January 2017 Surgery Group
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I love all you sassy girls and your fighting spirit is really showing today!!! Yaaaaasss,queens!!! We do not have time for the uneducated or uncompassionate people out there - step aside please - we have a cancer to cure!!
The big benefit of being the lone single girl through all this - not having to shave! I decided when diagnosed in dec I wouldn't shave my legs til I was done with treatment - well, you can imagine what a furry monster my legs are - thank god it's winter !! I am shaving pits bc I don't want to freak my pilates girls out too much, but it is pretty numb over there, and I didn't even have a dissection. I can so easily see how you could rip your armpit up, so be careful!!!
As for poop, Costco sells gummy fiber. Take a few before bed (up to 20mg = 4 gummies) and you will poop in the morning. Or eat a big spinach salad!
Love you girls. For reals. Keep up the sass! Ain't nothing gonna bring us down!!
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pugsmama - the sign was a brilliant idea. I bet we'd everyone like to take that to fightingirl's boss! Not right, not nice, and no emotional intelligence, especially to be boss of people!
Fighting - You have every right to your feelings and don't let anyone make you second guess that. If we don't process our feelings, how are we supposed to get through things without going postal afterward? I mean, really! We're trying to get our bodies healthy and stay emotionally healthy at the same time (we're trying, we're trying 😭)
Let's live out loud and in the moment cause we are doing BRAVE things. And we are facing it head on even when that sometimes means it knocks us on the floor for a bit because we WILL get up again and we WILL get rid of the beast. Love you all. 💪🏼💩💃🏼🚣🏼🏇🏼🥇🍻
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I've heard some of these!
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Okay I couldn't take it and decided to call BS to see if my results were back for my Oncotype. She said it was so I had someone drive me and picked it up. I had been so anxious for the results but once I had it I didn't want to open the envelope. My husband wanted me to wait and let the MO give me the results 😱 No way I was waiting 4 more days. My score was 31. I couldn't believe it, High Risk. Ugh. I'll find out on Wednesday about chemo and radiation but it looks like I'm now doingboth.
Thanks Fightingirl for the support I know your mother is right. My friend that had cancer last year (only had to do surgery) doesn't recall anything I ask her. Lol.
This to shall pass!
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Hi Vargadoll,
I wish it wasnt real and that we could wish it away, but there is so much love , respect and support here , that I would take offense to someone telling me to drop something positive .
Cancer is not a vibe , it is living organism that tries to kill us or at least knock us out! To do nothing is not even reasonable . We have facts that prove it. Breast cancer treatment has come a long way . I know many women who have gone through it as far back as 20 yrs ago and are still here. The stats are even better now. We are all survivors and we all support one another in the fight against breast cancer. I love you all .
I did have thyroid lobectomy in 2014 . I had half removed and luckily, no cancer .
I am certain Shellybeans is gonna rock her treatments. She is one strong woman with an amazing daughter and life. So much to do . 3Bears , some people deal with painful situations in odd ways . Just like Varga said , her best friend sees it differently, but it doesn't mean you can't love her anymore. Insensitivity is sometimes just a shield . In unknown territory people should just be more empathetic! At least everyone here, can relate because of experience.
Aww I am rambling.. sorry ! 🏆🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅for all of us champions
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Love you annoyingboob!! You just make everything alright again! 🌺👍
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feel free to print and place on your desk
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WGraf: Fightingirl & I have MO appts on Wed too. I can see why you didn't want to wait to find out. You can go to your appt armed with info & questions. I admire you for tackling that unknown today. Now you can focus on doing everything you need to get rid of those mutant cells. We'll be here to support you & some of us will be with you on that journey...
Bevmomduck: love the sign!!!.
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Elem - I was half to the right side abd no cancer as well. That surgery was more involved than my surgery on Tuesday. I had a large nodule that had grown on my thyroid and attached to my carotid artery. (Which is miss placed)
Ok BC girls my mom was just admitted to the hospital with pneumoni . She is a 20+ year lung cancer survivor and this is the first time she has been hospitalized with any lung issues since. She is 82 (83 on the 13th) so calling all prayer warriors! I can't handle much more!
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nice one! ❤💗
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Vargadoll: your mom is the same age as mine, who is a 20+ years BC survivor. I will certainly be praying for her...try not to get too stressed (easier said than done). You don't want a compromised immune system right before your surgery...does she live near you?
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When people say stupid stuff I just want to look at them and say "do you seriously think I haven't gone over every choice in my head and blamed myself for something that may have caused this?"
Thankfully, so far, I have only been around my friends who I know aren't word vomiters. But I'm sure it's coming.
Love those signs - maybe we need shirts! "I may not have boobs, but I have a brain so keep your opinions to yourself"
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Oh my gosh Vargadoll , that sounds pretty gnarly on the carotid... scary . But yes , that surgery being in such a vascular area and with the trach tube and all . It was much worse than the BC surgery that I had .
Prayers going up for your Mom . Wow 20 yr lung cancer suvivor. That is incredible. God is so good.
Bevmomduck.. love it .. thats a good one
❤💪🏻
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Vargadoll - prayers for your mom! Sounds like she's a tough cookie if she's already been through that so I'm sure she will be fine. Hope she's close so you can see her
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Prayers for Vargadolls mom. She has to be a tough cookie to survive BC. It is amazing how many of us have mothers who have had breast cancer too. My my had it 7 years ago. No genetic link found but obviously they haven't found them all.
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shellybeans - hugs, hugs, and more hugs. I am saying some prayers you get relief...i'm currently on the same shit-less creek. Saying a prayer for you tonight.
3bears - you should be angry. Thats was a crappy thing to have said to you...but thats why you have us. Vent and then let it go...let that person's ignorance be their problem and not yours. You have more important things to fight.
And for all the ladies who had procedures this week...sending you love, light, and healing energy. Be kind to yourselves and rest!
I get discharged tomorrow (they cant actually hold me here until i 💩Can they? 😬)and cant wait for my own bed. Been a long week...hope everyone gets some R&R this weekend ❤
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tips to help the 💩 Fairy visit (from my oncology nurse friend)
1/2 cup apple juice
1/2 cup prune juice
1 packet miralax
Heat up in the micro and drink. She said it's a sure fire winner.
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Shelly- I am so sorry about your news! Hugs to you! Please know that as horrible as the prospect of chemo is, It is just another hurdle for you to jump on the way to full health! Or you can run right through the damn hurdle, but either way, you'll get to the finish line.
3Bears -people say the dumbest things. There are at least 2 topics on here for them and they are worth reading through...some of the comebacks are just classic!
PugsMama- My surgical nurse did tell me to "shave" with an electric razor only after surgery. The funny thing is, since I started chemo, I really haven't needed to shave...no hair growth!
Fightingirl - NO ONE can understand what we are going through unless they have gone through it!! You do not share everything with any one human being. It's a burden that is hard to put on anyone. Loved ones do what they can, and it helps immensely, but the thoughts, fears, and emotions that we go through is unique to someone that is experiencing it. And each of our experiences is different!
Varga - Praying for your Mom! She is one of our own!
My favorite response for someone that tries to tell you why you got cancer (overweight, phone in bra, poor diet, birth control pills, etc.) is that it's caused from good meaning people trying to diagnose us without medical training...
Have a wonderful weekend Ladies!!! Enjoy the game (if you watch) and all of the yummy food that goes with it!
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This disease just sucks! Everyone need time to absorb what has happened and then to focus on the tough journey ahead. Don't waste too much of your precious energy for too long a time, focusing on negative things. I was a nurse for 20 years...An oncology nurse at that! I left the hospital scene about 20 years ago and it's amazing how things have changed. There are always new treatments coming out. Who knows, maybe during our time here, someone will actually discover something that works that doesn't have all these horrid side effects. I had my 'chemo' class today and start my chemo journey next week. I'm one of the lucky ones. I only need 4 rounds every 3 weeks. You can do it!
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prayers love and light vargadoll to you and your mom. PugsMama gave you good advice...please try to take good care of yourself as all the stress and everything can compromise your own immune system and you need all your strength and might to get to the bungalows soon. People always say we have to take care of ourselves first to be there for others so be gentle with yourself as much as possible. Keep the frankincense or oil of your choice lathered on to help calm in this storm. Love you!
I just love all the signs and DCISinAZ , they would make great tshirts!!
Pugsmama, my appt is on Thursday! I probably did say Wednesday at one point...cancer brain! I have so many things the next two weeks I am going to need to get it together to get where I'm supposed to be!
Brca2chick, so glad you get to go home soon! Maybe the 💩 fairy will pay a visit soon and you'll have an extra bonus getting out of there!
Wgraf, I'm sorry about the new but we'll be here for you you100%!
I hope LeftCoastie is doing okay. Haven't heard from her so hoping she is just taking a well deserved break.
My Friday night is much like last week...hubby wanted to go out for dinner but I'm just not up to it. Long work week.. Trying to store up some energy this weekend so I can get to all my radiation and PT appointments. I feel ready now though...thanks to pyrrh for documenting her days with brachytherapy on another thread.
May only the good fairies visit when needed tonight and this weekend!
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Thank you all for the prayers for my Momma. I live 3.7 miles from my parents. She is in the hospital that I will go to on Tuesday. I will not go to the hospital. I cant get sick plus I have the 11 year old grandson and my girl. I did get to fix my Daddy's dinner so that made me feel better. Bet you 'all can tell I'm a southern girl lol!
Love the sign!
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I got a pm from leftcoastie the other day - she mentioned she's behind in the thread, but I think she's doing ok. It's hard to catch up even when you take a little break!! We are chatty girls, but I wouldn't have it any other way!!x
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annoyingboob, glad she is ok. I know it's hard to keep up! Sometimes just a few hours of stepping away is a lot! There are so many of us anymore too. If you hear from her again, please let her know I'm thinking about her.
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Hello Sisters,
Just an update.
I had my BMX this morning, No reconstruction. And I am home right now with minimal pain.
7AM - Registration. A nurse gave me a gown, pants and booties. She said I can keep my underpants and socks on.
8AM - Had a Sentinel Node Radioactive dye injection. The procedure is called Lymphangiogram. This is new to me and had a little discussion with the tech as this was never mentioned and told her to double check. I thought its like an IV blue dye for visualization. But then she double checked and i was really scheduled for this. So she injected a radioactive dye in the breast near the tumor (i have tumor on both breast). Then she asked me to massage the area for about 30 mins. And I got a scan.. just like when you go for bone scan, but this scan takes only 7-8 mins.
9AM - I was back to waiting room and had a chat with the patient who will be having Unilateral Mastectomy later
9:10 AM - I was given 2 Tylenols with little sips of water while in waiting room
9:30 AM - I was brought to the BLOCK Room. Looks like a recovery room but lesser patient. I think only around 4 patients. It is where they do nerve blocks. So the anesthesiologist came and inject anesthetics on both axillae, 3 mL on each side and it is ultrasound guided!!! they said to make sure they don't go too deep and avoid penetrating the lung. He said this will help me post- op. I wish I put on my lip balm as my lips starts to crack from being NPO since last night.
10AM - i was wheeled inside the OR
10:30 - they gave IV meds which makes me sleepy but still able to answer simple questions. Then they make me inhale to the face mask and then that's it...
1:30PM - i woke up in the recovery room. Pain is around 3/10. Then increased to 4, then 5. The nurse gave me Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) thru IV and i fell asleep.
2:30PM - I was wheeled to Day Surgery. The nurse gave me iced Ginger Ale which relieved my throat pain at that time. I checked my dressings. Only large Medipore tapes that put pressure on my surgical area. There are only 2 drains, 1 drain on each side. Still dizzy when i sit up. The doctor came in and talk to me and said he removed 3 nodes on the right and 1 node on the left. I asked him when can i lift my arm. He said "Right now!". I am surprised. but probably because i didn't have reconstruction that's why. Or probably he is not that cautious as PS's. I will still take precaution as I don't want complications.
4:00PM - more awake and less dizzy. I had a call from Community Care Access (CCAC) about home nurse that's suppose to come home and check my dressing and drains. The nurse had arranged for this earlier right after i register.. She said to wait for her call tomorrow.
4:30PM - the nurse helps me get dressed. Amazing how minimal is the pain. She asks me to lie down in bed after, while waiting for my husband to pick me up.
5:00PM - discharged!!!
At home I peed blue!!! So blue dye was still injected in the OR! I think this is for mass localization? eventhough with mastectomy? Oh well...
I am just so glad I am home. I had dinner with my DH and my 2 kids. I was able to wash myself in the bathroom and scrub off the extra paint they use to sterilize the area for surgery. Dr. said i could take off the dressing after 2 days and can shower after 3 days even with drains. Follow up will be in 10 days.
I had video chats with my sisters and friends and they are amazed with how fast things went and how mobile I am in less than 12 hours of surgery. Even me, i am surprised. The anticipation is worst than the surgery itself.
So I will see tomorrow if the pain gets worse. It might also be the axillary block that makes the pain under control. i will let you know.
Grande
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is anyone using anything on their scars? Mine are already starting to fade but I just bought some silicone at Walgreens to help things along. My ps didn't give me any special recommendations. Will see how my sensitive skin tolerates it. Are you using oils or lotions or vitamins or just leaving them heal on their own?
Thanks girls.
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Shellybeans, I'm so sorry to hear that news. Nobody wants to hear that. We all hope and pray for the best and sometimes get blasted with unexpected results. We are fully behind you to support you. Looks like we'll be doing chemo at the same time. Love to you and hugs.
I'm preparing for the chemo. Today my hubby and I are traveling to a shop recommended to us just north of Pittsburgh to buy a pretty blond wig. Tuesday I have an appointment to get my hair cut short( I have never had short hair in 48 years). My hair appt is right after my appointment to sign the consent that I " want" chemo.
I love all your responses everyone. Lifting me up after my crazy friend dragged me down and supporting shellybeans too. I forgot who said it but that same friend had said the same about all of you too. That I should not be on here , that it's very depressing and you all will drag me down. That made me very mad too. She just knows nothing about any of it. How you girls are my lifeline through this ! And we are positive and tell jokes and keep cheering each other on. The truth is that , without you girls on here, I WOuld be depressed. But I am doing so well knowing I am not alone!
Love you all! 😘
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Grande- sounds like you are doing so good. Rest and recuperate!
3bears$ it was my friend who said that about this thread. I agree with you! I would be clueless about so much with out you warriors. Like the dye stufd, the wire and many other things. (BTW my NP at pre-op said I wouldn't pee blue..we shall see ) my heart is with you while you are building this next SHORT chapter in your life story. Get a sassy bombshell blonde doo to go with the new you.
Annoyingboob I am glad you asked about the lotion for the scar. My scars from previous surgeries I wouldn't be able to find if ididn't know where they are but I think this one will be different. Not that I care of you can see it but I want it to heal quickly. The one on my throat from my thyroid surgery I was told to keep sun block on for a year even in the winter or keep it covered in the sun. This scar will not be exposed to any sun lol unless those drinks at the bar take me back a few years. ..
Happy Saturday. ..cooking cleaning and circus (going to the last greatest show on earth tomorrow ) count down!
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Annoyingboob. I asked my plastic surgeon what to use on the scars and he said it really doesn't matter it is the massaging that helps the most. I chose a cocoa butter/vitamin E lotion because I researched the good old google and a lot of people thought it was the best.
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Thanks for letting us know how it went Grande. i have been hungry for this kind if information on what exactly to expect. Though I know having a tissie expander placed changes the equation. Take care in the days ahead!!
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