January 2017 Surgery Group
Comments
-
cowboyup, I dont think I ever answered your question. But my MO said it was the size (1.8) that was my deciding factor. Which surprised us because we thought 1.8 was small.
0 -
I'm at a 1.7. I just wish next Friday would hurry up and come. I have good days and bad days with the waiting. Yesterday was rough plus my muscles around my Sentinal Node biopsy are really starting to hurt. I see my breast surgeon today and will ask her if this is normal.
0 -
Happy Wednesday - seeing the PS this morning. Praying these drains can come out. I'm starting to feel a little more normal and I think losing them would be the just what I need to start mentally preparing for chemo.
Healing thoughts and soft hugs to everyone today.
0 -
fightingirl- what is this cleaning service your talking about???? Sign me up!! I looked at your previous posts but cannot find. I hope your feeling good today after your rads.
I saw you mentioned something about a lump, where?? Under your arm? Because mine under my arm swelled up between my biopsy and BMX surgery, very swollen.
0 -
lisabekind, it was pyrrh who posted this:
Some free services you all might want to look into:
Contact Cleaning For a Reason - if they have services in your area you might qualify for some house cleanings for free! (why not!). I finished the paperwork and am waiting to see if any area companies have openings right now. https://www.cleaningforareason.org/
Also, I signed up for Look Good, Feel Better - http://lookgoodfeelbetter.org/ - I don't get my seminar for a week, but I guess they talk to you about makeup and hair, give you a cosmetics kit for free, teach you how to apply the makeup (with tips for special situations like chemo and related hair loss...). It looked like something fun to do.
There is also a care box service where you can list the types of things that would be helpful to you in recovery - I put that on hold until I know about chemo, as I haven't really needed much of anything special yet. CAREBOX - http://careboxprogram.org/
There are a lot of "freebie" services, but those were the two that stood out to me. Once I am past either chemo or the chemo decision is a no I will also sign up for the free months at the YMCA, even though I do martial arts if I can enjoy 2-3 months of yoga for free I will definitely give it a go.
Yes I have a god size lump in my armpit and going to have the MO look at it Thursday. Hoping just a seroma but my physical therapist is the one who didn't think it was she is not a doctor though so I'm not going to freak out just yet! A seroma from the SNLB is perfectly normal. Definitely get yours checked out and same for cowboyup...you don't want to wait as long as I did because I developed cording and am at risk for lymphadema and being treated as if I have lymphadema. Not trying to scare you but I thought my under arm pain was just from seroma and mine ended up being more. Just have your BS keep an eye on things ams maybe get referral for PT to work on range of motion in the affected arm.
Good luck zauppallar today!
Shellybeans, I do hope you get those drains out...you're in my thoughts today. ❤️
Pugsmama and I know someone else is finding out results today...you're also in my thoughts and praying for good news. Xoxo
My left boob is very angry red but doc called me backlash night an drew thinks I am okay. I hooked up with a lady from Canada on here who had the exact same brachytherapy technique, same breast and almost same diagnosis who had hers done day before and she said hers was very red also. I feel much better!
My last pain pill was at 2 this morning and it's 7:30 now and it's not hurting much so that's good.
Love you all!!
0 -
Lisabekind - Go check out Cleaning For a Reason - it's a program that tries to match up cancer patients with cleaning services for some free cleanings during treatment. It seems like they have services in lots of areas but perhaps not everywhere. Fightingirl found out that their area doesn't have openings right now either. But, you never know until you apply. I think I lucked out (and, wow, my house is clean for the first time since this started!!!)
Shellybeans - I am sending lots of "pull out those dang drains" thoughts towards your PS, I hope s/he gets the message
CowboyUp - I have pain from the SNB as well, mine is more surface oriented and down my arm towards the elbow - it's like hyper sensitive. My surgeon says that is a nerve damage/regeneration thing and it will go away with time. I'm not really numb so I think the damage must have been slight (many women report numbness!). Is your pain similar, or definitely deeper and muscle like?
Dani - I'm with you on 1.8 not being large. I think they usually talk about 2cm as one of those boundary points for size. Perhaps your MO is conservative and likes to treat if approaching large? Or maybe that fact pushed you over when considering other facts....
Hey all - it's HUMP DAY!
(I'd post a camel but there isn't an emoticon for it here!) I hope you have a day as happy as a Camel on Wednesday!!! We all deserve some happy times. 0 -
Fightingirl, thanks for all the free info.
About the node- about a week before my BMX, I noticed my node under my arm was very swollen ie: through this whole process had not been, and this was 3 weeks after complete removal of my tumor. I mentioned it to my BS the day of my BMX. His response, it's probably from the biopsy. Whatever! Well that node was positive, 7mm positive! I wish there would of been more clarity on that. And to top it off, the path report states that node was rather large probably due to a reaction to the dye. Well, that is incorrect. So, I will be calling pathology today, to have that revised. Nimcompoops!! You never know what information is needed in making my treatment options. My rad oncology and oncology appointment is Monday, giddy up!
0 -
your welcome lisabekind but it is pyrrh who gets the credit for that amazing find! Hopefully they gave it a single in your area...good luck!
0 -
thanks, everyone for keeping on posting your events, process, and progress (or lack of 🙄) because it really helps those of us who are nearly there, too! It is alsocompletely endearing to see all the typos and misshapen words brought on by meds, pain, distraction or busyness. We have and will continue to be in that place about every other day, right!
And -- I keep being amazed and so proud of all of you as you do these brave things. We all say it but there truly is no other place where people totally understand. Love to you all this morning
0 -
Cowboy-up - are you doing any kind of PT? The reason I ask is that the post-op exercises weren't cutting it, and I was getting progressively stiffer. Have only had one session so far, but the different exercises I got are a game changer. Hope you feel better
0 -
Shellybeans - I hope your drains come out soon - you will really begin to start feeling human after that!! It took everything in my power not to do it myself - being a nurse you know it crossed my mind
Sending you lots of hugs with the next step in your journey - your MO gave you good words to live by!0 -
Lisabekind - I'm part of the armpit lump club also. My PT thinks it is a swollen lymph node, and I have to say that it decreased in size some after my first lymph massage. My nodes were clean, and her explanation that there are fewer nodes to do the job with lots of inflammation to still reduce made sense to me. I have a follow-up in another two weeks with my surgeon, and I'm hoping it's gone or greatly reduced by then. Good luck!!
0 -
I'm back from my PS and I'm not only drain-free - I have little boobies! I got my first fill today. They aren't pretty but there's a little cleavage - more of a small valley - but I can't stop looking down my shirt!
I took an 800 mg ibuprofen and a 750 mg muscle relaxer and I'm so glad I did. I was so nervous I had to have the chair leaned back - I thought I would pass out. The nerve pain I had on my left side has left me with PTSD - I swear. I was just so afraid of more pain. They did the fill with two nurses in unison - so they filled at the same time rather than one then the other - loved that as I just sat back and closed my eyes and did my best deep breathing. Then the tubes came out and that was nothing - no pain at all. I wanted to kiss everyone - especially my dr. who approved it all.
On the way home got the call for my first chemo - Feb. 28. So it looks like I'll be sporting a bald head right around the time my son comes home for college break.
Well - it means I'm closer to being on the other side so I'll just deal with it.
Thanks for all the well wishes. I'm going to take a nap.
0 -
yay Sheelybeans.
Happy for you all around for all the great news in your journey thus far. Get that nap , you so deserve it.
Hope your relaxers and Ibuprofen keep any residual pain at bay so you can get that much deserved and needed rest. Ptsd is real , and certainly after what you have gone thru physically , mentally and emotionally . It is a miracle how strong we actually are through it all . I know for myself, my strength has come from meeting all of you virtually and riding this rollercoaster with all of you fine strong ladies. I thank God for it daily . Anyway, have an amazing day !
❤
0 -
Yay Shellybeans! Woohoo for boobies and no drains. You are gonna rock chemo and the bald head! You are a warrior girlfriend and an inspiration to us all. I know it's tough but you are handling this like a boss! When there are days you don't feel like a boss, come here and let us tell you how amazing you are to us all and try to lift you up and smile. You'll never be alone. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Enjoy your nap!
Someday, somehow we have to all meet eachother. I know we all feel that and an incredible love for eachother...I'm amazed every time I read all of your posts and just how important you all are in my life. Feeling a little sappy about that this morning and how far we've come together since early January. So much has happened...nearly 60 pages of experiences and bonding. I just want to remind you all again how very grateful I am for each of you...my cup runneth over.
0 -
Shellybeans has CLEAVAGE! Woooohoooo!
Hang onto those baby victories, eventually they will add up to a HUGE WIN Rest well.My MO called (she obviously did not know I had an appointment later today) and caught me up on everything. She says she actually pushed back hard on the Oncotype DX folks, went way up the chain, and some panel in California reviewed the situation and decided to re-run the test even though they had decided not to earlier. She also called the local pathologist and talked to him about how they copied info from my biopsy pathology report straight into their report, and asked him to review our areas of concern. He confirmed the perineural invasion (said "a tiny little bit, but it is there"), and sent the KI-67 back out for a re-test.
However, she also talked to some other MO friends of hers who specialize in breast cancer, and they looked at everything and all agreed that they were super comfortable with the Oncotype test result and wouldn't treat with chemo.
Long and short, she "thinks it looks like I probably won't" need chemo, but we are rescheduling for 2 weeks from now so the new Oncotype and KI-67 results can come in (and so I can also heal up from radiation). Then, "probably" we'll start up the Tamoxifen and call it a day.
Not sure I get to celebrate, but at least she did her homework this time.
I also should get the 2nd opinion report from the Best Doctors service sometime today, I sure hope they concur.
0 -
did not see- Confused on your/my node response. Mine was swollen 3 weeks after my breast tumor was removed. It was my sentinel node, and was removed with 7mm positive cancer in it during my BMX. My procedures steps are different than others. I had my tumor removed under anesthesia 12/28. Then got my path report for that. Then had my BMX 1/26 with another path.
0 -
My SNB pain is mostly when stretching. It is a painful muscle pulling over my rib cage and above my elbow. Also still a little sore at the sight and hard. I have an appointment with BS at 2:00 and I'll ask her
I feel like a pain in the butt. I wanted to go to the MO at Ohio State and a RO closer to home and they set both up at Ohio State. I had them changed it but after looking them both up, the one is only 2 min. closer. Now I want to change it back. The James and the Stephanie Speilman Cancer Hospital are part of Ohio State University hospital system. They are one of the best cancer hospitals in the country. I can drive a couple more min. Hoping it isn't a big deal to change it bac
0 -
Im awake! Just had the best nap since I got home yesterday. Still tired. I have one drain. It is what it is. I have several pages to read up on when I can keep my head up-
0 -
just piping in to wish pugsmama good luck at her appt today! Congrats shelley beans on your victories! Good luck in the waiting room pyrrh and everyone else! Not long now for you bevmom! And good luck for tomorrow's first rad session fightingirl!
I totally agree the love in this group is palpable. Girls can be so catty and judgmental of each other, and this forum proves the strength in lifting each other up rather than pulling down. It's crazy that all these big decisions are being made on millimeters of disease, but I'm grateful to have a team fighting with me to remove every last micronanogram in my system and yours!!
Power through girls!!
Oops - Vargas, just saw your post - welcome home!! You did it!!xo
0 -
yay vargadoll! Been watching to see when you'd check in. Glad you're well and get your rest! ❤️ Xox
0 -
Awesome, congrats Varga - your first big step is done! Keep having great naps, we'll all be here when you wake up
0 -
hi ladies! Sorry for my absence ... I really needed a few days of 'cancer-free' (as if that is possible)but have been thinking so often of all of you... shellybeans sorry I missed your birthday! Will read through the rest of the news.
I am officially a 'drainer' according to my doc... still have two of them collecting 40ccs daily... hoping they are gone next week.
Whoever was cursing their TEs, I'm with you! I'm having the hardest time imaging how I will get used to them for months. Mine are over the pecs, and in addition to the irritation and the pain from the edges, I itch under them... and of course can't scratch under there! Hope my body starts to accommodate them.
Had two short outings this week... went to buy a few little treats for a Valentine's Day care package for my daughter... she is 19 and in California in college. So far from D.C., but she is coming home for prez day weekend, which is right around the corner! And yesterday went out to lunch. Little victories.
Lisabkind... I had a lumpectomy & node dissection 21 December and bmx 24 January, so we've had similar surgeries... so sorry about the node. We are different in that regard... mine clear. Two surgeries so close knock you flat tho, huh?
I must be starting to feel better, cause I'm starting to get pissed at needing to rest every time I do something... does anyone else need to lie down after eating? I think my digestive system takes all my energy after a meal...
Xo
0 -
Well I just learned something the hard way. Once you start typing replies and have everyone's personal messages typed, don't scroll back to a previous page. Your entry will disappear and you'll have to start all over agin. Ugh.
Pyrrh- great idea! I'm going to put 3 ring binder and 3 hole punch on my shopping list.
BeachBabyK--Such a relief to hear your hair came back right? I'm going to have fun with wigs too. Also,. I just signed up for Look Good Feel better for Feb 27.
RoseRN1 and I are in the same cocktail and schedule. We just start a week apart. I gotta tell ya, I'm scared. Rose--Let me know all about how you feel and how your week goes. Unless it bad then I don't want to know. Lol. PugsMama- praying you won't join us.🙏🏻
Dani in California-- you're the reason I was scrolling back. What are you having done? Chemo? What drugs and when?
Fightingirl- confused what you're having. Radiation? I'm sorry you have to do that. Sounds like the quicker kind though right?
Elem- we all love Pugsmama- she's a cheerleader.!
0 -
Just a quick pop in before I go to meet MO, nurse nav and then that simulation thing!
I forgot in previous posts to address Vargadoll who has resurfaced an OR champ! Glad you are getting the rest sweetie.
Love to all
0 -
dcbc- Actually my biopsy was a breeze, was teaching class in 5 days. I had my node biopsy with my BMX. So a little different In that regard, but yes my is positive. That would be the difference.Thanks
Just putting knowledge out there.
Vargadoll your back baby!!
0 -
Hi everyone, looks like I'll be boarding the chemo train...I probably could go either way because at the end of chemo I have to go on aromatase inhibitors anyway but I want to give myself the best chance of no recurrence. My MammaPrint came back with my tumor as Luminal B (instead of Luminal A), which is more aggressive, that combined with it being 2.2cm, with lympatic vascular invasion led to the "she would benefit from chemo" recommendation. How much benefit? 5-7% but like many of you, if God forbid I have a recurrence, my only consolation will be that I did everything I could on my end. After that, it's God's plan, right? The MammaPrint is different from the Oncotype in that it just gives a category of tumor with a chemo / no chemo recommendation. Mine of course recommended chemo. No point in getting a second opinion because no oncologist is going to recommend against the results of a MammaPrint.
So, I'm going to be starting next Wednesday & the good news is I'll still be able to go on my cruise at the end of May...I go 4 times every three week so in 9 weeks from Feb. 15 I'll be done. That gives me a little over a month before I sail....Holding onto that!!!
So my cancer brain is going to become chemo brain! OMG, I don't think there's too much room for me to get more spaced out than I am LOLOL!
So just wanted to get this news out there since I know you were all pulling for me. Thanks, love you all! Will catch up on all the posts later....
0 -
BS wasn't too concerned with my tightness. She want me to try a few more exercises and keep at it. Got my pathology report. Didn't get to read it yet but didn't sound like any surprises. Tumor may have been smaller than we thought. Can't find it on the paperwork but I thought it said 1.3. Got my RO appointment on the 20th and the MO is on the 17th. Things are moving along.
0 -
Pugsmama, been wondering.....
You got this! Sending prayers
0 -
pugsmama, been thinking about you all day. You have such a great attitude and I am glad this won't interfere with your cruise plans. I'm sorry you have to go through it but we'll be here for you every step of the way. Sending lots of love. ❤️
3Bears, yes radiation. Brachytherapy via multi catheter method. Treatment is higher dose 2 times a day for 5 days and my catheters will come out after my last dose on the 15th.
Gotta jet to my physical therapy appointment but I managed to get a little nap in just now so that was nice
0
