December 2011 Surgeries - want to wait together?

Bogie

I have a tip!!! Yeah



After two weeks on Arimidex and taking it in the morning, by noon I was dizzy and very very fatiqued and weak. So I decided to take it at night and I feel better during the day now and sleep through most of the side effects so far. Will see what a few months on it brings.



hugs to all!!!

spunkyboobster

Great tip Bogie, thanks!  I'll be starting Arimidex in a couple weeks and I'm going to take your suggestion.

CookieMonster

Nice tip Bogie. I read somewhere that someone had trouble getting to sleep with Tamoxifen so I started taking it midmorning. So far so good.

My thoughts are with those of you back on the surgery wheel. I'm just a bit behind you. I have stage II scheduled for April 5 and then stage III on July 11 (this all assumes that everything goes fine, of course). I'm not thrilled with more, but it's not unexpected, although I was hoping for 1 more not 2. I'll live, and hopefuly by the end of summer it'll be ALL done.

Hugs to all.

-Judy

QuinnCat

Ginger - did you consider taking out the uterus when you did the ooph?  I know uterine cancer isn't listed as high risk for BRCA, but as my surgeon friend tells me, the only thing a uterus is good for after having children is growing cancer.  My aunt had BC (and BRCA, presumably) at 52 and died at 80 with bladder cancer.  I still remember my first MO saying "BRCA can cause all kinds of cancer" and I'm not convinced, still, that it's just breast, ovarian, pancreas and melanoma.  My grandfather had stomach and my grandmother colon....none of those brca cancers two generations up!

Spunky - good luck with your surgery. Atleast this is the easiest of them, or so I'm told. I'm joining your club (for different reasons) in the fall.

Chrissilini - I hope all goes well for your exchange. Wishing only the best for your recovery.  Please let us know how it goes...I still have no idea what's involved...one surgery at a time.  I'm with Spunky. Does it ever end?

chrissilini

Hello all. Surgery went just fine. I was home by noon! Talk about in and out! I'm not in any real pain. I have some discomfort closer to my armpits but that's the area where my PS went in. He used part of the existing bmx incision. Glad for that, didn't really want anymore scars! No staples or external stitches. Yay!



It is a relief to have those darn expanders out. They weren't too horrible but were starting to get more uncomfortable. I'm happy that this part is over. Hoping for no complications and that everything settles nicely. I'm not doing nipples, no point. Won't feel them anyway. Have decided on 3 D tattoos but that will be a few months down the road.



Good luck to those with surgeries coming up. Prayers to all.

CookieMonster

"the only thing a uterus is good for after having children is growing cancer"

 LOVE IT!! Every month when I have my period I think about why I have to keep it.

SuperFoob

I've also heard that the uterus is like a "stool/chair/box" that everything else inside of us rests upon. Having it taken out can cause other issues, such as incontinence. Some women wind up having to get a "bladder sling" to help hold it up.



I think I'll keep mine even if it doesn't "do anything".

Moonflwr912

Wow, so nice to see all the Exchange surgery scheduled. I wish you all the best . With my te removed from my left, I am still stuck in never never land. One semi filled te and one cave. I will have to wait til aftr chmo is over before I start up again. I just had another infection in the removed te area and had to go on antibiotiocs again. I hope it all clears up before we try again. Well I wish you all well, and happy squishies.

Ginger48

Kam- my dr said uterus stays unless there is a need to have it out and mine looked healthy. 4 surgeries in 8 months is enough for me!

CookieMonster

Ginger, I think I have you beat, but not in a good way - I had 4 surgeries in 4 months. When surgeries #5 (April 5) & 6 (July 11) happen I'll have had 6 of them in 11 months, wow, that's kind of depressing when I think about it. I hope you're healing up well.

Wishing all the exchange surgeries and other surgeries well. Gotta get through all of this and make it out to the other side so we can get back to something resembling normal.

I was at a school event this evening and had so many people tell me I looked great - I can't help but wonder how they thought I'd look. I still look like me and I'm feeling pretty good overall. Anyway, nice to check in here with my Dec. sisters.

-Judy

Ginger48

Judy- wow; that is a lot of surgery in a short time; so hard on the body! People are always telling me I look great too but if you look closely I really don't. 4 surgeries helped me gain 25 pounds and a frozen shoulder is keeping me sleep deprived. But I appreciate people trying to make me feel good. Just so ready to go back to feeling energetic and good like I used to.

spunkyboobster

I get the surprised, "you look good" too.  Which always makes me wonder what I looked like before if I look good now?  I must have been frightening!

The uterus does have a purpose other than babies, it helps keep other parts in place. Many women have incontinence problems after a hystercomy.

Ginger-I've had a frozen shoulder for almost a year, it started before my bc dx. Most people have never heard of it, but it's painful!  Good luck, hope you get some relief. 

tfee

It's been a while since I've been on here, but hoped to gain some insight. I had BMX with TE on 12/8/11. I am grateful that the ONCA DX showed that chemo/radiation would not improve my chances, so I am on Femara for the next 5 years. I'm also grateful for all the other blessings that have come from this. But.....
The medial (inside) ends of both incisions refused to close, so my PS surgically debrided and resutured them. The right side still refused to close. We have found a few "soluble" sutures that didn't dissolve, and sure enough, one of them was in that opening. Took it out, but there was little progress. We tried antibiotic ointments, Silvadene (to debride the wound and to provide antimicrobial protection).
I have become so frustrated that I talked to a friend that happens to be a CWOCN (Certified Wound Ostomy Care Nurse). She suggested using Promogran covered with Tegaderm. My PS approved the suggestion, drew 50cc of fluid out to reduce stretching, plus prescribed minocycline (an oral antibiotic used for dermatologic issues) for a month. I've just started this treatment plan this week, but would be interested to hear from others that have had issues with closing.
Mostly I just want these uncomfortable TEs filled and OUT OF ME, but we aren't filling since I'm not closing. I have 150cc in the left and (now) 100cc in the right.
Any advice?

Ginger48

sorry tfee- I had muscle spasm issues with expanders but not opened incisions. I am sure someone will come along who has more experience with this. Good luck!

Spunky- this shoulder is so painful; much worse than the BMX pain. I have had it since late last summer and cannot wait for it to resolve. When I move it sometimes the pain just brings me to my knees. Is yours getting better?

spunkyboobster

Ginger48-I know how you feel. Something totally unrelated to your shoulder can induce exxcrutiating pain-like stepping off a curb or an uneven sidewalk Have you seen a physical therapist? I've been going to one for a couple months-she physically moves my arm and stretches it and has given me a lot of exercises to do. It seems to be helping, but I've also read that it can go away on its own after a year or two.  It's been just about a year, so maybe it's a combination of the PT and time. My other shoulder is starting to hurt so I'm going to start doing the exercises on that side too. Hoping you find relief soon.

Ginger48

Spunky- My LE therapist is an OT and she is working on it. I have lots of exercises and do them on both sides. It is better than it was. I just want to go back to feeling good again...

Blessings2011

Sisters -

Is anyone else concerned with their lack of stamina?

I read some posts where women go back to work, care for small children, bike 50 miles every weekend, run marathons, spend three hours at the gym......and here I am limping around like an elderly woman needing a nap after a particularly strenuous two block walk.

When we were on vacation a few weeks ago, DH and I walked along the beach for quite a ways. When we got back, I told him I needed to lie down for a few minutes. I slept HARD for four hours!!!

Do I just have to keep at it? I can't believe what a weakling I've become! I mean, I was never Arnold Schwarzenegger, but I do keep active by working around the house, doing gardening and yardwork, and running errands throughout the day.

I won't be cleared to go back to the gym until I've been on Optifast for a few weeks, but sheesh! I might as well take my pillow and my blankie when I go.....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Thoughts?

Ginger48

Blessings- I am with you on this one! I am very concerned about stamina. Can't do much of anything and then I feel like I need a nap. If I sit still for 30 minutes or more (like driving in a car or sitting  in a movie or show) then when I go to get up all my joints and muscles are like an arthritic 90 year old woman. I am 48. 

But I have been told that after 4 surgeries, hitting surgical menopause, LE, frozen shoulder, taking an aromatase inhibitor and not sleeping well for about 10 months it is to be expected. I am back to work full time and apparently,recovering from all these assaults on the body takes time. I am trying to be patient but am seriously frustrated! It does not help that I have gained about 25 pounds since my first surgery and moving around is challenging.My cholesterol and sugar are headed in the wrong direction too. I just try to be optimistic and keep on going...headed out for a walk now. A slow walk is better than no walk...

Hang in there; so glad we are here for each other or we might think we were going crazy!

Moonflwr912

Boy I can relate My stamina is non existant. I went for a Bitty walk yesterday and it wiped me out. I had another infection in the side thy had the te removal. Acute renal failure as well. So I will just have to take it easy anyway. Oh well. You all take care. Much love.

Blessings2011

Oh, Ginger and Moonflwr - I have NOTHING to complain about compared to what both of you are going through! I will officially stop whining now!!!

Ginger - 4 surgeries, hitting surgical menopause, LE, frozen shoulder, taking an aromatase inhibitor and not sleeping well for about 10 months, back to work full time....of COURSE you're going to be exhausted!!! I'm retired, and I haven't started the Arimidex yet! Big honkin' hugs to you!!!

Moonflwr - another infection in the side thy had the te removal....Acute renal failure as well....Honey, you NEED to rest!!! I would say that building up your stamina right now is definitely not your first priority.Sending up big prayers that you will heal well....infection AND kidneys!

Ginger48

Blessings- I guess it is all relative. I read the posts of those going through chemo and radiation and infections and think that I have no right to complain. The hard part is everyone kind of expects me to be over it since the surgeries are behind me and most of my issues are internal and not clearly visible.



But I guess the reality is "the worst thing that has ever happened to you is the worst thing that has ever happened to you" and we all have a right to complain about what we go through. So whine away and we will be here for each other.



As one BCO sister put it "just keep swimming, just keep swimming" (not sure who it was but good advice)

Ginger48

Moonflower- sending healing hugs your way.

Bogie

Cookie Iheard the same thing about insomnia with the hormone therapy drugs, mostly Tamoxifen. So I was prepared for that and took it in the a.m. For that reason and even discussed sleep aids with my oncologist just in case. When I felt so dizzy and tired on the Arimidex made sense to me to switch from am to pm and thank god that did the trick.



Tfee- I can relate I had problems with wound closure, went the antibiotic and silvadene rout no luck. He could only fill total of 120 cc and stopped. It has caused capsular contracture so back to surgery on April 5th.

tfee

I am sorry to hear that Bogie. It may be overt optimism, but I think this stuff is making it shrink. Will keep you posted so you have it in your information arsenal...just in case!

CookieMonster

Ginger - I think the same thing as you. I've had no radiation or chemo, but I did have 4 surgeries in 4 months. Still I think I'm lucky. Of course I do still sometimes complain about this that or the other thing. And this is definitely the worst thing I've been through.

Take care all. I'm still wishing all of you peace and improvement as we all travel our individual roads through this journey.

-Judy

QuinnCat

Spunky - I had severe problems with both shoulders about 6 years ago. Out of work several months.   I thought it would never go away, but it did....one very bad year and years of just guarding.  There is hope.  Good ergnomics and for me Celebrex did prevent recurrences.  I wish you the best....the body does heal.

Sorry to see all the troubles we're currently enduring in this group.   This BC thing seems never ending, to say the least.  Gads, if it's not surgery, it's shoulders, sleeping, darn TEs, infections, chemo, hormone therapy!!  I will not add removing my uterus to that list - thanks for all of the advice. I was just having a passing thought at a passing (male) surgeon comment about the uterus. 

Hindsfeet

Tomorrow afternoon I'll go in for my Tissue Expander exchange. I don't feel quite as prepared mentally this time. I' have so much to do and fear recovery time will keep me from projects I need to get done. I'll have a drain thing again...hopefully not 3 weeks like before.

Ginger48

Eve-exchange to implant was much easier for me than mx. Sending good thoughts, prayers and hugs your way.

QuinnCat

We get drains for TE exchange?

Eve - hope all goes perfectly for you tomorrow...

To anyone with TE's - can I ask you how many cc's they've given you and how long that took?  I've been getting itty bitty fills (25-50) and not progressing....my PS says I need 200cc more and that's because of the skin she left in place.  I was so ready to be small, but I think she plans on me getting 550cc...which sounds like a lot, maybe not.....before exchange.  I have lots of time left as chemo doesn't end til July.

Ginger48

Kam- I did not have drains with exchange but everyone is different. I was filled to 450 and got 600 implants