vlcarr (Vickie)--has anyone heard how she's doing?

[DanaRT]

Good Morning,

I have been wondering about Vickie (vlcarr). On the 18th she wrote --

>>>Next Thursday, 09/24, I will have a right mastectomy and all lymph nodes removed. Needless to say I'm scared to death and it was such a relief to read all the posts each of you did on staying positive and helping me to feel we have hope.<<<

I wish there were a way to get in touch with her and mail a thoughtful card. I did PM her but nothing yet.

I hope and pray Vickie's recovery is going well and that she strong and ready for chemo in 2.5 weeks.

Love,
Dana

~"Keep pushing forward"~ Christopher Reeves

[vlcarr]

Hey Dana, thanks for much for thinking of me. I had my surgery and came home from the hospital Friday morning. I had a real pity party Tuesday before my surgery and just cried and cried all day. I think I needed it because I really haven't cried much since I was first diagnosed back in May.

I'm doing well. I have 2 drainage tubes and can't wait for those to come out! My husband is on vacation from work until 10/08 and is taking good care of me. I started walking the day after I came home. I don't think I realized how much the clinical trail drugs were impacting my energy but since I've been off those for about 2 weeks now I actually have more energy than I did before the surgery.

I've looked at myself in the mirror since being home but I have not cried--I'm sure that will come. I feel like it's not my body when I look in the mirror although I know it is. However, I just keep reminding myself that the surgery was necessary for me to beat this cancer.

The dr said I would get my pathology report in about a week and she would call me with the results.

I'm just trying to do what I can to prevent lymphedema if that is possibile.

I'm having some tingling and burning sensations in the back of my arm. Is that normal?

I haven't been on the computer much since it says to avoid using your arms and hands below heart level for a long period of time.

Will come back and post on my progress. Go back to the surgeon on the 9th and start chemo on 10/15--TCH every 3 weeks for 4 months.

Thanks to you all brave warriors.

[DanaRT]

Vicky,

I am so happy to see that you have posted! Glad you're doing as well as expected and that you have found a bit of energy.

I had a partial mastectomy but the loss of your breast is monumental. You deserve a mourning period. Thankfully, you will be able to move on and life will get in the way!

I had strange sensations following surgery but attributed it to the trauma of surgery and healing. Nerve endings reconnecting or whatever...

Glad your husband is there to help you.

Please keep us posted. We are here to help buoy you up.

Gentle hugs,
Dana

[schoolteacher]

Vicky,

Glad to hear that you are home. Glad that this part of the journey is over for you. I also had tingling in the back of my arm. My doctor also said it was nerves.

I understand what you are talking about looking in the mirror. That was also hard for me. I got upset in the hospital when the nurse wanted me to look at myself. A wonderful woman named Kate helped me get through that part of my journey.

I am glad to hear that you have started walking. That is what one of the women on this board told me to do also. It was something that I could control.

I felt better after the surgery because I knew that the cancer had been taken out. It brought some peace to me. Like you I had to do neo-adjuvant chemo.

God Bless You.

Amelia

[sassy]

Vicki,

Glad this is behind you. The tingling and burning is normal. I actually had a very severe burning sensation if I raised my arm (only did that once!). My surgeon had warned me that might happen so it wasn't that much of a surprise, just surprised at the intensity. After a few days, burning sensation was gone, but the tingling may linger for a while.

My best to you,