Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[mickeymost]

Hi Everyone ***GAGWTA***

Just wanted to update all of you. Got back from the PS around 2:30 and have been trying to book reasonable flights for my DH and mom. Well, the implant needs to come out. No big surprise there! He wanted to do it today, but without anyone here to take care of my kids, I had to put it off. I'm now scheduled for Fri morning. My DH and DM are flying in tomorrow. What a pain in the *ss!! I'm beginning to think these implants were more trouble than they were worth. I'm going to have to stay in the hospital for 2 days on IV antibiotics. Just where I want to spend my weekend. I told him the only way I'm doing this now is if I'll be okay for my disney trip in early. He assured me I will be going. He will be removing the implant and capsule. The skin is now way to thin to support another implant, so he gave me all of the other options. Tram, free-tram, DIEP or the lat. transplant. DIEP sounds the best, but he admitted he hadn't actually done one, so don't know if I want to go there. I've had my fair share of difficulty already! I have 3 to 6 months to decide any way.

Enough of my sob story!

Hope everyone is well

Kelly

 

[NHAnn]

Snappy, you are not being a whiny behiny!! This is major surgery and requires a lot of research and soul ssearching!

I totally agree!
But I gotta admit the "whiny behiny" phrase struck me so funny I have this mental image in my head of snappy/laurie as this serene softspoken "steel magnolia" and then the "whiny behiny" comment just cracked me up - imagining my mental image of snappy having a whining hissy fit
And I'll say again that I really enjoy reading ALL the issues and info and comments.

Kelly.... I'll be thinking of you Friday and over the weekend. I'm glad you have a trip to look forward too!!!

 

[snappy]

I totally agree!
But I gotta admit the "whiny behiny" phrase struck me so funny I have this mental image in my head of snappy/laurie as this serene softspoken "steel magnolia" and then the "whiny behiny" comment just cracked me up - imagining my mental image of snappy having a whining hissy fit

Oh man, Ann, I really like the sound of your mental image of me, although it is a lot to live up to. I gotta let DH in on my new personna as a serene softspoken steel magnolia. He is much more familiar with the hissy fit part, trust me.

Got my hair cut this afternoon, DD15 complemented me first thing when I pick her up from Swim practice. DD10 also loved it. DS17 had no comment. DD10 calls it my flipped up spiky look. Wonder what it will look like tomorrow. Ha!

 

[snappy]

Kelly, I am sorry about the trouble you are having with your implant. More surgery and the weekend in the hospital, that's the pits.

From my reading about reconstruction, you want a doctor that has done at least 100 of the procedure you want, preferably 300 or more. The DIEP is only done frequently by a handful of doctors, many women travel out of town to have one of these docs do it. If you google DIEP, you'll get a list of doctors. It does sound like it takes a lot of expertise under the microscope, and it is a long surgery.

If you want to share notes on reconstruction, ask away, or pm me anytime.
I am pretty sure I am going to do the latissimus dorsi flap sometime in the next few months, here in Baton Rouge. I really don't want to travel. I think I found the right doc and the right surgery for me.

Now I am investigating hospitals. The doc Friday suggested this rather new boutique type hospital, he siad if it was his wife or mom, that's where he would schedule it. I really did not pay attention, I doubted whether our insurance would cover this hospital. I called the hospital, it's called Vista Surgical hospital, they just started accepting our insurance last week. Is that a wierd coincidence or what. The insurance company's website already has the hospital listed as a participating hospital.

There are several other good choices of hospitals too. I am going to asking around about this hospital.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Holy cow, what an evening! I decided to make spaghetti and meatballs for my friend and her family (the one with cervical ca who had a hysterectomy this week). Just as luck would have it, as I pull in the driveway with a slew of groceries I notice my neighbors out - turns out the whole street has lost power. I had to make it today since I have to work the next couple of nights. So no electricity, [tired] kids *trying* to do homework by lantern, groceries everywhere, neighbors knocking on the door, dog barking, pot of sauce overflowing and meatballs burning. Um, I'm sure this dinner's going to be a hit. Of course just as we're cleaning up, the power comes back on. Sheesh - as if spending the morning in the dentist's chair wasn't bad enough...

Serene soft spoken steel magnolia. Yup, that sounds about right! It is kind of interesting to wonder what everyone is really like, isn't it?

Kelly, {{{ sigh }}} You've been through a lot. I hope whatever you decide to do next works out better and stays that way for a long time.

Laurie, hope you can find a doctor and hospital that do the procedure you want.

MinnieM3, good luck with your surgery. Hope you can have some enjoyment on your vacation anyway.

Christine, how was your day?

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~

Kelly- I'm sorry you're facing more surgery. Yes, Laurie's right, the PS needs to be an expert on the flap surgeries, so don't feel weird about going elsewhere to have it done. I'm praying your surgery goes well and those I.V. meds kick in quickly and you're outta that hospital ASAP sista!

Ann-Yes, Laurie is our serene, steel magnolia, love it!

Linda- Good grief - what a day!

 

[NHAnn]

Oh my Linda... I won't share my mental image of THAT scene! Hope today is better!
I am always curious on the DIS to see if others share the same impressions of people and personalities! ....I've had the pleasure of meeting quite a few DISers over the years, a few on a thread I've been on regularly for the 4+ yrs I've been here (met them in New England as well at at WDW)....and lots more at various meets in the Boston area. Sometimes my preconceptions are very very right and some are very very wrong too!!
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could meet some time?

GAGWTA!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Yes, that was nuts!

And yes, I do think it would be wonderful to meet all of you.

 

[snappy]

On the flaps Kelly, it is not only the DIEPS that the docs should have lots of experience on, it is all flaps. I had a consult with one doc last week on Monday, and when I questioned him about how many flaps he does a week
(we were talking free tram flaps), he said it is more like 20 a YEAR. Not many. I failed to ask how many he has done since he began practicing.
He is 60 ish. The doc I saw Friday said that by and large it is more the younger doctors who do a lot of flap surgery, that these are a higher % of their practice until the cosmetic side of their practice grows into a larger base. I suspect some of it is $$ driven too, I was also told that the reimbursement from insurance is a lot lower when compared to the amount of time the docs invest on flaps compared to the more lucrative patient paid cosmetic procedures.

If I were you when you do your research, ask how many of the procedure you want the doctor CURRENTLY does, as well as how many he has done careerwise. Also, ask about how many reoperations he has to do, and which procedure requires most of the reoperations.

BTW, the doctors in New Orleans (not in network for my insurance) do 7-8 DIEPS per WEEK, according to their office. I am not sure how many they have done over their careers, but 7 or 8 per week add up quick over a year's span. They are youngish 30's, 40's, both of them were residents under the PS I saw Friday who is a youngish 40 as well I would guess. They do surgery together, one is right handed the other left handed so they get the surgery finished more quickly. When I read this on their website, I had to laugh. I could picture two pianists side by side on the piano bench, playing in tandem.

Linda, what a night. I had a less than successful dinner last night too. I tried a new recipe, which I very seldom do,(it was steak and sweet pepper sauce from better Homes and Gardens). I am trying to make lower sodium dishes for my benefit. Everything was finished at different times, no one was brave enough to try anything but the ribeye part of it, they didn't want the rice and veggies part so there was not enough steak. DS17 ended up with a frozen pot pie so that he would not starve. Oh well, at least we all ate at home together but it was not a home cooked meal to remember. Not a Hallmark moment.

It would be a blast to try for a meet. I have not yet met another Dis'er in person. WDW would be great, but I would also love to meet at a Cancer walk or run fundraiser. Something we can talk about anyways.

happy Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lessa, how are you doing?? Haven't heard from you.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Lessa, how are you doing?? Haven't heard from you.

Meant to post it, I was wondering the same thing. That last taxol dose must have been rough. Lessa, let us know how you're doing when you have a chance. We're thinking of you.

Laurie, steak and sweet pepper sauce sounds nice right about now! (Heck, I love anything I don't have to cook! ) It's funny, since my chemo, peppers don't sit too well with me, but sweet peppers sound pretty good. Maybe I'm just hungry.

 

[mickeymost]

snappy - thanks for the flap info. The more educated the better, I feel. This PS told me he does perform the tram and free tram, but I didn't ask how many. Honestly all I want is this thing out at this point. I'll have 3 -6 mos. min. to do the research and decide what I want to do . I may be leaning toward latissimus myself, don't know if I want to undergo the abdominal surgery at this point, but that could change in 6 mos. The tisssue that is there has been radiated twice, it's time for it to go. Guess I need to find me a good prostesis for the time being. So many decisions, I'm glad I don't have to make them now. It gives me time to decide what to do with a clear mind and not spur of the moment. I don't know if I'm willing to go too far out of town either, guess I have a lot to ponder.

Thanks for all of your prayers and good wishes Tomorrow can't get here soon enough for me, I'm in soooooooooo much pain.

Kelly

 

[snappy]

Sorry, Linda, my only leftovers are veggies, but here's the recipe. Got it from the regular section of the pink ribbon limited edition of Better Homes (my comments are marked with *):

Steak with Sweet Pepper Sauce

Fast Low fat

Start to finish: 30 minutes Makes: 4 servings (*no wonder we ran out of meat)

2 medium green and/or red sweet peppers (*I call 'em bell peppers)
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium) (*I used more cuz I like onions)
2 cloves garlic minced (*I used 2 T of prechopped garlic I get from Sam's)
1 Tablespoon oil (*I used extra virgin olive oil)
1 pound beef ribeye steak, cut to 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick or 1 pound beef top sirloin steak, cut the same (*I used boneless ribeye)

Salt (*I left this off)
Black Pepper
1/2 cup beef broth (*I used the canned low sodium kind)
1 Tablespoon snipped fresh oregano or basil or 1 teaspoon dried oregano or basil, crushed (*I used dried sweet basil, that is what I had)

1 cup chopped, seeded tomatoes (2 medium)

Hot cooked rice (optional)

1. In a large skillet cook sweet peppers, onions and garlic in hot oil about 4 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tneder. Remove vegetables from skillet with a slotted spoon.

2. Season meat with salt and pepper. Place meat in the skillet. (add more oil, if necessary.) Cook over medium-high heat about 4 minutes on each side or until desired doneness (145 degrees for medium rate to 160 degrees F for medium.) Transfer the meat to a serving platter, reserving drippings in the skillet. Keep warm. (*I found medium high cooked the meat too hot and scorched the outside before it was done enough inside, I would use the medium setting next time but my range top is HOT.)

3. For sauce, carefully add beef broth and oregano or basil to reserved drippings. Bring to boiling. Boil gently, uncovered, over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until broth is reduced to 1/4 cup, scraping up crusty browned bits in pan. Stir in the cooked vegetables and tomatoes. Heat through. Spoon over meat. If desired, serve with hot cooked rice (*I used brown rice.)

Nutrition facts per serving: 212 cal, 8g total fat (2 g sat. fat), 53 mg chol, 223 mg sodium. 9 g carbo, 2 g fiber, 26 g Pro.

Try it you might like it. Warning: you might need an assistant, I was so focused on the new recipe, I forgot completely to cook the rice until I was almost done. The cooking part seemed to go fast.

 

[snappy]

Oh, man I am glad that last post went through. I got the cannot find server message right after I hit the post button.

Whew!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Aren't you nice to share that! Thank you, I'll give it a try.

 

[NHAnn]

Linda...you were ER- . right? I got this in an e-mail from my support group in case you haven't seen it:
Dear breastcancer.org Community Member:
What does it mean to have "hormone-receptor-negative" (HR-negative)
breast cancer? How important are hormones to your medical picture? What
is being done in the area of research into HR-negative cancers and
chemotherapy, targeted therapies like Herceptin, and other treatment
options?
For a discussion of these important questions and more, join us next
Wednesday, November 16th, between 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time EST, (02:30 to 04:00 GMT November 17th)*, for this month's
Ask-the-Expert Online Conference: Hormone-Receptive-Negative Breast
Cancer.
The guest speaker is Kathy D. Miller, M.D. Dr. Miller is Assistant
Professor of Medical Oncology at Indiana University. She has a special
interest in new cancer treatments, including clinical trials of
biologically-based therapies. Kathy did her training at Johns Hopkins
and Indiana University, and is a member of the breastcancer.org
professional advisory board.
The Conference will be moderated by Jennifer Armstrong, M.D. Dr.
Armstrong is a breast cancer oncologist with Paoli Hematology Oncology
Associates in Paoli, PA. She did her training at the University of
Pennsylvania and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. She
is also a member of the breastcancer.org professional advisory board.
To join the Conference, go to the breastcancer.org home page any time
between 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. EST* on November 16 (02:30 and 04:00 GMT
November 17) and click on the "Join Conference" button. No special
software is required. A transcript of the Conference will be posted on
our site by November 23rd.



That recipe sounds good!!

I have a new grandson as of last night !
(Our 7th grandchild in a little over 4 years who'd have "thunk" that when I married DH in 1993 as a single mom of a second-grader...that 12 years later I would have 7 grandchildren?!?!
Kael Lawrence and his mom (our DIL) are doing great, I ran up to the hospital after work today to meet him. DH is pleased because Kael's middle name is DHs middle name...

GAGWTA!!

 

[mickeymost]

GAGWTA

Ann Congratulations Glad to hear mom and baby are doing well. Time sure flies doesn't it.

I have to pack for the hospital. I'll check in when I get out in a few days.

Kelly

 

[snappy]

Ann, congrats on another addition to your family. Glad mom and baby Kael are doing well. Also neat that they named the baby after his granddaddy.
We used my MIL's first name for DD10's middle name, Lorraine. She baby sat all three of our kids for at least a year after they were born since I was working full time. I never felt comfortable leaving an infant with a stranger.
Needless to say she is very close to all three.

Kelly, hope the antibiotics work quickly and you get sprung from the hospital on time, hey even early. And I hope they can manage the pain for you while you're there.

HAPPY FRIDAY, everyone!!!!!

GAGWTA!!!!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Just wanted to make sure you guys see this thread.
I told her about you guys and how wonderful you are.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=10555204&posted=1#post10555204

 

[WeluvDisney2]

ETA: Thanks Mom2Ashli. Wow, I see you are way ahead of me. ~Monique
Hi everyone. I posted this on the community board too, but I thought I could find some encouragement here as well. I am so glad that you all have beat this thing. Here is my story:
I found out that I have Inflammatory Breast Cancer last Thursday. It is a level IIIb cancer.
I noticed a rash on my left breast in August. I had two courses of antibiotics, then two ultrasounds, blood tests, two mammograms, a breast MRI, a skin biopsy and a needle biopsy.
I am a 34 year old mom of 4 kids ages 13, 10, 5 and 3. My greatest fear is not being around when my kids need me.
Please pray for me and my family. If anyone has experience with this and can offer some encouragement, it would mean alot to me. Thanks, Monique

 

[SillyMe]

ETA: Thanks Mom2Ashli. Wow, I see you are way ahead of me. ~Monique
Hi everyone. I posted this on the community board too, but I thought I could find some encouragement here as well. I am so glad that you all have beat this thing. Here is my story:
I found out that I have Inflammatory Breast Cancer last Thursday. It is a level IIIb cancer.
I noticed a rash on my left breast in August. I had two courses of antibiotics, then two ultrasounds, blood tests, two mammograms, a breast MRI, a skin biopsy and a needle biopsy.
I am a 34 year old mom of 4 kids ages 13, 10, 5 and 3. My greatest fear is not being around when my kids need me.
Please pray for me and my family. If anyone has experience with this and can offer some encouragement, it would mean alot to me. Thanks, Monique

Monique, you will be in my prayers. These women are incredible. If you need anything, you will find it here. My mother was just diagnosed about two months ago with breast cancer. I have received alot of information and alot of support from the people here. I am very grateful for that.

I do have an update. I just got back from my mom's appointment. The oncologist wanted her to have chemo, which she didn't want to do. She insisted on the new Oncotype test. We got the results today. Her # was 17, which is in the low end for recurrence. The doctor commended her on her decision to go ahead with the test. She does not need chemo. He is starting her on Remidex and she will start her radiation soon.