First 6-month mammogram

netter43

Well I just had my first 6-months post surgery mammogram (Lumpectomy 3/2012 and completed radiation 5/24/2012).

The technician went to talk to the radiologist and came back and said he wants an ultrasound - of course that sort of rattled me as that is the way the who diagnosis began in the first place - but I kept telling myself everything was fine and it is.

My breast is still tender and swollen, but they said there is fluid in there from healing inside out and that could take 6-12 months post radiation before that all went away - I think that is the first time anyone ever told me that.

I am taking Tamoxifen of course for the next 5 years and my oncologist had put me on 10 mg twice a day....well I'm somone who barely took a headache remedy before and we are always busy in the evening so I was forgetting more and more to take my second dose...I askeed him if I could just take 20 mg once a day and they said sure - so I don't know why he didn't order that right away -

My point is - if your doctor prescribes twice a day dosing, ask him or her if it is necessary or if you can just take it once a day!!!...

Overall I feel good, but the weight has come on like crazy - back up to 288 and now starting to get my head out of my a** and using MFP, counting the calories and even going to try my hand at this exercise thing again - I really need to start taking care of me!!! and for myself unless my doctor tells me I have to - any kind of weight loss surgery is not an option. I know this. I have been worked up twice in the past and both times "something" told me it was not for me - don't get me wrong - I know plenty of people who have had it done and more power to them!!!

I hope all of the survivors are doing well!!! - Be kind to your loved ones, but more importantly, be kind to you!!!!!

HUGS!!!

Danette

weemuse

Congrats on the 6-month checkup results, Danette! I finished radiation on 7/24/12 and still have pain and swelling, so thanks for the info. Abnormal is now the new normal? Ha!

Gorger

I heard the story that my swelling wouldn't go down for months as well and then I went to Yoga and basically laid on a firm pillow between my shoulder blades and hung my arms on the floor for 5 or 10 minutes everytime I did Yoga and the fluid disappeared.
I thought that was amazing.
Again, I will harp on "it's not how much you eat, it's what you eat". There is a book by Dr. Phil McGraw called "The Ultimate Weight loss solutions". Give it a read. I have joined Curves at it really makes a difference. Eat to live, don't live to eat.

Hertford86

Weemuse and Danette - I'm on pretty much exactly the same timeline as you ladies, and starting to see the whole think receding in the rear view mirror. Yay us!

I'm reassured about the weird boob thing - the aureola on that side is colorless and puffy, and the nipple hardly sticks out at all. I'm seeing the radiologist for a check -up next week, and hope he will tell me that's normal.

And Danette - exercise - yes, totally, do it. I have never ever ever done anything remotely sporty or exercisy - really not my thing, but I started after I was diagnosed. Half hour a day moderate, every single darn day (which a recent study, I'm sure you know, says can reduce chance of recurrence substantially, as can weightloss good diet etc etc - all that stuff we knew we should be doing anyway.) Won't say I've learned to love it - I haven't , and I'm definitely NOT one of those people who goes on to run a marathon. But I've certainly learned to love feeling more energetic and generally happier than I have in a couple of. It really really does make you feel better. Go for it!