Introducing Myself....

tekgal
tekgal Member Posts: 35
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi everyone and Merry Christmas ~ My name is Jody and I am 33. I have been married 14 years and have two boys, ages 8 & 9. I will be hitting the one year anniversary since my diangnosis on January 4th. I had two tumors in my right breast so underwent a mastectomy. I completed 4 rounds of AC in the spring and my oncologist is encouraged. I also had reconstructive surgery this past fall (chose the implant method). Last week I had a 3-month checkup, and will be getting the results of my tumor marker test back. Last May, my number was 44 (higher at that time than 38, which was my # before treatment), so my oncologist had me go through all kinds of scans - bone, chest CT, brain MRI - and they were clear. I am really NERVOUS though, as it has been 7 months since my last tumor marker test. I'll find out results tomorrow, so sure would appreciate your thoughts. :-) Reading a lot of these posts I see the same common thread -- only those who have been through this completely understand -- I have a fantastic family and my husband has been WONDERFUL, but only we comprehend that FEAR. I am so thankful I found this site! Thanks for reading this on Christmas!

Comments

  • pamtriggs
    pamtriggs Member Posts: 386
    #2
    Hi there
    Just read your post. I am Pam & I live in New Zealand. I had DCIS in 1981 when aged 35 and my children were then 5 & 8 so I know where you are at. I had radical mastectomy & no further symptoms until earlier this year. Now have mets all over. My markers had gone as high as 190 but now down to 93 & decreasing. Latest x-rays show some tumours have now gone and others are shrinking. Lung one still a bit of a problem but I'll beat the **** yet. I haven't survived for 20 years to give up now so hang on in there. I know what you mean about the fear. I too have a wonderful husband & circle of supportive friends but only we know how we feel. You have to have been there yourself. You'll find heaps of support & information & love & friendship here. I wil pray for good results from your latest tests. Love & hugs
    Pam
  • lucy
    lucy Member Posts: 157
    #3
    Hi Jody and welcome to this helpful website - it is so wonderful, because we all here have been through it also and know each others feelings. I hope everything turns out okay with your test - remember the power of prayer is wonderful. I had a masectomy in May and went through the AC chemo also. I go back to my oncologist tomorrow for a three month check-up. I don't understand what a tumor marker test is - can you explain it to me. Is it something that I will be going through also?
    Of course, all of this stuff is new to me - but I am learning quick. Keep your chin up and good luck. In Christian Love, Lucy
  • sueholm
    sueholm Member Posts: 205
    #4
    lucy said:

    Hi Jody and welcome to this helpful website - it is so wonderful, because we all here have been through it also and know each others feelings. I hope everything turns out okay with your test - remember the power of prayer is wonderful. I had a masectomy in May and went through the AC chemo also. I go back to my oncologist tomorrow for a three month check-up. I don't understand what a tumor marker test is - can you explain it to me. Is it something that I will be going through also?
    Of course, all of this stuff is new to me - but I am learning quick. Keep your chin up and good luck. In Christian Love, Lucy

    Hi Jody. I am susan from canada, the one who never bothers with capitals! i had partial mastectomy of lobular carcinoma in oct, am now having four rounds AC chemo, then have to have full mastectomy cos they found more in first op, then radiation. I know they took tumour marker test for baseline with me and mine was normal. as i understand it the tumour marker test finds a substance that is only produced when there has been metastases. helpful if nothing is showing on scans.i wish yu the best in your results. you will find the ladies here great, and will get to know them. i am a lot older than you, so it is hard for me to give you, perhaps, the kind of support you need. I am grateful i do not have the responsibility of children at the moment. I am finding a lot of good things are happening becasue of my cancer. for once in my life, i am letting my family help me, and love me. and it has given me permission to live for now. I was always planning for the future. I have a feeling the quality of my life is going to be very rich now. just wait till you see my garden this year. it will be a profusion of colour, and i will sit on my swing and watch the butterflys and the hummingbirds. pure ecstacy! I will relish every moment. welcome, jody
  • tiger
    tiger Member Posts: 277
    #5
    sueholm said:

    Hi Jody. I am susan from canada, the one who never bothers with capitals! i had partial mastectomy of lobular carcinoma in oct, am now having four rounds AC chemo, then have to have full mastectomy cos they found more in first op, then radiation. I know they took tumour marker test for baseline with me and mine was normal. as i understand it the tumour marker test finds a substance that is only produced when there has been metastases. helpful if nothing is showing on scans.i wish yu the best in your results. you will find the ladies here great, and will get to know them. i am a lot older than you, so it is hard for me to give you, perhaps, the kind of support you need. I am grateful i do not have the responsibility of children at the moment. I am finding a lot of good things are happening becasue of my cancer. for once in my life, i am letting my family help me, and love me. and it has given me permission to live for now. I was always planning for the future. I have a feeling the quality of my life is going to be very rich now. just wait till you see my garden this year. it will be a profusion of colour, and i will sit on my swing and watch the butterflys and the hummingbirds. pure ecstacy! I will relish every moment. welcome, jody

    Welcome Jody, I am Tiger, I think Pam said it best with "i will beat this ****" that pretty much sums it up for all of us!!! No matter what happens we are all in this together and we will all beat this together.We are the bitchiest creatures on the face of the earth, are we going to let a little cancer scare us? Absolutely not!!! If we can have kids,husbands,periods,and keep a house running, well, we are about the strongest people going, so never fear,we are women,see us win!!!!! Good luck and let us know what your results are. Hugs from Tiger. xoxox
  • tekgal
    tekgal Member Posts: 35
    #6
    Hi everyone and thanks to you all who wrote encouraging notes -- pam, lucy, sue and tiger. I really am glad I found you all! I called my oncologist's office today and they said that due to the holiday it'll probably be THURSDAY 'til I get my marker results back. That's my BIRTHDAY! I sure hope I hear good news that day! I'm staying positive and focused. I am enjoying "getting to know you all" from reading the posts. You gals sure are strong! Just seeing your support of each other is encouraging to me ... I know I've come to a wonderful place! Thanks again. :-)
  • lucy
    lucy Member Posts: 157
    #7
    tekgal said:

    Hi everyone and thanks to you all who wrote encouraging notes -- pam, lucy, sue and tiger. I really am glad I found you all! I called my oncologist's office today and they said that due to the holiday it'll probably be THURSDAY 'til I get my marker results back. That's my BIRTHDAY! I sure hope I hear good news that day! I'm staying positive and focused. I am enjoying "getting to know you all" from reading the posts. You gals sure are strong! Just seeing your support of each other is encouraging to me ... I know I've come to a wonderful place! Thanks again. :-)

    Hi Jody - You are in my prayers for your Dr. appointment on Thursday to find out your GOOD news. I had my three month check-up today - and everything is fine with me. Wow, what good news it is to hear this. I live in the northeast and will be heading to the south for 2-1/2 months - and can't wait for the warmth down there. I also was praying for good news from my oncologist so that I would be able to go south. Anyhow, hang in there sweetie and keep you chin up.
    Love, Lucy
  • tiger
    tiger Member Posts: 277
    #8
    Hey jodi, Tiger here, I started chemo last Jan 28, which is my husbands birthday, so I KNOW things are going to be good for me, just as i know things are going to be great for you too, it is a sign that you are getting your results on your birthday, just wait and see, but make sure you let us know right away. You and I have alot in common, I am 31, I will be 32 Jan 29, and have two sons, 3 1/2 and 9. You can check out my page on this site for my full story, i wont type it out again, I am sure everyone knows it by heart now. Remember, think positive and we will all be praying for you.
    Hugs from Tiger. xo
  • tekgal
    tekgal Member Posts: 35
    #9
    lucy said:

    Hi Jody - You are in my prayers for your Dr. appointment on Thursday to find out your GOOD news. I had my three month check-up today - and everything is fine with me. Wow, what good news it is to hear this. I live in the northeast and will be heading to the south for 2-1/2 months - and can't wait for the warmth down there. I also was praying for good news from my oncologist so that I would be able to go south. Anyhow, hang in there sweetie and keep you chin up.
    Love, Lucy

    Thanks Lucy! I am a firm believe in the power or prayer -- it has gotten me this far! PTL for your great checkup results! I am jealous you will be heading south ... I live in PA and am snowed in!
  • lucy
    lucy Member Posts: 157
    #10
    tekgal said:

    Thanks Lucy! I am a firm believe in the power or prayer -- it has gotten me this far! PTL for your great checkup results! I am jealous you will be heading south ... I live in PA and am snowed in!

    Hi again - what part of Pa do you live in? That is where I live and yes, we have lots of snow - and expecting another big storm on Saturday. Yes, the Good Lord is power for all of us.
    In Christian Love, LUCY
  • tekgal
    tekgal Member Posts: 35
    #11
    lucy said:

    Hi again - what part of Pa do you live in? That is where I live and yes, we have lots of snow - and expecting another big storm on Saturday. Yes, the Good Lord is power for all of us.
    In Christian Love, LUCY

    Hi Lucy ... just North of Pittsburgh and the great MARIO LEMIEUX! How about you?? ~Jody
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #12
    tekgal said:

    Hi everyone and thanks to you all who wrote encouraging notes -- pam, lucy, sue and tiger. I really am glad I found you all! I called my oncologist's office today and they said that due to the holiday it'll probably be THURSDAY 'til I get my marker results back. That's my BIRTHDAY! I sure hope I hear good news that day! I'm staying positive and focused. I am enjoying "getting to know you all" from reading the posts. You gals sure are strong! Just seeing your support of each other is encouraging to me ... I know I've come to a wonderful place! Thanks again. :-)

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • lucy
    lucy Member Posts: 157
    #13
    tekgal said:

    Hi Lucy ... just North of Pittsburgh and the great MARIO LEMIEUX! How about you?? ~Jody

    Jody - I am from a little town south of Williamsport (Home of Little League Baseball). And, now I know that you probably have more snow than we do. Yes, I know the hockey player - up here we like the Hershey Bears! But, when I see him play, I will think of you. I hope you are feeling good and had a nice Christmas with your family. I had a lovely Christmas with my family - and still enjoying it. Just the fact that I am here for Christmas makes me thank the Good Lord. And, I am sure you feel the same way. It has been nice chatting back and forth with you - and hope to be able to help you some more.
    Love, Lucy
  • tekgal
    tekgal Member Posts: 35
    #14
    lucy said:

    Jody - I am from a little town south of Williamsport (Home of Little League Baseball). And, now I know that you probably have more snow than we do. Yes, I know the hockey player - up here we like the Hershey Bears! But, when I see him play, I will think of you. I hope you are feeling good and had a nice Christmas with your family. I had a lovely Christmas with my family - and still enjoying it. Just the fact that I am here for Christmas makes me thank the Good Lord. And, I am sure you feel the same way. It has been nice chatting back and forth with you - and hope to be able to help you some more.
    Love, Lucy

    Hi Lucy! I hear you may get a whopper of a snowstorm later today, so you'll end up with more snow that us! My best friend lives in Camp Hill, and Hershey Park is one of my favorite places to take my kids (and my hubby & me!). I had a wonderful Christmas with my family, too, and sure look at life differently! I enjoyed it SO much more this year and have decided that cancer has made me a more positive person ... and appreciative person! The Lord has blessed me! Take care and be careful in all that snow you're to get! ~Jody
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #15
    tekgal said:

    Hi Lucy! I hear you may get a whopper of a snowstorm later today, so you'll end up with more snow that us! My best friend lives in Camp Hill, and Hershey Park is one of my favorite places to take my kids (and my hubby & me!). I had a wonderful Christmas with my family, too, and sure look at life differently! I enjoyed it SO much more this year and have decided that cancer has made me a more positive person ... and appreciative person! The Lord has blessed me! Take care and be careful in all that snow you're to get! ~Jody

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • tekgal
    tekgal Member Posts: 35
    #16
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Right on, Ellen! I truly believe that staying focused positively and taking each day as a gift from God will ultimately heal me. Thanks for sharing that!
  • lucy
    lucy Member Posts: 157
    #17
    tekgal said:

    Hi Lucy! I hear you may get a whopper of a snowstorm later today, so you'll end up with more snow that us! My best friend lives in Camp Hill, and Hershey Park is one of my favorite places to take my kids (and my hubby & me!). I had a wonderful Christmas with my family, too, and sure look at life differently! I enjoyed it SO much more this year and have decided that cancer has made me a more positive person ... and appreciative person! The Lord has blessed me! Take care and be careful in all that snow you're to get! ~Jody

    Hi Jody - Yes, we are expecting quite a bit of snow here - just heard on TV that we are to get somewhere between 3 and 8 inches. I will let you know how much we get! I like the snow - but do not like to drive in it. Glad you had a nice Christmas - and wish you and yours a Happy New Year. I am definitely looking forward to bringing in 2001 - I hope and pray it is a much better and happier new year for me. Yes, I also believe that the Good Lord has been good to me and also made me a stronger and better person.
    Take Care of yourself.
    In Christian Love, Lucy
  • lucy
    lucy Member Posts: 157
    #18
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Yes, you are absolutely right Ellen - I feel the same way. Cancer has also taught me to slow down and enjoy life much better and not get stressed out. The holidays were busy for me, and the first ever - I did NOT get a bit stressed out when the whole family was here. I also thank the Good Lord for waking me up to life before it was too late. Happy New Year.
    Lucy

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