March 2013 Surgeries

Thankful2day

Maureen, my BS gave me Valium to help with the spasms. Instead of taking it when I have them, I'm taking it around the clock. Seems to help! I'm ahead of schedule with drains, as they are coming out tomorrow! 10 days post op! I was thinking about trying melatonin to help me sleep. Will ask plastic surgeon tomorrow. Thank you for your kind words and support. I am a medical assistant and worked in oncology for 7 years. It's so different being on this side of it now, but I find the women that I comforted, are now comforting me! We are a true sisterhood, that's for sure! God bless the ones coming up for surgery. You are all in my prayers! (((((HUGS)))))

Dawn

mamasixtaz

Had a really good day today.  Finally got the right amount of pain meds and pain relie 4f with no nausea! Ate 3 meals with snacks today and kept up on fluids.  Walked in the house (still snowing and only 15 degrees) but felt so much more human.  Watched netflix with my daughter and caught up on our shows!  Fell asleep for a couple but the nap was good.  Drains are starting to slow down just a little, but still putting out a lot but it isn't feeling too bad today.  So nice to not feel so drugged out.  Lots of swelling and feels like a ton of bricks on my chest with the te very tight under the muscle.  Back is sore with the tightness across the back, which is to be expected and is tolerable.  Good to hear everyone is doing well in recovery mode.  Thinking about the surgery sisters this week, you will all do well as the anticipation is the worst, can't believe I'm the one now saying this.  Once you are through it  the recovery is one day at a time only to get better and better.  We will be waiting to hear from you on the other side.

Butterflylady2012

So good to hear that you are having a good day mamasixtaz!  Yes, the anticipation is the worst, but being on the other side feels great.  I'm so glad not to have anymore fever and my energy level is increasing.  So glad you were able to watch a netflix movie with your daugther. And yes, we are waiting to hear from everyone with surgeries coming up next week.  Knowing we are thinking and praying for you. 

Cuetang

Question for the ladies that had mastectomies -- do any of you have any odd night sweats? I find that I wake up now in the mornings more than a little sweaty (my heater is set at my normal temperature) and I don't ever remember this happening before my surgery. I've been combing the boards and see some women report some night sweats after their mastectomy. I'm not having hot flashes and nowhere near being menopausal yet. Just curious....just find it kinda meh to feel sticky every morning I wake up....

Gardengirl33

Wow! You ladies weren't kidding when you said relieve when drain is removed! Went today for my stitches out and one drain removed. I feel like someone took a rock from me that I was carrying. It rubbed, it pulled feels amazing! Aahhhh

It hurt somewhat when nurse pulled it! She has a pretty good way of doing it. She's been a nurse and doing this line of work for 15 years. I think my husband was ready to pass out! Lol he just doesn't do well with things like this. Bless him, he feels like he needs to be there for me! Love him.

Ugh, I couldn't sleep last night! I've been sleeping propped up since last week Monday. Middle of my back hurts! I want so to lay flat on my back! Is there any reason I couldn't?

So far no nap today! Trying to keep busy doing little things slowly. Maybe I napped too long yesterday.

I've been craving certain foods ever since my surgery! Other day I wanted my moms meatloaf! Probably more psychological than a real food craving. Last night I wanted raisan bran cereal! I've had neither one, bummer!

I'm getting ready to become stir crazy, spring fever, I don't do sitting around well. I'd love to go shopping! I need to go with my mother in law! Get a few things for Easter for my nephews.

Lin43

Cuetang

Sorry you are having night sweats! I have them also but I was quickly thrown into menopause thanks to chemo last fall. It is a miserable addition to what is already such a tough road. I have heard other women report sweats from mastectomy and they sometimes get some relief from natural or prescription meds. Something to bring up with the doc. Maybe it is a temporary response to the physical shock to our female anatomy.

I bought bamboo pajamas--the softest, most breathable pj's I have ever had, and I have talked my husband into putting a ceiling fan in the bedroom before the heat of summer.

Wishing you well--gentle hugs and healing.

Linda

Lin43

Congrats on getting a drain out, gardengirl33! Like your husband, my daughter was there watching. She is an adult but it still freaked her out a bit. I bet your husband is getting a new appreciation for how tough you can be! I am heading back to the surgeon tomorrow for a check. I have some swelling since my drain removal that may need to get "relieved"--my doctor's words. She said it happens sometimes--hope it is a "relief" and doesn't hurt.

I also hope everyone can get whatever comfort food or activities that will make this process more tolerable! I am fortunate to live where it is 80 degrees right now so I am spending a lot of time outside. Of course it will be 110 in a couple of months....

Seeing a PT on Friday. Having a lot of pain if I try to raise my arm above a parallel with the ground. Trying to do the exercises they gave me. Is anyone else with axillary nodes taken having the same problem? My chest area is doing well compared to my side/underarm area so I am at least thankful for that.

Holding everyone in my prayers and wishing smooth, successful surgeries for all the sisters going in this week. We can do this!

Gentle hugs

Linda

Cuetang

Thanks Linda! i only did the sentinel nodes, and I can get up to almost 180 degrees, but reaching behind me seems to be the challenge. Congrats gardengirl on the drain removed! As for laying flat, I gradually removed pillows after surgery so I could see where my comfort level was.

Maureen1

Thinkng of you (((Christina/3mom)...hope your surgery went well today:) NO surgeries tomorrow, March surgery sisters...we are in the home stretch!!!

(((Dawn/thankful2day))) glad you are doing so well and drains are coming out soon...and so good to hear that the kindness you showed your oncology patients is coming back to you at this difficult time...

 (((mamasixtaz))) - how wonderful to hear that your day went so well...and...you are getting time with your daughter:)

Ahhhhh, yes, Gardengirl...how great to get that drain out - YAAY- hope you get a good night's sleep tonight and that raisin bran cereal in the morning...I'm missing my mom, not her meatloaf, she was never a good cook but she was such good company in the kitchen when I cooked and there was nothing like chatting with her about life....I've missed her so much during this time in my life...she passed away from breast cancer mets the month after I was diagnosed and she was in another state so I never got "one more chat" with her...doesn't make me sad though, my surgeon reminded me that my mom was my "angel" now and could watch over me better from her new vantage point:)

Cuetang - not having nightsweats since the mastectomies but some hot flashes off and on during the day - but I am near menopausal, and...I had to start an aromatase inhibitor 2 weeks after surgery so I'm blaming the new med for that! I am able to sleep flat now, no more pillow propping -Yippee, but I'm 3 weeks since surgery so that's probably why. 

(((Linda))) - the "wall walking" exercise has been saving me...I am so grateful that I have not lost any mobility on either of the mastectomy sides, even with the AND...but I have always been lucky to be very flexible (I was a dancer and did yoga) so thankfully that has helped me - it hurts...ouch...sometimes and the arm pit on the AND side is not as painful as the arm pit on the other side but I think the nerves were severed with the AND so I don't feel as much pain...but the more I am able to stretch the less it hurts....my joints are another story especially with the aromatase inhibitor, they are stiff and sore so I guess we either get flexible muscles or flexible joints but not both LOL:)

(((Healing hugs))) to all my sisters...hope you are starting to feel the spring weather - we actually climbed into the low 40's today and the snow went south of Michigan so it was clear skies - YAAY! Almost time to get out for those daily walks:)

Lin43

Oh Maureen, I hadn't realized that you'd lost your mom right after your diagnosis. I believe your surgeon was so right about her being your angel. And now you are being a living angel for everyone on this board!

I lost my mom to cancer in 1996, a long time ago but how I have missed her these past 7 months. We also had such good chats. It sounds as though we were both very lucky to have them as our moms even if they were taken too soon.

The Herceptin is inflaming my muscles and joints so I can commiserate with you on the aromatase inhibitor. I wake up as a 90 year old lady but feel better after moving around a bit. I also cannot sit too long without tightening up. It is still better than the chemo was, though!

I have never been flexible in my shoulders. It is a genetic thing in my family that even the kids can't lift their arms straight up. But I am glad to be going to the PT on Friday. I will continue trying the wall walk and have also tried using a folded towel to slide up the wall. One inch at a time. Ha!
Gentle hugs
Linda

Gardengirl33

Maureen, sorry you lost your mom. I am lucky to still have my mom. We never had chats, we're becoming closer as we are both getting older. I have a few very good girlfriends that I truly can bring out my true feelings. Someday hopefully mom will be there for me.

I didn't get that raisan bran, ha, better get to store.

Ugh, night sweats! I'll be 42 June 2, I been dealing with these since late summer early fall. Everyone says I'm too young! Well except for my obgyn, peri menopause!

The one night I stayed over after surgery, that was my main complaint! I was burning up!

Finally moved me to a cooler room.

Last night, I was sweaty, back of my legs and blanket damp, I wake up the next morning and my hair is always back to being curly.

I have no idea of my treatment plan. If I need to take hormone blockers, ugh look out! I will absolutely make sure my A/C unit gets replaced before summer.

My mobility seems good, I am so fortunate I only had one lymph ode removed. That seems like the main source of everyone's pain.

kap

I'm also having night sweats, but I've been having them since I was 37 (41 now). I can sympathize. I'm still having pain in my armpits when I move my arms. My chest feels really tight and somewhat numb to the touch. Not sure if the feeling will come back. I feel like I have a prickly burning sensation inside. Wish I could just feel normal! How is everyone else feeling?



Thinking of the sisters having surgery this week. You're almost there. Thinking of you.

mamasixtaz

Do have night sweats even premenopausal too. Was so happy to get my hair washed today! Drains have decreased but not enough, cant wait to get them out, still have 4. Biggest issue is under arm swelling, LD Recon causes some as no more nodes were removed at bmx. Feels like footballs under each arm, hope moves out soon, will ck with ps tomorrow. Still not much energy yet, will try walking outside tomorrow, may be 50 Degrees! HUGS to all recovering tonight!

Gayetri

Hi Everyone,

I have undergone with lumpectomy on 21st march 2013, Yesterday i got dischared from hospital.   Can anyone post their experiences and care to be taken after surgery. Doctors given me some set of instructions and exercises.  My next line of treatment would be decided once the report come.

Thanks

Gayetri

Thankful2day

Well I was supposed to have my drains pulled yesterday, (10 days post op, not bad!) BUT, when I woke up tp empty them, instead of the usual 5ml on the left and 8ml on the right, I had 40ml on the right!!! Panic mode set in big time!! I had been a bad girl earlier and had quickly lifted my 2 year old out of her crib with my right arm! I thought maybe I ruptured something! I called my PS office and was crying! They told me first off shame on me for lifting, but not to fear! I probably had a pocket where the fluid pooled and I had shifted things (in a good way) and was able to get all that out! Drains will be pulled this morning since I am now back to my usual 8ml!! Dr is very happy and impressed that I was able to lift both my arms above my head by post op day 3! Still can't sleep in bed though, no matter how I pile up the pillows! Think I'm just going to stop trying for awhile and keep to the recliner so I don't keep disappointing myself! Have been praying alot for our newer surgical sisters! Well, I pray for each and every one of you, that's for sure!

They say God has a reason for everything, and I truly believe that! I worked as a medical asst for 7 years and just started this year at a plastic/reconstructive surgeon! (who did my recon!) I truly feel there is a reason I got cancer, so that I may be able to help other women I encounter, and help ease their anxiety and tell my story to them. I was always able to comfort those going through treatment, but now I have a deeper understanding for what they all go through!! God bless each and every one of you going through your battle with the beast, and thank you for having forums such as this to be able to share what we are going through, so we don't ever have to feel alone!!
<br />Dawn

LKSHER

Just weighing in that I also get the night sweats. My body has always done that when I am experiencing physical or mental trauma or taking some sort of medicine, since I don't usually take anything.....even for a headache. Thinking of everyone today. My pain is much better. Range of motion is not awesome, but starting more exercise. Took a longer walk last night with my husband and we went up a big hill. I was proud of myself, but have felt cold and tired since getting home after that. Also hardly slept last night due to so much on my mind. I am on a total rollercoaster of .... I had surgery and it's all out and I feel confident and I can do this and live a long life..... to ...... I am terrified and think my time is limited.......

Every twinge is a possible sign of mets even though just had a Pet Scan 3 wks ago. I know a lot of you understand. I constantly reread the survivor stories of ladies with similar pathology to mine. It helps me, but exhausts me, too. I have been a bit obsessive about looking for reassurances and the answer to my What's going to happen to me??? question. My kids are at such tough ages for this and my heart breaks when I sense their fear. They are very smart and have expressed that although meals and invites from all our friends are nice....It is a reminder to them that things aren't normal. They would rather go back to bossy, loving mom who cooks a couple times a week and takes them out to the local restaurant a lot b/c of our busy dance and sports schedule together. I miss that, too and pray and hope hard that it will be our reality again. Love to all.

Foreverchanged72612

Hello ladies, day 5 post-surgery and feeling great. Will be getting the drains out tomorrow...yay!!! Today I'm going to dial it down from the percocet. I've been taking them every 4 hours but the lightheaded feeling is starting to annoy me. It was fun for a couple of days but not anymore. So I took one at 6am and then at 10:30 I took an advil. Will try another percocet at noon but really not feeling any pain.

Oh! I wanted to mention also that my surgeon had talked to me before surgery and said that he would try a sentinal node biopsy. If cancer was to be found, he would do the axilla node dissection. I was injected with a radioactive dye that went to the lymph nodes the day before surgery. In surgery, he found that the dye only went to one lymph node - the one that had tested positive for cancer in my biopsy way back last August. He removed it and sent it to pathology where it came back NEGATIVE for cancer and so he stopped!! Yay!! In the end, no axilla node dissection!!! That was a nice thing to wake up to.

Cuetang

Thanks ladies for the input on the night sweats!  I haven't started any treatment plans or chemo, and I'm 33, so having night sweats all of a sudden was really making me wonder about things.  It really must be the trauma of having such a huge surgery that my body doesn't like even though I *so far* have been feeling pretty decent.  Isn't it amazing how we don't think about things like a nice shower or a hair wash the way we do until after our surgeries? 

Maureen -- you mom is definitely your angel and with you every step of the way.  I'm glad you have such great memories that you can smile upon with her.

Thankful2day -- you'll feel awesome after your drains get pulled today!  I had a weird day about 4 days after my surgery where one drain was consistently doing about 12 a day, then that one day it did 50!  I was so worried, but thank goodness I didn't see my PS until 2 days later, where it went back down to about 8-10 each day for 2 days.  He thought something may have been stuck and just "unstuck" that day, resulting in the high number.

LKSHER-- I agree with about the fear of mets.  It is like a "cancer radio" where you can tone it down but never really turn it off.  In time, we will all learn our own ways on how to tune things out for a while, some of us better than others.  I'm one of those that is still trying to figure out ways on trying not to overanalyze my body (so hard!), but hopefully as others have said, as time goes on that radio will be quieter and blend in with the rest of the noises in the background. 

Foreverchanged72612-- good news that you only had to do the SNB and no surprises!  *happy dance* 

Best wishes to the rest of the March surgery sisters!! 

patriciahurtado

Forveverchanged.....i also wanna slow down on pain med i feel like im sleepy 24/7...im allegic to percocet and vicodine so they have me on tylenol..........my armpit feel stuff and stiff ...does anyone else feel the same????

my drains still over 30...ewwww i walked around my house but i feel light head

cant believe that im loosing my eyebrows and eyelahes after chemo....

ladies when do we wear our sports bra.....when i try to get up my right foob burns under the bra wire goes.....

what type of exercise should we do ..i know some one asked........

i hope everyone is feeling better today!!!

ironmagnolia

Update-- Had another curveball thrown at me this week (was being diagnosed with BC and then being told I have it in both breasts simultaneously not enough?).  BS called me to tell me that my Lt breast margins were not clear in the area near the tumor. Rt breast margins are clear. She says this is only the 3rd time in her career that this has happened with mastectomy. Seems it's a fine line between taking enough tissue to eradicate the BC while leaving enough for the PS to get a good result on recon. Since I had a DIEP, radiation is out as an option (no thank you anyway), so I'm headed back to surgery within 2 weeks for a re-excision on the top of the Lt breast to clean where a few microscopic cancer cells were seen at the margin by the pathologist. Same day surgery, about one hour procedure, PS will be there in case he is needed. 

On an up note, I was rather pleased with the final path report overall. New stats are in my siggy. Both the Rt and Lt tumors were smaller than I had anticipated, both Stage 1, and the Lt showed only one tumor when we had expected two. Oncotype was screwed up by the hospital, so only one side's report is back which showed a score of 15 on the Lt breast. I was expecting higher since we were under the impression that I had more than one tumor present there, so I am pleased. Now waiting impatiently for the Dr's office to get the Oncotype report on the Rt breast today.

Have had a few down days recently, especially after the call about needing to go back into surgery.  But today after meeting with the BS, I'm feeling more encouraged about the path report and and my first Oncotype score. It's a rollercoaster ride for sure.

2girls-2spaniels

YAY !!! No chemo is needed... Saw my MO today and suggested the oncotype test, waiting on that result now. No radiation either. Reconstruction went well too. Have returned to work part time this week.



All my prayers and thoughts are with my March sisters.

Maureen1

(((Lou4of7 and Mauigirl))) thinking of you and hoping your surgeries go well tomorrow...you know we'll be with you and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers...

(((gayetri))) Welcome to the March 2013 surgery group...hope you are recovering well from your surgery and you find out what your treatment plan will be soon...you will find so much good information on this board, many of us have had lumpectomies like you, and some of us have also had mastectomies. The best advice I can give you is take it easy, don't overdo it and stay ahead of the pain. I found that if I did "too much" or let the pain get bad it was so hard to get it back under control. 

Ironmagnolia...so sorry for the "good news/bad news" pathology report and that you have to go back to surgery - it is such a roller coaster but sounds like it was more good than bad since the tumors were smaller and less agressive stage:) 

Thankful2day/Dawn - hope you got those drains pulled today? How sweet of you to think of how this awful experience will help you to help other women...yes, you certainly will see their experience from a different perspective now...

2girls-2spaniels - congratulations on your wonderful news!!

Patriciahurtado...ugh, yes...hated losing my eyebrows and eyelashes with chemo and the irony was they didn't start to fall out until a couple weeks after the last dose so I thought I wasn't going to lose them...the good news was that they started to come back in after less than a month and were thicker than before - YAAY!

Foreverchanged - YIPPEE - such good news! Less pain and nothing in the nodes, so happy for you:)

Cuetang - yes...your body has ever right to "overheat" after the shock of this surgery...maybe it's turning up the metabolism to help heal? Ahhhhh, yes....those showers are so sweet once the drains are out...Funny too that I used to complain about how long it took to do my hair until it all fell out with chemo - now...I'd love to spend an hour curling and styling some hair, really looking forward to the day I can do that again:)

(((LKSHER))) - You're not alone...(((Hugs))) I so understand how you feel about fear for what might blindside us again in the future, some nights I still wake up in a cold sweat thinking "something is going on" and wondering how many more sweet sunny spring seasons do I have, will I have to deal with mets, etc...but somehow I am starting to feel "better", whatever that means and the fear is easing up - Cuetang - like your analogy of the radio volume going down, think my mind is "changing the channel" too and it's a more positive upbeat channel:)

Thinking of all my surgery sisters this evening...hope you are mending more every day! (((Healing Hugs))) Maureen

Pattysmiles

Received some of my pathology. Seems to be a mixed bag, and more waiting.



I am still considered stage 1.

The "bad"news: there were multiple tumors, all very small, the largest being 1.8 mm and the smallest .5 mm. 6 total. Multiple tumors are not good.



Of 4 SNB nodes tested it looks like there are three reported on...3 negative (one of which has 18 tumor cells, but it takes 200 to be "bad". I keep looking at the report to figure the wording on how they missed number 4?



Margins: mostly good, except for one small part is At 1mm. My doctor doesn't like that.



Good news: it is classic invasive lobular cancer (not aggressive)



Questions to be looked at according to my surgeon:

Will I benefit from chemo? (Oncologist to determine)

Will oncologist order oncotype test? (Means additional waiting, ok by me)

Should my doctor go back in for wider margins? Or expect radiation to deal?

Should I consider masectomy? (Still waiting on BRCA results)

Will I get another MRI to see if there is anything they can read on it?



My surgeon will be presenting my case to a panel of her peers next Wednesday. In the interim she is trying to get me into oncologist so this can all move forward. (I called the Oncologist office from the parking lot and she is not booking til april22 so I went back into BS office and they will try to expedite)



So, I am now back in the waiting mode. I was so hoping to move forward so whatever is in store for me could be over with before my kids start summer vacation.



Patience, Please come find me!

Pat

Cuetang

ironmagnolia and pattysmiles -- oh what a roller coaster this BC ride is.  I too didn't get a "clean margin" (didn't think that was possible with a BMX!), but my BS recognized that during surgery and in his words "scraped everything there" and in their weekly peer meeting, the radiological oncologist also concurred that radiation was not recommended at this time (whew).  I'm meeting with the RO based off of a recommendation by the BS -- the BS thinks I should talk to the RO so I have a clearer understanding of how they came to the conclusion of not recommending rads (I had less than a 1mm margin according to my path report).

Pattysmiles -- it might be good to check and see if your health insurance will cover the oncotype.  I was fortunate enough to deal with my health insurance's nurse navigator assigned to me and she clearly outlined the conditions that an oncotype would be covered in my case.  For me, I have an Aetna HMO and they won't pay for it if I have any positive nodes since that to them would mean chemo for me.  The oncotype company called and said that I will have results 7-10 days after they receive the "specimen".  I'm so with you ....this "hurry up and wait" mode royally sucks! 

2girls-2spaniels -- great news! 

2ndsister

Hello all,

I guess my sister filled in the open space for March 26th on your March surgeries list.  She is across the country and I was only able to speak to her for a few moments today.  She is pretty uncomfortable.  She had bilateral MX (prophylactic on one side) and axial dissection and reconstruction with TEs.  I know it depends on the person, but I want to know what the timeline is for recovery with regards to pain.  Hopefully I can provide her with a bit of comfort to know when she will start feeling better.

Also, is it a given that with one positive sentinel node, there will be chemo?  It seems like i have read some threads where that is not the course of action.  And, do they do an oncotype dx test if there are positive nodes?

Thanks in advance.  It is so hard to know that someone you love is suffering.  Another sister is out there comforting her.  My role tends to be information lady.  So any info you can provide will be very much appreciated.

Maureen1

Okay...one more surgical day on our March 2013 schedule and (((Hugs))) for our 4 "sisters" facing surgery tomorrow...you are in my thoughts and prayers, we're with you tomorrow: (((Carrie, Shari, Tina, ssla01))) Let us know how you're doing when you're able to...

March 28th - Bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders and sentinal node biopsies - Carrie6466

March 28th - Bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders and lymph node dissection - Shari

March 28th - Right skin sparing mastectomy and lymph node dissection - TinaHoff

March 28th - Sentinel node excision - ssla01

Maureen1

Hugs (((Pattysmiles/Pat)))...isn't the waiting one of the worst parts about this beast...so, sorry for the "mixed" pathology news but congratulations on being stage 1 and having negative nodes - YAAY, wish the answers were clearer and quicker...

2ndsister...sorry about your sister's diagnosis...I had bilateral mastectomies on March 4th...it is "slow going" in some ways but manageable if she keeps ahead of the pain and doesn't push herself, especially with using her arms and/or lifting. I had direct to implants so my pec muscles had to stretch and were pretty sore and swollen but the pain has really gone down, still swollen on the side where the axillary node dissection was done but the surgeon said the "fluid had to find another way out" since the lymph nodes were gone. The main source of pain is in the arm pit where the nerves were disrupted, that just seems to take time. This is a tough time while the team is putting together the treatment plan, I hope she has a support system to help her cope with the diagnosis...

TinaHoff

Hello March 28 surgery sisters!

I met with the plastic surgeon last wednesday, and he recommended I NOT do the skin sparing with tissue expanders.  So we're back on for a simple mastectomy of the right breast, with lymph node dissection.  Makes the surgery shorter (yay!) and he feels the later reconstruction will have a better appearance for it.

My check in tomorrow is for 7:45am, so I'm happy that I'll get to take my daughter to school before I go to the hospital, and my sister will come to the hospital with me and my husband.  Everyone is happier about that.  Oh, I just want this part over and behind me!  I know you know the feeling.

Looking forward to coming out the other side in about 16 hours from now...

Hugs to you all!

kap

Good luck tomorrow ladies. I'll be thinking of you. Looking forward to all of us being on the road to recovery.

2ndsister

Thanks, Maureen1. I'll pass the info on.  My sister does have support, but is taking the dx quite hard.  The emotional aspect has already taken quite a toll, so dealing with the discomfort is an unwelcome challenge, for sure.   I hope you are feeling much better soon.

Best wishes for a swift recovery to you and all the other sisters.