Cathy, when I was diagnosed I also went to a well known cancer center.  I felt exactly the same as you do.  I did my chemo there and had my mastectomy done there.  I came back to my wonderful cancer that is 5 miles down the street and did my radiation and when my cancer recurred, I did my chemo for several years.  I love my cancer center and my wonderful oncologist. 
 
I had problems with depression when I went through my original treatment.  I saw a grief counselor and I joined a support group for cancer patients and survivors.  It really helped me a lot and I met so many women who were going through what I was.  I also was prescribed an antidepressant which helped me a lot.  It is not unusual to go through this. 
 
I agree with the others that PT will help you restore your range of motion.  I worked in PT so I knew what I needed to do and I had no problems with that.
 
I wish you the best and hope you will soon be feeling better.  Keep us posted, OK?   Mary

Diag. Oct 2003 with 6mm mass, IDC grade III ductal carcinoma in-situ, Inflammatory Breast Cancer stage IIIB, Her2+++.   I had A/C followed by Taxotere (only had 2tx as I had heart problems from it); Left Mastectomy followed by 35 rads.  Recurence in 9 months as skin mets to mast. site. tx Carboplatin/Herceptin,  stayed on Herceptin every other week for almost 4 years only stopping when my ejection fraction would get too low. off herceptin & ned 3 years in 2010

Anyone heard from Grace?

Hug
Elaine

 A person's greatness is the power to stand alone;to be able to make her own choice; in action,to write anew her own law; to choose her own sacrifices; run her own dangers; win her own freedom; venture her own destruction; to choose her own happiness 
 

I am here !!  So sorry ladies... I am a tad out of sorts this week. I am having major back issues and could not even go to work Tues or Wed... I came in yesterday and this morning but it is even worse. UGH.

Anyway... So, I see my Onco Wed. I told him about the liver bx and outcome. Also told him that they are ref me to thier liver specialist in the practice and that they can not get me in until March.. ohhhh Dr. Mahajan did not like that one bit. So, we discussed going to Mayo here in Jax. Unfortunatly it is out of network thru my insurance so instead of a 2000. deductable it would be 4000. As much as I would like to go to one of thier doctors, I just don't have the funds to do so. Dr. M called the gastro doc and told him he wanted me to see the liver specialist ASAP. They said they would see what they could do. Still no word. I may just look into another at Baptist hospital. We also discussed options as I told him I would not go back on the tamoxafin. He agreed and said my options were the Luprin shots or an Ooph. I think I will go for the Ooph and just get it over with.
I also told him how discouranged I was feeling about all of this. I have never been a drinker and have never done drugs except for prescriptions etc. He said that it can happen to anyone even when not a drinker etc.
OHHH I just got a call from the Gastro doctor's nurse.  Seem's my wonderful Dr. Mahajan's call to them got me an appointment with the liver specialist on Monday !!!  I love it when a plan comes together !! 
Anyway, so glad and I am feeling a bit better about all of it. I just hate not knowing the "plan of action".                    
I will be having a scope on Wed to rule out any issues with the small intestine. Gonna be a busy week !!

Grace

Grace 

Lumpectomy June 18,2009
4 rounds T/C DONE !
33 rounds of rads DONE !!
1 yr of Herceptin - DONE  !!!
2 yrs Tamoxafen/ taken off due to elevated liver enzymes.
oophorectomy 05/2012
Started Femera 05/12

52 years young  :)
Mother of 2 sons in US Army
Wife of wonderful husband
and of course I am now.
KOMAN STRONG  :)

Grace, I am so glad that your onc was able to get you an appointment for Monday.  It is hard to have to wait especially when you are worrying.  That was good news!!!
 
What is going on with your back?  I have low back pain and mine was diagnosed as ossteoporis.  I had never had back pain like this before.   Hope you back feels better.  I will be thinking about you on Monday.  I'll be in the waiting room.  Hugs,  Mary  

Diag. Oct 2003 with 6mm mass, IDC grade III ductal carcinoma in-situ, Inflammatory Breast Cancer stage IIIB, Her2+++.   I had A/C followed by Taxotere (only had 2tx as I had heart problems from it); Left Mastectomy followed by 35 rads.  Recurence in 9 months as skin mets to mast. site. tx Carboplatin/Herceptin,  stayed on Herceptin every other week for almost 4 years only stopping when my ejection fraction would get too low. off herceptin & ned 3 years in 2010

Grace -

Good to hear from you and sooooo glad that you got an appt for Monday!  

I too have chronic back pain which is eased by a lumbar epidural every three months.  Mornings are the worst.  Just want to stay off the operating table!  :)

Let us know what gives after your appt on  Monday.

Hug
Elaine

 A person's greatness is the power to stand alone;to be able to make her own choice; in action,to write anew her own law; to choose her own sacrifices; run her own dangers; win her own freedom; venture her own destruction; to choose her own happiness 
 

Grace I'm so glad you got an earlier appt and think the ooph is the way to go too, keep us posted on what the Dr says Monday!

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

Morning ladies !!

Ok... well I went to the liver spec yesterday. She was very nice and went over everything then turned to me and asked what questions I had... I said.. so what do I do? She said... "you live your life".  She explained that this is not that uncommon and that it could stay at the stage 3 for many many years and that it may never go into stage 4 cihrosis. She said I should be monitored every 6 months with blood draws and ultra sounds and if any changes we would proceed from there. She did tell me it would help if I would lose about 25 lbs and did more excersise. She also said I should have another liver bx in 5 yrs unless things change dramaticaly. I felt like a huge boulder was lifted off my shoulders. She also said that she is not certain that the tamox caused this issue and that taking care of not getting cancer again is more important at this stage. I explained that I am not comfortable with going back on the tamox and will prob have the ooph.
Sooooooooo that being said, I did sleep a bit better last night. My back is still bothering me but seems to be a tad better.
Tomorrow I have my scope down the throat so will be off work all day. Hopefully this is the last of the "big" test.

Thank you all again for being "with" me through this.
Love you all,
Grace

Grace 

Lumpectomy June 18,2009
4 rounds T/C DONE !
33 rounds of rads DONE !!
1 yr of Herceptin - DONE  !!!
2 yrs Tamoxafen/ taken off due to elevated liver enzymes.
oophorectomy 05/2012
Started Femera 05/12

52 years young  :)
Mother of 2 sons in US Army
Wife of wonderful husband
and of course I am now.
KOMAN STRONG  :)

Grace I'm so pleased the specialist was able to reassure you and what she says makes perfect sense so I'm glad this is one worry you can put aside for now.

I had the scope too but had sedation and felt nothing at all and thankfully it was nothing more serious than a hiatal hernia so good luck for tomorrow!

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia