January 2013 surgery

JRMH

Hi, everyone. I don't think a thread has been started yet for January 2013. If I am wrong then I will join in the already existing one!

My name is Jen. I am having a BMX with TE's placed on January 17. I was hoping to have my surgery sooner but my BS and PS were all booked up for December and early January. 

I had chemo before surgery because the mass was so large and they wanted to shrink it first. The good news is that the chemo was effective and shrunk the tumor a lot. I will continue to receive Herceptin because I am Her2+. I don't know yet if I will be having radiation for sure after surgery, but it is very likely.

I am turning 41 this month. I am married and have grown stepkids and young grandchildren. I know, I am young to be a grandma! My husband is 45 and had kids young and they also are having kids young.

I hope to hear from other people facing surgery in January.

Here is the list started by Tamiami. Thanks so much for starting it and I will try to stay on top of it:

* 1/3/13 AuntieEm (Emily) BMX w/TE's

* 1/4/13 Tamiami (Tami)  BMX w/TE's 

* 1/7/13 Scatsm (Susan)  BMX

* 1/7/13 Nat23  BMX?

* 1/7/13 peanutsgal BMX w/TE's

* 1/7/13 jojo2373 lump/SNB

* 1/7/13 knitlady lump

* 1/8/13 Robinlee76 (Robin)  BMX

* 1/8/13 Mirmirpanda  MX w/reconstruction

* 1/8/13 Kelly279 BMX

* 1/9/13 DivaRedefined  ??

* 1/9/13 Destina lump/SNB

* 1/9/13 jebdra BMX (no recon)

* 1/9/13 Lmimp64 BMX w/ node biopsy and recon

* 1/9/13 josie123 lump, node removal

* 1/10/13 destiny71 MX

* 1/10/13 trailertrash BMX

* 1/10/13 CookieMonster revision (left)

* 1/11/13 runner1987 BMX w/ TE's

* 1/14/13 Pattszy MX

* 1/15/13 chapter4 MX with TE(right) and port removal

* 1/15/13 wirdgirl118 (Karen) BMX

* 1/15/13 dbm75 lump, SNB, wire localization

* 1/17/13 JRMH (Jennifer)  BMX w/TE's

* 1/17/13 suzilla BMX(both), SNB(left)

* 1/18/13 jzog71 MX w/recon

* 1/18/13 smethot lump, node dissection

* 1/18/13 kkuziel lump, SNB

* 1/18/13 DebR53 (Deb) lump, SNB

* 1/21/13 MMSS  (Susan) BMX

* 1/21/13 fight4two partial MX, full ALND

* 1/22/13 liffeybloomer (Joan) lump

* 1/23/13 mrenee68 left exchange/right lift

* 1/23/13 RMlulu lump/SNB

* 1/24 13 Hopex3 (Erin)  BMX

* 1/24/13 jenimomof3 MX w/recon (right)

* 1/25/13 BrandieMcAdams lump, excisional biopsy

* 1/28/13 TammyT BMX w/DIEP

* 1/29/13 Lbwagner69 (Laurie) BMX w/tram flap

* 1/29/13 melindagb (Melinda) BMX w/recon

* 1/29/13 shadytrake lump, SNB

* 1/30/13 IamEnough 3 nodes out

* 1/30/13 josie123 lump

* 1/31/13 chelle21 MX w/recon

* 1/31/13 Sunny D lump, SNB

* 2/4/13 Teresa BMX w/TE's

* 2/7/13 Speedy4

* 2/13/13 Amy4978 BMX w/TE's and ALND

* ??? MomtoLisa exchange

* ??? Cheesecake

* ??? joellelee BMX/DIEP

* February Mariposa123  BMX 

* February alcb70 BMX w/recon

* March Butterflylady2012 

* March marianelizabeth

MMSS

Hi, I'm glad that you got this thread started. I am scheduled for a BMX on the 21st of Jan. and it is always good to have others to share the journey with. After 30 years of never missing a mammogram wouldn't you know  I managed to get a type of BC that won't show up on a mammogram or in my case an ultrasound either. I never knew that there was such a creature and I am a nurse. Go figure! So when I got the MRI from hell I was pretty shocked. However I have decided that it pays to be an old lady (73) when you get this because mine is strongly hormone sensitive so I got to do hormone therapy instead of chemo and it is much kinder and gentler. Also in my case very effective. The tumor is completely out of the chest muscle and about a third the size it was originally so I am way beyond grateful. I could have had the surgery sooner but why mess up the holidays and I am hoping that if it continues to melt I might be able to get by with a sentinal node rather than a full axillary node disection. The second breast is clean but emotionally I can't live with the fact that ILC has a tendancy to recur in the opposite breast and since it won't show on mammograms that totally freaks me out. I am not planning on having reconstruction. I had implants for over 30 years and it is a case of been there and done that. I had them out about five years ago and have been wearing fakes ever since so it is nothing new for me. The only difference is that now medicare will pay for them.

I have been married for 51 years to a great man and have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren. I am a compulsive reader and also love walking and travel. I have cleaned up my diet a whole lot since my diagnosis but a couple of squares of dark chocolate are essential to my survival. One of the best things about the BC community is that nothing matters except that we share a diagnosis, not age or race or money or education or religion or politics or anything else. We are all sisters. One of the first people to call me was the 28 year old daughter of a close friend who walked this trail a year ago. The age difference ment nothing. Too bad we have to have something like this happen to discover what real community is all about.

JRMH

Hi MMSS! Thanks for joining in. I so agree with you that we are all sisters. I think that the things you said in your last paragraph are very true. I am sorry that we are going through this, but at least we can talk with other people who are, too. I hope to get to know you more as we go through this journey.

Hopex3

Hi Jennifer and MMSS,



I was diagnosed end of August with triple negative cancer in my left breast. Jennifer, I too am having chemo first...finish up my last one Dec. 27th and then Surgery January 24th for a BMX masectomy. My tumor has shrunk that the doctor nor me can find it. But something is throbbing in there. Maybe it's nerves, I don't know. I just turned 53, married for 33 years to a very supportive husband. We have two boys, 23 and 27. Not married..23 year old lives with us again. I work in a middle school as the business clerk. I lost my mom to dementia a year ago and finally thought, now I can start living my life and then this happens. It's so surreal! But I would give anything for my mom to be here holding my hand now.

It's amazing how many people have come out of the woodwork with breast cancer and reach out to me. You both are right, we all share a common bond and its great to be able to connect with people like you and share our ups and downs.

I just had my third Taxol last week so not feeling the greatest. I get the neuropathy bad in my fingers and toes so they lessened the dose last week. Have a little bit of bone pain but not terribly bad. No nausea. I didn't have any SE's with the AC. Go figure! Almost done though! Yay!

jojo2373

Hello! thanks JRMH for beginning the thread!

I will have surgery in January, but am waiting to set date and type of surgery until MRI on Dec 26.

I am 50 and a mom to 5 kids, 2 grandkids. I have just completed 4 DD AC and 4 DD Taxol. My tumor went from 6 cm to not measurable. I am waiting for MRI to make my final decision on surgery type.

I look forward to making this journey with each January member!

DivaRedefined

Hi and thanks for starting this post.



Jen, my story is very similar to yours. I will have a DMX on January 9th. My cancer was very aggressive so my treatment plan was chemo first and surgery next. I am not sure if I will need radiation.



I will continue Herceptin for the next year year. I recently spoke with a friend who is 6 months ahead of me in her treatment plan and she mentioned Gummi Bears as a new type of implant. Does anyone know about this product?

Tamiami

Hi Everyone~

I'm joining the January group even though I don't have my date for my BMX with TE's yet!  They are throwing around 12/31, 1/2, 1/14 and 1/18...the scheduler has "promised" I will know by tomoroow afternoon!

I'm 49 and have 2 grown kids, and a brand new grandson.  My daughter and son-in-law live in St. Louis and my son lives with his partner near us.  Lucky for me, my mom also lives close by and will be here to take good care of me!  She has been through BC twice and will be able to anticipate my needs way better than my husband!

I'm hoping I will be able to get back to work in 6 weeks...I'm a hairstylist and obviously need full use of my arms, so the BS is recommending 6 weeks.  Even if I have to go back a few hours a day at first, I really want to get back ASAP.  I love my job and the people I work with!

JRMH

Thank you everyone for joining in!

@Hopex3- I lost my Mom in February to cancer (not breast cancer) and then found out in May that I have breast cancer. So it's strange that we have that similarity, too. 

robinlee76

I'm 36 and was diagnosed with DCIS of the right breast 11/15/12.  Over the summer I had noticed discharge from my nipple and thought nothing of it.  After several weeks I became concerned.  I called my OB/GYN and she decided I should have a ductogram and referred me to a breast surgeon.  I had the ductogram at the end of August.  It did show there was something but we were not sure what it was.  My surgeon said I had about a 13% chance it was cancer.  I have a very tight work schedule so I thought I was OK with delaying my surgery until November.  I had the lumpectomy on 11/2.  When I went in for my post surgery appointment i got the news.  Since I am so young I choose to have the BMX to forgo radiation.  I am scheduled to have it Jan 8 with reconstruction sometime in March.

I am a mother of 2 small boys ages 3 & 6.  I think personally I have been strong but I do have my moments.  My outlook has been I can not do anything to change it so I must stay stong and posiive for my sanity.

JRMH

Hi robinlee76. Thank you for joining us!

MMSS

When I was first diagnosed my first reaction was to have the surgery immediately preferably the day before. Now I am very grateful that coooler heads prevailed. By waiting they will be dealing with a much smaller tumor and I might be able to escape the full node disection, and I am much stronger and a better surgical risk than I would have been at diagnosis. I was just 3 months post op from a total knee replacement when I was diagnosed and I feel worlds better now than I did then. Guess 2012 hasn't been the luckiest year for any of us so here's to a very good 2013. Incidentally the reason why you couldn't schedule for the end of Jan. is because thanks to people trying to get in under the current year's insurance deductable the week from Christmas to New Years is the busiest week of the year for elective surgery in any hospital. Surgeons families know that they will never vacation that week!

Mirmirpanda

Hi everyone. I'm scheduled for surgery, mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on January 8th. I just had a beautiful baby girl named Hazel in August, and discovered the tumor late October due to complications breast feeding. I'm 33 and I was hoping it was some sort of clogged infected milk duct. I went to the Dr. and all the sudden it was mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. I literally pee'd my pants. I was diagnosed with IDC on November 26th, my heart sank, we had just lost my father to pancreatic cancer the spring before. Since being diagnosed it has been nothing but head spinning madness, ultrasounds, blood tests, breast surgeon, plastic surgeon, x-ray, more blood tests, MRI and more ultrasounds. I still don't know as much about my cancer as I would like, no one can really tell me anything different from one test to the next, that I have to wait till after surgery and I'm really scared. I just know that I have breast cancer and I always want to be here for Hazel, so I am fighting for both of us.

Mariposa123

Hi everyone,

   Some of you I know from the chemo boards:-)  I will be having surgery some time in January, but unsure of when.  I did chemo first to shrink the tumor and my doctors wanted to ensure that the chemo they chose would be effective.  I am hoping it was- and my doctors all seem very hopeful.   I will be having a double mastectomy and I also heard a lot about the gummi bears (which seem like a good option- supposedly they have a nice natural shape and don't leak).  I am 45 years old and have two small children - 3 and 6. I am currently on disability but hope to be returning to work in March.  I will be having radiation after surgery.   Sorry to meet you all under these circumstances but glad we can all do this together!  I am also hoping very much that 2013 is an amazing wonderful year for all of us:-)

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Scatsm

Hi Everyone,

I am having BMX on January 7.  I was diagnosed with IDC, 16mm, triple positive, which didn't show up on mammogram or ultrasound, but appeared on MRI. I had the MRI because I was in a close breast surveillence program as I am BRCA2. This was my first MRI. I finished treatment for ovarian cancer last March, stage 3C, with 4 rounds of Taxol/Carboplatin, then total abdominal hysterectomy, then 4 more rounds of the same mix. I ended up in remission, NED, and feeling very lucky that I had survived quite an ordeal....until October when I had the MRI, that is.

Now I am trying to keep calm and live each day mindfully. I was told that if there is no node involvement, I will need Herceptin for a year and Arimidex or Femara for 5 years but no big guns chemo. Needless to say, I am hoping for that! BRCA 2 means up to an 80% chance of cancer in my left breast too, so the double mastectomy is a no brainer. I have chosen not to reconstruct at this time because I want to minimize my recovery time. I've been through hell and back over the last year and a half and want to heal as soon as possible. I also know that my ovarian cancer is the real threat to my existence. Unlike breast cancer, there aren't as many possibilites for treatment if it returns....I need to be ready to fight if that happens.

I am 62, empty nested, live alone, have one son in town, St Louis, who is a Junior in college (Tamiami, you mentioned you had family here), and a daughter at college in Denver. They'll both be home to help me in January. In the meanwhile, we're going on a family ski vacation; they ski, I get to enjoy the beauty of the mountains! I'm glad there is a forum for us all to share our journeys, and wish everyone the best outcomes possible!

Nat23

Hello looks like I am joining you ladies for January surgeries. I've been following December girls so thank you JRMH for starting this for us.

I am turning 28 on the 23rd have two beautiful kids 4 and 2 What a year it has been! I was diagnosed mid June and just finished my eight rounds of chemo on 11/29. So happy to have that done 😃. Now time for surgery. I am scheduled for Jan 7. Scatsm: we are surgery buddies I am difinetely having radiation after so it's still unclear if I will get to have TEs put in. I meet with my PS again tomorrow so we'll see.

We can do this, ladies! I am excited to be a part of this thread and look forward to getting to know you all

Scatsm

I'll be thinking of you on the 7th, Nat23...let's both come out of this with flying colors!

momwithout

I am surprised that they do not do sugery quicker. I am shocked they are so booked ahead. My daughter has just been DX with stage 2b breast cancer with a 2 cm lump and another very small one that is half mooned shaped just under the first lump. She will see her surgeon on Thursday.. so she is not sure what exactley they will do. She is so much braver then I am. She said Mom we will take it one day at a time. I had my only sister die of breast cancer in 1983 she was just  40 at the time. I know they are far more advanced today then they were 20 years ago.. for that I am greatful. I became familiar with these boards 6 years ago when a foster sister I had died of IBC.

She choose to do nothing just live it out.. which was less then a year...I would look at these boards everyday and now I guess I am back to read and learn and get encouragement and strength.. This is the place you will find those traits..

Tamiami

Scatsm~  Yes, my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson live in Wentzville.  Are you nearby?  I will be there 12/25-12/29.

I just found out today that my BMX surgery will be January 4th.  Lot's to do, but so glad to have a date!

jill47

Tamiami, good that you got your surgery not that far out.  Now you can start planning.  Hugs and love to all the January girls, you'll all be friends through surgery and for many months after surgery.  My July 2012 group still holds a special place in my heart, they helped me out so much early on after surgery.

Mirmirpanda

I met with my oncologist today. My medical team is shaping up to be pretty awesome. Didn't have too many answers for me today, my MRI results were preliminary. Wants to send me for bone scan because of my achey back and genetic testing. Found out that I'm HER2+ and that indeed my nodes are clear. The tumor is bigger than originally thought though, so that made me a bit uneasy. Doesn't change anything though. One more blood test and Dr.'s appointment before Christmas and then I get to relax for the rest of the year. Then into 2013 we go, guns blazing.



I wish all of you wonderful ladies a very merry Christmas and best wishes for a cancer free new year!!!

Nat23

Scatsm- we WILL come out of this with flying colors! I thought we would be the first ones to go for Jan surgeries but looks like tamiami will be setting the stage for us. U go tamiami!

Hopex3

Wow, I can't believe how many people have already joined this thread. Mine is not until January 24th so I'm anxious to hear from all of you ahead of me. I'm having a BMX with reconstruction.



Scatsm...so sorry you have to go through this again. We are here for you!



Take care everyone and I'm glad we have each other to get us through these surgeries.



Erin

Tamiami

~Jill47, thanks for the understanding of my need to prepare!  LOL!

~Nat23, I'm hoping that I can be a good "first one"!  I promise to try to keep everyone posted and be honest about how it all goes...but be forwarned that I'm naturally optimistic and things may be tinted a little rosey

~JRMH, I compiled a list of surgery dates to make it easier to keep track of everyone...any chance you can copy and paste it to your original post by editing?  Thanks!

* 1/4/13 Tamiami (Tami)  BMX w/TE's 

* 1/7/13 Scatsm  BMX

* 1/7/13 Nat23  BMX?

* 1/8/13 Robinlee76 (Robin)  BMX

* 1/8/13 Mirmirpanda  MX w/reconstruction

* 1/9/13 DivaRedefined  ??

* 1/17/13 JRMH (Jennifer)  BMX w/TE's

* 1/21/13 MMSS  BMX

* 1/24 13 Hopex3 (Erin)  BMX

* ??? JoJo2373

* ??? Mariposa123  BMX  

Scatsm

Tami, I live in St Louis County, about 45 mins from your family. Have a great visit...if you're like me, it's all about enjoying each day. I am trying not to focus on the surgery til it's here!

Nat23, Tami will help us through...I know she will do well!   Happy Birthday (early)....you are too young for this to be happening...

Hopex3, I appreciate the support!

MMSS, I too was diagnosed with cancer (ovarian) just a few months after total knee replacement. I was anemic after the surgery and it got worse and worse...none of the docs related it to cancer...sigh...my 2011 was like your 2012...let's hope that 2013 is better!

Sending warm wishes for a healthy and happy New Year to you all!!

JRMH

Thank you, Tamiami, for coming up with that list. I will edit my first post to include that information and I will try to stay on top of keeping it updated.

I agree with the wishes for a cancer free and healthy new year to all of us!

ETA: Okay, I just put up the list in the first post!

Nat23

Thank you scatsm!

I went and saw my PS today. He will put in TEs for me same day as my BMX on the 7th. He said I'm at a higher risk of TEs failing due to followed radiation but he had patients that did fine. 50/50 chance...ill take it. My body normally recovers pretty quickly but being 28 I haven't had any major surgeries done. All I can do is think positive! I will be ok! I've come this far


p>

NatsFan

Just want to send the January 2013 surgery ladies all good wishes - I had a skin sparing BMX with ALND and T/E placement 5 years ago on January 31, 2008.  That was in preparation for a staged DIEP that I had on October 2008 once active treatment was done.  Five years later, I am fortunate to have no evidence of disease, and I just signed up to run my very first ever half marathon in April.  Not bad for a 57 year old!  (No I wasn't a runner before b/c - I was active, but had these droopy mega DD "girls" and no sports bra in the world could contain them.  I specifically told my BS that I wanted to recon down to perky B cup girls - and that's exactly what I have.  Now I can run down the street without making a spectacle of myself!  )

I'll pass along a few words of advice from the "been there, done that" school. You may find some or all of them useful:

1.  Accept help from others.  You have cancer for crying out loud!  Others are eager to help you, so let them.  People can bring food, walk the dog, take your kids for a day or a weekend, etc.

2. Relax your standards.  So the house gets a bit grubby, magazines stack up on the table, and the kitchen floor doesn't gleam.  So what??!!  This is all about you right now, so just relax and don't sweat the small stuff.

3. TAKE THE PAIN MEDS!!!  There is no prize for the breast cancer patient who takes the least amount of pain killers.  Your body will heal faster and better when it's not having to fight pain as well.  Take them as prescribed for at least the first few days home from the hospital.  If you're feeling OK, at that point you can start stretching out the intervals a bit if you want.  It's a lot easier if you keep the pain to a manageable level.  If you let it get away from you, it's much harder to bring it back to that manageable level.  Believe me, I learned this one the hard way.

4. You may find it easier to sleep in a recliner for a few weeks after surgery.  Some folks do OK in their regular bed propped up with pillows, but I did much better in a recliner.  If you don't have one, maybe you can borrow one - lots of people have old comfy ones in their basement rec rooms.  An added benefit is that it will help your caretaker get a good night's sleep. We set up the the recliner in the living room.  If I was awake in the middle of the night, I could put on the TV without waking my husband.  Also, just in general he slept a lot better without me tossing, turning, and groaning next to him all night, and as a caregiver he needed his sleep. 

5. Let someone else run interference.  After surgeries and during chemo, I didn't feel like company or talking on the phone a lot of the time.  I let my husband handle all that.  If someone came to the door to visit and I wasn't up to company, I'd have my husband tell them I was resting.  Same with unwanted phone calls.  After all, who is going to be mad at a cancer patient who isn't up to talking just now?  Swipe that cancer card when you need it - you've earned it.

6. If you're having any nodes removed, even a sentinal node biopsy, you are at increased risk for developing lymphedema.  Unfortunately too many surgeons are not well versed about lymphedema, and too often patients are not advised about risk reduction measures they can take, and are not observed for signs of lymphedema during follow up visits.  I hate to dump something brand new on all of you when you're already trying to come to grips with your diagnosis, but I would encourage you to discuss lymphedema with your surgeon, and arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can.  The Lymphedema section here on BCO is wonderful, and there's also an excellent website about lymphedema called:  http://www.stepup-speakout.org/   The risk reduction measures you can take are relatively simple once you know about them - things like don't allow BP to be taken in that arm, no IVs or other needles in that arm, monitoring the arm for swelling, feelings of heaviness or tingling, etc.   Knowledge is power! 

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but just wanted to reach back to those of you and send you hugs and love.  I may not check this thread all the time, but if anyone wants to PM me with questions, please feel free.  So many women who went before me reached out to me 5 years ago and patiently answered every one of my hysterical questions and gave me hope, so I'm glad to return the favor!

Good luck ladies - you can do this!!

(Edited to correct some spelling errors - can I still blame chemobrain 5 years later??)

MMSS

Thanks you so much NatsFan. There is nothing as encouraging as hearing from longer term survivors who reach back to give us a hand going forward. It is so nice of you to take the time to pass on such good advice. Incidentally I see that you live in Rockville. I grew up in Silver Spring back when Rockville was still a rather quaint county seat for Montgomery county. We had to go there to get our marriage license. Now when we visit there it is like downtown and the traffic is horrific. Still a nice area though. I love some of the old homes. Have a great holiday and thanks again.

AuntieEm

I am scheduled for 1/2/13 BMX w/reconstruction & expanders. Not that it is good that anyone should face this but it is nice to not be alone. I will be praying for you my sisters. God Bless!

Tamiami

We will be close together Emily...I'm glad to have a date close to the holidays, so I will stay busy and keep my mind off of it!  Good luck to you on the 2nd!

Thanks for all the info NatsFan!  Some great advice in your post!

No problem Jennifer!  Thanks for keeping the list up!

I'm excited for my trip scatsm!  Seeing my daughter and grandson is just what I need!

destiny71

Thanks to all, since diagnosed in early november this site has become my early morning companion. Scheduled for mastectomy 10th January 2013 I will be joining a few of you both in trying to get through december without cancer ruling my life, and in the surgery itself. Waiting has been incredibly hard this far and I was extremely angry at having to wait for so long...

I suppose it give me time to get everything organised, I have found advice on shopping for bra's and other essentials ... why is it surgeons do not explain the small stuff, when it is actually sooo important ... 

thanks to the survivors who take the time out to help newbies prepare for the long road ahead