Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[snappy]

Stepdaddy, thank you so much for being there for your Mom. What a great son!

I didn't have a mastectomy but I knew that those who did would pipe in. Snappy has offered a lot of good ideas.

I wanted to let you (and others) know that I discovered this place recently not too far from where I live. They have beautiful, thoughtful baskets (I saw them), and will ship wherever (coupon in link), if you're interested.

http://www.aliscancercottage.com/

http://www.wickedlocal.com/plymouth/archive/x1909896685

Great baskets on that link, Linda!! Wow!!!!

 

[CherylDan]

GAGWTA!

Seems like there is so much happening on this thread lately, both bad and good. Hugs and prayers for those who need them. Heck, hugs and prayers even if ya dont'!


Iluvthemouse.....please confide in your DH. Let him help you. When I was at the stage you are now, I too wanted to keep it a secret (from everybody else, not DH). Finally we decided to tell our DDs and a couple others that I was having a surgical biopsy. I know that for me, before we told anybody, it was just a little bit less "real", and a way to avoid facing the possiblity of cancer, so I can understand where you are coming from, but all the stress of keeping this from your DH is not good for you.

Maureen.....how are you holding up?

Steppdady.....you mom sounds lucky to have you! I can't think of anything to add to the list that snappy hasn't already mentioned, other than I found one of those small bead-filled pillows to be my best friend for several days. It was light, easy to move around, and did a bang up job of supporting my arm. Other than that......make her a care package of Disney trip stuff - Disney dollars, sunscreen, fun stuff like that!

jackskellingtonsgirl.....you are right about the worrying and how it wont change anything (except your stress level!) Took me a long time to figure that out, and I still have to remind myself of it from time to time. Hopefully when you talk to the docs yourself it will help.


Just thought I'd pop in and say hello. It's been busy around here. DDs wedding is coming up in October , and right now I've been busy helping DD19 plan the shower (she is the MOH). It's going to be a luau! LOL....I'm not much on tradition!

 

[snappy]

Cheryldan, great to see ya!!

Congrats on the upcoming wedding festivities! A luau shower sounds inspired!!

Good point about the pillow. I had forgotten about the extra pillows I used after surgery. I just used regular ones ( actually some great ones called Masterpiece that I got at Penney's that they decided to discontinue ) but I used several to help myself get comfortable.


Actually need them more after reconstruction than the first surgery.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I know after my surgery I enjoyed magazines. The articles were shorter and with pain meds I was often sleepy. Someone gave me some puzzle books and I liked them too. You know, like crossword or sudoku? And I watched a lot of tv, so maybe some dvd rentals or a tv guide?

Mostly, I kept my stuff in a basket and on a lazy susan by my chair. That way everything was in easy reach. I used lots of pillows and had a big insulated glass that held a lot of ice water so I didn't have to get up much. I had a little notebook to write down gifts and thank you notes/stamps. I used a tv tray a lot for eating meals and things like that. DH got a pretty wooden set with legs right before my surgery.

It's wonderful that you're going to be able to spend some time with her and help with meals. And it's just nice to have someone to talk to. It makes the time pass more quickly.

 

[sissybells]

Stepdaddy, thank you so much for being there for your Mom. What a great son!

Thank you so much for posting a link to the gift basket sites. I am also not a son I'm a daughter, I know that doesn't matter but thought I would let you know. Steppdaddy is a nickname my husband has and we just use it for alot of our screenames so it's easy to remember. I joined the Dis thinking I would just read about Disney and never talk but it grew on me and now 5 years later and I am still hooked. I wish I could change my screename without loosing my post count and tag. Thank you again for all of your help.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

GAGWTA!

I made it to Mom's safely this morning. She is doing really well! She is up and doing "normal" things. Not in pain, not too aggravated with her drain, decent mobility in her arm. We've just been inside today because it has been storming. I was going to head out to pick up dinner but I decided not to when I saw how hard it was raining! I didn't want to drive an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar town in a downpour.

The surgeon called with her path results - 6 nodes positive out of 22. I am thinking she is stage IIIA. Somebody else called (hospital pathology lab, maybe?) and asked her if they could send her tumor to be analyzed for the chance of recurrence. She told them only if insurance will pay for the test. Have you all had that test? Any thoughts on it? I can see how it might play into the drugs that are chosen for her chemo.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Any news yet on that scan, Dawn?

Thanks for asking. Nothing yet. I was hoping for a call today. My onco was in another location today so maybe that's why. I am trying to stay positive. More than likely I will get some news tomorrow.

Had my first fill in three weeks! I'm up to 620ccs. I was actually excited about getting it. The next one is in 2 weeks (if I'm feeling up to it). At that point I will have an idea of what I will look like after the exchange (the implants will be 750ccs). My PS is planning on filling me up to 900ccs to stretch before the exchange.

GAGWTA!

Dawn

 

[snappy]

Dawn, hang in there waiting for the results. Keep us in the loop, dear.

Good to hear you were excited to get the fill. I guess that means it is not too painful?

It is nice to see everything shaping up, isn't it?

I still get a kick thinking about my reconstruction. I really did not think at my age it mattered much, but it makes me feel so much more normal.

It also is like victory over cancer thing too. You know, conquering the beast sort of thing.

 

[snappy]

GAGWTA!

I made it to Mom's safely this morning. She is doing really well! She is up and doing "normal" things. Not in pain, not too aggravated with her drain, decent mobility in her arm. We've just been inside today because it has been storming. I was going to head out to pick up dinner but I decided not to when I saw how hard it was raining! I didn't want to drive an unfamiliar car in an unfamiliar town in a downpour.

The surgeon called with her path results - 6 nodes positive out of 22. I am thinking she is stage IIIA. Somebody else called (hospital pathology lab, maybe?) and asked her if they could send her tumor to be analyzed for the chance of recurrence. She told them only if insurance will pay for the test. Have you all had that test? Any thoughts on it? I can see how it might play into the drugs that are chosen for her chemo.

Glad mom is doing so well. I am sure your being there makes all the difference. I am glad she is not finding the drain too bothersome. I hated mine, but I did have several for the two surgeries. Also, the plug on mine kept popping off at the most inopportune moment, I think my drains were defective.

I wonder if the test they called about is a new one? Or is it the one that determines grade or at least whether the tumor is hormone receptive?

Mom might want to ask for a copy of the path report when she goes in to see him on Monday.

 

[snappy]

Stepdaddy, thank you so much for being there for your Mom. What a great son!

Thank you so much for posting a link to the gift basket sites. I am also not a son I'm a daughter, I know that doesn't matter but thought I would let you know. Steppdaddy is a nickname my husband has and we just use it for alot of our screenames so it's easy to remember. I joined the Dis thinking I would just read about Disney and never talk but it grew on me and now 5 years later and I am still hooked. I wish I could change my screename without loosing my post count and tag. Thank you again for all of your help.

Thanks for the clarification on the name. I too thought you were a son from the screen name.

I had some additional things to post in response to your questions but tempered it because I thought it might be too much information if you were a son.

If you mom has some big shirts with pockets on it (I used men's shirts), those pockets come in handy for pinning up the drains. Also, one of things you are told to do post surgery is massage the scar, first around the edge, laster when it heals, the entire scar area. This is to loosen it up so it doesn't stick to the chest wall. Anyway, one of my friends gave me a big tube of some wonderful cream that I used for this purpose, it never irritated my skin, felt great, and smelled great. I was Archipelago Botanicals Oat Creme Milk No. 3. She bought it at a spa specialty shop here. It made the daily massage routine much more enjoyable.

Sadly, my sense of smell (and taste) has still not returned since I was sick a couple of months ago so I am not using either my favorite creams or burning my candles until it returns. What is the point.

Ah, a candle is another good idea to include in a gift basket.

I also started up drinking Celestial seasonings herb tea just after my mastectomy, and have been hooked ever since.

By far the liquid I drink the most. Gotta love the blueberry. I am still drinking it though I can't taste it, it is so refrehing since it is so hot.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[sameyeyam]

Hi Ladies! Just thought I would pop in and say hello. HELLO!! Hope that everyone is doing well and enjoying their summer.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Glad mom is doing so well. I am sure your being there makes all the difference. I am glad she is not finding the drain too bothersome. I hated mine, but I did have several for the two surgeries. Also, the plug on mine kept popping off at the most inopportune moment, I think my drains were defective.

I wonder if the test they called about is a new one? Or is it the one that determines grade or at least whether the tumor is hormone receptive?

Mom might want to ask for a copy of the path report when she goes in to see him on Monday.

They have known since the beginning that it is estrogen positive because that was what made them choose the Arimidex to shrink the tumor.
I think this is new. It is to test the genetic make-up of the tumor to determine the chance of recurrence. I guess maybe since her cancer is lobular instead of ductal they want to gather more info on it. Thing is, they told her the oncologist won't get the results of the test unless the insurance pays the lab fees! So it almost sounds like they are compiling data but not releasing individual results unless they are reimbursed for their costs. Otherwise I guess their findings get lumped together in a statistic like "Of X lobular tumors, X number had between this and that % of recurrence". No telling.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Good to hear you were excited to get the fill. I guess that means it is not too painful?

It is nice to see everything shaping up, isn't it?

I still get a kick thinking about my reconstruction. I really did not think at my age it mattered much, but it makes me feel so much more normal.

It also is like victory over cancer thing too. You know, conquering the beast sort of thing.

Have not had a painful fill yet (knock on wood). I was filled to 300ccs during surgery, then 80ccs at the second office visit, then 120 the following week, and now another 120ccs three weeks later. I barely felt a thing today. I take Advil beforehand and then for the next 2 days to combat feelings of tightness. I was a big busted gal before the surgery (D), so my thinking is that the stretching/fills are not hard on me because of it.

As you know, I was really against having the implants, but now that I am going through the process, I realize how much I really NEEDED to do this. It was my only option, and I think I would have seriously regretted not doing it. It really has helped me psychologically, especially with the chemo and my recent hair loss. I was also never really happy with my chest, so this is really a new beginning for me. My back no longer aches, I am working on my posture, and I feel that a great weight has been lifted (about 8 pounds, actually). I feel "free."

 

[Pea-n-Me]

The surgeon called with her path results - 6 nodes positive out of 22. I am thinking she is stage IIIA. Somebody else called (hospital pathology lab, maybe?) and asked her if they could send her tumor to be analyzed for the chance of recurrence. She told them only if insurance will pay for the test. Have you all had that test? Any thoughts on it? I can see how it might play into the drugs that are chosen for her chemo.

Found it - fascinating reading:

http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/genetic/new_research/20050330.jsp

Will post more later. Are there any sistas out there who've had this type of testing and had to make the decisions that go along with it?

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Found it - fascinating reading:

http://www.breastcancer.org/risk/genetic/new_research/20050330.jsp

Will post more later. Are there any sistas out there who've had this type of testing and had to make the decisions that go along with it?

I see this article is several years old. It sounds to me like they are now looking at recurrence in node POSITIVE tumors in women who have been treated with Arimidex. It sounds like the exact same test, but with different parameters.

Thanks, Linda! I thought I remembered seeing something the other night, but we looked at so many sites I couldn't begin to sort out where I saw it.

 

[Sha]

Good morning everyone... am back from Germany and had a great time. Will have to read back through later to get all the latest. Prayers for all and hugs too!

Laurie.. mom did great on the trip... she used a cane vs that walker and also the arms of a couple men in the group I have over a 1000 pics to work on too

 

[snappy]

Glad you two had so much fun, Sha!

You were gone for a long time, how many days?

Good for your mom for using the cane. I am not surprised. You both are lucky to have each other as traveling companions.

That is a boatload of pictures. I want a link if you post some over on the Photography board (I don't get over there much).

Forget about that, post some here.

 

[snappy]

I was also never really happy with my chest, so this is really a new beginning for me. My back no longer aches, I am working on my posture, and I feel that a great weight has been lifted (about 8 pounds, actually). I feel "free."

I can relate. Sounds like my story. I only had one side done with the reduction on the other.

I am no longer self-conscious about size (or after mastectomy) being ridiculously one sided.

An acquaintance who is a doc in NJ who I was emailing before deciding on the reconstruction had a serious reduction a few years ago (not a survivor). She said it was like waking up to Christmas morning every day of the week.

Her thoughts helped me see the potential.

I really did not fully realize what a difference it could make.

Glad your fills have been easy. You may be right about being large before making a difference with the discomfort. I also think your positive attitude is a big factor.

Keep up the good work!!!

 

[Disney lovin' senior]

Just found this site! I too am a cancer survivor, 9 years. yahoo! I will keep trying to add ribbon to my signature. Can't quite figure it out yet, but I'll be honored to have it up there.

 

[snappy]

Welcome to our thread, Disney lovin' senior. Glad you joined us.

Did you see the instructions on the first page on page one?

User CP is on the far upper left menu line on the screen above DIS home.

Edit signature is again a menu choice on the upper left more to the side.

Copy the pink ribbon link on the first page (not the IMG or the space as this will be inserted when you copy it here).

Hope that helps.

You look like a new Dis'er?

Are you new to WDW as well?

Tell us your story when you have a chance.

Laurie