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Cannon · 08-23-2009, 06:02 AM

The process was remarkably easy - in office, local anesthesthetic, about 45 min including surgeon lining up all his gauze pads. I've felt a little sore for 2 days after, now it's just itchy from the bandages. I forgot of course that he would want to see me later (not sure if the stitches need to be removed or he just wants to make sure it's healing ok).

Re: the potassium - no idea why. I've looked it up and it says usually result of vomiting, diarrhea or excessive sweating. I actually had a whole kidney workup before, and the kidney dr's conclusion was that my Crohn's was causing it - lots of loose bowel movements. That has not been true lately, but I have been exercising more and not eating much meat, which is apparently a good source of potassium.

I ate so many bananas during one low potassium period that I now cannot be near them. Orange juice is another good source, but it is too acidic for my stomach. I take the pill supplements.

Rebecca

08-23-2009, 06:02 AM	#4
Cannon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 203	Re: Port Overboard! The process was remarkably easy - in office, local anesthesthetic, about 45 min including surgeon lining up all his gauze pads. I've felt a little sore for 2 days after, now it's just itchy from the bandages. I forgot of course that he would want to see me later (not sure if the stitches need to be removed or he just wants to make sure it's healing ok). Re: the potassium - no idea why. I've looked it up and it says usually result of vomiting, diarrhea or excessive sweating. I actually had a whole kidney workup before, and the kidney dr's conclusion was that my Crohn's was causing it - lots of loose bowel movements. That has not been true lately, but I have been exercising more and not eating much meat, which is apparently a good source of potassium. I ate so many bananas during one low potassium period that I now cannot be near them. Orange juice is another good source, but it is too acidic for my stomach. I take the pill supplements. Rebecca __________________ Dx 8/06 Age 43 Stage IIIA multifocal throughout breast, largest tumor 5 cm, grade 3, comedo, ER+PR+HER+++ Neoadjuvant A/C 4X Dose Dense 11/06 Bilateral Mastectomy (no choice on the right, my choice on the left) Taxol+Herceptin weekly x12, continuing with Herceptin, finished one year in 12/07 33 Rads Femara for 5+ years, staying on (started with Arimidex, switched after about a month, much happier) Abnormal brain MRI shows no cancer, but "extensive white matter diease" - unknown cause BRCA negative - lots of cancer in my family survivor of thyroid cancer also have Crohn's disease CT and bone scan say NED as of 5/13 dx with severe cardiomyopathy 5/12 (likely due to chemo and Herceptin), ejection fraction in low 20's, now up to 40, went to 50, latest read 12/13 is back down to 35 1/13 Acute pancreatitis - are you kidding me? 9/13 started Humira for Crohn's. starting to have some energy again B12 and Vit D both needed supplementation Cataracts in both eyes noted 6/12 - surgery in the next 2-4 years? 4/14 Kidney stones/blockage/infection - related to Crohn's Disease 5/14 My aunt passed away - she was diagnosed after I was with Stage I - not Her2+, then Stage 4 for about one year 6/14 Scans - still NED, thank God. However, broken rib (I didn't notice) lots of bone degeneration osteopenia/osteoporosis. I also still have cardiomyopathy secondary to chemo.