May 2016 Surgeries

GreyKat, unfortunately that's exactly what it sounds like to me – they're only giving you the "learn to live with it" option which, as others have said, cannot be the only option. I would start practicing my hissy fit right now if I were you.

Momof6, so sorry about the shingles! Ouch!

Papillon, you look great!

Greykat, hoping you get some answers soon.

I just got back from getting two of my drains pulled. So I have one left on each side and I'm hopeful that I'll get them out next Monday at my first post op dr visit. They really haven't given me any problems, but it will be nice to not have to deal with them

Looking great, Papillon!

Papillon, it looks fantastic!

I've asked the BS to do nice scars but forgot to tell him to do them symmetrical! I thought he could think of that himself. On the other hand, I had very uneven boobs due to the previous operations, so he might have an excuse. After 8 years of losing hair, losing breasts, getting hair again, dyeing no pigment hair to a clownish red colour, lymphedema and I don't know what else...I've stopped caring anymore.

Momof6 - My husband had shingles this winter and was miserable for a couple of weeks....my condolences to you!

GreyKat, I work with occupational therapists and physical therapists - at least in my work they split the clients in that the ones that need help with large muscle movements like walking - get PT and the ones that have need for small muscle help like writing - get OT. Maybe this is the case for you? Still it sounds like other things like nerve issues are going on and it would be good to see the neurologist.

Papillion- Your surgery really looks great.

Today I saw 3 doctors -the oncologist - she was 20 minutes late to the appointment and then went on and on about tamoxifen and I had to remind her that I already used that my first time with cancer and I thought we were going to try something different this time... Frustrating.

I saw the nutritionist - but was late because of the oncologist - She was great so much information and I can see her again. She gave me great ideas on how to eat healthy for cancer and specifically for estrogen positive! I learned tons.

I saw the plastic surgeon - she is awesome. I had the second fill today. I am at 120 cc total. The radiated breast is a little sore. I may get my next surgery in July.

I came home and had to take a nap. I have to travel to the doctors so that is why I have so many in one day

Mom4four. I second grandma3x's question. I'd like to hear more about the nutritionist. I have 5 daughters and truly aweful family history of breast cancer. nutrition sounds like a good thing to start with in educating them about all of this.

Raven - Enjoy that glass of wine tonight! Congrats on your progress.

About the nutritionist, I will post info tomorrow as I am in bed (it's midnight here) I just wanted to check in one more time. I will see if I can figure out how to scan the papers she gave me so we can all share. I am going to a cancer center also. It was interesting to hear how estrogen is "produced" from the fat and sugar we eat. Also she said that getting 20 - 25 grams of fiber a day is helpful in estrogen + cancer because fiber binds with the fats and sugars so it is elimated from the body. And one last thing I remember is she told me to use a certain kind of seaweed to make beans less gas producing for me.

Now I am just saying what I remember so tomorrow I will post better information and her name.

About the nutrition - I do know that estrogen is produced in fat, so lower body fat makes sense. I didnt know the roll of fiber. That's interesting. Also, so many folks go fat free. But the fat free fiasco of the 80's and 90's should be a warning. When you cut fat, you tend to increase carbs. And any excess carbs get turned into fat!!

GreyKat - thank you for the cookbook suggestions! I find myself examining everything I put into my body these days. I've laid off alcohol completely since my first surgery and find I no longer have a taste for it (this is going from a must have wine everyday lifestyle). I eat a lot less bread and pasta (my 2 other favorite things in the world), but I have not given up dairy completely. I drink skim milk and eat fat-free plain yogurt pretty much everyday for the calcium, but ice cream is no longer allowed in my house (my favorite bed time snack in my pre-cancer days). I may have it easy in some ways as my husband does not drink alcohol and does not eat sweets due to reactive hypoglycemia, so I don't have to watch him indulge when I can't.

My first fill on Wednesday also went easy, but I was sore by nightfall and then had a pretty low energy day yesterday. I am much better today and hoping will be the same for you by tomorrow.

Momof6 - your comment about going fat-free is so true! I have been told that some fat is necessary to help your body absorb nutrients, so I try to eat nuts along with fruits and veggies for snacks now, and add add nuts and berries to my fat-free yogurt (I know - it's counterintuitive, but I'm just trying to avoid milk fat, which has some estrogen in it...).

Raven - your PS sounds like a winner! I have not seen my PS since surgery and won't see her until 2 weeks from now. I'll have some pretty specific questions for her like how come one side is 2 inches higher than the other? I had them done at different times, but sheesh, I'm going to have to live with this unevenness until I have the exchange surgery in October... I'm also pretty sure she is not the holding hands type - just hope she's good for the final exchange!

Moreshoes, I will dig out the pamphlet and share. One thing that stood out was that I was not to take my antacid (prilosec) with vitamins. I was to stagger them. She said the vitamins negate the effects of the antacids. Who knew.

Additionally, the constant thread with both the naturepath and nutritionist, was less is more. Natural sugars, meats etc in moderation, no processed foods. whole grains etc.

The reason I personally (i'm no expert, and it's just my opinion) I became a vegan after my first breast cancer diagnosis 24 years ago. lost a ton of weight, began running. I can really say the last 24 years I've been whats termed totally healthy, both inside and out. Then in my other breast, I got the most aggressive cancer you can get without being a stage IV. Stage III Inflammatory breast cancer. I felt for a while nothing matters, because I had regular mammograms (not seen on a mammo 9 months earlier) even a few diagnostic ones over the years, no alcohol, healthy living and eating? I was totally bummed for quite a while

So though I felt great during those years, my diet and exercise did not one thing to help to prevent cancer, but i can say those years i felt good, and maybe it's why I've done so well so far with harsh chemo and now surgery (my MO says this is a key factor)

Now? Do I personally think the way I eat will affect a recurrence? Nope, but that is me and my personal opinion. Also, I eat a pretty lean healthy diet now, so I would never go to the other side of excess.

I do eat lean and clean, but have steroid weight. If I want a glass of wine, or a treat, I'm doing it.

Just me, and my 2 cents. Well maybe 3.

I agree. I feel pretty good, and felt great before this dx. My stomach is slowly deflating. I liken it to a beach balloon being deflated. No I'm not having reconstruction, but I am having a tummy tuck if i'm still ned next year. For sure.

Still hanging out at the hospital trying to keep the right side TE viable. I've been here since Wednesday and it looks like I'll go home tomorrow. Lots of book reading, movie watching, and visitors to pass the time. Things have improved since my second surgery, but I've been told I'm not out of the woods yet. Definitely not how I envisioned my post-mastectomy healing to go, particularly with my non-cancer side, but still trying to keep a positive attitude and hoping for the best.