Choices

Quick update on my surgery recovery. The swelling finally started to come down but I'm still bruised, especially across my abdomen and left arm. I've had drainage of lymphatic fluid and some blood from the incision under my armpit. I'm changing the bandages 2+ times per day. My surgeon said its ok for the drainage because then it will cause less pressure and less likely to swell up there. I have another appointment with her this Friday and hopefully I'm cleared to fly to Mexico. I'll be taking extra bandages with me in case it's still draining then.

I see my Oncologist tomorrow morning to talk about my pathology report results. I checked MyCharts and if I read it correctly it was a pCR for the tumor. Pathologic complete response, so the chemo drugs and the Herceptin and Perjeta worked. No cancer cells found in tumor mass or surrounding tissue. No cancer cells found in the 3 Sentinel lymph nodes either. Surgeon made referral to the Radiologist Oncologist. I'll see her when I get back from Mexico. Don't know what the pCR and negative nodes mean for radiation treatments though. Maybe fewer treatments??

Beyond that I'm not sure what my Medical Oncologist will recommend. Hoping its just the Herceptin and Perjeta IV drugs for now since I know I can tolerate these two HER2+ targeted drugs. If so, I'll probably be on these through October or mid November for the 1yr treatment plan. Take care everyone. Glad to hear from ya'all. Be well.

So… I had a mini-crisis last week. My CT scan that was scheduled for last Friday got moved up to last Wednesday BUT on Tuesday, the imaging center called me to let me know insurance had denied it. I contacted surgeon's office and they sent a second request under a different diagnosis code. Called insurance and they said it would take "2-15 business days to review". So, rescheduled CT scan to April 17 but I've already been notified that the second request was denied as well. My response to all this was very much disproportionate, like the logical, rational part of me knew my high blood pressure, anxiety, and stress were not reasonable for this situation but it didn't change how I physically felt. I tried non-medicinal coping strategies at first. Went outside and sat in the sun and let the dogs run around while I played a (normally) soothing game on my phone. It didn't work and I couldn't get back to work feeling that way. Ended up taking 1/2 a Xanax and going to bed for a nap.

I was copied on the denial letter and it basically boiled down to breast cancer doesn't justify an abdominal CT scan, which, of course, completely disregards the type of reconstruction surgery I had. It's infuriating; I hate insurance so much!!! I guess the next step will have to be a peer-to-peer between my doctor and the faceless doctor at the insurance company who has never seen me but somehow knows what medical care is appropriate for me?!?

I realize I'm venting again. I think this has touched a nerve because my breast MRI last February was also declined at first. It ended up happening a month later after my GYN did a peer-to-peer with insurance. And it was precisely that MRI that found my cancer EARLY. AND a mammogram would not have caught it. (The reason for the denial then was because I needed "to have at least one first degree relative with ovarian or breast cancer". I have two. My sister died from ovarian cancer and my mother from breast cancer. So, again, faceless doctor who I've never met and who clearly did NOT even spend 30 seconds on my chart, declined what my doctor knew to be best for me.)

I'm still really struggling to get up and functioning in the mornings. I'm thankful we were able to go to an Easter service Saturday night and I slept until almost noon yesterday. Tomorrow, I need to go in-person to work for at least a half-day and, unfortunately, I need to be there by 9. I don't know how I will do it. If you're so inclined, please pray for me!

Hello there! I try to check in at least weekly. I'm sorry that it's been a couple weeks now.

I did make it to the in-person meeting at 9:00 AM a couple weeks ago. But I got home about 3 and by 4, knew I had to nap; I was exhausted. I usually take 30-45 minute naps. That time, I laid down at 4 and didn't wake up until my husband got home at 6:45!! My next time in-person will be next week.

Had post-op this morning and they are likely in the peer-to-peer call with insurance right now. If they can get a verbal authorization code, I can go ahead with the CT scan that was rescheduled for tomorrow. PA didn't like the bruising on my belly. Yep, OT doesn't like it. My husband doesn't like it. I don't like it. Please, let's figure out what is going on!!

I don't have much to report otherwise. I feel like mentally, I'm doing so much better. Physically, I have no strength or endurance YET. And I still am having a heck of a time getting going in the morning.

I'd really like to know how you all are doing. Please update when you can.

Good morning,

It has been a while since I updated my posts. For LovesPrimes, my heart goes out to you. Hopefully, you can get the CT scan done. As for me, I am feeling well, starting my radiation tomorrow and for the next month, five days a week for 20 treatments. That is about all for now, hopefully, I won't have much to report for a while! Take care all.

Good afternoon everyone. I'm still here in Mexico and extended for one week more. My recovery from the lumpectomy and lymph node surgery has been much slower than expected. Drainage finally stopped and bruising gone. Still slight swelling of my breast and very hard dense area where the tumor was removed. When I return I will restart the Herceptin and Perjeta targeted drugs, visit surgeon for Ok to start radiation treatments. I have mid May appointment to meet the Oncology Radiologist to see what she proposes. Hoping it will be reduced because of pCR pathology report for both tumor and lymph nodes.

On a bright note, my hair has really started to come back since I've been here in Mexico. I'm not wearing my chemo caps very much. My head is finally able to breathe. Hoping I'll not lose what hair I've grown due to upcoming Perjeta treatments, but it is very likely I will. People here in Mexico are very accepting of my bald to semi-bald head. Too bad it's not like this in the US. I've decided to not wear my chemo caps much when I return. I do have a couple of nice Wallaroo

brim hats for the pool because of the sun. My head needs to breathe fresh air too. Picture is me celebrating my bald head at the beach ⛱ 😎

Hope everyone is doing well.

Thanks Claoh! I had very little when I arrived 2 weeks ago. My friends here can't believe how quickly it has grown. Sun and fresh air, I believe, have helped it tremendously. Just have to be mindful of sunburn. Sorry to hear about the blood clot. Glad they caught this. Be well. Hope the new meds work.