Wondering what I am up against

JUSTAWORD

I just had surgery in last week of Sept. for breast cancer (left side) and just recently had the bulbs removed. I still have some draining that is settling under my arm. Does this go away? and i have some questions for my first visit with the oncologist prepared and my sister will be going with me. What other suggestion do you have for me and what am i up against?

Susan956

I can't help you with your drainage issue. I managed to just have a lumpectomy, so that was not an issue that I faced. As to what you are up against, you will be able to understand that much better when you get your biopsy results. Did it reach your lymph nodes, what stage cancer was it, Was it Estrogen or Progestrin positive or HER-2 positive. Those types of results will help the oncologist develop your own personal plan of action. A typical path is to take Chemo for about 5 months and then you may take a pill (Taxmo... or Arimdex, etc) for about 5 years. It is not an easy trip... but it is one that many of us have successfully managed. There is life after treatment. My onc convinced me to look at treatment as a time when I had to slow down to get ready for the rest of my healthy life. Try to keep your sense of humor and try to find small things to enjoy as you make your way through treatments.

I hope things will go well for you.

Take Care... God Bless...

Susan

KathiM

I had drains...for the node involvement...

Yes, it DOES get better....start working the arm as much as you can...gently...to get range of motion back.

I agree with Susan...alot has to do with what you will be discussing with your onc. Each person is different, the breast cancer was my second in 19 months...not related.
Congrats for your sis! You should NOT go to these visits alone.....I TOTALLY missed the word 'Invasive' when my doc was talking to me, so I couldn't figure out why chemo was indicated....
Welcome to this site. Please keep us informed. We are a seasoned crew....if one of us hasn't had some experience, then it isn't part of the treatment (hehehehehe).
These are among the best friends I have.
We are all been there/done that.....my best advice now is breathe. And listen to the path report. And start a folder of all of your labs, test results, etc.

Hugs, Kathi

Mosis50

I am a three year survivor and I still remember those drains. I had drainage for almost a month after surgery. After I had the bulbs removed, I had some swelling (I thought my breast was coming back) but it was more fluid that the surgeon had to remove. It does go away, but I think each person is different as far as how long it takes.

As far as suggestions for you, you are right to take someone with you to talk to the oncologist. Four ears are better than two. I always had a list of questions written down, too. READ READ READ everything you can. Get a copy of your pathology report and discuss it with the oncologist. Talk to your oncologist about everything. You will need a good relationship with this person. Pray! Talk to others! It sounds like your family will be a support for you. You need lots of family and friends to help you. Keep a sense of humor! This site is great!! There is a lot of first hand knowledge here. Keep us posted on how you are doing. God Bless You as you begin this battle. I will pray for you.

pansylover

Mosis50 said:

I am a three year survivor and I still remember those drains. I had drainage for almost a month after surgery. After I had the bulbs removed, I had some swelling (I thought my breast was coming back) but it was more fluid that the surgeon had to remove. It does go away, but I think each person is different as far as how long it takes.

As far as suggestions for you, you are right to take someone with you to talk to the oncologist. Four ears are better than two. I always had a list of questions written down, too. READ READ READ everything you can. Get a copy of your pathology report and discuss it with the oncologist. Talk to your oncologist about everything. You will need a good relationship with this person. Pray! Talk to others! It sounds like your family will be a support for you. You need lots of family and friends to help you. Keep a sense of humor! This site is great!! There is a lot of first hand knowledge here. Keep us posted on how you are doing. God Bless You as you begin this battle. I will pray for you.

After every onc or surgeon visit I would give them a HUG. kinda of floored them but they got used to it after a couple and I have a feeling my onc started that w/ others in his practice.
I agree..this is a good group. I am glad I found this site. May you be blessed thru this bump in the road of life.

kathydaly

Hugggs and prayers for you 1st off. having a belief system or a spirtual life already; will really help u, and if not; it's never too late, lol, but personally i really needed that.

i had drainage tubes into the bulbs twice.

once with a maestectomy, and once w/a lumpectomy.
i did have node involvement with the maestectomy.
and, i did not have node involvement w/the lumpectomy. Those surgery's were 14 yrs apart by the way.

You know i did have some of the swelling too, but i didn't do what i probably should have done, which would be to drink tons of water to help your body drain off some of it, and anyway it's good for you, hehe.

i am so reassured that you have someone go w/u, it is an incredibly powerful tool. very very imp.
i just could not take it all in. and i listen well. it's just not about that skill.

I also had a list of question's that i went with,i carried a raggy piece of paper w/me everywhere (and kept something by my nightstand also) to add to as they came.

it is important to have or build a v good rapor w/these 2 doc's.(surg. & onc.) you'll be seeing them a lot now, and if you don't like at least one of them who can u talk to about ur worst fears. And u should do that, maybe not in front of ur partner but u will find the opportunity if u have any of those fears.

YOU ARE CLEARLY A BRIGHT WOMAN. It took me 15 yrs to find this site last month. Hmmmmmmmm, maybe that just means I AM CLEARLY NOT A BRIGHT WOMAN.
LOL.

It is a great source of comfort, love, and support. and we all need that, yes?

The support u've gotten already is so right on the money, these are some very smart and informed ladies here.

Maybe you have no node involvement at all, but whatever the case:
YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS, EMPHATICALLY!

I was lucky enough not to find anything that terrible at all, except for mouth sores at the end of heavy chemo. No matter how many times my docs said everyone was different, i wanted to scream, but it is true, true that
EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, believe it, ok?
LOL, but u r brighter than me, we already decided, lol!

i began drawing again, and started to watercolor (1st time) when i went through those chemo mos. It was wonderful.

i tried only to be w/pos ppl, my mother-in-law was talking about sueing this one or that one, the 1st time she came to see me , after that i stayed away from her and told her i would not have those kinds of conversations, and she did stop.

i really tried to stay w/friends who made me laugh, or would laugh w/me, or at me, lol.

I prayed a lot and got over being to proud to say i need help, because i did.

God love you and keep you in his arms, and we will all try to do the same, much love, Kathy

P.S. You said "just a word", i am laughing my sorry tuckus off at my inability "to say just a word".

P.S.S. And maybe somebody can help me w/my schizophrenic Capitalizing patterns, lolol.

karenack

Dear Justaword, I am sorry that you have to face this. I will tell you to study and study hard about your illness. You need to find out the characteristics of your cancer. Is is ER/PR positive? Is it Heu/2neu positive? Is it well-differentiated? Knowing these things will help you formulate your questions and help you decide the best course of treatment for you. If your onc. recommends chemo, find out what combinations he is offering and learn about each of them. While the doctors will make recommendations, please know that the ultimate decision about your treatment should be left to you... so knowledge is certainly power!!! Good luck to you in this journey and let us know how you are doing and what course of treatment you will be taking.

JUSTAWORD

Thank you all i appreciate the time you took to give me some insight. scary but something to look forward to !!! (this means that i am still alive to look forward to something) (haha) 2 nodes out of 12 were positive. My surgeon did explain somethings,but i think its best to see the oncologist on the 24th to ask about my chemo. i want to take some things in baby steps, I am trying to let these past fews months of discovery and surgery sink in. so far i think i am still alittle bit in disbelief, but i know i can come here or to the chat room for some more support. Thank you all again, may God Bless you all.