TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Pbrain...

Btw ..for me anyway the lumpectomy procedure was not a big deal. it was needle guided to that's a little uncomfortable . Didn't even need a tylenol afterward.

I was just really nervous beforehand and it was made worse because they had to wait for the anesthesiologist to put in the IV because due to dehydration none of the nurses could insert it. So I was late getting to the radiologist and the entire surgical team was waiting for me! Caused a 1 1/2 hour delay ! I was worried my BS would have to leave .

pbrain i will be laying awake staring at the ceiling tonite !  lumpectomy is honestly such a simple procedure, like ashla said, worst part is the prep (wire guide they insert and the snb dye).  I only took 1 pain killer when i got home and thats it. The hair was traumatic but you do get used to it very quickly, more quickly then you think. I also cut it really short before it started falling out

shore1 i have a juicer that i got from some friends when i was going through chemo - it is collecting dust.  I am going to try some juicing when i am up and at 'em.  I think it is still better to eat whole fruit and i do it a lot of it.  It may be a good way to get more veggies in your diet if that is an issue - you can drink more than you can eat.

Pbrain...

Have no idea what kind of anesthesia it was but I woke up at one point and asked if my doctor was there. The anestheiogist asst said oh he's here but like everything else the women are doing all the work. I woke up again as they were putting on my lovely velcro lumpectomy bra .

I had complained of nausea after my sentinel node biopsy, port placement surgery and had ekg issues. So mayb I didn't get the good stuff. It was fine though.

Pbrain...

What's your herbal sleep aid? I've alwaysbeen a great sleeper. When I was 4 I fell asleep standing waiting for Santa Claus. Even after the first time i went through menopause I slept enough to feel rested. Not anymore. Would prefer to stay away fom the prescription stuff if possible.

So youse guys haven't answered my question.  Will my head freeze off and shrivel up like a little raisin?  I don't like being cold, and even though I'm post-menopausal, I've never had a hot flash and am still always cold.  I hear chemo makes you cold too.

But it might be worth it to save my recent Brazilian blowout!!  

Pbrain, the first two caps are really cold!  After that you get used to it.  (you change caps every 30 minutes)  No, you don't shrivel up like a raisin, lol!  I did bring an electric blanket and dressed in very warm clothes, which really helped.  I'm always cold, too (before chemopause), but I am surprised at how well I handled it.  Depends on your motivation/desire to keep your hair, I suppose.  

The icing of the fingers/toes/mouth was MUCH worse than the caps...I detested that hour and a half for Taxotere.   

Pbrain, I was in the community system also. Chace Lottich was my surgeon. She was fabulous.



Definitely use frozen peas or ice on your hands and toes. I was religious about it for chemo, and had no problems. I continued on herceptin and only had some problems at the end with some nail lifting. They are back to normal now. One big toe is still a bit lifted at the top, but improving quickly. I didn't do the cold caps as I chickened out, but I would definitely tr it if I have a recurrence.



Good luck tomorrow. If it is anything like my biopsy, first you have to get a wire put in to guide them to the spot. I HATED THAT. Freaked me out. When I had to have a second biopsy, I took an Ativan and it helped a lot. It wasnt painful, just creepy.

Rozem....we will be thinking of you.



Pbrain....just so you don't feel totally like you are an over worrier, my bmx was the only surgery where I was under general. Had two c-sections, but with epidurals.



I wrote a letter to my BS, PS and the anesthesiologist . Customized each one, told them I had faith in their skills and wanted only positive things said during surgery. Told the PS that I ultimately wanted to be number 1 on his picture recon site. Told the anesthesiologist not to be reading magazines while I was under and to stay focused. Put a picture of my family on each one and said this is who I want to wake up to and that they should all have the a game going.



Needless to say, none of them have forgotten that, lol. I am pretty sure I was the only person to have done that.



After each component the respective doctor went and talked to my family to tell them how it was going. I have two kids and a husband. His family is huge. When the PS finished and went to talk with them, there were 13 people sitting there waiting. He still talks about it.



Of course, I woke up to that same number in my room. Literally lining the entire room. I have no idea how they talked the nurses into it, but it was quite the party until they all realized I had survived and was no longer freaked out.



So....you are not alone!

Rozem and Pbrain- thinking of you today and in my prayers.



Day 3 after first chemo. A little better today. THis past weekend was rough. My hips and thighs still ache, and port a little sore, but better today.



Fluff- your family sounds amazing! Love your story. :-)

Having my 17th and final Herceptin infusion right now.......lots of milestones in this journey......

Cam- thanks! I'm just achy. I wish that would go away. And drained. I think they infused me to fast for my first treatment. ?? Just took shower and wiped out. Resting again.



Ashla- yay! Congrats on your last infusion!