Illinois ladies facing bc
Comments
-
Mehnaz I had a BMX (bilateral mastectomy) but even if I was having a lumpectomy I would go to someone who specializes in breast surgery or at the very least does a lot of breast surgery. I went to a breast surgeon. In general when getting surgery you really should go for a 2nd opinion. Granted I didn't but I had seen this breast surgeon before.
So even if you stick with your surgeon (and he may be very good… I'm making no judgement on his skills) it's still best to get a 2nd opinion. Plenty of women have this done by general surgeons.
BTW sorry you find yourself here but the women on this thread are amazing and very supportive. Might be a little quiet today so give some time for people to reply.
0 -
Hi Mehnaz,
Sorry you have to find yourself here, but you've come to the right place with a great group of ladies to support you! I would get a 2nd opinion with a Breast Surgeon...that doesn't mean you couldn't still use the local surgeon I just think it's too important to not see someone who specializes in breast cancer. I saw 2 BSs actually, and selected the 2nd one because she is one of the best in the area and I she was also a very warm person. It was a longer trip for me to see her but I feel it was worth it - because she has done thousands of these operations over her career she really knows the disease and how to best treat it. Your local surgeon, while I'm sure is a good surgeon, may not have that much experience or know what options to offer, newest treatments, clinical trials, etc. My cancer also turned out to be more invasive once they got in and had a look so I was happy I was in the hands of someone who knew that right away and took the necessary steps to ensure I would have the best outcome. That's my two cents, anyway
We look forward to helping you through this!0 -
Thank-you so much Lago for the reply, since you are in Chicago would you be able to recommend any surgeons who specialize in breast surgery? I go there often so it wouldnt be hard to get a 2nd opinion there. I just don't know who to ask or where to start looking for a 2nd opinion.
0 -
Thanks hope49, this is all such an overwhelming thing to go through.
0 -
Meni33 I just sent you a PM (private message) with all the info. I do believe his office closes at 3 on Fridays but you can give it a try.
0 -
Meni33..... Hi there! I lived in Macomb for 28 years and am now living in Bloomington. There are two excellent breast surgeons in Peoria. I will send you a PM with the info on them. They are much closer than those in the Chicago area and very, very outstanding in their field. A second opinion is ALWAYS a good idea. Hugs to you. Look for a PM from me.
Rita
0 -
Meni, I am also in Macomb!!!! I went to dr Ross at Springfield clinic. My experience was awesome. I went because they have a full range of services from genetic testing, plastic surgery, breast MRI, etc. I love MDH but unfortunately they just did not have the services due to being such a small time. Feel free to private message me. I am post surgery, diagnosed with dcis on dec 4 last year.
0 -
Question for you, ladies - did anyone have a PICC ilne? Just looking for info on your experience. I have a slight 'burn' from the taxotere and so they are trying to push me toward a port, which I do not want or a PICC line vs. continuing the IV. I've asked them to do the IV again the next round and see how it goes, but I may need an alternative for my other 2 treatments. Also open to any tips you may have on getting a good vein! Because of the lymph nodes, I have only one available arm. Thanks!
0 -
I did not have a port but my friend did. She said it was a godsend. She did. Have a couple of technique issues with the staff using the port but for the most part she said it really helped. She also wanted it out as soon as they could. She told me that if it was suggested for me, that she recommended I go for it.
0 -
They us picc lines a lot in Canada. Check out some of the Canadian threads too.
0 -
Hope: I did the port but got it in my arm so it was not noticeable. I got it out a few weeks after chemo was done. The scar is fading and no one has ever even noticed it. The picc line seemed like it was more of a pain to deal with when they described the differences between a port and picc line. I can't believe you are having round 2 already! You will be done before you know it!
0 -
Oh and a big welcome to Meni33~ Glad you found our fun little group but sorry you had to get BC to join
I moved to IL about 1 1/2 years ago and these wonderful ladies welcomed me right away! I also agree with getting second opinions. I got 2 opinions on everything....breast surgeons, plastic surgeons and medical oncologists. 0 -
Hope--
I did not have a port for my BC chemo, but I did have a PICC line a few years ago when a post-surgical (orthopedic surgery) required daily IV antibiotics. I found the PICC line VERY easy to manage and was able to administer IV drugs at home with it, with or without a visiting nurse. You do have a line extending beyond the insertion point that needs to be taped down or otherwise controlled; I used a knee-high nylon sock with the toe cut off as a little sleeve to hold the line and keep it tidy while avoiding tape. It worked fine. After watching women with ports getting chemo, I thought that if I needed chemo again and a port was advised, I would ask for a PICC line instead. There's no more sticking you with needles, either to put drugs in or to take blood out; instead you can do that by using the free end of the line that is already there.
So that's my 2 cents. . . .
0 -
How is the picc put in? Are you under twilight or anesthesia?
0 -
Thanks everyone for welcoming me. How are the side effects with chemo? I'm really scared that I might need it.
0 -
I had a port… for 2 years. In my case I had a year of herceptin so it really made sense. I'm glad I had it. It could be used for blood draws too. Usually they put in a power port but for some reason I didn't get one. If you get a power port and need scans they can use it for that too. PIC line sounds nice but doesn't sound as easy to conceal as a port. Not that I hid mine. I had a kiddy port so it was small but I'm rather thin on top so it did pop out.
meni33 everyone's journey is different. You won't get all the SE (side effects). It also depends on what chemo you get. Believe it or not I had no nausea but the chemo I was on had this rare SE of nail lifting… and I got it and a pretty bad case of it. Annoying but better than being nausea. I also had very little taste changes. I ate pretty much everything. I did have heartburn and had to take meds for that. Had constipation but after the 1st round I figured out what I had to do to keep things moving so no more problems. I highly recommend you try to keep active. I exercised up though my 4th chemo but got lazy (and it was winter) after that. I got very stiff and I'm sure exercising rarely at that point didn't help. You won't feel like crap the entire time. It goes in cycles. The first few cycles can be pretty easy… but that also depends on you and what chemo you get. If certain SE are too severe your onc might lower the dose or put you on something different. They really don't want you to suffer. They also provide you with lots of meds as needed for SE.
0 -
Talent is God-given; be humble.
Fame is man-given; be thankful.
Conceit is self-given; be careful.
- John Wooden0 -
Welcome mene 33. You are getting wonderful advice with these ladies. I really can't add anything but what someone said above......breast/oncology surgeons are good because often that is ALL they do. They are use to the sight and feel of tumors, dcis, and dealing with margins ( getting enough of the tumor out so that there is a 'clean' area around the actual tumor removal site ) so using them if you go that way is very good. Again...not saying your general surgeon would not be just as good.....he or she just would generally not see or handle as many breast cancer surgeries.
By the time you have all the information you need via reports and conversations with the medical personnel you see, you will know what is right for you to do.
You will find a whole lot of support here and will always be welcome.
Peace & love,
Jackie
0 -
Hi ladies,
I wanted to check in and let you know how I am doing. I am tired but not too bad. Washed my hair. Today and took a shower for my lower body. The upper was cleansed with baby wipes to keep it dry. I feel human again. That is all the exercise for me today.
My drains are flowing had 170 ml from both yesterday. Today so far today 110 ml on the left and 110 ml on the right. It is light on color. The biggest amount gathered was when I woke up at 5 am. Slept all night.
I have minimal pain and will spend the day on the iPad, sleeping, and hanging out with family.
I hope every one else I doing well!
Kel0 -
Good morning, ladies. Trying to catch up again here. Lots going on as usual. Welcome to Meni. You are getting lots of good advice. I am so glad that I sought out a dedicated breast surgeon at NW. My GYNE had referred me to a general surgeon who she said specialized in breast surgery. I really liked him, but his waiting room was filled with several men who were there for hernia and prostate issues. My DH got a little "nosey" while we were waiting with them. So, I took that as a sign to seek a real breast surgeon. I would definitely ask your surgeon about his experience with breast surgery.
Hope...PICC line/Ports... I had a power port for my chemo and really would highly recommend it. It was used for all blood draws, my PET and a couple CT's before I had it removed about 9 months after finishing chemo. I also had the opportunity to have a PICC line while on 4 weeks of daily IV's to fight a cellulitis infection. It was put in by an interventional radiologistin the same way that the port went in. It was easy to use but I was warned to be extremely careful about keeping the open ended line capped and clean when not in use. The port is sealed under your skin so no worries there. Either way, they both are really vein savers!
Kassylou... rest today and enjoy some quiet time. Sorry about the drains... I have had many with my various breast reconstruction surgeries. They are a real pain, but so important. Hope you get rid of them soon
It is raining here in the desert today so we are off to see a movie. Hope that everyone has a nice weekend.0 -
Meni33 - the chemo was not as bad as I thought it would be. I was down for a few days after each cycle. What I mean by down is I was just more tired and blah than usual. I still managed to exercise an hour a day 5 days a week all through chemo. I still functioned as a mom and got my 4 year old off to pre-school every morning. I cooked dinner for my family daily and never needed a pill for nausea. If you have to get the chemo - you will knock it out like we all did......chemo was the scariest part for me. I know how you feel.....
As far as a port - I did mine under twilight sedation. I can remember everything they did but could not feel any pain. They let me wear my IPod during the procedure....kept me chilled out. I had my port put in my arm....no one hardly noticed it. I am glad I got it there instead of my chest.....didn't need additional scars in the chest area...I got enough of those already!
Kel - glad you are doing well! My BMX was 2 years ago today.....life gets better....your body will recover. Gentle hugs and prayers for continued healing!!!
0 -
Welcome meni-you will get sound advice from the wonderful ladies here. I went for a second opinion with a breast surgeon and am so glad I did-she found additional cancer in the original breast and cancer in the other breast. If I had stayed with the general surgeon and the lumpectomy I would have been back for more soon after.
Lots of good news since I was last here. Yay for good test results and recoveries underway!
Enjoy the desert Joan.
Have a great weekend everyone!0 -
Spunky, could you pm me the name of the good surgeon? and the bad? It's so hard to know who to trust.
0 -
I'm trying to remember when they inserted my PICC line. I was in the hospital at the time and they wheeled a portable x-ray machine in and I think they took a look with it before the insertion; they definitely took a look after the line was inserted to make sure it went where it was supposed to go. I think it was a nurse practitioner who inserted the line, but I may be wrong about that. She measured the length of the line first, from the inside of my elbow to the heart, then marked the length on the line, so she would know when it was fully inserted. I don't think any drugs were required, although I may have just forgotten that. It was not unlike starting an IV line at the inside of my elbow, except she kept slipping the line in until it reached my heart. That allowed the drug to flow without irritating my vein. It was pretty easy.
When I had it out, I was in the office of the plastic surgeon who I'd been seeing for wound complications, and he simply pulled (and pulled and pulled) it out. This didn't hurt, but made me kind of dizzy, so they fed me some juice, put a bandaid on the little hole that was left. And sent me home. Pretty easy.
0 -
Healing is the journey. The destination is yourself. The full recognition of all
the different aspects of yourself—your joy, your sorrow, your pain,
your pleasure—all lead you to the source of who you are. Only by
having intimate contact with this source can you experience the fullness
of your life. Only by fearlessly looking within can you embrace the landscape
of your life and open yourself completely to all the love
and compassion that lives inside you.Philip Berk
0 -
Went for my yearly mammo on Thursday (one year "cancerversary was Wednesday). They found a "cluster" of calcifications on the other breast (leftie). I go for a stereoscopic biopsy on Friday. Ugh!
0 -
Karen --- rats. I hope that their waiting until Friday means there is just concern about double-checking. Your in my pleas for a good outcome -- always.
Peace & love,
Jackie
0 -
repost:
kjiberty clusters happen all the time and don't mean an automatic diagnosis… matter a fact I believe it's the other way around. Usually not cancer. As you age this becomes more common but they will do a follow up if there's a cluster even if you haven't had a previous cancer diagnosis.
Here's something to sing in the mean while: linky Should make you feel all sexy too
0 -
Thanks. ladies. I refuse to think anything but positivey about this. My docs are being caurtious, and I respect them for that!
0 -
Karen-the calcified spots I had were the only ones that weren't cancerous. Like Lago said-if they thought it was of concern, they would have gotten you in right away. Crossing my fingers anyway. Keep us posted!
Timbuktu-sending PM
Anyone ever here of John Cook, a PS with offices in Wilmette and Chicago?0
