Well, after Friday I'll be a changed woman. Surgery is scheduled for early afternoon. With the bilateral she's going to a sentinel node biopsy on the currently unaffected breast, since it can't be done after the fact and just in case anything is found in that breast. I almost cancelled the SNB becauase I'm not looking forward to the needles in the nipple again (ouch), but I figured that is definitely better than a full node disection in case anything is found.
So, I hope to see you all there on Friday, unless you're otherwise tied up. Don't forget the pink boas!!!
L&H,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
Good luck, Laure! You will be in my thoughts and prayers on Friday! Where will you be having the surgery? I had a bilateral with reconstruction with expanders so if you have any specific questions you can e-mail me at frayda1@aol.com. Hugs, Frayda
Boy Laure' you do not let any daisies grow under your feet. You just moved, and here you are all scheduled for a bilateral. I guess you found your surgeon and everything is working like clockwork, which is great. We will be there with the PCE and feathers flying on Friday. Big hugs, MK
Laure'
Who did you decide to use?
BTW, the seminal node is under the arm, I'm pretty sure. That's where he did mine. Maybe they can give you a nice "Coctail" in the IV before giving you any invasive stuff. You CAN ask for that, you know.
Good luck, I'll be thinking of you
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius
Ellen
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Confucius
Ellen
I chose Dr. Jan Huston and will be having the surgery at St. Barnabas in the Ambulatory Care Center. I chose outpatient for many reasons, top on the list is the IV can come out sooner since my veins usually reject the IV after a number of hours. Also, then I can be home with my cats and kids and in my own bed!
The reason for doing the SNB now is that they have to inject the dye/nuclear meds into the breast so that it goes to the sentinel node. Without the breast, no place to do the injection. Unfortunately, I'll be going from the St. B's medical center to the St. B's ambulatory center, so no "coctails" until I speak with the anesthesiologist.
I really appreciate all of your prayers and thoughts! I have definitely been trying to find out all I can about this! Now I'm awaiting the Oncotype DX study and I'll let you know that when I find out. Still praying for a low score!
L&H,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
The reason for doing the SNB now is that they have to inject the dye/nuclear meds into the breast so that it goes to the sentinel node. Without the breast, no place to do the injection. Unfortunately, I'll be going from the St. B's medical center to the St. B's ambulatory center, so no "coctails" until I speak with the anesthesiologist.
I really appreciate all of your prayers and thoughts! I have definitely been trying to find out all I can about this! Now I'm awaiting the Oncotype DX study and I'll let you know that when I find out. Still praying for a low score!
L&H,
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
Laure,
They passed federal laws against drive-thru mastectomies! Why would you want to put yourself at risk and go home the same day?! That is major surgery and you should take the proper time to recouperate before you go home and deal with pets and children! I hope you will have some help when you get home!
Frayda
Interesting point, Frayda. I did a bit of research and here's an interesting article from JHU, presumably one of the better cancer centers:
"Johns Hopkins makes it the patient's choice to be an inpatient or outpatient for mastectomy surgery without reconstruction based on input from her surgeon. We are strong advocates that only hospitals who have developed comprehensive patient education programs which are conducted in advance of the patient's surgery should be performing mastectomies on an outpatient basis. We know from experience however that patients prefer going home the day of surgery 71% of the time and do very well. They score us high on patient satisfaction surveys and feel confident that they made the right choice in electing to have their surgery performed on an outpatient basis."
I'm not having any reconstruction, and given the input from the doctor and the choices women in her care have made to go home, I still feel confident that I want to go home. It's going to be much easier than my gallbladder surgery, my c-section, and 25 hours of natural childbirth without any meds.
Thank you so much for your concern. I will have help. Both my mother and my husband, plus my kids are pretty good about taking care of themselves. The cats I hope will snuggle at my legs (well, only Roger ususally does) and that's a wonderful feeling. I'm sure I'll be okay as long as I get the anti-nausea meds!
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
"Johns Hopkins makes it the patient's choice to be an inpatient or outpatient for mastectomy surgery without reconstruction based on input from her surgeon. We are strong advocates that only hospitals who have developed comprehensive patient education programs which are conducted in advance of the patient's surgery should be performing mastectomies on an outpatient basis. We know from experience however that patients prefer going home the day of surgery 71% of the time and do very well. They score us high on patient satisfaction surveys and feel confident that they made the right choice in electing to have their surgery performed on an outpatient basis."
I'm not having any reconstruction, and given the input from the doctor and the choices women in her care have made to go home, I still feel confident that I want to go home. It's going to be much easier than my gallbladder surgery, my c-section, and 25 hours of natural childbirth without any meds.
Thank you so much for your concern. I will have help. Both my mother and my husband, plus my kids are pretty good about taking care of themselves. The cats I hope will snuggle at my legs (well, only Roger ususally does) and that's a wonderful feeling. I'm sure I'll be okay as long as I get the anti-nausea meds!
Laure'
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
Laure, I didn't mean to sound so harsh. I agree with you, that I'd rather be home than in a hospital if it is possible (and safe!). I remember how uncomfortable I was after my surgery and I was glad I was there. But I had reconstruction, too, so that made a difference. I am sure that you will be fine long as you get the help! Good luck!
Frayda
Frayda
Thanks, Frayda. You didn't sound harsh at all. Rather, you sounded concerned and loving and that means the world to me! I always appreciate seeing both sides of the coin, and getting advice from people who care is what living is all about! So, thank you for caring!
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
The finger of God touches your life when you make a friend.
----Mary Dawson Hughes---
Laure'
My thoughts and prayers will be with you on Friday. And also for that low score.
You have a good attitude and it sounds like lots of good support. You will do great. I had to stay overnight because of a late surgery, but lady was I ready to go home the next morning. (Well, after my crying jag at 7:00 am. I was so tired!!)
There is no place like home, especially when a pet is snuggling at your feet. (Mine barks though.)
Hugs,
Candy
Laure'-
Sending early prayers to you as you prepare for surgery...it sounds like you are right on top of things and preparing mentally too. We'll send the PCE up to NJ for Friday...
L&H,
Lori
Sending early prayers to you as you prepare for surgery...it sounds like you are right on top of things and preparing mentally too. We'll send the PCE up to NJ for Friday...
L&H,
Lori
Laure', will be with you on Friday hoping all goes well. You are a brave lady to go home rather than stay a day or two in the hospital. But, to each her own. Just pamper yourself until you feel better. Hugs and pink feathers, Lauri
"Go confidently into the direction of your dreams. Live the life you always imagined" Thoreau
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node on April 13th. Before I was put to sleep, they did do the small needles around the nipple, but I promise you, they did not hurt. I think they did 4 and they were the smallest needles ever !!!. They felt like a little sting for less than 4 seconds each. I also had no trouble with the sentinel node.......I thought it would be in my arm pit, but actually it is lower than that and I had no pain, maybe a little discomfort, but really no pain. I wish you luck and give you my prayers and love,
Janis (Monroe, NC).
Laure, good luck on Friday. Make sure you rest afterwards.
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VICKY
Laure,
I'm sending you wishes again for a great outcome, along with prayers for same. Make sure you do exactly as the doctor says!
L&H.
Rita
I'm sending you wishes again for a great outcome, along with prayers for same. Make sure you do exactly as the doctor says!
L&H.
Rita
Laure'
I'm starting my prayers for your surgery now. But I know you will do just fine. Remember to take it easy and let others take care of you. The only thing you should concentrate on now is healing and getting well.
Those kitties will keep you warm and loved. Mine knew something was up and wanted to be with me all the time after I got home. The big (not so intelligent one) wanted to "knead" my breast once! OUCH! I knew he didn't know what he was doing but it sure woke me up with a start. (and if anyone on here tells Snoopy I said that about his intelligence I'll deny deny deny, he is very loved)
Best of luck dear friend,
Mia
Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.
-Vesta M. Kelly
-Vesta M. Kelly