December 2011 Surgeries - want to wait together?

Kaara

Eve:  Great news...you got through the worst of it...the surgery.  Wishing you well on your recovery!

Kayce234

The pillow under the arm worked great for me also.  I used one under my arm and one almost like holding a teddy bear and it kept my arm positioned comfortably so that the SNB incision didn't hurt.  I had my surgery 12/8 and just stopped using the pillow - mine was like Kaara Lumpectomy/SNB

CatWhispurrer

My LX/SNB was 12/7 and I am just weaning off of using the pillows too.   I still have a huge hematoma that is a big, hard lump.   The whole surgery area is still sore and numb, all the way under my arm almost to my elbow.   Is this normal?   I just started yesterday trying to do some stretching of the chest area.  Boy, does that hurt.  What are the rest of you doing?  Is the area going to stay numb?  I have no idea what it will look like after the hematoma lump goes away but I am guessing like a flat pancake!

pickychicky

Good news for me too today. Just got back from the MO with the pathology from my MX last week. No cancer in the breast was found. The BS must have gotten it all with the lumpectomy, although he didn't feel good about the margins. So - all clear - two additional nodes taken and clear. Since my Oncotype is a 12, no chemo! I'm also down to less than 30cc for two days, so looks like the drain will come out at my BS follow up appt this afternoon. Such excellent news for the New Year. Now, I've just got to get through radiation and I'll be done.

Good luck to everyone still waiting for results and having surgery. Happy New Year!

Blessings2011

Congratulations to all whose final path reports came back clear....prayers for those who are still waiting for results. Whoopeeee for those whose drains have come out.....and yay, evebarry for having your surgery behind you. Now on to a good recuperation!

Prayers for Likeachickadee and cycle_babe who are having their surgeries today.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Oooookay.....this must come under the heading of "Too Much Time On My Hands"...but have any of you ever seen guys (usually old sailors) who have tattoos of hula girls on their chests and when they flex their chest muscles the girls dance?

Well, I realized that if I flex my pecs, I can make my foobettes move up and down - one at a time! This makes me think of all sorts of new ideas for tats when I'm done with recon!!!!

Hindsfeet

I am soooo sore today. If I get up to go to the bathroom the pain is a lot worse. I almost past out a few times this morning. I feel like I've been run over by a truck.

I am surprised in with botox there shouldn't be that much pain. I do have a wedge pillow that the previous hospital gave all breast cancer patients. I could use another one I haven't put the cami on they gave me, just the pink wrap. It works well for a bra. I bought the geni bras and 1 Awe bra. I threw a lot of bra's away. The geni bra and unltr bra work so well...and not knowing my final outcome, I thought the geni bra is what I'll wear when I can wear a bra again.

I only have 1 drain on the right side under the arm pit. It hasn't bothered me. My daughter drains it for me.So...far all is well. Little timid about seeing the ps this afternoon. He is very insistent about taking off the other breast. I'm not in the mood to fight or argue about anything right now.

Since one mastectomy was so hard on me, again, I'm glad I only did one. Having the left side of me helps a lot. At least I can pull myself up from the left side.

. I have altogether 3 post op appointments, next Monday a threpist, then a ct scan of the brain and an oncologist appointment around January 16th. My surgeon said we won't know the results from the surgery until mid-next week when I meet with her. She thinks it's large that the .5 C left over from the lumpectomy. Once I hear the news from that pathology report, I will hopefully feel this ordeal is over. Just praying I don't get an infection as they will have to take out the TE's and let my breast heal before reconstruction. Right now the right breast is very swollen, bruised and hot to the touch.

Blessings2011

Almost forgot - today is my first meeting with the Oncologist.

SNB was negative in surgery, and final path report showed only DCIS (3 cm and 1 cm), no lymph node involvement, and clear margins all around; with NO EVIDENCE of the IDC that had been identified on core-needle biopsy. It was just gone!

I don't think I had the Oncotype test done, and I know I didn't get tested for BRCA gene.

So far, all I've heard is no chemo, no rads. Yet there is a part of me that is wondering if there will be any unhappy surprises at the Onco's this afternoon? Kind of like waiting for the third shoe to drop.....

Yay! SNB clear in surgery! Yay! Clear final path report! And.....uh, SAY WHAT?

I just want to know that I've done all I can, and that there are no more surprises down the road.

CookieMonster

evebarry - have you been able to get a 2nd or 3rd opinion? It seems like, given your PS's insistence, it might not be a bad idea as if others or also of the strong opinion that the other breast must go, that might bring you some peace, and if not, then you have other options.

Butting heads with my PS would be the LAST thing I'd want to do right now.

Hope you can get things worked out and are comfortable with the eventual outcome.

-Judy

Hindsfeet

Judy, you are right...I don't want to butt heads with the plastic surgeon. Right now, I'm going to try to just focus on the right breast healing. I am in a lot of pain!

The reason again that the surgeons want to do the left breast is because idc, less aggressive cancer was found in the left breast last Christmas although the lumpectomy wasn't until March, 2011. Since I didn't do rads or tamoxifen they suggest for standard treatment mastectomy.

My thinking is the PET scan didn't show activity in the left breast makes me feel that for now it's a good clean breast...so why remove something that's not broken?

CookieMonster

evebarry - I say get another opinion or two also, but that's just me.

chrissilini

eve...I agree with cookie. I couldn't get through this witthout being completely confident that my ps would listen to me and uunderstand that it is my body and I will decide what to do with it. You need t focus on healing and geting well. You don't need the added stress of arguing with the ps. Like cookie said, if another surgeon or 2 agrees, then maybe down the road when you are ready, you'll do what's best for you.



Congrats pickychicky and all those with good final paths. I hope everyone is recovering well.



blessings...I feel the same. My first appointment with my MO is next Friday. I had bmx so I don't know what they would irradiate. Lymph nodes were clear, actual area of idc was less than 1cm although dcis was quiite extensive. My bs has saidd she really can't see that I would need anything, not even hormone therapy. That's good because I don't think I would do it. But, I have heard that some mo's tend to be aggressie. So, like you I'm waitng to see their take on the whole thing. Please post how you make out. Prayers for a good appointment!

QuinnCat

Chrissilini - you got me thinking.  Do they ever do hormone therapy when one has a BMX??  I knew I would have Arimodase Inhibitors with a LUMP, but never gave it much thought after I changed to a BMX?

CookieMonster

Kam - I had a UMX, with no sign of disease at all in the other breast, but I'm pretty sure I'm still going to be taking Tamoxafin for 5 years. I'll clarify that with my MO when we meet next Friday.

-Judy

QuinnCat

Thanks!

CarolAnn6

Hi All,



- just had my uni MX one week ago on December 23rd. I have first drain appointment on 1/3 and then I get test results on 1/6. I have heard that they may put me on tamoxifen and chemotherapy. I am still pre-menopause - do not want tamoxifen and looking for feedback. I am estrogen positive...still don't want tamoxfin. Hardest decision was the single vs double, now next hardest is chemotherapy and HT or chemotherapy with no HT.



Will I be scared when bandages are first removed for first time? Do I have staples and stiches? Eeeek.

Love to you all,

Carol Ann

chrissilini

Kam... I really don't know. I'll know more next week but when you think about it, all my breast tissue is gone and there was no lymph node involvement. If breast ca is the only cancer that can be hormone receptor and I'm not sure, if it's gone what would be the point. Right?

CarolAnn6... I am pre-menopause as well, both ER+ and Prog+. Initially I was going to have just a umx but then opted for bmx. When it was just the uni my bs said I'd be on Tamoxifen for 5 years. That thought didn't thrill me. Since I ended up with a bmx my bs didn't think it would be necessary. I'm hoping the mo feels the same as I don't really think I want to be on it. They will have to show me that benefits would greatly outweigh the risks/side effects.

I was nervous when I saw my incisions the first time. I didn't have staples only a couple of stitiches on one breast.The first few days I saw them I cried. I had to clean them daily and change the bandages. But, the more I thought about it the more I realized that it meant the cancer was gone. I can live with a scar as long as I can live!  Good luck to you.

Ginger48

Kam- I had BMX and have just been put on femara which is an aromatase inhibitor. It stops any estrogen that is being made in my body. Your adrenal glands and your fat also makes estrogen as well as your ovaries if you are premenopausal. I am ER+ and PR+ so I have to take the medicine to block the hormone. I did not need radiation or chemo. My oncotype score was 17.

CarolAnn6

Chrissilini - wow...I never thought about the Tamoxifen aspect when making the bi vs uni MX decision. Good point. I will ask for Oncotype DX testing... Not sure if that score is only for chemotherapy or also for tamoxifen.



I have not seen the scar yet. Bandages come off on Tuesday. Never thought about having to still clean and change bandages. Right now I am wrapped physically and so is my mind.

Blessings2011

CarolAnn - for some reason I wasn't a bit nervous when the bandages came off. I'd seen enough pics to know what an MX with TEs looked like, and frankly, I was impressed that mine looked as good as they did. I was HUUUUGE to begin with (pre-surgery) and had lots of extra skin, so right now my little foobettes are kind of wrinkly and the incisions are really uneven and puckery. But I know that will go away with fills and eventually exchange surgery.

I've walked around topless in front of DH more in the last 3 weeks than I have in the twelve years we've been together!

 

Blessings2011

Ladies -

Today's visit with the Oncologist was sobering.

I'm typing up my notes and trying to put things in order so they make sense.

Bottom line: No chemo, no rads, but yes on Arimidex (an AI). No surprises there, but some of her reasons made me think twice about stuff.

Will post more later!  

CookieMonster

Well ladies, looks like I'm in for some less fun times now - and things were going so well with the healing. It's not as bad as it could be but I think I'm going to be uncomfortable for 3-4 days at least.

This afternoon when in the restroom I noticed some red spots on my thighs and wondered if I should worry, but then I put it out of my head. We had a busy afternoon and evening - had to pick up DS from an overnight then go to my aunt and uncle's house for a late Hanukkah celebration with my cousin who's in from out of town. When we got home and I took off my bra, I felt itchy and have a rash. 

Some background - my UMX (2 weeks ago) was surgery #3 for me. 2 weeks after surgery #1 I developed a VERY itchy rash and the BS said she didn't think it was associated with surgery as it took so long for it to develop. After surgery #2 I developed another rash but a bit sooner, and BS noticed that the area matched the area that they had prepped in for surgery with chloraprep, so she decided that I was allergic to Cholraprep. Surgery #3 they used Betadine instead of Chloraprep and I was fine.

Now today, 2 weeks after surgery I'm developing a rash. I had the on call doc. paged and he said to stop the anti-biotics and to take Benadryl and see how I am in the morning. I'm itchy now and seem to be getting itchier - UGH! I'm even itchy under the binder- which is not fun. I think I'm going to go get ready for bed, take that Benadryl and climb into bed. At least with the Benadryl I'll probably sleep really well tonight.

I'm so irritated by this, it is NOT what I want to be dealing with right now. WHINE WHINE WHINE!

Sorry about the whiny, but that's how I"m feeling right now.

Goodnight all.

Hindsfeet

cookie monster, about the rash...I saw my ps yesterday for the first post op appointment. My chest area is bright red, and belly is swollen, and lumpy. My skin is still orangy/yellow. He felt the reaction was the pink wrap. He said to put a t-shirt under the wrap, but I should still wear the tight wrap around the breast chest area. I thought the problem was the pain meds or antibiotics.

What I did was take a prescription to Norstrom and picked up 2 mastectomy bras. I only wanted one but they said my insurance will pay for two. I lost the one they gave me at the hospital. The ones I have now are supposely a upgrade. They are very comfortable and nice. I can slip in a nice soft breast insert. I like the idea of the pocket for the drain. The rash seems a little better this morning, but the itch is annoying.

Again, I think the problem is the meds...not the wrap. I'm going to continue talking the pain meds until the pain level goes down to about a 3. It does make me feel a little loopy, fuzzy brain, and dizzy. In a few days this too shall pass.

Jennyruth

Jenny 12/3/11 - BMX w/left side lymph node removal - no recons

chrissilini

Cookie...sorry to hear about your setback. Hopefully it will get straightened out and you'l be back to doing great. The surgical scrubs they've used, do they both contain iodine or a similar substance?sounds like there may be something in them that you are allergic to. But odd that the reaction is so delayed.Taking any new meds?



So, I'm just confused. Is breast ca the only ca that can be triggered by estrogen and progesterone? If so, with a bmx why would you need to be on ht or an inhibitor? Just trying to get my head around it. My first appt with the mo is friday and I'm just trying get geared up for what she may say. Guess I've got some rsearch to do.

g8rDee

Just wanted to say a quick thanks to all of you for sharing... I am still scheduled for Wed. Jan 4 and rash seems to be staying away so hopefully there will be no more set backs. I am not sure I can go through this waiting again.

 I have gotten lots of information from all of you and helpful hints that I am not sure I would have gotten anywhere else. 

 My power lift chair is being delivered on Tuesday and will be waiting for me on my return home. I will admit to being scared to death, nervous and everything else. Going to see my beloved Gators play on Monday (probably a bad idea, but it will be a great distraction) and then lay low on Tuesday. 

 Thanks again and wishing you all a Happy New Year... it has to be better than 2011 right??

Denise

Jennt28

chrissilini: Even though the original breast cancer tumor may be removed with clear margins those cancer cells may have been "sneaky" and individual cells may have already broken away and moved to other places in our bodies.



These stray cancer cells can settle somewhere and either start growing straight away or just sit dormant for a period of time before starting to divide and grow again. Breast cancer cells like to set up camp in bones, liver and brain...



If your original tumor was estrogen positive the stray cells will also likely be estrogen positive, which means they use estrogen as a trigger/food for growing. Research has shown that by blocking the amount of estrogen available the cancer cells may be prevented from growing again in those other parts of the body. This is why estrogen positive women are asked to use estrogen blockers and/or have their ovaries removed if they are premenopausal (your ovaries produce the majority of the estrogen circling your body).



regards Jenn

Ginger48

Cookie- So sorry about the itching- you can whine as much as you want.

Blessings- I am looking forward to what your dr said when you collect your thoughts.

Thanks to all the December sisters for supporting us all through this time. Hoping everyone gets healthy in 2012 and that at this time next year we will all just be checking in here to say hi and talk about how great our lives are!

chrissilini

Jennt28...that makes sense and I completely understand. I won't know anything until my appt. I guess I'm just freaked out about the potential side effects of Tamoxifen or whatever else I may need to take. My ca was both ER+and Prog+. I wonder if I'd rather just have my ovaries removed. I really don't need them anymore. I think I better relax until my appt.

CarolAnn6

Blessings- I too am waiting on your next posting with summary from oncology mtg.



Today, is 8 days post op. Feeling much better and slowing down on taking pain meds. Put on makeup and normal clothes....normal as you can get with drain. Still living downstairs only and sleeping in recliner. My surgery was late in the December month, so I get to follow all you Decembers leaders!



Happy New Year,

Carol Ann

goldlining

DIEP Dec 15 and still not walking fully upright but I did an hour on the treadmill today at 4 mph. Fell down, even, and skinned both knees at 25 minutes in but no pain impact on my hacked up belly or frankenboobs so I kept going, had a wonderful shower and feel great. I have 4 weeks to get my endurance up to half-marathon distance but that walking pace is fine. Still feeling buzzy from the walk. Great natural painkiller!