Post Mastecomy

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rcknrob
rcknrob Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi again, I wanted to thank all of you here for the answers and advice while I was "awaiting mastecomy". The surgery went well my Dr. told me, but the path results we disheartening. 21 out of 42 nodes pos. I realize I am a stage 2B and I read the other posts on here and feel like I have nothing to contribute, because there are so many much worse off than myself. My life forever changed on March 22, 2004 when the Dr. in his emtionless voice said "we were wrong, you have breast cancer". I live each day as a gift, because we are not promised another one, and scared, oh yeah I am scared to death. I mean I just had my left breast removed and the doctor is talking about all this strong chemo and ports and radiation too now, I am trying to learn as much as possible but at this point it seems I can't keep up, because everything is in hyperdrive. I am really lucky however, that my sur. onco. is a friend and she has helped to guide me through this maze that has become my families life. And to complicate things even further, my husband and I are ex-pats who are working in Guyana, South America, and he has to leave me next week to go back to work, so I am left in a rented house in Miami with my 3 children 21, 20 and 16 who are my lifeline and only support until he can come back in time for my 1st chemo treatment in a month. He is in anguish over this and I can't seem to help him at this time, it has been all I can do to keep my bi-polar self halfway sane. I feel like I am in the twilight zone. But coming to this site helps me so much. You are the most postive group of women I have ever seen, and I am inspired and in awe of you, because I feel if you have been couragegous enough to survive, I can too. Thank you!

Robyn

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  • inkblot
    inkblot Member Posts: 698 Member
    #2
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    Hi Robyn:

    At this point in your dx, I know that little seems to make sense. Trust me, it will settle some as you learn more and begin to address the issues, one at a time.

    It's so good that you have your children with you in Miami right now and although your husband can't be there, you know that his every thought is focused upon you. It's a dreadful time to have to be separated from one another.

    It is my thought that everyone's cancer matters greatly and equally here. Don't ever feel that you have nothing to contribute! Obviously, there is more advanced cancer and cancer considered to have been found "early" and many situations in between. Still, the emotional response is one of initial devastation at dx. You just succeeded in sharing your story, with it's difficulties, yet
    ending it on the positive note of knowing that you CAN do this! Do you know how valuable that is??? A wonderful example of how although you're looking through a tangle of bad news, with challenges ahead, you know that you WILL get
    through it. Now that, is INSPIRING!

    Miami should have quite a few support groups to choose from and maybe you can check some of them out and find one which is comfortable and helpful to you, for those times when you need more than a cyber connection for support. Sometimes there's no substitutue for a warm pair of arms to give you a comforting hug...from someone who's traveled in your shoes and completely understands.

    Hope you'll come here often as you have as much to contribute to our sisterhood as anyone of us! No one of us has experienced it "all" but together, we share and learn and find comfort, hope, support and encouragement while sharing resources and ideas.

    A big hug your way and chin up. Be kind to yourself and patient too. Try to approach it with kindness to yourself and patience, as you'd advise a loved one or dear friend to do. Don't rush yourself as you try to learn. The more you can learn, the better decisions you can make for yourself but when the info becomes overwhelming, try to take a break and focus on something different then go back to it when you feel recharged. You WILL get there from here!

    Love, light and laughter,
    Ink
  • elmsys
    elmsys Member Posts: 5
    #3
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    Hi rcknrob,
    I was thinking about you and glad i stopped by the discussion board to see how you are doing.

    I think trying to make sense of the cancer diagnosis is like learning a foreign language overnight! Sounds like you have a good doc, and that is a godsend!

    My two pieces of advice are to get a catheter or port (I had a Hickman catheter that I loved because it kept me 100% needle-free!) for chemo. AND take notes/write down info/keep a journal of all your doctor appointments, what questions you asked (and what the answers were). Things tend to run together after a while, and it's good to have notes!

    This is an amazing, supportive sisterhood. No one wants to be a member of this club, but once in we are compelled to help others fight the fight. You have a great attitude and good information and those are 2 important steps to being well again!

    Come by any time. Your story will eventually help others and in the mean time, lean on us to help you.

    keep the faith,
    elmsys
  • rcknrob
    rcknrob Member Posts: 9
    #4
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    elmsys said:

    Hi rcknrob,
    I was thinking about you and glad i stopped by the discussion board to see how you are doing.

    I think trying to make sense of the cancer diagnosis is like learning a foreign language overnight! Sounds like you have a good doc, and that is a godsend!

    My two pieces of advice are to get a catheter or port (I had a Hickman catheter that I loved because it kept me 100% needle-free!) for chemo. AND take notes/write down info/keep a journal of all your doctor appointments, what questions you asked (and what the answers were). Things tend to run together after a while, and it's good to have notes!

    This is an amazing, supportive sisterhood. No one wants to be a member of this club, but once in we are compelled to help others fight the fight. You have a great attitude and good information and those are 2 important steps to being well again!

    Come by any time. Your story will eventually help others and in the mean time, lean on us to help you.

    keep the faith,
    elmsys

    Thanks again for the advice, I read on here before my first dr. visit about the notebook, so I started that process from the very beginning, and I ask lots of questions, but I never know if they are the right ones, because I leave with a whole list of news ones. My husbands says I should be able to talk my way out of cancer with as many questions as I ask....if only that were the case. I am trying very hard to keep positive and just take things one day at a time as they come, and so far I think it is working. I am having a port put in tomorrow, and I haven't even seen the chemo dr yet, my sur onco wants to make sure I have a smooth transition into chemo I guess....Thank God for her, she really has been a blessing in all this. Nice to hear from you and thanks again.

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