January 2016 Surgeries

virginia123

Thank you Violethope, I did not know that about scar tissue buildup! And thank you whoever mentioned the ice compresses, I did not realize that it is important to keep good circulation to the area! I don't want to try to come back too fast, but I feel like exercise and diet are the ONLY parts of this nightmare where I have any control so I have put all of my energy there. It's not really working anyway, thinking about calling my doctor for anti-depressants tomorrow. I really didn't want to go down that road, but started reading a few articles on-line yesterday that talked about how anti-depressants may actually be good for cancer patients, something about the chemicals and the cancer cells. I'm tired of crying all the time...

violethope

Virginia 123- I too feel the only things I can control are my diet, exercise, weight and alcohol intake as it doesn't appear as if we have much control over the other things -age and genetics. I had a glass and 1/2 of wine last night and still beating myself up over it today! Feeling pretty blue but keep telling myself i will not take any medications to get me through other than the pain meds post-surgery. I am in Nova Scotia so it may be different but had no drains post-op lumpectomy or node biopsy.

Everyone- I'd be curious to hear what your docs. have told you about your alcohol intake?

Have a great day everyone!

Harmony2

Newly diagnosed and this is my first time writing. I am having a lump and SNB January 29th. I am apprehensive, but I am trying to remain calm. Many thanks to all of you who share your experiences....it has been very helpful. There is so much to learn. I am trying to be organized so that the first few days at home will go smoothly. Many thanks for all your input!

virginia123

OK Violethope, funny story for you. My next door neighbor did this a few years ago. She told me she was so distressed the night before her surgery, she drank a TON of wine and was still drunk when she went in for surgery the next morning!! Now that might be talking a little too far, don't worry about your 1 1/2 glasses

Harmony2, that is nice to see such a quick surgery date after such a recent diagnosis. Get it out girl!

Mominator

@SVGsurvive: this was my last surgery for reconstruction, although I certainly have had plenty of surgery in the past year: neurosurgery, BMx & BSO, debridement, and Exchange surgery.

My PS gave the black areas a couple of weeks to pink up. Some of it did recover. The debridement was OK, although it was weird to be awake while he worked on me. It is what it is. You'll do fine.

BlueHeron

harmony2, welcome to our group! I'm sorry you had to find us, but it's a great group.

chambo

Hi Gemma12,

We are on similar paths...and I was dx on my anniversary...don't turn 50 until May...lol. The skin near my lumpectomy feels so sensitive everything touching it feels like sandpaper on it. The weird thing is it's about 2 inches away from the actual incision site. I read somewhere (I've read a LOT lately) that it could be from internal cauterizing where they took the margins...I have no idea if that's true, but something caused that skin to be super sensitive.

Virginia123 - I used to live just down the road in Chesapeake...now I am on the other side of the country. Oh, how I miss the beach! Anyway, I am sitting at post op 16 days...I wouldn't want to be swinging a tennis racket yet, plus there is a potential of cording like I have.... Walking is definitely do-able right away, and maybe an elliptical at 3 weeks if you have a really snug sports bar and keep the arm part on the lump side easy. At least it would be low impact.

SVGSurvive - thanks for the welcome. Still trying to figure out all the acronyms and the best way to find new posts versus things I've already read!

Mominator

champo: welcome

At the top and bottom of every thread you will see a link to "add to my favorites topics" If you click that link, you will get a notification when there is a new post.

Also, there is a list of acronyms here https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/131/topic... Add that to your favorites list to make it easier to find.

It takes a while to learn the language but you'll catch on quickly enough. You found us and have written up you profile / signature already.

Best wishes on your journey.

woodstock99

Good luck and best wishes to all on the schedule this week.

Had a cousin visiting from Charlotte this weekend so not much time to read & write.

Going to have drains remove this morning - scared but happy!.

Want to ask BS about the drain scars and the blood blisters near them and if/when some of the swelling under arms will go away and kind of unevenness across chest area. Can you have a "clean-up" surgery?

Want to talk to MO again as I am having 2nd thoughts about not taking an AI & If I am being penny-wise pound foolish in big picture after going through past few months & BMX.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Just think next week it will be February!

xoxo

edwsmom

Question for you all...

I'm having BMX going straight to implant on Thursday and trying to get prepared.

I don't know what to do about bras. I'm a 36DDD now, but I will be reducing during the surgery to a C cup so I don't know what to get. Should I be buying some kind of bra for after surgery or do they give you some in the hospital?

Kessa619

Hi, Edwsmom. I went straight to implant on 1/13, and my PS did not put me in any bra. She said not to wear any bra. I will be interested in what your doctor decides to do. Best of luck. I will be thinking of you and everyone with surgery coming up.

edwsmom

HI Kessa

Thanks very much for responding. I guess that could be why he hasn't said anything about bras..lol. I kept seeing others talking about sports bras/ front open bras, so I figured I'd ask.

MLP3

I had my lx and snb with radioactive seed and tracer on Friday 1/22. The worst part for me was the anesthesia. Surgery was 3 hours and I was in recovery for 5 hours... Vomitting, nausea, low BP. They wanted to keep me as it was approaching 9pm but I faked it the best I could and just wanted to get home. I left the patch on for the half hour ride home and then took it off.

I have only taken 2 of the Vicodin prescribed and have been on reg strength Tylenol only since. I have more pain at the snb site than the lx site at the 9 o'clock position on my left breast. But it's mostly like a big bruise pain. Sometimes I get sharp pains in the nipple area, but these are quick and infrequent. Still feeling a bit week n groggy but I'm sure that's the anesthesia as they loaded me up, I'm very hyper sensitive to meds so anesthesia is like poison to me.

I've showered twice now and it feels so good! No drains, no stitches, just steri trips.

They automatically did the oncotype testing, took 4 nodes and I have my follow up on 2/4 to discuss results and treatments going forward.

I had a nice big glass of red wine last night and it was so relaxing. For me, it's better than meds. Even just holding the glass made me feel human again and not a cut up pin cushion!!

Good luck to everyone with their upcoming surgeries! It's what we have to do to move forward. This mindset helped me going into surgery... I was actually quite calm!! Now the wait game again for results but there's nothing we can do about that either. Sucks... But it was it is

grandma3X

MLP3 - glad you are doing well after Lx on Friday! I'll be interested to hear how you make out with the radioactive seed.

Logang - sending healing thoughts for your MX today. I hope you have a quick recovery.

Balthus - getting drains out was so nice! Hope you have a pain-free experience! I see my MO for the first time next week and expect to be put on an AI. I've heard stories about the nasty side effects, but also others who have either gotten over the SEs quickly or not had any to begin with.

I ventured out to Walmart yesterday with DH to do some grocery shopping. It was a bit more painful than I expected. I've been walking on the treadmill about 1.5 miles each day, but apparently that kind of walking is different from actually walking around the store Other than that, I'm feeling good. I'm pretty much off all pain meds and although I've been sleeping in the recliner since surgery, I think I'll try the bed tonight. Just can't sleep on my left side yet.

My first fill is scheduled for next Monday. I'm a bit apprehensive. I'll have DH drive me but I don't want him to have to take time off every time I have to drive to Baltimore (2+ hours each way). If the fills aren't too painful, I will eventually drive myself over or see if my daughter can do it.

Happy Monday to you all! Feb. will be here soon and we can all put this first step in our recovery behind us!

Harmony2

Thank you BlueHeron for your welcome note, it does seem like wonderful supportive group. I'm so glad I found this site. I hope you are doing well! I still have a pre- op appointment and a first appointment with the radiologist before surgery on Friday. It will be good to be moving forward instead of just waiting and wondering.

Harmony2

Virginia123, your surgery is just one day before mine.. It will be good to have this behind us.

Best wishes! I'll be thinking of you

Mominator

edwsmom: Sometime surgeons will have the bra put on you at the end of surgery. Sometimes it will be given to you during your stay or before you go home. Some leave you to find what's comfortable for you. I had no bra at all for two weeks after BMx (just large bandages taped to my breasts) because my breasts were too swollen and bruised. On my two-week visit, the swelling was down enough I could just barely tolerate a bra. I was put in a bra immediately after exchange surgery. You can call the office and ask the nurse or PA now before surgery what the standard procedure is for your surgeon.

Best wishes for your surgery.

stellamaris

@SVGsurvive - yes, I've been moved out, as my PS wants a CAT scan prior to the MX and DIEP surgery. I'm still waiting for the two surgeons to get together and confirm the Feb 11 date....

Moderators

Harmony2, welcome to our discussion boards, and we'll be routing you, and the other, on!!

woodstock99

Overall not feeling great today. Probably between meds & taking a xanax before drains came out so a bit nauseous but wanted to tell everyone with drains that the removal anticipation was far worse than the reality as I have found things. I was glad my BS did it & not Nurse Ratchett but she told me to take a deep breath and I id & it was painless & over quickly. I think DH was going to pass out. I at leafs could not really see it., It's weird now not to have that drains wrapping around my collarbone etc. BS said I would have some oozing next few days but should be ok. She also removed steer-strips but told me to wear the bra U have had since surgery for another day or two & then can go to any bra with soft fill.

Interesting I noticed today that none of the exam rooms have mirrors. I was a bit disappointed as there is an area on both sides between my chest and upper arm near my armpits that I thought was just swollen but would eventually go away but BS said it will not & I asked if it could be surgically removed. She said that if it was cut that it would make it difficult to raise my arms. Maybe it will not look so bad when I have healed more & swelling is gone.

Apparently this is not the dog ear issue as she took my incisions all the way around to my back since I am not doing reconstruction, She told me I can start to drive short distances later this week & I am scheduled to go back to work in 2 weeks. She also gave me booklet of exercises to start in a few days and said some pain & soreness will be better in 6-8 weeks and some will take longer.

She said I could resume seeing my massage therapist for my back land lower body but to wait a month from surgery to do anything on upper front. I asked about scar strips or oils or lotions and she said my call. I do not see her again for 6 months unless I have a problem.

I did speak to the MO's nurse who spoke to the MO about rethinking taking an AI. The MO conveyed that she really was not recommending for me as my recurrence risk is so low and because of my fibromyalgia (which rarely bothers me now) and other issues. While I am happy to hear this everyone here seems to say that you really need to at least try taking an AI which I was now offering to do and I am wondering why she does nit want me to even try one, I told the BS earlier that I wanted to and she thought that was a good idea. I had nothing to lose. So now I am conflicted. My BS did tell me that it is critical for me to lose weight (I am 5'5" and weigh 175), get my BMI in check & exercise & that will go along way for me. I guess i need to get a message to BS what MO said.

Anyone have any opinions about this? Thanks.

Hope everyone is doing well and those in the East managing to deal with the snow, etc.

SVGsurvive

Welcome to Shakapuppy & Harmony2 - you're dates are now up on the board! The ladies on this thread are the best - you're in good supportive hands.

__________________________________

Today I wanted to share how blessed I feel. Getting the DX I never felt was "unfair". I didn't feel singled out nor to blame. That said, this has been and will continue to be one hell of a challenge - which makes everything that happened today that much more rewarding.

I met w/ my BS and she walked in the room beaming and holding my path report. I've had a Pathologic Complete Response! They cannot detect any cancer in me, including both breasts & the single node they removed. All they could detect where the tumor once was is the metal clip they'd inserted during the original core biopsy. I received a congratulatory email from my MO as well. I am so overwhelmed!

Then I met with my PSNP, who removed the drain on my cancerous side (Day 10), and my other drain was removed on Day 6. Neither hurt, in fact, I felt literally nothing during today's procedure. PSNP said that's because the BS left even less tissue on that side because it was the site of the DX.

I developed thrush (oral) due to the antibiotics and lowered immune system. This can now heal and the chance of recurrence is reduced as today I get to stop taking the antibiotics (no drains = no antibiotics), and am weaning off Percocet and onto Tylenol during the day.

I also got the last of my bandages off. I can start showering tomorrow morning, and will start rubbing Bacitracin Zinc ointment on my nipples to help remove any residual surgery/bandage gunk and promote healing.

Finally, my period resumed today. My last one was the day of my 1st chemo infusion on 7/29. I don't intend to have children at this point in my life, however, it makes me feel as though my body is truly healing from the chemo.

The pessimist in me is waiting for the other shoe to drop, but boy am I going to try hard to fully embrace what a magical day today has been. I hope all of us get magical days - we deserve it.

As others have said, it's time to have a glass of wine!

grandma3X

SVGsurvive - that is wonderful news!

stellamaris

@SVGsurvive - I am not an emotional person, but your post put tears in my eyes - I am so happy for you - may the magic continue!!! Hugs

CoolgrammieNC

SVGsurvive....Yahoo, great news....so happy for all your great reports..everyone's always telling me there is a light at the end of the tunnel....great to hear they are right.....

BlueHeron

SVGsurvive, I am so so so happy for you!

Kessa619

Yes, SVGsurvive! So pleased for your good news.

Melgirl

Wow great news for you SVGsurvive!!

Melgirl

Over the weekend I really struggled with my choice to either have my BMX this Friday without a plastic surgeon and therefore delay my reconstruction or delay my surgery for 3 plus weeks due to my BS going on vacation. The scheduler originally told me it would not be a problem for the PS but needed a second BS to confirm for Friday. (One BS for each side) Then there was confusion about whether the PS was actually available. Then the second BS confirmed. Ugh!!

In the meantime I start looking at other ways of doing reconstruction, and I'm no longer convinced.

So I made the FINAL decision to delay my reconstruction. My BMX will take place on Friday morning 1/29.

I feel pretty good about my decision, right now anyway. I hope I feel that way afterwards.

mama26

Grandma3X - What is an Al? Sorry to hear you may need more surgery. Hugs to you.

BlueHeron

Melgirl, my story is a little different but similar. My surgery recommendation from my team went from Lx to Mx and since Lx was already scheduled without a PS in only a week from the switch (!!!!), I had to choose either Mx without recon or with delayed recon on that original date, or wait another 2 months for combo BS and PS time, with Lx first as scheduled. It was one of the hardest weeks of my life, trying to figure out what to do.

I met with PS a few times, talked with every BC survivor I could find, and looked at a zillion photos. I soul searched. And then I listened to my gut. And then, it became incredibly clear that recon was not for me. And once it became clear, all that angst went away. So I hope once your decision is made, whatever it is, you feel similarly relieved!

I woke flat on one side and it didn't bother me one bit. I knew what to expect. The drain was the thing giving me fits, way more than even the Mx! I'm 12 days out and I feel 100% awesome about my decision. I know I can feel strong and sexy with my scar, and I just know that I could not have put myself through more surgeries, ongoing.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know so that you don't dread waking flat! And then, when you are ready and not feeling rushed, you can really look at your recon options and take your time deciding what works for you. I definitely do not think you will regret taking whatever time you need. It's so insanely hard to make these life-altering decisions in such short time spans!

Also, we are similar in age etc.... I'm 46 with two kids age 13 and 10. How did you get that into your signature?

Xxoo