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January 2014 Surgery Sisters

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Comments

  • Dtkd
    Dtkd Member Posts: 422
    edited June 2015

    Thanks Mary. I do think it looks a little better this morning. I just loved Gilda's book, which I read years ago. 💜

     

  • pinktiara
    pinktiara Member Posts: 716
    edited June 2015

    Wow Mary...didn't know you were a biker chick at heart! Fabulous....would love to see you in that camisole with your blonde hair flying. Sweet!

    So happy to hear you are ok...I loved Gilda. She was the best.

    Wow Diane, attack cat. I am sure Sammy is horrified. Kiku broke my leg 6 months before the boob surgery. She got wrapped up with her leash around my leg and pulled me down....gotta love them...Kiku is fine.....we'll see when we take her back to the park...not so sure she will be comfortable any more.

    Sammy must have really nailed you...hope all is well soon. Hang in there lady.

    Yup I finally said I cant do the pain and fatigue thing anymore.  Scared and relieved at the same time that I am getting things checked out.

    Any how,

    glad to hear form you all. We will be ok...I think I want to hitch a ride with Ann......Brazil? cool!

    love

    E

     

  • Dtkd
    Dtkd Member Posts: 422
    edited July 2015

    Hi ladies. The swelling continues to go down on the whole cat bite thing and I think it will heal without more drama. :)

    Yesterday I went to see a doctor to deal with what they are now saying is overactive bladder.  The dr is gong to call my MO about topical estrogen, because one of the problems is that due to the decrease in hormones (thank you BC), my lady part walls have thinned and are dry and that apparently throws everything off.  I'm also going to be getting PT for my pelvic floor and PTNS (percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation), which is basically electrical stimulation of a nerve in my ankle once a week for 12 weeks.  This is just one more step toward getting my body back.  It would be great to get this all fixed and my knee rehabbed, lose the weight and get back to TKD in September.  Too much?  I have to try...

    Wishing you all a wonderful Independence Day holiday!

    Love and hugs to all,

    Diane


     

  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 923
    edited July 2015

    Diane,

    I had the same problem with urinary issues and abdominal cramping and dryness - big time!! UGH. I was about to do DHEA vaginal suppositories, okayed by my MO, but chickened out. During that last trip to my cancer clinic I saw several drs. for various issues. One was a cardiologist who prescribed Lipitor and Omega oil for high cholesterol and triglycerides. Oddly enough, my pain and urinary frequency got better - I believe because of the Omega oil. I'm also using a special moisturizer, massage, and like you will be doing PT, so I'm hopeful it will help without having to take estrogen, although I've read that many survivors have used it. We all have to do what we feel is best. Good luck to you!

  • Dtkd
    Dtkd Member Posts: 422
    edited July 2015

    Thanks Mary. The Dr did say that she had a lot of BC survivor patients. I'm already taking fish oil. I hear that PTNS helps about 80% of the time,so it's worth a shot. I'll wait and see what my MO says about the suppositories. This is not okay so I'm going to do whatever I can, short of surgery or medications with more side effects. Let me know how you do. 💜

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited July 2015

    well, I have been in quite a bit of pain the last few days. I've been icing my left breast- yes being careful as I don't have too much feeling and don't want to get frost bite! And I've been taking Motrin. I don't know what happened. It almost feels like something inside my breast is tearing. It's so sore and forget laying on my stomach- too painful. I had a procedure about 2 weeks ago to take out tissue and fluid because I felt a lump but it was deemed fat necrosis once pathology report came back. I wasn't this sore right after the procedure, could this be from that now?!?! I'm going to try to take it easy the rest of the week, no lifting and keep icing and taking Motrin and see if it improves. If not I'll have to call , which I dont want to I do.... Ugh always some things! I kept telling myself through tears today that its my new normal, suck it up buttercup, but it really hurts. I hope it goes away with using it less.say a praye

  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 923
    edited July 2015

    Beverly - sending HUGS to you! Sorry to hear you're having pain as result of the biopsy. Hope you feel better soon!

    Diane, have you heard of the new Mona Lisa laser treatment? It's supposed to help with vaginal atrophy, etc. There are a few threads on this site popping up with women who are starting to have it done. Sounds promising, but it's not covered by insurance yet. It sounds very interesting. I'm trying to think of how it would work and I remembered that the last time I went to the dentist they used a laser on my gums to help them heal and regenerate. I think it's interesting that insurance covers the cost of laser to your gums, but not your vagina. If this treatment works and is approved by the FDA, there's no reason it shouldn't be covered. BC SURVIVORS UNITE!!! LET'S PROTEST!!

    uh...I'm okay now. Thanks for listening!

    Have a great weekend ladies!

  • Dtkd
    Dtkd Member Posts: 422
    edited July 2015

    Hi Mary: I hadn't heard about it, but will check it out and ask my GYN about it. He's pretty up on the latest medical procedures.

    Beverly - I hope you are feeling better by now. If not, you should tell you doctor to make sure it isn't some complication related to the procedure. I have found that after every surgery/procedure, you have to go back to sleeping on your back, and am only just starting to sleep on my side again since surgery in April. I doubt I will ever be able to go back to sleeping on my stomach again. It puts too much pressure on the pockets.

    Eve - how are you feeling? Any better? Thinking of you and sending hugs!

    So as of today, my tattoos are completely healed and smooth. I'm happy with the results. In low light, my scars are barely noticeable.

    Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

    Love and hugs,

    Diane.

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited July 2015

    Diane,

    Thanks for asking. I'm doing fine. I guess I just have to get used to my new normal and the limitations I have now. The breast surgeons pa thinks the pain I'm feeling- it feels like it's tearing inside, like my range of motion is being compromised again.. Is from doing too much 😢. I will confess that being home from the summer I am definitely doing more; carrying laundry baskets up and down stairs, playing baseball with my kids etc. it just sucks, I'm only 42 years old I should be able to do these things and not be in pain where I need to take Motrin and ice!! It's just not fair! None of it is! I keep saying this damn cancer diagnosis took so much more than my breast!!! Anyway, enough of that... My daughter is in a softball tournament and is currently undefeated! I'm so proud of her! She plays tomorrow and then they move on to the second round. Because they are the only team in the tournament who hasn't lost they automatically advance . My son is also in a baseball tournament that starts on Wednesday.if he does well in states which is played local they will then play in New York. If they do well there they get to play in Puerto Rico . Needless to say it's very exciting!!! Then I may take my kids to myrtle beach South Carolina. Somewhere in between there i need to shop for decorations for my classroom and go back to school to start setting up my classroom. For now, just enjoying the summer and cheering my kids on!! Hope you are all well my friends!!


    Beverly

  • pinktiara
    pinktiara Member Posts: 716
    edited July 2015

    Hi all,

    Congrats to your kids Beverly. How fun to watch our kids doing great things no matter what age. My boys are fabulous...(of course) although my youngest...the former marine calls me EVERY morning and says "Rise and shine mom" REALLY????? I secretly love it. Yes! the new normal. I think we just have to give ourselves a break. Do what we can, rest our bodies and minds and also just get on with it the best we can.

    Hi Diane, glad to hear you are healed. and liking what you see. Long journey, yes? I wish my scars healed like yours. But no surprise that everything is still purple. I can have a little cut like from shaving and that dang thing will be there forever...is what it is. My back is better, hubbby gave me a back rub and pushed the vertebrae back where it belonged. Amazing difference. I am looking forward to seeing the gyno on Monday. Have to get a handle on whatever is going on in that department. I am betting on a ultrasound at the very least.and blood tests. The fatigue and weight gain bothers me more than anything...we'll see.

    Miss Mary, interesting about the omega oil. I think I'll try it. I am beginning to think that the surgery really threw off the hormonal balance in our bodies. Well, I know it did. My lady parts seem to be ok as far as the dryness goes. But my metabolism has changed so much I think it tanked. My problem lean more towards IBS. But I don't have IBS according to my colonoscopy. Who knows.

    Happy to be breathing at this point...lol

    love you ladies

    peace

    E

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited July 2015

    yes eve very exciting! My daughter is 11 and my son is 13. My other problem after all these surgeries and hysterectomy is no sex drive! Like none! Zippo!! Sucks! I could care less on one hand, but I feel bad for my husband! I know this is a safe place to talk about it. I could never tell anyone else this!! Thanks for being there! Just another thing to deal with and adjust to I guess..... Oh well. Here's hoping for some good games this week and some wins!! My daughter plays tomorrow at 545 and my son plays at 530 and 800, he has a double header.

  • pinktiara
    pinktiara Member Posts: 716
    edited July 2015

    Good luck to the kiddos! Beverly.

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited July 2015

    just got the call... All of their games are cances due to rain

  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 923
    edited July 2015

    Eve, I think I have IBS, too. Lots of nausea, alternate between constipation and diarrhea. Just feel yucky. But my endoscopy and biopsies didn't find anything wrong. It's probably not related to bc, but I think I might ask for a CT scan next week during my follow up. Getting tired of feeling sick.

    I was prescribed Omega 3 for my high cholesterol & tricylcerides, but it did seem to help with dryness. I also use moisturizers on a daily basis (not lubricants). I tried Replens but it burned so bad I had to quit using it. My providers recommended Sliquid and V Magic that I buy at my clinic. I'm starting PT for pelvic floor therapy next week. It took several weeks to get in, so I know I'm not the only one.

    Off to mindfulness meditation class!

  • pinktiara
    pinktiara Member Posts: 716
    edited July 2015

    Yes Mary, The IBS issues can be really crappy...lol...pun intended!

    I am doing some research on IBS. Not the first time. I said in an earlier post that the colonoscopy report from a few months ago stated that there was no evidence of IBS. PHFFFFFFFFTTTTTT. Well I have found out that a colonoscopy doesn't show IBS. So now I have to be my own advocate AGAIN....or just live with it. Getting tired of docs.....just look at tests and not listening to the patient. I don't eat out because of it. Or if on the rare occasion that I do eat out, I just take pepto before hand.

    Something that is interesting to me....while in the hospital for the mastectomy like you all I was hooked up to an IV and was super hydrated. I never felt so good. IBS can leave you dehydrated....I try to drink a lot of fluids but I guess I can't get to that same point. (?)

    As far as the incontinence is concerened...I don't have that. The exercises I did when I was pregnant...kiegel (sp) where you squeeze your vagina..and hold and repeat several times helped with that. I had both boys by C-section so I think that helped also. I still do that.

    Who knows? Seems to me that the BC surgery really opened up a can of worms that I hadn't expected.

    Onward and upward. What else can one do?

    Love

    Eve


  • pinktiara
    pinktiara Member Posts: 716
    edited July 2015

    I just want to say something....

    I talk about feeling like crud....

    But... every time I see the commercials for Shriner's Children's Hospitals or Wounded Warriors.....I tear up and am so proud of these kids and our wounded vets.

    I feel empowered by these wonderful and brave people.

    I thank you all,also, for speaking honestly and bravely about your concerns. I have never felt alone in this cancer journey because of all of you.

    So thank you, a heartfelt THANK YOU.

  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 923
    edited July 2015

    Eve, thanks for the tip on the water and staying hydrated.

    And you are welcome!! Our little support group here is the main thing that helped me get through. I really crave contact with other survivors, so yes it helps to vent here where others understand. So THANK YOU!

    And yes, all my little complaints just don't stack up against those who are really suffering. It could be so much worse.

    Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

  • pinktiara
    pinktiara Member Posts: 716
    edited July 2015

    Well alrighty then!

    Back from the doctor, actually a nurse practitioner.......loved her...just awesome.

    Soooooooooooooooo turns out I have a bad, bad ,bad UTI. (urinary tract, bladder infection).HA! Totally surprised the heck outta me. I do not have the classic symptoms. I've only had one before, many, many years ago and this is nothing like that. Back pain, side pain, and pain where my ovary is located. Who knew.

    On heavy duty antibiotics for a week and the follow up in two weeks. I'll get my pap at that time.

    Also getting a pelvic ultra sound just to be safe. So not worried anymore. Can't wait to get back to normal...

    I am doing my Snoopy dance....

    hope everyone is well

    love ya!

    E

  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 923
    edited July 2015

    Yay!!! UTI's are easy to fix. Happy for you! Happy

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited July 2015

    my mom went for her yearly bs appointment a few days back. She was diagnosed with breast cancer about 7 years ago. The dr said she's doing good. No sign of cancer, thank god!! But she does has bad lymph edema. The dr is recommending that she go back for physical therapy and have them do more manual massage etc. she is also pushing insurance to cover the new panel of testing that came out. It tests many genes- we are braca and Bart negative but my mom and her sister were diagnosed months apart with breast cancer (my aunt passed) and my maternal grandmother and her sister- my great aunt were both diagnosed with ovarian cancer and both passed. Needless to say, the bs and I are pretty sure there is some gene causing these cancers in our family and I want the information not only for myself, my mom and my disters, but I have 3 girls of my own; ages5, 8, and 10. I need to protect them!! It will be interesting to see what results we get from the panel. And then of course we have to decide what to do with the information.

    I hope you are all well. I think of you often.

  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 923
    edited July 2015

    Beverly, so glad your mom is doing well. And yes, it would be wise to be tested for BRCA and any others that you can have done. Let us know how it turns out.

    Ladies, I am beyond stressed right now. DH has been having problems with a bad sore throat for the past two months and lately it's became quite swollen to the point where it was hard to swallow. I'd been trying to get him in to see a Dr, but wasn't having much luck. It takes forever to get in to see someone as a new patient. The best I could do was August 4th, but tonight when he got home he said he didn't think he could wait that long, so tonight we went to urgent care. They did a CT scan and found that he has a large infiltrating mass in his throat. The lymph node on one side is about as big as it can be. So tomorrow we are going to an ENT doc for a biopsy. I don't know what I'll do if it's cancer! I'm surprised I'm not totally freaking out right now. Guess I'll save that for when I need it.

    Well, better get back to bed and try and get some sleep. Gonna be a hard day tomorrow, I think.

    Love you all,

    Mary

  • pinktiara
    pinktiara Member Posts: 716
    edited July 2015

    Mary,

    How's hubby doing? So scary. I am praying that it is nothing to worry about. Sigh....sorry you and he have to go through thus crap.

    Men ARE a pain to get to go to the doc. I am on Nate's butt right now about an eye problem that could cause blindness and a flat irregular mole on his lip. Sheesh, why do they think they are invincible?

    Please keep us in the loop.

    Love you

    Eve

  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 923
    edited July 2015

    We saw the ENT doc today. She came right and said it point blank - he has tonsil cancer. I just don't believe this is actually happening. I cried in the doc's office and on the way home and now...

    They did a biopsy and should know the results by the weekend. I don't think it'll be early stage because it's quite large. It's only been a few months, though, not like he put it off too long.

    I feel like I am starting all over again in CancerLand - the game that never ends. Stop the world and let me off! UGH. How how how am I going to do this?! Soooo not fair!!!

    ~M

  • pinktiara
    pinktiara Member Posts: 716
    edited July 2015

    Wow, just effing wow Mary. I am so very sorry. There are no words except to say that your hubby is very lucky to have you in his corner.

    Let the tears fall, get mad, come Saturday when you know more....start kicking that cancer's ass!

    Holding your hand

    love

    Eve

  • pinktiara
    pinktiara Member Posts: 716
    edited July 2015

    Received a letter today from the place where I get my scans/ultrasounds done. FREAKED me out. It said they found an area on my breast after a US that needed further evaluation. WTH!!!!!!! I read the letter and was totally perplexed. Then I looked at the date. It was from August of LAST freaking year. REALLY!!! I had a MRI after the US. Way to mess with one's mind.

    I am going to send them a scathing letter....telling them that they have to be a bit more careful in their correspondence. Arrrrrrgh!

    Can you trust any of these people anymore??

    E

  • pinktiara
    pinktiara Member Posts: 716
    edited July 2015

    Mary,

    Just wanted you to know I am holding you and John in my heart.

    Love you lady

    Eve

  • bc101
    bc101 Member Posts: 923
    edited August 2015

    Thank you Eve!

  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited August 2015

    so I think I've mentioned to you all before about my inability to sleep. My primary dr sent me to a sleep dr. I just had my consultation. He says to me, I think ur inability to sleep comes from your anxiety about your diagnosis of breast cancer. You have to let that go. Many people have cancer, it's every where! Omg!!!! I immediately had to take my mind to my happy place and giggle inside and say I can't wait to te the January sisters This one!!! What is wrong with people!! So much for compassion and trying to understand! Jeez!! I don't think my insomnia comes from that at all actually!! He wouldn't do the sleep study! He sent me home with a script for ambien and a list of things not to do: watch tv in bed, etc.

  • pinktiara
    pinktiara Member Posts: 716
    edited August 2015

    For lack of a better word...poop... on docs that don't listen.

    You have to let it go????? We try to let it go everyday!!!!

    The doubts still creep in.......

    I can only say....the evil BC has colored my life everyday...even though it is not something I dwell on all the time.

    I'd like to see your doc handle prostrate cancer...lol good luck with that Mr.

    Wish I could help, Beverly, with the sleeping issue. I personally am not a fan of any kind of drugs....but if the Ambien can get you a few nights of rest ...go for it....

    I just can't believe that Dr. blew you off.

    hang in there kid.

    Eve



  • Mommyathome
    Mommyathome Member Posts: 876
    edited August 2015

    thanks eve!

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