January 2017 Surgery Group
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Good morning girls!
I have been reading all the post but haven't posted. I guess I'm in between emotions right now. Am I cancer free? Do I still have cancer and lots of other ridiculous thoughts going through my head. I go to the doctor for my post-surgery appointment today at noon. Maybe that's why I felt a little crazy the past few days. I still haven't told my family that the procedure was actually a lumpectomy for cancer. If I miss the chemo train I should be able to pull this whole charade off. I still wonder of I should tell my niece's. They are in their late 30's and I have 3 great nieces 16,13 and 8. My daughter will know when the time is right.
I loved all the post of the normal days! It brings me big smiles to read about you girls doing the things you love! I love to clean house, cook, shop play with the grandkids, volunteer and be outdoors. DH took me to the grocery store yesterday and out to Five Guys Burger and fries. It was the best burger ever! Youngest grandson and parents came over last night. He is 22 months and a big boy. He cries because I couldn't pick him up and it broke my heart. I was able to sit and hold him so that helped. I know it will take a little longer for my normal. The average person doesn't drag a wheelchair in and out of a minivan. The chair is only about 32 pounds it's not that heavy. Maybe I will be told today I can lift it. Finger crossed!
Bevmomduc, extra hug for you and a prayer for your brother!
To all my other girls. ..we could use a does of windchimed suga!
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Oh! On a side note...I haven't craved salt since my surgery!?!? Even the night before I was craving salt it just dawned on me yesterday while we were out to eat that I've not been salting anything! Just a weird coincidence? Or a connection?
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Vargadoll: it's nerve wracking waiting for your treatment plan. Personally, I enjoyed that denial bubble of not knowing & pretending I was done! Praying for good news at your appt today! Xoxo.
Elem: when are you done with your rads treatment?
To those of you done with treatment & moving on...You're our role models for transitioning to life after treatment! Please keep sharing your journeys to the "new normal" with those of us not there yet...
Love you all!
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Hello ,
Pugsmama , I am scheduled for 20 tx's of rads over 4 weeks Mon-Fri . I am 4 in , off today because of holiday . So , almost got a week in .
Good Luck Vargadoll . I know the waiting and wondering is the hardest part . Fingers crossed forvyou . 💗💗
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Varga, you were probably salt deficient before surgery and they repleted you with all the IVs during surgery. Don't rush too fast into lifting heavy things - we don't want you getting a seroma or some other complication. You've come this far - allow your body to heal properly. Your mind thinks you are ready before your body does, so listen to both!!
Elem, I will take hormonals, tamoxifen, after xrt. The 50% reduction in recurrence is worth a shot. 50% of women tolerate it, and I hope I'm in that camp. But if not, I'll stop. I made the mistake of reading a metastatic bc thread last night when I couldn't sleep - so many women treated with early stage disease then were diagnosed metastatic 10 years later - scared the bejeezus out of me I'd like to try to avoid that and hormonals certainly provide benefit.
3 bears, I can send you my book when I'm done if you like. She has a great wit and it's fun to read.
Good luck to everyone with appts and more chemo and xrt this week!
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Hi everyone - I've been reading along over the last several days but very hesitant to comment as I've been really nervous about so many things.
First and foremost - Docmama - you are smokin'! You look beautiful so listen to your husband - keep the sexy hair.
To everyone who has had good news, congratulations. We will all get to that point where this is a bad memory in our rearview mirror - some just will take a bit longer journey than others.
I do want to share that I finally received good news - I had my PET Scan today and there is no evidence of metastases. I've been in a state of tears of joy since the results were posted. They were available one hour after my appointment and I nearly fell over. I've gotten nothing but bad news since I started on this process - always having results worse than expected - and today, when it mattered most, I found out I'm still hanging on here at Stage 3. I was prepared for bad news and have been up since 3:00 this morning just a ball of nerves. I'm definitely clear-minded enough to know that this isn't a clean bill of health, but I never thought I would be so eager to start chemo. I want to imagine all of those remaining cells being obliterated. It may feel like it's obliterating me in the process - but there is an end date - so I'm hanging onto that with a grip - hair or no hair.
It's been a difficult week waiting for all of this - I had my port placed yesterday and the PET scan today. Chemo begins a week from today. But I feel like there's something over this hill I have left to climb and I want to thank you all for you support - even when I'm not chiming in I'm reading and cheering from Orlando.
Love and hugs to all,
Michele
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Shelleybeans: thank God for your results! You've been in my thoughts all week. We have a comfy seat on the train with your name on it & we'll end up holding each other's hands & getting through it together! Xoxo.
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Shellybeans, I am so happy to hear your good news. Yep, that chemo will get any stray cells and you will be back to health in no time. Awesome news!
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That's such great news Shellybeans! I know exactly how you feel about obliterating every last cell, same happened to me when I got my clear PET scan. Believe it or not, chemo will fly by. Now that I'm out 8+ weeks beyond, it all seems like a blur. You have a good support system here and you can always come here to ask questions anytime you want. I don't know how women got through this 20 years ago without sites like this!
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Shelley beans HOORAY!!!!! I was so nervous we hadn't heard from you bc it was bad news, and when I read your note I teared up and got shivers. I am so so happy for you!!! You deserved good news. Yay!!!
I've been using this meditation app called 'insight timer', kinda like headspace but free and much more variety. Last night I found a 10 min guided meditation just for cancer recovery. If you get the app, go to guided meditations, then playlists, and choose the box for recovery. Scroll down to 'healing meditation for people with cancer' and press play. I enjoyed it. If you don't want to bother, the jist is you visualize a golden orb before you, beautiful and warm like the sun, then you internalize it and the orb sends out healing energy in your body. Haha I know how hokey it sounds as I'm writing it (!!!!), but sometimes in the waiting room or before bed it's nice to listen to.
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I just got a call from Ohio State to participate in a study about heart disease and cancer patients. I have to think about if I want to do this study. They said that they are finding that cancer survivors have a greater ridkof heart disease. My husband doesn't understand why I don't want to jump at a chance to do this study. Pays $300 now and $300 in 2 years when I see them again. I am thinking about it but it is an all day commitment for one day and 2 hours another day. This has to be done before I start radiation. I just feel like I am at the doctor all the time now anyway.
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Shellybeans!!!! So so so happy for you. You have been on my mind so much waiting for this day. I think this is just the beginning of GOOD news for you! <<Hugs>>
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Shellybeans - Again - so happy for your clear PET scan! Pugsmamma is correct - there is certainly a comfy seat on the train for you and we ALL will get through this with the love, support and help of the ladies on this site. It's just a stage we will be chugging through - and the end of the track is our goal line!
Cowboy-up - I was message on this site from someone wanting me to participate in a study. I was leary - I believe I had to journal something every day through treatment and then go through an hour interview when I was finished. I don't know - maybe I should think of it as being of assistance to someone else?
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Shellybeans!!! YES! I think I was kind of holding my breath with you all along. It did seem like you were getting a lot of unexpected news so I'm incredibly thrilled for you to finally get some good news! So very happy for you. I hope for all of you on the chemo train, it will pass quickly and feel like the blur Docmama mentioned in no time. I'm not even a week from my last treatment and already it seems like the 3 months was pretty much a blur and I totally see a semblance of my old life mixed with a new perspective coming together. There are many reasons why I want to stay in touch with you ladies but to be able to share in your joy at this moment is truly incredible. People say I don't blame you if you want to just put cancer in the past and not talk about it anymore...I do, but I don't. I want to always cherish the good things that came from this shitty situation like all of you. Like I said before, I want to see you all through to graduation and each and every person IS going to graduate!
Annoyingboob, I don't think it sounds hokey at all! It is never a bad thing to try to calm the mind...which especially now is not easy to do! I had a good friend message me about sleeping problems and says she swears by downloading an app with "isochronic tones"....I had never heard of this but last night I was having trouble sleeping so I found an app and downloaded it. I'll be damned if I didn't drift off in no time and slept until 3:30am bathroom call. I think I will give it another try tonight. So, I guess you just never know what will do the trick. I diffuse oils every night which used to help and now I'll be adding in the isochronic beats!
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I'm scheduled for a left lumpectomy, at least sentinel node removal, IORT, on March 14, at UCLA. And I will probably be encouraged to take AI, although i am very hesitant based on the likelihood of SE.
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so happy to hear that Shelleybeans/Michelle! You have had to process some distressing news, but this is the one that really really matters. It has not spread!! The chemo will protect you for the future. I'm sure you know as many people as I do who have had stage III breast cancer and are doing just fine. One of my friends even had a bone metastasis 12 years ago. If I had not been diagnosed myself, I bet I would have never known this. For her, it is something she went through long ago. Take care, friends.
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Hello Ladies,
Oh my gosh YES Shellybeans! Finally good news. You deserved that. So happy m'lady.
MariH I too, will be prescribed aromatase inhibitors and worry about the sides as well. They are less scary to me than tamoxifen, but more scary for osteo and heart condition. I have CAD which is high cholesterol and I have a stent already in a main artery in the heart. I also have joint pain . I think they are going to do a bone density test , but not sure if there is any criteria that would out the kabash on taking hormones. I guess I will know more after finishing rads.
Good Luck MariH , you ate going to do great and all the girls are here for you rooting you on! 💗💪🏻❤
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Hi, just found this group. I had a bilateral mastectomie with tissue expanders on Jan 30th. Reason I was looking for a place like this is that the pain is so excrutiating, I just don't know what to do. Seeing a new PS tomorrow, never liked the one I had, but the Nurse navigator insisted. He comes highly recommended, but only from his nurses, haven't met one patient of his.Anyways how strong should the pain be 3 weeks after surgery?
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yay shellybeans!
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Maulwurf1 - do you have above the pectoral muscle or below? I have below. I can say that I still have some pain every now and again but I would not describe it as excruciating. I'm not sure whether you have had fill but I have to say, after my second fill I felt so much better. The TE was not fully expanded, so it had some small bends and points that were very painful against my skin. The fill was not without it's side effects but it actually helped.
Pugsmama has above the pectoral muscle implants with air - mine have saline. She might have so me words of advice if yours are above like hers.
Hugs to you - hope the new PS helps.
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I have them below the muscle and they are filled with air, which is something I was not informed about before, I have not had a fill yet, and I doubt I will tomorrow, way too much pressure and pain. I slept a total of 15 hours since friday night. Sorry to be such a whiner, I just want to curl up in a ball and cry.
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I have them below the muscle and they are filled with air, which is something I was not informed about before, I have not had a fill yet, and I doubt I will tomorrow, way too much pressure and pain. I slept a total of 15 hours since friday night. Sorry to be such a whiner, I just want to curl up in a ball and cry.
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maulwurf, what are you taking for pain? is a muscle relaxant in the mix, as it seems sometimes just muscular spasm can be excrutiating. I didn't have a mx, so cant get give any personal insight, but I wish you well with your second opinion!!
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There is nothing like the sound of hearing 'clear PET scan'! I'm embarrassed to say how many times I asked my dr to repeat that phrase, shellybeans.
Mualwurf1, really glad you are seeing a new ps. Sounds like you need to feel as though someone is listening and understanding what you are feeling. I am just 5 days since BMX with TE's and can say that nothing is close to excruciating for me at this point. I hope you get relief soon.
Ladies, not to be flippant, but sometimes bs takes a back seat. I just came from the hospital where by baby brother is losing his fight with ALS and tomorrow, just after my 1st post op check, they are going to turn off breathing apparatus. He is exhausted. He has 4 children, the youngest has Down Syndrome. My dad will be there at 92, saying goodbye to his 2nd son. I am the oldest child and will be his only child. This is a hard, hard thing. Ridiculous timing.
Sorry to share this badness. But it's kinda sucky. And my boobs are so weird - they look like a Snapchat filter where the faces get swirled around. Somebody shut me up
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I'm so sorry Bevmomduck. I don't even know what to say except that we are here for you and will pray for your family.
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Bevmomduck: there are no words...glad you felt you could bring it here. Praying for all of you during this dark time. Xoxo.
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oh nooooo, bevmom - im so sorry for you and your entire family. im glad you were able to go see him, and this didn't all happen during your surgery, but still. im heartbroken for you, as I really feel like we are all one big family at this point. and I hope your dad is able to stay strong through this. 92 - wow. all my condolences to your family. your brother will be able to rest peacefully soon.xxxooo
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Bevmom- your post made my heart hurt! Prayers for you and your family. My parents have lost 2 children to. That's why they have no clue about my BC. I didn't need them worrying about me. I am sending you peace and comfort!
Shellybeans -yay! So good to get good news!
I meet with my oncologist Thursday. Time to get a radiation plan set. I am grade 1 stage 1 we all know that last test determines chemo and the results are not back yet.
Still waiting on granddaughter to arrive. Any day now. My daughter had a photographer ask her to pose for a maternity shoot and she did. The one picture I have seen so far is beautiful.
Good night ladies!
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Bevmomduck
I am so sorry to hear this terrible news about your baby brother. There are no words . I love you sister and prayers are going out to you and your family . Sending love to his children andcyour Dear Father. 🙏'
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My heart goes out to you and your family Bevmomduck. Will keep you all in my prayers. Feel free to scream, cry, pray or reminisce with us at anytime. Sending you lots of hugs.
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