Ah, Hubby didn't post the outcome of the surgery, sorry those of you on the edge of your seats. The sentinel nodes (4 of them) were clear of cancer, therefore, there was no invasive cancer, it was localized to the left breast only, and the surgery cured me of cancer.
I will, however, be taking Tamoxifen for up to 5 years to help protect my remaining breast. I see the oncologist next week and will probably start the Tamoxifen then. I also need to shop at Puritan's Pride for a multivitamin without soy, and possibly a green food for energy. I will also be adding my Calcium and Vitamin D back in this weekend.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Griping
My mastectomy bra hurts. It's digging into my ribs with a vengeance. I have to keep the left side packed to keep pressure on the incision, for 48 hours after the drain in my chest is removed. The drain is another fun part of this -- There's a drain pulling fluid out of the surgery site. I can't have it removed till I drain less than 25 cc in 24 hours. The last 24 hours collected 130 cc. That's a fun 3 times a day process, where I have to let Hubby strip the drain hose, and he has to try not to tug on the drain.
My pain management isn't great; right now I'm in tears waiting for the Percocet that I just took to start taking the edge off the pain. No pain is a fantasy that I can't even fathom. I can't get comfortable, because my favorite position for surfing the Web is on my left side, which even if my left arm could stand it, would be lying on the damn drain. I mistakenly thought I could cut back on the Percocet today, and just proved myself very wrong by bursting into tears at nothing.
The healing mood swings have started. I've spent today vacillating between happy, standard, and horribly depressed. Gromit has been pretty good at snuggling up to me when I feel lousy. Bridget has even given me Basset lovin's.
I'm glad the surgery is over and done with; I just wish I could sleep through the healing process. Actually, I kind of am; I wake up, and when I shift to a lying position to give my back a break, I usually fall asleep.
On a sillier note, the annoying "Mr. Barky von Schnauzer" commercial for Petsmart that I mostly see on Animal Planet has led to Bridget having the second name of "Howly von Basset." She doesn't answer to that, either. I can't imagine why not. There are several obnoxious ads on TV at the moment.
When I came home from the hospital, I had an Amazon box waiting for me. It contained the first two books in the Dresden File series, and the package was a gift from someone I didn't know. I wrote her a thank-you note, and she said she lurked on one of the lists I subscribe to, and my story had touched her heart. She also said she'd been intimately involved in the mess that is our current medical system and she sympathized with me.
Oh, and when I was in the hospital, due to a room shortage, they put me in a Suite! It's about $600 more a night for a Suite, and is usually occupied by wealthy folk who are having elective (or not so elective) surgery. The floor is staffed better than the regular floor, and instead of hospital cafeteria food, the Suites have their own chef. I asked his name, which seemed to surprise him. He'd give me my food and tell me to "eat up, you deserve it!" He was a total sweetheart. There was an HDTV in the room, a table, a couch that could pull out into a bed, a dressing mirror, and a recliner. I spent a fair portion of Wednesday afternoon and evening, and my waking time on Thursday, in the recliner. It was nice. Not an extra $600 a night nice, but a nifty luxury to be bumped up to.
Ok, the meds are starting to hit, so I'm no longer in tears. I'm just remarkably uncomfortable. But my left arm, while sore and having an odd burning sensation on the back armpit, appears to be in pretty decent shape -- I can lift it and even hold it over my head, though not for long.
Mostly, I'm bleah. But I think it will get better. I hope.
My pain management isn't great; right now I'm in tears waiting for the Percocet that I just took to start taking the edge off the pain. No pain is a fantasy that I can't even fathom. I can't get comfortable, because my favorite position for surfing the Web is on my left side, which even if my left arm could stand it, would be lying on the damn drain. I mistakenly thought I could cut back on the Percocet today, and just proved myself very wrong by bursting into tears at nothing.
The healing mood swings have started. I've spent today vacillating between happy, standard, and horribly depressed. Gromit has been pretty good at snuggling up to me when I feel lousy. Bridget has even given me Basset lovin's.
I'm glad the surgery is over and done with; I just wish I could sleep through the healing process. Actually, I kind of am; I wake up, and when I shift to a lying position to give my back a break, I usually fall asleep.
On a sillier note, the annoying "Mr. Barky von Schnauzer" commercial for Petsmart that I mostly see on Animal Planet has led to Bridget having the second name of "Howly von Basset." She doesn't answer to that, either. I can't imagine why not. There are several obnoxious ads on TV at the moment.
When I came home from the hospital, I had an Amazon box waiting for me. It contained the first two books in the Dresden File series, and the package was a gift from someone I didn't know. I wrote her a thank-you note, and she said she lurked on one of the lists I subscribe to, and my story had touched her heart. She also said she'd been intimately involved in the mess that is our current medical system and she sympathized with me.
Oh, and when I was in the hospital, due to a room shortage, they put me in a Suite! It's about $600 more a night for a Suite, and is usually occupied by wealthy folk who are having elective (or not so elective) surgery. The floor is staffed better than the regular floor, and instead of hospital cafeteria food, the Suites have their own chef. I asked his name, which seemed to surprise him. He'd give me my food and tell me to "eat up, you deserve it!" He was a total sweetheart. There was an HDTV in the room, a table, a couch that could pull out into a bed, a dressing mirror, and a recliner. I spent a fair portion of Wednesday afternoon and evening, and my waking time on Thursday, in the recliner. It was nice. Not an extra $600 a night nice, but a nifty luxury to be bumped up to.
Ok, the meds are starting to hit, so I'm no longer in tears. I'm just remarkably uncomfortable. But my left arm, while sore and having an odd burning sensation on the back armpit, appears to be in pretty decent shape -- I can lift it and even hold it over my head, though not for long.
Mostly, I'm bleah. But I think it will get better. I hope.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
I'm home!
In some pain, but fairly well medicated. Hubby put a headboard on the bed so I could use a pillow chair(very comfy), and I'll doing a lot of resting. Part of me doesn't get why I'm so tired; after all, I'm not the one who did all the work of removing a breast; I just laid there! However, the rational part of me is aware that losing a body part is a trauma that my body has to recover from.
I'll catch up on email, etc. gradually -- I'm posting this note before checking anything. I managed not to react to tape this time, which is a really good thing considering the amount of Tegaderm(TM) that I had on me. I've looked in the mirror with no clothes on, and it does look odd. However, it still looks like me in the mirror. My belly looks pretty big with no breast above it. I'd prefer not to go through that again any time soon, though. It was hard on the whole family. Everyone is starting to relax again, finally, from the stress. The whole family, with the exception of the kiddo, is utterly exhausted.
The kiddo, though, developed a back and neck spasm yesterday, though. Ask me where I think she puts her stress. She'll be needing Physical Therapy; her father will set up some appointments this afternoon.
I'll catch up on email, etc. gradually -- I'm posting this note before checking anything. I managed not to react to tape this time, which is a really good thing considering the amount of Tegaderm(TM) that I had on me. I've looked in the mirror with no clothes on, and it does look odd. However, it still looks like me in the mirror. My belly looks pretty big with no breast above it. I'd prefer not to go through that again any time soon, though. It was hard on the whole family. Everyone is starting to relax again, finally, from the stress. The whole family, with the exception of the kiddo, is utterly exhausted.
The kiddo, though, developed a back and neck spasm yesterday, though. Ask me where I think she puts her stress. She'll be needing Physical Therapy; her father will set up some appointments this afternoon.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Nearly time.
Less than 24 hours. I'm working on a quick crocheted wrap to take with me, but don't know if I'll finish it in time. It'll be different, packing for the hospital rather than being admitted through the ER, like I have the last -- ugh -- three times. I slept in this morning, although my sleep was a bit ragged. The waiting is almost over. Now to keep from going crazy for the last day.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Preop visit
I saw the surgeon today for planning and getting ready for surgery. After talking to her, I went to the hospital across the street and had a blood draw, vitals, and an EKG done. Now it's just waiting.
She marked me up so I could see what's going to be done, and says that my build makes the mastectomy easier -- the breast is not tight against the chest wall, but somewhat loose and saggy. She agrees that the right breast and lymph nodes look clean, but still recommends a sentinel node biopsy, which I agreed to. We're really expecting the sentinel node to be clean and the surgery to stay simple.
I can eat soy -- she said "We're doing this surgery so you can enjoy life, not spend the rest of your life on restrictions!" I can start my supplements as soon as the day after surgery. I need to find a new supplement, though, since the multivitamin I have contains soy. I'll probably go with fish oil, a multivitamin, and start up my calcium and vitamin D supplement again. We're thinking about a green food for me but haven't found one we want to try yet -- many of the more comprehensive ones contain one or more things I'm allergic too. (Flax seed, capsicum, pineapple.) I need to electronically preregister tonight online, as well.
I could have an annual breast MRI to check for problems. I think, discussing it with the doctor, that I'll go every three years and get annual mammograms. No one has any clue why I developed breast cancer -- I don't know how old my grandmother was, but the docs have been less interested in her than in my first-degree relatives (mother, sister, daughter).
I have to talk to the anesthesiologist before Tuesday to schedule my pain meds. The surgeon told me today that she doesn't want me to be in pain, but doesn't want to kill me, either, so if I'm in pain, give her some time to fix it. She is going to give me the patient-controlled morphine drip for the first day or so. The hospital room will be a single.
I'm going to ask you wonderful local folks to refrain from visiting me in the hospital. While I'm in there, I'm not going to be up to having visitors; as soon as I'm feeling even somewhat better I'm hoping to leave. Last October I was in for some time while my kidneys repaired themselves; this time I don't expect to be in for long.
Oh, and I'm getting an excuse for the gym so I don't have to pay for a month and a half while I'm in recovery.
The whole family is taking Tuesday off for the surgery. I have to be there at 7:30; will get tracer dye injected at 8:00, and am scheduled for surgery at 12:30. I'm putting together a call list for Hubby to call after I get out of surgery; he'll also update my blogs when he gets home that night.
I lived in a community with my ex that has a reputation for causing cancer. The doctors both said they hadn't heard of that neighborhood, so if it is, it hasn't been marked enough to reach medical notice. Which means there is absolutely no reason for me to develop cancer so relatively young. Yippee skip.
She marked me up so I could see what's going to be done, and says that my build makes the mastectomy easier -- the breast is not tight against the chest wall, but somewhat loose and saggy. She agrees that the right breast and lymph nodes look clean, but still recommends a sentinel node biopsy, which I agreed to. We're really expecting the sentinel node to be clean and the surgery to stay simple.
I can eat soy -- she said "We're doing this surgery so you can enjoy life, not spend the rest of your life on restrictions!" I can start my supplements as soon as the day after surgery. I need to find a new supplement, though, since the multivitamin I have contains soy. I'll probably go with fish oil, a multivitamin, and start up my calcium and vitamin D supplement again. We're thinking about a green food for me but haven't found one we want to try yet -- many of the more comprehensive ones contain one or more things I'm allergic too. (Flax seed, capsicum, pineapple.) I need to electronically preregister tonight online, as well.
I could have an annual breast MRI to check for problems. I think, discussing it with the doctor, that I'll go every three years and get annual mammograms. No one has any clue why I developed breast cancer -- I don't know how old my grandmother was, but the docs have been less interested in her than in my first-degree relatives (mother, sister, daughter).
I have to talk to the anesthesiologist before Tuesday to schedule my pain meds. The surgeon told me today that she doesn't want me to be in pain, but doesn't want to kill me, either, so if I'm in pain, give her some time to fix it. She is going to give me the patient-controlled morphine drip for the first day or so. The hospital room will be a single.
I'm going to ask you wonderful local folks to refrain from visiting me in the hospital. While I'm in there, I'm not going to be up to having visitors; as soon as I'm feeling even somewhat better I'm hoping to leave. Last October I was in for some time while my kidneys repaired themselves; this time I don't expect to be in for long.
Oh, and I'm getting an excuse for the gym so I don't have to pay for a month and a half while I'm in recovery.
The whole family is taking Tuesday off for the surgery. I have to be there at 7:30; will get tracer dye injected at 8:00, and am scheduled for surgery at 12:30. I'm putting together a call list for Hubby to call after I get out of surgery; he'll also update my blogs when he gets home that night.
I lived in a community with my ex that has a reputation for causing cancer. The doctors both said they hadn't heard of that neighborhood, so if it is, it hasn't been marked enough to reach medical notice. Which means there is absolutely no reason for me to develop cancer so relatively young. Yippee skip.
If you wanna...
Presenting the no-obligation button!
If anyone would like to spoil me slightly, I will get pampering goodies from Althaea if I am gifted with fundage. No one should feel obligated, but I thought I'd make it easy if someone wanted to do something.
My sister sent me a few bucks -- she couldn't afford much either. I'm probably going to go to a used book store with the money she gave me to get a good supply of books for when I can't get on the computer comfortably.
If anyone would like to spoil me slightly, I will get pampering goodies from Althaea if I am gifted with fundage. No one should feel obligated, but I thought I'd make it easy if someone wanted to do something.
My sister sent me a few bucks -- she couldn't afford much either. I'm probably going to go to a used book store with the money she gave me to get a good supply of books for when I can't get on the computer comfortably.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Aaaaaaargh. The Cable Internet has been iffy since Sunday. It's been back sporadically and briefly, but keeps crashing back out. I'm writing this Tuesday night; I'll bet it doesn't get posted till sometime Wednesday. (I was right.)
Saw my GP and and the oncologist today. My blood pressure is still up; we tweaked the meds again. The labs run last week came out good, I don't have acidosis. In fact, my A1C is 5.9, which is in the normal range, rather than diabetic. My kidneys are also back to normal -- I intend to treat my kidneys as a bit fragile, but having the numbers back to normal before surgery is really nice.
And the oncologist got my MRI and told me the results. It's clear the left breast has a lot of microcalcifications, but we already knew that. There appears to be no spreading, the right breast is clean, and so are my lymph nodes. This is excellent news. Because of the level of involvement in my left breast, we'll still need to do the sentinel node dissection, but the odds are excellent that there has been no spread of the cancer. We're all breathing a little easier tonight. I'm wiped out from running around to see the doctors. The less pleasant news -- my mom and sister (and kid) now have a first degree relative with breast cancer, which increases their risk of developing it as well. I will also probably take Tamoxifen for five years, since my cancer is 100% Estrogen positive. That's a good thing; Tamoxifen will halve my risk of cancer in the remaining breast. (If I decided to have the other breast removed, I wouldn't need Tamoxifen. However, I don't believe in damaging or removing a healthy organ, so I won't remove the other breast at this time.)
The oncologist talked about a genetic test to see if I have a damaged gene that makes me more susceptible to breast cancer -- BRCA1 and/or BRCA2. Most women with one or both of these genes are Ashkenazi Jews. My heritage isn't from that part of the country. I'm to talk with the office's genetic counselor after surgery to see if the test should be done. Only 17% of the women with the gene do develop breast cancer, and 85% of all women who have breast cancer do not have the gene. If the risk seems high enough, I'll probably do the test for my kid.
I've been reading various brochures. One was about dealing with the emotional stuff associated with cancer. One of the things that said was "Right now, it is all about you." Hubby agrees, and I'm trying to be that way, but it's hard when I'm hanging tough for the family to allow myself to break down.
Which is not to say I haven't broken down. Repeatedly. I just try to wait till everyone else is asleep and sob soundlessly. That makes it at least partially possible to stay together for the rest of the family during the day.
I am tiring more easily. I think it's the emotional burden that is getting to me rather than a physical response to the cancer. This stage of cancer shouldn't be exhausting, which is why I suspect the emotions to be the wearing part of this.
So, with the verdict that the right breast is fine, I'm keeping it. I prefer to leave a healthy organ alone.
Saw my GP and and the oncologist today. My blood pressure is still up; we tweaked the meds again. The labs run last week came out good, I don't have acidosis. In fact, my A1C is 5.9, which is in the normal range, rather than diabetic. My kidneys are also back to normal -- I intend to treat my kidneys as a bit fragile, but having the numbers back to normal before surgery is really nice.
And the oncologist got my MRI and told me the results. It's clear the left breast has a lot of microcalcifications, but we already knew that. There appears to be no spreading, the right breast is clean, and so are my lymph nodes. This is excellent news. Because of the level of involvement in my left breast, we'll still need to do the sentinel node dissection, but the odds are excellent that there has been no spread of the cancer. We're all breathing a little easier tonight. I'm wiped out from running around to see the doctors. The less pleasant news -- my mom and sister (and kid) now have a first degree relative with breast cancer, which increases their risk of developing it as well. I will also probably take Tamoxifen for five years, since my cancer is 100% Estrogen positive. That's a good thing; Tamoxifen will halve my risk of cancer in the remaining breast. (If I decided to have the other breast removed, I wouldn't need Tamoxifen. However, I don't believe in damaging or removing a healthy organ, so I won't remove the other breast at this time.)
The oncologist talked about a genetic test to see if I have a damaged gene that makes me more susceptible to breast cancer -- BRCA1 and/or BRCA2. Most women with one or both of these genes are Ashkenazi Jews. My heritage isn't from that part of the country. I'm to talk with the office's genetic counselor after surgery to see if the test should be done. Only 17% of the women with the gene do develop breast cancer, and 85% of all women who have breast cancer do not have the gene. If the risk seems high enough, I'll probably do the test for my kid.
I've been reading various brochures. One was about dealing with the emotional stuff associated with cancer. One of the things that said was "Right now, it is all about you." Hubby agrees, and I'm trying to be that way, but it's hard when I'm hanging tough for the family to allow myself to break down.
Which is not to say I haven't broken down. Repeatedly. I just try to wait till everyone else is asleep and sob soundlessly. That makes it at least partially possible to stay together for the rest of the family during the day.
I am tiring more easily. I think it's the emotional burden that is getting to me rather than a physical response to the cancer. This stage of cancer shouldn't be exhausting, which is why I suspect the emotions to be the wearing part of this.
So, with the verdict that the right breast is fine, I'm keeping it. I prefer to leave a healthy organ alone.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Scheduling
Tomorrow, Apr 12: 09:00 med shrink, after GP blood draw to check acidosis possibility (not likely but needs to be checked).
Friday, Apr 13: 14:30 breast MRI to assure cancer is only in left breast. (probably need films) Founders Building
Tuesday, Apr 17: 12:45 GP for blood pressure check and adjustment if needed to BP meds
17:00 oncologist Dr. Paul (bring films) Founders building 4th floor
Thurs, Apr 19 16:00 housemate, kiddo and I hair cut
Friday, Apr 20 12:00 Pre-op with surgeon, Dr. Miller
Tuesday, Apr 24 Surgery in afternoon, check in to hospital in morning for injection of dye for sentinel node biopsy. Fasting since midnight. Timing details tomorrow. The sprog's progress report will be mailed out this day as well.
Wednedsay Apr 25 Most likely still in hospital
Thursday, Apr 26 home barring complications.
Some time the next week the drain should come out. I'll probably have several follow up appointments, but those are kind of "by ear." If the sentinel node is clean and the MRI shows no additional problems, it will be a simple mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy.
If the MRI shows involvement of the right breast as well, I'll need to reschedule the surgery. It'll still be in about the same time frame, maybe a couple days delay. I'm rather counting on the MRI coming back clean.
I'm going to need reading material, so if you're interested, please check my amazon wish list (This is a suggestion, NOT a demand):
(If you get me something without ordering it through the list, please let me know, so I can take it off the list to avoid duplication!)
Friday, Apr 13:
Tuesday, Apr 17:
Thurs, Apr 19
Friday, Apr 20
Tuesday, Apr 24
Wednedsay Apr 25
Thursday, Apr 26
Some time the next week the drain should come out. I'll probably have several follow up appointments, but those are kind of "by ear." If the sentinel node is clean and the MRI shows no additional problems, it will be a simple mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy.
If the MRI shows involvement of the right breast as well, I'll need to reschedule the surgery. It'll still be in about the same time frame, maybe a couple days delay. I'm rather counting on the MRI coming back clean.
I'm going to need reading material, so if you're interested, please check my amazon wish list (This is a suggestion, NOT a demand):
(If you get me something without ordering it through the list, please let me know, so I can take it off the list to avoid duplication!)
More medical stuff...
Got a call from the clinic today. My creatinine is 1.1 -- Yay! I think that's actually in the normal range. Religiously drinking more than 1.5 liters of water has paid off.
But two other values were off -- carbon dioxide was high and one other that shot out of my mind. Indicators of some form of acidosis, which could mean kidney failure. Except -- my kidney numbers are better than they've been, I stopped Metformin in February, and so on. No indications in my body to support the indicators in the blood. After talking to the doc, I did some research, then realized something and called him back. When I caught the bus yesterday morning, it was very blustery and cold, and I was quite underdressed, to the point I was shivering. He agrees that could have caused the problem. So today I'm taking it easy and staying warm, and tomorrow when I have another appointment (shrink meds), I'll stop by for a recheck blood draw. The doc and I both expect it to be normal, as soon as we realized I'd shivered yesterday.
Called Y-me, and they matched me with a woman who had DCIS diagnosed at age 47 and had to have a mastectomy. She was very supportive, said I sounded like I had a handle on things and was making the right choices for me. She's a little thing, though, so I've asked for a match if possible to someone with DCIS diagnosis, no reconstruction, who is er, amply endowed so I can ask biomechanical questions. They couldn't match me with another disabled woman who uses a wheelchair there, referred me to another support group, who just called me with two more referrals. I'll chase those another day -- if I spend too long focusing this stuff I get overpowered. I have to pace myself to keep from drowning.
Still waiting on the scheduling of an MRI. Left a message yesterday, and her voice mail said she'd return the call in one business day. I'll call and schedule the darn thing, if they'll just get me the damned info. I hate waiting.
But two other values were off -- carbon dioxide was high and one other that shot out of my mind. Indicators of some form of acidosis, which could mean kidney failure. Except -- my kidney numbers are better than they've been, I stopped Metformin in February, and so on. No indications in my body to support the indicators in the blood. After talking to the doc, I did some research, then realized something and called him back. When I caught the bus yesterday morning, it was very blustery and cold, and I was quite underdressed, to the point I was shivering. He agrees that could have caused the problem. So today I'm taking it easy and staying warm, and tomorrow when I have another appointment (shrink meds), I'll stop by for a recheck blood draw. The doc and I both expect it to be normal, as soon as we realized I'd shivered yesterday.
Called Y-me, and they matched me with a woman who had DCIS diagnosed at age 47 and had to have a mastectomy. She was very supportive, said I sounded like I had a handle on things and was making the right choices for me. She's a little thing, though, so I've asked for a match if possible to someone with DCIS diagnosis, no reconstruction, who is er, amply endowed so I can ask biomechanical questions. They couldn't match me with another disabled woman who uses a wheelchair there, referred me to another support group, who just called me with two more referrals. I'll chase those another day -- if I spend too long focusing this stuff I get overpowered. I have to pace myself to keep from drowning.
Still waiting on the scheduling of an MRI. Left a message yesterday, and her voice mail said she'd return the call in one business day. I'll call and schedule the darn thing, if they'll just get me the damned info. I hate waiting.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Saw the GP today.
My blood pressure is up. There's a shock. We tweaked meds, and I go back next week to check it again. It needs to be controlled for surgery, but I think we'll manage that. And I did get an increase in pain meds. I'll see over the next couple of days if that helps. Reducing my pain levels will probably help with the BP too. She sympathized with my diagnosis, but there isn't much she can do except take care of the background things, so she did. Still waiting for the MRI to be scheduled.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Info and some answers
Saw the surgeon today. No surgery scheduled yet; I’m to have an MRI to check for anything near the chest and to check the other breast more thoroughly, and added: see an oncologist after the MRI. Surgery will be in about two weeks.
I Surgery questions.
What type of DClS do I have? Estrogen positive, intermediate grade (grade 2) DCIS. Since DCIS is non-invasive, it is by definition Stage 0, but I have multi-focal DCIS which means it covers a large area. If there is any invasive cancer, they won’t know till surgery. I have a big lesion, which increases the risk, but she still put the risk of that at 15-20%. She also was unwilling to say that the cancer is 100% curable, but puts it at 97% curable, which is the best odds she’ll give. It’s important to have at least a centimeter of clear margins; fortunately it looks like it’s in the front part of the breast so I’ll have much more margin than that.
What is my risk of recurrence? An additional 1 to 1 ½ % annually. That’s every year, not compounded. 1% chance of recurrence in the same breast, 2-4% overall chance. That’s not bad.
Will this be a radical, modified radical, or simple mastectomy? If the cancer is still in situ and not invasive, it will be a simple mastectomy with a possible sentinel node biopsy. They will check the nearest lymph node(s) (1-6) and if they look abnormal, will take them out for biopsy. If the biopsy shows invasive cancer, then they will take the rest of the lymph nodes out of the armpit, making it a modified radical mastectomy. There is no reason to take out the chest muscles, which would be a full radical mastectomy.
Will I need Radiation, if so, what effect will that have on my heart, since it’s the left chest? With a mastectomy, I won’t need Radiation pending the pathology on the sentinel node. Odds are good the cancer is still non-invasive, so probably not. If I do, I'll need to discuss risk to the heart with the oncologist. Radiation will change the skin and body parts that it affects, and that should be kept in mind as well.
Will I need Chemo? If so, I need a port – blew out a vein in less than a week last fall. Again, no, pending pathology. If I need Chemo I’ll have to argue for a port then.
In addition to fragile veins, tape breaks down my skin pretty quickly. Even paper tape. I’m to remind them of this when I go in for the surgery.
Will you be taking any lymph nodes? Most likely just sentinel lymph nodes, unless they show signs of invasive cancer.
Does it make a difference where I am in my cycle for the surgery? No, at one time they thought it made a difference, but say now that it makes no difference.
I have compromised kidneys that will require support. She said that was important to know.
I also have chronic pain, and am on a fair dose of pain killers already. How will we deal with surgical pain? It’s something they need to be aware of. I’m going to my GP tomorrow to see if I can boost my mscontin to the next dose; pain has been waking me up and that isn’t good.
I need to be sure that I have sufficient anesthesia and pain control for my size. Not a problem.
Will this be outpatient or hospital? 24 to 48 hours in the hospital. I suspect with my medical history, it will be 48. If not longer for the sake of my kidneys.
What about the other breast? Is it at risk? What will having only one breast do to my balance and physiology? There’s a lot of meat there. The other breast is at risk, but not terribly so. I can choose to have both breasts removed. That’s one of the reasons for the MRI; if the other breast is compromised then they can both come off. However, if the MRI is clean, I’m going to opt for keeping the right breast – I’d rather go with less surgery than more. That’s why I’m passing on reconstruction, although Medicaid will pay for reconstruction after cancer treatment. I can also get the reconstruction later if I so choose. The one thing to keep in mind is that if I elect to remove both breasts, I will not need to take an estrogen suppressor, and if I do keep the other breast, then I will probably be taking Tamoxifen or Arimidex. I’m also off soy supplements from here on out, since the cancer is estrogen positive.
II Hospital questions
I have back and other arthritis issues, so the traditional up and walking in the hospital after surgery is problematic. How can we accommodate my disability? She can get Physical Therapy to work with me so I get exercise without hurting myself.
Need to accommodate my food allergies, pineapple, capsicum, aspartame. That’s one for the cafeteria when I get into the hospital. However, once I am eating solid food, the family can bring my food in if that is more appealing. (I know that the food at Rose hospital is better than the food at Porter, where I stayed for my Acute Kidney Failure. I imagine I can find sufficient food to eat there for the relatively short stay.
Sufficient anesthesia for my size. Again, not a problem for the surgeon.
The surgeon seems quite competent, and got the questions that Doug had before he could ask them. She’s clearly been doing this for quite a while. She gave me the cards for an oncologist, and the office should schedule me for an MRI soonest. I got a whole stack of literature and an organizer, and I ordered an organizer from http://www.livestrong.org . She did seem impressed with my organization and self-education; I managed to follow her entire spiel after she told me I’d overload about two minutes in. She recommends Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book; I don’t know if we can afford it at the moment – it’s been an expensive month. But I have lots to read without it. EDIT: A friend has offered to buy me a used copy.
I Surgery questions.
What type of DClS do I have? Estrogen positive, intermediate grade (grade 2) DCIS. Since DCIS is non-invasive, it is by definition Stage 0, but I have multi-focal DCIS which means it covers a large area. If there is any invasive cancer, they won’t know till surgery. I have a big lesion, which increases the risk, but she still put the risk of that at 15-20%. She also was unwilling to say that the cancer is 100% curable, but puts it at 97% curable, which is the best odds she’ll give. It’s important to have at least a centimeter of clear margins; fortunately it looks like it’s in the front part of the breast so I’ll have much more margin than that.
What is my risk of recurrence? An additional 1 to 1 ½ % annually. That’s every year, not compounded. 1% chance of recurrence in the same breast, 2-4% overall chance. That’s not bad.
Will this be a radical, modified radical, or simple mastectomy? If the cancer is still in situ and not invasive, it will be a simple mastectomy with a possible sentinel node biopsy. They will check the nearest lymph node(s) (1-6) and if they look abnormal, will take them out for biopsy. If the biopsy shows invasive cancer, then they will take the rest of the lymph nodes out of the armpit, making it a modified radical mastectomy. There is no reason to take out the chest muscles, which would be a full radical mastectomy.
Will I need Radiation, if so, what effect will that have on my heart, since it’s the left chest? With a mastectomy, I won’t need Radiation pending the pathology on the sentinel node. Odds are good the cancer is still non-invasive, so probably not. If I do, I'll need to discuss risk to the heart with the oncologist. Radiation will change the skin and body parts that it affects, and that should be kept in mind as well.
Will I need Chemo? If so, I need a port – blew out a vein in less than a week last fall. Again, no, pending pathology. If I need Chemo I’ll have to argue for a port then.
In addition to fragile veins, tape breaks down my skin pretty quickly. Even paper tape. I’m to remind them of this when I go in for the surgery.
Will you be taking any lymph nodes? Most likely just sentinel lymph nodes, unless they show signs of invasive cancer.
Does it make a difference where I am in my cycle for the surgery? No, at one time they thought it made a difference, but say now that it makes no difference.
I have compromised kidneys that will require support. She said that was important to know.
I also have chronic pain, and am on a fair dose of pain killers already. How will we deal with surgical pain? It’s something they need to be aware of. I’m going to my GP tomorrow to see if I can boost my mscontin to the next dose; pain has been waking me up and that isn’t good.
I need to be sure that I have sufficient anesthesia and pain control for my size. Not a problem.
Will this be outpatient or hospital? 24 to 48 hours in the hospital. I suspect with my medical history, it will be 48. If not longer for the sake of my kidneys.
What about the other breast? Is it at risk? What will having only one breast do to my balance and physiology? There’s a lot of meat there. The other breast is at risk, but not terribly so. I can choose to have both breasts removed. That’s one of the reasons for the MRI; if the other breast is compromised then they can both come off. However, if the MRI is clean, I’m going to opt for keeping the right breast – I’d rather go with less surgery than more. That’s why I’m passing on reconstruction, although Medicaid will pay for reconstruction after cancer treatment. I can also get the reconstruction later if I so choose. The one thing to keep in mind is that if I elect to remove both breasts, I will not need to take an estrogen suppressor, and if I do keep the other breast, then I will probably be taking Tamoxifen or Arimidex. I’m also off soy supplements from here on out, since the cancer is estrogen positive.
II Hospital questions
I have back and other arthritis issues, so the traditional up and walking in the hospital after surgery is problematic. How can we accommodate my disability? She can get Physical Therapy to work with me so I get exercise without hurting myself.
Need to accommodate my food allergies, pineapple, capsicum, aspartame. That’s one for the cafeteria when I get into the hospital. However, once I am eating solid food, the family can bring my food in if that is more appealing. (I know that the food at Rose hospital is better than the food at Porter, where I stayed for my Acute Kidney Failure. I imagine I can find sufficient food to eat there for the relatively short stay.
Sufficient anesthesia for my size. Again, not a problem for the surgeon.
The surgeon seems quite competent, and got the questions that Doug had before he could ask them. She’s clearly been doing this for quite a while. She gave me the cards for an oncologist, and the office should schedule me for an MRI soonest. I got a whole stack of literature and an organizer, and I ordered an organizer from http://www.livestrong.org . She did seem impressed with my organization and self-education; I managed to follow her entire spiel after she told me I’d overload about two minutes in. She recommends Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book; I don’t know if we can afford it at the moment – it’s been an expensive month. But I have lots to read without it. EDIT: A friend has offered to buy me a used copy.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Questions for the surgeon tomorrow
Got these all formatted, spaced so I can write answers in.I'll print them out shortly.
I Surgery questions.
What type of DClS do I have?
What is my risk of recurrence?
Will this be a radical, modified radical, or simple mastectomy?
Will I need Radiation, if so, what effect will that have on my heart, since it’s the left chest?
Will I need Chemo? If so, I need a port – blew out a vein in less than a week last fall.
In addition to fragile veins, tape breaks down my skin pretty quickly. Even paper tape
Will you be taking any lymph nodes?
Does it make a difference where I am in my cycle for the surgery?
I have compromised kidneys that will require support.
I also have chronic pain, and am on a fair dose of pain killers already. How will we deal with surgical pain?
I need to be sure that I have sufficient anesthesia and pain control for my size.
Will this be outpatient or hospital?
What about the other breast? Is it at risk? What will having only one breast do to my balance and physiology? There’s a lot of meat there.
II Hospital questions (if needed)
I have back and other arthritis issues, so the traditional up and walking in the hospital after surgery is problematic. How can we accommodate my disability?
Need to accommodate my food allergies, pineapple, capsicum, aspartame.
Sufficient anesthesia for my size.
I Surgery questions.
What type of DClS do I have?
What is my risk of recurrence?
Will this be a radical, modified radical, or simple mastectomy?
Will I need Radiation, if so, what effect will that have on my heart, since it’s the left chest?
Will I need Chemo? If so, I need a port – blew out a vein in less than a week last fall.
In addition to fragile veins, tape breaks down my skin pretty quickly. Even paper tape
Will you be taking any lymph nodes?
Does it make a difference where I am in my cycle for the surgery?
I have compromised kidneys that will require support.
I also have chronic pain, and am on a fair dose of pain killers already. How will we deal with surgical pain?
I need to be sure that I have sufficient anesthesia and pain control for my size.
Will this be outpatient or hospital?
What about the other breast? Is it at risk? What will having only one breast do to my balance and physiology? There’s a lot of meat there.
II Hospital questions (if needed)
I have back and other arthritis issues, so the traditional up and walking in the hospital after surgery is problematic. How can we accommodate my disability?
Need to accommodate my food allergies, pineapple, capsicum, aspartame.
Sufficient anesthesia for my size.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
A link and blathering
http://www.y-me.org/index.php Saw this on TV, have been cruising the site a bit. I got another few questions to ask the surgeon on Monday. Unless I get totally overwhelmed, I probably won't call them till after I see the surgeon, because I'll be clearer on what I need then, but being matched with another survivor sounds like an excellent idea. I wonder if they have any gimp survivors with chronic pain? That would be an utterly ideal match.
I'd read this in other places, but not quite as clearly. DCIS is not counted in cancer statistics. So I'm going to lose a boob without even being a statistic. It still beats having something worse, but I think they need to start tracking DCIS, even if it's as a separate category, because without it their statistics are misleading. I'll take it, though. It may not come with an addition to the statistics, but it comes with a pretty clear future. That's way more important to me.
Keeping a positive attitude with intermittent bursts of sobbing. This is going to be a long weekend. I may have pages of questions for the surgeon by the time I see her. The good news is that even though I'm on Medicaid, the surgeon is one of the best in town; she's been featured in 5280, a Denver magazine, as one of the top doctors. And she accepts Medicaid, which is a miracle.
Poor kiddo thought I was going in for surgery on Monday; I guess when i said that I was seeing the surgeon on Monday, she interpreted that as my going in for surgery. Thankfully, I'm not in that kind of hurry. We talked about it for a while after school and I think she's a little clearer on it now. When my grandmother had (much more severe) breast cancer and died, my mom was 14, and her father kept the kids out of the loop of what was happening. That still bothers Mom. I'm taking a page here and keeping my daughter informed on everything that is going on.
(Funny side note: I dropped the ball out of my trackball today and lost it. [I now have an optical mouse with no parts to lose.] She was looking for the silly ball and got her hips stuck between the bed and a dresser. She started talking about her big hips, and I cracked up. Told her they were still significantly smaller than mine or Hubby's. She announced "I'm full woman sized already!" She's 12. I know she's still going to grow, but she is right, as well.)
This is terrifying and exhausting. I wore out fiddling with my laptop this evening, and have had a couple bouts of sobbing since Hubby fell asleep -- soundless, so I wouldn't wake him. It's going to be a loooong weekend.
I'd read this in other places, but not quite as clearly. DCIS is not counted in cancer statistics. So I'm going to lose a boob without even being a statistic. It still beats having something worse, but I think they need to start tracking DCIS, even if it's as a separate category, because without it their statistics are misleading. I'll take it, though. It may not come with an addition to the statistics, but it comes with a pretty clear future. That's way more important to me.
Keeping a positive attitude with intermittent bursts of sobbing. This is going to be a long weekend. I may have pages of questions for the surgeon by the time I see her. The good news is that even though I'm on Medicaid, the surgeon is one of the best in town; she's been featured in 5280, a Denver magazine, as one of the top doctors. And she accepts Medicaid, which is a miracle.
Poor kiddo thought I was going in for surgery on Monday; I guess when i said that I was seeing the surgeon on Monday, she interpreted that as my going in for surgery. Thankfully, I'm not in that kind of hurry. We talked about it for a while after school and I think she's a little clearer on it now. When my grandmother had (much more severe) breast cancer and died, my mom was 14, and her father kept the kids out of the loop of what was happening. That still bothers Mom. I'm taking a page here and keeping my daughter informed on everything that is going on.
(Funny side note: I dropped the ball out of my trackball today and lost it. [I now have an optical mouse with no parts to lose.] She was looking for the silly ball and got her hips stuck between the bed and a dresser. She started talking about her big hips, and I cracked up. Told her they were still significantly smaller than mine or Hubby's. She announced "I'm full woman sized already!" She's 12. I know she's still going to grow, but she is right, as well.)
This is terrifying and exhausting. I wore out fiddling with my laptop this evening, and have had a couple bouts of sobbing since Hubby fell asleep -- soundless, so I wouldn't wake him. It's going to be a loooong weekend.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Ads
I've added ads to the site. I figure that since I'm mostly talking about my breast cancer, and the ad package is somewhat context sensitive, I might find out about something interesting. If something catches your eye and you click on it, I might eventually get a few cents for it. That's not the point, so don't worry about it.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Addendum to the back post
Before the MRI, I already had a diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and arthropathy (arthritis) of the small outer joints of L5, S1, and S2.
Research
Info found by googling "ductal carcinoma in situ":
DCIS With a mastectomy, I will only need radiation if there is cancer on the edges after removal of the breast. About 25 to 50% of DCIS come back as an invasive cancer. That's not happymaking. (no other site I have found is this pessimistic. From what I've read, especially because I need the mastectomy, there's actually not a lot of chance of recurrence. There is a higher chance with a lumpectomy, which makes sense. That does help me breathe easier.) It reads, though, like removal of the breast reduces that chance. They may take a "sentinel lymph node" for pathology to make sure it hasn't spread.
"Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the earliest possible clinical diagnosis of breast cancer..." "If DCIS is untreated, approximately 30 percent of patients will develop invasive breast cancer an average of 10 years from the initial diagnosis....DCIS can be thought of as a pre-cancerous or early-stage growth of abnormal cells in the ducts of the breast. Historically, DCIS was an extremely uncommon finding in women and little attention was given to defining its optimal treatment. This is because DCIS can be cured almost 100 percent of the time with a surgical mastectomy." Those odds are a little more pleasant. I know I have to talk to the doctor to determine my individual risk.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 41,000 news cases of ductal carcinoma in situ ... will be diagnosed in 2000, making DCIS the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer in women. DCIS accounts for nearly 25% of all breast cancer diagnoses.
"DCIS may appear on a mammogram as tiny specks of calcium (called microcalcifications), generally too small to notice by physical examination."
That's exactly what was on my mammogram. This article says that this diagnosis is not an emergency situation; a woman has time to educate herself before surgery. I think I might be in a bit of a hurry, but I'm also educating myself before seeing the doctor on Monday.
I already know that I will not opt for reconstructive surgery. The family is fine with that, so I will just get a prosthesis. Less surgery, less hassle. I can always choose it later if it bothers me, but I've thought for years that if I had to lose a breast (or both) I would not reconstruct.
" Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive, precancerous condition." The doc said it was cancer, I'll go with that. I don't know what type of DCIS it is, but the doc said it wasn't the last stage, so it isn't "comedo." Several places, this one included, talk about "breast conserving surgery." I saw the mammogram. It isn't localized. Sounds like the chances of recurrence after mastectomy are much less, too.
"We know, in fact, that if a total mastectomy is done (the breast alone), the cure rate for any type of DCIS, no matter the grade or size, approaches 100%." (About a third of the way down.) Sounds like even if it were less spread out, i might lean towards mastectomy anyway.
Many of the articles talk about the psychological impact of waking up with a breast gone. OK, so it's entirely possible I'm weird, but to me if that breast contains something that could kill me if I leave it alone, I'd rather have it gone. And with a family history, I guess the possibility of losing a breast has been something I've always had in the back of my mind, so that part isn't a shock.
That's enough for now. I'm tired, and now I need specific information instead of general. That, unfortunately, has to wait till Monday.
DCIS With a mastectomy, I will only need radiation if there is cancer on the edges after removal of the breast. About 25 to 50% of DCIS come back as an invasive cancer. That's not happymaking. (no other site I have found is this pessimistic. From what I've read, especially because I need the mastectomy, there's actually not a lot of chance of recurrence. There is a higher chance with a lumpectomy, which makes sense. That does help me breathe easier.) It reads, though, like removal of the breast reduces that chance. They may take a "sentinel lymph node" for pathology to make sure it hasn't spread.
"Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is the earliest possible clinical diagnosis of breast cancer..." "If DCIS is untreated, approximately 30 percent of patients will develop invasive breast cancer an average of 10 years from the initial diagnosis....DCIS can be thought of as a pre-cancerous or early-stage growth of abnormal cells in the ducts of the breast. Historically, DCIS was an extremely uncommon finding in women and little attention was given to defining its optimal treatment. This is because DCIS can be cured almost 100 percent of the time with a surgical mastectomy." Those odds are a little more pleasant. I know I have to talk to the doctor to determine my individual risk.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 41,000 news cases of ductal carcinoma in situ ... will be diagnosed in 2000, making DCIS the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer in women. DCIS accounts for nearly 25% of all breast cancer diagnoses.
"DCIS may appear on a mammogram as tiny specks of calcium (called microcalcifications), generally too small to notice by physical examination."
That's exactly what was on my mammogram. This article says that this diagnosis is not an emergency situation; a woman has time to educate herself before surgery. I think I might be in a bit of a hurry, but I'm also educating myself before seeing the doctor on Monday.
I already know that I will not opt for reconstructive surgery. The family is fine with that, so I will just get a prosthesis. Less surgery, less hassle. I can always choose it later if it bothers me, but I've thought for years that if I had to lose a breast (or both) I would not reconstruct.
" Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a noninvasive, precancerous condition." The doc said it was cancer, I'll go with that. I don't know what type of DCIS it is, but the doc said it wasn't the last stage, so it isn't "comedo." Several places, this one included, talk about "breast conserving surgery." I saw the mammogram. It isn't localized. Sounds like the chances of recurrence after mastectomy are much less, too.
"We know, in fact, that if a total mastectomy is done (the breast alone), the cure rate for any type of DCIS, no matter the grade or size, approaches 100%." (About a third of the way down.) Sounds like even if it were less spread out, i might lean towards mastectomy anyway.
Many of the articles talk about the psychological impact of waking up with a breast gone. OK, so it's entirely possible I'm weird, but to me if that breast contains something that could kill me if I leave it alone, I'd rather have it gone. And with a family history, I guess the possibility of losing a breast has been something I've always had in the back of my mind, so that part isn't a shock.
That's enough for now. I'm tired, and now I need specific information instead of general. That, unfortunately, has to wait till Monday.
What's the deal here?
I started this blog last year to chronicle my dealings with pain, crochet, and disability. Then I let it slide for a while. With the latest health challenges, I thought I'd start updating this again so interested parties, like my family in KC, could follow what is going on.
Backstory: I wound up in the hospital around labor day 2006 for intractable pain. I had already applied for disability, and it had been denied with the conclusion I could still do "substantial work" if I minimized my use of stairs. As a matter of fact, except for very short distances in my one-level home, I'm in a wheelchair. I'll be sure and avoid those stairs, though!
In late October, I woke up on a Sunday in the ICU. I'd been admitted on Thursday (Oct 26) with Acute Renal Failure. My memory stops some time before then -- I remember feeling wrong, but apparently I became completely incoherent and the guys (hubby and housemate) took me to the ER. My kidneys did not return completely to normal, so any time I get ill, I run a risk of kidney problems again. It's definitely something that I'll be discussing with the surgeon on Monday.
I just called my disability attorney with the latest two diagnoses. I'm going to get a copy of the breast cancer diagnosis (and eventually, the back diagnoses) and send them in to the attorney. Unfortunately, the chances of me getting an administrative decision and a disability payout before the hearing that has been scheduled is marginal.
More information as I have it -- probably Monday after the visit to the surgeon. I may have researched links between now and then.
Backstory: I wound up in the hospital around labor day 2006 for intractable pain. I had already applied for disability, and it had been denied with the conclusion I could still do "substantial work" if I minimized my use of stairs. As a matter of fact, except for very short distances in my one-level home, I'm in a wheelchair. I'll be sure and avoid those stairs, though!
In late October, I woke up on a Sunday in the ICU. I'd been admitted on Thursday (Oct 26) with Acute Renal Failure. My memory stops some time before then -- I remember feeling wrong, but apparently I became completely incoherent and the guys (hubby and housemate) took me to the ER. My kidneys did not return completely to normal, so any time I get ill, I run a risk of kidney problems again. It's definitely something that I'll be discussing with the surgeon on Monday.
I just called my disability attorney with the latest two diagnoses. I'm going to get a copy of the breast cancer diagnosis (and eventually, the back diagnoses) and send them in to the attorney. Unfortunately, the chances of me getting an administrative decision and a disability payout before the hearing that has been scheduled is marginal.
More information as I have it -- probably Monday after the visit to the surgeon. I may have researched links between now and then.
Biopsy results
I got the results from the biopsy today. I have breast cancer, Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, stage 2. It's 100% curable, however, I will have to have a mastectomy. I see the surgeon on Monday.
Whatever you do, don't skip your mammograms, and don't wait till age 50 to get one. I'm 47.
Whatever you do, don't skip your mammograms, and don't wait till age 50 to get one. I'm 47.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Biopsy taken
And I should hear if there is a problem Friday morning.
I had a "vacuum needle biopsy." They numb the skin, cut a small slit in the skin, and then, using ultrasound to make sure they are in the right place, suck some tissue up into a reservoir. The doctor tells me that they took less than a cc of tissue. There's a lot of pulling and poking, but everything was pretty numbed up. So they took a sample, and after taking a picture of it, decided that they needed a little more tissue. Except this time, the tissue they wanted was outside the anesthetized area of the breast.
There's a study out there that those of you with chronic pain will react to with "Well, duh..." It shows that when a person is already in pain (today I was at 8 on the 1-10 scale), drawing blood will be perceived as more painful that someone who doesn't already have a baseline of pain. Multiply that by about 29 for "removing tissue from the breast." I screamed. And this wasn't a little girly scream. This was a full-throated, deep-voiced, full alto scream. After I screamed, I started sobbing and continued to sob for 15 minutes. It's been an hour, and the tears have finally stopped. Jumping Jehosophat, that hurt.
At least I know that I startled the knickers off the nurse and the doctor in the office, and drew every other nurse to the door of the ultrasound room. It was a LOUD scream. Doug didn't hear it in the waiting room, though, which is just as well, since had he recognized it, he would have been frantic.
Moral of the story? If you are well-endowed, and need a breast tissue biopsy, ask for extra anesthesia.
I had a "vacuum needle biopsy." They numb the skin, cut a small slit in the skin, and then, using ultrasound to make sure they are in the right place, suck some tissue up into a reservoir. The doctor tells me that they took less than a cc of tissue. There's a lot of pulling and poking, but everything was pretty numbed up. So they took a sample, and after taking a picture of it, decided that they needed a little more tissue. Except this time, the tissue they wanted was outside the anesthetized area of the breast.
There's a study out there that those of you with chronic pain will react to with "Well, duh..." It shows that when a person is already in pain (today I was at 8 on the 1-10 scale), drawing blood will be perceived as more painful that someone who doesn't already have a baseline of pain. Multiply that by about 29 for "removing tissue from the breast." I screamed. And this wasn't a little girly scream. This was a full-throated, deep-voiced, full alto scream. After I screamed, I started sobbing and continued to sob for 15 minutes. It's been an hour, and the tears have finally stopped. Jumping Jehosophat, that hurt.
At least I know that I startled the knickers off the nurse and the doctor in the office, and drew every other nurse to the door of the ultrasound room. It was a LOUD scream. Doug didn't hear it in the waiting room, though, which is just as well, since had he recognized it, he would have been frantic.
Moral of the story? If you are well-endowed, and need a breast tissue biopsy, ask for extra anesthesia.
Last week, I had an MRI and a mammogram. The mammogram had suspicious calcifications, and I had to have a biopsy. That's the next post. The MRI came back. I have a narrowing of the spinal column in C4 and C5, a bone spur in T9-T10, and disc degeneration and a spondlyo-something, meaning the vertebra is pushed forward, in L4-L5. None of those conditions require surgery.
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