March 2014 Surgery
Comments
-
EverForward, I am recovering from a nipple sparing BMX. My lump was in the 9 o'clock position. I had the incisions in the IMF that SpecialK is referring to (I think). That cut looks really good, and I think it will be well hidden. I'm also cut from the nipple down to the IMF. It is looking good also, and I'm only a little over three weeks out. I know the tissue in the nipple was checked by pathology during my surgery. Believe me, I asked the BS, PS, and MO about nipple sparing, and I was assured they would only try it if they were sure it was okay.
I was also somewhat petite (since I gained 11 pounds from chemo, I say WAS petite) and not very large "up top", basically a small "B". I didn't want to go much larger, maybe a high B/low C. My TEs are 400cc. I may have mentioned it here, but the plastic surgeon even cut my nipple size down because apparently they were small for my original size and my desired size. I only found that somewhat funny because he brought that up while he was marking me for surgery while hubby and the plastic surgeon's nurse were all standing there looking at me. I thought it was better to laugh than cry at that point! Anyway, the nipples are looking better every day. Hubby agrees, or at least he's smart enough to say they are!
I hope you are able to have the nipple sparing procedure if that is what you choose. I've seen some fabulous tats too, and I'm prepared for those if these do not take. So far, so good on the nipples. Now if could just get used to every muscle in body feeling like it is connected to my foobs!!!
You ladies are the BEST! Hope everyone has a great Friday and an even better weekend!
-
Specialk...I completely agree re: the endoscopy !!! Out is best...I woke up in the middle of one! Freaked me out!!!
Sandra...hoping your night goes as well as can be expected...tomorrow is a piece of cake, then SLEEP!!!
-
Wynne50, I saw my breast surgeon today for my final pathology reports. It has been almost 6 weeks since my dbl. mastectomy. She said the same thing to me about believing that no oncologist would recommend chemo for me based on my report but that just in case she missed something I had to be referred to a medical oncologist. As far as the Oncotype test as far as I know that was not done for me either and I don't know if it is too late for that or not. So, it sounds like we are about in the same spot and won't know about chemo until we see our medical oncologists. Keep us posted.
Sandra, good luck tomorrow! A colonoscopy is next on my list!
I asked my plastic surgeon about skin/nipple sparing surgery and he said that under no circumstances did he recommend it nor would he do it. My daughter had her surgery and treatments at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center in Colorado and they did the skin/nipple sparing on her and it worked out beautifully for her. I considered going to Colorado for my surgery but decided to stay home and go with the reconstruction recommended by my plastic surgeon. She is young and her appearance was much more important to her. My scars go horizontally across my chest and I haven't decided if I will have nipple reconstruction done at all.
-
Ooops, I meant to say my nipples were too LARGE according to the PS, so he cut them down! It's getting late, and sometimes I think I had chemo brain after all!
-
southern - glad you clarified - I was just trying to figure that out! My incisions are only in the IMF - I did not have the vertical from there up to the nip. I do have a lot of scarring on the left side though - I had three vertical excisions prior to chemo, then lost the TE. I have had re-stitching in the same area, but now horizontal, in the surgery in March, and then again a couple of weeks ago. My poor IMF on the left has been cut six times, but amazingly does not look bad.
lake - I had one with conscious sedation because they did an esophogeal dilation and needed my "cooperation", ummm, not a fun time! I had a couple of others but thankfully was knocked out for those ones!
-
Wynne and KLJ, I met with my breast surgeon, and we discussed my pathology report. She said she did not feel that I would need chemo, but she wanted to order the Oncotype test and did at that time. It took about a a week and a half for the results. My BS office called me with the results of that test this week. My next step is to meet with an MO (I am calling and scheduling this tomorrow after getting my BS referrals), and I may be jumping the gun a bit, but I've already told everyone no chemo for me. With an Onco score of 7, I would definitely seek a 2nd, 3rd or 4th opinion if it was recommended. My BS suggested that I would most likely be on Tamoxifen for 2 years then armotase inhibitor after that.
-
As frostecat says - you can have an Oncotype Dx ordered from tissue taken at the time of surgery. For those who are ER+, node negative, I would really recommend doing this before a chemo decision is made.
-
I also agree you should ask to have the test ordered. They will still have your tissue samples. (I have no idea how long they hold on to those).
I hope everyone is doing well. Happy Friday! I'm going to a big BBQ Sunday with a bunch of friends and acquaintances. They all know about my BC. I tried on a few different shirts because I know people will be curious about my chest and will be looking. My expanders are actually a tad larger than my old breasts.
-
Good luck, Julie. I think you should wear this to your BBQ:
-
I was never given an oncotype score. My understanding was due to being DCIS with only a 2mm micro invasion & negative node. Does that sound correct? I've now been on Tamoxifen for 2 weeks & continue to be pleased & relieved that no side effects so far that I can tell. Fatigued esp on work days but really can't blame it on the drug. Julie how are you doing now? Best of luck to those about to begin hormone therapy. Don't be as scared to try it as I was! As my friend said: "You've come this far, don't stop now! The strength you have inside is still there waiting to carry you the rest of the way."
-
franny - I would concur that because you had such a small invasive component, and were node negative, that chemo would be overkill - I would think that was why no Oncotype Dx was done. The decisions on chemo should always be weighed with the thought of whether more harm than good would come of using it - IMHO in your case the pendulum would swing to the more harm side. Another thing to consider, that I think a lot of people don't, is that chemo does not work for everyone, probably not even for most people. I see a lot of posts that say "I want to do everything in my power to make sure this does not come back" and placing blind faith in chemo. For those of us who do adjuvant chemo we really have no conclusive evidence that chemo is working for us. For many people who are ER+ hormonal therapy is a much more consistently effective treatment.
-
so far so good with the tamoxifen, Franny. My energy is getting better than 2 weeks ago. I started it 4/4.
Cute shirts, Everforward! I do have this one but I won't wear it to the BBQ. When I took this picture I was only at 200cc. Now I'm bustier at 350cc :-)
-
It is hard for me to believe that I am 3 1/2 years from BMX and still need to wear that shirt - who would have thought...
Julie - I found that darker colors or pattern were good at hiding anything I wanted to conceal or camoflauge.
-
Yeah my boobs are a little bumpy with the expanders and the fronts are a little flat. I'm going to wear a cami with a flowy shirt over it. My boobs actually look better than they do pre-surgery (in clothes)!
-
The hospital I treat at has a medical records system that sends e-mail with test results, appointment confirmations and as I discovered the day of my birthday - health care warning. On my 50th birthday and one week prior to breast surgery this may I got an e-mail about a message. I had been getting a lot of these with all of the testing and pre-surgery doctor appointments. It was a rude surprise when the message said I was past due for a colonoscopy. Happy Birthday. On the upside it was one appointment I ignored. No doctor has every recommended the test. The best I could figure is if the hospital had no record of the procedure being proformed and you are age 50 it spits out the message automatically.
-
I really don't think chemo will be recommended but I am a little freaked out about hormone therapy if he wants to do that. I don't know why but probably because I've just read so much about the awful side effects. I'm post-menopausal so the AI's would probably be what they would want to do. I guess I should quit fretting and just wait for my appt. It makes me so sad for all of you that are facing much worse scenarios, more surgeries, chemo etc. Uggg. Don't know how you do it.
KLJ and Frostcat, we do seem to be tracking along the same.
-
Wynne, I'm post menopausal and was started on Anostrosole on Feb 1st. Didnt have side effects until I was at about my 3rd week or so. Started getting achy flulike symptoms the sometimes lasted for 2-3 days. I was wondering how long I could last, but then the SE's went away on their own. I was hoping to hang in there like the doctor for 6 months before trying a different medication. I'm glad I stuck it out. Hope all goes well with you.
-
wynne - not everyone has SE from hormonal therapy, you just need to try it and see. The good news about taking aromatase inhibitor drugs is that there are three of them, plus Tamoxifen, so there are options. Different drugs, and different manufacturers among the individual drugs, can cause different SE, if any. Try what your MO prescribes, and see how it goes. If you don't like it, try a different manufacturer - speak to your pharmacist about ordering a different one.
-
My photo from this morning just before the endoscopy and colonoscopy. I just kept thinking, "Why am I in this situation AGAIN? Didn't I just look like this a month ago?" Because I tend to do weird things with anesthesia, I had several anesthesiologists in the room during the procedures. Hooray! Only had one episode of bradycardia and nobody killed me this time. Success! Doc found a little diverticulosis but other than that, top and bottom halves are good to go for another 50,000 miles. Ever since the cancer diagnosis, I've been afraid something else would be discovered somewhere, so I'm glad both of these procedures are out of the way and everything is fine.
-
Sandra - excellent! Make sure you eat enough high-fiber foods! Then again, that is good advice for all of us!
-
woo hoo sandra - good to hear!!
-
SpecialK, I was wondering why the PS cut from the nipple to the bottom. I plan to ask him why he did that when I see him on Tuesday. He told me from the beginning that I would be cut that way, but I didn't ask why. It doesn't matter now, but I would like to know. Sorry you are still "under construction", but you are one fabulous lady to keep such a great attitude through all of this. Maybe it has something to do with that Florida sunshine!
Julie, I need to find a button to wear on my chest (or almost chest) that says "under construction." I know everyone who knows why I was out of the office for three weeks is thinking, "Man she got ripped off with those boobs!" Glad your boobies look better than before - gives me some encouragement when I look down at my little 100s!
-
Hi sisters, even though I haven't posted much lately, I have been on here reading. Still have a tiny hole but that is scabbing and itching now, but that is all that is left over from the 15 inch incision, and the BS said I am doing well. I am eating healthier food, and I am exercising again. My oncotype was only 11, so no chemo was needed. I have been on femara for a little over a week, and I actually feel better and more energetic taking it. I think that because I already have alot of problems with pain from fibromyalgia and arthritis, I won't notice if I get muscle aches from the femara. Also, because I usually feel cold, the hot flashes just seem to warm me up. The PS at my original hospital doesn't take medicaid, so I went to MUSC Charleston, and they are wonderful. I will have my right recon. sometime in June, along with a reduction on the left to match. he explained that it will be a multi-step process, so I'm prepared. The prolactinoma and excess estrogen in my system caused my usually size C breasts to grow to G-H and it has been a nightmare, and even when I lost weight a few years ago, they stayed that size, so I can't wait to have size B or C again. Hugs and prayers to all my sisters here.
p.s i need one of those "under construction" shirts, lol.
-
Sandra good news for you! Julie love the T-shirt. I just tried to gain access to the picture forum, I'm not sure if I did it right, when I click the link they ask for a donation, is this the correct site? I just want to make sure before I proceed. Thanks.
-
Frostecat, yes that's the right place. You can request to join, but since it isn't a part of BCO, the two women who run that website have to approve you. (They review your posts before they let you in.) The instructions were a little difficult for me to follow. I kept seeing the same screen but didn't realize I had to scroll down to see what was really on that page.
-
Oh thanks Sandra. It was confusing to me, and I know that you are way more tech savvy then me, so now I don't feel so bad!
-
Sandra, awesome news and I'm glad you got that out of the way. I need to have a colonoscopy too, was planning to schedule it after my "routine" mammogram/ultrasound in February but then the BC tornado hit my life and I never gave it another thought. I'll do that sometime this summer.
I had a follow up with my BS Wednesday and got the path results from my nipple removal surgery (is there a better name for that??) last Friday. There was more DCIS in my nipple but the margins were negative! So no more cancer in my breasts - so happy to hear that. I was afraid they wouldn't get clear margins again and then what? I was afraid to ask. She was hesitant when she said the results were good and then said but there was cancer inside the nipple. Honestly I think I would have been ticked if there wasn't because now it's gone and I could have kept it. lol She said I don't need to see her again unless I have any problems or issues or just want to come see her. She's my favorite of all my specialists but really, no more surgery please. She advised me to go back to my oncologist for follow up plans but said she couldn't imagine she would want to put me on any drug therapy because my hormone receptors are negative. She removed the steri-strips and said I was healing nicely. I had incisions under each breast for the BMX but now I also have a diagonal incision across my right breast from the second surgery.
Thursday I saw the PS for the first time since my 3/19 surgery, so it was 5 weeks post-op. I had seen his nurse three times. He didn't know about my surgery on Friday and seemed surprised (and maybe pissed but since he doesn't express any emotions I can't be sure) they didn't out a drain in. He aspirated 90 ccs! I knew there was fluid buildup but the BS didn't seem concerned the day before and it sure didn't look like it was that much. Now I have to wear a tight sports bra for the next 10 days. We're going to Key West next Friday night for a week so it will be not so fun trying to find tops that will cover the straps and camouflage the front a little so I don't look flat like a smooshed pancake in these bras. Oh well a couple days into the trip I should be able to go back to my genie bras during the day and maybe still wear the tight bras to bed. I can do it! I'm just happy we don't have to cancel our trip. I go back to the PS the Tuesday after we return.
-
Hello All!
Nice to be back! Sorry that I
haven’t posted for awhile! I can’t believe how fast the time has flown
over the past 2 weeks! So here is my update - Sat April 12th my DH and I
left by train from Toronto to Montreal - my birthplace. I traveled
there for business quite often but haven’t been back for personal
reasons in over 25 years!! We went to a hockey game Saturday night - my
New York Rangers vs Montreal (boo!!). The game didn’t mean anything to
either team - last game before the playoffs but it was nice to be there
and feel the energy! Of course, my team lost but it went to overtime
so it was exciting!! Sunday we walked the downtown core, visit Old
Montreal which used to be my stomping grounds growing up - had dinner
with a good friend and her husband - very nice!!
Monday we
traveled by train from Montreal to NYC. AWESOME! So relaxing! We
haven’t been on the train in close to 25 years as well and we just loved
it! Comfy seats - no rushing - nice scenery!
In NYC we
walked, got a tour of Madison Square Gardens, saw the firs playoff game
between the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers - my Rangers won!
Woo-hoo! Saw a Yankees game - went to BB Kings Bar and Grill for a
Beatles Brunch and saw a Beatles Tribute band - very good! Had dinner
with my cousin and her husband - saw the Captain America in 3D which was
awesome! Then last Sunday, we took the train home.
The only
downside was that we both got colds! ARGH! I still have a few sniffles
but can’t complain! We really needed the getaway! It was lovely but
of course went by so fast! Hardly thought about the cancer stuff
although we did talk about it every so often. At the Ranger game I
cried a bit because I felt like I would never be back there and that I
was the only one dealing with a challenge. Silly I know - just an
emotion!!
Since being home, I’ve had appointments - slept because
of my cold, studied my chemo regimen, went grocery shopping, cleaned
the house - huh - I NEVER do this!!
Last Tuesday, I had my SYMA
(or MUGA) scan. Very bizarre. The tech explained that there would be
an IV so I asked where he would put it since my right arm has no veins
that you can find and the left should not be used due to the lymph nodes
being removed. He asked how my other tests have been done. I
responded that I have not had any since surgery. He then asked me what I
wanted him to do. What? Really? So for some stupid reason I started
to cry. He then changed completely and became very empathetic. He went
off to speak with a Dr. who said that he could use my left arm. I
wondered later how they do this test for people with no arms - where do
they put the IV then?
Anyhow - things proceeded well after that.
On
Wednesday I met with my Surgeon who is happy with my healing process. I have more or less felt likle me for approx 2 weeks now. I would say that my range of motion is 95%. Moat of the burning pain is gone - still numbness under the arm and halfway down the back of my upper arm but this does not bother me at all. My Surgeon made it clear that he does not want me to lift any weights until
after my treatment is over. He did say that I can lift heavier things 8 weeks after the surgery - so since I had my surgery March 17th, this is coming up soon!! The Nurse told me before meeting with the Surgeon that I could start lifting wights of 1-3 pounds now. I have been walking and walked just under 4 miles a couple of days ago - felt GREAT!! I will confirm this with my MO next week as I really want to do my best with exercising during treatment.
Thursday
afternoon I too got a pixie cut. I also got in touch with Wellspring
and registered for a few sessions in May - Breast Cancer support group,
Nutrition for Breast Cancer and a Look Good Feel Better class. The
first class is on May 8 - the day I get my head shaved and have my wig
fitted. I hope that I will feel well enough to go!!
My nephew’s
wife gave birth to a beautiful baby boy yesterday shortly after 4pm
named Aaron Michael Sandow - 10lbs 3 oz - can you say OUCH? Wife had a C
section - baby, Mom and Dad are doing fine!!
Today my hubby has arranged a pre chemo party so we are expecting approx 30 people tonight. Should be very nice!!
Tuesday
April 29th is when the fun starts! My port will be inserted at 8am,
then I plan to eat, then I have blood work then meet with my MO to talk
cancer - ugh!!!!
Wednesday April 30th at Noon is my first chemo
infusion. I am scared to death!! I read the chats about chemo with
great interest. This is really NOT something that I want to do and am
thinking that once the port is in, I am tied to this until the MO
decides that I am free! Having said that, my MO is the Head of Oncology
at Credit Valley Hospital and actually led the development and building
of the cancer centre at the hospital. The details of my tumour and
treatment are in my bio - I do know that my cancer was aggressive at
stage 3 and that the two nodes which were impacted with macro. I know
two people who have gone through similar treatment and they are fine
today; one is 5 years out, the other close to 8. Right now, I am very
healthy with the exception of the cancer which tried to kill me so
hoping that I will be okay as I work through this. I know that I will
be monitored very closely. I too was told that the chemo is
precautionary as my margins were clear as were my Bone and CT scans.I
sometimes think - what if I did nothing? I suspect that the truth is -
no-one truly knows!! My thoughts are that I could possible have
microscopic cancer cells floating around just waiting to wake up. If I
do, chemo should wipe these out and prevent any new ones from growing.
But it can also increase the risk of other cancers or health issues. So
- it's only 6 rounds - FEC-D also known as FEC-T. 3 rounds of FEC
followed by 3 rounds of Taxtotere. Then the herceton and Tamoxifen. So
- do I walk away and say forget it - whatever happens happens? I don't
want to end up like a good friend of mine who had a rare form of skin
cancer - ignored it - then by the time it started to grow and ooze it
was too late! So, I'll give it a go I guess.Funny - I have
reflux - very minor - and while we were i n NYC, my chest began to hurt
while we were walking. This is the 2nd of 3rd time that this has
happened since feeling the lump in my armpit on Jan 27. So, I started
taking my Prevacid a few days ago. This morning I can still feel the
pressure a bit - funny - my hubby told me - don't even say that this is
lung cancer!! He reminded me that I have experienced this for years
especially when I am stressed! I find it off that I now feel somewhat
relaxed - more so than when this started.
Nice to be back!!:-)
-
Footballnut -- Wow -- thank you for the update on all things. So happy the trip was perfect -- except for the colds -- giving ones mind relief is a good good thing and it sounds like you were well distracted and entertained everywhere you went. Congratulations on being a "GreatAuntMother" we can now call you Footballnutgreatauntmother!" Sounds like a big healthy baby - maybe a football player or a hockey player!
You sound like you are doing all the right things to prepare -- for the next phase. Cleaning the house!! this is that nesting thing taking over… I did the same thing before surgery -- cleaned and bought paper products enough to last a year. It is so sweet that your hubby is throwing you a party -- people will love to see you and hug you and just be with you.
I must say I have seen more of my girlfriends from HS, College, Grad School -- since cancer became a reality. It's a little unnerving but very very nice -- catching up on so much and hugs and warmth. Enjoy the party Footballnut -- in no time you will be having post chemo party!!
-
Hey Footballnut-
I think maybe the chest pain may be anxiety. And we have reason to be anxious - i think once we get past the first couple of treatments we may be able to release some of that.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team