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Posted 5/5/2005 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ladies,

Hope all of your are doing well.  I'm ok still in shock, but hey whatever.  I was suppose to be in surgery this am, so the doc could get the rest of the tumor out and check my nodes.  Well on Tuesday I had a pre-surgery appointment so I took my girlfreind who is 7 years out and a RN.  Well, thank god I did, the surgeon was going take my nodes out before doing a centinal node test, hello, why would you do that.  Come to find out they don't practice them in Lowell, so I am now going to Boston, to the Gillette Center for Womans Cancer, only one of the best places to go,  I feel better, but I want to get this over with, my appointment to meet the Surgeon is at 1pm on the 12th, she told me that she will meet with me and my mother and go ove the case, then she goes in another room and meets with a team of doctors, onco, radio, and who ever else.  They sit and discuss my case and how to treat it. They then call me and my mother back in and go over what they plan is.  So that is where I stand for now.

Thanks for listening, going to check and see how you all are doing now.

Randi

Posted 5/5/2005 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Randi, great plan. Waiting till the 12th will be fine, it gives you more time to come up with questions. I had about 6 weeks in between initial diagnosis and sentinel node biopsy, partly due to the Christmas- New Year holidays where everything was closed. They may be meeting in Tumor Board, which seems to be what a lot of places call it.....they meet with the multidisciplinary team and review the options. Going to a skilled facility for the SNB is the best option, supposedly it is a very intricate process and you want those that have done the procedure many times.

And just keep in mind that whatever you feel now, it is normal! You may have some ups and downs and sideways, but it is all normal....and you are doing great!
L&H,
Lori
Posted 5/6/2005 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a plan to me, too. Where is the Gillette Center? Which hospital? I was in Boston in nursing school in the late 50s at Deaconess, which is now Beth Isreal Deaconess or something like that. The Lahey Clinic was known for their cancer work there back then. I know Lahey is still around but not sure where.

Anyhow I grew up in WV and went to Boston to school because they had wonderful hospitals and because I loved New England and wanted to live there. Alas I met a sailor there from back home and never lived there. I loved being in Boston and get all nostalgic when someone mentions it. LOL

Hugs MK
Posted 5/6/2005 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Like I said, there's NOTHING like having confidence in your medical team.  I'm so glad things happened for you in a way that you could make an informed decision.  I hate to think about you having your nodes out and then getting lymphodema, an affliction so many of our sisters suffer from.  Good for you!!!!!

 

We'll be with you on the 12th.  I'll be the one in the stolen pink feather boa

Posted 5/6/2005 1:01 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Ladies,

Yes thank god that I had Trisha with me at the last appointment.  She had bc and is 7 years out and a RN, so I knew I was in good hands.  Boston is a top notch place to be if you have cancer, it is about 30 minutes from where I live, so it is not to bad.  I do not want to have nodes out if I don't need them out.  So I will keep you all posted on the meeting next Thrusday. 

I have to tell you, Trish was the prom queen back in high school (we went to school together) anyhow, she had a head of blonde hair to die for, well the cancer took it, so she being the beauty queen she is went and bought an 800.00 blonde wig made of real and fake hair, and was kind enough to offer it to me If i lose my hair.  How nice is that.  Thanks Trish.

And thanks to all you ladies for your support.  I pray you all are well. 

I need to get me a pink boa, so I can support all of you!

Randi

Posted 5/6/2005 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
30 minutes is a very reasonable distance to drive, esp when it comes to treating cancer. I chose to go to U of M for my chemo and surgery, which was nearly 1 hour away...but to me, it was worth it. I did rads close to home though....

Funny, about the wig....I think I paid $500 for mine....I did not care about the price, just wanted a wig that would make me feel comfortable. I saved it for superstitious reasons, but plan to donate it. You can donate to wig banks for a tax deduction.
Randi, don't forget to sign the roll call at the top of the screen, so we can keep track of who is who...

L&H,
Lori
Posted 5/6/2005 2:02 PM (GMT 0)

Lorie,

U of M, is the univeristy of Mass.  Where do you live?

Going to sing roll call now.

Posted 5/6/2005 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
Ah, Randi....as a born-and-bred University of Michigan fan, it was ironic that I ended up turning there for my medical care. Around these parts, there is only ONE U of M.

See me around football season and see the rivalry with several of our Ohio State fans around here, it ain't pretty...

Go Blue!
Lori
Posted 5/6/2005 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
OH Lori,

U of M is a big Uniserisyt of Mass hospital, real good one.

RAndi

Posted 5/6/2005 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Univ of Michigan Hospital is a good one too...they have a Comprehensive Cancer Center... I made the switch there from a closer one because my first surgeon was not comfortable in doing the SNB for me. My chemo was the same as if I had stayed with the first place, but I just felt more confident being connected with a major cancer center. I did rads locally, but their rad onc dept is part of U of M, so I felt like I was getting the best of both worlds....

Lori
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