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Breast Cancer
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Posted 3/7/2005 5:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tammy, I just saw your post under Nancyjo's "Just found out" post.Sorry to hear  you have to have a mastectomy Tuesday{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}. You have found a great support group here and wonderful ladies. You will probably get a lot more responses tomorrow (Monday). I am from the State of Washington, so it is still Sunday for me.

I had double mastectomies, one at a time, the second being prophylactic. It was really not as bad as I expected it to be. Are you having lymphnode disection too? That is worse than the mast, I think, as it takes some time to get full movement back in your arm again. The drains are a royal pain, but doable. I am sure you are somewhat scared, and my thoughts and prayers are with you. You will no doubt hear from different ladies here on their experiences. This is a great place to vent, laugh, cry or whatever you feel like doing. There are many different experiences here, so you will usually find someone who has an answer or similar experience.

If you are comfortable with it, please share with us your story. At the top of the board you will find our Roll Call. There you can find out about many of us.

Well please stay with us, I am sure you can find many new friends to share with here. Let us know how you are doing, ok??

L&H, Gail

Posted 3/7/2005 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
Tammy, are you the same as our new Tammy33? Or do we have 2 new Tammy's on the same day? Sorry for your situation, but we're here to help. And for those like me, who had a different procedure (lumpectomy X2), we may not be able to offer practical advice, but we can lend support and an ear. My only advice is general, and that is to be sure you have researched and gotten all the opinions you want to...just be sure that you will have no regrets. Sadness yes, but regrets, no. Make the best decision for you and go for it, and you will find that we'll all support you and lift you up when you need it.

Like Gail said, consider checking our roll call at the top of the posts, and find out a little more about us. I am 36, living in SE MIchigan and posting with my dog's name....

Lori
Posted 3/7/2005 2:08 PM (GMT 0)
Tammy, just adding my welcome and hugs.

L&H
Sara
Posted 3/7/2005 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Tammy, Tammy and Tamaralynn....Wow are you all about the same age? Names go through cycles. Once upon a time we had three Mary's. And we had 13 Peg-Peggy's and we had several Julie variarions. Incredible and sad that you all have a need to be here. We will help in any way we can. Please feel free to ask questions, ask for support, ask for prayers, we are here for you. Tell us a little more about you. Hugs, Mary K known as MK for short.
Posted 3/7/2005 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, im one of the 3 tammys(possitive)im 43 years old from calif.i have invasive ductal in left breast.masectomy on tuesday(tomorrow)i think i will have reconstruction later.(Tummy tuck) i am so glad i found someone to talk to...Thank you,iwill keep you posted....Tammy(possitive)
Posted 3/7/2005 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tammy, ardee (Rita) is near Los Angeles in CA. There are a couple more in CA but I thought of Rita right away. She is a sweetheart wanting to help. I know CA is a big state and Los Angeles even if you are in the same area can be a nightmare to get anywhere. I'm in TX and have a close buddy, Jo-Ann who is 90 miles away. Hugs MK
Posted 3/7/2005 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Tammy possitive, please keep me posted.... Everyone well be there for you.... You'll be in my prayers Hugs Nancyjo
Posted 3/8/2005 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tammy (P.),

I'm Rita, and I'm in California, as MK said. I'm so sorry that you're going throug this, but we'll sure try to be here for whatever you need. What part of California are you in? Wherever you are, I'm sure you're soggy and welcoming the sunshine. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Hugs,
Rita
Posted 3/8/2005 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
MK, I think we once had several Lori/Lauri/ Laurel combinations too. I recall Laurie 316 and I cannot think of who else (besides the 3 I mentioned), but I remember once noticing the plethora of us.

hehehe.
Lori
Posted 3/8/2005 5:40 AM (GMT 0)

Welcome, Tammy (possitive)

I, like Lori (tavish) had mastectomy with lymph node disection.  The latter was much worse and still 5 years later causes me the most discomfort.  We will send the PCE your way - it is scheduled to be up flying around that day anyway - right ladies?  Hopefully you are not in the muddy, soggy, worry about your home, etc area.  You have enough on your plate right now.

Hang in there, sending hugs and best of luck.  God Bless.

Kitty

By the way, I am 57 and from North Dakota - where we are not, and have not had much moisture.  We could really use some of your rains.

Posted 3/8/2005 10:42 AM (GMT 0)
PCE is loading up hope you guys have your boas ready. Tammy needs us to be there for her. Capt. Lemon from Pa.
Posted 3/8/2005 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
My feathers are flying girls.......can you see all of the PINK? It is going to be a busy day for the PCE.

Tammy,
Hope all goes well for you and that you have a quick recovery sweetie.

From a (almost-Mar.28) 20 year survivor.

Sending prayers and angels,
Debbie
^j^ ^j^ ^j^
Posted 3/8/2005 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Yep we did have several Lori, Laurie, Laurels. I am thinking at least 6. Strange the way names seem to come together. We have a several Cathi, Kath, Kathy, too. All names are welcome here. Hugs MK
Posted 3/9/2005 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
Tammy, Hope all is well very soon. Glad you found us. Stay strong and keep us posted. Hugs, Candy
Posted 3/10/2005 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
Tammy, I'm in the Los Angeles area, too.  Let us know where exactly in Calif you are located.  I hope all goes as well as possible for your mastectomy.  I had a lumpectomy followed by mast 3 weeks later, with lymph node removal.  I think you and I have things in common, so I'm glad to help in any way I can.

 

Hugs,

Posted 3/10/2005 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tammy,
I've had everything. Once the drains come out, things will definately seem better. I agree with Gail, the lymph nodes are the worst part. The problem usually is that no one tells you how to take care of yourself later to prevent lymphadema. Stick with us. I am 57, diagnosed when I was 49. I'm from Illinois. Sending hugs your way. Di
Posted 3/11/2005 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ladies, im home now the surgery went well.i will know the results from the lymph nodes on tuesday.Thank you everyone for your prayers and kind words,your my angels.i am so glad i found you.i will keep you posted....Love  Tammy(positive)
Posted 3/11/2005 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Tammy
All the way from Down Under - new zealand!
I was 58 when diagnosed. had right mascectomy, chemo & rads - now on tamoxifen.
it will be three years since diagnosis in May 05 and in some ways it seems like yesterday!
BUT you have found a real supportive place to be to get oddles of support and much helpful advice.
We will all support you through this journey - none of us wanted to walk this path but as others have said - it's doable
L & H
Kath
Posted 3/13/2005 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hello ladies,i have a question.the surgeon ran the dye during surgey.1 lymph node had dye and they took some around it.does this mean that the one with dye is possitive? Tammy
Posted 3/13/2005 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
I have not had this test and so this is just my understanding. I am sure someone will answer who has had the test later, but I think the node that takes the dye is the sentinal node and the one they take to test. The dye does not mean it is positive, just that it is the one that is first in line. This way they remove the first one and if there is no cancer in it, they do not remove more making you susceptable to lymphedema. Hugs MK
Posted 3/13/2005 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
MK is right...they inject the blue dye (In my case they used a radioactive tracer too) at the site of the tumor and watch it travel through the lymph system till it hits the nodes. The first one it hits is known as the sentinel node. IF any cancer has spread out, this is the most likely place for it to occur. If this is negative, they may not take the rest of the nodes, and it will spare you a good deal of pain and grief in the form of lymphedema. In my case, they actually took 15 nodes during the sentinel node removal process. I guess sometimes nodes are in clusters like grapes, and mine were very tiny...so when he thought it was one, the path report indicated 3 or 4.

I had a blue stain that remained on my breast for weeks, never figured out why. It finally faded after a while.

L&H,
Lori
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