May 2017 Surgery Group

Tpralph

yes , together they are a "conscious sedation" used for various simple procedures so the paitent doesn't remember and it kind of out of it. they use it for colonoscopies so that the patient is awake and they can get them to move around for the surgeon

I just told the anesthesiologist I was very anxious all of a sudden and then shed a few tears (not planned) she told me not to worry that she would give me somtheing to help. After she did through my IV I asked her what she gave me and she told me versed and fentanyl and I said to her "so I'm not going to remember soon" and she said "that's the plan", was the last thing I remembered.  Was wonderful.

Just let your anesthesiolgoitst know how anxious you are when you see her/ him and they should help you with that. Also a good idea to let them know if you get very nauseated after anesthesia as they can make a cocktail while you are under to help with that. Mine tried but I still got sick. She came to see me the next day and asked how she did on the nausea front, I told her I vomited. She was disappointed and said "the only thing I didn't try was Maxeran!"

I thanked her for the Versed and Fentanyl and she said it usually works. Versed is a memory reversal and fentanyl is a pain reliever, the mix helps to calm and put you out sort of.

Good Luck, will be thinking about you

Lordhelpmetoo

thank you tptralph, I'll definitely tell them to give me that. Don't want to remember a thing!!!

sunnyjay

I'm 4 days post-op and started feeling the numbness in the back of my upper left arm yesterday. My BS mentioned that I would start feeling numbness after a few days and it could last a couple of weeks. It started in a small area under my shoulder and has now spread to just above my elbow. Every now and then I feel tingling starting in my hand so just do some wrist circles and pump my fist and the tingling eventually goes away.

Being left-handed, it's hard to minimize the use of my left arm so I hope I'm not making things worse. PS said not to use my left arm but post-op nurse said to move it around so it doesn't get stiff, but do not use force I.e. carry anything or push/pull heavy doors etc. Oh well. I just don't want my whole arm to go numb since I need it to write.

Tpralph

sunnyjay, funny different surgeons have different post op plans. mine had none for me except, keep using arm as you would and let your body tell you what you shouldn't be doing, and don't over do it no lifting over 10 lbs. so I use it like before  except raising it above my shoulder level (it hurts) I wash my hair, brush my teeth, make my breakfast and push myself up from bed and chair with it. haven had any tingling or swelling. lots of numbness in axilla area though. they took out two nodes. Hope I'm not doing too much.  did get a stich pain under the back of the axilla yesterday when I was out walking and had my arm/ hand behind my back (back really sore) so stopped doing it .

Lordhelpmetoo

tpralph, Im glad you're doing all that. I literally thought I'd need someone to wipe my behind everytime I'd go to the restroom and spoon feed me. Is that the case for the first week

NotVeryBrave

I'm two weeks out today. Mostly feeling pretty normal these days. Drove for the first time yesterday. I feel like I don't remember much from the actual day of surgery - remember being rolled out of the pre-op area and then don't even remember getting to my hospital room. Weird - nothing at all in my brain from the recovery room or transferring to my bed in my room or anything! Lots of meds, I guess!

I was pretty dependent on help for getting up and down for the first couple of days. It's amazing how much you need your chest! But I managed in the bathroom alone, thankfully!

My breasts these days are strangely numb and sensitive at the same time. If I touch them then they feel numb, but I have this burning type of sensation all across my chest. I also still have a feeling of pressure, like my breasts are being smushed all the time. And both armpits are very sore, especially the one that the lymph nodes were taken out of. The only real "pain" is some where the drains were and some along the incision line, especially one area that bothers me in the early morning. That's the only time that I'm taking anything stronger than Tylenol since last week. And I'm not a particularly strong person in regards to pain.

I had a few very weepy days last weekend. I think that all of this kind of hit me. I've probably been so busy trying to be normal and go through all this shit that it finally came down on me - the fear, the loss, all of it. I still have some of those emotions but seem to be coping better now.

My BS recommended a PT/lymphedema evaluation - should have been pre-op for a baseline, but there was no time for that. So I saw them last week and they did some kind of test for lymph flow and everything was normal. They gave me papers with exercises to do and I will see them twice a week for four weeks to regain range of motion and strength. Really makes me kick myself for not exercising in some form before!

Hope you all are doing well. Always good to hear suggestions and love to answer questions. ;-)

Tpralph

lordhelpme.

No I was doing most things on own by second day. . I got up and used washroom on own. Did my own hy hygiene but I did sit on a shower chair in front of the sink while I brushed my teeth and wash my face and a few other parts. I fed myself and comb my hair. The nurses would get me fluids in my food change my bedding. But I did most of things on my own period was an easy and I was sore and stiff but the pain meds kept everything under control to where I could tolerate it. And I do not have a high pain tolerance if I have a low pain tolerance so I was expecting to be worse off than I was. Everyday got a bit better. Do as much as you can and get out walking by day three. Also do lots of deep breathing exercises. Everybody heals fferently and I think everybody's going to have a different experience. I've been lucky so far knock wood. I'll be watching for your results and how you're doing and sending you good wishes and a healthy quick recovery. Keep asking any questions that you need I know how difficult it is before surgery. I was hoping it would be a lot better mentally after surgery. The first day coming home with hard I had a pity party but today I'm a little more emotionally okay. Still waiting for my final pathology results and I'll have another pity party

Bclost

hi everyone. And good luck with all of your surgeries. Someone said they had chemo 6 weeks ago and now was going in for surgery. Is that a typical amount of time to wait between chemo and surgery? Six weeks? Thanks for all of your posting it does help a bit to try to get through this crazy thing called cancer.

Heidibird

I waited about that long between my chemo an my UMX. II wanted to go on a trip and visit my elderly mom so that was the perfect time for me to do so. It also made me feel more in control to ask for that time frame.

stephilosphy00

Hi Bclost, I waited around 5-6 weeks to have surgery after chemo. My surgeon said usually 4-8 weeks, a research I saw shows no later than 6 weeks to get best result.

lrwells50

My PS said he could do my exchange surgery 6 weeks after my last chemo, so I guess it's pretty standard

NotVeryBrave

Yep - optimal time is 4 to 6 weeks after chemo is done. Supposedly enough time for the body to somewhat recover from chemo but not enough time for the cancer to recover.

Kim345

Hi Everyone,

It has been exactly one week since my surgery. BMX with tissue expanders. It has flown right by!!! Wow! So, overall, recovery is not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I think the tissue expanders cause a lot of the pain possibly. The first day after surgery was not fun at all but I can honestly say a few days past surgery I was better than I thought it was going to be.

One thing in the hospital, if your pain medication is not working and you are not getting two hours or more of some relief, let them know. Pain meds work differently on people. I found it beneficial not to have Tylenol in my pain medication so that I could alternate Tylenol and pain medication every couple hours.

A recliner chair is very helpful for when you get home...The type of recliner chair that will continue and ride you all the way up almost to a standing position. If you don't have one, I think you can rent them or there are even women's organizations that provide them for breast cancer patients after surgery. It was s huge help!!

I wouldn't worry about packing too much for the hospital. I wore the same thing home that I did to the hospital. Made sure I wore a big comfy top to the hospital. Button down pajamas or tie in the front pajamas is very good for when you get home.

I rec'd final pathology report - nodes clear. Very happy about that.

I am wishing everyone that has had surgery or has upcoming surgery the best and my thoughts and prayers are with you. I was very nervous but not as bad as I thought it would be.

I agree with all that said ask for something to relax you morning of surgery. Doctors can give you something for morning to take like small dose of Xanax or Valium while still at home. Anesthesiologists actually prefer it because keeps you calm and easier for them. Just tell them what you took.

Take Care,

We got this!!!

Kim

dp1

Hi all, I too am one week after my surgery. I have a follow up with my PS docter in a couple hours. Hope she will change the bandages. I really don't think the drains are coming out yet, still filling them up. I tried not to over do it too much when I got home. The surgery went well, most of the pain was from the tissue expanders. Definitely use the pain medication and stay ahead of the pain. I am still sleeping in my recliner. Day one and two were pretty rough, but each day gets a little easier. My pathology came back good, so that is one bright side. Now I just have to keep plugging along and take one day at a time. Good luck to those with future surgeries and any one still recovering.

Kim345

Hi dp1,

Sounds like we have had a lot of the same experience this week. Glad you are doing well.

Let me know how your PS appointment goes today.

Best wishes to all!

dp1

Hi Kim345, back from PS appointment. She said everything looked good, changed my bandages. Some bruising on left breast (side with cancer, previously radiated, SNB done on this side). The right breast looked pretty good. Unfortunately drains are being kept in till my next appointment with her, next Thursday. I do see the breast surgeon on Tuesday, I'm curious to see what she has to say. The doctor did show me how to lay in a bed & get myself up if I'm alone. Im pretty sick of the recliner at this point! Hope your recovery goes well. Hang in there everyone

JuliaJazz

Notverybrave, what a great description of how your breasts are feeling, post-surgery.  You captured it exactly.  I am sure these feelings will lessen in time but it is hard to be patient!.  On a positive note, my final drain came out today. eight days after my axillary lymph node surgery and I am feeling free as a bird.

Kim345

Hi DP1,

I am glad your appointment went well. I am glad you will be able to graduate to a real bed tonight . Do you have four drains right now? I know you will be looking forward to next Thursday. I am interested to see my PS tomorrow to see how everything is healing and drain status.

JULIA - Congrats in last drain you must feel free.

Wishing everyone the best

Lordhelpmetoo

I had my BMX yesterday, one day before 5 weeks pfc

Tpralph

hiw are you doing lordhelpmetoo?

Sunrisefish

Hi ladies, my original cancer diagnosis was in Nov 2014. Had lumpectomy, SNB and radiation. Oncotype score was 3, so no chemo. I felt a new lump in the same breast a year ago. Had mammogram, ultrasound both said no cancer. In Dec had MRI which also said no cancer. I finally insisted they take the lump out in March, and turns out it was the original cancer back. Just had BMX on May 17th. Skin, nipple sparing direct gummy bear implants over the muscle. So far recovery has been relatively easy, just some soreness where the drains are in. Breasts are shockingly hard and really lumpy, but I hear they take time to settle. Will most likely have fat grafting in the future. Hope all my May surgery sisters are doing well! XO

Tpralph

sunrise. Good for u for insisting on further intervention. Would hate to think what would have happened......

Clapping my hands....

Lordhelpmetoo

Tpralph, got home a few hours ago. Doing ok. Trying to milk drains. Looks like jello and not flowing

Tpralph

keep milkin them.  sometimes will look like they are not flowing then they will pick up.

Herculesmulligan

lordhelpme....that jello can be moved along the tube. Get someone to pull and stretch ithe tube hard while u milk the jello toward the bulb.

Lordhelpmetoo

Hercules thank you! So uncomfortable sleeping propped up with pillows. Once drains are out, can I go back to sleeping on my sides? What is the purpose for sleeping semi sitting

Herculesmulligan

I couldn't bear lying down. It felt like an elephant sitting on my chest. Personally I got back into bed with a wedge in about 10 days, but it took another month before I could lie flat, or sleep on my left side. I gradually switched from the wedge to 3 pillows, then two, then one. Even now if I sleep on my right side I have pain all down my arm the next day. I'm hoping that gets better.

MamaOz

Julia so glad your doing well

Had my Bmx may 20 no reconstruction

Looks like most of you opted for recon though, i go gor my first follow up tomorrow and will most likely find out my results.. have 2. Drains in one leaked a bit and my dressing was wet so i called surgeon who said to change it?! Well it was 6:30 friday night and i live an jour and a half from where im being treated. Hello !!well fortunately I had a friend who is a nurse who was able to do my dressing for me. Otherwise Im not sure how I would have managed

Like one of you i dont remember anything or how i got to my room after surgery so weird

i had already finished my chemo and because lymphs were involved most likely will need radiation.. anyone else in that boat?? Im feeling ok 9 days out most discomfort is under my right arm were apparently alot of stuff lit up do dr said he took it all not quite sure what that meant? Will find out tomorrow ..

Its just all so overwhelming , and seems ongoing with radiation pending ,then arimidex pills etc in my future

I have peeked down my vise like surgical bra and have some idea of my now non existant boobs so Im hoping Ill be ok with it..I just want to recuperate and be well again so glad all of you are doing well ...

Im very nervous about doing rads .. any others??

I

NotVeryBrave

MamaOz - I SO get the "ready to be done and well" sentiment! This sometimes seems like such a long journey. I'm glad the surgery is over for you and hope you adjust quickly to the new you.

I've had some discomfort in both of my armpits, but it's been worse on the cancer side where the lymph nodes were removed. It seems to be getting better lately.

How long will you get rads for and what areas?

Fancynancy5

Hi all. Had my surgery single mastectomy with axillary dissection 11 days ago. I thought I was moving along well even just taking Tylenol on day 5 until 8 days following surgery I started to feel a lot of pain under my arm which has been getting worse by the day. My 2 drains are still in for 2 more days because of the holiday weekend. I will have my follow up with surgeon then and get path results. Tonight I have been in agony. Even oxi condone hasn't helped. I can't help but wonder if this is temporary or if this will be my fate. I dreaded getting the axillary dissection because I have heard not so great things about it but then again if it got the cancer then it was worth it. Has anyone else had a similar experience? You are all so brave. It is a privilege to read your stories. Thanks.