This morning I went in to have my medi-port inserted in my chest. My arm still hurt from the surgery last Friday, my breast was still black and blue and hurt from the biosy from last Thursday. But I was okay in in pretty good spirits. Like I have mentioned before, I am an old pro with surgeries and hospitals, having had so many in my "short" life. :-)
Went in for pre-op, not as many doctors or questions, but similar process as before. This time however I was awake during the prep-time in the operating room. I was awake as they put the things on me, and the oxygen apparatus in my nose. The nurse gave me the meds...and the next thing I knew...I was waking up in recovery. Shortly there after I was able to go home. I was not in much pain at time.
But several hours later the pain started to come as the local anesthesia wore off. I was in A lot of pain. My chest hurt. It was awful. I had to take my pain meds, every 4 -6 hours. I could not get comfortable. I had a hard time sleeping as I usually sleep on my right side or my stomach. I was not happy.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Fertility Appt
Just a routine appt to begin the fertility preservation process. One of the steps is an internal ultrasound. Not painful at all. They check the lining of your uterus and ovaries to make sure everything is ok. The insert an ultrasound machine inside your pelvis to see what is going on. You are able to observe on a screen as they do this. Kinda cool. (Mine was good!!) Awesome!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
A New Hair Style, A New Me
Mom picked me up to get my hair cut. I thought I was ready for this....but I was not. I told my stylist, Luis at Phantacee in Arlington that I had breast cancer. He was so supportive. I have been getting my hair cut by him since 2005. He has given me wonderful cuts and colors over the years. He knows just what to do and I have a great relationship with him.
When he took my hair, which was just beginning to get past my shoulders....I have been trying to grow it out....and cut it I just lost it, my eyes filled with tears, and I started to cry. He lovingly took a wash cloth and help it to my eyes as he massaged my head. It was tender and loving. It really helped me so much. He then began to cut and style my hair. It was hard to see my hair short. It is beautiful, but different. It is sexy, but different. It makes me look different than I had.
He talked to me about being supportive and things he could do to help me. It was wonderful. I am glad I went to have him give me this wonderful haircut.
Later that night I went to dinner with some great friends. Here is a picture of the new hair do, with friends.
When he took my hair, which was just beginning to get past my shoulders....I have been trying to grow it out....and cut it I just lost it, my eyes filled with tears, and I started to cry. He lovingly took a wash cloth and help it to my eyes as he massaged my head. It was tender and loving. It really helped me so much. He then began to cut and style my hair. It was hard to see my hair short. It is beautiful, but different. It is sexy, but different. It makes me look different than I had.
He talked to me about being supportive and things he could do to help me. It was wonderful. I am glad I went to have him give me this wonderful haircut.
Later that night I went to dinner with some great friends. Here is a picture of the new hair do, with friends.
Friday, June 22, 2012
A very Important Surgery!
Has my cancer spread is the big question. Do I have cancer in my lymph nodes? Today I had surgery to see if the cancer has metastasized into my lymph nodes. This is very common in breast cancer. Especially where my tumor is located, so close to my arm pit area.
Mom and dad picked me up super early, as I had to be at the hospital at 9:00 am for pre-surgery. I had to stop eating 12:00am. I woke up ready for the surgery. I am an old pro at surgery. I was not really nervous. Not even worried to if they were going to find something. I felt confident they wouldn't. Well....I think really I was not thinking about the results. I was just "doing" the surgery.
Pre-op was fine, a bazillion nurses, doctors, med students, residents, etc, came in and out of the little cubicle after you are changed into your hospital gown, given a few warn blankets and a lovely "hat" to wear. They all asked the same or similar questions. (what meds are you taking, what is your name and bith date, when was the last time you ate and took your meds....)
My doctor came in, and she was really nice, Dr Cocilovo. A lot different impression than I had the first time. About 10 - 15 min after I saw her I was being wheeled into the operating room. After that I don't remember anything until I woke up. I woke up to a sweet nurse who asked if I wanted anything to drink. She gave me water, asked my pain level from 1 - 10 and gave me some pain meds. She did this several times. It was here I learned the good news that I had no cancer cells in my lymph nodes!! YAY, I cried happy tears!! I asked the nurse if I could give her a hug I was so happy. I did not realize how much I really cared until then. Of course I cared, but I think it hit me. :-) Another 15 - 20 min I was moved to where I could see my parents and then another 15 min I was able to go home.
Now, I was told I could only eat (chicken soup) afterwards, but I wanted Popeye's and mashed potatoes. And that is what I made my dad get me. I ate it too, and did not get sick!! HAHA!! :-)
Mom and dad stayed with me for a while. Then I was able to relax.
I set up an appointment for the next day to get my hair cut, because I have been told it is better to have it short when you start to lose it. My hair dressor is awesome and I knew he would take care of me.
Mom and dad picked me up super early, as I had to be at the hospital at 9:00 am for pre-surgery. I had to stop eating 12:00am. I woke up ready for the surgery. I am an old pro at surgery. I was not really nervous. Not even worried to if they were going to find something. I felt confident they wouldn't. Well....I think really I was not thinking about the results. I was just "doing" the surgery.
Pre-op was fine, a bazillion nurses, doctors, med students, residents, etc, came in and out of the little cubicle after you are changed into your hospital gown, given a few warn blankets and a lovely "hat" to wear. They all asked the same or similar questions. (what meds are you taking, what is your name and bith date, when was the last time you ate and took your meds....)
My doctor came in, and she was really nice, Dr Cocilovo. A lot different impression than I had the first time. About 10 - 15 min after I saw her I was being wheeled into the operating room. After that I don't remember anything until I woke up. I woke up to a sweet nurse who asked if I wanted anything to drink. She gave me water, asked my pain level from 1 - 10 and gave me some pain meds. She did this several times. It was here I learned the good news that I had no cancer cells in my lymph nodes!! YAY, I cried happy tears!! I asked the nurse if I could give her a hug I was so happy. I did not realize how much I really cared until then. Of course I cared, but I think it hit me. :-) Another 15 - 20 min I was moved to where I could see my parents and then another 15 min I was able to go home.
Now, I was told I could only eat (chicken soup) afterwards, but I wanted Popeye's and mashed potatoes. And that is what I made my dad get me. I ate it too, and did not get sick!! HAHA!! :-)
Mom and dad stayed with me for a while. Then I was able to relax.
I set up an appointment for the next day to get my hair cut, because I have been told it is better to have it short when you start to lose it. My hair dressor is awesome and I knew he would take care of me.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
More Cancer???
So today I am to have my second Biopsy. I know what to expect this time, so I was not to nervous. The people at Washington Radiology Associates are awesome. Today though, I had to wait a lot longer than usual. They were behind schedule. Mary was my nurse again. She brought me back and went over the same questions as before. I was ready for the biopsy and waiting for the doctor to come in. Today I had Julianne Greenburg, MD. She is actually the Director of Mammography at WRA. She was super nice and as I talked to her, she actually knew my plastic surgeon who I want to use if needed. It is kinda cool that all of the doctors I am using know each other and have worked together. It makes me feel good. Especially since they all are at different hospitals.
She was able to see what they had noticed in the left breast and able to do a biopsy on the left one, but unable to see what the MRI picked up on the right breast. She had said that most likely the doctor will want to do a MRI biopsy of the right breast to make sure there is nothing in the right breast. I was thinking, UGH!! Just another appointment. I am not concerned or worried that there is anything there....I am almost certain it is NOTHING. I am just tired of all the appts, and the cost, don't let me get to you on how the cost of this is scaring the heck out of me!!
After the biopsy, you have to go in and have another mammogram. A couple of scan where they squeeze your boobs. Not fun after they put a needle in you boob.
So they bandaged me up, gave me a little ice pack to put in my bra and sent me on my way. I went on my way to work to wait to hear the results. (Negative to any cancerous cells BTW ;-) )
She was able to see what they had noticed in the left breast and able to do a biopsy on the left one, but unable to see what the MRI picked up on the right breast. She had said that most likely the doctor will want to do a MRI biopsy of the right breast to make sure there is nothing in the right breast. I was thinking, UGH!! Just another appointment. I am not concerned or worried that there is anything there....I am almost certain it is NOTHING. I am just tired of all the appts, and the cost, don't let me get to you on how the cost of this is scaring the heck out of me!!
After the biopsy, you have to go in and have another mammogram. A couple of scan where they squeeze your boobs. Not fun after they put a needle in you boob.
So they bandaged me up, gave me a little ice pack to put in my bra and sent me on my way. I went on my way to work to wait to hear the results. (Negative to any cancerous cells BTW ;-) )
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
My Back Up Plan
Met with Dr. Staffen at Shaddy Grove Fertillity with my mom and dad.....well more my mom because my dad was to embarressed to come back and talk about everything with the doctor. Discussed my fertility options with him. He talked about the process and what could happen. He asked my specific questions regarding my history. Because I had nothing definitive set up with my treatment start date, he said he would talk with my oncologist and work with her. Dr. Favret said she felt confident and was comfortable waiting so that I could do fertility preservation.
Another positive notem Dr. Staffen said that because I had two other family members who had neurofibromatosis, they could test my eggs for it and see if they were positive for it. This would be important to ensure my children if (needing to go this route) did not have Neurofibromatosis.
Freazing and implantation of eggs that result in a pregnancy is a 50% rate. But it is a chance I want to take. It is a chance I need to take, just in case. I know most likely I will either not lose it at all or get it back if I do when Chemo is over.
I finished filling out some financial forms to help me with financial assistance due to having cancer and felt pretty confident that I was going to get much assistance with this process. If not, it was going to be really expensive. But I was willing and ready to put it in my credit cards. As I was already looking at applying for another one if needed. Normaly the whole process cost $9500 if the insurance does not cover, and this is not including other testing and office visits etc. My insurance will cover some of that, but it does not cover the fertility process at all. I have found out at I am eligible for a reduced cost.
Another positive notem Dr. Staffen said that because I had two other family members who had neurofibromatosis, they could test my eggs for it and see if they were positive for it. This would be important to ensure my children if (needing to go this route) did not have Neurofibromatosis.
Freazing and implantation of eggs that result in a pregnancy is a 50% rate. But it is a chance I want to take. It is a chance I need to take, just in case. I know most likely I will either not lose it at all or get it back if I do when Chemo is over.
I finished filling out some financial forms to help me with financial assistance due to having cancer and felt pretty confident that I was going to get much assistance with this process. If not, it was going to be really expensive. But I was willing and ready to put it in my credit cards. As I was already looking at applying for another one if needed. Normaly the whole process cost $9500 if the insurance does not cover, and this is not including other testing and office visits etc. My insurance will cover some of that, but it does not cover the fertility process at all. I have found out at I am eligible for a reduced cost.
A Whole New Life Ahead
Today is the day I met with my Oncologist, Anne Favret. She is amazing. I loved her. She was super friendly and went over my Breast Cancer Profile and Breast Cancer Journey in detail with me so that I understood. So here it is from the latest readings, of the biopsy, mammogram, and MRI:
Size: 1.4 cm
Grade: Moderately Growing
ER: + (good) suggesting a less aggressive tumor
PR: + opens up treatment options
HER2 neu: + (good) --> acts as a powerful target for treatment
Lymph nodes: (did not know at the time) *** but now know*** Negative
Histological Subtype: Invasive ductile Carcinoma (most common)
I will be given shots of Zoladex, once a month to quiet my ovaries to help with protecting fertility.
I will be receiving:
Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin (Targeted therapy --> monocloval ab) (these are commonally called TCH
I will get 6 treatments every three weeks (21 days) for 18 weeks. The day after each treatment I will get a shot of Neulasta which will help with my White blood Cells.
I will The continue to receive herceptin every three weeks to complete a year.
I will likely lose my hair within the 2nd week of the first treatment. It will begin to grow back after the 6th treatment.
After Chemo ----> Surgery ---> Radiation -----> Pill (Tamoxifin for 5 years) if I go into early menopause they will switch me to Arimidex and Femara.
She also went over the some of the possible side effects of the chemo I will be taking:
fatigue - the first several days following, nausea, hair loss, possible menopause (but it can come back)
She said these also happen with some people but not all of them:
mouth sores, lowering of the heart rate, lowering of white blood cells, mild anemia, numbness/ tingling in extremities, swelling in joints, remote leukemia, constipation, diarrhea
WOW!!! Lots of information!! That's going to be my life for the next 5 years? Wow!!! I was just taking it in. I was thinking, I think the only thing I was thinking was I can't have kids for 5 years now!! UGH!! (not that I have anyone to have a child with...but it just sets me back.) I can handle the rest of this....but the tamoxifin for 5 years? UGH!! I know it is necessary. But wow....I hope someone will want me and will want to deal with that.
Size: 1.4 cm
Grade: Moderately Growing
ER: + (good) suggesting a less aggressive tumor
PR: + opens up treatment options
HER2 neu: + (good) --> acts as a powerful target for treatment
Lymph nodes: (did not know at the time) *** but now know*** Negative
Histological Subtype: Invasive ductile Carcinoma (most common)
I will be given shots of Zoladex, once a month to quiet my ovaries to help with protecting fertility.
I will be receiving:
Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin (Targeted therapy --> monocloval ab) (these are commonally called TCH
I will get 6 treatments every three weeks (21 days) for 18 weeks. The day after each treatment I will get a shot of Neulasta which will help with my White blood Cells.
I will The continue to receive herceptin every three weeks to complete a year.
I will likely lose my hair within the 2nd week of the first treatment. It will begin to grow back after the 6th treatment.
After Chemo ----> Surgery ---> Radiation -----> Pill (Tamoxifin for 5 years) if I go into early menopause they will switch me to Arimidex and Femara.
She also went over the some of the possible side effects of the chemo I will be taking:
fatigue - the first several days following, nausea, hair loss, possible menopause (but it can come back)
She said these also happen with some people but not all of them:
mouth sores, lowering of the heart rate, lowering of white blood cells, mild anemia, numbness/ tingling in extremities, swelling in joints, remote leukemia, constipation, diarrhea
WOW!!! Lots of information!! That's going to be my life for the next 5 years? Wow!!! I was just taking it in. I was thinking, I think the only thing I was thinking was I can't have kids for 5 years now!! UGH!! (not that I have anyone to have a child with...but it just sets me back.) I can handle the rest of this....but the tamoxifin for 5 years? UGH!! I know it is necessary. But wow....I hope someone will want me and will want to deal with that.
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