January 2017 Surgery Group
Comments
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Oh ladies what a day it has been. Liz - I basically got the same results you did, except my BS said extensive cancer with one tumer measuring 3.5 cm! Original diagnosis was less than 2. I just sent a message asking her to call. I have so many unanswere questions and the anticipation is killing me. I am happy that we both have clean nodes 😊
I have made a pact with myself and all of you that I will always find a positive with every negative I have. I love that we have each other. I cannot imagine doing this without all of you.
3bears we are all here for you. Please don't be too hard on yourself. Try to picture yourself in our paradise. And always remember this too shall pass.
Angie & fightingirl - whoop whoop!!! I did a happy dance for you girls. Enjoy your wine 😊 Cheers 🍾
Xoxoxo
Lisa
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Really starting to feel real that the surgery is right around the corner. I had my pre-op testing today and tomorrow I have my surgical bra fitting and arm measurement. I was actually anxious with having the EKG today. I have high blood pressure. My husband kept saying you will be fine. I told him I thought the same thing when I had my mammogram and look how that turned out. Everything went well and I am just going to try to keep busy until Tuesday. Everyone's stories on here really put me at ease. If you can deal with this, so can I!
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Fightingirl, So glad you finally got your results. To me the waiting is the worst.
Docmama, I hope you don't get the bug going around. We have so much going around work and I am trying to avoid it so nothing pushes back my surgery. I also really think there are more genes out there for breast cancer that they don't know about. My mom and I were both diagnosed within 7 years of eachother. She was Triple Negative while I am ER+,PR+.
3bears, I'm sorry your surgery didn't go as planned. I hope the 6 weeks goes really fast for you.
Everyone seems so organized about what they are taking to the hospital and what they need to buy. My mom gave me 3 front hook bras and that is about the only preparation I have done. Oh and the dentist gave me a couple of travel tooth brushes. I just can't find it in my to prepare. Maybe it will hit this weekend.
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Good afternoon/evening Fellow Warriors! So glad to see such great news from so many! Also that most of you are doing so well post-surgery. For those of you with surgeries coming up soon, please try and relax- as many of us can attest to, the worrying ends up being worse than reality.
DCISinAZ- A friend of mine (BC survivor) recommended that I take a pic before surgery and I did,just for me. I think it may be useful in the grieving/healing process for many people, and it can't hurt,right?
Fightingirl - I knew it was something silly! It's Murphy's Law, right? So glad for the best news!
3Bears - I am so sorry! I can truly feel your disappointment! I was originally hoping for a BMX with immediate reconstruction and if it hadn't worked out,it would have been a major set back,to say the least. Please know that 6 weeks seems like such a long time, but in the scheme of things, it will end up being the blink of an eye. You are in my thoughts!
PugsMama - Glad they are doing a MammaPrint! My MO didn't even do an Oncotype, maybe because they did chemo first and wasn't up for discussion. I hope that you don't need chemo, but if you do, know that you will get through it too and we are here for you!
DocMama- I am so sorry to hear about your sister! That was my biggest fear when diagnosed and while waiting for the BRCA results. They came back negative, but I hate that her BC chances are now higher. I don't know how confident I am in the genetic testing yet, but at least I know that she will be diligent about getting mammograms! Stay well and as far away from your sick loved ones and you can!
For all of you that are fighting to heal...keep fighting!
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3bears - I am going back reading through posts and our families are so similar! I have a 16 year old daughter and a 14 year old son, too. I'm 46.
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I stole this from lumpectomy lounge but wanted to share it with you girls who are fighting so hard.0 -
- Thank you everyone. I put my forms in my camisole and put on a girly shirt. I do feel much better. You're right. Reconstruction is a process, it doesn't happen overnight. I'm so happy the cancer is out of my body! I'm alive and well. Thank you for helping me refocus. We have all had disappointments on here. But we have to get back up and keep fighting. Now, waiting for my path report. I've started taking care of my three drains here at home , then I meet BS on Monday. They say the whole cancer process takes about a year for most women. So, here we go 2017! Right now, to my bungalow for my umbrella drink
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DcisinAZ-- we do have a lot of similarities! Good luck on Friday! You will do great. We are all with you
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docmama & fightingirl: Whoo hoo!!! Thrilled for you!!
DCISinAZ: I took pictures of the "before" boobs. Maybe someday my before & after pics will give hope to someone else facing all this, who knows...or maybe someday when I'm romanticizing how wonderful they were, I'll give myself a reality check LOL!
3bears: now that the swelling has gone down, my TE's look totally flat in clothes anyway & I'm wearing hubby's flannel shirts too! Wish I still had my ponchos from the 70's, they'd come in handy now! Have you tried the prostheses yet? it may make you feel better while you're waiting for recon. I feel like I have frankenfoobs right now & I'm pretty self-conscious about them...but this too shall pass. What I really don't like right now is that with these drain pods, they make me look like my stomach is way larger than my chest! Of course it doesn't help that I have them pinned in the front like a total nut! Maybe I should just say I'm pregnant lol! What did they say in the movie, "Moonstruck"? "Everything is temporary!" P.S. Edit:Just saw that you tried them. Glad you're feeling better!
This cancer business sure ain't for sissies! Thank you all for being here...I can't even imagine going through all this without all of you! How blessed we are to have each other. I am so attached to all of you & you give me so much strength. When thinking about maybe needing chemo today, I thought of all my friends here who have gone through it & know you'll have paved the way for me if & when it's my turn...
Xoxo Liz
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To all the ladies here who have mentioned BRCA testing, I have a story for you!
In 2008, my mom was found to be BRCA2 positive (she's a bilateral BC survivor diagnosed when she was 58, a year older than me at my dx). I was then tested and as it turns out we share the same mutation. At that time, Myriad, the genetic testing company, determined that our particular mutation was one of a handful deemed a "variant of uncertain significance." Basically, they hadn't figured out whether it increased your risk of cancer or had no effect. When I found out were shared the same BRCA2 mutation, I had prophylactic bi-salpingo oophorectomies (& a hysterectomy bc of other problems) because my rationale at the time was let's deal with the ovaries first because there's no good screening for ovarian cancer. My insurance company paid for that.
I chose to wait until I was healed from that to have my prophylactic mastectomies. You see, they said the variant was of "uncertain significance" but my great-grandmother had ovarian cancer, my grandmothers (on both sides) & my mom had BC so I always knew it was a matter of time for me. I healed from that surgery, and I moved on to schedule my prophylactic mastectomies & reconstruction. I remember that my surgery was scheduled for a Tuesday, I was emotionally & physically ready to go, and the Friday before I received a call from the BS advising me that Myriad had finally moved our mutation out of the "undetermined" category & had come to a determination that our mutation did NOT cause an increase in breast / ovarian cancer risk and therefore my insurance company would NOT pay for the prophylactic mastectomies. I was devastated but there was nothing I could do. The genetic counselor tried to explain their reasoning but I believed then (and still do) that they were wrong in their classification. So I went back on the high-risk screening bandwagon with the hope that whenever breast cancer caught up with me, it would be caught early.
Fast forward seven years and here I am today, after plenty of scares & biopsies along the way. When my BS called Myriad & told them of my situation, they offered to "re-screen" me (for free, of course) for all the new gene mutation variants they've discovered since my initial screening. I haven't received the results yet…stay tuned.
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Enough about me today!
Bevmomduck: Hope you get good results at your oncology visit tomorrow!
Leftcoastie: Lisa, WTF is going on with these path reports? Just remember, no lymph nodes overrides any other new info!
Cowboy-Up: my BP shot up over all the pre-surgery stress & my M.D. wouldn't clear me unless he put me on a beta-blocker. It's called Metoprolol. It doesn't just lower your BP, it has a sedating effect like xanax. On the day of surgery, my BP was low enough. I told the PS about my MD putting me on that medication at my pre-surgery visit, & he was like, "OMG, that happens all the time. if your BP's high on the day of surgery,we just give you a sedative & it brings your BP right down..."
I was thinking it's only Jan. 11 & look how much has been going on & the month's not even half-over yet! Welcome to all the newbies!!
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I love reading these posts but lately I do wish we were around a firpit in the sand near the bungalows able to see each other through the smiles and hug through the hurts and anxieties.
Cowboy-up, this is one heck of a roller coaster we can't get off. Don't worry, you will get yourself prepared. Try not to stress on that. It will come. You will come out of surgery and then it will be more waiting and getting prepared. One battle at a time and believe me I know how hard it is to keep that mind from racing but be gentle with yourself.
3bears, I'm so glad you are feeling more optimistic. I agree we have all had disappointments and maybe more to come but we are going to have many great things to celebrate as well.
LeftCoastie, sorry to hear about your situation but I love that you find a positive! You inspire me!
BeachBabyK, how are you doing? I saw your responses to all but are you healing well?
Prayers that rosebowl16 had a successful surgery today and of course prayers for the 12's DsMom and pyrrh. Get a good nights sleep and we'll be seeing you at the bungalows!
Thank you all got sharing in my happiness. I was on the edge of I don't even know what by the time that call came. I forgot to ask my official "stage" I was so elated but I am going for my post-op appt tomorrow morning. She said we will talk next steps which I guess is hooking me up with oncologist so I can figure out the rest of my treatment.
My husband and I had a great dinner out...nothing fancy just a burger and a beer but it was my first time out of the house since surgery and there is a gorgeous full moon out!
I will also say again as Liz said, I'm attached to you all too. I really don't know what I'd do without all of you
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I'm doing great! No pain, just swelling. Almost makes me wish I had a drain...NOT! Ugly bruise too. I see my BS tomorrow for pathology results.
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yes, I have ugly bruising too. Hoping for the best path results
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I'm marked, I'm radioactive and as ready as I'll ever be. Surgery is at 0945...have to be there by 0730. I'm glad it's early...in Canada even a MX is day surgery so I'll be going home and I really hope my husband can pick me up before our son needs to be picked up from pre-school. I don't really want him there in case I'm out of it and I am hoping to avoid too many questions. He's only 3 so we haven't said anything....I imagine we'll just tell him I hurt myself and he has to be careful. So....there I was - enjoying my "last meal" before I'm cut off from food - nothing exciting...some cereal before bed and crunch! Oh yes...chipped a tooth! Or an old filling...not sure. All I know is it instantly felt sensitive and I can feel a sharp edge. FFS! I seriously don't need something else to deal with right now! I won't be able to get it looked at til next week so I hope it's not going to bother me too much! No electronics in the hospital so depending how I feel I'll try and check in tomorrow night or if not, then on Saturday. Take care all!
Lydia
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Hi everyone - I've been lurking for a week and felt it was time to introduce myself. Things have moved very fast for me. I was diagnosed last week - on 1/4/2017 - and am being scheduled for BMX within the next 10 days. I am learning about my dx but bottom line is that it's aggressive and my team of physicians do not mess around.
Background - normal mammo 11/2015. Noticed a hard muscle feeling on the side of my right breast in November 2016. Though it might be to yoga or lifting weights since i do both. It even seemed to disappear and then came back in December. Went to my normal well woman appt and my dr. didn't event notice it - I had to point it out. Mammo 12/20 then diagnostic and US on 12/29 - BRAD 5 - sent to Breast Surgeon 1/3 who did biopsy same day - results in on 1/4. 3.5 cm IDC. So fast I haven't really caught my breath yet. Now I'm facing BMX and so scared. I saw the oncologist yesterday - they thought I was HER2+ but it's not. Saw PS today and agreed BMX with reconstruction is the path for me. They believe I'll need chemo but waiting for pathology to be sure. I had an MRI Monday and they did not see any lymph activity.
So that's my story. I feel good about my doctors as they are with a teaching hospital and really do not play around. I've had some pretty terrible days of tears and fear. I am going through a lot right now personally and of course this is not anything I expected. No risk factors other than having breasts.
Thank you to everyone who has posted your experience. Your honesty and candor is so helpful as I continue down this confusing and lonely road.
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We're with you Lydia. You'll do great!!
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I had a lumpectomy 1.5.17 and I was told to wear this tight fitting tubal top for 2 weeks day and night. I am having extremely bad pain in my entire breast. Is this normal? I had DCIS stage 0 non-invasive cancer. Please anyone, respond!!!!
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Shellybeans..welcome, we've all been where you are right now. Hold onto the fact that if your MRI shows clean lymph nodes, there's a good chance that won't change. MRIs more often than not show false positives, not false negatives. I know this may sound strange but the worst anxiety is pre-surgery & many of us felt so relieved when it was over. It will turn out to be a positive that you don't have to wait a long time for your surgery.
You're no longer alone...we're all here with you & for each other. This is really a terrific group of strong amazing women
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help my breast, I had a lx and reduction/lift and they kept me in quite a loose fitting bra - said they didn't want anything too tight just yet - im guessing so as not to restrict blood flow to nipple, so my situation may be different from yours. but horrible pain a week out seems unusual - I would call them. maybe you have an expanding hematoma/bruising and that's why they wanted you wrapped up tight. everyone is so different, so just check in with them in the morning rather putting yourself through all the pain!! good luck!
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welcome Shellybeans ,
You aren't alone anymore . Your story sounds like you have been through a lot in just a week . But your team also sounds fantastic and on the ball. It is so good to come here to share experiences as it helps to put everything into perspective as well as make friends with people who are going through the same situation/s. I have been able to learn so much from the group . This has been the best resource I could ask for. I have been so scared and everytime some of these brave and courageous women pull me through with information , support and friendship . This journey is one where there are so many questions ,so much new terminology and cases and variables. So far though , I have felt nothing but love and a strong bond by coming here. I think you will see that going forward . Welcome to the group none of us wanted to join!
❤💪🏻
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annoyingboob thank you so much for replying. I had a looser fitting tube top but when I went today they gave me a tighter fitting one to restrict movement. Tonight is the worst pain I have ever had. My other breast that I did not have surgery on is even starting to hurt. I wear a 38DDD bra size and just wearing this tubal is no support. My incision is under my breast which makes wearing a bra impossible. The pain is not even coming from the incision but from the entire breast and nipple area. I am trying to make it through this night, it is so bad right now. What can I do besides taking too much medicine???
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Hi Helpmybreast,
I am sorry you are so uncomfortable. I wore a sports bra outside my shirt and tucked an icepack in covered by a tube top type band to hold it in-place .
I haven't had any issues with pain doing so since my surgery a week ago today. I only need ice when I sleep now . I had a left lumpectomy so maybe this method will reduce or eliminate your pain as well.
Good luck and welcome to the group.
.
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maybe exchange it for the looser fitting one and use ice tonight and call them in the am? im so sorry you are so uncomfortable!
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I was so strong until tonight. I think I was somewhere else mentally. It is really just hitting me. I did not even think of myself as having cancer because it was non- invasive. Now I am suppose to be doing 6 weeks of radiation and I am in this much pain from just having a lumpectomy.
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Thank you all so much!!!
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im worried for you bc the lumpectomy itself shouldn't be that painful, especially a week out. so don't beat yourself up thinking you are just overwhelmed, bc the tightness may actually be the problem. after my stereotactic I was wrapped up tight like a mummy and couldn't wait to get that stuff off and breathe! I would hate for it to be constricting too much blood flow and causing more problems over night, which is why I wonder if you should go back to the looser one you were in and ice and Tylenol tonight and get their impression tomorrow.
there are a lot of us in your same boat thinking ' yay dcis!', but then realizing the recommendation for radiation and 5 years of hormones is a lot to handle. hang in there - you are in the right place, and we will slog through this together. id give you a big hug but I don't want to smoosh you any more than you already smooshed, lol!!0 -
Helpmybreast - do they have a nurse number you can call? Otherwise, there has to be a doc on call that you can ask. Might give you some peace of mind if you are able to talk to a doctor or PA and explain what is going on. Virtual hugs to you...
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Lydia, isn't that just icing on the cake - ugh! ive chipped my teeth before and its always at the worst time, but before a big surgery??!! jeez - cant a girl catch a break? at least you will have plenty of pain pills over the next week, so hopefully it wont bother you too much. just make certain to mention it to your anesthesiologist. good luck to you!!
shellybeans, wow, fast and furious. in a way maybe its best to go right to surgery and cut it all out so you don't have time to sit and think and overthink. its a luxury having a team of experts you can really rely on and have them make the hard decisions for you. its a lot to absorb in such a short time, but you have found us, and we will hold your hand and get your bungalow and fruity drink ready. just continue to update us when you have a surgery date!
leftcoastie, im sorry about the bigger size now. I hope you got some of your questions answered. keep us posted going forward.
what a day, full of highs and lows!! I completely agree it would be so nice to be sitting around the campfire and laughing and crying together. maybe we can plan a group vacation in a year when hopefully the brunt of this is behind us.
nightynight ladies. focus on the good.
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annoyingboob - I have the same thought. Maybe a year from now we could all meet at our bungalows over the water? Why not? We could sip our fruity umbrella drinks around the fire and reminisc over the amazing year of defeat!!! We will all have a different story/journey that will be fun to share.
PugsMama - thanks for sharing the genetic testing story. I know science has come so far even in the past 5 years but there is still so much more to be discovered. I am sorry you have had to live with these fears for so long. I'm a worrier so I'm sure I'd of made myself sick. Instead I have been one of those women that didn't really think I had family history and it probably wouldn't happen to me. I guess sometimes ignorance is bliss! I wonder now how long my cancer has been growing. I ignored my lump for at least 4-5 months. Guess I was in denial.
Shellybeans - I'm sorry you're here but welcome. We're all here for you. We will be holding your hand.
Best of luck tomorrow 12s. We are all with you. Please find peace tonight.
Xoxox
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