May 2013 surgeries

sweetpickle

Hi ladies, mace it through surgery but needed a few units of blood.. Also neeed two units more today. Myhospial saty was awful and one day I will write a book about the torture the was myexperience jnic



Glad tobe out, tty



Heather

AnnBR

sweetpickle, SO glad to hear from you. Take care!

GoWithTheFlow

I'm sorry you had problems sweetpickle.  Glad to hear from you.  We were missing you.  ((HUGS))

wyllikers

I had my BMX on May 24th with a planned SNB and unplanned ALND.  They removed 18 lymph nodes, but only two were cancerous.  One had a 1.1 cm tumor, the other a .6 cm tumor.  I started at Stage 1a, grade 2, but final path report puts me at Stage IIb, grade 3.  I'll have chemo and rads.  I'm actually quite comfortable without my breasts now (path report showed my breast weight total was 7.5 pounds!).  Having been large chested for so long, it feels pretty good to be without them now.  I had two drains on the right (node side), one drain on the left (prophylactic MX side).  I was feeling pretty great until they took out the left drain.  The next day, my shoulder started hurting and now each day since I've had several pain "attacks" that I would rate as a 10 on a 1-10 pain scale.  It felt like stabbing pain, almost like my shoulder was in labor!  When it happens, there is no change in the pain regardless of how I move my arm or how long I use ice.  It lasts from 5 to 20 minutes, then passes to a dull ache like a shoulder sprain.  I'm going back to the surgeon tomorrow to see what's what.  Does it seem like maybe there is some serous fluid collecting on that side that could be pressing on a nerve?  I would expect something like this on the ALND side, but not the other one.

The other issue I'm having is a necrotic flap that is taking a while to heal.  I'm hoping it will recover quickly, but it has already pushed my chemo date back by two weeks.  I'm using tons of triple antibiotic ointment on that area (about 2.5 inches by 3/4 inch) hoping it will turn my skin from pitch black to bright pink!

Has anyone else had a necrotic flap (no reconstruction) or similar shoulder pain two weeks after surgery?

Run4Us

AnnBR...I forgot that it was you that mentioned a few weeks ago about the party you are having... I have told so many people the name...It still cracks me up!! :-)

ckmoss...Ugh..I'm so sorry you are in pain from getting your port.  I am sooo nervous now - I get mine on Friday and start chemo Tuesday.  I hope I'm not in pain from the port when I start chemo.

I was so glad to hear that the fill for the expanders wan't very painful.  I go tomorrow morning for my first fill so I will report back how it goes.

Anonymous

Wow. Miss a few hours and you guys post like crazy!



Catey: happy belated birthday. So glad you and your daughter had fun! In an earlier post, you mentioned you have a very phsically demanding job. What do you do?



Ckmoss: yes, oncotype is very helpful, and you want a low score. Of course, its still just a number, and a high score just means a greater % of women are likely to have recurrence. Doesn't mean YOU. Always think positive!



My prayers are with you all: not for "no rads" or "no chemo", but rather for the diagnosis that will kill any chance of recurrence!

Anonymous

On my way to the hospital. Last year, they made me do a preg. Test even though my hubby had a vasectomy 16 years ago. Yesterday, I started my period. Do you think they'll believe me this time when I say there's no chance I'm prenant? Lol.

cateyz2

Sweetpickle- So glad to hear from you, was worried if everything was ok. So sorry to hear that you did not have a positive experience with the hospital staff. Hoping you are resting comfortably now.

Wylikers- Hoping your surgeon knows what is causing your pain and can do something to eliminate it for you

Steph01- I work for the US Postal service as a city mail carrier on a walking route, so alot of repetitive motions, heavy lifting, and walk for a minimum of 6 hours a day. No treadmill needed here. Also they did ask me also about pregnancy, I had tubes tied and alblation but they didnt require me to take test

ckmoss

Mornin' friends!

Steph- I have had 3 pregnancy tests since April..One before lump, one before MX, and one before port. My husband has also been "fixed".  I looked at nurse with straight face..and was like "Are you trying to say im stepping out on my husband?? You calling me a Ho?..Also, I told her to note they had done one like 3 weeks apart for month and I could guarandamntee her, no sex with drains , pain..lolol

Sweetpickle!!!  I am so excited to hear from you! I'm also sorry about your hospital stay.  Which hospital was it? And was it the post surgery pain horrible or was it the actual staff there?  Are you in pain still? How does your new one look..is it close to the other?  lol..too many questions!  

Run4us-They gave me morphine (which itched me to death) and lortab..I told her that I don't think the morphine does much anything but itch me...she told me to put on as allergic so they would give me something else.  I tried to get them to give me Demorol (had that with kidney stones..wonderful stuff)..they had me on 4 different kinds of pain meds..which just brought down to dull roar but had me seriously cotton head (not good cotton head either..lol)..OH!  One thing the discharge nurse told me is to use the lidocaine when I got home. My Dr's called this in already for chemo.  That did seem to help as well...although you have to redraw your marks on.

cateyz2

ckmoss I too always had good response from Demerol, however I beleive FDA recently took off the market due to serious side effects being reported

ckmoss

Catey-Well that sucks! I can still remember that nurse giving me that shot..kidney stones, more painful than any of this..and its like it all went away..not even a twinge..She gave me that shot/put heated blanket on me (having chills from pain)..and I was thinking...I LOVE YOU!

I could use some today...where this port is and all down my arm ..pain bad.  I put lidocaine on took a 800 ibuprofin and a lortab..and as long as I stay dead still doesnt hurt. Getting out of bed this morning was just like right after MX..whole bear claw thing..plus can't sleep on that side..having to sleep flat on back again...

Sorry for the complaining.

Wylikers-I didn't realize that they may weigh something and could take pounds off scare!  Im going to check..course only did one..hmmmm...the other one would drop my weight some?? lol..  I don't have any knowledge about what you are asking in earlier post..but I do want to say I hope you feel better...maybe you should call nurse?  Mine have been really great..as I call them if having issue that I haven't heard about or that ya'll have posted on here that I would call normal.

sweetpickle

Ckmoss- I was at cmcmain in charlotte. Had a horrible icu nurse who tried to move me on her own and almost split me in half. eventually left me screaming to run for help. Nurses couldnt get iv line in so she lied to and said they would have to do a picc line. Meanwhile she turned my right hand black and blue.



Everything hurts and I try to stay as medicated as allowed. I dream of a day when a smal cough doesnt send me howling doubled over. It is better at home at least.

ckmoss

Sweetpickle-OMG...I am soooo sorry that all happened to you! Normally CMC is a good hospital and their ICU should be top notch..as all hospitals in other towns around (like Rock Hill) all fly worst patients to them..Jeez..I'm so sorry..well get some rest.  Are you done?  Is reconstruction complete?  Rest ..you don't have to answer questions now.

GoWithTheFlow

sweetpickle, that's horrible!  Glad you are home and hope you are pain free (or relatively pain free ) soon

GoWithTheFlow

Steph, is your surgery today?  If so, good luck!

Chinneymae

Well, I am now on the way home from Oncologist and got a lot to think about and decide on. My Oncotype score was 30. My onco is recommending Chemo and Arimidex.



They are asking if I would be interested in doing a clinical trial with chemo to see if using two drugs vs three would be just as beneficial. I have all the info about it and will research it when I get home.



I am so overwhelmed right now. Please keep me in your prayers that I do the right thing.

AnnBR

Chinneymae, my prayers are with you. I can only imagine how you must feel. I'm glad that you will be doing some research. Education is power. I pray that whatever you choose to do you will be at peace with your decision.



Ann

ckmoss

Chimneymae=I feel for you having to make even more decisions..That was what stressed me so bad..for every  decision..comes 3 more..then 6  more from those..and all MONUMENTAL decisions.  I hate you have to take chemo, but look at as a type of cleanse..if there is one cell anywhere in your body you can get rid of it!  I'm not sure I understand, they are wanting you to take LESS of a treatment for this trial?  Is it taxotere that they are wanting you to leave off?  The reason I was thinking it might be..when I put my chemo drugs in my profile on this site..it prompted "articles" and one was whole thing about taxotere and how scientist now are thinking it really doesn't help in certain people.  I'm not one of the "certain" people..if that is the drug that is in question, let me know and I'll copy/paste (if you can't see already) from this websites articles.  It may help you with decision.

How are ya'll today? Well, I hope!  I just took a nap and while getting up felt like the bed had grown hooks and attached to my port and MX site..so when I came up pulled them like crazy...I sooo hope this is over soon! No way could I have done chemo in it..cream isnt even helping.

Chinneymae

ckmoss: there are three drugs that will be used in the trial. Doxorubicin (andrimyacin, [they call it the red devil drug], cyclophosphamide, and docetaxel [this is the taxane drugs])



They are trying to see if they can eliminate the doxorubicin (red devil) drug.



Those that are in the trial will be in groups and each group will take a different cocktail of the three drugs or just the two drugs at a different number of cycles and schedules. They will then determine whether the doxorubicin can be eliminated.



I am researching all of these meds before I decide if I want to participate or not. If I decide not to participate my oncologist said she will recommend chemo of just the two drugs without the red devil drug.



I go back on the 27th for tests and to see her and give her my decision. I am so overwhelmed by all this.



Thanks Annbr and CK for your prayers and support. I am so glad you all are here.

ckmoss

ChimneyMae- Lord I feel for you!  The whole fact that its called the red devil would scare me.  But, I guess the best thing to do is research.  My oncologist said best place to see drugs, etc for chemo is chemocare.com..you scroll down and click on your drug and it tells all about it..plus more!  Seriously praying for you

mshelton

Chinneymae--So sorry that the low score didn't come in.  And now another decision.   All the decisions having to be made seem to be more like guessing as to what may produce the best result to me.  But becoming informed is the closest one can get to even trying to make that decision. That website mentioned sounds like a good place to start.  Best to you!! and big (()).

Marlene

AMBNH

Steph01: saying prayers for a smooth surgery for you today.



Sweetpickle: so sorry about your hospital experience. Glad you are now safe at home. Thinking healing thoughts.



Chinneymae: sorry you are having to face more challenging decisions. I'm sure you will make the right decision for you. I'll be praying for you!



Ckmoss: I hope your port site feels better soon! So sorry you are in pain.



Got my first A/C chemo treatment today. So far so good.....glad to be home. Having a head shaving get together with my girlfriends and daughter tomorrow night. Friends and family are getting me through each step.



Healing and peaceful sleep tonight to all you fabulous cancer warriors!



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ckmoss

AMBNH- I wish you a great sleep as well! 

sweetpickle

Chimneymae- Sorry that you have more decisions to make. HUGS Im sure you will make the best decision for you and your family.



Talked to dh some more today and he thinks I went psycho in the hospital because they had me on a morphine pump for pain. Apparantly morphine and I dont get along well. Since Ive been home with him managing my meds, no more morphine, i have been tired but clear headed. I did have some vey good nurses too while there so I dont want to paint the whole bunch as bad due to one or two that werent very good.

ckmoss

Sweetpickle-Are you through with reconstruction?  Is it what you wanted it to look like?

GoWithTheFlow

ckmoss, I don't even want to know what kind of shit they put in me during chemo.  LOLOL.  chinneymae, (((HUGS))) and prayers to you!

ckmoss

GoWith--lol..I've no clue about this cocktail of pre chemo meds..! I went into oncologist when he was presc chemo..I was like I don't have to do the Red Devil do I?  I keep thinking all these meds are horrible..what in Gods name does this one feel like that they call it above others the Red Devil??

I'm beginning to wonder should I go to ER...this pain is down my arm through my chest and feels worse than MX..Does whole bear claw thing when I get out of bed again...I Hate This Port.

sweetpickle

Ckmoss- I think it looks good, still swollen so I think Ill have a better idea once the swelling goes down.

ckmoss

Thats absolutely great!!  I know the PS nurse told me the best part of having DIEP..although is hard surgery..but you get everything done at the beginning.  All the painfulness not drug out over weeks/months..so thats great!  I'm so impatient to get to that part..my remaining breast is lonesome...misses her twin...its a sad thing to watch.....hahahha

GoWithTheFlow

I swear mine was just uncomfortable.  Maybe call the surgeon's office?  Or the oncologist?