CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS
Comments
-
((Oakley))
♥
0 -
Just heading off for my re-excision today. I'm sure I'll feel fine in a couple of days. It's just the waiting again. In our area, it takes 3 weeks to get pathology reports. YUCK! I am so tired of waiting . . . *sigh*
0 -
Hang in there Penny! Praying for a good turnout!
0 -
Those of you going through chemo. My DH just sent me a link for free housecleaning for 4 months for women going through chemo.
www.cleaningforareason.org check it out and pass it along to other ladies going through chemo. Sorry Canadian sisters, I think it's only for US residents.
0 -
riancity - did you have the onco type test? If so did that effect your decision to do the chemo?
I'm going crazy today - the waiting and wondering is awful! I am feeling like this will always be the primary thing in my thought process and I can't shut it off! I really miss my old life where my days were consumed with other thoughts/concerns.
0 -
boatergrl - I so appreciate what you are saying, consumed seems to be the word but I don't know if that goes away after chemo and rads.
The only reason I am doing chemo is because of oncotype, score 23 = 14% recurrence. Each of the onc's were noncomittal about the need and I think I fell victim of fear. It is not horrible, it really is doable, but I am revisiting my risk/benefit analysis now that I am calmer.
I so miss my old life and realize I took it for granted.
0 -
Hello all,
I am new here. I just found this thread today. I saw my oncologist for the first time today. No radiation since I did bilat mastectomies 10/26/10 and no chemo due to Oncotype score of 8. I start Arimidex tomorrow. I'm relieved and grateful, of course, but I think that today was the first day I really wrapped my brain around the fact that I had breast cancer. I feel exhausted.
I wanted to ask you ladies how you feel about the new airport screening procedures. I'm not sure how I feel yet.
0 -
Hello catbill.I think when you are done with treatment, surgery etc that's when it really hits you.
Welcome to our sisterhood.
The new screening doesn't bother me at all even tho I didn't have the pleasure to use it yet.
If my plane is not gonna blow up in the middle of the air I'm all for it.
0 -
raincitygirl- It's so hard to make the decision to do chemo or not - I completely understand where you were coming from when you made your decision and I completely understand where you are now with it. I can see myself caught up so much in the fear and the emotion and trying to grab at anything that will put my life back together - in a way that I never have to go through this again. Right now I am sitting and waiting for the oncotype results and I think I am more nervous about that than at any other time during the nightmare of a roller coaster ride. But it could just be that the stress of the whole thing is just piling up right now.
I woud love to hear from someone who has made it through this about when you start to feel like you have your life back and if you have any tips to help get there.
0 -
No nasty contrast reaction today - YAY!!!
I spent an hour in the MRI, my hands feel asleep, back ached and everytime I started to doze off I would hear "ok...the next set will be 6 minutes long..."
Wow, they better have gotten a trillion awesome views. I had major steroid munchies - EVIL!!! I was wired and tired at the same time. I told everyone in the attached room that had to have the results by FRIDAY so I could let me surgeon know that we can move foward with the de-portation on Tuesday
How is that for the power of postive thinking!0 -
boatergrl-
Our diagnoses sound similar, and I know exactly the feelings you're describing. I felt like each time I got one result, I had to wait for another with the oncotype being the last piece. Basically from the time of initial diagnosis to final treatment plan (about 6 weeks in my case) it felt very surreal to me and I did not feel like I was living my life at all. I got a few different opinions from oncologists and felt overwhelmed by all the opinions and possibilities. BUT, finally the pieces all came together and when I found the dr. I felt most comfortable with and my treatment became clear, I finally started to feel somewhat normal again. I think we all have our own ways to get through this time. I know some will use some kind of medication. In my case, I was quite nervous, but just kind of plodded through. It did help to talk to a few people who had been through it a while back and were doing fine. But I also did not tell many people so when I was going about my usual daily business I was able to get caught up in the usual routine of things without my condition being the focus. I can tell you, as I'm sure you have heard from others on these boards, that the diagnosis and waiting stage is emotionally the hardest part. Sounds like you're almost done with that, so just hang on to that thought. I can tell you now, while I'm still not thrilled with the situation, I'm pretty much back to normal. There is always a nagging worry in the back of my mind if something will recur at some point, but as I'm reminded by others something bad could happen to anyone at any time. And, I have also used this wake up call to adopt an even healthier lifestyle. Not that it's any guarantee of anything, but I sure do feel better.
0 -
boategrl--the waiting for the onco score was the worst for me. I was dealing with everything fine until the RO called and said he felt I was boarderline needing chemo and had ordered the test. I did not sleep well at night for the next two weeks until it came back. So far that was the worst anxiety that I have had during this process. I was so bad that Ambien CR did not even help me. I am back to normal now just waiting to hear from my RO about what day I will actually start my radiation. I wish I had some advise for you while you are waiting but I did not do so well. But it will get better
0 -
Michelle...so happy everything went well. You sound great
0 -
Hi boatergrl-
I totally get what you're saying. It seems like everything that's gone before the Oncotype results is just a buildup to it. I finally got my score today, and it now feels like I can breathe again. I did BMX with SNB on each side and had all the pathology that came from that...and still felt like I was missing the biggest piece of information. ( I did ask for something to help me sleep, but it didn't much to help me stay asleep, so I was up at 2AM every night.) I wish there was an easier way than making us all wait. Once you have your score, it will get better. I feel better about my decisions and I am now getting used to my new "normal" . I know you will, too. Hang in there.
0 -
doing better - can i ask if you ended up doing chemo?
0 -
Hi Michelle, glad the MRI went well.
{{hugs to you}}
0 -
Go Michelle! way to get things moving!!! Glad the preventative drugs worked.
0 -
Hi all. So many of you throwing out good warm wishes and hugs...thanks you so much...Sheila, onestip, valjean, barbaraA, elimar, mellysu, anniealso, happymom...sorry if I forgot anyone else. Hugs to all of you and especially those who are having a very rough time right now.
Back tracking to a few days ago, I found out the two spots on my right side were indeed benign (yay!) so that did not affect my surgery yesterday. Had a very long long day starting with the dye insert (was so fine), wire placement (a bit uncomfortable) and surgery - which went really well. The unfortunate part of the entire day (until I was asleep before surgery) was that I had a horrific headache on my left side - really debilitating. We had to go to three different locations, park three times! Anyway, all in all it was fine except for the headache which, as they promised, was gone when I woke up. Nothing earth-shattering with the lumpectomy, and BS took at least 2 nodes and fatty tissue that probably contained some nodes. I go back next Tuesday for results. I am more uncomfortable than I thought - mostly last night, feel a bit better today. Under my arm is so achy. Does anyone know if I'm supposed to be lifting my arm so it doesn't get stiff? I thought my husband said the BS told me to just rest my arm until Tues, but I'm not sure he got the right info! Taking some Vicodin which does help with the pain, but is not helping me sleep!
Michelle - thinking of you.
Hugs to all.
0 -
{{{MICHELLE}}}} and {{{OAKLEY}}}}} bigs hugs for you both!
0 -
BarbA - So HAPPY we could connect even under this site and circumstances...gentle hugs and warm wishes as we all travel the road to better health, happiness and humor!!!
0 -
I will drink to good health for all...heck, at this point I'll drink to almost anything.
0 -
Nice Avatar BarbaraA!
0 -
Michelle and Oakley, I am happy yesterday is behind you. You are amazing and strong.
0 -
Oakley - I found that if you give the arm a rest for a day or two it won't get stiff. I had some trouble moving mine for a week or more. I was glued back together and the glue seemed to pull until it came off. When it was loose, I carefully pulled it off and found I had instant movement with no discomfort. Sleeping for the first week was a problem but after a couple of nights-and through trial and error- I was able to find a comfortable position. You will heal quicker than you think and you will do great.
Lots of hugs to you. Wish I could be there to help you out. It does get better.
Jo
0 -
doingbetter - I sent you a personnal message - thanks for your help
0 -
Oh my you can't even miss a day or two now and not be pages and pages behind! I just finished reading about 4 pages from the last few days. How I hate to read that there are so many new ladies that have been diagnosed recently, it breaks my heart for you all! But I want to say WELCOME to you. Like the others I have completed my radiation months ago, in Feb, but would be glad for any of you to PM me with questions.
Michelle, so glad your MRI went well and that you only have to have a partial thyroidectomy! That is exactly what I had and I didn't even need to start thyroid meds until 21 yrs after I had it. Actually my primary doctor would tell you my labs were normal and I "didn't need it". Problem was I was having symptoms of a low working thyroid though I had normal labs so I am on a very low dose of Synthroid and can't tell you how much better I feel.
Ladies I am beginning to be a little anxious about my upcoming mammo next Tues. Gheesh>>> will it never end?!!!
They promised me I would have preliminary results by the time I get to the Breast surgeons office so I hope so. To make matters worse I have to take call this weekend, that always stresses me out! Val and Sheila I keep missing you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hugs sister/friends!!!!!
Renee
0 -
oakley, they told me to take it easy with the arm at first. I could do whatever normal activities it was possible to do without pain, but not to push it. (No tennis playing, Doc said. LOL. As if I could play tennis anyway... Oh, and I had to be careful of lifting the first few days.) I found my sentinel node site was more uncomfortable than the main incision, probably because it gets stretched more as I do things. However, once the steristrip came off, it was much better. It did remain numb in that area for quite some time. However, last night--6 weeks post lumpectomy--I noticed the site was aching just a bit, and I realized that the numbness was gone. Apparently the nerves are repairing themselves! so a bit of discomfort is probably a good sign, in this case. Hope your recovery goes well!
Hugs to everyone else, too! It's nice to have a sisterhood to turn to. :-)
Susan
0 -
Oakley..I'm glad yesterday is over.
Don't push yourself, after all we are not wonder women here. Just slowly....
Anyone of the ladies who had SNB ......Is your hair growing under your arm pit?
5 years later it still looks like baby's butt. The first few years i wasn't even perspiring under both arms. My BS said I understand the right side but the left side too!
I must be weird.
Anyway all the ladies who has tests, surgery etc....... wishing you a better week coming.
Hugs
♥
0 -
oakley - I was told to use my arms gently but not to try to raise them above my shoulder until after my first f/u appt, I had a BMX but I think those instructions were more for the SNB side...hope you are feeling well and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Mimi - mammo and scan anxiety is not fun, you are in my prayers for next Tuesday. It is funny that you mentioned your thyroid levels are within the normal range. I just had a full TSH panel ran and it is normal across the board although I have symptoms of hypothyroid as well.
I think once I recover from the thyroidectomy and after the holidays I am going to bite the bullet and make an appointment to meet with a bio-identical hormone specialist. I know my hormone levels are out of whack and my adrenals are probably beyond exhausted. I heard an interview yesterday with the author of "From Hormone Hell to Hormone Well" and found the information to be very interesting and after poisoning my body for the last year, I would like to try to bring it back to balance in the most natural way possible. Who knows, I may be dreaming, but it is worth a try. Has anyone else looked into bio-identical hormones???
0 -
Thanks Meece. RE: Armpit hair, well, apparently the rad onc got the pit everywhere except for one 1/2 inch by 1/2 inc place. so I still have to shave the pit. 0
