Pammy's update!!
Comments
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Lumpectomy
Pammy,
I didn't realize that you had only been diagnosed a week ago until I reread your posts this morning. What a whirlwind ride you've had! I'm not sure how anyone can do enough research and make a decision in a week.
Although I've always made my own decisions, I have always listened very carefully to my surgeon and her recommendations. She deals with patients with breast cancer all the time. Since the surgeon said that you have beautiful breasts, I'm assuming that he thinks that he can do the lumpectomy without disfiguring your breast. In my instance, when I had the lumpectomy, the breast was conserved quite well, and with time, I forgot to think about the fact that I had survived cancer.
For me, life remained much more normal with a lumpectomy and radiation compared to a mastectomy. Even though I had to go to radiation each day for several weeks, I only missed about a week of work total for the surgeries, and I left work about an hour or two early each day for radiation. The reduced workday helped to delay the exhaustion that many people feel. I had a mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction nine years later (6 weeks ago) and I will be out of work a total of eight weeks. The advances that have been made in cancer treatment in nine years are incredible, and I'm totally at peace with the fact that I went with the lumpectomy in 2000 but then had a bilateral mastectomy this year.
Joyce0 -
hey there
I was wondering about you.... I had gone back and forth too...As you know we were diagnosed around the same time... My lumpectomy and node biopsy are scheduled for Tuesday.
And the last 10 days have been a world wind for me. Trying to absorb as much information in such a short time has honestly been overwhelming.
Hang in there...
~T0 -
Decisionstaleena said:hey there
I was wondering about you.... I had gone back and forth too...As you know we were diagnosed around the same time... My lumpectomy and node biopsy are scheduled for Tuesday.
And the last 10 days have been a world wind for me. Trying to absorb as much information in such a short time has honestly been overwhelming.
Hang in there...
~T
I decided to have the bilateral mas, because of BCRA2 status.. My dr. gave me the choice. It's very confusing. I think ultimately you have do what is best for you. You are still young. Depending on your cancer don't rush into anything you do have time to decide.0 -
Hey taleena....taleena said:hey there
I was wondering about you.... I had gone back and forth too...As you know we were diagnosed around the same time... My lumpectomy and node biopsy are scheduled for Tuesday.
And the last 10 days have been a world wind for me. Trying to absorb as much information in such a short time has honestly been overwhelming.
Hang in there...
~T
well, you are still ahead of me
You have me beat by one day! I go Wednesday for same procedure. Ultimately the Dr's wisdom won over my drastic choice (made more no doubt thru shear panic!). He spent 2 hours with me making this decision so I'm sure it will turn out to be the right one. We'll both hang in there togaether, deal? Pammy 0 -
Thanks fo rthe hugsRE said:HUGS
Pammy, glad the decision portion is over as that is so difficult. It is really nice that your surgeon spent so much time consulting with you, that is a sign of a caring surgeon. Do you have a date yet? My best to you!
RE
Yes...I am scheduled at Aleghany General 7:00am Wednesday the 10th. They would like me there 1 1/2 hours early (lets see...arrive at hospital 5:30am). This means I need to leave my house by 3:30am to be there on time (Possibly 3:45am since I really don't anticipate traffic that time of morning). This means I will need to get up 1:30am to shower, pluck eyebrows, brush teeth AND floss, shave legs, shave underarms, dry hair, dress, etc. Wow....and nothing to eat/drink after midnight!! Do they really think I will have time to sleep? You know as soon as 12:00 comes I will be ravenous and parched!!! It never fails. We tried to book a room to spend the night, but every place wants a 3 night commitment. Something big must be going on in town that week. Still need to go back up for pre-op and PET/CT scan before surgery. ARRGGG.....so complicated!! Pammy 0 -
Hi PammyAkiss4me said:Thanks fo rthe hugs
Yes...I am scheduled at Aleghany General 7:00am Wednesday the 10th. They would like me there 1 1/2 hours early (lets see...arrive at hospital 5:30am). This means I need to leave my house by 3:30am to be there on time (Possibly 3:45am since I really don't anticipate traffic that time of morning). This means I will need to get up 1:30am to shower, pluck eyebrows, brush teeth AND floss, shave legs, shave underarms, dry hair, dress, etc. Wow....and nothing to eat/drink after midnight!! Do they really think I will have time to sleep? You know as soon as 12:00 comes I will be ravenous and parched!!! It never fails. We tried to book a room to spend the night, but every place wants a 3 night commitment. Something big must be going on in town that week. Still need to go back up for pre-op and PET/CT scan before surgery. ARRGGG.....so complicated!! Pammy
Congratulations on making this big decision. I'm glad the doctor took the time to explain things and help you decide. Don't worry, your DH will come around. He is probably just worried about you. Explain the facts to him as your doctor did to you. That will help clarify it in your mind as well.
Wow, your schedule on the morning of surgery sounds tough! Maybe you can do some of those things the day before? Girl, I don't think you need to pluck your eyebrows or do that much shaving before your procedure. LOL. But you do what's comfortable. On the morning of my surgery, I jsut sleepily got into the car and let my husband drive me there.
Good luck!
Mimi0 -
Hang in thereAkiss4me said:Thanks fo rthe hugs
Yes...I am scheduled at Aleghany General 7:00am Wednesday the 10th. They would like me there 1 1/2 hours early (lets see...arrive at hospital 5:30am). This means I need to leave my house by 3:30am to be there on time (Possibly 3:45am since I really don't anticipate traffic that time of morning). This means I will need to get up 1:30am to shower, pluck eyebrows, brush teeth AND floss, shave legs, shave underarms, dry hair, dress, etc. Wow....and nothing to eat/drink after midnight!! Do they really think I will have time to sleep? You know as soon as 12:00 comes I will be ravenous and parched!!! It never fails. We tried to book a room to spend the night, but every place wants a 3 night commitment. Something big must be going on in town that week. Still need to go back up for pre-op and PET/CT scan before surgery. ARRGGG.....so complicated!! Pammy
Hi Pammy,
Hang in there. I'm glad you've made a decision and are moving ahead (glad to hear you have beautiful breasts, too!!).
The ACS has a program where they find hotel rooms, I believe, for people in treatment who live far from the hospital or treatment center. You might just click on the left side of the page, here, under community resources or support programs, or just give ACS a call and see if there's a way they can help you out. Just a thought....
Also, I'm so happy for you that you don't have long to wait. I had to wait two months from diagnosis to surgery, and it was hell! I know it will all go great, and probably a lot smoother than you think.
We're all here for you!
Lots of love,
Debi0 -
LOL....mimivac said:Hi Pammy
Congratulations on making this big decision. I'm glad the doctor took the time to explain things and help you decide. Don't worry, your DH will come around. He is probably just worried about you. Explain the facts to him as your doctor did to you. That will help clarify it in your mind as well.
Wow, your schedule on the morning of surgery sounds tough! Maybe you can do some of those things the day before? Girl, I don't think you need to pluck your eyebrows or do that much shaving before your procedure. LOL. But you do what's comfortable. On the morning of my surgery, I jsut sleepily got into the car and let my husband drive me there.
Good luck!
Mimi
.....but I'll be butt naked under that blanket in the O.R.!!!!!0 -
Thanks Debi...bfbear said:Hang in there
Hi Pammy,
Hang in there. I'm glad you've made a decision and are moving ahead (glad to hear you have beautiful breasts, too!!).
The ACS has a program where they find hotel rooms, I believe, for people in treatment who live far from the hospital or treatment center. You might just click on the left side of the page, here, under community resources or support programs, or just give ACS a call and see if there's a way they can help you out. Just a thought....
Also, I'm so happy for you that you don't have long to wait. I had to wait two months from diagnosis to surgery, and it was hell! I know it will all go great, and probably a lot smoother than you think.
We're all here for you!
Lots of love,
Debi
I'm glad I finally made a decision too!! (I think the doc was hitting on me...ha,ha). He did have some valid points that his expertise was backing up. Now we are waiting to hear OK from insurance so he can get PET/CT scan done before surgery. If we can't get it done prior than he may reschedule for July 1....Also, just some added stress, our insurance will be switching as of the 1st. Not sure how this will effect everything but at the least I'm sure it will cause some billing discrepencies. Keep you fingers crossed!! Pammy 0 -
It's good to know now...
Isn't it? Sounds like you have a fantastic surgeon looking out for your best interests. Medical care that you're confident in and comfortable with is half the battle.
Best wishes to you. And, please do keep us posted of your progress.
Kind regards, Susan0 -
I would contact insurance companyAkiss4me said:Thanks Debi...
I'm glad I finally made a decision too!! (I think the doc was hitting on me...ha,ha). He did have some valid points that his expertise was backing up. Now we are waiting to hear OK from insurance so he can get PET/CT scan done before surgery. If we can't get it done prior than he may reschedule for July 1....Also, just some added stress, our insurance will be switching as of the 1st. Not sure how this will effect everything but at the least I'm sure it will cause some billing discrepencies. Keep you fingers crossed!! Pammy
Since you are switching insurance company on the first you may want to call them since you were diagnosed prior they may consider it pre-existing but if it is a roll over insurance then they may cover it.
Need all avenues crossed.
Margo0 -
Thanks Margo....tommaseena said:I would contact insurance company
Since you are switching insurance company on the first you may want to call them since you were diagnosed prior they may consider it pre-existing but if it is a roll over insurance then they may cover it.
Need all avenues crossed.
Margo
It is a roll over type thing and I was told I would be covered. They even gave me an 800# to contact them (I will probably do that tomorrow) so that they will be aware that I am in the middle of treatment. But I know from experience that things will get tangled up & I'm just not up to wanting to have to straighten it all out. Plus coverage is a little bit different as far as co-pays, etc. Good part is that all my Doctor's treating me now are still in the network!! That was my biggest fear...Whew Pammy 0 -
Hi Pam, I think you made a
Hi Pam, I think you made a good decision. I originally thought I wanted a mastectomy but after listening to my surgeon, I realized I had been reacting out of fear.
After all, when there is only a small tumor, and the rest of the breast is healthy, it serves no purpose to remove all that perfectly good tissue along with the tumor. It does not improve one's prognosis any better than a lumpectomy with radiation.
So I figure why go through all that extra pain, suffering, and emotional trauma that comes with a mastectomy? The thought of losing my breast/s was the thing that was the most depressing to me and I am very grateful that my surgeon cared enough to repeatedly counsel me on my choice and that I eventually listened to him. I wish you luck with your surgery and treatment.0 -
Absolutely..Akiss4me said:Hey taleena....
well, you are still ahead of me You have me beat by one day! I go Wednesday for same procedure. Ultimately the Dr's wisdom won over my drastic choice (made more no doubt thru shear panic!). He spent 2 hours with me making this decision so I'm sure it will turn out to be the right one. We'll both hang in there togaether, deal? Pammy
Absolutely.. positively...DEAL! can you feel me holding your hand..?? Well I am... just through cyber space... and if I lived closer... I would in person!!! We will make it through this...
~T0 -
lumpectomyjk1952 said:Lumpectomy
Pammy,
I didn't realize that you had only been diagnosed a week ago until I reread your posts this morning. What a whirlwind ride you've had! I'm not sure how anyone can do enough research and make a decision in a week.
Although I've always made my own decisions, I have always listened very carefully to my surgeon and her recommendations. She deals with patients with breast cancer all the time. Since the surgeon said that you have beautiful breasts, I'm assuming that he thinks that he can do the lumpectomy without disfiguring your breast. In my instance, when I had the lumpectomy, the breast was conserved quite well, and with time, I forgot to think about the fact that I had survived cancer.
For me, life remained much more normal with a lumpectomy and radiation compared to a mastectomy. Even though I had to go to radiation each day for several weeks, I only missed about a week of work total for the surgeries, and I left work about an hour or two early each day for radiation. The reduced workday helped to delay the exhaustion that many people feel. I had a mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction nine years later (6 weeks ago) and I will be out of work a total of eight weeks. The advances that have been made in cancer treatment in nine years are incredible, and I'm totally at peace with the fact that I went with the lumpectomy in 2000 but then had a bilateral mastectomy this year.
Joyce
why does it seem all these post I read that have had lumpectomy ( I just had 6-8-09) the patients all seem to be back getting a mastectomy. I am giving this my best shot and doing all the recommended treatments chemo, surgery,chemo, radation. I have the attitude if it comes back they'll just have to drug me as it gets worse. You spend more time feeling ill than well. K0 -
Pammy,Akiss4me said:Thanks Margo....
It is a roll over type thing and I was told I would be covered. They even gave me an 800# to contact them (I will probably do that tomorrow) so that they will be aware that I am in the middle of treatment. But I know from experience that things will get tangled up & I'm just not up to wanting to have to straighten it all out. Plus coverage is a little bit different as far as co-pays, etc. Good part is that all my Doctor's treating me now are still in the network!! That was my biggest fear...Whew Pammy
I know what you're talking about! I was immediately worried about how much my being sick would cost us,and was relieved to know that all of my doctors were in my insurance network!Kind of strange to have to worry about money and insurance when you've just been diagnosed with cancer-but that's reality I guess!0
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