June 2010 Mastectomy

Laurie

That's awfully sad for you, she must've been very young. You are being proactive, taking control... I'm sure you will come out of this alright..... I'm thinking about this all the time now..so I understand where you are coming from..

Hugs

Robin

Joy

I think a 'poofie' might be an american 'chicken fillet'!!

I can only say that, in my case: the discovery of LCIS in my right breast, knowing its often bilateral, having been given a 1 in 5 risk of developing an invasive tumour, my mum's breast cancer, feeling that I don't want to go through the anxiety I've had this year,  all these things have contributed to my decision. And, I feel like I've been given the 'heads up' and have been lucky to get this diagnosis (seen by chance, the target lump appears to be fibrocystic) and not to act on it would be very foolish. I say that I'd be gutted if I didn't do it now and then got something a hell of a lot worse at a later date.....I want to avoid chemo-rads at all costs, for me I'd rather lose my breasts (and be reconstructed) than risk my life and lose my hair.

Try and weigh up the pro's and con's, can you live with knowing you might have a recurrance - that's a question I still ask myself...Lots of great ladies are on this thread, you will find their experience to be very helpful in making that decision. Have you looked at other threads? There is one for DCIS diagnoses - might be helpful, on this thread we have mostly opted for mastectomy.

Double v Single MX: Depends on the likelyhood of it recurring in your other breast I guess. If it's very likely (BS should be able to advise with stats) then surely double, having only one lot of pain and discomfort would be better?

Whatever you decide, must be the right thing for you,

stlcardsfan:  Sounds like you're doing great!  And kudos to the hubby...my hubby  emptied mine, cleaned the area, applied coverings, recorded output - I think he missed his calling as the world's greatest nurse!! LOL  Keep up the great recovery.  It goes by fast!

I am newly diagnosed with BC. I had colon cancer last year so this is a double shock. I have spent the last couple of days reading all your messages.  I still don't understand a lot of the abbreviations yet, but I am sure I will learn soon.  I feel like I am living in another world.  I am functioning but my entire being is totally absorbed with cancer and questions and like so many of you, I can't sleep, cry at odd moments over nothing, and am a overall nervous wreck. I have always been a strong person so it bothers me that I am not handling this better.  I did a lot of online research and even before the first visit with the breast surgeon, I had already made up my mind to have a mastectomy and start reconstruction at the same time.  I was told to use saline implants by friends but my PS said he likes using the gel kind.  Does that even really matter in the long haul?   I read that Tamoxifen can cause cancer of the ovaries and have heard horror storys.  My surgery is scheduled for July 1.  I see how supportive yall are here and I feel I really need this and hope someday I can be of comfort to others.

Oh, Joy!!  What a wonderful post!! It actually brought tears to my eyes. How wonderful to be experiencing the midnight sun on a night like tonight is for you.  What a great symbol of hope ... the bright shining sun! I will be praying for you and sending all good thoughts to Oslo overnight. I will also be waiting to hear how your surgery went. I know that it will all be good! You are strong!

Hi Ducki. I'm sorry you've had to join our group, but you are very welcome here. Breast cancer is a hard thing to deal with and all the emotions and thoughts that you are having are normal. Having dealt with colon cancer last year, it is no wonder that you are feeling especially challenged with your strength. We do what we can to support each other and offer encouragement. Listen to your PS about the implants. A lot of people will have opinions, but your PS is the expert. The final choice is yours, but the new silicone gels that are being used now are much safer than the ones that were used years ago. Tell the PS your concerns and let him address them for you. A lot of people have a rough time with Tamoxifen, which is why I'm so concerned right now about starting on it, but ovarian cancer is not one of the things that tamoxifen can cause. In fact, if I am not mistaken, some doctors prescribe tamoxifen to prevent ovarian cancer. I wish you strength and courage for the road ahead. I hope that you'll come back often with your concerns and, hopefully, to share your triumphs with us.

Getty. 

Joy- Good luck to you, I hope all goes well.  I am glad you are feeling at peace with everything   I look forward to your update after.  Hugs and strength coming your way!

Misty- Hooray!  Congrats on a successful surgery and letting us know so fast that you are doing well!  I am going to draw off the positive energy you filled your post with.  I hope you rest well with no pain and are able to relax.

Getty- I don't know much about Tamoxifen.  I think that is the drub my doctor said I would have to take if I did not have  BMX?  Is it an estrogen blocker?  I know I have see lots of threads here on bc.org, I will keep my eye out for you as well and do some reading.  Unfortunately I do alot of reading on this site.

I hope everyone had a good day.  I had lunch with a friend (and my kids of course.)  It was nice, she was stressed about some things in her own life and we hardly talked about cancer.  She started apologizing saying how shallow she was, after all look at the crap I am going through.  I was so happy she felt I was strong enough to lean on, I think she realized that.  Of course the end turned to me but it was nice to focus on someone else's problems for once.  Silly huh?

MistyJ:  I am so happy that you're done! Thanks for letting us know how you're doing. Wishing you a good night's rest and lots of healing.

Laurie: Yes, tamoxifen is an estrogen blocker and probably what your doctor said you would have to take if you didn't do the BMX. At this point, I'm thinking a BMX might have been a good trade-off for skipping 5 years of tamoxifen. Well ... not really, but kind of. I try to stay off of a lot of threads on here. It seems sometimes that you read so many horror stories. I think that most people with better experiences don't post as often. If I've learned anything on here, it is that each person's experience is completely unique. I like our little haven here.  I'm so glad you had a normal lunch with your friend. It's not silly at all to enjoy forgetting for a little bit.

Getty. 

Ducki- So sorry you have to be here, but glad you found out group.  It is so unfair that after all you have endured you have to go through fighting cancer again.  Please come to us with your fears and your questions and anything in between, I think you will find we are a positive group of ladies from every back ground you could imagine and we are all at different points in this, some have had surgery, some have not etc.

As usually I agree with Getty, listen to your plastic surgeon (PS) and do some research on the saline/vs silicone question and go with what feels right.  I started the question on a thread here, people chimed in with some good points, do a search for it or I can forward the thread to you.

Hugs to you.

Ladies!  I just got home from the hospital.  I 100% agree with what Misty said - the waiting is the hardest.  The day of surgery - everything almost went by like a dream.  I did take a valium upon arrival, which helped!  I had a dream team at the hospital.  All I have wanted to eat is broth - but that is good!  I borrowed a cami with little pockets for the drain.  I have two drains, and a pain pump.  They took four lymph nodes, and from surgery - they looked clear.  We will get the full pathology on Friday.  My expanders are what seems to cause most of the pain.  I have a small fill in them already.  I feel such a relief to have surgery behind me.  I was almost giddy this morning!  Misty - I hope you are are feeling well. 

JillyG - I was thinking about you all day.  Looking forward to hearing from you!

 Webstermom - you are next - my prayers are with you.  

Joystars - you are up next too, I LOVED LOVED your last post.  I can totally relate to what you shared. I received SO many emails, texts, love and support the days before my surgery - I just felt that same peace.  I somehow felt uplifted by all of the messages. Most of all my DH.  I am looking forward to hearing from you as soon as you can post.  You will be back in that midnight sun before you know it!

Ladies, thanks for the support!  I am a new member of the group, and I already feel such support and love from each of you.  Thank you for so warmly "accepting" me into your specail network.  It means the world to me!

Well, I am comfy in our borrowed easy chair.  My drains are "draining", and my cats are glad I am home!  I think I am going to sleep well tonight! 

Lizzymack!  Welcome home! I did not realize we had surgery on the same day!  WOW!  Riding your bike for 30 minutes!  You are motivating me to do more!  Hey - I have to ask the silliest of questions - I am "ITCHY" all over.  Just wondering if it has something to do with post surgery?  I am so glad to be home, I almost stayed in the hospital two nights. 

Circe and Robin and all my June bmx cohorts!-

Thank you so much for your kind words.  I have to ride that bike b/c the docs had me scared about circulation issues.  I just woke up at 4:30 w/pins and needles in my right leg and immediately got out of bed and got on the bike again for 20 minutes!  Then I walked around the inside of my house 10 times, emptied the drains, had some liquid protein, took a few pills and back to bed for me!

Circe-YES, the itchy all over is from a drug they give you in the hospital.  It starts with a "D" I believe.  I did  not get itchy but when the nurse gave it to me she told me "this is the one that makes everyone itchy!"  Great...just one more perk to this madness!

Nap time again....will post more later in between naps!
Liz

Helloo girls!

Sorry I have not been on all day but between visitors and naps and the visiting nurse, I have been wiped out!

Jsmiley-  I feel fine after the bike.  In fact, since I came home on Tuesday Weds at 3 I have rode almost 2 hours.  I am not riding fast, working up a sweat or at a high resistance but I am doing a moderate pace just to keep circulation in check.   I also walk around my house 10-15x's, inside, and each time I pass my end table in the living room I drop a penny to keep track of how many times I have done the circle!  It is really not much but I am just trying to keep some moderate action going for my legs.

Questions: are any other 22nd bmx w/recon having a light cough still from the anesthesia?  Is everyone being good about checking their temps?! 

Pointers for July and future bmx w/recon girls: get a thermometer that you can just slip in your ear and get a quick, accurate read (about $15 at most drug stores) and for the drains, get granny house coats!  seriously...those pockets are great for drains but what I have done, and this is a tip I got from someone on these boards, is just keep an ace bandage around my neck and I safety pin the drains to the bandage.  Double up on bandages if you feel more secure but it works like a charm.  It is like having 2 ornaments hanging from a scarf! 

well I hope everyone is doing great.  I hope things look up for all of us going forward.

Liz

Hey Liz,

I am not feeling too bad really.  I am.....here we go.............(constipated).......!  I am on Colace, miralax and senna and none of it has worked yet.  I am full up!  That is on the list of first things to fix this morning!  My chest is tight, and I have been having a few muscle spasms on the right side and of course I am tired but the oxycodone is keeping me comfortable.  I sure can not believe you are doing hours on the bike!!  Kudos to you girl!!!!  I am sure it is probably helping you heal faster! 

How are you feeling other than that?  Remind me again, did you get recon?

Circe-how are you fairing?

Be patient Jsmiley60, you will get there.  It has only been two weeks. 

Healing and strength vibes to all our June women today!