January 2013 surgery

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited February 2013

    So sorry to hear that Robinlee, that's a week you could have done without. If it is any consolation, I had to have a Seroma and Haematoma drained at about three weeks, along with having stitches removed that hadn't dissoved. It was just fine, not painful at all, but boy did it feel so much better afterwards.

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited February 2013

    RMlulu, so glad you've found a group that have given you the insight into your treatment and that you are so well prepared to kick it to the kerb, and resume your life.

    I wish you all the very best for your meetings with your team and getting your plan started.

    Hoping you get that week off, and take care of you! (((((hugs))))) Moira x

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  • AuntieEm
    AuntieEm Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2013

    Hi Tangles



    I started chemo last Friday. My chest pain became very severe. I suggest pain meds. They did help to make things more tolerable. I too am very concerned that my chest pain won't get any better until the expanders are gone and permanents are in... I guess at this point the most important thing is to do whatever it takes to get us comfortable enough to get through the rough patches. Best of luck!

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  • tangles
    tangles Member Posts: 508
    edited February 2013

    Well AuntieEm I had to go for a fill yesterday and I didnt feel the tightnes going in but when I got home I was in tears. I am still in a ton of pain. I am suppose to go for a PT session today, but not sure how I will be able to do anything with this pain. I sure hope it gets better then this as I am due to go back to work in a few weeks and there is NO WAY I cold ever work like this. I do feel like I am getting a tiny bit of my energy back that the Chemo took on Friday. Still have a tiny bit of an upset tummy, but I guess thats to be expected with all the pain meds.

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Tangles~  You mention pain meds, but have you tried a muscle relaxer?  I don't need pain pills any more, but I still take flexeril-10 on fill days and for a couple days after, and I take one every night before bed.  Call you PS for and prescription if you aren't already taking it.  Good luck!

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Emily~  I just saw that you were having chest pain too...try the muscle relaxers!  They really help me a lot!

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  • PeggySull
    PeggySull Member Posts: 686
    edited February 2013

    Sue, welcome,



    I had one idea about the financial and that is to call the American Cancer Society. They used to (and may still) have a patient advocate for financial concerns there who could help with financial matters related to cancer treatment. Their number is 1-888--227-6333.



    If you are still taking pain medication, the nausea may be a side effect. Call your doctor and ask for a prescription of zofran dissolved under the tongue.



    I am a triple negative too and I would get a second opinion from another breast oncologist. I've read a lot of posts in the triple negative section of this board and not one that I can recall didn't have chemo either before or after surgery. This is too important an issue not to get a second opinion.



    Let us know what happens. We care.



    Peggy

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited February 2013

    Tamiami...I've been thinking of you and wondering if you got your drains out yet?



    I have my first fill on Friday...a little nervous about that as they are already uncomfortable to wear. But I still have the flexeral so will be taking that. Boy, your really limited as to what you can do. I would love to work in the yard while I'm still off work but that won't be happening for a long while. I'm so bored sitting here day after day doing nothing.



    Has anyone had a pedicure yet? I've been told not to have one during chemo or before surgery but now that I'm done with that, I'm wondering if I can now. I will ask my PS on Friday.

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Hope~  I did get 1 of the drains out Friday at my 2nd fill. The other is still producing 55-60 per day. so who knows when that will come out.  I hear you about the boredom!  It's ridiculous, and very depressing not to be able to do anything!  I decided on Sunday that I was going to take my first shower...drain be damned...and it felt soooo good! 

    My feet were a disaster, and I couldn't understand why...I had a pedicure 2 days before surgery and by 3 weeks post-op I could barely walk on them because they were so dry and cracked!  I sent a pic to my daughter who is an RN, and she said that happens when you aren't showering and walking around a lot.  I guess the skin builds up quickly if it's not being sluffed off in the shower and walking in your shoes!  Who knew!?!?  Anyway, my son took me for a pedicure at 3 weeks post-op and it felt amazing!  I never thought to ask my Dr. whether it was ok or not, and I didn't have chemo, so I'm not sure about those limitations.  Hopefully your Dr okays it for you!

    So today I also decided that I'm going to drive...again, drain be damed!  I'll let you know how that goes!  The first thing is to brush about 6" of snow off the car.  That may just do me in and I may have to nap LOL!  Wish me luck!

    I was so nervous at my first fill too!  It was way easier than I expected.  They use a magnet to locate the port under your skin...one of my magnetic ports "jumped" a little when she passed the magnet over it.  That felt really weird but didn't hurt.  Then she put the needle in and I didn't feel it at all, then she slowly started filling with saline.  I imagined that I would feel something...maybe cold...but again, felt nothing.  She kept asking me if I was feeling ok and said she could stop if it became uncomfortable, but it never did.  I got 210cc's in each breast.  The following day, I felt tighter than I had and had a few small muscle spasms.  I did take flexeril the day of the fills and for a couple of days after.  The second fill went pretty much the same, except that after she filled the left side and started on the right, my left muscle started "quivering".  It didn't hurt, but it was a little uncomfortable.  That fill was 120cc's per breast.  She said to come back in 10 days instead of 7 to give my muscles time to adjust.  It honestly wasn't any more painful in the next couple of days than it was from the first fill, and the flexeril took care of it.  I will see her again on Monday.  I hope this detailed account helps to put you at ease.  Please let me know how it goes for you!

    Tami

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  • NatsFan
    NatsFan Member Posts: 3,745
    edited February 2013

    Tami - I showered, drove, took walks, and even went back to work while I still had drains in.  It's a bit of an annoyance, and hurts like heck when you hook the drain tube on the corner of your office chair  Surprised, but other than that they didn't bother me. 

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Mary~  I'm glad you didn't have any trouble with your drains!  It stinks that you had them in so long too.  My PS said I could shower with my back to the water, but my BS said no way because I have had previous drains that got infected, and I have already had 2 infections since my surgery 1/4.  I got to the point Sunday that I just couldn't take it anymore!  As for the driving, I wasn't doing it while I was on pain killers or muscle relaxers, but now its just painful trying to drive.  They have had to replace the drain bulb twice and now the "hose" is so short that I have to pin it to the bra under my arm...everytime I lift my right arm or reach with it, the drain pulls at the stitches.  PS actually had to add a stitch because I pulled one out and now the drain is shoved back into the hole with one stitch inside and one outside.  So uncomfortable at best.  Counting down the cc's til it's out!

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  • AuntieEm
    AuntieEm Member Posts: 30
    edited February 2013

    Hi Tami



    Seeing my MO tomorrow and my BS next week. I will talk to them about the muscle relaxers. I want the meds to work for both post chemo and post fill. So tired of all the pills... Hope you're doing well.



    Hang in there ladies!

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited February 2013

    Tamiami, Do they say why you might still be producing so much fluid? That has to be so annoying. I feel bad for you! I showered with my drains in. I probably would have driven too if I had too. I find driving kinda awkward now because I can't stretch my arms all the way up yet. I went to the grocery store....had to get out....they bagged my groceries, put them in the car and then my son brought them in. I feel like I've accomplished something today. My girlfriend is coming over to help me with laundry.



    Do you have an idea yet on when your exchange surgery will be?

    I just want it to be all done and not interfere with summer. I have a feeling though I won't get my wish.



    Take care and ill be praying for 10cc's!

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited February 2013

    Angie Em,



    My sentiments exactly. So many pills. I put mine that I'm not taking in a box. Not sure what to do with them.

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  • Mirmirpanda
    Mirmirpanda Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2013

    I've got some major catching up to do, but I just wanted to pop in and let you all know that I had my PET/CT scan this morning and my oncologist called me a couple hours later to let my know the preliminary scan came in and IT WAS CLEAN!!!



    I'm still scared, but relieved and ready to move on already. Chemo is booked for the 25th. I'm gonna get my life back on track!!! I'm going to celebrate this victory!!!



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  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2013

    Yea Mirmirpanda. :). I'm so pleased.

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  • gd2shuz
    gd2shuz Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2013

    I had a nice visit last night from someone from "A Buddie for You", and she told me to contact the Susan G. Koman center and another center I can't think of at the moment.  I slept a lot today so I didn't make any phone calls, but hope to tomorrow.   I got a few toys in a goodie bag...a nice blanket, a pillow, a little teddie bear lol, and a couple of other little things.  The blanket is soft and keeping me warm around my shoulders, feels good.  I will be calling a couple of places tomorrow hopefully.  Hope you all feel well tonight, blessings to all.

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  • marianelizabeth
    marianelizabeth Member Posts: 1,735
    edited February 2013

    Mirmimpanda, have been thinking of you for days and so glad to hear the all clear! Who is your MO?

    SmileMarian

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited February 2013

    So thrilled for you Mirmirpanda!

    Been thinking about you a lot and wondering how you were doing.

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  • josie123
    josie123 Member Posts: 1,817
    edited February 2013

    Mirmirpanda so happy for you..I've been worried for you...

    Sue so glad to hear from you also.Hope someone can help you.I've been worried because you sounded so down the other day.

    I see my surgeon for my post op appt Friday.

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited February 2013

    Mirmirpanda ....Yay! That is such awesome news! I'm so happy for you!

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited February 2013

    Yeah, Mirmirpanda! What great news! Celebrating by popping my bubble gum just for you (((hugs)))

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Mirmirpanda~  Cheers to a clean PET scan!!!!  Yay!!!

    Hope~  I asked about exchange last friday, and she said minimum 3 months from mastectomy and most likely around 4 months...so probobly the end of April- beginning of May!  I go back to work on Februrary 26 (3 more weeks), so time is definitely flying.  It will be here before I know it.  Don't hope for 10cc's...hope for an easy time of it!  You are gonna do fine Friday!

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  • Lbwagner69
    Lbwagner69 Member Posts: 45
    edited February 2013

    Ok Ladies,

    Sorry for not writing....I am still in the hospital with spiking temperatures. I have a pic line to deal with aside from these darn tubes. The bottom seem tobe indected and are draining pussy. I hope and pray this clears so I can go home to my babies! The ps wants to clean out the area that will leave me with a womb v ac...oh....just got the news that the re WAS a small (.5cm) of invasive which was her2+. I am a llittle freaked out now but am going to fight o e thing at a time! I am walking fine with a little tenderness in tthe abs...breasts are actually on the large side.

    Ok...thats my update. Anyone have any advice? Can't do lymph node biopsy until infection clears....

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  • RMlulu
    RMlulu Member Posts: 1,989
    edited February 2013

    Lbwagner69- so sorry that you are still in the hospital with temp & infection :((

    Praying that this is resolved soon & you are home with those babies.

    Take care & demand that everyone washes their hands well when coming into your room- make them sing Happy Birthday 2x. Celebrate your rebirth c free!

    Healing peaceful prayers...



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  • Destina
    Destina Member Posts: 89
    edited February 2013

    Mirmirpanda, that's wonderful news! I've been thinking about you and am thrilled for you!

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  • Hopex3
    Hopex3 Member Posts: 397
    edited February 2013

    Lbwagner. I'm so sorry for you still in the hospital! I pray you have a speedy recovery so you can get home to your babies!

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited February 2013

    So sorry to hear you are having such a bad time Lbwagner. You must be over it, and eager to get home to your babies.

    Sorry, no advice other than to say, take it easy while you are in Hospital, and let your body start to heal. You have been through a lot.

    One step at a time, it will get better!

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  • Tamiami
    Tamiami Member Posts: 396
    edited February 2013

    Lbwagner~  Thinking about you and sending healing thoughts your way!

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  • Lmimp64
    Lmimp64 Member Posts: 219
    edited February 2013

    Lbwagner - thinking of you.



    I decided to do chemo. Begin next week. Don't ever want to have said I should have.

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