January 2017 Surgery Group
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My 6 month mammo is in a week and a half ... on just the one breast. Seems pretty common that they want to check up on that one early. They told me when this one is clear (notice, I said when...) I will come back 6 months later and do both. Then regular scheduled yearlies I think.
On the Tamoxifen - I was told it would stop my period, but that my period would likely resume after the 5 years. However it has only made my period heavier (ugh! and those cramps!). I don't think I've had any LE symptoms, but I do believe I have some scar tissue or something binding up my shoulder. It feels like my other one did after I injured it about 5 years ago. Going to run it past my surgeon when I see her in a few weeks, check out some PT while I am at it.
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Fightingirl-have a much deserved relaxing weekend! Let's us know how your scan went when you can!♡
Pyrrh- geezh! I guess I should consider myself lucky! No cycle since Jan 7th. I should have started right around my surgery date and didn't. I was thankful for that! I have no clue how I would have managed it with my dominant hand out of commission! I didn't start the tamoxifen until the end of March so who knows! Maybe my uterus said "I AM DONE!" Hope you get some balance in the monthly junk soon!
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Hi everyone,
Have a fabulous weekend.
Love and Hugs to all
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Fightingirl - you are in my thoughts. Please keep us posted on the results of your scan.
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pyrrh, did you have preexisting fibroids? I did, and my uterus exploded in size on just the month I took tamoxifen and my periods got heavier too, presumably due to fibroid growth. I stopped it and they want me back on it, but it's really been just recently that uterus seems back to normal size and periods more tolerable. Mo seemed to think things would stabilize after a few months, so I hope that's the case with you. I also got crazy exhausted on it. I have all my appts for end of September. Eek!!
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Annoyingboob - I have noticed that I am more exhausted than ever! I thought maybe it was just me finally letting everything hit! I have been non-stop for months. Never even consider the tamoxifen! I wonder.....
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Oh man, at the end of the day I am dead to the world and sleep ALL night without even rolling around. And yes, super heavy periods now. That Tamoxifen!
I've always had really bad cramps during "shark week", and it seems I went into this with a thickened lining. Which is now thicker (just had a 3 month checkup with the gyno to look into it.)
At the checkup we were discussing options like IUD to control the thickening, and then many options up to and including a hysterectomy. I'm fully pre-menopausal, so the hysterectomy idea doesn't really appeal to me. I might not get much of a choice, depending on what they saw with the sonogram images on Friday (stuck ovary? cysts?). I'm definitely going to throw it out there that I am fully willing to NOT take Tamoxifen (my risk of recurrance is so low already...)
TW, I am really starting to dislike going to the standalone radiology centers - where they do scans but don't talk to you. I much prefer it when the physician is involved and can say "see this? It's your uterine wall and it's a bit thick. Measuring now..."
I guess I found my side-effect to the "Bottle-o-Tamoxifen" (a thread I still refuse to read!)
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Wow! It's so good to " hear" all your voices! I have missed you all so much! I haven't said much recently because I've just been in boobless limbo all summer awaiting my tissue expanders surgery September 7th.
Vargadoll-- I think I have truncal lymphedema. I might have to get a Dr to admit that is what I have to prescribe a compression bra. The manual lymph drain I do doesn't seem to be helping. My arm is not involved. It's just the chest/ breast area on the left side and a bit around the back. Really annoying and has been bothering me about 2 weeks now. I find it strange what your PCP said about you not having periods but testing to Positive aspremenopausal. I tested premenopausal but chemo killed my periods off.
Tamoxifen hasn't been bad. I've almost finished the first bottle. Although a hot flash is why I'm up talking to you ladies at 3:00 am.
Annoyingboob, BeachBabyK , Fightingirl, cowboyup, elem, docmama-it is so good to hear from you all! And anyone else I forgot to mention.
I want to be on the Christmas list! BeachBabyK you're a good leader, after all you're the one who started this lovely group. You and Docmama.
Anyone else know what to do about truncal lymphedema , I'd be happy for some advice. Or if anyone has advice for me before I get my expanders put in, I'd be glad to hear it. Love you ladies!!
3 Bears
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Pyrrh-- I too was told that the tamoxifen would end my periods. ( but the chemo beat it to it). I can't believe so many of you on Tamoxifen are still having periods
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so interesting how everyone reacts so differently. I will say I have horrible guilt for not staying on tamoxifen, so hang in there if you can!. Maybe in sept they will try to get me on something else. As I understand it, the tamoxifen is an estrogen antagonist in the breast, so it blocks uptake, but in the uterus, it is an agonist, so it enhances hormonal action. I wish you the best of luck so you can get back in fighting form!!
Speaking of fighting, I hope fighting girls mammo fri went ok. Been thinking about her and pugs mama all weekend.
Xxoo
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Pyrrh- thays exactly how I sleep to! I rarely roll over and just an occasional 2 a.m. wake up to pee! I was always the firstt one up. Not anymore. DH is up makes the coffee and I drag myself put of bed just to have my cofree alone with him. (No kids!) After I get moving I'm fine and can run wide open all day then crash somewhere after 8!
3bears-so good to see your beautiful face! I know you are waiting in your boobs! Get into PT as soon as you can! The MLD that they do feels like heaven! I can't do it as well! I need to watch a few you tube videos and figure it out. I also found a book that helps with what to eat to help stop the swelling. I haven't purchased it yet just stealing what I can off the Internet before I take the plunge. My attention span is SHOT! I don't know that I could actually read a chapter let alone a while book!
Love and hugs to all! Got to get 3 kids ready for church! This house is always full and so is my heart!
Teresa
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3bears - one more thing I just remembered! My PT said that PCP know so little about LE that the RO (if you had radiation ) or MO is who I should go to with any issue. I got bit by something 2 inches from my incision where the swelling was the worst! I didn't know what doctor to see! I ran a fever 101 and had a terrible headache. I ended up just handling it myself (which was stupid!) I mean seriously ladies, I get in "well who should handle this????" I have always had just the one PCP who handled every thing but my thyroid surgery. Now I have a RO, MO, BS and PCP!
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Annoyingboob, that is exactly how my gyn described Tamoxifen. He even told me that "back in the day" they prescribed Tamoxifen for ladies needing estrogen increase in the pelvic region. Initially, however, he didn't say that the Tamoxifen "might" stop my periods, he said that it "would" stop my periods. Something I would have welcomed!
Let's just say that the next time I talk to my gyn, and my MO, we will have long hard talks about risks with and without Tamoxifen and I'll just go from there. Plus work on getting back to actual fighting form! (I'm not in great shape, darn hamstring pull! LOL!)
Vargadoll - Ugh, yes, I'm so tired of a different doc for every body part (or for every TREATMENT on a body part). I had a UTI, and my PCP said it tested negative (came out positive on the culture however) ... before we got the culture results she told me "give it another week and if it doesn't improve I'll send you to the urologist." I was thinking, really, just give me the antibiotics. Turned out I was right.
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Lots of activity and good to hear from everyone. So many different ways we are having to continually adjust our lives - still! And....
I stepped off a friends deck in the dark and broke my arm Friday night! Not to mention the annoyance, inconvenience, timing (2 weeks before daughter #3's wedding) and pain - it's on the lymph and radiation side so massaging those necessary places just don't seem possible at least for a while so now I'm adding LE worries to my list. Oh brother I am tired of being a good sport and handling everything gracefully!!! I want to whine, complain and stamp my feet and just throw a tantrum! Now I'll have to go in to work with yet another crap issue and part of me would just like to crawl under a rock until I have no cast on again. And if you've ever been there, you know hard it is to function with one arm. I have wedding stuff strewn all over the house and was just beginning to iron all the tablecloths....
Thanks, y'all. Always a safe place to vent...
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Bevmomduck - Vent on! So sorry to hear you have a broke arm! You can vent here all you want! I'll be lifting you up over the next few weeks! You have a "full plate" for sure!
XOXOXO
Teresa
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Ack, Bevmomduck, broken arm! Maybe you can bling up the cast for the wedding? (google "arm cast bling" ... there's even an actual BRIDE with a cast on. some super cute decorations!)
I finally heard back from my pelvic ultrasound that I did on Friday (had to really hound the doctors office to call me back though.) They say redo the ultrasound in 8 weeks. He's just watching the thickness of that lining really closely I think. They did find two cysts on one of my ovaries - a 2.5 cm "benign simple cyst", and a 1.1 "hemorrhagic cyst". I don't think either of those are really worrisome? I mean, I've always had serious cramps and now is no different, otherwise no pain. I wonder how long those cysts have been there.
Also finally got numbers on my endometrial lining - 4mm (which, I think is the max thickness before they take action.)
My favorite line (not) was "otherwise, normal pelvic ultrasound for the patients age". What on earth does my age got to do with it? Makes my overactive brain wonder what types of issues they saw that they disregarded due to age. I want them to treat me like a 20 year old
Well, next week is that first mammogram. Looking forward to it and dreading it simultaneously. At least I put my foot down and insisted on going to a breast center (where they give results immediately) rather than the radiology center that did my ultrasounds. Those techs aren't allowed to tell us anything, and the questions they asked me made me so nervous about what they were seeing "what did they say you were in for, exactly?" followed by a frown, and more measuring of stuff. Argh. They need to know that for most of us, the unknown is worse than ANYTHING.
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Bevmomdock! Goodness! Sorry to hear about that arm but hoping it doesn't cause further issues! We are always here...vent away...I would be doing the same! After this year, who needs any more problems, right? Lots of love and wishes for a speedy uncomplicated recovery!
Pyrrh, keep us posted! Best of luck and will be thinking about you. Awesome you will find out that day...mine was the same and I could not have imagined going over the weekend without results!
I got the all CLEAR! Unfortunately, I also saw my rad onc today and he is sending me for an ultrasound for what appears to be a 2 cm lump in my armpit. I tell you ladies, that lymph node portion has been the absolute worst for me. My tumor spot and boob were a cake walk compared to all this issues have those nodes removed. I know I needed to do it but I never imagined still having issues 8 months later. My cording has actually been pretty good after 2 rounds of PT but now this. He thinks I should be healed from the surgery but is possible still a hematoma. I hope so. I also see the oncologist for my follow up next week so I guess by then I'll have some of this out of the way for the next six months anyways!
Thinking of you all and will look forward to hearing about all the new first mammos coming back clear!
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hi Ladies,
So good to see you all on here with the layest updates.
Sorry about the broken arm BevMom and also about the situation with the armpit lump Fightingirl! It is a long road indeed.
Sorry to hear about those having issues with Tamoxifen. I have been taking it since March . I have not had any issues. Although I know everyone resounds differently to it. I am grateful it has not caused an problem .
3bears , I am glad you will soon get your TE's , but sirry to hear about the truncal LE. I hope you get a handle on it .
Good luck Prryh with the mammo . I had one on my left breast recently, and all was well . Have the next on both breasts in Dec. wow, in Dec . It will be a yr since DX. Still seems like yesterday.
Well Girls Lowes ve each of you and love hearing from everyone.
Love to all
Elle
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Hello and happy Friday all!! I just wanted to say my armpit lump is indeed fluid still...nothing to worry about!! One more visit on the books with oncologist and done for the next 6 months - God willing! I hope everyone is doing well and has a wonderful weekend!
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Fightingirl-excellent news! Now relax for a few months! Time to live again and not worry! Easier said than done!
For the first time yesterday I pulled my pathology report out and really read it. I was so close to needing chemo! No way I could have hidden that from anyone. I think if I had taken the time to go over it before now I would have been a basket case! Now I count my blessings (I count this thread and you girls TWICE!) and try to live in peace!
Just breath and enjoy life! After a long summer of pool drama we are heading to Pigeon Forge for a few days with 2 of the grandkids and our girl. Going to stay at the Wilderness of the Smokies for a couple of days and go to Dollywood (we have had season passes for 15 years ) . My DH went and ordered the materials for the pool deck and it takes 21 business days to get! He had been working with the pro-desk at Home Depot for a few months and no one informed him that the kiln dried lumber in 20' pieces would take that long! He would have ordered it a month ago but didn't want it laying around while the repairs were being made to the pool liner and floor. We have had the coolest July on record in like 72 years...lol I am sitting out on the veranda with a jacket on this morning ! The weather has been so wonderful but not to heat up 17,000+ gallons of water!
Have a blessed weekend!
XOXOXO
Teresa
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yay to all my girls and their good news!! Varga, you NEED a wilderness getaway after all your pool drama - but next summer will be perfection!!
This is for all of you:
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Good Morning Friends!
As always, wonderful news from everyone, so good to hear all the updates. Bevmomduck, that's terrible about your broken arm! I hope you call in the troops and gather all the helping hands you need to prepare for the wedding. Praying that it turns in the magical day it most likely will be despite the obstacles thrown in your path.
Fightingirl, what a relief to hear the lump is nothing to worry about!
Vargadoll, my friend enjoy the days at Pigeon Forge with all the grandbabies- a place I've always wanted to go with my kids but they're all grown up now, lol.
Had an emotional day yesterday, my last Herceptin infusion! I got to ring the bell after reading a poem that I could barely get through:
"Ring this bell three time well
Its toll to clearly say:
My treatment's done,
this course is run
and I am on my way."
Then I chose a stone from a box. This is mine:
Most of my strength comes from my family and myself of course, but I couldn't imagine getting through any of this without you ladies here and on all my other "favorite" topic threads at BreastCancer.org. Yet I know this will never be over, and I will never stop needing your friendship and support. Now to prepare for my exchange surgery in a couple of weeks.
Oh, and I'm officially asthmatic again. I saw a pulmonary specialist yesterday who confirmed the diagnosis. I'd been waking DH up at nightwith my wheezing. Back on steroids and a new inhaler. My new normal is always changing, lol
Have a great weekend!
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Docmama - you are so beautiful! I teared up just reading the poem. It's the same one I read when I finished radiation. Congratulations on being done with this part of your journey! I am also back on a inhaler. I was doing so.good. (then DH started smoking again! ) bless him he tried to quit just for me.
Rest up you have lots of exciting things happening!" Squishies" and SPAIN!
A note on Pigeon Forge. ..I guess I will.have a few more years to enjoy taking grands there. Lol...Baby Charlee is 5 months and Chance is 2. The way I calculate it I have at least 15 more years of acting like a kid!
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Oh....and yes to always needing you girls!! This is far from over
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docmama - I, too teared up at your milestone poem and symbolic bell ring - congrats for walking in every time and doing what you needed to do no because it was the right thing to do. Whew. And what everyone says about exchange is true - squishes are sooo much better!
And whew fightingirl -- it was just liquid!!! So thankful bc our minds can take us unnecessarily to such crazy places.
Pyrrh - love the bedazzled cast! Turns out it's the best option to put in a metal plate on Wednesday to stabilize the wrist. Its out patient surgery and I'll be puttin' on my big girl panties (and new lace bra!), and a much smaller cast - and enjoying a mani pedi with the girls the next morning, rehearsal/dinner that night and wedding the next. Women are strong especially when it comes to our kids happiness, right? - big breath
My dear annoyingb I can just picture seeing that on a Parisian street and always enjoying imagining your time there.Hope your uterus is happy these days (sure wish this site would accept the emoji I tried to insert here!)
Vargadear - enjoy your dollywood days for all they're worth and can't wait to hear you get to announce the pool in its final glory some day soon
Elem I love hearing no tamoxifen issues for you!
Love always to y'all sweet strong ladies who have been such an inspiration and source of information and solidarity!
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Bevmomduck - so happy that all is working out! Women are strong and when it comes to our kids....there is no such thing a physical pain we can not conquer!
Annoyingboob!-OMG! I love the photo! The Wilderness will be a welcome get away.I just wish I could fit all 5 of the grandkids (and there Momma) in my Odyssey! (Grandchild #6 lives with other grandparents since daughters death in 2013 we do not get to see her much) getting ready to get ready! The story of my life lol!
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Bevmomduck - a broken arm? That is a bummer! Sounds like you are taking it in stride; wouldn't expect anything different from you!
Docmama - so happy for you and the completion of one more thing! It is a loooooong journey, that's for sure. Best of luck on your exchange and getting your asthma under control.
Yay for those who have been given the all clear from their imaging!! I went this morning and I *think* I got the all clear?? My mammo on my "good" side was fine and then I had an ultrasound on both. The tech took some measurements of some "stuff". The radiologist said since I have never had an ultrasound before they don't have anything to compare anything against. So, I will probably have ultrasounds every six months for the next two years to make sure everything is stable. My husband (Dr.) said he thinks that is standard. I asked him to talk to his mammo friend just to confirm. I see my MO soon so hopefully he can shed some more light, too. I just wanted to hear "looks good - see you in six months".
Oh well. I guess the waiting never ends.
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Just enjoyed reading the recent posts from you all and my heart is overflowing! Can't say enough how this journey with you all made it tolerable and sometimes even enjoyable just knowing we were all "waiting" in the same boat and being able to laugh and cheer each other on.
DCISinAZ, yep...the waiting never ends! I am so happy you got the all clear too! (well at least it seems that way, right?) I have one last appt with my MO tomorrow and like you, look forward to the see ya in 6 months!
Docmama, that poem...oh goodness....my eyes filled up. I'm just so happy each and every one of us is still here, pulling through if not already moved on. Congrats on that but am sorry to hear about the asthma.
Enjoy vacation Varga! So happy you get to get away with the all clear and hopefully only thoughts of enjoying time with your family.
We are all on FIRE! Love that Aboob.
Have a great week everyone!
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Hi DCISinAZ
I had my radiology followup today - she looked, did the regular breast exam looking for lumps, asked if I had questions, said the skin looked great and sent me on my way. "See you in 6 months!". Seemed silly, but hey.
Mammogram Wednesday. They called and asked a few questions over the phone then said "when I arrive tell them I qualify for Express Check-in" - I felt like a Platinum Club Member or something. LOL.
-Meaux
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Hello warriors! It's show & tell time. Had my exchange surgery on Aug 3 & feeling great! They're Natrelle Inspira cohesive (round smooth silicone). Left side is 615cc, right is 650cc. My right side was always smaller so the size differential is to even me out. The scabs & bruising on top are from the fat grafting. You probably remember, I had pre-pectoral TEs & of course these are too. Recovery was a piece of cake, no pain whatsoever. Can start exercising on Aug. 24, the recovery time is more bc of the bruising from where he took the fat. I love them! They feel like young boobs LOL!
It's been a long 8 months! Glad to read all of you are doing well!!
Love you! Liz
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