notpopeye

Hi notpopeye! I am new to the site and almost feel like i am invading everyone's privacy by reading all the comments...but I couldn't agree more with what you said about wrapping your head around Chemo!! I was diagnosed on Oct 11th and had a Bilateral Mastectomy with tissue expanders on Oct 24th...am starting Chemo on Nov 23 and for some reason that is scaring me more than anything!!!! I hope you are holding up OK....i have a 6 and 2 yr old and some days it's so hard to keep smiling!

I was diagnosed in Feb 2012 with invasive lobular. Mammogram detected it, but MRi found more. Had a lumpectomy on Feb 8. No clear margins so they did a double mastectomy on Feb 22. Took out 17 lymph nodes. All were cancerous. Had 20 weeks of chemo. Not as bad as I thought it would be. Just lots of fatigue. Have 10 more radiation treatments. It all sounds scary but try to be strong and laugh whenever you can.

Hi notpopeye - welcome to the forum, glad you found us (but sorry for the reason you needed to). I was reading what you said about not wanting chemo - believe me, I was in exactly the same mind-set 8 yrs ago (I'm a natural therapist). I eventually came to believe it would be a good thing so I threw everything at the nasty little beastie and I'm still here to talk about it. I have a website where I do my best to unite conventional medicine with complementary - let me know if you'd like the web address. You are embarking on a roller-coaster of a journey, my dear. Let us know how we can best help you through it. Sending hugs from Denver.

Hi. I also was diagnosed with ILC on September 5, 2012. Have already had double mastectomy with tissue expanders placed at same time. Starting chemo on November 12. So, I will be a few steps ahead of you with treatment and will be glad to answer any questions you have to the best of my ability.

I see you have a 5-yr old at 45. Similarities there also, I am 53 and have a 13-year old, my only child.

Good luck as you work through this. I found that as I had more answers and a clear plan, things have seemed more manageable. You can do this!

I am very sorry you are having to go through this. There is so much to take in and digest. I hope you will be getting excellent care nearby. It took a full year for me to complete reconstruction and all treatment, and today I'm feeling strong and healthy. I started reconstruction immediately with expanders, and going through chemo at the same time wasn't easy, but now that it's done, I am pleased with the results. Those first few weeks and months are so difficult as you are laying out a plan, meeting new people, coping with test results...it makes my head spin thinking about it all. Yet it's all so necessary to get you well again. Stay strong. You will meet the challenges and get through it!

You have got to be overwhelmed with news coming at you from everywhere. Its hard to think sometimes. The best news is the MRI. I had cancer in 1 breast, but thanks to MRI, they found it in my other breast,. Push the surgeon to order BRCA test (genetics test), based on your age your insurance hopefully will cover it. Gets lots of rest and try not to concentrate too much on your diagnosis...I know that is hard thing to do. I am glad you found this web/blog site. We are fellow travellers, we are all here for you. I wish you the best on your journey.

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