MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011

    Welcome, hawaiik!  You really fit that description at the top.  Why the 5 mo. wait until surgery?  Is it because DCIS isn't invasive, so you were allowed to have some elective scheduling?  We are just having some weekend fun on this thread, but if you have any concerns today or in the days leading up to your surgery just let 'em rip and we will help as best we can.

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  • tinkertude
    tinkertude Member Posts: 2,047
    edited October 2011

    Oh FIFI darling!!!! lol...she has my vote! :)

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited October 2011

    Tink - Great minds think alike - or vote alike - LOL

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited October 2011

    claire, I could swear Johnny's eyes follow me when I move. Weird!

    elimar, I'll be voting for Cecile, she looks like a diva and who doesn't love that?

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  • KittyGirl2011
    KittyGirl2011 Member Posts: 537
    edited October 2011
    Oh what a lovely bevey of beauties!  But my vote goes to Freya.  I'm with you Eph3, asccesorize the pink.  Welcome hawaiik but sorry you have to be here because of BC.  This is a wonderful group and you will find lots of support and fun!  Kitty
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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited October 2011

    I had a needle biopsy last Thursday. Based on two mammograms, one diagnostic, and an US, the surgeon is sure the dx is cancer, probably Stage 1. The Radiologist saw no swelling of lymph nodes and the mass is very small, about the size of a pea. But, there are "fingers" coming out of it, so the probablity of cancer is very high. My husband and I are still in a state of shock and all this does not feel real! But it is. Trying to process what it will be like to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy. I am very spiritual, but any suggestions on how to cope would be greatly appreciated! 

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited October 2011
    yorkiemom, the best suggestion i can give you is to take it all one step at a time.  you don't have the results of the biopsy yet, right?  wait for that before you get too far ahead of yourself.  waiting is the hardest part, by the way!  you've come to a wonderful place here.  the women are helpful and can answer most of your questions.  welcome!
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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011
    yorkiemom,  You are in "hope for the best, prepare for the worst" territory now, but it is not uncharted territory...all of us are there or have been there recently.   I would say shock is a very normal feeling.  The waiting is so hard too.  Let us know when you get your Dx.  We will hope for something other than B/C, but will give info. and support if it is.
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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited October 2011

    Thanks YaYa5! This looks like an awesome place and just what I need right now! I know I am creating dooms day scenarios on a constant basis because I don't know much yet. Just know the surgeon is completely convinced it is invasive cancer. Hopefully results from the biopsy will come in early next week. Unfortunately, the doc and her nurse said that the lab we have to use b/c of insurance is "slow." UGH!

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited October 2011

    Thanks so much for your support elimar! I will definitely post what the dx is and what the doc says comes next. We meet with her next Friday. 

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011

    About your Friday appt.  If your Dx is B/C, you might not hear/remember all that is said after that news.  Take husband (or someone) with you, to write down, hear, remember.  Ask for a copy of your biopsy report, it will have essential information.

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  • YaYa5
    YaYa5 Member Posts: 667
    edited October 2011
    yorkiemom, elimar's suggestions are excellent.  you definitely want a copy of the pathology report from your biopsy.  i'm hoping the diagnosis is not BC, but if it is, we'll help you get through the waiting and confusion.  let us know what you learn on friday.
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  • Sandlake
    Sandlake Member Posts: 211
    edited October 2011

    Hi~~I am 51 years old and new to all this...I am recovering from a Lumpectomy with a SNB on Monday Oct 10th.  I will see my surgeon on Tues to go over results of path report.  Will this path report be that much different than my needle core biopsy one?  

    Cyndi 

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  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 5,938
    edited October 2011

    This is not bc related but I now have the bug that sent DH to the emergency room MOnday morning.  I have been vomiting all afternoon.  I sure hope this passes soon.  I was to go to mom and dad's and set up his meds but I did not want him to get sick since he has chemo on Mondy.  So had to talk my mom through setting up Dad's meds today.  I am watching FIVE on lifetime as we speak.  Thanks for those who let me know about it.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011
    Hi, Sandlake!  The pathology report will determine the actual size of the tumor.  Everything prior has been based on imaging.  There have been some sizable discrepancies reported between the two reports.  I mean sometimes a couple cm bigger or smaller.  This, along with the node information, will identify your Stage.  Also, you will get final pathology on Grade (aggressiveness,) which sometimes goes up.  My own went from Grade 1 at biopsy to Grade 2 on final path.  Guess they found some squirrelier looking cells under the microscope.  The other important thing to look for, and your doctor should be talking about it too, is whether he got "clear margins."  If so, you will move on to the next phase of treatment.  If not, it could mean re-excision.  It is not that uncommon.  Surgery-rinse-repeat is a bummer, but not too terrible...better than leaving cancer bits behind, that's for sure.  Let us know what you find out.
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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited October 2011

    Thanks for the info elimar. I will definitely do that. I am also going to consult with another physician who is a professor with 30 years of experience in the field of breast cancer. She already has my films. Will send her the biopsy report.

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  • pupmom
    pupmom Member Posts: 5,068
    edited October 2011

    YaYa5, I guess I have basically no hope it is not BC, based on the surgeon's statements and the alarm of the staff at breast imaging. Will let you know what goes down on Friday. So happy to have found this supportive place!  :-)

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited October 2011
    My vote goes to...........FIFI :)
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  • Sandlake
    Sandlake Member Posts: 211
    edited October 2011

    Thank you elimar! I will be praying for those "clear margins", so I can move on the the next phase of treatment.  I will let you know what I find out, and also update/edit my Diagnosis on this forum.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011

    Newbies:

    Ya know, if I was a Newbie and I came to this thread, I really don't know what I would think.  B/C women licking the virtual frosting off the pup-cakes (top photo) and voting on a Poodle Princess for Pinktober! (See page 531)  What the heck?

    Well, Newbies, in the beginning of our Dx, we could think only of cancer and not much else.  I read so much on this site and Googled my fingers to the bone.  However, the underlying message in THIS thread is that you, like the rest of us, hard as it might be to believe, CAN DO THIS and reach that point where it won't be on your mind every moment.

    Make no mistake, we are SERIOUS about supporting all newly diagnosed sisters.  About everything else, it is usually quite the opposite.  Tongue out   That's how we roll.

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  • Sandlake
    Sandlake Member Posts: 211
    edited October 2011
    hahaha!! Laughter is the best medicine!  I was wondering what the votes were about, I can do this Smile
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  • Sandlake
    Sandlake Member Posts: 211
    edited October 2011

    My vote goes to .....Monique! I love the way her legs are shaved!

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  • cmbear
    cmbear Member Posts: 1,086
    edited October 2011

    FREYA, FREYA, FREYA!!!!!!  Just the look on her face. . . she's probably thinking, who put this da*n tutu on me??? : )

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  • stage1
    stage1 Member Posts: 475
    edited October 2011

    Dear Newbies, Just wanted to chime in to say that, in the begining, I seemed to be in shock.  I was glad that I had read somewhere that I should record my doctors appointments.  I did, on my cell phone, in my purse.  I was glad I did, because when I played it back to myself when I got home, I heard a lot of conversation, that just did not sink in.  Thinking of all of you and hope that all goes well.  This is a great site for getting and giving information that we don't always get from our doctors.  I have found that if a person has not gone thru this, they cannot understand fully, even tho they try.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2011

    Just found this thread-I've been focused on "high risk" , followed by "before and after surgery" followed by "reconstrucition" and most recently "exchange" surgery.  It's all a bit of a blur.  I had my BMX in June, had a relatively easy recovery (it's all relative), no need for chemo or radiation because of the BMX-even though they found more cancer-dense breasts.  Have been undergoing reconstruction and have my exchange surgery scheduled for 10/28.  Meanwhile, I'm in the place many of you are.  My oldest graduated from college right before my BMX (I scheduled it around her graduation).  My son is in college in Florida-I'm in CT.  and I live alone-divorced.

      What does that leave?  My 81 yo mother came to take care of me post BMX-I couldn't have done it without her and am so thankful that she was well enough to be with me-though I think it totally exhausted her.  I'm by myself with most of my worries about what my future is-and what the implications are for my daughter (I was suppossed to have BRAC testing done after the BMX-but have put it off-let's not go there).  And I need to talk with other women in the same age range dealing with the same issues.

      I had no idea how this would affect my life.  I do believe getting perspective-and laughing whenever you can is the way to go.  So I'm here, and ready to join in the conversation and the laughter.

      Pat

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  • jo1955
    jo1955 Member Posts: 8,543
    edited October 2011

    Welcome to all the Newbies - others have said that the waiting is the hardest part and it sure is.  Be sure to get a copy of that path report - it has all kinds of important information on it.  It will help in guiding you to the next step.  We have all been there and can help you with all the questions you may have.  As you can see, we also like to have fun so chime in anytime and we will focus on your issues.

    Sherry - Can't believe with all you have been through that you are sick.  Not what you needed.  Don't make me come back up there and take care of you.  You know I would.  Hugs to you. 

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  • stjude10
    stjude10 Member Posts: 390
    edited October 2011

    welcome newbies. my only tip that I use is a journal. I write down all my questions and when I meet w/dr. I go down the list and write down the answer. so far so good.

    elimar, I have often thought about how we must come across to the new ones. we are all over the place, and sometimes it's nice to talk about something that is not bc

    sandlake and yorkie, I will be sending postive thoughts for great reports and minimal (if any) tx. sending you both virtual hugs

    getting ready to take bandage off port site and shower. I'm about ready to mix my med cocktail and go to bed. hoping I can sleep on my side tonight

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011

    rehm046,  You are not so "new" then, but started out on the more specific threads.  That's what I also did.  Well, here, we have a wide variety of Dx's and treatments and you will find some similar to your own.

    It's not that we are attention deficit around here, we just switch gears from humor to serious and back, as needed.  That's 'cause, as women, we are so good at multi-tasking.  If we forget things from time to time, that's 'cause we are middle-aged (and possibly chemo-brained too.)   My own brain is like a home on "Hoarders," it's jam-packed with stuff but I can't always get to it. 

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited October 2011

    There have been so many Newbies stopping by tonight.  I would not be a good thread hostess, if I did not set out a big bowl of Cheetos in hospitality, just in case anyone wants to do some late night snacking. 

                                             

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  • marlegal
    marlegal Member Posts: 2,264
    edited October 2011

    I don't know the newbies well enough yet to decide what they might like to drink with those Cheetos so I'm offering choices :) And don't worry about leftovers, I'll drink them all. Cheers my buddies,

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