Question about "Simple Mastectomy?

tousled1 · 02-18-2007, 09:28 AM

Chelee,

When I have blood drawn at the oncologist's office they always use my port. I get Herceptin every three weeks and therefore they draw blood every three weeks. My red blood count still continues to drop so I still get Procrit shots. When I go to my primary care provider and they draw blood they use my left arm and I have had no problems. Also when I had my bilateral mastectomy they used my port for the anesthesia since they couldn't use either arm. It was use the port or use one of my legs. I also have blood pressure taken on the left arm. If I'm correct the surgeon will at least check one node for cancer. As to which surgery you should have first, I can't answer. If it were me I'd ask if I couldn't have both at the same time. I don't like going under general anesthesia so that's why I'd ask for both

Val Pfeiffer · 02-18-2007, 09:34 AM

Chelee--
What reason are they giving you for not checking the nodes? I'm not sure why they wouldn't--it would be interesting to know what their reasonsing is. Sure seems easier (and less costly) to check out a node or two. I suppose that because there is no cancer site, they can't look for a sentinel node, so they won't know which nodes to check out?

Val

Chelee · 02-18-2007, 04:42 PM

Kate, Thats what I thought...that my surgeon would check at least one node. But his LONG time nurse says he is not going to. I just can't see why they can't check it this time without causing problems? I will have to call and ask why he can't at least inject the dye so they can look? I don't get it? I am glad to hear you've had no problems with your left arm.
As to having both surgeries at the same time...thats what my GYN's nurse suggested & she is the one that sets up the surgeries. But I ran this by my surgeon and he said NO, absolutely not. I don't like being put under extra times if there is a way to avoid it.

Thanks Kate.

Chelee

Chelee · 02-18-2007, 04:59 PM

Val, All I can get from him for the reason is my mammo, US, & MRI gives more of a benign appearing masses. (He says they are lymph nodes) He told me in a sort of nasty way, "I can dig in there if thats what you want me to do and have your arm and every thing swell up"! He seemed so angry. With my bc history and the pain I am having...I would think it wise to check at least one? What is causing those nodes in breast & axilla to be enlarged? Something is? Its hard to ignore with the pain I have & my BIG boob. Frustrating.

Chelee

Val Pfeiffer · 02-18-2007, 06:52 PM

Sounds like a second opinion would be helpful. You need to be comfortable with what is happening, and a 2nd opinion may do that for you. I understand where they're coming from on the dye thing--I'm not sure where they would inject the dye--don't they usually inject it at the tumor site and watch where it goes? If there is no tumor site, they wouldn't have a place to put the dye...in theory then, there is no sentinel node. But still....it sounds like something is going on. I hope everything works out for you the way you want it to :-)

Val

mekasan · 02-18-2007, 07:44 PM

I had a proph mast on my right side after chemo for DCIS and IDC in the right breast which was removed prior to chemo. I had decided during chemo to have it removed.

Of course, everyone is different, and personal choices are exact that, personal, however, I am glad to have had the mast and the SNB that my breast surgeon insisted I have.

After deciding on the second Mast, my breast surgeon ordered another MRI. A new tiny (mm's) suspicious lump was found, core biopsy showed benign. She actually took two nodes, because the first had some gunk in it that tested benign. The second was clear.

I personally feel more confident now knowing the nodes I have are clear.

Good luck with your decision.
I know you will do what is best for you.

Bev · 02-18-2007, 09:46 PM

Hi Chelee,

Mekasan's post shows it can be done.

There's no right answer. With SNB, there's a smaller chance of lymphadema, but there's still a chance. I haven't had any problems. They won't use that arm for anything though. Oddly enough, they injected the blue dye around the nipple even though the tumor was at 3:00.

One way or another you'll get thru this. BB