Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

zinny

waterfront sunlight

zinny

niagara falls 2013

zinny

Central Park:)

zinny

A JLK superpod:)

PontiacPeggy

Great photos, Zinny!!

HUGS!

Creativevintage

While I was sitting in the chair yesterday getting ready for my first herceptin only treatment, my surgeon's nurse called to tell me they have moved up my surgery date to this Thursday. I thought I would have a bit more time. That will only be four weeks since I finished chemo. I had hoped for a bit more time to recover, but I will be glad to get everything out. I am having excisional biopsy on the right for FEA, lumpectomy on the left, sentinel node biopsy and possible ALND on the left. Mayo now does seed localization instead of wire localization so I have to be at the hospital by 7:00 am for that and a radioactive isotope injection. They use that along with the blue dye to find sentinel nodes. The only thing that bothers me a bit is that I won't know until I wake up whether or not they took the lymph nodes. I guess I will just prepare myself for that and be happy if it doesn't happen. I had a good response to chemo with a 30% reduction in the size of the tumor and lymph node and both now are ill defined and degraded on ultrasound.

With the surgery being moved up there is a chance that I will start radiation sooner and could possibly finish up the five weeks of treatments on my birthday. That would be quite a birthday present! My dear baby sister wants to come and see me over Christmas break, so that is looking like a real possibility! I did not want her to come while I was still getting rads, I wanted to be done with everything and on my to recovery so I could spend some quality time with her.

PontiacPeggy

CreativeVintage, obviously a mixed blessing having your surgery date moved up. That's great that you had a positive response to chemo! I think you should plan that they will take a few nodes (SLNB; as they usually do for Lx's). Hopefully you won't need the ALND. Nice that you don't need a wire locator. I don't know how Mayo does things but they wanted me to wait at least 4 weeks after my Lx before doing rads. They like for you to be well healed. I didn't find going to radiation to be a problem - I had them early in the day and live only 10 minutes away from the center. Just glad things are moving along for you and that you'll be able to enjoy your sister's Christmas visit!

HUGS!

Creativevintage

Peggy, thanks! I was thinking at least four weeks after surgery to start radiation, which finishes me on my birthday. I also work at Mayo in Jacksonville, so my plan is to ask for the first appointment of the day and head over to work right after. I will actually be on a three month paid leave, but have the option to come in and work if I can, so I will work as I am able. It is good to be able to stay busy and feel like I am doing something worthwhile to take my mind off BC. I worked after each chemo session too, I got TCHP every 21 days and would go back to work after 10 days when the side effects subsided a bit. I took a bit longer to go back after my last chemo due some mild neuropathy and leg weakness. All in all I think I am recovering well. I was just a bit nervous yesterday with my first herceptin only treatment..I don't know why. Maybe it was being back in the chemo chair, or concern about which SE's I would have and how long they would last. I am feeling pretty good today, just very Hungry, which is probably not something to complain about, since it is so nice to be able to eat again!

PontiacPeggy

CreativeVintage, You ARE doing well! Nice that you managed to work while doing chemo. I did have fatigue from my rads but I had other issues going on with DH at the time and was exhausted from that. I had very very mild redness (punctation) from the rads. Never a problem. So if you want to work, there's a good chance you'll feel just fine doing so. I know nothing about Herceptin but my impression is that most women don't have problems with it. Hope you'll be the same. I'll bet it is nice to not only be hungry but to be able to eat and have foods taste right! Will you be taking Tamoxifen or an AI when you are done with rads? Have a good weekend: Eat, drink and definitely be Merry!

HUGS!

Molly50

Zinny, where do you live? Beautiful daughter and pictures!

ChicagoReader

Molly, just noticed that you'll be started rads soon and wishing you an uneventful experience. After all you've been through, you deserve something easy!

Peggy, not sure that dealing with such an insensitive person would have been all that much better even if more time had passed. Some people just don't get it. On the bright side, chances are high that you'll never have to encounter her again.

Sloan, what a great picture. If you're interested in meeting for coffee or another beverage when you visit Chicago, send me a private message. Unless you really like biting winds, sudden deluges of snow, and death-defying temperatures, I recommend avoiding Chicago from approximately December 1 till March 1. Of course, those of us who live here love that kind of weather.

Zinny, thanks for sharing the photos.When I first started coming to these boards, I would move through the photos quickly. But on days when my skin was at its worst from rads or during other tough times, I found a lot of enjoyment in the photos here and on other threads.

Creative, wishing you all the best with your surgery.

PontiacPeggy

ChicagoReader, I agree. Time would not have improved that experience. And I think I'd have told her off not nicely anyway. I hate idiots and don't have a great deal of patience dealing with them at any time.

There's something so comforting about this board. I have one other that I follow but I think this one has a special place in my heart because it was the first one I joined and I would guess most people start here. Can't ask for better support and love!

HUGS!

Sloan15

zinny - Where is mt. Baker? Nice pics, esp of your daughter. Palm desert, are you in CA, too? I see that sign as I'm driving trio the Central Valley. BTW, I'm putting Niagra Falls on my to-do list!

Chicago - Our son said you're already having days in the 70s and the next day in the 50s. Wow, that says winter's coming. Yeah, I won't're there until after March! Maybe April!

Creativevintage - Wow, a 30% reduction in the tumor. Your signature says it was about 1 cm, so that's pretty substantial! I think you'll be happy to have the surgery earlier and just have it OUT. Good luck.

Peggy, now I have been to Detroit. It was waaay back when I went to a friend's house back in college. I liked it. I remember going to have a beer in a really tall building with a rotating tower. Is that still there? We also visited U of M. That was neat. Ann Arbor was a beautiful area if I remember correctly.

I going back home today. My little town is hot and boring, but it's my town. I hope I can travel another time before my rad treatments. Thanks for the pics zinny.

Sweetmamaj, quick question: Did u have chemo? Does hair start growing back during rads? I'm tired of being bald.

PontiacPeggy

Sloan, yes the Renaissance Center is still there. Not my favorite place since I don't like heights nor that rotating floor! Ann Arbor IS pretty. You should put your location in your profile! Let me know when you're back in this general area and we Michigan BCO'ers will arrange a get together. We have a great vineyard that we use. You'd like it.

HUGS!

octogirl

Peggy, glad you feel comfortable here because it wouldn't be the lounge without you! I also have little patience with insensitive idiots. I would probably have told the guy off much like you did.

and I also hope my hair grows back during Rads, Sloan!

While I have told a few more people at work and my hats and scarves may lead people to talk, I am still being quiet about the bc at work. I just am not into sharing widely. Also not into wigs, I can barely get ready for work in the am without the additional stress of a wig. I mean, I am the type of person who never wears makeup because it takes time and I hate putting in the time. (fortunately, so far, I've lost just about all of my head hair, but little hair elsewhere. I still have eyebrows. I may rethink makeup if they go...). I did tell my boss and the staff in my unit, but told them I really didn't want to discuss it at work or get a lot of questions.

but I tell you the above not just to ramble but as a preamble to my story: I had been out of work most of the week, had a fever and MO didn't want me in the office until it was gone. So, went in yesterday for the first time all week. Was working alone in my office, the place tends to be dead on Fridays. My boss' assistant knocks on my door and asks if she can come in and ask me a question. Sure. So she comes in and says, 'I know I am being nosy...but' (at which point I wanted to stop her and say, 'well then why be nosy?' but I didn't)...'but everyone is asking me and I don't know what to tell them: are you ok? I can't help but notice you've been gone a lot, and then you are wearing hats and all...' Awkward pause. Me: "Louise (name changed to protect the guilty): I am fine. Thanks for asking." Louise: "well....I don't know what to tell people when they ask." Me: "please just let people know I am fine. Thanks again." another awkward pause, but she finally did leave the office. I am NOT under any obligation to give her details!!

the funny thing is: despite the awkwardness, the exchange told me something important: despite the fact that he and I have had many fairly detailed conversations about my dx, treatment and impact on my work, my boss had NOT told her those details. Good news to know that I can trust him to keep something confidential when I asked him to do so (I wasn't sure he would/could until this exchange). Louise is probably one of the bigger 'gossips' in the office (not really in a bad way, just that she loves to share news and she loves to talk). Obviously the boss knows this too. I am not convinced she was genuinely concerned, but I was glad to know that she was in the dark. Really, I want to be able to work without everyone questioning my health status of the moment, and of course, that is my right (at least under my employer's rules) as well...

My plan for the weekend: rest, walk and watch baseball. Hope everyone else has a good weekend too!

HUGS

Octogirl

Nash54

Nashville, TN

octogirl

Wow, Nash! It is so green there. Quite a contrast with the 'golden' (aka brown and drought stricken) hills of California!

Octogirl.

PontiacPeggy

Octogirl, That is an enlightening story. You handled Miss Nosy perfectly. As you well know, you are under no obligation to tell anyone anything you don't wish to. I'm sure it is comforting to know the boss isn't sharing! BTW, I wasn't planning on leaving this forum, just feeling really happy to have found it 15 months ago.

Nash, very pretty. While one would expect pretty colors on the trees, my neighborhood seems to not get them. Nearly all the maple trees have some disease that leaves black spots on the leaves and they don't turn colors. Right now I spend all my time worrying about my small dog getting hit by the black walnuts being tossed by my neighbor's tree. This is a bumper crop year (they seem to alternate heavy years and light ones). It sounds like we are under attack regularly and they are big enough that should one hit my dog, it would not be good.

Back to work sorting out DH's clothes and getting them organized to donate. It's hard work, not emotional though.

HUGS!

MissBee123

Thank you all for such a warm welcome! You are a spunky group and I'll definitely engage in a virtual drink. I have skipped the alcohol for so long that last week I had a real drink--half a glass of champagne--and found myself wobbly and sleepy! I was never a big drinker but quite surprised at how much more it affects me now.

Hope you all are enjoying this beautiful weekend. I enjoy all my weekends now. Why? Because doctors offices are CLOSED.

PontiacPeggy

MissBee, I have found that I can't drink nearly as much as I was able to in my 20s. I rarely drank from my 20s to my early 60s. I find one large glass of wine is my limit. Or maybe 1 beer (which I rarely drink). Maybe it has to do with age. I would have thought since I have a glass of wine with dinner 5 or 6 times a week that my tolerance would increase. But it hasn't. I don't do champagne anymore. Just doesn't appeal. Perhaps it had a high alcohol content. That can make a huge difference.

HUGS!

Sloan15

One last thing before I leave LA....

I grab a peppermint breath mint on the way out the hotel restaurant, and my husband wants to use the restroom. So, we round the corner into a lounge area AND THERE'S THE ENTIRE U.S. SOCCER TEAM on the floor doind stretches and lunges! Hubby asks if I need to use the restroom and I reply, "No, I'll just stay here and enjoy my candy!" Eye candy! The big match is tonight, but they looked pretty good to me. Lol

mustlovepoodles

Sloan, you are a hoot. And I love your pictures. If I knew how to post pics I would put up some from my "happy place", aka Yellowstone National Park. We took a 6,000 mile RV trip with our two youngest kids in 2007 and saw a lot of stuff, but the best hands-down was YNP. Good thing we went when we did--we couldn't do it now (DHs health would not permit). Not a week goes by that we don't talk about that trip.

Chicago, I am shuddering at your description of your hometown. I would shrivel up and DIE in that kind of cold. I'm Southern born and bred. I am not genetically equipped for such weather, LOL.

I'm on the road this weekend, doing my home visits (I'm a community health nurse.) Headed to Savannah, GA, and loads and LOADS of fresh seafood! I travel all over the state and I need to get these home visits done before I start chemo. I'm pretty sure I'm not going to feel like driving down from Atlanta, at least not until January, sometime.

PontiacPeggy

Poodles, you certainly can post photos. Here's how. In the Reply box typing area, right above it, to the left of the smiley face? Well there's a teeny box that looks like it has mountains in it. Click that - it's the "insert picture" function. Surf around to find the photo you want and click OK. Give it a try. Most you can do is mess up and that is not going to ruin your life or day

Have good travelling and food! I suspect you could be right about not wanting to drive around during chemo. And even if you do, there will probably be other things you'd rather do!

HUGS!

MJS1266

For those wondering about hair and rads, yes your hair will continue to grow during rads. I had chemo first and by the time I finished Rads, I was 4 months PFC and finally had enough hair to color and stop wearing my wig. It was pretty short and curly but I was so grateful to be done with the wig. Good Luck

Molly50

Sloan you sure make me laugh! Eye candy, that's great! It's so hot here today. This picture was sunset a few weeks ago in my neighborhood.

molliefish

I love Palm Desert! We've been on vacation 4 times now.. we are considering buying a home there for retirement :-)

Sweetmamaj

Molly, the first thing I thought of when I saw your sunset pic was, "yummmm.. Trader Joes..." Guess it's close to dinnertime!

Beautiful pics everyone-really enjoyed them

Sloan, i also stayed at a hotel that had one of the Hockey teams and another with one of the NBA teams. Hockey was most certainly eye candy; however the NBA guys were too closely guarded by security, and too much like twizzlers--long and twisted, whereas Hockey guys were more like Snickers ( Nice proportions, not all identical, & a little nutty)!

Anyhow, I did not have chemo, but from what I learned, most people do experience hair re-growth while having rads. Btw, a bit of trivia(?): The mantra that is oftencited on the Sept rads board is "it's not rads"--meaning, a lot of us will ask the RO or techs about SEs and get that as an answer. It's quitehumorous.... well, unless you're seeking validation.

Italychick

Was just told my company's health insurance raised our rates because they had a cancer claim. Doesn't that give me a warm fuzzy (not)!

queenmomcat

It's never rads. (said in gravelly Hugh Laurie as House voice)

ChicagoReader

Poodles, in the middle of winter, I sometimes wonder what I was thinking when I decided to move back to Chicago after more than 20 years in San Francisco. But I love to see the first signs of spring here, a crisp fall day, or the glorious summer! When I retire, I hope to spend winters in the West. If you've never been to Chicago, you'll have to come see us in the summer.