December 2018 Surgery Support Group

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  • Mariett
    Mariett Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2018

    Hi all, I was a member of the November surgery group, I had a bmx without reconstruction, 3/11 nodes positive and chemo was support to start Wednesday. I have to go back in Friday for a re-excision as my margins were positive. I have heard this happens with lumpectomys sometimes but after a mastectomy seems rare. I am hoping the surgeon can remove what she needs to and I can move forward with treatment. I had a lumpectomy and radiation nearly 12 years ago when I was 33, looking back now I am thinking I shouldve had the bmx then. Alot of what ifs during this cancer journey. Wishing you lady's the best with your surgery, treatment and recovery.

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  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited December 2018

    MC Baker good to see you. I've been reading the Dec chemo thread trying to prepare...I'm sorry that you're going through all of this. I continue to think good thoughts for you as you push through this step.

    PawPatrol, yay for recliners and gingerbread! Sounds like you are doing great. Drain removal can hurt but only for a few seconds. My PS tends to not warn me when he's doing it which is actually good. Generally, I say “yowch what was that" and he says “your drain". I never took any pain meds prior to them being removed. It will be a great Christmas present for you! My last 2 are getting taken out on Thursday. I cannot wait!

    HPFLL good luck today!

    SD woman...hugs, and just listen to your body and sleep/rest. Easier said than done I know, but I really think you just have to. I took a nice king nap yesterday and it was lovely.

    Mymomsgirl/queen-thinking of you both this week

    Today is my first day without my hubby at home with me so I might be posting a lot hahaha. Can anyone come help me reach things from the cabinets???? LOL


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  • Misha13
    Misha13 Member Posts: 240
    edited December 2018

    PawPatrolMom-Im so happy to hear you are doing so well! Going out to lunch soon after is a good thing to hope for! I got the recliner, so hopefully that will help! With Christmas coming up, I know I need to let it go and just enjoy the season, but it's been hard! I can relate to the naps. I was a napper before bc and with chemo, I usually have a nap anyway!

    MyMomsGirl-Prayers and good thoughts for you today!

    MCBaker-the first time I saw your initials, I did a double take-before I got married, my initials were MCB. Just a fun thing I noticed! Thanks for sharing your experience with drain removal.

    Mariett-I added you to surgery roll call!

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  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited December 2018

    Mariett-hopefully Friday will be it for you surgery wise. Sorry that you’re having to go through another procedure. Positive thoughts that they get everything out this time.


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  • QueenB44
    QueenB44 Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2018

    My surgery is on the 20th. Getting a bit nervous. I will be having the wire placement first, then nipple dye injection then off to another hospital building down the street for my surgery. This all seems so crazy that I have to go three places for three different things. Isn't the stress of cancer enough? How did you all that had the wire placement and dye injection do? I have a friend that recommended some Xanax first as hers did not go so well.

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  • SDWoman
    SDWoman Member Posts: 113
    edited December 2018

    queenb44 I can't speak for the wire placement but I never even felt the 2 dye injections and that was due to the ample numbing cream they put on 30 minutes before.

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  • Misha13
    Misha13 Member Posts: 240
    edited December 2018

    QueenB-I'm right there with you regarding being anxious.I find myself spending way too much time on this site and the internet in general reading up and being worried about what I am reading.

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  • HPFULL
    HPFULL Member Posts: 247
    edited December 2018

    queen b and Misha. I was sooooo nervous over the wire placement and the nuclear injections. They wouldn’t let me take any Xanax I tried lol. I didn’t even feel the wire placement. It was painlesss. The nuclear injection was comparable to an arm blood draw and didn’t hurt at all like I thought. It wasn’t bad. It feels a little funky. afterword as it moves through the breast....kind of a heavy feeling.

    Welcome Marriett I hope this is your last surgery. Sorry that you have to have surgery again. Praying for excellent results for you.

    I went to the oncologist today. I need to get a CT’s scan and bone scan and onoco test done. Won’t know if I need chemo until I see him again on th e 9th. Ohhhhh the waiting is the hardest part! Tom Petty was right

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  • Mariett
    Mariett Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2018

    My experience so far has been good. I didn't have much pain after my bmx and no problems with drains. I've had every scan going and all have been clear. Just want to get the clean margins and move on with treatment. I agree HPFULL the waiting is definitely the hardest part.

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  • cleokeep70
    cleokeep70 Member Posts: 13
    edited December 2018

    Hi everyone! I feel like I know so many of you as I have been reading voraciously and following a lot of your stories. This is my first time posting. I have surgery scheduled for Dec 31 and in preparation for that I had an MRI on Dec 13th. Results came back with a suspicious node and an additional mass, so off to get US and probable biopsies for both tomorrow. At the moment I still plan to just do lumpectomy followed by rads, but I guess it will depend on the genetic testing (BRCA) results and the biopsies. I want to thank you all for your posts, they have been so helpful! The best of health and healing to you all!

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  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited December 2018

    welcome, Cleokeep! Good luck tomorrow. I had some surprises show up in MRI as well and had an extra biopsy a week before my procedure. I am sure you’re feeling a little stressed about that but it’s good to have your surgery date in place. I hope tomorrow goes smoothly and that you get results quickly. Glad you checked in!



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  • cleokeep70
    cleokeep70 Member Posts: 13
    edited December 2018

    Thanks Wigging! I'll update as I know more.

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  • HPFULL
    HPFULL Member Posts: 247
    edited December 2018

    welcome cleokeep sending you good vibes for tomorrow. Glad they are being thorough and checking everything. Today as a weird day. Yesterday was pretty overwhelming at the MO. The person that did my baseline blood draw couldn’t find a vain so she fished around and hit a nerve( it hurt so bad) while simultaneously telling me my vain she will never hold up for chemo and that if I need chemo i will need a port. I think I just got scared and then today I feel Iike it just hit me that I have cancer. I felt really overwhelmed and just broke down. Maybe I needed a good cry ? Maybe it’s all The anesthia leaving my body? So Weird sometimes it doesn’t seem real and then all of a sudden it seems very real. Don’t know if I am making any sense

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  • MCBaker
    MCBaker Member Posts: 1,555
    edited December 2018

    HPFLL, you are making perfect sense. And it is perfectly normal. https://www.businessballs.com/health-and-wellbeing... I got my port yesterday, first chemo today. I have been a perfect mess of anxiety. The concept of perfection is odd.

    However, I have not yet had a good cry.

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  • HPFULL
    HPFULL Member Posts: 247
    edited December 2018

    thanks MCBaker. They stated your chemo quick! Did it make you feel sick off the bat? Praying it all goes well for you. Hugs to yo

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  • HPFULL
    HPFULL Member Posts: 247
    edited December 2018

    Thinking of you Queen B good luck tomorro

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  • MCBaker
    MCBaker Member Posts: 1,555
    edited December 2018

    Nope. I took an anti-nausea pill just a bit ago, and I am supposed to take another tomorrow morning.

    I don't think it is quick, given that it is HER2+.

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  • Misha13
    Misha13 Member Posts: 240
    edited December 2018

    Cleokeep70-Welcome to you and good luck with the tests. Glad you are here!

    QueenB-Thinking of you for tomorrow!

    HPFULL-Sending you hugs! Im sorry you had a hard time at the mo’s office. Having a port is actually pretty helpful, should you decide to get one.

    MCBaker-Taxol shouldn’t make you feel too nauseated, more tired and weak. I would recommend icing your hands and feet. My nails are horrible and I iced them, but now I have neuropathy in my feet and I never iced them-wish I had.

    One week from today! Thanks to all of you who’ve gone before me for your stories and suggestions.

    Hang in there and remember this too shall pass. Have faith or positive thinking that this is merely a bump in the road.

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  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited December 2018

    HPFLL- sounds like that nurse needs some sort of a happy pill or possibly a new job. You did not need that today. I have bad veins (still have bruises all up and down my arms from surgery IVs)..so your post hit home. I think sometimes it is all just too much! I hope you have a better day tomorrow. When will you know about chemo?

    MCbaker I am thinking good thoughts for you as you start your chemo. I hope your SE’s are as minimal as possible.

    Misha-you are getting close! Thank you for starting and maintaining our group. I see a January group started now. Weird that soon we will all be past the surgery point of our journeys!


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  • PawPatrolMom
    PawPatrolMom Member Posts: 32
    edited December 2018

    Hi ladies! I haveanother piece of good news today...I had a complete pathologic response. I’m so thankful my breast pathology was negative too!!! Praise God!

    Welcome Cleo and I hope all goes well with the MRI tomorrow.

    @HPFLL-I am such a hard stick and whenever someone starts to go fishing, it upsets me because they know it hurts and it never results in any good. I completely understand how you feel. Also, in terms of your feelings, you make COMPLETE SENSE! Sometimes I completely forget I have cancer and then that one thing hits me and I want to cry or I actually do. I think a good cry is very helpful at times. I feel as a cancer patient we are supposed to be strong and “warriors” and we end up having built up emotions that need to come out at times! I hope tomorrow is a better day for you

    @QueenB-Thinking of you and sending positive vibes your way!

    @Misha-I’m happy your date is coming near and I hope you’ve been doing fun stuff?!!

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  • Misha13
    Misha13 Member Posts: 240
    edited December 2018

    PawPatrolMom-That is amazing news! I’m so happy for you! That must be a relief! Does that change your next steps as far as treatment? I am getting ready for Christmas and enjoying feeling better again!

    Mariett-Prayers and good vibes for your excision tomorrow! Here’s to clear margins!

    Wigging-You’re most welcome for the group, but don’t thank me, without you ladies on here, there would be no group!

    QueenB-Hope surgery is done and you are resting!

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  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited December 2018

    great news, PawPatrol!!!

    Thinking of queenB and Mariett...

    Guess what...I got my drains out! Woohoo I am drain free and able to wear a sports bra now! Was in a surgical bra. I’m still attempting to figure out what size I am now 😂

    I also can now shower, move my arms a little more, and attempt to drive! I’m a happy girl!


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  • QueenB44
    QueenB44 Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2018

    I'm pleased to report that my lumpectomy went well. The wire placement was way easier than I thought. There was some good pain during the original injections but otherwise it was super quick. I did not have the nodes biopsied since mine is DCIS non Invasive. Now the wait to confirm this. Post op, I have some pain, the incision is a bit larger than I thought. I will press through the pain. Not sure how I'm going to sleep since I'm a stomach sleeper. Thank you all for the support. Hope the best for the pathology report.

    DX- Nov7th 2018 DCIS Right 5mm, Stage0, Grade 1, ER/PR 100% Positive, Comedo

    Surgery - Right Lumpectomy




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  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited December 2018

    QueenB glad to hear your good report! I’ve been sleeping propped up on pillows...I’m a side sleeper but have actually adjusted to being on my back. I recommend putting them all around you so you don’t roll over! I have them under my knees, on both sides...everywhere! I can just finally lie on my side for a short time now. Hope you don’t have to wait too long for your surgical pathology.


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  • Mariett
    Mariett Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2018

    Thank you for the prayers and good vibes. I have an early surgery so hopefully have some good results to tell you all. You are all in my prayers and I am grateful for this group of positive thinkers. 🤞💓

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  • HPFULL
    HPFULL Member Posts: 247
    edited December 2018

    Yay! Good news all around :) Glad you are drain free @ wigging and able to drive.

    So glad it all went well @QueenB and that the wire placement didn't hurt.

    So happy  you had a complete pathologic response @ pawpatrol

    Thank you guys for all your kind responses and support regarding my last post. You guys really cheered me up and I can't tell you how many times today I have thought about how grateful I am to have found this site and you women :) 

    Thinking good thoughts for a smooth surgery for you tomorrow Mariett.

    I can't believe we are reaching the end of December. 4 more surgeries to go.


    Hugs to all of you



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  • PawPatrolMom
    PawPatrolMom Member Posts: 32
    edited December 2018

    @Misha-I don't think it will change my plan based on prior discussions. Since I was 35 when diagnosed, triple negative, and originally had 1 node involved, they recommend radiation to reduce my chances of recurrence. I'm fine with that because I want to at least feel that I tried every thing I could.

    Happy your drains are out Wigging! I realized I was doing too much so I had increased drainage output. Took it easy today and output decreased. I realize I have to literally do nothing so I can get these bad boys out for Christmas!!

    Happy everything went well QueenB and good luck Mariet.

    Thanks for all of the support guys! This group rocks:)

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  • alto
    alto Member Posts: 233
    edited December 2018

    I had a re-excision and sentinel node biopsy on Dec 19th. Healing seems to be going alright, getting by with Tylenol and ice packs.


    Last surgery was for Paget’s, and they found 1cm of DCIS (grade 3) underneath. I debated just getting a mastectomy, but wasn’t ready (mentally, physically, practically or paperwork-ly) and didn’t want to put off treatment. We’ll at least have more info about margins and nodes. I will be ready if that’s what I have to do.
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  • alto
    alto Member Posts: 233
    edited December 2018

    Margins weren’t clear so I’ll be getting a mastectomy. Paperwork and prep to do. Plus figuring out if I want recon

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  • Wigging2000
    Wigging2000 Member Posts: 295
    edited December 2018

    Alto, sorry to hear the news about your margins. I’m glad you’re not in too much pain. Sorry too that you have to plan for another surgery. I have done really well with BMX and implant recon so far. I hope you can have some down time with family/friends through the holidays before you head into the next step. I’m trying really hard to do this and not think about what’s lurking behind door #2019 as far as chemo/hormone treatment...

    Hugs-

    Wigging


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