- This topic has 50 replies, 21 voices, and was last updated October 3, 2013 at 9:25 pm by
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Take notes; things that seem clear at the time may all get muddled together with so much going on. If possible, have someone else with you to help keep things straight.
Lots of hugs! Hope all goes well.
That’s a lot of appointments. Hope they offer some clear answers and directions.
She remakes mechanical devices, and he dreams of becoming a steamship captain in The Steamship Chronicles. Book 1 is free in eBook.
https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/the-steamship-chronicles/What Erin said. The VA is beginning a large genetics program, and these are the types of things they hope to be able to help people prepare for. I’ve been leery of participating in it. I may decide to at some point, but I’m concerned about the potential negative uses of the data (off topic from your concerns, though). I may find my way past that.
One thing I noticed with a slew of appointments prior to a procedure I had done earlier this year was they combined a lot of them into a very easy process — I hope the same is true for you. It looks like a lot on the computerized print out! So glad they include a therapist in the mix. This is a tough thing to go through no matter how positive the outcome. There are bound to be times when you’re really down or feel really alone. Tap into the resources of people who’ve been down this path and are getting through it for knowledge, tips, and encouragement.
I appreciate your updates. Thank you for posting.
Jschara – The therapist is actually a provider I’ve had for years already. I’ll simply be updating him with the cancer news if he hasn’t had a chance to read the updates in my files. I’m very glad I have him, and I can only imagine what it would be like going thorugh this if I didn’t have a therapist I could talk to. I’m sure he’ll become a very important part of my cancer care team, even if he wasn’t originally intended to be part of it.
Erin – My mom will be with me at all the cancer-related consultations. She really wants to be involved, and I’m trying to be compassionate and understanding though I’m uncomfortable with her presence (she’s already ignored some pretty important aspects of myself which will have some bearing on how I’ll take losing both breasts if I turn out to have the breast cancer gene). The primary reason why I’m letting her come with me is so I’ll have another person there to pick apart the various explanations. One thing about my mom I like is that she thinks of things I’d never think of, and I know I’m going to need that on these consultations. What worries me about her is that she tends to take over and talk for me, as if she knows my mind and what I’m thinking, and that’s something I’m not looking forward to dealing with.
Ashe Elton Parker
"Just love me, fear me, do as I say, and I will be your slave." ~ David Bowie as Jareth in Labyrinth
~*~
Member since 1998.
~*~That tendency to talk for you could be something that doctors will unintentionally reinforce. {{HUG}} But I’m glad you’ll have someone with you. I still recommend pen and paper to take notes.
Good luck!
I’m sure you’ve talked to her about this before, but maybe review the need to speak for yourself in this specific instance? It might not make a complete difference, but with that on the top of her mind, perhaps she’ll self-correct at least part of the time.
She remakes mechanical devices, and he dreams of becoming a steamship captain in The Steamship Chronicles. Book 1 is free in eBook.
https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/the-steamship-chronicles/Hugs! My mom takes over, too. It’s so frustrating. I hope you can make her understand that *you* need to be in control, for so many reasons.
I hope the appointments all go as smoothly as possible.
Happy writing,
Deb Salisbury
The Mantua-Maker, Quality Historical Sewing Patterns and Books
www.mantua-maker.comThe Art of the Hoop: 1860 - 1869, Dress, Sewing, and Clothing Care Advice
https://www.mantua-maker.com/a---1860s-fashion.htmlDead Wizard's Loot: Wizard Whitewing #1
http://www.djsalisburybooks.com/Dead-Wizard-s-Loot.htmlAshe wrote:The therapist is actually a provider I’ve had for years already. I’ll simply be updating him with the cancer news if he hasn’t had a chance to read the updates in my files. I’m very glad I have him, and I can only imagine what it would be like going through this if I didn’t have a therapist I could talk to. I’m sure he’ll become a very important part of my cancer care team, even if he wasn’t originally intended to be part of it.Even better — you have an established relationship and comfort level. A very important part of your team.
ErinMH wrote:I still recommend pen and paper to take notes.I plan on it! Thanks for the advice!
Ashe Elton Parker
"Just love me, fear me, do as I say, and I will be your slave." ~ David Bowie as Jareth in Labyrinth
~*~
Member since 1998.
~*~Saw the surgeon today. Meant to take notes, but I forgot to because things happened kind of quickly and when we sat to talk, I wasn’t wearing something I felt comfortable letting go the front of so I could write notes (Yay for hospital gown open in the front!), so I just did my best to pay close attention. Not usually body shy, but something about this situation is making me more uncomfortable/defensive about my body.
Essential news: It’ll be a lumpectomy on the breast and removal of several lymph nodes under the right arm (which will probably be just so much fun, considering how he told me they’d access the lymph nodes).
From the testing the Huntsman Institute has done, he was able to tell me:
-It’s grade 3 tumor.
-It’s a fast-growning tumor, which is why they’re moving so quickly on this.
-It’s hormone-responsive and just loves the hormones it’s been getting from my birth control pills, so I’m not to take them any more. (There are plans to get me to see a gyno doc to determine whether I should have a hysterectomy – I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, a condition where there are multiple cysts on both my ovaries. Typical treatment is with birth control pills to induce a period so uterine cancer doesn’t develop.)
-This cancer is not likely to recur in the right breast, or to form in the left breast, especially if I do have a hysterectomy so I no longer require birth control pills.My surgery is slated for late morning/early afternoon of Monday Sept. 30th and will be an outpatient event unless something goes wrong or I’m experiencing a lot of pain. The hospital will be contacting me on the Friday prior to tell me the precise time I need to come in.
Tomorrow I see the Oncologist. I have a blood test and get to trek all over the hospital having an EKG done and talking with the nurses in surgery to get the info/supplies the doc said they’ll have for me as well.
Ashe Elton Parker
"Just love me, fear me, do as I say, and I will be your slave." ~ David Bowie as Jareth in Labyrinth
~*~
Member since 1998.
~*~Hopefully they catch it before it gets any worse. I would hate to think that the treatment they’re offering is too late. I know it must suck to have to consider those things, but I don’t want you to stop coming into the chat or the forums. I just wanted to add that we’re here if you need to talk about it and we care. Big HUGS Amy!
Wow. That’s a lot to take in at once! PCOS is rough to begin with — and this sucks as a side effect of treating that!
More possible surgery. {{hug}}
So glad to hear the breast cancer isn’t likely to recur!
Answers and a plan are critical. Also, you seem to have retained the key elements. However, you might ask if you can bring a recorder (or use something like TapeATalk on an Android phone) for later review because you have difficulty taking notes in the moment.
She remakes mechanical devices, and he dreams of becoming a steamship captain in The Steamship Chronicles. Book 1 is free in eBook.
https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/the-steamship-chronicles/
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