tips for better mammogram?

Awww, thanks.

I felt queasy and dizzy after the Vicodin last night, so I took only half of the next one, and then moved on to Tylenol 6 hours later. There is no pain at all in my breast, so I probably don't even need that anymore. I've also stopped icing, which I think helped more than the pain killers. My hand, where the IV went in, is the only thing that's a little uncomfortable, and sleeping wasn't good. It feels too soon to lie on my side, so I tried to stay on my back, which isn't the way I normally sleep. Other than that, I think I'm doing really well.

DBF will be making dinner tomorrow, and the only thing I might do is an apple crisp. Easy. I'm not going on my normal pre-guest cleaning frenzy. I'm sure they don't care and won't notice anyway. I'm just taking it easy until I can't. I'm already thinking about Saturday's ride. It's supposed to be beautiful here. I think I'll be ready for an easy one, based on how I feel now, but I won't do anything stupid.

So happy to hear you are doing well! You probably will be able to ride Saturday; just don't push it, if you don't feel like 100%. It's supposed to beautiful this weekend.
Hey, I was thinking, one of these days we should meet and maybe do a ride on the South Coast; probably next spring!

I am very glad to hear that you are recovering so well! Enjoy the holiday tomorrow, and the great ride you have planned for Saturday!

Crankin, that would be great!

Happy to hear that you're doing well, Red. Isn't it nice that they can give you meds (non general anesthesia) where you don't even remember a medical procedure/surgery?! Loved that when I had my colonoscopy in the spring. No memories except before and after.

Hoping for very good news for you soon!

Emily

I guess I am way behind on reading the forums as I just saw this thread. Hoping that you get a good report and that waiting for the results isn't causing you too much stress.

Thanks!

I'm healing really well. Taking off the bandage was scary. I had this fear it would look like the Bride of Frankenstein's breast, :eek: so I was relieved to see it. It looks better to me than before, which I assume is more emotional than aesthetic. Except for the stitches, you can't tell anything was done, and it feels normal.

I got back on the bike on Fri, and rode yesterday and today, too. I'm just taking it easy, and not overdoing it, but riding feels great. I still feel a bit tired, so I'm relaxing as much as I can. I'm not worried about the results. I know whatever it comes out as, I will be okay.

Except for the nausea from the pain killers, this part was painless.

So glad it's going well for you. Keep taking care of yourself.

How did I miss this thread? Oh, I know, I had a horrendous mammogram last year and didn't want to add anxiety. Glad I womaned up and read through the whole thing. You've had quite the odyssey Red - it sounds like you've had awesome doctors and nurses.

Thinking good thoughts for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

How did I miss this thread? Oh, I know, I had a horrendous mammogram last year and didn't want to add anxiety. Glad I womaned up and read through the whole thing. You've had quite the odyssey Red - it sounds like you've had awesome doctors and nurses.

Thinking good thoughts for you.

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Hey, thanks for holding off on that! Now that mine is over, what happened with yours? Was the mammogram itself the problem, or the results?

Way to go red!
You rock!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

Hey, thanks for holding off on that! Now that mine is over, what happened with yours? Was the mammogram itself the problem, or the results?

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The last one I had was a problem. The technician had to have been a sadist. At one point I was almost hanging by my boob. I said, "uh, could you lower this a bit, I'm on my toes". Her reply? "But I have you placed perfectly!" I've never had such a painful mammogram, I actually had bruises the next day. :eek:

I thought is was me, but a friend of mine went to the same place and got the same woman. She hurt her too. I'll be sure to let them know I will not allow that woman near me next time I go in.

eta: I've also had a couple with scary results which turned out to be fine -- but the waiting is horrible. Hang in there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

The last one I had was a problem. The technician had to have been a sadist. At one point I was almost hanging by my boob. I said, "uh, could you lower this a bit, I'm on my toes". Her reply? "But I have you placed perfectly!" I've never had such a painful mammogram, I actually had bruises the next day. :eek:

I thought is was me, but a friend of mine went to the same place and got the same woman. She hurt her too. I'll be sure to let them know I will not allow that woman near me next time I go in.

eta: I've also had a couple with scary results which turned out to be fine -- but the waiting is horrible. Hang in there.

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I think that technician should not be allowed near anyone. Sounds so brutal and unnecessary. :mad:

Glad to read that the healing process is going well and a bike ride does wonders for the spirit.

Still no word. Thanksgiving is making the process slower. I'm still healing. Been riding almost normally, with a tad less effort (I could be tempted to keep that up!). The bruising is in full glory right now. You should see it. It's spectacular. :rolleyes: Feeling good.

Glad you're doing well! Waiting is so stressful. Hang in there.

Thanks, oak. I don't feel especially stressed out, but I have been sleeping more than normal. I think it's just part of the healing process. I've also been craving salmon like crazy. My body must need the fish oil.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

Thanks, oak. I don't feel especially stressed out, but I have been sleeping more than normal. I think it's just part of the healing process. I've also been craving salmon like crazy. My body must need the fish oil.

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there are worse things to crave- buy some wild caught norwegian salmon, grill with lemon and butter, you've earned it and you deserve it,plus it is extra yummy.

After my lumpectomy I craved guacamole. Listen to your body, it knows.

heal fast and fingers crossed for a negative ( or good) result.

marni

I was so planning on writing one of those I can't believe they put me through all that for nothing posts, but it turns out it was not for nothing. I finally heard yesterday I have an early form of breast cancer, DCIS. It's non invasive, and I will survive, but I most likely need more surgery, and a mastectomy with reconstruction might be my best option. That was shocking to hear (and I don't know for sure that that's going to happen) but just thinking about it, I've decided I'm not willing to fight for a breast that's trying to kill me. I'm okay if it has to go; I don't need it to pedal my bike. I'm worried about it being painful, though. The next step is an MRI, but I still need to heal more from the biopsy, so it will be at least another week before we know what we need to do.

I have so much literature to read. It's like when you apply to college, and you get the big acceptance packet, only this isn't anyplace I applied to. I would have preferred the letter, but I guess this is where I need to be.

On the bright side, I'm so lucky. I easily could have ignored this lump, and it could have turned into something much worse. I have a wonderful life, lots of people who love me, and a lot of support. I'm also lucky to be in great shape. All that time in the saddle has made me really strong and fit. This will be hard, but it's nothing I can't handle.

(((((((red)))))))

Read lots. Consider carefully. Take good care.

{{{Red}}} I am so sorry to read this, but thankful they caught it early.

((((Red)))). I'm really sorry for the diagnosis. Hang in there and, as Oak suggested, read lots and consider carefully.

((((((((((((((((red))))))))))))))))))))

I was so hoping that this thread being active meant there was good news for you. Take your time - it does sound like you have that - in considering your options. Hugs.

(((Red)))

I'm sorry about the diagnosis, but I'm glad they caught it early.

I am sorry you got this news, but you are correct, it's the best of the bad news.
From what I know, making these decisions can be extremely difficult. Please take your time, and while it sounds like you are at a great hospital, think about getting a second opinion, or third, even. Like maybe at Dana Farber? You're so close, it wouldn't hurt.
Because I have no personal experience with this, anything I can say seems silly. But, feel free to PM if you need to vent.

Nothing anyone's said sounds silly! Thank you all for your concern and helpful advice. I will be weighing all options, but first I need to get the MRI to see what they are. It could be just a little more needs to come out, and we save the breast, but I'm preparing for more, just in case. With the way this year has been, I'd better prepare.

More hugs to you, Red!!! Your attitude throughout this has been inspiring.

Oh ((((Red)))), I just saw this; but if you have to have the CA, then this is the best that could happen it sounds like. Dang, I'm so mad this has happened to you! But, I know this will get better. I've been thinking lately that I wish the internet would let me express myself in situations like this a lot better. Suffice it to say, that I'm pulling for you!

I feel your love. :) I'm actually not mad that this is happening to me, but I do feel a little more road rage-y on the bike these days. But, who better to take out my frustrations on than people in cars doing stupid things? I guess they're good for something after all. :rolleyes:

Ah, what a bummer, Red...I was really hoping it would turn out to be nothing. But so glad you got it checked out and found early. I definitely second crankin's recommendation to get a second opinion. Do your research, consider all your options, and you will make the decision that is right for you.

Hugs...

(((Red)))

Welcome to a large and very non-exclusive club!
That said, I would add from my experience: take it one step (or procedure or issue) at a time. Make your decision and then once you have results from that make another decision. Don't race ahead of yourself. Learn to wait till it is time to make decision after decision on the facts of your case. (Don't make flow charts/ decision trees or whatever they call them - you know if it's this then I'll do that). The process of diagnosis and treatment goes sort of slowly anyway, and you will have time to consider and make the best decisions for yourself .
And keep us in the picture!

Great advice. Thank you. I feel very informed already, and probably am a little ahead of myself, but my decisions will be well thought out, and I have some things that are important to me, that will be factors.

When I told my bf, he said something like although I love your breasts, there are a million things about you I love even more. He's been great.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

Great advice. Thank you. I feel very informed already, and probably am a little ahead of myself, but my decisions will be well thought out, and I have some things that are important to me, that will be factors.

When I told my bf, he said something like although I love your breasts, there are a million things about you I love even more. He's been great.

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He's a keeper! ;)

He IS a keeper. How very sweet.

Oh, Red, so sorry to read the bad news. I will be rooting for you!

Red,
DCIS is what I had so I had a lumpectomy, but then they didn't get it all in spite of very generous margins, so it came back. Like you, I decided that I didn't need the breast for riding and it could go rather than coming back frequently to have another hunk whacked off, or go through radiation or chemo.

The first couple of weeks were not much fun, mostly because of having to wear an irritating drain. (hint biking jerseys are your friend. It is much more comfortable to through the drain in a jersey pocket thanhave it pinned to your bra or tucked into the cammie/jersey with shelf bra and slit to hold it where the boobie was. I was one of those one who had the drain in for three weeks and then had to go back every other day for another week and a half to get it drained. But the healing seepage did finally stop, the swelling went down, the scar tissue pulled in and the muscle tightened up. I was back in almost full swing on bike and at the gym in six weeks and back to where I was weight wise before surgery about two weeks later. The one not so bad after effect that I did notice was a striking desire/need for an afternoon nap, but that could have been as much about the horribly hot and humid summer, or dealing with all of 90 year residents FIL's health issues at the same time I was trying to heal. Most of it was mental vacation/ check out rather than actual need for sleep but I did indulge.

Take it slow and listen to your body, eat good food that will help your body heal, rest when you need to, and when you feel like it, start stretching the surgical arm and shoulder up back and out so that your shoulder doesn't roll in as the chest muscle heals and contracts.

Hang in there, once the breast is gone, the worry is gone as well. They may or may not start you out on tamoxifen which is to discourage estrogen production in your body. For me that was the worst part of the recovery because it felt like going through menopause all over again complete with the weepies and hot flashes and broken sleep. Apparently it affects some people that way. Fortunately the surgeon warned me about that and so although it was not fun, it was doable since it only lasted a couple of hours at a time and the family was aware of what was happening.

Before you know it your will be back to normal and perhaps slightly giddy with the relief of knowing that you are out of it free and clear. The worry about the three month check on the other breast may catch you unaware, but since DCIS is non invasive, your chance for being clear on the second side are relatively low, since DCIS is a totally random thing to begin with.

I'm pulling for you.

marni

Wow, red. That's a setback. You have a great attitude, though, very inspiring! Hold that thought :)

Marni, thank you so much for that. I've been reading a lot about DCIS, so knowing that it did change and come back for you is making the statistics look a little different. You see those and wonder if you should just wait and see. With the way things have been going, me winning these unlikely lotteries, I suspect I'd better not wait.

Today, 2 weeks after the biopsy, my breast feels normal. I can sleep any way I like, and don't feel it at all on the bike. Other than a little bruising, it looks perfect. It's amazing how the body heals. It's really cool.

I'm feeling pretty normal (for me ;)) mentally, too. I'm still doing normal things. My bf is doing more around the house, which is awesome. I feel a little guilty, like I'm taking advantage of this diagnosis, but hey, if it makes him feel better, I'm not going to stop him from scooping the litter box. :D

Red - sorry to read about your diagnosis. It is good you have some time while you heal from the initial procedure to gather facts and make sound decisions on how you will proceed.