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Any 40-ish survivors?

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  • Terryberry23
    Terryberry23 Member Posts: 12
    edited May 2012

    Yes I friended you. I also want to be part of the fb group Please.

  • SheriBell
    SheriBell Member Posts: 32
    edited May 2012

    Hi everyone,

    I was diagnosed at 46 (last Feb) and am now 47 - am I too old for the group??  It's funny because evey doctor I have spent time with always mentions how "young" I am to have had breast cancer.  I feel old as heck!  I have 3 kids, 11, 10 and 8.  Busy busy mom and work full time.  Can I be in this groupl?? :)

  • chantal10
    chantal10 Member Posts: 34
    edited May 2012

    Sheribell, you're not too old! You're just right!



    Oldie, you lucky girl! Where are you going?



    Profbee, I'm so curious about your nip job. Mine is coming up smack in middle of summer and idk either. I think I will go for it, but am very unsure of the whether I'll be pleased w my decision. I hope so! Best of luck to you! Looking forward to your wisdom. Can I find the nip r not to nip post? I will try. This site's layout is difficult.



    Burley, night eating sounds like the pits! I do like your choice of snacks though! My sister has always been a sleep eater. I can still picture her doing it, like in a trance.



    I'm trying to sleep before midnight, we'll see, so goodnight all!

  • kmur
    kmur Member Posts: 849
    edited May 2012

      Hi Everyone..

    I know I will forget something,but will try to not...

    First...sleep??? What is that...Oh gosh you all know cause I have said before...I have not slept all night in years...probably explains my goofiness????  I do not take anything though other than Fareston....The sleep meds make me feel funny.

    Prof...good luck with your surgery...seems they make nipples form all parts and places ( LOL ) ...here we go again..I hope you get those fancy cones..although I have to say my hillbilly cotton ones were very comfy...but seriously..I will be thinking of you hope all goes smoothly. I think you said that so well...I love this group here and it is not always BC but life and fun to share with you crazy girls.

    SherriBell...welcome to our group...you are for sure not too old. I am 46 and have one son ( 14). Look forward to getting to know you. We really do chat about everything...one never knows where the conversation will go.

    Have to tell you 40 something 80's girls.....I picked the young man up from his dance and as I entered the gym I heard...." Ice Ice Baby...do-do-do..dadodo....sorry carried away...cracked me up and took me back to well ...fun times...anyway asked if he danced with anyone....embarrassed "yes" followed by laughing..I said "what"..."nothing"   ( mom) ....."Oh...tell me"..so turns out he danced with two girls..one stole his tie and wore it. I can not believe I got that much of the story.

    So now we are in full getting ready for vacation.  My husband will celebrate his birthday. I have a big surprise set up for him..I will let you all know how it goes. I am not telling him anything until the day of.

    Odie...have a great time with those girls....have a drink for me and know I am with you in spirit...and as you offer cheers I am too!!

    Eema....how the heck are you???

    Gotta go ...love to you all and I will see you soon...Oh...have fun with the guys Christine!! Happy last day of school.....YIPPEEEE

  • SheriBell
    SheriBell Member Posts: 32
    edited May 2012

    I am not sure but I think some of you are chatting about nipples so I will share my story.  I had the nip surgery where they just kinda twist the skin and sew it to make a pucker and then got tattoos.   Well after the surgery I was in constant "ping" because he had created the nipples.   Over time they smoothed back down and actually they are almost completely flat again.  Then I had the 3d tattoos which are so realistic it is amazing!   

    So in short, remember if you have the nipple surgery where they graft - you will be constantly "cold" so you really can not go without a bra unless you want to have headlights all day - lol

    the 3d tattoos are so dang realistic that I am so happy my nip surgery didn't really "take" because the tattoos look more real than my natural ones and I can go braless whenever I want - which in the summer is A LOT.

    I had not taken that into consideration when I went into the operating room that day for nipples - that I would be stuck wearing bras all the time I mean.  Ok am I making any sense?  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH 

  • SheriBell
    SheriBell Member Posts: 32
    edited May 2012

    Thanks for allowing me on your group gals.   I have a question.  Just had a hysterectomy 3 weeks ago.  Also a bilateral mastectomy 14 months ago - Does anyone know what life without estrogen is like.  I keep hearing I may be dry "down there" but I mean mentally, emotionally - do ya still feel like a girl? ha ha  I mean what will happne to me?  Will I still be wearing my pink toenail polish?

  • sagina
    sagina Member Posts: 849
    edited May 2012

    Jane~ You crack me up! I actually think that's how some of this weight got on me, not enough exercise in bed!  

    Jojo~ we all coach each other too.  I can tell you I get really scared thinking about cancer sometimes, then other times I don't think about it at all.  I try to find what brings me peace, like going to the farmers market on Saturday mornings, and I like a slower routine now, since treatment.  I still want to do everything and see everything, but quiet activities suit me better now, like photography.  I'll capture memories now.

    Sheribell~ I don't think I'm in menopause from chemo. Seems the one side effect I might not have minded, eluded me. lol.  

  • ReadingMama
    ReadingMama Member Posts: 338
    edited May 2012

    I have problems falling asleep also, although this pre-dates bc.  But now I take an anti-anxiety (Clonazepam) an hour before bed and 1/2 unisom before bed.  But lately I have been feeling so exhausted in the am, that I'm afraid the unisom may not be leaving my system. I didn't take it last night, but I knew that I could sleep later as I was off work today for dr appts.  I know working late contributes to me being so tired also, need to get that under control.

    Not a great meeting with PS today for Stage II surgery June 4th.  He basically said he didn't really think he could make the left breast bigger because the "envolope" shrunk and is tighter due to the radiation.  He is going to lipo as much as he can, but he is more focused on fixing the cleavage so it looks good in a tank top.  Which I want to, but I would like more symmtery also.  Then had awful call with nurse for intake, she was suppossed to call at 4pm and never did, then basically did not tell me anything, thank goodness I have had surgery before as I was promting her with questions, like aren't you suppossed to tell me to stop taking this med and that med, etc.

    Profbee, will be interested in your decision about nipples as that would be next for me, but not until Sept. at earliest.  Sheri, welcome and thanks for sharing your stories.  I have heard others like it, I will have to think about this more after Stage II.  I also am a full-time working outside house mom and have a 12yr old and an 8 yr old.

    I went to Y today, so that was good! 

    Kim - I'm with you, my goal is always to go upstairs to bed at 10pm and light off at 10:30, but so often I am up later.  And not on here either :) I have also been organizing a girl scout fundraiser, so its either something with that or ...something else...  

  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,415
    edited May 2012

    Welcome to the group Sheri! 

    I am packing to head to Charlotte NC in the a.m with my sister & niece. It is my nieces 16th birthday so we are doing a girl trip... Looking forward to some pool time, a margarita or two, the Nascar race Sunday nite and mani/pedi day on Monday!  

    Wishing everyone a wonderful & safe holiday weekend.

  • zumbagirl
    zumbagirl Member Posts: 250
    edited May 2012

    Hey there, its been a while. I have been busy, but doing fine.

    Welcome Sharibell Smile I am 46, and have a 19 year old daughter that doesn't live with us anymore , but she does still live in town, and works at sub way, so I eat there once in a while and see her, and I have a son who is almost 17 and lives with us still, (one more year and he will graduate)

    I finished chemo and radiation in the fall, and still have weekly herceptin treatments, until the first week in August, then I hope to soon after get my port removed. I take the 5 year pill Anastrozole (generic for Arimidex)

    I teach zumba at the gym, and one of my warm up songs is "ice ice baby" , I love it.

    This is such a long journey, from diagnosis, until your first few clear mammograms, but I am so thankful for the wonderful friendships on here.

    I have my first mammogram scheduled since diagnosis, last April, this July, so hopefully all will be well.

    take care everyone, and have an awesome day

  • momx3
    momx3 Member Posts: 126
    edited May 2012

    Hi Everyone. Happy Memorial Day tomorrow!!!

    1st<<<<Sheri, I was 45 at diag, should have been 4 years  ago but fear and "it's probably nothing"  sounded alot better. It took my younger 2 (19 & 21 at the time) with there "BOOBIE" tshits on to go and have dr appt. and get my 1st and LAST mammagram. With 1 1/2yrs behind me, I still have issues that I am dealing daily with as is everyone else. So PLEASE, don't feel to old!!! It sounds like I have the oldest kids....... Sarah 20, Thomas 23 and Becky 24.

    As for the nipple issue.... I stopped having expansions before my rads because it hurt and never did it again (205/215). Now I stand at 210cc and no nipples. Besides hating surgeries (carpal tunnel in 2wks :/), I figured I didn't need permanent headlights!!! LOL      Do you know you can get sticky ones???? Hee Hee Hee!!!! I just drew pictures and for my post-recon app, I used puffy heart stickers!!!!

    Good luck with your though!!!!! I'm curious how they do it. I don't have any extra skin and my rad side just keeps getting tighter EXCEPT for a bump (my nipple) that formed from a possible stitch that was never removed.We'll figure that one in Sept I guess.

    Happy BBQing:D

    ????Just went back and read<<<<< why do they do EXTRA recon surgeries??? Mine look funny (only my DH sees them) and I can't things with"cups) to fit right and if I lift my arms, one of them is at least an inch higher. PS said "Must have placed it under the muscle wrong" :/

  • momx3
    momx3 Member Posts: 126
    edited May 2012

    Man, I write novels!!! Sry!!!!

    Hey, FB friends, check out the highlight of my date night last night...... Hotair balloon lifting off. The other 3 were already gone. One day, I'm going to go!!!!

  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 304
    edited May 2012

    Hey loves.  

    Well, I think I'm going through with the nip surgery.  But I am a bit weirded out by having my headlights on high all the time.  I'll keep you all posted with a blow by blow.  :)  I can't believe it's on Wednesday!  

    Sheri:  I'm on Tamoxifen, but I haven't had a hysterectomy.  You can get vaginal dryness, but there are some great products out there.  I'm sure you'll still be you.  :)  It is scary thinking about the unknown and how all this hormonal stuff effects us.

    Love to all.  Must run...up WAY too late and need to be grading if I'm awake.  ugh.   

  • bgirl
    bgirl Member Posts: 435
    edited May 2012

    Sheri, was 46 at dx, now 47.  Some days I feel older, but starting to get back in the groove.  With my first MO follow-up coming up in June I am starting to look to the future.  3 kids 18,20,22.

    Profbee - good luck with your surgery.

    My daughter had her prom on Friday.  She looked so beautiful and had a great time dancing all night.  Was so happy, she really deserves it.  She was the only one living at home and has certainly been on this crazy journey with me.  Just turned 18 and will be off in the fall to university, but I think we have formed and close bond.

  • positivepink
    positivepink Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2012

    well i am new to all of this. dx in jan/biopsy/lumpectomy feb/ 6.5 weeks radiation  april - may/ now looking at D&C and removing ovaries during the procedure end of june. Tamoxifen will begin end of July? some days seems like never going to reach that light at the end of the tunnel. original DCIS right side. All follow up  MRI and mamms will be done in August. Ugh.....left side is always dense so i was surprised with cancer on the right. now what if i start all over on the left side in august? my thoughts are unsettled this morning.....sure is a lot of trouble for something being staged Stage 0 - not really cancer! Seriously? It's cancer to me!

  • dixiebell
    dixiebell Member Posts: 170
    edited May 2012

    Well ladies I am about to have my 50th birthday. I used to really be dreading it but now its so different. I AM SO HAPPY TO BE ALIVE AND TURNING 50. I have this comment: Most people do not know when they will die, they don't have time to prepare or tell their loved ones how they feel. I believe I have had the gift of preparing, things I did: a will, telling everyone how I feel about them, forgiving, eating better, being a better friend, mother and daughter, really living each day for today and lately going through my bucket list. I may never have a recurrence. I could have one tomorrow. Only God knows that. But no matter what my future I feel like I have taken care of my life! Like the song says "live like your were dying".

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited May 2012

    JAMIE.. where have you been?? Glad you popped in.

  • dixiebell
    dixiebell Member Posts: 170
    edited May 2012

    bdavis - I have been working a lot and traveling when not. how are you? nice to hear from you!

  • momx3
    momx3 Member Posts: 126
    edited May 2012

    Happy LATE Birthday Dixie. We used to live in Slidell :)

  • sagina
    sagina Member Posts: 849
    edited May 2012

    Profbee~ I bet you'll rock those headlights! Sending prayers and hugs your way for tomorrow.

    I was 41 at dx, I guess I'm going to be 43 or was I 42 at dx, who knows it's all a blur! I have a 21 year daughter and a 27 step daughter.

    I have an MO appt tomorrow.....checking tumor markers and I guess I get to undress for her.  I'm going to ask her to check all this tenderness I have in the radiated area.  by the way, is it radiated or irradiated?

    Happy Tuesday everyone! 

  • momx3
    momx3 Member Posts: 126
    edited May 2012

    HA HA HA!!! Gina you are to funny :D

    I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't remember my age!! AND I agree with IRRADIATED!!!

    Does anyone who skipped chemo because of Oncotype worry if it was the right thing???

    Boy, I am full of questions this week aren't I!!!

    Tomorrow is "Hump Day" and there are only 7 (count them..7) more school days for me!!! (6 with students)YAH!!!

  • sagina
    sagina Member Posts: 849
    edited May 2012

    I don't think I was offered the Oncotype. What were the criteria to get that done?  I've heard about it from others who scored low...

  • Eema
    Eema Member Posts: 403
    edited May 2012

    Hi ladies!



    Just a quick check in. Had all sorts of imaging today, CT, MRI, and tomorrow is nuclear bone scan. So much fun! Let's hope the spots on my bones, spine, and swollen glands are gone, but I don't feel hopeful today. I have a dr appt and want to ask her to put me on long term disability. I just want to feel better.

  • roulag
    roulag Member Posts: 126
    edited May 2012

    Eema, I hope all your scans are good, hang in there!

  • dixiebell
    dixiebell Member Posts: 170
    edited May 2012

    Sagina: Oncotype requirements are estrogen positive. There are 2 results charts given to the doctor. I for nodes negative and 1 for node positive. I see you are ER- therefore you would not be eligible for the test.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited May 2012

    Sagina... I was not given the Oncotype test as it is used mostly and most effectively for node negative patients, and since I had a micromet in one node, my MO decided I needed chemo either way.. and the micromet got me 2 extra doses. No regrets as it wasn't that hard, and helps me sleep at night. I figure if the cancer traveled from the tumor to the node, it could have gone anywhere. So I zapped it.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 3,192
    edited May 2012

    Dixie (Jamie) I am doing well... will be back in NOLA in October!!!

  • dixiebell
    dixiebell Member Posts: 170
    edited May 2012

    Eema: I would ask for disability. You deserve to be able to take care of you! Do you mind if I ask how you knew something was wrong? My MO sees me every 3 months but does no tests at all. It really makes me nervous. I had a pet scan in the initial dx stage that was negative but I have a friend who was a stage 2, 1 lymph node involvement, chemo, rads, lumpectomy and hormones and now 13 months later had abnormal labs and is now dx with stage 4. Her pet scan was normal too a year ago.

  • dixiebell
    dixiebell Member Posts: 170
    edited May 2012

    bdavis are you having more recon? Hopefully its a fun trip?

  • momx3
    momx3 Member Posts: 126
    edited May 2012

    There is so much that we don't know!!! What is "micromet"??

    Eema, I'm afraid to ask what a "nulcear bone scan" includes!! I'll be thinking of you though!!!