September 2017 Surgery Group

DodgersGirl

wonderwomen386-- after a PET scan in March, there was an uptake in my uterine region. After a biopsy, I was dx'd with atypical hyperplasia in the uterus. Gynecologist oncologist wanted to do hysterectomy but I had just started AC chemo and everyone decided to treat breast cancer first. I then had a D&C 2 days before AC #3 back in the spring. It showed no cancer. So hysterectomy has been postponed until after breast cancer treatments.

Colonoscopy is because I am of age to have one and it was suggested at my annual physical in Feb but postponed from the breast cancer d

Joyseeker

Drain success!!! Creepy, not painful when they slithered that out

Joyseeker

Drain success!!! Creepy, not painful when they slithered that out

raven4mi

Woohoo, Joyseeker! Having those darned things out improves the quality of recovery so darned much. Glad they're gone!

AngelaJL

I had lumpectomies on both sides on 9/13, and the incisions have been healing well. I had the post-op follow up last Friday (9 days after surgery), and all was good. I stopped needing bandages last weekend as they were fully scabbed over. But yesterday both breasts hurt throughout the day, and I noticed that in the evening there was a little bit of crusted blood inside my bra at the incision points, and today there's clearly one spot on both incisions (but especially the left) that is a little open again and bleeding just a little. Also, the area all along the incisions (for like half an inch out from the incisions) is rather hard.

Is this normal? Should I be worried? Do I need to go see my surgeon again? (I actually am out of town on vacation through the weekend, so I wouldn't be able to see anyone until next week, anyway.) Anyone have any idea what's going on

MamaFelice

Yay to drains out!! Mine are GONE too today! Didn't feel a thing thankfully. Nurse had me inhale and hold, and then they were out! How about another Yay!!

Love reading all your comments-- you all make me smile

Joyseeker

Angela

I wonder if it's a case of too much too soon? I would steri strip the parts of your incision that are coming apart and maybe use some vitamin E to soften your incision?? Rubbing against your top or bra could be the culprit. I would call if the tissue was red or hot or if you got a fever.

Drains out for me = a sort of half bath. Almost as good as the first shower after childbirth. Read my book for half an hour and almost feel normal. What a welcome change. I have a grateful heart tonight 💕

Sara

raven4mi

AngelaJL, I agree with Joyseeker - for now use steri-strips to maybe shore up the incision and watch for any signs of infection like redness, swelling, fever or extreme pain - if those appear, head to an urgent care center right away. In the meantime, if it's possible to take it easy on the amount of activity you're doing, that will likely help. There are also some lumpectomy-specific threads here on bc.org - you might find additional information there. Good luck and let us know what happens.

raven4mi

Forgot to say yay for all those getting drains out! It's amazing how much better things get after that, isn't it??

Wonderwoman386

Angela, I agree with the steristrips but not the vitamin E or any lotion/cream for that matter.

I was strictly told no oils/lotions/creams until my incisions were fully healed and it sounds like yours aren’t quite there yet.

I do also think the other women are right with the too much too soon, if you’re doing a lot of activity you could be pulling on your suture line. Also there are usually dissolvable stitches under the skin the steristrips or skin glue on top, maybe you’re dissolvable stitches dissolved and your skin is puckering open from too much activity.

It never hurts to call your surgeon and give them a heads up and also like the other women said, keep a close eye out for infections.

AngelaJL

Thank you all for the input. I can't use steri-strips as I'm allergic to them, but I've gone back to putting Mepilex bandages on the incisions, using Bacitracin (suggested by my surgeon at last Friday's visit), and wearing a good sports bra.

Because of my many allergies, they used two layers of disolvable stitches but no glue. The skin is a little red, as it has been all along, but it's not hot or inflamed, and I don't have a fever, so I don't suspect that it's infected. I'll keep an eye on it for sure.

I'm on vacation in NYC for the rest of the week, so although I can't really take it easy, pretty much all I'm doing is walking around.

marleigh

Hi everyone. I found this forum last month after my diagnosis but I forgot to come back and sign up my membership. I just had my surgery last week so thought I would come post my experiences in case it might help others ISO info on the topic

My pre-op was one week prior to surgery, which included lots of medical history questions, blood work to insure I was healthy enough for surgery, and a chest x-ray. I did not have an EKG - my BS said she does not order one unless the patient has had a known history of heart problems or had been experiencing heart related symptoms recently (shortness of breath, chest pains, etc). 

The day (late afternoon) before surgery I had to have radioactive tracer injected. I had read countless articles on the internet about this and everything pointed to blue dye being injected. Most everything I read left me terrified it was going to be horrific pain. By the time I got to nuclear medicine for my appointment I was so amped up with anxiety I was about ready to just explode. When I got to the back for the injection, the tech asked me if I knew what was about to happen and I told him I'd read about the blue dye so kinda knew. He told me to relax because they had not used blue dye for several years and that this was radioactive tracer and that it should not be that painful. My injection included two shots of lidocaine (into each breast) then immediately followed by the tracer (two shots) into each breast. One shot was on the side of each breast nearest the arm and the other shot was on the top. Each shot was about 1/2 inch from the nipple. The only pain - which was nothing worse than a normal little needle stick - was the lidocaine shot when he first inserted the needle. I didn't feel anything from the radioative tracer shot. Then I had to wait for the tracer to find the sentinel lymph node and he could get a picture with his camera. In total time I was there about 50 minutes but most of that was just waiting for the tracer to light up the nodes for viewing. I felt no pain after this procedure.

Morning of surgery I had to be there at 5:30am for 7:30am procedure. I got called about 5:40am. After being called, they put me in a private room to change clothes and I could watch TV. In that room, I changed into my gown, hat, socks, put my clothes in the bag (belongings bag), and they started an IV and began asking about 50 medical history questions (most of which I'd already answered in other settings!)

When I met my anesthesiologist (about 20 min before surgery) I asked her to give me something for nausea just to make sure I wasn't sick (because I didn't want to spend the afternoon/night throwing up) and she ordered a Zofran shot into my IV plus a patch behind my ear. They worked as I was not sick at all.

My BS came by about 10 min prior to surgery to see me and make sure I was ok and reassure me that everything would be fine and see if there were any last minute questions I had

An anesthesiologist assistant came in after the BS left and told me briefly what would happen via anesthesia. He said he was going to give me a shot to relax me and that I would probably be asleep before they even began the anesthesia in the OR. He was right - about 15 seconds after they began pushing me to OR I was out. So I don't remember anything at all about the OR. Next thing I remember is waking up in recovery.

My surgery finished around noon. I got out of recovery and into my room at 3:30PM

I did not have any pain while in the hospital that required pain killers. I was attached to an IV where they ran an antibiotic bag (I wasn't sick, it was a preventative type thing) with the regular IV. Nurse showed me how to press a trigger thing to get pain meds if I hurt. But I never did. Only thing I had that bothered me was a sore throat and lots of phlegm in my throat. One of the nurses said both were from the breathing tube and that it would go away. It didn't go away until Day 2 after surgery. It bothered me so much the first night I tried to get them to give me something but they couldn't because there was nothing left on my orders from Dr. Soon as I got out of the hospital, we stopped at a pharmacy on the way home so I could get some Halls cough drops. It was the phlegm that drove me nuts, not the throat pain (which was minor). I asked for ice chips during the night and it helped tremendously with the phlegm.

So I'm currently Day 7 post surgery. I have slept in a bed the entire time (I don't mean I've been in a bed the entire time, I just mean when I slept at night it was in a bed). Just prior to surgery I went to a Walmart and bought me 4 standard bed pillows. Turned out 4 was too much and I only needed 2. I just needed a little propping up so that I was able to get up by myself. Since I had bilateral mastectomy I couldn't push up with either arm. But I was able to sit up on my own just using my stomach muscles (like you do when you're doing sit-up exercises). First 2 days were the hardest to get up, Day 3 much easier, and by Day 4 I was able to get up/down with normal speed. 

My BS started me on exercises Day3 after surgery. They are hard! But I'm making progress. I am also on a 10lb weight lift restriction.

I have 3 drains. They are not painful, just a nuisance. Am hoping they come out tomorrow (29 Sep)

I also wear a compression tube around my chest. I don't know how long I will have to wear that but will find out Friday

48hrs after surgery I was able to remove the bandages and take my first shower. I had to put fresh bandages on, as well as the compression tube back on. During the shower I had to pin my drains to a lanyard

I bought 3 mastectomy shirts from a place online called "pink pepper company". The woman that owns the site is a breast cancer survivor and she makes the shirts herself. What is awesome about these shirts is there are inside pockets to put your drains in. I know a lot of people just pin their drains to the inside of their shirt but I just didn't like that. For me it's so nice to be able to put the drains in a pocket and forget about it. I also bought a special chest pillow from there to help with the car seat belt.

Since I've been home I've only taken Alleve for some minor pain. 

My driving restrictions were just no driving until 24 hrs post-strong pain meds. As I have not used any strong meds, I have not had to worry about that. I have been driving around just fine all week.

I do not know yet what is in my future because I have not met with an oncologist yet. I am supposed to get that referral tomorrow when I make my post-op appointment with BS. So I don't know if I will have chemo (my guess is that I will) or radiation or both or just skip and go straight to the Aromatase inhibitors

Moderators

Marleigh -- welcome to Breastcancer.org! We're so happy you decided to join and participate.

We certainly appreciate you sharing your very detailed account! This will surely help other members as they prepare for surgery -- knowing what to expect is part of the battle!

We look forward to hearing more from you as you complete your treatment.

--The Mods

DazzlingEagle

Post-op visit today went well. My single drain is out! The output for the last 48 hours was 40, then 27 so I didn't think it would come out. It's much better without that drain. Armpit and inner arm are numb, rest of arm is sore and the back of upper arm is still the most painful. The oxy pain meds never really helped the pain, just knocked me out so I didn't feel it I guess. I was given a total of about 18 or 20 oxy pain pills and I think I only took about 6. I am still taking Tylenol though.

One of the gyn doctors I saw before my surgery called me this morning and they found out my tumor had a rare quality to it that elevates HCG levels to mimic 5 week pregnancy and she is going to author a medical paper about it and she wanted to get my permission. I would be anonymous so no pics of me, just a lot of close-up pics of my tumor and its cells. I guess cool? At least that answers some weird things that have happened since my diagnosis.

Dodgersgirl, earlier today I was cleaning the floor and without thinking about it, I bent down and scraped a little dried paint splatter off the floor with my fingernail and it was fine! They are still not as strong as they were pre-chemo, but all the pain is gone and as they grow they are stronger. Just wanted to give you an update.

raven4mi

Marleigh, welcome and glad you're doing well after surgery.

DazzlingEagle, glad your post-op went well! The pain will lessen as time goes on. And yay for no drains, of course! Interesting about the rare characteristics of your tumor.

Can't remember if I already came here to wish luck to AndreaLee, GrandmaV, and dogmomerica for today but if I did, extra luck never hurts!

Joyseeker

DazzlingEagle I'm glad your check up went well after a kind of rocky start to your recovery. I got the call for all my staging scans yesterday. Ultrasound, bone scan, CT scan. I cried most of yesterday. Makes things terrribly real. I took a sleeping pill and slept from 7-7. So grateful for that. How did you at the end of your journey get through all the tests? I also have staple Removal and cast swapping thrown in there. Ugh.

Joyseeker

Pathology is in. IDC 5cm. 2/4 lymph nodes. Staging scans next week to be followed by chemo therapy. Bummer.

DazzlingEagle

Hi Joyseeker: You are getting more information so this is a good thing instead of just imagining the worst. Whatever comes up can be treated. Going through all the scans is tough.

For my PET scan post-chemo, I had to drink a certain amount of water even though it was the week after my final chemo and I couldn't even drink a swallow of water because it tasted so gross. But I did get down the least amount of the requirement finally and got through it. Just take one thing at a time.

GrandmaV

Surgery was yesterday  BMX, nodes clear.  I spent 1 night at surgery hospital.  2 drains.  1 drain site leaking a little.  Did anyone else have this?  I hope Andrealee and dogmomerica doing good after surgery.  

Joyseeker

Congrats on that big hurdle crossed Grandma V! I had a little leakage. Make sure you milk your drain and have the bulb compressed when connecting it back together. Rest easy now and heal

raven4mi

Joyseeker, I'm sorry you're facing chemo. At least now you know what lies ahead, which isn't much, but it is something.

GrandmaV, yes, one of my drain sites was leaking. I found that cutting a feminine napkin to size and taping at the leak site helped keep things clean. As Joyseeker said, be sure to strip/milk your drains several times a day - I generally did it every time I went to the bathroom even though I didn't empty them every time.

GrandmaV

Thank you joyseeker and Raven,  It eases my mind to know I'm not the only one with a leak.  I will use Ravens advice and use a feminine napkin.  

Joyseeker

GrandmaV I had luck cutting a slit in a rectangular shaped dressing and sliding it up around the tube 😷Breast cancer is also nurse training☺️

AndreaLee

hey everyone ! I spent one night in the hospital and I am finally home . Plastic surgeon was able to put implants above the muscle after mastectomy. I think it took about 4 hours . Pain is unbearable at times but nothing a pain pill won't fix . I have four drains and I now understand what you all have been talking about- these drains SUCK ! Hopefully next week they will come out . Sending continued love and healing to you all !!

DodgersGirl

AndreaLee- glad your surgery sounds like it went well. Hope the pain lessens each day.

Four drains.... wow. I know you will be glad as those are removed.

Prayers sent your way for a speedy rec

EastcoastTS

AndreaLee and GrandmaV: Hope you get better every day! Hugs!

GrandmaV

Thank you ladies.  

MamaFelice

Took my first shower tonight! Boy was that nice! Then I got to remove my steri-strips-- not my fave task, but happy to have those gone. Everything getting more normal every day. Tomorrow I see surgeon about port placement. Anyone ask to have it done with as little anesthesia as possible? I'd even consider just a local if they would offer it to me.

I also received my prescription for prosthetics. When is the appropriate time to get fitted for such?

Thanks ladies!

raven4mi

AndreaLee, sounds like surgery went well. Sorry you're ins o much pain but it will get easier every day. FOUR drains? I'm so sorry! I had mine for a long time but at least the most I had was two. Hopefully they'll be out ASAP.

MamaFelice, I hear ya on the shower. That first post-surgery shower is the BEST.

Castigame

mamafelice,

Glad you start feeling better. Be gentle and be consistent.

Port placement. I thnk I woke up from sharp pain even thougj I had local. Ice packs and ibuprofen will come in handy for the next few days. Please dont forget about filling EMLA cream which is numbing agent for port.

Prosthetics any time you think you feel swelling is down enough, I filled mine almost 9 wks post op. I hope you are getting compression sleeves at the same time, Sleeves are annoying but very important for LE prevention.

I also see multiple nodes removal. Have you chkd out whether your ins co pays for lymphedema pump?

Please excuse me if I sound too opinionated about your care,

Be gentle and consistent