CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS
Comments
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Tarry - Here's a link to one of the info pages here on BCO. You've probably already been there, but just in case:
http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types/dcis/diagnosis.jsp
It would concern me too if the surgeon suggested an "underlying problem". That certainly gets the brain spinning. All I can suggest is to take one step at a time and see how the other docs weigh in on this. If they seem to lean differenly than your BS you can always get more opinions.
Please keep us posted - Best Wishes!!!
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HEY gmaf-in my entire life i never thought i would go braless and be comfortable...wow.it feels soooo good.i slept in a bra forever.
have no clue which bra im gonna wear tomorrow to my GS engagement party...Wish me luck sistas.even the genie bra hurts now and i sure dont want to wear a sports bra where it looks like i have one huge breast.lol.
huggggggggggggsK
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Almost forgot...HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNETTE!!!!
Hugggggggggs and make it a good one.
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Yes Happy Birthday Annette Have a good one
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Annette -
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H9KwO4hNgA&feature=related
Happy Birthday Annette.♥
I'm singing for you.
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It's funny how the universe leads you to things...I needed to join and read these posts! ..I'm a stage 1'er also. But no matter what stage, this SUCKS!! Dr's say I 'won the breast cancer lottery' - to me, not getting BC would be winning, but I guess I am lucky to not have progressive cancer. I'm a single mother with 3 girls, dx 7/2010. Had lumpectomy 9/2010, and had unclear margins as Dr's found a whole other tumor. Thankfully it ended up being dcis, but I also had an invasive lobular 1.3cm tumor that was er+..... So, double mast 10/2010 with tissue expansions for a very long time. Thankfully also no lymph node involvement..... Finally had those torture devices removed and implants placed in July 2011....almost 1 yr later. My oncotype score was 18. I tried tamoxifen and pretty much lost my mind on it. Now we are trying Lupron injections and AI's. I just turned 36 and have terrible fear of it coming back... I did manage to escape chemo and rads, and I am trying to educate myself on the SE's/pro's/cons of my current treatments. Here's the fun fact I'm also studying...I have no family history, but had the Mirena birth control for 6 yrs, Dr's are now zeroing in on the fact that this could have been the cause and major contributing factor! God Bless all of you and keep on fighting!!!!
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Hi to all,
I am new to this thread (am on the August 2011 Surgery thread). I had a lumpectomy and SNB on 8/30 with clear margins and 0 nodes. I did fine after and went back to work a week later.
Sometimes it is such a bummer to hear what other ladies are going through; and I hesitate to talk about how normal things are for me right now. Because I had a minimal procedure, I will have concerns about recurrence and new growth. I am facing radiation and onco/chemo decision (appointment 10/6).
So, I NEED to talk with other Stage 1 ladies.
My biggest problem right now? no sleep for two nights. Am trying to avoid sleeping meds but may have to take something before work days.
Good thoughts and prayers for all who are diagnosed, recovering, or in treatment.0 -
Joan, i find reading a novel can get me to sleep, but staying asleep is another matter. If you find a solution to you sleep problem, please let us know.
In the meantime, my kindle and its light-containing cover get together all too often.0 -
Hi Denisem and Joan - have you tried Melatonin? My Dr says it's safe and I read a lot about other people using it here on the boards. I found it at CVS with the supplements. I've had insomnia since high school and have always taken a half a pill at night to sleep and it works great. It's an old anti-depressant and as I understand it, half a pill isn't enough to be therapeutic for depression, but is enough to put you to sleep for the night. But like you guys I'm trying not to take any more drugs than I have to, so I switched to melatonin. So far it works pretty well. Good luck sleeping.
happy birthday Annette
grannydukes - I'm new here and haven't read all of the string. Why do you look like you have one boob with a sports bra on? Good luck at the engagement party.
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Welcome Denisem, Joan & Tarry. to the club no one wants to be a member of. You have found a great group of ladies with lots of information and support. This is the place to come to when you need to vent, cry, ask questions or just talk. Jump into the conversation at any time. We tend to be all over the place sometimes in conversations but someone will respond to you. If you don't post much, don't feel like you have to go back and catch up.
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Joan811, Have you had an oncotype test? That can answer whether you need chemo. I highly recommend it because most stage 1-ers don't have chemo. My first onc tried to scare me into taking the test, but a simple explanation is that this test is about YOUR tumor and not the general population. Mine came back a 10 out of 100 and I changed oncs because it's not necessary for him to scare me into doing something. Be strong and do your research. I use ww5.komen.org. This site has great information.
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HI All,
I am going in for a bilateral mastectomy in a week and I am scared, since my lumpectomy and lymphy node was done I started having really bad pain in my arm, it's not there all the time but it is there most of the time and I'm worried both arms may be affected when they are done - no one seems to listen to me when I tell them about the pain, They are telling me I have arthritis in my shoulder (which I do and have had for years) and I broke my wrist 8 months ago the doc says that is what is causing it. I know I'm not a doctor but I really do not believe that the swelling and pain is from previous injury... any thoughts anyone?
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Joan 811, you've come to the right place. The ladies here are a wonderful source of information, support and comfort. I also had completed surgery and rads and thought I was moving on with my life until I met with my MO who wanted to do oncotype. Well that burst my Bubble real fast! Then I too was struggling with the chemo decision and an intermediate oncotype score. I've decided to do the chemo to do everything I possibly can to keep from going through this again. It was really helpful to read about others' experiences and i'm sure you will find it so as well.
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LisaWade - Hi, sorry you have to join us here
. I'm not an expert on lymphedema, especially since I don't have it. It seems unlikely that the removal of one lymph node would cause it, but I suppose anything is possible. When was your surgery done? Was your tumor near the armpit? Did they have to excise a large area to remove it? Since your lymph node was already biopsied and negative you may not need to have more removed during your mastectomy surgery.It seems many women develop adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder going through all of this. It can range from annoying to extremely painful, but I don't think it is typically associated with swelling. I've had it in both shoulders and never noticed swelling.
You might check out one of the lympedema or LE threads here. Best wishes for a smooth surgery. Please take care of yourself and keep us posted on your progress!
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sorry ladies - in my previous post I said I have used a prescription anti-depressant for insomnia since high school but I didn't say what it was - it's trazodone. But I use melatonin now unless I'm having an especially pesky period of insomnia just to eliminate drugs as much as possible.
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To Our New Sisters.
This is a bunch of wonderful women who we cry together, we laugh together.
If something is bothering you please vent. Nothing is small.
All topics are welcome.
Sometimes we even jump each others pocket to give support during tests and surgeries.
Sheila♥♥♥
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Hello sisters, I am new here and already love all of you. Joan, you and I are in a similar position and I have my onc appointment on Tuesday where I will find out my oncotype score. I'm glad (but not really) to know that others are having the sleep issues that I'm having. I thought I was the only one since I couldn't think of a good reason to not sleep: my surgery went well, good recovery, wonderful supportive family, friends and coworkers. What is the reason for this, anyone? Thank you ALL for the encouraging and supportive atmosphere I see here. I am looking forward to being part of this community.
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I'm one of the sleepless ones too. Although I haven't been a good sleeper for several years it became much worse after my dx. Doc did prescribe zolpidem which helps when i'm really desperate, melatonin helps sometimes too. Too many "what ifs" run through my mind at night . . .
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auntienance - that hit the nail on the head for me. at night, even with DH & 2 dogs, i'm alone with my thoughts & without the daily distractions, my mind goes bonkers. i'm almost 7 months out & yesterday when my RO asked how i've been feeling, i told him i'm way beyond hypocondria - every ache, pain, has my mind immediately screaming. my tranks have taken a deep hit the past half-year....
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Welcome to all the new ladies on this thread....
LisaW, it might be a good idea to check out the lymphedema thread. The ladies there are very informative and have so much info. Have you seen a therapist yet? Lymphedema isn't something you would want to put off.
Granny, I finally found a bra that works for me... soft cup, no under-wire and a large band that goes around the ribs. Got it at Coles. I've been wearing the sports bras for 1 1/2 years now. They are my staple and found a couple that really work for me and don't hurt. I mainly bought them at WMart. They have the ones that fasten in the front with the straps over the shoulders instead of "sport" type straps. Also they have the "uni" that I really like when I'm at home.... doesn't hurt.
I also use melatonin because it's one of the vitamins that was recommended for sleep and prevention of BC.
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To all my wonderful sistas who have this great info on these damn BRAS.THANK YOU...I just counted the bras that I bought.6 genie bras that were sooo comfortable for a little while.2 compression bras that i had to wear and 3 sports bras thatt work sometimes.cost ...about $300.00. out of pocket because medicare only pays for MX.Im so done with these damn bras..And to answer the question why i look like i have 1 huge breast in a sports bra is because im a 34DD...with 1 big boob and one hangin boob.grrrrrrrrrrrrr.Im wearing tonite to my GS engagement party the genie bra as I have them in 3 different colors and I need black.tomorrow ill be braless.shit.....end of rant.
BTW welcome newbees.Yes im usually a crabby Grannydukes....
hugggggggs everyone.K
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Welcome all the new peeps. Sorry you guys have to join us here but it is a great place. With the talk on insominia I found that in the beginning and while waiting on my onco score I was having terrible insomnia. I guess it was the waiting and wondering the unknown. I did resort to sleep aids and took Ambien. Once I found out my treatment plan I was much better until tamoxifne and then insominia hit again. I am finally off of ambien but am taking melatonion and it seems to be working really great for me.
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Welcome to all the newbies - what a great group of ladies you have found. The waiting for anything is the hardest part. Once you have a treatment plan it does get easier - it really does.
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Hello to all my sisters, haven't commented in a while but I read every day .... need to, can't do without ya ....
I am so sorry I did not wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNETTE sooner. I hope you had a wonderful day.
Welcome to the new sisters, I am so sorry you have to be here but I'm happy you have decided to stop here to be with us. This is a lasting friendship, gals, always.
Well, it's that time again .... Tuesday, before I grocery shop, I will be stopping by my C. Clinic for lab work. Six month appt with Onc is Oct 3. Trying not to get stressed out, man, that is hard to do. I hate this crap!!
Hugs to all!
♥ ♥ ♥
((((( hugs K )))))
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Welcome newbies!
For natural sleep aid, have you tried Alteril? It is a combo of L-Tryptophan, Melatonin, Valerian and L-Theanine, all natural ingredients each one helps with sleep issues in its own way.
LisaW - definitely touch base under the Lymphedema forum. I have LE in both arms and my trunc. The earlier you are able to learn how to manage LE the better. I got a little lazy in the last month and have only wore my sleeve on the cancer side arm (my right and dominate side) because it is the arm that aches the most...now my left arm is 1 cm larger, achy and I am back to MLD and sleeves for both arms...GRRRRRRRR
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I take elevil and a glass of milk before bed. It helps.0
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Thank you so much for your replies, I did read up on Lymphedema and that sounds more like what I am going through, I have my pre op appointment tomorrow am and I am going to talk to them then about it them. I was also wondering why my onco is putting me on 5 yrs of tamoxifin but tells me he doesn't need to see me unless I develop other symptoms, shouldn't he be following up at least for a while after I start the med??? I just have this feeling I am being pushed aside and told what they think I want to hear. He did give me a list of symptoms, but it just seems that there should be someone following me and asking questions being that I have no idea if something small could be a problem or not unless I start asking questions hear... which by the way is an amazing site with all of you amazing ladies, I am so happy I started reading here it really helps calm me when I start freaking out, so thank you all
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I am also taking Elavil before bed and I sleep really well.
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LisaW- my onc see's me every 3 months for labs and a quick check -up...it is my understanding that quarterly or semi-annual check-ups are SOP. I would question your onc or go shopping for a new one...
Morning Jo!
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