December 2016 Surgeries

Hallo all,

I have not posted here since my surgery on the 19th. I have been on pain medication and enjoyed taking those "strong" pills for a few days...:) Amazed how fast I am healing. Confronted my one breasted figure in the shower the other day...well yes, I need to make my other breast smaller...I am waiting for my pathology report but the surgeon told me it all went well with clean margins and they think but can not say for certain that my tumor is maybe "dead"...oh I am praying is is at this point. What a blessing that would be. It is such an emotional draining ride..Well, I am going for my first revisit tomorrow. I have had some serious rashes but it is due to all this medication, it should calm down. Today I had my first herceptin shot after surgery. I also have to take my own shots every night for blood clothes so that is new to me, only a few days left of those. If all is well I am off to radiation beginning January. I keep praying for myself but for all of us.

A lady next to me in the hospital that I spoke with during the days there did her operation before chemo so they removed her nodes that unfortunately were positive. She was so chocked. I heard the doctor tell her. Meanwhile I was happy to let her know that the chemo is not as bad as she might think. I felt like an "oldy" that could help her. Calm her down. I was happy I could be there for her. It just tells me how relative everything with this illness is and the importance of keeping a positive attitude at all times at least try to as much as possible, if not for yourself for others. God bless.

Redemptive, thank you so much for the response... I went to the ER, and they prescribed valium for muscle strain... seems to be providing some relieve, will see my surgeon tomorrow. The good news is that the incisions seem to be healing nicely.

Well, the oncologist visit left me a little sad. He said I need an injection port and that I will need two full rounds of AC chemo beginning 1/9. There are other therapies after that, but those are my plans through April. We talked about hair loss and throwing up. I'm disappointed that I need a port.

Me too Mexico. She gave me two options, one is 16 weeks every 2 weeks, aggressive treatment 5% CHANCE of possible heart issues and leukemia in the future. Second choice is 18 weeks of every 3 weeks. Followed by radiation and then hormone therapy. She did go over the side effects and wrote out the rx for to combat nausea etc. my choices ACT or Doc Dense AC This is not what I signed up for. I willl also have port Very Sad today. Now I need to make a choice and then get a wig etc.

Welcome Lilo and Michelle,

We're glad you found this group and look forward to hearing about your progress.

Michelle, I've found recovery is taking longer than expected too, although everyone at my surgeon's office assures me I am healing well and on schedule. I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (DIEP) on right side December 2. It's the abdomen incision that I am growing impatient with. Want to be up and doing more!

Take care! Hoping today is a good one for all of us,

J

Thank you for the welcome.

I can certainly understand why getting a Port doesn't seem like good news, but I will share that a prior family member of mine was grateful to have hers. She used to tell me that she really didn't feel the "Stick" and she could read and or talk to others around her while the medicine went in. She had Breast Cancer too, and her meds didn't make her too awfully sick. My husband's Aunt also just went through chemo (different kind of cancer) and I swear she had a couple of wigs that looked EXACTLY like her real hair. I can't relate to what your feeling and going through in that regard, but know that there are some good options for wigs and such. Start looking now

The whole thing stinks. I think our boobs and hair are a big part of what makes us feel feminine, and losing either is bad enough, but both is even worse.

As for me, I went in for another expansion today. I am 2 days shy of 4 weeks, and they finally took my last 2 drains out. They were driving me crazy. I actually still had slightly higher output than what they wanted, but I'm so grateful to have them gone. Like my last expansion, my right side hurts so bad I can't move it, but the left side feels fine. I find this so bizarre since the left side is where more was done (The Sentinel nodes removed). Anyway, I hope I will start to take some normal shape soon. I feel like a freak - but cancer free right now, so that's what I have to focus on.

MexicoHeather, i have a couple of friends that are comfortable and happy with their ports. On the other hand, i resisted the idea and ultimately decided to take it one infusion day at a time and see if i could go without. I've done four rounds of chemo followed by two Herceptin-only treatments, and am still happy with my wait-and-see choice. If i decide down the road i want a port, i will get it knowing i want it. Until then i am glad to be without one. It could be an option for you if you discuss it with your MO. Mine strongly encouraged it, and i suppose it is the best choice for most people. But i enjoy deciding for myself. Best of luck!

LUUUV!!! Beautiful pictures, Traci! Thanks for sharing and allowing us to celebrate with you! Your handsome honey did a great job on the ring! So pretty! :-) 2017 may be your best year yet!!
Keep us posted on your appt...I know you will...and I'll be praying for the best possible news. I met w/my MO yesterday and she apologized for not ordering the Oncotype test until earlier this week, so I won't know about chemo for another week or so. For certain I'll be on Tamoxifen. God bless and I'll be looking for your updates!

Hi Heather- the Neulasta will help your body boost the white cells back up for your immunity (chemo brings affects your white cells and your immunity). The little "pod" will be placed on your arm or belly area and it just sticks on (they'll put it on at the end of you chemo). 27 hours later, it will "inject" the medication. Its quite fascinating...does not hurt. It has it's own side effects (mostly bone pain because the cells are back reproducing quickly)- but your oncology office will tell you what to take for it.

I had a breast reconstruction revision (implants) on 12/27/16.

Congratulations Traci! Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. You both look so happy!

Hi Decembers, I also have been following your thread as I had BMX with direct to implants on Nov. 23. I'm jumping in too if that's okay.

I am having a hard time with the recovery and just learned I have cording that was found by my physical therapist yesterday. It certainly explains a lot of the underarm to elbow pain but the PT worked that area and now it is worse.

Anybody have cording and can share what worked best for them? Big thanks!

Hello lovely ladies. I met with my PS yesterday and had another drain removed. Only 2 left. He doesn't start adding fluid to my TEs until I am 6 weeks out from surgery. As I have been reading all the posts it is quite noticeable how different each Dr's approaches are.

Redemptivesuferrer you and I have a very similar DX. While I am expecting to need chemo I won't know for sure until after I meet with the MO next week. I am going to definitely ask about the oncotype test. I will also need a PET scan as I haven't had one yet.

Tlgio17 your pictures are awesome. I will be praying that you can find some peace. Nights are the worst for me. It seems that while I am trying to fall asleep my mind starts to think crazy thoughts. Are you having your ovary removed as a precautionary measure? I am asking because I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago but kept 1 ovary. I recently found out that my maternal grandmother had Ovarian cancer. (My mom was adopted and we found her birth families). I had genetic testing and was negative for the BRCA gene but positive for another type of gene mutation RAD50. It is still in the fact finding stage but it has unofficially been linked to Ovarian cancer. I am considering having my remaining ovary removed.

I am going to have to start a list of questions for the MO next week. Does anyone have questions they wished they would have asked the first time around? My friend is all about treatment based on percentages. She was DX 8 years ago and has forgone several treatments because the percentage of improvement wasn't that high. I don't know own how I feel about that. I'm more inclined to do everything possible to improve my chances.

I appreciate you ladies so much. I will be thinking and praying for us all to have a blessed day.

So I called the MO today and made the decision to do the aggressive chemo. * 8 cycles every other week. Had breakfast today with my boss and told her I would not be coming back for awhile. She is a crazy lady, but truly has a heart of gold. Of course the mice will play while the cat is away, and it is her business but she has no clue on how to handle the immature staff we have.

But not my problem, my health is my first concern. So looks like wig shopping this next week when my daughter flys home for our family Christmas.

Hope everyone is feeling better and moving on to the next step.

Welcome, Lilo! Our DXs do look similar. Curious, were you offered the PET scan or did you request it? My MO didn't say anything...all I've had is blood work...and I know that someone could be in my shoes w/no node involvement and still have METS (at least I think I've seen that here in some women's signatures.) I do have occasional back pain and want to believe it's from the way I've been sleeping, but I can't help but to wonder if the "C' has spread.

ALL, did most of you get (or will get) a PET scan?

Goincrzy8, sounds like you have a wonderfully supportive office environment! I'm thankful for mine as well...even though I work remotely...my boss has been great and it certainly lessens what could be more stressful. You sound ready to go ninja warrior on this...you go, girl!! :-)

Thanks for the prayers, Traci!