January Mastectomy

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  • ariesrottie
    ariesrottie Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2011

    Good morning Team. I have to apologise this week has been one hectic mind boggle week. I did go for the sono. I was there with women who were there for call backs on the mamos.....(Bring back memories?) I was more nervous this time then a year ago. I guess I know more. yeah right! Well the tech calls me in and I lay on the table and she see that I have my scrubs on from work and asks me if I work for a doctor : I said I AM A DOCTOR!  I paused and said I just didn't say that... did I?  I started to cry and tell her I work for a dentist , why did I say that . I guess I was just so nervous.. Well we both laughed as she said so... What would you like me to call you.? My emotions took over and was laughing and crying at the same time. Took pictures , radiologist comes in and agree it must be muscles. She doesn't see anything..... Yeah ! Jumped off table , went to bathroom . When I come out, the tech is standing in front of bathroom door with her arms on hips. WE  NEED TO REPEAT SONO? You have got to be kidding me. I went back in and radiologist say tech sees something that I don't see. So they checked again.. I am still crying until she says ITS NOTHING!!!!!!!!!! So I still don't believe them till I went to BS on Friday . Where I got all CLEAR!!!! I see her in 6 months Doing happy dance!!!!! Thank you thank you.........About this week my DU who is 82 had heart surgery at Colombia  NY from the famous DR. Craig Smith. ( Operated on Clinton, Barbara Walters) There were some complications . Its been touch and go. Was there yesterday to visit... Still heavily sedated and tomorrow will try to get him off heart lung machine... Not a very good prognosis. DU is like a father to me since my Dad has been in heaven sine 1982. They are brothers. So I was worried all week for both of us... It has caught up with me ....So if anyone could say an extra pray for my Uncle Otto. I would appreciate it.

    Thanks Girls for being there for me and saying prayers.

    (((HUGS)))

    Donna 

    Hope my Sisters are hangin in there lots of prayers are being said. 

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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited February 2011

    Donna.....praying for your Uncle Otto (I love that name...I had a great uncle otto, so that name brings a smile to my face and a warm fuzzy to my heart!!).....AND I will be praying for YOU!  You've had a tough week.....

    Happy Kiss day to all of you, tomorrow :)

    Much love...

    blessings...robin

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  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2011
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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited February 2011

    Happy belated surgeryversary to all dear friends on this wonderful group.  Donna, Kat and Sally we have the honor of the same day.....so special belated anniversary hug to you ladies.

    I have been reading through pages and pages of posts and I'll never keep them all straight....if I miss anyone please forgive =)

    Kat you tattoo nurse was truly awful =(  so sorry you had to put up with such a little snot!  Your photo is just beautiful=)

    Sally I pray your bone scan turns out to be nothing...wishing you piles and piles of health :)  Glad you daughters orthopedic appointment went well =D

    Kim HOORAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! =)

    Happy belated birthday Lynne :) 

    Elaine....Congratulations on being featured in PrairieFest!  Hope your strength returns quickly and you can enjoy the projects and installations you have coming up. Sorry about the snow cancellation.  I have had to cancel so many of my classes in Feb. because of snow...I'm getting buggy with all the indoor days, also watching way too much bad tv =\

    Debbie also Congratulations to you....Europe! wooohooooo :)

    Mairanne happy surgery-versary :)  What a great Mastectomy Boutique....this would be a great thing to have in any hospital that preforms breast cancer surgeries.

    Robin congratulations on you Martin Luther King Day program...and directing it on your feet! :) Wishing all the best to your sister-in-law and her recovery.

    Hi Becky...well done speaking up for yourself...hope Orlando was great fun :)

    Donna!!!! joining in the happy dance for you...wishing the best for uncle Otto :)

    So I've been away for months....the holidays all become a blur fighting off the sadness of missing Graham...it is always hard but the holidays are even harder if that's possible. I think for me BC is just a bump in the road compared to loosing my boy.....I find that I minimize the event and push it far away from my daily thoughts.  Like Kat, when I get out of the shower and see my breasts it's hard to ignore and when DH and I are having "relations" I find them very hard to ignore...without sensation....mearly placeholders.....ah well. I think the other emotion I deal with is why could I survive BC but my sweet boy could not survive cystic fibrosis.....why couldn't I save him........  So BC an I have an uncomfortable relationship.

    The winter in NY was brutal this year.......as it was for so many of us....more snow than I ever remember.......lots of cabin fever, bad tv...depression....and Christmas weight gain...hooorah :( I had to cancel many classes in Jan and Feb which only added to the cabin fever.

    Smudge and I are looking forward to longer walks without salty paws! Poor pup...he is soooooo bored!!!!!!!

    Oh...my heart update...I went for my 6 month eco....the last eco my heart damage was still designated as "severe" :(  my new diagnosis is "moderate to mild" :)  My cardiologist says I can still improve the heart muscle with exercise and weight loss.....so Smudge and I will have to up our game :)  I was a bit disappointed with the "moderate to mild" diagnosis but my cardio doc was all smiles.....he says this new level of diagnosis means my heart can carry me through a normal life without fear of going into heart failure =D

    So I can make an appointment with my PS for nips and tats......I'm so used to naked boobage that I'm not even sure if I care about nips and tats anymore.  I hear that all you ladies who have gone through it seem to be so glad to have the "icing on the cake" so I guess it's the next and last step for me ;)

    In January I worked on a sketchbook project that will travel the country with thousands of other artists....for those who whould like to see my journal follow this link, click on the right hand arrow to scroll through the journal :)

    http://www.arthousecoop.com/photos/145747-in-flight-cover 

    Strength healing to all you lovely January ladies ♥

    xox Laura xox 

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited February 2011

    Laura - your sketchbook is charming, sweet and beautiful.  It's more like a storybook than what I picture as a sketchbook!  Mine are much grubbier and rough.  I know Graham would be so proud of you and thrilled to be portrayed in your book.

    Elaine

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2011

    Laura, Welcome Back !  I am glad to hear you have had some improvement with your heart.  Your sketchbook is beautiful.  I am in awe of our talented group.

    My appointment with oral surgeon was supposed to be today.  It has been pushed back to Feb 24.  My insurance company is taking forever trying to get this approved.  I didn't have to do anything the entire way through my BC diagnosis and surgeries.  No phone calls, no denials, no begging and pleading with the insurance company.  But, for this, it is like beating my head on a brick wall.  One nurse made the comment of "I know it is your mouth, your teeth and you worry about the affects".  She thought that was why I am calling daily trying to push this through.  I wanted to tell her that I didn't care if every tooth in my head feel out as long this biopsy comes back good.  Oh, the good old days, to only have to worry about my teeth. Wink

    Hugs Team January !

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  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited February 2011

    Elaine my regular sketchbooks are not so story like....the sketchbookproject.com has you pick a theme and then fill up the book..it was a new challenge....you should try it some time :)  Anyone can join in the projects at Art House :)  Thank for your kindness about Graham.....

    Thank you Sally......and I can't believe they are making you wait.....if anything on my body seems even the littlest bit weird they want to xray me, scan me, biopsy me......geez...I have to fight them off ;)  I hope you get your biopsy soon and that all is well...crossing all fingers and toes.

    xox

    Laura 

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  • pbebow
    pbebow Member Posts: 575
    edited February 2011

    Photobucket"Cancun"

    Photobucket" " "Love my Plastic Surgeon!"

    PhotobucketDH & I enjoying the beach

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  • pbebow
    pbebow Member Posts: 575
    edited February 2011

    Hey Team January!

    Wow, so much has happened since I last checked in.  Sorry I've stayed away for so long, been pretty busy, as you can see from the above pics!  I just posted them and a lot more on Facebook and Debbie suggested that I share my polka dot bikini with everyone!  As you can see, I love my PS!  The last surgery when he lipo'd all of the fat from my stomach really made a huge difference!  Of course, it's not perfect, it's all about positioning (you didn't see the bikini shots that I won't share with anyone), but it's still better then it was before.  Can't say the girls are perfect yet, never will be, but they're getting better...  I go back next week for another check up with the PS, so we'll see what he says about another surgery...  

    I finally broke down and went to my new family dr. for my annual and I am very impressed with him!  We  have seen a lot of him in the last couple months between me and the kids and my grandson, and I really like him.  After talking about things we decided that I should meet with an oncologist to mainly to put my mind at ease.  Met with her yesterday and was again very impressed.  She took a lot of time explaining BC to me (again) and asked me a lot of questions about my family history and she had all of my medical records there and she had talked to my family dr.  She agreed that as long as I continue with my annual checkups with extensive blood work that I am good to go.  I felt so much better.  All of my tests with my annual came back good too...  So I guess I am good to go.

    My son's drama continues, but in his favor, if anyone can be favored in this situation.  They went to the Friend of the Court and he was awarded full custody of my beautiful grandson.  Right now she has supervised visits 3 days a week.  My DH and I are the supervisors and her dad can do them too, so far we do more then he does.  She goes from being pretty rude and bitchy to us to  crying on my shoulder because she misses us all so much and is so upset about her marriage ending.  It's very hard for all of us.  There is still a no-contact for her and Kevin, she goes Thursday for jury selection for the domestic violence charges and the Credit Card Fraud charges are still being investigated.  Mara (her daughter) is still with her but Mara's dad Adam has filed for full custody, not sure when they'll have the meeting with the friend of the court, but it doesn't look good for her.  It's a very sad situation for a 20 year old girl is ending her second marriage, and about to lose custody of her 2 children (both from different fathers) and facing possible felony charges, not to mention the domestic violence charges.  Crazy!  But at least our Eli is safe.  We miss Mara terribly, I get to see her occassionally when she brings her for visitation, sometimes she calls me Paula and sometimes she still calls me Grandma, depending on Lynsey's mood that day.  Very sad.  It is hard for Kevin, he has raised her and been "Daddy" since she was 6 months old.  Now he "Kebin", but at least he and Adam are good friends so he does get to see her from time to time and she is always very excited to see him.

    anyway, didn't mean to go on so much, hope everyone is doing well and getting good results!

    Love and miss you all!

    Paula

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited February 2011

    I LOVE seeing our TEAM members checking in.............

    DONNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! Oh happy day!!

    Laura your 'look-back' post was awesome! Your sketchbook just made me want to see the 'real' work in person: awesome.

    Paula, you've really had plenty to deal with, so glad that you got a chance to get away.

    Sally, please keep us posted on the unfolding developments. Hopefully you get answers soon.

    Elaine, sure hope that you're feeling better every day.

    It's silly for me to start a list, in that there are so many I haven't mentioned. Please know that I keep each and everyone on the team in my heart..... through the ups & the downs, too.

    I know that several of you have seen my latest project, either here at BCO on another thread, or over at FB.... but I thought that I'd post it here, just incase anyone missed it. LOL This is my first ever "video-introduction" .... which I posted on YouTube. It's my 8.5 minute retrospective of my professional life:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkLXj_VLUEg

    Film shot years ago preBC and some from the past year, complete with compression sleeve and gauntlet. Life goes on.................

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  • ariesrottie
    ariesrottie Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2011

    Hi January team. It's 3 oclock in the morning and I can not sleep. My Uncle Otto passed away yesterday. Of all day on Hearts Day...I am very sad... Tomorrow {well today} is the wake and Thursday  morning the funeral mass. DD is coming home for the services... Missing some work at college but DU was like a grandfather to my children.... Can't get over the sadness..... I guess this to shall get better with time...

    Thanks everyone for the prayers...

    As always my January Sisters are in my daily pray.

    Donna

    {{HUGS}}} 

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2011

    {{{{Donna}}}}

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited February 2011

    ((((((((((Donna)))))))))))

    Donna, you've had so much to 'deal with' recently. Of course your emotions are going to charge up in full force over such a loss.

    Feel the love, share the stories and most importantly: be extra kind to yourself in the midst of this loss. Allow plenty of time to get even the simplest of things accomplished.

    xx00xx00xx00xx

    Strength and courage.

    Strength and courage.

    Strength and courage.

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  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited February 2011

    (((Donna))) please know you and your family are in my prayers.

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  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited February 2011

    Donna, I'm so sorry about your Uncle Otto......you're in my thoughts and prayers.

    Laura, I love your sketchbook!  Some of the pages reminded me of Shel Silverstein's poetry books and the drawings in those :)  Nice, warm, fuzzy, smiley feelings....

    Paula....love your pics!  Had fun following you on your trip via FB!

    To everyone else I didn't mention by name (sorry, the old brain only remembers the last few I read.....)....but I read it ALL.....thinking of you, praying for you, thankful for you!!!!

    My SIL's surgery came through just fine....stage 1 IDC, had lumpectomy, had to go back 2nd time, but got clear margins.  Will go see oncologist next week to determine chemo or rads.  Lymph nodes are clear.  Likely will be rads.

    Foot is STILL hurting...argh. PT can't figure it out.  I think the foot/ankle specialist has given up....saw him on Wednesday.  He doesn't know what's wrong, but says I don't need his knife or scalpel, so he sent me on my merry(hurting) way.  sigh.  8.5 months since original injury....and life goes on :)  Thank goodness for ibuprofen.

    Oldest son (my nat'l merit finalist, valedictorian, AP scholar with distinction) purposely flunked out of school last semester, and is home this semester.  He's taking 2 classes at the local community college, and did manage to (finally) get a job working as a substitute special ed. teacher's aide.  He really likes it, though, and has decided he wants to go into education.  So I suppose that's the silver lining in all this.  Meanwhile, daughter is working on scholarships and graduation plans.  She will be  our first graduate from our home school!  She gets to decide what color cap/.gown to wear in the ceremony, too :)  Oh, and the oldest son.....he and his g'friend have opened up a joint checking account - yes, he's still living at home.  sigh.....

    And life goes on....

    blessings to all...robin

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  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited February 2011

    well, waiting to hear some good news about sally, and might have missed the results on kim.  admit to getting overwhelmed with trying to catch up when it has been awhile.  donna-so sorry about your uncle.  cousins dh has an inoperable brain tumor due to shrapnel - so only option is radiation & chemo to try to shrink it, and dd's fiances uncle has terminal brain ca.  feel as though i either lived in a bubble earlier in life, or was just very lucky to have such healthy friends & family in the past.

    woke up to pouring rain here in arizona--might as well be back in washington, except for the knowing it will warm up & be sunny again.  might need to get a catheter for the dog, he won't go out in the rain...

    yesterday went for my first reflexology treatment.  saw a flyer about it & the benefits listed included helping with the neuropathy, so figured why not.  always loved a massage & a pedicure is to die for.  i try to be open minded about non-traditional treatments, and although i've never seen a chakra (sp) wouldn't object to getting it realigned or whatever.  anyway, she begins by showing me the instruments she would be using with a brief explanation of the how & why.  nice background soothing music was going & the 'salt crystals' sort of went over my head.  the cleansing & rubbing were pleasant, but then she started probing trying to burst something or other & began asking if i could feel 'that'..so i opened up a bit about the neuropathy & told her it would take more pressure before i could feel anything.  apparently she was up to that challenge, as soon i was flinching & crying uncle.  was actually sort of nice in an odd way to feel a different pain in my feet.  then she began pressing on my toes  and telling me i had all this anger & self pity i needed to release......hmmmmm. 

     now i think all in all i have handled this crap very well, and may admit to being a bit pissed off, have tried to be in the 'why not me' camp rather than the 'why me', God & i may be somewhat estranged, but will work it out.  but she was determined to get rid of my anger & self pity.  we all handle things differently & i was trying to focus on the wonderful massage on my feet, but guess those toes were talking to her.  so the foot witch was doing some more pressing with her little tool & something burst ok.  i don't know what vile substance she provoked in my body to be released, but suddently the gum i had been chomping on liquified in my mouth.  i mean one second nice normal wad of chewing gum, next second fluid trying to gag me.  so in self preservation at least she got a promise to 'let it go'.  kind of spooky, and wondering if this has ever happened to anyone else.  i hadn't expected a therapy session, but it was sort of a 2 for 1, and think i might go back, minus the gum.  dh did get me a 'winey bitch' shirt for my birthday....

    ta ta ladies

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited February 2011

    grdnslave - catheter for dog!  I have one like that - she tiptoes if the grass is wet - funniest thing you've ever seen.  Interesting about the reflexology.  My theory is if it works, it works - I don't care, just make me better.  I'm glad you're leaving the gum at home - yuck!  Thanks for the laugh, though.

    On another note - Donna, so sorry to hear about your Uncle Otto.  ((hugs))

    Robin - maybe your ankle just needs even more time?  It took about a year to do the majority of healing on my major injuries - my broken wrist took longer before no pain.  If nerves are involved - it may always hurt.  Sorry to say.  Maybe in a few months you could try grdnslve's reflexology?!  Who knows? Smile  I'm glad to hear that your son is finding his feet.  My youngest was always the one we didn't think we had to worry about, and now my oldest is settled on a career path and doing well in college, and we don't know if his brighter brother will even choose to go to college.  He's less lost, but not the same kid.  I wish we could help him more to find his way, but he has to do it himself.  We just try to be supportive.  Sigh.

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  • KatRNagain92
    KatRNagain92 Member Posts: 522
    edited February 2011

    Good luck today Sally!  You're in my prayers this morning...

    Kat

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2011

    I have been pushed back until Monday :(

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  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited February 2011

    sally--so sorry, the wait must be driving you nuts.  maybe you should get a reflexology appt....

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  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2011
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  • burley
    burley Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2011

    Oh wow, too many posts to comment on.  I think about everyone every day and hope all is well, and that there's a bit of happiness in each day!  We deserve it!

    Ovaries and tubes removed on Monday.  I knew I was in for a one night hospital stay, but it turned into a 5pm the next day stay because I couldn't stop throwing up all night.  Holy cow, talk about adding insult to injury  The nurse kept saying "try to hold your belly when you do it."  My belly that was swollen to three times its size and felt like it was black and blue all over?  Wasn't she cute.  By the time her shift was up at 7am, I was glad to be rid of her happy ass.  lol

    The doc came and said the ovaries looked completely normal, but they sent them off for analysis anyway.  I'm glad they did.  My follow up appointment is in 3 weeks, and I'm sure they'll have the results by then.

    So here I sit, hooked on Percoset and a stool softener, waiting for my bowels to kick in.  Oh the joys!  I'm in a considerable amount of pain-I was surprised, considering the doc said I could go back to work and driving whenever I felt up to it.  I scheduled myself to work on Sunday based on what he said, so hopefully I feel a lot better by then.

    I keep sending my friends pictures to update them on my bellybutton because it has disappeared into a purplish/green oblivion.  Turns out it was 5 incisions instead of 3-now I those scars, 2 mastectomy scars, a scar where the small lump was removed, a 6 inch scar from where I had kidney surgery years ago, and 2 c-section scars.  Holy cow.  All located in the small area between my breasts and pelvis.

    Enough about me!  I hope everyone has some good weather coming their way-if I could, I would bottle up some AZ sunshine and happy Fed Ex it!  Hugs to each of you : )

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited February 2011

    Kim - Here' s to the resurrection of your belly button!  Hope it reappears soon, along with normal bowel movements and freedom from pain and worry!

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited February 2011

    Raising my glass as well,

    "Here, here!!!"

    We are now in the frozen gray tundra of Ohio on a 12 day excursion, where I have 9 presentations to make. Two are now in the rear view mirror, a mere 7 to go!!

    This is the most "work" that I have scheduled in an on-slaught manner, in the last year. Not sure what I was thinking -- but it's hard to say 'no' to delightful invitations.

    Thinking of "all y'all" (I'm learning to speak southern in my spare time: LOL)

    xx00xx00xx00xx

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  • frosty1
    frosty1 Member Posts: 420
    edited February 2011

    Weather, loss, pain ... this has not been a good start to the year for many of you.  I've been absent as I've been finishing my treatment.  No reconstruction, just finishing the herceptin drip (one full year) and getting my port removed (yay!).  Emotions up and down as I'm now 'released' to the world -- back in June for my 3 month check-up and meet with the cancer survivor nurse who lays out the plan.  Feels kind of strange.

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  • burley
    burley Member Posts: 631
    edited February 2011

    Yay Frosty!  Congrats! 

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited February 2011

    Don't be surprised if you have appointment withdrawal, Frosty - it's weird, but a lot of us have suffered from it.

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  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited March 2011

    I had my appt today at the cancer center.  My insurance was giving me a hard time about going to see an oral surgeon, so I just skipped all that and went back to the James center.  The dr said he feels certain, after an exam and viewing my films, that this lesion is not cancer related.  However, he does feel that it needs to be biopsied.  So, he is sending me to an oral surgeon affiliated with the James to have it biopsied.  So, I didn't get any "absolute" answer today, but I am now not worried and am calm.  Although, I am not looking forward to this biopsy. :(

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited March 2011

    ((((((((((((Sally)))))))))))))))

    Thinking of you.

    Thinking of you in the midst of the waiting.

    Have they given you a date for the biopsy?

    Ever onward, Sally.

    Ever onward, Team January.

    I am in the midst of a 12 day 'road-trip' and have 9 presentations in this time. Tonight was event #5 -- so I am just over the half-way point!!! Whoohooooo! This is absolutely the most I have attempted in the last 12 months!! So far so good. My DH is along acting as head-roadie & doing all of the heavy lifting. Tonight's event was just so awesome, so superlative, so very outstanding...... put together by such an amazing group of people -- more of the same tomorrow, on the opposite side of the county.

    Meanwhile, the European adventure continues to shape up. In addition to the four Army bases, of the USO-style tour to the children of our troops, I have just received word that I will be putting on a concert in Reggio Emilia, Italy -- which will be the pinacle of my career. This is the mecca for early childhood, the Arts center of the world when it comes to Arts curricula, innovation and whole Arts integration for children.

    I'm smiling ear-to-ear as I type.

    Know that I send out prayers of encouragement and comfort to everyone on our team.

    xx00xx00xx00xx

    Strength and courage.

    Strength and courage.

    Strength and courage.

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited March 2011

    Fantastic, Debbie - congratulations!

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