Just got back from my mammogram and bone density tests. Nothing to report, except they don't want to see me now for a year! No more 6 month visits - yay! *do a little dance*
I haven't heard anything about the blood work, so I figure that is good news too. I have the consultation tomorrow for the colonoscopy, but no idea how quickly the actual procedure will be set up for.
I still don't get why all of a sudden, I have to have a consult, but I suppose it has something to do with making sure you have the right patient. I suspect they will sign my butt too! They had to sign the shoulder on the side that was having the surgery last time I was there.
I just hope I can understand her. Yes, that was politically incorrect - I don't care, it is my health we are talking about. Besides, I'm going to Hell if there is one anyway. ;)
Well, that is all there is to report for now. Have a good day all.
Showing posts with label mammogram. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mammogram. Show all posts
2009-01-21
2008-01-14
Just Place Your Tit in This Vise
Well, I am back and I am SORE! I am also not joking in the title.
I went and had the biopsy done on my calcium deposits in my left breast today. The clinic decided that the best way to do this was to use stereographic x-ray. At least I am pretty sure that is what they called it and from the description of stereographic I found, I think I am correct.
They took me into a room with a table that looks like it came from Torturers - R - Us, but because it is a breast clinic, it is that wretched dusty rose colour that was popular in the '80's. It is vinyl but has only enough padding that the sharp edges don't cut through the vinyl. If this is not bad enough, there is a depression and hole in the centre of the table. Either end has a padded bar between metal clamps. I found out later that this is so they can accommodate various leg lengths.
Underneath all of this is a contraption that you just know is going to cause you pain! Oh, it looks somewhat benign at a glance, but when you look closely, there are small metal protrusions that look suspiciously like needles in between the moulded plastic parts that look like the pieces found on the regular mammogram machines. The nurse explains that you will be lying face down with your breast hanging through the hole and they will x-ray it from various angles in order to locate the deposits. The Dr. will come in and freeze the area and then they will make a small incision and insert the needle that takes the core sample. After this they will x-ray again to make sure the needle is positioned properly, then take 5 samples, x-ray again and then x-ray the samples in the other room to make sure they have got the calcium.
Whew and that is just the explanation! So, I climb up onto the table, take off the wonderful designer gown and turn my whale-like mass over onto my belly. I am so accustomed to having anything done on my right breast that I tried to put that one in the hole first. Once I got sorted out and the pillows placed so I was somewhat comfortable, she raised the bed to about head height on her. Makes sense, I wouldn't want to try to milk a pig, a cow looks to be hard enough on the back. With humans they can raise the bed enough to not injure the nurse, I say go ahead. Oh and yes, you feel somewhat like a cow, especially when the nurse starts to tighten up the vise. Can't have the udder moving on you now!
Well, the Dr. comes in and sticks the needle in to freeze me. She did this so badly that my back tensed up and went into spasm! I can't move! I'm not sure which hurt more, my breast or my back. Well, I got my back to relax, the freezing took effect and they made the incision. Stuck the needle in did the x-ray, took the core samples and missed! So, back comes the nurse, we have to try again! X-ray, move the needle, x-ray, core sample. Of course, she is now moving the needle beyond where the freezing is. Not bad, I can handle it, after all my arm is hurting more right now because, like an idiot, I put my right arm up over my head!
Missed again! I told her that this had to be the last time as I could no longer feel my right arm and my back was spasming again! Repeat above steps, again moving beyond the freezing. Three times is a charm and 13 is not an unlucky number! That is how many samples they took! I think they will be able to tell if there is anything happening in the neighbourhood!
Then I was able to move - woohoo! That was fun too! Inching up on an arm that has no feeling while the nurse is holding onto my breast trying to staunch the bleeding! Well I managed to get over onto my side (yes the one with the dead arm) and the nurse managed to not let go. Feeling returned to my arm about the time the nurse gave up and stuck a bandage on me and I was free to go. My appointment was at 10.30, it was probably a few minutes late getting started and I walked out the doors at 12.05. I would guess from that, that I spent about 50 minutes on my belly with my tit in a vise, unable to move except my fingers and toes.
I wish I had taken my phone with me, so I could have taken a picture of that table. Oh well, you will have to use your imaginations. At least now, you have an idea of what to expect if you ever (God forbid) have to go through this yourselves.
I am going to have a nap now, because of course, I didn't sleep again last night. I won't know anything about the results until Friday at the earliest, I will keep you all posted.
Good afternoon all.
I went and had the biopsy done on my calcium deposits in my left breast today. The clinic decided that the best way to do this was to use stereographic x-ray. At least I am pretty sure that is what they called it and from the description of stereographic I found, I think I am correct.
They took me into a room with a table that looks like it came from Torturers - R - Us, but because it is a breast clinic, it is that wretched dusty rose colour that was popular in the '80's. It is vinyl but has only enough padding that the sharp edges don't cut through the vinyl. If this is not bad enough, there is a depression and hole in the centre of the table. Either end has a padded bar between metal clamps. I found out later that this is so they can accommodate various leg lengths.
Underneath all of this is a contraption that you just know is going to cause you pain! Oh, it looks somewhat benign at a glance, but when you look closely, there are small metal protrusions that look suspiciously like needles in between the moulded plastic parts that look like the pieces found on the regular mammogram machines. The nurse explains that you will be lying face down with your breast hanging through the hole and they will x-ray it from various angles in order to locate the deposits. The Dr. will come in and freeze the area and then they will make a small incision and insert the needle that takes the core sample. After this they will x-ray again to make sure the needle is positioned properly, then take 5 samples, x-ray again and then x-ray the samples in the other room to make sure they have got the calcium.
Whew and that is just the explanation! So, I climb up onto the table, take off the wonderful designer gown and turn my whale-like mass over onto my belly. I am so accustomed to having anything done on my right breast that I tried to put that one in the hole first. Once I got sorted out and the pillows placed so I was somewhat comfortable, she raised the bed to about head height on her. Makes sense, I wouldn't want to try to milk a pig, a cow looks to be hard enough on the back. With humans they can raise the bed enough to not injure the nurse, I say go ahead. Oh and yes, you feel somewhat like a cow, especially when the nurse starts to tighten up the vise. Can't have the udder moving on you now!
Well, the Dr. comes in and sticks the needle in to freeze me. She did this so badly that my back tensed up and went into spasm! I can't move! I'm not sure which hurt more, my breast or my back. Well, I got my back to relax, the freezing took effect and they made the incision. Stuck the needle in did the x-ray, took the core samples and missed! So, back comes the nurse, we have to try again! X-ray, move the needle, x-ray, core sample. Of course, she is now moving the needle beyond where the freezing is. Not bad, I can handle it, after all my arm is hurting more right now because, like an idiot, I put my right arm up over my head!
Missed again! I told her that this had to be the last time as I could no longer feel my right arm and my back was spasming again! Repeat above steps, again moving beyond the freezing. Three times is a charm and 13 is not an unlucky number! That is how many samples they took! I think they will be able to tell if there is anything happening in the neighbourhood!
Then I was able to move - woohoo! That was fun too! Inching up on an arm that has no feeling while the nurse is holding onto my breast trying to staunch the bleeding! Well I managed to get over onto my side (yes the one with the dead arm) and the nurse managed to not let go. Feeling returned to my arm about the time the nurse gave up and stuck a bandage on me and I was free to go. My appointment was at 10.30, it was probably a few minutes late getting started and I walked out the doors at 12.05. I would guess from that, that I spent about 50 minutes on my belly with my tit in a vise, unable to move except my fingers and toes.
I wish I had taken my phone with me, so I could have taken a picture of that table. Oh well, you will have to use your imaginations. At least now, you have an idea of what to expect if you ever (God forbid) have to go through this yourselves.
I am going to have a nap now, because of course, I didn't sleep again last night. I won't know anything about the results until Friday at the earliest, I will keep you all posted.
Good afternoon all.
2008-01-11
Testing, testing
I went and had my mammogram and a bone density test done today. This is the first such test since having completed all of my treatments and I was a bit anxious.
That may be understating things. I have been having trouble sleeping for the last couple of nights. Now as this is a fairly regular thing anyway, I didn't really pay it much attention. I knew I would be a bit tense and just accepted that I would be short of sleep.
I woke up this morning at 7.00, for me this is early! Especially as I was still awake at 3.30! I thought, well, my appointment is not until 15.00, so lets see if I can sleep some more. I woke up at 10.00, I thought about getting up, but before I could turn thought into action, I fell asleep again.
I had a phone call at about 12.30 - I even answered it. Then I just lay there thinking how much I didn't want to get up! That would mean getting showered and dressed and catching the bus and getting my boobs squashed!
I didn't want to do any of those things. I wanted to live in blissful ignorance for a few more hours. It is a very pleasant place, I have it all decorated in a 1920's Art Deco theme, with handsome debonair men to cater to my every whim. Chocolate doesn't have any calories and Champagne flows freely.
Oh well, back to reality. I did finally haul my butt out of bed and shower etc. I transferred to the bus the route generator on my computer told me to, then freaked for a few minutes when it when in the opposite direction than the one I knew I had to go in. I sat and thought about bus numbers and calmed down when I realised I was on the correct bus, but for a minute there I thought I was going to wind up far away from where I needed to be.
So, I get off the bus and am walking along the front of the strip mall that the clinic is in, killing a minute or two, when I see a woman with a bag with all sorts of paper work in it. It was only then that I realised I had left my paperwork at home! I went into the clinic and explained what I had done and they just asked me to call the Dr.'s office and have them fax it over. Well, if you have read any of my other posts, you may remember that I have pointed out before that my Dr.'s office staff are not the brightest bulbs in the box. I had to explain twice what I wanted and then she had me hold to see if they could do that! Well she finally said that she could, so I went back in and filled out the forms that they gave me.
I was measured & weighed again. I haven't lost nor have I gained weight since October at the Dr.'s office, but I am now almost an inch shorter! 5"6" and a bit! I have no idea what is going on there, but I am sure we couldn't have been that far off at home when I measured out at 5'8 3/4" at 16 or so years old. Maybe it has something to do with being measured by someone shorter than I am?
So, I had the bone scan first, I won't know anything about that until the Dr. calls me, then I went in and had the mammogram. They took four slides of each breast and sent me out to wait. The first two on each side are regular slides and the next two are magnified, I don't remember them magnifying the last time I was there, but procedures change. They called me back in to take more shots of my left breast (yes, the one that didn't have cancer) because they could see little specks and wanted a better look at them. The nurse said they were calcium deposits and they were on the last films, but they want a better look. I was sent out to wait again.
The nurse came and took me back to where I could get dressed and told me that they want to do an ultra-sound and core biopsy - just to make sure of what these are - and she would set up an appointment for me while I got dressed.
So, I really have nothing to report, no good news or bad news right now. I sure took a long time getting there though didn't I? I have the appointment on Monday to find out what these are, until then, I just have to wait. Hey, I might wind up with my boobs the same size again after all!
Good evening all.
That may be understating things. I have been having trouble sleeping for the last couple of nights. Now as this is a fairly regular thing anyway, I didn't really pay it much attention. I knew I would be a bit tense and just accepted that I would be short of sleep.
I woke up this morning at 7.00, for me this is early! Especially as I was still awake at 3.30! I thought, well, my appointment is not until 15.00, so lets see if I can sleep some more. I woke up at 10.00, I thought about getting up, but before I could turn thought into action, I fell asleep again.
I had a phone call at about 12.30 - I even answered it. Then I just lay there thinking how much I didn't want to get up! That would mean getting showered and dressed and catching the bus and getting my boobs squashed!
I didn't want to do any of those things. I wanted to live in blissful ignorance for a few more hours. It is a very pleasant place, I have it all decorated in a 1920's Art Deco theme, with handsome debonair men to cater to my every whim. Chocolate doesn't have any calories and Champagne flows freely.
Oh well, back to reality. I did finally haul my butt out of bed and shower etc. I transferred to the bus the route generator on my computer told me to, then freaked for a few minutes when it when in the opposite direction than the one I knew I had to go in. I sat and thought about bus numbers and calmed down when I realised I was on the correct bus, but for a minute there I thought I was going to wind up far away from where I needed to be.
So, I get off the bus and am walking along the front of the strip mall that the clinic is in, killing a minute or two, when I see a woman with a bag with all sorts of paper work in it. It was only then that I realised I had left my paperwork at home! I went into the clinic and explained what I had done and they just asked me to call the Dr.'s office and have them fax it over. Well, if you have read any of my other posts, you may remember that I have pointed out before that my Dr.'s office staff are not the brightest bulbs in the box. I had to explain twice what I wanted and then she had me hold to see if they could do that! Well she finally said that she could, so I went back in and filled out the forms that they gave me.
I was measured & weighed again. I haven't lost nor have I gained weight since October at the Dr.'s office, but I am now almost an inch shorter! 5"6" and a bit! I have no idea what is going on there, but I am sure we couldn't have been that far off at home when I measured out at 5'8 3/4" at 16 or so years old. Maybe it has something to do with being measured by someone shorter than I am?
So, I had the bone scan first, I won't know anything about that until the Dr. calls me, then I went in and had the mammogram. They took four slides of each breast and sent me out to wait. The first two on each side are regular slides and the next two are magnified, I don't remember them magnifying the last time I was there, but procedures change. They called me back in to take more shots of my left breast (yes, the one that didn't have cancer) because they could see little specks and wanted a better look at them. The nurse said they were calcium deposits and they were on the last films, but they want a better look. I was sent out to wait again.
The nurse came and took me back to where I could get dressed and told me that they want to do an ultra-sound and core biopsy - just to make sure of what these are - and she would set up an appointment for me while I got dressed.
So, I really have nothing to report, no good news or bad news right now. I sure took a long time getting there though didn't I? I have the appointment on Monday to find out what these are, until then, I just have to wait. Hey, I might wind up with my boobs the same size again after all!
Good evening all.
2008-01-07
Secondary Lymphoedema
This will be the final installment in my saga of Breast Cancer. For any of you that missed the beginning of my story, you can check out the first post about Chemo here and the second post about Radiation here. This post is about how I discovered the cancer and the surgeries.
So, Secondary Lymphoedema, is the result of having Lymph Nodes removed from my right armpit in order to see if my type of breast cancer had spread to the lymphatic system. I was very lucky in that it hadn't, all of the nodes they removed were clean. That is what makes the lymphoedema so very frustrating. It turns out not to have been a necessary surgery and I will have to put up with this probably all of my life! I could be lucky and it will correct itself over time, some women who have had the surgery never experience the swelling that I am about to describe to you.
First off, here is the link to the Wikipedia description. They have other links there as well and a link to the blog of a woman suffering from primary lymphoedema which is very informative.
Without getting too technical, the lymph system is a circulatory system, much like how your blood flows through your body. It's job is to filter & carry away toxins and crap in your body. With the removal of some of the nodes, my bodies ability to remove this fluid has been compromised which results in the fluid accumulating in the arm.
The resulting swelling is painful to say the least. In order to get rid of the swelling, I had to visit the physio therapist at the cancer clinic daily to have my arm wrapped in compression bandages. They start the wrap with a cotton/spandex sleeve, the wrap the fingers and hand with gauze. Over this they wrap up the length of your arm a thin 4" wide piece of foam. Now, if you aren't hot enough already, they then start from the hand and wrap 4 tensor bandages, in a figure 8 pattern all the way up your arm. In my case, they had to add a cushion over the nerves at the base of the thumb and an extra cotton padding at the crease of the elbow. This is what the end result looks like. (Sorry for the quality, click to get rid of the background.)
Close up of the hand
Monday through Friday, I had to get my arm wrapped, then walk over to the radiation department and try to get my clothes off and then tie one of those designer gowns they give you. With a newly wrapped arm, you can't bend your elbow! I eventually gave up trying to tie it, I figured that everyone there was there for some treatment or moral support for a family member and that seeing my back bare (I was able to keep pants on), was not going to shock or upset anyone.
Weekends, I was to keep Fridays wrap on as long as I could which meant that I had to shower with the wrap on. They gave me a plastic glove that goes all the way to the shoulder. Now those of you that know anything about farm animals or watch TV or movies where this glove may have been used as comic relief, know what type of glove I am referring to. So, being the smart-alec that I am, I asked the girl that was wrapping me, if they get the gloves from a Veterinary supply house? She looked at me kind of funny, then the penny dropped and she laughed. She was a farmers daughter, she knew that this was the type of glove used for pulling calves or turning them in the womb or other things I don't want to think about that would have to do with the insides of large animals. When I needed more gloves, one day, I had the therapist (not the assistant) wrapping me, but, I asked for more "vet gloves". She had no idea what I was talking about! After I stopped laughing, I explained to her what they were for, she said she didn't think they came from a vet supply house. No sense of humour that one.
Wrapping the arm and forcing the fluid out has a few side effects. One of which is that the fluid has to go somewhere and the closest place is the lungs. This is not a good thing when you have asthma not to mention the awful habit of smoking. I am working on that I swear! The weird experience I had, was when it went to my head! For two days, I am not sure if it was because I was so tired or what, but I must not have moved all night and when I got up, I staggered like a drunken sailor. It affected my balance for a few minutes each morning, I was even listing on the loo. Not to mention walking sideways, and each step getting faster trying to stop moving in the direction of the wall! Very funny in retrospect, but not so funny at the time.
Of course, by this time, the season had changed and it was full on winter. Here I am running around in a tank top just so my arm could be wrapped easily! Um and because I didn't have any long sleeved shirts that would go over the wrapping. I was very thankful that I had lost a bit of weight and that the sleeve on my winter coat was wide enough to accommodate my arm, even if I couldn't get my hand out of the cuff. I carry my wallet in my front right hand pocket, that made for some interesting times, I would put wallet in pocket before I got wrapped, then go shopping in the afternoon if I needed anything. Yes, I am a slow learner! ;)
My right arm was toasty warm, the rest of me was freezing while I was waiting for buses! I didn't have a crappy old sweater that I could cut the arm off of to keep the rest of me warm while wearing sleeveless tops, though I eventually remembered that I still had my leg warmers from the '80's. They lived in the trunk of my car for winter emergencies, in case you were wondering. They and a large scarf draped over my shoulders were the solution I needed to my dilemma. Well, that and two or three hats to keep my head warm.
Finally, they got the swelling down and somewhat stable about the same time my radiation ended and were able to order a custom fit sleeve and glove for me. These are compression garments and the idea is to prevent the arm from swelling more than it is already. They last about six months and then you need a new one. Silly me, I phoned at 5 months to make an appointment to be checked, only to be told that my therapist wasn't available for the next three months! By the time I got in to see her, I had thought things were under control and so had done some silly things like washing walls and moving furniture, cleaning places that hadn't been cleaned for awhile, because I had been sick. This was not a good idea. I over did it and my arm blew up just before my appointment! It had 3 cups of fluid more than my left arm! So, I had to go through the wrapping procedure again before I could order the new sleeve. As soon as I got home, I made a point of writing on my calendar, at four months, to call and make an appointment!
They gave me a bunch of exercises and massage techniques to use to keep the lymph fluid moving the right direction. They have recommended a low protein diet as well as lowering my sodium intake. What they didn't mention is how to get back to being able to carry any weight. I have been doing the exercises and massage and watching my food intake, but every time, I carry something the least bit heavy, I can see my arm swell. I can see my arm swell if I have to write a lot by hand. This is the frustrating part of having lymphoedema! I have to find the right balance of exercise and diet that will make it go away and stay away. Losing weight would be a bonus if it happened!
So, now I am on maintenance, trying to keep the arm from blowing up like a puffer fish. I have a mammogram scheduled for Friday (that took three months to get an appointment), so I will post my results when I get them. They will of course be clean - right?
Good Evening all.
So, Secondary Lymphoedema, is the result of having Lymph Nodes removed from my right armpit in order to see if my type of breast cancer had spread to the lymphatic system. I was very lucky in that it hadn't, all of the nodes they removed were clean. That is what makes the lymphoedema so very frustrating. It turns out not to have been a necessary surgery and I will have to put up with this probably all of my life! I could be lucky and it will correct itself over time, some women who have had the surgery never experience the swelling that I am about to describe to you.
First off, here is the link to the Wikipedia description. They have other links there as well and a link to the blog of a woman suffering from primary lymphoedema which is very informative.
Without getting too technical, the lymph system is a circulatory system, much like how your blood flows through your body. It's job is to filter & carry away toxins and crap in your body. With the removal of some of the nodes, my bodies ability to remove this fluid has been compromised which results in the fluid accumulating in the arm.
The resulting swelling is painful to say the least. In order to get rid of the swelling, I had to visit the physio therapist at the cancer clinic daily to have my arm wrapped in compression bandages. They start the wrap with a cotton/spandex sleeve, the wrap the fingers and hand with gauze. Over this they wrap up the length of your arm a thin 4" wide piece of foam. Now, if you aren't hot enough already, they then start from the hand and wrap 4 tensor bandages, in a figure 8 pattern all the way up your arm. In my case, they had to add a cushion over the nerves at the base of the thumb and an extra cotton padding at the crease of the elbow. This is what the end result looks like. (Sorry for the quality, click to get rid of the background.)
Close up of the hand
Monday through Friday, I had to get my arm wrapped, then walk over to the radiation department and try to get my clothes off and then tie one of those designer gowns they give you. With a newly wrapped arm, you can't bend your elbow! I eventually gave up trying to tie it, I figured that everyone there was there for some treatment or moral support for a family member and that seeing my back bare (I was able to keep pants on), was not going to shock or upset anyone.
Weekends, I was to keep Fridays wrap on as long as I could which meant that I had to shower with the wrap on. They gave me a plastic glove that goes all the way to the shoulder. Now those of you that know anything about farm animals or watch TV or movies where this glove may have been used as comic relief, know what type of glove I am referring to. So, being the smart-alec that I am, I asked the girl that was wrapping me, if they get the gloves from a Veterinary supply house? She looked at me kind of funny, then the penny dropped and she laughed. She was a farmers daughter, she knew that this was the type of glove used for pulling calves or turning them in the womb or other things I don't want to think about that would have to do with the insides of large animals. When I needed more gloves, one day, I had the therapist (not the assistant) wrapping me, but, I asked for more "vet gloves". She had no idea what I was talking about! After I stopped laughing, I explained to her what they were for, she said she didn't think they came from a vet supply house. No sense of humour that one.
Wrapping the arm and forcing the fluid out has a few side effects. One of which is that the fluid has to go somewhere and the closest place is the lungs. This is not a good thing when you have asthma not to mention the awful habit of smoking. I am working on that I swear! The weird experience I had, was when it went to my head! For two days, I am not sure if it was because I was so tired or what, but I must not have moved all night and when I got up, I staggered like a drunken sailor. It affected my balance for a few minutes each morning, I was even listing on the loo. Not to mention walking sideways, and each step getting faster trying to stop moving in the direction of the wall! Very funny in retrospect, but not so funny at the time.
Of course, by this time, the season had changed and it was full on winter. Here I am running around in a tank top just so my arm could be wrapped easily! Um and because I didn't have any long sleeved shirts that would go over the wrapping. I was very thankful that I had lost a bit of weight and that the sleeve on my winter coat was wide enough to accommodate my arm, even if I couldn't get my hand out of the cuff. I carry my wallet in my front right hand pocket, that made for some interesting times, I would put wallet in pocket before I got wrapped, then go shopping in the afternoon if I needed anything. Yes, I am a slow learner! ;)
My right arm was toasty warm, the rest of me was freezing while I was waiting for buses! I didn't have a crappy old sweater that I could cut the arm off of to keep the rest of me warm while wearing sleeveless tops, though I eventually remembered that I still had my leg warmers from the '80's. They lived in the trunk of my car for winter emergencies, in case you were wondering. They and a large scarf draped over my shoulders were the solution I needed to my dilemma. Well, that and two or three hats to keep my head warm.
Finally, they got the swelling down and somewhat stable about the same time my radiation ended and were able to order a custom fit sleeve and glove for me. These are compression garments and the idea is to prevent the arm from swelling more than it is already. They last about six months and then you need a new one. Silly me, I phoned at 5 months to make an appointment to be checked, only to be told that my therapist wasn't available for the next three months! By the time I got in to see her, I had thought things were under control and so had done some silly things like washing walls and moving furniture, cleaning places that hadn't been cleaned for awhile, because I had been sick. This was not a good idea. I over did it and my arm blew up just before my appointment! It had 3 cups of fluid more than my left arm! So, I had to go through the wrapping procedure again before I could order the new sleeve. As soon as I got home, I made a point of writing on my calendar, at four months, to call and make an appointment!
They gave me a bunch of exercises and massage techniques to use to keep the lymph fluid moving the right direction. They have recommended a low protein diet as well as lowering my sodium intake. What they didn't mention is how to get back to being able to carry any weight. I have been doing the exercises and massage and watching my food intake, but every time, I carry something the least bit heavy, I can see my arm swell. I can see my arm swell if I have to write a lot by hand. This is the frustrating part of having lymphoedema! I have to find the right balance of exercise and diet that will make it go away and stay away. Losing weight would be a bonus if it happened!
So, now I am on maintenance, trying to keep the arm from blowing up like a puffer fish. I have a mammogram scheduled for Friday (that took three months to get an appointment), so I will post my results when I get them. They will of course be clean - right?
Good Evening all.
2007-09-27
My bout with cancer
May 15th, 2006, I went for a mammogram. I had a lump in my breast that I thought needed to be checked again. I say again because in April of the year prior to that I had had a benign fibrous tumor removed from my right breast. While checking the incision, I thought I had felt another lump and mentioned it to my surgeon. She found the lump and did a fine needle aspiration in her office. (By the way, I learned later, don't do this!) It came back negative. Rather than sending me for a mammogram, she had me go to the hospital, where she proceeded to do a blind (no ultrasound) core biopsy. (Again, don't do this!) Never in all my forty some years of having tests done have I had to call the Doctor to get results - I didn't hear anything, so assumed all was well.
So, as I said, I went for a mammogram about a year after this as it felt like the lump was bigger. My G.P. didn't tell the clinic that there was a lump, so I had to return that afternoon for the ultrasound core biopsy, which gave them time to get the results from my surgeons test a year prior. This is when I was told don't have a fine needle aspiration or a blind core biopsy. Well, the surgeon, had missed the lump and gotten scar tissue! But, I never got called!
Two weeks later, I get a message from my Dr.'s office to make an appointment to see him. I call and set one up for two days later. I get a message the next day asking if I could call about my appointment. I call and they ask if I could come in that day. Well, now I don't need to go in, I know what he is going to say.
I am right, I have breast cancer. He has set up an appointment for the following week with ... you got it in one, the same surgeon! So, I tell him the tale of discovering this lump and how I am not really happy with this surgeon (he has nothing on file from her!), but, he suggests if I can, she is the fastest way to deal with this! He will try to get me in elsewhere if I really want. Well, I am really not happy, but by the same token, I think, it may well have been benign last year anyway and then I would have ignored it this year.
So, I get home and my first thought is to call my best friend Emily - then - I think, I can't! Her husband is dying of cancer, the last thing she needs is me bawling on her shoulder! So, I call my sister ( she would have been first if it weren't for my being broke and the call being long distance) and bawl on her shoulder. I had done really well, right up until I had to say the words to someone else.
So, I had the surgery on my breast on June 5th. They took just the lump and a lymph node to test. The lymph node, upon close examination proved to have a trace of cancer, so, they went in and took lymph nodes from under my right arm on July 5th. My sister came down from G.P. to babysit me for both of the surgeries and then ran me about the city right after getting me out of hospital. These were both day surgeries, the first I was in for about 6 hours, the second they kept me for closer to 10 hours. Woohoo! Gotta love medical care these days!
I went through chemo and radiation, but, I will save those experiences for another post.
Good Morning.
So, as I said, I went for a mammogram about a year after this as it felt like the lump was bigger. My G.P. didn't tell the clinic that there was a lump, so I had to return that afternoon for the ultrasound core biopsy, which gave them time to get the results from my surgeons test a year prior. This is when I was told don't have a fine needle aspiration or a blind core biopsy. Well, the surgeon, had missed the lump and gotten scar tissue! But, I never got called!
Two weeks later, I get a message from my Dr.'s office to make an appointment to see him. I call and set one up for two days later. I get a message the next day asking if I could call about my appointment. I call and they ask if I could come in that day. Well, now I don't need to go in, I know what he is going to say.
I am right, I have breast cancer. He has set up an appointment for the following week with ... you got it in one, the same surgeon! So, I tell him the tale of discovering this lump and how I am not really happy with this surgeon (he has nothing on file from her!), but, he suggests if I can, she is the fastest way to deal with this! He will try to get me in elsewhere if I really want. Well, I am really not happy, but by the same token, I think, it may well have been benign last year anyway and then I would have ignored it this year.
So, I get home and my first thought is to call my best friend Emily - then - I think, I can't! Her husband is dying of cancer, the last thing she needs is me bawling on her shoulder! So, I call my sister ( she would have been first if it weren't for my being broke and the call being long distance) and bawl on her shoulder. I had done really well, right up until I had to say the words to someone else.
So, I had the surgery on my breast on June 5th. They took just the lump and a lymph node to test. The lymph node, upon close examination proved to have a trace of cancer, so, they went in and took lymph nodes from under my right arm on July 5th. My sister came down from G.P. to babysit me for both of the surgeries and then ran me about the city right after getting me out of hospital. These were both day surgeries, the first I was in for about 6 hours, the second they kept me for closer to 10 hours. Woohoo! Gotta love medical care these days!
I went through chemo and radiation, but, I will save those experiences for another post.
Good Morning.
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