Re: a diet... I agree chisandy... I've never been a fan of shakes and I like to get my nutrients via real food. Good, organic and real food. I haven't looked at the ingredients for shakeology yet, but I bought one a while back and never used it. It's called Vega and its fruits and veggies with vegetable proteins. That's it. It's like having a smoothie for bfast. They make a choc one and adding a banana to it is like having dessert. I'll research the 3 day cleanse and let's start Monday? Who's in?

I eat so super clean and cut out all processed food plus sugar, including fruit. I'm mostly veggies and grains. But since my dx, I've turned to a comforting vegan wrap, chips, pasta(once or twice a week) and wine. I'm ready to clean it up with the reboot 3 day cleanse and go from there.

Chisandy- so sorry to hear about your friend. She has a great mentor in you for sure! Your fish recipe sounds delicious! Prior to going vegan, I was a big fish eater. Have you ever been to southern Italy? We went to Puglia and everything was fresh fish and veggies. Positano and Capri too. And in small amounts of olive oil and herbs and fresh from the sea that day. I adore italia!

Karen- so happy to hear that surgery went well!

Peggy- I had a hysterectomy in 2014 but kept ovaries. I don't know if I'm pre or mid menopause.

614... Or should I say biker chick;)

Octogirl/ great advice to cv

CV- rant away! Your coworkers need to respect your feelings and not bully you into doing something that is emotionally stressful to you.

Ayr- I asked about my tumor and they kind of did a virtual scale with their hands in the timing and when I found it. Sounded like I caught mine half way to 3/4 from the top of the scale? Most likely started dcis 6-8 months ago. I'll ask again on Thursday.

So... I had markings above my snb site that look like blue hash marks... Are those my rad tats already? The waterproof bandage has come undone at the top and some of the markings have worn off. I told my husband I thought it was my bs signature!!! Making her mark after surgery lol

Octogirl-"gave at home"- good comeback!

CV- glad you came here to rant- we get it!

Sandy- so sorry about your friend! Like the idea of shooting dishes in the back yard, but it's messy. Then again, so is BC!

MLP- am with you for Monday. The Shakeology was just something someone suggested I try and it worked in terms of getting some protien during chemo. I lost a lot of weight- just couldn't eat and when I did- everything tasted like crud. After drinking Shakeo for 5 months, it just became a habit and easy. I may keep doing that and just clean up everything else. Have already cut out most sugar- except in crackers and bread- and, most dairy. SO now it's time to kick all dairy/sugar to the curb and get more serious about the weight. I lost almost 40 lbs between dx and ending chemo. Have put about 10 back on. Need to get more off to get the BMI to a more normal number. Starting Arimidex on Fri. Thanks for getting us started.

Waiting for a call back from my mo. My BP was 103/61 while watching tv and totally relaxed last night. I'm not dehydrated so I don't know what it could be. But it happened in recovery and just never really left me.

Anyone ever in the Charleston, SC area- there are so many fantastic places to eat. My son is cooking at The Mackintosh. He just sent me a photo of one of his faves from the menu last month. " Seared golden tilefish with Parisian gnocchi and duck fat sweet onions."

HappyHammer, wow does that look good! Love, love, love Charleston though haven't been in over ten years. They do have had some fantastic food there! I could eat shrimp and grits until it was coming out of my ears.

MLP3--I believe you were the one who asked about the flu shot? I would recommend that you get it, unless you are currently undergoing chemo. This is high season for flu, but you can get it year-round. I've been a nurse for 38years and I can tell you from personal and professional experience, you don't want to get the flu, especially right now while you're dealing with a major health issue. Last time I have the flu was about 10 years ago. I got it twice in one season, followed by pneumonia both times. I thought I would never get well. Indeed, it took 4 months for me to fully recover and since then I am prone to bronchitis and pneumonia if I get an upper respiratory infection. I have never skipped a flu shot since then, and I have also had the pneumonia shot.

Molly--I am not having traditional recon. I just can't face multiple surgeries for the sake of making other people more comfortable with my looks. I still have two more surgeries to go this year. My doctor developed a recon technique called the Goldilocks Reconstruction. The BS will take out al the breast tissue, then the PS takes the remaining skin and fat and forms it into breast-like mounds. It's a one-step recon best suited for large-breasted women. I fit that description easily. I'm hoping for good results. Her after pics are very encouraging. I will actually be happy to have reduced breast size, as I've been large breasted all my life. Even when I weighed 95-lbs, I was a full C cup. Very embarrassing for a 15 year old girl. At this age I am significantly bigger and my breasts are too. I would be thrilled if I never had to wear a bra again!

Creativevintage, I feel the same way. I hate all the Pink Power business and I'm not about to walk 60 miles anywhere. Heck, if the road was paved to the bathroom, I'd drive it.

Molly, I'm veeery fortunate to live in Atlanta, where Dr. Ma has her practice. What Dr. Ma told me is that after the Goldilocks recon, I can wait about 6-8 months. If I'm not satisfied with the look, she can go back in and just place an implant. Basically, a breast enhancement rather than full recon. No TEs, outpatient surgery. I'll see how it goes. As I said, I'm not inclined toward multiple surgeries. I just want my clothes to be a little filled out. The big advantage of the Goldilocks is that it makes enough of a mound to hold your bra or cami in place so they don't ride up. If I need more filling, I can always get some prosthetics.

Poodles, I thought I was the only one who'd drive to the bathroom!!

HUGS!!

Brutersmom - Yes I agree, I actually found it funny, absolutely just the healing, nothing to be concerned about at all. I see my BS tonight so he'll check it out, but Ive healed up beautifully, well like a Warrior hahaha!!! I have a 2inch scar quite big and I own it!!! LOL

Brightsocks I havent heard of that, though the dots are really nothing, you can't even see them truly.

I got my tats this morning and all went well. I think a requirement of the staff at any BC location is to be happy all the time. It is nice that they are all so happy and asking if I am comfortable when I just want to jump off the table and leave. It is odd to have a conversation with total medical stranger half exposed and cracking jokes. I am sure by the end of treatment I will walk out of the hospital topless as I become more and more desensitized. Must write myself a note to "Place Top on".

Thanks for the warm welcome and hugs, everyone! I think I am gradually getting less anxious about the surgery, but I will probably need something the morning of the surgery, so I will be sure to ask for it. I did some pre/post-surgery shopping today so I feel a little more prepared. I need to find some of those really cute kids' ice packs like Peachy2 has. :-)

PontiacPeggy, a big part of my decision to choose lx over mx was just what you said. I can always do an mx down the road, if needed. Thanks for the run down of surgery day and after. I bought a new sweatpants/jacket set today for my surgery. Comfort is key. :-) I currently am planning to take off about a week from work. I have a desk job, sitting at a computer all day, and I can work from home if needed. But I did tell my boss that it would all depend on my recovery and how I feel. I sure hope my hospital has heated gowns but I doubt I will get that lucky.

Sloan15 and Molly50, I do feel like the lx and rads route is what is right for me. Once I made that decision, I have never wavered.

Peachy2, I have never been to Universal Studios, but I want to get there someday. My daughter and her fiance went last fall and loved it. Glad to hear the surgery is easier than childbirth. I delivered both of my kids naturally (no drugs other than a pill to calm my nerves).

Creativevintage, I hear you! Rant away. I think it is wonderful that so many people support and participate in the many events (and I have given to lots of bc things in the past), but my life is consumed with trying to get through my dx and treatment right now. That might sound selfish to people outside this club of ours, but it is where my head is right now.

Brightsocks, I made a similar comment to my husband about all of the breast exposure I have had to do recently. I have never been one to wear low-cut shirts or show much cleavage and now it seems like I have had to take my top off for every "Dr. X" I get near. I, too, will need a note to "Place Top on". :-)

Happy Hammer and ChiSandy - I so would have come to NC, but I'm out of the country April through May 26. Darn! I thought about saying, "Don't pick April and May" when you first started talking about it. That'll show me! DARN!

So, I got my Onctotype today.. 18, ugh! very first number in the intermediate zone. I am meeting with MO tomorrow. I know this is my choice, with the help of the MO's expert advice, but I'd value any input from you girls...

Amy

Gemma, I hear you. My Oncotype was 23, squarely in the middle of intermediate. My MO recommended chemo because of the Oncotype and me PR- BC status. I do not regret having the chemo. Yeah, it was moderately unpleasant sometimes, and I did have a few complications, but it wasn't awful. Now I'm on the other side and my hair is about 1/2"-1" long. Still quite fuzzy, like a baby duck. Foo.

Happy Hammer, the gathering sounds AWESOME. I live in Atlanta, soooo about 5-6 hours from Hickory. I'll have to see if I can work it into my schedule. That's the weekend before the Mem. Day weekend so that might work. Are husbands invited or is this a girl thing? Maybe husbands would feel uncomfortable with this? I don't know.