Re: Need input - LONG! SORRY!

[Guest guest]

Hi!

Personally I think a mstectomy is best because sometimes after a lumpectomy you

still end up have a mastectomy. I had a mastectomy 12 1/2 yrs ago and never

regretted it.

Boy you could end up with lymphedema no matter what procedure you get. You are

not supposed to carry anything heavier than 5lbs, be careful of burns, cuts,

wear a thimble when sewing, don't get blood pressure or blood tests in that arm,

wear gloves when gardening. don't pick at cuticles or hangnails, no tight

fitting sleeves, cuffs or jewelry,keep that side covered when out in the sun,

don't use a reg razor when shaving under that arm, there might be more but this

is all I can think of and find. Not everyone gets lymphedema, I have been lucky

so far.

Depending on how you feel you may be able to go into work. I wouldn't think if

you are just going to feed and let the dogs in and out that you should need much

help.

As far as chemo and germs you shouldn't be around anyone that is sick as your

immune system can be compromised during chemo. If you have to be there I would

wear a protective mask when you are around the inmates or anyone else that is

sick.

My chemo only took about 5 min. I got an IV push. I do know that some of the

ladies have chemo that takes an hour or two. Try reading or listening to a CD.

Chat has really slowed down. I am there on Mondays a little after 8. I hope this

helped you some.

Hugs

marianne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

Check out my breast cancer ornaments at:

http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

Need input - LONG! SORRY!

Hi all - I am still trying to decide about what procedure I wish to

have, lumpectomy or mastectomy. Could those of you out there please

let me know what you think about each procedure, pros and cons? I

have to make my decision by Monday morning, when my surgery is

scheduled. Geez, I'll probably end up more confused than I already

am! LOL!! My lump is in my left breast, and someone today told me

to be careful of lymphedema, and since my left arm is my dog showing

arm, I don't want problems there. I have some 80 lb. German

Shepherds to contend with, so how do I deal with that using my left

hand?

Also, I need to find out how people felt after their surgery - I have

five German Shepherds to care for, and found out today that I will be

laid up for at least a week to heal where they don't want me doing

much of ANYTHING! Silly me, here I thought if I felt better by next

week Friday (surgery is Monday) that I could go in for a few hours of

work! LOL!! Finding out that isn't the case - guess I should slow

down a bit, eh? Not that I WANT to return to work, but it would just

give me an opportunity to not be home all day. BUT - my main concern

is if I'm going to be home, how much help do folks think I will need

to take care of my dogs, with feeding, letting them outside, and

etc.? I have a 15 week old puppy too - poor little guy - he doesn't

have a CLUE what's going on...but he's my little spark of life and I

would't trade him for anything!!

Some of you mentioned about being around germs - I work in a

correctional institution with a population of about 650 inmates, as a

drug treatment counselor. You know how it is in these closed-type

environments, everyone gets the 'flu or cold or whatever, and it goes

round and round. I haven't been sick yet this year (KNOCK-KNOCK - me

knocking on wood) but what about exposing myself to all of this?

What do I need to be careful of?

Also, with chemo, how long does it take for a person to sit through a

session? Any ideas for what I can do during that time? I thought

about reading, but I'm not sure I could. Can anyone tell me about

what they do with allergic reactions to chemo too, and how bad they

are?

FINALLY, how often are folks on CHAT? I am looking forward to

hearing from folks, and please email me in private if you think you

have something that I can use to help me keep my sanity!

Anyway, that's all for now - I sure didn't think this was going to be

THAT long, but I guess I'm just full of questions here!

[Guest guest]

i will add to this don't get scratch by a cat,i did i was one sick puppy and had

to get rid of my sweet babies i had 3 cats and i miss my darlings well when we

moved into apt had to anyway but i miss those little darlings ,i agree with

nne my tumor was the size of your thumb nail my tumor hit my lymph nodes so

dr said that was the fast cancer because that tiny tumor hit lymph nodes meant

it was fast when they told me cancer i look at them cut it all off,want the

whole enchilada off and the dr said i made the right choice because when they

did he said it hit lymph nodes so i would of had fast cancer so i'm glad i went

with radical mastectomy only thing i still have disease in the other breast i

wish they would of cut both off now with my lung condition i'm a high risk for

surgery so they wont do surgery on me unless its a necessity

cheryl

i'm still here and with all my disabilities i got i still keep fighting and

living day by day and i will not give up always think positive and thumbs up to

all you will all make it if cheryl can you can and i'm a kicking and one day we

all will kill that dragoon once and for all

cheryl

Re: Need input - LONG! SORRY!

Hi!

Personally I think a mstectomy is best because sometimes after a lumpectomy

you still end up have a mastectomy. I had a mastectomy 12 1/2 yrs ago and never

regretted it.

Boy you could end up with lymphedema no matter what procedure you get. You are

not supposed to carry anything heavier than 5lbs, be careful of burns, cuts,

wear a thimble when sewing, don't get blood pressure or blood tests in that arm,

wear gloves when gardening. don't pick at cuticles or hangnails, no tight

fitting sleeves, cuffs or jewelry,keep that side covered when out in the sun,

don't use a reg razor when shaving under that arm, there might be more but this

is all I can think of and find. Not everyone gets lymphedema, I have been lucky

so far.

Depending on how you feel you may be able to go into work. I wouldn't think if

you

[Guest guest]

No one can really tell you what to have. I had mastectomy and

wouldn't want it any other way. My doctor said I had an almost zero

change of recurrence with it; 10-15% with lumpectomy. I don't mind

the prosthesis and my husband doesn't either. It is a personal choice

that only the two of you can make.

> Hi all - I am still trying to decide about what procedure I wish to

> have, lumpectomy or mastectomy. Could those of you out there please

> let me know what you think about each procedure, pros and cons? I

> have to make my decision by Monday morning, when my surgery is

> scheduled. Geez, I'll probably end up more confused than I already

> am! LOL!! My lump is in my left breast, and someone today told me

> to be careful of lymphedema, and since my left arm is my dog showing

> arm, I don't want problems there. I have some 80 lb. German

> Shepherds to contend with, so how do I deal with that using my left

> hand?

>

> Also, I need to find out how people felt after their surgery - I have

> five German Shepherds to care for, and found out today that I will be

> laid up for at least a week to heal where they don't want me doing

> much of ANYTHING! Silly me, here I thought if I felt better by next

> week Friday (surgery is Monday) that I could go in for a few hours of

> work! LOL!! Finding out that isn't the case - guess I should slow

> down a bit, eh? Not that I WANT to return to work, but it would just

> give me an opportunity to not be home all day. BUT - my main concern

> is if I'm going to be home, how much help do folks think I will need

> to take care of my dogs, with feeding, letting them outside, and

> etc.? I have a 15 week old puppy too - poor little guy - he doesn't

> have a CLUE what's going on...but he's my little spark of life and I

> would't trade him for anything!!

>

> Some of you mentioned about being around germs - I work in a

> correctional institution with a population of about 650 inmates, as a

> drug treatment counselor. You know how it is in these closed-type

> environments, everyone gets the 'flu or cold or whatever, and it goes

> round and round. I haven't been sick yet this year (KNOCK-KNOCK - me

> knocking on wood) but what about exposing myself to all of this?

> What do I need to be careful of?

>

> Also, with chemo, how long does it take for a person to sit through a

> session? Any ideas for what I can do during that time? I thought

> about reading, but I'm not sure I could. Can anyone tell me about

> what they do with allergic reactions to chemo too, and how bad they

> are?

>

> FINALLY, how often are folks on CHAT? I am looking forward to

> hearing from folks, and please email me in private if you think you

> have something that I can use to help me keep my sanity!

>

> Anyway, that's all for now - I sure didn't think this was going to be

> THAT long, but I guess I'm just full of questions here!

[Guest guest]

Regarding allergies: Depends on the drugs you're given. I had

Cytoxan and Adriamycin and during the second half I was given

Taxotere. The first 2 made me itch. The Taxotere made me itch and

turned me bright red. I was given prescription strength Zantac and

Hydroxyzine 50 mg for home use and they gave me a couple of

injections in emergency.

The decision of lumpectomy vs mastectomy is one only you and your

mate can make. And really the bottom line is you. What will you

feel comfortable with. If my doctor had indicated to me that

mastectomy would be the better choice I would have chosen to go that

route. It was only because he said it didn't make any difference in

my recovery I chose the lumpectomy.

Recovery from surgery wasn't too bad. The basic rules apply. Don't

lift anything, be careful when handling sharp things. After surgery

they gave me this great camisole with pillows to protect the wound

area.

Another thing my doctor told me I had to do was to wear rubber

gloves when I did any type of cleaning. That included washing

dishes. He didn't want me exposed to any harsh chemicals.

Once you start chemo your doctor will probably test your blood one

week after treatment and a day or two before your next treatment.

This way he will keep track of your red and white count. I

experienced both problems. First my red count was too low so I had

to give myself injections of Procrit and the Taxotere lowered my

white blood count so I had to inject Nupogen. My doctor made it

perfectly clear that I was not be around large group of people

because of my compromised immune system. I was in physical therapy

when I received my diagnosis and my hand surgeon stopped me from

going there. Doctors here in Northern California seem to be really

big on BC patients not being exposed to a lot of people.

If you do decide to work, that mask idea is a good one. I did catch

a cold and it took forever to get over it.

Everyone's chemo session is different. Mine only took 1/2 hour, but

there was another woman who came in the same time I did and she had

a 2 hour session. I always brought a book and my CD player for

entertainment. Other women brought in needle work, crossword

puzzles. One lady had her own personal DVD player and brought a

movie to look at.

Regarding your dogs, the only thing that might be of concern to you

right now is the clean up. I don't know if you use a shovel or not,

but you do want to be careful lifting and repetative actions with

your left side until you're healed.

I just finished my chemo in June and radiation in October.

Radiation is a breeze compared to chemo. It will take you longer to

undress and dress than to receive your treatment. The most pain you

will feel is a tiny pin prick when they tattoo you.

If I can be of further service to you, don't hesitate to contact

me. You can contact me privately if you like.

Jaye

> Hi all - I am still trying to decide about what procedure I wish

to

> have, lumpectomy or mastectomy. Could those of you out there

please

> let me know what you think about each procedure, pros and cons? I

> have to make my decision by Monday morning, when my surgery is

> scheduled. Geez, I'll probably end up more confused than I

already

> am! LOL!! My lump is in my left breast, and someone today told

me

> to be careful of lymphedema, and since my left arm is my dog

showing

> arm, I don't want problems there. I have some 80 lb. German

> Shepherds to contend with, so how do I deal with that using my

left

> hand?

>

> Also, I need to find out how people felt after their surgery - I

have

> five German Shepherds to care for, and found out today that I will

be

> laid up for at least a week to heal where they don't want me doing

> much of ANYTHING! Silly me, here I thought if I felt better by

next

> week Friday (surgery is Monday) that I could go in for a few hours

of

> work! LOL!! Finding out that isn't the case - guess I should

slow

> down a bit, eh? Not that I WANT to return to work, but it would

just

> give me an opportunity to not be home all day. BUT - my main

concern

> is if I'm going to be home, how much help do folks think I will

need

> to take care of my dogs, with feeding, letting them outside, and

> etc.? I have a 15 week old puppy too - poor little guy - he

doesn't

> have a CLUE what's going on...but he's my little spark of life and

I

> would't trade him for anything!!

>

> Some of you mentioned about being around germs - I work in a

> correctional institution with a population of about 650 inmates,

as a

> drug treatment counselor. You know how it is in these closed-type

> environments, everyone gets the 'flu or cold or whatever, and it

goes

> round and round. I haven't been sick yet this year (KNOCK-KNOCK -

me

> knocking on wood) but what about exposing myself to all of this?

> What do I need to be careful of?

>

> Also, with chemo, how long does it take for a person to sit

through a

> session? Any ideas for what I can do during that time? I thought

> about reading, but I'm not sure I could. Can anyone tell me about

> what they do with allergic reactions to chemo too, and how bad

they

> are?

>

> FINALLY, how often are folks on CHAT? I am looking forward to

> hearing from folks, and please email me in private if you think

you

> have something that I can use to help me keep my sanity!

>

> Anyway, that's all for now - I sure didn't think this was going to

be

> THAT long, but I guess I'm just full of questions here!

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I was 39 when diagnosed (2 years ago) and after alot of research I

decided on bilateral mastectomies (cancer was in one breast - left).

My reasons for this decision was 1. I only wanted one surgery and

with a lumpectomy, you may have to go back for another surgery due to

not clear margins, 2. I have small children and although the

statistics show the same survival rate long term for both lumpectomy

and mastectomies, the local recurrance rate is highter in some types

of cancers with lumpectomies, 3. I also didn't want radiation on my

left side because of my heart, although radiation is fairly safe the

left side has a slightly higher risk factor. I haven't regretted my

decision for a moment. Although I must say at the beginning, I

thought I wouldn't miss my breasts and didn't really care about

having them and that was true during the chemo as I was so focused on

living. A year and a half later, I ended up having reconstruction

and am pretty happy with the results.

It really is a personal decision but hope my story helps. Good Luck!!

Hugs, Lori

> Hi all - I am still trying to decide about what procedure I wish to

> have, lumpectomy or mastectomy. Could those of you out there

please

> let me know what you think about each procedure, pros and cons? I

> have to make my decision by Monday morning, when my surgery is

> scheduled. Geez, I'll probably end up more confused than I already

> am! LOL!! My lump is in my left breast, and someone today told me

> to be careful of lymphedema, and since my left arm is my dog

showing

> arm, I don't want problems there. I have some 80 lb. German

> Shepherds to contend with, so how do I deal with that using my left

> hand?

>

> Also, I need to find out how people felt after their surgery - I

have

> five German Shepherds to care for, and found out today that I will

be

> laid up for at least a week to heal where they don't want me doing

> much of ANYTHING! Silly me, here I thought if I felt better by

next

> week Friday (surgery is Monday) that I could go in for a few hours

of

> work! LOL!! Finding out that isn't the case - guess I should slow

> down a bit, eh? Not that I WANT to return to work, but it would

just

> give me an opportunity to not be home all day. BUT - my main

concern

> is if I'm going to be home, how much help do folks think I will

need

> to take care of my dogs, with feeding, letting them outside, and

> etc.? I have a 15 week old puppy too - poor little guy - he

doesn't

> have a CLUE what's going on...but he's my little spark of life and

I

> would't trade him for anything!!

>

> Some of you mentioned about being around germs - I work in a

> correctional institution with a population of about 650 inmates, as

a

> drug treatment counselor. You know how it is in these closed-type

> environments, everyone gets the 'flu or cold or whatever, and it

goes

> round and round. I haven't been sick yet this year (KNOCK-KNOCK -

me

> knocking on wood) but what about exposing myself to all of this?

> What do I need to be careful of?

>

> Also, with chemo, how long does it take for a person to sit through

a

> session? Any ideas for what I can do during that time? I thought

> about reading, but I'm not sure I could. Can anyone tell me about

> what they do with allergic reactions to chemo too, and how bad they

> are?

>

> FINALLY, how often are folks on CHAT? I am looking forward to

> hearing from folks, and please email me in private if you think you

> have something that I can use to help me keep my sanity!

>

> Anyway, that's all for now - I sure didn't think this was going to

be

> THAT long, but I guess I'm just full of questions here!

[Guest guest]

Gail, I had a lumpectomey and my tumor was 5.5 cm. I really wish I had made the

decision to have a mast. My tumor was so large it took most of the breast

tissue. So I have one perky breast and one sagging breast. I hate it. But

ultimetly the decision is one only you can make. I would talk to the Dr about

all the germ possibilities in your job. I can only imagine all the germs. Will

be thinking about you Monday

Jeana

Need input - LONG! SORRY!

Hi all - I am still trying to decide about what procedure I wish to

have, lumpectomy or mastectomy. Could those of you out there please

let me know what you think about each procedure, pros and cons? I

have to make my decision by Monday morning, when my surgery is

scheduled. Geez, I'll probably end up more confused than I already

am! LOL!! My lump is in my left breast, and someone today told me

to be careful of lymphedema, and since my left arm is my dog showing

arm, I don't want problems there. I have some 80 lb. German

Shepherds to contend with, so how do I deal with that using my left

hand?

Also, I need to find out how people felt after their surgery - I have

five German Shepherds to care for, and found out today that I will be

laid up for at least a week to heal where they don't want me doing

much of ANYTHING! Silly me, here I thought if I felt better by next

week Friday (surgery is Monday) that I could go in for a few hours of

work! LOL!! Finding out that isn't the case - guess I should slow

down a bit, eh? Not that I WANT to return to work, but it would just

give me an opportunity to not be home all day. BUT - my main concern

is if I'm going to be home, how much help do folks think I will need

to take care of my dogs, with feeding, letting them outside, and

etc.? I have a 15 week old puppy too - poor little guy - he doesn't

have a CLUE what's going on...but he's my little spark of life and I

would't trade him for anything!!

Some of you mentioned about being around germs - I work in a

correctional institution with a population of about 650 inmates, as a

drug treatment counselor. You know how it is in these closed-type

environments, everyone gets the 'flu or cold or whatever, and it goes

round and round. I haven't been sick yet this year (KNOCK-KNOCK - me

knocking on wood) but what about exposing myself to all of this?

What do I need to be careful of?

Also, with chemo, how long does it take for a person to sit through a

session? Any ideas for what I can do during that time? I thought

about reading, but I'm not sure I could. Can anyone tell me about

what they do with allergic reactions to chemo too, and how bad they

are?

FINALLY, how often are folks on CHAT? I am looking forward to

hearing from folks, and please email me in private if you think you

have something that I can use to help me keep my sanity!

Anyway, that's all for now - I sure didn't think this was going to be

THAT long, but I guess I'm just full of questions here!

[Guest guest]

I show German Sherpherds too. I had three at the time of my

mastectomies (I have since lost my 13 1/2 year old). My family

helped with the care of the dogs and the dogs help with my care, they

kept my spirits up. Day to day chores with the dogs are a bit hard

in the beginning for me because I opted to have both breasts removed

and immediatly intsall implants during the same surgery. I never went

without " breasts " and only had one surgery but it took time to

recover from, about three weeks. This ended up a wise choice for me

because we did a sentinal node biopsy which turned out to indicate

that I had four positive lymph nodes. I've shown in the breed ring

as well as in obedience and in agility. I took off from showing

during chemo, I just did not have the strength to run around the ring

as many times as in requrided in the Shepherd ring and had not beed

working my dogs adequatly enough to sho obedience.

Is your surgeon planning to do a sentinal node biopsy? That is where

they inject dye around the tumor and see which lymph node it goes

to. They then remove the stained lymph node and do immediate biopsy

on it while you are in surgery to find out if it is positive for

cancer...which would mean that it has spread. That gives the surgeon

the ability to remove lymph nodes while you are under instead of in a

second proceedure. My left arm was slightly affected right after

surgery because I had ten lymph nodes removed. Now it is normal and

strong again.

I always watched TV or a movie during chemo.

You can email me if you have andy other

questions...gundrsn@... we have met at a national

specialty!

Hugs,

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I guess you have made up your mind and are having surgery now; since I have

a daughter at home, I usually email on weekdays when she's in school. I'm

sure that you've gotten lots of advice and made the best decision for you.

I can't tell you anything about recovering because in my case I had chemo

first and won't have surgery till January.

I *can* answer your question about chemo. Bring really light reading, like

People magazine. It's not just one shot and you sit there with an IV

uninterrupted. People are always coming and going to check on the IV and

maybe give you steroids or saline solution with the chemo and ask questions

and give instructions and you won't really have long chunks of free time.

In my case, my dear sweet husband took me and stayed with me in the room

every time. If you could get a relative or friend I'd recommend it; if not,

as I said, light reading. You'll get very annoyed trying to read War and

Peace during chemo.

I hope your surgery went well and you're content with whatever choice you made.

Jill

p.s. As for the germs, ask your doctor how long you need to worry about

that for. You could always go to work wearing a surgical mask; I wore one a

couple of times during chemo when my white blood counts were very low, but

that was only twice out of eight sessions, and it doesn't happen to

everyone. I was an extreme case. So don't go worrying about that for yourself!

[Guest guest]

Jaye, I'm really sorry you had such an awful reaction to Taxotere. Just in

case anyone else is wondering, I was on Taxotere for 12 weeks and nothing

like that happened to me, although it caused a lot joint pain, or

exacerbated pain I already had. It's amazing how differently people's

bodies respond to the same drug.

Just in case anyone is on chemo and has cats, I used disposable

tight-fitting latex gloves I bought at Walgreens to clean up the litter.

Although my sweet husband did most of it for me. It was actually fun the

other day to be able to clean out the litter without gloves. I shouldn't

really have done it; although I'm offically done with chemo it's still in

my system, but it felt like a tiny way of taking control of my life again.

My cats rarely scratch me but if they do, I'd do what I always do;

disinfect the cut right away with rubbing alcohol and rub it under water

for a good five minutes. It's the scrubbing that helps get the germs off.

Now that I've been on chemo and will have had a bilateral mastectomy, I'd

probably call my doctor and come in for a preventive shot of antibiotics,

too. I've already forgotten the name of the woman who got really sick from

a cat scratch and had to give up her cats, but I'm very sorry for you even

if I can't remember your name!

Jill

At 04:56 AM 12/14/2002 +0000, you wrote:

>Regarding allergies: Depends on the drugs you're given. I had

>Cytoxan and Adriamycin and during the second half I was given

>Taxotere. The first 2 made me itch. The Taxotere made me itch and

>turned me bright red. I was given prescription strength Zantac and

>Hydroxyzine 50 mg for home use and they gave me a couple of

>injections in emergency.

[Guest guest]

Lori,

I just thought I'd let you know that I've gone throug the same feels as you

about my decision to have a bilateral mastectomy. A lumpectomy was never an

option for me, and during chemo, I felt so out of it that I thought I

wouldn't miss my saggy middle-aged breasts much anyhow. Now that I'm having

them removed in three weeks (!) I'm beginning to feel sad, but I still

think it's the right decision for me, for many of the reasons you mentioned

and for some other, personal ones connected to my PTSD. I stocked up on big

extra-large men's sweatshirts for now, and, as you said, I can always have

reconstructive surgery later if I want it. I'm glad you're happy with your

own reconstruction. I'll probably decide to do it if I get sick enough of

people staring at me during the summer, though with the belly I gained

during chemo, they'll probably just think I am small-chested and pregnant!

Jill

At 03:06 PM 12/14/2002 +0000, you wrote:

>Hi,

>

>I was 39 when diagnosed (2 years ago) and after alot of research I

>decided on bilateral mastectomies (cancer was in one breast - left).

>My reasons for this decision was 1. I only wanted one surgery and

>with a lumpectomy, you may have to go back for another surgery due to

>not clear margins, 2. I have small children and although the

>statistics show the same survival rate long term for both lumpectomy

>and mastectomies, the local recurrance rate is highter in some types

>of cancers with lumpectomies, 3. I also didn't want radiation on my

>left side because of my heart, although radiation is fairly safe the

>left side has a slightly higher risk factor. I haven't regretted my

>decision for a moment. Although I must say at the beginning, I

>thought I wouldn't miss my breasts and didn't really care about

>having them and that was true during the chemo as I was so focused on

>living. A year and a half later, I ended up having reconstruction

>and am pretty happy with the results.