Decision

I had my two oncology appointments on Wednesday. My first appointment was at Beth Israel Hospital. The doctor was nice. He suggested tamoxifen for five years and an ovarian suppressor for two years. He did not suggest chemo for me and said that I would have to look hard to find another doctor in NYC that would. He said that with the biology of my tumor, that ovarian suppression would take care of any roaming cells. He wasn't concerned that I am 39, the size of the tumor or that I had isolated tumor cells in one lymph node. We all left the appointment feeling pretty good thinking I would not need chemo.

We went to see the second oncologist at NYU. She was very nice as well. She also gave me the same treatment option as the other oncologist of tamoxifen and an ovarian suppression. She also gave me another option as well of chemo and tamoxifen. She said I am in a very grey area with my cancer and there is no absolute answer for my treatment, even with an onco score of 12. She recommended chemo with me because I am so young, I had a large 3.5cm tumor and isolated tumor cells in a lymph node. It was interesting to see the different reasoning with the same characteristics of the cancer. I also didn't have to go far to find a doctor to want to give me chemo.

We decided on the chemo option. We want to be aggressive. If I was 60, the decision would definitely be different, but I am young.

I am going to the plastic surgeon on Monday to discuss with him how much longer I need the wound vac on for, when i can get closed up and when I can start chemo. I am now 5 1/2 weeks post-op and the oncologist wants to start chemo by week 8. She said by 12 weeks, chemo wouldn't be recommended because it is too many weeks post-op and wouldn't be of any help. I am also going to have the plastic surgeon and oncologist discuss the best time for me to start the chemo.

Oncologists

Sorry that I am not going into any explanations yet,but I have to work through this decision. I saw 2 oncologists yesterday and one said chemo and another did not. I am in a very grey area as the one who suggested chemo also gave me the same as the other doctor who did not suggest it. I will post more information soon and update the blog.

Sean

So Sean finally noticed my pump tonight. He saw the bubbles going through the tube and he asked "What's that?" I told him it was just bubbles. He was fine with that explanation and continued watching the bubbles for 5 minutes until it was time for bed. He did follow the tube to my stomach and tried lifting my shirt to see where it was going, but I was able to tell him he couldn't look there and he was OK. Then right before bed he wanted to see the bubbles and I told him that they were away. He is definitely going to notice it again, hopefully I can keep the explanation as bubbles.

Today was a bad mental day. Everything just piled up on me. Rob came home early and took me out for lunch. It was nice to get out without the baby, even with the flooding and sideways rain.

Getting There

I actually had a good night's sleep last night. Sean only woke up once, so that helped. It still hurts to sleep on either of my sides, which is how I like to sleep. I can't wait until I can.

Yesterday, we went to Target and Nathan's for lunch. It was a lot of walking, but it was good to get out. The wound vac is a pain to carry and gets uncomfortable, but I just have to deal with it.

The worst part of the wound vac is the tape covering the entire wound. It hurt when the nurse had to remove it on Friday. She will have to do it 3 times a week. When she removed it, I think some skin came with it. Also my wound or the tape is itching and I can't scratch it. It is driving me up the wall. Oh well.

Appointment with the Plastic Surgeon

My appointment went well with the plastic surgeon. He decided to hook me up to the wound vac to help speed healing. He did give me a choice not to have it, but now the belly wound is covered and the visiting nurse only has to come 3 times a week instead of every day with the open wound. If I didn't get the wound vac, he still wasn't sewing me up today. He wants to keep the device on me for a few weeks and then sew me up in the operating room. It is hurting my stomach a little bit, but the doctor said it should stop hurting by tomorrow.

How long he keeps me hooked up depends on what happens at the oncologist appointments next week. He will tailor my treatment depending on what and when the oncologist wants to do. If I do need chemo, they won't do it with an open belly wound. So if either oncologist wants to start soon, I won't have to wait and he will sew me up sooner if needed.

Again he was happy with how my new breast is healing. He is taking off most of my restrictions. He advised that my belly will tell me when I am doing something I shouldn't. I am glad I can start driving again.

The wound vac is an interesting device. A piece of foam is placed into the incision/wound, a large piece of tape covers that with the tubing coming out of the tape. It is hooked up to the machine which is the size of a hardcover book and weighs a few pounds. I can clamp it off myself so I can shower. It does make some noise, not too loud though, but it sounds like it is farting. I can hear Sean saying "Mommy you farted". At least it won't scare him, but make him laugh.

Now we wait until Wednesday for the oncology appointments.

Good News

I just heard from the surgeon and my oncotype dx test is back and my score is 12 out of 100, which means that I might not need chemotherapy. We will know more after speaking with the oncologist next week.

Oncotype DX information

Appointments and Such

I am still waiting for an appointment time for tomorrow's appointment for the plastic surgeon. Tomorrow is not his regular appointment day and he is going to fit me in between surgeries. Rob is taking the day off to take me in. I am hoping he will stitch me up, but there is still a chance that I would be hooked up to the wound vac.

I am feeling OK today. Just tired as usual. At least the pain in my side is getting better and I can also lift my left arm over my head. My breast is healing nicely and is taking shape. You can't even see a difference though clothing.

I changed my oncology appointment to next week because of the plastic surgeon. I am still trying to get an appointment with another oncologist at Beth Israel. They have to call me back. I might do a third opinion with Sloan Kettering in Plainview, but I am going to wait until I get the appointment at Beth Israel.