Lumpectomy Lounge....let's talk!

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

    Sloan, yes the every six months monitoring is recommended due to my 30% risk of developing a new cancer. It is the schedule my sister is now on since she has the same mutation. Thankfully she doesn't have cancer.

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

    ChiSandy glad you liked the support group! Mel, your DD is beautiful like you.

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  • Moondust
    Moondust Member Posts: 510
    edited February 2016

    Thanks for adding me to the Fitbit group, Sloan! My daily goal is 15,000, but I go hiking one day per week which kicks up my daily average sometimes. I'm pretty obsessive about getting the steps. Tonight I spent an hour walking up and down my long rural driveway in the dark because I had to sit so much the rest of the day. I walk so I can eat :) If I get chemo I imagine I won't have the energy for that many steps. I find out my Oncotype score tomorrow!

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  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited February 2016

    HappyHammer-I'm from Chicago but currently live in Louisville, Kentucky .

    Mel- pretty pic of you and your daughter.

    You fit bitters are doing great. I keep track of mine with an iWatch. Right now my goals are smaller but growing by leaps and bounds lol.

    I go for my sim Friday and start rads on Monday. And will starting Arimidex simultaneously for 10 years wow. My MO told me I'd be under his care for the rest of my life. Maybe he just likes me! MO today, RO tomorrow. Busy girl. Good thing I don't have a social life.


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

    BrightSocks, I'd be surprised if you don't see an MO. Most with your ER/PR & Her2 status would be prescribed Tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor (depending on your menopause status). An MO handles that as well chemo when needed. My BS continues to see me, ordering mammograms and whatever else she deems necessary.

    HUGS!

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

    ChiSandy, sounds like you found a great support group. Mine was so disappointing. I was expecting/hoping for a group like I've found here. Didn't happen.

    Jclc, isn't it wonderful that we can take a drug to help keep BC from coming back? I've been on Arimidex for about 16 months with no issues.

    HUGS!!

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited February 2016

    Moondust, as Sloan might say, don't assume you will have SEs...I continued to walk during chemo and it really helped (IF you need it of course, fingers crossed for a low oncotype!).

    I am still contemplating joining the fitbit group...but right now my obsession is swimming, I've missed it SO much, and docs finally cleared me to go back into the pool (haven't been since July! surgery!).

    Sending hugs to all;

    Octogirl

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

    Jan, the Sim is pretty interesting. They will run it through the computer and you should know your plan on Monday. I spent a lot of time talking to the tech before and after the Sim. He was my favorite tech. I met with the nurse on my first day to go over the treatment plan and she showed me the field of radiation I would have covered and where to apply lotion. She gave me samples of the lotions they recommend. After treatment I met with the RO to discuss the plan. I saw her weekly but it was my favorite tech who really stayed on top of things. He carefully checked my skin daily and reminded me to stop wearing the bra that was leaving marks. Both techs and the nurse knew exactly at what point I would turn red, get itchy etc. They were kind caring and my RO was flexible with time off or switching things up to allow my skin to heal. I will be in your pocket for your Sim tomorrow.

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  • Brightsocks
    Brightsocks Member Posts: 159
    edited February 2016

    PonticaPeggy- Good point about the hormones but they won't be a part of my plan because of the risk factors and gain %. If I were to add them to my plan the difference is less than 1%. So the risk factors with my family history of strokes have switched my odds to not include the Tamoxifen. I also don't have a MO for that was not part of my treatment. I only have a RO which I will see from what I understand at the halfway point of my radiation.

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

    BrightSocks, Now I remember that you had contraindications for Tamoxifen. I saw my RO every week. The PA was there a lot. It was easy for me and I loved the whole staff (including my RO).

    HUGS!

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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    Mel... image

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

    Sloan- Saw the 19000 step goal and just LOL!!! Your idea bat putting the FB in the paint shaker was funny too.


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

    moon dust- that's awesome that you get so many steps in! Glad you joined us. In your pocket for the once score report

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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    Gosh... Lots of catching up to do!

    My oncotype came back at 27. With the aggressive grade 3, it's onto chemo next Tuesday! I went wig shopping yesterday in Boston with my daughter and we made a day of it... Shopping on Newbury St, sipped champagne at the Top of the Hub 52 floors above Boston. The brightest feature in the photo below is Fenway Park and the Big Air Freestyle Show set up. My friend is the GM of the restaurant and he treated us to Veuve Cliquot... How could I say no??

    I lost almost 4 pounds on the 3 day cleanse!

    I'm hoping I feel well enough to head to NH after my first treatment. It will be a 3 hour drive from Boston. It's school vacation week and I just want to get up there and recover while my son skis and has fun.

    Chisandy- I hope you get this LE and cording issue resolved sooner than later. But it sounds like you're not letting it slow you down. My cording has stayed out and feels better upon waking in the am. I think it's telling me that rest and not overdoing it is helping.

    Aye- congrats on the genetic testing and your cousin with negative results!

    Peggy- I hope your move goes smoothly. Every time I go to organize the attic, I get stuck sitting on a pile of old clothes and look through pictures!!

    Brit- great hats!

    Tami- congrats on the nodes!

    LTF- it's nice to hear that your situation inspired others to get checked. There must be a line at our closest mamm site because everyone in my town is now getting checked and giving themselves a good feel;)

    Mel- such beautiful pictures of you and your daughter;)

    Cyndi- I'll pm you once I get back from vacation and we can get together:)

    Sorry if I missed anyone. Here's the picture of my wig too... Real hair and they are adding highlights and low lights to make some roots and make it more natural looking. I went with the brachytherapy waves that I can also straighten. $1900!! I have a script and I'm hoping insurance picks up a lot, if not all😳

    image

    image

    image


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

    MLP3, well crap! Sorry you're on to chemo-land. But you'll manage just fine. Loved the photos!

    I have 4 months before my move (and I sure hope my house is sold before I leave). Like you, I get sidelined by all the photos. It's sad that so many of the very very old photos have no information on them. And though, I'm old, I haven't been able to recognize or figure out who many of them were. Nothing like a photo from 1923 of 2 people with the photo labelled: "Coronado 1923" with the Hotel Del in the background and no clue who the people are! But I'm progressing. Books are ALL PACKED. Boxes to go with me; boxes that are going to be donated. That's huge.

    HUGS!!!!

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  • Jclc83
    Jclc83 Member Posts: 246
    edited February 2016

    Thanks Molly you're a sweetheart.

    I start on Arimidex as soon as I pick it up.(probably tomorrow).. My MO warned me most people gain 10-20 lbs Oh joy. I was pretty happy I just lost 10, thanks to never ending diarrhea on chemo. But there's always a brightside.

    He also wants me to keep my port for a year just in case. I have to have it flushed every 4-6-8 weeks. Otherwise I don't have to see him for 2 months. I'm hoping I don't have any SE's either Peggy.

    Wow MLP that doesn't look like a wig at all It looks great , very natural So many pretty women in this group!

    My MO also said in about two months I might have something to comb. Now where did I put that comb?Hmmm.


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

    MLP, sorry about the chemo but I think you knew with grade 3 it was pretty much a given. I can't believe that is a wig!! You are such a beauty! Hey, I feel GOOD today! First time in I don't know how long. Woooo hoooo!!!!!

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

    Mlp gorgeous...I would never guess it's a wig!

    I actually sucked it up and ordered a new wig online ( even though I have three weeks I barely wear, because I find them so uncomfortable). My friends mother loaned me her memory cap Raquel Welch wig, it is so comfortable! But I can't wear it because the style makes me look just like my mother!!! Even though I'm pretty used to going around bald now, I still would like to have a wig that is really comfortable for when I do want to wear one. So I got one by the same manufacturer and cap type!

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  • octogirl
    octogirl Member Posts: 2,804
    edited February 2016

    yay for every day that gets you closer to moving Peggy

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  • iammags
    iammags Member Posts: 216
    edited February 2016

    Hi. It looks like I might be the newest member of your club. And, while I'm sure that you all are the best, I wish that I didn't have to join. I was diagnosed last week and will have a lumpectomy on 2 March. The waiting is killing me (I hope not literally!). I have two lesions on my right breast. One is DCIS grade 3 and the other is IDC grade 2. Of course the staging comes after surgery but my BS seems to think that she can get it all out. The lesions are very small <1 cm each. I'm having an MRI on Friday and for some reason I'm more nervous about that than the lumpectomy.

    Honestly I just don't know what to think. There is so much to think about. Too much. I know that I'll be ok. 99% chance of being cured. I've never been in the 1% (hahaha) so that's comforting. Maybe it's the waiting but all of a sudden I'm realizing that I have breast cancer. I haven't cried but now I am. What if? What if? I know that I can't worry about what if's.

    I'm having a lumpectomy, with a bit of reconstruction. Did anyone else have to to have the reconstruction too? How does it look? Are you happy with it? Does anyone wish that they had a mastectomy instead? I'd love your advice and opinions.

    Thank you!

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  • LaNena
    LaNena Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2016

    Molly: Great to hear you're feeling good today. Do something fun to celebrate!

    ===

    The Fitbit group keeps on growing - I love how motivating it has been for me. But I have to say it is quite challenging trying to keep up with Sloan and Moondust.

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

    JCLC, I have gained a bit of weight but I don't think it's the Arimidex. Some of the stress of my life was eased when DH went into a nursing home and that allowed me to gain some weight. I'm pretty stable. Hopefully, you'll be the same.

    Molly, YIPPEE!! Enjoy feeling great!

    Octogirl, No kidding! I can't wait!

    HUGS!

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

    IAmMags - Welcome! You're right. None of us really wanted to be here. But since we are, this is the best place to be. We're warm, welcoming, comforting, informative and a bit crazy. You'll find that we have a huge variety of BC experiences and help you navigate this scary journey. Please update your profile and make it PUBLIC (each and every item) as well as making public where you live (we could have some of us close by). Put in everything you know, suspect. You can always edit later if things change.

    It's so hard at first. We were all terrified (and some of that remains forever) when diagnosed. You don't know the questions to ask because you don't know anything! I recommend Dr Susan Love's Breast Book. It is a comprehensive guide to your breast and breast cancer. My MRIs have been long. I was on my tummy with my teeny boobs hanging through holes. It took me about 45 minutes and the last 10 or so they inject dye and you can't move or fidget or anything (which, of course, you want to do by then). But it's doable. Don't worry. The 2nd time I had one, I took a couple Tylenol before it since my back hurt (my legs were slightly elevated). That helped a lot.

    I didn't have reconstruction but I know several ladies have. Your BS sounds good and very positive. You'll end up with a whole team including your BS, MO and RO. Make sure you ask about having an Oncotype test done. Oncotype Test

    Keep asking your questions and we'll be glad to tell what we know. Good luck tomorrow!

    HUGS!

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

    Welcome iammags. Sorry you need to join us but we are a fun (and talkative) bunch.

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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    yay Molly! Have a great day😀

    Iammags- you found a great group here! Peggy is right in telling you to pick up a copy of Dr Loves Breast Book. Try and get the latest edition. The wait absolutely sucks. Period. But staying in the loop here for advice, recipes, exercise tips and even intimacy talk... It helps pass the time with a group of like-minded and very strong women.

    Off to the dentist to fix a broken crown and get a cleaning... I think I'm more nervous about this than I was my lx and snb lol!!


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  • ayr1016
    ayr1016 Member Posts: 228
    edited February 2016

    For all of you who live in cold climates (snow!), I thought of you all when my air conditioner kicked on yesterday. I thought how crazy it is that some of you are getting a lot of snow and here my air conditioner is on ;)

    Jan: Good luck on Monday with your first day of RADS - in your pocket for your SIM and 1st day!

    Sandy: That is wonderful to hear that you liked the support group. I keep going back and forth about seeking one out or not.

    MLP: WOWZA!! I kept looking at your wig thinking you were pulling one over on us ;) No way I would ever think that was a wig. Looks fantabulous! Love the pics. I will live vicariously through all of you ladies who travel.

    Molly: Happy you are having a good day of feeling great!!

    Peggy: Funny you mention pictures with no labels. Before most pics went digital, I would write the names and dates on the back of all of my printed pictures. It used to annoy my mother in law LOL. I don't know why it would annoy her, but it was something that I made sure to do on all the pics of my kids, etc. It has really come in handy as I look through old pics now. I love seeing exactly what day/year the pics were taken.

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  • ChiSandy
    ChiSandy Member Posts: 12,133
    edited February 2016

    MLP--I thought when I saw the pic the caption would be “One last photo before I get the pre-chemo buzz-cut.” It’s amazing how natural it looks, right down to the random waves and hairline. Can’t really tell, between your previous photos and this one, which one is your own hair and which is the wig. (BTW, you can always truthfully answer the question “is that your own hair?” with “You bet.” After all, you paid for it!!!)

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  • MLP3
    MLP3 Member Posts: 534
    edited February 2016

    chisandy- lol! Great answer to the wig or no wig question;)

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  • Sloan15
    Sloan15 Member Posts: 896
    edited February 2016

    MLP - Your hair (wig) looks fabulous!, I, like chisandy, did a double take and had to re-read your post! Wow!

    Chisandy- Hilarious comeback. That's one of those comments where you get a little chuckle every time you think of it.

    Just finished getting my blood work done for my appt on Tues. Kinda scary.

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  • iammags
    iammags Member Posts: 216
    edited February 2016

    Thanks for the advice! I'll follow it. And I'm glad that you all are a fun, talkative group because I am too! hahaa

    BTW, I asked my doc for Ativan for the MRI. I want to be sedated. But it still doesn't sound fun.

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