March 2013 Surgeries

Options
1…910121415…27

Comments

  • anne11595
    anne11595 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2013

    Today I'm on the dam rollercoaster .I have been doing great and felling great. But at doctors today to get the rest of my stitch out.pathology report all so . 4 out of 8 nodes are cancer,and I all so like Keke 713 have triple negative.So once again I need to dig down a little further to keep that happy every thing will be great attitude!! But that what we March on for!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dede707
    dede707 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2013

    I am sure some of you are waiting for surgery or already in-my thoughts are with you. Take it slow, stay on top of pain, the drain is a pain but it works. All my love to our group- a new day of healing. Progress!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2013

    Thinking of all my surgery sisters this morning and sending lots of healing hugs your way...

    LovinMyLife...good to hear the drainage is 30 ml or less...they might be able to get the drain out soon, that usually helps with the pain:) Is your post op visit Thursday or Friday? Have you ever tried Miralax for constipation? I was always afraid of taking anything and thought Miralax was a "strong" medicine but during chemo I had to do something so they persuaded me to try it and it was so helpful - gentle, no cramping, dissolves in any liquid/has no taste...it has also helped me avoid post op problems due to the pain meds and anesthesia... 

    Linda...wasn't your post op visit yesterday...been thinking of you and hoping you got good news? Glad to hear they left you some of your own skin for reconstruction:)

    Mamasixtaz...YES...waiting is the worst but less than a week to go...hang in there, we're with ya:)

    (((anne11595))) Reaching out to you this morning, so sorry the pathology news was not what you hoped...your team will build a plan to fight this beast...I had positive nodes too and I remember that scary feeling, no...not scary...terrified...but then my medical team began mobilizing around me with hugs and positive messages. They gave me options but let me make the decisions...I chose dose dense chemo in case any tumor cells had escaped via those nodes - wanted to hit the beast with "both barrels"...I lost my hair, my fingernails turned black, and I had no sense of smell or taste for months but it was worth it, my PET scan came back "negative for any hot spots" - YAAY... now my breast tissue from my mastectomies is also negative for residual cancer cells so now I'll keep my focus on recovering from surgery and enjoying my life....keep us posted on how you're doing...(((Hugs))) Maureen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dede707
    dede707 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2013

    I am posting again because i just read the newest updates. Sounds like most are doing well. I had my preop yesterday- it was a positive experience after having a huge emotional breakdown in the morning- i was so scared of seeing scars and all. I had a bmx on right side with reconstruction and tissue expander. I had a lot of bruising but all looked well. I have a small mound and a very damaged aerolia (saved) but no nipple. The dr. First stripped the pain pack drain which was a breeze and then he told me i got to get the drain removed(after 5 days). I was thrilled. He gave me a shot of local and then gave a quick tug. OUCH!!!!! But it was just a burning feeling. At home later and last night it was very sore. So i get to shower today after six days. Im not sure how to wash the area. I dont want to put a direct spray on my breast. Best news of post op- my path report came back with all neg (clear) margins. We did the mast bc after lumpectomy too much dcis came back but no dcis was detected in the tissue tested after mast. This makes me wonder but cant look back. I see ps today and then onco next week. Later i want to ask about all that. Feels like time is so slow right now. Luckily my children are not so weird-ed out from what i looked like. I notice a huge toll on my husband. How are other caregivers holding up? We have lots of home help- meals but its the new normal that has us all upside down and then there is chemo to start.... I wrote a lot but wanted to share about post op and i wish all sweet rest, healing, and gentle hugs. Xo denise in CA

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2013

    (((Denise/dede707))) good to hear your news - drain removed, clear nodes, clear margins, and no residual tumor cells in the breast tissue - YAAY!!! Yes...this disease is so tough for those who love us...my husband tears up sometimes and says he "wishes I did't have to go thru this"..."wishes he could do it for me"...I can see how much he wants to protect me and hates to see me in pain...when I'm afraid he doesn't always know what to do or say but he tries so hard to find the right words to "pick me up" - I tell him that his companionship, love and hugs are the best medicine in the world for me and I hope he knows how much I appreciate him...  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lin43
    Lin43 Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2013

    Maureen--My post op appt. isn't until Tuesday but the Nurse Practitioner thought I'd get path results maybe by yesterday. They will call with results.

    Anne-- This rollercoaster is so hard, I know! I also had positive nodes at diagnosis. Six months of chemo-- AC, Taxol, Herceptin (to continue weekly through the end of this year) shrunk the breast tumor way down. I don't have the post surgery pathology yet but they have talked about radiation to knock out any remaining cancer. I am trying to keep that happy everything will be great attitude also. Very difficult sometimes. You are in my thoughts. Your doctors will work up a plan for further treatment. There is a lot they can do these days!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dede707
    dede707 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2013

    So sweet.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dede707
    dede707 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2013

    Enjoy you vacation the weather will be beAutiful. I wish you peace as you prepAre.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Keke713
    Keke713 Member Posts: 91
    edited March 2013

    Hey!!! Just want to update everyone on my progress...I had my follow up with my PS today! It went pretty good..I do have a small spot on my right "breast" where the blood flow isn't so good. It

    Looks like a reddish reallly dark bruise. He pushed on it with his finger and it change color, so he says there is still a small amount of blood flow to it..so we scheduled me to see him again next Wednesday to check on it. If the skin ends up dying, he said I'll have to go in for another small surgery and have that small section of skon cut out and stitche back up. He didnt seem too worried, all that's going to happen is my TE fillings will probably be pushed back a few weeks. The good news is I had 2 of 4 drains removed!!!! Dr said if the other 2 stay under 30 for the next 24-4&

    Hours I can call and have the other 2 removed Friday! I cannot tell you how excited I am to be drain free..I can't wait to shower! I have stayed as clean as I can other than smelly pits here and there due to not wearing deodorant ( scared it will infect my drains since they are so close to my armpit) but a hot shower will feel amazing over my chest! If anyone is wondering how it feels having the drains removed, it wasnt bad..it was a strong burning feeling..it did hurt a bit but nothing too bad! I have my appointment tomorrow with my oncologist so I'll post tomorrow about how that goes! Hope everyone is doing ok!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2013

    Keke...thank for sharing your good news!! YES...I got two of my drains out yesterday and I am hoping to get the other two out tomorrow or Tuesday, I can't wait to be drain free!!! I absolutely love my hot morning showers so, I'm with you, can't wait to take a shower:) I'll be anxious to hear what the oncologist has to say tomorrow...fingers crossed for more good news:)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dede707
    dede707 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2013

    Keke so glad to hear! I concur with your description of the drain pull. I bet you will have them out by friday. I am drain free and had a shower today. I was scared to have water over my chest but was surprised there was no real feeling. My ps is worried about a couple of "pus pimples" so he knicked those off and changed by antibiotic. As long as no infection sets in, he believes my saved aerolia will be saved. I hope so. I want to hear about your onc. Appt so let's keep in touch. I wish you healing. Thanks for the update.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LuvinMyLife
    LuvinMyLife Member Posts: 65
    edited March 2013

    worst day of my life so far.  I tried not to ( and didn't have to take) so much pain meds yesterday - it helped with the constipation too, but today....OMG the pain. My arm ached like no tomorrow. I mean I haven't experienced pain like I've had today. My sister tells me it's just post op pain things are angry and irritated. I had this pain before surgery but it's worse now. Aching, throbbing, numbness etc. Skin hurts to the touch.

    I did take my pain meds and it brought the pain from a 10 to a 2.5 - I just feel like I'm the only one having so much pain. I thought I read where others had some pretty intense pain after surgery (from node dissection) but not in this posing thread.

    Anyhoo best of luck to each of us - my post op is Friday.

     



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lin43
    Lin43 Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2013

    Maureen... Good news from my doctor. I had a call from my surgeon and she says I had a complete response to chemotherapy--the nodes that were positive at diagnosis are now clear and the surgical margins are clear. Still need weekly Herceptin through November. Will meet with oncologist and radiation oncologist about possible radiation. They thought it was a sure thing but didn't expect my response to be this good so we'll see...



    To Everyone with positive nodes... You and your medical team will come up with a treatment plan and you will feel your confidence and optimistic feelings return. This roller coaster is so tough but there are people on this message board, doctors on our teams, and friends and family around us to help smooth our ride.

    Gentle hugs

    Linda

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2013

    Oh Linda, what great news!!! I'm so happy for you YAAY:) 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mamasixtaz
    mamasixtaz Member Posts: 319
    edited March 2013

    LuvLife-feel for your pain issues, hope you feel better soon, we are all different and as a nurse I know people all have differences in what pain meds work and some of us need more, I know I do. So hang in there, I will be with you soon, no suffering allowed!

    Hows all the future surgery sisters doing? My anxiety grows each day always hanging in the background. Have 2 shifts left at work,all my coworkers are arranging food delivery by a website, keeps us supplied with different meals for while Im out! Never knew how many caring people I work with!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited March 2013

    anne, I saw your news about 4/8 and lots of encouraging words from others above. I had 6/8 after my lumpectomy and no doubt there will be more in the path from my surgery last week. But I also see that you have put mets in your dx. I hope that you don't have mets! It does not make sense since you also say Stage II and to have mets means breast cancer elsewhere than breast/nodes/lympho/vascular system and thus that would be Stage IV. Even though I had a one node that was thought in surgery to be a second lump, it turned out to be what was called a metasteses of a lymph node but still not a "met" i.e. in a "distant place." I hope that makes sense and that you do not have mets!

    I also had a drain out today and would agree with Keke about the description. Glad to have one out. 

    luvinmylife, it is a fine balance between the narcotics and the bowels isn't it? 

    Hoping that the women still to have surgery this week are OK as they get close. It is going to be OK; one more step on the journey...

    Thanks Maureen!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • anne11595
    anne11595 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2013

    What I read on the path report was it was triple negative and my surgeon said it stage 2 and I hope he is right.tell me if I'm wrong but triple negative is not Mets? I have not seen my oncologist yet! I'm learning as I go!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • anne11595
    anne11595 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2013

    Wow I just now see what you are talking about Marianeliza .I did not know that Mets was on my dx.most of hit the wrong button when filling it out. Thank you so so much!!!

    Dx 2/8/2013, 3cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 4/8 nodes, mets, ER-/PR-, HER2-Dx 2/12/2013, 3cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 4/8 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2-Lymph Node Removal: Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (</span


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lin43
    Lin43 Member Posts: 108
    edited March 2013

    Anne--Triple negative is not mets so your surgeon's Stage 2 makes sense. Triple negative refers to estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) and Her2 status. Pathology reports include this information and treatment is tailored to your particular pathology. For example, my cancer was ER-, PR-, and Her2+. I did chemo for 6 months and will have to go for a year of weekly infusions of a drug called Herceptin because I am Her2+. It is amazing how specific treatment can be for each of us depending on our pathology. I had positive nodes before my chemo and am now clear. If you need chemo it will be tailored to your pathology.

    Good luck with your oncologist appointment. I ask my oncologist every question on my mind and he is very patient and kind. We are all thrown into this world suddenly and have to learn as we go. Never feel that you "should" know something because this is all so complicated. Hang in there. A treatment plan will give you some peace of mind.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dede707
    dede707 Member Posts: 48
    edited March 2013

    I wish you peace as you get toward your surgery date. I think the anxiety is part of being human. My mantra is whatever it takes. I say that to help me calm down.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited March 2013

    Anne, glad to see that you just hit a wrong button! No mets! Two of my best friends are triple negative and doing great. There are TN threads too so you can get more info.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Maureen1
    Maureen1 Member Posts: 614
    edited March 2013

    (((Kayrem))) you're in my thoughts and prayers today as you go to surgery...(((healing hugs))) Maureen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • anne11595
    anne11595 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2013

    It's real good to hear about your friend and I have been on tn threads. It's just a bigger hoop to jump.But I am 5'9'',so I can jump real high!:) plus am a very young 58 year old!Enough about me. Hope everyone is keeping as positive as can and know we (March sisters) are here for each other. Boy that makes me feel great to know!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • anne11595
    anne11595 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2013

    What the h___ try to fix dx now I have two#=+;"

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • anne11595
    anne11595 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2013

    Ok did I fix it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • anne11595
    anne11595 Member Posts: 101
    edited March 2013

    Yea! I did can't you tell I'm not good with computers!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kayrem
    Kayrem Member Posts: 164
    edited March 2013

    Thanks for your kind thoughts Maureen. Will keep you posted on my progress.

    Karen

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Not-Me
    Not-Me Member Posts: 198
    edited March 2013

    Hi everyone.  I am new to this thread, having had BMX on 3-5.  This is my second round of C, with the first occuring on the same side 9 years ago (poster child for mammograms, found on my baseline).  I had an abnormal mammogram around Christmas time, repeated, with a biospy 2-4-13 (9 years to the day of my lumpectomy).  When I realized that while checking in at the hospital, I knew the results would be positive.  They were.  Surgeon said they got it all and that it was Stage 0, contained. 

    Decided to get the BMX which occurred last week.  My pathology came back with more C (not detected on the MRI or the multiple mammos), invasive and thus bumping me into a Stage 1.  Feel grateful for the standard protocol for MX, after lumpectomy and rads the first time round.  Otherwise, I would still be walking round with C, unknowingly.  No spread to nodes and none on the "good" side.  Poster child for MX protocol? 

    I had TEs placed during surgery and am now in recovery mode.  One drain out, and the other expected out tomorrow.  I can't wait to leave the house, maybe I will get the okay to drive soon?  I have ADHD so sitting still is killing me.  Fortunately, the drugs help.     

    Sending warm wishes to all of you who have gone thru this, are currently going thru this, or are getting ready to go thru this.  Hugs.  Smile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ironmagnolia
    ironmagnolia Member Posts: 85
    edited March 2013

    Hi Riverflows-- I'm in Tx too, San Antonio. Where are you located?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cat24
    cat24 Member Posts: 211
    edited March 2013

    My surgery went well on Tuesday, SOOOO much easier than the tram and lat flap surgeries after mx.  Only problem is reaction to steri strips.  Going to the PS today to have them removed.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories