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10-06-2011, 07:20 PM
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#21
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Good luck tomorrow, Bonnie!
"See" you back here soon!
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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10-06-2011, 08:21 PM
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#22
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
I don't have any advice. I just want to wish you all the best and a speedy recovery from your surgery.
Take good care of yourself.
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10-07-2011, 12:01 PM
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#23
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Panama City, Florida
Posts: 21
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Denise: I will be thinking about you and praying for your speedy recovery. One thing I loved was the pillow my husband got me. I had to sleep upright for weeks, and then after I got the ok to sleep normal, I didn't want to give it up. The sides helped to hold up my arm and sling the lovely drains out of the way. Blessings headed your way!!!
__________________
July 2011
Mamo
Ultrasound
August 2011
Biopsy
Left Mastectomy
Axillary Sentinal Lymph Node Biopsy
Reconstruction w/ Tissue Expander
Diagnosis
Stage 1, <2 cm, ER+/PR+, Her2+++
September 2011
Port placement 9/13/11
Chemo 9/19/11
Four Months Taxotere and Cytoxan
Chemo DONE 11/21/11!!!!
One Year Herceptin
January 2012
Started Femara 2.5MG 1/1/12
March 2012
Started Prolia Injection
Life is a Beautiful Mess
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10-07-2011, 12:17 PM
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#24
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: I live in the Niagara Region, Canada.
Posts: 41
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Denise, you are in our prayers to a speedy recovery. I did not go through a mastectomy myself however some of ladies I have met along the way have told me they LOVE their new boobies, lighter, perkier and they can wear some tops now that they could not before. Healing energy being sent your to you!
YellowTail - Marlene
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10-07-2011, 03:46 PM
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#25
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Gloucester City, NJ
Posts: 73
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Hi Just returned to my computer and saw your post about surgery. My bi-lateral mast with reconstruction was Monday The 3rd of October. I obviously am late giving advice but sure hope you are doing well. Hope to see you up and posting soon..
HUGS
__________________
Baseline Mammogram November 2010, found 2 suspicious calcifications (right side).
Second Mammogram April 2011, found 2 masses in the right breast, 1 in the lymph node and 1 in the left breast.
3 Biopsies May 11, 2011
Diagnosed right Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer which spread to my lymph node 5-13-2011.
Between Stage 2 and 3 with tumors grade III. ER/PR- but Her2neu+++
PET Scan clear
Breast MRI showed 2 masses in left, 5 in the right and 2 in the lymph node.
Biopsy of left mass benign
Joined clinical trial which required second biopsy of one of the right masses
Port placed May 27, 2011
Began Chemo (Taxol, Herceptin and Tykerb) on June 1, 2011 - September 12, 2011
Bi-lateral Mastectomy with reconstruction (expanders) October 3, 2011
FEC 12 weeks
Radiation 6 weeks
Herceptin 8 months finish September 2012
Exchange surgery August 3, 2012
Been NED since October 2011
Lymphedema right arm since Nov 2013
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10-09-2011, 03:00 PM
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#26
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Hi
We call those pillows "boyfriends" and I love them.
I'm in my hospital bed right now writing to you! Lots of pain in my abdomen, distension too...yikes, I look like I have a basket ball stuffed in my gown!
But I have to say, my new breast (what? did I get a uni-breast? like a uni-brow...no there are definitely two) look pretty good already.
All you ladies who did it in two steps...mamogram first , recon later are much braver that I am. (Okay, I admit mamograms are a bit uncomfortable sometimes, but I've never heard of anyone requiring reconstruction afterward...I think I meant mastectomy) I would never have agreed to being operated on twice. but I'm glad it worked out the way it did.
Thanks for all your kind wishes and prayers!
Denise
Marlene...LOVE the new avatar picture!
Twosenuf...you're an inspiration, all perky and posting after only a week!
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
Last edited by NEDenise; 10-11-2011 at 08:12 AM..
Reason: I was clearly loopy on pain meds! Thanks you for not laughing at me...but you have permission to laugh with me!!
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10-09-2011, 03:06 PM
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#27
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Denise, so good to hear from you!
I used to have one of those pillows years ago for reading in bed. My husband hated it and called it "the Iron Maiden". But it is great for recovery support.
You are sounding perky and happy. Yea!!
Keep the faith.
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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10-09-2011, 04:33 PM
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#28
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 600
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Denise, I have been having computer issues but have been thinking of you often. So glad to see you are back here already. Hope everything is going well. And yes it is scary to think of having another surgery. It has taken me years to get to this point. Sounds like you are doing well!
__________________
In the world of destiny, there are no statistics.
Jan. 26- mammogram and ultrasound- suspicious lump
Mid-February- lumpectomy, infiltrating ductal carcinoma ~4.5 cm and a 1 cm DCIS, did not get clear margins, did not check lymph nodes
ER+/PR+, her2 +++, nuclear grade 3 of 3
February 20-PET scan showed something on liver. No biopsy.
March- Started carboplatin, herceptin, taxol on a four week cycle
May 3- Pet scan, with intent to do a biopsy, found nothing, liver or breast- no biopsy because there is nothing to biopsy
June 21- new onc, very concerned that there had been no biopsy,
June 18th-CAT scan, bone scan-negative
August 7th - Brain MRI-negative
August 9th- mastectomy, all pathology negative
January 2008 still NED! New oncologist -herceptin for full year after chemo- until July, and tamoxifen---negative scans since May '07
July 2008-Finished Herceptin!
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10-09-2011, 05:56 PM
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#29
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 473
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Hi Denise, I'm very happy that you are through the op, and happy with the result. All the best with the healing, and I'll see if I can come up with an appropriate scrabble word to fit the occasion!
Cheers Marie
__________________
dx Dec 2000 dcis 2.5cm clear sentinel node, ER/PR- Her-2+
lumpectomy, 6 cycles AC, 6 weeks rads
October 2007 three x 2.5cm lung mets. 8 months Taxol, started Herceptin and continue. Significant reduction in lung mets.
June 2011 3cm x 4cm liver tumour. Started Abraxane and continue with Herceptin.
November 2011. Finished with Abraxane, continue with just Herceptin. Liver tumour now reduced to 15mm x 12mm. Lung tumour now 10mm x 0.5mm
February 2012. Scans show everything stable, and brain scan clear.
July 2012. PET/CT scans show I'm in remission - no active cancer!
]Dec CT brain cllear, lungs stable, liver tumour has increased to 20mm. PET scans showed active liver met and active lung thinglet, and possible bone met.
Jan 2013 recommence Abraxane, continue with Herceptin.
June 2013 finish Cycle 6 Abraxane, continue with Herceptin. 30% reduction in liver tumour, everything stable.
December 2013. CA15-3 on rise.
February 2014. PET and CT scans show single liver tumour has increased to 35mm. No other activity.
March 2014. Planned for SBRT for liver met, but couldn't have treatment as tumour too close to bowel. Continue Herceptin.
April 2014. Surgeon advises that I am a good candidate for liver resection, so will have operation early May (after camping holiday). Tumour now 44mm x 29mm.
May 7, 2014. Two liver tumours surgically removed. Third of liver removed, and gall bladder. Am I NED?May 2014. Pathology of tumour shows it's now ER+ (95% staining).
June 2014. CA15-3 has decreased to 18 from a pre-surgery reading of 59!
June 2014. Started Femara, continue with Herceptin.
July 2014. Stop Femara due to severe Osteoporosis. Commence Tamoxifen, continue Herceptin. Waiting to hear if I can have Aclasta infusion.
August 2014. CA15-3 has decreased further to 12 - YAY!
October 2014. Aclasta infusion for Osteoporosis. November 2014, CA15-3 decreased to 11. Scans of liver all clear, something new showing up on lung, but just watching at the moment.
November 2015. Started SBRT on solitary lung met.
November 2015. Bone density scan showed very good improvement so back on Femara - yay!
December 2016. 6 treatments of SBRT radiation on lung. Seems to have had some effect.
June 2016. CA15-3 still stable and low at 9.
June 2016. Started subcutaneous Herceptin replacing infusion.
Jan 2017. LVEF dropped to 46%. Stopped Herceptin.
Feb 2017. Started ACE Inhibitor and BETA Blocker. Still off Herceptin.
Aug 2017. Two new mets - Portacaval lymph node and mediastinal lymph node.
Aug 2017. Blood tests show extremely elevated liver enzyme levels. Many tests to investigate.
Sept 2017. Portacaval lymph node blocking liver bile duct causing liver enzyme and Bilirubin problems.
Oct 2017. 8cm stent inserted into liver bile duct. Procedure caused pancreatitis, and hospitalised for 3 days. Liver enzymes improving rapidly.
Nov 2017. Commenced 4 weeks of radiation on Portacaval lymph node. 5 week break before chemo.
Jan 2018. CT scan. 11 new small liver mets, and new superclavical lymph node med.
Jan 2018. Start Kadcyla. CA15-3 426.
Apr 2018. First scans since starting Kadcyla. All tumours reducing. CA15-3 dropped to 30 from 426.
Dec 2019. Still on Kadcyla, but two small brain mets have been treated in the past month with SRS. CA15-3 stable for 12 months at 11.
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10-09-2011, 08:59 PM
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#30
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,173
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Hi Denise,
You did it! I am so glad to hear you are doing well. I think you did the right thing. I wish I would have had a double mast. with immed. recon. I chose to do just one and I just had my 5th surgery 4weeks ago and it still isn't right! I am so happy for you!
Gods blessings to you, your husband and kids. God is good all of the time!
Your Friend,
Nancy
__________________
dx 11/12/09 IDCI
Stage 3a
ER 98% PR 80%
Her2 +3
4/12 nodes
6 rounds TCH
Herceptin 12 months 3weeks
Rad. 30 tx
Tamoxifin 6 months stopped
Arimedex stopped 9/12 (side effects)
Aromasin 10/12
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10-10-2011, 04:33 AM
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#31
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Doylestown, ohio
Posts: 334
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
YAY. I knew you would breeze thru it. You go girl. Stay strong. The worst is over. Now it is just healing and getting stronger every day and closing this chapter of your life. Keep us posted. God bless. Darlene
__________________
DX Sept 30 2010 at the age of 49. Oh crap! 1.5 cm idc, stage 1 grade 3 er/pr+, her2+ no lymph nodes, mastectomy Oct/10. Started 6 rounds of TCH Dec/10 and will continue herceptin until Nov /11 and just started femara.
Stray kitten found my lump while I was playing with it. It is now my pet and my dog is not real happy about that.
Mammo good
last herceptin 11/21/11 YAY
reconstruction 12/09/11
Chapter closed 12/10/11, hopefully, fingers crossed
Bone scan, chest xray, clear
04/27/12 Expander removed, implant put in, ahh sigh of relief, much more comfortable
Sept 30, 2014, 4 years NED
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10-10-2011, 06:32 AM
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#32
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Denise...you are amazing....glad to see your post...heres to a quick uneventful recovery, and quick healing....just take care of yourself and let others spoil you for a bit!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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10-11-2011, 08:43 AM
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#33
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Thank you, All my HER2 friends!!
I just went back and reread what I posted on Sunday. Oh my! If we ever want Congress to agree to anything, just slip them a little of whatever I had!!
I went back and edited it in red so you could see what I meant to say as opposed to what I actually wrote. And don't be kind...I proofread and changed things around on Sunday too...I thought it sounded fine then!! Like I said...good drugs.
I'm not getting to go home as planned because I have a bit of an infection. So, 1 they want to get that under control before I can go, and 2. I have to be afebrile (my cool new word of the day...means without a fever, but sounds so much more important!!) any way I have to be afebrile for 24 hours before they'll let me get my Herceptin. So I have my fingers and toes crossed for the antibiotics to kill the germs and calm that fever!!
Everyone here is very, very nice. And professional...I'm in good hands ---funny aside---because both of the surgeons who worked on me, also teach, they each brought several young doctors along for the surgery. At the beginning, there were 2 nurses, 1 nursing student, 2 fully accredited surgeons, 4 surgeons doing their fellowship under those surgeons, 2 anesthesiologists, and 5 other young doctors in various states of readiness to "cut" solo. (I asked the scrub nurse for a final headcount in post-op)
I forgot to check, but I bet I was the headliner on the marquee out front of the hospital.............
Ladies and Gentleman
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
is proud to present
DENISE'S BREAST SURGERY!
starring
Dr. Brian C & Dr. Joseph C
...and a cast of thousands!
Hmmm... on second thought...I'm pretty sure I don't have marquee insurance, so that would be out of pocket. They can't charge me unless I asked for it, right? I'd better check with Blue Cross.
Have a terrific day everyone. Once I heal from this, and get that radiation "monkey" off my back...I can start feeling like me again!!
Hugs all around!
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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10-11-2011, 09:53 AM
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#34
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
You seem to already be feeling like yourself. No need to edit. We all probably understood the first time!
Keep the faith.
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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10-11-2011, 11:08 AM
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#35
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Thornhill, Ontario
Canada
Posts: 2,320
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Hope you are afebrile ASAP Denise!!
Keep up your good sense of humour!
all the best
caya
__________________
ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+
1.7 cm and 1.0 cm.
Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested)
MRM Dec.18/06
3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere
Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08
Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years
Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012
BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative
Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal
Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so.
Reclast infusion January 2012
Oopherectomy October 2013
15 Years NED!!
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10-12-2011, 07:37 PM
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#36
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: I live in the Niagara Region, Canada.
Posts: 41
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Hi there, so glad to hear that you were in good hands and helping all the up and coming docs and nurses along the way  Take good care hope you go home soon!
Stay strong! |
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10-14-2011, 02:29 PM
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#37
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Hi everyone!
I'm home!!! Yay!
I can't tell you how touched I am by all your well wishes. You guys rock!
My new "girls" are healing nicely. This surgeon's reputation was not exaggerated! These are nicer than my original breasts...by far.
The infection in my "tummy tuck" incision is nearly gone, and I'm happy to report that I have indeed remastered the art of BMs. I never thought I'd see the day when that would be such a big deal to me!
My last day in the hospital was not as great as the others had been. However in hindsight, it's kind of funny. I've written up my last conversation with the surgery team...all 6 of them..in script form, and I thought some of you might enjoy it. (I know I have an odd sense of humor...but laughing makes me feel better!)
Note: the author has taken certain, slight liberties in paraphrasing, for effect. No actual medical professionals were harmed in the writing of this account.
Me: Why is my abdomen so swollen?
Dr 1: (Speaking V-E-R-Y calmly) Well, Mrs. Kasander, twenty-three Kumquats, and a mouse.
Me: Kumquats?... what do kumquats have to do with anything?
Dr 2: Mice love them (This young man seems to have joined the tour by accident...I have shoes older than him.)
Me: So... if I eat Kumquats, will the pain and swelling stop?
Dr 1: (Looking at other doctors, trying to let me down easy) No, what we're saying is sixteen normal and winter
Me: (becoming annoyed, and sad) This swelling can't be normal.
Dr 4.: (speaking v-e-r-y slowing because clearly, I am now a moron AND a whiner) Twenty- three with sixteen normal and scorpion, but not yesterday.
Me: (scratching my head, trying to make some sense of what they're saying) Okay, I think what you're saying is that pain is normal. I'll concede that. But this swelling, Dr. 1, you told the team yesterday that you'd never seen swelling as bad as mine.
Dr 2: It's pretty spectacular.
Me: Thank you, I've always been an overachiever. But how can I get the distension to go down? I'm having trouble breathing.
Dr 4: Staying here won't help that.
Dr 1: Time to go home.
Me: But I won't be able to breathe there either. (starting to cry, in front of people who are pissing me off) I like breathing, I'm pretty sure the literature I got from my oncologist mentioned that as being important in order to continue treatment.
Dr 3: (Not realizing that the next few word he speaks, coupled with his calming and condescending tone, will likely place him in mortal peril) Mrs. Kasander, it's important to keep a positive attitude.
Me: Attitude? Seriously? Attitude is causing me to have trouble breathing? Come on!
Dr 1: Of course not. spectre kumquatical mousing. The twenty-three will sixteen. You have to be patient.
Me: This makes no sense at all. No-one mentioned the "no more breathing and we're not telling you why" side effect of this whole mess. I wish I had never had this surgery.
(All doctors look from one to the next, stepping away from the bed so as not to be stained by such blasphemy.)
Dr. 3: (Now speaking very knowingly, and with certitude about my breasts.) Oh, Mrs. Kasander, in a few months, I'm sure you'll feel differently. (Clearly, this man has a death wish.)
Me: No, I won't. I don't need breasts. Air on the other hand, air I've grown used to, I'd go so far as to say I depend on it.
Dr. 2 : (puzzled at my emotional outburst) But...kumquat mice and winter? Time will tell. Keep your chin up. A stitch in time. Eat your peas.
Me: Whatever...just send for my chemo, and I'm outta here! If I can't breathe when I leave, I'll have my husband drive me straight to the ER at Jeff.
(Stunned that someone would speak thusly to their majestic personages, (they are, after all, plastic surgeons), and shocked that I would invoke the name of Jefferson (another prominent Philly hospital), right in front of them...they all wander slowly toward the door.)
Naturally, this is not exactly the way it went, but the real story isn't as much fun. In the end, Dr. 3, the one with the death wish, came back and explained the distension's cause in actual English words, and helped me figure out how to relieve it. And, I don't really regret having the surgery...I was just "off my meds" at the time. It's amazing what time, and a little Ativan, will do for your outlook on things. The good news is...I'm laughing now!
Thanks again for all the prayers and good wishes!
Denise
__________________
1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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10-14-2011, 04:21 PM
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#38
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,210
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
I want whatever you've been taking!!
__________________
Bonnie
Post menopause
May 2007 Core biopsy, Rt breast
ER+, Pr-, HER2 +++, Grade 3
Ki-67: 90%
"suspicious area" left breast
Bilateral mastectomy, (NED on left) May 2007
Sentinel Node Neg
Stage 1, DCIS with microinvasion, 3 mm, mostly removed during the biopsy....
Femara (discontinued 7/07) Resumed 10/07
OncoType score 36 (July 07)
Began THC 7/26/07 (d/c taxol and carboplatin 10/07)
Began Herceptin alone 10/07
Finished Herceptin July /08
D/C Femara 4/10 (joint pain/trigger thumb!)
5/10 mistakenly dx with lung cancer. Middle rt lobe removed!
Aromasin started 5/10
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10-14-2011, 05:22 PM
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#39
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Thornhill Ontario
Canada
Posts: 266
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Hi Denise So glad you are home and I hope the healing continues nicely, What a great sense of humour (Canadian spelling ha ha)you have. As Bonnie says I will also have whatever your taking. Love Lois
__________________
August 2008
Lumpectomy left breast
1 tumour 0.9 cm
Her2 negative
lymph nodes negative
venous/lymphatic invasion absent
ER+PR-
Stage I Grade 2
Radiation and Femara
November 2008
Lumpectomy right breast
2 tumours .03 cm and .05 cm and extensive DCIS
.05 tumour Her2+
lymph node negative
venous/lymphatic invasion "indeterminate"
ER+PR low postive
Stage 1 Grade 2
January 2009
bilateral mastectomy
chemotherapy taxotere
Herceptin one year
Femara
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10-15-2011, 11:28 AM
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#40
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Stockton, NJ
Posts: 4,179
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Re: Surgery Friday...any advice?
Dear Denise
What a hoot!! You have such a great attitude - you've made me smile a mile today. I am thinking a mountain of healing thoughts for you.
Love all around.
__________________
Kind regards
Becky
Found lump via BSE
Diagnosed 8/04 at age 45
1.9cm tumor, ER+PR-, Her2 3+(rt side)
2 micromets to sentinel node
Stage 2A
left 3mm DCIS - low grade ER+PR+Her2 neg
lumpectomies 9/7/04
4DD AC followed by 4 DD taxol
Used Leukine instead of Neulasta
35 rads on right side only
4/05 started Tamoxifen
Started Herceptin 4 months after last Taxol due to
trial results and 2005 ASCO meeting & recommendations
Oophorectomy 8/05
Started Arimidex 9/05
Finished Herceptin (16 months) 9/06
Arimidex Only
Prolia every 6 months for osteopenia
NED 18 years!
Said Christopher Robin to Pooh: "You must remember this: You're braver than you believe and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think"
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