January Mastectomy

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  • ariesrottie
    ariesrottie Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2010

    grdnslve- Yes TC and I am doing Nuelasta shot the day after... I guess its a neupogen for the WBC......Infection hole is still healing  getting smaller and not red anymore still on the antibiotic....

    What is this stuff about tea... I need tea in the morning to function.....   Oh to blame our mothers... After this round of chemo and I heal I have to get my ovaries out...for my mother had ovarian cancer.....I have been screened yearly with transvaginal but I also had a mammo yearly llllooooookkkkk where that got me... I said to my DH i'll be fine after chemo and heal, get my ovaries out.... and they will find something else out... That  is my worst fear...  I guess one day at a time.... I'll take my meds on Wed,. go for chemo on Thurs. and my shot on Friday....... Then worry about my hair....... Hopefully on Tuesday I can get a fill for I only have 200 in each from the surgery.... No fill with the infection... Maybe Tuesday.... I guess I am vvery lucky only 4 rounds....Hope they go quick... How have you been...? you are only 2 day after my surgery...  I hope you have a nice weekend and are feeling well... Keep in touch...

    HUGS,

    Donna

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  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited February 2010

    Hi January girls!  I am in the February group but sometimes I read your thread, too.  It is informative cuz you gals are just a few weeks ahead of us and it helps us to know what to expect next!

    I just had to comment, grdnslve -- your sentence "just got my second call in two days from the hospital checking up on me after getting the port placed....the first time i thought it was sweet....now i am getting suspicious....did someone lose a watch or something????"   ---- was hysterical.  It made me laugh right out loud!  Love it!

    Hugs to all of you.

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2010

    Lola - I laughed out loud reading your post :)

    Kat - glad to hear you had such a wonderful day yesterday, well deserved :)

    My day out today was good - so good to get out of the house, but 6 hours was a long time.  I came home and took a 3 hr nap.

    Ladies, I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday !

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  • burley
    burley Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2010

    Xanax rocks...

    So, got a printout from my insurance company today-it cost $98,621.79 for my surgery/hospital stay.  OMG.  Please tell me the includes the surgeon and anestesiologist...but I doubt it does.  At least my deductible has been met for the year, right?  Bright side?

    And my first consultation with my plastic surgeon-the whopping 10 mintues-cost $530.00...I should have gone to medical school.

    Think our insurance rates will go up next year?  egads...

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  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2010

     Hey Girls,Thought this might clear up about drinking tea & iron discussion. I  been told mainly when you need extra in your body,you need to cut down on drinking tea, but if your Iron level are ok. don't worry. I have had problems with being anemic. If you are anemic , Just drink tea alone & not with a meal ,because the tea could delete the iron in foods you eat. I still drink my tea ( hot & ice tea), but I take iron pills to help what I lose.

    .Question: Does Herbal Tea Interfere With Iron Absorption?

    I've heard that drinking black tea with meals may have an effect on iron absorption. Does drinking herbal tea (chamomile, anise, green mint, etc.) with meals have the same effect?

    Answer: Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea naturally contain compounds called tannins. Tannins give tea their color and characteristic astringent taste.

    Tannins can also inhibit the absorption of iron, however, especially iron from plant sources, such as peas, beans, nuts, leafy green vegetables, enriched pastas and breads, and fortified cereals. Plant sources of iron are called non-heme iron.

    The absorption of iron from animal sources, such as red and dark meat, is generally not affected by tannins.

    Herbal teas often contain tannins, which means they could partially reduce the absorption of non-heme iron if it's taken together with a meal. A cup of chamomile tea or peppermint tea contains far fewer tannins, however, than a cup of black tea.

    Adding lemon, which is rich in vitamin C, may partially counteract this effect.

    You may notice that the longer you leave a teabag in water, whether it's black tea or herbal tea, the more of an astringent, bitter taste it takes on due to the tannins. Being careful not to oversteep tea by immediately removing the tea bag or leaves after steeping can reduce the amount of tannins in tea.

    But keep in mind that unless a person has iron-deficiency anemia or does not eat meat, one cup of herbal tea is often acceptable.

    More:
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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited February 2010

    I decided to try on my swimsuits today.....well, 2 of the 3 will be fine without any sort of foobies at all!!  I was so excited :)  "Robin-no-breast" looked almost kind-of-sort-of-normalish....thank goodness for horizontal stripes!! 

    Even went out in public today with my flat chest, no hiding behind bulky sweaters today....a couple of layered shirts that fit trimly with the scarf around the neck....didn't notice anyone staring, so I guess that's a good sign :)

    Kim, I think we'll probably cause all of our insurance rates to go up...ha!  Can you imagine?  If just the few of us on here are going through what we've gone through -- multiply by that by all the ones we don't know about...wow!

    btw...I was looking at the Land's End website catalog at their mastectomy swimsuits....their models were showing cleavage!!!  I got just a LITTLE ticked off....so I wrote Land's End.  Told them that those of us with mastectomies wouldn't have cleavage and modeling those kinds of suits like that is hard for ladies like us.  I actually got a response!!!   They agreed :)

    Praying for all of you....blessings.  robin

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited February 2010

    I don't check the posts every day, so I'm going to address a couple of different posts.  I brought images of my artwork (I do large sculpture) and showed them to my BS the first time we met - she really connected with them and I think it helped make me more than a couple of boobs.  I forgot to do the same for my OC, so I will next time. 

    I can't imagine going cross-country skiing this soon - I did teach a 4 hour class last Thursday (I'm an adjunct instructor in computer graphics), but I had a ride there and back, as it was a 2-hour round-trip.  I was exhausted.  I had gone grocery shopping earlier in the week and ran out of steam about halfway through.  I'm not even cleared to drive yet.  I return to my day job on March 1, and I'm not sure if I will be ready.

    I'm in Texas, and we had almost a foot of snow here last week; we had tree limbs down and power outages and it wasn't fun.  Then it warmed up to the 50's, and now we may have more snow this next week.  Not our usual winter.  I had to hire someone to cut up the limbs and clean up - usually something I would do myself.  Bummer.

    I had a massage at the local cancer center, and the therapist suggested I find out about lymphodema.  Even though I'm at low-risk, I do such physical activities usually that she is concerned about it.  Reading about it got me pretty depressed.  I get edema in my hands just hiking in warm weather - that's temporary, but will it be now?  Yuck.  My patient coordinator talked to my OC and got a RX for a sleeve.  I just need to be proactive, I guess.

    My dad's wife was diagnosed with BC in both breasts about 2 weeks after me.  She has dementia, and is not doing well.  She ended up back in the hospital with pneumonia after her lumpectomies.  I feel bad for my father - my mother died of BC, so he's really had a lot of unfortunate experience with this disease.  He's 1200 miles away, in FL, so I don't get to see him a lot.  I wish I could help him, but all I can do is talk to him.  It's not really enough. 

    I'm feeling just low enough that I'm going to see a therapist this next week.  I need to talk to someone.  I'm really tired of this and I can't let it get the better of me.  I have trouble sleeping at night, and need to get my sleep cycle back to normal if I'm going to get back to work.  I've been trying to do more, but am not looking forward to getting back to a job I love, because I'm not sure I can handle it.  Bah.

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

    Kat it was so uplifting to read your post.  You can hear the relief and excitement in your writing.  I am so happy for you.

    Debbie you look great in your bathing suit!

    I went for a fitting the other day for prothesis.  I had been both dreading and looking forward to this, because quite frankly it is driving me crazy trying to hide behind clothes all of the time. I was told that you have to wait 6 to 8 weeks before you can get fitted due to swelling, so wasn't even sure if it was too soon or not.  The gal I met with was awesome.  She herself does not have breast cancer, so it was unbelievable how great and understanding she was. She spent alot of time with me, trying all lots of different types of bras, and the actual prothesis.  It was the first time since I had my mastectomy that I thought I could look somewhat normal.  Actually looked at myself with just a bra on, and you couldn't tell.  I cried.  So I did walk out that day wearing my prothesis and new mastectomy bras and didn't have to wear half of the clothes that I walked in with (vest, sweater etc).Although these products are very, very expensive.  It is the best I have felt in a very, very long time. 

    So now, I just continue to wait for the score on Oncotype test and see if my next step is going to be chemo or reconstruction???

    I am wondering of all of our January group then, who is going on to have chemo?  If I have caught up on all the threads it would be Donna, Cindy, Lola, is that correct?

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  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited February 2010

    I'm in the chemo group as well, tho I don't start actual treatments until March.  I had hoped it would be earlier, but I really want my port in as my veins tend to roll.  Bookart -- I'm so sorry to hear about your dad's wife.  I know how hard it was for me with just a single MX and no reconstruction.  I can't imagine doing this and dealing with dementia.  Cathy -- it does feel better when you get your prosthesis, doesn't it?  Almost normal!  I can wear normal clothes again!  And I have a job interview next Tuesday.  Yippee! 

    As for the chemo and what not to eat ... if they tell me I have to give up chocolate, I'm done!  I can't give up tea -- I don't drink coffee and I really need my tea ... and red wine.  OMG (to borrow my daughter's lingo). 

    I went to tea with a group of friends yesterday and we sat and talked for 3 hours.  It was wonderful and they are such a great group.  It is nice to be with people that just accept you for you.

    Best to all on a beautiful, warm sunny Sunday (at least here in Seattle!)

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  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited November 2010

    sometimes i hate this site--the mechanical part that is.  had just wrote such witty responses (anyone believe that) hit a button & everything disappeared.  so you will just have to endure less wittiness.

    bookart--your family has had way too much---so sorry!  but am glad you are going to see someone.  this is just too hard to do without help.

    glad to hear i don't have to give up the tea, although with pushing the 3 liters of water i am ready to gag even without the chemo.  finally caught up with me last night.  guess i should be better about the anti nausea meds, but why does everything make me sleepy, dopey & grumpy?

    tata --time for a nap

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  • burley
    burley Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2010

    grdnslve-I'M WITH YOU!  I just typed a long post and it disappeared.  aaaaargh...

    bookart-big hugs from Arizona.  I sincerely hope the therapist will be a great source of support and comfort for you.

    formykids-I'm a chemo.  I already started on February 11th, and my second round is March 4th. The countdown is on to losing my hair-now I've heard anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks...I don't know why I'm so hung up on the hair loss thing.  It's been such a blow to my feeling of feminity to lose my boobs, do I really have to lose my hair too?  boo, hoo

    Bathing suits?  Wow-I'm here in sunny Arizona and I don't even want to think about a bathing suit.  But we don't have a pool, so I'm in no hurry.  Maybe by the time I have my actual implants in 6 months, I'll be ready to try one on.  I don't like them much to begin with.

    I'm going out of the house today for the first time since chemo on the 11th (well, actually my Neulasta shot on the 12th.)  I just haven't needed to go anywhere, so it will be SO NICE to get out, even just to Costco and the grocery store.  I think we may get a bite to eat as well.  Whoo hoo!

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  • Lynbob
    Lynbob Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2010

    Hi Ladies {hugs}

    I have been trying to read and catch up with everyone. 

    This was my first week back to work and I am so stinkin' tired I don't have the energy to be on the computer when I get home. I work a weird schedule: 4 days on/2 days off so my days off rotate. I worked Mon/Tues then had 2 days off. By the end of my shift on Tuesday (almost 5 weeks out from surgery) I felt weak and almost physically ill. I am now on day 3 of my rotation and am feeling better but I am so tired when I get off! I almost feel like I can't lift my arms and I fall into bed as soon as I get home. This past week I didn't have a doctor's appointment but this coming week I have a fill with the PS and folloup with the BS. And an appointment with the O.T. (Occupational Therapist) for the lymphadema. It makes me tired thinking about it.

    I am not doing the chemo but my hair was one of the things I worried about too. In celebration I had my hair done last week.  I am on my 2nd fill and already look like I have boobs because people have asked me if I have had reconstruction already. I almost want to just say enough already I am done!

    I am having an upper endoscopy done Tuesday afternoon. I am hoping that is relatively painless. It will be two months from the day I had the colonoscopy. I hope they don't find anything amiss. I am sick of being sick. I sick of insurance companies and dealing with meeting my decutible. I am sick of doctor's appointments and procedures.... Grrrrr.

    Then I come here and see what you all are going through and feel a little ashamed of myself. My heart goes out to all of you (us)  This disease stinks. The treatment stinks. But life, even bittersweet is good.  You are all in my heart and prayers.

    Love, Lyn 

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  • cleo100
    cleo100 Member Posts: 104
    edited February 2010

    Hi, Kat. I'm getting back to you on the question regarding incisions. I am 6 weeks out from original surgery and 5 from the emergency hematoma. This past week I noticed a tiny spot of seeping on the right incision,where it appeared a piece of scab may have rubbed off. I called the ps who said it wsn't an emergency but he would need to see me this week. By the time I saw him on Friday I had 3 tiny spots of seepage(word?) on the same incision. The ps cleaned out both incisions, removing all scabbing. He also put in a few stitches in the seeping incision and I am applying bacitracin and taking duriceff again for a short while. I really don't know if activity level had any effect on this happening and he told me this is quite common and it is only superficial. Hope this helps!

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  • KatRNagain92
    KatRNagain92 Member Posts: 522
    edited February 2010

    Hi All!

    Lyn, my applause to you getting back to work.  I just can't go yet for all the reasons you stated...I'm tired after a trip to the grocery store with my husband so I can't imagine working all day.  (plus that whole stripping thing...lol)  What do you do may I ask?  Good luck with your endoscopy.  I guess if you have to do all this surveillance, it's best to do it now while all your doctors are on high alert.  I'm praying for a clean bill there for you too.  Did you get the oncotype test? 

    I am shooting to return to work on or around the15th.  I have 4 appts this week and one includes a fill.  I'm going to ask the BS for a script for a compression sleeve for lymphedema and my regular ob/gyn wants to talk to me about laparoscopic removal of my ovaries.  <sigh>  I would rather go in to medical shut down of the little gals but I don't think the Tamoxifen can do that alone.  I am going to start that tonight before bed. I have a bottle of 20mg tabs in my possession with 5 refills.  I'm not sure what the best time of day/night to do it is but I figure I would rather go through the night with it to start with and hope for the best.  I'm thinking work will thank me for staying away!  HA! 

    Oh, and guess what?  no Benedryl on Tamoxifen!  It's one of the number one no-no's.  So I will ask my GP (there's a new one!:) if I can have a sleep aid PRN if I need it.  Plus I need my ativan refilled so no better time than the present to go see him....he probably wants to have a viewing....everyone wants a viewing dontchya know! 

    Linda....hope your incisions are coming along and glad he thinks it's common.  My scabbing is almost all gone but I do have a red spot on each side that I'm putting a little bactriban on with the paper tape.  Last night I dreamed that I had a hole in my incision the size of a nipple that went down to the TE and I had to pack it with gauze.  egads.  (just a dream...thank goodness!)  

    Lola...L.O.L.A...Lola...lalalalalola....Thanks for the smiles!  Laughter is the best medicine of all!:) 

    Good luck Sisters with a week ahead of treatments, results, decisions, fills, healing and restful sleeping! 
    My heart is filled with hope for us all! :) 
    Kat

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  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2010

    Hello Jan Gals, I notice serveal of you are starting The Big T (Tamoxifen ) I just started my 5 year Rx On Feb 12, So far so good with out SE, I got a lot of answer from The group "Bottle O Tamoxifen" great group & helpful  Check out their post.

    Also Good luck with your appt this week. I hope you all are feeling stronger each day. I am now 23 days post-op I am suppose to have an appt Monday Feb 22 to get the last drain out & do my 1st filler to expander, But Today I had 55 cc last 24 hrs, so It doen't look like I am going get it out tomorrow! Bummer!

     Hey I got a Great book from My Sis That is  a quick read & was written by 2 breast survivors ( Not  Doctors) So these ladies know what were are going thur. The book name is "YOU CAN DO THIS!"(Surviving without losing your sanity or your style) By Elisha Daniels & Kelley Tuthill.

     Again good luck this week to all my Jan Friends! Have a great week!

    Hugs & Prayers

    Gina R

    PS Kat I just notice you said Benadryl & Tamoxifen is a No No (OM ) I been taking Tyenol PM with my almost every night. I take my T at night before I go to bed. Did the pharmecist or doctor tell you no Benadryl? Thanks for the info. I didn't know that!  Hugs

    Regina Robinson
    Diagnosis: 12/16/2009, DCIS, 5cm, Grade 3, 0/6 nodes
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  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited November 2010

    burley

    where is queen creek?   we were planning to be in az for the winter--had the big 5th wheel all packed out front & there it sits...i want to cry.  all my pretty low necked tops i guess i will just have to drag out & dump at the good will.  crap crap crap  can't drink wine so just have to whine.

    lyn--i cannot even begin to imagine going to work right now--you are a queen. 

    think i finally hit the wall today.  hubby went for a walk & i was left to my lonesomeness with pamphlets....on literature overload.  but thumbed through a section on the different stages.  all this time i kept hearing 'we caught it early'  but there i am IIIa....already knew that - but still just had a breakdown.  so called my brother who is taking care of the looney parents....and he made me feel better.  then hubby made me take a short walk with the mutt---still was feeling queezy (sp)  then i started whining about the water gagging me with all the volumn.  so sweet man went to walmart & stocked up on flavored water....so now i'm just a happy camper chugging away.  even got a tingle when they showed a pizza going into an oven on some lifetime channel show.  maybe there is hope.   flavored water girls----and don't anyone tell me there is some dreaded crap in it i shouldn't be drinking.  they got my boob, the hair is going, no wine.....i'm drinking flavored water.

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  • KatRNagain92
    KatRNagain92 Member Posts: 522
    edited February 2010

    Gina...right here on breastcancer.org is a great resource for the drug Tamoxifen....and spent more time googling the pharmaceutical company and came up empty handed:

    http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/hormonal/serms/tamoxifen.jsp

    Burley, where is Queen Creek indeed?  Anywhere near Cave Creek or Fountain Hills?  That's where we go...and am still hoping to go the first of March.  Wish us luck with clearance clarence from all 3 doctors.  (this is where that damn lymphedema sleeve comes in )

    Well....I would love a beer right now but will settle for flavored water as well.  yay.  (note the enthusiam:)  

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  • Susie123
    Susie123 Member Posts: 804
    edited February 2010

     Hi Ladies,

    It's been a month since my surgery. (Bilateral Mastectomy with Reconstruction, Tissue Expanders) Alot has happened in the last month. I've returned to work, part time. My cancer was 1.7 cm with no positive nodes. Stage 1, Grade 1, Estrogen+, Progesterone+, Her2 -. My Oncotype Score was 16, so No Chemo for me...Yay...I just started Arimidex. I'm sporting the beginnings of my $100,000 boobs. Wow, I can't believe how much the bills were & they're still rolling in. Thank the Good Lord for insurance! The last few months still feel like a blur, almost surreal. Even though I've been through a bad thing, it almost restores your faith in mankind. People have been so good. We had so many people bring dinner and offer to help in any way. Chocolate cake was a common theme for dessert. I  think folks must feel that chocolate cake makes you feel better. My first day back at work I must have had 25 people look me in the eye and then drop those eyes to my breasts. It got to the point that it was almost laughable. Women mostly were doing that, not men. I know they didn't mean anything by it and don't really think they realized what they were doing. I'm still sleeping in the recliner. The tissue expanders feel very tight and uncomfortable. I hope that will pass. All in all, I feel very blessed to have came through the last month and be doing this well. I hope all of our January Ladies are doing well!

    Hugs,

    Susie

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited February 2010

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  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2010

    CoolThanks Debbie,, That was awesome ! Thanks for thinking of us Jan Gals! 

    Enjoy your self &  Have fun!  Thanks for Send us some Sun today!!

    Hugs & prayers

    Gina

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

    Debbie I can feel the sand between my toes..............feels great,  thanks.

    Keep the pictures coming for those of us still stuck in the snow.

    Enjoy yourself

    Cathy

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited February 2010

    I love the sand art!  Thanks to all of you.  I laughed for the first time today.  It has not been a good day.  And it's supposed to snow again on Tuesday!  This is insane - it rarely snows in Fort Worth - this will be our 8th snowfall this winter.  Of course, when it hits 100 degrees this summer, I'll be wishing for a little cooler weather.

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  • TNgolfer
    TNgolfer Member Posts: 253
    edited February 2010

    Debbie,

    Your sand art is just what I needed!!!!  You're the best.  I'm not having a good night (shocker!).  I have been taking the iron (for the anemia after surgery) and have been drinking bottled green tea---who knew?  Glad I read that's a no-no.   I also hate water.  So I, too, have been drinking bottled water.  Is there a simple list somewhere.  You know, one that just shows the "Do's" and "Don'ts".  Something like the Sesame Street game, which one doesn't belong....no benedryl with Tamoxifen; no green tea with iron supplements....

    I can't sleep again tonight.  The TE's are driving me crazy right now.  Sometimes my breasts (can I still call them my breasts?) anyway, they feel like they itch from the inside.  They feel numb and tingly.  Is the entire TE under the muscle?  Should my left breast be under my arm?  Is it because I was a small "B" that they are bothering me.  They are hard.  I can't lay on my side.  I can't drink wine!  I am miserable!

    I keep telling myself I am strong.  I can do this.  I know I can.  Tonight, however, I just don't want to.

    Yesterday, the sun was actually out and it was warm.  The husband went to play golf with the guys and asked if I wanted to come along.  I went and putted and chipped a little (PS said it was ok).  It felt good to be out on the course and in the sunshine.  But, it was bittersweet....I just wanted to take a big old swing again....oh well.

    Today I was in all day, accumulating all the info for taxes....took me all day to go through medical expenses (and that was for 2009).  I can't imagine what 2010 will be like. 

    A very close long-time friend is flying in from Denver on Friday to spend some time...so at least there is something to look forward to.

    Good wishes for all my Jan sisters

    Marianne

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  • burley
    burley Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2010

    Kat and grdnslve-Queen Creek is just one of the many suburbs of Phoenix.  It's to the Southeast-kind of a quiet area with lots of land, trees, horses, etc.  We have an acre, but no horses-just 4 dogs, 4 cats and a tortoise (then there's the 2 kids and oh, the husband...)

    TNgolfer-girl, I am with you on the TE's.  My right "boob" is in my armpit, and I whine all day long about them!  I was also just a small B, so these things are driving me crazy.  They're already fuller than my breasts were before, but now they're SQUARE and nipple-less.  Ugly things, for sure.  Extremely uncomfortable, but necessary I guess.  I'm going to try for a small C if I can stand it that long.  I hope you have a terrific visit with your friend from Denver, and I'm sending you sleepy thoughts!  (as I sit on my computer at 11:37pm)

    Went out today for the first time since my chemotherapy on the 11th.  We were gone for about 4 1/2 hours, and I was definitely tired by the time we got home.  Not enough for a nap, but tired.  Ran into a neighbor at Costco and he said, "hey!  you look good!"  as he looked at my "breasts."  Wow.  That was weird and uncomfortable.  I had on a cute, slightly baggy sweater which made me look about the same size as my 15 year old son.  Oh well.

    I am with everyone on the water dilemma-I usually like water, but seem to be hating it now.  I force myself to drink it, and drink a lot of low sugar Gatorade as well.  I still have a taste for coffee, although I'm down to only 1 1/2 cups-and I drink milk with dinner.  I know with all that, I'm still not drinking enough-my lips are chapped and I have cotton mouth most of the time.  I'm not sure how much of that is a side effect from the chemo, though.

    Off to take a sleeping pill and suffer through another night's "rest"-ha

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  • KatRNagain92
    KatRNagain92 Member Posts: 522
    edited February 2010

    Good Morning Campers...rise and shine!  (sorry, couldn't resist...watched groundhog day again...and we have another 5 inches on the ground)

    Loved, Loved, Loved the sand art!  Debbie, thank you for the spirit lift!  I cannot wait to go to warmer clients....

    Marianne....you're going to be fine and fabulous!  I'm trying to stay off the pain pills completely but occasionally I'll sneak one in.  My script gets me 2 more refills and I still have 3/4 of the 2nd one full.  These TE's are miserable.  I want to sleep with my husband but I'm still stuck in the guest room with my 27 pillows.  I guess it could be worse but I just really want to try some side sleeping.  I found that if you load the pillows up you can kind of manage a half side position propped up.  Not to bad but no restful sleep either.  Tomorrow is my first fill so wish me luck!  Acck!  I'm frightened Auntie Em! 

    Say, I found some interesting reading while I was out scoping the Tamoxifen links...The most riveting was the history of breast reconstruction....Did you know that breast reconstruction has been going on since 1895?  The first reconstruction was done on a woman who had a fatty tumor (lipoma) on her back and that was used...then they tried a variety of other 'fillers'...ivory, glass balls, ground rubber, ox cartilagde even wool!  Imagine the infection!  It was an interesting link...it's kind of like a power point presentation and it goes through every type of breast reconstruction we are all facing (with pictures!) 119 slides but an easy read.  enjoy! 

    http://www.docstoc.com/docs/19927994/BREAST-RECONSTRUCTION

    Enjoy your Monday!
    Kat

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  • ariesrottie
    ariesrottie Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2010

    Good moroning..... Anohter night bug eyed...... I tossed and turned all night........ What am I going to do ......????

    Debbie- Love your pictures how sweet to think of us girls..... I wish my toes were in that sand....They say more snow this week for us.... I'm done already....

    Marrianne- know what you mean about the TE. My right one is just starting to feel alitlle like the left.....Maybe tomorrow a first fill after the original on the 25...... Speaking of the 25th....

    Kat- Today is one month(4) Mondays.....Good luck on your fill. We will compare notes.....

    Girls what is this about GREEN TEA........ I drink it all the time... someone tell me please... Enjoy the day girls I hope who ever has doctor appointment things go well.......Always in my thought and prayer...XOXO

    Donna.

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  • Lynbob
    Lynbob Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2010

    Kat, I didn't have the oncotype test. It is interesting the way this entire process began. My family doctor was concerned because of a digestive tract issue and threatened to do rectal exam back in October. I agreed to see my ob/gyn (Nov)  who found a mass in my rectum and sent me for a mammogram and a colonoscopy.  I was not amused. The colonoscopy biopsies were benign, not so with the mammo (Nov) and subsequent biopsy (Dec). Gastro doc still wants to do the upper endoscopy so thats where I am headed tomorrow.  I am at work today. I am a 911 dispatcher. Not much physical activity but lots of stress. I felt exhausted when I woke up this morning and very nauseated. Praying my day goes better. I still have to see the O.T. later today. Love and hugs to you all {hugs}

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2010

    Good Morning all !

    Today is rainy and dreary oustide, matches my mood perfectly.  I am still waiting for a call from the radiologist to set up my appt for my new drain.  In the meantime, I have managed to collect at least double the fluid I had last week.  My abdomen incision is pushing out a little from the pressure and my belly button is leaking fluid and looking 'raw'.  They checked my belly button when I was in the office last week and told me it was ok, just put some neosporin on it each day until this is worked out.  Well, now there is a rash coming out of my belly button and each day it spreads a little further on my abdomen.  It itches like crazy !  Not to mention that the pressure is getting so much worse.  I am now having issues sleeping, because I can not get comfortable with all the fluid.  I have been taking Benedryl the last few nights, hoping for relief from the itch and help falling asleep. 

    Add to all of this, my husband (who has been great up to now) decided this weekend to be pouty and in a snit.  He came home from work late Friday evening and was already in a bad mood.  He stomped around here all weekend mad about all the chores he was having to do.  Poor him, no time for himself, having to do chores and haul the kids around to their activities.  I was actually amused, although I didn't let him see it.  Welcome to my world -  who does he thinks has been doing all of this for all these years.  My friend came by with dinner last night, while hubby was out running kids around town, and immediately offered to help clean up and do the dishes and such.  I wouldn't let her, I figure this is a good time for him to find out all the stuff I do around here.  He takes that portion of our lives together for granted and is oftern critical that things are not tidy enough or dinner is not cooked or whatever.  ugh

    I feel like I need a really good, long crying session. 

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2010

    Debbie - I loved the sand art.  I wish I were at the beach and able to stick my toes in the sand.

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited February 2010

    As an old camp counselor, I appreciated the call to "rise & shine."

    Sending out hugs and encouragement to all of our 'class' as the realities begin to settle in -- now that the euphoria of surviving our surgery has passed.

    We can indeed "do" this -- because we must.

    I have the bumper sticker: "Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional." It helps me keep perspective.

    I am so excited to be starting with my PT (physical therapy) this afternoon. Unfortunately I was in the beginning fits with 'frozen shoulder' on my more effected & dominant side/right before the surgery..... so my range of motion is pretty impacted, despite all of my efforts toward stretching etc. We have a pully system set up in a doorway, so that I can lift my arm/stretch it here at home.

    Girls. We're in this for the long haul. BC is a marathon, not a sprint. Cry all you need to cry. Acknowledge all the feelings. Then pick yourself up again and move forward another baby step.

    How well I remember becoming yesterday's news -- on my first trip thru this journey. People have no idea how 'long' this process is for us. The second time I think has been even 'worse' in the sense that people have no idea how to offer support on this roller coaster ride.

    I also have the bumper sticker: "when all else fails, lower your expectations." **Always makes me chuckle.

    I stand in awe of everyone who is already headed back to work. I stand in awe of those of you beginning chemo and balancing other responsibilities. BRAVO!! BRAVO!! BRAVO!!

    xx00xx00xx00xx00xx

    Strength and courage.

    Strength and courage.

    Strength and courage.

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