May 2016 Surgeries
Comments
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Tennis - yes! I've had some similar symptoms - I can actually feel myself tensing up my shoulders which then causes me to have fairly constant neck and shoulder pain. Also I seem to be staying on my period like forever (sorry TMI) but I feel like my body is betraying me all of a sudden. My rational mind is telling me that although I'm less stressed now than I was waiting on the diagnosis that maybe I'm internalizing. I was diagnosed 3/30 and my first actual intervention (surgery) will take place on 5/16. Like you I'm hoping there aren't any huge surprises from MRI since it would mean a bigger difference in my treatment so maybe I'm fixating on that unconsciously. Dunno - don't really feel like I trust my instincts right now. Not sure if this helps but I can absolutely relate.
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TennisPink and others - I hope I did not cause more anxiety by describing the unexpected size of my tumor! This is a problem with lobular cancer (ILC) and I was already pretty sure that the MRI was probably not correct since I could feel a dense area in my breast. IDC is different and much easier to detect and accurately size with MRI.
I think anxiety can cause a lot of the symptoms you describe, TennisPink - the muscle aches and fatigue may be due to tension. I get the same thing and have to remind myself to relax my shoulders and breathe! I know how hard it is to stay calm. I also had to wait over 2 months between diagnosis and surgery and there were many sleepless nights. I think the only thing I can say that may be calming is that you eventually get used to the idea that you have cancer, and it becomes a part of who you are. It no longer keeps me awake at night and there are days now (5 months after dx) when I can go for hours without thinking about it. I don't know how to make the process go faster, though. One thing I did learn early on is that I need to take a break from these discussion boards or other cancer-related reading at night before I go to bed, otherwise I would not be able to sleep. Once I had surgery, my anxiety completely disappeared for a good week or so. I think it was partly because of the Tramadol they gave me instead of Oxycodon. In addtion to being a light-weight narcotic, Tramadol is also a mood elevator, so it was effective at stopping any pain as well as making me feel better emotionally after surgery.
Tsoebbin - I have also heard that Vit C is good to take, especially after surgery since it helps the healing process - it's required to build collagen. I did not have rads, so I'm not sure about creams. There is a rads thread, though, which would probably have good tips.
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I just wanted to pop in and say I too am having moments of major anxiety as my date approaches (9 days). I had my last pre-op today and everything is approved and cleared to go and I am suddenly starting to freak out. The closer I get to this, the more insane it feels. I'm closer to 30 than I am to 40. I can't possibly end up dead from cancer like the rest of my family (cancer genes). I know that's not rational but that's how I feel now. I've gotten used to the idea, I guess. I'm terrified of surgery because I've had "anesthesia awareness" in the past which is a nice way of saying I woke up fully way too soon and it was a horrifying experience.
I'm just reminding myself that the rational me evaluated all this over the last six months and decided that living with fake breasts and dealing with revision surgeries and future implant replacements (as they must be replaced over time) is better than dying from breast cancer. Right? It must be. And women do this all the time, and survive, and go on to be happy and healthy. Right? So I can too. We all can.
At least that's what I keep telling myself. I hope future me thanks me for this surgery one day.
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Hello All!
I am scheduled for a SNB and uni with expanders for the left breast and a tentatively scheduled reduction and lift for the right breast (in preparation for a DIEP Flap) May 17.
I too really struggled with lumpectomy, uni, or BMX, but ultimately decided that I'd like to take the least restrictive measure and preserve some feeling in my breast while reducing the likelihood of local recurrence. My DCIS is pretty large (7 cm) and grade 3, so I questioned whether a lumpectomy would be effective and whether I would be happy with such a large portion of my breast removed. All of the genetic testing came back negative, and the right breast seems to be clear. My biopsy only showed DCIS, so, fingers crossed, the final pathology won't show invasion.
I've been relatively calm throughout this, but I am starting to get very apprehensive about this surgery, recovery, and waiting for pathology. So glad to have you ladies to talk to! I'm sending positive thoughts your way!
Angtee--Thanks so much for starting this thread. It's so nice to have people to talk to about this experience.
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Same here. Getting very nervous. Especially about the recovery, drains etc. Glad I am not alone in feeling this way. I'm slowly 'FREAKING OUT".
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Hi everyone!
I don't have a date yet but seeing that it's April 30th today I'm hoping for a May surgery. I want to get this done so I can get back to my life. It helps having others share their stories
My procedure had been changed at my last visit with my breast surgeon. We first agreed to a BMX on my left breast with reconstruction and a revision on my right breast. After closer examination of all my tests we have decided it would be better to do a DBMX with immediate reconstruction. I've been pretty calm about the whole thing up until now, now I'm terrified but I think we all may be a bit terrified! I keep laughing otherwise I'd break down!
Caiming and healing hugs to all my BC sisters!
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PBMX Scheduled for 24 May at midday. Immediate recon with silicone implants. Possibly fat transfer another time depending on the result.
Skin sparing but chose to not keep my nipples. I want as much risk gone as possible
Scared but keen to get it over with, it's been on my mind for such a long time.
My biggest fears are for the anesthetic and functioning afterwards with three kids (3,5,7). I have my
Husband home for two weeks after the op .. Hope it's enough!!
I am going to document my experience on Instagram - I am called Prophylacticmastectomy if you are on there.
Good luck ladies
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Morning and Happy May Day!
I got the latest surgery additions updated at the top of the thread. Several are coming up next week! Good luck to everyone...
I was wondering what everyone was doing about work. I worked part-time mainly from home during chemo but am using disability for this surgery and recovery. How much time is everyone's doctors saying they'll need off? All I get is "everyone is different." I told work four weeks. ...I have a desk job so no real physical aspect but still want to feel as good as possible before heading back to the office. -
I'm having a unilateral and was told 4 to 6 weeks for recovery and also told not to rush it. I'm likely starting radiation about 4 or 5 weeks after surgery so I'm trying to give myselfa little tim
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Does anyone know the standard for the gap between surgery and radiation?
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Hi everybody,
Well, its the countdown. Surgery on Wednesday and it is Monday already....
The weekend was spent cooking and shopping for all the things we THINK we will need for when I get home - although, let's face it, we probably forgot something!
I find that I cycle between feeling really anxious and then really calm. My husband keeps talking about the cancer being gone (which if it is not in the lymph nodes will be true) but I keep thinking about my breasts being gone! It's strange to think that my fear of cancer has almost been completely eclipsed by my anxiety over the surgery and recovery.
I will be thinking of my surgery sisters this week, I hope we all have uneventful surgeries that keep our surgeons bored
Onwards and upwards,
Much love, C
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I'm taking 4-6 weeks off, depending on how I heal. I work as a medication tech, so am on my feet all day and using all my upper body and arms. BS said she had no problem giving me 6 weeks and the HR at my work, told me to use it all if needed. Very thankful to have people that are supportive at work. Further treatment will depend on pathology. Surgery is 5 days away for me. Starting to feel a bit more anxious. Trying to decide if I should ask for something for anxiety in the upcoming days. Wishing everyone a speedy recovery.
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Sensitivehrt I got a Xanax prescription when I was diagnosed to help me sleep and deal with all the stuff in the beginning. If it helps you get some rest and get organized for surgery I'd say go for it!
How was Portland? I've been there several times. Great town!
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Still in Portland. Having a great time. Been able to spend time with a friend who had a BMX, and met one of her friends that also has fought breast cancer. Has been good to talk to people one on one. I'm thinking I'll email my doc. Don't like to take a lot of extra meds, but as time gets closer, may need to.
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Hydranne & Ausbear - we are all together for our surgeries on Wednesday. I hope we all hear from you soon after. I will try to post here when I feel up for it.
Ausbear -- I share the same emotions now....I am thinking more about the anxiety of surgery and recovery and less focused on the long awaited cancer removal. I am also hoping there is nothing interesting to see in there beyond the lump to be removed -- yes...an uneventful, boring surgery would be great!!
Hydranne -- my hope is that you sail through the MX, and I am glad you are keeping the lymph nodes for now to avoid the LE. I may or may not get LE from this, but I have mentally prepared myself if I do. It is so wonderful that you have responded so well to your treatments so far -- keep going, so you will continue to do so!
GreyKat -YES...women survive this all the time and go on to live out their lives--and I know plenty of them. Thank you for such a positive reminder as we have our surgeries this month
Grandma3X - thank you for clearing that up for me about the reason for your size difference! My BS said that there could be some small differences in surgery but nothing extraordinary (before I had read your comment), so I now it makes sense that mine probably IS roughly the image size!
NattyB - I am glad I was not alone on the anxiety pain!! It is such an odd occurrence !!
As for that anxiety pain....it has dwindled to nothing but a small twinge since I last posted. I totally relaxed, and did normal and some fun stuff all week.....and just like that, I am starting to feel better, muscles relaxed, and spending less time on worrying all the time (just small moments of the day...and no more)
OK---ready for Wednesday! Deep breath & here we go!!! Thinking of all of you having surgery this week....
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re the normal time between surgery and radiation, I've been told about 4 or 5 weeks, depending on when you are able to lift your arm above your head. So, important to do the exercises they send you home with and get into PT as soon as healthy and possible. This is just what I've been told by my BC sisters at UCLA undergoing treatment
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Hi everyone,
Ausbear-your explanation was perfect. I can't believe these breasts will be gone! And the PS is going to place somethings under my muscle! I have had neck surgery with vertebrae replacement but for some reason this surgery is giving me total heebie jeebies! And yes totally, am way more scared for this surgery than about having cancer for the moment.
I am pretty much terrified for this surgery. (BMX with lymph node removal and TEs).
Praying for everyone to have successful surgeries with great recovery!
💜Georgia
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Best wishes to all who are preparing for their surgeries this week!
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I keep trying to post about my recovery fears and PS's timeline of 6 months (months!) and it keeps eating it, so I quit. *forum rage*
Just wanted to say best of luck to the ladies having surgery this week. I will be thinking of you all. Deep breaths and take it one day at a time!
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Trying a second time - to chime in to @georgiaredskin - I too am more afraid of this surgery than cancer at this point. It began the opposite way and has switched around to me telling myself I can always cancel at the last moment by simply refusing and leaving...what are they going to do, tackle me and start cutting? Not a chance. Anyway, a while ago I made myself a page-long list of why I decided to do this so I can read it when I have moments of major self-doubt. That list has come in handy this week.
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Hydranne, enjoy your family, and thanks for the update. Sending hugs and good thoughts your way. I'm feeling like you, it's got to go My BS and MO explained it exactly the same way.
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Hi Ladies-- Sharing my surg. experience from last month re: time to recover
Jumping in here from the March 2016 surgery group . Several have asked about how long you really need for recovery, so I wanted to share my experience, which is from a bilateral mastectomy with tissue expanders implanted at time of surgery.
First, I was/am a fit 56 year old woman who exercises quite a lot and regularly and eats a very healthful diet. Nevertheless, there is no way I would have been at all ready to return to even a desk job until 4 weeks and then I would have been miserable...and frankly, 6 weeks was barely enough, but it was. Just. I started chemo at the 6 week mark. My breasts (well, the area where they were that is now muscle and implant expander!) are still sore, I'm still bruised on my chest in places (I bruise easily), and my scar lines, though beautiful--my surgeon did a great lollipop job--are still very tender to the touch in a number of places.
In week 2 post surgery, I overdid it by taking walks and trying to exercise too much (meaning a 4 mile walk) and then ended up feeling overly exhausted and didn't leave the house for a week. Moderation would have been better; overdoing it set me back, and I then did nothing until toward the end of week 3. By week 4-5 I was walking regularly, and in week 5 began moderate hill hikes that I continued in week 6. I felt my energy levels were pretty good and normal by the end of week 6.
Then chemo started and that's a different ball game. But I have learned from post-surgery not to overdo things!
I wish all of you the best. You will get through this. Also, my new breasts--even though not at all fully expanded, and nipples still gone (had to have them go and will reconstruct later), look fantastic even with scars.....No more sagging, quite the perky little friends. There is some upside here and I'm going to enjoy it!
Take care, and I will be sending you ladies good, positive, healing thoughts! -
Hi there Warriors!
I have my exchange surgery this Friday, May 6th!
My BMX in February went smoothly and recovery was as expected. It was quite painful for a good 3-4 weeks. I most likely went back to work sooner than I should have but I wanted to ease my way back in. So I worked just a few hours for a few days the first week back and then the next week increased my days and hours. The tissue expanders have been a total pain in the butt for sure and I haven't been able to sleep on my side since before my BMX. Because of sleeping on my back and just the tightness of the TEs I dealt with a lot of back pain. I'm so ready to get rid of the TEs and get to the "squishy side".
Good luck to everyone. We are strong - we are women!
xoxox
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Wanted to speak up that for those of us for whom surgery is an option, and not a medical mandate, it is still a very hard choice to make, and can be a very traumatizing one. I do not wish to be on years of chemotherapy drugs that might not work anyway, so surgery is the route I've picked. It's a matter of quality-of-life issues, from where I stand. But to each her own choice. If surgery is a no-brainer and not a stresser for you, rock on.
Re: recovery & exercise - Both my breast & recon surgeons have told me to start walking on Day 1 or Day 2, basically once I get home. PS says to start stretches on day 3, while BS says to wait until all the drains are out. BS says to start doing shoulder rolls to keep the joints loose as soon as I can. I wish they'd just agree, and I'm planning to just do what I can without hurting myself. PS says my reconstruction surgeries may somehow run into each other, and thus stretch my recovery and limited movement time out to 4 months or more, but the whole thing ought to be finished in 6 months. So he says. I suppose we'll see. I am an active individual and I've warned them I expect to do too much and hurt myself. I just can't stand the thought of six weeks of lying about all day moping, resting, and "healing", much less this stretching into several months. That is not a recipe for recovery in my world and I truly hope it doesn't take that long.
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Good luck to everyone who has surgeries this week- I'm sending lots of positive thoughts and good vibes your way! I'm so nervous for you; I hope that you are able to find some comfort in these days before.
The varying opinions regarding recovery time areinteresting-my BS said two weeks until I'm 95%. That sounds awfully quick to me, but I guess we will see.
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GreyKat - after my first MX in January, my PS told me to use my arms as normal, as long as it doesn't hurt. Everyone is different but I felt 95% by 3 weeks post-op and was back to work by 3 and a half weeks. By 5 weeks I was back to walking 15,000 steps a day. I was pretty surprised that I felt well so soon after surgery. I think the key is to listen to your body - rest when needed and don't overdo it! I remember lifting a heavy pot off the stove 4 days after surgery (not thinking clearly!) and that set me back for several days
Ausbear - you are a day ahead of us in Oz - will be thinking of you tomorrow!
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Grateful for the recovery time responses! I play piano professionally and am having a hard time anticipating how long to expect it will take for my full range of motion to return after my bmx. Interesting how recovery experiences are so different.....and so unpredictable! I'd love to return to the piano in 3 weeks, but maybe it won't be possible. Wish we had a crystal ball.
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GreyKat-what a great idea to have made that list, thanks! And I like the thought that I can always refuse at the last moment. It gives me more control back because I am choosing this surgery, to live longer, but it is less stressful to think I can change my mind of absolutely necessary. I keep thinking of how much I want to grow old with my husband and how much I want to see my kids grow up and have their own kids.
Zoziana and Hydranne-thank you for your input and experience!
And thank you all for your strength and hope and well wishes and prayers! I am praying for all of you and especially for those of us going in this week!
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Thanks so much Grandma3x I'm on the 24 of may. Building some anxiety for afterwards. I have an event to attend exactly a month later and wonder how I'll feel?
It's an all day event.
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