> vegetarian all my adult life. *I started taking MSM for my sulfur
> deficiency, and was miraculously cured. *Yes, your future insurance
> premiums should be breathtaking. *I'll definitely be blackballed from
> insurance until I can get on Medicare in 10 years.
>
> Keep up the good work with your arm,
>
> Les
Les, I had two sentinel nodes and one node that was tucked between
them removed. So far, no swelling. I've been told to limit carrying,
but move my shoulder, so I have.

I've been working part time, so my husband buys the health insurance
for his office and the premiums will be staggering, luckily they won't
go up until October.

Administrative hassles are the worst thing--scheduling your own tests,
figuring out payment.
After I saw the surgeon, I realized her staff didn't schedule the
radiation oncology appointment correctly, so I rescheduled it. I also
had to tell them to submit the oncogene--I'll deal with reimbursement.
For three years I worked for a medicaid HMO, and ironically I wrote
the genetic testing benefit guideline. Let me deal with reimbursement
and appeals, just treat the patient.

Good luck with the next round.
Judy

On May 25, 7:16*am, "judy.n" <judy.nudel...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 24, 4:40*pm, sage hen <desertny...@cwo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On May 24, 5:31*am, "judy.n" <judy.nudel...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > On May 23, 9:50*pm, FurPaw <furrealpaw...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > > > Eva wrote:
> > > > > "judy.n" <judy.nudel...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> > > > >news:837aa835-3cae-4590-a2de-d449b232e9f5@x41g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> > > > > ..... As we left, I asked the woman ( a clerk) who was making follow up
> > > > > appointments--I've learned to schedule them as the first one's in the
> > > > > day from now on--if there was a sheet describing activities allowed.
> > > > > No such thing. The surgeon just told me to start to move my arm more.
> > > > > --------------
> > > > > In the UK, I've been told, women who have breast cancer surgery are
> > > > > routinely referred to physical therapy (it's called "physiotherapy" over
> > > > > there). *I think that should be the rule over here too. *Rehabilitation can
> > > > > prevent adhesions, contractures, and possibly even lymphedema.
>
> > > > I thought physical therapy was routine here in the US, too, at
> > > > least according to one friend who had a mastectomy three years
> > > > ago. * Maybe only for people with the 'right' insurance? *(Her
> > > > husband is retired military and retired military contractor.)
> > > > She still sees a lymphedema therapist periodically.
>
> > > > FurPaw
>
> > > > --
> > > > The plural of anecdote is not proof.
>
> > > > To reply, unleash the dog.
>
> > > I have good insurance (I'm dreading the rates for next year as we buy
> > > it personally through my husband's office.) I did have one of the
> > > physician's assistants I work with get me the exercises from physical
> > > therapy, and I asked the surgeon if I should do them, but she wanted
> > > me to go gentle for 6 weeks post-op-- just make sure I could move my
> > > shoulder.
> > > * So, I make sure I can raise my left arm and "walk the wall"--and
> > > until this all hit, I played tennis several times a week, I'm left
> > > handed, and it's the motion I used for serving--so I can get the arm
> > > up there. That shoulder has been a bit limited ever since a bout of
> > > bursitis that came on years ago--and I had struggled to get good
> > > lateral movement on it, and my horse (who died in January) was being
> > > rude one day, and jerked my arm with a head butt, and he broke up the
> > > adhesions. Horse PT.
> > > * It was more: what can I lift? How long do I baby it? What exactly
> > > are my limitations?
> > > * My husband asked if I could do laundry--I've been avoiding lifting
> > > the clothes baskets--and she said "Not for a year." It was a joke, but
> > > I'd like some facts.
> > > * I tried to look on breastcancer.org, but the surgery threads were
> > > full of post-op horror stories that literally made me sick.
> > > * Better to just call back the surgeon. The only thing she told me was
> > > not to walk my dog, who is a 48 pound shepherd/aussie mix, and does
> > > pull a bit, but is essentially calm.
> > > * I do have a massage therapist, and she'll start to work on me soon,
> > > but she has a deep seated fear of radiation, and won't touch me while
> > > I get it.
> > > * Judy- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > Judy,
>
> > I'm unclear about what happened with your lymph nodes. *You had a
> > negative sentinel node biopsy, right? *So no big danger of
> > lymphedema. *What about radiation? *My lymphedema-afflicted neighbor
> > said she got counseling about her arm after having all but two lymph
> > nodes removed, but she thinks she slipped up. *What about
> > chemotherapy, or hormone drugs like tamoxifen for you?
>
> > Yesterday I was frightened to feel and see a swelling under my
> > collarbone, but today it's gone. *It makes no sense that if any cancer
> > cells have traveled, they'd bypass the armpit nodes to get up there.
>
> > My neighbor also said in rare cases, you can get lymphedema in your
> > LEG after breast cancer! *That scared the bejesus out of me, because
> > my daily hikes are the light of my life. *Has anyone heard of that?
>
> > Still no word on my breast MRI. *I'm actually hoping it isn't
> > approved, as it could cause more meat-tenderizer biopsies. *Susan Love
> > warns of MRI's many false positives. *The literature says if there are
> > more little cancers, radiation should zap them. *I managed to order my
> > mammograms and ultrasounds in time to get them before next Wednesday's
> > appointment with the cancer specialist. *I didn't realize that was the
> > patient's responsibility, as they weren't at Dr. Thoracic's last
> > Wednesday.
>
> > I wonder how hard it would be to persuade one of these doctors to go
> > ahead without an MRI? *It sounded like Dr. Thoracic might be flexible,
> > but the specialist's nurse sounds insistent.
>
> > There's only one place in this part of the state that does breast
> > MRIs. *I think it's free-standing, but they have a monopoly so can
> > charge anything they want. *I'm in no mood to pay for that myself
> > since I'm worried about the extra weeks of delay and possible needless
> > biopsies. *Don't a lot of doctors order too many tests?
>
> > Judy, I've had agonizing problems in the past with my seriously
> > overworked shoulders. *I learned part of the problem was being a
> > vegetarian all my adult life. *I started taking MSM for my sulfur
> > deficiency, and was miraculously cured. *Yes, your future insurance
> > premiums should be breathtaking. *I'll definitely be blackballed from
> > insurance until I can get on Medicare in 10 years.
>
> > Keep up the good work with your arm,
>
> > Les
>
> Les, I had two sentinel nodes and one node that was tucked between
> them removed. So far, no swelling. I've been told to limit carrying,
> but move my shoulder, so I have.
>
> I've been working part time, so my husband buys the health insurance
> for his office and the premiums will be staggering, luckily they won't
> go up until October.
>
> Administrative hassles are the worst thing--scheduling your own tests,
> figuring out payment.
> After I saw the surgeon, I realized her staff didn't schedule the
> radiation oncology appointment correctly, so I rescheduled it. I also
> had to tell them to submit the oncogene--I'll deal with reimbursement.
> For three years I worked for a medicaid HMO, and ironically I wrote
> the genetic testing benefit guideline. Let me deal with reimbursement
> and appeals, just treat the patient.
>
> Good luck with the next round.
> Judy- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Judy,

You mention scheduling the oncogene--does this mean genetic testing?
I've been reading a lot about BC treatment nowadays being tailored
according to the results of gene tests. Are you getting the Oncotype
DX test? I called Genomic Health, and was told it costs $3,600. It
includes 20-odd tests, but I wonder how many are really helpful. It
sounds wonderful, skipping the old sledgehammer approach and going
straight to tailored treatment. Susan Love makes the point that
chemotherapy, for instance, is in most cases unnecessary. So many
women are suffering needlessly.

Sounds like since you studied the testing benefit for the HMO, you
might know the best tests to get? Maybe it would be worthwhile to
withdraw part of my IRA for gene testing.

It's alarming to read about the heart damage that can result the left
breast is the one being irradiated. That's me of course. Apparently
some women with bad tickers opt for mastectomies to avoid radiation.
I'm also left-handed which doesn't help my paranoia about lymph
nodes. Well, three more days to my second surgeon appointment and
more bickering about breast MRIs. Good thing I'm not holding my
breath here!

Les

les & judy,

just wanted to let you both know that i've been thinking of you.
judy, i'm glad that things have gone as well as possible so far & hope
that you continue to rehab well.

les, i hope that wed's appt goes well & that you can move foward soon
with everything. the waiting has to be horrible.

i wish both of you the all the best with the next treatment steps.

hugs,
ellen

On May 25, 11:22*pm, ellen <epdps...@gmail.com> wrote:
> les & judy,
>
> just wanted to let you both know that i've been thinking of you.
> judy, i'm glad that things have gone as well as possible so far & hope
> that you continue to rehab well.
>
> les, i hope that wed's appt goes well & that you can move foward soon
> with everything. *the waiting has to be horrible.
>
> i wish both of you the all the best with the next treatment steps.
>
> hugs,
> ellen
Les, I'm left handed as well, and the cancer was/is in the left
breast--I did bring up the cardiac toxicity with the radiation
oncologist, and she says the data is outdated--they specifically
shield your heart.
The benefit just said that genetic testing should be covered when
the results of the test will make a medical management decision for
the patient in this generation: so since the oncogene dx will factor
into whether or not I opt for chemo by specifically testing if the
cancer is chemo sensitive, it is medically necessary. The clerk wanted
to get pre-authorization, but I told her to send it--but the time
genomics gets the specimen, over a holiday weekend and runs it, it
will be time for me to meet with the medical oncologist.
In my case, with low probability of recurrent or spread, even a 50%
reduction of risk from chemo, may only amount to a 2.5% risk reduction
for me, while the toxicity of the chemo is huge. It would take a lot
to make me ever want to go that route.
I specifically met with the radiation oncologist before the surgery--
for almost 2 hours--to discuss the risks--cardiac, skin, muscle, lung,
fatigue, whole body, lymphedema--and the fact that I'm very left
handed--my right side is almost ignored. She was very reassuring.
Since I used to work in insurance, I have the back line of the
medical director of the Blue Cross in our state--if he wants to deny
it, I know how to appeal it, and for what we pay for insurance, he
should look at the potential savings if--as I really hope--the number
is low and there is no indication to undergo and expensive and
potentially harmful treatment.
As always, the test prices are retail, if they contract with
insurance, they write off some of the cost.
So, I have a planning meeting with the radiation oncologist this
week, and a meeting with the medical oncologist in mid-June. I'll call
about the status of the oncogene dx next week.
Hang in there.
Judy

mine was invasive DC too, lowest nuclear grade and under 1 centimeter, and
stage 1. I was the first person on EITHER SIDE of my family, ever, to get
cancer! everyone was stunned. I am so sorry you're going through this. yeah,
I am the healthiest unwell person I know. Great cholesterol (159) and BP,
BMI 20, blah blah. and the potatoes scoot through. I have done weight
training and cardio for decades. sigh. I'm so sorry! hang in there, it gets
worse...er wait, it might not get worse. scratch that.

"sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote in message
news:88023bac-3a2b-4145-bebb-4ef7ec709ff6@u12g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>I got two biopsies Monday, and yesterday the diagnosis--invasive
> ductal carcinoma, the most common form of breast cancer, in both
> areas
> I am so bitter and disillusioned. This is happening to the most
> health-conscious person I know, a decades-long member of the food
> police, a faithful exerciser. I got all those mammograms, all that
> radiation for nothing. Ten months after my last "clean" mammogram, I
> find the cancer myself. My evil chain-smoking, alcoholic, junk food
> gobbling, couch potato sister had a lump last year--benign. We're
> both nuclear test downwinders, but I'm the one who gets cancer. Twice
> now! I already had cervical cancer 23 years ago.
> Isn't it weird that the main thing I feel is rage? I'm also scared,
> but the injustice really hurts.
> I'm also in post-estradiol hell. Can't sleep, just when my immune
> system needs it most. I feel like I'm on fire, all the time. How I
> miss that little pill.
> The biopsy was horrible too. The doctor slipped and injected one of
> my specimens into her finger. We both had to get blood tests at a
> lab. My breast is still very fibrous and had to be stabbed very hard,
> many times, to get the needles through. I feel like I've been worked
> over by a barbed meat tenderizer.
> It's only the beginning, I know. Got to get used to pain!
> Wish me luck, gals. I'll keep you posted.
> Les
>
>
>
>

On May 29, 11:55*am, "fortunata" <pacif...@gmail.com> wrote:
> mine was invasive DC too, lowest nuclear grade and under 1 centimeter, and
> stage 1. I was the first person on EITHER SIDE of my family, ever, to get
> cancer! everyone was stunned. I am so sorry you're going through this. yeah,
> I am the healthiest unwell person I know. Great cholesterol (159) and BP,
> BMI 20, blah blah. and the potatoes scoot through. I have done weight
> training and cardio for decades. sigh. I'm so sorry! hang in there, it gets
> worse...er wait, it might not get worse. scratch that.
>
> "sage hen" <desertny...@cwo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:88023bac-3a2b-4145-bebb-4ef7ec709ff6@u12g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> >I got two biopsies Monday, and yesterday the diagnosis--invasive
> > ductal carcinoma, the most common form of breast cancer, in both
> > areas
> > I am so bitter and disillusioned. *This is happening to the most
> > health-conscious person I know, a decades-long member of the food
> > police, a faithful exerciser. *I got all those mammograms, all that
> > radiation for nothing. *Ten months after my last "clean" mammogram, I
> > find the cancer myself. *My evil chain-smoking, alcoholic, junk food
> > gobbling, couch potato sister had a lump last year--benign. *We're
> > both nuclear test downwinders, but I'm the one who gets cancer. *Twice
> > now! *I already had cervical cancer 23 years ago.
> > Isn't it weird that the main thing I feel is rage? *I'm also scared,
> > but the injustice really hurts.
> > I'm also in post-estradiol hell. *Can't sleep, just when my immune
> > system needs it most. *I feel like I'm on fire, all the time. *How I
> > miss that little pill.
> > The biopsy was horrible too. *The doctor slipped and injected one of
> > my specimens into her finger. *We both had to get blood tests at a
> > lab. *My breast is still very fibrous and had to be stabbed very hard,
> > many times, to get the needles through. *I feel like I've been worked
> > over by a barbed meat tenderizer.
> > It's only the beginning, I know. *Got to get used to pain!
> > Wish me luck, gals. *I'll keep you posted.
> > Les- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thanks Fortunata,

Yes, not only is getting breast cancer shocking and scary, it's also
irksome and embarrassing when the victim is a health nut surrounded by
lazy, substance-abusing junk-food gobblers, all in perfect health.
Can you also trace some toxic exposure? At least I can blame the 12
years of open-air nuke tests, etc., etc. I just read today about the
breast cancer cluster at the Navajo reservation caused by uranium
mining.

I still don't know what kind of surgery I'm having. Just today had
the breast MRI. It was okay till they injected the dye, when my blood
pressure and pulse went down to nothing and I felt like I'd just burst
into flames. I thought I knew how bad hot flashes can be--boy was I a
piker. So the cancer specialist says if anything more turns up on the
MRI, it will be mastectomy time. I'm painfully aware of the high
false positive rate of MRIs. The situation is also complicated by the
big hematomas from my May 5 biopsies. More food for fear--a veritable
banquet by now.

Les

I too had two biopsies (2001) before the malignancy was found. I think those
50+ mammograms might have caused it. Those were the biopsies from hell, I
was in the hospital for 11 hours (it was supposed to be 2). I probably
shouldn't tell you about my 2007, starting with mastectomy and the four
surgeries that followed and....well, never mind. Now I find out I have
osteopenia...me the jock, the JOCK. close to osteoporosis.

Cancer isn't even in the top 5 worst things I've had in my life, but it
certainly wasn't fun. I can't trace it to anything other than having just
one kid and doing so when I was 39...nursing only 20 months (he quit, I
begged, no use). I ate quite a bit of soy, maybe that had something to do
with it, I don't know. as I said NO one in my family gets cancer, we were
all disbelieving and yeah, maybe it was a false positive but what can one
do? I always do tons of research on my medical professionals and select the
highest rated, yet somehow things don't go right for me...just my luck. I've
had CFS since I was 20...fibromyalgia since age 30....I am the healthiest
unwell person anyone knows; I look and act healthy but I'm a mess under the
skin (and now, to a degree, under the clothes). I've never been drunk,
don't drink at all, never even tried marijuana. I'm going to have a
colonoscopy next month and am already expecting it to turn up a malignancy.

but I have never had a hot flash (go figure) and I don't have trouble
sleeping (even though I work out at 11 pm!).

just remember, IDC is curable. but what did you mean about "got all that
radiation for nothing" -- you meant the mammogram? I've had probably a
hundred of them, and it makes me pretty damned nervous. I too had a hematoma
after second surgery: yum! and the med I take post-cancer costs $150 a month
(AFTER insurance).

I am so sorry! But....I was afraid I'd have to give up weight training, and
I didn't. I have bad neuropathy in my legs (predates the cancer) but I still
work out and go dancing and lift weights. Just keep going, one day at a
time.
>

On May 30, 4:24*pm, "fortunata" <pacif...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I too had two biopsies (2001) before the malignancy was found. I think those
> 50+ mammograms might have caused it. Those were the biopsies from hell, I
> was in the hospital for 11 hours (it was supposed to be 2). I probably
> shouldn't tell you about my 2007, starting with mastectomy and the four
> surgeries that followed and....well, never mind. Now I find out I have
> osteopenia...me the jock, the JOCK. close to osteoporosis.

Fortunata,

Yes, I've read that there's a tiny percentage of women who will get
cancer BECAUSE of mammograms. But you may have had some other toxic
exposure. The Nevada nuke tests are my biggie, but there've certainly
been others. Yes, by radiation for nothing, I meant mammograms. The
last MD saw all my mammos for the last 10 years and pronounced them
worthless--opaque white disks. That didn't stop her from telling me
to be sure to keep on getting more. No use telling HER I'm done with
mammograms.

I had two biopsies the same day because I have two tumors so far; the
MRI may turn up more. When I had cervical cancer, it was just one
spot but it took two biopsies to find it. I too am sort of a jock,
though I only hike for pleasure. I've chopped 50 or 60 cords of wood
the last 30 years. Hublet & I cleared 5 acres of 20 foot tall
manzanita by hand in the last three years, and we're far from done.
So I'm terrified of lymphedema; it would throw a large wrench in my
hillbilly paradise. Obviously you didn't end up with that.

Did you lose many lymph nodes? Were your post-mastectomy surgeries
for reconstruction or what?

There's been no breast cancer in my family, but my maternal grandma
had uterine and ovarian cancer. She had my mom and twin brother at
age 16, and my mom had me at 17, so maybe that saved them. But
neither one breast-fed. I'm childless by choice. I wasn't scared
after my first bout with cancer, but this time I know I will
henceforth live with fear.

What post-cancer drug are you taking? I understand those often cause
bone loss. I already have dental bone loss, despite taking estradiol
for two years, so am not looking forward to the further degradation of
tamoxifen. I looked "toxifen" up and it's pretty cheap, so you must
be taking something else. My lucky sister is taking Evista, which is
supposed to build bones AND lower breast cancer risk.

Were your biopsies hellish because of having fibrocystic breasts like
me, or was it something else? Hot flashes, insomnia, fogbrain, and
tweaky-heart are prominent features of my post-estradiol life. I
still drink that glass of wine every day--my only sin. Since being a
strident health nut hasn't paid off, I can't see giving up my
treasured moments of relaxation.

Thanks for caring,

Les




>
> Cancer isn't even in the top 5 worst things I've had in my life, but it
> certainly wasn't fun. I can't trace it to anything other than having just
> one kid and doing so when I was 39...nursing only 20 months (he quit, I
> begged, no use). I ate quite a bit of soy, maybe that had something to do
> with it, I don't know. as I said NO one in my family gets cancer, we were
> all disbelieving and yeah, maybe it was a false positive but what can one
> do? I always do tons of research on my medical professionals and select the
> highest rated, yet somehow things don't go right for me...just my luck. I've
> had CFS since I was 20...fibromyalgia since age 30....I am the healthiest
> unwell person anyone knows; I look and act healthy but I'm a mess under the
> skin (and now, to a degree, under the clothes). *I've never been drunk,
> don't drink at all, never even tried marijuana. I'm going to have a
> colonoscopy next month and am already expecting it to turn up a malignancy..
>
> but I have never had a hot flash (go figure) and I don't have trouble
> sleeping (even though I work out at 11 pm!).
>
> just remember, IDC is curable. but what did you mean about "got all that
> radiation for nothing" -- you meant the mammogram? I've had probably a
> hundred of them, and it makes me pretty damned nervous. I too had a hematoma
> after second surgery: yum! and the med I take post-cancer costs $150 a month
> (AFTER insurance).
>
> I am so sorry! But....I was afraid I'd have to give up weight training, and
> I didn't. I have bad neuropathy in my legs (predates the cancer) but I still
> work out and go dancing and lift weights. Just keep going, one day at a
> time.
>
>
>
> - Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

>
> I still don't know what kind of surgery I'm having. Just today had
> the breast MRI. It was okay till they injected the dye, when my blood
> pressure and pulse went down to nothing and I felt like I'd just burst
> into flames. I thought I knew how bad hot flashes can be--boy was I a
> piker. So the cancer specialist says if anything more turns up on the
> MRI, it will be mastectomy time. I'm painfully aware of the high
> false positive rate of MRIs. The situation is also complicated by the
> big hematomas from my May 5 biopsies. More food for fear--a veritable
> banquet by now.
>
> Les

les, that all sounds so horrible. & the waiting & fear part have to
be horrendous. sending you all my best wishes.

xo,
ellen

On May 30, 7:24 pm, "fortunata" <pacif...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I too had two biopsies (2001) before the malignancy was found. I think those
> 50+ mammograms might have caused it. Those were the biopsies from hell, I
> was in the hospital for 11 hours (it was supposed to be 2). I probably
> shouldn't tell you about my 2007, starting with mastectomy and the four
> surgeries that followed and....well, never mind. Now I find out I have
> osteopenia...me the jock, the JOCK. close to osteoporosis.
>
> Cancer isn't even in the top 5 worst things I've had in my life, but it
> certainly wasn't fun. I can't trace it to anything other than having just
> one kid and doing so when I was 39...nursing only 20 months (he quit, I
> begged, no use). I ate quite a bit of soy, maybe that had something to do
> with it, I don't know. as I said NO one in my family gets cancer, we were
> all disbelieving and yeah, maybe it was a false positive but what can one
> do? I always do tons of research on my medical professionals and select the
> highest rated, yet somehow things don't go right for me...just my luck. I've
> had CFS since I was 20...fibromyalgia since age 30....I am the healthiest
> unwell person anyone knows; I look and act healthy but I'm a mess under the
> skin (and now, to a degree, under the clothes). I've never been drunk,
> don't drink at all, never even tried marijuana. I'm going to have a
> colonoscopy next month and am already expecting it to turn up a malignancy.
>
> but I have never had a hot flash (go figure) and I don't have trouble
> sleeping (even though I work out at 11 pm!).
>
> just remember, IDC is curable. but what did you mean about "got all that
> radiation for nothing" -- you meant the mammogram? I've had probably a
> hundred of them, and it makes me pretty damned nervous. I too had a hematoma
> after second surgery: yum! and the med I take post-cancer costs $150 a month
> (AFTER insurance).
>
> I am so sorry! But....I was afraid I'd have to give up weight training, and
> I didn't. I have bad neuropathy in my legs (predates the cancer) but I still
> work out and go dancing and lift weights. Just keep going, one day at a
> time.
>
>

i'm so sorry that you have had to endure all this. to deal with the
cancer on top of the other conditions has got to be very difficult,
especially as with les, when you have done all the right things to try
to care for yourself. good luck with the colonoscopy. i hope that
turns out alright for you.

ellen

ellen

On May 31, 2:23*pm, ellen <epdps...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 30, 7:24 pm, "fortunata" <pacif...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > I too had two biopsies (2001) before the malignancy was found. I think those
> > 50+ mammograms might have caused it. Those were the biopsies from hell, I
> > was in the hospital for 11 hours (it was supposed to be 2). I probably
> > shouldn't tell you about my 2007, starting with mastectomy and the four
> > surgeries that followed and....well, never mind. Now I find out I have
> > osteopenia...me the jock, the JOCK. close to osteoporosis.
>
> > Cancer isn't even in the top 5 worst things I've had in my life, but it
> > certainly wasn't fun. I can't trace it to anything other than having just
> > one kid and doing so when I was 39...nursing only 20 months (he quit, I
> > begged, no use). I ate quite a bit of soy, maybe that had something to do
> > with it, I don't know. as I said NO one in my family gets cancer, we were
> > all disbelieving and yeah, maybe it was a false positive but what can one
> > do? I always do tons of research on my medical professionals and select the
> > highest rated, yet somehow things don't go right for me...just my luck. I've
> > had CFS since I was 20...fibromyalgia since age 30....I am the healthiest
> > unwell person anyone knows; I look and act healthy but I'm a mess under the
> > skin (and now, to a degree, under the clothes). *I've never been drunk,
> > don't drink at all, never even tried marijuana. I'm going to have a
> > colonoscopy next month and am already expecting it to turn up a malignancy.
>
> > but I have never had a hot flash (go figure) and I don't have trouble
> > sleeping (even though I work out at 11 pm!).
>
> > just remember, IDC is curable. but what did you mean about "got all that
> > radiation for nothing" -- you meant the mammogram? I've had probably a
> > hundred of them, and it makes me pretty damned nervous. I too had a hematoma
> > after second surgery: yum! and the med I take post-cancer costs $150 a month
> > (AFTER insurance).
>
> > I am so sorry! But....I was afraid I'd have to give up weight training, and
> > I didn't. I have bad neuropathy in my legs (predates the cancer) but I still
> > work out and go dancing and lift weights. Just keep going, one day at a
> > time.
>
> i'm so sorry that you have had to endure all this. *to deal with the
> cancer on top of the other conditions has got to be very difficult,
> especially as with les, when you have done all the right things to try
> to care for yourself. *good luck with the colonoscopy. *i hope that
> turns out alright for you.
>
> ellen
>
> ellen- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hi Ellen,

Thanks for the well wishes. At least I'm not getting a colonoscopy!
One cancer at a time. I figure if anything, melanoma would be No. 3--
another very common Utah cancer. Maybe I shouldn't joke about all
this, but I feel best when I'm laughing. Also, no matter how hard
things are, others are always suffering more. My third cousin had a
mastectomy a few days before her husband died of cancer.

Tuesday I'll learn MRI results and whether I get a lumpectomy or
mastectomy. I've wrapped my mind around both concepts. All that
remains is to help Hublet do the same.

Les

yes, and my son's autism, and my partner's dumping me after 29 years, and my
sister in law's hanging herself, and my son's hemangiomas...it's been a
highly textured life!

"ellen" <epdpster@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:541589fa-1f29-4af3-a7e2-02465d1d7a6f@a70g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> On May 30, 7:24 pm, "fortunata" <pacif...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I too had two biopsies (2001) before the malignancy was found. I think
>> those
>> 50+ mammograms might have caused it. Those were the biopsies from hell, I
>> was in the hospital for 11 hours (it was supposed to be 2). I probably
>> shouldn't tell you about my 2007, starting with mastectomy and the four
>> surgeries that followed and....well, never mind. Now I find out I have
>> osteopenia...me the jock, the JOCK. close to osteoporosis.
>>
>> Cancer isn't even in the top 5 worst things I've had in my life, but it
>> certainly wasn't fun. I can't trace it to anything other than having just
>> one kid and doing so when I was 39...nursing only 20 months (he quit, I
>> begged, no use). I ate quite a bit of soy, maybe that had something to do
>> with it, I don't know. as I said NO one in my family gets cancer, we were
>> all disbelieving and yeah, maybe it was a false positive but what can one
>> do? I always do tons of research on my medical professionals and select
>> the
>> highest rated, yet somehow things don't go right for me...just my luck.
>> I've
>> had CFS since I was 20...fibromyalgia since age 30....I am the healthiest
>> unwell person anyone knows; I look and act healthy but I'm a mess under
>> the
>> skin (and now, to a degree, under the clothes). I've never been drunk,
>> don't drink at all, never even tried marijuana. I'm going to have a
>> colonoscopy next month and am already expecting it to turn up a
>> malignancy.
>>
>> but I have never had a hot flash (go figure) and I don't have trouble
>> sleeping (even though I work out at 11 pm!).
>>
>> just remember, IDC is curable. but what did you mean about "got all that
>> radiation for nothing" -- you meant the mammogram? I've had probably a
>> hundred of them, and it makes me pretty damned nervous. I too had a
>> hematoma
>> after second surgery: yum! and the med I take post-cancer costs $150 a
>> month
>> (AFTER insurance).
>>
>> I am so sorry! But....I was afraid I'd have to give up weight training,
>> and
>> I didn't. I have bad neuropathy in my legs (predates the cancer) but I
>> still
>> work out and go dancing and lift weights. Just keep going, one day at a
>> time.
>>
>>
>
> i'm so sorry that you have had to endure all this. to deal with the
> cancer on top of the other conditions has got to be very difficult,
> especially as with les, when you have done all the right things to try
> to care for yourself. good luck with the colonoscopy. i hope that
> turns out alright for you.
>
> ellen
>
> ellen

On May 31, 5:18*pm, ellen <epdps...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > I still don't know what kind of surgery I'm having. *Just today had
> > the breast MRI. *It was okay till they injected the dye, when my blood
> > pressure and pulse went down to nothing and I felt like I'd just burst
> > into flames. *I thought I knew how bad hot flashes can be--boy was I a
> > piker. *So the cancer specialist says if anything more turns up on the
> > MRI, it will be mastectomy time. *I'm painfully aware of the high
> > false positive rate of MRIs. *The situation is also complicated by the
> > big hematomas from my May 5 biopsies. *More food for fear--a veritable
> > banquet by now.
>
> > Les
>
> les, that all sounds so horrible. *& the waiting & fear part have to
> be horrendous. *sending you all my best wishes.
>
> xo,
> ellen
Fortunata--It sounds like highly textured is a gross understatement.
My daughter works with autistic children, and seems to have a gift for
the work. Dealing with everything that's come your way in
unimaginable.

Note to Les: I got the oncogene dx yesterday--12=low risk. I did
develop axillary web syndrome--occurs in at least 30% of post-op
patients, it's a lymphophlebitis, and causes these tight cords from
your arm pit--that can run down to your wrist and it hurts.
I spoke to my sister's ex who is a great massage therapist, after I
web-searched it, and saw a PT to reinforce shoulder exercises, and she
showed me how to massage it and the axillary scar. It's feeling a lot
better, but when it started--day 10--I couldn't even grip a pen, and
no one at the breast health center had ever heard of it.
I found these great post-op instructions from Providence Health in
Vancouver, with lots of good info and exercises and they mention it.
My surgeon told me it goes away relatively quickly--lower
inflammation, stretch and use motrin. It's working. My arm had
tightened up, and the lymphedema person told me I had lymphedema--over
the phone--and I saw the axillary cords as I changed.
If you want the post op info I can send the pdf file.
Hope all is going well,and you're figuring out the next step.
My daughter's wedding is Sunday, and she's way nervous. I'm just
trying to clean up the house for relatives.
Judy

Not to mention how many women of our generation were exposed to the DDT
spraying for mosquitoes. I remember a city truck going around the
neighborhood spraying the grass for mosquitoes during the monsoon season. I
read some where or maybe saw it on TV..it was quite a while ago. They did a
study on women in a certain area where there was a lot of breast cancer
showing up....DDT showed up in the fatty part of their breast. These were
women that were exposed as children and the DDT stayed in their body.

"sage hen" <desertnymph@cwo.com> wrote in message
news:9a0e46aa-b043-4c22-b739-1770da53ee97@i36g2000prf.googlegroups.com...
On May 29, 11:55 am, "fortunata" <pacif...@gmail.com> wrote:
> mine was invasive DC too, lowest nuclear grade and under 1 centimeter, and
> stage 1. I was the first person on EITHER SIDE of my family, ever, to get
> cancer! everyone was stunned. I am so sorry you're going through this.
> yeah,
> I am the healthiest unwell person I know. Great cholesterol (159) and BP,
> BMI 20, blah blah. and the potatoes scoot through. I have done weight
> training and cardio for decades. sigh. I'm so sorry! hang in there, it
> gets
> worse...er wait, it might not get worse. scratch that.
>
> "sage hen" <desertny...@cwo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:88023bac-3a2b-4145-bebb-4ef7ec709ff6@u12g2000prd.googlegroups.com...
>
>
>
> >I got two biopsies Monday, and yesterday the diagnosis--invasive
> > ductal carcinoma, the most common form of breast cancer, in both
> > areas
> > I am so bitter and disillusioned. This is happening to the most
> > health-conscious person I know, a decades-long member of the food
> > police, a faithful exerciser. I got all those mammograms, all that
> > radiation for nothing. Ten months after my last "clean" mammogram, I
> > find the cancer myself. My evil chain-smoking, alcoholic, junk food
> > gobbling, couch potato sister had a lump last year--benign. We're
> > both nuclear test downwinders, but I'm the one who gets cancer. Twice
> > now! I already had cervical cancer 23 years ago.
> > Isn't it weird that the main thing I feel is rage? I'm also scared,
> > but the injustice really hurts.
> > I'm also in post-estradiol hell. Can't sleep, just when my immune
> > system needs it most. I feel like I'm on fire, all the time. How I
> > miss that little pill.
> > The biopsy was horrible too. The doctor slipped and injected one of
> > my specimens into her finger. We both had to get blood tests at a
> > lab. My breast is still very fibrous and had to be stabbed very hard,
> > many times, to get the needles through. I feel like I've been worked
> > over by a barbed meat tenderizer.
> > It's only the beginning, I know. Got to get used to pain!
> > Wish me luck, gals. I'll keep you posted.
> > Les- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Thanks Fortunata,

Yes, not only is getting breast cancer shocking and scary, it's also
irksome and embarrassing when the victim is a health nut surrounded by
lazy, substance-abusing junk-food gobblers, all in perfect health.
Can you also trace some toxic exposure? At least I can blame the 12
years of open-air nuke tests, etc., etc. I just read today about the
breast cancer cluster at the Navajo reservation caused by uranium
mining.

I still don't know what kind of surgery I'm having. Just today had
the breast MRI. It was okay till they injected the dye, when my blood
pressure and pulse went down to nothing and I felt like I'd just burst
into flames. I thought I knew how bad hot flashes can be--boy was I a
piker. So the cancer specialist says if anything more turns up on the
MRI, it will be mastectomy time. I'm painfully aware of the high
false positive rate of MRIs. The situation is also complicated by the
big hematomas from my May 5 biopsies. More food for fear--a veritable
banquet by now.

Les

On Jun 4, 8:17*am, "judy.n" <judy.nudel...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On May 31, 5:18*pm, ellen <epdps...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> > > I still don't know what kind of surgery I'm having. *Just today had
> > > the breast MRI. *It was okay till they injected the dye, when my blood
> > > pressure and pulse went down to nothing and I felt like I'd just burst
> > > into flames. *I thought I knew how bad hot flashes can be--boy was Ia
> > > piker. *So the cancer specialist says if anything more turns up on the
> > > MRI, it will be mastectomy time. *I'm painfully aware of the high
> > > false positive rate of MRIs. *The situation is also complicated by the
> > > big hematomas from my May 5 biopsies. *More food for fear--a veritable
> > > banquet by now.
>
> > > Les
>
> > les, that all sounds so horrible. *& the waiting & fear part have to
> > be horrendous. *sending you all my best wishes.
>
> > xo,
> > ellen
>
> Fortunata--It sounds like highly textured is a gross understatement.
> My daughter works with autistic children, and seems to have a gift for
> the work. Dealing with everything that's come your way in
> unimaginable.
>
> Note to Les: I got the oncogene dx yesterday--12=low risk. I did
> develop axillary web syndrome--occurs in at least 30% of post-op
> patients, it's a lymphophlebitis, and causes these tight cords from
> your arm pit--that can run down to your wrist and it hurts.
> * I spoke to my sister's ex who is a great massage therapist, after I
> web-searched it, and saw a PT to reinforce shoulder exercises, and she
> showed me how to massage it and the axillary scar. It's feeling a lot
> better, but when it started--day 10--I couldn't even grip a pen, and
> no one at the breast health center had ever heard of it.
> * I found these great post-op instructions from Providence Health in
> Vancouver, with lots of good info and exercises and they mention it.
> My surgeon told me it goes away relatively quickly--lower
> inflammation, stretch and use motrin. It's working. My arm had
> tightened up, and the lymphedema person told me I had lymphedema--over
> the phone--and I saw the axillary cords as I changed.
> * If you want the post op info I can send the pdf file.
> * Hope all is going well,and you're figuring out the next step.
> * My daughter's wedding is Sunday, and she's way nervous. I'm just
> trying to clean up the house for relatives.
> Judy- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Judy and Lane,

Thanks for looking out for me. Got the results of my MRI, nothing new
but it also muddied things up. I have a date for a large-scale
lumpectomy Monday. I told the doctor not to be shy with her knife.

No more spots found, but the idiot MRI reader claimed the clip put in
my small tumor was actually in my bigger tumor, so I have to get a
wire localization before surgery. Dadburn that gigantic biopsy
hematoma, 31 days later still causing pain and mass confusion. I'm
done with placebo MRIs and mammograms. .

Had pre-op tests today, refused the chest x-ray, more unnecessary
rads. Bad enough I must get 6 weeks of radiation, driving down the
mountain all July and part of August. I'll be parking at a neighbor's
place who lives near the highwa