Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Happy Thanksgiving from me also! I can't begin to say how thankful I am to have found all of you. Each one of you are incredible.
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Happy Thanksgiving to you all too! I'm very thankful for everyone here & all of the support & friendship. Blessings to you all!
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So I have my mammogram and ultrasound of lymph node I've been feeling and radiologist says " even if there was some cancer left in the breast. I wouldn't be able to tell because of all the scar tissue and hemorrhage in the breast from the surgeries.. We will only be able to compare it to future images and the lymph node looks normal but that doesn't guarantee there's nothing there" I have appointment to go back in January since they only did the one breast. Would have thought that six months after radiation, my body would have absorbed the blood back. I was upset all day, but I just can't spend the rest of my life stressing. I HAVE to get past this constant worrying!!!!. I guess he was just telling the truth, I just thought I would get SOME sense of relief, but it didn't happen..
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!! HUGS!!!!
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LG, what a disappointing report on your mammogram and ultrasound. It will be hard to get past the worrying but do try for your own sanity. And I'm with you on thinking that everything would have been absorbed by now. Strange. Will they do both breasts in January? Talk to your BS? I don't know what to tell you other than sending lots of hugs which are nice but not particularly helpful. Try to have a great Thanksgiving.
HUGS!!
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'Twas the night before Thanksgiving and my anxiety is through the roof. My mother had to be sent to another, larger hospital today for surgery to try to figure out where in her kidney the bleeding is coming from. No luck. She has had 4 units of blood now and they've put her in CCU, probably because she is 82 and has diabetes, A-fib, and poor kidney function. My sister and an adult granddaughter are there, tag teaming. I'm heading down there tomorrow after lunch.
We picked up Christian yesterday for our family trip to the botanical gardens. We had a great time. Not too cold, just enough nip in the air to be fun. Came home around 12noon and I've been cooking ever since. I must admit, I am very put out with my 30yo son--I counted on him to help me with Christian, but he ditched on us almost as soon as we got home. DD came over and cooked with me, which was fun. Glad I decided to make an extra pie, because my strawberry-pretzel dessert went sideways. Most of the sides are done. Just gotta roast the turkey, throw the dressing into the crockpot, make the devilled eggs and carrot soufflé, and do a quick sauté of the asparagus. I think I'm going to dispense with the fine china this year and just go with my daily Corell ware. Then I won't need to stay around and supervise clean-up to make sure that nobody puts the 100yr old Noritake in the dishwasher. I plan to take Christian home after lunch, then head to the Gulf coast to see my mother (my sister does well in these situations, but she all but begged me to come down there, so I know she is getting overwhelmed.)
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Poodles, that's really worrisome about your mother. You'd think they could pinpoint the problem. I'm very glad you're going down. It's where you need to be, worn out sister or not. You're smart to use the everyday dishes. I know how careful I have to be of my 100 yr old Haviland. I like using it but handwashing does take time. You need to do other things. Beat up #1 son - he deserves it and you'd feel better. Please take care of yourself. And give your mother my love (you know you already have it!). Keeping you in my thoughts.
HUGS!
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Hi all, and early Happy Thanksgiving wishes to everyone!
My tale of "they found a new suspicious lump two days before scheduled lumpectomy" continues.
After getting the MRI results late Monday afternoon, I called my surgeon's office first thing Tuesday morning. Had to leave a message. Called back at 10 am... was anyone aware of my situation? (new mass needed to be biopsied, surgery scheduled the next day on previous two masses). A nurse finally returned my call and said they were working on it, but they were understaffed, as it was a holiday week.
My surgery for Wednesday was cancelled some time after noon, and I have an MRI biopsy scheduled for next Thursday.
I had to try to remember who to notify that I was NOT having surgery the next day. My fridge was stocked with local soup and other sick-room food I hope I can freeze. Today I still got two orders of flowers that I suppose were too late for the sender to cancel (bless 'em anyway, they were a lovely surprise). I still took the day off work "sick", because I have been through such an emotional wringer. (And I think a few of my coworkers are now slightly terrified of me. I've gotten a teeny bit unhinged a few times lately.)
I'm pretty smart, but crikey, the report on the MRI was like trying to read Greek in a mirror upside down. I don't know how seemingly common words can be configured and combined to make no sense whatsoever to a reasonably educated person. All I could manage by cut and pasting phrases into Google was determine, "the new mass don't look so good." I would like the actual prior E/P/HER2 receptor report, I'd like a live human to give me the Cliff Notes version of what the latest MRI report said, and what the next surgery is likely to be.
QUESTION: If there are small masses (3 in my case) in different locations on the same breast, can a lumpectomy still be performed, or from the collective wisdom in this forum, is it the norm that the surgeon will recommend a mastectomy?
At least I will be able to enjoy a few days with my daughter without her having to play caregiver, but I don't like this change in The Plan one damn bit.
Thanks for listening. This group is seriously helping me keep a grip on things.
Carrie
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Carie, I don't blame you one bit. You certainly aren't being well served by your BS and his office. Enjoy your Thanksgiving. I don't know how to answer your question
HUGS!!
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lovinggrouches my surgery was in January of 2015 and I still have a seroma at the surgery site. They took an 8 cm x 8 cm x 4 cm chunk out of my breast, and other than a slight dimple, my breast looks the same, so I know there is still fluid in there. My breast surgeon told me the same thing when I had my mammo last October, that she wouldn't be able to tell anything by it until she had another one to compare it to. I had my second post surgery mammogram this November and it came back fine. I am alternating every six months for the first three years with an MRI because it shows different information. What, I'm not sure, but both my oncologist and surgeon wanted me to get annual MRIs. I am estrogen and progesterone negative and slightly her positive, so I guess my highest risk is first 2-3 years.
Try not to stress, I know it is hard, believe me. Just know a post surgical seroma can stay around for a very long time. In my case, almost two years later, I still have one. I get tumor markers done at three months, a mammogram at six months, tumor markers three months later, then an MRI three months later. So basically some kind of testing every three months.
Hugs and thinking positive thoughts for you.
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mustlovepoodles, that is APPALLING that they would leave a dx via phone with your 23 year old daughter. I am trying to do everything possible to protect my 22 yr old daughter from unnecessary worry, as she is finishing up her Masters in another state. I only tell her what is KNOWN (or I THOUGHT was known), so she doesn't worry and speculate.
I've suffered from depression most of my life (drug-resistant), but my understanding is that bi-polar can be even more difficult to manage, so I feel for you on that one. Can you still take your meds when under treatment? My cyclical "days-are-getting-shorter" depression had just swung back into place, and then I get a dx. Ugh. I've acquired some level of skill in stepping back and looking at my mind falling down a dark hole, and thinking "well, there it goes again. it's back at its evil games again, but it will pass eventually, and I'll survive it like I always do. So just try not to listen to the BS it's telling you."
Carrie
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Carrie , I still think after your MRI guided biopsy you should get a second opinion and a consult with a plastic surgeon . Sorry you are dealing with this . Poodles , you are in my prayers . I can't imagine the stress you are under . LG , sorry you didn't get relief from the mammogram . It's hard to let this stuff go .
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Poodles, sending healing thoughts that your mom can be correctly diagnosed and successfully treated and that you can have some serenity & calm amidst all this stress. Glad your DD can help out with T-Day dinner and you were able to have a lovely time with Christian. (And a virtual slap upside the head to your other son).
Fotheringay, my dad was bipolar (though mostly at the depressive end of the swing). My son & I are both on maintenance antidepressants (SSRI for him, SDRI for me). Heck, half my friends have either depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, ADD or schizophrenia or some combination thereof. If we all suddenly had to submit to urinalysis before sitting down to dinner tomorrow, that would reveal an impressive pharmacopeia.
Because I’m on an AI and not tamoxifen, I was able to continue taking the Wellbutrin I’ve been on since 1999. There are other antidepressants that are safe to take with tamox.
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Poodles....I bet you can't wait to get there with your mom. How far is it for you to travel. Hope you can enjoy time with your family before you head out tomorrow.
Seems like no matter what stage we are in there a questions we need answers to.
Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving no matter where you are. I am so thankful for you ladies
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Caligirl, I live 440 miles away from my mother. It takes at least 7 hours to get there, and that's if I don't stop to eat. Luckily I drive a Prius, so I don't have to stop for gas (that booger gets 50mpg!)
Fotheringay, I have been able to stay on all my meds. I take a cocktail of 4 drugs, plus the occasional sleeping pill. If I were to stop taking my meds, all hell would break loose. As ChiSandy said, if I had to take a random drug test it would reveal a veritable cornucopia of meds.
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happy thanksgiving girls from Ireland, Ihope you have a lovely day. Thanks for all the support .
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It's 7:15pm and I'm about 2/3 the way to my mothers house. just pulled over for a potty break and I spyed a McDonald's. There are 12 cars in line in the drive-through, LOL. I guesseverybody is sick of turkey already
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Poodles, please let us know when you arrive so we can quit worrying. You've been under such stress and have to be exhausted. But I'm glad you're going to be with your mother. Much love to you all.
HUGS!
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Poodles: Another vote for "let us know when you arrive", though I'm not sure I'll be awake!
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Poodles, I'll be awake - It's still early here in the West. Queenmomcat, I'll be vigilant for all of us.
HUGS!
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hang in there Poodles
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I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I had my second Herceptin infusion on Wednesday, so I was down with the flu like symptoms from that.
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Elizabeth, hope you're feeling better today. That's no fun
Poodles, hope your mother is improving and they've figured out what is going on.
HUGS!
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Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that Poodles arrived safely last night. My 5 grandkid were here for dinner and I thought you might get a chuckle out of this picture. They all found my stash of wigs (that I never wear) and thought they were great fun. :-)
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what a fun pic and beautiful grandkids!
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Sorry I didn't post last night. I didn't get in until after midnight . I'm on my way to the hospital ni w. Mother is out of CCU now. There is talk of moving her back to the hospital in her town. more later...
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Elizabeth, sorry you felt bad yesterday. Hope you are feeling better and they saved you some leftovers to enjoy.
Dara, cute pic, brought a smile to my face
Poodles, glad you made it safely. Hope they've figured out what is wrong.
We were at my in-laws yesterday & ate way too much as expected. Here's a pic of me with 3 of my nieces. So much to be thankful for!
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Poodles, that's encouraging. Hope all is going well now.
HUGS!
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Soooio, they're not going to send mother back to the other hospital. They were unable to find the exact location of the kidney blededing. They are still flushing her bladder continuously and her urine is redder than i expected. Mother is sitting up in the chair, but it takes 2 people to get her up. I have requested a PT consult and a walker .
Needless to say Mother is very weak, disappointed, and frustrated. She is in the bathroom crying, so we wont know (we can hear her.) She misses her apt and her pets. She is tired of being sick and tired of her restrictive diet. She just wants her life back. I feel like I can totally relate.
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Poodles, your poor mother. I totally understand. Wish I could be there with you. Just know I'm in your pocket, giving hugs to all of you.
HUGS!
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Awesome pictures Trish and Dara.
Poodles so glad you made it safe and sound. But very sorry to hear about your Mom. I hope something will be found soon.
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