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Comments

  • Su-CQ51
    Su-CQ51 Member Posts: 33

    lol probably me more than him.  DH falls asleep a lot.  I can't seem to nap.  Our DHs are alike with heart issues (has pacemaker now) and short term memory deficit.   He leans forward when walking and sleeping in chair so worries me he will lean too far.  We're allowed to feel sorry for ourselves once in awhile :) and then we just grab a bigger plate ;)    Take care!

  • pontiacpeggy
    pontiacpeggy Member Posts: 6,338

    Good advice, Sue!  DH has a pacemaker/defibrillator too.  He also gets sleep attacks :(

  • coralrose413
    coralrose413 Member Posts: 3


    Hi Ladies, I'm new and was just recently dx in 7/15/14.  I was all set to go to 7 weeks of radiation, but last week's mammo showed (3) new microcals near chest wall.  I'm scheduled for core biopsy this Thursday, if B9 I continue to rads, but if not, I'm scheduled for mastectomy w/SNB on 9/19/14.  My question is, has anyone here had microcals near chest wall?  I know they can be B9, but the way things have been going.....Many thanks in advance.

  • Palameda
    Palameda Member Posts: 91

    Gosh, those of you dealing with ill husbands. Strength.

    Poppy, a great support for me as I went thru chemo was my "chemo cohort." There is a September 2014 chemo topic (mine was November 2013). My group and I have really bonded, seen each other through the worst, and provided incredible support to each other. And a place to vent, tear our hair, air our fears, bare our wounds. I highly recommend "joining," as it provided me with much needed help as I went on that journey. We are still actively supporting each other!

  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,275

    Pat,

    I just posted on the Sept 2014 chemo topic!

    Thanks.

    Poppy

  • mripp
    mripp Member Posts: 40

    coralrose, I had DCIS with a group of calcifications in the duct and right at my chest wall. I have 2 Lx scars. It was a challenge per my BS. One lower near chestwall and one underside half way up. They removed 2.4 cm with clean margins and it was close to the chestwall muscle so a bit of it removed too. I healed quickly and with no problems. Will be thinking of you. I am now at end of radiation and 3 tx left! Since I am ER- PR-, no hormone therapy. That's good...I hope, and pray I'll never have to do this ever again.

  • panthrah
    panthrah Member Posts: 140

    Had my lx yesterday. Not so bad actually. 1. Xanax knocks me on my butt 2. I love the odd heat inflatable hospital gown 3. wire loc thing was easy 4. you lose all concept of time on xanax 5. being so wrapped up I feel like i slept in a corset. 6. pain level is a 2-3. 7. my mom does not follow instructions and showed up in the recovery room.. sneaky mom. 

    Hubby informed me that they went in thru my nipple .. they had told me that they might do either 1 big incision or 2 small ones.. I guess they opted for the straight thru. Now mind you, my nipples have never ever been sensitive and do nothing for me...but knowing its been cut.. sort of weirds me out a bit. of course I dont get to unwrap anything til thurs. 

    Came home and snuggled with my Stitch pillow pet, husband put on my Disney 5k medal on me, got me a mario brothers sippy cup, and put on Brave cause I was so "Brave " yesterday.  

    I have some wet wipes from doing some mud runs.. so Ill be taking a wipes bath later.. until then.. Netflix and I have a date :)  

    Hope all is well and happy wednesday 

  • pontiacpeggy
    pontiacpeggy Member Posts: 6,338

    Panthrah, glad you got through everything fine.  I loved that heated gown.  I'm always cold so it was a blessing.  Hopefully your pain will stay very manageable.  I'd have been weirded out too if they'd gone through my nipple  So you don't have an "incision" then?

    Take it easy!  Glad it's over.

  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,275

    Panthrah,

    So glad it went well for you! Sounds like the Xanax did it's job. Every drug knocks me on my butt, too. Mom's rarely listen when it involves being separated from their kids. ;-)

    With my surgery, they went completely around the nipple. Very thin incision line/scarring, which should fade and not be noticeable. I didn't loose sensation. This wasn't a big concern of mine either... I just wanted the cancer out!

    Thanks for the update. Rest up!

    Poppy

  • Su-CQ51
    Su-CQ51 Member Posts: 33

    Hi Panthrah,!   Glad your surgery went well and I'm sure you're happy to have that part over and on to healing.  :)     Wishing you speedy recovery!

  • Psalm34-4
    Psalm34-4 Member Posts: 22

    Hello ladies, so so so happy to report my margins came back CLEAR!! Second time was the charm. I also got my oncotype score back today, it's 21.. so not sure how that will pan out, see my Oncologist and Radiation Oncologist on 9/22/14 to get the next steps on the road to recovery.. so glad to have surgery done! Of course the preop fears for surgery were much worse than the surgery itself, but just the same, glad that road has ended!

    Puffin, thanks for the advice & encouragement. So awesome to hear how you are doing with your chemo, that is amazing. You may need to post all your inside "tips" that have helped you thus far.. praying that it continues to go as well for you. 

    SuCQ, thank you for your well wishes, and so glad they came to pass! Praying all goes well with your surgery, and like I said, what we imagine in our heads is worse than reality. promise. I was suprised that the postop pain was no more than it was, sure it was uncomfortable some, but very very manageable, esp once you get situated in chair with pillow prop.  For me the most tender area was the SNB site, breast incision area was just tender similiar to after biopsies. Hope things work out well with your spouse, do you have any family nearby who could stay with him? Or possibly a sitter agency to have extra hands at home with you and him? 

    PontP, wishing you the best with radiation, you hang in there, and when you get discouraged you just remember how far you have already come!! From my patients I have cared for in past with radiation tx. they tell me it takes longer to drive/ get set up for radiation than the actual tx itself, so maybe those visits will be fairly brief and easier on you & DH.

    ncollett, praying for your second surgery to go as well as mine did and you hear those lovely words Clear Margins too! Hope the ultrasound was equally normal, just plain old boring... ; )

    coralrose, so sorry to hear how much you have already been thru with surgery. Dont know about microcals, but would suggest, that if you havent, you talk with radiation oncologist  & update him where you are, see what he says. I know mine told me that radiation would "sterilize" any microscopic remnants... 

    panthrah.. so glad to hear you are doing well postop..praying you get good path report and just continue to enjoy your Netflix time!! Rest..

    Suzy

  • puffin2014
    puffin2014 Member Posts: 979

    Psalm: congrats on the clear margins! Wonderful news. Be prepared for that SNL incision to be tender much longer than you think it should be, it'll probably also get lumpy. Mine was like a strip of wet cardboard that never seemed to bend right. My surgeon was right though, eventually the lumps went away and I don't notice it any more. He said I could use either warm or cold on it, I had one of those long narrow neck pillows with rice in it that can be microwaved, worked perfectly to start at my neck and wrap it down and around my boob over the SNL, and the warmth felt good. Just be careful not to get it too hot as that area can be numb and not as sensitive to temperature.

    Don't know what they'll say about that 21 onco score, it's in that "we'll discuss it area" of the graph. 

    As the MO predicted, I've had more side effects with each round, they start sooner and last longer. Chemo #3 knocked me on my butt, weak as a kitten, all starches taste like wet cardboard (don't know what it is with me and wet cardboard!). As for hints, meet with the team's dietician early. Mine calculated that I should aim for 70 gm of protein a day to promote healing during chemo and radiation and I've been doing a protein drink along with lots of yogurt, cottage cheese, sardines, milkshakes. If you need chemo, ask about getting the neulasta shot to stimulate the bone marrow to make white blood cells. I get the shot the day after each chemo and it's kept my counts up. I've been taking Claritin the day before, day of and several days after the shot to try and prevent the side effect of bone pain. I did get some leg aching this third time, but a dose of tylenol took care of it. Just keep listening to your body, nap when you're tired, don't overdo, stay well hydrated (my onc wants minimum of 64 oz noncaffeinated beverages a day).

  • pontiacpeggy
    pontiacpeggy Member Posts: 6,338

    PoppyK, we had our lumpies on the same day.  Mine seems to be doing well but I'm still somewhat swollen (I've never spilled over my bra cup before - I'm an A).  Are you going straight to rads?

    Psalm, YIPPEE on the clear margins!  That's terrific.  What a bitchy score to get on your oncotype.  Guess you have to go with your gut and MO (and RO). Rotten that you had to have 2 lx's.    Thanks for the kind words.  I'm lucky I'm only 10 minutes from my rad center and, your patients are right, the tx takes no time, everything else does.  Hubby doesn't mind sitting in the care waiting for me which is good since I don't feel I can safely leave him. 

    Puffin, how many chemo tx are you having?  At least you've found what works to make you feel better.  My daughter-in-law had colon cancer and  There were times when her chemo had to be postponed because of her low blood count (WRONG).  She did get it every time and wishes she'd known about Claritin since the bone pain was terrible!  That's pretty amazing about how Claritin can help stave off SEs.  Hugs to you!

  • ncollett
    ncollett Member Posts: 753

    Psalm I am so glad to hear you have clean margins!! Yay!! My US was normal no problems I went to see my RO today and if I have clear margins I will do my Rad simulation on the 29th. All three of my oncologist MO BS and RO told me that at least for me they wouldnt consider chemo unless my onco score was 25 or higher. I hope the same is true for you.

  • pontiacpeggy
    pontiacpeggy Member Posts: 6,338

    Nancy, think positive:  YOUR MARGINS ARE CLEAN!!  And you'll start your rads right on time!  Have you gotten your onco score?

  • puffin2014
    puffin2014 Member Posts: 979

    Pontiac: I have one more chemo left on Sep 18.

  • pontiacpeggy
    pontiacpeggy Member Posts: 6,338

    Puffin - YEAH!!!

  • Su-CQ51
    Su-CQ51 Member Posts: 33

    You're welcome Psalm, so happy your margins were clear!   What a relief!   Thanks for the good wishes. I'm glad the pain is manageable.   I had a feeling the SNB might be more of a "pain" .    It hurts if I knick my underarm shaving lol!   Positive thoughts for continued fast healing :)

       Sorry the chemo side effects are hitting you hard Puffin.   Thanks for all the helpful advise.  I have one of those microwave pillows!   My youngest son will be happy to know about the increased protein.   He's been trying to get me to follow his example for ages ! :)  Hope you hear about onco score decision soon.

       So glad your US was normal ncollett !   I'm sure your margins will be clean this time :)

    Take care and have a good night everyone!

  • Psalm34-4
    Psalm34-4 Member Posts: 22

    Puffin.. ONE more chemo, that is awesome, if you look how far you have already come! I see where you are /had radiation also, and was wondering if that is coming after chemo, or had you already had it? Also, what was your oncotype score, and was that the factor in your getting chemo? ( again comparing, know that's wrong, but we are so similiar, lol). As far as you and the cardboard.. lol.. hope that's just a quirkly chemo SE that you can kick after this LAST treatment!  So happy for you in that!

    Before I forget, wondered if any of you had "sloshing" in your lump boob? I didn't have it after first surgery, but this time.. I sound like a jug of water, lol. It's really funny to me, my Navigator said she had other patients mention it, but boy you should have seen the look on her face when I gave her a demonstration, lol... she grabbed her boobs !! Happy It doesn't hurt, it just sounds crazy.. I am wondering how long it takes fluid to reabsorb.. apparently I have quite a cavity in there!

    ncollet... SO GLAD to hear about your ultrasound results.. amazing what relief can do for one!! Now just keep that upbeat attitude and eagerly waiting to hear your report of clear margins. (Praying for you).

    pontiac.. you just keep right on trucking along.. every day is one more achievement in treatment!

    SuCQ- just want to clarify that the SNB site pain is not that bad, its just more noticeable than breast site. As I was told by others pre-op, this is very "doable".  You have got this girl... ( I haven't even take half of my Rx for pain meds from first surgery, and I have used same Rx for both surgeries).Winking

  • nitengirl1
    nitengirl1 Member Posts: 23

    April-How did the lumpectomy go?  My tumor is just over 2cm, when the chemo shrank your tumor did they get to remove a smaller section?  Woulld love some hindsight advice.

    Did anyone else have to have total nipple removal?  What did you afterward? 

    debby

  • puffin2014
    puffin2014 Member Posts: 979

    psalm: My onco score was 27, and that sealed the chemo deal. I'll see my RO 2 weeks after the last chemo and probably start radiation the next week. Don't know yet how many rads he's planning.

  • pontiacpeggy
    pontiacpeggy Member Posts: 6,338

    SuCQ. Psalm is right about the SNB site.  It is really annoying rather than painful. What I find strange is that is doesn't hurt or bother me at all now.  EXCEPT if I sweat (which rarely happens).  Isn't that peculiar?  I used only one pain pill - the one they gave me in the hospital.  Regular Tylenol if I needed anything after that.

    Psalm, I don't have sloshing but I'm sure squishy with lumps.  Still swollen.

    I think I must have set the record for the longest sticking steri-strips.  I peeled off the ones on my lumpy incision last night - SIX WEEKS.  And they were still sticky!  The ones on the SNB came off easily after 3 weeks.  I figured after 6 weeks they'd done their job and they had.  

    Is anyone else taking photos along the way just for their own record?  My daughter-in-law took a whole bunch the day  of my lumpy and I've taken some off and one since.  Also writing a specific diary about my journey with BC.

    Have a wonderful day!  It's supposed to be nice and hot here today so I'm one happy camper :)

  • Vicks1960
    Vicks1960 Member Posts: 393

    ickie

     Psalm34-4

    I too had that sound.  It was a Seroma (fluid filling the space where tumor was removed.).  Mine was bad enough and uncomfortable enough that my PCP aspirated it.  It came back and this time the Dr. had a radiologist aspirate it via US guidance.  Both times they removed about 11cc of fluid.  It has been fine since then.  

    I celebrate my 3rd cancerversary this month!!!! 

    Good luck all you sisters!!!!

  • panthrah
    panthrah Member Posts: 140

    IM FREEEEE I removed the compression wrapping and unveiled my boob and its freeeeeee :) of course not nearly as bad as what I had imagined it would look like :) total half moon cut on/around the nipple.. slight bruising ( I rarely bruise )  slight swelling, firmer ..then back in a sports bra. that also means.. i can shower today *does a jig* Still off work til mon. and because they cut the nipple and not the side,  I will be wearing my "turtle shell" bra to work so no kid knocks/elbows/headbutts me. 

    PontiacPegg- SIX WEEKS!! wow.. you can give that brand a nice write up!. my biopsy strips stayed on for 2 days . One folded on itself and the rest were blood soaked so didnt adhere well. . these I think will stay on better. they look rather secure. we will see if they last til post op on the 16th :p 

  • pontiacpeggy
    pontiacpeggy Member Posts: 6,338

    Panthrah, I felt much better without the compression wraps too.  Glad everything is looking good!!

    I don't think anyone anticipated they would stay on so long.  And to be honest, I didn't even try to remove the strips until last night.  Figured they were supporting the poor, swollen girl and that was a good thing. :)

  • puffin2014
    puffin2014 Member Posts: 979

    Pontiac: yes, I've been keeping a diary from the beginning. There was a pink notebook in my welcome bag from the local support group. It's been helpful to look back to previous chemo rounds and see how I was feeling by a certain day. Also use it to keep track of my fluid intake. I've also taken pictures of incisions and hair changes, eventually will do a scrapbook page of the journey (probably without the incision photos though!)

  • pontiacpeggy
    pontiacpeggy Member Posts: 6,338

    Puffin, that was nice to get a pink notebook!  That was smart to record how you felt with each chemo etc. (I think I'd omit the incision photos too).  Maybe I'll do pix of my girl every week to document any radiation changes.  I'm not a scrapbooker so that won't happen :)  Oh, I need to have my rad therapist take some photos!

  • panthrah
    panthrah Member Posts: 140

    I am totally a scrapbooker  :) and I take pics of everything :p I just have to be careful when people look thru my pics on my phone "ummm you might not want to scroll too far"  hehe

  • pontiacpeggy
    pontiacpeggy Member Posts: 6,338

    One of my daughters-in-law is a huge (and good) scrapbooker.  I never caught the bug.  I don't take that many photos on my phone so that isn't likely to be an issue and I take my pix off my camera and delete them so it's "safe" to scroll through.  

  • panthrah
    panthrah Member Posts: 140

    I should try that deleting pics off the phone thing. that could save me ( or them) from some awkward moments hehe

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