Post Surgery Update
What a ride! The original surgery, a wide local excision on the right breast on a 2.5cm tumour was a success. Caroline Baker got fantastic clear margins on the tumour, and as I was large chested, the left was reduced at the same time. Tissue samples from the left breast showed no sign of cancer. Nodes on the right showed microscopic cells, which the Oncologist Serene Foo predicts will be wiped with the 6 months of Chemo and then Radio I will be having. I had a triple negative cancer,which scared the hell out of me when I read up on it all. Surgery was 1st May, and was released on the 4th feeling fantastic, but with an infection in the right breast. Was sent home with Keflex to manage it. 5 days after release, the infection went crazy, right breast swelled to a football and it was like everything was going to bust open. I had run out of antibiotics the day prior, no one had said I needed more, and it spread like wildfire. Caroliine Baker had her team syringe 4 large needles out of the R breast, but unfortunately ended up in Surgery with my Plastic Surgeon re opening the vertical sutures and washing out both breasts. This was upsetting, as I really had such a great recovery after the original surgery. I was in hospital for another 5 days! Collectively in the Mercy for two weeks! I know all Hospitals have infection rates, but I wish I was more aware then of how common infections are post operatively. I am taking it easy, at home on Amoxycillin and Ciprofloxacin. Have another check up next week with the PS to make sure healing is all going well, and then the week after with the Oncologist. All going well, Chemo starts in 3 weeks. I have opted for the Ac & Taxo, which the Oncologist advised has lesser usual side effect than the FEC & Taxo combination, which has a shorter duration. I didn't mind the treatment being longer, just don't relish being wiped out. I am nervous, I want the infection to bugger off, so we can get on with all this, but am fast learning now that my life is no longer just in my hands.....hell of a hard way to find out. Thank you for all your updates, am learning so many things and would feel so isolated, if not for the wisdom being shared here.
