Topic: May 2012 Mastectomies?

Jun 20, 2012 04:33 PM 2FriedEggs wrote:

Jun 20, 2012 05:24 PM Soyaandpepper wrote:

StillSnarky-Good that you're back to work and keeping busy and Yayyyyyyyyyy to your overfill. Keep us posted on when you doing exchange.!!!!!

Jun 21, 2012 12:20 PM veggy wrote:

Five days until my BMX. Any last minute things I should know or be aware of?

Thanks

Jun 21, 2012 02:08 PM Soyaandpepper wrote:

Hikergal-Hope your chemo went well, I can't even lie down flat on my back yet to sleep, still sleeping with pillows behind my back at a 45 degree angle.

veggy-Good luck with your surgery and will be thinking about you, see you on the other side! Keep us posted to let us know how you doing! 

Jun 22, 2012 07:22 AM jojo123 wrote:

Dobie.  Yes I'm local.  Royal Oak.  Beaumont is where I have treatment. 

Jun 22, 2012 08:33 AM Fearlessfoot wrote:

Soyapepper: I agree on radically changing diet to improve health and fight cancer!  Since my diagnosis 2April I have been roughly following the Anti-Cancer A New Way of Life diet proposed by Dr. David Servan-Schreiber, which is very evidence-based.  I am lighter and feel healthier now than I have since college. 

But in my case I am speculating that my BC could be provoked by too many hormones in my life -- natural and artificial.  I had my one and only pregnancy and child very late in life (at age 42).  That means I had monthly cycles and estrogen/progesterone flows for a long time and I am still menstruating at age 53 (that's why I am on tamoxifen).  In the old days, most women were pregnant or breastfeeding for much of their adult life thereby avoiding some of those hormonal surges for extended years.  And then there are so many artificial agents in meats, maybe plastics and chemicals, that could simulate hormonal effects and have "fed" the cancer.  Since my cancer was E+P+, I'm assuming hormones could have played a role, feeding the cancer. 

Servan-Schreiber says that we all have cancer cells in our bodies at all times, but only some are stimulated to start wreaking havoc.  White sugar, processed flour and foods, some fats Omega-6, etc. have been shown to feed cancer cells.  Some food items -- green tea, ground linseed/flaxseed, "power" fruits and vegetables -- have been shown to deter cancer growth. 

Jun 22, 2012 11:48 AM Hikergal wrote:

Thx Soyandpepper, Made it thru first chemo with some queasiness and fatique but not too bad.  Had my WBC booster yesterday so hopefully my immune system doesn't crash too badly. 

Fearlessfoo, I had nipple sparing done but did not get all the creams, etc to do but my PS said I had 25% chance the nipples would necrose and die.  I was very careful to not irritate them and after showers let them dry out before putting on clothing.  My left nipple did turn black and into a scab which fell off in the shower one day.  I was horrified to look and see how much came off.  But it looks healthy and pink now, better than my right one!

Nibbana, I hope your oncotype scores came out ok.  I went back for my 2nd one a week ago and the dr was 1 1/2 hours late.  I was a bundle of nerves waiting for him!  Mine indicated chemo so I started that this week.  My first tumor found at lumpectomy in March came back with a low enough score for Tamoxifen but the 2 additional found at my BMX in May was a stinker and we think it is what caused mets in1 lymph node. 

Jun 22, 2012 12:33 PM vickilind61 wrote:

hikergal, you had two surgeries too?  Lucky you.  ;0  

I was not able to even think about nipple-sparing; tumor #2 was sub-areolar, grade 3 and HER2+ so we thought, nope, get rid of it.  Had donated skin, which has been a blessing.  I'll be honest, I wasn't able to look at the foob for the first month; someone else's skin and no nipple were just too much for me.  Now I look and can't even tell where the donor skin ends and mine starts!  It is still weird to not see a nipple, and my daughter said when I get my tat that it doesn't count as my first one. 

Jun 22, 2012 04:47 PM C-squared wrote:

nibbana~Don't feel bad.., I fired my oncologist too.  It was one of the BEST things I ever did!  I no longer feel bad after an office visit.  Quite the contrary.., I feel truly supported like he's got my back!! Good for you for making the change.  We need information.  We also need to be heard, understood, supported and a part of the team / decision making process.  I hope your new oncologist is all that you hope for. Best wishes!

Jun 23, 2012 12:41 PM Soyaandpepper wrote:

Question- Why is everybody firing their MO? Just wondering since I hear so many have done it in this thread!

Jun 23, 2012 01:23 PM vickilind61 wrote:

soya and teeball, I am going to check into some RO's.  It's kind of weird but I like my MO, personality wise, I just don't feel like she is being thorough.  I had lymphnode involvement but she hasn't even mentioned the possibility of rads, hasn't done any scans on me despite all three of my tumors NOT showing up on my mammos, etc.  Just hink I need a second opinion.  Can't speak for anyone else.

Jun 23, 2012 01:53 PM vickilind61 wrote:

That is exactly what I am thinking.  Making a list of RO's in the area this weekend and will start making acalls on Monday. 

Now it is time for the shower; gotta get ready for the wedding.  Later ladies.

Jun 23, 2012 04:00 PM C-squared wrote:

I fired my oncologist because she wasn't at all like your oncologist.  I absolutely LOVE my new oncologist!  He is supportive, caring, compassionate, knowledgeable, collaborative, and has excellent bed-side manner.  He is genuine and I can feel it in the little things that he does.  For example, when I was admitted to the hospital at 3:00 a.m., he was there at my bedside at 8:00a.m. (the same morning!) When he received the results of my CT and PET scans yesterday, he called me in the evening to let me know the GOOD results (so I wouldn't have to sweat it until Monday).  The first time I met with him I was having a he*! of a time with AC.., after writing everything down for me and switching up a few meds. he gave me his cell phone number and directed me to call him the day after my next chemo and let him know how I was doing.  Maybe he goes above and beyond but the oncologist I "fired" would NEVER have done any of these things muchless make me feel like it was okay to ask questions and be collaborative in my treatment.   She accused me of "directing my own treatment" and that was our last meeting.  The first oncologist is somewhat new to the field and has a lot to learn.  Don't get me wrong, I truely believe we all have to start out new and I respect the learning curve..., it just wasn't a good mix.  In the end, I think we both learned something from it.  IMHO it is of the utmost importance that we have a medical team behind us that  makes us feel as if they've got our back. My new oncologist has my every body part and I am blessed to have his care!

Jun 24, 2012 02:04 AM DianaNM wrote:

I get that feeling from my MO too, like I'm not sick enough to warrant anything but a hurried visit. Guess I'd rather have it this way than the alternative.

No clue how to find someone I feel more comfortable with. Maybe I will get that attention from the Integrative doctor I will see in a month.

Jun 24, 2012 01:02 PM markat wrote:

DianaNM it's so tough going through it all. Maybe your relationship with your MO will get better further along in your treatment. I remember thinking, wow this doc gets $250 for the 15 min she takes to feel my boobs and tell me I'm doing really good. I built a really good relationship with the nurses there and I always feel cared for. Maybe start a thread for your state and see if any other women in your area can recommend a good MO.