u/Sparkly_Sprinkles

Just got a text from my grandfather:

“[my name]. You need to call your mother for mother's day. Do it.”

I’ve been NC since November. Found out last year she’d invaded my privacy in my home by reading all my text messages (even with my husband). I think she may have been doing this for years after some reflection. I’ve started pulling away since my brother died in 2021 and she’s increasingly verbally and psychologically attacked me. I began VVLC Dec 2024. Then it came to a head in September 2025 and we didn’t speak for 6 weeks. In October I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Upon calling to tell my grandparents, my grandfather’s first response was “you need to fix things with your mom.” And every update I’ve given them since, my grandfather has replied similarly. I had something delivered for her birthday from my kids because I was expecting something then. But of course, a week later, I need to call her because I’m a terrible daughter for trying to protect myself and my kids while I go through treatment.

It makes me sad bc my grandparents were always my happy place as a kid, but Nov 2024 it was like my eyes were opened and I saw how they enabled her and other things. Seeing them so differently now has been difficult. It’s a tough pill to swallow.

But this? I’m recovering from surgery. No I hope you’re feeling well, no happy Mother’s Day to me. No I love you. Just a demand. And like everyone else in the family, I’m expected to obey.

Guess I’m the new black sheep. After being the perfect granddaughter my whole life. It sure is a weird place to be.

I’m two weeks out from my mastectomy. Earlier I got this sharp pain in my arm pit. About an hour later I noticed a weird pattern and what seemed like a fluid pocket on the side of my breast. Now there’s also a pea sized lump. What could this be? There’s no real pain, but I’m a bit freaked out.

When you get cold is it like your whole breast gets that tingling sensation your nipple used to get? Except more intense?

Is my tit one big nip now?

Am I lucky to have this sensation? I mean at least I have some sort of feeling there? (Half joking… my nips are still numb)

Is this because I’m cold or is this just because I’m 2 weeks out from surgery?

Help. What is this?! Please tell me this is not unique.

And he’s having an epic melt down. 🫠

And tbh? It feels totally relatable. So I’m letting him have his feelings.

But I could really use some ideas for what to say to him.

Explaining how sick the old ones were trying to make me hasn’t helped.

How many rounds of keytruda did you receive after surgery? Did you complete them? Just wondering if I’m getting the same amount as others. Thanks!

Are there any non-pCR success stories here?

I’m desperate for them today. 🥺 I keep finding one extreme or the other: pCR or worst case scenarios.

I just want to get through this and survive and raise my kids.

Clinical stage 2a. Pathology post adjuvant chemo showed 9mm residual disease in original tumor, DMX with clear margins by 4.3cm, no skin or node involvement. Low end of RCB II.

Doctor suggesting Xeloda, Keytruda and will learn about radiation in the coming days.

Help give me hope. Please.

Nothing in the lymph nodes, but there was 9mm of tumor left…

I’m RCB 2.

My doctor says I’m very low risk for reoccurrence and I am now cancer free. That we will do Signetera next week and I will continue keytruda and we will talk about Xeloda and radiation next week.

But I can’t help but feel devastated.

And scared.

Can you guys share your success stories?

I still have gauze pads over my chest from my mastectomy on Friday. I’m going to get my first full shower today. I have a cape to protect my chest from too much water, but I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with the gauze pads. Should I leave those on? Can I change them out after if they get wet?

They sent me home with a whole box of gauze pads, but then notes say to keep dressings on until first post op appointment. So I’m confused as to what I should do.