Surgeon's Appointment

I spent the morning at MD Anderson with an ultrasound and surgical oncologist appointment.  There is no change in the tumor since my last ultrasound in January.  That's good because it is not growing.  There was a small part that actually thought maybe they won't force me to take my last chemo treatment.  Ugh - no luck!  I must endure one last chemotherapy.  I'll be honest just the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach!!!!!

Dr. Hunt, her nurse practitioner, Jim, and I made the final decision in surgery choice.  We have decided to go with the single mastectomy with the DIEP reconstruction.  Hopefully this will mean no radiation and in the long run less surgeries.  

I have pre-op tests and such at MD Anderson on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.  They will do a breast needle localization procedure, then lymphoscintigraphy dose, and then breast lymphoscintigraphy.  This will tell Dr Hunt which lymph nodes my tumor drains (it could be the ones under the arm or the mammary glands in the middle of the chest).  They will take those particular lymph nodes out during surgery (sentinel lobe biopsy) to determine if there are any cancerous cells in the lymph node system.  They will do a quick diagnosis of the removed nodes.  If they look clean then no other lymph nodes are removed.  If they find any cancerous cells then they might have to remove all of them.  This could determine a change in my course of treatment.  Cancer is so tricky - never a clear path to travel.  It will take 7-10 days to get the full report on the removed lymph nodes.  

I check in at the hospital on Wednesday, May 6th.  I have another breast needle localization and then surgery.  The plan is to have reconstruction immediately following the mastectomy.   They will use my abdomen tissue and skin to reconstruct.  There is not a set time of surgery as of yet.  Surgery is expected to last about 10 hours.  The average stay for this type of surgery is 5 days.  They say six week recovery time.

My next chemotherapy treatment is scheduled for April 9th.  I HOPE this is the last one!!!  As many of you know this last set of treatments have been really tough.  I cannot wait to be done!!  

Thanks so much for all the thoughts and prayers, the meals, the child care, the rides!  It is such a blessing to have such a wonderful support group!

I love you all,

Terrie

Chemo #3 FAC

It's seem so long ago since I've posted anything.  I've been so lucky that there has not been anything to complain about.  After I got over the nausea of the second treatment, I had a great 2 weeks!

Today's treatment was okay.  I was very anxious about the whole thing.  It's really hard knowing that you are going to be sick.  There were a few moments I wanted to yank out all the tubes and just cry because I didn't want to go through it again.  Deep breaths and happy thoughts saved me. They gave some "queasy pops" to see if they would help with my stomach.  I think it just diverted my attention, which was helpful.  

I came home ate lunch and napped.  It's been about 3 hours and I'm feeling okay.  It feels as though the nausea is on it's way.  I have this yucky taste in my mouth and my head feels a little shaky.  They talked me into having the steroid again, they said it could help with the nausea.  I hope it makes a difference.  

I am so grateful for all the supportive thoughts and prayers!!  I pray for all you too!  The meals, childcare, and rides are so much more than I ever could ask for!  I honestly have the most giving and self-sacrificing family and friends.

I love all of you!

Terrie