2012 sisters

Good morning ladies. 8 weeks pfc. 1.5 weeks since re do lumpectomy. The surgery side is finally smaller than the 'normal' side. Still lumpy and sore though but getting better. I found some hair goo when I was cleaning out a cupboard in my bathroom. I used it to get my. Hair to stick up since it likes to grow flat since it started coming back after chemo. I updated my avatar to it.



We had a fun day yesterday. My husband convinced me to try one last car before I made a decision, drove a Porsche cayman yesterday. Omg was that fun. It's lucky I didn't get arrested for some of the speeds I ws doing. I fell in love, move over DH. Wild be nice to spend money on a car instead of medical bills. Will have to wait a bit but a girl can dream.



It's finally cooler and rainy today. Had a nice drizzly walk today. Not going to do much of anything this afternoon.



I find cursing therapeutic too. Luckily I dont feel the urge today, yet.



My skin turns red easily near the incision too. I think it is just really sensitive now since the blood supply is probably different. Hope it calms down and no infections!



Heal fast and hugs to all that need it to ward off side effects. We will win!



If you need a pick me up though nothing like driving an expensive fast car for fun. Made me feel alive!

My brother got married yesterday in Hawaii. Dr said my white blood cells were ok to travel, but no sun and no swimming. So I got to see the beautiful view of the lobby all weekend.

SHAVING SOLUTION...!



So until I uploaded the photo to photobucket I couldn't post this but right after my surgery my friend who had a BMX in March brought me a BC Goodie Bag. Included was this mirror. It suctions to the shower wall (I rent so ignore my ugly shower color...it hides behind a very nice curtain) anyway the mirror PIVOTS so I can SEE WHAT I CANNOT FEEL. no blood and no hair!

I use the shick intuition razor (also hanging on my shower wall) and the soap around the blade also protects what I can't feel.

Ok that's it. Get shaving ladies!



http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p265/jenniferhochman/?action=view&current=photo.jpg

Welcome to all of the newcomers.  You're here with a phenomenal group of women.  

Well, my 4th and final AC this Wednesday. I will be glad.  I've been told my taste buds should recover, and I really hope so.  I can taste some things pretty well, but that metal taste won't go away no matter if I use plastic utensils, constantly brush my teeth or rinse with salt & baking soda or Biotene.  Yuck! I'm told Taxol is better. We'll see.

Wishing everyone the best who are having treatments this week.  

Can someone tell me when my hair will start to come out? At 14 days after 1st treatment or after 2nd treatment to AC? And when will my sense of taste go? Those are the 2 SEs I'm dreading most. This wouldn't be so bad without them. **sigh**

jpmom - love the new avatar.

2fried - that is too funny about your husband. I can see it would be a challenge for him now. Maybe give him a shot - you never know.

tpolychron - so glad you got to get away some, although sorry you couldn't fully partake...

Hope everyone else had a great weekend.

As for me - today I yelled FU cancer in all caps at the top of my lungs. Had a super fun family day and will admit that we took our kids to the Wiggles concert. As much as I find them to be totally annoying, my kids LOVE them - and boy did they have a good time. Got a little teary eyed watching them enjoy, as in my head I was chanting "FU cancer - you can't take this away from me!!!" Today's score was Me - 1; BC - 0.

Giant hugs to you all. Hope tomorrow is a great day!

Scorchy  thats funny!!! Luv it. When I have alittle more time I want to read thru somemore-got a kick out of what I've seen so far tho lol Thanks

Juneau Thats a great set up but my air tufts that I cant get to are like right where the coconut shell curves into the pit and I can't smooth the skin or stretch it to get the raisor over it. Lol I'm pitiful. I was laying on my couch today and my husband came in and started laughing said man you're laying down but those Madonna boobs are headed straight towards the ceiling.                     

About the hair I didn't need chemo but I wondered about those penquin caps and if anyone looked into them? They probably cost a fortune huh?

teaballmom thats great on your final AC!

Tpoly wow that's a heck of a thing-Hawaii and no sun or swimming! That might even be harder than living in Florida but having to avoid situations that make me perspire! lol

I started this journey or whatever you want to call it with a routine mammogram on July 12, 2012. Several small cancers are detected from mammo, ultrasound and biopsy in left breast. Seeing surgeon on Wednsday to discuss mastectomy. Now, I'm starting to wonder if a simple mammo could have missed something in the right Breast. I'm a large gal, and a DD cup at this time, so I'm a bit nervous that something could have been missed. I don't want to go thru surgery & treatment, to turn around in 6-12 months and have to start all over again.



I do intend to speak to my surgeon this week about my concerns, but have any of you dealt with this? Or is it too soon to know?



This sucks!!! But, you all already know that.



Blessings

Paula

Soteria - you should absolutely talk to your surgeon about your concerns. You could get a sono on your right side to find out more. My surgeon did that as a matter of course. This is all about your body - no one else's. So ask away - it is your right. Good luck and big hugs. The beginning part of this process after diagnosis is so hard but you'll get through it. We are all here for you!

I haven't had any scans yet other than ultrasound of the left breast. Having some insurance issues. I got a letter a day or two ago that they refused to pay for a pet scan. I didn't even know one had been ordered.



I will have new insurance on October 1, that's why I'm hopeful, surgery can be put off til then. I will take the surgeons advice though. If he thinks it's too aggressive to wait, I won't.



I was doing some research. Is Herceptin used only for metastatic breast cancer? Or pretty much all Er+/PR+ ?



I feel so blessed to have all you wonderful ladies to help through this difficult time. I may have never met you, but I love you all just the same.



Blessings

Paula

My advice is don't research your cancer until you know the details of your specific case. There are SO many variations that you'll go crazy. At each phase in the journey there are more tests and more information which lead to various treatment recommendations. Its Just too confusing.



That said I THINK herceptin its for HR2+ pathology treatment. I don't need that for my particular pathology. I get tomaxifen since I'm pre menopausal AND hormone receptor positive. see what I mean... AFTER surgery another test was run on my mass and that test is what was used to suggest that chemotherapy would be warranted in my case; in others the same test might give a no chemo result....



I tried to figure out what was happening to me too, but truth is you just have to sweat it out until you see the BS.

Soteria - agree with Juneaubug, too much research before you talk to the BS can just be confusing and overwhelming. The BS can advise you re: right breast.

It is too bad that you are having the insurance issues, so much else to deal with at this time without that on top of everything.

Herceptin is only used for HER2 positive and there are different protocols, it is given intravenously, I will get mine with my last three of six chemo, on a every three week basis with Taxotere and then every three weeks for 14 more times, adding up to about a year.



McCook - we will get you through this week, one day at a time



Ramols - good to hear about your fun family day



Tpoly - hope it was a beautiful lobby, glad you could get to the wedding



Enjoying the humor, and also thankful for the men who see us through this

2FriedEggs-Your comment about what your husband said when you're lying down was exactly what my DH said to me all the time now. Whenever I'm lying down, its staying straight up and not moving. So when I'm 70, my foobs will still be 35. LOL!!!

Soteria205-Sorry about your insurance issues, when I got diagnosed my doctor ordered MRI and CAT scan before doing anything else. The MRI of both breasts was to see if there was anything they missed on the US and get a better look at the breasts and what's in there. The CAT scan is to see if the cancer has spread anywhere else in the body. Then from there the doc will know how to start your treatment. You really should ask your BS in your next appointment about your concerns. Also herceptin is used for breast cancer with HER2+ and not Er+/PR+, and no its not only for metastatic breast cancer. Actually herceptin is used on metastatic breast cancer patients without chemo (patients who've done different chemo cocktails and has no other alternative), from my research it helps these stage IV breast cancer patients a great deal. Now herceptin is also used for early stage cancer in combination with chemo. 

 mcook301-The dye the day before your surgery is for SNB right? Well, I had mine done the morning of my NSBMX and it was 4 injections around the tumor. It was done under 5 mins, first the put some kind of numbing cream on the area and wait a few minutes and then they start injecting. It felt like bee stings, if you ever had one. Or if not then it felt like a flu shot (kind of) but in your breast. Each one was done in less than 10 seconds, what I found helped was taking a few big breathes when they start the injection and then hold it for a little while and then exhale. Don't worry, it'll be over soon. Will be thinking about you on that day and saying a pray for you.

Wow! This forum has exploded with newcomers since Friday when I last posted! Welcome, girls, none of us asked to be here. but this is a go-o-o-o-o-d place to be. You will get support, sympathy and excellent advice from women who know exactly what this is about.

Mcook, I had the dye injection the afternoon before my UMX, and it did not hurt one bit, honestly, and it is over before you know it. They told me it might burn a little, but I felt nothing at all. Hope it is like that for you too. 

Juneaubugg, your scalp will begin to feel strangely 'sore' first. A few days after that your hair will begin to fall out, anything from 14 to 21 days after your first chemo. It is a very weird feeling when you realize it's happening at last, because there is absolutely zilch you can do to prevent it. That's when I had mine shaved off, also because there was hair everywhere, and it was just so gross and upsetting. The scalp soreness was gone after that. About the taste - I'm thinking if you still have your taste, it is not going to go. Lucky you!

Jpmomof3, that Porsche sounds like it is just what the doctor ordered - will be worth the wait.

Everybody have a good night's rest! 

My thanks to you, juneaubugg.

I have to say that when I was first diagnosed there was--from the sentinal node FNA--no lymph involvement (though I am aware that can change).  But that was a month ago.  And, call me crazy, but I am feeling some mild discomfort under my arm now.  Hard to tell in an . . . ahem . . . ample woman, but the right pit feels a little different.  Well the whole underarm does.  Like there is mild swelling along my side next to the boob.

Guess it's another trip to the surgeon to investigate.  Curious as to any one else with lymphs involved--do you feel anything when you're not intentionally poking around?  Mild swelling or something?

Tamoxifen is beginning to disrupt my sleep now.  Grrrrrrr . . .