Alice, think only of the best case. It will be a good outcome. Don't let the docs stampede you into treatment beyond what you need. Ask lots of questions! I'm holding you in my thoughts for the best outcome.
I'm very struck by both JayEll and Andrea saying to ask lots of questions. Much food for thought there for a researcher like me who asks lots of questions!
Alice: sending positive thoughts your way. Also, making an appointment for a mammogram TODAY. It's something I tend to put off, and put off, and put off...
Triviality of the day. We have an old house. We live in a part of the conutry where there are housemice. Ergo, we have mice. It's almost inevitable. The cattens (adolescent cats -- too old for kittens, too stupid for adults) spend a lot of their day staring intently at the space under the dishwasher, which I'm sure is where some of the mice hang out.
This morning I was drinking my coffee on the couch, just minding my own business. A mouse crawled under the door from the basement and trotted confidently -- for a mouse, that is -- across the kitchen floor. I swear, it almost stepped on the cats' tails.
The cats didn't notice, because they were too busy staring intently at the space under the dishwasher.
Facepalm.
Time to call the exterminator, I guess. I hate doing this, because I don't like the idea of the chemicals in the house or of killing them (the mice, that is, not the exterminators. Or the chemicals). Frankly, it doesn't freak me out to coexist with one or two mice, although 2 mice never stay just 2 mice. But, enough is enough.
Alice-- also sending positive vibes, prayers, and whatever else you may need! I know hearing something like your news always puts my trivial complaints into perspective..... not so important that my weight has gone up a pound each day for the past three days in the grand scheme of things...
But, everyone I know (and I have a lot of close personal friends and coworkers who have had breast cancer in the last few years) has had a very positive outcome. I'm sure I would be stressed beyond belief, but I know you will do great!! Please keep us posted.
Kaw-- thanks for the chuckle.... My cats are obsessed if there is a bug in the house but they can rarely catch them.
Speaking of cats, and weight maintenance and how they're related-- I came home from a long rough day at work intent on making it to UJAM as I figured it would be a fun way to work off my stress. I was racing around getting ready, trying to walk dogs, etc. when I went upstairs and saw one of my cats (I assume Wilbur as he was the one that wasn't feeling well last week) had thrown up everywhere-- bed, floor, rugs, you name it..... I ended up taking him to the vet... The vet did bloodwork to rule out kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, etc. and we will get the results today. Praying it is nothing serious..... This, of course, eliminated my workout time....
Dh cooked and I proceeded to overeat (healthy but too much) and then when he had dessert, I couldn't say no to a quest bar.... Sigh... no wonder my weight is up so much this week.
Alice, I've just heard this programme on BBC Radio 4 which has a very encouraging section about how being fit and active really helps recovery from cancer and cancer treatment.
Alice, you have my prayers and best wishes. MIL went through something very similar a few years back and decided that at her age, she didn't want to do anything more than lumpectomy, regardless. Fortunately, there weren't any involved lymph nodes and though she was getting pressure to do more, she held firm and all has been good for 5 years now.
I'm a thermography fan myself, and will make that appointment this week. I'm a few months overdue.
kaw - you need to rent a barn cat! Somebody who sees mice as a delightful snack as well as entertaining toy. Confident mice -
Michele, good luck with Wilbur. I hope it's inexpensive, easy to fix, and simple nonrecurring event.
Thanks for your well wishes for my fur baby. Wilbur's bloodwork came back normal. He has had gastro issues off and on for years and has to have specially cooked food as he can't tolerate cat food. For whatever reason, he must just be having a flare up. The vet said we can do more tests if it persists but I suspect it will resolve. However, when I was thinking he was ill, I looked at his gums (as pets gums can be pale when they're ill). I realized his teeth are NASTY and he desperately needs a dental cleaning. It's funny because his sister, Charlotte, had gum disease years ago and had a large chunk of her teeth pulled. I looked in her mouth yesterday and poor thing has like 3 teeth left-- but gums look great! So.... I need to schedule Wilbur to get his teeth cleaned which is bound to make him feel much better. Not inexpensive but needed... hopefully he won't need a bunch of teeth pulled as that really runs up the cost!
What a day at work! 4 classes had subs and we have rain and wind which equals crazy kids! Luckily it's an early dismissal day so I can get some work done in peace now....
Thanks so much for the good vibes and wishes, everyone. It means a lot to me. I'm glad I could motivate several to schedule their mammograms! I had all my pre-op stuff done today and talked to the Dr. She did not want to answer "what if" questions during this visit, such as "what if lymph nodes are positive for cancer". We will cross that bridge next week if necessary. The most disconcerting thing she told me is about being at lifetime risk for lymphoedema, even with just the sentinel node biopsy. Any time your lymphatic system is disrupted you are at risk, even years after the surgery. The standard directive is "never again lift anything heavier than 8 pounds with the affected arm". I already know I'll be (very slowly, very carefully) pushing past that limit after I am cleared for "normal" activity. IMO, there are just not many data points about lymphoedema consisting of women who have weight trained. I'll definitely consult with a specialist, and perhaps I can be part of a clinical trial.
Michele, I hope your cat feels better soon. We have one who throws up every few weeks. I think he eats too fast. Speaking of cats, DH built a ramp for Pepper (in my avatar), who lives on the third floor of our cat condo, since I won't be able to pick his 16+ pounds up for a while. Pepper is so food motivated that it only took 3 training sessions to have him going up and down the rather steep ramp on his own. DH covered the ramp with several layers of old blanket and fastened wood slat "steps" on top. Pepper hasn't had so much exercise in years!
If it was your doctor who told you that lifting heavy things is bad after breast surgery, then CHOOSE A DIFFERENT DOCTOR, because the original data came out in 2009 and there's just no excuse for someone to be that far out of date.
(Thanks for letting us know.)
Confident mice - 
