October 2014 Surgery Sisters

Fourminor

Oceansky,

I did not do bilateral.  I was not willing to accept the risks of the second surgery and reconstruction at a time when I didn't know if I would also be facing chemotherapy.    I was of the mindset to just deal with the cancer I have, not the one I might get later.   If I change my mind, I can always do it later.  

I was told to wash with Hibiclens the night before and the morning of my surgery.  In fact I read an article (i posted the link earlier in this thread) about what Angelina Jolie's surgeon told her to do to prepare for her bilateral mastectomies and she used the Hibiclens for three days prior to surgery.  I figured what else was I going to do with the bottle?  So i did use it for three days, neck to waist, plus morning of surgery.  I still have half a bottle left.

Her doc also recommended 1000 mg of vitamin C and 50 mg of Zinc one week prior to and one week after surgery which I also have been taking.  I've also upped my protein consumption and initially after surgery my fluids as well as I figured my body could use the help flushing out the anesthesia (and blue dye).  

The thing with SNB is you have to have a breast to do it, which is why some surgeons must do it on every mastectomy, since there is no second chance.  But if there was a statistical discrepancy in outcomes, I am sure there would be no variation in practice.  

Good luck! You're going to be fine.  I too cleaned like a madwoman prior to surgery so I could really convalesce in peace afterwards.

Swoobs

good luck ocean sky! You got this!

mefromcc

So many in our group getting /got the radioactive tracer. Did anyone else get a special ID bracelet to wear. The bracelet had those computer-smart phone squares on it. You were supposed to show it if you got stopped because of triggering a radiation monitor.

3littlebirds

Oceansky, best of luck tomorrow! Will send up a prayer for you.

KayG

Slavrich: Yes,expanders for now. PS says we are bout "a third of where we want to go." So at least two fills. Hve not talked about size implants yet, but I was very large before and want to be a more modest size, like 400-500ccs (c-d cup).

She says I will have expanders for at least three months. Would love to get the implants around Xmas, but it will probably be more like jan-Feb.

Akitagirl

Hi everyone!  The "pre-wash" makes me laugh, as it is SO military.  My husband retired from the Air Force last year, and before that I had knee surgery.  Sure enough, they sent me home pre-op with some Hibicleanse (sp?).  Cracked me up.  As you might guess, I threw it into a bathroom drawer in case of future emergencies and just cleaned with my normal Dove soap.  All is well.

P.S.  I always drink coffee the morning of surgery too!  Shhh...don't tell anyone.  :-)

Akitagirl

P.P.S.  Oceansky - you are in my prayers!!!  Let us know how it goes.

Su-CQ51

Good luck tomorrow OceanSky!   Hope all went well today with tracer.

SummerSun

Good luck tomorrow OceanSky!  You got this!  I will be praying for a smooth surgery and speedy recovery.

Fourminor

Here are some questions I have:

1)  How long am I going to have to sleep quasi-upright on my back?  When can a person expect to lie flat?  Turn on your side?

2)   When can you sleep without surgical bra if you have had implant? Its kind of annoying not going braless except in the shower.

Anyone have any insight?  

Swoobs

four I'm still propped up too although last night I got a bit flatter half the night

Tried my side not happening yet

Hopeful82014

Good luck tomorrow, OceanSky. Hope the tracer went o.k. today.

SummerSun

Fourminor, I was sleeping on my back with two pillows under my head right after surgery. Around 4 or 5 in the morning I had to move to the recliner. That may be unique to me because I have back issues. Before I was diagnosed with BC, I was scheduled to get a L4-L5 fusion.  That is now scheduled for 11/15. I have been able to briefly sleep on my side over the last few days. 

I am still having very bad pain with my TEs. It feels like a vise across my chest on the good days and bad muscle spasms on the bad days. Is anyone else having this much pain?  I thought the drains might have been causing the pain, but, the pain has persisted since they have been removed. I am still taking pain meds throughout the day. Yesterday, I went on a short trip to the grocery with my DH and had to go sit in the car because of the pain. I would have thought I would be getting around better by now.  Everything looks good around the bandages, no swelling or redness. I think this is because of my pecks. The only position I am comfortable in is sitting in the recliner. When I walk, the pressure builds to an intolerable level.  

Would love to hear any advise that anyone has on how to manage through this phase please. 

sandra4611

Four, plan on not sleeping on your side for quite a while...maybe six weeks. That way if it happens earlier, all the better. You'll pretty much be on your back for a month but can change it up by moving from recliner to chair to sofa to bed, and have a variety of pillows to work with. I've had five surgeries and can say that recovery milestones are unpredictable. Much depends on what exactly was done in the surgery, what kind of anesthesia you had, whether you are taking prescription pain killers, BUT other times I have no bloody idea what makes it go faster/slower. This time my PS pretty much started over, doing major pocket reconstruction and adding Alloderm. You'd think that would take a while to recover from that big 3.5 hour assault to my body but here I am, 2 weeks out, and have been sleeping on my side for a week now. Though the first couple of days are always a challenge since I can't take anything but Tylenol and don't get any other kind of pain relief in the hospital, the rest of this recovery has been an absolute breeze!

Other surgery recoveries have not been this quick. My third one (the exchange to gummy bears from one TE and one 3 month old silicone round) took a full four weeks to begin to feel better. I could not find a way to get comfortable no matter how many pillows were propping me up in bed. Sleeping on my side was a distant dream. I was sick of spending the night in the recliner, but couldn't get even remotely comfortable anywhere else. It was my toughest recovery and worst pain. I always thought it was because of the amount of pocket work needed to change pockets created for rounds to pockets ready to accept 410's. Nope. This surgery was more complicated, longer, and a piece of cake compared to others I've had as far as pain is concerned.

So bottom line is, you might be able to sleep on your side in a couple of weeks, but probably not for a month, and maybe even longer. You might be able to sleep sort-of on your side...with a pillow behind your back to support you as you lean back into it and a soft pillow between the boob and the mattress. You may find that position becomes uncomfortable fairly soon and you end up on your back anyway.

Re: bras at night  Depends on what your PS tells you. Some people wear them 24/7 for several months. Others never wear them at all. Most of us are somewhere in between. Yes, it can be uncomfortable when you are not used to wearing anything at night, but really it will be the least of your problems. You won't be much more comfortable without it and some women find it more comfortable with one on at night. There's no telling.

Re: antiseptic washes prior to surgery  My hospital gives you two packaged sponges, soaked in a pink soapy liquid. One is for the night before plus remove polish, clean nails, wash hair, fresh pj's, fresh sheets - and the other one is for the next morning before you show at the hospital. (Whatever you do, don't wash your private parts with this strong antiseptic!) Fresh clothes to go to the hospital. Don't shave your legs or arms that morning. It causes microscopic nicks that can let germs in. Yes, you are washed with betadine in the OR. Be vigilant in avoiding germs in your room later. It's worse if you have a roommate and you are sharing facilities. Wash your hands constantly. Germs can be on the bathroom door, the toilet flush handle, on the faucets at the sink. Don't let anyone touch you or your bandages and drains unless they have on fresh gloves. Don't let your roommates visitors use your bathroom. Keep a big bottle of Purel on your tray table along with a sign such as:

 

nancybel

good luck tomorrow OceanSky. You're in my thoughts. Hope all goes well

Swoobs

Sandra we are very close in post op days

With the same recon of immediate implants

I'm wondering have you got muscle spasms at all?

Or any fluid around implant ?

sandra4611

No muscle spasms. I only had that once, on one side, after surgery #3. Always have valium on hand, just in case, but haven't needed it. No fluid either. I only had one drain this time. It put out 40-45 cc's for the first week, then last weekend it suddenly slowed and stopped. I was getting dressed last Monday a.m. to the doc to get the drain out when I noticed it had come out on its own. Hole is healed already. No more fluid. Are you having problems? Drains still in?

Swoobs

no had drains out 64 hours after surgery 

My one implant hasn't fallen into place because my muscle won't relax ( it's like a big hard ball over my pec) I can feel lots of alloderm other side has fallen nicely but I have a cave like area above implant 

but fluid in pocket lots (saline) 

Dr says to keep massaging into place

Dr says wear sports bra day 

Nothing at night but I'm more comfy in tank with built in bra 

Fourminor

Thanks Sandra.  RE sleeping position, i had left mastectomy and thought I'd be OK sleeping on the right by now at least, but I found I had pain on the left anyway when I tried to move my left arm to get comfortable.  Maybe its going to be another pillow construction.

I suspect I should be able to sleep flat at least, but I was such a side sleeper that i'm afraid i'll roll over without the pillow mound.  Also when i tried to sit up from flat, it was a lot harder on me.

My pec isn't thrilled with this situation, but as long as I keep some OTC painkiller in my bloodstream I'm OK.  Except when my 3 year old hauls off and punches me right in the implant which he did again yesterday, and then i am in spasm for hours.  We have had multiple conversations about how mommy had surgery and he has to be gentle with me, but somehow when he gets excited he cannot retain this information.  Otherwise I am fairly normally active (it helps when you have a good arm), with the exception of not carrying weight on the left or stretching out past what is already comfortable. 

laurie2025

Good Morning!

OceanSky - I have two dogs.  I was so worried first with the mastectomy drains, and now with the reconstruction drains, that they would jump up and somehow pull out a drain.  I was lucky, they somehow, and I know this sounds odd, seemed to know not to jump up on me.  I said no jumping and they looked at me and stayed on the floor.   My dogs are crated at night, and do not sleep in my bed.  

I have not had any issues with them staying in the house, nor did my PS suggest they be boarded out.

Good luck to you!

laurie2025

Question regarding meds post op.

Were any of you ladies told to not take your Tamoxifen, Arimidex, etc. post-surgery, until advised by the PS that it was ok to start taking them again?  

My doctor advised in the post-op instructions not to take my Arimidex, and I am just curious as to why.

Thanks and have a good day everyone. 

Su-CQ51

Good luck tomorrow Lillith!   Wishing you a speedy recovery and negative nodes!

Lilith08

laurie2025, I'm not on any of the hormonal therapies, but yes, I have read that before. It's on my pre/post-op instruction sheet, and I know I've read it several places, too. I don't know the reason, but it must be a valid one

Pre-surgery scrub--I'm with you, sandra. There are so many stories of people contracting horrible infections in hospitals (MRSA and C.Diff, in particular) and people dying from said infection instead of whatever other ailment took them to the hospital in the first place, that I'm very glad to see that they are taking steps to combat the situation. If everyone does his/her part in keeping the germs at bay, maybe the overall infection rate will start to drop. 

LeeLee52 is joining us today, just in time for her own surgery in just a few days. Welcome aboard!

Hopeful82014

Best wishes for tomorrow, Lilith, and for a restful and pleasant day today. Hoping all goes smoothly and your nodes are clear. 

LeeLee - I'm glad you found this site but sorry to have yet another on board. I hope we can be helpful.

sandra4611

It's time for the Pink Bus.

Lilith, you are going to do fine tomorrow. Soon you'll be able to say it's over and there will be no more dreading waiting. Rest easy and don't worry...I'll be in your pocket, making sure those nasty germs stay away and everyone does their job well. I'll bring pink fuzzy blankets to keep us all toasty warm on the bus.

SummerSun

Good luck tomorrow Lilith!  Praying for a smooth surgery and easy recovery. 

Hopeful82014

Lilith, - For What It's Worth - I found some images on the web reading "Please wash your hands before touching me" and so forth and printed them out on 8.5 x 11" paper - they're in my kit for whenever I end up doing surgery, along with some tape. I plan to put one on each side of the door and one on the bed tray, along with a small bottle of hand sanitizer. I'm not taking ANY chances on anyone forgetting basic infection-control issues around me!

Since you'll be in for at least a couple of days you might think about doing something similar. 

Good luck - we'll all be here pulling for you.

davida58

Well, I'll be an October Surgery Sister this Friday. Surgery is October 24th.

Hopeful82014

Thanks for joining us, Davida. What kind of surgery are you having? Let us know if you have any questions, etc.

sandra4611

Hopeful, I agree. This was 2 weeks ago. If I have my signs, my big bottle of Purel and my heart shaped pillows, I'm ready for surgery.