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hermiracles · 12-12-2007, 06:12 AM

Hello friends ~ well I am home from Sydney where I got my 2nd opinion from a wonderful female oncologist! I'm feeling so much more positive and able to really tackle this illness in a much more positive way.

Is it just me or is it true that men are just not good communicators? (My Anthony says not all men! Ok..ok..)

Not that she told me anything particularly different from my Onc here its just that she explained it in a way that made sense to me and she also reassurred me that this local Onc is actually a very good Doc and my treatment is right on track - so that is reassuring!

Interesting it came out that she would have given me chemotherapy back in 2003 when I was diagnosed with DCIS.. as there was some indication that there was an invasive component then.... not that I really understood any of that at the time

.... hmmmm... long story but I guess you can't change the past:-(( (getting much more educated now!)...

Anyways she reckons I could have another go at the Herceptin (with slower infusion and adequate pre-med to prevent reaction) - which I'm happy about.

But the next step is starting tomorrow - 5 days of radiotherapy to my R/hip where they found the cancerous cells. Im hoping they maybe able to also zap my spine because I am concerned about the 2 "spots" they found on my spine... in the back of my mind Im worried about breaking my spine and I would like to be able to pick up my bubbas without worrying about that. At the moment I can't pick them up at all - which is distressing to me.

In terms of "prognosis" (that horrible word)... she said 'yes... that is true for women with metastatic bc it is usually 18mths to 2 yrs but she said that is a median estimate and I need to aim be in the 50% of women who are still around in 2yrs time.... well I hope to be around a lot longer than that!! (and I hope lots more of us are too!!) Though I've got no idea how to achieve that goal anyway... accepting treatment, educating myself, coming here for education and support, looking after myself as best I can????

Well it's getting late now ~ I'm very tired, sorry if this is a bit garbled...hubby and bubbas are all in bed sleeping

~ I better take myself off there.

Thought I'd send you all an angel:

My Sissygirl ~ Meyah May ~ gorgeous eh?

Blessings all
Hermiracles

12-12-2007, 06:12 AM	#1
hermiracles Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 309	2nd Opinion Hello friends ~ well I am home from Sydney where I got my 2nd opinion from a wonderful female oncologist! I'm feeling so much more positive and able to really tackle this illness in a much more positive way. Is it just me or is it true that men are just not good communicators? (My Anthony says not all men! Ok..ok..) Not that she told me anything particularly different from my Onc here its just that she explained it in a way that made sense to me and she also reassurred me that this local Onc is actually a very good Doc and my treatment is right on track - so that is reassuring! Interesting it came out that she would have given me chemotherapy back in 2003 when I was diagnosed with DCIS.. as there was some indication that there was an invasive component then.... not that I really understood any of that at the time .... hmmmm... long story but I guess you can't change the past:-(( (getting much more educated now!)... Anyways she reckons I could have another go at the Herceptin (with slower infusion and adequate pre-med to prevent reaction) - which I'm happy about. But the next step is starting tomorrow - 5 days of radiotherapy to my R/hip where they found the cancerous cells. Im hoping they maybe able to also zap my spine because I am concerned about the 2 "spots" they found on my spine... in the back of my mind Im worried about breaking my spine and I would like to be able to pick up my bubbas without worrying about that. At the moment I can't pick them up at all - which is distressing to me. In terms of "prognosis" (that horrible word)... she said 'yes... that is true for women with metastatic bc it is usually 18mths to 2 yrs but she said that is a median estimate and I need to aim be in the 50% of women who are still around in 2yrs time.... well I hope to be around a lot longer than that!! (and I hope lots more of us are too!!) Though I've got no idea how to achieve that goal anyway... accepting treatment, educating myself, coming here for education and support, looking after myself as best I can???? Well it's getting late now ~ I'm very tired, sorry if this is a bit garbled...hubby and bubbas are all in bed sleeping ~ I better take myself off there. Thought I'd send you all an angel: My Sissygirl ~ Meyah May ~ gorgeous eh? Blessings all Hermiracles __________________ 2003 L/DCIS –> LWE: High G./Comedo - 6 nodes clear 6 wks Rx 04/07 2 miracles born ~ very grateful 06/07 Susp areas L/b 09/07 Stage 2 bilat. mastectomy R/ b. clear extens DCIS/IDC Paget’s 8 nodes clear ER(<5%) HER2+++ CT clear 11/07 Portacath - FEC 15/11/07 Stage 4 Emerg op - hip replacemt #NOF bone mets H/Taxotere 12/07 Rx to 'spots' on spine/R/hip/femur 3wkly H 2008 H+T mets to rib/sternum? Aredia CT clear! Cont. H + Aredia 07/08 1 wk Palliative Care - mets to lungs + ?1 to brain 09/08 Stop H complete Epirubicin 1wk PC new brain mets 10/08 2wks WBR 1wk PC 22/10/08 Tykerb/Xeloda 12/08 6 CEREBRAL METS COMPLETELY GONE! Rib mets down to <1cm. 01/09 Tumour markers normal! Rx to L/arm 03/09 LUNGS CLEAR (ALL NODULES GONE!), brain clear, liver clear. Bones stable! ~ THANK YOU GOD 07/09 Repeat CT Scan ~ ALL organs clear apart from bones which remain stable. I walk in gratitude. ***************