MarlyD... How are you!

FloridaLady

We have not heard from you in awhile, just wanted to check on you.  I thought possibly your surgery is coming up in the next week or so...

Flalady

MarlyD

Flalady, 

Yes, my mastectomy is scheduled for Friday, November 7.  I am scared, sad, etc.  Even though my tumor shrunk on the neo chemo, my surgeon still wants to do the mastectomy with removal of axillary lymph nodes and possibly try to get that sub-pectoral node that was cancerous.  I've never had surgery and the thought of being under general anesthesia worries me . . . along with everything else.  I will be out of work for a month and will be starting the AC plus Avastin sometime in early December for 4 rounds every 2 weeks, then Taxol and Avastin for 4 rounds every 2 weeks.  My husband, my mom, my sister and my sister-in-law are all going to the hospital with me for support.  If anything good has come of this, it's that I see how many people care about me.

 How have you been doing?

Marly

tibet

MarlyD

The mastctomy is not a scary and anesthesia is good. I did not notice much afterwards and operation is the least to be worried about.

jeanne46

Marly,

When I had my mastectomy I think I was more panicked about the anesthesia than the surgery. Be sure to talk with the anesthesiologist and explain your fears.  They have lots of good drugs that will make the procedure much easier and much less scary.  My surgery only took about 1 1/2 hours. Then I spent two nights in the hospital and was home and even going out by day 4. The following weekend actually went out of town to a beach resort with DH and another couple.  I won't say that was the best idea, but I wanted to point out it was doable. The American Cancer Society's Reach 2 Recovery Program should send a volunteer to either speak with you in person or by phone - if you are interested.  They usually also give you a special pillow to put between your arm for support and a very soft, dacron filled stuffer for your bra when you are ready for that. If your onc's office hasn't contacted them, you can self refer. 

Best of luck.  I hope all goes smoothly and that all the cancer gets removed. 

MarlyD

Thanks newalex and jeanne46.  I guess it's the anesthesia I'm a little afraid of and any of its after-effects (nausea).  I know this is for the best and losing my breast is nothing compared to losing my life.   Did either of you have a lot of pain or lymphedema after surgery?

Thanks, again.

Marly

tibet

MarlyD

Not much pain. Don't worry. Operation is the easiest part to cope. I actually did not mind about the operation at all.

MarlyD

Thanks, good to know . . .

FloridaLady

MarlyD,

I'm with the others about surgery.  It was not that bad.  I tell the anesthesiologist you get very sick with it...they will give you special meds. The meds they give you have gotten a lot better for the nausea.  That was my big fear also.  My first one I got sick just one time and the second one I ate everything in site. I even made my sister-in-law go down stairs and get me more food after eating breakfast.   Will you get one of the new pain pumps?  There pretty good...they numb your chest but don't play with your mind, and  your sleeping like a lot of pain meds do.  I was weird with my second surgery also...I got out of the hospital (the next morning) and went out to dinner that night with friends.  So you can get through this too.  It will be emotional... but you are a strong lady and you know this needs to be done. Make sure you have some easy button up big shirts or sweat shirts to wear over you bulbs for a few days.

Honey let me know if I can do anything for you.

Flalady

MarlyD

Thanks, Flalady.

I've never had anesthesia, so I don't know if I will be sick or not.  The anti-nausea meds they give me for chemo (Emend, Zofran and Decadron) have kept me from feeling nauseous or vomiting.  I don't know about a pain pump either. I've never been on pain medication, and I don't like feeling "altered", but I'll see how it goes. 

My other concern is lymphedema, I'm worried that my arm will swell up after having the axillary lymph nodes removed.

I have picked up a few large button-up shirts . . .

Thanks again,

Marly

bourscheid

They also have camisoles that you can wear after your surgery with pockets for the drain bulbs and pockets for the soft padlike stuffing.  They're very comfortable and stretchy and you can pull them up from your feet not over your head. Some hospitals give you one I ordered mine directly from Softee.  What a lifesaver!  Get a zip up or button up robe to wear at home as pulling things over your head will be difficult for several days (a couple of weeks for me).

 I only had one time the evening after my surgery where I got nauseus (sp) and as soon as I called the nurse they were there putting antinausea meds in my iv.  They do NOT want you throwing up.

I, too, was terrified of the anesthesia and after talking with the anesthesiologist I felt much better. The actual surgery site won't have too much pain as the breast tissue is not all that sensitive and you will be pretty numb from the nerves getting cut.  The numbness will wear off for the most part over several weeks or months and you will be pretty much healed by then.  Do the exercises they tell you to do as soon as they allow you to do them.  They're very helpful for getting your range of motion back.

Good luck!

bourscheid

Forgot to tell you, if they offer  you an extra day in the hospital take it!  My surgeon told me I could be discharged the next day but I could have an extra day if I wanted it...I took it and it made a huge difference.  I felt so much better after the second day.

FloridaLady

Lymphedema is a hit or miss thing it seems.  The key is do not over use that arm.  Doing repetitive movements or lifting things that are too heavy.  Try to always work near your body with your arms. Try not to extend your arm over your head more than necessary.  Later on do go to physical therapy for your mast. arm and shoulder.  This will help you to stay mobile.  My arm/shoulder did not get LE until two years later.  I moved all my heavy winter cloths on hangers and that was a big mistake. Again if you catch it early...you can control it so much better.

Are you going for a bilt mast? I remember telling my BS that my biggest concern was not my breast but my arms also....

Flalady

jeanne46

My surgery was in 1992.  I never got lymphadema.  It is hit and miss - but if you are careful with that arm and follow directions about protecting it from infection, etc., you will improve your odds of avoiding it.  American Cancer Society has some good literature on lymphadema; there are many other publications available, too.  

I was not in that much pain.  For the first few days I took vicodin - then switched to ibuprofen. The first day, as I was recovering from the anesthesia, I did experience some nausea, but the nurse put some compazine in my IV and the nausea resolved immediately.  I was really happy when my drainage tube was removed (about 6 days after surgery). 

You will do fine.  The anticipation is often worse than the actual procedure. 

MarlyD

Thank you all for your support and advice.  It all helps to put my fears at ease.  I am only having the right breast removed.  I do still want the other removed at some point, but need to get back on the chemo as soon as they allow me (about a month after surgery because of the Avastin I will be on again and the issues with wound healing); I will still have another 4 months of chemo and want that all taken care of as soon as possible. I will be in touch after my surgery to keep you updated.

Thanks, again. 

Marly