September 2013 Chemo Group

LHL: Haha, that is the question, huh?! Everything about my situation is in the grey and it is all bass-ackwards. It is annoying. I was going to do the DIEP and so my surgeon(s) wanted the SNB done first to determine lymph node status and if I needed rads. They said I couldn't do rads after the BMX with immediate DIEP or it would kill the graft. Rads have to come first. My surgeon said she would do a lumpectomy at the same time since my tumor is nearly in the armpit and she thought she could get them both with one small incision (I ended up with two that are nearly 3" long, instead!) I thought it sounded like a good idea; get it out of there since she was there anyway. So, now that I am not doing the DIEP flap and am doing tissue expanders instead, I probably didn't need to do the lumpectomy. From what I understood, there is a better cosmetic outcome if you wait for quite awhile after doing rads to do a BMX if you are able to, as well? I am thinking that is what my surgeon said. So, technically, if I have a lumpectomy and have to have rads due to a positive node status, I can have my BMX any time I want, even if it is a year later. I have no idea what is going on, honestly, and I have been just too tired to try and figure it out. Maybe I will just skip the whole thing after this if I have to do rads anyway. I honestly think I should have a BMX, but it seems like everything is such a mess not just trying to coordinate it but finding someone to help me, trying to keep up on what I need to keep up on, school is starting, blah blah blah. If no rads though, I will have to have my BMX by 3-1/2 weeks from now. UGH. Now I am going to go cry lol. 

Am I incorrect in thinking that the numb spot on my breast should be somewhere around where my tumor was? It is strange because it is numb in by my nipple, but I still have full feeling at the very outer edge of my breast where my tumor was. I certainly hope she carved out the tissue in the right spot! Ugh, always something to worry about, right? 

LHL-my rad target date is based on finishing before a 6 day trip I have planned - if I can't start at the 3 week post op, he said we may be able to double up some days to catch up and still by done.  PS is fine with waiting to do any fills until after rads, she'd said she would get one in if I feel up to it, but no big deal if not.  And she says 3 months post rads for swap to implants, depending on how the skin/tissue healing looks.  Thanks for the info on the stairs.  I asked my hub and he thought I was nuts for wanting to be downstairs.  So I guess I'll sleep in our room, which makes sense if I need help getting up to the bathroom etc.

Mama-hope your pain subsides quickly.  You're one tough chick!

kj-I have my BS pre op Thursday, I think she's planning a pain pump, but I'll ask about that one.

I am so far behind!  I am not sure what bug has hit the fire department, but I have been called in to work every day the past week because of sick calls...and I am working again tomorrow.  Since I will be off another 3-4 weeks after surgery, I am getting hours in while I can.  I am using hand sanitizer constantly because I do NOT want to get sick and have surgery postponed!

LHL, I am glad that you continue to improve after surgery.  Sorry your mom left.  I am from NJ, which is where my parents still live, so i understand how hard it can be being so far away.

KJ, Sorry you had to hang out in the hospital the extra day.  It sounds like you are recovering really well...glad to hear it.

Hockeymom, Sorry about the brca results.  Knowledge is power, and you have all of the steps in place.  Hoping your kids did not get the gene.

Mamastewart, I had a lymph node removed a couple years ago...before all of this cancer mess.  i remember being surprised at the size of the incision and amount of bruising.  having been in the OR during paramedic rotations, i do understand how you can have so much bruising despite incisions that aren't as big.  They move things around inside a lot and it causes a lot of bruising.

Audra, hooray for crossing the chemo finish line.  I hope the side effects are easing.

Simplelife, i hope your pathology results after surgery are more definitive than the ultrasound...chemo is just one tool in the tool box.

Art, Sorry about the root canal...yuk.  Hoping she will be able to get it taken care of.

HVV, Glad the surgery went well.  

Lisa, Thanks for the update.  I am a month behind you, so it is always nice to have a sneak peek into my future.

Better day...hooray for last chemo tomorrow...kick butt!!!!!

Knight zoo, Congrats for crossing the chemo finish line.  love, love, love the flash mob!!!!!

Warrior 70, Hope the rads consult goes well.

Alfranco, I am a person who is always cold.  these hot flashes are awful.  I freeze, then roast, then freeze.  it's like a heater and an air conditioner which can both be set to WOW with no comfortable temperature in between.  Annoying.

Well, if you made it this far reading, I am impressed.  sorry it's so long.  I have to be up at 4:30 for work, so I am off to bed.  I do love getting to go to work and take care of others...much nicer than being the patient!  Getting excited for my exchange surgery...ready to ditch the iron bra.

well, guess who landed in the ER for the first time since diagnosis?  Yup. Just when I thought all was well. Developed a fever and chills this afternoon.  Called doc after the big game because it wasn't getting better. Agreed I should be seen. 

Appears I have an infection in my right incision. Treating with IV antibiotics and I will be here until at least tomorrow afternoon. Maybe Tuesday. 

Frustrated. But glad we went in today because it would not have gotten better on its own

 I have five EKG lines, four drains, three unhappy family members, two onco pumps, and an IV line  in my port, feel like a Christmas song. Ugh. 

Going to try and sleep.  Yeah... Like that will really happen. Sigh.  

SpecialK

 interesting to read this. I just heard of a gal who unfortunately found out the cancer had traveled to her lung right after her port was taken out. I will speak to my MO about this since I am HER2+. Thanks

Oh no KJ! So sorry you have to be in the hospital again! I hope you get healed up and out soon! I will try not to slap the bugs in my bra. 

Vintage: I was worried about getting surgery scheduled on such short notice too, but both the PS and BS schedulers told me that it was no problem and they would make it work. It is good to get in early and know your options so that you can make a decision though. 

KBee: holy cow! Not too far out from chemo and you are covering everyone's sick calls! My hero, I tell ya! I imagine I am so bruised because she had to dig around for 5 minutes to find my tumor. If ever there was a reason to want a bruise, that would be it I suppose. I just have to stay on top of the pain meds, especially since my nurse didn't show up this morning. UGH. Maybe I will ask for a medically-induced coma for the BMX. I have always had a high pain tolerance, I don't know what my issue is. 

I think that one of my incisions is turning into a keloid scar. It is like a rope and is really raised and like it kind of rolled over on itself. Hopefully it will get better. I've never had issues with scarring before, either. I had half of my thyroid removed in 2007 with an incision all the way across my throat and you could barely see that scar from the time they took the bandages off. No bruising from that either. Thank you chemo, thank you. I am so very glad to be done with you! 

Thanks Mercedes

 I was assigned a nurse navigator back in August, she contacted me then to say she was going on a long vacation & she dropped the ball. Never stayed in touch, scheduled appointments etc. So while I think this should be her job I know I need to take the first steps & get the ball rolling.

I know I need an echo every 3 months because of the Herceptin & figured another MRI at least. 

Thanks!

Kj- I hope you get better soon. Hugs.

Mommasteward- so happy you don't have to do radiation and can do reconstruction right away.  

Vintagegirl- you are almost there. Yay!!

Kbee-you really are amazing.

High 5 mamma!

KJ  why did u go & do that? big hugs & get home soon.

Well the picture is sideways, but that is the look 8 weeks pfc.  The front of the hair came in over a week later than the rest, so it is still white and not really visible.  As you can see from my eyebrows, I fail kindergarten art.  I cannot even connect the dots...or color in the lines to make eyebrows!!!!

Kbeee - That's about what my hair looks like.  Maybe not quite as filled in as yours or at least it doesn't look like it to me.  The front of mine is slower & more white, too.  I should take a picture... wish I had thought to do one each week so I could see the progress.  My eyebrows are coming in fast... still very short, but enough that I don't have to try to connect the dots.  I hate that, and I suck at it.  LOL   Good for you for working, and working extra!!!  I have a desk job and only work 4 hours at a time and can't contemplate going back yet.  Ha ha   Having my bmx after chemo really did a number on me.

So I got a call today that my rads consult isn't Feb 6th... it's next week!  Ugh.  I was hoping to have more time to get some fills in with my PS.  I know the consult doesn't necessarily mean I'll start right away, but having the consult later means starting later, right?  I have been doing my exercises but still can't raise my left arm more than 90 degrees.    I see the PS this Thursday, so we'll see what he says about it.

I drove for the first time today.  It wasn't exactly comfortable but it was doable, and it was nice to be self-sufficient!  I wouldn't want to drive all over town right now, but to run to the store or take the kids to school, I think I'm good.

Mamastewart - YAY for no rads!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Great news on your path report.  

Did anyone take after-surgery pics?  Hubby took some the night before my surgery, and I want to take some after, but I want to get my drains out first.  Who wants a pic with those stupid tubes hanging down?  

Maltomlin

 thanks for popping in & for your post! 

Nice to hear from some one who's traveled this road & come through fine!

VintageGal

Wow Running and KBee, you guys look great!  And you two are Taxotere, which really messes with hair!  KBee, I hear you on the eyebrow thing!  Good luck!

Vintage Gal, you are just a few days after me to finish chemo!  TEN MORE DAYS to Taxol #12!  January 30...it's almost here!

MamaStewart....yay on nodes! no rads!  awesome!

KJ....sorry about the infection!  Still you are doing great...through chemo and surgery!  yes!

Everybody else...keep on trucking'!

hi ladies,

Kbeee and running- great hair pictures!!

Lhl- glad you are starting to feel better!!

KJ- praying your are healing quickly and can rest in your own home soon!

Mama- hoping your pain is subsiding quickly! Congrats on the pathology report too!!

To everyone who has finished chemo yahoo you did it!!!

Hoping everyone is doing well !

I go to the Dr tomorrow to see if they will pull this drain. Sunday I only drained 20cc and yesterday I drained 15.... fingers crossed it comes out. The day after she pulled my drain on the last surgery is when I started to develop an absess. My whole incision opened and had to be packed. I am praying this doesn't happen with this one!

BetterDay: so sorry to hear of your news, and I think it is okay to wallow sometimes. I hope so because I certainly do. Carbo will kick its butt! I had it in combination with Taxotere, and from what I gather the majority of my side effects were from the Taxotere so hopefully it will be pretty easy for you. It certainly can't be anywhere near as bad as Adria! The only thing that I noticed that I thought was specific to the Carbo (because this would sometimes start WITH my Carbo infusion) was heartburn, and it is the WORST heartburn imaginable! I started taking Prilosec 2-3 days before infusion day and would continue it for at least a week afterwards and that pretty much took care of it. The other thing was a metallic taste in the mouth, but I think with the Taxotere killing my taste buds that didn't bother me much lol. Besides the "regular" chemo side effects like fatigue etc, I think Carbo is a relatively easy chemo drug (if there is such a thing), but again, it is difficult for me to say because I took it with Taxotere every time.