Headaches...

[Soccermom]

how long do I have to put up with them before I actually try and find an Onc that will take me on as a new patient??? I know, I know ...I shouldnt always think worse case scenario..
I have missed you all but was packing to move...and now I am living in Florida. Was hoping not to need to find an Onc immediately but I think I need to now!?

Your feelings on this?

Hugs,Marcia

[Joe]

The Moffit Cancer center in Tampa is a leading cancer and treatment center. Unfortunately, I don't have any names.

Regards
Joe

[Mary Anne in TX]

Marcia!
Yes, it's time. Not that you need one now......
But you need to know you have one now!
Just do it, girl!
ma

[Lani]

not Tampa, however

1) Mark Pegram, who developed Herceptin together with Dr. Slamon
http://www.sylvester.org/research/KB...sp?id=m_pegram and moved recently from UCLA to Miami
and

2) Edith Perez the head of the North American arms of the adjuvant herceptin clinical trials, who is at Mayo Clinic's Ft. Lauderdale branch
http://www.mayoclinic.org/bio/12305359.html

I think I may have read and heard talks from oncologists from Moffitt so will look at their website and report back

[Lani]

Sorry don't really recall any of these from talks at conferences
http://www.moffitt.org/ClinicalProgr...Type=Physician

[Soccermom]

Does Dr Pegram actually see patients, heck I will walk to Miami if I could see him! THX guys, I have been in contact with our very own Verna! She has given me the name of her Onc here in Fla. I have onlky been here for 2 weeks and havebeen unpacking and setting up our rental house. I lose my benefits on Sunday as my company s store here doesnt have a full time spot for me...but my husbands benefits kick in on the 1st (I made sure I timed the move to synch w my possible loss of benefits).Soooo, hopefully I wil still have decent coverage.
The thing about about the headaches is that I just started having them in the last 4 weeks...
Cancer the gift that never quits giving...sigh.
Thanks Joe and Lani for the Moffitt info,ironically FORCE is based out of the Moffitt and so I have connections ,but only in the genetics dept!

Will keep in touch now that I have landed!!
PS I tried contacting Irene and never got a response, I hope she is ok??!!

[Becky]

Marcia

Moving is no fun and is very stressful and that has been going on for you for over 4 weeks. From what you have said, you've been in Florida 2 weeks so the other 2 weeks were the 2 wks before the move. How stressful is that time period!!! Plus having to learn where everything is (grocery store, schools etc). I'd have headaches too.

Plus the stress of "is this just a stress headache" (which it IS). And no onc in sight. Try to relax a bit. Take some pain reliever (your drug of choice - Advil etc) and get yourself a facial or take a nice bath too. This will work wonders until you get it checked out (unless they just go away).

Another thing about moving is that you don't eat right (you're packing the dishes etc) for quite awhile and you're sleeping in a strange place now too which subconsciously frightening. So much is going on. You probably aren't getting your normal exercise either.

And its nerve racking about the insurance change and your temporary job situation too. I think someone here on the board said that you don't "fight"- you need to "release".

Don't fight it, release it. (Whoever said that - it was good).

My arms are around you from over 1000 miles away!

[caya]

Hey Marcia,

I was thinking exactly the same things as Becky - they say that moving is one of the top 3 stressful things in life.
It would be great if you could get into Dr. Pegram's office in Miami, and while you're there, stop for a bagel and lox at Einstein Bros. - that should help your headaches.

My DD was having headaches the past few weeks, she went to the dr. who examined her, and as soon as the dr. pressed a certain area of her head, my DD yelled - that's where it hurts. The dr. gave her Naproxen for 10 days, says it is tension headaches. DD has been on the meds for 4 days now, headaches are gone.

Anyways Marcia, the moral of the story is... get it checked out... but again remember the "tension" you've been under lately. Try not to worry too much. I know it isn't easy, but in the meantime before getting into the onc., is there a regular GP you could see....?

all the best
caya

[Joe]

Dr. Pegram is currently practices at the Sylvestor Comprehensive Care Center in Miami. You may contact him there.

Be sure to mention The HER2 Support Group as Dr. Pegram is well aware of our group.



This photo was taken at SABCS - 2007. Apparently Dr. Pegram hadn't had time to buy a U of Miami sweatshirt and had to use one of his old ones from UCLA



Regards
Joe

[Bill]

Hey, Marcia, keep us informed, darlin'. You got alot of good advice here, but don't put off talking with your new doc. I wish we could all roll into town and throw a big house-warming party for you. I've just perfected my new crab-cake recipe and I'd love to cook up about a thousand for everybody. Take your time with the unpacking. Do it at your own pace, because really, chances are that next time you move, that stuff will still be sitting around somewhere in a box, right?

[Soccermom]

Thank you Becky,Caya ,Joe ,MA & Wild Bill !
The move to Florida was a something my family and I had been planning doe the last 3 years. It took 18 months to sell and although we were supposed to close on the 15th (we had to be in Tampa by the 17th) it ended up not happening until the 26th! We STILL havent received our net proceeds and just found out tonight that in fact our mortgage is not officially paid off...yet!
So although we were really looking forward to the move I guess perhaps it has been a bit more stressful than I had anticipated. I forgot to add that I had a minor surgery on the 31st Dec. and came home on the 2nd to finish packing. I just go with the flow...normally...soo this is my long winded way of admitting that YUP, I am stressed.
Its so nice to be able to come and yell "HELP" and be responded to...sometimes that all we really need~

Much love,Marcia )