Has anyone started a Dec 2011 group?

Hi Ladies!



Well, I got my pet scan results on Thursday in prep for surgery. My lump is gone and the report even stated there is evidence of my tumor being resected (removed) yet I havent had a surgery yet!



So, after, chemo almost killing me and not being able to complete it, and my lump being so close to my chest wall and having vascular invasion, I have opted to have a BMX. Is that crazy? When the surgeon came in she said we can schedule the lumpectomy, i looked at her nd asked how she felt bout a BMX. I gave her my reasons, she understands. She said she has had some of her young patients choose this option. So, next Friday I go under the knife.



I am 33 and i have two kids and i want to feel like I did everything I could to ease my peace of mind. I am afraid of looking back and saying what if...



Did any of you ladies choose to have a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy?

I also chose BMX and don't regret it one bit. Was given the choice of lumpectomy, UMX or BMX. All Drs (except my Aunt, she's my ob Gyn) said it was my decision, they wouldn't steer me one way or the other. My Aunt emphatically said "do the BMX and get it over with". When I told my BS what I decided, we could see he was "physically relieved, gave a big sigh" and said he thinks I made the right choice. Also, I couldn't believe how supportive the nurses were in the hospital. They also said it was the best thing to do, they see so many women coming back. I was also surprised how many nurses had breast cancer...three of the nurses taking care of me were BC survivors, the youngest 33.

Sunrise I totally agree with you. My tumor has pretty much melted away from chemo. It was almost 5cm and now my onc can't even feel it during an exam. Being 30 with 2 little ones, it feels like the right decision for me. I haven't met with my surgeon yet to discuss it, but my onc agrees with me.

Dougieswife: yes! Even the nurse that checked me in for my BMX had BC. So that makes 4... That I had contact with at the hospital... Geesh that seems like a lot.

Markat thanks for the well wishes, I am glad you got good news today. We all deserve done good news! I am happy to say my picc line is out and a rang the bell very loud to announce the completion of my chemo. That damn picc was a thorn in my side for the last 18 weeks so I feel liberated to have it gone. I know that cone Friday I will feel a little crappy but better by Wednesday. They had helium balloons tied to the outside railing when we got home. The balloons were to be launched representing the end of chemo!



Kelly best wished to you tomorrow! Ring the bell and don't look back.



It is funny how when we are in the dr's office they talk about how young we are like it is not of the norm. I myself am beginning to think that this disease is attacking more of the 35-45 age group more than ever. So I keep exercising and had a discussion today with my onc about removing those ovaries, she didn't seem to think that is necessary. What is everyones medical team saying about this?

So many crossing the finish line! Very excited for each and every one of you!

I'm not ER+, just HER2.  HOWEVER....I'm going to print this chart that I found on Herceptin's website that said HER2 cells can be found on the ovaries and see what they have to say about that.  Ovarian cancer scares the crap out of me because I have always had bad cramps and cysts and bloating as the norm for me, which, I think are all the symptoms of ovarian cancer, too. (other than the cysts) Those are my reasons that I want to have them removed.  I just figure that whatever I can get taken out to reduce risks, I will.  Maybe I will lighten up about it all when I am on the other side of all of this stuff.  

With being ER+, you should have no problem convincing them, I woud think.  I know that when we were being told everything that "could" happen in the very beginning, they said if mine were ER+ that I would have them removed.  I haven't talked to my OB/GYN yet about it, but hoping I can get her on board with it. 

Whata - thanks!  I will still have to go back to the infusion center until December for Herceptin but being done with TCH is going to be great!  I don't know if they have a bell, but if they do I will be ringing it!

Sunrise - I opted for the bmx when I tested positive for brca2. That's also why the ovaries are probably the next on my hit list. There are plenty of reasons to consider a bmx. I found once I started getting my mind around about a umx, the bmx almost became a no-brainer. Good luck with your decision. And fantastic news on the scan!

whatashocker - I'm ER- so I don't know whether there are any levels of being ER+ that would be the minimum for suggesting an ooph. It's definitely worth having the conversation.

Markat - Congratulations on your last tx! Just a few more days and that light at the end of the tunnel should start heading your way.

I had a pretty good day, including a good orchestra rehearsal. I'm so thankful that, other than missing some rehearsals because of being so tired, none of the SEs have seriously affected my violin playing - or my work, for that matter. I heard so many stories about serious chemo brain and neuropathy, and while I've had some tingling, so far my hands are still functioning at about normal level. Who knows what happens after #6, but I'm thankful I've made it this far.

I haven't heard about the bell-ringing - is that a tradition at some infusion centers?

Ding dong my chemo's done!  Just finished my last TCH today.  Now it's time to move on to Herceptin alone, rads and Tamoxifen.  Yay!!

Hooray!!!!! Glad the chemo is over. Hope you have a wonderful weekend with minimal SE's. Hope the CO-Q10 is the magic help for your muscle pain.  Continue to hang tough-you inspire me.

Hugs   Eileen

YAY for being D-O-N-E, Done!!!

Here's a little interesting thing that happened today.  I met with the research nurse for my shingles vaccine today and I was telling her about my plan to tell the dr. that I would only do #6 if I could have an overnight stay at the hospital for fluids and pain meds, etc.  #5 was horrid...even with all the nausea meds I still ended up in the ER for fluids and throwing up the whole way to the hospital...not fun.  ANYWAY...she says, why don't we just move your tx day to Thursday, that way your bad day will be Monday and you can just come here all day for fluids.  EVERY tx I get horribly sick Sunday late afternoon...like clockwork!  So...my final tx will be on THURSDAY not Wednesday next week.  I hope this plan works!!  The only thing that worries me is the 45 minute drive and the potential for feeling really bad on the way home.  

OMG...I typed this all out HOURS and HOURS ago and thought I had posted it...oops...NOT!!!! 

Hi. Lots going on with the ladies here!



I also chose BMX, tho could have gone with UMX or a nasty Lumpectomy. The surgery and recovery aren't a whole lot worse btw UMX and BMX, and I have great peace of mind.

Lori - sounds like a great plan for your final chemo.  I hope it works for you!  Your splinter story made me laugh out loud.  I hope your toe is feeling better.

You are all crossing or getting close to crossing the finish line.  Woo hoo! 

Today is day 3 of my last tx.  I feel pretty good except I got hit bad yesterday with some Big C.  Ugh!  To me that is the worst!  I pounded some MOM last night, no luck so I took some Miralax thins morning....sweet relief!  Now I feel like a human being again.  Sorry if this is TMI ladies but I imagine we've heard it all and who else can I tell this stuff to?

The weather has changed here in Ohio and it's dreary and 60 today.  Actually I am good with that as it will force me to do some work in the house.  Tomorrow is usually when the pain hits me so I will try to make the best of today.  Thank God it's the last time I have to do it!

Markat - I hope your SE's ease up on you.  It sucks that we can't cross the finish line feeling good.

Rachel - Good luck to you on your last tx next week.  You've done amazing with work and staying in the orchestra...not alot of people could do that.

To anyone else I missed....I hope everyone has a peaceful and enjoyable weekend.