Starting Chemo September 2015; join us!
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Just saw this, had to share:
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*hugs to all my fellow mamas out there* I was up half the night with my darling son - must be teething. And now I have to be alert and not drive off the road on the way to rads. I think my son has lost his fascination for the port, but as the weather gets warmer and I dress less modestly, he keeps eying my breasts in a hungry way. *sniffle* I still miss nursing.
Meanwhile - Radiation simulation today. Looks like I'm going to have to run in for an emergency bra shopping trip as none of mine meet the criteria. Met with the Radiation doc last week, he seemed nice. But absolutely unwilling to consider partial breast irradiation or let me off the hook entirely. (SCCA wouldn't have either since my cancer is super aggressive.) Oh well. It was worth a shot. Odds are the scar tissue from this procedure will mean no nursing on that side in the future. I know people told me 6 months ago, but it's becoming very real. Seriously though... if you gave guys the option: chop off the prostate and testes or let us irradiate your entire nether region (either way, nothing will work afterwards)... we'd have the cure for cancer by now, wouldn't we?
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Hugs DL!
Yes.....we sure would have a cure if that were the case....
What kind of bra did you need? I have my simulation on Friday. They are only radiating my left axila. I'm still wearing the surgical bra they gave me in the hospital. I've ordered some more that are similar, but my PS told me to wait to buy "real" bras again for a while...
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They wanted something without under wire or other metal. Additionally they wanted more separation structure & little or no lining. I.e. NOT my Body by Victoria's Secret bras. However, if I had known they were going to cut a hole in the unaffected breast side... I would have just brought one of my ratty old nursing bras. No cutting required. The docs and the techs have all been male so far - I wonder if they've never heard of this option. I should bring an example next time X-D
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I wear a cape they proivide for my rads. Strange to cut up a bra.
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Southern - Thank you! I'm nervous, but reading updates from those who have had the same procedures ahead of me makes me much less tense.
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Minnesota sending prayers and lots of love and cyber support your way.
DLcygnetWow thats a wierd bra story. I know Walmart can sell nursing bras cheaply if needed so you are not cutting up a favorite. Also they sell shirts that have a very high SPF for camping that are quite comfortable. Perhaps one of those might help you find some sun on your vacation without worry.
edwsmom so glad that your surgery went well. You sounded like you found a very good PS. Do give yourself a weekend away if you can. Also try to get a small amount of time to yourself before and after then. Maybe someone would take your son to the zoo or for a playdate so you can have a few minutes to reorient yourself. Moms need to take care of moms first.
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MN_Lisa - sending you best wishes for tomorrow! May your surgery go well and healing be easy!!
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Best wishes Lisa tomorrow! With your attitude you'll do great!! X
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MN LISA , best wishes and a speedy recovery!
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MNLisa - thinking of you tonight. Sending prayers for a successful surgery tomorrow and smooth recovery.
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MNLisa - I will be thinking of you tomorrow.
It's my last day of chemo, as I'm changing treatments and ending a bit early. I'm still terrified to do any more, because of the neuropathy and worsening eye problems, but I am trying to have faith. We are getting through this day by day, and we are still standing.
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Edwsmom so good to hear from you. And happy that you are doing well.
DL you have to cut up your bras for rads? I'd say no to them unless they are buying new bras. I wore my Olga soft cup bras and Bali comfort revolution bras for rads. They provided me enough support and separation for my 40dd boobs. And with rads and my weight loss my boobs have both shrank so I actually may need to go down a size.
MLisa good luck and have an easy surgery. Let us know how it went when you are able.
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Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers - they are deeply appreciated.
inSF - I was wracked by decision to end chemo because of neuropathy and (in retrospect) I'm glad I did stop early. I'm 4 weeks PFC (last was 11th Taxol) and I still have neuropathy in my fingers and feet. Hang in there and keep us updated.
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Thinking of you today MNLisa. I go for my followup with B.S. today and will get my full path report. I also have an appt with my RO and I'm expecting too get my rad schedule.
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Lisa, best wishes for your surgery! I hope it goes well and you have an easy recovery.
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GoooooO Lisa!! Thinking of you today.
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Minnesota_LisaFR- Sending prayers your way. Hope everything goes well.
Twiggy- Great news on PATH report.
El Tigre- Hows Radiation Going?
My last Chemo completed Friday February 19th. I am glad its done and I was able to take 4 doses of AC and 12 taxol (reduced dose on # 7 taxol, because of blood count) As I said in my last post NOT sure how I feel about finishing Chemo, happy, scared, anxious, relieved, nervous, Emotional. This is just a few feelings going on inside my HEAD.....Went to a local support group last Thursday night for the first time. I finally felt like I could talk about Breast Cancer w/o having a total melt down. A friend who was diagnosed a week b4 me went too. Everyone was really nice but it wasn't what I expected. Has anyone else attended a support group or meeting??
I have appointment with RO Tomorrow and Simulation scheduled for March 1st. How has radiation been compared to Chemo for you guys who already started radiation? My friend, didn't have to have Chemo. but did go through radiation when I started chemo, says it was terrible. She didn't work during radiation and is still very fatigued and she finished in Nov. 2015?? I have worked throughout the surgeries and Chemo, and was hoping radiation would be a little easier. I will have to drive an hour and 20 mins each way, everyday for 30 days (no weekends) of course. The drive will most likely be exhausting. But we do what we need to, in order to survive!!
Thank you all for being here and sharing your stories and answering questions.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Wow tkemp. And I've been complaining about my 40-minute drive each way! Whew!
Zap #4 this afternoon.
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tkemp - I go to a support group. At our monthly meeting, we might have a presentation (our Feb one was about writing out your story or part of your history so that you leave it behind for others) and then we might introduce ourselves to any new people, check in with folks that haven't come for a bit, talk about side effects, answer questions of folks going through treatment. We also have fun events. Last Friday a bunch of us went to the local hockey game since it was pink ice night. The next morning a group went on a hike together.
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skittlegirl- That sounds like a great group and lots of fun. Everyone was really nice, I just think everyone has been going for a really long time (which is good) they all seem like really good friends, (which is also good) it was more like a social event. I think I was looking for an outlet, a place where everyone is working through this journey. I have lots of questions and I am trying to figure out the NEW me. I don't know everyone was very nice and encouraging so I my go back again.
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tkemp - sounds like a good group, I went to one but it was not a good fit.
Rads is going good I have 10 left. They scheduled me for 28 zaps and no boosts (due to reconstruction). My skin is a lil sore in the armpit, my scare from where my nipple was has grown a tad and has changed color (very weird looking), and i'm just a tad pink everywhere else. I meet with my RO every Wednesday and get the "bolus" (plastic rubbery sheet to bring the radiation to the skin level) every other day. No major complaints so far. The other woman who started on the breath hold machine the same day has had a little blistering but they just changed the order from 28 zaps and 5 boosts to 17 zaps, 5 boosts, 11 zaps to give her skin a break.
Tomorrow I am going to ask my RO when I can get acupuncture and skin massages to break up the stiffness rads leaves behind. I saw another PT for a second opinion on a lymphedema sleeve and when I should wear it. My current PT changed her mind from "just in case" to wear it all the time. The 2nd opinion has lead to wear it only if you are at risk like immobile or if i am flying or hiking etc.
leaning buying this
My biggest pain is achy joints. I'm on lupron shots so my estrogen is low which has led to achy joints. After a weekend of being angry and pissed off about it I have decided to ignore it and it will go away, LOL. I see a naturopath soon and I'll ask them what I can do about it.
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HUGE thanks for everyone for your support for my surgery today!
We had a little drama with the wire insertion (ultrasound failed, so they had to use mammography), but surgery and sentinel lymph node biopsy went fine. I may have path results as early as Friday.
Thanks again - I'm wiped!
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MN Lisa -happy to hear you are doing well!
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Lisa, sorry about the drama but I'm so impressed you are even checking in! You rock! Now go get some rest
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I attended a bc support group a month before my bmx. Everyone in there was ahead of me as all I had figured out at that time is I'm having bmx with tissue expanders-- so I got a lot of questions answered there. Friendly group. I never went back but was thinking to maybe check in some time to see how everyone is doing. Right now my bff is dealing with the loss of her sis to cancer 4 months ago, so I started going to a grief support group with her since she doesn't want to go alone.
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Lisa , I'm so glad to hear your surgery went well!! Thank you for checking in!
DLcygnet, can you explain more about your cancer being "very aggressive"?.And I think it's pretty standard to require radiation after lumpectomy; it's the combination of the two that gives comparable survival rates to mastectomy. I'm so sorry about the implications for nursing... that breaks my heart for you
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Lisa, can't believe you're checking in already! Glad to hear from you.
ElTigre, my PT says I need to wear my sleeve and gauntlet during the day and a wrap at night as well all through rads and for a month afterward. I did get a CircAid wrap contraption, which is much easier and faster than the whole bandage routine. I'm so annoyed by all these little "extras" that this disease throws at us.
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Love Washington Hospital. Just got a call asking me questions about my journey from day 1 with their docs and staff. 45 min. No surprise my stellar surgeons Dr. Dugoni and Dr. Kilaru are on this project of making it as smooth and as good experience as possible. Gave the highest praise at the end. Could not think of 1 thing to say for how to improve the process. It's been so easy with loving kindness to boot!
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El Tigre- So glad you are doing good. Radiation doesn't sound as bad as Chemo? Hopefully you don't have to drive too far everyday. How long did it take for you to feel better after chemo? How long between chemo and radiation for you? Are you working while taking radiation. Sorry for all the questions, if I am being too nosy you can just tell me. I had app't with RO today, he explained some things and answered some questions and I signed the consent form and have the simulation March 1st. He said I would lay on my stomach? and tats will be on back and side. Everyone else I've talked to has been on back and tats on breast and lymph nodes under arm. He said bc I am a D cup and area is under breast it would be easier to radiate on stomach. Doctor knows best right? The RO mentioned lymphedema and the sleeve at todays app't. He said radiation can cause you to have problems with lymphedema, so I needed to meet with a specialist, but didn't give me information for app't. I am still having trouble with memory and ADD lol. so I will have to call and get information I guess. That sleeve is pretty cool, I have never seen anything but the white ones. What is lupron shots? Why?
Lisa so glad you are doing well, prayers for your continuing healing.
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