Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[snappy]

Did you have genetic testing? I am the third sister to get bc, and my MO says that is very, very rare and there is definitely a hereditary thing going on. I am waiting on my results for my MyRisk genetic panel to come in before deicing to go w/ a uni or bilateral mx (think I've decided lumpectomy is out already). Depending on the results, the ovaries may have to go, too.

Sorry about your sister. Hope the chemo works!

I did the testing several years ago as mom is BC survivor and my sister has had more than one scare. I think you are wise to be open to considering the prophylactic surgery. It is a lot of surgery and not to be undertaken lightly, but the reduction in risk is statistically dramatic.

I also wanted to know my BRAC 1 and 2 status for the sake of my offspring. The doctor said it would make a big difference is when they would need to start mammograms (10 years, starting at 30 rather than 40). Since my older daughter is already 24, 30 did not seem so very far away.

Hoping you get negative results from your testing as well.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Cheryl - Zoe is an absolute . You are one proud grandma! May she bring your family lots of joy and happiness. I am sure you will be excellent at cuddling and smooching that sweet baby!

smiley - so sorry to hear about your dear sis. I hope the treatment plan goes well for her. She is surely blessed to have you.

Straitlover - Sorry you have to worry about the ins. issues on top of waiting for the testing results.

Laurie - sorry you are dealing with the issues with your mom. I am sure you and your sibs will come to a good consensus to do what is best for her. Around here the assisted living places are pretty good.

I have been crazy busy. Today was the lst day of the vbs. Our class was the biggest with 15 kids. Thurs. we are getting a new roof. Dh decided this without my consult. We did have 2 estimates and the lst guy was 10K more than the 2nd. So of course we are going with the 2nd. He didnt want to do a 3rd since dh was a roofer in a past life and knew what they were saying etc.
He leaves for China on Friday for 2 weeks. It will be long and hard on us for sure. I am doing a lot of decluttering but am taking this week off till sat. The Goodwill lady was surprised by all the stuff leftover from the garage sale that we donated. The van was full! Slow but steady progress. Glad ds3 is helping me.

GAGWTA.

 

[Straitlover]

Update! Had an appt w/ the oncologist today, and they called over to the surgeon's office to get the MyRisk results. All negative! She did say that risk wise, I could do a lumpectomy and radiation, and unless something weird comes from the post-surgery pathology, no chemo. Yay! She may put me on tamoxifen after the surgery depending on all the post-surgical results.

However, the BS says w/ the nipple having to go either way plus extra tissue for clear margins pls radiaiton, the one side would be considerably smaller (and I'm currently only a 42B on left, 42A on right, LOL). I also need the papilloma removed on the left and I have nodules in there that may develop into something later. Plus, the PS says that if I do lumpectomy and radiation and need a mx later, it lowers the chances of being able to do reconstruction. W/ all that, I decided to go ahead w/ bilateral mx w/ reconstruction. BS was hoping to do it next week, but I'm holding off until at least 7/24 or hopefully the last week of July to help w/ work. I should have a date in the next day or so.

I had been scared of the bilateral, but when the onc said lumpectomy, the first thought in my head was "no, get rid of them both so I don't have to go through all this every six months". She said if I did the lump, I'd have to alternate mammograms and MRIs every six months for years. If there was nothing at all in the left, I might feel different. But right now, I'm at peace w/ my decision.

Now to tell my mother this weekend.

 

[snappy]

Straitlover, I think you are making the right decision, particularly since you need to have some surgery on both sides anyway since you have the papilloma on the left.

Reconstruction of the nipple entails several steps anyways (unless they do it differently than they did in 2006/7).

You will end up with a better result when doing the reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy, both from a symmetry point of view and location of scars.

What type of reconstruction are you planning, the implants or tissue transplant?
It sounds like you have selected your surgeons, now you just have to get the scheduled on the same day.

Good luck, ask me questions if you like.

Congrats on the negative results from the genetic testing. That is good news indeed, even if you do the double mastectomy, at least you can bypass having the ovaries out.

 

[Straitlover]

I plan on doing implants. The using my own fat thing did not sound appealing/ Plus the recovery is a lot more involved. Besides, I'm trying to lose weight. What if they end up shrinking? Seriously, estrogen is in your fat. I don't want any more fat to hang around than necessary, so implants it is! I'm hoping to go just a tiny bit bigger cup wise since I have such a hard time finding a bra that fits. Hopefully the PS will pick out the right size sine they don't go by cup size. If I can lose enough to get to a 38 band size, a C would be more than plenty!

I think I've decided against the nipple reconstruction. I'm not married and no prospects of ever getting there, so I'm the only one who sees them. Plus I read that a decent amount of them flatten back out, and it's a one-shot deal.

My mother had to go back to the hospital today. Her blood is really low again (4 pints low I think they said) and her BP was something like 77/52. I know she will be getting blood and platelets. Hopefully they can get her a little better. If she's not out by the weekend, I won't be telling her this weekend.

 

[snappy]

Sounds like you have a good plan.

Hope your mom is doing better and out of the hospital.

My mom's biopsy was benign. It is a salivary gland tumor. But the pathologist recommended that the surgeon go back and remove the rest of the tumor or the gland, we are not quite sure which, once the current incision is completely healed. No date yet, but the followup consult is next Tuesday.

The worst part is this group of oral surgeons won't accept Medicare. It's not terrible expensive, at least the bills from the first surgery weren't, but the nurse told me she would need to be given a stronger drug for sedation this time. At least she will not be under general anesthesia and will be breathing on her own.

So cautious good news, but unfortunately more surgery.

Mom fell prey to a phishing attempt Sunday morning. Luckily she called and told my sister about it right afterwards, but we have been quite busy closing accounts and re routing stuff.

I hate these crooks.

GAGWTA!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

My girl passed away.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3301968

 

[snappy]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

What a wonderful relationship you two shared.

I hope Duffy brings you peace just like Naj brings me each day.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Linda - I saw your other thread and I am so so sorry for the loss of your precious furbaby. I hope all the good memories you have of her will bring you comfort.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Straitlover - so sorry to hear about your mom. I hope things turn around for her and she will start feeling better soon. Glad you are at peace about your decisions. Wishing you all the best.

Laurie - sorry to hear about the issues with your mom. Is it a salivary tumor or a salivary stone? There is a surgeon here who is one of several in the country who is trained in laprascopic salivary stone removal. I think some girl came from California from him to operation here but she used to live here. He trained under my one surgeon. I hope her issues get resolved and she will feel comfortable.

Well dh is on his way to China. I got my blood work today since ds3 had to get some too. Now its just wait and see. I always dread this time. I will keep busy decluttering the house. Maybe my clothes since its air conditioned in the house.

We will get a driveway estimate on tuesday. This old house sure needs lots of updating and tlc.

I am exhausted from teaching. Kudos to Kofslinky and all the teachers out there! I hope she is having a great time at the Poly!

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[Dancind]

Careful, Maryann. Hauling clothes around is how I hurt my shoulder! Was cleaning closets before DD moved back in. Finally going to PT. OUCH!

The idea of them taking some of the fat from my belly almost convinced me to have reconstruction. Ha. Of course, would have had to go to Texas and they wouldn't have matched anyway.

Linda, sorry about your fur baby . She was a beauty.

 

[NHAnn]

GAGWTA ladies....
I know I've been remiss in posting and checking in.

Linda, I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful girl
And you too Laurie, as going back I see you lost your dear snappy, as well

Thinking of you all daily

 

[snappy]

Ah Ann, good to see you post.

I think of you often too, and meeting you for the RFTC in 2008.

Hope you and your family are well.

And your dear grandson.

Thanks for your post dear

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you all for your warm thoughts.

 

[Cherinva]

Hello everyone...haven't been on for awhile...a lot going on.

My daughter had the surgery on the 27th of June...all went well. They removed the lump and the tissue around it...somewhere the size of a baseball. She was sent home the same day. Her recovery has gone very well. On the 9th of this month, we had the followup with the doctor and she said it was all good news. They were able to remove ALL of the cancer, and no cancer was found in the lymph nodes.

They classified her as a stage 2A cancer.(only because of the size of the tumor)

Now, for the rest of the story...because of my daughters young age (and the size of the tumor) they are concerned that this was an aggressive cancer. She now has 2 more doctors on her case, they will analyze all the findings and decide her risk factor of return. If she is a medium or high risk, they are going to give her chemo, if she is a low risk, then it will be radiation.

We meet with these doctors the end of the month. I asked her primary doctor what her gut feeling was...she told me that she hopes that she is wrong, but she thinks it will be chemo...but told us that it's for precaution.

My daughter is in good spirits and is taking all of this very well. I've had friends call and ask how I am doing....my reply is that I'm doing great...I haven't shed a tear and I don't intend to....I know in my heart that she is going to beat this.....and in my daughter's words "I'm gonna fight like a girl"...

Thanks to everyone for your kind words. I'll keep you posted as things progress.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Ann - so good to see you post. Thinking of Avery too

Diana - yes I see what you mean about lugging the clothes.

Cherinva - glad your dd's surgery went well. I am sure you both are anxious for the end of the month to come. I am sure the drs. will get a good treatment plan in place for her.

Anyone else having bad weather like us. Day 2 with no sun in sight. Storms last night. Its dreary and depressing. Where is our summer?

Today the driveway guy is coming. I am sure this will cost a fortune. I think there are roots under the driveway and we want the front walk entrance redone too. That is concrete so far and the driveway is blacktop. Ds2 is going to talk to him. He is the mechanical one for sure. I will just stand there.

I have been e mailing with dh. Cant get our phones to work. I think I may suggest trying skype. Dont know if that will work or not. 11 more long days sigh.

Making progress on the clothes decluttering. At least it helps me keep busy.
I think by the time its done I will need to do some clothes shopping. I dont enjoy clothes shopping. I am probably in the minority here for sure.

 

[Feralpeg]

Thought I'd stop by for a quick hello. Hope things are going well for everyone.

Things have been crazy here. It never rains, but it pours. The Bright House
guy just left. My Internet and phones were out due to a bad part.

The plunger thing on the lanai door just broke in two. I have no idea why that happened! The repair guy will be coming next week to fix it.

I have ants in my kitchen and some other little tiny bugs. It had been very dry here. Suddenly, we are getting a lot of rain. It tends to drive them in. The exterminator is coming on Thursday. Until then, I'll be killing bugs! Yuck!

I saw the oncologist. He decided I couldn't stay on the Arimidex due to it causing my blood pressure to sky rocket. He tried putting me on Aromasin, but that didn't work out. With my insurance, even the generic version would have been $351 for a 30 day supply. I told him I couldn't do that. He decided to put me on Tamoxafin. I went to get it filled and found out it was free. I couldn't believe it!

I won't start taking the Tamoxafin until the first of August. We wanted to see if my blood pressure would come back down. It has...except when I'm killing ants! So, I'll be starting soon. Hopefully, no bad side effects with it.

Hope everyone is having a good summer. It is hot and wet here, but the summer is flying by. Looking forward to the fall!

Thinking of you all!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Peg -how are all your problems/repairs going?

Laurie - how are things going with your mom? I am sure you are busy between attending to her and your job.

Linda - any tips for ds to get his first job. He is applying to hospitals like crazy and nothing so far.

Cheryl - how are you and also sweet little Zoe.

I am taking a clothing break. Its day 4 so I have to start bag 4, lol. Went out to dinner with ds3 last night. My sensitive stomach was not happy.

Later we are talking to the driveway guy. I am sure he will put us in the poorhouse too. But it must be done. This old house needs lots of tlc.

Sat. I am cooking dinner for an elderly couple from church. She was so nice and made us a great italian meal after my cancer surgery. I did a thread about what to cook them. It has to be low salt, small portion and not gassy etc. I am thinking chicken, rice or potatoes and veg. Something with fruit for dessert. We shall see.

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Well if you have any spare prayers, we sure could use them.

Ds3 went to the dr for his nursing school physical stuff. Its required and he isnt suppose to be on the campus except once in the hospital.

Well the dr. said his blood pressure was up even more so she sent him to a cardiologist today.He said its wither stress possibly or maybe a rare adrenal tumor. Yup, the same tumor they thought I had when they cancelled my original cancer surgery. So now tomm. he is going for an echo, a sonogram of the kidney arteries and a stress test to check his adrenaline levels.

My head is spinning, so I am praying a lot for sure. I asked him if he wanted me to go with him and he said he didnt care. I think I would feel better if I went, so we shall see.

The driveway guy cam.What a mess as I figured. Our maple tree roots are tearing up the driveway and walkway, so he said the tree must come down along with all the bushes that line the concrete walkway. To do all the work he needs to do will probably be about 2 disney trips for dh and I. So I dont know if we will go for our christmas trip, we shall see.

GAGWTA. Thinking of you all. Thanks for the prayers.

 

[snappy]

LMP, what were the results from your son's tests yesterday?

I am hoping you have some answers and that it is good news, although who would have thought we would be cheering for stress related!!

I figured your driveway would be an expensive endeavor. We had to have ours done at our house in the New Orleans area in order to sell it in 1998.

It was a short but wide driveway. Lots of work excavating the old driveway as it was a thick concrete driveway. And what a mess! Had to be done though as the soil in New Orleans area is like coffee grinds and driveways and sidewalks subside over time. To make matters worse, we also had the front yard regraded and planted sod. Luckily it was was not a large area as lots there are narrow. Our back yard would have been another matter as it was quite deep.

Good luck with this project. Expensive yes, but you will enjoy how it looks afterwards and it will add to the value of your property.