July 2015 Surgery Sisters

Tam-iam

Mira845, my nuclear injection is two hours before my surgery. I go straight from Nuclear Medicine to the surgery center. I wonder if the nuclear dye lasts for some time and that is why you are scheduled a day early. My doctor mentioned that the blue dye only lasts a short time and that is why they do it right at the start of surgery, but she didn't say how long the nuclear dye lasts.

IndyGal35

I'm groggy but checking in. I haven't been able to take pain meds tonight since my BP is low, but I'm trying to eat a little to see if it helps. I have two drains and two On-Q pumps. Overall, my pain is about a 5 right now

A huge suggestion from me would be to ask your doctor for some EMLA cream prior to your radioactive injections. I have some leftover for my port injections, and I just layered it over my nipple for about 2 hours prior to the procedure. I barely felt a thing from the cleaning/prep to the injections.

3 sentinel nodes were removed. No cancer was detected in them! We should have final path back late next week.

I'm sore but glad it's over. My inner ribcage hurts worst of all. Strange! For you gals going in this week, please know that it's doable, and you'll be ok.

❤️❤️❤️

ssteacher

Indygal35----I'm hoping that your bp goes up and you will be able to take the pain meds soon.

That's great news that no cancer was detected. Hoping all goes well with your final pathology report.

You can do it! Hoping you feel a little better each day!

SpecialK

I checked this thread to see if I could add anything - saw the posts concerning whether federal law covers reconstruction after lumpectomy. It does not. The WHCRA only covers mastectomy, and states that if your insurance company covers mastectomy it must cover reconstruction, and surgery that provides symmetry. There are a few states that have enacted state legislation regarding reconstruction after lumpectomy to correct defects, but they are few and far between. Some insurance companies are also more cooperative than others on this subject, and surgeons can do peer to peer to try to convince them, but the vast majority will not cover it.

Immediately after surgery eat what you can tolerate, but as soon as you are able you need to consume protein to help you heal. Aim for 100g a day, if you can't handle meat/chicken/fish/eggs - try protein powder in smoothies

plumster1

Molly and PoppyK- I'm a SoCal girl too! My treatment is at UCI

PoppyK

Hi SpecialK, Always good to see you!

SpecialK has so much knowledge and is very helpful.

Yes, many of the states worked to close the gap. I had a lumpectomy, but the correct medical term is partial mastectomy. The term is in no way related by how much tissue is removed. Below is a podcast with info on this topic, what insurance covers, what information the doctor is required give to you, the types of reconstruction available and so on.

http://www.barnesjewish.org/plastic-reconstructive-surgery/breast-reconstruction-after-lumpectomy

In discussions of WHCTA according to cancer.org, mastectomy is defined as the removal of all or part of the breast. Here's a link:

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfortreatment/managinginsuranceissues/womens-health-and-cancer-rights-act

JenPam

Hi there--I'm new to the site, and I'm scheduled for a Bi-Lat tomorrow. This site has been a great resource. Nice to meet everyone!

PoppyK

Nagoskwe and DajClarke , Thinking about you and praying for you as you have your surgeries today.

Hi Plumster, Another SoCal girl! There are quite a few of us on the boards.

I hope the ladies who just had their surgeries are doing well with their recoveries.

SugarCakes

I was in bed only about 15 minutes before moving to the recliner. The recliner feels much better! Woke up at 4am wanting more pain meds. Checking the boards while I hopefully drift back to sleep. Hang in there ladies!

Thinking of you, Nagowskwe and Dajclarke!

IndyGal35

Best wishes to Nagoskwe and DajClarke today. I'm about 12 hours out of surgery now. I'm sore, but this is much more manageable than I'd expected. Put on your red lipstick (battle paint) and feel our love surrounding you. I'll be saying prayers for you both today

queenmomcat

SpecialK and Poppy: thank you for the information. Sigh. I'm dreading taking off the dressing this time even more than last--this one was not a nipple-conserving lumpectomy, and there's a noticeable difference in appearance and size, even under all that gauze. (DD on the right, not sure if I'll be passing the pencil test on the left any more.) I *really* hope I can get my insurance to cover restoration after the surgery I had. I don't want to spend any more time crying whenever I change, or shower, or catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror! Never mind trying to fit bras.

Not that you lovely compassionate helpful ladies would know anything of that! Thank you for taking the time to help a noob to the boards and the disease, even amid your (searches for a term that won't leave you sorry for yourselves...not sure. My apologies.)

SpecialK

While the correct term for lumpectomy is partial mastectomy, it is not specifically addressed in the WHCRA legislation because it is considered breast conserving surgery. Some insurance companies interpret it this way and will not cover reconstruction for lumpectomy defects, including fat grafts, particularly after the fact. My understanding regarding oncoplastic procedures is that insurance companies are more favorable since the procedure is done simultaneously with the lumpectomy and costs are potentially less than doing another procedure later. If you have a situation that needs correction after your initial lumpectomy surgery I would press your doctor to be very proactive with your insurance company, including sending photos and speaking to them on the phone.

queenmomcat

SpecialK: trust me, I plan on being proactive! Breast-conserving does not exactly equal appearance-conserving, though I would not under any circumstances consider comparing myself to the women who've had full mastectomies!

jkbrca2

just wondering, does anyone know if we're automatically put on antibiotics for drains? I'm hoping the answer is "not unless there's a problem". Thanks

IndyGal35

jkbrca2: I got clindamycin in my IV prior to and during surgery. They also sent me home with oral clindamycin. (I'm allergic to penicillin, so that could be why they gave me clindamycin rather than penicillin.)

jkbrca2

thanks, Indygal! That's one more thing I think I need to remember: to ask for Diflucan before I leave the hospital. The last thing any of us needs when we're trying to recover, and dealing with drains, etc. Is a yeast infection!

mira845

Damn that nuclear injection stung!!!!! The nurse was like don't remove the plastic and mess with the marker and I was like are you kidding??? And go through that again????

Have to report to the hospital at 6am tomorrow.

My BS gave me no indication I would have a problem with insurance to make the healthy boob come close to matching. In fact i think it was even mentioned by the PS that its imcluded. I really I hope I don't have to worry about that. I'm not going to for now.

Scottiemom11

Nagoskwe & DajClarke hoping everything went smoothly today and you're doing well after surgery.

Mira845 & Sripp45 prayers and thoughts for tomorrow.

I had a a very aggravating day. Fighting with administration from hospital that does my onco and will be location of my surgery. They keep claiming I owe way more than I do because they don't credit the insurance payments. I've met oop for the year but have to get hospital billing to fix their numbers before surgery.

With BMx, I had iv Antibiotics, Gentamycin and another really strong iv one. PS also sent me home with 10 days worth.

Also as far as pain meds, I took them round the clock. You don't want the pain/discomfort to catch up with you. I also ate mostly light soups and soft bread for 2-3 weeks and lots of diet ginger ale to settle my stomach.

Scottie

_proudauntie

Mira845 and Sripp45 thinking of you for tomorrow. Hope the ladies that went in today and yesterday are making out ok.

Had 2 biopsies today on my non-cancer (well at least til now) boob today. MRI on Monday found something questionable. Went in today and they did ultrasound guided biopsy after finding correlating spots seen on MRI. Results expected by Friday - surgery still set for Tuesday - just wonder if it will change from UMX and reduction to BMX.

Rest well ladies!

jcfree

Checking in. Had UMX yesterday, stayed overnight and just got home this evening from the hospital. The surgery went well, no problems. Not too much pain in the hospital, was mostly in bed and on pain meds. Went to get dressed to go home and the pains hit from moving right arm to dress myself. Definately felt pain at incision, could feel sharp pain like stitches pulling, then muscle spasms which were the worst. Nurse gave me Ativan to calm down the muscles, which worked. Have two drains which have to be drained, measured and logged as to how much drainage. Have home health nurse tomorrow to come and change the dressing and check that all looks well. When I was in recovery I just felt relief that it was done and had gone well. Now will concentrate on healing. Hoping all that have had surgery so far will heal quickly and hopefully not too much pain.

Tam-iam

JCFree, I'm glad you are home and all went well.

Mira, sorry to hear the nuclear injection stung. I'm getting mine tomorrow. Good luck with your surgery!

I_Spy

hi all I'll catch up later on everyone's posts. I'm still at hospital doing well. Home tomorrow probably. Everything went smoothly.

queenmomcat

Welcome back, jcfree and Ms. Discussion Board Organizer Ispy. Sleep well, and wake up pain-free, more or less.

_proudauntie

Jcfree welcome home. Ispy - glad to hear from you - rest well!

IndyGal35

I may have mentioned this before, but if any of you have EMLA cream, generously use it on your nipple and areola. (If you don't have it, ask for it in advance.) I put mine on 2 hours before my nuclear med injections, and I barely felt a thing. I could barely even feel the radiologist cleaning the area! One less stressful and painful procedure to worry about.

I got d/c this morning. Still hurting but managing ok tonight. I finally gave up on being a pain warrior, so I took my maximum doses of Percocet and Valium. The Percocet made me itch like crazy, so the doc said I can take it with Benadryl. There's another tip from me, I guess. Call your doctor right away if you itch and make sure you have some Benadryl on hand in case they recommend it.

Sending love and thoughts to my surgery sisters that are recovering or waiting for procedures tomorrow. My pain level right now at day one past surgery is a 3/10 with meds if that makes you feel any less anxiety. XOXO

terrischnauzer

No sure how to add myself but Im having lumpectomy and node biopsy 22nd July, currently diagnose with grade 1 idc, 8/8 oeastrogen receptor +

Skysquirrel

Glad to hear everyone is doing well! I have been swamped with work, trying to get everything done before I go on leave. My surgery is tomorrow, getting a little nervous. I feel bad saying that because most of you are having way more major stuff done! I will be praying for you all

sailorgirl15

Thinking of all of you recovering and waiting for surgery. I'm doing fine - just a little shaky if I try to do too much! Will see BS for follow up and hope to get pathology report. Best wishes for healthy healing and good results!

IndyGal35

A few questions for you gals that have had surgery recently:

1.) Are you still taking pain meds? I am, and my drains are each filling up with 20-50mL every 4-6 hours. Surgery was 2 days ago, so I'm wondering if I'm on target. (The pain is still very manageable.)

2.) Has anyone been cleared to remove the compression bra for an hour or two to wash it? I worry about infection and stink.

3.) How do I know when the On-Q ball is empty? Mine is still hard as a rock. The outer part has some wrinkling, but it's very slight.

I have a call out to my PS, but I find that you all are faster with replies and often more resourceful.

Best wishes for all of you recovering, in surgery, and waiting for your date. Sending prayers for comfort, healing, and peace! XO

jkbrca2

skysquirrel, I just left work 2 hours ago myself. I'll be on a four-week leave. I've worked at my office for 10 years so luckily they're giving me vacation to use. Everyone has been very kind about covering for me and workload, except for one person. But that's okay! I worked so hard these past four weeks especially before I left!! Can't believe I got as much as I did done. Now it's time to focus on relaxing and getting ready for surgery tomorrow at 10 a.m.

I was really happy to learn that my preventive bilateral mastectomy no reconstruction will only take two and a half hours. I thought it would be more like 4. To all the ladies who have already had surgery, thank you so much for checking in with us in your early stages of recovery to let the rest of us know what to expect! I will try to do the same if I am up to it.

My doctor said I could be out patient and leave tomorrow night if I wanted, but I told her I would rather be admitted and stay 1 night for pain management and because I have nausea after general anesthesia. I figure my husband and parents will be helping me so much in the coming weeks, so it's better to have a nurse bear the burden through the first night! But I am going to try to take up someone's earlier suggestion on this board to have someone spend the night with me in the hospital. If my husband can stay overnight in my private room, I think it would be helpful for me, unless he snores!

Now I'm going to pack for myself to go to the hospital. And for my 4 year old son to spend the night at my parents. And my husband will pack his own things. I'm going to over pack. Better safe than sorry! Plus someone else is going to be carrying these bags. They're over 5 pounds!