April & May 2015 Surgery Sisters

downdog

Hello April Surgery Sisters! Spring is the season of new beginnings. I wish you strength to address and overcome your fears and hope your surgeries go well and have optimal results. My sisters, you are all beautiful women. Hugs and wishes of healing energy. Breathe deeply, you will move beyond this. Namaste.

If you wish to share your surgery details in your post, I will add them to the list.

---

Angel sister: Jackbirdie

April 2015 Surgeries

Scheduled

bbbbun: 4/1 exchange surgery to permanent implants

Addie29: 4/1 BMX, SNB & TE recon

flutterbykisses: 4/2 LX with SNB

KJSUN: 4/6 BMX w/o reconstruction

MJS1266: 4/6 LX (right) with SNB, oncoplasty, reduction, and lift

HuntingtonNY: 4/6: LX

Redporchlady: 4/7 Lumpectomy and complete lymph node removal right side

DayLily15: 4/7 UMX(R), ALND, no recon

labhusky: 4/7 MX(L), ALND

Donna-Dew: 4/8 Left MX with SNB, no reconstruction

dtorrent: 4/8 BMX with SNB, no recon to get back riding those waves asap

barbara510: 4/8 implant removal

little-k: 4/8: LX and SNB

ComposMentis: 4/9 modified radical mastectomy (right) with lymph node removal

mysunshine48: 4/10 BMX with TE reconstruction

breastfriend2u: 4/10 BMX with tissue expanders placed and alloderm

MarieJune: 4/13 implant replacement to Sientra or Mentor textured silicone-gel Round high profile implants w/ 545-595cc's

patty101014: 4/13 BMX with TE placement + lat flap on R side

Jstme: 4/13 BMX, TEs, + total hysterectomy

Outdoorswoman: 4/14 BMX with delayed reconstruction

shelly4321: 4/14 BMX with immediate reconstruction

puppies4evr: 4/14 LX with SNB

Hockeygoddess: 4/15 BMX, SNB and TE reconstruction

Frefluterb: 4/15 lumpectomy with SNB

hartrish: 4/16 BMX with DIEP reconstruction

Chrisrenee77: 4/16 revision of implants due to rotation of the left and biopsy of scar tissue

Queen_Celeste: 4/16 BMX, SNB and TE reconstruction

Metta: 4/17 BMX with SNB

SummerSun: 4/20 exchange surgery to Mentor rounds - 700cc's

lovelivelaugh78: 4/20 Skin/Nipple sparing BMX with immediate implant reconstruction

tara_: 4/20 BMX with reconstruction

lusciousleaves: 4/21 SSBMX and SNB with immediate expander placement

Sulev21: BMX, SNB with TE recon

flutterbykisses: 4/22 LX re-excision

littletatas: 4/22 modified radical Right MX, possibly DMX (will depend on BRCA result), SNB

M0mmyof2: 4/22 exchange to permanent implants

Newgirls: 4/22 exchange to permanent round silicon implants ~ 500ccs

Sunnidaze: 4/23 LX, reduction and lift

StillStanding66: 4/23 BMX with DIEP reconstruction

lesliecusana: 4/23 lift/reduce left nonbc breast and fat transfer(from abd) to right lx/rads breast to fix divot from SNB and port removal

Tia123: 4/23 lumpectomy and sentinel node removal

evelynsfirstborn: 4/24 NSBMX with TE reconstruction

downdog: 4/27 NSBMX with direct to implant Allergan 410s

Cheesequake: 4/27 Left side lumpectomy and SNB

SoutherMother: 4/28 BMX, ALND and TE placement

middleagedmama: 4/28 NSBMX, SNB and reconstruction with TE's

SuzyQ42: 4/28 UMX (L) and some lymph samples, delayed recon

lovevt: 4/28 NSBMX and SNB w/ immediate reconstruction w/ PAP flap

Lmonelli: 4/29 BMX, SNB and TE reconstruction

RoosterGirl: 4/30 right side MX with SNB and TE reconstruction

BassFishinGal: 4/30 Left mastectomy / lymph nodes with delayed reconstruction

Esmeralda50: 4/30 BMX with immediate recon

May 2015 surgeries

Flounder: 5/1 BMX, SNB (x2), no reconstruction

justmaximom15: 5/4 lumpectomy w/ SNB and oncoplastic reduction

StFrancis: 5/5 LX and SNB

AudreyB: 5/6 BMX with direct to implant

Hopeful82014: 5/6 LX, SNB, possibly ALND (using ARM), depending on the result of the intraoperative SNB pathology

vol4life: 5/6 BMX and SNB with TE recon

Debutante8: 5/6 BMX and SNB; with deferred recon

lou23: 5/7 MX(L) & ALND

tangerinequeen222: 5/8 PBMX with sentinel node biopsies on both sides

april25: 5/8 LX

dawncru: 5/8 LX

treelilac: 5/11 MX, SNB and a chemo port

Brandi999: 5/13 BMX with DIEP Flap bilateral

Grammy863: 5/13 left MX with SNB and tissue expander

PatRN10: 5/15 Right LX with SNB

jsg43: 5/15 MX (R), SNB and TE

threecharacter: 5/15 MX(R) & SNB

Charlotte57: 5/18 BMX with Immediate reconstruction

Tresjoli2: 5/18 LX & SNB

eiresol: 5/18 BMX w/lymph node biopsies, TE placements

lomalley19: 5/19 BMX with reconstruction

MaryAgatha: 5/20 SNB

marketingmama: 5/21 PBMX, SNB and recon with TEs

Jharris29: 5/21 Partial mastectomy & SNB

mazy123: 5/21 BMX with TE recon

PMR53: 5/22 LX(R) (MX(R) with TE recon deferred to Sept)

Midgiemoon: 5/22 LX(R) and SNB

dtad: 5/22 BMX with direct to implant recon

debiann: 5/27 stage 2 recon and port removal!!

MaryAgatha: 5/27 BMX and immediate recon

Barbie7: 5/27 reduction for asymmetry

mdoc524: 5/28 BMX with left side Sentinel Node Dissection & Immediate Reconstruction

saugagirl: 5/29 LX

loriekg: 5/29 BMX with TE's

mjh1: 8/31 implant revision and FG

June 2015

SummerAngel: 6/1 BMX, SNB (both sides), and TE placement

downdog

My recent lxs weren't my first ride on the imaging, biopsy, lx, wait for results rodeo. For me it was time to get off the emotional roller coaster, as I feel that additional lumps were pretty much a guarantee in my future. My treatment choices were rads or MX, and since I also have a strong desire to avoid radiation, I have elected to go with BMX. I also thought that my poor left breast would end up looking like swiss cheese at some point in the future. My physique presents challenges for reconstruction. My PS has done augmentations on body builders, and while I am not a body builder, I am the fittest reconstruction patient my PS has ever encountered. I am lean muscle and bones and have no fat for fat grafting. I am comfortable with my PS, who is intrigued by the challenge I present and also a perfectionist. It's always a good thing to have your doc's interest. Together we will work toward the best possible aesthetic outcome.

mysunshine48

April 10 BMX with Reconstruction

hartrish

My surgery is April 16th, BMX with DIEP reconstruction.

Donna-Dew

April 8 - Left MX with SNB, no reconstruction.

downdog

Welcome mysunshine48, hartrish and Donna-Dew! I look forward to getting to know you as we support one another through this next step.

KJSUN

My surgery is scheduled for April 6th. I am having a BMX w/o reconstruction because of my BMI is too high. I hope to have reconstruction in a year or so. This is a reoccurrence. I had a Axillary Lymph Node Dissection in January 2014.

dtorrent

Surgery is April 8. I am having BMX with SNB. I am about 97% sure no reconstruction. I am 42, really active, and love to surf more than any 42-year-old adult should. I just want to have the BMX and get to recovery ASAP. My husband doesn't think I should reconstruct, but of course it's my choice.

This is my first post but I have been reading these forums avidly since I was diagnosed 3 wks ago. There is so much great information on here.

Moderators

dtorrent, welcome to BCO, and thanks for sharing your story. We too hope for you to have a quick recovery to get back on the waves! Sounds like a great hobby. Keep us posted on how you are doing!

downdog

KJSUN, I am sorry to hear that you have experienced a recurrence. I wish you good luck in getting to where you want to be weight-wise over the next year, so that you have the most reconstruction options available to you. Have you considered consulting a physiotherapist certified in treating lymphedema (if you haven't already done so) to see what you can do to help prevent it on your right side?

dtorrent, I think if you're not committed to reconstruction, it is probably best to not proceed now and you can always reconsider in the future. In case you haven't seen this thread yet, it provides another perspective for very active and athletic women.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...

Hockeygoddess

April 15th, BMX, SNB and TE reconstruction

Chrisrenee77

April 16 revision of implants due to rotation of the left and biopsy of scar tissue to make sure everything is ok. Looks like I will have a surgery "sister" on the same day. Best of luck to you all.

hartrish

hi CrisRenee77. We will have to stay in touch since we have the same surgery date. I will be sure to send thoughts and prayers your way on that day.

Redporchlady

Hi April Surgery sisters, Good luck to everyone. Here is a link to the American Society of Breast Surgeons, which you may use to see if your surgeon is a member:

https://www.breastsurgeons.org/new_layout/membersh...

DayLily15

Hello All

April 15 for me. no reconstruction.

it will be a relieve to get the lump away from my body.

dogdown - interesting to hear about your fitness- im a farm/horse girl , i too am very lean,

so this week ive been packing some extra food on my plate. thinking i might not eat alot the first few days after surgery.

wishing good outcomes for all

mysunshine48

Changing from direct to implants to expanders. After reading more about this, I think I need to be able to visualize the end result a little better. Who knows. This is all unknown to me.

Zeeba

Hello, April Sisters--

Visiting you from the April 2014 group....when I had my bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction...wishing you the best of luck, quick/easy healing and gentle hugs. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them! Be well.

dtorrent

Well I made the official call today: no reconstruction. It's just not that important to me. I would much rather have hopefully faster recovery and no further surgery = quicker into the surf again!!!

I so wish it could be this Wednesday instead of over 2 weeks away...I just want to get it over and done with. I am scared as I have never had surgery, never been in the hospital. But I am pretty tough so I know it will go okay.

I lost about 15 lbs. in the past year and a half due to healthier eating and walking/running. Which put me at a pretty lean and mean 115 lbs for my 5'7 frame. Then I got the diagnosis around 3 wks ago, and then a bad cold a week after that. My appetite took a plunge and I am now around the 110 lb range. I too have been splurging on sweet treats and cheeseburgers this past week, but doesn't seem to be making much impact.

My PS says that even if I hadn't lost the original 15 lbs (I was 5'7 130 last winter), I still would not have been a good candidate for anything other than implant reconstruction. Maybe if I could have gotten a flap reconstruction, I would have considered that. But the thought of implants that will probably need to be replaced at some point...not for me.

Thanks for listening!

Metta

Hi, I am having a BMX and SNB (with possible dissection) on April 17. I had a gut feeling that I did not want reconstruction, and although I've seen two plastic surgeons, I am still 95% sure that I would rather not go through all the complications and surgeries ... I have to have radiation but am only eligible for implants or implants + latissimus dorsi. I felt good about my decision until a few doctors started questioning me, saying I was young, reconstruction has come so far, etc. As the day approaches, I feel sick to my stomach. I'm sad about losing parts of my body, and I'm worried that I will scare children (particularly my own) with my body. Maybe it would be best for them if I chose to reconstruct. I wish I could feel more peaceful about it all.

downdog

Welcome to the latest April Sisters.

DayLily 15, with no recon you'll definitely bounce back quicker and be able to do what you need to on your farm and handle horses. Dissected pecs would definitely hamper your ability to perform tasks for a much longer period of time and I wouldn't want to handle an unruly horse from the ground having undergone that.

dtorrent, you've evaluated what works for you and what doesn't and can see yourself thriving with no recon, so that's definitely the right decision for you and you can be at peace with your decision. You are in a good place emotionally and just need to get out on those swells and you won't even realize where the 2 weeks went!

Metta, I am sorry to hear that you are being tortured by this decision. You have to do what you feel in your heart is right for you. If you don't want recon, or it's just too much to deal with right now, then you shouldn't let others talk you into it. You can always revisit this decision in the future if you decide at a later point in time that it is something you want to pursue. Try and visualize yourself with both options and see which one you are more at peace with. Your focus is on healing you and doing what is best for you to put this experience behind you and move on with your life. You can see from the signatures that other women take a multi-year approach to their surgeries and revisions, and not just because of complications. Perhaps you could PM some of the ladies on this forum who have had BMX, rads and no recon for their input.

downdog

Zeeba, thanks for dropping by and offering to answer any questions. What were the 3 things that surprised you the most going through your surgery and recovery experience?

DayLily15

thank you for the welcome downdog.

my surgery has been moved up to April 7. im glad about this. but it made me panic for a moment.

Zeeba - so grateful that you and others drop in with positive vibs, it helps so much. ty

downdog

DayLily, I've updated your date. You and Redporchlady share the same date and you're both having ALND. Please research preventative measures for lymphedema, if you're interested in doing so, or consider consulting a PT to help minimize your risk, if that option is available to you. Your hospital may have lymphedema specialists. Take care of yourselves.

SoutherMother

Downdog, thanks for starting the April Surgery Sisters list.

My BMX, ALND and TE placement surgery date is Apr 28th.  I am a little scared but looking forward to having the surgery behind me.  I am a big believer in research and preparation so these boards have been a blessing. 

DayLily15

i have been concerned about lympheadema.

i started a post in the lymphedema section and was given this website to educate myself

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/riskreduction_for_l...

Chrisrenee77

Daylily- I currently have lymphedema and have been fighting it for 2 1/2 years. I wear a compression sleeve and glove every day. It sucks. I have even worn one into the OR on my last 2 surgeries to make sure that it doesn't worsen after surgery. I would see if your PS or MO will write you an order for LE eval. That way the LE therapist can show you how to do the manual lymph drainage on yourself. I do mine every other day if im able to.

Outdoorswoman

Hi all, April 14th is my surgery date. I will have a BMX with delayed reconstruction. I've lurking/reading the boards since my diagnosis on 9/11/14 this is my first post. I h

downdog

Welcome newest sisters, SoutherMother and Outdoorswoman, to the April surgery group. We're here for you!

bbbbun

Hi Ladies! Thank you DownDog for starting this link. I've been hanging out with the March group.

My Exchange date has been changed twice already.. First time because I had bronchitis and second time because of PS schedule.

So now it is May 5th but I can be bumped up.....fingers crossed...have had TE's since November BMX, finished fills in December. He likes to wait 3 months. I'm READY to move on!!!!

Hugs to all of you!!!

Donna-Dew

Welcome bbbun! And yes, definitely thanks DownDog for keeping up with this thread. Hello to my fellow April Surgery Sisters! And I'm sorry I haven't chimed in til now. I've been feeling kind of overwhelmed and tired the past little while, getting buried with information and feeling overload as I read, and read, and read on the BCO boards. This place is awesome though for information and support! It sure feels good knowing we are not alone in this. My surgery is coming up 2 weeks from tomorrow and I don't know about you but I am wondering how will I get everything done that needs doing before surgery. This is definitely not a time to stress so I guess I will go at it and what doesn't get done will have to wait. As long as I get our farm year-end bookwork done everything else should fall into place.

I see a few girls on here are having no recon or considering no recon. Absolutely this is such an individual decision. What helped me was the forum on here called "Living without Reconstruction after a Mastectomy" which you have probably already seen. Also to point you to Barbara's website, she is a member of BCO and an expert in these matters: BreastFree.org (and you can reference her blog there as well). I am having no recon since I am a pretty active person and not a very good post-op patient.

I will definitely try to keep tuned in here so we can do this together!

((Take care of you!))

Zeeba

Hi--Here are a few things I wish I had known:

The biggest thing that surprised me was that although it was uncomfortable, it was no where NEAR as bad as I thought it would be. The anticipation was much worse that then entire ordeal. I needed xanax for a few nights beforehand to get a decent night's sleep, and really spun myself into a terrified mess--it really was unproductive and although folks told me it wouldn't be that bad, it didn't help. If you need something for anxiety, ask for it.

My poor husband was exhausted after spending a night w/ me at the hospital---plan for a friend or relative to come over when you get home from the hospital w/ dinner/help so that significant other can get some rest--there is no sleeping in the hospital we quickly found out.and he was POOPED.

The balance of pain killers/stool softeners/laxatives is a tricky one.

Netflix is a patient's best friend.

Just holler if there is anything else I can provide!