Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!
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Just wanted to let y'all know I HAVE AN APPT IN NOLA FOR MY DIEP!!
I decided to just go ahead with it and I feel like a load has been lifted from my shoulders. I didn't realize how much it was weighing on me. I had originally cancelled the DIEP because my mother was so ill. But she has stabilized (although she is still in poor health.) I talked it over with my sisters, since having the DIEP would me that I will not be available to help out. They gave me their blessing to go ahead. I guess my 23yo DD put it best--"Mom, you shouldn't wait around 'just in case' something happens to Granny. Any of us could be hit by a bus or have a heart attack tomorrow and your sisters would just have to deal with it. You need to just have your surgery and get some closure on this." Wise words, I think.
My date is April 20. DH & I will go down on the 17th so we can hang out for a couple days before our lives turn upside down. Nothing like some authentic gumbo, jambalaya, and bread pudding to put you in a NOLA state of mind.
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Yes, you are. And I'm convinced that our positive attitudes help us keep all of this in perspective.
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Poodles, congrats on finally scheduling the DIEP—and getting to do your own personal Mardi Gras beforehand. You know that you might be getting sprung just in time for Jazzfest, right?
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KDTheatre, Perhaps you might re-consider the very restrictive diet you are attempting if it is so difficult. I don't know what your motivation is for eliminating so many foods but if you enjoy them you might want to think about still eating them. If weight is an issue, would eating less of each of those work? What works for me is enjoying my life - however long I have. So I eat, drink and be merry. Trite? Of course. But I'd rather enjoy what makes me happy. This may not work for you but it does for me. Just a thought.
Poodles, YES!!!!! I'm so happy for you! I'm glad you scheduled your DIEP and are going a bit early to indulge in the yummy food. That has to be a mood elevator! Also nice to hear your mom is stable right now. BTW, your DD is a keeper
HUGS!
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I'm not always sure which thread to post my stuff on....But I'm feeling pretty disappointed. Surgeon just called. Said my tumors were larger than thought, at 1.5 and .6 cm. One sentinel node had cancer in it. The grade has been changed from low grade to intermediate grade. So now I am considered Stage 2a, grade 2. I have an appointment with my radiation onc and med onc this week to find out what's in my future as far as treatment now. This really took the wind out of my sails. I need some encouraging words.
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Siciliana, This is definitely the right place. That is discouraging news. Damn. Have they done an Oncotype test? That can help determine your treatment path. No matter what treatments you get, you CAN do them. Yes, even chemo. My DIL who had colon cancer had chemo and every session told those drugs to KILL CANCER. She had the most positive attitude and it got her through. It may not be fun but it is doable. If chemo is in your future, keep in mind why you are having it! Others can chime in with more support. Whatever, have a huge glass of wine tonight! We're with you!
HUGS!
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Thanks, Peggy! No, I haven't had an oncotype done yet, but will ask about it this week when I see the oncologists. I don't feel like I have much of a fighting spirit today. I hope I snap out of it soon.
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Siciliana, it is hard to NOT be depressed when you are blindsided by the path report. You're entitled to feel sorry for yourself. We all have felt that way. It's normal. You'll get your fighting spirit back once you've absorbed all the crappy news.
HUGS!
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Siciliana, that is disappointing news. But take heart--Stage 2A, grade 2 is *still* considered to be an early stage cancer. You may or may not need chemo, depending your Oncotype. I can't speak to radiation, because I didn't need it. But I did have chemo and I have to say, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Nothing like you see on TV or in the movies. Hopefully, yoou won't need to go that route, but if you do just know that you CAN do this.
In the meantime, be gentle with yourself. And feel free to come here any time you need a bit of a stroke.
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Siciliana, as you can see from my information below, I am also IIA....did have chemo (along with lx and rads) and as Peggy and Poodles say: not fun, but doable. There is also a Stage Two Sisters thread...feel free to jump in there as well. Sending hugs! It will get better once you have a treatment plan in place....It really does suck to get the news and feel out of control.
Octogirl
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Siciliana, sorry about the curve ball you received. I remember be up and down emotionally until I had my full treatment plan in place. Hang in there, sending you a big hug!
KDTheater, it really sucks trying to eat healthy. I've found I have to keep it close to the way I normally eat, just take out junk food or I don't stand a chance sticking to it. Right now, I'm tired and feel worn out, so I'm back to junk food.... Don't beat yourself up over it, it's hard.
Poodles, congrats on getting DIEP scheduled.
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Siciliana, because your tumors were still small and you had only one positive node, you are in the “gray area" for which OncotypeDX testing was designed. And it may well reveal you don’t need—or even shouldn’t have—chemotherapy. But what if you do?
Unlike many here, I'm not a big believer that “positive attitude" will make treatment more effective or effective at all. But it might get you through it emotionally more easily. (If my letrozole and the radiation treatments did or didn't kill cancer, it won't have been because I either gave them a pep talk or felt less than upbeat—the treatments and the cells will do what they do regardless of what we think, anthropomorphize or say to them). The one thing that a positive attitude will do is to remind you that you are not your cancer, and that the other things in your life don't stop happening or need addressing just because you are dealing with cancer. The sky won't be any less blue, the people in your life any less important, the music or art you hear, see or create any less pleasing or intellectually stimulating, your dog won’t need any less walking nor your cat any less petting, your garden need any less tending because you had a cell or two that arbitrarily refused to wither & die the way Nature intended them to but instead kept on dividing—and the means by which you will be short-circuiting that process will not put the world on hold. Not only will the world not stop turning, it will still turn with you in it. Will you need help with the mundane and normal parts of your life? Probably, for a while. But a life-outside-of-cancer will always be there so long as you are alive.
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Siciliana, can I identify with your frustration and anxiety. After lumpectomy, clean margins and no lymph node involvement, I thought I was good to go. Unfortunately, path report came back triple positive. And I was bummed! And mad and... Now that I have a clear treatment plan, I am feeling much better. I hope that for you too. I would also urge you to look for a chat group of stage 2 ladies. I spend time in the triple positive room and also with those who started chemo Feb 2017. Both groups have had suggestions for me. The Feb 2017 group has been particularly helpful with the "what next" questions. We started a private Facebook group and are posting pics of our balding heads or fashionable wigs. And sharing some very specific tips for dealing with side-effects. I hope once you have a chance to meet with your team, things won't seem so overwhelming.
WE CAN DO THIS!
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This just goes to show you, there is always a silver lining--gaining more friends! Having all of you give me warm hugs is just what I needed. Thank you Peggy, Tbalding, Poodles, Octogirl, Sandy and Taco!! You are the best! How long does it take to get the Oncodx results back? I re-read my notes and my appointment with the medical onc. isn't until the 10th, and the rad. onc. is this Wednesday. I just hate having to wait. (Don't we all?)
Since I have one positive node, will I still qualify for the oncodx test?0 -
Yup, Siciliana—used to be one had to be node-negative, but they'll now order ODX for 0-3 nodes so long as the tumor's small enough and ER+/PR+/HER2-. From the time the sample's sent in (there's only one lab and it's in CA) till results come in is about 10-14 days. What I'd suggest is contacting your MO ASAP and asking her/him to order the test now so you might get results by the date of your appointment. And as to your RO appt., you'll probably get examined and be told your recommended radiation treatment plan. Mine gave me the option to do 16 external hypofractionated (extra-strength) treatments to just the tumor bed instead of 33 whole-breast, and I jumped at the chance. (My cancer center didn't offer brachytherapy, aka internal catheter-delivered “seeds" done twice a day for 5 days).
You will then make an appointment for a “mapping” CT, and markings (tiny tattoo dots or tape-over-Sharpie Xs—I chose the latter), then a “sim session” where you lie on the table and they position the machine with LED lights but no radiation. You won’t start the treatments till you’ve healed from surgery, anywhere from 4-6 weeks. If you do need chemo, that’s done and completed before radiation.
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Hi ladies - I'm back with more questions. Well, one actually. I finished chemo yesterday! - yay!! meeting with surgeon next Tuesday and I hope to walk a way my surgery scheduled. What are the questions I need to be asking the surgeon? I have my list but I would love to hear from the pros!
Thanks - Kathy
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Congrats, KLNiss on finishing chemo
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Poodles, congratulations on scheduling with NOLA!! I am excited for you. Siciliana, welcome! Not much to add except I am stage 2B and managed to avoid chemo. KLNiss, congrats on finishing chemo. Sandy, I live vicariously through your vacations. My lifestyle does not allow for travel much at all.
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Good to be back ladies - thanks! Peggy - I know...I am worried about the diet. But I feel I have to do whatever more I can do - to ensure I am around for my 12 year old daughter, ya know? So I really want to try and cut out sugar, dairy, and processed foods...and increase fruits/veggies. Now WHEN I will start - is the motivating question (I type - as I eat a girl scout cookie! lol).
Siciliana - Like Taco, I too had a shocking change in diagnosis after my surgery...and that totally sucked. I felt much more on top of it all and like I could beat it with the lx and rads, but then I wound up being triple positive and my grade moved to 3. I still catch myself obsessing over my future at times - and that needs to stop, as it only leads to my depression. As I have done with a few others - if you ever need to text/talk with someone, feel free to PM me and I will give you my cell#. Us BC ladies must stick together - so don't ever let the emotions weigh you down...reach out and vent! xoxox
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KDTheatre, why not make one change at a time rather than all at once? Get comfortable with that one thing then choose another. You might find that more manageable. You also might consider cutting back on some of those things while increasing the good things rather than totally eliminating. Again, do it gradually. Just throwing out ideas hoping something strikes a chord with you. I totally understand your focus on your 12 year old.
HUGS!
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Anyone who is allergic to most antibiotics had cataract surgery? I'm likely going to have my eyes done in April. Right now I know only 2 that I can take and they aren't done for eyes (tetracycline and doxycycline). Penicillin and Cipro definitely are bad. I hope to get tested on some of the antibiotics used.
TIA
HUGS!
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Peggy, I am allergic to Penicillin, Cipro (all the fluoroquinolones) and Sulfa. I was given three eyedrops to use for a few weeks after surgery, one of which I had to start the week before (ketorolac, aka Toradol, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory). After the surgery, I continued to use it, as well as Tobradex (one tobramycin combined with dexamethasone) and Durezol, a topical steroid. I did fine, as will you. Tobradex was the only one containing an antibiotic (Bob, who is not allergic, was given a Cipro drop instead).
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Sandy, Thanks! I thought you and I were very much alike on this. You give me great hope. I really want my eyes done. Thanks for telling me what you had and worked good. That's one of the reasons I had put off having the cataracts removed. I spent 3 weeks peeling thick layers of skin off my body after using Cipro which the pharmacist said no one is allergic to. Right. I will make sure I am tested for Tobradex. You're the best!
HUGS!
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Kdtheater, you can be my diet buddy. I'm going back to calorie counting/carb counting tomorrow (Ash Wednesday/Lent). I think it will be easier for me to just go cold turkey, rather than easing into it. I lost a lot of weight about 3 years ago by keeping calories to 1200 or less, eliminating white food (not including milk), increasing protein to 65gms/day, and limiting carbs to no more than 60gm/day. It actually wasn't as hard at it might seem, once I got started. It required me to make menus, so I wasn't tempted to just eat cereal and snack, or worse, go out to eat. I weighed and measured my food, and kept a food journal. I know what to do--I just don't do it.
Unfortunately, I have gained back about 30-lbs since 2015 and have not been motivated to get back on the wagon until now. My goal is to lose 15-lbs before surgery in April, then continue to lose the other 15-lbs more slowly. I won't be at my ideal weight, but honestly, if I have that as a goal I'll be overwhelmed before I start. So, baby steps...
Have any of you looked at White House Black Shutters "40 bags in 40 days Decluttering Challenge"? It can be done as a Lenten sacrifice or just because you want to get some control over your stuff. Some of us on the "Moving Beyond Cancer" board have a thread going called "Not quite a hoarder", in which we are discussing all things clutter. One of the ladies posted this link and it looks pretty interesting. http://www.whitehouseblackshutters.com/40-bags-in-40-days/
I started decluttering my closet on Sunday--took about 40 boxes apart and put them in the trash. They took over at least 6ft x 4ft of shelving in my closet. I must say, when I turn on the light in there it's kinda jarring, LOL. So much space! Anyway, this site lists things you can physically declutter and those things that are more tech-oriented. One of the things is deleting files, organizing pictures, and deleting messages. It had never occurred to me that I even COULD delete text message (I am sooo not tech savvy). I don't know how many I deleted but it took me 90 minutes and the texts went back 2 years. No wonder my phone keeps saying there's no more storage!
Tomorrow is the first day of Lent and the first thing to go is the SNACKS--the chocolate chips, the Thin Mints, the cheese crackers. Anything that hasn't been opened is going to the local food pantry. Anything on the forbidden list that HAS been opened is going in the trash. LOL, I can kill 2 birds with one stone--get rid of stuff I no longer need AND start my diet with a bang!
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YAY, KLNiss on finishing chemo!
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Bob is giving up sleeping late on Sundays for Lent (he really would rather give up Mass). But he does take the “only one meat meal a day” and “meatless Friday” rules seriously. Gordy & I get a pass because we’re Jewish. But it’s back on low-carb tomorrow for me too (stocked up on some nice jumbo organic eggs and interesting veggies, plus some shrimp, salmon & steak today), so I can be honest with the trainer on Friday. (And since it’s only a month before my London trip, I need to pare down in order to leave a little room for indulgences there).
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Poodles, Way to go on the decluttering. I found it got easier as I went along. If it didn't bring joy, it didn't stay. Good luck with your diet! Deleting stuff is good too. I also could probably delete some texts. But I want to keep the ones from family. The ones from Chase reminding me to pay my credit card I delete
Sandy, good luck too. Bob's days are so long that I'm sure giving up his Sunday morning sleep-in will be difficult. Absolutely gotta make some room for London's dining!
HUGS!
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kdtheater....have you tried juicing? My hubby and I started a few weeks ago and love it. Great way to get your fruits and veggies. If you have Netflix watch a documentary called "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead". I am always trying to improve my diet...
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how did you all do on Arimidex! I am concerned because I have osteoporosis, and now my knee is in bad pain! Is Femara only for younger women? I am 80 and did not do radiation. Oncologist Said now to take tamoxifen! Side effects?
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chisandy....Hi, my home town! Can you still do radiation 4months after surgery, with no chemo? What is the 16 treatments like? Side effects?
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