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They closed the original thread, so AC must have thought this was all over.Ha ha, so did I! But no. Updating (unfortunately) with "It's baaacccckkkk" and the appropriate scream. The Alien has left seedpods and they are marched all along the bottom of my breast in a perfect circle of pearls. The worst KIND of pearls. Picture me dressed as Ripley to fight back.
So, it is back through it now with Ma Kaiser on the phone as though she's my daughter. This nurse and that nurse and the other.SO far the plan is (and it could change dependent on tomorrow's PET SCAN:1. PET Scan tomorrow 1 p.m. 2. Meeting with the whole tumor board, surgery and oncology team on next Tuesday. 3. Surgery on the 21st for mastectomy.
The PET, if it lights up like a Christmas tree (one without presents), may change plans; not sure. And closure may be a problem for this with questionable skin involvement; I could luck out with a surgeon (I love mine) and a plastic surgeon both toiling over this old rag of a body.
It's a day at a time. Y'all were so very kind in the past, but there's no need to love bomb me. Just give me a thought. And know that I will be DEAD FOR 6 MONTHS before I stop writing on AC. You were afraid of that, weren't you?

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Alva... well, not the update we all wanted to read.

Fight on, girl, and we will be supporting you, thinking about you and praying for you and your LOs.

May you receive supernatural healing and the peace that transcends understanding.
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Thoughts in agreement, ditto what Geaton said.

If that wasn't short enough, I am committed to go for a mammogram appointment in April, after avoiding it for so many years.

Thanks Alvadeer.
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Alvadeer, I, as well , everyone here, I'm sure will keep you in are thoughts, pray and soul. 🫂♥️🫂♥️
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Not another round of this !!
Sorry to hear that .

Sending support your way .
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Miracles DO happen and I'm proof of that, my dear friend. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers daily as you fight thru this beast with the grace and strength you've come to show us all.
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Well…ugh…sorry you’re staring this down again. Definitely sending you the best of hopes
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How dare that SOB Alien rear it's ugly head again!!! Does he not know who he's messing with?
But I like Lealonnie, believe in miracles as well, along with the power of prayer too, so I will keep you lifted up before the God of the universe's throne.
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💭😔💔🙏🤗
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Thinking of you, positive vibes are with you! Kill that alien once and for all...enough already!
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(((Alva)))
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@FunkyGrandma, clearly you and I need a box of popcorn and a few beers, and a review of Alien Movies. The Alien was a GIRL. That's why she was always making those clattering little nasty babies that were bursting out of everyone's chests! I rewatched the entire series last I had a bout with this--well, as Ripley (Lt. Ellen Louise Ripley, as played by Sigourney Weaver) called her "Get away from the KID you 'b-t-h'"!!!!!!
I am afraid in this case I will have to give her the breast. I wouldn't want to let her take the kid, however.
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Hang in there LADY!
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Alva, I just figured this alien HAD to be a male to be causing so much trouble.
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Sending prayers, Alva.
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Sorry to hear this. Glad you love your surgeon and I hope that f*cking PET is dark as midnight.

Which Kaiser for surgery?
I'm in the East Bay in Dublin if you need an Atheist bi***h handy. Will you come to the new Kaiser Hospital Cancer Center in Dublin? I'm 5 minutes away.
Defcon 5, one day at a time. Sending strength across the Bay right now.
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Alva,

We are with you.
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Alva, sending positive thoughts and love your way. I absolutely LOVE the Alien movies too! And I’m picturing you as Ripley. Ripley was strong, resilient, intelligent and had unwavering determination... And a total bad a** and hero!!! Take your flamethrower with you today 😉
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Oh honey, you'll need to get yourself a new fabulous scarf or earrings to wear after this round of Tales from the Breasts is done.

Positive vibes to you!
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@Iggy, I wished a long time to go flat. So I finally get my wish. Like so many wishes, it comes loaded with other crap, hee hee!
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@Dawn, Kaiser SF for me.
I won't be doing any big cancer journey at 83. My journey now if more looking ahead to MAiD. Had my first mastectomy in '87. Had some GREAT years cancer free since then, until it caught the second breast a year ago.
I wanted to go directly to FLAT, but it was suggested, age and all, we did lumpectomy with wide margins. I have declined node testing, radiation, treatment (with this a triple negative, it's unlikely that would have done a thing but relieved me of what little hair I have left).

All at Kaiser here are a marvelous team. They fully understand my wishes and did since last year's lumpectomy. Those were/are:
1. If it spreads into the breast, go with full mastectomy (that's now scheduled for April 1st tentatively dependent the PET doesn't show it "everywhere".)
2. If spread then we will allow it to do it's worst, monitoring it for symptoms and with the palliative care team. Go for the good drugs while I am comfortable "enough".
3. If I get the magical "6 months" prognosis at any point I can go for the MAiD laws I worked so hard to promote. You may know the process. You speak with psychologist; your team says these have been your wishes always, etc. etc. I will be assisted with that in the Kaiser system.

My goal is to contain. If no containment then take my final exit as quickly, painlessly, and with as little muss and fuss as can be achieved. My family all aware and supportive. And strong.

It has always has been my wish to pre-deceed my guy. It would be awful dealing with end of life without him; I am well ready"to go" if going I am. I have always been, as an old RN, a bit of a death junkie. Not afraid of death, only of mess and only of pain and only of torment for family. I am hale, hearty, walk, garden, do a ton of stuff. That's the quality of life I want. When I can't have it I am ready to relieve the taxpayer of paying out SS to someone past her sell-by-date.

I am good. Let's say I am as good as I can be given my normal anxiety. I hate tests. I hate the whole routines. I hate being in scanners. I hate being inundated with calls. I get claustrophobic. I hate "waiting rooms" where you sit until you get the facts. I fear the unknown. All that stuff. And I am in for a full month of that. Coward that I am I shall simply have to MAN UP . as Geo. Bush said.

Thank you for your offer of help; it is incredibly kind, but until you take your Death Doula training, I can decline. (God I would have been GREAT at that).
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Oh, Alva. Just when I thought I had heard all the bad news I could stand in my own personal life.....

I'm so very sorry. But you are strong and resilient, and I'm counting on you. I know for sure that you'll do your very best to overcome this new difficulty, just as you have before. Sending love and hugs, and please visit us often to update. You are cherished. xxxooo
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Alva Deer,

Wishing you peaceful anxiety free moments during this well planned journey of yours. For some reading material while in those dreaded waiting rooms you may wish to read "Death with Interruptions" by Jose Saramago. Death is a woman and she is quite a character!

Also "If Cats Disappeared from the World" where death appears dressed in Hawaiian shirts.

Seeing as you appreciate the female lead like Ripley and the alien and are a self proclaimed death junkie! 💕💕💕
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Thinking of you always, sending you love ♥️♥️🫂♥️♥️
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Dearest Alva I went through Amazon deconstruction in 2004 and 2009 for similar reasons. Men’s T shirts are very comfortable! Hoping it’s a self contained string. You’re fabulous. Hugs Helen
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Thinking of you
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I love your attitude, but I hate the reason you need and are having to have that attitude! Your sense of humor facing the unknown is encouraging to me.

You said "They closed the original thread, so AC must have thought this was all over." Praying this will be a "short" thread for you due to the tests bringing pleasant surprises for the doctors and you.

Have you considered a site like https://www.caringbridge.org/ where you don't have to be concerned about threads being cut short. You can have it public and share the link here and we all can follow you or private so only those you choose to invite can follow your story.

I have used it for about 15 years for my husband whenever he is going through setbacks and/or when we have something positive to share. It allows me to say it once and not have to keep repeating the details to everyone. It is also nice to have a "diary" of our events in one place that I can review from time to time. It has been a year or two since the last time I made an entry but I know it will be still there for new entries anytime we desire to share something with our friends and family. During major events, I have often made entries every hour!

When he had Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery (DBS) for his Parkinsons, friends were logging in all day to check my latest entry and sending comforting words of encouragement. It felt like they were simply popping in with a hug and saying hi but not intruding! You can designate someone to make the entries for you when you don't feel up to logging in yourself.

We are all behind you with virtual hugs, prayers, positive thoughts and good wishes.
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Not the news you or any of your friends here wanted to hear! Hoping the scan doesn't light up, that the surgery goes well, and that you have much more time to be your wonderful self. On the positive side, at least you'll now be symmetrical on top. :-) Will be thinking of you every day.
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Sending good thoughts, prayers and a positive outlook your way.
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Alva, you know as well as anyone here that you can post something and not be in control of the responses, so we’ll all keep love
bombing 😉
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Sending well wishes your way! I hope things go smoothly and you don’t miss a beat with posting. I’ll look forward to getting updates on your progress, as you are able.
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