"cancer"versary

jemikni03

"cancer"versary

jemikni03

Hi all, I guess I'm a little late spotting this forum.  I have posted on other areas here though.  A little about me, I'm 51, diagnosed 1/19/07 with IDC in right breast.  It turned out to be stage 1 grade, 1, er/pr + and her 2 -.  I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction with saline implants.  No chemo or rads.  I was on Arimidex for a while, but the side effects were so horrid, my onc and I decided that my quality of life was worth more than the tiny bit of protection the medication would give me so I quit taking it.  Now, my question is, my 1 year cancerversary is coming up and I'm trying to decide how to celebrate it.  Any suggestions?

Karen

Anonymous

How about a tattoo?!?



Welcome, Karen - and congrats on your i year cancerversary...

PLilly

Hi Karen,

My husband took me to Las Vegas to celebrate my "cancerversary".  We had a fantastic time.   I hadn't been there for many years it was amazing to see all the new hotels and shows they have there.

Yvette

jemikni03

I had originally thought about getting my navel pierced, but decided against it because the healing time is so long. I have been thinking about a tattoo though.  I also thought about a beach trip or just a night on the town with my "tribe" that saw me through this journey.  Thanks for the ideas.

Lcharmie

HI KAREN,

CONGRATS ON YOUR 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY---IT IS YOUR DAY AND CELEBRATE IT WELL--

I AM A 9 YEAR CANCER SURVIVOR AND EVERY YEAR I MAKE SURE I DO SOMETHING SPECIAL ON NOVEMBER 17TH---BE IT GO TO DINNER, SPEND THE DAY IN ANOTHER CITY, I LOVE GOING TO THE CASINO---JUST SOMTHING TO MAKE YOU HAPPY!!!!

LINDA C

Lee27

Hello All...I look forward to my "cancer"versary when it rolls around next year too. Love that name!:-)  I've been thinking on a Vagas trip as well.  Glad I finally figured out (somewhat) these boards.

Lee27

Hey Karen...What Cancer Ctr. do you go to in Raleigh?  I go to the Cancer Ctr. of North Carolina.  Who knows, maybe our paths have crossed btn treatments. :-)

jemikni03

I also go to the Cancer Ctr. of NC.  I go to the one off Falls of Neuse Rd.  I normally se Dr. Deutsch.

Lee27

Hi Jemickni03,

I go to the CCNC on Macon Pond...it's over by Rex Hospital.  My skin is holding up pretty good so far.  It stings now and then.

I get lost around here and do not drive the Beltline at all.  I find all the shopping Malls by the backroads. And, when there are traffic jams, I usually can find another way to go because of this.;-)

jemikni03

The Beltline does take some getting used to.  Dr. Deutsch used to be over on Macon Pond Rd. before they built the new office.  Other than getting my regular check-ups and some touch-up work on my nipple tattoos, I'm done with treatment.  By the way, I'm originally from NJ; I take it you are fairly new here.

Anonymous

Karen,



I'm getting my areola tattoos next Friday. What was the post-procedure care like? How long before you could shower? Did you have any physical restrictions while healing?



Thanks!

jemikni03

I was allowed to shower after 24 hours.  They had me use bacitracin ointment on them and cut a hole in a couple of plain gauze squares (I think 2" x2").  I then covered them with a 3x3 and paper tape.  That lasted about 2 weeks, then I did whatever made sense to me.  No physical restrictions after the tattoos, the nurse did recommend wearing a bra to help hold the gauze in place for a while.  Now I'm letting "the girls" run free most of the time.

Lee27

Yes...well kinda new.  Just over 2 1/2yrs. I am originally from Illinois.  I know you are glad your treatments are over.  I had my 23rd--of 31--radiation tx today.  The countdown is on. ;-)

jemikni03

Well, my one year has come and gone.  I ended up getting my tribe of warriors that helped me through the journey and we had a night on the town.  A glass of sangria and laughs all around the table were just right.  I still may get the tattoo at some point, but I decided to let my body have a break on things done to it for a while. 

karen

Anonymous

Congrats on your 1 years cancerversary..I hope it was a blast!!!Benita

Lee27

Good for you.  Sounds like you had a great time.  I think I'll do a little celebration tomorrow...last radiation treatment. Yes!

kmh2007

Hi,

Happy belated cancer-versary!  Mine is today! Glad u had a great time!