Monday, October 01, 2012

30 days hath September...

This one felt like 112.

So...
the oncologist is ixnay on another port. Too risky
for another infection. It's looking like the last chemo
treatment will be mid-November.

We met with the surgeon (same one that did the biopsies
back in March). She has Carol scheduled for an MRI
about two weeks after the last chemo treatment. It will help
her determine how much cancer is left and where. We'll
have another consultation with her in early December and
she'll let us know how extensive the surgery will be and when.

There was another consultation with a plastic surgeon last week.
He will attend the surgeon to do the skin grafts.
Basically, Carol will be getting a total mastectomy plus. 
The surgeon will be removing tissue from just below the collar
bone, several inches beneath the breast, a couple inches into
the center of the chest, under the arm (to include lymph glands)
and part way around to her back. We're not talking one incision
to close with stitches. Thus the skin grafts at the time of surgery.

We also met with the radiologist. He said radiation will be
started about four weeks after surgery/when enough healing has
taken place so as not to add to the risk of complications.
He wants to do radiation twice a day, five days a week for five or
six weeks. The oncologist is in favor of that schedule, too.
Although, the radiologist said he would reduce the treatments to
once a day if Carol decides twice is too difficult. But, that would
extend the radiation to at least seven weeks. He also mentioned
that extra care and special procedures will have to be used
in order to avoid radiation involving her heart.

Reconstructive surgery (to build another breast by using muscle
from either her abdomen or her back) is available to her.
That can't happen for at least six months after radiation to allow
for total healing and more testing to make sure the cancer is
gone. Carol said that she'd be just fine with a prosthetic to plop
into the left side of her bra. I applaud that thought. 



 

11 comments:

the walking man said...

Your sister is stronger than I am Jean. To move forward in that, she is to be praised for her courage. May every treatment be effective!


By the by you ready for the return of errrr---wons <I refuse to spell it correctly.

Jean said...

She's been very lucky so far, Mark, in that there has been very little discomfort. I worry much more than she about what's to come. The doctors have been terrific and that makes a big difference.

I just bought myself w**ter boots, socks, gloves and a couple of hooded sweatshirts. Think that will be enough?

J Cosmo Newbery said...

This is quite a journey that you are on. Warm and distant thoughts.

LL said...

Still reading and thinking of you, Jean. Good thoughts out to you and your sister.

the walking man said...

Should be...socks are the most important. If the feet get cold then everything else feels cold.

f/k/a Freddie said...

Y'might wanna get some of those super warm 'n soft long undie sets too, girlfriend, if Ohio's anything like the Hoosier state.

They're nothing like they used to be (scratchy, clingy, itchy).

You and Carol and the extended family are still in my prayers.

Glad you're checking in.

Anonymous said...

you know, my MIL when through this over 10 years ago. she opted for a light prosthetic and not reconstructive surgery.

i do sincerely hope that all is going better. wishing the best for your sister and, of course, you too!

foam

boneman said...

so, the bear finally climbs out of his cave and speaks to real humans, again, instead of his steady diet of dog conversationalists.

Thirty days hath September,
and a few others I don't remember.
All the rest having thirty-one, I see...
but too many, I guess, which shortened February

boneman said...

Thirty days hath September,
And then along comes a scary October.
Just a little cooler then
Back up with temps, and steady till when?
Who knows, It's the Mid-West, and I think that you'll find
That the weathermen's thoughts, and yours, too, are as good as mine.

When it's cold, mankind wants it hot, and when it's hot, mankind wants it cool.
It seems to point out, and simply so, that most of mankind is just a fool.


(well, then some of us are just goofs)
d=^))

og said...

Cabelas and Bass pro Shops both have 100% wool warm and comfy socks Made in the USA. I loves them very much. They also have a 60/40 version with poly on the inside for those sensitive to the wool.

og said...

Oh, and Hi Freddie! I miss you. I wish you were still blogging!