Surgery and recovery

It is one week post mastectomy surgery...still healing and still sleeping sitting up!  Not very fun.
There is lots of pressure and nerve pain.  To be expected.

The surgery itself went well.  They removed the tumor and eight lymph nodes.  I also had my port removed.  Then, a tissue expander was placed to start making a space for an implant (done months later).

The pathology report came back saying that the cancer in the two lymph nodes was dead and no cancer in the other six.  That is great news!  The core of the tumor wasn't effected but it had shrunk significantly.  Plus, the surgery removed the entire tumor.

I had one drain removed yesterday, which helps with the pain.  My other drain will be removed tomorrow.  Looking forward to getting that out!  The drains have been a majority of the pain.  So, I'm hoping my healing will be kicked into high gear after getting the last one out.

I'm still having a few chemo side effects but that is to be expected.

My next steps are to get my tissue expander filled to where I want to be (not much more needed actually!) and then I will start radiation once I can put my arm straight up over my head.  Thinking that will most likely start in May.

So here are a few shout outs:
My wonderful surgeons!  Dr. Lewis and Dr. Hancey...Thank You!  You are true artists.
All the nurses that cared for me in the hospital...you are angels!
My family and friends...words cannot express how much I appreciate all your tender loving care, help and generosity!

                                                           THANK YOU!

Surgery is scheduled!

Met with my oncologist and surgeon today.  According to the MRI report, the tumor has shrunk to less than half it's original size.  That is really good news!

It will be interesting to see what they find in the pathology report on the tumor after surgery.  The mass on the MRI might turn out to be 'dead' cancer cells.  That's what I am hoping for.

So, I am scheduled for my surgery - March 28th.  Next Wednesday!

The surgery will be a modified radical mastectomy (that includes axillary lymph node dissection).  Otherwise, it would be considered a simple mastectomy if the lymph nodes were not involved.  Alas, I had two that showed up positive.  But, they showed up quite a bit smaller on the follow-up MRI.

Many thanks go out to everyone that has helped in any way.  Me and my family really appreciate it.  We wouldn't be able to get through all of this without you!!!
Hugs!

A Quick UPdate!!!

As I type this I am having my last Taxol treatment!  A weight is lifting.  I might float right up to the ceiling when all the steps have been completed for my cancer treatment!

I am looking forward, now, to the next step, SURGERY.

I will have another MRI the end of next week to see how effective the chemotherapy has been.  Also another blood test to see how my blood cell counts are doing and my bone marrow and all that fun stuff.  So far my body has held up amazingly!!!  It's especially amazing because I have been having the dose dense regime (every 2 weeks instead of every 3).  Truly the result of blessings, prayers, and all of you out there putting my name in the Temple!  Thank You!!!  Words don't even express.

If all goes well with the MRI and blood test I am hoping to schedule my surgery for March 28th.
I will be having a mastectomy with sentinel lymph node dissection (but may have to have the axillary lymph node dissection - where they take all the lymph nodes on that side, well not all, but most).

So, on to recovery from this last round.  I'm hoping the neuropathy doesn't get too bad.  But, I am just so happy it's the last!!!

More to come!
Hugs to everyone...we all need them!

5 rounds down...3 to go!!!

I am over the hump and on the downhill slope of chemotherapy!  Last Tuesday, the 24th of January, was my first round of the second half of treatment.  I am doing Taxol treatments now and will be done March 8th, if all my blood counts continue to look good!


So glad that I am done with the extra nasty chemo.  I am hoping that the next 5 1/2 weeks will be a little easier than the last eight weeks have been!  So far it is much more tolerable.


I have learned a lot in the last few months.  Here are just some of my random thoughts...


1.   Cancer has shown me who I really am, which I already knew.  But, it's like being given a microscope and you are given a glimpse as to how Heavenly Father sees you!
2.   The things that you always knew weren't very important REALLY ARE NOT important and you have no choice but to let them go.
3.   The love, help and prayers from family and friends, and faith in God can get you through ANYTHING!
4.   What a gift it is to be able to hold my children.
5.   I appreciate the tiny little increases of energy and the moments I am given not to have to be in bed!  These moments give me hope for complete recovery and helps me look forward to returning to 100% and pay it forward.
6.   There are so many ways that it could be worse.  I actually appreciate my current situation.  I know that sounds strange!
7.   A positive mental attitude (pma) can make the most terrible thing (you think) tolerable and even life evolving and enriching.
8.   Nurses and other healthcare workers that truly love their work are little angels on earth!
9.   Hair is really not that important but sure does keep your head warm!


On the horizon...surgery.  Most likely I will have my mastectomy surgery toward the end of March or beginning of April.


But, I am focusing right now on getting through this first step of treatment and finishing strong.


I have been racking my brain (chemo brain sometimes!) on a great way to celebrate finishing chemotherapy.  If any of you have any ideas I would love to hear about them.


A big, huge THANK YOU to everyone that have brought us dinners, watched our children, and cleaned our house.  Words cannot express how amazing you all are!  


Hugs and blessings,
Becky

Oncologist and chemo

Things are moving right along!  It was a super busy week.

I met with my second oncologist on Wednesday.  She is very matter of fact (which is how I like it come to find out!).  The unanimous opinion is that I start chemo before having the surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy) and I concur.  So, I will be starting on November 29th.  It will be every two weeks for 16 weeks.  I will be able to have it at Alta View Hospital.  Then, after chemo I will have the surgery, which will put it around the end of March or early April (hopefully after spring break!).

Thursday I had the lymph node biopsy (still a little sore today, but healing).  Hoping the results comes back clean.  If not, I will have to have lymph nodes (on the one side) removed when I have the mastectomy.

Friday, I went to the dentist and got my mouth all taken care of before I start chemo.  All these things you have to take care of that you just don't think about!!!

I am thankful for ALL the people that have gone before me that have blogged and written about their experiences.  It will hopefully make my experience a little more tolerable!

We are still waiting for the genetic test to come back as well.  Should be hearing back this week.  That will change up some decisions if I have the breast cancer gene (BRCA 1 or BRCA 2).

Just a couple more doctors appointments this coming week.  AND...gearing up for a good Thanksgiving, maybe sneak in a little pampering, and try to get as much done to prepare for Christmas as I can.  Hoping my energy level cooperates!

Oh, and everyone has been asking if I need anything or if they can do anything for me.  I really appreciate it.  To help with this I have created a list of things I will need during chemo and some things I would like on my wish list with Amazon.com.  Let me know if you would like to look at it and I will send you the link.  (privacy issues as this is a public blog).  Thanks!

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Hugs,
Becky

Breast Cancer Clinic Summary

A breast cancer clinic is a phenomenal thing.  We met with all the experts (surgeons, oncologists, cancer nurse, patient advocate, etc.) in basically one meeting, well, one-on-one over the course of a morning.  It was a tiring day, but a good opportunity to get the facts and all of the experts recommendations.  It's also getting a second, third, and fourth opinion!   I feel like we're all on the same page.  Very helpful!


The unanimous recommendations that came from the Tumor Board meeting (all the doctors met together to discuss my case) was that I have a PET scan to rule out any cancer that may have spread to other organs, genetic testing done, another biopsy on a lymph node that showed up on the MRI, neoadjuvant therapy (to shrink the tumor first), and a simple mastectomy.  


I don't think "simple" is really a word I would use with mastectomy, but I guess it's the medical way of saying it's not a radical mastectomy, which would include removing muscle and lymph nodes.


So, plans have changed a bit.  After a lot of prayer I do feel confident that the doctors recommendations are the way to go.  Surgery will come later at the end of March.  Next week is going to be a busy one.  But, as I have learned in the last two weeks, things can change, and quickly!
Monday - PET scan
Tuesday - port-a-cath surgery
Wednesday - oncologist meeting to set up therapy
Thursday - lymph node biopsy


Again, thank you to everyone for your continued prayers, concern, help and support!