January Mastectomy

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  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited February 2012
  • KatRNagain92
    KatRNagain92 Member Posts: 522
    edited February 2012

    Gina, you're hilarious!

    Laura...I am so sorry about your brother...I didn't realize it was to this point.  You have had so much loss my friend.  I think that God gives you what you can handle...he must know how mighty strong you are! (I known all along!:)

    I have been so bad and only looking on facebook.  Then, in my disgust over the Susan Komen grant-giver-gate, I completely went AWOL for a week.  Sorry!  (I, myself will now be doing a better job of promoting BCO!  There are plenty of organizations such as this one that can use the help too!  Without this forum, we would not have each other and I thank God everyday that I have you.  I try and turn new breast cancer patients to this site but they get confused and pop in on the wrong group.  I just know I was meant to connect with each and everyone of you.

    I feel pretty good.  I don't understand how I can be bald yet I've got all this fuzz on my head.  Is it new growth or what?  I only have treatments every 3 weeks, I just don't understand hair loss very well.  The eyebrows are great and I keep praying they will stay!

    Well, I'm fearful of writing to much and then losing everything.  This happened not to long ago and I was very discouraged.  I promised myself I would start writing in word and transferring it over but I forgot.  So here we go...fingers crossed to submit! (no spell checking so sorry in advance)

    xoxo

    Kat

  • robinlbe
    robinlbe Member Posts: 585
    edited February 2012

    Yeah for better doggies Laughing Elaine!

    Gina, I KNOW you were in the middle of that group hug because I recognized Dan's backside... ha ha ha!!!!  NOT really :)    And don't you DARE tell him I said that (or Milo either, for that matter).  I'd die a million deaths!!!

    Kat....you've got your own peach fuzz :)  Bet it doesn't take as long to get ready in the morning, does it???   (hope I didn't hurt your feelings....just trying to get a smile. ) 

    Sitting in the midst of a pile of papers to grade - that's my exciting weekend.  Guess I'll sit in my Christmas lights' glow tomorrow and grade, grade, grade (yes, the decorations are *still* out!  Who has time to take them down when there are papers to grade?!?!?)

    blessings and love to all....robin

  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2012

    {{{Kat}}}

    {{{Laura}}}

    {{{Lola}}}

    Donna, are you still out there ?  Go over to FB and accept the friend requests and then we will add you to the Team J group on FB also.

  • ariesrottie
    ariesrottie Member Posts: 260
    edited February 2012

    Everyine in for a group HUG{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}.

    I loved the picture. Eveyone is my prayers. I am still trying to get into Team J group o[n FB....

    Enjoy the weekend and the superbowl.

    Donna 

  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2012

    Just checking in to see how everyone is doing....

    Donna, I sent a friend request on FB, once you accept it, we can add you to the group.

    {{{{Hugs}}}} Team January !

  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2012
    Thinking of all my Jan Sisters!xoxoxox Gina
  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited February 2012

    Thanks for that Gina.  I needed that tonight.

  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2012

    Are you ok Paula?

  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited February 2012
    I'm ok, just get down every once in awhile and it still gets to me.  Worrying about recurrance, especially when we've had a few already with it who are on my mind.  Need to keep that brain turned off and stay positive.Smile
  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited February 2012

    I've been selected to go to a Casting for Recovery weekend in April, here in Texas.  I'm excited!  Looking forward to it.  I haven't done much "survivor" stuff - mostly just keep coming here to bco.  It will be interesting to connect with others irl.

  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2012

    I think we all have that problem from time to time Paula.  Sometimes it is hard to turn off the brain :)

    Yay Elaine!  What do they do during the weekend?   

  • bookart
    bookart Member Posts: 564
    edited February 2012

    Fly - fish, Sally, and talk about bc survivor issues.  I'm looking forward to it.

  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited February 2012

    How fun!  Where are you going to fish?

  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited February 2012

    How fun!  Where are you going to fish?

  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2012
    KissHappy Valentines to My Great Team! Love you all ! Thanks for being there for me!

    Thinking of all of you wishing you a Blessed Day & week! Prayers & {{{hugs}}}

     Jan Sisters Rock ,Happiest Valentine ,Kiss (I try to copy & paste a Valentine greeting , But after 5 times I gave up & posted on j-team on Fb)

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited February 2012

    Happy Valentines Team January!

    Hope you all had a great day.

    I just had my follow up appointment with the surgeon for final pictures on my reconstruction. I am so pleased. They are not perfect, small indent here and there, and my abdominal scars are significant, but all in all, I am very happy with how they turned out.  She did inject some cortisone into the abdominal scars, not sure if it will make that much difference.  I can't believe this process is finally over.  It has been a long couple of years.

    How are you doing Kat? You are on my mind often.

  • galena_79
    galena_79 Member Posts: 107
    edited February 2012

    Hi all

    I had a right radical mastectomy on January 10th, so I thought I would join your group.  :)

    I only had to stay in hospital one night, and left with two drains.  Felt like they were there forever, but the chest one was removed after 6 days, and the armpit one was removed after 13 days.  I was surprised to not develop a seroma.

    How are you guys finding your recovery?

    I am really pleased with the way my wound has healed up.  There was no bleeding or infection, and my skin is knitting together really well.  I hope you didn't have complications.

    As for internal scarring, I started combating them with stretches the day after I came home, and my right arm's ROM is pretty good now.  It's not full ROM, but I will keep trying to push my stretches a tiny bit further each time.

    The pain has eased a lot for me.  My chest, side, armpit, shoulder and upper arm were very uncomfortable for a while, but as the healing has progressed the pain backed off.  I find that the wound starts to feel hard and painful if I forget to stretch regularly, or if I don't use my arm enough.

    I have been wearing a foob for  about three weeks now, and find it comfortable with a wire-free bra.  My breast nurse said that I might be ready to be measured for a proper prosthetic breast in another three weeks.  I'm looking forward to it.

    In the meantime, I'm waiting to start chemotherapy.

    I hope you have all come through your surgeries and recovery well.

    Kia Kaha,
    Angela 


    PS - Just realised that this topic was about January 2010 mastectomies.  Lol, my bad.  :) 

  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2012

    Cathy,  Yay!  I'm glad you are done and happy with your results. Smile

    I've never heard of them injecting the scar before......is it supposed to fade it?

  • ReginaR
    ReginaR Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2012
    Angela, Glad your recovery well & wanted to say welcome & we are here for you, But we are the group from January Mastectomy -2010, But there is also a group for 2012 Jan surgery, you may want to check it out here is the site.

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/779236?page=1#post_2764763

    {{{{{{{{{"Team January" Group Hug}}}}}}}}}}

    Love ya all my Pink Sisters!Kiss

  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited February 2012

    Laura...I'm so sorry.  I do think the hospice nurses are angels in disguise.  They have  been able to do wonders in making my bro more comfortable.

    Hang in there Kat...two years since some of us started chemo & blessedly distant now in my memory.  Scars are fading.

    {{{{{HUGS}}}}}} to all

  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited February 2012

    Lola, I'm so glad hospice is helping.

  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2012

    Lola, I agree, we had hospice in for my grandfather and it was such a blessing.  I hope you are doing well.

    Happy birthday Elaine !!!!!!

     {{{{Kat}}}}

    {{{{Laura}}}}

  • KatRNagain92
    KatRNagain92 Member Posts: 522
    edited February 2012

    Hello ladies!
    Sorry I don't get on here much....I feel like if I can't be upbeat and positive I'm just bringing everyone down.  So I don't post. 

    My husband has an old college friend who happens to be some top dog Oncologist in Colorado who says they're doing great things with hormone therapy.  I'm skeptical but he said I could email him all of my scans and labs and he can give me free advice.  We'll see how that goes. 

    I really want these antineoplastons but Dr. Burzynski (if you do a google search on him) ranged from hero to quack.  It's a hard call.  But it sure makes sense to me.  Why fight cancer with carcinogens? 

    I'm having a big CAbi party here tomorrow...living every day to the fullest because that's what I have to do.  My former upline is coming to do the show so I'm excited about it.  My daughter (Kelsey whose getting married) is in town this weekend and my sister is coming too so that's exciting. I'm usually pretty jazzed up for about 4 days after treatment so this was a good weekend to plan this...must be the sterioid pre-med they give you!  I'm just so fortunate I'm not suffering any ill side effects.  Praise God.

    It certainly is weird though being handed a death sentence.  It makes you want to live like a rock star because then for sure, you would outlive your resources!  lol  Kinda of like washing your car to make it rain. 

    How are you doing Laura?  I'm so sorry about your brother.  I hope you are finding comfort in your dear Andrew.

    Debbie...how is Sarah?

    Lola, how is your brother?

    Paula...broccoli and berries baby! :) 

    Well, enjoy the beautiful day...it is really pretty out! 
    Love you all Team January!

    xoxo
    Kat

  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited February 2012

    Kat it is great to hear from you.  You have a lot to live for with a daughter getting married.  Try to keep the faith.  Where is the doc in Colorado?  I'm thinking probably in Denver at University Hospital,  since they do a lot of specialized treatments at that hospital and it is the big med school in the state.  I know DH had his transplant there and I trust those docs totally.  They are very high tech and communicate wonderfully with patients and their care givers there.  I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

  • binga
    binga Member Posts: 140
    edited February 2012

    Sorry the news wasn't as positive as you had hoped Kat. I cannot begin to imagine how you feel but please don't feel like you have to keep an upbeat attitude on here. We really want you to be able to vent here if you need to because sometimes you just need to have a place where you can let go and not worry about anbody else's feelings and girl, this is the place you can do it! Nothing but support from us! I know you have to weigh all the options and listen to the statistics the drs give but there is no reason why YOU can't be one of the 20% still here after 5 years. You are in so many prayers! 

    Hope you and all of Team January have a good week!

    xoxoxo

    Becky 

  • neversurrender
    neversurrender Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2012

    {{{Kat}}}  Please don't ever hesitate to post.....we are here to help/support you in any way we can.  Vent, cry, rage, laugh...we accept it all. 

    I hope you have had time to take in the doctors news and research some of your options.  The dr said 20 % have a 5 yr survival, you have always seemed like an over acheiver to me :), so no reason you can not be in that 20% !  

    You are in my prayers daily.

    Sally

    Never Surrender !

  • jizogarden
    jizogarden Member Posts: 375
    edited February 2012
    A quick update. As many know, I lost my brother last week. He had been slowly dying from too many mysteries to name.  He had been in hospice for the last 2-3 weeks and he passed quietly in his sleep.  I'm ok..it was a long and horrible path to heaven.....I know he is happier now.
     
    Here's my latest drawing I've done in his memory 
     
    RIP Allen
     
    My Flickr page to see the nest building http://www.flickr.com/photos/jizogarden/ 

    The week before I lost my brother I brought home a puppy from the SPCA. Hoping to partially fill the hole left in our home since loosing sweet Smudgy.  The puppy ended up being pure mayhem...being 6-9 months old he was like a wild teenager that had had no training.  If I would have had the energy and the cats wouldn't have been so miserable I might have tried to keep him.  He went to a great home being trained as a medical alert dog.

    We are going to get a Glen of Imaal puppy (true puppy)....they look so much like my sweet Smudge and their temperament seems to be much more layed back :)  The puppy should be ready in 19 weeks....summer :)  

    Life has been very fast and hard and weird lately.....I have been doing lots of drawings to work our the chaos.....here's a drawing I've been doing over the last few days since loosing my brother.  A student of mine brought me this little nest the morning of my brothers passing...I got a call from his son saying he had passed at about the same time.

    ps...boobs are fine...not perfect but fine =}
     
    I am on our FB page often...I am sorry I haven't been here much lately...life has been a bit of a mess.  Gina I love your "hug" photo, so funny :)   Elaine so glad you dog is feeling better <3...I wish I could go fly fishing with you...I even have my own rod ;)  Here's the funny part...I know how to cast and could do it for hours...but I've never released a fish on my own...so worried about hurting the fish I haven't ever put a hook on my line!!!!! =P 
     
    Wishing you all the best...with piles of courage and healing.....(((((((Kat)))))))) ((((((((all))))))))
     
    xox
    Laura ♥
  • bcincolorado
    bcincolorado Member Posts: 5,758
    edited February 2012

    Oh Laura, I'm sorry to hear about your brother.  I don't facebook and I know there are some others of us that don't too, so I'm not totally in the "dark ages" alone. :)  That is a beautiful drawing.  What emotion   you can see in there.  You are very talented.  My heart goes out to you and your family.

    Kat, you are in my prayers. 

  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited February 2012

    Gosh Laura--I don't do facebook either.  So very sorry about your brother.  Your picture just made me cry..... so very beautiful.  The puppy sounds like a wonderful match, & I had a similar experience with the last rescue we tried.  Just wasn't working, so we ended up with the buckmeister.

    Kat, vent away..... {{{HUGS}}}

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