July 2015 Surgery Sisters

Scottiemom11

Queenmomcat LOL. . .actually we have to get up ay 6am because we're volunteering at our local food pantry in the morning. As usual we did not think this through.

Scottie

queenmomcat

Oh no: you have to work at the food pantry while you're on pre-surgery NPO?

Scottiemom11

Queenmomcat: just Sat. morning at the pantry. NPO starts Sunday after dinner. Better than when I had BMx. That surgery did not start until 1 pm.

Scottie

magiclight

Hi jkbrca2: I just came upon your post and hope that you are continuing to heal and feeling stronger. Surgery does take more out of us than we might anticipate, so give yourself lots of down time. The V incision you noted is pretty unusual but I also have the V incision so I was glad to hear about yours. My MO who has been in practice about 2 decades told me it was the first time she saw that incision so that got my attention. Did you know about the type of incision you would have prior to surgery?

magiclight

Hi jkbrca2: I just came upon your post and hope that you are continuing to heal and feeling stronger. Surgery does take more out of us than we might anticipate, so give yourself lots of down time. The V incision you noted is pretty unusual but I also have the V incision so I was glad to hear about yours. My MO who has been in practice about 2 decades told me it was the first time she saw that incision so that got my attention. Did you know about the type of incision you would have prior to surgery?

queenmomcat

Scottie: (shakes head, makes rattling noise) Right. Derp The times don't work out. Time for bed. But do we ever get over pre-surgery nerves?

quiltlibrarian

Hello ladies, two weeks away for my surgery. queen no I don't think that we ever get over pre-surgery nerves. I had my preadmission today, and it just brings it closer and closer. eek. Even with having my first surgery last year. Knowing now what will happens makes it a bit worse. I am having day surgery and I am nervous that I will not have the same pain control as last year.

July Ladies I have been cheering you on and keeping up with your posts. Gentle Hugs

Slavrich

I would like to join. Just had the second mastecomy on Wednesday.

IndyGal35

Scottie, I'm sure it was totally worth it! Thanks for sharing the pic. A fun night indeed!

Mavski80

I'm 5 days post surgery and the fog in my brain is starting to clear. I took Ativan the night before surgery and 45 minutes to surgery to keep me calm. I didn't mind having surgery first thing in the morning. I didn't have to spend the day thinking about it. Prayers to those having surgery on Monday.

Bunnybumps

Even though the surgical procedures are healing as planned, my breathing is good, and I'm on top of my pain meds, the rest of my body is not cooperating. I've had a couple of run-ins with a doctor who (like many) doesn't understand what Fibromyalgia and peripheral neuropathy do to the body, especially after a trauma. Everyone here on the floor has been amazed with the progress I was making and how hard I was trying. Then it started to crash. I started questioning my own sanity. Then this doctor tried to intimate that I am being dramatic and not trying hard enough. That I have to push thru the pain. You can imagine my reaction. The rest of the floor didn't have to.

I was finally evaluated by a physical therapist who, after two short, painful tests, pronounced me sane, physically unfit to return home and in need of at least two weeks of short-term sub-acute rehabilitation with intensive physical therapy. I had a very satisfying "I-told-you-so" moment. So I am here in hospital for the weekend until we see if/when I can be moved. We need to get authorization from the insurance company and then find a bed in an approved facility. If it's not approved, then we will have to get the insurance to send aides and PTs to our house. DH would prefer that, but he doesn't see that if we do that, my recovery will be slower. In any case, I am much calmer now.

queenmomcat

Bunnybumps: Congratulations on getting past the "It's all in your head" doctor--can't believe how common that reaction is! And hoping your insurance will cough up for the treatment.

jkbrca2

hi magiclight, i am very sore entering week 3, particularly in the center of where each breast was previously. Last week it hurt more under my arms where the drains had been. I think it's all just the feelings of things under my skin reconnecting and healing. Sometimes it feels like pulling and I wonder if I've pulled something apart under there that will have to reconnect. Gross, I know. But I wonder if anyone else has that? I'm still easily tired after walking one lap around the small back yard or being driven for a short car ride, and I get sore shoulders, but I'm hoping to see improvement in all that next week, since the BS said I should.

Yes, I chose no reconstruction after checking out all the options. I didn't want multiple surgeries or to have to do exchanges, plus i knew I wouldn't be good at handling any setbacks with TEs, implants, infection or a longer recovery since I'm too impatient. After my husband agreed he'd be ok with my decision I checked out breastfree.org and other sources. Thank goodness so many other women had posted photos so I could see what I might look like. It was important to me to know beforehand. I did ask the BS beforehand to confirm too since, unlike PS, my BS didn't have sample photos. I even brought a few pictures I'd seen on the internet to the appointment and I asked the surgeon to tell me which one I'd look like most. She told me the one with 2 diagonal scars, instead of horizontal scars. She said it would be easier to wear button down shirts or V necks. So I agreed. I also confirmed with her I wanted to not have excess skin, so that I could wear contact prosthetics if I wanted to. She left enough skin that I won't lose range of motion though. My scars are very symmetric and there are no dog ears. She made tiny stitches, like a plastic surgeon so the scar will be thin. I know, some people might think it's funny that I cared so much about aesthetics when I'm not chosing reconstruction! But it was important to me.

plumster1

Bunny bumps, glad you crossed one hurdle and hopefully your insurance hurdle is another easily crossed one. Jkbrca, seems like your are handling everything really well. I hope everyday things feel a little(or a lot) better.

queenmomcat

jkbra4: (in sympathy) I had a very different surgery, but I too am getting the "Oh, bleep, I broke myself" response to every twinge and crepitation. Straightforward physical healing? Pissed-off nerves? Who knows?

Molly50

Carolyn62,

Glad you are doing better. The vomiting is my fear because every surgery and my colonoscopy ended in me vomiting for hours.

Molly50

Hi Slavrich,

Welcome. How are you feeling?

octogirl

Bunnybumps: glad they are finally listening and I hope the transition goes well! Will be thinking good thoughts for the insurance to do the right thing, and quickly.

octogirl

went for a very short walk today. My first time out of house other than post-op visit. Felt good. Yay!

LindyC

Add me to this club. I'm not happy to join you all but am so grateful to have this resource. My surgery is scheduled for Mon. July 27, 2015. Upon my surgeons recommendation, I will have bi-lateral mastectomy with tissue expanders for future reconstruction. I have very dense breast tissue with numerous cysts and have been screened yearly for the last 7 years, with a biopsy 5 years ago being clean. There are 2 tumours measuring 1.5cm and 1.6 cm in my left breast, in separate quadrants but one is close to reaching into my nipple so no saving of the nipple for me. The biopsy report states possible Grade 2. And I don't know yet if there is any lymph node involvement. I will get the injection before the surgery and will have to wait to find out if further treatment is necessary after surgery. I'm mentally preparing myself for radiation and chemo but am definitely hoping for the best. I can't say I'm upset at losing my breasts, I'm more angry that my body betrayed me so I don't owe them any allegience. The biggest stressor is not knowing if or how much it has spread and what I'm in for. Patience has never been one of my virtues.

queenmomcat

Lindy: My sympathies. I'm so far beyond "patience is not one of my virtues" that I'm not just out of Wrigley Field, I'm somewhere out in a cornfield in Kansas. Also a leavening of dismay at being told "Your cancer is too close to the nipple for nipple-sparing surgery." though my excision was not nearly as extensive as yours. (How's that for a euphemism?)

I_Spy

Slavrich and LindyC I added you. Welcome.

I_Spy

(someone is showing me how it's done)

So my problem now is I'm feeling more energetic; I got the okay to drive, which makes me feel like I SHOULD drive, and I should get up and do things. I have a tendency to berate myself for not being productive in general, I prefer to be constantly on the go go go. I am forcing myself to lie down. I put signs up around my house before my surgery ordering myself to lie down and rest, because resting prevents infection. I still have a drain in, I'm not out of the woods yet, rest Beth, rest! But it did feel good to drive to the pharmacy yesterday, as much as it hurt. I have an SUV with a "sport" steering system that gives resistance when you turn the wheel. So that was definitely a challenge. Not sure I want to drive every day until some of this pain is gone. I was in a lot of pain last night and exhausted after all that activity, so I'm trying to take some tylenol and flexeril throughout the day today so I'm not chasing pain like I was last night. And I'm trying to rest in between bursts of activity.

That was kind of rambling but that's how my mind is working right now!

Scottiemom11

Welcome LindyC. . .I'm going in Monday as well. Try to focus on just the surgery now. Sending you prayers for clean margins and nodes.

Bunnybumps sending more hugs, and praying your insurance and doctors provide the care you need to heal completely.

Last night was fun and sweet. Dh and I had a great time and volunteering at the Food Pantry this morning reminded me of my priorities. That said, I came home this afternoon, took a nap and woke up in a mixed mood (pity party vs. Wolverine). It is soooo time to get past this so I can really settle into my new norm. And I sooo want my Herbal teas and Sparkling Ice w/ green tea drinks back. No wonder I'm witchy.

Scottie

Carolyn62

I'm managing the pain ok, but the numbness is getting to me. The expander is very uncomfortable to me. PS says to match my other breast I'll need about an 800 cc implant. I didn't shower today after all. Just didn't feel up to it.

I'm due to go back to work August 20 ( I'm a school nurse), but I plan to take as much time as possible off. I don't want to push myself like i did after my colon resection. How much time is everyone else taking off?

magiclight

Hi Jkbraca2. It is only week 3 after a major - major (2 majors because both breasts removed). The pulling and tightness are very common as are the unusual sensations in your chest and boundaries where surgical tissue meets untouched tissue. The fascia under the skin is adjusting and maybe tightening, so you may want to talk to BS about PT if you have not already been doing the range of motion/wall climbing exercises already. Fatigue is so common and like you say even a stroll around the yard might require a rest - napping is good for recovery. It looks like there is a small child in your photo - so nap together if possible. OK that might be unrealistic, but seriously recovery is a trip down a slow road and there are no shortcuts that I've found.

I am impressed with all the pre-op questions you got answered and wished I had asked more questions. However, I did not get to this site until after surgery, so relied on general internet info. My BS told me he does the V incision because he finds it prevents the 'dog ears' and in that regard it is true. I am 3 months post-op and except for numbness under arms due to cut nerves it does not look like I have extra skin except for a pouch about the size of a half golf ball at the bottom of one of the V incisions.

I hope you continue to mend without incident and get back to the activities you love.

magiclight

Ispy: My dog tries to teach me the same thing, but I'm a slow learner!

jkbrca2

Magiclight, good words of advice on rest and being easy on myself. Last Thursday my BS asked me to wait until this Thursday to begin the exercises to regain motion. She wants things under my skin to have more time to heal first. She'll prescribe PT if things aren't moving well by January 2016.

Yes, I was fortunate to be able to ask some questions! I'm in a bit of a different situation than most on the boards. It's a double-edged sword: not having a cancer diagnosis yet, but knowing you are BRCA positive. You don't have the urgency of a diagnosis so there's more time to research and ask. But then there are such tough choices, none of which have great options, and there's the anxiety that comes with surveillance. I've met with my MO 2x/yr and BS 2x/yr since testing positive. I haven't chosen a date to have the oorphectomy yet. Hoping to delay that another 6 years, though MO wants that done by next year. And I know I'll have to monitor for skin and colon cancer the rest of my life, too. Had a few close calls with those already. Having the BMX is my best option for preventing the breast cancer and it is such a weight off my chest (pun intended!!) But really, it's a big relief. And, no more annual mammograms!

Suzanne50

Hi ladies - I am late to the party....I had my mastectomy on July 1st. It followed an unsuccessful lumpectomy two weeks earlier. I scheduled quickly since I didn't want to waste anymore time with this and wanted to move forward. I did a single - my surgeon said my chance for reoccurrence in my other breast was 13% (average woman never had B.C. is 11%.). My oncologist strongly feels that I should have another mastectomy in 2016. I am seeking a second opinion and I do have time to think about it but just wondering if any of you ladies have any experience?

My right breast had a 8 mm tumor but had DCIS cells throughout which was a concern since they didn't not show up on MRI, mammo or sono. Actually this breast cancer came out of nowhere. But that's another story.

I want to do everything possible so that this doesn't happen again. This whole experience starting in May has been one nightmare.

The good news is I am almost 4 weeks post surgery and I feel great. I got cleared to exercise and I am back to my running routine. The drains were a pain but got rid of the second one 2 weeks post surgery. I have a nice break before starting chemo.

TFoxy20

I am a couple days out from UMX. I went with TE under muscle and areola/skin sparing. They took my nipple. I am hoping that was the right decision. I have two drains in but one isn't pulling much. Does it feel weird to anybody else when the tubes are stripped?

I haven't looked at my incision yet but my husband said it looks good. It is hard to rest with a 20 month old running around in the hotel room.

I puked a few times the first night too. They gave me droperidol in my IV and that seemed to help. I still don't have much of an appetite. They said I could shower and now I just have to get the energy to do so. I am ready to get my energy back.