Wellness

[JackieHN]

Lannie, it's time for a trim and shaping. You'll feel so much better. Nothing like a little pampering. I spent my whole life trying to straighten out my wavy hair. Now I'm getting a mini keritan treatment every two weeks. Hair is looking good.

Husband went to the hospital to try to get her transferred. He's running into several problems. He didn't want me to go. He can take care of it. Well, he's not doing too well.

Surgeon said I can have my ultrasound at the end of the month and then see her. There is no rush. Thank you lord. They told me on Friday that she wouldn't be here on Monday. Then she shows up. I am not going back there twice. Once is enough for me every 6 months.

Jxx

[Mama Mia]

ukseahawk, Hi! I have neuropathy from chemo too, and it's not fun. Got through with chemo in September. I take Gabapentin (Neurontin) for the pain and complex B-12, plus Methyl Carbolonal, 5000mcg daily, sublingual. This is also B12 but please look it up and read about it. I'm thinking it all is helping me some, but takes time for the nerves to regenerate, if ever.

mm

[Kathy19078]

Hello everyone,

I found a lump in my right breast, had a mammogram and was referred to a breast surgeon. I went to see the breast surgeon today. After she examined me, she said it is probably breast cancer. She is sending me for a biopsy. She said that there are two procedures one where they only remove the lump and check the lymph nodes and the other is a mastectomy where they remove the breast and check the lymph nodes. She asked me which I preferred. I thought that was strange. I told her I would have to think about it. She said if I have the lump removed I would need radiation and chemotherapy. If I have the mastectomy, I would just need chemotherapy. She gave me the script for the biopsy. It will be an ultrasound guided needle biopsy. She did get a copy of the mammogram. I will call and schedule the biopsy. I would like to get a second opinion regarding the best procedure to have done. I called Cancer Treatment Centers of American to see if I could go there. They checked with my insurance and said that I could not go there. I have Keystone Health Plan East, which is a HMO. I live in a suburb of Philadelphia, and I know there are good doctors in Philadelphia, but I will have to check with my insurance first.

I am divorced and the only family I have are my two grown children that currently live with me. My daughter moved back home last June for financial reasons. My son was laid off about 1 year ago and only recently found a part time job, but it is not enough for him to live on his own. My daughter is 37 and my son is 32. I have not told them anything yet because I want to wait until I have an exact diagnosis after the biopsy.

I have not worked in over 6 months due to a partial hip replacement. I just recently started working again. Also, I am about to remodel my bathroom and just found the contractor I want to use. I cannot put that off because I have a cracked pipe under the floor that was leaking and part of my kitchen ceiling fell down. I had a plumber fix the pipe temporarily but it will only hold for awhile. I know that I will have to have the surgery too. It is just too much to handle. I am scared and very overwhelmed.

Any suggestions about where to get good breast surgeon to examine me and give me a second opinion will be appreciated. Any other advice will also be appreciated.

[AkaGoldie]

Kathy, so sorry to hear of your troubles. I have no experience with breast cancer, but most of the ladies here are BC experts, as soon as they see your post, I'm sure they will offer you some suggestions, all I can tell you is try to stay calm until you know for sure what you're dealing with. On another note, to who ever was asking about acupuncture, ( sorry I forgot) yes I've had good results with acupuncture for fibromyalgia, brought on by the trauma of surgery and chemo. I'd give it a try, I don't think it works for everybody. But it has worked well for me. Goldie

[wagirl]

HI Kathy--I am so sorry about your possible cancer! And boy is your plate full. It always happens like that you know. First and foremost, wait until you get all the info before you worry about the other stuff. And most certainly, get a second opinion!! That is your right!! I would then call your insurance company to see what is covered and where everything is located. And trying to keep all this to yourself is going to make you crazy!! Your "kids" are adults and don't need to be sheltered and you will need their support. It's good to have extra ears with you at the many appts you are about to go thru.

I was dx with breast cancer in 2012. I chose mastectomy instead of lumpectomy. There were nodes that were removed. I underwent chemo and radiation. I live in WA state so won't be able to help with any good cancer centers. There are tons of resources online and maybe even call your local hospital and ask.

And talk to your contractor about maybe doing just what you need to repair the damage and save the rest of it for later. Explain your circumstances to him too, and do the same at work, tell someone about all this. Keeping it to yourself is a bad idea!! Let others help. You have every right to feel the way you do. It's a horrendous thing!! Good luck!!!!

[JackieHN]

Kathy, welcome, I'm Jackie. This surgeon doesn't sound like someone I would want to take care of me. After my biopsy and MRI my surgeon discussed what I would need, not before. You have several great hospitals in Philly. Try calling Thomas Jefferson hospital. You need a medical center. Several of the bigger hospitals have breast centers. I think Temple also has a cancer center. By all means please tell your children. Trust us, you can't go through this alone.

I hope I helped a bit.

Jxx

[Tyak]

Kathy,

When questioning any surgeon about your breast problems, I would certainly make sure they do a sentinel node biopsy to see if cancer has spread to the nodes. I would never let anyone do an axillary removal unless absolutely necessary. I had early stage BC and chose to have a mastectomy. I needed neither radiation nor chemo, so if the breast surgeon you saw said you would need chemo with a mastectomy before even having results of a biopsy, I think I'd be a little bit wary of that doctor. Take the time you need to do a thorough inquiry of your options and by all means, get a second (and third) opinion if necessary, before taking any action. I suggest that you take someone with you to your doctor appts. in the future because an extra set of ears never hurts or take notes because you'll never remember everything they said. Also, ask for copies of any and all test results for future reference, especially that biopsy report. It will have a lot of information that may help you make a decision about your treatment.

We all know how stressful the "unknown" of this disease makes a person. Once you have a plan, it will get easier. I'm not going to say not to worry, because anyone who has been in your shoes knows that's easier said than done.

[HerRoyaLioness]

Hi Kathy, welcome to our group, I'm glad you posted here. Some of these gals have been though what you may be going through, including myself.

Jackie is right, find a good cancer center and they can help you find a good Dr. One of the Drs in our clinic used to work at Thomas Jefferson before he moved here and it is a quality facility.

I know how many things are going though your head right now. Take one thing at a time. Find a good surgeon that will explain things better. Look in the Yellow Pages, call Clinics or local cancer centers that help patients with wigs, etc. If there is a cancer support group call and ask about doctors. Help is out there and I know you will find it. There is usually financial help out there for cancer patients. Check with your county.

You do need to have a biopsy first, so that if you have breast cancer you know what kind you are dealing with and what stage of progression you are in. It will matter in determining your treatment. The end decision is up to you, but the surgeon will (should) be giving you some facts, statistics and information to help you make an informed decision. It is a lot of information to digest.

Please let your children know. My 3 were all grown and I prepared them by telling them I had a lump and I would let them know what I found out. Then they weren't so shocked when it came back as cancer. Don't be afraid to rely on them for what you need, it will benefit all of you both ways.

Do what you need to with the bathroom - it sounds like that is a priority. If you can get it out of the way you won't need to deal with that anymore. Maybe it's one thing your kids can help take care of. Don't be hesitant to ask - you and your health is important and takes priority right now , that's just the way it is.

Please let us know how you are doing - it's normal to feel overwhelmed. You will get through all this, and you will find encouragement and helpful suggestions here.

Lannie

[Kathy19078]

wagirl, I am confused. I don't understand why the decision of lumpectomy or mastectomy was up to you. Shouldn't the doctor tell you what type of surgery you should have? If you don't mind me asking, did you have breast reconstruction? Also how old are you. I am 64 years old.

I am going to tell my children. I just wanted to wait until after the biopsy. Can anyone here tell me if there is pain after the biopsies. I am going to have 3 biopsies. They said they would give me ice afterwards. There will be 2 ultrasound biopsies on the right and 1 stero biopsy on the left. There were suspicious findings in the left breast. They told me that I can drive myself to and from the biopsies because they use a local for them.

I called the Cancer Treatment Centers of America because there is one in Philadelphia. However, my insurance will not allow me to go there. They called my insurance company and was told that I could not go there. I am presently looking for another surgeon to get a second opinion. I will schedule the appointment for after the biopsies so that I have the results to give him or her. I have a friend that had cancer in her abdomen several years ago and she is going to call her oncologist who is at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and get the name of a surgeon for me. I can also just call the hospital and get a doctor. It can take a while to get an appointment with the doctors at the hospitals in Philadelphia, but I'll call and see. I will also check around for other doctors.

[wagirl]

On 3/9/2014 Kathy19078 said:

wagirl, I am confused. I don't understand why the decision of lumpectomy or mastectomy was up to you. Shouldn't the doctor tell you what type of surgery you should have? If you don't mind me asking, did you have breast reconstruction? Also how old are you. I am 64 years old.

I am going to tell my children. I just wanted to wait until after the biopsy. Can anyone here tell me if there is pain after the biopsies. I am going to have 3 biopsies. They said they would give me ice afterwards. There will be 2 ultrasound biopsies on the right and 1 stero biopsy on the left. There were suspicious findings in the left breast. They told me that I can drive myself to and from the biopsies because they use a local for them.

I called the Cancer Treatment Centers of America because there is one in Philadelphia. However, my insurance will not allow me to go there. They called my insurance company and was told that I could not go there. I am presently looking for another surgeon to get a second opinion. I will schedule the appointment for after the biopsies so that I have the results to give him or her. I have a friend that had cancer in her abdomen several years ago and she is going to call her oncologist who is at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and get the name of a surgeon for me. I can also just call the hospital and get a doctor. It can take a while to get an appointment with the doctors at the hospitals in Philadelphia, but I'll call and see. I will also check around for other doctors.

Hi Kathy---I think everyone is given a choice but maybe one type of surgery is better suited to a particular breast cancer. I had invasive lobular cancer, stage 3a of my left breast but was still given the choice between the 2 methods. I thought long and hard about it and decided that I would rather have the whole thing removed then possibly having to go back and have more surgery to remove more of the cells if they weren't all gotten the first time, which would mean more recovery time and would push back starting my treatments. I wanted it all over ASAP. No I didn't have reconstruction immediately because I needed radiation. I am about 1 1/2 years out of treatment today. I did go see a plastic surgeon last May but he wanted me to wait for a whole year from my last radiation to even think about reconstruction. I was 58 in 2012 when I was dx. Yes the biopsies are uncomfortable and painful and you will bruise. You will need ice and pain meds. I drove myself to and from no problem. I had the 3 steros too, 2 on the right side and 1 on the left side as they saw some suspicious things on the right "good" breast. I had many of them to find out what was going on. There is so much terminology that goes with this that you will learn. I don't want to make your head spin even more. I am so lucky to live within 20 minutes of a world class breast cancer hospital and my team is among the best too. Do your home work and find out as much as you can, as overwhelming as all this is. I truly believe that information is power. But I also believe that feeling sorry for yourself is good too. Just try not to let that take you over. Any more questions please ask!~

PAM