Update on wife's diagnosis

sharkiejim
sharkiejim Member Posts: 16
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
We got some very good news yesterday--Dorothy's bone scans, CT scans, etc. came out clean and so the cancer has not spread past the lymph nodes we already knew were affected. The doctor has classified her cancer as Stage IIB which he said is definitely "curable." We had been waiting for the results for over a week because the doctor was on vacation--when we called for an appointment to see him it was 10 am and the appointment was for 2 pm--I never knew 4 hours could take so long--I swear I counted every tick of the clock until we left for the appointment!
Anyway, her modified radical mastectomy is scheduled for this Friday and she will start chemo following a short recovery from surgery. I've been reading the posts about clipping/shaving the hair off and found them very useful--of course I'll follows the doctor's instructions, but it gives me a lot of information to ask him about.
My wife reads all my posts and the replies but says she still doesn't feel like posting herself--it's not like she's not computer literate (she has her own laptop), but she just doesn't feel like it right now. Anyway, thanks for welcoming a spouse onto this wonderful website.

Comments

  • mgm42
    mgm42 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #2
    Good News...
    So glad to hear the good news for your wife and you. The "not knowing" is horrible, as we all well know. But, once we have information and then understanding, we amaze ourselves at how well we handle things. Each breast cancer survivor I know, including myself, turned into "quiet" warriors (some not so quiet LOL) and took each day and its treatments, meds, procedures, etc. as they came. And somehow, somehow, we made it through to the end of the tunnel and are here to tell you that it's all doable. It was a rocky ride for my husband, too, and he made it through, too. For me, it was his great support, every single day, that fed the courage I needed during treatment and recuperation. Hang in there, both of you. It's been 13 months since my diagnosis and 6 months since I completed treatment. In several months, your wife will be there, too. My best to both of you. Marilynn
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #3
    mgm42 said:

    Good News...
    So glad to hear the good news for your wife and you. The "not knowing" is horrible, as we all well know. But, once we have information and then understanding, we amaze ourselves at how well we handle things. Each breast cancer survivor I know, including myself, turned into "quiet" warriors (some not so quiet LOL) and took each day and its treatments, meds, procedures, etc. as they came. And somehow, somehow, we made it through to the end of the tunnel and are here to tell you that it's all doable. It was a rocky ride for my husband, too, and he made it through, too. For me, it was his great support, every single day, that fed the courage I needed during treatment and recuperation. Hang in there, both of you. It's been 13 months since my diagnosis and 6 months since I completed treatment. In several months, your wife will be there, too. My best to both of you. Marilynn

    Glad to hear this!
    I'm glad to hear about this good news, too. It's absolutely the worst not knowing. Now that your course of treatment is set, things will start to take on their own pattern and normalcy. It's certainly not a normal you would have chosen, but things will become better by the day, really. Ups and downs are totally normal, too, and expected, so just listen to your wife and support her in whatever she's feeling at the time. I know I have days where I am just fine one minute and then thinking about cancer recurrence the next. Please take it one day at a time. I am a very future-oriented person, but I have found that constant thoughts of what will happen next year or in five years is not productive. Everyone deals with it in his or her own way, but living day by day has helped many people to handle what is undoubtedly a very stressful time. It's a struggle, but a struggle that you will get through and be stronger for. When I found out that my cancer was early stage, I went out and celebrated with my husband and a good friend. It felt good and reminded me of the life that I was still living. You and your wife will get through this just fine. You are already on your way by being so sensitive and attentive to her needs. Believe me when I say that support like that means the world. Good luck and please keep posting.

    Mimi
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #4
    Good news indeed!
    What wonderful news, I am so happy for your wife and you. I know exactly what you mean when you mentioned how long those 4 hours were, it can feel like an eternity when you have so much at stake.

    Your wifes treatment will cause her to become tired and she may have some days when she just doesn't feel too well. Remember that each of these day's brings her closer to regaining her health, it is the road to recovery. We are here for you both every step of the way, do not hesitate to come in and post as we are concerned for you both.

    I just thought of a simple little thing my husband did for me. Chemo makes you a bit forgetful (we call it chemo brain :-) ) as a result I could never recall what meds I was supposed to take and when. My husband had the doctor write it out on a sheet of paper for us. He then copied that paper several times and posted one on our refrigerator and one on the mirror in our bathroom. They served as reminders for me so when he was at work I would not forget when I was to take my meds. It was actually quite helpful.

    Once again I am truly happy for the postive report you and your wife received. Take care and keep us updated!

    My best to you both!

    RE
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #5
    RE said:

    Good news indeed!
    What wonderful news, I am so happy for your wife and you. I know exactly what you mean when you mentioned how long those 4 hours were, it can feel like an eternity when you have so much at stake.

    Your wifes treatment will cause her to become tired and she may have some days when she just doesn't feel too well. Remember that each of these day's brings her closer to regaining her health, it is the road to recovery. We are here for you both every step of the way, do not hesitate to come in and post as we are concerned for you both.

    I just thought of a simple little thing my husband did for me. Chemo makes you a bit forgetful (we call it chemo brain :-) ) as a result I could never recall what meds I was supposed to take and when. My husband had the doctor write it out on a sheet of paper for us. He then copied that paper several times and posted one on our refrigerator and one on the mirror in our bathroom. They served as reminders for me so when he was at work I would not forget when I was to take my meds. It was actually quite helpful.

    Once again I am truly happy for the postive report you and your wife received. Take care and keep us updated!

    My best to you both!

    RE

    Oh yes, the medications
    They can be hard to keep track of. I like RE's idea. I bought a pill box with daily slots separated into morning and evening. I would fill them on Sundays for the whole week. That way I wasn't fussing around with bottles and I knew what I had already taken and what I needed to take.

    Mimi
  • CrystalW
    CrystalW Member Posts: 31
    #6
    Great News
    So glad to here your wonderful news. We all know how minutes pass by like years when you are waiting for news. I will keep your wife in my prayers Friday. Perhaps one day she will feel comfortable enough to post herself, but until then keep sharing yours with her.
    You both have a long road ahead of you with surgery and treatment. Cancer is such a family affair. Our caregivers are so important. They play such a vital role in our recovery and don't get the recognition that they deserve. They go thru just as much pain as we cancer survivors do. I can't imagine sitting there feeling so helpless watching the person you love dearly go thru so much pain and not being able to do anything to make them better, at least physically better. That's why it is so important for you to support her mentally. I beleive that if a person can mentally win the fight with the enemy, the physical fight is easier. Hang in there.
    Keeping you both in my thoughts...
    Crystal
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    GREAT news!!!!
    That is what I had....stage II...Sentinel node involved, but the next were clean....

    It is definately doable to vanquish the beast!...I'm sending strong, good vibes!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • sausageroll
    sausageroll Member Posts: 415
    #8
    KathiM said:

    GREAT news!!!!
    That is what I had....stage II...Sentinel node involved, but the next were clean....

    It is definately doable to vanquish the beast!...I'm sending strong, good vibes!

    Hugs, Kathi

    Wonderful news and good luck
    Wonderful news and good luck with the surgery. Keep us updated. Chemo for me has been very difficult, but it isn't for everyone..so just wait and see. My OH also made me a spread sheet for all the pills.
    Your wife is very lucky to have your support. It will make a big difference to how she copes with the bad times. Thinking of you!
  • Irishwhispers
    Irishwhispers Member Posts: 96
    #9
    sausageroll said:

    Wonderful news and good luck
    Wonderful news and good luck with the surgery. Keep us updated. Chemo for me has been very difficult, but it isn't for everyone..so just wait and see. My OH also made me a spread sheet for all the pills.
    Your wife is very lucky to have your support. It will make a big difference to how she copes with the bad times. Thinking of you!

    Truly Great Way to Start The New Year
    Hugs to you and your wife!!!!
    This is great news to begin the new year!!! As someone very special on these boards said to me once... it's doable!!! ( Wink Wink ...RE!!)
    I was stage 2 grade 3 and I completed my treatments on Nov.5, 2008 and on December 30, 2008 had my accesss port removed. I found it a wonderful way to start my new year at living life!!!

    Good luck to you and your wife! She cant lose with you by her side!!!!!
    Keep us posted
    ~Trish~
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #10
    mimivac said:

    Oh yes, the medications
    They can be hard to keep track of. I like RE's idea. I bought a pill box with daily slots separated into morning and evening. I would fill them on Sundays for the whole week. That way I wasn't fussing around with bottles and I knew what I had already taken and what I needed to take.

    Mimi

    Pill box
    Mimi - I did the exact same thing. Sunday's the refill day. Lynn
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #11
    Best wishes to Dorothy and you
    My beloved Moopy had her mastectomy 11/24/08 and came through like a champ. Even before the formal diagnosis, she had determined that if the breast had to go, it had to go. The day of the surgery was the worst day of my existence on this planet because the surgeon reported back to me that he had taken quite a few lymph nodes - and that they didn't look good. Thanks be to God, pathology showed only 6/15 were cancerous. Not what we'd hoped but much better news than we had feared. Hope all goes well!

    Joe
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #12
    Aortus said:

    Best wishes to Dorothy and you
    My beloved Moopy had her mastectomy 11/24/08 and came through like a champ. Even before the formal diagnosis, she had determined that if the breast had to go, it had to go. The day of the surgery was the worst day of my existence on this planet because the surgeon reported back to me that he had taken quite a few lymph nodes - and that they didn't look good. Thanks be to God, pathology showed only 6/15 were cancerous. Not what we'd hoped but much better news than we had feared. Hope all goes well!

    Joe

    you are commended
    you should be complimented for your devotion to your dear wife. I also had 6pos, out of 21 lymph nodes, had a masectomy and my first C/T I have about 6 months to follow and one lasting a year..also radiation will follow for 6 weeks.. I have not become sick from the chemo but it's only been 3 days. I am hoping with a positive attitude i will not (wishful thinking? Tell Moopy she is in my prayers and hope all goes as good as possible!!

    Jackie
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #13
    rjjj said:

    you are commended
    you should be complimented for your devotion to your dear wife. I also had 6pos, out of 21 lymph nodes, had a masectomy and my first C/T I have about 6 months to follow and one lasting a year..also radiation will follow for 6 weeks.. I have not become sick from the chemo but it's only been 3 days. I am hoping with a positive attitude i will not (wishful thinking? Tell Moopy she is in my prayers and hope all goes as good as possible!!

    Jackie

    Thanks Jackie!
    My beloved Moopy's best friend in the world (besides me, of course) is her wonderful big sister Jackie, who drove nine hours from Nashville to Springfield MO to be with us for the mastectomy. Coincidence or not! You and yours will be in our prayers too; maybe when the Moopster (okay, her given name is Lisa but I only call her that on the rare occasions when I get mad at her) is feeling a bit more settled, she will join this forum too.

    Just keep working on that positive attitude: any day that you're alive and surrounded by loved ones, as you obviously are in your picture, is a good one!

    Joe

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