August 2014 Surgery

Ally2345

Iwannaseeyoubebrave-  Isn't that the truth!!  There is so much more traffic in our area and everyone is going so much faster and more impatient than when I was growing up.  I feel for kids today.  Right now though I am feeling for the parents of the soon to be license holders. LOL!!!

VioletKali

Hi everyone *waves*. I am having surgery on August 18th. I am having a bilateral MX with immediate expander placement. I will begin chemo approx 3 weeks later.

Juliecc

Welcome, Violet!

Ally2345

Welcome to the August Surgery Sisters Violet!  Sorry for the reason you are here but glad you found this community.  I found it after my BMX surgery.  There is so much helpful information here, I wish I had discovered it sooner.  Please ask any questions you might have; everyone is very helpful.  Believe me, no question is considered silly and the ladies here all want to help!

Ally

iwannaseeyoubebrave

Thanks Julie! Yes, that is my daughter.   They grow up so fast,  don't they?  My son, 17, will be graduating high school this year. My summer with expanders has been nicely  spent going on college visits this year. Me and the "new girls" have a date with the Bahamas next summer! Here's a picture of our college visit last weekend. We decided to make it a mini vacation in Branson,  MO and went ziplining!  I highly recommend it at least once! Needless to say,  my expanders held up nicely.  ;-)

Happy Friday everyone! 

iwannaseeyoubebrave

Hey Violet!  Welcome to the August team! 

Juliecc

Fun, Iwannaseeyoubebrave!  I went zip lining once and loved it. I grew up outside of Kansas City, Mo on an air force base that is no longer there. Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base.  I liked the snow, storms, and lightning bugs. 

AnasNana

Ally2345...thank you...everything is moving along so quickly...which I am glad for...but so much to process so quickly. Getting more nervous as Friday gets closer. 

MereMere and Sodie....great information. Somany things I would not have thought about. Thank you. 

SueEllenWisconsin

hello Illinois.  Small world isn't it.  My PS said two weeks.  I, like you I'm sure, just want to get this behind me.  I am grateful that I didn't need chemo or radiation and have to concentrate on the fact that the cancer is gone. Positive thoughts for your successful surgery and recovery.  People are surprised how I "handled" multiple surgeries.  You understand this...we just do what we have to do. ( we are women after all . )

Sue Ellen in Wisconsin

Lori1967

I am about 1/2 ready. I've found a post op camisole, I bought Eucerin cream today and found some comfortable sports bra's to wear before I ge the okay for my underwire bra!

I had my bone scan today and made the mistake of leaving Canada to get groceries in the States....sigh..what a mess! Took me an hour to explain that I wasn't a terrorist, I just wanted to buy milk!!

I'm at the point where I just want this tumour out of me, I swear I can feel it throbbing, reminding me it's there....For the most part I am positive, I know the statistics....but the last two years for me have been so terrible I can't help but fall into the abyss...It would help if I knew how bad it is, but I don't know the grade or how far it's spread. I am hopeful that it hasn't...but I think it has.

I have my CAT scan on Wednesday and my pre op on thursday. On the 7th my GP has to do a physical then I'm ready for surgery. 

Am I the only one getting a lumpectomy?.....

AmyG516

I have been teaching my 16 year old son to drive too.   He's doing well but still loves to speed up more than I'm comfortable with!  Right now I am gearing up for a busy weekend getting ready for my surgery Friday.  Big shopping trip to fill the pantry and major cleaning planned.  Spent this past week trying to get everything caught up and organized at work.  So much to do but at least it is keeping my mind off the "what ifs" that still are trying to creep in.  Pre-op appts with BS and PS on Wednesday morning.  Feels good to finally be moving forward but still very scared of what is coming. Never had surgery of any kind so I'm worried about the healing and recovery.  

iwannaseeyoubebrave

Lori, what a pain in the rear with the border issue.  Glad you made it back!  :-)  I had a lumpectomy back in January.  It wasn't too bad. I think the worst part of it was trying to get my mobility back from the lymph node removal.  When finally allowed,  SLOW stretching in the shower helped me tremendously.

 Amy, it's a great idea to get everything in order before surgery.  I shopped and cleaned like a crazy lady before both of my surgeries. I didn't want to worry about running out of necessities or see any dust bunnies while I was down.  If anything,  it's great to keep the mind busy before surgery.  As scary as it can be at times, moving forward is a very good thing.  

Don't forget to stop and pamper yourselves ladies!  I know minds are racing.  Even a simple bubble bath can do great things for your mind.  Be well. 

Xxoo

Susan

Jules_NY

Sodie thanks so much for the advice! 

Haven't been on in awhile, have had a rough week of side effects, glad chemo is done because I dont think I could have done one more! 

Getting anxious about my surgery, pre-op is tues. Trying to figure out away to talk to my kids about the next step, they are 5 and 7. They have been in the loop from the beginning, at a level they understand. My 7 year old, out of the blue, already asked what it means to have surgery, so I guess that was a good start!

honeymama

hi ladies

Just want to introduce myself, I too will be having a BMX (still learning all acronyms :-)) with one-step reconstruction at the same time. AUG 7!  yikes, I find that date barreling towards me!  It's been a whirlwind of a time, have had 2 lumpectomies in the last month and now a double mastectomy.  I've been told that my implants will be smaller than my original sized breasts, so that's another obstacle to get my mind around. Anyway, thank you for your ear. And positive thoughts to all of you this Aug!

diva77

Welcome Honeymama! I am having MX on Aug 7th, too. It is amazing how much is done in such a short time span. Sending you and all the Aug. ladies positive energy!  

Ally2345

Honeymama- Welcome!!  So glad you found us. There is so much great information here. Several ladies went direct to implants.  Any question, just ask!!  Wishing you a great procedure and even better recovery!

Sue Ellen-  well said....you are right.  It is what we women do!

Amy- you will do great.  I think the thoughts were more scary than the actual process. If you have questions, please just let us know. 

Susan- yes, it is so good to be moving forward!!  Bring on August!!

Jules_NY-  so sorry it was a rough week.  Woohoo on finishing chemo!!  Doing the happy dance for you!!  Kids are amazing...simple and short seemed to work best when mine were younger. If they want to know more, they will ask. Good luck though. It is never easy when we are still wrapping our heads around some of the stuff.  Hope you continue to feel better!!

Ally

AmyG516

For those of you who have already had mx, how long was it before you felt somewhat "normal"?  I guess am I struggling with the thought of not being able to take care of myself, son and home.   I'm very used to being the strong, in control one that holds everything and everyone together.  Ugh!

Juliecc

Amy, I was puttering around, making simple meals, etc within a week.  I drove at 2 weeks.  For several weeks, it will hurt to push, pull, reach high, or carry anything to heavy because you really use your pec muscles.  Forget about vacuuming.  Take it easy and let yourself heal.  You really need to let people do things for you. I know it's hard but you will have a lot of healing to do.  My mom came to stay with me for 2 weeks to help.  You might have drains for 2 weeks, as well.  You don't really realize how much you use your pec muscles.  Little things like turning on the shower faucet or opening up a childproof pill bottle were difficult.  I order all of my RX drugs without those pesky childproof caps, but I don't have any kids around.   Your son is 16 and can do things for you.  Put him to work :-)  My boys had litterbox and vacuuming duty.

Ally2345

Amy-  I was similar to Julie. I was doing many things within a week to ten days. Vacuuming and mopping stressed the pecs too much but those are easy things for others. I walked beside the grocery cart and told my family what to get. You will still be the one calling the shots, just getting some assistance. You will do great!! 

Ally

AmyG516

Thank you Julie and Ally! It's just my nerves that are getting the better of me as I get closer to surgery.   I am just so used to doing everything myself and am struggling with the fact that I will need others to help.  It will be very good for me to learn to let go of control!  

Lori1967

I too am worried about getting things done. I am only getting a lumpectomy, but I've been adding to the freezer and trying to get everything I need beforehand. I too am the one who runs the show, and I don't give up my "captain" hat very willfully I'm afraid.

My Mom will come after my two weeks off to give me a hand. I run a home childcare and have 5 toddlers. I'm not sure how well I'll be able to lift etc...so we'll see how well my Mom listens to my instructions!!

I just want this over with!! It seems like such a long wait  

Jules_NY

I am the same way about letting others help. But I know I have to. My BS told me that I will be able to take care of myself but not others. So my sister is coming to NY from VA with her 21 yo daughter to help with my kids. I was also given this info from a friend. It's a non-profit volunteer service that comes and cleans houses of cancer patients. It's not just random people either. It's reputable cleaning companies. Check it out!

http://portal.cleaningforareason.org/patients/account/register

Shine14

Hi Everyone!  I cannot believe that August 1st is THIS FRIDAY!!  I too am looking forward to getting this over with and I promise to do my best to start our month off with a successful surgery.  

On that note, I found a post on another forum talking about guided imagery and how it can help with surgery and recovery, stress and healing.  The poster even mentioned that BCBS California gives CDs of guided imagery and they find they save money by reduced complications, etc.  If you would like to read more, I found this article from the Cleveland Clinic: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/prevention/em...

I purchased this one (recommended by the poster) http://www.healthjourneys.com/Store/Products/Succ...

I downloaded the MP3 so I could use it right away.  It comes with an introduction, the guided imagery (for before and possibly after surgery), affirmations (for after surgery) and music too.  I have listened to the first two and they have helped me keep calm.  Let me know if you have used guided imagery and if you have any tips!!

Juliecc

Yes August is coming fast!  My pre-op was moved up to tomorrow morning so my PS can look at the 2 bumps I've had on my chest.  I'm counting the days to getting this over with.  

Shine, I could have used that guided imagery for that awful time between diagnosis and surgery!

Thumper004

Hi Ladies!  Thank you all for sharing your stories.  I am having bilateral MX with free TRAM reconstruction on Aug 7th.  I was blindsided, after my routine mammogram, to receive a call for more imaging which led to biopsy and the very next day, the dreaded call.  No family history but had the genetic test to confirm and it was negative.

Praying the pathology comes back clean. Just ready to be on the road to healing.   

Purchased lots of various supplies including "pink pockets" www.pink-pockets.com/  to hold drains. I'll let you know if they help.

Best wishes to you all!

Ally2345

Thumper-  So sorry for your dx but so glad you found this community!  My story is very similar...routine mammogram, biopsy then the call.  I had a PBMX to TEs and then have my exchange to permanent implants on August 11th.  I think someone else got the "pink pockets" and liked them but I can't recall who it was.  Button down shirts and step in tanks were helpful to me.  I just purchased several at Walmart and didn't care if they were stained or stretched out.  Probably the best advice is to first get your prescriptions filled before your surgery (today even ) and second, to take your pain meds when you can (ie every 4 hours); do not wait until you start to need them because then it is too late.  The list by Meremere is great.  Good luck!  You will do great!

Ally

Allydp

Welcome to all the new ladies here! I'm so glad you found our group of August Sisters.

Shine, Amy and Anas - thinking of you all as you gear up for the big day and kick us off on a great note!

Julie - how did your pre-op go this morning? I hope your PS feels the bumps are nothing serious. 

michlady

Hi Alicia,

I see that you're from Michigan.  I'm from Grand Blanc.   I had all of my treatments at University of Michigan.    Best of luck to you with your upcoming surgery!

Sue

Allydp

Hi Sue...or should I say neighbor! Thanks so much for the well wishes. I'm at St. Joe's Ann Arbor. I see from your signature that you're coming up on the 5 year mark! Big congrats to you!!!

CFK

Amy and Shine.

Good luck on Friday with your surgeries.  I hope you both have speedy recoveries.  Let others spoil you while you recover.