OVERWHELMED-HELP!!!

psalms91

I had SNB done on July 9th,awaiting the results- The MD said he removed 4 nodes, only 3 had pick up the radioactive stuff, btw my diagnosis is DCIS and i am Braca 2 positive.High hx of BC on my paternal side.However my problem is that on my way home from the SNB sugery i get a call from PS office who has a sugery date for my BMX on July 21st, I knew it was coming bit oh my it took the wind out of me! Ladies help! How do i prepare mentally and physically.I took all of my strength to get through the SNB.BTW i am scheduled for the reconstruction at the same time.I go see PS again before surgery, any pointers on what i should ask, i am getting TE.Also i am scheduled to see the general surgeon again b4 surgery date also.

Jenmarie9

I was where you are not that long ago. I had a bilateral bmx with immediate reconstruction (TE) on May 26th. I don't know if I was prepared mentally for it. The last few months just feel like a blur. I do know that the closer I got to the surgery date, the more I was ready. I was so ready to get it over with and move on. The surgery itself was not that bad for me. I know it was harder on my mother and husband waiting at the hospital for it to be over

Take a deep breath. You are at the most difficult "spot" right now. There is so much information to absorb. Your head must be spinning.

Feel free to PM me, if you have any specific questions.

You will get through this. There is plenty of support here. You have come to the right place

Hugs, Jen

JAT

I had my bmx two years ago, but it's still very fresh in my mind. I had my biopsy in late May and the  bmx with SNB less than a month later, and for me, not having to wait too long was a blessing-- I just wanted the cancer out of my body.  There are some practical things to do as you prepare for the surgery. Having had the SNB you're already familiar with how your range of motion gets affected-- do the exercises (your BS should have a sheet with exercises) to maintain your mobility and strength,so that after the bmx  you'll have a head start and avoid frozen shoulder.  When you get the all-clear from your PS you should meet with a physical therapist-- she'll massage the area which will help heal you and avoid scar tissue build-up, and she'll teach you other exercises to regain full mobility as quickly as possible (and  she'll measure you for an arm sleeve, for travelling--to avoid lymphedema). Get a special camisole (Nordstrom's sells them, but you can probably order on-line)-- for post-surgery-- it has pockets to hold the drains, so when you make your visits to the dr's office, it's not so noticeabe, and you don't get tangled up in them.  Move all your essentials (underwear, clothes, towels) to waist level because you won't be able to reach for things for the first two or more weeks.  Also, get some stool softener ready in your medicine cabinet-- you'll be on pain meds and will get backed up-- a nurse advised me of this and it was a blessing!   Set up your bedroom so it will be comfortable for you when you get home from the hospital. I couldn't read for 2 weeks-- I was just so tired and upset-- but watching really silly dvds helped me (until I rented Valley of the Dolls-- forgetting one of the characters gets breast cancer!)

Getting emotionally prepared is one of the harder things to do. I wish I had taken more time to do fun things-- instead I spent hours googling cancer stuff-- not a  wise thing to do.  I did talk to several  patients who had the same PS and this helped a lot (ask your PS if he has patients who are willing to talk)-- their experiences made me feel much better-- less scared about the upcoming surgery and confident that the surgeon would make me look as good as possible.  Waking up after the bmx with tissue expanders isn't the most comfortable experience but I found that having the "mounds" rather than flat scars helped me in the reconstructive process and made my scars seem less shocking.  I took pictures of my body before the surgery-- I wanted to remember what I once looked like.

Above all, write down all the questions you have and ask them-- of your BS, PS and oncologist. I  didn't see my oncologist until after the surgery, and wish I had made an apptmt before hand-- just to get all the answers beforehand. When I  met her the first time I was  overwhelmed and sore from surgery so didn;t get everything from the apptmt that I needed. But I did get a second opinion from another oncologist regarding follow-ups, etc, and had all my pathology reports reviewed by another facility-- just for peace of mind. Get copies of all your reports and keep a file, and always bring someone to these office visits--my husband took notes because I  would forget things as soon as I  asked them (nerves!).

I'm so sorry you have to be going through this. If you have any other questions, I'm sure you'll find the answers from the great women on this board.-- Julie

 

KAR

Hi psalms91,  sorry your feeling overwhelmed but I felt the same last year around the 3rd week in July.  You might want to ask about the drains, as this is the most difficult or annoying part of bmx.  I would ask PS about the timing of TE fills and such.  I believe there are some good posts on the surgery forum regarding what to expect and how to prepare for mx.  Please do accept help from friends/family.  I found it helpful to have meals delivered.   Its been a year and I sometimes forget that I had DCIS or BMX. Good luck to you and if you have any questions let me know.  You can do this!!

Karen  

psalms91

I want to thank everyone who replied to my cry for help!