March 2014 Surgery

EverForward

Hoping for a speedy post-op recovery for wynne50, mnmbeck, and lovemytwinz.

Sailon, I lived in Marin for 10 years before switching careers and heading east. Yesterday when I was doing the guided meditation that one of the ladies posted earlier on this thread, I chose a spot on Mt. Tam as my "happy place." But that just made me dreadfully homesick for California.

SpecialK

ever - I am a California girl too - lived there until I was 27, grew up in suburban L.A., college in San Luis Obispo, then lived in Sacramento for a few years.  My dad went to Cal, so very familiar with the Bay area - miss it too!!  Spent 10 years in the metro D.C. area (DH stationed at the Pentagon) before moving to FL in 2006.

sandra4611

In case some of you are puzzled by the abbreviations used on BCO (Breast Cancer.org) here is a link to a thread explaining them. You don't have to read through 89 pages of comments. Just read the header to the thread. It is updated whenever a new abbreviation is mentioned.

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/62/topic/735716?page=89#top

Footballnut

so now I'm nervous and down again

My family drs office called just a short time ago saying that they have the results of my bone scan. So now I'm down. Why would they call unless the results are bad? I thought that I would discuss with surgeon on wed do I'm convinced that the news can't b good. They wouldn't call if everything was good

:-(

EverForward

Football, it's hard not to immediately go to the dark place, isn't it? It's amazing how quickly things can change. Every time I think I have my head wrapped around this, some new piece of information knocks me down. I am sending you warm thoughts.

mnmbeck

Footballnut.....I know what you are thinking...it is scary.  Nobody has the time to call us if things are good.  Or, at least you might think they would at least tell you over the phone that things are good. 

I also know that some physician's offices have a policy to call you in for results no matter what they are....their justification being that they don't want people assuming things are bad just because they get a call.  Obviously, I don't know if this is true for your office, but I just wanted to let you know that.  My doctor does this with ALL mammograms, and genetic test results.  Let us know what you learn.

Hang in there....sending a 'virtual hug' your way.  Much love.

SpecialK

football - which doctor ordered the scan - your primary care, or the surgeon?

Footballnut

tx all!!

My surgeon ordered the bone and CT scan but my family dr gets copied on everything

Anytime I had tests prior to this I never went to the dark place. Funny how I do that now since being told about cancer cells. Crazy!!

I had an X-ray a few years ago because if pain in my hips and lower back and was told that my joints were inflamed and that I should go to physio

I know that a bone scan can light up like a Xmas tree for a variety of reasons including arthritis. When I was at the hospital the technician told me that too but that my surgeon would only be looking for cancer

He sd that my family dr would get a copy too and added that he did not know if they would contact me or not for results

So I'm hoping that it's good news

KLJ

Football hang in there. I have gotten phone calls that have gone both ways. Seems that all of my doctors policies are phone call first. No info given over the phone good or bad.

Special I am a CA girl too. Born here, transferred to AZ for 12 yrs, back to CA for one year then Orlando for 2 years. Now back in So. Cal and I swear I will never move again!

Just wondering has anyone else's PS given them the 2 1/2" elastic strap that is worn tightly around your torso at the top of the TE'S ? Says kit is to keep the TE's down in the pockets. Has really rubbed me raw. Finally cut the toes out of some soft fuzzy socks and slid them over the strap. Has helped a little and they are colorful stripes to brighten up my life

Juliecc

KLJ, I've never heard of that strap for tissue expanders.  

Footballnut, I was given all of my results over the phone, never face to face.  A breast cancer coordinator called me to tell me I had breast cancer and gave me all the information such as type, size, grade, hormone and Her status.  I missed the call for my bone scan results while I was at work and when I called back, it was a Kaiser outgoing number only.  Ack.  A nurse called back then put me on hold for 10 minutes.  Longest 10 minutes ever.  She then told me everything was normal.  After my bilateral Mx, it took 9 days before my surgeon called me with my good path results - no positive nodes and clear margins.  Then they emailed me the path results that I will bring with me to my Tuesday Onc appt.

I'm doing ok.  My left armpit on the side that 3 nodes were taken has hard lumps inside.  They feel kidney bean sized.  I seem puffier on the chest part by the armpit, too.  I don't think I have a seroma but I'm keeping an eye on things.  I go back to work in 11 more days so I don't want anything to go wrong.  It's hard to know what's normal or not.  I had that lumpiness when the PS saw me 2 days ago but she didn't seem concerned about it.

FrannyM424

Hello March Sisters!  What a difference a day makes!  Went to the PS on Tues (POD #18) and they pulled drain, told me to stop taking antibiotic and stop doing stinky xeroform dressing changes!  My incisions are very well healed and they had me buy $30 jar of some special crème to apply once/day to all scars.  Asked me to wait 24 hours before showering until drain site had a chance to heal over.  First shower was yesterday POD #19.  Felt SOOO wonderful!  Went out to dinner last night with husband and friends.  Have decided that 1 hot shower + 2 cold draft beers = PURE BLISS!  Took 2nd shower this morning and then went to Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh for a couple of hours for their spring flower show.  I finally feel like the "old me" and that I've got my old life back!  Still have 3 weeks to regain strength/ROM in R arm before returning to work.  Want to tell everyone who just had surgery or is just about to have surgery to hang in there!  The first couple of weeks are rough but I cannot believe how much better I feel both physically and mentally as I approach 3 weeks post-op tomorrow! Thought of you all as I took this rainbow pic today.  Brighter days are ahead for all of us!  XO  Franny

vlnmama

Thank you, FrannyM424 for the encouraging news! I needed to hear that tonight. I am 10 days post-op, my drain is still filling too much to be pulled (50-60 ml every 24 hours), and it feels like the end of the drain might actually puncture through my skin any time. My BS saw me again today, and her words weren't all that reassuring: "I've never seen that happen, but never say never. I'll be around this weekend if anything crazy like that would happen"! Sheesh! Thanks, doc!!! I really wish she'd pulled them today, especially after she said that it's also possible that the drain is poking in a vein and causing the continued (dark blood) bleeding. Seems like she'll pull them next Tuesday at least.

I'm also still wrapped in that tight ace wrap they sent me home with! So tired of that thing, but at the same time it makes the pain from that drain poking out a little less bad. And pain killers (even Tylenol) are out, because of too many bad side effects with my Crohn's.

Can't wait to feel like my old self again. I pulled hope and strength out of your post! Thank you again!

Edith

Lakegirl1

Woo hoo!!!!  Last drain is out!!!  I'm stilll on the IV antibiotic 3 times a day via PICC line.  As soon as I find a way to safely wrap that sucker up water tight, this girl is taking a REAL SHOWER!!!  

PS said today we only delayed chemo by about a week...whew.  He also said, depending how things look, may start fills next week!!!  He at least wants me "even" by the time I get chemo, left has 360cc's and right has 240cc's. 

Finally, a little good news !!!

Sailon

EverForward -- Mt. Tam in Marin County, CA remains a stunning happy place. I live a stone's throw from it. -- I took a pic of it today in fact at sunset on my walk.  I used Phoenix Lake for one of my guided imagery sessions.  I walk around Phoenix Lake (near base of Tam) with my kids.  I have been in CA for 32 years now, after growing up in Traverse City, Michigan.  I go back in summer to Lake Michigan -- but I consider myself a California Girl with a midwestern Michigan flare these days.  Mt Tam sends its spiritual healing and majestic nurturing gifts of beauty to everyone. 

Regarding Exercise.  After 2 weeks my PS said basically that movement was good.  Just no major stretching of pecs. I have been walking a one mile to 1 1/2 mile walk two to three times a week once my 2 week post op day arrived.  I find the blood flow, fresh air and movement minimizes the pain of the TEs and the Fills.  I am also doing a restorative yoga class -- a lot of breathing and gentle stretching -- lower body only.  But just lying flat on the floor is a good stretch for the shoulders and pecs.   I am doing the PT exercises too. Movement is good once I cross the miserable threshold of getting out of bed in the morning after not moving for quite awhile.  That's the painful part.  Footballnut -- 30 minutes on a cross trainer sounds lovely. Getting the sweat going -- I am getting one up and running soon.  Movement really works for me. 

STRAPS - I have not been introduced to the strap around the top of the TEs.  I am at week 4 post op with 2 fills and PS says to keep wearing the larger of the two compression bras - and that I can take it off at night.  Strap must be a technique that some surgeons use. 

The Old Self. -- I too think a lot about my old self. I am coming to the realization that this is at least a year long project. Dang. (and I know even longer possibly) I know physically and mentally a lot has changed. Starting back to work has helped snap me out of the "I may never the same again" perspective. Yes some things have changed forever, but I will find the basic old self eventually!   I am working remotely (after 4 weeks off) and will for awhile (thank goodness for the fabulous company I work for.) Working is reassuring and confidence building in terms of returning to my old self.  But energy and having fun that involves energy is going to take some time.  Especially with Exchange surgery on the horizon later this year. Patience has taken on an elevated meaning. Patience, balance, pace -- common mantras.  Hang in there Edith -- Thing will get better. 

Footballnut

good morning all!

So I'm off to the dr without an appt to c if I can get the results of my bone scan. Here I am 11 days after surgery and bruising is starting to appear on my chest. Did others get this? I can also still feel a lump under my armpit. Why would THAT still be there? Hopefully it's just healing. The area is numb so I can't tell if the lump is as large as it was prior to surgery

Another wired thing with me - tiny bumps started developing on my scalp in the fall last year. I don't think that this is at all related to the cancer but it's been so itchy!  I've been using head and shoulders but no relief!!  

I stopped taking the birth control pill last sept and wonder if all of this is part of " the change". I've had periods of time when my back is so itchy. Oil of olay cream with Shea butter seems to help

Anyone else experience this?

I wish all a great day excellent health and happiness!!

VintageGal1111

Hi FootBall

 good luck! I am 2 weeks post BMX....& have various feelings going on across my chest & arm pits. Numbness, tingling, itchiness, lumps & bumps, swelling....the bruising I had was all down my right side. That is the prophy side that filled with blood & needed a re incision & evacuation.

My sternum is very sore.

Juliecc

Footballnut, did you get your bone scan results?  I hope all is ok.

Vintagegal, I also have hard lumps and a little swelling on the side they took 3 nodes.  Hopefully it's normal.  I had my MXs 18 days ago.

For those of you that had mastectomies, did your PS advise you to put anything on your incisions?  My PS said not to put anything - no bacitracin, ointment, lotion or anything.  She didn't even recommend keeping them covered with gauze after losing the ace bandage 48 hours later.  It seems kind of odd.  I've asked her a couple of times.  It seems that I'd have less scarring if the incisions were lubed up with bacitracin or something.  She did say to put bacitracin on my drain holes for 2 days after they were taken out but to not put anything on the incisions.  Also, a bra has always been optional and I usually go without one.  Both my surgeon and PS said the same thing.  I went to the bank today just wearing a t-shirt and I felt funny doing that!  I was comfortable, though :-)

Frostecat

I just got back from the PS, and he did not advise me to put anything on the scar either.  He said keep clean dressings on it after showering (yay, I can shower now) and then put a little hydrogen peroxide where the drain is inserted followed by bacitracin.  He said I can take some clean gauze it can get a little wet and to gently wipe it over the scar and add could add a very small amount of bacitracin to it when wiping (with it wetted down).  I was surprised to, as I thought the bacitracin would go directly on the scar.

I have to admit, I'm having a very hard time looking at the scar.

SpecialK

Julie - bacitracin is an antibiotic ointment only, it will not reduce scarring.  One possible reason for your PS not to recommend anything on your incisions is because anything that clings to your skin, like an ointment, can also retain bacteria.  All of us have thousands of bacteria on our skin all the time.  You can use scar reduction later - many PS recommend silicone scar sheets like ScarAway or Kelocote, but it is for use after complete healing.  Keep in mind that these incisions will be opened again at exchange so it might make more sense to wait until after that.  I wore yoga bras most of the time, with a gauze pad between the bottom band and my skin, but I had IMF incisions so right where the elastic sat.

Juliecc

Thanks, SpecialK.  That makes sense.  Today I was just noticing the incisions felt more tight and dry, if that makes sense.

Lakegirl1

Juliecc ...same here...nothing on scars.  However, PS has me back in ace wrap so I put the abd's to cover the scars so the don't get irritated.   Also helps even me out since they didn't fill the right as much after the "power washing" I had last Friday. 

I have quickly figured out the tape irritates my skin.   Anyone else have itching?  I'm a little paranoid about that right side... 

LOL, I just realized a corner from the abd on the other side was rubbing.  I really need to keep that paranoia in check!!!

bobogirl

Thinking about football nut.  So proud she went over to the primary doctor for results.  I swear, the people who run those offices are completely clueless.

SpecialK

lake - ask them to use paper tape

Only three more March ladies to go!  Hope all are hanging in as of now!

KLJ

Julie are your incisions completely uncovered? Mine are still covered with statistics. I didn't even question the PS at my appt the other day. I did notice in the shower this morning that the incisions look stabbed over under the strips. 

SpecialK

klj - statistics? Maybe steri-strips?

Lakegirl1

Has anyone heard of Kind tape?  It is blue and comes off really easy. They had it in the hospital, but it can't seem to find it anywhere else. 

SpecialK

Here you go:

http://www.shop3m.com/3m-kind-removal-silicone-tape-group.html

Juliecc

No, I don't have anything on my incisions.  The last couple of days I've mostly worn a stretchy sport bra and put gauze over them because I feel they are more protected.  The incision lines are a dark maroon scabby color.  

Lakegirl1

SpecialK...you ROCK!!!   That is exactly the stuff!!!      

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

Footballnut

hi all!  Sorry for my delay with updating!!  I did get into see my family dr and she had the results of the bone scan and CT scan

I'm actually happy for the first time since hearing the cancer word

she told me that the results of my bone and CT scan show NO CANCER!!!

I am SO HAPPY!!

I meet with my surgeon next wed and never expected to hear from my family dr so I am do thankful that her office called me

I suspect that I will still need treatment but at least at this point it seems that the cancer has not spread beyond my breast or lymph nodes!!!!!

I told my 91 year old mother and we cried together over the phone

Thanks to all of you for trying to help me keep it together!  Atleast the meeting with my surgeon next week won't be so stressful!

Today is the first day since this all started late January that I haven't been in a fog!  I actually out on makeup today and didn't mope. 

I met a good friend for lunch!  I am seeing friends tomorrow!  I am LIVING!!  I'll let you all know what the surgeon says next week

I also got my dressings removed today!!!  Some minor swelling and lumpiness but I was told that this is to be expected and that all looks good 

Thanks again to each if you my new sisters!!!!!!!!!!!