I Have Breast Cancer and I am Fine!!

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woodsygal
woodsygal Member Posts: 64
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi All,

I have read through some of your writings!! I just got diagnosed with Breast Cancer Last month. I have had a lumpectomy and will have a chemo port placed in this Thurs. I have had maybe three "meltdowns", the last today, after my echo cardiogram. All is fine with my vital organs, but, reality hit me. I have a great breast advocate, whom has been there for me, so I feel much better. I had a lymph node dissection also, was back to work within a week.

I keep myself upbeat by walking my precious dogs, and spending time with my grand kids( I have two). I am 47, and have high hopes. I would love to hear from anyone whom could be my friend and assure me that I am not alone! I find myself really treasuring my hair. I meet with my oncologist next week to make up a chemo schedule. Love and Respect to you all!
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  • elm3544
    elm3544 Member Posts: 748
    #2
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    welcome!
    I must say you have a great attitude! You are most definitely not alone. You have come to the right place for friends and support!
  • arbojenn
    arbojenn Member Posts: 118
    #3
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    Welcome, woodsy!
    This is a
    Welcome, woodsy!

    This is a great place to meet upbeat gals in the sisterhood. I don't post much as I am not as knowledgeable as the rest, but I do read posts and get a lot of comfort from that. Good luck on your chemo. (I had a mastectomy, chemo and tamoxifen when I was first diagnosed. I was 47 then, too. I now have a recurrence in the reconstructed side and will have that removed next month. NO chemo this time, though: just surgery, radiation, and femara indefinitely.)
    There are lots of places on the Internet that sell beautiful head coverings for when you lose your hair. You will find so many ladies here with good advice. Good luck and I will be looking for your posts to find out how you are doing.
    Lots of the girls chat in the chat room. I haven't been there, but I "hear" it is a great place to meet and really get to know the others.
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #4
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    Welcome. woodsygal
    We're all here to support and encourage each other. Glad you found us, glad to have you.

    Meltdowns are common amongst us. Hey - we're cancer survivors, we're allowed!

    Chemo isn't pretty; but, it IS doable. Hair loss is temporary - it DOES return. I don't mean to minimize the emotional toll, in any way. Attempting to be reassuring... :-)

    We'll be here for you, every step of the way.
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #5
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    Woodsygal
    Hi, Woodsygal, I can assure you that you are not alone, not at all. You will find many friends here, all who understand what you are experiencing throuhout your treatments and beyond.

    We all have meltdowns. That's just part of being a survivor. Let yourself have them when you need to. You sound as if you are naturally a positive person. That, and your actively working to keep an upbeat attitude, will serve you well. And also inspire others. As it already has. Your title declaration is heartening.

    About your hair: it IS to be treasured. But, you will treasure even more the new hair that comes to replace it. Also true but hard for you to believe now: you'll appreciate the extra time not spent on shampooing and drying and styling. The shower and dress routine is not bad.
  • aztec45
    aztec45 Member Posts: 757
    #6
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    Welcome
    Welcome to this wonderful site where you will find many, many, friends who are here to support you and each other. You are definately not alone.

    I was partial to my hair as well. I have had a full head of hair even coming out of the womb. You will be given an approximate time frame as to when you will lose your hair. Being told this and then seeing it falling out in your hands is something else entirely. I have just experienced all of this within the last couple of days. I screamed. The hair didn't come back yet but I felt a little better.

    I have elected to wear these little caps that kind of resemble a surgeon's cap. You decide what is right for you. If you want to wear a wig, a do-rag with skulls and flames, it is up to you. Wear what makes you feel comfortable.

    Again, welcome.

    P
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #7
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    Welcome Woodsygal !
    I'm sure we would all like to be your friends on this site-and yes,you are definately not alone!A lot of us have either been there done that,or are going through just finding out about diagnosis, surgery,reconstruction surgery,treatments,and the like.That's part of what makes this board so great is that we all know what each other is going through-and if some of us don't,the others probably will!
    And yes,life goes on and we can still enjoy it!
    You can definately find hope here!
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #8
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    Hey Woodsygal.....
    Sorry to hear that you will need chemo and will lose your hair. I didn't need the chemo but will be taking measures that will cause me extra hair growth.....hence the monkey pic!! I too like to stay upbeat and monkey around a lot. It helps to keep my sanity and I love to make others laugh when I am encouraging them!! So hang in there and visit us anytime and for any reason. We are always here!! :) Pammy
  • tjhay
    tjhay Member Posts: 655
    #9
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    Akiss4me said:

    Hey Woodsygal.....
    Sorry to hear that you will need chemo and will lose your hair. I didn't need the chemo but will be taking measures that will cause me extra hair growth.....hence the monkey pic!! I too like to stay upbeat and monkey around a lot. It helps to keep my sanity and I love to make others laugh when I am encouraging them!! So hang in there and visit us anytime and for any reason. We are always here!! :) Pammy

    Hya Woodsygal
    Welcome, sorry that you have to be here, but welcome to the best cyber family you will ever have. Don't worry about the meltdowns, I myself am in a constant meltdown, but i think that has more to do with menopause then anything else. :)
    I am 47 also and just finished all my treatment, except for the hormone thearpy, we took a poll a while back and we all kind of agreed that 47 should have been skipped.
    We will all be here for you, and you will not find a better bunch of sisters and brothers. Have to warn you though most of us are just plain goofy. Including myself. But hey we are all survivors and we get to be goofy anytime we want, it comes with the dx.
    Pleas let us know what your doctors says and know that we are all with you through this all.
    happy smiles
    tjhay
  • chickad52
    chickad52 Member Posts: 497
    #10
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    WELCOME WOODYSGAL
    It sounds like you have a great attitude, which will help you get through this journey. Know that you have found a wonderful site and alot of help and information, as well as friends.
    I think that we all treasure our hair , but if that what it takes to beat this, it was OK with me. I have my wig and some beautiful head coverings I got off a site on E-BAY from a seller called "English traditions". This women had a friend with BC and wanted to do something to help her feel better about herself. So she designed the head coverings and sells them to raise money for awareness. Hugs to you!! Diane
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #11
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    Hi and Welcome woodsygal
    Sorry for your diagnosis. I am glad that you are feeling better. It is a long rough road to travel, with many ups and downs. Just remember that we are here for you to help you through. We all know what you are going through with "the meltdowns". You are certainlly not alone on this one.

    Spending time with the grandkids is wonderful (and the dogs -lots of dog lovers in here). Keep yourself surrounded with loved ones and positive people. Try to remember to live one day at a time. Or better "live in the moment".

    Hugs
    Jadie<3
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #12
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    Jadie said:

    Hi and Welcome woodsygal
    Sorry for your diagnosis. I am glad that you are feeling better. It is a long rough road to travel, with many ups and downs. Just remember that we are here for you to help you through. We all know what you are going through with "the meltdowns". You are certainlly not alone on this one.

    Spending time with the grandkids is wonderful (and the dogs -lots of dog lovers in here). Keep yourself surrounded with loved ones and positive people. Try to remember to live one day at a time. Or better "live in the moment".

    Hugs
    Jadie<3</p>

    Hi Woodsygal, Welcome, Glad
    Hi Woodsygal, Welcome, Glad you found us. This site is full of friendship, help, answers, you name it. I really don't know what I would have done had I not found them. The live one day at at time is the answer for me. Good luck and stay in touch.
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #13
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    Welcome Woodsygal.... You
    Welcome Woodsygal.... You have come to a great place and will find that we are all "friends" and support eachother... what an amazing group of individuals that we have here. You are most definately NOT alone... We are here for you!

    Welcome... sorry about the reason your here... but so glad you found us!

    ~T
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #14
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    taleena said:

    Welcome Woodsygal.... You
    Welcome Woodsygal.... You have come to a great place and will find that we are all "friends" and support eachother... what an amazing group of individuals that we have here. You are most definately NOT alone... We are here for you!

    Welcome... sorry about the reason your here... but so glad you found us!

    ~T

    Welcome to the best cancer
    Welcome to the best cancer board you will ever find. There are a lot of amazing people here who are ready and willing to help you get through treatment, and will share their experiences, no matter what you may need to ask. I wish I had found this board before I started treatment, but was glad to find it afterward. Lots of comfort comes from being able to have advice from someone who has actually been there, rather than a doctors perspective.

    As far as your hair is concerned, I tried something a little different. I went out and bought a wig prior to starting chemo, and started wearing it before my hair starting falling out. Most of my friends and family didn't know it was a wig, and therefore the transition was easy when I actually went bald. The day my first handful of hair came out in my hands, I recruited my husband to do the honor of shaving my head. I cried as it was falling on the floor and around my shoulders, and then took a look in the mirror and laughed, as I looked just like my Dad. Simple things make you smile as you go through treatment, so take advantage of them, and always know there is someone here on the board when you need help. Just ask. Welcome again, and let us know how things go for you. Hugs.

    Judy
  • tasha_111
    tasha_111 Member Posts: 2,072
    #15
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    creampuff91344 said:

    Welcome to the best cancer
    Welcome to the best cancer board you will ever find. There are a lot of amazing people here who are ready and willing to help you get through treatment, and will share their experiences, no matter what you may need to ask. I wish I had found this board before I started treatment, but was glad to find it afterward. Lots of comfort comes from being able to have advice from someone who has actually been there, rather than a doctors perspective.

    As far as your hair is concerned, I tried something a little different. I went out and bought a wig prior to starting chemo, and started wearing it before my hair starting falling out. Most of my friends and family didn't know it was a wig, and therefore the transition was easy when I actually went bald. The day my first handful of hair came out in my hands, I recruited my husband to do the honor of shaving my head. I cried as it was falling on the floor and around my shoulders, and then took a look in the mirror and laughed, as I looked just like my Dad. Simple things make you smile as you go through treatment, so take advantage of them, and always know there is someone here on the board when you need help. Just ask. Welcome again, and let us know how things go for you. Hugs.

    Judy

    Hi Woodsy!
    Just wanted to welcome you to the best support site in the world! Hugs Jxxxxx
  • aurora2009
    aurora2009 Member Posts: 544 Member
    #16
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    Sorry I 'm late!
    But I wanted to welcome you to the best group ever. You sound like you have the right attitude, don't worry about the now and then meltdowns that happens to everyone.

    What I want to tell you is that you'll get through this, the road might be a little bumpy, but there is light at the end of this tunnel.

    Good Luck at your appointment and come back often tyo let us know how you're doing. We'll be here to help you any way we can.

    Lots of love

    Aurora
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #17
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    aurora2009 said:

    Sorry I 'm late!
    But I wanted to welcome you to the best group ever. You sound like you have the right attitude, don't worry about the now and then meltdowns that happens to everyone.

    What I want to tell you is that you'll get through this, the road might be a little bumpy, but there is light at the end of this tunnel.

    Good Luck at your appointment and come back often tyo let us know how you're doing. We'll be here to help you any way we can.

    Lots of love

    Aurora

    I'm late too
    and i thnk our sisters have it covered. I just want to welcome you here. We are truley kindred spirits, you will find so much love and comfort here. God bless, Jackie
  • taleena
    taleena Member Posts: 1,612 Member
    #18
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    rjjj said:

    I'm late too
    and i thnk our sisters have it covered. I just want to welcome you here. We are truley kindred spirits, you will find so much love and comfort here. God bless, Jackie

    Add me to the late list with
    Add me to the late list with Jackie... opps... I don't know where the time goes... but please know I am sending best wishes and a warm welcome

    ~T
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537
    #19
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    Hi woodsygal
    Welcome to the group. There are so many positive women here on this site and believe me we all know what youre going thru.
    As far as meltdowns goes, I thought I was the psychotic the past month. My internist switched my antianxiety meds and I feel almost normal since Sat. Crying is normal and actually is a good release so dont be afraid to let it all go if you need to.
    I had bilateral mastectomy for stage 3 infiltrating ductal ca and have had 2 of 8 chemo treatments. The port is really wonderful. You will appreciate having it. The hair unfortunately did fall out for me last wk and I had to shave it last monday. Traumatizing but I did it. Im hoping it grows in better than what I had which was baby fine and thin anyway.
    My advice is stay busy, work if you can, exercise everyday, eat well, sleep well and be good to yourself. Your grandkids, your family, your dogs and all of us will help you thru

    Hugs

    LInda T
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #20
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    me too!
    I am late too, and am chiming in with my welcome Woodsygal. Sounds as if you have already heard from a lot of the wonderful people on this site.
    Keep in touch and let us know how it goes for you
    Cat
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    #21
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    rjjj said:

    I'm late too
    and i thnk our sisters have it covered. I just want to welcome you here. We are truley kindred spirits, you will find so much love and comfort here. God bless, Jackie

    HI
    Just want to welcome you to the site! The bc survivors here are awesome and can offer you so much. So, post and ask us anything. I am sorry for the reason that you found us, but, you are in the best place to be if you have bc. Wishing you good luck with your treatment!

    Jeanne

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