MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish

I am such at such a weird age for this Cancer Land stuff. At age 40, I am considered Very Young in many studies, but I am too old to be 'young' for this board, yet my kids are too young (9 and 4) for me to be 'middle-aged.' Oh well, good thing I'm used to being a misfit! Perhaps I need to start an 'Old with Young Kids' group.

39andHip - I agree, this thread is about attitude. I love reading these posts and have been unable to move along even though I'm technically too old now. Sounds like you're just barely recovering from DIEP. Sorry you have to be here but welcome and good wishes for easy recovery.

Eli - in that case, I agree w/you. Hmmm, cured? And for whoever buys that magazine story, there are nice little green men in my guest room who pronounce blessing on my head when I'm asleep. Oops - or maybe they gave me the neuropathy? I guess I know too many people who are either way too aware, or who just don't want to know anything & want to hide their heads in the sand.

Thanks, guys. Elimar - So after the first lumpectomy, it was discovered that I actually had very extensive DCIS that had not shown up on any of the imaging. I had one margin that was very close, and my surgeon wasn't comfortable with such a close margin given that I'm only 40 (and actually, a second pathology said the margin was actually positive). Based on this, we were pretty certain taking a bit more out would be sufficient, but after the second lumpectomy I had three positive margins. (WTF??) Mastectomy was the only logical choice at that point, given that the DCIS was obviously very extensive and I don't have large breasts to begin with (B cup). I do have some sort of dreaded anti-hormone therapy looming - probably ovarian suppression + AI vs. tamoxifen, though I'm still debating this and will discuss it with my MO next week. Ugh.

Hi Molliefish,, welcome to the gang!

39andhip: Not a fun decision. Is having a oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) a possibility instead of ovarian suppression? Not sure if you want to go that route or not,, but just throwing that out there in case your MO hasn't mentioned it. Be aware of all the possibles is my opinion.

Eph: so if you are a celebrity, they can cure your cancer? Well, they dropped the ball on Linda McCartney and look what happened to poor Paul. Found nasty wives after Linda. And what about Kathy Bates,, why did they let her get LE? So maybe they only want to cure certain celebrities,,,, hmmmm,,, Wow, DD turning 21,, where did the time go? 4 10's is not easy, but hang in there, sounds like you are enjoying the job.

Glennie - Yeah, an oophorectomy is a possibility, but I want to see if I can even tolerate the AIs first. If I can, then I'd definitely go for oophorectomy rather than have monthly shots. But for the moment I am sooooo over having surgery. UGH!!

yea Glennie, you are right about all the celebs that didn't get cured. I was being facetious, I get so ticked when stupid info gets published (which seems to be gaining steam).

I don't own any pink, but one shirt and I think it's due to go to the thrift store soon as I haven't worn it in almost a year!

I usually resort to this statement. " if I knew then, what I know now ". I was and am the kind of silent type donator. I support anonymously, and most of the fund raising swag I have is for the Ontario version of the widows and orphans fund.

Speaklng of PINK - TheDevineMrsM has started a thread "Are you a fan of awareness". It's in the Stage IV area but she's welcomed anyone else to post their opinions. There have been some really thoughtful answers so far.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8/topic/834968?page=2#idx_42

Hey everyone, I haven't been here in a while, very busy with work and stuff! I have an appointment with my PS tomorrow morning to decide if I am going to have nipple recon. Not sure I want another surgery. I'm not one of the young ones here and hubby and I have been married for over 30 years. Why do I need a nipple?? Why go through another surgery? LOL

I also developed a couple of small pinkish welts (for lack of a better term) in my incision area. The PA at the MO's office last week thought they looked like an irritation, but if they didn't go away we might want to take biopsy. My MO didn't even look at them and said "Just keep an eye on it and if it gets worse let us know". Then Monday I get a a call from the BS office to schedule a biopsy! I told them, well first, my schedule for Monday was insane, and second that they weren't that concerned with it. Apparently the notes they put in the computer goes to everyone who is working and has worked on my case.

The marks haven't gone away so I'm a little more concerned now. Has anyone had something like this pop up? I had my surgery in May.

I saw the PS today and they told me they were just microscopic spider veins! I think I am going to go through with the surgery. As much as I don't like the idea of more surgery, I do have an issue looking at my self in the mirror and I hide my boob so my husband doesn't look at it. Crazy I know, but I think this will help with my self esteem when it comes to that. He told me today that my skin is perfect for a nipple recon, it's hardly even been affected by the radiation. I might get a tummy tuck while they are at it. My deductible is totally met and so the recon won't cost me a dime.

I still told my PS that I would think it over and get back to them early next week. We are going to the beach this weekend, so I'll discuss with my hubby then.

I've always wondered: do the 3D ones look great not just in images but also hmm in 3D?

Homemom, I went to the Pink Door in Palatka and she matched up my remaining nipple with a stick on. You may want to check it out. It's a really nice shop.

And I think Vinnie also goes to Baltimore,,, and somewhere in California too.