Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

Melclarity

Lovinggrouches - You are right the BS orders the Mammograms. I didnt realize you had a positive genetic test, so makes sense they would absolutely monitor you frequently, which is a great thing! Sounds like they are well onto things and ahead of things. You know something that alot of BC ladies suffer with at some point?? is PTSD - Post traumatic Stress Disorder. It is super common, just make sure you are getting the support you need! There is loads available! Counselling is invaluable and just talking with your Professionals and people who 'get it' You got this!

tbalding

LG you are not crazy. People just don't realize it until you go through it all the stress and worry that is involved. Emotional ups & downs. I told my husband today that it had been a long 3 months since my mammo beginning of March that kicked it all off. He thought it had gone by quickly. Mine was very early stages, but it doesn't stop me worrying about recurrence or it showing up on left side. I try not to go there, but it's still hovering in the background. I dread my first mammo in 6 mos.

Hugs! Trish

Molly50

LG, don't let the comparison of csection to hysterectomy get you down. People just don't realize how rude they are being. Hysterectomy is major surgery with an organ removed and many emotional implications as well. As for the close monitoring by your BS, mine is doing the same thing. My high risk of developing a new cancer has her wanting to follow me closely.

Mammogram done. All is well but hated the way the tech delivered the news. She said the radiologist said "everything looks begnin " I am sure she meant nothing looks suspicious but the wording left me asking her when I can see the report. I know I have microcalcs so I am not worried but still that woman needs to rephrase.

ejmann44

1step: Can I borrow your image and repost?

LG: I'm sorry things are getting overwhelming. DH is out of town all week and evenings when the girls are in bed I spend a lot of time thinking too much. The spot where they took the lymph node feels lumpy and makes it hard to sleep unless I'm really tired. So I'm up at 1:30 am reading the boards.

I have not done genetic testing. Apparently my insurance requires counseling before they will approve the test. I will probably just opt for the hysterectomy due to family history. It is a difficult thing to have a hysterectomy. I watched both my mom and my sister have them in their 40s for non-cancer reasons. Both really struggled. Definitely talk to someone you think can help you through it with medication or other things like counseling.

People say the dumbest things. DH is an amputee (missing his right arm) and my kids are adopted from China (obvious trans-racial family). We hear all kinds of stuff from adults and kids alike. It has made me more introverted. I'm sure the hysterectomy comments will be one more thing. Hang in there!

1step

Ej, go ahead and borrow. This is a meme I've been seeing on FB a lot lately.

brithael

Been gone for a while and it's hard to catch up on everyone!

Will be thinking of you Peggy when you do your memorial. I just got back from another delayed memorial for my cousin who died in February when I was still in chemo. They held the funeral in Idaho, cremated him, but had an ash scattering service in his home town of Salinas, CA which they set the date for me to be able to come. It was performed by his brother (also my cousin) who is an Army chaplain and was very moving. Flew with my sleeve and wore it most days with no problems.

Sandy - what a trip! I was lucky to get TSA Pre both ways when I flew to SF, so no real problems other than an hour delay leaving Midway.

Heathet- chemo, as you've heard, is different for everyone. I do have mine logged in on my blog very detailed on the first round (Check #12 for the beginning,) but your mileage may vary.

One month anniversary of finishing rads for me. I had two bad burns on my upper chest and underarm, but they turned the corner on healing right before I left for SF. Now they are just pinkish and tender. My stamina is returning, and as soon as I get through my colonoscopy tomorrow (Yuck!) I will be starting Anastrozole. BC never ends, does it?

PontiacPeggy

Brithael, glad you're moving forward (or just moving???? ). Looks like the memorial is going to be inside rather than the backyard. Supposed to be near 90 and that isn't very comfortable. We'll be cozy inside but it will work.

Sandy, you are NOT the only one with travel drama. #1 Son & wife were delayed 45 minutes leaving San Diego. of course their connection in Salt Lake was tight to begin with and he was unsure he'd make that flight. I've been tracking online and I think that maybe they held the plane for them. I told him to play the "funeral card" and to have Delta transport them between gates (which are miles apart of course). I hope that's what is happening. Just one text saying he wasn't sure he'd make the flight. Keep all fingers and toes crossed!!! Guess I may not know until he arrives in Detroit.

HUGS!!

PontiacPeggy

Update Andy & Noreen did not make their connecting flight. Now they will come in 5 hours later than planned. At least they will get here. There's something about Salt Lake that produces impossible connections. DH and I had the same thing happen to us. And our airline (Delta maybe) was as unhelpful as could be. This was about 9 years ago. At least they are on another flight and it IS today.

HUGS!

ejmann44

Many years ago, I talked all the relatives from Costa Rica that lived in the US to go to Costa Rica to celebrate my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. Everyone agreed to go. I was living in Miami at the time and finishing up my semester so I had to go the day before celebration. My flight took such a delay that I had to go the next day and I missed the entire celebration...that I organized!

They lived to see their 70th anniversary and I made sure get there early enough to be there to celebrate that one!

ChiSandy

Our Rabbi Emeritus (100) and his wife (101) celebrated their 75th this week!

Heathet

I got my port today, Not nearly as bad as I thought. It's a little sore but manageable. Tomorrow I get my haircut. I'm going with s short pixie style and I'm donating my hair to a charity that makes wigs for children. Happy Thursday everyone.

Lovinggrouches

Melclarity, thanks for the words of advice. I go to a monthly breast cancer support meeting, but no one really talks about anything. I can see why the navigator said that not many people usually show up. They just have a guest speaker, the ones that know each other already chat with each other, and then it's time to go

Trish, me and you have the same worry. I too worry about recurrence, I guess we just have to learn to live with it. I guess some worry all their lives and are cancer free 10 and 20 years later- others have stage 1 with no major problems or chemo, and it comes back as a later stage within 6 months to 5 years. Prayers for us both!

Thanks Molly, so glad your mammogram came out ok!!! Now for many more good ones!

Ejmann, thanks! It's nice to always hear from people who understand! I try to always realize that people just think they are making me feel better, so I don't stay mad. Most of them mean well lol!

Heathet, rock that pixie haircut! HUGS!

mltdd

I got clarification on the cancer free issue. My BS had told me back in December that lumpectomy was a success, that my margins were clear but since I had 6/12 positive lymph nodes and was HER+ I would need to do chemo and radiation to be sure there were no microscopic traces. Last week my RO (whom I don't really like) asked me if I was worried about the cancer (present tense) when I asked for something to help me sleep since I'm still dealing with insomnia from chemo and had not had a good night's sleep in over two months. When I told him that I wasnt worried because I thought everything was taken out, he made a face like he wasn't too sure. BTW his suggestion for insomnia was to go for a jog and drink some warm milk. So long story short...I have been considered cancer free since December as I originally thought.

Melclarity

There's no doubt ladies, those with positive genetic testing and Her2+ status have alot of worry, good news with Her2+ is Herceptin, theyve come along way!!! its good news!!!

Lovinggrouches - In terms of recurrence though...there's no way of knowing. 4yrs ago I had DCIS only, I had aggressive treatment for it considering my Mum is the only relative with Cancer, so no history in the family. I had radiation and Tamoxifen for 4ys, checked yearly by my BS..to his surprise it recurred late last June in between visits. It appeared in my lx scar and was Stage 3. Ive since had Chemo and it threw me into menopause so am now on Arimidex and not Tamoxifen,cant do rads again. Recurrence is super hard on so many levels. I had no node involvement which was a bonus. This is the only reason why my MO and BS are pushing for a Mx as preventative. Its the million dollar question really...all you can do is listen to your professionals. Im glad to say 5 months on I have a new pixie cut and 3 weeks into a rehab for strength training. Kicked its butt!!! for the last time Stay positive, stay focused and proactive! and most importantly keep moving. We are not defined by this experience but boy has it changed me in terms of honoring me and my existence for the first time in my life and whilst still a very selfless person, am putting me above everyone else at times and thats the key!!!

Katzpjays

Peggy-Sorry the kids will be late, but glad they will still make it. Thinking of the memorial and so certain that the eulogy for your DH will be perfect because it comes from your heart. Looking at 55 degree drizzle in Seattle and wishing for 90 degrees, but agree that could make for a tough outdoor gathering!

Heathet-glad the port placement went better than you feared. Bet you'll rock that pixie cut!

Brithael - great that your healing from rads (I start 1 week from today) Yep, some fun with the coming anastrazole train...I'll be right behind you mid-July.

Molly-glad the mammo was clear. There's real money to be made teaching people the basics on how to communicate with patients. Geez...

LG - unfortunate the comments people have made. Sorry you have had to deal with rude people. Most don't have any idea how insensitive they sound

Trish-I had that same discussion about the last 3 months with my DH this am. He thought the time had passed quickly too. Seriously???All that waiting for diagnosis and a treatment plan seemed forever to me. Better now, so I guess everything just takes time. We all struggle with inevitable fears of reoccurance. My prayers are for the joys of everyday living to crowd them out. At least most of the time...

Katzpjays

Just. Had. To. Made me laugh!

614

Dear LovingGrouches:  You have every right to be upset and to rant.  People have no clue what emotions and worries that you are dealing with.  People think that they are being helpful but they are usually clueless.  There is no comparison between having a radical hysterectomy and having a C-Section.  That is just plain ridiculous.  I am surprised that your doctor questioned your request for an anti-depressant.  As Melclarity said, many people who have had a bc dx will have PTSD at some point.  There is an article about that topic on BC.org.  My MO is the doctor who monitors me so I do not see my BS.  You and TBalding are not the only ones who worry about a recurrence.  I cannot help but worry.  I was diagnosed with PILC.  Lobular carcinoma is extremely difficult to detect and is often missed in scans.  Even palpable lumps are frequently not seen on imaging.  I know intellectually that I have a low chance of recurrence because I was diagnosed at Stage 1, I had a double lx, rads, and I am taking Arimidex/Anastrazole which should prevent any recurrences.  That being said, I still worry all the time.  I can't help it.  I can certainly empathize with you regarding everything that you have posted.  Good luck and hugs.  Sorry that you are in pain from working out.  I am glad that you are continuing to work out.

Dear ChiSandy:  I'm glad that everything worked out with your car.  In Florida, batteries do not last long at all.  I just had to change my car battery after 2 years and 2 weeks.  The heat here destroys car batteries.

What an amazing story regarding your Rabbi and Rebbetzin.

Dear TBalding:  I feel the same way as you do regarding worrying about breast cancer.  Good luck and hugs.

Dear 1Step:  I absolutely love the picture.  Thanks.

Dear MJTDD:  I would change RO's if you do not like your RO.  I am glad that you are cancer free.  Good luck and hugs.

Dear Peggy:  I am so sorry that your son and DIL had such a trying flight.  At least they will make the memorial in time.

Dear Ejmann:  Sorry that you missed the anniversary party that you planned years ago.  Good luck sleeping.  I'm sorry that you have lumps in the SLNB site and that you are uncomfortable.  Yes, people say extremely dumb things.  I am sure that you have heard it all.  The bottom line is that you are happy and that is what counts.  Don't listen to people.

Dear Heathet:  I am glad that your port surgery went well and that you are preparing for chemo with a haircut.  Good luck with chemo.  We will all be in your pocket throughout chemo.

Dear Melclarity:  I am so glad that you are doing well and that you are happy.  Please continue to take care of yourself and to put yourself first.  (I really need to learn that lesson.)

Dear Molly:  I am glad that you had a clear mammogram.  However, your technician needs to go to training.  Sorry that the technician caused you to worry.  Again, people are clueless and most don't realize what they are saying and the impact that it may have on others.

Dear Brit:  Good luck with your colonoscopy tomorrow.

Moondust

Heathet, I'm right behind you with the port insertion. Mine is next Wednesday, June 1. Did you have general anesthesia or just local? I had my bloodwork today and I'll schedule my pixie cut for sometime next week! I have a horrible cold/flu and I've been spiking a 101 fever every night since Monday. Today I felt better almost all day, so hopefully it's on its last legs. If not, then the port will have a little extra time to heal.

Hello to everyone. Love and Hugs!! I'm too beat to write any more tonight.

614

Dear Katz:  I love the post!!  LOL! Good luck with Rads.

614

614

Dear Moondust:  Good luck with the port insertion and FEEL BETTER.

614

I am SO UPSET!

The painting that I posted above is 5' X4'.  It is a truly amazing painting.  My son painted it and I am not saying that the painting is awesome because my son painted it.  My son had the painting hanging in an art gallery and the curator recommended that the painting be sold for $3000.00.  The painting is really that good.  The picture/post of his painting does not do justice to how great it actually looks.  It is magnificent.  It is a very large painting.  My son is 17 years old and he is not known in the art world.  If he were known then the painting would be worth a lot more. 

My son wanted to take the painting home from the gallery because he wanted to "finish" the painting.  His friend tied the painting to the top of his car.  The frame broke and the painting flew off of the car.  My son's friend did not even stop.  My son was not in the car with his friend when the painting flew off of the car.

My son thought that his friend was joking.  No such luck.  My son could not believe that his friend did not stop to retrieve the painting.

The painting is gone.

I don't even know how to react or what to do.  I feel numb.

We went back and looked for the painting but it is no where to be seen.

I called the Road Ranger service but I have to call again in the morning.  FHP doesn't answer.

In addition, my son found out today that he got a C (final exam grade in 2 classes) on his "jury" for theatre because his teachers felt that he wasn't creative, that he wasn't dressed well enough (brown dress shoes don't match a black suit) (he doesn't own black dress shoes)(they are lucky that he even owns a suit) and that my son must "pull himself together".  He has had a relapse of mononucleosis.  He has been sick all semester.  It is amazing that he is even attending school with his illness.  I am furious!   In addition, I can't afford better clothes and shoes.  I am a single parent with no child support, a ridiculously expensive commute to/from work, and exhorbitant medical expenses due to my bc dx.

I can't help ranting.   I feel like crying.  I feel so awful for my son because he lost his painting.  His painting is like his child (please G-d - don't let him have real children yet at 17!).

ejmann44

614: I'm truly sorry for everything you are feeling. I hope he finds the painting. The teachers don't sound very willing to consider his health issues. Maybe they need to be made aware of it with a doctor's note? I am so sorry you are both having such a tough time. Big hugs.

ChiSandy

I am shaking right now. Today was my screening full-body skin exam. The derm noticed a raised pinkish oval spot (that she didn't mention at my initial dermatitis consult in Feb.) on my right temple--says it's probably a benign “seborrheic hyperplasia" (oil gland gone wild) but biopsied it anyway to rule out basal or squamous cell ca. (Removed the oil gland itself for good measure). But I was shocked when she found a mole on my back that I'd never seen before. She showed me the photo she took: very irregular border, asymmetrical, mixed pale tan and golden brown (sort of like a miniature ginger patch tabby cat). Said it was probably a dysplastic nevus and removed it all plus a small margin. But she couldn't rule out melanoma without a path report.....which will take a week. Meanwhile, no showers for the next couple of days--will have to “wash” with wet wipes. And there’s no way I can change the back-mole dressing myself, because I can’t reach it even if I could see it. I’ll have to catch Bob as soon as he gets home, before his first cigarette and glass of wine.

What has me freaking out is how suddenly the nevus appeared. I'd have said merely that neither I nor anyone else had noticed it before.....but it was in almost the same spot as the sebaceous cyst I developed in Dec. and for which my PCP prescribed Keflex rather than drainage (it was too solid) or excision (would have been too wide). He surely would have noticed a mole in that area. And I can't help but wonder if radiation passing through my breast might have reached through to my back and caused this: after all, each of my 16 radiation treatments was boost-strength.

I have several risk factors: very fair skin, a slightly-less-than-second-degree relative (my dad's half-sister) who died of liver mets from melanoma; and several blistering sunburns in my youth. But I have very few other moles or freckles.

It would be horribly ironic to have caught my IDC early and done everything right.....and end up having had the treatment for it give me another, more aggressive, cancer. I am hoping for the best--that it's only a dysplastic nevus; but it developed so fast and looked so variegated. And I will now have to be “mapped" every 6 months for the rest of my life--perpetually waiting for “other shoes to drop” for now and forever, not just for bc.

Needless to say, all plans for our trip to Italy are on hold (and I am not following through on looking for upcoming gigs) unless and until I get good news. I’m hoping that the worst case scenario is stage 0 melanoma, with no further treatment beyond a wider excision of clear tissue for safety’s sake. If it’s thicker than 1mm, they might have to do a SNB.....hello, truncal lymphedema. I don’t even want to think about adjuvant treatment.

Molly50

((((614))) your son is incredibly talented. That painting took my breath away even before you said your son painted it. I do hope they find it. I hope you give the teacher a piece of your mind. How ridiculous to judge a young man without walking in his very tired from mono shoes.

Hugs, Sandy hopefully it's nothing .

PontiacPeggy

614, that's tragic about your son's painting being lost. Some friend. And those teachers are cruel. Judging him because he doesn't have black shoes and he isn't trying? Anyone who has had mono or cared for someone with it, knows how debilitating it is. Do complain. You have nothing to lose.

Sandy, first congratulations to your rabbi and his wife. That's awesome. And on your skin spots - ARGH! That' very scary and worrisome. Aren't you glad you had your body scan? Fingers crossed that that one spot is not cancer. It's all so unfair!

Heathet, glad your port insertion went okay.

LovingGrouches, Your cancer support group sounds like the one I went to - once. One gal dominated all the discussions. Her cancer was worse than anyone else's, her treatment more extreme, her life more upset, yadayadayada. The moderator was useless in stopping that gal's mouth. I could see no point in returning. I have always gotten great support here and it's all I need.

Moondust, EVERYONE is getting sick this month. #2 son comes here with a cold. #1 DIL comes with a cold. I'm getting over whatever bug/allergies I have had. Hope you feel better PDQ!!

Sons and DILs here and it feels wonderful. The kids live far from each other and all 4 haven't been together in 19 years! #1 DIL was active duty Navy until a couple years ago and that made it difficult. But all is well. #1 son said it is like a non-homecoming arriving home this time. The house doesn't feel like the one he grew up in. He's got that right. Once I took down all the photos and packed all the books, the house was no longer "mine" - just a house, not a home. #1 son also said if there is a more boring airport than Salt Lake City's he doesn't want to go there. 5 hours of mind-numbing nothingness. We decided it would be preferable to be stranded at Las Vegas' airport! Today is putting together the displays for the memorial tomorrow. No matter how the displays turn out, the kids will enjoy seeing all sorts of photos of their dad that they've never seen (because I hadn't [or don't remember]) so it will be fun.

Have a safe and fun Memorial Day and remember those who are no longer with us.

HUGS!

brithael

614 - So sorry about the painting. I hope it will turn up.

Sandy - OMG keep us informed on your biopsy. I had a squamous cell removed several years ago, but nothing since. I know how worrisome this can be.

octogirl

finally checking in after a long time on the road...

Peggy: Books and photos really do make a home, don't they? Thinking of you for the memorial service tomorrow. Will be there with you in spirit. I am so glad that you are surrounded by family and that it feels wonderful. Blessings to you and to your husband's memory....

but no, you wouldn't want to be stuck in the LAS airport. Trust me on this. My guess is that at least SLC has bathrooms clean enough to use....

Sandy: so sorry about the mole worry. In your pocket until the results come! That is very scary and upsetting, I know.

614, that is a beautiful painting. And I'd consider complaining to the administration about someone who marked down a student for dress in that way: if it is a factor that matters they should pay for the damned shoes!

Moondust, feel better!

Hugs to all;

Octogirl

Heathet

Moondust - I had general anesthesia. The procedure only took about an hour. I woke up feeling pretty good after the surgery,I was just super hungry !

Sandy - I'm so sorry you are going through this crap. Prayers and hugs.

Molly50

Peggy, thinking of you this weekend. Enjoy having your family together and I hope you have a wonderful day honoring Chuck. Welcome back octogirl! Enjoy the long weekend everyone.