December 2015 Surgery Sisters Part Deux (with list)

Moderators

Hi Planet, welcome to BC.org! We are so sorry that you are going through this, but at the same time we are glad you found this great community!

You can find good information about Lumpectomy in our main site, if you want to lear more on what to expect and questions to ask your surgeon.

Good luck with surgery tomorrow! Please come back and let us know how are you!

Best,

The Mods

jbdayton

I get nipples tomorrow and a little excess fat removed from the side of my right breast. I am so excited.

I wanted to pass on a little encouragement to each of you ladies early in the treatment and or recovery stages. You are very strong women whether you know it now or not. I have met lots of women over the last 3 years and everyone digs deep and finds a way to be strong.

Merry Christmas to everyone and hope you can enjoy the holidays. Those recovering, please rest and let others do the work. You can make it back up next year.

I will let everyone know how it goes.

JerseyGirl22

jbdayton and planet, welcome... I'm sorry you have to take this journey, but you'll not find a better group of women to share the ride with.... we're all at slightly different stages, but the same road... and the support is amazing out here!

ramprat!!!!! Yay! Cancer Free! When my BS called me and said those words I made her repeat it 3 times!!! Feels good to have a bit of breathing room... I still have to finish herceptin and radiation but chemo and surgery are behind me and moving forward is the name of the game!

MrsGreenJeans

Planet, my goodness, you have been through the wringer lately. That's a lot of healing to get done. At least you have a support system now that you have opened up to your family.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow, and will pray for a good pathology report.

MissV123

Well , I didnt go back to work as planned today. My Dr had to drain off 100 cc (1/2 cup)? from the incision...I didnt even feel the liquid in there...so I will try to go back Friday.....

NJgirl 2, she explained to me that the underarm pain is because so many lymps removed and there is a major vessel involved in there somewhere, so everything is upset and trying to heal, she recommended I wear a loose ace bandage from my elbow up and it does indeed help with some of the pain....or a shirt with a tighter sleeve than I would normally wear, not to tight....like a thermal womans undershirt or something....the compression will help......

Mrsgreenjeans, dont worry about the whole shopping thing....Im still not ready for shopping and I still have some confusion from the anesthesia ,like I keep putting things in the wrong place ...like butter in the pantry and silly stuff, I cant read, cause I cant concentrate....and I love to read....

Planet, welcome, I have talked to some of the sweetest women on here....and we are all going thru similar situations.....this is a great place for venting and or questions....

Rampart, Wonderful news....Im so happy for you..

And for everyone else getting ready for surgery this week.....best of everything...thinking about you all...good luck......

LoveMyVizsla

I don't know how I lost track of this thread. My wire placement was eventful, unfortunately. I think my blood sugar was too low because I passed out!

Surgery went well, waiting for path today or tomorrow. So glad I didn't have to have drains, they sound like a major pain. I have full range of motion, but my node incision site is causing me a good amount of pain because my sports bra runs right across it. I need to find some with lower armholes.

I'm only taking ibuprofen now, and so glad I don't have to go back to work.

And I completely agree that telling other people is the worst part, makes it real.

Nobody having surgery today, so to those who have, feel better soon. For those who are still waiting, I send calming thoughts.

Planet

Thank you all for the warm welcome.

I stayed up too late last night reading articles and trying to make sure I'm prepared for tomorrow. But, f@@k it--there is no way to be "prepared" for this because everyone is different. I thought I was prepared for my bunionectonies and both of them had complications: a shredded tendon in the right and a cadaver bone graph in the left.

I just got off the phone with a friend that has cheated death many times: bullies tried to hang her from a tree when she was a kid, struck by lightning, left her job the day before a mass killing, and several near deaths with her chrones disease. She is now an inspirational speaker. Her best advice:

No practice bleeding.

Because the bleeding will come anyway and you don't know what it will be, so stop thinking forward and let it unfold. Then fight the bleeding when it is actually there. Don't waste energy practicing.

So I sit here and ice my feet and face, waiting for the hospital to call to confirm my times for tomorrow. And whatever I discover when I wake up from surgery tomorrow, I will face at that time. And I keep repeating the words of my US tech "you're not going to die from this". And Dr. B is reportedly an artist as well as a surgeon so I'm in great hands.

I just wish I could have a glass of wine-I've been abstaining for the past 4 weeks between the foot, the face, the biopsy.A deep rich crianza from Rioja or a bold Ribera del Duero. I have 6 bottles left from my last trip to Spain in September before this all started sitting in my cold closet. Maybe I can crack one open for Christmas. I can do that, can't I?

MrsGreenJeans

Planet, you sound like a riot to be around!! I'll be you've got some awesome stories to tell.

Keep us posted.

Planet

Mrs.GreenJeans, I have some very colorful friends and adventures. Stay tuned--I'm sure I'll make several inappropriate disclosures on these forums!

I gave up waiting for the hospital to call regarding my surgical times and called them. Then the nurse called while I was talking to someone else. LOL.

As I was wrapping up my call, I expressed a desire to have an adult beverage. She said I can have one as long as I take no Norco. Well, f@@k Norco, I'm cracking open a Guinness. (If I open the wine, I can't promise to not drink the whole bottle. I'll save that for Xmas). So I'm enjoying a frosty, foamy, dark and nutty Guinness. Don't nursing mothers drink this in Ireland?!

Oh yeah, and I realized that the bra I bought thoughtlessly closes in the back, not front. Oh well, I'll fasten it in front and whip it around to the back. Duh!

MrsGreenJeans

Planet, this site needs a like button!

LoveMyVizsla

The back of myupper arm has been feeling numb today so I thought I would try putting a warm rice sock on it. Don't do it!! I think I made it worse.

Planet

It sure does need some buttons:

👍 Like

👎 That sucks

🖕 Cancer and SEs

Good night, y'all. I've got to be at Prentice at 7:15am for pre-op prep. 🙏

LoveMyVizsla

Thinking of you, Planet!

MissV123

Morning everyone ! I hope everyone a little better each day....so I tried the ace bandage from my elbow up for the weird pains in my upper underarm and armpit and it worked! I guess a little pressure holding things together makes the difference.....Lovemy Viesl, I had never heard of a warm rice sock, and now I wont even try ......but I also posted about putting a mini pad, or panty liner where the bra ends and it keeps it from rubbing....and the sticky side sticks to the inside of the bra...works wonders.....I must look like a rag doll when put all together....panty liners in bra, ace bandage up arm....what a mess...but Thanks Be To God or Whatever Higher Power you believe in....I feel so much better......still waiting on the onco results...should be in January....will make sure Dr has em before I head up to see him.....

To Planet and Konakona.....thinking of you today......good luck and let us know how you are doing.....

BethL

mrsgreenjeans - I know it's hard waiting so long for path reports. When I had bc 10 years ago, it took 3 weeks for the final. My doc did keep calling them and woukd update me on the preliminary. Maybe your doc coukd do the same? Nice Costco had scooters. I mentioned to the family I wanted to go to one of the theme parks here for their Xmas show. They laughed at me, but I said I could get a scooter, and will if necessary. Heck yesterday I was weak walking through a parking lot. It comes and goes. My energy level is good but short lived.

Met with ps and MO yesterday. Ps said sutures had to stay several more weeks because my skin is so tight. All 4 drains still in, hoping for monday. I now can see a change in output. MO was great. It was our 1st meeting. No chemo. Gonna shut down my ovaries, or Remove them. Then an ai, and the injection for bone loss prevention. Still new at all this. He said new study last week that women on the bone meds had a 20% less risk of recurrence. I'll take it! I meet with genetics next week. If they identify a risk for ovarian ca, then I'll have them removed. If not I'll start lupron late january.

Hope everyone is doing well!

NJ-Jen

Read to catch up, and no fair making me laugh.

Hubs is now being sweet. I think he was just so happy to see his friend. I agree it is easier without reconstruction almost wish I had not. Tired more later. Hope to get home tomorrow or Saturday

LoveMyVizsla

I was told my pathology will be back in 5 days. I can't believe it is taking weeks for some of you to get yours back. I'm hoping for a call later today.

songbird72

Anyone else having a hard time emotionally? My path report was not what I had hoped. Tumor measured 3.2 cm, cancer found in 1/5 nodes and was >2mm. I am stage 2B. I am just dealing with so many things---facing chemo most likely, possibly radiation, definitely hormone therapy, the loss of my breast. I have been up and down for the past week. One minute I'm a warrior who will kick cancers butt and the next I'm reduced to tears thinking about the mountain ahead of me.

I am thinking of all of you who are still looking forward to your surgeries. I'm hoping you come through it with flying colors and get good results from path reports.

LoveMyVizsla

Don't feel bad about being emotional. I lost it this morning trying to decipher my insurance EOB versus a bill from a hospital. It was easily solved with one phone call, but I still felt dumb about crying over it.

Hang in there. Still hoping for a call from my surgeon today with my path report.

MissV123

Songbird, never feel bad about being emotional...I can go from crying to laughing in the blink of an eye. We are all there with you....this is a very emotional time....Im kind of glad to return to work tomorrow to be surrounded by friends. Im sure it will be very emotional...Im crying right now!...But I work at the Hospital, and with the people who were all involved with my surgery.....from the surgery nurses to the tecs...they all know my situation and are very supportive....Im nervous.But I have to return at some point...Please allow yourself your emotions.....

LoveMyVizsla

Update:

Well, I got the call from the surgeon. Good news: stage 2A (early), and none of the 4 lymph nodes had cancer in them. Bad news: she doesn't feel like she got wide enough margins and wants to do a re-excision after chemo. So overall good news, but more surgery.

JerseyGirl22

Songbird, the emotional roller coaster this fight brings is definitely not for the faint of heart. Don't beat yourself up over it. Let it flow and bring about more self awareness. That's how I had/have to look at it. I got to a point when I'd realize I was going to be having a "moment" and it would hit me... crying one minute, laughing the next. It does get better.

LoveMyVizsla, so glad you finally got your report. Happy for the good news... Grrr about the margins though! Ugh, I'm so glad to be done with surgery!

songbird72

Thanks everyone. I know it's normal but I wish I would just have my breakdown and get on with it! We are taking our kids (ages 12 and 14) to see Star Wars tonight so I think that will be helpful for me to get out of the house and do something fun with my family. I'm so glad I have this support group. I live in a rural area and the closest group that meets face to face is 1 1/2 hours away. Again, thank you!

NY30

Songbird, the emotional part of this all seems to be the hardest part. I almost feel like all of the more rational brain functions: treatment, diagnosis, and all of the physical must-dos (check the drain, take the meds, do the exercises) are the welcome distractions that keep you sane. If you stop and think about what happened, what is going to happen, and all that that means for too long, I think any of us would lose it.

I had my mastectomy on Monday. Physically feeling great, barely any pain meds needed, even walked home from the hospital! But I haven't looked down yet (mom and boyfriend are monitoring the site.) When the bra is off and I can feel the difference I've teared up. Showering was really difficult. Yesterday had to go to the ER as my drain was not functioning and they thought I had a hematoma. They re-admitted me and told me I would need to go back into surgery. (Thankfully a fairly painful ultrasound disagreed with that assessment and I'm back home now.) But when they re-admitted me, put the IV needle back in my arm, and started taking my vitals, I cracked, full on. Emotionally we can only take so much.

Laughing helps. (Hurts a bit actually, but worth it!) Watching Will Ferrell, Arrested Development, and having a hilarious family and boyfriend doesn't hurt. We've been trying to crack up whenever we can, because yes, the emotional/mental part of this all seems to be the real battle.

Planet, I hear you. Not drinking has been the worst during this! As they say in Airplane, "I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue." No pain meds yesterday meant that I had a lovely glass of Pinot Noir with dinner once they released me from the hospital. Ah, the little things.

LoveMyVizsla, I have a 5-yr old vizsla. She's staying with a friend during recovery, as I'm sure she won't understand why we can't cuddle. May be the time to finally re-train her not to sleep in the bed!

Wishing all of you sane and speedy recoveries.

xxoo

Planet

Here's hoping Konakona's surgery went well yesterday. 🙏
Cab driver to hospital was so sweet-helped me with my knee scooter and said he would pray for me. Totally over tipped him.

I had 2 surprises yesterday: 1) wire placement was not done ultrasonicly, but while squished in a mammography vise-said that due to the position of my tumor (inner upper-basically the place where I have the least tissue in my 38DDs), they had to use mammography. They were as gentle as possible and the generous lidocaine helped. (2) I had to be put under a general anesthesia due to the fact that during my bunionectony 2 weeks ago, I was moving around too much and that anesthesiologist (different hospital) had to convert me to LAM (laryringeal airway mask?) so that's what I had this time. So, sore throat afterwards, but my sister brought me a Dove bar with our carry out Italian dinner. It was my only meal of the day, so totally deserved it!

Good news: Dr. B did come see me during my longer recovery period. Said it was routine. I'll take routine! I don't want to be exceptional in my BC. Will get labs after Xmas which I prefer. It keeps that next step a mystery a little longer and more time for me to ignore my BC and enjoy the holiday. A bit of suspended reality.

LoveMyVisla: clean lymph nodes!!!!!! But bummer about the margins. Let's cheer the good news and see what happens after the chemotherapy. 🍷The wine glass is half full! (Until I am served, that is!) I so want clean lymph nodes!

MrsGreenJeans

Hello all, I've been away from the board for a few days. It turns out my BS did call with results last Friday (that means 9 days for the path report, not 2 weeks). Somehow I missed that I had a voicemail message. I hate the way my phone notifies me of a voicemail, it is not the first time I've missed messages.

Path report did show DCIS in the contralateral breast, so I feel validated on choosing PBMX. My BS really felt that it wasn't the right course of action for me. Of course now she is saying I made the right choice. She said she got weak in the knees when she read the report!! That's how strongly she felt I wasn't at high risk for cancer. There were 2 lymph nodes in the tissue she removed (not sentinel), and they showed no sign of invasion, so Yay!!! At this point there is no need for further treatment. Just need to finish the reconstruction process.

It feels weird now to know that I actually did have cancer. Before the results I felt a little like an outsider as I did not have it unlike all of you. (just my own perception, not because anyone made me feel that way)

Anyway, I'm still having issues with lightheadedness. BS says that is normal and it takes "42" days to be really rid of all of that. Gee, only 26 days to go!!

At least I am healing well, no issues whatsoever in that regard. First fill is on Monday, so hopefully that goes well.

MrsGreenJeans

MissV, It's great that you have found some things that give you some relief from the discomfort. I had seen references to the minipad in the bra, even bought some, but for some reason I never tried it. Good to know it helps you. Also interesting that wrapping the arm is helping. I hope you continue to improve daily.

BethL, your situation is pretty much identical to my sister's. Same dx. She had BMX followed by the same infusions and meds you will be having, and also the ovaries removed. She is doing absolutely wonderful now, 5 years post dx.

NJ-Jen, glad things went well, and it sounds like your attitude is positive. Take it easy, don't laugh too hard

songbird, I am sorry you are so disappointed in your results. It is tough when you get bad news. Hang in there. Hope you and your family enjoyed Star Wars!

LoveMyVizsla, yippee on no nodes, bummer on the margins and more surgery. Let us know how it goes.

NY30, holy moly!!! You walked home from the hospital after MX??????? Good for you! Sorry you had to go back but glad you didn't need more surgery. Don't overdo it, please.

Planet, that wire placement doesn't sound like fun. It's bad enough just having a mammogram! A Dove Bar is the perfect recipe for a sore throat, what a nice sister to bring you dinner and dessert. I will be praying that your path result is a good one.

BethL

have to share......I drove today to a small get together for a holiday lunch with coworkers. Felt great. I wore my new pincho with pride, camouflaging a flat chest and 4 drains. They are amazing let me say first, and I mean that. But I had to laugh because probably half of them said "you look the same". While I realize that we all say things that don't make sense when we don't know what to say, I thought it was hysterical. I wanted to say....well I had my breasts amputated, not a facelift. Which btw I need to figure out how to afford soon!

Nkw I sit in a waiting room waiting for my 12 year old to complete his mri. Sad that I couldn't go in with him because of the magnets in my expanders but thankful my mom is with us and could go back.

Hope everyone is recovering well, and still praying for those still awaiting surgery. May the force be with us. Sorry...couldn't resist

Planet

MrsGreenJeans--There are so many choices to make with our diagnoses that we really have to trust our gut instinct and forge ahead. You made the right decision for you and now your doctor agrees. 👍

NY30--I love that you walked home. I couldn't walk home, but the nurse let my ride my knee scooter down to my sister's car instead of a wheelchair. (I'm recovering from a bunionectony and can't put weight on my left foot). My BS said that the lumpectomy would be less painful than the bunionectonies and he was right. I'm sorry you had that scare that put you back in the ER. I totally agree with laughter being the best medicine. And if you could see what I looked like yesterday at the hospital, you would have enjoyed it. First, I have my Frankenstein foot with the giant boot on it, then I have a black eye and 6 stitches on my cheek from a Mohs procedure to remove a basal cell carcinoma (they took a nearly a dime sized chunk out of my face) and then the wire hanging out of my boob. A complete train wreck. I laughed at myself when I looked in the mirror. Oh, yeah, and they made me take a pregnancy test because I had a period in May. I tried to beg off due to having already taken one 2 weeks ago--seriously, no one would want to f@@k me looking like this! LOL! I've taken more PTs in 2015 than the whole of my life!

It must be so hard to be apart from your daughter. I hope you are well enough to cuddle her soon!

BethL--The poncho was doing its job!

LoveMyVizsla

Somebody tell me how you highlight names in your post?

NY30, my V is 10 years old. She must cuddle! I put a pillow between her and my surgery breast. And she sleeps with me too, but luckily keeps to herself. Husband is sleeping downstairs to give me space.

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