January Mastectomy

jizogarden

Morning Cathy and all,

I've been a health foody for years...I began using agave when I read up on it and found it digests without a high glycemic spike to the system.  It also is very sweet and I find I need the smallest drizzle to get the same punch as you get in a teaspoon of sugar.  A small jar of it lasts me for months...but I don't use that much sweetener to begin with....keep it in the frig after opening

I have seen people use agave in baking but that's a bit to expensive for my blood...I think Truvia is a better option for baking if you want to avoid refined sugars. Truvia is also excellent for coffee and it has zero calories coming from the stevia leaf...it is not chemical.

Strength and healing to all,

Laura 

binga

Good morning January girls!

It is a dreary day here today but the rest of the week is going to be sunny and in the 70s.  Yippee! I had a great day yesterday.  I attended both church services and was blessed to be reminded that I AM blessed.  Yes I have had to endure some tough times the last two years but compared to what Jesus did for me it doesn't hold a candle.  Everything we go through is part of our chance to glorify God.  I am so glad I have a Christian family and was saved as a teenager and my best friend is always with me through it all.  When my family can't comfort me- he can.  While they can't go with me into the operating room- he can.  I am thankful for another Easter where I can be reminded of what he did for me and how much he loves us all.  

I hope everyone has a great week and I will be praying for all of you to continue healing.

Happy Easter!

Becky 

burley

Thank you for the reminder, Binga!

Seriously, these coconuts do not look natural.  Most of my tshirts are fitted, and they look like I'm wearing a very round, padded bra.  I know my end result is definitely going to look like I had a bood job-I'm thin, so big boobs sticking straight out from my body is going to be a dead giveaway.  So, do I just go ahead and stick with a B, or go for a C like I want?  If it's going to be obvious anyway...I just don't want to look like a freak.  I hope they have some natural sag like real boobs.

Start my job tomorrow, bright and early at 8am-this should be interesting, considering I hardly sleep at night.  I can always blame chemo-brain for my mental slowness until I get in the hang of things!  I'm sure she will be forgiving.

I hope everyone has a good evening!

bcincolorado

Wow...I missed a lot the past few days being gone.  Just catching up now. 

The whole "big pore" thing still has me confused.  I just hope when I get my exchange it will look better. 

That is interesting about the BRCA gene testing too.  I didn't do it since my daughter didn't want to know and I already had it at this point (first generation diagnosed).  I have been feeling a little guilty about not getting it done though, but now I don't.

Anonymous

I did find today acacia honey at the grocery store.  So now I have agave nectar, acacia honey and oxylitol.  I so enjoy my coffee, especially since I quit smoking last year, but I do like to put sugar in.  So I am going to have to do a taste test, to see which one I prefer.

Good luck tomorrow Kim with your first day on the job.

Today I received in the mail consent forms from Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre.  They are starting a research study on PLCIS  and I have agreed to participate.  Hopefully they can learn more about this new type of breast cancer.  I have to admit, I am getting a little jealous of my tumour.  "It" sure is getting to do alot of traveling these days.  Two weeks ago to California and now it gets to go to New York, but I just keep going to Toronto. lol

bcincolorado

formykids:  Congrats on stopping smoking!  I know how hard that is since I did it in 1982.  I'm not going to quit my sugar (donuts) either right now.  I eat a couple a week and think we need some comfort!

jizogarden

Morning to all,

Kim sorry your not happy with your shape.....your ps should be able to give you an implant that has a much more natural look than your te's.  My te's look horrible....I am completely counting on the exchange surgery to bring me back to the look I remember before bc surgery...not too big just a bit perkier  I have had some people suggest that I go bigger...for me bigger is not the answer....we all have our own personal self-image...I always have had small boobs and liked them. Whatever makes us feel good about ourselves is what we need to strive for, big, small, medium, it's all good.....as a friend of mine said to me....we deserve the boobs we want  So my body, my boobs.....my choice  

 

It's pouring rain here in NY so Smudge and I will stay in and get the last of the Christmas decorations boxed up and put away. (they have been tucked into the corner of the guest room since diagnosis).  I also need to organize some cupboards...should be good for stretching

 

Wishes of healing and strength,

Laura 

 

 

ariesrottie

Hey My January Sisters.  My second chemo really kicked me to the ground... But I was able to go to My BON JOVI concerts over the weekend at Mohegan sun. Who Needs Chemo when you have JON BON JOVI.....LOL...  Thats my new moto.. If only it was true.... Went for blood levels yesterday and my Hemoglobin is low so I need to rest and eat right..

I am glad to her some got new jobs. Some are and aren't happy with their TE .... Some are making exchange dates... I am glad things are going in the right direction.. SALLY- good luck with your Dr's. appt...

Marianne- good luck on your genetic testing... I'm curious to see what happens to me when it's time for my test...I am 52 and am going for my counseling on the 9th of April....(day after my 3rd chemo treatment) So not looking forward for that treatment...

Well wish you girls good luck... I will touch base again soon....

HUGS,

Donna

neversurrender

Donna - I'm glad you got to go to your concerts.  I was in WalMart the other day, and they had Bon Jovi t-shirts in the womens area - made me think of you    

Cathy - that is great that you get to participate in a study.  Hopefully, your tumor will help them shed some light on your specific type of cancer. 

I had my appointment with PS today regarding phase 2 of my diep.  I gave my PS the list of little things that I would like to have fixed, and he is going to be able to take care of all of them !  I have large dog ears on my hips, and he is going to lipo those and remove any excess skin.  Then he will lipo the left side of my tummy - I think it doesn't look as tight as the right side.  He will use the fat from my hips and inject it into a few places on my right breast that are not a round as I would like.  He said he could do a lift also if I wanted, but I declined.  I think they look really good right now, and I did not want to have the extra incision scars from a lift.  Regarding my fluid.....ugh....he gave me a few options on that.  1st was to leave it alone and hope it goes away or at least causes me no problems.  The problems with that is that it could become infected or he said it could sit there forever and never reabsorb (he feels there is a capsule around it).  2nd option was to give me a shot of some antibiotic (forget the name), he said this would inflame the tissues inside my abdomen and could cause the fluid to be absorbed.  The problem with that is that it has a low-moderate success rate, and he said it would cause burning.  3rd option is for him to open my incision up while I am in surgery for phase 2, and clean out the fluid and capsule and give me a(another!) new drain.  He would go in through the same incision, then pull it tighter and make a new incision line when he restitched me.  I would end up with only the one scar on my abdomen, my tummy would just be tighter.  I opted for the new drain via surgery.  Seems like it gives me the best chance at getting rid of the fluid for good.  For the entire surgery/lipo/drain he estimates 2 1/2 hrs for surgery, done as outpatient.  

Surgery will be this month - I am so excited !!! 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day.  It is sunny and warm here today, and only supposed to get better .  I will be leaving town on Thursday evening and will be gone until late Monday.  I know I will have Team January withdraw 

Sally 

neversurrender

PS office just called...surgery date is April 15 !  

binga

ariesrottie,

I am so glad you got to see Bon Jovi.  If anything could make a girl feel better that would be it!  They will be in my area in 2 weeks and I keep debating on buying some tickets on e-bay.  I have seen them over 20 times and I am afraid if I don't go I will be kicking myself in the butt on those days knowing I could be spending my night in the same room as JON!  I just don't know how well these TEs can withstand all that dancing!  I guess I get a little crazy when he gets on stage

Becky 

TNgolfer

Donna, let me know what you find out about your genetic test.  My advice is to call your insurance company first.  I think this is a test that normally needs a pre-auth.  My particular insurance company has a Corporate Medical Policy on this test -- that's where they came up with the age constraint.  I'll let you all know what the final result of the appeal is.

Cathy, I am interested in that study as I, too, had PILC.  Were you referred to the study by your physician or is it some type of clinical trial.

Spring has sprung.  Hubby left for new job in NY and I found myself surprisingly sad.  But found out today that all 3 of my children are coming for Easter, so I better get busy in the kitchen. 

Feeling absolutely great -- especially with the change in diet and the exercise, but my back has been bothering me a little.  Hopefully it's not the Arimidex.  That little pill has some nasty SE's....I promised the onc I would try it for 3 months and see what happens.

Next appt with the PS is on the 8th and I may ask him to go ahead and do 100 instead of doing 50 and then 50 more on the 22nd.  Want to get the exchange surgery done here before joining hubby in NY.

Prayers and thoughts are always with you sisters!

Marianne

KatRNagain92

Donna...I'm glad you got to see your Bon Jovi   I'm more of a Cowboy Junkies fan myself...but I certainly agree that music makes this journey so much more tolerable. 

Sally...what a deal!  It sounds like you have a very good PS and I'm happy he's taking such good care of you!  I was saying to myself  yes! pick that one!:)  And you did. 

My PS concurs I have too much skin. (YaY) and I need to have his associate take a look. (YaY) It's not like it used to be in the old days when a Marcus Welby could stick his head out a room and say..."Oh Doctor?...can you come here for a moment, I would like to show you something"  Now, you have make an appointment...but it's all good.  I don't see PS 2.0 until April 16th which is 3 weeks post my last fill....Now I can breath deep until then knowing I could have an exchange as early as May!

Good job on the no smoking Cathy!  I quit almost 4 years ago...I was on 'the pill' Chantix.  Worked great for me.  My whole life style has changed so much for the better in the past 10 years that it's kind of ironic that this is happening now...but all for a purpose I am sure. 

Oh, and something bad just now happened....a cat (looked like an adolescent cat) came to our house to die....how horrible. Laying up against the foundation in the direct sunlight.  Pretty little tabby too.  She was shallow breathing and my dogs are going crazy inside.  I had to call animal control and they came and got him/her (looked like a her)  He has to use a long stick too...poor thing.  He said he would see how she does over night.  He thinks poisoned...hmmm.  That's a scary thought.  I guess I'll call the city tomorrow and find out if they go through a baseline vet forensics or probably not.  I just feel bad for the owners.

Sorry to be a bummer...say a little prayer for the cat

Kat

neversurrender

Kat - I am glad you agreed with my choice.  You always give some medical input on here when needed, and I was wondering which you would pick. 

It is getting so exciting here with our little group.  Exchange/phase 2 dates are starting to appear on the horizon.....

I can not understand how someone could harm a little animal.  Poor little kitty. 

burley

Just checking in...first day on the job went well.  I went bra-less for the occasion!  No seriously, cute shirt that a sports bra wouldn't fit under, and I've yet to buy any new bras.  That's the test my PS wants me to perform eventually-try on bras when I look like I'm ready to stop with the fills.  I'll try it after a couple more 50cc fills-that will put me at 350.

I'm not having any pore problems, but the skin on my "boobs" is incredibly dry.  Kinda gross.

bcincolorado

Sally congrats on your surgery date!  I would make the same decision you did I think and get the stupid drain again.  Seems like the best option to me!

At this point I'm in "hold" until the 15th and doing home PT each night waiting until my PS appointment for evaluation for exchange surgery.  Hopefully he'll say I've healed ok and and we'll schedule for June. 

Anonymous

Donna so sorry that your last round of chemo was so difficult, but seeing Jon Bon Jovi, I am sooooooo jealous.  He is on my "bucket list", as well as a few others.  So I look forward to getting this reconstruction done, to start scratching things off the list.

Sally it sure sounds like you have a fabulous surgeon and that he can fulfill everything on your wish list.  Don't you just hate having to make yet more decisions?  But it does seem like a reasonable decision that you made in having the surgery to remove the fluid once and for all. Although difficult, try to look at the bigger picture. Short term pain for long term gain! And even a surgery date April 15, congratulations. 

Marianne, it was actually a lady here on the forum who I found out about the study.  I think it might be only for PLCIS, which I have/had as well as PILC.  You can check it out on the LCIS thread under PLCIS and Research.

Kat I also used "Champix", that is what it is called in Canada, but it is the same product.  I swear by it, as it sure helped me to quit, as well as I had some other motivators ie. being diagnosed with breast cancer.  It turns out that it is a darn good thing I did quit, otherwise I likely couldn't even be considering doing the DIEP if I was still smoking. How sad about the cat!

Kim glad that your first day on the job went well, and braless!

Faith, not sure if you are able to check in here, but if you do, I hope you are doing ok?  I read on the other thread that your very close friend Saint has passed away. I believe it was on this thread where you asked the January group to send Saint a birthday card, what a thoughtful thing for you to organize.  I can just imagine Saint's hospital room must have been just overflowing with cards.  The BCO ladies are pretty special, so I'm sure she received quite a few cards.

I will be returning back to work next week, and I just don't feel like I am ready to dive into the "new normal".  We probably are never ready, but at some point just have to make the move. It really feels odd.  I will be going back to work for such a short period of time, and then will be off again once I have reconstruction. Its kind of like having one foot in the door and the other foot out the door.  Oh well, just have to go with the flow, I guess. 

Take Care

Cathy

ariesrottie

Hey January Sisters!!! Still on a BON JOVI high... Doing well 1 more week of feeling well then round 3 of hell...

Sally---- So glad about your PS and a date... You know we are pulling for you...

Marianne- They say I need to go for counseling first to see if they will approve the test... But I will call to check to see if it is covered.... Thanks for the info.. Please let me know what the results for your appeal is...

Becky- do try to see Bon Jovi... it is the cure for the women soul... Just the smile alone.. :-)

Cathy---- Bon Jovi --- will always be on my BUCKET LIST....Good luck with your reconstruction... I know how you feel...There were a few times as I was dancing up a storm singing away... I thought 'Wow can't believe I had BC and I can't believe I have TE'.... God watch over us all.....Keep up the good work on not smoking. I know its not easy... but look what we went through......

Kat--- How is your DH???? He is in my prayers

We will get past this and we will be better...

Hope everyone is feeling good today... I wish everyone a Happy Holiday!!!!

{{{HUGS}}}

Donna

robinlbe

By the way, just in case you didn't know or whatever...for those of you going the chemo route.....don't forget the "cleaning for a reason"....you get house cleaning for free (I think four months) if you're getting chemo. 

Nothing new here...haven't heard back on my genetic testing yet.  Chest was less tight last week while on spring break and out of town, but it's tight again this week.  My arms (around the armpit area) feel tight now.  I'm really uncomfortable.  I don't know why.  Just feel crummy all over.  Of course, last week I ended up with a major cold (the first of the entire school year, lost my voice, the whole shabang!), and am still fighting to get over it.  Having a hard time breathing as it has messed with my (mild) asthma, too.  Everything is coming out now - trees, grasses, flowers - it's all beautiful, but reeks havok on allergies.

Nine weeks left for school, but four elementary schools are closing and will affect where I will be for next year.  Who knows when I'll find out....

I still can't build up the nerve to get fitted for my prosthetics.  Anytime I think about that, I tear up.  I don't cry about this BC anymore, but the prosthetics thing really gets to me.  I'm ok with being flat - I kind of look like the young gymnists from the Olympics.  But I know I need to get some bumps for some of my clothes. I also notice that some of my shirts don't stay positioned right without bumps. 

I have been upbeat for a long time now, but I think I'm starting a downward spiral a little bit.  Doesn't help much that my oldest son still isnt' doing better in school   He has four weeks left of his freshman year (college) to pull up his grades.  My National Merit finalist/valedictorian who's highest grade right now is a 90 and lowest is a 60.  He's probably lost his scholarship...duh.He needed to keep a 3.5.  He had a 3.54 first semester.  I dont' know what's going on.  He also wants to transfer schools (much to our displeasure), and he's spending WAY too much time on Skype and the phone with his g'friend each night (hence the grades, probably....argh!!!!).  I am just sick/heart-broken/upset/angry/frustrated/disappointed.

I spent nine years of my life homeschooling this child.  He's ADHD and aspergers.....

Sorry, started rambling....anyway, you all are always in my thoughts and prayers.  Excited for all of you who are getting near your exchange surgeries.  You have endured so much.  I don't know that I could have done it.  You're braver than I am.  Now that I am nearly three months out, and half-way to my "total healing" (supposedly), once I get past all the tightness, pains, etc, I don't want to go through all this again.

blessings....robin

TNgolfer

Ok ladies, here's a chuckle for you....today it was sunny warm and beautiful and I finally managed to get out and play 18 holes with my very best golf partner, Sandy.  Front nine was a little rusty, but that's to be expected after being away from the game for a while, but the back nine was great.  I felt great.  My swing was great and totally unrestricted (even with these TE's.  We were playing alone and the back nine was moving quite slow.  There was a single gentlemen behind us and he finally came up and asked if we would mind if he joined us.  (That, by the way, is pretty unusual -- normally they automatically think they are so much better than women they ask to play through!).

Anyway, we said sure.  He introduced himself and played the next few holes with us.  He was a horrible golfer, but a pleasant guy.  When we got to the 17th hole, he hit a really bad drive into the trees on the right.  He turned around and said, I'm sorry I am hitting the ball so bad, but I am just 12 weeks out of shoulder surgery......Sandy looked at me in fear and said, don't say it Mar....  I looked at her and said softly, you mean I shouldn't tell him that I am just 8 weeks out of breast surgery?  She said, well you could tell him that or you could just tell him, sorry to hear about his surgery, but at least he still has his shoulder!!!!   It was such a temptation, but I just smiled and said nothing...but have to admit I just kept chuckling the rest of the round.

I really think the strength training and exercising helps.  Only two (or maybe one) more fill to go.  Have a great day, all.  I'm going to start baking Easter Cookies....family is on the way.  Hubby is in NY and starting work on Friday!  Happy Easter or Spring or whatever holiday you might be celebrating!

Marianne

neversurrender

Hey ladies.  I hope this evening finds you all happy and feeling no discomfort.

{{{{Robin}}}} Please let us help you in any way we can.  I'm sure your son's situation is not helping your mood at all.  It sounds like you have a wonderful DH, lean on him until the spiraling eases. You don't give yourself enough credit - you are just as tough and brave as the rest of us.  You have handled the diagnosis, surgeries, and all the mental BC stuff and you are still standing tall and fighting - you are a warrior and a survivor.   

{{{{Debbie}}}} You are in my thoughts and prayers.

To all of Team January, I love you ladies and you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

On a light note,  I went shopping yesterday and bought myself a couple of cute new shirts that show a little cleavage   

Marianne - Golfing way to go !  Donna - glad you are feeling better ! Kim - I'm glad your first day went well ! Cathy - congrats on quitting smoking, you are right - you would not have been eligable for the DIEP, so good for you!

Strength and Courage!

Never Surrender  !

Sally

bookart

Robin - I hope your son can pull up his grades.  If you don't mind me asking, how was he diagnosed with Aspergers?  I've always thought my older son, now college freshman, was mildly autistic or maybe Aspergers - he had ADD problems early on, but seemed to outgrow the worst of it.  I don't know if it would make a difference now.  We missed his percussion concert tonight because of poor planning (moving too slowly to get ready in time) - he's very disappointed.  I know he's pretty lonely up at school.  He doesn't make friends very easily, as he has poor social skills.  He, too, has to keep up his grades to keep his scholarships, so he's under a lot of pressure scholastically.  He doesn't have a girlfriend to distract him, though.  The first year is really hard on some kids, as I'm sure you know.  I wish I could be more encouraging, but I'm facing something similar with my 17-year old, an A student who has dropped out of school entirely.  We can only hope that he gets his life together soon before he messes it up even worse.  We can see the pitfalls so clearly - why can't they just listen to us and do what we tell them to do!!!!

It seems like I spend all my time, energy and money on trying to keep my kids and partner well and happy, and don't have much left over for me when I really need it right now.  I did get a reflexology massage today, and the therapist fussed at me for not taking enough care of myself.  Made me cry - not bad cry, just an acknowledgement that I'm at the end of my rope.  Everyone seems to expect me to be done, and back to normal, and I'm really just about halfway.  So like usual, I'm overdoing and it takes more out of me now.  It's really late, but this is the first chance I've had to get on the computer today, and I needed to vent.  Thanks.

Elaine 

neversurrender

{{{Elaine}}} Focus on yourself (I know, easier said than done). It will make you stronger, and in turn you will be stronger for your family.  It's like being on an airplane that drops the oxygen masks....put yours on first, then help the kids....

bcincolorado

I thnnk it is easier to worry about my husband and chores that need to be done than myself.  It helps to distract me from aches and pains and I can pretend I'm "in charge" of something again! I'm used to being the "boss" about medical issues for my husband and it was really hard to let him take care of me after my surgery when I couldn't do it.  He even dyed my hair for me one day because I couldn't lift my arm to do it.  It is hard to let others be in charge since we can't control what is happening to us.  Worry is about all we can do.

neversurrender

I am leaving now for WV to go to my folks for Easter.  I will not be back until late Monday, and I do not think I will be able to access the boards while I am gone    When I return on Monay, I hope I have a lot of good things to catch up on !

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter.

Go Team January !

Strength and Courage !

Never Surrender !

Sally

Lynbob

Mornin' glories... actually it is more like afternoon glories

I have been pretty down in the dumps lately so I have not been posting as much. But I have been trying to keep up with the posts and as always thinking of and praying for all the January girlies {{hugs}}

 Wishing you all a wonderful Easter.

jizogarden

Hi Lyn, I see that your getting your exchange on Wednesday. Congratulations! I hope you feel great relief once the TE's are out and your on your way to a new recovery  Have a nice weekend with your family and be good to yourself....watch out for large furry Easter bunnies

Strength and healing,

Laura 

frosty1

BCinColorado - I think you really hit the issue for me - CONTROL.  I hate not being in control of things.  ANd I am the one in the family that gets things done.  This has been very hard for me.  So I decided to change my attitude.  I can't be in charge of what chemo does to my body, or the SEs I get, or the fact that I had cancer removed.  But I can be in charge of how I react.  So take that!  It was really helpful for me when I made that decision to let people help right after my MX -- they brought food, came over and visited, checked in often.  Now with chemo, I tried to power through the SEs the first time through and made myself miserable.  This time I decided to go with the flow and just relax.  ANd you know what -- my family was fine.  They handled the groceries, made dinner, and made sure I was resting.  Of course, if my daugther would just turn in her homework, that would help.  What is it with kids and school right now???

bookart

Brenda - Maybe the kids are suffering from spring fever.  I know I am!

pbebow

Hello ladies!

Just checking in, been gone for a while, took me a while to get caught up on everyone, just in this thread alone, haven't even started on any other threads.  I kept looking for a post from Debbie (Faithy!), didn't see anything, hope you're doing okay!  Hopefully you are just too busy with your re-entrance into life, and I hope you're having a blast!

We took the kids to Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City, MI for a couple days.  It's a big indoor water park, in case anyone isn't familiar.  We had a great time!  I was hiking up 3 flights of stairs to go down all the big water slides (I admit I was winded by the time I got to the top each time, but so was my DH), and then we'd run right back up and do it again.  I felt fairly normal.  Didn't have any issues at all with TE's, was able to be a normal person and have fun with my kids, it was fabulous!  My only issue was the bed in the room, not the most comfy, but it wasn't the worst either.  It was nice to get away and forget about cancer for a while.  Got back Wednesday and had a PS appt yesterday, got another 50 cc's and all of my surgery paperwork.  I am up to 650 cc's and he is planning on making me a full C for exchange, which I think for me is about 500-550 cc's.  I am getting very excited, 2 more weeks from today and I will be Yippee Squishy!

Anyway, lots to do today, have my son and his family coming over for dinner tonight and to color Easter eggs.  Should be a fun evening!  Hope everyone has a fun weekend and enjoy the sunshine while it's here!

Paula