tips for better mammogram?

[pll]

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

[marni]

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

[lph]

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

[redrhodie]

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.

[goride]

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.

[marni]

enjoy it, it makes them feel better and that makes you feel better. DH did the same until I got so tired of not being allowed to do anything that I muttered- Should have kept my mouth shut.

I forgot to add, that I did ace my three month check on the non surgical breast, and have been told to go away and not come back for a year. Yay.

I have also restructured some of my eating to eliminate foods high in natural estrogen or that inhibit estrogen growth so sweet potatoes are out of my life ;( but fresh strawberries, as many and as often as I can get them are in . Lots of other things but that is the biggest switch.

Whatever you decide, I am pulling for you.

marni

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. [/QUOTE]

[redrhodie]

Thanks Marni. I've been thinking about you. Glad you're doing so well! You're an inspiration to me.

I've been lurking on a breast cancer forum, and it's been very helpful. It's similar to this, in that the women are compassionate, smart, thoughtful in their writing, and generous with their knowledge, but they're not as fun as you guys. There's not enough ride reports. It's been extremely useful though, and I feel like I'm back in college again. I've already learned a lot.

I'm still good, taking great care to eat really well and ride gently. I'm avoiding stress as much as I can, although some of it is seeping in. I'm thinking about doing yoga again, after a several year hiatus. I should probably get a referral to a nutritionist. I'm sure there are things I should be avoiding. I love sweet potatoes.

[margo49]

Yoga is good (I'm no expert just bought a bright purple mat and copied the gorgeous women on tv and as glad they couldn't see me)
Yeah, the nutrition is key.
What's the story on sweet potato??
Tho' My Onck reckons that soy products are not a problem but I keep away from them. I was craving soy back in the 90's before my first "incident" and ate it like crazy. It means something I am just not sure what.
Took a week off my Aromasin (aromatase (estrogen pre-cursor) inhibitor) and back on it yesterday so feel really CR-P today . I just got tired of feeling 85 years old and gave myself a 7-day pass. Naughty but not medically significant ...