Hi Sarah, Sorry for no reply in a while. I tried to find my way here a few times but find it a clumsy website to navigate. So, I either got distracted or just could not find this section of posts. I will keep this page open to easier look for your reply. Anyway, it is now Feb. March 20th. I got 1 drain tube out yesterday, as it was down to 20 ml a day & they do not like to pull more than 1 at a time. The one that remains is still draining at 40 ml/day. I have another appointment on Tues. & if I can drop to 30ml or below, they will remove that one too. My pathology report revealed clear margins in all 3 DCIS locations, as well as no cancer in all 9 lymph nodes taken out to be checked. There was 3 other areas of invasive cancer found, after the mastectomy tissue was tested, so that was sent off for an Octo type DX 21 gene test (if I got that right) which is a rate of reoccurrence test. A low rate means no Chemo, whereas a high rate of reoccurrence means Chemo will be recommended. I am not sure what they will Chemo as I had a mastectomy?? I still have yet to meet with an Oncologist to start Gene Therapy. I have an appt. on April 23rd they are trying to move up sooner. I am still sore, but have cut my pain meds drastically. Still need them occasionally, mostly at night... like now, as I woke at 5 a.m. & am very uncomfortable. A good portion of my sleeping pain is my right arm & left hip, which I am forced to lay on. I start shifting my hip to stop the pain, then the arm pain kicks in. My arm is still quite numb with the nerves they cut or "moved out of the way" to do my lymph nodes. I have asked 3 separate times now to 3 different nurses & 1 doc about excercises, but they just dismiss it with a "Just move it slowly" or "stretch it out a little, a couple times a day." I don't want to do any damage to my stitches or remaining drain tube & it is rather painful to move passed shoulder height, so I just don't. Stretching to reach something brings out an "Ouch" & I feel an area or 2 either under my upper arm or on top that is either hot or cold (feels like water was dripped on it)... which I was told is just my nerves waking up. How is your arm doing after having 31 lymph nodes removed? Also, did you get your MRI results back yet? I am crossing my fingers for a good & easy treatment outcome for you. 🤞 ~Wishing you well, Paula
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