September 2014 Surgery Sisters

sandra4611

Lack of Sleep - the common denominator. LOL. We could all sing that song in perfect harmony. I hope somebody figures out how to do it 'cause I'm no better now after surgery #5 than I was after the first surgery 13 months ago. Sleeping in the recliner works sometimes, the couch works sometimes, and after the first few days, the bed sometimes works...for awhile. Usually I am bouncing between all of them during the same night. Can't seem to stay asleep the whole night no matter where I am and how many pillows I have. Once I wake up, that location is now off limits and I move to the next. Last week was so pathetic I ended up sitting on the couch with my forehead propped up on three couch pillows. Ladies, I feel your pain.

 

Ilovecoasters

Sandra, omg that picture! It's hard not to get wrapped up in self pity, but seriously that is how I feel anymore.  Friends text me during the day to check on me, ask what I'm doing.  I'm finding my answers are borderline sarcastic - 'doing fine, just packing up for my skydiving lessons', 'great day, looking forward to rock climbing later'.  Ugh,  My boss is pushing for me to return to work.  I don't know what to think.  I have 2-3 dr appts a week and my port surgery is on 10/21.  Then the fun begins again when I start chemo the next week.  

Beachlady28

10/14/15:  This is my first post.  Am 2 weeks post lumpectomy and sentinel node removal and the underarm area is still quite painful.  Called the Doctor and did research online and am told this is a normal part of healing-to put warm compresses on the area and take Tylenol and wear a sports bra.  Any other advice from anyone else? When does the pain and stinging and pulling feeling leave?  Am now waiting for the oncotype results then the Doc will plan treatment.  This whole cancer thing has thrown me and my family and friends for a loop and is still unbelievable, like watching someone else in a very bad horror movie.  But I try to take one day at a time and am lucky to have a wonderful supportive husband aho is also a Registered Nurse.  So I can count my blessings and try to stay positive.  

noonrider

Beachlady, my SNB area was far more painful than the lumpectomy area. I was pretty sore for the first two weeks. Lots of massage in the area seemed to help me. Not fingertips, but firm pressure, going in circles. Also stretching to make sure you don't lose any range of motion from scar tissue. Hang in there! This is a scary journey, there is no doubt about it. 

sandra4611

Question: For those who had a lumpectomy and SNB (Sentinal Node Biopsy), do you have an additional incision for the SNB or are they able to get to it through the same incision like they do when you have a mastectomy? If you have a second incision, is it under your arm? How does it differ from an ALND (Axillary Lymph Node Dissection.)?

noonrider

It depends upon where your lump is. My lump was close to the nipple. The incision was made about 1/2 inch above the nipple and was about 3 inches long. My SNB incision is not quite under my arm and about 2 inches long. 

sandra4611

Thnx. Always meant to ask that question.

Mulligan

I had a bilateral mastectomy and no nipple sparing so my mastectomy scar is across where my nipples use to be. My SNB is another scar not on my arm pit and not on my breast. It's in-between the two, which kinda sucks as you can see the scar if I wear a tank top.

MarieJune

I haven't logged on in awhile...just wanted everyone to know I'm scheduled for new drain placement on left side (possibly right side too) as I've developed severe swelling from a seroma. Also have had low grade fever....yuck! More scared this time than for actual mastectomy.

Don't know how they do it? General or twilight anesthesia?! Will they look at tissue expanders sinve swelling is so bad? I look like I've had fills!! But haven't. Hoping I'm not rejecting them. I've wayyyyy overdone everything since 3 days post op & regret it now.

Please pray this goes smoothly & the seroma fluid build up will go away. Not sure how long I'll need new drain(s). Will try to update tomorrow. I'm going in @ 9:30am today (Wednesday). 

I pray you're all doing well. Xoxo

Mulligan

Get some rest Marie and you will be in my thoughts. I think they would be able to do a twilight surgery, hope things go smoothly. Let people around you help you, they really do want to help. Stop and enjoy being taken care of, instead of taking care of everyone else. (((Hugs)))

EverForward

Sandra, my SNB scar is under my armpit, my surgeon managed to get it in a natural crease so it isn't too noticeable. My lumpectomy incision is on the inner side of my breast. Btw, my mastectomy incisions are below  my breasts and now that I've had several fills, they've become mostly hidden.

Mariejune, I'm so sorry you have to put the drains back in. I had a bit of swelling after they took out the last two drains after 30 days and I was still draining more fluid than they are usually comfortable with. They told me they could do a manual drain when I go in for fills, if there was too much fluid buildup. But it doesn't sound like that would be an option for you if the fluid buildup is that much. Did they even discuss that with you? 

noonrider

MarieJune. Thinking of you today! I'm so sorry you're dealing with this crap! 

During the night I moved just wrong. It caused my right tissue expander to push on something (muscle, rib, who knows?) Every inhale and exhale brought excruciating pain like someone stabbed me in the chest. This caused me to have a panic attack. It was a long night! LOL Its a little better this morning but I think because I took a muscle relaxer and narcotics. I'm going to have a fill today and will be discussing with the doctor. Honestly, I cannot deal with pain like that for several more months. I am really trying to not be a whiner about this whole business, which it feels like I'm doing. My tolerance for discomfort is just GONE. 

Ilovecoasters

Noon, 

I think all of us with TE understand completely.  I'm looking at 8 more months with mine and I am having doubts of whether I will make it.  I wake up crying during the night from frustration, just not being able to get comfortable and sleep.   I'm starting chemo is the next couple of weeks and think about the SE and anxiety just set in.  

Marie,

Big hugs to you that you get through the surgery pain free and finally get some relief   

MarieJune

mulligan, thank you xoxo. 

Ever forward, Friday my surgeon tried to aspirate the fluid buildups, but only got thick blood and was afraid of rupturing the TE. I was scheduled for an US to show the areas this Friday and to aspirate...but the surgeon called me herself and wanted me in the OR to have new drains put in. 

So...here I am. Scared, ready to get taken ibto a room. And worried!! I pray the new drains work better than the "leaky ones" I had on that side. 

I'll update later.  

MarieJune

thank you everyone. Xoxo

MarieJune

My Niece & I waiting at Mervy Hospital for a room to get this started. 

lonnie713

beautiful mariejune!

Flannery

Hi MarieJune:

Just a quick note to tell you that one of my colleagues also had problems with seroma formation on both sides after getting her drains out post-BMX. Like you, they did some needle drainage a few times but ultimately they decided they had to put some drains back in. I don't know whether it was done under general anesthesia - my guess is they will make that decision after ultrasound to determine exactly where the fluid is and what it looks like. But I wanted to share my friend's story because she did just fine with some extra drain time. Definitely did NOT lose her TE's, it was NOT an infection, and her body was not rejecting them - just made more fluid than usual and needed some extra drain time. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for you today and you will be back on track in no time!

Ilovecoasters

Pity party table for one here.  I just got home from the RO.  I will need 33 radiation treatments once chemo is over...and they want my expanders emptied.  I don't have the strength to deal with these TE for over a year.  Would just appreciate something positive, anything at this point.  

Smitty333

My heart breaks for Michelle. You are going to be one tuff  chick when all of this is over! The only reason I can think that these things happen is to prepare you for something in the future. Along those lines I sent a friend a quote the other day that said "hey life, next time you could at least use lubricant "

Ilovecoasters

Thanks Smitty.  To think I will still be dealing with this in 2016 is pure hell.  Anyone have a spare $20k to help cover my deductibles? 

Mischief46

oh Ilovecoasters, that sucks...I hope the TEs get more comfortable for you during your treatments and you are able to get some good sleep soon.   I hated those TEs but did get to a point where I didn't notice them so much.  I pray that time will come soon for you!

Marie, praying all went well for you today...I had wondered how you were doing.  I hope those drains do their thing and you are drain free and seroma free soon!  Great picture!

Lilith08

Coasters, I'm so sorry about your latest news! Last I read from you, you had found out about needing chemo. When was radiation added to the mix? 

And I'm sorry about the pressure you're getting from work, too. I hope you can get that situation sorted out somehow.

sandra4611

Crap, crap, crap. I know these things happen and people have gone through worse and come out the other end just fine, but crap, crap, crap. So sorry for these set backs, problems, and hurdles to climb over.

 

 

MarieJune

I got home in the afternoon, surgery went well, they opened up the outer portion of my mastectomy incision, looked at TE on lefty, and it was fine...they put one new drain wrapped around the seromas they broke up while in there. I'm now draining link fluid rather than the dark maroon fluid like before. Only issue is: I left in AGONY! Feels WORSE that my actual mastectomy?! Pain is fierce. Taking the pain meds, but it doesn't even touch the extreme pain! also very nauseas despite receiving Zofran & other stuff during and after surgery (had general anesthesia). But felt GREAT last time! This is bizarre. I have stabbing pain upon breathing deeply in my left chest & lung area on back. Using that little breathing thingy, it's low numbers when I inhale...visiting nurse tomorrow- if pain is still this bad, I may need to go get seen. Has anyone known of yourself or anyone else having new drain put in with EXTREME PAIN? Glad I drained 75cc's today (from this afternoon til night & less swollen) but the pain isn't touched by pain meds or valium?! Ugh awful. 

ILoveCoasters, I'm sorry you're rnduring so much right now. I can't begin to imagine how hard this is for you. I pray that you're able to somehow find peace & hope during this time of upsetting news & treatments. Prayers with you. 

sandra4611

Marie, so glad it's over and you are on the road to recovery. The nausea you had is probably due to a difference in the drugs used this time versus last time. If you can get your doctor to tell you what the anesthesiologist used (there may be quite a few drugs in total) it will help you to avoid PONV next time. (Post Operative Nausea & Vomiting is very, very common unfortunately.)  Certain drugs are known to contribute to PONV, gases especially. I'm so sorry you are in so much pain. Is your doctor aware your level has increased so much?

I don't know if it's a legitimate medical "thing" but it seems to me that when you mess with an area of your body that is trying to heal, it fights back. It's almost like it's hyper-sensitive. Today my PS's nurse removed most of the surgical glue over my 12 day old incisions. I had been feeling great. Not even taking Tylenol anymore since pain is long gone and so is discomfort even. I couldn't feel what the nurse was doing but it seemed a gentle and slow procedure. About an hour later - OUCH. My whole chest was aching, the incision lines were stinging, and I could feel some of that burning feeling which means the nerves are involved. It's bothered me all day. Can't imagine how "violated" your healing chest is feeling by this new assault.

MarieJune

I'm so glad u got the glue removed! Mine came off on its own & was long stringy & odd looking. My scar line also stung, but yet I was numb?! Strange. 

I woke up & now have ice packs on, I'm stuck in a semi reclined position, with SEVERE, SHARP, STABBING, take my breath away, make me cry pain in my chest, upper armpit, & lung area. Have ice packs on but can't move (have my phone on the pillow i held on top of my chest. This caused me to cry so much an hour ago. I'm stuck semi reclined, my Niece (my helper) tried to help me but quickly realized I will lose whatever tiny panting breaths & not breathe if she lifts me up, so I reclined back again to semi reclined. This stabbing pain is the worst thing I've ever felt!! I can't breathe out or in. I yawned & felt extreme pain & cried panting breaths during tears. 

Visiting nurse is coming at 9:30 or 10, so I'm going to lay like this until then. Quite certain I warrant an ambulance ride. They better give me something for the ride, because I can't even get up to go pee, imagine the pain of the ride over bumps?! I might faint!!! Can't even move my arm. 

I'm scared Sandra! What is happening to me?! Did the seroma do something to my armpit?! Did my plastic surgeon do something while tasking it out & putting TE back in?! Is this what it's "supposed to" feel like? I'm literally a vegetable!! If I attempt to move my head, my arm, my legs, I end up crying out in extreme pain. I feel like my lung is collapsed causing chest pain also! Had that happen once & it was THIS extreme.  

I'm sorry to be such a big baby. I need insight to know what could be happening?! 

I'll write from hospital if visiting nurse sends me (99% sure she will). 

Did anyone else experience this? I have multiple seromas that got "broken up" and now draining nicely into my new drain put in yesterday, but I feel like I'm dying a slow painful death!! What is happening?!

noonrider

Nope MarieJune, this is very wrong. You need to be in the hospital where they can monitor you better. If I remember correctly your visiting nurses weren't so on top of things last time. Don't wait around for them, just go in. 

Su-CQ51

Oh MarieJune so sorry you're going through this!   This two steps forward and 3 steps back isn't good at all.   Good news is you're draining all that fluid but maybe more than drains can handle.   I hope that you can get immediate treatment and relief even sooner   Gentle Hugs!!

Ilovecoasters, you haven't had it easy either.   Is there any compensation because the surgeons have made the decision to postpone your reconstruction for now due to medical reasons?   Wouldn't that be awesome?

I haven't posted for awhile.  I found out last Friday that part of my road to recovery suffered a washout lol   It will take more time!   My BS said margins weren't clear and all 3 SN were positive.   So I will be having UMX and ALND (5-15 nodes she said) on October 30.  BS said could mean chemo and rads but will find that out at post-op on Nov 12.   I thought of all sorts of questions later of course and cried a bucket that day but still can't figure out how this all happened.   They kept telling me it was caught early and it was such a shock that any nodes were positive let alone all 3!

Anyway, that's my rant.    Take care everyone!

noonrider

Su-CQ, I'm so sorry! That sure does change the ballgame, doesn't it? Its scary when the rug is pulled out from underneath us. Hang in there!