February 2010 Mastectomy

Anonymous

Faith Yes please put me on the list. I am just doing a uni.

LauraM and cakeisgreat, Thanks for the welcome and support. This is such a wonderful site.

Lee

Faith316

Lee --welcome. I added your name to the list.

Something I am astounded by is the size of your tumor. Was it really 12 x 6 cm? That is huge. That would be approximately 4-3/4 x 2-1/3 inches.  What I am surprised about is why they would do only a lumpectomy on you with such a big tumor?  Or maybe they had no idea beforehand that it was that big??  I guess that makes you Stage 3 like me.

Isn't it strange how different each person's hospital experience is?  Most of us either came home the same day as surgery or stayed one night.  Wonder why they want you to stay in there for 3 or 4 nights.  

Sorry you are having to have another surgery, but we'll help you get through it!   It definitely helps to have some "sisters" who know exactly what you are going through.  

caltex_catlady

Faith316,

You can add me to the February club. I'm set for a bilateral mx on Feb. 23 with sentinel node biopsy. I won't have reconstruction yet because the plastic surgeon wasn't available at this time and I wanted to get going.

Karen

Faith316

Will do!  Looks like you and Lee will be "surgery buddies" with both of you on the 23rd.  Lots of good support here with all these February girls.  Hope we can help you, too!

hbowser

Good evening everyone; just checking in.

LeeinVegas - Welcome and I am sorry to hear about your news. I too initally wanted to have a lumpectomy, which led to me to have chemo before so that it might shrink my tumor and make me a better candidate for lumpectomy. Did 4 DD of A/C and 4 DD of Taxol every two weeks. Had a MRI at the end of treatments to see if the tumor had shrunk and instead it showed another "suspicious" shadow. Had to have a MRI-guided biopsy and fortunately it was benign. But that experience and the chance that they might not get clean margins, led me to decide on a mastectomy. For me it was a tough transition to wrap my mind around since I was thinking lumpectomy for a few months, but after talking it over with my DH, friends, family and my doctors, I made peace with it. I am praying that you find peace soon. If you need to talk it out or vent, we are here for you.

Cornellalum,Olivia, funsizejen, I am sorry you had a bad day.  Today was my day of sadness and irritability and pain.  I am a little over two weeks (16 days, but whose counting ) and today, I felt more achy and sorer.  Also, anything touching my chest is hurting (that is a strong word, uncomfortable may be better).  It is annoying.  I was expecting to make progress each day and I feel like I am regressing.  At least the steri-strips across my port removal site is off and it doesn't look too bad.  I still have one long steri-strip left on my chest (one came off this morning and one this evening was almost coming off so I pulled it off).   Hopefully when the last strip comes off and I see my incision site, it won't look too bad.

Toni67 - Sorry to hear you are having other issues; that really sucks.  I hope you get relief soon.  I appreciate you asking your BS about Tamoxifen; that is the next step for me since I won't need to have radiation.

ReginaR - I see that you have been on Tamoxifen for a week; is moodiness one of the side effects you've been experiencing?

For those ladies who still have their drains, praying that your level will drop off soon so that you can finally get those things out.

Have a great evening, everyone.  

chalex

Hi Ladies,

Just checking in tonight.

Hugs to all the ladies that have had their surgery this week. I hope you all are doing well.

cornellelum- Way to go on clear lymphs. Good news. Glad you enjoyed your day out and went to the boutique store for women with mx. I also agree that getting out for a walk (if you are not like me where their is snow and ice) makes me feel great.

ReginaR- So sorry you are having a tough time. I know how easy little things can get you down, I  agree it's tough somedays. I hope you feel better

cakeisgreat- Thanks for the info about rads b/f mx. Did you also have chemo with the rads as I did? How was your skin after surgery? Did you have any skin breakdown? Thanks for the info.

LeeinVegas, Sorry, you did not get clear margins. It's would be tough to have the lumpectomy and then find out you need mx. Hugs to you.

I have not got my path report back. Still waiting...

Chalex

Anonymous

Faith, ILC is called the sneaky breast cancer. I had my baseline mammo at 35. I started yearly mammos at 40 I am now 51.  The day after my mammo in Oct I got a call to schedule an ultra sound because there was a desnity on my pics. I had US on Vetern's Day. The radioligist said there was a mass about the size of a quater. She recommended MRI and biopsy. MRI showed mass about 4.3 cms. Biopsy of breast came back ILC node was negative. Surgeon said it might be a little bigger b/c ILC does not show up will.  This was also complicated by the fact that I have dense, fibercystic breasts so the ILC had lots of lumps to hide behind. I'm also very big busted.

lostindecisions

You can add me scheduled for Feb 26 scheduled unilateral right with sential biopsy waiting for brac 1 and 2 results

caltex_catlady

Hi LeeInVegas:

It looks like we're two ILC gals going in on the 23rd. Here's to us and the rest of the February bunch!

Karen (caltex_catlady)

olivia218

I guess I thought a mastectomy would mean clear margins but in my case it did not turn out that way.  I think that has me perplexed and irritated. 

Thanks to all for the encouragement! It is great to know I am not alone.  I am praying for all of us in this sisterhood! I just wish none of us were in it!!

ReginaR

 Good Morning Feb girl, Hope all of you all are recovery well  from Surgery & prayers are with you who are getting ready for suregry!

Thanks for all the great post. I really appreciate all of you. !

 But I have a ? for any of you that had drain tubes after surgery. The Surgeon took 1 out yesterday ,left  the other cause it was 50cc -(24hrs) & then this Morning I Got 70cc, 20cc more than yesterday. Is that normal? I wondering if it because  he took the other one out ?

 Thanks for letting be vent!

Hugs

Gina

Faith316

That happened to me.  One of my drains worked its way out 3 days after surgery, so my surgeon told me to go ahead and pull it out.  So that left me with only one drain which I still have 2 weeks post-surgery.  My output in the one remaining drain did go up after the first one came out.  It varies between 45-50 many days, although it was also 80 one day, 70, and yesterday 60.  I have to be under 30 for 24 hours before it will come out.

Faith316

Welcome to lostindecisions.  Boy, isn't that username appropriate for any of us along this BC journey.  I'll add your info to the list above. 

LauraM

Ugh... the last few days I felt a cold coming on.. it is my first cold of the winter and it really kicked my butt this AM.  I talked to my surgeon and she said just rest and drink lots of liquids and I should be fine.  I am a little nervous about having it with my Surgery scheduled for Monday.  I am hoping I can kick it by then.  Did anyone else have cold going into Surgery?  If I wasn't stressed enough, this is really pushing me over the edge.  I have so much left to do this weekend to get ready, the last think I need is this.    Oh well, I guess my whining over a cold is pretty stupid, but it does have me kind of concerned. 

rockermom - how are you doing? Are you getting ready for our big day?

I hope everyone else is doing well today!

Kayne

Good Morning, Ladies, thanks for all the great posts.  I haven't been a good writer, but I enjoy reading. 

hbowser--thanks for your post- although i don't want you to have a bad day, it made me feel better to know I am not alone.  I am one week out today and told my dh that I am tired of people telling me I look good because I don't!!  Even the DR yesterday said I looked good.  I have been wearing my husband button down shirts, can't really do my hair so what looks good?  I have been very, very nauseous from the pain meds. so that made me misserable.  I seem to have gotten that under control, but have to tolerate beingn uncomfortable.  But I will say I do feel better w/o the nauseous. 

I saw the BS and the PS yesterday.  Had one drain out, have 2 left.  Wasn't even that bad when the took it out.  I will start to fill next week.  How bad is that?  does it hurt.  Not in the mood for more pain.  But I need to get the process going.

While at the BS I got a  report from the path.  I had a snb on Feb. 3. the report from the snb came in with a spec in the second node.  2 years ago they wouldn't have found it.  They didn't know what to do with it.  My BS said since I am only 49, she wanted to take most of the nodes. We agreed.  So the path from  the Feb 12 surgery is left side completely clean.,  Right side the tumor is 6cm.  Very happy with the clean margins, skin is clean and it did not infiltrate the nipple.  All the Nodes came back clean, so I am considered node free. The pathologists took my case to their weekly conference for the second time, and all agreed with the diagnosis.  Glad to see they review together.   But due to the size of the tumor radiation will be required.  Not sure i understand why, can anyone share any light. I thought radiation shrunk tumors.  I do have appt with oncologist next Wed.  But was just wondering. 

All of you are great, it is so nice to know my ups and downs normal.  I guess I thought I should be making great strides each day, and I don't feel like I am. 

Good Luck to Everyone with upcoming surgerys.  Makes me sad to see the list grow.  But it is something that is treatable and for that I am glad.  The week I was diagonosed I lost a dear friend to pancreati cancer.  Helped her for the last 15 months so I feel bad for my 2 other friends that helped as well, now they are helping me.  I am very grateful for them,  but we have been through enough already.  I know they say God only gives you what you can handle, but.........

Hope the sun is shinng and everyone has a good day!  Thoughts and prayers always.

olivia218

ReginaR - my surgeon told me to expect it to happen. When he removed the first drain he told me that the others would increase in volume for a few days and to not let that shock me.  Hope that helps a little. 

olivia218

Kayne,

I have to agree with you - even in the hospital the nurses were telling me I looked good.  I guess since I put on my own pajama's that was looking good.  The reason I put on my own night shirt was because the hospital gown was rough and was rubbing my skin.  I was in the hospital for five days which was hard but I guess necessary.  In retrospect I am wondering if the surgeon knew he did not get all the cancer out.

dangergirl

Ladies:

Sorry I haven't checked in before now!  I'm now 9 days post-op and feeling pretty good today.  It's been rough, Bi w/expanders, not sure how it compares really to other procedures, but it's definitely uncomfortable.  I had my first saline fill on day 7, went home happy that I had no ill effects.  Turns out it took a few hours till my pecs started to spasm.  The next day I felt good tho.  I still have my drains and that's a frustration for me.  Can't wait till they come out next week, I know I'll feel more free to move then.

olivia218, your situation of not having clear margins after mx must be frustrating and upsetting.  I too have a large multi-focal area of DCIS that didn't clear after two lumpectomies.  I know my path is back by now, but waiting to see the surgeon next week to hear those results.  I also have a little fear I may be in your shoes as well but trying right now to just focus on feeling better.

Hope the ladies who underwent surgery this week are doing well.   

hbowser

Lostindecisions - Welcome and I hope you don't have to wait too long to get your results.

Olivia - I thought the same thing until I went to see my surgeon and he was telling me we would have to wait on the final pathology to make sure he got clear margins?  He told me that it's difficult to take out every cell of breast tissue, especially the tissue behind the skin or back along the muscle behind the breast. Do you know what your next step will be?

Faith - I just wanted to say thanks for keeping our list so up-to-date.  Also, thank you and to all the others so open and willing to share their experiences and thoughts.  It a relief to know what I am feeling is not unusual or something to worry about; it is sometimes frustrating that doctors don't tell you everything.  It is comforting to come here and know what I am feeling is normal.

Kayne - I think radiation is recommended following mastectomy for tumors larger than 5 cm or if lymph nodes were involved. 

It is frustrating because I thought I would be feeling so much better now.  I am still uncomfortable, feeling stiffer and more achy; I am thinking it is because I was more mobile this week than I was when I was recouperating at home.  Should I remove my last strip of steri-strip before I go see my onc. Tuesday or just let it be? 

I hope everyone is feeling better.  Take care and have an enjoyable weekend.

Lillies4Laurie

Olivia - Am I reading this site correctly?  You didn't get clear margins with your mastectomy?  If that is correct what is your next step?

Kayne

hbowser- I am with you as far as feeling very stiff and sore.  The tissue expanders are very uncomfortable.  Hurting my ribs.  I have not been filled yet.  I am hoping maybe this will help?  Yesterday I felt good so today can't be as good as yesterday, this i am learning.  One good day, one bad day.  Getting frustrated.

dangergirl

Kayne-

My surgery was the 10th, and got my first fill on the 17th already.  The experience of the actual injection was not bad, and went home pleasantly surprised.  However, my pecs cramped and spasmed pretty much for the several hours after that.  Next day, felt more back to how I was before the expander injection.  Today was the first day I felt good in general, but I'm still sore, tender, uncomfortable at best.  But the rest of my body feels more like it should, which is better than nothing I guess.  Showers are getting a little easier, but I know once the drains come out I'll feel more mobile.  Let me know how your first fill goes.

Anonymous

Faith, please add me.  I had a bilateral mastectomy with immeditate TE 2/12.  Still have my christmas bulbs, all four of them. Can't wait till they are out!   Have not had my first fill and am happy my PS is out of town so that isn't something I have to deal with right now.  I already feel so stretched and tight from the amount he filled during surgery, along with the discomfort of the TE's. Where and how do they inject the saline?  Also, my stomach/abs seem as though they are filled with fluid or perhaps the swelling from my breast is moving downward?  Do any of you notice your stomach looking a little strange? 

Faith316

Welcome Cooltrainer to our little group.  Hand grenades, Christmas bulbs --- no matter what you call them, they are a pain in the butt!!!!  But, not as much as having to have a seroma aspirated I'm sure!  So, I'm being a good girl and putting up with my last drain and not being in too big of a hurry to get it out too soon.  I want it to drain as much fluid as possible out of there before it is removed.

I don't notice the swelling in my stomach but in the area above and below where my breast was and around my armpit gets really puffy.  It sometimes feels so full of fluid that it hurts.  It is weird, but sometimes when I am sitting in the rocking chair, I feel like the fluid is sloshing around in there.  I don't know if it really is or not, but it kind of feels like it.  Actually makes me feel kind of weird and almost a little nauseated.  Really strange!  Anybody else feel anything like that?  This was my second axillary node dissection, so I am at an increased risk for lymphedema.  Don't wanna have that! 

Hope DeeCee did well today.  We have 9 girls on the surgery schedule next week starting with LauraM and rockermom both on Monday.  Hope you two girls are doing ok as you prepare.  We have also added a lot of new "sisters" to our list in the past few days.

Hope all are well this evening!

Love to all.

Kayne

dangergirl-- thanks for the input on the fills.  My first is on the 25th. 

Cooltrainer- Welcome, you and I are in the same situation.  Same surgery, same date.  I am very uncomfortable with the TE.  Especially today, maybe I am moving more.  I went to my PS and told my husband there was no way she was filling me.  Thankfully she did't, I wouldn't have let her anyway.  I am glad you asked about your stomach, I wasn't thinking in the way you were, but my stomach is very bloated.  Told my husband, great now my stomach is bigger than my chest!!!  He laughed, he is stressed out too, so any laughter helps.  And I can't even imagine ever doing a sit up again.  At least not until the TE are out. Any way I move I feel like the TE are digging into my ribs. 

cakeisgreat

Hi, all!

LauraM--Ugh!  I'm so sorry you're dealing with this cold!  I just went through it, and it STUNK.  It lasted about 5 days I would say.  Feeling better now...but the stomach virus thing is going around here, so HOPEFULLY I wont get that before or after surgery...I can imagine puking with a stomach incision....ugh!

Chalex--nope, I didnt have chemo...I wanted it...just to be sure, but they said I couldnt get it cuz my invasion was .1 and .2 mm and it was "only" grade 2.  So just the lump/rads.  I BARELY turned sunburned...just a little sore at the end from the boosts.  But my bs said people with fair skin (I'm ghostly) actually do the best when it comes to rads.  Go figure...I get burnt to a crisp anytime I am out in the sun (and acquired melanoma to boot) but the rads did nothing to my skin.  

olivia218

I think this is changing my diagnosis but not sure yet.

I just know I have a short temper - I just yelled at a florist for not delivering flowers to my friend who lost her dad. I am not usually do not have a short fuse so it caught me off guard.  My left side hurts so much even a soft cotton t-shirt hurts to touching it, UGH!!!  

olivia218

Lillies4Laurie - 

Yes you are reading correctly, I do not have clear margins which I did not know was even possible with a mastectomy. I guess it is possible cuz I am living it.  I am not sure yet what the next step is my next appt is March 11th. I have to let my body heal a little. I also have lupus which has really complicated the entire situation.   

badger

Hi all - welcome to the new members of a great club that no one wanted to join!

Holly - like you I have a desk job and am amazed at how tiring "pushing paper" can be - TGIF!

Chalex - did you get your path report yet?  Waiting is so hard.  I see my onc on Tuesday and will get full path report and discuss treatment options.  I already have a list of 10 questions.

Laura - I didn't have a cold going in to surgery but between the breathing tube and dry hospital air, I had a cold-ish thing going on when I left.  Sore throat and a stuffy but runny nose.  Hope you get to feeling better over the weekend!

Hope everyone is resting well tonight.  {{hugs}}

PiscesMoon

well add me to the list, better late than never :-)  i had my surgery feb 5th - unilateral mx, no recon.  IDC 3.5 cm, stage 2, grade 2, sentinal node biopsy, neg nodes, ER/PR+, HER2+++.  i still have one drain in since i'm draining 100 cc's in 24 hour periods.  have an appointment with onco on monday to discuss treatment.

aint life grand?  :-)