July 2017 Surgery

I am so glad to find this forum. I am so scared and everything is so frustrating, not knowing what will happen. Here is my story - abnormal mammo in Apr, second one first week in May, needle biopsy third week in May, and results said prob B9, then saw surgeon first week in June and thought, they are looking after things quickly. Excisional biopsy mid-July and after a month I got the news it was cancer. Everything removed. Now waiting who knows how long for sentinel node biopsy. I still don't know wheter I am ER/PR positive or negative because those reports still are not back, though I am HER2/neu neg. Surgeon says four weeks for next biopsy, but don't have a lot of faith it will happen that quickly. Then it will be more waiting for healing to be complete before radiation and possibly chemo. Does it always take this long for things to happen? Thnx for listening, and wishing all of you the best in your journey.

Thanks for sharing, shelabela. I have been hearing that things seem to move faster in the U.S. I never had a lump, and had my mammo early because of having moved. I really don't know how I ended up having surgery as pathologist had said it was probably B9. I don't feel like I get any say; surgeon says he got all the cancer, which was quite a small lump but now it's on to the sentinel nodes. And even if they come back negative for cancer, he says radiation is a must, and chemo if they are cancerous. I guess what concerns me more than anything is that it is taking so long to get pathology reports back

Shelabela hope all went well today and you are feeling fine! This is gonna sound weird but it might help to explain me, I work in the heavy equipment field so if my comments or anything come off as short, confusing or are you kidding me ..its 20 years of working with men, and I wouldn't change a thing!

Shelabela-I survived my first chemo, I did have a reaction to the perjeta about an hour into the herceptin infusion, what a quick response the team had, they had me back to normal in a very short time a little scary but good to know it can be fixed! I started getting really cold and achy all over i guess that is not a good sign they said it should be easier next time. Got a port, first access was painful they say that will get better to, think I'm gonna be glad to have it.

Sorry to hear about your TE hurting you, it will be worth it in the end. The one I have left not doing to good they found fluid around it (think that happened when i had the echo) they took fluid out but not sure whats next, told me to take it easy! If i take it any easier I'm gonna be in a coma!

Yes I did think the mayo infusion center was pretty awesome, the nurses are way above and beyond, thinking about staying there at least until I'm on the herceptin only, maybe we will cross paths one day!

Stay strong and beer is good, hehe!

shel,

how long is your herceptin infusion? i get mine 30 minutes and i was fatigued the last time... thinking of having it in an hour...enjoy the beer!!!!

that is great toughcookie. i had tchp. you can ask me anything and i will be very honest. i am glad your infection has cleared. hows your pain

Praying for everyone starting Chemo. For those with a port you get used to it and it makes getting chemo so much easier. Remember side effects are different for everyone. I learned by trial and error what worked and what didn't. If they give you anti-nausea medicine, take it. I have three doses of my antibiotic left. Then my melanoma surgery 9/5. My PS said I'm healing well and it will be months before I can have final reconstruction. Disappointed I will be smaller, but if I can lose some weight it won't be so bad. I was a 36d before now just hoping to be a full 36c

shelabela I have been using the biotene mouthwash, paste and spray and it helps will have to try using the baking soda rinses too. Did not know they had gum but will be on the lookout for it. Thanks

53nancy,

That is a long time for results. I had mine in 3 days. I would keep calling them about the results.

Thank you for the well wishes in treatment. Things are going ok. I will be honest and admit I feel myself breaking. It's been a long 8 months. And I've tried to keep a positive attitude towards others but it is slowly dying.

I did get very good results from chemo. They said i had complete pathologic response. Yay. I will still need 25 radiation treatments. And herceptin till Feb 2018.

Kimberbir.

I found it at a Wal-Mart. ( the gum) . I had horrible mouth sores when I was on AC. So when they finally healed I did everything I could to not get them again. I couldn't eat, drink, swallow, or talk without crying it hurt so bad. I can't say to rinse enough...

But everyone reacts different.

Kae, I have been crying on and off for the last month also. I don't know why the change. I cried a lot when diagnosed but after that i stayed positive for so long, now as I said I feel "broken " not sure if it is from the BMX and everything just all of a sudden was more real.

I had too take pepcid every morning and a prilosec every night when going through chemo, only way I could keep the reflux down

Shelabela I am so sorry you are feeling so down. You have been through alot, you are getting through it, positive results response from the chemo thats fantastic. I am thinking of you and praying that you start feeling better!! You have been so helpful to me, hang in the girl! We got this~

shelabela, thank you for your note. And to EVERYONE, I hope things go better for all of you from here on. I felt that I was acting so babyish because of getting so emotional, but I realize it is a release and that each one of us has an emotional battle to fight, as well as our battle with cancer. Most of the time, I manage to remain calm around other people. I am determined not to say anything to family and friends until I know exactly where I stand with my diagnosis, so that rumors don't get started without basis. I've told two friends and one relative because I can trust them not to say anything until I am ready, and I am so lucky to have my husband. No children, so that is not aconcern.

Anyway, here's to ALL OF US. Let's hold our heads high and do our best for ourselves, and remember everyone in their struggle.

Sunshine- at 5 weeks my arms didn't reach well enough to shave but I don't remember any restrictions.

I have an appointment tomorrow to over expand for Radiation. My TE is already uncomfortable. This could be a long 3 months.

How is everyone doing?

I am back to work. but I work in an office and it is very relaxed. I also have a voice command computer that is wonderful.

I haven't heard of any that I remember from this group having problems after surgery?

Hope all is good!

Have a great day

I just re-read the posts..

So Toughcookie, Redjo40 and Twills all had problems.

How are you ladies all doing now?

I see Twills had her TE removed. Did they just remove it or did they replace it? If I read this on a different post I am sorry my memory is horrible lately! I blame it on all the darn chemo. Hope things start going good for you. Hugs.