January 2017 Surgery Group
Comments
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kroop73, that sounds like pretty awesome news! So glad to hear! Best of luck with your brachytherapy...I have 6 treatments left of mine but did the interstitial (multi catheter) method. It has been pretty easy so far so I hope you will find the same. Will you also be on hormone therapy following radiation?
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Hi, kroop73. I will be praying all goes well for you, and I want to thank you for your kind words. You are a brave warrior yourself, as well as all of the other ladies here. I guess we could call ourselves the Warrior Sisters.
Mine started out as a lumpectomy, and when tissue was sent to pathology, the results did not come back well. Therefore, I needed a mastectomy on the right side. I will be going to an oncologist Wednesday the 15th to see if any further treatment is needed. I'm hoping not as I don't want to put any unnecessary chemicals in my body. I have changed my eating habits drastically. I am now a vegetarian for the most part.
God bless you too, kroop73. Take care.
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Thank you fightingirl! Yes I will take tamoxifen for 5 years is what I was told.
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BeachBabyK, I had surgery on Friday 02/10. It was my second surgery to remove more tissue from my left breast (we didn't get a clear margin from the original surgery; lumpectomy 12/8). Also I had one lymph node removed to be checked for cancer cells. I am awaiting my pathology report on that now. I hope to start radiation in the next couple of weeks. Thank you for posting and everyone's support!
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BeachBabyK, I had surgery on Friday 02/10. It was my second surgery to remove more tissue from my left breast (we didn't get a clear margin from the original surgery; lumpectomy 12/8). Also I had one lymph node removed to be checked for cancer cells. I am awaiting my pathology report on that now. I hope to start radiation in the next couple of weeks. Thank you for posting and everyone's support!
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for Pamela and bevmom - this is for you - come and join us. the weather is clear and the water is warm. (and welcome kroop - you can pick your bungalow since you just woke up from your recent surgery). good luck girls - we are cheering you on!!! xx
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Ahhh Yes, annoyingboob! This is the life. Just what the doctor ordered!
Thanks so much! :-)0 -
Don't you wish here was a
button? Or a ❤ or a 😫 button on this thread because there are so many times I want to "like" or ❤️ someone's comment? LolBeautiful pic, annoying 👍🏼
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bevmomduck, all the time!!!!
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bevmomduck everyday!1👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
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hi all - tried to post this morning...not sure what happened to it. And apologies if it ends up duplicated!
Just wanted to share a tip/trick for managing all the post surgery meds...
The "Round" app has been a lifesaver for me to keep track of everything - pains meds, stool softener, vitamins / probiotics, etc. The days after surgery are so fuzzy (I was in patient 5 days) and frankly chaotic (just showering & getting dressed once home took 90 minutes) I felt overwhelmed keeping tracking of it all.
It lets you schedule doses and also take things "on demand"...
Hope this might be of help to someone!
And for all the ladies with upcoming procedures good luck this week!!!
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To my beautiful sister's heading for the crystal blue waters today...holding your hand in mine and saying a prayers for quick healing!
EVERYDAY...Bevmomduck! I'm always like were is my love button!
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DCISinAZ:
I got genetic testing done -- my mom is BRCA 1/2- but still have BC and lots of prostate in the family. When she was DX (2009) they only ran BRCA. I was negative for all. My genetics counselor called and told me over the phone (she's at MD Anderson in Houston, so out of town for me). They also uploaded results to an online portal. It only took about 5 days that I recall! Fast.
I'd do it and try not to be nervous. More information is beneficial and look at it this way: at some time in the very recent past, women would have loved to know more but science was not there to help them. It is there to help us now.
Warm wishes...
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Hi ladies! I haven't chatted much, but I have been keeping up with this thread (and a few others). So thankful that we have each other through this journey! It seems like there are quite a few of us in the same age range (mid 40's?) which might be why we click so well.
kroop - wanted to invite you over to our brachytherapy thread, if you indeed do the balloon method of brachytherapy that would be a unique perspective. So far we have a couple who did SAVI, two who did the interstitial, but I havent' seen info from a balloon version yet. If you care to chime in with your experiences here's the location: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/70/topics...
I have my surgery followup today (goal, find out what the timeline is for getting back to TKD...) and then my radiology followup Wednesday. Sort of just waiting around to see if I get my very own bottle of Tamoxifen or a port for my very own IV bag of chemo in a few weeks. After my appointment I do get to do the "look good feel better" clinic! I'll let you guys know how it goes. I am silly excited. LOL
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Very frustrated today.
My MO ordered a PET scan and my insurance is requiring Bone Scan & CT instead. I have called the head of benefits, my nurse case manager, everyone I know and they did a peer-to-peer dr review and it was still denied. Maybe I should feel better because it means it's not as bad - but every time I read my pathology it freaks me the hell out.
1 sentinel node with metastatic carcinoma 10mm in greatest dimension with 2mm of extra nodal extension
1 sentinel node with 2 foci of micormetatstatic carcinoma less than 1 mm in greatest extension
2 of 13 axilla lymph nodes with metatstic carcinoma 5mm in greatest dimension with less than 1 mm of extra nodal extension. Intralymphatic tumor emboli adjacent to the positive nodes
2 of 2 lymph nodes with metastatic carcinoma 7 mm in greatest dimension with less than 1mm of extra nodal extension. Intralymphatic tumor emboli are noted in the surrounding lymphatics
So I read that and I don't know how much worse it could sound and it's STILL not bad enough to warrant at PET scan?
I'm posting this here and at the chemo page to see if there are any others who have similar feature and were also denied. Stress is bad for cancer and this is stressing me out!
Rant over - going wig shopping later and still going to keep being the irritating squeaky wheel and try to get this authorized.
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Shellybeans I am currently waiting for the CT scan. My PET scan was also denied by my insurance. My MO told me that my insurance doesn't usually pay. I have great insurance, but this is their only hiccup. I am schedule for BMX on Wednesday. Hang in there.0 -
Thanks Annbee - well I got the PET Scan approved. I squeaked and the wheel turned. Now we just need to get it scheduled asap. As much as I dread knowing, being aware of exactly what I'm dealing with is too important.
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OK, ladies ... If they offer it in your area, sign up for the "Look Good, Feel Better" clinic ... I seriously think I came home with hundreds of dollars of new cosmetics. Not samples, full sized. Pretty awesome!
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Okay, I know for sure I will get some kind of radiation. Does anyone know what criteria they use to determine what kinds of radiation you get? It seems like isregular radiation, a shortened higher dose and then the more internal radiation. I know I'll get answers on Friday, I just wondered what your doctors have said that determined what you got.
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dang Shellybeans...as if this isn't hard enough there is insurance to worry about. You definitely keep riding them and keep going up the chain until somebody gives you what you want! It made me mad just reading that....they have all this red tape and stupid hoops for us when we least need them. Hugs and I hope that gets settled soon.pyrrh, good to hear from you! I'm halfway done with radiation now! 5 more to go and these tortuous tubes come out!
I didn't sleep a wink last night. My boss was in my office when I got the call that I had cancer. I've worked for him for 4 years...small company so we are like family. He told me to keep paying myself as usual and we might need to talk if I was going to need to be out for an extended period of time that he might have to hire a temp or something. He paid me for my week off with surgery and suddenly this time I needed off for radiation he is not paying me! I worked last Monday and he docked me the hour early I had to leave for PT. If anything with this cancer I've gotten brave so I called him a couple days ago and he turned it on me and said that I said we'd figure it out when I got back to work! That's the dumbest lie ever because i wasn't expecting my bills to not arrive just because I have cancer! I hope he feels like a total jerk. Can't wait to see how he makes this right when I get back but I still question if I can work for him going forward. I'm leaving a lot out but that is the gist of things and we are a smaller company in which I'm the only employee (real estate so the rest are 1099) I have never even taken a sick day in 4 years! He doesn't provide medical or and kind of leave or disability and I am his accountant so I damn well know he can afford it. If he had set my expectations different when I was diagnosed in November. I might have had a chance to plan different,y but he springs this no pay on me in February! It stinks because I really love my job and the people there. I would never have expected anything but he told me whatever you need and continue to pay yourself unless I have to hire someone. So disappointed. Everyone I tell cannot believe it...he really has always been good to me so I don t know what changed.
OKay, end of my rant!!
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Fightingirl, halfway done! CHEERS! I'm sort of grumpy with your boss too. I hope you two work it out since you talk about your work and time in the office so positively. My only advice is that no matter how mad you are try not to burn bridges - set up a meeting, be the ever polite rational but SUPER SQUEEKY wheel and help him to see it from your viewpoint. Channel your inner Shellybeans and don't let him get away with changing his story mid-stream.
Shellybeans, I am glad you managed to get them to see reason and approve the testing that your doctor wants you to do. It makes me very happy to know that you are a persistent, strong woman who can advocate for herself in that way!
Cowboy-up, I don't know all of the specifications, but the internal brachytherapy has pretty strict ones - the tumor has to be under a certain size (2cm I think?), no node involvement, has to be within a certain time after surgery (for SAVI and I would assume balloon...) and they typically do it with older patients. I had to ask for it at 46 but they didn't even skip a beat when I mentioned my interest. The reason they didn't offer it up front (although their professional opinion was that it was a FANTASTIC option for me) was that they don't have a lot of data on longevity past 10 years or so. They don't expect it to be any different, but they can't prove it. I was fine with that, and so we went with it. I could have done the shorter (Canadian protocol) standard whole breast radiation if I wanted too, but their initial offering was standard length, whole breast. Again, only due to my (lack of) age. I say, if you are interested, just ask.
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yay for squeaky wheels!! Congrats shelley - my fingers and toes are crossed that your PET scan is clear as day!!
Fightingirl - yay for halfway through rads!! Any redness or tiredness? I'm sorry to hear about your boss. I'm sure you are like me and medical bills are rolling in like an avalanche these days. I hope you guys can come to some kind of resolution. Is it possible to maybe work a few hours from home? Actually never mind - I just remembered you have a million appointments every week and 2xrt/day. You need every ounce of energy to power through!!
Cowboy, I'm not sure the xrt criteria, but I'm getting partial breast - 5 sessions every other day, starting next week. I have my final simulation this Friday, and I'm hoping they don't change the game on me. I haven't really found anyone else who had this short partial breast routine done. Ro says that's bc it's tolerated really well and people move on and don't blog about it - lol- I told him he sounded like a used car salesman!! He's actually a good guy. I can post more once I'm in the thick of it.
Pyrrh- are you all done now or will you be joining us on tamoxifen? I've had the prescription in my bag for weeks now and just don't really want to bring it to the pharmacy. Funny how your mind sets up roadblocks like that. I'm glad you are looking good and feeling better!!
Bevmom - good luck!!! I know you've been feeling that lump for what seems like ages, so I'm glad it's time to finally get it out!! Wishing you peace of mind before your journey.
Happy wig shopping to all you prechemo girls. I'm sure there is a lot of anxiety out there before you get going. Don't forget to breathe and just remember, for many of you, you are DONE after that. Keep your eye on the prize.
Xx
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Well...I'm boarding the chemo train and radiation train, oh lucky me. I think I like my oncologist, the radiologist I do like. My oncologist wants to hit it hard, so 3 different types of chemo, the pill to follow for 10 years. I will start the end of next week. I will have my bone scan and CT this week or next. Chemo class wed.
I am getting a second opinion from Duke monday, and will compare notes.
On a good note, I got my last drain out today. Sooooooo, I can take a shower tomorrow, and drive!!
I figured I was boarding the trains because of node positive. I read a post about not looking up side effects. I'm not looking. I asked my husband to look, and he is cool with that.
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Yes Shellybeans . Glad you got the insurance sorted out . Very hopeful that all goes well for you . This road is not easy . Lots of bumps , twists and turns
Sorry fightingirl for the boss who has turned insensitive. That is the last thing you need. I am happy you have reached the halfway on yoyr therapy . Thats another hurdle you will cross and put behind you . Always a good feeling.
Hope all you ladies are having a good day . I am a little stressed , gonna start rads tomorrow . I am very uncertain about wanting to take the hormone therapy following rads though. The SE and the fact that I already have coronary artery disease is not really sotting well with me. Most Doc's downplay the %age of people who get them but its huge when I am already on tx to lower cholesterol and then add a srug that causes an increase in its production. Also not mention some of the other SE that are not compatible with anything I got going on! Oh well, thats my rant! I have been keeping a low profile because I don't want to be negative .. none of us needs it ! Love to you all 💗❤❤💪🏻Power through ladies
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Fightingirl,
The Poop Superhero. Too hilarious! Love it!
*giving shuga*
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I'm with you ladies on the hormone therapy. Mine was called in by the oncologist a week ago and I keep getting calls/texts from the pharmacy but I just can't bring myself to pick it up. I just don't have it in me you make another decision. I know I need to because I'm meeting oncologist Wednesday which will also be my final day of radiation so I know he'll ant me to start it on Thursday. I tried to research yesterday and it got me in a mood so I feel stuck.
Someone asked about my radiation...it's going well but I'm exhausted. Don't know if from the radiation, up half the night thinking of a conversation with my boss, or all these appointments! Likely a combo but goodness I am tired and I snuck a nap in today and feel like I could go back to bed already! My boob is pretty red but that is from that catheters and not the radiation since my radiation is not hitting my skin from the outside. It is also very itchy but I can't scratch it so that can be quite annoying. 2 more days....4 more treatments so I can do this.
Thinking of you this week bevmomduck...you are gonna rock this! ❤️
Elem, don't be afraid to come on here even if you are feeling pissy...that's what we are here for. I did notice you'd been gone and wondered! Like you said power through and the days you feel like you barely are, let us give you a push! A gentle nice one of course. ❤️ We got you!
Much love and hope there is lots of healing and finding moments to enjoy along the crazy journey we've been thrust into!
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Hi guys. Interesting article about Breast Cancer Survivors walking the runway at New York Fashion Week:
http://people.com/bodies/breast-cancer-survivors-n...
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Thank you Dear Fightingirl , you are always so inspirational . The tiredness is probably cumulatively happening since we have all been thinking about BC for months on end every minute of just about every day . Plus the TX's that bring their own sides to the table. I feel extremely pooped myself and have not yet been treated besides the surgeries. Brain overload is just as tiring. Especially when trying to get enough info and sorting through the questions. My Dr.s are all basically talking to me in percentages which is at best not much to go on . I do not know which studies ,if any , apply to the situation I am in . There are so many variables . I am exhausted mentally , especially re: hormone therapy . I would love to just ignore the SE pages of these drugs which I do with a lot of the drugs I have been prescribed over the years. But I have never been prescribed anything longterm besides the statin lipitor , which I will be on 20 mg for life. I have not had any issues with it , but am monitored closely and the SE do not include anything like these potent hormones do .
Bevmomduck , sorry .. did you have your surgery . I am far behind because of mental overload! But I wish you all the best . I saw Prryh and Vargadoll s name too . Sorry ,I will pull it together in the coming days. Well I hope I will .. radiation tomorrow. Should be fine at first right? Anyway, ladies Lots of Love and Some of Win-chimes Suga for all 👍💗
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I had my first round of chemo today. TC. It wasn't bad really. The weirdest thing to me is that it wasn't bad and I'm sitting here very normal but I have drugs in me that are going to make my hair fall out. In 14 days. No matter what. I can't believe that.
My husband went with me and I wouldn't have it any other way. It was very bonding for us. He needs to see what it's all about and what I'm going through. It's good too for him to hear what all the nurses say. He can be more involved that way and it gives him something to do to help. He makes sure I'm drinking enough water and getting enough protein. It makes him feel useful and a man needs that.
So..... I'll report back when I experience some side effects. Oh! I have to take my steroid pills! Talk to you all soon. Love you all💕
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love that runway, docmama - I completely support women showing off their scars - makes it seem less scary for us and everyone. to 'normalize' it in a way. not that I ever want cancer to be normal...
3 bears - look at you go - day 1 down!!! you got this, girl. im sure your husband will take good care of you, and maybe it will take your hair falling out to get your daughter to think about you for a moment instead of herself! silver linings.
elem - you will be fine. I think all of us are so exhausted at this point we will do whatever it takes just to be DONE!! ive been feeling completely exhausted lately. crazy insomnia keeps me up late and then wrecked by morning. I think ill take a day of flatlining soon. get to bed early and just focus on bungalows or animals and anything that puts a smile on a your face.
I fell like someones birthday was going to be this week, but I cant for the life of me remember who, so speak up and ill find you a good cake to send!!
xx
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