Surrealist Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I wish you all the best with this condition. I understand that success rates are very high these days. Hope to read positive updates soon. Cheers Link to post Share on other sites
Kamille Posted November 3, 2010 Share Posted November 3, 2010 ((Sunshinegirl)) I am actually overseas right now, doing one last business trip before my surgery, and I can't tell you how "zen" I have become about how good/how much work gets done with my client here. In the grander scheme of things, who the #?*@ cares? I really just want to stay alive. You made me smile. So true. I will think of your zen attitude tomorrow when I start stressing at work! Link to post Share on other sites
stillafool Posted November 7, 2010 Share Posted November 7, 2010 Sunshinegirl you and your husband are in my prayers. God Bless you through this ordeal. Link to post Share on other sites
Zapbasket Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 How did I miss this thread? I've been poking around in here of late, after reading your original thread in "Getting Married," looking for updates on you. You have been and are very much in my thoughts. Hugs and prayers to you, and take good care of yourself. Please keep us updated on the prognosis and how you're doing. Link to post Share on other sites
Trinity2 Posted November 10, 2010 Share Posted November 10, 2010 Thank you, everyone!!! I appreciate everyone's reply and concern and good wishes, stories, and experience. This whole thing still feels really surreal because I have no physical symptoms (other than a gigantic lumpy boob) to make me feel sick. I know that that will change after surgery and whatever treatment follows that... I am somewhat scared about how bad the side effects might get since I've been healthy as a horse most of my life, and really physically active. I run marathons, I run relay races, I rock climb, I do yoga, and I have no idea how all of that will be affected in the short and long runs. We are also really concerned about my fertility. We wanted to start a family soon and those plans could be all shot to hell if I have chemo or anti-hormone therapy. We've made an appointment with a fertility specialist who deals with cancer patients, as we might need to freeze some eggs/embryos before I undergo adjuvent treatment. Which raises a whole other set of questions for us around our ethical comfort with freezing embryos and IVF. I'm getting a hell of an education, both in cancer/medical lingo and in the preciousness of life. I am actually overseas right now, doing one last business trip before my surgery, and I can't tell you how "zen" I have become about how good/how much work gets done with my client here. In the grander scheme of things, who the #?*@ cares? I really just want to stay alive. It's interesting how ones entire perspective changes. You have my prayers. Link to post Share on other sites
Author sunshinegirl Posted November 14, 2010 Author Share Posted November 14, 2010 (edited) I am finally home from my business trip - 38 hours of travel time and the first thing I did off the plane was get a mani/pedi with my sister. No, wait, the VERY first thing I did was go to the hospital to get a blood draw because they want to be sure I didn't pick anything up in Nigeria that will complicate my surgery Monday. I am so happy to be back home that it feels quite unreal that at this time tomorrow I will be in pre-op. I will update as I can - I think I will be in the hospital until Wednesday sometime. My whole family is here (parents and sister flew in last night) and will help take care of me for the first week. I feel really blessed to have an amazing support system. In addition to my fabulous husband, my family, and his family*, we have so many friends, coworkers, and even our new condo neighbors who have offered all kinds of help that I feel like I am getting a crash course in real selflessness. I will be writing thank-you's for a long time. * His mother works at the hospital where I am having surgery, and she hand-picked the anasthesiologist and arranged really good (ie plastic-surgery-experienced) OR staff. Edited November 14, 2010 by sunshinegirl Link to post Share on other sites
Surrealist Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 That is a great support system you have there, and I trust I speak for everyone who has commented on your thread here, that we look forward to your good update post-op. Link to post Share on other sites
Author sunshinegirl Posted November 17, 2010 Author Share Posted November 17, 2010 Hello all, I made it through surgery just fine on Monday, and the 4 lymph nodes that the surgeon removed were negative!! (Which means - no cancer cells found in them!) They have been sent to a lab along with the tumor for detailed analysis, and I should hear back the final-final pathology next week sometime. For now we are just extremely happy that the nodes appear to be clear. The surgeon said they looked normal, tested negative, and he would be surprised if there is any change to that after the final path review. I may be going home today but we'll see. The plastic surgeon is the one who will discharge me and I haven't seen him yet today. I have 2 drains coming out of my right side. I'm getting used to the sight of them (even though they are gross!) but I look forward to getting them out in a week or so. My chest feels tight so I am on some good meds (started with Vicotin and changed me to Percocet last night)...hopefully I won't need pain killers for too much longer. Family and friends have been awesome - husband slept on a cot here the last two nights, and my parents and a sister will stay with us for the next couple of days to help take care of me. Link to post Share on other sites
JamesM Posted November 17, 2010 Share Posted November 17, 2010 Good news! I am glad that you are doing well. And what a guy....it gives you a great idea of what kind of man he is as to how he acts when you are at your...less than best. He sounds like he has passed the test with flying colors. Link to post Share on other sites
Author sunshinegirl Posted November 17, 2010 Author Share Posted November 17, 2010 Oh yes, the husb is exceeding all expectations. He has helped me get to the bathroom; use the bathroom; change my underwear; comb my hair; and kept me laughing through the whole thing. Link to post Share on other sites
Author sunshinegirl Posted November 19, 2010 Author Share Posted November 19, 2010 We got the pathology results back this morning: my ginormous 9 cm tumor had no invasive disease in it whatsoever!!!! This means that my official diagnosis is Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, Stage 0, all confined within the milk ducts. Biologically speaking, it can't spread and therefore can't kill me. I may still need radiation because one margin was close; we'll know more in a couple of weeks after my surgeon discusses my case with a tumor board at the hospital. We may still consult a fertility specialist because it may be recommended that I take Tamoxifen for 5 years to reduce the chance of recurrence in the diseased breast, and reduce the chance of a new primary lesion in the good breast. We'll want to discuss the pros/cons of Tamix vs. a prophylactic mastectomy on the good side. In short, I have been given the best possible news we could have hoped for, and have so, so much to be thankful for. I'm definitely still recovering, and will have several more surgeries to go through as we finish the reconstruction, and probably some kind of additional treatment (radiation, Tamox). But my prognosis is excellent, and my husband and I can breathe a huge sigh of relief. As he said the other day after the good news about the nodes came back, "we're going to have a long and happy marriage." Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 This is fantastic news!! I'm so happy for you and your h, family and friends! Link to post Share on other sites
curiousnycgirl Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 OMG Sunshinegirl I am literally all tingly all over having read this update! All I keep thinking is thank G-d - holy cow -I'm tearing up - I am so happy for you guys. After I run my errands this evening I am defnitely drinking to your health and long and happy life! Thank you so much for updating us and sharing this wonderful news Link to post Share on other sites
Surrealist Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Great news. Tamoxifen aka Nolvadex is good for reducing estrogen, which can be a precursor to breast cancer when it is produced in high levels. Good for guys under certain conditions as well. Link to post Share on other sites
skydiveaddict Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 Hey sunshine, I'm really happy for you. What a huge load off your mind this must be Link to post Share on other sites
eerie_reverie Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 I am so happy for you. You must be so relieved. Link to post Share on other sites
Author sunshinegirl Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 I just wanted to update with what looks to be the final page of this chapter of my life. As I wrote back in November, I had Stage 0 cancer but there was a chance I would need radiation and/or Tamoxifen. Since then, we have consulted 2 medical oncologists, 2 radiation oncologists, and 2 tumor boards (each comprised of several oncology experts), and at the end of the day we have determined that I don't need radiation, and Tamoxifen is entirely optional. On the latter, we have decided to forego Tamox because we want to start trying for children later this year. (And we got a go-ahead to do that, too!) We will monitor me closely in the years to come to catch any possible recurrences or new primaries on the other side. I will have another surgery in April for reconstruction purposes, with one or two more reconstruction surgeries still to come in the months after that. None of that worries me; in fact I'm looking forward to finally having the smaller, perkier breasts of my dreams. So is my husband. But the long and short of it is: I'm cancer-free and done with treatment! I count my blessings every day. I know two women who have been diagnosed w/ breast cancer since I was, and they are facing more serious situations with lymph node involvement; thankfully they are receiving excellent care both medically and from their families and friends. I know now what it is to be aware of my mortality, and I think it has helped me hold my husband, friends and family closer, and appreciate the little things in life. I hope to hold on to this awareness even as life returns to normal -- we'll see! Link to post Share on other sites
curiousnycgirl Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 (edited) Thank you for sharing this SSG - I am so happy for you, your hubby and I hope you and your soon to be littlle ones enjoy many years of health love and happiness. You all deserve it and so very much more. Edited January 14, 2011 by curiousnycgirl Link to post Share on other sites
anne1707 Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 This is wonderful news. I am so happy for you and your husband Link to post Share on other sites
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