Hello All.....

[Guest guest]

It has been a long, long time since I have posted. Guess I will

update you all.

I completed my 8 rounds of A/C chemo on Jan 3rd. Then hospitalized

for 3 days at the end of Jan for congestive heart failure as a

result of the cardiomyopathy from chemo. Had to wait until April

26th for my heart to improve enough for general anesthesia. Had a

lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy as an inpatient because of the

bad " ticker " .

1.5 cm tumor (was 5.5 cm pre-chemo) and 8.0 by 13.0 cm surrounding

tissue removed

3 Sentinel nodes removed (port also removed)

now for the best news yet.......

VERY CLEAN MARGINS and all 3 NODES WERE NEGATIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course I always have other monkey wrenches thrown in.

My breast remained swollen with slight discomfort for weeks. The

node and port incisions healed very quickly. Not so for the

lumpectomy incision. 5 weeks post op I developed a massive

infection. Pain, 101 degree temp, shortness of breath,

etc....etc...etc.... Had 300 to 500cc of nasty infected fluid

drained. What instant relief that was. My boob was so huge the outer

layer of skin split and just taking a step caused major pain. The

incision then split completely open again. Surgeon used very loose

sutures to close again to allow for drainage. Have had it drained

two more times of lesser and lesser amounts of clear fluid.

Yea..........

Now just waiting for it to heal so we can start the 6 to 8 weeks

radiation. hopefully in the next few weeks.

I finally asked and was given my prognosis. Evidently I have only an

18 % chance of recurrence within the next 10 yrs. Not bad for such a

large and aggressive cancer.

As for the heart. I take 6 meds twice a day. Although my ejection

fraction was last measured at only 20, I feel great. Actually I have

felt better in the last couple of months than I have for at least 2

to 3 years.

Sorry for such a long post. I hope everyone is doing well.

Remember......

JUST KEEP SWIMMING.......JUST KEEP SWIMMING......

Ingrid

[Guest guest]

Ingrid,

Thanks for the update. Good to see you posting. Sorry to hear about all the

complications. I will keep you in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life

http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html

Check out my other ornaments at

www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html

Lots of info and gifts at:

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Hello All.....

It has been a long, long time since I have posted. Guess I will

update you all.

I completed my 8 rounds of A/C chemo on Jan 3rd. Then hospitalized

for 3 days at the end of Jan for congestive heart failure as a

result of the cardiomyopathy from chemo. Had to wait until April

26th for my heart to improve enough for general anesthesia. Had a

lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy as an inpatient because of the

bad " ticker " .

1.5 cm tumor (was 5.5 cm pre-chemo) and 8.0 by 13.0 cm surrounding

tissue removed

3 Sentinel nodes removed (port also removed)

now for the best news yet.......

VERY CLEAN MARGINS and all 3 NODES WERE NEGATIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course I always have other monkey wrenches thrown in.

My breast remained swollen with slight discomfort for weeks. The

node and port incisions healed very quickly. Not so for the

lumpectomy incision. 5 weeks post op I developed a massive

infection. Pain, 101 degree temp, shortness of breath,

etc....etc...etc.... Had 300 to 500cc of nasty infected fluid

drained. What instant relief that was. My boob was so huge the outer

layer of skin split and just taking a step caused major pain. The

incision then split completely open again. Surgeon used very loose

sutures to close again to allow for drainage. Have had it drained

two more times of lesser and lesser amounts of clear fluid.

Yea..........

Now just waiting for it to heal so we can start the 6 to 8 weeks

radiation. hopefully in the next few weeks.

I finally asked and was given my prognosis. Evidently I have only an

18 % chance of recurrence within the next 10 yrs. Not bad for such a

large and aggressive cancer.

As for the heart. I take 6 meds twice a day. Although my ejection

fraction was last measured at only 20, I feel great. Actually I have

felt better in the last couple of months than I have for at least 2

to 3 years.

Sorry for such a long post. I hope everyone is doing well.

Remember......

JUST KEEP SWIMMING.......JUST KEEP SWIMMING......

Ingrid