December 2016 Surgeries

Hi all, so I went to oncologist yesterday. Not sure how I feel about him. He's recommending 3 chemo drugs Adriamycin, taxotere and cytoxan. 6 treatments, one every 3 weeks. He's doing further testing on my tissue. And I'm scheduled for an echo. He doesn't like ports unless they can't start IV. He says they will just start IV every treatment. He also wants me to go on disability while doing chemo. I only work 30 hrs a week and think it might keep my mind on something other than cancer.I welcome any input about any of the above.

Goincrzy8, yes I'm considering a second opinion. As a matter of fact my insurance is changing January 1 which will provide more options. But the research I've done looks like this oncologist is on the right track. Thanks for your input. One day at a time

Provence - I agree with goincrazy. Please get a second opinion. I went through chemotherapy prior to my surgery and was so sad when they said I needed a port but honestly it is the best thing they can do for you. They give you numbing cream prior to your infusions so it doesn't hurt when they access it at all. The nurses told me IV every week would be difficult. The chemo was no fun but not as bad as I thought it would be. You can do it!

Hi, Traci! Been wondering about your appt. So chemo may be off the table? I should find out more next week. Please keep us posted and Merry Christmas to you, too!

Mexico, very funny on the Nottinham forest.

Redemptive are you still waiting on your pathology?

Hope all is well with MyJourneys and the other ladies who are healing. Thinking about Keensheep, Row, Kattis.

This is a terrible time (like wow any time is good) to be dealing with this.

Hello everyone, I had a Bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders on November 28 (I know it's not a December surgery but I figure it's close enough). I've only had two fills, and I get the call today that all of my weekly expander fills have been cancelled.,, my P.Surg is going out on leave and I can't get fills until February 2017. FEBRUARY!!!! I am struggling with these mutated hard monsters, and am in pain! I have to sleep on my back for another two months?!?!? I want to complain but I don't think there is anything I can do. I am so over this whole thing.

Ps. Sorry for the rant but this news broke me today. I know there are others on this board who are having bigger struggles comparatively. Gentle hugs to all. 🤗❤️️💜

Hi Kim, thanks, my apt went well but I won't know treatment plan until next Thurs with oncologist. Am nervous for this next step but I guess it's a step closer to being cancer free. How are u feeling and healing w TE?

Hi Provence, my BS still ordered the onco even tho I had two nodes test positive. Someone also suggested mammoprint? I am going to my first oncology apt next week so lots of questions to ask.

Wishing you the best w your fight,

Traci

Lovesliterature

I have been there. Seriously.I am pissed for you.

Fills aren't brain surgery. I've observed that In some practices PA or nurses do it. Too bad you can't be in waiting mode while PS is gone. I'll bet you get this worked out as this is unreasonable. How many more fills do you need?

Big picture, I had my EX post opyesterday. I love my breasts. They are not perfect but are cancer free, symmetrical, soft and warm and worth the wait. I think I made the right choice and you will probably will decide you did, too.

A big issue I see throughout this excellent forum is the widespread disregard and lack of compassion and respect some doctors, especially PSs, have for their patients. We have lost our breasts, we had cancer, we are vulnerable, we want this to be over. We need to be involved and feel like we have some control. Maybe it's not so much the 30 days but the fact that he was not up front with you? Inconsiderate, at least.

It was wise to wait to deal with this. If you wanted to get the TE out, you would probably have to wait til Feb also. You selected this PS for whatever reason, he must have merit.Take a deep breath, you will resolve this and put it behind you. Worst scenario, 30 days in the long lifetime you have invested in is short. You will continue to heal. You are almost finished with this challenge. You will feel good about your victory.

Now I may take a Xanax so I can enjoy my morning coffee! I will watch for your post. Stay strong. Good luck. You can do this.

Oh My Loveslitera- I would go ballistic at that!!! Keep us posted on what happens when you talk again with the office- there's no reason they should put your fills on hold based on PS availability.

I had a busy week this past one- post-op consult with BS on Monday. She had already gone over Surgical Pathology Report with me over phone as soon as it was in. My head's so dulled by pain meds I wasn't sure what questions to ask. She did indicate that chemo did have good results. Even though I knew likelihood of PCR was close to 0 given ER+, I did secretly hope for it. I am still a bit devastated that the the SNB performed during surgery indicated all 4 nodes were negative and the final pathology report differed in that 1 was positive. I am glad that both BS and PS agreed that further node removal/dissection wasn't required (still, of course, worry persists about recurrence...but I think the worry over likelihood of lymphedema would outweigh that). Other bonus from visit: I got the last of the 4 drains removed! Just like the removal of the same one on that side at PS' last week, the last one from that same side (the cancer side), had a large amount of clear fluid coming out from drain incision after she took it out.

First post-surgery fill at PS on Tuesday. They removed all steri-strips and I got 60 ccs on each side. Next fill is next Tuesday. They're on a fast track to get it done so radiation can start (which I'm kind of waffling on)...

Wednesday I met with MO and had my second Lupron shot. I discussed the positive lymph node with her and she noted how much smaller the cancerous area had become in that lymph node from chemo & assured me she would haven't have personally opted for AND (again, quality of life issue and risk of lymphedema). Asked her about how much radiation would reduce my risk of recurrence in that area/survival rate. She said it probably worked out to be something along lines of a risk of 10% without radiation reduced to 5% with radiation. She could tell I felt as if I've been through a few circles of Dante's Hell already and am just anxious to be done....the thought of having these TEs in me for months and months just makes me want to curl into fetal position and cry cry cry. She advised me to meet with an RO before making decision and talking it through- which I will do in a doctor-palooza set for next Tuesday where I'll kick off the day with an RO consult, follow that up with my kidney CT scan and then top it all off with another booby fill in the afternoon.

Just when you think you're hitting the end of the roller coaster ride, another flippy turn comes up. Ugh. I think I have a seroma building up on my cancer side too- it looks larger than the left and is extending into my armpit. I'm hoping he can drain it or something on Tuesday.

I'm still sleeping on my recliner! Anyone return yet to their bed??? Pillow advice?

help! I am two days post op, and my incisions and breast (left side, three lumpectomies plus sentinel nodes) are healing nicely... but when I move, I have sharp, blinding pain behind my armpit. The Vicodin helps a little, but am literally afraid to move, and the severity of the pain is not abating as the pain around the inscisions is... am worried I have a terrible nerve problem and my surgeon is on vacation for the holiday.

LovesLiterature...anything new on the TE front? Is there someone else that can do the fills? If not, hopefully the month will pass quickly.

Pepper43...Don't you hate the decisions that need to be made? For me, this has been one of the worst parts of this whole journey. We're given options and I don't like any of them. FYI...my surgery was Dec. 6th and I'm still sleeping in my hospital bed my hubby got for me! I'm almost afraid to try sleeping completely flat in my own bed. BTW...how have the fills gone for you? I feel like such a baby because I can barely stand the stick of the needle in my skin. I'm somewhat numb but w/some feeling...it's the worst sensation to me.

Carrie, are you feeling any better? I can't imagine having the flu on top of all this. Hope your fever is gone and you'll be able to enjoy tomorrow. Don't worry about not having wrapped gifts...there are more important things... like you! :-) Congratulations on the good news!

Surfmom check your local thrift stores. I did not own any either, they are definitely needed. Dont forget button up Jamies for sleeping.

Hi all,

I'm still at home with 100.2, and sent my daughter out to a lovely formal Christmas Eve dinner my best friend throws each year.

Waddaya gonna do? I can't risk being contagious and infecting some lovely older people and/or one amazing woman who has beat down lymphoma a few times.

Wrapping ungainly things when you have a fever is a farce; I might as well have been blindfolded for the quality and quantity of items I wrapped over an hour of attempts.

During that time, though, DD did put up a jolly tabletop tree. We will still play Elvis' Christmas Album in the morning, and life will go on.

Carrie

Hello fellow Dec fighters, just wanted to check in and say hello and see how everyone is doing.  Hope everyone had a nice holiday.   I had a great one, tried to focus on enjoying it and rest my brain from thinking about cancer 24/7.  I also got engaged, which was an awesome surprise and something positive I needed during all this craziness lately. 

I have my first oncologist apt this week and am nervous about it.  My dr said something about lab work first before my apt.  Did anyone else have that as well? Wasn't sure what else they are looking for/testing right now.  I feel like I have already been thru the ringer, lol.

Hope everyone is healing well and has a happy new year!!

Traci

Good Morning all! Tigio, Congrats! I agree what a great way to end the year! We had a great Christmas with family and friends. My granddaughter got her Hatchimal from Santa. Interesting toy. Of course my bc is always in the back of my mind. Ugh! I'm healing well. But I have some soreness and numbness under my arm. I'm going back to work tomorrow. Excited that I will be focusing on something else. Friday my daughter and I are going wig shopping. I don't go back to oncologist till January 10 to discuss test results and chemo start date. I will be thinking of you all and hope that your MO visits go well. Happy New Year!