another medical issue

ctmom05

Member
I visit here every so often, to read the posts & see how folks are doing; this time I am going to tell you how I am doing .. .. ..

I was diagnosis'd with breast cancer on Valentine's Day this year. This comes after many years of dealing with non hodgkins lymphoma

I have had my first treatment, with a bunch more to go - then surgery. Likely I am going to have a double mastectomy - even tho involvement was found to be on only one side.
I've had radiation, for the nhl, in a very close by area - my doctor says "one & done" - meaning I can only have radiation once in my lifetime; so not a candidate for a lumpectomy. With my Mom, Sis, & maternal Gramma have had bc, I think this is the right choice for me

Until it was ME, I never realized there is more than one type of breast cancer. I have triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma
 

AppleCori

Well-Known Member
Hi Ct,

I would do the exact same thing in your case.

My friend had BC more than a decade ago, and she had the mastectomy. My sis-in-law went through this a couple of years ago. Both are doing fine.

I'm glad you posted.

Stay with us and keep us informed.

It never hurts to have more people rooting for you!

Apple
 

GoingNorth

Crazy Cat Lady
Sorry to hear this CTMOM, to me, this sounds horribly unfair!

I agree with going for the double mastectomy. My BFF's wife had a lumpectomy about 12 years ago.

She opted out of chemo, underwent radiation therapy, and was deemed cured after 5 years with-no recurrance.

Unfortunately, the cancer came back in her upper spine and then spread to hr lungs and liver. She died last year.

My BFF, her wife, died of sepsis a few months before, and J, who's cancer had recurred a few months earlier, in my opinion just gave up on living without her beloved. (They had been together for 36 years and had married as soon as same-sex marriage became the law of the land.

Had J had the full double mastectomy we were encouraging here to have initially and had she not been afraid of the cognitive side-effects of tamoxifen, she might still be around today.

From what it sounds like, your cancer was still caught fairly early, and you are going after it aggressively. I hope everything goes well for you, and that your insurance covers reconsstruction if so desired.

I saw a documentary the other night about a group of women tattoo artists who are doing gorgeous, one of a kind tattoos over mastectomy scars. I like the tattoos much better than the reconstructions myself,though reconstructed breast can have tattoos also. Something to consider once you are healed. This group works pro-bono.
 

ctmom05

Member
my new do ~
 

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GoingNorth

Crazy Cat Lady
Chris. Well, there's one positive: you do have a nicely shaped head. Also, warm weather is coming (eventually), so hopefully, you won't have to deal with freezing as badly.

Hang in there, hon. I hope the chemo, etc., isn't too rough this time.
 

Copabanana

Well-Known Member
I send prayers for the best of all possible outcomes and that the road for you be as gentle as can be. You sound strong and sure.
 

ctmom05

Member
Chris. Well, there's one positive: you do have a nicely shaped head. Also, warm weather is coming (eventually), so hopefully, you won't have to deal with freezing as badly.

Hang in there, hon. I hope the chemo, etc., isn't too rough this time.
.. .. ..

The landscaping on my head, called hair, will even out once I lose the rest of it. Right now I still have some bald as an egg spots ~ thank you for your kind compliment

This is a totally different kind of chemo than I had for the non hodgkins lymphoma & somewhat harsher. I feel like the "Little Engine That Could" sometimes
 

mof

Momdidntsignupforthis
Prayers..warm weather is up lifting isn't it! Sending warm positive thoughts your way!
 

Wiped Out

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Sending healing prayers. My mom had a mastectomy over 20 years ago. She is doing well so there are great success stories out there and I know you will be as well. ((((Hugs))))
 

susiestar

Roll With It
In the immortal words of one of my great uncles - God only made a few great heads. He put hair on the rest of them.

I am sorry the chemo is harsher this round. And that there has to be another round.

(((((hugs)))))
 

Suz

(the future) MRS. GERE
Oh gosh, Chris. I'm so sorry to hear that you are facing this challenge. Knowing you and your determination, it is obvious that you are facing this with courage. I have every confidence that you have picked the best way for you to go. I wish I could give you a very gentle hug. Sending lots of love.

Suz
 
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