Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Dara, I'm so sorry you have to have chemo after all; I'm sure you're still wrapping your head around it. Thinking of you and sending positive support.
Beebazboob, I have been thinking lately about the loved ones of law enforcement officers - I'm sure there is a level of worry like never before and I'm sorry you're under so much stress right now.
Poodles, very sorry about your week! You're also under a tremendous amount of stress.
Glad to see you doing pretty well, Moondust. You've seemed so active and organized throughout your treatment.
Tough times for a lot of folks right now. Hoping today is a better day for everybody who is worried, stressed or in pain. Thinking about you all.
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Peggy, my mom lives in a senior adult apt community, rather than assisted living. She didn't call anyone there so they didn't know she was in trouble.One of my sisters was there on Sat and pleased with momto let her carry her to the ER, but she refused. Mom is an old RN. She will not go to the ER unless she has already diagnosed herself. I am also an old rn, 39years experience, so this behavior makes me crazy. She has had to call 911 twice this year for things that she let her out of hand until they got so bad she couldn't move. Erg.
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Scans are clear! May follow up with a neurologist, but I'm hoping that by the time an appointment can happen maybe symptoms subside. But for now I'm so relieved I don't care. Thanks everyone for the good energy!
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fightergirl711 - Yay for clear scans!!! If what you're experiencing could be caused by stress... well you've got none of that. :-P
Dara, I'm glad that you have all the info to make an informed decision. Since you walked beside your sister through her treatment, you already know that chemo isn't as horrible everyone imagines it is. Someone once posted "I lost my hair, but never lost my lunch." That was me too.
Molly, thinking healing thoughts for you!
Moondust, what good stuff are you cooking?
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Moondust, Wow! The end of chemo is in sight. Must make you quite happy.
Poodles, you must want to shake some sense into your mother. Argh is right!
FighterGirl, YES!!! I can't begin to imagine your overwhelming relief that everything is just fine in your head. Are the "headaches" lessening? I agree that it would make sense that stress is making things worse.
HUGS!
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Dara, I am sorry about your needing chemo. Poodles, OMG don't know how you handle so much!! Sorry about your mom's stones and for losing a patient. Hugs everyone. I am so darn tired it's hard to be on here much.
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Irish65 - I am fairly new here too, and appreciate your post. I am now considering a lump with reduction and lift, because they will be taking out well over 10cm of breast tissue from my right breast. Do you mind me asking how much of a reduction you wound up with? I am a 38C - pretty dense (especially with 40lb weight gain over past 4 years)...so trying to figure out how much reduction I will be looking at. Not that I care that much, as I was prepared to get a mastectomy if needed.
Rmott - will they let you take Xanax? You don't want to get hooked, but it might help with your initial anxiety. I am jealous you got your surgery so quick! Good for you! I haven't had mine yet - and I was diagnosed 7/19 (although I believe they first saw it on 7/8, but there were some mis-communications going on w/imaging and my Ob/gyn).
PontiacPeggy - I believe it is Tamoxifen? Not sure the name at this point - I just know it is an estrogen blocker, and most likely will take for 5 years. I didn't know it was different than an AI - sorry.
614- So thankful for your post. thank you thank you. Especially as I am even more confused after getting my third/final consult yesterday.
Look for any insight from everyone here on the following - and sorry for such a long post. The first two docs/hospitals recommended lumpectomy w/rads (2 spots in right breast), along with hormonal therapy and some reconstruction. I really liked my second team of docs the most (Henry Ford), but the third consult yesterday was at University of Michigan (supposedly nationally renowned program) and they recommended a mastectomy as the 2 tumors are at least 10.2 cm apart from each other. They also want me to get an MRI to see if the larger mass (2cm) near my armpit area is attached to my pec muscle. If so - then that means I should do chemo before surgery. They also wanted to do a biopsy on a node in my armpit - that they aren't sure if anything is wrong with...just to be safe. I came away from that consult yesterday - feeling like I did during the 'wait' stage...confused, scared, and more unsure than ever as to what to do. I sent an email to my BS doc at Henry Ford, and she surprisingly sent back a detailed email right away with info that does make me feel better. But not sure I totally understand everything she said...curious what folks here with more knowledge than I think (or would do). I understand getting a mastectomy or lump is a personal choice...but getting sick of the docs telling me this, as I can't tell which way is better at this point. I know it is good to get as much knowledge and insight from docs as possible - but this is just causing me more stress. I know the goal with whatever I decide is NO REGRETS, which I learned from everyone here on this board. xoxo See note from my BS below:
Hi Katie:
Thank you for the follow-up email and I am terribly sorry for all the stress that this ordeal is creating. However I support your efforts to get additional information through other opinions.
Regarding our HFHS-based recommendations:
1.Choice of mastectomy versus breast-conserving surgery: as we discussed in clinic, you indeed have a significant distance between the two biopsy-proven sites of disease (we measured the distance as 9.9cm in greatest extent), and it would not be unreasonable for you to pursue mastectomy instead of lumpectomy because of this fact.
However, you have good-sized breasts and I think that there are some advantages to pursuing lumpectomy surgery instead of mastectomy, at least as a first step:
- (i)With breast-preserving surgery you have the best chances of being able to avoid having to undergo an axillary lymph node dissection (the surgery that removes the fuller axillary fat pad, and that can cause lymphedema/arm swelling in the future). Breast cancer patients with negative/non-cancerous sentinel lymph nodes can avoid the axillary lymph node dissection regardless whether they have had mastectomy or lumpectomy surgery. We have strong clinical research-based data showing that the lumpectomy/breast radiation patients can also avoid the axillary lymph node dissection when cancer is found in one or two sentinel lymph nodes. This is probably because the breast radiation after lumpectomy also covers some of the underarm region.
Mastectomy patients are treated differently because they are not routinely receiving radiation- if we find macrometastatic cancer in even one sentinel lymph node of a mastectomy patient then the standard of care is to perform the axillary lymph node dissection. The final total count of how many cancerous lymph nodes are identified (in the sentinel lymph nodes as well as in the axillary lymph node dissection) then determines whether the patient should receive radiation even though they had a mastectomy- we routinely give post-mastectomy radiation if there are four or more metastatic lymph nodes, and we consider it as an option if there are 1-3 cancerous lymph nodes. The goal of the radiation in this setting is to reduce the chances of cancer recurring/re-growing on the chest wall after the mastectomy, and extent of nodal disease is a marker of chest wall recurrence after mastectomy. Post-mastectomy radiation can also make immediate breast reconstruction more challenging.
Because of the above lymph node issues, I tend to favor breast-conserving surgery whenever it is feasible; I believe that this approach maximizes the chances of the patient being able to avoid the axillary lymph node dissection.
For the same reasons, I tend to avoid being aggressive with needle biopsies of "questionable" axillary lymph node findings by ultrasound, and I favor going directly to the definitive sentinel lymph node surgery in patients with clinically early-stage breast cancer. If cancer is found in an axillary lymph node by needle biopsy then the standard of care (the conventionally-accepted routine) is to recommend an axillary lymph node dissection. Patients with "bulky"/moderate-sized lymph nodes represent a more concerning picture, and we do routinely perform needle biopsies of highly-suspicious axillary lymph nodes, with recommendations for axillary lymph node dissection if the needle biopsy confirms cancer. This is why we spent quite a bit of time trying to ascertain whether the larger lesion biopsied from your breast actually represented a cancerous lymph node. I'm glad that the UM folks agreed that this lesion does not appear to be a lymph node. The HFHS radiology team felt that the other lymph nodes on your axillary ultrasound appeared normal. Of course a normal ultrasound does not guarantee that these lymph nodes will ultimately be negative, but again- if you are found to have cancer in one or two sentinel nodes and you have a successful/margin-negative lumpectomy with breast radiation, then you can avoid undergoing the axillary lymph node dissection.
- (ii)You do not "burn any bridges" by starting with lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy surgery. You get your complete staging information (related to sizes of the cancers, their microscopic pattern and biomarkers as well as axillary lymph node information) and can then move ahead with whatever additional treatment is necessary. This comprehensive staging/biomarker information will determine whether or not you need chemotherapy as part of your care.
- (iii)Reconstruction for lumpectomy defects is simply an option, but it is one that is reasonable to at least consider for patients like you, where a lumpectomy is expected to be challenging.
2.Choice of surgery first versus chemotherapy first: At this point in time we do not know if chemotherapy is going to be a part of your care or not. Indications for chemotherapy in your case would be: finding cancer in any of your lymph nodes; finding HER2/neu-overexpression in any breast tumor larger than 5mm; finding a triple negative tumor larger than 5mm. We (HFHS) indeed were aware that biomarkers (ER, PR and HER2) were only performed on one of your breast tumors, but our plan was to repeat all biomarkers on your surgical pathology tissue and tumor sites. It is absolutely correct that if you found HER2-overexpression or triple negative status on one of your breast tumors now, then you could reasonably consider the option of receiving chemotherapy BEFORE you have your surgery. In your case however, I do not see any significant advantage to the sequence of chemotherapy first/surgery later, because the extent of your breast surgery/lumpectomy eligibility will not change by chemotherapy downstaging/tumor shrinkage. In some patients we encourage the option of preoperative chemotherapy because shrining down the tumor in the breast will make the patient a better lumpectomy candidate. In patients like you however (with more than one breast tumor)- the rate-limiting factor regarding an attempt at lumpectomy is the distance between the tumors, since the entire span of tissue would need be resected and this distance will not change to any significant extent with preoperative chemotherapy. We therefore recommended complete/definitive pathology staging and biomarker studies on the surgical specimens.
3.Regarding tumor location close to your pectoralis muscle: many patients have small tumors that simply happen to be located deeper in the breast, close to the pectoralis muscle that covers the chest wall. When do a lumpectomy or mastectomy in these cases we typically excise a small rim of the muscle underlying the tumor. This a completely different scenario compared to a patient that has a bulky cancer that is directly invading/growing into/extending into the chest wall. We describe this latter scenario as locally advanced breast cancer, and we do recommend preoperative chemotherapy to these patients in order to improve their surgical resectability. The larger of your tumors appears to be smaller than 2cm and this would definitely NOT be considered a locally advanced breast cancer. A breast MRI would not influence my opinion regarding this issue.
4.Regarding breast MRI: as above, I do not feel that breast MRI will be helpful in determining need for preoperative chemotherapy. Furthermore, it is very-documented that preoperative breast MRI can reduce a patient's eligibility for lumpectomy surgery. The MRI technology is very sensitive, and additional sites of disease that were not seen on mammogram/breast ultrasound but that were identified on a preop MRI might actually represent the microscopic sites of disease in the breast that would have been killed by the breast radiation that follows lumpectomy surgery. However if you identify these other areas on MRI you are forced to act upon it, and this often results in mastectomy surgery. On the other hand the published data do not demonstrate that preoperative breast MRI allows us to better "select" our breast conservation/lumpectomy patients.Please feel free to call/text me if you wish to review further. I am due to fly out to Ethiopia later today for a breast cancer conference/research program (due back on Saturday but can be reached via text) and Heather is on vacation. I am therefore cc'g the rest of the breast team so that we are all on the same page if you call the office.
Take care,
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KDTheatre, I vote to go with your Henry Ford team. Your BS there seems right on with what I know. And she is absolutely right - you do NOT burn your bridges with a lumpectomy. Just do the sentinel lymph node biopsy with the Lx. Your BS sounds like a keeper. I'd stick with her. And her response was awesome and detailed.
Katie, if you are pre-menopausal, Tamoxifen is usually the drug of choice; post-menopausal and you get an AI. There's so darned much to learn and quickly. I had my Lx about 6+ weeks after diagnosis. Take your time to make your decision. Learn all you can.
I think it's vital to not only like your BC team but to TRUST them and I got the feeling that you are most comfortable with your HF team - go with them if that's the case. They are close and an excellent choice. Detroit has lots of good choices for cancer care.
I can't speak to reconstruction since my lump was small as are my breasts. Others can.
HUGS!
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KD, So much information and so many options does make decision making more intense but once you make that decision you can be comfortable that you had all the information you needed. My case was similar but different. I had one spot less than 2 cm identified by mamo and ultrasound and had a biopsy. The biopsy showed IDC grade 3 ER/PR + and after additional tester HR-. My BS recommended an MRI to see if there was anything else lurking. Of course, MRI revealed a second spot and two enlarged lymph nodes which were not identified by ultrasound because they were further away. The second spot was benign but the one node that they could biopsy was positive. So I was stage 2A. I wanted to have genetic testing because my mom died of ovarian cancer. I also wanted to have reconstruction at the same time I had surgery be that a lumpectomy or mastectomy. MO recommended chemo first as she did not want chemo delayed due to recovery from reconstruction and BS and tumor board agreed. I had 4 A/C and 12 Taxol. It was tough but not as bad as you imagine. My genetic testing was negative for BRCA and other known breast cancer genes. I did have a variant of unknown significance in the Lynch Syndrome group which is related to ovarian, endometrial, colon and other cancers but that is whole other story of treatment. I opted for a lumpectomy, the two spots were about two cm apart so relatively close. The BS removed them together as I too had oncoplasty, reduction, and lift. I dropped about a cup size. I had a complete pathologic response which is no cancer left when they removed the tumor bed including the lyumph nodes, so I avoided a complete ALND. Recovery wasn't bad. When you have reduction and lift recovery is a bit more than just the lumpectomy but a lot easier than a mastectomy.
I think my family history of cancer made the recommendations for me more aggressive. Good luck with your decision, MJS
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oh my gosh guys, I'm not sure when it happened but I somehow took this off my favourites thread, so when I was looking at my favourites and never showed up! I just noticed today. Please blame my chemo brain ( my husband noticed yesterday that the ice tray was in the fridge, he asked how I intended to make ice like that?)
I'm so far behind there is no way I could possibly catch up, I skimmed the last page and Dara I'm sorry you have to do chemo, it's not as horrible as you're probably anticipating though. But still, it's no fun!
I'm doing well. My burns after radiation were quite bad, they started healing after about two weeks, and they are almost healed now, just a little bit of redness in the radiation zone.
I have more fatigue now that I had the entire time I was in treatment, except of course the days I was coming down off steroids. I'm hoping to start perking up soon but right now it's pretty rough, I am making myself stay active though and I think it's helping
Other than that I am doing well, trying to focus on just enjoying my life, enjoying my summer, and pretending as much as possible that cancer isn't a part of it. Of course it is, but I try to pretend it's not. I've got enough hair now that I no longer look like a cancer patient!
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Jill, that explains why you were AWOL here! Glad you are finally starting to heal from the rads. And HAIR! Fantastic. Hopefully you can put cancer in its own cubby hole and forget about it for awhile now.
HUGS!
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Hi Jill! You are looking great! I'm sure you are relieved that your cleared up pretty much from rads! I am still going through that journey. I'm thinking that after this week I should be much better. It has been a challenge that's for sure.
I've been reading this thread and posting occasionally since the beginning but it goes so fast I can't always keep up.
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KDTheatre - Your Henry Ford team seems like a smart group of professionals. I'm with Peg on that! As for endocrine therapy, my MO and I went over all of the options just yesterday; I am pre-menopausal, but she was leaning toward the Lupron/Letrozole combination to start wtih, which also appealed to me too. If for some reason I can't tolerate the SEs, we'll revisit the meds. But you don't have to think about this now - I literally just made this decision yesterday, after I was done with chemo and half way through rads. So you have plenty of time to think!
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Jill, glad you're back
I've had more fatigue post rads too. Tomorrow is 3 weeks since last treatment & I finally don't feel totally exhausted. Still tired, but don't feel like I'll fall asleep standing up!0 -
Jill & Trish, don't forget that studies have shown that no matter what treatment you have combating breast cancer, fatigue is an SE of BC itself. Rads also bring with them having to run someplace umpteen times disrupting what I would bet was an already hectic schedule. Now you have time to rest and feel the full effect of the fatigue and exhaustion that has been building for many months (or even years). I found it hard to determine if I was experiencing fatigue with my rads since I was so far beyond exhausted from caring for DH.
Trish, glad you are starting to get rested!
HUGS!
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Lookin’ good, Jill! Welcome back.
My foot was getting worse & worse all day yesterday--up top and below the heel--and by evening the L one was swollen (though not as much). When Bob got home, he pressed on my shin and announced I had leg edema and had better call my primary ASAP. He felt it was more urgent an issue than the possibility of stress fx. (He also said I should get a pulse-oximeter for the household, because Gordy’s asthma tends to spike during the autumn, and mine tends to flare during ragweed season & if I get a cold). So I messaged my PCP and went to bed. Woke up about 7:30 and both feet were still badly swollen. I decided to take my combo BP-diuretic pill. Bob had gotten up & dressed, so I stole his pillows, propped up both feet (“toes above nose,” as they say over at Bonesmart) and went back to sleep till about 10. The swelling had gone down considerably, but was still rather striking. The tops of my feet were very tender, and my heel hurt like hell with every step I took. The kicker was I couldn’t even slide my R foot into the Fit-Flops I usually wear to pedi appts. I called to cancel the mani-pedi and promised to call back & reschedule if my doc said it was okay.
Called my PCP, only to find he’s on vacation (followed by the AAFP convention). So I saw his NP, who actually holds a doctorate in nursing. She took one look at me and winced--asked if I’d had groin lymph nodes removed too. I assured her I hadn’t. My BP was dead-bang normal, my lungs clear, and she performed a number of physical tests that indicated I’m not in fluid overload from heart, kidney or liver failure. She palpated (ouch) both feet and confirmed the leg edema. She thought the edema (including the feet) was due to overuse (lots of standing as well as walking), the long flight home, and perhaps a change in diet (more sodium in restaurant meals abroad, including all that salumi & cheeses). Nonetheless, she found point tenderness at my R metatarsals concerning, and noted my prior hx of stress fx on the L foot 6 years ago. She also was pretty sure I had not plantar fasciitis, but an actual heel spur. She took blood tests to rule out heart, liver & kidney issues and ordered bilateral foot X-rays. She also prescribed Lasix and potassium, to take for at least 3 days. (She could have doubled my HCTZ, but it is tougher on my bones and Lasix works better and faster). When I left for Italy I weighed 195. Last night (after taking several large poops and eating very little) I weighed 204 buck naked. Today, I was down to 201 fully dressed, and she’s convinced that 4 or 5 lbs. of that is water, not fat. She said I could get a pedi today if I could tolerate it, but not to get the hot paraffin, salt scrub or foot massage.
I went to the ortho wing at St. Joseph’s and got X-rays. Even the tech noticed the swelling and that I was limping. I rescheduled my mani-pedi (“express” pedi, per the doc’s instructions) and while I was getting my gels re-applied, my phone rang. It was the NP--I don’t have a stress fracture, but a bone bruise on the R and the tenderness is from the edema. And I do have a big easily-visualized bone spur beneath my heel. So, per her instructions, I went home and took my Lasix, made and ate dinner before it kicked in, and (in her words) am “prepared to have a meaningful relationship with my toilet” for the next few days. (I plan to wear Depends to my MO appt. Thurs.). Gonna prop my feet (but first rummage around for those orthotics with the heel-pad I got at Costco last year).
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Sandy, glad you got that looked at. Yikes on the Lasix. It certainly does work. DH's original cardiologist seemed to think that someone with normally low BP, needed Lasix and BP pills. A deadly combination and he'd fall all the time. Guy had no clue about Parkinson's either. Got rid of him (and that was difficult since we wanted another doc in the same practice) and no more Lasix or BP pills. I hope you don't have a spectacular response to the Lasix. That's a lot of weight you lost in a hurry. Can't decide if you were better off thinking the problem was plantar faciitis or having a bone spur. And a bone bruise. Geez. You are just collecting a laundry list of medical problems. You COULD stop adding to the list, you know. You don't have to have everything in the book! I have a sneaking hunch you wouldn't have given up any of that luscious Italian food for anything! Good luck getting everything healed (will the bone spur go away or do you have to do something about it?) AND quickly!!!
Went to the local wine shop and got several new-to-me wines. I drink cheap and low alcohol content. Trying a couple Sangrias, a white (I'm just not a fan usually but I was assured that I'll like this one) and several bottles of my most plebeian Riunite Lambrusco (my go-to wine). The first sangria I tried tonight is pretty good. My favorite sangria is the triple berry at Red Lobster - I could drink gallons of it (and definitely wouldn't be standing).
HUGS!
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Sandy, glad you don't have a fracture, but the edema sounds so painful. My DH also takes lasix, every morning, and God help anyone in the hallway after he takes it and is in the way of the bathroom! I bet all the walking and exploring you did caused the bruise and aggravated the bone spur. Glad you had it examined!
Jill, so glad to see you back and what a great picture! This thread does seem to be quite an active one. I'm just glad I'm around right now and able to try to keep up, at least for the time being.
Peggy, your wine sounds delicious. Yesterday after my MO appt. DH and I stopped for dinner and made sure I could get a margarita. I ordered a flavored one, coconut pineapple margarita, and it was delicious! Then I went totally wild and we stopped for a big frozen yogurt! I've been trying to eat so healthy, but it was totally worth it! As my MO says... moderation!
Molly and Karen, hope you're still improving!
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Geez Sandy! Ouch! Yes, prop up those feet!
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I'm having a modest response to the Lasix--but it's been only one dose thus far. Starting tomorrow I'll be taking it twice daily, so we'll see. As to the heel spur, I will have to wear the cushiest sneakers that will fit on my feet, and maybe some orthotics with a heel cup. I'm just hoping this was all a combination of mechanical stress, 10-hour flight, and too much sodium, rather than kidney or liver failure. It's definitely not heart failure (nice strong ejection fraction, good rhythm) or DVT (no signs of a clot--no warmth, redness or calf pains, and both legs are symmetrical). I went over to the sofa and propped my feet up on five pillows, and napped for about half an hour. Still swollen. My PCP's NP thinks this should resolve by Friday, but my orthopedist thought that a cortisone shot would cure my trigger thumb within a week. It's been three weeks and it's worse than before. My mom's CHF began with sudden foot and ankle edema--even though she had been a 3-pack/day smoker for 50 years (and her CHF appeared 20 yrs. after quitting) and had COPD, neither of which factors apply to me--and I have a sinking feeling that genetics may be destiny.
I think obesity is coming home not just to roost but to dig in and refuse to leave--it's a risk or exacerbating factor for bc, LE, leg edema, trigger digits, and biomechanical foot problems. And until this clears up (especially the heel spur), weight-bearing (and therefore calorie-burning and bone-strengthening) exercise is out of the question. As much as I love great food, wine and travel, I'm beginning to seriously consider that bariatric surgery might be indicated. My BMI certainly qualifies me, and letrozole is making it impossible to lose weight with lifestyle changes alone.
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Moondust and Sloan-just catching up after going off the grid for a few weeks. Terrific picture! Alice...do you have just one more infusion left??
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Jill: you look great, and the hair is coming in very nicely. Glad to see you back here!
I am having a crazy busy July but I am reading the posts and trying to keep up. and hey, I got to meet Moondust briefly when I was passing through the small town near her really small town on the way to Bakersfield....She is an inspiration: my age but ready to take on any mountain!
Speaking of which, heading camping this weekend. Plan to do some hiking and hot springs soaking, and not a whole heck of a lot else....
Hugs to all.
Octogirl
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Grazy, thanks. Active I am, organized I am not! I've got piles of papers that I'm just starting to wade through, throw out, file, etc. They have been piling up since my Dx. Most of it is not important, but I wish I had been filing the insurance EOBs. I've always been healthy and there were never any insurance snafus to deal with before this. Live and learn!
Fightergirl, I'm so glad your scans are clear!
KDTheatre, what your BS says makes a lot of sense to me. I would definitely want to avoid axillary lymph node dissection, because it causes lymphedema in many women. For months I was terrified of lymphedema even though I only had one node removed. This is because I strength train with weights, lift heavy things routinely around the property, backpack, and hike at high altitudes. Lymphedema can occur even if only one or two nodes are removed, but it is much more likely with a complete ALND. What your BS says about the pec muscle makes a lot of sense to me also. It sounds like she has a more complete understanding of your case than the third opinion doc you just saw. If I were you, I'd go with your Henry Ford BS. I have DD breasts even though I am quite thin, and in my case the lumpectomy side is currently larger than it was before surgery! So don't worry too much about reduction, although if you want one you can probably wangle it on both sides. If I had it to do over, I'd ask for a reduction on both breasts.
Dara, you'll get through this! In some ways I think it's easier when we are older. I don't seem to get as emotional as most of the younger women in my June group. Stay active, walk as much as you can, keep busy with fun things, and let yourself rest when you need to. Don't worry about stuff that doesn't get done. Some days you'll feel almost normal, some days you'll feel blah, but ultimately you'll be fine.
Peachy, good to see you here! It has been so hot that I hauled my electric cooking appliances outside - the crockpot, the big toaster oven and a propane camping stove - everything except the microwave - to avoid heating up the house. I've made some crockpot beans, sweet potato spinach mash, triple coconut muffins and a big pot of 7 grain hot cereal I can reheat in the microwave.
Jill, I'm glad you dropped by! Glad your radiation burns are finally healing.
Sandy, I hope they can fix you up soon. Foot problems are no fun. The edema will probably clear up in a few days if you avoid salty meals.
One more week until my last chemo. You are right Peggy, it will great to be done!
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Tomorrow I see the MO to discuss the path forward. Surgeon said no chemo/rads and tamoxifin is a maybe. I've spent way too much time researching today so I'm overwhelmed a bit.
I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you that have supported me this last several months. From the recall of the mammogram, the biopsy, my lumpectomy, my dmx, my scary bleed emergency surgery, and post op questions.. you've all been there to guide me. Even when we're too tired or afraid to post we're reading and learning from your posts. I needed you all more than you may ever know.
So... I'm going to finish my cup of sleepy time tea and crawl into bed. I'm ready to do what needs to be done.
Our world could learn a lot from these forums.🌼🌼🌼🌼🌼
Traci
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Dara, if anyone deserved a marguerita and yogurt dessert it was you! Glad you indulged. Tried one of my sangrias and it was pretty good. BTW, none of my wines cost over $10 and my Lambrusco was under $5 (told you I am cheap
).Sandy, what discouraging genetics and the thought of bariatic surgery must be depressing. I can't recall if you've tried other AIs but if you haven't perhaps one of them might be more friendly to weight loss by diet alone. There are so many things that BC brings to the table that we would just as soon not have visit. Glad the Lasix wasn't bad today, hope it stays that way. Bummer that your trigger thumb still hurts
Octogirl, so glad you and Moondust were able to meet, even if just for a short while. Your camping trip sounds good, especially the hot springs part (the hiking? not so much!). Have fun!
Katzpjays, hi there! I've missed you here.
HUGS!
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Traci, I know exactly how you feel. This group is a lifeline. Pick you up when down, celebrate with you, inform you, and give hugs when nothing else works. I am rather surprised that there is a question about you going on Tamoxifen. Or is it a question of Tamoxifen or an AI? Usually with ER+/PR+ BC they like to prescribe hormonals. I'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Let us know how it goes!
HUGS!
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Sandy - If the heel pain doesn't go away, you should go see a foot doc. I had a bone spur removed last year - and so glad I did. Granted - it means more surgery and more recovery, and you probably don't want to deal with that right now...but it will at least stop the pain (if it doesn't stop on it's own...which I would think might be rare?).
Thanks so much to everyone who read my lengthy post - I know that was a lot, but I appreciate the feedback. The double lumpectomy is scheduled for 8/17 ...and I won't have any regrets about not getting the mx. Even if test results after lumpectomy show I may still need to do it - at least I tried a 'less intense' option first.
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KDTheatre, I think you've made the right decision. Stick with the team you are comfortable with and go with the lumpy. Remember, never second guess yourself. You are doing what YOU think is best for you. We're here for you!
HUGS!
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Moondust, I just admire you so much with all your walking and hiking! How do you do it in this heat?? I get zapped just going from my car to the grocery store. I had my DH bring the recumbent bike into the spare bedroom so I could use it there, with both fan and AC on! (I'm such a wimp!) I know I can do the chemo; I said from the very beginning, I'd just do whatever it takes. I've really only broken down and cried once since this who stupid mess started, and that was when I walked out of the pottery studio, after I said I wouldn't be back for a while. Even Monday, my DH asked if I wanted to cry, I was definitely shaking, but no tears. I'm putting a chemo bag together, and dropped into the Aug 2016 chemo thread.
Sandy, I wound up with a full foot reconstruction a year ago and certainly know how painful foot problems can be. I had to be 3 months non-weight bearing, but really impressed the grandkids with whipping around on a knee scooter! And isn't weight a bummer? I've been able to maintain but worry with the steroids and AI side effects that it will be more challenging! Just one more joy of bc, right?
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Dara, with your positive attitude you can do anything! You'll be fine.
HUGS!
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