Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited January 2016

    Good morning Lounge, not good news.

    Probability of dying of cancer - see the interactive chart

    http://flowingdata.com/2016/01/19/how-you-will-die/

  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    Mairew, that's fantastic. Hope that chemo is not in your future. If you don't agree with Dr Gloom, see someone else for a 2nd opinion.

    HUGS!

  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    Marijen, I think I'd rather consult a doctor than a chart that doesn't take in anything but age, gender and race. I'll worry in another 20 years :)

    HUGS!

  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    I haven't put anything on ANY of my scars. The one on my knee from 1st grade is still quite visible (as is my smallpox scar). Not so much with my kidney surgery or breast surgery scars. But I've never been bothered enough to do anything about them. I think this is a very personal decision. Mine is: I don't care.

    HUGS!

  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited January 2016

    Peg, are you saying you don't trust the CDC? : )

  • BrandyR
    BrandyR Member Posts: 10
    edited January 2016

    Thank you, everyone, for the encouraging words. It's comforting to have this place as a support resource.

    I had an MRI Monday which has resulted in another ultrasound next Monday. The amount of information and time between getting answers is contributing to the anxiety, I am sure.

    The PS I met with I really liked and prefer the idea of an lx with reduction/lift as mx seems so radical for me.

    Because it's slow growing, I have time to gather as much info as I can. I've decided to give myself a mental break and booked a flight to go visit my brother and his family. I'm sure I will continue to go back and forth the next couple of weeks.

  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    Marijen, just saying I don't think that that chart is particularly helpful. Do I smoke, drink, sleep around or do other risky behavior? Maybe I never leave home so can't possibly catch an infection. Just sayin'

    Brandy, It sounds like you are making informed decisions. Just one thing: once you decide what you are going to do, don't look back; don't second guess yourself. You will have made that decision on the best information available to you and what seems to be the best for YOU.

    HUGS!

  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited January 2016

    Peg, most likely at the age of 70 is circulatory system (heart) and cancer.

    Ok, here's a little good news....

    ER-Positive, Negative Breast Cancers Have Different Long-Term Recurrence Risks

    News | January 21, 2016 | Breast Cancer, SurvivorshipBy Dave Levitan

    Breast cancer survivors with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive disease had a lower annual risk of recurrence within the first 5 years after diagnosis, though these patients then had higher rates than ER-negative patients after 5 years, according to a new study. The ER-positive patients maintained significant recurrence rates through extended follow-up out to 25 years.

    http://www.cancernetwork.com/breast-cancer/er-posi...
  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited January 2016

    pre-op testing done and seed is in place. I really didn't like that procedure too much... The pressure to stay still, breath, not breath, don't look down(needles sticking out of your breast)... And two rad onc Performing it and strategizing and directing... Stressful. But I'll be happy to be in la la land tomorrow so I don't see or hear a thing.

    Brandy, the wait does suck. But getting out of dodge in the meantime is a great idea;)

  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    MLP3, I was very glad everything was done on the day of surgery. Let me know Saturday if you are happy things were done over 2 days. None of it is fun but it is all doable and I guess that's all that matters. We want the cancer gone and keeping that goal in sight helps (most of the time). In your pocket jumping around tomorrow!!

    HUGS!

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited January 2016

    Would you all please keep my BFF at work in your prayers. She is going in tomorrow for a repeat mammo and ultrasound. It sounds like they are doing it at a different location with better imaging equipment.

  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    Molly, of course! So scary. Hoping all is well.

    HUGS!

  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited January 2016

    I'm on it Molly👍🏻 Sending positive thoughts and she can hop in my pocket too;)

  • zinny
    zinny Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    Wow you guys are a busy bunch- it takes forever to catch up!

    Day 3 post chemo two, doing ok, laughing at the pictures, and loving the bella ones:) Gemma, your daughter is stunning.

    Words of support for AMaree. I am really glad they are going ahead with starting your treatment, chemo may sound bad, but it is a good cancer killer, and it is actually shocking to me how well it has gone for so many of us so far. Being young and healthy is definitely in your favour in fighting this, because all of your other cells haven't aged very much and I think of that as good "spring back" potential.

    The drugs they give you for the nausea etc are very effective - my mom went through this 30 years ago, and it is miles different now. The specific chemo for HER 2+ seems to be really good. You sound like a warrior and are on top of everything - good for you. It can be so isolating dealing with this, and that must be even more so with your age. The radiation part went well for me, probably because they were doing a skin sparing protocol as i am going for dbl mastectomy /reconstruction after, but it is all doable, as Peggy says.

  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited January 2016

    Well I had #6 round of chemo today. My last!!! It was a bit anticlimactic. No bell ringing or big celebration. But I did get a certificate of completion signed by all the staff. I thought that was nice so I guess I'll frame it.

    I got a self injecting Neulasta because of the storm predicted for tomorrow. And I start rads in a few weeks and ten years of Arimidex. My MO gave me a note to return to work ( in ten days). Since the SE's have been cumulative I'm not sure how that'll work. He said I could use it or tear it up( so tempting. I guess I'll drag my ass to the next chapter!

  • PontiacPeggy
    PontiacPeggy Member Posts: 6,778
    edited January 2016

    Jclc, That has to be a huge relief to be done with chemo! A certificate is nice but I understand wanting a bit of a celebration. I got a certificate when I was done with radiation - some people ring a bell but not my facility. Hopefully you'll start feeling better quickly. Rads should be easy for you. Maybe a bit of fatigue. I find Arimidex easy also. You've had surgery, right? It doesn't show on your profile. So two treatment steps down and two to go. YES!

    HUGS!

  • Peachy2
    Peachy2 Member Posts: 350
    edited January 2016

    Congrats, Jclc! I didn't have a bell to ring either, but I took a photo of the last of the IV bag draining, and this when it was done:

    image

  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited January 2016

    Thanks everyone! I guess my info just got lumped together. It was there before. Hopefully it will show up now. Thanks again.

  • HawaiiMom
    HawaiiMom Member Posts: 113
    edited January 2016

    mlp3--just loved the needle loc...don't look down...you may pop an eye out, both literally and figuratively! Question...how come needle loc today and not tomorrow?. Being a living pin cushion is no fun that long. Sending best wishes for your surgery!

    Jclc--congratulations on finishing chemo! Another chapter closed for you. I am just five weeks behind you.

    In March, getting off the island for a little vacay with my bffs before returning to work. We are going to las vegas but i'm thinking of dragging them on a bucket list trek to see the grand canyon. I think my dh is jealous.

    The more I think about it (with input from you, my friends) the more the pendulum is swaying toward that mx. Should have just had it done back in October instead of the reexcision. Ah, hindsight!!!

    Time to get off my sorry arse and clean house.

    Hugs to all.

  • Melclarity
    Melclarity Member Posts: 388
    edited January 2016

    MLP - Yay!!! So glad you went ahead and had such an amazing time with Hubby!!! So important to have that closeness. Glad it all went well today. I too had it done over 2 days, though I was admitted then went up to my room LOL and enjoyed solitude and lived like a Queen til surgery the next am. You'll do great!!

    Molly - Prayers for your BFF

    Marijen - So it said ER+ are lower risk of recurrence under 5 years??? I already blow that theory LOL

    Hawaiimom - usually if they do it the day before its because the surgery is scheduled first up early the next am and there wouldnt be time to do it.

  • Molly50
    Molly50 Member Posts: 3,773
    edited January 2016

    Thanks for the prayers everyone! Jclc, congratulations on finishing chemo!! Here's a bell for you.

    image

  • HappyHammer
    HappyHammer Member Posts: 1,247
    edited January 2016

    JcLc- YAY! You are done with that part. Hope you do well with this last treatment and that you feel better and stronger every day!

    MLP- Well, one down 2 to go...you will do great tomorrow- just hope your pockets are big enough for all of us!

    Molly- that is scary- praying all will be well. (GREAT bell!)

    Hawaii- love that you have a big trip planned with the BFF's. Hope you can get to the GC! Maybe it's on their bucket lists as well.

    Zinny- Warrior on!

    LTFly- you ok? Thinking of you.

  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    i'm good! I can't respond to everybody, it's been a busy day at work. Glad for everybody has made progress towards surgery, finished chemo, etc.

    My hair is starting to fall out for real! I got a wonder woman had today. I will be my own superhero!

    image

    I'm trying my best not to worry about recurrence. I know it's hard, I know it will get harder, but all I can do right now is fight cancer the best I can, have faith it won't come back, and have faith that if it does come back I can fight it again!

  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited January 2016

    Melclarity. I'm sorry you must have been one of the 9%, but....it doesn't say if that 9% is with our without chemo and radiation. Then after five years, it says it goes up and ER-negative is better. Well I thought it was good news.

  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited January 2016

    Thanks everyone!!!! I'm happy for all of us. We are all going to do great..my most optimistic day so far !!! Thanks for helping me celebrate.

  • Melclarity
    Melclarity Member Posts: 388
    edited January 2016

    Lovestofly - You look GREAT Loooove the hat!!!! awww sorry your hair is now falling. ABSOLUTELY!!!! After DX 4yrs ago I did what I had to do and I DID NOT WORRY after that...I got on with my life :) yeah it sucks whats happened but you know what?? I did what I had to again and I will LIVE again and enjoy life and NOT worry :) because I dont want to miss a minute of my life. So GREAT attitude!!!

  • Melclarity
    Melclarity Member Posts: 388
    edited January 2016

    JCLC - Congrats!!! Woohoo!!!! Finishing Chemo is a HUGE deal!!! be super proud!! and I'd take the few weeks and look after you...work will always be there...nurture you a little

  • LovesToFly
    LovesToFly Member Posts: 1,133
    edited January 2016

    absolutely Melclarity. Reality is I could step off the curb and got hit by a bus any day, these things happen all the time. Yes, the fact that I have cancer means I am more likely to have it again, and probably means I'm more likely to die of it. But so what? Right now it is very treatable. I have every reason to expect a long healthy life ahead of me even if it does come back. I plan to make the most of every good day,

  • Melclarity
    Melclarity Member Posts: 388
    edited January 2016

    Lovestofly!!! LOVE IT!!! Go girl!!! you are EXACTLY RIGHT! Life is 90% what happens to you and 10% how you DEAL with it!!! Stay positive and keep going.

  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited January 2016

    Thanks Melclarity! Carpe Diem.

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