Calling all TNs

MakeupLover -

Sorry I have no advice re: reconstruction. I will be in the same position. But YAY for the Pet Scan. :-)

Rebekah

• so sorry about your friend Val.

I wanted to check in and ask for prayers. I had my endometrial biopsy and d&c surgery yesterday. I am doing ok as far as recovery but the doc said that the vaginal ultrasound that was done before showed a suspicious cyst on my left ovary. I actually read the report on my medical file online from my hospital and it read as possible neoplasm. The doc that did my surgery said he thought the original radiologist overread the results. I damn well hope sure. I am so nervous that it will be positive for ovarian cancer. The doc said I should get pathology results by fri. Either way he said possible hormone treatment and/or surgery. I'm really scared. I had a cat scan in March of my abdomen that was normal. And now just a few months later I have a large suspicious cyst on my ovary. Im not mentally ready to deal with a new cancer. This sucks. And I tested negative for gene testing when I was first dx 2 years ago. I can't think of having a full hysterectomy at 47. My mom had a partial heand developed issues with eliminating urine right after and had to catheritize herself daily to urinate. That is a fear for me also since I dealt with urinary hesitancy during my taxol treatment. Just can't think about more cancer now. Life is sometimes not fair. I have a huge 2 week trip to Amsterdam, Paris, & London booked and paid for that is in October. It was something I was looking forward to. Now as i am just past my 2 year mark since my reexcision I am facing another August surgery and a September where i may possibly be starting chemo. I'm just mad at cancer today. and thanks for listening.

thanks Janet. I'm trying hard not to panic. I so need my tn sisters to keep me calm and share their stories and experiences. I guess I'm just feeling that anxiety before biopsy results. Plus I feel so bloaty today post op.

Dear Shopgal2 - it seems to be the radiologist's job to overread because of course the goal is not to miss anything. So try your best to sidetrack your mind and concentrate on your glorious trip! Until something definitive comes out, that trip is still on.

I truly admire you - I'm the one who can't even look at travel websites right now.

I'm cheering you on!!!

Shopgal, we are definitely here for you. It could very well be a cyst. I had a partial hysterectomy, kept my ovaries, before breast cancer. It wasn't too bad. Try to take cleansing breaths and dream about your trip. Let us know as soon as you get results.

hello again everyone

I had a wonderful consult with the plastic surgeon. She was super nice and understanding. She explained two options for reconstruction, pros and cons for both etc. Well after meeting with her I feel more confident in going down the double mastectomy with reconstruction route.

I still want a second opinion though and have an appt for that this coming Thursday. My surgery is already schedule for August 30, eeek! So I have to move fast. I have to let my job know as well lol.

Sam, I also thought long and hard about lumpectomy vs. mastectomy. Everything you said, my doctors said as well. I guess it makes sense to decrease your risk as much as possible or recurrence and double mastectomy offers that. I would hate to do a lumpectomy and then have a recurrence somewhere down the line, I do know that nothing is guaranteed and even with a mastectomy cancer can come back. Lets hope not!! I wish you the very best for your surgery! Please keep us posted.

Rebekah, yes I'm so happy the pet scan was clear!! how are things going with you?? what are your next steps, I think you are doing chemo first?

Shopgal, I will keep you in my thoughts!! Enjoy your trip

rdeesides the port surgery wasn't bad. Just sore after. Ice and Tylenol helped.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. I esp needed it today. It definitely was a Xanax day. I just need to stop my racing thoughts. Plus I'm just extra crampytoday.

Makeup lover sounds like you have come to peace with your decision. Always go with your gut. Most of us have had second thoughts on our decisions but you make the best decision with the info you have at the time. Do not look back and second guess. That just is not good. Trust me on this. And a second opinion will settle your mind.

Hey Shopgal. Rooting for you. I so feel you about it not being fair, and the fear of a hysterectomy which causes it's own problems.

My vaginal u/s in Feb 2017 showed a cyst on my left ovary. After the radiologist looked again and my MO they said it will correct itself or stay the same, as I'm post menopause. I was told by 3 different dr's that a cyst is different from a mass or growth on the ovary. I've had them in the past and they have disappeared. The worst one was when they did a biopsy and it burst. I was in pain for weeks.

I've had a stomach ct, pet etc. It's easier said than done not to , but don't borrow tomorrow's anxiety today. With this beast of a disease, so many things come up, that if we had not had this dx, I feel would be handled differently.

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts about losing my friend. Devastated does not begin to explain my feelings.

For those contemplating lumpectomy vs masectomy, you have to get your info, opinions and then be comfortable in your decision. We are all so different, our worries, concerns etc. I can say that radiation has almost made it impossible for me to consider recon at this time. My skin is so damaged. Good thing I knew this going in.

Rebekah- hope the port placement went well for you today. I managed to get a really nice nurse to get my chemo start date moved to tomorrow, which is when I'll get my port putin. Isn't it crazy to want to start chemotherapy? Sad we are here, but I'm always impressed by the strength of the women here.

Hang in there ladies!

Dear Rebekah, I hope the chemo sessions will go very smoothly for you.

VL22, good luck with the port placement and chemo tomorrow.

@ALHusband: I was just thinking about her this morning. I truly hope she's ok. Has anyone messaged her daughter?

VL22 -Yay! Two big steps! Hope chemo goes smoothly

Shopgal So sorry for the scary uncertainty you are going through. Your trip is definitely going ahead until and unless you have to postpone it for some reason. The assumption must be that everything is OK until you have more news, right? Hang in there, there's no point in worrying. I know it's hard but we're all cheering you on.

Hi MakeupLover- first chemo went very smoothly. When I got home I felt extremely fatigued, but I think it was more from the twilight drugs to have my port put in - in total I was at the hospital for 7 hours.

I woke every couple hours last night, when I usually don't, but I woke up feeling fine. Probably the steroids in the premeds. Port feels great. I made breakfast and walked dog for 4 miles!

So glad you're moving along! First appointment will be going over your chemo regimen and setting start date. I asked about the Neulesta shot, and they checked with my insurance company and it covered the one that is this little pod that is attaches to the back of your arm after chemo - 27 hours later it gives you a shot and you remove it an hour later. Saves returning to the hospital.

Hope all goes well - you will so much more at ease knowing the schedule and getting the first one done

Shopgal, any news??