2010 Sisters
Comments
-
imathew, you wife's tumor appeared to be small so they did a sentinel node biopsy first. Had more all 4 been positive they would have removed more. They probably had to remove 4 because they all lit up. That's what happened with my sentinel node dissection on the right.
On the left I had level I nodes taken because the tumor was so large, grade 3 and HER2+ that the surgeon was afraid I had a mirco-invasion. This is not that unusual to do with larger aggressive tumors. Granted it seems unnecessary since I had no nodes invaded but now we know for sure so I'm OK with this.
0 -
I had a .9mm tumor but one of the 4 sentinal nodes showed a trace so they took 13 more. Nothing in those. Not sure how they decided seems to be pretty varied looking at profiles and some show 3 of 4 where if that is true you would think they would go to the next nodes. I would ask the surgeon and see what they say, and if it sounds reasonable. I really liked my surgeon he did the dye thing for the sentinal node detection during the surgery so I didn't even know it happened, as I understand that can be just one more stressful uncomfortable thing to deal with...
0 -
iamatthew: My surgeon told me that lymph nodes are in clusters, like grapes, and when they take out a cluster, they don't know if they are taking out 2 or 10. I had already had one node biopsied that was positive, so he took out the level one nodes in me, which in my case, just happened to turn out to be 14 nodes. Look up lymph nodes online and you'll see pictures that show how they look.0
-
Hi Everyone,
Im home for my re excision. Very tired and sore.
Granny, congrats, but look into that Her2+ thing. I was told Herceptin works best WITH chemo, and not enough data ia available on Herceptin alone. Which is why I assume I will be getting TCH x 6. I dont remember anything about an onco type score, only that because I am Her2+, I will get chemo. Make them redo the test if you have to. Make sure you are INDEED Her2+.
I asked Dr about the lump under my arm, he really felt around while I was under, and said it was scar tissue, that eventually it would soften up and shrink some. The pulling pain I feel in my inner bicep is because of the SNB, he doesnt cut nerves, which cause the numbness and pain I see alot of you girls having..... instead, he maneuvers around them and it causes irritation. That is my only SE from the SNB is a pulling feeling when I reach. Also, the reason he says NO ICE on my breast is because it slows the blood flow the the area he wants to heal which could cause infection. Makes scence. But he did tell me I could ice the lump where the SNB was done. Ok, gonna rest now, just wanted to update you all.
Kristy
0 -
Kristy - glad you're DONE w/surgery now! Take it easy. I still have pulling too when I do my stretches.
Imatthew - I think it depends when the node surgery is done. Mine were not tested until the mastectomy. They did SNB/dye and took 2 nodes,analyzed by frozen section while I was in surgery. If the results (which come back while you're still in surgery) had been positive, my surgeon was going to do an axillary dissection, which basically takes most/all the nodes. But, like everything else in this crazy bc world, surgeons differ in how they approach.
0 -
Janet and Christy, the pulling under the arm takes a while. I am still gently stretching and may surgery was 5/20. It's slowly resolving! Keep the faith!
0 -
hello my sistas
question for susgal.i understand the rads thing but im afraid that the rads kill good cells too.i really dont feel comfortable with this.i feel that the aromasin is enuf punishment for this old body.
DOES ANYONE THINK IM CRAZY WITH THIS DECISION????? IM OPEN FOR OPINION
sWEET...i TOO FEEL THAT PULLING IN MY ARM WHEN I LIFT IT.DR SAYS IT WILL GO AWAY.ITS GETTING BETTER.right? and im er+ so chemo is not necessary(i think)
luv you girls.hentle hugs all around.God bless us.I SO WISH CANCER WOULD GET CANCER.
K
0 -
Barbara- that makes me feel better! Some people say they are back to full motion in just a couple of weeks. I'm at one month out now from mastec/snb. I'm at about 95% when I raise arm straight up in front of me, but can't get past about 80% straight up from side. My P.T. doesn't start until 11/11 - & was hoping to do this myself & not need that. Just another whole round of medical appointments!!
0 -
Miss K: the rads stop the reproduction of cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Some of the other sistas have mentioned your Her status. I'm not Her+, but my understanding is that this is usually dealt with by a combo of chemo and Herceptin. Did your onc say anything about this to you? You know we all love you and want the best for you!
Susan
0 -
Granny, I am ER and PR+ and pre mentapausal so its tomiaxifin for me for 5 years, the her2+ means high chance of reoccurance so i get the chemo plus Herceptin for 1 aditional year.
Wish you were closer South Jersey, I gave a great team of Dr's on my side.
Janitinvirginia, I hope this is the last surgery (except the port) he said he went right up to the skin and took as much he could hoping for clear margins. I think my followup is on the` 5th. (bf has all that info since I was out of it.)
and to the person asking about nodes, (sorry, on pain meds) i had 4 come up hot during my first surgery, he took the 4 and they were all neg.
Kristy
Edit to say: forgot the spellcheck, and on pain meds. lol
0 -
Congratulations!!!Grannydukes!!! To all of you questioning armpit pain and tightness , my armpit is still numb and tingly down back of arm and not near full range of motion 4wks out of second surgery.... my dr. said that was normal it will take time to heal... I have some good news too, my scans were clear and I just survived my FIRST of many chemos...A/C every 2 weeks 4cycles then Taxol for 4 cycles...I had no adverse SE , but I did drink ALOT OF WATER, my husband is worried I flushed it all out, CRAP, only I would manage to do that. LOL. HUGS to all I made it thru last week because of all your HELP AND HUGS L,CAT
0 -
YAY CAT!!! You go chickie!
0 -
Barbara...YOU HAVE JUST GIVEN ME THE BEST LAUGH I'VE HAD IN 3 MONTHS...BLESS YOU...L Cat
0 -
girs.dont look at the bio.its all wrong.dr #1 made too many mistakes sooo dr#3 and the onc.worked together to make me right.they feel with the score of 10 chemo is out of the question.its rads and meds.thats all she offered me.she did say i am the poster child as dr#1 was their hero.i think this is a ego thing Dr#1 male versus dr#3 and onc female who worshiped him before he messed me up.they together are determined to make me right.i have all this on tape.the thing is i dont want the rads....i dont even want the meds.I JUST WANT THIS TO ALL GO AWAY.
0 -
Hi Everyone. I've been busy with rads, family and work and offline for a few days. Wow! You sure are a talkative bunch! For all you ladies who feel numbness after SNB. I had an SNB followed by node dissection last May. The tightness and numbness is getting better and better. The area of numbness seems to be getting smaller. Try to do the stretching exercises they prescribed. I just walk my fingers up the wall and hold at the highest spot. I note the spot and each day try to get higher. Now that I am in rads things seem to be tightening up again. Joy!
grannydukes- I am SO celebrating your wonderful Oncotype score and no chemo! If they want you to do rads, please don't be scared. I just finished #8 of 33 today. It really isn't that bad. It is a d%$*&mn nuisance because it is every day. I know you NEVER want to see this cancer again. If they say you should do it, I know you will rally and make the smart decision. They say lumpectomy+rads is equal to a mx statistically.0 -
Cat--Great news on the scans!! Hope the AC continues to go easy on you--it can be a tough one. Keep drinking the liquids! Gotta flush that Cytoxin out so it doesn't cause bladder problems!!
0 -
designer--thanks for the right words.im thinkin.do you smell the wood burnin????im sooo mixed up.i just want this thing to leave me alone....thank God i have 3 weeks to make the final decision.I know i will do what is right for me.Im prayin every night for God to show me the way.I DONT WANT TO DO RADS.I DONT WANT TO EVEN TAKE THE MEDS.TOO OLD AND TOO TIRED.I have not told my family they even want me to take the rads all i said was good score and the meds.ITS ALMOST A YEAR AND IM STILL ALL MIXED UP....CANCER WILL YOU JUST GO AWAY AND LEAVE ALL OF US ALONE.
0 -
sweetaerobabe: Please try the arnica gel and tablets. Hugely successful for me. No side effects.
Good luck and God bless us all.
PS Thanks for the NCCN Guidlines link. Excellent and up to date information source.
PPS To all with arm numbness: Seven months out, my (for months felt like amorphous) pizza dough upper arm is back to normal. If you'reconcerned about lymphedema, have the volume measured at the hospital. Doesn't have to be a regularly scheduled visit. Many hospitals are measuring for study info and, whether or not you're in the study, are thus equipped.
0 -
Great score, Granny. Good luck with your next decisions.
There must be an LCIS thread on the issue--or start one?
0 -
Miss K-gonna send you a pm
Susan
0 -
Grannydukes - Very good news! Thank god no chemo for you! As for the Rads everyone says they are very doable. I will find out when I finish with this chemo. #3 FEC today so I will be in bed for 3 or 4 days. Last FEC then on to Taxatore. Yay! God Bless all my sisters and hugs to all. Hang in there ladies, better days ahead.
Cathy
0 -
Cathy (tryn2)- Thinking about you today on your last FEC. Take it easy and drink lots. I laughed at your help with our acronyms for taxotere and yours is the best! I think Teklya would agree, Torture is the right one! I don't know why I didn't think of that!!! Just hang in there girls.
Granny, glad to hear about your low oncotype score. Don't be afraid of radiation, it's ok. I just finished 28 treatments of post-mastectomy rads which was optional, but decreases the risk of recurrence. For lumpectomy, it really is the standard of care. We would all like cancer to just go away, believe me. Since you have time to think about it before you have to make a decision, take that time. In a couple of weeks you might feel differently, get some rest and some energy back and you might feel fighting again. This whole experience is very draining. If anyone can beat this it is YOU!!! XOXO
0 -
sweets, I second the use of arnica. I did both the jell and tabs and it did help with the healing, and bruising.
Granny, hang in there. So good to hear about your low score! I wish my onc took the time to have me do it. I'm trying to get my PCP to have the test done. I also did 33 rads and 5 boosts. It's doable but if you have questions go to one of the rad's threads. They usually are for "starting rads..... and the month. Any of them will give you tons of information on how to cope, what happens, etc.
Yeah, it's Friday and tomorrow I can sleep in! Little favors go a long way.
0 -
Hello Ladies- I have been away for a few days for my Mom's funeral. My DH and I will be headed home tomorrow. Things have gone better than expected, thankfully. I have been having some pain along the incision line under my right breast. I had a Bmx on Sept. 2nd and have not had any problem since the drains were removed 2 weeks later. Now this pain, has anyone else experienced this? Do I need to be concerned more than I already am? The TE in that breast seems to be placed really high and I have been concerned about that for a few weeks, but with everything else that has been going on I have not done anything about it yet. I think I will call the RO first thing Monday morning to get in to make up the missed appointment from last Thursday and when I find out what time that will be I will call the PS and see how soon I can get in to see him. I have an appointment for Nov 8th, but I really do not want to wait that long if I don't have to.
Hope everyone has a restful evening.
Amy Jo
0 -
thank you to all my sistas for your concern..THANK GOD i do have time to really think the rads over real good.and THANK GOD its not an emergency. AND THANK GOD for my low onco score...BUT IM STILL SCARED SHIT.
i PRAY FOR ALL MY SISTAS EVERY DAY. Dear God please find a cure.
huggggggggs
K
0 -
Sweetaerobabe, have you or your doctors considered that you might be dealing with "cording" (Axillary Web Syndrome, or AWS)? Your description sounds like it. Here's information about it:
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Cording_and_Axillary_Web_Syndrome.htm
Hope it's something simple to fix -- be well!
Binney0 -
Amyjo, The pain in the incision line is not unusual and is caused by the nerves that are responding to the surgery and cutting. It does improve with time. If redness or drainage occurs, call the surgeon immediately. I am 2 months out from MX and still have some pain, but I have 100% range of motion. Hang in there, time does help.
Happy Halloween,
Cheryl
0 -
amyjo49 I would have had my full motion back too but I had to hold off for on some exercise and physical therapy 3 weeks because of port surgery. I'm almost 9 weeks and have pretty good motion though even on the 10 node side. As far as the TE, yes they are placed high. TE are there only to stretch the skin. The real art comes after they are exchanged. Granted your new breasts will probably sit a little higher but I doubt they will be as high as your TE are now. I know my PS stretches the skin a little extra so he can create some drop. Discuss this with your PS. I'm sure s/he'll tell you this is a work in progress.
Grannydukes I'm so excited for you. I'm sure you'll do fine with radiation. Seems the SE are much more predictable than this Chemo stuff. I feel like every treatment is an adventure… lets see what happens this time. Always something new ;-)
0 -
I can not believe I came to this site today and possibly found out what I've been complaining about for three days. In my case the cords go down my rib cage. If I lift my breast they bulge out downward. After reading about web cording I googled and response was mondor's. I'm just kind of shocked since I've only had lumpectomy and sentinel node removal. Now I really worry about additional surgery. I feel I'm going to have lymph node dissection since sentinel came back positive. I called surgeon's ofc yesterday. He is on vacation. Nurse was going to note my record of the fact that my veins under my breast was pulling and raised.
0 -
Jag - I think it was me reading your post about the port to close to my chemo! Glad you got the issue resolved!0
