June 2010 Mastectomy

Options
1…1314161819…48

Comments

  • jsmiley60
    jsmiley60 Member Posts: 204
    edited June 2010

    JOYSTAR and WEBSTERMOM: good to hear from you and glad you are doing well!

    More later- 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MistyJ
    MistyJ Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2010

    circe-

    I am doing so much better today.  Have not been on the computer for about 2-3 days much.  Been very very sick after getting too bound up.  Started to swell in the legs and feet and had a rock hard distended stomach.  Over two days I took 6 doses of Miralax, 1 dose Milk of Magn., 6 Colace, 4 Senna and 2 Dulcolax suppositories.  About the time we called the Dr. on Call Sat. night is when I finally started to have relief.  I am cleared out now but was a little dehydrated. I slept last night in my own bed with my DH and woke up today at 8:30 feeling like a new person!  I saw the BS today and he said I was healing well from his end.  Got a way more comfortable bra in the Cancer Center Shop for free, but did get a 45.00 parking ticket!!  Darn the luck!! I see the PS tomorrow and hopefully get 2 of the 4 drains out.  He told me in advance to expect 2 to stay in longer.  I am ok with it.  I showered and had my DH wash my hair....HEAVEN!!!  Now that I am feeling better though, my Mom will be leaving soon.  There will be more tears!  It is funny....I read a few posts yesterday and one of the girls who had surgery the same day as you and I said she was really weepy yesterday for no reason...so was I.  And it has really been the only day so far?  Thank goodness for Ativan.  Anyway....today  I am GREAT!  I can do this!!!  Wait...I AM doing this! I hope you are fairing well too!  I think of you often!  Misty

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MistyJ
    MistyJ Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2010

    jblcsw10, speech529
    Prayers for you today going in to tonight for healing after surgery!

     laurie

    peace waves to you~~~~~~~~~~

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MistyJ
    MistyJ Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2010

    jblcsw10, speech529
    Prayers for you today going in to tonight for healing after surgery!

     laurie

    peace waves to you~~~~~~~~~~

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RobinLM
    RobinLM Member Posts: 143
    edited June 2010
    Laurie, and all the 30th girls, thinking of you, the best of luck for tomorrow, sending positive thoughts Smile
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 1marmalade1
    1marmalade1 Member Posts: 308
    edited June 2010

    Laurie:  Tomorrow, you close out the month for us all.  Sending best wishes to you for a speedy recovery!  I'm starting the standing ovation for our June group  - cheers!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Laurie08
    Laurie08 Member Posts: 2,891
    edited June 2010

    thanks for the warm thoughts everyone.  We told our son last night and he was upset at first and wanted to see my boo boo.  He said he wanted to come to the hospital with me and then begged me not to have to go.  In the end I got him to focus on the fact that Daddy gets to stay home and play with us for awhile.  This morning he seems to be ok with things.  Last night at about the half way mark I let my youngest sleep on my chest for what will probably be the last time.  It's the little things like that that make me sad.  My kids will grow and change so much in the next couple of months while I heal, I am having a lot of "last" moments.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • almagetty
    almagetty Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2010

    ((((Laurie))))) I remember being where you are and thinking those "last time" thoughts. Think of all the "first" moments you will have after surgery ... like the first day that you will smile at your kids knowing that you are cancer-free ... It will all be okay.

    I hope the Monday ladies are healing quickly and resting comfortably. 

    jillyG: I'm glad that you are doing well. I hope the rash has resolved itself. 

    Misty: Nothing beats a good night's sleep in your own bed! I'm so glad things are "running" smoothly now. :P 

    I'm joining marm in that standing ovation for the June girls. After Laurie's surgery tomorrow, I'll be whooping and hollering for the grace and courage that each one of us has shown. July ladies, we'll be cheering you guys on. You'll be DONE, too, before you know it.

    Getty. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • webstermom
    webstermom Member Posts: 22
    edited June 2010

    hello - just wanted to share my good news.  i did chemo before my surgery.  got my final path results today.  chemo did the job - all cancer was gone!!! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • almagetty
    almagetty Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2010

    That is wonderful news, webstersmom!!!  Congratulations!!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jsmiley60
    jsmiley60 Member Posts: 204
    edited June 2010

    It's hard to believe that tomorrow is June 30th already! The month has flown by..........I feel like I'm going to miss my entire summer. I guess I'm feeling sorry for myself today. I had a hysterectomy last July and was just getting to feeling better and was excited to start school full time when I got diagnosed. Seems like I've lost an entire year and I am so sick of laying around watching TV or reading or being bored. I'm not into crafty stuff or knitting or anything. I'm feeling very bored and lonely. Plus it still hurts to do things - like load the dishwasher, laundry, even emptying the trash. UGH! I'm frustrated and tired of having to ask people to do things for me!! The chemo was hard on me, especially the A/C so I've been needing help a lot in the past year.

    I probably just need to have a good cry! I see both surgeons today so I hope I get some encouraging news from them. I'm going to try to drive myself. Thanks for letting me vent some!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lucylou
    lucylou Member Posts: 49
    edited June 2010

    Dear Jeanne, Sorry you are feeling down. It does sound like you have had a very hard year. It took about 3 weeks after my surgery until I felt more like myself. Don't be to hard on yourself. Sounds like you have some good family and friends. I'm sure they don't mind helping you out. I know its hard to keep asking for help. But just remember that if they ever need help you will be there to help them. I hope your doctors appt. go well. I can't remember if you had reconstruction or not, if you did it just may take alittle longer to get back into the swing of things. Don't give up just keep moving forward, even If its little steps at a time. I live in Van Wert Ohio, so thats only 1 1/2 hrs from you. Maybe someday we could meet halfway and have lunch or something? Take Care Lucy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TMarina
    TMarina Member Posts: 692
    edited June 2010

    Jsmiley--> I know just how you feel!  I went through chemo last year for colon cancer and expected to be able to enjoy all the holidays, summer, etc. this year!  Now here I am recovering from a lump. , then a mx (end of May), and feeling like crap from chemo!  We'll get through this!!  We'll have our chance to enjoy everything!  I will pray for you!  Glad you can come on here and vent!

    Just wanted to put in my 2 cents about driving.  if you are taking pain meds (percocet, vicodin, and the like), it is ILLEGAL to drive.  If you were to get pulled dover, you could get a DUI.  I was too chicken to risk it. Tongue out   Other than that my bs said I could drive when I felt like I had full range of movement and could handle looking over my shoulder.

    I was able to shower with my drains.  I had to gently and thoroughly dry the area, and put on the new dressing after.  My docs (bs and team) felt the dirt was worse than the water for infection.  After I had the drain removed I had to wait 24 hours, then remove the dressing and shower.  No dressing was need after that.  I was surprised how soon it closed up!

    Take care ladies!

    T

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • speech529
    speech529 Member Posts: 337
    edited June 2010

    Greetings to all!  I want to thank all of you from the depth of my heart and soul for the prayers, good wishes and supportive words I found here in the "June" group. I was so worried and anxious about this surgery and now it is done!  I feel so relieved!

    I had a right mx with immediate reconstruction (silicon implants in both breasts).  The surgeons said the procedures went very well.  I woke up in recovery feeling so relieved that it was all over!  My pain has been much less than I thought it would be.  I had Vicodin and a muscle relaxant last night at 10 pm  and then at 1 am I needed a bit more.  They gave me a morphine, which helped so much (I slept 4 hours after that).  I did not need any more pain meds until about 11 am today--they gave me Toredol (sp?) IV and that took the edge off the pain.

     My PS said I could shower today but I had to return the foam dressing and put on the mx bra and keep it tight.  I have a Jackson-Pratt drain and it is not as difficult as I thought it would be.

    So I am on my way to recovery land!  I will stay one more night here at Mayo and then I will be home.  I look forward to the day when I am back to normal!

    Joy--I am glad to hear you came through your surgery so well and your baby is fine.  Bless your heart--that is so much to endure!  God bless you as you recover and prepare for your baby!!

    jblcsw10--I hope you are doing well, too, after your surgery.  

    Laurie--God bless you as you prepare for your surgery--lots of hugs coming your way!

    webstermom--I celebrate with you!  That is fantastic news!!

    To all the June ladies--I wish you all the best as you continue to recover!  I am so grateful for the support and encouragement!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • stlcardsfan
    stlcardsfan Member Posts: 466
    edited November 2010

    Congrats speech529 on coming thru your surgery so well! Thanks for the update!

    Met with ps today, two drains removed -yea!. Didn't hurt at all - they were the JP type. Still have one on each side, and looks like they will come out next Tuesday 7/6.

    PS gave me a copy of my pathology report and I have read over it several times. Looks like 2 more nodes came out when the left breast was removed, and 1 came out with the right phophylactic side. I wasn't scheduled to have anymore removed, and BS said she would not remove anymore intentionally, so I guess these could't be avoided. All three were clear.

    Got the ok to switch over to a front close sports bra. Found some really nice ones at Walmart - Fruit of the Loom brand. The bottom band is covered with fabric so it is very soft. She told me to buy a band size two inches bigger than what I had been wearing. Since they are sports bras, there is no cup size per say. They are $7 for on with regular back straps and $10 for two - racer back straps. I bought six and will be ready to switch over tomorrow. Yea! I also asked my PS the reason for wearing the bra - and she said to stabilize the te's and the incisions. She told me my incisions looked great, and are healing very well. I will continue to wear the bra as instructed!

    Can't remember if I posted this or not - but path from ovaries and tubes was clear as well. I figured it would be, but you never know.

    Laurie08 - best of luck tomorrow. Finish out June strong for us! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • webstermom
    webstermom Member Posts: 22
    edited June 2010

    hey jsmiley...it is okay to have a down day.  you have been through so much - let yourself feel all your emotions.  i was feeling the same about summer as it is by far my most favorite time of the year.  i was sad b/c i was missing so much fun.  but you know what - we will have a lot of summer left.  even if it is only half a summer - we are going to have the best last half of summer!!! b/c we just conquered bc. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • stlcardsfan
    stlcardsfan Member Posts: 466
    edited November 2010

    Jsmiley - I am right there with you. I look back at last November to now and wonder WTF - where has the time gone. Two trips with hubby were cancelled, as I couldn't travel during Chemo. Flower gardens look terrible as I am unable to go out and putter around like I use to. I have my weepy moments to and wonder why me - what did I do to deserve this crap?!?!

    But then I look for the positives. I am closer with my mom now, she has been staying with me the last week to help out. I am talking more with my cousins, aunts and uncles. I have reconnected with people I went to college with. All positives.

     Here is hoping you get great news from your surgeons today!! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 1WonderWoman
    1WonderWoman Member Posts: 2,065
    edited June 2010

    St Cards: I can finally shower as of today =yeah!!!!!!!!   Only 1 of 4 drains was removed, however :(

    My news is mixed but mainly good:

    the tumor was 2.5 instead of 1 as originally suspected

    Only 2 of 18 nodes were affected...I know it sounds weird but this made me happy!!!!!!!

    Right breast no cancer.

    Now it is time to get an oncologist.

    JBL, Speech, Laurie and Ducki: hoping for the best for all of you.  Can't wait to hear from you all again about how things went.

    BTW, to all, I guess I was never clear on what I got: bmx w/immediate recon and will go with saline on swap.

    Hope you all are doing well today-
    Liz

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • joystars
    joystars Member Posts: 95
    edited June 2010
    Laurie, sending all the good vibes for you on your surgery tomorrow. You are such a fighter and your words and posts have inspired me a lot! I know you'll be fine and soon all this waiting for the surgery is gonna be over. Super happy vibes for you! Will be waiting for you to post :)

    Jsmiley, I so understand your meltdowns. I have had so many of those and my trip to fight this stupid disease seems to just started but so much has been done already in such a short period of time. Today I had one of the hardest moments after being diagnosed and surgery... me going out for the first time wearing a protesis (the famous "poofie")  The shock was big but I managed to overcome it and even tho I cried a lot, in the end was nice to be back on track to our normal life: going grocery shopping together and also clothes shopping... belly is growing and I can hardly find something in my drawers that fits! Tongue out So yeah, wasn't that bad and I really think was more me panicking about how much it would show, if people would notice and stare... but my husband love and support helped me LOTS to keep going.
    I send you all my good vibes as well, this might not be over yet... but you can do it! And you so have the rigth to say: "Today I can't" but just for a little moment, because then you have to find all the strength in you to stand up and continue...  your family is there for you, your friends and of course we are here as well.

    almagetty    , glad to hear I'm not the only one who thought it was crazy doctors taking "awesome" words about my wound. And also about the "blop-blop" sound of it... I think I'm used to it now but first time really freacked me out! Hope your recovery is doing great :)

    webstermom    , HOOORRAAAY!!! really great news you got for us today. Very happy for you... and me as well, hope to be saying the same one day Wink

    RobinLM    , thanks a lot for your wonderful words of support :) Tomorrow hubby and I are going to another ultrasound, the second one ever. Just a check up to have a peek on baby and see that everything is going right.
    About your questions, I have no drains at all as my lymph nodes were not removed or touched. I had a left simple mastectomy. Reconstruction wasn't an option for me as I'm pregnant and my breast are changing so much. Will have such but in a year or so, once I recover from pregnancy, chemo and all. I was just offered two protesis to deal with the "hole" in the meantime. And me just like you, wonder why and how the US girls seemed to have way much more preop advices. For me was just about fasting before surgery and that was about it.
    The post surgery recommendations were about the same, no bra or support bra advice, no physiotherapy, no restrictions of movement after the 3rd day....  I do believe Norway health care system is amazing and don't think they "forgot" to tell me or my husband steps about surgery or recovery. But maybe each surgeon/doctor has it's own way to work with the patients.

    For everyone who might read this... recovery is going ok, today at this very moment for some reason (perhaps for being wearing a bra for the first time after surgery) I have a bad pain in the back Frown... but only on the left side. (surgery side) Is this normal?? Also I have noticed that after shower and wearing the bandage on top of the stripes, my skin seems to have a "yellowish" coloration that can last for a while, not sure if it's the bandage itself, the glue or a bruise.

    Good healing vibes for everyone and yes, June is almost over and with it a new month full of conquests and good things for each one of us. And for me, one more year on my life! Cool You knwo, turning 29th again hehehehe




    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jblcsw10
    jblcsw10 Member Posts: 174
    edited June 2010

    Dear Wonderful June Women, thanks for your support and comfort - I felt really calm yesterday morning (at the crack of dawn) going into surgery and all went well. I will post more details tomorrow - just came home this afternoon and I'm a bit loopy and tired. But I wanted to report in and let you know you can put a "Done" next to my name too!

    Speech: Had you in my thoughts yesterday as well. Glad to hear it went well.

    Laurie:  You're up to bat and I know you're going to do great. It's really true that the anticipation is the worst, all the little things that I didn't know what to expect, SNB, paravertebral block, etc. none of it was as bad as I expected.

    My doctor also said I did great and better even than he and PS expected, partly due to prior radiation in my rt bx. That side looks pretty bruised. Yes, I looked. I have no idea what kind of drains these are but I figured them out and they're working....also they gave me (well, sold me) a couple of these softee camisoles and I like them. Very comfortable, and little pockets for the drain bottles. I got TEs and was surprised to see I actually have some breast....very small but I sort of like it.

    Thanks again for all the good vibes - I'll be back tomorrow. Jane

    P.S. the doc told me I can shower right away. I'm off to try it. I have some kind of clear waterproof surgical tape all over my chest.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MistyJ
    MistyJ Member Posts: 113
    edited June 2010

    I feel great today!!  Two drains out...two to go.  Going to Eclipse premier with my girls!!!!!!!!!

    Laurie- Getty's right!  Think of all the firsts!  You are going to breeze through all of this, you'll see.  I have faith in you :).

    Jeanne- Vent on!  Sometimes letting it all out in writing and even having a good releasing cry makes it all seem more bearable.  My thoughts are with you~~~~

    speech529- So glad you are finding it as easy as I did.  May you be blessed with a path that continues like that!

    Webstermom-YAHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!  SO SO HAPPY FOR YOU!

    stlcardsfan-I got two drains out today too!  And I will be getting the other two out next Tuesday also!  Right there with ya sista!!!!

    lizzymack-Concentrate on the positives!!!!!  Thoughts and prayers to you :)

    joystars-I am yellowish too.  I think it is just bruising and will resolve eventually.  I have not heard of the back pain though.  Prayers to you and your baby!

    jblcsw10-DONE!!!!  SUPER!!!!  Looking forward to hearing more from you later!  Rest well now!!!

    Sweet Laurie- Peace to your heart and mind tonight and all the wishes I can send to you for a super surgery and speedy recovery!!!!  Will be thinking of you!!!!!  You will soon have this behind you and feel the relief.  You can do this :).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • stlcardsfan
    stlcardsfan Member Posts: 466
    edited November 2010

    lizzymack1 - congrats on finally being able to shower!  Take one step at a time. Heal from surgery, get an oncologist - someone you feel comfortable with and go on to the next step - Chemo and whack it out of your body. There are threads for Chemo, I was on the Jan 2010, still am and it helps.

    Joystars - I to have the back pain - right by my shoulder blades on both sides. Hubby has been giving me back rubs at night which helps. I can feel how tense the muscles are. Try that, and maybe a heating pad. I realize with the pregnancy a lot of medical options are out. Check your path report to make sure no lymph nodes were caught in the breast tissue. My right side was a simple mx, and one lymph node came out with the tissue. There was no way around it. I would still be careful about moving the arm a lot, especially with no drains. 

    jblcsw10 - glad to read your update and that you have now moved to the done category! Healing vibes coming your way!

    mistyJ - congrats on getting the two drains removed. Makes a big difference in the weight that we are caring doesn't it? I can already feel my back being less tense. Hope you enjoy the movie tonight.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lucylou
    lucylou Member Posts: 49
    edited June 2010

    Dear Laurie, Sending you  best wishes and big ((((((HUGS)))))) your going to do great. Lucy

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Circe
    Circe Member Posts: 16
    edited June 2010

    Laurie - my heart/prayers are with you - I know you will bring the June group home in flying colors.  YOU have been so sweet and supportive to all of us all month, my heart went out to you reading about your son.  I bet they surprise you regarding how strong they will be for you.

    MistyJ - I had HAPPY tears reading how well you are doing!  Plus, did a happy dance for you - two tubes out!!  YEAH!!  I went to my doc today, and still have all my tubes.  MAYBE Thursday.

    Webstermom - CONGRATS to you!  More happy tears for you!!

    Jeanee - Thank you for sharing your venting.  I have those down moments, and often try to hide them.  I LOVE summer, and I was thinking I will not even be able to go swimming in the "salt water" until maybe August.  I know it's a SMALL price to pay and I am so lucky - but I totally identify with you you feel.

    Speech529 - YEAH!  Congrats!  You are on the other side with us!!

    Sticardsfan - So happy you got two drains out!  Yeah!  think the drains have been my nemesis.

    My good news - met with the radiology oncologist this am, and no radiation needed!  There was a small chance I might need it, even though my pathology'/nodes were clean, because of the initial size of my tumor.  I do have one last "hurdle" of having a 2nd opinion from my Seattle oncologist.  I got a 2nd opinion much earlier in my treatment, because my Herc2Nu testing came back equiivocol.  So, now I keep her in the loop as well.

    It's hard to believe we are looking at the end of June.  Sometimes time crawls by and then it seems to ZIP by!  Just a little dream, but it would be SO nice if we could all celebrate together!  Guess we will cheer through the internet!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jsmiley60
    jsmiley60 Member Posts: 204
    edited June 2010

    Thanks guys! I felt bettr after getting out to both doctors appointments!! And I drove!! And no I'm not taking hard drugs anymore......just tylenol or ibuprofren.....lol!

    Wow I'm envious of those of you that are able to take showers right away! And those that are wearing support of sports bras. I'm still wrapped in Ace bandages and will be for another week.

    BS saidI looked good, I could drive, do my exercises and will send me to a lymphedema therapist to get info and learn how to massage myself. She doesn't want to see me for 2 months! The pathology report stated that 3 of 14 lymph nodes removed were cancerous and the tumor was still there at 1.5 centimeters, but it was not active.

    The PS removed my steri strips and wrapped me back up. He will do my first fill next Wednesday.

    And my sister called and she and my mom are going to come for a visit tomorrow; plus another friend left me a message thatshewanted to go to a movie someday, so I feel better. More cheery!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 1WonderWoman
    1WonderWoman Member Posts: 2,065
    edited June 2010

    Jsmiley-

    I am so glad you are feeling better.   It is wonderful that you drove yourself today and I, too, am very envious of fhose that have been showering since day 1!!!!!!!

    We got similar news in that 2 of my 18 that were removed were cancerous nodes and my tumor was actually larger at 2.5, originally thought to be 1 centimeter.  It was interesting that they were able to determine your tumor was not active and GOOD FOR YOU on that note ;)  That is very, very good news.

    So you have some family coming to visit and get out to a movie and have some fun!  Cancer is not everything...it is just something else.

    I am glad you are feeling better-
    Liz

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jsmiley60
    jsmiley60 Member Posts: 204
    edited June 2010

    LIZZYMACK: Thanks! I have already had chemo so that is why the tumor showed up as not active on the path report.

    ON another note:

    There may be something out there already about this, but I couldn't find anything. I had a BMX with tissue expanders 6/11/10. I will have my first fill next week. I was a DD prior to surgery and hope to be a D with exchange. What do I do about a bra(s) in between now and the exchange? The ps told me to get a padded bra.....well if there isn't anything in the padded bra it isn't going to look like I have boobs......lol! PS assistant told me to get a sports bra, but it still wouldn't look like I had boobs, unless I put something in the bra. Now I'm no seamstress but I suppose I could get someone to help put a pocket in a sports bra to put somefalsie things in.

    I mean going from a DD to NOTHING is not something I really want to do out in public. (It's ok to go to the doc that way, but not back to work, school or a social life.) Anybody got any ideas or can share what they did?????? Thanks!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • orchidgal
    orchidgal Member Posts: 153
    edited June 2010

    Laurie04:

    Tomorrow your surgery will go so well, and you will awaken in recovery to realize you are DONE! You are in my thoughts and prayers! Your strength and honesty through this is so inspiring. I'll be watching for your first post surgery post. Congratualtions on making it this far! Rest and peace and HUGS.

    Melissa

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RobinLM
    RobinLM Member Posts: 143
    edited June 2010

    Jeanne

    Was very sad to read your first post, then cheered up when I got down to your second! You are doing great..... it would be a surprise to not have a bit of a downer with what you've been through Smile I'm sure being able to get out and about by yourself will really help. Did they not offer your temporary falsies? Perhaps one of your old bras stuffed with tights over the post op one? Sounds funny but it might work :)

    To all June girls, just want to say that it's been very reassuring to hear all of your experiences, and a real pleasure to feel I am not alone.

    So lots of love to all, especially those going through it todaySmile

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • almagetty
    almagetty Member Posts: 316
    edited June 2010

    Laurie: You are so very present in my thoughts and prayers today! You are going to do great! I can't wait to hear from you.

    So much happy news to wake up to on this thread today! Drains removed ... family visits ... movies ...

    Liz: I LOVE this: "Cancer is not everything ... it is just something else." 

    Robin: Just because June is drawing to a close (yay!!) doesn't mean that this thread will go away. Please keep coming by and letting us know how you're doing. We are pulling for you. You're a June girl, too, regardless of your surgery date!

    Getty. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories