Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[lookingforward]

ScarletFire, I had a total hyst in 2001 at age 44, almost 4 years before my breast cancer diagnosis. I had been having very bad bleeding/clotting issues for several years and then they found dermoid cycts on my ovaries so a total hyst was pretty much a no-brainer. Interestingly enough, I was put on a low dose of estradiol (an estrogen replacement) to prevent hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms, and then ended up with estrogen positive DCIS...(so now I'm on an "anti-estrogen"!)

Are you having just the ovaries removed? For estrogen positive cancers that reduces the amount of estrogen in your body that could potentially "feed" a cancer. It also makes you "eligible" for some of the other hormonal treatments like aromatase inhibitors for post-menopausal women.

The surgery is "instant menopause"...and as such women experience a variety of symptoms to varying degrees... like hot flashes, sleep disruption, dryness in certain,..uummm.. tissues, possible bone loss, etc. There are lots of non-hormonal strategies/treatments for dealing with some of these symptoms.

I thnk we've had posters here who have had their ovaries removed as a treatment for estrogen+ breast cancer, I hope they will chime in!

GAGWTA!

I am VERY interested in this subject because my tumor was 96% sensitive to Estrogen and Progesterone, so it would be to my advantage. I am currently going through menapause symptoms (hot flashes, etc) due to the chemotherapy and age 47, so I was wondering if I went through the surgery would I then have to go through the symptoms again? Are the new inhibitors better than the old standard tomoxofin?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have no experience with either hyst or ER/PR + tumors. Will follow along, though. Somewhat related, I guess - I am going to have gene testing in June. If I'm positive, they'll recommend having my ovaries out to lower incidence of ovarian ca later. We'll see how that goes (we're expecting it to be negative based on my family history, and my one cousin who had BC tested negative). My new oncologist specializes in genetics.

I wonder how Dawn's doing?

Hope everyone had a nice Easter.

Thank you for the ham recipe, Merry. I might try it out next time I have to bring something to a large gathering or have a dinner party.

A funny "tax season" story I thought I'd share. We got all our tax stuff back from our accountant. Somehow, there was a check in there addressed to me from Disney Shareholder Services (DH must have given him our stockholder packet, I own one share of Disney stock, LOL.) Anyway, the check is for $0.35, and on it is a sticky note which says, "Linda, Attached is a check for a lot of money. Please spend it carefully. Sincerely, Mickey Mouse". DH handed it to me and said "this must be accountant humor". (He must not be a Disney fan or surely he would have told me to Have A Magical Day!)

Speaking of Disney, hope Laura had a good trip!

Work has been busy lately, I'm doing some work from home and picking up extra hours as well. It's going to get even busier over the next few months so I may not be posting as much as usual but I'll definitely be following along.

GAGWTA!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

GAGWTA!!

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter. We decided to take a spur-of-the-moment drive down to Virginia to spend some time with family. It was good to get out of "Cancerland" for a couple of days.

Now I'm back home and the thoughts are creeping back...

I made the decision to abandon treatment in NJ altogether so I am again without a surgery date, but, you know what, this is perfectly fine. All arrows and signs were pointing towards Sloan Kettering. I have an appt. on 4/1 with my new breast surgeon (female) and an appt. with a PS on 4/10 (also female). BS is well-known in NY and PS specializes in microflap surgery, so maybe she will tell me that I AM physically able to have a DIEP or S-GAP. The docs I met with in NJ never even mentioned muscle sparing flaps, as I assume they have no experience with this type of surgery. DS brought all of my "stuff" over to Sloan this morning and so BS should be ready to tell me what she thinks should be done. I do not expect to hear anything different (i.e., lumpectomy & radiation over mastectomy). What I think will be done differently is that she will perform the sentinel node at the same time as the mastectomies.

I made sure to ask if either woman is planning on taking vacation in April, and happily, the answer is no. BS's nurse said that I will likely be in surgery at the same time as was planned here, maybe even earlier.

I am nervous about the surgery. I went out and bought a pair of button down pajamas and a bunch of pillows today. I guess I have to go out and buy some button down shirts too (I'm a pull over kind of gal) for after the surgery. I read that it's also a good idea to have stool softener on hand (sorry, TMI).

Does anyone have any other advice?

Hope everyone is feeling well, especially those in treatment.

Dawn

 

[piglet too]

Hi. I need some good thoughts for my Mom. She recently had a lumpectomy and due to the rareness of her cancer started chemo on Wednesday. I just got a call from my sister that she has been admitted to the hospital due to fever and low white blood cell count. I assume this is somewhat normal, but I am a mess right now. Can any of you have been through chemo, or going through it now, help me out. Is this normal? How serious is it? I was/am such a wreck I did not ask my sister any questions and don't even know if I can or should go visit.

DH and I were over on Sunday to help with the dogs while my dad was at work. She seemed tired and achy, but otherwise in good spirits. She did tell me that she was hovering at 100.4 and that whatever meds she was taking said to call if it was over 100.4 Should I have told her to call anyways?

 

[lookingforward]

Hi. I need some good thoughts for my Mom. She recently had a lumpectomy and due to the rareness of her cancer started chemo on Wednesday. I just got a call from my sister that she has been admitted to the hospital due to fever and low white blood cell count. I assume this is somewhat normal, but I am a mess right now. Can any of you have been through chemo, or going through it now, help me out. Is this normal? How serious is it? I was/am such a wreck I did not ask my sister any questions and don't even know if I can or should go visit.

DH and I were over on Sunday to help with the dogs while my dad was at work. She seemed tired and achy, but otherwise in good spirits. She did tell me that she was hovering at 100.4 and that whatever meds she was taking said to call if it was over 100.4 Should I have told her to call anyways?

Yes, low white blood counts are quite common when in chemo treatment. I am currently doing chemo (23 more days) and my white count was .6 last week when normal is 4-10. I was told to stay away from crowds and if I had a fever I was to report directly to the ER for hospital stay. Is your mom getting Nulasta shots the day after chemo? If not, she should ask her doctor. It helps with the white blood count, the next week (five days) after my .6 count my white count has risen to 5! I hope you mom is doing better.

 

[lookingforward]

GAGWTA!!

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter. We decided to take a spur-of-the-moment drive down to Virginia to spend some time with family. It was good to get out of "Cancerland" for a couple of days.

Now I'm back home and the thoughts are creeping back...

I made the decision to abandon treatment in NJ altogether so I am again without a surgery date, but, you know what, this is perfectly fine. All arrows and signs were pointing towards Sloan Kettering. I have an appt. on 4/1 with my new breast surgeon (female) and an appt. with a PS on 4/10 (also female). BS is well-known in NY and PS specializes in microflap surgery, so maybe she will tell me that I AM physically able to have a DIEP or S-GAP. The docs I met with in NJ never even mentioned muscle sparing flaps, as I assume they have no experience with this type of surgery. DS brought all of my "stuff" over to Sloan this morning and so BS should be ready to tell me what she thinks should be done. I do not expect to hear anything different (i.e., lumpectomy & radiation over mastectomy). What I think will be done differently is that she will perform the sentinel node at the same time as the mastectomies.

I made sure to ask if either woman is planning on taking vacation in April, and happily, the answer is no. BS's nurse said that I will likely be in surgery at the same time as was planned here, maybe even earlier.

I am nervous about the surgery. I went out and bought a pair of button down pajamas and a bunch of pillows today. I guess I have to go out and buy some button down shirts too (I'm a pull over kind of gal) for after the surgery. I read that it's also a good idea to have stool softener on hand (sorry, TMI).

Does anyone have any other advice?

Hope everyone is feeling well, especially those in treatment.

Dawn

Dawn, you must be glad you made the big doctor decision. Sloan Kettering is world famous so I am sure you will be in wonderful hands! Glad to hear from you!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Hi Kristen. Will keep your Mom in my prayers. I might be able to help a little having had chemo myself and being a hospital nurse who sees this type of thing every working shift.

They will probably do blood cultures to make sure she has no infection in her bloodstream, which could be more serious than just a local infection. Does she have a port or PICC line that could be infected? If so, they will consider removing it. They will do supportive therapies like hydration and monitoring, pain/fever control, possibly antibiotics if they can identify a source of infection, her cultures come back positive, she looks like she's getting worse or maybe even prophylactically depending on her symptoms, and possibly injections or transfusions to get her blood counts up if they're too low and/or causing symptoms. (Of course, there could be more depending on what's going on.)

I'm sure she feels pretty lousy. I don't mean this to sound crude, but if you're a "wreck", try to get it together for her sake if you talk to her or go to see her. It's hard for people to deal with all this as it is, they often share with us that they feel even worse that they're the cause of their families being upset. Bring her some really pretty flowers to cheer her up. And make sure she has time to rest, she's probably extremely fatigued.

I had very low counts but never had to be hospitalized for them, thankfully. BTW, did you post at the beginning of our first thread back in 05? I'm trying to remember details....

 

[piglet too]

She does not have a port or anything like that, so no line that could be the culprit. Don't know if she got a Nulasta shot or not. I do know that my sister had taken her there today to get a shot of some sort, but that is about it. As far as being a wreck in front of her, won't happen. I manage to hold it together for her sake and know that she needs to have people around to make her feel better emotionaly if nothing else. I brought her deviled eggs on Sunday, and she just lit up. She said it was the best thing she had eaten in days and it was great to have something taste like it should.

I talked to my sister again, and she really does not know anything. From what I am not getting from her, it sounds like they are really concerned. She is in the room with our Mom, so I know she is not saying much. She did say that the nurse had just come in to discuss what the plan is and that they have no idea how long this hospital stay will be.

Our Dad is trying to get the other manager at his work to get there early so he can leave. I know that my Mom is having a hard time with him having to work so much when she needs him with her. Sadly, they can not afford for him to take too much time off, bills need to be paid.

Pea-n-Me ~ I did hop on the older thread last year with my own breast lump scare, maybe that is where you recall me from.

Thanks for a place where I can feel at ease about all of this. Just writing these posts has helped me get it together.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Kirsten, I'm so sorry your mom is having trouble, but glad that she's gone to the hospital. I'm guessing this will just be another bump in the road. Try not to get too upset until you have more information.

Dawn, sounds like you made a sound decision. I fixed myself a basket before my surgery. It had a lot of stuff I thought I might need while recovering. Included was a notebook to write gifts and when I took medicines (so when I was groggy I could remember the last dose), thank you notes, address book, stamps, pens, remote, a couple of new magazines (articles were just right - books were too long for my attention span), camera (to take pictures of my visitors for my album), cordless phone, tissues, big insulated mug, crossword or other puzzle book. Brainstorm and I bet you can come up with lots of things you'd like to have. Right before my surgery I put a lazy susan on the table by my recliner. Then lots of my stuff went on that...within easy reach. I lived in my recliner with my pillows for days.

I made and froze some casseroles for after my surgery. I also searched for some "mostly canned" recipes for crockpots. I got those canned goods and kept a list of what I had. I froze precooked ground beef and chicken, so I could easily throw in a few ingredients and switch it on. All I had to do was ask DH to get the stuff out for me and I could sort of fix dinner by just opening and dumping. That way, when the frozen casseroles ran out, I had an easy way of feeling productive. Buy some paper plates and cups to make cleanup easy for your family.

I love to scrapbook. I got a small scrapbook for each of my kids before my surgery and gathered some materials together. While I was recovering, I started working on those as Christmas gifts. I did a page or two from each year of their lives and they loved it. It was therapy for me too. It kept my mind busy and made me feel like I was getting something done. Maybe you have a simple hobby that could keep you busy?

 

[lookingforward]

Kirsten, I'm so sorry your mom is having trouble, but glad that she's gone to the hospital. I'm guessing this will just be another bump in the road. Try not to get too upset until you have more information.

Dawn, sounds like you made a sound decision. I fixed myself a basket before my surgery. It had a lot of stuff I thought I might need while recovering. Included was a notebook to write gifts and when I took medicines (so when I was groggy I could remember the last dose), thank you notes, address book, stamps, pens, remote, a couple of new magazines (articles were just right - books were too long for my attention span), camera (to take pictures of my visitors for my album), cordless phone, tissues, big insulated mug, crossword or other puzzle book. Brainstorm and I bet you can come up with lots of things you'd like to have. Right before my surgery I put a lazy susan on the table by my recliner. Then lots of my stuff went on that...within easy reach. I lived in my recliner with my pillows for days.

I made and froze some casseroles for after my surgery. I also searched for some "mostly canned" recipes for crockpots. I got those canned goods and kept a list of what I had. I froze precooked ground beef and chicken, so I could easily throw in a few ingredients and switch it on. All I had to do was ask DH to get the stuff out for me and I could sort of fix dinner by just opening and dumping. That way, when the frozen casseroles ran out, I had an easy way of feeling productive. Buy some paper plates and cups to make cleanup easy for your family.

I love to scrapbook. I got a small scrapbook for each of my kids before my surgery and gathered some materials together. While I was recovering, I started working on those as Christmas gifts. I did a page or two from each year of their lives and they loved it. It was therapy for me too. It kept my mind busy and made me feel like I was getting something done. Maybe you have a simple hobby that could keep you busy?

You have such GREAT ideas, especially the bedside supplies!

Okay everyone... I have a disney question... one of my best friends and I along with my daughter are going to disney to celebrate my chemo graduation

We can stay three nights at the Wilderness lodge for $425 per night, plus tax. I have three free one day passes, then I will purchase an annual pass and we will pay out of pocket for two more passes for my daughter. The concierge lounge will provide breakfast and snacks. Total about $1800.

Our other option is the POP (which I stayed at before and liked), with one day passes and the dining plan for a total of $825. That saves us 1000. Do you think that I will be okay to do POP one month out of chemo? Is the POP room big enough for three? (my daughter and I stayed there for two nights once). Or should I go for the fancy, deluxe hotel? I would love to save my friend some $ as well as myself, but I also love to be pampered.

I am really in a quandry about this one. Input would be appreciated!

 

[MerryPoppins]

I've never stayed at Pop, so I'm no help. But I'm a HUGE fan of Wilderness Lodge, so if I could swing it that's probably what I'd do.

I forgot to mention that for the first time (in several years of making this ham) it didn't turn out as good. I'm going to suggest that if you make it, you check about halfway through and drain the juices if there's a lot. I think this particular ham had more fat on it and it sort of soaked in all that grease. It was still yummy, but it would have been much better if I'd drained it. Live and learn, I guess.

Not sure the ideas were all that special, but it sure did help to have my ducks all in a row. It made me feel more prepared and it was really nice those first few days to have everything handy. I didn't have anyone home with me. My mom checked on me during the day and DH was home nights. We did showers at night when he was there to help. He fixed my breakfast before he left and left me a sandwich and fruit for my lunch on days my mom didn't plan to bring me anything. I really only had to get up and about to go to the bathroom. My only problems were going to the bathroom and stripping my drains. Other than that I did just fine alone.

 

[lookingforward]

I've never stayed at Pop, so I'm no help. But I'm a HUGE fan of Wilderness Lodge, so if I could swing it that's probably what I'd do.

I forgot to mention that for the first time (in several years of making this ham) it didn't turn out as good. I'm going to suggest that if you make it, you check about halfway through and drain the juices if there's a lot. I think this particular ham had more fat on it and it sort of soaked in all that grease. It was still yummy, but it would have been much better if I'd drained it. Live and learn, I guess.

Not sure the ideas were all that special, but it sure did help to have my ducks all in a row. It made me feel more prepared and it was really nice those first few days to have everything handy. I didn't have anyone home with me. My mom checked on me during the day and DH was home nights. We did showers at night when he was there to help. He fixed my breakfast before he left and left me a sandwich and fruit for my lunch on days my mom didn't plan to bring me anything. I really only had to get up and about to go to the bathroom. My only problems were going to the bathroom and stripping my drains. Other than that I did just fine alone.

The ideas for what to store bedside after surgery were great, most people would not think of that before hand!

The reason I am torn about hotels is that I am fairly certain that I will be resting a bit more than normal instead of going full force . I loved POP but I am wondering if the walking (to the room, food court, etc) might be too much. My husband suggested we stay at the Wilderness and just cut it down to two nights....that way the lounge and pool, etc are there for my daughter and friend if I want to nap, etc. I don't think we will need the food plan since we have a continental breakfast each day. We did that at the AKL and it was overkill...too much food!

I am so uncertain about how quickly I will recover from chemo. That is why the whole tomoxifin issue is scaring me. Side effects: bone pain, hair thinning, etc. YIKES! Anyone? I was hoping to end my pain with chemo.

 

[snappy]

I have stayed at both Pop and WL. Liked them both.
Both stays were low season, Pop in January and September at WL.

Time of year is a big factor. Pop is doable during low season, I do not think I would like it during Easter, Christmas or during most of the summer.

Although I liked Pop, WL was truly wonderful. I really liked the balcony. We used it a lot. It was also easy to get to the MK, very easy, 5 minute bus ride. MK is my very happy place so I really liked that short ride.

I found the WL to be very relaxing, both outside the resort, in the lodge, etc.

I did not find the room that much bigger but the beds were very much more comfortable, size (2 queens instead of 2 doubles), the quality of the mattress and bedding.

I loved just getting under the covers to relax.

We are going to WDw and staying I think 3 nights at Wl. the rest of the time at Boardwalk. We are just doing the standard rooms because I need two but I am hoping to be upgraded like in September.

That courtyard view was wonderful.

I liked being on the right side as you face the WL resort as that is where the buses are. People who used the boat transportation and eating at the restaurants probably prefer the other side. If you decide on WL ask them for a room near the elevators as the corridors down each side can get a bit long.

I would also suggest 4th or 5th floor for a better view, not the top floor however since the view from the balcony is somewhat obstructed.

Another thing I preferred about WL was that the place to wait for the buses to return to the resort was much closer for WL, definitely at MKL but I think at other parks too.

I am sorry but I forgot what time of year you are going?

 

[MerryPoppins]

Tamoxifen seems to be very different for everyone. I've heard people say they didn't really have any side effects. I can't stress that enough. Many people say it's not bad at all.

I was maybe a little achey, but not terrible. Although it has been since starting Tamoxifen that I've had lots of knee and ankle pain. Maybe I just never connected it at the time. I did experience weight gain. To be honest, my worst problem was dryness. I just dried up. My skin got very dry and itchy so I had to use lotion by the gallon and I had to start using Replense. My hot flashes became more intense and I developed a significant loss of libido. Later, it started to bother my stomach which my doc says is uncommon. I started to have pain after I took the pill and in a couple of hours I'd have to run to the bathroom. But I doubt if you'll find many side effects when you're first taking it.

 

[snappy]

Dawn, I was trying to think of comfort items for you. I fixed a basket next to my bed with stuff I wanted. . . the remote, cough drops and mints, a pad and pen, reading material.

I bought inexpensive, loose stuff to wear that I would not mind if they became stained. I bought a few very loose bras that had front clasps. I bought sleeping clothes that buttoned up. I scrounged around and found some old shoulder pads that used to be in suit jackets and such and washed them and used them as lightweight padding on the affected side.

You'll need a tablet or notebook to keep track of the drain output. Also, I found it helpful to pin up the drains on my bras to keep them out of the way.

I did not have prescriptions meds for the mastectomy but did for the reconstruction. After 4 days on the meds I was miserable. The stool pills were no match for the problem but suppositories saved the day. I took myself off the meds and used a lot of Tylenol. I felt pain but I felt better overall.

I found the single most important thing was to drink fluids, for the bathroom problem but also for general well-being. I got myself hooked on herb tea during all of this, especially Celestial Seasoning tangerine and blueberry although I try others as well. I really am addicted to the stuff now.

I found bathing difficult. My breast surgeon forbade showers. It was weeks before he pulled the last drain. The sitz baths were hard, but luckily I have a large tub that sits up relatively high and has a wide area you can seat on around it. I was able to plop down the drains and do it myself. I usually turned on some soothing music and lit a candle so that I would be relaxed.

Be sure and ask to speak to a physical therapist while still in the hospital. Mine showed me a number of exercises that helped my regain my arm mobility. The book the hospital gave me also had diagrams of the exercises you do at different stages. You want to get the arm working so follow this closely. I found it took considerable time to do all the self care, stripping drains, bathing, exercising. You really do need help those first days and should not plan on cooking, doing dishes or laundry or heaven help us vacuuming.

You might bounce back much quicker. I think this surgery is different for different people. But give yourself time to heal. It is a physical and emotional journey and takes a lot of healthy nutritious food and TLC to get back to the real world.

You will want to wear clothes you can pin the drains on. I wore a lot of men's shirts. The pockets were perfect to pin the drains on...

I hope this is useful.

GAGWTA everyone!!!

 

[MerryPoppins]

My PS wanted me to wear sports bras after my surgery. Not sure if that was because of my reconstruction or my mastectomy. (I had big old ace bandages those first few days, but when I started healing.) I remember that I didn't have any and had to go to Walmart shopping for a few. I wasn't driving at the time and DH doesn't know anything about bras. It would have been nice if I'd known that before and could have had them ready. Maybe that's a question for your PS.

 

[snappy]

I have been on Tamoxifen since September 2004. Other than immediately going into full menopause, I haven't had issues I can tie to the med. I have not have bleeding. I have aches and pains butnothing out of the ordinary for a 54 year old body.

I do have hot flashes, although the intensity is much less than initially. I was 51 when I started with Tamoxifen so I imagine I was headed for menopause and hot flashes anyway although things had been normal before starting on the med.

Unfortunately, if you have hormone receptive cancer, you do want to remove as much estrogen as possible. Loss of estrogen equals all the menopause symptoms. I have found the loss of elasticity in my face and neck very noticeable. But I am at a place where I am letting my hair go naturally gray, so the aging skin goes with the territoy.

A younger person would no doubt look at this all differently. However, I am enjoying this stage of my life and am very proud of myself for getting myself together enough to go back to work part time. I like that my mind seems sharper, I think my mind and memory was slipping a bit. One thing you can say for accounting, it is like you are solving a puzzle all day so it keeps you sharp. Especially in an environment where the records are in disarray and someone is needed to straighten things out.

I am not dead yet. I am loving my new Honda Accord with the sunroof. All the LSU students around here don't have anything on me when I crank up my CD player with the Traveling Willburys or Tina Turner.

WE bagged our tickets to the N. O. Jazz Fest on Monday. Only a month to go now to the first weekend. I am not as impressed with the talent this year but will go with the flow. I am meeting up with my New Orleans friend Cindy who I have gone to Jazz Fest with many times, actually all the way back to 1980. It is almost a rite of spring.

GAGWTA!!!

 

[lookingforward]

I have been on Tamoxifen since September 2004. Other than immediately going into full menopause, I haven't had issues I can tie to the med. I have not have bleeding. I have aches and pains butnothing out of the ordinary for a 54 year old body.

I do have hot flashes, although the intensity is much less than initially. I was 51 when I started with Tamoxifen so I imagine I was headed for menopause and hot flashes anyway although things had been normal before starting on the med.

Unfortunately, if you have hormone receptive cancer, you do want to remove as much estrogen as possible. Loss of estrogen equals all the menopause symptoms. I have found the loss of elasticity in my face and neck very noticeable. But I am at a place where I am letting my hair go naturally gray, so the aging skin goes with the territoy.

A younger person would no doubt look at this all differently. However, I am enjoying this stage of my life and am very proud of myself for getting myself together enough to go back to work part time. I like that my mind seems sharper, I think my mind and memory was slipping a bit. One thing you can say for accounting, it is like you are solving a puzzle all day so it keeps you sharp. Especially in an environment where the records are in disarray and someone is needed to straighten things out.

I am not dead yet. I am loving my new Honda Accord with the sunroof. All the LSU students around here don't have anything on me when I crank up my CD player with the Traveling Willburys or Tina Turner.

WE bagged our tickets to the N. O. Jazz Fest on Monday. Only a month to go now to the first weekend. I am not as impressed with the talent this year but will go with the flow. I am meeting up with my New Orleans friend Cindy who I have gone to Jazz Fest with many times, actually all the way back to 1980. It is almost a rite of spring.

GAGWTA!!!

I am glad that the Tomoxfin is not that bad for you. I met with my gyno and he said that it lowers libido and drys you out. YIKES! I mean, I'm only 47...not ready to give up that part of my life. Sorry if this is TMI. He also mentioned weight gain... I am determined to be one of those women who just deal and don't have every symptom! I appreciated his honesty and candor....

I decided to spend two nights at the Wilderness instead of three at POP. I need a little extra pampering...and comfort. We will spend the third night at the Shades of Green for one forth the price of the Wilderness. It'll be a park day and then a sleep and early morning exit back home. My friend's plane leaves at 5 p.m. in Ft. Lauderdale so we will be on the road early anyway. So we'll check out of the Wilderness...head to the parks and then have an early dinner and check in to the shades to sleep. It'll save us $300! I am so happy to be planning a disney trip.

 

[MerryPoppins]

My problems with Tamoxifen were more annoying than anything. That and a little depressing, I guess. It's good to have a very understanding husband. Wish my doctor had talked to me honestly like yours has. I think it would have been easier if I'd expected some of the things might happen. They just told me to expect possible menopause - which didn't happen. But I agree, go into it planning to have no ill effects and I'll cross my fingers that you're one of the lucky ones.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Hello, Ladies!

I hope I will be able to come to you all for advice in the coming weeks. My mom had her first mammogram last week. She turned 60 in February. Tonight she called to tell me she has breast cancer. There is a 3 cm tumor that is causing the skin to pull/dimple when she moves her arm.
The surgeon she saw today did a biopsy. She told my mom if it is negative they will repeat it because they are sure it is cancer. She goes to the oncologist next week. The surgeon told her to expect to go on chemo first, then a mastectomy will follow.

My mom is raising my 16 year old sister by herself. They moved to Kansas almost 2 years ago after my father died. My mom's sister lives there and my mom & sister lived with her for a bit. Now they have an apartment - just the 2 of them. DH, DS and I live in TX.

I am so scared of what happens next. Scared for my mom, scared for my sister, scared for me. There is no family history of this at all. None. I have had 2 mammograms before (I am 37) and as soon as I know exactly what my mom's diagnosis is I will call my Dr. and ask her what I should do. That isn't really my biggest worry.

I told my mom I will fly up when she has her surgery, but what about NOW? What about the side effects from the chemo? I don't have any idea what she will be experiencing. I have never known anyone with breast cancer. I want to take DS12 to visit her in the next couple of weeks, but I don't want to go if she is going to be feeling horrible from treatments.

So what can you tell me? Obviously there is a lot of information I don't have yet, but I guess everyone started out here at some point. What do I need to know today? And how can I hold it together today and tomorrow and next week? I have read through some of your posts and all of you are just marching in there and dealing with it. I am having a little trouble marching. Thanks for any advice.