2010 Sisters
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THANKS to you all! OK, first question... there's a 5 posting limit? How do I private message?
Next, I've been looking around a couple of other threads and learned more about post surgery comfort, ideas, and great things to know than I would have ever even thought of. So that leads me to ask... Would you all share a couple of tips with me?
For example, I was thinking that I would have surgery on Tuesday, then fly to Dallas for grandson's baptism on Saturday, fly home alone on Sunday, and drive back to the house and stay alone while my husband continued onto a week long business trip. Now I'm beginning to think I am a real idiot to think that would be possible... :-) BTW, nurse in surgeon's office said I could do this if I was "careful"...
So, please help me understand more about what realistically I can expect. And I would appreciate all the ideas of pillows, special bras, etc, etc you can share.
Thanks sisters!
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Vicki - The five post limit is just temporary, I can't remember for how long, I think a day or two. To PM just click on the screen name and it will go to that person then in the right hand corner you will see the private message.0
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liveinmaine2 - Click on the name of the person you want to PM. On the right side you will see "Send member a private message" - click on that and do your post. When you receive one, look at the Private Message tab and you will see (1 New Message) in pink. Give it a try.
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Paula you should really talk to your doctor about this. I don't have needle sticks on either side (right side 4 sentinel : : left side 10 nodes level I). I will not have BP on the left. The right it depends. Before chemo the do BP but I make them use the manual pressure. Yesterday they wanted to take my BP at the dermatologist and I won't let her.
The problem with the leg is it isn't as accurate. Last time at chemo none of the nurses had a stethoscope so they had to use the machine… so I made them do it on my leg. The machine made all these warnings that I was high. I told the nurse practitioner (filling in for onc) and she retook my pressure (she of course had a stethoscope). My BP was normal.
I was told it was a case by case basis on my right. But overall I try to avoid it.
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Thanks Lago, I will write this down so I dont forget to ask the next time I go see him.
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I have been on different forums but wanted to say hi here. This is a bit of my story.
I had my BMX on May 11th 2010 with reconstruction, I chose Bi even though the tumor was in my right breast only. They did a MRI biopsy on the left one due to some concerns on a small area. It came back as possible pre cancer, I thought cancer was cancer. At that moment when the BS told me that I had no doubt I would go ahead with the BMX. I have since had two infections, first one two weeks out of surgery, PS said it was an abscess that got infected and boy did it. TE was taken out and started chemo on June 24th, 4 rounds of AC combo drugs and 4 rounds of Taxol every two weeks. Finished Oct 1st, after conversing with my onco and PS to see if we could reconstruct prior to rads, I went ahead on Nov 9th. Big mistake, got another infection incision site would not heal and got a hole in the skin that exposed the TE, had to be taken out again. This week I started my Rads and am happy to get the health process over. I have reevaluated reconstruction for it is a personal decision and only one you can make. My DH is so wonderful and wants me to be healthy and happy. I talk with my BS on the 12th and PS on the 14th as I have opted not to go through with finishing reconstruction and deconstruct on the left side as I still have TE in. I see my BS nurse every three months to test for LE, my markers are still in the neg. yea. I have not gotten a LE sleeve yet, is it recommended to get one.
I do not know why this has all happened to me since I thought I had done a lot of research prior to surgery. Had great Drs. Wished I had found you all before but now I am blessed to be included with a great bunch of gals, blessed to have a loving DH and son and blessed to have a loving savior who has been with me every step of the way. Onward and upward and lets get er done.About the oncologist issue, my surgeon and I talked about this and she was going to recommend one after surger to see what my path report said. I had a recommendation from a friend who has BC and she has on going treatments because cancer matest to her spine. So I asked my BS about him and said she had no problem with him. He has been the greatest. I would look to see who is on your health plan and check with your Dr.
Sorry for all the info.
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I was diagnosed in April 2010. Stage IIA, 4 positive nodes. Eight rounds of chemo, ACT. I finished 6-1/2 weeks of radiation in November. I started Tamoxifen but the side effects were too much for me. I could handle the hot flashes and the joint pain, but i was getting UTi's one after the other. I have done a lot of research and many women refuse Tamoxifen. I want my life back . I starting to buy only organic fruits and vegs and managing my stress levels pretty well, I think. Anyone else decide not to go the Tamoxifen route?
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liveinmaine2- I had a double mastectomy on Sept. 2, 1011 and had 3 drains that were removed a week later. They were a little inconvienient but not a real problem. I had my 2 wonderful daughters here with me for a few day. The youngest one stayed until I was home from the hospital for a couple of days and the older one stayed for 2 weeks. It was so nice to have them here. I had Tissue Expanders (TE) put in and I had them removed yesterdy and the permanent implants put in. I have been kind of out of it on drugs the last 2 days, but I am feeling better today. I have a problem with pain meds, but they were able to find one I could tolerate and I am pleased with the resutls. I had radiation on the bone mets in my T4 - T11 spine which helped with that pain. I am taking Femara everyday and Aredia IV every month. I am doing better than the doctors expected so I guess all is good for now. I was able to go to the OBX retreat with Marybe, BarbaraA and StillVertical. We had such a good time and I so enjoyed being with them.
Look for everything that you can do and do not focus on the things you cannot do and things will move along faster. There will be some days that you just don't feel like doing anything and that is ok, but don't stay in that frame of mind. Keep as active as you can and enjoy the things that make you happy. Know that we are all here for you. If you have any questions or concerns let us know. There is always someone that is here with some good information and answers for you.
Joy and blessings, Amy Jo
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Amyjo congrads on your new tata's. Hope the transfer went well. Good to see you back on the thread.
Mango1 welcome to our little coffee shop... the girls here are great and take good care of you. Sorry you had to stop in but we're a friendly bunch.
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Amyjo--good to hear from you. Hope you heal quickly!
Welcome to those new to this thread!
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Well I had my Onc appt yesterday afternooon and he wants me to have an MRI on my other (only) breast, so poo. It had better be nothing. I'm not scheduled yet but expect a call on Monday. They couldn't get a vein for my labs either so I had to go back again today for another 3 pricks before they got blood. Some days I miss my port!!
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{{{{SHELLEY}}}}} Prayers going up!
AJ - so glad you are feeling better and that you have your new breasts!
Welcome to all our newbies. So sorry you have to join us but this is a great group!
DesignerMom - nice avatar!
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Amyjo your adoptions if final! congratulations.
shelleyj43 MRIs do show a lot of false positives. They did an MRI on my good breast too. They found 4 suspicious areas but only one they were really concerned about. It ended up being a small amount LCIS (pre cancer). I could have had a biopsy to find out for sure before surgery but at that point I wanted the bmx because of my dense tissue, I would have to have biopsies every year on these things and the fact that the only way they would find this was on an MRI. My surgeon agreed.
So as much as you don't want to do this, and I certainly hope everything is clear it's best to do it and find out now. That LCIS would have never been spotted and it could have become invasive over time.
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Morning everyone, welcome to the new commers.
Ugh, here comes the snow again. Gotta drive in it later to pick my DD up from work, but its ok, we are having a sleepover because they never plow her street. Perfect chance for mommy and daughter time.
My SE's are getting better, except the taste buds. I think I could easily deal with everything else, but the taste aversions really kill me. I cant find anything that taste good! !!
I should run to the food store just to grab a couple things, but I know it will be a madhouse.
Hope everyone is going well.
Kristy
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Sweetie, don't bum one from her!!
So sorry you can't taste anything good. That must really stink. (((HUGS))) for you!!
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Sweet - I found that apples, yogurt, honey and bananas tasted normal to me during chemo. Toast with butter tasted the wierdest!0
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Barbra, I cant seem to control it.
Omaz, OMG, toast! Blah, the smell of bread alone makes me sick. Yogurt was bad too. Cereal seems ok, but I havent found anything I really LIKE, can just tolerate it.
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Sweet, I found that weird to me combonations seemed to work best on food, and at that point of taste wierdness DH was just happy to see me eat. I had string cheese, and beanie weinies, or mandrain oranges and the cheese for most of the first 2 weeks after chemo almost every time, Also potato soup with the cheese. I usually like a more flavored cheese, but the string cheese is pretty bland and didn't have a strange texture. I know it was not the most healthy diet, but at that point taking a multivitamin and trying to get something in me besides water was a challenge. No nausea or anything like that, just no taste buds, so no appetite. I have lost nearly 30 lbs, with the 4 chemos that I have done so far, but I could have chosen a better diet plan on my own. I keep telling tha peop;e at work who comment about it that the chemo weight loss plan is not the plan I would choose.
Becky
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I was diagnosed in April 2010. By now, those of us who were diagnosed then are probably taking hormonal therapy. Anyone decide against it?
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I finally got the results of the mamo and the MRI - everything looked clear. The MRI still shows the seroma but I could have told them that! The oncotype came in at 11 which is borderline now according to the new standards. To me this is good news and I don't have to do anything more until June. Love the rad onc for doing this for me.
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Liveinmaine2:
Are you planning on having reconstruction? Have you seen a plastic surgeon yet? The oncologist appointment takes place after surgery. They will examine all the removed tissue and the oncologist will get a pathology report.
If you fly to Dallas on Saturday, you will most likely still have drains. Also, driving will still probably be painful. Can the baptism date be changed?
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samsue - WOO HOO on the clear results. I did not have the oncotype test done. My onc said I did not need it and the test is very expensive. He won't order tests that are not necessary.
Mango1 - I was diagnosed in mid Aug and am through with treatments. I tossed the idea around about the hormonal therapy and decided I would do everything I can to not go through this again. Once is too many for me. Even though I just started, I can always change my mind later if the SE's are too much to handle. I am on Tamoxifen and so far so good.
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Jo my onc wouldn't do the oncotype test either the rad onc ordered it. You're on tamox, are you post meno? They wouldn't put me on that because I had an ooph.
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MangoONe- I am post menopausal with a low stage/low grade tumor and an oncodx of 6-i chose BMX- i have decided at this point in time to forgo the AI's prescribed. I am suppressing the estrogen through other methods. I see a new onc on Wed and will discuss this. I want all my base line blood test results so we can measure where I started and where I am several months down the road. If this does not help, I will reconsider. I am trying to find a program of nutrients I can live with forever, beyond the five years. It is a personal choice and as I said, one I will review if the numbers do not support it.
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Sisters,
LAST CHEMO done yesterday! Been doing some sort of "HAPPY" dance since then! Wow, can't believe the six treatments of T/C are behind me....FOREVER! (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!)
Now on to rads...everyone says those are kinda a breeze...let's hope so!
This road doesn't seem so long now...
Thanks for all the support through it all ladies!
You are the best!
peace and prayers,
Tori
DE COLORES!
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CONGRATS Tori!!!! Rads should be much easier! yay to being done with chemo FOREVER!!
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Tori - getting through chemo must feel fantastic - so happy for you. Yes, rads are easy, I thought anyway. I'm one of those who didn't get tired at all. After what you've already been through, rads should seem like pretty simple stuff but everyone's body is different and you've already been going through a lot so that may make a difference. Eat good (plenty of protein) and try to get a little more sleep and you'll likely do great. Radiation to the breast doesn't knock a person back like it does when given to other parts of the body. Ask about what vitamins it's okay to take, they may want you to limit your intake while doing rads. I used Miaderm and only experienced redness. My rads onc didn't want me mixing and matching lotions because she would not be able to tell what was causing irritation and she knew from experience that those who use Miaderm do very well. Also, being small breasted helps. The less skin against skin contact the better. They told me at set up that I would have minimal problems because they would just be zapping a flat surface. I knew being small breasted would come in handy eventually!
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Mango- After much soul searching I am electing not to do hormone therapy. It is such an individual decision as everyone's cancer and health history is unique. If I had a more aggressive cancer, I might make a different decision. For me, I have a lot of heart attacks in my family, no BC whatsoever. I also have history of pre osteoporosis from meds I had to take and a non symptomatic blood clotting disorder. Some of the SE from Aromatase inhibitors are osteoporosis and heart incidents. It's an awful balancing act we have to make. I elected to do every single lifestyle change I can to reduce my risk of recurrence including exercise, no sugar or refined carbs, tons of cruciferous veggies, green tea every day...and lots of prayers and faith. Good luck with your decision.
Tori- Whoo hoo! Congrats on finishing chemo. I think you will see rads are a walk on the beach in comparison to chemo. I used Calendula Homeopathic cream by Boiron (Whole Foods) throughout rads (occassionally some fresh aloe from a plant). My rads Onc was truly impressed with how well my skin held up. It's been about a month since I finished and there really is barely any difference between my rads breast and the other one.
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I am on Femara, I have read that there can be nasty SE, I have been on since Oct and the only SE I have have been hot flashes, night sweats, and joint aches. I can manage the joint aches by taking walking breaks at work. Have to be careful not to sit to long. So far so good. Since I have been told by my RO that I am a high risk for return, I will do what ever I can to keep healthy.
Next week will be a busy week with rads and two different Dr. appointments. Hope no weather delays.
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Omaz- Had a craving for Prime rib tonight for my dinner with my daughter, so I splurged. My god, please let me enjoy my 30.00 steak tonight! lol.
I know what you mean about the weird food mixtures, I have tried some, and usually sorry I did. haha.
Im starving, and really looking forward to this dinner. It smells so good, maybe thats a good sign. I can usually tell by the smell if I will be able to eat it or not. Looking forward to the baked potato with butter and sour cream, and corn, corn tastes great, but I know, no nutritional value, but it still taste good. My daughter brought cream of broccoli soup from work, and I tasted it, and that was good. So here is hoping for the best.
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