Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Right back atcha, Sloan! I agree that it would be marvelous to have a BCO Sisters group trip! You and Bill were incredibly gracious treating me to dinner, and I am so glad to know you!
Grazy, Zometa is a bisphosphonate (zolendronic acid), the infused version of orals such as Fosamax or Boniva. Prolia works a bit differently: it’s a biologic drug (the suffix “-mab” or “-nib” is usually telltale).
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Peggy, I can't believe I missed it but you mentioned that your birthday was today. Happy birthday dear friend. You make this thread so special. Here's a cake for you.
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Peggy, Happy Birthday! You are an inspiration to all of us. May the sun finally break through those chilly Eastern WA clouds and shine down warmly on the Blue Mts., Spokane, and you!
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hi all! I'm scheduled for a lumpectomy on Aug 4th after 6 rounds of TCHP that started in Feb. Luckily the tumor shrank enough to avoid a mastectomy so all that chemo was worth it even though I had my doubts at the time. Lol! Next week I'll start all the pre-op stuff,then about 4 weeks after surgery I'll do 8 weeks of rads. I'm also getting Herceptin every 3 weeks till next Feb. Seems like an awful lot of stuff and an awful long time for such a small mass but I'll do what I have to so i can help relieve concerns about reoccurrence. I can't imagine any mutant cells getting past all of this.
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Sandy, thanks for the clarification on the difference between Zometa & Prolia. You and Sloan look so happy in your photo - how great is it that you got to meet each other!! You sound like the most fabulous host.
Katzpjays - thanks so much for letting me know your sister has had three Zometa infusions and didn't have any problems - that's really encouraging! I've had a pretty easy time with everything else, so I'm going to just assume it will be the same in this case. I'm the eternal optimist!!
Peggy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
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Happy Birthday Peggy! Hope you have a great new year!
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Happy, Happy HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEGGY!!!
Sloan and Sandy, you both look great!
Octogirl
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Happy abirthday, Peggy. I hope it's a great one!
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Molly, thank you. You baked the prettiest cake. And thank you for the kind words. Just trying to repay all the great advice AND great friendships I've made here.
Sandy, Thanks! I have realized that I am the solution to global warming and I'm not very happy about it. Wherever I go, it seems to turn cool. I leave Michigan and it turns hot. I arrive in Spokane to really hot temperatures and it turns very cool
I'm ready for shorts and tank tops!Thank you, Dara, Grazy, Octogirl and Poodles. It was a wonderful birthday. A treat to celebrate with #2 son after 20+ years of no kids nearby. Hog heaven!
HUGS!
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MyraKnits, You certainly have thrown everything at BC you could. And so glad that you can have a lumpy to get rid of what's remaining. Eight weeks of rads? That sounds like a lot. I had 33 (6-1/2 weeks). That usually is the longest period of time.
Anyway, welcome! You're at the right place for information about your lumpectomy, support, and wonderful friendships. There are quite a few BCO'ers in LA. Hope you can meet up with some of them. We're with you!
HUGS!
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Welcome Myra!!! Hope you do well with your surgery and the rest of your treatments!
Happy Birthday Peggy!!!!
Grazy, Sloan, and Sandy, love the pictures!!!
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Happy birthday, Peggy! Awesome that you were able to spend it with son #2.
Sloan, so happy for you and Sandy! The photo says it all!
Moon- how are you feeling?
Myra- welcome! Sounds like you had a great response with the chemo. Please keep us posted about your upcoming surgery.
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Happy birthday Peggy! If you are the solution for global warming, then you need to come to Bakersfield!
Sandy - That children's museum has a water room, a shopping cart, a building room, camping room, a tiny collection room, and right now there is race car room with at least 50 tracks. Best children's museum ever!
Welcome Myra. We're here for you!
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Welcome Myra! So happy you had a good response to chemo.
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Welcome Myra from me also! I agree that sometimes it sure seems like a whole lot for such a little mass, but just goes to show you just how potent those little things can be! Good luck with your surgery. Lumpectomy is so much easier to recover from.
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Well, this has been a sad, mad, disappointing day. I went to see a new PS and he was just as nice as could be. After listening to my tale of the BMX and complications, he did a full exam. I know he's a doctor, but any exam these days is very embarrassing--I have a lot of body shame, not only from the mastectomies but from my large round tummy. I just feel about as ugly as can be with my clothes off. After I got dressed he sat down with me and DH to discuss what might be done, in terms of reconstruction. He shot down my hopes for DIEP right away--I soooo wanted this, so it would use my own tissue. He feels that healing might be a big issue for me and despite my large fat tummy, he feels that I have a high chance of complications (10-15% of some serious comp, like tissue death, hernias, and infection--been there, done that!) So, although he says he would do the DIEP he strongly recommended against it. He suggested that I consider latissimus dorsi flap with under the muscle implants. I am so upset--I really did not want to deal with TEs and implants. And I hear a lot about severe pain from lat flaps here on BCO.
I am just about beside myself. I am sadder than words can say and I'm madder than I think I've ever been. This goddamn cancer has taken my health, my hair, my breasts and my self-esteem. In the effort to save myself I have subjected myself to poisons which are causing peripheral neuropathy, suffered sepsis and severe pain, and continuing anemia that so far is not responding to the big guns (iron infusions).
This is not what I want. I thought I was fine with going flat, until I got some knitted breast forms. My self-confidence more than doubled from the moment I put them in my bra. Suddenly, I found that I really WANTED recon! My previous PS has always wanted to do over-the-muscle implants, but I'm so traumatized by my experiences with her that I just can't go there with her. The new PS says that he does not recommend the implants for me, although the lat flap also requires TEs and implants. He thinks that the regular implants aren't going to work well for me, but somehow these will??
I just want to lay down on the floor and CRY. I was so upset that my DH gave me a half a Xanax and took me to see "The Secret Life of Pets" to get my mind off things. It was helpful to sit in the dark, eat popcorn and M&Ms, and laugh out loud (it's really a cute movie.) But as soon as we came outside I was upset all over again. When we got home he gave me the other half of the Xanax. I suppose it has kicked in--I don't feel like burning the house down now or committing suicide, so I must be okay. Except that I am soooo not okay. Maybe I was wrong to go to this appt so close to DHs prostate surgery on Friday. I can't stop sighing every 10 minutes. I just want to lay down and die. Really, that's how bad I feel. Disappointed beyond belief. I wasn't even this upset when they told me I had breast cancer.
So, here I sit all fat and ugly, no breasts, short-short hair, dry skin, stiff hands and feet that go to sleep at the drop of a hat. Can't remember crap, can't concentrate. I guess I'm just going to have to get some real prosthetics and see if they will work for me, at least until I do more research and find out about this lat flap and implants. Stupid, f-ing breast cancer. I HATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO ME! I will take Xanax until I just don't care anymore...
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Oh Poodles, I just want to take you in my arms and hold you. I can't imagine how disappointing it was to hear that you couldn't have the type of recon surgery you want. You've been under so much stress that it's amazing you didn't melt down sooner. Take it easy on yourself. We think you are beautiful! Puffy doesn't matter. What's inside does and you are so special. Continue taking the Xanax - call your PCP and get a script for it.
After DH has his surgery, perhaps some of the pressure will be off. You've had it coming from everywhere. NO ONE can cope with that all the time.
For right now, use the knitted forms in your bras - remember they are lighter weight. Don't try to make any decision on recon right now. It's impossible. Wait until some of the stress has lifted (like getting your mother taken care of - that would be huge). And having DH get through his surgery.
You are so in my thoughts and prayers. You need lots of hugs and comfort and we're here to provide both.
HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Sloan, I hope your guest room is ready because I'M COMING!! A forecast of 75, sunny and no rain. Reality: 67, rain, and no sun. I hope Spokane appreciates what I've brought to it since moving here.
Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes!!!
HUGS!
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Poodles, I'm so sorry you got such disappointing news. I echo what Peggy said. Sending a big hug and prayers!
Welcome Myra . You've come to the right place. Everyone here is such a blessing.
I'm officially done with rads now! On to the T train Saturday .
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MustLove, I'm sorry to read your post. We can all just hear the disappointment and sadness in your words. Thinking of you and hoping a resolution can be found. Take care, and keep the Xanax handy! Dara
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MLP, I'm so sorry that you can't have the surgery you want. You've had so many truly difficult challenges. Think about it, maybe get another opinion, but don't decide until then. Praying for a solution that will work for you. Best, MJS
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Oh MustLove - I feel your pain and sadness... as others have said, you have a lot on your plate right now - try to get through your DH surgery and then you can focus more on the recon and what the doctor has suggested ... you could always get yet another opinion.
Hang in there and hopefully things won't look so bad in a few days..
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Dearest Peggy, Happy Birthday! So sorry it's so late. I hope you enjoy your day in your new hometown!
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Peggy, Belated Happy Birthday! May your next one be warmer!
Poodles, I'm really sad that things in the reconstruction department are not turning out like you wanted
I know you have so much on your plate right now. Why don't you wait a few weeks before you make a decision. Right now the knitted forms are fine. No one who doesn't know you will realize your boobs are gone. I am also bad with big disappointments like this, and it takes me a while to right myself. But once you get your feet back under you, take a look from the perspective of what you CAN do to make small gradual improvements in some of the things making you unhappy with yourself. Maybe like changing up your eating plan and figuring out some regular exercise that will work for you. Any positive action you take will raise your spirits. But right now, don't worry about things and deal with today only.HH, thanks for thinking of me! I'm feeling okay. I get tired earlier in the evening than usual, but that's okay. I'm frustrated with insurance hassles. In fact, I think tomorrow I may contact a couple of medical billing advocates for some free consultations. I may even hire one so I don't have to deal with these infuriating and stressful pieces of mail.
Sloan, great pic of you and Sandy! I hope you are having a fun time!
Everyone, have a good day tomorrow. Let's all do what we can do and let the rest wait.
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Poodles, hugs and prayers! Nothing I can say will help, you have a lot on your plate! Take time and recharge! HUGS!!!!
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Poodles I echo the thoughts, hugs, and prayers for you! I'm glad you can vent here sometimes that's exactly what one needs to do. I hope you find what can work for you sooner rather than later. Sounds like your plate is overflowing.
Peggy hope your birthday was a good one!
Sandy and Slone great pic looks like fun!
Welcome Myra
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Thanks, y'all. I am just going to put the whole subject of recon on the back burner for now. I have an appt with my original PS in August and I will get an opinion from her about what she thinks would be best for me. And since I don't plan for her to actually DO the surgery (I'm not telling her that, though), I plan to get a 3rd opinion before I do anything else. As many serious complications as Ive already had, I am very hesitant to sign up for surgery unless I KNOW it's going to improve my quality of life.
I still need to have a prophy. hysterectomy, so maybe I'll just plan for that to be the next surgery in the fall. Heck, I may even get crazy and have my left knee replaced too! I've been holding it together with ice, cortisone injections, PT, and diclofenac for over 3 years now. It's bone-on-bone. I had an arthroscopy on that knee 2 years ago, with disappointing results. I was told to expect great relief. Didn't happen. After 5 MONTHS of PT, I just quit. It never got more than 50% better. I've had those hyaluronic injections series twice already and they never worked. So, all that's left to do is just replace the knee. I hadn't planned to do it this year, but if I can get the hyst done perhaps in late Oct, maybe I can also fit the TKR in before the end of the year, while I've already hit my out of pocket.
It sounds like I just want a lot of surgery. It's not that I WANT all thi surgery. But all of it has to be done sooner or later. Or in the case of the total hyst, sooner. Two of my sisters and my grandmother had uterine cancer prior to menopause, and grandma and one of those sisters also had BC. So I'm not too keen to let it go very long.
For now, I just need to concentrate on work, home visits, and getting ready for DH's surgery. I'm planning to stay with him 24/7 this time. Last time, I went home for the night and they ended up neglecting and abusing him for several hours between midnight and 6am. Had he been more alert, he could have called me and I would have gone up there (he can be very confused sometimes when he is really sick.) Anyway, I'm not going to give them another opportunity for THAT. I will be packing my CPAP, toothbrush, 2 pairs of undies, a couple t-shirts andmy teddy bear, and just plan to move in there for the weekend.
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Poodles, I am sorry. I agree a third opinion would be great. Have you considered going to NOLA for another DIEP opinion? Keeping you and your DH in my prayers.
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Poodles, I'm so sorry to hear what you're going through. You have a lot of love and support being directed your way..
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you have been through so much. Too much! I pray you can find a good balance. This disease is brutal. I have found, or am finding, that you can't let the docs rule your life. Look at the statistics of reoccurrence for you situation. Take it from there. Thinking of you and hoping for a happy future.
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