Single life after a mastectomy
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Morning ladies! Wanted to be the first to post today! Lol
I win
Still feeling pretty good. Went down to the neighbors as awful as I look and had a glass of wine. The guys (her dh and his friend...J) were stringing on their acoustics while we all just talked. Only stayed for about 1/2 hr, nice to get it thou and I love the night.
Talked to my special friend tonight. He said 'it just hit him' while I was in the hospital. Not sure what 'it' is, fairly certain it's good thou lol Said he was pacing and couldnt focus waiting for updates
He said he wanted to be here. *sigh* I believe he's sending a care package Asked him to just bring it but....just want to lay in bed and hold his hand. Know he's there. Ok ok ok. Enough mush mush.
I really wasn't ready to see my boob areas caved in. No clue. No idea. Dr says it won't stay like that. It'll eventually fill in and the skin will sag to make room for the abdominal tissue.
I think I'm going to have them reconstruct my nipples and then have roses tattooed around them
Just the aerola area. I can't tell you the relief I feel having those things off!!
Bb- I hope you find something you enjoy doing!
Thanks June!
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Simplicity- you amaze me! I find it incredible you were able to get up and want to socialize with anyone after having surgery so recently. But we all find what helps us to get better. You strike me as someone who is always on the go (like me) and know it will be hard to slow down. Good to tiptoe around to try things as you are up to it. Lying in bed all day is not good either. We have to figure this stuff out as we go.....
In 2012, I ended up with five incisions on my body, four in the breast area, one huge one on my abdomen. I remember how awful everything looked and for awhile. But the good news is, those scars will fade with time. I don't think any of us are prepared for what our bodies will look like after surgery. I will tell you my breast areas have healed so well that you can hardly see any of the residual from the surgeries or internal radiation. So I just wanted to tell you that, it may looking shocking now, but down the line, things will be better.
Enerva- I watched two movies so far this weekend; Second Best Marigold Hotel (as good as the first) and 5 Flights Up (sweet movie). The last one I will watch this weekend is called A Little Chaos and is about a woman who is brought in to help design the gardens at Versaille. Have you been there E? Knowing your time in France, maybe so. One of the most captivating places I have ever been. I remember visiting there with my mom when we went to France in 1994 and never wanting to leave. The gardens were amazing. Given your ties to France, I thought you might be interested to know about this one. I hope to watch it later tomorrow!
I am off to the hot springs today ladies. I will be sending you all hot springs energy for your day!
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BB - Im thinking of a flower for my areola. Maybe something standard or a ross maybe...? Idk ye
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The day at the hot springs was awesome. I love the place and community as it is earthy and sort of hippie (like me). I enjoyed the soaking, my back feels better, I talked to some cool folks, enjoyed some reading time. But I got a we bit sunburned too.
Met up with a friend on the way in to town for drinks and dinner. We had a great time and we always laugh. It was a really perfect day. Those seem rare anymore, eh?
BB- I hope you have a nice with your mom. Before my mother became ill, when I would go visit her, there would be numerous outings to eat. For the same reason you mentioned. It is a big deal for people to get out to eat when they get older. I hope your time together was sweet.
Simplicity- I will have to check your FB page and see how things are going there too. I hope you are doing okay today. Few days after any surgery, things can be harder. Take those pain meds and get lots of sleep.
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I know, I am bad girl, but too funny not to share!
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lol at the condom....mn...interesting.
jazzy - sounds relaxing and such a good time.
BB - the tattoo was very nice. but the location seems painful...
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Can any of you relate?
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Hi, everyone.
Well, I am officially D-I-V-O-R-C-E-D. Just waiting for the final paperwork - the one and (hopefully) last piece of legal paperwork I'll have to take care of.
I've missed a lot here, and there's no way I could possibly catch up on all the posts. So, I'll just ask:
How are you all doing? I hope everyone here is well!
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Life- so good to hear from you! Congrats on finally getting through this. Onward and upward to the new and better life you so deserve!
Doing okay here, got more contracts coming in and work is expected to be busy this fall.
Are your boys doing okay?
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They're doing well. Thanks for asking, Jazzy.
Glad to hear the work is coming in!
I've been looking desperately for a job, but so far, I can't find one that would fit around the other obligations on my schedule. I'll also need medical insurance very soon. So, life is really getting interesting. lol
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Life- one thing I know is that the fall is often a better time to find work than summer. Could you handle a holiday retail job for some current work experience? They will be looking to hire those folks by October for Nov through Jan. Many companies and organizations have new budgets in January so good to get feelers out there now. I understand the need for insurance.
I had breakfast with a cancer brother today. He is doing well, but never told him about my bc. I almost ran into him at the MO's office a year or so back and decided I better tell him at some point. We went for breakfast today and talked about it. He told me his wife is going in for a biopsy on Friday. I told him I hoped it was not positive, but if it was, I can be a resource for her. I am glad I told him today for a number of reasons. We do both have the same MO still too. Small world sometimes.....
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life....i am glad it's over. how are you feeling? hope things are well with you.
jazzy - oh i hope it's a false alarm...what a small world.
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June- I hope so too. I had calcifications in my baseline mammo at age 39 and a surgical biopsy. All was clear. My friend told me his wife's mother had bc, but did not die from it. Sounds like he had other problems but lived to age 87. I told him I would check in with him next week. I know it will take a bit to get the results (worst part).
My cancerversary is on Monday, 9/14. Three years from DX now.
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Hi, June. I'm fine. How have you been?
Jazzy - I agree - it was good that you had that talk with your friend. And congrats on your cancerversary!
Recently, I found out that, early this year, a younger relative was diagnosed with BC a second time. The first time was DCIS; this second time was Stage 1, so she had a double MX. I was shocked. I never thought she'd be DX'd a second time. I messaged her to let her know that I just found out and that I'm here if she ever needs to talk. As it turns out, she had complications and did have a few questions. But she's strong and will do well, I believe.
BTW, I see there's someone new here - Welcome, Simplicity! I hope you're doing well.
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Life- I am sorry to hear about your relative who had the re-occurrence. We always hope that the treatment we had will keep it away and that it will stay away. I am sorry she had complications from this second go around, but hope she continues to do better.
I met a bco sister here who lives in town last month (the first I ever saw in my area), which you probably did not hear about (pages ago), and she ended up with a second occurrence this year. She was initially diagnosed in 2012, the same year as me, and ended up with another lump in the other breast. She had a lumpectomy and internal rads this summer and is doing well. We had a great visit last month and hope to see each other again. She is off to visit family in October.
May we all continue to remain healthy and cancer free......
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This one is for Enerva. These horses are from the Gypsy Gold Horse Farm in Florida. A friend of mine posts pictures of them on FB. I think they are some of the most beautiful horses I have ever seen. Makes me want one!
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Life and BB- I know you are both looking to get back into the employment world. I was reading in the latest AARP issue that there are some very in demand jobs for folks over 50, and one that included being a patient advocate. We all certainly have experience navigating the system after what we went through. I know I had to do it for my parents, and know BB is doing that for her mom these days. I am not sure what is involved, but thought I would share this with you if you want to explore it.
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love those horses me too I want one lol
OK I got some bad bad news a dear friend has bc. I am so sad I wrote this letter I want to share with all of you.
Dxxxxzzx I called Mami Simone, and I have no words to tell you how sad I am to heard about your recent diagnostic. I want to tell you it is just one more obstacle and you of all people I know are able to overcome everything that is on the way. You just need to keep a positive attitude which it is not going to be easy but I know in my heart you will be able to. I care about you so very much I wish I could protect you and xxxxxz from all which is to come ;( please feel free to contact me if you need anything even if it is just a phone call or anything I may do from here.
This sickness is so limited…
It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot destroy peace,
It cannot kill friendship,
It cannot suppress memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot conquer who you are.
Hold onto hope, it is the best medicine of all.
Always know I am here for you and I will do whatever you need me to do.
The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat,
knows suffering, known struggle, known loss,
and have found their way out of the depths.
These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity,
and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and courage.
I wish for you:
Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to feel your lips,
Sunset to warm your heart,
Gentle hugs when spirits sag,
Friendship to brighten your days,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Confidence for when you doubt,
Courage to know yourself,
And Love to surround your path.
CR
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Enerva- I am sad you found out your dear friend has bc. Every time I turn around, I hear someone else has cancer. It just seems everywhere anymore. What a lovely letter you wrote.
I try to help people as I am hearing about their dx with anything I can do. I have been a direct resource for 2 women so far in the past year (including someone I met her on BCO) with specific needs they had around treatment, rides, etc. I hope you can be a resource for her from afar, if she is not in your area. Sometimes folks just need to know we are there and understand the whole messy ride. I so value my friends who could be present with me through everything without the need to judge or control any of it.
Hugs sisters.
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jazz yes this lady lives in france
.I am so sad cuz I was not able to see her and her dh in august wile I was there. In August she was still not aware of her bc. Aparently it was diagnosed 3 weeks ago and if biopsy confirms it she ll have surgery on Sept 17. So next week
It is a long history but she is the mom of an ex from when I was 18 and lived in france.
Her and her dh always sent Xmas cards to me and kept somewhat in touch over 22 years now and I care for them very much it's very very sad cuz she is old and I just fear.
It's crazy how c is the sickness of this century it seems 😢😢
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Enerva- you can send cards and maybe e-mail? Do you have Skype? Maybe you can do Skype calls from time to time if she wants to talk? I figured by the name she might be in France. I am sorry, and hope she does okay with everything.
Cancer sucks.
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Yes jazz it really sucks.
Bb I found some videos I want to share with you on cutting our own hair lol also on different stiles lol I ll show u I try and I sucks at it lol
Here are the videos
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one more
Sent
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and
in Spanish but u just need to watch lol
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I am not sure why it doesn't post .I must try a different way.
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Jazzy - Patient advocate does sound like a job to look into. BTW, what happened to your BCO friend sounds a lot like what happened to my relative. I, too, hope they - and all of us - continue to do well.
Enerva - Sorry about your friend being diagnosed. You wrote her a beautiful letter. I have (and have had) older relatives diagnosed, and they did very well. I hope your friend does well, too.
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thanks life, jazz I have some news. My useless manager told me yesterday that I am now not part of the xxxxxxo team, and when I question why and what is happening now he said oh well nothing you coninue to work on the same issues and projects. Then he said well if you want to stay in the xxxxx team them I can speak to A and I am sure he won't have an issue with that. I asked what will be the change? How does it affects my position then he said you will be a xxxxxx level 1 instead of a level 2. Then he said think about it this week and let me know next week. I went back to my desk and I asked the new manager his opinion. He told me we can discuss this today in a meeting also he told me that he would love it if I am part of his team etc etc. Now I just need to find out if it really affects my level cuz my title does not change basically I need to talk to a few people today and see how this is going to afect me but just by reporting to a new manager that alone is a big positive. I ll try my best I honestly feel this is what I need .as long as my salary is not afecte then I should be fine. I ll let u ou all know tonight .
Oh when he is saying level 1 instead of a 2. He is not talking about ba1 or ba2 he is referring to the team xxxxxz level 1 or xxxxxz level. 2 Aparently that team I have been working for now a year all the members are level. 1 meaning they are the front line support then if they can not resolve an issue they Scalate to a level 2 ba. But in my case this past year I have been both a front line support and a level 2 for scalation so I need to negociate the work load now. If I am going to be a level 1 then I should not have all Mexico project on my plate .and if I am staying a level 2 then I should not be dealing with small everyday issues.
Not sure if this makes any sense.
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