Winter rads 2014-2015

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  • Beachbum1023
    Beachbum1023 Member Posts: 1,417
    edited July 2015

    Hi Ladies, I have given up on anything underwired, even though I always wore them before the mastectomy. I can't find a comfortable one. I did find some great sports bras that work though. They are seamless, long and short line, and I like the racerback style. They all have pockets too. And the price is great with lots of coupons to use online. Keep trying, it took me months to be comfortable! Cheryl

  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited July 2015

    Happy Birthday Coyote !! Tired is just fine if you enjoyed the celebration and visits from family and friends.

    Quiggy and mqt64. I feel like a giant corner has been turned for both of you. Hooray! Mqt64. Heard of someone today who ended up with a square nipple. Perfect for a rectangular breast!

    Bras - even with a lumpectomy the new normal seems to require new bras. Never wore an underwire. Now either sports bra or leisure bra so far. Still sleep in those Dale post surgical bras. :-)

    Saw the dermatologist today. Don't know if anyone remembers that I had two mole like things on the areola that swelled up and turned black during radiation. Post rads they dried, cracked and fell off little by little. She said no problem - just a couple of those kereotosis (sp?) things. Concerns are slipping away and I feel cleared for take-off. Focusing now on weight loss. Nutrition/weight loss program carries me into August and then in September I start Livestrong at the Y. How much farther ahead can any person look? Enjoy today everyone. We will deal with tomorrow tomorrow whatever it brings. Thanks to all for sharing this process and yourselves. Melody

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,426
    edited July 2015

    Beachbum, I gave up on under-wire too. I wear either a sports bra or a very good supportive cami. I love the racerback style that is more comfortable when my LE flares up..


  • WheelyGirl
    WheelyGirl Member Posts: 181
    edited July 2015

    Coyote - Happy Birthday! Wow 70 and it sounds like you are going strong. My oldest son and his family came for a visit from California and left my 10 year old granddaughter with my x for 2 weeks so I will get to enjoy some one on one time with her. Grandchildren are inspiring aren't they?

    Kayfry - Glad your dh is on the mend.

    mqt64 - Glad you are healing well...you have come along way...the hyperbaric treatments will be done before you know it.

    The fatigue is definitely getting better for me finally. I have been crazy busy in my new position at work and I think that has a lot to do with the improvement.

    Theresa

  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited July 2015

    WheelyGirl. Sounds like the position is working out well even if it is keeping you running to keep up. Good for you.

  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited July 2015

    Thank you all for the birthday wishes. I am enjoying my grand daughter's visit beyond every expectation. She's a gem. I will not deny that I am exhausted. Mostly because of being overcome by events on a regular basis - but that's life!

    I am now headed to bed after moving all the food out of the upright freezer because it seems to no longer be cold. We didn't lose much, but one of the events that seem to show up every time I mention a new television. Very weird, but it started last fall. I'm not kidding.... every time.

    Good health and good wishes to all.

  • mqt64
    mqt64 Member Posts: 103
    edited July 2015

    Don't know how many still check in, but for those who do I am extremely happy to announce that my suture line has been declared healed!!! I will finish hyperbarics on Friday and be done. After all these months it seems kind of surreal. Still have some swelling and lymphedema issues but those I can deal with. Looking forward to spending time with the grandsons in the backyard pool and soccer field or baseball whatever they make it, and camping with friends from Colorado. 6 weeks of radiation 5 days a week and then another12 of hyperbarics 5 days a week is soon to be done. Long haul but time to be done. Thanks everyone for all your love and support. You ladies have been my safe place to land. Coyote, glad your Birthday celebration was a success.

    Be well my dear friends!

  • quiggy
    quiggy Member Posts: 315
    edited July 2015

    Yahoo Marge!!! You inspire me to keep at this.

    So happy for you, CONGRATS!!!!!

  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2015

    Congrats, Mqt! It has been a long, rough process for you. So glad to hear your suture line is healed and about your fun plans.

  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited July 2015

    mqt64. Hooray for healing. Wonderful that you can start having time for fun. It's been a long time getting to this point.

    Quiggy Any update?

  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited July 2015

    mqt64 ~ Good News for you is good news for all of us. Thanks for sharing it with us.

    We're waiting for similar news for you Quiggy!

  • WheelyGirl
    WheelyGirl Member Posts: 181
    edited July 2015

    Mqt64- wonderful news! So happy for you!

  • ladyb1234
    ladyb1234 Member Posts: 1,426
    edited July 2015

    Congrats, Mqt!

  • artsee
    artsee Member Posts: 1,576
    edited July 2015


    Marie, I am so happy for you !! What a relief.....can I ask what you are taking QCOenzyme 10 for ? I'm thinking of taking it.

    Thanks, Artsee

  • quiggy
    quiggy Member Posts: 315
    edited July 2015

    Hi dear friends,

    My news is not good, but I'm still hopeful!

    Newest antibiotic hasn't shown improvement yet. Ruptured incision again last week. Not feeling too well and pretty painful.

    I've formally requested an outside referral. Should know next week if it's approved. I haven't seenan MO since December. Mine went on leave and Kaiser didn't replace her yet.


  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited July 2015

    Oh my, Quiggy ~ I'm so sorry that you are stilling having to struggle with this. I honestly can't see how they can refuse your request - unless they enjoy legal disputes. The issue of not have access to an MO might be enough of an issue for many of us to pursue that action anyway. Legal action doesn't solve the problem, I know, but the threat of it might get you a doctor that can solve the problem.

    How can we help you?

    Jana

  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited July 2015

    Quiggy. Did you hear my jaw hit the floor in disbelief?! My heart is filled with tears for you. You deserve quality care by competent people. It is so unfair that you must advocate for yourself when you have used all your strength and energy and patience coping with the treatment for this disease. I hope your request will be granted and you can come under the care of a doctor and facility that provides relief and a solution. It may be summer but Winter Rads is still here supporting you.

  • kayfry
    kayfry Member Posts: 481
    edited July 2015

    Quiggy, this is beyond belief. I am thinking about you, thinking healing thoughts. That's all I have. I really hope this resolves soon!

  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2015

    Quiggy, Unbelievable! Thinking about you and will include you in my prayers.

  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited July 2015

    Quiggy, praying for you to get the care you need. Can you just go to the emergency room and demand to be seen? Have you seen a lawyer yet? Love, Jean

  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited July 2015

    Just sharing a quote I like from Eleanor Roosevelt:

    Franklin's illness gave him strength and courage he had not had before. He had to think out the fundamentals of living and learn the greatest of all lessons - infinite patience and never-ending persistence.

  • quiggy
    quiggy Member Posts: 315
    edited July 2015


    Thank you ladies. I greatly appreciate your messages. Your support is a big help and life line.

    I am trying every day to focus on the finish line and to not slip to far into a sad place. Some days I'm more successful then others.

    This drama crap has dragged on too long! But I'm positive that all this will be over and hoping it's soon.

    The last few days, losing my aunt, the reality of hospice and making her final arrangements reminds me that life is shorter then we want.

    So, onward!!! Focus on healing and being truly grateful for my DH, family and friends.

  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited July 2015

    Quiggy and others. This is a link on this site to an amazing lesson on how to talk to medical personnel who are not treating us right. When you get to the thread go up to the first post. Please check it out. Love, Jean

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/6/topic/7...

  • WheelyGirl
    WheelyGirl Member Posts: 181
    edited July 2015

    So sorry to hear Quiggy I am thinking about you and praying for you.

  • mqt64
    mqt64 Member Posts: 103
    edited July 2015

    Well my friends, it seems my celebration was a bit premature. Yesterday my incision line reopened and was draining. I saw my PS yesterday afternoon and I am going to need a mastectomy with a TRAM procedure. There were 3 tunnels underneath, one running almost the complete length of the incision. They basically have to remove all the radiated tissue and replace it skin and all. Good news (there always is some) is that my PS knows a PS at U of Michigan that this is all he does. He quite candidly told me that he hasn't done one of these since residency so he wouldn't attempt it. The guy he is referring me to has specialized in it. It's a free flap so involves microsurgery to reattach blood vessels. The nurse said she has seen his work on other patients and it's good. So waiting for a call from Ann Arbor with an appointment date. I must admit I was pretty much a basket case the rest of the afternoon. One of the worst parts was the horribly crestfallen look on my DH's face when I told him. He has been such a support through all of this. One good thing is that his brother and sister in law live right in Ann Arbor so he'll have family there. I am afraid to even say that this will be the end of this. Can only hope. Marge

  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited July 2015

    Yikes, Marge. For someone with what appears to be a "good" diagnosis, you have had a terrible struggle healing post treatment. It is good that your doctor is so honest and helpful in getting you to someone who can deal appropriately with your situation. You have shown great coping skills so we know you will manage this next phase with grace and humor. But it would have been a lot better to be able to skip this.

  • zjrosenthal
    zjrosenthal Member Posts: 2,026
    edited July 2015

    Oh dear Marge. I am so sorry you have to go through this. Thank God you were referred to a good surgeon. I pray this will take care of it for good. Love, Jean

  • PoppyK
    PoppyK Member Posts: 1,805
    edited July 2015

    ((Hugs)) Marge. Glad you found someone who specializes in this surgery. It's a big one and very complicated.... as I'm sure you know. So sorry you have to go through all of this.

  • CoyoteNV
    CoyoteNV Member Posts: 575
    edited July 2015

    Quiggy and Marge ~ You have both endured far more than I would have ever believed necessary. I know we are all here to give support but I sure wish there was something we could actually do for you.

    I hope resolutions come quickly.

    Jana

  • WndrWoman
    WndrWoman Member Posts: 333
    edited August 2015

    Well, a brief but severe storm gave me something else to think about today. 4 houses on my 5 block street had big trees go through the roof. One was my next door neighbor, and when you live in a ranch house, there is not much room between the roof and your bedroom. Fortunately she was not home at the moment it happened. We were spared but have lots of clean up and will owe big bucks to a tree service which must take down a split tree and remove several 30 foot long branches. Damage in the neighborhood is comparable to a major hurricane. Happily, life goes on with no one hurt.

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