Biopsies the week after Thanksgiving anyone?

Hi everyone,

Thanks for checking in on me and my progress after my second surgery.

I have to say, this second experience was nothing like the first surgery unfortunately. They ran into complications on the re-excision site and basically had to take off my nipple completely and then try to put it back on with a "free skin graft". The surgeon said there was about a 5% chance of that happening, but we didn't really discuss the details because he thought it was unlikely. So now I am sitting without a lot of info and will need to wait until I see him next week to figure out if the skin graft seems to be taking and what this all means in terms of my treatment. My recovery has definitely been impacted, as I am experiencing an intense amount of pain on that side and have strict instructions that nothing can get wet for at least 10 days (so no showering after 48 hours like last time). The reduction on the l side hasn't been too painful, although definitely more uncomfortable than the lx was. So I'm trying to rest and give my poor body time to heal.

I won't get my oncotype score for another couple of weeks. And I guess I need to meet with the MO to talk about hormone meds....since I was ER/PR+. But that hasn't been scheduled yet. And frankly, I think I am going to refuse to start those until after my radiation is done. I am finding it harder than I expected to take care of myself alone for this second round of surgery. I don't want to be struggling with side effects of more than one treatment regimen at a time.

Sahicks - I am glad that you have finally gotten an experienced team to review your information and that they are concluding that you do not need further testing at this point! I can imagine how frustrating and worrying this whole process has been for you, all because of that initial radiologist seeing things that others are not seeing. I hope you can take a deep breath and relax now and feel that you have been proactive and gotten the right medical professionals to review your case. I think that there is some subjectivity in how radiologists can read films, BUT many more have said that they don’t see anything concerning compared to the one that thought something was there. So take comfort in the numbers and do your 6 month follow up and keep us posted. But I think it sounds like a good result at the end of this long process for you.

Nswrites- so important that you followed up, or you never would have known about the missing test paperwork! You know that something is going on, and hopefully it is all benign. But you will feel better once you’ve been able to rule things out. Let us know when your galactogram is scheduled. We’ll be pulling for you.

Bowser- I’m sending you both good wishes for this second round of chemo. And I’m hoping that it isn’t any worse than the first one. You are a great team and I can tell that you are doing everything possible to support your wife in this process. Take it from someone who is going it alone, that support is so wonderful and needed! It is the very best medicine.

Pharmgirl - how is your car?? What a crappy thing to have to deal with in the middle of everything! I know you’re back up for round two at the end of next week. I’ll be adding you in my good wishes to Bowser that this next treatment is similar to the last one, so that it is manageable.

Jdrgr- I think you had your follow up this week. Are you now officially cleared? I hope you are feeling totally recovered from your LX by now.

I’m thinking about all of you today. Sending you good wishes for a nice weekend.