MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
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Marlegal, Thanks for your reply. I am trying to stay positive. Staying busy helps. I am so happy to have my job but also grateful I can work from home ( telecommuter) so I am not forced to put on a happy face when I am sad.
I appreciate your encouragement and hope you also find comfort here.
Desalonde
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Hi
4 years ago. I Kayak no problems.
I plan to after b/l Mx as well no recon planed maybe later.
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Thanks funthing42 for your reply..... so why a bl mastectomy if you had rads 4 yrs ago? Did you have a recurrence?
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Yes Dec 2013 still stage 1. Same breast I cannot have more radiation.
Breast are fibrous.
Staying up beat.
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Desalonde, I had lots of chemo, BMX with 22 nodes out and massive rads. You can get inflammation in the shoulder, what is called "frozen shoulder." However, if you are active and exercise, this is much less likely to be a problem. I did have the beginnings of it a few times in the last 2 years, but each time, I just stepped up my stretches and shoulder rolls and kept lifting weights. After a few weeks it passed without developing into a serious problem. In Danish we say "don't ask for an advance on sorrows."
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Less than 10% of all breast cancer is hereditary. That's a very, very small percentage.....
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desalonde, welcome! You can see my Dx below this post, and it was similar to yours. I was wondering where your tumor was located? Mine was in the 6:00 position and I have to say that my big rectangle of whole breast radiation never did get all the way up into my armpit. It did cover the area where they took out the sentinel nodes, but because they were clear the rads went no further up or over. Maybe for that reason, I did not have frozen shoulder, cording, or lymphedema, I don't know, but all I had was a tightening in the area probably due to scar tissue. By tightening, I don't mean anything that limited activity, but when I did (and still do) my stretches (hanging from a doorframe) I can feel my right side is tighter than the left. About 13% of my lung was in the rads field. and it got off mostly unharmed (changes were not noticeable on the standard res. chest x-ray.) I'm not short of breath. My treatment side ribs were sore to the touch for 2-3 years, but now seem like the other side. They never bothered me during regular activities. I can't say what long lasting effect the rads will have on me, but in the short term I have recovered fairly well and am not limited in what I do. Don't get me wrong, I still hate them and see the whole procedure as barbaric and am waiting impatiently for something better to come along and take its place.
Just like I am waiting for a cure.
Now, on to your statement: He also says if I am unhappy with the results on my breast, "you can always still get a mastectomy"
My first thought was, if you are unhappy with having a snarky, smart-ass RO, you can always still get a different one! WHAT A JERK!!!! If there are some others in the practice group, maybe a switch is in order. Just because one in the group throws off comments like that does not mean the others will be as untactful, and with your records right there, I don't think it would too difficult to switch him out for a more decent colleague. Can you really take that insensitivity another 4 & 1/2 weeks?
furthing42, welcome to you also! With those close relatives having possibly related cancers, it does make you think that there could well be some genetic factor at work. Is your current B/C a recurrence from the 2009 IDC, or a new primary cancer? Is it one or both breasts? Are you taking an AI now?
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Welcome desalonde and funthing - glad that you came across this great bunch of gals. Always someone here to answer a question, encourage and support when things get tough, listen when you need to vent and celebrate when things are going well.
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Great discussion points, ladies. I don't have much to add because I have not had rads, but I am reading with interest...
Dianarose- Great to read your updates. So happy for you that you have found a partner that's a keeper and that your wedding is right around the corner! You have been through so much... I often wondered how you could possible start the new time-intensive business and handle medical issues while kindling a romance! You must be relieved that the decision to sell your bakery has been made. So great to hear that you feel like a princess in your dress; we all deserve to feel that way, especially after what we have been through.
Barsco- Love your new avatar. Is that you? My parents divorced when I was four, and I never saw many pictures of myself as a little girl. Last Christmas my Dad sent me a CD of pics from 1955 through 1970, including many taken in Japan when I was born. I cried seeing them! I felt that my Dad was pretty much absent during my little girl years, yet HE was the one who apparently took pictures every time I visited. Damn was I cute! I thought I was an ugly-duckling when I was young, but now I have proof that that wasn't the case! Isn't it amazing how seemingly small things can touch our hearts? Boy am I getting more emotional the older I get...
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DianaRose - so good to hear from you and that everything is going well. Sad to hear that you had to sell the bakery. I guess our dreams can change at any time huh? I bet you are excited as you look forward to a wedding and many years together with your new love. I am sure I can speak for all of us when I say we couldn't be happier for you and all the good that is happening.
SnS - ya that's me when I was a little gaffer. Being the 5th of 8 kids, I find that there isn't a lot of pics of me when I was little. Funny how the camera seems to become less active as the family becomes more active - lol. How great that your Dad sent you a CD of pics when you were younger. Must have been wonderful to see them and realize that your Dad was recording your years as you grew!
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My first 2009 CA was Rt breast Er and Pr positive 1 cm. Neg nodes. Her2-. IDC Arimadex and Lupron. Radiation.
Second same breast 2013 Dec. IDC 1 cm Er+ and Pr - and Her 2 +. I'm thinking it's new but it is along the scar tissue.
I guess it may be a new one
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I had internal rads.. Bracytherapy-- I had the balloon inserted on a Friday and then the next Monday to Friday I went to the radiation center twice a day ( once a day I had CT scan to make sure the placement of the balloon was still correct) where they dropped radioactive pellets into balloon which was done in a few minutes.
I did get quite ill after the final treatment and was admitted to the local hospital for a couple days but other than that and a little tiredness and a saroma I had drained I have been doing well. I did not have skin problems of the external radiation- but then my cancer and therefor the balloon was located deep inside my tissue and I was large enough chested to protect my internal organs- My sister on the other hand did get burned and had a few additional problems.( she was diagnosed with breast cancer two months after me)
But there is another option to external radiation and I am wondering if more centers will start using it.
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Dianarose: YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA!
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Dianarose, I know what you mean about feeling like a princess. When I was looking for a mother-of-the-bride-then-groom dress, the one I chose was an instant impact to me when I put it on!! I KNEW that was the dress for me and even told the lady it made me feel beautiful.
To refer back to motion in your arm after rads, I know my motion is slightly restricted by the sentinel node surgery (still!) as I didn't have rads. I even put a coat/sweater on differently and have a tugging sensation if I reach too far with that arm.
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Good evening everyone or should I say good morning? I missed all of you but it's been so crazy busy these last months. I will try to read through everything and catch up.
El, as always great heading, I don't want to be greedy but I could use several!
I hope everyone is well and happy! Many (((HUG))) to all, Missed you!
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good to see you Kat. Take as many of the toppers as you like - Eli restocks them daily
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I had rads in 2007, then had a mastectomy due to the rad damage to the breast. I have full range of motion in my left arm and shoulder as long as I do stretching exercises just about every day. If I miss a few days I get pain and stiffness in the shoulder and tingling in the hand and finger.
Also, I had recon AFTER rads. It took 4 consults with PS in 3 states but I finally found out that it is possible to have good recon after rads. Now I just have to live with knowing the lung and heard damage will show up someday. In the meantime I swim, kayak, and pretty much do anything I want and enjoy it as much as I can!
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wow, mainer, nothing is impossible for you!
I found the most caring thing I did for myself was ask my RO for a script for PT while I was going through rads. I got to see a woman PT that specialised in BC. She helped me through the skin issues and helped me keep the muscles moving. I had shoulder trouble and a horrible time with a cough that got worse and worse. Once I asked for it, there was no problem, but no one at the center mentioned it to me I heard about it through a bc support group.
brasco, I have a wonderful picture of myself and my older sister and my mother at the beach when I was probably 2-3. It is a picture that my sister had hanging in her house. So it is extra special for me to remember her by, too. It is complete with funny bathing suits and bathing caps.
Diana, will you share pictures of you in your princess dress?
I am so stressed about reopening my business. I read a good quote this morning. "The need for perfection and the desire for inner tranquility conflict with each other. Whenever we are attached to having something a certain way, better than it already is, we are, almost by definition, engaged in a losing battle."
I need to let so much go!!!!!
I didn't realize that I did really need this calendar about not sweating the small stuff (and it is all small stuff!).
I have to remember, it is progression not perfection.
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mac, forget perfection (I KNOW, I KNOW it's hard!!!) just try to ENJOY the "day" at work..... Your "job" is just to have fun!! Let the new guy laugh and have a good time with the people who come in. That is your new executive position!!
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thanks, barbe, I get to practice my "job" again tomorrow. I so need to lighten up. Why do I take some stuff so seriously?
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Macatacmv--congrats
on reopening!That quote is great for me
as well as for your situation, and it IS all small stuff!0 -
Elimar, like the new header photo! Doesn't that say it all!
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Just another metaphorical representation of the life of your average woman, 2TA.
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HI...im new to this board. All my dx info is in my signature. I turned 45 in November 2013...ugh.... but the plus side is i get to be part of this thread with all you sweet ladies so I will take it:) Im currently debating a PBMX as I had a horrible time on tamox and I fear future chemo or BC.
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the quote under my honest tea cap today "My life made my therapist laugh" (6 word memoirs) I had to take it today to show my therapist. We both laughed.
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Welcome, bluewillowskys! As you know, that is a personal decision and each woman has to weight the pros and cons and determine what decision they will be most comfortable with. This thread doesn't have that many with DCIS right now, but quite a few that did BMX for invasive cancer. Happy to help if we can, or just "hear" you as you go through the decision making process. How long had you been on Tamox.?
p.s. Age 45 is not "ugh" to everyone here...it's a fond memory.
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maca, love that quote!
Bluewillow, welcome. I agree with Eli...45 is youthful! Glad you found this thread. Best one on the Boards as far as I'm concerned. We're fun, haha! I'm curious to hear more about your thoughts on PBMX. Are there other reasons you feel at risk of recurrence?
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I think I may have finally found the thread that I belong on! I am 56 years old and have been diagnosed with invasive and in-situ breast cancer. I meet with the surgeon for the first time tomorrow. Long story, but was diagnosed in FL on 12-12 and moved to CA on 12-18 so I had to do some research to find my surgeon and hope that she will give me the referrals for the other doctors I may need. Since tomorrow is my first appt. I'm looking for ideas for questions that I should be asking that may not be coming to my worried mind right now.
My daughter was diagnosed at 31 with Triple Neg. breast cancer so I have been down this road before but it really is different when you are asking about yourself and not listening so that you can help your daughter. She is doing really good. Had 2 rounds of chemo, a BMX with immediate reconstruction, nipple and skin sparing. Everything worked out and she is leading a completely normal life! I would be asking her for ideas but her life is so busy and she is much younger. I'm looking for ideas from women more my age, so here I am!
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i was on tamox for a year....by month 6 i was in a lot of joing pain and also fatigue and itching skin. I cant imagine being in that condition for five years. I was turned into more of a couch potato that i already was...
Im freaked about my DCIS or something worse happening again as i stopped tha tamox and my lumpectomy side tissue is very solid from rads and i worry that i wouldnt feel a lump developing. Also there is lots of thyroid cancer and others too in my family, though i was first with BC. My mother is having a recurrence of thyroid right now.
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Hi KLJ
glad you found us- I would make sure your surgeon has every little bit of information from Florida so no snafus there. Are the results you are posting coming from a core bx that was done previously?
Your surgeon should be providing you the options based on your bx results- I would ask how long to get on the surgery schedule since you were diagnosed a month ago? Also it looks like a needle localization and sentinel node bx might also be part of the plan. Ask if she is part of a breast care team- you will get the best coordinated care if you don't have to "shop" your follow-up treatment around for a medical oncologist and potentially radiation oncologist.
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