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I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer last Nov. Thankfully after a mastectomy/lymph glands surgery I am cancer free so far. I am looking for a support group I can join.
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To all those Vibrant Women who have, like me, left abusive relationships - whether verbal, emotional, psychological, spiritual, physical, financial, social...or all of the above! - I say congratulations to us!
When I read this post, I think to mys"Wherever I go - there I am." - Love it!The advice you were given above is very wise. These are women who have been there...which should give you reason to think seriously about taking the steps needed to get away.
Why do you keep threatening to leave? Perhaps you are thinking he will
HI, Annamarie,
Thanks for joining in. Whether co-renting or co-owning, getting a compatible mix of people, and ensuring financial and personal security, are certainly number one.
There are so many intentional community and shared housing models oThanks again, Janice. Really appreciate your thoughts. I am hoping that a non-invasive procedure like fillers will do the trick for my eye bags. I am not looking at facelifts or anything that requires surgery. Rest of me is beginning to show sig
Hi Nanamarilyn: I’m a cancer survivor too. I lost my left breast 2 1/2 years ago and have been getting treatments since then to prevent a recurrance as it seems that my cancer is estrogen-based. I joined SHARE or you can go to the Susan G. Komen site to find a support group near you. I’m glad to know you’re doing better. I think this new cancer screening guideline they had the nerve to put out is bitch though. I told my oncologist that I think all women who were diagnosed BEFORE age 40 should find the idiot who came up with this idea and lock him in a room – with nobody but him and them. I think by the time they get finished with him, he’ll have better ideas. I was 47 when I was diagnosed and the first doctor I went to had the nerve to tell me – “We don’t worry about lumps found on that side of the breast because they’re not cancerous.” Luckily for me, I had enough sense to seek other opinions – otherwise God only knows where I’d be right now.
Good for you Persimian…I got cancer for my 50th birthday! If I hadn’t had 10 years worth of past mammo’s they may have possible waited to biopsy me “until later”. Luckily my surgical oncologist erred on the side of caution and did the stereotactic biopsy assuring me that 80% of the time the calcifications they identified were negative for malignancies; obviously I couldn’t beat those odds but am thankful that early detection has allowed me to be a cancer conqueror. God bless and Happy Thanksgiving!
Here’s something interesting that EVERY woman should know. When the doctors tested my tumor they discovered that the tumor had possibly been developing for at least 10 years before it was discovered. I actually got my very first mammogram when I was 39 because I didn’t want to wait and get involved with life and “forget” to start this. I had a mammogram every year since then and it wasn’t discovered. My ex actually discovered it one month after my annual exam and when I went back to the doctor she told me it was nothing to be concerned about. It took another 1 1/2 years before I got it looked at because life took over and other priorities – such as being left homeless by an a-hole – were going on in my life. By that time I was 47 years old – which means that at 37 this tumor had started and at 45 it was discovered. It was removed while it was still at Stage I and hadn’t spread to my lymphnodes – can you believe it? Imagine what would have happened if I had waited another year or two – or until after 50 like these idiots want women to do?
I’d say God has plans for you my friend! Stage I is remarkable….but like you I would hate to see what it would have been at age 50. Rock on sister! Glad you are still with us.
I am now 60,
I too felt outraged and ANGRY at the step back that that “TEAM” recommended to the government as new guidelines for women’s breast health.
From what I have read, most of the “team” were male, and a couple of consulting RN’s and those Drs sound like mostly scientific types (no hands on patients) number crunchers.
In 1995 The government got women the right to reconstruction via Ins. companies, this latest is devastating! I voted for A CHANGE, now am embarrassed to say the least!
The other day I was listening to 2 people on the car radio debating this, and by the time I got home and saw my husband I was SO wound up and angry that I wanted to SCREAM outrage to the world etc and my husband just stood there dumbfounded wondering where i was coming from, I think.
But its part of what we’ as fighters and survivors have been working with, and to hear that this decision has actually been BACKED by some of these agencies that are “waging the war” (“WITH US?”) I feel also betrayed by them, after the fund raisers and walks…………
My history had been..
In the past, because of various lumps in breast, i had started to have mammo’s since my early twenties.(In Air force hospitals. I had come from England’s National Health, never heard of searching for lumps in my breast!) I was 21! but Mammo ok.
years passed and, I found a continual lump in my left breast approx. 25 years ago, my Dr then said “its PROBABLY just a cyst” so feeling I was making a mountain out of a mole-hill- (excuse pun) I put it aside a few yrs.
To cut it shorter, I started back with another Dr and got the mammo every year or so after 40. (MY Grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin had breast cancer before this)
This year I turned 60, went for a mammo just 18 months from prior one and they found 2 tumors in my left breast. After biopsies, one was stage one. I had mastectomy and lymph nodes were clear.
(The cancer was impalpable by myself or 3 Drs that year!
My sister found her tumor 3 months after mammo by the National Health)
I will now take Arimidex for 5 yrs.
I thank God, and my present health care team.
God Bless you Jillibean. I really don’t know what these knuckleheads are thinking or if they even are thinking. I’m glad your cancer was caught at Stage I. When I was going through treatments, I sometimes found myself asking “If this is Stage I – what the hell is Stage II, III and so on like?” I have to take Tamoxifen for 5 years before I’m given the “all clear.” Chemo was a bitch and losing my breast was something that one can NEVER prepare themselves for. I look in the mirror every day though and thank GOD that I made it to see another day because so many women don’t. And thanks to this F’D up recommendation even more women will die from it. I thank GOD that my cancer was found BEFORE this and I pray that not too many women have to die before the pricks with the extra 6 inches of skin between their legs realize what a mistake they have made.
I am most concerned that the new recommendations will give the insurance companies an excuse to deny covering mammograms. I have a family history of breast cancer and my gyno wanted me to get one right at 40, but I kept putting it off. When I finally did it, my first mammogram detected the first of two stage 1 tumors. I’m over two years breast-free and cancer-free, but concerned about all those women out there uninsured or underinsured. Mammograms save lives. It’s really just that simple.
I too am on Arimidex. This is the ending of my first year. I had a mamo and was clear, thank goodness. I pray to God that we all survive. I hate it when men think they know so much about women’s health. Let them have a baby, a mamo, a pap smear. Chances are they wouldn’t make it.
Good news, April, had first Mammo since Mastectomy, and it was clear!
Almost a year on Arimidex, no energy and many aches pains, but, not sure WHAT causes this.
How do you feel?
Thank you and God Bless you also. Happy Thankgiving
I am glad you are doing well. Your right someone should string that person up. Thank you for the information.
Marilyn
Hope you reported that quack!
Are you taking Arimidex as I am?
My brother spoke with a lawyer regarding this, but I’m not one to sue just for suing. Memorial Sloan Kettering however, did report it. I don’t know what the results of that were. I’m taking Tamoxifen – 20mg a day for now. I’ve developed high blood pressure and a heart condition from the chemo – and have gained 35 pounds because of the meds I take for all this – but I’M GLAD TO BE ALIVE!!!
When I first started chemo I was so sick that I had decided not to do it. My Mom argued with me for 3 days before she contacted a distant cousin I didn’t even know I had who informed me that 3 of her sisters died from breast cancer because they refused to get it treated. This same cousin was also fighting breast cancer and came all the way from South Carolina to NY to sit with me after a particularly grueling chemo session. The love and support I got from my family is something I will NEVER forget because it’s something I can NEVER repay. But I’m good now and GLAD TO BE ALIVE!!!
Look girlfriend you have conquered cancer you can conquer the weight gain. I luckily did not have chemo, so two weeks after my lumpectomy I started Weight Watchers and took off about 25 pounds and was able to come off of my BP meds which I have been on for years. I also started taking vitamin D3, which not only helps with cancer prevention also helps with high blood pressure. I know that the Tamoxifen can cause weight gain, it happened to my WW leader who is also a breast cancer conqueror; she has struggled with the “hunger” feeling from it but has been able to overcome it and lost weight….we did so can you! Good luck!
Amen to that. God Bless you and your wonderful family
Yes, I have been for a year now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
That’s funny I was told on my 40th birthday that you have cancer. I am so glad that you went to another DR. I wish that some DR’S would get their heads out of the sand when it comes to cancer.
I would like to ask if you would recommend for me to put Share on my web site. I make recover care baskets for people healing needs and one of the baskets our for women that just had surgery do to breast cancer. here is my site if you would to see it http://www.recoverwithangels.com I am always looking for a links to help other people in their time of need.
Warmly Linda
Thats funny, I was told on my 40th Bithday that you have cancer. I am so glad that you went to another DR. I so wish that the DR’S would get their head out of the sand when it comes to cancer!!! I would like to ask if you would recommend that I put Share on my web site. I make recover care baskets for people’s healing needs, and one of the baskets or for women that just had surgery do to breast cancer. If you would like to see what I do here is my site http://www.recoverwithangels.com I am always looking for sites that would be helpful for someone in their time of healing. If someone has a site that might help someone would you please let me know:) Have a wonderful day
Warmly Linda
Sorry that I put this up 2 times I am new at this and when I hit reply to this post I did not see it. LOL
Hi Nanamarilyn, I’m 5 yr survivor. During that time I was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. I made visits by phone and in person to women newly diagnosed with similar age and diagnosis. It is a great program. They also have connections for support groups. (http://www.cancer.org) I hope this helps. Hang in there and stay focused on healing.
Thank you so much, and good luck to you.
Marilyn
Susan, you have such a great uplifting personality, wish I had a friend like you close by!
One thing when you leave a state to start over, at an advanced age, it is quite hard to make new friends when you do not have, say, children in common.
I just have a mean neighbor that kills my plants!
Keep up the good work!
Blessings to all.
Iam really happy for you that you are doing well. I live in Canada and know that the Cancer Society has groups, so do most hospitals. Hopefully your oncologist office or the American cancer society can direct you. Take good care of yourself.
Thank you so much, I think we all need an uplifting once and awhile and to know we are not alone
Cancer Free. Beautiful words. I am 11 years cancer free. I just had a mammogram and the time it takes to get the results can still be excruciatingly worrisome and painful. I relived some horrible moments. The results were normal and I’m onto year 12. I found support groups through the hospital, my oncologist, and American Cancer Society. Nothing could have replaced the support I received from my family, co-workers and cancer organizations. I personally grew in areas of thinking positive, being happy, and learning to accept the graciousness of those that loved me. Congratulations and cheers to your long future ahead of you.
Thank you so much. Congratulations to you. That is fantastic.
I was diagnosed last September also….I attend a support group at Gilda’s Club. Not sure if there are any in your area though. I wish I had been able to attend during my therapy but I worked fulltime and was way too tired. I am so inspired by my support group….we are thrust into a club that none of us wanted to join; but this too shall be conquered. Good Luck!
When I was diagnosed I think I went into “practical mode” I had no feelings one way or another. I was determined that they remove the breast and not do all the presurgery stuff. Still to this day I have not had any negative feelings about loosing my breast. To this day I don’t know why that is. Thank you for your info
you sound like you are coping well…i will be cancer free this week 4 years! I have two good friends whom I met at the “look good feel better” workshop and we share our war stories…hopes and fears. I am not a big group person but you need to do what works for you. God bless!
Thank you and God Bless you.
i think that talking about our situation helps…i talk to my husband and good friends…i specify good friends because some people make you feel like you have leprosy. I am very chosey whom I spend time with I really can’t deal with negative attitudes. I am so proud of us all we are warriors who despite the fear have done what we needed to do in order to save our precious lives. yeah to us all!!!!!
I like your spunk! Keep it up and good luck to you!
i think that talking about our situation helps…i talk to my husband and good friends…i specify good friends because some people make you feel like you have leprosy. I am very chosey whom I spend time with I really can’t deal with negative attitudes. I am so proud of us all we are warriors who despite the fear have done what we needed to do in order to save our precious lives. yeah to us all!!!!!
I think cancer helps you “cull the heard” and makes you realize who your true freinds are. A good friend will let you talk on “ad nauseum” and allow you to vent your thoughts and fears, good or bad. We all deal with our situations differently, that is what makes us unique! Keep telling your story and talk about it you never know when you can inspire someone to go get that mammo or to talk to their doctor, you may just save a life. Good luck and God bless you, talk on sister!
Thank you and Good Luck to you!
whenever I see a woman who is bald and I know she is going through or was just finishing treatment…I go up and give her a hug and ask how she is doing “today”
we are members of the “cancer club” and we wear our badges proudly!
My husband calls me his amazon warrior…I am 5’11″ so I do qualify.
whenever I see a woman who is bald and I know she is going through or was just finishing treatment…I go up and give her a hug and ask how she is doing “today”
we are members of the “cancer club” and we wear our badges proudly!
My husband calls me his amazon warrior…I am 5’11″ so I do qualify.
Yep, part of a “club” none of us wanted to join…..but I have become a better person because of it, have the friends I need to have close to me and met the most amazing people. All of which wouldn’t have happened without getting cancer! God truly does open a window when he closes a door, we just have to be smart enough to look for the window….after all that is where you will find the sun!