another post-mastectomy question
 

Sarah had a (second) mastectomy two weeks ago. We are both feeling that she has been recovering somewhat slowly. She has very little energy, and has been complaining about abdominal pain for the last 4-5 days. Kind of too long for a stomach bug.

How does this compare with other people's experience? She is Stage IV, but scans in October did not show abdominal mets of any sort. I haven't read much about GI mets from BC anyway. Am I just being a worry wart?

thanks.

Steve

Hi,

I'm not an expert (other than having a couple of those nice surgeries myself), but it occurs to me that possibly her digestive system is still sensitive following the anestesia (ok, I can't spell it but you know what I mean!). The surgery and not feeling like eating would both contribute to a lack of energy. Even though she may have bounced back more quickly from earlier experiences, it is a significant surgery.

Or she may have a stomach bug which is taking longer to knock down because of her body is dealing with a lot of "healing" right now. If you're concerned, get it checked out. It may be an infection which should be attended to.

Try not to think the worst! Remember the clean abdominal scans in October, to me that makes it more likely to be an infection or bug.

Good luck
Chris

Hi Steve,

We don't have any answer for you, but we want to wish Sarah and you to feel better soon.


Kevin and Sue

Last night her breating got worse, she is now in the hospital to get thoracentesis for pleural effusion. Hopefully that will take care of things, but they are doing more tests today. Thanks for the notes of support.

Steve

Steve,

Sorry to hear that Sarah is in the hospital. That's a place that we all want to avoid! When she had her surgery did they give her a breathing aparatus to bring home? I don't know what it's called but it's made of plastic and you just blow into it and try to keep the little ball up. I was given one in order to prevent pneumonia from setting in. It helped to keep the lungs expanded I guess. After having a mastectomy a lot of times you don't breath as deeply as you normally do because you are afraid of pain. I'm praying that everything goes well and that she'll be out of the hospital soon.

Steve,

Sorry to hear this!

We hope Sarah makes a speedy recovery.

We'll be thinking of you.

---Kevin and Sue---

Hope Sarah has a speedy recovery from this setback. BB

Update:

Sarah had a pleural effusion drained Sunday and so far her lungs are good. Abdominal discomfort is mostly due to reduced renal function, she is getting a procedure to her kidneys today that will hopefully improve things for her. This is important since she needs good renal function to be able to receive more chemo.

Thanks for all your support. Think good thoughts for us!

Steve

Dear Steve, seems like it's been one thing after another, and it's scary not knowing when to do what, like when to worry. Glad Sarah is being taken care of, hope everything goes well for her today and she continues on to a great recovery!
Peace and blessings

Steve and Sarah,

On our way to the hospital today, Sue asked if I had heard any news about Sarah. I come home tonight to read your words of encouragement among the many others in response to "'Twas the night before surgery."
We've been on this site for just a short time, and already there is a kinship and caring that is so inspiring.
We are thinking of you, and we hope only good things for you.
Thank you for the update, I will let Sue know when I pick her up tomorrow.
We are with you too.
---Kevin and Sue---

Pet Scan/ Ct Scan
 

Did everyone at time of diagnosis have a PET/CT scan? I thought that was standard procedure but now am hearing of people that didn't or don't have them. Why would this be I wonder? Don't you need to do that to see if there are mets before you can continue with treatment or what type of treatment is best?

When you hear of those who did not have any type of scans after original dx. and then you hear of recurrence shortly there after treatment, you must conclude that the cancer must have been there from the start.

Anyway, how can they give you a correct staging without a PET scan? I was given a PET scan, chest x-ray, blood work and echo before any surgery was done.

Just curious once again.

Mary Jo

Hi-

I know that when Sarah was originally diagnosed she recveived a PET/CT as part of a third round of scans, Iforget exactly why but it had something to do with uncertainties raised by the preceeding scans. It was not considered standard by her hospital in 2003. It showed nothing helpful and during her reprocessing on reoccurrence the scan was not repeated.

As for time to recurrence in her case I can say we knew it was a very aggressive cancer from the start. Lobular cancer is also difficult to get good imaging on (sorry about the grammar). So perhaps the additional cancer was there to begin with, but given the rate it is moving at now I am inclined to doubt that. Such is one person's story.

Steve

Hi Steve,

We were wondering how things are for you and Sarah. We are thinking positive thoughts for you both, and wanted to let you know.

---Kevin and Sue---

Kevin and Sue:

Thanks very much for the good thoughts. Sarah came home yesterday after resolving some issues with kidney function. It turns out that due to impaired renal function her creatinine level was up, which was what was making her feel bad to begin with. Now it is coming down and she is gradually feeling better. Tomorrow (not to rush into things) she will start a new course of chemo.

I hope things are well in your house, I have read your posts about the roller coaster you have been on. Being HER2 +++ at least makes the targeted therapies available to you. That is a good thing in a twisted sort of way. Hang in there and you will work through it together.

Steve

Hoping things continue to Improve for her and she won't have to deal with any further surprises. She has enough to deal with as do we all.

Steve,

Glad to read that Sarah came home from the hospital. As for starting chemo right away -- you're right they do not give you a break. Hope all goes well with her chemo.

Hi Steve and Sarah,

How are things? We hope Sarah is feeling better. going back into chemo must be hard. We still have that ahead of us.

---Keivn and Sue---

hi again:

I am sorry to say that Sarah continues to have difficulties. She is back in the hospital with more kidney problems and high BP (probably secondary to the kidney probs). Progress is being made and we are hopeful she will be able to come home by Wednesday. I hope she has the reserves to hold up to the chemo, but many people have reported that doxil was an easy chemo for them. Hopefully it will be an easy one for her too.

Steve

Hi,Steve,

You have our best wishes. It seems to us that you should not rush into chemo at this critical period of time, while her body is coping with recovery from the various procedures. Plural liquid is a symptom indicating there is a problem in the upper torso. Make sure the doctor can offer a solution on this problem.
You may also want to know the analysis of the plural liquid.

Again, hope you the best.

Steve,

Sorry to hear that Sarah is back in the hospital. Hopefully, she will only be there a day or two until they get her kidney problem resolved. As to Sarah having the reserve for chemo. You'd be surprised at just how much reserve us women have. I myself have not had doxil but from what i've read from other women it's not too bad. Hang in there. Sarah is fortunate to have you by her side. What she needs right now is all the support you can give her. I'll keepher in my pryaers. Please keep us posted.