Thank you for the welcome! It actually is both hands. Again, sometimes it's barely noticeable, other times it's more so. I also wonder about my caffeine consumption. I've always drunk a lot of diet...
My hands began shaking about 6 weeks or so ago. It varies in intensity. I've been under a lot of stress (job hunting so as not to be evicted), but feel it should be passed by now. I'm 40 and though I...
MK, I've been off the board for so long and I got an e=mail from Kitty today to let me know about Cathi, so needed to check in. I'm so sorry for what you & your family are going through. My thoughts...
I'm so saddened by this news. Cathi was such a fighter and had such an amazing spirit. I feel so fortunate to have met her in St. Louis. Julie...
MK, I'm so sorry you and Carolyn are having to face this again. She sounds like such a strong woman. Hopefully having a plan has helped her. I know it did me. I will keep you both in my prayers....
Deb, Sending hugs & prayers your way... Try to pamper yourself between now and then. Julie...
Charlene, I'm sure you will get differing responses, but I would do chemo. Going from 25% risk of recurrence to 8% is a major difference. What if you could benefit from chemo and you don't get it?...
My prayers will be going out to everyone. Please include my friend Beth, who is battling ALS at 40. She really is not doing well. Thanks & God bless... Julie...
Cathi, I am so sorry for this latest blow. I can only imagine how scary it must be. It's bad enough when it happens to us, but to have it happen to our children is all the more heartbreaking. Know...
Christa, I can only imagine what a difficult time this is for you. My thoughts are with you. I hope the fact that you two can be together will bring comfort to both of you. Hugs, Julie...
I want to thank you all so much for your responses. You have NO idea how much they mean to me. It is just such an awful situation and I appreciate all your thoughts & prayers -- for her & for...
For those who don't know me, I'm an "old timer". I've been a part of this group (the village & here) since I was diagnosed over 6 years ago at age 30. Having cancer was hard, but I am now facing...
Jackie, That is nothing short of absolutely amazing! I couldn't be happier for you. Your attitude has always been positive-- even when you fighting like hell...A positive attitude goes a long way....
Karen, I had the lat. flap procedure in Dec. of 2001 and have lost no muscle in my arms. I started back to tennis within 2 months and it hasn't bothered me. I'm glad it's the route I went. Good luck....
I just hate to read this. My thoughts are with her family... Julie...
Bernadette, So glad the news was benign. Hoping that the other diseases will be dormant and easily managed. Hugs, Julie...
Bernadette, Wishing you the very best of luck for a smooth surgery and good news! Hugs, Julie...
Hi Tammy, Just wanted to give you a word of encouragement. None of us ever know if we are finished with cancer for good. It's hard not to let our minds get the best of us sometimes. This month is my...
Thanks for your replies. I have done quite a bit of research on femara. I guess my question is why Femara or Arimidex? Can't find anything that will tell a difference. Just curious for those who've...
Ok, so I finished my 5 years of tamoxifen in December and then had a total hysterectomy to take care of the estrogen issue. I asked my onc about going on additional meds since I was now in menopause....
Chantry, Glad you are home. Take good care of yourself. Sending wishes for a speedy recovery! Hugs, Julie...
Bernadette, I'm so sorry the news wasn't better. Maybe on closer examination it won't be as bad as it first appears. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you move forward. Hugs, Julie...
Vicky, The only help I can offer is a big ol' hug! You are such a trooper. Glad to hear the tumor shrunk, but obviously sorry about the new one. One step at a time, right? Hope you get some relief...
I can't imagine any doctor telling any woman taking tamoxifen to try to get pregnant. Obviously she was ER/PR + or she wouldn't be taking it. An ER/PR+ woman getting pregnant is a HUGE risk. I'd...
I was diagnosed at 30. Age is a non-factor with this disease. You cannot "assume" anything. I would definitely have a doc check you out. Why not? Being worried about being an "idiot" sure doesn't...
From another perspective, I run a skin care clinic and I'm continually appalled at the state of the skin of some people who "worship the sun". Now don't get me wrong, I love to be out in it, but have...
Good for you, Simone! Now you will be so relieved when he comes back and says it is nothing... Sorry about the passing of your FIL. Please keep us posted. Julie...
Welcome to the board. You are not paranoid. I think it would be very smart to have it out. That is the only way to know for sure - 100%. Obviously something is there, everyone can feel it. I had an...
Cathi, Sending you big ((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))) from Little Rock. I know you are tired, in more ways than one. You are one tough cookie! Love ya, Julie...
I agree with you. While waiting a few weeks is probably not going to change anything, if you are just waiting to have the doctor tell you it needs to be looked at, why not get the ball rolling? As...
Thanks to those of you who responded. Everything looks ok on closer inspection. Mom did insist on a follow-up mamm. in 3 months, so I was really proud of her. Thanks again. Julie...
MK is absolutely right. No one can tell for sure what a lump is unless it is taken out. They can have a good idea based on some indicators, but stick around here long enough and you'll find a lot of...
Just found out my mom has a follow-up diagnostic mammogram scheduled for this afternoon. Something showed up last week on her regular mamm. They should be able to tell her more then. Please keep her...
Mary Anne, I know it seems odd, but this is a common approach for a large growth. Shrinking everything makes it much easier to get out. Also, as said before, they can see how well the chemo is...
Di, I'm so sorry for all that you are going through. Prayers going out for you & your mother. I hope the procedure is as easy as possible and you have a quick recovery. Hugs, Julie...
Hi Chloe, So sorry you are having to deal with all this! I did not have a choice, I had to have a mast. because I had more than one area of cancer, but when they took it off they did find another...
Congrats, Jo-Ann. I don't even ask for statistics because I think they're a load of s*(*t. You are living proof of that. You enjoy those grandbabies & great-grandbabies! You've earned it.... Hugs,...
Melissa, Glad you got this appt. over with. While mammos are good they do not catch everything. I had a large area of cancer that didn't show up on the mammo or ultrasound. I would strongly recommend...
Cathi, I certainly wish the news had been better, but I will be praying that the new drugs do the trick and help ease your pain. I hope you have a wonderful & restful vacation. Love & hugs,...
Luci, Your little angel is in my prayers. Hugs, Julie...
Hey Erin, I had a total hysterectomy six weeks ago, a few weeks after my 36th birthday. So far I have NO complaints. I wasn't in menopause at all. I was still having regular periods. So far (knock on...
Welcome. Calcifications can be an indicator of breast cancer, not a cause. It is best to have it checked out. Also, I've never heard any relation between bp medicine and breast cancer. I would think...
(((((((((((((Cathi)))))))))))))) I am so sorry for this latest set-back. I can only begin to imagine how tired you are physically & emotionally. My prayer for you is that 2006 bring you nothing...
Oh, Cathi, I am so sorry. It's amazing how our pets become such central figures in our lives. One of my kitties was diagnosed with diabetes a few months ago and I know he won't be with us much...
Wendy, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. This is a breast cancer forum, so while we understand some of what you are going through, your probably need a kidney cancer board to get the support you...
Yep, mine started growing back as soon as I started taxol, but my lashes and brows really thinned. Hope it comes in beautifully... Hugs, Julie...
((((((((((((Deb)))))))))))) So sorry you are dealing with this crap. You have a right to be angry, but you just hang in there, ok? Giving up treatment is not an option. No one wins in that scenario....
Thanks to you ladies for all your kind words. I got home yesterday and have been recovering nicely. I came through the surgery as a "gold-star" patient as my doc told me. Still on pretty heavy pain...
Chantry, Congrats on finishing A/C. I found Taxol to be much easier. I had a few aches and pains, but nothing major. My hair started growing back, but my eyebrows and lashes that had hung around...
Thank you all for your kind words. I'm getting a little freaked out now, with less than 24 hours until surgery. Your stories have defnitely made me feel better, though. Just one more bump in the...