Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
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cateyz2 Exactly! That's why I'm complaining.
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Success
is in the way you walk the paths of life each day; it’s in the little things you
do, and in the things you say.
Success is not in getting rich, or rising high to fame.
It’s not alone in winning goals, which all people hope to claim.
Success is being big of heart, and clean and broad in mind; it’s being
faithful to your friends, and to the stranger, kind.
It’s in the children whom you love, and all they learn from you; success
depends on character, and everything you do. unattributed0 -
Good morning, Ladies.
New to the site and this discussion- newly diagnosed (Feb 4 14) and evaluating treatment plan(s) and possibly reconstruction. So overwhelming. Handled diagnosis went well but now expect I've got choice between Mx and lumpectomy and it's so gray and unclear what path to take. Doesnt' help that I've had 6 biopsies this month to "map" what's actually going on throughout.
Working with team at Northwestern Memorial - welcome perspective and thoughts.
Best to all.
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Hi Kelly--I'm sorry u'r here but welcome. Yep at first it like to much info, but there are wonderful women here who know so much and will help u thru this, questions, rants, moods, family anything goes here and lots of support. Can u tell us what u know so far--a lot of biopsies.
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Kelly,
Six biopsies is a lot to endure. I hope they have all the info they need now. I wasn't treated at NW, but several women here were. You are now on a long journey and we will be here for you for distraction, venting or help. Whatever you need.
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Thank you. IDC and DCIS grade 1 in 2,5cm mass ER+/PR+. Waiting on path from biopsy of satellite lesion 3 cm away. Same breast has calcifications, biopsy indicated benign but radiology called discordant. Two separate areas of ADH in the other breast.
Good chance of avoiding radiation therapy if opt for mastectomy which is very appealing option. I'm small breasted and have difficulty believing I could be happy with cosmetic results from lumpectomy.
Not sensing the medical team will indicate one is a better solution at this point. Difficult choice
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OK Kelly wait til everyone wakes up, cuz I know nothing everyone else does. Believe me the information u'll get will really be helpful.
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Kelly115 It's such a personal decision. I know many women that did lump, are happy and are still cancer free. survival is the same for either. I had no choice as I had a huge tumor and a small breast. Also it appeared that there was LCIS in the "good" breast so I did the double. There are pros & cons for both. You will find that with breast cancer it seems the glass will always be 1/2 full and 1/2 empty. I was treated at Rush although my new doctor: endocrinologist is at NW. And I find the same thing. They don't seem to make a recommendation. They just tell you "what the typical course of treatment" is. Well we are not all the same. I can read what is standard care. I want do know in MY CASE what you as the medical professional think. I would push your BS to at least tell you all the pros and cons. Including the "If I do have a local recurrence with Lump how will the rads effect my reconstruction results if I then have to do the MX.) If find that is the one thing that is never discussed.
Here is a list that was put together by a gal on this forum named beesie. It will be a good read for you. You might have to scroll a little bit to find her post: community.breastcancer.org/forum/96/topic/797602?page=1
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Hi Kelly-Welcome! My docs are at NWestern. I met w a PS to help me understand the issues/future potentials if I had radiation. Since I already had augmented breasts, I did not have good options. Also, if I did a single MX I would have still needed hormones which was unfavorable to me. Some people are fine with that tho. You can also meet w a RO to get their 2cents on your case as well. Lmk if I can help answer any questions. And hugs, the beginning of this process is hard.
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Welcome Kelly! Sorry you have joined our club but glad you found us. Great group of ladies here...always good for advice, empathy or just for a pick me up! I moved during reconstruction from Michigan and had my final surgery at NW. My PS was great. I am sure you are in good hands. I had a lumpectomy first and I was an A+ or small B cup at that time. My breast didn't really look different in size after. I ended up having a BMX with reconstruction later and went bigger. I am happy with the results. There are benefits to choosing either option. You just have to choose the right decision for you personally. As long as you have personal peace from your decision - it's all good.
Did someone mention 11 more inches of snow??? Good Lord! Enough already!!!!
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Always fall in with what you're asked to accept. Take what
is given, and make it over your way. My aim in life has always
been to hold my own with whatever's going. Not against: with.0 -
Hi Kelly --- I'm just home from work and coming in very late @ 10:30 p.m. Glad you found us and hope you will come back often. Lots of information here.....great ranting arena, and wonderful hand holding. Much comfort here as we are all in the same boat more or less.
I lost the author's name of the quote.....but there is one.
Hoping the weatherman is wrong for Chicago but the polar 'vortex' is making a return engagement I think. Yikes, enough already.
Blessings
Jackie
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Thanks Ritajean for starting this thread.
Kelly, I am just a couple weeks behind you being treated at Northwestern. I was diagnosed last week with DCIS 1.6 cm with microinvasion. Had my consultation on Tuesday with the breast surgeon. I have to say I am so grateful I found this site last week. I was given a firehose of information on Tuesday and I would have been completely overwhelmed had I not done so much reading here. I also called the radiologist who performed my biopsy before I met with the surgeon. She was absolutely wonderful and spent about 15 min with me to help me better understand my results so I was prepared. I would encourage you to find out as much as you can, and feel free to call your surgeon or nurse navigator with any questions that will help you make the decision that is right for you. A good friend just went through this and she said she called with questions after almost every appointment. She chose a route different than what was recommended because she did her homework and selected the treatment that was right for her. And don't be afraid to get a second opinion if you need it. Northwestern Memorial is a wonderful, but if you are struggling with what to do, another perspective might help. Good luck!
My situation seems pretty straightforward (I actually already scheduled my lumpectomy) but I am having an MRI on Friday to check out a couple of areas that wouldn't necessarily be suspicious, but given the cancer finding, I want to make sure there isn't anything else going on that might impact how I proceed.
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Hi Kelly, I told you u'd have plenty of help here.
mdg---my GS told me 11 in. too, but I thought he was teasing me--Oh no.
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Hi Kelly!
The choice is soooooo personal. I was older (58). I had a lumpectomy simply because as Lago stated, survival stats were the same for masectomy vs lumpectomy. My age and fear of medical procedures in the hospital resulted in NO RECONSTRUCTION. My breast looks like a football (oval, somewhat flattened, no nipple with horizontal sticthes) and my husband and I are okay with it. I am very certain had I been younger, I would have wanted reconstrutction and would have struggled with my fears of further surgery to achieve aestheic goals. I think that regardless of age, one can still opt for reconstruction...after the fact.....but ask others if that is true. I wish you well.
I remember when my mom was in the nursing home and I helped so many of her older girlfriends with their daily needs. Often their garment would drop and much to my surprise, I would discover that they had surgery lines, inlcuding masectomies. It was of no matter, as I had come to known them as "personalities" and not ladies with scars that documented disease. You just need to be comfortable with what you need to face to feel GREAT about yourself.
Susan
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Heaven on Earth is a choice you must make, not a place you must find.
Wayne Dyer
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Grace3boys, welcome to the Illlinois Ladies thread. Its a great place with wonderful, caring people. I'm sort of an old-timer now and really not up to answering much for questions but my empathy level is very high. I do leave a daily quote to help start everyone's day so hope you come often and stay long.
A couple more days of this wonderful job and then I'll be back on my regular schedule and posting quotes in the morning again.
Thinking of you all, as always.
Blessings
Jackie
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Great quote Jackie0 -
I'm finding I'm leaning a direction and as I sit with it longer, there is a comfortableness with the direction. "Information gathering" seems nearly complete, for which I'm thankful but I am nervous and concerned as surgery scheduling seems likely into April, 2+ months after diagnosis. I suspect it's a bit irrational but fear that the time that elapses could lead to movement into another stage with more significant treatment requirements.
Thanks for the perspectives - this site and the many threads are so helpful.
For what it's worth, I've been so pleased with the team(s) at Northwestern thus far. I could not be more confident in the care and thoroughness and follow-up time.
What a start on this journey... and what a resource in being able to read so many of your stories and seeing your strength, I can't help but believe I come out stronger at it's end.
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Kelly115 June 2010 I went for my diagnostic mammogram. Saw my BS 2 weeks later. I ended up not getting into surgery till August 31st because of all the tests, scans and scheduling issues. Seems a lot of doctors go on vacation in the summer. I had a very large fast growing tumor. At that point it didn't seem to be in my nodes. I even said to my BS that I was worried that it was going to be there. He actually thought I would have micromets in my nodes. But most breast cancer doesn't grow that fast. To everyone's surprise, except mine my nodes were clear with no micromets. I know it can seem like a long wait but don't worry... after surgery things go much much faster.
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Kelly115, I was diagnosed on May 7th and I had my surgery on June 12th. The first surgeon, a family friend, who was suppose to do the mastectomy, sensed that I was unsure what to do. I canceled that first scheduled surgery for May 26th. He told me that chosing a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction is a big decision and I need to take as much time as i need to be compfortable. My tumor was very slow growing and all doctors I spoke with told me that I can wait a few months. Do not rush. Consider all choices. You will have to leave with this decision.
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Kelly115,
I waited for the BRCA genetic result to come back before I made my decision. It took about a week to get the results back.
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I will greet this day with love in my heart.
And how will I do
this?
Henceforth will I look on all things with love and be born again.
I
will love the sun for it warms my bones;
yet I will love the rain for it
cleanses my spirit.
I will love the light for it shows me the way;
yet I
will love the darkness for it shows me the stars.
I will welcome happiness as
it enlarges my heart;
yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul.
I
will acknowledge rewards for they are my due;
yet I will welcome obstacles
for they are my challenge.
- Og Mandino0 -
Jackie I know u've been doing our quotes but u've been busy. Hope u get some rest this week and post more.
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A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner:
"Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other
dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time." When asked which
dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, "The one I feed the
most."
unattributed0 -
Good Sunday morning to all,
Done with my rather long work week now and oh how fantastic to sleep in for a bit this morning. Staying under the toasty covers just felt like the most wonderful gift. As well, sipping coffee in my recliner knowing I could take my time and not have to keep an eye on the clock.
It is easy to forget the very huge joy that comes with so many little things that are hardly noticed every day -- until, you are forced by a change in circumstances to feel them in a different atmosphere -- to miss them.
So today I'm just full of joy and feeding the right dog.
We do have our very, very un-wanted weather patterns going on. Sleet still continues to fall this morning. At some part of today ( perhaps this morning yet ) it is going to turn to snow --- as much as four or slightly more inches and then some more sleet. Well that fries it !!!! Sleet under snow is workable, but the extra layer of sleet .... grrrrrrr. Nothing to do but buck up and do what has to be done. Not sure what they will do in town.....heard a report that we are once again low on supplies to care for this. Sigh !!!!!
Hope all of you are having something decent and will not have to travel much at all, if not. I'm thinking of you as I rest and relax and enjoy ( not counting the awful weather ) a nice non-working ( except around home ) day.
Stay well.
Blessings
Jackie
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HI Kelly,
I agree with both LAGO and Illlady. I did the lumpectomy. Have no regrets thus far. Again, what LAGO says about the chances of reconstruction in the breast with rads would be a top question to ask your MO.
I agree--this is a great group of caring, wonderful gals!
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BTW for those of you who remember I just had lunch with CorinneM1 and her daughter. She's doing fine and looks great. Daughter really a sweetheart and cute. We were a little late this year. Corrinne and I have the same birthday. This will be our 3rd year celebrating together. We had Pakistani at Sabri Nahari.
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Oh, Lago, I am hungry! Was it Ghandi's ir Tippens? Or another? Love that Indian food!
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