July 2016 Surgeries

Molly50

Musogirl, that's possible. If the discomfort continues why not give your surgeon a call?

Molly50

Oh and congratulations on the clean mammo!

VLH

And the seroma saga continues...

The surgeon could see definite improvement, but had expected a much better response so wants me to have an IV antibiotic infusion. I think my biopsy seroma has shrunk a bit, but the one in my breast has grown to compensate. I'm getting a bit freaked out about this pushing chemo back yet again since I know there is a decline in effectiveness and triple negative already has a mixed response with no way of knowing if you'll benefit or go through five months of treatment only to recur within the next several months. I'm now almost six weeks out from my first lumpectomy and am in worse shape than I was a week post-op so, yes, I am grumpy & frustrated.

twintwin2

VLH I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this and I hope that your Seroma improves soon so that you can move ahead with treatment. There always seems to be unexpected delays in this whole process. It's so frustrating but hang in there. My process too has been interrupted by genetic testing and the need for a second surgery. Best of luck to you.

Molly I really hope you are feeling better and getting some well deserved sleep. Musogirl I hope you are feeling better as well. Hugs to all!

Molly50

VLH, is your MO concerned about the delay in treatment? I know it is usually about 6 weeks between surgery and chemo anyway. twintwin2, Thank you! I am doing better and managed to sleep pretty well last night! I am tired though from my second day of work. I hope you are having a good day!

VLH

I'm glad you got some quality shut-eye, Molly50! None of us are happy about the delay. I think the studies I read expressed concern about delays of more than 90 days so I don't feel panicked yet, but it's worrisome. I haven't done my echo or CT yet. If it doesn't interfere with infection care, I plan to go to chemo class on Thursday to check that off the list. To the surgeon's credit, she offered the IV antibiotics last week, but it's such a pain in the butt to go to the big downtown campus that I really wanted to give the new oral antibiotics a try and they did help. Just not enough.

Thank you, Twintwin2. I know my problems aren't unique, but, gosh, they seem to drag on & I keep thinking that chemo and radiation will be far more challenging. Maybe we're getting some of our hard stuff out of the way early? :-)

mom2allboys

How are my fellow July ladies doing? It's been quiet

Molly50

I am doing well now. I am finally off restrictions and about halfway through fills. How are you?

Annie-B-7-14

hi all!

I had my first chemo infusion, went back to work Friday, and still working with a PT on my cording and range of motion. Still sore from surgery but I just need a couple Advil at night and it's mostly tolerable. How's everybody else doing?

Musosgirl

I had about an inch of my main incision that just did not want to close up. I think it is close though. I see my PS on Thursday and I am hoping his office releases me. I have no pain, swelling, or redness. I am still restricted on arm movement and to lifting less than 15lbs. I think I may need a couple of physical therapy sessions in a month or so to deal range of motion issues on both sides.

My GYN released me on his end with the HX/BSO. Still have periodic tenderness and swelly belly, but a couple Advil and laying down for a bit take care of it. The hot flashes though... Ugh!

My MIL gave me a gift card for new bras for my birthday--my request. There was a good sale so I went today. I can't wear any of them just yet since they are underwires, but I actually really like them! And it was not an awful experience. It really helps being down to a size with more options (and colors!)

Novmoon

Good morning all. After 4 weeks from last fill, I had my appt with PS. He says everything looks good and will schedule implant surgery once insurance okays in the next day or so. Don't have much pain anymore, more annoying than anything. I find it too difficult to sleep on my side, though, and am suffering with back issues. ROM is good and am back to doing most of my activities except heavy lifting. Supposed to start Femara, but am so nervous about it after trying the Arimidex and having SE right off the bat. Hope you are all doing well.

mom2allboys

Molly - glad you're off restrictions. I am too. Some days I wish I was still not allowed to drive (my kids) or lift (a laundry basket). I'm (mostly) joking!

Annie - sorry you're still sore. Hope the chemo goes OK!

Musogirl - what a great birthday gift (happy birthday!). My sis in law and bro in law got me a VS gift card too. I'm not sure if I'm ever allowed to wear underwires again, but I plan to check out new bras once I have my exchange surgery. My BSO healed really easily, but I didn't have the hysterectomy too. Sorry about the hot flashes! I'm triple negative so my onco wants me on low dose estrogen. I started the hormones about a month after surgery and I've been lucky with no hot flashes so far.

Novmoon - congrats on being done with your fills!

I had my 4th fill today, and I am likely almost done with fills. Maybe 1 or 2 more. After my 3rd one (last week), I woke up in terrible pain. I'm planning to take advil and a muscle relaxer before bed tonight and hopefully I will sleep soundly! I am at 300cc, which is the max recommended for my expander, but the PS says he can overexpand it. He just doesn't think my skin will support much more. I was hoping for a bit larger than before, so I'm hoping to get to at least 350cc. We'll see!

Bigbluefish

havent been on in awhile, glad to hear everyone is doing well. i started back to work monday (9/12). made it through ok. trying to get back to as normal as possible - new normal anyway. started back to running, 1/2 the speed / 1/2 the distance, but its a start. went to yoga, again did 1/2 but the arm stretches i am hoping will help return my range of motion. fully filled at 500ml, which feels very tight to me, and huge. I think i could poke an eye out with these things. i see the ps next monday to discuss implant exchange / fat grafting. hoping some time around thanksgiving. oncodx was 18. MO left message on my machine, so i am assuming no chemo, as the message said "we will stay the course" thinking he means tamoxifen. I see him next teusday.

Novmoon

Hello July gals, Well I am heading to surgery on Wednesday to have TEs removed. I am amazed at how I have become accustomed to them, but not enough to keep them! So anxious to see the results once I am healed. Supposed to have 2 drains for a week or so, but at least now I know what to expect. I start Femara today, and not looking forward to that. Hopes and prayers to all of you.

Molly50

Hi Novmoon, so you are having your exchange surgery already? Congratulations!

Bigbluefish

novmoon, good luck tomorrow!! so happy for you to get the TEs out. i am sure they will look and feel so much better. hope all goes well

Novmoon

Thank you so much! Getting nervous. Procedure isn't until 12:30. At least know what to expect with the drains.

Molly50

in your pocket, Novmoon

Novmoon

I appreciate that Molly. So thankful I found this group. Bond forever.

Bigbluefish

saw MO today to get official results (he left a message on my machine two weeks ago - we would stay the course - very vague message) no CHEMO!! I will start on tamoxifen this week. I can also schedule my exchange surgery for november. yeah!!! Met with plastics yesterday and his coordinator is suppose to call to set it up. he said i could have it the end of october, but im going on vacation the first week in november and wanted to do it when i came back. cant wait to hear how well Novmoon is doing after.

Molly50

Congratulations bigbluefish!

VLH

Fabulous, Bigbluefish!

Lyn

josieg

Congrats bigbluefish! Lovely to hear from all of you ladies - I've been thinking of you. I finished radiation yesterday and took today off work to celebrate which was wonderful! I did have an appt with a PT today and I can highly recommend that - even though my lumpectomy was 2 months ago she said there is still a ton of healing to do and I've signed up for several sessions (and have exercises). Next step for me is tamoxifen.

Musosgirl

I wore a real bra today! I have been in front hook sports bras since surgery and honestly they squeeze too much and my upper back always hurt so bad in the evenings. (The cross-back straps just do not work for me!) I have new bras since I am much smaller than I was, and I figured I would have to break them in a bit, but these are so soft. The only problem was these new ones hit my SN incision and rubbed it terribly. Not sure how to fix that--it's such a sensitive scar anyway. Still, it was great to not have bra straps showing, and tofeel a bit more put together after the past 8 weeks. And no more aching back!

(Actually, my lower back has been compensating for the laparoscopic tummy incisions from the hysterectomy, so my lower back hurts terribly. But it is just my lower back now and not the upper part as well.)

Molly50

Josieg, congratulations on finishing rads! 👌

Musogirl, try wearing a soft camisole under the bra.

Novmoon

Hello all! Made it through implant surgery just fine and so much easier than the first. To OR at 1:30 and home by 5:30. Lots of pain as expected, but meds take care of that. NO drains this time! Pretty much independent in mobility, just standby assist due to meds. Supposed to remove wrap in 24 hours and afraid to look. Thanks again for your support.

Molly50

Novmoon, that's wonderful!

Musosgirl

Molly, it really is just about a cm portion of my SNB scar. It is not bothering me yet today, but I do need to find a little piece of soft cloth to tack it if it starts

mom2allboys

Novmoon - glad to hear all went well!!

Musogirl - Maybe try moleskin strips?

All fine here. I may be finished with my fills - I'm at 350 and have an appt this week. We'll see if the PS adds a little more or if we both decide I'm done. Then he wants to wait 3 months before exchange surgery, so I'm looking at January most likely.

Musosgirl

mom2allboys--that's what I was thinking, but this bra has not bothered me since that first day.