December 2018 Surgery Support Group

SDWoman

MyMomsGirl I am 48 and just had my period last week. I'm hoping it's just stress. It's been an overwhelming week. My cousin passed from her breast cancer just last Saturday. I wasn't close to her, but the reality of it being breast cancer just as I am starting my journey has been so emotionally hard.

Just two more sleeps. Geez sounds like I'm waiting for Santa Clause!

QueenB44

Thank you for the welcome. I'm just getting this forum thing down.

I was DX Nov2018 with DCIS Non Invasive Stage 0. I've opted for a lumpectomy Dec 20th. However Surg Onocologist will be removing some nodes as well.Not sure why, but I guess covering all bases. Not looking forward to what is ahead other than positive pathology report when all is said and done. I can't say I'm happy to be here, but I'm certainly happy with all of the support.

QueenB44

You have the exact same DX as myself. DCIS (non invasive) Stage 0, Grade 1, ER+/PR+. May I ask why you've decided on a Mastectomy and not a Lumpectomy? I go in Dec 20th for a Lumpectomy and node removal. My location of calcifications are 5 mm.

QueenB44

HPFULL, so good to hear that you did well with the wire placement. Between that and the dye injections I'm more nervous about those things than the lumpectomy.

SDWoman

QueenB44

I decided on bilateral mastectomy primarily because of my age and family history.

Being 48 I have alot of years for it to surface again. In addition, I have lost a sister, 2 cousins, 1 aunt to breast cancer, and another aunt to ovarian cancer. I also have another aunt and cousin that are survivors. Being the 8th in my family to battle this I just want to reduce my risk as much as possible. I also don't want to face years of callbacks for something suspicious, biopsies, etc.

Lastly, with a lumpectomy I was facing several radiation treatments and 5 plus years of hormone therapy. With a mastectomy, provided there are no surprises in the final pathology I may bypass alot of that. Fingers crossed.

Wigging2000

HPFULL-your period?? Noooooooo! I’m sorry that I brought that upon you! I’m glad you had the surgery and that it is done. Will you go back for nipple reconstruction later? I wish for good results for you on Friday!

Mymomsgirl, waiting is the worst. I was so worried about getting sick before my surgeries! I wanted the day to come so badly yet dreaded it. Having “it” out is very emotionally healing. You are close...hang in there!

SDWOMAN-try not to worry. I can’t imagine that what you are feeling is cancer, but I know you’ll mention it to your doctors and they will take care of you. Whatever it is it will be addressed very soon. You will be in good hands! You are almost there!

Misha13

HPFULL-So glad to hear you are done and feeling well! When do they do the wire placement? I’ve heard right before and also the day before, or maybe that was something else...

Wigging-Praying you get to remove your drains or at least some of them!

SDWoman-Wishing you something fun to do tomorrow to make the day go fast!

Good luck and prayers for PawPatrolMom, Glamazon, BluGene, and QueenMargo!!

I had pre-op testing today-Blood, urine, chest X-ray, and EKG. Still feels like it’s really far away even if it’s only 2 weeks!

HPFULL

I was more nervous about those things too @QueenB! I was pleasantly surprised. I think I built them up in my head that they would hurt from all the stuff I had read.

Wigging- I am not sure they will be able to do the nipple recon ever😢 I will find out on Monday when I go back to the PS. I was a bit sad about it but happy to have the cancer out🙌

Misha I went in the morning of surgery and they did the wire placement, then the tracer injection, and then a mammogram with the wire sticking out. It was kind like a comedy with my cold I was out if and had. A mask

On to not spread germs and I had these crazy underwear they gave me because I started my period and then they are sticking my boob in the mammogram machine and I have this wire in me it just seemed comical but all painless which surprised me. Tracer made me a little bit sore. 2 weeks will fly by for you I bet.

I will be think of you ladies today and praying that you have smooth surgeries and speedy recoveries

Wigging2000

Saw PS this morning. 2 drains out and 2 to go! I got a good bit of my bandages off but still have gauze dressings and a surgical bra. I’m still very restricted with arm movements but have been okayed to walk as much as I want! Just not fast lol. Trying to be a good patient! I really feel pretty good. Tired! Still tired!

Thinking of all of you with procedures today and tomorrow...wishing successful surgeries with good outcomes and fast recoveries!

Misha13

HPFULL-Sorry to hear about your nipple recon. That’s disappointing. Definitely an adjustment.

Wigging-Woo-hoo! Less drains! How have you been handling the drains? I was planning on sewing some small pockets inside of the zippered sweaters and hoodies I bought for surgery. Is that something that would be worth it??

SDWoman-It’s your turn! Prayers for a successful surgery and recovery!

PawPatrolMom

Hey ladies! In my hospital bed feeling nauseous but otherwise with my pectoral block, my pain hasn't been bad and I haven't needed pain medication! My prelim report states that the nodes are negative...best Birthday gift! I was so scared for this surgery but here I am! Besides my anxiety about it, I feel it's been worse on my family than myself since I was asleep 🤪. To God be the glory. Stay blessed everyone

Misha13

PawPatrolMom-Im so glad I’m up late and got to see your post! Clear nodes is an awesome birthday present, as is no pain! God is good!

Wigging2000

yay for clear nodes PawPatrol! Glad to have you “back". Wishing for continued successful recovery!!!!

Misha- I bought some of the “pink pockets" drain holders which stick to the inside of shirts. I haven't actually used them...have been keeping the drains safety pinned to the bottom of my surgical bra. Are you having reconstruction? A lanyard thingy or other way to hold them in the shower is also a good investment. I bought one off of amazon. I don't sewthough, so if you do, you may be able to come up with something. Let me see if I can post links in another post....

Wigging2000

here is the shower thingy that I have

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HSTZJR0/ref=mp_s_a_1_4_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1544796752&sr=8-4&keywords=mastectomy+drain+shower&dpPl=1&dpID=41H1fJGhYwL&ref=plSrch

HPFULL

yay! Pawpatrol! That is the best birthday news! So glad all went well, hugs to yo

HPFULL

The BS called... They got clean margins 🙌, 1 LN had a small amount of cancer but not enough to count he said so it counts as 0/3 so that good. My tumor changed from luminal A to B as it has a higher proliferation rate. Not sure if that means that I will need chemo. I will find out more next week. I hope all  that had  surgery yesterday and this week are doing well/

Misha13

HPFULL-Yay for clean margins and clear nodes! Let us know when you find out about chemo.

Wigging-thanks for the shower link and the “pink pockets” idea. I bought zippered sweaters and hoodies from Goodwill so if I sew them and do it badly, it won’t be a loss! The shower thing looks super cool but expensive for what it is. I’ll try a lanyard. Lol

PawPatrolMom

HPFULL-Happy for the clean margins and nodes. Woohoo!! 💃

Thank you Wigging and HPFULL for the love.

I’ve been using the pink pockets in my pajamas and they have been great. I was discharged today!!. Feeling a little more pain now that I’m being active. I know I have to push myself to not stay in bed all day because that’s worse for the recovery so moving around it is! I still can’t believe I had my BMx. Even though I have radiation left and of course reconstruction, I feel completing chemotherapy and this surgery is such a major victory. When I looked at the road ahead 6 months ago, I cried so much because it seemed insurmountable. Now, look at me!

HPFULL

I am so happy for you PawPatrol I can feel the relief and good energy in your post. So happy that you are celebrating the victories along the way 

Misha13

PawPatrolMom-You should be proud! It’s a lot to deal with! Hey, we were diagnosed two weeks apart and both started chemo in July and had (will have) surgery in December! You’re my bc twin! Sort of! Lol!

Did you get TE’s or implants yet? You mentioned rads and was wondering how that works with recon. I think I need rads too but I don’t want to mess up my new boobs!

PawPatrolMom

@HPFULL-Yessss!!! Took me a while to realize I have to do that. The small victories are all we have in this life long journey.

@Misha-Hey Twinsie, lol. I wish I could have gotten implants and be done with it but I only got TEs. They filled them up to 210 each from the bat so that’s great. Goal is in the 400s. I won’t get my reconstruction completed until 3-6 months after I’m done with radiation. My plastic surgeon is not too happy I’m getting rads because he doesn’t want it to interfere with his work🙄. I want him to do a good job of course but doing everything I can to reduce my chance of recurrence is more important to me

LinnyG

12/12 had exchange on left side and reduction/lift on right. Fortunately, no real pain. Just sore. Bounced back quickly after 9/25 mastectomy - was sitting at a casino, drains in tow, 6 days later and feeling good. But this reconsruction procedure beat me up! Zero energy. I'm 4 days out and taking a shower does me in! Hoping this will pass soon. Anyone else have this experience? Thanks!

Linda

Misha13

Linny-Good to hear you are doing well after surgery! Hopefully someone else has experience with the recon and can answer your question! I’m also happy to hear your mastectomy didn’t prevent you from being out and about in 6 days!

Anyone else have updates?? My bmx is now 10 days away and I’m starting to get anxious. Hearing how you all are doing is helpful!

Went to the “fun” cinema that serves food in your seat with a friend and saw Elf tonight It was good to laugh for two hours!

SDWoman

Surgery was on Friday. Nodes were clear! Husband kept saying my hospital room was so cold and nurses were bringing him warm blankets.... sure enough he got extremely sick with the stomache flu and had to stay away. Sister-in-law took me home yesterday and getting by on Tylenol and a muscle relaxer. But I agree with Linny, the fatigue is overwhelming......so tired after doing so little.

HPFULL

Hi😊 I had that LICAP reconstruction and felt great for the first 2 days after surgery. They pumped me full of steroids while under anesthesia because I was sick. They told me I would crash on Thursday and I did. I get tired easily too. I think part of it is that I am anxious that they told me the cancer was more aggressive than the biopsy showed. I will know more this week I am just in a little bit of fear at the moment. How are you feeling Libby? Glad it went well SDWomen and so glad you had some good laughs Misha

Wigging2000

Hello all!

Misha13...update just for you! I think you will be so relieved after your surgery. Enjoy sleeping in your favorite position these next 10 days! That is the thing I’m most crabby about (I’m a side sleeper).

I am 10 days out from my reconstruction surgery and 17 days out from BMX. I still have two drains which I am very, very tired of. Showering, bathing, and washing hair are still frustrating. However I really have no pain and am slowly beginning to feel less tired. A lot of the pressure in my chest is also gone. I have loose pads on my incisions and I’m still freaked out a bit by the scars. They are so big! I go back to PS on Thursday and really hope to say goodbye to the drains. I’m still not allowed to drive or use my arms much. Hmmm, what else? Linny, I was much more exhausted post reconstruction. I think I’m starting to come out of it though.

I saw oncology today. Oncotype is ordered and results will be given to me on 1/15 so I get a drug and chemo free holiday season. I’ll start either tamoxifen or chemo shortly after the 15th. Hoping for no chemo but will do what’s needed. I am officially a stage 1 girl so happy about that. I’m so thankful for the good news that’s come since the bad news.

We can all do this ladies!! To the ones awaiting surgery....Feel free to ask me anything. I’ll hekp however I can!

Misha13

SDWoman-Great news about your nodes! Glad you are done and hopefully you won’t get your hubbie’s stomach flu!!

HPFULL-Sounds like recon was successful for you! Prayers for positive news about the tumor! Why would they tell you it may be more aggressive and say maybe...geesh just wait until they know for sure! Ultimately will it make any difference in your next steps?? I think I’ve come to terms that I will probably have to have rads.

Wigging-Thanks for the update! I am also a side sleeper, but I did manage to take a nap in my new to me recliner today, so sleeping is possible in it. I’m sorry about the drains. That part sounds like it is a major pain. I’m glad to hear your pain is manageable and the idea of chest pressure sounds awful, so I’m glad yours is subsiding. That’s great to be able to start the next steps in January so you can enjoy the holiday! If I can think of any more questions, I’ll totally ask you!

HPFULL

Misha my originally biopsy came back low ki67 but the pathology from surgery shows that I have a high Ki67 rate or high proliferation rate. He said he would explain more on wed . Tomorrow I see the oncologist somskoukd lnow more.wishing you well tomorrow mommysgirl

PawPatrolMom

@Misha-I know it's easier said than done but try not to be anxious. Everyone told me that and I read how great everyone was doing on our forum and I was still a basket case. I feel I lost out on days of fun because of it. I'm 4 days post op and I actually went out to lunch with hubby after my follow-up appointment with no meds on board. I also decorated gingerbread men (my mom baked them) with my son. I will say that it did take a lot out of me and I fell asleep at 7pm, lol. I realize I can't go through the day without a nap for sure. In terms of sleeping, a good recliner helps a lot. My first few days I was sleeping on my bed and it was ok but hubby just got me a recliner which is sturdy and comfy and isn't too low...slept like a baby. I'm a side sleeper and this recliner has done the trick for this prolonged back sleeping, lol.

@SDWoman-Yaaaaaay about the nodes!!!

@HPFULL-I hope all goes well with appointment tomorrow

@Wigging and anyone else who can answer-How did it feel having drains removed...very painful? Should I take pain meds before my appointment? Goal is for removal on Monday which is nice Christmas present!

Going back to sleep! Good luck mymomsgirl!!

MCBaker

Drain removal-- it depends. The first one hurt very briefly, no lingering pain. The second was in an area of cut nerves, so didn't feel it coming out at all.