September 2012 Surgery

sandrav

OhioBecky.. This may sound weird but its a old swedish remedy that help me as a child and also got my anemia back in order after cytoxion, and then taxol

You can get this in your health food store. Unsulfered Mollasses.. a large tablespoon a day. its so much better that taking iron. Hope it helps 

Leah_S

Sandrav, I hope your surgery goes well. You're right, one thing at a time. I will say, though, that the port removal from what I've heard is no big deal - usually done under local in the doc's office.

The suggestion of using unsulfered molasses doesn't sound weird to me! It's supposed to be a terrific source of iron and B vitamins, and most people like the taste. I eat a lot of liver when I want to get my counts up - it works well for me and I really like it (which to some people is really weird).

Leah

ohiobecky

Does not seem weird at all. I will definitely give it a shot.

I'm more worried about the WBCs. I am taking the antibiotics as a preventative. They are low enough to be an infection risk. Not the lowest they have been though.

But my onc nurse told me I was ok to delay starting them by a day so I could have a few drinks at my bye bye boobie party!

Leah_S

Have fun at the party!

Leah

java11

Hi, I'm scheduled for mx with DIEP reconstruction on September 10 (next day is my 53rd b-day!). My DCIS was caught when I had a pre-breast reduction mammogram. Since I still want a reduction they are going to make the new one smaller and reduce the other one to match. Good luck to all of us.

marianelizabeth

Today is August 28 and September is so close now! I just read all the posts on this thread from the beginning. Some of you are so good at figuring out what each person has said with great responses. Today I actually made notes and hope that I am responding correctly. Thank you all again for your sharing!

Dakota212 and Michellej19; back a week or so, yes 6 weeks seems like forever but slowly we are getting closer to our September dates. hdroby, you are first on Sept. 4 with TAH (have not looked that up yet and don't know what it is?). Also on Sept. 4 is you Trinity 0723, then leah_S on the 5th (loved your "September is approaching!) and KnBsangel and me on Sept. 7. 

Jennt28 from Australia, thank you so much again for keeping track of all of us.

Moderators, I just noticed today that you posted a list of threads from the main site on Surgery and I will definitely look at them now that my surgery date is only (can't believe I can actually say only) 11 days away.

mrskimber47, I appreciated your comments on trying to be strong but being afraid; I suspect most of us feel that pre op and I guess that in part is why the waiting is so hard. Tzvia, you talked about the wait too and for me it has seemed like months, not weeks.

cthynsh, looks like you are having the same surgery as me, but on Sept. 13! 

Ohiobecky, thanks for the heads up on the molasses.

Binney4, I have made a note of the LE site, thanks for that.

sweetcaroline, I get it that you are concerned about your passion for horse riding and I hope we can all get back to what we love most!

Stacey (sneaky chiquita), where are you having your surgery? Are you also posting on the British Columbia and Canadian threads?

Dakota212, I saw your dream comment and had to add that I dreamed that I missed my surgery - when I woke up I was so relieved it was a dream!

So, 4 days until September! For those I did not mention, my apologies but look forward to more sharing as we go through our surgeries.

  Marian 

  

Sneakychiquita

Hi Marian,

 My surgery will be at UBC. I suspect this is because Peter Lennox is my PS.  Normally my GS, Elaine McKevitt, works out of St. Joseph's with a different PS.  Lennox has assured me that they work fine as a team so fingers crossed all goes well on the day of surgery.  Unfortunately, I don't think McKevitt does reverse mapping to minimize chances of LE from node removal.  I don't think anyone in Vancouver does.  Have you heard otherwise? 

I've posted only a few times on the British Columbia and Canadian threads, but I look at them every couple of days.  

Sneakychiquita

To all you ladies who are still working while in treatment and/or waiting for surgery - you amaze me!  I went on leave 2 weeks after getting my diagnosis because I was just too overwhelmed with everything and found I was completely incompetent at work. I thought it was best to leave before I caused a problem.  To be fair, when I decided to leave work I thought I'd be having my surgery right about now.  Instead I'm waiting for close to another 4 weeks.  Part of me wishes I hadn't left quite so early so that I could still be making a full wage, but the other half is relishing the opportunity to get a whack of stuff done before the big day.  I must admit, I sure am appreciating time with my daughter a little more than I used to.  I'm usually such a workaholic that it's quite liberating to just say, "f*#k it," and simply enjoy the moment.

marianelizabeth

Stacey, UBC is great. I worked there as a nurse a long time ago. I also worked at Mt. St. Joseph's and love that hospital too. I don't know anything about reverse mapping at all but you are probaby right about it not being done in Vancouver. I was interested in partial breast radiotherapy but it is just in studies in Vancouver now - this I found from the BC Cancer Agency site. I know you are having mx so no radiation I assume. A good friend who is head of oncology in NS told me that I am not a good candidate anyway as I have IDC and DCIS so whole breast radiation is for me. Of course this is all if my partial mastectomy works out! I do suspect that regardless, my surgery will be deforming due to the location of the lump and my small breast. So now I can add reverse mapping to my list of research! I did see on either the Mt. St. Joseph Rapid Assessment Breast Clinic site or maybe it was on line somewhere about my surgeon, that she brought SNB to Mt. St. Joseph's so that was reassuring. I just had a quick look at "Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book" (2010) for the reverse mapping but did not see it. BTW, how did you find your lump? And where did you got for diagnosis?

Marian 

Sneakychiquita

Well, fingers crossed no radiation is needed for me, but the onc I consulted with said if clear margins around the tumor aren't attained in the MX then I'd likely have to go down that road as well.  

 I think pretty much everyone in Vancouver does SNB now so that is good news.  It's just that with the reverse mapping surgeons can avoid removing nodes that drain lymph from the arm (or at least that's how I've interpreted it... much more reading to do).

I went to my GP because I was uncertain about the 'lumpiness' I was feeling in my breasts that was not associated with my menstrual cycle.  Well, within a few seconds of palpating my GP found 2 hard, pea-sized lumps (not the lumpiness I was complaining of).  To this day, I still can't feel those lumps if palpating with 2 fingers because they move to the space between my fingers when I do so.  The only way I feel it is if I use a single finger and really zero in on it.  My GP said she was sure they were cysts but sent me off for an ultrasound to reassure me.  The doctor reviewing my ultrasound (Linda Warren in the Fairmont building) also said they looked like cysts and that she'd just get me back in 6 months later to ensure they weren't growing.  It was then I reminded her that I was 39 and that perhaps at the 6 month mark we'd do a mammogram as well or instead.  With that, she decided to do the mammo right then and there... that was the game changer as a lot of microcalcifications were seen near the masses.  Within a couple of days I had core biopsies of both lumps (both IDC) and fine needle biopsy of a node and another cyst on the opposite breast (those look okay).  With both lumps being small (~1cm) I feel positive about my prognosis.  However, there were other calcifications of greater magnitude close by that were not biopsied and I've recently read how multifocal masses should be added together to determine stage as multifocals tend to have greater node involvement.  So now I'm fairly nervous of what they'll find in surgery.   

I remember reading that you went through the rapid access clinic at St. Joseph's... I know they're quick but I can't say as the path to diagnosis was slow for me. It's been only the wait for surgery that has been lengthy. 

Wow, that was long-winded.   I feel like I should be adding that I'm an Aries who enjoys long bike rides and watching sunsets at the beach .  I'll let you know how my reconstruction with Lennox goes if you're considering having work done later.

Stacey 

Jennt28

20 Aug 2012

Sandlake - hysterectomy



4 Sept 2012

Trinity0723 - MX (left)



5 Sept 2012

Leah_S - MX on remaining side plus bilateral TE placement



7 Sept 2012

KnBsAngel - MX with TE

marianelizabeth - lumpectomy, SNB



10 Sept 2012

Sandlake - bilateral MX 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



12 Sept 2012

leahlee - excisional biopsy



13 Sept 2012

cthynsh - lumpectomy, SNB



14 Sept 2012

kittykoma05 - bilateral MX with TEs



17 Sept 2012

positivenergy - bilateral MX with DIEP



19 Sept 2012

michellej1980 - bilateral MX, DIEP



24 Sept 2012

Sneakychiquita - skin-sparing UMX with TE reconstruction



26 Sept 2012

sandrav - bilateral DIEP



28 Sept 2012

Jennt28 - bilateral MX, muscle sparing free TRAM

Dakota212 - bilateral MX with TEs



unknown date

cathyann - MX

Bargala - bilateral MX with TEs

mrskimber47 - bilateral? MX, bilateral? TRAM - being rescheduled

Jennt28

Whew, the list is getting long!



Hi to everyone new :-)



Made it through the working day and now doing some family tree stuff with my hubby.



Jenn

Leah_S

Hi All, I just got a call from the hospital that I have to come in to pre-op Sunday morning. The secretary who called doesn't have any more info but I can't figure out why since I already had pre-op in May. Maybe they want to redo the blood tests since it was so long ago? Redo the EKG? I know I have to get marked before surgery for the TE placement but the surgery is Wednesday. I sure hope it's not for the marking - it's summer, it's hothothothot here and I absolutely DO NOT want to go without showering in order to protect the marking!

Sigh. I'll update on this Sunday.

Leah

marianelizabeth

Leah, I think it is because it was so long ago; much can change in all those months. Don't worry!Marian

Leah_S

Well, Marian, whatever it is I'll find out Sunday morning! I'm actually more curious than worried, and I sure don't want to have to go in for nothing ("Why did you come in for pre-op? You already did it...)>

Leah

Sandlake

Hi everyone!  The list is getting longer, love all the support I've been reading about.  I had to take notes as well to catch up on all of you!

It's been one week since my hysterectomy/oophorectomy, I am doing really good.  The bloated gas feeling is finally leaving my abdomen

trinity ~ Is a Grandma Seizure an aneurysm? Hope you are doing better!

leah ~ Thank you for the packing list, I was making mental notes last week while I was in the Hospital of things I wanted. 

java ~ crazy way to find BC during a reduction mammogram!  Sorry you have to spend your birthday in the Hospital.

sweetcaroline ~ I had a catheter in for my surgery last week, it was my first ever.  Not bad either, but glad my bladder decided to work on its own and I could remove it.

tzvia ~ are you having the da vinci hysterectomy following your MX w/TE's?

cthynsh ~ will you have the results of your BRCA testing before your surgery?

kittykoma ~ I called my Dr for a perscription for a hosp bed, the nurse said they usually don't do that!  I told her I don't have a recliner to sleep in and just having a hysterectomy my abs are a little tender still.  Said she'll ask the Dr and see what he says!  I may just have to get one anyways.  I have an extra bedroom with just my treadmill in it, the bed would fit perfect.

sandrav ~ I had my port removed in June at the Dr office, my palms were a little sweaty but it was ok!  Unfortunately that was my second one I had, first one got a tear in it and had to be replaced!

Jenn ~ Thanks so much for organizing all of our surgeries!!   I am verying interested in your exercises for strenghtening back and arms.  I also want smaller breast size, have no idea what my rib cage size is.  Do you know how they messure the ribs?

Dakota ~ you already went through a deduction?  so sorry you have to go through a BMX w/TE's!  Cancer really sucks!!!!!

Mrskimber ~ So sorry for your scare!!  We have enough to go through without that added stress!!  Glad to hear everything is ok.

littlesara ~ Good luck with your decision.  You will make the right one for you with the information you get.

leahlee ~ I don't have shifts in my body temps anymore.  They went a way when I had my lumpectomy last Oct.  I was already post menapause at that time.  I don't miss being hot/cold!  This has been such a hot summer here in Michigan, great for my new short hair

I am thinking about everyone, and know we will be fine.  This waiting and wondering is the hardest part for sure...glad we have each other!!!!

cyndi

Dakota212

Java, sandlake-

Yes I had a reduction 8 years ago. I was. DDD. Got down to a c, now bc, bmx, and implants go figure!!! Oh how life works keep smiling ladies, better days to come!!!

kittykoma05

Sandlake - That is exactly what the nurse said to me when I called to ask about getting the prescription for the hospital bed (literally word for word).  She has not called me back, but I will call her again later today.

My work load has gotten pretty intense.  It's hard to keep up with work and everythiing else that is going on in my life when I'm not getting enough sleep.  Now I'm kind of looking forward to being able to rest after the surgery.

Sandlake

kittykoma ~ I am taking advantage of these recovery weeks before my next surgery to rest.  I was also hoping to get my house a little oranized, but that might be asking for too much!

dakota ~ Will you be able to have the same a c size with reconstruction?  

My husband and I are going to our boat for a couple of days for some "hydro-therapy"!  I'll check in on Thursday and yes; Keep Smiling:) 

Trinity0723

Thanks for the encouragement. Haven't gotten my reports back yet do I can get release. :-/



Surgeon called an wants another appt on thurs 29th then preop on fri.



Worried about snb injection. Will I be crying or screaming? If its that bad can't they numb it a bit. They.numbed for biopsies.

marianelizabeth

Trinity I am wondering the same thing and don't know if they do anything where I am going but maybe I will call and see if they have a protocol. 

juliaanna

Trinity and Marianelizabeth,

I'm poking my nose in, hopefully with some welcome advice.  I had my SNB with my lumpectomy in April 2012.  My BS demands that her patients are given "twilight sedation" during the SNB injection. She personally experienced the injection fully awake/no numbing medication.  When we were discussing the procedure, she told me "I don't want any of my patients to have unnecessary pain." I really appreciated having a BS who had been through the process and she made sure I was as comfortable as possible.

There is another thread here about SNB injection experiences pain-vs-no pain that you may want to check out.

 I think you should ask your breast surgeon to arrange for you not to have any pain with the injection.  You don't want to remember experiencing pain before you go into surgery. 

ohiobecky

Sandlake and java, we are same day!



Anyone else have a surgeon that waits to do mx on healthy side? Mine wants to wait until reconstruction to do right side. Doesn't want to add that recovery while dealing with chemo aftereffects and necessary mx. I guess it makes sense. Just seems like everyone else is getting both at same time.

Kristina19

Having a lumpectomy and SNB in September.  Best to you on your upcoming surgery.  I am anxious already about the path report.  Hard to wait for the surgery and then harder still to wait another week for the path report. Surgery is on Sept. 4. Hope we all do well!

marianelizabeth

Julianna, thanks for the advice and I am definitely going to request something prior to the injection. I will call the breast clinic where I had my diagnosis done and also where I will have my surgery following the nuclear med injection which is at a different hospital.

Kristina, you are having the same procedures as me just a few days earlier and just a few hours south of me. How long have you been waiting for surgery? I too will be anxious about the path report and can only hope that it is as fast as the diagnosis. I had a look at your comments and info re the radiation and I had not heard of it before. I did some research into the partial breast radiotherapy but a good friend who is head oncologist of a hospital in Nova Scotia says that due to my IDC and DCIS I am not a good candidate and to be honest all that I read was the same. I have a friend in Arkansas who had the 5 day radiation with I think a seed or something inserted and then 5 days of directed radiation but hers was found really early and so different than mine. Good luck on the 4th!     Marian

  

LeahLeah

Well, I talked to my BS yesterday and after she consulted and had every path. at UofM look at my stuff, she has decided to only do an excisional biopsy on the 12th.  She said that the fna was Not from the lymph node, it was from the "mass", she was obviously unclear on that previously.   So she wants to just excise that, the mass and get a clear diagnosis, since all the fna showed was adenocarcinoma.  She says all of the pathologist were in agreement that the fan was positive.  But the reason there was confusion is that the core of the same area was negative.  This is one roller coaster ride I would like off of, actually I never did like roller coaster rides....

I'm in MI too sandlake...

I'm happy in a way we aren't doing the snb or intrammammary node removal, but I'm worried if they don't they will miss something.

Well, I hope everyone is doing well, I'm supposed to be studying, can't focus.....

Peace all 

Trinity0723

Thanks Julianna. I am seeing my BS tomorrow and it's on my list.

the5owens

Hi I'm just starting on my journey. I was diagnosed on 8/3/12. I have IDC, grade 3, triple negative bc. I am starting with a lumpectomy on 9/7/12....then chemo starts right away. Then if necessary after chemo I choose or my genetic testing or other issues arise I will have a bmx...but hopefully lumpectomy will be good enough.



Stephanie

LeahLeah

Welcome Stephanie! Sorry you had to join these boards at all, of course, but hugs, glad you found us.

Sneakychiquita

The list keeps growing.  Welcome Stephanie and hello to everyone.  

Has anyone else found that upon telling colleagues/friends of the BC that some of them then look at your chest?  One colleague I was speaking to today could not avert her eyes from my chest so I actually explained to her that the very small mounds on my chest were indeed still my breasts and that the surgery was yet to come. That one was awkward, the others I could totally understand the quick glance to check out the area of concern.  I'm just wondering if anyone has found a similar reaction or if it's just because I'm fairly flat chested.

Stacey