September 2012 Surgery

Jennt28

Still on the pain meds and in hospital so pain is under control.



Still have the 2 abdo drains. Looks like I will be here until Sunday and will then leave with either no drains in or 1 drain still. Hoping for none...



Jenn

Sandlake

Jenn, such a relief...so happy for you!!

Sneakychiquita

Seriously, Jenn, on a scale of 0-10, where is your pain? 

Jennt28

1 with the drugs on board...



And am surprised at the stomach muscle control I seem to have. Was expecting far less than I actually have :-)



Oxycontin slow release 80mg every 12 hours. Tramadol 50mg every 6 hours although I actually have 2 x 50mg prescribed and am only taking one and the second one very occassionally.



Jenn

Jennt28

Sneaky - where is your pain sitting? Are you covered enough? I am not waiting for pain - they bring me meds on schedule so it doesn't hit...



Young man having psychotic episode in the room next to mine tonight. It's rather loud and was a bit scary earlier. They have guards on his door (and those of us next to him if he gets out of the room which he has done several times). They have been trying to sedate him but the shots are only keeping him down for 1/2 hr at a time he is so hyper. Not sure if this is drug induced but mental illness is so sad.



I'm a private patient in this public hospital - reckon they'll give me a discount for tonight?



Jenn

marianelizabeth

Jenn, go for the discount and that got smiles! So glad to hear about your path!

Sneakychiquita

Jenn - Oh, I was just kidding (forgot to insert winking emoticon).  I owe you, Momluke, that totally cracked me up this morning.  Be careful about mentioning the guards at the hospital... they may charge extra for the added security most don't receive 

I've been out of the hospital for a week and 2 days now, but I'd have to say that yesterday felt like the first day I was truly on the other side of the whole mastectomy thing.

Hope you're all doing well. 

KellieDenise66

Joyous news Jennt! : )

kltb04

Oh my Jenn! I thought it was bad when there was a toddler running up and down the halls on my floor (which I think was also post -surgical maternity) yikes.

KellieDenise66

JennT - oh crap, just read your hospital post. That is crazy!!! No pun intended. Take notes, should make for some juicy journal entries.



On a serious note, hate that the poor guy is suffering. Relieved to hear the hospital is at minimum keeping everyone safe with guards. Too bad for you all it isn't on another floor!

That is scary stuff. My ex sustained a severe brain injury as a result of a car accident. I was his caregiver for yrs. Crazy is dangerous. He was an electrician by trade, and during one of his hospitalization he was caught dismantling his roommates dialysis machine!!!!! Can you imagine!?



Stay safe girlfriend!!

cjw75

I got to have my drains out yesterday after 3 weeks post-op. He didn't want to pull them, but after a little talking...he decided to do it. I feel a lot better...almost normal! I get my port put in on Monday, and start Chemo on the 18th. That is going to be a long 20 weeks.

Leah_S

My goodness, Jenn, at least you're not bored in the hospital.

OK, I think I win the Weird Hospital Experience contest, despite Jenn's story. PS dept is right next to eye dept in the hospital I was in. One day there was a prisoner brought in for eye surgery - someone who was in jail for terrorist activiy. They had guards with him round the clock, in addition to having him chained to his bed. Never a dull moment.

I wish the best to all who are starting chemo soon. It was a difficult eperience, but someone said something on the boards that helped me focus away from the negative. She said her onc told her, "Chemo is not the enemy. Cancer is the enemy". I hope that helps all of you as much as it helped me.

Kltb04, did you have a fill yet or are you still waiting? It's so strange for me to think about you guys starting fills so soon since I won't start them for 3 months. The PS is planning to go veerrryyy sloooowwwly on this since my skin is stiff from rads. Some of you might be done with fills before I start!

BTW, I've been using one of those 2-wheeled carts for years. I always called them "granny carts" even though I started using one before I was a granny!

Leah

Leah

kittykoma05

My PS is being very aggressive with the fills. I had another one today. I'm already at 240cc and it hasn't even been three weeks since my BMX.

KellieDenise66

Wow kittykoma, how are you tolerating the fills? I was filled 60 cc's at the time of my BMX on one side, and close to nothing on the other. Although my expanders are over my pecs, not under. (Thats a whole other conversation.) Having said that the 60 cc side is pretty uncomfortable. Feels like a fist is going to come punching through the upper portion of my breast. The sensation is bizarre. I think sneaqychiquita described it as a "small animal trying to get out." Lol. Shes right! Have you spent any time on the "exchange city" or "breast implant sizing 101" threads? Lots of support with questions about fills, etc.



Hope you're not in too much discomfort. Please keep us posted.

Jennt28

After a hell night on our ward the young man has been "scheduled" and is being transferred to a psych unit very soon.



I was so emotionally fragile this morning I just sobbed when told no drain out today. Am now staying till Sunday and will likely go home with 1 drain. They have organised for the community nurse to come daily to change the drain bag.



Every 2nd suture from my unbilicus was removed this morning and the rest will come out on Monday.



Hoping to regain some of my "zen" and get some sleep this afternoon.



Jenn

kmfrost

Well don't have to do full dissection of nodes but will do chemo and rads. Giving me option of two drugs: tch or a three drug option: ac plus paclitaxel plus trastuzumab either combined with the herceptin....also considering stage three clinical trial for pertuzumab....getting my port installed tomorrow.



Hated the pain number question. Sorry you were there so long and discharge sucked.

Dakota212

Jenn-

U r a better person than I am with the person next door !!! I am a week out a finally feel a little myself. My sister has been awesome lets just say my husband who claims to be moving home everyday doesn't. What an ephinany when he won't come home to help me after this. I have 200 c c's in each side. Does anybody know how long the path report takes. ?

marianelizabeth

kmfrost have you had surgery yet or chemo first? Looks like very similar dx to mine and I just yesterday got the stage from my oncologist and also IIIa and 6/8 nodes but hey 5/7 just about the same too. Your comment of not having to do a full dissection gives me some hope. 

Dakota so glad you have your sister and it does sound like an epiphany! I think the path is often a lot faster in the US I guess depending on how the pathology dept. works and how much money is thrown at it. In so many posts it seems like 7-10 days whereas here it took 17 days for mine. They say 7-10 business days and for me, that wait was one of the worst. Good luck for yours to come soon!

Jenn I bet you are going to feel better once home in your own bed without "hell" nights on the ward! Good luck with that one drain.

Marian 

Leah_S

Oh, Jenn, I'm sorry you're feeling so low. I hope you'll get home soon. Right now I'm sitting in that chair next to your bed, holding your hand and giving you a tissue for the tears.

Leah

Jennt28

Lesson learned - check own chart after any changes. Had ongoing pain consult with a junior dr this afternoon and it was agreed that I would go home on Sunday (its Friday night) with my current two drug combo that has been working well.



Woke in pain just before and asked the nurse for the breakthrough pain relief only to find that the dr has discontinued it on the chart for the next two days (idiot) although had done a script for it again from Sunday when I leave (bright spark).



Nurses only allowed to give 1 tablet so sitting here in pain waiting for a dr to come and rewrite the drug back on my chart for the next two days.

marianelizabeth

Just got a call from the hospital and they had a cancellation so I get my port in this afternoon. I had eaten breakfast (been up since 0400) but since it will be late afternoon seems OK with them. Thanksgiving weekend here and I will be giving thanks that I will have that port in now and then maybe a cancellation too so I can get the chemo going. My husband and 20 year old son are running in a half marathon on Vancouver Island Sunday so away tomorrow for the weekend so it will be quiet for recuperation. I know it is not a general for the insertion but I suspect I will still be under the weather for a day or two.

Jenn I hope by now you have that med situation fixed. 

Momluke

Jenn,

I am so sorry about your pain meds issue. My surgery was on a Fri, Sat night the dr discontinued the morphine pump to put me on oral meds. The orals lasted only about an hour and a half. During the night, when I asked for something for pain the nurse said I had to wait another 3 hours then she said I can give you an extra strength Tylenol. I said some unkind words about the offer of Tylenol. The dr was called and the pump was brought back.



We definitely have to be out own advocates!

Jennt28

Good luck Marianelizabeth. I had my port put in way back in January. It was uncomfortable for quite a few weeks but not bad, just weird pulling feeling. Now I forget that it's there most of the time...



Jenn

kltb04

I am still in a lot of pain at home when I try to move. I just don't know what is normal and what isn't. PS is being an ass. When DH called to ask about my pain he said something along the lines of "well there is going to be some pain. Deal with it". Not those words but that was the gist. I am on Percocet every 4 with a muscle relaxer every 8.



No I wasn't given exercises or anything to do. Maybe because I had no nodes removed? I had my snb at diagnosis. But I would still think I would need to be doing something.

Sneakychiquita

kltb04 - Forgive me for not remembering this and being too lazy to scroll through the thread, but what kind of reconstruction are you doing?  The exercises guidelines I'm following apply to those who had: pedicle or free TRAM, DIEP flap, SGAP, TUG flap, SIEA, or TE/implant.  They are basic, but they are working for me.  I've worked myself up to 8 different exercises (started at just deep breathing on the first day) and I do them all 3x daily.  I notice my discomfort increases a bit after doing the exercises, but my ROM and overall discomfort is improving dramatically and I'm certain it is because of the exercises.  If you had one of these reconstructive surgeries I'll scan the booklet tonight and send it to you.  PM your email address to me (not sure I can attach docs in a PM).  

 Off to pick up my kid from school now.  Sending healing vibes to all. 

  

Sneakychiquita

Even better....

Go to http://vch.eduhealth.ca and enter Breast Reconstruction Exercises in the Search field.  The pamphlet should pull up for you.  No need to add it to your cart.  Just select "View Printable PDF."

Now get yourself moving, but do it slowly.  You should feel a stretch/pull, but stop short of pain.

Good luck! 

LockeKopp

I was in the hospital for 2 weeks! I got a infection, so they removed the TE. I moved 4 times while in the hospital. My chest looks like from a horror movie.

I would still be in the hospital, but my wonderful PS called my insurance and convinced them it will save them $$$ to sent me home on a oral antibiotic rather then keep me in the hospital.....Duh



My pain is under control with Valium and oxycodone.

I got 6 drains in...

Sneakychiquita

LockeKopp - I'm so sorry to hear about this.  Do you know what your next steps are?  Are they going to put the TEs back in once you've recovered?

KellieDenise66

Marian, hope things went as smooth as possible today with your port insertion, and that you have a restful weekend ahead. Been thinking about ya all week. Hoping, and praying for that chemo cancellation as well.



JennT, what a crazy time you've had. Here's to you getting that JENN - ZEN back!



Sneaky- thanks for the exercise info. I was given none. I feel like I'll never stand up straight again.



Lockekopp- so sorry you're suffering with an infection. Hoping your oral antibiotics keep things healing so you don't need to be hospitalized. Why on earth did you have to be moved four times? What an ordeal for you. Welcome home.



Kltb4- I'm sorry your ps was such a big wenis!!! (can u tell I have young kids?sorry) I mean seriously if the pain is so bad that it warranted a phone call, getting a crappy answer like that from a doctor is unacceptable! Wishing you an effective pain management course that gets you through. Keep us posted.



Momluke- how are ya holding up?

Momluke

KellieDenise,

I'd be doing better if I can get this insomnia under control. I go back to work in a little over 2 weeks and not being able to sleep at night will really put a cramp into things.



I have been able to go back to doing my DH's home hemo dialysis treatments. He is glad that my son was able to do them while I have been down but he is super happy that I can help out with them now.