Apparently the good news on swine flu for those of us ladies of slightly more mature years (60ish and upwards) is that we may have some immunity to it, dating from the 1957 epidemic. Still need to be careful, but we often also have the advantage of not having kids to worry about bringing it home from school.
Caron,
I had lots of DCIS too and I think lots of women do. I had lots of proper cancer left too though as chemo did not do much shrinking. DCIS, according to my ONC, does not react to chemo as slower growing cells. Sounds like your IDC (is that what yours was?)was killed off by the chemo and you were left perhaps with some DCIS which wouldn’t have been killed off? Had not heard that cancer cells can go back to DCIS??
Your cancer clearly reacted really really really well to the chemo and you have to focus on this. HER2 pos can be treated with Herceptin if that is what you are, although sounds like perhaps you are not. I think they would have started you on it already. But I might be wrong on that.
As I said - get a copy of your path report and then go back and ask questions. The nurses on this site are also really helpful .
Gxxxx
Gail,
I think your right that what was left was DCIS?
Thing is he doesn’t want to tell you much because he said let him do the worrying!
Yes I didn’t realise what effect on the cancer the chemo had till today. I knew it had shrunk alot.
The pysio said I am exceptional with the amount of movement I’ve got so soon after surgery, I think she was more of less gobsmaked!
If I see Barbara (BCN) I will ask her for report, but she’s on hoiday atm.
I feel loads better knowing I haven’t got that thing (alien) inside me.
Just got to get hair to grow now!
Jo have lovely time away (wish I was coming too)
love Caron x
Caron, I didn’t get a path report either, so I’ve not got an idea about tumour size etc. I kept meaning to ask but there were always so many questions I kept forgetting. They didn’t tell me I was triple negative I had to ask. Some hospitals give you all the information, others none.
Caron, I though the boob job looked great, it was the scar on the back that bothered me as I would be having both sides done…but I’ve still got time to think about it.
No I’m not ill, but it’s been a tough year all round, and I having a few ‘off’ days, tearful and sad. But I’ll be ok just need some time to relax.
I’ll be thinking of you at Shelley’s funeral. and of course her family. Life can be so cruel and hard.
Jo, have a good few days in Spain. Well done on the race too.
Gail, hope you’re all feeling better after the ‘lurgy’,
Andie, hope Peter is progressing and the strain is not too much for you.
Victoria, it’s such a pain when the machine breaks down, I was mentally prepared for 20 days rads and ended 21. Is your skin holding up ok?
Suzanne, would we not be in line for the virus as immune system is lowered by chemo?
Shell’s day to day… I just feel so so sad.We miss you Shell!
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Sorry you’ve been feeling tearful and sad. I can well imagine…
I am suffering a bit with the rads but no sign yet of any skin breakdown.
I’ll write later as setting off now for zap 6!
Bright x
GOODBYE SHELLY …
I have never been to a funeral before with so many people, there were even people standing outside.
Shell had a lovely pink casket (if one can be lovely?)
We sang “All things bright and beautiful” and “We plough the fields and scatter”
Thought this was really nice Simon used the poem “Do not stand at my grave and weep”
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die.
I think it was poor Shell’s mum who brokedown all the way through she looked heartbroken.
I am really glad we went to pay our respects to Shell , she deserves nothing less. NIGHT NIGHT SHELL XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Kathy…
I thought that was what was putting you off (my back) but I promise it’s not as bad as it looks!
I can lie on it I can wear a bra already I swear it would be worth it, I think my friend who was in with me regretted the fact that she never had it done, and she could have, but when she saw mine I think she regretted it.
You will hardly be able to see the scar on the back when it has gone white.
Obviously it’s entirely up to you but it is worth it especially as it’s all numb anyway ! so you won’t even feel it, I had my back drained again yesterday no numbing stuff or anything and you can’t feel it as it’s all numb!!
It’s only a cut and the end result would be well worth it , you could wear strappy tops etc, I hope you make the right choice for you?
If you want to ask more questions about it pm me i’ll be happy to help you make the right decition for you.
My seroma is swelling again! I was told it’s more or less a matter of course now with this op.
I will see if I can get my path report from my BCN I think I should know as it’s about me.
Even if I am triple negative or just HER2 does not change the fact that my cancer responded well to the chemo and I think thats what is normally the case with triple negatives that they don’t respond well?
Does anyone know how long dissolveable stitches stay in for?
Some of mine seem to be going a bit red now, I have put a load more antiseptic stuff on and hope I don’t get an infection.
ANDIE… how is Peter now? hope he is on the mend now?
Kate… try and keep your chin up , you are such a happy person (noone knows whats going on in the inside!).
JO… Sorry forgot to say very well done for the race for life (Shell would be proud).
Susanne… Are you nearly finished chemo now? and what’s next for you?
Victoria… Hope you have been keeping away from work?
Last thing us lot need bloody swine flu!!
Gail… Hope your monster isn’t being a monster today? and keep away from those chocolate eggs as they tend to fall in your mouth! lol.
Do hope I haven’t missed anyone? if I have I’m really sorry.
love C
Caron, I had my penultimate chemo today - doncha just love that word, it reminds you how near you are to the end! Three weeks to the final one, then we’ve managed to squeeze in a few days holdiay + house hunting in Devon before I start my Rads - 23 days of that! And Arimedex.
I had soluble stiches which didn’t dissolve - they’re supposed to dissolve in two weeks, but at three weeks they showed no sign of it so I went in to see the BCN and she got it out. OUCH! She had to pull four inches of it right through! But no problems afterwards, and scar has almost disappeared now.
My only remaining surgery problem is the on-going lymphodema in the breast. None in the arm, oddly. Apparently there’s not a lot can be done, it can take up to a year to fade - so I’m Jordan on the left and old me on the right!
Susanne,
yes was looking at my stitches (someof them have been removed) but he said the others will dissolve well try to imagine this if you can?
I have a big round hole around where my nipple would have been and I have a round plug of skin (from my back I think?) now it’s not the round back skin that has gone red aslo this is underneath my own breast skin which is sewn on top,it is this skin that has gone red in the stitches places.
Now I would have thought they would have been worried about my back skin not taking or dying?
But it’s my own breast skin going red, hope it’s not getting infected?
I don’t know weather to take the stitches ou or not?
Also where is your lymphodema in your breast?
I have got another swelling at the side of my breast !
As well as the seroma in the bust and back !
My nails have been quite bad today and still breaking and Since yesterday I have been getting sharp pains in my NEW breast !
OHH had to laugh this young girl sent me a email she say’s
Caron instead of your false boob you can ask your doc for a real one to be made from your own skin but the only false bit is the round bit in the middle that they tattoo on !!! OHH BLESS ! lol
LOVE C xxxxxxxxxx
Girls,
Caron - Thanks for the post about Shell. I love that poem too and also love “Allthings bright…”. Could we put the poem in Shell’s “In memory” strand ?? Caron - I think that triple negs can respond well to chemo…not sure…I think that’s what was also so awful about Shell’s situation. I might chat to you more about surgery at some point. Have decided to sort out appointment to talk about it when hols are over…but need to get my genetic results first. I dodn’t notice much about my stitches…they went a bit red looking and then went away.
Suzanne - Am so jealous of you moving to Devon. Where?? Would love to, but hubby’s work is all near London. We used to live in Plymouth, and spent much time in lovely places. Back down for wedding in Tavi in Sept - can’t wait!
Off to bed. Herceptin tomorrow. Scooby Doo Live on stage on Thursday with monster. (Who needs Take That!!!)What a life I lead!!!
Love all,
Gxxxx
PS
Funny you should say that about the choc eggs. Half a large cadbury’s dairy milk bar attacked me tonight. I managed to survive, but had to “swallow my pride”…or half a ton of chocolate!!!
Thanks Caron, I haven’t dismissed it.
I think iwould be happier as the prothesis is so heavy I’ve only worn it once. My friend gave me a bra with padding, I quite like it. I can and do wear strappy tops, you really can’t tell I’m boobless. It’s really light and comfortable to wear. I might buy a couple more to keep me going.
I’m glad you’re happy and made the right decision. I’d already seen the surgeon in Taunton and decided it was for me, but having moved I have to start all over again and am waiting for the appointment inthe post. I’m halfway there mentally.
I hope today wasn’t too tough for you, but Shelley is at rest now, so hard on the family. I love that poem, I’ve heard it several times and it gives such comfort.
Love Kathy
Don’t mess with them yourself, Caron - see your BCN. The lymphodema is just kinda there - apparently the problem is because the lymph from the breast is supposed to drain upwards, but as I had all the lymph nodes out the system isn’t working. It seems to differ from a seroma in that it’s not sloshing about. It’s not too bad, still fits into usual bra. I’ve given up bothering with a bra overnight - it’s just uncomfortable and doesn’t seem to help. I have to put it on as soon as I get up, that seems to help. And I’ve devised my own tactic - I call it the “porn star therapy.” I put some cushions under my back so I’m kinda hanging backward with the boob tipped up in the air, then massage it a bit.
Gem, we’re planning on Teignmouth, if we can find what we want there - being a smallish town, there aren’t a lot of properties on the market at any time. If we can’t find what we want, we’ll rent something for a while. Mr.Grumpy is Devon born’n’bred, and when he was little he had an auntie lived in Teignmouth. He always used to say “When I’m grown up I’m going to have a house here.” He’s 64, and we got tired of waiting for him to grow up!
Susanne,
The lyphodema breast (I need to know more!) lol
Right well what I mean is I have 2 seroma’s as you know and what an excellent description of them you did SLOSHING ABOUT !lol (my back moves!)
Thr side of my new breast hurts especially around the side of the bra it is swollen but is also hard.
Just wondering if Iv’e got the joys of lymphodema in the breast??
Some good news now! (yes I really do have some!) my arm that had the nodes out was really swollen when I was in hospital but it is more or less normal size now!! (YIPEE).
I have been doing my excercises every day, do you have to do them for ever more??
Oh well least I’d be able to say I excercise every day! lol.
Kate & Gail if any of you (or anyone else for that matter) want to know more just ask away, but remember you two will only be having the recon so you probably won’t get all the complications I got , I do know why they couldn’t stop me bleeding it was because I hadn’t long finished the chemo so you two wouldn’t have to worry about anything like that and it wouldn’t be as long as what I had.
Has anyone heard how eileen’s hubby is yet?
love Cx
Caron, can’t really say much more about the lymphodema. I didn’t have a seroma, so I don’t really know how to compare it except for what I’ve read on here. I thought they were the same thing at first, but apparently not - I think the seroma is fluid that sits in the pocket left by the surgery, and can have blood and blood serum in it - that’s what comes out in the drains. Lymphodema is lymph fluid that has lost its drain path, and just kinda sits around in the tissues, but more diverse than the seroma. That’s how I understand it anyway - does it make any sense? Maybe the nurse on here can tell us more.
I still do my arm exercises now and then, and I also use a stress-ball. Hold it in my hand with my arm straight over my head, squeeze repeatedly - I’m up to about thirty squeezes now, several times a day. I just do it when I’m watching telly or surfing the net - it helps the muscles pump the lymph out of your arm.
Hi
Husband is home! Infection under control but in great pain from existing back problem aggravated by hospital stay, inaction and hospital bed. Bear with a sore head comes to mind.
I will catch up with you all later, thanks for all your good wishes.
Andie
Oh dear, Andie - such a shame to have the pair of you poorly at the same time. Still, you can be a pair of old crocks together, like me and Mr.Grumpy!
Andie, pleased to read that your husband has been released and that the pain reduces soon.
Suzanne - I love Teignmouth, the promenade and red sand, and the railway line that passes through it.
I’m feeling very tired tonight and sneezing a bit, so I hope I’m not going to be a victim of swine flu.
Sending everyone good thought.
Bright x
Andie… good news that your hubby is home.
Susanne… Ive added the exercise you said. I dont have any trouble at all doing any of the exercises, I dont think the pysio could quite believe it when she saw me Monday!!!
I think the side of my bust is probably swelling not sermoma or lympdodema, the seroma if you imagine a balloon filled with water and shake the balloon the water sloshes about thats just what the seroma is like, I can’t lie on my back now it’s too big.
Ive got Steve’s auntie’s funeral tomorrow I’ll probably look like the hunch back!
My bust (new one) has been itching a bit I wonder if it’s just it mending?
I had a really heartwarming text of Simon today, think he is going to really struggle with losing Shell.
I went to sleep at 2am this morning and I didnt wake up toll 2 30 pm haven’t done that in a while, maybe everything catching up with me.
My friend Dianne has been released from hospital and is on the mend.
V don’t bloody start worrying about swine flu! you have enough to worry about !!
love Caronx
Just slept through Dragons’ Den. Love that programme and sorry I missed it.
Still feeling distinctly off colour - just hoping I’ll feel better in the morning.
Today has been dominated by hospitals. Here’s as follows:
*Me - rads
*OH - checking up on some blood tests from a long term problem
*previous OH - pre-surgery discussion for hernias
*OH’s mother - admitted to hospital after a fall.
The highlight of my day was making rhubarb crumble. And I’ve been dreaming of the rhubarb triangle ever since… I love those rosy stalks.
Sorry you are itching Caron - I did too after my op.
Love Bright x
Hi Girls
In amongst everything else I forgot to mention that I am so fed up with bursting into tears at the drop of a hat and at the most inappropriate moments that I have given in asked to be refered to our councellor(SP). I am having real trouble with being at the end of active treatment and the absolute terror of the BC coming back, especially as I have been dealing with the IBC that is so aggressive. As the appointments will now begin to be spread out more I have an absolute paranoia of something reoccuring and missing it myself.
I had to have another seroma drained today. I saw a different onc at my appointment and he was absolutely lovely, although he did say that his speciality is oncolgy and chemo not seromas so had to send me to the BCN. She managed to get the fluid pocket with the first stab and drained off 100ml with no trouble whatsoever.
I will be thinking of you at your aunts funeral Caron. That really is hard 2 funerals within 1 week
Bright Stop worrying about Trotter flu.(Peter reckons you can only get it if you have a little curly tail). Please excuse him - he’s just not right at the moment!
I will catch up tomorrow
Love to everyone
Andie