April 2017 Surgery

quaydvt

itfinallyhitme: I haven't got the personal experience (yet - couple of weeks!), but my BS has told me that because there will be pre-emptive blocks as well as local anesthetic infused through the drains into the sx site after they close, that likely all that would be needed would be advil/tylenol, as long as I behave myself and don't over-do it! Combining advil & tylenol is far far more effective than a double dose of either of them, without the problem of the side effects of heavy doses of either. I had jaw surgery last summer (carved a lot of extra bone out of my lower jaw) and I think I took 2 T-3's the first day and the rest of the time was advil/tylenol combo every 4-6 hours. Never had a problem. So I'm hoping that will work this time around as well. If you can avoid the opioids, you will also minimize the need for all the prunes and fibre as long as you keep hydrated and walk around a bit.

There is alcoholism in my family too - me - it's been 35+ years since I had a drink - and I don't worry about the short-term use of opioids. Tpralph is right on there - if you get a scrip for a week or two max that isn't long enough to send you "over the edge" and only use them if you really have to. I still have the T-3's from last summer's sx - think I'll take them to the pharmacy next time I go and get them to dispose of them for me. Remember that if you can keep ahead of the pain then you need less pain meds. Regular doses of the "softer" drugs (advil/tylenol) will often keep the pain from getting beyond the general discomfort level, and keep you from needing the heavy hitters like hydro.

You'll do great!

itfinallyhitme

I didn't know about combining Advil and Tylenol, thanks. I'll ask my doctor about any pain stuff and what he thinks. I normally do pretty well without any meds or just Naproxen sodium, but I like to have a plan in case of desperation. (Actually, I think my brain just overloads if too much pain and I usually fall asleep.)

Thanks for the info! Adding it to my list of questions.

Jenmia2002

I've got my Lumpectomy with SNB scheduled for April 25th. Anyone have any tips on recovery and what to expect?

buffyjc

quick update...home, tired and about to ingest some heavy narcotics. Surgery (SMX). reconstruction and SND went very well. Will post more details when I feel up to it.

Thoughts and prayers for everyone havingsurgery and recovering this week.

Ctann

I just had a recession of my lumpectomy cuz they didn't get positive borders on three places I had a 1.2 centimeter invasive lobular cancer but you can not see behind it even with MRI. They are littlesinglr stacked cells that spring out. He is hoping he got them all but can't make any .guarantees. Next time I have a mastectomy I am trying to think positively but it is difficult

Brneyegrl6608

Update after surgery. I had a left mastectomy, 4 sentinel nodes removed, and axillary dissection. No port placement. One sentinel node looked like it had a spot of cancer according to surgeon so that's why he did the dissection. No idea how many nodes total were taken until I get the pathology report. They had to cut a nerve when they did the dissection. Feel bruised where the breast was taken and not a lot of pain. Feel mostly a burning sensation in my armpit. A heated rice bag helps a lot. Overall not too bad and it's been 24 hours. Taking ibuprofen and hydrocodone on a schedule right now so I won't get into too much pain.

deni1661

Hope88 - sorry to hear you're having more pain this week. Thanks for keeping us updated and providing tips. Take care and keep healing

deni1661

Brneyegirl - I'm happy to hear you're doing ok. Hope your recovery continues on this path. Thanks for the tips and sharing your news. Take care

deni1661

Ctann, sorry to hear they had trouble getting clear margins. My MO always warned that MRI doesn't show everything. I had 2 small tumors and enhancements on the outer quadrant so they recommended mastectomy to make sure they get everything. Keep up with positive thoughts, say "I am cancer free" and have faith there are no cells left. I pray your recovery goes well, take care.

deni1661

buffyjc, glad you're feeling ok so far. Sounds like keeping ahead of the pain is a good idea, enjoy those narcotics. I'm going to do the same when it's my turn. Thanks for sharing - take care and keep healing

Tpralph

brney

Glad u r ok after surgery. Hopefully no lymph or just the one. You had ur dx and surgery pretty fast! Praying that ur recovery is fast too.

CharlieGirrl

Hi everyone,

After lurking for awhile I've decided to join the group. My surgery, BMX and axillary dissection (I think I said that right), is on April 17th. I have to admit, I don't know what to think. I'm still feeling pretty numb about it. I'll also have tissue expanders put in. The PS said he was a little concerned because I have very little breast tissue. Not sure what that means for reconstruction. I'm Stage 2 so I will have a few months of chemo, followed by radiation and then reconstruction. It's exhausting just thinking about it. I didn't realize that managing this disease and treatment would be a full time job, but it's really turning out that way. :-)

Thanks for letting me lurk.

BG46TN

buffyjc YES!! I'm nesting like crazy! My bmx surgery is on Monday ack!! I'm very nervous but happy to read the good surgery stories on here...

I'm trying to get everything ready for my kids and for my husband so I don't have to move my arms much LOL *sigh* I Have to keep taking deep breathes...I think I"m more nervous about this then I was about chemo....I will be so happy when I wake up after surgery, I don't even care about the pain...I"m nervous about anesthesia...

BG46TN

Charliegrr....our surgeries are the same day, I"m having the same thing...although I already did chemo since I am triple neg they like to do it first and shrink the tumor. Good Luck I"m sure we'll both be fine...even though I'm a wreck LOL

I had a pre surgical mammogram and u/s on Tues they wanted to check the size of the tumor since it was "big" to begin with (almost 4 cm) well I was praying to have it completely gone (wishful thinking) and it did shrink significantly but its about half the size it was before...which is good I guess but I will still disappointed. Although my breast surgeon called me yesterday and she said it could still be all dead cells inside (I HOPE!!!) and obviously we will know more after surgery....

Lordhelpmetoo

the recovery to a lumpectomy isn't bad at all. You may be sore under your arm due to the lymph node removal. Pain will be quite msnegble. No heavy lifting for first few weeks

Rukoni

My UMX with immediate PAP reconstruction was yesterday, so this is my second day in the hospital. I arrived yesterday around 5:50 am. Surgery started around 9:45 am, I was in recovery around 3:50 pm, and I was moved into my room around 5:20 pm. Everything went well. I woke up to my PS checking me over in the recovery room. The anesthesiology nurse told me that I kept refusing pain medication at the end -- which I totally do not remember. I asked the recovery room nurse if I said anything embarassing and she said that the breathing tube probably saved me from saying anything. Waking up from the general anesthesia was a little tough -- I kept shivering and my temperature and blood pressure were really low --- but it wasn't too bad. Currently, I have a button I can press every ten minutes for pain medication, I've had a couple doses of antibiotics and a couple colace, and I've been sleeping on and off. The nurses check on me, my drains (only two: one for my thigh and one for my breast), and my reconstruction (Which looks pretty fabulous. I can't wait to see what it looks like when it isn't bruised, swollen, and taped up. ) I haven't been allowed to eat or drink anything, in case something goes wrong and I need to be back in surgery, but I should be able to take clear liquids in two hours and, maybe, eat solids tomorrow. Apparently, the incision on my thigh, from which my PS pulled the tissue for my reconstruction, extends from my groin and pretty far down the inside/back of my thigh; not ideal, but I have short limbs, so not surprising. Hopefully, it will fade in time. Overall, I am really happy with the results. Just waiting on the pathology report.

I apologize for how long the post is. Keeping everyone in my thoughts who is also recovering or who has surgery coming up.

Vivianlu8

Hi girls i had my lumpectomy last week and sentinel biopsy everthing was fine i am taking advil and tylenol together extra strength but under my arm near the axila is swelling can i put ice in that area or what do you think?

Tpralph

Vivian, you should be ok with a cold pak if the incision is still weaping I would not put regular ice on it.

Lordhelpmetoo

Rukoni,

I'm glad your surgery went well. Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Tpralph

rukoni, glad the surgery is over for  your now you can start healing!  Glad you are so far happy with your reconstruction!

deni1661

rukoni - thanks for keeping us updated so quickly after surgery. You are doing awesome! I appreciate all the details, so helpful for us having surgery soon. Keep up the great recovery, your positivity is inspiring. Take care!

deni1661

Charliegirrl and BG46TN - sending prayers and hugs for serenity this weekend and excellent results from your surgeries on Monday. Take care, wishing you the bedt

Remali

Hi everyone, I am fairly new here.  I had a lumpectomy on April 5th, I felt pretty good afterwards, but have been feeling quite sore and wiped out for the past few days.  Maybe I just overdid things a bit, so I am taking it easy from now on.  Margins were too close so I will be going back in for re-excision on the 28th (or later, if I choose another surgeon which may be happening).

I just wanted to say Hello to everyone, and good luck to those of you who will be going in for surgery, and good healing to those who are recovering from their surgery.  It really is nice to have a place like this to come to for support and advice.  Wishing all of you well.

~Renee

BG46TN

Thanks deni1661!! I'm nervous but trying to stay calm lol I just want it over with!! I will update when I can...

good luck Charliegirrl also!!! we've got this!!

aterry

Thinking of BG46TN and Charliegirrl (I think those are today's surgeries). I had the radio active marking for the sentinel lymph nodes today. It was very simple. A technician used a tiny needle to slip under the skin of my breast and then injected the dye. There was a quick, sharp pain/burning sensation but it ebbed very quickly. Then they waited 1/2 an hour for the dye to travel to the nodes. Then they took "pictures" as the technician said (I'm not sure which machine it was). I check in for my surgery tomorrow at 6:00am so there isn't much time to get nervous.

Tpralph

good luck aterry

Hanging_in_there

hi all, I've been able to take a spring break vacation with my family, after chemo and before surgery. Last day of vacation and my breast is starting to hurt. Have others had this? I'm 5 weeks post final chemo and surgery is set for April 26 which is 6 weeks and 2 days PFC. WIth the breast hurting, my anxiety is high. ANd With spotty internet coverage and pretty much going to sleep after dinner every night, I haven't kept up but hope to read this thread tonight where we have good internet. I hope all who have had surgery are healing well and the rest of us waiting are not too anxious.

I'm going to tell my surgeon on Wednesday that I don't want reconstruction. I had it planned for a tissue expander but have since decided it was more surgery than I could take.

Advice for an anxious girl

Warrior2016

Hanging_in, I understand your concerns about the pain in your breast. Keep checking yourself. I had a breast MRI 6 days after my last chemo and it showed scattered cancer cells over 2 cm but no tumor. My 4.1 cm tumor had disappeared during chemo. 10 days after the chemo I discovered the lump - it was about the size of a grape. I had my surgery 4 weeks and 2 days after my last chemo and the tumor was the size of a quarter by then. I had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction. Your pain may be nothing but the point is you are done with chemo and if you have an aggressive cancer the cells may be replicating again. I hope not for your sake but keep checking yourself and let your doctor know.

I hope everyone that had surgery this week is doing well and those that are facing it next week aren't too nervous. For me, it was best to just get it done so I could deal with the recuperation. I still have a drain in and am really sore. My cut nerves are apparently firing off and my skin just doesn't want to be touched. I think I may have mentioned this before. I am tired of sitting around, though, and now my brain is having more time to think. My sleep patterns are screwed up (like when I was on steroids). I Love Lucy is on here at 5 A.M. and I can't believe I have watched it. I just don't want to give my brain any time to think. My life has been on a roller coaster the last seven months and it keeps replaying in my head. I so want to go back to last September when life was so much easier.

deni1661

Hanging in - I had breast pain a week after one of my treatments; doctor said it could be cancer cells dying off. Sounds weird but I'll take it. I agree with Warrior; best to keep watch and let the doctor know. Glad you were able to take vacation and spend time with your family before surgery. My surgery is April 27, I'm ready to get this over with. Saying extra prayers for you and others having surgery soon; clear margins and fast recovery to all!

Warrior- so sorry for the pain you're experiencing. I hope each day gets easier for you, take care

deni1661

aterry- thanks for the update. Best of luck tomorrow, get some rest tonight if you can. Meditate "I am cancer free" as you fall asleep tonight. Take care