Charleston Bound, part 2

My snb was done at the time of my mx, (one side - the side of my new cancer as I had had the other side lymph node resection in 1994 0 nodes with 17 removed. This time, Cr Baron did a snb (told me he would need to when I met with him in the morning before surgery) and told me on the phone prior. I had to go to the hospital in the afternoon to have blue dye shot into my nipple at 3 locations, then let that dye travel. When the bmx was done in the a.m. they determined that the snb came back with no node involvement. It gave me great confidence to know that fact. The dye lets them know where the cancer could have traveled to in reference to where the cancer was.



No DR in hometown gave any kudos or even support for going out of state (near Atlanta)

so I did wind up at a wound care clinic - but when asked if they could drain a seroma I was told no. Finally found a PS (the one who said everytime I went for drainage which was once a week for a couple of months - that I would be deformed forever from my SGAP on my back). I knew better, but after a while it was enough for me to call him Dr. Deformity and be ticked by it.



Would be nice if the local drs were like Marty's and wanted people to see what could be done.



However, the MO I'm going to see for the second time was referred to me by my internist. And he is wonderful, she used him for a family member, so maybe that's a slight sign of support? I'm not imagining I'll do more than probably just have him give me a once over once a year for 5 years?



Pink, I would have walked out just like you, fortunately we find some precious gems like our Charleston PS' and NOLA PS' but there are Drs out there that flat out just don't get it! I cannot imagine a Dr telling me I couldn't read my lab notes!



I had a Dr come into the room and tell me my testosterone was on the high side!!!! GOOD grief, I imagined growing a mustache, etc. Of course I asked for copies of my labs and in the car I read that my report was page 1 of 1, but page 2 was attached and it was showing HIGH testosterone! IT wasn't my report - page 1 of 1 means 1 page, so the 2nd page was another patient! A MAN !!!!! Not even close in names! And I also know they shouldn't have ordered a testosterone test!!!! So, I called back and told them - it wasn't my report. We as patients need to be pro active and not keep up with things.



Kim, hope all goes well!

Great news Beth!  Glad to hear you will successfully move to the next step - one boob at a time.

My doc is kind of special, but she comes from a medical family.  Her dad was a research MD at the Medical University and her mom was the county medical examiner for quite some time.  I have known her mom for many years and her beautiful daughter is a tribute to great parents.

Catie. That is funny about the lab test report....so much for HIPPA!!

My DH and I are driving into Chicago right now. The skyline is always so exciting for me to see even though we come here often. I will see Dr. Massey tomorrow for a check up and some hugs!

Time can also soften a doctor's opinion... I decided last fall that I wanted follow up for cancer monitoring, and my MO suggested I make an appt with my original BS who did my lumpectomy and agreed to be my at-home helper if need be (although she warned that as a surgeon (not a DIEP surgeon) she couldn't help with everything... anyway, I had the appt and she was wonderful. Loved my reconstruction and told me to see her every 6 months for 2 years. No, she is not a PS, so perhaps her feet weren't as stepped on, but still.

Question for those who came before me ... 9 days out & today's not been a good day. Saw craigie yesterday & got breast drains pulled (yeah!!), pain seems better but stomach is still sour and have some nausea.



I just do not feel good. Went down to Shem creek for lunch today & was more than ready to return to the condo. At this point , I'd figured I'd be walking a mile or so daily-/the monsoon has prevented that.

i guess what I am asking is: did any of you have bad days after the first week?

I'm still having trouble with running sweaty hot to clammy cold. But I read that was from anesthesia (plus my mama's putting me in mind of the mother from the Christmas Story who bundled her child to the point the kid couldn't move!!!!)

Ketch... 9 days is WAY early. I was walking a little at that point, but resting a lot... Don't push it. Are you on pain meds? They can absolutely make you feel ill... Running hot and cold makes me wonder if you have a fever... I would check that out.

Ps - if you're taking doxycycline it can really make you really nauseated. I took Zofran for nausea (dissolves on your tongue and doesn't make you "drugged") and made sure I only took the doxycycline after eating.

Ketch, so sorry you are feeling yukky after 9 days, but like was said, the antibiotic and pain pill combo can do a number on you. Both are important, it's hard to heal when you are in pain, so those are very important, and the Drs like you to be on the antibiotic until they say not to, so again, very important. I would throw the anesthia in the nasty mix too, until that gets out of your system - they all combine to make the first few weeks a bit rough at times. You should have an Rx already filled from home prescribed by Dr Craigie for anti-nausea meds. Maybe taking those for a bit?



I got the clammy, hot thing going on after my SGAP last April, so know how that goes, but most important is that you have a very caring Dr and staff in your corner, so call. They answer their cell phones and emails very quickly (for this I'd use the cell phone - or if you feel you could wait until morning, do an email now and you will most likely have an answer by morning). Definitely call if you have a fever or feel yourself getting worse, that is what they are there for!



But certainly know that as rough as it gets in the first few weeks it gets oh so better as time goes on and your body gets back to being you.



Hoping for a good night for you.



Hugs

Fantastic news from your GP, maybe your technique of sending an email is the way to go - if she had any angst about it she had time to reconsider and be there for you when you returned. I would have loved that response.



Again hoping for smooth sailing on your surgery!

Ketch,  These ladies all have given you great advise and pretty typical of what happens on how you will feel  Antibiotics really played havoc on my stomach.  You will be turning the corner in no time and everyday will be an improvement.  Hang in there.  

Deidre - do you have a hematoma or is it the usual drainage?  Have they pulled the drains?  You might want to give Dr a call in the morning, just in case.  

Today's been much better. I guess I expected to much too soon as I've read from people who just were off meds and walking miles a week out.



It has been a beautiful day with a nice beach walk then a long nap!!



Sewannee, when's you appt Tuesday? We may run initial each other.

Cherrie,  Things went fine.  She thinks everything looks good and and gave me some pointers about having my tatts done.  I'll PM you later.  How are you feeling?

Linda,

Does Dr. M only refer to Vinnie for tattoos, or does she know of any patients that went to Earlene in NC?

No need to be terrified. I bet TRAM was WAY worse. Pain was there for sure but not unmanageable. I am 4.5 weeks past it and feel like I'm 2/3 recovered. Can go for long walks - just still tire easily and trying not to do anything to undo my progress. Dr. K is great - personable, knowledgeable and actually has a great sense of humor. I wouldn't hesitate a bit. He is one of the very best ... And his staff is awesome.