March 2014 Surgery

mnmbeck

I think that the fact that you are all bored is a VERY good sign!!!  I had a really tough time with BMX, and didn't read a book.....or even truly have a desire to see anything on TV (although it's all I really did) for at least 4 weeks....I was miserable.  So...hooray!!!  You are bouncing back, and I think boredom sounds like a wonderful thing!!!

linda505

Well the tassels went over great at the PS's office - the nurse and the doc all had a good laugh - he actually thanked me for the distraction and laughter.  that was the good news .  The bad news - he had to cut the bad dead part out of my left breast and sew me back up - did it right there in the office - didn't feel a thing - he said the tissue surrounding that area had very good blood supply so he thinks this will heal up great but that sets my chemo start date back two weeks.  My MO is not a happy camper but it does give me time for a 2nd opinion on the type of chemo which I think I will get

sandra4611

Those of you who want to push the restrictions aside because you feel better should know that you aren't doing yourself any favors. It takes twice as long for internal sutures to heal than external. It can take a week for every hour you were "under" for all the affects of general anesthesia to wear off. I understand completely, having been there myself. You don't THINK you still have any lingering affects until a child on a bike rides out in front of you and you have to swerve and stomp on the brake. Your reaction time is slower, you don't have the range of motion you think you do, and those internal sutures aren't ready to withstand the stress if you hit the brakes.

Drains are there for a reason. Yes, they are no fun but you will be worse off if you get them out early. Where do you think all that fluid will go when the drain is removed? Pulling it out doesn't turn it off like a faucet. Fluid buildup can mean seroma which can get infected and lead to cellulitis. If leaving it in for a few more days can avoid all that, why rush it and take the chance?

Limiting your range of motion includes pushing and pulling too, not just raising your arms above your shoulders. The healing of your internal sutures depends on it. I learned it the hard way and ended up tearing some sutures, further damaging muscles and causing pain and bruising from internal bleeding that set back my recovery several weeks.

Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD.

sandra4611

Road Trip! My husband and I will be flying to Chicago on Wednesday for a week's visit with our oldest daughter. If any of you are in the vicinity, let me know. Maybe we can get together for coffee.

iwannaseeyoubebrave

Linda,  I love your tassels and sense of humor! 

Sandra,  thanks for the reminder to all of us take it easy. I don't think any one of us would willing want to go back in for unnecessary surgery! Enjoy your trip to the windy city!

On a side topic,  those of you that pray, please send prayers to the families of victims that lost loved ones (14 year old boy and his grandpa) yesterday during the Jewish community center shooting in Overland Park, KS. I was there with my kids for a singing audition when it happened.  It's a sad time in our community right now.  Cancer or no cancer, we need to be thankful for every day and live each day to the fullest. 

Kitty62

I know, I know mom(AKA Sandra)hahaha!!   I sound like my teenager now. I did not pull out the vacuum like I wanted to. Did not dust like I wanted to. Did not clean up my daughters bathroom like I wanted to. I kept replaying what my coworker said(she went thru this last year)...just because you feel good...DON'T!! She must have said it half a dozen times. She had ended up with an infection and she went backwards quite a bit with her recovery because she did too much. I did do a few dishes, though please don't spank me Sandra. 

Sandra, have a great great road trip!  Enjoy! Sorry for the teasing love ya!

mnmbeck, you are right! It is a good thing. I know I'm getting better when I start getting bitchy...haha!  I'm  back to my usual...I blame it on menopause. Had a great visit with my girlies. They spoiled me and brought Starbucks and some frozen meals, yay! Daughter will be home from high school soon so so much for a quiet house. Hoping I can squeeze a back rub out of her. My back never itches until I can't scratch it myself, go figure! 

Blueberry4

Praying for you and your community, IWannaSeeYouBeBrave. That shooting was senseless and horrific.

I had my port placed today for chemo. It aches but was not too bad as far as surgery goes.  It makes me sad though, because of what it signifies.

Linda, I think I am on the same chemo regiment as you, 4 AC every 3 weeks, then 12 taxol weekly.  I would love to hear what you get for a second opinion. I'm HER-, but have such incredibly high recocurance scores. My MO said with lower scores he would have recommended 4 TC only.  Oh well, we can do it, Mister Sister!

Sandra, thanks for the reminder about taking it easy. I need it today as I was under for about an hour this morning. It's funny my right side has been my strong side, and the cancer/left seemed like it would never regain mobility and stop aching. Well, my port is on the right, very sore, but lefty has magically risen to the occasion and can do simple things for me now. Yay, lefty!

Blueberry4

Have y'all tried House of Cards or Downton Abbey yet?  Both are spectacular.  HoC is on Netflix and DA can be streamed from Amazon.

Lakegirl1

Blueberry....I know exactly how you feel about the port!!!  Also, one step closer to losing my hair!!!   

On a lighter note...has anyone else noticed you can flex your pecs now????  And see it!!!  Hilarious!!!  

Kitty62

Blueberry, those are on my list to watch next. Thanks!

Lakegirl, too funny! My righty can,  but not my lefty. Sore after flexing, but then again it's about time for a pain pill. I was hoping to have some circuslike function. A girl never knows when she may need a Plan B. haha

stfne

Oh my gosh Linda you are too funny!!!! 

vintage, they just said snow on Wednesday. Could that be true? The wind is crazy isn't it? I'm worried about a tree falling on the house.

Lakegirl, mine are moving so much that all I have to do is smile and they move. Not kidding. It's freaky. Not sure how I will ever get used to it. I wonder if it stays like that.

I found cording this morning. I will have to read about that now. 

I'm feeling good physically and think it is time for me to get back to work. I am feeling short tempered and just generally annoyed by everything. It might be because I have just gone into menopause by having my ovaries removed. I don't know but maybe getting back to work will help me feel more like my old self.

ucfmom

Linda, those tassels are awesome!  

Yesterday I went to Kohls - they had bras on sale buy one get one 1/2 price.  I know it's too soon to be bra shopping (my implants will be 4 weeks old on Wednesday) but was freaking out about having nothing but sports bras and Genie bras to wear when I returned to work part time today.  I love the Genie bras, but I have put on some weight since being diagnosed (stress eating) and the bands kind of roll up when I sit down.  Grrrr  My intention was to buy a couple stretchy bras but ended up buying Playtex Secrets in two colors.  I think I must have tried on 14 bras in 3 different sizes and that style was the only one that fit - mostly.  It's very soft and comfortable (wireless) but halfway through the morning, it was making me crazy.  The skin on my chest is still super sensitive and it felt like it was rubbing me raw.  It felt like there was something rough inside it, but of course when I felt inside the bra with my hand, it was soft and smooth.  Tomorrow, I'm wearing a Genie - it might roll but it won't rub me the wrong way.  

Speaking of work, I only worked 4 1/2 hours and came home, ate lunch and took a 2 1/2 hour nap in the recliner!  So glad I decided to work short days this week.  I don't know how Julie worked such a long day last Monday.  It's a 4 day work week for us, our firm is closed on Good Friday and I get to go have more surgery - yippee.

sandra4611

Stfne,

You definitely are going through a tough time right now - nearly two weeks after having your ovaries removed and a month after your BMX. Your body is in a whirlwind, trying to figure out what the hell is going on. Before having a hysterectomy, my doctor found a huge 5 month fetus-sized fibroid tumor. It had to be reduced in size before the surgery so they gave me an injection that threw my body into instant menopause while shrinking the tumor. There was nothing gradual about it so I know what you are beginning to experience. Hang in there and blame absolutely everything on premature menopause.

Cording is something I experienced as well. Where is it? Does your doctor know? 

Lakegirl1

Flexing the pec's will be a cool "bar trick" ...  I would say it won't go away as the pecs will be much closer to the surface now...

LOL!!!!!!   

sandra4611

Nope. It doesn't go away. Pecs are just under your skin now, not buried under boobs.

Sailon

Iwannaseeyoubebrave -- My thoughts are with the Jewish Community Center in Kansas City -- and everywhere.  The San Francisco Center is on heightened alert all week -- it is tragic and senseless -- I am so relieved you and your family are safe -- having been their at that time. 

Regarding Pec muscles.  I am convinced one's pec muscles are attached to every muscle in the body. It sure seems that way on fill days!   I had a fill today -- and back, neck, jaw, shoulders,  everything aches. Two Aleve before bed and I know I will feel better in the morning.  The body has been adjusting to fills more quickly as the fills keep coming each week.  One more to go and then the wait for the EXCHANGE.  Today my PS said he would like me to wait 6 months (October) before I do the exchange.  He will do it earlier (4 months) if I insist -- but contends he gets better results the longer the muscles and skin have to adjust to their new reality.  Holy Cow -- 6 months with these Rocks on my chest!  It is doable!  But Holy Cow!  

I am taking Sandra's advice and going to take a leisurely morning and get to work a little late -- because I know I will feel slow and owie in the am.  There have been plenty of days in the future when I will be in to work at 7:30 for a good long day -- but not now -- I will honor myself -- and the healing process.  It finally does not hurt to unload the dishwasher.  Guess I will have to start doing that again!  

linda505

Going to get my port this afternoon and nervous - ughh - not like the bmx nervous but just don't want anyone else to cut me for awhile .

Blueberry I am on the AC DD - meaning I get it 4x - every two weeks then the weekly taxol and herceptin.  I had a her2+- lefty -  and her- tumor righty -  so they treat for the worst one which is the her2+.  I did not get an onco score on the her2- as the insurance will not pay for it because her2+ says Chemo is required.   And that is why I question the chemo regime - it is not a typical her2+ regime and it is not typical for stage 1 Grade 1 which is what both my tumors are.  I know he is treating as if I have a really high onco score and I do understand his reasoning but I just want another opinion.  I really feel bad about it though as I REALLY do like my MO - he is a sweet man - but there is this place in my brain that needs that 2nd opinion.

You know if we can always flex our pecs after this and I manage to hold on to those tassels - maybe I could get a new career?

stfne

OK, so I'll get some of those tassels and make the most of the mobile pecs.

Thank you for your encouraging supportive words Sandra. The cording is in my armpit and down the inside of my arm.   I assume that while the pec movement will remain that the horrible mood will subside. My MO suggested fish oil for the hot flashes and glucosomine for joint pains associated with the Anastrozole.  Nothing was recommended for mood so I guess I just get some chocolate. On second hand I better not. I thought that I would lose weight but I have gained 10lbs since dx. That is NOT helping with my mood!

Going for another fill today. I need to ask when exchange is expected. 6 months Sailon? yikes. That seems like a long time. Maybe it won't be that bad since they do become more comfortable even days after a fill. At least you won't need to be getting fills.

Have a great day everyone!

Frostecat

Glad I'm not the only one to hear I've gained weight after all this.  I think it's a combination of depression, boredom and not being able to move.  I can honestly say I've been indulging in ice cream, chips and dip, and whatever else suits my fancy.  Not to mention I was a big salad eater for lunch at work, and salad just gets mushy if I make it at home after a day and I can't exactly drive everyday to pick one up so I sit here eating a lot of bad processed food instead. At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it :-)

Frostecat

One more thing, my nurse at the PS office (she's been there for 21 years) advised me to go back to work either on a Wednesday or Thursday just to get re-acclimated, or 1/2 days "because you are going to be tired".

Lakegirl1

Frostecat...I totally agree, I have been eating CRAP...I have been thinking I really need to get serious re: a diet more conscientious of foods that are better for me from a BC perspective. I already know heart disease and diabetes run on both sides of my family...UGH...one more thing to watch.  

I agree with the RN who said to go back mid-week. I did that when I returned from maternity leave with both girls.  For me, it was time to go through email and get caught in the status of diff projects I have been assigned.  It will also allow me to re-acclimate to morning/work daily routine.   I am not a morning person!  I think she is right, we will be wiped!!!   

MakeLemonade

iwannaseeyoubebrave - heart goes out to your community.  The senselessness is mind boggling

linda - good luck with the port insertion!  One of the few "good" things in this journey of mine was that I had mine placed at the same time as my second lumpectomy last week.  

And speaking of pecs - can feel the port every time I use my pecs too much on the port side :-). My surgeon told me that it was sutured to the pec muscle in 3 different places, so I guess that makes sense.

Had another "good" thing, the pathology from my second lumpectomy came back with ALL clear margins, so it looks like my surgeon got it ALL out!  This is going to sound weird, and not sure this is going to come across the way I intend, but he sounded very happy when he called yesterday with the results :-). He was PISSED after the first one when there was still some cancer left in there.   Of course, I was pissed and now am happy as well, but I thought it was funny that he reacted that way.  He is known for being precise and thorough and I think he took as a personal affront that this cancer was fighting him (and me of course).  All in all, I am happy with my surgeon.  I had mentioned something in passing to him the before surgery last week and he brought it up yesterday without any prompting from me.  

Sandra - thanks for that general rule of thumb, that it takes about a week to recover from every hour we were under.  I started feeling better last week before the surgery and wasn't exhausted after work on Mon and Tues.  However, I could tell I wasn't really mentally totally "with it" or "on" - it was two weeks after my original surgery.  I was under for 3-1/2 hours, so that makes sense.  

Weight gain .... Yes, what is up with that!!  Not a side effect I was expecting and it looks like there will be weight gain with chemo as well!  Was sort of expecting the opposite! 

MO appointment on Thursday ...so will see if I get my chemo regimen then.  

Meanwhile, it is turning back to winter today.  And I am grieving as we had to put my older dog to sleep on Sunday.  Plus, one of my sons had a medical issue on Sunday as well - hope that is resolved but might be ongoing for a while - wish he lived at home, but at least this one is the one only an hour away, not 5 hours away.  Sunday was not a good day and am not a big fan of 2014 so far! :-(

Blueberry4

Congratulations on clear margins, Lemonade!  That is great news.  You have my condolences for your dog. I am truly sorry.  We had two pets die just days apart just after my diagnosis.  Sometimes life just piles it on.    And also best wishes and healing thoughts for your son.  Good for you getting the port done with the second lumpectomy, one fewer recoveries.  My port site still aches quite a bit from yesterday's procedure.  Also, I had nightmares last night that it was going to puncture my heart and I would bleed to death, not fun. Does anyone else have really strange dreams  post dx?

Congratulations, also, to everyone getting back to work and life. Yay! I'm still working on a new normal, but you give me hope that I will get there too.

Linda, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the second chemo opinion. Good luck with your port.  You're tassels are awesome by the way.

Lakegirl1

Linda...Good Luck today!!!  

linda505

woo hoo makelemonade!!  - my BS was pissed about the area on my foob that didn't heal right also - I like having a doc that isn't pleased when things aren't perfect though.

Blueberry - I have hardly ever had dreams that I remember - but since this I have had many weird dreams - I am always in danger in the dreams and wake up before the danger ends.  I don't like it at all.

Thanks Lakegirl here I am waiting again - I hate the waiting part - oh and the not eating part too - I don't go until 3 pm ughhhh

linda505

Oh and I keep forgetting to say I am so sorry about what happened Iwannaseeyoubebrave at the center - so many crazies in the world and so scary to have been there at the time - so glad you are safe

MakeLemonade

blueberry - I was afraid to move after I got home... Was afraid the catheter inside would shift and go into my heart LOL. I know it isn't possible, but still :-). My surgeon also told me that the stitches couldn't rip out... He has never had it happen :-). I still don't intend to do anything stupid though ... After getting zinged pretty good a few times for overreaching, am very careful now!

And sorry to hear about you losing two pets :-(.  We are now down to one dog.  I heard my husband tell him to be good and not get into anything as he had to live a long time for us now :-). He is 8, so hopefully he can do that.  My girlie was 14-1\2. :-)

Linda - same here with the surgeon :-)

sandra4611

Weight....sigh...I have piled it on.  Fifteen months ago I had a brain stem stroke, had to quit my accounting career, had to quit my super-busy career as a fitness instructor, had to quit teaching ballroom dance - all at the same time - and retire to the recliner with occasional trips to rehab. Six months later I got the breast cancer diagnosis and began my surgery-recovery-surgery-recovery vicious circle. My husband took over cooking and has done such a wonderful job that I've gained 35 lbs in a little over a year.

It's time to get over my cookie obsession. Now that the weather is better (except for today, it's cold again) I'll get out and start walking more.

cocourt

I'm a little late to the party, but I had my pbmx on 3/31 and have my first round of fills today. I know it probably sounds masochistic, but I'm actually excited for the fills, because it's one more step in the right direction. We'll see how I feel in about 4 hours

I'm still reading through the rest of the thread to catch up on what's going on with everyone, but wanted to say hi. So far, I've read about tassel tricks and football, so I'm thinking this sounds like a good group of ladies. Looking forward to getting to know everyone better!

Lakegirl1

PICC line is out!!!!  Woo hoo!!!  Laying low for the rest of the day.   The last thing I need is for that to start bleeding...wouldn't that be just my luck!?!?!?