January 2017 Surgery Group
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Wooo Pugsmama look at your perky girls! That's only less than 2 weeks of healing too? I am impressed and super glad you are pleased
My news - mammogram all clear. They made me wait forever (like, an hour!) after the scans because the radiologist was busy. Then, he wanted my records from surgery and radiology to make sure everything lined up.... then they put me out of my misery and told me it all looked great and they'd see me in 6 months. Regardless of the wait, I am glad to have found a place that will read and give you results on the spot. They offered to let me leave earlier and get a phone call but I wanted to know ASAP (of course).
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Pyrrh: great news
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LADIES!!! I don't have time to read through THREE PAGES OF UPDATES since my last log-in at this very moment, but plan to read every word tonight. I have thought of you all often in the last month or so, and glad to see via my skimming that babies have been born, exchanges complete, and scans have come back clean in that time...
Quick update on me: the #SummerofSusan is coming to an end, and I am feeling much better at this end of it than I was before it started... sleeping fairly well, only tire if I really overdo it, and coming to peace with my new boobs... pugs, you inspire me to post a pic too!! Mine are silicone, post-pectoral, and I had fat grafting too... but had a LOT more bruising and pain from the lipo than it appears you did, pugs! Good on you! I'm going to take my time deciding about tattoos, nipples, etc... I feel like I need to let it percolate until I am sure. But did try the temporary tattoos to see how they looked, and have to say that it made me feel much better about the flat surface... they also give the eye something else to look at besides the scar! We'll see
Tamoxifen going well, night sweats abating, feeling very good about that decision.
Now on to the non-business end of my update... #SummerofSusan included:
Barbados (thought of you all every day there, as it was my week-long cabana event!) Our place was literally on the beach...
College Reunion -- cathcing up with long-time friends from the good ol days in Chicago (me in black)
And a trip to Fenway... dugout visit and a call to bull pen included!!
Sorry for the picture overload... me making up for lost time.
Love you all -- and let me know how to get in on the christmas card list!! I did get that far before I had to stop reading (still at work).
Susan
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PugsMama - NICE!!! They are perfect perky girls! So good to see you have done so well!
Pyrrh- excellent news!
Dcbc - the "Summer of Susan " looks simply marvelous! I lived the pictures! I'm so glad everyone is posting pictures!
Hugs to all!!
Teresa
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wow They are beautiful just ike you . Glad to see everyone is moving onward and putting this chapter of our lives in the past.
It has been an incredibly long and unpredictable road at times. But I am forever grateful for having found this group. I truly feel so bonded and connected to you all . I know I would have crumbled without you .
not really looking forward to having to pay all those co pays , medications and tests going forward , but I am certainly grateful I am here alive and that BC , although a very humbling experience , is behind me now.
Love to you all
Ell
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wow pugsmommy! They look so natural! So soft and squishy looking and hang really beautifully too - congratulations!! How is tummy healing? I still want to get myself a tummy tuck as a reward for making it through this year, but I'm feeling so good and exercising and uterus finally went back to normal size after months, so I'm hesitant to mess up my good juju at the moment! Will meet for a consult in September. I have 2 weeks of medical appts lined up, lol.
Dcbc you take the best vacations!! Pics look like such fun!
Pyrrh, congrats!
Elem, totally agree about not looking forward to future medical bills. Curious how government and big insurance companies will completely ruin everything - I may look into moving to France for good if it can guarantee me more affordable coverage. Ugh.
Peace and light and continued healing to all!!
Xxxooo
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Pugsmama! Yowza!! Looking good. So happy for you!
Susan, ahhhh! Heavenly looking photos and I'm so glad you got to have "The Summer of Susan". It's making me think about what I'd like to do for myself after all the end of last and first part of this year was like. We all should really!
Congratulations Pyrhhh!!! One more clean scan!!
So I had my last appointment of all my 6 month check ups and let me tell you how blown away I was. My oncologist was not nice at all. He was the one doc that never really sat well with me but he'd come so highly recommended I stuck with him. What I thought would be my easiest in and out appointment turned into me crying all the way home! You all know that I made the decision not to take Tamoxifen but my oncologist did not know that so I anticipated him not being happy with my decision. Well, he was more than unhappy and told me 4 times how I need to understand the risks and that this could come back as stage 4 and kill me. I am not either for or against anyone taking Tamoxifen. I made a very well thought out decision for myself as each of us are entitled to do. I was most upset that I let him rattle me and make me feel so small and unable to have an intelligent conversation as to why I decided against it. Later I thought of a million things I wish I'd said!! You know how that goes. He had a quite a few remarks that were less than nice or understanding and I let it get to me and second guess my decision. Once I cried it out, I stick with my decision and realize it's my body and my decision to make. While I completely respect his point of view and know his reasons for wanting me to take it, I wish it had gone differently. I will probably be searching for a new oncologist for future visits and that sucks. I guess I wanted to share because I'm not the only one who decided not to take it, or tried and decided not to stick with it. JUST IN CASE, go prepared!! I was not prepared for his reaction. I have absolutely no regrets and I know that I won't know matter what the future holds. I wish for all your checks ups to go much better than that. There was so much more said but too much to type but you get this gist of it.
Nothing but love my friends!
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man, Fightingirl, that stinks. I am sorry that the conversation wasn't more two sided.
My MO and I also don't have a great relationship. I don't even want to go see her. AT this point I have too bad of an attitude where she is concerned. No clue how one goes about screening for an experienced MO that fits personality wise when treatment is essentially complete... I do love my surgeon, however. I'll have to ask her at my followup next week (why all of these doctors need their own personal followup is beyond me ...).
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PugsMama - Looking Great!! So glad that the exchange was painless and feeling like young boobs! Awesome!!
Pyrrh - Hooray for clear mammos! I have mine on the 30th. Not nervous, but always will have that little nagging voice in the back of my head until I get the all clear! And I still haven't (and won't) be reading the Tamoxifen SE page either!
DcBc - Summer of Susan looks like it was a success!! I was able to alleviate the night sweats by taking Effexor (no other side effects).
Elem - just remember that the co-pays, tests etc. will lessen over time and there will even be times that we forget about breast cancer! BUT, we will always be close by!
A-boob - If you migrate to France, you may have to get an extra room for your Sisters to come and visit!!
Fightingirl - I am so sorry to hear about your interaction with your MO. Why can't Dr's realize that we are the ultimate deciders of how we choose to live our lives? He had no right to make disparaging comments! I appreciate that you respect his opinion, but he also needs to respect your's! I am one of those overthinking people that runs through conversations like that 100 times before I broach the subject, but it never goes as expected!
Vargadoll - Tamoxifen took care of my period too... Nothing since Jan except for hot flashes :-)
3bears - I hope that you got some advice for the lymphedema! Sept 7 is coming up fast - make sure you let us know how it goes!
Bevmom- Hope the arm is healing well! Is the wedding this weekend?
Docmama! - Love this pick and the stone you picked! Sorry about the asthma, but glad that you were properly diagnosed. ... you are right though... every day is a new normal!
DCIS - Hope all went well with the imaging!
Gearing myself up for my 30th HS reunion this weekend. Nothing like seeing a bunch of people you haven't seen in years after beating BC and only having a couple of inches of hair on your head! :-) I haven't attended any of the previous reunions, so I convinced a couple good friends to go with me so that I couldn't back out. I decided to out myself (about the BC) on FB about 2 weeks ago to help cushion the blow and hopefully reach out to someone that may need support in the future... paying it forward for all of the love & support both here and offline. Only positives so far!
Love to all!
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knock it out of the park beachbabyk!!! After being a kickass mom to your boys, working like a demon, going thru the divorce, moving house, not to mention a little thing called cancer trying to sideline you - I'm pretty sure there is nothing that can get in the way of your awesomeness. 30th hs reunion?! They better hunker down and be prepared for you, bc your version 2.0 can conquer anything!!! I hope you have a great time rekindling old friendships and reminiscing!
Fightingirl and pyrrh, I'm already bristling myself for the guilt about to be thrown at me about tamoxifen. I'm sorry for what you went through. But, We are adults. We know the numbers regarding recurrence risk. I don't think we are being reckless - we will do self checks and continue mammos. It's not like we had early lung cancer and are continuing smoking. I haven't even made a follow up mo appt. will talk to my surgeon and radiologist, both of whom I love and trust. Maybe bc they are both women and my MO is a man? I might have a bias there. Ugh, I'm getting nervous already and still a month to go.
On the bright side, I'm addicted to soulcycle(or at least the version here, which thankfully is a bit more affordable). And I feel myself starting to get fitter by the day. I've dropped 13 lbs, so still have more to lose from all I gained when on tamoxifen, but I feel it's really possible! And they do like 5 min of arms during the class, which doesn't sound like much, but in the beginning after radiation, it was such a chore, even with the lightest weight. And now I'm challenging myself and trying to use a slightly higher weight. I'm no pyrrh when it comes to fitness, but it sure feels good to get out and get moving again!! I'm also easing up on my sugar, and I'll have 1 cheat day/week. Although this week was 2, but when it's hot, gelato makes everything better. Fingers crossed I can keep this up for longer!!
Xxcooo
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Let's see if I can remember everybody-----
Docmama you look great! I was just wondering how your hair would be by now. Congratulations on finishing chemo. What a long journey.
Bevmom sorrr about your arm. I can't even believe it either. Hope you heal quickly.
Vargadoll -- always glad to hear about your grandkids. You sound happy.
Fightingirl -- You've had a long year as well. It's gotta get better, right?
Liz looks great. I hope I look that good soon. It will be nice to have breasts again. My truncal lymphedema comes and goes. Never really disappears. It's better right now.
Summer went too fast but I do love fall. 🍁I'll check in with girls after my surgery on the 7th when I get my expanders.
DCisinaz- and pyrrh--- I will be interested to see what my " follow up" appts will be like. I hear it's a bunch of nothing. The less we have to see the drs and the farther spaced out our appts the better , right?
I've almost got cute hair. I'll post a pic when I finally feel actually cute.
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oh yeah! Whoever mentioned a book about food to eat that helps lymphedema, please let me know the name of the book. Thank you! Was it vargadoll? Pyrrh? Fightingirl
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It was me! I'm in the same boat as you 3bears! ILE more in my trunk than arm. I have a total of 3 day compression sleeves, one night time one and a day time compression bra and a thick padded compression garment for night. Let me tell you how sexy this stuff is! I'm on my way to Florida for a double memorial. I will try to find the name of the book again. I never did buy it. I started looking for it and of course one thing after another took me away from my search. What I get for being cheap and trying to find a discounted one!
Much love to all you girls!
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I had my exchange surgery yesterday. Still sore and weak, but grateful that I've come this far with the help of my loving family (that's my sister with me in the recovery room), and especially my wonderful husband who has been by my side throughout this odyssey. Oh, and most importantly all of my sisters here on BCO. Love you guys
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I was just thinking about you!!! DocMama - you are almost to the finish line! So thankful for our friendship! You look beautiful!
Much love!
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congratulations docmama!! Take it easy with your recovery!! I'm so happy you are surrounded by your lovely family!! Cheers to your new 'girls' - hope they are soft and light and perky!!
Xxxooo
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Yay Docmama!! Almost there - woohoo!! Hope your recovery is going smoothly and you're back to your normal self in no time
Excited for everyone who is finishing up treatment/reconstruction. Seems like yesterday and forever ago we were beginning this journey together that none of us wanted to be on. So thankful for all you wonderful ladies and the support on this board. xoxo
Kelly
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Hello DcisinAZ,
I was just thinking the same thing. It seems like yesterday . So glad all of us met here and shared this journey together. I feel such a bond with you all .
Hope everyone continues to do well . 😘
Love you all
Ell
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DCISin AZ and Elem- it does feel like yesterday! I would have never made it this far without my surgery girls! I have a distant relative that was just diagnosed with BC. She is so young. 30ish and a newlywed! By what my MIL told me it sounds like her+ and agressive BC. She just had a BMX and is scheduling a hysterectomy now. I sent her the link to this website and told her how important all of you were to me! I am hoping she finds a group she will fit with to. The relationships we have built on here are deep. Each and everyone of you understand. No matter how different our surgeries and treatments were (and are) there is still a level of empathy between us.
I'm off to my first appointment with my RO since RT ended. I have no clue what to expect.
Much love to you all!
Teresa
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Who is in Florida? Stay safe!
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Docmama and Shellybean. . I messaged with Docmama they evacuated to Atlanta. I'm not sure about Shellybeans. I have family in the Orlando area and they boated up and got out of there. Prayers for everyone! I'm in NC and it's crazy here! We are expecting strong winds and lots of rain which will lead to power outages and downed trees. I went to Walmart yesterday (my usual once a month trip) it was total madness! I use distilled water in my diffuser and clothes steamer. There was not a gallon of water in the store! They were out of my brand of cat liter, only had on case of the cat food I get and I buy one 24 pk of Dr. Pepper a month for DH and the shelf was empty there to! The list goes on and on. I did get all my cleaners and laundry detergent! I was shocked at the craziness! It was so hard to drag a grocery cart and push my girl in her wheelchair through it all. Everyone please check in when you can!
Hugs!
Teresa
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Thanks, Vargadoll; that's what I thought but I wasn't sure if I was missing anyone. It is absolutely crazy; can't even imagine what Southern Florida is like right now. We have a friend who has a house in Naples he is trying to sell after losing his job and relocating to Orlando. Sounds like Naples is going to get the brunt of the storm surge so I hope he even HAS a house to sell after everything is said and done.
Hopefully the hurricane peters out before it hits, but certainly doesn't sound like that is going to happen. And then another one right behind it. Ugh.
Smart of you to get your preparations so you have them just in case. Praying for everyone in the path.
Kelly
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My Uncle has a condo in one of the county club/golf courses in Naples. He and his wife do the snowbird thing so they are here in Asheville now. They hurricane prep when they close the condo each spring. I have family in Tampa who decided to "ridea the storm out" but that was before Tampa was add to hard hit list. I just heard on the weather chanel (I never watch TV and I have had it on most of the day!) That Tampa hasn't had a hurricane hit since 1920 something. That most of the residents there have never truly experienced that type of a storm. Scary stuff!! Especially since what we just saw happen in Texas! Mother Nature please be gentle!!
Teresa
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We are still in Atlanta. Fortunately, the storm is not hitting Fort Lauderdale directly but power outages are expected. After Wilma in 2005 we were without power for 2 weeks, and had a large tree land on our brand new car. I think that is why when we were ordered to evacuate my husband and I quickly decided to leave. Traffic was a nightmare heading north on I 95 - long gas lines and no food anywhere along the highway. A drive that normally takes 4 hours took us 7 and a half. We have a son at the university of Alabama and a daughter at FSU in Tallahassee. Her classes have been cancelled until Friday (she is currently in Jacksonville at her roommate 's house). He is staying put in Tuscaloosa. Now we were just put under a Tropical Storm warning up here in Georgia, lol. So grateful that my treatments and exchange surgery are all finished. I can't imagine having the uncertainty or possibility of
having to miss a treatment because of the storm. Please everyone stay safe! Love to you all!!!
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Angie- so thankful you are safe and the kids are to! Our cousin and his girlfriend +8 cats (!?!? Traveling with 8 CATS!) Just arrive in Asheville last night. The rest of the family is riding it out on Tampa. ..Scary stuff! I am also so thankful you were in a place in your tx of BC that travel was possible! Stay safe! LOVE TO YOU!
Teresa
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Docmama...what madness! I'm so glad you are safe and hope we get a check in from Shellybeans too! I thought of you all as this crazy storm was approaching. My in-laws have a condo in Marco Island and they have heard this morning that so far only minimal damage to the pool area. They are so thankful. My step sister is in Port Charlotte and was one that also decided to ride it out and luckily I've heard from her and all is well there too. It's still a disaster all over the place so praying for everyone!
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Fightingirl- go to hear from you! I live Marco Island! I hope that it has minimal damage! When we go to Naples we always go to Marco Island and walk around. Just a beautiful place. The storm hit our area last nignt. We are in the mountains but it still hit like a beast in some areas. No school today and 18,500 without power in our county. Our neighborhood "got nothin'" from the storm. My plants on the veranda didn't even blow over. We were lucky. My cousin from the Orlando area is heading home today to help with the clean up. He has a tree trimming business and his phone was blowing up yesterday while he was at our house.
Hope everyone is well and checks in soon!
Hugs!
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Hi guys! We made the trek home yesterday from Atlanta. Traffic was slow in spots but not too bad. We found the same issues with fuel and with lack of food on the way back - many of the restaurants along the interstate were closed as well as the gas stations. Luckily my husband was able to fill his tank in the town just north of us so he is set for work for the week. We were pleasantly surprised to find the power had just been restored about an hour before we got home! Since we were without power for 4 days everything went bad in our refrigerator and freezer. I won't even open it up until Thursday to empty it out because garbage pickup isn't until Friday. I don't want to attract flies and have the smell in our garbage cans. Lots of branches down and one palm tree felled in the backyard, but thank the Lord our house is intact. Back to work this morning and then clean-up this afternoon when I get home. Counting my blessings! I hope everyone else in Irma's path is safe and sound.
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Docmama - you were on my list! Glad you made it home and had little damage from the storm. I'm thankful you have electricity! There are still over 4000 without electricity in Asheville. The storm hit random areas here in the mountains. My cousin (with girlfriend and, 8 cats in one car and girlfriends mom, daughter and 2 y/o grandson in a second car) at 9:30 yesterday morning and at 9:30 last night they were only half way! Still waiting to hear from them.
Lots of prayers still going up for everyone who is dealing with this diaster!
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oh my goodness, what an ordeal for all you southerners!! I hope the recovery is swift and you can return to normal asap. I imagine this is the hard part now - assessing damage and rebuilding. Did anyone hear from shelley beans? Fingers crossed she and her home are ok.
We are headed back to Usa tomorrow, which means weeks of doctors follow ups. I'm anxious to just get them all over with. First up is dentist, and I just chipped a tooth on a gummy multivitamin, so good timing. How does that even happen?! I'll pop back in here after my mammo which is in about 2 weeks. I'm sending out good vibes to all of you, and hope that karmic energy comes back in the form of a clear scan.
Stay safe all!
Ab
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