January 2017 Surgery Group
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Hi, ladies. Hope all is going well for each of you.
Had my surgery on the 24th, and I'm home now trying to recuperate. I am still in shock. I know that with time we will all heal physically and emotionally.
This forum is awesome! My sister is the one who actually found this site for me, and she herself may join later as an encourager.
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Hey, Pyrrh. I'm a SOCO girl. Sorry to hear that things have not been smooth sailing in Texas. I can relate! I had a radiologist in my hometown who refused to do diagnostic imaging studies simply because I was under the age of 30. I was so upset because as a healthcare provider, I knew he wasn't following the radiological guidelines. I ended up going to a breast care center 43 miles away, but it was a great decision.That's where they found the cancer in the mammos/ultrasounds and biopsies. Just be your own advocate and trust your instincts. To all the ladies in this group- I agree about wanting to stay here! And I would be down for a cruise, lol.
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Thinking of you Elem! You got this sister! Our hands are holding yours and the bungalow awaits. Would you like me to have a special drink waiting? Happy to put in your order! XXOO
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Welcome Joyfaith! This is a tough group of girls who are better than the Internet! Hope you are healing quickly andpain free soon.
Earlier I posted another oost and poooooof! Its gone...
Elem-holding you tight! You got this!
Winchimed- I struggle with the acronyms sometimes to. I have my tablet and phone when I get on here so I can google when I cant figure stuff out. ;o) I see you are in TN. I'm in NC. Love my mountains and this crazy weather. 72 yesterday 32 today.
I'm picking my oldest grandson up from school this afternoon so who knows when I can get back on here. Am I the only grandma in this group?
Have a beautiful afternoon!
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Alright, so I totally combusted on a poor lady from the doctors office who called me to follow up on why the Nurse Navigator program hadn't contacted me. They are going to look up what's going on with regards to my doctors and my office and lack of communication.
However, someone poked the doctor and she called me and confirmed that I can still do the brachytherapy next week, and "if" the Oncotype comes back higher we could still do chemo afterwards. So I'm on!
She did give me a sob story about how much she had to do yesterday and honestly while on a personal level I care, I don't actually really care. If she was too preoccupied or time crunched to do the right thing with regards to my care and timeline she should have found a colleague to cover it. End of story. Simple professional courtesy.
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Good Morning Ladies! Welcome Joyfaith!
I went to see the RO yesterday and asked about brachytherapy. Her response was "your cancer is gone, where would we place the implant" Isn't that the case for EVERY single patient that has brachytherapy after a lumpectomy??? I am mnore than frustrated - first the mastectomy thing and now this. It didn't help that I wasn't even moved to an exam room util an hour after my scheduled appt. Then the questions... when did you first start your period, etc. etc. ? (Please someone explain what that has to do with radiating my breast???) Ok, done with the rant! (sorry, I reeeeeaaaaallllly needed to do that!)
Happy to hear from all of our surgery ladies from this week and please know that every day will get better. Celebrating drains out, showers, clean nodes and great pathology reports!
Bdagal - Yay for people making you feel special and letting you know that you are valued - never forget it! Surgery on your birthday... not sure how I would feel about that, but take it as the perfect day to start your cancer-free life!! I'm not sure how big the mass the Dr plans on taking out, but my PS told me that most of the BS are good at moving the tissue around so that you can't tell that they even did surgery, so continue to be optimistic!
Docmama - ahh, the quarterly echo! Hope all is well!
Amul79 - The port is wonderful for chemotherapy! I never had numbing cream, but the needle insertion is just a little pinch. The line into my neck never bothered me, so if it continues, please let your Dr know! The only irritation I've had since the initial installation is that sometimes when you move the wrong way, you notice it pull just a little.
Dafne - so sorry about your delay, but completely understand sticking with a Dr that you are comfortable with!
Vargadoll - I was part of the Chemo in Sept thread and would highly recommend a similar thread to anyone that has to undergo that treatment. Like here, you will find ladies in the same boat and be able to ask about side effects that you have and get great feedback about how to combat them! I've never been on a cruise either.. Hubby & I planned one for our 25th anniversay, but BC decided to interfere and it got postpone until ??
Pyrrh - Sometime I think that Dr's forget that we have lives! They have their Standard operating procedure and don't want to deviate from it.
This group will stay here for as long as we choose to keep it active! There are those of us that have already navigated chemo that can answer question if any of you end up having to go through that aspect of treatment (although I am hoping that you don't)
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I absolutely love the spirit of this group! I myself can turn into a real shit show when it comes to "less than competent" work ethics. I agree that WTH do some of those questions have to do with the here and now?!? I can remember most of what they want to know and roughly what year. No where did anyone asked about birth control or things I felt might have had some connect to BC
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LOL, if I have to fill out the "new patient paperwork" one more time for this same office of doctors they might have a serious problem on their hands. I started answering questions with responses like "it's in the computer" and "Has been fully documented on previous visits". I worked VERY hard the first time to be super accurate with details about meds, and dates of random events from my personal life history. They then put it in the computer - in front of me. I know they can look, they just want it to be handed to them in simple format.
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Vargadoll - This Dr seems obsessed with my period! When I started, if I had it now, did I have it through chemo, when did I start birth control, when did I stop? Am I sure I'm still having my period? Really... yeah I'm sure! I'm only 47, is is THAT uncommon to still have a period? Will I be put on hormone blockers? How many times have I been pregnant? Number of children? I'm thinking I'll bring them to my next appointment and introduce her. It would be one thing if she was my GP, but she will be a short-term doc (and she is not even my doc, but just a stand in for the day). While giving me my exam, she notice a scar around my belly button and started interrogating me about it... I completely put her off on that one.
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Thanks for starting this group!
I had my implants surgery on 4 Jan 17, day before my birthday. Next day, I had my new girls!
Yesterday was week 3, post-surgery, and I'm feeling ok. Been walking 12-16K steps a day, 60-90+ min. Lymph nodes were removed so arms feel funny but I'm supposed to wear compression sleeves (often forget or it's too hot in San Antonio).
Can't exercise arms until Mar but the end is in site!
All the best to everyone!
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BeachbabyK, I'm 51 and other than being pregnant and the depo crap I still have my period every month. The past few years its every 28 to 32 and last 4-7 days. Before that I was exactly every 28 days, started at night and lasted 3 days. Most of my friends haven't had a period since they were in their early 40's. I'm the only still going strong. Guess I'm joining them soon in the hot flash club soon.....sigh
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vargadoll - you are not the only grandmother in the group! And I read you all talking about periods and haven't had one in 14 years, I guess early (and easy) menopause which was fine with me. Wonder how that affects any of this?
We are having dinner tonight with a couple who are several years younger but went through BMX and reconstruction last year. They are dear, trusted friends who will give us practical advice and encouragement. She send me a pic of her doing a beautiful yoga stand on top of a rock while they were hiking last week. She was 2.5 months post reconstruction and felt great and wanted to plant in my heart the seeds of my own upcoming recovery! I'm passing that upcoming recoveryencouragement on to all you beautiful ladies❤
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Bevmomduck- I wondered the samething! When I had my physical in August my NP said my blood work looked that of a 30 year old. I am wondering now of that was not such a good thing. Then all the ER/PT + and nubers so high...I mean seriously it can make you crazy! I guess I am just thinking that there should be some obvious oh yeah. ...that's why you have cancer. If it were only that clear. Enjoy your evening with your special friend!
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ahhhh. You guys. I just took a pseudo bath and washed my hair. I feel like a new woman!! It's the little things and I knew you all would be able to relate ❤
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January 30th BMX with immediate flap reconstruction. My surgeon thinks they can do the nipple sparing, but I'm trying to prepare for a different outcome just in case. I have a now 9week old son and 2 year old son and am nervous about the surgery and recovery, but am ready to try and put this behind me.
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I'd like to stay with this group & continue our journeys together....mine isn't ending any time soon! I can't lose so many friends at once!
I went to the BS & the MammaPrint results weren't in yet...it's oncologist time, made a couple of appts with a couple of places, first one is next Wed. Hopefully the Mammaprint is back by then. The BS gave me a pep talk about chemo, though. Said I have one shot to knock this out of me forever & if it were her, she'd have chemo. She said if the cancer comes back (I guess as mets), it's no longer curable. She must have seen the horrified expression on my face because she then said, "look, you're young & healthy & you'll get through it. It begins & ends & you'll stay cancer-free. You're cancer-free now, you want to stay that way." I don't think she was saying chemo is a definite, but she was preparing me for what sounded like a better than 50/50 shot it will be recommended...ugh. Said hormonal treatment would be a definite (no surprise there...) Tough love lol. I don't need to see her for three months, the MO takes over now...
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DCISinAZ, yay!!! Happy dance as I think LeftCoastie says! Thanks for sharing and letting us celebrate with you! It really is the little things that are cause for BIG celebration in our new worlds.
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you'll love this one! When making an appointment with the oncologist's office, after telling the gal I had a BMX on Jan 4, she wanted info about previous mammos. I said, "are you serious? I don't have my boobs anymore. Why is that even relevant?" She laughed & said, "you're right!
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thanks everyone . Beachbabyk ... I am staying with this group too . So upbeat ,positive and imfirmative. How did we luck out to be among such amazing people ? The snb went well , 3 nodes removed , but of course I now stand in the pathology line ! Hopefully , when the tide rolls in , it'll be nothing but good! Wishing you good luck and Godspeed with recoveries, treatments and emotional rollercoaster rides. We just need some dramamine so we don't get too dizzy!! Haha! Anyway , my loves have a pleasant rest of your day and thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your friendships . ❤🌸🌸🌸
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Wow! PugsMama! One day at a time! It another one of those wait and see things. They suck! I live your response to the mammogram question!
DCISinAZ- a pretend shower! This morning I did not want to take a shower, did not want to w a sh my hair just one of those mornings. Then I made myself get in the shower and then it hit me....in 12 days I will not be able to take a shower. I felt like shit then because I thought of you guys who would love to a shower.
Dyell32- big hug and welcome to this group. You will find lots of support here. I do believe you have the youngest children. My heart skip a beat when I read you had a 9 week old. I'm expecting my 6th grandchild in a few weeks and I have 5 grandchildren now. The youngest is almost 2. So my two little ones will be close to your children's age. You are safe here.
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yay Elem, was just thinking about you! Glad it went well!
DCISinAZ, the first hair wash & pseudo bath! Heaven on earth!!
Vicywich: I had a BMX, they'll send you home in whatever surgical bra you'll need. Actually, you'll probably come out of surgery with it on...so feel free to go "bra less" to the hospital
I'm a cruise lover too! Have one scheduled for the last week of May. NO WAY I'm missing it...that will be the first mandate to the MO! So there...lol!!
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Hi All, We must admit that we re-read your post, dyell32 as well. Having a 9 week old, and 2 year old is already a lot to handle! You've found a great support group here!
Hang in there, everyone! You've got it!
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Good evening, I know I am new to the posting, but as I said before Inbeen following this group since it begin, love everything about it. I have lots of question is one reason I would not post before. I the first in my family diagnos with BC. I have the best Dr. my first step was Chemo, I did excellent until the last two I begin to get neuropathy which is the worst. I had surgery on Jan 19 recovery going great, all but the annoying drains (3). Do anyone have this pinch back of my arms that hurts to no end. Call the PS and the nurse say this is normal. I trying to do Tylenol only but this not helping the pinch.
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hi joyfaith! You have been through a lot already and glad you joined us here. Is the arm pain from where they did lymph node biopsy? I have this pain as well and still very tender down the inside of my arm and armpit. I hope you get to feeling better
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pugsmama, dang on the mammaprint results! We will keep our fingers crossed but since you and I are in the same "waiting on the mammaprint" boat, I'm glad you shared what BS said. Made me feel better. Sometimes we need tough love I guess. Xxo
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Dyell32 - oh my goodness. That is A LOT on your plate. I can't even imagine. Do you have a great support system where you are?
Joy faith- I have pinching on my remaining drain entry point. I haven't really found anything that helps it except finding that one sweet spot position in my chair that makes it feel better. At least the drains are short lived!
Vargadoll - I'm sure my family thought I was completely nuts. I literally took at least one bath a day in the couple of week leading up to the surgery since I knew it would be a while before I got to take a real one again!
Is anyone already on Tamoxifen? I meet with my bs on Monday and assume she will refer me for a mo since that's what the tumor board I went to before surgery recommended. I'm a terrible medicine taker and have considered having my ovaries taken out instead and be done with it but I still need to do a bunch of research on that. I'm 46 with no sign of menopause symptoms except weight gain 😊 All you ladies with your TKD and exercise regimens make me feel like a slob! Guess getting in shape is on my to do list as soon as I am able to get moving.
Rosa - glad you're on the other side and recuperating. Give yourself plenty of time both physically and mentally. It's a lot to process. There is no "right" way to do all of this. Just take care of yourself
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happy belated birthday 1214survivor!!!
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dyell, where are you located? maybe if you make your location public, we can help you find local resources. you do have your hands full, and will need all the help you can get! let us know where you are and how we can help you, and we can rally our troops!!
xx
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agree, annoyingboob. I know some people want to stay anonymous but I would also love to see what ways I can help you dyel
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Thanks everyone for the good advice about the sports bras and regular bras.
So here's another question: when the BS does the sentinel node biopsy/mastectomy do they automatically do an oncotype test?
Pugsmama: I think I'd be shocked as well! Did they find any cancer in your lymph nodes? My BS said that there would be no chemo unless that was a result. I have IDC in my left but very early stage -- just many clusters no actual lump. So I was just curious.
Dyell32: check out www.breastcancerfreebies.com for something local to you--they are a great resource.
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