Surgery June 2018

bennybear

yikes,whatever it takes, so sorry to hear that! Sending healing thoughts,

Aussie cat, hope the pain settles soon!

Llinkc, hope all goes well!

Just keep moving, still waiting on pathology and my surgeon is now on holidays. Will try my family doc.

Love your humour! It does help!

Hugs and healingto all!

Aussie-Cat

Thanks so much, Bennybear. I went to a local doctor and got more pain meds, so I hope that will help.

Justkeepmoving

Ladies....

I'm planning and trying to get ready but I feel like I'm spinning my wheels! Off from work today and yesterday and it's Go Time but not feeling very successful or efficient or effective

What am I forgetting? I guess at some point it's all just going to happen and I'll just let go. None of it matters after I walk through the hospital door.

Aussie-Cat

Justkeepmoving, I pray your surgery and recovery will go really well. See you when you get back.

Moonrabbit59

just keep moving: I have three kids, 15,12, and 3. The older ones have really stepped up to the plate for this and I’m so proud of them. I’m having a DMX with expanders placed. The area of DCIS I have is just too big for a lumpectomy and there are areas of IDC. They also found a thickening in my left breast starting. I am having tissue expanders put in instead of immediate reconstruction because I want some skin taken off which they cannot do immediately. My understanding is that they will do the exchange operation sometime early fall. I am so anxiousness to have this over with but at the same time, getting a little nervous.

Col321

justkeepmoving: best of luck to you with everything. I also was very anxious before the surgery, which made my time in the hospital feel mentally relaxing in comparison! You can do this.

a3vee

Hello justkeepmoving. I will keep you in my prayers for your upcoming procedure. I remember I couldn't sleep the two days before my surgery on June11th.

I'm now 2 weeks post op. I had IDC and it was in 3 out of the 11 lymph nodes, so had axillary node dissection as well as left mastectomy. They could only remove on drain last week. The other still had too much output to remove. The pain the first two days was unbearable but got through it. Now I can use just Tylenol or Motrin with relief. I only use oxycodone when gets too bad. I still can't sleep lying down. So have slept in recliner since surgery. The numbness and tingling under the armpit is driving me crazy. Just took bra off couple of days ago and the surgeon was worried about the swelling. I had a tssue expander placed to keep the breast tissue soft.. I'm doing the exercises to prevent lymphedema and it's nonjoke. The stiffness is bad some days and okay others. I'm up to walking 2 miles a day, though nowhere's near the running and lifting weights I was doing before. Taking one day at a time. the pathology staged me a stage 3A. It's hormone receptor positive. I see oncologist Monday to lay of chemo/radiation plan. I have to have both.

I hope this info helps you. I know your date is coming up soon so just hang in there and take one day at a time. I followed the suggestion of someone who posted on this site; the day before surgery I lost my hair I went to the salon and got my nails and my feet done had a facial went out to dinner. It really helped to calm me and you deserve to treat yourself before you go in so I would recommend that. Good luck to you! Prayers for the best outcome for you!

~a3ve

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Justkeepmoving

thank you a3vee

I have no idea what to expect and I feel out of control. I know I'm having anxiety right now because I'm up at 4 in the morning and not getting anything done - soon I know I'll have to let go and let it all happen. Good news - my surgeon got back to me and said he will check and repair any abdominal muscle issues I have (mommy belly) so that's a good thing

I hope your arm swelling is getting better. I had a nipple procedure last week and from my limited experience I noticed that if I don't keep on top of the pain it creeps up on me and next thing I know I'm snapping at my children and am overwhelmed. Once I take some pain killers (acetaminophen or occasionally a Percocet) I'm like a new person. It was good to hear that you were able to walk that much! I need to move around and resting will be hard for me. And I treated myself to a facial yesterday!

Moonrabbit59 (my surgery date buddy!) I'm also worried about the skin issue. I addressed this with my breast surgeon and she plans to either do RADS on the affected area post op (!!) or replace the skin with skin from my abdomen. I'm worried because my tumor seemed to be pushing up right against my skin (it went right into my nipple - that's why I can't save it). I'm putting my trust in these surgeons. I'd rather avoid radiation if I can help it...

Going into work today (bizarrely I work at where I'm having my surgery done. My friends are doing my preop interview today. It's all so weird). Trying to get my house in order. I need to have the kids and myself packed for 2 weeks... So many details and things to take care of. And of course the house needs to be pristine (I need to let go of that - I can't do it).

Ok -- off to finish up what I can before I wake my children. I'm doing ok. I will post back with any information I can if I can help anyone (I guess for people having July surgeries).

Thank you, friends, for your kindness and support. I hope you all feel better soon xoxoxo

Moonrabbit59

a3vee: thank you for sharing your experience. It helps to prepare.

Just keep moving: I woke up at 4:30. Big thunderstorms in the area, so the dogs are going nuts. But I can’t sleep either. I’m doing last loads of laundry now at 6:00. Cleaned the trash to put out and made my final list of to dos. I’m going to do my nails now. Then, last call on dr appts for the grandmas who live with us. I’m so nervous. Nervous about what I’m going to look like (vain I know). Nervous that too many people keep calling to wish me well (im trying to pretend that this is not a big deal). Nervous about the loss of control that I will have. But then I read the stories of recovering women who are getting out and walking and getting their control back and it helps.

kandyhunt

I am now 4 weeks post op. I am doing pretty good. I have only been working part time and that I have been doing from home. I finally slept in my own bed last night. It was heaven.

I had my second fill today. I feel a lot of pressure but ok. I thought the procedure would hurt but it really doesn't.

I still need to nap a lot. I am not sure how I can be so tired. My brain is still foggy. It is crazy.

Good luck and happy healing to everyone.

Aussie-Cat

Kandy, I'm glad you're doing pretty good and it was heavenly sleeping in your own bed. It's good that the second fill didn't hurt. Tiredness can come from not sleeping well, being in pain, taking meds and even the general anaesthetic. People take different lengths of time to feel better.

I'm still tired after my surgery 9 days ago but that's partly because of the meds I'm taking. I'm still quite sore too.

Whateverittakes

Im having surgery tomorrow morning to remove my nipples unfortunately they didn't survive. I found out today. Good news I got a awesome report from my oncologist and it's no chemo no radiation! Only Tamoxifen for 10 years. ( If I can do that). I'm still doing good post op. I've made sure to try and walk, move around as much as I could stand. Thinking of you all & many prayers SA

Aussie-Cat

Whateverittakes, I'm sorry your nipples didn't survive and you're having more surgery tomorrow. I hope it goes well. It's great that you don't need chemo or radiation! Well done for walking and moving around.

kandyhunt

whateverittakes. Yes to no radiation and chemo. We are twins in that. I scored a zero on the Oncotest.

I am doing pretty good but I am having pain along my bra line. Crazy. The swelling is going down. I am still not back to work full time. My brain is too foggy. But there is a breast surgeon in my area that started an IV Lounge. They have shots and IV bags full of vitamins and minerals I did two treatments before surgery and just did another yesterday. I got a shot that is suppose to clear your brain. The IV had something that helps clear out toxins. When I take it I have to go home and sleep as it wipes me out. But today my brain is clearer but the bra line pain is driving me crazy. And it doesn't help that my right arm still feels Ike bees are stinging it all the time

But every day I feel a little better.

Moonrabbit59

so, out from surgery! A bit of pain but I’m taking advice and admitting to it before it hurts too much. I’m going a little in and out of it. So unfortunately, my first sentinel node and a small vcamcer area in it so I’ll definitley be doing radiation but still unsure about the chemo.

Going to nap now

bennybear

a3vee, Finding my under arm is driving me crazy too. Hope you get to sleep in your bed soon.

moon rabbit, glad the surgery is over. I had radiation last time and was not too bad.

Whatever it takes, glad you had good results. Sorry you need more surgery.

Kandy hunt, agree about the bee stinging, what a perfect analogy! it only really started a few days ago for me. I think I did too Much went to Physio started driving.

Aussie cat, hope you get your energy back soon.

I had good. News, All five lymph nodes were negative, yay am done clear margins. Hoping for no chemo, but expecting hormone therapy.

Good thoughts and prayers for quick recovery for all!

Aussie-Cat

Thanks, Benny Bear. I hope your underarm feels better soon. It's great that all five lymph nodes were negatives!

It's 11 days since my double mastectomy and the pain doesn't seem to be getting any less. I'm still finding it hard to concentrate at times and getting sleepy, but that's most likely from the pain meds. I sure hope the pain gets less by the time the pain meds run out. I thought I'd be feeling better by now.

Moonrabbit59

aussiecat: so sorry that you’re still in pain. Hopefully it will go away soon and it will just be sore. I’m hoping to get discharged today so I can rest at home

Aussie-Cat

Thanks, Moonrabbit59. It would be great to be less sore.

I hope you get discharged today and you can rest at home and feel better.

Justkeepmoving

hello everyone! Checking in from the other side

I had my surgery yesterday and preliminary findings are sentinal nodes are all clear 😄

I got up to go the the bathroom an hour ago and it was DIFFICULT but the nurse said it will get easier and easier. The abdomen is the worse part -- I had a DIEP after mastectomy.

I'm glad everyone is doing well xoxoxox

Aussie-Cat

Justkeepmoving, it's good to hear from you. It's great that your sentinel nodes are all clear! It's no wonder you're finding things difficult but I'm glad that things will get easier.

JaBoo

I had a lumpectomy with 3 sentinel nodes taken out, quick histology during op said they were clear...

well, but the pathology report post-op not so good: margins were too close (under 1 mm) on 3 sides.... AND micrometa in the 1st sentinel node. crap

so second operation: 2 sides of resection totally clear (so nothing was left after the first op) BUT one side of resection has again close margins. it says "DSIS formation under 1 mm from inner edge".

they consulted with my oncologist and she said its OK.

but its driving me nuts. I can't shread the idea theres something left! there's lot of bumps and lumps in the boob, but the surgeon vas very happy about the way the area is healing... they say the bumps are normal after an operation, let alone two operations. ggrr. I am very anxious. Meeting with oncologist comes on july 10th. I hope at least an ultrasound will be done or else I go crazy

Aussie-Cat

JaBoo, I'm really sorry the margins weren't clear and you had to have surgery twice! I hope your meeting with the oncologist goes well and you get to have an ultrasound so you can be more at ease. I've heard that the lumps and bumps after surgery can take 6 weeks or so to settle down but it's different in every case. It's good that the surgeon is happy with the way it's healing. I feel for you going through this.

Justkeepmoving

JaBoo!

That is difficult! Are you going for a second opinion?

Kelly-Anne

I didn't find this group soon enough. I had a lumpectomy for 3.5 cm with sentinel note removal on June 25. I didn't understand when they said that the radioactive tracer injection would hurt that they actually intended to torture me. Now I don't care about the scars. I don't care about cancer. Every time I close my eyes I'm back begging them to stop. I have to go for a follow up with the surgeon, it is making me panic. I don't want them to hurt me any more. How will I face chemo / radiation. How are you all so very strong

JaBoo

AussieCat thanx so much

Justkeepmoving - I actually consulted two doctors, one at the no.1 cancer centre in my country and she said the process was Ok and really tried to calm me down. another doctor was at a local cancer centre and he said he would have recommended mastectomy after the first operation with reconstruction later.

Aussie-Cat

Kelly-Anne, I'm sorry you feel so traumatised by the radioactive tracer injection. I wish they'd been more careful not to hurt you! It sounds like you have some PTSD developing, so I suggest telling a doctor about that or trying to find someone to talk to about it. I hope you can go back to see your surgeon without panicking too much. It certainly does take courage to go through all these medical appointments. Remember that you have the right to ask questions and to refuse treatments that you don't want. Sending hugs for all your suffering.

Justkeepmoving

Kelly-Anne

When I was being given my tracer dye I was told that they now use a new one which is not painful -- and it wasn't painful!! The tech mentioned that the old type is what would be very painful. It was a little uncomfortable but bare able and these injections were done on a breast that recently had the nipples lifted off and biopsies.

Ask about the new kind. Sorry I don't have the name but I'll look in my chart for it (I'm still in the hospital). Also my breast surgeon also used (backup) methylene blue herself in the OR as a backup trace

bennybear

I hope everyone is healing well! And not too much pain! Aussie cat is it better? My underarm is better than last week. The nurse navigator told me probably nerve pain. I have been doing the stretches and started Physio so that is helping.

Jaboo, sorry you have to go through it twice! Hope you feel better about it all soon.

Kelly Ann, if IS a lot! And none of it very much fun. I have to keep telling myself that at least the cancer is gone. I have a high pain tolerance but the dye really stung for me too. This is such an ugly disease, disfiguring, disheartening but thankfully one that is treatable. I find I have had to break it down, the. Biopsy, then deal with surgery, now heal and get used to the new me. Then wait for pathology. Then see what other treatment is needed. And small But a real pain, find a swimsuit, argh, tough enough at the best of time!

So hugs and support to everyone struggling with this individual journey. Sharing helps. Thank you!

urdrago71

Hello all. I've been reading about surgery as I haven't crossed that bridge yet. Does everyone stay awake while they injected the dye for node involvement?

Justkeepmoving, when u do know the name of dye that's not suppose so painful can u either put on board or on box me?

Thanks for sharing and all support I see u each give..