MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

Victoria I found it helpful to just say I had bc and was not up to it.  I live in a small town so many people already knew. But you have to do what feels best to you.

Also I count my cancerversay as the day I had surgery to remove the ugle beast.

Victoria I am a straight up front kind of person.  But when it came to me having BC I really tried to keep it on the down low. Im not real big on being the center of attention.  After awhile it got out so I just went with the flow.  People who care about you and know what your going thru will instead understand that right now your main focus to you.  Even during this time of year.  I know my church family was very understanding and if I wanted to do something I came to them.  They all knew how treatment was affecting me so they let me make the call on how much I was up for.  At first I felt guilty but then one day I realized I am in a fight for my life right now and put my needs up front.  I know this kinda sounds selfish but after treatments and such I was able to get beck into the swing of things.  This is just my experence.  I hope it all works out for you.

Congrats Kay, doing mental cartwheels for you!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I saw my RO today and now I have a question about the first mammogram after diagnosis.  I thought a repeat mammogram was done at 6 months from time of diagnosis or surgery.  If so, that would be this month or next.  I had the mammograms in June and the cancer officially diagnosed July 1st.  So today my RO said he would schedule my next Mammogram.  He said 6-9 months from the end of radiation, so that puts me at April-June.  This seems a little far off to me, but maybe I am wrong?  For some reason I though most everyone has it 6 months after cancer is detected.  Any thoughts?   His nurse called and scheduled it for June 11th.  I am, once again, confused! 

Kay congrats that is great news.

As far as mammo's I think all Dr's are a little different.  I am on the very 6 month plan because I am at high risk for local recurrance.  I had my first mammo 7 months after surgery and that put me at 3 most post rads. After that every 6 months until my BMX then no more for me thanks goodness. I'm tired of finding lumps and having surgery.

Claire, I had that same nurse in October at a new Gyn office.  She then had the nerve to tell me that the Dr. is insisting that every patient over 40 have a mammogram.  I procedeeded to let this person know that there would be NO mammogram until the tissue expanders were replaced with implants and probably not even then.  I will willingly have an ultrasound or an mri, but even being an x-ray tech, I do not see any sense in doing mammograms on an area with no breast tissue left in it.  

 Becca

Great news Kay, one less worry on your plate!! 

Oh, and I'm the one to the left of the stripey dress wearing the dark suit, white shell... the hips look about right....

I think I'm with Janis and Barbe in the bathroom--and I swear we aren't smoking or skipping class!! I don't own a suit and my sensible shoes are all tennis shoes. 

besides I'm more comfortable on the beach than at work 

Samsue congrats on your clear mammo

Paula I hate those bumps when you shave and the ingrown hairs so several years ago I broke down and had laser hair removal done.  Was one of the best things I ever did no more ingrown hair or bumps from shaving.

great news kay! my mammogram was 6 months after surgery but the bs scheduled that one so wait and see!  the mri was negative yee ha   they gave the option of waiting 6months and watching the calcifications  or a stereotactic, going with the stereotactic as everytime i looked up linear it wasn't good!  so the nerves wouldn't let watch and wait, so pocket party next thursday!

Good luck Wave!  I have you in my thoughts.  Make room for me in the pockets girls, I am jumpn in!!!!

Wave count me in as well.  I am sure Claire will get the festivities started.

Claire...I did smoke, LOL.  Not anymore but I did for years.  Sneaking in the bathroom or behind a building was just part of the daily routine!  So no surprise to find me there.

Kleenex, thanks for the info.  My Mammo will be one year after diagnosis, and about 8 months after completion of rads.

Get this!  I had that thyroid surgery earlier this month.  I had a follow up with my surgeon two weeks later. One end of the incision was a bit more raised and red so I wanted to ask about that.  The day I went, my surgeon was called out of the office so I saw the PA.  I asked about that part of the incision and he said he had no idea why it was more pronounced and raised, but that it should just absorb into the skin within a few months.

Wrong answer!  I has been real sore and last night I went into the bathroom to look closer.  I pushed it around a bit and then pus just shot out of it, then it bled for a bit.  It was after 5:00 but i called and talked to the answering service.  They took all the info and my surgeon called back.  He asked me to call his office this morning and let them know i will be coming in.  He said he would come in to check it.  He thinks it was just a stitch that got infected but has to make sure.  So off to yet another appointment later this morning.  I am not pleased......