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LINDAGARSIDE
LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

I wanted to say thank you to everyone.  My surgery was yesterday and the visual inspection shows clear margins and no lymph gland involvement.  As you know, the real story will come when the pathology report is completed. I didn't need a drain.

I was quite worried (naturally) about everything and was even starting to blame myself for the cancer.  Our minds can play big tricks on us. 

My sister who is a nurse gave me a good piece of advice:  "Don't worry until you have something concrete to worry about".  Come to think of it, the bible also tells us that we will only be given the grace to deal with today's problems and not tomorrows.  Why do we take on more than we can handle especially KNOWING we won't be given the grace we need to even handle it??  Seems like a waste of good energy doesn't it? Energy we can use to think positive and stay focused on being well. 

Take care my sisters and try to stay focused and think positive...one day at a time.

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited March 2011

    Edited to redact a post with personal information.

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  • j414
    j414 Member Posts: 321
    edited January 2010

    Linda, the initial report is very good. If it holds, then it will be rads and an AI. I did both, rads was easy (just annoying to have a 10 minute appointment every day for six weeks) and currently on tamox with very little SEs (couple of irregular periods in the first three months, but everything is now back to normal). Also, remember to ask your doctor (your oncologist) about the oncotype test, which is used in early stage, node negative women to predict the likelihood of a distant recurrence.   And have your vitamin D levels checked too - there's a magic number, not sure what that number is but most women with BC are found to be deficient. My oncologist checks it for me and has increased my daily dosage to 2000 iu a day.

     http://www.oncotypedx.com/

    Groundhog - good luck with your surgery. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Great news Linda.  Groundhog, good luck with surgery.

    Hope both of you will continue to keep us posted on your progress. 

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2010

    Hi there, thanks everyone.

    What is the "AI" report?  That is new to me...LOL.  I hope there are no surprises in the path report...but regardless I will be prepared.  This is a journey I am going to take no matter what.  I don't have a choice and so what I CAN do is to remain positive.  It has occured to me that this is like being pregnant...you have to go through it and give birth by yourself...you just do it.  Women are incredible when we step up to the plate....strong...brave and courageous...all while noting the color of someone's cool shoes.  My surgeon had a cool necklace on the other day and I comented on it just before surgery...funny hey?  LOL.

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited January 2010

    Great news Linda!!  I wish you continued success!!

    Best of luck to you too, groundhog.

    Al is Aromatose Inhibitor - Meds you take, like Tamoxifen, or Armidex, after you are done with surgery, chemo or rads.  Tamox if your are premono, armidex (or others) if you are post meno.

    Linda

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2010

    I am post menopausal so I guess I will take armidex or something like it.  Sure hope it doesn't put on the pounds.  Is any of the drugs better than others for this type of thing???

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited January 2010

    I am premeno so I can only take Tamoxifen.  I hate to say it but I did put on about 15 pounds since I started over a year ago.  I'm guessing the lack of estrogen is slowing my metabolism down.  Not everyone gains weight.  At least I'm still here!

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited March 2011

    Edited to redact a post with personal information.

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited January 2010

    So true groundhog.  I have never been overweight in my life.  I exercise every day, and eat very healthfully.  Still I gained weight!  I increased my exercise but it does not help.  Wahhhhh!!

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  • badger
    badger Member Posts: 34,614
    edited March 2011

    Edited to redact a post with personal information.

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2010

    Hi Groundhog...and other sisters!  I am doing great.  Have more energy now than I've had in years...I swear that my body has been trying to tell me I have cancer for a long time...LOL.

    We go to see the surgeon on Monday morning.  The surgery was January 8th...so hoping the full report will be ready on the 18th...thanks for thinking of me.  I will post the results after Monday....

    I will certainly be thinking of you on Groundhog Day!  Strength and support heading your way... 

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2010

    Hi Groundhog...and other sisters!  I am doing great.  Have more energy now than I've had in years...I swear that my body has been trying to tell me I have cancer for a long time...LOL.

    We go to see the surgeon on Monday morning.  The surgery was January 8th...so hoping the full report will be ready on the 18th...thanks for thinking of me.  I will post the results after Monday....

    I will certainly be thinking of you on Groundhog Day!  Strength and support heading your way... 

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2010

    Hi Groundhog...and other sisters!  I am doing great.  Have more energy now than I've had in years...I swear that my body has been trying to tell me I have cancer for a long time...LOL.

    We go to see the surgeon on Monday morning.  The surgery was January 8th...so hoping the full report will be ready on the 18th...thanks for thinking of me.  I will post the results after Monday....

    I will certainly be thinking of you on Groundhog Day!  Strength and support heading your way... 

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2010

    Hi Groundhog...and other sisters!  I am doing great.  Have more energy now than I've had in years...I swear that my body has been trying to tell me I have cancer for a long time...LOL.

    We go to see the surgeon on Monday morning.  The surgery was January 8th...so hoping the full report will be ready on the 18th...thanks for thinking of me.  I will post the results after Monday....

    I will certainly be thinking of you on Groundhog Day!  Strength and support heading your way... 

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2010

    Hi Groundhog...and other sisters!  I am doing great.  Have more energy now than I've had in years...I swear that my body has been trying to tell me I have cancer for a long time...LOL.

    We go to see the surgeon on Monday morning.  The surgery was January 8th...so hoping the full report will be ready on the 18th...thanks for thinking of me.  I will post the results after Monday....

    I will certainly be thinking of you on Groundhog Day!  Strength and support heading your way... 

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2010

    Hi Groundhog...and other sisters!  I am doing great.  Have more energy now than I've had in years...I swear that my body has been trying to tell me I have cancer for a long time...LOL.

    We go to see the surgeon on Monday morning.  The surgery was January 8th...so hoping the full report will be ready on the 18th...thanks for thinking of me.  I will post the results after Monday....

    I will certainly be thinking of you on Groundhog Day!  Strength and support heading your way... 

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited January 2010

    Can't wait to hear your results.  Best of luck!!

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2010

    Hi Makraz,

    I am happy to report that my margins are clear and no lymph involvement!  Stage 1 and Grade 1.  Part of the tumor (3%) turned out to be DCIS and the rest was IDC.  The Her test is yet to come back.  Probably I'm going to need only radiation...but I think I will wait to get the results of the Her test first...

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  • Makratz
    Makratz Member Posts: 12,678
    edited January 2010

    Great news on the clear margins!!  I'm also happy to hear you are stage 1 and grade 1!!  Radiation is very doable.  I did that too.  LEt us know when you get the rest of yoru test results.

    I hope you are feeling better and better everyday! 

    XOXO

    Linda

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  • LINDAGARSIDE
    LINDAGARSIDE Member Posts: 345
    edited January 2010

    Hi Makraz...thanks for your note.  Yes....I'm looking forward to the radiation actually.  LOL.  My scars will have to heal first though.  I noticed I'm all red from the tape that held the incissions together...my skin is sensitive and it actually ripped a bit here and there.  I am going to have to find something that will help with the healing process...any ideas?

    I am starting to feel very good...and naturally have a tremendous amount of relief pouring through my veins.  I feel a bit guilty though as I know there are many of our sisters who don't have such good news.  Today I asked the Dr about how hard it must be to give not so good test results to patients and she agreed....it was really difficult at times and she wished all of the reports could be like mine.  I truly am blessed.

    Talk to you soon....how are you doing???  I realize I go on and on about me...but don't know all that much about you.  I'd love to know your story...if you feel like telling it? 

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  • Valjean
    Valjean Member Posts: 1,898
    edited January 2010

    Just want to pop in here & give you a BIG high 5 for the clear margins & nodes.

    That is just wonderful news!

    I am post-meno & take an AI, Aromasin, & doing well. And, as Linda has said, rads is doable.

    {{hugs}}

    Valerie

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