………backtracking to my mastectomy and lymph node removal: After surgery, the surgeon informed Ed and I that more than just the Sentinel Lymph Nodes were removed due to cancer being found. The exact number removed would be told in the pathology report. She also stated that she removed yet another tumor during the mastectomy. This one, like the first two, was also good sized at 4 centimeters.
Thursday, 6-9-05. I had my first after surgery follow-up appointment. My daughter went with Ed and me, as this was also to be the day I received the pathology reports.
It was a bitter-sweet appointment. First the nurse removed the outer bandage. Then the surgeon removed the rest of the bandages. Having the bandages off felt wonderful! And at least my first look at my chest was one from the angle of looking down. My husband and daughter faced it straight on. They both stated it didn’t look anything like what they thought it would…..and they meant that in a good way. I too, agree. The surgeon did an excellent job of a very clean tight incision. Actually there are two incisions. One were my breast was and one under my left arm pit where the lymph nodes were removed.
After finding that one of the two drains had slowed down in accumulating fluids, the surgeon removed it. That was a bit painful, but a quick relief after it was over. I was really hoping that both could be removed but one was better than none!
The doctor told me that the pathology report wasn’t in yet. So, the waiting still continued. She assured me that when it came in, she would give me a call. She called the next day. The report confirmed that the third tumor was indeed more of the same invasive lobular carcinoma. The final tally on lymph nodes removed; 20. The tally on lymph nodes with cancer; 4. So here again, bitter-sweet.
I am not happy about the total number of lymph nodes removed, but feel some relief that only 4 had cancer. I am already practicing good behavior with my left arm to avoid Lymphedema and any other problems that can arise. I am very much aware this is not a temporary situation, but instead a life-long change. From here on out, I need to make sure that I do everything possible to avoid cuts, scrapes, sunburn, over heating, strain, excessive pushing or pulling, chemicals, etc on/with my left arm and hand. To insure that I remember that no blood pressure can be taken on that side or needles stuck into that arm, I have already purchased an engraved medical ID bracelet. A purchase, that I am sure, will pay for itself at some point in a big way. Plus, I figure, why take the chance of what could happen if I don’t wear one. I tend to be a tad forgetful at times. I can just imagine three years, five years, even ten years, down the road not giving it a thought and having something happen that sets my left arm off right into Lymphedema. That would not be my idea of a good time!
As far as the missing breast goes, now that it is actually gone, I have come to terms with it. For the most part. It does look strange….. no getting around it. It is very helpful that Ed is so accepting. Of course I wanted to see if I could deal with a bra and prosthesis, so I tried wearing a bra a couple of times. Forget it! I absolutely HATE bras and find them incredibly uncomfortable. I realize that by going without, the first time I receive some comment may be a jolt to me, but I will deal with that as I need to. For those fancier times in my life, I will somehow find a way to buy and wear a prosthesis. I will try to get one of those self-sticky by themselves to the chest things. But around my home….. who cares.
Yesterday, I went back in to my surgeon for my second follow-up appointment. At last, the second drain is removed! Freedom! AND, I can now take a shower again! Heaven! Everything is still looking great and healing well. Next appointment with her is three weeks from now.
Today, I saw my oncologist for the first time. He impressed both Ed and me immediately with his extreme knowledge and the way he listened to my answers to his questions. He wrote down every detail. (Either that or he had a very long grocery list he was putting together!) All kidding aside, I do believe he takes his saving lives and giving people every chance at living very seriously. We discussed the order of things to come. First, chemotherapy, then radiation and last but longest (five years worth), hormone treatments. He stated he needs to make sure that my heart can take the type of chemotherapy he wants to administer, so Monday I go back for a heart test, called a muga test. Once it is established that my heart is good, and after I have more fully recovered from surgery, I will begin chemo (about four/five weeks from now). It will be administered once every two weeks over a total of sixteen weeks. Chemo drugs I will be given: Cytoxan, Adriamycin and Taxol. If my heart isn’t up to this type of chemo, then a different type will be administered and will last a total of twenty four weeks. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out which one I would rather go through. Yep, either one that keeps me alive!
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