Need some encouragement and direction

[traceyz]

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.

[Sammie4258]

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

[Sammie4258]

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

[darcytwin]

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.

[traceyz]

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!! :)

[traceyz]

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

[darcytwin]

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"..