HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - BC Mets to Uterus

NEDenise · 04-11-2013, 05:13 AM

Oh Joanne!
What terrible, confusing, and terrifing news to have dumped on you all at once. Add the UTI...and I am in awe of the strength and courage it took just to post this thread. You are one STRONG lady, my friend!

First...I have absolutely no doubt, that once you have all the right info...all your treatment options and expert opinions in order...you will fight this latest battle as valiantly as anyone ever could.

Next...as a mom myself...I can't tell you how much I admire your decision to spare your girls the prognosis "indecision" until, and unless, it becomes more clear. No need for them to focus on negatives, when there is so much positive energy to draw on.

Now...I'm wondering...since you live near a big city, I presume there must be a major cancer center or two nearby. Is there a chance that you might be able to schedule appointments at centers where ALL the oncs on a case...rads, gyn, b/c...meet as a group to discuss the patients they have in common? It seems to me (no medical expert, of course) that your current situation is complicated enough that having everyone in the same room, and making sure they're all on the same page is important.

I know, I feel better knowing that my docs all meet regularly to discuss my b/c and brain met treatments together.

Also...again, no expert here...but my mother-in-law is a colon cancer survivor...had to have part of her colon removed, a complete hysterectomy, and there was some damage to her bladder from the radiation. And yes, I remember her saying at the time that the radiation was QUITE painful. She still suffers from both bowel and bladder frequency and urgency...but...she's alive and in remission 6 years later. Everyone is different...but information is power...so I thought I'd share her experience.

And finally...please know that I'm sending all the strength, healing energy, and BOLD prayer I can muster to you! Try to relax and heal...
Denise

04-11-2013, 05:13 AM	#5
NEDenise Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Philly Suburbs Posts: 1,709	Re: BC Mets to Uterus - Roller Coaster Ride Oh Joanne! What terrible, confusing, and terrifing news to have dumped on you all at once. Add the UTI...and I am in awe of the strength and courage it took just to post this thread. You are one STRONG lady, my friend! First...I have absolutely no doubt, that once you have all the right info...all your treatment options and expert opinions in order...you will fight this latest battle as valiantly as anyone ever could. Next...as a mom myself...I can't tell you how much I admire your decision to spare your girls the prognosis "indecision" until, and unless, it becomes more clear. No need for them to focus on negatives, when there is so much positive energy to draw on. Now...I'm wondering...since you live near a big city, I presume there must be a major cancer center or two nearby. Is there a chance that you might be able to schedule appointments at centers where ALL the oncs on a case...rads, gyn, b/c...meet as a group to discuss the patients they have in common? It seems to me (no medical expert, of course) that your current situation is complicated enough that having everyone in the same room, and making sure they're all on the same page is important. I know, I feel better knowing that my docs all meet regularly to discuss my b/c and brain met treatments together. Also...again, no expert here...but my mother-in-law is a colon cancer survivor...had to have part of her colon removed, a complete hysterectomy, and there was some damage to her bladder from the radiation. And yes, I remember her saying at the time that the radiation was QUITE painful. She still suffers from both bowel and bladder frequency and urgency...but...she's alive and in remission 6 years later. Everyone is different...but information is power...so I thought I'd share her experience. And finally...please know that I'm sending all the strength, healing energy, and BOLD prayer I can muster to you! Try to relax and heal... Denise __________________ 1/11-needle biopsy 2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes 3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH! 4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks 8/26/11 finished Taxol!!! 10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon 11/11 radiation x28 1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY! 1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :( 2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds 4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon 6/8/12 Return to work :) 6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :( 7/10/12 last Herceptin 7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm 8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb 8/23/12 Back to work 12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair 1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY! 1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair 1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm 5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis 5/10/13 begin weaning steroids 6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working! 6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear! 7/5/13 finally off steroids!! 7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin! 7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids 7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again! 8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :) 9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed “ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert