January 2013 surgery

Lmimp64

Momtolisa, Jan, thank you so much. I do think the ps has put a larger direct implant in me than would have been comfortable. I guess I get thru the discomfort/pain and hope the end result is worth it.



Linda, thanks for the recovery information. I researched but your personal experience helps so much. I was told recovery was about three weeks but I think it's going to be a lot longer until these implants and skin get used to each other. You didn't mention if you had swelling and bruising. I have so much, I think it agrivates things. I was taking Percocet at home but am taking tardol in hospital. Working through the pain. Are you still on the recliner? The hospital bed is inclining me here. Best for your continued ease of recovery. I look forward to keeping in touch.

Speedy4

Good luck tomorrow wirdgirl and chapter4!

Sandyshoes

Lmimp64- I have swelling, yes, and my bandages are tight, so is the elastic in my mastectomy bra. Little light bruising, fortunately. Things that have helped have been avoidance of salt and I am drinking fluids as if the sink might stop running tonight! So we were in surgery the same day... I plan on being home at least 4 weeks before I attempt returning to work. I have learned that once you're back there's no "light duty" in my job! I sure hope you feel better soon.

I meet with p/s tomorrow AM. He did place "larger than me" implants in (my request). I went from a B cup to a C+ or so. Haven't truly been bra fitted yet- it's too soon. It was quite tight for the first couple days but feels more natural now as the swelling recedes. I still have difficulty looking at myself in a mirror; I feel strangely detached just now, not ready to check myself out. I have inner wounds to battle.

Honestly the very worst was the dull headache I had from dehydration and exhaustion. That took 4 days to pass. Fortunately it is behind me.

Let me know how you are doing, sister warrior.

MMSS

Thanks Runner, I found it this time and you are not only a very special woman but an amazing writer. You mention being a grad student. What is your area? Wish that you and my friend Abby Ramirez could get together. There is an organization called Young Survivor's Coalition that is located in Baltimore and works exclusively with young breast cancer patients. I had no idea that there are so many of them. She is doing an internship with them and you might find them to be a useful network for you.

Hopex3

Wirdgirl and Chapter4..thinking of you both tomorrow and sending positive vibes!!



Jebdra ...I'm dancing with you!! Yay.



Lmimip..So sorry you had to go back in the hospital. Your PS needs better bedside etiquette.



Mirmipanda...Eat that yogurt. You deserve it!



Congrats to everyone having their drains removed. Hang in their Tami. you will be next!! I can't wait for that and I haven't even had surgery yet.

Nat23

Question...what is everyone doing as far as exercising and getting movement back? The side I had nodes removed is still hard to move and it's still swollen.

jebdra

Nat23 - The physio came to see me the day after surgery (less than 24 hours) and ran me through a series of 6 exercises designed to promote shoulder range of movement.  She give me the exercise brochure and the only limitation she put on me was "don't raise the elbow above the shoulder with the drains in".  As if I could !!  The brochure was entitled "exercise rehabilitation following breast surgery with sentinel node biopsy".  It may not be suitable for people who had ANLD.  If anybody wants the info, I'll post the exercises.

I've been doing the exercises religiously 3 times a day and 10 reps each and it's got much easier.  I'm now 5 days post-op, with one drain removed and that side is almost back to normal (tightness from the stitches etc, but the arm and shoulder are fine). The side with the drain is still very stiff and sore,

However - I only had a BMX - no reconstruction - and I think that makes a huge difference to pain and recovery times. 

JRMH

Linda- Thank you so much for all the helpful info!

dbm75

I too am a January 2013 surgery person....having a lumpectomy, snb, and wire localization this morning, 1/15/13.

Speedy4

Best wishes today dbm75!

jojo2373

Best wishes to all having surgery today, you are soon to be on the other side!

Hopex3

Good luck dbm75!!

CookieMonster

I've been so busy and reading but not posting. But I think about everyone all the time. I hope the healing continues and that calm can descend on those still waiting. I have ups and downs but have decided to wait on passing judgement until all is said and done. I'm pretty sure that no matter what this is the last surgery. I know things won't be perfect, but they'll probably be good enough and that's what I'm counting on.

HUGS!

Tamiami

Jebdra~  I would love to have a copy of the excercises!  Do you have any way to scan and email them to me?  Tamiami22@hotmail.com  I think you may still be in the hospital, but if not I'd really appreciate them!  The PS went over them pretty quickly with me, and I'm worried that I'm not doing all of them or doing them correctly.

I feel like I've been remiss in wishing everyone good wishes for their surgeries...It's hard to stay focussed after the surgery, and I know I've missed a lot of you!  Believe me, I've been thinking about you all!

Health and Healing, Tami

BrandieMcAdams

So glad to read about the clear nodes and clear bond scan! Yay to each of you!!



Lmimp: I really hope you start feeling better soon. So sorry for the pain in the you know what doctor.



Praying for those whose surgeries are tomorrow and those who are recovering!!!

NatsFan

Just remember - if you've had ANY nodes removed, there is evidence that it's best to wait a week or 10 days before raising that arm over your head to allow the lymphatics a chance to heal.  A recent study found that women who waited a week or two before raising the arm higher than the shoulder had a lower incidence of lymphedema than those who started ROM exercises right away.  It's only one study, but since that's an easy precaution to take, why not take it?

Again, please take the time to learn about lymphedema - even with "just" one node removed, you are at an increased risk for LE, no matter what the surgeons say.  The Lymphedema section here on BCO is wonderful, as is http://www.stepup-speakout.org/ Not to scare you, but unfortunately many surgeons downplay or even deny that LE can occur, especially to their SNB patients.  There are many many women who post in the LE section who developed LE after just one node removed, and most of them either were never told about LE, or if they raised it with their surgeons, they were told that they were at little to no risk. 

I'm a bit of a bug on this as my surgeons, wonderful as they were technically, did NOT give me any education or other information about LE.  As a result, I unknowingly engaged in very risky behavior after my nodes were removed.  Now I have have arm and truncal LE, and will have it for the rest of my life.  I may have gotten it anyway, but I feel I wasn't even given a chance to do what I could to avoid it because no one told me about it.  I'd never even heard of LE.  As a matter of fact, the first time I ever heard of it was when I was diagnosed with LE a year after my BMX.  

For Warrior Princesses, knowledge is power!

liffeybloomer

Thanks for that information NATSFAN. I will have a lumpectomy next week with nodes removed and since I teach, the chances of my using my arm to write on the board seems likely. I will try to remember to wait at least a week. Although I haven't been posting much, I appreciate all of the good information shared here.

Nat23

Thank u jebdra I would love a copy

robinlee76

I went to the BS yesterday for my path results.  ALL MARGINS CLEAR!!!!  I did have a small invasive tumor only 2mm.  Roughly 1/3 size of an eraser top he said.  He actually took out 3 nodes and all 3 looked good.  Since the tumor was so small he has decided there is no need for chemo.  I need to call the Oncologist back and see if this changes his mind on the Tamoxifen. They took out 2 of my 4 drains and said once I get down to 20ml each he will take out the others most likely another week since I have had such high output.  I am having trouble with my PS scheduling the reconstruction.  He has complete idiots that work for him.  I was told a month ago that the paperwork had been sent to my insurance for authorization.  Apparently they submitted it with my getting the recon immediately so the insurance company has been waiting on paperwork from my BS they were never going to receive.  I am so frustrated with this girl if I could drive she would be in trouble. 

Nat23

Congrats Robin! Such great new!

JRMH

dbm75- Thinking of and praying for you today.

Also continuing to think of and pray for chapter4 and Karen.

robinlee76- So happy to hear that your margins were clear!

Sandyshoes

Ecstatic to report that at my PS follow up visit he took out my drains!! Thought I would let you know that this was something I had not even dared hope for but had secretly dreaded because I thought it would be painful.  It was not in the least painful but the sites (I had 2) did sting for about 45 minutes afterwards. It's been three hours now and I am feeling so much more free and comfortable.

Small victories. I have also graduated from a huge ace bandage to a compression band that will stay in place for a couple more weeks. Still sleeping in the recliner; being flat on my back = painful.

I still tire easily but  smile more. Wishing all my January Warrior Sisters a calm journey.

Mirmirpanda

Thinking of the gals having their surgeries today!!!

Mirmirpanda

As I'm still waiting for the results of my pathology report and node dissection, who gives you the results of these tests?!

Lmimp64

Hi. Sandyshoes. Glad you are doing well. I have no bandages or bras to wear. All ps seem to have their own thinking on this.



I'm doing ok. Swelling in arms today (worse on side with no snb) prob just from IV for so long. I'm taking fluids again. Yea. They say I drank too much water and ate solid food too soon. I swear I get so many mixed messages about what to do.



My path report was supposed to be tomorrow at 8 am, Panda, at an appt with the bs. Seeing as I am in hospital it is moved to the next day at 9am. Hoping for good news.



For those who already got path back, did it include the ki67? I got mine done with the initial biopsy. Hoping it is not a lot different as first score was positive.



Best to all.

Amy4978

Been reading but not posting... Just wanna say I am thinking of all of you and saying prayera that your fears will be gone, your recovery is short, and your surgery goes perfectly...much love to all of you! My last c hemo is tomorrow and should have my surgery date in the next day or two..

peanutsgal

Hello everyone! So nice to see everyone's progress!



Mirmir... Congrats on no drains! Hope you enjoyed your frozen yogurt. I know what you are saying about being surprised about your new breasts, but as my bs told me today, this is the absolute worst you will look. It only gets better from here!



Lbwagner...the 29th will be here and over before you know it. Praying the time passes fast for you.



Nat....doing a happy dance with you! YAY, CANCER FREE!



josie123...great news on the clear lymph nodes.



Tamiami....sorry to hear about not having your drains removed, but great news on clear lymph nodes!



Lmimp64...great progress, keep it up!



runner...what wonderful writing skills! Keep it up. You connect with so many people on so many levels!



dbm75...hope all went well with your surgery today.



robinlee76...double great news clear margins and no chemo!



Sandy shoes...no drains! That's no SMALL victory! That's a HUMONGOUS victory!



Amy4978...Congrats on last chemo tomorrow!



I'm sure I missed someone, but know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Just finished at ps. All drains are gone and I've warned my family I'm draining the hot water tank tomorrow!!!!!!!

smethot

Lumpie can neither run nor hide...the clock is ticking...this time in 3 days i will be FREE of lumpie and the nodes (thanks nodes...)  Then healing and chemo and rads, oh my!  Feeling good, ready for death to lumpie and onwards and upwards to a HEALING 2013.  Who knew 2013 would be a good luck year???  The year I DESTROY stupid old bc...FOREVER.  It is toast...

jojo2373

Smethot, Cheers!

JRMH

Sandyshoes: Glad to hear that your drains are out and that you are making progress!

Amy4978- Congrats on completing your chemo tomorrow!