November 2015 Surgeries Thread?

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  • Frill
    Frill Member Posts: 311
    edited November 2015

    My surgery day just got moved to Thanksgiving Day!!!!!! I cannot believe it. No explanation, just changed on the schedule. I'm so frustrated, still in pain from the MRI biopsies. Grrr.....

    Lol, in other news, working on my post surgery list - grabber bought, stool bought, silky pjs....don't know what kind of bras to get for sure since I don't know what kind of surgery for sure.

    I'm so glad to hear such positive news from everyone post surgery.

    Truffles1968, Live4them, catfurr, scsa - ladies, many blessings and may your angels be with you tomorrow. All our hearts will be with you!!!!

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  • debiann
    debiann Member Posts: 1,200
    edited November 2015

    Things to include on your post surgery list: Over the counter pain meds for when the prescription stuff is too much. Stool softener (anesthesia is constipating). Large (4 x4) gauze pads to catch the ooze so you don't stain all your clothes. My PS recommended Neosporin on the incisions, but there is some controversy on this, so ask first. I healed quickly and my scars aren't too bad so I think the Neosporin really helps.

    There are lots of ways to hold the drains, plan on using something. I wore a housecoat with large patch pockets inside out and I placed the drains in the pockets. In the shower I used a pouch that hung from my neck. You have to measure, record and empty the fluid in the drains a few times a day. I found it easiest to keep an empty jar by the bed which the DH would then empty for me. DRAINS SUCK, 'nuff said.

    I found a shower chair to be useful. Some like sleeping in a recliner, I preferred lots of pillows on the bed to make a little nest. If your having DIEP you are unable to lie flat, you need to stay kind of curved till the tummy skin stretches. You will walk like a gorilla for the first couple of weeks. If you are going to be alone, prepare your house in advance by having everything counter height and within easy reach. Reaching up for a glass, or down for a carton of milk in the fridge is difficult.

    Good luck to everyone awaiting surgery.


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  • Thundergal
    Thundergal Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2015

    Truffles1968, Live4them, catfurr and scsa - ladies, I'm sending you lots of hugs and positive thoughts as you head into tomorrow! Here's to some rest tonight and know that this amazing group of women will all be waiting to hear from you on the other side! Be fierce!


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  • new__me
    new__me Member Posts: 128
    edited November 2015

    Debiann regarding Neosporin... when i had minor derm surgery my dermatologist said NO neosporin. Use Polysporin instead. I know from past experience that Neosporin seemed to slow healing for me. Dr said it is no longer recommended for that reason. I used to think i just didn't heal well or that i was imaging the problem. Switched to Polysporin 2 years ago and haven't had a single negative problem.

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  • brithael
    brithael Member Posts: 224
    edited November 2015

    Frill - that really sucks! I was put out when my surgery was changed from the 5th to the 13th, but DANG, you've got a long time to wait! I'm putting all my stuff together this week for hospital and beyond! Four more days for me and it can't come too soon. I'm tired of waiting.

    My husband's dermatologist says Polysporin is the way to go as well.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    Hi Everyone, this is my first post. I am scheduled for right mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy on Tues Nov 10. I will have a tissue expander placed and reconstruction with implant will be after my chemo and Herceptin treatments finish at about 15 months post op. I am so desperately sad. I have 2 more sleeps with my right breast. I am concerned about caring for my drain post op, how much pain I may have and what I will look and feel like. I expect diminished range of motion with my right arm and since I am right handed I'm not sure what I'll do with myself post op. I am still trying to process that this is actually happening.

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  • Natejordlee
    Natejordlee Member Posts: 61
    edited November 2015

    Sugar and Spice .. sorry you have to be here but you couldn't find more support anywhere else. Its a very hard thing to process and you are allowed to be sad. I just had my left side mastectomy done Wednesday and I also can't get reconstruction for another year an half as I have radiation and herceptin left. I can say the pain has been much less them anticipated and though I cant really see the full extent yet it doesn't seem so bad. I turn 41 tomorrow and I was devastated at the loss but I can promise it probably wont be as bad as your imagination. You just go Tuesday and kick cancers ass and know you have support here. On a side note had some photos done the day before my surgery of me and "Lefty" and it really did help me.. its an idea :) xxoo gentle hugs

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    Welcome Sugar and Spice. Like you I have my surgery (left mastectomy and lymph node biosy) on Tuesday. I'm nervous and scared since I've never had a surgery like this before. I didn't need treatments beforehand, so the surgery is my first big step. I bought these "shower pockets" that hold the drains in place, and I also got a front zipping sports bra. I didn't realize how few button-up shirts I had until now! I chose not to have reconstruction right away, it might be something I do in the future but I haven't really considered it to be honest. Right now my main focus is to get this thing out! My coping mechanism is to go with the flow and take things as they come. Reach out to family and friends for support, it's the one thing that has kept me going. I will be thinking of you and praying for you on Tuesday. Here's to a speedy recovery!

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  • letsdothis15
    letsdothis15 Member Posts: 10
    edited November 2015

    prayers for all our sisters going in tomorrow and Tuesday!

    Frill- I'm sorry about your schedule change- I will be at MD Anderson starting the 24th!

    Starting a list from all of your suggestions!

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  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited November 2015

    Warm welcome to letdothis15 and sugar-and-spice!!

    Congratulations cjafarm on good node news!

    Frill, I'm sorry for your surgery change. I guess you're not hosting Thanksgiving this year.

    Sending prayers and healing thoughts to all the ladies for Monday and Tuesday this week:

    Nov. 9 Truffles1968, Live4them, catfurr, scsa

    Nov. 10 TallnTerrific, lovingisliving

    Love, Mominator

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  • PMR53
    PMR53 Member Posts: 452
    edited November 2015

    Sugar and Spice and all of you ladies on this thread. I survived chemo TCPH, SNB, Port, lumpectomy and MX with TE. I was so sad too. You will get through it! BC is not a death sentence it's just a pain in the ass for a year. I recommend going through past chemo and MX threads. There is a lot of information. For those of you getting taxotere, ice your fingers and toes during that portion of infusion. Get a good wig check out LollysLocks and I used Brian Joseph lash and Brow conditioning gel. I did not lose my eyebrows or eyelashes. The drains are manageable. I ordered a zip up sweatshirt with 4 drain pockets on each side on Cure Diva. Or you can order pink pockets to stick on inside of button down shirts. God bless all of you. As per earlier post I have a box of camisoles and inserts if any of you need them. 

    PMR53

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    Thank you Ladies for the welcome. I am trying to get mad and want to kick cancer's ass but right now I'm stuck in sadness. I'm also trying to change my perspective from "I lose my adorable breast on Tuesday" to "I get to remove this gross tumor Tuesday". I'm working on it. I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago and I thought I had already walked my journey... I had no idea God had an even bigger journey in store for me.

    Thank you PMR53, I will remember your words "... it's just a pain in the ass for a year". I like that.

    lovingisliving, we are surgery sisters! Like you, I'm having surgery first. My oncologist anticipates me having issues with chemo so he wants the cancer out ASAP. I won't be allowed to shower with my drains, but I did buy a front closing post-mastectomy bra, drain pockets, and a shirt that buttons up the front (why do they all seem to be plaid?!) I am concerned the tissue expander will be painful... my brother had one placed on his face/side of head after a car accident and it caused him a lot of discomfort.

    I go tomorrow for my first injection of dye to light up my lymph nodes... Am I wrong in guessing they inject this directly into the breast? Ouch.

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  • Jblmom
    Jblmom Member Posts: 22
    edited November 2015

    best wishes and prayers for the ladies who have surgery tomorrow

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  • TallnTerrific
    TallnTerrific Member Posts: 114
    edited November 2015
    Welcome letsdothis1. I added you to the list above for the 24th! I know what you mean about the value of this board. These women will be our compatriots through all of our treatments and recovery! I don't have much advice about the implants v DIEP or Tram. I don't have the option due to some blood clotting issues. But I can tell you that before I knew that I was very emotional about the question and shocked that I had to decide at this very early stage. I was still reeling from the cancer DX.
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  • TallnTerrific
    TallnTerrific Member Posts: 114
    edited November 2015
    Dear Truffles1968, Live4them, catfurr, scsa
    We know all of you will be in surgery tomorrow and wish you all great success and that you will do as well as most of other Nov sisters have done so far. Love, prayers and healing energy to all.
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  • Catfurr
    Catfurr Member Posts: 69
    edited November 2015

    Thank you for the good wishes and prayers! I'm as ready for the surgery as I'm going to be, but the wire localization in my breast AND a lymph node first has me pretty freaked out. Then there's the dye in my nipple?? Seriously?? I'm expected to handle all that with a Valium?? Haven't they heard of versed??? My last Chemo was just 19 days ago and I'm still feeling crappy from that, but I guess they think I'm ok enough for surgery. The really good news is that the MRI showed "no residual abnormalities" . Does that mean NED?

    Best wishes to my sisters who are also going in tomorrow!!

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  • Free123
    Free123 Member Posts: 84
    edited November 2015

    Truffles1968, Live4them, catfurr, scsa, know that you are being thought of and prayed for today!!! You've got this! You will have low moments but keep your eyes on the prize and REST. Sending love, hugs and prayers to you all and for TallnTerrific and lovingisliving tomorrow!!

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  • imisswine
    imisswine Member Posts: 16
    edited November 2015

    Had left lumpectomy, SNB Thursday 11/5. Think the pre-op mammo wire insertion and the radioactive dye/scan were the worse parts. I'm doing ok except now, rash has developed on my chest and neck. Not allergic to anything that I know of, but this could be delayed reaction to tape, dye, sutures, etc. Looking thru these boards for info while I wait to hear back from surgeon's office.

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  • TallnTerrific
    TallnTerrific Member Posts: 114
    edited November 2015
    I go in tomorrow morning and I am wondering what the pre-op mammo wire was about and if all of you were given the numbing cream to apply pre-op and covered with Saran Wrap? I am anxious- took an extra Xanax today!
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  • keepsake
    keepsake Member Posts: 59
    edited March 2016

    TallnTerrific, I just picked up my numbing cream prescription and was told to use it with the Saran Wrap, too. I am anxious, too. Last week I had a virus and last night I got to sleep after 3:30 AM. I think we have surgery on the same day. Hang in there!

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  • keepsake
    keepsake Member Posts: 59
    edited February 2018

    TallnTerrific, correction - I see your surgery is tomorrow. Sending you and lovingisliving positive thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery and quick recovery.

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  • new__me
    new__me Member Posts: 128
    edited November 2015

    Question to anyone ... SNB. i have been told that when they inject the radioactive dye into the nipples it is very painful ... is that true? Is it a brief sting or does it last while the dye is moving through the breasts? Are there really 4 shots on each breas? I am scheduled to have the dye at 7 AM, then a scan and then my PBMX at 10 AM with TEs to follow. Surgery Nov 20. I AM GETTING SO WORRIED ABOUT PAIN.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    Hm, I wasn't told about a mammo wire or any numbing cream. But I am going in 3 hours before my surgery at 10 to have the dye injected for sentinel lymph nodes. The surgeon told me they test the lymph nodes during the surgery to determine if the rest of the lymph nodes need to be removed. Needless to say that added to my anxiety. It's supposed to be a rainy day tomorrow here in San Diego, of all days! Wishing you the best tomorrow TallnTerrific , and to Free123 and Mominator on Wednesday as well!

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  • Scsa
    Scsa Member Posts: 26
    edited November 2015

    hi everyone. Thanks to all for sending me positive and caring thoughts today. My lumpectomy went smoothly. They had implanted a radioactive seed marker last week so I did not need the wire. My surgeon told my husband she took more out than anticipated and my husband remembers her saying because the area was near muscle. Does that make sense to anyone?

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  • cjafarm
    cjafarm Member Posts: 44
    edited November 2015

    lovingisliving and new__me

    My surgery was Friday and I had the dye injected for sentinel lymph nodes detection. My injection did sting a little and was put in at what I would call the 11:00 area.

    I have learned to close my eyes and encourage myself to relax and breath before any type of procedure. It helps me immensely

    I went from that room directly to surgery because of a change in schedule. In fact my surgeon pushed my wheel chair to the OR and talked football with me the whole way.

    I was very lucky in that no cancer had moved to the lymph nodes.


    Best wishes to both of you.



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  • Thundergal
    Thundergal Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2015
    Lovingisliving and TallnTerrific- ladies, you are awesome and have been such a great source of information (and some much needed laughs) in the short time I've been following this awesome thread. Sending you hugs and positive thoughts to you both and can't wait to hear from you on the other side!!!
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  • Fearless1956
    Fearless1956 Member Posts: 106
    edited November 2015

    I'm scheduled for left breast lumpectomy tomorrow (11/10/15) afternoon for DCIS. I'm also having some type of pseudo benign tumor removed from my right breast. Following surgery, I may be a candidate for Mammosite internal radiation therapy. If I'm not, then I'll be facing external radiation and then hormonal therapy as I'm ER+/PR+. Prayers and thoughts for all of you others facing surgery this coming month---some of whom are facing much more extensive surgery than I am. Blessings to you all.

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  • TallnTerrific
    TallnTerrific Member Posts: 114
    edited November 2015

    You are all wonderful! I have a better idea of what is to come. I am going to use the deep breaths recommended by cjafarm, and put my life in the hands of Jesus. He is going to fill the void that used to be my cancerous breasts with the Holy Spirit. I don't mean to take this into a overly christian mode but you can find the sweet love and power in any faith that is coming to fill the void that will be created by your surgery. Love to you all.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2015

    Beautifully said TallnTerrific. Prayers for you as well Fearless1956. I wanted to share this song that has been motivating me to stay strong. I'm sure some of you have heard it, "This is my Fight Song". Lots of tears when I first heard it, but it's now my go-to when I'm feeling down.

    Fight Song

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  • Live4them
    Live4them Member Posts: 65
    edited November 2015

    Just had surgery today !!! Ouch , had the Bilateral mastectomy with direct to implants.. My PS did not put me in a bra just wrapped me with some type of wietd suppor .. I am allergic to the adhesive in steristrips and all sorts of tapE . Not sure if that's why he did it . All these medicine have made me a bit anxious so I can't sleep .. Since I'm not in bra I saw my new tatas .. One looks super Weird ... So I'm in pain and worried how long this pain will last and when I will be discharged . Hate hospitals and I can't lay on my side I have a Foley catheter, my back is killing me , my mouth is so dry . Please send me some positive vibes and prayers .. I'm

    Miserable

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