Any Ladies from Iowa/ Mn/ Neb/ SD?

IowaSue45

Hi , I have not seen very many on there from my surrounding states. Would like to know if there are any out there and where you went for treatment/ reconstruction.

dbis

hi i am from iowa and went to mercy des moines , i have stage 0  but have some hurdles to jump looks like . just had sugery april 14 th  it went well but found some scraggles waiting for my appt to see what we are going to do about them.  hope you are well !! Denise 

Cisatypo

If you can possibly go to Mayo for initial treatment, it is THE BEST in all of these states.

IowaSue45

Hi, thx for the replies, was thinking  was the only one from these states. Not that I'm glad their are others, just thought it would be nice to share experiences with more locals. I had my surgery in Sioux falls,SD but I am from NW Iowa. I will be having DIEP at Mayo in May. Sioux Falls treated me real good I have no complaints. All in the field that have seen my scars think they look like I've healed awesome and I believe that is because I had a really good surgeon plus he was super compassionate. Keep in touch ! Sue

neanieree

Hi, had a masectomy in June of 2011.  All went well, immediate reconstruction with expander.  that wasnt too painful, a little uncomfortable for a day or so each time but ibuprofen seemed to take care of it.  I just had my nipple reconstruction done on Friday, April 22. Now I can wait for the tattoo.  WooHoo!  Never did I ever think I would get one!  Wouldn't let my kids and now this!  Anyway.  I began Tamoxifen about a month ago and am having some really crazy episodes.  Crying jags, absolutely NO concentration making work very difficult, headaches etc.  Called my oncologists nurse and was told that was not normal and shouldnt be happening this quickly,  but after reading a ton of stuff on the subject I think I beg to differ.  The onco said stop taking it right away until I feel better then start back with half a dose.  Heres my question, is it the hormones or do I just really need to talk to somebody who has been thru the same thing I have.  I was very fortunate and the sentinal node was clear so I have required no chemo or radiation.  I went to a support group but felt like I really didnt belong since so many had to have chem, radiation, etc and then masectomies to boot.  My hat is off to all of these women and I feel like I don't really deserve their time since they have all overcome so much more than I have.  BUT, I do feel the need to talk about what happened to me with someone else who has been thru something similar.  Anybody out there??

kelchris

IowaSue44:

You were looking for girls from the upper midwest...I'm from North Dakota, north of Fargo.  I had Bi-Lat DIEP flap surgery on 4/26/11 at St. Cloud, MN (Dr. John Houle, Midsota Plastic Surgeons) and had a very good experience!  (My chemo., MX, & radiation...in that order...were all done at Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, ND.  Also great care!)  

I wish you the best in your upcoming surgery!

stef58

Looking for Upper Midwest. Was born in Iowa and Live in the Panhandle of Nebraska. I had a mastecomy in June of 09 and 8 rounds of chemo. Was stage 2a with  i node. Did a/c and taxotere. Going through all the yearly tests. They all came back normal and saw onco, today. Strange visit but who cares. I did my treatment in a small hospital on the western end of the state. The time goes in no time. I seem to forget that this evil stuff happended. Find life more intersting. The care I have received is nesx to none. Glad all are doing good. Are any of you involed in AG? Dianne

Parentof1

  HI.  I am from Minnesota.  My dx was 7/09:  Stage1, grade 2.  Had Oncotype DX, score was low so did not need Chemo or Rads.  I am on Femara with the awful suana flashes...lol!  I had bilateral with prosthesis.

  I go to Mn Oncology and also had a great surgeon from our local hopsital. 

pejkug3

I'm from SE IA.  Anyone near me?  Maybe the QC area or IA City area?

IowaSue45

 

IowaSue45

Hi Ladies, I have been staying so busy, I know hard to believe lol. My friend with the pink tractor was in a tractor ride this weekend and I went to see it and hubby got a picture of us so this is my reveal LOL first picture since my DIEP 3 1/2 wks  so 2 new boobs and flattened ads and I got my hair trimmed for the firts time on Fri. Yeah I really don't look too different. Its does feel really good to have breasts again.

pejkug3

LOVE it!! 

YamahaMama

Hello, ladies!  I'm from Rapid City, South Dakota--West River.  Love the tractor pic!  Made me laugh when I saw it, because it made me think of an older man who comes out for the Sturgis Rally every year...he goes by "Iowa Farmer," and drives a three-wheel tractor! 

BlyDncr

HI All - Guess I qualify for this thread on all counts.  Born in Minneapolis, graduated from Richfield, MN and now live on the border of IA, NE, SD (Sioux City).  I had my surgery in Sioux City and am going through rads at the local cancer center.  I am on number 7 of 33.

IowaSue45

Hi Ladies, I do need to check back here more often sorry I neglected. After cancer life goes right back to being busy. I hope you all are going good. I have my 6 month check up next month. Other than that not much is new.

Yamaha -I'm am hoping to get out to the motorcycle rally this year it is on my bucket list. I have looked and all the campgrounds are full already so checking out other options. If you have any suggestions let me know. Thx

BlyDncr- I have figured out that it is a lot cheaper to go to SC to the breast clinic to have some things like ultrasound on lumps, they just charge the co pay 15. but if I go have it done locally they send me over to the hospital and then it cost the full amount. I do get over there to shop sometime also. I am about an hr away. How was your treatment there? I did a lot of mine in Sioux Falls. I had excellent treatment there

iatigger

Hi everyone, I am from near Cedar Rapids. Nice to know there are a few others from the midwest because most threads I have been on people are from the East or West coast. I have heard of a few people from Iowa in the last month or so, maybe we could do a get together this summer or fall. Hope everyone is dealing with their treatments well!

Annie2012

IowaSue45, I am from SE SD and am taking my treatment in Sioux Falls.  Did you go to Sanford or McKennan? Finished my chemo March 5th and having a bilateral mastectomy April 3rd.  Rads after that.  I go to McKennan, my MO is DR Krie and my BS is Dr Reiland.

IowaSue45

Hi Annie, I went to both. I had mastectomy at Sanford Dr. Wheeler(Sanford) he was awesome!!  I also have Dr. Krie she is good!!  Glad you are done with the chemo as far as I'm concerned you are past the hard part. I had my mx 1st then chemo and rad. a yr. of herceptin. I wonder who you will have for rad.? Dr. Krie sent me to some lady RO and the office wasn't attached to either hosp. it was sorta by itself and I just went to her to get er opinion on having rad. and then I had it local. I just can't remember then ladies name but I really liked her!! She visited with me for an hour. Good Luck and keep in touch. My one suggestion to you is eat fresh pineapple the week before surgery I believe it helps aide in healing because of an enzyme in you can even google it. http://www.fwhc.org/health/pineapple.htm I ate lot before and following mx and I healed super well. The Drs were even amazed.Sue