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  • sunflower71
    sunflower71 Member Posts: 53

    Hi Everyone,

    Hope you all are doing well.  I am still recovering from SNB and Lumpectomy that I had on the 15th.  My arm feels "weird".  It is numb and a lot weaker, and it's my dominant hand.  I meet with medical oncology again this Friday now that my pathology is in.  My surgeon was not helpful in putting my mind at ease with the results of the lumpectomy.  He said the margins were "clean enough".....what?????  My report says that I had cancer present .2cm from deep margin.  He said it was too close to the muscle wall and to cut deeper would have disfigured me.  Um...they have reconstruction options for that sir.  I also had to areas of LVI and DCIS present.  I am going around and around debating if I made the wrong choice about not having a masectomy. 

    I need some help with questions for my onco visit.  I see medical onc first then rads onc.  My onc. is also a hemo. doc., because I have Factor V Leiden.  Please share any important questions you asked or wished you had asked!  Thank you!

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    sunflower - My arm is numb on the underside of the upper arm and has been since surgery in July.  It was gotten better with time, the area has gotten smaller, and there is less 'weird' feeling in the lower part of the arm.  I *think* this is because of some nerves that may have been affected by the SNB.  I think you are on the right track with your questions.  Ask away until you get satisfaction.  Be heartened though, they can do 'boost' radiation to the 'tumor bed' that will presumably kill any remaining tumor cells if there are any.  Radiation seems to give very good results and when combined with lumpectomy has very similar results compared to a mastectomy.  I would suggest that you do a radiation oncology consult to get some more information on your situation.  Is there a good rad onc that works with your med onc?  It is nice when they know each other and have worked together in the past.
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    Any time they take out nodes there is a risk that they may touch a nerve. I have the issue in both my 10 node and 4 node (sentinel) arms but are slowly getting better. My surgeon says I may have some permanent numbness on the 10 node side. I'm still some what numb in both arm pits although the 4 node side is much better. I have a feeling it's more likely in us thin women to hit some nerves.

    It's really not that bothersome right now. I could live with this. Much better than having pain or pins and needles.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    Lago - How are you doing?
  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 366

    i feel normal this week- Chemo on Monday.................... agh. 3rd one. This time they will be accessing my port directly, does it hurt? do i need any numbing cream?

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    RED - I take a deep breath and they poke it.  For me it feels just like a pinch.  But I think it might be different depending on how deep the port is placed and where.  Mine is toward the center and not very deep.  I also have a power port.
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    I'm doing OK thanks for asking. Chemo #2 yesterday. Nuelasta shot this morning. So far I feel better than last time because I'm not in a Zyrtec fog. My body got used to it but I can feel the back ache kicking in a little sooner. I did take an aleve this morning but I feel this might not be enough if a few days. Might have to resort to a narcotic.


    Nurse Ratched wasn't there so that was a good thing. Oncologist was great. She actually listened and agreed to what I had told NR (nurse ratched) even though NR either ignored my suggestions. Odd when I told my Onc about the nose bleeds she immediately said that was from Herceptin. When I told NR this she said she doubted it. Chemo nurse also told me to continue to page her at any time with any SE issues. NR scolded me for paging the chemo nurse. I think they know she is a problem.


    My hair is still thinning but no scarf or wig yet. Very, very windy here in Chicago. I'm going for a walk this afternoon so I hope the wind will remove any loose hairs. I'm getting tired of vacuuming every day (including my pillow).


    I know I have been a little quite on this thread but I have been reading all about you. Certainly watching everyones progress and chiming in when I can.

     
    Hope everyone is hanging in there.

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    lago - Love windy days.  I was in Chicago a couple years ago and enjoyed the air, it was beautiful weather when I was there.  I did chemo yesterday too, going for neulasta this afternoon and thankfully you just reminded me to take my Claritin!!  Here's to low SEs!
  • TMarina
    TMarina Member Posts: 297

    redninrah-->  I always use Emla cream (a lidocaine cream) for my port.  Even after a year and a half of using it, it still hurts when it gets accessed. I have to apply it an hour before and use a big blob.  Don't skimp, and don't rub it in.  Then I cover it with Glad Press n Seal.  But even without the numbing cream, I'd still rather use the port than my veins.  Hope all goes well!

    Lago And Omaz--hoping for few SEs for you both!

    Waiting to hear you results granny!

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    I forgot that I needed my blood drawn yesterday so I brought my Emla cream thinking I would put it on 1 hour before my infusion. They accessed my port without it. It wasn't quite as painful as getting an IV. Really not to bad for me but I probably will use it next time.

  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 42

    Hi everyone,  Well the neuropathy has gotten worse with this chemo and so has the chemo brain.  For the first time in my life I missed placed my keys and spend an hour looking for them. 

    Omar, glad to see your onc nurse Ok'd the supplements.  I know there is a lot of difference and questions on this issue.  Hang in there.

    Peace and laughter,

    Cheryl

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    Cheryl - I am sorry to hear the neuropathy got worse.  I got a dose reduction in taxotere yesterday at chemo because of the neuropathy.
  • Teklya
    Teklya Member Posts: 362

    Hi there.  I hope this finds you well and coping as best you can with all your various situations and scenarios. 

    Just back from the hospital, where I had bloodwork done and met with Oncologist.  Chemo is a "go" for tomorrow, (2nd Taxotere, ugh).  I will keep you updated as things unfold for me.

    Good luck to all of you going into chemo treatments in the next while.  Those awaiting results (that is always so hard to do), those feeling pain from surgeries, etc.  I have you all in my prayers and on my mind.  All the very best to you all

    take good care and just breathe. . .

    Teklya 

  • tryn2staycalm
    tryn2staycalm Member Posts: 470

    Shelly, Thanks for checking on us all.

    Next chemo is day after tomorrow, Friday.  If it's like the first two I'll be in bed queasy and drugged for 3 to 4 days.  I'ts my 3rd and final FEC and then move on to T.  Hopeing that is easier for me but it sure hasn't been for Teklya.  Good Luck tomorrow Tek.  If FEC stands for Fighting Extreme Cancer (CUTE BTW) then T must stand for Torture?  Oh well it made me chuckle and if we can keep a sense of humour right now it can't hurt. 

    Praying for low score  for Grannydukes and yes a cure.  huggggggggggs back.

    LadyinBama - Sorry to hear about another hospital stay.  Ughhh .. hate those places.. they are for sick people!!   Hope you doing better.

    Best to all my sisters.  Better days ahead.

    Cathy

  • Sherryc
    Sherryc Member Posts: 4,503

    Amyjo-so sorry to hear about your mom passing.  It is bad enough that you are having to deal with bc and now your mom on top of that.  I will pray for you and your family.

    I finally got some goods new after my oncotype test and I DO NOT have to have chemo.  I will start my rads markup on Nov the 9th and do rads for 7 weeks.  With that being said I will pray for all you ladies that are having to go through chemo right now and all the unplesant side effects that you are experiencing. HUGS AND PRAYERS TO ALL YOU SPECIAL LADIES.

  • barbaraa
    barbaraa Member Posts: 3,548

    Happy Dance for Sherry!!

  • dianemoe
    dianemoe Member Posts: 52

    Ladies must admit been hopping around these sites since my bc dx Aug 3. You ladies inspire me. Barbara I think I spoke to you once after lumpectomy and sential node removal....I was scheduled for axillary node dissection and port placement yesterday. I postponed it cause i was getting results of onco test tomorrow. Whether i am right or wrong who knows. I just feel I need all the info I can get before I have anything else done. Ladies KEEP the HUGS coming, Makes me SMILE!

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218

    Sherry - happy for you that you don't need chemo - what a relief!

  • Elisimo
    Elisimo Member Posts: 1,262

    Sherry = good news about no chemo.

    granny = any news yet. Hoping for a low score for you.

    lago and omaz = hoping for minimal SE for both of you.

    lagp= so glad you did not have to deal with NR this time.  Maybe she will be gone for all your future appointments. 

    dianemoe = Hugs to you  and all the other ladies.  I think we all need a group hug, it has been a while since we did that.  

    (((((((((((GROUP HUG))))))))))

     I am having a little anxiety about being around my sister and brother for my step-mom's funeral.  I am going to try and go along with whatever they want and not cause any arguments, but that may not be easy since they are literally crazy and tend to get unreasonable and irrational.  Hopefully they will take suggestions, if I do need to step in to keep them from going to one extreme or another.  Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  Sometimes I think this is worse than having BC as they will always be my family and there is no cure for that.  At least with BC we can hope for a cure or at least to be declared NED.

    Had to postpone my rad on my spine until Monday and cancel physical therapy for the rest of the week.  I will be glad to get home from this trip even if I have to go to a lot of dr appointments.  Currently I have 5 for next week.   

    Joy and blessings, Any Jo 

  • omaz
    omaz Member Posts: 4,218
    Safe travels Amyjo!
  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    HEY HEY HEY------Onco score 10...YAY NO CHEMO...im sooooo happy.thank you my sistas for all your concern and prayers.she did suggest rads but i am on  the fence with that.5x a week for 5 weeks.not sure gonna do it..what do you think???????im lucky yes but i already told her no to the rads but she wants me to talk to the dr anyway.and yes arumisin for only GOD knows how long...THANK YOU GOD.

    amyjo----im thinkin and prayin real hard for you during this very hard time.stay strong.we are gonna hold you up.we can you know.

    thanks to all my sistas for all your concern and prayers.luv all of you.I WISH CANCER WOULD GET CANCER AND STOP HURTING ALL THE PEOPLE I LOVE.AMEN.

    HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGS

    k

  • TMarina
    TMarina Member Posts: 297

    Granny that is GREAT NEWS!!!  Laughing  I would at least talk to the radiation doc. He/she can give you all the facts, and then you can decide.  Did she say anything about herceptin?  I see you are Her2+, but I've heard they don't do Herceptin unless you have chemo.  Just wondering.  :)

    God Bless you!!!

  • FireKracker
    FireKracker Member Posts: 5,858

    Tina dont look at the dx.its all wrong.dr#1 made lots of mistakes these new drs cannot even figure it all out after many hrs of talking to him.i am er+(i think) i have everything on tape just havnt had a chance to listen to what the onc.said today.did not mention herceptin..what is that?the tumor was first1cm then 2cm now its 4cm. SN positive.6 more nodes removed all NED.thats all they can figure out from this #1 dr. who is #10 in America.BASTARD.

    i have an amended path report with a clerical error that is unreadable.

    CAN SOMEONE WAKE ME UP WHEN THIS IS ALL OVER?

  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 11,653

    Marina according to the NCCN* 2010 guidelines if grannydukes had minimal lyphm node involvement and the tumor was is .6-1cm, gradae 2 or 3, then they would be recommending adjuvant endocrine therapy (hormone surpression) with or without chemo therapy, with or without Herceptin.

    I actually have the NNC Guidelines for Patients booklet but you can download it here: http://nccn.com/patient-guidelines.html

    *National Cmprehensive Cancer Network)

  • TMarina
    TMarina Member Posts: 297

    granny--I forgot about all the trouble you had with that jerk!  Herceptin is what you take if you are Her2+.  I will be getting it for a year.  It's not chemo--just keeps that particular type of cancer from coming back.

    lago--thanks for that info.

  • barbaraa
    barbaraa Member Posts: 3,548

    Yay!! Doin' the happy dance for GD!! Amy and all my sisters, here's a group {{{{HUG}}}}} from me.

  • dianemoe
    dianemoe Member Posts: 52

    GD@   happy your news is good. I get my results today or tomorrow. I will probably still have to have more nodes removed since SN was pos a few days after removal. (HUGS)

  • LadyinBama
    LadyinBama Member Posts: 993

    Prayers to you AmyJo.

    Granny:  WOO HOO!!!

    Diane, hope you get good news too.

  • imatthew
    imatthew Member Posts: 69

    we just got my wife's pathology report - see diagnosis below, this was as good of news as we could have hoped for given that we knew her SNB was positive.  Now it's on to the oncologist next week.

    I have a question though - only 4 nodes were removed at the time of mastectomy.  I see all sorts of profiles which say 16 or 20 nodes were removed, how does the surgeon determine how many nodes to remove?  Thanks

  • susgul
    susgul Member Posts: 104

    Granny-I had rads 5 days a week for 6 weeks.  I found it very doable and it made me feel better to know I was working at killing any cells that might be lurking in the old boob.  Definitely easier than the chemo.  Having said that, you'll make the decision that is right for you.  Congrats on the low onco score!

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