Masectomy last Thur - 2/26/2009

JoyD
JoyD Member Posts: 81
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I just had my modified radical masectomy last Thur and was out of the Hosp last Sat. I was given morphine for my pain in the first 18 hours after surgery. Boy, I threw-up at least 3x the following day and good thing my Dr came by to visit me and told me that I could just take 1/2 pill of vicodine. I felt better after that and was able to eat normally. The following day, I was given a go signal to go home, the Dr who signed off my paperworks told me to start exercising my left arm slowly = to the point that I could tolerate it. I have been doing the stress ball, the broomstick, chicken-wing and the wall exercise. So far, I could raise my arm without any problems. You see, they cleaned out my lymph nodes or what they called Clean-up of the Axila. I am thankful to God and to this board for the support that I am getting.

I have an appt with my surgeon on Wed to check out the drippings and the surgery. I also got a phone call from the oncologist's office about the result. Now, the fear is back. I cannot sleep right now and decided to log-in to this site. I am afraid that he had some bad news because its too soon for him to discuss the chemo treatment. I need your help if this is just a normal protocol on the part of the Oncologist or did they see something that they need an immediate action? I am just praying that it would be the opposite which is good news. I always scared when they call me for an appt. Is this just a normal reaction?

Thanks.

JoyD
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Comments

  • Aortus
    Aortus Member Posts: 967
    #2
    No way of telling for sure, but...
    It is more than likely just the way your oncologist operates. If my beloved Moopy's experience is any guide, you are not going to have chemo until after your surgeon pronounces you healed from your modified radical mastectomy. The oncologist probably wants to see you earlier rather than later so that you and your loved ones can make the most educated choice of treatment possible - when you are ready to go.

    The cancer clinic we go to has seven oncologists on staff. From seeing them around and talking to nurses and other patients, they sure have a wide range of personalities. Including the one who is so intense looking I think she literally scares the cancer out of her patients. Moopy's onc is very young (but very smart too), and is always cheerful. And he's prompt: page him and he calls within five minutes asking "What's wrong, Lisa?" It could well be that your oncologist is the same way.

    In any event, I am hoping and praying for the best for you, Joy. I know Moopy and all the other brave BC warriors here will do likewise. The waiting part is so horrible, but soon you will be back on your feet fighting the beast and WINNING!

    Best,
    Joe
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #3
    Not too soon
    Hi Joy, it is not too soon to start discussing treatment options. They can't start chemo for about 6 weeks after your surgery, because you need to heal first. But, your oncologist or surgeon probably have a prelimanary pathology report and probably want to start weighing your options. I visited with my oncologist prior to my surgery and then 2 weeks after my surgery since he wanted to monitor my blood counts prior to starting chemo. I had my surgery on June 7th, 2007 and started chemo on July 16th, 2007. I am sure that all they want to do is some blood work and discuss your treatment. Please don't get nervous and keep us posted. Hugs, Lili
  • GreeneyedGirl
    GreeneyedGirl Member Posts: 1,077
    #4
    mmontero38 said:

    Not too soon
    Hi Joy, it is not too soon to start discussing treatment options. They can't start chemo for about 6 weeks after your surgery, because you need to heal first. But, your oncologist or surgeon probably have a prelimanary pathology report and probably want to start weighing your options. I visited with my oncologist prior to my surgery and then 2 weeks after my surgery since he wanted to monitor my blood counts prior to starting chemo. I had my surgery on June 7th, 2007 and started chemo on July 16th, 2007. I am sure that all they want to do is some blood work and discuss your treatment. Please don't get nervous and keep us posted. Hugs, Lili

    Hang on to your JOY
    Joy, what a great name. It is always a time of anxiousness and fear when we have to wait for information. Take one day at a time, heal from your surgery. You will find an inner strength that will help carry you thru this season of your life. I don't mean to be insensitive but you cracked me up good when you spoke of "chicken wings and drippings" sounds like thanksgiving! Keep a sense of humor, and a thankful heart.
    Melanie
  • Joycelouise
    Joycelouise Member Posts: 482
    #5
    They called me back to let
    They called me back to let me know about lymph node status. Also, sometimes people actually called to see how I was doing. It may happen so rarely that we panic, but it does. But no matter what, waiting for the next day to complete a call is the absolute worst! We have all been in the waiting game and collectively give you a giant hug (from experience). Hang on sweetie. As the nurse who DX'd me said, "You are going to have a rough year but you will get through it". Dang true that was. YOur year will be less rough because of your support here, promise! love, Joyce
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #6
    phone call
    Any word yet, Joy? Don't assume it is bad news. It's probably just routine. My hospital called to check up on me after my surgery. I also had several appointments with my oncologist to discuss chemo options, and they started soon after surgery -- so it could be that, too. Hope everything goes well and please let us know.

    Mimi
  • JoyD
    JoyD Member Posts: 81
    #7
    mimivac said:

    phone call
    Any word yet, Joy? Don't assume it is bad news. It's probably just routine. My hospital called to check up on me after my surgery. I also had several appointments with my oncologist to discuss chemo options, and they started soon after surgery -- so it could be that, too. Hope everything goes well and please let us know.

    Mimi

    Masectomy last Thur - 2/26/2009
    Mimi: I have an appt today - Wed, 3/4/2009 to check on the surgery and the result of the Pathology Test. I hope and pray, nothing serious. Thanks.
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #8
    JoyD said:

    Masectomy last Thur - 2/26/2009
    Mimi: I have an appt today - Wed, 3/4/2009 to check on the surgery and the result of the Pathology Test. I hope and pray, nothing serious. Thanks.

    Me, too. Thanks for checking
    Me, too. Thanks for checking in and good luck.

    Mimi
  • JoyD
    JoyD Member Posts: 81
    #9
    mimivac said:

    Me, too. Thanks for checking
    Me, too. Thanks for checking in and good luck.

    Mimi

    Masectomy last Thur - 2/26/2009
    Mimi:

    Good news, after doing a clean up on my axila, out of the 16 lymph nodes that they have taken out, only the 2 original lymph nodes had the cancer cells which I knew from the beginning since this is how they found that I had cancer. The others were cancer free. I will see the Oncologist on Monday probably to discuss the mode of treatment.

    Thanks.

    Joy
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #10
    JoyD said:

    Masectomy last Thur - 2/26/2009
    Mimi:

    Good news, after doing a clean up on my axila, out of the 16 lymph nodes that they have taken out, only the 2 original lymph nodes had the cancer cells which I knew from the beginning since this is how they found that I had cancer. The others were cancer free. I will see the Oncologist on Monday probably to discuss the mode of treatment.

    Thanks.

    Joy

    Good to hear this
    I am glad that no more cancer cells were found, Joy. You are well on your way now. Let us know what the oncologist says on Monday. We will be there for you through these decisions and through whatever treatment you decide upon. Once your schedule is set, things will seem a lot more certain and orderly. The chaos of diagnosis and surgery abates somewhat. Good luck on Monday and please relax this weekend.

    Mimi
  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #11
    JoyD said:

    Masectomy last Thur - 2/26/2009
    Mimi:

    Good news, after doing a clean up on my axila, out of the 16 lymph nodes that they have taken out, only the 2 original lymph nodes had the cancer cells which I knew from the beginning since this is how they found that I had cancer. The others were cancer free. I will see the Oncologist on Monday probably to discuss the mode of treatment.

    Thanks.

    Joy

    Hurray for good news!

    Doing the nekid happy dance.

    Maureen
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    #12
    I'm sure each oncologist
    I'm sure each oncologist works differently. After my surgery I kept asking when I would see an onc. but my surgeon did not make an apt. for me till about 3-4 weeks after my surgery.
    But I am sure that some oncologists, depending on how busy they are may want to schedule the apt. way ahead to be sure they can fit you in.
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #13
    JoyD said:

    Masectomy last Thur - 2/26/2009
    Mimi:

    Good news, after doing a clean up on my axila, out of the 16 lymph nodes that they have taken out, only the 2 original lymph nodes had the cancer cells which I knew from the beginning since this is how they found that I had cancer. The others were cancer free. I will see the Oncologist on Monday probably to discuss the mode of treatment.

    Thanks.

    Joy

    That's great news Joy. It's
    That's great news Joy. It's a relief to know it hasn't spread any further. Keep us posted after your appointment on Monday. Hugs, Lili
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #14
    Good News!
    That is wonderful, Joy. I have been thinking of you and am glad that you let us know the good news. Do enjoy your weekend. We will be here for you as you go through treatment.
  • LyndyD
    LyndyD Member Posts: 5
    #15
    Aortus said:

    No way of telling for sure, but...
    It is more than likely just the way your oncologist operates. If my beloved Moopy's experience is any guide, you are not going to have chemo until after your surgeon pronounces you healed from your modified radical mastectomy. The oncologist probably wants to see you earlier rather than later so that you and your loved ones can make the most educated choice of treatment possible - when you are ready to go.

    The cancer clinic we go to has seven oncologists on staff. From seeing them around and talking to nurses and other patients, they sure have a wide range of personalities. Including the one who is so intense looking I think she literally scares the cancer out of her patients. Moopy's onc is very young (but very smart too), and is always cheerful. And he's prompt: page him and he calls within five minutes asking "What's wrong, Lisa?" It could well be that your oncologist is the same way.

    In any event, I am hoping and praying for the best for you, Joy. I know Moopy and all the other brave BC warriors here will do likewise. The waiting part is so horrible, but soon you will be back on your feet fighting the beast and WINNING!

    Best,
    Joe

    Mastectomy and Chemo Comment
    Greetings Joe,

    Arre you estrogen postiive with your breast cencer? The reason I am
    commenting is that I was estrogen positve, node negative and took
    Oncotype DX test to see whether chemo would help me or not for reocurrence.
    Anyway, my score was high low and my onc doc said it would only help me
    by 3-4%---I decided against chemo. If your cancer is different or you scorre medium
    to high on the test then you definitely need chemo, Good luck to you~~~~~LyndyD
  • LyndyD
    LyndyD Member Posts: 5
    #16
    mimivac said:

    Me, too. Thanks for checking
    Me, too. Thanks for checking in and good luck.

    Mimi

    Comment on Picture
    Greetings Mimi,

    I am new to the CSN website and have been surfing
    around discussiion boards. You seem so very very young
    to have had cancer. Did you have breast cancer or
    another type of cancer? I was just curious and jhope
    this is not too personal. LyndyD
  • LyndyD
    LyndyD Member Posts: 5
    #17
    Mastectomy Comment
    Greetings JoyD,

    I think it is wonderful when a doctor calls you,
    it shows that he is on top of things and that
    you are in a team. I remember my doc calling at
    8:00 PM one night and said that he thought
    a mastectomy would be the way to go instead
    of the lumpectomy that we had discussed.
    The MRI showed that these two tumors that
    were connected were longer then he thought,
    and my breast cosmetically would not look
    very good. Went with the mastectomy, even
    though I look back with a tear and a smile
    that I made it though and I am here.
    Its a journey, Joy, but we have all had
    to walk it. April 14th will be 1 year
    out for me. Just take baby steps and
    decide on what makes you smile and
    enjoy life! Lyndy1111@hotmail.com
  • rjjj
    rjjj Member Posts: 1,822 Member
    #18
    JoyD said:

    Masectomy last Thur - 2/26/2009
    Mimi:

    Good news, after doing a clean up on my axila, out of the 16 lymph nodes that they have taken out, only the 2 original lymph nodes had the cancer cells which I knew from the beginning since this is how they found that I had cancer. The others were cancer free. I will see the Oncologist on Monday probably to discuss the mode of treatment.

    Thanks.

    Joy

    Welcome Joy
    That is good news. The lymph nodes are a big concern, and it is better to have just 2 involved than many. I had 6 positive out of 23 taken. I developed lymphedema from this. Make sure you do all your arm exercises and keep good care of that arm. You do NOT want lymphedema. I'm wishing you the best and keep us up on what the Onc. says about treatment. We will be here with you with much support.
    God Bless
    Jackie
  • mimivac
    mimivac Member Posts: 2,143 Member
    #19
    LyndyD said:

    Comment on Picture
    Greetings Mimi,

    I am new to the CSN website and have been surfing
    around discussiion boards. You seem so very very young
    to have had cancer. Did you have breast cancer or
    another type of cancer? I was just curious and jhope
    this is not too personal. LyndyD

    Hi Lyndy
    Yes, I had breast cancer. Diganosed in November of 2008. I had a lumpectomy; I am now in chemotherapy, which will be followed up by rads. I thought I was too young to get breast cancer, but this disease does not discriminate. Unfortunately, it is more aggressive in women under 40, and there are more and more 30-somethings (and even 20-somethings) being diagnosed every day. It breaks my heart, really.

    Hope you are doing OK, Lyndy. I wasn't on the boards over the weekend, so I might have missed your original post. Take care.

    Mimi
  • JoyD
    JoyD Member Posts: 81
    #20
    After good news, found not so good after all
    I just got back from my Oncologist and he told me that only the 2 lymph nodes (original site) had cancer cells - muscinous carcinoma....which is supposed to be a slow growing cancer cell and has a pretty good chance of survival....this is not a common cancer cell. Anyway, the sad news is that it showed-up too in my blood stream, so there is a possibility that it could have spread to other parts of my body...he is now requiring me to get a PET scan and a CardioEchogram since I will be probably in Chemo by end of March or first week of April for 5 months....Its true that its a battle and your emotions is like a roller coaster....Right now he told me that I am stage 2A but if they find cancer in other parts of my body it will change to stage 4 - I am afraid!

    I also agreed to do the clinical study for Avastin but he said its a toss-up becuase I could either get the Avastin or just the placebo - 50/50 chance....He himself does not know either and this is the only way a clinica study could work.

    Any comments.

    JoyD
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #21
    JoyD said:

    After good news, found not so good after all
    I just got back from my Oncologist and he told me that only the 2 lymph nodes (original site) had cancer cells - muscinous carcinoma....which is supposed to be a slow growing cancer cell and has a pretty good chance of survival....this is not a common cancer cell. Anyway, the sad news is that it showed-up too in my blood stream, so there is a possibility that it could have spread to other parts of my body...he is now requiring me to get a PET scan and a CardioEchogram since I will be probably in Chemo by end of March or first week of April for 5 months....Its true that its a battle and your emotions is like a roller coaster....Right now he told me that I am stage 2A but if they find cancer in other parts of my body it will change to stage 4 - I am afraid!

    I also agreed to do the clinical study for Avastin but he said its a toss-up becuase I could either get the Avastin or just the placebo - 50/50 chance....He himself does not know either and this is the only way a clinica study could work.

    Any comments.

    JoyD

    On the roller coaster
    Joy, I know that roller coaster feeling all too well. Like everyone else on this board. I am sorry that you are back up in the air again. Joe and I will be praying that your test results show no spread of cancer. I had originally signed up for the Avastin clinical study, but when we got our second opinion, the oncologist at Barnes-Jewish in St. Louis advised TAC x 6 instead. So that's what we went with. Hoping for all the best!

    Lisa

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