November 2009 Mastectomy

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  • mejustme09
    mejustme09 Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2009

    Hi Ladies:

    I checked in at 6am. Did runway show with my hospital outfit for my Mom, son, nurse and another family who were waiting to change. It lifted the mood~

    Was taken to Nuclear to have dye test in Lymph Nodes.

    Was brought back to post OR room to wait for my turn.

    My step Mom who works at the Hospital was in the OR hallway waiting for me. She held my hand until I fell asleep. Which was very kind and comforting.

    THe surgery lasted 3 hrs. I was brought to my room. Pain was not bad at all.

    While my step mom went to look for my Mom, Son, sister and Hubby(he flew home for the surgery) left the next day. I called my grandmama to tell her I was fine and I told her "No Worries". She thought that it was amazing that I called her to tell her about the surgery.

    I slept off and on the first day. The Demerol was not enough for the pain so Dr added Perks, in between to help control it. It did.

    I had my veins breach and ended up having 3 iv's. I gave up after the third one and just took the perks. They helped with the pain but did not help me sleep.

    I was getting up and going to the Bathroom most of the time by myself.

    They other ladies are so right-take some stool softer asap. I had a horrible time when I came home.

    My Dr. came in Friday and took out the drains-OUCH!!! But the pain subsided in about an hr.

    I have alot of swelling under my arms that is the one place where I have any pain. DR. took out 5 Lymph Nodes.

    I am waiting for pathology report to begin the next step.

    I am actually mentally fine with having no breasts. I was always small breasts 32aa cup up until a few years ago when I gained a lot of weight, depression, and painful bone spurs stopped me from working out. 

    Anyway, When I look down now it just seems "normal" to me. I should be getting staples out Thursday.

    It has been so helpful for me that my congregation and some family are making dinners for us, until I am stronger.

    I keep praying the P. Report will be a good one!!!

    **I had one of the best nurses in the world care for me. She was so kind, caring and helped me through so much** I will be writing her a thank you card and maybe give her a lil' gift certificate to a local restaurant. She was the best!

    I showed my sons and mom the scar. They say it isn't that bad. The way I see it, is I am alive and now can move forward. Fatty tissue, skin and nipples do not make me a woman~ 

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  • mejustme09
    mejustme09 Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2009

    All my best to Kim09 and Rebetta

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

    Dmorgan2 - I work 2 jobs....my everyday "career" job is working for the State of New York in their Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) office.  I work in the Staff Development Department.  I went back to that on Monday.  I also have a part-time job on the side as the bookkeeper for a local restaurant.  I do payroll on Sunday afternoon/evening and I also go in one other night every week.  I spend probably another 10 hours per week doing stuff from home for that job as well.

    I now know that I did the right thing.  I got the pathology report yesterday that said my breast was "grossly suggestive of DCIS"  It didn't elaborate, so my surgeon is going to have them send it out to the Mayo clinic for further review.  I live in a small community and I don't have a lot of faith in the pathologists in our area.  Other than the statement above and another reference stating that section A13-15 central ? DCIS...there is no further discussion.  What's that about?  It tells me that something wasn't quite right with that breast after all.

    I had my drain removed yesterday and that feels a lot better.  I'm not feeling 100%, but most of my pain is along my side, not across my chest.  Again, I'm thinking it's from where the drain was.

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

    ktsy - of  course you are welcome here! We'd love to hear from everyone who had surgery this month - even if you didn't "officially" sign up! (Just let me know - I can still add you!). What trouble did you have besides pain meds? And that IS enough, I know! It really is an individual journey.... Hope things are going better, and your fill will go fine! My guess is that the first one is the most anxious one since it is a new experience and it's hard to know what to expect! We'll be thinking of you and pray your path report will be good.

    mejustme - so glad to hear the details! You are right - we are still women. My choice is to focus on being rid of the cancer, or the possibility on the left, rather than what I've "lost". I laid on my stomach last night - and it felt great not to arrange breast tissue for comfort!!! 'Course, I tend to usually see the glass as half full, so guess I'm still doing the same thing! I'm thankful God is still in control, even over my attitudes!

    Jane_M - now I feel better about you returning to work so soon.....I think! Sounds like an interesting field to work in! And at least the bookkeeping is flexible in hours! It will be interesting to hear what the final path report says! There's alot of discussion in some threads about DCIS not being cancer and the fact that it may never become invasive - but the fact that no one knows when it might become invasive is also true! My original bx in February was "only" DCIS. The final path report was also microinvasion. I'm thankful that  a mastectomy was recommended - or the microinvasion could soon have been lymph node involvement and require chemo. Please try to pace your activites and rest, too!

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

    Where is everyone? I was so surprised to come back almost 24 hours later and find that I was the last to post! Must be that everyone is feeling better and getting back to normal activies! Which is a good thing!

    Still thinking of everyone - especially Kim and rebetta. Praying you are back home and doing well. How's your arm steeny? Is the lymphedema better Leslie? Thinking of you as you get closer to beginning chemo.

    What is everyone else's status? Some have new path reports back, some are getting scheduled for rads, some for chemo..... The journey goes on, and God is still ever present!

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  • steeny107
    steeny107 Member Posts: 85
    edited December 2009

    Hi 2hands4me

    My arm is doing so much better, after 3 sessions of PT I have so much range of motion.

    I did my scans yesterday for Radiation and was fine with it above my head for about 40 mins.

    However today it is feeling swollen, but I see my PT tomorrow and I am sure she will sort it.

    My chest is still tight and I am massaging my implants to help them fall in to place better.

    However I have to go back for some more scans as I had a spot on my chest wall just below the collar bone light up on the ultrasound yesterday.  So they are concerned as the bs said she took everything out from there and the pathologist said there was no cancer in any of the tissue she gave him.

    I had surgery on the 28th of October and had finished my chemo on Sept 24th.

    I am a bit of a mess today but hope to hear some good news after the scans.

    Best to you all

    Michelle

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  • cammy2
    cammy2 Member Posts: 42
    edited December 2009

    2 Hands 4 Me - What a sweet mother/cheerleader you are to all of us!  Always checking in on each lady - you are a little angel - Thank you from us all!

    I got my Path report back.  While the flash test done during surgery showed clear lymph node - the Path report DID find cancer in one of the 5 nodes tested on the right side.  Bummer.  I had really hoped that wouldn't be the case - but it is- so now I will deal with that. 

    Dr said tumor was 4.5 cm which "is larger than we like to see."  Larger than I like to see too! I have ILC and he said this did not grow to this size since my last mammogram 14 months ago.  He said it has been growing for several years to get to that size and I have had a mammo every year and it NEVER showed up!  He said it probably would've only shown on an MRI - but there was no reason to give me one.  Not very comforting to know that a clean mammo DOES NOT mean you don't have BC.  crazy.   Doc said that is why Lobular cancer is called the "Great Masquerader"  Also found LCIS in another lobule. 

    Clean margins and no more surgery needed.  Yeah!

    Oncology appt on 12/7 to see treatment plan and dates.

    Getting more arm movement but experiencing terrible burning pains that have nothing to do with movement.  Doc said these are nerve pains and hopes they will fade in 6 weeks or so.  Feels like a lightning strike with searing burning pain.  Anyone else? 

    Lymphodema MUCH better - using gravity to help drainage.

    Needed to have fluid build up aspirated from one (former) breast - it jiggled like jello if you touched the area.  Doc thinks it will probably need one more aspiration in a week or so.  Still much better than keeping drains in longer. 

     Michelle - I see you are an ILC with 5 cm - I am ILC with 4.5cm - pretty similar.  Good luck with your scans. 

     All the best to you ladies! We are all in God's hands - Cammy

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  • mejustme09
    mejustme09 Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2009

    Still waiting for Pathology Report. Dr said he should have it this week. I will have my staples out today-Ouch! 

    I have swelling under my arms where the stitches are but no place else.

    Once Dr gets the P.R then we can decide our course of action.

    I have just been really tired and achy. Waiting for that to subside.

    Praying all you ladies are fairing well~

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  • MsMarilyn
    MsMarilyn Member Posts: 125
    edited December 2009

    I'm finally done with the move but I still have a ton of unpacking to do still but I did get the computer up and going again (was starting to go through with drawls.. lol). 

    Thanksgiving was good... and the worms were even better!

    My church really came through for my family during the move.  About 10 people showed up to had my entire house moved within 3 hours.  And some of the ladies have been stopping by to help with the unpacking.  And on the day of the move I got the results of my BRCA testing and NO MUTATIONS were found!   Which means I got my Christmas gift early this year!  

    I went back to my PS yesterday and he removed the drain tubes!  WOOHOO!!   I have to tell you 3 weeks with those tubes and I don't miss them even a little bit!  lol   While I was there he went ahead and gave me a fill on my TE's.  90cc on each side so now I have 290 and I can really feel the pressure!  But I keep telling myself it's all for a good cause! 

    I go this Monday to the Oncologist to find out what my treatment plan is going to be.  Not really sure what to hope or even pray for other than I don't have to do anything but I know that's not really possible.   So I'm taking things one day at a time and trying not to over think too many things.

    I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

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  • Kim09
    Kim09 Member Posts: 100
    edited December 2009

    Well I am back home from the hospital.  Currently I have 4 drains.  I am hoping when I go to the doctors next Tuesday I can get at least two of them out.  The surgeon used staples this time so I am not looking forward to when those come out. 

    Still trying to get caught up on my sleep.  This was the first time I have had trouble getting sleep at the hospital.

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

    So glad your arm is better with PT, Michelle. I keep hearing from different sources about the importance of massage to keep the skin loose under the incision. My right side is fine and I did do massage with lotion, so I'm doing the same with the left. It seems tighter, but maybe I just forget already how tight the right was! Without reconstruction, I have no restrictions on arm movement, so I'm trying to use my arm even for reaching, and doing stretches as much as I can remember!

    MsMarilyn - HOW did I miss that you were moving????? No wonder we haven't heard from you! Hope you rested, and didn't lift etc! So nice to have a church family for support! Did you move very far?

    The staple removal shouldn't be very difficult - for those who are anticipating that procedure! For one, the area is somewhat numb due to the cut nerves. And the staples slip out easily - you'll just feel the little tug as the ends lift up. My surgeon used glue the first time and I didn't like it, so asked him about using steristrips the second time. He didn't like them, and thought the glue was so much better - then 6 weeks later when I actually had surgery - he remembered to use steristrips!!!! For his huge ego, I really was impressed that he remembered and co-operated with me! Maybe reconstruction makes a difference in what the surgeons use, and personal preference certainly does!

    Thoughts and prayers for progress for everyone - even rads and chemo is one more step towards being finished with this journey. But we can all learn alot along the path! And as we learn from each other, maybe we can help someone else along the path next month, or next year!

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  • Leslie1962
    Leslie1962 Member Posts: 233
    edited December 2009

    Hi everyone!

    I have been having days where I have a tight band feeling across the chest with tingling and numbness. My arm is still puffy and competes with the swelling under my left armpit. My underarm from elbow to armpit feels cold on most days even with exercise and it also has that tingling feeling. I sometimes bring out moist heat and that helps for awhile. I have been trying my best to exercise and stretch these muscles out, but so far it seems they are winning.

    My power port went in yesterday and it has been more painful than I expected so my range of motion is not very good today on the right side. All that said, I guess I am doing okay. My last drain came out yesterday as well and all I can say is it sure feels good not to have that to deal with that anymore. The last drain was in for 21 days and I thought it would be difficult to remove, but it was the least painful of the three. My next milestone is chemotherapy which starts on December 8.

    Hope this post finds everyone doing well.

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  • jane1254
    jane1254 Member Posts: 62
    edited December 2009

     I am new to this site, but have been reading it for a few weeks.  I thought I would have surgery in November, but it is Dec. 7.  I am so frightened of the surgery (rt. mast.) that I am thinking of cancelling.  Can anyone help me to get through this week-end.

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

    jane1254 - You are welcome here! Glad you let us know how you are feeling! Cyber hugs coming your way!!!!! Can you feel them? (Edit after I re-read your post to see that you are scheduled for a right mastectomy - I had asked what surgery you were having!). I've had two now - one in February and one in November. As you have read through these ladies having surgery this month, you can see how well most get along. The hardest part is the waiting - especially as you get closer to the time of surgery. What has you the most worried? The pain, the loss of your breast, the surgery itself, the recovery time or ????? Pain wise, I only used Vicodan a couple days after surgery, but it does depend on the surgery. Nerves are cut when they do a mastectomy, so the pain is much less than after abdominal surgery or joint surgery. Reconstruction makes a difference too. Please, please express these feelings and explore what will help YOU! Do you need more information about the bx results? Would it help to discuss with family or a close friend? Can we answer questions, or share in some way that hasn't been addressed yet? Each of us are individuals that have different needs and different journeys along this breast cancer pathway. It's easy for me to say, "No, don't cancel" but at the same time, I understand your "panic" and several of the ladies here will have excellant ideas and support to help you during the next few days! We have been in this diagnosing time, this testing time, anticipating time and the recovery time.

    For me....I'm relieved to have the cancer removed. My DCIS was grade 3 and already had microinvasion, so I'm also relieved to not need chemo. The recovery in Feb. was slow because of fatigue, but this recovery has been quite easy. I feel that this is God's path for me at this time, and I want to be in His Will, so I am marching forward with His help and comfort.

    If you need more information, I can give you some threads that might help, and I have a checklist for after surgery if you are the type of person who likes to "see" what needs to be done and see the progress as you need less each week. (By the way, anyone who used the checklist - any suggestions about what worked well, or didn't work for you, or needed to be added?).

    Let us know, and I'll check back in later today. You can PM me for any questions you would rather not post here. I'll be thinking of you and praying for peace during the next few days!

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited December 2009

    Hello Ms Marilyn!

    I'm with 2Hands...how did we not know about the move!!!??? I was wondering where you were too! That's an awful lot to handle--surgery and a move. Bless your heart! But, knowing your positive outlook, I'm sure your'e handling it better than I would!!! :-)

    I thought about your pizza on Thanksgiving!

    Kim09, it's good to hear from you!...know you're glad to be home.

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  • jane1254
    jane1254 Member Posts: 62
    edited December 2009

    2hands4me

    Thank you for your kind words.  I think it is the anesthesia that I am so terrified of. Most people say it actually feels good to be put out. I need to get past the surgery to then concentrate on the diagnosis. I meet with Dr.s today to prepare for Monday.  They were very reassuring that it will go well.  I will be happier Monday evening when I am awakened, even if I am in pain. I will know the surgery is behind me.  It has to be the anesthesia that has me so scared, because I have had big lumpectomies under a local and never minded.

    Thank you again for answering.  I feel a little foolish being so scared, but it is a human emotion.

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  • Stonebrook108
    Stonebrook108 Member Posts: 237
    edited December 2009

    Jane,

    I too was so terrified of having my PBM. But once I woke up in recovery I was so glad it was over.

    I want to tell you that I love anesthesia. I know it sounds funny but I do. You know when your just so tried and your eyes are so heavy that you doze off. Well, that's just what it's like. I found that if you ask the anesthesiogt not to give you morphine while your under you won't be sick when you wake up. I hope this helps you. Best of luck

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

    Jane, it's OK to express your feeling of being scared! The anesthesiologists are very good at what they do, they KNOW the drugs they give, and they are responsible for getting you asleep and keeping you safe for the surgery. They often give you something called Versed to get started - it makes you forget. All I remember is moving over to the table in the room, then the anesthesiologist saying, "I'm starting to put the medicene in your IV now". And the next thing I knew, I woke up in the recovery room! I was cold but they immediately brought warm blankets and all was great. And such a relief to be done!!! There's so much to be done before they start the surgery - like put something on your legs to keep the circulation moving while you sleep, get your arm positioned so the anesthesiologist can reach your IV etc. But, you don't remember any of it! They monitor your oxygen level, blood pressure, pulse and breathing throughout, so all of those wires need to be connected. But you may not even remember any of that! I had great nurses - they made eye contact, one held my hand, they told me they were going to take good care of me.....It's their job, but you could tell that these two were so compassionate. I really appreciated that they took that time just before I don't remember anything else!

    Personally - I DIDN'T like the way the radiologists did the bx. This is so much easier. (Not that I want surgery again anytime soon! But it definitely has it's place!). I had a colonoscopy wirthout meds and that was great ("course, I have a great doctor that does it!). But a lumpectomy under local??? Not for me after the way my bx went! Yes, there is a period of time where you are not in control - which is one of the reasons I didn't want meds for the colonoscopy - but it seems like 2 seconds and you'll be awake and back in control!

    Maybe you've heard negative stories about anesthesia? Sometimes "friends" always tell the worst story they can think of. I've never quite figured out why they do that. Do you ever have friends tell you what a great experience they had when they delivered their first child, or when they were in the hospital for _____, or when they broke their leg while skiing? Everyone usually tells the negative - even to someone facing a similar experience! We need to remember to be encouraging! Tell the positive side of things and at least keep quiet about the negative! Sometimes, someone may be facing something similar and you just don't know it! Then, they go home and worry about it, and "know" they are going to have a similar negative problem - only to be very surprised at how easy it was! Long story short, if you've heard the negative, MOST of the time it won't happen that way - although I know it's hard to forget once you've heard it!

    Can you plan something fun and distracting for the weekend? Or at least for Sunday afternoon? Waiting is difficult, but once the decision was made, I was ready to go forward and didn't want to fret over everything. But we are all different - you know what sounds like the best way for YOU to keep moving forward! Will continue thinking of you.

    Must go make a cake for my 23 year old birthday! It's hard to believe my boys are now 18 and 23!!! Where did the time go?

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  • jane1254
    jane1254 Member Posts: 62
    edited December 2009

     2Hands4Me

    Do you know how special you are?  You have taken the time to not only answer me, but put all that information in.  I hope I allow myself to absorb it.  I keep reminding myself that fear is okay.  I think I might start listening to myself.  I will reread your post many times.

    Thank you

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  • Kyta
    Kyta Member Posts: 713
    edited December 2009

    Hi Jane...I know it's a scary time. I'm having a left mast next week, and while the surgery scares me a bit, the word "cancer", scares me a whole lot more.

    Cancelling your surgery is not an option Jane....you need to beat this stupid thing. I'll be thinking about you on Monday. Please let us know how you're doing.

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  • mejustme09
    mejustme09 Member Posts: 57
    edited December 2009

    I received the best news possible! 

    I will not need radiation or chemo and the panel will decide if I should even take hormone therapy next month.

    I am so thankful to Jehovah, God! My family and I are so relieved that this is the end of it not just the beginning.

    I pray all of you get well and strong soon!!

    Much love and care,  

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  • DM-M
    DM-M Member Posts: 7
    edited December 2009

    Hi.  I had a bilateral mastectomy on 11/17. I found this website to be very helpful answering the zillions of questions I had then (and continue to have now)

    Thank you all for sharing! 

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited December 2009

    Congratulations, Mejustme !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    You have a lot to be thankful for!!!  I'm thankful with you.

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  • rebetata
    rebetata Member Posts: 539
    edited December 2009

      Ladies  I am home now. I got home yesterday. Everything went well. I had lymph node dissection on both sides. I have two drains in now I got the first 200cc in both sides during surgery. The TE's are very tight. I am glad to be home and on the other side of all this. I can't wait for the results from everything. I hope to get the drains out on Monday at the PS appointment.

    Thnak you to all of you for the prayers and good wishes.

    Rebecca

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  • jane1254
    jane1254 Member Posts: 62
    edited December 2009

    rebetata

    I am new to this site, but have been reading your posts.  I am scheduled for this Monday.  Can you give me any words of encouragement?  I am still so nervous about the surgery that I have  not able to even get to the other side in my thoughts.  I have been lucky to get great advice from this site in the last 24 hrs. Please tell me what your experience was like on the day of surgery.

    Jane

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited December 2009

    Rebecca- Glad you're home and it's over for you!!!!

    Jane1254, Did you get my private message to you?

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  • jane1254
    jane1254 Member Posts: 62
    edited December 2009

     If I know how to get it, I think I did.  I clicked on your name and read your messages.  Was it posted yesterday?

    Thank you

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  • dmorgan2
    dmorgan2 Member Posts: 241
    edited December 2009

    Jane- At the top of your screen, it has "Private Messages" (after you log in). That's where private messages are obtained if someone has written you.

    You probably read it. I wrote it maybe 2 days ago.

    Hope you're making it thru the weekend!!!

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

    mejustme - Great news! So glad for you! One step at a time, and here you are!

    DM-M - Glad to have you join us, and glad to have you let us know it has helped to read the progress throughout the month!

    rebetta - Thankful you're home and did so well! The waiting and anticipation is the worst! My mother always said never to say "I told you so...." but it really is something that is difficult to understand until you've been there. That's why it's so important that we try to help each other. One person may say something totally different from someone else and yet it's the thing that helps the most!

    Jane - How are you doing? Wish I could be there and give you a real hug! Cyber hugs will have to do, though! I really think you'll be amazed at how easy the surgery itself is! Recovery takes awhile, but one day at a time and before you know it, it'll be two weeks after surgery!!!!! And the cancer will be gone, and you can move forward! Cancer is too sneaky for me to be conservative with! Know we care, keep asking questions and sharing. We'll keep praying that you will have peace.

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  • WordDoctor
    WordDoctor Member Posts: 15
    edited December 2009

    I'm doing really well in terms of incision recovery, but physical energy is still pretty low, and the skin surface tenderness is KILLING me. Yesterday morning I dressed (with a bra and filler fluff on the left side) and enjoyed grocery shopping and a couple of errands with my husband. When I got home I did a few more holiday prep things. By the time lunch was over I was about going crazy with the nerve pain. I felt like I was being tortured, and I was ready to admit to any crime, just to have the pain stop. But it's a weird kind of pain--more like sunburn irritation than surgery pain. Can anyone tell me if you've been having this kind of pain? What are you doing to relieve it? My mastectomy was Nov. 25th, for reference sake.

    Linda

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