First Step

heeler728
heeler728 Member Posts: 12
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
They say the first step is the hardest and boy are they right, I had surgery Wed (Mast and nodes). We knew it was in the nodes as they did a biopsy on one when they did the biopsy on the tumors they found. The drugs are a help and I'v only re-typed this 4 times so if I'm not making sense I'm sorry. I actually feel relieved,Ifeel like I've been in limbo and now I can move forward. I've been following all of you wonderful people from the sidelines and now its time to stand up and join in. I go back to Hopkins this coming Wed. to find out what is next. I'm sure with a little (HA) help from my friends the following steps will be a little easier. Thanks to all, Heeler

Comments

  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #2
    You're in good hands
    Heeler, I am glad to hear that you are at Johns Hopkins. If their Breast Center is anything like their website (I'm sure it's even better), you are in good hands indeed. Back before Moopy was diagnosed, I would spend hours surfing for info on the internets and the Hopkins website was by far the most helpful. And best of all, the people on the website always ended by saying, if you have any questions, call or come in and we WILL see you!

    Best wishes!
    Joe
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #3
    Heeler
    The first steps and the waiting are so very hard. I hope you are feeling ok after your Mastectomy. I remember sleeping in the recliner with bunches of pillows at night. I am glad they have you on drugs to help with all of the anxiey and sleeping troubles that can arise. Let us know how you are doing and what they say at Hopkins. you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
    God Bless
    Jackie
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #4
    Heartfelt wishes to you, Heeler!
    I joined this fabulous group not even 2 weeks ago, and am already so happy I did. I'm glad your surgery is behind you. It's one of the biggest steps along the journey. And for you, your first important battle. Your surgery is your first real fight to beat the beast back.

    Sending best wishes for speedy recovery without complications. Hopes & prayers your way, Heeler. Take very, very good care of yourself - follow doctor's instructions!!! :-)

    Kind regards, Susan
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #5
    Moving Forward
    Hi, Heeler. I had a mastectomy and lymph node removal in Nov 2008, so it is all still fresh in my mind. I felt relieved, too, because I was beginning the battle to keep cancer away forever. It feels good to take action. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Or just vent. Our sisters here have been and are with me every step of the way, even today, and will be for you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing and what you find out next week.
  • djteach
    djteach Member Posts: 273
    #6
    hi
    I'm glad your through the surgery part. Don't worry about sounding like you don't make sense. I rarely make sense, but they allow me to stay here anyway, go figure!LOL I hope your waiting time flies by. Joining in does not only make the time go by but you've found an incredible group that is there for you 24/7. I think I started posting in Jan. or Feb. I don't remember, what few brain cells I had were lost at some point during treatment. Please let us know how things go on Wed. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
    Love and Gentle Hugs,
    Donna
  • djteach
    djteach Member Posts: 273
    #7
    brain cells
    See? I thought I joined earlier, it was April, Ha!!! I wonder what else I've joined? Changing my name to AirHead.
    Donna
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #8
    djteach said:

    brain cells
    See? I thought I joined earlier, it was April, Ha!!! I wonder what else I've joined? Changing my name to AirHead.
    Donna

    It's OK, Donna... Many of us here understand...
    HA HA!!! You know, I read your post here - and had my OWN chemo brain moment. Because I had just written another post to someone else (I think, or was it you? HA HA!) about joining in April (because I did, too), and couldn't remember who it was (HA HA! - see what I mean?!?). So, I looked & there, right under "djteach" it says - Joined: Apr 2009...

    I think it's simply getting kinda late, for all of us. Need to stop, get some sleep, eh?

    Kind regards, Susan

    P.S.: AirHead is damned funny. But maybe not such a good idea, because it could apply to so many of us here, causing even further confusion... (HA HA!)
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #9
    Welcome Heeler, so glad you
    Welcome Heeler, so glad you found us. I agree with the first steps being the hardest, I think that once your course of action is determined, it is much easier. I'm glad you are at Hopkins, and know we are here for you in cyber space, so post anytime you need us. Hugs, Lili
  • bfbear
    bfbear Member Posts: 380
    #10
    mmontero38 said:

    Welcome Heeler, so glad you
    Welcome Heeler, so glad you found us. I agree with the first steps being the hardest, I think that once your course of action is determined, it is much easier. I'm glad you are at Hopkins, and know we are here for you in cyber space, so post anytime you need us. Hugs, Lili

    How Are You Doing????
    Hi Heeler,
    Hi Heeler,

    How are you doing? I am so glad you've joined this wonderful group of strong, caring women. Welcome!

    I am hoping, selfishly, that you will start writing again soon, because I go under the knife a week from Wednesday (May 6th) for a dbl. mast. w/recon, and I'm wondering how it's all going to go... I feel as though I've been waiting forever (really, since Feb. 27, when they took the first biopsy) and I just want to get that "First Step," as you put it, over with!!!

    I hope and pray that you are healing well. When you feel up to it, I'd love to know how everything is going. The fear of the unknown is starting to creep up on me...

    Gentle hugs,
    Debi
  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #11
    bfbear said:

    How Are You Doing????
    Hi Heeler,
    Hi Heeler,

    How are you doing? I am so glad you've joined this wonderful group of strong, caring women. Welcome!

    I am hoping, selfishly, that you will start writing again soon, because I go under the knife a week from Wednesday (May 6th) for a dbl. mast. w/recon, and I'm wondering how it's all going to go... I feel as though I've been waiting forever (really, since Feb. 27, when they took the first biopsy) and I just want to get that "First Step," as you put it, over with!!!

    I hope and pray that you are healing well. When you feel up to it, I'd love to know how everything is going. The fear of the unknown is starting to creep up on me...

    Gentle hugs,
    Debi

    As Tom Petty once observed
    The waiting is the hardest part.

    Moopy was DXed on November 19, 2008; we had already decided on mastectomy and she wanted to have the operation ASAP. This turned out to be November 25, 2008 - and her only response was "Let's do it." We have never regretted the decision to take the First Step when we did.

    Please continue to bear up, Debi. You are so close to taking your First Step. Even though Moopy and I both know the fear of the unknown all too well, it can be defeated. I confidently predict that your First Step will go just fine, and that all of your other steps will, too.

    Best,
    Joe
  • heeler728
    heeler728 Member Posts: 12
    #12
    Aortus said:

    As Tom Petty once observed
    The waiting is the hardest part.

    Moopy was DXed on November 19, 2008; we had already decided on mastectomy and she wanted to have the operation ASAP. This turned out to be November 25, 2008 - and her only response was "Let's do it." We have never regretted the decision to take the First Step when we did.

    Please continue to bear up, Debi. You are so close to taking your First Step. Even though Moopy and I both know the fear of the unknown all too well, it can be defeated. I confidently predict that your First Step will go just fine, and that all of your other steps will, too.

    Best,
    Joe

    A new day
    First off, to all who replied, Thanks for being my friend. I feel like I have already won this battle. The relief just from having the surgery is unreal. To Debi, do not let the fear get hold of you. Surround yourself with friends and ask questions of your Drs. Hopkins was the best move I made. They are always there for you and they really mean it. I'm still in the rambling stage which I hope I get over soon but until then at least I'm among people who understand. Thanks to all. Robin
  • ladybug22
    ladybug22 Member Posts: 646
    #13
    I had surgery jan1 08 .I had
    I had surgery jan1 08 .I had no choice i have never looked back if my breast was making me that sick and it was time for it to go. God speed be with you.NOW YOU HAVE THE FUN OF WALKING THE HAND UP THE WALL GO slow and easy love to u
  • bfbear
    bfbear Member Posts: 380
    #14
    heeler728 said:

    A new day
    First off, to all who replied, Thanks for being my friend. I feel like I have already won this battle. The relief just from having the surgery is unreal. To Debi, do not let the fear get hold of you. Surround yourself with friends and ask questions of your Drs. Hopkins was the best move I made. They are always there for you and they really mean it. I'm still in the rambling stage which I hope I get over soon but until then at least I'm among people who understand. Thanks to all. Robin

    Thanks!!!
    Hi Heeler!!!!!

    I am SO happy to see you're back. And it's good to know that having thesurgery over with really does help your state of mind.

    I have great doctors and radiologists, and have made friends with the pathologist who has worked on my case so far, so I have asked every question I could think of and read everything I could possibly read (it seems that way, anyway).

    I am sick of cancer already, or maybe it's more the different way that people treat you that I'm really getting sick of! (Sorry to be complaining...)
    Anyway, I really appreciate your note and your encouragement...thank you.

    And Moopy and Aortus, I really appreciate your encouragement and input too. You guys are such a great team on here, and I enjoy all your posts.

    Love you all,
    Debi
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #15
    bfbear said:

    Thanks!!!
    Hi Heeler!!!!!

    I am SO happy to see you're back. And it's good to know that having thesurgery over with really does help your state of mind.

    I have great doctors and radiologists, and have made friends with the pathologist who has worked on my case so far, so I have asked every question I could think of and read everything I could possibly read (it seems that way, anyway).

    I am sick of cancer already, or maybe it's more the different way that people treat you that I'm really getting sick of! (Sorry to be complaining...)
    Anyway, I really appreciate your note and your encouragement...thank you.

    And Moopy and Aortus, I really appreciate your encouragement and input too. You guys are such a great team on here, and I enjoy all your posts.

    Love you all,
    Debi

    Dear Debi, our bfbear...
    You can complain here any time your heart desires, dear Debi. BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND!!!

    Having a positive attitude, as you most certainly do, absolutely helps us to keep going & get through. However, does not mean we should suppress all the emotions - good or bad - that are naturally attached to the BC experience.

    So - complain all you want! Have at it! :-)

    Kind regards, Susan
  • bfbear
    bfbear Member Posts: 380
    #16
    Christmas Girl said:

    Dear Debi, our bfbear...
    You can complain here any time your heart desires, dear Debi. BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND!!!

    Having a positive attitude, as you most certainly do, absolutely helps us to keep going & get through. However, does not mean we should suppress all the emotions - good or bad - that are naturally attached to the BC experience.

    So - complain all you want! Have at it! :-)

    Kind regards, Susan

    OK!
    OK, Susan!

    Thanks...truly, this is the only place that feels safe to me.
    I am already soooooooooooooooooooooo grateful to all of you here on the board, and I know, for darn sure that I'll be even more grateful in the future...

    Love you,
    Debi

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