March 2018 Surgery Group

Sherryc66

I got my dx 2/6. I had my lumpectomy on 3/6. I had to have another surgery because the margins were not clear on 3/19 and sentinel node biopsy. All 6 nodes were neg! My arm pit still hurts!

Idc left breast, er+ pr+ Her2- 1.6cm stage 1A

Sherryc66

I had my lumpectomy 3/6 and second surgery 3/19 they did not have a clear margin the first time. They also did snb. All 6 nodes were negative! My underarm hurts more then my breast! I meet with chemotherapy doctor April 11th to see if I need chemotherapy. If not, then I start radiation. I am nervous about radiation and anti hormone therapy.

IDC er+pr+ Her2- Left breast 1.6 cm stage1A

Bauer4

I went back to my BS on 4/6. Report was WONDERFUL!! Margins and nodes 0/5 clear!!!!! My sentinel node site is very sore. More sore this weekend than directly post-op. Now to wait for RO/MO to get me farther down this path and on to completing this journey.

Sherryc66

Great news! Do you have to do radiation therapy?

Bauer4

Sherryc66, I will have my radiation simulation on 4/18. I am guessing that my RO will then let me know when he believes I am ready/healed enough to start my daily treatments.

AgathaNYC

Dear Sherry and Bauer - Congratulations on the clear nodes! That's great. I hope your pathology reports are equally as good.

The sentinel node incision will be sore for a while but it gets better - promise!!

Mrsmcg

My Radiologist Oncologist asked me if I had gotten the go ahead for start radiation from my plastic surgeon. I had seen him the day before, and he didn't give me the green light. I will see him again in 2 weeks (4/19. Hopefully I will be ready go by then.

I had my CT simulation on Friday (4/6). In some ways it was easier than I thought, and it other ways it was harder. I thought that I was going to have a hard time with keeping my arms over my head, but after the the 15 to 20 minute simulation I felt okay, after I l had my arms lowered for a minute. The tattoo in the center of my chest was painful. I heard that it feels like a bug bite, but it felt more like a bee sting. The other two tattoos, one on each side weren't bad. The worst part was trying to hold my breath for 45 seconds. I was barely able to do it once. I asked the radiologist how many times the breath holds need to be done, and she said a minimum of 3 times!! What do they do if a person is unable to do it? I'm sure there are older people who wouldn't be capable of holding their breath for 45 seconds.

I got great news from the radiologist! She said she checked the RO prescription, and I will need just 4 weeks of radiation instead of 6!!

Thinking of you all and wishing everyone the best on their road of recovery!!

Kaykat

Hi All. Today is my 14 days post op.

This morning I had my last set of drains removed. I’m looking forward to a nice long shower tomorrow!

I sometimes forget my situation and physical limitations. Anyone else forget too? When I was at the plastic surgeon’s office this morning I grabbed the handle to open the door and I felt a pull on my right breast. It’s really hurting right now.

My recovery is going well. Sleep is still a problem for me. I’ve been on the couch since coming home, propped up by pillows.

Range of motion is still limited. I can raise my arms straight out in front and today I managed to get into a loose sweater with long sleeves.

I hope everyone is recovering well. I’ll post more later.

hapi2bee

Nikkii44, I had BMX on March 26th, drains removed a week later and at about three weeks out had a seroma develop at the end of my incision. My surgery was based on my decision not to have reconstructive surgery. At 73 I just figured I could strap on anything I wanted and didn't want any more surgeries. Anyway, my seroma on the side they did a sentinel node biopsy and originally was about the size of a baseball, hard at first but now has decreased in size to that of a squishy golf ball. After reading as much as I could about people having seromas drained only to have them drained again and again or becoming infected. Am sure that there are people who have had seromas but can't find any link addressing how long they last or any successful ways of dealing with them. Not into infections tho. Hope you are recovering well.

Nikki444

how are the Ladies of March doing?

JosieO

Hi Nikki,

Saw your cheerful email, thought I would say hi.

Had a lumpectomy in March, followed by radiation that finished last week. Skin held up well until the very end, but was able to get healing quickly. Now taking an AI with no side effects so far. Overall a very good experience. I give full credit to my awesome medical team. So grateful to have their support.

Hope you are doing well, Nikki, and look forward to hearing from the other ladies

Nikki444

good to hear Josie

Kaykat

Hi Nikki. I had a bilateral mastectomy March 30th with tissue expanders. I had one fill and I was done. I was small chest size before, A cup, and I want to remain on the small side. I currently have 300 ml in each. I received 180 ml at surgery and 120 ml at the doctor’s office. I’m hoping I’ll be happy with my size after everything is done. I developed severe anemia from first surgery so expanders to implants surgery is postponed until my levels are back to normal. My primary said we’d check bloodwork in 3-4 months. I’m taking iron pills and vitamin C pills daily.

Kaykat

continued... (typing was starting to lag)

I received a good prognosis and I have healed well. I didn’t need radiation or chemo and I didn't need to take any hormonal meds. I consider myself very lucky so I don't want to complain too much. I'm focusing on eating well and taking the vitamins so that I can have my surgery soon. I'm still in physical therapy for the range of motion issue. I can now extend my arms behind my head all the way to the floor when laying flat on my back. I sometimes have forgetfulness when speaking to someone, like I have trouble recalling a word or the word does not come to my mind fast enough.

Kaykat

continued... (lagging again)

I’m hoping the forgetfulness goes away. Sometimes I feel a bit dumb when it happens. I’ll be going to my first yoga class tonight since surgery. I wasn’t advanced or anything, basically a beginner, but I enjoyed it and hope to work on regaining strength and stamina. Besides the physical, I do sometimes have days when I feel down about my situation and my changed body. I guess that’s normal. I have so much to be thankful for though. I hope everyone is doing as well!