It's been a long week (cancer update)

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
21

I had my annual mammogram yesterday. I’ve been diligent about keeping them since 2 of my friends were diagnosed with breast cancer. Both chose to get a lumpectomy followed by chemo/radiation. Fast forward a year and both are doing really well now and planning to make up for the vacations that they missed last year.

Cancer sucks, but the advances that have been made in the last decade are staggering.

Keep in touch, Ivy. I can’t wait for the “We’re going on a celebratory vacation” thread same time next year.

22

For anyone who missed it, here is the original thread.

Thanks everyone. It does help, tremendously.

ppbth, you made me laugh. My mother and I haven’t spoken for nearly 18 years, so unless my sister told her, she doesn’t know about my cancer. Plus, I could care less about the nipples, since I know that’s just a physiologicial response, but I hadn’t shaved under my arms that morning, so there was a little stubble that I was feeling a teeny embarrassed about. I know the doctors and the technicians don’t care about that, the room is dim and they’re busy trying to find lymph nodes and hinky stuff, but I do like to present a clear appearance if someone is rooting around that part of my body.

A friend at work sent me this link …click on it once a day to help give women free mammograms.

23

There’s really not a lot that I can say to make you feel better. The best I can come up with is “Fuck Cancer”. Oh, I’m so eloquent.

Do you know what’s going to happen? Have they discussed the chemo side-effects with you? I’m a champion chemo cap crocheter, if it comes to it - I turned out about 20 last month for a charity. Let me know.

24

I hear you about “looking tidy.” I made sure that I tidied up and got a pedicure before the births of my kids. :smiley:

I know how much this sucks. Hang in there.

:slight_smile:

25

I’m sorry to hear this. I’ll keep you in my thoughts.

26

I thought I was going to find out when I met with the surgeon on Thu, but he wanted another test, so I meet with him next Wed.

I did something stupid today…I googled “breast reconstructive surgery.” I’m hoping those images were the most extreme. I won’t be doing that again.

And I will take you up on the offer of the hat, when they decide what to do with me! Thanks!

27

Thinking of you, ivylass.

28

Good luck, ivylass.

29

Makes you wonder what is worse, the disease that doesn’t seem to affect you at all ( yet) or the treatment.
Personally, I think it is the doctor’s offices in themselves that just suck out your soul. Please take hand sanitizer with you to all appointments and methodically and maniacally do your hands every fifteen minutes. The last thing you need right now when everything is wonky with you is a cold or sinus infection or some other GERM DU JOUR from the crud that is floating around the doctor’s offices.
My thoughts are with you.

30

ivylass, I can assure you although some of us have not posted before in your booby-related threads we do care. I just have nothing else to say. Please, do keep us posted, and vent sister, vent. It’s good for the soul.

31

Oh, I do know. The e-mails and the PMs and all the kind thoughts proved it. I just don’t want to be a one-trick pony, you know…there’s goes ivylass again, talking about her breast cancer.

But when I know stuff, I’ll tell you, just like I’ll tell my family. I did find a local breast cancer support group, so I might go check it out.

And if you haven’t done so, get your mammograms! :slight_smile:

32

Okay, I can do that. I’m 53 and I haven’t had a mammogram yet, ever, my mom and my aunt(both retired nurses) would probably faint dead away if they knew.

So, Monday, I’ll call the clinic where my gynecologist practices, and get the ball rolling. Let you know when the appointment is scheduled.

After all, we gotta write more stories!

33

thank you for the update. hang in there and don’t let those doctors get you down.

34

Sometimes it’s really hard to tell.

Chemo can be all over the place. It varies a lot by individual and the type of chemo you get. There are a lot of new drugs coming out to deal with the worst of the side-effects though.

Good luck, ivylass.

35

Ivylass You’re awesome! I really like you and am happy that I got to meet you in person once. You are in my thoughts every single day (though I’m sure I haven’t mentioned it). I’m also way jelous that you’ve been so successful losing weight in the weightloss thread but that’s another story.

I know you’ve probably got friends that you know way better than me who can help but I’m close enough to visit, offer moral support or…I don’t know…do something if you need anything. :slight_smile:

Take care and yes, please, keep us posted.

36

Well, this is certainly the place to talk about it. I’m sure lots more than who have already posted are following this thread, too. Keep posting.

37

ivylass, thank you for the update. I was wondering earlier today how you might be doing.

I know all the tests and repeats of tests are draining, but the more information they have, the better they can do. Forewarned is forearmed. Hang in.

38

I, too, missed the original thread. Not surprising since I am sporadic here and mostly check threads I already know about, or whatever is in the top 10 or so on the page the moment I happen to be here. I’m sorry you’re going through this, but very glad to hear they caught it early! They really have come a long way with the treatments.

39

Well, I can let everyone know when I go into the hospital, in case anyone wants to swing by Orlando(ish) and freak out my RL friends and family members…“How do you know her?” :stuck_out_tongue:

40

You know, you really shouldn’t say stuff like that - 'cause I’m going to be out and about in central FL for the next few weeks anyway, and you really don’t want me showing up with balloons and a bottle of rum and a huge-ass grin, going “Where’s the Radioactive Titty Committee? I hear there’s a party!” :smiley: