Calling all TNs
Comments
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gillyone - I wish I will be done once chemo is done -- I'll need radiation OR if my BRCA tests come back positive, "the girls" are being removed.
Maggie - I won't be able to touch it either or even LOOK at it. Can I keep it covered with gauze or something?
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Laurajane, my thoughts are with you. Whatever you have to do sweetheart
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Char, I agree, ICK! The part that bugs me most is where the catheter goes over my collarbone. Can't touch it or look at it! I sometimes put a bandaid over the reservoir part if it shows through a neckline...sometimes not.
I saw the genetic counselor this week and decided to do the test for the BCRA mutation. Like you, that result will decide the surgery. My good news is that while I have a strong family history of cancers, most were in my grandmother's generation and other than me, none in mine. I've got my fingers crossed for negative results for both of us!
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Laurajane I sure hope this works for you! Prayers going your way.
About the port, my onc wanted me to keep mine in for a year, on my last visit I told her I was ready to have it taken out. She said no problem. So I got it out a few months early. Ick on touching it! I couldn't touch it and barely looked at it. You could definatly see it!
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After radiation, I asked to have the port out because it caught on the straps of my tank tops and purse. They said I could keep it in, but I wanted it out, so out it came. It was my way of saying I was done with everything.
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Re ports: I wanted mine out ASAP after chemo, and my Onc thought that was fine. I was so ready to get rid of it, for lots of reasons that I'm sure you all understand.
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Laura jane, I'm praying with you.
Ignore the power crazy accupunturist. You didn't need that and she should be ashamed. And yes, she should be right there to help you with the side effects.
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I got my port out 5 days after I finished chemo. My onc was fine with it, he even helped set up the surgery for its removal when I told him my BS didn't have an appointment available to take it out for another 3 months.
Does anyone else have a huge scar from their port? Mine is about 1 inch wide and 3/4 inches tall. I even had it revised during another surgery, and it still stretched out to this big size again. It's pretty noticeable in the summer with tank tops and bathing suits.
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My port scar is just an inch wide and really just a "slit" tall, and it's fading quickly. We had just moved and my oncologist recommended this general surgeon to do the port - turns out she was an excellent surgeon and I would go back to her in a minute if I ever needed surgery again, other than for my reconstruction.
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tif and mccrimmon, I was on vanco and something else also. I woke up this morning drenched in blood/fluid. I was disgusting, my mastectomey scar had opend up wide. Had to go in and have it fixed with staples! He cut some bad skin off and then stapled it all while i was awake. He said the fluid build up seems to have pushed the scar open. This was after being in the hospital for 4 nights. I agree, this has all been worse than the chemo! I am done with this crap! Delays my radiation even more. I am on oral antibiotovs now, something like chlevac.
I need to catch up on thr posts to respond. Thinking of all of you.
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Oh. had to have my port out due to that nasty infection. I wanted to keep mine, as blood draws are rough for me and I still have zometa infusions.
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Hi everyone...I am TN also.. Someone told me to check out this thread about 6 months ago and I'm finally doing that.
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I'm so sorry, bak, that sucks. (((bak)))
My port scar is like LuvRVing's. I consider it my battle scar. I'm going to start on Zometa, but I'll just do it IV. It's only twice a year, right?
Welcome, Nana!
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Hi there.... I'm Melissa. Brand new to this site. I've been reading this thread/forum for the last few days. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders by joining tonight. I've had a really hard time admitting to myself that I have Breast Cancer.....
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I know the feeling. How could I possibly have cancer? I felt fine, except for that damned lump in my breast that I swear wasn't there a month ago...
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Riley, I love the idea of the port scar being a battle scar!
How did you make the decision, or did your oncologist make the decison, to put you on Zometa? I've asked my oncologist about trying it in the past, though not in the last few months, and he was reluctant. What swung your decison in favor of it?
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Welcome to Melissa and Marsha!
(((Bak94))) I hope things get easier for you very soon!
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Oh crap Bak! I hope the incision heals back up quickly and you get rid of this damn infection. I was given oral Keflex after the IV antibiotics, but after a few days started itching like crazy- I am allergic to it. My port scar is big since it was left open to heal.
Welcome ATeamNana and MKPinky77. We are here for you!
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Welcome to our new TN sisters!! You will love it here...full of wonderful ladies helping with whatever you need. Just ask and you will receive!
Bak--so sorry for you. Hoping that you can start recovering from this soon!
Maggie
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Welcome AteamNana and MkPinky77
Bak - Hope you get healed up soon!! I had a seroma burst in the middle of the night too, my husband freaked, was ready to take me to the emergency room. So sorry your going thru all of this!
My port scar is about 2 1/2" long and a very thin line. I put vitamin E oil on all of my scars in the morning and I have to touch my port. Just grosses me out.
I like the battle scar idea. I think eventually I may get some sort of small tattoo over my lumpectomy scar. That would make 2 for me and hubby wants to get something in reference to BC & me. That would make 2 for him. I think that's enough.
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Hi ladies - Wasn't sure if I should post this here or in the "waiting for results" thread, but I think my TN sisters will understand. Just had a stereo biopsy this morning, after having "suspicious calcifications" found on my mammo in December. I just finished treatment -- lumpectomy, chemo and rads -- in March '10. My doc said these new calcs are either junk from radiation, or else DCIS. I can't believe I'm going through this again so soon. I had just gotten my head out of Cancerland, and going for this biopsy brought it all back. Now comes the "big wait" for results, which I probably won't have until middle of next week. Feeling very low right now. Guess I'll go ice my breast and have a good cry. Thanks for listening.
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I had my port removed last June and then had it reinstalled 2 months later. I would do it all over again. Those 2 months were wonderful thinking it was all behind me. I say remove it and never need it again! the majority of us never need it again.
Bac- dog gone it! So saddened you are going through all of this.
Welcome to the new ladies.
Hope you all are having a great day. I think I might actually take a shower today. I've been wearing my jammies since I got home Tuesday. I don't know which is so rough on me the cetuximab or the Cisplatin . I guess I'll know next week since I will only get the cetuximab. I didn't think this first round would be as bad as it has been. All I want to do is sleep. My onc did up my pain meds. I hope tomorrow is better. Yup, tomorrow is going to be a better day!0 -
Hope, I'm so sorry you have to go thru this again. From what I understand radiation does cause alot of stuff that show up on mammo's. Praying for good news for you!
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Laurajane....So glad to hear you are feeling a bit better. Fatigue always seems the hardest part of this process for me. Hoping that you have enough energy to enjoy yourself a bit. Thinking of you each and every day.
Bak.....oh boy! What a terrible time you are having. I hope they can get your infection under control so you can go home soon. Sending you lots of healing energy.
I opted to keep my port in for awhile after I finished my first round of chemo and radiation. It was/is a bit of a security blanket for me. I can, and do, touch it often to remind myself that I am still ready to start the fight at a moments notice. Turns out I needed it again right away so kind of a moot point. My goal is to have a few clean scans under my belt before I let it go. It definitely doesn't "weird" me out as much as some of you. I also don't have any issues with it so can ignore it when I want.
Well, I have one more treatment before I am done, again. My Onc said I will be seeing him on a monthly basis for awhile to keep a good eye on me. I'd like to think I will be going to keep an eye on him but we'll let him think otherwise.
Welcome to all the "newbies". You will find much love and support here.
Here's to a good day for all!
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Hope- we must have been posting at the same time and I didn't see your post. I'm so sorry you have to go through this fear again. I'm praying that it is calcifications. Push for earlier results. It's amazing how obnoxious I can be with phone calls but it works! Just keep calling and I hope your fears can be put to rest.
Inmate- I just love your attitude. Hoping this is indeed the blast you need to kick the FC.0 -
Remember...Hope...because of your "history" they are going to very careful with you..."translate..biopsy everything"....I had the same thing happen to me and they were called vascular calcifications....they were in my "so-called" good breast....I betcha the calcs are benign...I know that you are going to freak no matter what but try to put it in the back of your mind if you can...and bug them..like Laura Jane said to....
And if there is a next time..have the dang biopsy on a Monday...so if you don't have worry over the weekend.
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laurajane - I didn't see your post either. I have been following your ups and downs here, and I love your positive attitude.
mccrimmon32 - thanks so much for the good wishes. I'm pretty sure I saw you over on the Insurance board, too...if I'm right, we have similar issues on that front.
Titan - thanks for being the voice of reason. You are right about no Friday biopsies....didn't think of it at the time because I was just so happy to get the appointment.
I feel much better now, after a long nap and a chat with my sanest friend, another recent BC survivor. It's too easy to go over to the "dark side" in my mind....gotta fight that! Thanks and hugs to all!!
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Mity...yay!
Suze....the ICK. Hope you are feeling better.
Hope....waiting is the worst. Hoping for calcifications as I hear that can happen, often. Fingers crossed for you!
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Wow, you guys are so chatty, it is awesome!
I'm still feeling fluish, not sure of what the temp threshold is for calling the doctor. Right now I'm at 99.9. I *think* 101.0 is the cut off...so I'll go by that. My WBCs are down, so I need a Neulasta shot on Monday, hate those! I hope it doesn't become commonplace. I've been sleeping a lot, barely awake through treatment today. I'll have a CT scan in 2 weeks to judge effectiveness, I'm going to temper my enthusiasm because heaven knows this FC is tricky. We think I'm having steroid withdrawal symptoms, as I stopped taking my 0.5 mg dose on Wed. I refuse to take any, I'd rather suck it up.
My port doesn't bother me at all, now that it has settled in. It's surgical placement was a bit traumatic (long story), and there was a stitch that was irritating for a few months, but now, I don't even think about it. I would have kept mine for at least a year anyway since I was so high risk.
Laurajane - I am so sorry you are feeling the effects of your drug combo. And crap to your acupuncturist! You only need positive, forward thinking people in your life, period. This other drug you are on, I'm going to have to look that up. It sounds a bit scary! I hope it does the job!! Enjoy your time with your beautiful family. They sound so wonderful.
Good thing of the day - we booked a Disney cruise for February, and will also do Legoland and some of the Disney parks. I've never been on a cruise! I can take my boys snorkeling and fishing, and on another day we can throw them all in their day "club" and have some adult time with DH. We had talked and talked about doing it, found a good price, and said screw it (with the blessing of my MO).
Welcome to all newbies, although I'm so sorry you are here. You will find some amazing information, and don't be afraid to ask questions!
Best to all!0 -
Suze...I was just thinking of you and here you are! hmm..maybe if I think of winning a million dollars??? Well...we could all go to NYC and buy stuff...on me..
Laura Jane...hoping that stuff is kicking that FC but hate that it's kicking you..dang it. But you will probably will feel better tomorrow..I certainly hope so...
Hope..glad you are feeling better about things...when I had my calcs I googled them endlessly..honestly I had never heard about them before..dumb me.....I thought..geez..isn't having breast cancer enough and now calcs can be cancerous?...so I googled them and found out about rod shaped calcs, looked at pics of normal ones and not normal ones...I had 4 in a row...one was rod shaped which made it suspicious...and that stereotatic biopsy was weird too..laying on the table with your boob hanging down...I felt like I should "Moo" or something (hey I'm a farmer's daughter)...
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