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So.. I LOVED this doctor, and walked out happy.
Wow. Wonderful. Weĺl-deserved blessings, Annie. Very good news all around...She promised, by the way, to sing me to sleep during the surgery (she's known for that)
Woo hoooo! Buen camino, Annie. May it be a joy.Stopped by New Balance and picked up my new trail shoes today also! It was a good day!
You're welcome, Annie. We're doing for you what others did for us...and what you may well end up doing for now unknown others.I can't thank you all enough.
Thanks mods!
Thanks Mike, and best of luck with YOUR journey as well!Hola, Dear Annie so pleased you went of and got that second opinion. Too many time to many people take the first option and its not always the best one. My chemo is a target specific one and I am cutting it short one shot so that I have at least 3 weeks rest/repair before we fly out for Porto. Have a really , truly, "buen camino". As for surgery on return - go with the option that works best with your brain as well as your breasts. Much love!!
Funny you'd say that!Keep walking and kick its ass!!
Who knows maybe more!Funny you'd say that!
Years ago, I was working in a local hospital in the oncology ward.
I realized right away, watching patients, that cancer is a mean machine and in order to beat it you have to be meaner than it! You also have to be positive!
I DO plan on kicking its ass.
I want another 30 years of this awesome life!
Thank you for starting my day with very good news. May more good news come your way and on your way. BTW, how did you do with New Balance insoles? I saw you mentioned trainers, but not insoles. Which NB shoes?
Very possibly!Who knows maybe more!
So for those who are interested I had my 2nd Opinion appointment today with Dr. Nathalie Johnson.
It began on a VERY positive note, when I got lost and a kind lady helped me find the office, telling me SHE had gone through breast cancer 2 years ago and that "You're lucky to see her! She is the BEST of the BEST!" I've heard that over and over the past few weeks.
Anyway.. long story short, she first told me to "go walk the Camino! It will help you! "
She told me she didn't feel this is an aggressive cancer at all (different from the 1st opinion) which eased my mind.
She prescribed a drug, Letrozol to "starve the cancer" and cause the tumor to shrink while I walk. I've since discovered that Letrozol IS a type of oral chemotherapy - so I'm processing that.
I must decide in the next two days if I will have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy upon my return in April.
I'm leaning toward the double mastectomy (DM) with no reconstruction,
because I am 67, not 30, and really just want this to be over.
With a DM I would need NO chemo, NO radiation, with only a 1% chance of recurrence.
With a Lumpectomy, I would have to have several radioactive drugs intravenously, and would definitely have to have radiation afterwards for 4 weeks and I'm just not willing to put my body through that. In addition, the radiation itself can cause cancer. And after all that I'd still have a 4% chance of recurrence.
I feel my best chances of just getting on with life is to have the DM so that's where I'm leaning.
So.. I LOVED this doctor, and walked out happy.
She promised, by the way, to sing me to sleep during the surgery (she's known for that)
I'm still not feeling any fear, except for fear of the medication - it's strange, this journey - not sure why I need it, but here it is.
I have genetic testing on the 17th, then fly to Palm Springs to pick up Joe, then on to Madrid on May 4.
I'll start on the Frances, and depending on how tired the meds make me, may drop down to the VDLP if I feel like it.
HOORAY!
Hope to see some of you on the trail!
PS: Stopped by New Balance and picked up my new trail shoes today also! It was a good day!
Note from the mods. For part I of Annie’s story, go here. Part II is here.
Hi Anniesantiago, so glad you are keeping your spirit up and that you are making the right decision, I am sure James will look after you on the camino as HE did with me. I was 61 when I was diagnose prostate cancer and I had to choose if to live with it and to die with it or to let them remove the prostate and live practically castrate, I decide for the later one.
Since I have walked all the different camino and (keeping my finger cross) it has not come back. I am now 73, walked over 13.000Km since and this April I will try to. walk from John O Groats to Rome, again to pay my respect to Peter.
Hope to see you around so we can compere notes.
Buen Camino Pilgrim.
This one I have to reply to. Almost 20 years ago I returned to the scene of a crime: a second chance learning centre where I had worked before, and am still doing a little bit of work there. Anyway, two lovely women were recovering from treatment from cancer. They are still trotting around, against the odds, because their attitude would match yours: so positive, so upbeat. It is not easy to say what turns the tables, but certainly it has to help if you refuse, as you are doing, to turn your face to the wall. You know you have a candle with your name on it, Annie.Funny you'd say that!
Years ago, I was working in a local hospital in the oncology ward.
I realized right away, watching patients, that cancer is a mean machine and in order to beat it you have to be meaner than it! You also have to be positive!
I DO plan on kicking its ass.
I want another 30 years of this awesome life!
That all sounds so sensible and positive. Go girl!So for those who are interested I had my 2nd Opinion appointment today with Dr. Nathalie Johnson.
It began on a VERY positive note, when I got lost and a kind lady helped me find the office, telling me SHE had gone through breast cancer 2 years ago and that "You're lucky to see her! She is the BEST of the BEST!" I've heard that over and over the past few weeks.
Anyway.. long story short, she first told me to "go walk the Camino! It will help you! "
She told me she didn't feel this is an aggressive cancer at all (different from the 1st opinion) which eased my mind.
She prescribed a drug, Letrozol to "starve the cancer" and cause the tumor to shrink while I walk. I've since discovered that Letrozol IS a type of oral chemotherapy - so I'm processing that.
I must decide in the next two days if I will have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy upon my return in April.
I'm leaning toward the double mastectomy (DM) with no reconstruction,
because I am 67, not 30, and really just want this to be over.
With a DM I would need NO chemo, NO radiation, with only a 1% chance of recurrence.
With a Lumpectomy, I would have to have several radioactive drugs intravenously, and would definitely have to have radiation afterwards for 4 weeks and I'm just not willing to put my body through that. In addition, the radiation itself can cause cancer. And after all that I'd still have a 4% chance of recurrence.
I feel my best chances of just getting on with life is to have the DM so that's where I'm leaning.
So.. I LOVED this doctor, and walked out happy.
She promised, by the way, to sing me to sleep during the surgery (she's known for that)
I'm still not feeling any fear, except for fear of the medication - it's strange, this journey - not sure why I need it, but here it is.
I have genetic testing on the 17th, then fly to Palm Springs to pick up Joe, then on to Madrid on May 4.
I'll start on the Frances, and depending on how tired the meds make me, may drop down to the VDLP if I feel like it.
HOORAY!
Hope to see some of you on the trail!
PS: Stopped by New Balance and picked up my new trail shoes today also! It was a good day!
Note from the mods. For part I of Annie’s story, go here. Part II is here.
... Madrid on May 4.
I'll start on the Frances...
Hope to see some of you on the trail!
... unlike me who has to shout things from the rooftops!)
Buen Camino!
I'm really grateful for all the support I've gotten here.
I'm also blown away by how many pilgrims have traveled this same road, silently, (unlike me who has to shout things from the rooftops!) and all of the great advice I've gotten from those with experience. I can't thank you all enough.
Buen Camino!
Annie I’ll be in Roncesvalles on the 6 May
But don’t forget that your words are now here for others to read... the quiet ones that need to hear voices like yours... the strength and courage and positivity... it will help to get them through their first days and weeks ❤
Bravo Annie and so glad the news is so good ... Buen Camino pilgrim ❤
I would love thatOh! Maybe we can have coffee in Pamplona or Puente la Reina?
I arrive in Pamplona on the 5th - will stay two nights and start walking (slow) on the 7th. I bet you'll pass me!
At 67, I am a twenty year cancer survivor who also had DM without reconstruction. I have never regretted my decision. When asked about how I felt about losing both breasts I always replied, "It wasn't much fun but it is not like losing both hands." Everything is relative.So for those who are interested I had my 2nd Opinion appointment today with Dr. Nathalie Johnson.
It began on a VERY positive note, when I got lost and a kind lady helped me find the office, telling me SHE had gone through breast cancer 2 years ago and that "You're lucky to see her! She is the BEST of the BEST!" I've heard that over and over the past few weeks.
Anyway.. long story short, she first told me to "go walk the Camino! It will help you! "
She told me she didn't feel this is an aggressive cancer at all (different from the 1st opinion) which eased my mind.
She prescribed a drug, Letrozol to "starve the cancer" and cause the tumor to shrink while I walk. I've since discovered that Letrozol IS a type of oral chemotherapy - so I'm processing that.
I must decide in the next two days if I will have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy upon my return in April.
I'm leaning toward the double mastectomy (DM) with no reconstruction,
because I am 67, not 30, and really just want this to be over.
With a DM I would need NO chemo, NO radiation, with only a 1% chance of recurrence.
With a Lumpectomy, I would have to have several radioactive drugs intravenously, and would definitely have to have radiation afterwards for 4 weeks and I'm just not willing to put my body through that. In addition, the radiation itself can cause cancer. And after all that I'd still have a 4% chance of recurrence.
I feel my best chances of just getting on with life is to have the DM so that's where I'm leaning.
So.. I LOVED this doctor, and walked out happy.
She promised, by the way, to sing me to sleep during the surgery (she's known for that)
I'm still not feeling any fear, except for fear of the medication - it's strange, this journey - not sure why I need it, but here it is.
I have genetic testing on the 17th, then fly to Palm Springs to pick up Joe, then on to Madrid on May 4.
I'll start on the Frances, and depending on how tired the meds make me, may drop down to the VDLP if I feel like it.
HOORAY!
Hope to see some of you on the trail!
PS: Stopped by New Balance and picked up my new trail shoes today also! It was a good day!
Note from the mods. For part I of Annie’s story, go here. Part II is here.
At 67, I am a twenty year cancer survivor who also had DM without reconstruction. I have never regretted my decision. When asked about how I felt about losing both breasts I always replied, "It wasn't much fun but it is not like losing both hands." Everything is relative.
I wish you well on your journey, your pilgrimage will fill your head with warm and happy thoughts, just what we all need.
I’m not a frequent poster here, but just wanted to wish you well, Annie.
Like the previous poster, I too had a double mastectomy three years ago without reconstruction, and I have zero regrets. I am 53, and perhaps might have felt differently had I been in my thirties.
I had to wait a year after reconstruction before I could consider reconstruction, but by then I was used to being flat and content to stay that way. Especially when told that reconstruction on my radiated side would require taking some muscle from my back. And the implants would have to be replaced every 10 years. I was concerned that might affect future hikes, if I now had back pain as a result.
I didn’t bother buying silicone prosthetics, and just bought mastectomy bras that had gel and foam inserts. Then I worked my way down to a smaller cup, and now I just buy plain bras that have the place for foam padding to be inserted, and I put three bra pads in each side. It’s not sweaty, it’s lightweight, and just enough to make my clothes look less weird. Also, it’s a much more economical option.
I take Tamoxifen now, which had some side effects but all were manageable.
I wish you all the best. Buen Camino.
My best wishes for you. You seem to be a strong person so don't let this stop you from anything!
That was such a great trip and I made lifelong friends!Godspeed, old friend.
SJPP September 2012: Happy memories.
View attachment 70328View attachment 70328
Woo hoo!!!Onco score is zero
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