Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Terrific picture, ladies! Sounds like a great time..
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Poodles, I can empathize with all your surgery needs. In the past 2 years, I've had to have 5 major surgeries, including a left knee replacement! I can completely recommend that surgery. I too had arthroscopic first, and then heard that it was a "Hail Mary" play anyway so 3 months later needed a full replacement. I'd already had 3 hip replacements, shoulder reconstruction, and one foot complete reconstruction (gee I can hardly wait to see what happens to my bones with bc treatments!) I was getting embarrassed letting people know a new surgery was coming up and then got dx with bc.
Just take things one day at a time and focus on what is the first priority. We can talk more about fkr when the time comes. Thinking of you and hope today is a better day.
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Poodles, I agree - concentrate on DH, plan the hysterectomy and new knee since you'll have had to have met your insurance deductible. Should be interesting to see what original PS says. Have you found someone for the 3rd opinion?
My DH also wasn't able to participate in his hospital care. I did go home at night and that seemed to be okay - my hospital was pretty good. But trying to be there when rounds were done was a crap shoot. One of his docs did rounds at midnight!! It was a week before I met him.
Spend all the time you can pampering yourself and resting - you won't get much while hospital sitting.
Dara, you've had quite enough surgery. How discouraging. But glad that the knee went well.
HUGS!!!
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Peggy and MLP, it's amazing how strong we can all be, especially when it comes to medical issues. I really can't complain with the surgeries. With the exception of my foot, they have all been totally successful and I'm able to do just about all the things I want to do, and while we may get slowed down for periods of time, I'm determined to live my life the way I want. I've been very fortunate and feel lucky to be able to say that. Even with the bc dx, I was so fortunate to have found the lump myself, just 3 months after a clear mammogram. My joints are working great for now, and I prefer to look at the glass half full :-)
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Dara, exactly. And if the glass isn't quite half full, get a smaller glass!
HUGS!
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Poodles, so sorry for the disappointing recon opinion. Hoping your second or third opinion PS can come up with a more creative and less painful solution. I second the advice to try regular forms first, which are the same weight as natural breasts, so you can decide on whether you’d like to carry that on your chest permanently. As to your knee, I had exactly the same history--hyaluronic acid shots, arthroscopies, PT, none of which worked. (Latest studies show that arthroscopy for meniscal injuries is no more effective than shots, braces or PT). I managed to get ten good months of relief with an “unloader” brace--which shifts the alignment to the healthier condyle (the one with more cartilage) so it bears the weight. It has to be custom-made, but insurance pays for it. But getting my knees replaced changed my life. I’m certain that’s one factor in my AI aches being less pronounced. But know it’s a long and uncomfortable rehabilitation process that lasts at least a couple of months of PT and can take up to a year to feel truly “normal.” And if you have stairs up to your front door and have nobody to drive you to & from the PT clinic (some do provide transportation), you might need about 10-14 days in a rehab/convalescent center--as in the beginning you will need twice-daily PT and OT. You will have your hands full taking care of yourself, much less of your DH--so you might need a home health aide for the two of you. (With a right knee, you can’t drive for at least a month, painkillers or not).
Peggy, since both Rome & Tuscany are forecast to be, respectively, a schvitz and a sauna, wanna hitch a ride in my suitcase next week? Could use your cooling powers!
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Sandy, you just went beyond my meager knowledge of Yiddish. I would guess that means HOT! Sure, just fold me up in your suitcase and I guarantee cooler, wet weather. Whatever is abnormal for this time of year! You'll have a ball. All that great food and wine....YUM.
Well, Monday afternoon I hit my wall. My acid reflux was terrible, felt more like an ulcer (knew it wasn't my heart). I was worn out and felt crappy. Time to go off the regular coffee, chocolate and (horrors) wine! I did that yesterday and felt somewhat better. Had a friend over which was wonderful (Octogirl's step-aunt), cancelled going to the baseball game and dozed all evening on the loveseat. The pets didn't even bother me. I did have non-pepperoni pizza for dinner and it was fine (weird, isn't it?). Today I'm feeling great. Think I had been overdoing it (really???). I did a couple of fun errands, unpacked a box that I could mostly sit on the floor and do. Kitchen stuff, no less. I think I'm just going to throw things where I think they may work and the hell with it! No more well-thought out planning. Unpack! it doesn't hurt that the sun has been out quite a bit and it is warmer (I'm a hot-weather lover). I'm going to the baseball game tonight. Life is back to good (and my coffee didn't bother this morning - I won't have wine till the weekend since I really can't drink and drive).
Poodles, more hugs!!
HUGS!
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Peggy, a “schvitz" is a steam room. It was an essential part of the culture of being a Jewish male in the 20th century--the schvitz was a weekly occurrence, a meeting place, a guys' spa day. Most schvitzes that catered to Jews in the U.S. date back to Russian traditions (as opposed to Turkish baths). Of course, there are steam rooms in health clubs, gyms and spas now, catering to all ethnicities, sexes and gender orientations (though usually with separate rooms for men & women) and incorporating an eclectic variety of traditions.
I find my GERD is worse the closer to bedtime I eat, especially fatty+spicy or acidic foods. I never have any alcohol as a “nightcap” (not only does it irritate the esophagus, it relaxes the sphincter that lets stomach acid rise up into it; and it screws up REM sleep and makes you likelier to awaken prematurely; Not to mention making you snore, because it loosens the tone of the soft tissues of your airway). I switch to water or milk a couple of hours before hitting the sack. And elevating my esophagus above my stomach (I sleep on 3 pillows) helps immensely. And though I take a prescription PPI, a Tums at bedtime couldn't hurt (even if you don't absorb all the calcium). And I try not to “siesta” too soon after lunch.
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PontiacPeggy… Happy Belated!
Sloan and Sandy - Great pic!
Poodles - Sandy and I had our knees replaced at approx. the same time - it changes your life, but it is a challenging recovery. The best to you!
Hello to all the newbies on the forum - so sorry you have to be here, but you'll find great support.
I had my port removed today!!! Last "cancer" procedure (I hope.) Now, just the daily pill, scans and check-ups.
Hair is growing!0 -
Brit, congratulations on the port removal. Your hair is really growing in!! Peggy, I am glad you are feeling better. Sandy, I would love to hide in your suitcase!!
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Sandy, I drink my one glass of wine with dinner and only water until bedtime. I rarely snack after dinner but when I do I pig out on popcorn drowning in butter (and no added salt). I've found that 2 cups of coffee, a square of chocolate, glass of wine and sometimes salads thrown in cause me trouble eventually. I also sleep on 3 pillows. My SIL said I didn't snore. I'd gone over a month with no problems so I'd guess that being exhausted contributed. Now I will watch it.
Brit, yeah on getting rid of the port and HAVING HAIR!! Thanks for the birthday card - sadly it is too true
HUGS!
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Just a quick hi to everyone! Work is nuts - I saw the amazing food Sloan and Peg, omg I am drooling!
Rads officially start tomorrow. Had the dry run today, that machine is big and scary. Otherwise been feeling great, can't complain. Still going to PT for cording and wrapping helps a ton, it's been getting much better. Peg - I love summer too, it makes a difference on my frame of mind and health, I'm convinced!
BTW, initially I had been feeling torn about sharing a lot of personal stuff, but I have concluded over the last few months that this is a relatively safe place. I see so many personal connections forming, so, if you are so inclined, you can read about me here. Also, I was asked to write about my experience with chemo this spring for a local magazine, and I was on the radio today.
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Molly, it never occurred to me to seek out a 3rd opinion in NOLA. I wouldn't even know where to start! I live in Atlanta, about 8 hours from NOLA, but my mother lives about 4 hours away and one sister lives 3 hours away. Hmmm, maybe worth looking at that.
Sandy and Dara, it's my left knee that's the bigger problem. My right knee hurts too, but not on the scale of my left knee. The left hurts all the time and wakes me up several times a night.The biggest thing that worries me about having the TKR is getting up and down the stairs. I have 7 stone steps from the parking pad up to the side walk that leads to the porch, then 3 steps up to the porch. All my bathrooms and bedrooms are upstairs, too, about 5 steps. I'm pretty sure that I'd need a stint in rehab, because I'd never be able to drag myself up the stairs fast enough to not wet my pants (already had that experience with the arthroscopy!)
DH called a real estate agent today and set up an appt for next Wed! What was he thinking? I have home visits tomorrow, he has surgery Friday, we will be in the hospital AT LEAST until Sunday. This house hasn't really been cleaned since I started chemo in October--it looks like a pack of wolves live here! Oh, well. I guess they've seen it all before. We are well aware that the house needs deeeeeeep cleaning and painting. The yard needs sprucing up. The whole house needs de-cluttereing. Other than that I just need to know what to do about the popcorn ceilings, the woodwork, and the bathrooms.
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Yay, Brit! Your hair really is coming in nicely! Mine actually now looks like it may be a style I chose- VERY short but ok. Plus, a silver lining (glass half full) is that it is "wash and wear". How was the port removal? Am having that done Aug 3 (along with colonoscopy and esophageal stretch- the old "choke and poke" as they call it
Peggy- yes, think you might have been overdoing but glad your solutions have been fairly simple. Enjoy the game!
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So nice to hear that my Step-aunt and you hit it off Peggy! Now I have two people to visit in Spokane on my cross country travels (some day...) and glad you are feeling better! Unpacking and doing too much doesn't help....
MLP, big ((((HUGS)))).. It sucks
I have been working so much I barely have time for the boards....but this week is the worst, then it gets better. So waving to you all in the meantime!
Octogirl
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How fun to hear how these relationships have developed and expanded from being on these boards! Certainly this is a BC benefit! Love it!
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Mary Mallette, I totally understand about the hair. Mine has come in curly and every day I have a new style, LOL. I just wet it and finger comb it. The wind blows it about and people think I paid money to get my hair to look this way. Ha! If they only knew.
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Three cheers for DH! He just brought me a delicious rum & Diet Coke. I feel better already.
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Fightergirl, good luck with rads. I just finished mine yesterday. I know what you mean about the big machine. They told me it would get really close so I closed my eyes and concentrated on the music that had playing. This helped me relax. Didn't take long at all. It'll be over before you know it. Get a calendar so you can mark off days. Have you checked the summer rads board? I was on spring rads board & I got alot of information there. You've got this!
Brit, congratulations on getting the port removed & the hair growing!
Peggy, glad you are feeling better.
Today was my first day post rads. My car wanted to turn right this morning to go to hospital, I had to force it to turn left to go straight to work, lol!
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Yay for finishing rads tbalding!!!!!!!
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Poodles, here's the link The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery
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Poodles- glad DH brought you that Diet Coke and Rum AND know you get the whole hair thing...thinking of you sweet friend.
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Hello and (((HUGS))) to everyone. I have not had a chance to check this site in a while so I am just going to wish everyone well, to say Happy Birthday, and welcome to the newbies. (Otherwise, I would have to post pages and pages.) Poodles: I am so sorry for what you are going through. I am saying prayers for you. Good luck.
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Poodles, even two months ago I thought you looked great in short hair (no frizzies from neck-sweats!). I had a thought--maybe, when you get that TKR, instead of a rehab center you & DH can temporarily move into an Extended Stay Inn-type hotel near the PT center--so you can get your PT sessions in without having to deal with stairs (and someone else gets to do the housekeeping). If I couldn't have gotten a bed at Alden N. Shore I might have checked into the nearby Holiday Inn, with Bob monitoring my meds, and cabbed it up & back to the rehab gym at Alden (or to an Athletico). (Of course, a good rehab facility has lots of extras--mine had a waiter-service dining room (great food, and you could have guests dine with you for free twice, or for a small menu price more often), rec hall, full-service salon, mani-pedis by the patient care techs, state-of-the-art rehab & OT gyms, a patio, almost-first-run movies 3x/week (with popcorn!), and an ice cream parlor. Not to mention coffee (reg. & decaf) and cookies in the lobby 24/7.
Suzanne, yay for getting both hair and “de-ported” (the good kind of de-portation). And Trish, ring that virtual bell for finishing rads. You might have some residual effects intensify for a week, but then they will more quickly reverse. And those pining for hair, take inspiration from Sloan--hers is full now and looks as if she gets it regularly styled and trimmed at a great salon.
Decided that we probably weren't going to get much of a storm up here, so I went to my monthly BC Support Group meeting in Evanston tonight. Believe it or not, I met a BCO sister--Peaches1--there! (Two in one week)!
Had my cortisone shot for my trigger thumb today. Hoo boy, did it ever HURT! That "mindfulness breathing" sure came in handy. Surprised that they insisted on X-rays first, but the surgeon explained he wanted to make sure there was nothing bone-related that could be aggravating the symptoms. Then he located the tendon nodule via ultrasound and had me try to flex the joint, so he confirmed it was indeed stenosing tenosynovitis and found the exact spot to inject. He put a band-aid on it and said it might feel sore for a day or so, but no problem thus far. (Might hoist an ice-cold can of Minute Maid Light if it does hurt). He also did warn that it could take a week for the cortisone (actually, dexamethasone + lidocaine) to dissolve the nodule or reduce it enough to stop the "triggering." I have a show to play tomorrow (Andina & Rich, at the Merion luxury senior residence in Evanston, 5-7:30 pm--$15 public, free to Merion residents), but I've played long multi-set gigs with the thumb triggering, so I should be fine. (Hope some of you in the Chi. area can come).
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BTW, I just decided to ruminate on what one of the wellness counselors said tonight at our support group meeting. We were talking about dietary risk factors. She said that statistics showed that women who had one drink a day, or 7 per week, had an 11% higher risk of developing a postmenopausal breast cancer, following that with “therefore, alcohol is a known carcinogen.” WTF?? There are so many other variables....but not only wasn’t there a controlled prospective study (there can’t be, because there’s no money in it since drug companies can’t bottle and sell motivation and discipline), but we are talking pure statistics. Not biology, not chemistry.....just arithmetic.
And before anyone either panics or beats herself up over having enjoyed that glass of wine every night at dinner....that 11% increase in risk is not ADDED to the 12% risk of getting bc by age 80. At first, you might think “OMG--by having a drink a day I upped my risk to 23%!” Nope--that 11% increase is 11% of 12%.....which is 1.32. THAT is what you add to 12% to get the enhanced risk....a whopping 13.2%. I don’t drink every day when I don’t dine out--but danged if I’m going to limit myself to 15 oz. of wine a week while in Italy.
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I asked my surgeon about this. She said wine is good just not in excess. It's like coffee. One day it causes cancer and the next day it's good for you. Everything in moderation. I am currently in Greece and enjoying my wine. I'll be home in a couple of weeks and go back to normalcy.
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Ooooh....Greece! Always wanted to visit the isles, especially Santorini. We’re going to Rome for five days, then to a little resort condo complex in Selvatelle (Tuscany--we fly to Pisa and then rent a car, but Bob is pressing me to find out how much a driver will cost) for three days (at least one winery and cooking class, maybe meet up with an expat guitar buddy in Arezzo for dinner & some picking) then back to Rome for two days & nights before flying home. We’re on Alitalia in Premium Economy--and I am not about to turn down some good wine & Prosecco.
As far as excess goes, though, I hate feeling loopy. I am a control freak. So I taste liberally but stop short of the buzz. (If only they could come up with a no-alcohol wine that tastes half as good as either non-alc. beer like Clausthaler or Kaliber or artisanal decaf)!
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Have a wonderful time! Sounds dreamy. My husband is Greek so we are here on the island of Kos surrounded by family. About 10 years ago we bought an apartment so we don't have to bother the relations, can be more comfortable and stay longer. My husband is a professor and I only do contract work now so we get our Summer's off. I am born and raised Southern California but first came at the age of 19 with my parents. Long story there. I am not Greek. I want to hear about your trip! I really want to go to Italy. I was there 43 years ago and not since. My kids have even been there! My husband gets 20 miles from home and has to get on a plane for the island! I am pushing harder each year. 😄
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Sandy, I've read in several sources about the reference to alcohol, but it referred to more than 2 drinks per week increased bc risk! Of course, also listed chocolate, sugar, and any carbs in the same category. I guess we need to live on raw carrots and broccoli :-)
Poodles, When I had 2 of my hip replacements, we lived in a 2 story with 20+ stairs up to the bedroom. We rented a hospital bed and kept it downstairs for a few weeks until I could handle the stairs. When I got my FKR, even my husband was amazed at how much easier it was for me to move, lift my leg myself, and get around. I'd always heard FKR were harder than hips, but I found just the opposite. My therapist just told me that when going up or down stairs, "the good go to heaven, the bad go to hell," In other words, go up on a good leg, down on the bad. It helps.
FighterGirl, Good luck with rads! I find out Monday if I can get going next week or what my plan is.
Peggy, don't overdue with unpacking; I learned that the hard way. And once things are put away, you can always rearrange things. Good luck.
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Poodles, what a dear DH was - diet Coke & rum. Better than any drug
I like Sandy's idea of perhaps going to an extended stay hotel and get a handicap room if it is feasible. It IS cosy but it would be much easier than all those steps. Having a realtor come in is a good idea even if you live in a disaster zone (I get that completely!). For one thing, they will tell you what absolutely has to be done to make the house saleable. And that might not be what you think. Remember not everyone hates popcorn ceilings, e.g. or Formica counters. And some of the things you do might wind up being what the buyers don't like. Paint only if you have peeling stuff. FHA hates that. I left the kelly green bedrooms alone. I'm sure the buyers will paint them but that didn't bother them at all. Make your yard neat, don't do anything drastic. But you must declutter so the house looks as spacious as possible. After I had gotten the house decluttered and show-ready, it beamed of the reasons Chuck and I had bought it - spacious flowing rooms with high ceilings and lots of light.Sandy, I've decided that actually paying attention to all these studies is a waste of my time. I do read them and then go on, ignoring them. I'm going to have wine when I want, eat bacon when I feel like it, have a cinnamon roll, drown my popcorn in gobs of butter, eat lots of eggs. The scientists have no clue and love to come up with something spectacular so the news people will talk about their work. Whether the information is actually valid and validated seems to not matter much. BTW, I like the idea of you getting a driver in Italy! Hope the shot helps ASAP!!!
Kalypso, Welcome! Summering in Greece sounds might good.
Dara, I got PO'd at myself yesterday and started putting kitchen stuff where I think I might like it. I'm tired of the boxes and not being able to locate stuff I might actually want IF I decide to cook
I felt much better. It's so hard since the kitchen is laid out vastly different from my old one. I'll be storing a lot of things in the garage that I don't use often - probably getting a couple big plastic racks - maybe one with doors, haven't decided. I had big, deep, tall open shelves in one kitchen closet (more than a cupboard) that was great for my huge cookies trays and oversized wood salad bowls. Nothing like that here. So I need to get creative!614 Glad all's well!
HUGS!
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