September 2012 Surgery
Comments
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Hi Stephanie, I noticed that we are both TN with similar DX.
I wish I could've had the genetic testing before I had my lumpectomy. But the NCCN guidelines just changed this year to include TN's. I tested positive to BRCA2! So shocking..especially since there is no family history of BC or other cancers. So now I am recovering from my Aug 20th hysterectomy/oophorectomy and scheduled Sept 10th for BMX with reconstruction. It's been almost one year since my diagnosis and never thought I would be going through this.
I hope you will not have to deal with other issues later!
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I work with mostly women and haven't noticed any staring.
Since I have finished chemo I am just trying to get as much work cleared as I can before I go on leave for this operation. Also trying to get on the treadmill or cross trainer a few times a week to build up my fitness.
I am not small ie: I am chubby. Used to be slim until about 4 yrs ago when the weight started to creep on. Couldn't figure out why and coukdn't get it off. Now I am thinking my body must have known it needed to grow my new breasts on my stomach ;-)
I am so hoping that this operation will get me more on the way to being slim again!
Jenn -
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
the5owens - lumpectomy
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
mrskimber47 - bilateral MX with implants
SAR843 - bilateral MX, DIEP/TRAM
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 -
Jenn - Love the positive spirit. I'm also thinking of how to make fat grafting work for me in more ways than one. And thank you for getting this thread started and the list up to date.
Oddly, I've only noticed the staring at my chest with female colleagues. I'm guessing it's only because men are better trained at doing that on the sly
Everyone - As surgery approaches I'm starting to think more of the actual day and the logistics of getting to the hospital and who to have with me. I'm a single mom to a little girl who is about to turn 6. We're very tight - she knows things about me that I haven't told anyone else and she knows all about the cancer. Despite the ridiculously early hour I'll have to wake her, I really want her to come to the hospital with me and my parents. Part of it is selfish, I suppose, as she'll likely be providing me with more strength than I will be giving her that day. But the other part of me wants to have a quiet moment with her before going under, just in case.... Anyone else out there with young kids who wants them nearby at the time of surgery?
Stacey
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Stacey, my kids are older (although I'm only 47...). They are 21, 19 and 17 and are trying to ignore my BC as well as they can :-) Can't see any of them wanting to come with me to the hospital...
My surgery will be starting early I guess. My hubby says that while I was dressing the other day after my before photos the PS told him that since we live a distance from the hospital it might be an idea to stay at one of the hotels close to the hospital the night before.
Don't think we will as we are used to getting up and leaving early and the hospital is right next to my work. Might book a room for my hubby for after the surgery though so he can go and sleep some and then come back in the morning :-)
Jenn -
Stacey -
I know how u feel. I am technically separted. A single mom basically. I am petrified to have surgery. My kids are 11, and 8. I feel terrible how they are going to have to help out so huge. They at least can do pretty much themselves I am going to need help from them. Good luck!! -
I'm having a bmx with recon on Sept. 11th. My original surgery date was July 24th, but got pushed back b/c the drs felt the chemo wasn't working well enough. The waiting was difficult to begin with, but the extra time is making me so anxious. My onc put me on Tamoxifen while I'm waiting for surgery, but it hasn't really helped to ease my anxiety. My ps said she's going to start with the intent of doing a DIEP flap, but will do the TRAM if she has to. I was also told I'd have a urinary catheter in during the surgery. I know it might be uncomfy, but the idea of being able to stay in bed a little longer without having to get up to use the bathroom is kind of nice. I'm nervous about not being able to do too much for myself after my surgery. My mom is taking 2 weeks off of work and staying with me (she lives in NY, I'm in CT), but after that, I don't know what's going to happen.
JennT28 - your earlier comment made me laugh. Something about weight gain being your body's way of growing new breasts on your stomach. I've had a steady increase in weight over the last few years, mostly around my mid-section, and couldn't figure out why, but maybe my body knew something too
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Mine are 14 and 11. I have talked with both of them, it is their choice if they want to go to school or come to the hospital. I would prefer they go to school and have the distraction of the day.
My 14 year old son is planning on going to school, he is worried about falling behind in classes in his freshman year. My 11 year old daughter, the "drama" one, will have a harder time at school that day. But I am still trying to convince her to go. She does not realize what sitting in a hospital is like for hours at a time.
I am hoping they both go to school, are able to relax/be distracted for they day. And then they can come to the hospital as soon as they are done for the day.
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Sandlake,
I'm hoping that my tests come back all clear on the brca testing...but my dr wants to remove the lump and get started on chemo asap!! So if something happens or I decide I can have bmx later. Prayers are with you and please keep in touch.
Steph -
I didn't even give mine the option, didn't really think about it. They know I am having surgery but neither one of them asked to be there
Jen-
I love the comment as well way to think of it, I go girl... Lol -
Sar-
Sorry u have to wait I feel like this thread is a virtual waiting room of sorts so welcome, , come on in and hang out -
I am meeting with the surgeon today. What questions I should ask? so many people are having BMx. Is that a choice or recommended? Why do some people know they are having lymph nodes removed at surgery time and others don't? I am worried mine has spread. I have IDC. Why did you choose mda? My husband and father in law talked about it but I am in Oklahoma and it is in Texas. Don't you need to be close to your doctors? Are you dealing with two hospitals? Or is there an mda ini Missouri? Have you heard of cancer treatment centers of America? There is one in Tulsa. Terrified, want to make the best choices.
Mindy -
Sneaky - I am also a single mother to two little girls. One is 8 and one is 6. I have also told them all about the cancer since they see the worry on my face and they know I've had a lot of doctors appointments. Not to mention the huge bruise I got from the biopsy. They know I'm having surgery, and they tell me every day that my surgery will be ok. I try to put a really positive spin on it, so that they are not scared. I don't want to be negative in any way, but I do feel like I have to prepare for the worst, so I'm giving specific instructions to my parents. I also want my girls to come with me to the hospital to spend time with me right before the surgery. I will have a family memeber bring them home to watch cartoons while I'm having the operation, and hopefully they can come back to see me after I'm in my recovery room. I have told them that I will have an operation on both breasts, and that there will be scars. I tell them that being in the hospital is not so bad because the nurses really take care of you and they even bring you food and snacks. I want them to know what is going to happen, so that they are not scared of hospitals for the rest of their lives.
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Hello all, and welcome to any new comers. Sorry you're all here and going through this but welcome! Changes to surgery type and date. New date is Sept 11th and having implant instead of tram flap. Second opinion from a breast surgeon in Boston. GREAT DOCTOR and excited to soon have this nasty shi* out of my body.
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Mrskimber-
Congrats, where will ur surgery be and who is the dr if u don't mind me asking ??? -
Steph~ My Dr's were the same way..I was diagnosed 9/23/11, surgery lumpectomy 10/10/11, Chemo 11/18/11. I was very relieved to have my surgery scheduled so quickly. I just have to remember, everything is working out ok and trust that my prayers are being listened to!
Cyndi
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Dakota-
Surgery is at Brigham & Womens in Boston, Dr. Roger Christian is the surgeon. Can't wait to get this part of the treatment over with and find out about my lymph nodes. What a long arduous process this is.
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Mrskimber-
I couldn't agree more!!!! The wait is torture. I hate thinking it's still growing inside me, what if its hitting the lymphnodes now!!!! Yikes.... -
Hi - It has been two years since completing my treatment(chemo, radiation, Unilateral mastectomy) and I will be having my reconstruction done on Sept 18th with Dr. Studinger(Novi, MI). I will be have a prophylactic mastectomy on my right breast and then bilateral DEIP reconstruction. Also... I will be have a lymph node transfer to relieve my lymphedema. Lymph nodes will be moved from my groin to under my arm.
Has anyone had both of these done together?
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Juliaanna- thanks so much for sharing your experience- reading it makes me feel better prepared. I wish that my surgery was already over. My BS and PS have postponed my surgery twice and I can't stand the waiting. I am sorry that you didn't find this forum until after your surgery. I noticed that you are taking Arimidex now, which I will also be taking post-op. How long after surgery did you start on it? Are you having any side effects?
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SAR843- So sorry that your chemo was not very effective and your surgery was postponed. My chemo was not very effective either- and my surgery has been postponed (twice!) because my BS and my PS took vacation days at different times. I know that they are entitled to time off, but the waiting is really getting to me,too. I noticed that we have the same surgery date- good luck to you- I will be thinking about you and Tzvia and Mrskimber( also having surgery Sept. 11) when I roll into surgery.
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Hi kittykoma we meet again. Glad you are on this thread!!
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Welcome Stephanie
Sorry u found us but happy to share with u!!! -
SweetCaroline2,
I had my surgery postponed once while the BS and PS were trying to coordinate schedules. It was so hard to have to wait longer-I feel for you. I started my Arimidex on the 4th of July. I figured that way I could really celebrate Independence in 2017!! I saw my MO on June 18th and he wrote me the prescription. I was still having some discomfort from the surgery so I asked if I could delay starting until I could reasonably determine if I was having post-surgery issues or SE from the Arimidex. He said that was okay to delay, I just needed to notify him when I did start. So far the only SE have been a bit of nausea shortly after I take the pill. I've been taking it in the morning so I could avoid the possibility of insomnia. I have been taking a ginger capsule along with the Arimidex and that has solved the nausea. I had some pain in my thumbs, the cause is hard to pinpoint. I do a lot of knitting and cross-stitch along with computer work so I had some pain before the Arimidex. I did take the advice of someone on one of the threads here and started taking Claritin (2 days ago) and my thumb pain is gone.
To ALL of you September ladies:
I've been thinking of all you ladies as September is nearly here. You will be in my prayers as you have your surgeries and "come out on the other side". I pray that you will have as easy a time as I have had-no complications, little pain. I'd like to share some things that helped me along the way-part of these from my own surgical experience and a few from my many years of being a nurse:
1. Keep on top of your pain. When you are in bed or sitting up- not moving, you probably won't be hurting too much. It will be easy to say-don't need anything for pain. Trust me, you will be painful when you move. Take your pain medication with this in mind. Once pain gets out of control, it takes a lot of medication to get comfortable again.
2. Avoid constipation which is a side effect of anesthesia, inactivity and narcotic pain medication. Colace, Senna S are usually very effective. And drink plenty of water.
3. It takes about 6 weeks for a healthy adult to recover from the effects of anesthesia. Naps are your friend. Take it easy. Don't push yourself too much. Listen to your body. Be sure to use the incentive spirometer/breathing gadget to help keep your lungs clear. If you don't get a fancy gadget, just take 5-10 slow DEEP breaths every hour or so.
4. If something doesn't look right or feel right, ask questions. In my book, the only dumb/stupid question is the one you don't ask. Everyone here will be happy to help you. Keep the lines of communication open with your medical team.
Peace be with each of you.
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Great advice Julianna, thanks and good luck to you in Nov.
Hope you are all doing well with the waiting. I got great news today in regards to that. Breast center called and BS had surgery moved up to the 6th! Soooo ready to have this done and find out exactly what we are dealing with. Go for Preop on the 4th and also meet with BS that day.
Sorry for changes to your list, Jenn, thanks for keeping track!
Peaceful dreams all -
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
7 Sept 2012
KnBsAngel - MX with TE
marianelizabeth - lumpectomy, SNB
the5owens - lumpectomy
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
mrskimber47 - bilateral MX with implants
SAR843 - bilateral MX, DIEP/TRAM
13 Sept 2012
cthynsh - lumpectomy, SNB
14 Sept 2012
kittykoma05 - bilateral MX with TEs
17 Sept 2012
positivenergy - bilateral MX with DIEP
18 Sept 2012
gajor4 - MX with bilateral 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 -
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
7 Sept 2012
KnBsAngel - MX with TE
marianelizabeth - lumpectomy, SNB
the5owens - lumpectomy
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
mrskimber47 - bilateral MX with implants
SAR843 - bilateral MX, DIEP/TRAM
13 Sept 2012
cthynsh - lumpectomy, SNB
14 Sept 2012
kittykoma05 - bilateral MX with TEs
17 Sept 2012
positivenergy - bilateral MX with DIEP
18 Sept 2012
gajor4 - MX with bilateral 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 -
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
7 Sept 2012
KnBsAngel - MX with TE
marianelizabeth - lumpectomy, SNB
the5owens - lumpectomy
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
mrskimber47 - bilateral MX with implants
SAR843 - bilateral MX, DIEP/TRAM
13 Sept 2012
cthynsh - lumpectomy, SNB
14 Sept 2012
kittykoma05 - bilateral MX with TEs
17 Sept 2012
positivenergy - bilateral MX with DIEP
18 Sept 2012
gajor4 - MX with bilateral 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 -
Wow! You are fast!
I just realized, I gotta change my date on my profile. It won't let me put excisional biopsy, so I used lumpectomy,.....
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Just caught me at the right time!
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