March 2013 Surgeries

Hi- so I went for my third oncology opinion today and surprisingly their pathologist found lvi in my tumor. The two other places-one of which is the place I did my surgery both said that I was negative for lvi. I was surprised but at the same time I am now being recommended for cmf chemotherapy. While she still feels that the benefit may be low in terms of the actual benefit she still feels that these cells have figured out how to travel so we should treat it like they are moving. I guess I am relieved that I have a firm opinion finally. I would definitely recommend getting more opinions if you are unsure of treatment. I think it's amazing that we are basing our tx from a nameless faceless pathologist that we never get to meet! I guess I will be surfing the chemo boards!



Jsrose

Cuetang - I noticed that earlier I am BRCA 2 positive - are you? That could maybe be the difference...I don't know...

No, I didn't get a chance to call as my daughter came home from school; I will call first thing tomorrow though. Thanks for the advice!



I would love to keep updated seeing on we are almost exact stats and same spot in the waiting game



Tonight having a lot of sporadic pain in my armpit where the nodes were dissected. Not sure whats happening there



Wishing you some happy news!

Good Morning,

I had my surgery on March 6, 2013 - total mastectomy on the left - with single stage implant going in.  My lymph nodes came back clear and the mo said no chemo..my oncotype report came back with a 10 and I have a 7% chance of recurrence.  The MO said lets do tamoxafin and now I am on the fence with this..!! Any help or input from anyone I would greatly appreciate.  Grant it I can only make the big decision just not sure what it is right now !

I second that motion of TGIF. I finally got the drains out after my second surgery so it feels wonderful to feel halfway normal. But...tomorrow the visiting nurse comes to hook me up to a wound vacuum pump. I've been told that the infection I have could be gone in less that 6 weeks.YAAY!!! It was easy for me to make the decision to have both breasts removed. I had very large breasts and they were impinging on my neck and back problems. I also opted not to have reconstruction. If I were 25 yrs younger that might be an option, but at my age why? To all of you I wish you to be pain free, healing, doing what needs to be done to beat this monster. Gentle hugs and prayers to all.

Hi Ladies!  Well the verdict is in for me.  The tumor board came to the consensus that I will not be having chemo.  They looked at my slides during their conference and believe that it is a slow growing tumor and an Oncotype score of 8 supported that, despite showing a high ki-67 score of 25%.  I narrowly missed rads (because of a super duper close skin margin) and now I missed chemo.  Am I fully comfortable with this?  Not reallly.  However, I guess I have to put my faith with the doctors. 

I'm also getting recommended for ovarian suppression, but won't know what it is until my next appointment with the oncologist.  Hellloooo hot flashes and bone issues at 33! 

tparksprof -- hurray for the removal of the pesky drains!!  Keep fighting and hold that chin up despite all the crap that has been sent your way.  Have a great weekend.

Thanks Maureen!

(((Dawn))) I'm so sorry to hear about the floods hitting your house...I can't imagine how frustrating that must be to have it happen once and you've been hit 5 times! You just don't need that, hope you can walk away...(((Hugs and prayers))) So glad the kick off speech went well, I am sure you touched alot of hearts and souls with your message, congratulations:) Maureen

Good luck to you Rebex and praying your journey goes well! Glad you finally got your answers.......waiting is the worst part!



Maureen, thank you so much! We are waiting for the mold inspector to come out and hopefully deem the house not worth fixing so we can get paid and walk away to something better!!



Dawn

Bishops- I got a fill two days ago two. I bought these coobie bras right after my surgery someone else had recommended them after going through reconstruction. They are one size and the have a pad that smoothes out any bumps- almost like the ones in a bathing suit. I wear them every day and love them. They are only about 20.00 or so and come in lots of colors. I would check them out!



I am finding that this fill is more uncomfortable than the first one. I will most likely not be getting another one for a while as it looks like I will be doing the cmf regimen for chemo. My ps doesn't do any fills during chemo.



Good luck.



Jsrose

Freezing embryos? Just curious girls? Are you freezing as a precaution that the chemo may damage eggs? Or I'm sorry, will it definitely cause damage? Or are there others reasons? Sorry, ignorant...

I know how important having a chance to have a child is. I wanted children when I was in my twenties, four miscarriages later

Now I am blessed with two step daughters, both well on the way to adulthood. I joke and say I'm glad their Mom gave birth to them for me!

I also am blessed with two handsome young nephews, they're 6 and 2. I can spoil them and send them back to mommy. I love kids!

Rebex my prayers to your healing and your blessing. I believe every little girl should have a sister. A child is most definitely a blessing, I hope you will be able to add to your family.

Rebex: I am so sorry to hear that yesterday was such a crappy day/night for you. I understand about the pain loved ones feel. Although my daughter is an adult with her own daughter, and lives in CO, she stills feel like she wants to be here with Mom. At this time there is nothing she can do, but I think it's just the closeness she wants. I feel the same way. She is almost all the family I have. We all have had our weepy crying times during this journey, and we've earned it with the things we've through. I have my moments when I think about the "assaults" I've had on my body over the past month. I'm kind of rambling, but wanted you to know there are others out there caring about you.  Here is a gentle hug for you, and prayers.

Such a rollercoaste ride this cancer journey is.  I was feeling so good a week ago and now not so good. Developed an infection, 4 wks out.  Felt lousy over the weekend called the on call doc who wouldn't go with antibiotics over the phone but would order narcotics if I needed them?? Convienced him on antibiotics and to see my PS asap in the week..Tuesday got an appt and got the incisional drainage with removal of some scabbing and necrotic tissue. Boy, it was smelly!  TMI, sorry..back to dressings and antibiotics! Seroma build up in my back removed as well 250cc this time.  After all that I was wiped out!  Today is better, incisions are looking better,still some drainage and burning but healing better.

Will see PS and ONC next week.  I'm with you Maureen, dreading the doc visits as they seem to be bad news.  Just another bump on my rollercoaster. Hope I can go back to work in a few weeks, depends on how soon I can get healed and have enough energy to work a 12 hr shift.  Thinking of all the March sisters and hope all are healing and recovering well. 

(((mamasixtaz))) and (((tparksprof))) so sorry about the infections and hearing what you have had to go thru...this is tough enough without experiencing not just bumps but "potholes" that take your mood and spirits down...It's so tough to deal with dressings and drains, I hope the surgical revisions "got it all" and the infections and fluid build up goes away soon...so many losses that we have to grieve associated with this beast - physical and emotional, and...yes...how about the loss of time and fun that it can take from our life, (like a vacation to Hawaii)...I may sound overly optomistic but I think we'll get the time and the fun back once this surgery and chemo and/or rads are in our "rear view mirror" (behind us) now so I'm sending both of you all my positive vibes and (((Healing Hugs))) and prayers that you can get off the roller coaster and onto the beach:)...take care, Maureen