Newbies - introduce yourselves

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  • mbalder
    mbalder Member Posts: 31
    #22
    My name is Marcia I am 32,
    My name is Marcia I am 32, have 2 girls 6 & 9 and a wonderful husband. We live in central MN I was diagnosed last month with stage II, had bilateral mast. w/recons. had 1 round of chemo last thurs. and have 7 more to go. Below is my site if you want to read more. Its so nice to have this wonderful site, and to meet so many nice people going through the same thing.
    http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/marciabalder
  • svitola
    svitola Member Posts: 15
    #23
    HI
    Hi!
    My name is Valeria and I live in Guatemala (Central America), my mom who is 62 was diagnose with stage III breast cancer. Today was her 9th Chemo with Herceptin and Taxol. She will be with this for a total of 12 weeks and then change to FEC for another 12 weeks. Then she will have a total bilateral masectomy.
    She was diagnose in Guatemala and went to the MD Anderson for an appointment with an oncologist to define the protocol.
    I am 37 years old, and It has been really hard and painful for me to accept the situation. My mom is doing great, but I sometimes get really sad, I don't want her to suffer, and I don't know how to cope with it.
    I love her so much!
    Sorry for my english, it is a little rusty!
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #24
    always said:

    kinda new
    Hi everyone I have been on here a week or so I think. Time is strange these days. I'm Becky 50, 4 kids, one married, 3 grandkids. My dx is/was invasive ductal carcinoma, Had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy Sept 24th. Node negative. I have been going through cat scans, muga scan bunch of tests. Had port put in yesterday. Today feel like truck hit me. See onc Friday I think I will start chemo next week...will find out Friday what the plan is for sure. All I know now is that I have chemo and then radiation after that. This site has been a blessing. Hope I can give back a little while I still know very little. Thanks to everyone.

    Welcome, Always!
    We'll be here with you to get through this journey. Keep posting and let us know your treatment plan. Best of luck!
  • whichwitch
    whichwitch Member Posts: 42
    #25
    svitola said:

    HI
    Hi!
    My name is Valeria and I live in Guatemala (Central America), my mom who is 62 was diagnose with stage III breast cancer. Today was her 9th Chemo with Herceptin and Taxol. She will be with this for a total of 12 weeks and then change to FEC for another 12 weeks. Then she will have a total bilateral masectomy.
    She was diagnose in Guatemala and went to the MD Anderson for an appointment with an oncologist to define the protocol.
    I am 37 years old, and It has been really hard and painful for me to accept the situation. My mom is doing great, but I sometimes get really sad, I don't want her to suffer, and I don't know how to cope with it.
    I love her so much!
    Sorry for my english, it is a little rusty!

    Hi, My sister has stage4
    Hi, My sister has stage4 cancer and I know alittle bit about how you must be feeling. I also am sad for my sister and it is hard to watch her suffer. I have trouble coping also, but talking about it helps some. So happy to meet you Valeria and my name is Paula. Your English is wonderful. Sending angels your way
  • marilyndbk
    marilyndbk Member Posts: 238 Member
    #26
    Hi.
    Great idea .
    Hi.
    Great idea . My knowledge of the computer is limited. I don't know how to start a new post. One of my bc friends helped me login so I am able to post a commment. This site has been invaluable to me. My name is Marilyn. I am 57 yrs old, with 3 grown children, and 4 awesome grandchildren. I was dx with bc in 2001, had lumpectomy and 33 rads. I was on Tamoxifen 4 1/2 yrs. Aug, 2009 dx with bc again in the same breast and small invasive tumor found. Had bilateral mastectomy with Latissimus flap reconstruction with expanders. 4-5 months hopefully will be done with implants. I am so lucky. I did have nodes tested on both sides but no node involvement. Med onc has recommended Femara but I have not decided yet if I will start med. We all have a different journey and it is not always easy. bc takes its toll on our body and minds. It is so helpful to me to know some of what I am feeling is normal. Sometimes I still wonder about myself. Bless us all. Take care. Marilyn
  • Carol_TN
    Carol_TN Member Posts: 1
    #27
    marilyndbk said:

    Hi.
    Great idea .
    Hi.
    Great idea . My knowledge of the computer is limited. I don't know how to start a new post. One of my bc friends helped me login so I am able to post a commment. This site has been invaluable to me. My name is Marilyn. I am 57 yrs old, with 3 grown children, and 4 awesome grandchildren. I was dx with bc in 2001, had lumpectomy and 33 rads. I was on Tamoxifen 4 1/2 yrs. Aug, 2009 dx with bc again in the same breast and small invasive tumor found. Had bilateral mastectomy with Latissimus flap reconstruction with expanders. 4-5 months hopefully will be done with implants. I am so lucky. I did have nodes tested on both sides but no node involvement. Med onc has recommended Femara but I have not decided yet if I will start med. We all have a different journey and it is not always easy. bc takes its toll on our body and minds. It is so helpful to me to know some of what I am feeling is normal. Sometimes I still wonder about myself. Bless us all. Take care. Marilyn

    Triple Negative Breast Cancer
    Is this site dedicated to Triple Negative Breast Cancer ?
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #28
    Carol_TN said:

    Triple Negative Breast Cancer
    Is this site dedicated to Triple Negative Breast Cancer ?

    This site
    This site is dedicated to all kinds of breast cancer and not just one in particular.

    If you are looking for threads about triple negative breast cancer you can search the site in the search box and type in triple negative breast cancer and you will get a list of threads that mention that in them. If you want to respond to a thread make sure you look at the date it was created because the oldest will show first and then the newer ones will be after.

    I hope this helps you.

    Margo
  • JmG86
    JmG86 Member Posts: 53
    #29
    Hi. My name is Julia. I was
    Hi. My name is Julia. I was dx in July 2003 with stage 4 bc. I had been getting a mammo every year, and a physical check by my gynec twice a year, and they still missed it! I started having very bad back pain. My chiropractor wanted to do more aggressive treatments, and my regular doctor did an x-ray of my back, which showed nothing. (He also missed my numbers being way out of whack when my blood work came back from a complete physical). Finally went to an orthopedic specialist. He wanted to do physical therapy - I had to beg him to do an MRI first. That's when they found the cancer in my bones. I had radiation on tumors in my back immediately (they were getting to close to spinal column), had a lumpectomy, and was on hormone treatment until a year and half ago, when I started chemo. Taxol every week, 3 weeks on, one week off, for about a year. Just a few weeks ago I started a new chemo, Xeloda. 2 weeks on, one week off. I have an Avastin drip every 2 weeks, and a Zometa treatment once a month. Is that too much information? Sorry. I just found this site about 3 weeks ago, and I love it! I find great comfort here, in the sisterhood of the pink ladies! I have read a lot of your stories, and I laugh and cry with all of you, get scared with you and pray for you. Thank you for giving me that bond...
  • roseann4
    roseann4 Member Posts: 992 Member
    #30
    JmG86 said:

    Hi. My name is Julia. I was
    Hi. My name is Julia. I was dx in July 2003 with stage 4 bc. I had been getting a mammo every year, and a physical check by my gynec twice a year, and they still missed it! I started having very bad back pain. My chiropractor wanted to do more aggressive treatments, and my regular doctor did an x-ray of my back, which showed nothing. (He also missed my numbers being way out of whack when my blood work came back from a complete physical). Finally went to an orthopedic specialist. He wanted to do physical therapy - I had to beg him to do an MRI first. That's when they found the cancer in my bones. I had radiation on tumors in my back immediately (they were getting to close to spinal column), had a lumpectomy, and was on hormone treatment until a year and half ago, when I started chemo. Taxol every week, 3 weeks on, one week off, for about a year. Just a few weeks ago I started a new chemo, Xeloda. 2 weeks on, one week off. I have an Avastin drip every 2 weeks, and a Zometa treatment once a month. Is that too much information? Sorry. I just found this site about 3 weeks ago, and I love it! I find great comfort here, in the sisterhood of the pink ladies! I have read a lot of your stories, and I laugh and cry with all of you, get scared with you and pray for you. Thank you for giving me that bond...

    Hi Julia!
    I couldn't help but reply to your post as Julia is my favorite name. I have 2 grown sons but if I had had a daughter, that would have been my choice of a name. You sound like a wonderful woman. I am 59 years old and was diagnosed in Feb. with Stage 1 breast cancer. What I have learned is that no matter what stage our cancer is at the time of diagnosis, we are all at risk of a reoccurance or a progression of our cancer. Our cancer diagnosis can change with every test. There are so many advancements happening every day and every year that we survive brings us closer to the day when we can say that breast cancer is cured. Everyone sais that early diagnosis is the answer but obviously our methods of detection don't always work. Stage IV does not always mean that woman did not do their preventive care. That is a big misconception. God bless you and I hope you continue to participate in the discussion.

    Roseann
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #31
    Hello
    My name is Eileen and I was first diagnosed in 1987: ER+, lg tumor, 4 nodes. Had a recurrence after 22 years this year. Metastasized to my right ribs. Feeling ok; I'm on arimidex and zometa and finished radiation. Hoping to go at least another 22 years.
  • meena1
    meena1 Member Posts: 1,003
    #32
    CypressCynthia said:

    Hello
    My name is Eileen and I was first diagnosed in 1987: ER+, lg tumor, 4 nodes. Had a recurrence after 22 years this year. Metastasized to my right ribs. Feeling ok; I'm on arimidex and zometa and finished radiation. Hoping to go at least another 22 years.

    Hi everyone!! I have been
    Hi everyone!! I have been on this site for a little bit, but I will introduce myself to the new people, this is an awesome site. I am 53 years old and i was diagnosed last July with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, (steve, I see that is what your wife has), i had chemo, a masectomy, and rad. I am still receiving Zometa monthly for bone mets. I am in remission right now, still go for blood work every 4 weeks. I feel good. I have gone through everything that you girls are going through and I made it. You are all so strong and brave to be going through this, i will keep you all in my prayers.
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490 Member
    #33
    meena1 said:

    Hi everyone!! I have been
    Hi everyone!! I have been on this site for a little bit, but I will introduce myself to the new people, this is an awesome site. I am 53 years old and i was diagnosed last July with Inflammatory Breast Cancer, (steve, I see that is what your wife has), i had chemo, a masectomy, and rad. I am still receiving Zometa monthly for bone mets. I am in remission right now, still go for blood work every 4 weeks. I feel good. I have gone through everything that you girls are going through and I made it. You are all so strong and brave to be going through this, i will keep you all in my prayers.

    You are amazing meena.

    You are amazing meena.
  • Grains
    Grains Member Posts: 27
    #34
    2nd time around
    Hi,
    I did post in another one, but I will introduce myself. I was dx in 2003 with invasive ductal C, had a mastectomy, 15 lymphnodes removed. C didnot spread. Had 4 rounds of chemo AC. Came out fine. Now I have infiltrating (I understand it is the same as invasive) ductal C. in my other breast. I will have a mastectomy on the 19th. They will take some of my lymph nodes. I don't know if I will have to do chemo or not. I am in limbo land I guess. I did get lymphedema in my right arm the first time, mild case, small amount of swelling. I wear a sleeve now and then. My arm aches a lot. I am wondering, which arm will they take my blood pressure from, etc after my operation??
  • sherria49
    sherria49 Member Posts: 126
    #35
    Another Newbie!!
    Thanks Pitt!!
    Hi I'm Sherri, 49, in Maryland, with 3 adult children, 28, 26, & 19 and a beautiful granddaughter who is 7. I have been on the site for a month or so now. Only a few posts from me, but have received a wealth of info from all of the threads. Omg, everyone is so wonderful here! My Dr was so shocked at how informed I had become in such a short time. I was diagnosed in Aug this year with IDC in left breast, bilateral mastectomy (my choice) scheduled for Oct 30th with immediate reconstruction w/expanders & chemo port. Meeting with onco this Friday. Everytime I visit the site I have new questions & info to go to the Dr's with. Which makes me feel a little more in control of the situation. Hmmmmm, how much control do I really think I have. I'm still working and it seems everyone at work is sick! I use alot of hand sanitizer, trying to stay as healthy as possible. I have been doing fairly well with the whole BC thing until now... Just lost my ex father in law tonight (R.I.P Pop) He had a massive stroke over 25 years ago with little to no recovery from it. Just started going downhill last week and got the call this evening that he probably wouldn't make it through the night. So I gathered the kids together and we went to visit with him and say our goodbyes(he was at home). As soon as I returned home, we got the call that he passed. Reality kicked me straight in the teeth!! I just lost it!! I need to be strong for the kids. So...now I need to gather myself together, get through the funeral, and get my head ready for surgery! Thanks everyone for your encouraging kind words, & wealth of knowledge. Without you guys & this site I would be completely BC iliterate. Sherri
  • ninjamom
    ninjamom Member Posts: 142
    #36
    svitola said:

    HI
    Hi!
    My name is Valeria and I live in Guatemala (Central America), my mom who is 62 was diagnose with stage III breast cancer. Today was her 9th Chemo with Herceptin and Taxol. She will be with this for a total of 12 weeks and then change to FEC for another 12 weeks. Then she will have a total bilateral masectomy.
    She was diagnose in Guatemala and went to the MD Anderson for an appointment with an oncologist to define the protocol.
    I am 37 years old, and It has been really hard and painful for me to accept the situation. My mom is doing great, but I sometimes get really sad, I don't want her to suffer, and I don't know how to cope with it.
    I love her so much!
    Sorry for my english, it is a little rusty!

    I'm not new to this site,
    I'm not new to this site, but have been gone for a while. My name is Patty and I live in California but was born and raised in El Salvador (Central America). I was diagnosed in March of 08, had a lumpectomy on my right breast in April, chemo May-July and radiation Aug-Spet 08. Luck would have it, I was hit with most side effects of chemo from diabetes to heart failure and have been in recovery all of 2009. The good news is that I'm getting stronger and my primary care MD seems to think that the damage might have been reversed as they are slowly reducing my heart medication and I seem to be responding well.

    Valeria, this decease affects the caregivers as well. It is not easy but know that just by you being there for your mother is the best thing you can do for her. Your company and your love is the best medicine for her. I know it was for me, having my children around brought me back to life.

    Let me know if you want to communicate in spanish. I will be checking in every day now.
  • bahallock
    bahallock Member Posts: 12
    #37
    sherria49 said:

    Another Newbie!!
    Thanks Pitt!!
    Hi I'm Sherri, 49, in Maryland, with 3 adult children, 28, 26, & 19 and a beautiful granddaughter who is 7. I have been on the site for a month or so now. Only a few posts from me, but have received a wealth of info from all of the threads. Omg, everyone is so wonderful here! My Dr was so shocked at how informed I had become in such a short time. I was diagnosed in Aug this year with IDC in left breast, bilateral mastectomy (my choice) scheduled for Oct 30th with immediate reconstruction w/expanders & chemo port. Meeting with onco this Friday. Everytime I visit the site I have new questions & info to go to the Dr's with. Which makes me feel a little more in control of the situation. Hmmmmm, how much control do I really think I have. I'm still working and it seems everyone at work is sick! I use alot of hand sanitizer, trying to stay as healthy as possible. I have been doing fairly well with the whole BC thing until now... Just lost my ex father in law tonight (R.I.P Pop) He had a massive stroke over 25 years ago with little to no recovery from it. Just started going downhill last week and got the call this evening that he probably wouldn't make it through the night. So I gathered the kids together and we went to visit with him and say our goodbyes(he was at home). As soon as I returned home, we got the call that he passed. Reality kicked me straight in the teeth!! I just lost it!! I need to be strong for the kids. So...now I need to gather myself together, get through the funeral, and get my head ready for surgery! Thanks everyone for your encouraging kind words, & wealth of knowledge. Without you guys & this site I would be completely BC iliterate. Sherri

    It's OK to lose it now and then
    I'm so sorry for your loss and I'm glad you were able to say goodbye. I know you need to be strong for your kids. but you need to care for you also. You are facing a battle and deserve all the support and self care possible.
  • Katz77
    Katz77 Member Posts: 598
    #38
    Old Newbie?
    Hi my name is Gayla. Joined this wonderful site Aug.09.I don't post much, but come here for inspiration and wonderful tips on getting through the maze of confusion.
    I was diagnosised with Invasive ductal with 18/20 lymph nodes involved. I work in surgery and have sen alot, so it's been an experience to be on the other side of the fence dealing with chemo, labs and scans. Will have my last dose of chemo cocktail Oct. 23rd, then radiation for 6 wks. I was scared of the raditation, but on this site, I was able to view others threads. now not as nervous about getting it done. Keep on fighting.
    Married with 3 children, 2 girls 23 and 30. One son 20. Oh Im a new g-ma, grandson Andrew and another one on the way. Everyone on this site is here for a reason. Support, understanding and love. Thanks for the invite to renew ourselves to each other.
  • Mtnhottie
    Mtnhottie Member Posts: 5
    #39
    New Girl on the Block
    Hey, Vickie here. Just a brief recap of my story. I was dx'd with Stage 2 bc on September 1. I found the lump on my own and saw my surgical oncologist within two days. I am scheduled for a double mas on Wed, Oct 21 - I turn 45 on the 24th :) I'll follow up with 6-8 rounds of chemo. I was dx'd with Stage 0 bc in 2006 with a lumpectomy - no further treatment. My mother was dx'd with bc 15 years ago. I am a mother to two daughters, Amanda - 19, Mariah - 16. I have a wonderful amazing husband who has been nothing but supportive. He has held me, laughed with me, cried with me. I told him the other day that I have no reason to feel sorry for myself as I have family, friends and even strangers sending positive thoughts and prayers my way. Sure, I've had several "bad" days where I felt overwhelmed and sorry for myself and I won't apologize for that. I am so glad to be on this board where people "get me" and will understand where I'm coming from.

    BTW - I had the genetic testing done for bc and ovarian cancer and the results came back that I do NOT carry those genes! YEAH! for my girls :)
  • helen e
    helen e Member Posts: 223
    #40
    New in September
    I am 44, married with 2 kids, girl 14 & boy 12 both athletes. I have a very close family. 2 sisters live near and a sister & 2 brothers in another state. Dad is visiting and mom is too sick to come from another state. I get calls everyday from them. I also teach special education to middle school kids. The building I work in is a family, they send home dinners so I don't have to cook and tell me to just get well and not to worry.

    I had a mammogram on 9/2 and they found a lump. Biopsy 2 days later - invasive ductal carcinoma, aggressive. 1.8 cm lump (stage 1) removed on 10/2 - centinel node biopsy clean. ER+, Her2nu -. All good. Only during surgery found more cancer spots in the duct. Now they want to do a mastectomy because chance for recurrence is 30-40%, even with radiation & chemo. I was floored by this now cancer takes on a whole meaning for me as a woman. Am having trouble trying to deal with this, any suggestions?

    I love this site already. Have tried another and came back here, just not the same. Everyone is so sincere, compassionate, and helpful. I have been blessed to find this site. Thanks to everyone for their support, I have a feeling I will be needing it soon.

    Helen
  • Victoria1566
    Victoria1566 Member Posts: 23
    #41
    Mtnhottie said:

    New Girl on the Block
    Hey, Vickie here. Just a brief recap of my story. I was dx'd with Stage 2 bc on September 1. I found the lump on my own and saw my surgical oncologist within two days. I am scheduled for a double mas on Wed, Oct 21 - I turn 45 on the 24th :) I'll follow up with 6-8 rounds of chemo. I was dx'd with Stage 0 bc in 2006 with a lumpectomy - no further treatment. My mother was dx'd with bc 15 years ago. I am a mother to two daughters, Amanda - 19, Mariah - 16. I have a wonderful amazing husband who has been nothing but supportive. He has held me, laughed with me, cried with me. I told him the other day that I have no reason to feel sorry for myself as I have family, friends and even strangers sending positive thoughts and prayers my way. Sure, I've had several "bad" days where I felt overwhelmed and sorry for myself and I won't apologize for that. I am so glad to be on this board where people "get me" and will understand where I'm coming from.

    BTW - I had the genetic testing done for bc and ovarian cancer and the results came back that I do NOT carry those genes! YEAH! for my girls :)

    Hello
    I'm new too. Had one of the worst summers of my life! Diagnosed in June and surgery in July, but the good news is that based on all the tests I did not have to have chemo!

    Unfortunately, it isn't over. My two daughters suffered along with me this summer and we all made it through but we are changed. My husband had died of leukemia in 2000 when my girls were 10 and 5, and during his battle with cancer I very much felt that I was the rock everybody was clinging to. This summer that rock got very shakey and my girls are still feeling the effects. After my husband's death, I was diagnosed with post tramatic stress disorder and now I see signs of PTSD in my children. So, I am plugging away, with a happy face on, trying to get their world back to a secure normal.

    Honestly, this site has helped me. Not only do I have the opportunity to vent my fears, but it also reminds me how lucky I really am; my cancer could have been so much worse! Also, it feels good to be on the giving end of advice and support, rather than having family and friends look at me with pity and offers of, "If there is anything I can do..."

    Thanks.

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