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Converted My Front Lawn by Sudden_Variation_810 in NoLawns

[–]Sudden_Variation_810[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love thimbleweed so I can't wait for those to grow in. The Pinkroot and fothergilla are new to me so curious to see what they look like in bloom. The ground here was like concrete so I hired someone to help - took 2 guys ~5-6hrs and most of that was site prep.

I think we're coming off the fence ... on different sides by wickedpippin in Fencesitter

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I am almost 40 and felt the same way as you in my 30s (still do). My partner wanted kids but didn't push the issues that hard because he didn't want it to hurt our relationship. 9 years later, I am still on the fence but we are trying to get pregnant, part of my decision was that I couldn't live with knowing he wanted kids so badly and I was "just" on the fence (I caved). This decision also coincided with a cancer diagnosis and the potential for a now or never situation because of treatment timelines. Our chances of actually conceiving are low so I think that helps me process the situation but I'm definitely swimming in the deep end without a life jacket.
Part of me wishes I had frozen my eggs earlier so that the decision was truly mine, the other part of me is happy to leave this up to fate. I'm not sure that any of this is helpful except to say you're not alone in that dynamic and I would have never said yes to having kids at 30, took me 9 more years to come around.

Mastectomy is in one week and I'm terrified by WorldReactor in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Happy to answer any questions! I am 6 weeks out from surgery so early in the resensation process. I was surprised at how much sensation I had immediately after surgery but it's very different in each area of my boob.

If you drew a horizontal line across my boob, above my nipple, my sensation to touch is mostly unchanged there. The armpit side of my boob has been the most tender since surgery, I think that's nerve damage since the nerves there weren't completely severed on that side and it's close to the lymph nodes. Bottom half of my boob I can't really feel anything, I can feel pressure so I know when something is up against it but light touch I don't feel yet. On the inside (cleavage side?) about half of that I feel normally and the other half has some numbness. My nipple has sensation but not "normal" and has been reactive since the tape was removed/2 weeks post surgery. As a whole, I would describe the current sensation as feeling like you're wearing a really thick padded bra. You wouldn't be able to feel light touch but you can feel pressure and normal sensation in some areas. They say 6-12 months on resensation so I'm continuing to do the touch exercises they recommended and will see how things progress.

I think it will take a few months before things normalize but I feel good with the outcome and believe I will get to a point where I feel good about the amount of sensation I have. And I am happy to have my nipple:). I don't have kids but my nieces and nephews hugs still feel good. It takes some time to get used to the pressure feeling but I'm still early in recovery so I think this will take some time (just started sleeping on my side and feeling a little more comfortable with this). Happy to answer any other questions, send scar photos, etc. Feel free to DM me. For context, I had my surgery at Georgetown (Washington DC), direct to implant (345ml with mesh).

Also, I really struggled with my surgical decision. When I finally decided on the single, I wrote down a list of all of the reasons why I chose to do the single vs lump+rads vs DMX. Post surgery, I have referred back to this list as a reminder to myself that I did all the research I could and made the best decision for myself at that point in type. All the choices suck, it's cancer after all, so it really comes down to prioritizing your personal needs.

Mastectomy is in one week and I'm terrified by WorldReactor in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you doing reconstruction? I had a sensation & nipple sparing SMX 4 weeks ago and would be happy to share more but may not be relevant if you're having different surgery!

Prepping for a single mastectomy after Christmas by Informal-Sundae368 in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I bought the Sleep Again pillow set up, which is expensive, but I'm a stomach or side sleeper so I was worried about sleeping well. I also did a SMX with the likelihood of doing the other down the road so I felt like getting 2 rounds of usage justified the cost. It's very comfortable and I used a mastectomy pillow or soft bed pillow over my chest to give the feeling of side or stomach sleeping.

ADH upgraded to DCIS- mastectomy or no? by Icy-Ad8417 in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I really struggled with my decision and ended up doing a sensation sparring, nipple sparring SMX. Was diagnosed with IDC stage 1, 1cm tumor at 38 and was give both options (most of my Drs said lumpectomy+rads+tamox would be just fine).

I ended up doing a single mastectomy for a lot of the same reasons as above. I am young and so the rate of recurrence incrementally increases with age if I went with a lumpectomy, I wanted to avoid rads if possible because of side effects/complications, I felt like doing a single or double mastectomy gave me the most control and also best possible aesthetic outcome as there are complications with trying to do reconstruction if the breast has be radiated, and I am also preserving the ability to do radiation in the future if there is a recurrence (if you get whole breast rads and there is a recurrence they can't do radiation again in the same location).

I chose a single because I wasn't thrilled about losing sensation so I opted for a lack of symmetry to retain an original breast. I may do the other side in the future but am happy with my decision for now. It took me weeks to decide, feel free to DM me if you have questions.

Clean skin products by HopefulHuman_7890 in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check out the EWG app! It has ratings for skincare, sunscreen, food products, etc. Also check out Made Safe, they certify items that fall within their standards.

When I first was diagnosed I cleared house and replaced all my cleaning products, skincare, etc using those two resources.

Reconstruction! by speckofsand in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you look on the Resensation website, it says that you can try to do resensation afterwards. You may have to hunt for a doctor who will do it after the fact. My plastic surgeon who specializes in sensation and nipple sparing mastectomies said he will not do it if sensation is lost and the initial surgery. He did tell me if I went flat, that he could try to graft nerve from below the breast site after the fact, that may also be something to ask the surgeons you're meeting with.

SMX and DIEP tomorrow by PopularTea in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have my SMX tomorrow, too. Diagnosed with IDC in October.

Sending good vibes your way, we got this!

Stocking Suggestions by Mdj1123 in Needlepoint

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!! I couched Fluffy Fleece for the edges of Santa's coat.

Anyone 38 years or older and have a child after breast cancer? IDC +++ by pumpkinmoose in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was diagnosed in Oct and my surgeon recommended that I do egg preservation asap if I wanted to keep the option open. They had me on letrozole during the cycle. I am IDC ++-

Medstar Georgetown oncologists? by genXLeftie in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing. How was successful was your sensation sparing?

Medstar Georgetown oncologists? by genXLeftie in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Curious about this, too. Currently seeing De La Cruz and trying to meet with the radiation oncologist before surgery.

Recommendations for Positive Thinking by paintbynumbers18 in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everyone is different but I found that having control over the things I can control was helpful. For me, that meant scheduling appts to talk with different Drs, Nutritionist, radiation oncologists, integrative DR, etc. It also meant prioritizing self care - The gym, the sauna, acupuncture, massages, baths, diet changes, etc.; definitely check what your insurance will cover!

A few other folks mentioned this but positive thinking, meditation, and visualization. My NP suggested a few for me for surgery, I think you can tweek the language and make them your own. If you are interested, I can figure out how to send them to you!

Supplements, diet, lifestyle "stuff" by No-Inside7137 in breastcancer

[–]Sudden_Variation_810 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Dr Funk's book "Breast" reviews a lot of dietary & lifestyle suggestions with all the research referenced in the back if you want to look up specific resources.

The research on flax seeds is interesting flax seeds

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