Discussions

Good morning ladies!

I had to stay away for a couple of days. The discussions were very upsetting to me. I'm back this morning because I wanted to give you an update on my cancer and I missed hearing from you all.

I went to two post-op appts. Tuesday. They took my drain out on the right side. When the nurse pulled it out (OUCH!) liquid shot all over her. LOL She kept apologizing to me even though she was the one getting all wet. Apparently I had a pocket of liquid behind the expander but they worked it out. The left drain will remain in until almost nothing is coming out. The left side is where the cancer was and most of the work was done.

The dr. also took the surgical tape off where my nipples used to be. Yes they removed those too. I had cancer in my left nipple. The right side looks pretty good, like a cut that is healing well and scabbed over. The left side looks horrible, not yet pulled together, very bruised, and still bleeding a little bit.

There is already saline in the expanders. I had to ask how they fill them because you can't see any opening. The nurse explained that they find the opening with a magnet and then inject the saline through that. Before I asked the next question, she said I won't feel it. I don't know about that! She said I wouldn't feel the drain coming out and I did. I go back Tuesday to have the drain checked and to get pumped up again.

I went to see the dr. that removed the cancer. He said I was healing great, the skin looked good, the pain will go away, etc. He had gave me the most devasting news I could have ever expected (that I had cancer). Tuesday he gave me the most wonderful news I've ever heard. According to the final pathology report, I am 100% CANCER FREE!! Wahoo!! How do you thank someone for saving your life?? I went from my GP to biopsy to surgery within 2 weeks.

I start chemo in 4 weeks, once I'm healed more. I still have to have it because I was HER2 positive, so no way out of it. I'm okay with that, I've prepared myself. I know it's all part of the process. I have to have 6 rounds of aggressive chemo and then something about shots for awhile. I really didn't understand that part. Any ideas?

I truly want to thank you all with all my heart for walking me through all this turmoil. I would not be able to do it without you. I feel I have made life long friends here!!

Can you tell me what to expect with the chemo? What I can do to make it bearable? How long does a round of chemo take?How do they get into the port? Ideas on how to deal with wanting to throw up? I'm a lot anxious, obviously. But I trust any advice you give me. You haven't steered me wrong yet.

Thank you all so very much for being there for me!!

 Congratulations on your good news. Do you know what kind of chemo you'll be getting? When you say you'll be getting shots for awhile, are you sure its shots, or IV medication? I too am HER2 positive, so I'll be getting Herceptin by IV once a week for a year. When you get your chemo, they should give you anti-nausea medication to help with the nausea. Have them give you the prescription before your chemo, so you have it ready, and take it as soon as you get home, and take it regularly. Don't wait till you feel nauseous. And drink lots of water. If it doesn't work, and you still feel sick, call the dr. right away and let them know. There are many kinds of anti-nausea meds, and they should be able to find one that works for you. When you go for your chemo, you'll be there for several hours, especially the first time, so that things to do. A book to read, music, a puzzle book, something to occupy your time. I do scrapbooking and make cards, so I took stuff to make cards with. And take some snacks and water. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

Hey....... no advice on the chemo... just wanted to celebrate a little with you!!!!!!!!!  Glad you are doing so well....  Just don't overdo!!!!!!  Hang in there.... and Keep us informed!  bj

 Thanks for the info Trojangirl! Yes, Yes, it was IV treatments but he said once every 2 weeks? I don't know how I came up with shots. Sorry, have alot on my mind.

Thanks for letting me know what to bring. I have alot of books and stuff around here. That seems to be all I can do besides get online. I got yelled at big time because I was trying to do dishes and because I hurt myself trying to put my hair up. Dr. was not happy at all! LOL Hubby ratted me out.

I'm hanging in there, just want to be able to lay down to sleep. As soon as I try I'm wide awake. It feels like someone jumped in the middle of my chest. GRRRRR!

Have a safe and happy holiday sweetie!

 BJ, thanks for celebrating with me. People don't seem to understand how I can be so happy to be cancer free when I still have a long road ahead of me. It's all part of the process and my friends here understand that.

Already got yelled at by dr. for overdoing it. Back to doing nothing! LOL No partying for me, unless you count drinking a ton of water!

 Do take it easy.  You do not want to end up with lymphedema for the rest of you life.  Glad to hear your good news.

His Child

 Please remind me what lymphedema is. I know I read about it but it's not coming to mind.

I've been home a week since my single mastectomy and am feeling better than I expected. I wasn't sleeping well because the staples and drains are on the side I usually sleep on. That, and my husband has been restless and frets a lot. I gave him time-release Tylenol andboth of us had a good night's sleep.

Haven't been to the cancer doc regarding post-op plans, but the surgeon says the pathology is good. I'm betting on chemo, and just taking one day at a time. Planning either a Cher or Whoopie wig if it comes to that.

 Lymphedema is when the lymph system is not draining correctly and lymph fuild builds up in your arm or chest.  Your lymph system is sort of like the sewer system of the body taking away bacteria and other nasty things from your system.I have been blest with this wonderful affliction. The doctors said I was a very low risk because I only had 4 lymph nodes removed but I developed it anyway. It is a life long problem once it developes so you want to be careful. Use your arm but don't lift anything to heavy, be careful vaccuming because of the pulling action, and don't carry your purse with one arm for to long. There are some good books about lymphedema and also good information on the website breastcancer.org with more information about what to watch for.

Congratulation on your progress. I had 4 rounds of Chemo. Here is just a couple things I'd advise.

1. Take a pepcid AC before you go to Chemo and every morning for at least a week after. This cuts down on the acid in your stomach and that will cut down on any naseau.

2. Make sure and get a perscription for naseau meds and take them too BEFORE you feel nasaeu. Just like pain naseau is easier to eliminate if you catch if fast.

3. Eat before you go to Chemo.

4. Rinse your mouth with a combination of 2 TBS salt, 2TBS Baking soda and 1 liter water.  A lot of chemo can cause mouth sores and this mixture takes care of bateria in your mouth. I used it twice a day and never got any mouth sores.

5. REST when you are tired. I would go okay and then Hit a wall and have to take a nap. Listen to your body, don't try to be superwomen. Let people take care of you for a change!

Good luck and congratuations!

Lori