January 2013 surgery

Hopex3

Just got my drains out! Yay! Thanks MMSS for that website. I'm going to check it out.

Saw my BS today and she thought my expanders looked great. Time will tell. I feel so much more positive after this visit. Ready to move on. But boy, do I get tired fast!



Chelle and Sandy..Hope today goes well for you!



Lbwagner and Josie, glad your home. Rest and do nothing! Netflix has helped me pass the time.

Hopex3

Mirmirpanda ...I just now saw your post. I'm so sorry. But as NatsFan says, there are so many people in your same position that continued on with treatment and beat this. I know you are just sick right now but try and be strong and positive. I'm thinking and praying for you!!

bcfree2013

Hi Mirmirpanda I am also stage 3 with a large tumor, but my MO told me to stay positive. It can be treated successfully and the recurrence rate is only 10% for the next five years.

Ariom

Mimirpanda, I am so sorry to hear your news. I've been wondering if you'd heard.

I can imagine how afraid you are right now, but you are a fighter and I can see you getting through this, as so many others have on these boards.

Everyone here will be sending you the most positive thoughts for your treatment, and to Chris and that sweet baby of yours. Take care...Moira

Tamiami

mimirpanda~  Sending you hugs and prayers.  Please do your best to think only of the positive, that what you have is treatable.  I know you can do this!

Destina

{{{{{Mirmirpanda}}}}}

Just sending you loving hugs and lots of healing prayers! Lean into all the support on these boards and keep on keeping on. You are strong and you have every motivation to beat this. Hold tight to all the inspirational women who've walked this path and are living full, rich lives. Blessings to you, Chris and your sweet baby, too. Much love.

tangles

Mirmirpanda my heart goes out to you. I feel your pain. Im sure your PET scan will trun out fine and give you great relief. I have talked with so many survivors and many had been stage 3 and are doing great.l You will beat this as we all will. I have had a terrible day myself. MASSIVE anxiety with starting Chemo tomorrow. Even called my Doctor crying today. This is TOUGH but we can all get through this! ((((HUGS)))))

josie123

So sorry about the bad news.Don't give up or give in you have so much to live for.Surround yourself with loving and supporting people.You will probably have a rough year but am confident you will get through it.

dnadebbs

mirmirpanda:   all this news is telling you is that this journey isn't quite done yet......it does not mean that worst in any way.  it is sooo hard i know.....to stay strong.   have your biggest cry ever and then stand up, get it together and find out what you have to do next.   WE are stronger than it is.......don't every forget that.   WE are also here for you to vent to and laugh with too.   much love to you sweety.

dnadebbs

on a suckier note.......i was admitted to the hospital yesterday straight from my doctors appt.   i had developed infections that would not stop.  i had been taking antibiotics since 10 days out from my original recon surgery......the infections started then and just never let up.   antibiotics weren't making them calm down but not completely disappear.   in fact the day i was admitted......they gave me antiobiotics the entire day prior to my sugery the next morning and one of the infections got even worse.   crazy.   my TE's were removed yesterday morning and i feel much better.   unfortunately, it was all because of me carrying a flu virus that i didnt know i had and as soon as i had my original surgery it just attacked the weakest part of my body......and did it well.   i am finally home and feeling better but bummed that i had to go thru all that.   i can try again in a couple months.......so we'll see.   

phew!   so although i still have a couple tubes.......i'm feeling better than i was and looking forward to healing and figuring out what i'm gonna do down the road.

i've also been reading all the really great healing updates!   how exciting!    you ladies are rocking it!     you will continue to be blessed too mirmirpanda........

much love!

Ally

Lmimp64

Mirmirpanda, I'm so sorry, but I also want to tell you that I know about 5 women who have worked with me with similar situations who are five to ten years out and doing great. Just think, someone may even invent a shot to cure us all in a few years and we won't have to give this thing another thought. You can do this. I will send out positive vibes for the pet. Don't be scared of it - I had an IV and a drink to have before, and then the scan. The machine was louder than I thought but it went by quickly. After it finished, I tried to read the tech's expression. She had been so nice before the scan and afterwards she turned her back to me and said nothing. I just knew it was bad news - it wasn't. The results were back in 24 hours and all ok. Keep the faith, but don't try to interpret the tech - it made for a miserable night for nothing.



Hope - glad you got your drains out.

Lmimp64

Ally. So sorry about the infections and so glad they figured it out and that you can go again in a couple of months. Feel better.

Lmimp64

Tangles - good luck at chemo tomorrow. You will make it through with flying colors. Will be thinking of you.

MMSS

Mirmirpanda, I am so sorry about your bad news but please do not panic. Most of us know women who have had a diagnisis as bad as yours or worse who are alive and well many years later. I have one friend who had a huge tumor removed with 22/33 nodes positive and she went 15 years before she had a recurrence and then it was local and cleared up with hormone therapy and she has been NED for another 3 years now. I would suggest staying away from predictions on the internet. All statistics are out dated as soon as they are published due to the fast moving world of treatment changes and improvements in the protocols. Statistics are based on what they were doing some years back. Just the advances in hormone therapy alone have been huge. We will all be sending you prayers and love and there is a very good chance that you will get to see that sweet baby girl become a sassy teen ager or even a mother herself. One day at a time and lots of deep breaths.

CookieMonster

Mirmir - so sorry to hear your news, stay strong and continue to kick cancer's ass out of your body. I'm sure they'll be throwing everything they can at it.  Hug that baby and hang in there.  (((HUGS!!)))

Ally - sorry you had such trouble, hopefully everything will get better and healthy and then you can try again - maybe when flu season is over. ((HUGS!))

shadytrake

Not such a great day today. The incision sights are numb and that freaked me out. Called the surgeon and he said it is normal. How much can I move my arm? I just had SNB and lumpectomy.



I don't want to get LE. Freaking out here.

Amy4978

Mirmirpanda... This can be very very overwhelming! I too am stage 3.and have positive lymph nodes my tumor before chemo was 7.9 cm x 3cm x 2cm holy shit! Right? I am now 2 weeks post chemo and my MRI shows no sign of tumor it is completely gone! YOU CAN DO THIS AND YOU WILL DO THIS!

Trust in your faith, the docs, and the meds....

Big hugs for you.....



Ally.... Holy hell! I am so sorry you have had so many bumps in your road, but in the same sense Im glad you are on your road to recovery! Your one tough cookie...



Hopex.... I have two weeks.... Kinda freaken out! But I guess I can work on my netflix lineup lol...

I got my MRI results back and they were fantastic! No sign of cancer whoohoo go me! So glad that IV sedation worked and I was able to get in the machine hahahah!

Glad you are on the mend!

josie123

Amy congrats.Hey I am just wondering as I look down at my growing Breast is it normal to have this much swelling after my 're excision? My breast has doubled in size since yesterday.Normally I wouldn't complain because I'm small busted to begin with.

Amy4978

Josie... I haven't had my surgery yet so cant really comment as

To swelling... Although, I would expect some but not sure about dbl in size....

CookieMonster

Josie - that doesn't sound right to me, I didn't have that after my re-excision. Keep an eye on it tonight and if it gets more painful or red, I'd put in a call to the surgeon on call. Otherwise I'd call in the morning anyway.

peanutsgal

(((((((HUGS mirmir))))))) Just remember, you're all out of bubble gum, right? You CAN and WILL do this.



Tangles, hugs and prayers for you too. Hope chemo goes well for you tomorrow and with minimal side effects!



dnadebs, what an ordeal for you. Hope you are resting well now.



Josie, definitely check with your surgeon in the morning. Even though you are small busted I can't imagine any scenario where swelling to twice your size is normal.


Yay, Amy. Always great to hear of good test results! Glad that necessary evil, chemo, did its thing!!!!!!!



Chelle21 and Sunny D hope all went well today for both of you.



Well, January surgery sisters, the month is over and I for one am glad to have it behind me. Looking forward to continued recovery next month and throughout 2013. I am so glad to have you all to share this journey with! Love to all!

mecka30

Hello everyone I am 30 years old I have been in a relationship for 15 years and married to him for 3 years we have a 10 year old son. I were just recently diagnosed with BC on 12/21/12 which were my mom's 50th birthday. She has been deceased for 15 years now and that was another heartbreaking moment to remember. I have had two surgeries since diagnosis an lumpectomy on 27th of Dec. Then made the decision to have mastectomy on 24th of jan 2013.com. Sorry I don't know the majority of the initials everyone is using but I'm learning. I am so confused because of all the information I am having to take in and thanks to knowing there is a sisterhood and brotherhood of so many others out there I feel so much better. I get such amazing support however there is nothing like having information from someone who is going where you are going or been where you are going!

Tamiami

Hope~  Congrats on getting the drains out!  I'm still waiting for that joy!

Tangles~  Thinking about you today, and hoping that after the first time you won't have such anxiety.  Let us know how you did.

Ally~  I'm sorry you had to go through all that!  We were just talking about infections...and I did notice you hadn't been on in a couple of days and that wasn't like you.  I hope they will be able to do something for you in a couple of months.  Are you a candidate for the DIEP flap?  They say there's less risk of infection with your own fat.

Amy~  Yay for an amazing MRI!!!  That's incredible!

Mrs. Mecka~  Welcome, and at the same time sorry you are here.  There are a lot of really good threads on this board...take some time and look for all of your questions.  There's bound to be someone on here who had the same questions.  There is also a thread called "Discussion Board Abbreviation Key"  it is in the very first topic on these boards.  That will help you tons!

I'm headed to the PS today for fill #2 and hoping (again) that she may remove my left drain.  No way on the right one...that one is still putting out 50-60cc's!  Wish me luck!

Tami

Lbwagner69

Hello everyone

Day 4 in hospital and they may discharge me. My breasts are bruised and swollen and my abs hurt, however it is getting better every day! I was up and walking on day 2. There is a little discharged at the surgical site on the bottom. My PS didnt want to use a compression bra...not sure why! I have 4 drains and one pain ball...

Wishing those with upcoming surgeries well.!

LLaurie

marianelizabeth

Mirmipanda, I did not write yesterday here but have been thinking of you. I know you already have a great medical team and once you go to BCCA, you will find them wonderful too. Sounds crazy, but everyone there is so caring. I had a PET scan there too and I fell asleep in a big recliner while the sugar contrast was absorbed. They even give you a choice of music and headphones. The scan itself seemed quite fast and the tech so nice too. So much to absorb for you but it sounds like you have a great partner and baby Hazel and I am thinking good friends and family too who will pitch in? 

I am still to have the full axillary dissection but with already 6/8 they are sure there are more. One day at a time is how I have done a lot so far and lots more for you and me and so many of our other sisters here who are with us, thankfully!

josie123

Wanted to share that my swelling wasn't as bad as I thought.I called the surgeons office and talked to his nurse.She asked me to remove the bandage while she waited.Apparently they used a whole heck of alot of gauze in that bandage.Once removed I realized the swelling wasn't quite as bad as I thought.I'm kind of embarrassed I guess.Oh well.While I was on the phone with the nurse I asked about the path results.Not in yet but probably by Monday.Laurie sorry to hear you still in the hospital.You'll probably rest better at home.

Lmimp64

Laurie - hope u get home soon. Josie - glad the swelling is not as bad as you thought.



I need some help and opinions, please......I went to my oncologist today. She had predicted a low oncotype and just tamoxefin therapy. I'd already picked it up at the pharmacy! Well, it was not as low as she hoped. It was 18. She has given me three choices.

1) take tamoxefin only and have an 11% reoccurrence rate to stage 4

2) do 4 cycles of TC chemo to reduce the reoccurrence rate to 7%

3) get monthly shots in my stomach to suppress my ovaries and put me in menopause, begin me on tamox and switch me to an AI. She said this would also reduce my reoccurrence rate to 7%.



A big thing is that I had 5 tumors, 3 around 2 cm. My oncologist says things would be simpler if I had only had one. My age, 48, is also a factor.



I have no idea what to do. Does anyone have advise or insight? She would like me to begin next week.



Thanks in advance. It's been an unexpected day.

Mirmirpanda

I have just re-read my pathology report for the billionth time this morning. I am a IIIC. Don't know how I missed that. T2N3a...still no M. I'm terrified, so terrified. I'm teetering on curable vs in curable and it just makes my cry. I feel lost.



Today I feel sick. I feel anxious and nauseous, achey, sore and sad, really really sad. I'm exhausted and I haven't even done anything yet. I'm in such disbelief right now, were just talking about being stage IIa and having another baby when I'm 39...now they're discussing possible removal of ovaries and such.



I know I should be so thankful I even get to be a mom, but now the possibility of doing it again is so so low and it breaks my heart.



I just feel like I was on top of the world. I met a man that changed my world and who just loves me and I love him so much and then there's Hazel, she makes my life crazy but she is just the most wonderful bundle of awesome ever and I never even entertained the idea of having kids! I want to protect them from all of this and I can't. It's been a crazy few months... Congratulations it's a girl and oh, and you have breast cancer.



Thank you for all the inspiration, I haven't stopped crying since this time yesterday when I got the news. Got the call to get the PET scan Tuesday @ 9:45...it just has to be clear, it just has to be, this can't be stage IV. It just can't be!!! It really really can't be!!! I see my medical oncologist the following morning.

liffeybloomer

Mirmirpanda,

Let me add my voice to those supporting you. You have hormone positive and HER2 positive cancer, so that actually means that the treatments out there now will really target this cancer well. I just got my path report and found that my 3 cm tumor was really 4 cm and what I thought was grade two was really grade three. But then I discovered that aggressive, fast growing cancers are actually targeted better by chemo and herceptin than slow growing tumors, so there is always a silver liining. I have found great hope in reading women's accounts with far greater problems than I have living many long years. You will get through this and we will all be here to help you. Hugs to you and your baby. You will be there for that baby for many years to come, I'm sure of it.

Ariom

Mirmirpanda, It just breaks my heart to hear how terrified you are. This is just so overwhelming for you, and we can all understand why you feel this way. Too much, all at once to try to digest. This disease just throws up so many variants.

Fear of the unknown is a dreadful thing, and at the moment you can't see past this fear. Your world has been rocked to its foundations, so much to take in, and surgery to get over to boot.

You are also a new Mom, with all that entails, gosh Hon, there is so much going on for you.

Please try to take the advice of the people who have been in your position and have the information on the treatments that will get you through this.

Know that there are many, many people feeling your pain, and sending you love and positive energy from all over the globe. ((((((mirmir))))))))