I'm a newbie and scared

kookierutt
kookierutt Member Posts: 3
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Today I had a PET scan done and tried not to freak, not knowing what was going to happen. Which turned out not so bad except for the needle. I'm not a needle person. I had a masectomy on my left side Oct. 21. With a Power Port placed in.

Suppose to start chemo the week after Thanksgiving. I see my Oncologist Friday to find out the results from the PET scan. I had 3/18 lymph node posive.

I have fluid build up on my left side I can feel now and will call surgeon tomorrow to find out whats next with that.

I was looking at inserts, for my breast but am kinda lost at that. Whats the best way to go. Plan on reconstruction after radiation, which is a long way away yet.

Will disability cover this? I worked as a Vet. Tech and can not do that kind of work now.

My mother came down from Michigan for support and my husband is awesome. But... I feel like I'm catering to my mom, she's not in the best of health either. Thank goodnes they are staying at my daughters house.
I still feel like I'm on a lone track. Because they know nothing about this. I'm the first in my family with this. Go figure that kinda luck! Oh I'm in s.e. Ga.

I'm looking for some friends that understand my feelings and what I've read this is the place.

Comments

  • natly15
    natly15 Member Posts: 1,941
    Kookie welcome to these
    Kookie welcome to these boards. Unfortunately you have a condition which makes you a member of the "pink sisters club". You have already determined that you can find out just about anything you need to know right here. I have Stage 2. Had a lumpectomy, and 2 surgeries because the sentinel lymph node came back positive when it was sent out of state for a pathology reading. I also have a power port. I had swelling after surgery and it turned into a nasty infection. I'm still on antibiotics and will be for duration of chemo. so happy you are speaking with your doc tomorrow re: swelling. Please stay on top of it. You probably do qualify for disability.

    have you read the post about the dumbest things people say to us? If not I suggest you read it. Unless a family member or friend has gone thru this, or walked it with someone treated for cancer, they havent a clue what to say or do for us. Of course they are worried and concerned, but I find I'm quite sensitive to their comments and suggestions. I've had to say to some, "I dont wish to discuss this anymore, I'm too exhausted and need to conserve my energy, so how are you"? They are getting the picture.

    I know someone will respond to your concerns about reconstruction, inserts, and disability.
  • always
    always Member Posts: 256
    natly15 said:

    Kookie welcome to these
    Kookie welcome to these boards. Unfortunately you have a condition which makes you a member of the "pink sisters club". You have already determined that you can find out just about anything you need to know right here. I have Stage 2. Had a lumpectomy, and 2 surgeries because the sentinel lymph node came back positive when it was sent out of state for a pathology reading. I also have a power port. I had swelling after surgery and it turned into a nasty infection. I'm still on antibiotics and will be for duration of chemo. so happy you are speaking with your doc tomorrow re: swelling. Please stay on top of it. You probably do qualify for disability.

    have you read the post about the dumbest things people say to us? If not I suggest you read it. Unless a family member or friend has gone thru this, or walked it with someone treated for cancer, they havent a clue what to say or do for us. Of course they are worried and concerned, but I find I'm quite sensitive to their comments and suggestions. I've had to say to some, "I dont wish to discuss this anymore, I'm too exhausted and need to conserve my energy, so how are you"? They are getting the picture.

    I know someone will respond to your concerns about reconstruction, inserts, and disability.

    Kookie welcome
    Everyone here will welcome you and tell you we wish you never needed this site. But we are so glad you found it. Natly is right help for your specific questions is on the way. As a newbie (I still sortof am) I was told to come here often, ask questions whenever I needed to, regardless of how small or silly they may seem. The women on this site are the most awesome combination of warriors and angels ever created. I had a lumpectomy and do not know the answers to your questions. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

    becky
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537
    Hi Kookie
    If you are looking for friends, you have come to the right place. Trust me, we all know the emotional rollercoaster you are on because we have been on it too.
    I dont have any advice about radiation. Lots of gals have had it so I am sure they will post soon. I had a bilateral mastectomy in april and just finished chemo about 1 month ago. I still have reconstruction to do, have herceptin until august and possibly will be doing a clinical trial beginning of december.

    Just a thought about the swelling...I had 21 nodes removed on the right side where the cancer was and I still have alot of lymphedema that collects under the right arm and along the side of my back and near the breast. If you havent been taught lymphedema massage, ask your doctor for a referral to a physical or occupational therapist and they will teach you how to do it. I do about 10 minutes per day...you need to redirect the fluid to other lymph nodes cuz they removed so many on the affected side. They will show you how to direct the fluid to the groin, clavicle and other breast nodes on the opposite side. If I do the massage I can keep the fluid in check.

    Please know that eventually the diagnosis will not be the first thing you think about in the morning. I never thought that life would be good for me again after my diagnosis. I was scared and depressed and cancer was all I thought about. But I finished chemo, I am feeling better and I am starting to find my life again, only in some ways it is better because I appreciate things so much more...and I dont sweat the small stuff like I used to.

    Post often...we are all friends here and we all welcome you.

    Hugs
    Linda T
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    Just wanted to say welcome
    Just wanted to say welcome and good luck with everything. I will be praying for you. I can't answer your questions about disability, but, if your hospital has a social worker, you can ask to meet with them and maybe they can give you some advice.
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    Welcome, Kookie, to the club
    Welcome, Kookie, to the club you didn't want to join. I'm currently in treatment. I've completed my chemo and am now doing my radiation. We're here to answer any questions you may have. There is normally someone on this site that has been in the same or similar situation. Take care and know we'll help you through the journey.
  • brenda247
    brenda247 Member Posts: 124
    welcome
    hey its ok to be scared i sure have done my share of them.. but its gonna be ok be strong and everyone here will be there for you believe me they helped me in so many ways!!

    prayer & hugs are with you!!
    i had a mastectomy and 3 limpnodes removed went through chemo just got finished oct.1 2009..

    STAY STRONG!!
  • jolenew
    jolenew Member Posts: 38
    Kookie
    I also had the swelling in the arm and on my side after they removed the lymph nodes. Mimi is right, my dr sent me to a lymphedema clinic and the tech taught me the massages (which really help) and I also wear a compression sleeve. It does keep the swelling down but she says I will always have the numbness under the arm and on my side. Best of luck to you.
    Hugs
  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    I was told I'd have to wait
    I was told I'd have to wait for reconstuction till after radiation and 6 years later have never done it. However my sister had reconstuction at the same time as mastectomy. Everybody is different.

    I don't know anything about disability.

    usually I don't post if I can't add something...so I guess you'll just have to add me as a friend.
  • Cat64
    Cat64 Member Posts: 1,192
    Kookie
    Welcome to the Board. I became a "newbie" myself back in August. I cannot even begin to tell you how much this site has helped me during this journey! You are right-this IS the place. I like to think of these ladies as the "Pink Angels". I am also the only one in my family that has had BC so I know how that feels, however, I don't feel so alone now that I'm here.
    You can always find answers to your ?'s,there are plenty of ears and shoulders when you need them, and even jokes to remind you to laugh each day.
    As for disability, I have heard you CAN receive the help as Cancer is one of the illness that meets the "requirements".
    Keep us posted and let us know how your Pet Scan turns out.
    Prayers & Hugz,
    Cathy
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    Hi and welcome kookierutt
    I can't help much either but I wanted to welcome you . I had reconstruction/reduction after rads but I had to wait one year from last rad.

    Jadie<3