Looking for a friend

Quilla, good luck with chemo. It's OK to be scared! Very natural. But you know what? Chemo wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I was born in 1953 - looks like we might have something in common? And of course, growing up we heard that cancer was a death sentence, and chemo was a nightmare. NO LONGER TRUE on either count. The docs and nurses will do everything in their power to make you comfortable - and usually they succeed. So, my thoughts are with you - and you too, Susie - for April 15. Good luck to you both - PJH

Thank you so much. Yes we do have something in common 1953 was a very good year. This site is wonderful. I appreciate all the info it has eased some of my concerns.

Thanks for your response.  I am really starting to get anxious and I only have my husband to talk to.  He is very supportive and loving, but he can only take so much.  I lie awake at night, just thinking.  I imagine that the cancer is all over me on the inside.  I lost the hearing in my right ear on Wednesday.  Total loss.  I have an appt with an ENT tomorrow.  I went to the Urgent Care clinic last Friday to see if it was just stopped up with wax, but the doctor said it was clear.  I'm imaging that I have brain cancer and it has done some nerve damage in my ear.  So I am pretty near going crazy.  Is this typical?

Susie, I've just looked up sudden hearing loss and the good news is that it's only very, very rarely caused by a tumour. It can be caused by many things, including chemotherapy drugs. Most of the time they can't find what has caused it. It can be treated if you see a doctor early.

I've sent you another message if you'd like to check your messages. Let's see if we can help you to feel a little better.

Sending you lots of positive thoughts from here in Oz.

Sue

My hearing started coming back about a week ago.  It is now about 75%.  Amazing!  The ENT that I went to said that he would give me about a 50/50 chance of regaining my hearing and he didn't know what caused it.  Told me to get an MRI and see 3 other docs.  I just came home and prayed.  Please God, no more doctors!  I have yet to see an oncologist, but I know I will need one.  I'm still waiting for my first appt after surgery with surgeon and plastics.  The drain tubes are my only complaint now.

Dear Bernadette,

Thanks for your email.  I am at home now.  Just spent one night in hospital.  Not too much pain.  Had a relatively good night in my own bed last night.  Kind of hard getting in and out of bed for now.  They only had to take the sentinel node and a couple others, so I feel very lucky.  The surgeon says that they got all of the cancer.  I haven't been to an oncologist yet.  Just waiting for instructions.  Going in in two weeks for follow up with surgeon.

Susie

I have been reading your post and you have been in my prayers.  Your news sounds great.  I am 40 and will be undergoing surgery on 27th april for a complete mastomecy on my right breast and I am very worried and scared.  This site is great.  The women here post great information and it is very comforting.  God bless you and your husband as you go through this and I hope that we can keep in touch with each other for strength.  God bless and continue to be strong.  My personal email address is msmary729@hotmail.com.  Please let me know how all is going with you and what I should expect.

Mary

Hi Mary,

I am recovering nicely.  Today I am going to take bandages off and shower.  They said I could do it yesterday, but I chickened out.  I had a little leakage from my drain tube and decided to wait.  My pain is almost nil, but I still take a pain pill occasionally so it does not get bad.  I am starting to itch around the incisions, so it must be healing and that is good.  

I love this site for us to use for support in our trying times.  I will keep posting as time goes by.

Susie

Hi Marjorie,

Hope your surgery went well. I have to tell you I read all of the ladies stories and thank God every day for my good fortune. I had lumpectomy March 30 and am in my 3rd week of radiation. No chemo or hormone therapy planned as it was caught in very early stages and the docs think the chance of recurrence is minimal. My family and I keep marvelling at how relatively easy I have had it, our theory is - If you had to have breast cancer this is the BC to have.

My goal going forward is to beat the mammo drum whereever I go...it never ceases to amaze me how many women don't go for mmamography, how foolish! My tumor was so small it was undetectable by hand, even had an exam by my ob/gyn only 2 weeks before it was found on a routine screening.

Please join me in butting into people's business for their own good!

My very best wishes oto you and all the other girls for a speedy recovery, I hope everyone who has to get BC gets it like I did.   

We love California!  Since my plastic surgeon and my oncologist are there, we have been there a lot.  I am doing great!  I didn't have to have chemo or radiation and now have reconstructed breasts.  I am due for nipples in November, so I am somewhat incomplete as of now.  But at least, I have something to hold my blouse up.

We are in Oklahoma right now visiting relatives, but will be out of here before cold weather starts.  We love our lifestyle and hope that someday you will have your dream.  It has been ours for 20 years.  Just because we hit a rock in the road (breast cancer) it didn't slow us down too much.  Thanks for your comments.  It's always nice to hear from a friend.