Pathology

The margins were clean (cancer free) except for one area that was right up against the muscle covering my chest wall. So now the doctor has to talk with the radiation oncologist to find out if they want him to take more tissue or if they can radiate the area without much damage to my heart (which is right below that muscle and chest wall). I'll know more at my follow-up appointment the first week of January. The lymph nodes were clear of cancer.

I must say the incisions are not as bad as I thought. The only pain I feel is where the nodes were taken out. That one burns from time to time (kinda like when you get a paper cut, and you keep irritating it), especially when something touches it (like my arm).

I'm still pretty tired. I guess with Christmas Eve and Christmas, I didn't rest much. So, yesterday, around 2:30 in the afternoon, I sat on the couch to watch 'The Parent Trap' and fell asleep until 5 o'clock! Then, I went to bed around midnight and didn't wake up until 9 am. I guess I needed some sleep, huh?

Theresa tells me that I should take it easy and that the surgery was a pretty invasive one, even though I feel well. I guess I should listen to my body and rest when I need to.

YAY

So the surgery went successfully--we hope. The doctor feels he got clean margins around the cancer. The sentinel node was free of any blatant cancer cells and the other node taken looked like fatty tissue surrounding it. I'll get the full pathology report by next Monday.

The strangest part of surgery was going in for the needle marker. First they took two mammography pics, then once they found the tumor, they inserted some lidocaine (short little pinch and burn--not too bad). Then the needle was inserted and another picture taken, then the needle got pushed in further, and another picture taken. Well, I was expecting a guide wire type of needle, but when I looked down, there was this needle that looked like the one you would use for quilting sticking out! The strangest part was that it did not hurt one bit (gotta love lidocaine!). Then they injected the radioactive dye (didn't hurt either). When I got into the surgical suite, my doctor let me see the wand they use to detect the lymph nodes, and the beeping sound (like a geiger counter) that goes along with it. It was pretty cool. Next thing I knew, I was waking up in the recovery area.

I was very happy with the anesthesiogist who said he would give me everything he could so I would not throw up, but he couldn't make any promises. Well, whatever he did worked. It was the first time out of about 8 surgical procedures that I did not throw up (we're talking projectile, here) for hours afterward. We got home around 3 and I went to bed and dozed.

Originally I felt I would not be up for visitors, expecially with my prior vomiting experiences, but since I was feeling rather well, I figured why not? Around 6, my friends Marie and Maureen came over. Marie got me some gorgeous purple flowers and Maureen, having just been through this herself brought over some button down pajamas and penne ala vodka sauce. Diana stopped by with some chicken soup and beef stew and bread from King Kullen (I miss that store being right around the corner--they have the best italian bread).

About 11 o'clock pm, I felt raring to go! I had so much energy suddenly. I downed some Percocet and went to bed clutching my little pillow given to me by the breast center at Mather. They gave me a whole tote bag full of books, a survivor pin, a sony walkman and a relaxation cd, and this pillow that was hand stitched by a women's support group in California. For having to go through such an unpleasant experience, they sure have great people working there to make it more comfortable.

Surgery

With my potassium back in normal range (over 4 is good), I am heading into surgery in the morning. I'm hoping that my lymph nodes do not have cancer in them--I am, however, prepared for the news if they do have cancer. It just means I will definitely have to have chemotherapy, instead of a maybe for chemo. I'll do whatever I need to do that gives me the best chances of survival.

The worst part of surgery for me has always been the anaesthesia. I vomit (projectile!) for a few hours afterward. This part I am truly not looking forward to! When I expressed this to the pre-op nurse, she said they can give me something to help prior to surgery. I just have to remember to tell them about this issue.

If I'm up to it tomorrow night, I'll put a new post up. If not-I'll be sure to update it on Tuesday.

Thank you to all who have prayed (and continue to pray) for me.

Potassium Issues

I went for my pre-op testing and over to see my surgeon because I felt a lump on my right breast and was a bit paranoid. The lump turned out to be fatty tissue--he used a sonogram machine to check it out.

I also asked him, if the lymph nodes are positive for cancer, can he put the port in for chemo at the time of surgery (a suggestion from my sister-in-law). Although he has never done this before, he thinks it's quite a good idea and is letting the ER know that he may need an extra half hours time. Again, this depends on the lymph nodes. IF they are negative at the time of surgery, then no port will be placed until after I find out the complete results (if there is microscopic cancer cells in the nodes) It takes about 3 days after surgery to find out the results.

My bloodwork from pre-op came back low on potassium--this is typical of me. It's always at 3.2--they like it to be 3.6 or higher. So I need to double up my potassium intake (from 20MEQ to 40MEQ) over the next couple of days and then have a repeat blood test on Thursday afternoon. Since I take HCTZ (hydroclorothiazide) it depletes my potassim. Without the HCTZ, my hands, feet, and ankles swell. UGH.

Passing

One of the prominent shapers of my life was the director of my high school shows, Bert Pollock. He taught us all about how to be the best we could possibly be, to do the best with the tiniest role possible (and that every role was important), and to enjoy every minute up there on the stage. Bert passed away this past weekend, and although saddened by this news, I know he's smiling down on all of those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He's hanging out on that great Broadway in the sky now.

Here's another:

Performance

Let's see if I did this correctly :)

P-M IDOL WINNER

My daughter, Ali, competed in P-M IDOL at her high school last night. The competition began with 18 students singing a piece of their choice. The 4 judges voted and narrowed it down to 10 contestants-Ali was one of them. The contestants then sang a pop song. Then the judges selected the top 5-Ali was still in. It was time for a broadway piece and the judges picked the top 2--Ali and another student named Matt. They both had to sing the same song--from American Idol--and the judges decided that Ali was the winner of the 2008 Pat-Med High School Idol competition. We were all so happy for her.

If you'd like to check out a few of her pieces from last night, you can find them at youtube. Once on youtube, search P-M IDOL WINNER and you'll get a selection of singers-find Ali's and enjoy!

OR, you can check them out right here! I was able to figure out how to upload two of her songs to my blog. I am finally catching up with technology!

Surgery date

I have scheduled my surgery for December 22nd (lumpectomy and node dissection). The surgeon's office was ready to give me Dec. 12th, but that would mean taking off 6 days from work right before being off for 2 weeks for Christmas break. So I asked if the 22nd would be okay--it's the first Monday of our 2 week break. I may feel pretty yucky for Christmas, but I'll do my best to feel okay and enjoy friends and family over the holidays.

I went for a second opinion yesterday. The doctor reviewed all my pics and reports and said the same exact thing that my doctor said. I guess this is good--everyone on the same page gives me a bit more comfort in scheduling the surgery.

I'll see the radiation oncologist this Monday to talk about whether or not I am a candidate for the mammocyte procedure. I've heard two opposing views of this procedure--one is that it is put in place at the time of surgery--another is that it is put in at a separate time from the surgery. I'll find out more on Monday.

Also, chemo depends on a number of factors--1. if the cancer is in my lymph nodes, 2. if microscopic cancer is found in my lymph nodes, 3. if it is not in my nodes and the Oncotype DX test results say that I would benefit from it.

I'm becoming quite well-versed in all this cancer-speak. It's also great to be able to get ideas from my sister-in-law Theresa and my friend Christina, who have both been through it and are doing quite well now. My friend Maureen is going through all of this now--she just had her surgery this past Tuesday and she found out her cancer is in her lymph nodes. I think I'm more upset about her news, than if it was my own. My brother in law Gary will be going to Sloan Kettering for another opinion. My sister in law Kim sent all of his reports and films and they agreed to see him. Before she sent the info, they were not willing to see him. Thank God they had a change of heart.

I am a new Facebook user, if you want to find me on there, look for Syndee Zegel. It's amazing how many people I have found on that site!