Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part II -GAGWTA!

[snappy]

Your post reminded me of a great big beautiful tomorrow at the Carousel of Progress, Barbara.

Gosh I love that ride. I never ever miss it if it is operating. My family think I am nuts and I guess I am. It is a great alternative to Space Mountain which I no longer can tolerate.

Hope you are doing well too, Barbara. Hope your heart issues have resolved.

 

[snappy]

Sha - Lots of good wishes to you and your classmates!!

BeadyLady - I hope your treatments bring relief soon!!


My mom informed me last night that I don't need to fly up for her surgery because it won't be that big of a deal. She actually said she thinks it will just be an in-office procedure! I shouldn't laugh, but I found it funny. It's not a wart removal. Even if it isn't a full-on mastectomy it is still a serious thing to remove the tumor and check the lymph nodes, right? Let me know if I am wrong! I will still go up there, even if it is a simple procedure.

The lymph node removal was the worst part for me. It is definitely painful and she will need to be doing exercises to regain mobility in that arm. It is a slow buildup of different exercises over a few weeks.

I imagine she will have drains, which I found tricky at best. It really helps to have someone else to strip them in the first few days. With the mastectomy I had 3 drains, not sure how many drains are necessary with a lumpectomy and lymph node removal. Anyone?

She will have general anesthesia and I never think that is a walk in the park.
I guess a lumpectomy could be day surgery? With a mastectomy you are in and out in 24 hours.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

With a mastectomy you are in and out in 24 hours.

24 hours?! Is this without reconstruction? My insurance company is approving 4 nights. Breast doc says 2-3 nights for my surgery.

 

[MerryPoppins]

I was in the hospital for two days and went home with three drains. I had mastectomy, reduction of the other breast and an expander. I was fine home alone, but my mom checked on me regularly via phone in the daytime and I had DH at night. Mom also came by to help strip the drains. I just didn't have the strength to do it the first few days. Oh and DH helped me with bathtime at night. I did fine alone except when it came to the dealing with the elastic bandages. That was too much with both arms so sore. And going to the bathroom was a trip. Again, pulling up pants was hard for me.

Sorry I've been MIA lately. I actually read a couple of times a day, but life's been hectic.

You're all in my thoughts and prayers. GAGWTA

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Usually no drains with lumpectomy. And yes, day surgery.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Thanks! I guess we'll see how extensive it will be once she goes back for her follow up with the oncologist. Initially the surgeon told her mastectomy, but then the oncologist said MAYBE lumpectomy if she responds well to the Arimidex. He did tell her mastectomy if she doesn't want to do radiation, but if her lymph nodes aren't clear then she'll have to do the radiation anyway. I don't think even the best case scenario is as simple as she wants me to believe.

I hope everyone has a good day today!

 

[snappy]

24 hours?! Is this without reconstruction? My insurance company is approving 4 nights. Breast doc says 2-3 nights for my surgery.

Yep 24 hours was for mastectomy alone. It actually turns out to be more since you go in early in the morning, actually to day surgery, with one night in the hospital, leaving the next day mid day. So technically it is more than 24 hours, say, 30. I really did not think more time in the hospital would have been of much help really. You have to get "situated" at home, not going to happen in the hospital.

Going through the anesthesia takes something out of you. Most of my pain was handled by tylenol, but the pain where the nodes were removed lingered and felt like nerve pain up and down my arm. Tylenol did not help that.

My reconstruction was 2 plus years later, two nights in the hospital for that for a free tram. Comparing the two surgeries=night and day, reconstruction being much, much more difficult. I felt awful in the hospital, mostly from the incision on the abdomen. However, emotionally it was an easier surgery since it was a positive, improving surgery compared to the mastectomy. Also, with the mastectomy I was expecting more bad news from the pathology, so that weighed on my mind.

Three to four days sounds much better for the reconstruction.

 

[Sha]

I PASSED AND MAINTAINED MY "B" AVERAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! now barring anything going horribly wroing with preceptor (and it shouldnt) graduation on May 2nd 2008 Thanks to everyone for prayers and support and cheering and .... thanks... I may start crying soon! (good tears.... honest)

 

[BeadyLady]

YIPPEE! Way to go Sha! And good news on this board.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I don't know where my mom is in her thoughts on reconstruction. I told her a mastectomy will be an overnight stay at the least. She hasn't has general anesthesia for about 25 years so there is obviously no way to predict how she will react to that.

Sha - That is wonderful news! Congrats to you!!

 

[MerryPoppins]

I don't know where my mom is in her thoughts on reconstruction. I told her a mastectomy will be an overnight stay at the least. She hasn't has general anesthesia for about 25 years so there is obviously no way to predict how she will react to that.

The other thing to consider is when she'll be allowed to drive. Even as an outpatient, she'd need someone to drive her home from surgery. If she has a mastectomy, I'd think she'd need someone at least part of the time for a few days.

Congratulations Sha! I'm proud of you. Hope your classmates also did well.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

The other thing to consider is when she'll be allowed to drive. Even as an outpatient, she'd need someone to drive her home from surgery. If she has a mastectomy, I'd think she'd need someone at least part of the time for a few days.

Congratulations Sha! I'm proud of you. Hope your classmates also did well.

She likes to ignore medical advice like not driving. Her sister lives up there, as well as a bunch of my cousins, so there would definitely be someone to drive her home. But I want to be there to make sure my 16 year old sister isn't making Mom drive her to get McDonald's as soon as the discharge papers are signed. My sister thinks nobody matters but her, and my mother encourages her to think that.

 

[laurabelle]

My insurance company has denied me the drug. My GI doc is appealing. He said the process will take 2 weeks. I hope my colon holds out, it's not good.

 

[piglet too]

I am so sorry. I hope the appeal goes through, and quickly too.

 

[Sha]

My insurance company has denied me the drug. My GI doc is appealing. He said the process will take 2 weeks. I hope my colon holds out, it's not good.

Added prayers for you Laurabelle

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

My insurance company has denied me the drug. My GI doc is appealing. He said the process will take 2 weeks. I hope my colon holds out, it's not good.

I am so sorry! I hope somebody can figure out something to help you!! In the meantime, tons of hugs and good wishes for you!!

 

[MerryPoppins]

My insurance company has denied me the drug. My GI doc is appealing. He said the process will take 2 weeks. I hope my colon holds out, it's not good.

This makes me so angry. I don't think insurance companies should be able to tell doctors that they won't cover some drugs. Totally not fair.

 

[snappy]

Sha, congrats on your success and on the upcoming graduation. Way to go!!

Laura, I am so sorry the medicine was denied. I take it that the steriods did little to help. I am praying for you sista.

 

[annrae]

My insurance company has denied me the drug. My GI doc is appealing. He said the process will take 2 weeks. I hope my colon holds out, it's not good.

Oh Laura: I hope and pray the appeal process will take much less time - I simply cannot believe this!!

Please know that I am thinking of you - hang in there Laura. Hugs Barbara

 

[laurabelle]

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

Congrats Sha!!!

Thank sistas. I did look on Humira's website to find out if there was either prescription assistance or a clinical trial that I qualify for and unfortunately I don't qualify for either one. My Dr. wants me to be admitted for I.V. steroid therapy, and I may have to, but I'm trying to stay home as long as I possibly can. I'll keep you updated.

On a Disney note, hubby had me change our resort from Pop to AKL. (after Samantha Brown's special last night reminded us how much we loved it!) I told you he's a resort snob! Oh well, I tried to save some $, but he's the birthday boy.