May 2013 surgeries

AnnBR

ckmoss, you've been in misery far too long. I would be making a call. Soon.

ckmoss

I know.  I just tried to call surgeons office to see if they could prescribe me something better..I think Im immune to lortabs now..but surgeon on call is Dr Lugo..who is surgeon I got up and left from Friday.  Apparently, this answer service combines the two offices..not sure why, they are owned by two diff hospitals..But I went online and googled..and found a site that everyone was saying that there ports hurt really bad for 3 days then uncomfortable for 14..I am sooo glad I moved chemo until next week!  I'm going to call tomorrow..if I can get this stupid nurse to call me back..been leaving messages all day..well twice, but still.  My friend works for hospital..she says its wierd some of the best surgeons have the worst nurses.  Shes ok normally..very polite..no empathy.

GoWithTheFlow

damn, I always get quick responses from oncologist and surgeon.  I hope you get something soon.  I swear I don't remember my port hurting that bad, but at that time, I was on 8 vicodin a day.  But it was put in Wednesday, started chemo on thursday, and friday I only took 2 vicodin.

ckmoss

Maybe the vicadin..lortabs suck ..also cause constipation ..well maybe tomorrow better day..Oh! One more question..are any of you still having spotting at MX site..?

ckmoss

Maybe the vicadin..lortabs suck ..also cause constipation ..well maybe tomorrow better day..Oh! One more question..are any of you still having spotting at MX site..?

GoWithTheFlow

No, no spotting.  Everything is closed up, a few scabs but that's it.  Although sweating outside at my son's swim meet last night rubbed some of the sharpie markings for radiation onto my pink tank tops.  /sigh/  Some stain remover, and two wash cycles and it's almost gone.

AnnBR

You know those drains I wanted out so badly? I hate to admit it, but I think they may have been removed too soon. I am positive I have quite a bit of fluid buildup on one side. I called Mayo today and asked them if I could have my local surgeon remove the fluid but they said since I have tissue expanders, they are the only ones who can do it. I guess it involves a procedure using radioactive dye so they know exactly where to inject and remove. I don't mind going to Mayo but it's 3.5 hour trip one way. We agreed that I could be accessed here first to make sure I really do have buildup so I am seeing my surgeon first thing tomorrow. If there's fluid, Mayo wants to see me on Monday. Monday is supposed to be my first day back at work, but I have a supportive staff so if I have to be gone it's not a problem.



In the grand scheme of things I realize this is not that horrible, so I should just be quiet. The logistics are just so difficult. I'm scheduled to have my first fill next Thursday so it's possible I may have to go up twice in one week. I guess I just want to get back to my old life and get back to it as quickly as possible. I need normalcy.

Thanks for letting me ramble on.




Ann

mshelton

Ann--I hear you.  You have been battling this for quite some time.  Your positive attitude overall is an inspiration.   I keep telling myself that it's a sign of healing and feeling better that I'm wanting everything to proceed quickly to get it over with and back to my life.  The two drains I have left are producing greater than ever since the removal of the first two.  My PS plans on inflating the expanders some more tomorrow and I was told that this might reduce the amount of drainage.  Are you in pain?

ckmoss-no spotting here either.  Hope you are get pain relief soon.  

GoWithTheFlow

Ann, is there pain where the fluid is building up?  I had the one side drained once, but have been fine since then.  I think there is still a little fluid but i've read that your body absorbs it eventually.  Only drain if there's pain.  

I totally know what you are saying about needing normalcy.  And you've been at this over a month more than me.  (((HUGS))).  I hope all goes well tomorrow.

AnnBR

mshelton, thank you for your kind response. I can't say that I am having a lot of pain, I am just uncomfortable. There's a big bulge under my arm and across the bottom of my scar. It looks like I've already had a couple of fills. If I end up having to go to Mayo, I will see if I can combine appointments and remove and fill at the same time!



Please let me know how your fills go. My first one was in surgery, so I've not experienced the procedure yet.



Ann

AnnBR

Go, thanks too for your response. only drain when there's pain, I love it!

Run4Us

ckmoss...I'm scared to death about getting my port tomorrow.  The Dr made it sound like it is just a little uncomfortable for a few days.  I start chemo on Tuesday and I'm worried now that i might be to sore. UGH.....

I had my first fill today for my expanders and it wasn't that bad.  I'm feeling achy tonight and a little tight but that's about it.

Wish me luck tomorrow I think I'm going to need it!!!

GoWithTheFlow

Run4Us, you will do fine tomorrow.  I found it a little uncomfortable for a few days.  I hugged a pillow to my chest while sleeping on my side.  that helped a lot.  

ckmoss

Ann-I am so sorry you are having issues with fluid...and I know it must he extra hard with the drive. It's just all a bunch of aggravation, isn't it?..I understand about wanting back normal.my husband and I both love working in the yard..but between healing and scared to death I'll scratch myself on affected arm..all I can do is watch weeds grow. I miss everything..I have that fluid where u are talking about ..surgeon drained off a small amt during port .but said body needed to take care of most. I hope they get it out for you and feels way better..you are going to be fine..I will pray for patience for us all.

ckmoss

Run4-,I went to ER tonight as just knew something was wrong..they said was common for it to be very painful..but said your meds is what gets you through..They gave ne a shot of something that made pain go away and told me to jeep ice on it...told me to call surgeon in the morning for diff pain meds..they seemed puzzled he gave me lortabs..I plan on speaking to him about GoWiths vicadin..never had that..but seems to help her...so short story..all about the meds!..

cateyz2

CKmoss Hope your feeling better this morning, my Drs perscribed me Hydrocodone for my pain issues and work quite well

Runforus Take a deep breath everything will go well with your port, positive vibes heading your way

Ann, I was thinking the same thing about maybe too early for one of my drains, my right noncancer side also is quite puffy.

Also wondering if antone alse is having this? On my right side just on the side of where the expander ends (I think) I feel a hard bump and my skin is also bruised. Im thinking that maybe this is the tip of the hard backing of the expander and the more movement of my arm its aggravating the tissue around it causing pain,swelling bruising and fluid buildup.

Any thoughts?? Hope they wont have to surgically do anything to correct, appt with my PS is on Monday

ckmoss

Within 10 minutes of posting above (around 4am) I went to take my dog out..when I got back in, got ice to make icepack for port area..noticed the entire side of my night shirt was wet..At first, I thought maybe i dragged it through water at the sink, but was all up my sleeve..went into my bedroom..and one small part of my MX site was dripping like rain...I mean so fast that it was splattering on my foot..Of Course, I FREAKED...woke up husband..he said its just the fluid coming out...like this is normal..He said to wait before we go back to ER as had just came from there. So he wrapped me in bath towels..front and back..which soaked through quickly..finally after an hour...I layed down in bed flat on my back and that seem to stop it..but James said..You want that crap out of you (yes he is elloquent.lol...and not sure he said crap..) so I turned over that side and fell asleep.  He woke me up to make sure I was ok before he left 30 minutes ago..I checked and had stopped with the fluid..big swollen thing is gone.. I wonder is this what surgeon meant by "letting your body handle it."

Anyway,,,,,not sure what happened...but okkkk...byw, am calling surgeon in just 2 min

AMBNH

OMG! Holy sh#*! That would have totally freaked me out. I'm so glad you are talking with your surgeon. I will be thinking of you, Doll!



And none of us ever dreamed we would be here. But we are and all at the same time for a reason: to receive support and give support. People helping people. That's what it's all about.



Ckmoss, you are gently hugged from here. If you lived close to me I'd drive you to the doctors office.



Keep us posted.

AMBNH

Cateyz2, I'm having similar puffy/swelling areas under my arms. It goes up and down. I was very small breasted to begin with and the skin over my TEs is very tight. I can literally feel the edge if the devices right under my skin.



My PS said this was normal. I'm finding the fill that I had on Wednesday has made things a little looser and she also told me I had to start messaging my chest to desensitize the nerve endings since the barest touch is uncomfortable in certain areas. It will be less painful if I knead the area.



Hope this helps.

AMBNH

Ckmoss, I was prescribed Vicodin, too, at my 3 week checkup. I told them that Advil was just barely getting me through the day (keeping pain at a 4/5) but but bed time I was super uncomfortable. So now I take 2 vicodins at bed and that has really helped.



Ps. I also was given adavan to take at night for chemo anxiety as needed and that put me right out last night.

GoWithTheFlow

Oh ckmoss, that had to freak you out.  I did read at some point that it could leak out, but couldn't imagine that happening.  

I always take one vicodin at a time.  If I'm still in pain in 2 hours, take another and repeat.  I found I'm less drugged up than taking 2 at a time, and you know when you are feeling better when the time between pills becomes greater.  Feel better!

ckmoss

AMBNH-Thanks so much for your kind words... I called and left another message with this .....nurse. I told her (nicely) that I understood if she was busy, so if she didn't have time could she have another nurse call back.  My husband called from work and was furious that they haven't called yet..so he is going up to see if he sees Dr Moretz.(james works in radiology at same hospital )

+++Above was written  1 1/2 hour ago...hubby went down and apparently raised hell..as he called and said they will see you in 10 min..so got neighbor to get me up there..they were all very very very nice..didn't have to sign in..mean ole scheduling nurse "honey, you just call diff nurse if you dont get Gina (she was off today)..we are here to take care of you"..blah blah blah/Anyway, apparently where skin met glue..he says was like dam broke loose..said it was good because it got it out of me..said he hated it freaked me out..have sight red infection there..so wrote me prescription for Percocets for port o hell..I asked for Vicodin..he said wouldn't work well for me as if morphine makes you itch it will too...I had blisters around port incision site from TAPE (see earlier post on my opinion of tape..lol)..she popped them and put neosporin on..So hopefully this will help.

GoWithTheFlow

Yea for your husband!!!!  He gets husband of the year award for that!  Hope you get some relief from the percocets!

AMBNH

Oh, Ckmoss, Honey, I'm do sorry you are dealing with this! Hopefully, the mess will reduce the infection and you will feel relief. Your husband absolutely did the right thing. Advocation is essential with ongoing cancer treatment. Kudos to your husband!!

ckmoss

Thank ya'll both!...My mom just brought filled percocet bottle and a banana milkshake...life is worth living again.

GoWithTheFlow

Ohhhh, banana milkshake sounds great.  I bought some banana frozen fruit popsicle kind of things (it has chunks of banana in it and it's creamy) yesterday (coconut too) and they were great last night.

AMBNH

Oh those special things that our friends and family do that just come at the right time to "pull us back from the ledge!"



BTW, I meant "meds" in my earlier post, not "mess!"

GoWithTheFlow

My husband just stopped by (he had to pick up food for his bocce night tonight and was dropping it off).  Apparently, I'm going to have 4 teens here tonight during bocce, not just the two video game boys I expected.  One of his friends is bring his daughter and a friend.  I guess I need to plan for pizza and snacks for the kids.  We all know how teens eat.  

ckmoss

I'm going to be 100 lbs overweight by the time this is all through!  Well got to lie down..I'm exhausted no sleep..I never realized how much you use the muscles in your chest..Now, with two arms out of the game...every time I get up or anything simple can feel . Remember right after surgery, how we would look at the bed and want in it so bad...but no nothing but pain would come getting in/out..thats where I am again..I did swallow percocet with cup of hot hot tea..melt quicker..

Love Ya'll!

AnnBR

ckmoss, I hope you can finally get some rest, you've been through a lot.



I saw my local surgeon today and he gave me a very thorough examination. I told him my concern about fluid buildup but he didn't think I had that much. He said there may be a little, but that I could certainly wait until next Thursday and have Mayo check it out since I have to go there for a fill anyway. I guess it's just post op swelling. I was SO relieved when I left his office. He was very comforting.



I am also skyping with my favorite Mayo Dr. on Monday. She is going to go over my confusing path report. I have several questions so it will be a good visit. I feel a lot better today than I did last night.



Ann