July 2014 Surgery Sisters

Straitlover

My heart breaks for all of you w/ all the little kids who don't understand what's going on w/ you not being able to do your normal routines. Poor little kids; I cry every time I think of them.

Highs tomorrow and Sunday are supposed to only be in the 70's, so I am going to try and do as much walking outside as possible. My boss is coming by later today on the way to her hair appointment to take my trash off, so I hope to be able to walk outside a little then if it's not too humid.

Straitlover

I assume y'all got the path results from your BS, correct? My PS just looked at the drains and such on my Tues 8/5 appt. I noticed that someone on the August thread (sx was 8/1) already got their results, but my BS appt is not until 8/13. Maybe no news is good news? I'm kind of surprised no one from the BS office has called to check on me.

mel147

My surgery was on 7/16 and I did not have reconstruction so my follow-up was with the BS the next week.  I received some of the pathology results but the hormone receptor info was not available yet so I got that info later.  My BS had follow-ups on week 1 and week 2.  Maybe yours is doing two weeks since he knew you would be seeing the PS after one week.  Maybe you could call if you were concerned and wanted the results earlier?  Good luck!

ncollett

I did get my drain out but found out they didnt get clean margins so I have to go back for more surgery. Good news is no drains right? I also had this nagging cough and found out I have a lung infection. I asked my PCP how in the world can that happen when I am on antibiotics and then he gently reminded me that my immune system is down now and fighting. Oh ya ... 

Kellogg I can empathize, I have a 2 yr old grand son and he breaks my heart when he cries out for his nana  and I cant hold him and he doesnt understand why nana is not picking him up and playing with him. I just keep reminding myself that its just one more day less. Hang in there. 

Kellogg2006

ncollett

I'm so sorry that you need more surgery and have a lung infection.  Sometimes things are just never easy. But at least the drains are gone

Your grandson is adorable!  Yes you are so right. Just means one more day down!  

PoppyK

Hi Everyone,

I met with my surgical oncologist yesterday and received my full pathology report. I misunderstood some of the report info that he gave me over the phone. (I think I heard positive nodes and chemo and my brain stopped functioning well.) The DCIS, IDC and LCIS were all in my right breast; none of those findings were in the left (which is what I thought from my phone call notes). I did freak a bit when he asked me to sign the consent form for the surgery to install the chemo port. Any info regarding the ports would be appreciated!

The next step is NM bone scan, CTs of chest, abdomen and pelvis. When the results are in, I will meet with the medical oncologist and learn about my treatment plan.

So far, I am happy with the breasts my plastic surgeon put together with what was left after the lumpectomy. Still really swollen, with a lot of bruising.

Slowly moving forward.   

Straitlover

Hey everybody! Had a bit of a setback this past week and had no energy to post. I know for sure that I will not be taking Valium anymore!!!! Hope they have something else I can take when I do my fills. He was able to fill a decent amount during the surgery (forgot to ask how much, so he said I probably won't need many at all - yay!). Feeling much better now that I am only taking OTC stuff. I got 2 drains out yesterday, woo hoo, only 2 more to go!

I can't get straight answers about the post-op path. I saw the MO Monday and the BS today. I know for sure the SNB s were negative (they checked both sides since I was doing a BMX). However, there were were some things in the breast tissue that they wanted big Duke Hosp (I was at Duke Raleigh) to double check since my bc is  a rare kind. Well, big Duke now wants to see the the original needle biopsy slides that I assume are at the the out of state company my BS uses so they can look at everything thenselves. So, more waiting ....

PoppyK

Hi Straitlover,

Glad you have more energy! Valium, Norco.. they all knock me on my butt! It's so much better when you can use the OTC stuff. Good to hear that your fill went great. I'm sure you will feel soooo much better when your final two drains are gone!

SNB negative is fantastic news! I'm sorry you have to wait to get a definitive path report. Duke is a wonderful facility. (My Daddy and brothers live outside Raleigh.) It sounds like they are taking care with your report. An "in house" second opinion is never a bad idea.

I hope you get your report soon!

kimag

Straitlover as Poppy said negative lymph nodes this is great news! Waiting is terrible but a second opinion and double check on things is worth it to get the best treatment plan. All the best

HollyD

Belleb My left drain removal was brutal. I cried. Don't feel bad for almost fainting. My mom asked why they don't numb, I had no answer, but she saw it and felt bad it caused such pain for me, but I was happy to have them finally out! 10" at least for me too. No fun. 

Kellogg I want to wish you speedy recovery, but in all reality, the less you do now, the sooner you will feel better. Let them help you. Baby will be okay but I know it's so hard not being able to tend to them when they want mom. In 3-4 weeks you'll feel so much better. Hang in there. Hugs. 

HollyD

Finally received my onco type test at 23, 15% recurrence rate. Looks like I'll be joining the September chemo 2014 group!! Ugh. . It was my impression early on that I wouldn't have chemo if I chose mastectomy over lumpectomy, so a bit disappointed but sort of expected the worst. Happy it will only be 4 rounds of Taxotere and Cytoxan but still surreal. Feel like I'm out of body and this is all happening to someone else. I keep forgetting I don't have boobs. Went to cover nips on a chilly evening only to remember I DONT HAVE ANY. So weird. So Apparently margins looked ok but they found micro invasions . They briefly explained to me that they are baby tumors forming outside of 'the mother' they removed. Any one have experience with micro invasions?  Radiation is being reviewed in path conference at the end of the month. PS wants to fill me at least half way before starting chemo. Hoping Rads is off the table, I hear horrible side affects and it scares me more than anything.  Overall, I'm going into week 6 post op and off of narcotics for the most part. No Norco, but will take a tramadol if I feel sore. Spent all day at target buying school supplies, did good, with my mom driving of course exercises doing ok. Have better range going straight up the wall than sideways up the wall. I can wash my hair and reach stuff from shelves and cabinets with some discomfort. So far filled to 100 CCs and I'm still as flat as can be. Also doing cold cap treatment. Not expecting it to work completely but I have to try. 

Straitlover

Checking  in, back jn hospital. Pulled drain stitch, ended up w fever and purilent drainage so am kn iv antibiotics. My tablet battery is about go dir, dk I wont be able to post fir awhile. Sorry!

belleb

Holly - I was at Costco the other day and went in the freezer section, got goosebumps all over and THOUGHT I felt my nipples react. It was SO weird!

Straitlover- get better soon!

Straitlover

Was able to borrow a charger,  so I can post more. Fri I pulled the stifch & wento to er (OUT OF TOWN at sister's). While  waiting,  I developed a fever. Tests showed nothing, and hosp where I had sx wanted me back there. 2 hr amb ride, more tests,  my PS wanrs to admit me for iv abx but at another hosp. So another ride wnd admit. Ultrasound shows it might be seroma or infection jn pocket. Waiting to see if abx clear it or if the expander has to come out. Blerg!

Kellogg2006

Straitlover I hope your feeling better!

Thanks for the support everyone. I am feeling better and my son is doing a lot better.  Plastic surgeon says no lifting or 6 weeks after surgery and I am half way there.   I feel pretty good but under my arms is still sore and makes it hard to sleep.  Laying on my side or stomach is uncomfortable and i hate sleeping on my back.  I start chemo Friday, so have some fun stuff this week, echocardiogram and port placement.  

SwgeeWi

Hi ladies! I had a unilateral MX with muscle-sparing free Tram flap reconstruction (I think I got that right?) on July 23, then removal of blood clot in flap July 24. It was going to be DIEP, but once they were in there changed it to Tram.  I had a lumpectomy in Nov. 2012, followed by radiation. I had lymphedema in my breast then recurring cellulitis in my breast. After this last hospitalization in May we decided on Mastectomy with recon. I still have two drains but am going to try to get in today to have one removed. Yaaaaaay!  I can't tell you how relieved I am to have that boob off my body!! I went much smaller in size with the recon and can't wait to have a reduction on the other side. (I never ever thought I'd be looking forward to surgery, ha!) I am hoping to put these past two years behind me and feel like I'm finally moving forward!! Two of my sisters and my niece came to help out the first couple of weeks. It's kind of hard to not overdo it because my DH has MS and is really having trouble walking right now. My 20yo daughter has been a big help but also works and will be going back to,college soon. My 18yo daughter is still in that self absorbed teen mode and will start her senior year in high school in Sept. as well. Hope you're all recovering well, I'm in your pockets!

Sparkle2014

I like the AMBIANCE Apparel ruched sides tank tops - loose enough under arm areas so the bandages fit without being too tight or too loose - I found that at rainbow shops - Ambiance Apparel is at quite a few places - They make soft cotton tanks, v neck and scoop nect T shirts - also I got some plus size cotton T's so could STEP INTO them vs raising arms, and I had clips on my drain that came with it so could clip to the bottom side of the tank and I wore cardigan over that or a loose T shirt over the tank,, some my suggestions

have on hand at house before you get surgery so it is there waiting... plan ahead

diet gingerale - I prefer that with SALTINEs to settle stomach and BLAND is advised for first week,,,  saltines and 7 up mixed with some no sugar added ocean spray cranberry juice - my throat wanted cold bevs to soothe it, also chicken rice soup broth to sip on with saltines,, 

buy canister of alcohol prep pads at the pharmacy - I used these to keep my own hands clean and to wipe down the drain - to keep your surgery site DRY and clean - I actually chose NOT to shower for 11 days - I took a bath waist down after a few days and wiped body besides surgery site with wash cloth and had hair washed at a beauty school and blown dry by a student for 10 dollars vs trying to bend over and wash it in sink (ouch)

My breast healed really well keeping the dressing freshly changed daily and not getting it wet.  I was on vicodin about every 6 - 8 hrs - but I definitely feel I may have done too much cleaning on it - as I was not aware of the pain so I was like oh I can do three loads or laundry and vacuum the house and carry groceries in - bad idea - let your helpers HELP - that is hard part - to allow others to do most... 

my list grocery store:  chicken rice soup cans, saltines, 7 up, (diet), gingerale small cans, special K, lactose free fat free milk, chobani lemon greek yogurt, fresh fruit - raspberries, watermelon, pineapple etc, natural brand lemonade - great chilled, or mixed with that cranberry, no alcohol!, a great simple to make dish is broccoli, cauliflower, can chick peas rinsed, drizzle and toss with olive oil, fresh ground pepper and dash seasalt - roast at 375 degrees in oven for 25 mins - go in and stir around half way through that - tastes great cold or warm and lasts for days - very cancer fighting dish,,, ,,,  no greasy fast food, no red meat, be selective as you don't want anything difficult to pass when you are healing - I have heard up your protein intake - that is my difficult part - trying to find more protein as I am vegan,,,  I love bread,,  anyways lean chicken, spinach, almonds, sweet potatoes, walnuts, apples, berries, avocados, carrots, cucumbers, beets, beans etc...  think more fresh and more raw foods,,,  but change diet is hard - must do that slowly not overnight!  during recovery through helps to try to eat well.

have what you use often OUT and at height that is convenient - reaching sucks!  it HURTS and is not wise as that area needs to be as still as possible - I should have also taken the Valium - in looking back - as I was unable to sleep and really that has exhausted me - - I was worried about taking it - never had had it - but would have allowed me to rest when it was important - I also needed to sleep in my make shift bed that was my couch and big chair and lots of soft blankets and pillows so I could be propped up on my back - I am a stomach sleeper - may also be why I could not sleep - as I was upright - anyways I couched it almost 3 weeks - I actually like it better then my bed but living room looked really messy and it was brighter and so I finally returned to the bed - and then was NOT able to get comfy..

journal to write down all your meds - keep it well documented and also write down date, time drain(s) emptied and how many cc's - your DR will want that on one page in your journal,,,  and write down how feeling - if nauseus etc,,  and how much sleep getting or not getting and issues etc..

flashlight near bed or couch - in case need to get up so don't run into something,

get outside even a walk around house or apartment building slowly for a few times day for few minutes - sit outside if you can - - get fresh air and sunlight and don't just lay in bed all day - moving helps healing but go slow and no pressure and try to move without carrying things

keep your bandage area stuffed with extra bandage pads for the comfort - my bra was a velcrox mastectomy bra with straps that were adjustable - I kept it on for week - but it was really sort of digging in but I felt better having the compression over the surgery site,,,  the bra was cotton and washable - I kept it in case I ever need to wear it again - like after the swap surgery for implant... 

Barely There at kohls has many good bras that feel soft and no seems as well as St Eve's bandeau bras there...

I also kept lip balm near me, and cell phone and I even had a whistle near me first few nights as was afraid in case I felt I needed help, my Mom hopefully would hear that and come check on me! didn't need it but getting to the phone and fluffing pillows really HURTS - so try to get your bed area all set before you return home and knee socks - my toes were so cold with the AC...

best of luck for any of you ladies getting to surgery soon!  May you all do wonderfully!

 

Straitlover

Update- been getting iv abx in hospital since 7/16. Drainage is getting lots better.  PS wants to send me home w the iv abx, still trying to save the expander. Hope to be home by Fri.

Edit - I also get one more drain removed tonight, yay! Just the one left.

mel147

Hang in there, Straitlover!  Glad to hear the drainage is getting better and that you got one more drain out - that is great!!  Hope you are able to save the expander and can get home to recuperate there!

Take care,   Lisa

Straitlover

Made it home on Thurs 8/21 w/ IV abx (vancomyacin 2 x day, cefaline sp? 3 x day), and got my computer back yesterday - yay! Had to return the tablet charger when I came home, so I was out of touch for several days. per the home health nurse, my diagnosis was breast cellulitits. Don't know why it was never mentioned in the hospital. I see the PS on Wed for followup. He said if the fever comes back or the discharge gets yucky again, then I will have to go in for surgery. so far so good, though! 

I think the picc line is leaking, though. The nurse had to come back to change the bandage on Sat AM, and I probably should have come have them come back yesterday or today, but I am holding out until tomorrow since my regular nurse day (dressing change, blood draws and vancomyacin trough) will be Tuedays. It burns sometimes, too. I know the nurse thinks they left the outside line too longs, so I won't be surprised if they recommend it to be re-done. Hope that can be done in the ER or same day surgery area. I doubt it can be done in the regular dr's office, right?

Kellogg2006

did anyone have a masectomy with immediate implants?   I am five weeks after surgery and I am just curious if anyone had the same thing and how you're feeling!

belleb

Kellogg - I had my BMX the same day as you but with no reconstruction, so I'm curious how you are feeling WITH it! I'm doing really well. Almost have my range of motion fully back, still have some numbness under one armpit, but everything else is healing well. Hope you are doing well too!

Kellogg2006

Belleb,I have almost all my range of motion back too,  I still am not supposed to lift anything more then 5 pounds.  I still have swelling under my armpits and numbness.  I want to feel normal so bad but the surgery site and implants are still swollen and feel just weird. Probably also because a week ago I for my port for chemo and that caused more uncomfortableness and swelling.  My PS says I am doing great so I am holding I to that. 

belleb

Glad to hear you are  doing well! My drain sites are still sore (almost feel like a bruise) so I can't lay on my side at night yet. Those things were a pain in the butt! SO glad they are gone lol

Kellogg2006

Belleb.  That's great , you're doing so good.  OMG. I remember thinking those drains were never going to come out.  My drain sites are good.  I also had 2 huge blisters on my side from tape and they are finally better too.  I can't sleep on my side either, it's just uncomfortable.  It looks like you already had the same chemo cocktail as I am getting and you survived!  That makes me feel better.  Currently feel like this crappy feeling is never ending! 

belleb

Yes, I had the lovely A/C-T. A/C kicked my butt, but I led a very "normal" existence on Taxol....it was like night and day! How are you feeling after your first A/C? I remember starting out at the time thinking "how in the HELL am I going to get through 20 weeks of this?!", but it went quickly...especially once I started the weekly Taxol. It flew by. I hope it does for you too!

Kellogg2006

I am feeling that "how the hell am I going to get through this?"  My A/C is every other week for 4 treatments and I think the taxol will be the same.  I am supposed to go back to work mid sept and I am really thinking I can't deal with work and this.  It really took me until today to recover from my first one.  I hope, I too, can lead a somewhat normal existence I taxol.  

belleb

I would not have been able to work through any of my AC treatments. It was a full 8-10 days before I felt human again after those and I wanted to spend those precious few good days before the next dose doing something fun to lift my spirits back up again. Taxol I could have worked through, no problem. Here's hoping it flies by!

Kellogg2006

thanks Belleb!!!  I hope you feel better and better too! 

Gina2014

Hi Ladies!

I had a bi-lateral mastectomy on July 30, 2014. I too had pretty large breast 40DD but oddly I don't really miss them. I am so relieved to have finished this step. I am having reconstruction done. The doc put in expanders and I am going now weekly to fill them. Then I am off to radiation. The recovery hasn't been terrible at all. The pain meds they give you help quite a bit though I only take them when I feel the pain is too annoying and to me at least that's all it is is an annoyance. My biggest complaint is the drains! I had three of them. I just got two out this last Monday! Yay! I will be really happy to get the last one out. Showering is kind of a pain having to "pin" them.. I use a velcro strap around my neck that hangs down to safety pin my drains to when I shower. You know its kind of comical when I think about it now but boy I was feeling sorry for myself in the beginning at how pathetic I must look in that shower. The level of "grateful to be here" for me is such that I want you ladies who are waiting for surgery to know that you CAN get through this and you WILL get through it. Whether you are having a lumpectomy or both breasts removed you CAN do it. Never lose hope or your will to win because there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Much love to you all and all the best!

Gina