MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN 40-60ish
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Elimar - yes I am usually sore around my ALND armpit/chest site. It was better when I was doing PT 3 times a week for radiation fibrosis, but insurance limits those. And of course I haven't kept up an hour's worth of specific stretches every day (or even every other day). My bad. I don't know if I have clips left but the back of my upper arm is sure always sore.
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Yes I have clips, I thought they said clip until this mammogram the tech showed me on the xray and there are lots of clips scattered all over the area where BC was....
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If anyone had asked me before the surgery if I even wanted clips in there, I would have said no. My understanding is that they clamped off blood vessels during the surgery. Why can't they use a disolving suture? My guess is they save 10 seconds by using the clip, but I admit to having a cynical mind about these things...maybe there is a good reason for them????
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I'm with you on that, elimar. I have biopsy clips in my breast and also on my side ribcage in a node there. That one really bothers me, and my surgeon said she would not take it out, cause I already had so many out! It really is painful. I said, what's one more?!?? And there are clips in my breast too from other biopsy, other day. I guess the implement they use, just leaves a clip to show where they sampled, in case they would need to go in after something, they would know where they got it from. i think.
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Tomboy, I have heard that about the clips being left in to mark the position; however, since I have seven in one area where they only took two nodes, it's overkill for just marking the spot, don't you think? How did you have some taken out? Did your insurance pay for it?
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OOOps, Sorry, el. I meant I HAVE so many biopsy clips. I was trying to get her to take out the "reactive node" that supposedly has been biopsied. In any case it's is always a pain there. I don't think they ever remove clips, unless you get a mastectomy, or that breast tissue removed. I wonder if I am able to talk another doctor into taking it out (pesky node), if insurance will pay for it. I want that son of a bitch out of there, and also, there are at least two ladies I know, when they sampled a node, that it was clear, and that when they had it out, had gross disease.
Can you really feel your clips? Or is it the nodes you are feeling?
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I can't be 100% sure what I am feeling. It is the area right under the SNB scar (where there should not be nodes anymore, but who knows.)
Like you, I have a bothersome, pesky node, but near my sternum on the same side. Doesn't feel the same. (As for my one pesky node, they called it "enlarged" but "stable" on all my scans, and it had no uptake on the PET. That thing used to freak me out, but it has been sore for 7-8 years now and no one seems to be excited about it, so I try to ignore it as best I can. Allegedly, it is positioned right on top of a rib. Well, ow!)
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Yeah, well, ow! here, too. Same place rib, I am going to insist they take it out.
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DIEP Phase 1 tomorrow morning!!! I have to check in at 5:45 a.m. for my 7:45 surgery. Talk to you all after!!!
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beergirl63, I'm sure yesterday was a loooooong day, but hope all went well. You might not get a chance to check in for some days but healing wishes going out to you.
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beergirl63Hope you are recovering well and starting to feel more like yourself again. Take it easy and allow others to do things for you. We are thinking of you.
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I am glad I found this thread. I'm 56 and was recently diagnosed - please see my 'stuff' below my signature.
So I don't know what most of the abbreviations are - like NE, SN etc. Is there a glossary on breastcancer.org where I can look these things up?
Terrified about the RADS and the SE's of hormone blockers....I just see myself getting fatter, having hot flashes, and slipping into osteopenia...and of course looking older and less appealing. Just when I'm in a committed relationship....and about to move in with my S/O in 5 weeks.
I have NO family history of cancer on either of my parent's side anywhere, nothing with any of my kids either. However, I have the distinction of being the "Cancer Queen" of my family. I defeated ovarian cancer at age 14, and I can beat my DCIS too. Waiting on my second surgery - surgeon didn't take a large enough margin - so I have the thrill of that coupled with the ensuing pathology....fingers are crossed. Trying to stay as positive as I can.
When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, my attitude was "People are cured of cancer every day". I went through my surgery, chemo etc.....never had a recurrence. It wasn't until my annual mammo last year the technician told me that ovarian cancer is related to many types of breast cancer. Somehow in my psyche I think that knowing that 'fun fact' brought it on.....of course we're all looking for a reason.....an excuse.....for having breast cancer. That's mine. Ignorance is bliss!
And, somehow I just knew when the imaging place called me back for an ultrasound on something they saw on my mammo in August (and yes I'd had MANY ultrasounds and one FNA that were B9 over the years) that I had cancer. I just had a very strong feeling, and even went so far as to tell the HR dept. at work so I could get my short term disability paperwork in the event I might have to take extended time off. I'm mentally blocking the discomfort of the upcoming RADS and the estrogen blocker side effects....only because I think the surgery is going to be the easy part. Also blocking out medical bills that are probably already rolling in - so I'm not checking the mail....I will face every event as it comes and not before. I'm eating this elephant one bite at a time because I know it's not going to be eaten in one day. That's my version of 'one day at a time'.
Of course I'm telling all of my friends to go get regular mammograms!! It's shocking to me how so many women don't go regularly. It's like playing "Russian Roulette" in my opinion, but I've been cysty and lumpy my whole adult life - and have been going annually for mammos (and well woman checks) since my late twenties.
I'm terrified of radiation and hormone blockers.....any advice any of you lovely ladies can send my way will be appreciated! I admire your courage and your ability to deal with your treatments. I only hope I can be as brave!!!
On the personal side, I am a woman with 4 grown/married children and 8 grandchildren. 4 kids born on my surviving ovary. :-) I've already been very blessed in terms of beating the cancer odds. I can only hope I get through this cancer the way I flew through the last one.
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Mesharon, you will have no problem with rads, as you've defeated cancer once already. Of course everyone is different, but if I, someone petrified of any type of medical procedure, can do it you can too. The hormone therapy is okay. The issues for me come and go, but all in all okay. Everything is pretty overwhelming at first, but it will become easier once you get going. People here are very helpful. I'm sure you will find their insights invaluable. They really helped me through all the scary stuff.
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Mesharon59--
here's a link to a list of abbreviations that will help.
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/131/topic...
Also feel free to ask when you see one you don't recognize, we're all happy to "expand"!
Some that come to my mind right off:
SNB--Sentinel Node Biopsy
SN--Sentinel Node
Mx--mastectomy
BMX--bilateral mastectomy
Lx--lumpectomy
SE-- side effect
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Native Mainer - thank you for that. Now when I'm reading posts, I can actually understand what they're saying.
Question for you - do you ever wish you had a BMX instead of a lumpectomy in the beginning? I've had the lumpectomy, there's a suspicious nodule on the same breast that showed up on my MRI last week, that the US Dr. told me didn't look like cancer, but they want to watch it every six weeks....plus there was some hyperplasia in both breasts in my MRI. Should I be talking to my BS about doing a BMX instead of just clearing my margin on my lumpectomy?
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I had a prophylactic mastectomy when I had recon, so I have had both breast removed. I actually started out with the lumpectomy/rads route, but the rads did so much damage to the breast I had to have a mastectomy to stop the constant pain and abscesses and infections. Then I couldn't deal with the going back for more views/ultrasounds on the remaining breast every year so I opted to get rid of it. I wish I had done the bilateral mastectomy up front but it was going to take so long to set up that I got scared and went with what could be done fastest, which was the lumpectomy. Should have gone with my gut and not my head, but it worked out in the end.
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Hi all,
I have been off-line for a couple weeks on BCO. I was at "academy" for 2 weeks and could only get e-mail & Facebook on my phone. One of these days I will figure out how to add BCO.
Doesn't appear I've missed too much however. I can only hope that means the "oldies" are going forward with what life hands out, but I don't ever want to forget to check here to see if there are new folks, like mesharon, who need that reassurance and guidance. Elimar is sooooo good with that, but looks like NM stepped up to the plate.
Getting ready for the eating marathon approaching? Anyone using the "stretch it out" philosophy? I would really like to test mine resilience with a pumpkin pie blizzard daily, but so far have limited myself to one every 2 weeks! Love those things!!!!!!
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I kind of wandered off this past week, otherwise I could have pointed out that right at the top of this page is a handy link called "Abbreviation Guide for Newbies" but I thank NMainer for also including it in her post. We get so used to using the jargon and abbreviations, and I know it can read like a bunch of gibberish to someone with a new diagnosis.
Coincidentally, I wandered not to the part of AZ where mesharon195 is but to the other part where you need four layers of clothing and get to observe (and touch!) evidence of the Earth being 1.8 billion years old (or only 6,000 if you do the other kind of math.)
mesharon195, I sense that you might have some apprehension about doing rads and the anti-hormonals? (Haha, I had to write that because I think you mentioned it, like, 23 times in your one post!) You have a tough choice ahead of you. I had a lumpectomy + rads + Tamox. and it's no cakewalk, that's for sure, and a lot of us do get through it o.k.; BUT (oh, how I like to throw my big BUT around!) other than my lump, nothing else was going on. You mentioned hyperplasia in both breasts and that is entirely different than my case. You will have to consider all the factors and you might decide that you would want to do something preventative rather than all the "watching" for possible future occurrences. Just be aware that with Mx, the risk of LE could be greater; and, even with recon. that can help you look the same, you will have a chest area that will not feel the same (I mean will lack feeling.) Please make sure to discuss all the aspects with any/all of your doctors. Did you have a close margin, or was the DCIS right in the margin?
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Yes elimar - the DCIS was in the margin even though the doc took out a chunk as large as her fist.....I actually met with her on Friday and we discussed everything, and I decided to do a right MX. I was incorrect about the hyperplasia. Everything that's going on is happening in the right breast. The nodule (that's apparently benign but they want to look at it every six weeks anyhow - really?) and the hyperplasia. So we're taking her off and doing immediate reconstruction. I had implants in the mid-eighties, and they both ruptured. My entire chest area is loaded with free floating silicone so my surgeon wants to remove that as well. I met with the radiology oncologist today, and she agrees with my choice. She says there's a 90% chance I won't have to do the RADS, so as long as the tissue comes back from pathology with clean margins I'm good to go. Just the hormone killers to endure.....I meet with a reconstruction plastic surgeon Friday afternoon for a consult, and then the doctors set something up. My surgeon thinks it should be done before the end of the year - hopefully it can be.
At least I have a plan now and although it's still scary as crap, I feel better about it.
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mesharon195, It does feel better once the plan is in place. Let us know when you get the surgery scheduled.
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I will. Meeting with plastics Friday, and we'll see if I like him. If not, I have two appointments next week. But at the rate this is all going I'm sure I'll be going in just before Christmas.....sigh.....oh well. Better than waiting into the new year. The sooner the better!!
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Hi, I'm new to all of this so I'm hoping I'm typing where I should be.m I'm 51 years old and was diagnosed on October 1, 2015 with breast cancer in my right breast and its triple negative. I opted to have a double masectomy with tissue expanders put in. They took 4 lymph nodes out and there was microscopic cancer in them. Instead of going back to surgery and taking more lymph nodes we decided to opt for radiation after chemo so my chances for lymphadema would be lower. I had my double masectomy on November 11, 2015 so I am almost 2 weeks out. In 4 days I will get my drains out and I will be able to drive again and go back to work on November 30, 2015. I don't have any problem with the masectomy but I just don't feel "normal". My chest is tight, I don't have a lot of energy and I just want to feel 'normal" again. This morning was the first time I broke down. I didn't break down when I was diagnosed. I just thought, you know thousands of women have gone through this and I am no more special than anyone else so lets do it. This morning I was feeling down and had a good cry while my dog Pepper gave me kisses while I told him how much I loved him. I'm hoping going back to work and having a normal schedule will help me. I have an appointment with my oncologist on December 10, 2015 to get started with chemo. I really feel I need to work through chemo just so I feel life is still moving along plus the fact I am single and just like everyone else I have bills.
Thank you for listening and if you have any in sight to help me with all the emotions I'm starting to have I would love to chat.
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Welcome terisc6!
You've definitely found the BEST place for support -- our amazing community is comprised of some pretty incredible members, offering tons of support, advice, and a digital shoulder to lean on !
We're happy you found us. Thank you for joining -- we know you'll get lots of support from others just like you soon.
You may also want to check in on the Chemo forum, where members will soon create the December 2015 Chemo Thread, where you can chat with others going through chemo right along with you!
Looking forward to hearing more from you!
--The Mods
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Is there another forum for older women? I am 79
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terisc6, welcome! You seem to be about on par for someone 2 weeks out from surgery. The emotions will just come at random times and it is better to have a good cry or three than to try and be a stoic superwoman. It's cool if you feel like working thru' your chemo (tho' I do hope your employment is flexible enough that you could take a day or two off as needed..) The chemo cycle is somewhat predictable and you will notice which days of the cycle are the worst. Remember, it is cumulative, so as you get near the finish line, you may feel really wiped out, hence that day or two off I mentioned.
For now, rest up, heal up, try and have a good Thanksgiving; and I hope there not too much "pepper" on your turkey! ;-)
nanaJA, Oh, yes! Browse around. But here are a couple links also:
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/104/topics/728699?page=896
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/104/topics/766521?page=360#idx_10783
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Hi Teri, I won't tell you that your road ahead will be easy. I will tell you that this site has been a godsend for me. The acceptance, understanding.and love I have received from the women here has truly been a lifesaver. They have a wealth of tips and advice for those of us who are new bc dx. Please know you have true loving, and caring friends here who will support you, will not judge you, and who know what you are dealing with! I am not triple neg but my emotions are similar. I invite you to check out crazyown, and insomniacs thread, the women there are so wonderful. I'm sorry your here but I'm so glad to have another friend.
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terisc6-I worked through my chemo treatments back in 2009. I had chemo on Thursday, after work, and I was able to work Fridays, no problem (steroids do that). I had 4 doses, 3 weeks apart. Saturday & Sunday of week 1 were OK and I went to work on Monday, but that was a mistake. Years later we were finding my "Monday mishaps". After that, I just took Mondays off after each treatment. It was cumulative, so by the 4th dose, I was dragging through the weekend, into Monday. Everyone is different though. The one piece of advice I offer-take the meds you are given for nausea, etc as directed. I only had one day where I thought I was going to be sick and that was the 1st Saturday. I had tea & toast and the meds and I was fine.
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nana - age seems to be relative on many of these threads. Find some areas that parallel your own treatment - chemo, surgery, rads, HER2+ - and jump in. I love this thread and read it regularly even though I'm technically past "middle age". Oh wait...is 50 the new 40? If so, 70 is...
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Terisc6--Welcome to the club no one wants to join.We all break down at some point during this process, some of us more than once, or at least I did.And itcomes at different times for each one of us.I hear you about wanting to feel normal, but not even knowing what normal even is anymore.As single women depending on our own income the need to work through treatment looms large for us.It is possible to work through treatment.You may need to ask for some accommodations, but that is taken care of through the American with Disabilities Act, and breast cancer is considered a disability.Having anesthesia, surgery and healing all take energy, and you are going to feel tired for a while.One of the best things you can do for yourself is cuddle up with Pepper and have a good cry when you need it.I wouldn't haven't gotten through without my dogs, so I know what you are talking about.Kisses and unconditional love no matter how hard I was crying.And stay here on the boards, you'll find lots of info and support.
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Welcome to Terisc6. You are only 11 days out from such rough surgery! You are a rock star, my friend! It is normal to have emotions all over the place and yes,, your dog is a great comfort. Mine is too. We are here for you. Definitely look for the Dec 2015 chemo group and have that gang to hang with. If you have questions, someone on this forum will have answers. Radiation, chemo, surgery, lymphedema, etc etc,, there is a forum for it. I learned MOST of my LE info on the LE forum,, I'll tell you that. And you should definitely check on FMLA at your job, that way if you need to take days off for chemo, your job is secured with FMLA. There is also a forum about employment, financial stuff if you need any assistance there.
A welcoming wave to NanaJA! We are flexible with ages here, but as Elimar posted, there are other forums that you might want to check out too.
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