Robotic surgery for one lymph node?

JoWin615

Hi all,

I've just come to the end of 8 chemo-free months, and am facing my 2nd recurrence. The recent PET/CT scan shows one glowing lymph node, 2 cm in size. My gyn/onc gave me the choice of more chemo (the traditional 6 cycles), or robotic outpatient surgery to remove the offensive node, followed by two or three cycles of chemo. Has anyone had further surgery after frontline chemo?  Did you find it to be effective?  

Right now I'm leaning towards the surgery option, because I just want the frickin' thing out of me!  I would greatly appreciate your thoughts. 

Cheers, Jo

NoTimeForCancer

I am sorry to hear about this

I am sorry to hear about this occurrence.  Not that my opinion means much, but I think you (and Alexandra) are on the right track.  PLUS if you can have less chemo that can't be a bad idea either. 

Alexandra

Sorry about the 2nd recurrence Jo

I would go for the surgery option. I could probably dig out many pros and cons of both options, but my reasoning is exactly the same as yours: get the damn thing out. Robotic or manual, laprascopic or laparotomy probably depends on the node location and what your surgeon is better trained in.

Many hugs,

Alexandra

lovesanimals

NoTimeForCancer said:

I am sorry to hear about this

I am sorry to hear about this occurrence.  Not that my opinion means much, but I think you (and Alexandra) are on the right track.  PLUS if you can have less chemo that can't be a bad idea either. 

Hi Jo

I'm so sorry you are facing a recurrence.  I too would choose the surgery followed by lesser amounts of chemo.  I can certainly sympathize with how you feel.  When I was first diagnosed, I couldn't wait for surgery.  I wanted the thing taken out of me as soon as possible.

Sending lots of positive energy your way!

Kelly

scatsm

I'd go for the surgery option...

it covers both bases...and less chemo, to me, is a better option.

Most of the issues I deal with on a daily basis are chemo related (I'm in my first recurrence and on Gemzar/carbo/avastin). I still have neuropathy from the last time that is on-going and a beautiful ginormous hernia that has started to hurt every day that cant be repaired cuz I'm in chemo.

I am enjoying all the side effects of chemo...fatigue, nausea, high blood pressure from Avastin to name a few, and I would like all that way better if it were not 6 times but 3. After my first chemo I had to have 2 units of blood and at my second, I had an allergic reaction to the gemzar and ended up in the hospital for 4 days. In my book, If I had the sugical option I'd be right on it. That is, if the recovery from the surgery isnt too bad. Do you know what the surgery entails?

I hope you'll let us know how this develops. I haven't heard of second sugery in the more recent past.

Wishing you a quick road to NED!

Susan xoxox

poopergirl14052

scatsm said:

I'd go for the surgery option...

it covers both bases...and less chemo, to me, is a better option.

Most of the issues I deal with on a daily basis are chemo related (I'm in my first recurrence and on Gemzar/carbo/avastin). I still have neuropathy from the last time that is on-going and a beautiful ginormous hernia that has started to hurt every day that cant be repaired cuz I'm in chemo.

I am enjoying all the side effects of chemo...fatigue, nausea, high blood pressure from Avastin to name a few, and I would like all that way better if it were not 6 times but 3. After my first chemo I had to have 2 units of blood and at my second, I had an allergic reaction to the gemzar and ended up in the hospital for 4 days. In my book, If I had the sugical option I'd be right on it. That is, if the recovery from the surgery isnt too bad. Do you know what the surgery entails?

I hope you'll let us know how this develops. I haven't heard of second sugery in the more recent past.

Wishing you a quick road to NED!

Susan xoxox

Wow

if surgery can get you back to remission that would be awesome! I was never offered this..only daily targeted radiation last year. What ever you decide ...we are here. Keep walking my friend..REMISSION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!    Val

yesim

poopergirl14052 said:

Wow

if surgery can get you back to remission that would be awesome! I was never offered this..only daily targeted radiation last year. What ever you decide ...we are here. Keep walking my friend..REMISSION IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!    Val

Robotic surgery for one lymph node

Dear Jo,

I'm a sister of 14 years survivor with 9 debulking major surgeries living in Turkey. 6 last of them performed by Dr. E succesfully at USA CA. My sister had benefit of surgery. If you feel you can you would benefit it.

I wish you best recovery and good luck. Be posivite and decide what you feel confortable.

never give-up

Yesim

JoWin615

Thanks!

I truly appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. I did have the surgery a week ago today, and I have a follow-up appointment Monday to find out where we go from here. I do know that he got the pesky node. 

The procedure itself was quite an experience (!). The "outpatient" part turned out not to be the case. I woke up from the anesthesia in such pain, that the thought of hopping up and skipping out of there to go home made me cringe. Pain meds in my IV helped that, but then they said I had to pee before I could leave. (Yeah, right!).  So I was admitted. That night they had me up every half-hour. "Drink water!  You must pee!  Walk around!  Drink more water!  You must pee!"  I could produce nothing but a few dribbles. Misery. At 4 a.m., they had to cathetarize me.  I was nauseated, and finally heaved the gallons of water I'd been drinking. Ouch. They let me sleep for an hour. When I woke up at 7 a.m. - AT LAST! - my final perch on that grossly uncomfortable toilet seat yielded 200 mls of gorgeous pee! I was home in two hours. Glad that's over.

 

Alexandra

JoWin615 said:

Thanks!

I truly appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. I did have the surgery a week ago today, and I have a follow-up appointment Monday to find out where we go from here. I do know that he got the pesky node. 

The procedure itself was quite an experience (!). The "outpatient" part turned out not to be the case. I woke up from the anesthesia in such pain, that the thought of hopping up and skipping out of there to go home made me cringe. Pain meds in my IV helped that, but then they said I had to pee before I could leave. (Yeah, right!).  So I was admitted. That night they had me up every half-hour. "Drink water!  You must pee!  Walk around!  Drink more water!  You must pee!"  I could produce nothing but a few dribbles. Misery. At 4 a.m., they had to cathetarize me.  I was nauseated, and finally heaved the gallons of water I'd been drinking. Ouch. They let me sleep for an hour. When I woke up at 7 a.m. - AT LAST! - my final perch on that grossly uncomfortable toilet seat yielded 200 mls of gorgeous pee! I was home in two hours. Glad that's over.

 

Bye-bye pesky node

I am so hapPEE that surgery went well. Good luck on Monday Jo. Nip that recurrence in the bud asap.

Hugs,

Alexandra

lovesanimals

Alexandra said:

Bye-bye pesky node

I am so hapPEE that surgery went well. Good luck on Monday Jo. Nip that recurrence in the bud asap.

Hugs,

Alexandra

Wow, Jo

What an experience you went through!  So glad you are now at home and that the pesky node is out.  Let us know the outcome of your appointment on Monday.

Kelly

wholfmeister

JoWin615 said:

Thanks!

I truly appreciate everyone's comments and suggestions. I did have the surgery a week ago today, and I have a follow-up appointment Monday to find out where we go from here. I do know that he got the pesky node. 

The procedure itself was quite an experience (!). The "outpatient" part turned out not to be the case. I woke up from the anesthesia in such pain, that the thought of hopping up and skipping out of there to go home made me cringe. Pain meds in my IV helped that, but then they said I had to pee before I could leave. (Yeah, right!).  So I was admitted. That night they had me up every half-hour. "Drink water!  You must pee!  Walk around!  Drink more water!  You must pee!"  I could produce nothing but a few dribbles. Misery. At 4 a.m., they had to cathetarize me.  I was nauseated, and finally heaved the gallons of water I'd been drinking. Ouch. They let me sleep for an hour. When I woke up at 7 a.m. - AT LAST! - my final perch on that grossly uncomfortable toilet seat yielded 200 mls of gorgeous pee! I was home in two hours. Glad that's over.

 

It's out!

Like Alexandra, I am so hapPEE!  I had chemo today, so in honor of you and the now-missing node, I think I will go pee!

poopergirl14052

wholfmeister said:

It's out!

Like Alexandra, I am so hapPEE!  I had chemo today, so in honor of you and the now-missing node, I think I will go pee!

Glad that is behind you

and you are well on your way ....glad you are feeling better. Keep walking my friend and stay strong...Val 

JoWin615

Update

First of all, happy Memorial Day. I walked in a 5K event this morning - the perk was a free apple pie at the end!  I did pretty well, considering I just had the surgery a little over 2 weeks ago. 

So. I start Doxil/Carbo tomorrow. The requisite six cycles. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll be one of those who has little or no side effects. 

Keep on keepin' on!

Jo

scatsm

Dear Jo

I hope your rounds of chemo fly by!

Thinking of you!

Susan

Alexandra

JoWin615 said:

Update

First of all, happy Memorial Day. I walked in a 5K event this morning - the perk was a free apple pie at the end!  I did pretty well, considering I just had the surgery a little over 2 weeks ago. 

So. I start Doxil/Carbo tomorrow. The requisite six cycles. I'm crossing my fingers that I'll be one of those who has little or no side effects. 

Keep on keepin' on!

Jo

Happy Memorial Day

5K - wow Jo, you are a superwoman. I am in awe! I walk to and from the car and would rather circle the parking lot 12 times looking for a closer spot than move my lazy stubby legs for an extra 20 yards.

Good luck tomorrow! No nasty side effects, just a magical happy cancer-killing potion (sorry, I just made myself nauseous). But you know what I mean. We are all 100% behind you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(((HUGS)))

Uncool kid

lovesanimals

scatsm said:

Dear Jo

I hope your rounds of chemo fly by!

Thinking of you!

Susan

You are awesome, Jo!

I love my pastry but even with the enticement of an apple pie, I wouldn't be able to do a run or walk two weeks after surgery!  Sending lots of positive thoughts and energy your way as you prepare for chemo.

Kelly