September 2012 Surgery

Sandlake

Wow ladies September has arrived!!  I am starting to get a bit nervous.  Hope everyone is enjoying a long weekend and feeling rested!

rozem

hello ladies

I would like to join your group, official date is Oct 15 but I have been put on the "cancellation list" so hopefully will have the surgery in september.  I should probably wait for the Oct group but I am feeling anxious and would like to connect with people who are waiting for surgery/have had surgery and can share their experiences

I am having a bilateral mastectomy with TE's and lat dorsi flap (on the radiated side) they tell me 3 night stay in the hospital and  4-6wks re-coup

nice to meet you all

Leah_S

Welcome Rozem (and all other new ladies!).

Sure Rozem, feel free to hand out with us. We're all nervous so we know how you feel.

Tomorrow morning I have to go to pre-op. I really don't know why since I did pre-op in May but it's actually making me less nervous about the upcoming surgery since I'm doing something.

And now you know why you can't accuse me of being logical.

Leah

Mumtobe

Hi ladies,

Found out yest that I am pencilled in for mx on 24th sept. this is during my pregnancy so I am nervous but so glad to be getting this done. Will have taxanes after surgery, approx 6 wks later as that will take me to my due date. Anybody doing adjuvant treatment? How long after surgery will you be starting?

Sneakychiquita

Leah - Let me know what happens in pre-op.  Nothing official has been scheduled for me, aside for some bloodwork that I did on my own time last week and an MRI next week.

Mumtobe - We're both scheduled for the 24th.  I think that makes us surgery sisters!  What kind of surgery/reconstruction are you doing?  Apologies if you've already posted that info and I just didn't see it.  I won't know until after surgery if I'll be doing adjuvant treatment (aside from anti-estrogen pills), but I'll compare notes with you if I travel the same path as you. 

 All - Aside from the "what to bring to the hospital" list that was offered earlier, has anyone heard any golden pieces of advice on how to prepare for the surgery?  Like, stuff that you absolutely want to have waiting for you at home, the clothing that would be best for returning from the hospital, etc.  I'm thinking of popping on the August thread to ask for their input.

 Hope you're all well.  

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



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

Mumtobe - MX



26 Sept 2012

sandrav - bilateral DIEP



28 Sept 2012

Jennt28 - bilateral MX, muscle sparing free TRAM

Dakota212 - bilateral MX with TEs



15 Oct 2012

rozem - bilateral MX with TE's and lat dorsi flap (on the radiated side)



unknown date

cathyann - MX

Bargala - bilateral MX with TEs

Mumtobe

Hi SC,

I'm having my right breast removed along with an axillary clearout (makes me cringe when I think of it but it's a necessary evil as I had positive nodes), was never told how many and having had 4 neo-adjuvent chemo sessions I may never know, not sure I'd even want to! Not having reconstruction, not a priority for me now. My baby is due 6 wks after the surgery so I need every minute of those 6 wks to recover to be able to deliver baby myself which my obstetrician is confident I will do. Funnily recon isn't something I ever see myself doing but maybe that'll change over time. I have 12 wkly doses of taxanes after baby comes and following that 5-7 doses of rads. It's one long journey but please God it'll be a successful one! Will be thinking of you xxx

LeahLeah

Good luck with your Preop today Leah, hope it's breezy easy for you.



Welcome Rozem and mumtobe.



Mumtobe, I read back a bit. So sorry you are having to face this now, with that new little life awaiting to make their debut. Sounds like all your team, obstetrician included are confident you and the babe will do just fine. I'm glad you found us, perhaps there is also a group for other "mummy's to be".?? Take care of yourself, focus on the happy event that will be coming soon. We will all be here rooting for you both!

marianelizabeth

leah, did you find out why you had to go in for another pre op?

Sneakychiquita

Mumtobe - Being only 6 weeks from your due date I'm guessing you don't hear this anymore, but seeing as it's news to me... CONGRATULATIONS!  Your journey is arduous and inspiring.  You are the toughest mother I know and I'll be thinking plenty of you.  

marianelizabeth

Mumtobe, Sneakychiquita is right, congratulations and please keep us posted; pretty exciting event coming up!

  Marian 

Anonymous

Hi ladies,

My name is Justine, I'm 23 years old and was diagnosed with DCIS (which turned out to be IDC) on 7/30/12. I had a BMX with SNB and immediate recon with TEs on 8/8/12. The only reason I decided to stop by your lovely thread was to offer some of my own advice with regards to post-op care etc. I noticed one of the other ladies from the August thread, Omeggo started something there so I thought I would pay it forward by putting something on here as well. I know I only had a week and half from my diagnosis until surgery to prepare for my surgery so it was a stressful time. I am not sure of the length of time some of you will have, however; if it is short...it is nice to have us as a support to figure out what it will be like.
So what do you bring to the hospital? This is the most important question. I overpacked but found that to be helpful as you never know how you will feel and it is best to have things you need just in case.

1. Surgical bra - I know that insurance may or may not pay for this. Some hospitals may also provide this and some may not. I know the hospital I was at did not provide it but my breast surgeon gave me a referral to a medical supplies store allowing my insurance to cover whatever I needed. I ended up getting a surgical bra that was meant for someone with an A/B cup not realizing how much I would be filled during surgery/swelling afterwards. I ended up needing a surgical bra that was for a B/C cup and that fit MUCH more comfortably. I pretty much lived in that from Day 2 after surgery until Day 7 when my drains came out. I was lucky and only had one drain in on each side (but I am also very small so that might have made a difference). What I liked about the surgical bra was that it had fantastic compression (which you will want more than you think if you are doing an MX or BMX) and that it had pockets for my drains so I didn't have to stress about where to put them or pin them somwhere. It made it easy when I had to milk them (which basically means removing the extra fluid and putting it into the little drain bullet).

2. Extra set of clothes - I know a lot of women may not be able to change into their own clothes after surgery. I am not sure about other women but I was not very cold in the hospital. So I ended up wearing just my surgical bra (which was basically a t-shirt on me with yoga pants. I know most women suggest wearing silk pajamas (button-down tops) so it is easier to get in and out of bed. I never had much trouble in that department so I pretty much lived in comfy yoga pants. However, that is up to your own personal preference/comfort. I personally was able to walk around the day after my surgery with a nurse/people holding my arm for balance so it was nice to not wear that stupid hospital johnnie.
Note, I had my mom/sister there to help me pull my yoga pants up/down when I went to the bathroom after my catheter came out, so you may not be able to do that just note.

3. Toothbrush/toothpaste - I know it sounds gross but the first night out of surgery I couldn't even eat. I honestly did not brush my teeth until I went home (surgery was on Wednesday, went home Friday morning), I was in pain so I completely forgot. I think no one said anything or noticed because those closest to me probably realized the pain I was in....not sure...I don't know how I didn't notice but guess I was so out of it lol. I would still suggest bring it because you never know, I'm sure the average individual needs it.

4. Deodorant - I know I used this haha. Funny that I forgot to brush my teeth but did not forget about deodorant lol.

5. You don't need books/notebooks/etc. - I brought a book with me just in case. I did not use it at all during the hospital. The only useful thing was my cellphone/charger.

Also, piece of advice if you have never been under anesthesia...get nausea medication! I did and I was still severely nauseous the night after my surgery. The next day I woke up fine, but that night was miserable. When I woke up in recovery, movement was basically impossible. The hospital bed was at an angle. Once I was able to get up the next day, I found that sleeping in an almost upright position was more comfortable for my chest. Even when I went home, I slept in an upright position for the whole week I had my drains in. It was easier to get up to use the bathroom and I found it not nearly as painful.

Sending all of you ladies positive thoughts and prayers!

Hope this helps and please feel free to PM me with any questions <333

*if I think of more things, which I'm sure I will...I'll make sure to post on here*

juliaanna

Sneakychaquita,

Here are a few gems for you to consider as you get ready for surgery:

• Fold your arms over your chest and practice climbing in and out of  bed without using your hands.  It took me about 2 1/2 weeks before I could use my hands/arms to get into/out of bed.  I also discovered I needed a stool, too, as my bed is fairly high off the ground.
• Have lots of pillows ready- I used 5, some soft (down) and some that were firmer (fiberi-fill). I used a U-shaped pillow when I was in my recliner and well as in bed.  
• Get your pain medication, anti-nausea medication and stool softener before your surgery so you don't have to wait for the prescriptions to be filled.  My surgeons wrote the prescriptions on my last pre-op visit so I could have them ready.
• Make sure the night stand is close to the bed.  Your toothbrush, etc is easy to reach.  Until my drains came out, thankfully one week after surgery, I felt most comfortable with my elbows tucked close to my side.  Try it and see if you can reach everything you would need after surgery.  My ability to extend my reach was pretty much normal after the drains came out.  Of course, your BS/PS will have their rules to follow.
• Be careful when you bend over, our center of gravity changes and it takes some adjustment. I fell over trying to pick up a blanket that was on our ottoman.  Fortunately, family was available to help me up. 
• If you won't have someone to wait on you, be sure your kitchen is arranged so you can reach food and beverages.  Check the weight of your dinner plates-some of the thicker pottery ones are too heavy to lift/carry to begin with.  My PS told me I wasn't to pick up anything heavier than a coffee cup and newspaper for the first few weeks.  I followed his advice and didn't have any issues.
• Get a supply of baby wipes.  They are very handy when you can't take a shower but want to freshen up.
• Set up a dedicated space to keep your supplies for emptying your drains.  It doesn't need to be large, maybe 8x10 inches, but it helps to have everything together and to keep it as clean as possible.

I hope this helps you get prepared for your return home.  Julia

cathyann

Hi Ladies,

 I'm having a UMX with TE on Sept 26.  One question I still have is do you have to wear a surgical bra or that's optional?  And do you have to live in it for 24/7 for a while ?   I just want to make sure I'm prepared if I need one.

Leah_S

Cathy, that's a question for your doc - each one will have his/her protocol. I wasn't asked to bring one so either my doc doesn't use it or I'll get it from the hospital.

Well, yesterday's pre-op was LONG but not much happened. It was mostly hurry-up-and-wait, with the emphasis on wait. We have socialized medicine here, organized in a few HMOs. When you get care outside of the HMO itself you need a form (called in Hebrew a "hitchayvut") which is the committment by the HMO to pay for the service and it's valid for 3 months from the time it's issued. I originally had pre-op on May 24 but there was so much stumbling, fumbling and bumbling in actually setting up the surgery date that more than 3 months have passed. When I got the call to come in Sunday morning I asked and was told, no don't worry. HA! Only after I got there did they realize they had a problem so my first wait yesterday (1 1/2 hours!)was while they straightened that out. Fortunately, they dealt with it, not me. I then saw a nurse, who did the usual BP, pulse, etc. stuff and gave me instructions for admittance (which is the evening before the surgery). Then of course more waiting and I saw the doc who measured me to see what size TE they'd need. So hours of waiting for about 1/2 hour of medical stuff. I'd already had the standard pre-op in May. That's blood tests, chest Xray and EKG (unless they ask you to bring the results), intake/history by doc, interview with anesthesiologist, signing of all permission papers. For this surgery I needed to sign 3 seperate ones - one for mx, one for TE placement, and one for anesthesia. So all seems to be in place now.

Nervous???? Me????? Um, yeah.

Leah

Jennt28

Got all my pre-admittance questionnaires in the mail today. Lots of questions.



Had to phone and book a pre-admission appt which is for 8am on the 12th. She said it would be about 3.5hrs with bloods, vitals, ECG etc.



I now have next week: Monday - 3 monthly gated heart scan since I'm on Herceptin, CT angiogram for my PS, appt with my BS; Tuesday - physio; Wednesday - the pre-admission appt; Thursday - appt with my MO, Herceptin infusion. All this, and I'm working full-time :-/ I don't think my boss is going to be happy...



Jenn

4caseygirl

Hi Every one-

My BMX is scheduled for the 18, I'm scared to death and not sure how my husband is going to get me to the hosital that day.

Can anyone talk me off he ledge...

ohiobecky

4caseygirl - It WILL all work out. Maybe not in the way you expect things to be. But things will work out and you will be fine. Lean on friends and family.

Well my daughter was in the ER for 4&1/2 hours on Sat due to a soccer injury. She is fine but she has decided that she does NOT want to come to the hospital on surgery day now. Lol. She figured out that waiting in a hospital is long and boring.

I am still hopeful I will have surgery on the 10th. My mature white cell count is still low. Went from a 0.97 to a 1.07 this last week. Not sure what level they are looking for to say yes or no on surgery. But I do know that 1.5 is where they say the infection risk drops off. I have to go in for Neupogen again this week. Wed, Thur and Fri. And I will have my labs done on Friday morning. So I won't know until Friday.

I can deal with the delay, won't make me happy but I can handle it. I am upset for my kids who have been preparing for that date. And my parents who will be driving in from 8 hours away. Basically I can tell them on Friday whether they should make the trip on Saturday. I guess it is good that they are driving and don't need to mess around with changing flights.

I am starting to hit panic mode, trying to remember everything I need to do before surgery. What extra supplies I need to get, what I need to do at home. What I need to pack. But I guess if I miss something I have plenty of friends locally to help me out. And Mom and Dad will be here for a few days.

Happy September everyone. Thoughts and prayers to everyone!

Momluke

I'm scheduled for a mastectomy (left) with reconstruction and symmetric surgery all at once on Friday (the 7th). On top of that I am PMSing and am due to start on Saturday...the absolute worse time to have my period! My mood swings have been incredible. One minute I'm crying, the next I'm laughing, then I become the Tazmanian Devil.

SweetCaroline2

Trinity0723- Good luck on your surgery tomorrow. MY God give you peace and serenity at this stressful time. I am sending you wishes for a smooth procedure with good results and an easy, quick recovery. 

My thoughts and prayers are with you. <<<HUGS>>>> 

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



6 Sept 2012

leahlee - excisional biopsy



7 Sept 2012

KnBsAngel - MX with TE

marianelizabeth - lumpectomy, SNB

the5owens - lumpectomy

Momluke - MX (left) with reconstruction and symmetric surgery



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

4caseygirl - BMX



19 Sept 2012

michellej1980 - bilateral MX, DIEP



24 Sept 2012

Sneakychiquita - skin-sparing UMX with TE reconstruction

Mumtobe - MX



26 Sept 2012

sandrav - bilateral DIEP



28 Sept 2012

Jennt28 - bilateral MX, muscle sparing free TRAM

Dakota212 - bilateral MX with TEs



15 Oct 2012

rozem - bilateral MX with TE's and lat dorsi flap (on the radiated side)



unknown date

cathyann - MX

Bargala - bilateral MX with TEs

Jennt28

Good luck Trinity...



Jenn

SweetCaroline2

4caseygirl- It is the things that we cannot control that scare us. When I feel overwhelmed and frightened, I try to focus on the things that I can control in preparation for my surgery. We all have more strength that we realize. You know that you are doing everything that you can to prepare and that takes strength. Do you have confidence in your BS (and PS if you are having an immediate reconstruction)? You took control in choosing your medical care team and choosing what type of surgery to have- the doctors only recommended what they thought was best for you, but you still had the final call. These are difficult decisions that none of us ever wants to have to make, but you had the strength to do it. Arranging my house to make it more comfortable for me after surgery makes me feel more in control. Ohiobecky was right about leaning on your friends and family. I snuggle with my husband at night(sometimes we have cried together) and know that he is there for me and I appreciate him more than I ever have. The cancer has only increased our love for each other and made us appreciate our time together more. Last weekend we took a weekend to get away to a very nice hotel, take some long walks along the beach, visit some scenic gardens and eat at some nice restaurants. I had to pace myself as I my energy level is still not normal after CT, but we had a wonderful time sharing each other's company and a minvacation from focusing on BC. Lately we've been enjoying looking over 22 years of photos of us, our trips, the kids, the grandkids- together. I have called all of my close family and friends and told them how much I love them. My diagnosis has definitiely made our family closer, and caused some to forgive/forget old hurts and resentments. My husband and I made out our wills and advance healthcare directives- even though I fully expect to be cured, it is something that I can control and it gives me peace to have everything in order. I still cry and grieve that I am going to lose my breast and that my life will be different from now on and that parts of my future (which I thought I had neatly planned) are now uncertain- and this is normal and a healthy thing to do. I have reached a fork in the road and I know there will be be both good times and bad times down this road (just as there were in the past).and I hope to make the most of everyday.

I hope that this is in someway helpful to you. <<<HUGS>>> 

ohiobecky

Good Luck tomorrow Trinity! Go forth and kick butt!

LeahLeah

All the best tomorrow trinity! You got this!



Welcome to all who have just joined our group. I have Preop tom 8 am then meet with BS at 12pm, we just got in to Ann arbor, it's a 3 hr drive from home, so came ahead tonight and will stay til procedure thurs am. All the back and forth was just too much.



Anyway peaceful night to all and especially you trinity, thinking peaceful thoughts for you.

Sandlake

Wow it's the first week of September and 7 surgeries scheduled. Thinking great thoughts for all of you.

Trinity ~ Good luck tomorrow!  

Justegan ~ Thank you for the advice, I am one week from surgery and have the "get ready" jitters!

Mumtobe ~ Such a crazy month for you, please take care of yourself and get plenty of rest!

Leah_S ~ Good luck to you on Wednesday! You've been through so much already.

Blessings and hugs to all of you!! 

Leah_S

Trinity, best of luck with your surgery. I hope it's uneventful and you heal easily.

I have a thread in the Stage IV forum, "Not your usual Stage IV surgery". I'll try to have someone update there before I can get back on the computer - I think that would be the easiest way since I'm not only on this thread but in a bunch of other places on the boards.

Leah

Jennt28

Good luck Leah. Glad you don't have to worry about rushing back and forth over the next few days.



And, good luck to everyone who is having surgery this week. By the time I get mine on the 28th you will all be up and well recovered!



Jenn

Infobabe

 Jennt28 

I was concerned about you.  Weren't the rads hitting your throat?  So you quit rads part way through.  I was wondering if anyone ever did that.

If you quit rads and went for the MX instead, I think that was a good idea.  I personally believe that surgery is preferable to rads.  Just to much of a chance of side effects with rads.  They cannot always be avoided but if you have a choice.......... 

Jennt28

Hi Infobabe!



Yes, I quit rads due to pneumonitis (that I got from the chemo) starting to come back and also because I had discovered that, due to my past medical history, I am at high risk of more BC in either breast even if I had done the rads.



In the end the risks of rads outweighed the benefits for me.



I now realise that many doctors do not spell out the risks from rads if you choose lumpectomy and rads over BMX or UMX at the beginning. I think far too many women do rads for early stage BC without really understanding the risks they are taking are far greater than just a bit of burning...



Looking forward to getting rid of these breasts that are trying to kill me :-)



Jenn