Newbie on Board...countdown to Mastectomy!!!
So..this is my first time posting on any "cancer" related website. I was DX on March 13, 2009. Yep...St. Patty's day! What really sucks is that I'm Irish! Yep...long, red, curly, thick hair...oh wait... that's in the drawer in the bathroom!
Still...I'm not going to be pissed at St. Patty's day every year...nope! It was the day I found my reason for the big C word. To me...everything has a reason. You may never understand it or find it, but it does exsist. Mine was to bring my laughter and strength to others. I thank God everyday for the blessing that he gave me years ago. My sense of humor and ability to not let things effect me in a negative way. Thanks goodness....because this cancer thing really sucks!!!
So...why did I decide to post?
Last night I started to panic a little...and I'm not the panicing type. I counted up 45 days till my mastectomy. I'm one FEC treatment away from my right boobie leaving this earth. I really don't feel like I have everything prepared. Things like clothing and nesting areas and supplies and all that stuff. Does anyone have a good top ten list of things that I need??
I look forward to your answers and getting to know ya'll!
Comments
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Welcome Laura
Thats my name too, so i wont have a problem remembering yours. First off, im glad you decided to join in on post. They are all wonderful people here. Why have they waited so long to do your surgery though? I think it is great that you have such a positive attitude and are so upbeat. Thats very important when you are fighting this crap. Know that you will still have those days that you feel down and sad though. As far as clothing goes i would suggest a button down shirt because you will have a drain after surgery and it is easier to get it on than a pull over after surgery. Are you just having the right removed? I wish you luck and you will be in my thoughts. Keep us posted on how things go.
laura0 -
Thanks for your response! My
Thanks for your response! My plan was to go through 6 months of chemo first to try and shrink the tumors. I'm stage III and have about 6 tumors and it's in my nodes in my chest and armpits. The chemo has really worked and shrunk everything just wonderfully. It was always meant to help make my surgery easier.0 -
Hi Laura. I would like toredbobb said:Thanks for your response! My
Thanks for your response! My plan was to go through 6 months of chemo first to try and shrink the tumors. I'm stage III and have about 6 tumors and it's in my nodes in my chest and armpits. The chemo has really worked and shrunk everything just wonderfully. It was always meant to help make my surgery easier.
Hi Laura. I would like to welcome you to the site. I am so sorry that you are here because of bc, but, I am glad that you felt you could come here and post and get some help. I had a lumpectomy, so, I can't help you about what to expect with a mastectomy, but, others will post for you. Good luck to you Laura!0 -
I am sorry for the reason that you are here but very glad that you have found us. There are many sisters here who have had a masdectomy and I am sure that they will be chiming in soon on what little things that you could use. For my part I can tell you that large comfortable soft shirts for lounging in, maybe some of your favorit comfort foods already perfared so that you dont have to worry about cooking anything when you get home. Just take it out of the frez and hop in into the micro.redbobb said:Thanks for your response! My
Thanks for your response! My plan was to go through 6 months of chemo first to try and shrink the tumors. I'm stage III and have about 6 tumors and it's in my nodes in my chest and armpits. The chemo has really worked and shrunk everything just wonderfully. It was always meant to help make my surgery easier.
tjhay0 -
Welcome
Welcome to the site no one wants to join. You will find alot of wonderful people here full of information. I'll be interested to hear what they have to say also as I will be having a mastectomy after I finish my chemo treatments. It's good that you have such a wonderful attitude. That sure is helpful!! Best of luck to you Laura and keep in touch! Diane
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Welcome Laura and good luckchickad52 said:Welcome
Welcome to the site no one wants to join. You will find alot of wonderful people here full of information. I'll be interested to hear what they have to say also as I will be having a mastectomy after I finish my chemo treatments. It's good that you have such a wonderful attitude. That sure is helpful!! Best of luck to you Laura and keep in touch! Diane
Welcome Laura and good luck to you!0 -
Hi Laura...........
I am also from the Islands of not so great britain LOL
How is your good self?... You are so right, cancer sucks. As for the top ten things you will need.... well here's a shot........
A supportive husband...(mine was a complete wassock!)
Front buttoning or closing wear
Front closing nightgowns
Nice relaxing atmosphere
Watch the telly and chill
Front unloading bras
A silky bandana to protect scars/nipples from contact with the bra
A few good books to read
A partner who will cook meals for you (and force you to eat them)
Peace and Healing time for yourself.......
You are going to get through this! Begorrah! Top of the morning to you!
Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxx0 -
Welcome Redbobb aka Laura
I am newly diagnosis with breast cancer .. My choice is a double mastectomy, I am pushing to have this surgery within the 3 weeks. Panic filled days and nights due to the unknown. I have researched my cancer symptoms until my eyes cross daily.
I opted to find a breast cancer specialist, in lieu of going forward with my general surgeon. I will find out results of MRI, 2nd path on Tuesday. Instead of nuturing my body & soul or my family, I am researching my next step .. chemo (hell, why not ??) getting ahead of myself no doubt. I've also been on several websites looking at human hair wig's. Insane, just a bit. I console myself by saying .. be perpared ..Vicki ..
Life is full of highs and lows .. I have been over many bumps, substained many bruises .. but this breast cancer takes the prize. I just want it to be over .. slice and dice me, zap me full of chemo cocktails .. and let me get on with my life. It's the waiting, that's what killing me. I ready to fight, I ready to scream and I want to DANCE with NED. Now, not in a year, not in 2 ... right now!!
I see my friends and family going on with their lives, but here I sit looking out the window, watching life go by. I allow myself a pitty party now and again. Then I open my computer, and onto the ACS, breast cancer site.
Laura, you have a wonderful attitude and disposition, not to mention that fine looking mohawk. Good luck and post often, so we can keep an eye on you.
Vicki0 -
My Dr. was/is a breastVickiSam said:Welcome Redbobb aka Laura
I am newly diagnosis with breast cancer .. My choice is a double mastectomy, I am pushing to have this surgery within the 3 weeks. Panic filled days and nights due to the unknown. I have researched my cancer symptoms until my eyes cross daily.
I opted to find a breast cancer specialist, in lieu of going forward with my general surgeon. I will find out results of MRI, 2nd path on Tuesday. Instead of nuturing my body & soul or my family, I am researching my next step .. chemo (hell, why not ??) getting ahead of myself no doubt. I've also been on several websites looking at human hair wig's. Insane, just a bit. I console myself by saying .. be perpared ..Vicki ..
Life is full of highs and lows .. I have been over many bumps, substained many bruises .. but this breast cancer takes the prize. I just want it to be over .. slice and dice me, zap me full of chemo cocktails .. and let me get on with my life. It's the waiting, that's what killing me. I ready to fight, I ready to scream and I want to DANCE with NED. Now, not in a year, not in 2 ... right now!!
I see my friends and family going on with their lives, but here I sit looking out the window, watching life go by. I allow myself a pitty party now and again. Then I open my computer, and onto the ACS, breast cancer site.
Laura, you have a wonderful attitude and disposition, not to mention that fine looking mohawk. Good luck and post often, so we can keep an eye on you.
Vicki
My Dr. was/is a breast cancer specialist. He is the best. His ultimate goal is to find a vaccine for breast cancer and that was his main study during his college years. He is a scientist PhD and a Oncology surgeon. I wish he could do my hernia surgery I'll be needing, but his speciality is breast cancer and melenoma.
Let me tell you I am envious of gals with nice suple breasts, now i have a scar along the right side of my right breast. I know it could be worse, but to think of cancer cells lurking in there, and the RADS to come,it gets me down at times. So go ahead, we need to have pity parties now and then!0 -
needs for mastectomytasha_111 said:Hi Laura...........
I am also from the Islands of not so great britain LOL
How is your good self?... You are so right, cancer sucks. As for the top ten things you will need.... well here's a shot........
A supportive husband...(mine was a complete wassock!)
Front buttoning or closing wear
Front closing nightgowns
Nice relaxing atmosphere
Watch the telly and chill
Front unloading bras
A silky bandana to protect scars/nipples from contact with the bra
A few good books to read
A partner who will cook meals for you (and force you to eat them)
Peace and Healing time for yourself.......
You are going to get through this! Begorrah! Top of the morning to you!
Hugs Jxxxxxxxxxxxx
a small pillow to elevate arm
I have a special camisole for "soft" prosthesis, and little pocket that holds drains.
There is a jacket called of all things a "jackie" that My surgeon gave to me
pocket inside holds the drain. My best to you, its doable you have already done much!!!0 -
Hi Laura
Just wanted to welcome you. I had a partial mastectomy and I am going through radiation right now. Another thing to add to your list would be a backrest. I use mine in bed or carry it to the sofa. It has been very helpful to prop me up to read or use my laptop. Mine has little arms and pockets on the arms to hold stuff. I love it. Goes well with a bed tray! ♥ Pammy0 -
Thanks for all the goodAkiss4me said:Hi Laura
Just wanted to welcome you. I had a partial mastectomy and I am going through radiation right now. Another thing to add to your list would be a backrest. I use mine in bed or carry it to the sofa. It has been very helpful to prop me up to read or use my laptop. Mine has little arms and pockets on the arms to hold stuff. I love it. Goes well with a bed tray! ♥ Pammy
Thanks for all the good ideas. The bed tray is a great idea!!!0 -
Welcomeredbobb said:Thanks for all the good
Thanks for all the good ideas. The bed tray is a great idea!!!
Welcome to the site. This site is filled with wonderful amazing women and men. I am always thankful to be in their company.
I want to say I love your positive, up-beat attitude. That will carry you far.
Take care of yourself.
P0 -
Hi Laura,
Welcome! One of
Hi Laura,
Welcome! One of the best things I was given before my mastectomy was a 12" heart shaped pillow. The top of the heart fits right into your armpit to keep clothing and purses, etc. from rubbing against your incision. I would even take it with me shopping because it worked to well. I hope you will have the same results. Just make sure it is a light weight pillow. You are in my thoughts,
Love and gentle hugs,
Donna0 -
I too had a complete mastectomy and 12 lymph nodes removed. My cancer was stage IIB and had spread into the primary node only under my right arm. Keep the good attitude and do everything the doctors and nurses tell you. One of the most helpful things for me was physical therapy. I started PT the morning after my surgery and have never had lymphedema and I have complete range of movement in my right arm. I also was able to go back to work 4 weeks after my surgery and I only missed 6 days of work during my 6 chemo treatments and 34 radiation treatments. All of the suggestions you have received are right on target!!!
Good luck, God Bless and keep us posted on your progress. Car570 -
Hi Laura. I just want toaztec45 said:Welcome
Welcome to the site. This site is filled with wonderful amazing women and men. I am always thankful to be in their company.
I want to say I love your positive, up-beat attitude. That will carry you far.
Take care of yourself.
P
Hi Laura. I just want to welcome you to the board!
♥ Kylez ♥0 -
Laura,car57 said:I too had a complete mastectomy and 12 lymph nodes removed. My cancer was stage IIB and had spread into the primary node only under my right arm. Keep the good attitude and do everything the doctors and nurses tell you. One of the most helpful things for me was physical therapy. I started PT the morning after my surgery and have never had lymphedema and I have complete range of movement in my right arm. I also was able to go back to work 4 weeks after my surgery and I only missed 6 days of work during my 6 chemo treatments and 34 radiation treatments. All of the suggestions you have received are right on target!!!
Good luck, God Bless and keep us posted on your progress. Car57
I noticed in the ACS' tlc catalog (tlcdirect.org) that they have special post-surgery camisoles with pockets for drains built right in. I had lumpectomies, but a co-worker of mine had a mastectomy, and said the camisole was great to wear around the house after her surgery. They're a little pricey ($45), but she said it was worth it.
Traci0 -
Hi Laura. Welcome to thecar57 said:I too had a complete mastectomy and 12 lymph nodes removed. My cancer was stage IIB and had spread into the primary node only under my right arm. Keep the good attitude and do everything the doctors and nurses tell you. One of the most helpful things for me was physical therapy. I started PT the morning after my surgery and have never had lymphedema and I have complete range of movement in my right arm. I also was able to go back to work 4 weeks after my surgery and I only missed 6 days of work during my 6 chemo treatments and 34 radiation treatments. All of the suggestions you have received are right on target!!!
Good luck, God Bless and keep us posted on your progress. Car57
Hi Laura. Welcome to the site!
Hugs, Leeza0 -
add to the list
I found that if you start building up your leg strength before surgery, it's a big help. It helps for after surgery and you need to get out of bed. I didn't have the leg strength, and needed to be 'pushed out' by my husband.
A friend of mine, who was 2 week behind me in surgery HAD the strong legs, and she had no problem with getting out of bed.
Jill0 -
I didn't know the ACS had aTraciInLA said:Laura,
I noticed in the ACS' tlc catalog (tlcdirect.org) that they have special post-surgery camisoles with pockets for drains built right in. I had lumpectomies, but a co-worker of mine had a mastectomy, and said the camisole was great to wear around the house after her surgery. They're a little pricey ($45), but she said it was worth it.
Traci
I didn't know the ACS had a catalog. Thanks for posting that Traci.
♠♣ Susie ♠♣0
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