My Valentines Day Cancer
Comments
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@Blossom1961 I reckon a pair of big girl undies pulled up high enough to have eye holes need a new name!1
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K, go for it. Start some random names. Love didi0
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I share your Valentine's Day diagnosis, and also your desire to be strong in front of others. I had my ct and bone scan yesterday and had tears rolling down my cheeks while I lay still as was in my brain for too long, plus the nurses were so lovely I couldn't cope!
take care of yourself and all the very very best X3 -
Thanks for all your lovely and wise comments, and your warm welcome to the club no one wants to join.
I had a better day today at work, felt like I was making a difference in other peoples lives with out being constantly reminded of my own insecurities.
@Loobylou fingers crossed for your scan result and hugs for the horrible wait.
I've not had any scans yet, first appointment with the surgeon tomorrow. but I've had an ache in my shoulder which I'm sure is muscular but now plays on my mind.... and my exercise tolerance is pretty poor at the moment, getting puffed out with things I think I shouldn't, so I'm not panicking but it's just enough to make the wait just that bit more uncomfortable.0 -
I saw the surgeon yesterday.
She went through the scans and explained that although the radiologist called it 15mm it was a bit hard to read as it is quite irregular, and may well be over 2cm. So that was her warning shot that we won't know till its out
The cancer is quite high up in the breast at 1 o'clock. She said that it would leave a large dent in the breast if we do a straight lumpectomy and recommended a "therapeutic breast reduction". So I will have a breast reduction with lumpectomy Thursday next week. Then come back in 3 months to even out the other side.
Will obviously need radio and tamoxifen. Chemo still on the table. I have been referred to genetics councillor.
I have no idea how much smaller the breast will end up being. Im currently a 16G. My partner said as we were leaving "rather extreme way to get a boob job"
I went to the local lingerie shop today- I knew they specialised in prosthetics. So I now have a front opening bra with no underwire, Which she says I will need for moths afterwards. They come in black and nana beige! I'm only 44 and I don't even wear a bathing suit without an underwire as I need the support, and it looks terrible.
So I now have a few more practical questions.
How do you manage the lop sidedness while waiting for the other side to be done?
The lady at the shop suggested scarves. I've never been into them but I guess I could learn. They would probable get in the way when I'm doing procedures though. My main concern is that I don't really want to tell all my patients if I don't have to.
What do people do while waiting during the sentinel node scan? Ideas for entertainment please!
What to pack for hospital?
When can I get back in my swimming pool afterwards?
I'm sure there are lots more, but I'll start with that
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This site will be of most benefit to you...………
https://www.reclaimyourcurves.org.au/information-sheets.html
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hi Sazbe,
You could also do a look good feel better workshop
Lgfb.org.au
Youtube shows great videos for scarves.
for my sentinel node I took in my Ipod
@Sister
has a great list of what to pack for hospital
Swimming pool is it your own pool ?
Have you accessed a BREAST CARE Nurse yet ?
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It's a lot to take in at once! Practical responses - I was a similar breast size and had a mastectomy. Always wore a bra with underwire and did so, because it was perfectly comfortable and no one told me not to, for 12 months afterwards. I was really dubious about support without an underwire but a trained fitter when I finally got a prosthesis, showed me otherwise. No, the colour options weren't great but it looks and feels good. I wore a pad until I got a prosthesis - depending on your circumstances, it would be worth investigating a partial prosthesis as pads, which are very light, are a pain - move around much too easily, you may be initially hyper sensitive about your altered boob and readjustment syndrome (constant tweaking) you can live without. I did swim with a pad, just tucked it in my swimsuit but I wasn't wearing anything too revealing. I did chemo, wore a wig and most people outside my immediate work team, didn't know anything. You'll be amazed at your additional
imventiveness, hang on to your sense of humour, it can get you through some crazy times. Best wishes.0 -
Sorry I can't advise on the lop sided aspect, as I had a bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction. My hospital "have to haves" was this. Open up the front pyjamas or nighties as getting arm/s up to put on and remove is a tad difficult. Slippers that have non slip soles and are easy to slip on and off. Bending over to use finger to lift the back on a closed slipper is a mission. Bendy straws so you can sip fluids without having to sit up. Bickford's Lime Cordial, as the bottled water given out tasted bleeghhh to me at room temperature. Some sucky lollies such as Werther's or mints. My kindle...easier for holding one handed reading in bed lying on the side. Money in smaller denominations for buying goodies from the pink ladies as they only take cash, and have limited change. Ear plugs or noise cancelling earphones to block off bed buzzers, other patients calling out, staff yakking in the corridor at 2am. Staff and visitors wearing clack clack or squeak squeak shoes up and down outside your room....you get the picture. Eye mask like on airplanes to block out night lights on the wall and even the glow in the dark blipping and numbers on monitors. I'm sure others will add more of their personal favourites. Good luck.0
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I distracted myself with a lot of stupid sitcoms on Netflix and Stan. We got Stan when I was diagnosed as I knew I'd need distraction and I enjoy watching tv.
Some surround themselves with friends to make them laugh, go out or stay home. I got busy with organising the things I could control, like the housework, walking the dog, making allied health appointments. It was a peculiar state of suspended animation which didn't go on for too long as it all happened very quickly. Do your hobby, get some exercise, meditate, whatever floats your boat.
Obviously you'll be sore afterwards. You do a lot of boob clutching! I found bending over to load and unload the dishwasher to be particularly challenging, as was washing myself, especially my hair. I had to get my husband to help me the first couple of times. Bumpy roads are challenging. I was a bit sorer as usual as my tumour was deep and my BS had to dig around in my chest wall to get it out.
But in between my SNB & wide local excision and re-excision for margins a week later, I organised, prepared and threw my son's 18th birthday party, so the incapacitation doesn't go on for too long.
If you're on your own at home make sure your tea/coffee etc is somewhere easy to reach, not to low or high.
How you react to a general anaesthetic will also determine how you feel.
My lopsidedness was minimal, only noticeable when I was naked.
If you go scarves, can I suggest op shops for vintage ones?! It's good fun and not so nanna! There's also this lady who's a deadset legend:
https://www.braveryco.com.au/?categoryId=a65005de-9a92-83ef-488a-63cb713e5c8c
Those bras are hideous. I refused to wear my Berlei beige one for weeks but in the end I gave in. They are very very comfortable.
Hang in there @Sazbe. K xox0 -
Hi @Sazbe. Things are moving along for you. Sooner the better I say . If you're stuck on a Candy Crush level it doesn't seem a waste of time while you're hanging around for scans etc. Backgammon is my saviour on the mobile. Lumps are strange things I was told I had 2, had 2 hookwires on day of surgery to find there was only one lump shaped like a Dumbbell grade 3 so had chemo. 2 weeks after surgery went back to work hairdressing until chemo started I bought loads of wireless bras but none of them fitted as I have a bigger cup than you and none were that big so I squashed into the biggest I could find. At home I never wore one. My lump was at 12 o'clock and my scar about 9 o' clock. Yes I have a dented, smaller perkier fun bag. Now that I'm back to underwire bras again it's barely noticeable. My surgeon keeps offering to make the other one the same, and I said I need one unadulterated funbag for my Bad Boy. He's never had a problem with the other one either and I'm blessed to have him make me feel totally comfortable about it. Too be honest I don't care what it looks like because others have it far worse so who am I to grumble. All I wanted was the lump removed and do what you have to do. When I went for radiation I went braless So much easier. Leggings and a volumous over shirt . At the end of rads I used to cover the broken skin with a pad if I had to wear the wireless bra. When I had a gig (in a band) I used to wear my performing bra. Very pretty and sexy, well padded on the sore bit and endure it for the night. It's something that clears up with time I went to my lovely bra shop De'bra's and found a good underwire bra that fitted a little looser than normal and it was a godsend. The lady brought me a chicken fillet. It was bigger than what I needed as it's all they had but it was so heavy and felt eeeew I said I'd rather have a baggy bit of bra where my dent is, and there's nothing to see when dressed.. You might not have that bad a dent hopefully and might rethink having the other side done Review it all when it's done and you're over the initial shock. Being able to work was the best medicine for me. So worked through chemo and rads. It certainly takes your mind off of it all. There will be hundreds more questions you'll want answered and there's lots of answers here. Best of luck with it all.1
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I hated the Berlei bra - it resembles an old-fashioned foundation garment. And I didn't stick long with the front-opening bra, either as it never stayed put, properly. I went for the cheap Kmart Ah Bra ripoffs until things healed a bit and then got some nice ones fitted with a proper prosthesis. As for those, I was given a soft pad at the hospital and then later used knitted knockers until I got the silicon one. You can get chicken fillet types to even up after a lumpectomy. But honestly, it was better to go without whenever possible and let the site heal.1
