Relay for Life

The1percen
The1percen Member Posts: 135
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hey Everybody,
I have to tell everyone that was the BEST possible thing I could for myself and others!!! I alreadt had my T-shirt, so before we left I wrote on the back... " I have breast lumps, waiting for mammo and surgeon. Yes, ME!!! I was doing this as a way for me to tell others that men can have and get lumps and cancer. However, it did something totally unexpected... I talked to 4 other MEN who were survivors!! Everyone of them told me about their diagnossis and treatment. Most all they wanted me to feel that this is very survivable - if it even is cancer!!! By the time we got through the first couple hours, I had received a whole new outlook. Two of the 4 were vets and I was given a fair accessment of what would take place.

This was my 3rd 'relay" and I must say, it was totally different than the other two. First there was my father, I really "enjoyed" the Survivor's Dinner! What an inspiration!!! Then I walked 26.3 miles!!! First of ALL - last year, I was smoking and only did 20 miles. I also won several "door prizes". I came away with a whole new attitude! Everyone also assured me that the waiting certainly IS the hardest part! The vets also assured me that that time is actually short compared to it COULD be! What an AMAZING GROUP - survivors are!!!
Mike

Comments

  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #2
    I hope
    I hope my first walk will be as amazing. Mine will be June 19th.
    I am happy that you got to meet some vets that had some insight to the sometimes system that we all have to go through. I am not a vet but I do work for a Veterans hospital and know that the hospital I work for and I think most do not have mammogram machines so they have to fee them out to local hospitals and then that might be why there seems to be a delay.

    Hoping for the best for you.

    Margo
  • The1percen
    The1percen Member Posts: 135
    #3
    tommaseena said:

    I hope
    I hope my first walk will be as amazing. Mine will be June 19th.
    I am happy that you got to meet some vets that had some insight to the sometimes system that we all have to go through. I am not a vet but I do work for a Veterans hospital and know that the hospital I work for and I think most do not have mammogram machines so they have to fee them out to local hospitals and then that might be why there seems to be a delay.

    Hoping for the best for you.

    Margo

    Yes... outside "system"
    Yup.... The mammogram is outside the VA and I kind of suspect exactly what you are stating. It was just hard when I didn't have anything "to focus on" My mammo is the 26th and I see the surgeon on the 30th. Do you know what kind of turn around between the visit and "wahtever he is to do"? Then how long before the pathology report????
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #4
    The1percen said:

    Yes... outside "system"
    Yup.... The mammogram is outside the VA and I kind of suspect exactly what you are stating. It was just hard when I didn't have anything "to focus on" My mammo is the 26th and I see the surgeon on the 30th. Do you know what kind of turn around between the visit and "wahtever he is to do"? Then how long before the pathology report????

    Outside
    Mike,
    I was diagnosed on 12/8/08 and did not have surgery until 2/2/09 because I went out of state for a second opinion. My mammogram was in November and biopsy done 12/1.
    It seems it doesn't matter whether you are in the VA system or not the wait time is about the same.

    Pathology reports usually take 3-5 days. If your path from your biopsy states something like, " Prognostic immunohistochemical staining will be deferred until the definitive excisional biopsy specimen, unless specifically requested" Please request your provider to request the special stainings so you know if it is hormone driven or not and then your options may change.

    Best of luck and keep us informed.

    Margo
  • bfbear
    bfbear Member Posts: 380
    #5
    tommaseena said:

    Outside
    Mike,
    I was diagnosed on 12/8/08 and did not have surgery until 2/2/09 because I went out of state for a second opinion. My mammogram was in November and biopsy done 12/1.
    It seems it doesn't matter whether you are in the VA system or not the wait time is about the same.

    Pathology reports usually take 3-5 days. If your path from your biopsy states something like, " Prognostic immunohistochemical staining will be deferred until the definitive excisional biopsy specimen, unless specifically requested" Please request your provider to request the special stainings so you know if it is hormone driven or not and then your options may change.

    Best of luck and keep us informed.

    Margo

    The Wait
    Hi Mike,
    I was diagnosed in March and had to wait till May for surgery. Hang in there!

    Also, thanks for writing about your Relay experience. What a great way to receive such valuable support. I am real happy for you.

    Although I have donated to Relay teams in the past and bought lumineria, this will be my first year actually participating, and I am even captaining a team (BrEaST FRIENDS)!

    So far we are the team with the most $$$, and since I've personally raised over $1,000, I got a "champion" t-shirt last week at the captain's meeting (5 weeks out of surgery - dbl. mast w/recon -- I'm not bragging about the fundraising, really, because I think it's the "pity factor" that's enabled me to raise so much!!!!). So, it will be quite a first Relay for me on July 17th.

    Take care and stay busy,
    Debi
  • The1percen
    The1percen Member Posts: 135
    #6
    bfbear said:

    The Wait
    Hi Mike,
    I was diagnosed in March and had to wait till May for surgery. Hang in there!

    Also, thanks for writing about your Relay experience. What a great way to receive such valuable support. I am real happy for you.

    Although I have donated to Relay teams in the past and bought lumineria, this will be my first year actually participating, and I am even captaining a team (BrEaST FRIENDS)!

    So far we are the team with the most $$$, and since I've personally raised over $1,000, I got a "champion" t-shirt last week at the captain's meeting (5 weeks out of surgery - dbl. mast w/recon -- I'm not bragging about the fundraising, really, because I think it's the "pity factor" that's enabled me to raise so much!!!!). So, it will be quite a first Relay for me on July 17th.

    Take care and stay busy,
    Debi

    the wait
    Hi Debi,
    I LOVE YOUR TEAM NAME!!!! Very witty and very memorable, that too helps with fundrasing! The team I am involved with is: "Forget-me-nots". I am very happy you have joined, I hope your committee is as wonderful as ours!! The event special BEFORE this year and I am so glad i had done it before. I have got to see it from different prospectives. This year was totally different for me. And I imagine next year will be even more special - EITHER way this thing goes! I thank all of you who have been of so much support all ready. I hope at some point I can begin to repay "the favor"
  • jgridley
    jgridley Member Posts: 169
    #7
    Mike, I am so glad that you had a great time! In the midest of dealing with emotional, physical and all to gether a new way of life, it's nice to know that you found a calm in the storm.

    You are to be commended for the way that you voice your opinion on men having breast cancer. I am not too sure taht my hsuband would be as open and honest as you if he was going through this. In fact I know he wouldn't because he isn't dealing with my diagnosis to well. We never talk about it or anything. I am more open then he is. and he is quick to change the subject.

    But I have god, my pastor and my new family here...
    My first relay is this friday and I am excited
    Julie
  • ladybug22
    ladybug22 Member Posts: 646
    #8
    mike i
    i wish you the very best from a
    sister in pink
  • bfbear
    bfbear Member Posts: 380
    #9
    The1percen said:

    the wait
    Hi Debi,
    I LOVE YOUR TEAM NAME!!!! Very witty and very memorable, that too helps with fundrasing! The team I am involved with is: "Forget-me-nots". I am very happy you have joined, I hope your committee is as wonderful as ours!! The event special BEFORE this year and I am so glad i had done it before. I have got to see it from different prospectives. This year was totally different for me. And I imagine next year will be even more special - EITHER way this thing goes! I thank all of you who have been of so much support all ready. I hope at some point I can begin to repay "the favor"

    ;-)
    Glad you liked the team name!

    You are doing a great job educating others as a 1 percenter already, and I have no doubt that as you continue along this road you will repay many people many times over with you candor and super attitude.

    I'm sorry you have to be here, but I'm glad to know you.

    Fondly,
    Debi

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