CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS
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Hi Ladies, My name is Polly and I'm a Stage 1, grade 3. I was diagnosed in December of 2013, had a lumpectomy Christmas Eve! I had decided I would have whole breast radiation. Sometimes things don't go as planned so after seeing more than all the tests had shown we had a MX, left side in January. I knew I would want replacement going in so I met the PS for our plan. We reduced the right side a bit, saved some skin for the left nipple and put the TE in the left. Hate those things! I'm now ready for implant surgery in two weeks. I feel so blessed that I don't have to take chemo or rad according to my MO. Terrible way to get new boobs at 61 but I'll take 'em after this nightmare.
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Sharing a good report from my 6 months follow up with MO
Tumor markers are normal
hugs to my sisters ♥
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Bosum Blues: So sorry about your job and loss of insurance. That's the last thing you need during this journey.
Sometimes we look back and think about why we don't listen to our own instincts. Everytime I don't follow mine I seem to be looking back. wishing like you are doing. Seems like there is saying that goes "looking back means you won't see the crash coming in front of you" or something like that. Look forward and think maybe those decisions then helped in some way. Good luck!!
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Sheila, I just love that purple cup. It's so relaxing. I try to look at it often. Thank you!
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Hi ladies, I am also stage 1 and just had my one year anniversary from my diagnosis. I am experiencing some side effects from Femera, had to stop the Arimidex after one month because I could not endure the side effects, severe joint pain in my knees. Femera seems to like my shoulder joints. Thanks for letting me vent
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NormaJean 65,
I am on Tamoxifen and am always tired so I would guess it does make you tired.
Bosumblues,
Sorry to hear of your current situation but hope it gets better soon.
Welcome to all the newcomers.Hate that you have to join us but hope you find comfort and solace here.
Gentle hugs to everyone......
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Welcome jmac
BB....sometimes i read from Newbies saying that people go on with their lives and don't post anymore
This is one of the reasons i continue posting to let them know I"M still here even after being Triple +
I had all the treatments 2 Lumpectomies A/C and Taxol DD chemo....Herceptin 1 year .....Radiation.. ..Femara 5 years
Today i'm thankful for my life...No i didn't change my lifestyle because i always ate healthy walked didn't smoke but still I got BC
Pelively....I post another coffee cup for you...enjoy
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BB....When I see a newly diagnosed sister i will post especially if our diagnosis were almost the same.......
You're Welcome
When i was DXed on 2005 had no support because i didn't have computer then
2009 Christmas my DDs and their respective BF came together and gave me this gift
I found this site by mistake and joined the newly formed July chemo group and they made me an honorary member
I was also a July chemo starter made real friends here and friended on FB...They are like my sisters..we carry a special bond ♥ and we are always there for each other almost like a blanket of protection and support
I'm glad you joined us BB
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Sheila, you have been a comfort and inspiration to me since the first time I came on here in 2010. Most of the sisters that have stayed with BCO for years are stage 3 or 4. Most stage 1 who's cancer does not progress seem to drop away after active treatment. It is helpful to know someone who has been NED for 5+ years.
It was 4 yrs ago next week that I first thought I found a lump one day in the shower but it was gone that evening. Wasn't too concerned. I was just 6 months from my last mamo, half the time I couldn't find it and as a tax preparer I was very busy. By May it was definitely there and I called my PCP. Appt next day, mamo and ultrasound 2 days later, needle biopsy done immediately, then surgery and rads. That summer was a real roller coaster. I know TMI. Guess I'm reliving it because I recently had a PET scan and they found a suspicious mass in my colon. Colonoscopy scheduled for next month. Wish it were next month.
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Chabba, wishing you the best with the colonoscopy Never tmi here. your dx is very similar to mine, except I had mx, not sure if you did.
Sheila, thanks for posting, good encouragement.
We are all in the same boat arent we?
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chabba glad to see you...come back to TOL
Good wishes for your colonoscopy...I had one last year.....so we wait 5 years now
BB...don't ever feel you're dumping things on me.....If I didn't want to be here i would've gone long time ago
I really care for my BC sisters Hugs ♥
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While waiting on my implant surgery, I've recently noticed a grape sized lump on the back of my hand, close to my wrist. Any of you have experience or thoughts about this? Can't help but worry a bit!
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Pelively, is it soft and moveable? I had one that was called a gangeline sp?? cysty, fluid filled sac, dr. drained it and it came back, eventually went away. But with out situations I believe everything should be checked out, we dont need more worry than we already have and everything that is put to rest is a big plus! Good luck.
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Hi BosumBlues and farmerlucy, I think the fear of reoccurence or metestasize (sp) cancer is a thought that many of us have. I saw my MO yesterday; I had to go off my AL for three weeks because it was wrecking havoc with my body. My bones ache-my knees hurt, cold like symptoms, swollen lymp nodes, blood test showing inflamation in my body, of course night sweats and hot flashes, blood pressure increase-had to go on two new meds plus the one I was already on--fatigue--so tired sometimes all I want to do is sleep but lately my bones and knees have been pulsating with pain so can't rest very well. Seeing so many doctors now--I see my PCP and the Orthopedic doctor as much as I do the Cancer doctors. Yesterday, the MO put me back on the Anastrozole (Arimidex). I asked him if he thought with all the havoc going on in my body--could they have missed something--could it be cancer??? He said absolutely not--just side effects. I asked if he considered me to be NED and he said, yes. Well, right now I am at work and my knees and legs are hurting so much--I have to massage them every few minutes. Its good I sit behind a desk. When I get home I can take stronger meds like Vicodin--which doesn't always stop the pain--or Percocet which makes me feel like I am in lulu land. I hate feeling so old and hobbling around like an 80 year old lady but I do want to get well. Getting over the fear of Cancer is hard to do when there is always something firing off in your body and you don't know why? Oh yeah, I am on anxiety and anti-depression meds. I could not make it without them.
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Pelively - I have the exact same thing on the back of my left hand about and inch from my wrist. It is a ganglion cyst. These were once known as bible cysts, because people would hit the back of their hand with a heavy book like a bible and they would go away for a while. I tried that once. It hurt like the dickens, and it eventually came back.
Dwill - Sounds like you are doing all the right things. I know if I don't exercise my joints all start barking. I hope you find some relief soon.
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BB - You could try hitting it with a brick!
Hey - maybe that could be a new diagnostic tool for BC. Hit the lump with a brick. If it goes away it was a fluid filled cyst!!! 0 -
I do like to see a little humor on here! You guys do help. But no, I'm not dropping anything on this thing...low tolerance to pain!!! I believe you, it appears to be one of those "g" cysts. Drain it? Heck no, back to that pain thing again.
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I've read where some of them do. Also, some of them come back! I'm still not going to drop a book on it. I see my MO next week so he'll check it out.
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BosumBlues - A ganglion cyst is basically a herniation. I had a rather painful one many years ago. One day I was doing some heavy-duty gardening, including lots of digging, raking, and wrestling with a rototiller. I must have had my wrist bent at just the right angle with pressure on my hand because I later noticed that it had popped back into place. That was about 10 years ago and it hasn't returned
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Hi every one, my fist time here. I was diagnosed with LCIS 5 years ago. last month after my really pushy breast specialist insisted on am MRI after a clear mamo they found IDC. I was really shocked! I always figured it would happen, but not till I was in my sixties. I had a lumpectomy and one lymph removed. healing well, but the lymph is a nasty little bugger after a long day at work. I'm going to see about my radiation on Monday.
I'm really exhausted and hoping for a little input from any of you on how you deal with it.
Every one keeps telling me how strong I am.... Really some day I would rather curl up and a corner and hope it all goes away, But I can't do that.
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1Moe1-so sorry you have had to find BCO. Thank goodness for a pushy breast specialist I'd say! I also had a lumpectomy, almost 5 yrs ago. So I take it from your post you are going to go radiation. No chemo? I had radiation after chemo & I was pretty wiped out but started to feel better about half way thru rads as the chemo was leaving my system. I remember that curl up in a corner feeling. You may not be able to do it every time, but I'd strongly suggest you give in to it occasionally. We are all strong to get through all we have to, but resting isn't weakness, it's energizing! Hang in there.
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Eph3-12 Thanks for your support, I come from a very large family, 5 brothers and 4 sisters. So I do get a lot of support, but my Mom died of breast cancer 5 years ago and I know my siblings worry it will happen to me. My mom was stage 4 I keep telling them I'm younger and stage 1 but its hard I feel if I show weakness to them they will think I'm sick. I KNOW this is just a blip in my history and that I will go on.
I am very lucky to be a patient of the Avon Breast Care Center of Boston. and that is why my cancer was caught so early. I will not have to do chemo, and I feel blessed for that.
I am trying to use my weekends lazing around but its tough
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1Moe1 - I was diagnosed with Stage 1 two days after Christmas. I did not have chemo, but was put on Tamoxifen immediately. My RO had me stop the Tamoixfen during rads. I finished 31/33 treatments today. My friends and family try to be positive by saying I am lucky that I "just need to do radiation." I know the mean well and I know chemo is a lot harder to get through, but "just radiation" is tough too. My biggest toll has been emotionally. My family supported my Aunt through bc treatment while my brother was fighting Non hodgkins just over 11 years ago. I have also felt the need to "stay strong" and to "not look sick" so they wouldn't worry. That has worn me down. I started speaking to a counselor a few weeks back and I am starting to learn healthier habits, but it is not easy to change behaviors I have had for almost 40 years. I agree with Eph3, sometimes you need to just give in to the emotions. My counselor suggested that I give myself a few minutes a week or day to just think the scary thoughts I have tried to push away and to feel the emotions that go with it. Just don't get stuck on them. We can not push them away forever and allowing ourselves to think and feel helps us move on and stay strong. you can also come here to voice your thoughts, fears, frustrations and any other emotions you are overwhelmed with. These women are strong and very supportive. Together, we will get through this. Be well
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Thank you so much, you ladies are the best! I go tomorrow for my "tats" and MRI for the radiation. I will not start until the first of May. I am going away for 8 day with a couple of girl friends this month. My BF told my Dr I could go topless on the beach if I needed to "radiate" sooner! Getting up and going to work is tough some days, I'm still having a problem with exhaustion but I do get support from some of my customers who have been here.
When my mother was going though this she really suffered, but she believed in "laugh or cry" so we did a lot of laughing. She was a very strong lady, I wish she was here for me.
Stillrunning, how are you doing with the tamoxifen? I tried it 5 years ago but couldn't handle it. I'm relived that I am through menopause and will be trying Letrozole after radiation . Calling a counselor may be a good idea for me.
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Welcome to our sisterhood 1Moe1
Radiation wasn't that bad just going there every day for 6 weeks made it difficult
No chemo ?
took 5 year of Femara and didn't experience any SE
good Luck
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Hi Stage 1 sisters,
I haven't been here for awhile...but this was my "home" for quite awhile after my dx in 2011.
Sheila it is good to see you back here. I remember how helpful it was to have the ladies who were post treatment available to give information and encouragement.
I will try to read back a little and see if there is anything I can add to the conversation.
Thanks, Sheila, for starting the thread and for being there for so many years for us. You were my comfort every day for a long time.
My life is "normal" and "busy" and that is a good thing.
I am having a hard immovable bump checked out Thursday. It is in the scar tissue area and should be nothing, but i have not ever felt a breast lump so this is a bit unnerving.
Wishing everyone a good week whether you are awaiting treatment, starting, finishing, or recovering.
Hugs all around,
Joan8110 -
Joni Congratulations as you celebrate your life ( 5 years )
Sheila
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Thanks Sheila. Great tree!
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wow,,,everyone is checkin in so I am too
And this is where my story began in 2010
Nice to see the sistas who held my hand when I first came here
We came a long way baby
And the newbees will do the same
Sending hugs,love and kisses to everyone
Good luck to all of you
FireKracker
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FK, think I started here about a month after you did. I've always enjoyed your posts and wished I could meet you, Ducky all our other sisters.
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