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314692 tn?1214080510

Need some encouragement and direction

Today I was diagnosed with brest cancer. I have a 3cm infiltrating ductal carcinoma tumor, rt breast. So far I have 1 lymph node under the same arm that tested positive for cancerous cells. I meet with my surgeon on monday followed by an MRI on tuesday and the oncologist later in the week. This is soooooooo overwhelming that my head is spinning!! I am only 40 years old. Please, if anyone has had a breast cancer diagnosis please send me some words of encouragement and also any advice you may have!! I thank you in advance.
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325698 tn?1216328754
hahaha....if you wanna be like me, you better put a helmet on and hang on for dear life...i am THE most accident prone person on the face of this earth...BUT i have fun doing it...lol...

i had the implant done...it is a LOT softer than the expander. my doctor did not use the original mastectomy site, he did another incision where the breast crease will be...and inserted it under the muscle.  the boob itself does not hurt...1. from being stretched out and 2 because a lot of nerve endings were severed....where it really really hurts is at that new incision site on the outside edges...mostly the outside edge..

when i move my arm toward the center of my body and bend down, it hurts super bad...but you can see the muscle tightening...so all it really is, is doing a lot of stretches (again)...my doctor had told me to start manipulating it that way (work thru the pain) and so far it seems to be working....it is hurting less and less....

i finally got the okay to start working out (whooo hoo)...so tomorrow is my first day back at the gym...i should be one sore little girl...however, those sore legs and bum will take my mind off the sore boob!!!  ever the optomist that i am...lol....

i go back to see the plastic surgeon on the 2nd...ill let you know so far what he thinks...

all in all its not bad....its definately a cake walk compared to chemo!!!!!

xo, darcy

ps...panda says thank you....she is the most super cool old english sheepdog in the world!!!!

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314692 tn?1214080510
First let me say I LOVE YOUR DOG!! SOOOOO cute!

Thanks for the hydration comment I really need to be better in that area!

Also about your new boob. Do tell!! Im curious because I will be there eventually. Did you do an implant or tram flap? How long did the whole process in months take? Did the surgery leave you in alot of pain? What about the nipple?

Okay enough questions for now.

Thanks for being proud of me. Im doing it cus I wanna be like you when I grow up!!  :)

Your sister,

Tracey
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325698 tn?1216328754
yes the back pain with the neulasta is normal....i had shooting pain go up my spine and also down thru my hips...it was excruciating...i was lucky to have super high white cell counts, so the last 4 rounds, i didnt have to have the shot...i felt waaaay better.

i am 10 days post reconstruction...(thats why ive been gone) and im doing great...it is extremely sore under the new boob where the new incision site is...there is a lot of stretching to do....exercise wise...

it is still super high, but hopefully it will fall soon enough so i can get the good boob done and i can be level again.....it is REALLY hard to find sundresses that work with lopsided breasts!!!

i also did the lotion with socks....it worked wonders...moisterize every time you think about it...and do your best to stay hydrated, that will help too....

youre doing it girl!!!  im really proud of you!

darcy!
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Avatar universal
Tracey,  for the nails, my oncologist recommended Tea Tree Oil by Jason Natural Products.  You can find it in the drug store or Walmart.  It is a Melaleuca product.  Also, for the skin and heels, again a Melaleuca product called Renew.  It was a life saver for me.  If you can't find it let me know and I will send you some.  When you put it on your feet, wear a pair of socks for a few days, even at night.  It will help trap the moisture in.  Renew was the only thing that worked for me.  It's awesome.  
I don't know anything about the expanders. I think you will be okay though because I have another friend who had tons of radiation and she had expanders.  so I think you will be okay.
Love ya sis,
Tami
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314692 tn?1214080510
Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone can tell me the answer to this question. I will be receiving radiation after surgery. Does this mean that I will not be able to have an expander put in for a future implant or is a tram my only option?

Aslo is there a great lotion I can use for my dry dry cuticles and heels?? Chemo is sucking ALL the moisture out of my skin!! My cuticles and heels are sooooooo dry and cracked.

I only have 1 more round of the adriamyocin cytoxan left then I will have 4 rounds of taxatere along with herceptin. Please say a prayer for me because these first rounds of the adrimyicon cytoxen have made me feel REALLY ICKY. I am hoping that the taxatere wont be as bad. The doc says she may use taxol instead of taxatere does anyone know the difference??

Well you are all in my prayers take care and thanks for any advice.
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314692 tn?1214080510
Hi Tami,

Be sure and check your messages.

Love ya sis!
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314692 tn?1214080510
Since taking the nuelasta shot after chemo my back hurts. Is this normal? I know they said it would give me bone pain but the back pain makes me nervous.

Thanks
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Avatar universal
We are shutting down the computer so will be off for a couple of days.  May possibly be back on tomorrow night (Saturday), but who knows for sure.   Hang in there and I will still be thinking about you.  
Until then,Lots of prayers, hugs and special thoughts coming your way.  
Sisters,
tami
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Avatar universal
just get your rest.  Don't worry about posting/  I am not worried about it.  Just take care of yourself and get your rest.  
thanks for being my true sister.
tami
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314692 tn?1214080510
Hell there sis,

I have been on the couch ALL day in a sleepy daze. I wake up to eat small amounts then Im sleep again. My mom just left so im off to sleep again. I will post again later and Tami thanks for caring about me I love you for it. I hope ya know I consider you a true sister. When I awake from this lazy spell im gonna read your message and respond.

Love ya like I love diet dr pepper :) I 2 am tryin to quit
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Avatar universal
How ya doing this morning? Just thought I would drop ya a line before I get going on this remodeling project.  As of tomorrow @ 6:00 a.m southeastern Idaho standard time.  :)
It is so sunny and beautiful today for a change.  Im getting sick of this 70 degree weather one day and snowing and blowing the next.  aaarrrrggghhhhh.  Okay, I admit it.  I am a sissy when it comes to snow.  I hate it.  But you and I would agree, there are worse things in this world huh????  
Well, I will check in from time to time today.  Until then, love ya like my Dr. Pepper.  I know. shame on me.  I am trying to get off it.
take care and big hugs,
Tami
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Avatar universal
sounds like you had a nice visit with family but you really are pretty tired by now so Im just going to say Nightie, Night.   Talk to ya tomorow.
Love ya really mean it girlfriend right back.  
tami
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314692 tn?1214080510
Hey Lady,

I am sooooooooo sleepy I never took a nap because my sister who talks so loud I think she may be tone death stopped by with my niece and 7 mos old nephew. It was so nice to see them but I really wasnt up for the visit.

Now I really am gonna lay down before I pass out. I am so lookin foward to reading your message something tells me it's gonna tug at my heart and make me cry in a sweet way. Our friendship is a special sisterhood. How cool is that!

Well I will be talkin to ya tomorrow.

Love ya really mean it girlfriend!!!
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314692 tn?1214080510
Thank you so much for the kind words. Every positive word gives me hope and strength and it makes me feel stronger.

I will most definately ask my surgeon about a skin sparing mastectomey. I am really leaning towards a double mastectomy. My tumor was 3 cm. My doc says the tumor has gotten soft sense starting chemo so we are not exactly sure how much smaller it's gotten. I still have 2 more rounds of chemo before the surgery.

Thanks for the wise words. I am in a young support group called beyond boobs and it has really helped to talk with women within our age group. This site has also been a HUGE help in this journey. My prayer is that this journey will carry me to wellness along with the best person I can be. I want to hold my hand out to the next sister who comes along.

Again thank you so much for caring enough to respond. I am posting every step of he way and I hope to hear from you again.

God bless you and goodnite!
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Avatar universal
Hi...

I was 45 when I was diagnosed in October '06.  My tumor ended up being 2cm, invasive ductal carcinoma *and* ductal carcinoma in situ.  It was 2 on the aggressive scale (moderate) and estrogen positive. I had 0 lymph nodes involved - the sentinel node biopsy was negative in all pathology. This all said - I was shocked... there isn't any recent history of breast cancer in my family (recent as in the last 3 generations... no one knows if the great-great-great generation had any instances of bc).  I felt as if my life suddenly were taking place in some other time and being lived out by some other person.  My medical team - surgeon, reconstructive surgeon and oncologist - all urged me to enter treatment within 4 weeks of diagnosis. I chose to have a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, thus I did not have radiation as part of my treatment plan.  If any of my nodes had been positive, the plan would have chanaged and I would not have had immediate reconstruction.  

I want to encourage you on so many different levels.  One thing that is very important for you to know about is a new surgical procedure known as Skin Sparing Mastectomy.  This is what I was able to have and let me tell you - my reconstructed breast is very, very attractive.  The surgeon removes the nipple and then removes all the breast tissue.  the reconstructive plastic surgeon then places a silicon implant under your pectoral muscle and sews up the area where your nipple was using what looks like a beggar's purse closure.  It is smooth, evenly balanced with your other breast, has a very small scar, and depending on the size of your areola, you can see a hint of a nipple.  It is as natural looking as we who have had mastectomies can get. Please ask your surgeon about it before making any decisions about reconstruction.

I also want to encourage you on a spiritual and emotional level.  Every cancer journey is different.  My doctor's each told me this, and I would still compare mine to others trying to find something that I could apply and then understand.  But the reality is this: your cancer journey will be your cancer journey.  The good news is you have sisters in survivorship to cheer you on along the way and to share our stories to help you cope. You're going to have some really confusing and crummy days... and you're going to have some truly heroic and celebratory days.  Listen to your medical team.  Ask questions.  Join a support group.  And be certain to find women within your age group who you can talk with - because one thing I did learn is that at 45, my cancer expectations were very different from women in their late 60's or eary '70's.  I needed to talk with women who still had active careers and children to be raised.  At the same time, the older women had great life wisdom to share  in general.

You and I share the same name... we now share breast cancer.  I've made it - you will too.
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Avatar universal
I am glad you are doing better this time.  I am not surprized you didn't get much sleep.  I never slept the night before chemo.  I understand your tireness.  Do whatever you have to do to get your rest.  The posts can wait.  Just take care of yourself.  I have been running myself ragged lately too.  It really catches up with you and knocks you down.  you have even a bigger reason to be more tired.  
Take it easy and don't push yourself too much.

Love ya more than ya know :)  And that's the truth girlfriend:)
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314692 tn?1214080510
Hi You,

I forgot to tell you that the reason that I have to have radiation is because my tumor was 3 cm and also the calcium in breast was positive as well. But the thank for all the info on the expander becuase implants is DEFINATELY the way im goin.

Let me know how your surgery goes Im sure everything will be fine.

Take care
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314692 tn?1214080510
Hi there sister!

Well I cant even begin to tell you how tired I am. But I thank God that I am not sick like I was the last time. My belly was just a little upset but I am NOT complaining I just thank God that he answers prayers!! I thank I am so tired because I only slept a few hours last night and I was running around all morning when I should have been resting!

I feel so blessed to have a friend like you!!!!!!! Everything happens for a reason doesn't it Tami. You have helped me more than you can imagine. I saw that you left me a message when I finish my nap I will read it and quickly respond.

Love ya more than pizza!!!! And thats the truth girlfriend  :)
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Avatar universal
How is day 2 of round two?   You were the first person I thought of this morning.  Actually, you are always on my mind.  Just wondering how ya feeling. Post me when ya feel up to it.  Remember, you are not a sissy.  Doesnt mean ya still can't feel crumby.  
Take it easy.   Tami
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Avatar universal
Hey, I just had icecream.  Is that funky or what.  I love my icecream so if you love me that much, I must be pretty special!!!    :)
Your friendship means alot to me also.  More than you will ever know.  I think our paths crossed for a reason.  Without saying a whole lot, you have been a life saver to me.  I am saying this with tears in my eyes.  I have been through alot in just the last 8 months.  Totally unrelated to cancer.  I have been mouning the loss of my extended family.  Long story but I really needed  someone in my life to help fill the gap and you my sister, had filled that void quite a bit.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  
I really hope your tummy gets to feeling better soon.  And I am very glad the tumor is responding well.  Anyone with cancer will be so happy for you.  Keep hanging in there.  You are doing great so far.  I am going to be jealous of your new boobs.  When I get to feeling stronger, maybe I will persue that too.  But for now, I'm still trying to get on my feet.  It has been an extra long recovery for me.  Well,  YOu get some sleep tonight.  Sweet dreams and we will talk to ya in the morning.  
Love ya like I'd love new boobs   :)   lol   Tami
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325698 tn?1216328754
tracey...

i am doing the new silicone gels..i didnt need radiation since i had a mastectomy...why do you? i was told that if all the tissue is removed then radiation isnt necessary...i was really sore after the mastectomy...BUT i had my doctor put in a subQ pack which gave me continuous numbing mediicine (kinda like novicain) for  5 days...that was a blessing after i went home and had no more morphine...you will be uncomfortable and yes you will hurt, but you will not die from the pain...its not that bad....dont forget to do your arm exercises!! seriously!!

oh i forgot....you know what did hurt me???  underneath my shoulder blade...i think more from the position of my arm during surgery...have a heating pad ready...that helped..

yes, the expander gives the impression of a very off kilter boob.if you are doing both then you at least will be even.  since i only had one done, i am waaay unsymectrical..lets put it this way...in hawaii, floating in the water with my bald head and my uneven chest, i felt like a jacked up bouy..bobbin' away at a goofy angle..sigh.. i SO miss my ponytail..

regarding the surgery.. .i am ready for it to be over with...its been an odd but yet uplifting journey.  Im not sure that i would change anything (okay maybe the bald thing and the pukey feeling and the horrid taste in my mouth and the mouth sores and the diarreah and and and.........)  i feel better for it, strange as that may sound.  my life is my life and it just needs to be lived to the fullest....

Its a hard journey and places like this that give helpful tips and insight are priceless.  It surely is a journey that makes you mentally stronger...you HAVE to be strong, 'cause the alternative truely sucks.
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314692 tn?1214080510
Hi Tami,

Well round 2 is done. I Got er done! :) My tummy is feelin a little strange so im gonna lay down. But I am praying I wont be sick this time or atleast not as sick! My blood count was good and the tumor is responding so thats good.

I will try to get back on tonight or surely by tomorrow. Thanks Tami, our friendship has become very special to me and you have blessed me more that you know.

Love ya like icecream!! :)
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314692 tn?1214080510
You have a way with words you are so funny, "The Goider"! I love it. How funny is that. I never thought about naming my port. I need some time to come up with something clever.

Okay back to the boobs I am a D cup but I dont want big boobs. I am leaning towards a double masyectomy and a small C after its all said and done. I definately want implants. Are you getting saline or silacone? Unfortunately I have to get radiation therapy so it throws a lil more into the course of action for me. Did the expander give you any appearence of a breast? I REALLY dont want to do the prostetic thing for 6 mos

Wow you are getting ready to get your implant, AWESOME!! Just days away I cant wait to hear how much you love the new boob!!

I will definately get the lympedema sleeve. We will see what happens with that.

So you were not in alot of pain after the masectomy??

Wow hawaii AWESOME im sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo jealous!!!

Hope to hear from ya soon thanks so much for the info.

Tracey
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325698 tn?1216328754
yup, they put the expander in at the time of the surgery.  filled it with about 60 cc's of saline.  every week i went back and they injected another 60 cc's...all in all its up to 600 ccs...(about a can and 1/2 of soda)...it looks odd as it is quite high and not centered but they have to make the cavity as large as they can to get a natural look once the final implant goes in...it depends on how large chested you were to begin with...i was a small B at 112 lbs, so the tram flap wasnt even an option.  I met with one surgeon who wanted to wait 6 months AFTER the mastectomy and there was NO way i was waiting that long...so i found another surgeon who did it following my mastectomy!  i have never been happier....i love all of my doctors....(my boob surgery is may 6th...just a few days away)..

truely, for me, it did not hurt.  my chest feels very tight and i do get some muscle cramping on my side, but i look 'somewhat' normal...i have every confidence that after next weeks surgery that i will be on my way to being symetrical again....

I just got back from 2 weeks in hawaii and before i left i had posted regarding flying and lymphodema....and got a wide variety of responses....i went to my doctor and he said that i should be fine...i was...i was told to move my arm a bit and stretch.  I had no problems..i also only had about 10 removed...(one sentinal was positive)...my arm is fine.  i guess the best answer is to ask YOUR doctor anything and everything and trust him/her...

how are you doing with the port?  mine hurt so bad that i wanted to rip it out of my chest...i didnt (but the thought made me feel better)...i also named it ''The Goider"..
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