Breast Cancer.

[thekarens]

I know nothing, but I wanted to wish you the best and I think I speak for everyone when I say we're here if and when you want to talk about whatever.

[redrhodie]

I just wanted to offer my support since I've also been there. I had a lumpectomy and radiation three years ago, and am on tamoxifen for 5 years. I rode my bike to radiation many times. I wasn't really affected by the fatigue until after treatment was done, and even then I still was able to exercise. I didn't miss any work (but I work part time). I didn't have chemo so I can't speak to that, but radiation wasn't bad. I was lucky to go to a really nice and mellow place for treatment, and that made a big difference. If I had to drive in urban traffic every day for six weeks it would have sucked, but you can get a Cancer Society volunteer to drive you to appointments if you need.

My best advice is to be very gentle with yourself. Relax your routine and give yourself as many breaks as you need. Get massages, eat good food, don't do anything you don't want to do. Treat yourself like a princess.

You're going to be okay. This is scary but it will soon be over. You're in great shape so that will make everything easier.

[ny biker]

I know nothing, but I wanted to wish you the best and I think I speak for everyone when I say we're here if and when you want to talk about whatever.

Yes!!!

[salsabike]

Yep--wishing you well, Raindrop!

[rocknrollgirl]

I can only speak about what my mom went through during her chemo for ovarian cancer. She was VERY active and was able to stay active during treatment. She modified a bit and took it easy the days she did not feel up to it, but for the most part she skied, and went to the gym and did yoga.

We will all keep you in our thoughts. Sending some heaving vibes right now......

[marni]

I too was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma and decided after several needle biopsies and a lumpectomy that when it showed up again, to have a mastectomy. To me the most anguishing effect was the waiting for the phone calls to tell me the results. I had the mastectomy with a great feeling of relief, refused the follow up radiation and suffered through tamoxifen for 18 months before I swore off that as well. I am only three years clear of the surgery but since getting off of the tamoxifen I feel like a whole new person. I was back to training full time about six weeks after surgery but I had been doing elliptical, tread mill, stretching and riding on the trainer in the meantime so although I lost a bit of core strength I was overall in pretty good shape and getting back to realing feeling good was much after that.

Just a passing thought/hint. If you do decide to have a mastectomy, Bike jerseys make a reasonably good fashion statement and the pockets are great for the drainage bag.

Whateve you decide, go forward with confidence, take time to take care of yourself, let others know what you can and can't do and let them help you and most of all know that we are all here any time you want to vent, talk, ask questions or just say hi.

[emily_in_nc]

Some great advice here. I have nothing to add except that I hope you get the best possible news from the tests and an easy treatment journey.

Sending healing thoughts your way!

[Raindrop]

So, the larger mass was cancer but contiguous with the smaller nodule, so bumped me up to a stage II, but it's estrogen/progesterone positive and Her-2 negative which means I SHOULDN'T have to have chemo unless the surgery indicates lymph nodule involvement or the margins aren't clear. Which brings up another subject. I'm only a week out from surgery (a lumpectomy) and I'm re-thinking it and really wanting to have a mastectomy instead. I don't want to be in limbo. I want the whole thing gone!
I have a call into my surgeon and I'm totally aware that the surgery is more involved, but I'm not my breasts and just want this resolved.