New To the Club

Calypsogirl - thanks for the info and reminding me to find something for my son.  He's 8, and I can tell that he thinks about it and gets a little sad... when he looks at my port... or is reminded that he has to kiss mommy on the cheek and not the lips anymore!  I think he would benefit from a group this summer - need to look into it - I'll let you guys know how it goes!! 

Edsluv - I don't remember your BC stats... pathology so far.  And, waiting a couple/few more weeks for what you want is just fine.  Take your time - research - talk to us - think it over - talk to family and then do what will give you the greatest peace of mind!!!   Are you doing chemo or just rads (not "just" rads, but I see that you met with Rad Onc, but not Med Onc).     And, YES!!!! on your BRCA results!!  I am still awaiting mine - just got the blood in the mail on Monday night... so maybe another week or so. 

Tory - I'm thinking he's just REALLY a jerk!  Not my problem... his problem.  Just don't know how he goes to Church and is able to 'act' Christian but not "live" like a Christian.  The act of going to church is not what will get one in the pearly gates... apparently he does NOT know this little secret.  hehe.

Debbie - Hey!  I ran into the 5 post thing... and was like "what???" so thanks for mentioning that.  I think mine allowed unlimited posts sometime around 25 or 30 posts.  I guess they don't want someone coming on the site and spamming it! 

((((HUGS)))) all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Going to work - see you tonight!

PS - where is the TMI page.. I haven't found it??!!!!! 

Koryn - It does sound like you're still in mourning. Hugs to you. It's very sad to me also that we can't go back. I miss my breast too, but I also hate having the remaining "real" breast and am opting for a prophylactic mx on that one. So...knowing now what you didn't know then, if you had it to do over again and still had no choice on the 1st mx, would you change anything? Would you have a 2nd mx? Would you not choose reconstruction? I have insurance issues that are forcing some decisions that I'm not entirely sure I'm ready to make, so I'm just curious. I'm set on the 2nd mx, but I'm not so sure about recon.

There's no way around it; BC sucks and I suspect that even for those who have lumpectomies what's left is different. I feel like I can't trust mine anymore - I felt fine and look what was going on inside.

Big sigh.

Koryn~ (((((((((hugs))))))))))) I know how you feel, I have even heard, hey your lucky at least you have 1 breast WTF!!! it is so hard trying to find clothes to wear, im thinking summer is almost here and i cant wear a friggin bathing suit, I went back and forth on wondering if I should of just said I want a lumpectomy, but I had 3 in differnt also onco said I needed to have the MX it has been year out for me since surgery, but some days Im thankful they found it and I would do anything to live, Im still thinking about recon there are pros and cons, but I can tell you my daugher had the DIEP tram flap I think thats what it is called, but her breast look so great, I remember when I first saw them I was scared to look, thougth it would be horrible, I actually jumped up and down and clapped, then cryed for her, Yes, there are some horror stories on here about reconstruction, and there are great stories of hope here too, and even though my DD had a great outcome, Im still worried to have one done, so I understand. I have actually been getting feeling back in my Mx side I heard it can come back, not completely, and can take even a few years, so i hope that you will eventually get some feeling back. I wish i could give you a big hug and make you feel better- Sending love and hugs your way

angel hugs,

debbie

In-cog.  I'm so glad it went well.  There are times that MRI overestimates tumor size, so hopefully the actual pathology will be smaller than what it showed.  That's great that the nodes looked clear - I'll be praying for 0 nodes for you!!!!!  Praying hard!  I'll be on vacation 6/4, but will be thinking of you when you go for your apponitment and trying to check in if I can! 

Koryn - thanks for sharing your story.  It's really hard to know what to do, and seeing all sides is so helpful in making those decisions.  I'll be having single mx, and maybe the other - we'll see what my BRCA results are, and I guess I need to look into Oncotype/score.  I haven't had that.  What tests do they do for that?

Debbie - I will be praying for you as you think about the choices you still have to make!  It is such a tough road - so many answers... right, wrong... answers we don't know!  I'm still there.  Getting through chemo, then more deicsions to make!  Such a long road... can't wait until I find the end!   

((HUGS)) everyone!!!!

amyls-what great advice you give, i have done most of that already before my chemo starts, the wig, the relaxation tapes, the juicing, alternative supplements. Just still so nervous about the chemo n hair loss and SE......

you have a great attitude.

Allison, You should see what others say, but I think if you're having awful swelling, you need to talk to your doctor. I had minimal swelling after my drain came out. My doc wouldn't take it out until he was sure it was ready because he said if there was a lot of fluid retention after the drain came out they'd have to draw it off with a needle. I'm not telling you that to scare you, but it doesn't seem that you should be that uncomfortable. Have you tried icing? I did that with my armpit for a while (usually at the end of the day), and it really helped. I think it was a combination of swelling and a highly sensitive area that was tired of clothing.

As for sex, well, it seems to me that there's not a lot of talk about that here. I don't remember how long it was before I had sex, but I don't think it was very long after I got my drain out (I'm a uni, no TEs). It was not the most comfortable thing ever, but it went okay. You're right about the uneventful part - I didn't feel like I could move much, so hubby did all the work. Also, it was very emotional for me (and still can be) as my breasts were a big part of sex pre-mx. But it had to be done and you figure things out as you go. It gets easier. Good luck!

Allison, this is the place that you CAN whine if you need to!

It seems like I felt more swollen when I tried to wear anything snug, but I didn't have TEs, so my instructions were probably different. I had a tube-top compression thing, but the doc said it could come off the same day and after that I either wore the loose post-op camis I had or once the incision was better I wore close-fitting regular camis because they didn't brush against my skin as much.

And for at least the first time if not the first couple I wore something on top during sex - didn't want to be reminded of what was there, not to mention it didn't feel good to be touched. And it was better in the dark too.

Hope you're feeling better today!