December 2011 Surgeries - want to wait together?

Six months....SIX MONTHS!!!! Did any of us ever think this day would come?

I remember as we waited together as a group; anxiously awaiting our own surgery dates, and cheering on those who went before us. (And envying them as well.....we just wanted it to be over!)

Then the long weeks of recovery and recuperation....the challenges and the successes....

I don't think any of us are completely finished, but I just want to thank all of you for being such a great group of sisters to go through this with!!!

YAY US!!!!

Spent yesterday at the ER -  the neck pain I had been experiencing was much worse.  Seems like I have a disc 'issue'.  Now have to go to a neurosurgeon for consult.

Feel better, Fitz. It seems neverending at times.

Fitz-I am so sorry.  I hope it isn't too involved and you don't have to undergo any procedure to get some relief.

Ginger..I think I'll start out with the nose and mouth one for my second study, how did you do it?



Spunky, did you ever find another plastic surgeon? I'm going with Dr. Song UofC.

Bogie my machine is a Philips respironic Remstar. When I went for the study they tried a couple different masks to see what worked best. The mouth and nose one worked best for me because I breathe through my mouth at times. Let me know how you do. I am still adjusting but am definitely getting more restful sleep.

It's so hard to believe 6 months has gone by..in one way it has gone fast, but the day before I found out I had breast cancer seems like it is years ago.



Fitz - are you feeling any better?



It's 5 days out from surgery and I'm doing pretty well. Yesterday was my follow up apt and the nurse removed the bandages. I'm getting used to seeing my boobs in progress. They are kind of like droopy man boobs right now. They really aren't too pretty - but hopefully by oct they will be close to what they were before. My legs are terribly bruised from where they took the donor fat, but getting better each day.



Something or nothing hit me yesterday. After she took off the bandages, talked about taking out the staples and then started messing with drains I passed out. Passed out and peed all over everything. You'd think I'd never mention it again, but I'm still so stunned and annoyed (1 more wicked breast cancer 1sts) I have no shame and am trying to laugh at it.



Hope everyone is doing well!

Have been unable to get an appointment with neuro- doc (I leave messages, but they don't call back - and I prefer to go here as it keeps all docs in the same general area) However, today have appt. with PS to remove stitches so plan to go to the neuro and stand there until I can get an appt.  I thought it was better, but this morning DH leaned over to give me kiss goodbye and he slightly jiggled the bed and I cried out in pain.  That is not normal.  Also, the ER gave me meds (600 mg Ibuprofen) for 5 days.  Friday is day 5 so hope PS can give something for the weekend - if not, otc Motrin to the rescue.

Aw, faithhopenluv - been there, done that, after a few painful/gruesome procedures.

After all you've been through, there's no shame involved! I'm sure it wasn't the first time for that nurse, and it won't be the last time, either, that someone has a reaction.

Big hugs to you! And prayers for good healing!!

Fitzdc - hope you get that appt ASAP! How frustrating. Hopefully, the PS will understand and help with meds.

Well, I am just doing this all backwards. I sought a referral for the LE that bugs my delayed flap, and found myself today in the intake interview for a "survivorship" program with a shiny binder to keep all my medical details in. I wish I'd started here in, oh, May 2010 when I had the damned biopsy. Anyway, their services include psycho-oncology and I will get a referral to the psychiatrist. I have been going 110% on my obligations, but I have less than no interest in anything non-obligatory. I am alive but not living. No idea how long the referral wait is but if it stops the huge suckage that this is, it will be worth the wait.

Goldlining- I know what you mean about doing things backwards. I did not find BCO till 4 months after my diagnosis and first surgery. When I got here, I could not believe that I hadn't found it sooner. But better late than never. Glad you will get some help. If you learn anything that will generally be helpful; come back and share it with your December sisters!

Faith-Yay to no drains!!!

Thanks Ginger...I think I re noticed our paths are similar, including brca2. Can I ask you your grade and oncotype score?



As far as venting...I live alone and sometimes some of the most lonely and scary times are the weekends and I'm reading about bc and having the worst days on chemo all at the same time. I wonder how I'll practically handle things if it should come back. As bad as a few of my chemo days were, they can't be as bad as being stage iv with no one around. These ard the only times I really cry.

Ginger - xxxoo...i went from total meltdown (in my private office) to my gf picking me up for an hour walk to your email. There are just those moments, and actuality, the good ones do outweigh the bad.

I guess I haven't figured out what the femara is for....is that considered an anti-hormonal??  Is that causing your inflammation?  About 6 years ago I had horrible inflamation and shoulder tendonitis. It was chicken egg which caused which.  I remember I couldn't sit in a car without having to unfold myself joint by joint on getting out of the car.  I missed 6-7 weeks of work and barely could sleep in a chair.  Is that the kind of thing you call inflammation???  Celebrex did help.  My CR-P was off the chart, but my Sed Rate was normal (the latter which tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis).  I never did figure out what was wrong with me, but I did cut sugar out of my diet, worked on my ergonomics at work, had a PT give me neck and shoulder massages and it slowly went away.  I've always wondered if the x-ray I got of my shoulder area caused my cancer!  Let me know what the rheumatologist thinks.....please.  Shoulders are tough enough.