Class of 2010

irish47 · January 2010

Hi to all,

I previously posted on the 'Not concerned but Worried' forum but have now graduated.. I was diagnosed with IDC on 13th January. I noticed some dimpling on my right breast just after Christmas, and from there had the mammogram, ultrasound and core needle biopsy. I am booked in for surgery next Tuesday, a needle guided lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy.

When all this started I found this site and have found it HUGELY helpful and a mine of information. A little background. I am 47, married with three children and my only history is of a benign breast lump and lumpectomy back in 2001. Otherwise fit and healthy up till now. Obviously am hoping for clear margins and no node involvement after surgery but that's jumping ahead, for now staying positive and reading as much as I can.

LINDAGARSIDE · January 2010

Hi Irish47:

Your situation (other than our age) is almost exactly like mine. I was diagnosed December 17th and had my surgery (exactly as you are going to have) on January 8th. I am 58 years old. No history of breast cancer on either side of my family. I'm the first. My husband and I have an appointment to see the surgeon on Monday morning to review the results of the surgery and pathology report. Hopefully there are clean margins and no lymph involvement.

It will be interesting to track our progress together since we have a similar diagnosis and surgery close together. I can tell you that the surgery itself was quite simple and I was in and out the same day. I didn't have to have any drains (due to the 3 Centinal glands appearing to look "clean") and have about a 4" thin line on my breast and under my arm, held together with little terri strips. I believe if I had to have drains, I would have stayed in a bit longer.

I can tell you that taking a gentle stool softener with your pain medications will help you not to get constipated. I can tell you that ice packs really help keep the swelling down and wearing a front closing cotton/comfortable bra really helps as well. Keeping a soft cushion under your arm really helps too. After a week I no longer need any pain medications. Make sure you do your arm exercises...and they really don't hurt much at all...honest!

You probably have been reading a lot and already know all this, right? LOL. I can't help it...I'm bossy by nature I think. But, I mean well and have a good heart...at least that is what everyone tells me. Wink

Naturally I am afraid of what the future holds...we all are. But life has no guarantees and bad things can and do happen to good people all of the time. I think it's how we cope with bad things when they do happen defines our character. I'm trying to be brave and think about this when I start to waiver. I have three grown children...but they are very involved with my life and I with theirs...we're all very close.

I can imagine the extra strain you must be under as your children are younger. I honestly think that part is harder to cope with than the cancer itself. We want to protect our kids from any type of pain...it's natural I guess. I am very optimistic for women with breast cancer as there is so much knowledge and treatment and understanding available. Amazing really. We have every reason to be extremely optimistic...no matter what.

My poor sister had a very odd cancer about 5 years ago. It was the same one Farrah Faucett had. Luckily my sister sought help immediately and the aggressive treatment she received has saved her life. She is still cancer free after 5 years now. She found it difficult to get understanding for her situation as nobody knew much about anal cancer. Many people have some assumptions that it is caused by anal sex. This is certainly not true. I am glad to say that she found a great support group (much like this one) and they followed Farah's situation closely. It was evident she was going to die and the group was planning on using the opportunity to really educate the public about this silent killer but when she died...Michael Jackson died the same day or a day before...and so the awareness was lost. I think the main thing they were hoping is that people would know that blood doesn't always mean a hemerroid and to have a colonoscopy once a year after age 40 or 45... sorry...even I don't know the age. LOL. I should know, shouldn't I? My family all got checked after my sister developed her cancer and we were all good...at least at that end we were all good. LOL.

OK...my humour is weird, I know. But, take care and lets keep in touch. Good luck with your surgery. I will be praying for you...keep your smile bright.... Linda Garside

Ezscriiibe · January 2010

Thank you for sharing! I was just diagnosed on Thursday, January 7, 2010. I am scheduled for a lumpectomy next Thursday, at which time I'll have some information if the cancer has gotten frisky, and what all else I need to do.

I am very earger to get my genetic testing results, but probably won't see those until some time in early February. That was too long for me to wait to decide if I was going to go with a bi-lateral or just a lumpectomy. For me, I could never consider a single mastectomy, for personal reasons.

irish47 · January 2010

Greetings from Ireland Linda And Ezscriiibe. So we are a class of three, that was fast.. While I know none of us liked enroling I find it is really great to talk to others in a similiar situation. I notice you both have some more details about your diagnosis; I only know it's IDC and 1.3cm in size. ER/PR etc. I don't know yet, I thought that came with the pathology results after the surgery? Or perhaps the surgeon mentioned it, my husband was with me to get the biopsy results and he heard stuff the doctor said that went right over my head.

Linda, thanks for all the practical advice and tips, I hadn't even thought that far ahead and advice duly noted. Because of the position of my tumour (6 0'clock) and the dimpling, the surgeon told me a simple lumpectomy would be disfiguring so he is going to do a mini breast lift (Mammopexy). Apparently that means going in through the aurola and redistributing the breast tissue and repositioning the nipple. Of course, forgot to ask him would I look like a 20 year old on one side and a 47 year old on the other! But will see him before the surgery to ask my many questions and besides the cosmetic results are not the most important thing at the moment.

I hope your results on Monday are good with the all important clear nodes and margins.

Ezscriiibe, I wish you the best also with your surgery next week. When you talk about your genetic testing, do you have a positive family history?

Ezscriiibe · January 2010

Irish, my ER/PR was on the biopsy report. There is an HER result that is pending, so I don't have that info yet.

What I don't have is the stage and what, if any, nodes might have been impacted. That I believe won't be known until the lumpectomy.

My mother and her mother both had breast cancer. Both had a single mastectomy and had no other problems afterwards and no other recurrence.

What is tricky (or as my doctor said, "more complex") with my diagnosis is that when I was in my late 20s I had ovarian cancer. That was 25+ years ago. And since we don't have access to those pathology reports, he felt it strongly suggested that I was a candidate for the genetic testing.

LINDAGARSIDE · January 2010

Greetings Irish 47 and Ezscriiibe! I thought that I would mention that I noticed my breast in areas around the nipple had very little feeling after the surgery and is still that way right now, 8 days later. As well, some sort of large lump feeling was inside my breast, lower than where the tumor used to be. My tumor was at 12:00. From what I've read, this is typical after breast surgery and things will get back to normal after awhile. I will have to go for radiation, regardless of the pathology report (because I chose a lumpectomy...not a MX). I thought they would start radiation right away but apparently the breast has to heal well first...and that takes about 10 weeks or so. My surgeon said they like to start the radiation within 12 weeks of the surgery.

I have been getting copies of everything...the pathology report from the biopsy...the MRI...previous mamograms...EVERYTHING. This is something that is yours for the asking. It is your information and you are entitled to it. It doesn't cost anything for a photo copy. But I'm finding that it is absolutely essential that you start a binder, with copies of reports and tests and even how you are feeling etc. This will all help further down the road if you need to consider other options. Information is POWER. Let's not lose what little control we have left...right?

I have friends (and friends of friends) who are all encouraging me to keep copies of all reports for my own records and so I've been doing that. My GP Doctor also advised me saying this was a good idea.

I live in British Columbia, Canada. The health system is pretty good here, I must say. I don't even need to call the oncologist for an appointment. They will be contacting me after I meet with the surgeon on Monoday. She will send the pathology report to the oncologist at the Cancer Centre, here in Victoria. It is a mixed blessing though....so many many women (and men) who are diagnosed with breast cancer...that it makes it necessary to have such a well oiled machine ready to do battle.

Have a nice Saturday....we are having friends over for dessert and wine tonight...maybe play cards? Just relax and enjoy myself...or at least try to. My boss is going to come over on Monday evening after work and do my roots for me! LOL. I do them once a month and realized that I probably wouldn't be able to do a good job due to my right arm being a little sore....so she offered to come over and do them. Now...isn't that a great boss? LOL.

Are you both working?? Personally I worked right up until my surgery as it kept my mind off of things. I also let all my co-workers in on what was going on with me and told them if they really wanted to help (because everyone says...what can I do to help)...I said, "please feel free to assist me with meals". And guess what? I now have a freezer full of meals....like my husband says...say what you need and want. Personally...I am the one who is always helping everyone else and so it was really hard for me to even ask for any help. Somehow having the cancer gives us a different perspective on life and I forgot about my pride and just said what I needed.

Talk to you soon Kiss

Ezscriiibe · January 2010

Linda, the binder thing is a great idea and actually one that my breast surgeon recommended. He even left the office for a minute to meet with his nurse to make sure she was going to make copies of everything from the file for me to take home with me.

He said it helps give you some measure or sense of control at a time when you feel you have no control.

He also recommended putting a tab in the binder that would serve as a sort of journal and recommended that I be sure to write something into it every day.

I'm not really a very organized person, so this whole binder thing is a major project for me! My husband is getting a kick out of me trying to organize it!

I'm not working right now; I retired about 4 or 5 years ago. I am in the middle of a post-graduate program. The problem is that, were I working that would help. With work, there are certain parts that are "routine," and I could arrange my deadlines in such a way as to accommodate any absences or illnesses.

With this particular semester of my masters program, we are expected to participate on a team of 2 or 3 to produce some specific projects on which we'll be graded, as well as prepare a presentation that we'll need to give to the entire class later on the semester (this is in place of a large paper, but will require the same amount of research as one would).

I don't know if I can do all that at this point. I have no idea how I'm going to respond to my treatment, and I have no idea if I'll need the bi-lateral and how long that will take to recover from. . .there are just so many unknowns right now and having responsibilities to this class this semester may be more than I can handle. ::sigh:: I hate that I feel that way, helpless or unable to make a decision.

irish47 · January 2010

Ezscriiibe, so you have been down this road before, that is so unfortunate. I can see what you mean about your need for genetic testing, I hope you didn't mind me asking. There is no history of cancer in my family but I will be reminding my daughters (17 and 20) to be vigilant in the future. I never asked (or was offered) a copy of my biopsy results but i will certainly be looking for a copy of everything from now on.

Linda, you said ''Have a nice Saturday'' and I did! it is 10.50pm here on Saturday night so there is obviously a big time difference. Yes I work four days a week and finished last thursday, I don't work on fridays. Wow 10 - 12 weeks to the radiotherapy, do you intend to go back to work before it starts? My sister has already offered to cook a weeks dinners for the freezer and I accepted graciously!

LINDAGARSIDE · January 2010

Hi Ezscriiibe and Irish 47: Thanks for your notes. Talking to someone about this helps to normalize things somewhat, don't you think? Or is it that misery loves company... LOL. Either way...it is helping.

I am actually still working and have only had to take one sick day (the day of the surgery). I am a policy analyst, working for the provincial government. I was able to arrange to have remote access (VDT) to our program and so I sit her in my nightie with an ice pad and a cup of coffee and a big blanket and type away. From time to time, I get up...lay on the couch or do whatever but then come back and respond to issues etc. It is working very well and allows me to work at my own pace. I have a person lined up to back me up in case I am unable to work...but so far, so good. I have a great boss and an amazing group of co-workers. I'm truly blessed and everyone has been very supportive, helping me to make this transition without a hiccup. I will probably continue to work from home until after radiation. If I am going to need chemo...well, that's an entirely different picture and we'll analyze that one if/when we have to. LOL.

I too went to university late in life...I got my BA at age 54. Funny hey? I just thought of something...what if all this education is causing us to get BC? OMG. LOL.

If I were you, I'd not yet give up on your masters...but plug along, one day at a time and then have a discussion with your team and your prof. See what can be worked out. Maybe you can be assigned to doing most of the research or something??? What are you getting your MA in? Congratulations on your drive and spirit.

By the way...I think I'm going to ask for the genetic thing because although there has never been a history of any type of cancer on either side of my family, I am the fourth child (out of a brood of seven) to be diagnosed with cancer. My sister had cancer of the ducts between the liver and gallbladder and my other sister had anal cancer. My brother just had a stem cell transplant and has a very challenging type of lymphoma. And then I got diagnosed just recently. My poor mother is beside herself and is blaming herself. She is a nut bar but we love her anyway. LOL.

We actually don't have as much history as we would like to have about my dad as he was a "home boy" and came from England as a war orphan during the war. Funny thing is that his dad was still alive. His mom was a drinker and took off with someone, leaving 5 kids with the father. No welfare or daycare in those days and so my grandfather put my dad and two of his brothers in a work house and a lady (Joan Scrutton from Oxford) sponsored them to Canada. They were part of the Fairbridge Farm project. Cool, hey? While it is all quite sad...it is also inspiring as my dad and his brothers were amazing men and put a lot "back" into Canada...if you know what I mean. Between them they had 14 children...and all of us are working at something important...helping society in one way or another. England's loss was certainly Canada's gain, that is for sure. My dad never did see his father or his mother again....that was unfortunate for sure

Cinnamon69 · January 2010

Hello Ladies, I had surgery last Tuesday and I am still to scared to look at my breast. Luckily my husband has been helping me shower and dressing. Today I finally looked at the node site scar and that wasn't so bad however, just the glance I had at my breast has me even more freaked out! I don't think I realized this part would be so hard. Any suggestions? This is all so new as this was all the result of a routine exam them BOOM you have cancer!

irish47 · January 2010

hi Cinnamon 69 and welcome to our class.. I haven't had my surgery yet, all I can suggest is to just take it slow, let your body and mind heal and look at your breast when you are ready ( I will read this back to myself after next Tuesday) I know I am going to feel relieved though that hopefully all the cancer has gone from my body after the surgery.

Linda, you might have stumbled accross a theory there, I got my MBA in 2008! Escriiibe, when you talk about the groupwork, if it was the same as mine then everyone in the group gets the same collective mark, right? Maybe if you talk to your study buddies and explain the situation they could do the majority of the work and you could make up at a later date? There were 5 in my group and for some of the assignments one or two contributed nothing due to work committments but made up in other assignments.

Ezscriiibe · January 2010

Yes, Irish, everyone in the group gets the same grade. I've been in group projects before (both in school and in my worklife) and without fail there is usually at least one person who does not carry their load. I have never been that person, and I don't want to start now! LOL!

My masters will be in Communication. This particular semester we are dealing with strategic communication and integrated marketing communication, both of which I specialized in during my former career, and both of which I will be able to contribute quite a bit to the group. That is, presuming I'm functional!

LINDAGARSIDE · January 2010

Hi Class of 2010. I got my pathology report today....no lymph gland involvement and clean margins. My cancer is stage 1 and grade 1 and it appears that the surgery was successful. I will need radiation and unless my HER test comes back positive, I will probably not need chemo. I'll wait to see what the oncologist says...but isn't this wonderful news? Thank God that the taxi driver took me to the wrong place (that is what led to me booking a mamogram in late November)...because if he hadn't...I would not have had it checked out for a long time.

Ezscriiibe · January 2010

That's great news, Linda! So happy to hear it and to hear about your serendipitous taxi ride!

I have my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy this coming Thursday, January 21.

I thought I would have to wait until then to find out the stage and grade, but, as it turns out, I was reviewing my pathology report, and it appears the grade was right there in front of me. I didn't realize it until I was reading a Breast Health workbook that walks you through your pathology report.

I was surprised to learn I'm a "high grade" or grade 3. (Total score of 9 out of 9 on tubule formation-3; nuclear pleomorphism-3; mitoses-3).

I did not understand what "grade" was and am slightly taken aback that it represents the aggressiveness of the tumor.

I don't know the HER results yet. That "addednum" has not come in yet.

jakhope · January 2010

Hello ladies, I am new to this too. I just had a lumpectomy last Tuesday, the12th and had a drain. Two incisions with three areas taken out. I had the drain taken out today but will go back for the pathology report on Wednesday. early report is a cell around the node, not sure if they will classify as involvement or not. Pretty sure of clear magins.I will definately have radiation and possibly chemo not sure. The waiting is the hardest. I stayed overnight in the hospital and needed to. I was very nauseated from the anesthesia. I am a hairdresser and worry about my right arm being able to return to work without pain or doing any damage.let alone everything else to worry about.

funsizejen · January 2010

Hi all! Joining in, as I got my diagsnosis today. I think I'm in shock, and I'm sure I'll be relying on everyone's knowledge here over the next few weeks. I am 41, and I had my first-ever mammo in August, which led to a biopsy and the discovery of ALH in my left breast. That led to an MRI, another biopsy, and today's results...IDC in the right breast. Ugh! I'm so grateful for this group!

LINDAGARSIDE · January 2010

Hi Ezscriiibe,

Thanks for your note. I am a little confused how you could have a score before your surgery as I was told that could only happen after they remove the tumor and examine it. I'm looking right now at my report. I actually have two reports. One is from my biopsy and one from the surgery. The surgery report: "Histologic Grade (Nottingham): Tubules: Score 2; Nucear Pieomorphism: Score 1; Mitotic Count: Score 2; and Overall Greade: Grade 1"

for the biopsy: "Microscopic Description: Sections confirm a sclerosing invasive ductal carcinoma with some areas having an infiltrative pattern mimicking lobular carcinoma (but strongly e-cadherin postiive). About 15% of the lesion is solid/cribriform DCIS. The tumor is stronly nuclear ER positive (100%)"

If they only did a needle biopsy on you...how could they get all the data you've read? Any ideas? Are you quite certain?

Cherylis · January 2010

Hello Everyone,

I'm joining your class. I had my surgery on January 11, total left with SNB. My one drain was removed on Sunday and the pain comes and goes. I'm anxious to see the surgeon on the 28th to learn about my prognosis.

Linda, we are almost neighbours, I live in North Van.

jakhope · January 2010

ALH? I am so lost with so many abbreviations. As I read posts and other stuff online. when all this is so new. Is there any place to get the meaning of the different abbreviations. Still waiting on surgeon report. I had a SNB and lumpectomy and do not have much pain, but my surgeon's nurse said after about 10 days the feelings start coming back and I could feel more. I am a hair dresser and hope to get back to work after another week. I hope I can without pain or doing any damage. I understand radiation comes later when breast heals? How long? Chemo I have no clue but am reading and reading.

LINDAGARSIDE · January 2010

Hi Surprised....aren't you surprised to belong to this group? OMG who can beleive the crazy roller coaster ride we all get on when our beautiful boobies start to go crazy on us. LOL.

I had my surgery on January 8th... 3 days before you. You say "total left" does this mean your left breast was removed? And SNB...this means sentinal node biopsy, right?

My husband and I went to see the surgeon yesterday for our results and are very thankful they are positive...however I think the prognosis part will happen when we meet with the oncologist. I'm still waiting for the her2 test. They sent that over to Vancouver and it takes a little longer for the results.

Yes, we are almost neighbors! I was just talking to my step-daughter who will be coming over to see us this weekend with her two young sons...she lives in Horseshoe Bay...right near you.

How are you feeling? Pretty tired, right? How many nodes were removed? That is sure more painful than the breast part don't you think? I had to put ice packs on every day it seems. I had my terri-stitches removed yesterday...yahoo...now I can get on with healing so I can move forward with radiation. Not sure about chemo thing yet....so much waiting in this game isn't there?

Are you post or pre menopause? It was hard to tell for me as I had a hysterectomy when I was 32 years old...but left my ovaries in tact. Probably they should have gone too...in hindsight.

Do you mind me asking so many questions? If you do, please say. I mean no offense. How did you find your cancer? Routine mamogram? Mine is such a crazy story...got dropped off by a cab at the wrong place and before I left, thought I might as well book a mamogram as there happened to be a clinic in the place the cab driver mistakenly took me to....that was late November...by January 8th I had my surgery.

funsizejen · January 2010

Hello all!

Welcome, Surprised! I'm sure you are surprised to be here, I know I am.

Jakhope, ALH is atypical lobular hyperplasia. It's kind of a precancer or a sign of high risk. I had that removed in Oct of 2009 and now here I am with cancer in my "good" side. Go figure.

Today was a better day. I woke up this morning and was able to enjoy a couple of moments before I remembered about the diagnosis. And I went to the gym for awhile and felt so much better afterward.

My sweet husband was on the phone all day making doctor appointments for me. Tomorrow I go see a new oncologist (I fired the first one I went to!). Am looking forward to making a plan and moving forward.

Have a good night!

Ezscriiibe · January 2010

I could not post the reply to Linda about my pathology report and what it says about the grade last night because I was at my newbie daily post limit -- Yell =.=

Anyway, this is what I sent to her in a PM:

Anyway, I had four cores taken -- this is what the report says:

Final Diagnosis:

Left Breast, Needle Core Biopsy

Poorly differentiated infiltrating duct adenocarcinoma (Tubule formation-3; Nuclear Pleomorphism-3; Mitoses-3. Total score 9/9)

Small focus of high-grade carcinoma in situ without necrosis

No definite lymphatic/vascular invasion

ER, PR and HER-2/NEW will be reported as Addenda

Then, here is the addendum that includes ER/PR, but no HER yet:

ER/PR Results

Interpretation: Positive for ER; Negative for PR

Comment: There is minimal positivity for ER (see scoring below). Her-2/new FISH to follow as an additional addendum.

Then it lists a few tables that show:

ER/6F11: Proportion score - 2 Intensity Score - 1; Results: Positive

PR/CL 16: Proportion score - 0; Intensity Score - 0; Results: Negative

I went to the Cancer Resource Center this afternoon and talked to my Nurse Navigator about it. She said that it really just depends on the lab and the samples they get.

I don't have my HER results yet, but she said that I could probably call my doctor tomorrow and get them.

I'm heading in for my lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy on Thursday.

I'm already tired of the poking, prodding, and general boob touching and this thing hasn't even hit stride yet!

Cherylis · January 2010

Thanks for the reply Linda, and hello funsizejen!

Linda, I hope I answer all of your questions: Yes, I had a total left mastectomy, all gone! I had a sentinel node biopsy done as well. The doc wanted to remove a bunch of lymph nodes and I opted out of that until there's medical proof it has spread. I'm glad I did because I'm in pain with just one gone so one can only imagine!

I'm tired, cranky, depressed and hopefull this is all temporary. The pain held off until a few days ago and then arrived with a vengeance! I'm 45 and have not hit menopause yet. I don't think I've even hit peri-menopause.

I found the lump last year, in march/april, and ignored it (thinking it was another cyst). I was getting married in May and just put it off. I even went to my GP in June and she too told me not to worry about it. I only had it checked out because I received a mammogram notice in the mail. The rest is history!

I don't mind questions, it helps to talk about this. I have a week to wait to see my surgeon for the results.

Bye for now.

jakhope · January 2010

Linda, I think our diagnosis is about the same. I had my pathology report today and I am a stage 1b or c and grade 1 or 2. The question is one sentinal node had a few cancerous cells and the others none, and the auxillary nodes none. He thinks I should start with radiation but is sending out the report to Vanderbilt to see if I would need chemo.My oncology surgeon, radiologist and future oncology Dr will discuss my case on Thursday night and I meet with the Radiologist on Friday am. All this is so new and the terminology is so much to grasp so quickly when this has been thrown into my life less than a month ago.I am 61. I am ER positive and he said I will be on a pill for that too. No Her2, which I do not understand either.

LINDAGARSIDE · January 2010

Hi Jakhope...welcome to the club. This is all so new to me as well. Just before Christmas I was diagnosed and on January 8th I had my surgery. I am 58 years old. We are lucky to be a bit older and develop BC because the cancer tends to grow slower (especially if there are estrogen positive or estrogen fed) after menopause. Because you had a few cancer cells in your lymph glands you probably will want to throw some chemo into the mix. Might as well kill the suckers.

Radiation you and I both need because we opted for the lumpectomy and not the Mx. My Her2 test has not come back yet. If it is positive I will likely need chemo. If it is negative, I will probably not need it. I am however ready to do whatever it takes to live. The Her2 thing is a blood test that will show if you have a genetic link to cancer....or something like that. I know I'm being too general here and others who know more technically the proper words to use can assist in my explanation...but basically, if you are Her2 positive, chemo is always considered.

there is a lot to learn...I had to do quite a bit of reading...and it's well worth it for sure. I'm still a newbie but every day I learn something more.

Welcome to this club that you never thought you'd be a part of...LOL... Money mouth

irish47 · January 2010

Hi all,

Home since yesterday after my mastopexy and sentinel node biopsy. Also had all the CAT scans, ultrasounds and xrays and am awaiting all results. However the chest xray showed some scarring on my right lung so saw a respiratory doc. He is convinced it is due to exposure to TB which he says is common in health workers but is going to do a lung biopsy just to be sure. Its scheduled for February 2nd.

Linda, great to hear your results, thats the best news you could have got. Escriiiibe, like you I know my grade from the biopsy, its grade 1. I am sorry to hear about your grade 3 but hopefully your staging wiill be stage 1, that's what I am hoping for.

Hi to all the new members, didn't think this class was going to fill up so quickly.. It is great to share our individual journeys and support each other, for me it takes away some of the dark thoughts. I also think knowledge is power, the more we know the more empowered we will be to fight this darn thing.

ankan · January 2010

Me too! I had surgery on 1/15 - played the brave part until my 48 hour post-op shower. Had a complete melt-down and scared my husband. Since then every day has been better - today I could actually "look"! Next hurdle is the mamosite balloon (that's making me a little nervous) and then the one week radiation.

PS - What does "give me a PM" mean? Anyone?

ox

Cherylis · January 2010

ankan: depending on the context, could PM mean 'private message'? If it's a medical abbreviation I don't know.

I hope everyone is doing okay today. Laughing This can become quite consuming, don't you think? Right now I'm struggling with burning pain in my armpit, radiating down my arm. I'm doing my exercises dilligently and trying to work through it, without over-doing it.

I have a large dog who needs walking, so that also gets me outside exercising. Today I decided to abandon the flat surface for a more mountainous terrain, which isn't difficult considering I live on the north shore (south coast British Columbia) and it's very hilly! Walking/running/hiking are a big part of my life and it felt really good to be back with the trees again!

I think the universe was looking out for all of us with this nice mild weather! I am grateful to NOT have 2 feet of snow to contend with on top of all of this!

Okay, I'm just babbling ........ Surprised

jakhope · January 2010

Hello Linda and all,

I am going tomorrow morning to meet with my Radiologist for the first time. two hours later I again see my surgeon who keeps saing he wants to check that he doesn't have to asperate after taking out my drain. I think the radiation will start in a week or two. I had my biopsy sent to Dr Pace at Vanderbilt U, reguarding atypical ductal hyperplasia or low grade ductal carcinoma. I am not sure what the question is, I guess how to treat or which it is, I am not sure. You get the few minutes with the surgeon and he tells you so much and after it is , what what does that mean??? I guess we learn as we go and read and find out from each other as well. I am grateful to have a place to go and vent where others are going through the same things. God bless!

Ezscriiibe · January 2010

Great news. My lumpectomy went smoothly, though my surgeon did have to remove some of my skin on my breast as the tumor was very close to the surface. I'm hoping that won't interfer with checking the margins.

But the best news is that my sentinel node was clear! I had no other nodes removed and don't need a drain!

He will have the results of the pathology report on Monday.

Yay me!

LINDAGARSIDE · January 2010

Ezscriibe...I'm so happy for you I'm starting to cry...yahoo....great news. I'm so so so happy for you! You must be over the moon with joy. I was thinking about you today...and praying all would go well. No drain is good news too. I also didn't have a drain and healing has been so quick. After 10 days I don't even have the little terri things that hold the skin together....and I can have a shower full force...yahoo. By the way...if you feel sore or uncomfortable I really found ice packs to have an amazing affect...truly helped a lot.

I was told that the oncologist (or cancer clinic) will call me by Feb 5th for an appointment to sort out my treatment plan. I know for sure that radiation is going to happen...and still not sure about chemo. Probably you will be in the same boat?

Get lots of sleep tonight...and sleep with a big smile on your face....you deserve it. Again, congratuatlions.

Class of 2010

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