July 2015 Surgery Sisters

plumster1

Sailorgirl, following your progress closely since my Lx in a couple weeks. Thank you for the updates. Good luck to everyone with surgeries tomorrow and I'm so happy that everyone that has checked in with surgeries so far seem to be handling things well. Yea July surgery sisters!

Bunnybumps

In getting ready for surgery I met with the MO now, so I would have more info and feel a bit more settled going into the op. Well, I'll tell you, every bloody time I meet with another doctor this little beasty gets worse lol! I thought I was -/+/-, but it turns out I'm triple negative. Due to already having peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet, Fibromyalgia, IBS and a compromised immune system, the chemo for this is predicted to be, as he put it, "pretty difficult." I have to have a port put in during the bmx because my veins are too small for repeated IVs, as well as to avoid infections. Sighs. I also have to go for genetic testing, since, in addition to the TN beasty, I also had a pre-cancerous polyp removed in May, currently have 6 (benign and so far stable) Meningiomas and I'm under 50 years old. The only appointment I could get before the 4-month waiting period is 9 days after the bmx/recon and the MO was very adamant that I take it. That's going to be an interesting appointment. This cancer lark is a dawdle!

Getting all my bits in place now, though, so that's making me feel a bit more "in control" of what little I have left to control in life. DH is taking me away today for sun, sand and surf, a long weekend of de-stressing before the final week of more tests and prep.

And most importantly, to all everyone on this board (and all boards, really) who keeps saying naughty things like, "I'm only (only!!) having a lumpectomy..." or "My surgery isn't as bad/complicated..." Please don't diminish or minimize what you're going through! All surgery is frightening, it's still cancer, and it sucks. Even if you're having something done prophylactically (is that a word?) we're all in this together! Much love and healing to all who have had their ops and those going in! xxxooo

sailorgirl15

Hope all is going well today! Just saw my BS and got the path report - 3/11 nodes had metastic carcinoma. Not the results I was hoping for, but it is what it is. I see MO on Tue so will hear the treatment details then. Bracing myself for chemo. Praying all of you get good reports and heal quickly.

Molly50

I am sorry for the news, sailorgirl15.

queenmomcat

Oh, sailorgirl! I only wish I could be that...what? fatalistic? resigned? to find out I had metasteses in my lymph nodes.

Scottiemom11

IndyGal35

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.

My drains started out at up to 90 ml for first couple of days, then started tapering off. I tracked them on Evernote along with pain meds etc so I knew the who what when. As for pain meds, I took them religiously so pain would not take hold. I was on at least some for a month but my muscle was really tight over expander so that made things harder for me. On the other hand , I got my drains out at 9 days because I could show low flow..stiches

2.) Has anyone been cleared to remove the compression bra for an hour or two to wash it?

I was told to keep it on for two days and then was allowed to shower so washed it then. I had dissolveable stitches and surgical glue.

Wow ispy. . .glad to hear from you so soon. Also hope everyone else is recovering well.

Scottie

123JustMe

Sailorgirl, I am so sorry!

IndyGal35

Scottie, it sounds like we are on target! I'm draining about the same as you. The fluid is more of a light pink with a hint of yellow now, but there's still a lot. The SNLB side is draining faster than the other side, but that is to be expected.


I'm not able to take a full shower until my drains come out, but sponge baths have been fine. I'm taking 2 Percocet every 4-6 hours, and I get a Valium every 6-8 hours.


This afternoon (48 hours post-surgery), my PS gave me permission to wash the compression bra and remove gauze dressings. As soon as it is out of the dryer, I'm putting it back on.


Sailor, I just finished chemo earlier this month. If it comes down to it, please join a message group. Our March 2015 chemo board is incredible, and I've gained so much info there. You will never lack support here! I'm praying for good news at your spoointment. PM if you need anything or have any questions. We are here for you!

PoppyK

Sailorgirl, So sorry for your news. Both my BS and I were shocked when the cancer in my node was found. I had one big ugly cry, then I found help here on the boards. Find a group, as Indy suggests, who are starting chemo the same month you are AND also one that is doing the same protocol you are.

jkbrca2, Anesthesia makes me horribly nauseous. After my 4.5hr surgery, I had to be admitted to the hospital. I recommend you tell the anesthesiologist about your reaction to nausea. Tell everyone!

I agree with Bunny. There are so many of us on the board; some early stage, some more advanced... some with Lx, others with BMX.... but we are all facing a horrible, sneaky disease... breast cancer. We are all fighting! I don't think anyone should minimize their experience or their anxiety.

Thinking about all of you, whether you are in recovery or preparing for your upcoming surgery! ((Hugs))

Scottiemom11

Sailorgirl15 sending hugs. So sorry. Hang in there!

Scottie

plumster1

Thinking of you sailorgirl! Xo

sailorgirl15

Thanks everyone. I guess we can all agree on one thing - our hatred of this horrible disease!!

queenmomcat

Oh, yes: no quibble there! Single lumpectomy to double mastectomy, awful. (Still struggling to emotionally process my "get clean margins" surgery, ostensibly another lumpectomy. Only somewhat lopsided in clothes--call it two cup sizes difference now--but now railroad tracks/shark bite in my nothing at all.)

Bunnybumps

Sailorgirl, sorry to hear about the metastasis. Def never what you want to hear. I hope the chemo kicks the bugger out and you weather it well!

PAYTONnPRESLEYSmomma

Hi all, I have been a lurker here for about week waiting for my surgery. And I wanted to thank all of you for really easing my worries with all the advice and experiences you've shared! I would of freaked out about the "Smurf pee" had I not read about it on here!

I had my lumpectomy and SNBthis morning and suprisingly am doing exceptionally well. Pain is really a minimum and no real post anesthesia effect at all. I was worried about that since I have never been put under before, but it was like they say you feel like you've been asleep for 2 seconds then boom it's all over!

The only real hiccup with this procedure was the mammogram machine went down as they were starting the wire guiding. So that delayed my surgery by about 2 hours till they could get it fixed. I also highly suggest the lidocaine/prolcaine cream they had me put on my nipples/areola prior to the necular injections. Everyone kept telling me it was gonna be pretty awful and painful but I didn't feel a thing at all! I had it soaking in for a good 5 hours though with all the delays.

I wish you all post surgery chicks speedy recoveries and favorable paths and all you pre ladies know that this is way doable. It's scary as hell but you will wake up on that other side one step closer to kicking this monsters ass! You are stronger then you know.

Jenny

Molly50

Jenny, so glad you are doing well. I have mine on the 29th. LX with SNB as well.

jcfree

Indygal, I am still on pain meds. Still need them for sure. My drainage is about like yours, noticed tonight the fluid is becoming clearer as they said it would. Nurse was here yesterday and said I could take a shower, but will hold off on that yet. The hospital gave me an extra compression bra so I will have one to wear when I wash the other. Nurse had me do arm exercises that she said I need to do six times a day at five reps each. Did the first one while she was here and I got a lot of pain and got light headed. Will have to work up to six times per day.

Tam-iam

So glad to see so many of you doing well post surgery. I had my surgery today (lumpectomy with SNB). Went very well. I read a lot about the pain from the nuclear injections, so that was a bit of a concern. I very generously applied the cream my doctor prescribed and I think that was a big help. The piercing of the skin was not painful at all. I received four injections into the areola. They were right under the skin and you could see a raised bump from each injection, just like a TB test. The painful part was the actual fluid going in. That varied in intensity. Only one of the injections was wince worthy for me. I can definitely see how this will affect different people depending on pain tolerance and if the injections hit particularly sensitive spots. I suspect I had an average experience. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't horrible.

They did a "twilight" type sedation and I remember quite a bit after entering the OR, but I slept through most of the actual surgery and only have a hazy memory of the few times they asked me questions during the procedure. Not having the full on gas anesthesia was a really good experience. I feel much more alert and not fuzzy from anesthesia.

Pain has been very tolerable. I fell asleep when I got home and didn't get that first dose of the Norco pain meds quite as soon as I should have, so I had a bit of catch up to do, but still very tolerable, and now I am feeling very little pain at all. I'm also just using 1/2 pill since pain meds then to make me feel kinda woozy. I feel like I should be able to switch to over the counter meds in pretty short order.

My right breast is normally quite a bit smaller than my left, and still was smaller after surgery, but over the hours it has swollen considerably. Now it looks enormous compared to the left. Not sure if it is normal to swell this much, but now I am using cold packs and that has definitely stopped the swelling and possibly it is going down slightly.

Good luck to everyone having surgery tomorrow (or today, depending on your time zone). Sending positive, healing thoughts to everyone!!!

Scottiemom11

I concur with Bunny and Poppy. . .my original Dec. 2014 surgery board provided wonderful support because we all told it like it is. I first met my BS after radiologist call with initial BC biopsy results. I was scared out of my wits. My BS was wearing a Cancer Sux button. Sooo very right.

I did not have the courage to join or even lurk on these boards until day 3 after BMx. This site and these boards have been my lifeline since and the support as well as answers from veterans is awesome.

Prayers for today's surgery gals.

Scottie

ssteacher

Sailorgirl15--You are right this disease sucks but you will get through this. Hang in there! Keeping you in my prayers!!

Thinking of everyone who already had surgery and hoping everyone is doing better.

Also wishing good luck to all who are having their surgeries today!

plumster1

Tam iam, did you ask your doctor for the numbing cream prescription before or did your doctor just give it to you? That is one of the parts that is making me nervous.

Also, thank you to all the people who gave me advice about nauseousness post surgery. I had my phone consult with the anesthesia nurse. I mentioned the patch and zofran and how sick I get and she has included it all in my chart. I will also talk to the anesthesiologist too - the morning of my surgery. But good to have it in my chart as a heads up to him or her

All those recovering, I 'm thinking of you and hoping every day feels a bit better. Those with upcoming surgeries. Good thoughts coming your way!

Tam-iam

Plumster, at my pre-op I inquired about if I would get a numbing shot before the injections and the doctor said she would be sending me with a script for the cream. It sounded like that was the norm for her. In reading different threads on the subject, I have the impression that a lot of doctors do it automatically, but not all, so I would definitely ask for it. Also, they told me to slather it on very thick, not rub it in. So that is what I did. They told me to put it on the areola and nipple. But I had read on here that some radiologists do the injections at the tumor site, so I put some there, just in case. The radiologist told me that the new standard is to put the injections in the areola because it works just as well and is way less painful. The other thing I did was put it on 1 1/2 hours before my appt, then wiped it off after an hour and applied a second dose for maximum effect. Not sure if that was necessary, but the tube of cream held plenty for two doses and then some. Definitely get it on thick and cover with saran wrap.

It might be just a temporary sense of relief, but I feel so much better emotionally after surgery. So good to know that tumor is out of me.

sailorgirl15

Getting that numbing cream ahead of time sounds like a wise move! I had it put on when I got to pre-op before they placed the wires. I could have definitely used it beforehand!! The more numbing, the better. I had NO IDEA about this part of the procedure, so I am glad some of you are in top of it. Knowledge is power!

PAYTONnPRESLEYSmomma

yes ask for the cream if they don't offer it. I also put on a very thick coat and wrapped it up in suran wrap. Mine was on for a good 5 hours id say, due to the delay of their mammogram machine going down right as they were gonna place the wires. But I felt absolutely nothing on all 4 injections!! Everyone kept telling me how strong and brave I was but in reality I didn't even know they were doing it! I am about 24 hours post surgery and I feel great, no need for any pain meds what so ever! I still haven't taken off the compression bra or bandages yet but I am very pleased with how recovery has been going so far. I hope you all have thesame experience as me.

plumster1

I love all these positive updates! I feel my anxiety lessening!

jkbrca2

hi ladies! I'm at the hospital overnight for surveillance and care for nausea and pain. Just had my surgery at 10 am today. The hospital staff are managing both things for me really well. Percocet and Zofran.

I just stayed I as calm and meditative on the the way in as possible. A few tears from fatigue and hunger but nurses all kept telling me positive things and I'm doing well. Once In a while I feel a little pain, like sting on left side like a pin to nipple. But those are gone so it must be the incision site.

Also I haven't seen how flat I am yet because I'm wrapped up in bandages and padding and surgical bra.

Because it was so helpful for those ahead of me to report that things were OK, I just wanted to share with all the ladies who are getting ready now and at the end of the month, it really isn't too bad so far! Hope this eases your anxiety.

Hope things go well tomorrow as I am discharged from the hospital and have to walk around a lot more.!

jkbrca2

sorry for the typos! Partially the Percocet. Partially trying to type into an iPhone. Lol.

Oh. I do have pain in my throat. My nurse is going to get me a lozenge.

Skysquirrel

Hello Ladies!! I am home and resting from my surgery.

Sailor, I am so sorry to hear your news. I have been following your story because we were so similar and you helped ease my fears when your surgery went well.

I wish I would have known about the lidocaine cream to ask for in advance. The Dr did use a numbing spray, it was kinda like the air you use to clean your keyboard, well it was cold like that. The injections still pinched but I could breathe thru it.

Surgery went smooth, BS said she only had to take the 1 sentinel node and it was clear so she didn't have to take any more. That's a relief. And now I am just tired, a little sore and a little loopy. My BS said 3-4 weeks before working again... Does that seem like a long time to be off for a LX and SNB?

I have only been taking things one step at a time so now I need to learn about the radiation and tamoxifen.

You all continue to be in my prayers, I am more a reader than a writer but I want you to know that you all have helped me so much!

Scottiemom11

Skysquirrel glad your surgery went well. 3-4 weeks sounds right. I was out for 6 and going crazy by that time. Too many videos snd Kindle books. After I went back however I was exhausted for the first couple of weeks. I think I will be out for about 3 weeks this time.

Scottie

I_Spy

hi everyone. I got home from the hospital yesterday but then I got a fever and had to go to the ER last night. The ER was too crowded and I wouldn't get seen for hours, so I was like "I'd rather sleep". I was able to get in to see my bs this morning. she said it all looked pretty good, except I might have a little infection around where the drain comes out. so she gave me an antibiotic and I'm now home in bed. I took the antibiotic this morning and I already feel better. My pec muscles are sooo sore though, and spasming. drugs are my friend.

She got the path report back and they found LCIS in my left breast and atypical ductal hyperplasia in my right. That LCIS was not seen on the mammograms and the left breast wasn't even on our radar. I took it as evidence that I did the right thing, since one of my main concerns was getting cancer again and no one seeing it on the mammogram due to my dense breasts. Anyway, I looked at the incision and it looks pretty darn decent. The ps filled 120 cc's during surgery and I think I can tell how it is going to look (not too bad despite no nipples; I'm barbie!). I'll update my diagnosis in my signature line when I get a copy of the path report and can read it all. So that is my update!