So...I might have breast cancer.

[Phillycat]

Which sucks. I definitely have to have surgery, and then they'll send the biopsy to pathology and we'll find out for sure if it's the Big C or something else.

Think good boob thoughts. Ultrasound today.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Oh, honey. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

Breast cancer, if that's what it is, is extremely curable.

Good thoughts, prayers and vibes headed your way. :hug:

[Phillycat]

14. Thank you

:hug:

[billyskank]

2. Holy shit

:hug:

[Phillycat]

15. Yeah, that's pretty much how I feel

:hug:

[asthmaticeog]

3. Stop that. Stop maybe having cancer right now.

Start not having it. This, I demand.

Ugh, if only such things were so simple that dictatorial posturing would solve them. :(

Best of luck with this, janesez. I have no doubt a lot of us here will be rooting for you, my self not least of all.

Good boob vibes are on the way. :hug:

[Phillycat]

16. Yes, please order my boobs around

They apparently need to be kept in line.

Thanks. :hug:

[_testify_]

4. I lost my mom to breast cancer (complications).

:hug:

Sending the good stuff your way.

[Phillycat]

17. So sorry about your mom.

Thanks :hug:

[_testify_]

24. Thanks. It was a long time ago.

I'm sure they've come a long way since then, so don't you worry bout nuthin' :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear janesez.......

Oh, sweetie.......

My heart goes out to you today.......

I recently faced this myself........

And though this could change, right now I'm in the clear.......

Still.......you have my complete support!

Good thoughts headed your way, sweetie.......:hug: :loveya: :hug:

[Phillycat]

19. I'm sorry you had to go through this too

Thank you for the good thoughts :hug:

[dolo amber]

6. I went throught this a couple years ago...fortunately mine was nothing

I'll cross everything I've got (boobs included) that your result is the same. :hug:

[Phillycat]

21. That's what I'm hoping for too.

My best friend and I keep using the word "benign" in conversation, and then we follow it up with "you know, BENIGN, like everything in our lives!"

Giving it the ole voodoo magic...thanks :hug:

[progmom]

7. good boob thoughts coming your way

:hug:

you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

btw - i have a friend who fought and beat breast cancer two years ago. even if the news is bad, you can fight it. :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Phillycat]

22. I also happen to have one of the best breast surgeons in the world

Helps to work for a world-renowned hospital. I know I am in good hands.

Thanks :hug:

[Magrittes Pipe]

8. Damn.

That's harsh.

You've got my best. :pals:

[Phillycat]

23. Yeah, no shit.

Thanks :hug:

[Sugar Smack]

9. I'm so sorry, janesez.

I'll think good thoughts for you today.:hug: The very best of luck to you.

[Phillycat]

25. Thank you dearie

:hug:

[Bunny]

10. Sending good boob vibes your way.

I've been through this twice myself, and each time it was benign. So, take heart and think good thoughts. :hug:

[Phillycat]

26. That's good to hear.

I know there are other things it can be, and I am just trying to concentrate on that. It's because I have the ultrasound today that I'm a bit anxious. I just needed some support.

Thanks :hug:

[Haole Girl]

11. My sis just went through this

Her biopsy, thank God, was benign. Here's hoping for only good news for you...:hug: Be strong...please keep your chin up, though I know it's hard. :pals: :hug:

[Phillycat]

27. Thank goodness about your sister

I will selfishly hope for the same thing for myself. Thanks :hug:

[Haole Girl]

32. That would not be selfish at all. That's just self-preservation!

:hug:

[reyd reid reed]

12. Oh, man

I'm so sorry. I'll definitely keep the girls in my thoughts today. It'll be fine. Have they ruled out the possibility that it's just a cyst?

:hug:

[Phillycat]

13. Yes, not a cyst.

It could be a papilloma, though, which is not a big deal. We are definitely rooting for a papilloma. I am bleeding from my nipple (isn't that the most disgusting thing you've ever heard?)

We shall see. Thanks for the good thoughts.

[reyd reid reed]

46. It's scary, is what it is

All my thoughts are with you.

:hug:

[RiffRandell]

118. I just read up on your symptom.

You have a great chance of it NOT being cancer. I believe it was about 10% of people with that symptom had cancer. Best wishes---this must be so tough. My husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 oral cancer last November---it was such a shock, but we dealt with it. Good luck! I so hope it's not----I didn't post many details but he had radiation to his neck and mouth---he lost 75 lbs, had a feeding tube---he is doing great now, though. What did your Dr say were the stats that you have it? The treatment for breast (if caught early) is much easier than this one. What stage did he/she think? These are important questions; and not to be taken lightly. I had a mass on my breast a couple years ago, and ultrasound proved to be nothing. Thoughts and prayers..

Jess

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

18. Best of luck Janesez!

:hug:

[Phillycat]

28. Thank you

:hug:

[Cathyclysmic]

20. Best wishes to you. Sending good boob vibes to the ethers!

:hug:

[Phillycat]

29. Thank you CC

:hug:

[MissMillie]

30. My thoughts are with you

My mom went through this same process a couple years back and all was well. Here's hoping the same for you.

[Phillycat]

33. Thank you.

I'm sorry your mom had to go through this. :hug:

[Richardo]

31. .

:hug: Hoping for the best, janesez

[Phillycat]

34. Thank you dear.

:hug:

[Benfea]

35. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Hang in there!

[Phillycat]

39. I'll try!

Thanks.

[Mutley]

36. Good thoughts for you.

:hug:

[Phillycat]

40. I'll take them

:hug:

[ThomCat]

37. I'm thinking many good thoughts.

I hope you get good news.

[Phillycat]

41. Me too

I'll keep you posted. Thanks.

[buddhamama]

38. janesez

Cat, stay cool and know there are good vibes for you. whatever the outcome, we'll be here.
keep us posted. :hug:

[Phillycat]

42. Thanks darlin.

Deep breaths, right? :hug:

[hfojvt]

43. "there's a shortage of

perfect breasts in the world" It's a shame to ruin yours.

[Phillycat]

44. I don't know how to respond to this comment.

I don't really have a choice about the surgery. ??

[hfojvt]

60. just my bizarre way of offering sympathy and a compliment

by quoting and paraphrasing the Princess Bride.

[Phillycat]

61. Ah!

Well, thanks then. :D

[seemunkee]

45. I'm sorry, lets hope you get some good news

and if it is cancer that this was caught early.

I lost my mom to it, but with the aid of a good doctor she fought it for 15 years and saw her grandchildren grow up. Arm yourself with knowledge and don't ever be afraid to question what is being done for your treatment.
:hug:

[Phillycat]

48. Thank you for the good advice.

I will take all of it. Sorry about your mom but thank god she was able to put up a good fight and spend all that extra time with her family. :hug:

[tigereye]

47. oh no! Let us hope not.

:hug: and prayers for you.

[Phillycat]

49. Thanks, I'll take them

:hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

50. All my good boob thoughts go out to you today, janesez...

I'll be hoping for "something else". :hug:

[Phillycat]

53. Yes, something else would be awesome.

Thanks. :hug:

[CBHagman]

51. Sending good thoughts your way.

I hope they get as accurate a reading as possible.

We are behind you! Please let everyone know how you're doing.

[Phillycat]

54. Me too.

The area is very localized, which is why they can do an ultrasound rather than an MRI (thank GOD, I hate those tubes).

I will keep you all posted. Thanks. :hug:

[huskerlaw]

52. Positive thoughts

headed your way. :hug:

[Phillycat]

55. I need them all.

Thanks. :hug:

[Writer]

56. Hey - keep up that wonderful positive spirit...

you'll be okay. You have a troop here who'll be thinking of you. :hi:

[Phillycat]

57. Thanks. I'm off to the ultrasound now.

Here we go!

[miss_american_pie]

58. Stay strong

Sending you many good thoughts. :hug:

[Phillycat]

62. I will try

Thanks, I need them. :hug:

[crim son]

59. You have my most positive thoughts

and prayers. And should you receive bad news, take comfort. I personally have known about ten women to be diagnosed with breast cancer. They are all alive and well, anywhere from three to eighteen years later. You will be well.

[Phillycat]

63. Thank you for the optimism.

It's important for me to remember that this is not a death sentence, and I have the best medical care available anywhere. And we don't even KNOW anything yet.

Thanks. :hug:

[dancing kali]

64. I am sending you all the good thoughts & wishes

I can.

I found a lump in my breast last November. The mammogram & ultrasound was three weeks later (damned waiting lists), I barely got home from the mammo when my doctor was on the phone calling me in to his office. At that point everyone was 90% sure that it was cancer. He told me that I would see the surgeon and he would perform a core biopsy of the tumour and also a sentinel (I believe that's the word) biopsy (to check lymph nodes) and once the results were in I would have my surgery. When I went in to see the surgeon, I asked why I had to do the biopsy, wait 2 weeks to get it confirmed and then wait to be scheduled for surgery (since the biopsy wouldn't be back until 24 December that would mean waiting until January to have the lumpectomy) since I wanted that damned thing out of me and was beginning to consider simply taking a knife and doing it myself. So he did a needle biopsy in the office that day, at the end of which he was now 98% convinced by size, shape and feel of the tumour when the needle went in that it was definitely cancer. He scheduled me for the lumpectomy and an axillary node biopsy (they took 5 lymph nodes instead of only 2) on 21 December. The surgery was day surgery - in at noon & home by 7pm. 2 weeks recovering and waiting for the drainage tube to be removed. I was back at work by the end of January. I did radiation through March and was offered an alternative to traditional chemo (I get an injection every 4 months of a drug called Luprolide - kills off the ovaries, it's to keep me fully menopausal - my cancer turned out to be highly estrogen receptive) so I got to keep my hair. I am fine, all the doctors seem pleased with my progress. Ok, so I'm a bit smaller and perkier on one side now and I have one honking big scar across the top of my breast but I can live with that. Hopefully, in December I will be cancer free for 1 year.

The things I learned through this experience...

Take someone with you when you go for your appointments to be your brains... I wasn't processing information very quickly during the early appointments so having my husband (whose sister works in cancer research) and my best friend (a cancer survivor and also worked in the cancer industry) helped a great deal. They can ask all the questions for you.

Have a good personal support network - I was lucky in that I started out with a good one (see above) - if you don't have such people in your life take advantage of the support groups offered by the various cancer agencies.

Maintain a good sense of humour. I named and talked to my tumour (I named it after my ex - that was very cathartic).

Make sure that you move your arm as much as possible. I had 80% of my full range of motion back in about 3 weeks from the surgery... however, I am a former dancer and refused to not have the ability to move. Most women take it slower. Just be aware of how much you can do.

If you can find them, get some good, front closing sports bras. I had never wanted to wear a bra so much until I was recovering from the surgery. Of course I had to wait until the drainage tube was removed. Trust me, you're going to want the support.

Anti-oxidant foods are good for you.

There is a cream called Mederma that my sister sent me that is good for fading the scar.

During radiation, have a good, water based, non-greasy moisturizing cream to apply to the breast. You want something that absorbs into the skin, not just sits on top.

I can't speak to dealing with traditional chemo since I haven't had to deal with it.

So there's my story. I send you all the warmth, and support that I have to give. Hang in there. Stay strong.

Hugs to you.
Dancing Kali

[Phillycat]

72. Wow, thank you so much for all of this information

and sharing your story. I really, really appreciate it. You are an amazing woman. We will celebrate together your 1 year of cancer-free. Thank you again, really. From the bottom of my heart. :hug:

[dancing kali]

109. you are most welcome

I forgot to add one thing... and this will be a hard one.... stay off the internet. There is a lot of good information out there and a lot of not so good which means that there is way too much for you to deal with right now. Once the path reports are back and you have a better idea of the specifics... then go to the internet and do the research because you can narrow down your search field to the info you need.

How did the ultrasound go?

Go have a drink (or whatever else you prefer to do to relax) and rest.

Remember that you are allowed to be needy right now. If you aren't getting what you need from your health care professionals, family, friends, or whoever... let them know. Right now, it really is all about you.

This is going to sound really silly but... one of the things that helped me greatly was a teddy bear. Husband said it was a good gauge of my emotional state - I would hug it a lot when I was depressed. In addition to the emotional comfort that one gets from teddy bears, it also was the perfect size to put under my arm as a prop while sitting around and to put under my shoulder to keep me from rolling over on that side at night while recovering from the surgery. The funny thing is I'm still sleeping with it.

[jpgray]

65. All my best thoughts are with you

:hug:

[Phillycat]

73. Thanks

I need them. :hug:

[Kajsa]

66. Oh Janesez, I'm so sorry to hear that.

I hope everything turns out OK for you.

Hang in there, we are all rootin for you!!

:hug:

[Phillycat]

74. Thank you Kajsa

I will keep you all posted. :hug:

[Katina]

67. good vibes to you, my sister just had it

they did the surgery and found it was "in situ." She doesn't need any chemo, but the type she has is recurring so she has to take that new medication that prevents new cancer. It's also the kind that runs in families. As long as she stays on the med, and continues to be checked, she will be fine (thank god).
I hope you don't have to go through any of that...strong vibes being sent for a benign report.

[Phillycat]

75. Thank goodness your sister is now okay.

I will take all the strong vibes. Thanks Katina. :hug:

[Katina]

81. I know that you will be too

positive thoughts can do that you know. :D :hug:

[u4ic]

68. Healing vibes and good thoughts

coming your way, janesez. :grouphug:

I hope the biopsy comes up negative.

[Phillycat]

76. Thank you u4ic

I appreciate the positive thoughts. :hug:

[Phillycat]

77. delete dupe

[enigmatic]

69. Be strong

:hug:

[Phillycat]

78. I'll try

:hug:

[supernova]

70. Will be thinking good thoughts for you janesez

:hug:

[Phillycat]

79. Thanks, I need them

:hug:

[Skittles]

71. if you do we will kick its ass, janesez

yes

[Phillycat]

80. OH YES WE WILL

YES INDEED. :hug:

[Skittles]

85. SEE, I know you will be fine whatever happens

you got the 'TUDE going. Yes INDEED !!! :D

[ronnykmarshall]

82. Thinking good boob thoughts.

Good luck, sweetie!

There are few people that can get me thinking about boobs, you're one of them.

:loveya:

[Phillycat]

87. I made a gay man think about boobs.

I've got the power!

Thanks. :hug:

[RFKHumphreyObama]

83. My deepest and most profound thoughts, prayers, best wishes, positive

vibes and whatever else good I can throw at you are extended to you Janesez:hug: :hug: We'll all be here for you and we'll all be thinking, praying and sending good wishes your way. All the very, very best and especially for your surgery:hug: :hug: and please feel free to confide in us and share your thoughts/feelings at any time. We'll be here for you:grouphug: :grouphug:

[Phillycat]

88. Thank you very much.

I will keep you all posted. You're very sweet. :hug:

[SeattleGirl]

84. Wishing you the best outcome, janesez

:hug:

[Phillycat]

90. Thanks SeattleGirl

:hug: back atcha.

[fudge stripe cookays]

86. Oh crap.

Sending lots of good boob karma your way.

Stay strong, hon.
fsc

[Phillycat]

91. Boob karma is totally going to be the name of my band

If, you know, I had a band.

Thanks. :hug:

[fudge stripe cookays]

95. Boob karma is totally where it's at.

We gotta protect our breasteses.

I'll be thinking good thoughts for the boobicles. LEt us know how you're doing.

fsc :hug:

[Zomby Woof]

89. It'll work out

Best of luck! Think the Big B - benign.

[Phillycat]

92. Thanks.

Mandy and I are working the word "benign" into every conversation. Heh.

[underpants]

93. good boob thoughts right here

:hi:


Hey look ask yourself two questions

1.Has anyone else ever done this?

If YES-then it can't be that hard now can it?
If NO-then you might as well be the first.

[Phillycat]

94. Heh.

Word, UP. Word. :hi:

[LynneSin]

96. If you get a chance - check out the recent Funky Winkerbean comics

They've been dealing with Breast Cancer in their comic strip (Les Moore's wife has it) and I thought it was very well done especially for something that's suppose to be targetted for the average 10 year old

I hope and wish you to speedy health!

[Phillycat]

97. Thanks.

I will check that out. :hug:

[greatauntoftriplets]

98. Good luck with that....

I hope that it turns out to be benign.

[Phillycat]

99. Me too.

Thanks.

[pitohui]

100. best wishes -- odds are in your favor

http://yudkowsky.net/bayes/bayes.html

if this guy's numbers are right, the number of false positives is huge, i knew it was large, but i hadn't realized quite how large, most of the time these turn out to be cysts or some otherwise benign structure

this actually happened w. someone in my family, yeah, they were just some benign cysts that have never amounted to anything

i'll keep my fingers crossed that the same is true for you

[Phillycat]

102. Thanks, those are good odds.

I will try to stay positive. :hug:

[sendero]

101. They are doing surgery..

... before doing a biopsy? I'd do a lot of reading about fibroids. I'm hoping it is not malignant.

[Phillycat]

103. It is a biopsy, a surgical biopsy

As compared to a needle aspiration or needle biopsy. She is going to take a little chunk of tissue out with the ducts that she believes contain the whatever-it-is, and send it for pathology. I am bleeding out of a nipple, you see. Gross, eh? It's only about a half-inch incision, but still, it sucks to have your boob sliced up, ya know?

[sundog]

104. take care janesez

:pals:

[Phillycat]

105. Thanks

:hug:

[GOPisEvil]

106. Holy...!

I'll be thinking positive thoughts for you.

[NewWaveChick1981]

107. Positive vibes for you, janesez.

:hug: I had a breast cancer scare when I had my first mammogram, but the biopsy showed it was benign. I'm keeping good thoughts for you that it's benign too. :hug:

[Lavender Brown]

108. Take care of yourself

As hard as it sounds, try not to worry too much until you know more. :pals:

[Liberalynn]

110. Sending you positive thoughts and

a :hug:

[Redstone]

111. Dammit, dammit. I do hope you do well.

Redstone

[YellowRubberDuckie]

112. If you do have it, it's not a death sentence anymore.

Be positive. I know you're scared, and rightly so, but don't let it rule you. You need to be upbeat and positive. I'll say a prayer for you, even if you don't believe in that kind of thing, you'll at least sense the good boob vibes. :hug:
Duckie

[Kat45]

113. I'm so sorry to hear that, and I'll think good thoughts that you don't.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

114. You've got them...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
good boob thoughts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
:hug:

[hopein08]

115. All my best wishes, thoughts & energies...

"Our Father, who has set a restlessness in our hearts and made us all seekers after that which we can never fully find, forbid us to be satisfied with what we can make of life. Draw us from the base content and set our eyes on far-off goals. Keep us at task too hard for us that we may be driven to Thee for strength. Deliver us from fretfulness and self-pitying; make us sure of the good we cannot see and of the hidden good in the world. Open our eyes to simple beauty all around us and our hearts to the loveliness men hide from us because we do not try to understand them. Save us from ourselves and show us a vision of a world made new."

Eleanor Roosevelt's Nightly Prayer

[Jean Louise Finch]

116. Hugely good boob thoughts

I hope the biopsy turns out to be nothing serious, but if it does I know you'll fight it. Best of luck and strength to you.

[Dinger]

117. Sending Healing/Positive Thoughts Your Way Jane

I had a helluva scare not long ago, and the support I received here was way beyond, jus WAAAAY beyond. It made a difference.
:grouphug:

[yellowdogintexas]

119. yep, it sucks. Sending you boob recovery vibes over the

cyberwaves.
Been through a couple of these myself. Not fun.

[graywarrior]

120. Thinking of you, janesez

That's a heavy load to bear, but cancer is not a death sentence. Hang in there, my friend.

[bertha katzenengel]

121. I am thinking mega-super-oober good boob thoughts

In fact, my Left One -- which is healing from a lumpectomy -- is radiating good oober-boob thoughts to you right now.

:hug: I am sorry you have to endure this. My god. So sorry.

Please keep us posted!

[Reverend_Smitty]

122. I have positive vibes going your way

Hope everything works out for the best

[LeftishBrit]

123. All best thoughts foing your way!

I hope all turns out to be OK!!

[xchrom]

124. i'm sending good vibrations your way.

and i'm very sorry this is going on for you.

very scary -- my hope is all will be well.

[BlueIris]

125. Best of luck. nt

[Phillycat]

126. THANK YOU TO ALL

I want to reply to each of you individually, but I didn't want to mercilessly kick this thread. I just want to say your support, caring, and love really means the world to me. Thank you to all who shared their personal experiences especially. It so helps to know others have gone through this and come out the other side.

The ultrasound was inconclusive so I'm scheduling surgery sometime in the near future (was going to happen either way.) I will keep you all posted. Thanks again. XOXO

[auntAgonist]

128. I just caught your thread, I'm glad you kicked it up ...

My best wishes and good thoughts/prayers/rubber chicken swingin' will all be for you. Let's hope for a good outcome. No cancer! ! !

sincerely.

aA
kesha

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

127. It would help us concentrate if you posted a pic of 'em

Just kidding. :evilgrin:

You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer. You do NOT have cancer.