February 2010 Mastectomy

guardienangel: I'm coming up on 4 weeks since my bmx (no reconstruction yet), 1 1/2 weeks since additional lymph node surgery on the left. Luckily, I'm right-handed, so I've been able to get back to basic things like lifting my own milk containers and dishes, but I need to make sure I don't favor my left arm too much. When I see the PT on Thursday, I'll ask about fun ways to make sure I'm getting strength and ROM back on the left, besides just the boring exercises I'm sure I'll get.

I used to be much more fit than I am now, so I'm not as well off as I could be to start with. I'm trying to think of this as my push to get more active but with a good excuse for going *very* slowly.

I developed a seroma under my left arm after the lymph node surgery, so I'm having that drained tomorrow. I'm so freaking tired of needles and knives! But I think I'll have much more movement on that side once this tennis ball is out from under my skin.

Still have a right-side drain, going on five weeks post-Mx.  Sigh.  For quite awhile I was able to conceal it in bulky sweaters, but now the weather’s getting warm and I’d like to be able to wear some lighter clothing.

Karen, I’ve had ongoing problems with seromas, but the surgeon was always able to aspirate with a needle.  I’ve been told that heat and movement contribute to the buildup of fluid, so try to avoid heat sources - even though a warm compress might feel good – and do a sloth impression for awhile.  My PT didn’t want me to do a lot of ROM exercises while I had seromas after my initial excision and SNB.  Hope yours stays collapsed after it’s drained – I lost count of all the aspirations I had while I was in chemotherapy.

hereandnow – I had six rounds of taxotere and never had any ice mittens or slippers.  I had no nail problems.  I thought the nail changes were more of a concern with recurrent cancers, when the recommended dose is higher.  I did take glutamine after my treatments, after getting some info from the chemo nurses, because it was recommended for prevention of peripheral neuropathy, and there’s some evidence that it may help protect the digestive tract too.  Another tip I heard was to suck on ice chips during the administration of the taxotere – supposedly prevents taste changes.

Olivia – it’s interesting to hear that your doc ruled out radiation because of lupus.  The radiation onc I talked to said it’s mostly a concern for scleroderma patients, not necessarily other connective tissue diseases.  I have a mild autoimmune disorder that my rheumatologist has classified as rheumatoid arthritis, although it’s really a mishmash of symptoms, and I’m still a little on the fence about the radiation.  What was the concern in your case, specifically – vasculitis?

lovemygarden, I hope you’re right about the tight bra feeling going away at five weeks – but I’m not feeling it yet.

Cake, I would call the Dr - that does sound scary!! 

MNLinda, thanks for the info on your experience with seromas. I was hoping that once they aspirate mine today it would be gone, but I guess I'll need to keep an eye on it. I was afraid I've been babying that side too much because it's still painful and stiff, but maybe that's a good thing. I'll find out more after I see the PT on Thursday.

Hi Ladies - It is raining here again in NJ and what a crappy day it has been.  I got my initial pathology report today on the node removal surgery I had last Monday.  Out of the 16 nodes they removed, including SNB, 3 of the nodes showed  cancer.  I was shocked, but knew that because of finding the 2 two tumors during my dmx I was going to need chemo anyway so I am handling ok.  Off the bs tomorrow and then Onc to find out what my chemo treatment will be on Thursday.  I am still having wound care for the allergic reaction I had to the sutures last week so I know that chemo won't start for a few weeks until that is completely healed.  We are going to try and get a week in Florida for the kids spring break, a nice week relaxing with my in-laws,  will know more after my doctor appt. this week if I can go.  My plastic surgeon is all for me going, said that the salt water will be good for my wounds, so up to the other doctors.  My health care has been great, they are setting me up with a doctor and nursing wound care if needed in FLA just in case.  I have been blessed with great care and have been amazed at how much my health care has program has really been supportive every step of the way.

Good night to all!  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!

guardianangel - I think that if comfort foods are the one thing that help you to get through these tough times then go for it. You do have my mind on DQ now, might have to get one tonight!   I am thinking that under the arm is just more sensitive.  I had the surgery to remove all my nodes and fatty tissue a week ago under my left arm and I sware, it still hurts as much today as it did when they first did it and way more than my tram did one week out. I was telling my dh this morning how much this underarm think sucks.  I hope you feel better.

cakeisgreat - I would get the smell checked out also!  It always better error on the side of being safe with this stuff.

Chalex - I agree about the walk.  Beautiful weather today.  If I get outdoors and walk or garden, I sleep better, and that makes me feel better the next day.

I'm also reassessing what "normal" is.  The thing I really miss is being able to relax and cocoon at home and feel safe in the world.  Now I feel I have to be on guard all the time.

I can remember a time when if the doorbell rang unexpectedly, I'd think, shoot - I don't have any makeup on!   Then came chemotherapy, and it was, shoot - no makeup and no hair!  Now it's shoot - no makeup, no hair, no breasts!  The UPS driver won't be able to tell if I'm a man or a woman.

Just another day in Cancerland.

Hi ladies, I went to my bs today and she confirmed that they found cancer in 3 of my 14 auxiliary nodes removed.   She was very shocked by this finding but also worried for me because this really increases how aggressive the chemo treatments will be.   I see the onc on Thursday to verify what they are thinking but my bs has talked to them and it looks like they are going to put me on an aggressive schedule of every 2 weeks for 12 - 14 weeks.   This won't start until my stomach wound heals which they are predicting the mid to end of April.   I am not sure what type of chemo cocktail I will be having but I am sure they will be tell me all of this on Thursday.  I keep waiting for the good news...

Hi Faith,  Thank you so much for the words of encouragement on the Chemo.  I really want to handle it it well for my kids sake, I don't want them to see me any sicker than I already have been.  I will keep you posted.

Laura, we're still on a similar path. The lymph node dissection found 2 of 6 nodes on my left side with cancer (only did the sentinel node on the right, and it was neg). I see the onco tomorrow to learn what recipe they'll be using on me. I was told 2/6 was pretty good, but your docs are saying 3/14 calls for aggressive treatment. Is 3 nodes the line they draw? My onco did say before that less than 4 probably meant no rads. I'm wondering how good my report really is, but I guess I'll know more tomorrow.

I'm not sure how successful my seroma drainage was yesterday. The ball under my arm seems about the same, but maybe it's still just swelling. Man, that was an experience.

I'm glad to hear folks are having good weather. It's been great out here in Northern California; I've been able to get out for short walks the last few days.

Karen

Hey Laura, chemo is no picnic but is doable.  I had tx #1 on 3/9 and have #2 this Fri 3/26.  Hair is starting to go this week, lots in the shower drain, will get it buzzed off Sat.  Once you have your first tx you will know what to expect for your body.  I found I was OK for the first day (chair day) then felt like I had flu for about the next four days, then got to feeling better and better, and was back to pre-chemo normal in about a week.  {{hugs}}

morning ladies...

wow,, lots of news on here, and some not good,,, so sorry you are thru this!!! my heart and thoughts are with you!

I used to have the same issue with the omg! is that a man or a woman??  i am like 5 11.. and slim... so when i lost my hair,,, i definitely wore long pretty earrings, and made a point of wearing pinks,, or pretty girlie colours!!! lol... i also has my eye brows tinted on, and eye liner tinted so my eyes stood out a bit... its not expensive at all and last abour 6 weeks...

i am still having problems with my left side being so FIRM.. compared to my right?? is that normal? i have had my drain out for almost two weeks now... and wanted to know whaqt to do or not to do .. or what?? any advice is nice and appreciated...

big hugs coming to everyone....

Hi, All!  hugs to LauraM and Kayne with the "digging" and guardien with the "firmness."  A little is good, but I can see how you might not want that, LOL!!!!

I had to go to the ps impromptu today because I had a seroma in my upper tummy.  Wierd!  Glad to get that taken care of, but hopefully wont get it again.

I talked to the onco today and got my regimen. I'll be on Adriamycin and Cytoxan every 2 weeks x 4, then Taxol every 2 weeks x 4. There were other options (AC every 3 weeks x 4 and T every week x 12), but she thinks I'm a good candidate for the faster treatment. And I would indeed prefer to be done sooner. She called it "dose dense" but I first heard it as "dose dance." I thought that was a funny term for a doctor to use, but I think I'll adopt it. So I'll probably be starting this dose dance in mid to late April.

After that, I'll go on Tamoxifen for about 2-3 years then switch to Aromatase. I think that will be like nothing after everything else I'll have gone through by then.

I'm going in for a MUGA scan next week to make sure of my heart health before beginning the chemo. Another trip to Nuke Med, but it sounds easier than the pre-surgery dye and radioactive tracer or the bone scan I've already made it through.

Anyone else in the Feb. group starting chemo in April? I'll have to see if anyone has started a thread on these boards for that. I've found it really helpful to have this group of women going through my situation at the same time, so I bet it will be the same for chemo.

Karen (caltex_catlady)