I had surgery last Thursday, March 25, for a hernia repair. While repairing the hernia, the surgeon observed a small bowel blockage and had to open the abdomen and repair that by removing a section of small intestines, the same surgery I had a year ago Jan. While coughing post-op I felt a pop. The hernia repair tore open. So 7 days after the surgery, I am having a repeat of the surgery. I pray that it holds this time. The surgeon also biopsied some lesions on the lining of my abdomen and they came up positive for microscopic metastatic breast cancer. The section of intestines that he removed and adjacent lymph nodes were also positive. This just indicates that the Ibrance that I have been taking for 15 months has not worked. After I heal I will have to try another treatment. I don't know yet what that will be. It seems that invasive lobular breast cancer is a "sneaky" disease, difficult or impossible to see on CT scans, so it is like throwing a drug at it in the dark and hoping that it hits its target. Not very scientific. Hopefully I won't have to have surgery every year to determine whether my treatment is working or not. Please send me positive thoughts of super-stick glue and mesh to hold the repair this time! Thank you all for your support.
Ann
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AnnaP668
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Dear Ann: Praying for you & that there is immediate surgical healing & a diagnostic solution to your MBC. Sending hugs of compassion & comfort to you ❤️🙏❤️
Hi Ann I am sorry to hear you are having to have another repair. I hope you heal nice and quickly - and don’t cough!!If they can biopsy these latest samples you might be able to have a more targeted treatment that will work for you.
Sounds like a lot of cutting and gluing. I’m having a hysterectomy Tuesday also to remove some cancer in the ovaries. They’re taking everything out which is fine with me. Everyone says it’s such a simple operation but I am getting very frightened. Anytime somebody goes into my body and cuts something it’s a big deal. I wish you well and hope the glue holds this time
I am so very sorry that you have to undergo another surgery and also that the Ibrance is not working for you. That is very disappointing. I also have invasive lobular carcinoma diagnosed in 2013 with metastatic diagnosed in October of 2020. So far I have only had bone lesions that have been found and radiated. I am also on Ibrance and Letrozole. However, your story scares me that lesions are lurking somewhere else. I know none of this is an exact science but one would hope that scans and bloodwork would give a better indication of how the meds are working. I will pray for a successful surgery for you this time and no further surgeries in the future. Sending you some hugs and positive vibes.
Thank goodness for your observant surgeon! I wonder whether his observations meant that the biopsies were near the hernia repair so their removal was connected to its "popping open". Rough on you to have to have yet another operation!, but at least it's clear that you need different meds - better that than cancers growing unobserved. There always seems to be some sort of positive lining to dark clouds. I'll be thinking of you, and hoping all goes much better for you in the near future.
Wow! What an ordeal. I would think it would heal this time. I am sure the nurses will take care of you. Sending lots of positive glue your way. Maybe Ibrance was working in keeping things slowed down. somewhat. Just a thought. Anyway, yes, you are right Cancer is a sneakiy disease. Pops up wherever it likes. I am just happy we have the drugs to slow it down sometimes.
Well, ladies, things did not go as planned. I found out the surgeon did not put in mesh as he had to open the bowl to repair another intestinal blockage from the cancer and they can't put in mesh when it might possibly be contaminated by the bowel. He repaired the hernia, then 2 days after discharge, i Iooked 7 months pregnant. Everything had broken loose and only my skin and staples were holding me together. Back for another surgery April 2 (thank goodness not April Fool's Day). This time put in a large mesh. It felt like a brillo pad inside me! And they overloaded me with fluids so that I was swollen all over, was wheezing and very short of breath. I am finally home now, able to eat, and looking forward to seeing the oncologist on Thurs to discuss a new treatment plan. I thank you all for your love and support. It means a lot. Onward we go.
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