January 2013 surgery

MMSS

Jennifer and Suzilla all the best to you for tomorrow. Our love and prayers are with you both. Special thanks to Jen for bringing us all together. You have given us such a gift and now we will be sending it all back to you.

Abitmuch, if ever there was a handle that was an understatement then yours wins the prize. I can't even imagine dealing with BC and a pregnancy at the same time but these days there is so much more research that has been done on how to manage both successfully because sadly it is not as uncommon as we would like to think. We will all have you in our thoughts and prayers and both you and your baby just gained a whole lot of sisters, aunts and grandmas who will stand with you all the way. You can do this! 

I got some good news today. Saw the MO and I had asked him to order an Oncotype DX for me and I assumed that it would be done at the time of surgery. Well apparently they went back and did it on the biopsy specimen because it was back and was a 6. Made my whole day. Love to all, Susan

MMSS

Nancy, I am 73 and have been on Aromasin for 5 months and the SEs of most of the AIs tend to be similar. I have had some joint pain but what else is new. After having a thumb and knee replaced for arthritis joint pain is not exactly new for me but it really isn't bad and I find that I have a lot less when I exercise. You tend to be a bit stiff when you first stand up but once you get moving it improves quickly. Also a bit of insomnia but I had some of that before also so it is hard to tell what is new since these are such subjective symptoms. I have a good friend who has been on Arimidex for 3 years and had no SE except for a bit more osteoporosis. I had a very large tumor but since it was strongly hormone positive and I was older they let me do hormone therapy rather than chemo and it has been highly effective. The tumor is a very small fraction of it's original size. It is hard to believe that a pill that is that small could save my life. I would be a bit wary of the threads about hormone therapy because people tend to post more when they have problems than they do when all is going well. When I think that it saved me from chemo I am way beyond grateful. I too will be doing radiation post op so can't help you there. Good luck to you.

Hopex3

JRMH and Suzilla....thoughts are with you both tomorrow! Prayers and Hugs to you.



Not feeling the greatest today. Kinda feel like I'm getting the flu. So not very talkative but please know I'm thinking of you all!!

Speedy4

Best wishes tomorrow Jennifer and suzilla!

Amy4978

Jennifer and Suzilla.... Hugs to both of you! You are warriors I will be sending positive vibes your way. Heres to a quick recovery!

BrandieMcAdams

Prayers for an easy successful surgery to suezilla and JRMH!



Hope- I'm praying its not the flu. Get better soon

peanutsgal

Prayers for suezilla and Jennifer.



Hopex3... Hope you feel better soon. Prayers for you as well!



Welcome to adavisart and Abitmuch.



AuntiEm...it did get better for me after all 4 drains were out! I got the last two out yesterday. I did not realize how tense I had become with them in...always guarding them and trying to situate them. I woke up much less stiff this morning.

Amy4978

Morning Ladies.... due to my last chemo I am up bright and early on my last seroid buzz!

I have onhe question for you.... I want to purchase a couple post surgical camisoles with drain pockets do you have one you bought and love? Where did you get yours? I can find them online but no cheaper than 50-60 dollars I even checked ebay and amazon. My hospital does supply one but I would like a couple. Thanks

Lmimp64

Hi Amy. TLC has some.



http://www.tlcdirect.org/Mastectomy-Camisoles-And-Tank-Tops-Breast-Cancer-Surgery-Patients-American-Cancer-Society-TLC-Direct

jojo2373

Hoping all goes well today - Jennifer and Suzilla!

Tamiami

Jennifer and Suzilla~ Good luck today and just know that we are all thinking about you!

Emily~  I am feeling more stiff/sore/tired/lazy than I was before as well.  I'm hoping that when the drains come out that I can get a little more active again and most of the symptoms will go away.  I feel a little depressed and that goes against evrything I have always been...gotta snap out of this!  Have you started any stretching excercises for your arm?  I have been doing them for a few days and haven't really noticed a difference yet.

I'm going in to work today to observe a new technique and get my hair washed and blown out, so that should help my mood!  I really miss work!

Peanutsgal~ Thanks for the input about the drains...it gives me something to look forward to!

I want to say hello and welcome to all of the new warriors!  I can't remember all of your names and don't have the time right now to look them all up, but I have read all of your stories and they have really touched me.  I also read Runners blog...amazing!

Gotta go, Tami

smethot

"The lump will come out...TOMORROW!  Bet your bottom dollar that TOMORROW...there's no lump!"  Yee ha!  Hate that interloping, little bugger and tomorrow IT IS HISTORY.  I'm scared and nervous and excited as all get out...i i just want it the hell out.  I'm lx and sentinel...day surgery...home by dinner time with any luck.  Anyone chime in on the Kopans?  Was it weird?  Seems walking around the hospital with a wire sticking out of my boob is just plain odd...Frankenboob.  But hey- helps my surgeon get the nasty lumpie out (fingies crossed for VERY clear margins) i'm all for it!  I am soooooo happy this is finally here...not looking forward to the drain but oh well!  Well worth it to get lumpie the unloved and unwanted out!  OUT!!!

RMlulu

Prayers & speedy healing for Jennifer & suzilla today

Love your happy dance smethot!

Know that you Friday sisters will do great & be fine!

Calm peaceful thoughts...jzog71, kkuziel, & happy dancer!

Go warrior sisters!

AuntieEm

Hi Tami



I am feeling the same way. I have been doing some of the exercises and haven't felt a whole lot of difference either. I did get on the elliptical this morning at the lowest setting for 30 mins. It really helped my mobility. However, I did pass out on the recliner for an hour this afternoon... I can't wait to get these drains out tomorrow! I will also go get my hair washed and blown out. Makes you feel brand new!



Love and prayers especially to Suzilla and Jennifer.



Emily

Mirmirpanda

Got a full blown cold!!! The whole kit n' kaboodle sniffly, sneezy, coughy, achy.... Ugh. What a mess.



Had a really good look at myself in the mirror yesterday before I had my first shower post surgery. I cried. I am heavier than I'm used too as I gained 50 lbs during pregnancy and still haven't lost my 'mommy tummy' (got 30-35 lbs left to lose) and I now have this numb, disfigured, strange little breast. I stood there staring at myself, strange hair, strange body and I think, will I ever feel whole again? Will I ever feel like myself again? Will I ever love myself like I did before? A poor me day indeed. Through my tears I tried to tell myself that this is about life. This is about saving my life. But I'm mourning my hair, I'm mourning my breast and I'm mourning my care free former life. I tell myself I can't feel like this, I have to take care of my sweet Hazel, I have to keep it together... life won't stop and I'm scared. Give me my pathology results already, port me and pump me full of drugs, I just want my life back please.



I barely slept a wink last night, despite just feeling drained. I got a case of the blahs, I know it gets better, but easier said than done. I have so much to be thankful for, I have so much to look forward to and for all of that I am truly grateful. It's a beautiful day out, I'm gonna pack up the baby and take a stroll.



Sending out all the positive vibes I have to all, healing thoughts and best wishes.



This is a strange journey we are on.

Amy4978

Hugs to you mirmirpanda...... Enjoy your walk with hazel!

marianelizabeth

mirmipanda, I know how beautiful it is out here today and I passed up a walk as I have a sore hip (already getting better so maybe later) but I hope that your walk with Hazel did lift your spirits. I have called this a roller coaster ride all along because I can feel so positive one minute and then whoa, how did I get so sad? Hazel must be so beautiful at almost 6 months old and her love for you will just grow and grow and without reservation. She won't care about your "new body." I know that is not concretely helpful but let yourself have those down times and appreciate the up times. Who will give you the path results, BS or PS? 

Marian

Ariom

Mirmirpanda, sorry to hear about you getting a lousy cold. You have come so far, try not to give yourself a hard time.

Things will get back to a semblance of order. The body will change for the better, we have all had baby fat, it comes off. The breast can only improve with time. It is very early days.

You have that beautiful Hazel to love, and who will adore you unconditionally! 

Enjoy the walk with Hazel (lovely name), and take care of you!

Maybe take a look at Olive Leaf Extract for the virus. I swear by it.

Lmimp64

Mirmirpanda,

I hope your day got better. I am sorry about your cold. I think we are all feeling that way a bit. Mourning our old selves. The only thing I can think of is that time will help. We are early days yet and have to figure out who we are again. No one seems to get that. You are not alone.



Part of my trouble today was the way my chest feels. Is anyone else sensing a loss of insulation? My chest always feels cold, like I need another layer on, and when I eat and drink I feel things in my chest (above foobs) as they go down. It freaks me out. I'm still in lots of pain under my arms and can't believe how hard my foobs are. No one told me implants would feel like cement blocks. They are so high too. Does anyone else feel these issues? I'm so sick of sleeping upright and not being able to snuggle with my son and dh. I miss me.



I saw my surgeon and the path was in. Lymph nodes were confirmed clear. She said to wait to see the oncologist next week with the oncotype dx score, but that she thinks chemo will definitely be recommended due to my age (young-not compared with many here, I know) and due to the high number of tumors (official count 5). I did a little research on the boards here, and found that several people's oncologists had said oncotype score has to be 11 or lower to not do chemo if you are "young". Normally it's 18. My ki-67 was less than 0 so I had foolishly thought it might not be recommended for chemo unless lymph nodes were involved. Anyone have any thoughts or advice? I know many of you have already walked the walk.



Best to jzog, kkuziel, and happy dancer tomorrow.

Tamiami

Lmimp64~  You described it exactly!  The cold and the feeling when I drink cold water...sooo strange!

BrandieMcAdams

Mim- What I wouldn't give to share a cup of tea or coffee and hug you while sweet Hazel plays! I adore that name

Lmimp64

Tami, do you feel it with air too - breathing? This will take some getting used to......I'm so glad it's not just me.

IAmEnough

I am 35, married to my rock of a man and desperately in love with our two year old son. I was diagnosed at 33, went through surgery (double mastectomy), fertility treatment, chemo, rads and Tamoxifen. All was going well... and then I discovered the tiniest of lumps. Now I'm scheduled to get three nodes out on Jan. 30th. It's great to see this thread going. Good luck January friends!

Tamiami

Lmimp64~ Maybe a little, but definately not as obvious as it is with drinking.  The other super strange feeling is that when I get a chill, I feel my nipples painfully puckering and I want to rub them...but they aren't there.  I know its part of the phantom feelings that people talk about.  This may be TMI for some but I'm gonna mention it anyway...I also felt them pucker when I became sexually stimulated by a book I was reading yesterday.  I hope this part continues...it makes me feel normal.

Lmimp64

Welcome Iamenough. I'm sorry you have to join us but it sounds like you may also lead us. Beautiful photo.

Lmimp64

Sexually stimulated - girl, I'm jealous. That part of my life departed with diagnosis!!! Gotta get a new book.

peanutsgal

Will be thinking of and praying for you, jzog, kkuziel, and happy dancer...both for a restful night tonight and smooth sailing tomorrow!

Tamiami

Hahahaha!  One of my coworkers gave me a series of books to help me get through recovery...Holy hell are they hot!  Not my normal style of read, but wow!  Probably not the right books to be reading right now, but oh well.  There are 6 in the series and I'm already on book 5 LOL!

Ariom

I have been tryiong to find out what this strange feeling is when I eat or drink hot or cold things. I figured it was to do with the loss of insulation.

I asked my Surgeon about it last week and he had no idea what I meant. He said there is no connection to the surgery we have had and the gullett as such. I told him that I had asked this question on a Forum and had heard from many people who have the same sensation after Mx. 

A few people on another thread got back to me and said that it disappeared after about six months. They just didn't notice it any more. So there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I think that there are going to be many subtle changes, it is early days for all of us here. This has been a huge time of adjustment. As much as the time seemed to drag while we were waiting for results, and then for Surgery, now that we are on the other side of that debilitating stress we are still feeling its effects as we heal and get used to where we are now.

It is time to be kind to yourself, we have all been through a lot. It will get better!

CookieMonster

smethot- I had wire localization before my first lumpie (and for some strange reason they sent me home with the xray films of the placed wires so now I have something to remember the experience by), strange thing though, they did the wire placement across the street at the women's breast center and then wrapped me all up in gauze and a couple of hospital gowns and ROLLED ME ACROSS THE STREET to the hospital. They wouldn't let me walk, but the had me sit in a wheelchair and rolled me to the hospital. It was surreal. They aren't likely to let you walk around much once the wires are in.

We also referred to it as my frankenboob.