Wellness

[wagirl]

On 3/10/2014 Kathy19078 said:

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.

OK Kathy--first and foremost---please don't talk yourself into thinking that all the stories you've heard about the treatments are going to happen to you!! Now they are not a picnic by any means, but we are all very different and each person re-acts differently to the treatments. There are many combos of drugs used and many different time lines that you go thru chemo. I went thru 5 months of chemo and from what I've heard our lovely ladies tell about their treatments, mine was a very moderate experience. Now I did have a few rocky weeks but there are many little things you can do to help alleviate the side effects. Now saying that, the treatments are something you need to push aside for now and get down to the nitty gritty about finding out about what type of cancer zombies you have and then go from there. Take one day at a time and don't think too far in advance. As far as you being self-employed, you may be able to do some work thru all this stuff, I don't know about that of course. And your kids may not be able to help out financially, but they can help by being there to help you listen to all the info and then help out at home and continue to find work and contribute to the cause.

Being scared and overwhelmed is the name of the game, so that is very normal!! When you find out what is going on, let us know. We have a huge range of cancer zombies on this thread so we can help out with our experiences. I really need to warn you that the worse thing about all this---is the waiting !! That still drives me to distraction!!! Hurry up and wait!!!! I'm gritting my teeth just typing this!!! Come back anytime and rant and rage if you need too!!

PAM

[AkaGoldie]

On 3/10/2014 bow regard said: Goldie...how often do you go for acupuncture?

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

Bow, when I first started I went every three days, then stretched it out to once a week, then I tried every ten days, but I was starting to feel the pain coming back about the seventh day, so now I get acupuncture every Wednesday. It took a little trial and error. But weekly works for me. It has really helped me. I'd suggest anyone with chronic pain to try it. It probably does not work for everyone. But it has done wonders for me. It's not covered by any insurance , that I'm aware of. But I'm happy to pay for something that actually works. Are you thinking of trying it , Bow? What kind of pain do you have? Goldie

[JackieHN]

one step at a time, kathy. At the medical center you should be referred to a social worker. I was and I told them I didn't need one. They called her and I was sent downstairs immediately. She told me that there are a lot of grants for breast cancer. Get this. They will give you partial payment for chemo and radiation. They will give you money for transportation and diagnostic testing. This what you get when you go to a medical center instead of private Dr's. They will also supply counseling, support groups, free wigs and makeup. I had insurance but they gave me 175 bucks anyway when I went through chemo. So don't worry about the health insurance part. The social worker will figure something out.

You weren't even properly diagnosed yet so don't jump to conclusions. Yes I was given statistics on everything. Maybe they did it because I was a nurse, I don't know. They will sit down with you and discuss everything. Good to bring someone else with you.

You just have to make the call and the appointment. They will do the rest for you when you get there. I didn't even have to think. I was told where to go and what to do. Everything was scheduled for me. I just had to show up.

Everyone reacts to chemo differently and depending on if your estrogen positive or negative will determine the number of treatments and kind of chemo you will get.. We all got through it and so will you if you need it. We know every trick in the book for side effects.

Keep us updated.

Jxx

[Kathy19078]

JackieHN, thank you so much. I really appreciate your input. I will let you know what happens. I went to my primary care doctor today for my checkup and usual blood work. I was crying in his office. He did tell me that I will get through this, and that everything will be coordinated with all the doctors involved in my care. He also had to send a referral for the biopsies because of my insurance. He also ordered a CT scan of the chest as a follow up to the other one done 8/29/13. He said that instead of waiting until August of this year we should do one now because of what is gong on. He does not feel that what is in the breast has gone to the lung. I asked him if I should see a pulmonary doctor, and he said he didn't think it was necessary, but will give me the referral if I want to go. So I will also go to the pulmonary doctor after the CT scan. I would like his opinion too. I am scheduled to go for the biopsies next Tuesday. I will post again when I know more. For now I am trying to focus on other things.

[bow regard]

Kathy...I was just rereading your posts. I know that you are overwhelmed, but you will get thru this one step at a time. The first step is getting your biopsies and figuring out exactly what you are dealing with and then going from there. There is a lot for you to learn and you will have to educate yourself with a crash course in breast cancer. If you do have cancer, try and get the best breast surgeon available....he/she will be so very important to you in the beginning and for some time after. For now, just try to take the necessary steps to figure out exactly what you are dealing with. After that, your doctors will fill your head with statistics and you will have to make decisions. Remember to take lots of deep breaths and stay in the moment and deal only with what is in front of you....not the "what ifs". Pam is right, we have a variety of breast cancers amongst us and we're all here for you and will help you thru this. May God bless you and give you peace.

[bow regard]

On 3/11/2014 akaGoldie said:

On 3/10/2014 bow regard said: Goldie...how often do you go for acupuncture?

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

Bow, when I first started I went every three days, then stretched it out to once a week, then I tried every ten days, but I was starting to feel the pain coming back about the seventh day, so now I get acupuncture every Wednesday. It took a little trial and error. But weekly works for me. It has really helped me. I'd suggest anyone with chronic pain to try it. It probably does not work for everyone. But it has done wonders for me. It's not covered by any insurance , that I'm aware of. But I'm happy to pay for something that actually works. Are you thinking of trying it , Bow? What kind of pain do you have? Goldie

Goldie...I don't really have pain....just soreness of a sort related to lymph node dissection. I have always had a curiosity about acupuncture and am a big believer in alternative medicine....especially those practices that have been around for eons. I am happy for you that you are getting some relief from your pain. Did you find your practitioner by word of mouth? Male or female? And do they discuss all sorts of things with you...like meditation, etc?

Edited for spelling......again

[JackieHN]

Hey Bo, glad you figured out how to manage your Nook. Husband is getting me a ipad mini. Newsflash, I can barely use my iphone. After Goldie's success with acupunture I was thinking of getting it myself to loosen me up a bit. Tight as a drum in my neck. This femara is a trip. But I deal with the aches and pains. Just wish I wasn't so tired all of the time. Another bloody side effect.

Kathy, just try to listen to us. Of course you will make the ultimate decision on your care. along with your Dr's. But your going to be at a top notch hospital. Your kids have to step up to the plate. You are doing so much for them. Now it's time for them to be there for you. We'll get you through all of this. Is it going to be easy?/ No. Will you get through it. Absolutely. It's just another one of life's adventures that you have to go on. So like Bo said. take deep breathes.

Jxx

[AkaGoldie]

Bow, sorry I didn't answer before now, I've been having trouble with qvc website. Anyway, I found my acupuncturist quite by accident, his office is next to a sub shoppe, that my husband eat lunch at. He told me about him and gave me his phone number, he's also a chiropractor. I made an appt and when I went in, I explained my history and told him I had tried another local acupuncturist and she was brutal, it hurt! ( she was doing it wrong!) I told him if I felt any pain, I'd let him know, and he was to stop immediately. He assured me he wouldn't hurt me and was kind and gentle. I felt some relief after the first session, so decided to keep going, he seems very interested in helping me. I think if I were you I'd give it a try, try to find one that a friend or someone you know has used. Because there are bad ones out there. The way he explained it to me, that stimulating the nerves with the needles brings blood , oxygen and helps to heal the nerves. I didn't have much confidence , but decided to keep going. I'm amazed at the difference in the way I feel. I would say it's cut my muscle pain in half , at least . And I have much better range of motion in my joints. If you decide to try it, let us know how it goes. Goldie

[bow regard]

Hi Jackie and Goldie!

Thanx for all the info, Goldie. Maybe Jackie and I will be following in your footsteps. I would have to travel at least an hour away.....maybe two, so I'm not sure if and when I could do it. It's good to hear about your good results. I'm thinking about getting back into yoga soon.

Jackie....did you see the new reality show on USA "Chrissley (feel sure I butchered that spelling) Knows Best???? Oh boy.....did anyone see it? It's another southern reality program with the family living in Atlanta area ....

[JackieHN]

Bo, I haven't seen the new reality show. Still addicted to Duck Dynasty. I will certainly check it out though.

Managed to get a cold. My next door neighbors son came in from North Carolina and was sneezing up a storm. Thank you Stuart for this miserable cold. He's back in nice warm, NC and we're freezing here in NY. Spring is coming, isn't it?? Took a benedryl and hopefully I'll pass out sometime soon.

Kathy, how are you holding up??

Jxx