Forum Discussion
Step 1
So today was my first official 'cancer activity'. I had my sentinel node identified via radioactive injection. It was pretty ordinary.
One of my closest friends took me. We have decided that while I need to do "cancer" stuff, we will try to bookend it with fun stuff. It doesn't take much for us to create fun. (Insert disproportionate laughter that the label on my Coke was the same as my shirt...)
My surgeon performs sentinel lymph node biopsy so hopefully I will avoid the traumas of lymphodema but the trade was today's little adventure. The young woman performing the procedure was very gentle and I imagine that she was informative but I'm not really processing complex concepts very well at the moment. She advised that there would be a small sting followed by a larger sting. What that means is that you get a needle in your boob then it's injected with 14 litres of boiling lava. Ouch. Then you spend an eternity mauling your (in my case already battered and bruised) bosom until the liquid starts to drain into the lymph node. Then to take images you are subject to the human toastie maker. Not awesome for my claustrophobic brain. This process runs on a loop until results are achieved- in my case, this took an hour. I have no interest in EVER repeating this.
On the upside, I found my very favourite Chanel lipstick that I thought I had lost forever. It was hiding in my never-used overnight bag, waiting to surprise me. And today I bought Peter Alexander pyjama pants (with robots!) at an op shop for $2.50. Evidently these are good omens!
Surgery tomorrow. I'm feeling ok. Scared, but I'm acknowledging that emotion without wallowing there.
Sending good vibes out into the universe for my sisters who are going through similar things xoxo
16 Replies
Hi KJ
Sorry to hear your pathology was not good. Don't feel you have to hide your bad moods -this is the best place to vent - we understand your pain.
Keep us posted and we will all be thinking of you. Big hugs
RosG
Hey, long time no chat. I've been hiding since my last surgery. I finally hit the point of running out of positive attitude so I felt it best that I didn't inflict my bad mood on anyone!
Glad to hear your surgery was good, sorry to hear your pathology was not great - I'm feeling you! Turns out I had two more, undetected tumours on the breast tissue that was removed. At 12mm & 18mm whilst not enormous, not exactly insignificant. So it's off to chemo then radiation then another mastectomy for me.
hope you had a break from everything and took the time to enjoy your Xmas & new year ??
Hi KJ. Surgery went really well. Pathology ... not so much. How did your pathology results go? XO
Sorry to hear that you accidentally fell down the surgery well too (I feel like that sometimes!) I absolutely am happy to answer any questions. I think the more we all talk about what's happening to us, the less alien it all feels. Although I would never in a million years wish this experience on anyone it's good to hear you aren't alone.
I had mastectomy and level 2 axilliary clearance on Friday. My surgery went well and I'm already home. Reconstruction isn't an option right now as it is yet to be determined whether I will have radiotherapy. I'm not buying a new boob so that someone can melt it with radioactive lasers..
I'm not convinced that I will even go down that path. I don't have big boobs so it won't be difficult for me to get by with a prosthetic. But (pending pathology outcomes) if I have the other one chopped off I will probably feel differently.
I hope your surgery goes well on Saturday. I was pleasantly surprised at how good I felt after surgery. The worst part is the drain (urgh gross, my husband gagged when I showed him a chunky bit stuck in the tube ????)
Again, good luck on Saturday. If you'd like to chat when it's over, I'm happy to.
Sending you best wishes xo
Hi KJ. I had my lympho & sentinel node biopsy surgery last Tuesday. Got results Thursday. As well as having a full mastectomy & immediate reconstruction of the right breast and a reduction to the left for better symmetry next Saturday, I now find out they have to take the right armpit lymph nodes at the same time. I guess it's just another thing for them to do, but I was so hoping we wouldn't have to go down that path!
In the bigger picture though, I guess the surgery is really only the beginning of the breast cancer journey, right?
When do you have your surgery? And if you don't mind me asking, what are you having done?
So glad to hear that. Take care of yourself. Sending you positive vibes, energy and everything else for the next steps.
Nadine
Hi KJ - saw your posting this morning to say you got through better than you expected. Good to hear!
None of us know what this journey is about until we are in it; it sometimes has unexpected twists and turns but overall it is about making us better - I sometimes say what happened to this year, never had so many Doctors appointments et cetera
Take care Christine
Thanks for your thoughts, Nadine. I got through yesterday's surgery better than anticipated. My issue is with anaesthetic- I usually struggle to come around, am sick and last time I had surgery, my blood pressure dropped so low I lost vision for about 6 hours! Yesterday was a very different experience though and I woke up really well.
Hope that you and your boy are getting over your virus - as if you need something else to deal with...
Thanks, Maria. My process was super-fast too thankfully. The days when you wait are the worst! Hope you are doing well.
Hello KJ
I know what you mean about the needle in the boob - nothing like it is there... I suspected it wasn't going to be pleasant when the doctor asked me after the third needle if I hated him at that point - I said not yet but I am guessing I am about to though - he was right. All in the past now thank goodness. I hope all went well with your surgery and the next stage of your treatment goes smoothly. Big hugs RosG
PS I love my Peter Alexander pjs too
