New to the board....

nov1121
nov1121 Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I was diagnosed just a few months ago, I've gone through with a double mastectomy and am in the beginning stages of reconstruction now.... I had my first "fill" yesterday and will start chemo in just a few weeks. I'm scared to death, but know this is what I have to do to be healthy again....

anyone on the boards in the Plano, TX area and going through the same thing?


TIA!
nov

Comments

  • aurora2009
    aurora2009 Member Posts: 544 Member
    #2
    Hi Nov1121
    I just wanted to welcome you, looks like no ones's had the chance, I'm sorry I've only had a lumpectomy (last week) and am having a re-incission (surgury) next week, so I don't know much about what you've been through, I also waiting to find out about the chemo treatment plan.

    But I wanted to tell you that being scared is normal and that we're all scared on this journey at some point. Just take a deep breathe like you'll hear many time from many people here and meet each day one step at a time. And remember that we are all here you to help you take this journey.

    So please come back often and keep us up dated on how you're doing.

    Soon the rest of the family will sign on and welcome you, and you'll feel the support this wonderful site, and people here have to offer.

    God bless
    Aurora
  • cabbott
    cabbott Member Posts: 1,039 Member
    #3
    Welcome
    Welcome to the group that nobody wants to join. The folks here are great company even if what ties us together is one nasty disease. I'm from the Eastern Seaboard, so I'm not at all close. My treatment was single mastectomy and hormone control afterward (no reconstruction) so I'm not much help there either. But welcome anyways! I do remember being scared to death and folks telling me that would get better in time. I didn't figure I had any time left. That was back in 2002. Looking back, I know "they" were right. Emotionally things do get better in time. Good luck!

    C. Abbott
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #4
    nov.....
    Hello and welcome. Very sorry for your dx, but glad that you found us.

    Scared, yes! I was terrified! Especially about treatment. But you will get through the chemo and move forward. It's sometimes not easy, but you can do it! You will come out the other side, a stronger and healthier person.

    Sorry, I'm not in Texas...

    CR
  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #5
    Hello, nov
    I am in Arkansas...just next door. :)
    I lost both breasts at different times.
    23+ years ago.
    Did not have recon, but had chemo, rads, tamoxifen.
    I am telling you that this is DOABLE. And that there is life after cancer and it can be GOOD.
    Hang on to those two facts and you will be fine.
    Keep posting here and vent, laugh, cry, ask questions, answer questions with us.
    God bless.
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #6
    zahalene said:

    Hello, nov
    I am in Arkansas...just next door. :)
    I lost both breasts at different times.
    23+ years ago.
    Did not have recon, but had chemo, rads, tamoxifen.
    I am telling you that this is DOABLE. And that there is life after cancer and it can be GOOD.
    Hang on to those two facts and you will be fine.
    Keep posting here and vent, laugh, cry, ask questions, answer questions with us.
    God bless.

    Welcome
    Hi there.
    I am a long way from you--I'm in Maine.
    I had a double mastectomy in Feb 2009 with tissue expanders put in at the time of surgery. I have finished my fills and then in November 3 months after I finish chemo the plastic surgeon will do the exchange. After that then I will think about the nipple reconstruction and tattooing.

    I have one more chemo treatment left and then in August I will have Herceptin alone for one year through my port.

    Chemo is doable--listen to your oncologist and your body.

    Hugs,
    Margo
  • Kayla1
    Kayla1 Member Posts: 101
    #7
    tommaseena said:

    Welcome
    Hi there.
    I am a long way from you--I'm in Maine.
    I had a double mastectomy in Feb 2009 with tissue expanders put in at the time of surgery. I have finished my fills and then in November 3 months after I finish chemo the plastic surgeon will do the exchange. After that then I will think about the nipple reconstruction and tattooing.

    I have one more chemo treatment left and then in August I will have Herceptin alone for one year through my port.

    Chemo is doable--listen to your oncologist and your body.

    Hugs,
    Margo

    Welcome Nov,
    I am unable to
    Welcome Nov,
    I am unable to help as I did not have a mastectomy but I see already those who have and will be able to help you. I wish you all the best in your journey back to good health!
    K
  • Derbygirl
    Derbygirl Member Posts: 198
    #8
    Hi Nov, I'm from Texas
    Hi Nov, I'm from Texas (Temple/Belton/Ft.Hood) and I'm one year out from diagnosis. There are several others from Texas as well. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation that finished on Christmas Eve. Now I'm taking hormone therapy for 5 years. I didn't have the mastectomy, but many others will address that issue. Being diagnosed with breast cancer is a frightening time for you and most of us have been there (there are some caregivers on board). The good news is that we survived! This network is a good place to visit 24/7 and talk with others in different stages of the journey. Good luck to you.
  • rush361
    rush361 Member Posts: 14
    #9
    Welcome.. New to this too and from TX
    I'm new to this too. I will say this discussion board is great. The people here are so supportive. I was diagnosed with BC stage III-C in June and went through all kinds of tests at MDA Houston. I'm from Corpus. They started me on chemo two weeks ago and it is going great. I've had two treatments on TAXOL and will get my port next week. I will have chemo for 6 months and then surgery.I'm a little fearful about the port, but everyone in this discussion board has said that it is the way to go. It was that or the pic.
    God be with you and hang in there. Keep reading and asking questions...it helps a lot.
    Terri
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #10
    Welcome Nov...
    Glad you found us although it would have been better if it wasn't for this reason. I'm pretty far from you (West Virginia) but I am going through the same thing...Breast Cancer. I had a lumpectomy and am getting close to starting my treatments. Yes, we do what we have to do to get healthy again. I believe several people are from Texas, so hang in there, I'm sure they'll be along shortly. We're here to walk with each other through this journey, so come back whenever you need to. :) Pammy
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #11
    Hi Nov1121. Just want to
    Hi Nov1121. Just want to welcome you to the board. And, to tell you that we are all here to support and give you encouragement.


    Good luck!
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #12
    I'm in the San Antonio area
    I'm in the San Antonio area of Texas. People from other states don't realize how big Texas is. When we go to Indiana for a visit it takes us 8 hours just to get out of the state! I had a modified radical mastectomy in 2003 on the right side and did not get reconstruction. I also had chemo before and after surgery and radiation. Good luck with treatment.
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #13
    Hi Nov
    sorry, I have not had the mastectomies, nor do I live in Texas, but we do not have to live close to be able to help in any way we can. Normal to be scared, just keep telling yourself that the chemo is helping while you go through it.
    Let us know how it goes for you
    Cat
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #14
    cats_toy said:

    Hi Nov
    sorry, I have not had the mastectomies, nor do I live in Texas, but we do not have to live close to be able to help in any way we can. Normal to be scared, just keep telling yourself that the chemo is helping while you go through it.
    Let us know how it goes for you
    Cat

    Hi Nov. Just want to
    Hi Nov. Just want to welcome you! And, it is very normal to be scared. We all were.
  • sgamtd
    sgamtd Member Posts: 124
    #15
    New to the board
    Hi tia and welcome. I am new here too, but have found lots of comfort and support.
    I am in TX too, 180 miles south of Ft. Worth, so not too far from you. Howdy neighbor.
    I was diagnosed in June 09 and this coming monday I will have a bone scan, then finally on Tuesday I have an appointment with the surgeon in Fort Worth to get the "game" plan.
    I am prepared for the worst case senario, that way it can't get any worse, and I could end up with some good news.
    So as of yet I am not going thru the same thing, but know we are all scared, you are not alone. Take one day at a time, look for something fun to do or think about to make you laugh out loud, that is good medicine for being scared, at least it works for me.
    Sincerely
    Sandy
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #16
    sgamtd said:

    New to the board
    Hi tia and welcome. I am new here too, but have found lots of comfort and support.
    I am in TX too, 180 miles south of Ft. Worth, so not too far from you. Howdy neighbor.
    I was diagnosed in June 09 and this coming monday I will have a bone scan, then finally on Tuesday I have an appointment with the surgeon in Fort Worth to get the "game" plan.
    I am prepared for the worst case senario, that way it can't get any worse, and I could end up with some good news.
    So as of yet I am not going thru the same thing, but know we are all scared, you are not alone. Take one day at a time, look for something fun to do or think about to make you laugh out loud, that is good medicine for being scared, at least it works for me.
    Sincerely
    Sandy

    Welcome both our new Texas girls
    Tia and Sandy, i would like to welcome you both here, believe me and i'm talking from experence you will recieve so much loving support here. Our sisters in pink on this board are courageous, caring, optimistic, and can be very funny. Keep posting and let us know how everything is going.
    hugs, jackie
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #17
    rjjj said:

    Welcome both our new Texas girls
    Tia and Sandy, i would like to welcome you both here, believe me and i'm talking from experence you will recieve so much loving support here. Our sisters in pink on this board are courageous, caring, optimistic, and can be very funny. Keep posting and let us know how everything is going.
    hugs, jackie

    Welcome Nov, Glad you found
    Welcome Nov, Glad you found us
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #18
    Welcome, nov1121
    We're all here to support and encourage each other - glad you found us.

    My surgery was lumpectomy, with invasive treatment: chemo & rads. Of course, yes - chemo is quite frightening. Yet, it IS doable. Many members are in the midsts of it now, or are finished.

    I live in the Midwest, far from you. Know that when you're on this site/the breast cancer board - you are surrounded by survivors. There's always someone here to "talk" with. Visit often, whenever you need or would like to.
  • lolad
    lolad Member Posts: 670
    #19
    welcome
    I live in cincinnati, so no where near tx, but near with this board. I am four weeks out from a double mastectomy and start my fills the 29th. How does that feel by the way? I am getting restless and aggravated with my drs. I dont feel like they are doing what they are supposed to be doing. Ive not had a single test done (except oncotype dx) like bloodwork or scans or mri? All i know is that im glad this board is here for us. Good luck

    laura
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    #20
    Hi, you will be ok. I know
    Hi, you will be ok. I know how scary this time is for you, I remember it well. But you are in your doctors care and they will take care of you and do everything possible to make you well and strong. There are great treatments for BC and the great majority of us will be cured or able to manage it for a long, long many years.

    Try and stay positive----remember the mind is very powerful and rules the body.

    Welcome to the site, we are all here for you day or night. Please keep us updated on your progress. Eil

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