Last night wasn't the most restful, but I feel great this morning. It's definitely a good feeling to be on the other side of this. My surgeon came by and said my wound looks good. I even got a look at it and it's not totally horrifying. I also haven't needed any pain meds since about 3 am which is great.
They removed a handful of lymph nodes and it looks like there was just cancer in the one they originally biopsied. I was hoping the cancer would be totally gone from the nodes, but since I'm only halfway through chemo I knew that was a long shot. I'm definitely relieved to know that it wasn't all throughout the lymphatic system. It means I was probably stage 2, as opposed to 3, originally and just the fact that it wasn't running rampant is a huge relief. I should get the full biopsy report of the breast on Monday.
Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the first appointment I had about my lump where I was told it was nothing. I'm only about halfway done with treatment and of course there's still the fear in the back of my mind that it has spread elsewhere in the body and I've been stage 4 all along. But right now it seems most likely that for the first time in over a year I'm totally cancer-free. So that's pretty cool.
I'm so happy for you @RainyDays86! I'm glad to hear the cancer hadn't invaded elsewhere and you're currently cancer-free and on the mend! I hope you can take it easy and have a quick recovery.
@RainyDays86 - keeping my FX that you are cancer free! I can't imagine how stressful it would be to have to worry about this, so I hope you're able to get some peace of mind soon!
It must feel like such a mental relief knowing that's out of your body! Relieved and happy that you & baby are doing well...
BTW The Ellen Show has an annual Mother's Day show/contest in May, you should totally enter with your amazing story. My neighbors did it last year and got like $5,000 worth of mom & baby schwag!
Congratulations @RainyDays86! I'm so glad to hear the surgery went well and you're feeling better. Did you get that tall glass of water? How's the nausea? Huge success to be on the other side of surgery, and able to say you're cancer-free! Thinking about you!
All of that is amazing news! No need for pain meds? I'm super impressed! It's interesting about tomorrow marking one year of your journey. Did you know it's Earth Day? This is so random, I know, but it makes me think it's apropos since you're in CO, and nature, and Earth Day, and Mother Earth, and you're bringing forth a new life into our world, all in the midst of your diagnosis... but there's no force greater than a strong mama... and you are the proof!
Such amazing news!! So glad you are feeling well and that the surgery seems to be a success! Continuing to send positive thoughts and vibes for a speedy recovery! Aren't our bodies pretty cool how we can go through a major surgery, chemo, and grow a tiny human at the same time!! You're an inspiration!
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
I'm so glad to hear that it went well and it appears that nothing has spread. My husband had cancer and it turned out that the cancer was only in the original biopsy as well. It's a huge relief.
Hiping you you continue to feel better and get lots of rest!
Hi ladies. I have been totally neglecting TB lately (newborn + toddler and all) but I saw @mrsrep123 asked so I thought I would give a quick update. Since my last post the full pathology from my mastectomy came back and it turns out the cancer was in four nodes, rather than just the original one they biopsied. Four isn't terrible but it does unfortunately bump me from stage 2 to stage 3. If it had been in 3 nodes I would have been stage 2 so it's really not a huge difference although it was a hard pill to swallow at first. My oncologist doesn't really care about staging (it's really not the most important factor with breast cancer) so meeting with her helped.
Mastectomy recovery was rough for two weeks, somewhat difficult for the third week, and by week four I felt great. DS2 decided to come a week early, exactly one month post-surgery, and while I would have liked a bit more time to relax once I started feeling good again I'm glad he waited until I was back to normal. I've continued to have weekly fills with my plastic surgeon but as of yesterday my fake boob is all filled up. Now I just wait until after chemo and radiation and I'll have the exchange surgery where they take out the expander and put in an implant.
I start back with chemo (a different drug) on July 11th. The day before, July 10th, I have a bone scan and a CT. These will be the first body scans I have since my diagnosis. I am pretty terrified. I know the odds are slim the cancer has spread to other parts of my body (which would make the cancer stage 4 and would change the conversation from curing the disease to managing it) but knowing I'll know for sure very soon is very stressful. Fortunately I've been pretty busy with a newborn and toddler so I don't spend all day worrying about it, but I definitely have moments of pretty intense anxiety about the scan. I also have moments where I feel very zen about the whole thing too. Scanxiety is frequently discussed in my breast cancer Facebook groups and its a very real thing but it has gradually gotten better since the date of the scan was set (when the hospital called to set up the scan I cried for a few hours).
All in all, we're doing well over here. DS2 is healthy which is all I could really ask for, and I feel really good. Its a little sad that I have to go back to being a cancer patient pretty soon here, but I've had such a wonderful break from everything and I feel very fortunate for that.
So nice to hear from you @RainyDays86. I'm glad DS2 is healthy and that him and DS1 are keeping your cancer-mind occupied. Also glad you're managing your scanxiety- FX for no mets! I know you have so much more going on than to keep checking in here, but know we've been on this journey with you and are the biggest cheerleaders in your corner. Take care!
@RainyDays86 I'm praying for you . I'm new to the May 2017 mom board and just read your posts. I can't imagine how this has been for you . But know for sure , I'm praying
@RainyDays86 I've been neglecting TB as well (newborn & toddler) but was appreciative of your update as soon as I got back on! I'm glad to hear you are feeling supported and will continue to hope and cross fingers for the best on your road ahead!
Re: *TW* Diagnosis (updated again)
DS2 5/17
#3 Due 9/20
Last night wasn't the most restful, but I feel great this morning. It's definitely a good feeling to be on the other side of this. My surgeon came by and said my wound looks good. I even got a look at it and it's not totally horrifying. I also haven't needed any pain meds since about 3 am which is great.
They removed a handful of lymph nodes and it looks like there was just cancer in the one they originally biopsied. I was hoping the cancer would be totally gone from the nodes, but since I'm only halfway through chemo I knew that was a long shot. I'm definitely relieved to know that it wasn't all throughout the lymphatic system. It means I was probably stage 2, as opposed to 3, originally and just the fact that it wasn't running rampant is a huge relief. I should get the full biopsy report of the breast on Monday.
Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the first appointment I had about my lump where I was told it was nothing. I'm only about halfway done with treatment and of course there's still the fear in the back of my mind that it has spread elsewhere in the body and I've been stage 4 all along. But right now it seems most likely that for the first time in over a year I'm totally cancer-free. So that's pretty cool.
Married:09/14/13
Baby 2 - Due: 5/4/17
BTW The Ellen Show has an annual Mother's Day show/contest in May, you should totally enter with your amazing story. My neighbors did it last year and got like $5,000 worth of mom & baby schwag!
Happy Healing
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin
Hiping you you continue to feel better and get lots of rest!
Mastectomy recovery was rough for two weeks, somewhat difficult for the third week, and by week four I felt great. DS2 decided to come a week early, exactly one month post-surgery, and while I would have liked a bit more time to relax once I started feeling good again I'm glad he waited until I was back to normal. I've continued to have weekly fills with my plastic surgeon but as of yesterday my fake boob is all filled up. Now I just wait until after chemo and radiation and I'll have the exchange surgery where they take out the expander and put in an implant.
I start back with chemo (a different drug) on July 11th. The day before, July 10th, I have a bone scan and a CT. These will be the first body scans I have since my diagnosis. I am pretty terrified. I know the odds are slim the cancer has spread to other parts of my body (which would make the cancer stage 4 and would change the conversation from curing the disease to managing it) but knowing I'll know for sure very soon is very stressful. Fortunately I've been pretty busy with a newborn and toddler so I don't spend all day worrying about it, but I definitely have moments of pretty intense anxiety about the scan. I also have moments where I feel very zen about the whole thing too. Scanxiety is frequently discussed in my breast cancer Facebook groups and its a very real thing but it has gradually gotten better since the date of the scan was set (when the hospital called to set up the scan I cried for a few hours).
All in all, we're doing well over here. DS2 is healthy which is all I could really ask for, and I feel really good. Its a little sad that I have to go back to being a cancer patient pretty soon here, but I've had such a wonderful break from everything and I feel very fortunate for that.
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DS1 7/24/15
DS2 5/7/17