Please spare an extra prayer for me UPDATE..

[diz8297]

Denise-I just found this thread and want you to know that you will be in my prayers. I am glad that you got some answers today and now have a plan of attack. God bless you-and may His angels hold you in their arms!!

 

[piglet50]

and are thinking positively. still praying for you.

 

[kmp1191]

It sounds like your spirits are up....and that's important!
I'm glad to hear that you won't need a double...that's good news!

Hang in there! I'm glad you found so many people on here to help you through this...the DIS is the best!

 

[Pinnie]

Hi everyone,

We had our meeting with the surgeon at Sloan Kettering this morn. It went pretty good. Turns out that I won't be getting a double mast.. I will be getting the left breast removed and then chemo afterwards.

We'll find out more about the nodes after the surgery which is scheduled for Oct. 23.

I left the hospital actually feeling good and if you can believe it I felt relieved. Most of the tests were already done, so after pre op, PET scan and some blood work, the only thing left will be the actual surgery.

I think I'm ok with all of this, as the dr. reassured me that I will be fine. This week has been a roller coaster of feelings. I thank all of you for your continued prayers and well wishes.

Thanks to those who sent pm's reassuring me that things will go well and giving me their own info. regarding either themselves or their loved one's who conquered this beast. It put my mined at ease and that is so very much appreciated.

Thank you all again,
denise

I just found this thread, and I wanted to pipe in and tell you I am adding you to my prayer list. I wish you all the best.

Blessings..

pinnie

 

[wilderness01]

My thoughts are with you.

 

[AnnaS]

Denise, I am happy you received some good news and so happy to hear you are in better spirits!

Hang in there. One day at a time. We will all be praying for you and come here anytime, we are all here for you.

 

[Pigeon]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. It just stinks.

I'm a 3 year breast cancer survivor. Chemo isn't a walk in the park, but really, it's doable. I worked full time during the whole thing, taking off a couple of days every cycle when my immunity was way down. I also have two small kids.

Here's my unsolicited list of things that got me through treatment.

People will want to help. Let them. I'm not normally big on taking help (oh, no thanks, I'm superwoman and can leap tall buildings in a single bound), but for a change, this is a time in your life when it really is all about you. If you can come up with some concrete tasks for the people who make vague offers, that's a help.

Find great doctors that you actually like. You are already going to one of the finest treatment centers in the world. That's incredibly good. I have an oncologist, surgeon and radiation oncologist who are down to earth, approachable and considerate. That made a huge difference to me, and I wouldn't hesitate to leave a doc I didn't like.

Keep a sense of humor. This was key for me. I made fun of everything. I had knicknames for my wigs. My SIL took me to all my chemos. We normally aren't that close, but her mom is a bc survivor of 40 years, and it's one of her causes. Dh volunteered, but I thought he had enough on his plate because 90% of the childcare and household stuff was falling on him. We sat through every chemo just yukking it up. If you can say that a visit to the chemo suite was fun, it actually was.

Complain to your doctor. If you have side effects, don't be shy about letting him/her know. They have a million ways to treat most side effects, but the thing is that everyone responds to chemo differently. If you don't complain, they won't know that what they are giving you isn't working.

breastcancer.org has great chat boards where you can talk to a whole bunch of ladies who have gone through the same chemo protocols you are doing. It helps. You'll get great tips and advice.

Being bald bites. But it does grow back. Seriously, I thought it was the worst part of chemo, as shallow as that seems. You sort of get used to dealing with it, however you chose to do it. I wore a wig out in public, but many people find them too uncomfortable. Remember, it's all about you for now, so do what feels best for you.

pm me if you want to talk any time.

 

[minnie56]

Oh God Bless you...sending up prayers that this will be a journey to better health. MANY MANY more survive Breast Cancer now than ever before..have faith and you will too!!! It's a scary time and I am thinking of you along with all those here.

 

[rie'smom]

Denise, you and yours remain in my prayers.

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi Denise,

I've been thinking of you. If I recall, your surgery is this Thursday. I'm thinking you're probably getting pretty nervous, so I thought I would write.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I can tell you that this was pretty much painless for me. The only "pain" was when they put in the IV-- I hate that pin prick!!!! The only "discomfort" I experienced was some cotton mouth after the anesthesia wore off. I know that pain is just one of the things you're probably afraid of. If my experience is typical, you can cross that worry off your list.. my mastectomy did NOT hurt.

More practical stuff. In the month since my surgery, the two most valuable wardrobe items I've found are:
a) Front fastening sports bras. They're great-- comfortable and they do a nice job of hiding my lopsidedness as reconstruction progresses.

b) Button down shirts. In the beginning I went up a size (and got short sleeves) to make them easier to get into. I had a drain which I pinned to the shirt. I'm back to work and I wear a button down shirt each day (sometimes with a blazer.) They hold their shape a bit and hide the fact that there's not as much underneath on one side as on the other. Avoid the soft clingy fabrics; cling is NOT what you want. For the time being at least, sweaters are not my friend.

What I found hardest physically was going a week and a half without a shower. And if you can find someone who will wash your hair, it will feel wonderful after a few days!!! I got a pretty short haircut a few days before my surgery, so running a brush through my thick hair was easy. You'll still have the use of your right hand the whole time; if you're right handed, it will be a huge help.

Find a volunteer to do your laundry for you; your lifting ability will be limited for a while. Likewise if you have some time in the next few days, get some dinners cooked and frozen; they'll be a huge help!


Let me know if you have any other questions; nothing is too personal.

I'm thinking of you... this will be a whole lot easier than you anticipate.

Alice

 

[C.Ann]

I know this is horrible - and you will be facing surgery; treatments; etc. - but please remember, SO many women have beaten breast cancer.. There's no reason that you can't/won't be one of them..

I will keep you in my prayers..

Please keep us posted as you feel up to it..