J-rap Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Quarter Note, I'm so glad your surgery is done and you're on the road to recovery. My mother, back in the early 70's, had a double mastectomy at age 42 (she actually had early cancer in both breasts) and is now 94! That always made me think that mastectomies are the way to go, but since then, two of my closest friends have had breast cancer. They both had lumpectomies and it's been at least 10 years for both of them and they are cancer-free! Science and medicine have come a long way! Prayers and best wishes to you as you move forward past this. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Praying for you!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 I’m glad you got through your surgery okay. I’m sorry; I didn’t see your OP. I was diagnosed almost the same time as @Arcadia was; I know my posts are throughout the thread she linked. I had a lumpectomy with radiation. I did not have chemo; my “number” was low and it was statistically unlikely to improve my outcome. I am on Tamoxifen. In my case, I had a close family member who had a bad outcome from doing a double mastectomy with reconstruction. My memories of her bad outcome (infection in the reconstruction spacers) made me want to avoid that outcome if at all possible. So a lumpectomy worked out for me. So far, anyway. Good luck with the rest of your journey. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 I am glad your surgery is over and you are recovering well. Lots of more good thoughts sent your way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Sending positive thoughts Huge hugs 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 Glad you are on your way to full recovery. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 I just saw this thread, but I wanted to chime in good thoughts, QN, and am thankful the surgery went well. I am 10 years past a melanoma removed from my ankle. Margins were clear and that seems to have take care of it, but this week I had my annual and they took another henky looking spot off, so I am a little emotional until I get word of the biopsy results. Prayers are with you!! 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 So glad your surgery went well. ((hugs to you and your family)) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted April 17, 2022 Share Posted April 17, 2022 5 hours ago, KrissiK said: I just saw this thread, but I wanted to chime in good thoughts, QN, and am thankful the surgery went well. I am 10 years past a melanoma removed from my ankle. Margins were clear and that seems to have take care of it, but this week I had my annual and they took another henky looking spot off, so I am a little emotional until I get word of the biopsy results. Prayers are with you!! Praying for you. I have only had Basal Cell Carcinoma but have to go to dermatologist every year because of that. Dh gets to go only every 3 years now since he hasn't had any skin cancer. Also, I check him and he has an annual physical too so there is that. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Note Posted April 27, 2022 Author Share Posted April 27, 2022 On 4/17/2022 at 8:06 AM, KrissiK said: I just saw this thread, but I wanted to chime in good thoughts, QN, and am thankful the surgery went well. I am 10 years past a melanoma removed from my ankle. Margins were clear and that seems to have take care of it, but this week I had my annual and they took another henky looking spot off, so I am a little emotional until I get word of the biopsy results. Prayers are with you!! KrissiK, I hope that your biopsy turns out negative! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Note Posted April 27, 2022 Author Share Posted April 27, 2022 Everyone, again, it takes me so long to get on to the computer without kids hanging over my shoulder, but I wanted to tell you all thank you for your prayers and good wishes! You are all wonderful! 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted April 27, 2022 Share Posted April 27, 2022 17 hours ago, Quarter Note said: KrissiK, I hope that your biopsy turns out negative! Thank you for asking. I got the results last week and they were negative. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 Thinking of you @Quarter Note! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted May 31, 2022 Share Posted May 31, 2022 24 minutes ago, ScoutTN said: Thinking of you @Quarter Note! Yes, me too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Note Posted July 4, 2022 Author Share Posted July 4, 2022 On 5/31/2022 at 4:47 PM, ScoutTN said: Thinking of you @Quarter Note! On 5/31/2022 at 5:12 PM, Kassia said: Yes, me too. Thank you, ScoutTN and Kassia! Sorry I haven't replied earlier. Treatment is at a standstill for now - the facility in my little town where I get my mammograms done and the cancer center in Big City Far Away can't seem to talk to each other. It's hard being a non-medical-person trying to figure out what each of them needs and being the intermediary between them. I thought that I'd be done with radiation therapy by now and it hasn't even started! Emotionally, I'm hanging in there. Every time that I look at the scar, I deliberately tell myself, "This scar is the result of a skilled surgeon's work to save my life." But, my feelings still say, "Scars mean accidents or injury. I shouldn't have a scar right there!" It's one of those emotional things that you can't really prepare yourself for. I'll update again when treatment is started again! 1 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 Thank you for the update. So frustrating about the treatment being stalled like that and I'm sorry about how you're feeling about the scar. Sending hugs and positive thoughts. Hope the radiation is started soon and it goes well for you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 Oh man I am so sorry your treatment hasn't even started. That is beyond frustrating. I am sending some thoughts their way to have you start soon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 1 hour ago, Quarter Note said: Every time that I look at the scar, I deliberately tell myself, "This scar is the result of a skilled surgeon's work to save my life." But, my feelings still say, "Scars mean accidents or injury. I shouldn't have a scar right there!" It's one of those emotional things that you can't really prepare yourself for. Not for everyone, of course, but I treated myself to the tattoo I had wanted for years and the artist figured out how to incorporate both the targeting tattoo from my radiation therapy and the mastectomy scar on the left side of my chest (the side that had the malignancy). I still struggle with my scars and flat chest occasionally, although for me it's not so much about the physical transformation as it is that the scars are tangible reminders of the ugly, upsetting family drama that was happening concurrently with my cancer treatment. However, now every time I see myself topless in the mirror, I also see the adorable manatee with a butterfly on its nose popping up out of that scar. It's not perfect, but it helps. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 I'm sorry you are still waiting. I would be incredibly frustrated and anxious. They should not make it so hard, you have enough to deal with now 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 1 hour ago, Quarter Note said: Treatment is at a standstill for now - the facility in my little town where I get my mammograms done and the cancer center in Big City Far Away can't seem to talk to each other. It's hard being a non-medical-person trying to figure out what each of them needs and being the intermediary between them. I thought that I'd be done with radiation therapy by now and it hasn't even started! I had mammograms done post surgery. I think the mammogram of the surgery area was all the radiation team needed. My surgeon was the one to liaise with my radiation doctor, same medical group so it was just internal memos between them. As for the scar, you could use Mederma, Scar Away, Vit E serum to make the scar less prominent. My scars (falls, chemo, surgery) were itching badly after Pfizer and surprisingly my anti-aging face moisturizer helped reduce both itch and how obvious the scars were. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Note Posted July 4, 2022 Author Share Posted July 4, 2022 1 hour ago, Jenny in Florida said: ...I also see the adorable manatee with a butterfly on its nose popping up out of that scar. Jenny, I think this is a wonderful idea. I'm not a tattoo person, but I love that you changed your scar into something sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Note Posted July 4, 2022 Author Share Posted July 4, 2022 33 minutes ago, Arcadia said: I had mammograms done post surgery. I think the mammogram of the surgery area was all the radiation team needed. My surgeon was the one to liaise with my radiation doctor, same medical group so it was just internal memos between them. As for the scar, you could use Mederma, Scar Away, Vit E serum to make the scar less prominent. My scars (falls, chemo, surgery) were itching badly after Pfizer and surprisingly my anti-aging face moisturizer helped reduce both itch and how obvious the scars were. I've been using arnica gel, and I do have some Mederma I might start later when I've run out of the arnica. I'll also look into using Vit. E serum. What a great idea - thank you! But really, I just have to have some time to get used to the scar just being part of me now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YaelAldrich Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 Thank you for the update. Do you have a care coordinator (usually a nurse)assigned to you? They can be so helpful in well, coordinating care between several clinics and doctors. They are my go-to person when needing to deal with multiple clinics. I hope your recovery continues with strength! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted July 4, 2022 Share Posted July 4, 2022 Hoping the rest of your treatment happens soon! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Note Posted July 26, 2022 Author Share Posted July 26, 2022 Just a quick update, everyone. My medical oncologist texted the radiation oncologist and said, "Patient wants to start radiation. Please get her scheduled." Rad onc himself called that afternoon. Amazing what one MD can get another to do! So I just started radiation this morning. Hopefully all will go well! 16 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasProud Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 Thanks for updating. Glad it went well. Will be praying for your recovery. You have a lot on your plate. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kassia Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 24 minutes ago, Quarter Note said: Just a quick update, everyone. My medical oncologist texted the radiation oncologist and said, "Patient wants to start radiation. Please get her scheduled." Rad onc himself called that afternoon. Amazing what one MD can get another to do! So I just started radiation this morning. Hopefully all will go well! Oh, I'm glad things got started finally and wish you all the best. ❤️ 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amethyst Posted July 26, 2022 Share Posted July 26, 2022 Wishing you the very best! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 I hope the treatments go smoothly— and you might feel tired, so I hope you will give yourself some grace, and try to take it easy if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddcrook Posted July 27, 2022 Share Posted July 27, 2022 I'm glad you're starting radiation. I hope you find peace and healing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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