December 2016 Surgeries

tlgio17

Thinking of you Aimee. Prayers for you and we will be waiting for you on the healing side!!

tlgio17

Hi Kim,

That is wonderful preliminary news on nodes! Continued prayers for your apt on Wed.

MyJourneys, also hoping you get good news back.

Hope you both rest well tonight.

Traci

MexicoHeather

Just checking in. I am speechless as to how everything is falling into place for me to enter 2017 with some level of sanity. My husband has been able to come home a little bit every day since I came back from the hospital. I found new (very expensive) health insurance, my parents are helping me, my company was bought out, so I have some money from severance and as much time as I need for the next steps.

Having said that, I have also never experienced this level of anxiety before. This is just so strange to be sidelined like this for, I don't know, at least 6 months? I am trusting in Jesus, coffee, xanax and adult coloring books.

Anonymous

Mexicoheather- this is such a rollercoaster of a journey, I totally get it! I think for me, it's going to be a good year of "stuff". My bloodwork responded this am and I'm currently getting #6 of 6 chemo treatment as I type. I'm hoping this is the end. Then surgery and reconstruct and like all of you waiting on the pathology to determine what happens next. I know from my readings that folks can take 12-18 mos of time before feeling "normal" again.

One step at a time....but I have a hard time doing it lol.

tlgio17

Hi Mexico Heather, if only our treatment options could be just that...Jesus, Xanax, coffee and coloring books. 😃

Completely feeling the same way as you and abjclan, quite the rollercoaster this has been and continues to be.

Hugs!

Traci

Goincrzy8

Had post op today, still have drain and no path yet Bandages changed, I saw the incision, and it is healing nicely. He is very impressive this surgeon.

lilyp6

Kattis, glad you will have home help. I would also recommend button-front shirts, facial wipes, and throat lozenges. The tube that goes down your throat while you're in surgery can be very irritating.

Keiki

Protein is important for healing, try for 100 grams daily. Hard to do but enjoy eggs, lean meats, get protein powder for shakes. Skin health is vital especially for NSM. Take a good multivitamin, extra vitamin c and biotin. I eat pineapple every day for the bromelin. Also daily at least 1 big serving kale or spinach, raw or lightly wilted with garlic, olive oil. When you feel crummy you may not have much of an appetite but work these in as a basic. Fruits and berries are good in the protein shakes. Fat free yogurt or probiotics help with the digestion. Watch out for sugar and white carbs; they could add weight while your activity level is low.

It is frustrating that we have to rely so heavily on the BS and PS, and others. But you can control what you eat, exercising as allowed, staying mentally healthy. That's been hard for some of us but there are some wonderful women who will help us through this. As we learn, and endure and heal, we become empowered to reach out and help others.

Best wishes for all of you.

dccancer

Myjourneys - I had a MX on the left side and had just one drain. Unfortunately it is still in and I am pretty sure I will be stuck with it all weekend. My output needs to be 30cc's or less for 48 hours before it can be removed and I am still hovering around 40 ccs. I find I need less pain pills every day though still have moments of intense 'incision pain and pulling, stinging around the drain site. Can't wait for it to come out!

For those suffering constipation try magnesium citrate pills and senna (ballerina tea). I find it works like a charm for me. Obviously drink lots of water too. I got my pathology report and the two nodes they took were completely clear of cancer and my margins were totally clean. Finally a little good news. I have my herceptin infusion tomorrow. Not looking forward to being messed with on top of the surgery recovery but i have no choice. Hope everyone is healing and trying to enjoy the holiday season at least a little!

Fotheringay

Hi all,

After a false start (surgery was supposed to be 11/24 originally, until new area in question showed up on contrast MRI), I had a lumpectomy with wire localization (two masses) with sentinel node removal yesterday. Recovery has been pretty uneventful, as I am bored out of my mind- impaired enough I can't/won't do much, but well enough that being planted on the couch all day is a challenge.

I don't have anyone other than the people in this group to talk about my feelings with, so I'm grateful for this group. My friend who dropped me off and picked me up from surgery yesterday did nothing but talk about herself and her kids the entire time... it's how she is, and I can't expect her to change. (I lied to the hospital staff when I told them someone would be with me for the rest of the day.) Needless to say, she hasn't called or texted to check on me today. One other friend did text to check on me earlier. It's fortunate that I'm not in a huge amount of discomfort (only one pain pill today), and I'm able to rummage for drinks and snacks as I need them. I probably could have used some minding last night, because I was sent home WAY overmedicated- dilaudid IV chased with two oxycodone pills (administered by the hospital nurse in succession because I was still in a lot of pain- I was only given propofol for the surgery, which wears off rapidly). It all hit me after I'd been home about an hour, and I just conked out on the couch for hours.

What's weird is that my breast hurts in places I wouldn't expect. The masses were at 8 and 10, near my sternum, and the biggest discomfort right now is at the base of my breast, around 5 o clock. I was expecting an incision in my armpit, and there isn't one. I feel bruised on my other side (?). I guess I will get more information when the pathology reports come in.

I haven't even removed the compression wrap to see what the BS did. I'll take a look when I shower tomorrow morning.

Carrie

jcn16

Carrie,

I'm thinking of you and worried that you don't have the support you need right now. Perhaps talking with a nurse navigator or care manager/social worker at your hospital about getting help while you are recovering might work. If the hospital can't help, is there a cancer support organization in your community? It's hard to ask for help but people who really want to help will step up when asked. I've made some new friendships this way.

Hoping you get a good night's rest and feel better tomorrow.

Fotheringay

Thanks for the moral support, jcn16... through the hospital system I am working with, I now have a weekly meeting with a psychologist to help me muddle through the emotions. It's my fault; I don't trust people with my emotions. I don't feel comfortable letting myself be vulnerable with people (unfortunate life lesson picked up over time). I've learned to tough it out without help rather than risk getting hurt. I'm hoping I can un-learn some of this over time.

Carrie

NorthBrooklyn

Fotheringay, I'm so sorry you're going through this alone. But I'm glad the hospital system you're in gave you some support even if your friends didn't. I think some people just can't deal with the thought of it, so they ramble on about anything else and/or just disappear. (I've had a few of those.) Doesn't make it feel any less rotten though.

Take care!

Goincrzy8

checking up on Dec surgeries, how is everyone doing that had surgery already? I had surgery one week ago and feeling great. Unilateral mastectomy still have my new friend the drain with me no answers on pathology yet.

Thinking of you ladies still waiting for your surgery day the hardest part is waitin

lilyp6

Hi Goincrzy8,

Mine was Dec 2, and I'm starting to get back to normal. I got my drains out this past Mon, was still pretty sore up until yesterday. It's going slower than I'd like, but the improvement is steady. I'm told that the lymph nodes - 2 - they removed were negative, but I'm still due for the full report and a visit with my surgeon on Mon. I'm back to work the day after that.

MexicoHeather

Checking in. I had a down day yesterday, but I did walk around the block with a friend. I was told that I could resume normal activities as I felt up to it, minus the lifting.

I am recovering in Florida, where it's a sunny 78® today. I did a mini craft, and then my husband came home and made soup. Next "job" was drinking a Monster Ultra Sunrise drink and checking on all the plants. Then on to petting cats and coloring.

The drain is in until Wednesday. I didn't get up with pain last night, I just tried to mentally relax the shoulder and drain entry spot area and it worked.

MyJourneys

Hi everyone,

My follow up appointment on the 14th didn't go well. First, the pathology results showed more areas of cancer in my left breast, and add ductal in addition to lobular). They thought they only took one lymph node out, but there were two very close together. 1 of the nodes was positive (2 mm spot, I think - I don't want to look at the path report again until I'm feeling more steady).

The lumpectomy on the right wasn't just atypical hyperplasia; it was invasive lobular cancer, too. However, it looks very different than the ILC in my right breast, and the pathology says it's a triple negative tumor. That's not good, but they did get clear margins on it. Lobular cancer is sneaky, though, and my guess is that it's somewhere else in the breast hiding. I'll be going back to surgery at the end of the month to do a sentinel node biopsy on my right side so my oncologist can decide how to proceed. They're also re-testing the tumor on the right to make sure the triple negative is correct. Lobular cancer is almost always estrogen and/or progesterone positive, and it's weird that I am estrogen positive on my left side, and not on my right.

After they talked about the pathology results, the PS came in to check my incision and take the drain out. And things got worse. Some of the skin around the incision wasn't getting enough blood flow and died, so they had to do admit me again on the spot and do another surgery to take the implant out, cut the dead skin away, clean out the blood clots they found, and basically start everything over again. Because I have positive node, I'm very likely going to have radiation on that side, so they decided to put a tissue expander in, instead of an implant. This will allow them to empty it if I need radiation to my lymph nodes and will hopefully help to spare my breast skin from radiation damage. After the radiation, they'll refill and we'll go from there.

They're probably going to want to do a mastectomy on the right eventually, depending on how the lymph nodes looks there, and just because lobular is so sneaky and doesn't always show up on MRIs or any other imaging.

So that's where I'm at now. If you have a tissue expander under your muscle, please tell me about your experiences. Right now I'm feeling tight and I can't move my arm as much as before, but I'm managing my pain well so far. I'm absolutely not going to allow pain to stress me out this time. I'm going to take the pain pills as prescribed and not get in the position of chasing the pain. I've been through enough of that and will try to stay on top of it as much as possible.

I've been thinking of everyone and hope you're well. If we've had any new December surgeries join us, please let me know your surgery date and what you're having done, and I'll update the list.

RedemptiveSufferer

Glad to hear so many are healing well. Does my heart good. Yesterday was a horrible day for me. I had a bad reaction to a pain med they switched me to: Demarol. Felt like I was on fire and going out of my mind. Had to call the ambulance and go to the ER. Feeling better today but my head still feels a little strange. I really hadn't cried before yesterday and now I've been crying nearly non-stop. I have a TE and it feels like I have a vice wrapping around the side of my chest. It's manageable but I still need pain meds. Thought I'd be feeling loads better by now.

MyJourneys, know I'm with you and the disappointment. Will be praying for you. Please don't look at my TE story because I think most do far better than I have done.

Carrie, my heart aches for you. I understand not trusting people, but you'll need to, to get through this. It's a good thing that the hospital hooked you up w/someone to talk to on a weekly basis. I hope you have no setbacks and continue to heal fully & quickly.

tlgio17

Hi goincrzy8, ok here for the most part. I do have some discomfort under my armpit area where there is still some swelling. No pain but just feels different. Dr follow up next Wed so will see what she says.

Congrats on your preliminary node info!

MyJourneys, thanks for the update and I am sorry to hear about the extra procedures. Hoping you can heal up w no pain until the next step.

I will get my oncologist referral next week and I am not looking forward to what lies ahead but one step at a time is all I can do.

Thanking of everyone as we battle,

Traci

jcn16

Hi all!

Sending prayers and healing thoughts to all of you.

Here's my update: Surgery was 2 weeks ago today. Nodes are clear! Last drain removed from my abdomen (from DIEP) and boy do I feel better! New breast and underarm swollen and sore but normal and healing well. Able to stand mostly straight and walked around IKEA this afternoon. I was told to expect swelling in my abdomen for at least three months so I'm learning to balance the right amount of activity with rest otherwise the swelling gets worse. Avoiding salt to lessen swelling. Plan to walk again tomorrow.

Feeling lucky and optimistic, but bored with sitting still. Wishing you all a restful evening.

J

NorthBrooklyn

I got my pathology report back and had something similar happen--what they originally thought was a satellite tumor was in fact a completely different type, lobular with ductal properties. It explained the mystery of why one tumor melted away while the other barely shrank at all. And in the other breast there were three different types of pre-cancerous legions. I feel like a petri dish. But I'm so glad I decided on the double.

Thirteen nodes removed, two had disease, largest was 3 mm.

Oh, and turns out the pain in my arm was cording. But I'm feeling a little better every day.

Goincrzy8

Myjourneys & Redemptive I am so sad to hear all that, why cant this be an easy path for us all. Sending healing prayers to you all as we move on to the next step.

Provence

Hi all! I'm new to this. Found out I had cancer on 11/14/16. Had surgery on 12/13. Right Lumpectomy with 3 nodes removed. 1 positive for cancer. Feeling a overwhelmed and out of control. I'm usually tough but now teary. Hoping these emotions pass soon. Go back to surgeon to have drain removed 12/20 and also see the oncologist. Am I normal?

tlgio17

RedemtiveSufferer, I am so sorry you have been in pain and prayers for comfort for you and healing. ((hugs))!

Welcome Provence! Everything you are saying and feeling is how many of us feel too. this forum is a blessing.

Jcn16, happy news w your nodes and glad all is healing up. 😊

Thinking of all the fellow fighters,

Traci

Armecia

I've been away for a bit so I've just been reading and catching up on everyone. It is so tough when they find more tumors, or different cancer type or, as in my case, cancer in a lymph node(s). I am rooting for all of you women.

My BMX was 12/2 and on 12/13, I had a second surgery: axillary node disection with reverse mapping. They took the drain out on the left (while I was under general anesthesia!). Waiting for the pathology results anxiously.

The pain on the right is tougher than after the 1st surgery. I was having a rough time thru the night but decided to take my mom's advice: set a clock so that I don't go too long between doses. worked great!

For those that haven't looked at your surgery site, I encourage you to not put it off too long. I made a point of checking thing out before I left the hospital and I look at my chest every day. I'm getting used to my new normal (I'm not having reconstruction.). Loved my tits. Enjoyed them. I think fondly of those that looked down my cleavage over the years. BUT they were trying to kill me. I can live without them, literally and figuratively.

You women are braver than you think and tougher than you can imagine.

Peace

pepper43

Whoa nelly- this has not been a picnic. Major pain and soreness (presumably from TEs). Found out 1 of the 4 sentinel nodes found and biopsied with axillary mapping done during surgery was positive (yuck!). Prelim showed all 4 as negative. When BS called with results she indicated there would likely be no more surgery and that radiation and hormone therapy still stand as next steps. Had my first post-op with PS today where 3 of my 4 drains were removed. Yay! I hav an appointment without BS on Monday morning where (hopefully) she will remove last drain. Another postop with PS on Tuesday afternoon where he may do a fill. I have 600 CC TEs that are already half filled. I also have a Lupron shot and MO visit on Wednesday

TTgirl

I am having a papilloma removed from my left breast on the 22nd. They can't tell from the biopsy if it's cancer. They only know there are some atypical cells. I'm at a loss for what to expect.

MyJourneys

Fotheringay, I added you to the list. I'm glad you found us. Use us as support (in addition to the psychologist).

MyJourneys

Redemptive, I'm so sorry you're having a rough time, too. I broke down, too, but felt better afterwards, so maybe that's what both of us needed. My TE feels different than the over-muscle implant. Right now I'm feel a lot of pressure, but no pain like I did with the implant. I'm keeping on top of my meds, and will continue to do that. I hope they find something better than the Demarol for you. That sounded like a serious allergic reaction or something. Make sure someone notes it so you'll remember not to use it again. You're on my mind a lot.

MyJourneys

I'm so glad to hear that several in our group had negative nodes!

Provence, it's normal to feel overwhelmed and teary. It'll get better, then you may have a bad day again, but it always gets better. I'm glad you found us.

Brooklyn, I'm sorry to hear of your positive nodes. It sounds like both of us are petri dishes!

Armecia, it's good to hear from you again. Let us know what your pathology says when it comes in. I'm sorry for your positive nodes.

Pepper, I'm sorry for your pain and positive nodes. I hope your last drain gets removed soon and that your pain will lesson soon.