Member Since: July 18, 2006
Last Login: February 25, 2008
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Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Triple Negative, Created: Feb 25, 2008 11:30 pm
Triple negative beyond 2 years- What was your treatment?Encouraging to read how many ladies are doing well. I too had yearly mammograms but found my 9 cm tumor on my own. Surgeon thinks it grew in 6-8 months. Because of it's size, in my chest wall & in 2 biopsied lymph nodes, I had 4 rounds of A/C before bilateral mastectomy. At time of surgery the tumor was completely gone and not in any of the 12 lymph nodes removed! Then had 4 Taxol & 30 rads that finished a year ago. My onc. is mostly concerned about 1st 2 years and encourages me by saying I'm a little over 1/2 way there! I took a break from this site for awhile to give myself a break from breast cancer. Now I've come back and feel that I'd like to give support to other women going through this. I think that mentally I'm in a better place right now. That's not to say that I don't worry about it coming back, as I do everyday, but try not to let it control my life. - Kathy |
Posted in:
Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis + Triple Negative, Created: Feb 25, 2008 11:13 pm
Where are the tri-negs!Hi all, took a long break from this site but felt like I could handle coming back and checking things out. I'm a triple neg and was stage 3 when diagnosed July 06, 9cm tumor. I've been cancer free for a little over a year but still get stressed at every checkup. Especially since I lost 2 friends to ovarian & liver cancer within 16 days of each other last month. But I'm trying to practice that "everyday is a gift" and realize that today I feel good. I hope to join Dunner in the 5 year category some day. Hang in there ladies! - Kathy |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Just Diagnosed, Created: Feb 25, 2008 11:01 pm
Brand new to BCA and this site...Lisa, I had a bilateral mastectomy Sept. '06. I took 5 weeks off of work, could have gone back in 4 but took 1 more. Pain management was a big deal in helping me recover. Because my tumor was so large, 9 cm, I had 4 rounds of chemo before my surgery, followed by 4 more after surgery and 30 radiation treatments. I had tissue expanders put in during my mastectomy and had my final exchange surgery last June. Today, I'm doing great. I get a bit nervous each check up, but try to believe that "Everyday is a gift". You are strong and can endure what ever you need to, to get through this treatment. Surround yourself with positive support and never, never hesitate to ask for help. - Kathy |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Just Diagnosed, Created: Feb 25, 2008 10:49 pm
mastecomy and preventive mastecomy on other breastGoldie - I join the other ladies in saying I'm sorry you've had to join this group. I decided to have both breasts removed and I've never regreted my decision. My surgeon said it was totally up to me but I think he was leaning slightly towards me having both removed. My tumor was 9cm (about as big as a billiard ball) and probably grew in 6-8 months. I didn't want to worry about the same thing happening in the other side. My surgery was Sept. '06 and I'm doing great! Keep using these boards for support, they are wonderful when you need to feel like you're not alone. - Kathy |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 22, 2007 03:10 pm
No nipples?Marianne, Like you I had bilateral last Sept. and just had my exchange 10 days ago. At 50 I don't think I'll opt for nipples either. From these boards, it sounds like there is a risk for problems, esp. since I had radiation on 1 side. I am ready to be done with surgery and doctor appts. Aren't we always trying to cover up our nipples anyway? Might feel different if I still had a breast with a nipple to match.
Kathy |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 22, 2007 03:05 pm
Exchange surgery questionsLini - glad to hear your exchange went well. I'm 10 days out and except for a very slight tightness on radiated side, feel great. I have my 2 week check up on the 26th. So happy to have this all behind me. I feel like I can finally get on to my cancer free life.
Jan - good luck to you next week, let us know how it goes. Kathy |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 16, 2007 02:49 pm
Exchange surgery questionsGlad to read everyone is doing so well. My exchange was last Tues. and Friday took my 1st shower. They are more round and definitely softer than the rocks there before. It is amazing how much more comfortable it is to not have them sticking out under my armpits. I had saline filled to 650cc, doesn't look as big or high as I thought, but hey, it's pretty good. I had been a D and wanted to be a C. My PS thought I'd have a drain on the radiated side but he didn't need to - another big plus! So far both incisions seem to be healing well. My biggest discomfort is the surgical bra he wants me to wear until my check up on the 26th. I think I'm going to try a sports bra or something else. With the velcro in the front it doesn't lay flat under summer tops and I can't wear anything that scoops down. Best of luck to those exchanging their rocks for softies! It truly is wonderful!
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Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 12, 2007 06:03 pm
Exchange surgery questionsForgot to mention that I didn't need a drain on my radiated breast - woo hoo!
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Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 12, 2007 06:01 pm
Exchange surgery questionsI'm back from my exchange. Only trouble was 2 tries to get an IV in a vein. I can't believe how much easier this was compared to bilateral mast! Waking up from anesthesia was much easier and I can move around quite a bit. I'll stay on time of the pain by taking my viodin for 2 days. Won't get to see them until Friday when I take off the bandages for a shower. So far, they feel 100% better than my expanders and they don't stick out under my armpits!
Good luck tomorrow Diane - welcome to the other side:) Kathy |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 11, 2007 09:10 pm
Exchange surgery questionsDonna, happy to hear it went well. I'm 9 hours away from my exchange and can't wait for it to be over. Sometimes the anticipation is worse than the procedure. I'm just nervous at how well my radiated breast will handle the exchange and not looking forward to having the IV and going home with a drain again.
Good luck Diane on Wed.! Kathy |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Breast Reconstruction, Created: Jun 10, 2007 09:42 pm
Exchange surgery questionsI'm having my exchange this Tues. and am also looking forward to the release of my expanders. My ps said I'd need 1 drain on my radiated side but probably not on the other side. Kind of nervous after things I've read on these posts, but hope all goes smoothly. I feel confident in my ps.
Kathy |
Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Radiation Therapy - Before, During and After, Created: May 29, 2007 08:42 pm
Can you drive yourself to radiation treatments?I'll join the others in saying that I too drove to all of my rad appts. I'd like to add that's it a great time to listen to a book on tape/cd. I listened to an entire Harry Potter book. - Kathy
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Posted in:
Tests, Treatments & Side Effects + Help Me Get Through Treatment, Created: Jan 28, 2007 06:21 pm
How old were you?A month before my 49th birthday. IDC with a 9 cm tumor! Had 4 rounds of A/C, bilateral mast. w/recons., 4 rounds of Taxol and now in midst of radiation. I love these boards, they really help me feel that I'm not alone and that many of the feelings I'm going through are normal.
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Posted in:
Recovery, Renewal, & Hope + Moving Beyond Cancer, Created: Jan 28, 2007 06:11 pm
I WANT MY MOJO BACK!I was directed to this board after posting my own message about sex after bilateral mastectomy. I am so relieved to find out I'm not alone in having no interest in sex. I mourn my breasts as they were the kick start to the rest of my body in achieving an "O". I find myself in tears after sex. So far every warming gel and lube has irritated me more than the dryness. I will try to find Astroglide or Vigel. I just ordered the Hitachi Magic Wand with the attachment. I almost felt of twinge of arousal reading about it! My hubby was looking over my shoulder when I was reading about it and of course he can't wait for it to arrive. I'm still in the midst of radiation, 3 more weeks to go and am not done with reconstruction. I know this has alot to do with my poor body image. My hubby is very understanding most of the time, but has a hard time understanding why I don't want sex like he does - I wish I did. Thanks to all the women who've posted here, you've helped me realize I'm not a freak.
- Kathy |
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