Hello Ladies,
I've been holding off on sending this email, but finally decided I'd send it. Over a month ago I found an enlarged lymph node on the cancer side, but thought that since I'd had one sentinel node removed, the surgeon had to be right and there was nothing else. I waited ... and waited. The node waited, too. Finally, I got an ultrasound and the node is larger than the "comfort zone" (more than 2.5cm) so I have to see my surgeon, and I've got an appt. tomorrow. I really hope and pray that this is a reaction to something else! I'm supposed to be early stage with NO node involvement and I don't want that to change!
Also, I'm dealing with finding out why the Lupron (which is supposed to shut off my ovaries so that I can take Arimidex) might not be working. I'm having my 3rd period in 3 months and I'm supposed to be "in menopause." My GYN says my hormone levels indicate that I am in menopause, but I don't understand why I still have my period. And, she's really no help, and is so laid back that it's hard to even get any confidence in what she IS telling me!
Anyway, I'm on a terrible roller coaster, and would definitely appreciate any words of wisdom you all might have! I think that if this lymph node needs to be biopsied, I'm going for surgery, not a needle biopsy, so that I can be absolutely sure. I'm also getting to the point that I think I'm going to go "out of network" from my insurance so that I can see someone at Sloan Kettering. Any of you gals from nearby care to recommend a great Sloan oncologist? I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks for letting me vent!
L&H,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
Laure,im sending a big hug to you and lots of prayers..Tammy
Oh, Laure, this is not what you needed....hope this is just a pork chop bone that lodged itself in a peculiar place.....
Do you know the pork chop bone story? If not, let us know...
Sending hugs and prayers to NJ for you...
Lori
Do you know the pork chop bone story? If not, let us know...
Sending hugs and prayers to NJ for you...
Lori
I hope it's a pork chop bone, too. Thanks, Lori. I did hear about the story. And, congratulations to you!!!!! I hope you sell your extra houses!
L&H,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
L&H,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
I certainly hope its a pork chop bone but I would look into finding someone that goes looking for them a little faster. It really is time to find a new GYN. I am still looking for a replacement for my old GYN. When he retired I found out how much they have changed. Hugs and good wishes. Joyce
How wonderful it would be to see Angels where there are only clouds. How sad it would be to see clouds where there are Angels.
Oh Laure', you shouldn't have been bearing this alone. You should have told us! By all means if you can go to specialists, I would do it. I am concerned that the SNB didn't work, thinking how many are relying on it, too. Was the surgeon who did the SNB really qualified to do it? I have been a little leery of the needle biopsy when the report comes back negative, wondering if they missed the area. However, if the report came back positive it did the job. A real biopsy is always good, but even then they need to be sure to get clean margins. I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs MK
Thanks! The surgeon who did the SNB is one of the best in the Reston, VA area and had done more than 500 procedures. ALso, the radioactive dye they injected into me went to the SN very strongly. The surgeons (two worked on me - partners) said they had never seen such strong uptake to a node.
It's just gotta be that old pork chop bone! I'll let you all know what I find out later this afternoon or this evening. Thanks for the support and hugs!
Peace,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
It's just gotta be that old pork chop bone! I'll let you all know what I find out later this afternoon or this evening. Thanks for the support and hugs!
Peace,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
Laure', you've been in my prayers all day. I hope your visit with the surgeon gave you some answers. I'll be hoping for that pork chop bone too.
Love and Hugs, Libby
Friends are God's way of taking really good care of us.
Oh my, a big {{HUG}} to you. I pray that it s just a reaction to something and nothing more.
Well, good news!!! My surgeon did an ultrasound of the same are and found the lymph node, but it is definitely smaller than the initial ultrasound. Additionally, she said that it does not feel at all like a cancerous lymph node, plus with the size difference she is not too concerned at this time. I will go back in to see her and get another ultrasound in October.
Geesh, did I feel like a huge weight was lifted off of me!!!!
As for the lupron and my periods, she's referred me to Dr. Michaelson at St. Barnabas, whom she says is very knowledgeable about lupron when used with women. I'm also making an appointment with an oncologist in Denville who is affiliated with Sloan Kettering.
I feel like I may be making headway! Thanks for all of the prayers! You guys are the best!
L&H,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
Geesh, did I feel like a huge weight was lifted off of me!!!!
As for the lupron and my periods, she's referred me to Dr. Michaelson at St. Barnabas, whom she says is very knowledgeable about lupron when used with women. I'm also making an appointment with an oncologist in Denville who is affiliated with Sloan Kettering.
I feel like I may be making headway! Thanks for all of the prayers! You guys are the best!
L&H,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
Hooray, hooray!!
JUJU
Hi Laure! It's frustrating dealing with doctors who seem to be oblivious to our individual concerns and treat everyone the same. I am glad you have found better doctors. Hope everything goes well! L&H, Frayda
Laure':
I'm so glad your pressure cooker got turned down. That was so scary!
I'm sorry I haven't been there for you! I totally relate! Having Sloan consult on your team isn't a bad Idea. Don't forget, though, Vicky and I use Dr. Feldman as a Breast Surgeon at Beth Israel in the city too, and he's wonderful. I had a time of it on Lupron, but no periods.
Are you considering an oopher??? I just had one with a hyster. I'm doing fine. Let me know what you're thinking.
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius
Ellen
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius
Ellen
That i so great. I bet it felt like a storm had just blown over.