Too early for April 2012 mastectomy?

My BS laughed at me today because I just couldn't quite understand that I am cancer free now. The last six months have been so crazy that it's just so weird that I'm cancer free!



After reading my path report they did take an axillary node to test. I was hoping she hadn't because of lymphedema.

Markat - cancer free!!! Woohoo!!!

Lisamarie, please don't beat yourself up.  You have been through so much.  We all want you to be healthy and quitting smoking is part of that.  Make sure he knows your financial situation and how important it is to you that you work.  You want to come out on the other side healthier than you went in, right?  Baby steps.

Mardibra - good luck today!

It's weird - I started having night sweats about six months before I found my lump.  I woke up drenched. I thought I might be heading for menopause, but I do wonder if my body was telling me something. I haven't had them since the surgery.

Hi all

Dianarose I was putting nicotine patches on both arms and on my back, after surgery I only used my right arm and my back.

Lisamarie there's been lots of times when I nearly started smoking again. The other week I just about had a smoke and the next day I found out that my sister had given up then I was glad that I hadn't started again, especially the same week that she stopped.

I came home early from work again today, you don't realise how much it takes out of you.

whats a couple of cigarettes?  You can quit again.  Mini relapse.  Chin up girl!

lisamarie, Addictions are so hard to get a handle on......my addiction is to sweets like ice cream, cookies, chocolate.....My whole immediate family smoked and I've seen them struggle to quit.  At least you made it 6 weeks....now you know you can do it!  I've learned in my weight loss battle that I can't kick myself for slipping up.  I just have to shake myself and crawl right back up on the wagon and hold on tight.  The same works for smoking.  Don't beat yourself up.  You are only human and have gone through so much in the last few months.  Pat yourself on the back and get back on board.  We are pulling for you!

I fell asleep on the couch last night and woke up a few hours later drenched.  I've been waking up in the middle of the night because I'm too hot.  There might be something to that idea that our bodies are getting rid of toxins or our hormones are just all messed up because of the trauma our bodies have gone through recently.  I'm going on tamoxifen so I guess I better get used to those hot flashes and embrace them.  The Rad Onc did say that the first thing she recommends is 1000mg vitamin C and then there are some antidepressants that work to control hot flashes if the vitamin C doesn't work.

that makes sense that out bodies are reaction through hormones.. but i sweat so much get drenced it wakes me up have to change and try to get back to sleep

Hi ladies , PS was not mad at me at all he actually gave me a big hug and a kiss and said its okay . He said I looked great and was healing like a teenager .. wow and i thought something was wrong .. however i did not like the needles i felt them , and i could only take in 40 cc each side . he also informed me i didnt get any fill during surgery so this was the first . he doent fill at surgery . i am sore again but my right side hurts all way to my wrist . so i had to give in and take a percocet .. yuck !!! hate those things but it is easing my discomfort and he gave me a note to return to work , so i am praying they have days they can give me to ease my financial frustration .. hope everyones day went well . I am going to try to rest now .Hugs

I am curious about the night sweats. I had night sweats before my lumpectomy that they removed my surprise idc then again after my  separate lymph node biopsy. Not only that but the sweats had a strange odor-not like bo but something different. I had my dmx and no nodes removed a couple weeks ago and haven't had any sweats at all. Wonder if it has anything to do with the nodes or the cancer.

Lisamarie, that's awesome that your PS hugged you. Physicians could stand to be more affectionate, at least for the patients who want and need that. I would think that it's good for them, too. After all, doctors are people, too, and working with folks who are struggilng through health problems has to take its toll after a while. 

I had mad night sweats after I started chemo. I've always chalked it up to chemo-pause. Still have mild night sweats but nothing too bad.



First radiation appt today. Easy peasy. Sort of like an X-ray. One down, 34 more to go.



A doctor that hugs? That sounds nice!

Keonghi,mso sorry re nodes and more surgery/rad... Thinking of u! God luck to all of u starting chemo. On nightsweats... I am right there with u! But have been in peri menopause for so long...am used to it! I am bumming about TEs. I really hate them! There is not a minute in the day except when I am not sleeping or slouching that I don't feel like a boa constrictor is living in my chest, actually, when I focus on the fact that ii is my distended pectoral muscle, it actually makes me nauseous. So I try not to focus, I have worked so hard to be upbeat for the past2.5 months. I think I am starting to sink down for the first time. I am so eternally grateful to be healthy...I feel guilty complaining. I just hate how I feel now. Ugh!!! I

Ok I'm in the night sweat club too, post menopausal and now post surgery.........reminds me of when I first gave birth. Lisa Marie I admire your honesty with your Dr. I had a relasp and never said a word. I too think I got to start patches or gum. It sucks but when I look at how long I went without, gettng back on the band wagon won't be as hard. ( I hope)

What is everyones average fill. Mine is 35ml 3x week and today he said he did not want to fill me because of my radiated breast and lack of skin. So I don't know if I'm gonna get to that small C. I'm curious if anyone of you are done with fills and did you not get to your desired size. The fills Ihave had really hurt like crazy exspecially by my armpit by the chest. 

For all of you starting your chemo and rad treatments my prayers. This too shall pass. A little advise for nausia......Real natural Gingerale. 

I have a towel on my bed which helps with the sweats. Also keep a shirt nearby in case I have to change in the middle of the night. I started having hot flashes during chemo.

Good luck to all of you starting rads soon. My mother had DCIS when I was in high-school and I remember her going through radiation and her poor skin. Make sure you use the creams they suggest and exercises to avoid the lymphedema and cording.



Did any of your PS's rx just a muscle relaxer instead of all pain pills or Valium? I just think it would be better than the other stuff.