March 2014 Surgery

SpecialK

Yes, sometimes you will have drains with exchange if you need a lot of pocket work done, but it is not very common.

Sandra - glad you are doing well!

lake - sorry you had obstacles!

Anyone not feeling well in advance of surgery, call your surgeon's office and ask what the plan is.  Read iwanna's cautionary tale.

fayth - try Miralax.  My BIL is a gastroenterologist and that is his recommendation.

VintageGal1111

No antibiotics given to me. My surgeon took the drains out 6 days post op, said the longer they are in the more chance of infection. Which sounds right so I was glad they were ready!

Wynne50

It is so helpful to read all your tips and stories.  I'm becoming a little addicted to this site as my surgery approaches.  Blessings to all of you!  

vlnmama

Anyone see my post above asking how long I should keep the ace wrap on?

Thanks

Wynne50

vin mama   My PS has you in a surgical bra and tummy compression for several weeks so I can't help you.  It does seem odd to me that some want you strapped in and others don't even use those.

sandra4611

Good Morning,

I finally had a nice sleep. There is nothing like being at home. Woke up in my recliner about 4:30 a.m. and decided to see if I could be comfortable upstairs in bed. I think you could barely see me because of all the pillows, but I was able to sleep on my back until 8 a.m. this morning. My dear husband woke up, went downstairs and got the antibiotic and hooked it up to my PICC line without me ever waking up. The Exparel is still doing it's job so the pain is tolerable with Tylenol. Time for another nap. The general anesthetic always takes a few days to get out of my system. Thanks to all of you for so many good wishes. I was not nervous at all this time and I'm sure it was because I knew you all were there in my pocket. Love each and every one of you.

 

Lakegirl1

Vinmama...do exactly as your PS says!!! From my perspective, it gives him the best chance In the long run to have the best possible outcome!!  I would call your PS office and confirm with them. 

Julie...I didn't get antibiotic when I went home the 1st time, my stomach was a WRECK from the gen anesthesia issues!!!

sandra4611

It's time for the Pink Bus tomorrow morning so calling all March surgery sisters to accompany Kitty 62, who is having a BMX with tissue expanders & Lat Dorsi Flap and MakeLemonade who is have a lumpectomy.

Kitty62

Vinmama, I would call Monday morning to get it clarified. The PS nurse should be able to tell you and if you have any more questions make sure to write them down so you dont forget. It never hurts to call...thats what we are paying these people for is good care. To me, it sound like you can take it off after 48 hours, but thats me just guessing. Best of luck to you!

Kitty62

Thanks Sandra! Love that pink bus! REALLY getting nervous now, but have saved some things to get done so had better get off my rear and get into gear! Could you also add I am getting the scarless dorsi lat flap as well.  Thanks!

Wynne50

good luck Kitty and MakeLemonade   My thought and prayers are with you.  Maybe you'll be doing well enough to tell me what to expect for my Thursday surgery.  I get the really nervous thing.  Mine seems to increase daily.

Juliecc

Vinmama, I woke up in an ace bandage with a loose satiny bra underneath.  I believe I was told I could take it off the next day then wear whatever I wanted.  The next day I put on the surgical camisol with the pockets my insurance paid for.  After a few days I just wore the stretchy bra I had under the ace bandage and my own loose camisols.  The other camisol felt too tight and uncomfortable.  It seems like every surgeon gives different advice.  Maybe wear it a little more loosely and call first thing Monday morning?  Did you get any papers with post op instructions? 

iwannaseeyoubebrave

Welcome back sandra4611! In happy to hear you are back home and that all seems to be going well. 

Hopping on the pink bus for our lovely ladies Kitty 62 and MakeLemonade! Have a relaxing day/ni

FrannyM424

Happy Sunday to all!  Day #16 with drain and no shower.  Has anyone else had theirs this long??? Seems like the magic number for output has been 22 ml every day.  They won't pull until consistently 15-18ml or until post-op day #21, whichever comes first.  I was sent home on Duricef antibiotic 500mg 2x/day.  I need to keep re-filling this prescription as long as I have the drain. (At least I wont have to worry about a seroma.  I ended up with one of those after my re-excision lumpectomy.  First I could hear the fluid sloshing around for a week or so then it got very firm and painful.  They were going to drain with a needle but since it didn't look infected they decided not to drain before my mastectomy the next week.  As draining would actually increase my risk of infection.)     Speaking of antibiotics, I've been told my PS is one of the few in the Pittsburgh area that puts you on antibiotics before having other procedures done in the future such as routine dental work.  Same theory as those with heart valves, etc... that bacteria released from mouth into bloodstream can travel to implant and cause infection.  PS warned me when we first met that she was a "Nazi re: preventing infections" (Her words exactly!)

FrannyM424

Blueberry/Special K - Glad to hear that drains are not commonly needed after the exchange surgery.  I was wondering that same thing.  Thanks!

SpecialK

franny - not uncommon to have drains this long.  Your activity level can also cause increased output.

FrannyM424

It's not so much the drain I mind as much as the no showering!  Its such a long process to feel clean: soak in tub up to waist to wash lower body, baby wipes to clean upper body, wash face and hair in the sink.  I've already warned my husband that I'm going to stand under the hot running water for 30+ mins with that first shower!!!  Can also feel that my R shoulder is tight and weak.  Was told not to lift arm above should height until drain comes out.  Tried to drive couple of miles to pick my son up a few days ago and it was uncomfortable and difficult.  Looking forward to being able to do some shoulder stretching and strengthening exercises once drain is removed.

scary

since i am asthmatic, and i was coughing and sniffling, they made sure i didn't have a fever.  then, they gave me an albuterol nebulizer treatment before surgery.  but with everyone it's different, so the surgeon and staff would be able to advise in your case.  i hope you feel better soon and that everything goes smoothly.

Footballnut

hi all. Here it is Sunday and I'm 6 days out of surgery. My last 2 drains were removed yesterday. On Monday my staples are scheduled to be removed. I actually got a cami prior to surgery from a local mastectomy store with pockets for the drains. It made it much easier to manage. As for pain I still have not taken any meds but do experience numbness and burning under my arm and in the back of my arm. Occasional tingling in my arm as well. Today I've had some lightening tinges of pain in my chest where my breast was. Other than that since I only have a left hand I must use this arm which my surgeon felt would help me recover. I must admit that I am confused and concerned as to why I know nothing about my cancer. All I was told is that there were cancer cells in my lymph nodes. I understand that more detas will be forthcoming after the tumour is tested and the bone and CT scan results are reviewed however could they not have told me anything?  It reran that some know a few things prior to surgery. My follow up appt is April 2 but I must admit that I am very concerned as to why I have not been told anything. That makes me fear that the results will not be good and that they are telling me nothing to keep me calmer. Or perhaps this is the surgeons way. 

Fayth if incorrect you said that you were already told about extensive DCIS so I can't help but wonder why I've green told nothing

Oh well. I'll try and forget about it until April 2

:-(

vlnmama

Footballnut, we share the same surgery date!

I don't know why they haven't told you much yet. My surgeon apparently knew the sentinel lymph nodes were clear during the surgery even. She said they check it right there while she's still working, and if they weren't clear, she would have taken the rest of the lymph nodes out as well right away. She told my husband the result as soon as she was done with my surgery. I was in the hospital until Wednesday, and she called me at home on Thursday morning with the final pathology results. But I've read on here that some have to wait much longer for the results.

I still have my drain in, and I have a feeling she won't take it out at next Tuesday's follow up appointment either, it's still draining 50-70 ml per 24 hours.

I'm going to call my surgeon's office tomorrow morning and see if and how I can get some kind of surgical bra or cami or something. I'm really tired of this ice wrap, but I get more pain if I take it off for too long, so each time I've taken it off, I end up putting it back on an hour later!

EverForward

Best of luck to everyone having surgery this week. Warm thoughts and prayers heading your way.

linda505

Getting on the bus for Kitty62 and makelemonade   Hope all goes great for you  both tomorrow and rapid recovery for all of us!

SpecialK

When the pathologist looks at the sentinel nodes during your surgery in the OR it is a cursory look.  It is important to realize this as a number of patients that appear clear initially are later revealed to have cancer in those sentinel nodes during the more extensive examination in the lab after surgery.

football - you are six days out of surgery, and two of those days have been over the weekend.  The testing process is sometimes done in the hospital lab, sometimes sent out, and the Her2 testing is a more time consuming test.  It is entirely possible that the testing is not finished yet, or if it is, it has not been signed off by your surgeon.  Did you have a pre-surgical biopsy?  Most of the people who have posted their path results are using hormonal receptor and Her2 status from their biopsy sample, and their final pathology reports have clarified mass size and nodal status.  As far as your scan info, these are done and then read by radiologists at a later point.  Same as with the pathology, they have to be signed off by the surgeon who ordered them.  I am sure you will be hearing from someone soon, if not, call your surgeon's office and ask if the reports are in.

VintageGal1111

Wishing Kitty & MakeLemonade the best tomorrow! We are heading into the end of the month. All us March Surgery Sisters will be all done with this part of our journey!

I am feeling pretty good. Decided it was time to take a sleeping pill (my friend Ambien) last night. Solid didn't move at all sleep from 11:30-6. It was much needed. Today Hubby loaded an old bureau I painted (before surgery) into the truck plus we met with some one who was selling me one so both got brought into the shop. I shuffled a few small things around but he did ALL the furniture moving. It was good to get back to that. 

I've had some twinges/pains but definitely noticed improvement today. (10 days post BMX) I haven't driven yet, it's enough effort to get into my big truck & close the door. I may use the littel PT Cruiser this week to drive.

stfne

Make room for me on the pink bus! Best of luck Kitty and lemonade!  We are all with you.

I was never given anything to wear after surgery. went home in just the stretchy tank and button down shirt that I went in with. Had small bandages on incisions that were removed along with tape after one week. I was  never instructed not to take a shower and took one every day. I had plastic sticky stuff that covered the gauze at the drain site and kept it dry.

I was given antibiotics.

I have driven too and found it to make me feel great. I only drove my kids to daycare a few miles away but I just felt so much less helpless. It seemed to help clear my head.

gabriellaM

Hi,

I haven't posted much but really appreciate reading everyone else's story so just wanted to give my update.  I had my BMX with lat dorsi reconstruction on Friday and am home already today, Sunday!  Since I was eating and taking all my meds by mouth there was no reason to stay.  Still feeling quite sore and really really tired but otherwise managing ok.  I'm hoping I'll get a good night sleep tonight with no one waking me up to take my blood pressure and temp at 4am!  So far I'm managing my pain with just tylenol and valium as a muscle relaxant.  Am trying to avoid percocet since so many of my friends have complained it made them feel nauseous or unpleasantly loopy.  Oh, and my sentinel node was negative, which was great to hear.

Good luck to everyone who is going for surgery this coming week or next week -- you'll feel so relieved once it's over!!

bobogirl

I just wanted to say, Sailon, that you are so very very sweet.

Excellent advice from our SpecialK, as usual.  K, when is the next lunch?  Really hoping to make that one, aren't you?  I have not been able to go yet.  Three sx in three months.  I know you know what I am talking about.

All of you are so lovely, so positive and so sweet -- it makes me feel like a wet bag of laundry by comparison.  Not bouncing back from this third surgery the way I should be.  Sending everyone gentle hugs.  Really, I am so... impressed by your sweetness and your positivity! XXXX

VintageGal1111

Good for you gabriella, I hope you continue to do well! And I hope you sleep ok tonight!

SpecialK

bobo - no lunch is planned as of yet, I missed the last one too. I have a TN friend who had chemo and ended up with an infection and needed IV vancomycin and aspiration of a seroma, I was the chauffeur. I missed the ladies but felt I was needed. We usually meet up every other month or so - it will give us both some time to recuperate before the next one. 

For those having surgery this week good luck! Last week's ladies are doing great. We March girls are in the home stretch.

jbdayton

I am ready to jump on the bus also.   So glad to accompany Kitty and lemonade.