September 2012 Surgery
Comments
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Hi mrskimber, hope you are continuing to heal well.
Thank you for the encouraging words. Just noticed you're from MA! My Mom is from Holyoke. She's been in California for 48 yrs but will forever consider herself a MA girl.
Big hugs,
Kellie -
20 Aug 2012
Sandlake - hysterectomy
4 Sept 2012
Trinity0723 - MX (left)
5 Sept 2012
Leah_S - MX on remaining side plus bilateral TE placement
6 Sept 2012
leahlee - excisional biopsy
katylynn - BMX with TEs
7 Sept 2012
KnBsAngel - MX with TE
marianelizabeth - lumpectomy, SNB
the5owens - lumpectomy
Momluke - MX (left) with reconstruction and symmetric surgery
10 Sept 2012
Sandlake - BMX with TEs
ohiobecky - MX (left)
java11 - MX with DIEP (left), reduction (right)
11 Sept 2012
SweetCaroline2 - MX, Lat Dorsi with TE
Tzvia - MX with TE
mrskimber47 - BMX with implants
SAR843 - BMX, DIEP/TRAM
13 Sept 2012
cthynsh - lumpectomy, SNB
cjw75 - BMX
14 Sept 2012
kittykoma05 - BMX with TEs
17 Sept 2012
positivenergy - BMX with DIEP
18 Sept 2012
gajor4 - MX with bilateral DIEP
4caseygirl - BMX
SooZQ - BMX with TEs
Sharon1942 - UMX with DIEP
19 Sept 2012
michellej1980 - BMX, DIEP
cathyann - MX
20 Sept 2012
LockeKopp - BMX with LD and TE
RainMaze - BMX
24 Sept 2012
Sneakychiquita - skin-sparing UMX with TE reconstruction
Mumtobe - MX
LyndaMarie - BMX with TEs
annievan - TE to implant exchange
KellieDenise66 - BMX with TEs
25 Sept 2012
Teri060811 - BMX
FightingLikeAGirl - BMX with TEs
26 Sept 2012
sandrav - bilateral DIEP
27 Sept 2012
kmfrost - UMX/BMX (deciding)
28 Sept 2012
Jennt28 - BMX, muscle sparing free TRAM
Dakota212 - BMX with TEs
robertson8272 - MX with a SNB and LAT Flap With TE
1 Oct 2012
kltb04 - BMX with TEs
15 Oct 2012
rozem - BMX with TE's and lat dorsi flap (on the radiated side)
unknown date
Bargala - BMX with TEs -
It's Sunday here and I am now on the big countdown for surgery on Friday. Went out and bought a bunch of new pillows yesterday as well as a thin cushion that is staying in the car for use under my seatbelt after surgery.
I've got a few button front shirts that I bought before my lump last December. I usually never wear that style because I can never find ones that fit right (wide shoulders, long body). I hardly wore those shirts last time so they are still fresh.
As for pants - I have a few pairs that are too big since I lost weight after my diagnosis last year. Lucky I didn't throw them out!
Jenn -
Jenn, best of luck with the upcoming surgery. Thank you for keeping the list!
I'm healing well, though slowly. It was Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year, 2-day holiday) last week. We have 4 big meals in that time and this year my family did all the cooking. They were absolutely terrific. Of course, tonight when my DH was bragging to a friend about how he and 3 of my kids did everything, I said, "Yeah, it took the 4 of you to do what I usually do". Heck, I've gotta keep them on their toes!
Tomorrow I see the PS. Stitches will be coming out and I have loads of questions about fills, what's going to happen, etc. As usual, I have a list of questions!
Someone asked (I think a few pages back) about what to bring to the hospital, so I'm going to give my list again and add comments:
toothpaste, toothbrush, babywipes, hairbrush, underwear, shower sponge, Femara, phone & charger, books/magazines, robe, slippers, reading glasses, prayerbook, Book of Psalms, acidophilus, tissues, lip ointment, pillow for car, face soap, socks, pen & paper, face cream, straws.
I ended up needing everything except for the shower sponge (I wasn't allowed to shower until the drains came out the day I left so I showered at home). However, I was there for a week so that was part of the reason. Someone said (sorry don't remember who) that they didn't need anything to read but if you'll be there for more than a day you might want something. I brought the acidophilus since I take it whenever I'm on an antibiotic. I ended up having IV antibiotic during surgery and then oral antib's for the rest of the hospital stay. I know overuse of these is a serious problem but I had a very bad postop infection after my unimx so I was glad that the PS ordered them. I used the babywipes to wipe my face & neck to cool off a few times (Femara sometimes gives me hot flashes). No matter how long you stay (even if less than a day) a robe and slippers are a good idea. You're not going to walk to the bathroom barefoot, and let's face it, do you really want to walk anywhere wearing only that hospital gown?
If anyone has any questions about any of this, let me know.
Leah
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Hi all,
One thing about the seat belt for the ride home. Lots have recommended a pillow to go under the strap and I think that's great, but something else that will help is clipping the strap with something like a clothes peg at the point where the strap threads above your shoulder. I'm having a hard time describing it so you may not even know what I'm talking about, but if you do it right the seat belt will be in the right place, but not actually be tight across your chest. I thought of it because my dad does this all the time (can't stand the feeling of it across his chest and collar bone). They even sell legit pieces of plastic for the same function, but a regular old clothes peg will work. I'm thinking this with the pillow will the best.
Hope you're all well.
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Sneakychiquita I have to ask how you came up with your log in???? I just love it, and it makes me SMILE every time I read it. : )
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Lots of you have surgeries on Monday and I will be thinking of all of you, Sneakychiquita, Mumtobe, LyndaMarie, annievan, KellieDenise66.
BC has so many waits but soon at least the surgery wait will soon be over and you can take the opportunity to rest and hopefully have others take good care of you as you recover and recuperate. Best of luck to you all!
Marian
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I am new to this site.
In 1993, I had br. ca. and had chemo. , radiation, and tamoxifen for 5 years.
In June, 2012, I found out that I had br. ca. in both breasts, and also, cancer in pleural effusion( fluid) around the lungs and cancer in left lung.
I want so bad to have a bilateral masectomy, so it doesn't keep moving in the pleural effusion and moving around the lung.
My dr. and oncologist say no to bil. mastectomy. Do you think they are being overly conservative in their approach... I do take femora as a hormonal therapy.
I understand the mast. doesn't change the big picture, outcome, but shouldn't the patient have a say,,,,, I want this surg. even though any surgery has risks.
Does anyone out there have a similar situation, where they are not a candidate for a bil. mast. in stage 4.?
Please help.
My dr. explained but doesn't make sense to me.....
I don't like my plan or protocol. I wish I had gone somewhere else, but I skipped over the local area, and went to a cancer treatment center that was reccomended.
I don't like what they are offering. I wish I could go somewhere else. But I need to know if most women get a bil. mast. even though it showed up in one lung?
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Hi kellidenise- You're very welcome and good vibes out to for your big day Monday. Same surgery I had, its a big one but you'll do great. Just get that crap out of your body and you're on your way!
Yeah, I am from MA and I love it. Can't imagine living anywhere else. I lived in CA too, I've actually lived in a lot of places, lol.
Good luck and ((HUGS)) to the Monday girls. I'll be praying for no complications and speedy recovery for all of you!
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keb-destiny2 - welcome and I am so sorry you are going through this...
I gather that it is unusual for women diagnosed with Stage IV to get a mastectomy as the treatments given will attack all breast cancer cells in your body and the doctors generally don't want to subject your body to a big surgery that would potentially weaken you.
Got to say that is part of the reason why I am having the bilateral now - I told my husband I don't want to end up being Stage IV with tumours in my breasts (being truthful here) and knowing that the docs won't remove them.
Many women on this forum have had second or third opinions so it should be doable if you are not happy with the recommended treatments for you. You know, the relationship you have with your oncologist should be more than them just telling you what to do. You should be able to discuss what YOU are prepared to do and the lengths to which you personally are willing to go to and the risks you are willing to take with treatments...
I have "passed" on rads even though I had a positive node and it was recommended. I did my research and decided that I am not prepared to accept the health risks from rads and am more willing to accept the risk of recurrance in my axilla. I have done chemo and Tamoxifen though and am having the bilateral mastectomy this week.
regards Jenn -
My BMX is schedule for Sept. 27th. No reconstruction right away at least. I'm hoping down the road. I'll be in for two days. I haven't been able to get any clear answers as to how long the recovery is. I'm pretty tough and have had a hysterectomy and augmentation and then removal and although they all were painful, the recovery wasn't bad....at least not for me. I'm hoping this will be no different other than I'll wake up feeling deformed.
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20 Aug 2012
Sandlake - hysterectomy
4 Sept 2012
Trinity0723 - MX (left)
5 Sept 2012
Leah_S - MX on remaining side plus bilateral TE placement
6 Sept 2012
leahlee - excisional biopsy
katylynn - BMX with TEs
7 Sept 2012
KnBsAngel - MX with TE
marianelizabeth - lumpectomy, SNB
the5owens - lumpectomy
Momluke - MX (left) with reconstruction and symmetric surgery
10 Sept 2012
Sandlake - BMX with TEs
ohiobecky - MX (left)
java11 - MX with DIEP (left), reduction (right)
11 Sept 2012
SweetCaroline2 - MX, Lat Dorsi with TE
Tzvia - MX with TE
mrskimber47 - BMX with implants
SAR843 - BMX, DIEP/TRAM
13 Sept 2012
cthynsh - lumpectomy, SNB
cjw75 - BMX
14 Sept 2012
kittykoma05 - BMX with TEs
17 Sept 2012
positivenergy - BMX with DIEP
18 Sept 2012
gajor4 - MX with bilateral DIEP
4caseygirl - BMX
SooZQ - BMX with TEs
Sharon1942 - UMX with DIEP
19 Sept 2012
michellej1980 - BMX, DIEP
cathyann - MX
20 Sept 2012
LockeKopp - BMX with LD and TE
RainMaze - BMX
24 Sept 2012
Sneakychiquita - skin-sparing UMX with TE reconstruction
Mumtobe - MX
LyndaMarie - BMX with TEs
annievan - TE to implant exchange
KellieDenise66 - BMX with TEs
25 Sept 2012
Teri060811 - BMX
FightingLikeAGirl - BMX with TEs
26 Sept 2012
sandrav - bilateral DIEP
triplem67 - BMX
27 Sept 2012
kmfrost - UMX/BMX (deciding)
scared2death2 - BMX
28 Sept 2012
Jennt28 - BMX, muscle sparing free TRAM
Dakota212 - BMX with TEs
robertson8272 - MX with a SNB and LAT Flap With TE
1 Oct 2012
kltb04 - BMX with TEs
15 Oct 2012
rozem - BMX with TE's and lat dorsi flap (on the radiated side)
unknown date
Bargala - BMX with TEs -
Jennt - - Big thanks again to you for maintaining this site/dates and for all your encouragement to the September ladies.
In going in Monday for the TE/implant exchange. A few things came to mind to add for those of you making hospital packing lists and preparing things for home post MX -
A couple of additions:
-one of those cups with the screw-on lid is helpful. For the recovery days in bed (in hospital and at home) I was a little loopy to have an open cup of drink bedside. Was so thankful I had a lid when I knocked my drink over in my drugged-out state~
- a blank notebook for your husband or friends or whoever's hanging out with you. this is helpful for keeping notes of what nurses tell you, details of who's called to check on you, who came by and all the myriad of things your anesthetized brain won't remember~
- I found that loose fitting, button-up pjs were great - My TE boobs didn't like anything much touching them, so loosefitting PJS and camis were helpful. I have three teenaged/early 20s sons, and the commando option didn't seem like a good idea for me.
- Don't forget or skimp on the stool softener or Mirolax, etc. The pain killers DO mess you up and then that makes you feel awful all over - Keep ahead of that.
If I think of any other earth-shattering ideas, I'll pass them along.
Good luck to you all!
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Hi all! I have bmx scheduled for the 26th and the fear is kicking in big time. I guess it's fear of the unknown. I remember being scared of chemo before it happened. I have delayed reconstruction since doc wants me to wait till after rads. Really hate the thought of no breasts for a while. But I finally realized its about my life, not cosmetic issues. Will keep all in prayer who are headed into surgery. Thanks for starting this group! Glad I found it.
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Added you above triplem67 - welcome :-/
Jenn -
Welcome to the newcomers.
Keb-destiny2 - I don't have any surgical/StageIV insight to pass along beyond what Jennt28 posted, but I'd highly recommend popping into the threads specifically for Stage IV as well as this one. I've read through some of their threads... highly supportive and well researched group, so I think you may find additional answers and support there.
KellieDenise66m- I used to own/operate a bicycle courier company in Vancouver called The Sneaky Messenger. Since then, Sneaky and forms of it have been my tag, so to speak. I haven't run that company since 1999, but the nickname has stuck. In fact, I think there are some people I messengered with who don't even know my real name
Last full day before surgery and there's still soooooo much to do beforehand. Good thing being a mom has made me well accustomed to sleep deprivation. Good night all. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
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Sneakychiquita- I love it! Explains the cute bike helmet too.
Try not to run yourself down preparing for Monday. I was going full speed ahead trying to clean, organize, and arrange duties for helpers while I'll be MIA from my kiddos. I finally hit a brick wall! Im exhausted, both physically, and emotionally. I'm trying to slow it down a bit. Just laying low with the fam and doing my best to get all these crazy thoughts out of my head. Take extra good care of yourself sneaky! I'm thinking of you and our other monday surgery mates. -
Good luck to all the Monday women! Sunday night here and since I am at work right up until Thursday I don't have any more time to prepare. I even have a telecon meeting from 5-6pm on Thursday evening that I am then responsible for getting the minutes out for so will be working late!
Jenn -
Hi all, just back from post-op check with the PS. She's very pleased with the way my skin is healing. She was sure she'd see some necrosis on the rads side since the skin was so thin and non-pliable but it's healing well. She took out the stitches and put steristrips back on as a bit of help, and we won't start fills for 3 months though I'm supposed to see her in 1 month. Naturally I forgot to ask if that means 3 months from the date of surgery or 3 months from today but next time I see her I'll ask. She's being extremely cautious because of the rads.
Keb-destiny, it's true that bmx is usually not done when a person is Stage IV. However, it's something that's starting to happen when a woman has a low level of mets and is stable. I suggest you talk to your onc about the pros and cons of the surgery after you're stable on your current tx. Also, don't hesitate to get a second opinion if you want one. The relationship with your onc is a long-term one and you have to be comfortable with your doc.
Leah
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Sending prayers and hugs to Sneakychiquita, mumtobe, lyndamarie, annievan and kelliedenise. Make yourself stop preparing and do something fun, something for you!
annievan~ My notebook came in very helpful too! My throat was so sore, I couldn't talk very loud. Just out of recovery I wrote to my husband and daughter "pad is god"!! instead of "pad is good" haha
sneakychiquita~ I am going to try that clothes peg on the seat belt idea! I was bad and put that darn strap behind me for the ride home.
Hope everyone post surgery are having better days!
Today is my one year cancerversary!
{{{hugs}}}
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Good luck to all of the Monday ladies! Go forth and kick it to the curb!
I have my follow up with BS on Tuesday. And back on the Herceptin this week too. I am very ready to get rid of this last drain.
Trying to start researching bras and forms, very overwhelming. I feel like every time I read about them I get more and more confused. -
Just a quick update. My surgery went well on Wednesday but had been feeling so rough since. Today I am feeling more like myself.
I have only one drain left which looks like it might come out soon. My new breasts were very bruised but are healing nicely. My tummy feels worse than anything else - REALLY tight. I had chest problems and low blood pressure but both are sorted now. Had a shower this morning an although in a shower chair, I managed to wash my hair and body myself. Have just been wearing a hospital gown. Can't bear the thought of anything else.
The first 2 or 3 days were Hell. No sleep, people checking me every half an hour, drains, drips, cannulae and catheter all hanging out of me and blankets all on top of me! I just hope this has all been worth it!! Hope others are recovering well and good luck to those having surgery this week.
Michelle -
Good luck to all the ladies having surgery next week!! I'll be praying for you!
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Best of luck to all ladies having surgery next week! I had mine this past Tuesday, 9/18/12. I'm doing okay and just looking for each day to get a little better than the day before. Hopefully drains will come out on Thursday. I've already told KelliDenise this, but ladies, make sure you have your laxative supply ready to go and USE THEM as soon as you get home! You don't want to add to the discomfort that you'll be having post op!
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about 10 days out of surgery. Almost done with antibotics, didn't take the pain killers last night (except toynal). I have an appt this morning and I am praying that I get these damn drains out. They are bugging the heck out of me. I meet with the Chemo dr on Friday and I guess that is to see the treatment plan. haven't heard anything about the final pathothogly report, which, I pray it looks like, like the dr says it will be. They only had to take 2 lumpnods. Let's pray that don't take anymore!!!
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vik11 and cjw75, glad to see you're healing well. I hope you both get the news you want on your path reports.
Well, this might be a case of Leah Gets To Be Different. I've seen how everyone is very bothered by the drains, but I barely noticed them. The ones I had have clips on them so I clipped them to the inside of whatever I had on and didn't notice them at all. No discomfort, nothing. I was also concerned about the effect of the meds on my gut so I decided to eat stewed prunes and apricots as a stool softener both before and after surgery as a precaution. So I ended up with diarrhea (which didn't really surprise me since I tend to go iin that direction). So - my advice is, use a stool softener as a precaution, not a laxative unless you already need it.
Best of luck to all with upcoming surgeries.
Leah
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vik11~ I am two weeks out of surgery and had an awful time with constipation! I am still having issues, I am still taking Norco every 7 hours so that isn't helping! I had my drains in for a week, seemed good to free myself of them. I couldn't drain them myself so relied on Husband and friends to help me twice a day. Glad you are feeling better each day!
cjw75~ Hope your appt went well this morning and that your drains are out! It must seem good to off the pain meds, that is my goal to get off the asap! Keep us posted on your path results, keeping you in my prayers!
Leah~ I need to get some stewed prunes and apricots! Prune juice and miralax aren't doing the job
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Sandlake, I'm sorry to hear you're still having "those" problems. If you can, get prunes and dried apricots and stew them yourself (that's what I did). Just put them in a pot with water to cover and simmer for about 45 miinutes. They're sweet enough by themselves so that's all you need to do.
Leah
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Leah~ your remedy sounds easier on my body than those awful laxative pills! thank you!!
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Ugh! I dreamt about my last remaining drain last night. It needs to go! Cannot wait for my appt tomorrow!
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