TE TROUBLE

DLL66

Good luck tomorrow, marcyk & best wishes for your results, DM.

Had my pre-op w/my PS today. Surgery to put in an adjustable saline implant is on 2/14. We're going super slow with fills on this one, so it will be quite a while before I have a matched set!

olgah34

Marcyk, my thoughts and prayers with you tomorrow...

Lifeafter

Hi ladies, I've been reading all the posts but jsut haven't had time to come in here and post. I've been in full blown nesting mode, cleaning my house and getting stuff in order before Friday's surgery.  I ahd a full blown migraine yesterday and was miserable. Dr said I couldn't take anything cause of surgery so I trudged through it. I got a fill today, first time in both sides. I now have noticeable bumps and can probably wear a shaped A cup sports bra to give me some shape. I didn't feel it on the left side one bit. It was my first fill in my left since the TE was placed in June when I had BMX. My right side, I felt what was like a live wire touched to my upper under arm area. A real quick ZING! I didn't feel it where the needle went in. It's really weird how my chest is now. I felt the needle prick me the last time but not this time.  He put an ounce and a half in my right. Not sure how much in my left, not to much because my right hasn't quite caught up to my left. But enough to push some liquid out of the pocket. It's not as squishy on the side. I go back in another 6 weeks for a fill. There is no rushing my dr! I'm comfortable now but I usually don't start to feel anything until later in the day. It will get tired like I overworked it some.

Someone asked about TE replacement (I think Beebop?). My dr had to do soem extra work in my pocket. I had quite a bit fo scar tissue that was removed. I was sore for a cuople weeks after. Moving around was slow.  For me it was almost like a mastecomy but only because of the extra work he had to do. I was back on arm restrictions, couldn't lift my arm over my head for 3 weeks. My drain was not comfy at all...but when are they??? After my drains were removed, I had residual pain but I think the ends were rubbing against tissue in there.  But the pain from that gradually went away over the next week.  I only felt it when I bent over in certain positions. But...I think how you feel after depends on the amount of work has to be done on your pockets. It is tolerable.

Marcy - good luck on surgery!

Fluff - Talked to my gf in Indy and she said the gorcery stores are a mad house! She had to stock up on superbowl food early!

Going for a wax tonight, first time since before BMX...'down there'. It's gonna hurt like hell!  Think I'd rather have a drain! lol  Wish me luck!

Michelle

chickadee521

Good luck to those having surgeries the next few days.  I echo the about 1 week for TE replacement. 

Marcyk

Thanks to all for the good wishes.  Hoping for a quick return home in time to see my kids before they go to sleep.  Praying for no drain but not optimistic.

SpecialK

marcyk - good luck - we are all with you!  Let us know how you are doing as soon as you can!

bee - good sources of low-fat protein are eggs, cottage cheese, chicken breast.  I know some of the ladies used protein shakes or bars, but watch for soy (if ER+) and Carnation Instant breakfast.  I just tried to add it to what I was already eating, like a caeser salad with steak strips or chicken.

Kyta

Marcy - good luck with your surgery. I agree with the others about recovery time…1 to 2 weeks. I didn't have a drain, hoping you won't either.

DM - hope you got some good news today. 

Beebop

Marcyk - good luck with the surgery!



Specialk - thanks for the info on protein. I have already been avoiding soy, although am not always good about reading the labels.



Drains came out today (TE removal was Friday)! PICC line will be taken out on Friday. None of the cultures grew anything so they are not sure what happened. I guess my body just didn't want them. Tomorrow I go in to be re-calibrated for radiation. Off to Florida for ten days on Saturday and will start radiation when I get back. The fun continues!

SpecialK

bee - so glad you can make your trip and the drain came out in a timely manner!

theBCavenger

Just home from the onc. My Oncotype DX score is 16 and so no chemo needed! Oddly, I woke this morning feeling okay with chemo... Apparently I have a 10% recurrence rate and I don't know what to think about that! Anyone else not getting chemo with a similar score?

Starting Tamoxifen tonight at bedtime... any thoughts? Someone told me I will not get my period, but I forgot to ask my onc... 

Kyta

Bee - happy the TE trouble didn't interfere with your trip plans!

SpecialK

DM - the purpose of Oncotype is to determine who would benefit from chemo.  If your score is that low, the risks from chemo outweight the benefit.  You might have chemo and still maintain the same recurrence rate, so I would go with that!  Yay for you!  I think no chemo with that score is common.  It is the ladies above 18 that fall into the gray area.  Tamoxifen usually ceases periods as it is a estrogen blocker (as opposed to aromatase inhibitors which suppress estrogen) but some women have breakthrough bleeding nonetheless.  Keep your onc apprised if you do.

Marcyk

DM13 - I start my tomoxifin early next week.  Let's stay in touch!

MTnester

Yea DM! My oncotype score was 15, so no chemo for me either. I am having a prophylactic hysterectomy and oopherectomy next week though, when I get my squishies. The tamoxifen bothered me for a month or so and now I feel fine. I'm having hit flashes from the Zoladex too...holy monkey some days are hard!



Bebop, glad the drain is gone and I hope you haves wonderful trip to Florida!

SpecialK

MT - your DH better spoil you after your surgery, you got a lot going on!

MTnester

He has to do all the housework for four weeks, that's some kind of nice! I don't understand what my problem is but I'm a teary eyed mess tonight. fear of the unknown...

SpecialK

MT - Ahhh, you are going to be fine!  I had a total abdominal hyst/bi-lat ooph 10 years ago, you will be sore but you will be ok.  Any surgery is scary, but we are all here for you always.

MTnester

I am thankful for the friends I have here! I will be crabby by the time I have surgery, I have to drink a clear liquid diet the day before and can't have anything after midnight. Surgery is set for 2 pm. I love my water, usually have a lot when I first get up. I know, I'm being whiny lol!

Ginger48

DM-my oncotype was 17 so no chemo for me either. MO said side effects would take away any benefit. I had ooph and now take Femara for 5 years.

Anonymous

mrochon-the city is hopping. We have been downtown twice for dinner, concerts and fun. Going again omorrow night for the Darius Rucker concert and scored dinner seats in the JW Marriott the official nfl hotel so we are hoping to see some people. Havent been in the grocery yet Didn't think about it. Daughter is interviewing some celebs on the red carpet and having fun.



mtnester-if they had made me have a clear liquid diet the day before, I would be in big trouble. When I get nervous, I have to pee all the time It never fails that when they have me all hooked up to the iv, all I can think about is that I have to pee. Drives the nurses crazy.

momof3infla

Marcy, good luck!  We will all be thinking of you today.  You'll be fine.

DM - I had a similar score - 14 I think?  No chemo here either. I've been on Tamoxifen for 9 months now and I do still get my regular periods.  They are a bit shorter, but I get them like clockwork.  Had some hot flashes at first, but everything evened out after about 2 months.

chickadee521

I am almost 5 months on tamoxifen, minus the 2 weeks around my exchange surgery.  I take mine in the morning with all my other vitamins.  Is there a benefit to taking it at night?  I have not had a period since June (chemo induced menopause).  My MO said if I go a whole year without one they will check my hormone levels to see if I have been throwing into true menopause.  I still get hot flashes but nothing too aweful.

Fluff I am the same way with peeing and IV's.  I just wheel it in with me!! 

momof3infla

I take Tamox in the morning with my other vitamins too.  Onco said I'm slightly anemic so I'm going to be taking the iron at lunchtime, and  the multivitamin at night. Hard to keep it all straight lol...

SpecialK

Ha!  I am starting to wonder if it is time for the 7 day pill box with morning, noon and night compartments instead of the one with only one box.  I can barely fit all the stuff in there and I am thinking about adding some more supplements shortly!

shore1

Hi everyone --- not sure if this is the right forum, but does anyone know if mastectomy and/or tissue expanders can actually damage your ribs? I know sore ribs are common, but could the surgery and TE cause damage to rib that might show up on a bone scan? Thanks for any thoughts on this.

chickadee521

shore1-that is an interesting thought but I have no idea, sorry.

SpecialK...please don't tell me my extra large pill box is not big enough! 

Kyta

Sorry shore1, but don't know. Hopefully someone will jump in.

Re tamox - I've heard different opinions about the best time to take it am or pm, but in the end I don't think it matters. I take mine at night when I go to bed. My period stopped when I was 43 (thank you God), diagnosed at 44 and I'm now 46, on tamox for 2 years. Only noticeable side effect is hot flashes/night sweats that I blame on tamox…I didn't have them pre-tamox, but maybe now I'm just in regular menopause and it's not due to tamox.

Lifeafter

I think I may have a problem. My right side still hurts and it's red and pretty warm. Ive been so busy all day. Maybe I aggravated it? But it was sore last night. I didn't sleep well. I called my PS, 3 hours ago. His office is closed. Surgery is at 7a., so he wont get my message til I'm in recovery.



Is it normal to have this after a fill?



Michelle

Beebop

Oh Michelle, that doesn't sound good. Usually redness and warmth are signs of infection. Do they have an on call nurse you could talk to? Just make sure they know about it before your surgery. Good luck, I hope it all goes well for you.

Lifeafter

I don't want to go through this again. There isn't a 24/7 nurse. Ugh