September 2012 Surgery

marianelizabeth

Kellieedenise, your house is humming! But glad to hear about the home care nurse. Our daughter moved back to her place last night but she is coming with me to LGFB this afternoon. My sister and her husband are visiting from Nova Scotia but coming and going and back with us for the weekend so with our two sons here (one in basement suite with girlfriend and younger one up with us) it is busy. I retire to my "nest" in our bedroom when it gets too busy and to be honest am here right now!

Guess down the road I will need to see about a new surgery thread but I think that is months off if rads before surgery. One step at a time.

Sneaky, glad you are thinking long and hard about the egg retrieval. I had major infertility issues and did lots of programs including successful IVF in Singapore and had that son at age 40 then our last son at age 43 with no regrets ever. I would not think of it as an abuse of their generosity if it just takes one more things off your mind that you cannot easily decide on now with so many other decisions to make.

Marian

kltb04

bahaha Kellie - my 9 year old just plops herself down on the floor in the bathroom when I am taking a bath and talks to me...she is fascinated by this whole process.  Asked me the other day "why does the dr have to keep drawing on your boobies every time you go?" (after he marked spots for the injection site for the fill with a sharpie).  I agree on what mine look like...it's so tempting to pick at them - so gross but it is!

michellej1980

Kellie - boob still the same. Just soft and yellow. I might call the nurse tomorrow just in case it's not right and something needs to be done about it sooner rather than later. I could kick myself for picking. My left boob has healed beautifully. The right one is gonna be ugly!

michellej1980

I spoke to the nurse and described it and she said it was normal and that now the necrotic tissue has gone it should heal nicely. I didn't say that I picked it off though, just that it had "come off"! Hopefully, it won't make any difference. I don't understand what benefit keeping it on gave if it was dead, it's not like it's a proper scab. But anyway, fingers crossed...

kltb04

LOL...I hope I don't have one that scars worse than the other either.  My right side has healed up so much better than the left.

Sneakychiquita

Hi everyone.  Hope those wounds are healing.

I saw my PS for a fill yesterday and when I asked if there was anything I could do to encourage nerve regeneration to the skin on my breast he said there has been recent research showing that touching your breast with different textures and pressures will help your brain re-learn the different sensations.  For instance, massage your breast with your hands, but also try lightly stroking it with a terry cloth.  

This area isn't my main priority right now so it's on the back-burner, but when I find the time I'll do some research to see what I can find in the literature and share my findings.

marianelizabeth

Sneaky, thanks for the advice and hope I can remember it way down the road when I have my next surgery. Surgery and rads discussion are on my list for my next MO appt. I guess you have seen the first and I guess second article on Canadians papers this week on BC? First was about Belinda Stronach and have not looked to see if the second in the series is in today's paper.

I know I am going to be depending on all your collective wisdom, ladies when I do have my modified radical mx and axillary dissection and maybe immediate reconstruction. I am not kidding myself that it is not on the agenda, just a bit busy with chemo now! But I am mananging really well with it and am so happy about that for now!

Thanks to BCO for this site too!

Marian

Dakota212

Mom-

Congrats!!!! Hope all is well!!!

Dakota212

Leah-



Congrats to u too!!! Had to catch up been a busy few days. Hope everyone is feeling great!!!

adagio

I  have a question to all of you women regarding massage of the scar on the breast? I went to an exercise physiologist who said that I should be massaging the scar on the breast very lightly to help prevent it from becoming lumpy, bumpy underneath. I never heard of this before. To be honest, I tend not to touch my breast because it feels so bumpy and lumpy. Any input?

adagio

I  have a question to all of you women regarding massage of the scar on the breast? I went to an exercise physiologist who said that I should be massaging the scar on the breast very lightly to help prevent it from becoming lumpy, bumpy underneath. I never heard of this before. To be honest, I tend not to touch my breast because it feels so bumpy and lumpy. Any input?

Sneakychiquita

Adagio - I've heard similar, but I'm not entirely sure of the time frame of when that should begin.  I went for a massage with someone who had recently gone through a course specifically on breast massage, but she avoided the scar in that session (I think it was too soon in both of our minds).  We were more concerned about working around the breast to improve lymph flow.  She also broke up a lot of connective tissue that was around my TE and it was amazing how much more movement I had once that was taken care of.  I've read about scar massage in different threads, but I can't direct you to where that was because it was rather long ago. I definitely plan on incorporating that, but I'm not entirely sure when is best to start.  I can just tell you that it feels a little too soon for me because I don't think it's entirely healed.

PM if you're interested in breast massage and I can direct you to the person who gave me one.  She works out of 2 clinics in Vancouver, one a bit east and one a bit west.   

Jennt28

My PS has had me massaging my reconstructed breasts and my abdominal incision since 3 weeks after surgery. He said to use a normal moisturising cream (something you would normally use) and to do it at least 3 times a day for 6 weeks.



I'm sure this has helped my incisions heal nicely (apart from a couple of internal stitches working their way out...).



Jenn

kltb04

Hey ladies - just thought I would check in - had a bit of a setback.  Well, I knew it was probably coming.  I had a second opinion on rads yesterday and had a second RO tell me that rads would be beneficial although I only had the one node positive.  So rads it is.  My PS wasn't happy to hear it but once I welled up with tears on him in the office yesterday, he softened up.  The rads will be on the right side but he had to let volume out of my left side because of the way the rads will hit.  So now I am lopsided and will be facing a much, much longer expansion process...and possible lat flap if the skin doesn't cooperate after.

Jennt28

What a pain kltb... Was your positive node macrometastatic or something? It is unusual (here) to have rads after a mastectomy with only one positive node...



I had the one node and since I wasn't happy with rads after my initial lumpectomy that was one of the main reasons to go and get the BMX.



Still, there are many many women on here that have done rads with no short or long term problems - except that potential for skin stretch problems with the implants...



Hug!!!!!!!!!



Jenn

michellej1980

Copied from my post in DIEP thread:



My small abdo hole has scabbed up again and the nurse says no need to dress it now. I was worried about them mentioning a clip inside me but apparently if it is there it's dissolvable anyway so I will not pick anymore! It's really itchy there though...



Plastics nurse was happy with what was the necrosis on my right boob but was worried about healing and possibility of infection during chemo. She said the yellow soft stuff is just fat (yuk). I went and checked on chemo ward to make sure they know about it and I can still start chemo tomorrow. They took swabs to check it's not infected and we'll monitor it so fingers crossed. It's a pain though. God knows how long I'm gonna have to dress it till the skins grows back...

kltb04

michelle - did you find out whether it was infected or not?  Hope not and that you were able to start chemo.

Jenn - the factors were multiple.  Age (38 at dx), one node (totally involved with extracapsular nodal something or other), suspicion for LVI (never confirmed because by the time I had BMX I had had chemo), grade 3, her2+++.   My RO just said that in that gray area, the research indicates that it is a risk vs benefit situation and we are dealing with an aggressive cancer so we needed to throw the book at it.  It is right side so my heart isn't in the line of fire and only a small little bitty top area of my lung.

We were going to wait til after Thanksgiving but when I went in today for a "dry run" lol CT to make sure my expanders weren't going to be in the way, he said if we got started right away, we could get it all in before the end of the year.  While I am still at 100% insurance coverage, before it starts over. So I go back tomorrow for simulation/mapping for real and start Monday.

robertson8272

Sorry  I haven't updated in a while ended up with infection and in and out of the hospital and doctors. I'm 6weeks out from R MX, with Lat and TE. The TE was filled in OR with 330 and I've had 2 fills of 120cc It looks ok alot better than It did. I was wondering if anyone is having bad back pain below the scar across the back. I have knots along my spine and side its very painful. Doctors tell me its normal and i should no longer need muscel relaxers or pain meds.

Leah_S

Robertson, I'm sorry you're still having pain. And your docs say this is normal? Doesn't sound like it to me. If you still need pain meds/muscle relaxants then use them!

I'll probably start fills in about 2 -3 weeks. Slowslowslow is what we're doing because of previous rads.

Hope everyone is healing well.

Leah

kittykoma05

Kltb- how is radiation going? I'm in a similar situation as you. I was told I need rads after the BMX because one of my margins was positive. I will finish the fills first then start the rads. I hope you are doing ok.

KellieDenise66

Hi Robertson, so sorry you're hurting. I had a NSBMX, so different from yours but ended up with a lot of back, and shoulder pain as well as some cording issues in my underarm where I had just one node removed. My BS sent me to a physical therapist who has me doing exercises, and lymphatic massage. I'm shocked at how well the PT exercise routine is helping. It's amazing how quickly things can get out of whack when our arms are immobile for only a short period of time. I can only imagine with Lat surgery what kind of pain you must be experiencing. Hope they can do something for you to find relief swiftly. Take care, and keep us posted.



Hi Leah, glad to hear from ya, and that you are healing well.



Kitty- hows it going with your PS? Hope he is being kind, and treating you well. You deserve it! Do you know how many more fills you have left?



Kltb- hope you're doing well with rads? Been thinking about ya. Are those your hugging kitties?



Michelle-hope you are continuing to heal well. I've been trying not to pick at my scab. Its continuing to look like a dry crusty umbilical cord that needs to fall off! It's shrunk considerably but still hanging on for life. I took a longer than usual shower the other day and afterwards it oozed that yellow stuff you spoke of. Maybe it's time is coming. Hope all is going well with your treatment, and wishing you minimal SE's. Hugs lady!

michellej1980

Thanks Kellie! I'm still dressing the damn thing with silver gauze every few days and there's not much change but it does look clean which is the main thing. I'm one week post chemo #1 and have been feeling quite down but thankfully no major SEs. I've got lumpy skin rashes wherever I've had dressings or tape stuck to me even for a short period, like I've developed allergies - weird.

Leah_S

Michele, best of luck with the chemo.

I'll be getting my first fill in 2 weeks. It doesn't seem real in a way - I guess I'll believe it when it happens.

I told my sister I was going to do something I last did 50 years ago - grow breasts.

Leah

marianelizabeth

Now in third cycle of chemo but I saw my BS Friday to discuss the next surgery - mx and axillary dissection and possible immediate reconstruction. But it may have to be rads first which could complicate that. But the referral is in for the PS and I see the RO Dec. 13th.

4 months exactly today since I found my own lump!

Not so many posts these days but nice to still be here with you all.

Marian

Dakota212

Hi ladies -



Hope u all r doing ok. I am going for treatment # 2 on Wednesday. First one not to bad. Hopefully they will stay the same. Have a great night!!!

kittykoma05

Kellie - My PS has been a little nicer during my last two visits.  I still have two fills left, but I'm thinking of just getting one more and calling it quits.  I'm in so much pain from the expanders!!!  Is anyone else experiencing this much discomfort?  It's hard to sleep at night with these bricks on.  I've been super busy at work, so I haven't had a chance to log in here lately.  I am still going to interview other doctors before I go for the exchange surgery.  How are you doing Kellie?

Jennie93

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I have so much to be thankful for, but it's still hard to avoid feeling down and having one of those "why me?" days sometimes.  My surgery was in early September and I feel like I should be completely recovered after this long, but still have so much pain and tightness in the armpit, is this normal?  I never could get a straight answer from my surgeon, he just says everyone is different.  I figured I'd be better off asking my "September Surgery Sisters".   :-)

Leah_S

Jennie, when I had my first mx w/out recon I had PT for months to get back ROM and relieve the tightness. It might be a good idea for you to ask for a script for PT.

All the best,

Leah

Jennt28

I'm 7 weeks out and started at the PT this Wednesday. He gave me a bunch of stretching and strengthening exercises for my chest, shoulders, arms and abdomen. My chest and arms are definitely needing the stretching...



With my abdomen I had been waking every night with muscle spasms which was really getting me down thinking that they might be a permanent result of my free TRAM, but since starting the stretches 2 days ago I haven't gotten the spasms :-)



I'm off to the gynae this morning to schedule my right oopherectomy in the next 2-3 weeks. I've had this cyst on my ovary that isn't going away and may or may not be something serious. I've known about it since mid year but the surgery had to get in the queue. considering how tight and uncomfortable my abdomen is I am not looking forward to waking up from this next surgery.



Jenn

Sneakychiquita

Best of luck with your ooph, Jenn.  

Sorry to hear so many of you are still in pain since your surgeries.  I can definitely still feel tightness, but not real pain.  The TE still feels weird and I really hope that things feel more normal when I exchange for the implant down the road.  Make sure you all are doing stretching/strengthening exercises.  I'm still doing all those exercises I provided a link to and my PT has said that my ROM is completely normal now.  In fact, the main shoulder exercises my PT has prescribed are now targeted at fixing old injuries.  I go for massage and acupuncture once a week as well.  The breast massage has been absolutely amazing for releasing the fascia around the TE.  It's just night and day when I think of how hard and immobile the foob felt before I started the massage.  I definitely think massaging the scar has worked at smoothing things out as well. Just one corner of the scar left that is hard and needs to be broken down.  The acupuncture is just to help with my ridiculously tight back, but even this helps my UMX recovery as it was affecting my ability to stretch and strengthen my shoulder.

I think a lot of times it's just dumb luck as to how well you fare post-surgery, but if you haven't started on massage and PT yet, I highly recommend that you track down someone with experience treating your situation.  And if you didn't have a positive experience with who you first went to, then try someone else.  Don't give up.  Getting yourself back physically will help so much in your emotional recovery as well.