Newbies - introduce yourselves

pitt
pitt Member Posts: 387
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi! A few new people have posted responses to topics. Can you all introduce yourselves in this post so that we can all welcome you properly? (Someone did this for me when i first joined and it really helped me to feel included!) Also, the more I post, the more "clear-headed" I feel. It really does help if nothing else than to organize your thoughts and realize that you are not alone. Post, post, post!
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Comments

  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    #2
    Newbie
    Hello, my name is Kari, I'm 37 and I joined about a month ago. I haven't posted much because I'm just trying to get to know everyone and how this site works. I'm currently in chemo for 16 weeks, then a bilateral mastectomy (with lymph node removal and ovaries), radiation, then reconstruction. DX with triple negative stage IIIc BC on 8-18-09. This site is wonderful and I plan on using it more as I go along. Thanks again for the opportunity to introduce myself.
    Kari
  • cheyennedawn
    cheyennedawn Member Posts: 70
    #3
    Hi, my name is Deana. I am
    Hi, my name is Deana. I am 35 years old. I was DX with a phyllodes tumor of my left breast and had a mastectomty with lymph node removal on August 12, 2009. I didn't have to go through any further treatments. I have been trying to move on from this, just don't know how to do that. I was fine while I was going through all of this, the dx, 2 surgeries (had a partial mastectomy on July 31), and just trying to recover physically. Now, 2 months after my surgery, I am not fine. Physically yes, but not emotionally. My doctor prescribed some anti-depressants, and I am taking them, but I really hate the way they make me feel. I don't understand why I am feeling this way. I am fine, no sign of cancer, but I am so depressed! I know I am not the only one going through anything, and I feel guilty for these feelings, there is so many people out there that is going through much, much worse! But, this site has helped me more than anything. I don't post much, but I read alot. It helps to feel connected to women with the same problems. Thanks for the introduction pitt! This is really a great site.
  • pitt
    pitt Member Posts: 387
    #4
    pinkkari09 said:

    Newbie
    Hello, my name is Kari, I'm 37 and I joined about a month ago. I haven't posted much because I'm just trying to get to know everyone and how this site works. I'm currently in chemo for 16 weeks, then a bilateral mastectomy (with lymph node removal and ovaries), radiation, then reconstruction. DX with triple negative stage IIIc BC on 8-18-09. This site is wonderful and I plan on using it more as I go along. Thanks again for the opportunity to introduce myself.
    Kari

    Hi Kari. I'm 38 and also
    Hi Kari. I'm 38 and also just started chemo. Strange to be here isn't it? Welcome to the site that no one wants to belong to but we're all grateful to have. Pitt PS Do you have kids? Mine are 7 and 10.
  • pitt
    pitt Member Posts: 387
    #5
    cheyennedawn said:

    Hi, my name is Deana. I am
    Hi, my name is Deana. I am 35 years old. I was DX with a phyllodes tumor of my left breast and had a mastectomty with lymph node removal on August 12, 2009. I didn't have to go through any further treatments. I have been trying to move on from this, just don't know how to do that. I was fine while I was going through all of this, the dx, 2 surgeries (had a partial mastectomy on July 31), and just trying to recover physically. Now, 2 months after my surgery, I am not fine. Physically yes, but not emotionally. My doctor prescribed some anti-depressants, and I am taking them, but I really hate the way they make me feel. I don't understand why I am feeling this way. I am fine, no sign of cancer, but I am so depressed! I know I am not the only one going through anything, and I feel guilty for these feelings, there is so many people out there that is going through much, much worse! But, this site has helped me more than anything. I don't post much, but I read alot. It helps to feel connected to women with the same problems. Thanks for the introduction pitt! This is really a great site.

    Deana, Please don't feel
    Deana, Please don't feel guilty. You didn't do anything to cause your situation and you have a lot of physical reminders that you will have to overcome. Give your body and your mind time to heal. Be good to yourself and hold tight to the people, things that make you happy. You will be happy and heathy again. Just remember you are not alone. We're all here to support each other so vent when you need to and celebrate when you can. Pitt
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #6
    pitt said:

    Deana, Please don't feel
    Deana, Please don't feel guilty. You didn't do anything to cause your situation and you have a lot of physical reminders that you will have to overcome. Give your body and your mind time to heal. Be good to yourself and hold tight to the people, things that make you happy. You will be happy and heathy again. Just remember you are not alone. We're all here to support each other so vent when you need to and celebrate when you can. Pitt

    Hi Kari and Deana, Welcome, This is
    Hi Kari and Deana, Welcome, This is our club no body really wants to be a part of. However,because we are where were at it's the best place to be right now.This site has gotton me through some hard times, a few melt downs. I thank God we have this and each other.
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #7
    cheyennedawn said:

    Hi, my name is Deana. I am
    Hi, my name is Deana. I am 35 years old. I was DX with a phyllodes tumor of my left breast and had a mastectomty with lymph node removal on August 12, 2009. I didn't have to go through any further treatments. I have been trying to move on from this, just don't know how to do that. I was fine while I was going through all of this, the dx, 2 surgeries (had a partial mastectomy on July 31), and just trying to recover physically. Now, 2 months after my surgery, I am not fine. Physically yes, but not emotionally. My doctor prescribed some anti-depressants, and I am taking them, but I really hate the way they make me feel. I don't understand why I am feeling this way. I am fine, no sign of cancer, but I am so depressed! I know I am not the only one going through anything, and I feel guilty for these feelings, there is so many people out there that is going through much, much worse! But, this site has helped me more than anything. I don't post much, but I read alot. It helps to feel connected to women with the same problems. Thanks for the introduction pitt! This is really a great site.

    FEELINGS......
    Deana, don't apologize for your feelings.....I think they are perfectly normal. Even though many have to undergo months of treatment, don't diminish your feelings because you don"t have to undergo anything further...You have been through a traumatic experience.....try to give yourself time to heal, not only physically but mentally as well.....My heart breaks for you.....35 years old, a year younger than my own daughter. I am 7 months into this crappy journey called bc......I hate it as we all do! I am trying to "move on" also....have 14 more radiation treatments to go.....I then have to find a "new normal" for myself. I am strugglign with that right now, but we all go through that. I think it's part of the process. The closer I get to finishing treatment, I find myself getting depressed. Discussed this just yesterday with my radiation oncologist...he said it is perfectly normal. While undergoing all the treatment, surgery, chemo, radiation, etc., we feel and we are, doing something to fight this beast.....then when it's over, we go "NOW WHAT?" Try not to be so hard on yourself.....again, easier said than done.
    I wish you the very best in finding your "new normal." Have you ever considered a support group for young women with BC? That maybe very beneficial.....
    Again, my very best to you
    Nancy
  • tigger99
    tigger99 Member Posts: 44
    #8
    Newbie introduction
    Pitt, thank you for encouraging us to do this! I've been reading this message board for a few months now but haven't taken the time to introduce myself yet.

    I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on May 20th, 2009. I found the lump myself while doing a self exam; nothing showed up on my mammogram just 6 months prior. July 20th I had a mastectomy, sentinel node biopsy, and immediately started the implant reconstruction process with a tissue expander. Only 2 more expansion appointments and that part of the process is done! I'm getting 50cc each time, which isn't bad at all; just a little uncomfortable/tight for a couple days, then it's un-noticeable, but I was blessed that the nerves cut during the mastectomy mean I barely feel pain in that side of my chest.

    The sentinel node biopsy showed all 3 nodes were clear, so no need for radiation or axial node disection. My oncotype score interpreted that I had a 92% chance of it not returning, with 5 years of hormone therapy. Doing chemo followed by 5 years of hormone therapy only brought it up to a 93% chance of not returning, so my oncologist said that the risks of chemo were not worth the 1% difference. Due to other health issues, I can not take Tamoxifen, so they gave me a Lupron injection to shut down my ovaries, and I'm now on Arimidex. I inquired about having my ovaries surgically removed but she believes there's no such thing as "minor surgery" and recommends chemically-induced menopause rather than surgically-induced. Plus the ovaries didn't light up on the PET scan that was done before the mastectomy surgery, so there was no pressing need to remove them at this point.

    So far I've been very lucky and am not feeling any side effects of the Arimidex, other than occasional hot flashes, which I'll gladly put up with!

    Whew! That may be way more than you wanted to know, but I wanted to "put it all out there."
  • matsu
    matsu Member Posts: 7
    #9
    Newbies
    Hi, Pitt, and everyone. I just joined yesterday. In July, I noticed a sore place on my right breast...felt like a minor bruise. About late August, I went to the doctor, he did an ultrasound, 7 mm. nodule. Said nothing to worry about. Surgery to remove the nodule September 21, and pathology said ductal carcinoma. Sentinel nodes clear September 22. So I've been cleared to return for checkup in 6 months. A little concerned that about everyone else seems to be doing the chemo and/or radiation. Talking to a male nurse from another doctor's office, he felt I was crazy to not do more than I'm doing. I'm wanting to go with the opinion of the surgeon whose opinion and wisdom I'm paying for, but... Deana, I can understand your feelings of guilt...I haven't even gone through as much as you have, and yes, there are so many going through so much more. But we each have our own journey, and as stated on this board, we each have our own normal. God bless you and your healing process.
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    #10
    pitt said:

    Hi Kari. I'm 38 and also
    Hi Kari. I'm 38 and also just started chemo. Strange to be here isn't it? Welcome to the site that no one wants to belong to but we're all grateful to have. Pitt PS Do you have kids? Mine are 7 and 10.

    kids
    Yep, I have a 20 year old daughter in nursing school and a 15 year old son in high school, PLUS three step sons 14,19,and 21. PLUS a three year old step grand-son and another on the way. My husband came with 3 sons (did his part on the Brady Bunch) and I with my daughter and one son :)They are all a big blessing in my life. Kids are GREAT :)
    Kari
  • tgf
    tgf Member Posts: 950 Member
    #11
    matsu said:

    Newbies
    Hi, Pitt, and everyone. I just joined yesterday. In July, I noticed a sore place on my right breast...felt like a minor bruise. About late August, I went to the doctor, he did an ultrasound, 7 mm. nodule. Said nothing to worry about. Surgery to remove the nodule September 21, and pathology said ductal carcinoma. Sentinel nodes clear September 22. So I've been cleared to return for checkup in 6 months. A little concerned that about everyone else seems to be doing the chemo and/or radiation. Talking to a male nurse from another doctor's office, he felt I was crazy to not do more than I'm doing. I'm wanting to go with the opinion of the surgeon whose opinion and wisdom I'm paying for, but... Deana, I can understand your feelings of guilt...I haven't even gone through as much as you have, and yes, there are so many going through so much more. But we each have our own journey, and as stated on this board, we each have our own normal. God bless you and your healing process.

    Matsu
    Just curious ... but do you have an oncologist? You said your surgeon said you didn't need further treatment ... and ... I don't want to alarm you ... but my surgeon also said that after my lumpectomy all I would need would be radiation and oral medication. After seeing my oncologist ... who reviewed all pathology reports ... I ended up needing chemo also. Just an FYI ... you might want to follow up with an oncologist if you haven't already. Often they see things in the pathology reports that a surgeon might miss.

    hugs.
    teena
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #12
    tgf said:

    Matsu
    Just curious ... but do you have an oncologist? You said your surgeon said you didn't need further treatment ... and ... I don't want to alarm you ... but my surgeon also said that after my lumpectomy all I would need would be radiation and oral medication. After seeing my oncologist ... who reviewed all pathology reports ... I ended up needing chemo also. Just an FYI ... you might want to follow up with an oncologist if you haven't already. Often they see things in the pathology reports that a surgeon might miss.

    hugs.
    teena

    TEENA.......
    I have to agree with you 100% I, too, had ductual carcinoma and went through lumpectomy, chemo and am having 33 radiation treatments(14 to go)......I would DEFINITELY see a Medical Oncologist......my surgeon said probably radiation.....when I saw the Medical Oncologist and he laid out the odds of reccurence with and without chemo THEN radiation, it was a no brainer to go with the chemo....I would definitely suggest seeing a Medical Oncologist...
  • stevie178
    stevie178 Member Posts: 31
    #13
    newbie
    Hello everyone , my wife and I are the new kids on the block and have come here for the guidance we can find in others. Everyone has been great and the support has been wonderful from all of you , so we both thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are both in our 40's and like all of you never thought in our wildest dreams we would be here but then again I'm willing to bet that nobody else was either . Since we are all here though , I am wanting to get to know everyone else better and share as well as learn from all of you. My wife Teresa was DX with IBC and after one more Biopsy and a P.E.T.scan we are ready to go with chemo starting next week hopefully. I never heard of this form of BC but what should I expect , I'm not a doctor so there we have it . My only hope right now is that my wife gets better and she along with all of the other women in this forum are rid of this horrible thing . Can't say it's nice to be HERE.......but it is great to have all of the support for not only my wife but myself as well !!!

    Best wishes to you all

    Steve & T
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #14
    stevie178 said:

    newbie
    Hello everyone , my wife and I are the new kids on the block and have come here for the guidance we can find in others. Everyone has been great and the support has been wonderful from all of you , so we both thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We are both in our 40's and like all of you never thought in our wildest dreams we would be here but then again I'm willing to bet that nobody else was either . Since we are all here though , I am wanting to get to know everyone else better and share as well as learn from all of you. My wife Teresa was DX with IBC and after one more Biopsy and a P.E.T.scan we are ready to go with chemo starting next week hopefully. I never heard of this form of BC but what should I expect , I'm not a doctor so there we have it . My only hope right now is that my wife gets better and she along with all of the other women in this forum are rid of this horrible thing . Can't say it's nice to be HERE.......but it is great to have all of the support for not only my wife but myself as well !!!

    Best wishes to you all

    Steve & T

    Welcome
    It makes me sad when I see you all making your first post, I am so sorry for each of you that you have this to go through. But yet, I am so glad that you found this wonderful board here and all our amazingly caring and supportive sisters in pink. You will find much comfort, hope, good advice and even share many laughs.

    I was diagnosed right before thanksgiving 08. It has been almost a year now and I have come here to vent, to cry, and to have the kinship of all these lovely ladies here. I don't know how I would have gotten through it without my friendships here.

    We know you feel and will be here to bring you up when your down and throw you a hand when you feel like you are drowning. And you will SURVIVE! Soon you will be giving advice and offering comfort to the new ones also.

    May God Bless you all.
    Jackie
  • shadow1970
    shadow1970 Member Posts: 14
    #15
    Hi
    Hi I am fairly new also Joined in Sept.

    Was diagnosed with BC on 9/11 had my lumpsectomy on right breast on Sept. 24 , was stage 1 but because the tumor was 2.1 cm it was considered stage 2 (because of size.) I went for my follow up with my surgeon Sept. 30th all is ok so far, My test results came back as ER positive 83% and PR positive 30 % and Her 2 Neu was negative, I just found out yesterday my apt. with the Oncologist that I had for this Thurs. has been changed to Nov 5th !! I was so upset , the company that does the Onco DX test out in California just changed their "rules" they now require the Dr.'s to wait 14 days after a patients surgery to even request this test so My Dr. did on friday and told me on monday my new apt., and so now I have 3 more weeks to wait, which is really hard on me. I have gone back to work ( one week after my surgery) so that helps to get my mind off things somewhat , sometimes but as you can see Im here on this site and I am at work !! so my mind is still on this BC... Just want to know what my treatment is going to be and when and I thought I would find out this week but No....
    Still trying to learn how to deal with all of this and get through it still very depressed ..and yes this site helps alot. Alot of great people on here. Im going to try to ride my horses tonight just walk around in the arena for the first time in ages !! I had a hysterctomy on 8/27 (before I found out about the BC ) and so its been awhile since I have ridden ... need to get back to that...
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    #16
    shadow1970 said:

    Hi
    Hi I am fairly new also Joined in Sept.

    Was diagnosed with BC on 9/11 had my lumpsectomy on right breast on Sept. 24 , was stage 1 but because the tumor was 2.1 cm it was considered stage 2 (because of size.) I went for my follow up with my surgeon Sept. 30th all is ok so far, My test results came back as ER positive 83% and PR positive 30 % and Her 2 Neu was negative, I just found out yesterday my apt. with the Oncologist that I had for this Thurs. has been changed to Nov 5th !! I was so upset , the company that does the Onco DX test out in California just changed their "rules" they now require the Dr.'s to wait 14 days after a patients surgery to even request this test so My Dr. did on friday and told me on monday my new apt., and so now I have 3 more weeks to wait, which is really hard on me. I have gone back to work ( one week after my surgery) so that helps to get my mind off things somewhat , sometimes but as you can see Im here on this site and I am at work !! so my mind is still on this BC... Just want to know what my treatment is going to be and when and I thought I would find out this week but No....
    Still trying to learn how to deal with all of this and get through it still very depressed ..and yes this site helps alot. Alot of great people on here. Im going to try to ride my horses tonight just walk around in the arena for the first time in ages !! I had a hysterctomy on 8/27 (before I found out about the BC ) and so its been awhile since I have ridden ... need to get back to that...

    Hi, Shadow and welcome. I
    Hi, Shadow and welcome. I agree that a little normalcy in your life will help. The hardest part for me so far has been the waiting game. It takes weeks to get from the surgery stage to the treatment plan. Just know that it's this way with all of us. There are some amazing sisters on this site and we'll be able to help with questions, fears, support and knowledge. Just take it one step at a time and we'll help get each other through this battle with the beast. We're here for you. Take care.
  • HillBillyNana
    HillBillyNana Member Posts: 107
    #17
    cheyennedawn said:

    Hi, my name is Deana. I am
    Hi, my name is Deana. I am 35 years old. I was DX with a phyllodes tumor of my left breast and had a mastectomty with lymph node removal on August 12, 2009. I didn't have to go through any further treatments. I have been trying to move on from this, just don't know how to do that. I was fine while I was going through all of this, the dx, 2 surgeries (had a partial mastectomy on July 31), and just trying to recover physically. Now, 2 months after my surgery, I am not fine. Physically yes, but not emotionally. My doctor prescribed some anti-depressants, and I am taking them, but I really hate the way they make me feel. I don't understand why I am feeling this way. I am fine, no sign of cancer, but I am so depressed! I know I am not the only one going through anything, and I feel guilty for these feelings, there is so many people out there that is going through much, much worse! But, this site has helped me more than anything. I don't post much, but I read alot. It helps to feel connected to women with the same problems. Thanks for the introduction pitt! This is really a great site.

    Let me hold you and comfort you!
    Dear Deana, I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. So good to hear that you are recuperating well from the surgery. You are so young! I cannot even imagine your emotional pain. But my heart goes out to you. I am a mother. If I could get near you I would just put my arms around you and hold you and let you cry. Then we would talk and talk. And talk. You are right, you are not the only one goign through this and that is why this board is so helpful. If we walk together it is not so lonely and not so frightful. Emotions are very strong in women - especially 35 year old women. Please keep posting and let us all comfort you. Is that your baby in the picture? Sure is a cutie.
  • HillBillyNana
    HillBillyNana Member Posts: 107
    #18
    New to the board but not new to BC
    Hi, I think most of you have read at least one of my posts. I live in Arkansas. I am a 6 year survivor. Diagnoses in October 2003. I had surgery, then half the chemo, all the radiation, then the last half of the chemo. Tamoxifen for 5 years. Now I am supposed to take Femara starting in December. I wish I had found this board long ago, but maybe even now I can be an encouragement to others. I was able to fully concentrate on my treatment plan back in 2003 because I had just quit work in 2001. I was a newlywed!! Had been single for 28 years. Cancer of the uterus in 1977 when my kids were very small. So I have experienced that trauma. When I learned I had BC I was so shocked that such a thing could happen to me!! But I had a wonderful husband and daughter to stick to my side. Friends called and wished me well. I loved that support. I know that is what we all need. They got me through all that and I feel great! But there are still reminders. The scar. The weakness in my legs. The sorry state of my nails. The numbness in my fingers and toes. Those things are still with me, but I am still here. I love my life. And I want everyone here to love life. As my oncologist told me once, "Live your life".

    By the way, I have a lifesaver on my left breast. A hard, little knot about the size of a dime. I found it in June of 2003. My husband said, "go check it out. You won't feel right till you do." I went to the doctor. He said, "oh that is just a little cyst under the skin." but as he examined me he found something in the right breast that didn't feel right. He sent me for an ultrasound, mammogram (even it wasn't due till September). And made an appointment for me to see the surgeon. The surgeon could not see anything on the xray nor could he feel anything. I went back in October and the lump had grown to 2.5 cm. The rest is history. I still have the 'lifesaver' as a reminder of how close I came to not knowing early about the bc.
  • always
    always Member Posts: 256
    #19
    kinda new
    Hi everyone I have been on here a week or so I think. Time is strange these days. I'm Becky 50, 4 kids, one married, 3 grandkids. My dx is/was invasive ductal carcinoma, Had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy Sept 24th. Node negative. I have been going through cat scans, muga scan bunch of tests. Had port put in yesterday. Today feel like truck hit me. See onc Friday I think I will start chemo next week...will find out Friday what the plan is for sure. All I know now is that I have chemo and then radiation after that. This site has been a blessing. Hope I can give back a little while I still know very little. Thanks to everyone.
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #20
    Great idea Pitt
    I just wanted to introduce myself and welcome all the newcomers. I usually do this on an individual basis, but just had another surgery and have gotten behind. Sooooo, "welcome". I look forward to talking with you all. Post often, anytime and for any reason.. Someone is usually around 24/7. Please do not feel I am ignoring you if I do not respond to all your post, although I love to talk, I am having a difficult time here lately. But should be back to myself soon. It would have been almost impossible to get through my journey without everyone here to walk with me. I have an awesome family that has been by my side not only in my home, but in cyberspace as well. This board has become the cornerstone of my recovery and I hope it helps all of you as much. ♥Pammy
  • expresslove
    expresslove Member Posts: 19
    #21
    hello!!
    Hello, well I am a newbie as well and haven't really posted very much, but am trying to do this more often because it helps me. I have been using this website for about two weeks now. I am 21 years old and have been diagnosed with a phyllodes tumor in my left breast. So far I have gone through a lumpectomy and am about to have another surgery this Friday. I am currently in a limbo because I am waiting for the results of my chest x rays, and I still don't know if I will have to undergo more surgery on my breast after this Friday or what. Waiting has been the hardest part of the journey. Its been over a month from the first time I went in about a lump. I am trying to do the best I can and lead a regular life (not at home with my parents but with my roommates etc.) I try to keep myself smiling, maintaining strength and loving my life. My biggest goal is to graduate in the Spring! If not, at least walk during the ceremony. :D
    -Expresslove
    Also, I am having a hard time talking about it and telling people in my life about what is going on. I find it easier to tell people over the phone, but haven't really done it in person. any advice? Its hard because I wont want to make people worry about me.
    Thank you for the chance to introduce myself!
    :D

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