Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by TruTexan

As soon as I know something more definite. I will come back let you all know what's going on. Thank you all for your support, I do appreciate each and every one of you , you're some awesome folks here.
Thanks for listening to me and responding to my post. I do appreciate it very much.

Justy

Great to hear you are going to a dedicated breast center for follow-up.

So glad you can come here 24 hours a day and write about what concerns you, or about, ~~~anything.

Fear is better when exposed, so, sharing is really caring, and glad you are here.
Some of us have had the big old scary diagnosis and know how good it is to be able to talk about it.

Hang in there Justy. Thanks for posting.

Tommi

[TruTexan]

Thank each and everyone one of you for the positive energy here and for understanding my fears. And for welcoming me so lovingly in to this thread. I do appreciate each and every one of you that have posted to me. It means a great deal. I will be using this thread for a support system since I don't have one here at home.
I am grateful to all of you here for welcoming me with open arms and without any pressure to post. I will keep the thread posted about my results after the second diagnostics that are going to be done on Friday, just as soon as I know something myself. I called a couple of people to start a prayer chain for me so I will be covered spiritually and allow God's grace to come in and help me get through this. With his help and all of you here, I can not lose my mind in worrying at this stage while I'm waiting to go and waiting for more results. I"m just a worry wart over things like this, it's pretty natural to be I guess.
Thank you to all of you here for the helpful posts you have allowed me to read. I needed to read them today.

[Tommi]

Rainbow candles, prayers and thoughts to light your way.
Sleep well, and I hope the beautiful colors of the rainbow will surround you.

Blue skies ahead.

[mustangjeano]

Originally Posted by TruTexan

Thank each and everyone one of you for the positive energy here and for understanding my fears. And for welcoming me so lovingly in to this thread. I do appreciate each and every one of you that have posted to me. It means a great deal. I will be using this thread for a support system since I don't have one here at home.
I am grateful to all of you here for welcoming me with open arms and without any pressure to post. I will keep the thread posted about my results after the second diagnostics that are going to be done on Friday, just as soon as I know something myself. I called a couple of people to start a prayer chain for me so I will be covered spiritually and allow God's grace to come in and help me get through this. With his help and all of you here, I can not lose my mind in worrying at this stage while I'm waiting to go and waiting for more results. I"m just a worry wart over things like this, it's pretty natural to be I guess.
Thank you to all of you here for the helpful posts you have allowed me to read. I needed to read them today.

Hi , Sorry to be late in posting a response but haven't been on the site much lately. I wanted to add my support. I have been thru breast cancer twice and know the anxiety of waiting for tests and results. I'm sure that most mammos turn out to be clear or non cancer blips, So the odds are deffinitely in your favor. I will be holding good thoughts for you and look forward to your posting the good news. You are not alone in this--many of us are with you in spirit. Jeano

[TruTexan]

Today I went back to the Trinity Mother Francis Hospital Ross Breast Center for more imaging. They did 2 more different Mammograms on my right breast along with an ultrasound. Unfortunately, it wasn't a bad screening the first time. I do have a dime to penny size area on my right breast that is suspect. They can't tell from what they did today what it could be, so the oncologist wants a biopsy done. I go next Wednesday Jan 22 for the biopsy at 150 central time. I got to see what they were talking to me about on the mammograms and on the ultrasound. It's actually something there but just not sure what it is. So, it's a precautionary move on the doctors part to do that biopsy on my right breast which will tell him an answer if it's cancer or benign tumor, or fibroid tumor or whatever. My right breast is hurting so bad from that last two mammograms it's not even funny. Squished the shit out of my breast. LOL
I wanted to say thank you to each and everyone of you rendering support to me, it's helping me remain calm. I also had to tell mom today about what is going on so she knows. My sister called while I was telling mom and I had her on speaker phone. Mom is really worried now. I told her there's a good chance it's nothing to worry about and that I am not going to worry about it until they tell me I need to worry.
I"ve thought long and hard since the first call back this week. I've decided that if it is cancer, to have both breasts removed so I don't have to deal with it a second time in the other breast, just to get rid of them and that way I won't have to wear a damn bra anymore. LMAO I can joke about this today and be okay with it. Thank you all for your support. I will post more when I know the results of my biopsy.

And to all those dealing with cancer, I commend you on your bravery. I support you in every way possible even though I haven't posted here before.
I watched my uncle go through 6 1/2 yrs of dealing with brain cancer and he finally gave up his fight a yr ago, on Nov 10 2012 he passed away from it. He was the longest living brain cancer patient his oncologist had. He lived 6yrs longer than his oncologist expected him to and he lived those last 6 yrs loving his family and friends and loving me like he was my dad. He was a brave man and a loving gentle person. I couldn't have asked for a better uncle.
So, if it turns out I do have cancer, I will be just as brave as he was in his fight and live my life just as he taught me it should be lived, loving those you love the most, and letting them know how much you love them everyday.
Justy

[Tommi]

A BIG TRU TEXAN


Thinkin aboutcha! Yep, some scary stuff comes up. Glad your Mom knows now, because, I bet know you want her support, love and prayers. Even though she will be worried and scared and the whole thing, sometimes just knowing you are in good hands, you are following up on it and can talk about it is a good thing for some.


Hang in there, come on back and chat.

[TruTexan]

Tommi, A BIG THANKS to you today for the shout out. Yes, I did need my mom to know. I told her lets not worry until I find out further from the biopsy, but being my mom that she is, she's OMG stage now. I know she's probably stressing out more than I am today. I told her it's not necessary for her to go with me to get the biopsy. My neighbor is going to drive me there to Tyler, an hour away from where I live to get the biopsy done at the Breast Center at the hospital. I am just more worried today about my mom's stress level, but if I hadn't told her and she found out she'd be pretty upset with me and never let me live it down, it would be a huge issue that I didn't tell her about it and what I'm having done. She's very scared of getting cancer because my grandmother , her mom, died from colon cancer or ovarian cancer that had spread. She is so afraid of cancer it's not even funny. I know I"m in God's hands and if it's his will I have it and have to go through treatment for it, then so be it. I have a positive attitude today and today is all I'm going to worry about. My ptsd and anxiety are bad enough to take meds for, but it's under control . I just hope it's nothing to be honest. That it comes back benign.
Thanks for your shout out and support Tommi. I need it from friends online. I have really have no friends in my tiny town here. I only live where I live so that I can be mom's caregiver and help her when she needs help, take her to her doctor appts. etc. I'm the only child she has that was able to move here to help her after my stepfather passed 4yrs ago this month. My younger sister lives all the way in TN. I called her yesterday about it and today about what they said. She's afraid too. I told her don't be, I can handle it. That my spirits are high and that I will just have both breasts removed if i have cancer and she laughed and said it would make me more butch looking. I laughed. we joked, she teared up, I laughed some more she laughed more. She's the onlyi sister I have that I talk to and not very much, she's so busy with her job and family there. She works really long hours in IT for the state of TN. And is rarely able to talk to me. my older sister is a nut job, I don't speak to her anymore. Anyway, I thank you and all of you in this thread that have reached out to me in posts, it' means a lot to me. Thank you and God Bless all of you here.


PS. Maybe this just hasn't hit me yet like it should. I don't know. I'm kinda feeling like I am in limbo and nervous about it all.

Justy

[TruTexan]

Just bumping the thread for some support please. thanks.

[mustangjeano]

Originally Posted by TruTexan

Tommi, A BIG THANKS to you today for the shout out. Yes, I did need my mom to know. I told her lets not worry until I find out further from the biopsy, but being my mom that she is, she's OMG stage now. I know she's probably stressing out more than I am today. I told her it's not necessary for her to go with me to get the biopsy. My neighbor is going to drive me there to Tyler, an hour away from where I live to get the biopsy done at the Breast Center at the hospital. I am just more worried today about my mom's stress level, but if I hadn't told her and she found out she'd be pretty upset with me and never let me live it down, it would be a huge issue that I didn't tell her about it and what I'm having done. She's very scared of getting cancer because my grandmother , her mom, died from colon cancer or ovarian cancer that had spread. She is so afraid of cancer it's not even funny. I know I"m in God's hands and if it's his will I have it and have to go through treatment for it, then so be it. I have a positive attitude today and today is all I'm going to worry about. My ptsd and anxiety are bad enough to take meds for, but it's under control . I just hope it's nothing to be honest. That it comes back benign.
Thanks for your shout out and support Tommi. I need it from friends online. I have really have no friends in my tiny town here. I only live where I live so that I can be mom's caregiver and help her when she needs help, take her to her doctor appts. etc. I'm the only child she has that was able to move here to help her after my stepfather passed 4yrs ago this month. My younger sister lives all the way in TN. I called her yesterday about it and today about what they said. She's afraid too. I told her don't be, I can handle it. That my spirits are high and that I will just have both breasts removed if i have cancer and she laughed and said it would make me more butch looking. I laughed. we joked, she teared up, I laughed some more she laughed more. She's the onlyi sister I have that I talk to and not very much, she's so busy with her job and family there. She works really long hours in IT for the state of TN. And is rarely able to talk to me. my older sister is a nut job, I don't speak to her anymore. Anyway, I thank you and all of you in this thread that have reached out to me in posts, it' means a lot to me. Thank you and God Bless all of you here.


PS. Maybe this just hasn't hit me yet like it should. I don't know. I'm kinda feeling like I am in limbo and nervous about it all.

Justy

Hi Justy, Thanks for posting about today. It sucks to wait for another test but whichever way the biopsy turns out you will know what your next step is and that is much more empowering than the waiting part. I'm in your corner Buddy. You are doing GREAT!
Jeano

[LeftWriteFemme]

Originally Posted by Tommi

Great to hear you are going to a dedicated breast center for follow-up.

All I can say is, What a Difference going to a dedicated breast center has made!! After having been to three doctors (all working as a team mind you) in three consecutive weeks, who A. seemed surprised to see my sponsee who has breast cancer and B. had to be told why she was there..........even though I was in the office with the first doctor when he made the phone calls to the other two......I was not happy.

This Monday when we went for a second opinion at the Livingston Breast Center:
(< link)
We saw Doctor Sarah Schaefer, who has been the doctor for my sponsor Nan and also for close friends of my sponsee's. Amazingly she knew exactly why we were there. None of the other doctors had managed to get the pathology report, Doctor Schaefer and the Center use something called Nurse Navigator and had those results with in 5 minutes and was able to lay out a plan with us during the first visit.
Also I had been looking at a study using Reparixin, the other three doctors, blew it off though they had never heard of it, Doctor Schaefer looked it up right there and we talked about the pros and cons and how she would cooperate with Montefiore if my sponsee chose to participate.

Tomorrow my sponsee is going to see Doctor Dean R Cerio, who is a plastic surgeon who works in cooperation with the center. The plan is that my sponsee will be getting the breast reduction she has always wanted as a part of the lumpectomy.....which is also amazing because the other three doctors had told her there was no way.
As part of a small personal victory, my sponsee is going to see this surgeon with her friend who is also a patient of this doctor and I am going to have my mamo and then see a pulminologist (I failed my spirograph test)
I realize that the bigger the team the easier this is going to be for all of us.
My grandmother used to say 'many hands make light work' and she was sure right. Having the support of the people on this thread and the folks we know in recovery, plus our friends and family has made this lonely thing feel like a group effort and quite survivable. Thank you so much!!!

[deb0670]

I lost my Step-Dad to Cancer in November.
In January, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and he went out and did everything he possibly could do to fight it. He did the chemo, he changed his eating and drinking habits, he started exercising more.. you name it.
The cancer spread too fast to his lymph nodes, so they could not do the surgery they were going to do. He fought so hard to beat it.. but he just couldn't. My mom was by his side the whole time. He was her true soul mate and the only man she was ever really in love with.
It hurt me so badly watching from a distance what she had to go through.. i could not even imagine.
I was never really close to my step dad due to him never really wanting to be close to anyone, including his own kids. But my mom.. i love her dearly. When she called me to say he just had a matter of days, all i could do was pray and try to comfort her the best i could.
Then when he passed, she called trying to sound so brave.. but broke down. I felt like such a horrible daughter because i could not be there for my Mom when i felt like she needed me the most. She lives in California and we are in Georgia, and we just could not afford the trip.
She said it was ok and she understood.. but still.. i. should. have. been. there.
She is still in the grieving process, and will be for quite sometime,
They were together for 16 years and married for 14. They were mini-storage managers and lived in an apt above their office. So now, Mom has to go upstairs to an empty apt and go to work without him every day.
She was going to move out here to be with us in about 6 months.. but she decided to go live near her sister instead.
i have mixed feelings about that.
Anyways,
sorry for the book.
i am still keeping y'all in my prayers.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by deb0670

I lost my Step-Dad to Cancer in November.
In January, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and he went out and did everything he possibly could do to fight it. He did the chemo, he changed his eating and drinking habits, he started exercising more.. you name it.
The cancer spread too fast to his lymph nodes, so they could not do the surgery they were going to do. He fought so hard to beat it.. but he just couldn't. My mom was by his side the whole time. He was her true soul mate and the only man she was ever really in love with.
It hurt me so badly watching from a distance what she had to go through.. i could not even imagine.
I was never really close to my step dad due to him never really wanting to be close to anyone, including his own kids. But my mom.. i love her dearly. When she called me to say he just had a matter of days, all i could do was pray and try to comfort her the best i could.
Then when he passed, she called trying to sound so brave.. but broke down. I felt like such a horrible daughter because i could not be there for my Mom when i felt like she needed me the most. She lives in California and we are in Georgia, and we just could not afford the trip.
She said it was ok and she understood.. but still.. i. should. have. been. there.
She is still in the grieving process, and will be for quite sometime,
They were together for 16 years and married for 14. They were mini-storage managers and lived in an apt above their office. So now, Mom has to go upstairs to an empty apt and go to work without him every day.
She was going to move out here to be with us in about 6 months.. but she decided to go live near her sister instead.
i have mixed feelings about that.
Anyways,
sorry for the book.
i am still keeping y'all in my prayers.

Hey, deb. It is a couple of months after a person's death that supporters tend to wander away and go back to their lives. They think about the survivor less and contact them less. It is when the fanfare of support/activities around the death, dies down that the survivor really needs someone. The best thing you can do for your mother is to save your money and fly out there when you can. She STILL needs you. You can still be there for her. It is not any less important than it was right after her husband's death.

[deb0670]

Thank You, Actually she is flying out here in May to see her new great-granddaughter when she is born. My son lives three houses down from us and he and his wife are having their first child and it is our first granddaughter and my Mom's first great-granddaughter. While my mom is here, we are driving up to Illinois so she can see her two great grandsons for the first time.
So, that will be good for her.

Originally Posted by DapperButch

Hey, deb. It is a couple of months after a person's death that supporters tend to wander away and go back to their lives. They think about the survivor less and contact them less. It is when the fanfare of support/activities around the death, dies down that the survivor really needs someone. The best thing you can do for your mother is to save your money and fly out there when you can. She STILL needs you. You can still be there for her. It is not any less important than it was right after her husband's death.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by deb0670

Thank You, Actually she is flying out here in May to see her new great-granddaughter when she is born. My son lives three houses down from us and he and his wife are having their first child and it is our first granddaughter and my Mom's first great-granddaughter. While my mom is here, we are driving up to Illinois so she can see her two great grandsons for the first time.
So, that will be good for her.

Yes, that is fantastic. Plus, it gives her something to look forward to....a very good thing!

[deb0670]

Exactly. She has a lot of friends near her and work with her, plus my Aunt is only a couple of hours away from her, so at least she has support around her.. i just wish we lived closer to each other.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by LeftWriteFemme

All I can say is, What a Difference going to a dedicated breast center has made!! After having been to three doctors (all working as a team mind you) in three consecutive weeks, who A. seemed surprised to see my sponsee who has breast cancer and B. had to be told why she was there..........even though I was in the office with the first doctor when he made the phone calls to the other two......I was not happy.

This Monday when we went for a second opinion at the Livingston Breast Center:
(< link)
We saw Doctor Sarah Schaefer, who has been the doctor for my sponsor Nan and also for close friends of my sponsee's. Amazingly she knew exactly why we were there. None of the other doctors had managed to get the pathology report, Doctor Schaefer and the Center use something called Nurse Navigator and had those results with in 5 minutes and was able to lay out a plan with us during the first visit.
Also I had been looking at a study using Reparixin, the other three doctors, blew it off though they had never heard of it, Doctor Schaefer looked it up right there and we talked about the pros and cons and how she would cooperate with Montefiore if my sponsee chose to participate.

Tomorrow my sponsee is going to see Doctor Dean R Cerio, who is a plastic surgeon who works in cooperation with the center. The plan is that my sponsee will be getting the breast reduction she has always wanted as a part of the lumpectomy.....which is also amazing because the other three doctors had told her there was no way.
As part of a small personal victory, my sponsee is going to see this surgeon with her friend who is also a patient of this doctor and I am going to have my mamo and then see a pulminologist (I failed my spirograph test)
I realize that the bigger the team the easier this is going to be for all of us.
My grandmother used to say 'many hands make light work' and she was sure right. Having the support of the people on this thread and the folks we know in recovery, plus our friends and family has made this lonely thing feel like a group effort and quite survivable. Thank you so much!!!

Glad things went so well for your sponsee (and glad to hear that you are taking care of yourself, too!)! Yes, I have heard it does make a big difference if you are at a breast center. Oncologists are more motivated because it is their life's work, instead of all cancers.

Glad to hear so many are pitching in to help. They say one should have a "cancer team" when facing this. I can't remember all the different roles, but Keith Block, M.D. wrote about it in his book ("Life Over Cancer"). I'm sure you can find the concept in other places. Roles include for example, the "researcher" who looks up information, goes to all the appointments, and organizes it all, then there would be a person who had time to do driving to chemo/radiation/testing, someone may be good at making meals, etc. It is too much for one or two people to manage. I know it was a lot for just my mom and girlfriend. However, I was able to do a lot of things for myself for the bulk of my treatment (during chemo), so it was only about two months I was useless (after surgeries). My brain was never really clear though during all that treatment. I think I even wrote some idiotic stuff on this website during that time!

[TruTexan]

LWFemme, I am so glad your sponsee is going to a dedicated breast cancer center. That is where I go for mammograms every year and this year they found something about the size of a dime to a penny or so and the doctor was so cautious in his choosing to go ahead with a biopsy just to make sure. I wish your sponsee well in her treatment plans and in her recovery. I can't tell you enough how important it is for us as women bodied individuals to have those mammograms done every year and at the same place every year so they have your records to compare and refer back to.
I wish I had a woman doctor, but I did have the chief of oncology come to talk to me about my results and look at the ultrasound himself. He was very sweet and caring individual. I'm glad to have the opportunity to go to a dedicated breast cancer center locally, I think it makes a world of difference that those doctors are dedicated to that special area of our bodies.

As for me, I shall try to remain focused into today and not worry about things to come or even about tomorrow, for tomorrow hasn't even come yet.