What would you do?

[caseyjo]

OK.....The results are in & I have plain old garden variety Cancer in my right breast.....This is not a sympathy thread because I dont even feel sorry for myself nor do I feel angry. What I am is sort of lost as to the avenue I want to take here. I have several choices.

I can have them go in & remove the lump & opt for radiation.

I can have the affected breast removed & opt for reconstructive surgery.

I can have affected breast removed & NOT have reconstructive surgery which would leave me lopsided.

I can have both breast removed & opt for reconstructive surgery.

I can have both removed & remain flat chested.

I am coming up with a big blank when I try to make any decision so.....I am not asking for advise here as I am going to be doing lots of reading & talking to plastic surgeons, people who administer  Radiation or even(possible) Chemo etc. befor I make any decisions. 

I am just curious to what you all think you might do? I am the same curious gal I have always been & I like you all contrary to what some of you may think. I get over stuff really fast & I find most everyone I have ever met on TBD interesting & worth the time of day...That means all of you.

Yeah, I go over the deep end sometimes...WEll, maybe more than sometimes, but I am really easy going & usually opt for a friend request rather than sit in my anger toward people forever.....Not saying that is wrong either....Just saying there are people here who I miss eventhough we dont get along all the time, I miss their companionship....

I have learned so much here. If you think I am a bad girl now, you should have met me when I first came here full of anger.....

It takes time, but with understanding....People grow. The silent treatment works too, but it is a puinishment......I can see through punishment to what is really behind it, so for those punishers out there.......NANANANANANA.

[lynn]

thanks, Kathy.  my mother's was DCIS, and it started 15 years ago, and they've learned a LOT since then.

you're clearly/obviously a strong woman who will get thru this, and i'm proud to know you!  

as best i can tell, the only reason to do a mastectomy of the un-cancerous breast is if you're in the 30-40 age range and have the wrong BRCA gene; i can't tell that it helps of it's "garden variety" breast cancer (whatever that means) so maybe it's good that you're hesitating about sacrificing the still-good breast!  no reason for more pain/suffering than is necessary.

but there's so much we don't know yet.  sigh.  there are no wrong answers, just best guesses and wait'n'see.  wishing you all the best!

[Laura]

well said, Lynn!

 

[Ubu]

I have a sister that had a lump from her breast removed just a few months ago.  She researched everything.  Trust me, that is the way she is.   She caught it early, had the mass removed and had some centralized radiation (just going on what I was told) for six days and now medication for who knows how long.  No hair loss involved. No chemo. She's back to her usual active self.  Hoping for the best for you.

[caseyjo]

Thank-you Ubu.....As I hear all the  stories I get stronger & stronger.

[caseyjo]

Hi you award winning guy you.....Congrats & welcome back & know I know you are a good friend.....Your new art is primo......just beautiful...as always,  the colors stunning.

[realteal]

Hi caseyjo, just popped in because of Robbie's kind message. Very sorry to hear about what's going on, but you do have a crowd here supporting you and your decisions. You are very loved. Hugs to you.

This whole thread has been interesting and enlightening. If it were me, I don't have a definite answer but just from what I've been reading here, might opt for lumpectomy with radiation.

I've read of some women without cancer but with a family history of breast cancer simply having a double mastectomy to avoid any possibility. Seems radical but also reasonable when so many others close to them have been affected.

Hope you get the best of information about all appropriate options, caseyjo. Thinking of you and waiting to hear what you decide. You're a fighter and pragmatic; I believe you'll make the best decision for you.

[caseyjo]

Robbie is a good ol egg...Has a way of judging people by their hearts & not by their mistakes & I make some woozies.....I am weighing everything out..esp. how the radiation could effect this thin skinned girl & I mean that literally. With my alcoholic past my skin has gotten thinner even though I have at least 12 years clean & sober my skin has already changed because of the abuse...I will find out tomorrow & then for the OPEN MRI  next week I should be closer to making my decision.....Nice to see you realteal.....The only thing that keeps me from being a loser are my friends..Thanks all of you...

 

[D. D. Olson]

Hi CaseyJo.  I'm also here because of Robbie's message.  I'm sorry you have cancer.  I don't know what to tell you as far as the best treatment is for you.  It looks like you've gotten some good advice here.  I will hold you in my thoughts tonight, as I'm sure many of your friends are also doing.

[caseyjo]

Thanks DD...Nice to see you.....:)

[Laura]

Hi CaseyJo,

I haven't been on TBD very much, but Robbie sent a message ( I see he sent several--what a sweet man!!). I am a breast cancer survivor. I completed chemo and radiation in late November 2010. My cancer was Stage  IIA and I opted for the lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation==and now Aromatase. 

 

When I was diagnosed, I shut down and lost my rather well developed research skills...I felt like I had information overload and didn't want to make my decision. I wanted my oncologist to advise me of the best approach and she wouldn't... I responded to the whole ordeal with macabre humor. I have a couple of very funny cancer YouTube videos that I can share with you, if you also would like to laugh in cancer's face!! (I highly recommend Showtime's "The Big C,"  for a bit of dark humor...

If you would like to talk, vent, etc. Please let me know, as I would love to talk with you...

 

in the meantime {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{CJ}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[caseyjo]

Hi Laura.....Robbie is a gift to the people around here..I can see that....All the single ladies should be lining up..cuz...you dont find em like that very often..:). I want to talk to you when my mind is clear & I have time...Today (I'm up very late & it's already Thursday here in fl ) I have a consultation appointment with a radiologist...Oh Boy...Tonight or Friday I would like to talk, I vented to another good friend the day befor yesterday so I think I am good to go on the venting......Thanks for coming to talk to me...See you soon.....Kathy

[Merry]

When my husband got cancer , I found a copy of "The Crazy, Sexy Cancer Book". I liked it, it covers everything from support to nutrition. I've been eating healthy lately , instead of stuffing myself with gummy worms which are good for arthritis cause of the gelatin ,I've been eating sprouts alot and kale and garlic and beans. Pineapple is good for breaking down food even more so that it's easier for the body to absorb the nutrients. The Doctor's Book of Food Remedies is one of my favorite reads of all time. Whatever you can do to make yourself stronger through exercise or nutrition or art or nature will help you fight.