Just diagnosed and waiting, trying not to stress out

JudyGG

Thank you for posting.  We have been on about the same timing and path except my lumpectomy was in late August.  It was really a non-issue so hopefully all went well and you are back to reading these posts!  Wear that sports bra- helps keep the scar soft and makes everything more comfortable.

Unfortunately, mine didn't stop there and I am now scheduled for a DMX in two weeks.  Last night I dreamed that I dreamed that I had breast cancer- wish that were true and not my reality!  Makes this morning really hard but trying to keep it together.

Judy

Positive2strong

Dear Judy,

I am with you or as the ladies here say in your pocket today. I took my mini ipad with me and got the wifi set up.

I also had all my photos of my recent trip. I also took a half of a Valium pill. If you aren't afraid of drugs take a whole one.

I wish I had more knowledge like the other women,however Grannies or barred owl said just let go and somehow I kept that phrase in my head.

You may already be in surgery but please let me know how you are.

Positive Linda

Positive2strong

Jackster 51

I am not sure if I got back to you. My surgery was at St Johns hospital in Santa Monica with Dr. Kristi Funk.

I really haven't had much pain and I haven't taken any pain pills. But I really haven't slept. Up all night.

Maybe I should have taken the pain pills.

I feel like I have a cold. How are you doing. Thanks for the support and advice.

Positive Linda

BarredOwl

Hi Positive2strong:

That was grainne who said that and provided such strong support. As she said, many of us (e.g., me) were following along quietly and thinking of you. Hope you can get some rest and relaxation today.

Hi JudyGG:

Good luck in your upcoming surgery.

BarredOwl

Positive2strong

Thank

Positive2strong

Dear All,

Thank you for getting me thru my lumpectomy surgery on Monday. I had my Doctor's appointment on Thursday. I had good news with my lump measuring 1.5 cm grade 2-3 IDC , - clear deep margin and no cancer in nodes 0/2

And she wrote TlcNoMx whatever that means.

I know many of you have not had good news after surgery and I was hesitant to post my results.

I talked to my son and he said that I needed to post for those that are facing their surgery. Just as all of you helped and gave me hope maybe my good news would give some reassurance to others.

I didn't take any pain pills after surgery. I really didn't have much pain. I did ice my area somewhat.

I also had one incision, she said she lifted up the breast,went under and took out the nodes. After surgery,

I just could not sleep, I was so looking forward to sleep as the weeks before were sleepless in LA.

So after surgery, I have been tired and I think I have a cold. I tried so hard to be in good health for the surgery but I did have a tickle Andslight cough the day of surgery.

Now I am thinking I should check my insurance and make sure to double ask if my radiation and doctor appointments are covered and I think I should purchase part D Medicare for my prescriptions.

I didn't originally as I have never taken a prescription in my life.

So of course why would I think I would need Part D.

Funny, how life works out, but I am thankful for my good diagnosis. I knew for several years something was off with my body. I ended up getting shingles and then found I had a severe Vitamin D deficiency. Anyone else out there with Vitamin D deficiency. There is research saying Vit D deficiency cause of breast cancer.

I now have my levels up to normal range.

I also need to learn about nutrition and take it seriously and exercise. I get by without looking too bad or too big. But I know my bmi needs drastic improvement. I guess I am not a routine person, I have always worked very hard, without stopping for food and just never good at saying sorry need to get to my gym. So I know I still have a lot of work and changing to do. I too like many of you want to find purpose in this, how can I help,what will I do differently.

Getting anxious to feel better and Live, Live, Live.

One more time, I love you all and thank God I found this site or I would have been completely lost.

Love love love

VLH

Great news! Here's an explanation of the "TNM" staging that you may find helpful:

http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/diagnosis/sta...

Lyn

Positive2strong

ok helpful thanks

grainne

positive, that is such good news! Of course you should share it. We all delight in someone's good news:it feels like a small victory for each one of us over this awful disease. You look very glamorous for someone just post surgery. You are all fired up to change your life. I never managed to keep resolutions or make any lasting effort at self improvement until i got bc. Now, I've actually managed to keep up exercise for about 5 months and i feel very good about that. I hope you keep posting: your posts are very honest and i like reading them.

judygg, how are you doing? I recognise the effort it takes to keep it together, especially if you feel, as i did, like howling with fear and rage a lot of the time. That would have been a bleak awakening from your dream. I hope there are better times ahead when you get through your surgery.

Positive2strong

love you

Positive2strong

Grannie,

Did you have a lumpectomy

When did you start exercising. How long after surgery.

Post surgery we went to a bar restaurant and had chips and hamburger sliders.

I was awake til 3 am that night.

Of course I have been tired with a cold til today I feel almost normal

Beatmon

Positive: we live for good news and are all so very happy for you. Brenda e

Lucy55

Positive ..great news ☺ I love , LOVE , your phots !! HaHa ..you're wide awake and looking very glamourous for someone whose just had surgery ...HaHa .Is Hubby asleep. ? He looks exhausted 😄

You go girl ..we all love great news !

Positive2strong

Dear Lucy

we did have a long wait and many times DH did fall asleep. He can do that almost anytime. He is a bad sleeper. He wakes up calls family back east then can go back to sleep. Off and on all the time.

Looks like your diagnosis is similar to mine. Except I am prog negative

Did you have a lymectomy and radiation

Lucy55

No ..I also had some DCIS as well , so I chose to have a mascetomy...because of the mascetomy I didn't have to have rads ..I do take tamaxifen though .

grainne

hi, positive. Yes, i had a lumpectomy and rads. Neither caused me any great difficulty. The op was 8th feb. My husband farms and our sheep lamb in march so by then i was doing a fair bit of work with him to build up some upper body strength, which i have never had. Rads were in april and between work and driving 100 miles a day there was no time for anything else. I started walking in may and began to take it seriously by june and i have kept it up since, especially as i read more about its effects on the possibility of recurrence. i feel healthy and strong when i walk. I walk fast enough to be slightly out of breath and i include some ( fairly low gradient !) hills to get a bit of cardio in. In sounds rather organised but it's not and doesn't require any planning.... a free 40 mins, a dry day , a pair of trainers and away you go.

judygg, thinking about you and wondering how you are doing?

Barred Owl, thank you for the mention. I cant give anyone and proper advice and info the way you and a few others do. It's nice to think any input is of value.

Positive2strong

dear Grannie,

My father was a livestock dealer and had 3 farms in Minnesota. I grew up helping him as he was older and I was his last child from his second younger wife, my Mom. I had my drivers license at 13 to help him. They called it a farmers license. I did think I was pretty cool as I lived in the city and drove my Moms car when I wasn't helping my Dad. So I know somewhat how hard you work. I am very happy I had that childhood as I had horses, cattle, and baby pigs. It was the best of both worlds.Going thru this My son reminded me that I had my mothers strength and I could do it....to fight. I have always felt when you have fighters at your side, you are spoiled and in my case never had to struggle.

I, too am not disciplined or organized in care for myself. I would always work and take care of my husband as he is older and I worry about him. But actually he is so strong. So now I will see if I can get with the program to exercise and eat right.

So happy to have you as a friend. My DH really doesn't want to hear about it anymore. He says it is out and the cancer is gone,don't dwell on it. He also doesn't want me to tell anyone. He didn't like it that I told my son because he thinks he will tell his in laws etc. I don't know what he is thinking. He said he doesn't want people talking about me or my breast OMG But I am my own person and so it goes.

I am so thrilled to start living, I wish you the very best and send me a photo of you and your sheep.

💖🏄 ps I have a half brother who is 1/2 Irish His name is Shanahan. His fathers family has almost an entire Catholic cemetery in Mn.

Beatmon

Positive, I think your hubby is not able to deal with the thought that you have had a cancer diagnosis. It is not fair that he restricts your conversations with those that you want to share your diagnosis with. And remember, you must continue to see your physician and follow up as they ask you to and continue to be vigilant in the future.

IDC is not a broken toenail. Seek support where you need and always feel welcome here

Positive2strong

dear Beatmon,

I will learn to take care of myself. And yes my DH just looks forward. One time a renown cardiogist told us people like him do very well in heart surgery because they are anxious to get on their life and looking forward.

I will admit his attitude is annoying. I have told my son and a few close friends. And I have all of you.

How are you doing now. It looks like we had the same diagnosis in the beginning. Except I am her -

And I think I am much older than you.

Thanks for your caring

Love to yo

BarredOwl

Hi Postive2strong:

Will you be meeting with a Medical Oncologist in the next few weeks?

BarredOwl

Positive2strong

Owl,

Yes, I originally was referred to Dr Chap, a woman, but when I went for my appointment, I had a man because she wasn't there. He said I could go back to Chap if I wanted. My surgeon put Chap on my form to send my reports. It is awkward as the other doctor's people call me.

I have a trip to Rhode Island Oct 26- Nov 2. I might alter it to stop in Mi to see my son on the way back.

My surgeon thinks I might get 3.5 weeks of radiation I guess that depends on my onotype she sent for the mamma print so many terms and tests

I haven't had much pain after surgery, except my breast is swollen, I think because she told me she lifted up the breast to go under and get the nodes. I only have one incision

She checked with an ultrasound and I don't have any fluid. So that is good.

Last night was the first night I went out . I have a younger friend who is a model and another that is a photographer and they invited us to a fashion designer showcase and then another friend that sings on Dancing wither stars had an opening night gig. I keep thinking if they on,y knew how much they are helping me get out and feel involved in life. The timing has been perfect.

I am posting a photo of me first night out as I am trying to let it sink in That I am a survivor and I am going to beat this. I take photos because I just can't seem to believe this. I was tired at the end of the night and my breast was aggravated, so I ice it.

How are you? Thanks for checking in. I sense you know I avoid things and yes, I did ask my surgeon if I could forget radiation.

Love

grainne

hi, linda. Good to see you out and looking great. I recognise the difficulty in believing what has happened. I have always been a bit of a hypochondriac but for some reason it just never occured to me i would get bc. Besides fear, my overwhelming feeling was absolute astonishment. For a while, i felt like i was pretending to believe it,rather than actually believing it.

i told only those people i wanted to know i had bc and asked them not to tell anyone else. That way i had the support i wanted and needed from people i could trust but I didn't feel that my great distress and trauma were conversational small change for people who barely knew me and didn't care about me. I live in a small village where everyone's business is common knowledge and i didn't want to think that everyone i met was covertly eyeing my chest or checking out if i had a wig! That worked for me and, 8 months down the line, i think it has been easier for me to come to terms with it this way. It is your choice, not anyone else's. I do think the idea of not telling your son was a nonstarter. As beatmon said, idc is more than a broken toenail! The earth has shifted on its axis. Things are different. It would be very hard not to be able to acknowledge that to the people close to you. In case that sounds a bit serious, i have to say, life is still good!

Your chiildhood does sound idyllic. I was a city girl until i married. Farm life was a bit of a shock but i wouldn't change it (or the farmer!) for the world.

judygg, you may be following even if you aren't posting. Hope you are ok. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Time will pass and you will get through this.

Beatmon

Sounds like you had a wonderful night out! It's great that your friends had some fun things to get you going, just don't overdo.

Please don't blow off seeing if you are in need of the radiation and by all means change to the female oncologist if you are more comfortable with her.

Love your picture and no I'm not a snoring chicken...64 .lol

Brenda E.

BarredOwl

Hi Positive2strong:

Very fun evening.

Glad to hear you will be consulting with various specialists. With a lumpectomy for invasive disease (1.5 cm), you should definitely consult with a Radiation Oncologist. The main benefit of radiation is to reduce the risk of local recurrence.

The results of "gene expression profiling tests" of tumor tissue, such as the Oncotype test for invasive disease or MammaPrint (plus BluePrint), do not influence the recommendation for local treatment (radiation). Instead, they are used by the Medical Oncologist to inform understanding of distant recurrence risk (metastatic) and to inform decisions regarding systemic treatments. You'll learn more about these tests and their outputs when the results are in. Meanwhile, I am hoping for low risk results for you.

By the way, be sure to obtain copies of the pathology reports from all biopsies and surgeries for your review and records. In addition, be sure to request copies of all reports and summaries from Oncotype and MammaPrint (plus BluePrint) testing.

Enjoy your trip!

BarredOwl

Positive2strong

thanks Owl,

I think I am staying in tonight. I have been resting all day. But I may have been lifting too much and not the greatest sleeper.

I forget to ask how long my breast will stay swollen and when do these strips fall off.

Did your doctor have you take zinc, vitamin c and Arnica before and after surgery.

I skipped the Arnica before surgery but took one pill today, dose is 4-8 per day yikes

I haven't had much pain,but the swelling is there. I am wondering if it is swollen because she lifted the breast up to take out the nodes.

Thanks for all the specifics and help

Beatmon

The steri strips fall off in 7-10 by themselves. You are not supposed to pull them off. Just pat them dry after your shower. I can't help on the other question...never had a Lumpectomy. Brend

grainne

linda, are you doing ok?

Positive2strong

Hi Grannie,

Yes, I am ok, thanks for asking. I thought I might be posting too much.

My strips are still on and my breast still swollen. My surgery was Oct 10. I am leaving to go back east on Wednesday.I am not doing much,

I keep wondering if the woman with only stage 1 tumors felt better once the cancer was out of their body.

How are you. Do you get snow where you live.

Linda

Positive2strong

ps I had a never ending dream last night with me and Michael Jackson.I think it must be the reprised fear of that dang

Propofol drug.

grainne

I'm grand thanks. Do you mean we might be fed up with your posts or that you felt as if everything was a bit too much bc and you needed to lift your head away for a while? After my surgery, i felt massive relief for a few days, firstly that i didn't die and secondly that the effects were much less than i had anticipated. After that, i entered a period of extreme anxiety waiting for the path results. Thank god, those were very good but , even so, i had many many weeks afterwards feeling shellshocked, bewildered, needy and a bit pathetic. Fear and anxiety about yourself are very humiliating and the only place i could seek reassurance (and then more reassurance when i thought of something else to fret about)was here. If that happens to you, don't go to ground or think you are being over anxious. We all understand that and someone always answers. There is some really knowledgeable advice and always plenty of empathy. I thought you might have hit a dip and I'm glad you checked in!

Very little snow ever here... maybe a few days at most. A few years ago we had a prolonged period of bitter cold and snow which nearly brought everything to a grinding halt. My two sisters both fell and broke their arms on the same day.

i hope your dream about micheal jackson was a good one! I woke my husband screaming last night because i dreamed a rat ran up from behind the sofa on to my shoulder. It wasn't even a very scary rat, more like a large hamster. Still, horrible!