May 2013 surgeries

Anonymous

Wow. Looks like most of us re in our 40s, (except Ann, who could have said early 40s, and we would all have believed her!!). I was curious to know because of children and work in addition to age at dx. Seems we are all in the same boat! Looks like we are almost all in the same time zone, too, except Catey.



Speaking of which, my Illinois geography isn't that good. I have family in Lake Zurich. Are you anywhere near there, Catey?



Going back to the age thing, BC is less common under the age of 45. That might be part of the reason so many of you are doing chemo. I've heard the docs are more aggressive when you have certain factors in play, inc. under 45 and triple negative.



Anybody know more about the oncotype testing? What is the test, and how do they get a score?



Melanie, I used to do office work at Big Rock Point nuclear plant. When you work at a nuclear plant, everyone gets training on plant ops and radiation. Partially because everyone is a community liaison, educating the public. Most people that worry about nuclear power don't understand the depth of safety precautions taken, so we all were able to answer questions posed by most of the public.



Sounds like all of us are doing reconstruction. Did i miss anyone? If not, we should DEFINITELY meet someplace warm with sand, so we can all show off our new cleavage in swimsuits! *grin*.

AMBNH

I slept in my own bed last night for the first time in 6 weeks! WhooHoo the little things in life mean do much! My PS was right - she said I would turn the corner with the TEs as they continue to fill them. Even though there's only 100 ccs in each, it's enough to bring down the discomfort a bit and I was able to sleep on my side.



Day 2 after my chemo treatment and so far so good.



I am 49 and was 49 when diagnosed. If all goes well I will turn 50 right after my last chemo treatment. My family and friends are going to throw me a "Happy 50th/"F$&K cancer" party. I'll be into the rads at that point but at least the chemo will be done.



Sounds like everyone is doing pretty well this morning. Have fun to those who are doing something fun today.



Ps. That pic in my profile was taken at my pre-chemo shave party.

Anonymous

I never even seriously considered implants. For me, the decision focused on my sexual self image and my relationship with my dh. If I did implants, and he liked my breasts, I would have felt he liked something that wasn't really me. If he didn't like them, I would have wondered if he'd have felt differently if I'd used my own body for reconstruction. Of course, even though I say it's about him, I think it was really those same thoughts, but about how I would feel.



If I had given it more thought, I'm sure the weight loss / gain and aging (sagging) would have led me to the same decision.



Disclaimer: The decision to do implants v. a flap procedure is a VERY personal decision. My decision was based on what I wanted, and has no reflection on what's right for someone else. 75% of women go for implants, and I'm sure they have very good reasons!

AMBNH

Steph, my reconstruction is put off until next year, 6 months after my last rad treatment. I'm opting for diep. This time next year I should be sporting a new set if twins. Can't wait!

Chinneymae

I would like to thank you all for the nice compliments. Ann, you aren't the only old one in the group. I am 57 and was diagnosed at 56. I also have a grandson that is 20 years old. I have four grands and they all belong to my daughter and her ex husband. I also have 3 step grands that belong to my SIL. My son and his wife are expecting in February and I am tickled pink!!



My hair dresser took that pic a couple of weeks ago. She is amazed that I am 57 and haven't gotten the first grey hair yet. I guess I take after my dad and his mom. My grandmother was cherokee and she was 89 when she died and had only a few grey hairs. My dad died at 71 and he had a little more grey than my grandmother. My mom greyed early and she is 78 now and white headed. My younger brothers are also grey. Besides my departed boobs, that's the only attribute I have left.



Cyndy

GoWithTheFlow

Well, I thought I'd do reconstruction right away.  The nurse in my BS's office whispered to me to wait, and think hard about it.  So with that, and additional recovery time, I decided to wait.  At this point, I'm still in the blur of pain meds and radiation, so I've put off thinking about it.  In the fall, I will do some research and check in with you all and figure out if I want to do it or not.  At this point nothing can be done til the winter anyway (I believe 6 months after rads end?)

The funny thing is, my husband makes lace for lingerie for a living.  

Chinneymae

Steph01: the Oncotype dx test uses tissue from the tumor. They analyze 21 genes from the tissue and slice it up and come up with a score that gives them an idea of what your chances of distant recurrence would be and if chemo would be of any benefit to you. The higher the score the better chance of recurrence and chemo. It's mainly for patients with early stage cancer that is ER+. It's a really expensive test, kind of like the BRACA test.

ckmoss

Steph-Run4 is in Arizona and HoneyBun (who I might add has been MIA for a bit here..Hope all is well!!!) is in Canada.

Annie-CONGRATS on the sleeping in your own bed!! I know that I had to feel great!! I've been stubborn and with the help of about 10 pillows managed to stay in mine..but has probaly been just about as much hell as a recliner would have been.

Question-If you don't save skin at surgery, do you still have to do TE's? They sound like torture.

Oh!..you can tell all this is my whole world..I passed by garage yesterday while driving "T&E's auto parts"..guess what hit my mind? lol

GoWithTheFlow

Annie, WHOOOHOOOO for sleeping in bed!  Must have been great.  I know I cried the night I was finally able to get into bed.

Cyndie, I'm jealous you don't have grey.  My hair is totally white.  Scheduled the last week in July for coloring.  Hopefully it will be grown enough by then.  I saw my hairdresser about a week and a half ago and it wasn't ready.  If not, I'll survive.  

ckmoss

Gowith=was your hair completely grey before chemo? I had a friend that had been through chemo tell me that ..not to freak out ..to remember that grey hair grows faster than reg hair..and after chemo, when hair starts coming in..grey will come first..I have grey strands and mostly they are underneath...but actually is not going to matter..I went my whole life never colored/highlighted my hair because I knew one day I would be doing it from then on..lol..no woman in my family ever went grey.  My great grandmother was 103 when she died..auburn hair to the end..

Chinneymae

I always heard that after chemo that hair would come back grey, but my onco says that's not always true. She says it can come back curly, straight, darker, lighter or it may come back with grey. I know an older lady that went to our church and she had grey hair, but after chemo it came back darker and curly. It was so pretty. I guess it depends on each individual person's makeup.

melmcbee

Annie, I love the new pic. You look beautiful.

Lol.Ck when you start seeing auto signs that make you think of breasts then maybe its time for a hobby. lmao.

Annie my maiden name is Futch and my nephewwho is like 27 has inoperable brain tumor and at the brain cancer walk his teams name was Futch You Tumor.

AnnBR

One of the reasons I chose not to reconstruct right away is that I wasn't ready to make a decision on which type of reconstruction surgery I wanted. I needed to take the time to research and make the decision that was right for me. I didn't want any regrets in the future. I'm glad there are options out there for everyone to make the choice that is best for them.



Thanks for the compliments, they made my day. I promise, I've not had any surgical tweaking! My hair is actually silver/white but you can't tell that in the picture. I let it go natural years ago.



There is a Relay for Life event in my hometown tonight. I am going to walk the survivors lap. I heard it's a very emotional experience.

Anonymous

Cyndy, your hair isn't your only attribute: you have an incredible smile! I hope I can look as young as you and Ann in 10 years!

Chinneymae

Steph01: you are so sweet!!



Ann, I can't get over how young you look!!

ckmoss

Melanie-I am sorry to hear about your nephew...and i think that is a great slogan!

cateyz2

OMG Im off the boards for a few hours and everyone shows up. I just turned 47 on the 12th of this month.

Steph- Im about an hour from Lake Zurich, actually, lived in an apartment there for a few years in my 20's and grew up in Arlington Hts.

Ann- Walk proudly, just got the chills, I hope to start participating in a few myself when all said and done

Chinneymae- Its a small world!!! Ive been in contact with Amy and am passing the "Traveling Pink Shirt" on to her. She apparently contacted you after you sent me the shirt. Her surgery was rescheduled to July and am meeting her tuesday at lunch (turns out she lives only a few towns away)

My personal choice to have bmx with tes had a lot to do with only being diagnosed with DCIS and not wanting radiation and tamoxin for 5 yrs. Just wanted the BC out of me without stress of wondering if it would reaccur. Not only that but after 3 kids they were definately heading south and figured perky would be good!

Katie

Chinneymae

Wow Katie that's awesome. Did u get everything you needed from me as far as the story?

melmcbee

Have fun Ann the candle light ceremony is really touching.

GoWithTheFlow

Yea, I had grey hair to start.  Just didnt' realize it was white now.  CK, I hope you still won't have to color your hair.  Been coloring mine since I was 23.

I can't keep up with the posts.  So to whom it may apply:

You are all beautiful in your pictures.  I need to change mine to a pic of me as soon as I'm up for taking one.

Sorry about your nephew but LOVE the name.

Have fun at the Survivor's walk.  It is very emotional but it's a great event and I enjoyed it when I went.

cateyz2

Yes Cyndy I got the letter , Thank you

kayezzy66

My underarm hurt so bad, and i had lemp therapy,and it really did help.Its still there,but not like it was.

AnnBR

Go, I agree, we are all strong and beautiful women.



I will say a prayer for EACH ONE OF YOU (Cyndy, Katie, Jerri, Janet, Melissa, Heather, Lisa, Annie, Melanie, Cyndie, Marlene and Steph01 and everyone else) as I walk the survivors lap this evening. I know I will have tears streaming down my face.

GoWithTheFlow

Aw Ann, it's a great time to reflect how lucky we are to be here, and sad to see just how many people have been affected by cancer (or is it effect?  I never get those two words right).  (((HUGS))) and I will say a prayer for you too!

Chinneymae

Ann: I appreciate you walking and praying for us. We will be thinking about you as well. I look forward to hearing about it tomorrow.

Chinneymae

kayezzy66: I'm sorry you have been in such pain. I'm glad it's getting better. I hope it will continue to improve.

Anonymous

Ann, I will take all the prayers I can get! Thinking about you walking the survivor's lap brought tears to my eyes.



What time is the walk, and what time zone are you in? I want to spend some of that time praying for all of you. I normally don't think this way, but if we all pray at the same time then we will be one really LOUD voice instead of many softer ones.

ckmoss

Steph-That is a really great idea.  Let us know the time. I about cried when she posted that.  My friend came..was great..but am wiped out tired. I folded (slowly ) load of clothes /dusted..other little things..then she stayed about 3 hours..brought lasagna, salad and a homemade lemon creme pie (the kind with nilla wafers on side)yumm. I'm going to weigh 3000 pounds when this is over.

AnnBR

You ladies have given me goose bumps. The walk is at 6:30 and I am in the central time zone. I have a sheet with all your names which I will carry with me so I make sure all names (and everyone else) are prayed for. Thanks too for your prayers, that is so sweet!

ckmoss

Ok Im brain dead..what time will that be EST? Thats a hour behind?