In shock
Comments
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Nihahi, I'm getting the surgery in May. The PS wanted to wait almost a year after rads, because I have capsular contraction around the TE (caused by the rads), and she wants to make sure that everything has settled. I'm seeing her in Victoria on January 30, and she then wants to fill the TE to stretch the skin some more - so NOT looking forward. During the fills last year it felt as if my skin was being torn from my breastbone in the stretching process - unpleasant to say the least. It felt like that for about two or three days every time. Oh well, in for a penny, in for a pound. Will just have to bite the bullet. Surgery will be at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. Apparently their new wing where plastic surgery patients are housed is like a 5 star hotel - such a pity that the patients are probably too sick to enjoy it. LOL.
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Boy, I can identify with the tearing feeling! Big time! I'm confused about the need to do more fills to the TE, though? I haven't heard of that as part of the diep process. Are you trying to do implants under the diep flap? Not trying to pry, just looking for as much understanding as I can get before I have my consult chat.
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Ok so i go to bed at 1am get up 830am and Im pages behind...lol
Havent caught up on everything ..this is like my local paper...i come here first thing every morning to seehow my ladies are !!
Edi, so jealous...sitting by the fire drinking tea sounds amazing while we sit by the aircon sipping icy poles to keep cool...lol though must admit its 21degrees today, overcast so its nicer and managable!!
Cant wait to see pics of cake x
Dakota well youd be finished work by now....relaxing or ready for your weekend of sports??
Benny, hope u good and can go out to see Di or even just to relax .... are u eating? Whats on the menu today?
Nihahi...hope u slept during tennis...lol hows the ice/ heat packs going for u, pain eased hun? Actually just re read your part u goin to c doc....hope they can give pain meds to ease pain...and u get to sleep!
Caitlin great to hear from you....too much to read on hear (we dont talk too much...lol) hope your recovery is quick and youll be back in your own bed in no time xim having bmx this year so u can guide me through it !!
Websister, hope u ok? Off to see mum this weekend? U give her our love from your sisters x
Love to all....ds just woke up so my day is about to begin....lol
Sleep well everyone im off to the farners market soon to get sone yumny fresh veggies and hope the pony is there to give ds a ride ....he loves them xx -
Nihahi, I think the PS just wants to make sure that she has enough skin to work with during the surgery, that's why she wants to do more fills. Rads shrink the skin and tissue. That boob is visibly smaller than it was after the initial fills before radiation. No, I'm not getting any implants.
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Thanks for the info liefie - hope the next fill is better for you.
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good morninig/afternoon/evening sisters.
England still on verge of collapse due to snow. Everytime I watch the news I could burst out laughing. As one of my daughters young friends said on facebook how on earth did we survive years ago. she is late thirties and remembers getting to and from school in far worse conditions as do I. Her fifteen year old was sent home due to tiny snow fall. Words fail me !!
Had a glorious day icing GD's cake for tomorrow, praying venue doesn't cancel the party. She will be devestated.
Hope you are all well and happy. Did anyone have sore veins from iv ? they are not cording I don't think as no lumpiness. This is the vein used for my first one and the last week really uncomfortable. I have been massaging my forearm with good moisturising cream but think it is just that I am worried as it feels like it will snap.Had good flush after all infusions other veins seem ok at the moment. HELP please.
EDI X
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Good morning, Edi - remember we want to see a picture of that gorgeous cake before it is history
. I will have fingers crosses that venue doesn't cancel.
Re: vein irritation - sometimes warm, moist heat for 15 to 20 minutes at a time can help - we used to soak and then wring out towels in hot water (make sure not to hot), wrap it around the arm and then wrap a plastic backed blue pad around, at home you could use plastic bag. Make sure it is not so hot that you are uncomfortable, you don't want to cause tissue damage to the skin. If it doesn't seem to be getting better or seems to be getting worse have it looked at or at least call about it. Be careful with massage right over the vein.
Take care everyone -
I am 57 years old and was just diagnosed. I really was shocked as my excision biopsy was done by a trusted surgeon. I was told on Thursday that I would have results on Tuesday the following week. After not hearing from his office, I called repeatedly and was told he was on vacation, out of the country, etc. My follow-up appointment was three weeks later and I was expecting good news since I had not heard from my doctor. When I went for my follow-up, I was devastated to be told that I have breast cancer.
I was so stunned that I could not think of questions to ask and was trying not to cry. I did go back the next day and got a copy of my pathology report. Diagnosis is DCIS, 1.7 cm mass, 2mm margins, high grade. He wanted to refer me to a local oncologist but I have opted to go to Duke Med Center as they have a breast cancer center.
My path report has markers as follows and I am confused. ER 0%, PR 0%, HER2 IHC 3+ positive. Does this mean that I am estrogen negative? My appointment at Duke is Jan. 28th and I am looking forward to having an explanation and a game plan.
All I can do is cry. My mom has had breast cancer and her mother died from cancer which had metastasized.
Thanks for listening. My husband is in shock and my mom only tells me the bad things so I have no one to talk to.
Barbara
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Oh dear Barbara,
Take a big breath in and out, and don't listen to the bad stuff your mom is offering up. Breast cancer treatment has changed dramatically since your grandmother's time and even your mother's time. I'm glad you found us here as this is a very helpful website full of current information and wonderful support. Don't google too much if you can help it because there's no way of knowing if what you find is accurate or not, and likely won't be current. Yes, it's a scary diagnosis and needs to be taken seriously, but as information comes in to you you'll start to feel more settled and develop an action plan with your medical team to get through it. I found it helpful to take trusted friends with me to doctor's appointments, especially in the early part, and a booklet with questions and answers, just to make sure you're getting your questions answered and you're all on the same page. I don't know much about the HER2 stuff but lots of the girls here do and can speak to that. If it is HER2 + you can have an additional treatment for that called Herceptin. If it is grade 3 (high grade), know that chemo is particularly effective on that. As I said, you are just starting this journey and you don't have all the facts in yet and that makes it all seem so much worse. Clear margins are a good thing, so you have a few silver linings so far in this situation. Are you comfortable telling your mom you don't want to hear any bad stories right now? As you get more information and get an action plan going with a team you trust, you will feel better, and your husband will start to accept things better as well. There is a great book out there for husbands but I can't recall the name at the moment. Someone here will remember it (Edi?). Please stay connected to the forum, either here or on another thread that speaks to you as you will find it very supportive and helpful.
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Edi, my veins in my left arm haven't stopped hurting since the first infusion. I told Henning about it but he didn't think it was worrisome and said I may develop lumps and bumps and some scarring. It is uncomfortable tho'. I'm going to try Websister's heat pack too and see if that helps! Thanks Websister!
Can you get a pic of that cake up?? Oh how I would love to see it! Fingers crossed the day goes as planned!
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Hi Barbara, so sorry to hear how sad you are, we have all been where you are and you have found a good place here.
As Benny says one of our girls will have an answer to help you.
As you have found out the waiting is one of the worse things about BC but take heart, you are on the right path now.
My husband was struggling with my dx then I found an amazing book "Breast cancer husband "by Marc Silver. Bought it from Amazon. He sat and quietly read the whole thing and changed completely.There is lots of good information in it for you too. Marc wrote it because his wife had BC and every book out there was written for women only.
As Benny says so much has changed since your Mum and her Mum had this and if your Mum upsets you, speak up please. This is all about you and only you now. We have all had the horror stories from others but you must walk away.
If things become too much come on here, we are from all over the world and someone will get back to you as soon as possible.
I promise you one thing you will smile again we all do.
Yes you will cry and be angry all of which is natural but once your treatment plan is in place and started your journey back to good health will start. ((( HUG )))Websister, what would we do without you ? Going for the not too hot towel as soon as I log off, will not massage near vein either thanks.
Pic of cake will be posted as soon as I get another lesson off ED lol.
Hope you and Mum are well.Edi X
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Benny, we will compare notes on our poor veins. Will get pic of cake on here if it kills me x
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Morning sisters, well Sunday morn for me evening/arvo for u
Edi my veins at one stage were black looking....really dark .... i had a reaction I was told...ummmm reaction it only happened once!! My blood looks black...arghh!!
No suprise Websister comes to the rescue with her bag of helpful tips ...gee wee love u websister for your help
Barbara sorry you have to join ys but you have come to the right place.
Like benny and scouser (edi) said chemo n rads and surgery is not like it use to be back in the day. U stay strong. DCIS is not invasive. Once u work out a treatment plan you will feel much relief. Every one goes through the initial shock hun. Edis suggestion of the book may be good for your husband to read. Good luck Barbra we are always here for a chat. -
Hi Traii, websister performed her magic again. That really helped. Veins slightly discoloured and was a bit scared to stretch arm out too much.
10.30 pm here I am knackered heading to my bed to get ready for tomorrow.
Sent you pm a few days ago, did it get to you. ? x -
Thank you for the responses. I get depressed when I Google but keep catching myself going back there for information or to try to make sense of my reports. I am counting the days until my appointment with the oncologist. I am worried about being able to work as I am self employed.
Prayers to all of you.
Barbara -
Barbara sorry you are in this situation but this is the best place to come for information and support. I also am her2+ and yes we do require additional treatment. I have herceptin infusions every 3 weeks, that started after my chemo since I only required AC, but if you get the Taxols, I am pretty sure herceptin can be given at the same time. Others here will walk you through that. Yes, it looks like you are Er and pr negative. Don't read anything before 2010 on the net, it just is not new enough. All of us have been exactly where you are and you can do this!
My DH bought that book Breast Cancer Husband by Marc Silver back when I was diagnosed it is a awesome book and I highly recommend it.
Edi sorry about the veins, yes good advice from Websister. Hope you feel better soon. As for the cake never mind the pic, I want a slice!!
Traii I hope your DS was able to get the pony ride.
Carlads hope you are feeling fine.
Benny you sound like you are in a great place, hope you keep feeling well....loved the pic in the cowboy gear at chemo, lol I think that mashed potato diet may be something I need to go on!
I hope you all have had a great weekend!! -
One question I meant to ask Barb, have you had surgery already, how do you know your margins, that's why I am asking.
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Edi, I replied, I'm sooooo sorry, did what I had to do and forgot to reply to you to tell you I did it....lol ..... xxx
Enjoy your GD birthday party and hope that the venue will still do the party....I saw on the news today the ice that you guys are having over there in the UK...wow is all I say...bring some snow here for all the fires we are having !!! We woke to the smell of fires this morning, few kilometres away but still very smelly.....
Hope everyone has a lovely Sunday xx
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Hi everybody,
Got some muscle relaxant drugs yesterday that helped also to let me get some sleep, so have been doing just that most of the day.
Barbara, just to echo what others have said, the waiting for the "plan" is the hardest part. I think you are on track by choosing to be seen at a breast cancer centre, as they likely will have support systems in place that will be very helpful for you, besides the actual treatment. Don't lose hope, I am a 20+ year survivor, you can be too. As we seem to have a worldwide group of ladies on this thread, there is almost always someone on, so this is a good place to visit whenever you feel the need to vent or ask for support. Everyone here is positive, but honest, and will be supporting you all the way.
Benny, it sounds like you have truly turned the critical corner in this fight. You seem so strong now, it just shows you are a winner.
Edi, sure hope your weather improves, or we'll be sending in rescue teams it sounds like!
Dakota, how is the busy weekend going? Did you ever get your chinese food?
Everyone else....bearcub, carla, traii, liefie, lesleyanne, luvmygoats, EVERYONE, have a good night.
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Traii - just read your post. Hope the fires don't get too close to you. We sometimes get covered in smoke from forest fires in the summertime, so I know how smelly the air can get. Makes for incredible sunsets, but at too high a cost, for sure. Do you know if Bevlee might be dealing with fires so that is why she has been off the thread for so long?
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Nihahi, thank goodness the fires arent close by, the smell was this morning but thank goodness have not stuck around by noon
I have not heard on the news re any fires in Perth , WA at all where Bevlee is from hopefully Bevlee is just taking a break from the computer and thus the reason for no show?
Where are you from Nihahi, isn't it bed time ? Its almost 3:30pm here
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Hi numbersinger - you have been given lots of good information from the other ladies, welcome
I also recommend the Breast Cancer Husband book.
Take one step at a time. As others have said DCIS is not invasive, it would be considered stage 0, your mother may have been a different stage, your grandmother definitely was so you can't go by their experiences. From what I can tell from what you wrote the excisional biopsy sounds like the equivalent of a lumpectomy. Your oncologist will discuss with you whether you require any further treatment. As far as I know it is not standard practice to give chemo or Herceptin to someone with DCIS and no IDC component, although this may have changed in recent years.
I am also HER2 positive, if you find you need further info re: Herceptin those of us receiving it can help your with that.
Take those deep breaths, try to keep yourself otherwise occupied while you wait for the appointment with the oncologist and know that we are here for you at every step.
Take care -
Hey traii.. I live in Okotoks, Alberta in Western Canada. As you can guess by now, "bedtime" is a hit and miss thing for me lately. Currently, tennis is on tv, so I'll be up for awhile for sure. It is 9:30 pm (Saturday) here.
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Thought it was Canada, just wasn't 100 % ... (should know my geography after working 10 years in Importing and Exporting hey !! yes bedtime regardless whats on telly for me is a 'hit and miss' thing....lol....My cousins went to the tennis yesterday.....poor Tomic our Aussie man was booted out last night....!
Enjoy your Saturday night (well, what's left of it ) ... so now I know your 6 hours ahead but the night before, if that makes sense ass its 3:40pm here Sunday afternoon! lol
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Time zones are soooo confusing! Do you have another week of no tx coming up?
Glad to hear the smoke has cleared off. -
They are too confusing
I don't have any more chemo until the 30th Jan....was told this one has a 2 week break....
Just have 2 appts on Tuesday so still need to make a trip to the hospital straight after work !
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Sounds good. Won't it be wonderful when regular trips to the hospital are in the past....for everyone! Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.
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Nihahi, was watching an episode of Frasier this morning and they were ice fishing ? in Okotoks !!
Think I heard that right ? they were in a cabin on a frozen lake fishing through a hole in the middle of the cabin floor. Very funny episode as they were all nipping out to write their names on the ice on their rest room breaks lol.
20 years out wow, that is lovely to hear. Gives us all renewed hope. xBenny, hope you out with Di and having fun ? x
Traii, smell of smoke, glory be, stay safe x
Websister, thank you a million times over xxx arm feels really good today and only did the towel treatment last night. Have a little bag by the sink with the towel in all ready for later, can stretch arm flatter today as well.x
Bearcub, Slice on way lol.
That book is amazing isn't it, I am reading it now too.
How's the hair ? I look like a porcupine with a crew cut, defo growing back. Nails are like concrete too, have never had strong nails but now could use them as little daggers lol xDakota, hope you had a fab weekend but didn't overdo it x
Barbara, glad you came back to us.
Sisters have so much knowledge and experience, Google is a no no honestly. I did just that and was in bits then found this place and now relax and if in doubt ask the girls.
You will be on here very soon chatting away comparing experiences and side effects and wondering why you were so afraid.Great strides have been made in BC treatment and my nurse said that if you have to have a cancer
BC is the one to have because of this.
I started the book I recommended yesterday to you and it is fascinating. Will help you too. xLesleyann,luvmy.liefie, carla, caitlin, jennie and all sisters hope you are all moving forward.
Off to prepare for the party, when all I want to really do is feet up and read lol xx
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Good morning ladies!
How are things in snowy England, Edi? It is snowy lightly here, but that's ok for us! My hubby used to ice fish...was never on my list of things to do! Hope the party goes well, but remember to pace yourself...especially important if you're already feeling tired. So glad Websister's tips have helped your arm.
Barbara, hope you got some sleep last night. Now you're one day closer to getting a plan!
Benny, how is the food intake coming? It's pretty cold outside today, so hopefully you'll stay home and snuggle in.
Websister...did you get your Mom settled back at her own place?
Caitlin...how's the recovery going for you? Still good I hope.
Liefie...Victoria at the end of January, maybe there will be some early spring blooms?
Carla..hope the headaches are easing off.
Bearcub....anymore wildlife stories?
Traii...got some more tennis to watch! Thank god for pvr on the tv!
Time to get busy. (((((x))))) to everyone
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Nihahi, snow stopped thank goodnes and is melting fast so roads clear, phew.
Party great but pooped, still try and do what I did before BC. Chilling out with large scotch and gonna relax tomorrow for sure.
Ice fishing wouldn't apeal to me either.
Think DH car just come up drive, must cook something.
LATERS X
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