November 2016 Surgeries

Seedsally

Hello all! I couldn't find a Novemer surgery thread so I am starting one here.

I am having bilateral exchange surgery 11/11/16 Baptist Women's in Memphis.

Glad to finally be getting to the last stage of the reconstruction journey. (Other than nipple tattoos)

👍👍

caroline372

hi, I was just diagnosed with dcis and am having bilateral mastectomy nov 7 with reconstruction. How was your experience?

Seedsally

Caroline I had a BMX in April this year. Actually it was not as bad as I thought it would be.

The pain was mostly a clenching tight bra feeling after the surgery. (Under the muscle tissue expanders) I would take 3 slow deep breaths exhaling slowly and it seemed to relax the muscles. I read somewhere that it oxygenates the tissues.

I also had stinging feelings under my right arm probably caused by lymph node dissection. The drains were a nuisance and it really felt good to get them out. I thought taking them out would hurt but it didn't much at all.

It's kind of funny but sometimes when I start to take a shower I think for a moment I have to take my bra off before I remember I don't have one on That's the tissue expanders I guess.

None of this is fun but it's doable and you just have to focus on one step at a time. Sometimes I feel a little angry about what I have gone through. It's then I remind myself of what it could have been. That seems topoint my thoughts into a more forward looking and positive area.

I guess I would say you do mourn your loss but you can't dwell on it. I try to find little things on this journey that I can laugh about. This site has helped me more than I can ever say. I read read read and learn as much as I can. Good luck and you will be ok. Just look ahead and take it one day at a time.

PS I am editing this to say: There have been times when I am trying to sleep and am uncomfortable that I think maybe I shouldn't have done the reconstruction. But when morning comes each day I feel a little less uncomfortable and feel glad I made this decision. If nothing else the evolving process helps me feel less mutilated and a little more feminine. Even though I remind myself I will never be the same, there is still the satisfaction of doing something to try to be as normal looking as I can. So I guess I would say the reconstruction is a mental as well as physical healing process.

KAM5166

Hi,

Having DIEP Flap in New Orleans in Nov 2016. Risk reduction w/reconstruction. Will have to travel for this. Scared.

caroline372

Thank you so much for the reply. It's been a rough 2 weeks. I'm on the countdown now til surgery and trying to stay positive. You have made me feel much better though. This may be a silly question but can you wear a bra with padding while you have the expanders so it's not so obvious?

I heard from someone else that they slept in a recliner for several months because laying flat was uncomfortable. Was that the case with you as well?

I'm glad that you have done well and remained positive through this experience. You are right about having to maintain a sense of humor, it sure helps.

Seedsally

Welcome Kam. I understand your fear. But I don't know anything about that type of surgery so can't give you any pointers

Caroline. I can't wear a bra because I had large breasts that extended under my arms and have pads of excess skin and tissue under my arms left from the BMX. My PS is removing it at my exchange which means I will be having more scars than I have now but I'm ok with that. I could describe it like I have 4 breasts. But really you can't tell through my clothes that I don't have my natural breasts. I am very pleased with the look and feel. But it has taken until now for everything to soften up. I just hope I look as good after exchange.

As far as sleeping, a friend of mine had an electric hospital bed that we sat up in my living room and I slept semi upright for probably 3 months in it. I was not uncomfortable at all. When I got my drains out I started gradually laying down flat but after so long sleeping the other way I would get dizzy going down. Had to be gradual about it. You do what you have to do I guess. I also used a lot of pillows of all shapes and sizes. Made a nest for myself and took pain pills when needed as well as Xanax. It gets better day by day. Don't hurry yourself. I still have the bed set up. Use it for a recliner and thought it might be handy after the exchange.

You girls will be fine. You've got this far

Logang

I am having a left prophylactic mastectomy with bilateral tissue expander placement on November 3rd. Thanks for starting the thread. The January 2016 surgery thread was a great place to get support and I'm sure this one will be too!

Seedsally

Welcome Logang. Sorry for your reason for being here but glad to see your post. Personally I don't know where I would have been emotionally if it hadn't been for this site. I have found comfort in being able to talk to others here and encouragement as well as knowledge. I think it has made me more able to deal with my situation and have a better attitude. I know others who have not had this during their journey and they just were so afraid and felt so isolated. I want to give back if I can to others here by sharing my thoughts and experiences

soareagle1962

Hi. I am scheduled for a mastectomy (left) on 11/7. I had a complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy reducing 5 muticentric tumors to undetectable on follow up MRI.

I am nervous about surgery and a bit emotional about losing a breast. My DH is great but it is hard for him to understand how scared I am to lose a body part that brings us both so much pleasure. I put on a strong front and stuff the emotions so everyone tells me I am a strong woman.

It is nice having all of you to share my real fears and show my weakness.

My best to everyone facing surgery in November.

Seedsally

Welcome Soareagle. I understand what you mean. You do grieve for the loss and that's ok. But you have to remind yourself that basically you have no choice. You choose life

caroline372

Welcome. I am also nervous about my upcoming bmx. It hasn't even been 2 weeks since I was told I had DCIS. Everything has happened so fast. Good luck to you!

Nulyte

Hi. I am scheduled for a BMX on Nov 14th am needless to say I feel I need Xanax on a daily basis. We spoke with the oncologist and she told us if there is no chest wall involvement and less than 3 nodes and my onco score is low than no chemo - so trying to focus on that. Never have had a major surgery before , not knowing what to expect. BS wanted me to do outpatient since I'm not having reconstruction, I said no at least a 23 hour admission.

Sad to say I want reconstruction but won't do it because I'm scared of a long surgery , I feel like a wimp

Thanks for listening! Good luck to all the November surgery women!

Logang

Hi Nulyte. Sorry you are struggling with anxiety. I had a unilateral mastectomy in January and will be having a prophylactic mastectomy with bilateral tissue expander placement on November 3rd. I had my surgery at the James cancer hospital with OSU and had an automatic overnight stay. I had no node involvement, but a high oncotype score of 57, so I did do chemo. Whatever happens, you can do it! Don't hesitate to ask for something for anxiety!

caroline372

Hi Nulyte, I had anxiety after learning of my diagnosis a few weeks ago and started taking Zoloft. My bmx is scheduled for 11/7.

Logang, I am having my surgery at the James as well. Bilateral with reconstruction. How was your experience with the hospital? I'm wondering if I'll stay 1 or 2 nights. Who was your surgeon? Mine is Povoski and Chou for reconstruction.

Seedsally

Hello Nulyte I agree with Logang. If you need something for anxiety ask for it. This is a time when you need help if you can get it. My actual BMX surgery was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. There was some pain afterwards but well controlled at the hospital. I have had other surgeries that were worse. I had reconstruction no lymph node cancer cells found and an onco score of 24. My oncologist decided against chemo. Had it been a 25 she would have done chemo. I am now waiting to have my tissue expanders exchanged for implants on 11/11. I have been lucky to have a good family support system. I wish you well and know you will find plenty of understanding and support on this site

Logang

Caroline.. I sent you a private message. I had a one night stay for my unilateral, but I go for preop this coming week and will find out how long of a stay for this one.

2yorkies

This is my first post, but have been online reading your helpful information for the past 3 months. Just completed chemo and anxiously awaiting BMX with left ALD, and placement of expanders on 11/2. Tried to find support in an actual face to face group, but I was the only one who showed up 😊 well the good thing was I had my first good cry since 6/1 dx. Glad to see this wonderful forum!

Seedsally

Welcome 2yorkies. You wil find support on this site. Keep posting. We all get encouragement from each other.

Logang

Hi 2yorkies. I have never tried a face to face support group. I'm sorry no one showed up! I went back to work 6 weeks after my surgery earlier this year and worked through chemo. The support groups always met through the week and I couldn't go. This site has been great!

2yorkies

Thank you seedsally and Logang for the welcome! I am just worried about surgery being one month after 4 months of chemo...hope my 62 year old body is up to it! Also my RO want radiation to start after a month. Logang ..sounds like you did great, working through chemo and back to work at 6 weeks post op!😊

Logang

2yorkies... I hope your blood counts are good! My plastic surgeon said I had to wait at least 8 weeks after chemo. Maybe it was because I did dose dense AC+T. I ended up being scheduled just over 4 months out anyway. Positivity and an I can attitude go a long way! Oh... and sense of humor!

OG56

Hi everyone, I better jump on this thread as I will be having a BMX on November 16th. I do not know what kind of treatment I will have afterwards because they are still poking and prodding me and making me have biopsies of my opposite breast due to the fact that my MO does not like that I have grade 3 BC. Have Ativan at hand and I need it this is my second time at the rodeo only a totally different kind of cancer and am a little nervous about possibly doing chemo and also having reconstruction. Glad to have you all to talk to!

Linda

Logang

Welcome Linda. Sorry to hear you are going through this again! I had biopsies on both breasts prior to diagnosis, but they cleared my left. Wishing you luck through the remaining poking and prodding!

2yorkies

Logang.....My blood counts are slowly improving...have 2 more labs scheduled before surgery..Ativan certainly has its place in this crazy journey! Sending positive thoughts to all on November's surgery schedule!😊

Seedsally

Welcome Linda I too was poked and prodded on the other breast too. All total I had 1 punch type core biopsy that found cancer in right breast. Then a stereotactic biopsy followed by a lumpectomy biopsy on the other side. I had ADH on the left. The dr I had at that time said the left was taken care of and he would do a single mastectomy on the right. I got a second opinion and wound up with a BMX and glad I did. There was still ADH (atypical ductile hyperplasia) in the left breast as well as in 2 lymph nodes on that side. The surgeon said I would have had cancer in that side in less than 5 years and it had already entered the lymph nodes due to the lumpectomy. My oncologist decided not to do chemo and put me on Arimidex to get the ADH. She said In essence to starve it out since my cancer was ER positive. I just have to believe it was the right choice and be very watchful

wendymk2016

I am scheduled to do a MX on 11/3. I have a DCIS grade 3 in my left breast and MRI found two new non mass enhancement areas which can not be detected by US. My DR. said since I am going to have MX anyway, so no need to do biopsy for the new findings.

I am very nervous about the surgery, not only for the procedure itself, but the PATH report after surgery.

Hope everything will go on smoothly for everyone.

Wicked

BMX with no recon on 11/15/16.

Seedsally

Welcome Wendy and Wicked. Sorry for both of you because of your DX. But you have people here that know how you feel and that alone helps.

caroline372

Welcome new members!

Wendy, I also have DCIS and am having a bmx on 11/7 and am also scared about the path report after surgery.

This group has been so helpful! I appreciate all of your stories and support.

wendymk2016

Caroline,

Do you have DCIS on both side? what Grade?

I am trying to be positive and build up faith that I am going to be fine. Every morning, I took 30 min. walk around my subdivision. Try to eat some healthy fresh vegi/fruit. It is good that I got support from my parents, husband and kid. I prey to God for the best outcome.

Other than that, I have no control.

Wendy

StayMom

Hello all, I am scheduled for right side mastectomy, sentinel biopsy with reconstruction on 11/3. The waiting has been agony. I was originally going to have a lumpectomy but MRI showed other area of non mass enhancement so opted to skip additional biopsies and have the mastectomy. I am off work now and trying to prepare. Feeling overwhelmed and loss of control with everyone wanting to help and tell me what I should or shouldn't do with myself or my family. I have a 7 year old son and want him close with little change to routine. Anyone feeling this? I just want things stable but maybe Iam in denial!