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@Mama Bird: I do have family support. But if I have to do chemo, I will have to figure out a plan like you suggested. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you all again for your words and support.
I have now had a mammogram, chest ultrasound, biopsy, MRI, genetic test, CT scan, Bone Scan, PET scan, transvaginal ultrasound...I don't know what else they can test at this point.
I found out I have the BRCA 2 genetic mutation. So that explains the breast cancer. And now it adds the layer of concern for my ovaries. So far, the tests have not shown any need for immediate action. But honestly, to remove the worry, I wish I could just yank 'em out when I take off my boobs.
I have a scheduled double mastectomy. I'm trying to prepare mentally. And also reach out to people for support...even if I don't know what it looks like.
I'm still very scared. I'm mad. And slowly finding windows of hope. I also feel guilt because as a stay-at-home-mom all I want sometimes is a break. A real break. And this, this will be a break. The kids are headed to my in-laws for a week...but my break won't be filled with fun and joy. It will be filled with pain, and Netflix.
Bleh.
Just wanted to update. If you are considering scheduling your mammogram, do it. I found this lump. I made the appointment. And I had hopes that it was nothing. And now, three weeks later, here I am. Planning a life altering surgery. And trying to focus on making the cancer be gone so I can live...for my boys, my husband, my family, my friends...and for me.
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It’s so unfair. Are you having reconstruction? Do you know if they are taking any lymph nodes? I can send you some info and exercises to help with your recovery if you want
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@sweetooth: So much love and support to you. Please keep us updated in your journey. We are here for you.
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@sweetooth: Walled you!
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@sweetooth: Much love and prayers to you! Hoping for the best possible recovery and outcome.
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@peaches1038: I am having reconstruction. I'm just working through my decision of expanders or immediate implants. And they will be testing the lymph nodes to determine if I have more areas of concern to address after surgery. I still can't believe they don't have all of the answers after all of these tests. I'm still bracing myself to wake after surgery and learn that I have to do chemo or radiation. I'd love anything you can send me on recovery tips. I'm in a researching, gathering information, preparing phase now.
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@sweetooth:
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That's a lot to deal with... I hope you have an easy recovery and that the surgery will be all you need. And that you get the real break you wanted when you're out of the hospital and recovering - if your in-laws are able to handle the kids for a week, maybe asking them for a day or two later on won't be so hard.
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@sweetooth: what an update! Have you found any of the BRCA Facebook groups? I’m a part of a couple. One is for mastectomy in particular. Since I haven’t gone that route yet, I hid the group but it was very large with tons of info - just maybe a tad overwhelming to have it coming through your feed all the tome. You’d get quick feedback if you posted though.
What’s the decision factor between expanders or no? Is it size? My friend who I mentioned in my original rely did expanders. It was quite uncomfortable during, but as soon as the implants were in, she was basically back to normal. Again please let me know if you’d like to talk with her. She went though everything in 2017.
Thinking of you!!
I just had my yearly breast mri yesterday...
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I’m so sorry to hear your news! I’ve been away too and just saw this post. Life is so unfair sometimes. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
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I’m so sorry about your diagnosis. It’s lucky you found the lump and went in for further testing and didn’t brush it off as nothing.
I have a friend, 35 with no history of breast cancer. She found a lump and went to a dr the next day. Things moved very fast and she was diagnosed with breast cancer about 10 days after finding the lump. She had a single mastectomy with an implant put in right away. I can’t temember all the details, but as her cancer is estrogen based, they are currently deciding if they should do a mascectomy on the other side, or do a full hysterectomy.
After her mascectomy they sent the lymph nodes for testing, the original tests came back that they were all clear, but unfortunately the more detailed testing came back with cancerous cells in the lymph nodes. She’s still undergoing testing ( bone scan last week) to determine if it’s anywhere else.
The unfortunate thing is, sometimes it can take time to get answers, you go through all these tests, and then they still need more tests to determine more answers. Even after they found the type of her cancer, it doesn’t behave the way it should, so her tumor was sent to California for further testing ( which they’re still awaiting the results from.) something she has really had to learn is how to take everything one day, one test at a time. She had her mom come stay with her after her mascectomy. She had it the middle of March and is almost fully recovered now.Anyways, just wanted you to know you aren’t alone and I’m thinking of you
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@sweetooth: Sending lots of hugs.
For me, this testing/waiting/deciding stage was torturous. How do you figure out the "right steps" for something like this. However, once I started treatment I felt much better that we were starting to "tackle the issue".
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Hey, I’m just seeing this now and wanted to offer hugs and support. My dad was diagnosed almost a year ago with an aggressive form of cancer and after a rough year of treatments and surgeries, he’s finally on the other side we think.
I’m so sorry you have to go through this
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@sweetooth: I just wanted to check in and see how you are doing.
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@sweetooth: Just bumping this again to see how you are.
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@crazydoglady: You are so kind to check in. This past year has been...a lot. And I haven't been back to Hellobee in a while.
Best news? I am here, alive and I do not have cancer. It is gone. And that's the mindset I am trying to live in. It was all contained in my breasts and they are gone, so it is gone.
2018 consisted of a double mastectomy, expanders, 4 rounds of chemo, implants, and now the rebuilding of my mental health and self esteem. I am still working through the BRCA2 diagnosis. I am headed in next month to talk about removing my ovaries to prevent from hearing "you have ovarian cancer" next. I definitely want to get ahead of that. But to be honest, it's all a lot to deal with. I have been working through the anniversaries...surgery, chemo, hair loss...all of the anniversaries of those days are proving to be just as raw as the event itself. If not more.
But therapy has really been helping. The busyness of life...my boys are 4 and 5 1/2 now and finding time to dwell on heavy things is rare. But I do worry a lot about the fragility of life now.
Thank you all for the kind words and sentiments. This community has been there for me in many of my lowest moments. I am grateful for the Hellobee community.
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@sweetooth: jumping in to send you some love
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@sweetooth: You have been through so much and are such an inspiration! 🤩 You are the epitome of a warrior. Sending you hugs. 🥰
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You are amazing. Period.
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@sweetooth: You are awesome! So glad the cancer is gone.
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@sweetooth: You are a fighter!! So glad to hear the cancer is gone!
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@sweetooth: You are so strong and amazing. Thank you for sharing your journey.
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I’m so glad to hear that it’s gone! Yahoo!
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@sweetooth: I'm so happy and relieved to hear that you are well and the cancer is gone!
I will be praying for both emotional and physical healing.
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