November 2009 Mastectomy

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  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited November 2009

    Leslie - AC is not a picnic, but it is do-able.  I had dose dense AC and I continued to work almost full time.

    By the way, if you haven't already guessed it, I'm home. DD picked me up this morning.  Pretty much all I did today was heat up some lunch in the microwave.  I have a "pain buster" in which injects novacaine right into the breast and I have to pull that tube out tomorrow or else have someone else pull it out.  So far, pain seems ok. But...wowzee...the hot flashes are wicked.  They're coming every hour, if not more often.  What's that about?

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    JaneM, Glad you're home and able to warm up your food. That's good! Hot flashes? I don't know.

    Take care of yourself! Rest!

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  • Leslie1962
    Leslie1962 Member Posts: 233
    edited November 2009
    Jane_M - If you don't mind me asking, were you menopausal or not prior to treatment? If not, how long before symptoms began? I have been told to expect to be thrown into full-blown menopause by this treatment and my system may never bounce back. Guess it does not really matter, just adds to the symptom list. I am 47 so no more kids in my future; two teens in high school is all my husband and I can handle Wink.
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  • yogamommy
    yogamommy Member Posts: 115
    edited November 2009

    Hi Leslie.

    Chemo, for me, was this period of time where I felt my life was sort of on hold. The AC -- hair fell out by day 13. I had my hair cut off and bound into little ponytails so that maybe I will weave it back in. I had long hair and am so glad I cut my hair off (down to 1 inch) before it fell out. I love (really really love!) my wig, though I wore scarves most of the summer because it was so hot!!



    I did the dose dense AC (every 2 weeks) times 4 weeks. With Emend and Zofran for 3 days, and only a little Decadron (steroid - made me wired and angry), I had no nausea



    I was just fatigued at first. On day 2 after AC tx, I'd get a Neulasta shot to keep up WBCs and I did take iron supp for RBCs and hemoglobin. No Neulasta for me with Taxol.



    2 weeks after my 4th AC, I started my first of 12 weekly Taxols. For me, Taxol was so much worse. I had severe pain in my bones (teeth, wrists, every bone) and took a lot of Vicodin. I tried to work and took a leave of absence (still on leave). Some ppl don't feel that much pain at all. The swelling gets pretty bad by week 7 or so. My ankles were so huge. Everything felt huge. By 4 weeks after tx, the swelling went down.

    And the worst is that you just want to be DONE! And then, voila, it is week 8 or so and you feel close to being done.



    I shaved my head around tx nuber 7 of Taxol and it has been growing in ever since. Eyelashes and eyebrows fell out after tx was over. I use an eyeshadow that matches my wig (the color of my dyed hair lol) with an angled brush. Perfect. And I got slightly wispy bangs cut into my hair to cover the brow area.



    I am 3 weeks post bilateral mx tomorrow and I am so extremely tired - mostly, I think, from the 5 months of chemo.



    Ask anything you want.

    Oh, I did get a port and that worked for me. My veins are not easy to access. And the A is so strong also. Just the way I did it; many don't.



    I was DX at 41 when we were TTC a second child. I haven't had a menstrual cycle since I started chemo and I did not feel "that" menopausal. A little, though.

    I am very blessed with 1 healthy child (a 3 year old daughter) and I will do everything I can to be around for her as long as I can. It was tough to keep a lot of this from her. She knew I had a boo boo, had weekly shots, and then had the boo boo taken out. For me, thinking of my daughter kept me positive and focused.



    Ok, talk soon. When do you start?

    Hugs

    Vickie

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

    Thinking of you tomorrow, WordDoctor. I agree, you will be so relieved to have it all behind you. Recovery IS do-able. One step at a time, and know we're thinking of you and praying for you!

    More tomorrow, it's getting too late!

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  • Leslie1962
    Leslie1962 Member Posts: 233
    edited November 2009

    Vickie:  Thanks for sharing your information, it is very helpful. I am scheduled to have the port placed December 2; two more scans on December 4; and chemotherapy begins December 8. I am also seeing someone today about the lymphedema I have been experiencing. I hope it helps as it is making me miserable!

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I am thankful for this blog-site. I have learned a lot from being here and have made some good friends through it...friends for life. I have felt supported by you when I was very scared.  Thank you!

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

    For anyone who is interested, there's a thread under the forum, "Waiting for test results" called "Abbreviations for newbies". It is helpful when so many of these medical abbreviations show up!

    Leslie - sorry about the lymphedema! These's a web site that is helpful for that also - by the Step up/Speak out organization. If you have trouble finding it, I can get you the exact address. I had to do quite alot of reseach because my surgeon and oncologist all say it doesn't matter with only a SNB. Threads on BCO and several web sites indicate differently. My challenge was what to do for surgery on my left (BP and IV's) - when I'd already had a right mastectomy and SNB! No signs of lymphedema, but I would rather prevent than treat, if possible!

    Everyone - please enjoy your holiday tomorrow! However you spend the day, make it special in some way! My thoughts - even with the breast cancer dx, God has been so good to me and my family this year. He is faithful, always in control, and always keeps His promises. Last year, 2008, was a real challenge, and He NEVER let me down! I appreciate His handiwork in all of the fall colors, I'm thankful for His guidance in all things, and I'm so-o-o-o thankful for family and friends that have been supportive and loving.

    Kim09 and rebetta - I hope you can enjoy Thanksgiving tomorrow also even as you anticipate your surgery to come. Family and friends are so important and relationships are one of the most important "jobs" we have! May God give you a peaceful, enjoyable day - a rest form the trials of dx and decisions.

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited November 2009

    Leslie, really sorry about the lymphedema --phooey!Tongue out But with good help, this too is doable.Smile The StepUp-SpeakOut site that 2Hands mentioned is here:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org

    And the page about finding a well-trained therapist near you is here:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

    There are also pages about all phases of treatment that may help reassure you. Also, there's a lymphedema board here at bc.org where there are (unfortunately!) lots of us "swell" ladies, all happy to help you with it and cheer you along. Feel free to read or join in.

    Hope the rest of this journey is smooth sailing for you!
    Binney

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  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited November 2009

    I was pre-menopausal before chemo and am now post-menopausal.  I am on Femara now.

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  • steeny107
    steeny107 Member Posts: 85
    edited November 2009

    Hi ladies

    I am 4 weeks out since my double mx and AND.  I had immediate reconstruction even though I am about to start 5.5 weeks of Radiation.

    I just want to say please ask about stretching and how soon you should be doing it.

    I didnt get told to do anything and didnt do anything for like 3 weeks and boy am I paying for it now.  When I went for my Radiation consultation, she said we couldnt start till I could get my up and behind my head.  So I had to find a lymph PT specialtist and am doing 2 days a week with her to get my arm in shape so I can start Rads. It is amazing how good it feels after 2 sessions with her but boy was it tight under the arm pit.

    I also wanted to say my scars are amazing and I am willing to share photos with anyone who would like to see them, not being a perv, but I know that it helped me alot to see some pictures and what to expect, even some of the best sites on the web do not do justice to the amazing job my PT did.

    My scars are just a little T and once she completes the nipple the scar will be even smaller as she pulls the T in to make the nipple and then tattoos the aerola.  I am to go back 6 months after the rads for my final implants to be put in and any work to be done from the damage of the rads and for the nipples to be done.

    Just wanted to share that with you all, wish all who are still to have surgery the best of luck and to rest and take your pain meds.  And to all who have completed it well done and every week it gets better.  I found the 3rd week my worst as I was soooo tired but that was my own fault for doing so much the first 2.

    Michelle

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  • cammy2
    cammy2 Member Posts: 42
    edited November 2009

    Sorry to have been so long to check in.  Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts dmorgan2. 

    I just caught up on all the other November surgeries. . I am sending special prayers for you all and tender hugs. 

    Had my bi-lat mx on Friday 11.20.  In general all went well.  Great news is SNB came back clear - hope the pathology report confirms that.  My doc says it is about 80% accurate.  My biggest problem in hospital was nausea - all the pain meds made me vomit- even with anti-nausea iv.  Had to stay an extra night to get it sorted out.  Had them stop the narcotics - took an oral vicodin and did much better.  Then moved to ibuprofen- that is all I am taking now.  Took a vicodin for two nights but pain is actually much less than i had dreaded.  

    SInce home -  have had major swelling in iv arm- laid on my side with arm elevated as much as possible to let gravity help with draining.  It helped a lot - but now I have a big fluid bulge near my elbow that looks like a "lunch lady" arm.  Also experiencing very strange electric type pulses or currents horizontally across my chest.  I guess it is nerves.

    Going to get drains out tomorrow hopefully and maybe pathology report if Thanskgiving didn't delay it. 

    Felt very weepy taking last shower the morning of surgery.  Dreading tomorrow with the unveiling of my chest - I just don;t want to see it and know that it is really gone.  Didn't cry with dx - but this has me very sad.  Almost feel a little shallow - since I didn't think I cared that much about my breasts and I still know I made right decision for me to remove them. I think I have had some denial - but this will make it all undeniably real.

     Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I will be a better support to the rest of you once I grab myself up by the boot straps. hugs

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    Hi Cammy2- So glad your'e home and we've heard from you.

    I hope your visit goes well today! I felt better after I had gone back for the dr.visit after surgery to hear my progress report. You  have  lot to be thankful for for the SNB being clear!!!!!

    I think it's very normal to be tearful about the whole thing....we're adjusting to a "new us" ...AND we've been thru a big surgery.  When I get to feeling that way (& I do too), I have to remind myself about the positives and the reasons of why we had this done. Still, at times, I can't believe I've done it and just the whole ordeal of the last 3 months seems like a blur. We've chosen to fight this thing aggressively...we've chosen life. You're defintiely not "shallow"--you've dealt with a lot recently and gone thru major changes. We are human.

    I, too, had  a slight swelling at the site of the IV in my arm. I showed it to the nurse and she suggested warm compresses 3X a day, which I've done. I'd be interested to know what your dr./nurse says today about your arm. The pains across your chest....I, too, have some here and there-like sharp, quick shooting pains--nurse said that's normal. At least,. it's not constant pain, etc.

    I mainly took Advil--the pain's really not that bad at all. Since you took a lot of pain meds in the hospital, drink your prune juice!!  :-) 

    Let us know how your visit goes today!

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    BTW, my BS called yesterday, Thanksgiving, to wish me a a Happy Thanksgiving and see how I'm doing. I was surprised.  Is that a BS or what!?  :-)

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  • mejustme09
    mejustme09 Member Posts: 57
    edited November 2009

    Home resting. Thanks~ 

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

    Thank-you for posting the exact links, Binney. I'm not sure I know how to do that yet, so I'm glad you could help!

    Hope everyone spent a restful and thankful day yesterday!

    cammy2 - thougths and prayers are with you! I agree - you are NOT shallow! This affects each of us and we all handle it in different ways! It is OK to be tearful and sad. It is OK to express these feelings. Please don't "stuff" your feelings. Express them to someone - a friend, spouse, parent, or at least here where so many ladies really do understand - we've been there through the dx, the surgery, the recovery - and all of us are different. Some look at their incisions right away, some wait. Some want reconstruction, some don't. Some get fit for prosthesis, some don't even want to think about it. Your way won't be exactly the same as someone else, but no way is wrong. What is important is that we progress towards acceptance and usual life - evenly slowly is fine! There are so many variables, too, depending on recovery time, reconstruction, personality, family, etc!

    dmorgan - wow! Sounds like a very considerate BS!

    mejustme - glad to hear you are home resting. We always would be glad for details when you feel like it. Everyones experience or feelings helps someone else. There are alot of readers who never post - so maybe it will help them too!

    Anyone else from this November surgery thread - some have never "reported" back after surgery. This is fine if you prefer, but we do care and would love to know how your experience went. Any problems, any questions, any surprises?

    So glad for your progress, steeny. I really think it helps others to know the importance of stretching - depending on your surgeon guidelines. Sometimes I think my surgeon only answers the questions I ask. So if we don't know we need to ask.....how can we know what to do to help recovery? Everyone - if you didn't get arm exercise instructions - please place a call to your doctor and ASK! I seem stiffer this time, but maybe I just already forget! I'm now crawling my arm up the wall forwards, then sidewise, until the pull is too uncomfortable. I hold for awhile, then stop. I can now get higher on the doorframe! But I didn't have reconstruction - those of you with reconstruction will definitely have different instructions!

    Thinking of you all.....Have a good weekend! We spent yesterday with friends, and will be with family on Sunday after church.

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    Glad you're home, Mejustme!

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  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited November 2009

    My surgeon's office called to confirm my Monday appointment so I asked the nurse about the On-Q pain pump.  It was supposed to last 1-5 days.  My surgeon expected it to last 48 hours and told me how to remove it.  She said it would shrink and gave me the packet insert that described what it would look like. But, today, it still hadn't "deflated."  Anyway, the Dr wasn't in, but the nurse called her and called me back.  She said the Dr told her to tell me to take it out. So, I had to unwrap so my DD could pull it out.  Pulling it out wasn't bad...it's a very small tube - not like the drain.  Anyway, I got to see my incision.  You'd think I'd know what to expect since this is my 2nd mast. But, it looks nothing like the first one.  This one is concave and the other side looks like lips - is the only way I can describe it.  I guess it'll just take some getting used to.

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  • rebetata
    rebetata Member Posts: 539
    edited November 2009

      Hope everyone had a great weekend. I am 4 days out and I don't think it hit me yet but will keep in contact over the weekend because I am sure it will hit me now that the holiday is over.

    Rebecca

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    Rebecca,

    I "feel your pain." For me, the worst part of all this was the few days right before! Afterwards, it was such a relief.

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    MKK050709, How are you?

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  • WordDoctor
    WordDoctor Member Posts: 15
    edited November 2009

    Hello everyone,

    I had a left-side unilateral MX on Wed. and got to come home on Thanksgiving. Since I had already had the SNB three weeks ago with the lumpectomy, I just had to have the single incision on my chest. The pain has been much less than I expected. They gave me morphin shots in the hospital for the first few rounds of pain, and then I started on Demerol just before leaving the hopsital. Our son and his family are staying with us long-term, and my daughter-in-law did a great Thanksgiving meal on Friday, to give me a couple of days to feel more like eating

    From other posts, I expected to come home wrapped with the ace bandage, but my doctor undid it before he released me. The incision area looks lumpier than I expected. I'm sore all the way up to my collor bone, but I can still touch my chest without too much discomfort.

    I had a crying jag early Friday morning, but it passed (for now). I know the crying will come and go, maybe for quite awhile.

    Thanks for keeping me in your prayers.

    Linda

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  • Jane_M
    Jane_M Member Posts: 1,549
    edited November 2009

    I went out today for the first time since coming home from the hospital.  Went to breakfast and then the dump with my husband, then to the grocery store and CVS.  As per usual, I had to pick up a Rx for Diflucan to go along with my antibiotic.  How come men don't get yeast infections every time they take an antibiotic?  DH made an awesome turkey soup with the leftovers from Thursday.  Later tonight, I'm going to have to get him to wash my hair for me.  By the time we got done with our errands, I needed a vicodin.  I've been doing pretty good pain wise, but that was just sitting around.  I had to tuck my drain in my pocket.  Tomorrow morning, I'll go to church and then to work after that.  We'll see how I feel tomorrow night.

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    JaneM, Wow! You're getting around and doing more things than I have and your surgery was 5 days after mine! You must be feeling pretty good. You have to go back to work tomorrow (Sunday)?

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    Thinking of you, Kim09 !!!!!

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited November 2009

    Rebecca,

    I am SO thinking of you today..knowing it's probably a tuff day for you. Pleae know I've already prayed for you and will continue tomorrow!!!

    You'll be so relieved when it's over.

    "Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you." 1 Pet.5:7

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  • rebetata
    rebetata Member Posts: 539
    edited November 2009

      Thank you so much. I really need the prayers I am getting nervous.

      Rebecca

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

    Kim09 - Thinking of you.......hope you are finished by now and pain free. It's such a relief to have the surgery DONE!

    Rebecca - Deep breaths......and relax as much as possible! Can you plan something enjoyable for this evening? We went out to supper as a family - something we don't do very often. It was a great distraction. When we came home, there was a message from the hospital - my surgery time was moved up and please call to let them know I got the massage! Took just a little while to rearrange my thoughts about the morning time line! But it was nice surprise! God promises to never leave us or forsake us. He will be with you even when your family can't go any further! This was a real comfort to me. He has a plan and HE is in control of ALL things! We'll be thinking of you today and tomorrow, and praying for Peace.....

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  • rebetata
    rebetata Member Posts: 539
    edited December 2009

      Thank you I just packed my bag. I will post again when I get home I have to be at the hosp. at 7am

    Rebecca

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  • cellardoor
    cellardoor Member Posts: 50
    edited December 2009

    My goodness, I have been wanting to get back here and post but I've been having so much trouble post bmx that I've been pretty much been knocked out on pain meds all the way through thanksgiving. I'm sorry I missed so much!

    You ladies seem to be holding up much better than I am. I just finished doing all the catch-up reading. I hope you all will still welcome me here. Laughing Oh, and turns out that little lump I found post-op, is scar tissue (or so says the breast surgeon).

     I have my first TE fill tomorrow. I must say, I'm a tad freaked out right now and can't sleep. Darn pills aren't working. 

    I hope everyone's holidays were happy. 

    Rebecca - I wish you the best tomorrow!  

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