June 2012 Mastectomy

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  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 3,040
    edited June 2012
    @faithhopenlove, what is an eyelash dance? Does that mean your lashes are growing back after chemo? If so, woohhooo!!Laughing
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  • loriio
    loriio Member Posts: 247
    edited June 2012

    7of9-Continued prayers for your family.



    To all who are healing, best wishes for quick healing.



    Faithhopenluv-I'll be praying for you tomorrow and congrats on the eyelash! Also, good luck and prayers to Mango on Friday.



    Tomorrow is my MRI. She will use the results to determine if any nodes to be biopsied so I'm hoping for clean clean clean!



    Lori

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  • loriio
    loriio Member Posts: 247
    edited June 2012

    And Annievan-hope all is set with your surgery. Have you settled on a final date? Even if it's July, we still claim you! Your comment about looking at boobs when you're out made me laugh. Especially because I can totally relate. I'm currently looking for a new car and so everytime I go out I'm looking at cars and boobs. I'm turning into my teenage son.

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  • Lisa143
    Lisa143 Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2012

    Faithhopenlove - I'm so jealous about the eyelash ;) but that gives me hope that mine will come back! I have gotten pretty good about drawing in my eyebrows I have just enough to use as a guideline. You will be in prayers tomorrow.



    Loriio LMAO about you turning into your teenage son :) wishing you good results on your MRI!



    Tellie - hoping your pet scan went ok today and everything comes back negative.

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  • wendy49
    wendy49 Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2012
    Hi everyone.  Please add me to the list (oh what a list) to the June MXs.  I am having a UMX on June 26th.  I am scared to death.  Just thinking about it makes my heart race!  My first waking moment is BC.  When I spoke to the surgery scheduler, my R UMX and SNB will be done outpatient??????  Seriously? I am treating at U of M in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They have a new surgery center, away from the main hospital campus.  I asked "what happens if something bad happens and I'm not in the hospital?"  She calmly stated "they would transport you via ambulance to the main hospital 5 mins away and the new surgery center is equipped to handle emergencies."  I bet this woman thinks I'm nuts.  I had a R UMX and SNB at U of M 10 years ago.  This is a new breast cancer in the R breast.  I have been trying hard to remember 10 years back, but it was so traumatic for me then, because I was running scared, I think I blocked it out of my mind.  I do remember having my surgery late morning/early afternoon, and waking up in recovery, heart racing, and I was out again.  Ten years ago, they kept you overnight.  I was discharged the next morning.  I have anxiety attacks on a good day, never mind having BC.  My heart races from anxiety.  I am going to need support to get through my "outpatient procedure."  Right ...Surprised  Outpatient?  Really?? 
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  • JenH13
    JenH13 Member Posts: 183
    edited June 2012

    Faithhopelov- will be thinking about you tomorrow~ lots of prayers coming your way.  We seem to be close on  a lot of our treatment. I have my surgery on Mon and really scared.  Hearing how others got through it gives me hope!

    Wendy, the scheduler who called me about my appt also mentioned I might go home the same day too.. my surgeon had originally said overnight so I guess I will ask my surgeon again tomorrow just to get some more clarification and express my concern to her. Talk to your surgeon and let her know your fears.. that might help. Good luck~~

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  • 3kidsmom
    3kidsmom Member Posts: 21
    edited June 2012

    Kimkay- Glad you are home and doing well!  What a relief when it is over.

    Faithhopenluv-good luck to you on Friday.   I don't have even a sign of hair growing anywhere. Undecided

    Karen

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  • NanG
    NanG Member Posts: 180
    edited June 2012

    JenH13, we are on the same day lady. <3 rock on....i'll be thinking of you. my appt is moved up to 6am. i live an hour away which means i gotta leave my house at 5...which means i have to be up at like 4something. blargh.  as if im gonna sleep anyways.  i should actually take the opportunity to get in a good nights romp with my husband pre mastectomy!!! LMAO.  i can settle for sleeping during the surgery and he'll be in the waiting room CALM as can BE!! lol! 

    THANK GOD i have my sense of humor still.  Honestly, PRAISE THE LORD...that at least posting up in here with you guys is like, so fun and reassuring and a comfort to me. And saying cheeky things is helping.

    In all seriousness though....i wonder when i will feel like sex again.  will it be weird to have sex with TE in??

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  • 25weeks
    25weeks Member Posts: 76
    edited June 2012

    Wow, so much has happened during the last week.  We've been out of town, and I just spent an hour trying to catch up on all the posts.

    So happy to hear those who have had their surgeries are doing well.

    7of9 - my deepest condolences to you and your family.  I simply cannot imagine...

    NanG - our surgeries are both on Monday and you had asked what type of recon I was doing.  I'm going the implant route (TEs to eventual silicone implants).  I see that you have now decided on implants as well.  I'm glad you were able to come to a decision that you are comfortable with. :) 

    Until this point, I've been so busy with some mini vacations and 2 young kids (almost 6 and 3) home for summer that I haven't had much time to dwell, but as the days roll by and surgery looms, I am getting a bit anxious.  I'm totally convinced that there is cancer everywhere!  I still need to pack, clean, go to 3 doctors appts in the next 2 days and prep the kiddos for a stay and their grandparents'.  Not sure how it's all going to get done.  I have my BS preop appt tomorrow.  Honestly, I'm not even sure what all that will entail.  I just know I have lots of questions. For now, I should try to get some sleep.

    Wishing everyone the best!

    Tricia

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  • MMTOMH
    MMTOMH Member Posts: 127
    edited June 2012

    Praying for all you ladies!  So much going on...we need healing, we need nerves calmed, we need clear tests and clear margins, and good path reports, we need love and support and peace...I will be praying for all this and more for all of you this month and beyond!

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited June 2012

    I was feeling bad for NanG and 25weeks with their surgeries on Monday and then I realized that mine is on Tuesday!  How quickly these weeks have passed!  Hope all of us next-weekers are getting through the to-do list and keeping busy!

    Best wishes to faithhopenluv and LastMango this week -- smooth procedures & great results inside and out!

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  • Ami1026
    Ami1026 Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2012

    I'm just checking in to say my thoughts are with everyone who's surgery is coming up.  Best wishes to all of you, and make sure you let us know how you're doing.

    My Umx was Monday and healing is going well. Went for a long walk last night, and the worst part was trying to layer clothes so I looked "normal" to go outside with only one boob and a drain hanging around. The incision/armpit got a little sore after a 45 minute walk, but it felt so good to get the blood pumping after laying around for these few days.  Doc says I need to take the wrap/dressing off today and take a shower.  This will be hard, I haven't seen it yet.  Care Navigator (great lady) says to make sure you're sitting down when you see it for the first time.  I'm planning on taking an Ativan and having DH help.  I don't have the TEs in yet so it won't be pretty! Fingers crossed those will be put in within a couple of weeks here as long as healing keeps going well.

    It sounds like I should get my final surgical path report today, and holy cow am I nervous. My mind always leans towards worst case scenario.  This is going to be a long day I think.

    Thoughts and Prayers for everyone!

    Ami

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  • Phylmont
    Phylmont Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2012

    New to this forum today. Already found very helpful hints.

    My double masectomy is June 28th.

    Good luck and God bless to all!

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  • my3sunz42
    my3sunz42 Member Posts: 148
    edited June 2012

    There's no place like home ...

    Surgery took place Monday and lastest from about 9:30 until 5:00 (BMX, with recon/TE's). My day began with SN mapping at 7:15 - I'm not going to sugar coat this ... it is painful, but shortlived. If I can survive it - anyone can :-) Pre-op then began with an epidural to help control the pain during surgery & post-op. While I was pretty freaked about the epidural, the great pain doctors loaded me up with 'happy juice' to make it seem like no big deal. I'm telling you ... that 'happy juice' is absolutely awesome ... I took all they were willing to offer ... the way I saw it, is there's no such thing as heros when it comes to surgical pain. 

    I didn't come out of post op until around 6:30 ... so Monday was pretty much spent sleeping ... advise to you all ... sleep as much as they'll let you day 1.

     Day 2 was a different story ... this is a day of transition which began with cathedar removal followed by epidural removal. From there we had to learn how to manage the pain by a series of trials. I'm fearful of over doing drugs post-op, so I was searching for the bare minimum to get me through. It took a few hours, but we were finally able to get things under control. Then off I went for a nice walk, tooth brushing (damn did that feel good!!!!!! Bring some mouthwash with you girls ... it tastes great!!) and then hit the hay for a great night's sleep. 

    Day 3 was bail bond day otherwise known as release day ... took a shower - again, that felt absolutely awesome - got dressed, signed all the paper work and we were released by 11:00 am - home by noon.

    Once home, had a short bite to eat ... I have to admit, if you have TE's put in, eatting is a bit tough those first couple of days since the TE's tend to put some pressure on your esophogus causing a little reflux. So pick your favorite, less acidic foods to slowly (remembering to take deep breaths) eat. After lunch, I hit the bed and slept like a baby for about 2 hours. It felt great to be home.

    Sorry for the ramble, hoping it will help others as you begin this next step. All-in-all, the waiting trully was much worse than the surgery.

    As for my results ... sentinel nodes were removed from both sides (3 and 2 on each side) and all showed clear. Finally pathology reports are due by the end of this week.  

    7 of 9 ... I am so deeply saddened by the loss of your father. I'm not sure if this will help or not, but given his artery was up to 90% blocked, I prefer to believe God gave him the strength to see you through the difficult waiting and to be with you upon the end of your surgery. He is now in Heaven and is your angel keeping his eye on you always until you meet again. Peace be with you and your family through this difficult transition.  

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  • emerald424
    emerald424 Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2012

    June 20th, mastectomy with reconstruction..so nervous..

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  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 3,040
    edited June 2012

    I got a late start today, but prayers for faithhopenluv that her surgery will go smoothly, she will feel ready to go home when discharged and successful fat grafting to follow.

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  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 3,040
    edited June 2012

    @ami, glad to hear you are doing well. I was also worried about how I would react to my after-surgery appearance. Like the surgery itself, this experience was not as bad as I expected. I was planning to avoid mirrors or looking at the surgical area for fear I would be freaked out, but I accidentally looked while still in the hospital and the nurse was checking the dressing. I had skin-sparing surgery so my chest is not smooth and tidy like a mastectomy where no reconstruction is planned. My main reaction was surprise that so much (about a third) of what I had thought of as "breast" was actually "skin", because it is still there. After that, I was not much worried about removing the dressing, and that also was no problem. I look pretty peculiar, with great big tape strips across the incision and some shiny stuff which I think is surgical glue, plus one stitch holding the drain in place.

    So go ahead and sit down, take a deep breath, hold your DH's hand and take the bandage off. The only other surprise was that under the dressing there were still lines and writing that the surgeon had put on my chest after I was anesthetized but before cutting. If you have marks too, you might want to use a dark washcloth for your next shower. I used a white one, the ink came off on it and may have left a permanent stain.

    I am sending up a prayer that you will have a clear path report and not be disturbed by seeing your surgical area.

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  • 25weeks
    25weeks Member Posts: 76
    edited June 2012

    Thanks Ami & My3sunz for the surgery updates.  I hope you both continue to feel better in the coming days & that your path reports are clear!  Keep us posted. :)

    I went for my preop appt with my BS this morning.  The surgery is still on Monday, but they pushed the time to 10am rather than the original 7:30 -- apparently it's impossible to get a radiologist to the hospital at 5:30 in the morning!  They generally do the node mapping the day before, but with surgery on Monday that wasn't an option.  I also assumed the surgery was at one hospital when it's in fact at another, AND I pointed out that a small lump had developed at my core needle biopsy incision and I brought up seeding thinking she'd tell me not to worry about it, just scar tissue.  Instead she did a punch biopsy right then & there and took the whole little sucker out for analysis, but still telling me not to worry about it. :/  She said she doesn't expect it to be anything, but she also said that if it is positive that it will change our surgical plans.  I hope the lab works Saturdays!  I also had an EKG this afternoon with my GP, and strange, but neither the BS nor the GP could get a bp reading in my left arm...WTF?  Got a Valium Rx from my GP, so I'm good to go. :)  PS preop appt tomorrow at 11am.

    Has anyone received an inframammary incision for their MX?  I have small, A-cup breasts, so I asked my BS if she could use an inframmary incision, and she said it was possible and that she'd discuss with the PS who will be doing the TEs.  I thought that might yield a better cosmetic result with my nipple & skin sparing BMX, but I don't know.

    Tricia

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  • tellie_savalis
    tellie_savalis Member Posts: 121
    edited June 2012

    NO METS, NO METS!  Doing the happy no mets dance!  PET Scan results can back!  Will catch up with post soon, but I am off to dance!  Good thoughts for all doing surgery today!  I will dance and sing for you as well!

    Corky

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  • Ami1026
    Ami1026 Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2012

    Thanks for the tips Curveball :-)  As you can see, I'm putting it off...but I didn't get the path results phone call today so I guess I'll tackle the shower/bandages instead.  I've peeked a few times, and I can see a bunch of skin (i had skin sparing too.)  I'm sure it will be fine. It helps so much to hear from so many who've already been through it.  Now I'm just obsessing about keeping it healthy, cuz darn it, I want that expander in ASAP.  Let's get on with this, right?!

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  • Lisa143
    Lisa143 Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2012

    Time is a ticking.... You know it's your turn when you get calls from the hospital for ore registration and to do a telephone appt with the nurse to go over everything 😳 I have to be there at 6:00am Monday morning surgery at 7:30 I'm glad its early. Nang and 25 weeks we can do this 💗👼



    Ami, my3sunz, curveball your posts have been so helpful to all of us that are waiting for our surgery it's nice to know what to expect.



    Wishing everyone that has had surgery that you are recovering and hugs.



    Oh yeah NanG you cracked me up with the whole romp with your husband pre surgery my husband would totally love it as my sex drive died with the chemo!! Just maybe one day it come back....

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  • 25weeks
    25weeks Member Posts: 76
    edited June 2012

    Lisa143- I got that same call today too from the hospital.  I also got some diazepam from my GP. ;)  I'm not too anxious yet, but I'm sure by this weekend it will come in handy.  Monday will be here before we know it.  I have a PS preop appt tomorrow and my childcare hasn't confirmed yet.  Boo! 

    It's bedtime here in Austin.  Sleep tight!

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  • planetbananas
    planetbananas Member Posts: 206
    edited June 2012

    Double Mastectomy w/ TE's scheduled for tomorrow 6/15 @ 1pm. I was diagnosed 5/29, and have been waiting for a surgery date since 5/31, which was the date of appt. with the Oncologist.

    Initiallly, on 6/8, the surgery was to be on 6/13 but I was told the confirmed surgery date on Tuesday 6/12 the difficulty being the coordination of the general surgeon, plastic surgeon and OR. They are moving so fast because it is such a rare form of cancer and highly aggressive - grade 3, scored 9 out of 9 w/ strong family history. I am grateful that it is fast, but at the same time I feel like I am in a daze and like it is happening to someone else. I go back to the oncologist on 6/27 to begin chemo, the exact 'cocktail' to be determined after surgery pathology and full scans.

    This has all been such a shock and seemingly random. I am 42, and was 2 days away from scheduling a second spinal fusion due to scoliosis and now they tell me it is a possibility that I will not be able to have a second fusion after chemo. At the moment, I cannot think that far ahead. It seems like the best thing to do is just put one foot in front of the other.

    If I have any feelings at all, I feel such a deep disappointment and sadness that my life has taken such an unexpected turn. I so appreciate the support and information here, I think I would be lost without these boards. I have had so many questions and so little time to adjust - it has been a lifesaver!!!

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  • JenH13
    JenH13 Member Posts: 183
    edited June 2012

    Lisa and 25weeks, I am right there with you!  I have to be at the hospital at 6 am with a surgery at 8 am.  Reading this board has helped calm my nerves some but I am still really nervous.  Going in for my last day of work right now, so much to be done!

    planet- in the beginning it is soooo overwhelming.  All these drs, tests, and terminology that is unknown or doesnt make sense, and they all move fast.  Ask lots of questions of them and of us.  Someone on this board has probably been through it.  I had chemo first then surgery, but many have surgery then chemo. Ask away we are all there to help each other through this journey :)

    Prayers for thos with surgery today and for all those healing!

    Many sunbeams for all!

    Jen

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  • Ami1026
    Ami1026 Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2012

    Good Morning everyone - hope you are all doing well.  I did it, I unwrapped the bandage last night and took a shower. It wasn't so bad - no meltdown! Looks like big lumps of skin all sewn together (which, duh, is what it is :-)) But oddly, seeing that the skin looked normal - not bleeding or oozing or swollen - made me feel better.  I don't know what I was expecting.  Shower felt good, managed to wash my hair and shave my armpits (TMI I know!) but I feel more human now.

    Healing is going pretty well, but I have a couple of questions for those who've been thru it already: I have no swelling except for in the crook of my armpit.  It's not hard, actually very soft, but tender and achy.  I know the drain runs up through there.  It looks like a lump,but has gotten smaller each day.  Is this normal?  There's absolutely no swelling or anything anywhere else.  Also, my feet/ankles/lower legs are slightly swollen.  Not horrible, but something I have noticed.  Did anyone else have this?

    And lastly let me share my daily moment of panic: I got an automated email message early this morning saying I had a new test result released to my Web Chart (where I can log in and look at all of my medical records.) Now, I've been waiting for the final path from surgery, so my knees went weak and the panic started. "Are they so afraid to tell me bad news that they just released it and let me see it myself??"  With shaking hands I logged in....clicked on the result....survey says.....I'm not pregnant! WTF? Well I'm so relieved LOL! Just have to laugh, I'm wound up so tight right now.  Why would they even put that on there?  Jeesh.

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  • my3sunz42
    my3sunz42 Member Posts: 148
    edited June 2012

    Ami1026 - Sounds like things are going quite well for you. Given that you & I had the same surgery date, I'd expect we'd follow pretty similar recovery symptoms. Your unveiling sounded similar to mine ... I actually took a peak when the nurse was emptying my drains (couldn't help but look) and to my great surprise, they didn't look bad at all. After further review in my own bathroom mirror I was surprised to see they even left a small mole I've had all my life on my left breast. Prior to surgery I had also discovered a long breast hair ... during my "Bye Bye Boobie Party" my girlfriends and I decided to leave the hair as a small token of appreciation for the PS. It appears he took it - how sweet :-) 

    As for the final path report ... I know the feeling ... the initial report was all clear from 3 and 2 senitinel nodes removed during surgery ... I'm waiting for final confirmation sometime today and I jump each time the phone rings. Your swelling in the armpit seems very normal to me ... that's one of the most achy parts for me (outside of the pressure from tissue expanders). I'm guessing the swelling will gradually decline as things begin to heal. Perhaps some over the counter meds to reduce swelling might help. Your swollen feet and legs are probably due to in activitity ... I've been trying to get out for at least 4 strolls a day with one of them being at least 15 minutes long. When sitting or lying down, keep your feet propped up (advice given to me by the nurses) to make sure blood flows (similar to when pregnant). Finally, lots and lots of water ... I keep a camel back water bottle at my side all the time and just keep sipping off it.

    You really are doing great! Hang in there & thanks for the laugh regarding pregnancy test - my hubby & I joked about that one too (apparently a required test before the surgery).

    Together we are stronger! Cheers to Team June Bug! 

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  • Ami1026
    Ami1026 Member Posts: 32
    edited June 2012

    Just got the call!  BS (Whose name is Dr. Dock by the way, no joke...) says we couldn't have hoped for any better path results.  Nodes completely clear, NO INVASIVE found anywhere. Just DCIS. I am so relieved. I hope its a sign that you will get good news too my3sunz!  Praying for you, and all the other Junebugs :-)

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  • faithhopenluv
    faithhopenluv Member Posts: 323
    edited June 2012

    Thank you everyone for your prayers and kind thoughts. I am thinking of those that have surgery today. I went in for surgery and was out at 3. I was discharged before 5. Kind of crazy, but I really was ok and certainly more comfortable. He does the first round of grafting w the bmx and that's what is causing me the most pain. It's kind of like 2 days after a really hard workout. My top is all bandaged so I can't see anything except that it's pretty flat. I'm very puffy - but I think that's from the saline. All in all, I'm feeling very good and happy this part is over.



    And still thrilled for the birth of 'Oscar' my one budding eye lash. Definitely appreciate him coming through this week. Hope others join him!! I am getting better w pencilling in my eyebrows, I think I have a total of 10.



    Hugs to the June ladies :)

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  • curveball
    curveball Member Posts: 3,040
    edited June 2012

    lastmango, my prayer for you is for smooth surgery and successful implant placement

    miss sissy, sorry I missed you yesterday but I hope the surgery went well and pray that your recovery is now going without a hitch.

    ETA, oops,missed another one. Planetbananas, I pray that your surgery and treatments for breast cancer will not rule out future surgery for your scoliosis.

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  • kirwin524
    kirwin524 Member Posts: 47
    edited June 2012

    Losing track of team June and that might be because I was on my pain meds, but have moved to Tylenol today and took first solo shower so starting to feel human again. Will wait for my BS to review the full report with me to deal with nodes I've decided to not let it get in my way!



    To all who are healing, on the inside and out, my heart is with you! To all who are frightened or nervous of upcoming surgery, I send you soothing peaceful thoughts and prayers. Our fears are far worse than the reality!



    Take care all,

    Kristi

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