Post-surgery update

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 3:05 pm

I wrote a while back, telling that I had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and asking some questions about medications.

Thank you all for your expressions of concern at that time. The cancer was ductal carcinoma in situ, which is stage 0 breast cancer. If you have to have cancer, it's nice to have stage 0, non-invasive and all confined to the milk duct. I had a lumpectomy on January 20, and they did not get enough clear margins, so I had a second surgery on Feb. 3. This is apparently not uncommon. It is now almost a week after my second surgery. I plan to go back to work next week, with the assurance that I can take extra breaks if I get tired.

Radiation can start in early March, and I'm hoping to meet the criteria for having a shorter period of higher doses of radiation, which would allow me to be done in time to get to Thailand to visit my family in mid-April for their spring break from school. Everything has been aimed at getting me over there, including the doctors putting themselves out to get me in for appointments and surgery with astonishing speed.

I was very concerned about being put on Effexor as a substitute for HRT, lest it set off an MC flare. It has not done so. And I am not a weepy, angry mess, so I guess the Effexor is working. The anesthesia and pain killers (Tylenol with codeine) have given me several days of constipation (!!!) followed by the most lovely normans you can imagine. Not that I would recommend this as a way to get normans, you understand.

So things have gone well. Nothing in 2017 has been as I expected, since I certainly didn't expect to have cancer, but the surgeries have gone well, my husband was able to reschedule a long work trip until I'm done with radiation, and I haven't had any pain or MC flare, so life is good.

I just wanted to let you all know how things went.

Martha

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 3:40 pm

Great news Martha!
and wonderful that the doctors etc are working with you to get you to Thailand in mid April.

thanks for the update and healing hugs for the next stages
XO

Lou Ann · Post by **Lou Ann** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 4:54 pm

Martha,
I'm glad you got step 1 done and it went well.....I wish you the best on the rest of your journey and I hope your trip to Thailand to see your family is wonderful!!!

All the best,

Lou Ann

TaiaK · Post by **TaiaK** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 5:59 pm

Martha-

Thank you for the update! You have been through so much this year already. So happy to hear the trip is a very real possibility. All the best going forward and keep us posted.

Taia

Post by **tex** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 11:35 pm

Wonderful news Martha. I hope the rest of the treatment goes smoothly so that you can make the trip as planned.

Thanks for the update.

Tex

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 6:25 am

I'm very happy about your good news and I pray everything will continue to be good news.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 8:11 am

That's great news, Martha. Wishing you the best! Deb

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:05 am

So glad to hear, Martha! I will keep you in my prayers for continued healing and that you are able to make the trip in April. Healing hugs sent your way.

Grahm · Post by **Grahm** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:10 am

Prayers going up for a better 2017 and a wonderful trip!

Love,
Connie

TovaMorna · Post by **TovaMorna** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:16 am

Thanks so much for the update, Martha. You have had a hard time so far this year! So glad your doctors are working with you so your trip is still in the picture. Praying you will continue to do well with your cancer treatment. And so nice Normans showed up!

Love,
Tova

jlbattin · Post by **jlbattin** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 9:33 am

Wonderful news, Martha! Wishing you the best and sending prayers your way! HUGS!

Janie · Post by **Janie** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 10:25 am

Happy to hear you are doing well!

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 10:48 am

Yay Martha!

Thanks for the progress report. Here's to the rest of the treatment going smoothly, and maybe Norman will stick around awhile!

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Sun Feb 12, 2017 1:53 pm

To another Martha,
So glad it was stage 0! You will be in my thoughts and prayers! My husband had stage 1 testicular cancer (I believe contributing to my MC). He worked while he took his radiation treatments. He did get plenty of rest though. So hope your treatments go well!

Patricia · Post by **Patricia** » Sun Feb 12, 2017 2:35 pm

I am so sorry to hear about the cancer, Martha, but relieved it is stage 0 and that you are tolerating everything so well! I wish you all the best for the radiation treatments and am happy to hear that the doctors are working with you to make the trip to Thailand possible! How wonderful to have a trip to see family to look forward to while getting through radiation.

Love, Patricia