June 2010 Mastectomy

1WonderWoman

Stcards-I may be feeling pretty good and coming off my meds but my total output is less than 50 on 3 of them and almost 100 on 1 of them so maybe we are all doing better than each other in different ways b/c you are definitely doing a lot better than me on drains.  I think mine might have to stay in for 2 weeks.   Pat yourself on the back...you are coming along just fine

jsmiley60

LIZZYMACK - I have to use an electric razor forever and no deodorant for a while because I had all lymph nodes removed from left side, which is different than an SNB. I have to be careful due to possible lymphodema.

STICARDSFAN - I hear what you are saying about still needing the pain meds and not feeling great like some are saying on here. I had surgery 16 days ago and still feel like I can't do a whole lot. I am very sore today after going to my mom's party yesterday. It seems like when I try to do stuff then I hurt later. But I need to build my muscles back up so not sure what to do. Anyway I'm praying for you to heal and start feeling less pain each day!

Praying for those who will be having surgery tomorrow.

Ducki

 Circe  Thanks SO much for you kind words and thoughts.  I WISH my surgery were tomorrow.  Mine is not until Thursday, July 1, at 3 PM . 

stlcardsfan Bless your heart.. it's only been 6 days for you and we are all different.  I am much  older than yall,  and I am sure my healing time will be longer than all these amazing young women here and I will make you feel like a HEAL WHIZ ! lol

I admire each one of you, because I know how hard it is to be wife, mother, and the zillion other things we are every day and still have to deal with BC.

I too am cleaning and preparing. Actually I am not doing that much cleaning YET !!.. I have 11 grand kids and they all think they they are supposed to  live here.  I have 5-6 every weekend.  I have tried to prepare each one according to their ages for my surgery.  After my ice cube throwing fit yesterday, my 10 year old grandson snuck up behind me and said.(( after he scared me to death trying to hug me and I threatened him within an inch of his life to never sneak up on me again))   I will love you Grandma no matter what you look like....  HUMMM .. Am I not only going to be breastless,  but will I be green with spots?   AND I still can't get them to go home.. go figure!!

Tomorrow I will clean !!

jblcsw10

Okay all, I am off to pack (we're staying in hotel since surgery is about 1.5 hour away from here.)and we'll hit the road in a few hours. Still doing laundry, making beds, Laurie, like you I am trying to get everything in order so I can just sit back when I come home (will I have any choice??). I have been very emotional today and pretty cranky. My almost-14 y.o. daughter and I have finally worked through it and we are now being civil to each other. Thanks for all the good wishes. I feel the positive energy radiating from this awesome group.

speech529

jblcsw10, ducki and laurie....all the best to you as you prepare for surgery.  I have been keeping myself busy today, too....cleaning out the fridge and freezer and directing my daughter on how to make pasta sauce and meatballs for later tonight.

I did not buy a wedge pillow but did a dry run last night on my bed with a set up of European and king size pillows all around me. 

Yesterday I picked up some relaxing music CDs from the library.  Loaded them onto my iPod and listened to them last night which helped to calm me.  I have been relying on melatonin and listening to my iPod to lull me to sleep.  Today my stomach is flip-flopping. 

Circe  so glad your pathology report was good and you are recovering well. I appreciate the encouragement to all of us that the waiting is worse than the actual surgery and beyond. 

I am so glad to have all the encouragement and support of all of you! 

I am off to pack for tomorrow.  I have to check in at 6 am for surgery. 

stlcardsfan

Lizzymack1 and jsmiley60 - thank you very much for the kind words. I felt like I was falling behind everyone in the healing process, but glad to know I am not alone. I don't like taking all the pain meds, but the pain is nothing something I can bare without a little relief. I am used to dealing with migraines, but this is a different type of pain from these damn te's.

Lizzymack1 - would love to give myself a pat on the back - but I can't reach it just yet!  

My hubby has been kind enough to give me a few back rubs, and I can feel the knots in my back when he is rubbing. But, it feels good, and does help.

Good luck to those due up Monday - jblcsw10 and speech529. 

Can't believe June is almost done! 

webstermom

hey june ladies - i made it through the surgery!!!

agree with those who went before - the anticipation and the drains are the worse.  the 1st 48 hrs were hard for me - but now i am doing good - with the pain medicine.  i actually put on makeup today - not a lot - just some powder but it felt so good.

one tip i got that i haven't seen posted - when milking your drains - put some lotion between your fingers.  it is much easier to slide down the tubing.

for all still to have surgery - you can do this!!  and then you will have it behind you and you will be recovering before you know it.

as stlcards fan mentioned - we have the same onc and while our PS and BS are different - they are all partners.  so our experieinces are similar.  i have a compression bra with a drain on each side.  the bra is very convenient for holding the drains. 

1WonderWoman

Jbl, Speech, Duckie and Laurie: best of luck to you all!  You know, pre-surgery when I came to these boards all I could think was these women are remarkable and they have something really special that I don't.  I really thought I was just going to be a mess after surgery but I was soooo wrong!  I now realize I did it and made it through surgery just like they did....it really feels good.  I also have to thank my talented doctors, and all of our doctors, who are doing their best and taking care of us.

Circe: congrats on your pathology.  I anxiously await mine.

Jsmiley: at least you got to your mom's party and that is great progress.  I really have not gone out yet but this is day 5 for me.  Doc appt on Tuesday so I will report back on my big field trip!!!!

All the best to the girls in the "on deck circle" this week (I am a baseball fan!)  and I just know you will hit a homerun

Liz 

almagetty

JBL, Speech & Duckie: My thoughts and prayers will be accompanying each of you as you make your way to the hospital and through surgery. JBL, be safe on your drive tonight. You all can do this! Take a deep breath and go ... one step at a time.

Webstersmom: Yay! Welcome to the happier side of surgery. It's so great to hear from you and to know that you are busy healing and recuperating.

Laurie: I'm getting more accustomed to the whole idea of the Tamoxifen. I think I'm going to call my BS tomorrow and ask her for a couple of other oncologists, so that I can get a second and third opinion on it. And I have an appointment with my GYN in a couple of weeks so that I can discuss with him how we can be ever vigilant about the uterine cancer side effect and an appointment in a month to talk to my PCP about how to avoid the blood clot side effect. Don't worry, it didn't keep me down for long. One thing I've really learned with stupid BC is that I'm a pretty positive person.  I am thinking about you so much as you approach your surgery date! You're bringing up the tail-end of our month. I know that you will finish strong for our team!

I've been reading this very awesome book that I got, based on recommendations from others on this board. It is called "Anti Cancer, A New Way of Life". It talks about very specific things you can do in your nutrition and lifestyle to help your body fight cancer. It's written by an MD who had a very nasty brain tumor 17 years ago. His prognosis was bleak and he managed to beat the odds. It's a pretty easy read and so interesting! I've learned so much from reading it. I really recommend the book highly!

Getty 

Ducki

almagetty  Please keep me informed of your research on Tamoxifen.  I am still totally against taking it, but not sure how to present my arguments to the Doctor.  I am truly concerned about the side effects versus the benefits.  Anyone else here on it or familiar?

RobinLM

Hi Everyone,

Been offline for 2 days and 2 news pages of posts, struggling to keep pace! This thread is truely inspirational.....you girls who are 'done' have done great

Welcome to all new posters, and love and hugs to all going in for Ops today.......

I see nothing from Joystars yet - has anyone heard anything?

I am feeling a bit concerned, you all seem to have been given lots of advice on what to wear, what will happen, constipation, drugs, drains etc, I have been told absolutely nothing... and I'm still waiting to be given a date...It feels like when you pass your '40 weeks due' date and nothing has happened... going to have to call the breast nurse and ask what's happening.

We should maybe stay as June girls, or can Jeanne as the original poster change the name to June/July - so we can scoop up new July girls

Robin

joystars

My dearest sisters,

I made it! I made it!
Surgery is over, baby is fine and need to confess I'm feeling way much better than I expected.
Sorry if I have not been online much lately, trying to slowly go back to this "new reality".

THE SURGERY DAY
The surgery day went really smooth. Since the very moment I arrived to the hospital, I was hold by the group of nurses and my surgeon team with caring words and patience. Anesthesiologist was the one I took more time to speak with as I have my concerns about baby, she promised to monitor my whole vital signs and to not start anesthesia before all the preparations were ready, to minimize the time I was under it. I found it way too important that once in the surgery room, the nurses and anesth. explained step by step what they were doing and why. For a moment made me feel in "control" (if that can be said) of the situation by knowing why that needle needed to be there, that patch over there and other tuff.

Surgery started around 8:15 am and lasted about 1hr 25 mins, woke up around 10:15am, of course first question was how is the baby!? All fine all fine. Husband was there next to me already

Then surgeon came in next and told us everything went fine, surgery went as expected and she was happy with the wound. When talking about recovery and how much help I could get from my husband I said "Oh it's fine, husband is staying home next days and he will help me" Surgeon answer with a serious face was "No he won't"  my face was then she laughed and said that he can certainly help me the first two days but after that she was expecting me to get dressed myself and to move as much as possible my arm (but not forcing myself or have pain). We also chatted a bit about our pregnancies, (she is 5 mths now) and discussed about French and Mexican cousine. Hmmm I told my husband that doctor really applies the "who really loves you will make you suffer", because she does! She is a tough woman that has showed me I am strong enough to go thru this and never pity myself.

Anyways, this time, unlike the first one, anesthetics didn't knock me out the whole day, yes I was a bit sleepy/dizzy the next two hours after I woke up but once I ate lunch and drank tons of orange juice and tea, I managed to stay awake the whole day until 10pm when my husband and I went to bed at the hospital's hotel.

THE RECOVERY NEXT DAY
As I mentioned, feels like this time I knew exactly what was coming the next day after surgery, and also after reading all your inspirational experiences and advices, I was prepared in a way.

The nurse from my surgery team came to visit next morning to our room, she checked my wound, had a long talk with us about the recovery process, the do's and dont's, the next appointment with surgeon and onco and with the protesis provider.

Then my surgery bandage was changed and OUCH that really hurt!   the glue from the bandage really irritated my skin and when nurse took it off, some tiny skin patches came with it!!!
I didn't want to see the wound but couldn't help it and had a peek. I cried...  was impressive to just see my flat chest and even more as there was a bit bleeding on the bandages, but nurse reassured us that was perfectly normal and the wound looked great.

Just before leaving the hospital we had a last check up with surgeon and she said the wound looked "perfectly wonderful" "very nice"...were the words tehy used. EXCUSE ME!!! is my flat chest with bruises what you are talking about?? Oh well I guess they know better, if nurses and surgeon were happy with what they saw, I should be too.

AT HOME
Four days have passed since the surgery and I can say I have no pain, some discomfort in my left arm and armpit, but that's all. I was given paracetamol as a painkiller and that's all, but haven't use it anyways.
I started to have some fluid accumulated in my wound, nurses said it was completely normal and that I should leave it there as much as I can as it helps in the healing process and also prevents to more fluid to appear (?!)
I have showered everyday since Friday (feels GRRRREAAATT!) and have been very careful to not put shower straight on top of my chest.

This morning I had a funny feeling, I can feel the fluid in my chest but I can also HEAR IT!!! Yes, it's crazy but sounds like "Blup, blup" when I press from one side of the wound to the other...
Scar is healing well according to my husband, I still have the stripes that cover it but have not been using a bandage to protect it as glue from it really really REALLY irritated my skin. So I only wear big sized cotton tees and nothing else. Should I be wearing a sport bra?!?

I should be wearing the "poofie" I was given the surgery day, the one I can wear for the next three weeks before I get a more "normal and permanent" silicona like protesis made specially for me.
But to be honest I don't feel like wearing the "poofie" yet... not now. I have not even take it out of the package... oh well.

I wish you all a good recovery, really nice to see almsot everyone is DONE now. Really happy to read some of you have even been out and about after just few weeks after surgery, life goes on indeed.

And all the best for the ones that will go under surgery today. My thoughts and prayers are with you, we can do this, we are strong!

Lots of hugs and positive vibes!
Joy

RobinLM

Joy,

I am so happy to read your post! I've been thinking about you a lot and am relieved to hear you and the baby are doing so well! Sounds like you have a fabulous Op team who having really taken good care of you  - fantastic - I'm SOO pleased

So, tech questions now! Do you not have any drains?? Did they offer you immediate reconstruction? Have you got anything special to wear? I'm seeing that the USA girls are getting much more pre Op advice than I've had - so far at least

Anyway, enjoy the lovely weather and let hubby take good care of you

Robin

Robin

1marmalade1

Thinking about the 2 ladies having their surgeries today, and to Laurie08 who will end the month of June surgeries on Wednesday.  A few more days, and we're all done!

Since my LMX on June 1st, life has pretty much gotten back to normal.  However, I seem to have developed an infection at the incision site (about 1 inch long).  Have to meet with the rad onc today, and the surgeon's receptionist is trying to get me in to see him ASAP (he leaves for vacation on July 1).  Just another little glitch in the process.

It has been great following everyone's progress this month - time seems to have flown by.  I'm glad we're all getting back on our feet, and that this whole part of the cancer train is almost over for us all.

almagetty

Ducki:  I will let you know any and all information that I learn about Tamoxifen, the good and the bad. I will do whatever it takes to be rid of BC once and for all, but I want to make absolutely sure that any step I take that involves potential risk makes sense on the benefit side.

Robin: I'm sure you'll get advice from your doctors as soon as your surgery date is set.I really didn't get a whole lot of instructions. I did receive a packet of information from my PS when he marked the incision 6 days before surgery. I also received instructions from the hospital at my pre-op appointment 5 days before surgery. 

JOY!!!!: I'm so happy to see your post and to know that you and the baby are doing so well! Good news, indeed! It's good that your doctor insisted that you do things for yourself as soon as possible. I think that knowing and believing that we can do things empowers us to do more. When the orderlies took me from the recovery room to my hospital room, they wanted to lift me off of the stretcher onto the hospital bed, but the nurse insisted that I sit up and scooch over myself. I really hated her at that moment, but I came to appreciate that she showed me that I was not an invalid. I, too, was able to hear the fluid sloshing around in my breast while I showered. It is freaky and weird. I laughed at your confusion at the doctors and nurses saying how great your wound looks, because I had the same reaction. I know you're going to feel better every single day.

Marm: Time has flown by! Thank goodness this month is almost over! I'm sorry to hear about your infection. Please let us know what the doctor tells you.

Thinking of and praying for JBL, Speech and Ducki today. And Laurie, too!

Getty. 

stlcardsfan

Hi all! 

Joystar - glad to hear from you! Glad that everything went smoothly for your surgery and that your baby is ok! 

Marm - sorry to hear about your infection, Hopefully they can get you in right away to get it cleared up. Just a side note - were you on antibiotics after surgery? 

I heard from my surgeon today - no signs of cancer in the left breast ( this is the one that had the cancer). Right one was clear as well. I AM CANCER FREE!!!!!! The chemo did its thing and wooped the cancer!!

Will go over the complete report on Wednesday when I meet with both the oncologist and surgeon again. Both appts same day - lucky me, another full day at the treatment center as I also get Herceptin that day. But hopefully the result will be no rads, as right now there is nothing to radiate.

My drain output across all 4 drains is down to 37 cc's. One is down to 4. Hopefully some will come out tomorrow. 

Thinking of those having surgery these last few days of June! 

lucylou

Hi just wanted to say I wish all you ladies the best of luck and (((((HUGS))))) all around. I'm sure you will do great. Before surgery is hard with all the waiting. Much better on the other side. I just wanted you all to know that i will be thinking of each and everyone of you. Lucy

Ducki

BS office just called me to tell me I had to be at the hospital at 11 AM Thursday.  My surgery isnt until 3 PM.  She said that they want to inject some dye into my left breast at 11 AM to aid the BS during surgery.  Have any of yall had that done?

almagetty

Yes, Ducki, I think that's for the sentinel node biopsy. I had that done. It was no big deal for me. The pre-admission nurse scared me a little by telling me it would be painful, but it only stung for about 10 seconds (like some vaccines do) and then it was fine. They'll then do a "mapping" to find the nodes that need to come out for testing.

Ducki

almagetty   Thanks so much.  After all I have heard here, so far, this was new to me. 

Circe

JoyStars- SO happy to hear you and the BABY are doing well post surgery!  I think we have ALL been waiting to see your post.  It brought HAPPY tears to my eyes.  I think it's a post surgery "thing", but I am crying at everything.  It must be a release!

Webstermom - CONGRATS to you, too!  how are you feeling today?

Laurie - I LOVE your post about laughter - I will try to start LAUGHING more!  Great advice!

Sticardstan - I am 5 days post surgery, and still take my pain meds every 4 hours.  I came home with a pain ball, which was emptied as of yesterday.  I will TRY to go more like 5 or 6 hours between pils.

Ducki!  I envy your 11 grandkids, we have our ONE an only (and he is precious).  It's a challenging balance with just one.  I want him to see "Gram" as doing well and strong, but the reality is I am still tired and can't play with him, like I usually do.  

Misty - how is my June 22nd partner doing??  I have a follow-up tomorrow with my surgeon' nurse, and the OC radiologist.  I know it's probably not realistic, but I harbor this small dream/hope that my tubes might come out tomorrow.

 My thoughts and prayers are with Jblcsw and speech today!  Can't wait to see their post surgery, posts!

1WonderWoman

Where is our fearless leader JSmiley?! 

JBL, Speech, Ducki and Laurie: praying for you all this week.   Best of luck...and preliminary welcome to DRAIN land! 

Joystars: good to hear from you and so glad things went fabulous!   You sound great

Stlcardsfan: congratulations the "clean" report...what a gift!  What a nice, lovely gift....sort of like when the Yankees beat....!  I mean that would be a gift for me!  In any case, definitely sounds like your drains are coming out.  Mine are definitely going to be in for another week.  I think 2 are out and 2 are going to remain.  One of them is still putting out over 150 in a 24 hour period..yikes!

Ducki: a lot of hospitals do that blue dye/sentinel node deal pre-surgery.  I went to Yale and they just put me up and before I knew it I was waking up, mumbling psycho-babble in the recovery room!

Well, girls, the drain fluid is getting lighter in color but still the output means no removal tomorrow.   I am just looking forward to a shower.   Was anyone precluded from showering until their first visit with the PS?   I hope if 2 are removed I am also released to showering...I can't go much longer like this!!!!!!!  Gross!

Good day to all-

Liz 

Laurie08

Joystars- Nice to hear from you and that you and the baby are both doing well!  I hope you continue to fee good hand have such a great attitude.  I truly believe it helps!  Keep us posted on y our progress.  I will continue to send happy, healthy thoughts your way.

Stcardsfan- FANTASTIC NEWS!  It doesn't get better than that! Good luck with your next appointment and I hope the drains come out.  It sounds like you have a good chance they will.

For the most part I still slept last night and am keeping busy with my kids.  I do have a prescription of Valium to take for the night before (kids will be away) and morning of surgery to help with nerves. I am anxious though, tonight we tell my 2 1/2 year old mommy is going to the hospital etc.  No idea how he will take it....

Ducki

Laurie08  Buy him a little "happy" and give it to him before you leave.  Also have another one ready for him when you come home.  Tell him he will get it when you get back.  I am already planning on doing that for some of mine and also getting DH some of his favorite magazines to take with me for him to read while we wait, and a few for my daughters who are planning on staying overnight with me.  He will be fine.  You will be the one worrying about him

joystars I too am happy that your baby and you are doing good.  Nothing is more precious than our children.  ( However some days I have more "precious" than I can stand! lol )

lizzymack1 We all hope you can shower soon too!!  ( Just teasing LOL)  Thanks so much for all your information.. Hugs

When my BS office called earlier, they gave me a bit of instructions.  Said I could shower within 24 hours!  Huh?  Gave me the date of my follow up appt also 6 days later.  I said, "can I drive"?  She said oh sure. I asked if they would take out the drains at that time.  She said no.. thats the PS call.   TIme will tell, but all that didn't sound quite right.  When could yall drive?

 Circe You look to young to be a "Gram".. Me too.  GRIN

I am so envious of yalls nerve pills.  Who did you ask to prescribe them? I don't have a GP because I have never been sick. 

Stlcardsfan I was born in St.Louis.  I always have to smile when I see your name.

1WonderWoman

Ducki:  there is a hidden bonus: the worse I smell, the quicker company leaves!!!!!!!   Joking...although the VNA, who is a lovely woman, scooted out of here quite quick today and tomorrow is day 7 since I could shower!!!!  On the driving question, I live in Connecticut and have to go to New Haven to Yale for post-op visits so because that stretch of highway, I95 and I91 in the greater New Haven area, is prone to many accidents and is perpetually under construction, I was told I could not drive for 2 weeks!  It might just be the area where you live.  If I lived an area where I referred to everyone as "ya' all" I might be able to drive right away!!!!!!!  Joking, joking...don't ya' all gang up on me na..ya hear?!?

Liz

Ducki

lizzymack1 Smarty pants!!  I sure can see YOU are feeling better.........LOL.. And I am so glad of that.  I am in Mississippi, but my BS and PS is WAY up in Tennessee.  Grrr.  Less than an hours drive, but not much less. My bestest friend lives in Connecticut.

orchidgal

ducki: thanks for making me laugh, over and over! I, too refuse to take tamox or any hormore therapy afterwards. osteoporosis runs in our family, plus my aunt just had a break down from using tamox after one year, fell down three times, got bruised, dizzy, weak, had to have help to stay with her. Unless I had aggressive BC I will stay away. I respect the choice of any one who feels the need to take it, so may we all remain disease free, whatever the methods we choose.

joystars: yay! you and your darling little baby are safe, and it's over now, you can move on without worries! glad you had such an easy time. it will take time to get used to the new chest, and I'm so happy your DH is there to give you deep love.

getty: do as much research as possible. i see your dx is dcis stage 3. i was told that i needed no therapy afterwards, although the only onc I've seen recommended hormone therapy. the damage just isn't worth it to me, and if the surgery removed the bc, why take toxic drugs? It's certainly a personal issue, but my PCP supports me in refusing. I'll see another onc after surgery. one doc I went to for consultation said tamox. is a current "trend" BC treatment, and not a definitive preventative, but very dangerous.

laurie: I took valium for my surg. excision, night before and morning of, and not for my more recent lumectomy, and the valium time was so much better. One doc said valium relaxes you so you requires less anesthesia. I felt so good I'm gonna do it for the "big" one, too. Feeling you and sending good vibes for your relaxation and peacefulness before surgery. Soon it will be DONE.

circe: happy to hear you're doing so well so soon - did you have recon as well? thanks for your great posts, they are an inspiration to us all!

stlcardsfan: gee, I keep thinking you had abdominal surgery as well at the same time, so it makes sense you might take a bit more time to get up and running. hope you relax as much as possible to heal well.

jbl, speech, ducki, laurie: my best thoughts and prayers for a speedy procedure, and then, zap you're on the other side of this waiting game! can't wait to hear from you post-op.

lizziemack: what was your surgery? BMX w/ recon? or? so glad you are doing so well!

robin: I started a JULY MASTECTOMY forum, so please come visit us. There is a June 30th gal there who has also invited June ladies to comment and support us as well. Can't believe I'm still the last one on the JULY MX forum - last but not least! Lots of "deep cleaning" to do!

marma: regret hearing of the infection, hope it gets nipped right away, and your docs will probably know just what to do.

webstermom: welcome back - glad you are DONE! Thanks for the drain tip, every little bit helps, and being prepared makes the anxiety so much less!

jsmiley: glad you got out and into the world. remember to take it easy, we all heal at our own rates. happy you are on the other side of it now.

stlcardsfan

lizzymack1 - I was allowed to shower starting 48 hours after surgery, and have been showering daily ever since. I have drains so I use pantyhose to string them up while showering. Plus it is the only time I can take that damn compression bra off. I also have some hair on my head to wash - not much as only 8 1/2 weeks PFC, but it is coming back. And of course the leg hair is growing again. The only thing I haven't been able to do is shave underarm hair - drains are in the way. Plus, not using deorderant either - phew!

ducki - I am not allowed to drive for at least two weeks, as arms are not to be above the shoulders except to wash hair and brush teeth. Plus, no driving while on nacotic pain killers. I am in no shape to drive right now anyway. The few times I have been out has been as the passengar. I use a big pillow on my chest and put the seatbelt over that. Looks funny but it works. FYI -while I currently live in St Louis area, and love the Cards, originally from Illinois - Chicago suburbs. We moved to St Louis in 2004 - job related, and then the Cards built a new stadium and won the World Series. So - Cards fan. Hubby still diehard Chicago Bears Fan - still waiting for them to repeat as Super Bowl Champs. Almost did it a few years ago.

More good news - path report from ooph was also clean - as I suspected - but you never know. 

reneemac

I had my second fill today and had to ask the PS to stop when he had 20 cc (I think that's right) left to fill. He said that I would need 2 more fills and then we start talking about the implant. I remembered to take a Vicodin before the visit and the pressure has not been as bad this time. My husband and I even went out to a fish restaurant at the beach (the PS's office is in Newport Beach, CA near the beach) and I was fine the whole time. Right now, I am feeling a hot flash (probably pre-menopause) and a bit tired.

He also told me that as long as I was still taking the Vicodin and didn't have a comfortable movement in my right arm, I couldn't drive. This is okay with me! He also indicated that he didn't want me to go back to work until the fills were completed, and that won't be until the end of next month.

I have an appointment tomorrow with the Oncologist. I've seen him once before and he's already told me to expect 5 years of Tamoxifin.

Prayers to our surgery ladies today and Wednesday, and continued prayers and healing to everyone!

jillyG

Hello ladies, I am up and about and went to my doc today to get my drain out.  The plastic surgeon told me to expect it to come out in 24 hrs but after 3 days in hospital he said we better wait over the weekend and then remove it, because it was still draining too much on friday.  Got it out today, didn't feel a thing.  I have come to the conclusion, after having 2 separate mastectomies that there is 2 very different styles of drains.  Basically the one that was pulled out today was the tube cut off at one end inside me and slipped right out when pulled.  Last time,  it was a tube with a huge white flat paddle thing on the end of it which killed when coming out.  Not sure why the difference, but now I know why some people say the drains are painless coming out and others are very painful.  Probably 2 different styles of drain. 

Things are going well, I stopped pain meds, just a little stiff and it's hard to sleep but other than that, not bad at all.  The tissue expanders aren't bad at all (so far).  He filled one with 180 CC and the other with 100CC during surgery.  My first fill is July 15th.

I had a terrible rash that has gotten worse over the last 24 hours so the doc today told me it's a medication allergy (I thought it was heat rash).  It's very painful and she gave me some medication and some prednisone to take the rash down.  It's driving me batty.  

My husband took our little girl to kindergarten orientation and she had a ball, so that was one plus of the day.  My son is in grade 2 and they went to a spray park for the afternoon.  Tomorrow is his last day, only half day and then summer vacation!