January 2016 Surgeries

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  • Melgirl
    Melgirl Member Posts: 165
    edited January 2016

    Thank you BlueHeron. I really do feel so much less pressure now that my decision has been made. I'm not gonna lie, occasionally I still get that gut sinking fear that maybe I screwed up, but mostly I'm good.

    To add a signature go to your profile then settings and scroll down to signature. Click edit and dialogue box will pop up :)

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  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited January 2016

    Wonderful news, SVGsurvive, what a relief!I am so very happy for you!

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited January 2016
    Happy Tuesday, everyone! Now that my DH has gone back to work, I'm going a bit stir crazy at home! I take this as a good sign that I'm ready to get back to my routine. Unfortunately I work about 20 miles from home and don't feel confident I'll be able to drive this by myself yet. I need a project to work on to take my mind off BC!

    mama26 - AI stands for aromitase inhibitor. It is used to block estrogen production in postmenopausal women with ER+ breast cancer. My pathology report came back as very strongly ER+, so I will likely have to take AI for 5-10 years to help prevent recurrence. It bothers me that I will have to put a lot of faith in one little pill, but the kind of cancer I have does not respond well to chemo. I meet with the MO next week and will know for sure after talking with him.

    Robini and DecisionFreak - thinking of you today.

    Melgirl- so glad you have made a decision you are happy with!
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  • Jr114
    Jr114 Member Posts: 69
    edited January 2016

    svgsurvive - so happy for you that is great news. It is always positive to hear good outcomes.

    I received my final pathology report and it came back good 👍. All dcis was removed with some adh also removed from my left side. Clean margins also so I think my decision for a nsm was good. I have tissue expanders in and the first view at my first post op appt I handled good....thinking that it looked pretty good. The second post ops was a little harder since swelling went down quite a bit and looked a little more disfigured. Poor hubby because I think it was my first day I really cried about it....he was surprised by my reaction because he said I looked great. He has been my rock through this whole process. I am 43 and it kinda of hit me at that moment that this was the new me. A little more emotional for a couple days after that too...but better theses days. I was a little mad at myself for being upset because I know my situation could be so much worse. I meet with mo and bs next week but have my next appt with ps tomorrow hoping for these drains to come out and first fill ups are scheduled. Anysuggestions on going for the fill ups....should I take a Valium or Vicadin for the visit. I have been trying not to take either just Advil Tylenol but thought I might need a little more for that appt.

    Sending all good thoughts to those coming up for surgery. Just know that everyday definitely gets better. I know that the first day I could reach down and put my own socks on I felt like such a huge milestone. Like I should put a gold star on the calender or something. Lol

    As of Wednesday I am two weeks after surgery and able to dress myself and am feeling pretty good. TE are a little uncomfortable but as long as I keep moving, they get better. Since I live in south NJ this snow put a damper on getting a nice walk in. However good excuse not to have to go out and shovel. ❄️❄️❄️❄️

    I am not allowed to do any excersizing for a couple more weeks but ps want me to move arms around and try to move around as much as possible.

    Sending hugs to all....

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  • Bliss58
    Bliss58 Member Posts: 1,154
    edited January 2016

    SVG. just have to chime in on your awesome news! I am sooo happy for you! Hugs.

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  • Melgirl
    Melgirl Member Posts: 165
    edited January 2016

    I'm not sure if this has been posted here but IMO it's hilarious.

    Top 5 Weird Reasons I love my Mastectomy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THykprttD1A

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  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 338
    edited January 2016

    glad to hear everyone's good news!

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  • Logang
    Logang Member Posts: 421
    edited January 2016

    Thank you grandma3x. Surgery went well and took about three hours. My BS took alot of my axilla nodes, so I have been struggling with the arm rib cage pain. He took so many because they looked abnormal. I had to stay last night, but was discharged around 11 today. I had several doses of dualadid over night. Now it's percocet, flexeril, and ibuprofen.

    Sending prayers to all those scheduled for upcoming surgeries! Congrats to all that had their drains pulled. I have 3 drains.

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  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited January 2016

    Logang: good to see you back and doing well.

    Jr114: congratulations on your good path report. I didn't take anything before my fill. It was fine.

    Thinking of robinni and DecisionFreak today and Shakapuppy tomorrow.

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  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited January 2016

    I had a big appointment with PS today: both drains were removed and stitches taken out, and also received my driving clearance!

    After the appointment, I got a copy of the pathology report. I am certainly very happy that the removed tissue was all benign. But I surprised that the tissue was listed as "breast tissue" as opposed to just "fat tissue" or something else. I had a BMx in November, and this was just an exchange, TEs were taken out and some fat. So it makes me nervous that the pathology is calling it breast tissue and makes me wonder if there's more breast tissue in there.


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  • Gardnergirls
    Gardnergirls Member Posts: 89
    edited January 2016

    Wonderful news SVGsurvive!!

    I went back this morning for my follow up with the plastic surgeon. I had my tissue expander put back in on Thursday. I was in more pain this time but now I'm off pain meds and only using Tylenol. He was unable to remove my drain because it is still putting out to much. Hopefully the nurse navigator will be able to remove my drain on Thursday or Friday.

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  • CoolgrammieNC
    CoolgrammieNC Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2016

    great news Mominator....on your path reports...very happy for you...

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  • CoolgrammieNC
    CoolgrammieNC Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2016

    happy thoughts and prayers 🙏🏼 for all the upcoming surgeries.....skakapuppy, mamma26. Edwsmom,curlyt333,virginia123,sadiesue50,melgirl, and harmony2......

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  • Gardnergirls
    Gardnergirls Member Posts: 89
    edited January 2016

    great news to you as well Mominater your post and my post must have been put up at the same time :

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  • Bliss58
    Bliss58 Member Posts: 1,154
    edited January 2016

    Mominator, good news on the path report for you. Congrats! Maybe they're calling it "breast" tissue to just indicate the fat tissue came from the breast area?

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  • grandma3X
    grandma3X Member Posts: 759
    edited January 2016

    shakapuppy - sending good mojo your way!

    Gardnergirls - I'm glad your pain has gotten better - Hope the TE replacement is successful!

    I'm 2 weeks post surgery and feeling pretty good. I looked into physical therapy yesterday and will have my PS write a script when I go in for my first fill next week. I think I have pretty good ROM but I figure PT can't hurt. I may venture out and try driving this week.

    I hope you all are having a good day.

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  • Jr114
    Jr114 Member Posts: 69
    edited January 2016

    Great news mominator.....so happy for you. One more step to this being behind you

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  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited January 2016

    I had the chills and was shivering from 5pm on all last evening. I finally just took some Tylenol around 8 because the spasms in my chest muscles was bothering me.

    I woke up at 3:30am and felt hot and my chest hurt. I took some Tylenol. I was still feeling really hot at 4:30 and decided to take my temp: 99. Then I realized maybe I should have taken my temperature before the Tylenol.

    At 9:00 my temp was 100.2 and the area around the right drain looked swollen to me. I called the PS office and they had me come in.

    My doctor wasn't available, so I saw another doctor. He thought everything looked good and started talking about "the 5 w's: wound, water, wonder drug...(can't remember the other w's)." Since my wound looked fine, he thought it could be a UTI (water) or a delayed reaction to the wonder drug (anesthesia from last week) or maybe I'm just coming down with something. I don't have any UTI symptoms, I had my flu shot in September, and I haven't been near anyone who is sick.

    He renewed the script on the Keflex and wrote another script for a urine test.

    I'm going to keep on taking Tylenol, push fluids and citrus, take it easy and ride this one out.

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  • Maine1965
    Maine1965 Member Posts: 17
    edited January 2016

    Mominator,

    I hope you feel better real quick! This is no fun but we can handle it!

    Hang in there, prayers to you!

    My time is coming - next Wednesday!



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  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 338
    edited January 2016

    Mominator - sending healing thoughts your way!

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  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 338
    edited January 2016

    I posted this on Monday but didn't hear from anyone so am reposting part of what I wrote. I was thinking maybe I need to post this in the going flat forum and in the hormone therapy forums as we are all new to all this.

    I was a bit disappointed as there is an area on both sides of my BMX 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 but I looked at photos of woe man who told told their surgeons they wanted to be flat and were not doing recon and I do not see what I am seeing on me. This is not the dog ear issue as she took my incisions around to my back.

    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. Is anyone else 2+ weeks out from surgery who has started t use any lotions or oils or do massage?

    As I mentioned last week, when I met with the the MO the first time, she was fairly neutral about me going in AI's and coupled with my concerns about SE's and having fibromyalgia and spinal stenosis,being watched for glaucoma, on high blood pressure, cholesterol & thyroid meds, said she was ok with me not going on them.

    I will recap that I had (summarizing from final path report) :

    Right Breast: intermediate & hugh nuclear grade, crib form, micropapilary & flat types associated with central necrosis, and involving the lobules and sclerosing adenosis. DCIS present in buckshot fashion in 4 slabs from 11:00 to 9:00; span about 4 cm area. Margins are negative. Lobular carcinoma in situ, classic type, The 4 sentinel lobes removed were all negative. Number of blocks with DCIS: 6. Number of blocks examined: 16. Nuclear grade: 2 & 3. All margins: > 10mm. Pathologic staging: pTis No (sn)

    Left Breast - Stage 1a & DCIS: Invasive ductal carcinoma. Tumor size 2 mm, Tumor site 1:00. Tumor Focality: Single focus. Histologic Grade: 1. Nottingham Score: 5, Tubular Differentiation: Score 3. Nuclear Pleomorphism: Score 1. Mitotic Rtae: Score 1. No residual invasive ductal carcinoma identified. DCIS, grade 1, 2 & mostly grade 3, cribiform, and sold types associated with central necrosis and calcifications and involving the lobules. DCIS present in buckshot fashion in 3 3 slabs from 1>00-2:00 span about 3.5 cm. Margins are negative. Extensive lobular carcinoma in situ, classic type, nuclear grade 1 and atypical lobular hyperplasia involving preexisting fibroadenoma and adenosis. Margins for invasive or in situ carcinoma: negative. All marginsL > 10mm. All 4 lymph nodes 0 metastases. Pathologic staging: pT1a N0 (sn) Comment: high grade DCIS with focal out pouching growth at the edge with inflammation noted and a feature that is suspicious for invasion, SMM and P6 immunostains were perfumed and they highlighted the presence of myoepithelial cells, There is no evidence of invasion indentified. Deeper levels are also examined. E-cadherin is negative in the LCIS.

    After I saw the MO and spent a few days rethinking about taking an AI particularly after reading about recurrence with a high rate of those with stage 0 and 1 cancers, I decided that maybe I should try one and at leafs see how I ddi on one so after I had drains out on Monady I spoke to the MO's nurse who spoke to the MO for me. The MO conveyed that she still was not recommending an AI for me as my recurrence risk is so low.

    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 not even want me to even try one. I told the BS earlier when she was taking out drains that I wanted one and she thought that was a good idea.

    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.

    Anyone have any opinions about this? Do I get a 2nd opinion form another MO?

    Overall feeling ok after 2 weeks. Weaning off win meds. Working from home doing email. Still very sore and fatigued. Will start exercises in a few days and am going to see a LANA certified PT on my own. BS does not refer. Not feeling up to driving or going out yet. Maybe by the weekend.

    Best to all.

    Thanks.

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  • Mominator
    Mominator Member Posts: 1,575
    edited January 2016

    Balthus, I'm so sorry none of us have responded to your questions so far. Sometimes the board goes by so fast that I miss posts.

    So thank you for reposting your questions.

    In terms of going flat that isn't as flat as you expected, I think a second opinion is in order. Bring photos of other women and what you expectedwith you to your appointment.

    With your other health issues, yes, losing weight and exercising will help so much in your overall health. I know it's not easy. I am 5' 2" and weighed 190 at my heaviest. I had sleep apnea and had to wear a CPAP mask. I lost nearly 50 pounds and was able to correct my sleep apnea.

    Estrogen (which is linked to many breast cancers) is stored in fat tissue, which is another reason to lose weight.

    I'm sorry I have no advice on your MO treatment, other than to suggest a second opinion there as well.

    Sending strength and healing thoughts your way.

    Love,

    Mominator

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  • Kessa619
    Kessa619 Member Posts: 80
    edited January 2016

    Balthus, I want you to find the support you need. I think there are other discussion boards on this site dedicated to going flat and also to taking AIs. I wonder if the women on those boards could be of more help?

    Hope you get some answers soon.

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  • DecisionFreak
    DecisionFreak Member Posts: 589
    edited January 2016

    Balthus, I am not a doctor but I am dealing with some of the issues you are facing. I am exhausted from 4.5 hours of surgery yesterday, but I will write you a PM as soon I can. I can convey what the doctors have told me and perhaps it will comfort you. I cannot address all of your concerns but I may be able to help you work through some of them.

    Everybody, I made it through 4.5 hours of surgery with general anesthesia yesterday. My pre-op room at the foremost comprehensive cancer care center and major teaching hospital where I am being treated consisted of a non-stop parade of medical professionals including the anesthesiologist, my two surgeons, various nurses, the billing office, and on and on.

    The first surgery was a lumpectomy that lasted an hour. The surgery oncologist, a wonderful woman, was delighted that I had agreed to a breast reduction from a DD cup to a C cup. She felt that the recommendation for a breast reduction allowed her a great deal more room to cut away the rest of the DCIS tumor and leave a wide margin of healthy cells.

    After the surgical oncologist finished, the plastic surgeon stepped in to do Oncoplasty consisting of a bilateral breast reduction and breast lift done for cancer treatment and prevention. This surgery took 3.5 hours.

    The plastic surgeon said the surgery went perfectly. Everybody said that I did very well during this lengthy surgery. I took one narcotic before leaving the hospital. I did not get the narcotic prescription filled. Instead I took 600 mg of gabapentin, 1000 mg of acetaminophen, a xanax, and an adderall before bed as the anesthesiologist and I had agreed I should not take my ADHD medicine before surgery due to a slight risk of heart problems. I ate a little bit of food and slept like a baby. I took regular Tylenol this morning along with my other meds, and I had almost no pain today.

    I have two drains, and they are not bothering me.I saw the plastic surgeon today and she told me not to strip the drains. She gave me gauze and little strips for my areolas as she moved them during the surgery. She said to change the gauze dressing and strips about every three days. I have to make another 450 mile round trip by bus next week to see the plastic surgeon, and she will remove the drains and look again at my new breasts.

    The surgical oncologist said that if the final path report only shows a tiny risk for future cancers that she will recommend against radiation. I could not tolerate Tamoxifen and AI drugs are off the table at present.

    Women from my church took me up and brought me back home. One woman came up the night before surgery and stayed with me on the day of surgery from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the hospital and then with me last night also at the hotel to make sure I was safe after having anaesthesia and a lengthy surgery. She also took me in to see the plastic surgeon today, and then we took the four hour drive home late in the day.

    The plastic surgeon has prohibited my doing ANY housework for at least 30 days. Given that she did about $10,000 in plastic surgery that I could have never have afforded, I am going to have to follow doctor's orders. I am not supposed to lift more than five pounds for 30 days either.

    So, I made it through alive. Now, there is the waiting for the final pathology report

    DF



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  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 384
    edited January 2016

    @Balthus: sorry you are having this anxiety. A second opinion will likely be helpful to ease your mind.. One question you might want to ask is why your MO is neutral on the AI. There may be a very valid reason (perhaps concern about the SE?). I know it is hard to accept the treatment plan sometimes, when there is so much information out there. I was concerned at first with my MO's recommendation against chemo. It seemed so counter intuitive, when so many others were getting chemo. I realize now that with the strides that have been made in treatment research, chemo is not always the best choice, and is directed toward specific types and stages of BC. I will only be on AIs - no chemo. I would have had RT if the lumpectomy had been successful, but it was not. My BS has assured me that the MX will remove all the cancer and I will not need RT. ( However, I am taking that with a grain of salt, since she is 0 for 2 so far). Also, perhaps with more recovery time behind you, the area near your armpits will be less noticeable. Perhaps there is some musculature there that she is worried about cutting. Once healed more, and you are still not happy, you could consult with a PS? Wishing you a speedy recovery....

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  • stellamaris
    stellamaris Member Posts: 384
    edited January 2016

    @DecisionFreak : congrats on getting through your big surgery. Wishing you a speedy and uneventful recovery! Yaaayyy - no housework :)

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  • Merymete
    Merymete Member Posts: 31
    edited January 2016

    Welp, I've done it. My incision popped open and apparently I have (had?) a seroma. So much drainage, and my incision on the left is wide open. I see the plastic surgeon tomorrow but they have me doing wound care treatment on it. I am bummed!! The right side is splitting a little too, there's a lot of swelling. I have been in a compression bra since surgery a week and a half ago. I'm sure it will heal but will take much longer and looks like a war zone.


    Just needed to vent.

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  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 338
    edited January 2016

    thanks to all who responded. @decisionfreak & @merymete please take care. image

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  • Melgirl
    Melgirl Member Posts: 165
    edited January 2016

    I deleted the video I posted. I think it's good to find humor where you can sometimes. Unfortunately I am a nurse and some of us have an odd sense of humor. I'm sorry if it offended anyone.

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  • Melgirl
    Melgirl Member Posts: 165
    edited January 2016

    Merymete sorry about your news. That sux! Follow your wound protocol and it will improve. Big Hug!

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