CALLING ALL STAGE I SISTERS
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I did. They were uncomfortable but they didn't hurt. I really didn't feel the fills either because I was so numb.
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HMissy34: Welcome and I hope your recovery is a smooth and speedy.
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Just popping in to welcome the new girls ..I didn't have reconstruction, so I can't give any advice there .
So busy at the moment..we are down to the last week's of building our new home , Christmas is getting so close ..I'm starting to feel overwhelmed!
Just thinking ..maybe we could share a little about ourselves ( only if you want to ) to get to know each other a bit ..???
Here's my story ..I 'm 59, diagnosed at 55 ..never felt healthier or fitter before I got a call back after my routine mammogram..☹️
I am a mother of 3 ..and a grandmother of 8 precious little ones ..the oldest is 8 ..the youngest 3 ..so family get to-togethers are crazy 😳..and the kids always have a wonderful time !! 🤗
Hugs to all
Edited for spelling mistakes !!!!
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I'm 47 was just diagnosed this past September. I eat healthy take care of myself and then I got the dreaded phone call. I have 3 rescues dogs that I adore, a husband that is my best friend and wonderful family. No children of my own but I do have 3 beautiful grand kids and a nephew that is pretty damn awesome.
I love spending time with family and friends. Unfortunately, I also love to spend money on shoes and clothes, especially this time of year I always feel like I need more boots.
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Great idea, Lucy!!
I'm 55. Diagnosed one month shy of my 54th birthday.
I have been married 36 years to my high school sweetheart & best friend. We have 2 beautiful daughters whom we adopted at birth. The oldest was 2 days old, the youngest was 4 days old. They are biological half sisters having the same birthmother. We have a beautiful 8 month old grandson.
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Hi, this is a great idea!
I'm a middle school teacher, I teach English to speakers of other languages and feel so fortunate to have such a great job. I'm passionate about all things language and culture, so it's a good fit. I'm bilingual English/Spanish.
I have one child, a son, also by adoption, Oceanbum! I have an adorable soon to be 5 year old grandson who I dote on.
I love animals and have a dog, two cats, and a parrot.
This is, unfortunately, my second cancer. I was stunned when I got the call saying that yes, indeed, lightening struck twice. And I'm surprised that having had it before didn't prepare me for the inevitable emotional ups and downs of this process!
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I like the idea Lucy!
I am 46 and diagnosed in August, just started Rads today.
I am single right now, and have no children. I have two nieces that I have been able to spoil, they are 18 and 20 now! Yikes, the oldest is in college for respiratory therapy and the youngest graduates high school this year. I have a cute fluff ball of a dog named Leroy.
I work as an EMT in an emergency room, 23 years now. I like my job most days, it certainly can be interesting at times. My work family has been absolutely amazing through my diagnosis and treatment.
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Lucy, what a great idea! I was diagnosed at 51 at my annual mammogram, with no family history of BC. I’ve been married for 30 years. No kids, but I love being an auntie! We also have an almost 17 year old Jack Russell terrier named Hector who is the real head of the household. I’m an office administrator at a church near my home. I’m a homebody who loves to read and try new recipes. I’m a student of American Sign Language. I’m a couch potato by nature who is trying reeeeally hard to get more exercise, but do love my weekly yoga class.0
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Great idea! I’m 51 with husband, son 17, and daughter 19 in her first year of college. Another dog lover, I have 2 poodle mixes. I like to run 2x a week and grow produce in raised beds. This diagnosis comes after 3 previous cancer scares that were benign. (Ovarian, endometrial and colon). I quit my job working in my husband’s family business and was taking classes to renew a 20 year long expired teaching license when this happened. I was a reading specialist in my previous life and had been missing the pitter patter of little feet. Grandchildren are a long way off, but my greatest desire
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What a nice idea to share. I'm a mom of 3 and grandma of 2, grew up in Ohio and now retired with my husband in California. Dog lover, but in between pets at the moment. Keep the pictures coming!
I've worked in public health and in hospital administration. This is a whole different view of a hospital, it's not the same when you're the patient! For fun I like music and reading fiction. We have a book club of all the women on the two closest blocks, makes for an interesting variety of people.
My challenge during this treatment is to stay positive mentally, which is hard for me in general, and to keep up with my daily walking. I had to make the walk shorter as I'm soooo tired. One day at a time.
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So great hearing all your stories !!! I see there's lots of fur -baby lovers ..thought I'd share a pic of my 6 year old grand-daughter with my poodle..I love them both 🤗0 -
Hi ladies, It is nice to get to "know" everyone here! Great idea.
I was DX'd by routine mammo at 58 yrs old, in 2013. I would have never found the culprit by self-exam.
I am a self-employed Realtor, since 2001. I love my work. I am always meeting new people and learning new things. Never a dull moment! I volunteer for a local Boxer Rescue Group when I have time. I love gardening, antiquing, spending time outdoors, read, (but, not as much as I should), do needlework sometimes. I have my "foster fail" Boxer, Sweet Pea and a Cockatiel, Harley, to keep me company. I am single, have 2 wonderful children, DD, 32 and DS 35. They have blessed me with 6 grand-children, who are the light of my life! They all live close enough so that I get my Grandma-time in, often. Two of them will be spending the night tonight:).
Happy Holidays and blessings to you all!!!
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I was 41 when diagnosed in Jan of 2016. I have been a nurse for 22 years. I have a wonderful hubby whom I have been with since i was 19. We never had children but our kitties are our children lol!!! We also love gardening and growing edible trees and plant
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I'll be seven years out soon. I'm 58 now, five grandchildren born since dx (we have six precious girls, first boy grandson due early March). I had no perspective about BC back then. I prayed for just a couple more years. I did a lot of grief work at dx re: my mom's passing at 29, my own years of high risk screening, then a surprise dx. I try to bring an awareness to how many are affected by PTSD after dx/ when active treatment ends. Regardless of age or stage we all react in our own way. I used to think I had some control of my life, now I know that t'aint necessarily so. That alone is a source of freedom. I try to remember that sweating the small stuff is a waste of time. Carpe Diem. That's all we're promised.
Married to my best friend for 36 years. He lets me be me . . scars, moods, warts and all. Also I have filled my life with rescue animals in the past seven years. Two donkeys, a pony, two goats, five ducks, six barn kitties, four dogs. And a partridge in a pear tree. Oh and I’m in my third year of growing gourmet garlic. Did I mention Carpe Diem?
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Robyn57,
I found the tissue expanders to be very uncomfortable; it felt like a too-tight belt around my chest. They did their job though, and I'm happy with my reconstruction. The expanders were in for three months which is doable, and they did get better with time.
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I love the idea of sharing our stories! I was diagnosed just before my 70th birthday (what a great present, right??) and we had a cruise and tour of Alaska already scheduled. We cancelled it and I had a BMX instead. Or as my husband said, I saved my life for my birthday.
Anyway, I am now 71, married for 36 years to a super guy, and I have 3 daughters and 4 granddaughters. They range in age from 13 to 10-1/2. We moved to The Villages, Florida full-time about 8 years ago and we love being here. The only things we miss about New England are our daughters and granddaughters. Sure don't miss the winter weather!
I discovered quilting when we moved here and I love it. I have my own room now for quilting/sewing and call it my she shack! It saved me from going crazy last year after my BMX and I don't know what I would have done without it.
Anyone who ever comes down my way -- stop in for a visit!
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Hi all
this is the best community! good to have others who truly understand. my story is that a routine mammogram last year (age 61) detected my BC, initially diagnosed as DCIS grade 2/3. No family history and no other health issues, so truly a surprise. I was pretty surprised at my reaction, which was 'ok, so what do we need to do?' So after a lumpectomy, the pathology returned that it had become invasive -- was on the move. My surgeon and I decided on a mastectomy, and that went very well. Again, I was surprised at how easily the surgery went. I'm kind of used to surgeries; I've been an athlete all my life and so have had 5 knee surgeries. Maybe I just have it ingrained in me that we just need to fix it and move on? Not sure. But I decided against reconstruction -- I wanted to get on with everything and get back out on the field. Being a member of a senior traveling softball team (all of us age 60+) definitely helped -- many peers who got involved to support, encourage, laugh and help me get back out on the field. My goal was a planned hike to the bottom of the grand canyon scheduled for 3 months post-mastectomy. My surgeon was all-in for getting me down there (and back!) and fortunately, I was able to do it. Now I'm on arimidex and while it crosses my mind periodically in terms of the 'what ifs', I guess this experience has helped me realize that you can 'what if' yourself crazy, so I try to focus on moving forward and enjoying each day. It's only been a year since diagnosis and 9 months since surgery, but so far so good. I'm glad we have this forum to support each other!
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I also had birthday cancer! I got myself a hormonal IUD for a 39th birthday present. It was kind of aspirational - I do hope to have a sex life again at some point... in the mean time at least it should give me the gift of no periods.
I went to a new gyn to get it inserted, pretty randomly, someone in my neighborhood who took my insurance and had availability. She offered to do a breast exam and found a lump. The ultrasound radiologist and the breast surgeon both gave her kudos on that 'pick up' so I guess she now has a loyal patient in me, even though I don't like the rest of the practice.
I'm more or less on my own. My biological mother died of breast cancer when I was 20 (yes, it has made this whole thing traumatic on a whole other level) and my co-mother had very debilitating dementia for years before she passed away about six months before I was diagnosed. My siblings live halfway across the country.
Most of the time I'm not lonely. I'm so lucky to have truly wonderful friends. One of them made me a radiation care package with a little gift for every single day of treatment!
I did take off of work. I changed careers into teaching a few years ago (high school special education) and though I like it and I'm so grateful for the health insurance it is providing me, I didn't have the physical/logistical/emotional capacity to deal with the treatment and the intensity of the workload at the same time. Treatment is about fifty minutes to an hour in the opposite direction of my school, no car. (Live and work in Brooklyn, go to MSK in Manhattan). I'd started bicycle commuting to work this fall and now I'm bicycle commuting to radiation.
I have a scaredy cat who nevertheless makes life more interesting. Friday I had the door open for her and a raccoon came in and sat on my bathroom mat. My neighbors dubbed it Moisheh the Hannukah Raccoon.
I've been reading a lot about breast cancer and trying to take care of my mental and emotional health too. It's been quite a year. I really hope I'll be in shape to not hate going back to work when it's time.
And I still hope I'll be able to put my IUD to it's proper use at some point! Even if dating isn't something I have much energy for lately
My doctors wanted me to remove it since it's hormonal and my cancer was HR+. But it was more on general principle than specific data. I feel like somehow it represents my sometimes tenuous connection to normalcy, and also a good luck charm because it's responsible for my cancer being found now rather than until whenever I started regular mammograms (which should have been at 40 but who knows if I'd have actually done it promptly). So I'm keeping the damn IUD. I did the surgeries, I'm doing the tamoxifen and radiation, but I'm not going to have periods too if I can help it.
Anyone else play Pokemon Go, and want to be friends? Or Boggle?
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Hi, I love the idea of sharing our stories. I am 59 and went to the doctor for a lump I found in my left breast. It was questionable, due to location (right next to my nipple), but he sent me anyway. I hadn't had a mammogram for 5 years. My doctor frowned on at me for not getting my mammograms. So two days later, I go for the mammogram. I was having a 3d mammogram, but when the technician did it she wanted to do a diagnostic 2d. Then while I am waiting (I knew something was up) but I thought it was my left side, she came in and said we are going to do an ultrasound, now. So then I trot off to ultrasound, in the same area for the ultrasound. The tech spent alot of time on my right breast. Then said, she needed to go get the doctor. The doctor then came in and move the ultrasound around and got a very serious, concerned tone and stated that it wasn't good news. My right breast has two very suspicious area which are considered BiRad 5 (she explained it) and the left looked like an abscess but BiRad 4. I needed a Needle Core Biopsy. They scheduled me for the next day. Then sent me to the nurse navigator who asked me who I wanted for a surgeon. The results came back as IDC about 1.5cm and 1.6cm in the right WOW, moved very quickly and within a week and a half, I was having a lumpectomy. Surgery went well. Margins were good and sentinel nodes (2) neg. They excised the left mass and indeed it was an abscess. My ocotype came back as 7. Stage 1c Grade 2 with ICD and DCIS between the two masses in my right breast. I am halfway through radiation treatments 16 of them. Takes all of 15 mins, but treatment is more like 2 mins. Skin is doing well. I meet with my MO and started on Anastrozole for at least 5 years. I will be finished with Rads on Dec 18th.
So thanks to my abscess (which had no symptoms except for the lump) I found my cancer. So I should be done with active treatment within 2 1/2 months of finding the lump. I consider myself extremely lucky and blessed to have a wonderful center. They have shared everything with me and answered all of my questions. If feel well taken care of and the staff, technicians and reception personnel have all been very wonderful. I have a wonderful DH that is very supportive. However, I haven't told his kids about the diagnosis since they are all drama queens. I also didn't want any information getting to my own biological son who is deployed currently in the Navy. I preferred he only worry about doing his job and not on his Mother. I will tell him when he comes home in June. I only told those at work who needed to know. I took off work for 3 days for surgery but have worked every day before and since.
Sorry this was so long, but writing my story was very therapeutic. I am not much of a worrier, and tried to see this cancer as a task to completed. I tend to worry when there is something substantial to worry about. And this was doable. As of December 18th I will be completed, except for taking a pill a day and paying off the co-pays....insurance won't cover. LOL. Thanks for reading.
Best of luck you warrior ladies. I don't consider myself a survivor but a warrior. With a task or a job to complete. Makes me more in control.
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Salamandra, when you were writing about your kitty, I was looking at the picture of the raccoon trying to make it make sense... Yes, another teacher! BOGGLE
I'm reading through our posts and trying to find similarities in our stories. How many of us did not have bio children? How many of us took fertility meds? I was on clomid for more than 2 years.
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Wised, I will break the mold. I am 68. I had a right breast biopsy at the age of 18, and it was a normal cyst. I had a badly cystic ovary when I was 23, and it was removed. I have had three children, two living, both at the cusp of 30, but no grandchildren yet. I breastfed my two babies for a total of five years (nothing like milk and no baby to set that off). I have only taken hormones for a total of six months while I was in grad school (school psychologist). Doctors have fussed about righty for years. Told me to quit drinking coffee to reduce fibrocystic disease (yeah, rigggghht!). Then fussing and ultrasounding a pea-size cyst in righty. Then several years later a needle aspiration of said cyst-- diagnosis, old milk. I was scheduled for a mammo, and asked my physician to excise a sebaceous cyst because I was afraid they would call it something malignant. By the time I was called in because of concerns about my most recent mammo, I was, just, like go ahead and poke and prod, you people just get all in a dither over nothing. So went in for a sonogram, and they decided to do a core biopsy because they had enough time, and my blase attitude was getting them worried. Then they had some debate on whether to call it DCIS or IDC, and settled for DCIS. By then, I was totally pissed off at righty, I told them, just cut it off.
So, by the time they cut it off and did the lab- work on it, I had 10cm of DCIS, with 3mm of IDC. They really had to struggle to find it, but with 10cm of tissue to work with, it was almost surely there (I know my statistics).
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I took Evista for around 4-6 years. I dhave two biological children.
My mom lived to 104 with absolutely nothing wrong with her. She died of natural causes. My dad was 96 when he died - also natural causes. My brother died of IDC breast cancer 4 years ago. He served 2 tours in Vietnam when they were first using Agent Orange, and his MOs said his cancer could probably be blamed on the Agent Orange, although the Army won't admit to anything. Other than him, I have no cancer of any kind in my family. And my doctors said there is no correlation between him and me.
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Wised, I wondered the same thing. I noticed how many of us had no biological children or had fertility problems. Add me to the list. My 2 daughters were adopted. I had problems with my periods from the time they started at age 14. I took birth control pills trying to straighten out my periods when I was a young teenager. Then after I was married I took fertility drugs, Clomid specifically. In later years after we adopted our girls, I took hormones trying to straighten out my periods, Provera. Then more birth control, Ortho-Tricyclen, Ortho Evra & the Mirena IUD. I spoke to an attorney about all of the hormones that I had taken over the years and asked if they could have caused my BC. She said she knew of no successful case against a pharmaceutical company of fertility/birth control pills. I still believe that is what caused mine.
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I've never tried to have biological children so I don't know how my fertility is. I did go through a bunch of rounds of hormones for egg freezing for 'fertility preservation', about two or three years before I was diagnosed. I asked my surgeon at my first oncology appointment whether those hormones could have contributed to the cancer and she said they don't have evidence for that.
Other than that I had about 3-4 years on a Mirena IUD, which I took out before the egg freezing. Getting a new one (Liletta) back in is actually when the gyn found my cancer lump. I fought to keep it. I don't blame the Mirena, which is very low dose and not estrogen.
My mother never spent any time on hormones and had no fertility issues and breast fed. She still died of breast cancer twenty years ago.
I don't know. I think humans look for patterns. But life can be frustratingly unfair and arbitrary.
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Hi Stage 1 sisters...It's nice to feel like I belong. I often feel guilty because they caught mine early and it was relatively "sleepy," and yet I still want to complain sometime. Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving and I have some lymph swelling in my boob when I type, little things like that I shouldn't let bother me but it does. Just marked three years since my diagnosis and finally feel like myself again and not full of anxiety and need to control the future. We just get one time through, I want to be better and be a light to my friends and family. Currently working on doing a good deed each day...so far I've had them fall in my lap. Seems like everyone could use a little help these days!
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egg roll..I love you idea of doing a good deed a day 🤗
How interesting..I too took clomd !!!!
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I do notice a pattern with Clomid.
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I never had biological children and I never took any fertility meds. Back in March though I did start taking hormone replacement but did not take them very long. The MO doesn't seem to think that was the cause.
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I took hormone replacement for a year and a half, but I've had this way longer. (I think it takes 5-10 years for it to grow to one centimeter, and mine was just slightly larger.) It could be that fertility drugs were the culprit, or it could be that we already had hormone problems that increased our risk of BC. I also took lupron depo twice, once for endometriosis and once for fibroids.
Oceanbum, I love being a mom and was so grateful to be able to adopt my son! I wish someone would start keeping track of the correlation between Clomid use and BC.
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Me, too Wised. I'm almost certain that's what caused mine. I took Clomid twice. The first time before we adopted our first daughter, then again when she was about 3. Then out of the blue the adoption agency called and said her birthmother was pregnant and wanted to place with us again!! It was like a miracle from Heaven!!
I love my girls with all my heart and soul. I wouldn't trade them or the experience of adoption for anything in this world. My oldest daughter just had her first child, my first grandson. She invited me to all of her ultrasounds and to be in the room when she gave birth. She said I didn't get to experience all of that and she wanted me to!!
I took Clomid in my late 20's, adopted my oldest when I was 32. Took it again when I was 35. Diagnosed when I was one month shy of my 54th birthday.
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