April 2018 Surgery Support Group

Jennifer522

My BS wrote me a prescription for a post surgical cami. The prescription is for 2 but my insurance only pays for 1. So I got one for now. I went to a medical supply store but TLC catalog also sells them. They are very nice quality. I was surprised.

https://www.tlcdirect.org/Hannah-Post-Surgical-Cami-15731.html

joy2

Hello all and wish everybody good luck on your surgery and fast recovery. I have my prophylactic bilateral mastectomy surgery scheduled on April 25th. I am BRCA1 positive and my doctor suggested to have the surgery due to strong history family cancer. I will have immediate placement of implant. In the beginning i was not scared , but now as days coming closer i feel scared. This group is awesome as we are all in the same boat. Thank you all for the inspiration and making me to not feel scared.

Juniper81

Jist got my date for BMX - April 25th. Didn't sleep last night it's all so real. I am little lost and barley holding on. (I survived a rare down of ovarian cancer over 8 years ago)

I have DCIS in my right that can not be removed with lumpectomy, to much of it. My left side shows signs of it. My doctor suggests BMX as she hates to see me for through MRI bipopsy. It's up to me but I think I rather do this surgery once. I was really upset about lossing feeling I my breasts but I guess it's for the best. Also, having immediate reconstruction.

joy2

Good luck to you Juniper81! i have the same date and it happened to me too not sleep after i got my date for BMX. The only thing that it keeps me positive doing the surgery is that i am doing this for my best. I hate the idea to get implants and also going through all this situation, but we ned to do what's best for us i gues.

AlisonR

What is the date people use for their diagnosis date? The date the mammo showed a problem or when the biopsy confirms cancer? I got my biopsy results February 22nd and was scheduled for lumpectomy March 8th but then found out the day before that I was BRCA2 positive so the plan changed. Now I'm awaiting my 2nd opinion for double mastectomy at Fox Chase on Tuesday and freaking out because time just keeps ticking. Anyone have any knowledge on how big this thing grows if its a Grade 3 and was already 1.2 CM - 2 tumors at 0.6 each. I see everyone seems to be getting it done around 30 days from diagnosis and I'm already pushin 45 days with no date scheduled

LAMinders

Hi Alison,

I use the date I first met with the doctor to get the biopsy results. My mammo was on 9/21, biopsy a few weeks later, then phone call with basic results on 10/19 and doctor the next morning to give me the full results and game plan. I use 10/20 as my diagnosis date. I was originally thought to be a good a grade 1 (slowest growing) from the biopsy but after my lumpectomy was moved up to a 2 (moderately growing). My surgeon explained that it’s like eating a bowl of chocolate chip ice cream- a biopsy is like taking one spoonful, you may or may not get a chocolate chip so it’s only a snipit of the whole bowl. But once you eat the whole bowl/ remove the tumor, you know everything involved.

I had my first surgery (lumpectomy) just over a month post diagnosis and managed to get a 2nd opinion within that time frame. If you are anything like me, you just want to hurry up and get the tumor out, like yesterday. But it is equally important that you take the time you need to make the right decision for you. Your doctors will not let you put yourself into any greater danger. I learned that there are some timelines for between treatments (ie 30 days between surgery and chemo) where research hasn’t shown the most benefits, but there is some wiggle room.

Juniper81

joy2 Hugs I will be thinking of you that day. We will have to stay in touch on our journey. Are you getting reconstruction or going flat? I am 36 and I was not sure part of me wants to go flat but the other part of me does not. So that side won.

joy2

I will be thinking of you too Juniper81 that day. I will have reconstruction with gummy bear implants. My PS said that these are the best implant right now, I don't know i just trust him. I don't want to stay flat. I know that it will feel weird, but at least i will look normal on my clothes. I would like to keep in touch so we can talk about the post op experience. So you decided to get reconstruction too?

binkysmom

Joy2 and Juniper81, I will be joining you on April 25. I'm having a lumpectomy and oncoplastic surgery with sentinel node biopsy. I have three small areas in my left breast, 2 are DCIS and 1 IDC. All are in a line in the same quadrant and the breast surgeon is confident she can get it all with the lumpectomy. I just want it over with and am sure I'll become increasingly anxious as the date nears. Glad to have found these boards. Good luck  this month everyone, you'll all be in my prayers.

Moderators

And you all in ours as well. We are thinking of you All! binkysmom, welcome as well, and glad you found these amazing individuals!

AbbeyNormal

Hi there. Introducing myself. I've been lurking since my diagnosis on Feb 1st.

I'm getting a double mastectomy with reconstruction (TE's for now) on Thursday, April 12th. Not sure if I'll need chemo or radiation yet. I *think* my BS is doing a sentinel node biopsy as well, so as I heal from surgery, I get to wait for even more test results. Yay.

I just have to comment on what a fantastic resource and comfort this place is! The planning/shopping post really helped me a lot. I'm a planner nerd. I plan everything. I SHOULD be planning a wedding now because I recently got engaged but here we are!

Hugs and support to everyone. Feels so good to know I can always come here for some words of encouragement (and to be reminded to get constipation meds lol).

PS- Editing this post to mention that if you happen to be in the KS/MO area, I found a place called The Healing Chair. I have seen recliners mentioned. I actually bought a used lift recliner on Facebook Marketplace and found out about the Healing Chair a day later. I was lucky enough to sell the one I bought and signed up for The Healing Chair. I'll be getting mine next week.

BarbMac

I hope that everyone had a nice Easter weekend and was able to 'escape' health concerns while spending time with family and friends. Well my surgery is tomorrow (Apr 3rd) and I'm starting to get a bit anxious. Not about the surgery itself, but the long day ahead. I have to be at the hospital at 7:15 am. Then sit around waiting until 8:45 am to had my nuclear dye injected. More (much more) sitting around until 1pm when surgery is scheduled. I have a hard time sitting in one place for more than 10 minutes, so I have no idea how I will pass the day tomorrow. No eating or drinking after midnight with the exception of 8 oz of water, apple juice or ginger ale before I head to the hospital. So no food, no caffine and no valuables (phone, tablet) etc at the hospital.

The booking nurse was sure to tell me though that they have magazines......yippee. If it is like any other waiting room, they are probably from 1988. I guess I'm just cranky at the whole day. Does anyone know roughly how long a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy take (including time in the recovery room). I want to be able to give my friend that will be picking me up some idea of what time we are looking at so that her day isn't a total write off. I'm thinking around 5pm (if surgery is at 1). Sorry for my crappy attitude today

ventureval

Best of luck to you with your surgery tomorrow Barb. I pray all goes well.

RiRi11

thinking of you Barb!

Jennifer522

I was at the park today with my child (it's spring break) and got the pre op call. It's getting real now!

Call was long asking about my surgery and health history background. Plus my night before instructions.

I get the nuclear injection on Monday and then Tuesday 5:45am, I have to be at hospital.

BarbMac

Thanks everyone. I just binged on a burger fresh off the bbq and now am having a bowl of black cherry ice cream. I won't fade away by tomorrow lol.

Good luck to you Jennifer522.

ScubaMom24

Barb, you brought us together in the April group and we're here for you, especially tomorrow. Try to get some rest if you can. Hugs and prayers.

Anpop

I am three days out from my left lumpectomy + sentinel node biopsy and I'm feeling quite fantastic. My pain is very manageable (I only needed to take tylenol for the first two days) but I do have some slight swelling and bruising. While I don't quite fall into the April group, I'm close. My surgery was on Friday March 30th.

For those of you anxiously awaiting your surgeries, I'm going to give you a play-by-play of how my surgery day went. Hopefully these little details will be helpful you and ease your worries.

After arriving and checking in at 8am for my surgery which is scheduled for 11:30am, I first had needle/wire localization with mammogram. This was, honestly, the part I feared most. However, although sitting in the mammogram machine while the radiologist threaded needles into my breast was quite uncomfortable, it wasn't as painful as I had imagined (she gave me lots of lidocaine). Next, I was taken up to my hospital bed/pre-op area. There, I got my IV line put in, checked out by a bunch of nurses and then my radioactive dye injection was given. I read on here that it can be very painful. Mine was not so bad — perhaps a 3/10 pain. It stung quite a lot, and then burned for about 5 minutes post-injection. My doctors came in and mapped out their incision points, and then the anesthesiologist came in and I was wheeled off to the operating room. Next thing I know, I'm waking up in the recovery area. I was able to go home about 30 minutes after I woke up.

Pain has been very manageable. It helps to wear a secure sports bra, because "bouncing" hurts the most. Although I got oxycodone Rx'd, I haven't needed more than tylenol. Today, I haven't needed any pain meds at all. Occasionally, I feel tingling in my breast and arm.

I have to take showers wrapping my surgical bandages in plastic wrap, to avoid getting them wet.

I cannot sleep or apply pressure to my left side (where I had the surgery) and I am not supposed to lift anything or raise my arms more than 90 degrees (shoulder level).

The doctor also advised me not to drive for 7 days, but there's no way I can avoid that. Today I drove for the first time and it wasn't so bad. I'll be going back to work tomorrow, 4 days after surgery.

Ill have a post-op appointment next week and hopefully I'll have positive news from my surgeon.

Big hugs to everyone here!!!

2catsintheyard

Thank you Anpop and others for the play by play, yes it is helpful as I have never had anything more than a tonsillectomy.

People comment to me all the time “You are so strong” and “You are taking this so calmly/well/etc”. What are they expecting?? Tears? Screams? The rending of my clothing? I know they mean well and don’t take offense at these remarks, but have to say this is why these forums are so nice because we’re all in it together & it’s nice to read about all the tips, tricks & commonalities while understanding completely what the other is writing about

Good luck Barb!

Jennifer-I am literally right behind you on 4/11, and right before you Abbey.

mianola

Thursday is my surgery and tonight I am a nervous wreck. It's almost like this is happening to another person and not me. I have to travel an hour and a half tomorrow to get to where surgery will be on Thursday and we are in a middle of a snow storm. It looks like January outside and that makes me even more nervous. Ugh... I was diagnosed in January and this has been the longest few months of my life. I'm so ready to have this over and regain my life. Best of luck to everyone having surgery this month. May we all find peace and a new beginning.

kansasgal

My lumpectomy is scheduled for April 19. Sometime next week I will have a needle biopsy (3 hrs away!) of an enlarged lymph node about half way between the area of the stereotactic biopsy and the area where my BS expects to find the sentinel node. I am surprised to find that neither the prospect of the needle biopsy (OUCH!) nor the lumpectomy with node dissection is particularly worrying me. During the stereotactic biopsy in February, I felt only mild twinges - not really pain. Thanks go to the nurse anesthetist! During the March MRI without and with contrast, I kept mentally singing as many songs as I could remember in order to keep myself from falling asleep. My guess is that since 2009 having undergone an abdominal hysterectomy/BSO for an aggressive uterine cancer (plus chemo and upper vaginal brachytherapy) and later on two different abdominal hernia repair surgeries - plus colo-vaginal fistula repair along with sigmoidectomy and ileostomy surgery and ileostomy reversal surgery - my upcoming breast surgery seems quite minor. I hope I am correct! And I certainly hope my grade 3 DCIS is not found to instead be IDC. Sending all you April surgery ladies my best wishes for clean margins and rapid healing.

MAC58

My lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy is April 6, my 60th Birthday. It was the only day that fit into a crazy schedule, so what a gift. My main worry is that I have a head cold, I told the nurses about it and they said if no fever then it's ok..I'm just worried that it will get worse or I'll start to cough during surgery. Anyone have a cold during your surgery

LAMinders

Mianola- I’m schedule for Thursday too. And I too am officially a stress ball. Thankfully I’m working almost a full day which distracts me for a large majority of the time. Wishing you safe travels and a smooth surgery.

Mac- happy early birthday! Let this be the start to a long and healthy life ahead.

Sending healing thoughts to all those with surgeries this week.

RiRi11

MAC

I cant offer you help but I am in the same boat. My lumpectomy is April 6th. I had a nasty cold last week and now a lingering cough. My DR isnt concerned either.

So we must not worry ourselves

Happy Birthday and good luck Friday!

Ria

Anonymous

Happy Birthday Mac!! April 6th is my birthday, too!! I'll be 55!! Good luck with your surgery. I have fat-grafting on April 20th. When my PS told me it would be on a Friday in April I really expected it to fall on my birthday. Right now I am waiting on my first grandson to be born!! I am SO hoping for him to be born Friday!!

MAC58

thanks Ria, I will be thinking good thoughts for you too on Friday❤

Maryann

MAC58

Happy Birthday to you! That would be a spectacular day for your grandson to be born

MAC58

Thank you for the birthday wishes and here's to everyone celebrating lots of birthdays in the future

BarbMac

Good luck to you ladies with upcoming surgeries. Here is what I can offer. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy yesterday. I got home about 7pm and pretty much dozed on my big comfy chair right through to 7 this morning. I'm not too sore at all. Actually I can't feel the lumpectomy at all (and it appears to be a pretty good sized chunk that they removed. My only discomfort is the armpit. I've only taken a couple of T3s last night around 11 and then 1 at 7am and 1 around noon. I'm still a bit woozy and not hungry at all but I did force down a bowl of soup.

I think the anxiety leading up to surgery is the worst. I had amazing nurses all day yesterday and they made it all very bearable. Deep breaths ad relax. You'll all do just fine.

Well nap time here (I'm still really tired). Again, good luck to you all.

AlisonR

Just finally got my date. I was originally planning a mastectomy because I discovered I am BRCA2 positive but my cancer is early stage and I'm just not ready for the "Big Surgery" so I'm doing a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy at Fox Chase Cancer Center next Wednesday and will have radiation, chemo is a question mark until my onco score comes back. I'm so thankful I got the second opinion and while I realize there is a chance it can come back, I feel good about at least trying the lumpectomy and maybe buying myself a few more years until my kids are out of school. Plus if it comes back, I feel li'll be better able to deal with it at a later date.

Best of luck to everyone and this group is amazing! I have found a flood of information that has helped me finally be at peace with my decision.