SusanG update

jolliff
jolliff Member Posts: 12
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello everyone. I apologize for not giving updates on Susan until now.

She went up on the 20th and I on the 23rd (actually did not arrive at the house until 3Am on the 24th). She had been in appointments leading up to her surgery on the 24th.

Dr Cody did a lumpectomy and took 5 sentinel nodes, all of which showed negative on the initial path report. They had put wires in, which hurt Susan tremendously due to her physiology, on the tumor side and on the other side to biopsy some things they saw on the mammograms. The other side turned out benign and we were all happy to hear that.

He said he removed a piece of tissue the size of a "small plum" during the lumpectomy and felt confident it would have clear margins. He also put in a port for any chemo, if it would be necessary.

In all, she has 5 incisions. The one that is bugging her the most is the arm pit one for the sentinel node. She wound up being kept overnight (I stayed with her) due to a partial collapsed lung they were unsure about. They had no earlier xrays to compare it with and wanted to be safe. They put her in the main anesthesia recovery room and once the charge nurse found out that Susan was in there waiting on a room and I wasn't losing it with the people being taken in there straight from the OR, I was allowed to stay with her until they got a room ready.

The room we wound up in was on the pediatric floor and our neighbor had undergone a lumpectomy and axillary dissection I believe. She was passed out when they took us down there, but she and Susan had quite a conversation the next day. I think she was from NYC or NJ and I remember seeing her and her family there during the day.

I was able to stay with Susan until Sunday (Nov 2nd), when I had to fly back here to work. I burned all my vacation days to help her out and was glad I had them left. She is recovering nicely and we were able to take a couple of walks over the weekend.

Today, she is back at Sloan-Kettering, seeing the doctor and going over the final path reports. Lord, I pray that everything is like he said it was after the surgery. I hope she gets further good news, I am trying not to bite my fingernails off waiting on the phone to ring so I can get updated on today's visit. This is the visit that maps her treatment out. I would be telling a story if I said I was not scared, nervous and feeling down at not physically being there for this appointment. All I can do is pray and I have been doing that.

Thanks, everyone!
Jack

Comments

  • jolliff
    jolliff Member Posts: 12
    #2
    Well, the path reports are in, I just talked to Susan a few minutes ago. Not exactly the good news we were hoping for.

    They found it in two of the five sentinel nodes they removed and it is ER/PR positive and HER2 positive, from what I understand. The phone connection was very crappy, so I didn't hear every word from her.

    They are planning using the more aggresive chemotherapy, then radiation, then tamoxifen and whatever they do for HER2. I don't know much about it. He also said it is stage 2. I can post more about it once I get my hands on the path report and see how much of it I understand.

    Jack
  • Sandis
    Sandis Member Posts: 85
    #3
    As hard as it is going through breast cancer, I've always thought it was probably harder for those who love us. And especially when they are far away. She knows you want to be there and you are there for her emotionally. that means a lot. Sandi
  • cammie
    cammie Member Posts: 102
    #4
    jolliff said:

    Well, the path reports are in, I just talked to Susan a few minutes ago. Not exactly the good news we were hoping for.

    They found it in two of the five sentinel nodes they removed and it is ER/PR positive and HER2 positive, from what I understand. The phone connection was very crappy, so I didn't hear every word from her.

    They are planning using the more aggresive chemotherapy, then radiation, then tamoxifen and whatever they do for HER2. I don't know much about it. He also said it is stage 2. I can post more about it once I get my hands on the path report and see how much of it I understand.

    Jack

    ER/PR Positive is good news. It sounds like she will be taking the same path that I did. Keep telling her you love her, and don't be afraid to share your feelings with her. It is very easy to have miscommunications during this time. My husband would comment on something, and I would be in a serious mood or vice versa, it is hard to judge when to joke, or when to be serious. All and all though he was a terrific support to me and I couldn't love him more. I will say a prayer for you and Susan. Love Cammie
  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #5
    So sorry the report was not exactly as you wanted to hear, but 'it could have been worse'.
    That attitude has kept me going, whatever the outcome. Take it because it could have been worse. Keeping a positive attitude goes a
    looo-ooong way in this battle. What is is and you can't change it, so make it the best you can.
    I can say this Jack because of my history, been there done that, doing it again. If cancer is my battle in life, I'm going to make it a good one!
    Tell Susan we are praying for her. This stuff IS treatable and beatable, and I'm praising God for leading her to Dr.Cody! Sounds like he did a very thorough job, might not even have the capability of sentinel node biopsy back home! God is good! Keep us posted. hummingbyrd
  • Snookums
    Snookums Member Posts: 148
    #6
    hummingbyrd said:

    So sorry the report was not exactly as you wanted to hear, but 'it could have been worse'.
    That attitude has kept me going, whatever the outcome. Take it because it could have been worse. Keeping a positive attitude goes a
    looo-ooong way in this battle. What is is and you can't change it, so make it the best you can.
    I can say this Jack because of my history, been there done that, doing it again. If cancer is my battle in life, I'm going to make it a good one!
    Tell Susan we are praying for her. This stuff IS treatable and beatable, and I'm praising God for leading her to Dr.Cody! Sounds like he did a very thorough job, might not even have the capability of sentinel node biopsy back home! God is good! Keep us posted. hummingbyrd

    How lucky for you two to have each other! You keep supporting her and come here when you need ANYTHING! Prayers, support, a friend- we will be here for both of you. It is a battle and you two together will fight the cancer each and every day! Prayers and blessings- ox

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