August 2010 Mastectomy

soccermomofthree

I am sorry you are feeling so bad Carrol.  I am glad you got the antibiotic down and kept it down.  Hope tomorrow is amazingly better.

Pawprint

Just completed 5 days of iron infusions. My iron reserves are continually dropping as well as my B12. I will be seeing a doc that will give me a pill to swallow that has a tiny camera in it that will take pics and send info to computer. Luckily i don't have to retrieve the pill...yuck... Anyway, coming up to my one year diagnosis date of June 10th....still taking Arimidex, still dealing with side effects, still fighting the fight.

lago

Wow that sounds a little like the movie Fantastic Voyage (Rachel Welch, 1966. I saw it in the drive in with my parents. I was 5). Isn't technology grand. Sucks this is happening to you though. Do they have any idea what could be causing this?

I'm getting the butt-cam (colonoscopy) in a few weeks myself.

Are your SE from the Arimidex bad? Maybe they can try a different one. I do hear some women take a 1 month break, go back on it and don't have issues.

Carrol2

brikendreams sorry to hear you are still having so much trouble. I am taking tamoxifen. I am not sure if i am getting side effects or not. I have been very tired lately. I put on some weight too which i am bummed about. started physical therapy im all out of wack from these expanders, one shoulder is higher causing pain in my neck, lower back and one knee. SO rested up and trying to get back into working out and back on weight watchers. 

I had three fills in my 650cc expanders. I am at 400c on my way to 750cc. Not feeling any real pain a little tight and sore for a few days after the last one. Fill four is June 7th. 

lago

Carrol be careful not to work your peck muscles. You don't want to tighten these. Your PT will probably tell you this. The PT will really help stretch things out. Made a huge difference for me.

Pawprint

Hi Lago, Always nice to see your posts. I agree that camera pill is so much like fantastic voyage. The onc thinks I am bleeding internally. I had the colonoscopy and the endoscopy (tube down into the stomach) in January. All was good except a few stomach ulcers so they gave me anti acid pills. My onc told me that colonoscopy can not check small intestine but the camera pill can. I had a hysterectomy a long time ago so no monthly blood lost from periods. I hope they get it figured out soon.

I like the idea of a month off Arimidex. I will ask onc about this. I was 100% estrogen positive. My oncotype score was so low only 8 so i could not do chemo and get a good response. My side effects from Arimidex are tiredness, weight gain, muscle pain, mind fogginess, night sweats, hot flashes. I might ask to try a different pill to see if I feel better.

Hope all turns out well on your colonoscopy. So very happy you are done with chemo and your hair is growing back. Take good care.

lago

Thanks BTW I'm doing well on Anastrozole (generic Arimidex). So far no SE. I've been on it since March 1st.

Pawprint

That is so good to hear Lago that Arimidex is not causing you any side effects. I read the studies on it and believe it is a good drug to take so that is why I keep plugging along.

Carrol2

I can't tell if i have side effects from the tamoxifen. I do feel tired a lot lately. Not sure why. 

Lago not working out anywhere near what i used to. My PS told me not to strain the pecs. So i am not doing the push ups or anything like that. So far took a step class this week and felt pretty good. I was exhausted during the class and could not keep up. Not sure if i am just tired, out of shape or if its the tamoxifen.  Ordered a new pair of sneakers for zumba thinking that may have caused or aggravated my sore knee. Knee feels fine now. Gonna try zumba toning with weights today, but i will just use the 2 lb ones.

lago

Carrol If you are feeling discomfort from the TEs you will find you will be more tired. Pain can zap your energy. I just started power walking last Friday now that the shingles are gone. Hopefully today I will start the strength training. I'm a little stiff from the walking but not too bad considering I did nothing for 5 weeks! So glad those shingles are gone! Hate that I have to start from 0 again… only to have surgery in a few weeks and stop again.

Carrol2

I know it seems like just when i get back into shape i have another surgery. My TEs are not painful i little uncomfortable but not pain. The night of my last fill it was hurting a little but not bad and was already feeling much better the next day. My next fill is the 7th less than a week. I am getting a little nervous but so far so good.

taranebraska

I thought I'd check in with y'all.  My ONC found a small lump just below my right BMX scar last Friday at my 6 month follow-up.  She said we'd "watch it".  Then she told me one of the liver function blood tests seemed elevated, maybe I wasn't getting enough protein.  I'm freakin' out.  I've got an appointment with my BS at 3:15 today.  He needs to tell me exactly what this is.  I'm barely able to maintain a straight face here at work, I want to run screaming to the mountains.  Lago, talk me down!!!

lago

{{{hugs}}} Tara. Now sit and take a deep breath.

First of all chemo does a job on your liver. Slightly elevated might mean exactly what your onc says, you're not getting enough protein. Go out and eat some fish or liver or something good for  your liver and lay off the booze. (kidding, well sort of. Alcohol isn't good for the liver).

Small lump on scar. Could be nothing or local recurrence. If you are going to have a local recurrence the scar is the most likely place. They go and lop it off and do some radiation and you are fine… that's the worst case scenario. Local recurrence is not mets. If your BS is worried he probably will do a biopsy/remove the lump.

linky for you

Carrol2

Tara I know it's scary but they are going to check every little thing on you from now on and it's probably nothing. Try to think positive and not get upset. Like Lago said worse case scenario it's something you have to take care of and nothing more.

taranebraska

See Lago, you're the best.  I have limited my alcohol intake substantially, yet, still have more to go.  I'm having Yogi Kava Stress Relief tea.  I'm trying to breath.  Anxiety runs in my family, and it always rears its ugly head when patience is the main requirement for getting through the day.  I can't get to your link until I'm home, but I will focus on "local recurrence" vs. mets.  Thank you.

Paula1231

Hi Ladies,

Just checking in.  Tara, hang in there.  I agree with Carrol and Lago.  I guess going forward every little thing will be checked out and examined.  I am hoping it is only scar tissue or a stitch still dissolving.  Lago's post is my wake up call too..I have really been downing those Margarita's. 

The stress relief tea sounds like a really good idea.  I confess when it all gets to be too much, I still resort to my little ativan pill.  I will be praying for you Tara, take good care of your self.

taranebraska

update - Met with BS - first appointment EVER that we found parking right away, hit every elevator at the right time, didn't even SIT in the waiting room and they took us in, and waited only 5 minutes for BS.  He said it's probably a dissolving suture ... but he wants to see me again in a month.  Today/this weekend was just a wake up call - I will need to be vigilant, and I need to find a way to incorporate that into my new life post-BC.  Sigh.  But a glass of wine tonight is called for!!  Only 1.  Thanks for the support.

lago

Glad to hear good news. An occasional glass of wine is not the issue. It having it regularly. So enjoy your glass of wine. It was a scary day.

Carrol2

Glad to hear you sounding better Tara. Relax Enjoy that glass of wine.

Paula1231

Excellent news Tara!!! 

Nbb1032

Hi Ladies,

Haven't posted or read lately  - BUT today is the one year anniversary of my surgery and I have been thinking of you all.  A special hello to those of you from my original group still active on the site - Lago, Paula 1231, Carrol2, Winterstorm, Taranebraska, Broken Dreams and a very special anniversary hello to Smurfiep who shared my surgery date with me.  I know a lot of you have been through Hell and back this past year and I am accutely aware of how lucky I have been so far.  You are really an inspiration to me. 

A quick update on me - Had BMX w/TE on Aug 4th.   No chemo, no rads.   Fills to 550cc Exchange surgery November 9th.   I am hoping my final PET scan in November shows nothing.

I still have pain under my arms but nothing I can't handle or that interferes much with my life.  For those of you now getting ready for your exchange surgery - a few words of advice.  1. Because the implants are flatter and wider than regular breasts, you need to go bigger to look smaller.  I am now in a 34D Bra  and look like a small C in clothes.  I was a 34DD originally and the surgeon left too much skin.   I should be having a revision but decided against any more surgery. 2.  Try not to have unrealistic expectations.  My sister's Breasts (same surgeon) came out beautiful but mine look a little like large pancakes.  3.  Do not attempt to buy bras (at least not too many) until 6 months PAST exchange.   I was surprised on how much the swelling went down and how the shape changed.  4.  LISTEN TO WHIPPETMOM!  She really does know what she is talking about.   I am hoping you can learn from my past mistakes.   

Good luck to all of you in your "new normal" lives.  I will try and stay in touch from time to time.  Thanks to all of you for keeping my "August 2010 Mastectomy" thread alive!

Love, Nancy     

Carrol2

Hey Nancy glad to hear you are doing well. My anniversary is the 9th. I had chemo no rads. Had my last fill two days ago. I am at 695cc. I was a 36DD my PS thinks I will be a large C small D in the end. This is as big as he can get me. My preop is Sept 6th, I will get a surgery date then.

What profile did you get on your implants. My expanders look flat so i think my PS will go high profile. 

I posted pics of my last fill on the forum. 

lago

waving Nbb1032. Yes my PS said not to spend money on bras till post 6 months. I'm  6 weeks post exchange. The boobie prizes are getting rounder every day. I have no idea what size I am since I went bigger and fuller. My implants are style 15 allergen 397cc (moderate profile). I'm supposed to be a b/c. All I know is I'm much bigger. I'm getting used to it.

Nbb1032

Hi Carrol2 and Lago,

Good to hear from you.  I got a high profile 550 - I don't remember why anymore, but I did do some research and we I decided on the size after discussing it with my PS.  I weigh about 125 but have narrow shoulders and a small frame so now my breasts finally look like they match my body (DD was way too big for me). However, I am really disapointed that I have to buy 34D bra as sometimes that size is hard to find.   Anyway, it is what it is.   Carrol, good luck on your exchange surgery!  It will be nice to get those expanders off your chest. 

lago

Nbb I have a feeling I might be buying the 34D when I'm all settled too but we'll see. I'm about 132lbs (need to lose just 2-4 more) 5'6" but small framed as well. My implants are smaller than yours so hopefully just a C but I'm so much fuller now than before.

lago

Nbb did I forget to congratulate you yesterday on your 1 year NEDversary? It's so exciting isn't it!!!

LindaNZ

Hi

Just popped back to see how everyone is. I'm coming up to my MX anniversary on the 12th. Reading all the posts about exchange surgery makes me realise how lucky I am (I had a one step procedure so got my implant a year ago). My new nipple was made in March - I've yet to do the tattoo-ing bit to colour the nipple. I had my MRI scan last week which was clear. Life is back to normal now except for a few trivial things like no low cut blouses, being careful where I change into my swimsuit, etc. I opted not to do rads or chemo. I'm on tamoxifen which makes my temperature fluctuate wildly - mostly overheating.

So my heart goes out to those of you still struggling with scares, surgery, and side effects.

Wishing you all good health

Linda

Pawprint

Hi All.....Just checking in. My August 13, 2010 surgery date is now one year past. What a year. Still doing scans for liver. Finally getting anemia under control with no more iron infusions, ( I hope). Still taken Arimidex, lots of vitamins, exercising, going to doctors, doing scans....but all and all I am doing well. Started back to school for my Doctorate in Psychology, (mind still kind of fuzzy though).

Nice to see so many of us still posting. We really pulled each other thru. Many thanks to all of us brave women.

lago

Brokendreams nice to hear you back in school. So that means 1 year NED! Congratulations!

I had another liver scan after chemo. Will have another in year (Feb 7th). No anemia for me just want to be sure everything there is benign cycsts.

Carrol2

wow congrats on all the anniversaries we did it!!!! my bmx was aug 9th i did not even realize it wa a year on that day. guess i am getting pretty normal now already even though i still have my exchange and nipple surgery left to do.