CASSIEME1

CASSIEME1, I ran across a question you posted in December about bulging discs and being in a lot of pain. How are you doing? Were you able to get some relief? Thinking of you.

Oh Dear Cassieme1
Thank you for your empathy and kindness.
I'm so, so sorry for your situation. It is not too late.
My fear now is, what if the Judge says no. I'm sure Lincoln Financial will have a field day with that. Thence I'll be fighting Lincoln Financial's people not to terminate me.
Such a mess. I've been an RN for 28 years and a Family Nurse Practitioner for 9 years. How did this entire mess ever happen.......for so long?
It sounds like you are in for a long haul as well.
I have a strong belief in God or else I'd probably be suicidal. Isn't that a terrible thing to say.

Oh I truly hope you feel better!
Katie

Hi My mother had breast cancer when she was in her 30's, had a double mastectomy with several l lymph node removed. She had her scans and blood work done every six months. She is in her 70's now and still cancer free. I hope this gives you some positive hope. Hang in there and pray. I am praying for you.
.

Cassie, Thanks for your response and support. What a diagnosis from your doctor. Sounds like he/she has a real positive attitude. Do you accept that you are a cancer patient for life?

Hi Cassieme1. Do you go to a lymphedema therapist to help manage your lymphedema? Have you been fitted for a compression glove and/or sleeve?

I see you are also HER2 positive. Are you still receiving Herceptin or have you completed it? Were your chemo drugs Taxotere and Carboplatin?

Hi there again! Okay - in answer to your question, I have done lots of research on the immune system over the years and my best 8 tips for building a nice strong immune system appear on my webpage: http://marnieclark.com/diet-and-cancer/8-ways-to-build-a-super-strong-immune-system/ I think that all of these 8 steps are of equal importance, it's a balanced approach that seems to work best. Hoping you feel better really soon. If I can help in any way, let me know.

Hi Cassieme1 - I got your message, sorry to be so long in responding. I suspect your immune system needs some work! I have plenty of info on my site about how to go about doing that. Just let me know if you'd like the link. Sending hugs from sunny Perth, Australia and hope you feel better soon.

Hi, I was reading about yours symptoms and that you were told not to lift a certain amount etc. I am at the end of treatment for stage 11 breast cancer her 2 + ER + pr-. 17 lymph nodes removed and some lymph in my hand. I've seen 2 rehab therapist both agree as do all docs I've asked. There is no proof that carrying a heavy object or in my case power washing and painting makes the lymph any different. In doing so I have less numbing in the arm and am living my life without the fear. I am reasonable but with rehab my arm and underarm have gotten stronger because I use it and stretch it. Ask around and do some more research. I'm a year post surg. But still taking Herceptin. It keeps getting better. Some of the rehab people are not well informed. My rehab gal has done this for 37 years and has written books. Barb Feldman in Indianapolis would totally disagree that lifting or using your arm normally will causes harm. Just my personal experience

thanks for info about your experience...guess docs do order chemo before radiation. i was stage 1, tumor small, less than 9 mm, neg sentinel nodes, clear margins but rapidly multiplying cells...diagnosis was invasive lobular carcinoma. guess i'll do the chemo since it will help with longevity a little bit. chemo, rad & aromatase seem to be a package & without chemo the other 2 a little less effective. hope all goes well with your treatment & again thanks so much for your input! i feel a little less nervous about starting chemo next week. guess it's the price you have to pay for breast conservation.

thanks for your fast response, cassieme1! how was chemo for you? i'm supposed to have only 4 rounds 3 weeks apart taxotere/cytoxan with chemo 1st, then rad, then aromatase. onc said it is a short dose & i should have 4 lousy weekends with it. did you have chemo before radiation? just curious as it seems like after lumpectomy they do radiation right away a lot of the time. after finding out you had to do chemo as well as rad & aromatase did you ever consider mastectomy to avoid that?

Thank you for your response to cumulative chemo question.

Thank you for what you said about my friend Flora and her son. I'm still in shock, I suppose. Get yourself well soon.

Thanks for the like on my post

Hi Cassieme1. very nice to meet you.

I did have a bilateral mastectomy. Completed my last chemo on November 8, 2012. I did not have to have radiation. My oncologist did not want me to start reconstruction until after chemo was done.
I saw Dr. Adams on November 28, 2012 and he would not do surgery until all my counts came back up which was February, 2013. At this point in time I have not had any infections/issues with the reconstruction and that was what my oncologist wanted to avoid during chemo.

Dr. Robert Louis Adams is doing my reconstruction. He is located at 80 Humphreys Blvd. He came highly recommended and over 65% of his practice is reconstruction. I had tissue expanders put in February 15th, and they were replaced on July 18th with saline implants which he added an additional 300cc to. I am in a holding pattern for my muscle and skin to stretch to accommodate the extra 300cc's. I saw him today for second postop and he was pleased, to me my left side looks bigger than my right side but he says that will change. I do not see him again until October 30th.
I still have one more surgery to remove the excess skin left under both arms from the mastectomy and to have the nipple reconstruction.

Hi Cassieme1 - I was diagnosed at about the same age as you, and that was 8 years ago. I'm fine now - and I'd love to help you through this journey if I can. Just let me/us know what you need! Sending lots of love and healing your way today.

Do you live in MS or AR. I went through chemo at The West Clinic and all my surgeries have been at Methodist Germantown. My journey started last April, 2012 and I have one more reconstructive surgery to go. How are you doing?