MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011

    donna333, Weclome to our extremely varied group.  As you know, ILC is less common, but we have several active poster with that Dx.  (You can find lots more under the ILC forum too.)   There is about an even split here of Mx and Lx, so the topics run from recon/no recon to rads.  Most are on hormonals of some kind, what about you?  I have read of your Cancer Center background, so I will just say the women her are going to keep it real.  You will hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.  You may have a unique inside perspective to share with us and we look forward to it.  You may not need as much info. as the average woman who stops in here, but we are very good with empathizing, with support and with diverting you from thinking of B/C for small measures of time.  We hope you like Cheetos. 

    Paula66,  ROFLOLCODB (That's Rolling...choking on dust bunnies.)  Make sure to get a big one so you can win that contest too.

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited October 2011

    hehehehehe, and here I was proud of myself that I got that one, Paula...of COURSE elimar would get it too!!!

    Treeskier (?) I think it was you who asked about LE massage. Here's the thinking. Your scar line is where the lymph have been interrupted, moved, taken out. If you massage, you have to massage up and away from the scar line. So if you're on top of the scar, massage up, if you're under the scar, massage down. On your back, or wherever your scar ends, massage up and OVER and down past the scar line to dump the lymph to your lower torso. Right now, your lower torso hasn't been disrupted, so you need to massage the fluid to there when you can. But, if you're on top of your scar, you can't just push it down as then it will all pile up at the scar! Does that make sense?

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  • justmejanis
    justmejanis Member Posts: 1,847
    edited October 2011

    Eli...I am healing!  Thanks for asking.  I got the ointment last week.  Vasonex....worked wonders.  The last of the burns are closed and dry.  What a relief!  I am still peeling and itching, but the pain and swelling are so much better.  I went from a C cup pre surgery, and I decided after surgery I was a B-.  At the worst of the swelling, my radiated breast was a solid D+!  LOL.  Back to normal finally!

    Donna...welcome to the club. so glad you found us!  You will really love this place. 

    Surgery tomorrow.....a bit nervous but doing well.  I had a wonderful day yesterday.  Just had lots of energy and did some good cleaning and even a bit of yard work.  It felt so good to feel so good!

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011
    janis,  Hope your thyroid doesn't put up a fight and gives up the nodule easily.  I know it will be tempting to ask the doc for some extra large external stitches on the neck, so you can have the most realistic Bride Of Frankenstein look for Halloween this year, but try to resist the impulse.  As good as that look is for one day of the year, you will appreciate the tiny, invisible stitches more.  Whatever you do, do not let them graft an evil twin head onto your neck.  That is never a good look.  (Sorry, I've been watching fright movies all weekend.)
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  • KittyGirl2011
    KittyGirl2011 Member Posts: 537
    edited October 2011

    Janis- I'll be in you pocket for tomorrow and don't forget to wrap me up in your surgery gown before you jump up on the table.  I'll be holding your hand throughout the procedure.  I promise to keep my hairballs to myself! LOL

    My pain did subside but it sure was a surprise.  Guess I'll have to take it easier still when moving heavy pots in the greenhouse.

    Madpeacock-Hope you don't have an infection!  When mine came out it never did what you had happen. YIKES!

    treeskier-I don't remember, but did you have Mammosite rads too?

    donnad- Welcome to the club, but sorry it has to be because of BC.

    Take care everyone. Kitty

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  • justmejanis
    justmejanis Member Posts: 1,847
    edited October 2011

    Eli.....LOL!  You have such a great imagination!  I did find out they will close the incision with "wound glue" and steri-strips.  Wound glue LOL.....  Now we really better hope that holds.  Hey, thyroid does not have to give up the nodules.  They are removing the entire right lobe.  The nurse explained it all to me Friday.  I will be on the table with my throat slit while they send the thing off to pathology.  Takes about 20 minutes, and then the pathologist will come into the OR and tell the doctor good or bad news.  Good cells, get out the Super Glue and toss me to recovery and kick my butt to the curb in a couple hours.  Bad cells...they remove the left lobe and then get out the glue, then admit me overnight.  I am really leaning toward Plan A...........

     Kitty thanks for jumping in the pocket tomorrow.  I knew you would be there!  Thanks!!!

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited October 2011

    Janis - I had the "wound glue" after my lumpectomy and it is still holding.  Great stuff - kinda weird when it starts to peel and come off.  Don't help it though if you can help it.  My vote is for Plan A.  Keeping fingers crossed.

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  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited October 2011

    Will be there with you tomorrow as well Janis!  I am opting for plan a as well.   (((((hugs)))))

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011

    Wound glue, eh?  Ask for Super-Strength then.  Can't have you coming here and laughing your incision into a open wound.  Don't need that kind of guilt.   Hope they leave you with some lobe -- Plan A all the way!!!

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  • DJL
    DJL Member Posts: 84
    edited October 2011

    New to the site. Was diagnosed last year and had mastectomy in December, 2010. I think I fit in here. I am 46 - two grow children and a ten year old! It has been a long ten months but I think I am finally coming out on the other side!

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  • NativeMainer
    NativeMainer Member Posts: 10,462
    edited October 2011

    Welcome DJL!  You will find that we are not at all strict about the age limits. This is a long journey, but the other side DOES come, and glad to hear you are getting there!

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  • madpeacock
    madpeacock Member Posts: 369
    edited October 2011

    Janis - I also had wound glue after the lumpectomy and had no problems with healing. 

    Went back to the RO office today because of the leakage and they re-bandaged the hole. Actually said it was ALMOST closed, so hopefully the worst is over.  No signs of infection - I finished my antibiotics yesterday so should still be working. 

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  • juliet62
    juliet62 Member Posts: 3,412
    edited October 2011

    i vote for plan a too!  will be in the pocket tomorrow but will be quiet i promise

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  • LovesChristmas-Barb
    LovesChristmas-Barb Member Posts: 706
    edited October 2011

    Praying for plan A to happen Janis!

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  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited October 2011

    I vote for plan A Janis.  I will make for sure to have plenty of snacks while we all are waiting for plan A!!!!  Just to make for sure thats what you want to see, I will be the one holding up this for ya!

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  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited October 2011

    A is for....the results we want for Janis!



    Welcome newbies. This is a great place to get answers, vent, or just unwind.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011

    Did someone say...

                                    

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011

    Would this chololate martini help?

                                                       

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  • justmejanis
    justmejanis Member Posts: 1,847
    edited October 2011

    Eli...that sure would help me!  Okay hope I don't have to stay off this forum to keep from laughing too hard.  Eli, will be sure to remind them to use SUPER SUPER glue!

    Paula thank you for the beautiful A.  Love it!  We'll stick to plan A for sure, especially since you made it so special!

    I am counting on all of you to have a great party while I snooze!

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited October 2011
    janis, i'm going for plan A too, and i will definitely be in your pocket!  happy snoozing, but i hope you get kicked to the curb after about two hours.  that would be awesome!
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  • donnad333
    donnad333 Member Posts: 16
    edited October 2011

    Hey ladies ... Thanks to each of you for your warm welcome. PLEASE don't think that my cancer center and (more recently) medical school experience clouds my vision. Au contraire ... I know all too well what can--and does--go wrong. In fact, today I spent the better part of the day hunting down my path slides/materials, which had been "misplaced" for a full two weeks waiting to be sent to Genomics Health for oncotyping. GOOD GRIEF! As I posted on another forum, this isn't a handbag or a sweater we're talking about. So I lost a full two weeks--and if I hadn't personally followed up, who knows how long it would have been? So what I preach is personal responsibility.

    As you all chimed in: too bad we had to meet this way ... but the Lord writes straight through crooked lines. I am grateful to all of you!

    All the best, Donna D

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011

    You can preach, but we are already in the choir.  Around here, we are all about informed decision making, advocating for oneself, and having a good cry, as needed. 

    donnad333,  Can't say that is the first time I heard that scenario.  It is probably the third or fouth time.  Scary how things can go missing like that.  Let's hope they labeled everything correctly and it is actually your tissue samples they are sending!!!

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  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited October 2011

     DJL, Im glad you found us. Welcome to the crazy train.  Once you get on you wont wanna get off.  The girls around here are the best. 

    If I forgot to welcome any of you new gals this past week, Welcome!!!  This is a great place to try and find answers to your questions, a shoulder to cry one and a giggle when ya need one.  We are good at jumping in pockets so if ya need us there just post away!  

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  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited October 2011

    Janis,

     

    Make room in that pocket for me!! You know me I'll bring the chocolate--and I promise to save you a piece for after the surgery.

    Welcome Donna and DJL, sorry you are here under these circumstances. but we are a bunch of wild and crazy gals. . . . 

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  • treeskier
    treeskier Member Posts: 52
    edited October 2011

    Barbe, thanks for the massage info. That is more clear than what I had been told before. I am afraid my lymph system was jacked around in a larger area than my relatively small incision (less than 3") because when I had terrible pain under my arm, my bs said it was because of the nodes she pulled out of there. Still, your advice makes sense.

    Kitty, I had almost the same as mammosite, but a different brand of catheter / balloon, called Contoura. 

    I've been hanging on the lymphedema thread, reading incredibly well-informed but furious posts from women in a subset of the bc club that we REALLY do not want to join. One of these med professional women says that having had bs, our lifetime risk for lymphedema is 40%! It can show up years later. So, if you are not informed about that risk, you may want to read up on it a bit. Once you get it, you've got it. Treatable but not cureable.

    Gentle hugs to all the new ladies. You are in good company in this bad club.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011
    Thanks, treeskier, for importing that info.  i was wondering about that myself, specifically if the threat of LE lessened over time.  I have now heard that it can appear years down the road, like you are saying.  I did hear the more nodes out, the more risk, but there are quite a few that have only one or two nodes out and they still got it.  I just hope my lymph plumbing was not too complicated and that my BS navigated his way through without doing too much damage...the rest is wait and see.
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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited October 2011

     Thank you so much for your support.  My Dad passed this morning.  He had been very aggitated over the last couple of days.  But last night became very peaceful and had a good night.  I woke up early and got up and got dressed and went to the hospital on my way to work.  When I walked in I could tell it was getting real close.  One of my brothers had stayed the night and after the nurse came in I called my other brother who works at the wellness center at the hospital and told him to get over there and called my mom who finally went home to get some rest.  We were all there when he passed and it was very peaceful.  All my other brothers came as soon as they could. I am very blessed with the family that I have.  No one fusses or fights and there is lots of love.  We all helped mom take care of what she needed to do and two of my brothers are staying with her tonight.  I called my MO first things this morning to let them know about my dad as we have the same doctor and he wants to see me first thing in the morning.  So I guess I'll see what he wants to do about my new tumor.  Don't know if he is going to want more test before biopsy or just go straight to biopsy.  Makes me nervous that he wanted to see me so quickly.  I am very spirtual and know that I have Jesus on my side so I have actually been pretty calm through all of this.  Had my crying spells with my brothers but that is a good thing.  We have also laughed alot today sharing all of our old stories and memories of Dad and growing up. I am the only girl with 7 brothers so they always say I was spoiled and got away with alot more.  haha but I was my daddy's little girl. Thanks for all your love and support.

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  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited October 2011

    Sherry, i am so sorry for your loss. I'm glad he found peace before he passed. Thinking of you and your family tonight.

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  • KittyGirl2011
    KittyGirl2011 Member Posts: 537
    edited October 2011

    Sherry, love and peace to you and your family.  I hope your Dad's peace is a comfort for you.  Kitty 

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  • Paula66
    Paula66 Member Posts: 1,728
    edited October 2011

    Today I want to share my sissie with you all.  10 yrs ago she found BC in one breast.  At that time they dont do both.  Well she made it chemo and was on the mend.  Then in a year n hald time she had cancer in the remaining boob. Went through chemo again.  She is part of the reason I was able to get thru this nightmare!  I am lucky because I had you all to get me thru this too!  My sissy didnt have a BCO to come to back in he day,  I am so proud and honored that I have an amazing sissy who had that kinda strength.  Thank you little sissy for teaching me how to be storng thru this.  I LOVE YOU!!!!

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