Surgery on New Year's Eve

Anonymous
Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
edited June 2014 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

Bilateral Mas surgery is scheduled for 12/31.  What a way to start a new year!  Bone scan, chest and pelvis x-rays will be done before surgery to see if it has met'ed.  I've never been this anxious about the unknown. 

Prayers and thoughts are with you all.

Marie

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Comments

  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited December 2009

    Well, shoot!  I didn't think any surgeons worked on New Year's Eve except in emergencies.  Guess you won't get any supplementary happy juice, but at least they should do something to make it special!  It's the "unknown" that gets to us.  We are so much out of control of what's happening and it's all so scary.  I think going through this is hard at any time, but during the holidays it's even more surreal.  We want the old warm fuzzy feelings we usually have at this time of year, not this.  I, for one, will be thinking of you on New Years Eve and will keep you in my thoughts until we hear you are home and O.K.  Hugs!

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  • hlya
    hlya Member Posts: 484
    edited December 2009

    Marie: Take the bad thing out and start a good new year!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2009

    Thanks for the support and the hug, Gitane and hlya. 

    I am so ready to get the treatment started,  I know I will fee better once the treatment begins.  Hey hlya, in case you haven't gotten the information on "lymphovascular invasive", here's some info from Susan Love's Breast Book. 

    "The pathology will look for cancer cells inside a blood vessel or lymphatic vessel.  If there are any, it's called vascular invasion, lymphatic invasive, or lymphovascular invasion, and suggests that the cancer is potentially more dangerous." 

    Take care.

    Marie

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2009

    Hi Marie

    I am glad that you finally got your date for surgery.  It is so hard, but I think now that you have the date, you can start to mentally and literally start preparing for it.  I agree with Gitane, to have to go through this stuff during the holidays is torture, but somehow we will get through this.  I too will be thinking of you on New Years Eve. I am still waiting for my date, I have been told it will be in January, thats all I know for now.

    Sending you hugs,

    Cathy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2009

    Thank you Cathy.  I hope you get your date soon.  Let me know.

    Marie

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  • thenewme
    thenewme Member Posts: 1,611
    edited December 2009

    Hi Marie- Your post caught my eye because I had my double mastectomy on December 30 last year.  I absolutely agree with Hlya - get it done and start the new year right!!!

    I can't even believe it's been a year!  Honestly it has flown by.  When I was first diagnosed, they told me BC treatment takes about a year.  I didn't really get that, judging by the expected treatment, but it turns out they were right.  Almost exactly a year, and I'm finally starting to feel like a "regular" person again. 

    For your surgery, two things I'd recommend - a long shower hose (the kind that installs below the shower head), and some gentle baby wipes.

    Try to practice mental compartmentalizing (I know....much easier said than done), and enjoy the holidays.  Treat yourself and really just  *be* in the moment.

    All the best, and believe me.... you'll find yourself back here next December encouraging someone else, and wonder how the heck a whole year has passed.  I promise.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2009

    Hi thenewme: I am teary-eyed reading your post...having one of those hormonal moments I guess.  Thanks so much for the encouragement.  I will remember that all of this will be behind me soon.  Thanks and take care.

    Marie

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  • thenewme
    thenewme Member Posts: 1,611
    edited December 2009

    Hi Marie,

    I'm wishing you nothing but the best!  

    Oh, and the tears - that part gets better too!  There are some really great threads on this board if you need some laughs - one I particularly like is something like "poll on why we got breast cancer."  Read that thread and you'll be guffawing in no time, LOL!

    Be good to you!

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  • IllinoisNancy
    IllinoisNancy Member Posts: 722
    edited December 2009

    Hi Marie,

    I hope you have a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.  I'm also curious why you are having a bone scan and pelvic xray with such a small tumor.  My dx was very similar to yours but my surgeon only ordered MRI's on both breasts along with a chest xray.  Why are they looking for mets on you?

    Thanks,

    Nancy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2009

    Hi Nancy, my breast onco says the metastatic workup is a routine to determine the treatment plan after the surgery.  Unfortunately, we didn't get into that in detail at the appt.  When I got home, I did some research.  There's one research done in 1999 claiming that pelvic and abdomen ct scan was not necessary for early stage breast cancer.  However, I also read that the size from the mammogram, US and biopsy might not be accurate.  The metastatic workup is to 1) stage the cancer more accurately and 2) to determine treatment after the surgery.  I am not comfortable having unnecessary radiation but at this point, I am not sure I have enough information and energy to  fight them.  My breast onco was very highly recommended in this area.  I guess I just have to trust she knows what she's doing. 

    Perhaps someone with similar experience can chime in.

    Take care,

    Marie

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  • Kleenex
    Kleenex Member Posts: 764
    edited December 2009

    Hi, Marie!

    I was thought to have a tumor between .7 and 2 cm, and I had a bone scan and a CT scan prior to surgery. It was deemed to be "routine," and I was told they were verifying that there were no problems that would interfere with surgery. I suppose it was a stealthy check for mets, but I wasn't told that and by the time that idea occurred to me, it was after the fact and everything was clean... I also enjoyed MRI's on both breasts. That was not a fun summer...

    Good luck to you! A day after surgery, you'll be able to say you had cancer "last year..." because it will be OUT!!! Yay!

    My husband once had a biopsy for testicular cancer on Christmas Eve - which might be a worse day for surgery, depending on your religion and whether you have young children and a lot to do on that holiday (which we did).

    Coleen

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  • thenewme
    thenewme Member Posts: 1,611
    edited December 2009

    Hi Marie,

    Thinking of you today and sending big hugs and positive healing vibes for tomorrow!  I really, really like the suggestions above to concentrate on how you'll be starting the new year out right!  Please let us know how you're doing when you feel up to it.  Get as much rest as you can and accept all offers of help!

    HUGS!

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited December 2009

    MW943,    Don't suppose you are checking these boards right now, but just in case, I'm wishing you all the very, very best tomorrow.  New Year's Eve,  for Pete sake!!!!  Love and hugs!! G.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Hi Marie

    Thinking of you and hope everything went well for you yesterday.  Wishing you a Happy New Year and that this is a good way for you to start the year off and get this done.  I will be right behind you.

    Take Care

    Cathy

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  • thenewme
    thenewme Member Posts: 1,611
    edited January 2010

    Happy new year! Hopefully you're recuperating well and drinking those yummy protein shakes and resting up!! 

    Take care!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Thank you ladies for all your support and prayers.  I love you guys.

    The 2.5-hour sugery went well and the sentinel node biopsy was negative preliminarily.  We're awaiting the full pathology report to confirm.  I actually feel better psychologically now than days leading to the surgery.  I had been trying to put up a strong front since the diagnosis but it collapsed totally on the day of the surgery.  I asked my hubby to take a picture of my breasts the morning of the surgery and asked if he wanted to touch them one last time.  He held me and told me that I was beautiful with or without my breasts.  I was a total mess up to the minute I went under.  I broke down with every gentle touch or a simple sympathetic smile...even the nurse in the pre-op room cried with me.  

    I woke up in a nicely decorated room with my hubby, son and daughter-in-law around me.  No pain. No breasts...just a stretchy white bra stuffed with cotton gauze. The first time I looked at the wound was the next morning when my breast surgeon stopped by (yes, on New Year's Day) to check on me.  My small breasts are now replaced by a straight line of thin surgical tape.  The area was surprisingly clean and neat.  I took my first shower today and really looked at myself under bright light.  You know what I didn't feel sad.  The only thought that went through my head was I needed to gain some weight. Smile 

    I am going back for check up on the 8th and my dr says I will most likely have to go through chemo because even though I am ER+, it's only 39%.  More to come.

    Happy New Year and hugs to you all.

    Marie

      

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited January 2010

    Hi Marie,  Welcome home!  So glad the surgery is over and you came through it so well.  I do remember looking at that "line of thin surgical tape" with this funny, unreal type sensation in my mind like-- well... it's over..... Gaining weight???  Well, I didn't have that thought.  I thought more like, "This changes everything,  wonder what my new look will be?"  It's such a mind-blowing experience isn't it?  Let us know what the results of your SNB are, keeping fingers crossed for negative nodes.  I'll be checking back to see how you are doing. Happy New Year, G 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Hi Marie

    It is so good to see you post and that things went well for you.  I cried all the way thru reading your post.  That is after I breathed a sigh of relief for you that the preliminary on the sentinel node looks good.  You sound like mentally you are already feeling so much better and relieved to have this done. You must be a very strong lady, only 2 days after surgery.

    Take good care of yourself as you heal, you are in my thoughts,

    Cathy

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  • thenewme
    thenewme Member Posts: 1,611
    edited January 2010

    WOOOhhhoooooo!!  Marie, I'm so glad to hear from you!  I can totally relate to your presurgical meltdown - I did the same thing!  What a great way to start the new year, and what a relief to have such a major step completed and to be moving forward, instead of that dreadful planning/crying/worrying/anticipation phase we all go through! I think we all have intermittent periods of that anyway, but that initial pre-treatment one just seemed to be excruciatingly unending.  

    Take good care of yourself and now just concentrate on resting, healing, and gaining some weight!  Got some good chick flicks to watch?  Comedy videos? Great books? 

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  • thenewme
    thenewme Member Posts: 1,611
    edited January 2010

    Hi Marie,

    How are you doing?  Hope your recovery is smooth and uneventful!  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Hi thenewme, I am doing well.  They removed the drains on the 10th and the pain is manageable.  I haven't even touched the narcotics the doc prescribed...Went to the gym first time yesterday since the surgery and managed to walk for 45 minutes and enjoyed 30 minutes of sauna.  Thaniks so much for thinking of me.  Hope you're doing great as well. 

    Marie

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited January 2010

    MW943,  It looks like you are doing well, no pain, or at least controllable without the heavy stuff.  Your energy seems to be returning, too.  I see your diagnosis has changed a little bit since you started this thread.  I'm so glad your nodes are negative.  That's fantastic.  I'm not surprised the tumor was a little larger than anticipated; that's not unusual for ILC.

    I noticed you posted on the chemo forum that you wanted input from women who had chemo and low hormone receptor levels.  I had my levels measured by both IHC and OncotypeDX.  By IHC ER was strong staining (no percent given) and PR was no staining, so negative.  By Oncotype ER was moderately positive with a score of 8.3, and PR was barely positive with a score of 5.8. These are not high hormone receptor levels.  My nodes were not negative and I had lots of tumor in my breast.  I needed chemo.   I had AC x 6 given every two weeks.  My response was excellent (95% tumor reduction by MRI), but it was not a pathologic complete response.

    It sounds like you are deciding about chemo and radiation.  I know that's a very hard decision to make, especially when nodes are negative.

    Hugs!  

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Hi Gitane, thanks for the info.  I should know about the Oncotype DX score in a week or so.  While my instinct is telling me chemo is probably a smart choice considering the size of the tumor the grade, and weak ER+, but I'm scared to death of the side effects.  On the other hand, I saw my dad (at age 88) breezed through chemo for Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma with no complaints....He's now 93 and healthier than I am.  Smile  I guess I will await the Oncotype DX score to see what they're telling me.  Gitane, did you have serious side effects during chemo?

    Take care.  Hugs!

    Marie

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited January 2010

    Hi Marie,  My side effects were the usual ones for AC, nothing terribly serious.  Some effects appear years later, I'm told.  I had a minor case of shingles which resolved quickly with treatment.  Amazing story about your dad.  What a grand age, and healthy!  Sounds like your family has great genes.

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  • thenewme
    thenewme Member Posts: 1,611
    edited January 2010

    Hi Marie,

    How are you feeling? I saw you got your drains out after only a week - you GO, girl!  That's wonderful! 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Hi thenewme,

    Doing okay, Thanks.  Yes, I was thrilled to have the drains removed.  My arms are also regaining most of  the range of motion.  Got the Oncotype Dx score yesterday -- score 28 - 19% chance of recurrence.  The test also confirmed weak ER+ (7.2), PR- (4.6) and HER2- (8.8).  We met with the oncologist today and after reviewing all the pros and cons, we both agreed that I would definitely benefit from chemotherapy.  So I will begin the next phase of this lovely journey next Tuesday - 4 rounds of AC every two weeks and 4 rounds of T every two weeks followed by AI.  Thanks for the encouragement and prayers.  Take care.

    Marie

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited January 2010

    Hello Marie,  I'm so glad you checked in here.  I had low ER and PR scores by oncotype, too, but I don't know my Her2 from them as they weren't doing that then. Her2 was negative for me by IHC and FISH.  I had dose dense AC, too, and since it was neoadjuvant I got to see that I had a very good response, more than 95% reduction in tumor volume by MRI.  It sounds like you and your doctors have your chemo plan in place.  Will be thinking of you Tuesday.   Please let us know how we can help you.  Lots of support and hugs being sent your way.  G.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Thinking of you Marie and sending you warm thoughts. It sounds like you have "the plan" in place in what seems like the endless journey.  I will be getting pathology on Monday from bilateral and see oncologist next Thursday to see what "the plan" will be.

    Take Care

    Cathy

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    Cathy, I've been thinking about you as well....glad to hear from you.  Stay strong and positive.  Get a lot of rest...if you still have the drains in, try not to do too much because it will increase the drainage and delay the healing. 

    Gitane, thanks. You don't know how much you guys' encouragement means to me.  With both chemo and hormonal treatments, my chance of relapse is 9% in 10 years.  So my focus from this point on is the 91% of no relapse.  Gitane, thanks for the continued posts, we newbies need to hear from sisters like you who have been through this journey and are doing well and living a normal life.  Thanks again.

    Love you all.  Marie

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