Hi everybody:
I have officially been cleared for “phase one” of my reconstructive surgery which is this Thursday. I was a bit anemic according to my blood work and was asked to take iron supplements for a week to build up my red blood cells before surgery, but I am fine now.
For “phase one” of this surgery, my plastic surgeon is going to insert an “expandor “into my left chest area. There will be 2 drain tubes in there too (geeezz - again!) As the tubes drain, I have to keep track of the cc’s and call the surgeon’s nurse with the numbers. The drains will be removed in two weeks or so.
Then I begin a series of injections of saline into the expandor for 4 - 6 weeks. About a month or so after that the implant is put in (more drains, I think - yikes!)and we wait for a while.
Then the “healthy”, right breast will be “adjusted” to match the new one - this is down the road - maybe March or April.
My last chemo is Dec. 22nd (hooray!) I am doing fine and grateful to God for my life. After this first surgery and the chemo is done, I am planning to do lots of research to determine which vitamins and minerals I need to take to stay healthy. I definitely will start to take Fish Oil-Omega 3 pill supplements to combat the aches and pains I am experiencing from the Femara I have to take.
Finally, to all of you who are facing having cancer or who are starting chemo or in the middle of it, you have all my prayers for the months ahead. To all the spouses who are standing by their wives and helping them stay strong, you are a blessing to your wives. My husband has been wonderful through this long year. God bless him.
Signed,
“Saline Bunches”
Bunches:
Glad to hear from you and also glad to hear that you’re on the wind-down with the chemo.
And also that you’re going to start the reconstruction.
This chemotherapy business may just be my grand opportunity to trade my kitty cat for a new one. Looks like I used up all the nine lives of the first kitty. So I’m starting over with a cute little new one.
I went in to the oncology center last Monday for a shot of something that will boost my white blood cells. As the nurse was injecting me, she warned that after three days or so my bones would start to ache. Especially the long bones. So far I’ve not had any trouble with my long bones but I was awakened this morning by a throbbing ache across my hip saddle. That did not feel good. As I lay there in bed, I tried to isolate the discomfort. It wasn’t a pain. But the throbbing definitely felt like it was in the bone and only happened when my heart beat.
“Good grief, now I’m micromanaging my aches and pains,” I thought. So I got up and took an Extra Strength Tylenol. So far over-the-counter stuff is working very well. Immodium is wonderful for lower GI distress and Pepto Bismol chewable caplets worked wonders when I thought I might become nauseous.
Today is the last day I’m supposed to be down here on the bottom. I can start my upswing anytime now, thank you very much.
Actually if I had two huge big poles, I could hang a hammock and suspend myself between heaven and earth. I don’t feel good enough to be up and about or bad enough to be parked in bed. And truthfully, this is the first day since last Monday since I’ve even felt like doing any cyberlurking or web-posting.
That’s an improvement for which I’m very grateful.
Here’s the deal. Since the partial mastectomy leaves me basically free of any cancer cells, except for the possibility of disguised ones that may be marauding around and hiding in tissues, hoping not to be detected, the chemo will reduce the odds of recurrence from 33% to 22%. That’s 11 percentage points, or, roughly 3 points a chemo cycle. The oncologist may not agree with that math but it helps me endure.
Then, the radiation takes me from 22% down to 7% odds that there will be no recurrence of breast cancer. While I’m going through radiation, and for 5 years, I will be on an estrogen suppressant that will take the odds of recurrence down to almost 0! I’ll take those odds.
My next treatment is now scheduled for December 30. Happy New Year everybody! Two more after that.
And I agree with you, Bunches! Thank God for wonderful husbands.
— Jane Reinheimer
Hey Y’all!
I hope everyone had a Good New Year (some of us had as good as we could.)
Been kinda quiet ‘round here.
Jane? How’s the chemo? Is it smacking you down some?
I start Taxorete (sp) in a few days and I’m just a wee bit freaked out. Don’t like the common side effects I’m reading about. I’d like to keep my fingernails, please. But then again A/C was suppose to really mess me up, too, and it’s been like cookies n milk-so.... maybe I’ll get lucky again.
My darling kids got me Sarah’s new book for Christmas! Woo Hoo!
Well, my story is a little upsetting. I’m unemployed for 3 years and have no health insurance. I found a lump in my left breast the beginning of August. I called all the “Foundations” for help in getting a low cost or free mammogram. As soon as they heard “lump” no one would help me. That’s right NONE of these so-called cancer organizations would assist me.
Another reason I was rejected, besides the lump was that my unemployment “income” was too high....(not enough to live on, but too high to qualify for government programs!)
Finally I was directed to a surgeon in December who took me on and was willing to do a biopsy through funding. I had a biopsy and ultrasound. Originally he thought it was a benign tumor. On December 15, 2010, the biopsy came back, and it was breast cancer with a mastectomy indicated. I just stared at him, speechless. I don’t know how I got home that day. I couldn’t even squeak out the words ‘cancer’ to anyone. I didn’t eat for 4 days and had the ‘runs’ for 3 days. My first question was “Am I gonna die?” Probably many people have that same reaction.
I went for all the pre-op tests, but since I’m diabetic, my blood sugar was very high. They wouldn’t give me medical clearance until I got my blood sugar down. I’ve been working to get it down, and have been successful so far. Luckily, my PET scan came back clear!
My surgery is set for February 10, 2011...yes, I’m scared, but more upset over the impending sickness I will experience with the chem and radiation. Naturally, there is a part of me who’s vanity doesn’t like the idea of losing my hair, but hey, it’s life or death.
I’m very depressed over this, but I have a lot of people to support me. But one thing I will say... I have NEVER asked “why?”. I have a strong Faith and I beg God for the strength to endure this. I humbly submit to God’s Will, whatever that may be.
Ladies, your stories have given me new insight as to what’s ahead. You are all very couragous, inspirational women! I hope I am able to cope with this.
Please pray for me.
Peace to all of you!
MarineMomJ