more surgery part one

Yes, it's true more surgery for repair NO CANCER!!!!!! A few weeks ago, I noticed my skin above my right breast getting stretched and it was getting itchy from time to time. I also notice my breast getting firmer and it started to get uncomfortable to sleep on. I made an appointment to see my plastic surgeon. In the meantime, I e-mailed her my concern. She e-mailed me back and said "most likely what you see and feel are side effects of radiation treatment called capsular contracture".

I couldn't believe radiation could have a side effect 1 1/2 years later. I did some research on the Internet until my appointment. On Thursday October 21, 2010 I went and saw her. She confirmed it was capsular contracture from the radiation just by looking at me. She didn't even have to touch me to make the diagnose. She explained this is why the doctors were concerned for me to have radiation after they found out I was positive for cancer in my margin because they were afraid of this side effect. I wasn't aware the radiation would effect me this long after my surgery. Believe me, I am glad I went through radiation rather then having cancer! She explained my breast can stay the way it is now or can get worse. Unfortunately no one knows what my body will do. It is uncomfortable for me. This side effect can happen at anytime but for  most of the people the side effect happens shortly after treatment was completed. Everybody knows I don't ever fall in the category as normal when it comes to my story for breast cancer. To give everybody an example it feels like a balloon when it's ready to pop and at the top its getting pulled. This is how I feel. I was shock it happen but not mad. It seems when I think I am done with surgeries and ready to move forward in my life another bump arrives in my journey. All these steps I am going through is making me stronger and I appreciate what I have in my life. It could be worst! At times it does seem like a big dream that I had cancer but I learned not to get depressed about it and to fight and beat it!

From the Internet:
Capsule contracture, the most common complication of breast augmentation surgery, can happen at any time, but seems to be more common in the first several months after surgery. At the time of the initial surgery, a pocket is made for the implant. During the healing process, a capsule forms, which is comprised of fibrous tissue. The body is genetically programmed to shrink scar tissue somewhat. Under normal conditions, the pocket remains open, thus allowing the implant to look and feel natural. However, in some people, the capsule will tighten, and squeeze the implant. This makes the breast implant feel hard, and distorts the appearance of the breast. In the later stages, the implant feels very firm, and may take on a "ball-like" look. It is important to remember that it is not the implant that has hardened. The shrinking of the capsule compresses the implant, causing it to feel firm/hard. However, once the implant is removed, it is just as soft as it was the day it was inserted.

Just like the description above, my breast is firm,  looks like a ball and is slightly higher than my left side. The tissue that is under my skin and around my implant has gotten harden from the radiation. The implant itself isn't ruin. I decided along with my surgeon to have the implant removed and replaced. She will order a new implant. The left side is not damage. I would like the surgery done this year before the holidays get hectic and before we go to Canada. The sooner the better. Now that I know I need surgery, I want it tomorrow. She asked me to follow up with her assistant to make the hospital arrangements. If you don't remember, my plastic surgeon's main office is in Long Island, NY and travels to CT a few days a week.  The tissue that is damage will be removed. She will perform liposuction and replace the damage tissue with fat tissue. She explained I can choose where I want the liposuction taken from. I would like it taken from my lower abdominal area. I also asked if she can take extra ha ha ha. At least I tried to get more off and make the best of it. The tissue that she will insert will develop over time. She called the process new babies which will develop around the implant. I was concern transferring the tissue without making sure its okay and the answer was no its good just fat. Wow, I guess  I can say I had Botox and now liposuction!!!! The surgery will take about 1 1/2 hours and she will perform the surgery by herself. If my cancer surgeon is not performing a surgery at that time, she might be in there with her. This will be an outpatient surgery and I will not stay overnight in the hospital. I am sure your wondering can this happen again after I go through this surgery. Yes, it can. Please say a pray for me that the radiation will not damage the new tissue. In the worst case if that happened then I would need the flap surgery which is major surgery (8-12hrs). I don't want this option at this time.

There is alot more to write and I know its alot to read about for this surgery. Please check back in a day or two for more information.

new photo

Hi,
As many of you know this month is Breast Cancer awareness. There has been several sports and activities on TV that help individuals aware of breast cancer. My son's hockey team played in a tournament last weekend and each team had picked how they would represent pink to help awareness. On our team, each player taped the bottom of their hockey stick pink. I thought it was awesome that the breast cancer symbol was painted under the ice for these games. Look at the photo I added to my site!!!
I will be walking on October 24, 2010 along with family and friends to help raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. I will update the photos and how the day went after the event. I hope the weather is beautiful for us.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=11611219&pg=personal&fr_id=28154&fl=en_US&et=6OyRWCQMrHgtgZzDoIwEHA..&s_tafId=542293

Dexa Examine

On Tuesday September 7, 2010 I had a Dexa Exam (bone density test). I wasn't sure what to expect since this was my first exam. I was told the test was compared to a x-ray and I was able to drive myself to the appointment. I did remove my earrings and didn't wear any jewelry since I wasn't sure how particular the test would be involved. I was surprised when I checked in that I didn't have to fill out any paperwork. (maybe they felt my information was updated since this was the same facility I recently had my MRI's).

I had to wait about five minutes then was called in. The nurse had me put on a gown. We went into an individual exam room and I laid down on the table. She had me turn my left ankle inwards and then strapped the ankle into a velcro strap. She entered some information into the computer asked my weight, height and explained the procedure would take about 10 minutes. The table might slightly shake from the machine moving. She also verified that I haven't had any back or hip surgery. The machine looked like a L shape that scanned my lower body for the first scan.  I had to bend my knees and put my feet up on a block for the second scan which went higher up on my body. The machine was above me and never touched me. The test was over and she said a technician will read the x-ray in the next 24 hours and my doctor will follow up with me.

Wow, I was so amazed how fast and easy the exam went. I guess I was surprised because other examines were so uncomfortable that this exam was a breeze! I thought I would explain my experience for those of you who haven't experience this test.
On Friday September 10, 2010 I received the following text from my Oncologist and he said" Hi Monica, your bone density test was NORMAL! Congrads and keep up the calcium/vit D  Best, his name"
That was great news! I had an appointment to see him on September 15 so I text-ed him back that I am feeling great and since he has given me the results do I still need to see him in the office in a few days?  He said " I can reschedule my appointment".

September 13, 2010 I called the office and rescheduled. My next appointment is on November 3. My OBYGN office also called today to inform me the results of my Dexa exam. I received a copy of the Dexa exam and my last blood work today via fax.
I am feeling great and I hope this long journey is over for cancer!!! I will continue to be monitored by all my doctors for the next five years. Yes, I still have night sweats every night. I guess this is the worst part!

I will be walking on October 24, 2010 for Breast Cancer sponsored by The American Cancer Society.  Please donate for my walk:
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=11611219&pg=personal&fr_id=28154&fl=en_US&et=6OyRWCQMrHgtgZzDoIwEHA..&s_tafId=542293

Take Care and I will update my blog after my walk  SMILE :> it makes you feel better even if its only for a minute!

Blood work

I had my blood drawn on August 20, 2010. This was the first time since my surgery. I had to fast for this visit since I was getting my cholesterol checked. I had five tubes of blood taken.

We took a short trip to Cape Cod, Mass with the kids before school started. On Tuesday August 24, 2010 I received a text from my Oncologist giving me wonderful news about my blood work. My blood markers CA-127/129 for breast cancer was 18 and CA-125 for ovarian cancer was 15. My cholesterol (LDL) was 98, which is great. My vitamin D was also good.
I wasn't sure where the numbers should be at so I text-ed him back. He replied  for CA-125,127,129 less than 30 is normal. My numbers were great since my numbers where in the teens! I was so relieved and glad to hear this wonderful news before we left. I am able to relax knowing my body is back to normal.

I have a follow up appointment in two weeks with my Oncologist for my routine appointment. We will also go over my blood work in more detail. I have an appointment for a Dexa exam (bone density) scheduled in a week and half.

I am feeling great and very happy that my blood work is back to normal! I have signed up to walk for the 2nd year for the American Cancer Society. Please visit my site. Talk soon.

 Click here to visit my PERSONAL page.

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=11611219&pg=personal&fr_id=28154&fl=en_US&et=6OyRWCQMrHgtgZzDoIwEHA..&s_tafId=542293

Click here to view the TEAM page for Bossom Buddies

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?team_id=764037&pg=team&fr_id=28154&fl=en_US&et=crNnSW79UJRXEaC9LIsMZg..&s_tafId=542293

six week check-up

I went to my OBGYN on July 27, 2010 for my six week follow up after surgery. The appointment went well. I am cleared to do all activities, back to a normal life. She mentioned that my scars are still red and to make sure I keep them covered from the sun for this summer. This will help so they don't get scared. In a year, the scar should be a white/tan color and hopefully blend in with my skin. I had an internal exam and she said everything looked well and healed.

We reviewed my medications. When I take my calcium it sometimes makes me burp. She suggested to buy chewable ones at Trader Joe's. I told her I have an script from my Oncologist for blood work and a bone density test to be done by the end of the Summer. She would like to be copied on the results. We reviewed the side effects from having a hysterectomy. I explained at night not every night but quite often I get night sweats sometimes twice a few hours apart. We have the air conditioner on low in our bedroom. She mentioned to put a small fan by my bed in which I have done since the appointment. There are certain foods that can increase the hot flashes and to try to avoid alcohol, sugar, and caffeine before bed time. I think this is pretty much all foods before bed, what kind I eat? This is the only side effect I have so far. I can have other side effects in the future when my body changes.

I am not having a problem but if my body changes she wrote down names of creams if I get vaginal dryness. The creams don't have estrogen which the doctors don't want me to have unless I have real bad side effects then I will get put on estrogen.
I have to continue to do my kegel exercises even thou I had a  vagina lift during my surgery. Since my body isn't producing estrogen the blood vessels aren't contracting in this area so I might feel different at times. Some individuals after the surgery tend to get a flabby stomach. Great now I really need to make sure I get my exercises done!
She gave me a hug and was glad I am healthy. She said I have been through enough! I will not need to see her again for a year unless I am having a problem. Please no more issues, I think I have had enough.

I am feeling great and back to normal. My fingers still get tingle once in awhile. I have the night sweats but that's it. Thanks for keeping up with my information and chat with everybody soon. SMILE :>

Healing process

Hello everybody,
I had a few minor bumps this last week. My wrist is still  bothering me. I can wiggle my fingers but sometimes when I reach for something I feel the shooting pain. It is getting better but the nerves are not healed yet.

Last Saturday July 3, 2010 in the afternoon I started to get a pain on my right side. We were at a party, so when I got home I took some GAS-X medicine thinking it was gas left over from my surgery. It didn't help. The pain was sharp and was on and off. I had the pain all day Sunday and Monday. The pain gets worse when I sit too long. The pain is above my hip across to my belly button area, where one of my incision were located. On Tuesday July 6 I called my OBGYN and I went to see her. She did an internal exam as well as feeling my stomach from the outside. She felt a soft area and thought its a pulled muscle. It wasn't a blood clot which she was concerned. She mentioned maybe I've been putting more pressure on my right side. She confirmed that I have and continue to go to the bathroom. I was concerned that I pulled some stitches internally but my organs were burned off so I have no stiches. She did mentioned that I will feel scar tissue that will eventually die off but felt it was early for that stage. She said to put ice on the area and take Motrin when needed but not to over take the Motrin. She will be on vacation for two weeks but if it gets worse, I need to see someone else in the practice. If I get a fever, to call the doctor right away. She mentioned she did see my appendix during the surgery and looked okay. She feels it should heal with some time. If the pain doesn't go away then I will have an ultra-sound to verify the area is good.

The pain was not really bothering me on Wednesday and Thursday. Today Friday July 9TH the pain is back and bothering  me alot. I think its trying to heal and maybe the scar tissue is interfering.
I go back to see my OBGYN at the end of July.

My allergies started bothering my Tuesday night. When I woke up Wednesday my voice was raspy and was hard to understand me. This continued until Friday. Today I feel much better and my voice is just about back to normal.

I guess those bumps are okay since its nothing major. There was also one more incident that led my husband, my son and myself to the ER room, same hospital I was at. Last Friday July 2, 2010 we had Chinese food for dinner. We had eaten at this restaurant for years. About a  half hour after we ate, AJ started to throw up. We thought the food didn't agree with him. We took his temperature and he was okay. His checks were red as well as his eyes. I thought he strained his blood vessels when he threw up. We didn't think too much of it. We had some friends over so we had him sit and relax since they were playing soccer. Over about 45 minutes later his nose got stuffy so I gave him his inhaler and some allergy medication as well as a nose spray. I thought his allergies were bothering him since he was outside all day and he is allergic to the trees and grass. I didn't realize stuffy nose was a sign of an allergy reaction and the bright red eyes. He felt hot to touch by this time and we took off his shirt and he had hives on his back, stomach and on his legs. We immediately gave him Benadryl and called the doctor. The doctor felt since he is allergic to peanuts and all nuts that his body is rejecting some kind of contact with nuts. The raction can act up to 4 hours. He was breathing okay but started to panic when he knew we were calling the doctor. The doctor asked us to inject the epi-pen and take him to the ER. He has never had the epi-pen. I gave Gene the Epi-pen walked up to AJ didn't want to give him too much time to think about the fear, told him to hold my hands and daddy is about to give your epi-pen to him. He screamed alittle and said it didn't hurt too bad. My friend, thank you again, stayed with Emily and we left for the hospital.

We have another friend whose a doctor and he called the ER ahead of time, thanks my friend and we were able to be seen right away. The staff said the inhaler helped open his passage. His oxygen was at a good level but his heart rate was up alittle. The epi-pen raises your heart beat and he was nervous. We were assigned to a room and we were seen by the doctor within 10 minutes which was great especially being Friday night on a holiday weekend. The doctor said he was okay but he needs to stay at the hospital for 3 hours to be monitored. Once you insert the epi-pen the patient has to be watched for 4 hours but since it was already about a hour we had to stay 3 more. You can have another reaction but the doctor didn't feel he was in any more danger. We watched Funny Videos with him and were going to go home at midnight. The doctor let us go home alittle bit early. AJ had to take a steroid medication for 5 days afterwards. We were lucky that this was a small reaction. He is doing great. His leg is sore from the injection and is asking several questions when we eat food. He is on high alert and concern. No more Chinese food for him even thou he ate it for years. The doctor was from India and he said not too eat India food or Chinese food because of the cross contamination.
Earlier in the day I put my brace back on my stomach because I felt like I was moving around alot. I am glad I did since we sat at the hospital for hours.

I hope we don't have to go through this again but we know the signs now. I will update when I have more medical news on myself. The blog turned out to be long again. I need to blog more often so the entries are shorter. Have a safe and relaxing summer. :> 

Oncologist appointment

Friday July 2, 2010 I had an appointment with my Oncologist to review my Endocrine treatment after my hysterectomy. He didn't know the results from my surgery so he was glad to hear that there was NO CANCER. I explained that I had endometriosis. He is 100% certain now that we know I don't have cancer that the endometriosis is why my blood test for CA-125 was increasing in my numbers. He explained to me that endometriosis can travel in the body behind my ribs, liver or other places within the body. We hope this doesn't happened but will continue to monitor me. He mentioned if I had blood work taken right now that my numbers for CA-125 would be high from the surgery. He has seen the results high in the 100's with people immediately after surgery. When the body produces estrogen is when endometriosis is seen. Since I will not be producing estrogen, I hope I will not have any more endometriosis.
He wants me to wait at least six weeks after my surgery before I have my blood withdrawn. He said if my number for CA-125 is low that is great and if its high we will monitor it and make sure it isn't cause by the endometriosis traveling. Endometriosis is caused by bleeding of the lining and said I would feel alot of pain if it does occur by my ribs and liver. I have been through enough surgeries. Let's pray I am all done with any more scares!
My blood work will check CA-125- marker for ovarian cancer or in my case endometriosis, CA-127 & CA-129 for breast cancer, we check this every time to verify no cancer cells remain, complete blood comprehension for my blood levels, vitamin D level, and going to get my cholesterol tested since this hasn't been done for a few years. I will have to fast-not eat before getting my blood work.

I will have a Dexa-bone scan performed to measure the density in my bones. A Dexa scan will help determine if you are at an increased risk of osteoporosis. He wants me to have this test done by the end of the summer. He already gave me the paperwork. The results should be good since I am still young. I will have this test performed every 2 years unless there is a problem. I will need to make sure I get my calcium.

We reviewed my medications. I will remain on Tamoxifen. I had no side effects and we would like for this to remain. This medication is nonsteroidal estrogen and does help my bones. The other medication for breast cancer is Arimidex and is for post partum women who had more aggressive cancer. He explained there was a study performed with 5,000 women who had breast cancer as well as their ovaries removed in which half of the women took Tamoxifen and the other half took Arimidex and there was no difference in the final outcome.
I will continue to take my multi-vitamin, vitamin C, vitamin D which I need to make sure I get 1000 IU a day, and I will need to increase my Calcium. I need to take 600-800 mg twice a day. The body can't absorb the Calcium all at once so that's why I have to take one in the morning and one at night. (I have to remember) He believes I will not have any more side effects and doesn't want  me to take Estrogen. I agree with him. He mentioned if I experience vaginal dryness that he can prescribe an estrogen cream. If I do have to use the cream, I will have to make sure I get my blood withdrawn a few weeks after I use it to verify I am not getting too much estrogen.

I will see my Oncologist every four months for the first two years then every six months for the next three years.

I will continue to post information in my blog. Take Care and stay cool :>