May 2013 surgeries

GoWithTheFlow

I lost my lower eyelashes and some of my lashes but not til the end of the taxol.  I think until a few days ago, I had 3 hairs on one eye and two on another, now I'm missing all on one side and have two left on the other.  And yes, i painstakenly apply mascara to those two hairs.  

ckmoss

Can other people tell?  I have very blonde lashes,  however I use mascara. I'm not worried about my hair..am going to shave off after very first treatment and wear a wig I've bought that, quite frankly, looks better than my hair now. But,,that..no wig for..and forget false eyelashes..Ive never been the type that goes all out with lashes,etc. I am going to be taking cytoxan and something else..can't remember the name.  How often did you have it and were you out of work many days for that? I am hoping to take on Thurs..Im off Friday and Saturdays..then go back Sunday or Monday..What do you think?

By the way, I have written down on my list of questions for surgeon tomorrow to find out exactly what is happening in our bodies to make that burning, clawing feeling every time up and down. I don't think mine was the drains..as I still have them, but it pretty much quit on 4-5 days. I can feel it still ..the pull..but doesn't about make me cry anymore.

GoWithTheFlow

I never asked anyone if they can tell.  I can tell, but I try not to look too closely in the mirror except when I'm putting make up on.

I had that chemo every other week.  Was supposed to have it 4 times but only had it 3 because I started getting hand/foot syndrome (my feet burned, were all red, and it hurt to walk on them).  You cannot wear false eyelashes anyway.  I don't think it's that noticable.

I found that I was good the day of and day after chemo because I was still on the steroid high.  My chemo was on wednesday, by friday I started dragging and saturday and sunday were tough energy wise.  Monday and tuesday I had a bit more energy, but had the cardboard taste in my mouth from food, and by wednesday I felt better and had a week to get things done.  If you have it more often it will probably be a lesser dose so side effect times will vary.

I don't work and havent for years.  I was volunteering but gave it up when I found out I had BC.  One volunteer position was with cats for the SPCA, and when you are having chemo you aren't supposed to be doing litterboxes so that was out.  The other was at an elementary school, and with it being January and the height of flu season, I stopped that too.

today my drains slowed down.  25ml in one and 29 in the other.  I'm feeling a lot of pinching, burning tugging on one side (the side I had issues with the other night).  I'm calling in the morning about having them taken out, along with asking him about my tape.  I've noticed I have a blister or pimple like thing in the middle of my chest between the two tapes.  I'm itchy still (taking benedryl at bedtime so I don't scratch and hurt myself), and I want that crap off too.  I have a big container of biscottis to bribe my surgeon with.  

Run4Us

Sebaroni - Thanks for the encouragment... I agree that chemo is going to be an emotional time and that is why I want to find an Oncologist that I connect with.  I know you are hoping to be cleared for chemo so I will keep good thoughts going your way.  Did you get your port put in? How was it?

Run4Us

oops..Hit submit before I was ready. I'm not sure why but I am terrified of getting the port put in for chemo.  It's to the point where I keep putting it off.  To the ladies that have had it done, please talk me down from the ledge. Please tell me what they do...do you feel it when they put it in? Are you sedated? I just don't want to feel anything.  The way I'm acting you wouldn't think I had a BMX....I'm still healing and sore so the idea of something else being done frightens me. 

GoWithTheFlow

Run4Us, it wasn't bad.  There are no drains.  LOLOL.  You aren't "put out" but you have NO recollection of what happens.  I think they call it a twilight sedation.  It was short and sweet.  A little sore when you lay down, but nothing like the surgery.

sebaroni

Run4Us - The putting in the port wasn't bad but it went into my jugular on the left side and for the next three days, I sat with an ice pack on my neck (go back to my blog and I have a couple of entries about it). It is much better today, though. Just stick with dramas if you are going to watch TV!!

sweetpickle

Run- I didnt have a port, did all my chemo via iv but Ive heard that getting the port isnt bad. Maybe take an ativan before your appt.? Hang in there, you will be glad you got it once its done. My veins took a beating from chemo!

ckmoss

Sebaroni-the whole going into the jugular thing doesn't sound fun at all! Is that where they all go? Im asking my BS today exactly where he plans on putting this and will I be asleep.  I actually asked him would he do it at MX so to get done all at one time...His eyebrows went up to his hairline!  He said wellll I can...but I don't think  you want me to. I'm glad now I didnt ..dont think I could stand another discomfort.

GoWith-Thanks for the info on chemo. I know everyone is different, but just kinda wanted to get an idea. I talked to a friend of my sisters who had been through it and she apparently breezed through..just a little tired /not really any nausea..but now all her life she has been a vegan and is a runner. I can tell you thats not me. I have gained 2 lbs since being diagnosed at the first of April...I've had to had comfort food...plus, the past two weeks you'd have thought someone died...people have been bringing food constantly...My husbands been happy, hasn't had to cook!  Do people do that in the north?

Sweetpickle-just noticed you are from NC.  Are you upper, lower?

cheri1859

OMG...ladies - stop making me laugh - iT HURTS!!!!  No wait....don't stop making me laugh because you're all good medicine (I'm referencing the sex after chemo comment and the blood snot comment).

Anyway.....the stuffing yourself silly with green healthy stuff. (veggie smoothies, etc.)  I'm doing just that!!!  I don't know why I have the need to cleanse myself (oh wait....must be all the drugs I've been putting in my body since I've had the girls removed!).  I think it's because I refuse to have to go through anything like this again (as though we've chosen this?!).  I don't use artificial sweetners (you know that if you give a rat 4 lbs of sweet n low in one feeding, it will cause cancer!  I think that was the ratio that was given to them  -  how much we'd have to consume in one sitting comparitively..when that study was published) but joking aside.  I use regular sugar (unfortunately too much) in my coffee.  My girlfriend recommends Truvia which is supposed to be a natural sweetener (I'm dubious though).  I keep meaning to try it - but I really like my coffee "just so" and don't want it changed.

ckmoss....I love your attitude about chemo ;-).  One of my dear friends going through this, lost her eyebrows and eyelashes. However....when I saw her out she looked AMAZING!  She put slight false eyelashes(not the Nikki Manaje type - spelling) and penciled on eyebrows (very naturally)  She also had on a beautiful wig.  (she decided that she always wanted auburn hair so she went for it).  I call her my hot ginger friend.  She said that it's her "opportunity to play dress up and NO ONE would dare question my choices - or maybe I just don't care if they question my choices".  She said getting ready to go out is exhausting but once she looked in the mirror she was really happy.  

I try to have a veggie packed smoothy in the morning (between breakfast and lunch) and then I have a fruit smoothy (between lunch and dinner) that I share with my kids when they get home.  Not saying that I'm doing any better than I would be without them but at least mentally I feel as though I'm doing my body some.  It certainly can't hurt.  

I had my last drain removed this past Sunday (yes....on Memorial Day weekend - I love my PS!!).  I felt so happy all day.  AND THEN BEDTIME CAME....I am still not sleeping well (with or without Valium, with or without Perocet). I average 2 straight hours ( I do get back to sleep but I feel like I'm back to the newborn phase of parenting) I don't think it's the pain. I'm fairly certain it's the new onset HOTFLASHES!  I am 48 and they've been sneaking up on me leading up to the surgery.  Did anyone else discover this happening to them since their mastectomy.  I've heard about the hormonal shift occuring but  i just was hoping in light of all of the other discomfort, etc, I wouldn't notice as much. 

I am SO off of percocet! I hate it and prefer to go with the prescription strength ibuprophen (600mg).  

Marlene....I wish you the best with your surgery today! big hug to you.  (BTW...I was in the hospital for 2 nights following my BMX w/ TEs).

Gentle hugs to everyone,

Cheri

GoWithTheFlow

Cheri, I started hot flashes after my thyroid cancer.  I find sleeping with a fan blowing on my face helps.  Also, I use these pillows http://www.belk.com/AST/Main/Belk_Primary/BedBath/Shop/Bed/Pillows/PRD~9200182ISO94401P/Isotonic+Iso+Cool+Visco+Memory+Foam+Pillow.jsp?off=1&amp;rCode=dsku100000462&amp;ZZ<>tP=4294923148+4294942939&amp;ZZ_PO=0&amp;fO=Category_Path:/Belk_Primary/BedBath/Bed&amp;ZZ_OPT=Y&amp;FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374302215560&amp;bmUID=1369748931036

which seems cooler to me than a regular pillow.  Not perfect, but much cooler than my other pillows.

GoWithTheFlow

One drain is back up to 20ml this morning the other holding steady at 10ml.  Itching is still driving me crazy so I called and am going in later this morning to be checked.  I've been taking benedryl to keep from scratching at night, I don't know if it's working but I pass out once I get comfortable.  Slept til 9 this morning, I had been getting up at 7 or 7:30 regardless of the time I go to bed (or recliner).  

cheri1859

GowithTheflow....Thanks for the pillow suggestion - I may have to buy one if the ceiling fan in my face doesn't work.  

Hopefully you'll get this itching undercontrol.  Good luck at your doctor's appointment -  

cheri

AnnBR

Cheri, ditto on the laughter, it IS the best medicine! I love the positive attitudes, everyone is such an inspiration.



I slept solid last night, must have been the sleep aid I took. I cannot wait until I can sleep on my side though. My drain outputs have been slowing decreasing but no where near 30ccs. Hope everyone has a great week!



Ann

sweetpickle

My eyelashes and eyebrows were the last to fall out but they didnt fall out all the way.



My drains are putting out between 5 and 10 cc right now. If I lived closer to my dr. They would probably take them out but hqve to wait until next Monday.

ckmoss

MY DRAINS ARE OUT! YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

I was so scared he wouldn't take the one because after doing 15 and 20 Sat/Sun..It decided to do 35 yesterday.  He said that it had been 2 weeks and he thought I would be ok. Hurt like *#(&@..for a few seconds..but honestly, after the stabbing out of no where pains I've felt the past 2 weeks and drain pain..was just another OW@!..They were real sore walking out of Drs office and said it would be like that today, but because I took a percocet an hour before I got there..I'm ok.

**I asked exactly what was going on with that burning bear claw feeling getting up and down..He said that when the surgeons cut us open all our skin, tissue..other stuff is pulled back like a flap..he can see our ribs, collar bone..etc (yuck)..and that being touched and moved. Its aggravated and highly sensitive when put back..its not gravity-like I thought-its when  you get up from reclining/lying position you are using your muscle in there and when it moves it is rubbing against all tissue,etc that is aggravated......not that that helps to know.but I have been wondering where is that coming from?

Oh, in ref to drains..one thing before he would take them out..he asked was I sure that I had been massaging the lines to make sure weren't clogged up. My husband is the one that has been doing my drains (I saw the "snot thing..very aptly put..and that was it for me) and he's been very good about working that red through , which is what clogs it. 

AnnBR

ckmoss, congratulations on the removal of your drains!

ckmoss

Thanks!

GoWithTheFlow

Congrats ckmoss.  Still have my drains.  He said he'd like them in until Friday, so Friday it is.  At least he took the tape off half of each side and replaced it.  The middle of my chest has been itching bad and there was a small zit or blister under the tape.  He popped it, used alcohol on it (can you say sting), and put a badage on that part.  Then put the clear tape over everythign again so I can still shower.

ckmoss

Thats great it was something major! Well he finally gave go ahead on showers..his words..."since you have the drains out now, you may shower".  lol..Im going to do this in the dark, because I still can't look...I've glanced down through my bandages..but, really can't see much.

I forgot to ask him.  Does anyone know how long until we can sleep on arm that had lymphs out? I had MX and nodes removed on right side (the side I mainly sleep on)..and book says don't sleep on the "affected arm"..but for how long?

sweetpickle

Congrats on getting the drains out ckmoss!

Run4Us

ckmoss....CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Best day ever when those B*@!*es come out!!! :-)

ckmoss

Thanks all! 

Still woozy from doubling pain meds. Was very sore afterwards but meds kicked in..days a bust though as far as feeling sharp minded.

AnnBR

I have a question about the drains. My first MX was done by a different surgeon and my drain was in the front of my chest. It didn't seem to bother me as much as these are, which are located under my arms and toward the back. I'm curious, does anyone know if there is a standard on where the drains are placed? Hopefully mine will come out next Tuesday.



Thanks! Ann

GoWithTheFlow

Mine are directly under my armpits, about 4 inches down.  Doesn't sound like there's a standard.  

GoWithTheFlow

My surgeons office gave me this belt to put my drains in before surgery.  It's a 1" elastic strap that velcros, with little pink pouches with flowers and the breast cancer ribbon on them.  Two women in his office make them to give out.  I decided today (probably because I'm punchy from lack of sleep) that I need to put pink squirt guns in my "holster" for my appointment on Friday.  Thank goodness for Amazon prime shipping, they will be here thursday.  The things I do to humor myself.  

ckmoss

GoWithTheFlow-I love that idea! So funny!  You are lucky to get that..I just pinned mine to my bra/holser thing, and because my skin was sensitive that the rubber bulbs felt like fire on my skin,,my husband taped this huge piece of gause around my stomach for them to settle on..but the look of them hanging down with all these tubes running..I told him I could cause quite the commotion if I walked into a mall and ripped my shirt open!  LOL..looked like I had a bomb strapped on!

Ann-Ive no idea about drain placement.  Mine were in the front right under my non breast.

Run4us and Sweetpickle..ya'll still feeling better every day..

Run4Us

Ann... my drains were on my side about 4 inches apart from eachother ( I had 2 on each side).

Ckmoss....sorry u r feeling woozy...relax tonight and tomorrow you will feel much better!!!

My side..armpit area is still numb/tingly.  I feel swollen and would love for it to go away...so I can feel better.  I try to remind myself that everyday is another day of making progress. It's hard to stay patient sometimes.

Chinneymae

Congratulations on getting you drains out ckmoss. I felt 100% better after I got mine out. I would take a mans tank top undershirt and I folded the bottom up and made pockets in the front to hold my drains. I could sleep on my back and on my side. It was more comfortable for me that way.

ckmoss

Thanks Chmneymae..!

I hope yall have a good night.  Wonder why it is that the nights have to be so bad..even if you have just have a cold. So, of course, this beast is the worst at night!