Well, today is 20 months post-op for me. I think I'm still in the counting months realm. Guess that perhaps will change when I'm 2 years out or maybe not. Who knows. Yes, I did lose 5 lbs this past month. Stress, I guess. Kathy's Weight Loss By Month (as of 01/20/2007) Starting Weight = 276 Pre-Op Month 1: Weight = 264 Loss = -12 lbs Total Loss = -12 lbs Pre-Op Month 2: Weight = 253 Loss = -11 lbs Total Loss = -23 lbs Pre-Op Month 3: Weight = 244 Loss = -9 lbs Total Loss = -32 lbs Post-Op Month 1: Weight = 219 Loss = -25 lbs Total Loss = -57 lbs Post-Op Month 2: Weight = 211 Loss = -8 lbs Total Loss = -65 lbs Post-Op Month 3: Weight = 201 Loss = -10 lbs Total Loss = -75 lbs Post-Op Month 4: Weight = 192.5 Loss = -8.5 lbs Total Loss = -83.5 lbs Post-Op Month 5: Weight = 184 Loss = -8.5 lbs Total Loss = -92.0 lbs Post-Op Month 6: Weight = 178 Loss = -6.0 lbs Total Loss = -98.0 lbs Post-Op Month 7: Weight = 174 Loss = -4.0 lbs Total Loss = -102.0 lbs Post-Op Month 8: Weight = 171.5 Loss = -2.5 lbs Total Loss = -104.5 lbs Post-Op Month 9: Weight = 169.0 Loss = -2.5 lbs Total Loss = -107.0 lbs Post-Op Month 10: Weight = 171.0 Loss = +2.0 lbs Total Loss = -105.0 lbs Post-Op Month 11: Weight = 171.0 Loss = -0.0 lbs Total Loss = -105.0 lbs 1 Year (Post-Op Month 12): Weight = 167.0 Loss = -4.0 lbs Total Loss = -109.0 lbs Post-Op Month 13: Weight = 162.0 Loss = -5.0 lbs Total Loss = -114.0 lbs Post-Op Month 14: Weight = 160.0 Loss = -2.0 lbs Total Loss = -116.0 lbs Post-Op Month 15: Weight = 161.0 Loss = +1.0 lbs Total Loss = -115.0 lbs Post-Op Month 16: Weight = 158.5 Loss = -2.5 lbs Total Loss = -117.5 lbs Post-Op Month 17: Weight = 160.5 Loss = +2.0 lbs Total Loss = -115.5 lbs 1.5 Years (Post-Op Month 18): Weight = 157.0 Loss = -3.5 lbs Total Loss = -119.0 lbs Post-Op Month 19: Weight = 157.0 Loss = -0.0 lbs Total Loss = -119.0 lbs Post-Op Month 20: Weight = 152.0 Loss = -5.0 lbs Total Loss = -124.0 lbs Kathy's Measurements (as of 01/20/2007) Body Part ~ Starting ~ Current ~ Total Inches Lost * Neck ~ 16.50" ~ 13.00" ~ -3.50" * Left Upper Arm ~ 17.50" ~ 12.00" ~ -5.50" * Left Forearm ~ 11.50" ~ 9.00" ~ -2.50" * Left Wrist ~ 8.50" ~ 6.00" ~ -2.50" * Right Upper Arm ~ 17.50" ~ 12.00" ~ -5.50" * Right Forearm ~ 11.50" ~ 9.00" ~ -2.50" * Right Wrist ~ 8.25" ~ 6.00" ~ -2.25" * Bust ~ 52.50" ~ 38.00" ~ -14.50" * Waist ~ 49.00" ~ 33.00" ~ -16.00" * Abdomen ~ 53.00" ~ 38.00" ~ -15.00" * Hips ~ 54.00" ~ 37.50" ~ -16.50" * Left Thigh ~ 30.00" ~ 21.00" ~ -9.00" * Left Calf ~ 19.50" ~ 15.00" ~ -4.50" * Left Ankle ~ 11.00" ~ 9.00" ~ -2.00" * Right Thigh ~ 28.50" ~ 20.50" ~ -8.00" * Right Calf ~ 20.00" ~ 15.25" ~ -4.75" * Right Ankle ~ 11.00" ~ 9.00" ~ -2.00" * TOTAL: -115.50 inches! So, there is it. The stats. Can still lose weight at 20 months post-op. And no I'm not starving myself. Just seem to be ignoring some of the "extra" stuff and it appears that stuff adds up. Imagine that? Surgery (re-excision lumpectomy) is scheduled for Tuesday at 1:45. I'll probably be in the car on the way home by 3:30. My poor boob has an ugly hematoma in there from the first lumpectomy. It is large, sore and swollen but no signs of infection. If I hadn't been having it cut into this coming week I'd have been at the surgeon's office asking to do something. It hurts a bit and hasn't done that for a few weeks. I'll talk to surgeon Tuesday about what to do to keep this from occurring this next time. Sports bra. Ace bandage. Something. I saw my fabulous PCP the other day. She is awesome. She wanted to put me on antidepressants but I told her I was doing well. She said "Vitamin Z" as in zoloft can really help and anyone dealing with cancer is depressed to a degree. I agree to take the prescription. She had given me ambien which I need for sleep these days and xanax for anxiety but I haven't had a meltdown since I got them so haven't cracked the bottle. My FIL was hospitalized again earlier this week for fluid on the lungs. Too big a story to write about. He has an indeterminant spot on his lung. Could be infection, could be emphysema and could be a tumor. They are watching it. Not sure if it is responsible for the fluid or what. He got treatment and antibiotics. He has a repeat CT scan and visit with a pulmonary specialist in a few weeks. Rich's dad is either too weak (we aren't fully convinced of this) to push the button to get his artificial leg off so Rich has to stop their every night. I tell him he has to go "tuck his Papa in". LOL. FIL is doing so much better at this point we aren't sure if he just wants the individual attention or he physically isn't capable. Rich has his doubts. The man wants to be waited on. He looked like he was at the Ritz when he was in the hospital. Had the food menu like it was a room service menu. What a pip and pip can stand for many thing. I told him "Can't a girl have cancer in peace? This is supposed to be all about me right now, not you. I'm supposed to be getting all the attention." I had the nurse and him laughing pretty hard. That's my saga... Kathy

Hey J! I'm never far away. Hanging in there. Sorry to hear you are having a personal crisis. Hope things are doing better now. Good luck with your PS consult. Take care, Kathy

At Goal? NO! Approaching Goal? Not yet! Need to get back to basics and get more exercise Still Chugging Along? Yes...every day is a new start! I lost 160 lbs but am at 205 and holding....want to lose another 30-40 lbs at least but have been on a plateau for months...I'm still very happy with the results though...have been able to do so much more...have met most of my other goals...except the one to get below 200...still working on it though! Seeking Plastics? Not at this time...surprisingly I dont have too much hanging...maybe eventually will look into the tummy tuck...but dont think my insurance will cover much else and dont think I can afford to do the rest Had Plastics? No..see above Struggling? Yes...on a Plateau..as I mentioned above...keep gaining and losing the same 5 lbs for the past 6 months or so...need a kick in the butt! LOL (to get me started again) Need to stay away from snacking...its my main problem...said I would never go there again...but I did...although my snacks are healthier now...I'm still eating a little more than I should be. I do walk every day...but I need to step up the exercise as well...hope everyone else is doing great and meeting thier goals! Hugs!

Kathy, As all of the wise women who posted previously said, all of these fears are completely normal. You are going through an extremely scary process, and there are many unknowns still out there. However, you are both strong and informed, and have gotten through so much. You will make it through this, too. You have more support out here in cyberland than you probably know, and many people are praying for your health and recovery. Are you giving more thought to a mastectomy and reconstruction? In the long run that might alleviate some of your fears as to recurrence. I know that is a radical consideration, and a very difficult decision. My mother had a mastectomy with no reconstruction after her lumpectomy did not remove all the cancer. The decision not to do reconstruction was due to her age and medical condition. It has now been over nine years since her mastectomy, and her other breast continues to be clear. She then had chemotherapy, with no radiation, as the breast was removed. For her, chemotherapy was relatively easy, but of course, each regimen is different, depending on the drugs used. I pray for you that the time you wait before your surgery passes quickly, and your mind can find some peace while you wait. That is certainly easy for me to say, not walking in your shoes, but you are in my thoughts. Debra M.

Who is still among us? I AM HERE!! Not too much but I am here!! With nursing school it**** and miss when i'm online and since no school monday but i do have to work I'm online oh yea! Who is at their 20 month point? the 13th oh yea How are you doing? I am happy isn't that all that really matters At goal? HA HA HA Not even... I am currently at 136 lbs but I don't take it as accurate ha ha why? Monthly visitor! Approaching goal? Ummm, no been bouncing around this since I was a lil over a yr out. Still chugging along? Slowly but surely!!! Seeking plastics? NOPE! Wanna have tons of room in my lose skin for the baby I will have in ummm 3 yrs or so ha ha Had plastics? Neg Struggling? Nah I eat what I want I know sigh. I have started back exercising tho!! Don't praise me. Wanna know why? MYRTLE BEACH, SC OH YEA Hubby is gonna take me for our 5 yr wedding anniversary!! Truely just for that which is sad but hey it sure got me motivated!! We will be going a lil before our anni bc of when i have a break from school. Well that is all. Hope everyone is doing good. I am doing the ab lounge 2 three times a week and pilates or something the other two. Need get my thighs, arms, and tummy mainly tummy into gear.