March 2016 Surgery
Comments
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Hear, hear okbecca! I was just speaking with my coffee group about a similar situation where a friend's mom was discharged from the hospital despite "looking" worse because tests were negative. She ended up in emergency surgery to correct a bleed in her brain!
Some docs use stats and "usually" instead of looking at the individual. I remember watching some news story and this bit of info resonated with me - Humans are the only creatures that will proceed on despite their intuition telling them something is wrong. The message was to go with your instincts and so glad you did! Sometimes, I think we need help doing this, especially in medical situations where you might already feel vulnerable. It's nice to have someone be an advocate for you, too.
Good day everyone!
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Hello! I guess I am part of this fine crew, I am having an area of LCIS excised on March 21st. This is my first breast surgery and I have had one each of fine needle biopsy and stereotactic biopsy. My surgeon will use wire localization to find the clip inserted during the stereotactic biopsy. I will be given a light general anesthetic. I am anxious about the pathology more so than the surgery.
I hope everyone is doing well after their surgeries, take care
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Sorry you have to go through this strawberry. You have had the same things done that I did. Your surgery on 03/21 sounds like what I had done 03/14 this month. I am now waiting until next Thursday for results from that I already know I have IDC in the right breast and am waiting to see if there is cancer in the other one. Waiting is so hard.
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Hi Seedsally! I really am learning I am not so good at the waiting thing. Even with a very calm and positive surgeon and husband I find myself searching and scanning the boards daily. Even though I know it is out of my control no matter what. How are you doing now that you are about 4 days post op? I am sorry you have to wait so long to hear results. My doc said it will be about a 2-3 day wait. He has been wonderful on follow up and returning calls and even gave me the LCIS news over the phone.
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Strawberry8, I did the exact same thing! I researched everything that I could. I had my surgery on the 9th and I thought the waiting would be over. It was a huge relief to know the pathology results after surgery. I just met with my MO who told me the stage of my cancer and what he thinks treatment might be. But now I'm waiting on my Oncotype score and genetic testing. Yikes. The waiting is never ending.
To all those who've had surgeries in the last couple of days I hope you feel better soon!
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Hi ladies!! OKbecca, I am so sorry but so glad you made the right decision with BMX. Do you need radiation then because the LCIS? Such good validation that you made the right decision but so frustrating about the road to get to that decision!II am still having such a hard time. I feel so down and depressed and I can't think straight to save my life. I still feel like I want to cry at any moment. I am exhausted and feel like I have been hit by a bus. I am torn because I am trying to get myself up and motivated but then I wonder if I am pushing myself too much? I don't see how that could be though because I am not really doing much. I am still not falling asleep until 2ish, then up at 6:45-8:30, then back to sleep till 10-11. I think that is not helping. I was not prepared for feeling this way though. I think there was so much build up leading up to the surgery and now we are feeling the affects of the come down. I say WE because my husband is feeling much of the same way, not as bad obviously though! My BS did reluctantly take my drains out yesterday because the base is closed today for training and I would have had to wait until Monday and I was right on the line. That was a relief (and weird feeling). I didn't have an infection, just very irritated, thankfully. Hubs is leaving Sun for 7 days. He is all I have (and my 10 y/o son) so that is getting to me. I understand he has to go though, just bad timing. I know things will get better, just have to make it through the suck right now!!!Continued prayers and hugs for everyone!!
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Mckaylaleigh, I feel badly for you being so down, but I do have to say I felt pretty much the same way at the point you are now. I thought having the drains out would be like a 180, but I still was wiped out after short bursts of activity. Sitting on the couch, or in my recliner and having people wait on me, not able to reach things on the tables next to me, etc... I posted a pretty down message her around that time. It took another week maybe to really see noticeable change and say I felt better (not just tiny, minute feel betters, but real change). I wasn't active and I was trying to sleep a fair amount. I didn't do anything around the house. I'm super sorry your husband is leaving for a week, that is hard. Is there anyone else that can come check in on you?
Someone mentioned that anesthesia can leave depressed feelings for a while. Maybe that is it. I still had a moment today and yesterday where i wanted to do a little cry for no real reason I could discern. You'll feel better but don't second guess yourself now. If your body says be lazy, sleep or don't do so much then go ahead and listen. It IS OK!!!! and the right thing.
Hope you'll feel a positive change soon!
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Mckaylaleigh - sending Hugs! I know that exhaustion plays a key role in how depressed we feel. I didn't sleep for 2 months after my diagnosis and found myself weeping at the drop of a hat. Please don't push yourself - you need rest to heal, so sleep when you can. I'm 10 weeks post - op and still can't stay awake past 8:30! I don't feel any pain and my incision has healed to a barely noticeable line, and emotionally I feel pretty good right now, but I think my body is still trying to play catchup.
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You know a doctor told me once that it takes 2 years for a woman's body to heal from normal childbirth. What we are going through is no where near normal so we shouldn't expect our healing to be too rapid even though that's what we want. Mckaylaleigh you just take your time and let your body do what it wants. If that's up at 2 am and sleeping at mid day go ahead you need that. Maybe the 2 am thing is sort of a private time for you to think. It's what I have been doing. Then I go back to sleep in the hours before dawn. Then back asleep after lunch. I think it's related to the shock of things and depression and let down after surgery. Stuff all mixed together. You will get through it when you are ready. Don't push yourself.
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Mckaylaleigh - I'm so sorry, I wish there was something more we could do for you
Just know that we're here so vent away when you need to. And we'll be here for you to lean on while your husband is away! I'm feeling bummed today too. My chemo scheduled to start on Tuesday has been bumped. While surgeon thought it would be ok, oncologist doesn't want me starting with this pesky drain still in. One would think that having to postpone something like this would not be as disappointing but when you're as type A as me, it's very unsettling. I had written every appt in my planner. I had a count down to the final treatment. I was mentally prepped for this to begin. The quicker I can start, the quicker it will be over. And they can't guarantee that I can just bump it to the following Tuesday until the scheduler gets back in on Monday. So I spend another weekend waiting in limbo. And with this darn drain still attached! I realize this is petty stuff and I apologize, it's nothing compared to what some of you are facing. I'm just having a woe is me moment and needed to get this out.
Hoping everyone else is feeling good and has a great, restful weekend!
Molly
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I understand the frustration of chemo being bumped. Mine was bumped too because they wanted more tests done to try and stage me before starting chemo. It does suck to mentally prepare yourself and then have it changed. Then two days before I was scheduled to start with my new start date I figured that I should have my biopsy site that hadn't healed right from the biopsy 3 weeks prior looked at. The radiologist freaked out when he saw it and heard that chemo was supposed start two days later. I almost lost it when he said it probably wouldn't happen. Thankfully my surgeon gave his opinion about it and my MO was fine with starting it. Although the biopsy site only started making vast improvements for healing the week that I had my BMX 5 months later. In fact the incision on that side is a little wonky because my surgeon had to cut a particular way because of that site.
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The site where my drain was is still bothering me. It's itchy and red. I put a bandage on so it doesn't get irritated by my bra. This whole cancer thing is way more complicated than I ever thought that it would be.
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May I join?
My lumpectomy and sentinel node dissection was March 15, 2016.
DCIS, left breast, ER neg.
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Hi. I had umx on16th. Have had the luxury of staying in hospital for 4 days. Feeling good. Panadol for pain under arm. I have one drain tube. Home tomorrow. I plan to have other side removed in 6 months. I live alone but a friend is coming to stay for a few days.
McKayla.. I had lumpectomy 4 years ago on other breast. I became very depressed. I have a history of depression. I have been on anti depressants for last few years. This time I am finding it so much easier to cope. I don't know if it is because of anti depressants or because I have been through it all before.
Thanks for all the advice and list of things to take to hospital. The bum bag (fanny pack) has been great for drainage bag. I have been just wearing day clothes and hospital gown at night.
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Mckaylaleigh:I am so sorry you are feeling so low, praying that you will soon feel stronger in every sense of the that word. Give yourself some time, the anesthesia is hard on our bodies, the diagnosis is very difficult and results in us not processing our feelings because everything goes upside down with a cancer diagnosis. I've heard that the emotional processing of the illness often comes after the treatment is done. I've also had my days of tears and feeling down and that's when I take things 1 step at a time or maybe no steps at that moment but just a deep breath. Be gentle with yourself - you are right, it's hard now that your husband is leaving, that's not easy any time, never mind when you're not feeling well too. Is there anyone there who can check in with you? Could you ask your doctor for a referral to get some extra assistance while he is gone?
Know that I'll be thinking about you and praying for you today and every day. Much strength,
Jacklin
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Hang in there Strawberry. It's the getting started part that is hard. Be prepared for delays and changes in schedules. Until the procedure is done there is no way to totally know what is next. I'm type A so being flexible is hard. My one mastectomy turned into two, treatment changed from mastectomy only to a year of chemo. Keep your eye on the bottom line-- the cure.
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Hi ladies. I hope everyone is doing well. I am still so so but I will be alright. I promised myself that I would get out of the house more this week, even if it is to sit on my back patio and get some Vitamin D. This week has to be better than last!!
Gerrib, how did you manage to stay in the hospital 4 days? I think most of us are released the next day. I honestly wish I could have stayed another night or two, I probably would have rested much better! I tend to have some depression issues this time of year (SADD). The long, dreary, cold winters get to me! That is why I am just hoping and praying we start to have nicer weather soon, it really makes a difference for me and will help me recover better! I have other personal things that are factoring into things right now too, just a tough time! It will get better though, it always does
MeCool, I feel you, my surgery was bumped 2 weeks because I got a virus. Like Skittle said, it is hard when you get to the point that you are ready and then it doesn't happen, I definitely dealt with some emotions those two weeks!
Jessie, that is how I feel. I ususally am active and work out six days a week and now just 20 minutes of being on my feet wipes me out....I am not handling it well! You all are right though, I just need to give myself the time to recover. I agree Grandma, my body seems to be behind my mind. I am still emotional, but part of those emotions are because my mind wants to move on and be healed but my body isn't there yet! FUN TIMES!
Prayers and hugs to everyone with procedures this week. It is hard to believe that we are about at the end of March already, where does the time go??
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I hit another bump in the road a few days ago. My blood pressure was high. it was 220/130. It seems it's been high for a long time, and hit some sort of stroke level that day. The doc put me on blood pressure meds, but they are only working to lower it, not get it really down.
All this on top the post mastectomy stuff has me feeling kind of rotten. I'm recovering from the surgery, but I still feel like garbage. I'm up right now because my bed is so uncomfortable. I can not find a position to sleep.
Gripe. Gripe. That's me.
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@ Mckaylaleigh I am so glad you are posting how you feel fairly often. That means I can compare to see where I will be from time to time when I have my next surgery. I see my BS Thursday and will finalize my plans. That's when I found out if the BC is bilateral. He mentioned on our last visit doing one MX on right side and left side at a later date. All depends on path report this week.
@okbecca Sorry your BP is so high That is not good. Take care.
To all of you Good Morning. It's officially spring now but there is frost all over everything here in New Madrid, MO
Those undergoing procedures this week: we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Please keep us posted.
Sharon
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I hope that you found some sleep okbecca! That is the worse - awake in the middle of the night AND worrying about something. I don't blame you at all for feeling rotten. Wish I had something to offer, but I do hope], and I'm sure your doc will follow you closely to get your BP normalized.
Were they following it for a while and new it was "pre" hypertension? I know this is crazy, but I keep thinking about that horrible nitro-paste I had to use for my nipple that didn't have good blood flow after BMX. It's for angina originally. It dilates your blood vessels to allow blood to flow more easily. The result of that is low blood pressure! Almost instantly, too. The stuff works in like 15 minutes or less. Anyway, I will say a prayer and think of that stuff bringing down your BP!
Feel better! and oh, find a comfortable position. I can empathize with that one!
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Okbecca, I am so sorry. Have medical issues on top of healing is so hard. I hope they are able to get your BP down and you can focus on moving forward and healing.
Seed, why are they considering doing the MX on two separate occasions? I imagine they have their reasons but I can't imagine doing it twice when you can doing it all at once!!
Today is a better day, the emotions have seemed to subside. I am feeling positive and I start seeing a therapist tomorrow. The sun is also shining, too bad it is still pretty chilly out though!
Have a great week everyone
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The blood pressure has been high for a long time, but I didn't realize it. The doc showed high blood pressure at the office, and I went home and took it and it was fine. After that happened a few times, I bought a new blood pressure cuff, and it still showed it was fine. When it went up to 220/130, my home health nurse who has been checking my vitals and drains since the surgery got on the the ball. We compared readings and my handy-dandy wrist monitor was waaayyyyy off. I'd been thinking I had white coat syndrome and I was really sick with high blood pressure.
The meds aren't really bringing it down. I got a new blood pressure cuff for home and checked it with the home nurse's cuff. It shows constantly high blood pressure, like 160/102.
My primary care physician is handling the blood pressure. When I called the surgeon's office, they told me that the surgeon wouldn't "touch that," meaning blood pressure and to call my pmp. The pmp's receptionist first said, "well if she just did a double mastectomy on you, then this blood pressure is probably due to something she's done to you," meaning, we won't "touch" it either. I got the pmp to treat me, and she said she would "touch" me (there's that word again) until she saw my charts. I thought that was a good idea, and appreciated the fact that she's a doc who actually reads charts.
Now, I'm on the blood pressure meds and I"ve discovered just how sick the blood pressure was making me feel. Lord protect us from having more than one thing wrong with us and cancer, too. Cancer docs don't treat people. They treat cancer.
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@ Mckaylaleigh
I wonder if the reason for 2 surgeries may be because I am type 2 diabetic. He did tell me I might have to have radiation regardless of LX or MX. Now my WBC count is high and that scares me because when my sister had BC and a UMX hers was high. It turned out she has CML and a gene mutation that is genetic for leukemia. Today I found out my thyroid is out of whack too. I am also 65 and he may be considering that. I need to ask about all this Thursday. But I believe he is going to put everything on the table and leave me to decide. I am just not sure if the choices may have changed from LX with rads vs MX and no rads to BMX with chemo and rads. I just guess I need a magic wand and wave it all away
Sharon
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Glad you're having a good day, Mckaylaleigh! Sure would be nice if it warmed up...but no, 8 inches of snow in my forecast for this week
Sorry you're dealing with this on top of everything else okbecca! I hope your bp resolves it self quickly so you can continue focusing on healing!
Finally a boring week for me with NO appointments scheduled! First time since I don't even know when
However, I MUST get this last pesky drain removed at some point this week but that will just be a call to the surgeon and run in real quick. With 18 ML output this morning, it's not looking like tomorrow will be the day but here's to hoping it's Wednesday! Wishing everyone a great Monday! Feel good vibes for everyone and calm, relaxing thoughts for those heading in for their procedures tomorrow!
~Molly
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Oh okbecca, I felt myself wanting to scream a little at the tossing around they were doing with this issue! Geez, thank you to your home care nurse for starting the follow up. The lack of coordination between the specialists and primary has always been baffling. Like one condition can happen in a vacuum and other issues might not result from it or contribute to it. The whole picture is so important! It's again hard to be the vulnerable patient and feel like you need to connect the dots to make sure you are properly treated. That will raise your BP!
I've heard that high BP can make you feel awful. But, if you've never had it and your being treated for cancer, how would you ever know that's what your are feeling? Even though it's not perfect I hope the start of getting your BP back down is improving your physical well being.
Many hugs!
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Glad you are feeling better Mckayla.... I am in Australia. we have a public hospital system that anyone can go to or you can take out private health insurance for hospital admissions and have surgery done in a private hospital. This time I had private insurance so went to private hospital. 4 5 days seems to be the normal length of stay.
Are any of you worried about receiving your path results? I receive mine tomorrow and am getting a little worried. This will determine what further treatment I receive chemo/rads or just AIs. I didn't have to have chemo last time, but this time I think tumour size will be larger and path report will show if there has been spread to lymph nodes. 2 were removed.
I still have drain tube 6 days post op. Drainage was 35ml yesterday. I've for gotten what it needs to be down to before removal.
Hope everyone is recovering well who has had surgery and good luck to those who are awaiting surgery.
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Gerri, it varies dr to dr but most want each below 30 (some 25) for two days straight. For me, it was in the 40's and then on day 9 & 10 it just dropped to where it needed to be. I thought I was going to have them forever! Hopefully you have the same. That is nice you had that hospital time....well, assuming you wanted to be there and that it was nice.
I am sure everyone has some level of anxiety when it comes to waiting on the pathology reports, understandably! Did they not test your nodes while in surgery? Mine did, I just assumed that was the standard. It was a huge piece of mind to come out of surgery and know my nodes were clean! Good luck to you tomorrow!!
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I STILL have my drains. The doc wants less than 15mm over a 24-hour period. I'm ok with that -- although really looking forward to the end of it. I just want to get well and having these things stuck in me for an extra day or so will help that, then I'll do it.
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Does anybody else worry about what to wear when the girls are gone? I found this blog with great ideas. I really appreciate the women who's doing it. She has clothes sense and is willing to share her experience. http://thebreastlessyears.blogspot.com/2013/10/hi-ho-hi-ho.html
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