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patz64 · 10-26-2011, 07:40 PM

Hi Chekmark,
Yes, I went through quite an ordeal, but i'm so glad I was at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. I have been to many of my local hospitals, and never had the same caring that they showed me at methodist. Unfortunately, I had Acute respiratory distress Syndrome, which can be brought on by things like blood transfusions. And all my complications (low blood pressure, small vessels, damage from radiation) made the "perfect storm" for my surgery! But i really believe that with any other doctor I would have lost the left breast. There is a 99% success rate with this procedure, which means that it doesn't work for 1 out of 100 women...that would have been me, but my doctor was able to think outside the box, and use a vessel from my arm to save the breast. I will suspend my final judgement of how I like the breasts until after the second stage surgery when they will try to make the left one bigger, and rebuild the nipples. I am still glad I went with this procedure because I really didn't want a tram flap, and I didn't want implants...and I did want some kind of reconstruction. And since I had to deal with such complications, i am so glad I was in such a good hospital. I even told my Mom that at times I felt like I was on a retreat, rather than in a hospital. It was a very faith-based hospital, which really helped me. All the nurses were great, and so was my plastic surgeon, regular surgeon, pulmonologist, and internist.
It is nice to be back home. I had my first chemo session yesterday, and so far so good....just a little tired and some mild stomach cramping. Tomorrow i go back for a neulasta injection. Monday i went to a local Breast Cancer Resource Center and got a free wig, hat, and sleep cap, so I am prepared!!!! I am attending a weekly yoga class for people with limited mobility. I am trying to stay upbeat, and positive, and as active as possible, while resting when I feel like I need to.
My experience in ICU on a ventilator was the scariest of my life, but I believe it happened for a reason. I already was close to God, but feel even closer now, and just feel like everything is a little different now...I appreciate things even more than I already did.
Thanks for writing, and I will keep you posted on how my chemo journey goes. I am getting cytoxan, taxotere, and herceptin every 3 weeks for 4 sessions, and then herceptin every 3 weeks for a full year. (Not crazy about all the meds we have to take with the chemo...decadron, zantac, colace, neulasta, anti-nausea meds, etc.!!!!!)
Take care,
Pat

10-26-2011, 07:40 PM	#3
patz64 Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: New jersey Posts: 24	Re: South Texas Hi Chekmark, Yes, I went through quite an ordeal, but i'm so glad I was at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. I have been to many of my local hospitals, and never had the same caring that they showed me at methodist. Unfortunately, I had Acute respiratory distress Syndrome, which can be brought on by things like blood transfusions. And all my complications (low blood pressure, small vessels, damage from radiation) made the "perfect storm" for my surgery! But i really believe that with any other doctor I would have lost the left breast. There is a 99% success rate with this procedure, which means that it doesn't work for 1 out of 100 women...that would have been me, but my doctor was able to think outside the box, and use a vessel from my arm to save the breast. I will suspend my final judgement of how I like the breasts until after the second stage surgery when they will try to make the left one bigger, and rebuild the nipples. I am still glad I went with this procedure because I really didn't want a tram flap, and I didn't want implants...and I did want some kind of reconstruction. And since I had to deal with such complications, i am so glad I was in such a good hospital. I even told my Mom that at times I felt like I was on a retreat, rather than in a hospital. It was a very faith-based hospital, which really helped me. All the nurses were great, and so was my plastic surgeon, regular surgeon, pulmonologist, and internist. It is nice to be back home. I had my first chemo session yesterday, and so far so good....just a little tired and some mild stomach cramping. Tomorrow i go back for a neulasta injection. Monday i went to a local Breast Cancer Resource Center and got a free wig, hat, and sleep cap, so I am prepared!!!! I am attending a weekly yoga class for people with limited mobility. I am trying to stay upbeat, and positive, and as active as possible, while resting when I feel like I need to. My experience in ICU on a ventilator was the scariest of my life, but I believe it happened for a reason. I already was close to God, but feel even closer now, and just feel like everything is a little different now...I appreciate things even more than I already did. Thanks for writing, and I will keep you posted on how my chemo journey goes. I am getting cytoxan, taxotere, and herceptin every 3 weeks for 4 sessions, and then herceptin every 3 weeks for a full year. (Not crazy about all the meds we have to take with the chemo...decadron, zantac, colace, neulasta, anti-nausea meds, etc.!!!!!) Take care, Pat __________________ 6/2007-stereotactic biopsy: stage 0 carcinoma L breast 6/2007-partial mastectomy, L breast: stage 1 invasive carcinoma, estrogen + 7/2007- Removed sentinal lymph nodes....all negative. 33 radiation treatments, followed by tamoxifen 5/2011-stereotactic biopsy: stage 0 carcinoma L. breast again, estrogen/progesterone negative. Nobody used the words Her2+ yet. 8/18/2011-travelled to Texas (I live in NJ) for bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction with DIEP flap. 3 days later, left breast turned blue...had emergency surgery to unclog vessel and try to save the flap. 24 hours after that, had another emergency surgery... took a vein from my left arm and re-routed it to the breast. Saved the breast flap but went into congestive heart failure because of all the IV fluids. Spent 10 days in ICU...8 days on a ventilator. Traumatic experience!!! Then was told it was actually Stage 2, Her2+, and I would need chemo. Now back in NJ. 10/11/11-port was placed chemo starting in about 2 weeks