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  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited March 2016

    Yay Stellamaris :))))))) so glad it worked out -- and best part you slept thru the drama! I got used to the drains after a while and just found a couple of zip up workout jackets that had inside pockets. Hahaaaa Lava lamp is probably a first!!

  • BeachLife
    BeachLife Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2016

    Dorothy26 Hi Welcome! I was from Toronto many years ago. I am also PR-, and came across the following article in my research. Here is a cut and paste of part of the research paper:

    "Clinical data have confirmed in both the metastatic and adjuvant treatment settings that tamoxifen is less efficacious in ER+/PR− tumors than in ER+/PR+ tumors (7–13). Data from the large ATAC adjuvant trial, a worldwide trial comparing the efficacy of tamoxifen with that of the aromatase inhibitor anastrazole, showed overall that patients with ER+/PR+ tumors had a lower recurrence rate than those with ER+/PR−tumors (7.6% versus 14.8%) (14). This difference in overall recurrence was due largely to the lower efficacy of tamoxifen in the subgroup of patients with ER+/PR− tumors; there was little difference in the recurrence rate of PR+ versus PR− tumors in patients who were treated with anastrozole. "

    Good luck

    http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/97/17/1254....

  • BeachLife
    BeachLife Member Posts: 41
    edited March 2016

    Stellamaris: What a once-in-a-life-time Easter! Glad your surgery was relatively smooth and you have recovered well. Sounds like our BS and the PS did agood job. Best of luck with the path report, etc

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited March 2016

    Welcome Dorothy26!

    Hi all - I am just home from 3/24 DIEP surgery. Phoebe - the lava lamp caused a big commotion every time someone new came in the room lol, but it was very soothing and made a perfect night light . I had forgotten about the rib thing - they break a small piece to get access to the vein. That is causing me a little pain when I breathe in deeply. A big surprise for me was the compressor pads on top of the stockings - hot, hotter hottest. My back is also very sore from the 'hunched walk'. Breast pain has not been a big issue - totally okay with the tylenol. I am pleasantly surprised with my drain situation. I have 3, and 2 of them are already <10 ml per day. The left ab drain is the most prolific, but already down to about 40 ml.

    The big disappointment was that my PS could not do the planned reduction on the left breast in the same surgery due to how long it was taking. I am going to have to do some serious bra stuffing (one side DD and one side B). On the other hand, I could present myself constantly in profile...lol. I had really hoped for the reduction because I wanted to get a pathology on it. I had so hoped to get some assurance that the left side was cancer free. Oh well - about par for the course with my luck on this one.

    My DH suggested using hiking poles when I walk - and I'm going to try that.

    Best wishes to all - so happy to be out on the other side. :) Keep on healing ladies!!

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited March 2016

    BeachLife -fingers crossed on your test results. Please keep us up to date.

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited March 2016

    yaay - 6 days post op and 2 of 3 drains removed! Pain is minimal. Can sleep in my bed, and could lie flat on my back with legs straight today. Incisions are all dry. Healing much quicker than I ever expected. Will see the BS on April 14 to find out the story on rads, but at this point so,so grateful to be feeling as normal as I do. A sincere thank-you to all of you for your support and sharing of information.


  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited March 2016

    Wonderful news Stellamaris, despite the D-B issue. According to artists, symmetry is boring :) Glad healing is going well, but don't let that lull you into overdoing it!!!

    Beachlife, thanks for the er+pr- info -- despite all my researching I had not seen that [or forgotten it]. I was told Letrozole is best for my situation and maybe that's why.

    I thought I had killed my macbook a couple of days ago, but after some sulking it has recovered. Off to enjoy the sunshine.

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited March 2016

    Phoebe - I will be careful with the walking. Was thinking of doing a self-portrait a la picasso lol.Enjoy this gorgeous weather!

  • newday123
    newday123 Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2021

    That's great news stellamaris, glad to hear the surgery is done, and healing is going well!

    Can I ask you, how long did you get to stay at the hospital after surgery? I'll be having my surgery soon, finishing up with the last chemo near mid-April.

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited April 2016

    Newday123 - I was in hospital 5 nights. Surgery was Thursday and i came home Tuesday. When is your surgery? Are you having immediate DIEP? BMX or UMX? I was a umx, and I will have to go back for a breast reduction in 3-6 months.

  • phoebe58
    phoebe58 Member Posts: 96
    edited April 2016

    It is so gorgeous out today:))) Just lifts my spirits. Stellamaris, I did enjoy walking and getting out regularly, but not for too long and kept things pretty flat and slow on gentle hills [no Grouse Grind for you yet!!] Newday, I was in Thurs and out Tues too at VGH! Thurs surgery, Fri and Sat hot room recovery with the omg first ancient old crone mini walk to corner toilet on Fri, but then increasing laps a few times a day, getting a bit quicker and less hunch backed around unit until I was released on a Tues morning. Best wishes.

  • 1Uniboob1
    1Uniboob1 Member Posts: 23
    edited April 2016

    Hello, I'm being treated at the Surrey bcca. I started chemo yesterday. So far so good. I Would be interested in hearing if anyone else is or was treated there and opinions. I've been very confused about hormone therapy vs chemo. I found this group as stellamaris "stood up" for me on a different discussion board as to why I was directed to have chemo. I forgot to even look at that board for a week or two so felt the moment to reply was lost. Thanks stellamaris btw! The more I know the more confused I get. And the less confident I feel. I want to relax and trust everything but I also don't want to be a fool and not question anything. I've seen 2 oncologists and have some inside Intel on my PS what more can I do. Anyway, I'm rambling. Nice to hear from local ladies in the same system. 

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited April 2016

    hi 1uniboob! Glad you found us. Please continue to educate yourself. It is great to trust your doctor's, but having an understanding of what questions to ask helps keep them on their toes. Sometimes we need to follow our gut. My guess is that you are receiving chemo because of the positive nodes. Did you have an oncotype test? Hang in there, you can do this, and the women on these boards are amazingly supportive. I am currently recovering from my uni mx and immediate DIEP reconstruction. I will find out on April 14 if I have to have rads. Take care, sending big hug.

  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited April 2016

    Good morning everyone! Read the latest posts twice and still can't remember them all!

    NewDay, I note you are having surgery soon~~what is the plan?

    Stella, so good to hear that you are doing well~~you are one tough cookie! Keep us posted on path results. Did you hear when they will come in?

    Wendy, hope that you are tolerating the fulvestrant (sp?) OK.

    1uniboob1, I agree that chemo is likely due to the positive nodes and maybe also due to size and also the fact that it is ILC. One of my best friends had ILC and LCIS and had same protocol a couple of years before my BC and is doing great. She did choose electively to have a bmx and did not have rads.

    BeachLife, I think you are awaiting some test results too?

    I had a great time reuniting with old friends in NL but good to be back. I seem to have picked up a cold virus but am fighting back as my hernia surgery is Friday. Oddly I am more nervous about that than I was for my mx. Maybe that was because it was after all the chemo and waiting and was tired of it all and wanted it over. Ah well, I will definitely slow down which is not a bad thing.

    Dorothy26, hope you have things sorted out.


    Here is one of my favourite photos from my trip.

    image

    Keukenhof Gardens, Lisse, Netherlands March 29, 2016

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited April 2016

    MarianElizabeth what a gorgeously vibrant picture! Will be in your pocket on Friday. Until then, rest, rest, rest and get rid of that cold. I had my last drain removed today. Walking every day, although very fatigued today. I have assumed my position on the couch, lol

  • kokomo26
    kokomo26 Member Posts: 39
    edited August 2016

    Phebe58...Hello and thanks for all your advice.

    BeachLife...Thanks for your welcome and the article....Did you have the Ocnotype test done?

    Stellamaris...Thanks for your welcome also.

    Marianeliza...Thanks for asking. After much consideration I decided not to do the boosts. Over the last few days came across the Topic "Oncotype-Stage 1A.what was yours" so went right through it and saw so many ladies with the P- that had the test and ended up doing chemo. When I had seen my MO back in Feb she said no chemo based on size and handed me a presc for Letrozole to start after rads. I started to panic and was able to see her on Monday. To my surprise the test has now been ordered and I am back to worrying about the results. Pray it comes back low as I really dont know what I will do if it doesn't! Will know in 3 weeks. All my family says to get off the computer and stop researching!! I just dont understand why she wasnt concerned about the P- before? I guess I kept asking about it and possibly being Luminal B?

    Ladies....did any of you have the ocnotype test when it was questionable about chemo? Did it change your mind about treatment?

    Will buy the Letrozole tomorrow (brand name Sandoz) anyone on that one?

    Have a great evening...I will try to.

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited April 2016
    Dorothy - I am also PR-. My MO did not recommend chemo for ILC, and ordered the oncotype to validate his decision. If it came back at 28, he would have changed his mind about chemo. It came back 27. No chemo. I'm ok with that - only a 3% improvement in my distant recurrence stats, which would not justify the toxicity of chemo, nor the side effects. He also noted that the AI is a bigger gun than tamoxifen, which improves the stats.
  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited April 2016

    Marian good to hear you had a good time in NL I will be thinking of you tomorrow.

    Have had a rough two months with my FIL being sick and subsequent passing. We had to call 911 as he was not well After one week in hospital test came back that he had cancer, both in lungs and bones He had been in pain since Christmas but his dr never diagnosed hi Just kept getting him more pills =( A week after diagnosis he passed Now we take turns caring for MIL who has never been alone Needless to say we are looking for a new dr for her...in..two weeks and we are heading to Mexico for ten days. Cant wait Need some R&R

    Hope you are all able to enjoy the amazing weather we are having

  • Wendy3
    Wendy3 Member Posts: 872
    edited April 2016

    Hello to all you lovely ladies not doing a lot of posting lately but keeping up with you all.

    Thank you Marian yes it's going well so far no side effects to speak of. Besides maybe more hot flashes and I would have had those anyway. Love the picture tulips one of my fav flowers. I did join the Granville island ladies dragon boat rowing team. Loved it a lot harder than I thought it would be. So things are still plugging along

  • newday123
    newday123 Member Posts: 35
    edited March 2021

    Hi Wendy, good to hear from you. So cool you're on the dragon boat rowing team!

    Hi everyone, I have my last chemo next week! Yay!! :)

    Hi Marian! Surgery is planned for mid May! :)

  • Fluffygerbillips
    Fluffygerbillips Member Posts: 20
    edited April 2016

    Hi Dorothy, I was P+ & had onco type testing done. My oncologist asked me at my first appointment... "If we recommend chemo will you do it?" I said yes so she did the test. She said >25, chemo was recommended. Mine came back 20 so I didn't get chemo. I think chemo would have been onlya 4% improvement so it wasn'tworth the risk.

  • Fluffygerbillips
    Fluffygerbillips Member Posts: 20
    edited April 2016

    Ossa, I'm sorry to hear about your FIL :(

    Have a great trip to Mexico though!

  • Fluffygerbillips
    Fluffygerbillips Member Posts: 20
    edited April 2016

    Have any of you Ladies had nipple reconstruction? I go for mine in 2 weeks and I'm getting really nervous. More nervous about this than my implant swap! Dr Nelson says I am the perfect candidate for it & she expects a great result but I just can't get past the stories of fipples turning black & falling off! :-

  • kokomo26
    kokomo26 Member Posts: 39
    edited June 2016

    Hi Fluffygerbi! Thanks for the info...I didnt know what the cut of number was.

  • Ossa
    Ossa Member Posts: 685
    edited April 2016

    Hi Fluffy....

    I had nipple recon.. It was ok for awhile them went flat. I ended up having a 3D nipple tattoo and is very happy with it. It does look very real My Ps said it was the best looking nipple he had seen (don't hear that often lol) He said if I had gone to the nurse to get the nipple tattoo it would not look anything near as good as mine did .I do need to go back and get more colour put on as it has faded over the past few years

  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited April 2016

    Ossa - I am leaning toward a 3D nipple tatoo. I am still a ways away, as I need the stage 2 reduction on the good breast in 3 -4 months, but perhaps you can provide me with the name of your tatooist when the time comes? I am becoming very surgery averse, even towards nips and tucks lol


  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,156
    edited April 2016

    I am still undecided on nipple because I am likely to do an implant exchange. Not sure I will bother anyway but I would do 3 D based just on Ossa's which is amazing.

    Incisional hernia surgery done Friday and though it was bigger than the surgeon expected~~10 cm by 7 cm by about 4 cm she able to do it with arthroscopic surgery and 3 sites. 2 nights in St. Paul's as nausea and vomiting went on first night until sorted out next AM. Fasting from midnight until a noon surgery is stupid and drinking water to try to rehydrate on top of anesthetic did not work out too well. Ah well, home now and managing other than getting bowels going. Think we all who had surgery know about that~~LOL!



  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited April 2016
    MarianElizabeth - so glad to hear you are home and over the worst!
  • Fluffygerbillips
    Fluffygerbillips Member Posts: 20
    edited April 2016

    imageMarianelizabeth, the 3D nipple tattoos are amazing when done by a professional tattoo artist!. If you want to test them out first, look up Nippletattos.com. I ordered the temporary tattoos they sell and my PS just about squeeled when she saw them, she couldn't believe how real they look & is already telling her other patients about them. They do look better ON than in the picture LOL. There's pictures on thewebsite of applied temporary tattoos.

    Stacey-Rae Weir is the artist & she specializes in 3D Nipple tattoos. She's a previvor herself so helping cancer survivors is really something that is important to her. She teaches tattoo artists how to do realistic 3D nipple tattoos. She is from Calgary but is working on Vancouver island until the end of the summer. Hopefully she will be doing my areola tattoos once my fipples are healed.


  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 313
    edited April 2016

    Thanks so much for the info! Much appreciated :)

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