After developing a tightness under the arm again, which was suspiciously similar to that in hospital when I had the seroma, I didn't sleep much with worry and so called my PS. It was 5:45 am when I paged him and although I had a 8:30am appointment, I wasn't sure that if it was with Damien or Jan, the nurse but wanted him to see it to check it. Needless to say he was a little pissed that I woke him up. The problem was that it filled so quickly when I was in hospital so I didn't want to be in the same position again. By the time I got to the appointment he was cheerful and explained away the tightness and that I had 'cording'. The only criticism I have of him is the lack of information to know what's happening and you panic. The physio explained that cording is after the tie off the lymphatic vessels after removing the lymph nodes, they are empty and pull tight I guess.
The appointment was a little disconcerting. Damien started to ask did I have the brac gene (breast cancer gene). I don't have to have prophylactic surgery (preventative), I could have an implant instead of using my buttock tissue again.....I could come back 5 years later, we don't have to rush it!!!! The thing that makes my head clear of worry is when there is a plan. I thought there was an agreed plan, but now I don't know why he's got doubts. He didn't really explain instead told me to think about things and that we have time. The cancer side had to go and that was the priority. Anyway, I'm still sure - I just have to convince him that I am :). The good thing that came out of it was that he said "if I can say so myself, it is a bloody good job'. For me I'm looking at a very different me and it will take some time to get used to the new me before appreciating his artistry I'm sure.
I'm going into week 4 post surgery now and on panadol every 6 hours. I dumped the other painkillers after the not so nice side effects.
Today I went to see a physio to sort out my arm and shoulder. I can now raise my arm to almost 90 degrees which is great. But from her rubbing and popping the lymph vessels, I am also more sore than ever. Going back for more torture on Monday and Thursday next week. Considering I originally couldn't get an appointment With her until the 19th April and now she is squeezing me in to deal with it quickly, I am very grateful for the breast care nurse at Think Pink. She personally phoned Kate to get me in earlier. Because I'm jumping around between public and private for my care, I don't really have a breast care nurse consistently. So Andrea has been great and has worked with most specialists in Melbourne to get things done.
As part of the healing process, I need to massage and dress my wounds. There are 3 areas that I need to deal with. But I'm so queasy having to touch them or look at them. So at Susie's suggestion, I grabbed the scented candle that Lynda kindly gave me, the shower gel that Maggie gave me and headed to the bath to relax. Well I procrastinated and didn't deal with it - well not until quite some time later.
So I have an oncology appointment and bone density tests next. They will determine what drug I will take to block estrogen in my body to prevent recurrence for the next 5-10 years. I need to come up to speed more on my options before my appointment based on my gyno history. Apparently some of these drugs can cause endometrial cancers in some women. Just like chemo can cause leukemia and radiotherapy can cause breast cancer!!!
I came across a U.S. Website explaining how breast cancer grows - making it even more important for me to remove the other breast.
OVERVIEW
What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is the uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells in the breast. Sometimes the cells of either the passages that drain milk (ducts) or the milk-producing glands (lobules) lose the control systems for growth which can result in the development of malignant tumors that can invade nearby healthy breast tissue over time. For some patients, the cancer may progress and spread to the lymph nodes under the arm and eventually may invade other parts of the body.
Breast cancer is caused by a mutation in the genetic makeup of the breast cells, which may lead to uncontrolled growth. These genetic mutations usually are a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations.
U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics
About 1 in 8 U.S. women (about 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.1
For men, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000.2
About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.
About 5-10% of breast cancer is caused by a genetic abnormality inherited from your parents.3
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