September 2012 Surgery
Comments
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Hold everything..... My breast surgeon just phoned... She is pregnant and is right now sitting in the hospital with a complication. Not sure if she will be released or capable of surgery on Friday morning and without her doing the mastectomy first the surgery will have to be cancelled.
There is a back-up plan but it still involves her having to supervise the surgery as her public registrar will then perform or partly perform the MX (I am currently going in as a private patient and would still be private but with the MX part done like it was public - funny Australian system of socialised healthcare). He can't go ahead without her supervising though and if she can't then the whole surgery falls in a heap and I have to find a new BS and reschedule the surgery.
I am the only surgery on the PS' list and my BS can't get hold of him today because of the Jewish holiday so he won't know about all of this until tomorrow.
Won't really know if all OK until Friday morning right when surgery is scheduled... :-S
I had just gotten back from my Herceptin infusion when I got her call. I am gutted....
Jenn
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awwwwh jenn so sorry to hear this! i know how i felt when they called me 2 wks ago that my surgery was delayed another 2 wks so i can imagine having this dropped on you a few days before. Hang in there, you never know, she may still be able to supervise or do the surgery. Hoping that everything goes as planned for friday. take care
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Jenn!
I am so sorry! I am praying the her complication with the pregnancy will be quickly resolved making her available for your surgery! You've been on a long road. Waiting any longer would really be frustrating! -
Ah Jenn I'm so sorry to hear that! It makes you realise just how much we depend on these doctors, who at the end of the day are all human like the rest of us.
Fingers crossed all goes to plan. -
OMG Jenn, and not knowing for another day too! BC throwing yet another curve ball. Positive thoughts heading west.
Marian
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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
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
LyndaMarie - BMX with TEs -
Jenn, so sorry that your waiting just became even harder! Not fare, this whole BC road is too damn bumpy!! Sending hugs your way, hoping your surgeon's complications are better in a few days!!
Sneakychiquita, Good call on the lids!!! I have an issue with those lids too. It's amazing how much I use those pectoral muscles....ouchy
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Jenn -
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Sigh. Not gonna lie, but these last two weeks have been super hard. I was in the hospital almost a week (got out on the 17th) b/c I was in so much pain. The worst part was the drains. I had six of them. Four in the breast and two that were practically in my vajajay (those were the worst ones). I had 5 of them removed last Fri but one of the vajajay ones had to stay in til Monday. It felt so good to be free of the drains, but I think the drain pain was masking the other pain, b/c I've had a lot of pain in the breast and abdominal area. My dr told me to get compression underwear, so maybe that will help the pain a bit. I'm trying not to take too much percocet but I caved this am. In good news, my dr said the margins were clear! There was still a 15cm tumor left in the breast, even after 10 rounds of aggressive chemo, but they think they got it all. My dr said it looks like the lymph nodes were all lumped in with the tumor and they can't tell how many were affected, or how many they even took out. My dr said she's never encountered that before. I'm back on Tamoxifen now and hopefully will start radiation in a few weeks. I hope all of my Sept surgery buddies are doing well! Feel free to pm me with any questions, etc.
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Hello My September Sisters,
Hope everyone is doing well. I'm a little too drugged and havent been able to read through all the recent posts. You ladies have been so heavily on my mind. I just couldn't let another moment go by without thanking you again for holding my hand on this phase of my journey. For those of you out of surgery, big healing thoughts, and prayers, and those of you going in, peace of mind. I'll check back in soon.
~kellie -
Jenn - So sorry to hear about the confusion! I remain in surgical limbo as well and was much happier with my original plan.
Update from my stressful surgical limbo experience: Everything just got more stressful. Because of my elevated liver enzymes I had lab work and an abdominal CT yesterday. The lab work was back same day and it was great [although they did not rerun the liver enzymes]. They said they would call with CT results today. Today they called saying I need an MRI on my spine. Evidently there was a spot on my spine early in the diagnostic process that was deemed to be nothing. This morning they called it a "lesion" that appeared bigger. They are also going to rerun the liver enzymes [like I care about my liver right now...]. I am trying to not freak out. Afterall, I have been through 20 weeks of chemo already, with wonderful imaging results. How could anything be sneaking around elsewhere in my body? I have an appointment Friday morning to go over all the test results. It will be a true test of my faith to get from now to Friday without some kind of breakdown.
I hope you are all having a better morning than I have had. Sorry if this is a downer. Wanting deperately to remain a stage IIB...
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Oh my goodness Jenn that's so frustrating! I hope your BS can supervise so you'll get your surgery.
LyndaMarie, I hope your scans come back with boring results.
SAR, please don't hesitate to take the pain meds. When I had my first mx 4 years ago a nurse told me that at one time minimum pain meds were given but they've since found that people heal more quickly if they use the meds since your energy goes to healing instead of fighting with pain. Pain wears you down.
I'm another one who couldn't open the child-safe caps. I had my child do it. heeheeheeheeheehee OK, the child in question is 19 but she's my baby so I'm allowed to call her my child. Actually, it was good that she did since she wants to help where she can and I think it lessens her fears when she does.
Leah
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Leah - You're right. The days I don't take the pain meds I end up miserable and passing out from exhaustion. I just hate the constipation that comes with the meds. I've been taking colace, senna, etc. already and having issues to begin with.
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I am now taking a small amount of Metamucil every day. It seems to work better than the sennekot with colace.
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Jenn- hope you get your surgery done as scheduled, sending you hugs!!!
Lynda and Sar - sending positive vibes for a speedy recovery.
I'm hoping to get my last two drains out on Monday, I really hope it happens. -
It's on! They have confirmed my surgery booking for tomorrow and my surgeon will be there, so her secretary tells me, even if she has to wander down from her own hospital bed.
My double mastectomy will now be done by the resident supervised by my surgeon which is what would have happened if I'd been going in as a public patient (which I couldn't do because there is a 2yr+ waiting list). I have had independent confirmation from several people that the resident is not only excellent at his job but is also drop dead gorgeous "like a Bollywood star". One of my Facebook friends has said she could do with a boob job, tummy tuck and Bollywood experience ;-)
My plastic surgeon (who I just discovered today has a 5 year waiting list that I managed to skip up) will then step in and do his 7 hour magic to do the free TRAM.
Can't wait for the new improved "Barbie boob" version of Jennifer. It is currently 3pm on Thursday here and I have to be at the hospital by 7am tomorrow.
Jenn -
Jenn,
I am so happy for you! I pray that all goes well as u hit the road running towards the new you!!! -
Urgh - just got told I have to be there at 6.30am! Oh well, don't think I'll be sleeping much tonight anyway.
Jenn -
Happy to hear you are back on track, Jenn. Hope it all goes well for you and everyone else the remainder of this month.
I have feeling back in my hand! That was the scariest thing to wake up with a numb/painful hand. Really thought they did some serious nerve damage while working in the axilla. And I've got stronger pain meds now, so hopefully I'll get some sleep tonight.
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Great news Jen!
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Jenn, such great news to wake up to!! Yay for "Barbie Boobs" so happy for you.
Sneakychiquita, My hands are good now too, but just started this awful burning painful sensation on my back below the shoulder blade.
Kittykoma, Hang in there with those dreadful drains!
Marian, I've been taking Miralax with prune juice. My next trip to the grocery store I think I will try the stewed prune and apricot recipe from Leah S. I still need my pain meds 16 days post surgery, hopefully the pain will ease up these next couple of weeks so I can get off the meds!
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Yay Jenn - surgery as planned and hot surgeon to boot!
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Oh and when I go in Monday, I have to be there at 5 a.m.! Meaning I will need to leave my house by a little after 4!
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Another question for those who have been there and done that...kids visiting - yes or no? My mom says no way. Others have told me they have had their kids come up to the hospital for a brief visit. Mine are 9 and 12. I should find out more definitely today after preop visit with PS but I was told 1-3 days in the hospital. Hoping for only one. (BMX w/TE's)
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kltb04 - I am very close to my 6 year old daughter and initially planned on bringing her to the hospital for a good-bye cuddle, but then axed that when I realized I had 2 different hospitals to go to and it was looking like a hectic pre-op schedule. Instead I brought a picture of her and had it taped to my bedside so hers was the last face I saw before drifting off. She visited me in my room post-op - we waited before telling her dad to bring her for the visit until I was fully awake, but also well doped up on pain meds to ensure she didn't see me wearing a pain face. She definitely seemed quiet and out of sorts at first, but after about 30 minutes she was laying in bed with me and watching cartoons on my laptop. I was glad she visited, but grateful for the laptop as I didn't have had the energy to talk the whole visit. I don't keep anything from her so she's been fully informed since Day 1 and was somewhat prepared for this. I was afraid of her seeing the drains, but she seemed totally fine with it once I explained it all. She'll likely be the first person I show the scarred foob to and judging on how she's handled everything else so far she'll probably hold my hand, tell me everything's going to be alright, and then run to get a stuffie from her room for me to hold onto
She's a good kid.Best of luck!
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Yeah Jenn!!!! I have to be at the hospital at 6:00. Leaving my house at 5:00!!! U will be on before me!!! It's 12:00 here Thursday !!!
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Jenn, so happy that you got the go-ahead and I got the smiles thinking about your drop dead gorgeous resident. Wow, the Australian medical system sounds complicated and maybe broken? What happens to BC patients who do not have private insurance?
I got to go for my SNB injection so early preop that when I was driving to the hospital for the surgery the sun was just coming up. We really enjoyed that to be honest, no traffic yet, quiet and beautiful. Sneakychiquita is that what you had to do to for the SNB? Sneaky, I am with you on the kids question. Several years ago I was having a reasonably serious surgery and wanted to see my 3 young kids (7, 10 and 13) and I am glad they came for a brief visit. They were interested in all the machines and the youngest watched cartoons on TV. In a way, I think if they had not been allowed to come, it would have been more worrying for them. So Kitt I would do what you want! Sandlake, Miralax is on my list.
Bone scan today, Yay! And another sunny day.
Marian -
Hello Ladies: So, I'm 10 days post op and doing pretty good. Just a couple of things that I wish I had known, before now, I wanted to share. PS pulled two drains earlier in the week, one because it was ready ( that meaning if it produces 30 ccs or less of fluid 2 days in a row) and one because it kept getting blocked. The one that wasn't really ready yet ended up causing some fluid collection in that area, which was sore and concerning. The VNA came to check it out so I would not have to take another drive to Boston, which was tough 6 days post op, and made a suggestion that has changed the drainage for the better. We knew we were supposed to squeeze the bulbs to create suction, but the VNA said to actully roll the bulbs like a toothpaste tube before capping it. It was amazing how much better the drains worked after that. Looks like another is about ready to come out. Here's to moving forward and allowing myself the time my body needs to heal!!! P.S. the tummy tuck is amazing and the newbs are looking pretty awsome. Getting a bit tired and will write more later, hope everyone in the September surgery group, that has already had surgery, is healing well. And, if your surgery is still up and coming - be patient it will be great. I was trying to eat better to prepare for surgery and at this point, I am down 13 pounds since I first met with the surgeon and much more fluid to release - yippeeee....
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Positive-
Where r u?? I am in MA also!
I am
Going to the Faulkner tomorrow for surgery. -
I agree that my daughter would have been more upset if she didn't get to visit. It really wasn't a scary sight to see once I was in my room. Her father said that her mood improved after seeing me and again once I returned home. Do what you think is best, but I'm a big fan of being completely honest... I think trying to "protect" children often leads to unknowns that bother them.
Marian - yes, SNB injection at St. Paul's at 6:30, then straight to UBC. UBC was expecting me at 6am so my pre-op was very rushed. I was glad I had my mom in the pre-op area helping me get everything together. I even made her take pictures of my breasts after the PS had marked them up, so we've reached a new level in our relationship
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