the decision is made and I feel fine

[marni]

yesterday we ( the sag guy and I) had a long discussion with the doctor and the breast surgeon regarding the questionable needle biopsy. The final decision is that I will be having a masectomy on June 16, after I return from doing the little rid riding hood ride with my sisters on june 4. I am fortunate in that they will be doing only breast tissue and not going after the lymph glands. To quote my doctor " we just take out a smiley face of tissue and then scoop out the melon. and then sew everything up with a bow." I will be in the hospital overnight just to make sure nothing is leaking, bleeding or clotting and the home and in active recovery. I gather the biggest issue is dealing with the drains for two to three weeks. That and not being able to drive for a week to ten days. but the surgeon also pointed out to me that there would be nothing wrong with my legs or my right arm.

I will not be doing chemo or radiation therapy, but will continue doing the hormonal therapy ( tamoxifen) but other than that I should be able to go back to a twice a year mammogram and self breast exams.

While it's kind of a bummer i feel almost giddy with relief that the decision has been made and I can plan accordingly and not have this all hanging around over my head.

I have checked out the breast cancer support groups in the area and they are all full and not taking new patients. In the meantime I have one of the breast advisors at the MD Anderson sending me info and programs and social workers should I need someone to talk to so.......

Anyway, come mid June the spinning of wheels to send some positive thoughts would be appreciated.

[shootingstar]

I wish you personal strength and above all, lightness of life, in the years ahead.

May the purpose of life uplift you even more. :)

Have you thought of cycling in a totally different environment with a companion? A trip that you've been wanting to do for awhile. with sag support or credit card etc. even for a few days. You deserve it, marni.

[lph]

Wonderful, Marni. Congratulations on a decision well made. Wishing you peace of spirit and a new fresh start!

[hebe]

Wishing you all the best with this Marni. Good luck with the Little Red Riding Hood ride too.

That's so sad that all the support groups are full.

[Crankin]

You must feel great now that the decision is made. Give yourself a treat.

[OakLeaf]

Keeping my wheels spinning for you, and wishing you strength through all of this.

[Pax]

Glad to hear you've made your decision, and that you're at peace with it.

Regarding drains, when I had my reduction (from E cup to B cup) I had drains too, a couple of helpful hints from my experience:

- Make sure you have help for dressing changes, working around the drains takes more than two hands.

- Put things you'll need during your recovery at lower places in your home, you can't lift your arms up high so if your favorite coffee mug lives in an upper cabinet, be sure to put it on the counter or you'll be sad. ;)

- Get some button front shirts handy, you can't raise your arms to pull on a t-shirt (this was a tough one for me... when you have E cups you don't own any button front shirts). :D

[indysteel]

I'm glad you reached a decision that brings you peace and relief. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Here's to having all of this behind you soon.

[andiewest]

Marni,

I completely understand your sense of relief at having made a decision. After dealing with breast cancer and, now, with probable kidney cancer, I know that waiting for results and then waiting to consult with specialists is the most excruciating part. I recently went for a ct scan in order to prepare for breast reconstruction and they found a very small cyst on my kidney. Supposedly this type of cyst has a 95% chance of being cancerous. It is completely curable and has almost no metastatic potential. I have been waiting to have a procedure called ablation, where the cyst is frozen or burned off. Because this one is so small they can't visualize it well enough to do this, so I will have to have part of my kidney removed in July. Although surgery sounds radical and scary, I am relieved to have a course of action. So, I don't want to highjack your thread, I just want to let you know that I completely understand your feelings around this.

I had a double mastectomy last year and was at home that same day. I really had little difficulty reaching things. The drains were a bit of a hassle. I ended up sewing a little inside pocket into some sweat pants so that I could tuck the drain into that. This allowed me to leave the house after a few days.

Take care,

Andrea

[zoom-zoom]

Glad to hear you've made your decision, and that you're at peace with it.

Regarding drains, when I had my reduction (from E cup to B cup) I had drains too, a couple of helpful hints from my experience:

- Make sure you have help for dressing changes, working around the drains takes more than two hands.

- Put things you'll need during your recovery at lower places in your home, you can't lift your arms up high so if your favorite coffee mug lives in an upper cabinet, be sure to put it on the counter or you'll be sad. ;)

- Get some button front shirts handy, you can't raise your arms to pull on a t-shirt (this was a tough one for me... when you have E cups you don't own any button front shirts). :D

Yes. I went from DDD/F down to D (would have loved a B or C, but my boobs are so wide that there was no way to do it without giving me "pancake" boobs). I also had drains. They are annoying, but not too difficult to deal with.

Something else to consider is a shower chair/stool of some sort. I had one for the first week or two after my surgery, since I couldn't get my incisions wet. It was easier to get the rest of me clean when I could sit. Later we gave the chair to my hubby's grandparents as they became increasingly infirm.

Best to you through all of this. You are so strong. You will get through this and it will be just one crummy blip to put behind you. :)

[badger]

I'm really glad to hear you've made a decision, and also glad that you don't need chemo or radiation! Good luck on your ride and your surgery and wishing you a very speedy recovery!

[Trek420]

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

~Tailwinds

[MomOnBike]

Congratulations on making a decision. That was the hardest part, I think.

And what do you mean the support groups are all full? TE is the bestest support group you can possibly get, and is never over-full. :D

Good luck. Enjoy the ride with your sisters, recover well from the surgery, then get on with life. And come here for support when you need it. We are here for you.

[Catrin]

+what everyone else has said, sending lots of good thoughts and prayers your direction. Wishing you a very speedy recovery!

[NbyNW]

Love and prayers to you and your family and friends. It sounds like you're taking a healthy attitude into your treatment.

If all the support groups are full up, maybe there's a place online that you can find support. I remember a friend of mine telling me that she found a lot of support online when her husband was battling cancer. It's all about finding what works for you to get through it.

And like everyone else said, you can always come here.

[sazza]

well done on making that decision. I hope you know feel some relief.
xxx

[redrhodie]

((((Marni)))) I know you're fine, but I'm hugging you anyway. ;)

[ClockworkOrange]

Hi Marni

Wishing you a very speedy recovery after the op and sending you mega good wishes and lots of super duper vibes from across the pond.

I had never heard of the "Little Red Riding Hood Bicycle Ride", just saw a clip of the 2010 on YouTube, also now realise what charity it is for, fantastic. Have a fab time riding with the girls.

In a month or so and you fancy a bit of a moan or rant, just stick up a thread and we will all be there for you.

Hugs

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Healing wishes coming your way....

[szsz]

I will not be doing chemo or radiation therapy, but will continue doing the hormonal therapy ( tamoxifen)


This was my route, too: Single mastectomy followed by tamoxifen -- so you are in good company! Sending you so many positive thoughts. Please PM any time.

With the drains (ornaments!) -- I got a long shoelace to loop around my neck to pin them to once I was able to shower. That is my best hint.

You're going to do great, I know it! XXXOOOO

[Pax]

With the drains (ornaments!) -- I got a long shoelace to loop around my neck to pin them to once I was able to shower. That is my best hint.


That is a GREAT tip!!! Wish I'd thought of that.

[marni]

Hi Marni

Wishing you a very speedy recovery after the op and sending you mega good wishes and lots of super duper vibes from across the pond.

I had never heard of the "Little Red Riding Hood Bicycle Ride", just saw a clip of the 2010 on YouTube, also now realise what charity it is for, fantastic. Have a fab time riding with the girls.

In a month or so and you fancy a bit of a moan or rant, just stick up a thread and we will all be there for you.

Hugs

the best part about the ride, at least according to my sister who has done it several times, is that the rest/SAG stops are all staffed by volunteer guys dressed up as wolves.

I love the shoestring idea, I will have to admit that the whole drain thing is probably the most daunting think in my mind right now.

As for recovery, the worst part will be until I can drive again. Here in Texas, without being able to drive, you are basically housebound. I can deal with it except for the fact that the resident 90 year old FIL gets really stir crazy unless he can get to the gym 2x a week.

I am already eyeing the recumbent bike at the local gym and the fixed arm elliptical machine and figuring it will give the the incentive to bite down, ignore the pain, get my arm working and up over my head so I can drive. I also figure that the dogs will be getting lots and lots of walkies.

[runningteach]

Wishing you a speedy recovery and sending you a hug.

[szsz]

... ignore the pain, get my arm working and up over my head so I can drive.

If the surgeon doesn't give you specific arm exercises to do afterward, ask for them. Very helpful!

(I wouldn't say to google them; your surgeon should know best what is best for you, post-op, your specific situation.)

[Tri Girl]

sending healing vibes your way (in advance to give you a jump start). I'm glad you made the decision and can move forward with your treatment. Peace and good luck!!:)

[Rchan]

We don't know each other, but you have a marvelous attitude and staying positive is going to help you recover speedily, I wish you the best!

[AnnieBikes]

Hi Marni, Just catching up on the forums... so wanted to say that you have made a good decision and I hope all goes well for you. I have a friend who had a double mastectomy and she said she went to Walmart or Kmart or Dollar store...or whatever you have where you live and got a larger than what you need size sports bra to wear afterward. She used Kotex for the dressing and the bra held that and the drains so they did not "pull". Just something that I heard that might help.

Glad you are getting to ride the RRH event. Tell Chris I said hello.

[eofelis]

Sending healing vibes to you!

I will be at LRRH also.

[marni]

find me and my sister somehow- I would love to meet up!!!

my sisters name is luli grua and mine in marni harang, perhaps you can page us at some point?

[marni]

Hi Marni, Just catching up on the forums... so wanted to say that you have made a good decision and I hope all goes well for you. I have a friend who had a double mastectomy and she said she went to Walmart or Kmart or Dollar store...or whatever you have where you live and got a larger than what you need size sports bra to wear afterward. She used Kotex for the dressing and the bra held that and the drains so they did not "pull". Just something that I heard that might help.

Glad you are getting to ride the RRH event. Tell Chris I said hello.

Excellent advice Annie- I will follow through with that idea and alternate that with the idea of wearing them slung from shoelaces around my neck like a pair of skates.