SEPTEMBER 2015 Surgery Sisters

ra1950

Good morning all. I am nearly 3 weels from lumlectomy on 9-2 and will return to my office job Mon. I had my first rad onc visit Tues. and just laid out a "usual" plan. Since I had no lymph nodes due to them being removed from earlier melanoma surgery, we have to wait for the Oncotype test results to determine  if chemo would be helpful. Oncotype results should be back in 2 wks. Then it will be time to lay out the plan of action to kick this in the gut! I feel confident my Oncotype score will be low and chemo will not be needed. I am hoping for the shortened radiation course also which RO said I meet 2 out of 3 criteria. The lymph nodes' result is the missing criteria. I am feeling good and my anxiety level has been reduced considerably. I am feeling very blesed.

Praying for good results for solfeo, melkkrk, & rainnyc and all of us as we walk this path to recovery.

MarieTherese

ra1950

Best wishes headed back to work! I have 2 wks to go and lots of consults before I go back. Hoping for low oncotype as well-

Best

MT

Maryann5

You can add me to Sept.28th surgery. Expanders removed and implants put in.

Moderators

Welcome, Maryann5 to BCO. Sorry you had to join us, but glad you found this amazing group of women!

Gardnergirls

Surgery was yesterday bilateral mastectomy and snb, immediate tissue expanders. Got to keep skin and nipples, nodes were clear. Still having nausea. More tomorrow.

Debbie

MarieTherese

Gardnergirls

Glad to hear it went well and nodes were clear. Time to rest up

MT

cbwitt1970

September 29,2015- BMX with immediate reconstruction(tissue expanders

Molly50

Gardenergirls, hooray for clear nodes!

39andhip

I got my drains out today - I've never been so excited for a doctor's appointment before!

Hooray, Debbie, for your good news. I hope your nausea improves.

Molly50

I am so happy for you, 39andhip!

KittyL

Hi, I'm new here. Lumpectomy with SLNB scheduled for 10/28. I'm more afraid of the sentinel node biopsy prep than I am the surgery. My <2 cm mass is palpable, high and outside 2:00 in tail of breast. At consult, surgeon could actually isolate it like a grape under the skin (he was happy). As a result, no wire placement needed; do have a perfectly centered coil marker. "Little bee stings" and "the pain (of the injection) will only last 20 seconds (per shot? eeuuww)" doesn't sound like fun. I'm a staunch little older Midwestern woman, but I'll cheerfully accept the Valium I understand they offer. I tried to talk about reconstruction, but surgeon said I'm getting way ahead of myself; it's true the divot, while smaller than a ping pong ball, won't affect cleavage (maybe I can put a sock in it!). He says the surgery & radiation must take priority over cosmetics in my case. Makes sense.

I have unmedicated bipolar disorder type II, and the initial RN did great (unofficially, of course) at matching me with a kind, patient surgeon who listened (to me and my 2-woman posse) and answered everybody's questions beautifully. I've discovered it's okay to be brave and scared all at the same time. I'm still learning all the abbreviations & acronyms here. I'm a knowledge junkie & have overwhelmed myself with information. I think it's to have a sense of control over something I have no control over, if you get that. I'm high energy, optimistic but a worrier on the inside. My heart aches for those of us with less favorable prognoses. Does anybody else just cry uncontrollaby at the overwhelming depth of friend support? My usual mode is social situation, get hypomanic, then retreat to home & silence to rest & decompress. But there doesn't seem to be any let-up from the having to be cheerful & upbeat. 2:00 a.m. seems to be the worry & cry time. 39andhip, I also have mod-severe OA right hip, which is on back burner for now. Hubby, a Vietnam vet with PTSD & paranoid schizophrenia, has been out West for 11-1/2 month, will be home for 3 wks in Oct; will be easier to have the surgery when he's not here & I don't have to run interference.

I have 3 issues today: 1) have been heavy smoker for years, HAVE to quit & just not motivated (I'm 23 yrs sober so I know I Can do it): 2) need to let go & rest(!!); 3) think I'm being calm but forget to eat (have gone from 130# to 125# in a month, I've shrunk from 5"4' to 5"3" from osteoporosis. I'm gluten & dairy intolerant & not fond of soy or meat. Trying to keep nuts around. I'm going in a thousand directions & wigged out, doing the best I can. The 6 cats & shelter dog really help me get back to NOW. Thanks for letting me share.

P.S. How did you get your picture for avatar? I tried several times to upload from Windows pictures & the program says some kind of error.

homeschool4us

Hi everyone. I am 3 days out from a single mastectomy amd axillary lymph node dissection. I'm also 9 weeks pregnant. I was feeling so good Wednesday after surgery and Thursday when I went home from the hospital. Yesterday I started feeling really shaky, weak, amd nauseous amd it is continuing today. What could be wrong? I'm really trying to eat amd drink well.

cbwitt1970

I too am a heavy smoker for 30+ years. I just quit this past Sunday the 13th. I am scheduled for surgery the 29th.

Smoking seems to be a taboo subject it seems. I am struggling with quitting for sure. But I know that it is for the best. It's just that quitting is hard enough without all the added stress of being newly diagnosed with breast cancer!!

Good luck to you & I'll be praying for your success!

Moderators

Kitty and cbwitt -- congrats on making the tough move to quit smoking -- we know it can be very, very hard! You may want to check out the Stop Smoking Support thread here for some encouragement from some of your fellow sisters!

We hope this helps and good luck with the quitting!

--The Mods

ra1950

KittyL, I am wishing you the best with tackling your diagnosis and ceasing smoking. Although our diagnosis is nearly identical and I am a recovering alcoholic with 32 yrs sober, I have never been a smoker. I have heard it is difficult but it can be done, one day at a time. I also suffer from depression and do take daily meds. I had severe anxiety during the diagnosis phases but am feeling much better now that a plan is being worked out for treatment. Take care and remember to breathe.

Molly50

homeschool4us, I am sorry you find yourself here especially pregnant on top of cancer and surgery. I would suggest you contact your obgyn about the nausea and weakness feeling. I will be praying for you to feel better.

Gabby56b

KittyL...hi. I was in grayling last weekend on the way to Mackinac island. I had a lumpectomy and snb done in July. I had the injections for the snb. The pain was there but lasted less than 2 seconds for each one. I did not have a lot of pain with the surgery, mostly a nuisance with the drain.

Good luck with everything...and keep in touch.

LorettaP4

Hi Ladies,

Had a mx on the 3rd of sept. Anyone that has already been through this before had any problems with depression?

It's really bad since about 10 days after, I'm am continually cry morning to night. I try keeping my mind busy but that doesn't seem to work.

Tia

Loretta

queenmomcat

Loretta: I didn't have a mastectomy.....but got landed with depression/constant tears about a week later, when a) I found out I needed another and more extensive partial and b) the reality suddenly sank in.

39andhip

Hugs to everyone struggling with depression. I think this stuff hits all of us in different ways, and while we all react differently, some level of depression is pretty inevitable. I think it is hard because so many people here seem so positive and upbeat, yet everyone is struggling in their own way. You are not alone.

Personally, I was so relieved with my initial diagnosis being so hopeful, and so busy trying to keep up with all of my appointments that it wasn't until months later that depression really sunk in as I better understood the reality of this disease. Realizing that this isn't going to be a little blip of inconvenience that ruined my summer, that this is a long-term 'forever' condition that is going to change my quality of life, is what gets me.

solfeo

I haven't had much depression yet for reasons similar to what 39andhip said. I'm so busy with all of my appointments that I don't have a lot of time to dwell. Also, I don't feel sick or look sick yet. I'm not too bothered by the idea of losing my breasts, since I've had so many problems with them my entire life, culminating in the cancer. But having the surgery will make it seem more real I'm sure. If surgery doesn't knock me down, then I'm pretty sure chemo will do it. Goes against every single thing I believe in to let them put that poison in my body, but I'm afraid not to do it if they say I need it. I'm trying to be open to the fact that it will eventually hit me so the depression doesn't come as a big surprise if/when it happens.

I must say, my husband's MRSA infection in the middle of all this was a big blow that did make it very difficult to maintain any kind of positivity, and caused a lot of anxiety. I did have a couple of short bursts of overwhelm and tears, but maybe because I didn't have the luxury of time to think it never turned into full on depression. They finally let him out of the hospital on Thursday. He was there since Sunday night, surgery was Monday. His thumb looks awful but he is feeling fine and can go back to work tomorrow, light duty.

My surgery date is unfortunately up in the air again because of issues with the plastic surgeon's schedule, so hopefully I won't be waiting long enough to join the October group. The waiting is definitely wearing on me, but at the same time having this little break between hubby's hospitalization and my surgery is kind of a blessing.

Lharry

I have been very depressed, but had my husband pick me up some colored and a sketch pad. I'm no artist but wanted to give it a try. It has helped my depression a lot! I have also seen adult coloring books. This could help. Go to a craft store and pick one up along with either markers or pencils. It takes your mind off of things and distracts you for a while. Good luck

cchix49

@39andhip. YAY the drains are out. How did it go? I man scheduled to get mine out Tuesday and I know what you mean about being excited over that visit. They are disgusting and mine keep getting clogged. Hugs and God

cchix49

I did not have any depression through diagnosis or 6 rounds of tchp. I am 6 days post BMX op and I had a bout of blues and very irritable. My daughter said it could be the pain meds as sometimes they mess with you that way. I quit taking them a couple days ago and just took Tylenol. I also took a xanax at evening and I feel better and have slept all night so maybe it was the pain meds. Will discuss with Doc Tuesday. I do not have bad pain, just uncomfortable burning and stinging. I will pray for your depression. This is an awful thing to go through.

39andhip

cchix49 - The drain removal went great. I had heard mixed things about how much it hurt/didn't hurt, so I was very nervous. My PS had to coach me to keep breathing the whole time, as if I were giving birth, lol. It did not hurt at all, though perhaps that is because I have, like, no feeling in 3/4 of the surface area between my neck and waist. It was just really a really weird tugging sensation, and afterward I felt a little nauseous. Fortunately, the feeling passed within a few minutes. (Note to self: If I ever need drains removed in the future, I won't eat sushi in the car on the way to the appointment.)

mye

Stephmoen, Readytorock and KellyAnne, GOOD LUCK tomorrow. I'll be thinking of you and wishing you the best! Big Hu

mye

Hello All, I think I've added all new September Sisters so far to the list. Please let me know if I've missed you. thanks

mye

I am so sorry for all that are dealing with depression. It is so hard on every level what we dealing with physically and emotionally.

Loretta, is it the mastectomy that triggered your depression, or the diagnosis in general, i.e. having cancer?

mye

Quick question for those who have had their surgery. Would you recommend sleeping on a recliner, using a wedge or can you get reasonably comfortable with just pillows alone? My BMX w/ TE surgery is scheduled for Tuesday and I haven't decided what to purchase if anything.

KittyL

Mods Can you fix me on the iist at top? My surgery is Monday, September 28 not October 28. A week from today. I may have misstated as Oct., is there Pre-chemo brain??? lol OK to delete this post afterward.