January 2017 Surgery Group
Comments
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Good morning all! I'm having surgery the 26th, BMW with reconstruction. I have a question......has the BS or anesthesiologist asked any of you for a blood panel?? Mine have not.
And how do I get my diagnosis to show up under text? Hey, I wish it wasn't really there.
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Everything just got more real yesterday as I had the pre-surgery lab work done. Surgery date was confirmed by PS for 30th. Have one more appointment with BS on Thursday, but as of now it will be nipple-saving BMX with TE. Need to discuss the nipple-saving part again with BS as PS was not very encouraging about the position of the nipples after reconstruction. Rather not have save the nipple if they are going to be pointing toward the floor. lol I do not post much on here but I read every word written by you ladies and am appreciate for all you share. Helps so much to gain information from those walking your same path.
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goingon75 - we are going in for the same procedure on the same day. I have my pre op and labs today so yeah - - it's getting real.
My PS talked me out of nipple-sparing. BS thought I could do it but PS said exactly what you mentioned - they may not be directionally where I'd like them to be so decided why bother. They can be tattooed on and look pretty.
Good luck getting through thecweek
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Lisabekind: in order for your information to be seen, you need to go into your profile and make it public; it automatically sets to private. Hope that helps!
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goingon75, Shellybeans, stay strong, girls!
I'll be in your shoes soon.
I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers! Everything will be ok.
Hugs from Greece.
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Dafne - I just now noticed you're from Greece! My husband and I visited Athens and Mykonos as part of a Med cruise a few years ago...my husband is infatuated with Mykonos - we can't wait to return! Your country is so incredibly beautiful and filled with history! I believe a Greek Isles cruise will be in our future!
Perfect...something else to occupy my day - vacation planning! lol
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Not a beach cabana, but a beautiful Greek sea view in honour of our Greek friend!
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Dang, I wrote a big long post welcoming new people and answering some stuff, and then I lost the whole thing.
So I will keep it short, I got good path results, DCIS only, prophylactic breast clean, clean nodes, 6 mm margin, no further treatment.
Please all take care of yourselves today, particularly those going to surgery, and I will check in again tomorrow.
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DsMom, even I felt nostalgic looking at your Myconos photos!
I'm definitely a summer and island girl, winter is not my thing. I mean ok, snow and Christmas have their own magic, but then again I'll always prefer and always miss the blue summer sea!
I'm so glad you had a beautiful time while in Greece and hope you'll be able to visit again. If you ever decide, drop a line, we can host you for a couple of days
jinmo, HURRAY for your good news! May we all be lucky as you! Take care.
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Dafne - I think we should all come for a post-BC celebration in Greece! 🍾
Oh - and I downloaded the book you recommended
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jimmo, the samething happened to me! I can't even remember what all was in the post. Just that when I got to the bottom the post frozeand disappered! What a frustrating moment that was!
Thank you for all the info on what to wear and take withe me to the hospital. I'm supposed to be outpatient and will only need a few things
I'm volunteering at a church rigth now so I will check back in a few.
Peace and love!
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Did not see it coming.....thank you!!
At the hospital now getting my labs. Kinda had to push for them.
Since my diagnosis, my BS/hospital facility has dropped the ball a lot. I try to be kind and give grace, but sometimes I want to explode. The most recent was my MRI bill with the wrong breast and location. Things are improving, the people at the lab are wonderful. AMEN
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Ahh. So relieved. Final path this morning. Strictly DCIS, no invasion, clean nodes. It was a bit larger area than originally thought. Almost 7cm. I still need a few more details when I meet with the bs on Monday, because it sounds like one of the margins wasn't super great, but she told my husband she probably wouldn't do radiation if it were her. I will still need to meet with a MO to talk about starting on Tamoxifen, but for the moment I am just thankful.
Prayers for everyone still heading to the cabanas this month and for everyone determining their treatment plan. Wisdom for you all and for your medical team!
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DCISinAZ, wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had kind of the same thing...on my IDS they got 2mm margin which is what they like to have. On the DCIS part which I didn't know existed until after surgery, they only got 1mm. Because mine was already invasive, the plan was always to move on to radiation so I'm guessing they figure they will take care of that...BS didn't feel it was anything to go back into surgery for so I was happy about that. For the rough road you've traveled getting to this day, you must be thrilled! I'm happy for you. Do something to celebrate today!
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DCIS and jinmo - AWESOME news on your results!
I got some accidental good news as well! I called the doctor to get a copy of the pathology report from the lumpectomy, and the nurse emailed it to me. (it hadn't been uploaded to my patient portal yet, and she wasn't able to do that part, but she was happy to print, scan, and email. Works for me ...)
The first two pages of the document was the results of the Oncotype test (wasn't expecting that for a while...) and ... I got a TWO! According to "Dr. Google" that should hopefully mean no chemo for me. Other than the pending genetic testing, I feel like there's not much to rain on my parade. I will go over all of the results with my MO tomorrow and validate with her that the brachytherapy decision is the right one before I start that next week.
Fightingirl, I'll let you know if I learn anything else from her tomorrow regarding the SAVI
Dafne - ahhh Greece! Would love to visit someday. DSMom's photos are gorgeous!
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nothing makes me happier than to wake up to good news from my girls! Congrats jinmo, dcis, and pyrrh!!! Jinmo you are DONE now!! That must be such a huge sigh of relief!!
And for the girls with bad news who are not sharing, or those still struggling postop, we are here for you too!!
Xx
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DCIS, Jinmo and Prryh- love popping on here to read good reports. I think a celebration at the bungalow is in order!
I have such brain fog lately I'm can't even keep up with all the post. I believe a few of you have said the samething. I'm usually were clear headed and have an excellent memory but not these last few days.
I got a few bills starating to come in the mail. So far I owe $48.59. I was so excited! You know the initial rip in the envelope and look at the amount owed line. I even thought I can go shopping! Then thought better not! So I get home and open it all the way and there is $855.00 pending. That's just from the biopsies. That doesn't include the facility bill. The hospital will have a bill to. That comes separate then the doctor will send a bill. When my DH got home I told him we got the first bill he was taking his coat off he started putting it back on and asked if he needed to go back to work. Love that man!
Annoyingboob, are you the one who suggested The Book of Joy? I looked at it and I think in will order it. I'm not much of a reader. Last book I read was The Fifty Shades of Grey collection. That a a bunch of kids books with the grandkids. I can't sit still long enough to read! So the post surgery will be a challenge to stay in one spot.
I'm getting the car serviced now I had a few mintues to check in.
Hope all are well!
Oh! I am music junkie! I rather listen to music than watch TV. Mary J Blige is a favorite!
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When I read posts about medical bills and insurance I count my blessings I don't have to deal with that! I can't imagine what anyone in the US without insurance does!
Great news for good path reports - such a relief I'm sure!
Tomorrow is post-op check-in and hopefully path results for me. While everything is free here, it's not necessarily quick. I'm almost 2 weeks post-op and no pathology results yet. Just praying for no surprises. I think I am the only one here who did not have drains. Although I have been assured it is normal and will go away on it's own I have a large seroma where the breast was. I am small...like A or very small B cup and with the seroma there is very little difference between the boob I still have and the one I lost; you can't even tell through my clothes. It is not painful or anything and I was told the Dr will not normally drain it unless there is an issue as it increases the chance of an infection. He prefers it to absorb on it's own. It's very strange but oh well...no need for a "falsie" for the next while I guess! I have another follow up with my military medical officer on Friday and I hope to be back at work on Monday. Staying home has gotten old...I need to get back to a routine. I can barely drag my ass out of bed in the morning and I am doing wayyyyy too much on-line shopping!
Have a good day!
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DSMom - no drains here either, although I did a lumpectomy not a mastectomy like yourself.
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Hi ladies! I missed everyone yesterday. I almost got on here but then I remembered I was supposed to be taking a break from thinking all BC all the time. It's impossible, isn't it? I had my follow up today. It's all about lymphedema prevention now. I want to order a pretty sleeve from lymphedivas .com. Does anyone know if insurance will cover this? Also are we supposed to wear these sleeves during excercise? Like even going for a walk? I was told for air travel and car travel trough mountains. Somewhere I read that you should wear the most for excercise. Also wondering if anybody has bought mastectomy bras? Since my reconstruction has been delayed, I'll need more than the 2 camisoles they sent home with me. It's hitting me today that I'm not my old self. I've always worn sexy pretty victorias Secret bras. Now what
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DSMmom- I just got back from the Dr where they drained my seroma. The first week after my lumpectomy everything was fine, but then I just started swelling everyday and I developed a firm area (felt like I got my own breast implant - but on the side) and I finally went in today. They withdrew 200 CC's of fluid, but I feel so much better! They said they may need to drain it again in a week or so if it continues to swell. The main reason they drained it was the amount of fluid and it was putting pressure on my incision (and my boob was HUGE - at least 2x normal). I hope that your's starts to go away ASAP.
Congrats to all on the continued good news!
Pyrrh - I am so happy that your Oncotype was so low! I am thankful for anyone that can avoid chemo!
Dafne- I am a summer girl too, but I am embracing the winter weather as it works better for my hat-wearing self and it gives me a reason not to go out as much.
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Love hearing the good news from DCISin AZ , Pyrrh and and Jinmo . Fantastic !Lets all do the happy dance. That sigh of relief must be so refreshing after all you have been through. Continued love and success in your next phases and treatments. Love you ladies.
For all of the orhers going in this week , hopefully our pathologies will be clean and we'll all meet up on the beaches happily celebrating our victories .
💪🏻🌈
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Turquoise - I did the same thing. I originally wanted a BMX, but BS & PS convinced me that my outcome would actually be better with the lumpectomy. Everything has worked out well so far!
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3bears - on the Mastectomy bras. My understanding is that Nordstroms offers 3 free bras/year. I found an article about it from a couple of years ago and it is definitely worth looking into for the Mastectomy Ladies in the group...Here's the article: http://themomedit.com/2014/10/nordstroms-amazing-p...
I found this info about Nordstrom's fitting program - http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/breast-prosthesis-prog...
I also found a topic on this site: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics/824567
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3Bears - I thought the same thing...assumed mastectomy bras would be unattractive or not feminine. I was very pleasantly surprised when I went to our local specialty store...had I not known where I was I would have thought I was in any "normal" lingerie store. They have certainly come a long way! Same with bathing suits...very impressed.
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BeachBabyK...I do hope he drains some out tomorrow. I'm not uncomfortable really, but it's so strange...I can feel it sloshing like a water balloon. It is also spreading to under my arm and back so hoping that will be enough for him to do it.
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GT1965 - I love hearing about clear nodes! Happy dancing for you, DCISinAZ , Pyrrh & Jinmo! Let's meet up in the cabana for an umbrella drink to celebrate!
Fightingirl - yay - no more surgery for you!!
I saw my PS this morning, healing up great, no seromas or hematomas & pumped up to the size I'm going to be. They are perky, ladies! Of course, my youthful appearance ends there LOLOL! I can wear a comfy stretchy bra to sleep now which is a big milestone for me - I'll still wear the surgical bra during the day but to sleep in a stretchy bra is going to be heavenly after three weeks of this contraption! He said he'll also do the exchange soon (a few weeks, I think, & I won't need drains for that whoo hoo), but it depends on if I need chemo (uh oh, dose of reality I didn't want to hear!). Hormone treatment won't affect the timeline, tho. So tomorrow is my BS appt & presumably I'll get my MammaPrint results (uh oh, BIG dose of reality...)
Hoping everything went well for today's ladies. Brandyrose: I'll be thinking of you tomorrow!
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excellent news fir so many today . Sorry Pugsmama and Fightingirl I did notrealize you both had some happy dancing to do as well . So , "celebrate , celebrate dance to the music"!🎼🎼🎼
Can't wait for all of us to do so ! Sorry , if my posts are not all personalized , but whenever I try to go back to check stuff ... poof my whole post disappears, so I don't want anyone to think I am not paying attention . I totally am and love you all .
Good night Dear warriors , till next time 💫
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Thank you BeachBabyK , I will look into that. Thanks for sharing the links.
DSmom-- I think we must have some better stores here somewhere too. The ones I went to today were all about walkers and artificial limbs! So depressing. But that's where they sent me .
PugsMama-- Good luck tomorrow on you Mammaprint. Praying for good results.
Today was my first dark day. I feel wooden/ cement like in my chest. But tomorrow is another day. I will eventually be my cheery helpful self. Life is hard! There is no doubt about it. But with friends like all of you, I will get through this. And we will help other women. It really will be ok again. Keep smiling and trusting God. Keep being nice to your husbands and family. Before I know it, I will have the cute perky boobs that PugsMama has.
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Sounds like many things to celebrate today! Wahoo!
3bears,, wish I could give you a huge hug. You will get through it! You are entitled to some dark days as we stand in the middle of this crazy storm but keep looking for the sun. It always comes back! Xxoo
My memory is getting worse...work is brutal. Today at the grocery store I called a lady to help me find something and it was right in front of my face but I spent 5 minutes at least looking for it. I was embarrassed. Indont know how to help that except you get some of this off my mind 24/7...how the hell do you do that?
Anyways, hoping our 23's are doing well and glad to see many good reports and reasons to smile. Pugsmama, wishing you the best on mammaprint. I won't know mine until feb 9th so a ways to wait on that. inknow how you feel about the impending chemo possibility. Hopefully we both dodge that bullet. At least we have some beautiful friends here that have blazed that trail that can help if it becomes necessary for either of us.
Like you guys, it's getting so hard to remember who else I wanted to mention but just know you are all in my measly and have a lovely evening.
Almost forgot, I think only 1 surgery tomorrow and wishing you a beautiful stay at the cabanas over the most beautiful waster and sand you've ever seen.
Miuc love to all! ❤️
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