How about a roll call?

Minnlady13 · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 5:46 pm Post subject: How about a roll call?

This board has been sailing along for a while now, and we have quite a few people posting. I just thought it might be nice to do a roll call so we get to know each other a little better. How about just first names, the state/country where you live and anything else you might want to share in a public forum? I'll get this kicked off.

Name is Lauri
I was dxed at age 50.
I live in Minnesota (Minneapolis suburb), married, two children, one granddaughter.
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

Muttsmom · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 7:06 pm Post subject: Re: How about a roll call?

o.k., I'll go next .... Smile

Name is Nancy
Dx at 43 (bio at bottom of page, which I think we should all do so we don't have to try and remember stages etc.)......just a suggestion
I live in Alabama but was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL
I have 4 dogs and 1 cat and an abusive ex husband who won't fall off the face of the earth and quit taking me to court......UGH
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

penelopez · Senior User Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 165

Hi to all,

I'm Margie and I live in rural Maine. I was dx with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma on August 1, 2003. I had a lumpectomy,a re-excision, 4 A/C and 33 rads. I have been on Tamoxifen for 1 year and tolerating it quite well.

Even though my treatments are over (with the exception of hormonal), I still feel the need to visit and post on BC boards because there are still a lot of physical and emotional issues to deal with. I prefer this over a "real life" support group.

If you are bored and want to know more about me, LOL go over to the Lounge and read the thread entitled "Hobbies."

Wishing everyone health and happiness

Cindy · Senior User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 156

Hi. My name is Cindy. I was diagnosed in August, 2002. 3-5cm tumor and 3 pos nodes. er/pr/her2 neg. I had 4 AC and 4 Taxotere, 33 rads. Finished all treatment on 4/28/03. I initially had lumpectomy and then had bilateraly skin-sparing mastectomies (prophylactic on the left) and DIEP reconstruction. I am 53, have two grown children and a grandchild. I love to craft, read, watch movies and I have my own breast cancer website so that I can help others through where I have already been. I wish you all happy holidays filled with much love and togetherness. God bless us...everyone.

Cindy

Kristen · Experienced user Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 60

Hi Everybody,
My Name is Kristen and I live in Central Mass. I am 43 and was dx April 2003 on Good Friday. I had lumpectomy with re-incision and sental node with reported negative nodes, only to find a week later one positive node. So back in for the THIRD time, the rest of the nodes were negative. I was dx with invasive ductal carcinoma with 1.6 cm, ER/PR + HER2 strongly positive. I had 8 rounds of chemo 4 A/C, 4 taxol dose dense with daily nuprogen shots and 38 rounds of rads, 5 years tamoxifen. Treatment ended Dec 30, 2003 but I still carry a lot of the emotional stuff.
So, as you all can see I have almost hit the one year mark for the ending of treatment. But, like someone else here stated, I feel the need to be in constant contact here and elsewhere on the board because it has been a very emotional year.
I have two wonderful twin girls who just turned 10, and a very supportive husband.
It's great to meet you all, and I would like to say a special thanks to Leo for all his hard work in responding to all our postings. I think its great having a place to go to ask questions to a doctor.
I look foward to cooresponding with you all, and I hope you all have a great holiday!
Kristen

Muttsmom · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 10:24 pm Post subject: Re: How about a roll call?

Hi again,
I just wanted to reassure you ladies that are hitting the one year mark of either your dx or the end of treatment, that things do get easier and you will find you don't live and breath cancer the longer you are NED. There's never a day go by I don't think of it, how can we ever forget, but it's more of a passing thought most times. I do get nervous before my check ups, which is something I think we will do for quite sometime. I promise, it will get easier and this is coming from a Stage III ILC lady. It will be 3 years for me Valentine's Day that I was dx. I can't tell you honestly how I'll feel with it being on the exact day, just 3 years later but I don't get myself worked up weeks before my check up, it's down to days now. We'll always have that black cloud hanging over our head, so we just have to keep fighting for a cure. I'm a big Nascar fan and one of the drivers has a "Race fans for a Cure" website where pins, t-shirts etc. are sold and it tells exactly how much goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. In Oct. one of the drivers drove a pink and white car and not only did his sponsor donate to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, but the driver did as well. There are alot of big companies that are donating and fighting for us, we just have to jump up and down and get more people to realize that when 1 out of 7 ladies will be dx with BC in their lifetime, someone in their family if not themselves will be dx and they need to start putting the big $$$$$ into research. I have no plans of going anywhere anytime soon Smile

If anyone needs to talk and would feel better doing it privately, please feel free to e-mail me anytime.
Some will find that moving on and staying off support boards is the right thing for them and others will stay on the support boards, which is right for them. We all handle things differently, but the emotional roller coaster from hell when it comes to being diagnosed and going through treatment and the fears for the 1st year or so are the same. Only we can understand how it feels. Never feel like something you feel is "abnormal" or strange because I can assure you everyone of us has had the same feeling and wondered the same thing.
May 2005 be a year of happiness and HEALTH for all of us
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Divine1 · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 10:25 pm Post subject: Re: How about a roll call?

Hi my name is Tammy,
Iam 43 till Next Monday, I was Dx last Dec 18,03 with Lobular and my history is at the bottom of the page also.
Iam coming up on my 1 yr Ann and I am alittle low on the blood count.
But other than that doing really well.
I live in Illinois and I have 2 kids that are grown 1 that just bought his own home , the other still lives here but still is in collage and works at the jobs she has had sence the age of 16.
I am married and happy most of the time, But there is that 15% that I Have no idea why Iam not? Coming up on my 25th Ann on the 5th of Jan, Wow that is a long time!
So there you have it. Nice to meet you all..
Have a wonderful holiday.

Hugs to all,
Tammy
_________________
Tammy 43 yrs old ,Wife to Doug for 25 yrs
Mom to two kids, Comp Hyst 1/90
Ant, Post Fus 10/02,,Cerv Fus 8/03 Dx. Lob B/C 12/18/03 19 nod Neg Stge 2, ER Post. Mast lft w/expan, Rt Mast 6/03 imp. 11-03 Imp Finished .7/03 Arimidex 5 yrs.

Marion · Experienced user Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 60

I'll go next. My name is Marion and live in St. Joseph, Missouri. Six years ago had 3 cysts removed from left breast but were benign. In 10/04 diagnosed with breast cancer Stage IIA with a 1.6 cm tumor that appeared from behind the scar tissue in the exact same spot. (I'm told that is becoming more and more common.) Consequently mammograms were not able to find the tumor behind the scar tissue and only found through my own examination. Axillary dissection of 14 nodes but only 1 positive. Currently in 3rd of 4 A/C treatments, then will follow with 6 weeks radiation, 4 treatments taxotere, and 5 years Tamoxifen. Treatment of A/C has gone extremely well (except for hair loss -- such a traumatic thing). Developed hematoma at surgery site that I'm still dealing with. Have a daughter in pharmacy school, very supportive husband also a pharmacist, nephew in medical school, 2 other nephews in pharmacy school and niece who is a nurse -- we could start our own med clinic Smile

We women have all been forced to join an exclusive club. Our best defense is education for ourselves and to understand what our medical teams are doing. Thanks to Dr. Leo for helping us deal with all our emotional and medical questions. I don't think any of us can properly explain how beneficial you are to our lives.

sgishelly · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2004 11:16 pm Post subject: Re: How about a roll call?

OK...My name is Shelly and I live on the Florida panhandle. I am 40 years old and have a wonderful husband and 3 children (Katie is 18, Ryan is 16 and Jessica is 11)

I was diagnosed on November 1 2004 from a biopsy of a lymph node under my arm. They were unable to pinpoint anything else to biopsy so as of now, I don't know exactly which type of breast cancer that I have. I do know that it is estrogen and progesterone receptor positive. I had surgery on December 9th...MRM on the right and simple mastectomy on the left. The MRM on the right was what the surgeon recommended and the simple on the left was my choice. I'm doing well...just wish I could get a good night's sleep. I go back for the post op follow up on Monday the 20th so hopefully I'll know more then.

I will update as soon as I know something else.

Shelly

sam52 · Regular Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 21 Location: London, UK

Hi - from London, UK
My "screen" name is Sam and I'm 53. I am the sole parent of a 21 year -old young man who has Asperger's Syndrome (autistic spectrum disorder).
I was diagnosed at the end of October 2001 and had a mast and axilliary clearance at the end of November, so I have just passed the 3 year anniversary.
My pathology was stage II,grade 3, 1.6cm IDC with surrounding DCIS, 3/11 nodes positive and ER/PR positive.
I was in the TACT trial and had 4 x FEC and 4 x Taxotere followed by 25 rads.I finished treatment in August 2002, and am now taking tamoxifen.
I only came to internet discussion boards just over a year ago - why didn't I think of doing it when I was first diagnosed?
It has been a source of great support to find the bc.org board which led me here - so many wonderful people who really UNDERSTAND !!
Thank you all and thankyou to Dr.Leo!
Stay well,
Sam xx
_________________
dx bc Oct 2001
tx - mast, chemo(FEC+taxotere), 25 rads.Now on tamoxifen

JM · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2004 10:27 am Post subject: Re: How about a roll call?

My name is Jan. I live in Largo, Florida and was just diagnosed this September, while sitting in the dark from hurricane Frances, with stage 3C invasive lobular cancer in both breasts. I'm told it is considered 2 seperate primary cancers. I had bilateral MRM's 10/20/04 and turned 45 a few days later. I had a port put in 11/18/04 and started chemo on 11/22/04. I am on dose dense chemo and will start my 3rd round of AC this Monday. I still have most of my hair but it was breaking off so much that yesterday I asked my husband to give me a buzz cut. I will have 4 rounds of taxol after my last AC tx then 33 rounds of radiation. The medical doctors I have been in contact with have expressed concern that I will be alive in 5 years, because of the extensive nodal involvement. For now though, I just stay on course and try not to get too anxious with every new pain I feel. I was just finishing up my last semester in prepharm courses and hoping to start pharmacy school in the fall, a 4 year program. If I really only have a few years to live, I don't want to spend them with my nose in a book even tough I try to face each day with the belief that I can overcome the odds and live a long full life. I have a wonderful and supportive husband. Well, I think I've rambled on enough...Jan
_________________
JM Age 44
DX9/04 Lobular
10/04 Dbl MRM 9 cm tumor & 16 pos nodes on right side & 12 cm tumor & 18 pos on left
Stage 3C ER+/PR+ HER2-
11/04 AC-T
3/05 -6/05 Rads under arms,sides & chest, collarbones to last ribs. 3rd degree burns,lost 5 layers skin
4/05 Tamoxifen-Is it hot in here or is it just me?

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

I am Leo, and I am (believe it or not) 27. I am currently in Rochester Minn, a quite chilly place Smile

I am so excited that you are all here, sharing all these stories and getting information. I already feel that I made a tiny difference in someone's life with this forum, and that makes me very proud. I have been very busy this december, as my rotation is in the Coronary Care Unit, and I've been on call every 4th night. So I have had less time to come here, but come maybe every other day. I have been seeing incredibly sick people with heart disease, and it is very cool that we can save a good portion of them. I've been also posting on my blog (thecancerblog.com), which has also been quite interesting.

Stay in touch !

Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

DiO · Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2004 10:55 pm Post subject: roll call

I live in Holland, MI, am 56, married with two grown children, one living 45 min away and one in Cincinnati, OH. I was diagnosed Dec 2003, lumpectomy and SNB, stage II, grade 2, 2cm IBC. er/pr+, her2-, nodes 1+/6. Had 4 AC, 4 taxol, dose dense and 33 rads. Now on Arimidex. Doing well on a day to day basis, but as so many others of you, can't quite shake the feeling of "waiting for the other shoe to drop"! My tumor was found by the nurse at the mammography center during clinical exam--didn't show up on Mammo, and I couldn't feel it even after she did and marked where it was! Doesn't give me much confidence of finding a recurrance or new lump if one appears. I find strength and hope reading these boards and hearing what others are experiencing and how many of you have been through later stage and more aggressive cancers than I and are NED several years out. Also great to hear Dr Leo's take on things--thanks and keep up the good work! Happy holidays to all!
_________________
God Bless, Di

IDC 12/03 at age 55
lumpectomy, SNB 12/18/03
2cm tumor, 1/6+node, stage 2, grade 2 er/pr+ her2nu-
4 AC, 4 taxol, dose dense
33 rads
Arimidex started 7/04

ShelleyC · New User Joined: 20 Dec 2004 Posts: 7

Hi all,
I'm Shelley from Fredericton, NB, Canada, and yes it is very cold here as well as snowing again! I am 43 years old, diagnosed in Feb.04 with stage III cancer in both breasts which was never detected by yearly mammograms although was probably there for 2 years. Bilateral MRM March 4th, followed by 6 rounds of chemo and 16 rounds of radiation. On tamoxifin since Sept. and doing well with it. I've had one check up since treatment with NED and I'll usually feeling great. This forum has been wonderful, it seems that every time I have a question the answers are here. Thank you all for sharing. It is a great help to know that all these feelings, both physical and emotional, are not "just me".

claisy · Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2004 12:22 pm Post subject: roll call

Name-Kay
Dx-Oct. 30 2000
Home-Willow Springs, N. C. (near Raleigh)
I am 56...was Dx at age 52
Non palpable tumor..1.6 cm. Mammogram and ultrasound found it near nipple area. Had lump., dirty margins. Then had 4 rounds A/C, mast. on left breast..15 nodes removed, all negative. Path report found extensive vascular/lymphatic invasion. Immediate Tram Flap Reconstruction with skin-sparing mastectomy. No Radiation. Have been on tamoxifen, arimidex and femara. I am currently not taking anything..had bad side effects from every med. My prayers go out to everyone who is on one of these medications and hope you have no bad side effects. My experience with them was horrible!!!!! It has been over 4 years now since my DX and so far NED. God Bless You ALL Very Happy

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