June 2014 Surgery Sisters

trish01254

Kitkatmo - waiting sucks, diagnosis sucks and I feel really bad for what you are going through.  I too get pretty tired of everyone telling me it will be alright when I really want them to be pissed off with me about what I am going through.  However, while I was feeling very blue in the hospital after my mast/diep, an beautiful nurse assistant came to visit me.  She lifted my spirits by talking about the Spirit.  Now I am not a very spiritual person, I believe there is something on the other side but that is pretty much the extent of my faith.  But after listening to her pep talk I felt renewed and was able to make it through my day.  I felt like she was my guardian angel sent to me specifically to give me the strenght to form a more positive attitude. 

Like many of the ladies on this site will tell you, you will make it through this.  There will be lows and highs - a very long rollercoaster of a ride.  Hang in, ask for support when you need it, vent when you have to, everyone cares about you.  Nothing every moves fast enough when you are going through diagnosis, treatment, recovery.

linda505

Good morning all - thinking of all of you recovering or getting ready for surgery.  Keep your chins up - it takes time but you can get through this.  Just remember you are not alone - we are all with you on this journey and we get it.  

Kitkatmo - welcome - and sorry that you had to find this website at all - but glad you did as you start your journey - they are my strength.   You will find many many helpful women here in all areas whether it be surgery, type or treatment.     Here is one of the threads that the triple negative peeps communicate in  - hopefully someone in there can help guide you through your journey.   

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/72/topic/...

Hope everyone is have quick recoveries and remembering that just because you can doesn't mean you should!!

beachgirl501

June 18, Bilateral Mastectomy, left ALND

jbokland

Kitka- 

When I first found this forum, it scared me to death.  I  only found stories worse than my own, and felt like it was going to be my fate, too.  Once I  became more comfortable with my own situation and found the right group of women, like here, I was instantly part of a sisterhood.

As I worked through my own process, I learned to grateful for everything.  Grateful for the surgery, the diagnostics and even for the chemo that wreaked havoc on my body.  These are treatments that are there to save my life.  Being grateful lets you look at things from the half-full perspective.

Bob Marley said " You don't know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice".

I HIGHLY recommend to anyone to watch this video of Anita Moorjani.  She recovered from Stage IV Lymphoma and has a wonderful and insightful message.  Even if you feel her story is beyond your belief...she has a wonderful philosophy on living the life you have.  JUST EXCELLENT and uplifting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvmABrII35c

bethq

JBOKLAND I am a huge Bob Marley fan and had not heard this quote...thanks...it really sums this whole thing up for me. I keep trying to tell my husband that this isn't like any of my other surgeries (hysterectomy, bladder, etc). Those were sort of optional but this cancer thing was thrown at me and there was no choice, no control....not a good place for me....but I found I HAD to be strong....there really is no option.

By the way when I am down I just pop on my Marley tunes and am instantly happy! Jamaica in March!

jbokland

bethq

I'm stealing this!

Frostecat

Love this - I had never heard this either and am a huge Bob Marley fan!  Been to Jamaica 10x and was married there this past December.  (married in December, diagnosed in January - UGH!)

sandra4611

It's that time again. Time to fill the tank on the Pink Bus with prayers and wishes as we virtually drive the next of our June sisters to the hospital tomorrow morning. Margie7121 is having a BMX and so is one of our new members, Beachgirl50. Kitkatmo, another of our newcomers, will having another lumpectomy to get a wider margin this time.

What will you bring to the bus? I'm bringing confetti for our 6/18 girls to throw at any lingering worry. How can we be so confident? Because we've been there and know you CAN do this. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. We care.

 

kitkatmo

So many thanks for all of the support and words of encouragement! JBOKLAND, while the boards do have some frightening stories they really have brought me a certain sense of calm, just seeing the support and compassion that can only truly come from someone who has been there. There are just so many questions that have no real answers, and so many that I don't know I need to be asking. Trish 01254, I am a nurse supervisor and I think that being at work, trying to keep my emotions in check and stay focused on what I need to do is a still a struggle for me. Then when someone wants to go home with a headache or diarrhea, I just want to scream...are you kidding me?! I'm getting better about it. My co-workers have been great and I know that they really just have no way of knowing how hard it is for me to just keep it together to be at work.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll be around , and thanks again!

kfinnigan

I'll bring the pink pom poms and chant the "you can do it" cheer.  Big hugs ladies!!

sandra4611

LOL Kari. Good idea.

 

Wildflower50

I'll be on the bus bringing some upbeat music---I'll be sure to include Bob Marley. Love that quote!

HopeEllen

I'm new to posting although I've been roaming around for a couple weeks on the boards. I was diagnosed with ILC on June 3 and have opted for BMX scheduled for June 24. Hoping for no lymph node involvement and no chemo but we will wait and see.  It really has been helpful to read others stories and to know what to expect. I'm 46 and have a 20 and 16 year old and having to tell them has been the hardest part of all this. Prayers for everyone who is dealing with this. 

kcat2013

I'll be on the bus with pink hair spray   

HopeEllen telling my kids about my diagnosis was pretty difficult for me also.   Mine are quite a bit younger than yours at 6 and 10.  One of them cried and was convinced I was going to die immediately, the other was concerned about me losing my hair.   Glad you found our thread! 

Kendra

linda505

I am on the bus armed with positive thoughts for all this am.  They are in a huge bag and there are plenty to go around - take as many as you want!!

And remember the hardest part of your surgery is getting to that point - once you are out you are on your way to recovery.  

jbdayton

Jumping on the bus and ready to party.  I am bringing pink punch it will be a hot day today.  Let's roll.

Wizard50

Sending positive vibes and thoughts to margie7121, beachgirl50 and kitkatmo.   

I got Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" playing right now....don't worry about a thing cause every little thing is gonna be alright  

gila4936

Jumping on the bus with probably my favorite pink drink, strawberry balsamic martinis. Thinking good thoughts for margie, beachgirl and kitkatmo.

I have all kinds of good news! Yesterday I saw the PS and he's thrilled with how everything looks and most importantly, I got the last of the drains removed! I do have a gaping hole in my stomach incision and I was worried about it, but he says it's not infected and not uncommon. I do have to pack it with gauze and change that daily, and by "I" I really mean my husband. Haha. I see him again in three weeks.

Today I saw the BS and he confirmed the finding of more DCIS in the right breast. Since everything is noninvasive and because we removed both breasts, there's no need for chemo and no need for hormone therapy. It's the best possible news! I don't need to go back to him for six months.

bethq

Yeah Gila lots of good stuff there!!

kfinnigan

Great news Gila!  Lots of cheers heard in California as the Pink Bus rolled out for our girls today!  Positive vibes abounding!

trish01254

best wishes for the girls today.

Got the best news today.  No invasive cancer found.  So happy, so relieved.  Only need to concentrate on healing now.

Ally2345

Trish-

Great news!  So happy for you!  The worst is behind you so keep healing!

Ally

jbokland

good news Trish!  Exhale!

aff

Great news Trish!

Best wishes to today's ladies! On the bus with you. 

linda505

Lots of great news here today!!!!  So happy for all of you!!

gila4936

Yay, Trish - me too! Wonderful news!

jbdayton

Trish and Gila that is wonderful news.  How encouraging that this beast can be found so early that few treatments are needed.  I know it is still hard to lose the girls but at least you are cancer free with minimal treatments and great prognosis.  Congrats.

((((HUGS)))))) to all.

jbdayton

Today is a special day for me.

I have already been to the PS  he cut off dead skin from the underside of my open flap incision.  It bled lots, so the flap is definitely got good blood flow.   We will continue to pack the open wound wet/dry routine.  Next week he will put on a wound vac he said to help aid in healing.

I will be leaving soon to head to the airport to pick up my oldest daughter and son-in-law.  They have been out of the country since last August 1st.  He is the director of an American International school and she teaches.  They have been in Baku, Azerbaijan.  They will be home for 6 weeks.  We will see them off and on through this time.  They have things to do of course.  I am so excited.

When they left I had not had any surgeries, I was still bald from chemo.  I now have about 3 inches of hair, two smaller boobs, smaller stomach and one missing love handle.  Wow a lot to think about.  

Everyone have a great day.

aff

jbdayton - I am so happy for you that you will have this time with your daughter and sil!