November 2016 Surgeries

tbat

I have been on this site reading everyone's posts since I was first called back for a diagnostic mammogram. I have learned so much from all of the wonderful women here. I finally have a surgery date of November 15th. I thought I would feel better when I knew the date and could make some plans but I think I am more scared and worried now than I have ever been. I am trying to be positive but it seems so hard sometimes.

Logang

I always said if I was diagnosed, I would have a bilateral mastectomy. My surgeon would only do the unilateral back in January, so I have been living with one breast. I get my other removed on Thursday. It just makes me feel better, makes it easier to get good recon results, and I get rid of my extremely dense breast tissue! I'm looking forward to not dealing with a prosthetic too!

OG56

Hello to everyone who is new on this site.Tbat I am on the 16th and today I realized that it's about two weeks away and I had myself a good cry. Then I took my grandchildren trick or treating had a margarita and I might feel just a little bit better LOL

Thank you Sally for answering my question

RitaR551

Surgery is scheduled for Nov. 18. The machine that inserts the location wire isn't working at the hospital surgery takes place, so, I will go to a hospital fifteen minutes away for the wire, get dressed, and my husband drives me to the operating hospital! There is still a "chance" they will get the broken machine working. What a deal

TechTeacher

tbat--I'm on the 15th too. When I realized I was just two weeks out, I had a little meltdown myself. I feel like I'm on the minute by minute roller coaster where I fluctuate between relief about finally doing something and paralyzing fear. Exhausting! Plus I'm pretty much in charge of organizing all my own support which starting to feel a little like staging a military campaign. But good that we have lots of help.

I let all my co-workers know what is going on. I work in a very close-knit school (that my 9-year-old son also attends) with a grapevine that moves at the speed of light. I'm taking a month (possible more since we bump into winter break soon thereafter) off to recover from a right mx, sentinel lymph node biopsy, with tissue expander placement and there would be talk and speculation (of the most well-intentioned type) if I just disappeared. And I wanted folks to know how important it is to keep things as "business as usual" as possible for my son. I'd had face-to-face conversations with the people I'm closest to and my son's teachers. Sent an email to everyone else. Took me two weeks to write it. But the response has been so touching.

One question for folks who have been down this road before--I feel like I have a pretty good ideas of what to expect the first two weeks, which is when I have the most hands on deck. And I've read a great deal (maybe too much) about the wide variety of experiences people have over the longer term. But I don't feel like I have any idea what to expect the second two weeks after surgery. How long before folks typically are able to go off pain meds? When will I be okay to drive my son to and from school? Make his lunch? I know every cancer and every patient are different, but I'm looking for general or typical expectations. Does such a thing exist?

Nulyte

Thanks Linda - my surgery is Nov 14th and I was looking for tops with drains but you are right $60-80!! With being out of work that doesn't fit the budget but $20 drain pockets will work

Seedsally

Amapola you and I will have surgery the same day but mine will be exchange surgery. My BMX was in April of this year. Good luck and keep posting

JenRich

Scheduled for lumpectomy Nov 9. Anxious to see what the sentinal node tells us. Good Luck ladies. Lots of love an prayers headed everyone's way.

4bearz

Hi TechTeacher,

My surgery is scheduled for the 8th and it cannot get here soon enough. I have the same questions as you about the post-op / recovery issues. My physician did tell me no driving for 6 weeks post-op. I hear that's pretty standard. That's about all that I know! Good luck to you (and everyone else).

Michele

Logang

Everyone is different when it comes to pain and recovery time after surgery. I took pains meds and muscle relaxers regularly the first week, then cut back after my right mastectomy and auxiliary node dissection in January. Every surgeon is different with their post op restrictions and instructions too! I wasn't allowed to drive for about 4 weeks. My surgeon said no driving while the drains were in. Most of my pain was from the 31 nodes being removed. My incision didn't bother me much. Good luck everyone. I work tomorrow, then surgery on Thursday!

grandma3X

Hi everyone! I was diagnosed last November. I had a left MX in January (Hi Logan!) and then right prophylactic MX in May. I just completed my exchange surgery last week I was reading through some of the posts here and wanted to let you know that there is a "free cycle" thread, where some of those expensive items are available for free. I have some camisoles with drain pockets (size large) that I would be happy to pass along. Just PM me.

The worst part of the surgeries for me was the anxiety. Wishing you all the best.

Logang

Good to hear from you grandma3X!

StayMom

Hi again ladies! I missed a lot but with Halloween keeping me busy (thankfully) I am feeling ready. I have my right mastectomy with expander on Thurs Nov 3. Yikes! I am feeling unemotional about the loss of my breast. It aches constantly and I know it has to go. I have seen a lot of friends and family which was good and sometimes overwhelming. I feel like I am now "nesting" with cleaning and prepping and organizing my home. Waiting has been the absolute worst and so thankful I got Atavin for the anxiety. The moment I am dreading is saying goodbye to my 7 yr old son. Praying all goes as planned so i can be back home with him Friday before he heads to my sister's for the weekend. My husband will be with me at the hospital. Not sure about visitors. I have had requests but will I even want to see anyone? Good luck and I'll try to update my status, pain mgt etc.

Kat104

Will be thinking of you tomorrow, StayMom!!!

Logang

Staymom my surgery is tomorrow too! Good luck!

Bobbie071516

I had nipple sparing BMX with immediate reconstruction on 9/28. i stayed two nights in the hospital but was up and walking around the next day. I took 3 weeks off from work, a co-worker had set up a "Meal Plan" online and it was emailed to everyone who had been telling me they wanted to help. I added things I thought I might need assistance with (meals, check in, etc). I had a friend stay with me the first 2 nights and then was by myself a couple of nights until a friend from out of town came to stay for a week. By then I was ready to get out of the house, so we went sight seeing. I felt okay, until I sat down in my recliner and then I was out!!!! The weekend before I went back to work I walked the Denver Rock and Roll 10k. My PS knew I was initially planning on running the 1/2 marathon and had been running a race every month since January, but he's married to a runner so he understood my need to at least walk it; so he reluctantly gave me approval.

I feel really lucky compared to other posts I have read. I have expanders so my pectoral muscles were tight for a few weeks, but other than that I've had little to no pain. My Right drain came out after one week, the left drain came out the 2nd week. So now that it's been a month, everything has healed with the exception of my nipples; no pain, just necrosis and that was all explained to me prior to surgery. I'll be having surgery Friday to get both nipples removed. I'm not worried about any of it at all....not sure why, but am totally okay with whatever needs to happen. I've been that way since being told I tested positive for cancer. When chemo is finished (TC - 4 treatments total, once every 3rd week), I should be done with the expansion part and will get implants (going to a B cup so I can run and ride my horses easier)...and then....my very first tattoo! I'm super excited about that.

I've tried to maintain a positive attitude throughout it all and have done pretty good at it. I asked the PS to install squeeky toys for fun, I've asked for the cute anesthesiologist for surgeries, and just try to find the positive in any news given (I was told for 19 years I was high risk and when finally diagnosed from an MRI and biopsy, told the Doc "Well then, chop, chop. Let's get to it and get it taken care of. I've got races to run and horse shows!" I've already purchased a wig for when my hair falls out and adore the style so much that I can hardly wait to wear it. At first sight of my hair falling out, I will be having a party at my house to shave my head...I'll try a mohawk and any other crazy hairstyle I can. Breast Cancer picked the wrong girl....I'm already thinking of costumes to wear to chemo sessions (since it will be around the holidays). Might as well make this adventure a fun one! I'm expecting tough days from chemo, but I keep telling myself it's only 4 infusions and there are others who have it way worse than I do.

My apologies for rambling. Prayers and positive thoughts for my pink warrior sisters!

StayMom

Logang sending you best of luck today!!!

Bobbie you own your cancer and it's fantastic. I do believe that attitude makes such a difference and helps everyone around you who cares and is making the journey with you. I hope to be back up and walking, running and dancing as soon as possible!

RitaR551

Thank you Seedsally. I'm getting more tense with updated diagnoses and approaching surgery date. We help take care of my husbands elderly parents (blindness, dementia, etc.), so it's a circus here getting everyone taken care of during my surgery, recovery, and radiation treatments. Other family members are rearranging their schedules to take care of them AND me. I'll be glad when life gets back to some semblance of "normal

Seedsally

Rita I hear you about wanting some semblance of normal. But I think we wind up with a new normal since we can never go back to the old normal. But each day it does get more manageable. That's not to say there aren't some bad days in the process. But after all what's the alternative? Best to try to be as upbeat as we can because we get strength from that. Good wishes to you in this sisterhood journey (and there are some brothers who get it-i have a church gentleman friend who had surgery about 2 months before I had my BMX).

gg44

Hi all, I guess I belong in the Nov surgery room. I now have my second cancer after 8 years and I have to have a Left modified radical mastectomy. Scheduled for surgery Nov 30th. Doctor said over night stay in hospital. I may not have to have Chemo and I am liking that,Chem is my biggest fear. Still waiting on a couple of. test results.I am wishing everyone going through this good luck.

Seedsally

Welcome here gg44 although I'm not happy you have the new CA. Post often because we all gain courage and strength from those who know what we are going through. I'm curious as to what treatments and surgeries you've had before. I also wish you all the good luck possible.

gg44

In 2008 I had a lumpectomy and Mammo site radiation. I also took Arimedex for 4 years. I have had a complete hysterectomy. I am 71 and will be 72 on Dec 7th. I am divorced and raising my 15 year old grandson. He has anger issues and has to take medication and goes to therapy. The test I have had for this one is a 3D mri, ultra sounds and several mammograms. My dr also wanted me to have the genetic testing and he is doing a mammoprint. Waiting on those two results now. He said he is going to take about 15 lymph nodes and will only do my left breast. He said anyone that has had radiation like mine there is tissue damage and we don't heal as fast. I am not doing reconstruction. He said he wouldn't even try at this point anyway. Besides at my age I don't mind going flat. The good thing is that only the one lymph node lit up and the place he did my biopsy. My doctor is Dr Michael Cross and he is awesome. He has written several papers and done tremendous things in the Breast cancer care and prevention research. I am so blessed to have him.

Seedsally

Thank you so much for the info GG. It helps us understand your situation so much better. You appear to be a very savvy person. I am nearly 66 and also have been involved with helping to raise grandchildren as well as great grandchildren. I still am helping but I think I am not physically strong enough to keep it up. I have started telling my family that I can't do it much longer with the little ones. They are about as strong as I am and much faster!

gg44

It does get hard sometimes. I have felt resentful sometimes at his parents and his other grandparents that just dropped out of his life. His mom text him but that is about all.I have a real good support group for my cancer journey tho.

Logang

Well, I survived. Surgery was supposed to start at 12 on Thursday, but ended up being around 2pm. I was so hungry! It took about 4 hours! I have one drain on the right and 2 on the left. One less than we expected. I requested a scopolomine patch from the anesthesiologist again. It worked like a charm last time. I still had nausea a few times Thursday evening as well as pain issues, but was discharged home yesterday late morning. Still trying to stay ahead of the pain with percocet, flexeril, and ibuprofen around the clock. I am surprised that my right chest and arm are the most painful, followed by the left side of my back.

StayMom, I hope you are doing well!

caroline372

Logang and Staymom, I'm thinking of you and hope you are both doing well! Hang in there and keep taken your pain meds. Hugs to both! Getting ready for my surgery Monday.

OG56

Sending out gentle hugs to Logang and Staymom!

GG44 you and I have a very similar story, 2008 IDC, lumpectomy and Mamosite, 5 years of Arimidex. Now ILC. Warrior On!

gg44

OG56 ,It sucks big time doesn't it. But this is the place to get the special support we need. My doctor said I have to have mastectomy this time because of the radiation damage. I can look back and say why didn't I do that to begin with. But I will not cry over spilled milk and just know that what I am going through is helping doctors learn more about mamo site radiation and the long term affects of it. I had to get a flu shot which I have only done once and I was not happy about that. I have felt bad for a couple of days now.

For everyone that has just had their surgery I hope you are doing ok and hope everything heals good for you.

IronMom3

hi All,

I had a bilateral mastectomy on Oct 31, with SNB. I Have minimal pain and 2 drains. I think 1 might be coming out this afternoon, since it's been at less than 30mL for 2 days in a row, but I'll see when the nurse comes.

I am meeting my MO on the 22nd to determine when I start chemo, as long as my SNB is clear.

Seedsally

Welcome IronMom. Sorry you are having to go through this. Keep posting. We are interested in your progress and look forward to your posts.