MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

One LONG weekend away from my exchange surgery on 9-2. Here's hoping my plastic surgeon and his surgical team have a nice relaxing weekend! Surgery is scheduled for 7:15 a.m. Anxious and nervous but also will be very happy to be rid of these rock hard expanders

about soy products for er+ women, here's a good article. Again, moderation http://www.breastcancer.org/tips/nutrition/reduce...

Drinking - I'm another who feels that my quality of life would be adversely affected if I stopped. I enjoy a few drinks a week. Articles pro and con, so we all make our informed decision. 

Someone exercises 2 hours a day. Whoa! I work 9 hours a day and have an hour commute each way.  With 7 hours sleep, time to cook, eat and clean up, the best I can do is a 30 minute walk during lunch each day.

We've had this type discussion before. There are 'risks' and 'possible factors' which 'may' lead to bc or recurrence. Eat smart, move as much as you can, limit bad habits, but for God's sake, enjoy your life. Stress is a leading, proven cause for many health issues. I plan to avoid that more than I'll avoid a bottle of good wine.

Saw several reasons for pocket parties coming up. I'll be there, I promise.

HomeMom, I hear ya! Yes, I celebrated 9 yrs last Sunday...with wine  I have done more loving and living and travelling in the last 9 yrs...they truly have been among the best of my life even with tx and all that timeframe involved. I refuse to play the  'what if' game. Anything can happen. People die from all kinds of odd things. I'm going to enjoy myself for whatever time I have left, which is hopefully many more years.

That's the day I chose, actually it was mammo day, cause it's easiest for me to remember. Othwrs do surgery day, some do treatmentend day...whatever works for you, no rules.

heartnsoul7, I feel the same way about long weekends now! When I was working they couldn't get here quick enough or last long enough. Always flew right on by. Now (especially this weekend) will seem to last an eternity!

Hello, I'm 58 and new to this thread.  Marlegal, I'm right there with you on the moderation.  My onc said not to worry about every morsel I put in my mouth (did say to avoid soy supplements), but to keep the exercise going!  Also said that wine is not the witch's brew for us that some people think....just not to go overboard.  Controlling weight with exercise is the key.  Congratulations on the 9 years!!!  It will be 6 years in October for me and I choose the date of my mastectomy to celebrate. 

Hi Everyone!

I have posted in other areas of the board, but just found my way here. I am 49 and married 27 years to my college sweetheart. We have 3 boys (17, 15 and 11yrs old), two dogs (yellow lab and classic yellow dog), 5 guinea pigs and a goldfish. All of the pets are pets were adopted from rescues. (My kids think it's important that I include the pets in my intro.)

Briefly, I had a lumpectomy, sentinel node dissection, and oncoplastic reconstruction (reduction and lift) on both breasts on July 23. The doctors expected to find clean margins and negative nodes. The margins were clean by 1mm, but the node was positive. I had a rough reaction to the anesthesia and pain meds, but am feeling much better now. It's been about 5 weeks since my surgery, and I am still bruised and swollen... sore, too. It's been so long that I am now wondering whether I have cellulitis.

My husband has been a great partner for me, especially as I am going through this cancer crud. The kids seem to be handling it pretty well. My youngest doesn't really understand the entire situation, but we have tried to explain things to him in terms he can understand. Middle son is soft-hearted and empathetic to all people and animals, so he is sad sometimes. Oldest son is just "sure you are (I am) going to be okay." He is concentrating on that. 

Next week, visits to the MO and RO to continue this fight.

It's great to see the anniversaries you are celebrating!

Poppy

Glennie,

I am still swollen, sore and bruised from my surgery. The bruising is getting better, but I am still all sorts of colors. It doesn't look like a rash, but it is sore and pink, purple and black. I am not red, haven't had a fever. The incisions are healing nicely. When I saw the PS 10 days ago, he wasn't concerned about the swelling and soreness. He said he did not expect me to be sore bruised and sore (still), but that the surgery was extensive.

The pets are great! They are always happy to see me and snuggle. Well, except the goldfish. He just swims over as a greeting.

Everyone, Does being "young" (like us) and dealing with cancer affect your treatment plan? I was wondering if the MO recommends more aggressive treatment because we have 30, 40 or more years to live after we have kicked cancer out.

And thanks, the poppy avatar makes me feel a little bit happier.

Poppy

My PS doesn't like drains and doesn't use them often. He prefers to not use them and thereby eliminate a possible source of infection. Which means the fluids stay in place until they are reabsorbed. So I didn't have drains, but was really swollen after surgery.

I am probably just thinking too much and wanting the swelling to go away. I am tired of being sore and tired.

Thanks for the support!

Poppy

No drains. I've seen a few other postings mentioning no drains, but it doesn't seem common.

I was given one of those sexy Velcro binders. Strongest Velcro I have ever seen! I was given extensive post op instructions and have had follow up appointments with the SO and PS.  I've been keeping the girls still. Tried not to do too much. I haven't lifted anything heavy and have done my arm exercises. My arm was not measured pre-surgery, but it looks the same to me. The swelling is a bit on my sides and the girls.

Kathec- I love your avatar, too! Very striking!

Poppy

Welcome Poppy!

I also thought drains were mandatory. I'm not so familiar with lumpectomy. Being BRCA1+, it wasn't even a possibility for me. The only way being "young" affected my treatment plan was my PS pushed for a nipple-sparing BMX. Apparently my BS doesn't usually like to do them on high risk patients.

Hope your swelling comes down soon. 

Being "young" meant a big push to recon.  I had to keep saying over and over again that I didn't want it.  The attitude was like:  but you are going to live 30 more years?  Don't you want a breast?      

Nope,, only if I could keep the original,, and since that wasn't possible,, forget it.   It was astoushing how many times I had to say I didn't want it. 

I am receiving my treatment at a breast cancer center. I have a BS/SO and a PS. When I saw the PS about a week ago, he said it was unusual, but not unheard of, to still be sore and so swollen. Looks like I will need to visit with him soon.

i am sore and swollen almost two years later. but i have lymphedema. but i had lots of nodes out. glad you met firekracker, she is something else!

I did have drains, but only for 4 days. My doc does not send patients home with drains. The first week I was drain-less, I did get some fluid accumulating, but it disappeared on its own.

Glennie, one of my docs kept pestering me about recon, also because I am "young" and "attractive." Especially that last comment always makes me want to tell him "fuck you!" [pardon the French]. So what? Ugly women don't need boobs? Pretty women can't be pretty without boobs? Whatever you pick as the answer, it is offensive.