AUGUST 2015 SURGERY SISTERS!!

justamy

I had this for about 2 weeks post BMX. My PS said it is because they cut through nerves. OTC pain meds helped some. It went away rather suddenly and I haven't had any problems since. I hope it goes away soon!

quiltlibrarian

Hi Ladies. got my results back today. No cancer found whoo hoo. Party time. I was not to worried about results, but so happy that nothing found.

Aj I sure had that both times. Anti icth cream did help a bit. It will go away in time.

Hugs all

Artista928

Final 2 drains came out today! Finally after 5 looooooooooong weeks of first 4 until 8/17 and then 2 left until today! First fill starts in 2 weeks, 50cc.

mjh1

AJ - the hypersensitivity could be either the nerves regrowing or your skin stretching with the expanders.  If it's really bothersome, you may want to hold off on fills until you're more accostomed to them.  Talk with your PS about this.  I didn't have the itching, so I can comment.

quilt - great news on path.  It certainly is cause for celebration.

artista - yay, the drains are finally out!!!!  I hope the fill process will be much more quicker for you.

 

Molly50

Artista, great news on getting the last drains out!

Carrie37

getting drains out is the best feeling in the world!!! Thanks for the feedback on the next surgery recovery. I will talk to my ps when I go for my first fills on September 22. I have the itchy sensitive skin as well. I have been using aquaphor but I'm not sure it helps. I am three weeks post BMX and feel like I should be off these narcotics but if I try to go without I am just a mess.

SummerAngel

Carrie, I felt the same way about the narcotics after my mastectomy. For me the pain seemed pretty consistent for a long time and then just decreased very rapidly one day. Hopefully that will happen for you, too!

AJ71

Thanks for the tips and insights on the skin sensitivity. Carrie, sounds like you and I are in a similar boat. I'm still taking narcotics, mostly at night, but I would probably be in a much better mood if I were taking them throughout the day, too. Artista, great news on getting the drains out. I.can't.wait.

justamy

Carrie, I felt the same way post BMX. I hate narcotics but I had to take them for about a month and then the pain just left. You are doing find. It takes a while to heal. Hugs

39andhip

Hi all - three days post DIEP reconstruction and finally leaving the ICU. The past 24 hours have been a bit rough but I feel like I've just had a major breakthrough. I went for a walk this morning and it felt really good. I hope to continue on this trajectory

mjh1

39andhip - glad u r finally leaving the ICU. Walking is the best thing for u but just don't overdo it. Your recovery will require baby steps as you're healing from two sites. I hope you're recovery will be uneventful even if it is slow. Warm hugs!!!

Molly50

39andhip, I have wondered how you are. I hope you are out of the hospital soon.

Artista928

Thanks! Of course with the TEs I still stand/walk like a football player in uniform as I can't rest my arms down fully on my sides. But no real discomfort, but lots of numbness all over which I was told may never go away.

I've been confirmed to having my port placed on 9/24. So on 9/23 it's see the MO and visit with the dietitian, 9/24 port sx, and on 9/28 (my bday) will be the first fill- 50cc. Then I hope to start chemo on 9/30 figuring I should feel fine by then since the bmx wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be.

Time was going slow in this lull from 8/6 but now it feels like it's going fast. Good and bad as I'm not looking forward to chemo, but then who is.

sknitter

Hi Everyone. I'm 2 weeks post BMX and TE placement. I am walking well but I still have 2 drains in. I tried to get off of the narcotics and my surgeon told me I was pushing to fast. So, I use 1/2 dosages as I need them. My chest still feels tight most of the time. Doctors seem happy with the range of motion. I just thought I'd be almost all better by now but there is no way could go back to work yet.

My nodes were all clear but they found a very small additional cancerous area in one breast. They want to talk about chemo but I've done that before and I'm very hesitant to do it again.

Molly50

Hi sknitter, it sounds like you are doing really well. I had umx one week ago and feel very much like you . If you fill out your diagnosis and treatment and change it to public it's easier for others to answer to your particular situation. Take it easy.

39andhip

After four days in the hospital, I'm home! So much recovery ahead, but I'm glad to be home.

Moderators

Hi All,

We would really like to put together a slide show showing all your faces to show the amazing diversity of our community, reaching around the world. Please share with us here https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/135/topic..., or PM us. We may also present this at our annual fundraiser in October.

Photo (best quality possible)

Where you live

Diagnosis

Your Age

Quote about how the community/BCO has helped you.

Thanks Everybody!

Molly50

39andhip that's great news that you are home!! I need to ask you more about your surgery.

39andhip

Molly - I'm happy to answer any questions and have a ton of time on my hands. LOL!

Molly50

Thank you. I know DIEP isn't Tram but I wonder how you feel about your choice instead of implant? My PS wants to do tram flap using 1/2 the abdominal muscles. I worry about pain, recovery time, complications. Not sure if DIEP is less risky?

39andhip

Molly - I never considered an implant basically just because - I just knew it wouldn't work for me. So I am thrilled with my decision. For me, it was pretty much flap reconstruction or no reconstruction from the beginning. That said, there was a long period of time when I wasn't sure if flap reconstruction would be possible (long story), and I think that ultimately I might have considered an implant if the flap hadn't come through. It's hard to know for sure. I think DIEP and TRAM flaps have similar risks, pain, recovery time, etc. The main reason I went with the DIEP flap over another kind is because at 40 years old I was concerned about having any muscle taken out. The way I see it is that with flap recon you sort of pay up front but the long term maintenance is less (another consideration for me given my age). I have to say that the whole experience has been extremely intense, and not fun, but also not as bad as I expected - though admittedly, I was expecting for it to be pretty bad. LOL. This morning I actually read the Q&A about flap vs. implant recon and I thought it was really well done and informative (not quite sure why I'm reading it at this point, haha - probably because I have nothing else to do). If you haven't read it yet, you might want to check it out: http://community.breastcancer.org/blog/breast-reconstruction-qa-with-scott-sullivan-m-d-f-a-c-s-implant-vs-using-your-own-tissue/. I think he does a nice job of outlining all the pros and cons of each. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

Molly50

Oh thank you! I didn't see that before. Going to read it now.

Whaley

Hi there. Had BMX with TEs 2 weeks ago, last drain just removed 3 days ago. Wondering about others experiences with recovery. Still having lots of pain. basically feel like there is a jaggedy brick implanted in my chest and it's on fire. Worse when I am up and about. I'm taking it so easy, not doing household chores or anything. Just wondering if this is normal. And when canI drive again?

Whaley

BMX w TEs aug 27

Whaley

hi there. New to this posting thing .... But struggling with pain 2.5 wks after BMX w TEs. On a regimen of extra strength Tylenol, Celebrex, gabapentin but. Pain quite debilitating. Have oxy but haven't been taking it as. I hate how it makes me feel. Taking it totally easy at home but surprised at how little I can do. I seriously feel like ther is a 3-alarm fire in my chest pretty much all the time. Some relief when sleeping. Feeling pretty wimpy and wondering if there is something wrong ( no signs of infection) or if this is normal and how long it lasts.

SummerAngel

Whaley, what you're describing is (unfortunately) quite normal. Many women need to take narcotic pain control for 3-4 weeks. I have a very high pain tolerance and am relatively young but needed narcotics for over 2 weeks. If you are "toughing it out" without narcotics 2.5 weeks post-op you're going to have some pain. I noticed that once the pain subsided it did so very quickly, though, and I was back at work half-time by week 4. Hopefully your pain will decrease soon!

39andhip

Whaley - I'm so sorry you're going through this, but after 2.5 weeks really bad pain doesn't seem unreasonable. I highly doubt it's wimpiness! This is tough stuff, and TEs are notoriously painful. I had one for a week, and it wasn't even under my muscle, and it was extremely uncomfortable. You might want to check with your doctor to make sure you don't have an infection or anything else out of the ordinary, but try to go easy on yourself. Also, I hate how oxy makes me feel, too, but find it is better than debilitating pain. Perhaps you should consider trying it regularly for a day or so just to break up the pain cycle? Best wishes to you!

Molly50

Welcome Whaley, I am just over a week post Umx and the only thing bothering me is the TE which is constantly causing spasms whenever I move. If you snb with your BMX that would also explain some of your pain.

AJ71

Ditto, ditto, ditto. The TEs are the worst part by far up to now. I feel like I have heavy metal armor under my skin. And my skin feels like it has the worst sunburn ever, you know when you actually swell and any fabric against it kills? And my pectoral muscles feel like they're in a continuous Braxton hicks contraction. I still have drains 3.5 weeks out. I am so done. I really hope this all gets better. The one expansion I had so far set me back considerably.

I hate being a complainer. This is so not me. I had two babies with no drugs. I'm a marathon runner. I'm tough. Wimpy is definitely the feeling. Andhumbling.

Whaley

thanks ladies, that does help me understand. I think I will try a pain break tomorrow and see how it goes. I thought I could do it without the big guns, but I am realizing that out of control pain can't be good for me either. I am encouraged by the idea that when the pain subsides it may do so quickly. Hoping for that. ☺️