October 2019 Surgery Support Group

gibbos

I'm new to this group, but the Mods suggested I start this since no one else has yet.... I think!

Here's my story...

I have a LT NS MX , with prepec & implant, no TE scheduled for October 1.

DX-Annual mammo was done in March (DCIS was suspected) and a biopsy was scheduled. As I was leaving the appointment I had a very bad auto accident (was very distracted when I left the hospital- go figure) and ended up in ICU for a week with surgery for a badly broken arm and shoulder and other injuries. Biopsy was finally done in May ,followed by LUMP and DCIS, stage 0, grade 2 was confirmed. The delay in MX surgery was so that I could complete as much PT as possible on my shoulder.

I also had a RT MX with Lat Dorsi recon with saline implant in 2004. That was replaced by a silicone in 2014. The PS did a bad job, so that was replaced a few months later with a gummy bear. Argh.

New PS says he will remove the gummy bear on my RT side, replace with silicone when he does the LT MX.

Now I am second guessing everything and wondering if implant recon is the way to go or if I should consider something else. I'm just getting over my March shoulder surgery and am really not looking forward to this again.

Any comments are greatly appreciated. And I know there are more of you with October dates out there, so feel free to chime in!

Good luck to all.

xo gibbos

famousthecat

Hugs, lady, it sounds like you've been through a LOT this year! How are you feeling about the upcoming surgery?

My story: just got my date for my preventive bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction (October 3). I'm glad we have a date, but wow, less than a month away feels way too soon. I had microcalcifications show up at my mammogram in May (my second mammo ever - just turned 40), which led to biopsy and ADH, which led to a lumpectomy and DCIS, lowest grade, small area, without clear margins. So I had to decide if I wanted to treat the DCIS with another lumpectomy and hormone therapy, lots of monitoring and more biopsies, with a 50% lifetime chance of getting a more invasive cancer... Or just get rid of my breasts and be done with all of that. Actually, it wasn't much of a question at all!

But the reality of it still really sucks, and I've got two young boys for whom I'm the primary caretaker. I've got amazing help and support (seriously, AMAZING), and I'm so thankful for that. Hoping for speedy recoveries for all the October surgeries out there!

Oh, and in the middle of all of this, we moved to a new state where we didn't know anyone and my husband got a new job. 😂 But it's all working out beautifully, and I feel like we've landed in just the right place for us.

gibbos

famousthecat,

Wow. You’ve got your own craziness going on! You are going through what I went through 15 years ago, and good for you do you have a BMX this time. I wish I had. Then I wouldn’t be having another onenow. What kind of reconstruction are you going to have?

I have three doctors appointments in the next three days, breast surgeon and two plastic surgeons to discuss various options. I just can’t make up my mind

I’m glad you have a lot of support. None of this is easy but it must be harder in a new environment and with two little ones around! Good luck.

gibbos

bump

famousthecat

Oh, good luck facing all those doctor appointments! I had a really hard time deciding between going flat and reconstruction, and my first appointment with the plastic surgeon left me in tears, just facing that tough decision and knowing I was the only one who could make it. I just wanted someone to make it for me! Go in with all your questions, and see what you think. There's an awesome group on Facebook called Flat and Fabulous, with some amazing ladies in it.

I decided in the end we'll try implants (it was my only option really if I wanted to reconstruct) - they are on the small side and above the pectoral muscle, so hopefully upper body strength won't be impacted and recovery will be easier (maybe?). I actually had a second appointment with the plastic surgeon yesterday because she suggested a larger size than I wanted, and we'll try to go direct to implant. I'm frankly pretty scared of the whole reconstruction process. I kept trying to figure out which way would leave me feeling more like myself, flat or with implants. I'm still not sure I'll know until after the surgery, but best guesses are all we've got.

It really is a lot, isn't it? You'll be two days post-op when I go in for mine.

gibbos

famousthecat,

I’m having the same kind of reconstruction you are. I think you will be glad you decided to do reconstruction. When I went through the other breast 15 years ago, I really didn’t want an implant and thought about going flat. But I did a lat flap with an implant and I’m glad I did. They did a good job and after a while when I looked in the mirror all I saw was me, and I eventually just stop thinking about breast cancer

My surgery had now been moved to Sept 24- a week earlier and less than two weeks away. I have s lot to do!

famousthecat

Bump! Any other October surgeries out there? Keep me company while I wait for October 3 to roll around for my double mastectomy. 😲

gibbos

Can’t believe there are no other October’s out there! There must be....

I also can’t believe my surgery is Tuesday. My bag is all packed and ready to go. I’m a little freaked out but I guess it will be over before I know it.( I hope. I’m still an honorary Oct..my bday is Oct 3!)

I’ll post updates after surgery so hopefully that will help you!

I keep telling myself… This will be over soon!

palmetto

Hello all, joining the thread as I just got my surgery date confirmed yesterday for October 28. I'll be getting a nipple sparing DMx with immediate DIEP reconstruction. Excited... nervous. I'll be finishing up my chemo next week. So much seems to be happening so fast.

chek2inGA

Hi Famousthecat and everyone else!

I am actually a July surgery (preventive double mastectomy with tissue expanders) and my exchange surgery with fat grafting is scheduled October 10th. This has been one crazy ride so far. I was off work for six weeks recovering from surgery #1. I went back to work on September 9th and am truly counting the days until surgery #2. My tissue expanders are now filled to 600cc. I am 5'4 and typically weigh 138 pounds. I'm weighing in at 146 currently due to the added weight of the tissue expanders (be warned... these things are HEAVY). I miss sleeping in my bed. I haven't been able to do that since the night before surgery #1. Everyone who has had this same journey has told me that the exchange surgery is much easier to recover from than the mastectomy. I'll be sure to let you all know if that is the case. In the meantime I will be praying for each of you precious ladies and hoping for the best for all.

Hugs-

Michelle

famousthecat

Palmetto, I'm thinking of you! We are going to attempt direct to implant with nipple sparing DMX - I'll be sure to share anything that helps me here for everyone later in the month. And chek2inGA, I'll be eager to hear how it goes for you and sending all the good vibes! I may wake up with tissue expanders if they can't do direct to implant. Not sleeping in your own bed that long sounds rough. Has it just been impossible to lie down completely? I didn't realize that was a possibility with tissue expanders. Here's to many well slept nights soon enough for you.

Eigna

I’m joining this thread too. I have a lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy scheduled for October 10th. I can’t wait to get it done even though I’m scared but the wait is way to long.

Mammogram was done end of May. Ultrasound in July and Biopsy in August. Diagnosed end of August so it’s about time i get this thing going. I have two young kids to take care of and I want to be there for them for a long while. I just hope I won’t need chemo but I have to wait for the Oncotype results after surgery. Wishing all of you good luck with your surgeries.

famousthecat

Hugs, eigna. I'm hoping the lumpectomy can take care of all the surgical part of it for you and you can keep moving forward. With little kids, it makes it all the more difficult and just hard emotionally, I feel like. I've got a kiddo who just started kindergarten and another in trying to get settled into preschool. I'm madly sewing Halloween costumes because I don't know how I'll be feeling soon enough. 💚

Gibbos, I'll be sending lots of love on Tuesday! Holy criminy, that's soon. Are you feeling okay? Ready? Scared? All of the above?

Teslafied

Hello. I am new to the forum and my lumpectomy is scheduled for Oct. 3rd.  I’m having 4 Magseed placements and lymph node injections the day before (left breast only). I was hoping there is someone who can give their experience with these two procedures.  About how long do they take?  I have an Rx for Emla cream which is supposed to numb the nipple, but just want to know if the cream actually helps or do the injections still hurt really bad?  Thank you - I’m glad I found this group. 

gibbos

Eigna- that’s a long time to wait and worry. And even harder and more stressful with little kids.

Teslafied- I had a radioactive seed localization prior to my lumpectomy surgery in May. I think it’s different than what you are having though. My procedure was more like the biopsy. It was a little uncomfortable but not painful. Good luck with it

Famous- i’m as ready as I’m going to be and yes I’m nervous. I have told my plastic surgeon absolutely no expanders. So I don’t know what will happen if they can’t go direct to implant. The possibility was never really mentioned. Thank goodness i have plenty to do to keep me busy tomorrow and hope to get some sleep tomorrow night. My surgery time is 7:30 Tuesday morning. I’ll report in as soon as I’m able 🙂

Best of luck to all of you!

gibbos

Eigna- that's a long time to wait and worry. And even harder and more stressful with little kids.

Teslafied- I had a radioactive seed localization prior to my lumpectomy surgery in May. I think it's different than what you are having though. My procedure was more like the biopsy. It was a little uncomfortable but not painful. Good luck with it

Famous- i'm as ready as I'm going to be and yes I'm nervous. I have told my plastic surgeon absolutely no expanders. So I don't know what will happen if they can't go direct to implant. The possibility was never really mentioned. Thank goodness i have plenty to do to keep me busy tomorrow and hope to get some sleep tomorrow night. My surgery time is 7:30 Tuesday morning. I'll report in as soon as I'm able 🙂

Best of luck to all of you!

Teslafied

gibbos-Thanks for the reply. Yes, it’s the same procedure. I have already had biopsies done by mammogram, US and MRI, and I got thru all of those just fine. After they do the Magseed placements, then they’re going to do the lymph node injections. That’s the one that requires me to use the Emla cream. The lymph node injections I heard can be very painful ☹️

gretchy

I just thought I would say hello. I'm expecting a double masectomy in mid October. I meet with the PS this Friday Sept 25th then I guess they will coordinate a surgery date with my BC. Grateful I'll have this forum to go to. Good luck everyone!

BAMR

Finished chemo on Sept 6th and I'm scheduled for Oct. 10 surgery. Hopefully, it will be bilateral lumpectomy with oncoplasty. My BS does the whole thing with her bs partner and there isn't a PS involved. I'm having an MRI tonight that will show what's left in my breasts after chemo but we're expecting the tumors in both breasts to be small enough to do lumpectomies. Both breast surgeons are trained in oncoplastic surgery. I meet again with the BS on Oct. 3rd although I'm hoping she calls me before then to confirm that it will be lumpectomy and not bilateral mastectomy.

famousthecat

Let's send all our good vibes and love to gibbos today! Hoping for the best for you. 💚💚

1. Teslafied, I can't speak to the lymph nodes at all, but the radioactive seed placement I had before my lumpectomy was a piece of cake physically. It was a little weird because I had a needle sticking out of my breast as they did mammogram after mammogram to make sure it was in the right place, but I told them how horrific my biopsy was and urged them to make this as non traumatic as possible. I did not feel a thing.

famousthecat

Gretchy, I'll be doing a bilateral mastectomy on October 3. Hopefully my experience will help you! And fingers crossed for lumpectomy for you, BAMR. How are you feeling after chemo?

rweeden

Hi Everyone! I have a tentative date for DMX on 10/16. I say tentative because I have an appt. this Friday for a second opinion, and still will do CT scan (bone and chest/lungs) prior. I brought my husband with me to the recent appointment where the surgeons reviewed my options, and I am so glad I did. Having him there and hearing it all firsthand was wonderful - I didn't have to recall everything for him, and he was able to ask some questions he had as well.

I was first diagnosed last month with papillary carcinoma, and a subsequent MRI showed more than half of my right breast was worrisome. Not to mention a lymph node that didn't look too great. Left breast was clear - but given my young (hah!) age of 42 and dense breasts, not to mention peace of mind, I think DMX is the right course of action. Still uncertain what will happen after surgery... I am realizing this whole cancer thing really is one step at a time! Wishing everyone well.

gibbos

Thanks for the ❤️ And support gals. It’s all over and I feel good!! Surgery went really well


I’m now officially 9 hours post op. Have to say this is nothing like the aftermath of the other MX 15 years ago (Lat Flap) Only one drain.(.on the left (MX side). I’ve already been out of bed 2x to use the restroom Yay!! I’m On Percocet every 4 hours but went 6 on last one.


Have no idea what the final result looks like but I’m sure all will be revealed tomorrow.


💤💤

famousthecat

Gibbos, so glad to hear from you and that you're doing well! 💚💚💚 Hoping your recovery is as smooth as can be.

chek2inGA

It's so wonderful to hear that Gibbos is doing well . Please be sure to get as much rest as possible- don't overdo it!

gibbos

Hi famous and everyone-

I’m doing pretty well. Op was about 3 1/2 hours. This just seems like a breeze compared to my shoulder injury/trauma in March. I can’t tell you what I look like bc I’m bandaged. I’m wearing the surgical support bra they put on me in the OR. the Percocet is working well but I don’t want to take it forever! My left breast is really sore, right side was the implant exchange and thst does feel too bad

Was up in a chair for about an hour, and went for a walk up and down the hall. I’ll be released tomorrow afternoon.

Let the healing begin 😍

naalehunet

Aloha to all - my BMX with left sentinel nodes is scheduled for October 10th - no reconstruction. The surgery support suggestions have been so helpful that I feel pretty prepared. My problem is with the standard Onc tests on my Lobular carcinoma which are not very good predictors of reoccurrence - I want to avoid chemo, if possible, so need the LobSig testing that is not commercially available. Hope my physicians can figure out what genes to actually consider and arrange to provide us with this guidance. Best wishes for speedy recoveries - my oncologist pointed out that when my tumor is removed, I will be cancer-free (we hope!). May your surgeries make you cancer-free!

famousthecat

Naalehunet, I'm so scared they are going to find something more or different in my breast tissue after surgery! I really, really want this to be it - get rid of breasts, no more cancer risk (or very little anyway).

My other big worry is with reconstruction. I was so on the fence about going flat or reconstructing. It was definitely a tear inducing major stressor, trying to figure that one out.

My son's preschool teacher asked me this morning when my surgery was and realized it is a week from today. I'm... Scared and stressed and worried about everything and everyone, and I really just wish I didn't have to do this, even though I know it's the only decision I'd feel all right with. But dang...

gibbos

I am home! I’m exhausted and sore but glad to be here with my kitties. I was worried about getting in/ out of bed, but I’m doing fine. I’m managing the pain with Tylenol. My PS I can shower whenever I want to. The drain is really annoying. That said/ there is almost nothing coming out of it so hopefully it won’t be there too long.

famous- I hear you about the tissue. I’m not sure when I’ll get my path results. I think you always worry. I figured thst I would try the reconstruction , and if I didn’t like it I’d go flat I’m happy with my decision but of course I haven’t really seen the results yet

Good luck for next week and Oct 3.

And for everyone who is coming up

mallokg

---

As long as my genetic testing and all other tests come back negative, I will have a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on October 28. Praying that this little cancer is staying put and not trying to explore any other areas!

Szkodzt

Hello! I currently have surgery scheduled for Oct 16th - lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. This is assuming that the genetic testing and MRI go well. Genetic testing was last Thursday but results take two weeks. I have a large family with no BC or OC, however still needed the testing because I am 40. Also, MRI I was supposed to have yesterday was rescheduled for Friday because of machine issues. Hoping that nothing else shows up on the MRI that didn’t show up on all the various mammograms. If so, surgery may change