January Mastectomy

frosty1

I received a great resource book, but the one chapter I am realizing is missing is what to expect after the surgery.  How you are completely numb on your chest, neck and underarm.  How to shave (or not!) when you are numb and can't lift your arm.  How long you will be numb.  What is okay and when to call the doctor.  Thank goodness for all of you or we wouldn't know what to expect from day to day!  My 2 week check up today and doctor said numbness on chest wall and up to neck will slowly go away.  That's why the sharp pains -- nerves coming back.  I asked her why my arm is sore to the touch like it was bruised all the way from armpit to wrist -- she said it was due to teh surgery and that should also go away.  So back in 2 more weeks to see how I'm healing.

CyndiS

Well, it's official - I'm moving to the February group. Met with BS today and got a new date for February 24. He feels it is fine to wait, and it will save us thousands of dollars with the new insurance that takes effect Feb. 1. Now I can get the genetics test done and results back before going under. Phew! Now all I have to do is wait......................... Feb. 24 is so far away.

Blessings. love and prayers to the ladies completing this month, and to those who are in healing mode. Your stories are most appreciated and most helpful. Thank you for sharing them! Stop in on the February group when you get a minute. And remember, if you are going through the tissue expanders and reconstruction, check out the "Exchange City" for a very active and very helpful thread on all the trials, tribulations, and fun of that part of the journey.

neversurrender

I made it.  You girls were right, it is so much better on this side!  Surgery was 14 hours, and they had to give me 2 units of blood.  I was able to get out of bed today for 2 hours.  Pain is managable at this point.  The injection for SNB was like a really bad bee sting, but didnt last long.  I thank you for all your prayers and support. 

frosty1

Glad you made it through!  Now comes recovery ... remember to take it slow and easy.

grdnslve

good luck today binga. bless the surgeons hands. i hadn't planned to be on here for awhile, but can't sleep.  leaving in the morning to let someone cut off my boob....can't imagine how i got here.  hus says it is f-d up so doesn't matter-he didn't marry me for my boobs.  but it has been my old friend for these many years, and it is beautiful.  how could it turn on me like this?  i'm thinking about cheatin & having a shot of brandy about now...

Anonymous

neversurrender, so glad for you to be on the other side of this.  It really is much better. Good for you to be up and walking so soon.

Wishing you both the best today binga and grdnslve.  You to, will soon have this behind you.

Cathy

Anonymous

CindiS sorry you have had to change your date for surgery.  But it sounds like the doctor is good with this and of course if you can save that much money it will be worth it. Stop in to say hello in January.  I have left your name on the list and just changed the date, because it was good to have you here.

Take Care

Cathy

KatRNagain92

I'm baaaackk!  Yay, it's over with.  Bilat MXT with SNB and Tissue Expanders.  I was supposed to be the second case on Monday but tended up the third.  Everything went fabulous!   My PS was able to give me a 250cc fill immediately in my tissue expanders and they don't look that bad. It puts me in mind now of a really elderly lady (90's) with small sagging flat boobies.  I brought a mirror with so I could watch the dressing change and I wasn't horrified.  I haven't cried yet except for all the time leading up the surgery, now that's over I don't want to cry anymore, I just want it all to be fixed!

Lynbob is precisely correct.  The sentinel node  biopsy was nothing...nada...no pain, no stinging, nothing to be afraid of!  And the good new is, the only two nodes on the right side and so far so good    She is stll hinting at chemo (because of the invasive tumor size) but I'm working this program on day at time.

 woke up last in the recovery and they were trying to get me back to my room pronto.  By being calm cool and collected and going right with flow, no harm will come to you. The nurses were all wonderful, the techs were great.  The constant communication with my family...all good.  They wanted to send me home last night but my left drain (I have 2 drains) hasn't been draining in the bulb but rather around the insertion site.  Doc says no worries because the drainage is coming out my boy, so just for frequent dressing changes.

The only real discomfort I have is from the Pectoral Muscle being lifted up to fit the tissue expanders..the of course the tissue expander is uncomfortable in itself so I think I'm really feeling the actual fill discomfort.  But I'm still amazed at how good I look and feel.   Very Tight and my sternum's a little sore but nothing that can't be managed with ibuprofen. 

My husband also asked me to give a shout out to our hospital bag of choice.  I was carrying  my fashionable red crock satchel bag..but guess who had to schlep it while I'm otherwside being diverted  Poor guy, carrying a red crock bad until I got a room from 9:30am 11:20pm

And, bringing it back down to get the car to take me back.

Off for some soup now and nap. Oh, ps and to the gal who has to talk to the oncologist?  Tamoxifen is stll an oncology drug so maybe that's what it's all about.  I hope so!

xoxo

Kat

TNgolfer

Kat,

Hooray for you!  You sound great.  Your post is helping to alleviate the stress and anxiety that's starting.  I have actually been doing great.  Had my pre-admit visit, requested a recommended anesthesiologist because I have been stressed over that.  Last surgery, it took me over 4 hours to wake up.  They call it "delayed emergence" and I have found out plenty.  My theory is possible low-blood sugar, which is one of the causes.  Cracks me up to think that you can't eat for hours before (no wonder your blood sugar would be low).  Anyway, am confident in the decision for the bilat Mx and feel I have assembled the "A" team to get me through this.  Surgery is tomorrow at 1:00 and I am just keeping busy, busy, making lists, making beds, packing etc, etc. 

Thank God we have this website!

TNgolfer

Kat,

A quick question.  My ps said I would have a "pump" for pain medication and also a Rx to take home.  I am not a fan of pain meds.  Didn't take any after either lumpectomy or AND.  Hate that "groggy" feeling.  If all you needed was a little Ibuprofen, is all this pain med overkill?  I realize everyone is different, but I am leaning toward "don't give it to me unless I ask".  What do you think?

binga

Hi everyone,

I am fixing to leave to go to the hospital.  I will check in as soon as I can.  I am still praying for all you others on the same journey.

Becky 

TNgolfer

Becky,

Take my prayers and warm thoughts with you.  Courage sister!!!

Anonymous

TNgolfer I didn't have pain pump and on day 2 switched to extra strength tylenol from tylenol 3 with codein they had prescribed for me. 

Soon after I awoke from surgery, the nurse came to my bedside to give me an injection of morphine and I said no.  I also do not like the groggy feeling pain meds give you.  It wasn't necessary for me, but like you said everyone is different. I also took everyone's advice and did take the xs tylenol every 4 hours, trying to stay on top of it.  Seemed to work for me.

Cathy 

sejnboys

formykids: Well, you can take me off the January list.  It's been loooong and complicated, but as it stands right now, I'll be moving to the Feb or even March board!  I will have lumpectomy surgery on Feb 3 to "get it out" already as I am now close to 3 months from diagnosis and don't want this growing in me any longer.  Then I will schedule my BMX & DIEP surgery for once I am healed (and once I can get all my family plans in place again).  I am so ready to be on the other side of this already.  Big healing hugs to you all.   ~Suzanne

TNgolfer

Cathy,

Thanks for that information.  I am not a fan of "standard" procedures.  I am not trying to be a hero, and if I need stronger pain meds that will be fine; but let's see what I can tolerate first.  I am a lightweight and didn't need any pain meds after the first two surgeries, so I would prefer to give it a go like you with the Tylenol first.  Keep on healing and getting stronger!  Thanks for the info.

Marianne

pbebow

It has been 2 1/2 weeks since my Bilat Mx with TE and SNB but my steristrips haven't started to come off at all.  I started to gently peel one off but when I got right to the incision I chickened out, I didn't want to pull it off.  Does anyone know if I should just leave them alone or if there is some secret tip to taking them off without messing with the incision or hurting?  I have an appt. with my PS on Monday for my first fill, but I don't want to leave them on for the appt if they should be off by now, but I really don't want to mess with the incisions... so far they haven't had any seeping or any problems and I don't want to start now...

TNgolfer

After my re-excision (2nd lumpectomy) and Axillary Node Dissection (with SNB) I had steristrips.  They started to lift a little and I did the same thing, pulled a little but then stopped.  So, I left them on when I went to the doctor's office.  If you had written discharge instructions, check and see if there is anything there.  You can always call the hospital and ask a nurse.  I am not a medical professional, but would err on the conservative side.  If you can't get an answer from a nurse, leave them alone.  Hope that helps.  It's not a stupid question - so don't be afraid to call your doctor and ask.

Anonymous

sejnboys, oh my goodness, I am so sorry for the way things have gone for you. After having changed the surgery date once already. It is such a difficult decision to have to make in the first place and then to have changes keep happening, would make it that much more frustrating. I know what you mean though and how complicating it can all get. Not only are you trying to make the best decision, but doing so at so many other people's mercy - doctors appts, surgeons etc.

 pbebow my surgeon told me my steristrips should come off at day 10.  It just so happens I was in emergency on Day 10, so while we were waiting in the little room, my boyfriend took the steristrips off. I felt like you and was worried if it would disturb something. So I thought it would be a good place to be in the event anything did happen. They did peel off quite easily and nothing happened. Maybe you could get someone else to take them off for you. They will see better whats going on.

Cathy

TNgolfer

Hi all,  It's TNgolfer.  It's 11:13 pm and I am really tired but don't want to go to sleep yet.  Surgery is tomorrow at 1:00 pm and I can drink up until 6:00 am -- don't think I can stay awake that long, though.  I have felt pretty good this week and in control of things (hello dillusional).  I feel bad that I am the last to go in this group, but fortunate that maybe I will hear from some of those before me that it wasn't so bad.  I am sure my sense of confidence and control will be gone after I am in the lovely hospital gown, waiting to go to the OR.  Part of me wants the clock to speed ahead to get this done and the other part of me wants to just not show up tomorrow.

CinD

Hi there, TNgolfer.  My surgery was on January 7, and everything went fine, as it will with you. As a fellow golfer, I had to post to you, seeing you were up and thinking about tomorrow. Right now, you're on the tee box on 18, getting ready to make a nice long drive. Tomorrow you'll finish the round, then you can meet us back here in the clubhouse -- we'll be waiting. Things go so quickly once you get into the hospital gown. They give you the wonderful happy juice before taking you to the OR, and my husband still loves to remind me of the silly grin I had as I went to surgery. When I woke up, I couldn't believe it was over. I thought I was still on my way into surgery. My plastic surgeon said it would be 6 weeks before I could golf again (I had an expander put in.)  I think I'll wait a little longer, although my wall walking arm exercise is helping to increase my range of motion.  

Anyway, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.  You'll be back here before you know it and telling all of the February girls that it's not as bad as you thought it would be. See you soon.

Cindy 

KatRNagain92

Good luck today Marianne!  I too am a golfer and I'm hoping that by golf season, I'll be a nice managable C cup and will be smoking up the course in no time!

hang in there...you're going to be fine.  I am praying for you this morning.

xoxo

Kat

pbebow

Love the golf references...  See you in the Clubhouse!  That is great!  I love to golf too, although I don't know if you could call me a golfer, because I'm not very good, but I look good doing it!  Have all the cute little outfits and color coordinated gloves and Yes, I have pink (breast cancer) clubs... I must've known somewhere that I would be here some day because I've had those clubs for a couple years, I had to have them.  Anyway, I'm thinking this summer I'm really going to look good out there with my new C+ foobs!  I was a small B and told my PS I wanted to be a really nice C, so looking forward to the new look.   Just have to get through all of the reconstruction and healing! 

Good luck to all of the ladies heading into surgery today!  My husband still picks on me too about when they were wheeling me away with my happy juice and I kept saying "Just one more kiss" and I was giggling!  But I was the same way, just remember that part and the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery thinking "Aren't they ever going to get on with this surgery" and then I realized it was all done.  So, indeed it is better on the other side!  Prayers to all!

Bless and Release!

Paula

TNgolfer

CinD, Kat, and Paula -- this looks like a foursome to me!  CinD your post made me cry.  The 18th hole here is a challenging one and it does take a long drive -- so your reference was perfect.  Ok, ladies I will take your prayers with me.  Heading to the hospital now.  And I indeed will be looking forward to returning to the clubhouse and tell you how this "round" went.  Bless all of you for being there and I promise I will be there for those that follow.

Love to all

Marianne

Anonymous

TNgolfer sending you warm thoughts. It will soon be over. Love the golf reference. I too am a golfer so would like to add to the visual. On that 18th hole, you are surrounded by mountains, looking down on a green, that you want to make sure you hit the perfect shot, because it is nestled around a babbling creek. You nail it and put it in the hole. So we are all waiting in the clubhouse for you to celebrate the hole in one!!!

hmmm...............so many golfers here! Could it be?

Sending you thoughts and prayers, as you finish up the month of such a wonderful group of women.

Cathy

pbebow

Just curious, did anyone else have Alloderm used during BMX w/ TE?  I kept meaning to ask this because my PS used it during mine.  I have read that it helps with getting a good shape and less fills before final exchange.  Guess I'll find out...  Anyone else have any other thoughts or experience with it?

grdnslve

tn golfer, & lexilove

whoohHoooo--piece of cake.  had to be at the first facility by 7:50 yesterday for the injection & compared with the only bee sting i ever had it was nothing.  surgery wasn't scheduled until 12:30, but for the most part they kept us busy with 'stuff'  morning surgeries ran late, so they finally bumped someone else to get me in a little after 1---tummy was really growling by then, woke up at 5:00 - i had bullied the doctor into agreeing to let me go home last night as long  as i felt up to it, peed for them and felt the pain was under control.  they give you nice stuff in the iv while you are sleeping, but knowing it would wear off  i agreed to an rx of vicodin ( he offered percocet) and had to take one before they would let me leave.  but it was great to be home.

BUT i am doing reconstruction later and have a husband who totally coddles me.  fixed me some soup when i got home (i was threatening to eat the cat by then) got me set up  in the recliner with lots & lots of pillows.  he is johnny on the spot about giving me the vicodin.  so far i have only taken one at a time of the two the rx says.  keep ahead of the pain...don't wait to see if you need it.  that is something i learned after my brain tumor surgery.  so much easier to manage if you don't let real pain start.

anyway, just thinking of you & want to give you encouragement for today---in case you get this in time.

thanks to all of you ladies this month for words of wisdom & keeping me from cracking up with the wait.   xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

frosty1

I love the reference to golf ... I don't golf, but I'll save the table in the clubhouse.  Order of margaritas all the way around??  Got word I'm on to chemo.  It's strange, but the loss of my breast doesn't bother me as much as the loss of my hair.  Vanity.  I'm going to through a hair loss party and every one will have to wear a wig.

All the best to those of you wrapping up this long month.  I have enjoyed talking with all of you and I hope we can keep our January-string strong and continue touching base with each other.  I know some of you chose to just have the mx like me and others have new, beautiful boobs.  Either way, it's nice to hear how everyone is doing and compare recovery.
Thanks to all of you that take the time to post.

pbebow

Frosty1:  Round of margaritas sound great to me!  Stay strong and I'll put on a wig for your party and be there in spirit!  We are all strong and do anything!  I know what you mean about the hair thing though, Chemo scared me way more than the BMX, I was ever so grateful to know that I didn't have to go through it, best wishes to those of you that do!

Bless & Release, and, drink a maragarita!!!  (did you all know that Feb. 22nd?  Just a little tidbit of info I happen to know!)

Paula

faithandfifty

Well I don't golf, BUT............

We spent 13 hours in the car yesterday, and several hours the evening before that so that we could get 'down here' (SUNNY FL) to our home on the 9th Fairway, just a shot away from the clubhouse. I could go get the round of margaritas ordered!!

My husband is a BIG golfer.... in the nearly 16 years that we have been married I have watched him go from shooting always 105++ to wishing to break into the 90's. Well that got accomplished in the first five years, then he spent the next 5+ years shooting in the 90's always seeking the 80's...... well you guessed it he's been in the 80's regularly and has one two occaisions shot an even 80. Guess what he wants now, just once, just for the experience? Of course: a 79.

Our little patio home has a guest room and a full guest bathroom...... so any of you golfers or anyone who has a genuine appreciation for sunshine is welcome. I mean that sincerely.

Just pulling in last night, I felt a wave of 'feeling better' wash thru me, in equal waves with the exhaustion. This is where we had planned to be in January. And now we are here!!!

Just a few weeks behind our 'plan.'

I chose the BMX and also chose the no-recon route..... so I will be 'shopping' for fluffies with velcro in an effort to 're-enter' my life on THE most direct route, with the fewest detours (appointments).

My biggest issue ahead is the ROM on my SNB side.

In time, grasshopper, in time.

Bless and release..... (Just love that)

xx00xx00xx00xx00xx

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

pbebow

Faithandfifty:  Get the margaritas and guest room ready!  I am sitting here in Michigan with temp of 16 degrees and looking at below zero tonight!  And of course since my chest tightens up and hurts every time I get cold I feel so cooped up inside!  We are going to Frankenmuth this weekend for ice scultpting thing, but I told DH and others to plan on taking lots of sit down breaks, I think there may be margaritas involved!  Anyway, glad that at least someone is warm and cozy!!!  Happy sunshining!!!  And have your husband hit a round for us!!