Dis Breast Cancer Survivors Part IV - GAGWTA

[snappy]

Sending prayers to you, LMP. And you as well, Pea-in-me.

Hi to all on this thread!

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

lmp - Sending prayers your way!

Pea-n-me - Thinking of you as well and hoping treatment is being kind.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thank you, guys. I really appreciate the prayers and good thoughts.
I’ve been in the hospital with a serious case of cellulitis of my breasts and chest.
My surgeon said he’s never seen anything like it before! (Figures! )
My immunity hadn’t fully recovered and I had so many nodes out that the thinking is whatever germ got in the broken skin that normally would’ve been taken care of by the nodes and lymphatics had nowhere to go so it went inward instead.
Several days of IV antibiotics did their job though and now I’ve transitioned to oral antibiotics with good effect, so I’m hoping I can go home soon.
Things had been going pretty well prior to that, just general recovery after surgery a little more than four weeks ago.

I started on the anastrazole (arimidex) without any difficulty, however doctors in the hospital consulted with my oncologist when this happened and they decided to hold off on it for now just in case it somehow contributed to this “rash” that I have. I think she’ll put me back on it when this clears up and it will be fine, but they get funny like that trying to “rule things out”, you know? (Driving me crazy in more ways than one!) Everyone’s been great, though.
I have my consult for radiation next week. Unfortunately this may set me back as far as a start date goes, so the skin can fully heal, but we’ll have to see what they say.
It’s funny how all these little ups and downs happen when you’re going through something like this but eventually it all works out.

Lmp, saying prayers that everything will be ok with your breast. You don’t need any more issues to deal with! Sending hugs. Hoping everyone else here is doing well and enjoying their summers. We have a family trip scheduled for next month and I’m really hoping nothing else happens and I can actually make it down there! At this point, I am so ready!!

PS My hair is a bit sparse but I am glad I did the hair preservation during chemo. It’s finally starting to grow back at a good pace so I’m not bothering with the headbands anymore and I’ve only gotten a few side glances, lol. Most of the new growth seems to still be brown, as well, except by the temples, but it was sort of like that before anyway! Whatever, I’ll take it!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Oh, I should probably update about the lymphatic bypass I had in my arm (with a vein from my leg) after the full axillary node dissection just for informational purposes in case anyone’s ever looking for a reference here about it.

I had my first PT appt last week with the lymphatic specialist who’s part of the lymphatics team I’m working with, just at four weeks out of surgery. All measurements done before and after the procedure showed there was no change, and that there were no signs of lymphedema in my operative arm at all. This was really great news to hear, since it was such a big part of my surgery - and I did have lymphedema for several years after my previous case of breast cancer on the other side. I was talking to someone in the hospital yesterday who told me her mother recently had surgery and radiation for BC and was currently dealing with lymphedema, so it is still out there. I get a little worried at night when I’m laying on that side, I don’t want it to clog off or anything, and I do have pretty extensive numbness and scarring on that side, but I think that’s also pretty standard with the full axillary node dissection anyway, besides whatever it is they did w my lymphatics. All worth it, at any rate!

 

[Judique]

Oh, I should probably update about the lymphatic bypass I had in my arm (with a vein from my leg) after the full axillary node dissection just for informational purposes in case anyone’s ever looking for a reference here about it.

I had my first PT appt last week with the lymphatic specialist who’s part of the lymphatics team I’m working with, just at four weeks out of surgery. All measurements done before and after the procedure showed there was no change, and that there were no signs of lymphedema in my operative arm at all. This was really great news to hear, since it was such a big part of my surgery - and I did have lymphedema for several years after my previous case of breast cancer on the other side. I was talking to someone in the hospital yesterday who told me her mother recently had surgery and radiation for BC and was currently dealing with lymphedema, so it is still out there. I get a little worried at night when I’m laying on that side, I don’t want it to clog off or anything, and I do have pretty extensive numbness and scarring on that side, but I think that’s also pretty standard with the full axillary node dissection anyway, besides whatever it is they did w my lymphatics. All worth it, at any rate!

This morning I looked for this thread after your visit. I'm so overwhelmed after just reading three pages and cannot even imagine what you and others have been going through! And yet, you took the time to comfort me in my slight brush with this menace.

Thank you so much for your kindness, words of wisdom and even recommendations for a sports bra. I've been so lucky so far and hope that continues. Stay strong and continue to get well! I wish we could meet in the flesh someday.