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Friday, May 01, 19:10:34 [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4], 5, 6, 7 ]
Subject: question


Author:
Connie aka Honig
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Date Posted: 00:09:20 04/13/05 Wed
 Stacy
I am back, just like I promised.
Forgot to ask you something the other night.
How many sessions of radiation did you have?
Connie
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Replies:
[> Subject: RADIATION


Author:
Stacy
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 00:18:21 04/13/05 Wed
Welcome back, Connie. Off the top of my head I think it was 33 days in a row minus weekends. Each day I was "zapped" three times for 20 some seconds each. How many days will you have to go?
[> [> Subject: reply


Author:
Connie
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 22:16:26 04/13/05 Wed
I have seven zaps left. Or should I say, "seven BBQ times left." ??? I will have 30 total treatments, with the last five being called booster. They are starting that next Monday. Going to direct the "beam" more at the orginal cancer site area.
I have another question, Stacy. How did they find out that your cancer had come back? I am really frightened by this idea, especially since I can't take the tamoxifen. You have been really an inspiration to me. I just had to let you know.
Connie
[> [> [> Subject: AWWW THANKS


Author:
Stacy
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 00:22:05 04/14/05 Thu
Hi Connie! Good luck with the last five treatments.


I had seven "booster" treatments. By then I was burnt to a crisp. If you're not burned bad by now you will be fine. That area may get redder though. My booster treatments were done along the length of the mastectomy scar. I finished all treatments on May 17th, 2000. Ironically a friend of mine was at the same hospital at the same time being induced for labor. I went up to her room to visit. Her labor went so fast that I ended up being in the room to watch the incredible birth of her baby!! What a memorable day! I finished radiation and got to see a brand new baby be born all in the same day!

In January of 2003 I started coughing up blood. I went to see three of my doctors for opinions. All three thought I may have burst a blood vessel from laughing so hard earlier that day. I insisted on at least a chest x-ray. Supposedly they didn't see anything so what choice did I have but to believe them.


Then in July of 2003 I started coughing up blood again. My doctor immediately sent me for a CT scan. That time they saw the cancer in my lung. He sent me for two tests. One was a "bronchoscopy" and the other was a "mediastenoscopy". Both were done the same day and they were surgical procedures. During the mediastenoscopy the surgeon biopsied eleven lymph nodes in my chest. During the bronchoscopy the surgeon attempted to biopsy the masses in my lung. They were so deep he wasn't successful. They determined that the lymph node biopsies showed that it was the breast cancer spreading. Although they couldn't reach the ones in the lung they assumed they were the same thing.


The surgeon that read the CT scan also read my chest x-ray from January as well as the one from the November before I coughed up blood. Even though the radiologist did NOT see the cancer in the lung or lymph nodes, the surgeon was able to clearly see it.


My suggestion to you is to make sure you get CT scans at least once a year. They are so much more detailed and the radiologist will most likely not miss anything like they could with just chest x-rays.


Other than coughing up blood and being exceptionally tired, I really didn't have symptoms. After I found out I had the cancer again certain things were making sense. Like when I tried to sleep on my back, I felt like there was a weight on my chest. Also when I knelt down then stood up, I would get a little light headed. All that makes sense now that I know it was from the cancer.


Breast cancer can spread anywhere in the body but the most common areas are the lungs and the bones. If you have pains that don't go away within a reasonable amount of time make sure you see the doctor. NEVER settle for them just "brushing" you off. You know your body better than the doctors do. You know when something is different. Just follow-up on your instincts.

Don't be afraid to live your life. Don't sit around just waiting for the cancer to come back, it may not! Live and love your life more than you ever have. If it does come back it makes your motivation and determination to fight the battle even stronger.


I couldn't take the Tamoxifin either but only because my cancer is HER negative. What that means is... estrogen was not the reason behind getting my cancer. The Tamoxifin reduces the amount of estrogen in your body. Since estrogen wasn't the cause of mine, it wouldn't make a difference as to whether or not the cancer returned. Is that the reason you can't take it either?

I sure help all this helps. Please feel free to ask ANYTHING, I enjoy trying to help others from my experiences and what I've been exposed to from other patients.

[> [> [> [> Subject: Congratulations


Author:
Connie
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 20:49:33 04/27/05 Wed
Congratulations on your cat scan. You must be so happy. I read the information that you sent me about the radiation and your followups. When ever we, Rich and I, go to the doctors, we always have pen and paper. We have prepared questions to ask. I see three doctors on May 11th as follow-up and then every 70-90 days. Your history has raised some questions that I would not have thought about. Thank you so much. You say it the way it is, not glossed over to seem so fine and dandy. Some people will do that when talking. I am also known as Curious Connie, and your information is worth so much. You have been thru so much and can share so much. I sure do think of you alot and admire your courage and willingness to share.
Thank you........... :-)
[> [> [> [> [> Subject: Forgot something


Author:
Connie
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 20:52:03 04/27/05 Wed
Stacy
I even forgot to tell you..... My gift to myself for my 50th birthday was to have no more radiation. And to think that last fall, I didn't even think I would be here to celebrate. (We are going out on Friday) Today was my birthday. haaahaaahaaa
Connie
[> [> [> [> [> [> Subject: HI CONNIE


Author:
Stacy
[ Edit | View ]
Date Posted: 22:57:59 04/27/05 Wed
Well HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! That's the best birthday present you could have received, huh!


I am so glad that I can help you with your questions. Maybe that's one of the reasons I've been given this disease. I enjoy trying to help others understand what they are going through and maybe even lift their spirits.
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