Re: Cancer survivors

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

@Gracies Mom ---Well for crying out loud!!! I am very sorry about....everything that you are dealing with!!

Were you having issues that made you go get the first MRI? Or was that a yearly thing for you--at any rate you got right in there and found out what was going on--kind of--but now to get you in there for that biopsie. I know how scheduling appts has been stupid!! ---this waiting drives me insane!! Just keep trying to get that appt--wonder if your dr can call for you--had one dr call in for me about a gastro problem that I called about--got an appt 2 months--- my dr called and I got an appt 2 days later--can't hurt to try.

Poor Remy----glad he is getting better. I know how things seem to pile up and dump on you---had a bit of a "pile-up" myself with my broken ankle and then my daughter badly sprained her ankle a few weeks after me-----my cat was the only one with good ankles -----anyway--I am sending you good thoughts and well wishes.

PAM

Gracies Mom · ‎04-25-2011

Hi Pam!

So sorry for your troubles also--and of all things--ankle issues!

What happened to me is that I had my usual PET scan--I have it every six months. Had it the first week of November--saw my oncologist--she told me three small spots lit up--that was alarming--haven't had anything light up in seven years--since I started the anti-estrogen pill. Saw my surgeon--he thought he felt some kind of abnomal tissue where my uterine cancer came back the first time. Both doctors agreed I should have an MRI--it would show more detail--took three weeks for me to get an MRI appointment!! Saw my surgeon Jan 5th--he told me two out of the three spots that lit up were gone--and the tissue he thought might be abnormal in the vault area didn't show up on the MRI--the only thing that showed up was a very small mass that was one of the three that showed up on the PET scan--and that looks suspicious--but it must be biopsied for analysis. That small mass is in the muscle at the top of my intestines within my pelvic area--not in the intestines(thank goodness)--but on top. Surgeon felt a needle biopsy is in order and he called the interventional radiology department of Sloan-Kettering to have them put me on their schedule. Didn't hear anything all last week, so I called the surgeon's office--his receptionist said she will get in touch with radiology and they will get in touch with me--no word from them so far--but I did receive some sort of schedule for my next appointments--the staff makes the appointments but never asks the patient!!! What kind of system is that?? According to the statement, I am supposed to do a telemedicine visit this Wednesday with a PA from radiology--and the biopsy is supposed to be this Friday, but no time listed. I live 1 1/2 hours from the medical facility--plus I'd have to make day care plans for Remy with a neighbor, so I cannot leave Remy off very early in the morning (plus he's still healing from kennel cough)--what's is going on here? I'm scared, tired and feeling overwhelmed. That's besides having to go through a needle biopsy--I've had that done years ago and it's not fun in the abdominal area--and what if it is cancer again?? My doctors keep telling me "one step at a time", but I need to know my options---I feel as if everyting is out of my control and it's driving me nuts. Been dealing with all this since November and I just feel like running away. Have you ever felt like that? Thanks for putting up with my ranting....wishing you all the best with your ankle problems (and your daughter too)...some days I can deal with stuff better than others--you too?

JackieHN · ‎09-23-2011

Whew Gracies Mom. Is there a way to get over the anxiety and fear. Some people like my girlfriend who also has breast cancer says nope. She has to go for MRI's every year. She says just get through it. She says I'm not going to let this rule my life. I bounce off of the walls.

I have to go for another MRI next month. 2 cysts popped up. I said biopsy them. She said no. Then i turned to my surgeon and said suck it out or cut them out. She said no. So then stop sending me for all of these tests already. I know they need a baseline MRI with these cysts but I'm still frightened. What if??

You'll survive the needle biopsy and then you'll know. Hopefully ot will be negative. We just have to get through it all. There is no easy answer. We've all been through so much already and we all have PTSD. Anti anxiety pills may help to take the edge off. They work. I'm the Queen of paxil.

Sorry to hear about Remy. Sounds like he's coming along.

Stormygirl · ‎08-01-2015

I’m hoping someone can answer some questions. Thanks in advance. I’m going for PET Scan in the morning…..never had one…..is it long? About 4 days before Christmas I was found to have multiple nodules in both lungs. CT Scan shows nodules also in my colon feared to be primary site. The waiting to know what I’m dealing with is so terrifying isn’t it? I have no idea yet except this and that a blood test shows platelets are low. Hope I get answers soon from Oncology.

Tissyanne · ‎12-07-2012

@Stormygirl wrote:
I’m hoping someone can answer some questions. Thanks in advance. I’m going for PET Scan in the morning…..never had one…..is it long? About 4 days before Christmas I was found to have multiple nodules in both lungs. CT Scan shows nodules also in my colon feared to be primary site. The waiting to know what I’m dealing with is so terrifying isn’t it? I have no idea yet except this and that a blood test shows platelets are low. Hope I get answers soon from Oncology.

@Stormygirl ,

The waiting is very stressful. I think you will get more responses under the Wellness forum . You probably should move your questions over there.

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

@Tissyanne --I had so many tests and scans when I was dx with breast cancer in 2012--am sure I had a PET scan and I don't remember it being too awful--I mean let's be honest--no scan/test is a piece of cake--but if it can get to the bottom of whats going on, then go for it. I believe they put some sort of contrast or tracer into your body via an IV and you just lay there. It's a more definitive image. Yes the waiting is even worse than the procedure but for me, I wanted to know ASAP and get on with the treatments. So sorry you are going thru this---it is the most terrifying thing I have gone thru ---good luck and come back if you need to chat!!

wagirl · ‎03-09-2010

@Gracies Mom ---I can't tell how angry this trying to get appointments has been lately---I would be on the phone every day asking about everything---and if it is cancer--you will deal with it as you did the first time--right??!! all you can do is get things arranged so you can get to that appointment --the system is broken since covid and all----I had an appointment to see my gastro dr about my horrible guts this past summer---the appoinment was scheduled 2 months away--I ended up in the ER and found out I have diverticulosis and was having an attack!!! Saw my dr a few weeks later and kind of read him the riot act altho he could do nothing about it really.

I have felt like running away almost constantly since going thru my divorce and my stomach and now my ankle---- the thought of running gives me the heebie jeebies---would have to limp and use crutches so get busy and get things taken care of, get the stupid test and then get back to us!!

PAM

Tissyanne · ‎12-07-2012

@wagirl wrote:
@Tissyanne --I had so many tests and scans when I was dx with breast cancer in 2012--am sure I had a PET scan and I don't remember it being too awful--I mean let's be honest--no scan/test is a piece of cake--but if it can get to the bottom of whats going on, then go for it. I believe they put some sort of contrast or tracer into your body via an IV and you just lay there. It's a more definitive image. Yes the waiting is even worse than the procedure but for me, I wanted to know ASAP and get on with the treatments. So sorry you are going thru this---it is the most
terrifying thing I have gone thru ---good luck and come back if you need to chat!!

@wagirl ,

Hello. @Stormygirl is the one who is facing the PET scan. I was just replying to her, thinking that she might get responses under the Wellness forum last night. Her scan is today.

JackieHN · ‎09-23-2011

Stormy I hope your pet scan went well. Never heard many complaints from people who have had them. Graciesmom has them every few months I believe. Let's face it. This journey is going to be an emotional roller coaster. Our cancers have left us battered and bruised emotionally as well as physically.

Let us know how the pet scan went. And yes you will probably get more responses from the wellness board. But i think those responses will be the same. It wasn't that bad.Now the wait. Try to keep yourself occupied. I wash floors when i get nuts..

JackieHN · ‎09-23-2011

I swear pam these Dr's have the dumbest people at the front desk.. They are more interested in their cell phones than prioritizing patients. They were probably hired for their looks. They don't know how to go to the Dr and say this call sounds serious or important. No medical training at all. It's shameful. They should know how to move around patients. I have been known to bang my phone on the desk. Then I say put on the Dr. Enough.You really need to be persistant.