Midwest Alice checking in
 

Hi every one,

It's been a long time.. just been reading and keeping up with every one.

I have had both my hips replaced and getting around really well. Moved into a condo., transfered to a new job.. enjoying life as we know it. :)

Now I am freeking a little.

My up date is not all that good.


I am having a biopsy on Monday
for two spots on my tonsil. Other thing are making me feel this is a secondary cancer. Weight loss, taste change, pain, I first saw the spot in june and we have been watching it... didn't look or feel like cancer. Now there are two. The second is not soft.

I am planning my fight if needed. I am close to Vanderbilt and St. Louis. My brother is in St Louis so that is the way I am leaning. Any one have experience at those locations?

Do we know anyone who has gone to Cancer Centers of America.?

Any of us with a secondary cancer that isn't BC?

Will keep you up dated.

Thanks ALice

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Thanks for checking in Alice. It is good to hear from you again.
Wow !! A double hip replacement. You are a stronger woman than I am. I had one hip replaced in 2004 after an accident. I am glad you have been moving around well. Good for you !!!!!!!!
I am sorry to hear about your latest problem. I hope the biopsy results are negative.
I had a basel cell carcinoma removed about 18 months ago. Various kinds of skin cancers run in both sides of my family, so it was only a matter of time before I got one. It healed well and I haven't had any problems with tha area.
I don't know anything about hospitals in the midwest, but hopefully someone else will be able to help you with your request.
In the meantime take good care of yourself and keep us updated.

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Hi Alice,
Well, easy to say (and of course I don't always follow my own advice on this!) but don't panic until you get some facts. Good to begin thinking about next steps, if just to get your mind around the idea, but let's hope you don't need to. You really don't have enough information to make any plans, not knowing if this is a recurrence, or something new, or something that will turn out to be nothing. But I'm with Elaine - you are one strong woman and you will be ready.

Please keep us posted:)

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Alice....great to hear from you...wait till you get the biopsy results, butnif needed, what about Indianapolis ....I know they have a great cancer center at the university of Indiana...I think it's called Indiana University....as far as CTCA, I known of 4 people who went there for various cancers.....none faired well....butnit has to be a personal choice, and I think the closest to you would be Zion, IL

There are also a lot of specialists in Chicago...thinking positive thoughts that you won't need any more than antibiotics to get rid of this...I was gonna say a tonsillectomy, but they are a pain on an adult!

Sending a big hug

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

I like your "Hope for the best, plan for the worst" approach. I'm hoping it's tonsilitis but am glad there are people to give you advice re treatment centres if necessary. Very much hoping their words of wisdom won't be necessary though.
Trish

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Glad to hear from you, Alice. Hope to hear again about your results.

Amelia

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Alice,

I'd had brain tumor surgeries before my BC diagnosis. The neurosurgeon had told me back then that "people who have one type of cancer are more likely (than others) to have another type of cancer." After 2nd Brother was diagnosed/treated for colon cancer, I found a cluster called HNPCC that seems to explain our family cancer history (Mother has had Non-Hodekins Lymphoma.)

One time when I was feeling discomfort in my right lower abdomin area and the doctor sent me to ultrasound after CT-scan - I was so very sure that I'd had liver mets. It turned out to be harmless 'hepatic hemangioma'. So hang in there - don't scare yourself too much.

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Hi, the biopsy is back and no cancer. What a great relief. Normal tissue.
I am now on a strong antibiotic because of my ear pain and throat pain. We think the pain is from an infection
I had my 3 month visit with my onc this week. He said I’m fine and I will see him in January. If the neck thing doesn’t resolve its self then call and we will look at scans as needed.
The nurse called today with my blood test result. He did a cl27-39???? (Cancer cell count in blood) Mine is 23 now, in June it was 16, 4 months before that it was 11. I understand that fewer than 32 are normal. So I feel good and so so about it all. I guess scans to early will miss anything that is very small.
So I hope this pain is cleared up with the antibiotic. I am going to start looking more into what I’m eating and drinking. And get my body healthy and ready if called back into a fight.
<O:p</O:pThank you all … it is so wonderful to have someone to talk to that understands…… Praying for health and healing for all of us. Alice

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Good news alice! Thanks for the update:)

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Fantastic news Alice-exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks for letting us know.
Trish

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Hi Alice,

I haven't been to this site in a long time, but tonight I felt compelled to take a peek. I have no idea why, but I am so glad to read your good news. Congrats!!

Lori

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Fantastic! So happy for you. (My Internet connection has just been 'fixed' - got a new USB.)

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

After 4 years I am doing reconstruction. It is going well. I am using coconut oil on my skin as we try to expand it. I go every two week and will have surgery in December to place the implants and do the finial shaping. It's kind of exciting.

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Glad to hear your good news and sure hope you are feeling tiptop in a matter of days with that anti-biotic. Good luck with your reconstruction. I have always been happy I chose to have new girls. They are a bit odd, but kinda fit with the rest of me!

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Hi Alice
Lovely to hear from you. Are you having reconstruction just using expanders or will they also make a flap? I thought that if you have had a normal mastectomy there wasn't enough skin left to reconstruct without using muscle from the back or tummy?
Love Ellie

Re: Midwest Alice checking in
 

Hi Alice,
As a word of encouragement, I am glad I had a double mastectony and reconstruction. As Laural said, they are not like the real ones, but they are better than none!
Sandra