February 2015 surgery

NurseShark

Have not seen a thread for February surgeries yet?

I am having bilateral mastectomy with direct to implant reconstruction (using alloderm and gummies ) on February 13th at mgh in Boston MA.

I was diagnosed in July with stage 2bTNBC when I found a lump in r breast at 20 weeks pregnant. Also brca1. I had lumpectomy and alnd in July. Started chemo in august (4 dd AC) finishing up 4th dd taxol January 16.

Starting to get pretty nervous about recovery. I have a 7 week old ( will be 3mo by surgery) pretty stressed about caring for him while recovering. My mom will be coming to help out,but also don't wanna miss out on time with my baby

Sunseta1969 : 2/2

Bbwithbc45: 2/2 Mastectomy /te

Waiting to exhale 2/3 unilateral mastectomy /implant

Jeeper4: 2/3 lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy

Justamy:2/3 bilateral mastectomy /TE

jabec: 2/3 bilateral mastectomy

Horsemom : 2/4 TE exchange

Dancingdiva :2/5 bilateral mastectomy/te

Novena70: 2/5 right radical mastectomy

Justajennifer: 2/6 unilateral mastectomy /te

Fourminor: 2/6 te exchange

Shelly76 2/6 bmx te

Audrey b: 2/6 excisional biopsy

Loulee 2/12 lumpectomy alnd

Zjrosenthal: 2/19 alnd

Lovemylab 2/12 bilateral mastectomy

Therockandrollmom: 2/12 lumpectomy 2/20 reconstruction

Nmh35: 2/13 bilateral mastectomy/diep reconstruction

Nurseshark: 2/13 bilateral Mastectomy/immediate implants

Jilly59 2/13 bilateral mastectomy / immediate implants

LisaZak: 2/18 reexcision snb

Faithhopecourage: 2/18

Lieghrh: 2/19 ??

Roadrash: 2/19 exchange

RAK1: 2/20 bilateral mastectomy

Katesmom97 mastectomy/te

Raindew 2/23 exchange

Kimba87 :2/24 prophylactic bmx /reconstruction

RTchris:2/24 R Mastectomy/SNB

Greenae 2/26 l mastectomy/te

Copperlisa 2/26 r mx / snob

Dentalchick 2/26 bmx/te

First_Wild_ Signs 2/26 bmx

Ksusan: 2/25 Mastectomy/ sln

rose0766: 2/27 R Mastectomy ALND

zjrosenthal

Hi Nurse Shark. Thanks for starting this thread. I just had confirmed that I will need an ALND before rads. I finish chemo on January 20 so my surgery will be the week of February 9th. Pre surg testing is February 10 with surg soon after. I should get the surgery date today. Love, Jean

zjrosenthal

Well my surgery has been scheduled for February 12. I am trying to stay calm about it and just focus on finishing my last two taxols. Love, Jean

nmh35

Hi, thanks for starting this. I am scheduled for surgery on February 13th(Friday the 13th!). I will be having bilateral mastectomy with inmediate DIEP construction. I'm so nervous about the surgery and stress so much about how it's going to affect my kids who are 3 and 5.

NurseShark

Nmd35: ahh Friday the 13th me too. How long a recovery/ lifting restrictions for your surgery?? Mine is 6 weeks no reaching above shoulder level .and weight limits 5lbs first 2 weeks than 10lbs... should be tricky since my now 8 week old is 10lbs:x.

Zjrosenthal: worst part of node dissection was the drain for me very annoying..and armpit numbness...I still have some left over from July alnd

nmh35

nurseshark: I was told 6 weeks too, but not sure of the exact weight limits yet. I'm so sad not to be able to pick up my kids. It's so sad

zjrosenthal

Does anyone know how long it will be after ALND before I can start my rads? Love, Jean

NurseShark

I haven't done rads yet but my surgeon said 4-6 weeks after mastectomy as long as skin healed.

zjrosenthal

Ok. Thanks. Love, Jean

Rose0766

hello ladies, I am having right mastectomy with TE and axillary node dissection tentatively scheduled for February 27, my last chemo will be January 13, BS wants repeat MRI prior to surgery and appt with her, and she wants me at least 4 weeks post last chemo before surgery, then the PS was on vacation, so to get them together, February 27 it is. We have to discuss the whole procedure planned again, I've changed my mind about having bilateral mastectomy, I hope I don't regret that down the line, a very difficult decision. I Was tested for 17 known breast cancer gene mutations and all were negative, so I know I'm not predisposed to getting breast cancer. At this point just want to get thru my last chemo, and see what MRI shows. I had an ultrasound after finishing 4 cycles of A/C, and it showed about 40% reduction in size. My MO was very happy with those results.

I asked my MO whether or not the herceptin had to be held for surgery, he said no, that doses will continue every three weeks. Which is fine with me. I don't want anything making this last any longer than it is. I have to mention it to surgeon to see what she says. Has anyone else discussed this with their MO

NurseShark

Hi Rose0766 !

Yay for last chemo!mine is just a few days after you 1/16 as long as counts okay fingers crossed.

my friend just had unilateral mastectomy with implant also gene negative. She is very happy with her decision. I am having double bc brca 1

nmh: do you have help after surgery? My mom is staying with me for a few weeks because my husband doesn't have any leave time left at work blew through it when baby was born and I was wiped from chemo... I think not picking up little one is my main source of anxiety too

WinningSoFar

I'm all through with surgery, chemo and rads, so I'm just posting my opinion as a matter of hindsight. In descending steps of how difficult a therapy protocol is, I'd say that:

1. Chemo is the hardest to take, but it takes a couple of cycles, like 2, before I started to feel the cumulative side effects of tiredness. As long as I took Emend, I had no trouble with nausea which is really difficult to live with.

2. Surgery, meaning mastectomy or reconstruction, is next hardest, but actually this is a distant second. I went home the same day (or could have), had almost no pain, had full range of motion immediately. The drains are a nuisance but not painful.

3. Radiation is about as close to nothing as there is. I never felt a thing, didn't burn, didn't get tired--nothing. The biggest nuisance is driving there and back.

I count myself fortunate that I haven't had any really weird side effects and hope that everyone else is the same.

nmh35

NurseShark: my husband will me home for a little while, then I'm going to going to have my mom come stay for a week, then maybe my stepfather. Still trying to figure out all the weeks. Definitely need the help to entertain the kids.

NurseShark

winning so far: thank you for posting its good to hear from ladies who are through it . I've had pretty manageable symptoms with chemo and had lumpectomy and alnd already. I think the most unpleasant thing so far has been the peripheral neuropathy and bone pain from taxol.... and general fatigue hoping to I start to have more energy back soon

Jenwith4kids

Just wanted to stop in and share some good vibes. I had surgery in mid February last year. Then chemo and rads. Finished rads in October. While I still have my emotional "moments" life is so much better than I ever expected it to be as I was going through it. No doubt, it's a big nightmare. Go with it, be kind to yourself,let others take care of you. Take one day, one step, one procedure at a time, don't think to far ahead....

Hugs,

Je

zjrosenthal

Thanks for the encouragement Jen. I have been stressing over the ALND surgery in February. Fousing in today is good advice. Love, Jean

sunseta1969

I will be joining the February 2015 surgery sisters! My surgery is scheduled for 02/02/2014. So groundhogs day and my sister's birthday. Here's to hoping it doesn't repeat like the movie! So far I have, for the most part, been taking it all fine but now I find myself having panic attacks during the day and at night. I am already on klonopin because I have an anxiety disorder so it's a bit difficult handling the extra anxiety. I'm 3 weeks out from surgery and don't have enough PTO to take any time off before surgery. I think that is the worst part. I feel like I need the time before to prepare. Instead I have work with 3 other people so they can do my job while I'm out. How do you get through the waiting?? Trying to keep myself busy isn't helping. My anxiety meds aren't helping! Sorry to vent but this just so frustrating!

NurseShark

thank you for the good vibes Jen!

Sunseta1969: welcome ive found the anticipation of each phase of treatment the worst part... I had my first surgery less than a week after diagnosis so didn't have much time to stress about it.... waiting for chemo to start gave me panic attacks to was so scared of having drugs while pregnant but it has all turned out okay very few se and a healthy baby....I am starting to get same anxiety back as surgery gets closer... My husband keeps telling me "well at least you're not pregnant anymore" hmmm...glass half full kinda guy

sunseta1969

Thank you NurseShark. I did call my Dr. and am waiting to hear back from him on if I can take anything else or what his recommendation would be. So glad you made it through your pregnancy! Sending positive vibes your way!

Loulee

Having my surgery on the 12th of February too !!

A lumpectomy , i had a lymph node biopsy and it tested positive !! Of course my surgeon wants to do an axillary dissection (ALND)

And am not too crazy about the idea , how did your dissection go jenwith4kids ?? And why did you do a dissection ??

Am really so confused about (ALND) !!

zjrosenthal

Spoke to my surgeon's nurse yesterday and she seemed pretty confident that my cuticle infection won't interfere with ALND surgery on February 12. BTW, usually ALND Ais only done if the sentinal node biopsy shows 3 or more positive lymph nodes. Love, Jean

Jenwith4kids

Loulee, I had an ALND because my ultrasound showed enlarged nodes - even though the biopsy was not positive my doctor didn't want to take any chances. Good thing as it turned out that five were positive.

horsemom

Horsemom here. I'm scheduled to trade in my TEs for squishes on Feb 4. I'm excited to get rid of these rocks! What a differece...i'm looking forward to this surgery but was terrified for my BMX.

Loulee

Jenwith4kids, my ultra sound had an enlarged lymph node too and a i did a biopsy and it tested positive !!

But i had chemo before , it should make a difference !! I've been reading a lot about avoiding ALND !

Nevertheless , my oncologist wants an ALND !! Seeing my BS in a couple of weeks !!

Did you suffer any side effects ?

Jenwith4kids

Loulee... side effects from the ALND. I'm not sure. I know that sounds odd, I do have some discomfort in my left arm...some cording (easily taken care of with physical therapy) and overall soreness. I do not know - but am very hopeful - that it will go away once I have my exchange surgery. In the mean time, my PT has me wearing a lite compression sleeve to see if that helps it feel better. I'm still a little numb on that side, but the nerves do seem to be "waking up".

FWIW, there is no way you could have convinced me not to do the ALND, I wanted that cancer OUT of me. As far as I'm concerned, the discomfort I am experiencing is well worth it.

zjrosenthal

I am also scheduled for ALND on February 12. Since 3 out of 3 sentinal nodes were positive, the current standard of care is to do the ALND surgery. I am going with it 3 weeks post chemo. After all I've been through so far I will not gamble with my life. The risk of developing lymphedema to me is much preferred to the risk of dying. Of course, we all must make our own choices. Love, Jean

NurseShark

Finished chemo yesterday!!! Feel such a huge weight lifted !!!

Surgery #1check

Chemo #1check

Deliver adorable baby check

Chemo #2 check

Bring on surgery and radiation!!! We can do this ladies push forward and we will all be cancer free soon !!!! Proud to be in the company of the strongest most kick ass ladies

Love

Katie

zjrosenthal

Congratulations Katie! Just behind you. Finishing on Tuesday, good Lord willing. Love, Jean

Leighrh

Hi everyone!!

I have not decided what I am doing yet... Lumpectomy or BMX but regardless my surgery date is Feb 19th. Do not have genetic test back and that will def make the decision for me if it comes back positive but untill then I am really still torn on which to do!

badger

hi ladies, popping in from five years out with love and encouragement.

I had BMX with sentinel node bx in Feb 2010.  One node had some micromets so started chemo six weeks after surgery.  Surgeon recommended against axillary node dissection and I concurred. No recon so was in hospital two nights and got drains out after a week.  *TIP* when doc pulls your drains, make sure s/he opens the cap on the suction bulb!

Took two weeks off work (desk job) and rode in with a co-worker for another two weeks.  I was still on pain pills so not legal to drive, plus it's surprising how many chest muscles are involved in driving a car. *TIP* when you're in a car, bring a small pillow to put between you and the seat belt. 

As you're healing from surgery, you may get little "lightning bolts" or "zaps" as nerves regenerate.  This sounds weird but something that helped me was to stand before a mirror with my hands lightly touching my chest.  (Do not do this in a public bathroom LOL.)  IDK why, maybe it helped my brain reconcile the senses of sight & touch.  If your chest is super sensitive, try to wear only natural fabrics - cotton or silk - and nothing with seams.

*TIP* stay ahead of the pain!  Take meds as prescribed even if you're not hurting at the moment.

*TIP* use a stool softener if you find your pain meds to be constipating. 

Your body is healing on the inside as well as the outside so rest and recuperate!  It's the best medicine.

Good luck everyone!  It's been a while but I'm doing well and happy to answer any questions, here or via PM.

BTW sunseta1969, my BMX was also on Groundhog Day. ♥

NurseShark

thank you badger xoxo