Fine 1 day, Walking Depression The Next

Hi there,

It does get easier, so hang in there!  Good news on the nodes - yeah!!  

For the pain, ask your doc for a Rx to go to a physical therapist - and one that specializes in breast cancer (bc) and lynphedema.  Even though you didn't have lymph involvement, they probably did a sentinel node biopsy, right?  Anyway, therapy has been a blessing for me after my bilat mast and I have been going for a year (2 more surgeries and a rotator cuff flare extended it) and am so grateful for it.  My range of motion is stellar and I am now working on strength. 

For the boobs, well, that is hard.  However, you know your fmaily and friends know so they will not be "judgemental", and as far as strangers go, they never knew you with them so no biggie there.  It is in our heads that someone will "notice"...and of course we know something IS missing, but in the end it is okay.  I started wearing camis with a blouse over them unbuttoned.  If gave the illusion of "something".  Funny thing is, I could have NEVER worn a cami before...so that was kinda fun.  Sears has some pretty cotton ones.  Kohls too.  

I have now had my implant swap and am happy with them.  No nipples yet, but perhaps sometime this year. 

I wish you health and love.  Eat lots of veggies.  Take care of yourself because there are lots of things within your OWN control to live a long happy life.  Eat green food, take out processed food completely, move your body, drink water and live, live, live!!

Hugs,

Tina

http://tinainthepink.blogspot.com/

Also, check out Crazy Sexy Life: http://tinainthepink.blogspot.com/ (look for me Tina!)

Tiffany, it's a big deal to lose any part of your body, and we should all acknowledge that.  It's not as big a deal as incurable cancer, of course, and I think those of us who have been lucky - cancer found early, good prognosis etc. - have a kind of survivor's guilt reaction: "The cancer is out, why should I care about my breast(s)?" But your body, and your feelings about it, are part of you and it's pointless to try to ignore them.  In fact in the run-up to my mastectomy I found myself getting a teeny bit irritable with the relentlessly upbeat attitudes of my care team.  Don't get my wrong, they were all awesome.  But I felt like they were glossing over the fact that when it was all over I was going to wake up without a breast.  And I made myself think about it, so I would be prepared.

As for reconstruction during chemo - I doubt anyone would do it, and believe me, you wouldn't want to.  Chemo is very draining and your immune system will be depressed, so it's not a good time for surgery.

All the best,

Andrea

Tiffany, Hi  I just want you to know you are not alone in feeling the way you are feeling some days are better than others and that is the bad part I had to get on medication for my depression because all I did was cry and wonder why me what had I did to GOD to make him so mad at me that this was happening but I soon found out that was not the way it was at all. I know it's easier said than did but if you can find you some thing you like to  do like read, write  or sew something that will take your mind off of the things that keeps you worried for me that was reading I get a book and get lost in it if only for an hour or 30mins that help me alot so does the medication just an FYI I am on Lexapro 10mg so if you want to talk to your dr about maybe taking something. But do know that things will get better I beleave once the shock is over some and when you feel like you can see light at the end you will be ok. Just know I'm still keeping you in my prayers and things will be ok.