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08-09-2010, 10:22 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: California
Posts: 668
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Should I go or stay?
I don't know what to do.
Since I was told the cancer is now in the fourth rib, I have developed pain under and around the breast, and it radiates onto my back. Not all the time or all day long, but it's there. Also doc said a small amount of fluid was found in the lung. Can it turn into pneumonia? I'm scared.
The doc gave me his blessings and clearance to go on my vacation.
I don't know if I'm going to be ok the entire time, or if I will get easily tired walking, or going ashore on the excursions. On top of that I hear the weather is horrendous--humid and hot.
Now this....
1. One of the nurses hired to take care of Kent is sick with pneumonia and won't be able to work.
2. My daughter has had pain in her lower abdome, had chills and fever last nite.
3. If I do go on this vacation for 10 days, Kent will have to go to the Nurse's home for the entire lenght of my vacation--commuting issues were explained to me. I got it, but not Kent. He does not want to leave his house.
4. On top of that I just adopted a new maltese, he's only 5 months old, and not yet housebroken. He's destroying my home.
5. The guy who's supposed to take care of Harley, the 5 month old --is sick and won't be able to watch him.
I think I'm receiving messages from someone up there, (my angel, perhaps) for me to stay put, cancel and re-schedule the vacation to a later date.
What do you think? I don't know what to do. Forget about vacation protection insurance or stuff like that, I don't mind paying a a few bucks to have everything reschedule. What do I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please respond.
Thank you,
Adriana
__________________
1994 - rt brst, .lump, underarm node dissection,chemo+rad 1.2 cms, Grade 3.
28 nodes neg
Er,Pr, Positive HER2 status unknown
2003- Recur to rt lung.July 16 ( B-Day!)
Her2+++ Er,Pr, Negative
2003 - Aug04--Navelbine + Herceptin
2004- 2007--NED - Herceptin, only
2007 Feb-April Xeloda added to hereceptin
2007-May Back on Navelbine+Herceptin
2008-Feb-Mar 15 Ses Rad to Rt. Lung
2008- Oc 17 Add Tykerb to Herceptin
2009- June-- Discont Tykerb
2009 July 7--Current Taxol + Herceptin
2009 Dec--Discontinued treatment due to progression. Looking into cyberknife.
2010-Aug Accepted to TDM1, no SE, except liver count went up.
2010-2011 September got kicked out of the trial, due to a small spot found on lung.
2011- 2012 September thru early 2013 on Herceptin
2013- March Bone density shows small spot on 5th rib.
2013 - April 4th appt with onc. will post after discussing course of treatment.
2013-March-April Cyber knife to brain and radiation to rib. Chest --base line before chemo-CT-Scan stable for lung issue. CA2729 Normal.
2013 April Herceptin- TDMI
2013 Sept Herceptin + Perjeta . CA2729 within normal range. Brain and Pet scans October 31st. will post results.
2013 October Brain MRI- mixed response. Will see Onc/rad on Halloween.
2013 October/November Brain-MRI nothing new. Repeat MRI next year in May.
2013 December Continue Herceptin and Perjeta. Stable at the moment.
2014 February Brain MRI -clear!
2014 January Added Taxotere to Perjeta+Herceptin.
2014 March Stopped chemo-chest ct-scan next.
2014- March Scans shows tumor's larger, CA2729 higher. Discontinue Herceptin.
2014 April Perjeta+ Halaven
2014 April CA2729 went down 60 points after one cycle. Cough does not want to go away.
2014 June Continue on Perjeta + Halaven-- no more cough. Stable
2014 June Back on Herceptin + abraxane
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08-09-2010, 10:45 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oregon
Posts: 715
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Re: Should I go or stay?
Adriana,
I just sent you an email. I do not know where and when you are going, but it sounds like rescheduling might be in order. However, do make sure you rebook the trip...and try to tell those affected that next time you are going for sure....hopefully they will understand. You can postpone it once, but not a second time and maybe they will understand. Good luck, obviously do what feels the best for you.
Bon Voyage, Catherine
__________________
Catherine
Found my own lump in the shower
April 2006 at the age of 58
Stage IIB, ER- PR- HER2+++ multi focal tumors, largest 2.3cm
Chemo first: AC/Taxol over 16 weeks
Bilateral mastectomy Sep 06
33 rads after the surgery
1 year of Herceptin completed Dec 07
15 years and no recurrence as of April 2021
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08-09-2010, 11:13 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Re: Should I go or stay?
I can't tell you what to do but I notice that your post only contains reasons for cancelling. And they seem pretty compelling. Would you enjoy the trip under these circumstances? Is the trip far enough away that some of these things can be resolved before you leave?
Are you able to make another list of reasons to GO on the trip?
I have the feeling you dont want to go. And that is okay!
I am a believer in trusting your instincts and you seem to be getting "signs".
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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08-10-2010, 05:30 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Evergreen, Colorado
Posts: 454
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Re: Should I go or stay?
Adriana,
I am soooo reluctant to suggest that you reschedule, but it does seem like events outside of your control could make the trip more anxiety provoking than relaxing.
I agree with Catherine and Bonnie...this has to be a RESCHEDULE, and you should reschedule immediately or the vacation is at risk of never happening.
Is there a chance that the people that should be supportive actually don't want you to go? Sometimes we fall into the role of carrying the load and when we want to put it down, those around us aren't pleased.
I think it was Bonnie that suggested you inform the team that next time you WILL go. If you start to get signals that they won't be there for you again, find someone else.
I am so sorry for this potential disappointment.
Hey....we can put on some party tunes, our party hats and have a good time here!!!
Follow your instincts.....Lori
__________________
2007
Oct - Diagnosed - Stage IV 5 c.m. IDC - Left Side er/pr- Her2+++ Node + 2/14 - Single Liver Met Double Mastectomy Nov - Begin T+H 2008
Feb-Complete 6 cycles- T&H- NED
March - Continue - Herceptin Only
April - Rads for 6 weeks
2009
Continue Herceptin - Continue NED
April - Recurrance- 3 cm. Liver Met
May - Cryosurgery
June - November - Abraxane + Herceptin
Aug - PET/CT - CTC = 0 Back to NED
2010
January - Continue NED
July - Recurrance - 3 cm Liver Met CTC=1
August - Cryosurgery #2
August - November Navelbine
November - Back to NED - End Navelbine
2011
Feb - Recur - 4 cm Liver Met - Same Left Lobe
March Surgery it is -Couldn't get a clean margin
July - Confirmed continued liver involvement
August - Begin Herceptin + Tykerb
October - Mixed results from H+T
Add Abraxane + H + T - Nov - April
2012
January PET Scan - It's working!!
April - Back to NED
July - Recurrance
August - Begin TDM-1 Trial (Taxol + TDM-1)
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08-10-2010, 08:10 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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Re: Should I go or stay?
I think I would postpone the trip under the circumstances, but I think there are pros and cons to either choice. Take care.
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08-11-2010, 08:54 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 2,193
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Re: Should I go or stay?
OMG ... I would cancel in a heartbeat ... but that's me. If you think
you could enjoy a vacation under these circumstances then I guess you
should go ... but GEEZ ... that's a lot of stuff to deal with. I'd stay home.
I need to put my feet up after reading your post 
__________________
PinkGirl
Dx Aug/05 at age 51
2cm. Stage 2A, Grade 3
ER+/PR-
Her2 +++
Sept 7/05 Mastectomy
4 FAC, 4 Taxol, no radiation
1 year of Herceptin
Tamoxifen for approx. 4 months,
Arimidex for 5 years
Prophylactic mastectomy June 22/09
" I yam what I yam." - Popeye
My Photo Album
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08-11-2010, 02:27 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Louisville KY
Naples FL
Posts: 665
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Re: Should I go or stay?
Reschedule, I could tell by your post thats what
you will feel better doing. I agree someone is
telling you this is the wrong time to go. Do
something special in the time you would have
been gone and pick a better time for the trip.
Take care and good luck.
Patb
__________________
patb
Diagnosed June, 06, Stage I, Grade3, ER+PR- Her2positive, No Nodes. A/C X 4. Radiation 33 with boost, Herceptin every two weeks until Nov.
07, Arimedex for 5 years. Mugas and Echo and chest xRay. Bone scan of whole Body, and Back of Brain and spine MRI.
CT scan of Lungs every six months
due to two small places. December
2009, bone scan due to bone pain.
Follow up test in 2010.
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08-11-2010, 10:20 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,809
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Re: Should I go or stay?
Adriana,
Taking vacation is supposed to give us a break, renew our spirit, and enjoy life.
All the obstacles you've mentioned above have solutions. Your Maltese can go to the Vet's office (there's usually temporary lodging available with a fee.) Going to the nursing home might be a change for Kent - a challenge, but he might find himself enjoying the place since most nursing homes now have certified activity directors to keep their residents busy and engaged.
Your daughter's pain and fever need to be taken care of quickly. And most likely it will be taken care of quickly.
Harley needs to be taken care of by someone you can trust. Where did you find the 'guy' who's watching the baby? Can he find a substitute? Can you find a substitue?
Whether or not you are going on a vacation, you will need to have a back-up plan. Are there other relatives/friends who can help you out?
Evidently your vacation had been booked sometime ago. I had 'waited' to use my vaction 'package' one time and before the 'expiration' date I was notified that the company had filed for bankrupcy.
Keep the deadline in mind and make the best decision you see fit. You can also arrange a 'short' vacation somewhere nearby to relax for a couple of days.
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2
NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
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Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
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hptc hemangioma
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GI - > yogurt
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Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa
Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe
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