Cancer Support and Caregivers Who Are Trail Blazers!

[LeftWriteFemme]

Okay so yesterday, we went to see the surgeon. He was quite surprised when my sponsee was disappointed that she wasn't going to have more of her breast tissue taken. He said he had never had a patient say that to him before. I think she was harboring a secret hope that a side effect would be the breast reduction she has always wanted. I explained that it would end up like one of those cosmetic counter make-overs where they only do one side of your face......not the nice even reduction she dreamed of.

The surgeon is sending the films to the radiologist on his team. He reminds me of a careful carpenter, you know, measure twice, cut once. We are still not sure that this is the surgeon that will be doing the cutting. Her second opinion will be at an oncology hospital and I'm thinking they will most likely take charge of her case, but I don't know that definitively.
Monday we will be seeing the hematology oncologist, but that is less nerve wracking, since she has been treated by this lovely doctor three years ago when she had an unrelated blood issue.
Thank you again for all your support it means so much, I can't begin to tell you!!

[pynkkameleon]

LeftWriteFemme~ Sending your friend lots of good energy. It sounds as if she is in very good hands. I was diagnosed 4 years ago with invasive ductal carcinoma. I am far from an expert but I do have my own experiences with navigating the system. If you have any questions or just need an ear, please don't hesitate to send me a message.

Wishing all of you a Happy and healthy New Year..

XOXO

[clay]

To all of you...gentle hugs!!!!
I, too, have tended to be away for some time!!
DEB: I love you, my friend!!! Sending you peaceful energies, hugs, and support!!!
LRF: May your friend find some answers, get treatment she needs, and beat this! Much wishes for that for her...and hugs to you for being so strong for her and being there for her during all of this!!
TOMMI: Bro, I had no idea that you had gone through all of this either!! I am really happy for you that you have a wonderful woman by your side and to go through all of this with you!! Good luck on success of your treatments and do come back and let us know. Love you, bro!!!
PYNK: Good to see you here posting also. Have a wonderful New Year!!
JEANO: You always have so much by way of kind words, hugs, and just general all around support for each and every one of us!! Love you, bro!!
DAPPER: I always look up to you and all the wonderful insight, support, and compassion you have for all of us here!!! Love you, bud!!
Lady: Good luck in your journey and may you get nothing but wonderful news!!

I had quite the scare myself, and was out of my mind for 6 weeks!!! My CT Scan showed "apple core lesion" near splenic flexure! BUT a colonoscopy and a PET scan showed nothing there. How the inital "image" was seen then nothing on follow up will remain a mystery to the oncologist and me I suppose.

I recently had my yearly mammo. I am waiting for stereotactic biopsies of both breasts now. My mammo digital follow up and US shows "clustered microcalcs....BIRADS 4! This puts me in the 80/20 category for DCIS! My odds of these being benign are 80% and being malignant 20%! So, once again, I am "waiting"......waiting"....

I was very blessed last year with a wonderful lady....who has been by my side through all of this!!! We take one day at a time, and I try to live life to the fullest!!

We spent a weekend in a Hilton on the Beach when we found out that I didn't have a return of the colon cancer....and celebrated joyously!!

We have a trip booked to the Caribbean in May. Regardless of the outcome of my biopsies, I aim to go and enjoy that warm, wonderful Caribbean life.

So, like Tommi, I want to soak up life, enjoy my love, and share life with my honey!!! I want to look on my brighter side of things and be around many more years!!!

To each one of you....gentle hugs...and I love each and every one of you.
Thanks for all of your kind words, support, and love throughout the last 3 years!!! May life and live and prosperity be with you each one...Happy New Year!!!

[mustangjeano]

Originally Posted by clay

To all of you...gentle hugs!!!!
I, too, have tended to be away for some time!!
DEB: I love you, my friend!!! Sending you peaceful energies, hugs, and support!!!
LRF: May your friend find some answers, get treatment she needs, and beat this! Much wishes for that for her...and hugs to you for being so strong for her and being there for her during all of this!!
TOMMI: Bro, I had no idea that you had gone through all of this either!! I am really happy for you that you have a wonderful woman by your side and to go through all of this with you!! Good luck on success of your treatments and do come back and let us know. Love you, bro!!!
PYNK: Good to see you here posting also. Have a wonderful New Year!!
JEANO: You always have so much by way of kind words, hugs, and just general all around support for each and every one of us!! Love you, bro!!
DAPPER: I always look up to you and all the wonderful insight, support, and compassion you have for all of us here!!! Love you, bud!!
Lady: Good luck in your journey and may you get nothing but wonderful news!!

I had quite the scare myself, and was out of my mind for 6 weeks!!! My CT Scan showed "apple core lesion" near splenic flexure! BUT a colonoscopy and a PET scan showed nothing there. How the inital "image" was seen then nothing on follow up will remain a mystery to the oncologist and me I suppose.

I recently had my yearly mammo. I am waiting for stereotactic biopsies of both breasts now. My mammo digital follow up and US shows "clustered microcalcs....BIRADS 4! This puts me in the 80/20 category for DCIS! My odds of these being benign are 80% and being malignant 20%! So, once again, I am "waiting"......waiting"....

I was very blessed last year with a wonderful lady....who has been by my side through all of this!!! We take one day at a time, and I try to live life to the fullest!!

We spent a weekend in a Hilton on the Beach when we found out that I didn't have a return of the colon cancer....and celebrated joyously!!

We have a trip booked to the Caribbean in May. Regardless of the outcome of my biopsies, I aim to go and enjoy that warm, wonderful Caribbean life.

So, like Tommi, I want to soak up life, enjoy my love, and share life with my honey!!! I want to look on my brighter side of things and be around many more years!!!

To each one of you....gentle hugs...and I love each and every one of you.
Thanks for all of your kind words, support, and love throughout the last 3 years!!! May life and live and prosperity be with you each one...Happy New Year!!!

Hey Bro'
It.s great to read that your tests showed NO return of colon cancer. I will be holding good thoughts of you getting great news on the breast biopsies. Clay. you are always so loving and supportive of everyone on this thread and I' pretty sure that it's ok for me to speak for everyone and sayin' thank you friend. Happy New Year to you and your Lady. Jeano

[clay]

my dear friend Jeano....YOU are such a bright ray of sunshine here!!! Your kind words and compassion are such gentle hugs across the miles. Never change, my friend!!
Happy New Year to you as well from us!!
I am confident my bx. will be benign!!! .
Have a great weekend, Jeano!!

[Tommi]

Originally Posted by LeftWriteFemme

Okay so yesterday, we went to see the surgeon. He was quite surprised when my sponsee was disappointed that she wasn't going to have more of her breast tissue taken. He said he had never had a patient say that to him before. I think she was harboring a secret hope that a side effect would be the breast reduction she has always wanted. I explained that it would end up like one of those cosmetic counter make-overs where they only do one side of your face......not the nice even reduction she dreamed of.

The surgeon is sending the films to the radiologist on his team. He reminds me of a careful carpenter, you know, measure twice, cut once. We are still not sure that this is the surgeon that will be doing the cutting. Her second opinion will be at an oncology hospital and I'm thinking they will most likely take charge of her case, but I don't know that definitively.
Monday we will be seeing the hematology oncologist, but that is less nerve wracking, since she has been treated by this lovely doctor three years ago when she had an unrelated blood issue.
Thank you again for all your support it means so much, I can't begin to tell you!!

Glad you are on top of this,and you can come here to discuss with those that have been there, or know others that have, and can understand the importance and the need for support.


pynkkameleon's offer is something sweet, as we know sharing can help in so many ways, like any program, and life.

Hoping for the best during this scary time.
Survivor's, caretakers, friends and family are one hella support system. Take care and be well.

[Tommi]

[TruTexan]

Yesterday I did a mammogram for my yearly. I've always had good results come back and there have never been any call backs to do any more re-takes of my breasts.
Today the Ross Breast Center from Mother Francis Hospital called me and told me the radiologist thought he saw something on my right breast mammogram results and he wants me to do 2 more mammograms to be sure.
That phone call has set off my ptsd and anxiety through the roof. I don't take stress on any level at all. My ptsd and anxiety are running amok right now. I am trying to remain positive that it's nothing, maybe fibrous tissue or fatty tissue. I am praying it's nothing. I called my sister in TN for support. She wants me to call her and let her know what they say when I take the other mammograms. I haven't told my mom yet and I can't until I'm sure there is something to worry about because that is exactly what she will do...worry herself too much over possibly nothing. I asked my grandma to put me on their prayer chain at church tonight and also asked my apt mgr to do that same thing for me. I know if they find something that there will be things I will go through, and I have no idea what all that entails. I do know that I won't allow them to remove just one breast, I will ask them to take them both so I don't have to worry about going through it again on the left breast later. I dont' know that I will do reconstructive breast implants or just tell the doc to get a plastic surgeon to just leave me flat chested and put in some pecs so I look half way decent. I don't mind not having breasts because they often get in the way of things I do. The only time I have enjoyed having them is when I am partnered with a femme that loves to make love with me and devour them as much as the rest of me.
I asked my ex gf whom has been talking to me about getting back together with me if she would still want me with no breasts, my being flat chested and having pec inserts put in, she said YES, even though she loved my breasts and loved touching and sucking on them when we were together before. That made me feel a little better.
I don't have much of a support system where I live. My younger sister lives in TN and my mom is a huge worry wart. My dad is ill and lives with my grandmother 5hrs away so does the rest of my family members that I am close to.
I don't know what all to expect if I have breast cancer tumor in my right breast. So if someone could help me prepare for the worst and know ahead of time what i may be dealing with, I would greatly appreciate it.
I know that some form of cancer treatment would be done, just don't have a clue as to what all that may entail.
IS there anyone here on BFP that can talk to me about this stuff because they've been through it?
Please post if you have or pm me. I retake my mammogram on my right breast on Friday it's the earliest that I could get in. I am hoping that I won't have to wait thru the weekend to get a call about the results.
Thanks,
Justy

[C0LLETTE]

No experience to share but wishing you good healthy results on Friday.

[*Anya*]

I don't want to either negate another's fear or discount it.

I am going to only share my experiences.

I am doing this solely because, as women, we know so many women that have dealt with breast cancer, that when we have anything untoward; naturally, that is where our mind is going to go.

It does not always turn out like that.

I had my first benign breast tumor at age 22.

Since that time ( speaking breasts only) I have had two cysts removed and two fibrous tumors removed. All were benign.

I have had needle biopsies and needle-guided ultrasound in my breasts.

I have had a marker inserted. I think it is still there.

I have had screening mammos and diagnostic mammos.

None of them were shown to be cancer.

Of course it could have turned out differently.

My thyroid cancer had nothing to do with breast CA-they were separate issues.

First things first: get the repeat mammo.

I will hold very good and positive thoughts for you.

Let us know. We do care.

[TruTexan]

Originally Posted by *Anya*

I don't want to either negate another's fear or discount it.

I am going to only share my experiences.

I am doing this solely because, as women, we know so many women that have dealt with breast cancer, that when we have anything untoward; naturally, that is where our mind is going to go.

It does not always turn out like that.

I had my first benign breast tumor at age 22.

Since that time ( speaking breasts only) I have had two cysts removed and two fibrous tumors removed. All were benign.

I have had needle biopsies and needle-guided ultrasound in my breasts.

I have had a marker inserted. I think it is still there.

I have had screening mammos and diagnostic mammos.

None of them were shown to be cancer.

Of course it could have turned out differently.

My thyroid cancer had nothing to do with breast CA-they were separate issues.

First things first: get the repeat mammo.

I will hold very good and positive thoughts for you.

Let us know. We do care.

Thank you Anya. I will post when I know something more. I go in Friday to Tyler to Trinity Mother Francis Ross Breast Center for more diagnostics as they put it. I went yesterday to their local breast center here where i live in to do the mammogram. I guess they have better diagnostic equipment at the Tyler Office Breast Center there for the Hospital. The woman didn't say much to me other than what I posted earlier. Hell she didn't even tell me the appt. I made with her was for Tyler. I just now got a phone call reminder from them telling me it was for Tyler TMF Ross Breast Center there.
Yeah I am kinda scared but trying not to worry too much. Taken my anxiety meds has helped and I have a therapy session tomorrow so I can use my therapist for support if needed. I don't know what will show up, hopefully nothing to worry about. I've never had any problems with my breasts, that's what has me worried, that they think they found something that wasn't there last year or didn't show up last 2 mammograms the last couple of years. Thanks for your support Anya, you seem to have been through this and I appreciate it very much. I hope that you are doing well lately. I'll keep you in prayers too.

[Tommi]

Dear TruTexan,
Breathe deep.Friday is a long way off for someone going through the "Oh my gosh what does this mean"...

Drink lottsa water, and stay hydrated. Before your re-visit,Don't wear any deodorant, any cream, etc. , even though you may feel stinky, they don't want aluminum, talc, glitter, by-products junking up your mammo.

Millions of mammograms done annually for screening are done.

Occasionally something looks "different". Not really "suspicious" of anything.

A mammogram takes your pyramid shape (triangle ~sort of and tries to squeeze it into a rectangular shape..,

Sometimes a normal area may be peeking at the Doc head on, like looking in a pipe directly, versus along the length of it.

An area that was once appearing one way can have absolutely norma calcifications with it, thus , they want to squish you around and look at it from another angle.
Maybe even take an ultrasound, just rubbing gooey stuff on it and letting sound waves bounce back for a wiggly image, to see if it is just a normal ole'cyst, which many of us have and never know it.

Data shows thousands of breast cancer biopsies come back negative.

So, if you think about it , we have some things that we may need to go through that scare the hello out of us, and we know others that have been there ahead of us.

Come back and let us know...

[TruTexan]

As soon as I know something more definite. I will come back let you all know what's going on. Thank you all for your support, I do appreciate each and every one of you , you're some awesome folks here.
Thanks for listening to me and responding to my post. I do appreciate it very much.

Justy

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by TruTexan

Yesterday I did a mammogram for my yearly. I've always had good results come back and there have never been any call backs to do any more re-takes of my breasts.
Today the Ross Breast Center from Mother Francis Hospital called me and told me the radiologist thought he saw something on my right breast mammogram results and he wants me to do 2 more mammograms to be sure.
That phone call has set off my ptsd and anxiety through the roof. I don't take stress on any level at all. My ptsd and anxiety are running amok right now. I am trying to remain positive that it's nothing, maybe fibrous tissue or fatty tissue. I am praying it's nothing. I called my sister in TN for support. She wants me to call her and let her know what they say when I take the other mammograms. I haven't told my mom yet and I can't until I'm sure there is something to worry about because that is exactly what she will do...worry herself too much over possibly nothing. I asked my grandma to put me on their prayer chain at church tonight and also asked my apt mgr to do that same thing for me. I know if they find something that there will be things I will go through, and I have no idea what all that entails. I do know that I won't allow them to remove just one breast, I will ask them to take them both so I don't have to worry about going through it again on the left breast later. I dont' know that I will do reconstructive breast implants or just tell the doc to get a plastic surgeon to just leave me flat chested and put in some pecs so I look half way decent. I don't mind not having breasts because they often get in the way of things I do. The only time I have enjoyed having them is when I am partnered with a femme that loves to make love with me and devour them as much as the rest of me.
I asked my ex gf whom has been talking to me about getting back together with me if she would still want me with no breasts, my being flat chested and having pec inserts put in, she said YES, even though she loved my breasts and loved touching and sucking on them when we were together before. That made me feel a little better.
I don't have much of a support system where I live. My younger sister lives in TN and my mom is a huge worry wart. My dad is ill and lives with my grandmother 5hrs away so does the rest of my family members that I am close to.
I don't know what all to expect if I have breast cancer tumor in my right breast. So if someone could help me prepare for the worst and know ahead of time what i may be dealing with, I would greatly appreciate it.
I know that some form of cancer treatment would be done, just don't have a clue as to what all that may entail.
IS there anyone here on BFP that can talk to me about this stuff because they've been through it?
Please post if you have or pm me. I retake my mammogram on my right breast on Friday it's the earliest that I could get in. I am hoping that I won't have to wait thru the weekend to get a call about the results.
Thanks,
Justy

I understand your anxiety, but it is really not that all uncommon to get a call for retakes.

I guess what I am saying is try not to worry until you find out there is something to worry about. It sounds like not telling your mom is a good decision, as well.

Often, for retakes, they expect that the person may want to hang around until it gets read. You could ask about that.

And yes, there are people here who have had breast cancer and can support you if you find this is what you are up against. Hang in there and try not to stress.