November 2009 Mastectomy

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  • chele
    chele Member Posts: 1,465
    edited November 2009

    I'll be having bi-lateral masectomy Nov. 18th., no reconstruction.  The MRI found two additional suspicious spots in my cancerous breast.  I'm not interested in doing an MRI guided biopsy to see if they're cancerous.  I'll just get rid of them both and be done with it!  If I'm lucky my lymph nodes are clean and I won't even have to do chemo!

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  • rebetata
    rebetata Member Posts: 539
    edited November 2009

     MsMarilyn you made my day thank you for saying that. I hope all goes weel for you\

    Rebecca

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    Rebecca,

    You do belong here too. I think it helps to read how others have gone through it and made it okay. You stay put, ok?

    MsMarilyn, we're praying for you!!!!

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  • Stonebrook108
    Stonebrook108 Member Posts: 237
    edited November 2009

    Marilyn,

     I had bil mast. with direct implants like what your having. I will tell you that I had really no pain. I expected lots of pain and there was none. Just a feeling of tightness and being sore The drains were the worst part. I came home the day after my surgery too.

    Having the direct implants is nothing like having tissue expanders. The expanders are painful from what I've heard.

    Best of luck

    Ann

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  • 2Hands4me
    2Hands4me Member Posts: 484
    edited November 2009

    I'm back! And I'm so thankful to be doing very well! I had requested an early surgery time but ended up with 11:20. We went out to supper Monday evening (something we seldom do) for my "last meal"! When we returned home, we had a message that my time had been moved up and I was to go in at 6:45! Whew! Time to shift gears! But I was glad to do so! It just meant getting up at 5:15 in order to shower and leave at 6:15! Just as we got to the hospital, there was the most gorgeous sunrise! (I'm seldom up early enough to see one, or too busy to notice, so it was really special!). I took several pictures from the road, and then from the parking garage. It was an extra-special gift from God, reminding me again of His Promise to be with me!

    I woke up in recovery 10 minutes after getting there and hurt only slightly and felt a little cool. A small dose of pain med and some warm blankets and I felt a little drowsy but actually stayed awake and felt fine. Last time, I was nauseated for 24 hours so I had told the anesthesiologist and he said he would change some things. I have not been nauseated at all this time - actually hungry after going so long without food! Came home yesterday about 4:15 and kept thinking of things I needed to find or check - it was hard to sit in the recliner because I really didn't feel like I needed to sit! Actually loaded the dishwasher - just a few dishes! Last time, I did hardly anything except sit and take care of the drains and read - for a couple weeks! This time, I feel like I could manage supper tonight - a casserole from the refrigerator - but will probably let the boys do it this week! No pain meds since 3pm yesterday! Just dealing with the necessary stool softener issues!

    Marilyn - What a brillant answer to your daughter! And so true! Thoughts and prayers are with you as you have surgery today.

    vick614 - so sorry about your continued pain issues! I'm assuming you have something like Vicodan ordered, and are taking it as often as you can? If you have something less strong, maybe you can call your doctor and let him know how uncomfortable you are. I don't think it should be this uncomfortable this far out, but I don't have the TE experience. Maybe you could add some Advil alternately wuith the Vicodan? Sometimes another medication that acts in a different way can help the pain med work better.

    Margee_J/alaun/Leslie and grakenmom - How are all of you doing? Please update us as soon as you can. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

    Welcome to jaroncam and chele - I'll add you to the list. Let us know if you have questions! And do you know where to find the forum about what to take to the hospital for surgery?

    rebetata - YES, Please stay here! You started here and are more than welcome! We'll just extend our list by one day and you can still consider this your home! Glad you have a date to work towards - it helps to plan all the details!

    Melinda4 and Peggio and any others that I may have missed - Thank-you so much for stopping in to encourage us! It helps to hear from those who have successfully completed this course! I know that I was basically feeling back to normal before I started all over - so by 6- 8 months from now, we'll be there too. Depending of course on chemo, radiation, and reconstruction!

    Well, I'd better go rest awhile again - I don't want to overdue even though I feel great! I've been up at the computer and with some visitors for about an hour and a half..... I'll check back when I can. Thank-you for your thoughts and prayers - they make a tremendous difference!.

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  • Leslie1962
    Leslie1962 Member Posts: 233
    edited November 2009

    Hi ladies,

    Made it through the bilateral mastectomy. Surgery and care in hospital was great. I also had lymph node dissection at the same time so the bad side hurts a little more than the other. Drains are doing okay. My question is that I seem to have this "sunken" look on both sides. Is that normal or just due to swelling and the compression bra that I have to wear? If anyone has ideas or experienced the same I would really like to hear about it. Hope everyone's surgery and recovery this week has gone well. Good luck to those who have surgeries next week!

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    Stonebrook108: What are direct implants and how are they different than TE? Can you have those because you're small-busted? 

    Leslie1962 and 2Hands4Me:  So good to hear from you both and that you're doing so well! I'm almost jealous that you're on the other side of all this awful waiting! 2Hands, I got tears in my eyes just now reading about God's sunrise of promise to you. You needed that! He knew that.

    Ok, Ladies: Please tell me if I'm a nut-case or normal.... My surgery's next Wed.  Each day I keep thinking,"Today's the last Friday I'll ever have 2 boobs."  Did anyone else ever have those kinds of thoughts?

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  • 2Hands4me
    2Hands4me Member Posts: 484
    edited November 2009

    Leslie1962 - So good to hear from you! My guess is that the "sunken" look you are noticing is the loss of breast tissue. After my surgery in February, I was amazed at how sore I was clear to my collar bone. I did some reading and found out that breast tissue extends up to the collar bone and around to the underarm. So, while your incision is in the middle of where your breast was, they reach up inside and get all the breast tissue from everywhere. Now, you're used to the poofiness of the breast tissue padding and it is now gone - making your chest seem 'sunken".

    dmorgan2 - You are normal!!!! Or I'm a nut-case too!!!! I had those scrapbooking days to keep me occupied, so didn't focus alot on the reality of surgery until Saturday. Then, there was my last time to wash my hair before surgery, the last Sunday before surgery, the last time to do my own laundry before surgery, the last lunch before surgery, the last meal before surgery, etc. You will probably find some surprising things after surgery. Your brain has had these boobs for as long as you know - and I found after surgery in February that I automatically washed under my right breast, dried under my right breast, etc!!!!! Now, I'm used to no right breast but my brain hasn't realized that my left is gone, so when it itches, I scratch, and am surprised to find my hand go further than I thought it would! I don't think about it until it happens, then my brain registers surprise! But, we will adjust.

    Everyone copes differently - I told someone yesterday that it's better than losing an arm or a leg or a head!!!! Hope this doesn't bother anyone - it's just that for me - I CHOOSE to look on the positive side and that is no more cancer on the right, no more possibility on the left, no more mammograms, ultrasounds, MRI's, or Bx!!!!! I knew this was God's path and I have His Peace. I'm fully aware at the same time that it is more traumatic to have such a body image change for some of you. And that's OK too. The main thing is to focus on the loss, talk if it helps, feel the pain, sorrow or whatever emotion, and NOT stuff the feelings. They may only surface years later, triggered by some other event. I will tell you that it is unchangeable - when I woke up the first time, I looked right away and was amazed at the finality of NEVER seeing that breast again. But it WAS OK - just very final. This time, I expected that and maybe spent a little more time "feeling" that reality before the surgery. It's OK to say "good-bye". I asked my husband if he wanted one last feel - and the anesthesiologist walked in! I don't think he knew.....because of the sheets and blanket.....but we did almost get caught!!! Now, my chest is smaller than my husbands and he's jealous, but NOT going to have a breast reduction! I know I can get a raise out of him to suggest it!!!! And now, my stomach seems much bigger since it shows more! SIGH!!!!!

    Thinking of all of you - waiting to hear from the others that haven't checked back in. God bless you all.

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  • rebetata
    rebetata Member Posts: 539
    edited November 2009

       2hands4me so glad to hear you are doing well you are incredibly positive women. MsMarilyn I have been thinking about you a lot today I hope everything is going good for you I hope you have a s little pain as possible I will look forward to hearing from you. I will go away for the weekend to try and get things off my mind since I have 2 weeks of a waiting now.

    Rebecca

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  • MsMarilyn
    MsMarilyn Member Posts: 125
    edited November 2009
    Home Sweet Home!

    I just got home from the hospital.  And I'm VERY sore, I have two drain tubes (one on each side) and I can't take a deep breath without a lot of pain.

    This morning I cried like a baby when I seen my surgical scars, seeing pictures on line or at the doctors office isn't the same as seeing them on yourself.  Going from DD's to flast chested was well...  I don't have the words right now...but they were able to put 200 cc in the expanders.

    I'll post more later when I'm not hurting so bad.  But right now I need to go rest.  Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, I know God heard them all.

    All my love,
    Marilyn
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  • 2Hands4me
    2Hands4me Member Posts: 484
    edited November 2009

    Ms Marilyn - so glad you're home. Rest and take your pain meds for now - along with plenty of deep breaths (carefully!). You really do need to prevent shallow breathing and fluid in your lungs after anesthesia.

    I'm still doing very well - but very tired from showering this morning. I removed the dressing, showered, then replaced the dressing only around the drain site. It feels much better without all that tape everywhere! Just returned from a walk around the block - no further than yesterday, but a little quicker! Last time, I barely made it half a block to the stop sign a week after surgery!!!! I'm so thankful. Everyone progresses at different rates and it is important NOT to overdue. Type of surgery makes a big difference too!

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  • MsMarilyn
    MsMarilyn Member Posts: 125
    edited November 2009

    I don't have any tape on me just a surgical bra that 2 sizes too small.  Oh I'm taking deep breaths and still working that breathing thingy (dont know what it's called) they gave me at the hospital, 10 times an hour for every hour I'm awake.  I'm getting around pretty good... it just hurts to breathe because of the expanders and I can't move my arms all that well.

    Well I just took my meds and now it's time for me to get in the recliner and ready my book.

    Extra Gentle Hugs to All!!

    Marilyn

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  • 2Hands4me
    2Hands4me Member Posts: 484
    edited November 2009

    Extra Gentle Hugs back to you and all who need them! Aren't books great when we can get a chance to read? Rest plenty..... and compare your progress from more than the last few hours!  It will get better! God's blessings to you.

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  • Stonebrook108
    Stonebrook108 Member Posts: 237
    edited November 2009

    Marilyn,

    Glad to hear your home. Try not to use your arms too much. That will cause more fluid to build up and take longer for the drains to be removed. The less CC'S in the drains the better.

    Ann

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  • keznick
    keznick Member Posts: 45
    edited November 2009

    Hi all, sorry I've been slow to update. Hugs to everyone who is recovering now. So many surgeries for everyone!

    My surgery was last Wednesday and I was in for 2 nights, home on Friday morning, thank goodness (had a noisy roommate!). Only had some pain when in the recovery room, once in my own room, it was mostly nausea and puking, of course. I'm really surprised about the lack of pain in the incision. Although because of the node removal, it's quite tingly and numb under my arm. Everyday brings a different sensation it seems!

    I've had homecare coming by and they change the dressing and such. All of them have said it's the best incision they've ever seen, very clean and nice looking (if there is such a thing? haha). I can look at it now and see that it is a very fine line and not a huge slash like I thought it would be.

    They said I'm healing quickly and nicely. Still have 1 drain in though :-(. It could've come out Tues but they got confused so on Wed when they were going to remove it, there was a whole whack of fluid from the night, 40cc for 9 hours, so now I have to wait until Sunday (as it has to be under 20 cc/day for 2 days in a row, damnit).

    I did my half shower today and washed my hair myself while leaning over the tub. Felt alive enough to go out and do some shopping. It was great to be out of the house, although I feel a bit bulky with the drain bag, but I can suck it up for 2 more days.

    I have to say, the pain wasn't as bad as I imagined, at all. The sentinel node thing was a piece of cake as well. I had used the whole tube of cream they gave me and only felt a little of the 4th needle. Easy-peasy. It's weird but my mental state is the best it's been in the past couple months. Even my friends have remarked how much calmer and relaxed I am. Now I just need to heal up before the next hurdle ... chemo.

    Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and wishes. I wish everyone the best as well and speedy recoveries for us all!!!!! Find out my pathology report on Monday, fingers crossed for some good news (although there was cancer in one of the lymph nodes, it's all so confusing!).

    take care,
    nic

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  • yogamommy
    yogamommy Member Posts: 115
    edited November 2009

    2Hands, Marilyn, Kesnik and Leslie *I hope i have all that right __ great to hear from you gals.  I want to just say that my TE pain got sooo much better after 5 days.  I couldn't imagine "getting used to" this feeling of the iron bra, but I have somehow.  I still have 1 more drain in out of 4. 

    Rebecca _ of course you're part of the November group!

    Regarding my surgery decision, I am very happy about it.  My path report showed NED at all (I had neo-adjuvant chemo) but interestingly there looked like some spots that would become DCIS.  So, I am glad I did not go for a lumpectomy.   And hurray for the complete pathological response.  I pray that I just move on, enjoy my life, live healthily and faithfully.

    Vickie 

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  • klml4
    klml4 Member Posts: 60
    edited November 2009

    is there a list for December yet??  I've been looking around but couldnt find anything.  I have having bilateral mx on December 4th. 

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    MsMarilyn,

    Welcome home! I am so glad it's over with for you! You have been on my mind so much the last 2 days! You must be doing well to be able to write the day after your surgery!

    'Glad you're home!

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  • MsMarilyn
    MsMarilyn Member Posts: 125
    edited November 2009

    I want to thank each and every lady here that's given me their support, caring words and understanding.  We have become a family on here and I want you all to know that I'm here for you anytime you need me as well.   And I'll give you my phone number in PM if you ever just need to talk with someone.

    I should know the results of my pathology report by Friday and then I'll know the the rest of my battle plan

    I've been feeling pretty good (over all) my main complaint is the surgical bra I have to wear.  It's digging into my skin and now it's raw and peeling some.  I have a home health care nurse coming over later today and I'm going to ask her if I can just wear one of my sports bras that I bought, they are a size smaller than I usually wear and they close in the front.  It doesn't hurt to ask... I just don't like the bra I have on now rubbing against my raw skin all day and night.

    Oh I also wanted to share something my daughter said.  I was complaining to my sister about the surgical bra and what it was doing to my skin.  Samantha looked me in the eyes said "It just doesn't make any sense that you have to wear a bra when you don't have any boobies!" 

    I don't think I've laughed that hard in ages... it hurt to laugh like that but it was the best medicine I could have taken!

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  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited November 2009

    Hi ladies,

    I have been reading the posts here for a while anticipating my surgery in November.  Your strength and support to each other made it easier for me to mentally prepare.  Thank you!

    I got the call this Wednesday that my surgery will be next Tuesday Nov 17.  Oh boy!  At least less time to stress although finishing things for work and around the house will be crazy.

    I will be having a BMX with lymph node removal on the BC side and TE's installed at the same time.  I have already done 14 weeks of taxol while working with minimlal SE's and I was lucky to keep most of my hair. Although, no hair might have been easier for the recovery!  It was a hard decision to do the double and I am calmer now I have decided.  After the path results I will know what more chemo I will do and if I need rads.

    For me this is now taking on a whole new level of reality.  Oh well, I keep telling my friends, it is what it is.  This is not for ever and we can all get through this one step at a time.

    All the best and have a good weekend!

    YoYo

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  • mejustme09
    mejustme09 Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2009

    You can add me

    November 24th DM 

    ?future reconstruction implants?

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  • mejustme09
    mejustme09 Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2009

    You can add me

    November 24th DM 

    ?future reconstruction implants?

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  • 2Hands4me
    2Hands4me Member Posts: 484
    edited November 2009

    keznick - glad to hear back from you. Sounds like you're doing OK. If you don't know path report yet, how do you know lymph node involvement? Was it sentinal lymph node?

    vick614 - so glad your pain has improved! One drain to go!!!!! I only have one and it's OK - but I sure won't miss it either! 2 more days, I think!

    MsMarilyn- surgical bra? Great story - yes, laughter is GREAT medicene! I don't think it should be so tight as to be causing that much skin irritation. I only had a camisole - but no reconstruction, so that makes a difference. I switched to a sports bra today due to extra puffiness under my arm. My husband says the right was the same (how quick we forget!), but I want it decreased and no fluid left behind, so thought some slight compression might help!

    YoYo44 and mejustme09 - I'll add you to the list. Let us know what we can help with.

    klm14 - I'll look to see if there's a December list - but it just depends who starts one! No one started one for Nov. and I had so appreciated the one in February - so I ended up starting this one. If you start it - only you can edit the original post to add new ladies to the list. (There was one in the reconstruction forum but since I wasn't having reconstruction, I didn't "fit" there!).

    Some of my favorite after surgery tips - a lanyard works great in the shower to hold drains; a "sqwish" pillow works great over the incision for comfort, warmth and decreased pain; stool softeners and/or prune juice are a MUST(!!!); gradually return to activities but avoid overdoing (a very fine line at times!). If anyone is interested in a checklist for after surgery self-care, I can have my husband e-mail one to you. (PM me with your address!). It includes drain care, deep breathing, rest periods, times you take meds, and any other symptoms that develop. It's been nice to look back to my progress (SLOW!!!!) in February and compare to this time! Believe me - you will forget! I tend to want the details, and it helps me remember what else I need to do yet to keep up and prevent any problems!

    Thinking of you all!!!

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  • Beets
    Beets Member Posts: 15
    edited November 2009

    Had a bilateral mx w/nipple sparing and immediate reconstruction on the 5th of Nov. Curious about others drain experiences. I still seem to be producing quite a bit of fluid. Wondering if there is something I can do to expediate their removal.

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  • MsMarilyn
    MsMarilyn Member Posts: 125
    edited November 2009

    They offered to send a nurse to my home before I left the hospital and of course I accepted the extra help...  She said that everything is looking good and that the surgical bra was too tight because of the swelling.  So she helped me put on one of my sports bras and whew... talk about feeling MUCH BETTER!

    The drain tube was also getting pinched some and now it's draining like it's suppose to.. another Woo Hoo!!   Now the pressure isn't as bad and I can actually take a slow deep breath.  But I was told that I needed to slow down and not do as much.   My question is how do you do even less when all I've done is sit and relax in a recliner?  Not sure how but I'll figure it out...

    But on a more serious note...

    I was scared about having this surgery done... how I would feel about being flat chested again (haven't been flat since I was 10 yrs old).. how would I deal with the pain... and on and on.  I didn't have my breasts removed... I had the cancer removed!  Being flat again.. well I have the TE's in and now I get to watch my boobs grow again.. but this time I get to decide how big they get..Laughing As far as the pain is concerned... it's nothing to the pain of leaving my little girl.  I'm at peace with my choices and with my new flat chest.

    The pain isn't as bad as you might think, which really surprised me the most!  I'm just so glad that I found you all here and had the support, love and prayers.

    So if ANYONE needs to talk, just give me a shout.  I'm here for you and just remember your not alone... here none of us are alone.

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  • Liz000
    Liz000 Member Posts: 69
    edited November 2009

    Hi Ladies,

    Now I'm on the top of the list. Hope everybody before me recover well. I'm nervous, scared but at the same time the waiting is almost over. After two unsuccessful lumpectomies I REALLY want this cancer out! Will try to enjoy tomorrow and then...the big day.

    YoYo, I'll think of you in the hospital...

    Liz

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  • KEW
    KEW Member Posts: 745
    edited November 2009

    YoYo--I had my BLM, SNB, and TEs on November 17th 2008, I will be thinking of you on Tuesday.  I'm taking the day off of work, having a facial, massage, mani, pedi,  taking cupcakes to my BS and PS offices, and then in the evening I will go to my Pilate's reformer class. It hasn't been an easy year, but it has been a good year, and the new me is coming through.

    You are right, it is what it is and you will move through it, look what you've already gone through with chemo.  Don't worry too much about the house!  Let others help you as much as possible. If you have any questions don't hesitate to PM me. 

    I wish you all the best and look forward to hearing how it goes for you.

    Good luck to all the November ladies. 

    Hugs--KarenW 

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  • mejustme09
    mejustme09 Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2009

    Here is a journal I found helpful and interesting. 

    I hope you all do as well.

    http://lianne-brca2.livejournal.com/

    Much care and concern for all of you~

    xoxo 

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  • YoYo44
    YoYo44 Member Posts: 203
    edited November 2009

    Thanks for the welcome ladies.

    Liz, good luck tomorrow. I will think of you as well. It's hard to believe the time is here already.

    Karen, thank you for your message.  Thank you for taking the time to to write such a positive message.  It really is hard to believe this will end sometimes.  You give me some more hope and focus.  Small steps.  It's a bit like driving sometimes; look to where you want to go.  Meanwhile life continues-some of it great and some of it not so much.

    Funny how this whole BC thing draws out the philosopher in a person!Wink

    All the best ladies!

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  • 2Hands4me
    2Hands4me Member Posts: 484
    edited November 2009

    Beets - I've heard that avoiding pulling, stretching and pushing with your arm will help decrease the fluid that comes out of the drain. They reach up under the skin to remove breast tissue from as far as your collar bone and underarm so these areas have been separated and need to re-adhere to each other. Until they do, our bodies produce fluid. Some can be reabsorbed. My surgeon says below 55cc in 24 hours is minimum but 30cc is better. But other surgeons will have different levels. And I haven't had reconstruc. so your case may be slightly different.

    MsMarilyn - glad your sports bra is so much more comfortable! And that your tube is draining better! Thank-you for sharing your feelings. It helps to know others thoughts. Friends may not truly understand, though they try, but the ladies here do!

    Thank-you for jumping in, KEW! It really helps to remember that "this too shall pass!". Enjoy your special day!!! Before you know it, the rest of us November ladies will be planning our anniversary!

    Thinking of you Liz000. Enjoy your day today, take one step at a time tomorrow, and we'll be waiting to hear back from you when you return home. God bless you!

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