Diagnosed 9-22

Melinda, I remember when I was first diagnosed 10 July 2007 how overwhelming everything is but I promise you it will get better once you have a plan in place, I was so scared and I thought I will never make it throught this but here I am 2 years out from treatment and just had my scans and they are all clear still, my tumor was 4.5 cm and stage 3 with no cancer in the nodes , I did 4 ac and 4 taxol not easy buy doable, I worked everday except my chemo days and all the glory to God for that , after my first chemo the tumor was already shrinking and after the fourth the Dr could not even fill it any longer, so I went in to surgery and when I woke up the Dr said if not for the clips left in during your biopsy we would not have found where the tumor was so the chemo definitely worked for me . You will make it just take it one day at a time .

Hugs Tina

i had chemo first to shrink my tumor (it was about 5 cm). within the first 10 days after my first chemo, i could alredy feel the tumor had shrunk to about half its original size. i finished chemo on july 20 and had surgery on aug. 20. both my onco dr an my surgeon are thrilled with my results and have said i can tell my family i am cancer free. i start radiation on the 28th to make sure there's nothing left, but over all my prognosis is great. just like tina and flash wrote, one day at a time, accept help and stay focused on what makes you feel more comfortable. right now, everything IS all about you.

Hey Melinda-

I am so sorry you are under so much stress, I hope it gets better.

I didn't know my exact plan of treatment until I saw my oncologist, (and I kind of got the impression he didn't think the other doctors, not in his specialty, should be speculating on my plan of treatment.) and my husband pushed a bit when he would talk to the surgeon and radiology oncologists and no one would budge. Then we got into the oncology appointment and we were shocked when he listed off all the chemo rads, surgery etc..

I really think the SNB also affects the treatment plan too.

I wish you well,

Barbara

Hi Melinda,

I was just diagnosed 2 weeks ago myself and just finished all the prelimiary tests (MRI, PetScan, etc) yesterday. I was diagnosed with grade 2 IDC, the lump is about 4 cm and like you the doctors have told me they recommend checmo before doing a lumpectomy because they would have to remove too much tissue otherwise.

It sounds like you are a strong person to not only make the decision to have a mastectomy but to also be so certain that this is the right decision for you. You have already taken a big step into the direction of fighting this - I'm still debating if I made the right choice by doing the lumpectomy.

As for the earlier advise given to you to contact the school and inform them, I think that's excellent advise which I will probably also follow as I have a twelve-year-old. He has not asked me any questions since I first talked to him, which worries me a little. He seems to keep it all inside but has mentioned that he don't understand why the doctors can't just "cut the cancer out" and be done with it.

Hang in there and keep us posted as to how things are going for you. It look slike we are both at the beginning of this journey. Good luck to you. Piffken

Melinda-

I know what you mean about the kids and for that I am sorry.

But I wanted to wish you good luck, and best wishes for Friday.

Positive Hugs

Barbara

Melinda,

You mentioned that you are ER- & PR- ......what about HER? status?? 

Reading your story reminds me of my dear friend I have met at the cancer center.  She lives in another state but travels the 4 hrs to come here (MDAnderson) for treatments.  This past weekend she had a Farewell Party to her BOOB!  ... She has chosen to only remove the affected one.  She DID make the mold you spoke of, as did a friend of hers that is a photographer do a complete photo shoot with her...ie:  formal gown, ankle length fur coat (only) Pearls only, etc.....She plans to put them in her scrapbook ...... Boob Memories...I think I may recall that all the photos were only of her boob she is losing...... can't remember? ....  I thought it was a fantastic idea!!!!   She is due to have her single Mast. on Oct. 6th and already has purchased nipple tassles to place on her nipples for when the surgeon pulls back her gown to start the operation.....she is such a jokester type person.  One of the most outgoing people!! 

 Dawn

You could always flash a trucker on the way to the hospital  what a great way to go!

Hey Melinda

It sounds like you have a great attitude. I think I was more embarrassed to be seen with a fanny pack than my amibigious  looking chest after surgery.  I had a bilat on Sept 23rd and had quite a few lymph nodes. I was in Seattle for treatment and the funny thing was my daughters (8) and (10) haven't even noticed my new chest since I came home last week.

I had 3 drains and FINALLY one was removed yesterday by this totally hot and very young doc.  Now I realize why my younger and single friends are anxious to meet him. 

I start chemo on Oct 23 so maybe we'll be in the holiday chemo club together.  After 2 rounds of the super toxic stuff (i think my sis called it red devil) I switch to taxol for the 2010, followed by rads.  I hoping I travel with kids to California for that portion of the treatment.

The funny thing is that I have more energy now than before surgery.  The tumor was quite large and I think it was sucking the life out of me. That was removed in August and I've been feeling better ever since.