I had a routine appointment with my doctor last Thursday and she had to check me out since she was away during my last treatment and I was seen by her replacement. Dr. S didn't feel that the tumor had shrunk a significant amount. She said that tumors can have scar tissue and other barriers that make it difficult to "feel" its actual size. Even though I have felt that the tumor has gotten smaller (my breasts look symmetrical now compared to before when the right side was more than a half size larger), I can't be sure. Lymph nodes, however, are much better indicators of whether or not the chemo has been effective. After looking back at her notes from our first visit, she was happy to report that my lymph nodes had shrunk from over 3 cm masses to a 1.5! So as long as the cancer is not advancing, we are making progress.
Going into the 4th cycle of treatment, I did not feel any self-induced nausea. I think it was my own mind playing tricks on me since I knew it was the last "bad" one. I faired the best I ever had and didn't even vomit! The past few days have just been laying low but I was already out today for lunch and a walk around the mall during Aidan's school time. Looking forward to chowing down on good food and hanging with good company this week!
Love, J
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
"One Halle Berry, please."
I went to see the plastic surgeon yesterday and got an earful! TMI!! Before going in, I was pretty sure I would get reconstructive surgery. However, after the consultation, I have some serious considerations. With cancer, it's just not as simple as getting a boob job.
Two surgeons will work simultaneously during surgery. One surgeon will remove the tumour and the other will do the reconstruction. There are two routes with reconstruction--implants or using tissue from your own body. Since I am going to have radiation therapy which will cause scarring around the implants and other complications, she does not want to use implants. Thank goodness because I probably would say no to implants since that would also mean a one year process and surgery at some time in the future to replace them. Therefore, she would be using "tissue" (better known as fat) from my stomach area. Luckily, I have enough fat in that area (as if there was any doubt!) and I told her emphatically that I could do my part in the weight gain department. This type of surgery would mean a scar that would go hip to hip across my stomach which would make recovery time longer. Good news is that it would be a major tummy tuck--another cancer perk (I can already hear all mothers out there with postpartum pouches cheering). The scar would also be at the same place as my c-section so I wouldn't have two lines down there.
Bad news in a nutshell: 8 hour surgery, 3-5 days in hospital, 6 week recovery time (vs. 2 weeks for a mastectomy), and nipple reconstruction at a later date (minor procedure done in office). Also with any surgery, many complications can arise (mostly 2% or under) which was explained to us in FULL detail. We were also shown in pure national geographic fashion, exactly how the blood vessels detach and will reconnect, blah blah blah. Didn't need to see it to believe it! Luckily, neither one of us were squeamish and we just had a laugh about it in the elevator.
I have full confidence in this plastic surgeon as she is top rated and only works with the best. She is probably the same age as me or not much older and is extremely diligent in what she does. She actually prefers the 8 hour method vs. a 4 hour method to avoid complications during surgery so that tells a lot about the type of doctor she is. My only complaint is that she talked too fast and told me way too much stuff, half of which I can't remember. I am supposed to read up more information on her website and I can email or see her again if I have any other questions.
So, I have a lot to think about in the next couple of months. Doc has given me until end of February to decide what I want to do since they have to book the O.R. months in advance for June. Now I understand why so many people do not do reconstruction. I don't like pain or hospitals but at the same time, that will all be temporary. Whatever I decide will affect the rest of my life and I definitely don't want to go through surgery again later. In any case, even if I wanted to do reconstruction at some later time, the waiting list could be as long as 3 years since I will no longer be a cancer patient who gets priority. I also have to consider the results of the genetic test which will affect my decision on a possible double mastectomy. If anyone knows of someone who has had reconstruction with tissue, please let me know if they are willing to talk to me about it. I would like to get their perspective.
On Friday, I head off to my 4th treatment--the last one with nausea! This will also mark the half way point so I am relieved to get it done. This week, I am just eating well, enjoying friends, and going out everyday so I can get my fun in before catching up on my recorded shows. The kids are well and although Liam is cruising around, he has no immediate plans for walking anytime soon (14 months and counting)! Aidan is only concerned about whether on not his crush is back at preschool, and Elt is excited about skating on Canuck ice on Saturday. Will blog soon. :)
Love, J
Two surgeons will work simultaneously during surgery. One surgeon will remove the tumour and the other will do the reconstruction. There are two routes with reconstruction--implants or using tissue from your own body. Since I am going to have radiation therapy which will cause scarring around the implants and other complications, she does not want to use implants. Thank goodness because I probably would say no to implants since that would also mean a one year process and surgery at some time in the future to replace them. Therefore, she would be using "tissue" (better known as fat) from my stomach area. Luckily, I have enough fat in that area (as if there was any doubt!) and I told her emphatically that I could do my part in the weight gain department. This type of surgery would mean a scar that would go hip to hip across my stomach which would make recovery time longer. Good news is that it would be a major tummy tuck--another cancer perk (I can already hear all mothers out there with postpartum pouches cheering). The scar would also be at the same place as my c-section so I wouldn't have two lines down there.
Bad news in a nutshell: 8 hour surgery, 3-5 days in hospital, 6 week recovery time (vs. 2 weeks for a mastectomy), and nipple reconstruction at a later date (minor procedure done in office). Also with any surgery, many complications can arise (mostly 2% or under) which was explained to us in FULL detail. We were also shown in pure national geographic fashion, exactly how the blood vessels detach and will reconnect, blah blah blah. Didn't need to see it to believe it! Luckily, neither one of us were squeamish and we just had a laugh about it in the elevator.
I have full confidence in this plastic surgeon as she is top rated and only works with the best. She is probably the same age as me or not much older and is extremely diligent in what she does. She actually prefers the 8 hour method vs. a 4 hour method to avoid complications during surgery so that tells a lot about the type of doctor she is. My only complaint is that she talked too fast and told me way too much stuff, half of which I can't remember. I am supposed to read up more information on her website and I can email or see her again if I have any other questions.
So, I have a lot to think about in the next couple of months. Doc has given me until end of February to decide what I want to do since they have to book the O.R. months in advance for June. Now I understand why so many people do not do reconstruction. I don't like pain or hospitals but at the same time, that will all be temporary. Whatever I decide will affect the rest of my life and I definitely don't want to go through surgery again later. In any case, even if I wanted to do reconstruction at some later time, the waiting list could be as long as 3 years since I will no longer be a cancer patient who gets priority. I also have to consider the results of the genetic test which will affect my decision on a possible double mastectomy. If anyone knows of someone who has had reconstruction with tissue, please let me know if they are willing to talk to me about it. I would like to get their perspective.
On Friday, I head off to my 4th treatment--the last one with nausea! This will also mark the half way point so I am relieved to get it done. This week, I am just eating well, enjoying friends, and going out everyday so I can get my fun in before catching up on my recorded shows. The kids are well and although Liam is cruising around, he has no immediate plans for walking anytime soon (14 months and counting)! Aidan is only concerned about whether on not his crush is back at preschool, and Elt is excited about skating on Canuck ice on Saturday. Will blog soon. :)
Love, J
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Happy New Year
What a two weeks it has been! Long to say the least and my recovery has been slower this time around. We celebrated Christmas with our families the week before my treatment and had the kids open up presents in the morning of Christmas eve. When I asked Aidan what his favourite present was, he replied, "The toothpaste cause it's what I've always wanted." It's the simple things in life that keep kids happy and it's definitely what keeps me happy these days too.
My doctor's visit the day before chemo was uneventful except that my white blood cell count went from a 1. something to a whopping 4.2! At least the injections were doing their job so we need to continue doing them for each cycle. This will just boost my immunity even more and keep me healthier between treatments.
Even though my treatment was in the afternoon, I was already feeling the icky stomach in the morning. This was the first time that has happened and even though I wasn't trying to think about it, the nausea kept coming throughout the day. I usually like to chow down at this restaurant nearby before treatment but it was even difficult for me to finish my meal. When Grace and I got to the treatment room, it was a full house of 4 which has never happened before. The nurse said it was quite busy that day because some patients were having chemo early since they were only half-staffed for the following Monday due to the holiday. One woman had her treatment lying down on a bed that and had to be rotated in several different positions during the infusion. Just as we were getting started, I got a surprise visit from a good friend which perked us up and made everything go a little faster. I was done in an hour as usual and then made our way home.
I did quite well the first night because I took extra meds as soon as I got home. I got sick once but for most of the night, I didn't feel nauseated at all and could sleep. Aidan got a fever that night too and ended up in bed with me all week. He had an ear infection which he had to fight off without antibiotics and made the week even more taxing. Not only was I feeling awful, but there was also Aidan who had round-the-clock pain meds and was waking up at least 3-4 times a night for water, washroom, and just whining. It took him exactly the same time as me to feel better so Elt had two patients to look after all week. I didn't eat as well this time either because my appetite just wasn't there and it was harder to fall asleep at night. Then when I finally did fall asleep, Aidan would wake up. Due to all the interrupted sleep, I am still not feeling like my usual self. Add on a busy funeral day with dinner on Friday, staying up late new year's eve, and a big family gathering last night, I will admit that I am tired! I am 90% there but will rest a bit more in the next couple of days to get where I need to be.
Need to make lunch now so gotta fly...:) Happy New Year!
J
My doctor's visit the day before chemo was uneventful except that my white blood cell count went from a 1. something to a whopping 4.2! At least the injections were doing their job so we need to continue doing them for each cycle. This will just boost my immunity even more and keep me healthier between treatments.
Even though my treatment was in the afternoon, I was already feeling the icky stomach in the morning. This was the first time that has happened and even though I wasn't trying to think about it, the nausea kept coming throughout the day. I usually like to chow down at this restaurant nearby before treatment but it was even difficult for me to finish my meal. When Grace and I got to the treatment room, it was a full house of 4 which has never happened before. The nurse said it was quite busy that day because some patients were having chemo early since they were only half-staffed for the following Monday due to the holiday. One woman had her treatment lying down on a bed that and had to be rotated in several different positions during the infusion. Just as we were getting started, I got a surprise visit from a good friend which perked us up and made everything go a little faster. I was done in an hour as usual and then made our way home.
I did quite well the first night because I took extra meds as soon as I got home. I got sick once but for most of the night, I didn't feel nauseated at all and could sleep. Aidan got a fever that night too and ended up in bed with me all week. He had an ear infection which he had to fight off without antibiotics and made the week even more taxing. Not only was I feeling awful, but there was also Aidan who had round-the-clock pain meds and was waking up at least 3-4 times a night for water, washroom, and just whining. It took him exactly the same time as me to feel better so Elt had two patients to look after all week. I didn't eat as well this time either because my appetite just wasn't there and it was harder to fall asleep at night. Then when I finally did fall asleep, Aidan would wake up. Due to all the interrupted sleep, I am still not feeling like my usual self. Add on a busy funeral day with dinner on Friday, staying up late new year's eve, and a big family gathering last night, I will admit that I am tired! I am 90% there but will rest a bit more in the next couple of days to get where I need to be.
Need to make lunch now so gotta fly...:) Happy New Year!
J
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)