December 2011 Surgeries - want to wait together?

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  • Bogie
    Bogie Member Posts: 286
    edited September 2012

    Bogie Update:



    The meeting went well today and resulted in some good news. The breast cancer has NOT spread to my lungs or bones. Although breast cancer can spread to your kidneys it's rare, therefor right now they believe this is a secondary cancer that has been growing for years. We are hoping to save as much of the kidney as possible for a better long term survival rate. I'm scheduled for the latest technology with Davinci Robotics. It's amazing how far we have come with advanced medicine techniques. I'm going to one of the top surgeons and feel I'm in good hands.



    Good news is they feel the breast cancer has been nipped in the bud, and this is completely unrelated to this secondary cancer. I had a cat scan due to stomach bloat since my MX and this was found in error, no symptoms. Turns out stomache bloat has nothing to do with kidneys, so that portion still a mystery. I'm staying strong and going to fight it! Chemo or radiation does not help with kidney cancer so there is no follow up, other than ultrasounds every 3 months.



    God Bless you all and positive thoughts. I'm going back to trying to minimize my stress and get my fruits and veggies in.



    Hugs to all my sisters and thank for your kind words :)



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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited September 2012

    Such good news Bogie. Glad it was caught by the CAT scan and not left to grow and grow. I hope your surgery is easy and that your recovery is swift and painless. And I hope the stomach bloat goes away too.

    Let us know when surgery is scheduled so we can keep you in our thoughts that day as well.

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited September 2012

    Bogie - this is the best possible news!  And great news that you got a clean bill of health on your bones and lungs too.

    So if you are doing DaVinci, this is basically laproscopic (though it's not called that, but not invasive) surgery? My ooph was to be DaVinci, but since I was doing my TE Exchange at the same time, my ooph surgeon couldn't use the DaVinci.  In any case, they are very similar and soooooo easy.  I barely noticed the ooph. I hope it will be the same for you.

    Phew! 

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited September 2012

    Bogie, better news than you thought at first, that's great. I worked at a hospital where they used DaVinci robotics for surgery. It's amazing how quickly those patients went home if they followed the rules. Hoping the same for you. Much love.

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited September 2012

    Excellent news, Bogie! Continued prayers for you......

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited September 2012

    Bogie-thank you for passing on your good news.  I had a davinci ooph-in, out, done and just two tiny scars to prove it.

    Continued positive thoughts for you.

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited September 2012

    Congratulations, Bogie. That is great that it is not from the BC. the woman I told you had the same thing is on BCO. Her screen name is "kelleyod". She had surgery about 5 days ago and it sounds like the same thing. It was a new primary and they removed part of her kidney and put it back in. You might want to PM her and see what she has to say.

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  • Bogie
    Bogie Member Posts: 286
    edited September 2012

    Thanks everyone for your kind word, not sure why I'm not a complete mess, but I'm going with it.



    Ginger I will Definately contact her!

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited September 2012

    Well thank gosh for stomach bloat! And thankfully no chemo or radiation either.  My friend's husband, a recently retired surgeon, said "Breast Cancer is complicated."  Sure seems like you found a cancer that is not complicated.

    Keep us updated xxo 

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  • Kayce234
    Kayce234 Member Posts: 249
    edited September 2012

    Had my first scans since my surgery in December and all is good!!!  I wasn't too nervous - I'm trying to go by the thinking that it will most likely come back within my lifetime but we will treat it and it will not kill me - looking at it as a chronic illness.  Kept me from being nervous but I'm so thrilled it's not back now!

    Tamox is going well although I couldn't fill my script for a few days because of $$ and I ended up with some cramping and discharge when I went back on it.  But other than that and the hot flashes I'm good!

    Good thoughts and Prayers for all...

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited September 2012

    Kayce, so happy for you for clean scans! Yay!

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  • faithhopenluv
    faithhopenluv Member Posts: 323
    edited September 2012

    Bogie - I'm glad to hear that it is something that is treatable.  I've heard it here and an in other threads, it is difficult to settle in to not being actively treated.  But, on the other hand because of our dx we are on the radar it seems and hopefully benefit from scans and other tests that might not be prescribed had we not been dx'd.

     I'm still in the boob cast.  I'd rather wear the BRAVA domes at night, because at least I have a break each day.  Friday is 2 weeks and I think that's about all I'll be able to take.  My complaints with it are 1) it smells 2) it can't reach to put deordarant on (I need to use a spray)  3) I need to wrap myself in press and seal plastic wrap to shower  4) I have so few tops that hide it and 5) I'm still sleeping on my back.  But mostly, I'm curious I want to see how the fat has taken and how it's healing.

    Kam - I will still have my ovaries removed, but I waiting until spring.  I'd like to finish up this part of reconstruction first.

     Hugs to everyone as we are passing milestones in the upcoming months (I first found the lump this time last year)

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  • faithhopenluv
    faithhopenluv Member Posts: 323
    edited September 2012

    Kam - Also - nope, no nips.  Will worry about that later.  I am sorta back to normal with my energy level, but I think mostly due to my inactivity.  It's really hard to fit any routine for one reason after another.  I walked a little with chemo, then once I was about back to a routine I had the BMX.  I was just starting to jog a bit after the BMX and then I had to start wearing the BRAVA which ate into all my non-working hours essentially.  I am hoping as soon as this boob cast is gone I can get into a little bit more of a routine before prepping for the next surgery.

    To add some additional insult, my eye lashes are thinning again :(

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited September 2012

    Bogie- I will send her a message to watch for you to contact her.

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  • Bogie
    Bogie Member Posts: 286
    edited September 2012

    Thanks Ginger, I sent her a PM. My surgery is scheduled for 10/23 so I have time to get nervous and train someone to do my job...grrrrr that is very taxing, here we go again.



    Kam, I'm not sure any any cancer is without complications and that certainly goes for the kidneys, it's a major organ and very invasive. I always knew with breast cancer it's almost an external part of your body and not even close to complications of a major organ and organ surgery quote unquote from my breast surgeon. You need your kidneys to function, you don't need breasts to function. Cancer is sneaky at all costs.



    This is a BC site so I'll stick to that topic here and will have to find a Kidney cancer site.



    Peace...









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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited September 2012

    Bogie - after I wrote what I did I wondered if you might think I was minimizing your kidney cancer.  I'm so sorry.  In my mind, I was thinking you were lucky to have it as primary, rather than be from BC, first and foremost. I didn't say that very well.  As far as the number of surgeries, it does seem less complicated, if not less serious or even more serious (I do not know).  This is where I'm lacking knowledge, but had a discussion with my MO about when one can say BC is "cured."  Basically never, which makes BC different from some other cancers.  She then told me, for example, if lymphoma doesn't come back in 5 years, it is cured.  If colon cancer doesn't come back in 3 years (don't nail me on that number, the lymphoma is correct though), it is cured.  Based on my discussions with my neighbor who had kidney cancer, it seemed that it could be cured.  So that was where I was coming from...I was mostly happy that it was not BC, as that would seem to be the least desirable outcome.  Please keep us posted. I've thought about you everyday since you posted this devastating news.

    My SIL was born with one kidney, is now 63 and doing fine.  Is it protocol to try to save the kidney in this case, even if you have a second? 

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  • Ginger48
    Ginger48 Member Posts: 1,978
    edited September 2012

    Bogie- I saw on her Facebook page that kelleyod is flying home from her surgery in Cleveland this weekend. Not sure if she has been on this site. Hope she answers you because it would be great to have a surgery sister who gets what you are going through and also she is pretty optimistic and funny in all of her cancer battles.

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited September 2012

    Bogie-this may be a bc site, but I hope you'll keep up updated. We've been through a lot together and we're sticking with you through this, as well.  Continued prayers.

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited September 2012

    I agree with Spunky. Please keep us updated and feel free to vent, yell, scream, or just hang with us here. We're all sisters and here to support each other.

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited September 2012

    Ditto on that , Bogie! Keep us all informed, you are in my prayers too.

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  • fitzdc
    fitzdc Member Posts: 1,467
    edited October 2012

    Bogie - you are in my thoughts.

    Yesterday my one year mammo.  All clear!!!  I was so darn nervous but everything seems fine.  Today met with PS to schedule final (fingers crossed) surgery.  Dec 13 is the "Day of the nip!"  So two more months for the new breast to finish 'dropping' and this ordeal will be complete - except for the Tamox - with which I have almost no issues.

    Teresa

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited October 2012

    Fitz, good for you. Hoping everything stays on schedule. Much love

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2012

    Yesterday was the 1 yr anniversary of my dx. It's a bittersweet time-amazed by how far I've come, sad I had to make the journey.

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  • QuinnCat
    QuinnCat Member Posts: 3,456
    edited October 2012

    I have to say, these sort of anniversaries are bittersweet.  Speaking of, I asked my MO when the clock starts ticking (gads, I hope this isn't too morbid?) on these 5 year and 10 year survival stats and she said "when you are disease free."  She said to me, when you had your BMX. Later I wondered why that wouldn't be at the end of chemo, but oh well....

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited October 2012

    Spunky, mine is coming up. My first mammos was in Oct. My biopsy was in Nov. And my BMX was in Dec. Yuck. A whole year working at getting better. And, still not there. Hoping to get back to chemo rehab after talking to onc next week. Then at least I feel like I am finally making progress.

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  • Blessings2011
    Blessings2011 Member Posts: 4,276
    edited October 2012

    Seems like many of us are having anniversaries these days. My dx anniversary was September 15th; my BMX anniversary will be December 5th.

    Today was a new milestone....I've healed enough from exchange to get professionally fitted for new bras!!! WOOT!

    I was wearing an old one of mine (Vanity Fair) that was a 36DD that fit perfectly, but today, I bought two Amoena CUTE bras that were 38C. The underwires surrounded my implants just right. It's amazing how much difference there is between brands.

    Hope all my December sisters are having a relaxing evening!

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2012

    Blessings-when I got fitted I went from a 34D to a 40B-I know the implants are smaller, but 34 to 40? 

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited October 2012

    Post a reply

    A minute ago, edited a few seconds ago by chrissilini



    Just got back from my appointment with Vinnie. I mean just got back, he finished up about and hour or so ago and I'm in my hotel room. Words alone can't say how much appreciation I have for the work he does. We are extremely fortunate to have someone with his talent and compassion.



    His assistant Richie is great. Everyone at the shop was friendly yet professional. I was completely at ease and from the get go had no doubt that I made the right decision. The result is amazing. While he was working on one side I was facing a mirror and happened to look up at my reflection. I couldn't believe my eyes. I wanted to reach up and tweak my new nipple! Or at least what I though was one.



    The entire process took a couple of hours, had bilateral done. I did have some discomfort but nothing that was horrible. I asked about that and he said everyone is different and the type of recon you have can affect what you feel. Still worth it in my book. The discomfort was nothing compared to the bmx.



    I feel done with this process. Complete and whole again. These weren't the tattoos I always talked about getting, but I don't think there is another tattoo that could ever make me feel as whole as these do.



    Haven't had a chance to read the most recent posts. Hope all are doing well. Be well.

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  • spunkyboobster
    spunkyboobster Member Posts: 738
    edited October 2012

    Chrisilini-Thank you sooo much for sharing your experience.  I've been off again-on again with the idea of doing the tatts with Vinnie, but now I"m going to do it! Is it ok if I PM you with questions?

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  • chrissilini
    chrissilini Member Posts: 313
    edited October 2012

    Spunky...definitely pm me. Of course I don't mind. That's what we're all here for, to support!

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