Tag Archives for surgery

voicemail from dr grissom

voicemail from dr grissom

my biopsy is in exactly a week, and i called and left several questions for dr grissom today on her voicemail. she called just a little bit later with all the answers i asked for — it’s all on voicemail:

  • i gave you the DCIS chapter because you never know -- there's that 10% chance that it could be, and i always think it's good to be prepared, and then it won't happen!
  • the calcifications very rarely disappear -- i've never seen them disappear actually, although it's talked about in literature
  • biopsy should not affect your mammogram in the future. sometimes you'll have a little scar tissue for awhile, but it goes away, and they can pretty well see everything again
  • you don't really need to prepare your skin
  • sports bra is pretty good, but get one that's a little loose. if possible, something that fastens in the front is easier, and just gives you a little support
  • i don't know exactly where there going to put the needles until they get there and they get it in, so i don't know where i'll put the incision exactly until we get there
  • i will call you with the results and you can tell me on the day of surgery how to get a hold of you. usually you get them in two working days, so if you're having it on friday, usually you get it on the tuesday afterwards; although pathology has been very slow -- i've had some results not come out till friday this week
  • on the day of biopsy, you're there for about four hours and you're sitting around probably for about three, so bring a book - both of you!

(yes, i left off the question about the sushi and the tissue bank – and the cancer and the breastfeeding, feeling both a little premature!).

then, dr. grissom said she’d talk to me next week and if there was any problem or more questions till then just to let her know. it’s really great to have such a responsive surgeon. leaving that list of messages on her voicemail i felt a bit silly and sheepish, but her message, which addressed all the questions, made me feel not foolish at all. that’s awesome.

i saw a little note by leanne’s side of the bed this morning to get little bendy straws for me — “so that i can get my liquids”! it’s a little odd to be expected to be an invalid!

it’s been the most decorated valentine’s day i can remember. we received valentines from everyone from my parents to delancy street movers! die familie enders sent along a lovey hand-made valentine. and leanne– leanne got me the spicy dark chocolates i craved from donnelly in santa cruz. in fact, she requested them from richard directly! jane siberry wrote with global wishes of healing and light; then there was the 50th anniversary gala for del and phyllis last night – a sweet movie and a drink afterwards with sylvia and karin. all-in-all, a great week, even if leanne and eve were looking at me as if i’m about to be devastated. i feel we’re in great hands; the world itself should be so lucky — but is left this week to rely upon duct tape and plastic.

leanne just walked in with a package decorated in glitter that says: “healing beauty for moya’s left breast”!!!

questions for dr grissom

questions for dr grissom

  • why did you recommend me to read susan love’s chaper on DCIS — are you thinking there’s more of a chance i’ll have it?
  • do calcifications, if benign, ever disappear, or are they permanent?
  • how does the biopsy affect future mammograms? does it itself leave calcifications? how many additional biopsies can i look forward to in the future – how can i tell when to need to biopsy any calcification that remains?
  • what affect does having a biopsy have on breastfeeding?
  • what can i do in advance to prepare my skin?
    • is it true if you coat your skin all week in advance with olive oil the scars will be minimized?
  • where are my scars going to be?
  • what bras do you recommend as most comfortable while the incisions heal
  • how will you contact me with the results? cell?
  • how is the biopsy day scheduled? (how much idle time can i expect to wait, and when)
  • thanks to komen.org, “If cancer is found, who will tell me the results and discuss treatment options? How soon do I need to make a decision on treatment choice? Where can I get more information?”
  • what happens to the tissue you remove?
    • after you are finished with cloning me, can you save the leftovers in a tissue bank?

susan love says they’re trying to encourage the use of tissue banks for future research on my own little tissues. eve says they look like sushi. mmm.

of course, since it is five a.m., i had just awoken from a dream. in it, several people i know are suddenly getting mammograms and biopsies. in my dream, though, i knew i was somehow ‘special’ amongst them – and there it is, my fear of cancer. so all the questions stack up from my ‘bedtime reading’ – a mere five hours ago – of dr susan love’s tome, and i must excise them and biopsy them themselves before i can safely return to sleep.

obviously, i need different bedtime reading.

lisa

lisa

and lisa wrote to leanne with some good information: 

... So sorry to hear of Moya's up coming surgery. It is horrifying
and depressing no matter what your odds are going in. I actually had 2
surgerys. The first in April 1999, then had the same open surgery on
the other breast in April 2001. The first time there was just one "fibro
adenoma" ( benign fibrous tumor) removed the second they removed 5. Of
course they did not know that they were fibro adenomoas until the
pathology came back. I had a great  breast surgeon as well, one of the
top in the field. The surgeries went great. They used conscious
sedation instead of general anesthetic, which means a quicker recovery as you
are not as deeply sedated. The pain was very minimal for me, only took a
couple of vicodin with the second surgery. With the first I tried to
take ibuprofen, which is my pain reliever of choice. But oops, also a blood
thinner, so needless to say I panicked when I began gushing blood from
my dressing. I also had a really hard time healing. Throughout both
procedures we found out the hard way that I am allergic to every type
of suture material. So my breasts kept filling up with blood and fluid,
then it would force the stitches out of my breast. I had to go in every
couple of days for 2 weeks after both surgeries to have fluid drained off with
a needle. Dr. Johnson and her collegues were very impressed with the way
my body was just spitting out the sutures. They were supposed to
dissolve, but no way. My scars are not noticable, she made the incision just
along the aereola, so scarring was not an issue, I just used vitamin e oil
for a month or so after I finally healed. The hospital will give her an
ice bag. Just remember that ice to any area of the body for over 30
minutes at a time can cause rebound swelling = pain. So break from the ice
every 30 minutes or so.



I am sure that Moya will get through this fine, but probably not without
preceeded anxiety and fear. I am certain that you will pamper her
throughout her recovery. The waiting for the results of mammograms,
ultrasounds and pathology was much harder on me than the surgery
itself. I will be thinking of her in the next couple of weeks and will be
sending thoughts of benign results her way...

note for leanne:


"I am certain that you will pamper her
throughout her recovery."