how about drinking?
Comments
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NM, the Zypan doesn't work for everyone. We have a friend who I guess has worse heartburn than what DH had, and it it didn't touch his.
Was really tired yesterday, for some reason, laid down and I did fall asleep, several times, as I kept waking up, darn brain! I thought I had only slept about 10 minutes each time, but it must have been more cuz I was in bed for an hour and a half and then went to bed at 5! Got my bathrooms cleaned, gosh I hate that job! Toilets, sinks, counters, rugs and floor. Also a couple loads of wash and finished putting stuff away from camping.
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Ah hah. Getting some sniffles this morning, now I think I know what made me so tired yesterday. One of our friends at camp was getting over a cold/cough. I think I caught that!
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Good Morning! My son and his wife leave tomorrow for Peru. They want to visit Machu Pichu before it is closed to the public. We will get to babysit the granddog for 10 days. She is a sweet older dog that gets along well with my cats. She does require walks so that will change my schedule somewhat. I also have some social/fun things planned this week. If it ever stops raining 🤪 I will get back to the yardwork. Still kinda sore today. I just cannot sit around anymore! I hope everyone has a good week and plenty to look forward to
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Love that drunken monkey cocktail 🤪
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Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Twofer Tuesday! Boy it was one BEAUTIFUL day yesterday. Temps hit the 80s, 83 is the official high. Warm breeze. Sunshine. I got to take one resident out into the garden for a while and boy was that nice. Getting some rain today, of course. Sigh. Getting lots done at work, though, and that's a good thing. Got to get Silly Sadie's shots up to date so I can take her to work with me occasionally.
Goldie--nothing works for everyone, but you don't know until you try. I ordered some Zypan yesterday, will try it when it's delivered and let you know.Glad you could nap while you were tired yesterday, that will help your body throw off the sniffles!Make sure to take care ofyourself! How kind of your friend to share the virus!
Librarian--you must be sad to see your son and DIL leaving, but it will be fun babysitting the granddoggy! Being sore is not fun.
Morning, Illi!Glad you like the cocktail!
Machu Picchu Cocktail
INGREDIENTS
1 oz. grenadine syrup
5 cubes of ice
3 oz. orange juice
1 dash green creme de menthe
1 1/2 oz. of acholado pisco
1 maraschino cherry
PREPARATION
Making this cocktail is not easy because we have to create the three layers, the three flavors. If you make an error the drink is ruined and so much care must be exercised to guarantee the creation of three distinct layers and flavors. For the satisfaction of whoever drinks the cocktail we must make it in the proper manner.
First we and grenadine syrup to a fluted glass with three or four ice cubes. Then we pour in three ounces of orange juice. After this we prepare separately the creme de menthe and pisco. We slowly add this on top of the other layers with a bar spoon so that the creme de menthe does not settle and ruin the beverage.
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Temp most of the night was 102, I just pooped in to complain! I'm so sore from laying in bed. This morning its down to 100. Have to go to town today, need groceries and labs done. Onc appt. on Thursday.
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Mornin; ladies,
Lori I knew u were sick, 102 is high now wonder u were so sleepy and yet u kept on going STOP IT. Give ur body a chance to heal and yes u do have to do nothing for a few days. Why do u make me yell at u all th time.. Glad ur seeing a Dr. today.
JC wow what a walk good for u and the the work. know wonder why u where sore and hurt tho. Usually when ur legs hurt, it's the ack discs or muscles that are really sore I do remember when my Onc. would talk to me about different approaches well I must have always picked what she wanted cuz she'd always hugged me and said she was so glad I said that. But I really didn't know any difference. And out of one of ur paragraphs the only thing that stood out was Pino grigio <sp> sunded good.o
Good going Jazzy, thanks for poopin in and sharing.
Kim our dog is crazy, Marty took her for a ride windows half up, she saw a dog and jumped right out and the car was going about 30 mph. Thank God he didn't get hurt I yelled at her telling how smart Sadie is, he just put his head down and probably thought shut up. I always brag about Sadie cu she's so smart and funny, ours is just a goofball.
Wow Sandy r u driving to Morris, I mean u had that dizzy spell so I hope ur not. U've really been having a crazzy time lately.. I hope u start getting a handle on everything so u feel better. But it doesn't stop u for sure.
JC ur son is leaving today <I think> safe travels for him and it sounds exciting, especially cuz u have his furbaby. As much as u walk that shouldn't be a big problem. <I hope>
Well Joey read my puter instructions and we did a test costomer and it worked great. Then later he wasn't home and I did one myself and screwed it up. I don't know why I can't get this. Joey's no genius but he read the instructions not knowing a thing about this and just knew how to do it and I really thought I finally got it. It's like a block in my head. And I don't know why. Dan has to come over again, he acts fine but I know he can't be.I always thought I was reasonably intelligent with an IQ of 140, now I think mine dropped to a hover of about 95 and all I am is reasonable sometimes.
I get a shower today, can't wait, well at least I don't play football in the mud but I still need one. I actually do pretty good now I can stand for a minute or so with a handle, then sit back down, whereas I couldn't stand at all and all anyone has to do now is hold my hand the other hand is on my cane, it's so much easier for anyone who helps me now.But I still have to take their time, but it doesn't take as long now and I can wash my own hair and rinse it myself. LOL I guess I'm bragging.
Oh Illi I thought u'd poop in to talk about our drinks, they're sounding better everyday.
Ok I hope I learn more today, but at least I'll be clean.
LUBS U ALL
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Happy Tuesday everyone!
Went to the Oncologist to get the results of my PET scan. All he could see is scar tissue both in the breast and the lung. Great news! He will take my case to the tumor board to see how they feel about a lumpectomy and radiation to the lung. He said that between my research and my fantastic response to the chemo, he would advocate for the treatments. He is still reluctant to say it might result in a cure, but it would lessen the tumor burden and mean a lower dose of chemo.
Tonight my younger son is coming for dinner. I will probably celebrate with some Prosecco. We do walk the dog, but it has been raining so much she does not enjoy it. We are starting the humid days so walking has to happen early. Even late at night the humidity can be 95% so sweating is bad. I enjoy being outdoors, but do not enjoy sweating!
Love the cat picture! Goldie, get well soon. Summer colds are the worse. Take care everyone!
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Cami, I AM sick, no doctor. I was supposed to go for labs today and see my onc on Thursday. Well I canceled both until I feel better. Then while shaking my thermomter down, it hit my knee and broke. I can't find the other piece and I know the mercury leaked out. I've been in bed for 2 and 1/2 days, now I'm scared I can get pneumonia! NM....can I?
JCS, I would much rather have a cold. Enjoy the time with your son and that cocktail. Congrats on the good scan, it's what we all want!
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Feel better Lori - I hope I wasn't rude with my comment on fb to call your oncologist. I didn't mean to be. Reason I said that is when I was getting chemo, my oncologist made me carry around and Rx for an anti.biotic that if I ran a fever at 101 or more to start the antibiotic. I know you situation is way different. But hugs to you my friend and I hope you are well soon
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No Karen, not at all. We are here for each other and to only help. Actually when I did call the onc's office it was just the gal at the desk that said, well lets just wait and you call back when you are feeling better to reschedule. She didn't say, well let me check with the Dr. and I'll call you back.
Well, I can't take it anymore, I'm going to the hospital this morning.
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Mornin ladies,
Mornin ladies,
Lori I'm glad ur going to take care of ur cold. It's really different for any of us. It used to be Oh it's only a cold, but our bodies don't take it like it used to. I never in my life had pneumonia and I had the shot, but I still got it and I like that ur going. Tell us right away what happens, cuz I'm going to check back for u.
JC ur Dr. seemed very happy with the results always a great sign. Enjoy ur wine, drinks or whatever u want that's what to do.
Joey's finally out of school, it's just so nice for me, but he is always running around but for some reason it just feels better. My niece came over yesterday and after my shower we talked. Kim I passed along again what u said, now where my brother and her were living has a floor that's on locked down for certain people so they said they can take her. Which I personally think it's way to much. When they moved in to a 2 bedroom place, it was 150,000.00 then 4,000.00 a month for a nice size palce. Now it's 6,000.00 a month for 1 small room with a toilet and sink a dresser,, a small closet and single bed.I know now they have to take care of her, pills, food <they did get 2 meals before> now it;''s 3...she can roam around all doors are locked. Right now she's physically fine so she can dress herself and stuff. All personal items are supplied by the family. My dad was in a great place being completely cared for they furnished everything plus holiday for families with a buffet, bigger room and it was a locked place for less than 1/2 that price.And of course there were people there that didn't think they were Cleopatra but thought they were Elizabeth Taylor,so there were problems too. My SIL is really mean now, but like I said she was always mean just more quiet about it. IDK I worry about the kids actually, they don't have a clue how to handle all this, cuz my brother handled her and really didn't know how bad it was. Oh well.
LUBS U ALL
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Goldie- I hope that you are ok. I have been thinking about you all day.
Cami - I love your cat pictures- they are a perfect picture for the day. This mornings was great for this wacky Wednesday!
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Well, here's the down low....UTI, Upper resp. inf., elevated liver enzymes, have to do a stool sample then drive it back to the hospital (checking for C Diff), hour and half there then the same back! I was quite surprised they didn't put me on IV fluids, esp. after the uti diag.
Cami, I hope your SIL settles in well with the new place and it doesn't cause more problems. Glad your boy is home!
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Goldie-That is definitely more than a cold! Take care and get well. Keep us posted on the final diagnosis.
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Damn Goldie, you must be exhausted, what a long day. I hope you feel better soon.
In the mood for a glass or two of red tonight 🙂
DH and I leave for our New England trip a week from today, I’ll be sharing pics soon.
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Ugh, Lori—feel better (the abx should go a long way to achieving that and you might want to ask about probiotics (even real Greek yogurt—Fage, not the phony Oikos or Chobani stuff full of gums & starches). May I also suggest a digital thermometer—doesn't have to be the fancy in-ear or cross-forehead scanner type—a ten-buck CVS or Walgreens work just fine. Find out what battery it uses and buy a couple of spares.
Speaking of which, Bob complained that my spare Subaru fob wasn't working. I sussed out that it must be the battery. Read the manual online, found out how to open it, and ascertained the proper battery—which I ordered on Amazon Prime, Arrived today, et voila: it worked!
Did okay at Gebhard--until the bun from the plain bratwurst lodged at the base of my throat. Only some vanilla Culver's custard and a handful of TUMS saved me. Pepcid ditn't make a dent. Went to the bariatric clinic consult Mon. and was given the choice of 3 diets: keto (wildly impractical for a foodie); "partial meal replacement" (like Jenny Craig or NutriSystem--no go for someone whose lifestyle revolces around travel, cooking & fine dining); or low-carb (a less-strict form of Atkins/S. Beach, which worked for me 15 yrs ago--lost >40 lbs). Chose the latter, as it's easier for traveling and eating at most restaurants. But the food choices aren't good for GERD, so the NP agreed with Bob that I need to go back on Dexilant (for at least 4 days, then every other day). Combine that with the Invisalign wearing requirment (only 2 hrs/day to eat, brush & floss), and the pounds should come off at a decent rate.
DOTD: coffee & seltzer: the story of my life for the time being. Will indulge vicariously.
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Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy Thirsty Thursday! Apologies for being MIA yesterday, I got caught up fixing a computer problem and then had to leave for work.Wasn't it one gorgeous day yesterday! So nice to be able to have the weekly BBQ at work outdoors in the courtyard. Then met with the ladies of Wednesday, Women and Wine for a lively evening of chatter. We met at a little bar at the casino. I haven't been in the casino for years, not since just after it opened. Now they have table games as wells as slot machines. I was early so I killed some time by playing $20 at the roulette wheel.Cashed out $39!FYI, I won't be on tomorrow ayem, I've got to be in to work early to catch up with a couple of people on educational stuff. Sadie has an appointment on Saturday to make sure all her shots are caught up and so I can get a copy of her records, then she'll be able to go to work with me from time to time.That should be a lot of fun for both of us!
Goldie--hugs!
Cammy Cat--I live the show up but not participate line!OH my goodness, I am so glad your pup didn't get hurt with that escapade!Tell your doggo that Sadie uses a seat belt--a harness and a tether that clips into a seat belt buckle--to keep her safe if I have to stop fast and to keep her from bolting if something ever happens. Give yourself some time and credit, learning anything new takes time! Especially the computer stuff. It can be so complicated.
Librarian--HOORAY for the great PET scan results!I'm with you about the humidity. That just drains me right out.
Goldie--One of the risks of being in bed so much is pneumonia. Every time you think about it takes 3 or 4 really deep breaths, and try to keep up with lots and lots of fluids. That will help a lot to prevent pneumonia. I saw on Fb that you've been to be seen, that's good.When you are feeling better you might want to mention to your Onc that the receptionist is practicing medicine without a license.She should have passed on to the Onc that you are sick, the Onc probably would have seen you or advised you to be seen.Can't be messing with infections while on treatment for cancer.
Cammy--I think a locked unit would be a good place for you SIL. She can wander without worry that she'll get outside and getting lost or hurting someone. Staff there will be trained to care for people who are confused or have behavioral issues. These places do cost a lot, though. It's sad how often a family finds out how impaired a family member is only when the person caring for them is no longer able to do that.
Illi--can't wait to hear about your trip when you get back!
Chi--isn't it amazing what a new battery can do for some things!Getting the bun caught like that must not have felt good at all!
Penicillin Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces blended Scotch whisky (Famous Grouse works well)
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce honey syrup (see note)
- 3 slices fresh ginger
- 1/4 ounce Islay single malt Scotch (such as Laphroaig)
Directions
- 1.
Using a wooden muddler or mixing spoon, muddle the fresh ginger in the bottom of a cocktail shaker until it is well mashed. Add the blended Scotch, lemon juice, and honey syrup, and fill shaker with ice. Shake untill well chilled, about 20 seconds. - 2.
Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass (you may wish to double-strain through a fine tea strainer to remove the small flecks of ginger), and pour the Islay Scotch over the back of a bar spoon so that it floats atop the drink.
From <https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/11/time-for-a-drink-penicillin-cocktail.html>
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You guys, I'm not getting any better. Am I being too anxious. I just sleep all the time, can't eat. DH wants to take me back to the hospital, but they couldn't help before, so what would they do differetly. I'm getting to the point where I practically pass out if I get up to get anything. I'm trying to eat, just no appetite. And Cami, you don't have to worry about me doing too much....I am doing NOTHING.
Sandy, I did order a digital one, was supposed to be here yesterday, shipped from Phoenix, but it decided to take a tour! Grocery store is an hour away, when we go, if I still feel bad, I'll get some of that yogurt, altho not a fan!
NM I like to hear you say the "ladies of Wednesday", but then you throw in Women and Wine! I will mention to my onc about the receptionist, but I don't want her to get in trouble either. SOOOOOO, can one have clear lungs but still have uupper resp. inf.? As that is what I was told by 2 different doctors.
Ok, got the new thermometer, temp shows 103!
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Lori - Call you oncologist or whoever is on call. ( My oncologist is very special and I had his cell phone number). I'm no medical specialist but if you are NOT getting better, I think you need to be seen. ER might be the best place. Hugs to you my friend.
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Goldie, I’m with your husband on this one. Feeling so poorly and not eating is a big concern. Is it possible you picked up something unusual while camping recently?
Sending you my super good healing vibes 🙂
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goldie - please check into this via ER or on call doctor! If your neutrophils are low because of meds or anything, it is always harder to fight an infection. I had a respiratory infection in January and I was soooo down and out - mega dose of antibiotics, yet still took 6 weeks to get better
After I started the antibiotics it still took at least 10 days before I was feeling human and up to doing anything - please take care of yourself asap!!!! Healing hugs. Janice -
Lori, you need to go to the ER STAT! Let them contact your onco. Bet you're dehydrated too.
Tues. I had my annual bilateral screening mammo. Last year I got my results right away because it was bilateral diagnostic: the nurse took me into the corridor and told me so as not to upset the women in the waiting room awaiting further imaging. A day later, the report came back "L--BIRADS1, negative for tumor; R--BIRADS2, stable small seroma, no sign of cancer in surgical breast." This time, it was "squoosh & run:" because I'm back to routine screening, the films (3D now) aren't read right away. But yesterday I awoke to find an e-mail from my patient portal: "Your care team has sent you a letter." A letter, not a message. I logged in and my eyes zeroed in on "Recommended follow-up: bilateral screening mammogram June 10, 2020." Then I saw the film had been read by my favorite radiologist (who did my biopsy & seed placement). No "report" in the "test results" tab, no BIRADS score, just "...showed no signs of breast cancer." So Thelma & Louise are good for another year.
Yesterday I went to my orthodontist for trays 5, 6, & 7. He's delighted with my progress, and there is a chance that at my August visit I will get my retainer(s): a thin permanent wire behind the front incisors and a clear Vivera retainer (until the latter is ready, just keep wearing tray 7). He said it's possible we might need to do some "refinements" if the spaces between my canines and 1st bicuspids aren't closed to his satisfaction. Meanwhile, I am marveling that for the first time since 1983 (when I barfed up my retainer after a drunken debauch in Nova Scotia), both my front top incisors are vertical!
But I had a little dental crisis this evening (no, not on the teeth being straightened). As I bit into a leftover piece of last night's low-carb pizza and started chewing the cheese, I felt something hard in the curd I was chewing. Thought I'd snapped off one of the Invisalign "attachment" buttons, but it turned out to be a chunk ("cusp") of lower R rear molar. I think it either had never been drilled or (it sort of looks like it) an old amalgam filling holding it together finally failing after weeks of aggressive and frequent flossing. Doesn't hurt. Called and e-mailed my dentist & endodontist, asking basically "which of you wants first dibs?" Was able to talk to the endo, who said that so long as it doesn't hurt, it's not urgent and may need only a crown w/o root canal. Waiting to see what my dentist says when he calls back. Meanwhile, I put the pizza back in the fridge and had Greek yogurt with imitation "honey" (0 net carb, made with maltitol) and vanilla.
DOTD: Pellegrino Essenza cherry-pomegranate seltzer, in a flute.
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Karen, I've been to ER. I think things are looking up. 2 days on Anti B, need to give it time to work. I'm getting some eggs from my neighbor, I think that will help alot too. Will make poached eggs. Everything in the house currently is crap/processed food and tastes like chit. I don't do processed and I need to keep it light right now, since not having ate much of anything.
Illimae, I don't know if I picked something up camping, not sure how that would have happened.
Janky, I think things are starting to look up. Need to keep the temp down and get some food in me!
Sandy, good to hear Thelma and Louis are doing well and I hope all goes well with the teeth.
Anxious to get my eggs and eat! Temp is down to 98 this morning! I'm tired and want to head back to bed, but I think getting all covered up is causing the temp to rise, is that possible? Thank you everyone for your concerns and prayers......until next time!!!
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Waiting on my eggs, so I thought I would have some apple sauce that DH picked up for me, store brand and I think he got the biggest jar they sell! Get some in the bowl, put the container in the fridge and notice it says "sweetened". So I look....high fructose corn syrup, down the drain it went.
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Hi. New here and I like my cocktails. Mind if I join you at the bar?
I'm recently diagnosed and trying to figure out how to modify my lifestyle. My diet and exercise are already really good, but I probably need to cut back on my drinking; which I will. I've been filling out a lot of new patient paperwork these days and when I get to the question about alcohol consumption I write 7 drinks per week. They must assume that's 1 per day, because they don't tell me to change anything. But it's not. It's more like 2, 3, 1 and 1; which definitely needs to change. I know I know.
I don't feel like a "real" cancer patient yet. That's part of the problem. I feel great, healthy and normal. I guess surgery (BMX and bi-lat SNB on July 8) will change all that. In the meantime I'm planning to eliminate 1 drink per week. It'll be tricky next week 'cuz I'm turning 55. What a mixed blessing to have all these great friends who want to celebrate.
Cheers!
PS: goldie, I worried about you. glad you're feeling better.
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Lori, you didn't drink natural (stream, river, lake or pond) water on your camping trip--or use it to wash yourself or your food--did you? If you did, there are all sorts of nasty pathogens (especially e.coli and giardia) that boiling and DIY filtration don't necessarily kill. Being on oral chemo you are immunocompromised and thus more vulnerable even if the rest of your family was fine. Drink only sealed bottles of purified water, wash with wet wipes/"adult washcloths."
Kelley, I never felt like a "real cancer patient." In fact I occasionally feel sort of like a fraud or impostor come Pinktober, or when I applied for an MMJ card--the consulting MD--whom my PCP's PA calls "the Pot Lady"--who certified me said that having had any kind of cancer, even basal or squamous cell carcinoma, no matter how long "NED," counts as far as the statute goes. I didn't have chemo--my OncotypeDX was considered "low-risk" even before the TAILORx study expanded the upper limits of "low risk" (for postmenopausal women) to 25. I had only a lumpectomy, and but for the scars (if you know where to look), you can't even tell. (Yes, it's the smaller and now "perkier" one, but the other one had always been larger and droopier anyway). I had radiation--but only 16 zaps aimed at only the "tumor bed," not the whole breast.
And after my latest mammo came back negative Wed. morning, I can honestly call myself a 4-yr. survivor. Don't get me wrong--I am devoutly grateful for having (thus far) avoided the full-Monty "breast cancer experience," but do experience a few twinges of "survivor guilt," as if I'd walked away from an otherwise-fatal plane crash without anything more than scratches and a bruise or two. When people ask me about the pink Medic-Alert emblem on my faux-Pandora bracelet, or the faux-tattoo compression sleeve/gauntlet I wear in the gym or on long flights, and I explain i'm at lymphedema risk due to lymph node biopsy during breast cancer surgery, they give me a pitying look and say "Cancer? I'm so sorry." I invariably have to reassure them about how lucky I am. (Funny how nobody's said that after I need explain a cast on a broken limb, a c-collar for a neck sprain, unfashionable shoes for foot problems, or a ream of Kleenex and an asthma inhaler in my purse during allergy season).
I get so frustrated over the limited vocabulary society provides us to express sympathy to others for their bereavement, serious illness or devastating injury. (Especially bereavement). "Condolences" sounds so formal and impersonal, "so sorry for your loss" a robotic response cribbed from a sympathy card, or anything religious as possibly insensitive to a mourner or sufferer with a different--or no--spiritual belief system. (Truth to tell, my appending "may his/her memory be for a blessing," the English translation of my faith's traditional response, is more of a way for my sympathy to go beyond the generic cookie-cutter expression, even though for us Jews it is sort of cookie-cutter). But "so sorry?" For what need the comforter feel "sorry?" (S)he's certainly not in any way, shape or form responsible for the death, illness or injury--and if (s)he is actually blameworthy, that's a helluva bigger issue than how to express one's sympathy. ("Empathy?" "I feel your pain" is too narcissistic and insincere; "been there, done that, you'll get through this" too flip, no matter how true).
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Rant over. OK, here are my "tips & tricks for the breast cancer newbie:"
First, ask questions--no matter how silly, obvious or hypochondriacal they may seem--until you have done all your homework and fully explored all the options & their upsides & downsides with your surgeon, wait. Don't make up your mind yet about what surgery you will have (except the SNB, at least on the cancer side) for a tiny mid-grade unilateral tumor--unless your breasts are so small and/or the tumor so unfortunately located that a lumpectomy would be disfiguring (and oncoplasty or partial reconstruction not an option) or you are a BRCA-1 or 2 or other risk-mutation carrier (in which case a BMX makes sense).
If you have no clinical indication requiring a BMX, you should avoid SNB on the non-cancer side (unless imaging & biopsy reveals atypia in the "healthy breast"). Every lymph node removed raises the risk of lymphedema (LE)--even decades later. Used to be (as recently as 2015) that "only" 1-4 nodes removed puts you at only a 2% lifetime risk of LE. Nope--statistics are showing the risk can be as high as 20-40%. By having a bilateral SNB, you have severely limited your options for such routine procedures as blood pressure cuffs, injections, tourniquets, blood draws, not to mention I.V.s. If at all possible, you should have one arm fully and safely available. (Most doctors, even many breast surgeons, are woefully ignorant about LE--the lymphatic system gets only 30-60 minutes out of FOUR YEARS of the med. school curriculum).
A friend of mine was having BMX for DCIS--the cancer breast had several scattered (6 cm total) Grade 3 ER- lesions, and her breasts were tiny to begin with (she hadn't worn a bra in >30 yrs and had no desire to start dating 16 yrs. after being widowed). In her case the non-cancer breast was discovered to have had upon post-op dissection a small atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH, a non-cancer that is sometimes a precursor to DCIS); so she had bilateral SNBs. When I asked the nurse what LE precautions she'd need to take post-SNB, she gave me a "deer-in-the-headlights" look and went to get the surgeon--reputedly the top breast cancer surgeon from the Loop on south all the way to downstate. I asked the surgeon, and she replied "What's the big deal about blood pressure cuffs & tourniquets? They treat LE with compression, don't they?" (When I reported that to my own surgeon's NP, she rolled her eyes and said "we've still got a lot of work to do among doctors"). My friend now needs to get her blood draws from her feet, injections in her butt, and BP readings from her thighs--my DH is her cardiologist & PCP, and refuses to put her at unnecessary risk. I also had a large seroma under my SNB incision, which caused it to pop open and need suturing. Why double that risk if you don't have to?
I made my decision after being mutation-tested, doing lots of reading (more about that in a minute), talking with my breast surgeon and viewing her graphics about relative recurrence & survival risks between LX, UMX and BMX. Yes, LX has an ipsilateral (same breast) recurrence risk of 3% vs. 4% for UMX, and both have twice the contralateral (other breast) recurrence risk (4%) vs. 2% for BMX. (The risk is never zero, so there goes the "peace of mind" argument). And overall survival between the three options? Identical!! What drove it home for me was a series of slides she showed (from the Mayo Clinic), each depicting 100 patients in silhouette, illustrated in gray except for the ones representing the risk, which were red. 4% vs. 2% sounds dramatic--twice the risk, right? But looking at one screen with 96 gray and 4 red silhouettes and another with 98 gray and 2 red silhouettes showed me the real difference between relative and absolute risk---and how trivial that difference can be. I had a 1.3cm lesion at "10:00" in a large (DDD/F) R breast, and a SNB that took 4 nodes (2 sentinel, 2 "stuck" to the sentinels), all negative. So LX was my surgery of choice. Four years later, I know it was the right choice.
Unless you're at high genetic risk, have a large (>1.5-2cm) tumor in a small breast, or LX or UMX would cause a glaring asymmetry, "less is more" when it comes to surgery. They're the only breasts you have, and even the most exquisite reconstruction will not feel (to you) or function like the real thing. LX is also less likely to require drains or cause other complications such as infection. You can never have true "peace of mind." Yeah, with BMX you can avoid mammograms, which can be anxiety-provoking. But you also can't have mammos as your first-line imagery should anything "pop up" later on. And "pop up" it can--just ask the hundreds of women on BCO who had BMX, chemo and radiation and still had recurrence in the chest wall, supraclavicular (collarbone) nodes, or axillary tail. You may be able to avoid "scanxiety," but you will always have some degree of anxiety.
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Welcome, Happy Peridot! I am kinda new here as well. It has only been 6 months since the diagnosis of de novo stage VI metastatic breast cancer. My MO told me that alcohol consumption only mattered for survivors. 🤪🤦🏻♀️ I still drink some during the week, but not nearly what I used to. I am happy to say my last PET scan showed only scar tissue in both the breast and lung! I celebrated with Prosecco!! Hopefully your experience with cancer will be short lived and not horrible. This is a fun group. The info from ChiSandy is fabulous
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