In shock

beacon800

Yay Benny!!  That is great news.  Great, great news!!

Your surgery will be ok.  I have had needle localization, both via MRI and via Mammography.  It is not very much fun, BUT - it didn't hurt, they used tons of lidocaine.  Just focus on your breath, don't look at what they are doing.  If you have some pain ask for more lidocaine.  Honestly, it will be ok.

Breast surgery itself doesn't hurt much.  I have had a ton of it and it never hurt bad.  Sentinel node surgery can be a bit more discomfort but don't focus on that stuff.  It passes and ends.  Focus on gaining full recovery of your health, which based on your scans you have every reason to expect!!  You'll get through, believe it.

FilterLady

Benny:

I'm doing an extra happy dance for your scans being all clear!!!

I was already doing the dance since I went for my first post diagnosis mammo today and heard "ALL CLEAR"!!!!!

Thank you God for taking care of Benny and me today and everyday!

LaDonna

PS My DH did the happy dance in the parking lot of the doctors office.  Folks were looking at him like he was crazy (he really is but more so today, rofl)!

geebung

Benny, I've been lurking here for a while, praying you'd get good news from the scans and was so happy to check in this morning and read that they were clear. I hope it's the first of more good news...

Cowgirl13

Benny, so glad to hear the good news. I'll be thinking of you on Monday.  Hugs to you and your horse.

Lizzie 

edithesther

Benny,  here in Merseyside England crying tears of joy and relief for you !!

 My BC buddy Bel was stage 3 with spread to 3 lymph glands. Two years later still here, well and happy just back from a cruise, off to Cyprus next month.

 Just look to the future, you have one !! Wish I could fly and meet you all. My operation next Friday, shaking a little but me and Mr Ted will get through, as will you and your Teddy Monday. Good luck, hugs, keep us all posted please. X

edithesther

Infobabe, about the vertigo thanks sure it will be bits flying around in inner ear or someting like that, everything else is loose, drooping, or just worn out so no surprise there, ha ha.

Filterlady, tears of joy for you too.

Dakota 212, you will come across people like this all through your life, just continue and put them to one side, you are the most important person right now, sometime I wonder if a bit of jealousy creeps in, not of BC but of the fact you are in peoples thoughts. I had one like this my son in law. I no longer communicate or ask after him he doesn't exist as far as I am concerned. He posted a really weird thing on facebook yesterday about cancer. I obviously ignored it. Karma will sort it for me.

Benny we will compare pics of Ted's one day in our future. May not take him in after all in case someone runs away with him !! will take a photo instead. I am diabetic and have to inject every day, had a needle phobia too but as it keeps me alive I do it now no problem,

Chris13.  Good point about cells moving, helped me too. Thanks.

Dakota212

Ediesther-

The sadest thing is that the selfish person was my husband.

edithesther

Dakota, you poor love, slightly similar problem with my hubby. If anyone mentions my BC he goes on about how he had a bowel cancer scare ( he was ok ) it feels almost as if he is trying to minimise mine. He is supportive in that he takes me to appointments and we have no little ones to worry about but I feel deep down that he is feeling a bit lost and helpless so when he says something a bit flippant or unfeeling I try to rise above it. Your hubby like mine is probably afraid for you and doesn't want to let you out of his sight but doesn't know how to tell you. Give him a cuddle, even if you really want to smack him, it works for me.  :-))

Dakota212

Edithester-



Thanks for ur positive thoughts but he has not gone on any appointments with me. This dx is cramping his style. I am 40 with two kids that are 11 and 8 I can't count on him sadly. I am glad for u tho

edithesther

That is so sad, you will get better soon as we all will I am sure. Do it for your children. They are your future. Keep in touch. x

Dakota212

Absolutely!!!! My kids are my reason to keep going. I don't have a choice not to move past this. God bless us all 😄😄😄

edithesther

Dear Dakota, he surely will.

 I want to see my darling granddaughters grow into young ladies That is my goal.

You hang in there, we are all here for you ,and each other. BC sisters unite and kick this things backside. you are all an inspiration.

bonnets

Benny, been reading your posts, and  empathising, I was diagnosed 3 weeks ago, waited for BRACA which was neg, as I had a daughter who passed from BC at 33! Any way, I have my surgery tomorrow, preceeded by SLN and the needle localization. Learned a lot here, still scared and praying the SLN is negative. Will  continue to follow your journey too.

NSJ2

Dakota - We're here for you. Just come here and we'll support you.

Bonnets - I'm praying your SLN is negative! Good thoughts headed your way hon.

NSJ2

FilterLady

Bonnets....praying for good results for tomorrow.

God bless you,

LaDonna

edithesther

Bonnets, positive thoughts and healing vibes to you today.

Dakota212

NSJ2-

Thanks for the support. I need all the cyber help I can get!!! Happy friday everyone. Hope all those who had surgery this week ate doing better and feeling a bit more like ur selves !!! Cheers!

HLB

Benny I am SO GLAD!!!!! You've been so worried for so long! Great great news..what a relief!! :-D :-D :-D

bonnets

Had my surgery today, lumpectomy and the preliminary tests indicate clean nodes. Breathing again. See onco on the 27th, he also happens to be our primary. Will probably be doing rads. Jean

NSJ2

Thats awesome news, Bonnets. So happy for you!

edithesther

Bonnets, thrilled for you, wonderful news !

bonnets

NSJ, Gotta tell you something my girl friend told me, get soft, fasten in the back bras, to wear after your lumpectomy, no underwire. Thought mine was soft, but got several Bali comforts today, makes a world of difference in how I feel! What is the  most bothersome is  where they took the nodes for the SLN, but nothing is that bad at all. Been out and about today! Jean

bennymuffins

Bonnets, soooo glad to hear your surgery went well. I am counting down the hours to mine and TERRIFIED! They were able to tell you the results right after the surgery? I am expecting at least a week of waiting. I am taking Ativan and putting EMLA cream on every part of my body. I am so scared about the surgery that I have constant diarrhea (I know, too much information) and it's making me weaker.

Sorry everyone for the delay in getting back to this thread. I have been spending my last days at the farm in anticipation that i won't be able to visit there for awhile now. I am also worried about this lymphadema issue. One scratch and you can get it? Helloooooo!!!! I work on a farm! I work with animals that weigh 1100 pounds! I get splinters in my hands/arms daily. I get scratches daily. I think I'm in big trouble.

bearcub

Benny, hand sanitizer, spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide and Lysol wipes. You will be fine, just be cautious. Stay calm, you are a strong woman, you can do this.



I bought a vanity fair bra, padded no underwires, from sears and it was beautiful to wear right after my surgery. It did not hit my incision at 1-3 o'clock or the SN incision.



So happy for you Bonnets, way to go!

Chris13

Benny, sometimes there can be a bit too much info available, and I don't mean your bowel issues. Yes, LE is serious problem for SOME women. A scratch will not cause it, but make an existing tendancy worse. If you do develop it, there is a lot to do to improve the drainage. And wearing gloves to avoid scratches would be an easy fix.

Yes, we are all at risk, even in the future.  But don't assume you will have this condition.

 BTW, after my surgery, I was told not to raise my affected arm over my head for two weeks. I literately did not do that....kept it at or below shoulder level. You'd be surprised at the work arounds in the 2nd week (when I was more ambulatory), such as bending head to wash hair, etc. I do attribute no LE to following that precaution. I also was careful with my arm the first few weeks; you can't do heavy lifting anyway.

My dear mother had it horribly back in the day when they yanked everything out. Now there is so much that can be done IF it occurs. 

Lesleyanne67

Benny



As I have had all my nodes - full right axilla dissection, I am at high risk of LE.



It is sort of an individual thing they are getting better but A's to why some develop it and some do not they are actually really not sure.



I am just 3 years out. I do not have LE. BUT here is what has happened to that arm in the last 3 years.



One of my kitties got his rear leg stuck in a chair back jumping off the kitchen counter and was hanging upside down WAILlING. Could not free himself and j went to his aid without even thinking. If I had a picture of my shredded arm. Poor guy was do freaked it was all jaws and claws even though I was trying to help, which I did. In any case major scratches and bites that broke skin. I got antibiotics. I did not get LE



About 6 months later we are on the golf course and my then 11 year old step son hit his golf ball basically sideways and backwards full force and the ball hit ME of course in my possible LE arm. Huge golf ball size hematoma



Next I havexa basal cell on my arm and you guessed if RIGHT arm it had to be excised and stitched...



So EVERY one of my major arm related incidents in the last year, A's fate would have it, was on my potential LE side.



I had a friend going thru chemo sane as me basically same age, same chemo, rads, stage, node involvement. We met going thru treatment. She does get a scratch gardening and she has LE....by all accounts her trauma to her limb, less than mine



So hoping for 2 things with this story. One I hope my bad luck inspires you to realize you may not get LE AND based on the other gal's story help you realize that it is somewhat out of your hand so why fret over what you have zero control over. I know if is stupid, but I like the simple saying, "it is what it is!"



Lesley

bennymuffins

Bearcub, thank you for the tips! I will carry those items in my truck at all times. Fabulous idea!

I bought a couple of soft front-fastening bras yesterday. Can't remember what brand they are but they are comfy, no underwire. I also bought them a size bigger than I normally wear just in case I am swollen (?)

Chris, my surgeon told me that only 10% of women get lymphadema, but then I only had  a 1.3% chance of getting BC, and here I am I do wear gloves out at the farm but only to my wrist. My mom (adoptive mom) had a double mastectomy (in the 1980's) and I don't ever remember her getting it or complaining of it? I will follow the doctor's orders to a T! I will keep my arm down, I will not lift anything heavy, I will be good (Girl Guide salute)

Lesley, I have a cat too! And he loves to play and he doesn't realize how sharp his claws are. I guess the best thing to do is not worry and if I do see signs, march into the doctor's office and get those antibiotics.

Counting down the hours now...... just 13 more hours. They won't let me bring a computer into the hospital so I won't be able to check in with you all for two days!

bearcub

Girls you can go online and order a bright pink plastic bracelet that snaps onto your wrist. It is used when you are going in for surgery and are unable to speak up and say no to needles, blood pressure, IV's, blood tests, in the arm that has nodes removed.



Order online your FREE bracelet from www.lymphedema.com

curveball

@bennymuffins, I have a cat too, and in the past used to breed Persians, so I have been scratched many times and bitten once or twice, although never so as to need antibiotics. I figure by this time my immune system is well accustomed to and on its guard against "cat germs". If you've had lots of cats or had them for a long time, I'd guess yours is too. My oncologist told me to use gloves while dealing with the litter box during my chemo treatment. Other than that I've had no warning against handling cats, but I only had SNB, not a full dissection so maybe you need to be a bit more cautious than I do.

P.S. If I had to deal with a cat that was hung up in something and scared enough to lash out indiscriminately, I'd try to find a towel or blanket to wrap around it to avoid getting clawed or bitten--or at least to reduce the severity of bites & scratches. For cats that play too rough, I have found that if I make that squeaking "ouch!" noise that kittens make to each other, or to people if accidentally stepped on, the cat will often back off with a "Sorry, I didn't know I was hurting you" sort of expression, and tone down their rough play. That is Persians, which are mostly pretty laid-back. Cats of a more active temperament may not react the same way. 

bonnets

Benny,

you'll do just fine. Praying things go well for you. Waiting to hear from you , hugs, Jean