Chemo 9 years after RNY

Hi! I had an RNY in 2003 and recovered well. . 

In December, I found a lump in my breast. It's breast cancer. I'm scheduled for a double mastectomy in two weeks. From there I have chemo, then radiation. 

Do any of you know of any issues that I need to be aware of as I go through the surgery? chemo? radiation?

I specifically was wondering about the absorption of meds and the impact of the chemo poisons on my little stomach. 

Any help you can give would be great. 

Thanks!

Good luck on your cancer treatments.  I had RYN 2007 and was diagnosed with breast cancer Dec 2010.  I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation.

Since I only had a lumpectomy I can't comment on your surgery other then since RNY I've had many surgs and it took some trial and error to figure out what pain med worked best.  I think it varies from person to person.

Chemo is all given IV.  They will give you anti nausea meds and steroids in pill form but they seemed to absorb well.  The Dr. I saw for chemo was a hematologist and also works with post weight loss patient who have malabsorbtion problems.  So he know about our vitamin needs and problems with absorption.

I actually gained Wt during chemo because I was tired and had to cut back my exercise to about half what I had been doing.  I also craved carb right after each chemo treatment.

Radiation is only in your breast area so the only issues you could have are local skin reactions.

Take life one day at atime.  Treat yourself well and you will get through this.

 Thanks! We ended up cutting the vicodin tablets in half and that worked wonders...fewer peaks and valleys. I've decided to take Advil for the next couple of days for the anti-inflammatory properties...so far it isn't upsetting my stomach. I'm going to ask my doc for transdermal patches with advil for the next couple of weeks...all the good of the inflammatory without any of the stomach issues. 

I'll let you know how the chemo consult goes. 

 I  am a cancer survivor. Post surgery I was exhausted.  I worked with a nutritionist to assure that I was getting additional supplements that may have been needed due to the surgery and cancer.  I did some exercise just to keep my sanity (walking, stretching).  Beginner yoga (I used a DVD) was also helpful for relaxation.  I am now recovered, back to running half marathons and training to hopefully complete a triathlon one day.  Take it slow and you will be fine.

Thank you!! This is very helpful. They just put me on vitamin D supplements and are watching my iron. I have done yoga and pilates in the past. I just saw a groupon for my local yoga joint and bought it. I've got some swelling going on, so I want to check in with the lymphedema specialist before I start going. So glad to hear that you are recovered and thriving! Apreesh!

I take a 50,000 IU vitamin D weekly because my body has trouble retaining Vitamin D.  I also needed B12 shots for some time but no longer.  And watch the iron - I do not absorb it thru oral supplements so I am still receiving a Venofer infusion every 6 weeks.  It's painless and helps with the fatigue.  I also have lymphadema in the left leg and have it checked/drained periodically to ensure there are no clots present.  I also find the swelling in my leg is better when I exercise.  Good luck!!

 My endo doc had mentioned Venofer...I don't see him all that often. Maybe I can get the chemo nurse to give it to me during one of my treatments. I called the lymphadema nurse to see if I could get a quicker appointment with the therapist. (My appointment is 3/22 although I saw the doc almost two weeks ago. In the mean time, I'm keeping my arm elevated and doing my arm stretches. I did ride my bike 5 miles today...which should help the circulation clear some of that swelling out. Thanks again! 

 I started with Venofer infusions every 14 days, then monthly.  I still get it every 6 weeks as needed.  It's painless.  The dose you a bit slower in the beginning if you have lymphadema and then you can get the whole dose in 30mins.  You can always get Procrit injections but if you have lymphadema they are sometimes hesitant to use it because you can form a clot. Make sure you wear your helmet!  I love cycling - I feel free and like I have never been sick :-)