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  • browniefranks
    browniefranks Member Posts: 87
    edited May 2011

    Thanks Laurie08! Have a great night!

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  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,891
    edited May 2011

    PS ladies- I'm just Laurie- my actual real name- the 08 is just my lucky number :P

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  • Snoopy73
    Snoopy73 Member Posts: 287
    edited May 2011

    Hi Ladies; I am a 37 yr old mom of 2 small kids; my daughter is 4 and my son is 2.10yrs. I was recently diagnosed with IDC approx 1.9cm lump on my left breast; I am hacing a lumpectomy next week 5/24. Like all mothers to young kids, I sometimes have this lump on my throat when i look at my kids, I have told them that mommy has a bad bad boo boo on my left breast and I will go see a doctor next week so it can be removed; and my daughter turns to me and says "you will be okay mommy, dont worry":-) I pray that all goes well and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

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  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,891
    edited May 2011

    Snoopy- Welcome, and I am so sorry you are joining us.  I have two boys 1 1/2 and 3 1/2.  Your little girl sounds amazing!  My older son was wonderful through mine as well.  They can project how you feel at times so try to be confident, like your daughter.  When I was nervous my son played Dr to his teddy bear and made it go to the hospital.  When I started handling things better, the bear got better too and didn't need to go to the hospital anymore.  Come here to get support, rant, get info anything!!

    (((hugs)))

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  • leftfootforward
    leftfootforward Member Posts: 1,726
    edited May 2011

    brownie- I am having a bilateral mastectomy. My gut reaction at diagnosis was to do a BMX and I am sticking with it. I have dense breast tissue and really don't want to questions mammogram results all the time. I am young 37, and the thought of being tested every few months wasn't something I wanted to do.   I am also doing radiation after surgery.  I had at least 2 palpable lymph nodes at diagnosis and and want to throw the kitchen sink at my cancer.  

    It is a personal decision and I am sure you will be happy with the one you make.  I decided to do chemo before surgery in part because it gave me the time to process what I wanted or was willing to do with my body.  Take the time and you will come to your own decision. 

    Snoopy73- sorry you had to join us.  I was 37 at diagnosis and have 4 kids (8, 6, 3 and 9 months). All of us here appreciate how hard this is to go through with kids.  I wish you well with you lumpectomy.  

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  • angelinac
    angelinac Member Posts: 76
    edited May 2011

    Laurie08, thanks for the information... Its great to see stats but even greater to hear it from someone going through it. Your so brave!

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  • texasrose361
    texasrose361 Member Posts: 1,829
    edited May 2011

    Brownie i wish i had words that would help you with your decision... WHat is the oncologist, surgeon and radiologist's opinions on the matter???? Maybe if you spoke with each person and got their take on your care it would aide in your decision...

    Snoopy- SOrry to see yet another memeber have to join us... I will pray for you and your family. The journey through breast cancer is scary at first but soon it becomes less and less so, until one day you are thinking "what cancer!?"

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  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,891
    edited May 2011

    Brownie- It is a hard choice.  My guess is that Dr's will tell you it is your choice, lump + rad is the same as MX or BMX as far as risk is involved.  It's what will give you peace of mind, it is such a personal choice.  When you lay down at night, see what your heart tells you and listen. You can't deny it and you can't blame it for being wrong.  Just my 2 cents.  (((hugs))) to you.  It's so hard.

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  • browniefranks
    browniefranks Member Posts: 87
    edited May 2011

    Hi Snoopy sorry for you to join us. Any time you need to vent feel free! Thanks Laurie and Texasrose, and Yorelh, you'all have been so helpful in this journey, your advice means so much. 

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  • leftfootforward
    leftfootforward Member Posts: 1,726
    edited May 2011

    I am done with chemo.  Wow that feels good to say.  next week is packed with medical appointments and June 2nd is my surgery but for today I am done. I was given a shirt that says " I kicked chemo" It feels good to be in it. today was the first of several victories. Thanks for being there with me.

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  • texasrose361
    texasrose361 Member Posts: 1,829
    edited May 2011

    yorelh congrats for you to have finished chemo!!!

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  • browniefranks
    browniefranks Member Posts: 87
    edited May 2011

    Congrats on kicking Chemo Yorelh!!!!

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  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,891
    edited May 2011

    Yay Yorel!!  So happy for you that you are done, congrats!

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  • browniefranks
    browniefranks Member Posts: 87
    edited May 2011

    Funny incident today, took my 8 year old with me hat, scarf and wig trying, she made me shut my eyes and  put a Madea (Tyler Perry) wig on my head, I almost died laughing. I thought she could not top it until she surprised me with a Beyonce wig. Too funny!  We spent the rest of the time playing dress up with wigs, hats and scarves, did not buy anything but had 1 hour of great fun with my daughter!

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  • leftfootforward
    leftfootforward Member Posts: 1,726
    edited May 2011

    browniefranks- what a wonderful shared experience.  She will never forget it and neither will you.  It is nice when you can find moments of joy in such an arduous journey.

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  • ellumi
    ellumi Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2011

    Hi.  I recently underwent a lumpectomy and will start chemo tomorrow.  I have three children, ages 12 years, 3 years and 11 months.  So far things have gone very well.  My oldest is in school and I've been at home with the younger two for the past six weeks.  My sister in law is helping care for them while I am at appointments, etc. and my mom is now on FMLA to assist, as well.  I am so worried about being able to deal with everything during the chemotherapy treatments.  Glad to find others dealing with similar circumstances...

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  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,891
    edited May 2011

    Brownie- Such a great story!  It is amazing the places we find great memories, where we least expect them!  I was much older, in my 20's when I went with my Mom to find a wig when she was losing her hair and we had a great time too.  My mother went grey very young life and she actually got herself 2, one that looked like her real hair before she lost it and an ash blond one.  I had to convince her to get the ash blond one, you could tell she loved it.  Whats funny is she wore the blond one more than the other one!  She looked sassyTongue out

    ellumi- So glad you found us and so sorry you have to join us.  It sounds like you have a ton of support!  Hopefully chemo will be done before you know it and it won't be too hard on you.  Good luck tomorrow with your first chemo.  (((hugs)))

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  • browniefranks
    browniefranks Member Posts: 87
    edited May 2011

    Laurie, thanks, hope all is well... 

    Ellumi welcome, take things easy and listen to your body and best of luck with chemo. T

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  • texasrose361
    texasrose361 Member Posts: 1,829
    edited May 2011

    Welcome ellumi, glad to hear you have a good support team really when you know that your kids are being cared for it helps us emotionally get through our treatment.

    great story brownie- have you gone to the American Cancer Society? they give you 1 free wig (new) and if they have any donated used wigs you can have one of those as well... Very fun!

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  • browniefranks
    browniefranks Member Posts: 87
    edited May 2011

    Thanks Texasrose, I'll get in touch with the local american cancer society. Hope you're doing well? 

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  • shereejoy
    shereejoy Member Posts: 25
    edited May 2011

    I live in Australia, am 36 with 2 young children (boys aged 3 and 5) with this dreaded Breast Cancer.

    I had Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I had 3 tumours in my right breast hence a mastectomy (multifocal disease). My biggest tumour was 5cm.

    I had all lymph nodes removed and 13 of my 26 were infected with cancer.

    My chemo treatment is 3 x FEC and 3 x TAXATERE (every 3 weeks). Will be up to my 4th on the 9th of June. Been terribly sick!

    Also will more then likely have 6 weeks of radiation.

    Would love to hear you all... I still am in shock as to how many of us suffer from this terrible disease and trying to cope with children is hard. So lucky I have a great supportive network of help. It will be my kids that drive me to fight this horrible thing, but still terribly scared! xo

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  • browniefranks
    browniefranks Member Posts: 87
    edited May 2011

    Shereejoy, so sorry that you're joining us. Glad you've lots of support to help with your little boys. It's terribly hard with the kids and being sick post chemo. Please feel free to vent anytime, we are here for you...

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  • leftfootforward
    leftfootforward Member Posts: 1,726
    edited May 2011

    I don't really want to say welcome shereejoy but we are here for you anytime.

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  • texasrose361
    texasrose361 Member Posts: 1,829
    edited May 2011

    Hello ShereeJoy, our treatments are pretty similar just in a diffrent order (i had chemo 1st than mx then radiation)

    Our kids are also the same ages 3 and 5.

    I agree with Yorelh no one wants to say welcome because its with a heavy heart that we do so, but we are here if you ever need an ear :)

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  • leftfootforward
    leftfootforward Member Posts: 1,726
    edited May 2011

    today my boys offered to sleep on the floor of my room with me. I have a colonoscopy tomorrow and was throwing up do to the bowl prep.  It was so sweat of them.  My kids have been such troopers through this whole thing.  Surgery (BMX) is thursday and they have all sorts of plans on how to help me.  Their spirits amaze me.  They are my driving force to get through this whole journey. I really wish I could be a better parent to them right now.  

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  • browniefranks
    browniefranks Member Posts: 87
    edited June 2011

    Yorehl best of luck with your procedures this week. You're being an excellent parent that's why your boys are being so great. Hopefully soon you'll regain some kind of normalcy and energy to spend on your boys. Take care of yourself.

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  • texasrose361
    texasrose361 Member Posts: 1,829
    edited June 2011

    Just checking in with everyone...

    Kids off for summer here, been busy with 2 home!

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  • leftfootforward
    leftfootforward Member Posts: 1,726
    edited June 2011

    we are out of school next week.  My preschooler is out already.  It is about to get busy around here. Tesxasrose- do you have lots of activities scheduled?

    I had my BMX on June 2nd so am just starting to feel slightly normal. I drove myself for the fist time yesterday. I am hoping to be able to keep up with the kids but have lots of young college age kids lined up to help me out this summer. It is raining today so I am not feeling like it is summer yet. I have an outdoor summer concert to attend this evening. I am glad we purchased seats and aren't sitting on the wet grass this evening. 

    HOpe everyone is well  

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  • lab44
    lab44 Member Posts: 69
    edited June 2011

    Hi!

    I will be have a BMX w/TE's within the next couple of weeks (confirming surgery date on Monday) and have 18 month old twins. I'm struggling with the fact that I will not be able to pick them up for (up to) 4 weeks. They adapted quickly to me not picking them up after my 2 lumpectomies BUT this timeframe so much longer. Any advice on how you dealt with the guilt of not picking them up would be great.

    Many, many thanks!

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  • leftfootforward
    leftfootforward Member Posts: 1,726
    edited June 2011

    lab44-

    I found that I adapted things.  Lifting my 9 month old wasn't the problem, it was setting her back down, like to put her back in the crib.  I admit that I was picking my baby up well before 4 weeks.  I didn't carry her around, but I would pick her up to get her out of the crib, or to change her if I had to.  I tried to set things up in my house (changing table, playpen etc) so that I didn't have to reach to interact with her. That is the key thing.  It is the reaching that will will be unable to do mostly, or that was my experience.  If my baby was standing or I was changing her say on my tall bed, it was easy for me to pick her up. Or I changed her on the floor and then let her go.  I also trained her to reach/come to me so I didn't have to do much work.  Your 18 mont olds are probably big enough to climb up next to you on the couch, or on your bed.  You can then snuggle with them.  I also spent a lot more time on the floor so that I could interact with my baby without having to lift/reach. Your toddlers are bigger so some of these things might not work. With my 3 year old I explained about my big owie and that I couldn't lift/carry her.  She understood.  Your toddlers are younger so that may or may not work.  

    I wish you the best of luck in your recovery and wish you didn't have to do it with such young children. I didn't mention that you will need help. I figured that you knew that was a given. I suspect you won't have to wait the full 4 weeks before you pick them up. I found it was mostly a pain thing. I try not to pick my baby up now (  I am 16 days post BMX). Of course my baby only weighs 16 lbs.  I am able to carry her at chest level. I only run into problems if I try to reach or hold her above chest level.  Ice packs really help if  I over do it.  Keep those handly.

    Again, best wishes. 

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