Hi Tammie. It really does sound like a lot of positive news, and it also sounds as though you have a smart, attentive medical team on your side. I hope you can enjoy your weekend and get some good sleep and have some fun too. We're around here every day, so if you want to "talk" or ask any questions, someone will always be around. All my best, Rena

Rena age 63 California Central Coast
26-year survivor
BRCA2-positive
Dx 1986 IDC ER/PR negative 22 positive lymph nodes
CMFVP chemo weekly for one year, 7 weeks radiation
October 2007: New chassis and spark plugs!

Tammie:  It's nice to have some of the waiting out of the way.  It sounds like you now have a plan. Ask plenty of questions with the plastic surgeon as to what type reconstruction are options for you if you plan on having it.  The time on the table varies.  If you want you can pm me for some suggestions on what to take to the hospital.  There is also a posting out here someplace (sorry forgot where) on ideas as well.  I did get some great ones and my doctor talked about it each time I went in for follow ups.

Good luck with you next appointments.

Tina    
dx 2/1/11 DCIS
Lumpectomy 2/27 results DCIS/LCIS Stage 0 ER+ PR+
Bi-lateral Mastectomy 4/26 with expanders 
6/3 Surgery to remove contaminated expander due to infection.
7/22/11 Surgery to reinsert the expander. 
10/11/2011 Surgery to replace tissue expanders with implants. 
 

Two appointments in one day is nice for saving trips, but it sure does make a long day!  Started the day with the core biopsy on breast #2.  Just like with the other breast I had bleeding issues for no known reason.  They were ready for it this time and got it stopped much quicker, but that involved large amounts of pressure...ouch!  At least it is done, and hopefully I'll know by the end of the week if we can save the lymph nodes on the 2nd side. Meeting with the plastic surgeon was uneventful, but long.  There weren't too many decisions to make since I already knew implants were my only reconstruction option.  I've got some time to decide what I want to fill them with.  They hope to get back to me at the end of the week with results and a surgery date.  I think I will feel better with some more of the unknowns squared away.

Tammie
Diagnosed IDC 3/29/12. EBB 3/26: 2 x 9mm tumors, Nottingham Grade 2, ER/PR +. 
Pending bi-lateral mastectomy on 5/11/12.

Biopsy #2 is benign so I get to save some lymph nodes!

Tammie
Diagnosed IDC 3/29/12. EBB 3/26: 2 x 9mm tumors, Nottingham Grade 2, ER/PR +. 
Pending bi-lateral mastectomy on 5/11/12.

Wonderful news Tammie!!

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

Hi Tammie,  You are handling all you are facing with great courage and dignity.  You will make it thru this- it can seem overwhelming at times- I'm 1 year out and sometimes I'm amazed I handled it all but I did.  I owe it to the Lord and the wonderful drs, family, and friends He surrounded me with. I chose a double mast with water-filled implants.  My surgeon strongly recommended a lumpectomy but that wasn't what I felt comfortable with.  It truly is a personal decision- what's right for YOU.  Recovery from surgery was not nearly as bad as I anticipated and so far I am very happy with my reconstruction.  I had 4 rounds of chemo which was also not as bad as I imagined.  If you have any questions, please ask!  Helping others is one blessing that can come from this difficult journey. 
 

OK Tammie,
This is the start of good new from here on!

dx ILC/dcis excisional biopsy 5/30/08
r segmental mast (partial) snb 6/4
node neg stage1 gr ll
er+/pr- Her2 - Oncotype Dx 11
R mast 9/22/08 w DIEP
tamox,now AI 
BRCA 1 & 2 NEG
davinci hyst/bso,  

Thanks all.  I sure don't feel brave or strong a lot of the time.  Half the time I still keep waiting for them to tell me a mistake has been made, but I know that won't really happen.  Still waiting for my surgery date.  I've decided I need to look for a recliner. We dont' have one and it will save me a lot of going up the steps, plus I don't want to lay in bed during the day.  As a belly sleeper, I'm betting the recliner is my best option to get a little sleep in the early days too.

Tammie
Diagnosed IDC 3/29/12. EBB 3/26: 2 x 9mm tumors, Nottingham Grade 2, ER/PR +. 
Pending bi-lateral mastectomy on 5/11/12.

Tammie, it sounds like you're really doing a great job absorbing and processing the information your docs are giving you. I an totally relate to you saying that youre waiting for them to tell you a mistake has been made- I felt like that also, even though I had 2 areas that were confirmed to be cancerous. I also had a bilateral mastectomy. For me, the recliner was a great option. We have a reclining sofa and I slept on it for a week or two after both surgeries. I used to be a stomach sleeper but not any more, it seems.  All the best to you! 

Elizabeth

I got my surgery date:  May 11.  I was hoping it would be sooner, and my kids are off school that day which will be one more thing to coordinate, but at least I feel like I am moving along in the process now.  The surgery threads have been helpful for suggestions on things to get, and now I need to just actually get the stuff!

Tammie
Diagnosed IDC 3/29/12. EBB 3/26: 2 x 9mm tumors, Nottingham Grade 2, ER/PR +. 
Pending bi-lateral mastectomy on 5/11/12.