March 2017 Surgery

Molly50

sjs, the numbness lasts about a year. I would plan on either sleeping in a recliner or get a good number of pillows to hold you up. I am finding after bilateral exchange surgery I can wiggle out of bed and being a side sleeper I put a pillow slightly under one side to give me the feeling of side sleeping without hurting my implants.

I found a compromise on the bra. I zipped it halfway up and it doesn't hurt as bad.

Yvonne_M

No letting the dogs near you??!! Well, looks like I failed there, they've been all over me. Not changing that. If I die from too much puppy love, so be it.

wallan

jada: Hey there. I understand your angst. Big hugs to you and lots of prayers for you surgery and recovery. Baby steps is the answer and I am glad you found this site. Many loving and supportive people on here who get it. One day or moment at time... baby steps.

wallan

EastcoastTS

Jada:

Welcome to the group and know that we understand how you feel. I've had my low points and extreme moments of fear/vulnerability, too, especially when thinking about my 9-year-old son. As Molly advised, take this situation one day at a time. I've done this. Chipped away at the issue at hand, pushing the other aside to the next day or week. You will get through surgery. You're surrounded by women on this forum who have (or will) within days of each other. I'm myself 24 days out and doing well. We're here for you!!!

Warm wishes, prayers and thoughts with you.

EastcoastTS

Sjssparks:

I had my injections four days prior to surgery. To make sure they could locate nodes. I know some folks have the day prior. Or some just day of -- and you'll already be under by then. Ask your team. I felt they were a breeze but I agree, you want to know what the procedure/process is for all. Or at least I did.

Scottiemom11

sjsparks. . .from my experience for the first several days after BMx with TEs the most difficult thing for me was getting in and out of bed. Dh had to lift me from the waist. I had the same trouble for two days this time. Everyone is different and it may be more difficult for TEs under the pecs muscles as mine were. If you can sleep propt up on a dorm backrest, firm pillows or in a recliner it may be easier to get up when needed.

Sounds like you're doing a good job of planning ahead.

DiV still thinking of you and praying for your recovery.

Scottie

lovepugs77

My nuclear injections are going to be day of the surgery, but I won't be under anaesthesia yet. The surgeon said that they have to be done 1.5 hours before surgery to make sure it has time to move to the lymph nodes, so it is before the surgery.

Hanging_in_there

Hello Ladies, I just joined the April surgery group, but figured some of you guys gals might be experts by now. I've read that it really helps to have a wedge pillow, but they come in different heights, 4", 7", 12". I was thinking of going with 7" because it is in the middle. Does anyone have any experience with wedge pillows and height?

Thank you and sending hugs to those who have had surgery and those still waiting.

2FUN

that sound about right lovepugs77

I didn't think.it was worse than having blood drawn, or giving blood. Goodluck!

Hanging in there, nice to meet you. I have been sleeping propped into the corner of my sofa at probably a 45 degree angle. I would think.the higher wedge will make it easier to raise yourself up and out of bed.

I had a friend drive me to get my drain out and it wasn't a problem at all. My next hurdle is my pathology report: only 1mm margins on the DCIS. I was confident that I wasn't going to need radiation, and now that's a bit murky, especiallywith a TE. my radiation oncologist who I adore is just back from vacation , and can't get me in for a few weeks. I'm going to email her with my concerns and see if she can squeeze me in. It doesn't make sense to go forward with the TE if that won't work with rads.I'm trying to stay calm and hoping they can get me in sooner.

Sending healing energy and prayers to DIV, and all the rest of you#

bareclaws

Today was first post-op appt after my BMX and I accomplished my goal-to leave that appt without those two suckers, i.e. drains! Woohoo! My wardrobe possibilities have expanded exponentially. And I'll be able to walk the neighborhood without the funny bumps at my waist. My recovery has been very easy. No pain whatsoever. No fatigue. I've been concentrating on getting rid of the weight I've gained on chemo so far and have had some success. I think it will be about two weeks before MO starts me on Taxol/Herceptin.

I, too, missed the "no dogs" caution. That might have been a game changer. My dogs are my only daily companions and while they don't actually get in my bed (unless there's a thunderstorm), they're pretty much are all over me, which I welcome. I need them as much as they need me.

Jada, thinking of you. We have similar diagnosis. You (we) wil get through this.

Yvonne_M

Welcome Hangin In.. the wedge pillow I got is 7.5" .. I have nothing to compare it too, but I like it! https://www.walmart.com/ip/47482949 Dream Serenity if the link doesn't work

Yvonne_M

I LOVE MY ONCOLOGIST!!! Today I started Letrozol (Anti-Estrogen) and my specimen is going to get the Oncotype DX testing done to see my grade for recurrence, praying for low which would mean no Chemo. All new words for me today.

Awesome news Bareclaws!

Love to all my sistahs!

Hanging_in_there

Thank you YvonneM and 2FUN, I think the 7 inch might be best, then I can add a layer of pillows on to make it higher if I have to. If I really need 45 degrees, and I may, I will be sleeping in the Lazyboy lounger.

Yvonne_M

Hanging in, I also use this pillow, deflate and inflate, turn it upside down, whatever it takes to make me happy. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0154GGC8I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Oh shoot link didn't work, got it on Amazon when it was a Deal of the Day, it's the

AirComfy

Push-Button Inflatable Daydreamer Neck Pillow with Airplane Travel Packsack and Luggage Clip - Gray

lidabit

Cdv4251992 - ask your doctor to write you a modified work order that says something like patient must be able to wear - whatever works best for you. Your work will have to honor it and if they can't then they put you on disability. I can even call my work for the exact wording if you need j

raven4mi

Welcome sjs and jada. Sorry you're both here but you've come to the right place for support. Everyone here is so welcoming and understanding.

Jada, as others have said, just try to take it one day, one baby step at a time. We've all been through very low lows and equally high highs at some point or another. We're here for you.

I had my f/up appointment with PS today following reinsertion of TE on right after infection last year. Things are going just great. No problems except a little redness under some mesh "glue" stuff they used over the incision but nothing major - PS thought it might just be a mild allergic reaction. No itching or anything. He filled me with 150 CCs of saline on the way to 750 to match the left side which has a 650 cc TE filled to 750, so I'm still pretty flat on one side. No pain or feeling on the fill at all, though, so that's cool. If he does 100-150 CCs each week I'll be there in no time. He did say they couldn't fill it up much during the surgery because they had to remove a lot of scar tissue this time. The bad news is that he left in the EFFING drain. God, I hate the damn thing! I refuse to take a shower while I have it in there - trust me, once you've been hit with an infection you'll take ZERO chances on getting another one - and sponge baths get really old, really fast. Oh, well. I'll deal with it and hopefully it will come out next week. Appointment with ob/gyn also went well - one more f/up appointment with him and then I'm done there.

wallan

Hey ladies:

I got a partial pathology result from my BS today. I had 5 tiny tumors, not 2 as shown on imaging. The biggest one is 9.5 mm IDC. No lymph-invasion and grade 2. I am at stage 1a node negative. Still do not know hormone status or Her2 status.

The surgeon says 3 or 4 weeks before I get that info. She is referring me to the cancer clinic and they will order the tests and the oncotype dx test as well.

I feel frustrated because I was supposed to have the full pathology report today. That is what the BS told me a few weeks before my mastectomy.

All the waiting is very difficult as you know, I waited 6 weeks for my mastectomy. And now about another month before I know next steps is brutal. Especially when I have had this once before and know what I am facing. I really want to know.....

I am not trusting the system. I fear falling thru the cracks, as irrational as that is.

wallan

2FUN

wallen, I'm sorry you're left hanging. Did they give you all the info they have? Hang in there, I'm right with you!

I am dealing with something similar....the margins were too small, but I can't see any to talk about the next step for 4 weeks.

I also got another UTI, only 2 weeks after the last one. And 5 days after being on the prophylactic antibiotics. Really?

I know it's frustrating, but the med profession does not look at cancer as an urgent medical issue. So we wait.

Molly50

2fun, I had radiation after Mastectomy with TE. I waited a year and a half to have exchange surgery. Hopefully my implants will be fine. PS said everything went well.

2FUN

I have a pre pectoral TE, I wonder if that changes anything. I'm surprised you can leave a TE in that long. Thanks for the info.

wallan

Hey 2Fun:

Thanks for that. Sorry about your persistent UTI. That sucks. Cranberry juice is supposed to help with UTI;s. Do you have any?

I like how you said I am left hanging. hahaha I am. Well, my boobs are gone so they aren't. But I am sure am.

I am frustrated because a friend of mine was dx two days before me and had surgery the next day and her full pathology report in a week. We go to the same place. Different surgeon though. She is now in chemo. It just doesn't seem fair.

But I can bug them and I can wait. That is all. It is not life or death. That is true.

HUGS to you.

wallan

NervousGal

I have a question. I had BMX w/ TE 3/15. I've just been wearing a tank tee shirt since yesterday. I did a lot today - grocery shopped, went to dr today about 30 miles away. Now I'm having pain in my rib area. I'm wondering if I could have damaged something or am I just sore? I have a tiny bit of warmth around ribs too. I put ice on it and it feels a little better. I have 2 drains, 1 in each side. Just feeling a bit anxious. Thanks all

Scottiemom11

Nervous. . .if you are driving and shopping already your chest muscles are probably sore. Take it easy and see if you get some relief. Hugs

Scottie

2FUN

I had my UMX on 3/13 with TE, have only driven 2 short trips and was told to lift no more than 5 pounds with either arm. I find that I am still getting rib pain just from washing my hair. Take it easy, that was a lot of surgery. Obvs, call dr to check if you are concerned, esp re warmth over TE

Scottiemom11

First post op went well. PS says I'm going great. No walking for another week and no lifting for a month when I see him again. That pretty much follows my 6-week recovery plan.

Back propt up in bed as outing did me in.

Scottie

2FUN

good news scottie!

wallan

Scottie:

Great news to hear you are recovering well and relaxing.

wallan

bareclaws

I walked 2.25 miles, slowly, three days after BMX, and the same distance today (9 days out), but much faster. Can't wait till I can start running a bit, at least on the downhills. I didn't even ask the BS but am figuring she would say no until next post op appt. Careful look at my uncovered incisions this morning, a lump here, a bump there. Please tell me that this will all even out in time. And uncovered, the numbness of incision area and around them is disconcerting. I do have feeling at center of breastbone. Does any of this come back? Another thing, I had a total of seven lymph nodes removed on left side. Five of those came out with the left breast tissue. The sentinel node and another one tangled up with it had been taken a few months ago. So today, no drains and ace bandage only, I'm starting to feel little twinges on the underside of my upper left arm. Could this be the first warning sign of lymphedema? Could the tight ace bandage cause that?

raven4mi

Both my PS and OB/Gyn say I can shower, but I refuse until my stupid drain comes out to minimize infection risk. Sponge baths and sink-shampoos only for me for a bit longer. So.............just got back from my salon. I have someplace to be tonight, so decided to go in and have a wash and style. I feel - and look - like a new person. Ahhhhhh!

Sjsparks

Thanks for posting the links for the wedge pillows, I might have to look into them. I think I might disregard the dog info in my pre-op paperwork. I love my lil guy and he knows how to make me happy. I think I am as prepared as I can be. Now we just wait for Thursday to get here.