Wellness

[Kindlereader]

Lannie, I'm just reading back a few pages as I've been mia again & I just want you to know that I'm praying for your son as he fights this g_d awful disease. It sounds like things are going well as they can surgery wise & I am crossing every appendage I can for zero node involvement. You're a great mom & I'm so glad you were with your son the past few days. I can relate to keeping his dx quiet. It's not easy but I understand his wishes & I know he's grateful to you for everything. I'm sending good vibes to you too for your root canal-ugh. Want to shout out to all my other friends here too. Bow, Jackie, Goldie, wagirl, uk, Mariel, et al. I'm thinking of each & every one of you & wishing you all good things. Kindle

[Kathy19078]

Hi everyone, just wanted to check in and ask a question. I had my bilateral mastectomy on 5/5/14 and am doing okay. All four drains have been removed and the staples were removed. I am going to see the breast surgeon about every week. Right now I have some fluid build up in my right side and also an infection. I was on an antibiotic but became allergic (broke out in rash) from it so the doctor stopped it. I have to call her tomorrow to check in with her and see when she wants to see me. My lymph nodes were clear and the markers were clear. It was stage 2 and it was not very aggressive. I have an appointment at the end of the month to see the medical oncologist.

I am trying to find some type of camisole with pockets for breast forms and also the breast forms. I am looking for something I can wear now before I get the prosthesis. I am very self-conscious of my flat chest and do not want to go out too much until I get something. Can any of you guide me to the best place to find these? Also how do I figure out what size to order? I did find some camisoles on line that also had pockets for the drains, but I don't need the drain pockets. It would have been nice if someone like maybe the nurse navigator would have told me about the camisoles with drain pockets before my surgery so I would not have had to pin the drains to my clothes. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[JackieHN]

Kathy, welcome to the board. I'm sure your Dr will sort out your infection. Plenty of other antibiotics. I didn't have a mastectomy however some of the girls did and I'm sure they will guide you. You probably have to go into a specialty bra store in your area. These ladies know their bras. They will measure you and fit you with the proper bra. They all have bras for mastectomy patients. Good news that your nodes and margins are clear.

We come from all over the United States. In Brooklyn NY we have such a store in fact several of them. You can also call up Cancer care or the American cancer society to see if they can help you.

Jxx

[KittyGurl]

Is this forum for caregivers as well? Currently I have moved in with my ex husband to help him through head and neck cancer treatments and can use some support. Thanks.

[wagirl]

On 6/11/2014 KittyGurl said: Is this forum for caregivers as well? Currently I have moved in with my ex husband to help him through head and neck cancer treatments and can use some support. Thanks.

Kitty--this is an EXCELLENT place for caregivers!!So glad you checked in. We can help you with any questions you might have, I'm sure. You are very generous to help out your ex. So ask away--we will try to help!! There are all types of cancer zombies here that we are dealing with and we can also help you find out any info too.

Kathy--glad you are back and that things are going ok. I had a mastectomy of the left breast and was told that any compression from a bra would be way to much pressure on that side. I got a long line cami from Nordstrom that I wore until I healed up. It came with a fiber fill breast form too and I used that until I got a prosthesis fitted, but that was a few weeks after I completely healed up. Did you google mastectomy under garments? I know there are several out there. My insurance covers all that stuff so I just went to Nordstrom. I think the cost was $60 for the cami. It zipped up the front and was very soft.

[JackieHN]

Kitty, welcome to the board. Your in the right place. We've all had different experiences with cancer and will be able to guide you or just listen. It is so good of you to help your ex husband out. Ask away or just vent.

Jxx

[Lyn08]

I spoke with my cousin (who has cancer of the esophagus) this morning. He said the scan he had showed a small spot on his liver (that hadn't been there before), but no spots in his lungs. The tumor on his esophagus is slightly larger.

He has to go to the hospital for an MRI, and they may need to change his chemo. He has such a good attitude, and said he supposed that was to be expected, and he wasn't worried -- there's nothing he can do about it.

Of course, I'm a nervous wreck! I would appreciate your prayers for him.

[wagirl]

Lyn--your cousin sounds like an awesome guy!!! So much to go thru and yet so down to earth about his situation. You need to not get so upset about him---not good for you or him. Take you cues from him and be there to support. And just BREATHE......... We all hope and pray for him.

[Lyn08]

wagirl: Thanks so much for your prayers. I am nervous inside, but I don't let that come out when I talk with my cousin. I try to be supportive and encouraging. It's hard, but it helps me too.

When he was first diagnosed (2 years ago this July), he had several spots on his lungs. However, with chemo, the spots are no longer there. It's just the new spot on his liver. Maybe they will change his chemo to what it was before. Now, he's been taking a milder dose of chemo every 3 weeks.

I spoke with him this morning, and asked about the MRI. He has an appointment with his oncologist Monday afternoon, and then he has an Optimist meeting that evening, so I probably won't get the results from him until Tuesday. We also talked about other things (not medical).

He doesn't want me to say anything to his sister (who lives out of state), until he gets the test results from his oncologist. She usually calls me, or I call her, sometime during the weekend. I think I'm just not going to call her this weekend.

[HerRoyaLioness]

Hi everyone and thanks again for all your well wishes for my son. He had his CT Scan w/contrast and saw his oncologist and the lymph nodes look clear - YAY!!!! He's still having some issues with the incision - it's in a bad place to heal and not get pulled.

He does want him to have 2 rounds of chemo, carboplatin, in the abdominal area. Goldie knows what that is all about only too well. As far as radiation goes, I guess once he would have the radiation there, they wouldn't do it again in the future, so he just advised the chemo, or just waiting and seeing. His choice. He said he might need to borrow my wig.....

My check up was also good, CT Scan neg, although they had to poke me two different places to get the IV in. My tooth, not so good. It's all infected and he couldn't find one of the "canals" down in there, guess it had calcified or something weird. I'm on antibiotics and been taking Ibuprofen for the pain.

Can't complain too much though because I feel so good and have most of my energy back. Can't believe what he has done for me. See him - nat dr - on Mon.

Still recuperating from last week/weekend, tired but happy my son's cancer did not spread to his lymph nodes.

Hope everyone is doing well - Jackie how is your friend doing? Remember to be patient with her!!!

Lannie