MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
Comments
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Dianarose - I live in a area that is mostly Hispanic. From what I was told through a good source, Hispanics but nature do not ask a lot of questions - they just go with whatever they are told. The majority of my medical team is Hispanic. Don't get me wrong - I loved my BS and he is from Mexico. For whatever reason, they just go with the moment and whatever looks good then, that is what you get. Of course, I did not have a clue what to ask and found a wealth of information here and well after the fact.
I started Tamoxifen Jan 3, 2011 and will finish on Jan 3, 2016 so I have a ways to go.
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Came home today and planted my onions, potatoes and brussel sprouts. Hopefully will get everything else planted this weekend. My mom called and we were talking about my upcoming surgery and I said I really need to have my house cleaned really well before surgery. Later she called me back and said instead of sending me flowers in the hospital she would have her cleaning people come and clean my house for me beforehand. She is going to come stay with us the first week I am home as DH will need to work to keep paying for all these medical bills.
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Sherryc, What a great, loving mom-thing to do! Be good to her this Mother's Day! I never tried growing my own brussels sprouts, but I like to buy them on the stalk when I can find them that way because they stay fresher. One of the many "anti-cancer" veggies, and so tasty.
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Sherry - What a wonderful gift from your mom. I'm sure you will enjoy her company and the help that first week.
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jo1955- when you have your recon are they going to be able to save your nipple even though you had radiation? Sorry to keep asking so many guestions of you, but you are so helpful. It just keeps amazing me how many different answers each doc will give. Thank you.
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lisamarie - hang in there with the no smoking. It is hard, but does get easier as you go along. I tried so many times to quit that I finally became really good at it. It has been 12 yrs since I had my last cigarette. This is one instance where being a quitter is a good thing.
Sherry - I can't wait to get into my garden this spring. I will have to wait a while yet as I am looking out the window at the snow falling today. Your mom sounds wonderful - what a gift that she is able to come and be with you after surgery. And of course the cleaning is a definate bonus!
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Sherry sounds fabulous , My mom also wants to come help me as I live alone . what a great gift ..xoxo as far as the veggies go I am soo excited for spring and a little bit jealouse as we are not able to plant here yet . I work doing private duty nursing and the family is all organic .. my patients daughter has an organic farm and I voulenteer my time on my days off .. we too have brussell sprouts , arugala , potatoes .. oh boy sooo good .. there is nothing like the garden and getting my hands dirty and the good ole sunshine that warms the heart .. anyway I am looking foward to it all ..
My PBMX with immediate recon is in April and I am hoping to heal and be able to do the gardening this year with no problems its really serenity ..
sending you all Hugs and my prayers and best wishes xoxoxo
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Thanks Barsco , today is day 4 but I feel a bit better .. I know it all takes time ... I just gotta keep busy ... the cravings last for a min or two .. lots of deep breaths .. I am trying sooo hard this time .. Just wanna be healthy
thanks for the support xoxo -
Lisamarie, I quit smoking some 30 years ago, right at the same time there was a quit smoking campaign in one of our local papers. No question about it, it's difficult for most of us to quit. I remember distinctly day 13 I was having a particularly hard time not to give in. That evening I read in the paper that day 13 was also a difficult day for those who had signed up. I think after that it became much easier. One thing I said to myself is that I'm not quitting forever, just until I'm 65. I was 24 at the time. That seemed to help too. To this day I still have dreams once in a while that I've had a cigarette and in my dream I'm so angry at myself and think "darnit, now I have to start all over again".
Good for you. And good luck.
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Dinarose.....I hope your biopsy comes back normal. I know the waiting is awful. We'll wait with you fo course.
LisaMarie...it is absolutely GREAT you are at 4 days! I know how tough it is, I quit a year and a half ago. Before BC thank goodness. Just focus on all the extra money you will save. What i did was wash all my coats and jackets and things I wore when I smoked. I wanted the odors gone, and I became much more aware of the smoke smell on my clothes after I quit. Much luck!
Sherry....I hope your upcoming surgery goes well. I know it is a few weeks away, but I will be thinking of you and of course there will be a big crowded pocket party!
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Hey Ladies..............
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Dianarose - Ask as many questions as you like and I will try to answer them. My PS told me he is going to get my nipple back here it belongs. Right now it points down and to the left. There are some tops I won't wear because I can see that poor nipple. It is interesting, I went and had a professional bra fitting and I am a whole size smaller on the BC side. I have been trying to tell my doctors that but they don't get it - can you guess - they are all males. Sheesh! My PS did say my radiated breast looked really good and there will be no problem doing the LD flap. I will keep you posted as the time gets closer for the surgery. You are more than welcome to PM me anytime with questions or if you just want to talk.
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WOW, I am still in shock!!!! My doctor called me this morning and the 2nd biopsy is B-9. She said now the choices are mine (1st biopsy IDC). I asked her about recurrance if I were to chose the lumpectomy and she said it increases the odds by 2% verses a MX. She said I am a good canidate for mammosite radiation. I am glad for that because the radiation on the other side has caused me a lot of issues. They got my lung and I woke up in the night and couldn't breath. Fluid had gotten trapped between scar tissue and the lung lining. That was not a good time. I have posted some questions on the mammosite thread, but no one else has been there in awhile. Has anyone had mammosite radition? I just want to know what it was like. I am done with surprises. You are all so helpful. I had asked my bs a question last week and she said,"Wow, no one has ever asked me that before, smart question." I never would have known to ask most of the questions if it weren't for all of you. Thank You!!!!
JO1955- I don't have much left on my left side, now the right side will match
. It doesn't bother me so much because I am single and if someone wants me they get me the way I am. It will weed out all the shallow men. The pickins will be thin.
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Dianarose - I was also a candidate for mammosite rads but was not able to follow through with it. Between the BS and RO, they could not get the balloon to fit in the lump cavity. The cavity was the wrong shape - they were trying to make a round object fit in an oblong space - not happening. I think there are one or two that has had it and I hope they come along and help you.
Congrats on the B9 results. I know you will chose the option that is best for you.
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Dinarose I love your attitude about men! You are so right, a good man will care no matter what the surgery has left you with. As long as you are okay with it, that is all that matters. Thin pickings or not, hopefully you will eventually find a real good sincere man. That is what matters most. I am so glad to learn that your biopsy was benign. That is wonderful news.
Kitty Girl on here had mammosite rads. She works two jobs and is very busy, but she does pop into read and I am sure when she sees this she will be happy to help you with any question regarding mammosite rads. She is very sweet and will be very helpful as well.
Jo I have no idea what my BC breast will look like once the LE therapy is over. Funny, because now it is probably a full cup larger than my good breast! I am curious what it will look like after the swelling finally goes down. Saggy and baggy to match the other side I fear! I can't keep the LE (LOL) but it makes the BC breast higher and firmer. I like that but of course it will vanish soon.
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Dianarose congrats on the B9 results. I am sure someone will come forward regarding the mammosite
Lisamarie one day at a time. I have never smoked so I cannot say how hard it is. I do have a funny story on DH. He quit smoking 25 years ago. During the holidays when the kids were home he fell asleep in his recliner and he must have been dreaming of smoking because he raised his had up to his lips like he was taking a drag. We all laughed and he thought we made it up the next day when we told him about it.
I do have a wonderful Mom. She is very lonely since my Dad passed away. She hates being at home at night by herself. So I think she is looking forward to packing up herself and her dog and staying at my house for a week.
As for the garden I had put some veges in my flowerbeds the year before BC. I decided after BC that I wanted to start eating healthier and we are very limited at out small rural grocery store so it just made sence to start gardening on a larger scale. I have found that I love doing it.
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haha great story sherry about the cig lol ..
Dianarose congrats on the B9 .. wooo hooo
as far as men .. Im alone so no worries here ' and sherry Moms and gardens are great !
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Dianarose, I had the mammosite (it was a Contura balloon, actually) inserted about a week after my lump surgery, but it had to come out a few days later. One very uncomfortable weekend with it in place had me reaching for the hydrocodone (and my pain threshhold is not that low.) Mine felt like a ping pong ball was in there! Anyway, it had to come out because after the insertion and the saline fill, my surface skin stretched and had become too thin. If they did mammosite, I could have lost a patch of skin because the radiation would have been too close and damaging. I think it is not that uncomfortable for many women, but probably depends on depth and location. KittyGirl was happy with hers. On the other hand, I did well on the whole breast radiation. I don't know that one is "better" but the mammosite can be more convenient, taking less time. However, although the mammosite radiation is five days, plan to have the balloon in place 8-10 days, as there is usually a day or more of prep., and then a weekend falls in there too.
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Elimar-I thought they could put it in at the time of surgery
. The cancer center is over an hour away, so 5 days is much better plus with the price of gas if I were to go the other route would be awful. My cancer is very deep. That is why they said I was a good canidate. -
Yes, it can be put in at the time of surgery too. I'm not sure why some do it afterward. Mine was done by the same BS, but in his office surgery suite. I had a lot of bleeding too, and he had to give me a couple of stitches, but that is unusual. There is some home maintenance with the mammosite, like swabbing the area with the iodine solution and changing a gauze. They showed my husband how to do it. I think you can do it yourself, but it is more awkward. Any opening, like that, can invite infection, so antibiotics are often given during the treatment time. That's about all I remember.
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Antibiotics are not my friend. I am allergic to most and the others give me a yeast infection. This is not going to be a fun ride, but I am already on the train so I can't get off now. I don't have a DH so I will be doing this myself. I will get through it with the help of all of you. My depression has improved since I found you guys. I was feeling so alone before. I was wondering about the pain associated with mammosite. I had some burning the first round with the other radiation, but I used aloe straight from the fridge each day and it help. That side hurts more now even though it's been over 7 yrs.
I am jealous of all of you who can plant your gardens already. We are supposed to get a foot of snowman poop tomorrow.Yuk!!
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Dianarose, I had the mammosite rads and it all went very smoothly. The balloon catheter was inserted on a Friday and I started rads on that next week. Get a front closure sports bra (got mine at Walmart) and it will work well for holding the catheter and bandage after each treatment. I also used baby wipes to clean for that week and only took a sit bath as needed. The catheter came out with no pain or problems. Healing went well. Be sure to get the information on massage of the site after healing so you can work on the reduction and breakup of the scar tissue from the balloon. I did all this and have not had any problems since. The balloon was filled with 60ml of saline water (the max). Going twice a day for one week you really feel pampered and the hard part was loosing that awesome feeling after treatment was done.
Anyway, it was the best decision I made with the doc and so glad it worked out. I really hope it works out for you too. Congrats on the B9 results too! Kitty
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Lisamarie:
Congrats on quiting smoking. It's the hardest thing to do but you will be so grateful that you did. I smoked for 30+ years and quite 10 years ago. It's so nice not to worry if you'll be caught out and no cigs, does your breath or clothes stink, can you find someplace to smoke - oh well you know all the ins and outs. For a long time I would sniff people "fresh" smoke but now I can't stand it and can smell it before I see the person.
Just hang in there and take it a minute at a time, you can do it!
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Who ever mentioned being alone above, never fear! Those of us with DH's sometimes feel alone too. My DH has 3 brain tumours and an upcoming surgery for kidney cancer. Last night we sat on the couch side by side with only a tray for tea between us. I gently trimmed and filed my toenails and then topped up the nail polish on all 10 toes. My side of the couch stretches to a chaise, so my antics were spread out for an extra 3 feet.
Anyway, about 5 minutes later, my DH jumps up and says I smell something burning. I had him check the oven as we had a pizza in there (I ate salad only, of course) and I figured he'd left the plastic wrap or the cardboard bottom on. He went back and forth a couple of times but swore the smell was stronger near the stairs. I asked again what kind of smell and he said not burning, more like a nail polish remover smell (I hadn't used remover, just polish)!!!! Duh!!
I was able to inform him that I had just given myself a mini-pedi right in front of him and hadn't he noticed? Nope, he says, he was just looking forward at the TV.
So you see, some of us live alone even though there is an extra body in house...sigh.
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Thanks Kitty, it makes me feel good about my decision. What was your pain level and how long does each treatment take?
Elimar- You are a very strong lady. A great inspiration.
Sherry- I love gardening. I am going to start my little green house next month. I do a lot of canning. It tastes so much better. One of my sons is tapping his maple trees right now. He loves to cook and grows a big garden too. This year we are going to try to grow pop corn.
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((((Barbe))))
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Barbe...hugs.. having a DH that sometimes is in his own world.. but for the most part is my Rock
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thanks girls .. day 4 and going strong without cigs ..
now cooking a pepper steak dinner .. yum .. then off to a AA meeting and hoping the night will go smooth .. had a walk today before the rains came so the fresh air helped .. nice day off .. back to work tomorrow ... ur all great to me Hugs and prayers -
Hey what with all the 3's in the pic Eli or is that just the design?
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Paula66, That is a female skydive team "leaping" into a formation. I guess the outer part does look like '3's (or in other orientations 'M's or 'W's or Greek Sigmas) but I think they were just going for SWIRLY.
If anyone has counted the total women in that shot, let me know. I haven't yet, but it must be over 100!
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