Illinois ladies facing bc
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Thanks for sharing your experiences with me, Robin and Lago. You both have totally different circumstances. As does everyone.
I'm nervous about starting chemo. My sister died 2+1/2 years ago from complications from the chemo that was being used to treat her non hodgkins lymphoma. As you can imagine, my mom is quite apprehensive. She told me, "I can't bury another daughter"
I told her, a bc survivor herself, that I will SURVIVE this! 0 -
Oh Mary, I am so sorry about losing your sister. Hugs to you and your Mom.
Navy
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Mary - Wow...your sister and your Mom and now you! I am speechless. Your confusion/concern (lumpectomy vs mast) is totally understandable. I echo lago...each case is quite different. From what I've learned in the past 6 years...a lumpectomy, with your dx, is standard protocol - based on the current research. My tumor(s) size(s), the fact that my bc was multi-focal and that my sent node was positive...dictated a mast. Unfortunately, I had no choice.
Best wishes with the port...and please let your Mom know you've "met" a great group of girls who will help you through it all.
Edited to add: My heart goes out to you and your family!
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Mary.. ...sorry for your loss....
My first gut reaction was masectomy but with my diagnosis was told result would be the same so I went ahead with the lumpectomy...I still struggle if I made the right decision but so far am NED. I agree it has to be what you are comfortable with.
Jackie...wow you definitely need a break....sounds like a lot to keep up with. Have another glass of tea:)
Best to everyone else!
Marsha
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MaryJ... I echo Lago, NavyMom, and Laura. It is so much a personal decision. My BS laid out all my options and wanted it to be my choice. I'd personally had enough in the way of benign biopsies and then finally a NOT benign biopsy. I had one small tumor that only showed on an MRI so if I went with the lumpectomy, my BS said she would want me back every 6 months for follow-up MRI's. I didn't think I could live with the "what ifs" like that. So I chose to go for the "one time shot" and have a BMX and reconstruction. It was a difficult decision, but I have never regretted it. Just listen to your options and make the choice that is right for YOU. So sorry about your sister, MaryJ. I can understand your mother's fear though. You can do this!
I am so thrilled. I made it back on the golf course today with my ladies league.... six weeks post exchange surgery. It was fabulous. I had a wonderful time and can't wait to get back out!
Makmak... we will be thinking of you tomorrow. Hope they don't make you wait too long to get your scan results. Let us know. All fingers and toes crossed!
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Another Sunrise, Another New Beginning.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie0 -
Mary....I ditto everyone else. Understandable that your Mom is feeling on edge about everything but everyone here will do their best to help you get through it all. We don't get any guarantees and just have to do what indicates as the correct solution.
Marina....everything crossed.
Joan....think I forgot to say I really like your new avatar.
Wendy is coming home to her deck today....and a lot of laundry too. Always nice to be ready to come home, huh. Welcome home.....missed ya.
Be checking back later....hi to everyone.
Hugs, Jackie
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Hi all......cool day out!
Yes, Mary, that was a good question and I am finding the answers interesting. It has been awhile for me but I did reflect on what I chose a lumpectomy or a mastectomy (yes, I was given that choice). I have large breasts and also a large tumor, so cosmetically it was okay to have a lumpectomy. Mine was under the nipple and not near the chest wall or a lymph node. That meant it was maybe "safer" to do the lumpectomy. Lago had just the opposite scenario, so it makes sense she had the mastectomy. Joan, your story is something and I never knew it until now. It shows how much we do not know about cancer. I thought it took YEARS for a tumor to get big enough to be on an mri and your doctor said six-month checks. So that means that in fact you can have something large enough to see on a mri in less than six months.
Wendy comes home! Makmak, on my mind always! WendyTY, hoping you are doing well! Mary, food luck on your , decision.
It is my hope that CONGRESS gets it together very soon.
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makmak - EVERYTHING IS CROSSED!
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Fingers cross for you Makmak
I had one of the really fast growing tumors. My BS told me it had been growing for only 4 years. Usually they say the tumors have been around for 10, sometimes 15 years but it really depends on the proliferation rate.
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Morning! Hope you are all doing well...
Mary...I too am so sorry for the losses your family has endured. I had a lumpectomy as my IDC and DCIS were on top of each other so they both came out without too much loss of breast tissue. It was never suggested to me to have a MX. I didn't feel that it would improve my chances but now faced with mamm's and the fear that comes with those I wonder if I too should have gone that route...BX with recon. But I didn't and I had rads so if the beast comes back they will both be off and if I cannot do expanders on the rad side (only a 50-50 chance of that working ) I will be just fine boob-less. But...it is a personal decision.
Jenn...glad your first chemo went smoothly..and I used to LOVE Gene and Judes!!!! Live too far now...
Glad to be coming home...flight doesn't leave until 4:50pm and then with the time change we get to OHare at 5am Thurs...I can sleep easily on planes, DH cannot but that's ok...he goes to bed and I do the laundry and drive the cars and get groceries. I hear tho that the grass hadn't grown much so at least that can wait! Home is good! Talk to you all from the deck tomorrow, God willing!0 -
Mak....wishing you shrinkage!
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Sorry guys... Growth of node still and some tiny something in liver which they need to watch.. Biopsy of my node in an hour after herceptin...
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mak - DAMN! I'm keeping everything crossed. If you want to talk...please call ANYTIME! If there's ANYTHING I can do...please let me know...I'm just down the road. Hang in there.
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Hi ladies,
Back from the onc with my plan of care. This group has made me feel so much better about everything. I am learning more about everyone; from you sharing your journeys with me. Thanks so much! I have to have a muga scan tomorrow, port on Friday, and then my first chemo is 8/1. The chemo schedule will not interfere with dd wedding in Oct.
Joan...glad you had a great time of the links. That is something I've never done.
Jackie...I like reading your daily sayings.
Wendy...welcome back! Laundry is the worse part about returning from a vacation, isn't it?
Makmak...hope all goes well.
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Makmak..... darn it, or as Laura said, DAMN! All fingers and toes still crossed for a good biopsy report! Let me know if I can do anything. I would even babysit little Gabs is you need help there.
MaryjRN... glad to know that you have a care plan. That should help you relax a bit, as it does get easier once you have that plan in action. My son got married last December a few months after I finished chemo and rads... can't say that I felt great at the time, but their obvious happiness really boosted my spirits. Hope your DD's wedding plans will be a nice diversion.
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OK my turn This SUCKS mamak. Still keeping my fingers crossed.
MaryjRN my avatar is 2 weeks after my 4th chemo at my nieces Bat Mitzvah.
BTW Jen didn't have chemo yet. She just sat with me at my Herceptin Infusion. It gave her a chance to see the infusion room, meet the awesome chemo nurse and see how everything kinda works. It was great for me too. Rather talk with Jen and her husband than read "Emperor of All Maladies" (I know, crazy thing to read while on the chemo floor. I have a book cover so no one knows. Better than reading "Welcome to The Monkey House"
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Damn it is right!!! I'll be thinking of you this afternoon Mak.....good luck with the biopsy!
Mary, glad to hear your meeting went well and that the schedule won't interfere with the wedding, thats awesome!!! And yes, you are going to survive through it!!!!! We can help each other through chemo, I'm starting as soon as my AND wound heals....
Wendyk, no chemo for me yet.....just had a meeting with my onc. Chemo should start about the 3rd week in august I think. Still need mu Muga scan and my chemo training..... And a wig! :0)
Joan....I was similar to you in choosing the BMX. I had small microcalcs in a few areas on my right breast, had a biopsy after it turned up on my breast MRI regarding my cancerous left breast. Was told I could do a uni-mastectomy and be watched VERY closely in the right and chose the bilateral instead....I couldn't see myself doing the surgery TWICE, i'm a total weenie!!! And, I already am a hypochondriac, so no way could I have ever felt settled with my right breast..... SO, off they both went. SO happy with my choice.....but most definitely a decision for each women to make themselves!!!
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Sorry to hear your news, Mak. You are in my thoughts.
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Lago... I read the first part (Emperor of all Maladies). Great book, but the library only let me renew it once. I looked on half.com for a cheap version, but it was not there. I will defenitely get it out of the library again.
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Makmak......sorry. I too can help if you need it. I hope you get news right away and that it is okay.
Susan
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OK, Lets all yell together......CANCER SUCKS. So sorry you are dealing with this MAK.
Navy
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Let me echo the previous words....Mak....damn that sucks. Ok...that is almost a first for me because I normally don't talk like that, but some days you are weary of the load others must carry. Marina.....sure hoping for some decent news this afternoon.
Yay Mary....great to have a plan. Then you do not feel like you are sitting around just letting something so awful stay inside and doing anything it darn pleases. Always better when you have begun to exercise a fair amt. of control.....this darn stuff sneaks up and takes you by surprise making you feel it has the upper hand. Not so.....we are in charge when you know what to do and who can help us. Good for you.
See you all later....I'm going to sneak in an hr. in the recliner I think.
Hugs, Jackie
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makmak-- It does suck. My prayers for good news today.
mary-- Good luck with your decision and I hope having a plan sets your mind at peace somewhat.
Cool dry thoughts to all. (c:
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They did a mammo and ultrasound.. Looks suspicious bit biopsy is tomorrow. The lymph node is deep so he will biopsy the breast and see if he can get at it.. Meanwhile seeing if I can get myself to Florida next week for an experimental laser treatment before they look at my liver on MRI.. Yes cancer sucks..
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Marina, what would be involved with the experimental laser treatment in Florida? Would that be for the liver or the node? Again, I can be available to drive you to the airport or whatever you need. Like Joan, I can do childcare. Where in Florida?
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Mak...just chiming in...CRAP. DAMN. SUX.
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Mak...just yelling with everyone else
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Have to back up a couple of pages here:
JENN & LAGO - So nice you two met! Lago you sure do get around! How nice that you introduced Jenn to the routine. And Jenn...your attitude is wonderful. Yes, you will have your moments...but your sense of humor is great! Laughter...the best medicine!
Mary - You have a plan! Good for you. Things will fall into place and try to just take things day by day. It will, no doubt, be a bit of a roller coaster ride, but we'll help you through it.
Jackie - Hope you enjoyed the recliner! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh...you have so earned it!
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REMINDER!
FRIDAY - LUNCH BUNCH - SCHAUMBURG - NOON - PM ME FOR DETAILS!
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Hey MaryJ. I'll give you a free pass for this Fridays lunch bunch since you already have "plans" Whenever you are ready, I would love to have someone riding shotgun with me. Us southern gals gotta stick together! Good luck with getting your port. Let us know how you are doing.
Navy
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