January Mastectomy

bcincolorado

Sally:  Congrats on your anniversary!  Quite an accomplishment with medical issues in your life that can certainly stress a marraige.  Too many times people forget the "worse" and the "sickness" and "poor" part of those wedding vows.

bookart:  Congrats on  your good tests.  I promise, I will get a referral and get an appointment scheduled.  This week is my eyes though that I've put off.  I have glaucoma and was over-due for a check-up because of dealing with BC.  Optho office scolded me when I called them and said I needed a new prescription called in since mine had no more refills.  So that is Friday.  Maybe next week I can handle something else.  One step at a time......

As far as the compression garment stuff goes, my son, who is an athlete and coach, uses Underarmor.  You might be able to find them on-line to order.  He swears by that brand for keeping you cooler.

ariesrottie

My January Sister's !!!  {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

I am so proud of everyone who has gone through the exchange process already....Or  are having their surgery soon with dates lined up.....

Tomorrow is my last chemo treatment... I can't believe it is here already... It did go quick and I am happy that it is over...I won't be able to sleep tonight for the pre meds makes you wired.

Now on to onco gyno and and making my appt for the exchange... Not looking forward to that since on Monday when it was raining. I went into the car grabbing the steering wheel and my hand slipped . I pulled my muscle in the right breast hurting my TE... I have been taking aleve  and night a pain pill... Today it is a little better... but who needs the pain after all these months... I was feeling great....Oh well.

To all my January Sisters.. I want you to know that if it wasn't for the support from you girls I don't think that this experience that I am on would of been easy and acceptable. I THANK YOU FOR THAT.

Donna

Anonymous

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SALLY!  20 years is a long time and after the ordeal you have just been through and continue to go through, I hope you and your husband are able to do something special.

bcincolorado, I know what you mean by trying to "catch up" on all of the other things in life.  I have just recently been trying to catch up on dentist appts for my kids and myself, eye appts for kids, swimming lessons for my daughter etc, etc. Breast Cancer has been all too consuming.

Donna, you have made  it through the chemo.  You must be so relieved to have this part of the journey behind you (well as of tomorrow). I agree with you that we are so fortunate to have had each other as we go through this journey. Since January, when we were all first faced with having surgery to now.

Take Care

Cathy

neversurrender

Good Luck tomorrow Donna !  Your last chemo treatment, that is wonderful news

This group, you ladies, have been a tremendous support and strength through this ordeal.  I love you all and am soooooo glad I found you !

Hugs Team January.

Sally

KatRNagain92

Sally...I have a feeling that not-so-DH is going to turn into purty-good-DH tonight   Happy Anniversary and enjoy:)

Laura, you'll be perfect.  I'm interested in this drop and fluff concept.  I wonder if the TE's can drop and fluff too?  It seems mine look better every day silhouette wise. 

My just-plain-ol-DH has been spending a lot of time golfing.  I'm so jealous...the weather is beautiful and I would love to go out just once but I don't even know if I can swing a club yet.  Thought I'd wait until the exchange happened and then do it.

Cathy, I'm glad you had fun in Disney and good luck with your new reconstruction. I bet you'll have fabulous results!  The 'new natural'  I like it!

Have a good one girls!
Kat

pbebow

Kat, if you want to see drop and fluff go and look at my new pictures...  Amazing the difference that a week made.  I'm not sure that you drop and fluff with TE's but you have gotten some pretty big fills lately so I'm sure that is helping with your silouette!  I miss golfing too.  My dad and sister have been doing some golfing and I too wanted to wait until after the exchange.  I didn't see any reason to learn how to swing with the coconuts when I knew I was so close to them being yippee squishy.  Now I'm just waiting for clearance.  I go back to PS on Monday and from what he had said before surgery, I should be cleared for anything.  My goal is to be on the golf course for my b-day, Cinco de Mayo!  I think it's doable!  I don't think I'll be very good, but honestly, I never was very good, I just love being out in the sun and enjoying fresh air and friends and maybe a couple beers.  It's all good! 

Happy Anniversary Sally!!!  That's awesome!  Hope you're having a wonderful day!

Good evening Ladies!

Paula

burley

Laura-I have to wait for the exhange until after my chemo is over.  Right now, that will be the end of August unless any other treatments get pushed back for low blood cell count.

Kat-I think I'm only 450cc's surprisingly.  They are REALLY large and round, considering that's all they're filled to.  I'm not sure if she will overfill them prior to surgery or not.  I'm just praying she can get them a little closer together!

bcincolorado

{{{{Donna}}}  Congrats on finishing chemo!

bookart

BTW - when you first have a post disappear, try doing either Ctl-z or Cmd-z depending on your computer.  Sometimes you can get it back.

jizogarden

Morning Kim, I realized after I asked my question that you must have a much longer journey...sorry for the question.  I know how short my road has been compared to so many on these lists.  

Ok my photos 3 days post exchange are up on the picture forum.  You can find me in "under construction"  Still trying to get used to the new girls.........how many times a day is it possible to go into the bathroom and lift up your shirt????

Healing to all,

Laura 

neversurrender

I was just over viewing the picture sight.  Holy cow !   I can not believe the difference a week makes in your implants.  Anyone who hasn't went over yet, go check it out. 

neversurrender

Kat, you crack me up.  Ok, "not-so-good-DH" left town Monday for work, supposed to return on Friday.  However, "finally-getting-a-clue-DH" drove home late Tuesday night so that he could be home for our anniversary.  He was "Really-good-DH"  yesterday   , and now "Back-to-normal-truly-DH" is leaving this morning to get back to work.   

pbebow

Awe, Sally, that is so sweet!!!  Yay you!!!!  Nice when DH acts like a REALLY GOOOOOOD DH!  And thanks for your kind words on the picture forum, kind of crazy isn't it?!

I am vowing to walk this afternoon!  I so hope I really do it this time!  I am getting so fat!!!!

Good day ladies!

Paula

jizogarden

Yay Rebecca!!!  so glad your on the other side.....sorry your hurting...sounds like you had a lot done.  Hope you feel better and better with each day!

Mirbelle welcome to yipee squishy...glad your feeling good

Ruby sounds like you had a pretty easy time of it too  

So many exchanges this week....am I missing anyone?

Linda54...I'm looking forward to seeing your new tats

So it's day 3 for me. Smudge and I went for a nice walk...it's a beautiful, breezy day...I couldn't take the couch any longer!  I did a little light shopping for dinner (under 10lbs.)  I'm having a cup of tea and feel a nap closing in on me...zzzzzzz

Still feeling good.....wishing everyone healing and comfort....

Laura 

TNgolfer

Hello January Sisters,

Have been absent for a while.  Everything has been going great.  After my last fill, PS said I would have to wait a month, so I go back to see him next Thursday and my exchange surgery is scheduled for May 14th (3 days after Cathy and one day after Kat)!  I am excited to get this done!

I will talk to the PS on the 6th about removing the nipple from the lt breast during this exchange.  I am opting for no nipples.  I just want to be done and don't think I want to go through any more procedures, etc.  I will discuss it with him, but I am pretty sure that's the route I want to go.  Even if I decided I wanted nipples later, it would be easier for him to make 2 new ones than try and match 1 to the 1 I already have.

I have changed my diet (read a great book called "Beating Cancer with Nutrition" and am eating healthier, have completed 5 sessions with the personal trainer and am religious about working out/exercising at least 3 times per week (strength and weight-bearing training) and 2 more times (cardio).  I honestly have never felt better and have even dropped a few pounds. 

I have also been playing some great golf.  Absolutely no range of motion issues at all. 

The insurance company reversed their initial decision about not paying for the genetics testing.  The lab is doing the test and the oncologist should have the results in a week or so.  After their initial denial, I called and did an appeal over the phone.  Told them that because I was adopted their was only a sketchy medical history and this is the only way we would know.  I received a letter 2 weeks later stating they reversed their decision (a day after the Dr. in the genetics department wrote her appeal).  I felt pretty good that they acted on mine favorably before hers even got into the system.

I planted all pink flowers in the front yard.....pink geraniums, pink petunias, pink vinca, and a pink hibiscus!!!  It looks great.  My neighbor across the street came over yesterday with a gift.  It was a yard flag and it was a big pink flag with the pink breast cancer ribbon!!!  The perfect touch to my Pink BC Garden!!

The clinical trial for breast cancer and depression has been a great experience and I only have 2 more appointments left.  It is all about assessing what make's you feel happy (or fulfilled or rewarded) and putting more of those things in your days.  It's about setting goals to do more of the things you enjoy (lunch with a girlfriend once a week, watching a chic flick, going for a walk, gardening, golfing, whatever is your thing).  It's about taking stock of what you currently do and spend your time on, discovering what you would rather spend your time on, and DOING IT!  It's also about not doing some of the other things.  I will never touch another vacuum cleaner as long as I live!

Even though I haven't been on the website, you all have remained in my prayers and thoughts. 

Donna - I am glad for your BRCA1 negative results

Kat - looks like we will have those exchanges at the same time (and we didn't even plan it)

Paula - hoping your new breasts will become more what you were looking for, or you will get them re-done -- you deserve to have them be what YOU want.

Laura - glad your exchange went well.

I can honestly say as rock-hard and annoying as these coconuts have been, I have almost gotten used to them....still can't wait to get something that won't make the next person I hug feel like they've been assaulted!

Love,

Marianne

robinlbe

Marianne, I, too, had to appeal my insurance company for the BRCA testing....however, mine was slightly different.  And a little scarier....After my blood was taken, Myriad lab called the insurance company (my genetic counselor had already -supposedly -gone through all the proper channels) and found out what my portion would be to pay for the testing.  They called me with that amount (about $800) before proceeding.  Because there are so few females in my family (only my mom and her two sisters, and one of those DID have BC....I do not have sisters, or girls cousins for three generations, my maternal g'mother was killed at age 40 by a drunk driver, and my dad was an only child).....AND because I was pre-menopausal at diagnosis (still am), it was valid to have me tested.  Not only for my ovaries sake, but for my children's sake.

Wellllll, I got the EOB yesterday.....where my insurance company denied it because it was considered "investigational"....and they were not going to pay the $3120.00.  In addition, the genetics counselor tested me for Lynch syndrome, which HAS been identifed in my family - and has links to ovarian and uterine cancer.  Insurance also denied that...another $440.  OUCH.

I found out the ins. co. had denied the Lynch syndrom test a couple of weeks ago, so the genetic counselor called.  Apparently at that time, she also discussed the BRCA tests, too, because when I called the ins, co yesterday, I was told that the claims had been sent back through for review, and an RN had determined that the BRCA tests were medically necessary, and would be paid at 80%, but the Lynch hadn't been reviewed yet.

shew.....

I am SO ready for all of this to be done....

At least the insurance co. DID pay 80% on the full $290 for each foobie....so now the store where I got them owes ME money.....

blessings...robin

Anonymous

Great to hear from you Marianne and it sounds like you are doing great. Very interesting some of the things you are saying about not doing things you do not want to do.  I have found situations where I am not afraid to just say no, if I don't want to do it.  At this time last year, I would have done it just to please.  No more!

Robin how much did you have to pay for your prothestics.  Mine were $410.00 each, and I am still waiting to see how much of it is covered.  My plan from work also covered prothestic bras, 3 bras every 6 months, and they will allow up to $60.00 for each bra.  These prices really upset me, because it just seems like women are being gouged.  I have received reimbursement for the bras, but not the prothestics.

Take Care

Cathy

bcincolorado

I thought it was the law now that the insurance companies had to pay for either reconstruction or prothetics.  You might want to check with your insurance commissioner in your state if you can't get an answer from your insurance company soon.  They might be able to help you.

pbebow

I just wanted to comment on the BRCA testing and insurance...  My insurance company said that it would be covered before I had the test, so I went ahead with it (I would've anyway but it was good to know that it was covered).  When I received the statement from my insurance saying how much of it they covered here is what it said. 

Total Provider Charges:                  $3,120.00

Less BCBSM Paid:                       $2,333.48

Less Participating Provider Savings:  $156.00

Equals Your Balance:                      $630.52

So, I figured that's what I would have to pay, then when I received the bill from the Myriad they made another adjustment "Max PR - No Quote" and took off another $255.52 and only charged me $375.00.  The lab itself did that last adjustment.  So, not sure why but it seems like I remember reading that they will do this for most people they have a max that they will charge, so I'm not sure if either of you have actually received your bill yet for the tests, but you might be surprised when you receive it.  Just thought I'd share.

Have a great day ladies!  It's supposed to be beautiful here in Michigan today, I could use a little warm sunshine!

Paula

jizogarden

Marianne your post is so full of hopeful thoughts.  I love the advice you have gotten out of the depression study....do what makes you happy...and do it often  Glad your golf game has not suffered and your range of motion is good.  Your garden sounds lovely...maybe a picture?

You, Cathy and Kat are going to take on your exchanges by storm....great days coming

Robin I found this bra while browsing through my favorite catalogue maybe it would be something you would enjoy.

http://www.titlenine.com/product/324300.do?code=GOOGP&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=comparisonshopping&utm_campaign=googlebase&CAWELAID=466318704

I have bought bras here for many years...they fit well and are extremely comfortable.  Personally I'm hoping not to need a bra much any more  but that remains to be seen.

Strength and healing,

Laura 

pbebow

Oh yes, Marianne, I would love to see a picture of your flower garden!  When I read that last night before bed, I thought wow, what a great idea.  I might just have to steal your idea, and pictures would help with that a lot!  And golfing, wow, I thought about golfing with me TE's in and just couldnt' picture it, but now that I am yippee squishy I am looking forward to trying it out again when I get clearance, which I imagine will be coming Monday when I go back to the PS for a check. 

Oh also, I just have to say that I am so excited that May 1st is here tomorrow!  Here in Michigan the No SMoking in public places law starts tomorrow!!!!  Whoohooo!!!!  It will be so nice to go out anywhere and not have smoke blown on me and my children!  I know a few people that are a little upset about it though, and as a former smoker I feel for them, but they've had notice, I just can't believe that they havne't tried to quit yet, just the price alone would get to me, who can afford it.  The worse part is, you people that are clearly on public service that smoke, now how can they afford it?  Anyway, don't want to go off on a rant, so I'll just leave it that I'm very excited to be a smoke free state!

Great day ladies!

Paula

cleo100

Hi, Marianne. I, too, have been absent fromt the site for a long time. Wow, wonderful news on getting an exchange date but even better news on the insurance coverage for genetic testing. Persistence sometimes does reward us! I have been researching implants for my exchange. And...being a music teacher and this is spring...have been way too busy! All going well though.

All January sisters are in my daily thoughts and prayers.We certainly have come a long way since January. With the melting of the snow and the rebirth of leaves and grass so follows our ever transformed  selves emerging on the other side of this dreaded disease.  

KatRNagain92

Hi everyone...snuck out early today.  I deserve a weekend off so I'm looking forward to relaxing...with my new fill of 120cc!  OMG!  I am now at 640cc and he wants to try 600 and 650 sizers in the OR.  He thinks I'll be happier with the size with my height and frame.  Plus, he looked at my before pictures and said I could handle it.  I hope so...I'm just going to trust him, that's why I've got him.   I asked him if he sits me up to assess and he said he also gets the nurses opinions that they're not too big or too small.  He's a great guy to work with and my date is official May 13th!  Yay!  Yippee Squishy!  These are really hurting today...I'll post some photos in a few days after they settle a bit. 

The incisions are fine so I'm extremely happy about that.  I started back on Vit C for healing a couple of weeks ago and that works great.   I can't believe I went from an ultra conservative PS to the complete opposite.  I love it though!  He works at the same pace I do and we just seem to click.  I'm so happy with this guy !:)

Hey Marianne, nice to see you again...I echo Paula with not even trying to golf while the TE's are in.  I just never even thought it was possible.  I'd be afraid to burst one of these water balloons on striking impact.  Are you tucking your arms under them with your swing?   And ditto Laura...lets see pictures of that garden!  It sounds wonderful.  Hope you're feeling well too and are having no recovery issues. 

Cleo, thanks for stopping in...your picture is beautiful!  I love how you captured the essence of May day and how far we've come.  We are Team January after all! 

Have a good Friday night everyone!  It's supposed to storm here and probably all weekend.  It makes me no never-mind what the weather is as long as I can relax! 
Kat

Anonymous

Marianne your garden sounds beautiful.  Like the others have said, a picture would be wonderful.

Cleo good to hear from you. That is a very nice picture of you.

Kat it sure sounds like you have a great surgeon. It always makes things that much easier if you click with the people who are looking after us, doesn't it.  Looks like we will be sharing the next phase of this journey on the same week.

Hope everyone has great weekend,

Take Care

Cathy

robinlbe

Laura - thanks for thinking of me and sending the link to the bra.  That's a decent price.  I just HATE bras...ha!  Most of the time, I'm just going flat.  But I do have to have those things sometimes

Cathy, I paid $290 for each one.  They are Amoena Natura Light 2s.  The shop had more expensive ones that were the self-adhesive kinds - they were $400ish.  My insurance (well, my hsuband's) pays 80% for two bras a year and 80% of one set of prosthetics a year AFTER I've made m $1000 deductible.  (of course, making the deductible this year was no problem....)

Would you believe I have something weird going on now???  I had to call my BS's office today and talked to the two nurses, who had me come in for them to look at. Neither one of them had seen anything like this....so they had my doc come look at it...and even HE was baffled.  At first, both he and the older nurse thought it was shingles!!!  It's on my lower chest - down where my drain hole scars are, along my rib cage. Started Wed. night as a small area, almost like a bruise, by today, it's the size of a dollar bill, red, with tiny red dots, and it's warm to the touch.  Not a rash.  BS thought it could be something pulled, bruised inside, he doesn't know...but I'm not to put any lotion, cream, oils, or anything on it...no heat, no ice....he put me on strong anti-biotic, and I'm to go back and see him in ten days or if it becomes worse.

I watched for Gina in the parade of Survivors at the Oaks (day before the Ky Derby) on TV tonight, but I didn't see her   There were 136 survivors walking ...all dressed in pink.  It was pretty cool to watch, though.

Blessings to all...robin

neversurrender

Kat, I'm so glad you were able to get your fill and confirm the 13th !  It is so exciting when the next phase is in sight.

Robin, goodness...keep us posted.  Does it hurt, or itch ?

It has been a rough day for me.  I started out the day with soreness, redness, and some puss at my drain site.  I am not on an antibiotic, so I immediately thought it was infected.  My PS is out of town, so I saw his nurse instead.  It was not infected, but we decided to pull the drain.  It was down to just under 20cc for the past few days, so hopefully it will be ok.  It was good to get the drain out, but I am so paranoid about another sernoma. I then had to go to pick up my team's packets/shirts/race bibs for the Race for the Cure.  I was walking up to the warehouse and there were cars everywhere with pink ribbons and all these women.  I got all teary and wanted to run away.  I just kept hearing in my head..."I don't belong here, This is not me, I do not belong to this club, This is not real.....  "   I guess without chemo and rads, and with the immediate diep which allowed me to wake up with my breasts, I was able to live in denial a little longer.  Kind of got slapped up side the head with it today....yikes.   I had to pinch myself on the arm to stop from crying.  I felt like I was going to have a panic attack.   I think race day might be really rough for me.  Maybe it was to soon to do something like this, I don't know. 

So, I am an emotional mess when I got home.   Half an hour later not-so-DH, in fact insensitive jerk-self centered-emotionally stunted-DH returned home.  He knew I had issues that morning with drain and was headed to PS.  He didn't ask anything about the drain, but instead starts ranting and raving at me (in front of 2 DDs).  I tried to calm him down, and got him to go to our room to talk.  He wouldn't tell me anything, just kept yelling at me.  (I had not picked out a shirt for him to wear to a father/daughter event that was still 2 1/2 hrs away).  He finally said he was mad that I don't do anything for him anymore, and I focus on myself to much.  WTH !  He's right, for the past four/five months, I have focused on me more...duh.     I told him I could not keep dealing with the stress of his actions.  I can't deal with the uncertainty of every week wondering who was going to be coming home...normal DH or angry/mad DH.  He has the DDs on edge, and he gets mad at me because he can't communicate with them.  I tried to explain that maybe it is just tone and that if he tried a few different tactics maybe it would help.  He just yelled at me some more.  I think I need him to give me a little space.  I am asking him to go visit his dad next weekend.  That will give me almost 2 weeks with him gone.  Maybe he will settle down.

He 'joked' with me on Thursday about me faking it (my recovery/pain).  He said what will you do when you actually have to work again.   When I questioned him on it he said I was to sensitive.  And he said, I didn't say you were faking it....I implied you were milking it for all you could get.  I was furious and very hurt.  I confronted him and he said he was joking and I was to sensitive.  I told him that I AM sensitive on this area and not to ever ever ever "joke" about it again. 

I am at my wits end with him.  My stomach is in knots and I dread having to interact with him at all this weekend.

Wish me luck !

robinlbe

Oh, Sally....I wish I had some words of wisdom, but I'm certainly glad you were able to get this off your chest (no pun intended).  I think men/guys/boys/males in general just have such a hard time with their emotions - and when they don't understand what's happening to them, they take it out on the ones they love the most, the ones they're closest to, and the ones they feel safest with -just like a child does.  But it's not fair on you, because you're still recovering -physcially, emotionally, and so many other ways.

I can't at all relate, as my husband (of nearly 27 years) has never handled our stresses like that.  I, unfortunately, have     My husband is my rock, and has been so understanding throughout my whole cancer thing.  With all the pains, swelling - even with this new unknown thing on my chest right now - my husband has been so sweet, compassionate, and loving.  He would baby me more if I would let him (but I don't).

I'm going to do more than just wish you luck...I"ll be praying for you guys.  It's sounds as if he's feeling like he needs attention from everybody else (he's not an only child, is he??).  Try to get some extra rest, so that you can take care of your girls and yourself AND have extra patience wiht this whole thing.  Your whole family has been under tremendous stress and pressure the last six months.  Stuff like this can either destroy a relationship and a family or bring you closer.

When I had an extremely difficult pregnancy 18 years ago, which resulted in a micro-preemie of our one pound daughter (who will be 18 in September), the social worker in the NICU told us that couples with weak relationships often didn't survive if their child had a NICU experience, because of all the stress.  This whole cancer thing has been very, very similar.  So, just know that what you're going through, and what you've been through, and what you'll continue to go through are some of the major stress triggers in life........

Of course, I guess I'm "preaching to the choir"....I really need to be sharing this with your hubby, huh:)    But nevertheless, I'm praying for all of you....hoping things will get easier in time...

blessings...robin

neversurrender

Thanks Robin, I'll take all the prayers I can get.  And no, he isn't an only child.  He is the middle of 7 actually.  Go figure.  He just got home from father/daughter dance.  I'm going to be a wimp and just go to bed.  I don;'t have the energy tonight to go another round.  I called my BF of 20years and she is meeting me tomorrow for a day out.  She is the only 'live' person I can tell all of this stuff.  She usually can talk me down off of the ledge (so to speak).  I am not on the ledge, but DH is and I am thinking hard about giving him a push

robinlbe

Middle child???  even worse

(seriously...the overlooked kid....)

glad you'll have someone to confide in.....maybe just hug and hold when tempted to push..

Anonymous

Sally I am so sorry that you are having a difficult time right now on so many different levels. I'm glad that you have such a good friend that you can vent to/with.Maybe things are too fresh and raw right now for you to be in the Run for the Cure. But at the same time, it might help for you to be with a group of women who do totally understand how you are feeling.  As for your not so DH........., something that I have found is that people can say some really stupid and mean things. I swear I would like to write a book, "Things Not to say to Someone Diagnosed with Cancer". I have decided I can't let it get to me, and have to just let it go. Just today I had someone say to me, "Oh you aren't nearly as big as I was expecting, your mom told me you had put on so much weight and I pictured you looking so different." Ah......should I say thanks?  WTH Yes I have put on so much weight probably because I quit smoking, was diagnosed with breast cancer, so stress eating, not to mention having surgery which inables you of doing too much for a period. We can't control the stupid things that come out of people's mouths, but we can control how we react to it.  You are in my thoughts and please come and vent to us anytime.  We are here for you. You have always been there for everyone here, now it is our turn. ((((((hugs))))))

Robin, I also had a micro preemie. My daughter is 9 and was born at 25 weeks, weighing 1 1/2 pounds.  She has done amazing considering having such a tough beginning and fought for her life. Now it is my turn.

Take Care

Cathy