February 2010 Mastectomy

I am new to this forum. I got my diagnosis in early Dec and have had to wait to get my insurance changed (Jan1) so that I could have my bilat DIEP in Seattle on Feb.  10.

I am so trying to be patient and accepting but I am scared and ready to have the surgery and get on with healing. I know I am supposed to be exercising before surgery. I have been spendng all my focussed energy on making arrangements, studying about the disease and the docs that I feel wasted by the end of the day. 

I am grateful that this was caught early and that I may be spared chemo and radiation but until they do the surgery there is no way to really know.But I have had bouts of mourning for the loss of life as I have known it. Grateful and very sad.

All best wishes to you and to those of us on this journey.

Hi February Ladies,

This is Regina. If any of you need an apron for drain bulbs after surgery PM me and I will get you one made and out ASAP! I would love to help you if I can.

((HUGS))

Regina

Joining the February club!  Bilateral mx with SNB and TE on Feb. 3rd. 

I'm scared.

Bodhi - I am sort of in the same boat. I am currently scheduled for a unilateral mastectomy on Jan. 27, but if I wait until February I have new insurance that has dramatically better coverage. I am in the process of trying to move everything out... I was losing it when I first found out all the problems I was about to face (with insurance) but am thinking now it was a blessing in disguise. As long as I can tolerate the wait. So, I may be joining the February ladies! I've been in the January forum all month. This is such an odd journey...

Cornellalum - my story is similar -- routine mammo in Oct. identified microcalcs, stereotactic bx in Nov. found DCIS and possible IDC, surgical bx in Dec. confirmed IDC.  Had first onc appt 12/22 so that's my official diagnosis date.  Onc was great, squeezed me in before the holiday and still spent a lot of time talking, explaining path report, even drew pix!

I needed time to think things through so called surgeon right after C-Mas to say let's do the bmx.  He explained that, due to his vacation in mid-Jan. and not wanting to leave me in the lurch in case of post-op issues, we either needed to do it next week or in a month.  AAGH - a week?  No way, too soon, I was able to wait the month and boy has it gone fast!  Yes, I want the cancer gone but oh how I will miss my breasts!

The wisdom and support here is amazing, I do not know how I could do this without y'all!!  {{hugs}}

Thanks for the support.  I quit smoking after learning about the increased risk of complications with reconstruction.  It's sad that it took a BC diagnosis to get me to quit.

BTW, the username came from my banana fetish.  Banana every morning, first thing.  Otherwise I'm grouchy the rest of the day. 

Well, I guess a banana addiction is better than a nicotine addiction.  I've been eating one every day for longer than I've been smoking - let's hope I can keep it down to just one...

 On another, more serious note.  Had bloody discharge today from the diseased breast.  First time that's happened.  I've had a weird, blackish discharge before, but never bloody.  Is this cause to contact my Dr. or is it "normal" for a breast with IDC?

Bodhi,

Misery will have company on Feb.10th.  I'm in New York City, having a unilateral mastectomy (for widespread D.C.I.S.) and sentinal node biopsy.  It's a skin-sparing (although not nipple-sparing) surgery with immediate reconstruction.  The plastic surgeon will put in an implant.  Hopefully, the newly constructed breast will match the healthy sandbag on the other side!  (Going on 40; two breastfed kids.  Gravity's been at work on my chest.)

I'm brand-new to this website.  And, 2.5 weeks away from surgery, I've just been "building myself up" mentally to face this challenge.  It's a mental game, and I'm determined to be a tough competitor against fear.  You know in the Olympics, when you get a glimpse of an athlete warming up, listening to music, doing some moves, psyching themselves up before their sport?  That's how I've decided to prepare myself.  In fact, goofy as it sounds, I've been feeling the urge to punch the air with both my fists--boxer-style-- just to assert my strength.  I will NOT let this mastectomy and my fear get me down.  In your face, mastectomy!  

I've always hated exercising, but today--despite the cold and drizzle--I took my first brisk walk outdoors just to help bolster my confidence going into Feb.10th.  A good competitor needs to be in good shape, right?  It was fantastic.  I highly recommend this.  I felt powerful, using the muscles in my legs and braving the cold.  I've decided I'm going to make this a regular thing for the next 2 weeks, regardless of the weather, and compile my own mix of inspiring songs to accompany more these walks.  Actually, lousy weather adds to the challenge, in a good way.  If I can handle cold wind in my face, raindrops, etc., it reminds me that I am TOUGH for whatever challenges lie ahead.

I'm writing on and on... oops.  The reason I signed on to the website tonight, for the first time, was to ask about recovery.  Does anyone know--for a unilateral mx and sentinal node biopsy, how long can I expect to feel sore?  My parents are coming into town to help with my two young kids, and I don't know for how long I should ask them to stay.  We need to plan for their accommodations.  

Soldier on, February ladies!!  Glad to know that I have company.

LTK

I am have a PBM on Feb 3rd with recon (not sure which method - either TE or one-step).

I had Hodgkins lymphoma in 1996 and was treated with chemo and chest radiation. The radiation raised my risk for breast cancer so I began mammograms at 25. I have had at least 10 areas biopsied and all have been benign. Unfortunately my most recent biopsy in September 2009 found ALH. Considering my history and risk, I decided to do PBM. I am 32 and have 2 kids (4 and 2 years old).

I am VERY nervous that the biopsies will show cancer. My BS doesn't think that will happen and was even planning on skipping the SNB. I convinced her to do the SNB but she isn't doing a stain in the OR. She will only send off the tissue to be analyzed.

In September, I had a breast MRI, ultrasound and mammogram so I am hoping nothing has popped up in the past 4 1/2 months. The thought keeps me up at night though!! 

Hi ladies, hola from Spain!

 I had Hodgkins lymphoma in 1991-92 and last month I was diagnosed a cancer tumor with only 12 mm  diameter, but as I received a huge amount of radiation to cure Hodgkins desease, radiotherapy is not a chance now. 3 days ago, my doctors told me that they had been studying my case and had decided that what they will do  is mastectomy of the affected breast  and also to extract all the lymphatic nodes from that side .

Next february the first I´ll enter the hospital and the operation will take place on Feb the 2nd . I'm awfully scared, I just can't swallow this bad news so easily and I dont trust in my own body, that seems to betray me again. 

I see some of you are good warriors and I need to put myself together and keep going one way or another.

I send you big hugs and best wishes. 

LTK: I am a visitor from the Jan. thread. I had a BMX w/SNB on one side on Jan. 8th. I had family staying with my children for the time I was in the hospital and the first 2 days I was home. My kids are a bit older than yours, I think (16,14,11). My husband and I were fine on our own after that. I had a couple of friends take me to the grocery store, and my kids helped with laundry--with much detailed direction from me. I haven't lived in New York for many years, but can you still shop and pay, then have it delivered to you?

I am still a bit sore, especially at the end of the day, and I'm not sleeping quite as long as I would like at night. But, I do feel much better than I expected to at this point (2.5 weeks). Each of us recovers differently, so it's hard to predict. My oldest friend came from NY to stay with me last week while my husband was on a business trip. I was happy to have her help, but the greatest benefit was psychological. I was pretty worn down emotionally from the whole ordeal. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's a guessing game when trying to plan for your parents. Just don't forget that some of the healing you need to do is emotional, so don't forget to factor that in. 

The January thread is a good place to read about the varied experiences of some different women as we've gone through this.  Best wishes to you for a successful surgery and recovery.

Maura