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Starlite, sounds like you need prayed for as well. Don't call your treatments a walk in the park. I know it's not easy.
Chele, how are you doing on your treatments?
Well...... it has been pretty rocky. My tumor markers have gone up and up. My tumor marker has been pretty reliable indicator of progression so far. I've had a lot of progression in my bones; most of my spine, pelvis, sternum, femurs. I'm on my third chemo since my stage IV diagnosis in March, looking for one that works.
Now for the good news. My progression has stayed in my bones. My tumor marker is down from 1008 to 998! (cut off for normal is 38.6) I know that might not sound like a lot, but I haven't been able to do chemo for three weeks because of neutropenia. So it's down after only 2 Navelbine treatments. Maybe, just maybe, I'm going to be stable for a while? Otherwise I feel like a perfectly healthy 50 y/o. I'm still working full time and all that jazz.
Cushla, thank you for the kind words but the truth to me is that you all are a big inspiration to me!
Starlite, glad to hear your treatments are finished.
gentlearts, ditto on what you just said. We are here to help and encourage.
Merry Christmas!
Going on two years since the treatments, and PSA reads zero... So I am assuming the best! 'Couse all the rest of the parts fall off at night nowdays and I got to get up and round them up and stick 'em back on! Something about getting older....
Wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Cancer Free New Year, may not be practical, but sure would be nice!
I hope it is okay to post here instead of starting a new thread.
I received confirmation this afternoon that I am diagnosed with breast cancer. I feel like I am having the worst dream ever. Sick to my stomach, crying non-stop...I don't know how I'll go to work tomorrow but I sure don't want to stay home and cry all day. I have a million fears... the doctor gave me a lot of information and I don't remember 90% of it.
I had a mammogram and ultrasound two weeks ago, and chose to have a lumpectomy last week instead of a needle biopsy. Get it out of me, I said. I cried all the way into the operating room. I am normally a strong person...is it normal to be a mess like this?
My surgery follow-up is the 24th and I'm hoping to sort out the options he gave me, and have an idea of what I want to do. I am also going to set up a consult with a really good oncologist that specializes in breast cancer ASAP, just to get some help sorting things out. If I correctly remember what the doctor said, I can either do 1. more tissue removal around lumpectomy + lymph node biopsy thing + chemo + radiation, or 2. masectomy and maybe chemo too.
DH and I were planning on trying to start a family by the end of this year. Was waiting until I was close to graduating (spring 2013). I feel like all my hopes and dreams have been crushed and I'm terrified for myself, too. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and it about killed me to tell her the news. How are you all getting through this without completely losing your mind? Sorry, I'm feeling so hopeless and scared right now.
I sent you a private note expressing my sorrow about your diagnosis, and welcoming you to the club ... and then thought that perhaps what I wrote to you I should share with everyone who posts at the cancer forum. I checked with SouthernBelle, our moderator, just to be sure it was OK.
I wrote an ebook with my thoughts on dealing with treating and beating cancer. It's been published through a few different sites, with a few more coming soon. I made it available at no cost as a way of paying it forward for all those who supported me during my fight with this stupid cancer.
One link that has the easiest access to the book, in many different formats is:
For those who use iTunes or Kobo books, it's available there as well. Again. It's not "for sale". There is no charge, nothing to sign up for, no registration required, etc. It's a free service and I think it can be helpful to those with a new cancer diagnosis - even those who have a family member or friend with cancer.
I hope that whoever reads it finds it helpful, encouraging and empowering.
I hope it is okay to post here instead of starting a new thread.
I received confirmation this afternoon that I am diagnosed with breast cancer. I feel like I am having the worst dream ever. Sick to my stomach, crying non-stop...I don't know how I'll go to work tomorrow but I sure don't want to stay home and cry all day. I have a million fears... the doctor gave me a lot of information and I don't remember 90% of it.
I had a mammogram and ultrasound two weeks ago, and chose to have a lumpectomy last week instead of a needle biopsy. Get it out of me, I said. I cried all the way into the operating room. I am normally a strong person...is it normal to be a mess like this?
My surgery follow-up is the 24th and I'm hoping to sort out the options he gave me, and have an idea of what I want to do. I am also going to set up a consult with a really good oncologist that specializes in breast cancer ASAP, just to get some help sorting things out. If I correctly remember what the doctor said, I can either do 1. more tissue removal around lumpectomy + lymph node biopsy thing + chemo + radiation, or 2. masectomy and maybe chemo too.
DH and I were planning on trying to start a family by the end of this year. Was waiting until I was close to graduating (spring 2013). I feel like all my hopes and dreams have been crushed and I'm terrified for myself, too. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and it about killed me to tell her the news. How are you all getting through this without completely losing your mind? Sorry, I'm feeling so hopeless and scared right now.
First, sending you hugs if you want them.
Second, I really recommend that you get linked up with local young adult cancer organizations. While I am not a breast cancer survivor, I am a stage IV Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor. I was diagnosed last year a month after my 23rd birthday, and the most important piece for me to be OK emotionally was to connect with my peers. I was the youngest by at least 30 years in the cancer center so knowing that there were others who shared my fears about fertility, dating and sexuality, career, and the uniquely awful financial position of getting cancer in your 20s versus the fears of the "average" cancer patient about how cancer impacted children/grandchildren or retirement was essential. Do you mind sharing what city you are in? I'd be happy to help find resources for you. It's so overwhelming right now.
Are able to take a personal or sick day from work? If there's any day to take a mental health day, it's now. It's completely normal to be a mess.
As far as fertility goes, talk to your oncologist ASAP about your fears. I've found that oncologists aren't always too aware of those concerns for younger patients (and the patients aren't always thinking about it either). I was lucky in that my onc sent me immediately to a fertility specialist. Unfortunately, in my state egg banking is not covered by insurance. However, many states will cover embryo banking since you are married. If not, FertileHope is an organization that helps fund fertility measures for young adults with cancer.
Everything is very scary now. I strongly suggest talking to your husband now about what sort of support systems you want in place. I did it virtually alone, but having your husband to orchestrate doctor's appointments, help with cooking and cleaning, and letting others know what is going on will be essential. Set up an organization system now for receipts (for tax purposes next year), appointments, and notes from doctors' appointments. It will be very helpful later on.
There are many people here who have been there before. Don't worry about venting, crying, or freaking out here. We've been there.
I hope it is okay to post here instead of starting a new thread.
I received confirmation this afternoon that I am diagnosed with breast cancer. I feel like I am having the worst dream ever. Sick to my stomach, crying non-stop...I don't know how I'll go to work tomorrow but I sure don't want to stay home and cry all day. I have a million fears... the doctor gave me a lot of information and I don't remember 90% of it.
I had a mammogram and ultrasound two weeks ago, and chose to have a lumpectomy last week instead of a needle biopsy. Get it out of me, I said. I cried all the way into the operating room. I am normally a strong person...is it normal to be a mess like this?
My surgery follow-up is the 24th and I'm hoping to sort out the options he gave me, and have an idea of what I want to do. I am also going to set up a consult with a really good oncologist that specializes in breast cancer ASAP, just to get some help sorting things out. If I correctly remember what the doctor said, I can either do 1. more tissue removal around lumpectomy + lymph node biopsy thing + chemo + radiation, or 2. masectomy and maybe chemo too.
DH and I were planning on trying to start a family by the end of this year. Was waiting until I was close to graduating (spring 2013). I feel like all my hopes and dreams have been crushed and I'm terrified for myself, too. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and it about killed me to tell her the news. How are you all getting through this without completely losing your mind? Sorry, I'm feeling so hopeless and scared right now.
Well this place will do you fine for posting!
There is a lot of good advice from those here that have been through what you are dealing with!
My heart goes out to you and wish for you a quick cure!
Thank you for your posts and positive thoughts. Hugs are definitely welcome! I am doing a little better this afternoon. Going to work was hard but I am glad I did; I was productive, helped people, and told my boss and two coworkers what was going on, and they were so supportive. If I stayed home I know I would have just burrowed into the couch and cried all day.
I have an appointment with a very good breast cancer oncologist Wednesday of next week for a consultation, and I changed my surgeon follow up to the next day so I can tell him what I'm thinking after the oncology consult. I also got a copy of my pathology report and learned I have "invasive ductal carcinoma" which according to Google is the most common type. That was reassuring to me.
I live about an hour north of Springfield, MO. I would love to find a support group for younger women with breast cancer. There is a breast cancer support group meeting nearby in a few weeks and I'd like to go to that, but it had not occurred to me that I might be much younger than most its members. I am 32. I am meeting with the group leader in a couple of weeks for unrelated professional reasons (pure coincidence) and I will ask her about the group.
My husband is 100% supportive, plans on going with me to all appointments and I know he will help out where ever and when ever needed. I am a very lucky woman.
I hope tonight I can get some sleep. I got about 2 hours worth last night. But I feel a little calmer today - and I'm having a glass of wine too for good measure.
It amazes me, all the different life transitions and situations I have been through over the past several years, and the city-data forums have always been able to provide me with the information and support I need.
I'm sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was diagnosed with IDC stage IIB, grade 2, ER+PR+, HER2neu- Nov/2009. I also had 3 of 9 lymph nodes tested positive. One of my lymph nodes was completely obliterated. I had bilateral mastectomy, did 4 dose dense Adriamyacin/Cytoxin followed by 4 dose dense Taxol treatments followed by 33 radiation treatments. I'm stage IV since March 2011 with mets to my bones.
Have your lymph nodes been tested?
Does your pathology report tell you the grade, etc? That information will determine your treatment options.
Cancer is a hell of a ride. From the get go I thought of it more as an adventure. It is definately life changing, but honestly - not all bad. I know, sounds crazy coming from someone with terminal cancer. The thing is, you've still got time. Probably lot's of it. Hell, you may even live your expected life span. There is a commercial on TV. I'm not sure what they are selling, but one of the commercials is he asks her to marry him, the other she wants to have a baby.....but FIRST we have this and this to do. Now is the time to do those things. Take care of your treatment then have those kids, climb that mountain, or start barrel racing (at the age of 49 with compromised bones LOL). Cancer is a crappy diagnosis no doubt but you've still got time to LIVE.
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