January 2014 Surgery Sisters
Comments
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mommyathome - Oh man, I'm sorry you're having problems. And it's even worse when it's the "good" side, right?!?? I hope all you need are the antibiotics, and I'm glad you're seeing your PS Tuesday.
Laurie - I am SO tired. People keep asking me how I'm feeling and I always give the same answer. Tired! Cancer is so time-consuming, both physically and emotionally. And then you add in the meds and the side effects...and not sleeping well at night isn't helping. I wake up in the morning and wish I could sleep for about six more hours!
Shhh....do you hear that? I have the house to myself!!! LOL My daughter went with a friend and my hubby and son are at a magic show. You would think working only part-time I'd have a lot of time to myself with the kids in school, but I'm seriously lacking ME time!
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LOL Eve - I just posted on Facebook earlier today "Does anyone really get excited about curling?" I honestly don't see how. I love sports. I love football. I love watching my daughter play softball. I love watching *most* of the Olympics.... but I'd rather watch paint dry. Now the US vs Russie hockey game yesterday? THAT was exciting.
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Eve -- LOL! My feelings exactly -- curling is just plain silly!!!! Can't bear to watch it. I love the ice skating, though.
Oh well...better get off my butt and actually do something before the day is over.
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Oh well, crap mommyathome, Praying all you need are the antibiotics.
Yeah, BC101 how dare you feel good.
Laurie, that is exactly IT. One day just one day.
Before BC all I wanted was a Lifestyle lift and those one day teeth implants. All that stuff that gives you a whole new outlook on life....lol...
little did I know about a new outlook. So now I am going to dye my hair, while that is cooking I will pluck a couple of ikky hairs outta my chin and then I am going to have a glass of Pinot Noir with my loaded potato skins! But , still not smoking........lol
oh, and bravo to you Michelle for 4 miles...you go girl.
love,
Eve
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k, Please explain,
Why oh why does having a tattoo (on my thigh no less) increase my chances of having an allergic reaction to hair color?
So NOT ready to go gray...let the allergic reactions begin.
really?
Please don't think I am vain...I haven't bothered to wear make up in years...too lazy, however I did paint my toenails teal green with a layer of green glitter the day before BMX. he he. The nurses loved it!
Eve
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Mommyatome: Crap, that is discouraging, but hopefully the antibiotics with take care of it! Great that you can get in to see your PS Tuesday.
Tarot: I had to look up Pioneer/Buckhorn, which looks to be about 2 hrs from me. My mom live about 1/2 between us in Elk Grove. You had your lumpectomy on my birthday. I went to see my PS for my pre-op that day. Thank you for your kind words. I'm ever-aware that I'm one of the lucky ones. Good luck with making your choice. Only you know what is best and what you can deal with. Just get as much input as you can. For me, it was a simple choice, since I was pretty sure I could avoid chemo and radiation with BMX and didn't want to be looking over my shoulder, but it's a big deal to have your breasts removed, as we all know.
Eve: Jeez, you crack me up. I don't have a tiara, mostly because there is no one but the cat to see it, and my son would just laugh, but would totally wear one if it would get me anywhere LOL!
BC101 - Thanks for the link. I spent the last hour and a half on the phone with my best friend, who lives in CO (bless her, she calls me every day), so will check it out later. I want to have some idea of what I'm talking about when I talk with my MO. She's a total rockstar...Columbia MD, Cornell Internship/Residency, and Stanford Fellowship, plus is young and arguably the nicest, most positive person I've met in ages. I sooo wish I could transport her out to all of you with sourpuss MO's.
Michelle: 4 miles!? You are such a stud! I'm sure you know that exercise helps with the TNLF, so two birds with one exercise bike. Now I'm really going to get my butt out of the house. If I don't make a move soon, I'll miss the sunshine!
Love and hugs ladies!
Diane.
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...Eve, don't read all that stuff on the box of hair color, they are covering their asses legally... just go for it! Looking good makes us feel better...vain shmain. I color my hair every 3 weeks, and soon I'll have tattoos on my foobs.
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my hubby when I talk about feeling ugly and yukky and old....I am gonna be a REDhead when he gets home...
rock on
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yay for tats
My DH made me delete the pic...spoil sport.
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LOL...not before I saw it. Very cute!
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I saw it, too, lol! Very funny!
Hope everyone is doing okay today .... hubby and I are snowed in. He's off for President's Day and is enjoying the heck out of just relaxing and having the day off from commuting and work.
I, on the other hand, am starting to feel very closed in! This winter has got to end soon!!! Aarrgghhhh!
Ok, I'm done.
Thanks for reading my little rant.
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BC101 - That was a mini-rant for sure. Sorry you are snowed in. It made me shiver just to look at the 10 day forecast for Minneapolis, but it does look like today is the worst day this week, so maybe you can get out later in the week. Stay warm! I can see why you crochet!
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Thanks Diane...I'm dreaming of warmer climates. Wish I could just hop on a plane and go visit all my friends in FL and CA...wait, why couldn't I???? Hmmmm......
Question for you ladies: I'm 5 weeks post op BMX and still struggling with my PT stretches. I don't see anyone on a regular basis - just every 2 weeks when I get my fills. I'm trying to follow the handouts they gave me. Anyone have full range of motion at this stage? I'm still tight and sore, esp. the shoulder on the affected side. In wall walks, my affected arm is doing about a half inch to an inch less than the bad arm. Whenever I try to extend the stretch or push myself, my shoulder hurts and I'm afraid I'll hurt myself. Should I just work thru the pain? I'm feeling...stuck!
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Not at 5 weeks at all. Steady and slow wins the race.
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hi bc101: I'm almost 3 weeks post BMX and my range of motion on my affected side is back but only of I move it slow; it hurts if I move too fast. I am doing exercises every day and very mindful of my posture throughout the day. The exercises I do are scapular squeezes, clockwise and counter clockwise shoulder rolls, shoulder shrugs, passive range if motion (I use my good arm to help lift my bad arm straight forward over my head and do in from of a mirror to make sure I'm doing it right), hands behind my head I open/close elbows and today I started moving my affected arm up in a diagonal from across my body to out over my head (ie if during left arm, cross your left arm to touch your right hip, keep elbow straight and slowly move your arm in an upward diagonal as far ad you can). I also have begun light resistance (2lbs). Last I've been doing gentle massage to my affected underarm.
I've included a link that shows some pretty good exercises for us. It probably wouldn't hurt to have a referral to a physical therapist.
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yes ditto on the mini rant.....I can show you how to rant BC101! btw...I love your picture, you look like you have an awesome secret, something very amusing in those eyes. You make me smile.
As far as ROM...don't you love the acronyms..... here ye here ye all the acronyms anyone would ever want to know with BC.
Bc101, I am 4 weeks out....I think I am doing pretty well with ROM. I am not really doing any exercise per say, just trying to move normally and when I feel a stretch or pull that makes things difficult I try to slow down and stretch that particular area. My problems are in the front of my armpit, sides of my boobs . The non cancer boob is actually more painful than the other. And my lower ribs are giving me fits.?
Bc101, you had 18nodes removed...I only had two, I would think that you would have a more difficult time than me. I'm with Aviva take it slow but like girlstrong keep moving.
Girlstrong, will check out the you tube exercises, thanks.
Glad some of you caught the pic of DH. I thought it was funny...sigh....so vain. he is my big bear...like a line backer. I just love the heck outta him.
OK GROSS ALERT!!!!!!
So my question. My steri strips finally came off 2 days ago. A scab came off with them. ewwwweee. Super pink skin plus yellow stuff. I thought it was a weepy oozy thing, but not so much. Now I am thinking the yellow stuff is fat tissue. anyone else? I hope not.
I see BS on Thursday, but calling tomorrow to see if she wants me back on antibiotics. sigh
I really don't feel like I have or have had BC. But at the same time I am still scared it will come back or the nasty little cells are still floating around somewhere, ready to strike. How , how do you move on???
I have been through a lot in my life...but this has really thrown me for a loop.
k done wit my angst.
love you all,
Eve
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Eve - I hope it isn't anything to worry about, but glad you are calling. Also, PS...I would think it would be pretty hard to gross anyone here out.
BC101 - Happy week 5 anniversary to us! I have pretty good range of motion, as long as I don't go too fast. I'm still doing my exercises in the shower and vacuumed today, but don't be too impressed, since I have a 2 BR condo and a canister vacuum. The BC/node side is tighter, but I also only had 1 node removed.
I went to see "Sole Survivor". I know I was only supposed to go see funny and upbeat movies, but what can I say...I'm an action movie girl. It was an amazing movie. The ability of this group of men to keep pushing past physical and emotional limits was inspiring...not unlike some very tough women I know.
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BigDBeatingBigC:
I live in Dallas so when I saw your post I felt I should reach out to you. I've just finished having fills today and couldn't be happier. Hopefully in three weeks I'll be healed more so we can schedule the implant surgery a couple months from then. I don't work anymore, took an early retirement due to another illness a couple of years back. Nothing like a double whammy! Anyway, I don't know how I would have survived through this without my husband and my niece that lives here. The rest of my family live away from here. Please, please let me know if I can be of some help for you. We are probably going at about the same rate. I am now a member of the no sleep club so maybe we can email each other during the night. This is a scary journey so if you need someone to hold your hand I can do that!
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bc101 - I'm 6 weeks post-op and don't have full range of motion. Mine is mostly due to cording under my arm, but my left side is definitely tighter than the right. Have you asked them if there is anything specific you can do to target the shoulder blade area, since that seems to be your problem area?
girlstrong - You're my hero if you can do all THAT three weeks post-op. LOL Wow. I feel like a wimp.
Eve - I saw your hubby's pic, too. LOL Funny. I don't know how we "move on".... I think it just takes time. Will cancer ever fully leave the back of your mind? Probably not. But as we move away from surgery and/or active treatment, I think regular life will take over somewhat. I hope!
Diane - I've heard that movie is amazing. I'd like to see it.
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Michelle...you are my inspiration.
Found out tonight...if I take the damn bra off..oh my, everything feels almost normal. I never liked those thing anyway....going au natural tonight.....now if I an keep DH at bay...lol
I will wait to see Sole Survivor until my son is out of the Marine Corps. He has served in Iraq and my other son was a corpsman in the Navy and served in Afghanistan. Proud as HECK of my boys. But you don't want to know what they have seen....really barbaric awful stuff. When they were in the sand box it was hell. You can't call ...no contact at all...they might call or email but you never know where they are...and then you watch tv and...your thinking is that where my son is....telling you not fun. But then you pick them up at the airport...total joy, bliss, Almost like holding them for the first time at birth. But then they are saying "oh mom, I 'm ok" like duh...lol
The wounded warrior commercials really make me stop and remember that while BC sucks...man o man those guys and their families.....wow!
see, you got me started on my kids. See michelle, you can yell at them and they do turn out ok....
feeling better,
thanks ladies....love you
Eve
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I was on Dr. Susan Love's website and could not find questions to ask your oncologist. I have my first MO appt. tomorrow, but can't find the list. Does anyone have a link or a list of questions (I would like to be prepared)? btw, I had DCIS and a UMX three weeks ago, I will probably only need hormonal meds. Thanks to everyone!
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Pelively,
Hi I haven't posted on this thread before but I just had my TE put in last Friday and was wondering how many
Fills you had to have. I have been very sore since the surgery. The first TE had to be re moved because it got infected. So this is my second go round. The PS said I needed to gain some weight. What kind of implants are you going to go with? Also how long has your TE been in? I'm still doing HERCEPTIN I'm done with chemo.
I'm very anxious to get some answers from someone that has actually been there already. So please get back with me.
Hugs,
Gma04 from TEXAS
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Hey girls. On my way for my second fill.
I'm over 6 weeks post op and I think my range of motion is pretty good. Just feel a tight stretch. Is anyone's breast bone sore? Do they scrape between the breasts during the BMX? It feels bruised!
Slept good last night....but the nausea continues. Blah!
Eve....I missed the DH pic!
Laurie. XO
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GMA...fills all depend on how much you can tolerate each time and how big your going to be. I'm only going for 350cc. I've had one fill last week....one today (60cc) and probably 2 more.
Laurie
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Eve. I have not worn a bra since surgery. I was never told to. However....with the fobs and the numb chest...it kinda feels like I ALWAYS have a bra on. I may never were one again...these puppies are really perky...no support required! LOL
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have fun with the fills Laurie. Yes my breast bone is sore. I had to wear the bra all time to protect the nips. feels so good to have it off but the fabric touching my skin feels weird.
ttyl
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Gma - My surgery was Jan 3rd and I've had two fills so far. I had 100cc in each side at surgery, and each of my fills have been 50cc. My TEs will hold 500, but I'm not sure I'll go that far... from what I look like now at 200, 500 seems like it would be huge. I'm sorry you had to get a new TE and that you are sore. You had that replaced so recently, though... give yourself time. With that being said, my TE on the left side is uncomfortable still, 6 weeks later. I don't know if it's in a different position or if it's because of the lymph node removal on that side... whatever it is, I keep hoping it will get better. My PS doesn't like to use implants, especially with radiation (which I will have), so we're going to do a flap procedure for my reconstruction. Since I'm having radiation, that surgery won't be until closer to the end of the year. Welcome to our little group! Sorry you had to join us, though.
Laurie - I agree that I feels like you have a bra on 24/7. It's a funny feeling.
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Claire check around on the main site here- they should have lists of questions to ask the various doctors.
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Hi all - thanks for the advice on ROM. I've called my local PCP to ask if I can see someone locally. I go to my (cancer care) clinic for fills once every 2 weeks and see the PT there, but that's just not often enough, plus it's 3 hrs. away. I've read some women go 3 times a week and get the full meal deal - massage - not my guy. It's just boring old bending my arm back and forth. Jealous of your ROM girlstrong. I'd love to be able to do the "Y" bend. That's the hardest one for me to do. Sometimes I wish I would have demanded that my BS take less lymph nodes.
My TE's are looking and feeling pretty good. I have some discomfort at night and still can't sleep on my sides, though, and that just sucks. The melatonin seems like it's gonna work...got the okay from the doc....now I need to figure out where to sleep. Hubby's snoring drives me nuts!! Tried earplugs, ear buds, everything but those big earmuffs you wear when using power tools, lol! Maybe I'll try that next since I have to sleep on my back anyway. I miss my comfy bed. But....wait a minute....HE should be sleeping downstairs on the couch - or the recliner - or the hide-a-bed - not me!!!! (sigh). I need to clean out the spare room that I use for a walk-in closet and turn it into a bedroom for me. Sounds like major spring cleaning ahead!
Eve - I think we all know deep down that the unnamed feeling you mentioned...never really goes away. Back in the beginning of my diagnosis I used to get what I called "the scaries" at night, which were basically panic and anxiety mixed together. It was gut wrenching terror like, oh my god, oh my god....major fear of the unknown. It was almost unbearable. I'd have to use Xanax and calming music to get to sleep. Now that treatment is over, things have changed and have gotten better, thank goodness. But I still have problems falling asleep. It's almost like PTSD. It just hits me sometimes - like in the middle of the night - the reality of it all, and then for a moment I'm in shock and I just can't believe I've gone through this. Wow, I had cancer. Like no one "out there in the real world" will know what I've been through. I just wonder where do I go from here....how to get through the DAYS ahead, like today, or next week and the week after that. How will I face my non cancer friends when they don't want to talk about IT. And I feel so distant -- from my normal self and my normal life. Not sure, but I think that feeling is grief. I think I am grieving for the loss of my 'other' life.
Wow, as my best friend would say, that's some really deep shit.
Thanks for listening!
How's that for a rant?
Oh BTW Eve, glad you like my pic. It was taken well over a year ago - way before BC. I don't have any awesome secrets. But I like that you think I do, lol!!!
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Anybody have pain along their sides, like toward the back of your ribs? Mine just started today...it doesn't feel like a muscle pain, more like something is rubbing or pushing against something it shouldn't. I had Hubby feel my back and he said where I was complaining was where the bottom of my sports bra was so he moved it up. I've been wearing this type of sports bra every day so why would it just now be bothering me?
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