January Mastectomy

grdnslve

frosty1 

are you doing delayed recontruction?  just curious, as so many seem to be doing it at the time of surgery.  as much as i wanted to limit the # of surgeries, i just needed more time to decide about the reconstruction & my ps encouraged me to just heal from this one & take my time on choosing the next step.

noticed you are in wa....are you going to the cca in seattle, or closer to home?  i am in mount vernon & going between everett & mv.

 btw--about the hair.  when i worked in the  clinic, one of my patients worked in real estate & didn't want the 'c' to be a constant topic.  she cut her hair before treatment, and hotglued/ sewed & velcroed it to the rims of several hats.  just a little, so it looked like her hair was peeking out.  honestly you couldn't tell she was bald.  just thought it was such a cute idea. 

good luck & remember it does come back...the hair i mean!!!!!

pbebow

Sunsnow:

Been thinking about you today...  how did you first fill go?  Please share as I am geared up for mine on Monday!  Getting a little nervous but also kind of excited!

frosty1

Thanks for the tip on the hot gluing!  I see a craft project in my future!  I did not opt for immediate recon.  My PS also advised me to wait and treat the cancer first, then decide.  I do feel very lopsided.  I'm in Bellevue and heading to Virginia Mason in downtown Seattle.  So across the bridge and Lake Washington.  We may have to get together soon ...

Faithandfifty -- my ROM is doing well, but my breast surgeon recommended me to a physical therapist.  She said to think of it as my own personal trainer.  I love my doctor!  Anyway, I start tomorrow morning.

sunsnow

Pbebow: I just got back from running a few errands after my fill. It was a strange feeling, mildly uncomfortable, but not painful. He did notice a seroma on my right (prophylactic!) side. He's hoping that the expansion will help make it go away. I had 300 put in at surgery and another 100 today. They are right about where I want them, so we'll over fill in 2 weeks. So far, so good I guess!

 Maura 

KatRNagain92

Thanks Maura about the fill info.  I was happy to have an initial 250cc as I thought I wouldn't get any.  I am going from a D to a nice C cup which he says is 500-600cc.  I am so happy to be going down in size and others are so happy to go up!  I feel blessed that we can all battle this on our own individual terms to get a positive outcome for a horrible situation.

My PS used Alloderm with the TE but I am under the impression that the alloderm dissolves over time.  It's supposed to help shape the breast and prevents your body not rejecting your TE or your implants.  (I'll do some more research on that)

I'm 4 days post op and I'm feeling great.  I took a shallow tub bath and had the drains in the little pouch thing (looks like a shower cap with ties for around your neck.  Then, my mom ran me up to the salon and I had the gal wash and blow dry my hair.  I'm a daily hair washer so going this long is one of the worst thing...however, since you lay on your back ALL the time, the front never did look too bad. Having clean hair is amazing! 

My drains are giving very low outputs so I'm happy for that.  I see the PS on the 3rd so maybe they'll get pulled. 

I'm LIVING in my softee two cami and flannel pajamas. 

neversurrender, I'm sure up to a typing and letting us know how you feel.  I keep my arms real close to my body and just use the forearms for typing. 

You'll be great Paula on Monday.  The prayers here really do work miracles.  I'm looking forward to our golf foursome some sunny day...We can all compare scars and be victorious!

xoxo

Kat

Lillies4Laurie

Hi There Ladies,

I've read the whole January thread and really loved the encouragement.  I have my bilateral mastectomy on February 16th and wanted tp be a part of this group.  Will there be a February listing?  I'm really nervous about getting my surgery done.  I've had chemotherapy already (am done with it) and lost my hair and the thought of losing my breasts too is really too much.  I could use some encouragement from you wonderful ladies.

Lillies4Laurie 

sunsnow

Hi L4L: You'll be so glad to find this supportive group of women. There is a February group in the Surgery section of the Discussion Board. I'm not sure how to add a link, but I'll try:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/746989?page=2#idx_42

You've already been so brave to have gotten through chemo. With that inner strength and the support of this community, YOU CAN GET THROUGH THIS! I'm almost 3 weeks post op from bmx, and the waiting was the hardest part. Every day gets a little better for me. I wish you all the best for a successful surgery and recovery.

Maura 

faithandfifty

Lillies: There is indeed a "Feb" thread underway.

You are welcome to stay here with us, too.

We are a pretty amazing group (as I'm sure the Feb crew will be) but since you've already met us, feel free to stick-around with both groups.

Congrats on the completion of your chemo. That's an enormous undertaking and you've made it safe and sound to far.

I had a BILAT two weeks ago tomorrow and am doing great. (With the help of some pharmacalogical back-up..... I was on Atavin sp?? for the couple weeks leading up to surgery.)

What I mean by that is, do whatever you need to wrap your head around what is next.

xx00xx00xx00xx

((((((((((((((((((((((Laurie))))))))))))))))))

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

ariesrottie

I'm back after 5 hours of surgery and immediate reconstruction with alloderm. I feel good, been home since last night at 6. I just feel pressure and can feel the drains filling up Thanks to all my sister out there who helped me through this, I couldn't of done this without you all/. I go back to PS on mon. Tues the BS. What is everyone else feeling that had it done on Monday or Tues? Are the drains suppose to be filling  like this?

Keep up with the strength and Courage.

Donna

neversurrender

Hey ladies.  I am still in the hospital (should get out tomoorrow on day5).  I had immediate diep recon.  Right now, I am taking percocet every four hours, and that is it. 
The docs say I am really doing well, and I am ahead of where I should be at this point.  I can in and out of bed and chairs by myself and have been taking long walks around the hospital.  The only glitch I have had is that I had to be given 2units of  blood during surgery.  My blood levels are still a little low, so if they test me in the morning and no improvement, they will make me stay one more night for transfusion. (I am a bleeder as is my mom and sister).

I got to the hopsital at 6 and was registered and taken to the area for my SNB.  My surgeon did this and it was not bad.  kind of like a bee sting.  I was then taken straight to the surgery waiting room and my ps came in to mark me up.  After he finished, off I went.  My surgery lasted 14 hours. My ps said it was a little longer than usual, because he had to keep dealing with the blood issue.  My recovery has been wonderful, not anything like I was fearing. I really wanted to have diep recon, and almost let myself get talked out of it due to recovery time.  I was out of bed the next day(Tue), walking halls on Wed and taking long walks today.  

For the diep portion of my surgery; I am split hip bone to hip bone just below my belly button.  Then I have the insicions on my breasts.  I have not seen the breasts, as they keep them wrapped in a special bra.  It has holes in it ad they poke a dopler in there every hour to pick up the "heartbeat" of the blood flow.  This helps them spot any problems very early.  I also have a probe hooked to each breast that is hooked to an 'oxygen machin' .  It rates the % of oxygen in the tissue.  If it dips to low, they will go in right away to find out the problem.  I am having no problems, and my PS said if there is a problem, it is usually within the first 4 days - so I am feeling very positive.  I will keep you updated as I lean more - I need to speak to my PS and BS directly.  My family were all to exhausted to ask many questions

 To all of you who shared my day or followed behind me this week - I will continue to pray for a great recovery! 

Anonymous

frosty1 sending you some warm cyber hugs. Just keep taking those baby steps!!!! There will be "the other side to this" as well. I wonder if you wouldn't mind sharing the how and why your oncologist has made this decision?  I will be meeting with my oncologist next week, and wonder what/if I too will have more "baby steps" to take. Although I would much rather the next step be go directly to reconstruction, I just don't know if that will be the case.

I agree with you that this has been such a wonderful group of women who have made the very, very difficult "mastectomy" step, much easier as we have shared, learned, laughed and cried together.

grdnslove you sound very good. I'm sure very glad to have this behind you. You have already had brain surgery? Wow. Let your husband coddle and take good care of you.

airiesrottie so good to see you post so soon as well and glad that things went well.

Lillie4Laurie as the other ladies have mentioned, there is a February mastectomy thread that has been started as well, that you will find very helpful. I was so grateful when I first found the breast cancer.org forum, but having this forum to share with others going through such similiar things at approx the same time was very comforting and helpful.

faithandfifty - recuperating on a golfcourse in sunny warm Florida sounds like just what the doctor ordered.  I am planning to take my children and partner somewhere (mayber a cruise) once I can get a break from all of this stuff.

Cathy

Anonymous

neversurrender glad to see you here on the other side as well.  Thank you for the very descriptive information on DIEP.  I am hoping to have this type of reconstruction as soon as I can.  Wishing you a very speedy recovery.

ariesrottie

Good Morning sisters! Didn't have such a great night with back spasms. Sleeping on the back is not my favortite, I do feel better that I am out of bed and feet on the floor. Can someone tell me how you are suppose to feel with the drains? today the fills are not so bad. Good luck to everyone. Kat and all my other sister keep up the good work.

Strength and Courage.

Donna

faithandfifty

Donna. I don't have any idea how we're "supposed" to feel with the drains.

I felt like a science-fair project. Thinking that way made me at least laugh at the situation. My DH did all the drain stripping and measuring and charting and I called him my mad-scientist.

Feel however you feel. I think if you can think of some way to see something 'funny' or even saracastic ("Why not leeches?") that may help with your sense of sanity. It is a short phase -- once you've got them removed. That day is coming for you, too.

xx00xx00xx00xx00xx

pbebow

ariesrottie:

I am not a back sleeper either.  I told my husband that I am now a side/stomach sleeper trapped in a back sleeping body!  My surger was 3 weeks ago today & I am still sleeping in the recliner.  It gives me a little more mobility during the night then it did in bed.  I am contemplating trying the bed again, I know my DH misses me in there, it is just so much easier in the recliner.  As far as the drains, I really didn't feel them filling up, so can't really help you there.  Mine were just bothersome at the site where they were hanging out of my body.  The nurse in the hospital jerked on it when she was showing me how to milk them (right after she told me to hold on to it tight so you don't pull on it) so it was partly coming out from that.  Just keep telling yourself that they're temporary!  This too shall pass, and oh the freedom you feel when those come out!

sunsnow:  Wow!!!  You're almost done!  that is awesome!  I don't know how much he filled mine during surgery as far as how many cc's, but I am pretty sure that I will need more than just one fill to get me where I want to be.  I am going from a small b cup to a really good c cup, so I have a ways to go...  I feel like I am about an A cup right now.  good to know that it wasn't horrible!  Does it feel better now (the tissue expanders) having them expanded more?  Anyway, thanks for sharing!  I'll let you know how mine goes on Monday.

sunsnow

Ditto on the back sleeping. That's been my biggest complaint!

In the interest of full disclosure...I have to admit that I'm a bit sore today after my expansion yesterday. It feels as if I worked out too hard yesterday after a long break. It's not exactly pain, but I'm very aware of the soreness. It's still early in the morning here and I just got my youngest off to school. I think a warm shower and some motrin should help. I know we're all different, but I didn't want to sound too cocky about the fill yesterday and then have anyone be blindsided.  

cleo100

Hi, TNGolfer, I wanted to quickly respond about the pain ball the ps wants to order for you. I have experienced them twice; first for my BMX with expanders and a week later for a hematoma on the right side. The pain ball has the advantage of a local pain relief similar to a lidocaine. There are none of the typical narcotic side effects including foggy brain, drowsiness, constipation, etc. Not only do I strongly recommend using it, my nurses applauded my plastic surgeon because his patients fare much better than the others who don't prescribe it. It is a passive system, you will not effect dosage or frequency. I never took a narcotic once I was sent home. I have been clear headed, alert and experienced minimal constipation. Be sure to drink tons of fluid. Hope this helps. My prayers go out for a successful surgery and speedy recovery. BE PATIENT!

cleo100

hi, pbebow, my surgery for bmx with te was Jan. 5 and the ps used alloderm to create the sling behind the pectoral muscle which cradles my tissue expanders. Everything i've read about this decellularized product is remarkable. Your own skin cells will graft into this for a strong bond.

pbebow

sunsnow:  thanks for the update... that is kind of what I expected, I figured it would be like sore muscles from working out, but since I've never experienced it before, I wasn't sure.  Good to know what to expect.  When you said that they discovered a seranoma, can you explain that further.  What exactly is it and what did it look like, bruise, bump, what?  I have a new bruise that has developed on my left (prophlactic) side and I didn't really think anything about it, it doesn't really hurt and I had some bruising (thought it was pretty normal) right after surgery, actually not even sure if it's new or just got darker.  Is this something that I should be alarmed about?  Anyway, just love being able to share and hear other peoples experiences, thank you so much for sharing!

cleo100:  Thanks for letting me know that you had the alloderm also.  I read a little bit on it and thought it sounded like a good thing.  I guess time will tell.  Getting pretty anxious and excited about going in for my first fill.  Will be nice to fill out my sweaters a little more, although I can't complain, I at least have little bumps, but can't wait for bigger bumps!  

Have a great TGIF ladies!!

Bless & Release!

Paula

sunsnow

pbebow: I meant to tell you that I had alloderm as well. The seroma is just a pocket of fluid (the stuff that was in the drains) that forms in the empty space left behind. I felt something kind of squishy between my skin and expander but there was no pain or bruising. Both the oncologist and ps felt it as well. The ps said the fill may encourage it to be reabsorbed or drained internally more quickly. If it doesn't resolve then a radiologist would need to locate it with ultrasound and drain it with a needle. He's going to see how it goes at my appt. in 2 weeks. To be honest, I'm not sure where it is now. The fill moved everything around, so it may be gone.

 I agree about being able to share. I've looked at some earlier months and Exchange City as well to get some idea of what we may have in store for us. 

Happy Friday to all,

Maura 

pbebow

sunsnow:  I started looking at exchange city but it was a little overwhelming, there are so many posts and it goes back sooo far I just didn't know where to start so I mostly stick with ours, but I may go back to Dec or Nov and see how they're doing.  so, you are getting fills every 2 weeks?  I think my PS is planning on every 3 weeks, but I'll probably know more after Monday.  I am a little impatient so I think I would like every 2 weeks, but we'll see.  I trust me PS and have heard that he does good work, so I guess we all just have to trust that they're doing everything right. 

sunsnow

pbebow: One thing that may make him comfortable is that I am going smaller B-small C from a solid D. I had plenty of skin available as well. If it gets at all difficult, then he said we would slow down the fills. If next time really is my last fill, then I guess that will be moot. We both need to be patient. I know it will be hard for me to wait for exchange after the fills are done, but I want to do this right.

KatRNagain92

Hello Ladies!

Donna, Here we are both 5 days post op.  the tightness continues...It feels a little like (not that I would know how this feels of course) but like there 2 small flat cans of tuna or cans of cat food sewn under my skin.  Again, more discomfort that true OMG pain.  My drain output continues to be about 8cc a drain with no seromas.  The left (supposed good) is causing me the most trouble ironically enough.  The drainage is dark fuchsia (seriously fuchsia) and the R is serosanguinous (serum plus blood = orange drainage) 

I've got a new softee two from my breast health navigator and it's called an Amoena Post-operative Garment..a Drain Containment device.  It's got more lycra and stretch to it but I think it will be better when the drains are out to use it.  These drain pockets are vertical and the softee two are horizontal so you don't get the op of the drain poking at you.  I suspect I'll be back in the softee tomorrow.

I'm with you Paula on exchange city.  It's a little overwhelming.  I've already got 250cc in each breast to start with and I'm sure this is where 'hard can' feeling is coming from.  I can be patient for my fill...:) 

Hope everyone has a nice weekend relaxing with loved ones.

xoxo

Kat

Anonymous

I have been mainly focusing on recovering and recuperating the past couple of weeks since bilateral, now I am starting to get a little nervous.  I will be leaving tomorrow to go on the approx. 1000 mile trip back to Toronto to get my pathology results.  I am just hoping and praying for no suprises, but will just have to wait until Monday when I have appointment with surgical oncologist. Did anybody else feel like this?

mom2mms

HI ladies,

Has anyone had skin necosis?  I had my last drain removed yesterday, and today I took my first shower just standing under the water it felts great.  when I pat dried my breast mound the skin started to fall off(black dead skin)  bs said this would start to happen. I am just wondering. I also read my pathology report, says dcis, with invasive ca.  comodo necrosis, cribiform, grade 3, etc.  I go to the medical oncologist on tuesday to discuss results.  I am wondering about chemo if it will be need 3 sentinol nodes were removed with no ca.

I have to delay fillings untill my skin is better, and then will have the right breast reduced and lifted to match the left..

Also is anyone having alot of swelling in the armpit area>

maria 

frosty1

The armpit swelling is the pits.  The does start to go down (I'm 2-1/2 weeks out), but that coupled with the ROM issue makes it hard to shave! 

KatRNagain92

I have not even thought of shaving!  The ps is just going to have to deal with what's under there. 

I've been fortunate with no arm pit swelling.  I've got almost no drainage at all in the bulbs and I'm hoping that isn't a bad thing. (6 days out) I don't see any signs of seromas anywhere and the 'hard can' feeling is better...I can now feel it's the actual drain tubing that is causing the tightness.  I see the ps in just 3.5 short days so I hope they get pulled.

I was lucky and asked for a scopolamine patch (for motion sickness/nausea/vomiting) and the anesthesiologist ordered one for me to put on the morning of surgery. (small patch behind your ear)  It dries you right out but it does prevent nausea/vomiting and apparently controls drainage too!  I have a strong history of N/V after surgery and this little patch behind your ear made the whole thing just a cake walk!  Big fan of the patch.

Good luck on your trek back to Toronto formy kids.  The prayers continue for all!

Have a good day

Kat

TexasPeaches

Saw some questions about others who might have had alloderm--I had it and like it.  The shape is great.  I think my breasts are better now than pre-mastectomy.  

I am 8 days post-op.  Got my drains out yesterday (Friday, surgery was the previous thursday).  Two of those little grenades filled a lot after the first couple of days.  I'm not sure how much they filled during the initial surgical fill, but I am at least as big as when I went it--but a different shape.  Was in patient for less than 24 hours and felt pushed out too fast.  Pain was not controlled.  My chest was okay, but my right underarm has been really something.  It feels like my right wrist was attached to my ribs.  Somehow I missed they took out all of the soft tissue under that arm.  Officially 21 lymph nodes--fortunately only one was cancerous, but more were suspected.  The drains came out yesterday and last night was the hardest so far.  The drains were nothing--was expecting them to be the worst but they were really a non-issue with the cami support.  Now they are out, I have lightening bolts shooting through my chest and arm--especially the right side.  If I can get teh pain down to a 7 I feel fortunate.  This morning I had a full blown panic attack, accompanied by intrusive images of the scars--worse than they really are.  The cellophane came off with the drains--the scars look worse without the cellophane.  Later in the day I had a eco-cardiogram at the cancer center.  The tech seemed freaked out by the scars--that so did not help.  I feel like a freak.  A freak in pain who has random muscle jumps and jerks that can be seen.  I broke down and called the plastic surgeon's office (he is at a conference) and one of the office gals called back--the totally right person to call.  She recommended hot towels for relaxing the muscles.  She says this will probably be the worst weekend.  It has not been bad at all until now.  I'm looking for a guided imagery cd for bc folks or cancer if anyone knows of anything.  I'm in mental health and nothing is working from my bag of tricks.  Xanax finally got me an hour of sleep.  Crying helped.  I am freaked out.  The anxiety was gone, surgery was not hard, so why now is it crazy difficult?

So, if you are struggling after getting the drains pulled, hot towels (but don't soak in bath water--germs in the scars until they are healed is bad).  It does relax the muscles enough to do deep breathing again.  Maybe this is just the warm ups for chemo.  

I hope everyone who had surgery this week is recovering well--please don't freak about this post--it seems to be very individual, as you can tell from all the reading you are doing.  

Thank you all--your posts have gotten me through one of the hardest months of my life.  So, what is next since January is coming to a close?  I hope our string continues, 'cause each of your updates (the regulars and those that pop in and out) are my lifelines.  

Love to all!  Aloha & Mahalo,

Susan 

pbebow

Texaspeaches:  I am sorry that you're having a rough weekend!  I felt better after my drains came out, but my left side drain was starting to pull out and was constant irritant.  As far as the lightening bolts, right there with ya sister!  Mine started last week, they don't come as often now, so that's good news.  And after I found out that they're normal, nerves coming around, I was able to deal with them better, they are a little scary when you don't know what they are.  It's funny though, because my PS office said ice and massage will help with the pain.  I guess whatever works for you is what works.  I usually use ice, havne't really massaged, and that does help me.  Which is wierd, because if I get cold my chest tightens up and hurts worse, but the ice pack doesn't seem to affect it like that, I don't know why.  Anyway, this too shall pass!  Bless & Release!!

Paula

frosty1

Amen to the passing of the bolts of pain!  Texaspeaches -- it doesn pass.  I had the bolts of pain through my chest last week and just a few barely noticeable twinges this week.  Don't worry about freaking out ... we all hit the wall at some point.  Deep breaths ... I feel lumpy on my side -- realizing now because they took out the tissue directly below my armpit and had to stop somewhere.  Hate those lumps!  Going to try to wear a real bra today!  Woohoo!