April will be my turn, can we share hugs?

ldesim

Annie2012, sorry you're still having trouble.. hopefully a day now after drains are out and you are feeling much better.  I had mine out yesterday and had a few aches and pains today that are subsiding and just overall feel so much better.

So what is the plan for the nodes? I agree, news you didn't want to hear, but the rest of it is fantastic, you've really had a great response!

Keepswimming, best of luck tomorrow and I hope your drains come out, I'm loving my drain free life lol!  I will be thinking of both you girls tomorrow and wishing everything goes well!

Annie2012

Idesim After I heal from surgery,

6 wks of rads for the one lymph node they found positive. I still am having trouble with the deep breaths in my chest being painful tonight. Surgery is such trauma to the system it is no wonder I am having pain. Am super happy to have drains out too!! My chest area is so sore yet, hope it heals soon!

ldesim

Youre bound to be sore there for a couple more days, 3 feet of tube.. sounds painful to me. Just hang in there.

I'm sorry about the radiation.. I'm down that road too in about 3 weeks.

danawp

Good luck to all who are starting further treatments or who are still facing surgery.  And good luck to those awaiting test results...I hope to get my results Thursday & I hope to not need further treatment!!  

Quick healing to all of us!!

Dana

AryaS

I was diagnosed to weeks ago yesterday and am having my surgery tomorrow. Double mastectomy with reconstruction. I am very scared but so happy I found this thread. Please send some warrior strength my way.

bobogirl

Warrior strength coming your way Arya!  We are here for you.  I will be thinking of you tomorrow -- I will be 'in your pocket' at the hospital.  {{{{{hugs}}}}}

Bobogirl

p.s.  You can do it!

keepswimming

annie2012 & idesim, I will be starting rads once I heal too.

Annie I'm sorry you are still having chest pain. My Dr gave me Valium to help with muscle spasms in the chest. It helped. But I was so drugged I decided to cut back. I couldn't tell if I hurt or not, I guess that was a good thing.

idesim, thanks for your positive thoughts. I hope to get drains out today, but seems like they are still draining to much. I'm really anxious about path report. Soooo wanting it to be good, but I was surprised when they removed 20 LN...trying to think good thoughts!

Danawp, I'm in your pocket with hugs as you wait for your path report, I hope we will be popping champagne!

Aryas, please know we are here for you. Things happen so fast you get lost in the chaos. We are all sisters here, fighting for each other.when you share we can support you. Sending you hugs and praying for tomorrow. When you feel up to it let us know how tou are doing

keepswimming

danam, hugs for you as you prepare for tomorrow. Praying you get some sleep. Keep us posted

ldesim

AryaS, we're here for you... best of luck to you tomorrow.. trust me.. you will be so relieved once it is over.. I'll be thinking about you, let us know how you are doing as soon as you can.

Bobogirl & keepswimming, keeping you in my thoughts today!  Dana, hoping you get your results tomorrow!

ldesim

I just got my pathology and and they did find small areas of cancer cells in the nipple, the skin that had compromised to begin with and in the fatty tissue of the breast. The main tumor was just scar tissue.  There was one lympnode that has the smallest of microscopic spec in it.  I was already going to have radiation, so treatment hasn't changed.  I was assured this was very good news.  Thank God I decided on the mastectormy instead of chancing it on the lumpectomy.

I hope to hear from you girls soon!

bella42771

First, warm hugs to AryaS. Strength and love to you on this journey. We are all here for you.

And to all the strong April ladies, Keepswimming, Bobogirl, Danawp, Idesim, Annie2012, RobininSJ, Ukkate, AmyisStrong...my apologies if I am forgetting anyone.....love to all of you post surgery, pretreatment, etc, as you are facing your challenges and rejoicing in your victories.

I have done remarkably well since my BMX on 4/11. My recon was immediate, 1-stage direct to implants and nipple sparring. I have had two drains removed and the best news of all is my path report is fantastic. Negative nodes!!!!! ADH was found in the left breast which was not seen on MRI. The bilateral was absolutely the right choice for me. I feel like I am walking on a cloud. I still have two drains left and I feel lighter than air! Hoping to have these taken out on Friday, then the healing remains. Pain is very tolerable. Percocet, one every 8 hrs and even that is subsiding.

My prayer is that my BC sisters can grab hold of my good vibes and good health and inhale it! I will continue to pray for all of you and stay connected.

Gentle healing hugs and love to all...

Kimberly

ldesim

Hi Kimberly, what a lovely post   So glad to hear the FANTASTIC news!!!! Thanks for sharing

keepswimming

Update: saw my PS today. You have all heard me complain how hard this was, well she reminded me my health was already comprimised from chemo and made me feel like a warrior when she reiterated I went through all that surgery on Tylenol only. Tomorrow I have to have small surgery due to bleeding should be home by 3.



Next I saw my surgeon. He did a modified radical and removed 22 nodes on right. On left a mx with 11 nodes removed. NO cancer, anywhere! I went from stage 3c to clear, made it to the car before I cried. So much love and prayers. Radiation and recon still on the horizon but I now have renewed strength. I know this is a lifetime battle for all of us, so I will continue to share and get support from all of you wonderful warriors!



Danawp I hope you can feel the love and prayers I'm sending you, I so hope you get good results tomorrow. Filling your pockets with hugs and prayers

ldesim

Keepswimming.. that is fantastic.. you ARE a warrior!! Congrats! I am so happy for you.. good luck tomorrow with the surgery.

mafe

Hi Ladies,



May I join too? I finished my neoadjuvant chemo on March 14 way earlier than scheduled. My oncologist decided to stop my weekly chemo regimen of Taxol altogether after the 8th cycle due to neuropathy. He didn't want it to get worst As the standard practice, I was supposed to get 12 cycles. Though relieved it's all done, I felt like I didn't get to the finish line as it was abruptly stopped.



What' s next? I'm due for surgery on April 23 (Tuesday next week). Again earlier than first scheduled. I opted for a single mastectomy. Both breast surgeon and medical oncologist said it's not medically necessary to remove the healthy breast. I maybe taking chances... I certainly don't want to go through this again.



I'm not looking forward to my surgery. Not so much on the procedure itself but by the psychological effect it will have on me later on not having a real breast (without feeling and all).



Any thoughts on things I mentioned - single vs bilateral mastectomy, and what it feels like to have an implant. Hope to hear from you guys.

bella42771

Hello mafe...and thanks for joining us. I'm so sorry for your struggle. Remember to give yourself credit for your warrior spirit. You are brave and beautiful. With regards to your chemo, I can not personally offer much help, but I can tell you a bit about mastectomy and reconstruction. I'm just one week post op. I opted for a BMX, and that decision was based completely on my diagnosis, family history, future breast care, and really what I felt in my own heart that I needed to do. It is the most personal of choices. Discuss your options with your surgeons and specialists then have a heart to heart with yourself. The right answer will emerge.



As for implants, I am still healing, but I am truly happy. I still feel very much like myself. I have skin sensation, but am still too sore to give an accurate call on numbness. I'm told that in a years time whatever nerves will regenerate will have done so. Yet another part of this lifelong journey we are traveling. Waiting, waiting, waiting...lol.



There is sorrow in the loss of your breast. While not an arm, leg, etc, it is an amputation and it is completely natural to grieve over that loss. But breast reconstruction has advanced to levels that women are offered not only an aesthetically pleasing result, but an emotionally satisfying one as well.



You will survive this. I promise. We will be here whenever you need. Love and hugs to you as you move forward and eventually to the other side of this disease.

Kimberly

Ukkate

So one week and one day post surgery and I got my drain removed today!!! What a weird sensation as that comes out!! Next week I will go back and begin the inflation of the te. Recovery has been tough - just having to get used to sitting around and doing nothing. Tomorrow I meet with the surgeon and then I guess call the oncologist and get started with chemo which I'm really not looking forward to. Question, how soon after your mastectomy did u return to work??

Kate

barbhenz

Hello ladies,

This time frame from insurance is ridiculous.  I had bilateral mastectomy with expanders last Thurdsday got to my room after 6:00pm.  My doctor came in at 9:30am to see how I was doing and said that since she was goin out of town and didn't want them to have to track me down "if I was ready to go home" but that if I was feeling up to it to stay.  My doctor's dust had barely settled and the nurse started pushing me out the door!  I mean pushing! I kept trying to say no she signed it becasue she wont be available by phone to discharge later and the nurse said "no, she signed the papers, you're out of here.  Nice huh.  And maybe by 4 in the afternoon I would have wanted to get home, but not at that time and I have never really gotten my pain under control.  I even put something on FB about it.  Which I sure would like to know, any ideas of when I might start beginning to feel better? Good luck to all!! 

danawp

Hi All,

Post surgery pathology report today at my 2 week follow up visit...GREAT NEWS!!!

All 5 nodes were clear.  No chemo or radiation recommended at this time!!

I have TE's and will be doing an exchange surgery at some point, and I am still recovering from my BMX (4/3), so this is not completely behind me yet, but I am hugely relieved and grateful with the news I received today.

Healing hugs to all of us...I know we are all at different points in this journey...wishing everyone some sort of good news along the way!  Good luck to all!

Dana

danawp

Ukkate -

I could go back now, if I had to, 2 weeks after surgery.  I am taking all of April off, though.

Good luck.

danawp

Barbhenz,

When you get the darins out, you will start to feel better.  I am 2 weeks out.  The TE's are still pretty uncomfortable, but I'm feeling pretty good.  Hang in there!

Dana

barbhenz

Danawp, Thanks for the time frame.  I too got great news today.  Congrats on your news!! Barb

ldesim

Congrats to Barbhenz & Danawp for fantastic news!!!  Barbhenz, what a horrible hospital experience!

Ukrate, glad you are doing so well!  I feel I could go back to work now, but already put in for leave, so enjoying the time I have befoe radiation begins.

Bella42771, thanks for sharing, it's good to know that there is a light at the end!

keepswimming

Congrats Danawp!



Barbhenz, Hope you are doing better. Don't feel guilty about resting...a lot! And keep up on your meds. It does get better. I rejoice in the little things, like now I can put my hat on by myself. Sending you hugs

keepswimming

Just wanted to repost the list of our bc sisters surgeries. Hoping you may be able to encourage each other through this journey that has brought us together. Hugs to all!

4/1 Michelle; BMX



4/2 Peggysull; BMX & possible TE



4/3 Annie2012; MX?



4/3 danawp; BMX & TE



4/3 Ashleigh; BMX & TE



4/3 Argynnis; RT MX & TE, LN Biopsy



4/5 bobogirl; excisional biopsy



4/8 keepswimming; BMX & TE



4/9 Idesim; MX



4/10 Ukkate; LT MX & Recon



4/11 bella42771; BMX & Recon

4/11. Barbhenz; BMX & Recon



4/12 Amylsstrong; complete Histerectomy



4/15 Angilee; BMX & TE



4/18 DanaM;



4/18 Aryas BMX &Recon,

4/19 2nd time around; exchange



4/19 Robin_in_SJ; BMX & Recon</

4/23mafe MAX


p>

PeggySull

Hi Barb,



So sorry about the rush out of the hospital. My insurance had planned to do this too. Finally, my psychiatrist intervened (the support staff at both my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon had lost that fight so many times they wouldn't fight without the psychiatrist's letter).



I was finally approved for one more day, but how outrageous this is that you were pushed out the door that way.



I ended up not staying the second night because I was ready to go home by late evening of the second day but OMG this is major surgery and somewhat traumatic. I'd like to meet the people in your and my insurance company and make them watch utube mastectomies and reconstruction and the show them my early scars. I'm ranting again. Glad you were okay physically to go home when you got the push out the door.



How are you now?



Peggy

PeggySull

Just an update to my April 2 double mastectomy with immediate direct to implant surgery. Both surgeries went well technically and I've bounced back sooner than I thought I would except for the pain. Am gradually cutting back on prescription pain meds so that I'm downtown a half dose in the late evening when the pain seems to worsen.



I have a mild infection on the lower skin of my left breast that is being treated by my PS.



What I'm struggling with is the pathology report. I'm triple negative so had chemo before surgery. The holy grail is supposed to be NED when they do the post surgical biopsy and my tumors had shrunk quite a bit but not NED. Now late in the game my BS wants me to go for a radiation consult, while radiation has only been mentioned once to me and that by my BS in the first appointment who put an X through the box on the treatment possibilities, explaining that since my lesions were multifocal I would have to have a mastectomy. My MO never said the word radiation in the four months of chemo.



If I had thought there was even a remote possibility I was going to need rads I would have postponed the reconstruction. If I had the energy to spare I would consult a malpractice attorney so that my BS and MO would have to pick up the tab for what my insurance might not cover if I have to have the recon done a second time if I choose to have rads.



I've been amazed as i've recently learned about the lack on communication between my MO and my BS who are supposed to be "the best" in northern Virginia and who see each other every Monday at a tumor board conference. There are so many "if I had to do it over" changes I would make to how I managed my treatment it would take up a whole page. I think when I've calmed down more I'll start a topic in the forum Just diagnosed or Get me through treatment because I doubt hugely that I'm the only BC patient here who would have a lot to offer in this respect.



But for now I'm going to get three rad consults and take my time making any decisions despite the aggressive nature of triple negative.



Any way, this update has turned into a rant so...



Thanks for listening,

Peggy

keepswimming

Can anyone give me suggestions for sleeping on my side? I want to sooo bad, but can't seem to roll,scoch enough. Maybe, it's too soon I'm 2 weeks out from surgery.

I'm also having trouble with my drains, two are gone yay! But the 3rd was replaced and its still not draining, what do they do now. My ps said there was a lot of pooled blood, which she removed when she put new drain in. I hope I don't have to go in again!



Sending hugs to all.



Peggy, I had TEs put in during my surgery also. I will be having rads. We had a huge discussion with my PS and decided a 50/50 chance was worth the possibility of not having to do a flap and saves a full surgery. I will keep you posted on the process. I think we have so little time to make huge decisions, bless us all as we try to get through this.



One stupid thing I did was I thought I was ready to stop my pain meds...wrong! Not just for pain but for overall well being. They seem to help with my attitude too!



I do have exciting news, my future grand baby is a...GIRL!



Praying for quick healing for all

robin_in_SJ

Congrats to Barbhenz, Barb and Danawp and everyone one else who has updated with some good news.  Barbhenz, I feel so bad for you when you needed the supportof your Dr and hospital they realy did let you down.  Keepswimming, not sure about how to sleep on your side I'm a side sleeper and the last few days of sleeping on my back are giving me backaches.

I got home from the hospital around 4:00 today.  I had a BMX and immediate reconstruction.  The surgery went well and I am so thankful to have had such skilled surgeons working on me.  They started surgery around 9:00 on Friday and it lasted around 6 hours.  I can't say enough good things about the whole experience at the Hospital of Univ of Penn, the nurses and everyone we talked with were great.  I didn't do well on the morphine it gave me a severe headache and upset stomach.  On Sunday we added in something to help with the stomach and changed pain meds and I started to feel so much better each day.  I had a private room but it also a chair the pulled out into a bed and my DH was able to stay with me every night.  It was sucha comfort to have him around. We should get the pathology report late next week.

Virtual hugs..robin

ldesim

I'm glad you had positive experience Robin and I hope you have a fast and uneventful recovery!

Keepswimming, I hope you got the rest of your drains out and are sleeping peacefully onh your side.  That was the worst for me... can't stand sleeping on my back!