September 2014 Surgery Sisters

Mulligan

Good luck Sandra and Linda ! Also hope everyone else that has been on the bus is having a relaxing easy recovery.

Moderators

We are thinking of all of you brave ladies who are either going for surgery or recovering. 

It's amazing to see all the support you guys give to each other.

Sending best wishes to you all

The mods :-)

Lilith08

Best wishes to Linda and Sandra today! 

Seeing my BS in just a couple hours, and hoping to get my surgery scheduled.

pam43525

Please add me to the September Sisters group.  Surgery is September 22nd.  Bilateral mastectomy without reconstruction.

sandra4611

SURGERY CANCELLED. Pre-op lab tests showed a problem with my thyroid. Surgeon says it's too dangerous for me to go under general anesthesia. Crap, crap, crap. Sure do wish his assistant had looked at those lab results yesterday before I had to get the PICC line. He called just as we were leaving for the hospital.

Pity Party, table for one...your table is ready.

 

Su-CQ51

Oh Sandra!  So sorry!   Isn't that the pits?   I know doesn't it make you wonder if they really communicate with each other at all and especially when so much of our info is on the computer now?   

I am hypothyroid and have been told that everything is fine.   I have been on Synthroid for years but I do remember that once the medication kicked in within few days I felt so much better!   Hopefully it won't take too long for your levels to be regulated to "normal" levels if that is the issue.   Fingers crossed for you!    Hopefully your doctor can explain issue to you in more detail and give you a time frame for next surgery date.   Hugs!

Sue

Mischief46

oh no Sandra!   What a huge disappointment, I could just cry for you.   So sorry it couldnt happen for you today...

Su-CQ51

Welcome Pam!   Wishing you successful surgery on 22nd and speedy recovery!   I'll be on the Pink bus with you on Monday!

Su-CQ51

Good luck at your appt with BS today Lilith.   Fingers crossed for surgery date sooner rather than later!

I had my pre-op yesterday and when I got home there was a message on machine saying I was schedule for mammogram on surgery day after I have the dye injection and wire placement for SLND.   Is that to make sure the wire is in right spot?   

EverForward

Sandra, that stinks! We will all join you for the pity party. Change the reservation from a table for one to a table for all of us. Stupid thyroid. Stupid cancer. Stupid doctors. 

EverForward

I had my BMX surgery with tissue expanders a week and a half ago. I'm having a hard time figuring out how much of my pain/discomfort is related to the surgery and what is related to the expanders. I feel like I'm wearing a plate of armor from my breast bone around to the side of my body and up to my armpits. Will this general discomfort and pain when I move my arms remain the entire time I have the expanders? I knew it would be uncomfortable, but I wasn't ready to be unable to put a shirt over my head for several months. I'd appreciate hearing from others who have already dealt with TEs.

Mischief46

SU-CQ51..I too had a mammogram the day of surgery after they placed my wire.  Not sure why but it must be part of the protocol.

EverForward, Oh the TE's...they really just suck.   The good news is they do get better. You will be able to move your arms and put clothes on over your head without pain soon.  But I  will  say that iron bra feeling pretty much stays with you the whole time you have the expanders.  At least that was true for me, I  had my expanders for 4 months.  In fact I still have it a little even after exchange, I am hoping it goes away completely in a few weeks.  I had 5 fills all together and in between 3 and  4 I took a 3 week break from fills.  Somewhere in the middle of the break I realized I barely even notice my TE's anymore.  Except at night I always noticed them at night.   These first few weeks are the worst..hang in there.

Su-CQ51

thanks so much Mischief!   I thought so but you know that little voice that comes around just when you think you're ok with everything?   It was saying the nurse told you what was happening etc but didn't mention that lol   I'd rather they check to make sure wire is in place than to have extra surgery.

Hope the TEs feel better soon EverForward!

jbdayton

Sandra I can't believe they cancelled on you.  Please let us know what the solution is and if a new date will be coming soon.  I am joining you at the table, I can offer hugs and prayers and just be there for a sweet sister.  

Mischief46

Su-CQ51..That wire was sticking out 8 inches when I walked thru the hall to go get that mammogram!  The tech didn't  tape it down until after. Crazy!  She also said the worst part of my day was over, the surgery would be easier than the wire placement. (I was having a BMX..long story why the wire placement.)    But no fears...the wire placement is easy-peasy. :-)

linda505

Sandra that sucks big time!!!! That was my fear this whole time - you get yourself emotionally prepared for this then they cancel ughh!!!

Home from my exchange - doc and nurses said everything went and looks great.  In a little pain - more ache than pain.  Have a tight ace bandage over a surgical bra - the ace can come off tomorrow - and can shower tomorrow - no drains!!  Surgery was about 2 1/12 hours.

Everforward - that iron bra feeling progressively got better for me but was always there - the muscles are contracting - valium helped with the muscle pain,  Hope things improve for you soon.  

Smitty333

My surgery is September 24, I am so nervous and have been snooping on this thread for a week or two. I have even been having my husband read some of the posts. I think he is underestimating how invasive this will be. So having some of your experiences to share with him have helped. I am having a double mastectomy with tes. 

jbdayton

Welcome Smitty.  I hope you stay and share your story as well.  It is invasive but many have come through this surgery with minor problems.  We will be with you as you go down this road.  

sandra4611

Thanks to all my dear sisters for their concern and support. I've never had this happen before although I understand that some people have had their surgeries cancelled right before being wheeled into the OR. At least I had an hour's notice. My PS called mid-morning to apologize again and to explain more. I've been on synthyroid for hypothyroidism for about 20 years. It is not unusual for dosage to be adjusted many times over your lifetime and mine is no exception. In June when I last saw my endocrinologist my TSH levels were ok. In three months, my thyroid levels went crazy. It's supposed to be no more than 3.0. It's 11.9, nearly three times the upper limit. The doctor and anesthesiologist were worried about Thyroid Storm, a terrible consequence of mixing a high TSH with general anesthesia. About 25% of patients die. Since I tend to flat-line (done it 4 times) they felt those odds were even higher, so surgery had to be cancelled.

Sure do wish they'd looked at the lab results yesterday before I had the PICC line put in. This afternoon I returned to the hospital and had the PICC taken out. I'm sitting here watching the bruises on my arm "bloom." All day I kept thinking this was all a dream. No such luck. My surgeon says he will put me back on the schedule for 4 weeks from now and will cancel again if my levels are still out of control.

Tuesday I go see my endocrinologist.

linda505

Smitty- welcome and impress upon your hubby that this is major surgery and he is going to have to really help you for the first couple of weeks.  But it is doable and although I  had a couple of healing issues I came through it with minor difficulty.  And remember that you will feel you can do more than you should.  Remember that things inside are healing and since mostly of the nerves are removed you don't feel it when you over do it.  So follow your Doc's recommendations even if you feel good.

My exchange was today - and I must say that I am so grateful for this forum for every part of this journey.  I honestly don't know how BC sisters make it through all this without something like this.  The support and advice I got from here was invaluable and such a comfort.  I hope to be able to lend that support and advice to others.

Su-CQ51

Thanks again Mischief!   8 inches wow!   I guess I'll be wandering the halls too since dye, wire and mammogram are on 2nd floor and then I go up to Day Surgery on 4th floor and announce "I'm here!" Lol

Welcome Smitty!   Will be on the pink bus with you on the 24th!   So glad everything went well for you today linda!   Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Birdgirl11

Sandra, I'm joining you at the party too!  So maddening to have to cancel like that!  Have yourself a good cry if you need to.  I hadn't realized thyroid is such a big variable during surgery.  I've been on meds for about 4 years now and they were very exact in telling me how much to take at which times.  Now I know why!

Smitty, welcome to the group.  I stalked for a couple weeks, too.  The information is helpful, but knowing you're not alone is even more valuable.  

Question for the group - I had my drain tube removed yesterday and today I am a bit swollen in that area and my upper under arm hurts about half way down to my elbow.  Even my back arm flab is sensitive.  Any ideas?  Don't want to call the doc on the weekend if this is pretty normal stuff.

enlm20Erica

Hi all just wanted to have my name (Erica) added to the list for your prayers...I will be having a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction Sept 29. Never had to have surgery other than last year.. a c- section with my twins (15 months old boy and girl) and I was awake then so my nerves have been kinda on the edge as I don't know what to expect. This is all so much, I just ask for your prayers and advice.

Mischief46

enlm20, welcome!   We will all be with you on surgery day.  I had never had surgery before my BMX and I was so nervous but it really is worse for those in the waiting room. You'll go to sleep and what feels like 15 min you'll wake up. Hopefully you have someone who can help out with the twins because your arms will be a bit worthless for a while.  I be praying for you as your surgery nears..you can do this.

Frostecat

Glad everything went well as can be expected for you Linda - yay! 

Sandra I hope they can get this straightened out for you, it sounds frightening!  But it does sound like you have a good team watching out for everything for you.  They probably realize that you might know more than them so are being doubly cautious!

Birdgirl11

Welcome Erica, and I agree with Mischief, it is worse for those waiting.  I woke after my 3 hour surgery and felt like it was the best nap I had ever had.  If you are very axious next week, I'd ask your doctor for xanax - fast acting, non-addictive anxiety relief that really does help, especially when you have little ones to care for as well.  Also, right before I went in to surgery, I was getting really nervous and teary and they put something in my IV and my hubby said he just watched my whole body relax.  Let them know how you are feeling ahead of time and they will help you.  Prayers for you and your family.

MusicLady

So sorry to hear this, Sandra, What a bummer!  Sending some comforting hugs to you!

Ilovecoasters

I had my bilateral mastectomy Thursday. Was released from the hospital 12 hours later. I'm having a horrible time with pain, vomiting and fever. A nurse was supposed to come to the house daily, it hadn't happened yet and my insurance company is baffled. My bandages have not been changed since surgery. I'm pretty sure I'm in hell. 

linda505

Ilovecoasters - I think that you should consider going to urgent care or the ER and get looked at.  You don't want to mess around with a fever as it indicates a possible infection.  Have you called your PS - if not call - they should have an answering service and someone should call you back and get things sorted out.  Do you have antibiotics?

linda505

Birdgirl same advice - call you PS and don't wait until Monday - don't chance getting an infection and not getting treatment as soon as possible