August 2010 Mastectomy
Comments
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Hi all. Well, feeling better every day. I do hate these drains, I mean REALLY! On Sunday, the left one, well, quit sucking, and not in a good way! apparently this happens. So now it drains a little, and leaks a lot.
The nurse came by today, I'm recovering "on schedule". My non-boobs are puckered and swollen. She assures me they will eventually be "flat and smooth". I guess. I'm not sure if that's good or bad or if I even care. Is that a bad attitude?
My initial results of the SNB ( I had done on both sides) were negative. I go see he BS and Oncologist tomorrow for my final path reports. I admit I am scared. I've broken down 3x today and cried. I want to know the results of course. The stage, if it's mest., if it has , where to, if the nodes are really clear, etc. Will I need chemo? Radiation? both? neither? I want to know of course. But I'm also scared to death.
Not knowing is hell. But there is also some comfort in it. Some room for denial. If that makes sense.
I know I am all over the board. Sorry. I will find it all out tomorrow, and let everyone know.
Paula and Poppy.. You ladies are next! Hang in there. It's not as bad as you fear! Remember your pillow, stool softeners, and a back scratcher! Seriously, my back itched like crazy!! and I couldn't scratch it!
Thoughts and prayers are with all the lovely ladies here!!!!
((((HUGS))))
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Lago... MyPods.. Love it. Yes you'd better copyright it! That is a catchy and stealable name for them!!
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Anne, I wish you could know now! And have it be good news across the board. I KNOW there's no point in saying, Try not to worry, because y'can't help it!
The itch is awful, iddent it? It's the pain med that does it...
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Tara The first link on the webpage you found had some exercises on it that are similar to the ones I have been given. Hard to describe them in just words. The simplest and first one was "chicken wings" - flap your bent arms as if you were pretending to be a chicken - slowly!!! - till you feel a stretch The next one was touch either shoulder with the other hand, elbows out in front and slowly pull your arms/elbows back stretching your chest. Another is to face the wall and slowly walk your fingers up the wall till you feel a stretch. These ones are ok with drains in still, the others I have been given will have to wait till the drains are out. Can you see a physiotherapist to get some advice for your specific situation?
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Good luck Poppy.
We are moving down this last fast… and being last on the list means I will be coming up soon. Honestly I want this cancer out of me already. Tommorrow I am off to Cape Cod to visit my parents. I may not be on the board much for a few days. Dad and I compete for his computer.
So early good luck to Hunter & Sunnybluesky as well.
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I see my PS today for the first time since BMX. 2 out of my 3 drains are under 25cc daily. I am hoping to get those out today. The 3rd is still at abour 45 so not sure about that one. My expanders seem to be evening out a bit. But the damn pain, I am on percocet and muscle relaxers around the clock still. Still don't have my pathology results yet. It's been 6 days. Is that normal? Good luck to everyone
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Carole66 - I called my BS today to get my pathology results because I was nervous from waiting. The nurse first said the dr would discuss them with me next week, but then at my insistence looked and said everything was out and the nodes were negative. Whew! Hope your news is as good.
I don't see my PS until Friday. I've been trying to wean off the dang pain pills, but I have a searing pain in my side (actually more like my back) when I move the wrong way, and the nurse says that it may be where the Alloderm was attached, so I need to stay on my pain meds and add Advil for inflammation. The only time I can stay really comfortable is in my lounge chair, but I don't want to stay in my lounge chair all day! I've managed to shower twice this week and wash my hair, but that's been my only major accomplishment because I've become terrified of bringing on that stabbing pain in my side/back. Other than that the drain output is tapering off and everything is tolerable.
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Well I am back with 2 new boobs and a tummy tuck and the hope that no new cancer will ever appear in my breasts again. the 2 surgeons are saying the everything looks good. As long as I keep on top of the pain med schedule things are very manageable. I am walking a little bit more everyday. I came home on Sunday afternoon. I seem to get a slight fever of around 100 degress everynight but with tylenol it goes away. My mom is out here from California to help me out. She has been a gem. My pregnant daughter who is living at home right now, is dilated to 2 and has dropped considerably. This will be the next exciting even in our home rather soon-my first granddaughter! I go to my first appt with my PS tomorrow and I hope its all good news. I keep all of you in my prayers before I go to sleep at night. Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. I'll check in later, the meds are kicking and I'm getting very sleepy......
"Be strong and courageous"
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ChattaChick - Congrats on the negative nodes - that's awesome news.
my results are not ready yet and was also told I need to keep my 3 drains in for another week but everything is healing on schedule. I ran out of percocets and he switched me to Vicodin. I hope it works well but the pain seems to also get better today so hoping it stays that way.
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Hey Ladies!
Well, after all my crying.... all my nodes were clear, 0/1 on the left, 0/2 on the right! So, I'm good to go on that! They are doing more tests (I'll post them tomorrow, I don't feel like looking up what they're called again! LOL!). I will know in about 2 weeks once those results are in, whether or not I need chemo.
Also, I got the drains out today! YAY!! Goodness, I hated those things!
We went out to dinner to celebrate, but now I am so exhausted I can barely type! I just wanted to give a quick update. I'll post more tomorrow!
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That is awesome news, Anne! Surely you won't need chemo. I'm hoping you won't.
Chattachick, glad to hear you had some good news as well!
Paula and Poppy, sorry I missed seeing you off! But right at this moment, it is behind you. Wonderful.
I've been contemplating "it all" and trying to come to accept needing the surgery and the need to fight the cancer; and after meeting with a medical oncologist today and a social worker in the infusion department, I will definitely keep my surgery date of Aug 30, 2010. BMX no recon.
A question for you ladies who have already been there (doesn't that sound nice?), is a bit of indoor walking going to be okay after surgery? I live in a retirement community with 6 large buildings. I could go out after 10pm so no one sees me with the drains and all (except the security guard...he ought to just love me). I could go for short walks inside. I'd think it would be a great way to heal and get stronger. What do y'all think?
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Great to hear your results Chattachick and Anne. I too have 0/2 nodes. Will hear about the hormone receptor and HEU2 status next week (and the likelihood of chemo). The BS said they would make an appointment with the medical oncologist - does that mean chemo is on the cards? I sure hope not.
Winterstorm - I've found that I can walk about fine - but haven't gone outside coz of neighbours seeing drains. But while I can walk around - I'm not actually doing this much as I haven't worked out what movement or amount of movement makes the drain bite me - which it does from time to time. It doesn't bite if I stay still! I'll get back into exercise once I've got rid of it in 7 days time.
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WinterStorm... Exercising/Walking is fine. I walk around quite a bit when I'm up! Around the house, the yard, the neighborhood. I didn't have any problems with going out in public with drains. (Course, I stayed on my little street, where I know everyone!) I figured if people didn't want to see them, then don't look! But I realize everyone is different. Also, you could always tuck them in a pocket, or pin them to your waistband and wear a loose shirt. No one will know they're there unless you tell them!
LindaNZ... No, seeing an oncologist does not mean you have to have chemo. Seeing an oncologist means you have cancer. That is what he does, treats cancer. He will access your case and decide upon your treatment. Which may or may not include chemo!
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Carla - Welcome back! I can finally write "done" next to your name! So glad to see you on the boards again.
Anne - Congrats on your negative nodes. You are probably waiting for the Oncotype DX to come back - that is what I am waiting for also. We are both Grade 3 so even with negative nodes chemo is always a possibility. But with such a small tumor and ER and PR positive I think you will be in right on the borderline and will actually have a choice after they give you the stats. I think for me I am going to refuse chemo but I will at least wait and talk to the oncologist and get his opinion.
Chatta and Linda - Glad you also have negative nodes.
I will be getting my drains out this Friday! I am so excited. I am two weeks post op and they are really getting annoying. I will be leaving my sister's house in Baltimore and will be going home this weekend and back to real life. I am going to try and go in to work next week a little. I work at a day care and am hoping my immune system is not compromised too much. I don't want to get sick.
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Well walking I will do. After 10pm of course when everyone is asleep!
Carla, glad to hear everything went so well! Congrats on the new granddaughter. Wow it seems so soon to have an appointment. Hope the ride isn't too painful.
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ChattaChick..I've been doing better each day. One of my drains has been a real pain. It slipped out a little and was leaking. The BS pushed it back in alittle and retaped it for a temp hold. It held for a couple days then lost suction again. I really think I would be feeling much better if we didn't have to constantly battle that. I see the PS and BS tomorrow morning so we will see what they say then.
The initial path report said all 3 nodes were clear. We're waiting for the final path report for clear nodes and I had so little tissue under the arm that we have to wait to see if he was able to get clear margins in that area.
Enough about my ranting lol how are you doing?
How are you?
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Hello dear August Ladies,
Sorry I have been absent from the group--but you all have not been absent from my thoughts. I went up to the mountains, away from it all, including no cell phone reception, only to come home to my lovely, sweet 13 year old Golden Retriever coming down with pneumonia. So I have been nursing him back to health. This is really hard because I have a male bird, a male dog, two sons and my husband (surrounded by testosterone ) and my dog is the only man in the house that listens to me !
I noticed that a lot of you said to keep busy before surgery....I am not only keeping busy, but I think I am trying to blott this whole thing out of my mind. I finally got the date for surgery (it seems a lot of docs go on vacation in August!). I will be having a MX with TE and saline implant on August 31 (same day as Robin and Lago). Oh, and I'm from San Francisco, California
Warmest thoughts and gentle hugs...
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good to hear updates from everyone.
I am now HER2 positive and need to research what's next. Yesterday, my onc says 4 months of taxotere (docetacol) and carboplatin, along with Herception for a full year, starting Sept. 3 or 10. I'll lose my hair within 10-14 days of first treatment. The saving grace apparently is she won't blast me with Adriamycin. So, I'm off to the discussion boards about these things. Apparently I'll get a port on Tuesday unless I can find a way to justify telling them all to take a flying hike with their corporate created food filled of hormones and carcinogens in one company and create the chemo fighting drugs in another, making money double-time.
I'm a cynic, always have been. How do you deliver yourself to the chemo gods and say, "It will heal me".
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Lovesnature is back home. Doing ok. The pain is tolerable but the meds seem to stop working about an hour before the next dose. We expect the pain will decrease and the gap will close. Then we can start to back her off of them. Now we get to wait for the pathology report and hope the medical aspect is all over.
Lovesnature's DH.
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lovsnature's DH-- Glad you are home -- one step, one day at a time. Sending you good wishes for a good pathology report.
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Good to hear lovesnature is back home now. Wishing all will be well with pathology report.
Tara, I am surprised you will get chemo with stage one and no nodes. Hugs to you...
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Hi Everyone, Got my second drain out yesterday and am now drain free. I feel like walking, running, riding my bike, etc. Unfortunately, I have a smal build up of fluid on my left side which was the side where the first drain was removed. My PS says it's no biggie and my body will reabsorb it but I should continue to take it easy and give my body time to heal. Still, it's a little swollen...no pain, just tight. As a result, I didn't have my first fill yesterday (I have TEs).
Met with the oncologist on Tues. Path report came back and it was good. Turns out I had DCIS measuring .7 cm under the nipple that had the Pagets. My SNB came back 0/3 - clean. Clean margins. Nuclear grade is high. (Does this mean that it was a Grade 3 tumor???) ER-/PR-. The onc says no further treatment is needed. I was ecstatic...and now I am wondering if I need a second opinion because of the nuclear grade being high? I just need more understanding of the path info.
Sunnybluesky - I am in Sacramento. Wondering whether your at UCSF? I went to Stanford for my surgery but will stay local for the oncologist.
Tara - I too am sorry about the chemo....I would sure get a second opinion. Did you do the Oncotype DX?
Nancy - I hope you are drain free by now!
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welcome back lovesnature. The pain sucks thats for sure. I went to doc yesterday long bumpy car drive only to be told pathology not back yet...waste of time and increased my pain. A phone call telling me to reschedule would have been nice. Trying not to be on edge but between the pain from drains, tissue expanders, swelling and bruising and the starting of Arimidex today. I've just about reached my limit. Wish i could get my pain meds in IV form I'd drip them around the clock....I know just breathe.Any day now this too shall pass.
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brokendreams, that's got to really suck big time to get there and no pathology report! Surely they can give you at least some information over the phone and THEN make appointment? I was told over the phone that I have IDC. I guess each doctor is different.
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Thanks Mindy, the Breast Surgeon just called and now I am trying to figure out what it all means . The pathology reads: multi focal lobular cancer,largest tumor 1.7, 2mm micro invasion to one lymph node, ER+, PR+, HER-, grade 6/9, stage 1b. No further lymph node surgery required because cancer micro invasion to node was small. So from what i have read I believe i have slow growing, estrogen positive cancer that has not spread to other areas. Oh i also got clean margins so now it looks like they got it all out. The grade 6/9 means what? Most others show a 1-3 grade. OK have to go again. Damn drains MyPods are stabbing me as i type. ugh....
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I beleive the chemo is because I had 2 indpendent tumors that weren't connected, both ER/PR/HER2+. I see others have the same diagnosis have received chemo on these boards. I need to chase down a 2nd opinion but gees, aren't we all exhausted.
All the drains came out this morning. The nurse who did the removal because I didn't want to wait until tomorrow for my BS, liked my swearing like a sailor when the really painful one came out. But it was quick, and over with, and now I'm drain free, but still pretty sore.
I got an exercise stretching video, Alicestenics, that another list discussed. Watched it this morning. My BS who popped his head in after the drains were out said he never had women have any "frozen shoulder" or other lmited range of motion issues, that I should still take it easy and go very slowly with any stretching and movement. I need to be able to run a mouse with a compouter in 7 days to return to work but where the 2 nodes were removed, I'm very sore today and my armpit is hard as a rock.
Hugs to everyone, and please rest ... I think we need movement and knowing we can still get our own glass of water - but I know I need to sit back and let others do for me. I'm so independent, but I have to recover, have to.
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thank you, winter storm and Nancy for your welcome back to me.. I was able to get 3 our my 4 drains pulled out. I was so relieved. But I do have some issues with sores on the breast due to the lack of blood supply reaching these areas. But because the skin grafting area looks well so that means there is blood supply but its a matter of being patience and diligent so it doesn't turn into infection. My breast are super swollen, but my flat tummy is looking very well they say. I am just so tired.....But I guess that is to be expected so soon after surgery.
I hope all the other August sisters are doing well, remaining patience, and not letting fear take the better of them. Good night,
Carla
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Oncotype DX: Sigh. I need to re-read my pathology report. Do you have to make sure you're getting the Oncotype DX before they read the slides? Oy, it's always something ... I have a call in to the ONC to talk about starting chemo Sept. 3 rather than the 10 and will ask for light on this subject.
Thanks Smurfie for asking me specifically about it. 13 years ago with a different cancer I could read and remember so much, this time around, it seems my senses are a duller and I'm not on top of my own research and all I need to know.
Carla - I got all my drains out yesterday - what a relief is right. Do you know next steps in treatment, chemo or rads or are you free?
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So TARA.. you're getting chemo? I wonder if I will? Yes, it is the Oncotype thing I am waitin for. I think. There are two tests. One, they are doing something with the cancer they took out of me, I think that is the Oncotype. Two, they did a blood test, a DNA test, called P4502D6. I've tried to research it, but it's all greek to me. Upon receiving those results... I will be either 1) Low risk of recurrance=no chemo, start tomoxafin, 2) Medium Risk of recurrance=I decide? or 3) High risk of recurrance=chemo, then tomoxafin.
At least that is my understanding. I've been reading so much my mind is numb. I'm not sure I understand anything!!!
I understand not being able to do stuff! I don't like or need help and it's hard to accept. My mom just left this morning, and lectured me about not doing anything. No lifting, pushing, pulling or tugging. No No No. Grrrrr.... It's hard for me to ask, and not just do it myself, my way.
Brokendream...I think its BS that they didn't call you and tell you "we don't have the results yet, let's reschedule". I mean .. REALLY!!! How difficult would that have been? I'd have been "heated" (as my kids say, I just learned that word! teehee.. it means REALLY MAD!). Hang in there, Hon!
Lovesnature... so happy you're home and resting!!!
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What are you supposed to NOT do? My surgeon said I did NOT need nursing care. I live alone and won't have help. But here at my retirement community I get meals and housekeeping services (it's a long walk to the dining room). And for an additional fee, they can do my laundry. I suppose I'll need to wash out my camisoles though, and will do so by hand as I will only have two. Should I not do that? How soon before you can drive?
Is that "tube top" they give you really tight like the ace bandages was after a biopsy? (My ace bandage was real tight.) How soon before you could wear a camisole?
Hunter15, are you really having your surgery on a Saturday (tomorrow) or is that a mistake? You are in my thoughts and prayers but I am sure it will all be okay!
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