Trail, I wear glasses, too, so I got creative and when I was able to reduce the size of the bandage before the stitches were removed I cut up 2 clear - not sheer- bandaids which allowed me to put my glasses on without pain and also kept the sun off the wound. I had my MOHs done in late July and kept the bandage on until early september. Even after I removed the bandaids the area was somewhat tender but tolerable. My doctor offered laser to soften the scar and reduce its appearance, so I had that done in late September. I needed a bandaid for about a day or 2 after that. Helene

Thanks. There are literally no other words I can say to express how I deeply your support has helped me. The other day my friend's 12yr dd asked me if I was cured. I had to pause a while because that has actually been on my mind a lot. I asked my dh when I am considered a survivor. He said after 5yrs. But once I stop taking the 5yr meds things could come back. So I very kindly explained to the girl that there is no way to really know. I will be watched closely and hopefully it is gone and never comes back. She simply said, "Oh." So I guess the best way to look at all this is that I am surviving every single day, one day at a time. I truly wonder, sorry to say but I think honesty is important amoung friends, that one day I will wake up with another lump and die the next day. It is not a fear that ruins my daily life, but it is a deep down heartfelt wondering that I think will just linger within me. I know many of you here have been in my same shoes and will assure me that life goes on. I know it does. Returning to work after 9months off is going to feel weird. Like I picked up where I left off. Kinda like I took a really long lunch break and now I am back to finish the days work. Like they say, life goes on. And so shall all of us. Again, thanks.

My wife had a mastectomy 10 yr ago and because of a potential threat, all 21 nodes were striped out. Back then, that was the standard practice. Her lump was fairly large: A lumpectomy was performed while she was on the operatng table and the quick analysis said the margin was not 'clean' so the surgeon proceded with the full procedure including all node removal. It truned out that all nodes were clean and the removal was unnecessary. We also found that if the surgeon had removed just a little more material around her lump, the margin would have been clean and that would have prevented a lifetime of problems. Less than 2 years later, the recommendation for her case type changed and the new procedure became: remove the first node and check it. If it is ok, stop. It was our experience that removal of all nodes create a drainage problem. Fluid tends to build up for at least 6 weeks until the body can find ways to absorb and reroute it. These nodes are part of the drainage system for the infection fighters. The body did eventually heal, but a comprise remains. My wife has a lifing restriction of 10 lbs on that arm for the rest of her life. A larger weigth will not do physical harm, but the exertion can overload the drainage system and the muscles may be weak. it can result in a minor injury that will take a long time to heal. So my advice is: Do not let your nodes be removed unless these are PROVEN invaded. Over 10 years ago, complete removal was done to insure that an invaded node was not missed. In too many cases (back then) when nodes were left, they gave trouble and once the cancer invaded the nodal system, it is very late. Better (and faster) detection plus more research has changed the picture. Be sure to discuss with your oncologist.

At a hospital here they now have a digital mammogram that is much better picture wise than the old mammogram and a lot less painful. A saliva test for breast is being studied. Cut and paste. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22594117/ I have cystic fibroids in my breasts. Two years after a breast reduction an ultrasound found at least 18 fibroid cysts. My mother had breast cancer in her 30's and fought it for years and died when she was 49. That was 31 years ago. Treatment for breast cancer has come a long way. Marcia, you're in my prayers for a full recovery. Janet