Wellness

[JackieHN]

Kathy, you want a breast surgeon. University of Pennsylvania Hospital is a good place to be. You will be very surprised how quickly you will be taken. I was shown statistics on the treatments for my type of breast cancer and lumpectomy, chemo and radiation was the way to go. With a breast surgeon they will sit down with you and explain your treatment options. You still need an MRI. I slept through mine.

I've had 2 biopsies and one needle aspiration. The biopsy itself wasn't painful. It was the nurse pressing on my breast afterwards that caused a bit of pain. I really had no after effects except for some bruising. Pam is right Ice and pain meds. I took tylenol. No big deal. Just get moving on this. If we can help let me know. I'm going to look up Dr's at the University of Penn. Will get back to you.

Jxx

[JackieHN]

Kathy I found the information. Please call Abramson Cancer center. Phone number is 800- 789-7366. You will be referred to a counselor who will schedule an appointment for you at their breast center. Everything is at the center. Breast surgeons, oncologist, breast radiology. This is where you need to be. They will also do the biopsy. Please call. This center is part of the University of Penn hospital.

Jxx

[JackieHN]

Kathy this is what I did. I brought the CD of my mammographies and ultrasounds to the breast center. They reviewed them and scheduled me for a biopsy like that week. I also got an appointment immediately.

[sheljo]

Has anyone ever been to Gilda's Club? Its a support facility for cancer patients & families.

[bow regard]

Hi All!

Testing......

Trying to see if I have figured out how to do spacing for paragraphs on this Nook.

Kathy...you have received great advice from everyone. You have sooo much going on....I will keep you in my prayers.

[AkaGoldie]

I visited Gilda's site once awhile back, because she died of ovarian cancer. And I'm an ovarian cancer survivor. I guess I should check it out again, it's been a long time ago. Most of the posters on this thread are breast cancer survivors. Goldie

[AkaGoldie]

Yes Kathy, bow is right , you've received some great advice from the ladies that have been through it. Please let us know how you're doing. Goldie

[bow regard]

Doing Happy Dance!!

It worked! Feel like a computer genius now...lol...))))

Seriously...hope y'all are all doing great. It's like summertime here now...everything is bloomin' all over.

[bow regard]

Goldie...how often do you go for acupuncture?

(Edited for spelling...did I get it right?)

[Kathy19078]

JackieHN, thank you for all the information. Did they really have statistics to show you? I have a friend that had endometrial cancer about 2 years ago, and when she asked the medical oncologist for statistics he could not provide them. She also asked him if he would let his wife take the radiation and chemotherapy and his answer was that he would tell his sister to take it. This was at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. I am going to call the Abramsam Center at the University of Pennsylvania tomorrow.

Thank you to everyone else here that responded. I appreciate all the responses as I feel very scared and overwhelmed. I also worry about the fact that I do not have anyone else to support me but me. I have some money in the bank but I don't know if it will be enough to cover my living expenses when I can't work. I am self-employed and do not have any type of disability insurance. If I cannot work, I don't make money. I know I am getting ahead of myself but all these things are going through my mind. I know the radiation and chemotherapy make you violently ill. I am 64 so I am going to apply for early social security but that will not cover all my living expenses and it takes several months to get the first check. I do have the biopsies scheduled for next week at the hospital the breast surgeon recommended. My son and daughter do live with me but they only work part time and don't earn enough to give me the additional money I would need. They are both in the process of looking for another job but no luck so far.