Any surgeries scheduled for October?

NoMoreKindaCCups

Hi Teslafied, I'm curious if you had a breast MRI before the lumpectomy? Or even since the pathology report? My friend had 2 lumpectomies on the same breast - this was 12 years ago - both came back without clean margins. She wasn't offered the MRI. They ultimately had to do a unilateral mastectomy. I truly hope you aren't in the same boat and I hope your next surgery is successful. Cancer is so damn tricky!

I was on the road to an easy lumpectomy myself until everything came to a screeching halt with the MRI. Surgery was cancelled, new plans had to be made. My BS said there was no way to save the left breast with what it found. He showed me the MRI and I could see that too.

So glad you're not feeling much pain and healing so well - that's awesome!

Miranda5579

Hi all! I had a UMX (left) with immediate saline implant reconstruction on 10/1. I am doing good. I am down to one drain (from 2 and a wound vac)- waiting for the final pathology, but we expect no surprises.

For the upcoming surgeries, I just wanted to say from my experience, it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Yes, tough seeing a nippleless boob after the dressings were removed, but hey, it's a nippleless boob with NO cancer!

Good luck all! You've got this

Teslafied

Hi NoMoreKindaCCups:  yes, I did have an MRI. I have very dense tissue, so my BS told me I am going to have to get one every 6 months for at least 2 years.  But, I originally had a mammogram and ultrasound done in July as I do every year. The US is what showed the abnormality and then all the biopsies were done after that.  Neither myself nor my Dr could feel the mass prior to my surgery.  She told me that the tumor could have been growing for approx 3 years-Yikes!  I’m sorry that you have to go through all this.  Stay positive-that’s what I’ve been doing. 

naalehunet

My two drains come out tomorrow. This makes me wildly happy as my only pain seems to come from them. No one has mentioned what drain removal feels like - I assume it is no big deal. So sorry to hear of further surgeries. May it be successful!

NoMoreKindaCCups

Hi Miranda5579, You have a great attitude and I can't yet imagine the first time I see myself post-surgery. I hope to be able to remember your words of wisdom!

Question for everyone who's made it to the other side - how long did you have to wait for final pathology? Patience is not my strong point...

Teslafied, That's scary to know how long the tumor may have been there and go undetected. I hope your MRI machine always has the padded chest bar! Good luck with your surgery!

Naalehunet, So nice you'll be getting your drains out so quickly! I had drains from surgery on my arms a few years ago. They just clipped the one or two stitches holding the drain in place and then gently pulled the tubing out. It didn't hurt, just felt weird. Sounds like you've healed nicely!

Teslafied

All of my mammogram, US, biopsy reports came back within 2 or 3 days.  My surgery report took 8 days.  I get an email whenever new test results show up in MyChart.  It sucked finding out I had cancer before even talking to my Dr.  The only words I understood at the time were “malignant” and “carcinoma”.   I wasn’t surprised because I have a strong family history (Mom, Aunt, Cousin).  At least with my last pathology report, my BS had it before me, so I got the results directly from her.

The two MRI’s I had were not uncomfortable. They put extra pillows under my stomach which helped. I’m glad that I was able to lay still for so long because I have restless legs.

I applaud all of you who have undergone or are going to have MX.  That must have been the most difficult decision ever to make.

Miranda5579

Naalehunet- Drain removal doesn't hurt, but I agree with NomorekindaCC- it does feel weird.

Teslafied- To me, the biggest decision to make was be super aggressive and go for bilateral mastectomy or only do the unilateral. I didn't want radiation, I'm young and healthy- so for me, mastectomy was a no brainer. I did only do the left- and I'm very happy with my more conservative approach

NoMoreKindaCCups

Another question for those of you who've had BMX where removing one breast was prophylactic: If they don't do a sentinel node biopsy on that side, do you have much better range of motion and easier use of that arm post-surgery? Did you notice much difference in recovery time between the two sides?

My left side will have the SNB and I'm right-handed, so I'm hoping that should help... but maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Eigna

Hello. I had a question for ladies who underwent lumpectomy. It’s day 6 after surgery is it normal to still feel sore when you touch your breast close to the incision? I’m wondering if it’s a seroma

Teslafied

Eigna:  I was lucky enough not to have had any pain after mine.  But everyone heals differently.  When is your first Post-op appt?  If it’s not for a while, I would definitely call.  The only sore area I have is skin irritation from the medical tape I was using to hold a gauze pad over the lymph node incision.  The steristrips are now starting to come off a little on both the lumpectomy and lymph node incisions.  It’s a little itchy, but not painful.  The bruised areas are a little sensitive to the touch, but again, not painful.  The area near my lymph node incision is still a little numb too.  But when I saw my BS last week, she said I was healing beautifully.  Hope your pain goes away soon..

Eigna

Teslafied: I’m notreally in pain but when I touch it’s sore, numb feeling. I left a message with the nurse so she can call me back.

prepmom

NoMoreKinda- Like you I had a BMX (with reconstruction) - prophylactic on the right side, SNB only on my left side. I'm 9 weeks out. At about 2 weeks out, I told my PS that I was having more mobility issues on my right side than left. He was concerned at that and had me see a PT immediately. She's wonderful and was able to get me stretched out, relieving a lot of the tension that was present. Since that point, I've noticed that my right side has progressed at a much faster pace- I probably wouldn't even think about that side if not for the tissue expander. Like you, I am right handed - I try to do most of the 'work' with that arm, allowing the left to rest and recover when possible. I hope this is helpful! Best wishes for your upcoming surgery. You got this!

BAMR

Eigna, I agree with Teslafied about the feelings. I feel itchy on the incisions, but it's not painful. They are all covered with some kind of glue. I think the bra they told me to buy sits right on the ones under my breasts, so that's bothersome. I keep pulling it down. I'm going to buy a bigger size and see if that will help. I have my post-op tomorrow, 7 days after the surgery. I asked yesterday if I could put some kind of ointment, like Aquaphor, on the incisions to help with the itching, but she said not yet.

Did you do okay with the Colace? I was advised to take it in the morning and at night, twice a day, but I could take 2 at the same time if I wanted.

gretchy

yes I am scheduled for a double masectomy with reconstruction tomorrow Thurs Oct 17th at 1pm EST. . please send positive vibes and I'll pray for all of you.

MassGirl55

Nervous again - I am scheduled for surgery on October 30th but I just received a call from my doctor requesting I come tomorrow morning for another magnification mammogram. Thankfully (I guess), during the team meeting yesterday one of the other radiologists questioned an area of calcification on the right lower breast that wasn't something targeted as a "problem" Fingers are crossed it's nothing. Surgery on the right was being done to remove ALH but radiation was only needed on the left for the DCIS. How miserable would radiation be for both breasts!?

BAMR

MassGirl55, I'll be doing radiation on both breasts in November so I'll let you know. I'm hoping it's not any more miserable than doing only one!

Gretchy, I'll be praying for you. The good thing about surgery is you're asleep the whole time. Then, when you wake up, you're in the hospital being totally cared for with pain meds at your fingertips. I think it was harder on my family than on me. Of course, a few days later, you're back home dealing with it, but at least you'll have some rest to begin with.

MassGirl55

Thanks BAMR - good luck. I see you're just recovering from surgery; how are you doing?

Mouse57

Aloha! I am late to the party but I have surgery scheduled for Oct 24. Lumpectomy plus sentinel node biopsy. My consult was Oct 2 at Virginia Mason in Seattle. So far the Ultasound and MRI have nothing in the lymph nodes so fingers crossed. The medical oncologist drew me a whole diagram of treatment options depending on what the pathology and potential OncotypeDX shows.. I have to fly to Seattle but would get chemo (if needed) and radiation close to home.

I've never had surgery before so don't really know what to expect. The mass is 2 cm and at 12:00 8 cm above the nipple. I have large saggy boobs so the incision is nowhere near the nipple. No reconstruction and they will seal me up with dissolvable sutures and glue. I am guessing the lymph node biopsy may be the most bothersome part after surgery. I will stay in Seattle about 4 days after surgery (longer if needed obviously).

I never did get a clear answer about what kind of bra I need so I ordered 7 different front close bras from Amazon and will try them on and return some of them.

I'm actually on vacation now in Hawai'i on Kauai and will have only 4 days back home before I fly to Seattle again. At least it's been a more relaxing way to wait and the team at Virginia Mason said there was no reason not to go on my already planned vacation.

So Aloha

BAMR

Mouse57, what a wonderful vacation! I was told to get the Fruit of the Loom, Women's Comfort Front Close Sport Bra Style 96014. I ordered three from Walmart, under $8 each. You'll need more than one, because you'll wear them all the way through radiation. After surgery, I'm having to wear it 24/7 for 14 days, only taking it off for showers. I find some blood or oozing from the incisions on it every day, but it's fairly comfortable and easily washed. Right now, it sits right on the incisions under my breasts, but I'm using gauze to keep the pressure off. I'm ordering another one in a size bigger because I seem to be quite swollen after surgery. The incision from the SNLB is uncomfortable, too, but the gauze pads are helping.

MassGirl55, I'm feeling better every day. Accidentally reaching for things then realizing I probably shouldn't happens several times a day. I think this surgery will turn out to be the easiest part of all the treatments for me. I realize not everyone will have it this easy, but I am praying for the same result for all of you who are still waiting for your day.

Shybel

Hi Im schedule for Oct 22....feeling really depressed right now,I will be having both breast removed...and can't have reconstruction until sometime in Dec due to high risk factors...my lymph nodes were cancer free,but the breast tissue wasn't....wishing you have a good outcome❤

Shybel

Hi Im schedule for Oct 22....feeling really depressed right now,I will be having both breast removed...and can't have reconstruction until sometime in Dec due to high risk factors...my lymph nodes were cancer free,but the breast tissue wasn't....wishing you have a good outcome Mouse57❤

NoMoreKindaCCups

Hi everyone. I was only off this site for 24 hrs and it's been really busy! Hello to the new people I hadn't seen here before and for those who have been through it already, please keep telling us how you're doing. It helps.

Prepmom - that information is super helpful! I wonder why your right side acted up more than the left though. Glad you had PT available to help you through that. I'm excited that surgery is less than 48 hours away!

Gretchy - I'll be sending you good energy and positive thoughts tomorrow while I run around to my 2 pre-op visits. Close in timing as well as geography. Check in when you feel up to it!

Shybel - sorry you're feeling depressed about all of this. I'm feeling upbeat about getting rid of the cancer, even if it means losing my breasts. Even if you have to wait a little while to start reconstruction, you'll be so busy recovering that the wait period will be over soon. And I've seen several people say that after being flat for a bit, they decide not to go for the reconstruction. Some get prostheses and others just are happy to be flat as is. Love yourself and know that we're all here to support you.

Mouse57 - If a vacation around a wedding is a honeymoon, and a vacation right before your baby is due is a babymoon, what do you call this wonderful Hawaii trip? And why didn't think to do that?

Shybel

Thank you NoMoreKindaCcups....feeling better today...havent decided weather I want reconstruction yet...but it won't matter one way or the other....I just was missing some love ones and it had me feeling a certain way...but your words help me alot...thank you❤

NoMoreKindaCCups

Hi Shybel, I'm glad you're feeling better. Remember that the loved ones you're missing are there with you in spirit supporting you, as are we. Trust that your surgeon(s) have got this, and you'll get through this with flying colors.

Eigna

Nomorekindaccups - Good luck for tomorrow! I am sending you positive vibes!

BAMR - I’m doing fine. Colace did help and some prune juice. Nurse called me this afternoon. It’s normal to feel numb around the incision area. It will take some time to go away.

Eigna

sending positive vibes to gretchky too! You got this

NoMoreKindaCCups

Thanks Eigna! My plastic surgeon drew all over me today as did the nuclear medicine tech marking the sentinel node. With all those sharpies, I'm so tempted to take one and draw smiley faces on my nipples. Just not sure the surgeons would appreciate my sense of humor.

Eigna

🤣🤣🤣 not sure they will like your smiley faces.

NoMoreKindaCCups

Thank you all for the positive vibes! Alive and well. I ❤ dilaudid! Just wanted to send a quick note. Hope everyone is doing well!

Eigna

yeah Nomorekindaccups! Glad you made it. Take it easy!