Guest guest Posted February 21, 2004 Report Share Posted February 21, 2004 Hi, I'm new to this message board. I have searched the internet for a week trying to find someone to chat too. I was just diagnosed last Monday after a biopsy. Its been a whirlwind ever since. I have another rare cancer which is under control and I'm able to deal with that, but this is just so overwhelming. Trying to make a decision of a lumpectomy vs. a mastectomy. Reconstruction or not. Reconstruction right away or later. Which doctors to see, which center to go to....how did you all do this? I know what the surgeon is going to do, and I know what the oncologist is going to do, but what about in between? So far, I've been to see a surgeon and an oncologist. Can anyone help me with who else I need to see? What to expect? What kind of deficits I may end up with? How long is recovery? How it effects you mentally? I know this is a lot of questions, there just isn't a support group here for me until after the procedure is done. I want to know it all before, what to expect. Please don't think any information is too minor or too horrible to hear. I want to know it all, good and bad, so I can make an education decision on what to do. Any help is appreciated. Feel free to email me separatedly if you would rather do that. Thank you, even if its just for listening. Take Care, Stay Well, Kaminski-Shipton, Email- vhlpa@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 21, 2004 Report Share Posted February 21, 2004 Sue: Thanks for your reply. I'm sorry you had to go through all you did. As for losing your hair, I was through that before and it was devastating to me also. My hair, when it did grow back it was white. I'm not looking forward to losing my hair again, but at least I'm prepared for it this time. My hair was always waist length and it has never even gotten close to that again. At my age, I doubt I ever will. I know most women are able to get through the process. I'm just not sure what that process is. Thanks for any additional info in advance. Take Care, Stay Well, Kaminski-Shipton, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Thanks so much....it helps to have someone to talk to about everything to compare notes. I'd be happy to meet everyone one here and thanks so much for the support. I just moved 300 miles from my home back in June, following a divorce. So I only know a handful of people where I am now. This group is very helpful, and I'd be glad to offer assistance where I can. Take Care, Stay Well, Kaminski-Shipton, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 25, 2004 Report Share Posted February 25, 2004 Hi and let me also welcome you to the group although I've just joined myself. I am approaching my 3 year mark and with the support of God and family, I will be fine. I had DCIS in February of 2001, surgery a month later. I was lucky. My cancer had not spread to nodes or outside the milk ducts. After my lumptectomy,(which by the way was performed via laser surgery as opposed to cutting), I underwent radiation treatment and take Tamoxifen for another two years. Your trying to absorb so much information right now. Dealing with your emotional state is vital to your recovery. Let's get to know everyone together...No one likes to be the new kid on the block!!! If I can help in any way, please reach out, Deb -- In breastcancer2 , " moochie " <moochie@i...> wrote: > Hi and welcome to the group. It is very confusing when you first get diagnosed. We all go through that plus a lot of other feelings. > > I had my mastectomy May 24, 1990, I had no reconsturction, 6 mo of chemo and no radiation and I am doing ok. > > You really wouldn't need to see any other doctors now but the surgeon and oncologist.My chemo started within a week of my surgery so I didn't have much time to sit around and wait. Just follow what the drs tell you to do. Its important to have faith in your doctors. > > I really didn't have any pain. I started my crawling the wall exercises as soon as I was home. Always as your dr before doing anything like this as they all have their own ideas. I was in the hospital not quite 3 days and came home with my drains in. > > I worked on Monday, had chemo on Tues and was home, stayed home Wed. and worked Thurs. and Fri. But a lot of ladies work right through chemo. I pretty much did most everything I wanted during chemo. I was tired and had a tiny bit of nausea but there are meds for that. Its really not as bad as it seems or sounds. > > Mentally it will probably bother you for awhile because everytime something hurts or you don't feel right you will wonder if the cancer is back. This is normal. But it DOES get better. Its normal to be scared going for check ups, tests etc. But as the years go by it gets better. > > If you have any other questions feel free to post them. I will keep you in my prayers. > Hugs > nne > 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 > also check out my other ornaments and lots of nice gifts at: > http://www.cancerclub.com > Newly diagnosed > > > Hi, I'm new to this message board. I have searched the internet for a week trying to find someone to chat too. I was just diagnosed last Monday after a biopsy. Its been a whirlwind ever since. I have another rare cancer which is under control and I'm able to deal with that, but this is just so overwhelming. Trying to make a decision of a lumpectomy vs. a mastectomy. Reconstruction or not. Reconstruction right away or later. Which doctors to see, which center to go to....how did you all do this? I know what the surgeon is going to do, and I know what the oncologist is going to do, but what about in between? So far, I've been to see a surgeon and an oncologist. Can anyone help me with who else I need to see? What to expect? What kind of deficits I may end up with? How long is recovery? How it effects you mentally? I know this is a lot of questions, there just isn't a support group here for me until after the procedure is done. I want to know it all before, what to expect. Please don't think any information is too minor or too horrible to hear. I want to know it all, good and bad, so I can make an education decision on what to do. Any help is appreciated. Feel free to email me separatedly if you would rather do that. Thank you, even if its just for listening. > > Take Care, Stay Well, > > > Kaminski-Shipton, > > Email- vhlpa@a... > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2004 Report Share Posted February 26, 2004 Thanks Deb. I don't want to have a lumpectomy. My cancer isn't in one spot. it was scattered throughout the biopsy, so they couldn't get a clear margin. If they think they do get a clear margin, they don't know what will be in my remaining breast. They would want to do radiation if I were to go that way. I just can't live with wondering if they got it all. So I opted to go for a fully mastectomy with reconstruction immediately thereafter. I'm looking at having a free flap done. I found plastic surgeons who do it by going to the ASPS.org site... they are board certified plastic surgeons. Now I have to make an appointment to see one. I get a second opinion at a breast care center tomorrow, then I will talk to one of these plastic surgeons. Thanks for the support everyone! Take Care, Stay Well, Kaminski-Shipton, Chair of the BoardVHL Family Alliance303 South 6th StreetIndiana, Pennsylvania 15701-30441 press 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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