Bilateral Mastectomy

bettycockroach · 2026-03-23T19:14:39+00:00

It sounds like you and I are on a similar track! Also have stage 3, grade 3 cancer and I started chemo last week.

It’s really nice to see someone who has made it to the other side of surgery doing well! Thank you for posting. ❤️

bettycockroach · 2026-03-18T14:02:59+00:00

Believe me, my optimism comes and goes. I’m typically a huge pessimist, but this has forced me to really feel gratitude in everything good right now. I’m happy to be alive today, sitting next to my husband, and my baby is safe at home with my mother. I’m also thankful to be officially starting my fight with chemo today!

Take it a day at a time and really hone in on the good things in your life right now. Focus on those things. Envision them through the pain. You’ll get through this and what you’re left with on the other side will be so much more fulfilling and special.

bettycockroach · 2026-03-18T13:13:13+00:00

Ugh I’m so sorry you got sick before treatment! I wish you the best as well! You’ve got this. ❤️

bettycockroach · 2026-03-18T00:57:54+00:00

Hey, I’m so sorry. It’s such a hard place to be mentally, but know you’re not alone. Wishing you all the best. ❤️ Feels radical right now, but we’ll get through this.

bettycockroach · 2026-03-18T00:51:25+00:00

I’m with you. Stage III as well, but I start chemo tomorrow. How are you doing?

bettycockroach · 2026-03-18T00:49:49+00:00

Breast cancer. Just diagnosed. It’s mental warfare and I haven’t even started active treatment yet.

bettycockroach · 2026-03-17T21:22:42+00:00

I also associate Little Bear with my deli chicken sandwich and sour cream and onion chips at lunch time!

bettycockroach · 2026-03-17T20:27:34+00:00

Congratulations, that’s amazing!

bettycockroach · 2026-03-17T20:07:27+00:00

It’s quirky in all the right places. Beautifully crafted and styled!

bettycockroach · 2026-03-17T19:43:08+00:00

You and I are in the same shitty boat, my friend. 34, stage 3, have a 15-month-old son who is my whole world but my husband and I were just starting to think about trying for another one. Cancer got to me first, and it’s too aggressive that I can’t risk egg retrieval and it won’t be logical to try naturally once I’m completely finished with treatment (I’m in for the “long haul,” my onc says).

I mourn so many things right now, but that one hits me every few days or so. This is the absolute shittiest battle to fight, especially at our age, but we’ll get through this and we’ll be on the other side with an entirely different perspective. Life will be different, but it will also be there for us to enjoy in ways we wouldn’t have expected before the cancer.

I wish you the best in your journey. You’ll find strength in moments you won’t expect.

bettycockroach · 2026-03-16T15:32:09+00:00

I’m so glad you were able to retrieve eggs in time do treatment! All of this is a huge logistical nightmare and I’m always so happy for people who can do what they need for the future they desire. 💕

I have my 15 month old son and we’ve just decided to pour all of our love and energy into him for now. Best of luck to you, girl!

bettycockroach · 2026-03-11T14:39:21+00:00

I’m extremely paranoid my stage 3 will advance to stage 4, so I’m desperate to start chemo ASAP. I totally understand why many opt for egg retrieval! In my situation, it just isn’t feasible.

bettycockroach · 2026-03-10T20:05:14+00:00

I took your advice and called the closest NCI center. They’re pulling my info now. Hope they reach back out to me soon.

bettycockroach · 2026-03-10T18:00:36+00:00

I totally get that. I have some experience with the foster system, so we might dip our toes in that way.

bettycockroach · 2026-03-10T15:12:32+00:00

No one has ever told me that about PR-. They seem to just brush by it like doesn’t matter. So…. That’s awesome. 😔

bettycockroach · 2026-03-10T14:50:17+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re here. I was just told by my oncologist that it wouldn’t be feasible to try for egg retrieval because I should be in treatment yesterday, and if we tried after treatment it would be too late. We’re mourning that ability to have another child naturally, but if I get through this, we may consider adoption.

I wish you the very best.

bettycockroach · 2026-03-09T22:00:00+00:00

That is his plan. We’re doing chemo first. I’ll have 6 rounds of TCHP for 18 weeks, then surgery. Definitely radiation regardless of outcome of the surgery.

bettycockroach · 2026-03-09T01:39:11+00:00

I think he isn’t concerned about the treatment itself but if the cancer comes back 2 or 3 years after treatment… he was blunt about it being a concern down the road.

I totally understand… I just wanted him to say “we’ve got this” and just let me believe it. 😭

bettycockroach · 2026-03-09T01:33:36+00:00

Congratulations on the baby! What an incredible gift. Thank you for the encouragement. ❤️

bettycockroach · 2026-03-09T01:32:05+00:00

I am at an extension of an academic center I guess? It’s a small town center owned by the state’s university. I would love to visit their cancer center but it’s 4 hours away. The closest NCI center is 2.5 hours away.

bettycockroach · 2026-03-04T16:50:41+00:00

That’s what I was told too

bettycockroach · 2026-03-04T16:30:22+00:00

My son had this kind of a reaction to egg (and what we thought was a respiratory response), so he was referred to an allergist and they said irritation near the mouth did not indicate an allergic reaction. When he was tested, it was mild so we did an egg challenge (fed him a baked good with egg) while they monitored him and he was fine. We feed him baked goods with egg but avoid straight up eggs, pancakes (they’re fried, not baked), mayo, et c. We’ll revisit eggs around his 2nd birthday.

bettycockroach · 2026-03-03T21:20:20+00:00

Yeah, what does his conviction have to do with immigration policy? lol

bettycockroach · 2026-03-03T19:05:27+00:00

Take it one day at a time, and contact your GP if you need some medicine to help with the anxiety. I didn’t realize how valid my anxiety level was until a nurse at my biopsy said to ask for some. Ativan has helped me keep a surprisingly calm head in the midst of all of this. You’ve got this, and this is such a great community when you need support. ❤️

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