Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, when we had outdoor kitties, we would find presents that we really didn't want but this is the first indoor kitty to have brought one. What's interesting is that my kitty makes that "I've caught something" special meow when she carries her toys around but didn't make a sound for the mouse.

That's a lot of home visits. I'm very sure you shouldn't be doing home visits now that flu season is here (at least in my area). I also got my flu shot Monday. Next week I'm going to get the Prevnar-13 pneumonia vaccine. I got the other one (for the 3rd time) last year. I assume I'll get sick from it like I do the 23 strain one - every danged time - but worth it since I can't take 99% of antibiotics.

I'm glad you're finally feeling better. You've had a hard slog.

HUGS!!

Outrunning

Kitty Glad you're doing well! Be watchful about that feeling in your arm. The weird pain I had in my arm which felt like skin irritation but never looked like skin irritation turned in to cording. Wish I'd known when I saw the BS. But the cording didn't become physically noticeable until several days after I saw BS for the follow up.

Radiation simulation was cancelled for today and moved to Tuesday. ARGHHH Not in a big hurry for my tattoo dots. But I REALLY need my radiation schedule so I can plan my month. I have two parent teacher conferences, and a work temp to schedule, to mention only a couple things I'm waiting to plan until I have my RX treatment schedule.

Was supposed to take my Daisies to camp for the day tomorrow with the older girls Service Unit encampment. But heavy rain tonight and possibility of a hurricane cancelled the event. I feel bad for the planners. My co-leader and I are going to take the girls to the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore tomorrow instead. If I were sane I would have just enjoyed the day at home. But we haven't met at all yet and I didn't want to wait until our first meeting at the end of the month.

PontiacPeggy

Outrunning, the tattoos are nothing. Just a pin prick. Don't give them another thought. And they are barely noticeable. Normally your rad schedule will be the same most of the time, the days you see the RO will be longer (that as once a week for me).

Do stay dry. Smart to cancel the camping. It would not have been fun. Science Centers are always good!

HUGS!

mustlovepoodles

I forgot to say, I went for a massage this morning (got priorities, ya know~!) As I lay there, thoughts of cancer and work and family intruded, despite the soft music and thunder sounds. It was hard for me to stay focused on the massage, until I began consciously replacing those thoughts with words...

Peace, love, rest, calm, soothing, life, hope, cure...

And now I am much relaxed. I may have to do this again the day before chemo starts...

Sloan15

Must lovepoodles --those are a great set of words. The quote "Rule your mind or it will rule you" is imperative for us worriers!

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, in that mantra you decide to use when getting chemo, add: KILL CANCER! My DIL did that. It reminds you why are you are doing the chemo. Yes you need peace, love. cure, but most of all KILL. And that also gives you a way to channel the anger you have (no kidding!). Glad you were able to get a massage and enjoyed it.

HUGS!!

Nash54

No pink for me!!!!   Before I was dx'd with BC I had a pink BC coffee mug....after dx I got rid of it.  Not sure why but it made me mad to see it so I got rid of it. 

Peggy....thanks to you my mantra every morning when I pop my femara is KILL the CANCER!!!!   It's does help.  Xoxo

TGIF... Hope everyone has a great weekend.  It's cool and drizzly in TN.  Enjoying a day of badly acted Lifetime movies.  ☔️☔️😀

PontiacPeggy

Nash, you're very welcome! Glad it helps. Probably you got rid of your BC mug because it was right there reminding you that you do have BC and no reminders are needed or wanted.

HUGS!

Outrunning

Poodles!

We need a like button on here so I can give that an easy thumbs up.

marjie

Hi everyone...

I am not as active on the boards anymore, as more time passes since my diagnosis and treatment. I passed my five years from diagnosis this past summer and after having chemo, rads and herceptin I believe my 5 yrs out of treatment will be next fall...depending on who is counting I guess!

Anyway after lumpectomy, radiation and the passage of time, my breasts were very mismatched and it was becoming difficult to disguise. It was my understanding that we just had to live with it, but low and behold, I'm now one day out of breast reduction surgery which involved both breasts. Yes, they can operate on the radiated breast!

I am all ready so pleased with the results...cant wait to be healed! Just remember, whatever stage you are at, you must be your own advocate!

Horsegirl

MLP, you have a lot ahead but sounded so good in your post about the new plan. Celebrating your confidence in your plan. I think it makes all the difference to feel heard.

Molly50

Hi marjie, that's wonderful that you are 5 years out and for being able to feel good about the way you look by advocating for yourself.

bjclaywell

MLP - oh my goodness...what a whirlwind - I'm glad that you finally are comfortable and in agreement with your new treatment plan - what a crazy change!!!

Outrunning - the tattoos are nothing. I do my dry run on October 19th. But I already have the tattoos.

Not much going on here...funny story though about my CT scan from yesterday (a bit TMI):

So my MO had requested that I have my entire torso, as well as my head, scanned. As a reminder, when they did the bone scan, they found something at the base of my skull that they wanted more info on (altho the MO said it was unlikely that it was cancer). So I go to the CT scan place, and of course it's this super-hot, young dude who is going to do the scan. I say to him "um, I have a really embarrassing question to ask" - and he tells me to ask, so I explain how I'm having my period and that I use tampons. I wanted to know if that would cause a problem (because remember, I'm supposed to have my entire torso and groin area scanned). He looks at me kind of odd, says no, of course it won't be a problem. I was like "oh, okay."

So he lays me down on the CT scanner and I said "um, I'm wearing a bra with underwires" - he said "it doesn't matter." Now I'm confused because I know that it DOES matter...so I ask. He says we're only doing the head.

I must have turned 20 shades of red, and explained that I thought we were doing my entire torso and groin area...and then he says "well, that explains the earlier question, doesn't it?"

I just wanted to run out of there.

Have a great weekend ladies!!!

Molly50

Bobbi Jo, oh my goodness thanks for the laugh! That poor guy must have been really confused, lol.

MaggieCat

BJ... you made my day!!!

PontiacPeggy

Way to go, Marjie!!

BJ, you made my day, too! Quite the mis-communication but a good "girl" story

HUGS!

BT828

BJ! I haven't laughed so hard in a long time! Thanks for sharing!

Sloan15

BJ - funny story! He's probably telling the same story from a different perspective. Thanks for sharing.

octogirl

BJ...I echo the others! Story of the week...someday I hope even you will find it funny. Sending good mojo that the scan itself has nothing but good news to match the smiles you gave us.

I had a very, very long day but just wanted to send HUGS to all to start the weekend! stay dry, those of you east; here in the west we are still waiting for the first real rain this year...

Octogirl

mustlovepoodles

Thanks, BJ. You made me snort Diet Pepsi out my nose~!

zinny

Hi all. Lurk/loving you all for the last bit! The funniest stories. The cats and mice - my cats have only been bringing in birds, usually mostly alive, only since my surgery. Clogging up my dyson with all of those feathers!! Our girl cat is like Peggy's and only makes her little mewling with the crinkly ball, not the birdies, so the only clue is the thumping sound they make when they grab the bird each time it tries to fly away. Each cat now has two bells that clang against a metal tag, but our birds must not be very attentive.

Thought of the day - Why does everyone seem to think lasagna kills cancer?! I can say that here and not seem ungrateful. I have lovely friends and coworkers who are trying to feed me out of this, which is beautiful and kind, but also quite funny.

I am now a month post-op and about to start Gosserilin ?sp and radiation. I am feeling healthy and great, and feel like a bit of a fraud when people come by with flowers and food! I expect to be a sweaty witch just in time for Halloween, so perhaps I should write down all of those happy feelings now to remember them in a month...

april25

mustlovepoodles -- We're all on a bit of a roller-coaster ride at times, but you are definitely getting on a LOT of wild rides! I'm glad you got an MO you like, though. I think that's incredibly important. There are so many crucial factors involved in all this and at the very least we need to be slightly reassured that the research we've done syncs up with what the docs are telling us. That happened to me when I found my current MO. I still have lots of doubts and worries, but then he will do/say something and I'll think, yeah, that's right! and I'll be reassured. And that really matters. Don't need extra stress and worry through all this!I

I had to have chemo, no question, from almost day one of my dx. It's no fun, but plenty of people work during it and everyone gets through it! Just get set for all this bc stuff to continue to be a big part your your life for a few more months, and it will be OK and it will be over after that. (and the other stuff will have set endings, too. Just focus on that... that this isn't forever--you will be done at a set time.

The talk about feeling let down hearing that some people won't have chemo is very understandable. I'm done with chemo, surgery and rads and it feels pretty darn weird! (Oh, I'm still getting Herceptin every 3 weeks for the rest of the year, and still have my port in for that, and am still running about with virtually no hair... well, an inch of hair, which is a shade better than no hair at all, but still not great, so I still LOOK like a cancer patient, and will for quite a long time... BUT it otherwise feels like I'm NOT one any longer! Kind of freaky.) Anyway... There's something about focusing on treatment and just getting through it that has its positive side. I'm feeling a little lost without that. Sure, I'm popping a pill every day and will be doing that for years and years still, but it doesn't really feel like I'm doing enough! or something like that.

And good luck with your mother! I hate to say, I had to laugh a bit at those stories... in a perfectly horrified way, of course! Just, omg!

I'm unhappy that my parents are gone, but I'm glad they aren't still around for all this stuff with me, too. My mom wouldn't be quite as 'exciting' as yours, but it's just tough for people to deal with the whole cancer thing.

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Pink Ribbons... and pink things, I'm afraid I'm not a huge fan either. Might be that it messes with that part of me that is in denial. Or maybe it's just something I don't want to embrace even if I'm not in denial of anything. I also don't like to draw attention to myself, so the lack of hair is bad enough (I wear a wig out in public and I think pink ribbons would just make my wig look more obvious, maybe?), I don't want to advertise and have people ask questions, or have to explain things. Oh, I'll DO it, just would be happier not to, I guess. I think maybe when I'm more at a distance from all this I might be a little more into the pink stuff. There was just a Susan B. Komen race down here... maybe someday when I'm feeling a bit more energetic, I'll participate... but I'm definitely not feeling it now. Plus getting sweaty in stupid wig is no fun.

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Thanks all for the posts about feeling weakness in the arm and it maybe being LE. I'll have to look into checking that out. Maybe see a PT just to get some tips on exercises. Although I don't think it's anything severe in my case--I seem to have full range of moment and no pain or tenderness... Just that weird weakness.

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Congrats to those who got the low Oncotype scores!

And to those who have just been through sx and are doing OK!

PontiacPeggy

April, my mother also found wigs very sweaty though she did wear them. My parents have been gone for decades but I know they would have been helpful and supportive. I was very lucky.

Zinny, hmmmm, lasagna kills cancer? I think we could all buy into that theory. It's lovely so many people are bringing food for you. If the theory holds up, you'll be in great shape quickly! Maybe it's the wine we have with it that does the trick Since my kitty is indoors only birds have not been a problem. I would not appreciate live birds in the house AT ALL!! I don't know where you live but you must have the dumbest birds going if they don't pay attention to the bells on your kitties!

HUGS!!

Outrunning

You all are making me grateful once again we have indoor only cats. One caught a mouse once that had their fortune to wander in the door that was open to the screen porch back when we were foolish enough to keep the bird seed out there. (Squirrels put a hole in the screen to get at it.) Even without claws the one cat got it. Luckily we noticed before it got gross.

I haven't rocked the pink yet but intend to. Especially for my 10k. I'm going to totally embrace it. But maybe I'm okay with it because I'm less sick. I kinda feel like I need to be a poster child. You know how so many people avoid screenings for things because they're afraid of the DX? I'm a good example of "Get your screenings. Don't be afraid. Catch it early

Molly50

zinny, we were blessed to get several meals as well... nearly all pasta of some sort. Maybe you are on to something. New study pasta kills cancer! My family is extremely grateful but it became a running joke about the amount of weight we won't all gain from eating pasta.

KittyL

My BS called me with the Pathology Report, or at least part of it- The GREAT news is that the lymph nodes are CLEAR!!!!! (Will update my profile after this post.) He says that the genomic assay stuff will be addressed by the MO. Asked what stage & he said T1N0M0, Laughed when I asked whether that's 1A or 1B "Don't worry about all that number stuff" grrr He thinks I "overthink" and "over-research" but still is very patient to answer my questions or say I'm jumping ahead (in a really nice non-shaming way), and I Do jump ahead too far instead of staying on task, i.e. current step.

The bad news is that there's a "focally positive" spot of cancer 1mm ( 1 stinkin' mm!!!!) on the posterior (back) margin of the excision---------so another surgery, probably this coming Wednesday Oct. 7. They were closing at noon yesterday (Fri) for an office picnic & she'd already gone; she'll call me Mon, but he thinks he has some openings on Wed. (like a hairdresser, lololol). I was too shell-shocked to ask, but I'm sure I won't have to do all the sentinel node stuff again. And yes, he'll have to open the whole incision & probably take more all around. Told him Absolutely we'll do another surgery! I could tell he felt so bad, reassured him that these things happen & I think he's an awesome surgeon, for telling me, for not assuming radiation will "take care of it", and for being so thorough and valuing me enough to not even one millimeter of cancer to threaten my awesome future. Now girls, I will tell you it did take me about 3 hours to get from "oh, Shit!!!!" to "how awesome" but, as I described it to a younger friend, remember that one tiny spark can start a forest fire. At least I know the hospital setting & pre-op drill, so not scary. Apprehensive as with any surgery, but the way that female OR nurse saw my apprehensive look toward the male OR nurse standing away from us as I was about to take out top denture (more mortifying than having the boob in public), and quietly took one step sideways to block his view, was exquisitely kind. Think I went to sleep half-way thru "thank you".

Outrunning the hot wire feeling going from the incision, up the armpit and down a bit into the arm- BS says is an irritated nerve. It's calmed down a teeny bit. It's post-op day 5 & I'm trying one only Norco 5 again to see if I'm ready to step down some. My poor multicolored sore breast is beyond dismayed at being messed with again. I am SO tired I can hardly pick up my feet. I'm an upbeat, energetic person- and I'm so flat exhausted. Going to try to "allow" "encourage" more naps, to be a 5-year old sick kid & her loving caretaker all at the same time. With we had acronym SDH for sorta dear hubby- he arrives some time today after a year in UT. Stopped and saw son & family & DS says hubby looks lean and healthy and very happy, so being out there helped his PTSD. My heart was truly happy to hear that. And it will be good to have him here, if I'm already This tired, I am going to need (and need to allow myself) to be cared for. My BFF had me post sign by my bed: "Just for today, I will let my Self be cared for" She knows me so well, said You don't have to do it forever, just for right now. I think this is a common problem with us Midwestern Lake Woebegone type women, letting ourselves, and our selves, be cared for. Was going to end w/a couple of cool hacks I've discovered but will put in separate post. No question about Resting today, body is Demanding. Going to set phone alarm for next meds, and set 1 hr. timer for laptop time (laptop makes me miss meds, meals, peeing when I need to--a dangerous little device!) Making every effot to go into this surgery rested, well-fed and relaxed.

Question: I'm a 36B. Surgery was on L and swelling down a lot, just outer side where surgery was. I got a couple of post-mast front-opening bras from CureDiva with hook & eye that work for post-surgery w/o looking like dog meat. The top couple hooks & eyes keep coming open, don't know why, the bra is right size but I'm older-woman swoopy boob. I also side sleep. Any ideas? Wondering whether a tiny old-fashioned snap at the very top would stop the process. Felt funny yesterday afternoon, checked and all but the bottom hook & eye had come undone. Yikes! I love these bras, cute & nice support and need to jury-rig something.

Keys-Plez

BJ...My first good laugh of the day. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Bill Cosby (or was it Red Skelton?) used to say, "You can't write anything funnier than real life".

Keys-Plez

KittyL...You don't have to be in the military to have PTSD. We all stand on that slippery slope. I've never seen anyone discuss this on this website. Wishing the best for you and DH.

Keys-Plez

If it helps ease someone's mind a little, then well worth it.

Tresjoli2

just dropping in to say hi to my lumpy ladies 😃 I finished chemo (yay) and am 7/33 for radiation. I hate radiation...way hate it. But not red yet, just swollen. Broke down and shaved my head today. My post chem hair was in thin clumps.

I was just missing my lumpies!