Went yesterday morning for my post-surgical follow-up. Got half the staples out (every other one), and one drain out. The other drain has to stay several more days. Have an appt for next Tuesday (the 14th) to get the left drain out if it's ready, and the rest of the staples out. Dr said incision looked good .. nice words to hear when you're wondering if you're taking care of it right. My sister has done an amazing job keeping everything all nice and clean. Informed me he had removed nine lymph nodes, not just one. It was that only one had cancer in it. He said the pathologists couldn't find the actual area where the cancer had moved from the ducts into the lymph node, but it was definitely there. The cancer was Stage 3, considered agressive because it had moved into the lymph node. Made an appt with Oncologist for August 4th. Surgeon thinks he will want to do chemo, and will probably start fairly quickly after my appt. There is also the possibility he may have me forego the chemo & just take Tamoxifen. Or both. If I do chemo, I'll need to go back to surgeon to have a port put in. I guess I should be hoping for just the Tamoxifen pills, but I feel fine about having chemo if I need it. I'd rather be very aggressive now, and have less worry about the cancer returning later. Did you know that even though you have both breasts removed, they still want you to do a monthly check of the remaining chest tissue for lumps, etc. Right now there are hard places and lumpy places, and smooth places .. how the heck would I know if there was a change ?
I still have a good feeling about my new adventure. Thus far there has been no emotional trauma from the loss of my breasts. I realize that may surface yet. Having breasts does not define me as a woman. I still feel very much female, I still want to look as good as I can, I still feel sensual (well not so much with these yucky drains), I still have a sense of nurturing, I still feel a wonderful sisterhood with the women around me. I'm still a woman. I still love being a woman.
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you're great! so glad to hear how you are doing. if you are stage 3, then i hope you do have chemo. what about radiation? i didn't have a port for chemo and i did very well without it. ports are not always easy procedures and there's chance of infection. you've probably been reading about all that on the breastcancer.org forums.
ReplyDeleteyour breast area will change all the time! i know what you mean about bumps and lumps right after surgery, but your chest will smooth out. mine is completely flat now and straight. it's extremely important to do self-exams and get our checkups with the doctor, because cancer recurrence after mastectomy occurs usually along the scar line. also be sure to check your lymph area very thoroughly after treatment, along with self-checks for breast area.
of course breasts have nothing to do with our femininity and who we are as women! and now we can even run faster! :)