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Post by moxie on Jun 8, 2012 8:08:34 GMT -5
Don't think too much about your biopsy...get it done for sure, but like I said, I have heard that most come out okay.
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Post by moxie on Jun 8, 2012 8:09:17 GMT -5
Did you notice an unusual sore or a change in a mole? Where was it, Miss T?
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Post by moxie on Jun 8, 2012 8:09:52 GMT -5
Did they just remove it or did you have to have something more done?
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jun 8, 2012 8:12:45 GMT -5
Moxie, you are confusing me!lol Ok, I think you are asking about my melanoma...
It was on the back of my left arm. It was literally a black X over a freckle. By my 30's I was so paranoid of skin cancer because of my stupid youth that I knew the signs and I honestly knew immediately what it was. I got a biopsy the next day and about 2 weeks later I had an exision done (it's about 3 inches long). Luckily, I caught it very early. Honestly, it was a fluke that I even saw it...I caught a glimpse of what looked like dirt in the mirror. The back of the arm is a difficult place for someone to see something on themselves.
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taz157
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Post by taz157 on Jun 8, 2012 8:15:30 GMT -5
Another vote for daVinci robot surgery. I had a hysterectomy two years ago and never regretted it -- the hospital stay was only 27 hours! (And I stayed a bit longer because I wanted french toast for breakfast!) When I had my DD 10 months ago, I had a c-section and stayed at the hospital for 2 days. I had the french toast for breakfast both days. I know people say how bad hospital food is, but their french toast was fabulous! ;D When I called afterwards for a survey about my experience at the hospital, I even mentioned that the french toast was fabulous as was the epidural!
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constanz22
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Post by constanz22 on Jun 8, 2012 8:55:00 GMT -5
Acck..everyone is freakign me out...My doc sent me for a mammogram because I'm now 40. I have no symptoms and no family history. The radiologist spotted something so I had to go back yesterday for another mammogram and ultrasound. There is a cluster of suspicious cells so now I have to go for a biopsy. I'm a little nervous to say the least. I might have had a slight emotional reaction when I was given the news and the radiologist prescribed an extra margarita each night (I'm leaving for mexico in a few days)...he gets me, he really get me And cancer doesn't care about age...I was diagnosed with Melanoma at 35. I just had the same biopsy done. It's the second time, both in a similar area. It's a little strange, but doesn't hurt. It's a little bruised and sore after for a couple of days. I can give you more detail if you want to PM me.
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Post by moxie on Jun 8, 2012 8:56:16 GMT -5
lol taz!! ;D
"Moxie, you are confusing me!lol Ok, I think you are asking about my melanoma..."
Yeah...that's what I was inquiring about...glad you caught it early.
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mandyms
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Post by mandyms on Jun 8, 2012 9:47:07 GMT -5
I agree, cancer sucks. I used to work with cancer patients; I used to use the comparison of cancer to a tornado, especially with those examples of uber healthy people. We can try to do everything in our power to live a healthy life, but there's no rhyme or reason as to who it strikes. It was a big dose of reality trying to help people my age (in my 20's at the time), even worse when I did a brief stint in pediatrics.
The good news is that it's not always a death sentence and in most cases, depending on the type, can be treated more as a "chronic disease." Many more people "living with cancer."
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Jun 8, 2012 10:04:02 GMT -5
Mid, I am so sorry to hear about your friend. The loss of my mom was terrible but if there is one thing I am thankful for is that she passed from a heart attack and didn't suffer a prolonged death from a disease like cancer. Best of luck to your friend.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Jun 8, 2012 10:44:25 GMT -5
Sorry to hear about that, Mid. We got hit pretty badly a few weeks back. Maybe that's why I've been writing things in a sharper fashion. Within eight days, DH got the news that he has prostate cancer, not exactly the slow-growning type like most prostate cancers, and I got hit up with the news that I have two new tumors downstairs, so a robotic DaVinci hysterectomy is in order sometime in July. I'm meeting the surgeon on Monday. And yes, those screenings are very important. I always get my mammograms ( they're watching stuff in there ), colonoscopies on a regular basis, and I just had an esophagogastroduodenoscopy ( isn't that a mouthful ? It means a endocsopy of the upper digestive tract ). They found stuff on all of the gastro procedures, and removed it all before it turned cancerous. The breast situation is being watched because it's still midway between benign and the not-so-benign. Good luck to your friend. We're coping ,but it's really tough to find out that both spouses have cancer crap going on within a week of each other. Sending good thoughts for you and your DH. FWIW, I had a DaVinci hysterectomy in October, and it went very well. I came home the next day and took it easy for a couple of weeks, but was otherwise able to go about my day with little difficulty. I hope your experience is similar.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Jun 8, 2012 12:36:50 GMT -5
I dread the mammogram next year and any the other tests that go along with turning 40, but I will do whatever tests are necessary. I haven't had blood work done in probably 7-8 yrs. I absolutely HATE having my blood drawn and I pass out every time. I suppose I will make it part of my "40 yr check-up package." For the most part I can't believe I am almost 40. I honestly still think of myself as being in late 20's or early 30's.
Best of luck to Nasgul and MT. I am sure things will turn to a positive light.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 8, 2012 13:06:48 GMT -5
I dread the mammogram next year and any the other tests that go along with turning 40, but I will do whatever tests are necessary. I stayed away from doctors between the ages of about 40 and 55- I have very healthy habits and good genes and hate wasting my time in waiting rooms. When my mother got breast cancer a few years ago (early stage, appears to be gone after treatment), I decided I was at the age where you have to get checked regularly even if you feel fine. So far so good, although the colonoscopy turned up a nasty that could have become something serious if I'd let it go 5 or 10 years. I've also gotten the dreaded post-mammogram call with "we need to check one area again" and having the second check turn out fine. So, I've resigned myself to regular checks but it's worth it.
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Post by moxie on Jun 8, 2012 13:35:49 GMT -5
"I decided I was at the age where you have to get checked regularly even if you feel fine. So far so good, although the colonoscopy turned up a nasty that could have become something serious if I'd let it go 5 or 10 years. I've also gotten the dreaded post-mammogram call with "we need to check one area again" and having the second check turn out fine.
So, I've resigned myself to regular checks but it's worth it."
*I have been through 3 colonoscopies in 9 years...all clear. I finally got the BEST prep down...no nasty stuff. Due back in 5 years now. I have been getting yearly mammograms since age 35. It's not a fun day out by any means, but you are so glad you went when you get a good report. Yearly complete physical and bloodwork and the bone density thing and skin exam. If something comes up, it's not because I didn't do what was recommended. I won't kick myself...out of my hands at that point.
*The Dulcolax/Mirolax prep is AWESOME!! Soft foods, no hard-to-digest meals a few days before... not bad at all! I don't DREAD having the procedure anymore now that I have figured out the best prep.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Jun 8, 2012 13:42:31 GMT -5
I probably need a skin exam. I have pretty pale skin. About 15 yrs ago I had 3 moles removed as a precaution. The doctor said in 5-10 yrs they could easily turn into something. Now I have a few more moles that look questionable to me. Since I am so pale I do try to pay attention.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Jun 8, 2012 13:58:11 GMT -5
Looking back, my friend has said that she thinks the Drs should have suggested some treatment in addition to the hysterectomy (when it was Stage I) and wonders if that may have stopped the cancer from coming back...anyone have an opinion about this? *She was 55 at the time of diagnosis...57 now. Had some irregular bleeding. My Dr. said that if the biopsy from my DaVinci indicated cancer, I would have to have radiation treatments following the surgery. I was lucky to have just precancerous endometriosis and so did not require the follow-on treatment. I hope your friend's status improves. Sending good thoughts for a complete recovery.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Jun 9, 2012 12:03:38 GMT -5
I had a colonoscopy a couple years ago when I turned 50. Colon cancer is an issue in my family, so this was a screening that I felt was important. My mom had several precancerous lesions removed such that she was on the every other year colonoscopy schedule.
I am waaaay overdue for a mammogram. The day I was scheduled for one, I was in the hospital being treated for my abscess. The year before, I was dealing with the replacement, so sometime in the next couple weeks, I need to find someone out here to do one for me.
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triciacus
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Post by triciacus on Jun 10, 2012 0:17:12 GMT -5
I agree cancer sucks, my best friend died from pancreatic cancer a couple of years ago, my aunt just passed away Wednesday from pancreatic cancer, I just found out my brother has lung cancer, and my uncle has stage III liver cancer.
I hope everyone who is affected by cancer that they have good results and make full recoveries.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Jun 10, 2012 0:24:27 GMT -5
I agree cancer sucks, my best friend died from pancreatic cancer a couple of years ago, my aunt just passed away Wednesday from pancreatic cancer, I just found out my brother has lung cancer, and my uncle has stage III liver cancer. I hope everyone who is affected by cancer that they have good results and make full recoveries. So sorry
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Jun 10, 2012 0:43:32 GMT -5
I agree cancer sucks, my best friend died from pancreatic cancer a couple of years ago, my aunt just passed away Wednesday from pancreatic cancer, I just found out my brother has lung cancer, and my uncle has stage III liver cancer. I hope everyone who is affected by cancer that they have good results and make full recoveries.
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Jun 10, 2012 0:54:18 GMT -5
Yep, cancer sucks. Both my parents died of it, 6 months apart. Dad from mesothilioma and Mom from lymphoma. At one point they were doing chemo together. They had a good attitude, they joked that was taking togetherness a little too far.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Jun 10, 2012 1:01:38 GMT -5
Yep, cancer sucks. Both my parents died of it, 6 months apart. Dad from mesothilioma and Mom from lymphoma. At one point they were doing chemo together. They had a good attitude, they joked that was taking togetherness a little too far.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Jun 10, 2012 6:33:26 GMT -5
I'm so sorry.
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Poptart
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Post by Poptart on Jun 10, 2012 14:08:15 GMT -5
My mother passed away from cancer on 06/11/11, the cancer made her into someone we did not recognize, she was diagnosed in September 2010 and by the time she passed it had really gone to work on her to the point where she could not drink/eat because it had gotten to her stomach and made it impossible for her to keep food down. I'm only 28 now but I'm so scared that in the future I too will get some form of cancer. I'm with Dark Honor on this one, I'd rather go in an accident or from a stroke than to suffer from cancer.
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jun 11, 2012 7:00:51 GMT -5
My mother passed away from cancer on 06/11/11, the cancer made her into someone we did not recognize, she was diagnosed in September 2010 and by the time she passed it had really gone to work on her to the point where she could not drink/eat because it had gotten to her stomach and made it impossible for her to keep food down. I'm only 28 now but I'm so scared that in the future I too will get some form of cancer. I'm with Dark Honor on this one, I'd rather go in an accident or from a stroke than to suffer from cancer. Aww, I'm so sorry ely...I've seen two uncles suffer from lung cancer and it is so sad and so scary. Watching two formerly, strong guys gasp for air was horrific, and they were just my uncles. I can't imagine how i would feel if it were my dad I was watching
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Jun 11, 2012 10:42:21 GMT -5
I'm sorry, lynnerself. That's awful. Thanks for your thoughts. I wouldn't say it was awful, just very sad. They were 72. So not really young. They had retired around 60 and had traveled and enjoyed life. It was a wake up call to me. Their parents lived until 90, and they expected to also, as did I. Now, who knows? Although I can't retire for a few more years, I make sure to enjoy life and do stuff as much as possible now.
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Jaguar
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Post by Jaguar on Jun 11, 2012 12:32:47 GMT -5
Nasgul I hope your doctors/surgeons appointment went okay. Wishing you all the best.
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Jun 11, 2012 14:03:44 GMT -5
I had a good friend and co-worker die at age 44 from lymphoma. The worst part was they misdiagnosed her with the wrong type and treated her (incorrectly) for six months. They didn't realize they were treating her for the wrong cancer until the cancer had grown to the point it pushed up against her kidneys and forced them to stop working. They finally started doing more tests and determined she had a really aggressive form and it was too late at that point to stop it - she was dead within a month. She was such a healthy person, ran triathalons, did bike races, and by the end she was just a shriveled husk of the person she was just six months earlier.
Seriously undermined my faith in medical science. She kept telling them something was wrong, her blood test results kept coming back screwy, but they brushed her off, telling her it was normal, until it was too late.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Jun 11, 2012 14:19:06 GMT -5
"Seriously undermined my faith in medical science. She kept telling them something was wrong, her blood test results kept coming back screwy, but they brushed her off, telling her it was normal, until it was too late. " I feel this way too. My mom hurt in her left shoulder all the way down her arm for 5 weeks prior to her heart attack. She went to the doctor and was told she had bursitis in her shoulder and was given pain pills. There was no suggestion of an MRI or any other test. Next thing we knew she was gone.
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happyhoix
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Post by happyhoix on Jun 12, 2012 7:05:57 GMT -5
I have all kinds of co-workers with medical horror stories. One women was in the hospital for hip replacement and a nurse got into a loud argument with her because she wanted to give her a shot of insulin. My co-worker isn't diabetic and doesn't use insulin. Another co-worker's mom had pancreatic surgery and a nurse was fiddling with her morphine pump and accidentally discharged the whole pump worth all at once. His mom went into a coma, was in ICU for a month and her heart stopped 3 times. Another coworker's heart stopped while she was undergoing a routine colon screening. (They had to use an AED to revive her). Another woman's son was in the hospital recovering from routine gallbladder surgery. A nurse came in an gave him an injection of something that sent him into a coma - a week in ICU, two more weeks in the hospital. Another co-worker got tested for melanoma, was told she was perfectly fine with no cancer, and was dead from it within 6 months.
I thought maybe I had really unlucky co-workers or maybe the hospitals around here are subpar, but I saw a CNN report this weekend that said deaths from medical mistakes are always the 2 or 3rd cause of death in this country, right behind car wrecks. It's just something no one talks about much for some reason. Some of the stories they had on CNN were horrible - someone got a liver transplant and ended up with rabies and died (the liver donor had the disease but was undiagnosed).
Hopefully I'll be healthy right up until I get run over by that freight train, because I really don't want to have to go to a hospital.
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CarolinaKat
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Post by CarolinaKat on Jun 12, 2012 7:47:57 GMT -5
Both of Mom's parent's survived colon cancer. Grandma way before before I was born and Granddaddy just before I was born. They both made a complete recovery, although Granddaddy needed a colostomy (sp?) bag, and I was lucky enough to have them both for many years of my life. Both of my Father's parents died of lymphoma (different types I think) when I was almost 8 and when I was almost 10. My aunt is a melanoma survivor and recently had to have a new melanoma spot removed using the mohs technique, she has to be checked every 6 months because now after 30+ years cancer-free she's having melanoma spots returning.
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