August 2014 Surgery

Zeeba, Ml, Lipgloss and Sunny-  Sure thinking of you today!!  We are all with you and you will rock your procedures!!

Ml-  So sorry for the loss of Kheelan...it is so hard to lose a family member.

Sassy-  Hoping for a great report!!

Imhere-  Wow, what an experience.  Sorry you got treated like that.  I have been fortunate that almost every nurse I have had has been wonderful.  Keep us in the loop as you continue down this journey!

Lori-  Hope you are feeling better!

Psalm and Millaandra-  You are on deck...Friday will be a great day!!

I sort of lost track of what stage everyone is in but am sure thinking of my August sisters.  Right now I am working two jobs...sort of a long story.  It is hard for me to get on-line and check the site but I am sending my prayers and best wishes to all that are recovering, to those undergoing procedures and to those preparing.  You are a great group of ladies!!

Ally2345

Well bummer.  Bone scan showed mets in several spots and the CT scan showed cancer in lymph nodes in my chest area and a questionable spot on my liver.  My lumpectomy is getting smaller and smaller, though, since they don't have to take any lymph nodes.  Now they are talking about letting me go home that night.  The surgeon seems to think they'll use hormone therapy for the mets, rather than chemo...I hope he's right!

Thanks Imhereto. They said Mets...I guess that's why they didn't give me the bone scan results until the CT scan results came in, too. Maybe that helped them diagnose? I asked if it could be anything else and they said "no".  But they also gave me the impression that it wasn't eroding at this stage. Maybe I wanted to hear that!  :-D  I need to get them to give me copies of the reports. Or like you said, the treatment would be the same anyway! God, I have to tell my sister...I want to get that over with, but she isn't home yet. Poor hubby is all freaked out and had to go to work like that.

milaandra. I am so sorry. It's hard enough going into surgery,  now with this news!! Love and hugs!! 

Milaandra-  I wasn't thinking about the fact that they could have (must have) looked at the bones with the CAT scan, too, and not just the liver and lymph nodes that you had mentioned.

OK Milaandra-- Take it for what it is:    Something to be contained as much as possible, to be limited as much as is possible, a situation to be kept as much as possible "not eroding", to be dealt with using all the arms that are available and most appropriate and effective.   Something to be accepted and to be lived with.       One step at a time.     

(and if you think I'm saying that matter of factly and calmly, and not with my heart pounding and my hair standing on end, you're wrong.) 

The sisters in the bone mets forums will have lots better and more appropriate advice and information for you, so if you haven't popped in there yet you should.     

 But please, if it's not too stressful for you,  keep also us informed about any new info you get about your situation and therapy plan and progress and just plain how you feel, also emotionally.       You may think this is weird, but after reading your few posts, I feel close to you.    ---Don't feel obligated to post in a million places, though ---   or any at all if you just need to concentrate your communicating energies on family and those truly important in your life.     

Jules,   I'm so sorry the lymph node removal is causing you problems!    Glad you've already got a physical therapist appointment set up.

Thanks, Imheretoo. I did have clear margins. I was being sarcastic about it because he took out so much... Yes, it is great to know it is all gone!!

Zeeba, Ml143333, SunnyC, Lipglossmom: Thinking about you all today! Let us know how you are when you can. Hugs.

I'm here chugging down my whey protein and almond milk breakfast and being very grateful for your genuine concern. I need to just get empowered, ignore the number and think of this like any other chronic disease...like asthma. No one freaks out about having asthma! I really do believe that the body is capable of great healing if we give it the support and reduce the toxins like stress. So...a little sidetrack, if you don't mind? What are your favourite places in the world? I started thinking about that because of Imheretoo in Italy...what I've seen of Italy I love, love, love! (except Naples) In May we took the regional bus from Florence to Siena along the Chiantigiana and stopped in Panzano for a lovely lunch, drinking local wine looking out over the most gorgeous views.

What are some of your favorite's?

Milaandra-  I love your area of the world..my family took a trip a few years back to London then into Scotland.  We sort of hit 4 cities with a brief highlight of each.  Just loved the history of Edinburgh and the beautiful countryside.  Was even able to stay at Glen Eagles a night and the area around there is beautiful.  I am also a fan of Italy.  Went there on our honeymoon...Amalfi.  So beautiful.  Can't wait to read other responses!!

Bobo-  We WILL get together for coffee!!  Have to catch up with you.  I hope things are on track and been thinking of you!!

Allydp-  I received 60 ccs once a week for 5 weeks.  It was tolerable but the night of the first few fills, my chest would spasm a bit.  Sometimes I took a valium to sleep at night.  About the third fill, it felt fine.  No issues.  The last one, however, was a bit tight and uncomfortable.  Drop down to 30 or 40 ccs.  No need to push yourself.  So glad you got the drains out...one less thing to manage!

Jules-  Good luck with the PT!!

Thinking of all the ladies who had procedures yesterday...the next day was the most difficult for me but each day after was better and better.  Wishing you all a wonderful recovery!

Hugs to all!

Ally2345

Drain is out!!!!!!!  Since I don't have any TE's the BS's drainage limit for removal is higher.

Oh yes...Amalfi! I was there for a short while during a shore excursion tour of the Amalfi coast and I have to go back!

I called the.nurse and got more info. The bone scan showed hotspots at the l4, t7 and t1, plus posterior left rib 6. No holes. The CT wasn't definite, but indicated a possible single spot in the liver. What the surgeon interpreted as cancerous lymph nodes were in the pleural area. All classic BC Mets, so if it looks like a duck...

The only pain I've had is in my right hip, which I thought was muscular due to poor sitting posture at work (and a misguided choice to ride a camel in March lol!) but now I'm not sure. It could be the lumbar met, couldn't?

I'll go on letrozole and a biphosphorate. It will be up to the oncologist to determine if I'll be getting rads anywhere. I'll see him/her after my first appointment following my surgery.

If anyone knows anything about any of this stuff, let me know. Thanks

Did my peaceful place pics come out as icons for everyone?      I saw them fine until I pressed submit, and then they shrivelled into those little square thingies.      hmmmm    Maybe I posted too much in one post?

Allydp-- I'm so sorry you're experiencing all that horrible pain!    I hope, at least,  that Cateyz2 's experience turns out to be the same for you.

Hoping Zeeba, ml14333, SunnyC, and Lipglossmom, Iwannacookie, and Catyz2  are feeling OK today!

Thank you imheretoo for the encouraging words!! My surgery is outpatient tomorrow, and fortunately I am on the end of my menstrual cycle so my tenderness is better!! Your words gave me a great laugh, funny how different treatments can be in different parts of the world! I will most definitely be peeing in the bathroom, and my hubby can help me walk to bathroom like he did last time, lol !! And I will be in a hospital gown and wrapped up in warming blankets until they get me knocked out, and after that I have no idea what they do, lol !. Actually the have you covered in blankets and sterile drapes with only your operative site exposed.. you are making me wonder what you Italians are up to!! I hope you continue to get better, rest well, and enjoy some good reading!

God bless~~